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Apple has recently released Aperture 1.1, the first Universal Binary version of Aperture. If you already have Aperture 1.0, visit the Aperture 1.1 Update page to get the latest version.

This update includes:

• Universal Binary (i.e. support for Intel Macs)
• improved RAW image quality
• RAW fine tuning (contrast boost, sharpening, chroma blur, etc)
• auto noise compensation
• new color meter
• enhanced export controls
• now handles layered Photoshop files
• generally improved reliability and performance

In addition, Apple has lowered the price of Aperture from $499 to $299. Apple is offering a $200 e-coupon good on the online Apple Store to licensed users of Aperture 1.0. Licensed users of Aperture 1.0 Academic will receive a $100 e-coupon.

This is a wonderful move by Apple, showing that they are serious about the professional photography market and are willing to listen to feedback on pricing issues.

Download the e-Coupon here: Aperture 1.0 e-Coupon.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, apple, mac, os x, photography software, RAW processing, RAW conversion, aperture, photography workflow, photography, RAW files

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iView Multimedia has released a free update to its professional media cataloging application iView MediaPro 3.

Version 3.0.2 provides the following improvements and enhancements:

• Added support for Panasonic/Leica Digilux Raw image files (via DCRAW).
• Added support for Sinar/Mamiya Raw image files (Preview only).
• Improved cross-platform path resolver.
• Fixed issue with import using QuickTime 7.0.4 (Win).
• Major optimizations on catalog with 40,000+ items.
• XML Data file function (Make menu) now exports only visible items.
• Japanese localization.

If you’re a registered user of iView MediaPro 3, download the 3.0.2 update now. This update works best with the latest version of QuickTime (7.x) from Apple, which is strongly recommended to both Windows and Macintosh users.

Don’t forget, if you don’t already own iView MediaPro 3, we’ve got a special deal lined up with iView Multimedia to save you 15% off the normal purchase price.

Technorati Tags: image management, DAM, digital asset management, iView, iView MediaPro, photo software

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Adobe has just released Lightroom Beta 2.

New features in Beta 2 include:

• Crop and Straighten tools included in the Develop module
• Ability to add music to slideshows
• White balance support for the Nikon D2X, D2Hs and D50 cameras
• Ability to create hierarchical keyword sets
• XMP Import and Export capabilities. (Please consult Known Issues list for details)
• Improved Edit in Photoshop capabilities
• Improved metadata handling

Although the promised Windows version hasn’t been released yet, Lightroom Beta 2 is now a dual binary, meaning it can run natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs.

Michael Reichmann from The Luminous Landscape has updated his Lightroom Tips and Tricks page to address the new features in Beta 2.

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Vincent Bockaert has written an article for DP Review on Storing Your Digital Images.

This article gives a pretty good overview on issues around digital image storage and backup systems. He looks at both magnetic storage (hard disks) and optical storage (CDs and DVDs). There is a lot of information on data stability, data recovery, data removal, long-term strategies (“migrate, consolidate, and refresh”), and storage costs, with a neat little set of backup tips to round out the discussion.

Vincent is the author of The 123 Of Digital Imaging. You can also check out his personal web site at VincentBockaert.com.

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The Luminous Landscape has just posted an article on Adobe Lightroom Tips and Tricks. This is a very valuable resource for people just starting to explore the free beta of Lightroom.

I’ve also created a new page collecting links to Adobe Lightroom Reviews.

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Well, it looks like those rumors had legs. Adobe announced the Beta release of Lightroom today, their software for importing, selecting, developing, and showcasing large volumes of digital images.

Michael Reichmann has posted a pretty comprehensive Lightroom First Look and Primer that’s definitely worth checking out. Jeff Schewe from PhotoshopNews.com has also posted an overview.

If you’d like to get jumpstarted with Lightroom, check out Adobe’s first Lightroom video tutorial.

PhotoshopNews.com has posted a Lightroom FAQ which contains a lot of useful info, as well as a great background article on the Shadowland/Lightroom Development Story.

You can discuss Lightroom with others in the Luminous Landscape Lightroom Forum.

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AppleInsider is reporting that Adobe will next week announce LightRoom, their answer to Apple’s revolutionary digital photography workflow application, Aperture.

It will be interesting to see what Adobe comes up with. They’ve had a long time to do something about workflow for photographers, but it took Apple’s release of Aperture to light a fire under them.

LightRoom will initially be developed for the Mac, but is expected to also be released on Windows.

Lending some credibility to this rumor, both Luminous Landscape and PhotoshopNews.com have both basically said “There’s a rumor. We can’t comment on it. But check back here early Monday morning.” Nudge, nudge, wink wink.

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Michael Reichmann from the Luminous Landscape has written a very insightful and brutally honest Non-Review of Apple’s Aperture.

This article gives a very good overview of what Aperture tries to do, where it succeeds and where it fails. The basic summary is that the current version of Aperture doesn’t meet Michael’s image management needs, but he believes it’s worth keeping an eye on and is likely to grow into something very useful.

What do you think? Have you used Aperture? Are you one of those early purchasers who “feels cheated”?

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Bibble Labs has released version 4.5 of its popular raw workflow software.

Additional cameras supported:

• Nikon D200
• Olympus EVolt E-500, SP310, SP350, Sp500UZ
• Pentax *ist DS2
• Sony DSC-R1

Other improvements:

• Using Bibble’s integrated Photoshop plug-in, users of older versions of Photoshop including 7.0 and CS and Photoshop Elements 2.0 can now open raw images from the latest cameras without having to pay for a costly upgrade.
• Reworked some of the internal processing and reprofiled the Canon .CR2 based cameras for better Canon color then ever before and elimination of occasional green casts in the shadows. Also rebalanced the exposure tables of these cameras to better match results from in camera images.
• Several minor enhancements and fixes.

Source: Bibble 4.5 press release

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Scott Bourne has started a web site devoted to sharing news, information and tips on Apple’s new photography workflow application, Aperture.

Okay we decided to jump in to the water. Aperture Tricks is online and ready for your involvement. If you’re an Aperture user and have questions, tips or tricks regarding Apple’s Aperture, this is the place to share them. We’ll update you with Aperture news here as well. Comments are welcome as long as they are on point, devoid of personal attacks and deemed helpful to our audience.

Visit Aperture Tricks and check it out.

Scott is currently looking for user-contributed tips. He’s not looking for a free ride, though – if you submit a tip you will be entered into a draw, with one lucky contributor winning a Lensbaby (Canon or Nikon mount only). You’ve got until January 28 – contest details are here.

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