Luminous Landscape have an intriguing interview with Jack Showalter, president of Hasselblad USA.

“Do you see any possibility that Hasselblad will build a dedicated digital monochrome back for the H series cameras?

Our decisions on what products to build revolve around 1) What do photographers want to do 2) What is possible technologically and 3) Is the market size sufficient to justify R&D and production expense to design a product we can deliver at a profit. You know much more about B&W digital than I do – if you were running Hasselblad, do you think this market fits these criteria? Would you spend 1,000,000 Euros, and commit a significant percentage of your R&D resources to design and build a new camera exclusively for B&W digital?”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Hasselblad USA Interview

DCResource have just branched out by launching a new printer review website called Printerspot.

“PrinterSpot is a new printer review site from the creator of the Digital Camera Resource Page, one of the leading websites of its kind on the Internet. Here at PrinterSpot we review multifunction and photo printers in a simple, easy to understand fashion, without any of the “tech speak” that you’ll find elsewhere. Our reviews are unbiased: we’re not afraid to call a spade a spade.”

Website: Printerspot

Pentax USA Press Release

(GOLDEN, CO) March 25, 2006…Nothing screams “take me with you” quite like the line of PENTAX Optio waterproof digital cameras.  So, that is exactly what world-class surf champion Kelly Slater and his friends did when they convened recently for the second annual Kelly Slater Invitational (KSI) surfing event on the beautiful coast of Kona, Hawaii in February 2006. Every year, KSI brings together pro surfers, Hollywood celebrities and musical guests for a weekend of surf, sand and sun.  Equipped with PENTAX waterproof Optio W10 digital cameras, the official camera of the event, professional photographers and celebrities alike snapped images of the activities.  With the capability to capture images up to five feet underwater for up to 30 minutes, the Optio W10 is the perfect camera for use in and around water.

Kingston Technology Press Release

Web Site Continues to Inspire and Educate Photographers at All Levels with Helpful Tips and Techniques from World-Class Pros

Fountain Valley, CA – March 20, 2006 – Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, announced that world-class portrait and fashion photographer Barbara Bordnick is the new featured photographer on Kingston’s Icons of Photography beginning today.  “Icons of Photography” is an online forum consisting of several of the world’s most respected photographers who share some of their unique tips and techniques with photo enthusiasts and professionals worldwide.  Each month Kingston spotlights a new Icon who provides interesting advice and anecdotes for taking better pictures and shares how they successfully navigate through the exciting world of digital imaging, storage, and workflow.

Fujifilm USA Press Release

Hometown hero Reed Sorenson captures the sights and experiences of his Atlanta homecoming with Fujifilm’s Finepix V10 digital camera - Fans Get a Behind-The-Scenes Look at NASCAR Cup Series Rookie via Online Photo Diary

VALHALLA, N.Y. (March 16, 2006)—What is it like to be Reed Sorenson the week prior to his 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL CUP Series debut at his hometown track? Fans can now find out as the Peachtree City native documents his sights and experiences leading up to this Sunday’s Golden Corral 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS) with a Fujifilm FinePix V10 digital camera. Sorenson’s behind-the-scenes photos are available for all to see in a photo diary at www.fujifilm.com.  Sorenson’s diary, which will be updated throughout the week, commemorates his Atlanta homecoming and will feature this week’s Fujifilm paint scheme for the Target #41 Dodge. “Fujifilm is honored to have Reed Sorenson carry our corporate logo and colors at his hometown track,” remarked David Bailey, Vice President, National Accounts, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc.  “We look forward to seeing Reed’s world through his photo diary and wish him the best of luck in this special race.”

Fotolia Press Release

NEW YORK, NY - March 15, 2006 - In an exciting partnership, Fotolia is teaming up with Slide Inc., making the search for the perfect image or inspiration easier than ever before.  Through this agreement, Fotolia (http://www.fotolia.com), the global online social marketplace for stock images, is making their entire collection of images viewable on Slide.  In turn, Slide (http://www.slide.com), a free downloadable desktop program, will allow viewers to watch scrolling slide shows of Fotolia images on their screens.  When a desired image passes, a user can click on it to go directly to the Fotolia website and purchase the image for as low as $1.

Ilford Photo Press Release

Many months in the making, but well worth the wait, ILFORD Photo’s new website has gone live and is proving a magnet for everyone with an interest in black-and-white photography.

