Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 for only $49!...

For those of you in the market for image editing software Staples has Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 on sale for half off, you can pick it up for just $49.

The sale is for 2 days only, Sunday and Monday (June 13 and 14) so do not doddle.

The final price of $49 reflects both instant and mail in rebates.

If you want to learn more about what Photoshop Elements can do, tips, tricks,and techniques be sure to visit the Photoshop Elements learning center.

David Honl professional lighting gear...

I recently got my paws on the latest photo gear from David Honl, his Traveller8 softbox and a set of gels.

If you look in my "bag O' light" you'll see almost every product he makes (at some point I hope to have them all).

Most folks who have followed this blog know I am big into DIY gear, but there are some instances that it just doesn't make sense.

David Honl's gear is just such a case, take his GOBO, it's $14. I could make one for less (surely), but during the course of my photography career how many times will I have to re-make it? The materials, my time? Even if my DIY cost the same over time (I bet it would be more) they would never have the functionality of David's.

You probably have seen my DIY grids video, it was a fun project and they work great, but problem is I have three different size flashes, so I had to make three different size grids. I good bit of materials along with an afternoon of my time. For $29 I got David's grid that's large enough to fit any flash out there and takes up significantly less real estate in my bag and that's important when you are lugging bags of gear to shoot projects on location.

Lastly, there is a time and place for DIY and doing a product shoot for a company that is investing tens of thousands of dollars on an advertising campaign probably is not one of them.

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm not an affiliate nor do I get a penny if any you buy a single product. I only talk about things I believe in (see here and here).

Because of quality, functionality, and pricing I believe in Honl Professional photography gear.

(subscribers need to return to the blog or head over our YouTube channel to view the video below, sorry.)

THIS MONTH'S VIVA LA WEDDING Q&A

Q - My fiance and I have been living together for two years and already have all the towels, kitchenware and bedding we need but my mom still insists that we register. Besides the standard department stores that carry the typical items we already own, what else is there?

A - What was once unheard of, more and more couples are now choosing to live together before marriage. Excited to set up their home, a shopping spree to the nearest department store soon follows their move in date. As their wedding approaches and guests start to inquire about where the future bride and groom have registered, couples who now have a fully stocked home struggle to find items to register for. If you're one of these couples you'll be happy to read our next post. Boy do we have a solution for you!

THE NOT SO TRADITIONAL WEDDING REGISTRY

More and more couples are now marrying later in life which means many of them live together and may have even started their own family by the time their wedding day arrives. With all the staples needed to set up a new home already bought and paid for, a traditional wedding registry just won’t do.

Still wanting to give their guests options when it comes to a wedding gift, couples in this situation used to find themselves scratching their head not knowing where to turn. For all you couples out there that find yourselves in this predicament, please don’t fret, we have a solution for you!

Wedding Republic to the rescue! Wedding Republic allows you to create a gift registry that is uniquely yours. Here's how it works:

WR is essentially a cash registry however, by selecting and creating a list of gifts your guests get to see what their money is going towards unlike the traditional cash in the envelope approach. Not only is it easy and convenient for both you and your guests, nothing is off limits. By using a cash registry you can ask for anything... camping gear, money towards your honeymoon, donations to a charity close to your heart, or dinner out at your favourite local restaurant. And it gets better.

WR's Puzzle Piece feature allows you to register for more expensive gifts and break them apart into a puzzle. Guests can then buy a piece of the puzzle making big ticket items more accessible and allowing them to chip in on the same gift without knowing or even having to coordinate with each other. Check out this sample registry to see what we're talking about.

Sound like this might be just the thing you were looking for to solve your registry woes? Head on over to Wedding Republic and start creating your registry today. We told you we had a solution!

THE TRADITIONAL WEDDING REGISTRY

Is moving into a new home the next step in celebrating the beginning of your life together as husband and wife? If so, unlike many couples now marrying later in life who already live together and have had the time to set up their home prior to getting married, you’re starting from scratch.

When it comes to selecting items for your registry it's easy to get tempted into including non-essential gadgets and appliances only to find they end up collecting dust in your cupboards months after the big day. Like a great pair of jeans or that little black dress in your wardrobe, it's important to have a solid base for your registry. Created by Weddingbells, here's a list of 10 essential items that will never go out of style.

