CNET have reviewed the beta version of Jasc’s Paint Shop Pro Photo Album 4, awarding it their Editor’s Choice award.

“While Adobe may have a bigger marketing budget, Jasc has enjoyed a loyal following for years, and for good reason: The company continues to churn out innovative, highly customizable graphics programs. With Photo Album 4.0, which replaces Jasc’s multipurpose photo utility After Shot Premium Edition, the company has done it again—and to great effect. Of all the photo organizers and managers that we’ve tested to date, Photo Album 4.0 is the top dog.”

Website: CNET

Adobe are now shipping their much-anticipated image-management application, Photoshop Album. Adobe’s new product goes head-to-head with the likes of IMatch, Jasc Paint Shop Pro Album, Picasa and Extensis Portfolio, to name only a few. Sadly there is no downloadable try-out version at the moment…

Website: Adobe Photoshop Album

“Adobe Systems Incorporated today announced the immediate availability of Adobe? Photoshop? Album, new Windows?-based software that extends the legendary Photoshop product line to millions of digital camera users who need an easy way to find, fix, share and preserve their lifetime of photos. The fast and easy way to organize and share your lifetime of photos. Find your photos fast. Fix common photo problems. Share your memories. Preserve your valuable photos.”

Adobe have followed that announcement up with the release of the Photoshop? Camera Raw and JPEG 2000 plug-ins, which will cost $99. “The Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in delivers lightning-fast, easy access ? within Photoshop ? to “raw” image formats in professional and mid-range digital cameras from Canon, Fujifilm, Minolta, Nikon and Olympus. Available as a software add-on that works with Photoshop 7.0.1 software, the Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in allows photographers to directly manipulate the original data captured by a digital camera sensor, producing images with superior tonal range and the maximum amount of detail.”

Website: Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in

For everyone who can’t afford the industry-standard image-editing program Adobe Photoshop (?500!), which software package is the best budget alternative? ePhotoZine may be able to help you out as they review Photoshop’s younger sibling, Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.

Website: ePhotoZine Review

“Elements offers similar features (to Adobe Photoshop) at a far more realistic price. Coming from the same company, Elements has been designed using the same functions, but some of the features that only professionals need have been removed and some beginner help has been added to make it easier for newcomers to grasp.”

The very first PhotographyBLOG review has just been published! I’ve taken an in-depth look at 2Flyer Screensaver Builder Pro, the program that was used to create the screensaver that is free for all new PhotographyBLOG members. If you are looking for an affordable, easy to use screensaver program then 2Flyer is well worth checking out.

Read the Review

I’m currently looking for a photo cataloging/management software package, as my library of images from the last few years is starting to become unmangeable. For example, I don’t actually know how many images I’ve taken and kept!

I’ve seen a lot of posts on various photography forums asking for opinions on this software application or that one, so it struck me that a comparitive review of a few packages would be a good idea. So far I’ve downloaded and started using IMatch, Jasc Paint Shop Pro Abum and Picasa.

If you have any suggestions for possible contenders, please email and let me know or leave a comment on this post.