Thursday News Stuff
Howdy folks. First a quick thanks to photographer Bruce DeBoer for his inspiring Guest Blog post yesterday here on the blog. Very cool stuff! Now, onto the news!
Nikon releases FREE “Learn & Explore” iPhone App
This one slipped by me, but luckily John “The Snake” Barrett dropped me a line to let me know that Nikon has released a FREE iPhone App called “Learn & Explore,” which not only has tips for using your Nikon camera, but it also has access to back issues of “Nikon World Magazine” (John let me know that the issue I’m in is there as well—in the Winter of 2009 Issue—click on Roadmaster—so if you didn’t get to catch it in the magazine itself, now you can not only read it on your iPhone, it even lets you listen to my audio slideshow as well). Also, John pointed out that, although he’s a Canon shooter, he liked the App because many of the photography tips applied to his Canon gear as well. You can download it free direct from your iPhone, or by clicking here. (Thanks John for the heads up).
Catch Lesa Snider’s New “Elements 8 for Digital Photographers” Online Class
Photoshop World instructor, and author of “Photoshop: The Missing Manual” Lesa Snider has just released an online class at Kelby Training Online on the newly released Adobe Photoshop Elements 8. Lesa is a terrific teacher (which is why we have her training at Photoshop World), and her classes are always top-rated, so if you’re into Elements, make sure you take her new online class. Here’s the link.
NAPP Member’s work featured in the Smithsonian Museum
Larry Becker turned me on to the news that NAPP member and Nature Photographer John Reiter has the incredible honor of having two of his images hanging in the Smithsonian Museum (two 4’ x 6’ images). His nature photography is just awesome (which is why it’s hanging in the Smithsonian, right?), and if you’ve got a moment to see some really great work, drop over to his Web site and take a quick look at some of his images (here’s the link). A big congratulations to John!!!
It Finally Happened—We taped Photoshop User TV Yesterday!
It’s a Holiday miracle—we taped the first show of our totally revamped, new set, new everything, new season of Photoshop User TV, and it’s set to air next Tuesday! I’ll be posting the entire show here—-so you can watch it right here on my blog (it’s much shorter than before, but with WAY more content than ever), and we’re pretty excited about the new look and feel. Hope you guys like it, too!
Don’t Miss RC and Dave Cross in San Diego Tomorrow
They’ll be there doing our Adobe-sponsored “Adobe CS4 Creative Suite Unleashed Tour” and if you can get there—you don’t want to miss it. Here’s the link.
Following Up the MPIX Discount Deal Tomorrow!
Last weekend’s MPIX.com “This weekend only” discount deal was such a huge hit, that I’m working on putting together a different discount (from a different vendor) for this weekend for you guys. Hope to have details tomorrow (I’m keeping my fingers crossed—could be a good one!).
That’s it for today, folks
Have a great day everybody, and I hope to see you here tomorrow. 
Whens The Scott Kelby App Coming Out ?
Thanks for the heads up about Nikons app, perfect for all the waiting time i have at certain jobs.
The Nikon app, like the Photoshop app, is not available in the UK.
It would be very easy to feel disenfranchised by these large corporations, that Europe somehow doesn’t really count!
Actually, I’ve never seen a Kelby or NAPP course or seminar in Europe either, let alone the UK.
Hi Gareth:
Actually, I’ve been doing a seminar in the UK for many years now. Our last NAPP seminar in Birmingham featured Ben Willmore, but besides Ben and I, we’ve had Bert Monroy over for a seminar as well.
-Scott
Yet another one only for USA? Doesn’t work in Norway at least
And they wonder why piracy exists? *sigh*
I don’t understand what is the value in making those APP only USA exclusive? They must be a logical reason for it, I would sure hope so! Would be nice to have one of Scott Nikon friends to answer that question or maybe it is related to Apple policy.
Received my MPIX photo yesterday. Surprised my wife with a picture of my son and daughter hugging each other. We love it. Scott thanks for the discount. I have wanted to try the metallic print for some time now. We are going to go through the family pictures and have some more printed up and fill the walls of our office.
Hi Tim:
I’m so glad you liked it! It’s one of those things, right—–once you actually see one in person—you’re hooked!
-Scott
We need another UK one soon scott, Ireland is were you need to be !
Lots of Rain, Lots of Photographers and we will introduce you to the Ulster Fry !
Scott, whats the news on dtowntv. Are you bringing it back? I love the metalic print. I order from Mpix about every day or so and alot of my clients are wanting the metalic instead.
It is a shame that the iPhone App is only available in USA.
What about Canada hey?
