Digital Darkroom Diatribe

by Al Crawford
May 3, 2007
Vol 1, no 1

 This is the first of  my newsletters.  I am sure that they will evolve as I continue to write them -- assuming I do continue to write them.  I would like to thank the 90 or so people who have agreed to receive these newsletters for their response.  For the four or five who are on the list because I just put them their I hope you don't mind.

My intent for these ramblings is to provide information about digital photography and about Photoshop to those who are on my mailing list.  I will try to always have something for those just starting in digital photography but I will also try to have from time to time something for the advanced user.  Whatever your level in photography it is my desire that you enjoy these newsletters.

Forums

In addition to these newsletters I have also started a message board for photography and for Photoshop users.  It is my expectation that the primary users of the message board will be those who are receiving my newsletters.  But others are also welcome.  This message board is currently under development.  However, if you are familiar with message boards you are welcome to start using the board right now.  The web address is http://hobby.greenvalleyforums.com -- just go to that link, register by clicking on register link at the top of the page, then login and start posting.  Please overlook the drab look of the board.  It will improve in the next few weeks and months.




Featured Website of the Week

Each week or so a website will be featured here.  
      
      PCPhoto -- Ron Stein alerted me to the improved website of PC Photo magazine.  Under the logo of "PC Photo" is a gray "How To" tab.  At the bottom of that page you will find articles on Camera Techniques, Image Processing, Sharing and Websites, Organization  & Storage, Printing, and more How-To.  These are practical articles on how to get the most out of your digital photography.  There is something for the beginner as well as the advanced photographer.  Their link is http://www.pcphotomag.com/

A Critical Flaw In Photoshop Plugin

Ron Stein has alerted me to this news item about a flaw in Photoshop.  This is for versions Elements 5, CS2, and CS3.  While it will not effect most of those who read this newsletter, you probably should be aware of the flaw.  It involves the plugin that allows Photoshop to process PNG files.  The plugin is the file PNG.8bi and contains some coding flaws that allow a hacker to introduce a malicious PNG file that can compromise the user's system when the offending file is opened.

The same person that found this problem also discovered that Photoshop is also vulnerable to attacks using bitmap files.

You may protect yourself against these problems by not opening files with extensions png, bmp, dib, or rle unless you know they are from safe sources.  For more information click here.

Grandson Pictures

Sometimes things just come together.  I know this is a photography newsletter.  One should not put up images of their grandson on these pages.  But I am going to make an exception.  These images are a wonderful example of excellent family photography by the photographer, Lisa Bennett.  And the Picture Patch is also a great example of how to market your photography.  To access this photo gallery click on  http://thepicturepatch.com/ then click on Proofs II then on Gareth.

Coming Up in Digital Darkroom Diatribes

In the past week I have been to Phoenix twice.  Once to a seminar presented by Jack Davis, a noted writer and lecturer on Photoshop and the second to the Digital Imaging Group in Scottsdale.  I will be sharing what I learned on both of these trips.  I also plan to do a series on conversion to B&W, talk a little about CS3 and Lightroom, and give some hints that can be used in Photoshop Elements.  While doing this I will be traveling in a motorhome from Green Valley up to the New England states then into Canada.  I hope to find some great photo opportunities on this trip.

Al

Links

Website of Al Crawford
Photo resources by Al Crawford
Photography and other message boards managed by Al Crawford
Green Valley Camera Club
The Digital Imaging Group (DIG) of Scottsdale, Arizona
NAPP -- The National Association of Photoshop Professionals

To subscribe or to unsubscribe to this newsletter contact Al Crawford at Newsletter@CrawfordEnterprise.com

The animals pictured here were all taken by Al Crawford at the St. Louis, Missouri, Zoo.