Nik Software Announces Availability for HDR Efex Pro™

Köln, Germany, September 21st, 2010 – From the Nik Software Press Release

Nik Software today announces that its highly anticipated HDR Efex Pro software will be available October 11, 2010. This completely new HDR solution is designed to help professional and amateur photographers quickly and easily achieve the full spectrum of HDR enhancements from the realistic to artistic. The company is showcasing HDR Efex Pro with live demonstrations of the software at Photokina 2010 at booth H09 in hall 4.1.

“Our HDR Efex Pro beta group has over 500 photography industry professionals and HDR enthusiasts and the feedback from this group has been both comprehensive and incredibly positive,” said Michael J. Slater, President and CEO of Nik Software. “We have incorporated many of the recommendations from this group and I am confident that this product will truly advance HDR imaging.”

HDR Efex Pro brings innovative and best-in-class technologies to HDR, including proprietary unrivaled tone mapping, Nik Software’s award-winning U Point® technology, and powerful ghost reduction, all of which have been developed specifically in response to photographers’ requests. HDR Efex Pro overcomes limitations in other software products with a revolutionary all-in-one approach that enables both realistic and artistic effects to be applied within a single tool. Photographers looking to explore the new realm of HDR will find that HDR Efex Pro offers a complete solution that takes HDR to new levels and offers new possibilities to fine-tune and finish HDR images with a simple and intuitive workflow.

Nik Software’s U Point® technology provides, for the first time, precise selective fine-tuning of HDR images without the need for complicated selections or layer masks. Photographers will find that the ability to control adjustments exactly where they want them provides unprecedented power and will further enhance their ability to create amazing HDR images.

Key Features
· Intuitive interface, with easy to understand photographic terminology and the actual processed results always displayed
· U Point powered selective tools for fast, precise enhancements of contrast, shadow, structure and saturation adjustments
·  Multiple proprietary tone mapping algorithms enabling a wide range of HDR styles and capabilities
· Visual presets that produce amazing results in a single-click
· Ability to create the HDR look from a single exposure
· Advanced technology for automatic image alignment and reduction of subject motion artifacts known as “ghosts”
· All-in-one workflow enabling the creation of professional HDR images

Pre-Launch special from Digital Silver Imaging is $139.95 plus receive 50% off your first print order when you purchase the software from DSI.  HDR Efex Pro is Free with either of the Complete Collections. Visit the DSI Nik Software page for our special offer.

Circles of Life: Images by Francine Zaslow

How many people travel across state lines to attend an opening? Apparently, several! Estimates of 100 guests filled the gallery with a tangible buzz over the toned, sepia toned fiber prints of Francine Zaslow's collaboration with chef David Remillard and food stylist Beth Wickwire.

On it's way to a cookbook, the work was influenced by the practice of utilizing the whole animal in foods of other cultures. The decision to print the digital images in black and white turned vegetables, fish and fowl into sculpture; a feast of texture and painterly still-life beauty. Known for her attention to detail and a Zen-quality of suspension - Francine enhanced the "otherworldly" quality of the prints with painted backdrops by Susan Strauss. The eloquent artist statement by Tom Babbitt speaks to the journey beyond food to the cycles of life, art and spirit that the images evoke.

Local photographers including Sylvia Stagg-Giuliano, Nancy Carbonaro, Randy Goodman, Meg Birnbaum, Bruce Peterson and Bob Packert joined Barbe Ennis & Michelle Tetrault of Ennis, Inc and stylist Ann Fitzgerald of Team in admiring their colleague. Guests from Maine, CT, NH and Western Mass made the effort to be part of the celebration. City Planners and Renovation Specialist Bruce Irving, who attended our last architectural show and gallery talk made their way to explore this body of work.

At Digital Silver Imaging, we celebrate the myriad connections the gallery affords us with our community.   Intended as a format to showcase our ability to make true, silver gelatin prints from digital files and exposing the art of photography to unique audiences - we have tapped a creative synergy beyond our expectations. We may ship internationally and form virtual relationships, but we continue to be grateful, honored and amazed by the cycles of relationships within our own photographic network.  We are grateful for our association with the Griffin Museum of Photography and the amazing support from director Paula Tognarelli and Frances Jacubek.

