Skylum launched the new free Luminar 4.2 update ($10 discount with our code “43RUM”). There are three BIG improvements you can “live test” on their interactive press release page. Here they are:

1) New AI Augmented Sky

Inside the Creative tab of Luminar 4.2, you’ll find a new tool called AI Augmented Sky. This tool lets artists choose objects from the curated Luminar collection or upload their own, and blend them seamlessly with the photograph’s sky.

Here’s how it works. AI Augmented Sky detects your photo’s sky automatically and then places the chosen element directly into the sky area. Using content-aware technologies, foreground objects are recognized and taken into account, making the object blend naturally with your existing scene. You can drag the new element around the sky for ultimate control, yet retain those realistic qualities.

2) New Portrait tools:

When Luminar 4 launched, we announced some new, groundbreaking tools to help you optimize your portraits. And so far, photographers have loved the enhanced controls and adjustments they can make to their portraits!

With today’s update, we’re introducing a new Face Features Detection Network, which enables us to give you even more accurate and realistic automation when it comes to enhancing portraits. This technology is trained to detect different faces no matter what position, angle or tilt they might be in. It even recognizes those badly lit or partially hidden faces, as well as those with heavy makeup. No matter what the skin color or age of the person, Luminar 4.2 will recognize faces — even if it’s a group photograph. Check out the example below to see the power of the new Face Features Detection Network:

In the AI Skin Enhancement tool, you’ll find a new Shine Removal Technology. It lets you reduce shine on a person’s forehead or cheeks, making for a more evenly-lit portrait. In the example below, you’ll see that this technology restores the skin on the patches of the face where it was hit by excessive light, and automatically generates realistic-looking skin that blends in perfectly.

AI Portrait Enhancer has also received improved slimming capabilities through its Slim Face 2.0 Technology. Prior to today’s update, Slim Face only worked with the lower portion of a person’s face, sometimes making for unrealistic results. As you can see below, with Slim Face 2.0, the tool now recognizes the entire face and makes changes proportionally.

3) Improved Relight Scene in AI Sky Replacement

In addition to AI Augmented Sky and the enhancements to our portrait tools, you’ll also see a few other updates in Luminar 4.2.

We’re constantly improving one of our Luminar artists’ most-loved features — AI Sky Replacement. Relight Scene technology improvement lets you retain colors as you originally captured them in-camera. In previous versions, you might have seen a yellow and unrealistic glow on white objects. Improvement of the Relight Scene technology lets you avoid this problem.

You save $10 on the new Luminar 4.2 using our coupon code “43RUM” at checkout!

This is sad but also expected news:

Photokina Press Release

The management team of Koelnmesse has decided not to organise any own events on the part of Koelnmesse until the end of June 2020 – including the photokina. This decision is supported by the crisis management team of the City of Cologne, which also recommended in its meeting on 18.03.2020 to cancel the trade fairs during this period of time.

This also happens against the background of the agreement reached on 16.03.2020 between the German federal government and the governments of the German states – laying down common guidelines for dealing with the coronavirus epidemic and explicitly including the general closure of trade fairs and exhibitions. This impairs the planning security for Koelnmesse and the participants of the trade fairs in Cologne far beyond the scope of the current scenarios.

This decision also includes the cancellation of photokina, which was planned for 27 to 30 May 2020. The cancellation is also valid for the Imaging Innovation Conference for 26 May 2020. A new date will be coordinated.

We have also received enquiries from you about health and safety at the trade fair ground. The health of all trade fair participants is our top priority.

Added to this is the uncertainty of numerous customers and the complicated travel situation. Against this background it is currently not possible for us to offer a global business and community platform for the imaging industry in the usual quality.

The next photokina will take place in Cologne 18 to 21 May 2022. The 2022 orientation gives us enough time to design the next photokina according to the needs of the market, our exhibitors and visitors.

All paid tickets will be refunded. Koelnmesse will arrange this centrally in the coming weeks. There is nothing further for you to do.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the photokina team.

Sincerely,

Your photokina team

via Fujirumors

Today DxO announced the new PhotoLab 3.2 software. And til March 31 you save up to 30% on all DxO software (Click here).

The new software supports the new E-M1III and adds new improvements:

– more flexible local adjustment masks
– optimized Repair Tool
– improved PhotoLibrary keyword function
– improved Local Adjustment Palette with two new settings: Duplicate and Rename.
– ability to move automatic masks available for Windows users too

So here is what you save on all DxO software:

• $30 off on Photolab 3.2. Download a free trial version here.
• $50 off on Nik Collection. Download a free trial version here.
• $20 off on DxO Filmpack. Download a free trial version here.
• $30 off on DxO Viewpoint. Download a free trial version here.

Joe writes:

With the current world situation, many photographers are unable to shoot what they love to shoot. I am a people photographer who usually shoots in a studio. Portrait and wedding photographers are shut down, event photographers, advertising photographers and the list goes on – if we are going to be responsible and follow CDC and WHO guidelines, we can’t be out shooting like we normally do.

That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be using our cameras and it doesn’t mean that we can’t take advantage of this situation to improve our photography skills.

So my challenge to you is pick up your cameras and shoot something DIFFERENT. Pick a genre or genres that are different from what you normally do and push yourself to learn some new skills and to step outside of your comfort zone creatively.

I am going to shoot ABSTRACTS in my home. Abstracts of every day – random and boring objects photographed in a way to make them appear unique, interesting and in my case full of vibrant color – because I love bright colors.

I am not going to use lots of studio lighting like I normally would. I will work mostly with found light and I am going to share a video each day during this lockdown to share my thought process and also how I processed the images.

I will post the full res image son my Flickr profile, and I encourage you to join my Facebook group and share your Stuck at Home Challenge images with the rest of my group. I will be doing LIVE Image Reviews every few days to give you feedback on your efforts.

Whatever you do – stay safe and healthy. If you do have to leave your home to work – thank you for what you do and be safe.

No matter what – find time to pick up your camera and shoot something because, “Your BEST shot is your NEXT shot!”

BCNranking published the full February sales report. And it’s a very good news to see the E-PL9 on top and the E-M10III selling good as well.

And to my surprise it’s not Canon or Sony or Nikon or Fuji that is now leading the mirrorless market….it’s Olympus! See here:

Well not bad for a company that is said to close their camera business in 1-2 months :)