Friday, January 29, 2010

Nik Software today announced the Nik Summit, its first-ever multi-day educational event designed specifically to educate and empower photographers and users of the company’s award-winning software tools. Taking place from 13-16 May in San Diego, California, the Nik Summit promises to be an opportunity for attendees to learn how to improve their photographic skills by working alongside some of the world’s leading professional photographers.“The Nik Summit will be more than a photographic experience and is designed to bring our customers and photo enthusiasts together with some of the best working photographers, photo magazine editors, and top Nik Software experts,” said Michael Slater, President and CEO of Nik Software. “The Nik Summit is all about learning and sharing ideas in photography and we are bringing our product specialists and educators, top engineers, as well as Nik Software’s founder and CTO specifically to do just that.” The cost is $599, but early birds registering befor 15 March will be given a $120 discount.

Website: 2010 Nik Summit

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Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) has announced two new educational programmes, entitled WPPI Business Institute and WPPI All About Schools. Comprised of six sessions, the WPPI Business Institute focuses on the challenges that professional photographers face today and how these challenges can create unique opportunities for growth, success and creativity. The All About Schools programming includes a lineup of speakers that will cover the ABCs of breaking into school, sports and event photography. Topics will include: why professional photographers should consider offering school/sports/event portraits; how to book them; how to shoot them; how to manage volume workflow; and lastly, how to sell your work. Both of these programmes are scheduled for 6 March, and both will take place during the 30th WPPI convention held at the MGM in Las Vegas. WPPI Business Institute is offered for a standalone price of $99 or can be purchased as an additional add-on to attendees’ full-convention registration. WPPI All About Schools is offered as an add-on to attendees’ full-convention registration for free.

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For the first time ever, Panasonic will attend the Focus on Imaging show held at the NEC, Birmingham from 7th-10th March. The company will be showcasing its full range of imaging products, including its Lumix G Micro System and accompanying lenses, its Lumix compact camera range, its HD camcorders and its extensive portfolio of imaging media and accessories. Panasonic’s expert team will also be on hand throughout the event to answer any questions. Visitors to the show will also have the chance to check out Panasonic’s “HD Everything” strategy and ground breaking new 3D technology. Look for Panasonic’s stand in Hall 10.

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STOIK today announced the availability of the final release of PanoramaMaker for Mac. STOIK PanoramaMaker is automatic panorama software that turns any group of overlapping photos into high quality panoramic image. You can create panoramas either automatically with just few clicks, or assemble and stitch pictures manually if the automatic procedure fails to perfectly match images in complicated cases. Also, STOIK PanoramaMaker for Mac has a special algorithm (Object-Preserving Blending) to tackle any problems with moving subjects that appear in multiple images. Priced at $39, STOIK PanoramaMaker for Mac OS X 10.4 and higher is available now from the website below.

Website: STOIK PanoramaMaker for Mac

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PocketWizard’s US Distributor, MAC Group, is now offering a 30-day Satisfaction Guarantee on the new MiniTT1 and FlexTT5. The MiniTT1 is a tiny transmitter that slides into the camera’s hot shoe. The FlexTT5 is also a low-profile, but slightly larger transceiver. US photographers can now purchase the system, try it out for 30-days and if not completely satisfied, simply return it to their dealer for a full refund. The 30-day Satisfaction Guarantee offer applies to purchases made within the USA, and runs from 1 February to 30 April 2010.

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Continuing the series of free Photoshop plugins, Filter Forge has released Filter Forge Freepack 3 - Frames for Mac OS X. As its name suggests the theme of the third Filter Forge freepack is frames—the plugin comprises seven effect filters, each capable of framing any photo in a creative way. All Filter Forge freepacks, both for Windows and Mac OS X, are available for download at the website below. Also, the company’s flagship product, Filter Forge, is currently available at a time-limited 50% discount. The offer ends on 4 February.

Website: Filter Forge Downloads

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Varioptic, a manufacturer of liquid lenses, has announced that it has developed its first liquid lens to bring optical image stabilisation functionality to camera phones. With no moving parts, the new liquid lens, codenamed A316S, is very robust and uses very limited power. The A316S liquid lens actuator features both OIS and silent/smooth AF. The new-generation liquid lens has a multi- electrodes design, allowing to tilt the light in all directions of space and, at the same time, to refocus the light. The ability to tilt the light enables camera module manufacturers to use Varioptic’s liquid lens to activate optical image stabilisation by measuring the handshake and compensating in real time.

Website: Varioptic’s Technology Overview

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Annabel Williams Contemporary Photographic Training (CPT) are about to launch a new programme of digital seminars, one of the first being a day full of 5 minute essential Photoshop and Lightroom tricks. Conducted by Dave Wall, this one-day seminar will take place on 19 February 2010. The course will be run in Photoshop CS3 but the organisers promise that every technique covered will work in CS2 or CS4 in exactly the same way. Topics covered include setting up Photoshop for quick and easy retouching, skin and eye retouching, total facelift, face and head swapping, face contouring, digital makeup, white backgrounds and more. Some existing knowledge of layers and masks is required. The course fee is £150 + VAT.

Website 5-Minute Photoshop Techniques with Dave Wall

PhotoShelter have released Social Media for Photographers, a free 55-page e-book that provides essential internet marketing guidance for professionals looking to grow their photography business online. The new e-book includes tips on: the ground rules for social media, choosing where to participate, smart strategies to stand out, generating social sharing and quality links, suggestions for measuring progress, and a listing of tools to save time and make participation more effective. The guide is designed to benefit photographers new to social media as well as those who wish to generate more results from their current efforts. “Many photographers already have a website, photo blog, a Twitter account and a Facebook page, but we don’t see many using these tools to effectively market and grow their photography business. By giving photographers the information they need to grow their social media presence, set goals, and measure their efforts, we are providing them with new strategies to promote their work and ultimately generate more revenue from their photography,” said PhotoShelter CEO Allen Murabayashi.

Website: Social Guide for Photographers

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The 50 millionth Canon EF lens has just gone into production. This landmark was achieved during the manufacture of the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens. Canon has produced over 10 million lenses in just under two years.

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