Photoshop World Conference & Expo

Papa Colorburst is in Las Vegas for Photoshop World 2010. He posted directly from the conference floor two years ago and I'm looking forward to more news this time around. Read more about Photoshop World.

Are Physical Photographs Dead?

I've been thinking something about paper photographs for a long time that I wasn't sure how to articulate. I like digital photographs better than physical ones. Unless I have an empty frame and a spot on the wall already picked out, I don't see a need for paper. For a long time, I've been alone in this, but this is starting to become more popular. Deane at Gadgetopia.com wrote a pretty detailed description of the differences between the way the general user thought of digital photos when they first came out and how we are all starting to think of them. Read the full post on Gadgetopia and decide for yourself if paper is truly dead.

Star Wars as a Silent Film

First the video, with an explanation to follow.

As you may have noticed here, I've mentioned Star Wars a number of times before. If there is one single film in history that has more actively fueled the fire of fan-made films --and by relation, all home video-- then I'd be very surprised. Some of these homages are funny parody, some are just practice and some approach the level of real art. I love them all.

The video linked above uses only footage from the original film, with a very specific filter (I'd assume) that gives it the right silent film look. I don't know all the technical details, but the appearance is spot on. It's in black-and-white, but also has a layer of scratches, muting and noise added to give it old style film resonance. Additionally, the frame speed was slightly sped up in most of the action sequences, giving it a much more herky-jerky movement (technical term, ahem) to the actors. Stylized dialog cards are added for each spoken line. I like that these have the Imperial logo at the bottom and that there are a few misspellings, perhaps purposeful.

The best possible detail used to give this video an authentic silent film theme is the soundtrack, played on an old-fashioned grand piano by itself. If you listen at the right moment as Luke plummets down the ventilation shaft, a descending chromatic scale plays exactly where it is most expected. The entire package comes together perfectly with the scratchiness of the video and audio in sync. It's funny and beautiful at the same time; a very good job.

Subscription Form for Videomaker.com

Most of our readers will have already seen this, but just in case you missed it, Videomaker Magazine is having a special promotion right now where in addition to the first issue free, you can also get instant download access to two standard legal release forms that every videographer should have.

It's a good idea to get the proper legal releases whenever shooting professionally. Visit the Subscription Form to get yours. You can also get more information on release forms at the following links.

• Stay out of trouble: Know when to use a Video Release Form
• Talent Release Forms
• legal release forms for video and tv media
• How to Use a Model Release Form
• Releases For Use in Film and Video

Random Professional Photographers

Here are a random smattering of links to professional and amateur pro photographers. I discovered these via Delicious as a few of each of their photos were tagged for reference or inspiration. I've linked to their individual home pages here just to give a good sample representation of the thousands of photo portfolios that exist out there right now.

• 
  Photography by Jeanette / View Larger Screenshot
• 
  Jodie Otte, Baltimore Maryland Child and Baby Photographer > / View Larger Screenshot
• 
  Birmingham Alabama Portrait Photographer - His Hands Photographs / View Larger Screenshot
• 
  Richard Faulks Photography / View Larger Screenshot
• 
  Louise Sumner Photography / View Larger Screenshot
• 
  Inara Studios / View Larger Screenshot
• 
  Minneapolis Baby, Children's and Senior Photographer Lisa Slotsve / View Larger Screenshot

There you have it. Let me know what you think.