LATEST ADDITIONS

Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. has announced newly designed packaging
for Konica Minolta's entire line of inkjet papers. Available in July 2005,
the newly designed packaging enables consumers to readily identify the Konica
Minolta family of inkjet papers and easily compare and select the type of paper
best suited for them and their home printing needs.

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DxO Labs has made available a public beta version of its soon-to-be released
DxO Optics Pro version 3.0 software. DxO Optics Pro V3.0 automatically enhances
images produced by Digital Single-Lens Reflex (Digital-SLR) cameras and their
lenses with revolutionary optics, noise and lighting corrections packed in an
all-new, easy-to-use feature rich application.



Serious photographers worldwide are invited to download and test-drive DxO Optics
Pro V3.0 from the DxO Labs Web site (http://www.dxo.com) and provide feedback
on all aspects of this landmark application.



DxO Labs' unique, automatic optical corrections are a core part of DxO
Optics Pro V3.0. Based on sophisticated models of camera and lens performance,
DxO Optics Engine together with the associated lens correction modules automatically
removes lens distortion, vignetting, lens softness and lateral chromatic aberration.
Corrections can be accomplished automatically with no user interaction required
even though the corrections required can differ greatly from one image to the
next.



Based on a set of unique algorithms developed by DxO Labs and on precise camera
sensor modelization, the all-new DxO Noise Engine automatically achieves a reduction
of up to two stops in image noise while preserving maximum detail. For example,
an image shot at 1600 ISO and processed by DxO Noise Engine will present a noise
level equivalent to an image shot at 400 ISO.



A brand new DxO technology included in this release, DxO Lighting is a unique
local exposure and dynamic range optimizer. Automatically replicating analog
film techniques known as "dodging and burning", DxO Lighting Engine
brings out shadow detail of digital image files while preserving highlights,
textures, colors and a natural look.

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Weird stuff is my favorite category at any show: the things that don't fit into sensible categories, but are useful, or unusual, or yes, just plain weird. Some manufacturers of weird stuff rejoice in being called weird (they are often the most fun of all) but others sometimes flinch and say things like, "Um, we'd prefer to be called, er, unique." At a...

Anza-Borrego is reportedly the largest desert state park in the contiguous U.S. It contains 500 miles of dirt roads, two huge wilderness areas--comprising two-thirds of the park--and 110 miles of riding and hiking trails. If you enjoy photographing flowers, this park often yields a colorful display of annuals in the spring. Borrego Palm Canyon Trail is a popular...