All 13 of the toned silver gelatin fiber prints are in our online gallery.  The images are 18x24, and framed 25x31 for $1200.  The diptych image is 20x30 in a 26x36 and is $1400.  Please contact Eric Luden at Digital Silver Imaging for details.

"Food Cycles" is on display DSI in Belmont through Nov 12th.  Gallery hours are Mon - Fri 9-5:30.  Francine will have a gallery talk on October 14th at 7PM at the DSI gallery in Belmont, MA.

Jon Lester: 5 Pitches by Steve Wilstein

Ever wonder how baseball pitchers make the ball dance up, down, in and out to baffle batters? Boston Red Sox left-handed ace Jon Lester showed photographer and sportswriter Steve Wilstein how it's done with the positioning of his fingers on the five pitches in his arsenal: four-seam and two-seam fastballs, change-up, cutter and curveball. Wilstein photographed Lester in spring training this year using a Nikon D700 and a 105mm micro lens. Working with Christopher and Eric from Digital Silver Imaging, Wilstein created a 4-foot wide composition of five square close-up images, printed in color on HARMAN inkjet paper and framed by DSI . A framed print sold recently at Panopticon Gallery, which also is showing Wilstein's other color images of the Red Sox and fans in spring training, as well as black-and-white images of Muhammad Ali that Wilstein made in 1978.

Wilstein, a longtime sports columnist for the Associated Press, can be seen discussing baseball's steroids era in Ken Burns' and Lynn Novick's two-part documentary, "The Tenth Inning", on Sept. 28-29, on WGBH public television.

Contact Jason Landry at Panopticon Gallery to purchase this image.

 Andy Ryan's gallery talk drew an SRO crowd of Architects, MIT faculty and Photographers eager to learn the inside story on documenting the landmark projects construction over seven years. Ryan accompanied his remarks with a slide presentation of images documenting twenty years of work in China. He discussed the major impact digital photography has had on his workflow, his ability to create a vast archives of "virtual" work and the challenges related to usage rights.

He related his use of equipment and the capturing of a matrix of images to control for distortion while covering the immense expanse of these huge structures.  This attention to detail and honoring the needs of his clients is tantamount to the process. Architect Steven Holl remains particularly pleased by Ryan maintaining his favored cubed windows, patterns and shapes from becoming rectangular. Ryan shoots with a Hasselblad digital camera and has been working with their GPS metadata systems as part of his work. These massive files are stitched together in post production creating finely detailed and sharp images. Ryan chose to work with Digital Silver Imaging to produce rich toned black & white silver gelatin fiber prints using a true photographic process to maintain the integrity of his work.

Discovering, initiating and building creative relationships is at the heart of Ryan's work. He actively courts several clients simultaneously to make the most of the time spent abroad. Dealing with the incredibly crowded, dusty, busy city is a constant challenge. The winds that create the below freezing winter temperatures also make for a crystal blue sky.

You can view the complete portfolio from our recent exhibition, Architecture of the New China: Landmark Projects of Beijing. 

All of the images from this exhibition are for sale.  Please contact the gallery for further information.  info@digitalsilverimaging.com

Nik Software Announces HDR Efex Pro

Digital Silver Imaging is excited to announce the pre-launch of the latest Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture plugin from Nik Software. Nik HDR Efex Pro will revolutionize the way photographers work with HDR files and tone-mapping.  We have seen test files from the new software and think the simplified Nik experience will make this a great new product. The software will start shipping in early October.  Check the DSI site for special ordering info and pricing.

"Experience all the power, control, and creative expression HDR has to offer with HDR Efex Pro, the essential new High Dynamic Range imaging standard.

For the first time, high dynamic range imaging has been simplified and redefined to produce the highest quality realistic and artistic HDR images possible.

HDR Efex Pro includes a revolutionary all-in-one workflow with a wide selection of one-click visual presets for fast results and the highest quality possible.