“Spreading the word” is one thing, but the new website launched by ILFORD Photo (www.ilfordphoto.com ) is something else. A virtual encyclopaedia of all you wanted to know about black-and-white photography but didn’t know where to go, the site provides a vast resource of information about black-and-white photography in general, and ILFORD Photo in particular. Reaching out to everyone interested or involved in pure photography, the site carries separate ‘Home’ pages for students, educators, professionals and enthusiast photographers. Each of these contains information and links of particular interest to the visitor, and invites visitors to register with information about themselves to create a forum for interactive communications, and to set the basis for future events, promotions and content which will be geared to visitors’ interests and requirements.

Update: Due to an overwhelming response, with 18,000 replies so far, the OpenRAW Survey will now close on March 15th, 2006.

OpenRAW Press Release

RAW Survey launched: An International Study of the Experiences, Requirements, Preferences, and Concerns of Photographers regarding RAW Imaging Technology

On January 31, 2006, the OpenRAW initiative launched an international survey on its Web site ( http://openraw.org/survey/ ) to collect information about the experiences, requirements, preferences, and concerns of digital photographers and other interested parties regarding RAW imaging technology, a concept that many writers are comparing to a “digital negative”.

Sharpcast Press Release

PALO ALTO, CALIF. (March 8, 2006) – Sharpcast, a leading innovator in real-time synchronization services for digital consumer media and information, has secured $13.5 million in Series B funding. Sigma Partners led the investment, with Series A investors Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Selby Venture Partners participating. Sharpcast is developing a suite of consumer services that dramatically simplifies the way people manage, access, back up and share digital media and information. With Sharpcast services, a person’s PC and mobile phone work together automatically to keep all of their media and information in sync, backed up on the web and instantly accessible wherever they are. The company’s first service, Sharpcast photos, will launch in beta later this spring. People can request an invitation to the beta at www.sharpcast.com.

PhotoSharks Press Release

Ready for a challenge? PhotoSharks, the newest photo challenge over internet, invites you, starting with the 2nd of March 2006, to a great series of photo challenges. Beginning in Leverkusen, Germany, and spreading all over the world, the project provokes you to share your personal most interesting photos with people worldwide, proving you abilities and creativity. We are interested in your own interpretation of the world and its aspects in different situations, as well as your ability to catch it in a photo-frame.

Lyra Research Press Release

Lyra’s Hard Copy Supplies Journal Launches Free Research Site with News & Info on Ink Jet, Toner, Paper, Imaging Supplies

Newton, MA, March 1, 2006—Lyra Research’s The Hard Copy Supplies Journal, the digital imaging supplies industry’s most insightful monthly newsletter, has launched a free online supplement, http://www.HardCopySuppliesJournal.com. Now, marketing and product managers can search an extensive online database for product specifications and press releases on new printers and related digital imaging supplies such as ink jet and toner cartridges, bulk ink and toner, photo and specialty papers, and other marking materials and media. Commenting on the free supplemental Web site, Charles Brewer, managing editor of The Hard Copy Supplies Journal, says, “Through the Journal’s ongoing coverage of the industry, we have compiled a far-reaching library of imaging supplies news and product information. It made perfect sense to align this comprehensive archive with the convenience of Web-based access and powerful search functionality. There really is nothing else like it on the Web, and we are pleased to make this valuable free research tool available online to the digital imaging community.”

Colour Confidence Press Release

Birmingham UK, 27th February, 2006 - Colour Confidence, the leading independent colour management specialists, today launched the newest section of their website - the ‘Monitor Showroom’.

The ‘Monitor Showroom’ will showcase monitors from Eizo, LaCie and NEC. These monitors have been selected to feature in the new section due to their high standard of colour quality and value for money. The range provides customers with a comprehensive choice in terms of price and colour accuracy. A selection of these monitors will be on show at Stand E40 Focus On Imaging, 26th February ? 1st March, NEC, Birmingham. To visit the monitor showroom, go to www.colourconfidence.com/showroom

PMA 2006: DIMA Press Release

DIMA Cites Two Fujifilm Offerings for Innovative Digital Product Awards; FinePix F30 Digital Camera and GetPix Kiosk VP3 Receive Prestigious Award at PMA 2006

ORLANDO, Fla.—Feb. 25, 2006—The Digital Imaging Marketing Association (DIMA), a section of Photo Marketing Association International, today presented Fujifilm with not one, but two DIMA Innovative Digital Product Awards at the PMA 2006 Annual Convention and Trade Show. The two products—the FinePix F30 digital camera and the enhanced GetPix Kiosk VP3 for digital picture printing—were singled out by DIMA for their unique use of technology or applications that result in a significant user benefit. DIMA’s selection of both capture and output products from Fujifilm demonstrates the company’s wide-ranging expertise in digital imaging while reinforcing Fujifilm’s status as one of the most innovative companies in photography.

