Creativity Backgrounds have added a new product to its range. The TwistFlex is a portable pop-up double sided photography / video background. When opened out the TwistFlex background is 2.16m x 1.79 m and folds away into a circle with a diameter of 84cm, it weighs 3kgs so it is very lightweight, it includes circular carry bag. There is a black-and-white option and a green Chroma Key version, priced at £175+VAT.

Gigapan has announced new subscription-based membership tiers to its online community. In addition to the current Basic membership, Gigapan has added Premier, Elite and Enterprise membership tiers. The advanced tiers offer value-added digital products and services, including a for-hire directory, Gigapan Tag and distinct avenues for members to sell their work, with print monetization available to all members at every level. Basic members receive 25% revenue share after costs, while Premier, Elite and Enterprise members keep 100% revenue share after costs. All membership levels have the freedom to set their own pricing. Click through / read on for the details.

Wacom has updated its Bamboo Paper app to Version 2.0  Originally an app focused on note taking, it now offers a broad range of writing and drawing tools, such as a watercolour brush and pencil, that enable users to create particularly individual digital notebooks. Bamboo Paper now features an improvedpalm-rejection, eliminating almost all accidental marks while sketching or drawing. Combined with the Intuos Creative Stylus, the new digital stylus from Wacom, Bamboo Paper 2.0 provides an even more natural and intuitive drawing experience. The app in its basic version can be downloaded for free. Additional styles and tools are offered as in-app purchases at £0.69; new creative pack with a variation of paper styles and brushes or pens can be bought at £2.49.

Canon EOS 6D: The Guide to Understanding and Using Your Camera is a new title from Rocky Nook. In this richly illustrated book—with easy-to-follow screenshots and example images throughout—author James Johnson covers everything from basic camera features to advanced photographic options. Readers will be introduced to the 6D’s built-in GPS and Wi-Fi capabilities. Also covered is the effective use of the camera’s hardware (and some software) as well as certain related accessories. The 280-page volume is priced at $39.95.

Corel PaintShop Pro X6 is now shipping to existing customers, with the global launch scheduled for September 4th. This new version offers much faster 64-bit performance, an improved user interface with dedicated Manage, Adjust, and Edit workspaces, video tutorials, new Auto Selection and Smart Selection Brush tools, and a free Membership program.

Corel PaintShop Pro X6 will retail for 69.99 Euros / $79.99 (£44.99 / 49.99 Euros / $59.99 for an upgrade) for the standard version and 89.99 Euros / $99.99 (£59.99 / 69.99 Euros / $79.99 for an upgrade) for the Ultimate version. The Photo & Video Suite X6 bundle, which combines PaintShop Pro X6 and VideoStudio Pro X6, is priced at 119.99 Euros / $129.

Canon today announced two new  premium compact cameras. The Canon PowerShot G16 (£529.99/€649.99/$549.99, pictured) is an updated, Wi-Fi enabled version of the company's existing G15 model, while the PowerShot S120 (£449.99/€529.99/$449.99) improves on its predecessor - the PowerShot  S110 - by incorporating a slightly faster (f/1.8-5.7) lens and enhanced wireless connectivity options.

Canon today added two new models to its collection of superzoom cameras. The PowerShot SX510 HS (£289.99/€349.99/$249.99)boasts a 30x optical zoom lens and a 12.1-megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor, and offers onboard Wi-Fi connectivity. In addition to capturing high-resolution stills, the camera is also capable of recording Full HD movies with stereo sound, and features a Super Slow Motion Movie mode. The PowerShot SX170 IS (£169.99/€199.99/$179.99, pictured) combines an optically stabilised 28-450mm equivalent lens with a 16-megapixel sensor, and offers 720p HD video recording capabilities. The PowerShot SX510HS and PowerShot SX170 IS are available in the UK & Ireland from 23rd August.

Canon today unveiled the new EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM telephoto zoom lens. Incorporating a new design, the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM sports an optical formula comprising 15 elements arranged in 12 groups (including an ultra-low-dispersion lens element), with an improved close-focus point of 85m throughout its zoom range. The manufacturer's STM technology ensures the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM provides high-performance auto focus when capturing stills, and smooth, near-silent AF in movies with compatible cameras. The integrated optical image stabiliser promises to give users a 3.5-stop advantage over non-IS models. The Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM will be available from late September 2013 with an SRP of £349.99 / €419.99 / $349.99.

Canon U.S.A: has announced a new version of its uniquely designed PowerShot N digital camera. A Canon Direct exclusive, the new PowerShot N Facebook ready digital camera features a dedicated Facebook Connect button that supports instant sharing of images and videos to users’ Facebook accounts. After an initial one-time set-up, pressing the new Facebook Connect Button links the camera to the users’ Facebook account for quick and easy sharing over Wi-Fi. Users can also control the destination of their Facebook uploads by choosing to share content with everyone, or to select Facebook groups. The PowerShot N Facebook ready digital camera will be available in white in September 2013 on the Canon Direct online store for $299.99.

