Adobe has announced the release of Photoshop Elements 9 for Mac. Apple users can purchase it via the Mac App Store, which is a first for any Adobe software. Elements 9 is designed to provide a simple tutored workflow for users that either don’t want or need the advanced capabilities of Photoshop. It incorporates many automatic workflows and one-touch shortcuts for common tasks.
Photoshop Elements 9 for Mac is available now as a download for $79.
Mount Lokon, an active volcano located on the northern tip of the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia, is currently erupting. Sulawesi is home to many Wetpixel members, and visited by many more. We have been in touch with some of the dive centers in Lembeh, and the news is reassuring: The airport at Manado is still open, and none of the dive centers are experiencing any problems. There have been widespread evacuations from areas within a 3.5 kilometers (2.17 miles) radius of the volcano (which do not affect any dive centers) but so far few casualties.
Our thoughts go out to all in the area, and are glad to hear that the eruptions are not currently causing any major disruptions to business, travel or property. We will continue to monitor the situation, and if it changes, post updates here.
The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CWIEM) has announced that it is calling for entries for its 2011 Environmental Photographer of the Year competition. Featured in the contest is a specific category for the underwater world, and a new category for video. Entries should be:
“Contemporary, creative, resonant, challenging, original and beautiful. But most of all, we want your pictures to inspire people around the world to start taking care of our environment.”
Full details and competition rules are available on the CWIEM website, and the deadline for entries is 31 July.
German video engineers Digi-Dat has announced the release of the ste-fra LANC Canon XF, a stereoscopic LANC remote control specially developed for the Canon XF series. The remote allows the synchronous control of two cameras, via a cable up to 100m long. All functions work in stereo mode (both cameras get the same command) or for each camera independently. This single control allows controlling the lens shift of each camera individually. It is thus possible to adjust vertical position very accurately as well as adjusting the convergence by shifting the lenses without ending with images showing a keystone distortion.
For a 3D mirror rig you can adjust the image orientation (mirrored/flipped) for each camera individually. The single control can also change all settings individually for example, color correction which is needed for 3D mirror setups to correct the color shift resulting from the half mirror. It is likely that the remote’s functions will be incorporated into the controls of 3D underwater housings.
Wetpixel member Richard Brooks of Lightning Strike Productions has added a showreel to Vimeo. Entitled “The eyes have it”, Richard describes the footage in terms of the creatures it features:
“Palau is famous for being a Shark Sanctuary, but there is a whole lot more to this vibrant archipelago. Using footage collected over approximately 3 years, this showreel highlights some of the major wildlife events that can be found in Palau and the Philippines. The film uses a variety of editing styles to emphasize the huge diversity of environments and wildlife found there, from the serene caverns of Blue Holes to the frantic life and death struggles of the hunters and hunted.”
Grid-Arendal has announced that it is calling for entries for its Blue Carbon photo contest. The competition is looking for images in two categories: People & the Environment and Coastal & Marine Ecosystems. The competition is open to professional and non-professional entrants with an affiliation to a grassroots environmental organization.
Full details and competition rules are on the Blue Carbon photo contest page, and the deadline for entries is 16 September.
UK-based environmental charity, Bite-Back has launched a competition to win a holiday to Fiji. The raffle has 1000 tickets priced at £10 each, with the proceeds being split between Bite-Back and Marie Curie Cancer Care. Bite-Back raises funds for shark and marine conservation.
The prize includes 7 nights full-board accommodation for two in Fiji, international, internal flights, transfers, and 10 guided dives for each person..
The Wetpixel Ultimate Indonesia 2011 expedition is calling for people to occupy the last remaining spaces. The trip comprises two voyages, and there are one or two spaces left for the first leg which departs and returns to Maumere, taking in Beangabang, Flores, Alor, Adonara and Wetar. The second leg has only one space left, and departs Labuanbajo, returning to Maumere, taking in Komodo. Both of these trips will take in some of the finest diving Indonesia has to offer. Participants can chose either leg or both.
Both itineraries are on-board the liveaboard MSY Damai II. The first leg is from Oct 26 to Nov 6, with the second running from Nov 6 to Nov 20, 2011.To grab the last spaces, please contact Don Baldocchi via email, or by calling him on +1-773-564-9579.
Apple has released an update for its Aperture photo editing software. Designated version 3.1.3, the update aims to correct overall stability and performance. It is also likely to be necessary as it is believed that Apple will release its next operating system, OSX Lion, tomorrow.
Specific fixes include: Improved reliability in library rebuild, additional multi-touch gestures, new web section for pictures published to MobileMe, Facebook and Flickr and various keyboard and GUI improvements. The update is available via Software Update or from the Apple support site.
Steve Douglas reviews the Keldan Luna 8 LA-V High CRI LED underwater video light. The light is a top-end product, with an output of 3,000 lumens and a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of 95 out of 100. This last specification ensures that the representation of color will be more accurate and vivid.
Steve tested the torches during a trip to Kona, Hawaii and found:
Two of these lights mounted on my housing created a magnificent field from which I could film.”