Well actually, Photoshop CS4 will be a Photoshop 64-bit version of photo-editing software but only for Windows and not for the Mac OS X platform. Adobe is not trying to play favorites here, but rather it’s trying to respect Apples change they made in 2007 to their programming. Windows has been supporting 64-bit version of software since the creation of XP, but it has been moving quiet slowly as most software and hardware support 32-bit.

So what can you expect from the 64-bit version of Photoshop CS4? Well if you are talking about shear speed and not effects or interface improvements, the average user will not notice much at all. There will be some minor performance enhancements based on Adobe’s preliminary testing of about 10%. This number is based on what the average user may use Photoshop CS4 to do, such as opening a 10meg RAW picture and do some image manipulation. Now, if you are opening a large 3.2 gigapixel image and editing it, you will notice that Photoshop will outperform its 32-bit counterpart 10 times over. But let’s be honest, how many of us really do that! Now I don’t want to get ahead of myself and lead you to believe that Photoshop CS4 isn’t worth it. I have already alluded to that in my previous article Photoshop CS4 is in development, but is it worth it? In this article I am only focusing on what Photoshop CS4 has to offer in the 64-bit version in comparison to the 32-bit version and what affect it will have on you.

One of the things that Photoshop is known for is creating one picture from multiple images, whether it is a panorama or a multi-layered image. Everyone who uses this program understands that it asks a lot from your computer. If you want to boost your speed but don’t want to run the 64-bit version, you should consider increasing your memory. By minimum standards, with the 32-bit version, you should think about running with no less that 4 gig’s of RAM. Most HDR, panoramic or multi-layer images will run smoother given the extra increase in memory. Additionally, this increases Photoshop’s ability to track your history of changes.

Looking back to the 64-bit version, one other area that you will want to note is that all of your plugins will have to be 64-bit as well. This my put a sour taste in a few peoples mouths as you can not mix 32-bit and 64-bit processes. Furthermore, you might also need to purchase Vista as XP will not be supported.

Basically you need to know that Photoshop CS4 has brought about some very interesting upgrades from the CS3 version, however, if you are considering purchasing the 64-bit version, make sure you are dealing with many gigapixels and/or with extremely complex High-Res images.

These cameras aren’t much bigger than the compact digital cameras, but they offer a lot more user control. The lenses might be bigger, heavier, and of higher optical quality. Almost all creative compact cameras offer the option of storing images in RAW format, usually proprietary but sometimes in Adobe’s standard DNG format.

A standard JPEG is convenient for uploading to the Web, sharing with friends, or getting prints. Unfortunately, a lot of shadow and highlight detail that was captured by the sensor can be lost with a standard JPEG.

Using the RAW format, the photographer has the opportunity to bring out that shadow or highlight detail in an image using an editing program on a personal computer (or letting a professional lab do it and make a really great print).

Don’t buy one of these cameras unless you are prepared to spend an evening reading the manual and learning the settings. Otherwise the results will be the same as if you had used a simpler compact camera.

Panasonic LX2 (28-110mm F2.8-4.9 image-stabilized Leica lens; good for wide angle). Canon G7. 35-210mm F2.8-4.8 lens; no RAW capability; very bad noise at high ISO Ricoh GR Digital. This has a fixed focal-length 28mm equivalent lens that will be superb for wide-angle scenic photos. It is not clear if this camera is going to be sold in the United States.

The sad thing is that creative compact cameras appears to have gone out of favor and you may have difficulties finding one on the market. Camera companies are concentrating their energies on the “SLR-like” category and SLR category

There are so many beautiful landscapes. You don’t even have to travel outside of the United States, just visit a local or national park! These tips will help you take wonderful photographs of landscapes. Whether you are a beginning photographer, or a professional, these are simple tips to keep in mind when photographing landscapes.

