Topaz Labs Releases ReMask 3 Upgrade

ReMask 3 introduces improved masking technology that further simplifies and expedites the creation of complex masks and cutouts.

Dallas, TX, December 10, 2010 - Topaz Labs announces the release of Topaz ReMask 3, a major upgrade to their Photoshop masking and extraction plug-in. ReMask 3 features a revamped masking engine, new color decontamination technology, color selection brushes and a new refining toolset. An easy-to-use masking solution, Topaz ReMask offers professional results while cutting down on the normally tedious masking and extraction process. The update is available now as a free download to current owners of ReMask.

"Through extensive research, we were able to build on top of the advanced algorithm developed in ReMask 2, and make it a more comprehensive solution that solves color bleeding at the edge or transparent part of the extracted object," said Dr. Joseph Hsieh, developer for Topaz Labs. 

"Masking technology is an ongoing challenge. I hope ReMask 3 can provide photographers with a more effective tool for dealing with intricate elements such as hair and fur, complex elements with lots of holes like trees, and transparent objects such as wedding veils."

Topaz ReMask 3 is designed to tackle some of the most common photography and design tasks such as background replacement and isolating specific image elements, making composition design and selective adjustments much easier. 

"Masks and selections are an important part of selective editing, so it's important for users to have a comprehensive tool that helps address a variety of creative and corrective enhancements. ReMask 3 features the simplest workflow of any masking plug-in; making a seemingly painful task incredibly easy by allowing users to erase unwanted areas and separate subjects in just a few clicks," said Ashley Robinson, product manager for Topaz Labs

In addition to improved technology, ReMask 3 also features an updated user interface with a new toolset for refining and a new split-screen viewing options, auto layer creation and a revamped workflow. Photographers and graphic designers looking for a quicker and more accurate way to extract objects from their digital images are invited to try out the new Topaz ReMask 3 plug-in for free using the 30-day free trial. Just visit: http://www.topazlabs.com.

Topaz ReMask is a plug-in that works with Photoshop, Photoshop Elements and PaintShop Pro. It is compatible with Windows and Intel-based Macs. Topaz ReMask retails for $69.99, but is being offered at a special promotional price of $49.99 until January 1, 2011. ReMask 3 is also a part of the Topaz Photoshop Bundle, which offers photographers a complete image enhancement toolbox for all of their post processing needs. The bundle, including ReMask retails at $199.99. For more information about Topaz ReMask, visit the homepage at http://www.topazlabs.com.

 

Shooting in Av mode (Aperture Priority)

If you have been useing your DSLR (Digital Single Lens reflex) camera in auto mode then here is a lesson for you.  

First an explanation about aperture and how it affects your final photograph.  

Inside your lens there is a diaphragm that controls the amount of light reaching the image sensor. The diaphragm functions much like the pupil of the eye – it controls the effective diameter of the lens opening. Reducing the aperture size increases the depth of field, which describes the extent to which subject matter lying closer than or farther from the actual plane of focus appears to be in focus. In general, the smaller the aperture (the larger the number), the greater the distance from the plane of focus the subject matter may be while still appearing in focus.  

Higher diameters (lower f numbers) alow more light to pass through but have a shallow depth of field, while smaller diameters (higher f numbers) allow less light through but more detail farther away from the point of focus will be sharp.

Your camera measures aperture in F Stops ( F/N.N ). The n.n represents the F Stop Number.  The lower the numbers are the the wider the diameter and higher numbers mean a tighter diameter. 

For example: 

You are taking a photo of a bird and there are some grass in front of the it that you want to blur out a little but still keep the bird sharp. What you want to do is use the lowest aperture possible that will keep the bird in the best focus.  

Exposure: 

For proper exposure of the image a precise amount of light striking the recording media is required .  At lower F Stops this light will accumulate faster than higher ones.  Here is where the shutter speed comes in.  

In aperture priority mode the camera will you chose how long to keep the shutter open.  You

can usually adjust the exposure either with a wheel (optimal) or with a set of up and down buttons.

Try focusing you camera on the bird and taking a shot.  Keep adjusting until you get the result you are looking for.  Yes maybe until it flies away, but keep practicing you will get the hang of it.

File Format Guide for Your Digital Photos

When you take and store a digital image you need to choose a file type, or format. Here are the popular choices when you choose a format for your digital photo:

Format	Description
CameraRaw	A format offered by some digital cameras. Stores raw, “uncooked” data from the image sensor, without applying normal adjustments to sharpness, color, and exposure. Gives photographers ultimate control over images and editing flexibility, but files must be converted to a standard format before sharing online, printing, or viewing in most photo programs.
JPEG	The most popular digital photography image format. JPEG compresses images to make files significantly smaller, but too much compression reduces image quality. Used for print, the Web, and e-mail.
TIFF	The leading format for files that will be used in print publications such as newsletters and magazines. Preserves all image data but usually results in larger file sizes than JPEG and can’t be displayed by Web browsers and e-mail programs. The best format for storing converted RAW files and for edited JPEG files.

Topaz Software Overview

Topaz Labs offers software solutions for image and video enhancement. Each program offers photographers and designers quick and easy-to-use tools to help simplify and boost the post processing experience.

Incorporating Topaz speeds up the workflow, eliminates tedious and repetitive tasks, simplifies advanced techniques, enhances precision and quality.

