G-Technology, in conjunction with a number of creative professionals in photography, film and music, is hosting the first ever European Creatathon and is looking for participants. The event, which takes place on Wednesday 18th July 2012 simultaneously in London and Berlin, is a one-day challenge and G-Technology is inviting aspiring photographers, film-makers and musicians to The Future Gallery in London to collaborate on high quality content that will benefit the local charity, Film & Video Workshop, that provides training and facilities for filmmakers and animators. You can sign up at the website below.

Phix software has released MonoPhix HD 1.2, a major update to its black-and-white photography app for the iPad. The new version incorporates better support for multitasking, support for the new iPad’s retina display, a new mode allowing tonal adjustments, colour filters, vignetting and the ability to share your pictures on the new Phix filter and photo sharing service. MonoPhix HD 1.2 is available on iTunes for $1.99.

Corel has posted a free update to Corel Painter 12. Version 12.2 offers new flow maps, multi-touch support for Wacom Intuos5 touch pen tablets and Cintiq 24HD touch interactive pen displays, and vertical docking for palettes. The update can be downloaded from Corel’s website.

Canon has unveiled a new Wi-Fi enabled Compact Photo Printer called the Canon Selphy CP900. “The addition of Wi-Fi connectivity offers users the flexibility and convenience to print from a variety of situations without sacrificing the overall quality of the output,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. The Canon Selphy CP900 Compact Photo Printer can produce a high-quality 4 x 6-inch image in approximately 47 seconds. An added feature of the printer is a new 2.7-inch screen with double the overall resolution of any other similar Canon Compact Photo Printer to date. The estimated selling price of the Selphy CP900 Compact Photo Printer is $99.99.

Canon today announced three Photo All-In-One printers – the PIXMA MG4220 Wireless, PIXMA MG3220 Wireless and PIXMA MG2220. Each new printer uses the FastFront feature for easy changing of ink and paper from the front of the printer and can also produce borderless edge-to-edge 4x6-inch photos in approximately 44 seconds at a maximum colour resolution of 4800x2400 dpi. A new feature for these affordable printers is My Image Garden software combining various tools to help consumers organise memorable photos and create new photo projects. There is also a new Facebook application, Print Your Days, allowing users to easily access and customize their photos stored on the social networking site. The estimated selling price is $129.99 for the MG4220, $79.99 for the MG3220 and $69.99 for the PIXMA MG2220.

Canon U.S.A. has issued a statement saying the front rubber grips on a certain batch of its EOS Rebel T4i / EOS 650D digital SLR cameras may turn white after a short period of time. The phenomenon is caused by a substance called zinc bis (N,N’-dimethyldithiocarbamate), which is a by-product of a chemical reaction between the rubber accelerator and other substances. (The company says the quantity of rubber accelerator used in the affected production lots was slightly higher than usual.) In addition to the colour change, the substance may, in rare cases, cause allergic skin reactions to develop when it comes into contact with your skin. Click through / scroll down to read the product advisory, which also contains instructions on determining whether your camera is affected or not.

We’ve teamed up with Lovecases.co.uk to offer one lucky winner the opportunity to win a Hama Daytour 180 SLR camera backpack.

The lucky winner is Nick Board. Congratulations!

This bag has been designed by professional photographers, for professional photographers. The spacious interior, with highly logical and functional layout shows that this bag has been tested on the road for hours, where every single detail and layout has been meticulously thought through. The backpack is comfortable to wear, and provides easy access to your equipment so you’ll never miss your shots.

Check out Lovecases’ camera cases and dslr camera bag range.

Earth’s Beauty Tours have announced a new photography workshop on the Isle of Arran on the west coast of Scotland. Taking place from 2-7 April 2013, this workshop is designed for everyone interested in landscape photography. The price (£1,195) includes five nights’ accommodation on a non-sharing basis, breakfast, packed lunch and three-course dinner, return ferry crossing from Ardrossan to Arran, éne-to-one and group tuition and all transport during the course, tutorials on image processing and more. For more information and to register visit the website below.

PQ Blackwell is looking for photographers to test its new tailor-made book service, MILKbooks, during the month of July. Participants will get the benefit of exclusive design templates and tools specially created by Geoff Blackwell and his team of award-winning designers and editors. The test offer is being backed by a promotion of 8 free books for every 10 purchased during July. PQ Blackwell will also reward “early-adopter” photographers with a unique code that entitles them to 10% discount on all purchases for the next 10 years. To register, visit the website below.

DZED Systems have announced Dragonframe 3.0.4 for Mac OS X, The program simplifies stop motion animation, motion graphics, and visual effects, with integrated USB control of Nikon and Canon DSLRs. The application supports lip-sync, automated lighting via DMX, 3D stereoscopic capture, and camera motion control. Previously called Dragon Stop Motion, Dragonframe 3.0.4 offers support for the latest DSLRs from Canon and Nikon, including the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 1D X and 60Da as well as the Nikon D4, D800 and D800E. The update is free to Dragonframe 3 users.

Nik Software has just released HDR Efex Pro 2. New features include an improved tone mapping engine, full GPU processing and multi-core optimisation, a new depth control function, chromatic aberration reduction, graduated neutral density control, and more. Available now, HDR Efex Pro 2 installs as a plug-in to Photoshop CS5 & CS6, Aperture 3, Lightroom 3 and later, and sells for for €99.95.

Nikon has posted a firmware update for the Nikon D4 digital SLR camera. According to the company, version 1.02 incorporates the following modifications and fixes:

The BenQ G1 is a new digital compact camera with an f/1.8-4.9 lens and a swivelling rear screen. Billed as the world’s slimmest camera in its class, the BenQ G1 is built around a 14-megapixel sensor and a 24-110mm equivalent lens that features optical image stabilisation and an ultra-bright f/1.8 maximum aperture at the wide end. Constructed of seven elements - including one aspherical lens element - in six groups, the lens was designed by BenQ themselves and is built using a high-transmission and part-glass lens material. The articulated, 3-inch screen offers a resolution of 920,000 dots and a wide colour gamut for more saturated colours and realistic images. Other highlights include full HD video capture, a mode dial with manual and semi-automatic shooting modes, a ‘Handheld Night Shot’ mode, a ‘Background Defocus’ filter, several creative filters and a continuous shooting mode of 6 frames per second. The price has yet to be communicated.

Manfrotto School of Xcellence has announced a one-hour webinar exploring the use of light shapers hosted by lighting master Joe McNally. In Adventures in Light Shapers of All Sizes and Sources, he will explain the importance of a light shaper to individual images. Attendees of the webinar will have access to the tips and tricks of the trade of how to approach wide lighting in their own photography. The webinar is free and open to all. For more details and to register, visit the website below.

AKVIS today announced SmartMask 4.0, its latest selection tool designed to make image area selection simple. With a few mouse clicks SmartMask v.4.0 helps select fluff, hair, fur, tree branches, glass, or a transparent veil as well as remove unwanted colour shades left on the cutout object by the environment. Now the software is accessible in two editions: as a standalone program and as a plugin to photo editors. The new version also adds compatibility with Adobe Photoshop CS6. SmartMask 4.0 is available for purchase with a Home license for 2 computers ($90), Home Deluxe license ($120) and Business license ($160).