Advanced class-leading tone-mapping technology, innovative new capabilities for efficient handling of image alignment and ghosting control, U Point® technology for precise selective fine- ‐tuning of colors and tonality throughout your image, and full access to shadow and highlight details make HDR Efex Pro the first choice among discerning photographers. Finishing touches like color and contrast control and vignettes let photographers enhance their images from subtle and natural looking to the surreal."

DSI has special pricing on both of the Nik Software Complete Collections that include a FREE upgrade to the HDR Pro Efex software in early October.  If you pre-order the HDR Efex Pro software, there is a special $10 discount.

Portland, ME

We just came back from a road trip that took us up to Maces Bay in NB Canada (part of the Bay of Fundy) and then back down through Portland, ME.  I am still editing all my infrared shots I took up in Canada.  We have a Nikon D80 that was converted to Infrared and I am still working on the files in Lightroom and Nik Silver Efex Pro. 

The coast is amazing up there; very rustic and rugged. This photo is actually from Portland; I don't have any of the other shots edited yet, so you're getting one shot from the iPhone!

During our stop in South Portland (we were looking for a lobster roll!) we came across Meredith Perdue and her photo studio on Prebble St.  She had a lot of black & white photographs hanging in her studio, so we had to stop in and introduce ourselves. She does very elegant portraits and other photography.  She is conveniently located next to the best ice cream shop I have been to.  You'll have to visit Meredith at her photography studio to find out the name of the best ice cream in Portland, ME. You can tell them Eric & Syb sent you!

I'll have more of the infrared shots to upload here soon.

65th Annual New England Camera Club Council

Digital Silver Imaging exhibited at the 65th annual New England Camera Club conference in Amherst, MA this past weekend.  Despite the heat and economy, over 1,100 enthusiastic photographers came to learn, share, enjoy and talk about photography. According to NECCC staff, there were also 165 new registrants at this year's event.

The DSI Booth featured black & white print samples from our true silver gelatin printing process.  We showed examples of the RC and fiber prints from a variety of photographers, including Ron Rosenstock, Andy Ryan, Brian Marcus, and Herbie Greene.  Visitors were interested in learning about this photo chemical process as an alternative to inkjet printing.  We had some great examples of infrared photographs taken by photographer Ron Rosenstock.  We had converted his Canon 5D to the 715nm wavelength and had 3 large 20x24 black & white silver gelatin prints on display in our booth.

William Barnett's presentation "Beyond Human Vision - Infrared Photography" drew large crowds.  His knowledge of this creative art form is spectacular.  He explained many of the unique aspects of how cameras can be converted to capture in IR and the various wavelengths one can select for their camera.  He favors cameras with an electronic viewfinder, or live view, that make it easier to preview the image in infrared. Digital Silver Imaging is offering infrared camera conversions at a reasonable prices.

Victor Ha and Janice Wendt from Nik Software were also there doing presentations on the various plug-ins for Photoshop and Lightroom.  DSI sold copies of our favorite B&W plug-in, Silver Efex Pro and will have it on sale through the end of the month.  Photographers like the ease of the U-Point technology and control points and the black & white film grain works very well.  DSI had a drawing for a free copy of Silver Efex Pro and the winner will be announced on Monday the 19th.  Nik is also sponsoring a black & white photo contest in July.

The exciting news from Nik is their new HDR plug-in that is expected in early September.  The presentation on the software looks great and I'm sure this will be another great product from Nik.

I also spent some time talking with Alicia from Shuttbug Bag Designs. She just started her company in January and NECCC was her first trade show.  Her booth was very active for most of the show and photographers liked her new bag concepts.


We enjoyed being there again.  I got to hang out with my friend Paul from Lens Pro To Go and test out some of the great Nikon and Canon gear he is renting.  Call and ask him about his new "equestrian" lens!

Feats of Grandeur

Andy Ryan’s serene images of the sleek and mind-boggling-massive landmark projects of Beijing sparked awe-inspired conversation well past the viewing hours of the opening last night at the Griffin Gallery at Digital Silver Imaging.

