Mar 2008
Ice Cream
March 27, 2008 01:29 AM Filed in: Misc.
By Robert Lachman
Time to go a little off topic. How much should an ice cream cone cost? My wife and I stopped at the Häagen-Dazs ice cream shop at the Fashion Island shopping center in Newport Beach.
The price for a cone: Kiddie size $3.45, Regular $4.45 and Large $5.45. When I was growing up an ice cream cone at Thrifty Drug Store cost one nickel. Now that’s inflation I know that was in the late 50’s. But really, $4.45 for a regular single scoop of ice cream.
The prices didn’t seem to deter anyone on this beautiful spring day. I’m sure those 50 or so in the Apple Store down the way checking out the new Air or Mac Pro wouldn’t mind high prices. I finally found something more unbelievably priced than inkjet ink. ______________________________________________________________________
Time to go a little off topic. How much should an ice cream cone cost? My wife and I stopped at the Häagen-Dazs ice cream shop at the Fashion Island shopping center in Newport Beach.
The price for a cone: Kiddie size $3.45, Regular $4.45 and Large $5.45. When I was growing up an ice cream cone at Thrifty Drug Store cost one nickel. Now that’s inflation I know that was in the late 50’s. But really, $4.45 for a regular single scoop of ice cream.
The prices didn’t seem to deter anyone on this beautiful spring day. I’m sure those 50 or so in the Apple Store down the way checking out the new Air or Mac Pro wouldn’t mind high prices. I finally found something more unbelievably priced than inkjet ink. ______________________________________________________________________
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Disc Cover
By Robert Lachman
It’s my Dad’s 90th birthday this week and after spending time working on a multimedia project for the party, I burned a DVD then got out the Sharpie Permanent Marker and wrote “90th Birthday Movie” on the disc.
It’s just such a weak link in the chain. You’ve drank endless cups of coffee, cleaned up the sound, picked out the perfect transitions, chosen the music, made those still images come to life with the “Ken Burns Effect” turning it into professional looking movie.
Then it’s “Sharpie Time.” Well, now I’ve seen the light. I am going to finish what I’ve started and I’m going to finish strong. After checking out a number of products, I chose from Disc Cover 2 for my Disc Labeling. The program which was released on March 18th works with iPhoto and Aperture.
This new version of Disc Cover is simple and fun to use. This software is another example of how great the Mac developer makes things easy and so simple for the user.
When you open Disc Cover you start with the assistant which gives you a choice of numerous templates and they show up in a nice cover-flow looking window.
They ask you to choose a design from a drop down menu: Music, Photos, Files and Data, DVD, General, and Blank.
I picked the Photos which gave me a choice of about 40 templates. I picked Lady Sketch for a friend’s 40th birthday party pictures. Then I clicked on next which took me to my iPhoto library
I clicked on finish and now my photos of the birthday party appeared in the left window pane of the software.
Now I could drag over the photos individually, but I went for the collages menu. I couldn’t resist. I went for a collage called photo-cross. I dragged over the collage ungrouped it and and removed two of the photos to customize it. Now I dragged photos over from my iPhoto library to replace the placeholder photos the software put in. Now I double clicked on the photo and was able to crop and rotate as needed. The program gives you complete flexibility.
Five minutes later I’m ready to bring to my Epson R200 printer which can print directly on the DVD.
Next I wanted to make a label for my father’s 90th birthday multimedia CD.
Other very nice features in the software include: importing your song titles automatically into the project. Also can redesign each element of your work independently. There is a large clip art gallery, which also features a place where you click on the small globe and the software will search for art on the internet based on the information from your iTunes data. There's a random background generator, a good selection of layer masks which can also be applied to images, drop shadows, a variety of borders and the option to curve the text.
I give the software five out of five stars. If there was a fault with this program, I couldn’t find it. The cost is $34.95 via download at www.belightsoft.com.
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It’s my Dad’s 90th birthday this week and after spending time working on a multimedia project for the party, I burned a DVD then got out the Sharpie Permanent Marker and wrote “90th Birthday Movie” on the disc.
It’s just such a weak link in the chain. You’ve drank endless cups of coffee, cleaned up the sound, picked out the perfect transitions, chosen the music, made those still images come to life with the “Ken Burns Effect” turning it into professional looking movie.
Then it’s “Sharpie Time.” Well, now I’ve seen the light. I am going to finish what I’ve started and I’m going to finish strong. After checking out a number of products, I chose from Disc Cover 2 for my Disc Labeling. The program which was released on March 18th works with iPhoto and Aperture.
This new version of Disc Cover is simple and fun to use. This software is another example of how great the Mac developer makes things easy and so simple for the user.
When you open Disc Cover you start with the assistant which gives you a choice of numerous templates and they show up in a nice cover-flow looking window.
They ask you to choose a design from a drop down menu: Music, Photos, Files and Data, DVD, General, and Blank.
