Elements Plus - plugins

Independent author Andrei Doubrovski has announced Elements+ 1.0, his new enhancement patch for Adobe Photoshop Elements 8. Elements+ is a handy add-on that unlocks the undocumented advanced functions in Photoshop Elements featured in the latest versions of Photoshop.

Elements+ is JavaScript-based, so the script behavior will depend on current circumstances. The unleashed features can be accessed via dedicated dialog boxes that include undocumented commands and panels for exploring and using the hidden (officially unsupported) contents, such as paths, color channels, and more. The kit includes smart filters, vector masks, and many more advanced tools normally hidden under the hood.

Image Framer

Apparent Software's ImageFramer 2.42, is a very cool custom image framing utility for Mac OS X. With a focus on ease-of-use, ImageFramer can apply photo-realistic frames to digital images, drawings or any original artwork. Users can add single frames (with multiple mats), watermarks, batch process several images at a time, as well as colorize or adjust Hue, Saturation and Brightness of the frames for maximum flexibility.

Image Framer

Photo + Graphics Bundle for Mac

Apparent Software has launched the MacGraPhoto bundle -- Mac users get 7 premium graphics applications for the price of one -- or even for free. Applications in MacGraPhoto bundle will satisfy most of imaging needs of any Mac user: image editing, applying effects, format conversion, batch processing, vector drawing, geo-tagging photos, framing them or even creating posters and postcards.

Most Mac bundles lack focus - they collect unrelated applications, and many Mac users usually need only a couple of them. MacGraPhoto bundle is focused exclusively on graphics: it is a hand-picked selection of 7 premium applications from 7 different companies. Most of these applications received Apple "Staff Pick" or Apple Design Award.

 

Beyond Digital Photography

Beyond Digital Photography: Transforming Photos into Fine Art with Photoshop and Painter

Showing by example is a fantastic way to learn, particularly with talents like Jolley. In order to appreciate this work, you must first just see some of the extraordinary art that actually becomes easy with the right tutorials.

Child painting by Donal Jolley 

Join in 'conversations' with Jolley about some of the superbly gentle treatments given to digital photos, transforming them into high, fine arts. Jolley chats about this image:

Is it getting more difficult to believe news photos these days?

Is it getting more difficult to believe news photos these days?

Most people haven't noticed, but it's getting more and more difficult to recognize reality in photographic journalism. While the unwary public soaks up newspaper and broadcast news reports which show stark photography, those of us who know what can be done with today's software are taking a more careful look. A recent photo in the local newspaper editorialized the aftermath of a house fire. Most people looked at the story it told. I saw it -- but I also saw the affects of over-sharpening and was alerted that the image had been manipulated. As a journalist myself, I've come to scrutinize the images as much as the content.