Scott,
I second the lament for Nikon’s iPhone app absence from the Canadian app store. Could you put in a word for us Canucks with your buddies at Nikon? Tell them Dave Cross’ poor family and friends up here are heading into a long, cold, dark winter with nothing to read.
~ Trevor
Good point Trevor, I like your angle! And, would have to add that when the dogs are tired we have no choice but to stop the sled and that can take hours before they are good to go. So, during those hours we could learn, and that is when I learn best. With the fresh air!!
Yes, actions like these by Nikon to neglect other countries in their marketing initiatives yet again, with no explanation, I hope will change at some point. Doubt it. Better yet, dump the Nikon and buy Canon!
Well, I don’t know that I’d go that far,T. I emailed a polite complaint to the editor of the Nikon iPhone app and received a reply directing me to their website (http://www.nikonusa.com/Learn-And-Explore/index.page) where you can find all the info that appears on the iPhone app. Granted, it’s not easy lugging your Mac Pro tower and 27″ monitor through the subway system to view it on your morning commute, but it’s a start.
Thanks for the shout out Scott. The Nikon app is a nice start. I would love to see them add a learn by example section with the photos. A diagram of how they were done or what technique was used.
John “The Snake”
I just joined Mpix Pro and received the first five “proofs” that are required in order to become eligible for Mpix Pro status. I was very disappointed in both the quality and the cropping. Anyone who uses this service needs to be very careful about dimensions of the file sent to Mpix. It appears that they randomly chose what portion of the base image would be left out, rather than printing the entire image and leaving a white border on one side. In addition, the colors were muddy. I have a calibrated monitor and routinely print on Epson 3800, 4880 and 7880 at home with very reproducible results. Based on what I received from Mpix, I would not use the service again.
Wow…that’s an unusual story, David. I use Mpix Pro regularly and have not had any issues with colors. I crop my prints to size I am ordering before I upload them so I know what is being cropped, but i know with the ROES system, it shows you how your image is going to be cropped and let’s you move it around on the screen prior to adding it to your order.
I would not give up on them so quickly…in my limited experience, they have been fabulous!
Thanks Troy. I didn’t have access to ROES until after the initial proof run. I will try again.
What color space were the images files in that you sent to MPIX? Everything they have done for me has been spot on.
As for the cropping, the test files were all 8×10 right?
so the best thing to do is send them 8×10s
When you actually place real orders then you can decide where the crop lines will be on every image.
A friend of mine and I just got our MPIX orders yesterday – first time I got the foam-core background – for me the crop was a bit weird… 16×20… I’m used to the standard 4×6 equivalent – though I did get a few done at 12×18 and they were great too. The metallic print is definitely worth the extra few bucks to add that sheen, contrast, and make your colours POP!
My buddy was also very pleased with how the images turned out – said they were spot-on with his calibrated monitor.
Scott, I think you mentioned you put these up no the wall on an Ikea ledge right? The kind made for picture frames. That’s the only piece I’m missing actually. Since the foamcore itself isn’t prepped for mounting I’ll need to find a ledge to lean it on since putting it up against the wall makes it prone to baby disaster right now.
All in all a cool way to display your photos – no frame so it really focuses the attention on the details of the image in a clean setting.
Here are the picture ledges from IKEA. They range from $10-20 – http://bit.ly/3TEaKF
Another new item for ya Scott, Tamrac Zipshot http://www.adorama.com/TRTPZS.html (I won’t put up a shameless plug to my blog, this time).
The new Tamarac Zipshot looks like an interesting new tripod. Weighing in at 11 oz and a short 15 inches while folded (44″ setup), looks like the prefect small tripod for backpacking. It will only hold up to 3 pounds of weight, so my full 5D with battery extension and 100-400 lens is out, but for a small DSLR or point and shoot, this would be great. I wish I had something like this on my trips to Boston (taking a tripod on a plane is impossible) or even hiking through the mountains would have been nice. only $50 from Adorama.
Hmmm when is something coming out for BlackBerry
Okay everyone hates me because I don’t use the iphone and I love Apple products.
Scott,
Can’t wait for the Photoshop User Tv!!!
I will blog about the show when I watch it
Your Photography Friend,
Dwayne D.C. Tucker II
Nassau, Bahamas
Grrr… not available in Canada
“Nikon releases FREE “Learn & Explore” iPhone App”
Sadly, only the US photographers are deemed worthy.
Canada is not pleased.
Sadly, Australia & New Zealand are not part of the Nikon world.
I wonder if the US troops currently in Iraq have access to this app?
You have to wonder don’t you?
Brand loyalty does not apply outside the United States to Nikon.
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