Author: Peter Forsgard

  • I want to see Your Best Images from 2022!

    Looking back is sometimes quite fruitful. I always try to look forward, but at the beginning of the year, it is nice to look back and see what type of photography I did.

    There are always some trends that I can find. In this video, I talked about that.

    Also, looking back at the data behind the images I made is fascinating. How many images I made, what camera and lenses I used, etc.

    I also talked about those in my video.

    However, the main thing is not me. It is You and Your images.

    I want to see Your Best Photograph from 2022. If You have a story behind the photo, please tell that too.

    Use this Google Form to send Your Best Photo from 2022. Any genre, camera, or lens is ok. The only thing I want is for the image was made in 2022. Send the image by Sunday the 8th.

    I will show about 30 images in my Live Stream on Monday, the 9th of January, in 2023, at 7 pm (GMT).

  • Best Noise Reduction just got better – DxO PhotoLab 6 and DeepPRIME XD

    DxO PhotoLab 6 is here – Noise reduction just got better!

    DxO PhotoLab 6 logo

    DxO has just announced its upgrade to PhotoLab, PhotoLab 6. DxO has been known for its excellent Modules. They are data that they have collected using tens of thousands of different camera lens combinations.

    Disclaimer at the end of this blog post

    That has made the image quality one of the best, if not the best, on the market. The corrections are not just some average adjustments but are actually based on the camera and lens used.

    Major updates from Photolab 5.

    A smoother and faster workflow makes it easier to edit. DxO has improved the library system so that the workflow is smoother. The use of color labels makes it easier to choose images. These types of improvements are always welcome.

    ReTouch is a new tool in PhotoLab. It makes cloning and healing possible and external software is unnecessary—more about the ReTouch tool in my video about DxO PhotoLab 6.

    The third improvement is new color processing algorithms. According to the DxO Labs press release, more accurate colors can be achieved. This new feature I cannot confirm. I have not tested PhotoLab 5 against PhotoLab 6 on this one.

    The best noise reduction just got better.

    For me, the most exciting thing is that DxO Labs has improved its noise reduction. DeepPRIME was already the best in the market. The new DeepPRIME XD is better.

    According to DxO dynamic range is improved by 2.5 stops. Better dynamic range means that shadows can be lifted and details can be recovered.

    DxO also claims that ISO4000 images look like an ISO500 images. Two and a half better that is. I did a test, and the results are impressive.

    Here is one comparison.

    DeepPRIME on the left and DeepPRIME XD on the right

    This image was made using ISO25600. The camera I used was OM SYSTEM OM-1. You can see more results in my video about DxO PhotoLab 6.

    Where to get the new DxO PhotoLab 6?

    Go to the DxO website using my affiliate link and upgrade or buy the new software. Link to get DxO PhotoLab 6.

    The price is $139 for the Essential version and $219 for the Elite version. The upgrade prices are $75 and $99.

    Disclaimer

    DxO Labs send me the registration key. I did not have to pay for the software. They did not say that I have to do a blog post about it, nor did they say what should be included and what I need to say. Everything is based on my experience with DxO PhotoLab 6.

  • Personal View Workshop in 2023!

    We will have the Personal View workshop also in 2023. The dates are July 31st to August 4th, here in Helsinki, Finland. I am excited!

    The workshop we had last August was a success, so we decided with Matti Sulanto to arrange it for next year too.

    Great feedback

    The feedback we got was excellent. 100% of the participants would recommend the workshop to a fellow photographer. That is quite a high number. It cannot get better than that!

    Small changes.

    We tweaked the program slightly. Some said that it was a bit too busy. Next year there will be some more free time to photograph at the end of the week. There will be more time to finish the story.

    What is it all about?

    The Personal View Workshop is all about telling a story with multiple images. Each participant comes up with a story they will

    photograph during the week. By the end of the week, each will have a set of 5-6 images that make up a story.

    Couching all week!

    We start each day looking at your images. We will discuss them as a group. All participants pitch in their ideas for your pictures. Of course, Matti and I will give feedback and suggestions on where to go from the images you already have photographed for your story.

    Locations

    The central location where all the lectures and feedback are the same as last August, Sofia Helsinki. It is located right in the heart of Helsinki.

    We will start at 9.00 each morning and have lunch together around noon. The lunch is included in the price.

    After lunch, we will take you to different locations in Helsinki. You will have plenty of time to photograph.

    Some fun too!

    We will have three dinners together. On Monday, a welcome dinner at a restaurant that offers traditional Finnish food. On Wednesday, we visit Suomenlinna island, a 1700-built castle in front of Helsinki. We dine there after a long day of photographing.

    Of course, a final dinner on Friday night.

    My video about the Workshop.

    I made a video about the workshop. There are some info and some images that the participants made during the week last August. You can watch it here > Workshop.

    How to sign up?

    Visit our website, www.helsinkiphotoworkshops.fi, and sign up from there.

    There is also some more info about the workshop.

    Hope to see you in Helsinki next August!