Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Sony has just announced an update to its Image Data Converter SR software, featuring algorithms that significantly reduce image noise at high ISO settings when converting raw data to JPEG files. The new algorithms implemented in Version 3.2 affect photos taken at ISO 800 and higher, allegdly “delivering impressively natural results with minimised colour noise right up to ISO 12800”. Registered Sony Alpha customers can download Image Data Converter SR Version 3.2 free of charge from the Sony Europe support website from the first week of April.

Website: Sony

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A stunning collection of photography taken at the Glastonbury Festival, the UK’s largest outdoor performing arts event, will go on display at London gallery, theprintspace, from April 16th. ‘Glastonbury: 40 years’ documents the day-to-day life of a makeshift city with a unique sociological footprint. Photographer Liam Bailey’s images show the spontaneous side of the festival away from the stages. In addition to the photographs of Glastonbury, the exhibition will also house ‘Round & About’, a collection of photographs encompassing footballs and other sports balls found and discarded in locations all over London, and sets of used stamps found at car-boot sales. The exhibition runs until 4 May from 9am-7pm Monday-Friday.

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Leaf Imaging today announced the availability of the Leaf Aptus-II 10R digital camera back, with internal rotating sensor. The Leaf Aptus-II 10R is available for a variety of medium and large format cameras, and is best suited for architecture, landscape, portrait and product advertising, the company says. The Leaf Aptus-II 10R 56 megapixel sensor is 56x36 mm in dimensions, and can capture the full width of medium format capture area for either landscape or portrait setups. Whether shooting handheld or with the camera mounted on a tripod, there is now no need to remove the back to change the camera orientation. The Leaf Aptus-II 10R camera back is priced at €24,995 and is now available for orders.

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Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Manfrotto is launching a new online tutorial platform called the Manfrotto School of Excellence. Allowing users to log on and access the experience and know-how of the world’s most famous photographers and videographers, the Manfrotto School of Excellence will offer a series of free training sessions of varying difficulty (from beginner to advanced level), designed to add to the knowledge of all enthusiasts, amateurs and professionals alike. Launching at the end of March, this learning opportunity will focus on the most popular areas of photography and video-work today - portraits, still life, news photo/videography and documentaries - for fashion, advertising and the traditional publishing trade.

Website: Manfrotto School of Excellence

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Mastering HD Video with Your DSLR is a new book from Rocky Nook. The book teaches readers about capturing and editing video footage, and about the effects that weren’t possible with standard digital video equipment. Topics covered include mastering video concepts, specific video features of DSLRs, and equipment needed to shoot video; as well as the restrictions, problems, and pitfalls of shooting video with a DSLR. The authors use an easy-to-follow approach of introducing concepts, thoroughly explaining the process of shooting video, and finally, presenting step-by-step projects that take the reader from capture to editing. The 240-page book is available from ‘Reilly, priced at $34.95.

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The Master Photographers Association (MPA) has launched the UK’s largest prize for baby photography, a cash prize of £10,000. The prize will be awarded to the consumer with the ‘Cherub of the Year’ bonniest baby. Established in 1993, Cherubs is the UK’s longest running baby photography programme and has over 200 professional photographer partners covering postcode areas in the majority of the UK. There are still some unallocated postcodes, so MPA is now actively recruiting professional photographers to join the programme and guarantees postcode exclusivity. For further details, visit the website below.

Website: Cherubs

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Nik Software has just announced its Spring 2010 Webinar schedule. These six hour-long educational webinars, which début on 8 April and continue through mid-June, cover a range of photography topics including portrait, scenic and landscape, flora, fauna and architecture, while offering basic information, insights and tips on using Nik Software’s entire line of plug-ins. Read on / click through for the complete list of webinars including dates and times.

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Hasselblad and DRS are sponsoring a photo competition called “SCREENings Internet Goes Print” in Berlin, Germany. The aim of the contest is to provide photographers with an uncomplicated, yet effective, means of contacting industry insiders and important decision makers in the photography sector. To enter, photographers need to provide a link to their online portfolio using the form at the competition website. Entries are judged on the basis of photography and creativity rather than website design and implementation. The closing date for applications is 20 April, and the finalists will be exhibited at the UPdate - Salon for Photography on 14 May in Frankfurt. The winner will receive €5.000.

Website: SCREENings

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A team of Hasselblad imaging experts will demonstrate the new Hasselblad H4D cameras and the company’s Phocus software to photography students at colleges and universities across the UK. Chris Russell-Fish, Hasselblad UK MD explained: “Students are the future of the imaging business so we decided to plan a completely free of charge, nationwide educational roadshow to enable them to get some real hands-on experience with the 40-megapixel medium format H4D-40”. Hasselblad is also holding evening sessions after each student day event, and these are open to all professional photographers.

Website: Hands On Hasselblad

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Avanquest Software has announced Print Artist Platinum 23, an application that makes producing personalised calendars and other items quick and easy. Photos are easily imported from digital cameras, mobile phones and scanners to be included in posters, flyers, brochures, greeting cards and even iron-on apparel designs for customising t-shirts, bags and a variety of other items.  Photo slideshows with music and animated transitions can also be created and burnt onto a CD. Additionally, Print Artist Platinum 23 features over 375,000 graphics including watercolours, vector images and photographs. Available from PC World, Currys, Amazon.co.uk, Play.com and Avanquest.co.uk, Print Artist Platinum 23 from Avanquest Software is priced at £39.99.

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