Just announced, and available HERE, (use code “topazclarity” for a 40% discount!) Topaz Clarity is a new plugin that helps further define detail in your images. I’ve been playing around with the Beta version for a while and just got my hands on the full plugin last night. I can say that it is going to become part of my workflow, especially for landscape and interior work. Read on for examples and more details on this new, cool, affordable plugin…
I’m sure there are new cameras on the horizon. With every camera manufacturer pumping a few new bells and whistles into newer body styles and wrapping it around warmed over sensor tech, those among us who play the patient opportunists really benefit. I held off on the GX1 when it was released and opted for the G3 when upgrading from my GF1. I gained the beautiful EVF, and at the time saved about $500 (when looking at the GX1 + add on EVF). I’ve since been running a two camera setup (much as I do with my full frame work setup) as it allows me to always have a backup as well as be able to eliminate much in the way of lens changes. Because I use the Olympus OM-D E-M5 as well, and I’ve recently traded my G3 to my brother in law for favors yet to be determined, I felt I could justify a compact body, sans EVF again. Enter the GX1 which is now down to only $250 just about everywhere! (it’s available at B&H – CLICK HERE – with 2% reward and free shipping). C’mon in to see a couple shots of and with the GX1…
don’t worry, there were no kids harmed during the photoshopping of this image.
Hello everyone! You may have noticed that I’m quietly adding content to the site. This is being done to try and make a more complete resource for those visiting the site to reference specific tutorial articles or find gear reviews, etc. The biggest changes are the new “Tutorial” “Review” and “MyGear” pages up at the top of the page. I will be trying to catalog the more popular tutorials and reviews for easy reference, and the new gear page has allowed me to link certain cameras, lenses and miscellaneous gear that I use to my affiliate links at B&H. Yup, you read that right. I’ve finally succumbed to the monetary necessity of trying to make a little coin to keep the site going. Read on for my reasoning and ever cheesy gratitude…
As I’m sure many of us are aware, being a parent is a lot of work. Joyful work much of the time, but work nonetheless. Today is a day to celebrate, remember, cherish and love all those ladies who brought us into this world. Mom, I love ya. To Mrs Squeeze, you continue to amaze me. Thank you for all that you do and for the two bundles of pure energetic, chaotic and undying love you have brought into our world. I love you.
Happy Mother’s day to all the moms out there.
All the best,
tyson
The web is abuzz with condemnation of Adobe’s choice to force users to subscribe to a monthly cloud based service with its newest upgrades which sees the long standing Creative Suite at the end of its life. No longer will you as a consumer be able to choose to purchase upgrades based on features, but rather you’ll pay for whatever upgrades Adobe chooses to include (or doesn’t). I’ve yet to find one person that is actually excited by this move. Sure, some have listed the potential merits of a monthly charge, but none that I’ve found have come out and said, this is by far the better way to offer software and service. Is there someone out there that feels a solely cloud based solution is the best option? If so, I can’t help but feel you’re not only in the minority, but you’re on a crazy little Adobe island with the few that felt this was the best business move. A few more thoughts after the jump…
It has been brought to my attention that my site is difficult to read for certain folks due to the text shrinking down to a minuscule font size. Turns out that WordPress, (at least certain themes, mine being one of them) does not play well with IE (most complaints I’ve been able to find site IE8). A fix? Unfortunately not really, although make sure those of you choosing to use IE, to set your browser’s default text size to 100% and that IE 8 is not viewing the site in Compatibility Mode as this renders the site as if it was being viewed in IE 7, which might be causing problems. Of course, if you are using IE, you probably can’t read this 
. You can always use Firefox or Chrome too, they’re both free, and probably more stable anyway.
I’m sorry for the compatibility issues, I will continue to try and find a fix, but it seems like IE is going to have to update its compatibility before these types of problems will go away entirely, unfortunately.
Cheers and happy shooting,
Tyson
Portland has become a Mecca for young, inspired chefs. The relatively affordable overhead alongside a genuinely interested food culture makes for a ripe proving ground. Aesthetics and spacial design can be the difference between one restaurant’s success, and it’s failure as there are so many quality venues boasting inventive, unique or simple, well done fare. Scott Snyder the owner and chef at Levant recognized the need to design his space around his vision, and ELK obliged in spades.
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Hello All. You may remember my original review of Topaz B&W Effects back a little while ago. It was, in my opinion, a great black and white plugin for the money. With B&W Effects 2, they streamlined the interface, added more filters along with a few other bells and whistles. With the 2.1 upgrade, (which is a free upgrade for existing users of B&W Effects, or available for new users at a 30% discount using promo code “BW21” here at TopazLabs.com) They’ve added an 11 Zone review system along with a new smattering of awesome borders.
In the world of photography, a fisheye lens to me is kind of like a purse is to my wife. Follow me for a second here. You only use it on certain occasions and for certain purposes, with certain outfits if you will. For the other times, you have a plethora of other purses to accessorize to your need. For the times that you need that one, zany purse, the only one that goes with that crazy belt, then the fisheye is the ticket. Since I’ve become re-enamored with photography, I have stopped asking about and wondering why my wife has as many purses as she does (and constantly wants more…sounds kinda familiar right?) Don’t worry, I’m not turning this into a fashion blog, c’mon in and I’ll show you some shots of and from the stellar Rokinon 7.5mm fisheye lens.
Any of you who have read my blog somewhat regularly know that I love and use Topaz plugins. Topaz Labs offerings are realistically priced, and offer unique, quality plugins. They now have a program set up through the end of March which offers 25% off any Topaz plugin or bundle and a 3 month gift code for 500px as well as a 10% discount for current Topaz users for upgrades to a 500px “Awesome” subscription (normally $50/year) which allows users to host and sell their images through their own, modified online portfolio and store hosted by 500px. You can see all the Topaz plugins on offer by heading over the the Topazlabs.com website (click here) USE COUPON CODE “500px” at checkout to get the 25% discount and 3 month 500px gift account. For existing Topaz users looking to upgrade their free 500px account to an Awesome account, use code 10AWTL at 500px.com upgrade page HERE. For those not familiar with 500px, it is a very high quality photo community that enables members to share, and sell images through their own, user modified galleries and portfolio pages. I’ve used the upgrade discount myself from my free account, and have spent a little time now getting to know the ins and outs and it looks promising
Here are a couple past articles outlining and reviewing my favorite Topaz Plugins:
Using Topaz Clean3 as a Fractalius like plugin for Mac users
Happy shooting,
Tyson
