Digital photography

Adding image effects on iOS

Now that people have had some time with their iPhone 4S, I'm sure many have had plenty of time to take pictures using the upgraded 8-megapixel camera. On it's own, the iPhone 4S takes great shots, but what if you want something more?

This week's iOS app collection is all about adding effects to your images. The first lets you flip through numerous effects and stack them for amazing results. The second offers tons of premade effects, but also gives you the option to adjust everything to your liking. The third app lets you play with the focused area of your image to produce visually unique images.… Read more

Apple updates Aperture, printer drivers

In the last couple of days Apple has released updates for EFI firmware to address Thunderbolt compatibility issues, as well as iPhoto to fix a crash with third-party video codecs. Today Apple continues its latest round of updates with updates for both Aperture and its support for the latest printers from HP and Epson.

As with iPhoto, the Aperture update is just a point release (Version 3.2.1) that resolves a few issues with the program, including the following:

Resolves an issue that could cause Aperture to quit unexpectedly at launch on Macs with Core Duo processors Addresses problems … Read more

Apple iPhoto 9.2.1 update addresses 3ivx crash

Along with the EFI firmware updates that it released for some of its Mac systems today, Apple has also released an update for iPhoto that addresses an issue in which the program may unexpectedly quit when using the popular 3ivx video codec.

The update, which brings the latest program version to 9.2.1, includes fixes for problems that were addressed with the latest 9.2 update as well, which is likely why the update weighs in at around 357.18MB (download it here). The updates that the 9.2.0 release addressed were the following:

Addresses compatibility with iCloud … Read more

Lock up your photos on iOS

Now that just about everyone has high-quality cameras on their phones, people's smartphones have become the main repository for all their photos. This can be great for showing off photos of your kids or reminiscing about an event in the past. But what about when you leave your phone on your desk or coffee table--do you really want people to have access to all your pictures?

This week's iOS app collection provides a way to create a locked folder on your phone. The first is free and offers just the basics for added security. The second adds a few more features for managing photos. The third snaps a picture of would-be intruders in addition to having a secure folder.… Read more

Aperture 3.2 update adds iCloud and Photo Stream support

Today Apple issued an update for its iPhoto consumer photo management tool that provides support for iCloud. In addition, Apple has updated its Aperture photo management tool for professionals and enthusiasts to support the same new features, bringing the latest version to 3.2.

In addition to the new features, the Aperture 3.2 update includes bug fixes and stability enhancements that, according to the information page on the update, include the following:

Resolves an issue that could cause the "Loading" indicator to reappear in the Viewer when cropping a photo. Aperture now automatically relaunches into Full Screen … Read more

Apple issues iPhoto update to support iCloud, more

Along with today's release of the iCloud service and OS X 10.7.2, Apple has issued an update to iPhoto '11 (version 9) that incorporates support for iCloud and devices running iOS 5, in addition to fixing a number of bugs, and performance and compatibility issues that have cropped up for users. According to the update, the following features have been added or fixed in the update:

Left and right swipe gestures can now be used to navigate between photos in Magnify (1-up) view. Previously imported photos are now displayed in a separate section of the Import window. … Read more

Photo editing for nondesigners

Not every shot is perfect, but most are worth salvaging. Sadly, for most of us, image-editing software can be too intimidating or frustrating to use. Even GIMP, the open-source image-editing software, isn't immediately intuitive.

A Canadian usability research team has released AdaptableGIMP, which lets users search for tools based on what they want to do. It makes life much easier for nondesigners. Here's how to use it:

Download and install AdaptableGIMP. Page through the intro screens and agree to take part in the research. (It will record some usability data.) Set up an account, if you'd like. … Read more

Lightroom 3.5 supports high-end compact cameras

Adobe Systems has updated Lightroom and Photoshop to support a number of new small, higher-end cameras from Sony, Panasonic, Olympus, and Pentax.

The software packages handle the raw photos that higher-end cameras can produce, offering higher image quality and better flexibility at the expense of convenience. And as new cameras arrive, Adobe must build support for the new models proprietary formats.

Lightroom 3.5 of and version 6.5 of Photoshop's raw-image plug-in (available on Adobe's download site) now can support a host of new compact interchangeable-lens cameras (ILCs) that lack the bulk-inducing reflex mirror of SLRs. In addition, it supports high-end medium-format cameras from Hasselblad, Phase One, and Phase One's Leaf subsidiary. The full list: … Read more

Instagram updates with new camera features

Today, the developers of popular photo-sharing app Instagram announced a big update. Calling it the largest revamp since Instagram launched almost a year ago, the company is introducing a complete upgrade to Instagram's camera with a "brand-new technology layer."

Instagram had already become a big hit for photo enthusiasts by adding a simple filter effect to photos, which could then be uploaded and shared with friends. But now, the app offers live filters so you can see your chosen effects before you snap a photo. Instagram says the filters have been rewritten to be 200 times faster, allowing you to switch between filters after you've taken your shot with almost instantaneous results.

The app now comes with four new filters: Amaro, Rise, Hudson, and Valencia. Instagram says it took cues from popular Instagram user @colerise to produce the new effects.

In addition to new filters that add variation to your snapshots, Instagram handles tilt-shift shots better as well. You can select blur, pinch, and pan tilt-shift effects, and see the results in an included live preview.… Read more