12.02.2012. Software of the Month: Instant Retro

Instant Retro is web-based software that helps in transforming photos to give them a retro look. The website, http://www.instantretro.com/ has a simple to use interface where one can upload photos and move on to make various changes as one wishes. Instant Retro is based in Mexico, hence there are certain options and buttons that are in Spanish though the English version of the website makes it easy to non-Spanish speaking users.

There was a sinking feeling that befell photography lovers when Kodak filed for bankruptcy recently. TV channels and newspapers carried news stories about how a company founded by George Eastman in the late 19th century, which went on to dominate the photographic film business in the world, was on the verge of collapse. According to observers, Kodak is failing because they were not able to adapt to the digital world fast enough. While this could be true, the world softly sympathised with Kodak’s predicament in deep nostalgia looking back at all the wonderful ‘Kodak Moments’ the company has given to the world.

Those Kodak Moments are mostly remembered in black and white. When mankind set foot on the moon, Kodak was there to capture the moment; when great men like Martin Luther King Jr. and J.F. Kennedy rose and fell, Kodak was there to capture every moment; and all in black and white. Even though the world has gone digital in vivid colours, there is something about those ‘old’ photos that greatly fascinate us. All photo editing software have options of transforming photos to appear like they are from the yester years. But of all these, one stands out as the cheapest in terms of cost and easiest to use—Instant Retro.

It goes on sale from end of February 2012.

News Archive

09.02.2012. Corel Completes Acquisition Of Roxio Business From Rovi Corporation

Corel has completed the acquisition of the Roxio business from Rovi Corporation which means it adds the Roxio product line, including the following well-known products, to its portfolio:

* Roxio Creator : Software to enhance, preserve, capture and share your digital media Roxio Toast. The ultimate multi-media toolkit for your Mac * Roxio Game Capture : Software and hardware solution to record your console gameplay * Roxio Easy VHS to DVD : Convert analogue video tapes to digital video for sharing on DVD, online and mobile devices * Roxio CinePlayer DVD Decoder : Watch your favourite DVDs on Windows Media Player * Roxio BackOnTrack Suite : Complete media protection solution that automatically keeps your memories safe and protects your PC from both hardware and software disasters * Roxio Secure Products : Powerful encryption for optical media and USB flash drives

In a press release, Corel said: "With this acquisition, Corel will take advantage of its well-established global infrastructure to dramatically broaden distribution of Roxio products into new international markets. In addition, the company will draw upon the complementary video, photo, audio, and disc burning technologies found in both Roxio and Corel software to give users even more capabilities and further enhance Corel’s overall product portfolio. Corel also sees significant opportunities in combining the strengths of Corel’s and Roxio’s established retail and direct sales channels and large customer bases.

Shawn Cadeau, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing at Corel added: "We want Roxio’s customers and partners to know that these products are an important addition to our portfolio and they will have a great home with Corel. We look forward to bringing together the best of what Corel and Roxio have to offer as we work to deliver even richer, more rewarding experiences to our customers."

For more information on Corel, please visit Corel's website. For more details on the Roxio product line, please visit Roxio.

05.02.2012. Contest: Your Best Shot: February 2012

Every month, we choose three images submitted by our incredible readers to feature in the pages of Popular Photography. First place gets $300, second place gets $200, and third place gets $100. Submissions have to be received by February 29th at 11:59 PM

There are no category restrictions in this contest, we just want to see your most creative and well-done work. A gallery of the judges' picks will appear online and the overall winner will be revealed in an upcoming issue of the magazine. Upload your pictures here for the contest:

12.02.2012. New Gear: Sony 500mm F/4 G Lens

Sony has finally announced their 500mm telephoto lens — though we don't know when it's hitting India.

We first spied Sony's 500mm lens back at Photokina in 2010, but it's taken a few years for this piece of glass to get official. Now Sony Europe has announced the high-end fixed focal length lens, but we have no idea when it's heading to the India market. The Sony SAL500F40G is a 500mm (750mm equivalent on APS-C) lens designed for Sony's A-mount DSLR and SLT cameras.

10.02.2012. Photography Genre: Macro Photography

Larger than life photos of small insects or objects never fail to fascinate us. They are not only fascinating to the viewers but rewarding to the photographers who have the patience and skill to capture such small subjects and reveal crisp details otherwise difficult to see with our naked eyes. The genre of photography that deals with such kind of photographs is known as macro photography. Macro photography is photography that captures images at 1x magnification and above. It also refers to a finished photograph of a subject at greater than life size. Life size photograph is written as 1:1 and anything above that, say, twice the size of life size is written 1:2. This ratio is in relation to the photograph’s film plane size or image sensor plane.

Macro photography is not a difficult art to master. All you need is the right gear and basic knowledge on how to go about it. Without proper equipment, even with the best of knowledge the chore cannot be accomplished. Here are a few things that will enlighten you on this genre of photography.