Digital Cameras have really changed the way people record and share their photographs. Today, we'll talk about how to make pictures from your digital camera web or email ready using Adobe Photoshop.We'll crop an image, resize it, and save it in a format optimized for the web and email.
An image from a camera can be quite large, however, making it less than ideal to email or post to a web site. For example, the picture I used in this tutorial is 792 kilobyte's, or about 8/10th of a megabyte, and takes up 2288 x 1712 pixels. With an average computer screen displaying only 1024 x 768, someone opening this image as-is would have to scroll to see the whole image.
For this tutorial,. I'm using Adobe Photoshop 7.0 running on a Mac with OS 10. If you have another version of Photoshop or run a system with windows, don't worry…the basics will be pretty much the same, so this should still be a useful tutorial for you.
Now, let's get started. First, open the file in Photoshop.
First, we'll crop the image to frame it more effectively. In this image, I want to cut out as much of extraneous items in the image, but keep the main subject.
To do this, select what is called the “rectangular marquee tool”, which is the upper left of the tool palette, and looks like a rectangle with a dotted border.
Now, click and hold the mouse button down and select the area of the photograph you'd like to keep. When you release the mouse button, a rectangle with dotted lines will appear around your selection.
Next, to go the “image” menu and select “crop”. The image is reduced to just your selection.
Now, we'll resize the image to make it easier to email or display in a web page. Go to the “image” menu again and select “image size”. Make sure that “constrain proportions” is checked, as this will maintain the ratio of width and height in your image as you resize it.
Look at the numbers in the height and width boxes in the window. Change the larger of the two to a much smaller number, such as 600 pixels. Notice that the other number automatically changes because we checked off “constrain proportions”.
The image now looks much smaller on the screen. You'll notice that the image is being displayed at only one third it's actual size. To show the image at it's true size, double click on the “Zoom Tool” in the lower right of the tool palette, which looks like a magnifying glass.
Next, we'll save the image in a format that is ideal for posting to the web or emailing.
In the “File” menu, select “Save for Web”. The “save for web” window appears. Under the settings to the right of your image, select JPEG and maximum. Notice at the bottom of the window that it shows you the type of image you selected, the file size of the new image, and approximately how long it would take to download the image on a 28.8 modem. Click the “Save” button, name your image, and click save again.
You now have an image that is cropped to look better, and is ready to email or post to the web at about 10% of the original file size.
from: Matchitehews Weblog
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Samsung unveiled the CL80 and TL240, a pair of stylish, 14.2 mega-pixel digital cameras that are fully loaded with an array of impressive features that truly enhance the digital imaging experience for consumers. Highlighted by ergonomic and elegant designs, the new Samsung CL80 and TL240 are ideal for the consumer on-the-go looking for a camera that can do it all. The CL80 adds even more great functionality with the integration of Wi-Fi connectivity and a 3.7-inch WVGA AMOLED touch screen, while the TL240 features an impressive 3.5-inch touch screen. Also, the CL80 has received a 2010 CES Innovation Award.
Samsung’s design engineers were able to produce one of the most remarkable camera designs in the industry with the help of hydro-forming technology for the CL80 and TL240. Hydro-forming allows for greater flexibility during the design process and gives manufacturers the ability to produce smoother silhouettes, seamless bonding, and higher quality surfaces. The CL80 and the TL240 are the first consumer electronic products ever to be manufactured using hydro-forming technology.
Despite their svelte 0.77-inch stainless-steel frames, the CL80 and the TL240 house impressive Schneider-KREUZNACH lenses which boast a design inspired by the mirror-writings of Leonardo da Vinci. When powered up, the cameras’ lens barrels extend and the lens specifications, including focal length and speed, appear with a hidden color accent in the concave reflective ring that surrounds each lens. These specifications are inscribed in reverse on the cameras’ lens barrels and disappear when the lens naturally retracts into the camera body. The distinctive design makes an immediate and lasting impression.
The Samsung CL80 and TL240 are also highlighted by a slanted design, which places the back of the camera at a seven degree angle. This subtle design accent proves to be extremely useful for consumers who are interested in taking self-portraits and group shots. The issue that many consumers face when taking self-portraits or group shots with traditional digital cameras is that the camera must be positioned much higher than the subjects in order to capture the complete image. Thanks to the seven degree angling of the CL80 and TL240, the lenses will always be pointed at the subjects’ faces even if the camera is positioned at a lower angle. Furthermore, unlike traditional shutter buttons which sit flat on top of the camera, the CL80 and TL240 offer slanted shutter buttons which make the cameras more comfortable to hold and operate.
The CL80 allows consumers to share their video and photos on the go without being tethered to their laptops or home PCs thanks to its wireless connectivity options, which include Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi and DLNA. Using an available Wi-Fi connection, users can send a digital image to any email address using the camera’s touch-screen QWERTY keypad or selecting those stored the camera’s address book. Users can also utilize the QWERTY keypad to include text within the body of the email. The CL80’s Wi-Fi connection also allows users to upload their images directly to popular websites such as Facebook®, Picasa™ and YouTube®, as well as SamsungImaging.com.