Bonusprint Press Release

Digital camera users can now save even more on their prints when ordering images from www.bonusprint.co.uk.

Prices start at just 10p for a 4” x 6” single print when ordered online. They then drop to just 7p per print when ordering over 100 prints, and even further to just 6p per print when ordering over 400 prints. “Bonusprint continues to provide a competitive service without compromising on quality,” said Anthony Ward, Managing Director, Bonusprint. “We want our customers to have the flexibility of ordering the images they want without the expense of home printing or the high up-front cost of bulk buying print credits that may never be used. This is why we have reduced our prices and continue to produce quality prints and a range of photo gifts for customers to order online.”

muvee Press Release

Photo and video-sharing portals benefit from being able to offer end users a more compelling, emotive way of displaying and sharing their digital media

Singapore and New York, NY - February 22, 2006 - muvee, the pioneer and leader in Instant Personal Video, launches its new muveeOnline web service at the 2006 Photo Marketing Association (PMA) Convention in Orlando, Florida.  The first and only of its kind, muveeOnline is a back-end Web service that brings muvee’s award-winning automatic video production capabilities to photo-/video-sharing portals, as well as a host of other online web communities where digital media content is uploaded and shared. When integrated with these portals, muveeOnline enables end users to automatically create polished, edited video productions using their personal photos and video clips that are hosted on the portal, without having to download and install any software.  Users have over 100 unique production styles to choose from and the finished productions, called muvees, are intelligently cut to the beat of the music with synchronized style effects and transitions.

Nikon Press Release

Nikon launches a website dedicated to its COOLPIX Premium Features - The place to learn about and experience the advantages of the advanced features built into Nikon’s COOLPIX cameras

Tokyo – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of its new website dedicated to introducing the four sets of advanced functions that collectively comprise the COOLPIX Premium Features built into new Nikon COOLPIX cameras, which aim to make it easier and more fun to shoot, to achieve optimized images, and to share the fun with others. The site’s easy navigation and interactive graphic presentation is designed to let visitors experience the effects and advantages of each feature first-hand.

AWARD-WINNING PHOTOGRAPHER COLIN FINLAY SHARES TIPS AND TECHNIQUES AT KINGSTON “ICONS OF PHOTOGRAPHY” WEB SITE

New Program Designed to Inspire and Educate Photo Enthusiasts and Pros with Personal Tips, Techniques, and Experiences from World-Class Image Makers

Internationally-acclaimed and award-winning photographer Colin Finlay shares some of the secrets, tips, and techniques that have made him one of the busiest photojournalists and advertising photographers in the world. Other Kingston Icons of Photography include:  Harry Benson, Barbara Bordnick, Douglas Kirkland, Gerd Ludwig, Peter Read Miller, and Chris Rainier.

InsideOut Travel Magazine is hosting its third photo contest and the theme is “Wonders of the World.” Our photo editor is looking for photos of something (things, people, places, and/or moments) extraordinary you caught on camera during a trip. We’ll show the pictures at our Travelers Happy Hour on March 20, 2006. Good luck!

OnAsia Images Press Release

OnAsia Images Announces Distribution Partnership with laif in Germany

BANGKOK, Thailand. – Feb. 15, 2006 – OnAsia Images (www.onasia.com) has announced a new distribution partnership with leading German photo agency laif (www.laif.de). Under the agreement laif, which is one of Germany’s most established agencies, will represent OnAsia’s growing archive of Asian images and features in the German speaking market. With a network of over 100 member photographers throughout the region and over 90,000 high resolution images available for download online, OnAsia offers unparalleled coverage of Asia.

iStockphoto Press Release

iStockphoto Joins Getty Images as Explosive Growth Continues; Expansion into Social Media Opens New Markets for Industry Leader

CALGARY, Alberta—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Feb. 9, 2006 iStockphoto, the world’s leading stock photography community, today announced that it has been acquired by Getty Images, Inc. (NYSE:GYI), the world’s leading creator and distributor of visual content. The acquisition underscores the growing importance of social media and places Getty Images at the forefront of the explosive growth of the imagery industry’s value segment. “We took a look at where we wanted to go and found Getty Images singularly capable of helping us get there,” said Bruce Livingstone, iStockphoto founder, CEO and president. “This new relationship will greatly extend the reach of our contributors, exposing their work to untapped global markets. By joining Getty Images, we see tremendous room for growth and a chance to bring even more photographers and image buyers together. It’s a very exciting time.”