Hot Stuff
Win Suitcase Fusion 4 from Extensis!
Enter now to win!
Subscribe to Author CreativePro Author > Ben Long
Ben Long
Ben Long is a freelance writer based in San Francisco. He has written extensively on products for creative types for Macworld magazine, among myriad other publications, and has authored several books related to photography.
Image-Editing Review: iPhoto for the iPad
Reviews: Written by Ben Long on March 27, 2012
Apple's popular and successful image-editing and photo-management application frinally comes to the iPad and other iOS devices. The intuitive interface makes it easy for consumers to use, but does it have enough features to satisfy pro photographers?
Review: Photoshop Touch 1.0 on the iPad 2
Reviews: Written by Ben Long on March 5, 2012
Adobe's flagship software comes to the Apple tablet. Given the Photoshop name, expectations are high, but the app seems to be searching for its identity.
All Photos Are Manipulated
Features: Written by Ben Long on August 3, 2011
There is no such thing as absolute truth in photography. Understanding how and why photos are edited will make you a better shooter and a smarter viewer.
For Better Photos, Learn How to Recognize Good Light
How-Tos: Written by Ben Long on July 21, 2011
Understanding the power of light is more important than a fancy camera or expert Photoshop skills. Learn the best times of day to photograph and why the way the light hits your subject matters more than the subject itself.
Snapseed Is Superior Photo Editor
News: Written by Ben Long on June 13, 2011
Despite its quirky name, Snapseed is a solid image editor for pros and hobbyists alike. It runs on the iPad 1 and 2 and costs just $4.99.
Histograms Are the Best Photography Tool You Already Own: Part 2
How-Tos: Written by Ben Long on May 16, 2011
When your camera's histogram is telling you things aren't quite right, let the Exposure Compensation control fix things quickly.
Histograms Are the Best Photography Tool You Already Own: Part 1
How-Tos: Written by Ben Long on May 9, 2011
Whether you're shooting photos or editing them in software, understanding the histogram will help you produce better images. Here's your guide to decoding the messages in this powerful tool.
Review: Silver Efex Pro 2.0
Reviews: Written by Ben Long on March 28, 2011
This Photoshop plug-in, which converts color photos to grayscale images, may be the best thing you could ever do for your black-and-white photography.
Pick the Right Resolution for Printing Photos
How-Tos: Written by Ben Long on February 7, 2011
When you print photos yourself, you'll get the best results with the correct resolution. This guide helps you figure out what that means--and no, the answer isn't "as high as possible".
A New Kind of Camera
Features: Written by Ben Long on August 26, 2010
Four-thirds and other flavors of mirrorless cameras with removable lenses are making a splash in the digital camera market. Find out what they really are, their pros and cons, and whether one is right for you.
Review: Alien Skin Exposure 3
Reviews: Written by Ben Long on August 4, 2010
This Photoshop plug-in is not only amazingly accurate in its film simulations, it's easy to use and customize.
Review: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Reviews: Written by Ben Long on May 12, 2010
The twenty-year-old Photoshop was created in another era of computing, and that's beginning to show. However, just about every Photoshop user will find something to love in the new CS5.
Review: Wacom Cintiq 21UX
Reviews: Written by Ben Long on April 29, 2010
If much of your daily work is in a graphics program, you need a tablet. But if you don't like the disconnect required by regular tablets (draw on one surface, see the results on another), the Cintiq 21UX may be the best fit for your needs.
Review: Topaz Labs Plug-In Bundle
Reviews: Written by Ben Long on March 22, 2010
This five-pack of Photoshop filters is a great deal if your image-editing skills are intermediate or beginning.
Photoshop's Best Friend: What You Can Do with a Pressure-Sensitive Tablet
Features: Written by Ben Long on March 8, 2010
If you use Photoshop or another image editor to perform localized edits (cloning, masking, etc.), ditching your mouse for a tablet will make your work better, easier, and less painful.
The 10 Best Apps to Improve Your iPhone Photos
Features: Written by Ben Long on December 21, 2009
When you're used to shooting with a full-fledged camera and editing images with Photoshop, the iPhone's camera and default software can be a disappointment. But download these ten apps (none of them very expensive) and you'll be much happier with your iPhone photos.
Review: Alien Skin Bokeh
Reviews: Written by Ben Long on October 21, 2009
This plug-in simulates shallow depth of field far better than Photoshop can on its own. But will you use it often enough to justify the price?
Review: Tiffen Dfx Suite Version 2
Reviews: Written by Ben Long on July 13, 2009
More than 1,000 photo filters combined with a well-implemented interface make this an excellent option for photographers of landscapes, events, portraits, and weddings.
Review: Wacom Intuos4
Reviews: Written by Ben Long on May 4, 2009
The Intuos4 feels great, looks gorgeous, and is extremely well-made. Photographers, designers, illustrators, and visual effects artists can all benefit from the innovations in this new line of tablets.
Get Selective in Camera Raw
How-Tos: Written by Ben Long on March 16, 2009
Adobe's Camera Raw software is an amazing tool for improving your photographs. Using features such as the Adjustments Brush and the Graduated Filter, you can quickly turn a photo from "eh" to "ooh!"
