A new development making raw image processing available at retail for the first time!

Press Release: Noritsu Koki announces an agreement that establishes technical cooperation between Noritsu Koki and Adobe Systems. This agreement enables photo retailers with Noritsu input terminals (CT terminals) and Noritsu minilab systems to accept and process raw image data, which is widely used in digital SLR camera photography. This is the first time that raw image data will be supported at the retail level, opening the door for retailers who want to easily provide high quality photographic prints from raw image files.

Epson has posted “Public Beta” print drivers for recent Epson Stylus Pro printers to provide full Macintosh 10.5.x (Leopard) compatibility.

These drivers provide enhanced functionality as well as the potential for 16 bit/channel printing–just as soon as imaging applications can actually send 16 bit data. Neither Photoshop CS3 nor Lightroom 1.3 do yet.

The drivers that are currently available are:

PixelGenius has posted their profiles for the new Epson Exhibition Fiber Paper due to be shipping in November, 2007. Working with Epson, PixelGenius members Andrew Rodney and Jeff Schewe (an Epson Sylus Pro member) have been testing the Exhibition Fiber Paper (EFP) over the summer. At the suggestion of Dan (Dano) Steinhardt from Epson, PixelGenius created ICC profiles for all of the current and new shipping Epson UltraChrome K3™ printers–including the Epson Stylus® Photo R2400 Printers.

If you are, you aren’t alone. There are several “known issues” that Adobe is working on and expects to address with a Photoshop CS3 update in the not too distant future.

For the time being, if you are interested in participating in helping test the solutions, you can apply for the position of “tester” by visiting John’s blog, reading the post and following the directions (note, it’s really important to follow the directions!) See: Fixes for Photoshop printing due soon

New Fiber-Based Technology Delivers Look and Feel of Revered Darkroom Paper with the Creative Benefits Epson Ink Jet Printers Offer in Both Color and Black-and-White

Press Release: LONG BEACH, Calif. – Oct. 8, 2007 – Epson America Inc. today announced what many professional photographers are saying is the perfect blend of revered darkroom papers with the limitless creative control of ink jet printing with the introduction of its Signature Worthy™ Exhibition Fiber Paper. The paper will be available in 25-sheet packages of 8.5”x 11,” 13”x 19,” 17”x 22,” and 24”x 30” cut sheets.

Some people were taken by surprise by Photoshop CS3’s new Print dialog. Some weren’t pleased by the new behavior. So, John Nack asked Dave to say a few words on John’s Adobe Blog. Click here to read the entire post.

Source: The New York Times
Written by Ian Austen

GATINEAU, Quebec–THE preservation center at Canada’s national archive here might have the last word when it comes to keeping the color in color photography.

A four-story concrete building, which is enclosed within a second protective building, holds two warehouse-size vaults where negatives, prints and film are kept in the dark at 0 degrees and 25 percent relative humidity.

Before anything in the collection can be examined, technicians must put it into an acclimatization chamber that resembles an oversize stainless-steel refrigerator, where it is warmed up over a 24- to 48-hour period.

Adobe has taken some heat from users for what they claim is its lukewarm support for Windows Vista.

Source: InformationWeek
Written by Paul McDougall

Adobe Systems(ADBE) on Monday said it plans to release a Windows Vista-compatible driver for printers that use its PostScript page description language in July — a full six months after Microsoft’s new operating system was released for general sale.

Source: SiliconValley.com
By Dean Takahashi, Mercury News

Think about a world where you can print photos without ink, a printer cartridge or a big printer sitting alongside your computer. That’s the promise of Zink Imaging, a Waltham, Mass., start-up whose name suggests its bold goal: zero ink.

Nash Editions: Photography and the Art of Digital Printing is a newly released book by Nash Editions partners Graham Nash and Mac Holbert.

While you certainly may know Graham as a member of the rock band Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young you may not realize that Graham is a passionate photographer. Nash Editions almost single handedly developed fine art digital printing. (see the PSN story about Nash’s PMDA Award)

Fine art digital printing was born in the beginning of 1990 when Graham and Mac took a hacksaw to a $125,000 Iris printer (and voiding the warranty) to get it to accept fine art papers. That printer is now on display at the Smithsonian.

This book uses thought-provoking essays and glorious artwork to sum up not only Nash Editions’ achievements but also the state of fine-art digital printmaking.

…with a few friends for the Epson Print Academy in Atlanta this Saturday, December 2nd, 2006.

We’re coming to Atlanta for a special one day Epson event - check out the Epson Print Academy web site for details and online registration. There’s still room available!

…with a few friends for the Epson Print Academy in Salt Lake City this Saturday, November 11th. (Boy, I hope they have a Starbucks there…)

Source: Computer Arts
Ever been disappointed by attempts to print off your artwork? We show you how to get the best results for your portfolio…

The web is a great way of promoting and showing off your work: it allows you to reach a wide audience with minimal outlay, and putting together a small portfolio site isn’t too taxing for any designer. However, many clients and employers still prefer viewing work as hard copies and handling the final printed product.

The Epson Print Academy has extended it’s tour of U.S. cities with three new cities added for the end of 2006 and a return trip to two cities in 2007.

Track One teaches digital SLR owners how to create prints just like the pros. Track Two teaches professionals advanced techniques to take printing to the next level.

