This is The Digital Story Podcast #561, Dec. 6, 2016. Today's theme is "8 Software Updates That You Should Know About." I'm Derrick Story.
Opening Monologue
Image editing is the other half of the creation process. We have one set of fleeting thoughts when we press the shutter button and record the composition. But later, on our computers, we have the opportunity to refine our vision. This week I talk about the latest developments in that second part of the equation, imaging software.
8 Software Updates That You Should Know About
It may feel quiet on the software front, but there's actually been a fair amount of activity. We'll start with a new release from Phase One, and take it from there.
- Capture One Pro 10 - This new release has more to do with under the hood than the paint job. The two headlines are the High Performance Engine and the 3-Step Sharpening Tool. I was happy to see a RAW profile for the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II. (Mac and Windows)
- Luminar 1.0.2 - In addition to some nice refinements, such as Touch Bar support in new MacBook Pro and the F-key shortcut to go full screen mode, Macphun has also tweaked a number of its adjustments such as better highlight recovery and improved performance for Lightroom photographers using the the Luminar plug-in. I use it most often as an editing extension for Photos. (Mac only)
- Photoshop CC 2017 - Not exactly a barn-stormer, but the latest update to Photoshop does include In-App Searching: Quickly search Photoshop tools, panels, menus, Adobe Stock assets, Help content, and tutorials from within the app using a new search panel that's right at your fingertips. Adobe also touts better performance, plus improved Creative Cloud integration, including the managing of your assets. (Mac and Windows)
- Polarr Photo Editor 3.3.0 - This terrific and affordable image editor now has a text and shapes tool. I tested it just this week, and it's very nice and quite useful. Polarr runs on both Mac and Windows, and I tap it most often as an editing extension for Photos.
- DxO Optics Pro 10 - Not a lot has been going on with this app in recent history. Version 10.5.4 did fix a nVidia web driver problem, and new RAW profiles have continued to be added to this app. (Mac and Windows)
- Pixelmator 3.6, on the other hand, is a substantial update that makes it fully compatible with macOS Sierra and includes Touch Bar support for MacBook Pro users, plus adds Tabs to manage Pixelmator windows more easily, adds a content-aware Smart Refine feature, and plenty more. (Mac only)
- The big news from Affinity Photo is that its Photoshop-challenger app that's been so popular on the Mac is coming to the Windows platform in March 2017. Even if you are exclusively a Mac user we hope you agree this is a positive step. With the Windows versions basically being replicas of what we have done on Mac, including 100 percent file compatibility, it should improve adoption and file sharing ability for everyone in the future. And importantly we've done this with an entirely separate team of Windows developers so it's not compromising progress of the Mac versions (as it happens we've got a couple of great updates to Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo for you in the works right now). You can sign up for the beta right now.
- And finally, the Lightroom developers have been busy releasing plenty of new features in Nov. 2016. At the top of the list is RAW file development in Lightroom Mobile. But they also introduced Lightroom for AppleTV, plus Split View and Slide Over multitasking features while adjusting color, tone, or brightness in your photos on the iPad Pro.
In the News
Metz mecablitz M400 compact wireless flash unit now available - German flash manufacturer Metz has launched a new compact sized flash unit that offers wireless TTL control and coverage to match 24-105mm lenses. First announced at Photokina, the Metz mecablitz M400 has a guide number of 40m/131ft at ISO 100 at the 105mm zoom setting, along with a tilt and swivel head for bouncing the light. The gun is compatible with Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Micro Four Thirds, Pentax and Sony multi-interface cameras and offers TTL metering with each. The Metz mecablitz M400 is available now and costs $280.
Free Signed Copy of the Apple Photos Book for Photographers
I have 3 signed copies of The Apple Photos Book for Photographers that I want to give away over the next week. If you'd like a chance to have me send you one of them, all you have to do is tweet something to the effect that the book is now in print and use the hashtag #ApplePhotosBook. Then let me know that you tweeted by sending me your email address to derrick@thedigitalstory.com. On Monday, we'll randomly select 3 from those tweets and notify them.
Updates and Such
Big thanks to all of our Patreon members! I was able to pay for the podcast server and the backup system from last month's pledges. Your contributions are making a positive impact.
The 2017 Workshop Season is posted. I've sent responses to those who signed up on the reserve list. If you haven't received a confirmation yet, please send me mail at derrick@thedigitalstory.com. Reservation forms for the SF Workshop are going out soon.
B&H and Amazon tiles on www.thedigitalstory. If you click on them first, you're helping to support this podcast. And speaking of supporting this show, and big thanks to our Patreon Inner Circle members.
And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.
See you next week!
More Ways to Participate
Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our Flickr Public Group. And from those images, I choose the TDS Member Photo of the Day.
Podcast Sponsors
MindShift Gear - MindShift Gear is a group of committed professional photographers and product designers who support conservation and protection of our natural resources and planet.
Red River Paper - Keep up with the world of inkjet printing, and win free paper, by liking Red River Paper on Facebook.
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