Hireacamera.com has announced a January Sale with up to 15% off advertised prices from the website. Hireacamera.com has been supplying photographers, videographers and film makers equipment on short term rental for over 6 years and has some coveted cameras in its assortment, including the Nikon D300s and the Canon EOS 7D. The company will be present at the SWPP Convention from 15th - 17th January at the Novotel, Hammersmith where they will be announcing further new products for 2010.

Issue #23 of the PhotographyBB Online Magazine has been released, and is available as a free download. This edition provides the readers with tips and techniques for shooting in winter weather such as keeping your gear safe from the elements while still allowing you to get those stunning winter shots. Readers will also learn how to shoot abstract bokeh shots, where the name of the game is shooting creatively, out of focus. PhotographyBB’s in-depth look at the new Lightroom 3 Beta release covers the differences in the new and improved Develop Module. By way of download in either PDF or ZIP formats, PhotographyBB is a free resource for amateur and intermediate level photographers.

Website: PhotographyBB

Kodak has received three prestigious 2010 Innovations Awards from the International Consumer Electronics Association. Only one of these went to a product announced at CES 2010, namely, the Kodak Slice touchscreen digital camera, while the other two were awarded to the Kodak Zi8 pocket camcorder and the Kodak Easyshare S730 digital photo frame (pictured),  both of which had been released back in 2009. Meanwhile, Popular Mechanics awarded the new Kodak Pulse digital frame with its Editor’s Choice Award.

Nikon recently announced the results of its 2009 “Picture Yourself” survey that reveals consumer attitudes about self-image. Nikon’s survey revealed that if people could turn back time, they would choose to retake a family portrait (25 percent), a high school graduation photo (21 percent), a driver’s license photo (21 percent), a wedding photo (15 percent) and a birthday party photo (7 percent). Data also showed that whether you like having your picture taken or not, it’s practically unavoidable. Nearly every American adult (92 percent) had at least one picture taken of them so far this year. Among all American adults, 79 percent believe they looked better in person than in pictures. This data was consistent in responses from both men and women; 79 percent of women preferring the real deal to a photograph, along with 78 percent of men.

A UK-wide survey by HP Photosmart demonstrates the fun Britons have in sharing amusing – often embarrassing – photos with friends and family over Christmas. Falling asleep and dodgy dance moves are the most embarrassing images caught on camera with men more likely to be caught snoozing and women more likely to have their uninhibited disco moves immortally captured in print, the company says. Based on their regional findings, HP have compiled a light-hearted list of the top five things you should do to avoid getting photographed in embarrassing situations. These include being wary in Nottingham - as Nottingham residents are said to be most likely to post incriminating photo evidence on social networks -, keeping an eye out in Belfast - where people are most likely to print off photos “purely to embarrass their friends” -, avoiding 25-34-year-old men - who are most likely to circulate embarrassing photo evidence to colleagues -, steering clear of Edinburgh -  where you’re most likely to be snapped having a drunken sob -, and heading instead to Brighton, whose inhabitants are least likely to be caught on camera doing something embarrassing.

Snapfish by HP today announced its support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Snapfish is introducing WISH! custom cover photo books and new template designs, with 30 percent of the purchase price going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The WISH! photo books will be available for purchase in time for the holidays at the Snapfish Make-A-Wish Store.

Website: Snapfish Make-A-Wish Store

SeenBy.com Fine Art Photography is raising money to support Kids with Cameras through donating a portion of all profits between December 1 and 31 December, 2009.  Kids with Cameras is an organisation dedicated to raising funds and awareness for underprivileged children in Calcutta through print sales, exhibitions, film festivals and a book of featuring their work. During the month of December, SeenBy.com will donate 20 percent of the purchase price from images ordered on the site to Kids with Cameras campaign to fund Hope House. Additionally, the children’s artwork is available in the Kids with Cameras Edition gallery on SeenBy.com.