Architects marveled at the scale and scope of Steven Holl’s Linked Hybrid complex including sky bridges containing a suspended swimming pool, gallery, theater and auditorium.  The bird’s nest design of the Beijing National Stadium, home of the 2008 Summer Olympics, was dwarfed from a distance. In comparison, the close-up capturing the broom-welding harnessed workers cleaning the façade brought home the magnitude of this $500 million feat of engineering and was a favorite among viewers.

Photographers marveled at the 3 sepia-toned prints from Polaroid Type 55 negatives which exemplify DSI's mission of the art of B&W in a digital world. The fairy tale quality captured in "Heaven" belies the gritty reality of this dangerous construction site. Kudos to our intern extraordinaire, Anna Rotti, who mastered this tricky technique.

The talk of the show were the fiber based prints flush mounted to aluminum. The unique sizes and ability to have the print float off the wall make for a stunning, clean and modern presentation. It amplified the starkness of the cutting edge architecture.

DSI had our own feat of grandeur in creating the workflow to provide these beautiful pieces. We are excited to add this output option to our services.

Andy provided a comprehensive presentation of the landmark projects in a digital slideshow. The show will be up for the summer and Andy will have a gallery talk on September 9th. Don't miss it.

Digital Silver Imaging
Belmont, MA

NH Wedding Giveaway

A free wedding you say? What is included in this wonderful wedding giveaway?

One of our clients, Kendal Bush Photography, told us about this idea. An independent group of like minded wedding professionals located in the Monadnock region of NH have joined together to donate time, space, products and services to create a beautiful winter wedding for one deserving couple at the elegantly rustic Stonewall Farm in Keene, NH.

The comprehensive wedding package will accommodate up to 100 guests and will take place on December 11th 2011. The contest kicks off May 5th 2010. Entrants will be required to write an essay introducing themselves and their fiance. Entrants must also explain why they deserve to win a wedding. The deadline for entries is January 23rd, 2011 at Stonewall Farm’s annual bridal show. The winner of the contest will be announced on February 14th, 2011.

http://nhweddinggiveaway.com/

Tradition: Innovated

Our new show featuring photographs by Charles A. Meyer captures a slice of life rarely seen by anyone not buying or selling a mule. Vintage in feel and intimately voyeuristic the images were shot over the past five years at the Dickson Mule Auction, the countries oldest and largest, held outside Nashville TN. Meyers’ explores the intersection between commerce and community, tradition and innovation, supply and demand, humility and profit.

Who knew these sterile crossbreeds to be such a complex and current topic? See Susan Orleans’ New Yorker article, Riding High: Mules in the Military, in the February 15 & 22nd issue.  Alongside the Mennonite, Amish and Mid-American family farmers buying and selling these exceedingly strong, intelligent, and endlessly tolerant, pack animals is the U.S. military - looking to fly some to Afghanistan.

Our opening was full of it’s own intersection of tradition and innovation, including friendship and state-of the-art technology. Charles A. Meyer taught Digital Silver Imaging’s owner, Eric Luden, traditional darkroom photography at Boston College twenty-seven years ago. Meyer shoots with a traditional medium format Hasselblad fitted with a 645 back and Ilford Delta 3200 film. DSI scanned his negatives to create digital files and used Nik Silver Efex Pro to retouch, edit and enhance the detail of his warm and moody images.

The crowd was filled with fellow photo professors: Peter Laytin, Lisa Kessler, and Rachel Loischild. Barbara Hitchcock, former Director of the Polaroid Collection and painter, Mark Cooper, joined Griffin Museum staff and Griffin family members at the show.
We were pleased to welcome newcomers to our gallery including the in-coming PRC director, Glenn Ruga, Stan Trecker, Director of The Art Institute of Boston, and freelance writer Delia K. Cabe. BC students came to see Meyers’ work and were introduced to the new technology by DSI production manager, Christopher Bowers. They stated; ”It smells like a darkroom in here” and were “blown away” by the capability of DSI’s Durst Theta.

The exhibit is on display through June 6th and the gallery is free and open to the public Mon - Fri from 9 - 5:30.  All of the images are custom framed by Ava Art of North Andover, MA.