Issue 31 of Landscape Photography Magazine is now available to download. This edition includes a guide to infrared photography, a review of the book Scotland's Fifty Finest Mountains, an essay on image sharpness by David Hay, an interview with Hans Strand, a test report on the Pentax K5 IIs digital SLR camera, an article on photographing Yellowstone National Park, and much more. Do note that the full contents of Landscape Photography Magazine are available to subscribers only.

The Society of Nature and Wildlife Photographers (SINWP) has announced the winners of its "In The Wild" photographic competition. Bridgena Barnard from Cape Town, South Africa was chosen as the winner from over 650 images entered in to the competition with the image entitled ‘Leopard Stashing Kill’ (above). The photograph was taken on a Nikon D700 with a 500mm lens. Bridgena has won 12 months membership to the SINWP. The runners up Arun Koushik from India and Anne Algar from Middlesex, UK have both been awarded 6 months membership.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom LTE Edition is now commercially available in continental Europe. As the first smartphone to feature a 10x zoom lens. the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom has caused quite a stir when it was first announced in June this year. Now the company has added LTE connectivity to the already compelling feature set of the phone: "The introduction of LTE capabilities to the Galaxy S4 Zoom demonstrates our commitment to providing customers with the best possible product on the market," says Simon Stanford, Vice President, IT & Mobile Division, Samsung UK & Ireland. "It’s powerful, stylish and is perfect for those who want to take outstanding pictures from a device that’s always with them and then share them immediately and easily." The UK availability of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom LTE Edition will be announced in due course.

SanDisk today commemorates its silver anniversary by ringing The NASDAQ Stock Market Opening Bell. SanDisk’s anniversary celebrations also include the company’s 5,000-person workforce volunteering in charitable programmes throughout the year in all countries in which SanDisk operates. “When Eli, Jack and I started SanDisk in 1988 we knew flash memory had great potential,” said Sanjay Mehrotra, SanDisk’s co-founder, president, chief executive officer.  “The company’s growth and impact have far exceeded our expectations. While we reflect upon the many achievements and milestones, SanDisk’s employees are focused on creating the technology and solutions that will drive the next 25 years of industry transformation and value for our shareholders."

Epson has announced the winning concept for its “Finish Strong” advertising campaign photography contest. The Finish Strong ad campaign contest invited photographers to submit 200 words or less describing their idea for Epson’s next Finish Strong print ad. At a vantage point 800 feet high atop the antenna on the Prudential Tower overlooking the Boston city skyline, Joe McNally and his photography crew recently shot the winning photo envisioned by a participant from the competition. Josh Lohmeyer from Pylesville, Maryland had the winning entry with the concept of a photographer on top of a tall, distinctive building with a large city skyline as the backdrop. “When we read Josh Lohmeyer’s entry, we were struck by the challenge of such a shoot, and yet could also visualise it – what a magnificent undertaking it would be with such a rewarding result," said Richard Day, group product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America. "Joe McNally and his team brought Josh’s vision to life with a breathtaking finish.”

Learning to Photograph by Cora and Georg Banek is a new title from Rocky Nook. Sold separately, Volumes 1 and 2 give photographers essential information about technique and design as well as an understanding of the big concepts of photography. In the first volume, the authors focus on the basics of camera technology: optics and exposure; while the second volume addresses visual design and composition. Topics covered include managing light, colour and its effects, sharpness and blur, shapes and lines, and more. Each volume sells for $39.95.

Photographers and artists have just four weeks to enter the Inaugural Art Gemini Prize. Open to all photographers and painters form anywhere in the world, the Art Gemini Prize is described as "a celebration to promote international contemporary art for emerging and established artists." A cash fund of £5000 will be awarded to the winners in three categories, Photography, Painting and Public Choice. The shortlisted applicants will be exhibited in London at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery. Do note that entry fees apply. The deadline for entries is 30 September 2013.

From 3rd September until 29th December, the  Library of Birmingham will be hosting Reference Works, a major new exhibition of photographs by Michael Collins, Brian Griffin, Andrew Lacon and Stuart Whipps. The exhibition is the product of the largest and most important photography commission ever undertaken in the city and will be the inaugural exhibition in the new Discovery Gallery at the Library of Birmingham. 