Overall Growth in the PC and Photo Printer Market Should Be Flat or Decline between 2006 and 2010 According to Recent Research for the US

Press Release: DUBLIN, Ireland — June 15, 2006 — Research and Markets has announced the addition of PC Printers and Photo Printers in the United States to their offering.

U.S. factory sales of PC and photo printers in the U.S. in 2005 were $3.8 billion. Despite increased volume sales, dollar sales decreased 25% between 2000 and 2005 at current prices, and decreased 34% at constant 2005 prices. The drop in dollar sales is due to a continued rapid decline in pricing for printers. During the period under review, the average estimated price per unit fell from $294 to $200.

Press Release: 4th May 2006 - At the heart of all Epson’s digital printing technology lies the unique Micro Piezo print head. The leader of the project responsible for its invention, Minoru Usui, currently Seiko Epson director and the general administrative manager of the Production and Engineering & Development Division, has been awarded the prestigious Perkin Medal in recognition of his achievement. The award, established by the Society of Dyers and Colourists, recognizes individuals for their outstanding technical development within the realm of colour science. Only 22 of these medals have been awarded since the award’s inauguration in 1901.

The downloads page of the Epson Print Academy Track Two Attendee web site has been updated to include new notes and downloads.

To access the downloads page you’ll need to enter the Track Two login and password provided at your Print Academy Track Two session. Check the EPSON PRINT ACADEMY TRACK TWO INFO PAGE for access to the downloads page.

Graham Nash and R. Mac Holbert are profiled on the Apple Pro Photo web site.
Written by Barbara Gibson.

Most people know Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Graham Nash for the high harmonies and inspired songwriting that helped make Crosby, Stills, Nash (and sometimes Young) a rock legend.

Others know Nash as a gifted photographer with a keen eye for the surreal. His photographs have appeared in solo and group exhibitions in museums and galleries around the world, and in books such as “Eye to Eye: Photographs by Graham Nash.”

One thing not many people know: Nash and friend R. Mac Holbert, who was also CSN’s tour manager, pioneered fine art digital printmaking.

Breakthrough PDF Print Technology Now Available for OEM Partners to Integrate into Upcoming Product Lines

Press Release: SAN JOSE, Calif. — April 3, 2006 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced the Adobe® PDF Print Engine, new printing software technology that ensures print hardware can output Portable Document Format (PDF) files that include complex designs and effects, such as transparency, quickly, accurately and consistently. With the emergence of PDF as the industry-standard for delivering high quality printed content, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are integrating the Adobe PDF Print Engine into a new generation of printing products.

The downloads page of the Epson Print Academy Track Two Attendee web site has been updated to include new notes from Bruce Fraser, John Paul Caponigro, Mac Holbert and Jeff Schewe.

To access the downloads page you’ll need to enter the Track Two login and password provided at your Print Academy session. Check the EPSON PRINT ACADEMY TRACK TWO INFO PAGE for access to the downloads page.

Press Release: LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 21, 2006–Canon, America’s choice for digital cameras(1), will showcase 22 new products at the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) trade show, February 26th - March 1st (Canon Booth #3509), in Orlando, Fla.

Printing to the Imageprint RIP From Within Any Application

Written by Michael Reichmann, The Luminous Landscape

RIPs, as many photographers know, are a replacement for the standard Windows or Mac printer driver. They talk directly to the printer’s hardware, for the most part bypassing the application and the operating system. Depending on their maker they also allow for sophisticated layout capabilities, enhanced colour and tonal rendition, superior B&W printing, and available profiles for a wide variety of printers and paper types.

This Fine Art Printing Workshop focuses exclusively on improving your fine-art digital printing, primarily using Epson inkjet printers. Concentration will be on inkjet printing with color pigments and black/gray ink combinations on coated and rag papers. Learn from the digital pioneer how he obtains his impressive results during four days of lectures, printing, and feedback in the studio.

PMDA ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF VISIONARY AWARD: GRAHAM NASH AND MAC HOLBERT. Graham Nash from Rock Group Crosby, Stills, & Nash and Partner Mac Holbert Win Award for Inventing Digital Fine Art Printing

Press Release: NY, NY, January 23, 2006—The PhotoImaging Manufacturers & Distributors Association (PMDA) http://www.pmda.com announced today that Graham Nash, award-winning photographer and legendary member of the rock group Crosby, Stills, & Nash and his partner, master printmaker Mac Holbert of Nash Editions, are winners of the prestigious PMDA “Visionary Award” for inventing digital fine art printing. The prestigious Visionary Award will be presented during the annual PMDA Awards Dinner, held the night before PMA on Saturday, February 25, 2006 at the Caribe Royal Hotel in Orlando, Florida.

Source: Rob Galbraith.com
Written By Rob Galbraith

Nature photographer and fine-art printer Bill Atkinson - better known to early computer geeks as one of the creators of the Macintosh computer - has updated his collection of free profiles for newer Epson wide format printers. Over the past several weeks, Atkinson has been assembling on his web site profiles for use with the Epson Stylus Pro 4800, 7800 and 9800 and three different paper stocks: Epson’s Premium Luster (250), Premium Semimatte (250) and Premium Glossy (250).