I picked the Photos which gave me a choice of about 40 templates. I picked Lady Sketch for a friend’s 40th birthday party pictures. Then I clicked on next which took me to my iPhoto library
I clicked on finish and now my photos of the birthday party appeared in the left window pane of the software.
Now I could drag over the photos individually, but I went for the collages menu. I couldn’t resist. I went for a collage called photo-cross. I dragged over the collage ungrouped it and and removed two of the photos to customize it. Now I dragged photos over from my iPhoto library to replace the placeholder photos the software put in. Now I double clicked on the photo and was able to crop and rotate as needed. The program gives you complete flexibility.
Five minutes later I’m ready to bring to my Epson R200 printer which can print directly on the DVD.
Next I wanted to make a label for my father’s 90th birthday multimedia CD.
Other very nice features in the software include: importing your song titles automatically into the project. Also can redesign each element of your work independently. There is a large clip art gallery, which also features a place where you click on the small globe and the software will search for art on the internet based on the information from your iTunes data. There's a random background generator, a good selection of layer masks which can also be applied to images, drop shadows, a variety of borders and the option to curve the text.
I give the software five out of five stars. If there was a fault with this program, I couldn’t find it. The cost is $34.95 via download at www.belightsoft.com.
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Matt Kloskowki’s new book “LAYERS”
By Robert Lachman
When I was browsing through the photo books at Amazon.com, one book in particular, really jumped out at me, Matt Kloskowski’s new book, “Layers,” the complete guide to Photoshop’s most powerful features, so I clicked the buy button. That was easy. I am a sucker for any new photography book, you could say, I’m an easy sell.
Some people, I guess, want to sit by the fireplace with a good novel, but for me, it’s a computer or photography book. I really feel like I have hit the geek wall because I’m spending way too much time in front of the computer.
I guess I should be out exercising more. Tomorrow, I am going to ride my bike to the beach while listening to the new Steve Martin book from Audible.com on my iTouch. Exercise and computers, what a great combination.
OK, back to the book review. I did look forward to receiving the book and I wasn’t disappointed. “Layers” is designed for the the beginning to intermediate Photoshop or Elements user.
Matt definitely has the credentials for writing the book, he has hosted photoshop podcasts, written articles for Photoshop User and he works full-time for the National Association of Photoshop Professionals.
The book is on the smaller side for a computer book, just 255 pages. Did I say 255 pages? I saw another “Layers” instructional book at the Barnes and Noble bookstore which contained over 800 pages. Yikes, that’s a little too many “Layers” for me to digest.
I’m still trying to figure out curves and the histogram.
The book is an easy read with nine chapters. Including: Basics, Blending, Adjustment Layers, Masks, Type and Shape, Enhancing Photos, Retouching Layer Styles and Smart Layers.
You can also follow along building projects with the examples which you can download from the internet.
I would consider myself an intermediate photoshop users so this book is perfect for me. Matt uses nice graphics on each page to to drive home his points and goes over the important features you will use.
In Chapter Two, he talks about Blending Layers. This is an important part because it always confuses me. Matt simplifies it by breaking it up into “The Three Most Important Blend Modes You Need.” Multiply, Screen and Softlight. Three is good, I have just enough brain cells left to remember this data. The explanations are concise and to the point.
Let’s skip ahead to chapter six, “Dodging and Burning Done Right.” I’m fired up now! I usually just use a the simple burn-and-dodge tool. It’s not really the correct non-destructive way. It’s simple, not the cool way. I’m ready to do it the right way: add a layer, make it 50-percent gray, and then use black and white brushes to paint to dodge and burn. With this technique, my Photoshop I.Q. should be through the roof.
I always enjoy learning new techniques. Photoshop gives you many ways to do the same thing.
There is really a lot to learn in the book and Matt uses nice graphics to illustrate his points. At the end of each chapter, he has a Q&A to help reinforce his points.
Other topics which are included in chapters are: combining multiple exposures, painting with light, selective sharpening, creating soft focus, creating reusable photo effects and using type with layers.
If you’re looking for a photoshop book which is easy to read and not the imposing giant computer books, I highly recommended picking up a copy of “Layers."
The price of the book is $39.95. I bought it at www.amazon.com for $26.39 US.
I’ve finished eight of the nine chapters leaving me with Smart Layers. I didn’t know layers had any intelligence. I am ready for the next chapter, “Four Reasons Why Smart Objects Rock!”
______________________________________________________________________
When I was browsing through the photo books at Amazon.com, one book in particular, really jumped out at me, Matt Kloskowski’s new book, “Layers,” the complete guide to Photoshop’s most powerful features, so I clicked the buy button. That was easy. I am a sucker for any new photography book, you could say, I’m an easy sell.
Some people, I guess, want to sit by the fireplace with a good novel, but for me, it’s a computer or photography book. I really feel like I have hit the geek wall because I’m spending way too much time in front of the computer.
I guess I should be out exercising more. Tomorrow, I am going to ride my bike to the beach while listening to the new Steve Martin book from Audible.com on my iTouch. Exercise and computers, what a great combination.
