The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) is presenting an exhibition titled ‘A Dream of Humanity’ in Paris. Among the works on display are images by world-renowned photojournalist Reza Deghati as well as photographs from the ‘Faces’ initiative by HIPA which involved photography of and by Syrian children in a refugee camp in Northern Jordan. The exhibition is on view until 15 October 2015, on the banks of the River Seine.

The Astrophotography Manual: A Practical and Scientific Approach to Deep Space Imaging by Chris Woodhouse is a new title from Focal Press. Beginning with a brief astronomy primer, the book takes readers through the full astrophotography process, from equipment choice and set-up, through image acquisition, image calibration, and processing. Along the way it explains how sensor performance and light pollution relate to image quality and exposure planning. The 288-page paperback is available for $49.95 / £31.99.

Adobe have announced that the next release of Adobe Camera Raw (v9.1.1) will be the final version available for use with Photoshop CS6. Customers who wish to edit raw image files produced with the newest cameras in CS6 will need to convert them first to DNG format using the free Adobe DNG Converter utility. Subscribers to Adobe Creative Cloud (CC) will continue to receive the latest updates as long as their subscription lasts. The release date for ACR 9.1.1 has yet to be communicated.

Update: Adobe Camera Raw 9.1.1 has now been released.

A sea view photography competition, run by the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society (SMS), is still on the hunt for the UK’s ultimate sea view as the deadline looms. Having already seen a wave of entries, the competition, which is in its second year, will be judged by a panel of experts:  Matt Havercroft, editor of Discover Britain Magazine, Kate Westaway, a marine photographer and TV producer and Commodore Malcolm Williams, the Charity’s chief executive. The prize, donated by P&O Ferries, will be a five-day return crossing on their Dover to Calais route for a car or caravan and up to nine passengers. The deadline for entries to the competition is 7 August 2015.

Cuba: This Moment, Exactly So by Lorne Resnick is a new title from Insight Editions. During more than fifty trips to the island over the past twenty years, Resnick has sought to capture the experience of being in Cuba; the result is a collection of moments filled with passion, friendship, love and laughter. Featuring over 250 colour and black-and-white photos, this deluxe coffee-table book is organised around thirty-two lyrical micro-stories by Pulitzer Prize–nominated author Brian Andreas, works inspired by Resnick’s Cuba photography and Andreas’s own visit to the island alongside the photographer. Releasing in November, Cuba: This Moment, Exactly So is priced at $75.

Amphoto Books are set to release the third edition of Bryan Peterson's classic guide, Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color, and Composition in Photography. Fully revised with all new tips, photos, and exercises drawn from his international workshops at the Bryan Peterson School of Photography, veteran instructor Peterson takes a radical approach to creativity by explaining how it is not just an inherent ability but a skill that can be learned and applied. Using inventive images from his own portfolio, he details the basic techniques that go into not only taking a particular photo, but also provides insights on how to improve upon it — helping readers avoid the visual pitfalls and technical dead ends that can lead to dull, uninventive photographs. On sale from 4 August 2015, the 160-page paperback is priced at $25.99 USD / $30.00 CAN.

TeoreX, the company famed for its BatchInpaint, FolderIco, Inpaint, iResizer and PhotoSticher applications, has released PhotoScissors 2.1. Targeting users who don’t want to learn secrets of retouching, PhotoScissors makes background removal easier than ever. Now the user can remove the photo's background, and immediately replace it with another one. Additionally, the "Shadow" option first introduced in PhotoScissors 2.0 has been further enhanced in the new version of the program. Now, a user can choose the colour of the shadow to create eye-catching visual effects. And for better presentation of the cut out objects, the new release features updated and improved image edge handling. The price for a single license of PhotoScissors is $19.99. PhotoScissors is available both for Windows and Mac OS.

BenQ has partnered with Adobe to launch a new promotion for creative professionals. Those purchasing a new BenQ 24” PG2401PT colour critical monitor can now get a one-year membership to Adobe Creative Cloud Photography (worth £102). The Creative Cloud Photography plan combines the creative power of Adobe Photoshop CC with the management and enhancement tools within Adobe Lightroom CC. This new BenQ / Adobe offer is available to purchase through leading photography retailers and is distributed exclusively by Colour Confidence in the UK, Poland, France, the Nordics and Spain.
 

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the Calumet Photographic store in Glasgow (Oakbank Ind. Estate, Glasgow) is hosting a week of special events featuring experts from leading photography brands to offer advice and product demonstrations; from Tuesday 4 until Friday 7 August. On Tuesday, Profoto will offer some hands on demonstrations with their new range of flash equipment. On Wednesday, the much acclaimed Pentax 645Z will be under the spotlight, with Eizo also demonstrating its professional monitors, and Colour Confidence advising on the importance of correct colour. Thursday will see Fujifilm showing off the new X series cameras and lenses, as well as demonstrating how simple it is to produce top quality framed canvas prints at a fraction of the price of the commercially available variety, with the help of Epson. The week will end with a pro video day: Canon will demonstrate an extensive range of pro cameras and lenses with microphones and headphones from Sennheiser; stability will be added by Manfrotto; Global Distribution will handle sound recording with its range of Atomos recorders, also showing backup solutions from G-Technology; and keeping everything on track, Konova will demonstrate its tracks and sliders. All events are taking place from 10am until 4pm on each day; admission is free.

