Silent Devotion

Photoshop and Illustrator

What are the differences between adobe photoshop and adobe illustrator? Produced by the same company, there are some that say the difference between the two programs is small. In actuality, adobe illustrator takes some key elements of adobe photoshop to the next level and beyond.

Digital photographers everywhere have heard of Adobe Photoshop. Photoshop can be used to enhance any existing image giving it a professional level, quality look. You can add borders and frames or tweak a picture to a perfection that could never be possible with just a digital camera. Almost anything imaginable is possible thanks to the Photoshop software and with the endless number of tips and tutorials available, Photoshop is made quick and easy to learn and use.

Abobe illustrator is a different program entirely. Illustrator is a vector-based drawing program that allows you to create your own unique graphics. Adobe illustrator graphics can be used in print, online, in video, and even on your cell phone. Want to create your own background for your cell phone? It’s possible when you have adobe illustrator, and something that can’t be done with photoshop alone.

You can find a vast amount of information online on both programs. Tips and tutorials are in abundance on Photoshop and Illustrator. Check out some of the chat rooms, forums, and discussion groups for new information and ideas. Once you start looking, you will find no end to the information on Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

While photoshop does have some photoshop drawing and vector art tools, the tools are nothing compared to what is available on adobe illustrator. With a vast array of templates that can help you get started and a number of different drawing tools, you can create your own unique graphics and artwork using adobe illustrator. You can create unique graphics with photoshop, but you must start with a base image and your tools are limited in comparison to adobe illustrator. For the serious graphic designer, adobe illustrator is the best program to use. However, if your drawing needs are small, photoshop will probably work just as well.

Photoshop tutorials do not extensively cover photoshop drawing, and you’ll have to look for some photoshop drawing specific tutorials to find truly useful information. Photoshop tips pages mention little regarding photoshop drawing and vector art tools. However, to make your digital images look perfect adobe photoshop is the perfect tool for you. Once you learn how to use photoshop to make your images perfect, you won’t be able to stop yourself from “fixing” every digital image that you use.

Adobe Illustrator is a different program. Whereas Photoshop adds a new look to an existing image, Illustrator can create a brand new unique image. Adobe Illustrator is one of the best and user friendly programs you can use for graphic design. The software is relatively easy and with the large number of tips and tutorials to be found online, Illustrator is extremely popular.

Nothing says that you can’t work with both programs to create a polished version of an existing image or a brand new image itself. With both programs sharing some basic features, by learning one you are a step ahead on the other automatically. Both Photoshop and Illustrator will produce stunning, quality and professional images that have never been seen before. If you have need for both programs, become familiar with both to cover every need. Opt for Photoshop for your digital imaging needs and Illustrator for your graphic design needs. With the differences between the two programs, you may realistically find the need for both.

Both programs are unique in their abilities and will make great additions to your software library. Both the digital photographer and the graphic designer will find a vast number of uses for both programs in creating the best and most professional images. Mastering these programs is easy with all of the tutorials, tips and information readily available online for Photoshop and Illustrator. The more you learn about these Adobe programs and experiment with using them, the more possibilities you will unlock in your own creativity. Have fun!

Canon PowerShot SD500 Digital Camera In Review

One camera to watch available on the market today is the Canon PowerShot SD500 Digital Elph. Coming with an impressive 7.1 megapixel resolution this camera provides superior image quality.

The SD500 executes well on speed and sharpness tests. It also got a fun My Color feature that will be sure to please many kinds of users.

In the looks department, the Canon PowerShot SD500 is pleasingly comfortable to hold and operate. However, it can be easy to press the tightly laid-out buttons on the back accidentally during one-handed shooting. The optical viewfinder just above the large 2-inch LCD is very nice, and maintains a fairly smooth, bright, clear image when panning.

Aside from the 7.1 megapixel rating, the Canon PowerShot SD500 has most of the standard features of its class, including an f/2.8 to f/4.9, 7.7- to 23.1-mm (37- to 111-mm, 35mm equivalent), 3X optical zoom lens.

All the standard modes are available via the mode dial as well as through the menu system, including Playback, Auto, Manual (which lets you adjust white balance, ISO, EV compensation, and color effects), Macro, and Movie. The Movie mode lets you capture VGA video clips at 30 frames per second. Other modes available only via the menu system include Stitch Assist (for panoramas) and nine preset scene modes.

The Canon PowerShot SD500 has a very intuitive user control system. It also offers a very interesting shooting mode called My Colors. You can make blues, greens, or reds more vibrant, or lighten or darken skin tones.

Fantastic effects are created with the Color Accent and Swap Options. Color Accent allows you to isolate the color of one object, while the color information for the remaining portion of the photograph is removed. The result might be the bright yellow sun in the middle of a black-and-white sky.

In Color Swap mode, you choose a particular color in a scene on the LCD, and then select the color you want to swap it with. For example, you could isolate someone’s bright red T-shirt and swap it with the blue from someone’s baseball cap. You have to make your color selections before you shoot, though, so make sure you’re not going to miss the shot.

The Canon PowerShot SD500 allocates your pictures to SD memory cards for storage. There’s also direct link to Canon CP Printers and select BJ Printers. This in fact means that you do not need a computer to print pictures.

The Canon PowerShot SD500 makes use of proprietary lithium batteries. The marketed battery life is about 160 shots with the LCD on and about 550 shots with the LCD off. If a long battery life is a necessity, extra batteries are available for purchase at your local camera store so you can take along extras.

Another unusual feature is an elective DC coupler, supported by a flap on the battery/media compartment door. This lets you operate the camera from AC power (by the use of an optional adapter) while you charge the battery in the included external charger.

Overall, the Canon PowerShot SD500 is a smart little camera for the value. A few notes however are that it has some difficulty finding the intended focusing point in Macro mode. Macro mode also has the fault of overexposing pictures when the flash is used except for the bottom area of the image that is dark due to the extended lens blocking the flash.

The mode design could also be modified. Only the center (Manual) mode appears level when selected. The remaining modes: Playback, Auto, Macro and Movie are slanted as you turn the dial.

On the whole, the Canon PowerShot SD500 is a great ultracompact camera. It looks wonderful and gives impressive image quality. Add a couple of unusual features, and you have a versatile camera that is destined to be a hot-seller