OK, back to the book review. I did look forward to receiving the book and I wasn’t disappointed. “Layers” is designed for the the beginning to intermediate Photoshop or Elements user.
Matt definitely has the credentials for writing the book, he has hosted photoshop podcasts, written articles for Photoshop User and he works full-time for the National Association of Photoshop Professionals.
The book is on the smaller side for a computer book, just 255 pages. Did I say 255 pages? I saw another “Layers” instructional book at the Barnes and Noble bookstore which contained over 800 pages. Yikes, that’s a little too many “Layers” for me to digest.
I’m still trying to figure out curves and the histogram.
The book is an easy read with nine chapters. Including: Basics, Blending, Adjustment Layers, Masks, Type and Shape, Enhancing Photos, Retouching Layer Styles and Smart Layers.
You can also follow along building projects with the examples which you can download from the internet.
I would consider myself an intermediate photoshop users so this book is perfect for me. Matt uses nice graphics on each page to to drive home his points and goes over the important features you will use.
In Chapter Two, he talks about Blending Layers. This is an important part because it always confuses me. Matt simplifies it by breaking it up into “The Three Most Important Blend Modes You Need.” Multiply, Screen and Softlight. Three is good, I have just enough brain cells left to remember this data. The explanations are concise and to the point.
Let’s skip ahead to chapter six, “Dodging and Burning Done Right.” I’m fired up now! I usually just use a the simple burn-and-dodge tool. It’s not really the correct non-destructive way. It’s simple, not the cool way. I’m ready to do it the right way: add a layer, make it 50-percent gray, and then use black and white brushes to paint to dodge and burn. With this technique, my Photoshop I.Q. should be through the roof.
I always enjoy learning new techniques. Photoshop gives you many ways to do the same thing.
There is really a lot to learn in the book and Matt uses nice graphics to illustrate his points. At the end of each chapter, he has a Q&A to help reinforce his points.
Other topics which are included in chapters are: combining multiple exposures, painting with light, selective sharpening, creating soft focus, creating reusable photo effects and using type with layers.
If you’re looking for a photoshop book which is easy to read and not the imposing giant computer books, I highly recommended picking up a copy of “Layers."
The price of the book is $39.95. I bought it at www.amazon.com for $26.39 US.
I’ve finished eight of the nine chapters leaving me with Smart Layers. I didn’t know layers had any intelligence. I am ready for the next chapter, “Four Reasons Why Smart Objects Rock!”
______________________________________________________________________
iMovie VS Fotomagico
QUESTION: You know, I simply do not see what Fotomagico has that iMovie does not. I have asked those who market the product to explain it to me, to no avail. I love iMovie except for the audio editing. Sounds like Fotomagico does not really have good audio-editing either. Might you be able to distinguish the two? Landya
ANSWER: Both iMovie and Fotomagico are fine pieces of software. iMovie for free gets the nod when you consider the price. I use them both depending on my project. I am working currently working on a video for my Dad's 90th birthday party. I am compiling the video from an interview and going to mix in old still photographs. This definitely will be an iMovie enterprise because I am going to weave the still images into the video.
Also, I still use iMovie 6 because of the audio control, even though it's not great. I'm not exactly scoring a movie or making a music video for MTV. Fotomagico excels when you need to compile lots of still photos into a multimedia endeavor including: a DVD, stand-alone show, screensaver and movies for you iPod or iPhone.
The real difference in the production area is the ease and control over the zooming across your photos (the Ken Burn's Effect). It's so easy to to with the Fotomagico two windows, plus you can rotate the photos as they zoom, which isn't a feature of iMovie. It's the program I use when I want to turn out a quick screensaver, iPhone (iPod or iTouch) movie or DVD for someone. You can leave it up to the automatic features of some of the Mac programs but the zoom cuts the photos in awkward ways making it look like you cropped them that way when you clicked the camera shutter button. - Robert Lachman
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ANSWER: Both iMovie and Fotomagico are fine pieces of software. iMovie for free gets the nod when you consider the price. I use them both depending on my project. I am working currently working on a video for my Dad's 90th birthday party. I am compiling the video from an interview and going to mix in old still photographs. This definitely will be an iMovie enterprise because I am going to weave the still images into the video.
Also, I still use iMovie 6 because of the audio control, even though it's not great. I'm not exactly scoring a movie or making a music video for MTV. Fotomagico excels when you need to compile lots of still photos into a multimedia endeavor including: a DVD, stand-alone show, screensaver and movies for you iPod or iPhone.
The real difference in the production area is the ease and control over the zooming across your photos (the Ken Burn's Effect). It's so easy to to with the Fotomagico two windows, plus you can rotate the photos as they zoom, which isn't a feature of iMovie. It's the program I use when I want to turn out a quick screensaver, iPhone (iPod or iTouch) movie or DVD for someone. You can leave it up to the automatic features of some of the Mac programs but the zoom cuts the photos in awkward ways making it look like you cropped them that way when you clicked the camera shutter button. - Robert Lachman
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