Digital Imaging eNewsletter

FREE Updates to Spyder3Elite and Spyder3Pro Released

Spyder3Elite and Pro for Mac and Windows have been updated to versions 3.0.5 and 3.0.7 respectively. This update is available from the Software Downloads page of the Datacolor website. The update covers all ten supported languages. It includes minor changes, fixes, and improvements; and is recommended for all Elite and Pro users. The Spyder3Utility shipping with these updates has been signficantly improved. By activating the automatic software update check in your copy of the software, you can be informed whenever a new version is available.

Expert Advice
Using the Updated Spyder3Utility

The latest versions of Spyder3Elite and Pro include an updated version of Spyder3Utility, which has been redesigned to be easier to use. The first list item is now “Explain Status.” Selecting this item will bring up a floating window which contains information about your displays, including Certification status, Calibration status, and Ambient Light status.

S3Utility now has a tabbed Preferences pane with a General section for controlling the length of time dialogs are displayed, and choices of LED indicator function. An Ambient section offers choices for how often to check the ambient light. A Certification section offers a number of choices for Certification frequency, and a Recalibration section offers choices for frequency of Recalibration checks and reminders.

Photoshop^® Tip of the Month
Fill Commands

These commands fill the entire layer: to fill with Foreground color, use Option-Delete (PC: Alt-Backspace). To fill with Background color, press Command-Delete (PC: Control-Backspace). These commands only fill areas in the layer where there are pixels (preserving transparency). To fill with Foreground color, use Option-Shift-Delete (PC: Alt-Shift-Backspace). Press Command-Shift-Delete (PC: Control-Shift-Backspace) to fill with Background color.

Featured Photographer
Ted Kawalerski

Ted Kawalerski is a New York City-based photographer who has worked on assignments for corporations, graphic design firms and advertising agencies for more than 30 years. He regularly travels worldwide for clients such as Harris Corporation, Liberty Mutual Group, Praxair, Chevron, Ernst & Young and many others. He resides in Sleepy Hollow, just north of the Tappan Zee Bridge in Westchester County. His personal work includes a stunning collection of black-and-white images of the Hudson River and the people who live along its banks and is currently on exhibit at Beacon Institute's Art Gallery in Beacon, New York. His latest project titled, “Windows,” is a colorful and unique look at life and will become the focus of a new exhibit in 2009.

His collection of dramatic black-and-white photographs and kaleidoscope of color reproductions have one thing in common. They all rely on proper color management and system calibration to ensure the story he tells is as accurate in appearance as the subjects themselves. He encourages photographers, art directors and advertising executives alike to calibrate their monitors regularly.

“Proper color management was a critical factor for achieving the perfect color balance and skin tone in the image above. With so many colors reflecting off of a variety of surfaces there was no way I could achieve accurate skin tones without it. Equally important for photographers and graphic designers is to ensure that clients are also calibrating their systems. It becomes almost pointless to create exact colors and tones if the person viewing them isn't seeing what you want them to see. What appears perfect on my screen may appear flat, inaccurate and even unattractive to an art director whose screen isn't properly calibrated. We all put so much time and effort into creating our art. Why everyone in the world of art and commerce doesn't calibrate their systems regularly remains a mystery to me.”

To see more of Ted's work, please go to http://www.tedkawalerski.com.

Special Promotions

Last Chance to Save 20% on Nik Software!
December 15th is the last day to save 20% on two very popular Nik Software packages. We've teamed up with Nik, makers of the award-winning Viveza™ and Color Efex Pro™ 3.0, to offer savings of 20% on these products for you, your friends and family! It's a perfect match for vivid colors in your images after calibrating with Spyder3Elite.

Learn more about Nik Software and the offer here.

Free Shipping for the Holidays!
For a limited time, we are offering FREE Ground Shipping at our web store to celebrate the holidays (US customers only). No coupon code is needed. Simply choose the UPS Ground option during checkout.

Rebate Extended
Our mail-in rebate has now been extended to December 31st (postmark by January 31st), and is available here.

News
Datacolor Receives ISO 9001:2000 Recertification

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ - December 9, 2008 - Datacolor, a global leader in digital color management technology, has received its ISO 9001:2000 recertification for its Quality Management System at the company's U.S.-based Lawrenceville, NJ, and Suzhou, China manufacturing facilities. Recertification by the International Organization for Standardization was approved in November, 2008. The certification follows an extensive audit by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), which conducted a thorough sampling of the company's quality management system to ensure that Datacolor was compliant with all International Standards and stated procedures.

"Achieving ISO 9001:2000 recertification marks a significant milestone for Datacolor," says Terry Downes, President of the company. "It is a direct result of our entire organization working together to ensure the highest-quality products and services for our customers."

» Read more

Events

Shortcut to Brilliant: The Adobe Creative Suite 4 Launch Tour
MOGO Media presents "Shortcut to Brilliant: The Adobe Creative Suite 4 Launch Tour". Sponsored by Adobe and Datacolor, this one-day seminar brings the best of both worlds: in the morning, get an overview of whats new in Adobe Creative Suite 4 directly from some of Adobes best presenters; in the afternoon, get in-depth information, tips and tricks, and valuable productivity techniques form renowned industry experts in two tracks focused on web and print workflows. Whether youve already upgraded to Adobe Creative Suite 4, or are still deciding, this is your chance to get all the info you need! Sign up today to attend this event in New York City (January 16, 2009), Chicago (January 21, 2009), or Los Angeles (February 19, 2009). Click here for complete details and to register.

Imaging USA '09
At over 500,000 square feet, Imaging USA '09 features the largest, most vibrant photography EXPO in North America with the most tradeshow booths ever. You'll be amazed when you see all the latest products, essential tools and software at the cutting edge of technology.

WPPI 2009
Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI 2009) offers exhibitors a first rate opportunity to reach their target audience in the wedding photography industry. Billed as the biggest tradeshow event in WPPI history, the event will be taking place February 14-19, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada, the wedding capital of the world!

Recent Coverage

We are constantly working to make color management more effective, affordable and easy to use. Here's what other people around the web have to say about our products:

Updated review of colorimeters and display calibration packages (Onsight)