Douglas Software has announced version 3 of the Douglas Photo Calculator software The program gives a comprehensive range of easy-to-use options for optical calculations including depth of field, hyperfocal distance and angle of view. This new version includes calculations showing the effect of diffraction upon aperture.

Apple has posted a Camera RAW compatibility update, adding system-level support for raw files produced by a number of new (and not-so-new) digital cameras. The newly supported models include the old Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 as well as the new Olympus E-P3, Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G3, Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF3, Samsung NX11, Samsung NX100, Sony NEX-C3 (pictured) and Sony Alpha SLT-A35. To view the full list of currently supported digital cameras, visit the website below.

Website: Apple Mac OS X Lion: Supported digital camera raw formats

Topaz Labs have just released Topaz B&W Effects, their new black and white enhancement plug-in for a variety of photo editors. “In addition to the common conversion tools, B&W Effects is packed with specialised exposure and contrast control, realistic toning ability, stylised effects and so much more. Categorised into traditional and alternative processes such as Cyanotype and Albumen, B&W Effects also includes a variety of presets that offer a fun and simple way to create impressive imagery,” said Nichole Paschal, senior marketing specialist for Topaz Labs. Compatible with Windows XP or later and Intel-based Macs running OS X 10.5 or later, Topaz B&W Effects is a plug-in that works with Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Aperture, iPhoto, Lightroom and PaintShop Pro. It retails for $59.99, but is being offered at a special introductory price of $29.99 until 18 September 2011.

Akvis HDRFactory v2.0 is a program thatcreates HDR images from a series of photographs taken at different exposures or from a single photograph. The latest version introduces the new Effects tab allowing you to refine the look of your photos even further. Additionally, version 2.0 offers 34 ready-to-use presets. These presets include a wide choice of effects, ranging from realistic to exuberant brightness and colour.The presets are available in all three tabs (HDRI, Adjustment, and Effects) and contain all settings of these tabs. They can be applied with default settings, but they can also be fine-tuned to suit individual tastes. Finally, the new Preset Preview window lets you observe the result in real time. Registered users can upgrade to version 2.0 for free.

Corel has released VideoStudo Pro X4 Ultimate, offeromg HD-DSLR shooters and video editing enthusiasts an expanded set of high-end tools and quality plug-ins. Available for £79.99 (or £59.99 if you are a registered user of VideoStudio X2 or higher), the package contains Corel’s VideoStudio Pro X4 movie editor plus proDAD Mercalli SE, an application offering post-capture video stabilisation and rolling shutter correction, and Boris Graffiti 5.3, a solution that allows users to create quality titles and graphics directly within VideoStudio. As an added bonus, users also get to download WinZip Pro free of charge. A fully functional trial version of VideoStudio Pro X4 is available from the website below.

X-Rite has announced a $150 cash back promotion for X-Rite customers who want to upgrade their i1Match, ProfileMaker or MonacoPROFILER software to i1Publish. Fully supporting the new Mac OS X 10.7 Lion operating system, the latest version of i1Publish is an ICC profiling solution that includes i1Profiler software, ColorChecker Camera Calibration software, PANTONE Color Manager software and two ColorChecker targets – ColorChecker Classic and ColorChecker Proof. For more information about the i1Publish upgrade and rebate, visit the website below.

Adobe has posted Release Candidates (RCs) for Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) 6.5 and Photoshop Lightroom 3.5, adding support for a dozen new digital cameras and backs as well as 26 new lens profiles. Newly supported cameras and backs include the Fujifilm FinePix F600EXR, Olympus E-P3, Olympus E-PL3, Olympus E-PM1, Panasonic DMC-G3 (pictured), Panasonic DMC-GF3, Phase One IQ140, Phase One IQ160, Phase One P40+, Phase One P65+, Sony NEX-C3 and Sony Alpha SLT-A35. A “Rrelease Candidate” label indicates that this update is well tested but would benefit from additional community testing before it is distributed automatically to all Adobe customers.

Website: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3.5 Release Candidate
Website: Adobe Camera Raw 6.5 Release Candidate

Camera PRO++ is a powerful camera application for the iPad 2. Camera PRO++ includes 10 photo effects to apply to your photos. Camera PRO++ for iPad 2 v1.0 costs $0.99 USD

The Plugin Site has announced the MacOS X version of NoiseControl. NoiseControl is a Photoshop plugin, which effectively removes image noise while preserving essential details and the photographic quality of the image. NoiseControl costs $50, and a demo version is available.

PhotoGuide is a new guide to photography for your iPhone or Android device. PhotoGuide by Self Study Apps allows you to find out the correct F-Stop for portraits, best angles and framing for each shot, and composition tips on all types of photograph settings.

Sakiai, Lithuania-based Graphic Node has released a 16-piece design add-on for Apple’s Aperture application called Aperture Themes. According to the company, the Aperture Themes pack “allows Mac users to explore new ways of conveying their fondness for photography” by equipping them with an extensive collection of design choices for laying out their photos and other pictures in Aperture and exporting them into Web galleries. Eleven of the themes allow the user to display photos in their original sizes, while the remaining five crop images to squares and present them in elegant and tidy grids. The package is available on the Mac App Store for $24.99.