The CL80 also includes Samsung’s AllShare feature, which allows consumers to share content, including photos and videos, with other DLNA certified devices such as HDTVs and digital photo frames. This gives the CL80 user a seamless way to wirelessly transfer 720p HD video in addition to digital still images. To maximize speed and efficiency, all images transferred through Wi-Fi will be reduced to a resolution of two mega-pixels.
Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity is also included in the CL80, allowing users to share and transfer photos directly with Bluetooth 2.0 compatible mobile phones. When using Bluetooth 2.0, the CL80 will automatically resize the digital image to a resolution of 1024×768 (1MB).
The Samsung CL80 incorporates an impressive 3.7-inch wide WVGA AMOLED screen, while the TL240 features a 3.5″ touch screen TFT LCD. Both cameras’ massive displays house Samsung’s Smart Gesture touch-screen user interface which is complimented by an internal Gravity sensor for added ease-of-use. Smart Gesture is one of the most advanced and accurate touch-screen user interfaces on the market, and it gives users the ability to access and use key features with either a simple tilt or a hand gesture. The Smart Gesture adds a level of fun to the way users interact with and enjoy their content, allowing them to quickly scroll through their photos with a swipe of their finger or by slightly tilting the camera in either direction. Users can also easily delete photos from their library using Smart Gesture by marking an “X” on the screen with their finger, or rotate an image by drawing a circle (O) on the screen.
Smart Gesture UI also offers useful auto-focusing options such as object tracking and one-touch auto focusing. Object tracking enables users to focus on any area by touching the location on the screen with their fingertip. Once the object or location is selected, the cameras will lock and keep their focus on the subject even if it’s moving within the frame. Users can also proceed to take that photo by continuing to hold the location with their finger for two seconds, thanks to the cameras’ one-touch auto focusing capabilities.
The CL80 and the TL240 offer powerful 7x optical zooms on the high-performance, oversized Schneider-KREUZNACH lenses. To help reduce blur, these impressive lenses are paired with Samsung’s Dual Image Stabilization technology, which combines both optical and digital stabilizers to counteract the negative effects of a user’s shaky hand. End-users can also take advantage of the cameras’ 7x optical zooms and optical image stabilization while recording video. Both the CL80 and the TL240 offer 720p HD video recording at 30 frames-per-second in H.264 format. The cameras also come complete with built-in HDMI connectivity, giving users the ability to effortlessly view their HD video and digital still images on an HDTV or HD monitor.
The new Samsung CL80 and TL240 also make it easier than ever for consumers to capture the perfect shot thanks to Samsung’s Smart Auto 2.0 (Still & Movie) scene recognition technology. Smart Auto 2.0 technology will automatically recognize the user’s current shooting environment and select the appropriate settings to achieve the best results possible. Additionally, Samsung’s Smart Auto 2.0 scene recognition technology can also be used to record video, producing the highest-quality footage and results no matter where consumers will be using the cameras.
The TL240 is expected to ship February 2010. The CL80 is due out this spring. Prices to be announced.
Samsung NX10 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera
As photographed by Don at Pepcom Digital Experience, CES 2010
Regular readers of my column and this site know I am a fan of the Micro Four-Thirds digital camera format. For those who are unfamiliar, Micro Four-Thirds is an digital camera format that features interchangeable lenses and live view, rather than the optical prism and mirror of a digital SLR. This leads to more compact bodies and smaller lenses. Some, like the Olympus E-P1, work as a high-def camcorder as well. I have an E-P1 myself and love it.
The long-rumored Micro Four-Thirds competitor from Samsung, the NX10, was launched at CES 2010 and I got a bit of hands-on time with it at the Pepcom Digital Experience event at The Mirage. The Samsung NX10 looks very promising and I plan on reviewing a production unit soon.
As I see it now, here is how the Samsung NX10 stacks up compared to Micro Four-Thirds:
Positives
Sensor: The most noteworthy positive for the Samsung NX10 is the large sensor, which is the same size as digital SLRs like the Pentax K-x or the Canon Digital Rebel series. These sensors are significantly larger in physical dimensions than a Micro Four-Thirds sensor. A larger sensor usually means better performance overall and especially in low-light conditions. Many serious photographers will flock to the NX10 just for this reason.
Build quality: The Samsung NX10 feels like the proverbial brick in your hand. It has heft and solidity approaching that of a pro camera body. I was quite surprised when I first held it.
Screen: The Samsung NX10 has an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) screen on the back. OLED is considered to be the holy grail for its amazing image quality and extremely low power consumption. The NX10 screen has stunning image quality. If you prefer to use the viewfinder when you raise the camera to your eye the screen turns off and the viewfinder turns on… nice touch, and no fumbling with an EVF/Screen button to switch between them.
