Thursday, October 21, 2010

Rachel Mathews on "Food Cycles" at the DSI Gallery

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” I’m not absolutely sure that this is true, but I do know that first impressions can count for a lot.

I was lucky this week to visit an outcropping of the Griffin Photography Museum and enjoy an exhibit of photographs titled “Food Cycles”. The photographer, Francine Zaslow, has a fascinating take on food as art. Her images, which are on display at the very intimate gallery at Digital Silver Imaging in Belmont, Massachusetts, are intriguingly delicious.

You must understand that these are my first impressions of her work. I love these silvery visions, so removed from glossy food magazine and cookbook portrayals of perfect doneness. This isn’t food in the “we eat with the eyes” sense exactly, it is food as art, and being a pragmatist (and foodie, I guess) I asked the folks at the gallery if the subjects of the photographs had in fact been eaten after the shoot.

I have to tell you that I don’t understand how they do what they they do at DSI to turn warm food into cool prints. Their site says “Digital Silver Imaging offers a unique printing process that provides beautiful fiber-based and resin-coated black & white silver gelatin prints directly from digital files.” but I think its some sort of magic. In any event, I loved the exhibit. Her “Belt Fish l” makes me wish I was a Pisces, and her “Silkie Chickens” could be dragon embryos.

Please read Rachel Mathews complete review by visiting her blog.

You can visit the DSI Gallery Mon - Fri from 9 - 5:30, or click on our Facebook on-line gallery if you're far away.





Thursday, October 14, 2010

Interesting feedback on Nik HDR software

A few lucky photographers have had their hands on the beta version of the new Nik HDR Efex Pro software that will start shipping this week.  Like us, we're anticipating another great product from the folks at Nik.  They have demonstrated great products and some of the best web tutorials and support.  We believe that when utilized properly, this will be another enhancement to our true black and white silver gelatin printing process.

Here is what one photographer had to say about his experience:

"I have been playing with CS5 HDR becuase I've been very disappointed with my current HDR software. But still I had not been able to get any HDR images that I like better than a straight shot with some localized adjustments using Nik Viveza.  Maybe all user error.  But I could not get good HDR images like they show in the HDR books with Photoshop or Photomatix.  Lots of other people have fantastic results with these I know.  I've failed.

Last week I tried the demo version of the NIK HDR program (I am on their email lists, since I already have some of their products). Wow!  With only watching the 3 minute Nik video, I was making HDR photos that were so much better than the junk I had before."
We are excited to be one of Nik's top resellers in the country.  We work very closely with them and have provided B&W silver gelatin prints for their trade shows. DSI is offering a workshop on HDR on November 3rd from 6-8PM at the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, MA.  Join Victor Ha of Nik Software as he reveals the technology and creative possibilities behind Nik Software’s latest creation, HDR Efex Pro! Victor will explain the techniques of how to properly shoot HDR for the best results, demonstrate the uses of HDR Efex Pro’s revolutionary features, and show how it integrates into Nik Software’s complete workflow solution of photographic products. Registration is required, so please visit the DSI registration page for complete details and information.

Digital Silver Imaging creates true black and white silver gelatin prints directly from digital files.

Check our special software pricing for great deals on Nik Software!