1. Be cognizant of light quality. Figure out whether the lighting is soft or harsh. Is the light bright, or are you photographing at sunrise of sunset? What is the weather like- is it overcast or cloudy? Typically you will want to avoid mid-day light and photograph before 10 a.m. and after 2 p.m.

2. Try to look for interesting lighting. For mountains, back-lighting and side-lighting are great. For side-lighting, you can turn 90 away from the sun. For back-lightning, make sure the sun is behind the mountains, and you will create dramatic silhouettes.

3. Compose your photograph. For landscapes, symmetry works. Remember, simplicity is beautiful. Do you have lakes, streams, trees, or mountains? Look at the different shapes formed by the landscape in your frame.

4. It’s great to include bridges, paths and roads. You can use the shapes to lead the viewer into the photo. You can create that effect if you photograph them at an angle. Try placing the beginning of the road or path in the corner.

5. Experiment with infrared photography. When using infrared film, it is more sensitive to infrared light. As a result, your photographs will have a dark sky, and leaves and vegetation will be light/ bright. It’s really cool!

6. Generally, you will want your entire photo to be in focus, so use a large depth of field (small number, large aperture). Increasing exposure time also increases depth of field.

Experiment with short and long exposures, especially when dealing with water (ocean, lakes, waterfalls). Take a tripod with you and have fun with landscape photography!

Close-up photography is also known as macro photography. If your subject is small, you are able to photograph the small details by getting closer. Macro lenses are 1:1 (”life size”). This means that the image of your subject is the same size in real life. Listed below are macro photography tips to help you get started.

1. First, you need to decide what type of equipment you want to use. You have many options: a bellows attachment, a telephoto extender, a close-up lens, or a macro filter. If you are just beginning, you may just want to invest in the macro filter.

2. In macro photography, it is important to know that the depth of field is different. Choose a high f-stop number such as an F16 or F22 (small aperture). Most of what is in the background will not be in focus.

3. When you are focusing in on your subject, be very careful, because many times the part you want in focus will end up being blurry. Unless you are shooting under bright lighting conditions, you will end up using a slow shutter speed.

4. Lighting is another important aspect. Because you will be very close to your subject, there must be sufficient light between your lens and your subject. Ring flashes can be used to avoid this problem.

5. In order to increase your shutter speed, a higher film speed is recommended. Generally, you will want ISO200 or lower.

6. Experiment with a number of different subjects. Play with shape and texture. Do not forget about composition, and color in your background.

You may want to use a tripod, use a diffuser, or experiment with light balance. It’s important to take your time, but always have fun. Bugs and flowers are great subjects.

Close-up photography is also known as macro photography. If you subject is small, you are able to photograph the small details by getting closer. Macro lenses are 1:1 (”life size”). This means that the image of your subject is the same size in real life. Listed below are macro photography tips to help you get started.

1. First, you need to decide what type of equipment you want to use. You have many options: a bellows attachment, a telephoto extender, a close-up lens, or a macro filter. If you are just beginning, you may just want to invest in the macro filter.

2. In macro photography, it is important to know that the depth of field is different. Choose a high f-stop number such as an F16 or F22 (small aperture). Most of what is in the background will not be in focus.

3. Focusing your subject is very important, and you have to be very careful because many times the area you want to be in focus will end up being blurry. You will be using a slow shutter speed, unless you are using very bright lighting.

4. Lighting is another important aspect. Because you will be very close to your subject, there must be sufficient light between your lens and your subject. Ring flashes can be used to avoid this problem.

5. In order to increase your shutter speed, a higher film speed is recommended. Generally, you will want ISO200 or lower.

6. Get out there and photograph a wide variety of subjects. Keep in mind shape and texture. Make sure you have great composition, and be aware of the different colors in the background.

Additional things you may want to try: experiment with light balance, use a tripod, or use a diffuser. Take your time with macro photography and always have fun. Great subjects are flowers and bugs.