Pentax K Lens Adapter: It has been leaked that there will be an adapter to mount Pentax K-Mount lenses, though electronic functionality is lost. I think the Pentax pancake lenses would make a great match to this camera!
HD Video Recording: The Samsung NX10 records 720p video in H.264 format.
Negatives
Size: The Samsung NX10 is somewhat larger than Micro Four-Thirds models. It is not much bigger, but it is by enough to possibly make a difference to someone looking for something small.
Lenses: The lenses are an unknown quantity. I was told by a Samsung rep they were developed in-house and not in conjunction with their usual partner, high-end lens manufacturer Schneider. Without sharp lenses the large sensor meaningless. It could be that the Samsung lenses will be excellent (and I expect them to be at least competent) but with Olympus and Panasonic there is an established track record of excellent optics.
No Camera-Based Image Stabilization: I prefer sensor-based image stabilization, especially for this type of camera and the Samsung NX10 doesn’t have it. There will be optically stabilized lenses though, so it is almost a wash.
How much?
Preliminary info is pointing towards a $699 price tag for the Samsung NX10, complete with 18-55 lens. If that holds and the pictures it produces are good, this camera should be a home run.
In the final analysis…
In the end it will come down to whether the camera can create images that are competitive with its Micro Four-Thirds and digital SLR competitors. I have not been thrilled with Samsung’s compacts in the past, and their digital SLRs were just re-branded Pentaxes. Still, I have a very good feeling about the Samsung NX10 based on my own impressions and sample images I have seen. If I had to place a bet, I would bet that it is going to be a winner and open up the digital camera market for Samsung. Not all that long ago Samsung was considered a budget TV manufacturer. Now Samsung is considered a cutting-edge top-tier television manufacturer. This could be the start of something similar for their digital photography division.
See the NX10 on Samsung’s website .
Questions? Email Don
See you tomorrow for the Product of the Day!
Samsung has unveiled the SL630 budget compact camera. The camera, called PL80 in Europe, is designed with a 12.2 megapixel sensor, 5x (28-140mm equiv.) zoom lens and 2.7 inch LCD. It includes image stabilization, focus tracking and 'Perfect Portrait' system. Priced at £129.99, the camera will be available from March 2010.
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- Press Release
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Press Release:
Capture every moment with the compact Samsung PL80
Samsung expands the ever-popular PL range with the stylish PL80
London, UK – January 19, 2010 – Samsung. a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today extended its popular PL-Series of digital cameras with the introduction of the PL80. This 12.2 mega-pixel point-and-shoot offers unprecedented value for the casual shooter with a versatile 28mm wide-angle, 5x optical zoom lens, Dual Image Stabilisation, and Samsung’s full range of smart features packed in a slim, compact frame.
The Samsung PL80 offers an exceptional 28mm wide-angle Samsung lens which provides consumers with a 5x optical zoom (28mm-140mm / 35mm equivalent), giving users the ability to capture more of a desired scene from farther away. Consumers will benefit from Samsung’s Dual Image Stabilisation (IS) technology, which gives them the ability to capture crystal-clear images by combining both Optical and Digital Image stabilisers to produce sharp images. The Optical IS intelligently compensates for hand trembling by shifting the lens in the opposite direction. When Optical IS isn’t quite enough, the Digital IS automatically takes over to ensure virtually blur-free images.
Samsung’s PL80 comes fully equipped with an array of automatic controls, including Samsung’s advanced scene recognition technology known as Smart Auto. Designed to simplify the way consumers take a photograph, Smart Auto analyses key elements of the composition of the image such as colour, brightness, motion, and subject, and then selects the appropriate scene mode which will produce the best results possible. The PL80 also features useful auto focusing options such as object tracking. With this, users can select any object or area within the frame and automatically programme the camera to lock and keep its focus on the subject even if it’s moving within the frame. In addition, the PL80 offers Samsung’s Perfect Portrait System – a series of automatic technologies which take the guess work out of shooting beautiful portraits. Key features of the Perfect Portrait System include Face Detection, Samsung’s Smile Shot and Blink Detection technologies, Red‑Eye Fix mode, and Beauty Shot.
For those wanting to shoot video as well as great stills, the PL80 comes equipped with video recording at a resolution of 640×480 and recording at 30 frames-per-second.
"Samsung is elevating the stature of its PL-Series with models such as the new PL80,” said Steve Mitchell, Marketing General Manager, Samsung Digital Imaging. “With Samsung’s PL-Series, consumers can now enjoy features such as wide-angle lenses with longer zooms, as well as technologies such as Smart Auto, which brings incredible value to the consumer while at the same time, giving them the ability to take their creativity to new levels and take great photos."
Jeremy Livingston