PhotographyBB announced today the release of the 22nd edition of the PhotographyBB Online Magazine. The November 2009 edition theme is all about “how-to” with some great tutorials and photography techniques to get your photographic creative juices flowing. This month examines some basic macro photography tips, keeping wildlife (and yourself) safe during nature photography sessions, and a new “Evolution of an Image” series where the creation of a photograph is examined from start to finish. The issue also looks at the ins and outs of the Library Module in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Beta. Finally, the Photography Around the World feature takes readers to Cabo San Lucas, which lies in the southern tip of Baja California Sur, a province of Mexico. PhotographyBB Online Magazine is available for free download through the PhotographyBB Website.

Website: PhotographyBB Magazine

Engineering students in the Newcastle and Kidsgrove District have been asked to design, produce and market a photography-related product. Once complete, the products will be assessed by Newcastle-under-Lyme College and JP Service Solutions (JPSS) for their engineering and commercial viability. JPSS have extended their support to the students by setting up a dedicated email address that the students can contact the team on should they have any queries during their time on the course.

Those who subscribe to the monthly newsletter of the New York Institute of Photography (NYIP) will receive NYIP’s Three Guidelines and Six Tips for Great Photographs. A colourful collection of ideas and eye-catching photographs that will quickly and easily help photographers take better pictures, the document is available as a PDF download to all new subscribers. To subscribe to the monthly NYIP newsletter and receive the free download of NYIP’s Three Guidelines and Six Tips for Great Photographs, visit the website below.

Website: The New York Institute of Photography

The entry deadline for Eyes Wide Open with Jillian Edelstein and Sony Ericsson Satio on Vodafone has been extended until Sunday, 29 November. To celebrate the launch of the new, 12.1-megapixel Sony Ericsson Satio handset on Vodafone, photographer Jillian Edelstein has been commissioned to capture the beauty and individuality of 121 eyes in only 12.1 hours. While Julian Edelstein has become famous for her portraits of celebrities, the Eyes Wide Open project “takes her gaze from the world of famous faces, and looks to delve into the realm of visual communication through the exploration of eyes”, the organisers say. Sony Ericsson are searching for people from all over the United Kingdom and all walks of life to be part of Eyes Wide Open. Simply upload your details, an image of your eyes and tell the organisers why you would like to be involved. Jillian will be personally selecting the 61 participants from all applicants and inviting them to an invitation-only Satio studio photoshoot. You can find out more and win the chance to be involved by visiting the website below.

Website: Eyes Wide Open

The Sigma Corporation of America Scholarship will award a cash gift of $5,000 and $1,000 in Sigma products to one talented American high school senior to advance his or her education and goals toward obtaining a career in the photography industry. Applications will be accepted until February 15, 2010. Online voting will occur Feb. 16, 2010 to April 23, 2010, and the winner will be announced May 3, 2010. Applicants are required to submit an application, brief essay and three to five images that have a connecting theme in order to be considered for the Sigma Corporation of America Scholarship. The entire package will be judged based on creativity of subject selection, overall technique and, most importantly, image quality. Students are not required to use Sigma equipment to shoot the photo As always, make sure to read the rules before entering your work.

Website: Sigma Corporation of America Scholarship Application Form

HP today announced at Paris Photo 2009, the European launch of ARTtrust, a system that allows photographers and artists to provide individual identity to any Digital Fine Art Collection Pigment Print, produced on HP Designjet Z series printers using HP Vivera pigment inks with any compatible media. ARTtrust is specifically designed to meet the needs of the art market including creators (photographers, designers, digital or traditional artists), printmakers (artists who print themselves, photolabs, specialized fine art printers, print service providers), retailers (galleries, auction houses) and private or public art collectors. The solution is comprised of BubbleTags, a translucent polymer containing random and self-generated air bubbles affixed to the artwork itself that references the certificate of authenticity filed by the artist. ARTtrust is available for existing and new prints and any Digital Fine Art Collection Pigment Print can be retrofitted on demand. Following its worldwide launch at PhotoPlus Expo 2009, ARTtrust has already received positive feedback from individual photographers, such as Joel Meyerowitz and international photo agencies including Magnum. Commercial availability is slated for January 2010.