At long last, Facebook has announced the addition of a shared photo albums feature, which enables multiple users to contribute images to the same album. This will come especially handy for vacation and event themed photo collections. The creator of the album can invite and remove contributors, and set the privacy level (Contributors Only, Friends of Contributors or Public). Contributors can add and tag photos, edit the album and add other contributors; but they may only edit or delete the photos they've uploaded. The owner of the album can delete any contributor's photos. When a contributor is removed, they'll be able to delete the photos they've added to the shared album from their activity log.

Website: Facebook | Shared Albums

NYC-based AC Gears have recently released the 3-megapixel Bonzart Lit Digital Camera for $39.99, with plans to introduce a waterproof case before the holiday season. Targeted at beginners, children and toy camera collectors, the funky  Bonzart Lit has been a huge hit in Japan, selling out within the first few weeks of its debut. AC Gears are now bringing it to the US market. “The Bonzart Lit is a great gift idea for artsy kids or to add to your personal collection," said Kohn Liu, founder of AC Gears. "At $40, it’s really a break-through price point for the digital camera category."

The Rapid Box Octa XL/XXL from Westcott is an octagonal light-shaping tool with a characteristic wrap-around quality of light. The softbox features a sturdy aluminium alloy framework, removable interior and front diffusion panels as well as a built-in speed ring (Bowens / AlienBees / Profoto). The Rapid Box XL has a diameter of 36 inches and costs £300, while the Rapid Box XXL has a size of 48 inches and sells for £360. Also available is a deflector plate, priced at £35. All prices quoted include VAT.

iblazr, a tiny device that uses four powerful CREE LED lights to provide much more light than any smartphone’s built-in flash, was originally intended for smart devices only. The addition of a cold shoe mount has now opened doors to the world of DSLR and compact camera videography. With the cold shoe mount, the iblazr can be attached to any DSLR that has a video mode and to portable cameras with a hot shoe mount. "“With the cold shoe mount, the iblazr will be the smallest DSLR constant light system on the market,” founder Vlad Tislenko said. “In this case, smallest doesn’t mean least powerful. The iblazr can be compared with a 24 LED constant light system in terms of luminosity." For more information, check out iblazr's Kickstarter page, where backers can opt to add the cold shoe mount in new packages: $47 for the plastic iblazr, $67 for the aluminum and $100 for a set (one plastic and one aluminum iblazr) and two cold shoe mounts. Availability is slated for December 2013.

Calumet has launched two new portable flash systems. The Genesis GF200 with its 360 degree illumination and 200Ws power output will retail at £285 and its larger sibling, the GF400, with similar illumination but with 400Ws power output, will cost £385. Each unit boasts a large LCD display; simplified controls; a separate  On/Off button; rotating head with vertical adjustments up to 90 degrees; MF-Assist Beam for low-light or low contrast conditions; audio-ready function and built-in overheating protection circuitry. Both units are capable of wireless-remote manual power control when used with the company’s Genesis 433MHZ 16-Channel Wireless Trigger kit. The GF200 and GF 400 are designed to be used with the PowerPort Duo 1000 - a rechargeable, interchangeable battery pack with a price tag of £127.

Samsung USA has announced availability and pricing for the intriguing Samsung Galaxy NX Camera. The Android-powered compact system camera, which takes interchangeable lenses and boasts 3G/4G LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity, will be available from October priced at $1,599.99 (body-only) or $1,699.99 (bundled with an 18-55mm lens).

Adorama is now shipping its brand new photography diffusion and accessories line, Glow by Flashpoint. The range offers softboxes in varying shapes and sizes, including the Grand Softbox in two different sizes, and unique HexaPop products, which combine the flattering diffusion of a softbox with the soft focused light from the reflective, curved surface of an umbrella, the company says. Also available in the Glow by Flashpoint collection are the Glow Speed Rings for Bowens and for Balcar/White Lightning. Glow by Flashpoint products are now available in the Adorama store, located at 42 West 18th Street in New York City, and online at the Adorama website.

The redesigned Nero Trigger is a multi-functional camera trigger which helps photographers take photos of high-speed events such as popping balloons, breaking glasses, exploding items and so on. The device is compatible with Canon, Nikon, Sony and Pentax cameras. Nero Trigger comes in Black, Red, Blue, Green, Orange and Purple, and retails for $199.

The Canon Digital Learning Centre Blog now features regularly updated educational information, tips for imaging enthusiasts and news on Canon products. Recent topics include field reports from Canon Live Learning events, protecting camera gear from summer elements, dissecting an EOS C500 Steadicam rig, and a little-known LP-E6 battery management trick.