Chainfire has released an app that allows you to remotely control your Canon EOS digital SLR camera via USB using a smartphone or tablet running Android 2.3.4 or later. Currently in Beta, the DSLR Controller app does not require you to hook the camera up to a computer - all you need is a compatible DSLR (the app has been tested with the Canon EOS 600D, 550D, 60D, 50D, 7D, 5D Mark II and 1D Mark IV models), a compatible smartphone* or tablet and the right USB cable. Features include the display of the Live View feed with histogram, grid overlay etc., LV autofocus by touch, and the ability to remotely change a large number of settings on your camera. As this is a Beta version, you should expect intermittent freeze-ups and error messages, the developers say. The DSLR Controller Beta app can be purchased and downloaded now from the Android Market.

*Note that apparently the only compatible smartphone is the Samsung Galaxy S2, with the 2.3.4 KG series firmware (or newer). The app should work with most Honeycomb-powered tablets though, Chainfire says.

Via Rob Galbraith

A new iPhone app by Swedish company Dear Future Astronaut, called Photo Stats,p analyses all photos from your camera roll and creates infographics based on the extracted metadata, visualizing how, when and where you take photos with your camera phone. After users start the application on their iPhone, it extracts time, date and location data from the photos on the camera roll, as well as other photo properties such as size, exposure, ISO, photo application used etc. Statistical data are then transformed into a cool infographic which can be viewed on the device as well as shared with friends on social networks or via email. Currently, Photo Stats is available on iTunes at an introductory price of $0.99.

SmartMargin has just launched PortfolioProof, an online portfolio management application for photographers. PortfolioProof allows creative professionals to create multiple portfolios which automatically generate secure, interactive and attractive galleries. Each portfolio is configurable so users can allow all registered users to access it or limit it to the specific client. Once installed on the customer’s Web server, PortfolioProof can be linked to an existing website or kept entirely private. In the latter case, the photographer can simply send each client a username and a password plus a link to the portfolio. The software normally sells for $149, but is on promotion until Sunday, 7th August allowing you to purchase a licence for $99. Note that you need a Web server with PHP version 5 or higher, MySQL Database and GD Components in order to be able to install and use PortfolioProof. If you are not comfortable with FTP, mySQL and file permissions, SmartMargin can install PortfolioProof for you for an extra fee of $30.

Angle of View is a new field-of-view calculator and sensor size database app for iOS. Targeted at amateur and professional photographers and anyone who uses cameras on a regular basis, Angle of View enables users to determine the equivalent millimetres between five customisable sensor sizes simultaneously. The main screen of Angle of View is a colour-coded display showing angles (in degrees) and distances (in feet or metres). The user sets a chosen sensor, focal length, and distance-to-subject combination via gestural controls, and the app updates its graphical and numerical displays in real-time when the gesture is performed. The app is available on iTunes for $1.99.

Instaview by RogueSheep is a new third-party Instagram app that allows Mac users to view photos and participate within the Instagram community. The Instaview application allows users to create one or more stream windows showing Instagram photos. The stream shown in each window is configurable as well as the size and frame of the window itself. Streams can display their photos either in an automatic slideshow mode or by direct user navigation. Controls on the window overlay allow users to browse information about the photo including the location, contributor, caption, timeframe of the photo, number of likes and comments. The program is available at the introductory price of $4.99 exclusively through the Mac App Store in the Social Networking category.

Joensuu, Finland-based SofColor has released Color Correction Engine V4, a smart and customizable colour correction solution to fix white balance, exposure and contrast issues in digital photographs automatically. Color Correction Engine V4 comes with a completely rewritten error detection algorithm, a totally redesigned colour correction workflow and the option to enable or disable automatic white balance, exposure and contrast corrections separately. The program is available immediately as part of SoftColor’s Automata, Server Automata, PhotoEQ, Toolbox applications. Version 4 is a free upgrade to existing customers.

PhotoGrid is a new iPhone/iPad app by independent developer James Janke. The application uses your device’s photo library to create beautiful photo mosaics. You can use your entire library or select specific albums. Available on iTunes for $0.99, PhotoGuide is compatible with the Apple iPhone 3GS/4, iPod touch (3rd and 4th generation), and iPad.

Serif today launched a free video editing application called MoviePlus Starter Edition. With this program, you have two options to edit a film: you can use the simple Storyboard to create a movie quickly and easily, or explore the flexible Timeline which allows up to three video and three audio tracks at once. Users can create smart and fun fades, wipes and other transitions from one scene to the next for a stylish finish. Enthusiasts wanting to achieve the Hollywood look can easily add titles, captions and credits, sound effects and music as well as cool video effects like picture in picture. It’s also simple to add a bit of animation for scrolling credits or exploding titles. There is plenty of on-screen help too, thanks to Serif’s ‘How To’ tab which offers step-by-step illustrated topics. Serif MoviePlus Starter Edition can be downloaded free of charge from the website below.

Photo Guide is an easy-to-use and simple-to-understand guide to photography for Android and iOS devices. Released by Self Study Apps, Photo Guide teaches beginners about what lenses, f-stops and camera-to-subject distances to pick for portraiture, sports, landscapes and other applications. Additionally, it offers a number of tips on composition and framing. Photo Guide requires Android 2.1 or higher / iOS 4.2 or later, and is available for $1.99 through the Android Market and the iTunes App Store.