VSCO FILM 03 for Lightroom released

We're big fans of the VSCO presets for Lightroom - which emulate the look of various films - here at CoolPhotoIdeas. Admitedly if used wrongly they can be a bit too Instagram, but used wisely they can give your shots an authentic film look.

The latest pack offers yet another selection of film-emulating presets to give images the feel of the likes of Polaroid and Fuji films. There's also new custom camera profiles for Fuji, Canon and Nikon.

VSCO Film 03 is said to utilize Lightroom’s 2012 process, as well as RGB curves, to result in even greater realism in film emulation and control of color tones.

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Instagram launches its filter-filled photo feeds on the web

Since Instagram was launched in 2010 (it feels much longer doesn't it) it has been firmly focused on mobile - for quite some time that was to only way to use and access the service. But last year Instagram added the ability to see profiles from instagram.com, not it's also added the ability to browse your Instagram feed on the web.

The web-version of a Instagram feed works much like it does on a mobile phone. You can browse through the latest snaps of the people you follow and like or comment on them. Interestingly Instagram has not included the ability to upload images via the web.

Speaking of the development, Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom said: "We do not offer the ability to upload from the web as Instagram is about producing photos on the go, in the real world, in realtime.

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Nikon celebrates 80th NIKKOR anniversary with lens-making movie

Nikon recently celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Nikkor brand … and decided to commemorate the achievement by releasing a video offering an insight into how its lenses are made nowadays.

The three-and-a-half-minute movie takes viewers through lens-making process; from forming the glass, to meticulously checking and polishing it before fixing it in a barrel ready to mounted on your camera.

It's a fascinating insight into process you probably take for granted, and certainly a great way to celebrate the 80 year history which began with the first shipment of Nippon Kogaku’s Aero-Nikkor aerial photographic lenses.

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Sony ridicule DSLR users who use automatic settings

Sony think it's daft that so many people buy expensive DSLRs and then leave them on automatic settings, so they sent out professional photographer Gary Heery to investigate why.

In a video which has gone viral online, Heery can be seen chatting to a number of photographers about how they use their cameras, an what they know about them.

It soon becomes apparent that many people may as well be wearing expensive necklaces as their DSLRs, because they are just for show and they don't know how to use them.

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