While working on a comp for SLRPlayground I came up with a few ideas. One of which is reflections in Flash automatically generated in code so I can keep the galleries dynamic.

A side benefit to working on this experiment was getting a chance to use the Matrix Class in Actionscript. I got a lot of help from this article by the one and only Senocular.

Here is some example code from this experiment which basically takes a clip and flips it over to create a reflection. I then use a Gradient mask (created entirely in Code) to blend in the reflection and add to the realism.

import flash.geom.*
var matrix = {a:1.0, b:0, u:0, c:0, d:-1.0, v:0, tx:0, ty:(image._height*2)+2, w:0};
var reflectionTrans:Transform = new Transform(mcReflectionHolder);
reflectionTrans.matrix = matrix;


I will be adding more code from this project and also look out for a tutorial on Scriptplayground covering some of these techniques.

Stock Vault is running a Photography contest where users of all levels get the chance to submit their best photo for a chance to win $1000.

You have until December 10th 2006 at midnight EST to submit a photo.

More information about the contest is available on the Stock Vault site. I know I will submit a photo, will you?

Want to see what others are submitting for a chance at $1000? Check out the contest submission gallery.

While on that site be sure to check out the tons of awesome photos you can use in your work and get an idea of what others are capturing in their viewfinder.

Before someone asks… this post is not an ad in any way. I was not asked to post this, but instead thought others could benefit from knowing about it.

While browsing today I stumbled upon an in-depth review of the Canon EOS XTI/400D. I haven’t had the chance to try it out, but have been informed my local company store has it in stock, so with a little luck I will get to test drive it soon.

Here are some points that make the 400D a good camera:

• Ten megapixel Canon CMOS sensor
• A three part dust reduction system
• Nine point Auto Focus
• New larger LCD and user interface
• Offers a range of improvements over the camera it replaces, the very successful EOS 350D

In depth review