Moose News Blog

At every DLWS event, I demo the power of Capture NX numerous times. That’s because it’s an important tool in my finishing of images. The makers of Capture NX, Nik, have now brought that power, U Point Technology, to Photoshop in a pluggin called Viveza (a name that rolls off the tongue). Your digital darkroom time has just been cut to nothing!

Here’s a photo of Chatham Lighthouse in MA in the Viveza UI inside of Photoshop. You can see in the lower right corner the before and after of the roof. The vibrant color on the right comes from the Control Point I’ve dropped on the tile roof and than yanked over the slider on Saturation, Brightness and Contrast. This is the exact same thing you can do in NX working on a Raw file (NX can also so this to a Jpeg & Tiff) but now in Photoshop.

I actually dropped a total of three points on this photograph. One on the roof to make it pop, one of the green window casings to make them darker and a third on the sky to make it darker, stormier. And in less than 30 seconds, without selecting, masking or brushing, I was able to take this image from bla to colorful to say the least.

as you can see in this comparison, it’s quite a difference (the roof color from the UI isn’t accurate, not sure what was going on with the screen captures).

As I see it, Viveza brings the power of U Point technology to a whole lot more now, especially Canon users (a common question at NX demos). Personally, I still prefer NX because I can make these changes (plus others) to a raw file, but I won’t hesitate to use Viveza if I miss something in NX. Viveza should be available pretty darn soon, like in April. You can pre-order it or get even more information from the Nik website and sign up to be notified when it is available. And yeah, it will be demoed at DLWS now that we can talk about it.

While you’re waiting for his new book, you can catch vintage Joe at his new blog that literally just went up. Oh no, now he can get even with me!

The business of photography is not one for the weak of heart, but rather one bursting with passion. It’s not for one who is in it for the short term or glory, but rather for the love of photography itself. It’s not for one who sells their soul for a penny, but rather commands and earns the dollar. These individuals who stay this course are very rare in this business, I know. Even more rare are those who go the extra step and share what the school of hard knocks has taught them to others. I am incredibly fortunate to call such a shooter, friend, good friend and today, good fortune shines on you as well.

Joe’s new book The Moment IT Clicks just arrived today. Galley proofs have been in my reach the last couple of months, but I wanted to wait until I had the book in my hands, sitting in my reading chair and could give it the attention it so richly deserves. It’s hard to read at times I think, seeing through your tears of laughter and deep thought, soaking up all the words of wisdom. The message here will take a couple of reads to soak in. I’m very fortunate though to have Joe’s voice in my head (and those inner ones too at times) as I read. You’re even more fortunate to have his talent shared with you as you shoot. We’re all very fortunate that Joe put it in writing for us all to enjoy, learn from and treasure in the years to come.

Thanks Joe for the great journey!

This just arrived in the mailbox, what a marvelous start to the New Year! It goes to show the power of YOUR photography to change the world!

Hi MP and company,
I’m a subscriber to your journal and thought you may like to see the press release for a project I’m working on in Florida. The impetus came from your 1993 publication of
“California, Vanishing Habitats and Wildlife”. I know you Just get a lot of this from other photographers but I’ll say it anyway-its been an inspiration for me to see your work
and know that I’m not alone in this pursuit towards public awareness of our need to preserve and protect the land and wildlife we so frequently take for granted. My hats off to you!!

My exhibit has gotten a lot of media attention and for this I’m grateful; but development is moving at an astounding rate, often ignoring the plight of the wildlife here in N. Central Florida. I plan to keep working on their behalf and its nice to know there are others who share my concern…

If you’re in the area, please head to Ken’s exhibit. You’ll find it at the Florida Museum of Natl History.

Congrats Ken…job very well done!

The GPS craze has hit big time, must have been a favorite stocking stuffer this year. That’s cool! I’ve received a number of emails in regards to the di-GPS especially about it just “dangling” when you have something else in the camera’s hot shot. Here’s my solution.

I rarely work with flash on camera, it’s mostly off camera so I’m using an SC cable, either the SC-28 or SC-29. The SC-28 is the cord I use for general photography; the SC-29 I’ve cut down and is used just with the Wimberley F-9 Flash Arm when I’m shooting with the 600f4 on a tripod. I have a number of “hot shoe” receivers lying around in the drawers, so I have attached them to the tops of the SC cable foot that slips into the camera’s hot shoe. You can just Crazy Glue them on, but they tend to snap off. Using Pilot Point drill bits (not pointed tips), I’ve drilled holes into the top of the SC foot and screwed in as well as Crazy glued the hot shoe receiver. They never snap off, but drilling holes into your cords is not for the weak of heart and it most definitely voids the warranty.

What about when I have a SU-800 attached? I’ve not had the nerve to drill into the side of mine yet to attach a hot shoe receiver. That’s where I draw the line. But, I’m still looking for a solution to when it’s attached to the hot shoe. There are times when the SU-800 is in a SC cable and those times, the problem is solved.

One last note. The hot shoe receivers don’t always snuggly hold the di-GPS. I simply used a couple layers of electrical tape in the base of the hot shoe receiver to build it up and hold the di-GPS foot in tight. Hope this helps, have fun!