Press text:

Skylum, a leading innovator in photo editing software and the company behind the award-winning, AI-powered program Luminar Neo, is proud to announce Project “Barcelona”, a new desktop application specifically for professional portrait retouching.

Recognizing the increasing demand for time-saving tools in portrait photography that would enable professional and semi-professional photographers to focus on creative growth and client engagement, Skylum is collaborating with renowned portrait photographer Julia Trotti to develop this specialized software solution. Set for release in September 2024, Project “Barcelona” will empower photographers by automating routine face retouching processes through an efficient, AI-optimized workflow that runs locally on the user’s device, making it as easy as applying presets. With the added advantage of precise and adjustable masking tools, it provides enhanced control and accuracy for perfect results every time. This, in turn, will allow portrait photographers to balance the time-intensive task of photo retouching with shooting and growing their photography business.

Designed with the specific needs of portrait photographers in mind, the new app’s key features include:

Skin Toning: Make subtle changes to the skin tone of specific areas thanks to an accurate facial skin segmentation model; remove the red hue or unify the overall color. On top of that, the new app’s state-of-the-art face mesh model provides unique makeup correction capabilities, allowing the application of extra textures like blush, highlight, and contour, and changing the color of lips, brows, and other elements.

Eye Enhancement:  Add iris flare, remove redness, and adjust eye shape with a comprehensive suite of tools to perfect a subject’s eyes in portraits.

Teeth Whitening: Ensure radiant smiles with advanced teeth whitening and brightening capabilities.

Makeup Application: Enjoy customizable options for creative makeup styles and colors to compliment any complexion, clothing, or backdrop.

Bokeh Effects: Create stunning depth-of-field effects with the bokeh feature, adding dimension and allure to portraits.

Body Enhancement: Adjust bodily proportions to correct posture and account for unflattering angles, making sure portraits capture subjects in their best light.

“In the development of Project “Barcelona” (public name to be announced soon), we’re working closely with acclaimed photographer Julia Trotti to infuse our software with professional insights that meet the specific needs of portrait photographers everywhere,” says Ivan Kutanin, CEO of Skylum. “Just as Luminar Neo provides convenient editing solutions for a broad set of photography challenges, this new app uses cutting-edge AI technology to help portrait photographers achieve top-quality retouching and inspire them with new creative possibilities.”

Early bird offer starts June 25, 2024. Find out more on Skylum’s website and sign up for the waiting list for early access.

https://bhpho.to/4aAgTbT

Leica just announced the new D-LUX8 that uses a 17MP Four Thirds sensor. You can reorder it now at BHphoto, Adorama. A full introduction can be read at Explora. There are only a few changes from the previous D-LUX 7:

Leica tuned the design and controls to look and feel like that of a Q series or even M camera. The controls have been refined and connectivity has been modernized with the Leica FOTOS app.

The one disappointing aspect of the Lumix S9 announcement is that there are no truly compact autofocus lenses for the camera. Tom Calton even made some fun with this aspect and mounted monstrous Sigma 200-500mm lens on the Lumix S9:

Lumix S9: Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, BestBuy, Panasonic US, FotoErhardt, FotoKoch, Calumet, WexUK, Panasonic UK.

Today Panasonic announced the new S9 L-mount compact camera. But what’s interesting for MFT shooters is that they also announced a new much improved LUT system. My feeling is that all newest Lumix cameras (like the G9II) will be soon made compatible to use this new APP

Panasonic made this How to video to show you the new features:

What do you think about that?

Above you can the live stream for today’s event. We will get a new S9 L-mount camera. The interesting news for Lumix MFT shooters is that Panasonic will also  announce the new “LUMIX Lab app”. I guess the Lumix G9II will be compatible with the new LUT ecosystem and so any future new MFT Lumix camera!

P.S.: Lumix S9 got fully leaked here via e Panasonic US shop store:

Panasonic official presentation text is:

The LUMIX S9 compact full frame mirrorless camera is the ultimate tool for content creators looking to stand out in social media, with superior image quality, easy-to-use functions, and a sleek colorful design. REAL TIME LUT applies signature presets directly in-camera with super-fast sharing through your phone with the LUMIX Lab app. The full frame sensor allows for exceptional image clarity even in low light and frames for any social media aspect ratio.

Tomorrow (May 22 at 3pm London time) Panasonic will not only announce the compact Lumix S9 but also an entirely newly developed LUT dedicated APP. This app should be compatible with the Lumix G9II MFT camera too. And so on all other future Panasonic Micro four Thirds cameras.

This app will have a ton of new LUT features.

• The APP contains a collection of LUTs you can download.
• It states whether they are developed for movies or stills and which basic setting is the basis (V-Log or Cinema standard …).
• There are LUTs specified by Panasonic and some from film makers, creators etc. The collection is already huge and you can find film simulations as well as teal/orange effects etc.
• In the app you can load the LUTs you want to use and sort them. Then you can send them to the camera, where you can call them up and scroll through them directly using the LUT button (of the Lumix S9) instead of going to the menu-
• You can then place them on photos or videos, and with the V-Log recordings you can decide whether the video is recorded directly with this LUT or whether you – as with the professionals – only use it for viewing and then place it on the video on the computer. This is already implemented in the Lumix S5II or the Leica SL3 and the Q3 (real-time LUT).
• But you can also use the new app to load your photos from the camera into the app and add any LUT you can think of from your collection and post it directly to social media.
• There is also a new film format, MP4 lite. This allows you to download 4K videos to your mobile phone in a flash and either add the LUT or – if you have already recorded it with a LUT – post it directly to social media.

What do you think about that?