Canon today launched 3 new Web-connected All-in-One photo printers. The Pixma MG5550 (£109.99/€119.99) features a 6.2cm TFT monitor, the Pixma MG6450 (£139.99/€149.99) has a 7.5cm screen, while the Pixma MG7150 (£179.99/€189.99, pictured) boasts an 8.8cm touchscreen display with an Intelligent Touch System, which guides the user through the system. In addition, the Pixma MG6450 and MG7150 allow easy photo printing direct from a memory card. All three new models are Wi-Fi enabled, which allows them to connect to services via Pixma Cloud Link. This ensures seamless printing of photos and documents from popular services such as Picasa, Flickr, DropBox, Evernote and social networking sites including Facebook and Twitter. The new Pixma Printing Solutions app is compatible with all three devices and allows users to control their printer from virtually anywhere in the world via a tablet or smartphone.

Canon today  unveiled three new All-in-One inkjet printers. The Pixma MG2450 (£49.99/€59.99) and MG2550 (£49.99/€59.99) offer print, scan and copy functionality for home and office use. The Canon Pixma MG3550 (£69.99/€79.99, pictured) does all of the above and additionally features Wi-Fi connectivity, supports smartphone and tablet printing and is capable of producing "photo lab quality" prints. The new Pixma Printing Solutions app, which is compatible with the MG3550, allows users to control their PIXMA printer without the need of a PC.

Samsung today announced two new promotions for its NX range of compact system cameras. From today until the 31st October 2013, customers are eligible to receive a free 50-200mm lens worth £249, when they purchase a Samsung NX2000 or Samsung NX300 from participating retailers. Do note that the promotional offers are available to UK and Ireland residents only. To learn more, visit the website below.

Profoto has launched a new range of collapsible reflectors for photographers. Designed with high-quality fabrics, each Profoto reflector has a sturdy yet collapsible squircle-shaped metal frame equipped with two ergonomically shaped handles. Four types of two-sided reflectors are available: Silver/White, Sunsilver/White, Gold/White & Matte Black/White. There is also a translucent screen available to be used as a diffuser. Each of these comes in two sizes: Medium (80 cm /32’’) and Large (120 cm /47”), priced at £59 and £89 respectively.

Today, Profoto released the latest addition to its assortment of speedring adapters: a new and improved RFi Speedlight Speedring, which allows you to use an RFi softbox with speedlights. The product enables photographers to mount not one but two flashes on the bracket, and each speedlight can slide and be tilted inside the softbox, allowing you to create a remarkably even light with no hotspot. The Profoto RFi Speedlight Speedrings come with an attachment for Profoto Air Remotes or radio sync units from other manufacturers.

The "Across the Buildings" photo competition encourages photographers to document Felice Varini's artwork Across the Buildings, a stunning installation spanning nine heritage buildings at Kings Cross. The contest has been launched by the King’s Cross Central Limited Partnership in association with Eurostar. There will be one lucky winner per month and the prize is two Eurostar tickets to Paris – home of the artist. The first winner - Ronan Haughton, a 34-year-old Enterprise and Innovation Contracts Manager - has already been announced. He snapped the winning shot (above) on his iPhone and found himself inspired by the changes taking place at King’s Cross. "“I wanted to capture some of the old and the new of King’s Cross, from the Regent’s Canal to the more modern canal side steps, artificial grass and of course the Felice Varini artwork," Ronan said. "“Across the Buildings is very impressive. Its scale is immediate and adds a new reflection to the changing landscape." The competition will run until the artwork is uninstalled. The winning photograph will be announced at the end of each month.

Canon U.S.A. has announced twenty finalists from the “Project Imaginat10n” Film Contest. “Project Imaginat10n has enabled artistry among filmmakers of all levels and inspired people in the most contrasting disciplines to pursue filmmaking, completely redefining ‘art’ and proving that ‘we’re all creative,’” said two-time Academy Award winner Ron Howard.  “For year two, it was important to me to open the experiment to the masses, especially at film schools where Bryce had the opportunity to share her experience.” The consumer-directed films can be seen at imagination.usa.canon.com. The five winning filmmakers will be announced in September.

Tamron USA will celebrate World Photography Day with a "Garden Macro" photography contest. Entrants will creatively photograph garden-themed macro images and set-up an exhibit at Tamron's 3D virtual online sharing site, MyPhotoExhibits.com, between August 19 and September 19, 2013. Tamron will pick the best overall exhibit based on image quality and creativity. The winner will receive a Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di VC USD Macro 1:1 VC USD lens. The Tamron "Garden Macro" photography contest is open to users of any photographic equipment who reside in the USA and are at least 18 years old. The exhibit must be set up at  by September 19, 2013 and must contain at least 8 images as they relate to topic of Garden Macro photography and use the new "Garden Patio" furniture/ceiling option. All exhibits must be named "Tamron Garden Macro Contest."