Photoshop Launches Free Web Version.

This could be a new tool for you in your efforts at discovering digital photograph on the basic level.

Photoshop has gone free. Well not really. On Thursday March 27, 2008 Photoshop launched a free web-based version. However this is not the full Photoshop version.

This version is an entry-level hosted version. It is free and has many features for editing.

It is not a replacement for the more sophisticated tools currently in Photoshop’s inventory – like the full version of Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.

But Photoshop expects to capitalize on the revenue that will be coming from online advertising and boost its name recognition by entering the realm of those consumers who like to edit, store and share photos online.

Thus, Photoshop will enter a market where companies like Shutterfly Inc., Picnik, Photobucket Inc. and others have had a presence for years.

Unlike Photoshop which is designed for professionals an others who are willing to tackle the stiff learning curve, Photoshop Express is designed to be easier to learn.

Photoshop Express is launched as a beta test version. Upgrades will be made taking user comments into account to improve the application and make future upgrades.

This will be a totally web-based application. Consumers can use it by signing up at http://www.photoshop.com/express

Since web-based applications are becoming more and more popular, Adobe wants to get involved in this market. In doing so, they are entering the area several years after several other companies like the ones mentioned above.

Also, Google and Microsoft have been offering web-based services for several years. Are there going to be some big fights in the future as all of these and others battle for a prominent spot in the web-based service market.

Ron Glaz, a research analyst at IDC, says the move was necessary for Adobe to keep pace. Users are less likely to switch to software they aren’t familiar with, he said.

“They have a whole market that they are missing out on, and they need to make sure that the market is aware there is a Photoshop solution for them. As that market grows and becomes more sophisticated, hopefully it will generate money,” Glaz said.

“It’s one of those things, if you can’t beat them, join them,” Glaz said. “If they don’t join them, the long run could be really painful.”

Adobe says that part of its strategy is to get people to upgrade to Photoshop Elements, which sells for $99.

Another possible upgrade route could be to a future release of a Photoshop Express subscription-based version that Photoshop is working on.

There will be much more about this launch over the next several days and months. It will be interesting to see how well the photo editing capabilities of Photoshop Express meet the needs of consumers. However, it looks like a great free start at the editing of your own photographs.

You can check out Photoshop Express at: http://www.photoshop.com/express

5 Basic steps to Discovering Digital Photography. Thinking about getting involved in digital photography?

Obviously the starting point in Discovering Digital Photography is to research the type of digital camera that you want to purchase.

Let’s start with the fact that you have done that. You have purchased your digital camera and now you want to get about the task of using it.

Step 1.

Become familiar with your digital camera.

The very first place to start is with your manual. Next to your camera itself, this is your most important possession. You may think that it’s just a manual - I don’t need to read it. Well, the truth of the matter is that you do.

If you are out on a shooting trip and you don’t know how to do something with your camera, you need to read your manual. If you have already read through it, you will have a good idea where to look in the manual to solve your problem.

Here is some advice: You may not be able to get assistance from that photographer over there that looks like a professional that knows what he is doing.

He may be able to help you with information about how to take photographs, but your camera will likely be different from the one he is using. So expecting him to know how to use your camera is not a very realistic exception. He might be able to guess, but it’s your responsibility to know and understand your camera. Read your manual and practice so that its functions and capabilities are known to you.

Only you or someone else who has the same make and model of camera will know the details about how to use your camera.

Step 2.

Now that you know how to use your camera, you are ready to take pictures.

However, you need to plan the use of your photographs, before you start. Will you be taking them to put on the web and send to your family or to make quality prints? Your answer here will determine some of the settings that you make on your camera. You will need to know the functions or modes that need to be set to get the appropriate results.

Step 3.

In this step you need to know how to take photographs.

By this I mean, what makes up a good photograph. You will need to know things like composition, lighting, depth of field, zoom in or zoom out (or what lens to use). You will need to know about exposure and what controls on you camera can change it. These and many more make up the techniques of photography.

Your camera can do a lot automatically. But as far as I know, there is not a camera made with an auto-technique button. You will have to learn these yourself.

Step 4.

You now must learn how to use hardware and software to process your pictures.

If your only interest is snapshots, you could take the memory storage device out of your camera and take it to Wal-Mart, Walgreen’s, etc, and have them print your pictures for you.

If you want to send them to your family or friends, you will have to become familiar with computers, if you are not already.

You will have to transfer your pictures from your camera to your computer. Then your will have to know how to process them for attaching to your email.

Maybe you could upload them to some service that will allow your friends to log into the service and view your pictures and maybe even obtain prints for their own use.

You may have to obtain some sort of photo editing software and learn how to use it to process your images. If you go this route will you choose a low end product or a high end and expensive product?

You could also purchase a photo quality printer and print your own photographs. Again you will have to learn how to use your equipment.

Step 5.

Now you need to be concern about long-term storage of your images. Obviously, you cannot leave them on your camera’s storage media.

If you have downloaded them onto you computer, you can’t leave them on your hard drive forever. Someday it will up with images.

You could buy another hard drive, maybe a large external one. You could burn all your images onto CDs or DVDs. There is also the possibility of storing you images online.

There are online services that allow you to purchase storage space on their computers so that you can store your images there. Just make sure they are reliable and make frequent backups of their systems.

This has been just a short and incomplete list of what you will be facing. However, the route to discovering digital photography is worth your efforts. It is an exciting and un-ending journey. I hope you discover it and enjoy it.