The success of Photoshop within professional designer circles easily makes it the industry standard for digital imaging. The idea that Photoshop is, in essence, a brand name that has crossed grammatical barriers to become a noun and a verb makes it a true cultural phenomenon. If you are an amateur photographers please don’t let all this hype get in your way of learning the program. Photoshop is a powerful tool for anyone who simply wants to make their personal photo collection look better.

Opening Photos With Photoshop Now that you’re getting comfortable with what’s on the screen, it’s time to learn how to get your photo in there so you can start editing! If your photos are in digital format already (i.e. taken with a digital camera), consult the camera’s documentation to learn how to transfer them to your computer. If you have photo prints, you can still edit them with Photoshop! Use a scanner to move the photos onto your desktop. Once the photos are on your computer, group them in a folder. To make it easy, call the folder something simple like “Original Photos.” Then copy the folder’s contents into a new folder. You may want to call this “Edited Photos.” Making this duplicate set of photos to work with means that if you make a mistake at any point in the editing process, you’ll always have an original copy of your photo to go back to. Now start Photoshop by double-clicking on the program. Go to the File menu and select that you want to open an image. Navigate to your “Edited Photos” folder (or to whatever you called it) and choose a photo. Now you’re ready to begin!

Adjust Levels in Your Photos I always recommend you check your photo’s color levels prior to editing. Colors tend to not look quite right when photos are backlit, lit poorly, or overexposed. Sometimes the problem is obvious, yet at other times it’s hard to tell, so I always recommend checking your photo’s levels. Adjusting the colors as your first step will help you make the colors in your photos look their best for later editing. To adjust the levels in your picture click on Edit in the menu bar. Move your mouse to Adjustments > in the drop-down menu and leave the cursor there for a second. In the sub-menu that pops up, choose Auto Levels.

After adjusting the levels you should see a change in the appearance of your photo. It’s okay if you don’t see a noticeable difference. If there is no change it simply means that your photo looked good right from the start. After you have adjusted the levels save your work by hitting Apple + S in Mac OS X or CTRL + S in Windows. As you work with Photoshop you will find there are keyboard shortcuts that you can use for speed up your work; the keyboard shortcut for Auto Levels is Shift + Apple + L on a Mac or CTRL + L on a PC.

Reduce Red Eye in Your Photos Everyone has become a victim to the curse of red eyes in our photos. More photos have been ruined with red eye than silly expressions, closed eyes, and blurred photos combined. Thankfully getting rid of red eye is a snap with Photoshop. To fix red eye we will need to use the Layers Palette. You should be able to find the Layers Palette in the lower right hand corner of the window when you open Photoshop. If you do not see the Layers Palette you can find it by clicking on “Windows” in the menu bar, scroll to Layers, and double check that Layers has a check mark next to it. If it doesn’t, click it once and the Layers palette will appear. Once you have found the layers palette you need to find the adjustment layer button. This button can be found at the bottom of the window. It has a half-black, half-white circle and when you move your mouse over it should have a pop-up box that says “Create new fill or adjustment layer”. To activate it, click on the adjustment layer button. A sub-menu should come up and you will want to select Channel Mixer. Now, a window with the words Channel Mixer should open. To fix the red eye you will want to set the Red slider to 0%, and the Blue and Green sliders to 50%. Once you have done this click OK. You may wonder why the people in the photos look like bluish-gray-skinned phantoms, don’t be alarmed! You haven’t messed anything up, they’re supposed to! You will soon fix this so they look like their regular people again. Set the foreground color to black at the bottom of the toolbar. In the toolbar, select the brush tool. Now, depending on the size of the photos, the red eyes might be too difficult to see; return to the toolbar and select the zoom tool (magnifying glass with a +). Clicking on the eyes with your mouse will zoom in on them. Once you have zoomed in enough so you feel you can comfortably work on the eyes you will need to select the brush tool again. Once again return to the Layers palette. Now you should see a Background layer and a layer called Channel Mixer 1. Select the layer Channel Mixer 1 by clicking it once. Now you can use the brush tool again to paint the parts of the eyes that had appeared red. They should turn red again. Return to the top of your screen click on the Image menu. Just like we did earlier you will need to move your mouse over Adjustments in the drop down menu. Select Invert in the sub-menu that comes up on the right. Tada we fixed the red eye! After all that hard work you definitely want to save your work by hitting Apple + S in Mac OS X or CTRL + S in Windows. You may still see a red ring around the newly-fixed eyes; don’t worry, we can fix that too. You first want to make sure the Channel Mixer 1 layer is selected (click it once). In the main toolbar, make sure the foreground color is set to white. Since it was set to black a second ago, you will have to change it. Again, using the the paintbrush tool from the toolbar, carefully paint the red ring. As you paint you should see the color change to the correct eye color. At the top of the screen, in the menu bar, click Layer. Click on Flatten Image at the bottom of the menu. Save your work by hitting Apple + S in Mac OS X or CTRL + S in Windows.