1. Fine China - Traditionally fine china has always been at the centre of any wedding registry. While you may be hesitant to include it for fear it's too expensive or you'll never use it, it is something you'll have forever and could even pass on to your children one day. Fine china comes in both bone and porcelain and tends to be more expensive than everyday china. It's a worthwhile investment that will make home entertaining a treat.

2. Stemware - Including stemware on your registry is a must. You can register for both crystal stemware and casual stemware, depending on how you plan to entertain. It's important to include white and red wineglasses, as well as champagne flutes and beverage glasses. Also consider the style of your china to be sure everything co-ordinates. Ideally, you want to register for at least as many glasses as settings.

3. Bed Linens - Considering we spend a third of our lives sleeping, it makes perfect sense to include plush and cozy bed linens you can both enjoy on your registry. Be sure to include at least one set of quality cotton white sheets. When looking at the thread count of Egyptian cotton, the higher the number, the lighter and softer it feels.

4. Everyday Dinnerware - Also referred to as everyday china, some couples may choose to register for everyday dinnerware in addition to or instead of fine china. It's more affordable for your guests, with many standard five-piece place settings starting at $30. White is a great basic if you're starting to build a collection, and don't feel like bone china or porcelain is off limits, especially if you're only going for one set of dinnerware.

5. Pots & Pans - Now is the time to upgrade to the quality you wish you had. Since quality does matter, don't be afraid to include name brands like Calphalon, Le Creuset and All-Clad. Be sure to register for some pieces separately (open stock), so you can accommodate guests with a variety of budgets.

6. Knives - Every kitchen needs a good set of knives. Higher quality knives have high carbon, stainless steel blades, sharpen easily and also resist rust. The basics to consider include a chef's knife, utility knife, paring knife, serrated knife and carving knife. Be sure to test each knife in your hands. It should be comfortable and well balanced.

7. Bath Towels - Like bed linens are basics for the bedroom, bath towels are basics for the bathroom. Look for 100% cotton towels, which are the most absorbent. Consider registering for three sets per person, also taking into account additional sets for guests.

8. Everyday Flatware - After you've chosen your dinnerware, ensure that your flatware matches the number of settings. A traditional setting includes a dinner knife and fork, teaspoon, tablespoon and salad fork. When choosing material, stainless steel is a great everyday option because it doesn't rust, tarnish or chip.

9. Bakeware - Every newlywed nest needs bakeware. Even if you're not a big-time baker, you'll want to include cookie sheets, muffin tins, a cooling rack or two and a casserole dish. Aluminum bakeware is a sturdy option and many also have non-stick coatings, which will help make cleanup easier.

10. Mixing Bowls - No matter what you're preparing in the kitchen, mixing bowls come in handy. Look for a set of bowls that are available in a handful of sizes and can be stored within each other. Glass bowls are the most versatile because they can be heated on the stove or in the microwave, while stainless steel are light and won't chip or break.

While The Bay and Sears have always been the “go to” places when it comes to the classic wedding registry, we couldn’t end this post without including one of our faves.

Located at 471 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, Zone offers bridal registry services for the fashion forward couple looking to add a little style to their home. Whether it’s the Oxford Bench, the Bella Serving Plate, the Trapeze Wall Frame or the Sonnet Pendant Lamp – from furniture to lighting to kitchen and bathroom accent pieces there is something chic and unique for everyone!

Photo Credits: Luster Studios

I love content aware fill...

This image is the first one I've used the new Photoshop CS5 feature "content aware fill" on.

This past weekend there was a cruise held at a local shopping center which meant a rather unattractive parking lot, along with people and buildings everywhere.

So I shot tight but it did not change the fact that there was things reflected in the chrome that I did not want in my image, so I select what I wanted removed, used the content aware fill option and shazzam, IT WAS GONE!

If you click on either image they will open larger and in a new window so you can see them in more detail.

And yes, I did do more to the edited image than remove reflections.

Lightroom 3 has arrived!...

Adobe announced the release of Lightroom 3 yesterday.

If you've been using the beta version it will expire at the end of June so you have a few more weeks to use it before it will self destruct (with a sizzling sound along with a mist and smoke rising from your keyboard).

If you didn't play with the beta version you can download and test drive a fully functional copy of version 3 here (for both Windows & MAC).

For all of you who own previous versions of Lightroom you can upgrade for $99.

And whether or not you are looking to improve your Lightroom skills or trying decide if you want to purchase version 3 you will want to visit the new and improved FREE Lightroom 3 Learning Center brought to you by the good folks at NAPP.