Website: ARTtrust Online

A group of British photographers have submitted an e-petition to Downing Street 10, calling on the Government to abandon plans, announced on 29 October 2009, to allow free and unhindered reproduction of photographs without payment or credit on non-commercial websites. The e-petition reads, “We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Abandon plans to amend copyright protection for photographers which effectively amount to nationalisation of photography.” The petition creator, Darren Hector, argues that the new plan is “completely at odds with the Government’s stance on file sharing of other forms of intellectual property… and raises the prospect of crippling thousands of small businesses while protecting large corporate interests.” Interested readers can read the petition - and sign it if they wish, provided they are legal residents or citizens of the United Kingdom - at the website below.

Website: Petition

Kodak, through a partnership with the National Geographic Society and Miller’s Professional Imaging, is offering consumers an opportunity to purchase décor prints of rarely seen images from the newly published book, National Geographic Image Collection. This new book showcases the work of 204 celebrated photographers, with images culled from the Society’s library of 11.5 million images, dating from the late 19th century. Many of the photos are previously unpublished. Through the partnership, consumers will be able to purchase prints in sizes up to 20 x 30 inches, all printed by Mpix, a division of Miller’s, on Kodak professional paper. Information and pricing for the décor prints can be found at:the website below.

Website: National Geographic Image Collection

In honour of Veterans’ Day, ScanMyPhotos.com is offering all active and retired members of the US military free photo scanning through 5 December 2009. Called “Operation Photo Scan,” ScanMyPhotos.com will scan and digitally archive onto a DVD up to 1,000 4”x6” photos for military families at no charge. The only cost will be the company’s standard $19.95 shipping and handling fee. For complete instructions, refer to the website below.

Website: ScanMyPhotos Order Form

Starting on Saturday 7 November in the Guardian and The Observer is a 9-part free booklet giveaway called 100 Years of Press Photography. Each booklet will be grouped by decade, starting with 1910s and 1920s in one part. The booklets promise to be a fantastic collection of images from the last century. The scope of the series ranges from hard news photographs from the front line of international conflicts to social documentary of everyday events, fashion photography and portraiture. Each instalment in the series offers a unique and surprising glance at the decade through the eyes of some of the world’s greatest photographers.

Pentax has launched a European-wide cashback promotion valid on the whole range of Pentax products. The amount of the cashback depends on the value of the purchase - it is £50 on purchases of £650; £100 on purchases of £1,000; £150 on purchases of £1,500 and £250 on purchases of £2,000. To download the claim form, head to the website below. N.B.: All claims must be received by 31st January 2010 at the latest.

Website: Pentax Cashback

Toshiba has announced the launch of a new, back-illuminated 14.6-megapixel CMOS sensor offering enhanced sensitivity. Sampling of the new sensor will begin in December and mass production will follow from the third quarter of 2010. The sensor is of the 1/2.3” size, and the pixel pitch is only 1.4 microns, but Toshiba promises that it will “bring a new level of image quality to mobile phones”. The company says ir will “use the new sensor to promote its full-scale entry to digital camera market”.

Kodak apparently believes “It’s Time to Smile”, as this will be the tagline for its new, fully integrated marketing initiative. Citing recent research that has revealed relationships are suffering across America and people feel lonelier than before, Kodak has started a new campaign demonstrating “the brand’s dedication to strengthening and deepening relationships through sharing images”. The campaign began with social media activities supported by public relations in summer 2009. Kodak has announced three new social media applications that are making it easier and more fun to “share smiles” and photos. These include two Facebook applications, Kodak Konga Line and Kodak Smile Meter, and one iPhone app called Kodak Smile Maker.