You’ve probably been dreaming about your wedding day for years. You want everything to be perfect on your special day, especially the photography! It’s important to make sure you pick the right photographer for your wedding, since it can have a big effect on your wedding day memories.

Without a great wedding photographers, memories are all you’ll have. It’s a good idea to be willing to pay for a photographer who knows what he or she is doing. While good photographers don’t come cheap, you can still get a good deal if you pay attention.

No doubt you want the entire day, including the pictures, to be perfect. So, here are a few tips to help you as you choose a wedding photographer for your big day.

First of all, it is important that you take a look at the price they are going to charge. Will they only charge you an hourly fee or are they going to charge a base fee as well? This is important information when making your decision.

It’s also important to pay attention to the amount of time you’ll have the photographer at the wedding. After a certain amount of time, many photographers will charge overtime fees, making it a good idea to know about them well in advance.

It’s also important to carefully read the contract when you make your choice. Be sure to examine everything closely before you sign any papers. You should know what you’re getting into with that specific photographer.

Find out how long it will take in order to get your proofs back, as well as the prints. No doubt you want them as soon as possible. Of course the faster you want them back, the more you’ll probably pay.

It’s also very important that you take a look at their style when you are choosing your wedding photographer. You want to make sure that it matches your own personal style as well.

The personality of the photographer is important as well. Even if they take great pictures, if you cannot get along with them, your big day may end up being miserable. Meet the photographer first and figure out if you can easily work together.

References are a good idea, too. Check out the references you’ve been given to see how other people felt about using this photographer. Your friends or family might have hired the photographer in the past - ask them how it went.

It’s essential to have the perfect photographer for your big day. Make sure you keep these tips in mind and plan well - that’ll ensure that you get the right person to capture your memories.

Though color photography is quite common, black and white photography is often a great choice for exploring your creativity. This article lists quick tips for black and white photography.

1. There are many different sizes of film, and different formats: 35mm (1″ x 1″), medium format- 120 (2″ x 2 “), and large format (4″ x 5″). Typically, people will start off using a 35mm SLR (single-lens reflex) camera. With an SLR, you can focus and view the subject directly through the lens.

2. Different film speeds are chosen for different situations and are rated by an ASA (American Standards Association) number. A slow film is 32 ASA and is used for brightly lit subjects; it produces fine grain negatives. 125 ASA produces medium grain negatives, and is chosen for outdoor use. 400 ASA is a faster film and is best for indoor use and results in coarse grain negatives.

3. The aperture is adjusted to control the amount of light entering the lens. F-stop is a measurement of the size of the lens opening. A smaller F-stop number is a bigger opening and allows more light to reach the film. A larger F-stop number decreases the amount of light that reaches the film. The following is a typical F-stop range: 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22.

4. Lens size is measured in mm and is referred to as focal length. A narrow angle of view is a result of a longer focal length. Conversely, a wider angle of view is a result of a shorter focal length. Lens types and focal length: normal (50mm), wide angle (21-35mm), and telephoto (105-300mm).

