Grand Rapids Photo blog

Great Lakes Story and Photo Contest - Over $7,500 in Prizes

This summer, people of all ages can submit their stories and photos for the opportunity to win prizes in the Great Lakes Story and Photo Contest.

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Until August 2, Calumet is offering a 2 for 1 deal on Sandisk 2 GB Ultra II cards (Compact Flash and SD versions). Buy one for $35, get one free. That’s the same price everyone else is charging for just one. It’s a great deal. Get a set before they run out.

Thanks to Photodoto.com

Canon has made available version 2.0.2 of its EOS Utility downloading and camera-control software. The changes include support for Windows Vista and the new EOS-1D Mark III. Download instructions and link after the jump.

Click here to download Canon EOS Utility 2.0.2

Changes for Mac OS

Changes from the previous version of EOS Utility (2.0)

• Support added for Auto Power OFF (camera) during Remote Live View shooting
  The Auto Power Off function can now be used during Remote Live View shooting with EOS-1D Mark III.
• Corrected “From PC” in Time Setting on the Camera
  It’s corrected that the “From PC” in “Date/Time” of the camera setting does not function properly when a computer is working in daylight saving time.
• The setting value of Picture Style files will be applied to camera.
  When a picture style file is set to the camera, the parameters included in the file (contrast/color tone/color depth/sharpness) will be applied to the camera.

Changes for Windows

Changes from the previous version of EOS Utility (2.0a)

• Support added for Auto Power Off (camera) during Remote Live View shooting.
  The Auto Power Off function can now be used during Remote Live View shooting with EOS-1D Mark III.
• Corrected the Click White Balance during Remote Live View shooting.
  It’s corrected that the unintended WB is set when the Click White Balance is performed during the Remote Live View shooting with EOS-1D Mark III.
• The setting value of Picture Style files will be applied to camera.
  When a picture style file is set to the camera, the parameters included in the file (contrast/colortone/color depth/sharpness) will be applied to the camera.
• Shortening the initial communication in wireless connections with WFT-E2.
  The time required for initial communication in wireless connections with Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2 has been shortened.

Canon also has an update for users of its Digital Photo Professional Raw-conversion software. As well as enhancing on-screen rendering and allowing Picture Style settings to be applied, version 3.0.2 also improves compatibility with Microsoft Windows Vista. Download link after the jump.

Click here to download Canon Digital Photo Professional 3.0.2

Changes for Mac OS

Changes from Digital Photo Professional 3.0.1 for Mac OS X

• Improvement of image display quality.
  Corrected the issue in which jaggies are noticeable in images displayed on the monitor.
• The setting value of Picture Style files will be applied to images.
  When a picture style is applied to images, the setting value of picture style (contrast/color tone/color depth/sharpness) will be applied.

Changes for Windows

Changes from Digital Photo Professional 3.0.1 for Windows Vista/XP/2000

• The following functions can now be used in Windows Vista;
  - Trimming Tool
  - Quick Check Tool
  - Detailed settings printing
  - Contact sheet printing
• Improvement of image display quality.
  Corrected the issue in which jaggies are noticeable in images displayed on the monitor.
• The setting value of Picture Style files will be applied to images.
  When a picture style is applied to images, the setting value of picture style (contrast/color tone/color depth/sharpness) will be applied.

Terry’s Show @ Four Friends | 5.4.2007 | Terry Johnston, originally uploaded by Mr. Gillette & His Image-Making Apparatus.

The photographs of fellow Flickr photographer Terry Johnston (powerbooktrance) will be on display throughout the month of May at Four Friends coffee shop in downtown Grand Rapids. Be sure to stop by and check out his work!

From DPReview:
Pentax has today released firmware version 1.20, as far as we can tell this new version simply provides compatibility with the new Pentax Remote Assistant 3 software, providing tethered remote shooting by computer control. For those of you who haven’t updated your cameras recently this update includes all of the additional features in 1.11 and 1.10. You can update your cameras by simply downloading the firmware file, copying the extracted BIN file onto an SD card, placing that into the camera and holding the MENU button while powering on (make sure you have a fully charged battery).

Click here for the Pentax K10D firmware update page

Canon has today made available updated firmware for its EOS Digital Rebel XTi / EOS 400D digital SLR. Version 1.0.5 addresses issues with the PictBridge direct printing system and improves communication with the 380EX Speedlite. Further information and the update itself is available now from Canon’s firmware update page.

Firmware specification changes

This firmware update (Version 1.0.5) incorporates the following fixes and improvement :

• Fixes the printing of lens names when using PictBridge.
• [Redeye 1] can now be selected when connecting with specific printers.
• Improves the reliability of communication with the Speedlite 380EX.

This firmware update applies to cameras with firmware versions up to 1.0.4 installed. If your camera’s firmware is already version 1.0.5, it is not necessary to perform this update.

Click here for Canon’s firmware update page

Thanks to Dockside for pointing this out:

Regional Arts Competition - Application

Intake of all art for this year’s Regional Arts Competition will take place on April 26, 27, and 28.

Very soon, the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) will be moving to its new home. As the date of the closing coincides with the festival 2007 Regional Arts Competition and Exhibition, festival has been given an opportunity that is unparalleled in its 38 year history. Not only will the festival 2007 Regional Arts Competition and Exhibition be the last show in the “old” GRAM, but it will fill the entire first floor. Organizers are planning for the largest show we have ever held by changing the rules. For this year only, artists from the eight county area will be allowed FOUR ENTRIES each. To handle the increase in the number of submissions, this year’s show will be selected by four jurors, each adjudicating separate media.

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Apple has just announced a series of free workshops aimed at wedding and event photographers. The workshops will focus on Aperture, Apple hardware, and will feature presentations by professional photographers who are yet to be named.

Each attendee will also receive a free Aperture tutorial DVD. The workshops are free and available on a first come first serve basis. To register, simply go to the website, select the workshop you would like to attend and fill out the form.

For more information and to register for a workshop, click here.

Nikon has today issued firmware updates for the D40 and D80 digital SLRs. The D40 update contains a range of new features and fixes including issues with flash exposure and Auto ISO, the D80 update includes fixes for a retouching mode crash and improvements to long exposure NR. These updates can be downloaded and installed by owners.

 D40 Firmware
mac  |  pc

D80 Firmware
mac  |  pc

Grand Rapids Magazine, originally uploaded by powerbooktrance.

The Feb. issue is out and the grand rapids flickr group’s co-founders were featured. Congrats to us. Now I need to head out and buy myself a copy.

From Terry “Johnson”:

The Grand Rapids flickr group is now famous! The February 2007 issue of Grand Rapids Magazine is featuring an article on us… oh and they quote me often. w00t! Who would have thought that a simple night of retail therapy (buying a digital camera) with Katie would lead to all of this! I’m still in shock!