The Casio Exilim EX-ZR3000 is a raw-capable digital compact camera with a 1/1.7"-type back-illuminated CMOS sensor, a 25-300mm (eq.) f/2.8-6.3 lens, plus Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. Other highlights include a 3-inch, 921,600-dot LCD screen that tilts up 180 degrees, plus a front-mounted secondary shutter release to facilitate the capture of self-portraits. The camera can record 1080p movies at 30 frames per second, and reduced-resolution videos at up to 1,000fps. The Casio Exilim EX-ZR3000 will become available on 31st July (in Japan) in Black and White. The initial monthly production volume is 10,000 units. There is no word on international availability and pricing.

Casio Japan has announced the Exilim EX-ZR60, a 16-megapixel compact camera with a 25-250mm equivalent zoom lens, a 180° tilting LCD screen and a secondary shutter release on the front panel to facilitate the capture of self-portraits. The camera features Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity for easy image sharing via Ripplex's Scene smartphone app, plus a range of "SELPHY Art" modes whose effects can be previewed on-screen. Due to be released on 28th August (in Japan), the Casio Exilim EX-ZR60 will be available in Green, Pink and White. The initial monthly production volume is estimated at 15,000 units. Pricing to be confirmed.

Fantasea have announced an upcoming release of an underwater housing for the brand new Sony RX100 IV digital compact camera. Providing full access to all essential camera controls and functions, the Fantasea FRX100 IV housing is depth rated to 60 metres, and features a shock-resistant construction, ergonomic design and double O-ring protection. Free extras include a hand-strap, moisture detector and port cover. Also compatible with the Sony RX100 III, the Fantasea FRX100 IV underwater housing will be available from September 2015 at an estimated retail price of $500.

PhotoShelter's Pro plan now allows for unlimited file storage. This means that pro members are no longer restricted to 1TB, having the freedom to upload as many images as they like; at no extra cost. "As a PhotoShelter Pro, you'll have full control over what, when, and how you choose to store with us," the company says. "Upload any file format or size, with as many images as you like -- as often as you like -- and rest easy knowing your original files can be accessed anywhere, anytime." The subscription fee is $49.99 / month.

Metabones have issued a firmware upgrade for four of their Canon EF to Micro Four Thirds adapters. Applicable to the Canon EF to Micro Four Thirds Speed Booster  S Adapter  (model number MB_SPEF-M43-BM2, pictured), the Canon EF to Micro Four Thirds Speed Booster Adapter (model number MB_SPEF-M43-BM1), the Canon EF to Micro Four Thirds T Speed Booster  ULTRA 0.71x Adapter  (model number MB_SPEF-M43-BT4) and the Canon EF to Micro Four Thirds T Speed Booster  XL 0.64x Adapter  (model number MB_SPEF-M43-BT3), Firmware Version 1.7 enables auto focus on Panasonic Micro Four Thirds camera bodies and fixes a couple of bugs.

Metabones Canon EF to MFT Speed Booster Adapter Firmware V1.7 for Mac OS
Metabones Canon EF to MFT Speed Booster Adapter Firmware V1.7 for Microsoft Windows

PhotoWhoa has released a new ebook entitled, 22 Landscape Photography Mistakes And How to Avoid Them. Offering 22 lessons that promise to help you shoot a landscape "as a veteran landscape photographer would," this publication describes a number of techniques that emphasise and magnify the environment; and shows you how to modify your visual instincts so that you avoid common mistakes. The book is available now from PhotoWhoa, and free for a limited time only.

The first solo UK exhibition of images by Magnum Photographer Harry Gruyaert will open at the Magnum Print Room (63 Gee Street, London, EC1V 3RS) in September. The exhibition will span Gruyaert’s work from 1972 to 2004, shot in diverse locations including Bosnia, Belgium, Egypt, France, Ireland, Mali, Russia and the US. Also on display will be a small selection of Gruyaert’s photographs from his distorted television images series, shot directly from a broken television screen on which he could manipulate the colours. The four works on show are of the 1972 Munich Olympics and are a parody of the conventions of the current affairs photostory. This body of work was controversial when first exhibited in Paris in 1974, viewed as a disrespectful assault on the culture of television with a radical challenge to the conventions of press photography. Gruyaert himself views these works as the closest thing to journalistic photography he has ever made. On display from 15 September – 31 October 2015, the exhibition is free to attend.

Timelapse Workshops have announced that their upcoming 3-night and 4-night advanced timelapse photography workshops will be held in Death Valley in late September and early October. Combining daily class time with plenty of in-field instruction and shooting, these workshops focus on teaching you the skills needed to capture day and night timelapses in motion. The workshops are led by award-winning cinematographer Ron Risman. Risman has been a photographer for over 30 years and has specialised in timelapse photography since 2008. For more information, visit the website below.

Adobe have released version 1.2 of Lightroom Mobile for Android phones and tablets. This update adds support for raw image files generated by the Panasonic CM1, enables users to copy and paste adjustments from one photo to another, introduces a more sophisticated tool for cropping and straightening your photographs, and introduces the new Segmented view, which gives you a different way to view and engage with your photos.

Amazon has just  opened its new multi-million pound  fashion photography studio in London. At 46,000 sq ft, it  houses 22 individual photography bays, a large state-of-the-art editorial  suite, video editing facilities, a creative fashion library, and several offices. “Our aim is to make Amazon the best place to buy fashion online,” said  Sergio Bucher, Vice President of Amazon Fashion EU.  “The opening of our new fashion studio, in  the heart of one of the leading fashion capitals of the world, illustrates our  ambitions.” The new Amazon Fashion Photography Studio is situated on Geffrye  Street in Shoreditch.