5. Shutter speed refers to the length of time the film is exposed to light. A fast shutter speed means the length of exposure time is short. A slow shutter speed means the length of exposure time is long. Shutter speeds: B, T, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 125, 250, 500, 1000. Shutter speed time can be better understood if you place a 1 over the number to turn it into a fraction. When you place a 1 over the 2, that means the shutter speed is a second.

6. Referring to shutter speed, the B stands for bulb, and the T stands for time. When you hold down the B, the shutter will stay open for as long as it is pressed down. If you use T, the shutter will remain open from the time you push it down, until it is pressed again.

A great affordable addition to any apartment or home are posters. The wide variety and number for sale is astonishing. Due to them being so cheap to purchase when compared to purchasing real artwork, the posters can be rotated often so you do not get tired of looking at the same thing.

Different types of posters available include panoramic posters, artist posters, sports posters such as Tiger Woods posters, movie posters like Scarface posters, and even historic ones like Aztec posters.

Posters range in price from a couple of dollars all the way up to one hundred dollars for uncommon artist or photography prints. Considering how much the actual artwork would cost, this is still a good deal.

Landscapes are a favorite for many people. Breathtaking views can be added to your home. If you have been to that place, everyday the poster will remind you of the great trip that you went on. Further trips to new places might also be inspired by looking at posters.

A balanced design is a must for a good poster. If not balanced, the eye may be drawn away from parts of the poster. Be sure to look for this before purchasing your new poster for your home.

You should always go with your first impression for which poster you like best. The things we are first drawn to always are what end up purchasing. Much time can be saved when using this method.

Posters need to do more than just fill the bare space on your wall. Take care when picking them out so they will not just be ignored. With the huge number in the market today, there is something that will make the perfect addition to your wall.

Great gifts can be given with posters too. This is often not thought of, but you can find something to please anyone. The recipient will have a suiting gift based on their favorite activities or places.

The bride and groom are usually so busy on their wedding day that without photos to remind them, many of the days events would be forgotten. Because of this, the vast majority of couple arrange for a digital wedding photographer to be there for the most important part of the day.

Most wedding photographers have assistants so they can create a wedding album that will be memorable but if you want to take pictures of a friend’s wedding, who will help you?Fortunately for wedding photographers they can use an assistant to help them get the right shots but if you’re a friend taking pictures, then how do you take good shots of the day?If you want to take photographs of your friend’s or relations wedding then you will have to do it on your own because you won’t have an assistant like the professionals have. So, if you need some help for a wedding you are to attend and you are going to use a digital camera, then you may find some useful information in this article.

Many amateur photographers make the mistake of taking pictures with a boring background which is not something you want in a wedding photo. Often when there is a good background there are just too many people in the shot, so if this is the situation, just try and capture a nice head and shoulders shot of the couple.

Try to get guests that have spectacles on to either remove them or hold their head at an angle so that there isn’t a reflection obscuring their eyes. If you are shooting into the light, remember to compensate and increase the aperture otherwise the couple (or guests) will appear dark in the image.

Natural, wedding photos always look better than staged ones but difficult to capture when you are too close so a powerful zoom lens is a great advantage. As you can’t keep asking people to pose for you, always have the camera to hand because digital wedding photography is just as much about having natural, un-posed for shots.

Digital cameras rely on two things, memory and power and the last thing you want when you take your shots is to run out of memory or for the batteries to die on you. A one gigabyte card should be the bare minimum you have if your camera is a six mega pixel model, a larger capacity if the camera has a higher mega pixel rating.

The higher the resolution you set the better the images will be and the larger they can be printed out. Once you have the images it is only a matter of printing out the ones you want and saving all of them on a CD for a permanent storage or presentation.

Digital wedding photography has become firmly established over the last few years and how successful you are will depend on how much you enjoy the challenge.