Adobe has released version 2.0 of Photoshop Lightroom (beta release). Looks like some exciting new changes including:

• Smart Collections
• Dual-Monitor Support
• Localized Editing (and, apparently, nondeconstructive dodge and burn)
• Suggestive Keywording
• 64 Bit support for Macs running OS 10.5

Lightroom 2.0 beta is available as a free 30-day download. Existing Lightroom 1.0 customers will be able to test the beta for an extended period until August 31, 2008 and can invite friends to take part in this trial period.

I’ll follow up with more as I get some play time in! Please feel free to comment with your thoughts.

As I was writing my Photoshop Express post a few moments ago, I was thinking…maybe I should work on some instructional screencasts over the next few days to help new users out…

Well, maybe I still will, but, of course, the folks over at Kelby Training (of the Scott Kelby’s) beat me to it. And I mean, really beat me too it! They have a pretty impressive array of videos at photoshopexpresstechniques.com. Go check it out.

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Adobe has released Adobe Photoshop Express, it’s online consumer-grade photo editing and storage program. Unlike other versions of Photoshop (and Photoshop Elements), Photoshop Express is completely Flash-driven and resides solely in your web browser rather than on your computer’s hard drive.

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I reported on Friday that Adobe had released version 1.4 of Lightroom and version 4.4. of Camera Raw. They have since pulled those updates from their site. Check out this MacWorld article for more information.

Today, Adobe released version 1.4 of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and version 4.4 of the Camera Raw plug-in for Bridge/Photoshop/Elements. Among other things, it adds support for Mac OS X (Leopard) printer driver compatibility and support for additional cameras including the Canon Rebel XSi, Nikon D60, Sony A350, and more.

Click here to download version 1.4 of Lightroom.

Click here (or use the Adobe Updater) to get Camera Raw 4.4.

Yesterday I told you about the Mac OS 10.5.2 update, but that wasn’t the only news that Apple had in store.

Shortly/immediately after releasing the OS update mentioned above, Apple released a video graphics update. To see this update, you have to first install the OS 10.5.2 update (if you’re running Leopard, obviously), restart, and run Software Update again.

This morning, Apple released an iLife ‘08 update (version 8.2) to, among other things, improve compatibility with…wait for it…Aperture 2!!!! That’s right. This morning Apple released a major upgrade to Aperture. Aperture is Apple’s professional image editing software that, quite frankly, had been rather taken for granted by Apple. Or so it seemed…

I’ve been a loyal Aperture user since, quite literally, day one. I pre-ordered Aperture (and payed highly for it) because it was, far and away, the best image management/RAW processing software on the market…plus, I love Apple. Lately I’ve been entertaining a switch to Adobe’s Photoshop Lightroom for my main image management/RAW processing software. I’m very experienced with Lightroom and teach others about it daily during the summer months. Now…I don’t know what to do!?!

Well, I’ll certainly think much harder about sticking with Aperture now. Here are some details:

• If you want to try Aperture 2, there is a 30-day free trial available here. If you are a current Aperture 1.5 user be sure and read the sidebar notes on that page before you go playing with the free trial. You may end up permanently altering your library to a state where you’ll be required to purchase version 2 to access it.
• If you already own Aperture, you can upgrade to version 2 for just $99.
• The full retail price of Aperture 2 has been lowered to just $199! This sets Aperture’s price point $100 lower than that of Adobe’s Lightroom ($299). So, even if you aren’t an Aperture user, or if you are [shudder] a PC user, it’s possible that this may help to bring down the price of Lightroom in the future. Stay tuned for more information.
• Click here to see the “100+ New Features” in Aperture 2. I haven’t looked too closely, but there are few things taken from iPhoto ‘08 that were pretty awesome features!
• I didn’t see this advertised anywhere…I just stumbled across it…but if you purchased Aperture 1.5 recently (basically in the year 2008) you are eligible for an upgrade to version 2 for only $9.95. Click here for details.

I’ll be sure to keep everyone posted with my thoughts about Aperture 2. I will say that this did not come a moment too soon. I was ready to make the switch to Lightroom on a wildlife shoot that I have coming up on Monday!

I stumbled across an interesting post today about a new product being researched by Adobe. It’s basically a camera lens comprised of 19 smaller lenses that allow a scene to be photographed from multiple angles simultaneously.

With the proper software, one could control the depth of field of the image (captured on a single frame) after the image has been captured and downloaded to the computer! Pretty cool!

The video below, apparently from Photoshop World, shows a glimpse of the amazing possibilities:

Adobe Systems has announced today that they plan to discontinue the Adobe Stock Photos service that has shipped as part of Bridge, one of the Creative Suite applications. This royalty-free stock photography service introduced with Adobe Creative Suite 2 Software in May 2005 will be discontinued effective April 1, 2008.

I, personally, have never used this service. It seems like a good idea for Adobe to do away with it and focus on other projects. Many users of Adobe’s programs are photographers anyway and not likely to purchase stock photos. To me, stock photography management seems like a pretty rough market to break into…even for a company like Adobe.

You’ll want to go ahead and remove the Stock Photos Service from your Adobe Creative Suite Applications. The uninstaller program can be found here for Mac and here for Windows.

Click here to view Adobe’s FAQ on Stock Photos.

Just a quick note to let you know that Adobe updated three of its Creative Suite 3 applications yesterday.

The updates include the Adobe After Effects CS3 Professional 8.0.2 update, Adobe InCopy CS3 5.0.2 update, and Adobe InDesign CS3 5.0.2 update.

Click on the previous links for the downloads, or use the Adobe Updater program on your computer. Check out the following links for more information on these updates:

• Macworld | Adobe updates InDesign and InCopy CS3
• MacMinute | Adobe updates several applications