Eric Reagan on Photography Bay has done some very interesting comparisons of extreme ISO settings, and the new noise reduction function in Lightroom 3.

In his test, the new software comprehensively out performs Lightroom 2, Canon DPP and View NX. He conducted experiments at night, using ISO’s 6400, 12800, 25600, 51200 and 102400 using a Canon 1D Mk IV and a Nikon D3s.

His conclusion is that:

“While these images at ISO 6400 and above are extreme examples from two state of the art DSLRs, the processing power in Lightroom 3 will push any other RAW files to the next level as well.”

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Photographer Brian Skerry has made a powerful case for protection of the world’s marine environments during his recent presentation at TED. His imagery and words show the ocean’s beauty but also how very fragile and vulnerable it is. The TED series of talks, devoted to “ideas worth spreading” are hosted by a small non-profit organization. Speakers have included Al Gore, Jane Goodall and Brian Greene. TED also runs local events and at the TEDx at Berkeley, Eric Cheng presented a talk about bioluminescent flashlight fish in Papua New Guinea, sperm whales and Architeuthis dux giant squid in Ogasawara, Japan and Dominica.

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Since 1947, women and men have donned costumes and fins and been part of a display of mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs in Spring Hill, Florida. Created by an ex-navy diver, Newton Berry, and originally using an air hose to breathe from, the mermaids still perform shows in the aquarium-like setting. The spring and its “inhabitants” have also been used in Hollywood films, and were the scene for a music video “Low C” by the British group Supergrass in 2005.

Recently, some historic film has come to light of the displays. This is fascinating not only for the performer’s prowess, but also for the footage’s quality given the basic equipment that must have been available.

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The Diving, Resort & Travel Expo (“DRT Show”) will be held in the Hong Kong Exhibition Centre next month during July 16-18, 2010. Over the three-day expo, more than 30,000 expected attendees will learn more about the latest diving equipment, water sports equipment, dive resorts, tourism boards and diving organizations brought to them by a lineup of over 141 top-level exhibitors from across 21 countries and cities including Europe, America, South Pacific and Asia.

Wetpixel is looking for a local correspondent to cover the DRT Show in Hong Kong. Your job will be to represent Wetpixel, taking photos and writing commentary about underwater photography, videography and conservation news at the show. If you’re interested, please contact Eric.

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The Digital Shootout coverage is now underway. The Digital Shootout is an opportunity for shooters to improve their underwater photo and video skills, and is sponsored by Backscatter, Aquatica, Light & Motion, Canon, Sea & Sea, Wakatobi Dive Resort and Wetpixel, among many others. Fantastic prizes will be awarded to the winners of the Digital Shootout.

This year’s Digital Shootout is taking place this week on Little Cayman island. Tune into to the coverage to get an inside track the shooters’ perspectives on the week of diving, as well as see images taken by the participants. Next year, the Digital Shootout will return to Bonaire, and you can contact Under Exposures for more information about joining the trip.

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