Topaz Photoshop Plug-ins

The Topaz Photoshop plug-in bundle features a set of advanced and powerful tools - each offering a solution to some of the most common (and often challenging) post processing tasks. The intuitive, easy-to-use tools featured in each program make achieving advanced photo-manipulation techniques effortless.

Check the Topaz Gallery to see excellent user images!

The bundle lineup offers tools and features for creating pseudo HDR effects, adjusting color, exposure and detail, reducing noise and JPEG artifacts, masking and extraction, increasing smoothing and sharpening, creating artistic masterpieces and enhancing natural detail and tone.

The Topaz Photoshop plug-ins are not limited to just Photoshop. You can also use Topaz in Photoshop Elements, Lightroom, Aperture, iPhoto, PaintShop Pro and Irfanview.

Win A Nikon D3100 - No Purchase Necessary

Are you ready to step up to a real digital camera but you can't justify spending several hundred pounds on a “Real” digital camera? Would you like to win a real Nikon camera? The chances are good that you can win the D3100 and a package of “Dummy” book on digital photography along with it, if you enter the Dummies.com prize draw.

Introduction

The Nikon D3100

You can win a Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens and four For Dummies books on digital photography. This is a package worth over £500. This contest isn't a scam. There isn't any purchase necessary and the only entry requirements are that you are 18 years of age or older and live in one of the fifty United States or in the United Kingdom or Canada.

Register today

Registering for the sweepstakes will take less than five minutes and you will be eligible to enter once a day, every day, between now and December 31st when the sweepstakes closes. So go ahead, log on to Dummies.com and register. Then put a shortcut to the link on you desktop so you remember to enter every day for the best chance to win a fantastic camera and some great books to boot.
All the best!

CLICK HERE to enter competition.

Photography Business Quick Steps

I actually have more than one piece of good news for you 

today.

 

Good thing number one: Below you'll find YOUR link to the NEW Photography Business Quick Steps.

It's designed to assist struggling photographers get up and running with 'some kind' of photography business. I said 'some kind' because they will be releasing twelve different choices for you to get into fast. One new photography business category each month.

In some cases you can be up and running in two weeks.

In addition, they've decided to include several bonuses to help you make up your mind.

Now, that's pretty good news but the second thing I have to tell you really kinda' drives it all home.

Good thing number two: To add value to this entire venture (not just the launch) they will be providing FREE photography bonuses each month. A different bonus each month!

Most of the free bonuses are from well known photography trainers and coaches who you will probably already know. I'm impressed they are making such a valued contribution and you will be too once you experience all this extra information.

Here's the link -

 

Start A Photography Business

If it gets too popular (and causes havoc) they might need to close it down to let the dust settle!

...make it happen,
Krister
 

P.S. In case you just scrolled down to the PS, here's the deal:
 
**Photography Business Quick Steps is NOW available.
 
Only buy it if you can use it (it's pretty cheap anyway).
 
This offer isn't short of bonuses, good valuable bonuses - in fact you would even do this for all the great bonuses alone.
 
Anyway, here's your link to the sign-up page:

Start A Photography Business
 
So you might be wondering why I did this.
 
I've learned that there are many photographers who truly love what they do, are good at it and should be given the chance to earn a crust from it.
 
All this stuff you are about to learn has been done before but it's not taught very often - if it ever is. 
 
If this is what you want to do, then you should give this a shot - you really have nothing to lose.
 
And I think that if you use it, you'll love it too.
 
Here's the fancy-pants link again to sign up (complete with dollar bills!)

Start A Photography Business

Click Here!

Worried about photo papers?

I love taking pictures. Whenever I’m on a great hike, vacation or a momentous celebration, I take pictures. Whenever there are strange events and phenomena, I see to it that my camera’s around to help me preserve the moment by taking pictures.

You can never repeat precious moments because they are laid to you just but once. Thus, when you want to treasure these moments, better have a camera with you all the time. I also have my personal photo lab to secure good pictures instantly.

Before, I worried about photo papers. Some do not display my pictures crisp and bright. It is frustrating if your photo papers do not do justice to your hard-obtained pictures.

Photo papers are supposed to complement your pictures and not ruin its quality. In order to avoid photo papers from spoiling my masterpieces, I have gathered several pointers in choosing the suitable photo papers. 

Here they are:

1. Consider your photo needs. Photo papers come in a wide variety. They have different thicknesses, finish, size and quality. Hence, you have to know the particular needs of your photographs before using any of the variety.

2. Thickness alert. A tiny photo print need not be too thick. This is because it needs less support than huge photographs. If you are into poster-like pictures, better have them thick to protect them better. Thicker photo papers protect the material from pricks, folds and tear.

3. The right size. You can choose from a wide variety of photo paper sizes available. Studio-quality shots are nice in a 13” x 19” size. Panoramic views like sunsets, landscapes and seascapes are stunningly great in 4” x 12” photo paper. However, the mostly used size is 4” x 6” paper which is ideal for photo albums.

4. Suitable finish. Finishes includes matte to extra glossy photo papers. Matte has rich textures and ignores finger prints. Glossy photo paper, on the other hand, creates vibrant and lively colors. However, it does not resist finger prints.

5. Always do preliminary testing. This is to avoid wastage of ink and photo paper. You can also rely more on paper from established photo paper manufacturers. They have built their credibility for a long time, that’s one thing that counts.

Say bye bye to your worries…