Mastering the Nikon D7000 by Darrell Young is a new title from Rocky Nook. This book guides readers through the camera features with step-by-step setting adjustments; colour illustrations; and detailed how, when, and why explanations for each option. Every button, dial, switch, and menu configuration setting is explored in a user-friendly manner, with suggestions for setup according to various shooting styles. The 496-page volume is available in printed form for $34.95, or as an e-book for just $14.95, through the website below..

Fujifilm has just announced the Fujifilm FinePix F600EXR digital travelzoom camera, which features a 16-megapixel EXR CMOS sensor, 15x optical zoom, GPS Landmark Navigator, raw image capture and both automatic and manual exposure modes. The FinePix F600 EXR uses key aspects of the specification first seen on the F550 EXR, but adds extra functionality. The camera now features a new EXR Auto mode with a Motion Detection capability, making it better at deciding whether it needs to raise the ISO sensitivity to capture a blur-free shot in a low-light situation. The GPS Landmark Navigator helps you pin-point interesting landmarks around you and shows you where they are in relation to your current location. Additionally, the Fujifilm FinePix F600 EXR offers an enhanced Motion Panorama mode for 360° panoramic images and a continuous shooting mode with frame rates up to 8fps at full resolution. For users preferring to capture video footage, the FinePix F600EXR offers full HD 1080p movie capture with stereo sound and a high speed movie option for freezing fast moving action at up to 320 fps. The Fujfilm FinePix F600 EXR will go on sale at the end of October with an RRP of £269.

The Fujifilm FinePix JX370 is an affordable, entry-level 14-megapixel digital compact camera with 5x optical zoom, HD video capture and easy-to-use photo sharing options. Simply scroll through the images on the rear LCD, mark the ones you want to publish and, once connected to your computer, the images will instantly upload via Fujifilm’s MyFinePix Studio software. Additionally, the Fujifilm FinePix JX370 features Photobook Assist where you can create the book in camera and preview it by ‘turning’ the pages on the LCD screen. Other highlights include a panorama shooting mode; face, smile and blink detection technologies; automatic scene recognition and an I-Flash function for natural subject illumination in flash shots. The Fujifilm FinePix JX370 will go on sale in October with an RRP of £89.

Photo Productions - a London-based company that produces Premium Photobooks for weddings and special occasions - have reduced the price of their pre-designed sample albums by up to 70%. Three sample sizes are available, starting at £15.00 for Pocket Book samples, rising to £95.00 for a 12x15”. For more information, visit the website below.

To celebrate the launch of the LS-20M; a new device that delivers recording studio sound quality with HD movie capture, Olympus is launching a battle of the bands competition in collaboration with Harvest.  The winning band will receive an Olympus LS-20M as well as an opportunity to play at the festival on the main stage on Sunday, 11th September. Available for £280/$300, the Olympus LS-20M comes with a range of Movie effects, including Pop Art, Pin Hole, Punk and Sketch and also features dual LCD panels as well as two condenser microphones for recording 24 bit/96 hHz linear PCM stereo sound.

Brooklyn-based Caseable is now offering iPad and Kindle book jackets that you can customise with your own photos. The newly introduced iPad Book Jacket can be fully customised on the front and
back covers, as well as the spine. You can lay your photos and graphics out over the entire case, or even write your name on the spine. “With the refined sublimation print technology, the Book Jackets are not only great for self-expression or gifts, they are also ideal for photographers and artists looking to promote their work,” Caseable says. Products start at $29.90 and ship in one day with local production in Brooklyn, NY.

Sony has launched a series of ‘How-to’ guides across multiple platforms, to give customers handy visual guides to getting the most out of their Sony Handycams, Cyber-shot and interchangeable-lens digital cameras. The guides, available via YouTube and a number of major retailers’ websites include easy-to-understand tips and tricks and provide answers to the most commonly asked product related questions. All of the videos are professionally recorded and, where possible, made available in HD. If consumers want to find out even more, each video includes a link to a website where further details are available.

The winner of the Nikon Photo Contest International (NPCI) 2010-2011 competition has been revealed. Billed as the biggest international photography competition in the world, NPCI 2011 saw more than 60,000 entries submitted by approximately 23,000 photographers from 153 countries. The winning image, “Learning to Fly” by Indian photographer Debarshi Duttagupta (above), was taken in Varanasi, India. Commenting on why the jury chose this photo as the overall winner, judge Hiromi Tsuchida said: “This image tells three stories in synchronicity, exhibiting the passage of time and the simultaneity of life.” A selection of the winning photographs will be on display at Getty Images Gallery, London, from 15 September until 13 October 2011.

Website: NPCI

Underwater Photography Guide has announced that the prestigious Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition 2011 is now open for submissions. The competition has 12 categories, including a Novice DSLR category and 3 compact camera categories, giving underwater photographers of all levels a chance to win a prize. Unique categories include SuperMacro, Cold/Temperate Water, Nudibranchs, and Divers/ Fashion. The more traditional categories include Wide-Angle, Macro, Marine Life Portraits, and Marine Life Behaviour. There are over $75,000 worth of prizes, including over 25 liveaboard and scuba diving resort packages, dive equipment, and more. For more information, visit the website below.

Bob Books is launching its first UK-wide celebration of photobooks in September. Taking the form of a touring workshop that will call at 10 cities across the country, Photobook Month is aimed at photographers and photobook lovers looking to improve their photobook projects or get some inspiration from photographers and photobook experts. Bob Books’ general manager Ibolya Németh said: “We wanted to celebrate photobooks in their many forms and the best way to do this is to invite photographers and photobook lovers to join us for a month-long celebration of photobooks in September.” Tickets are £10 in London and £5 everywhere else and limited to 15 tickets per city. Click through / read on for a full list of dates, locations and guest speakers.

Filled with 156 high-quality panoramic photographs from Kolor’s 2011 Panoramic Photography Competition, Rocky Nook’s Panobook 2011 is a beautiful, 224-page hardcover book that opens to 24 inches across two pages. “This collection of images provides an introduction to the best of today’s panoramic photography and serves as inspiration for the interested photographer,” the publisher says. “Laymen and photographers alike are certain to be delighted as they embark on a tour of the world.”

Burrard-Lucas Photography has launched a new “Wildlife” photo contest. They are looking for striking and original photographs taken anywhere in the world. The winner receives a Canon EOS 60D digital SLR camera and a $100 Amazon gift voucher, while two runners-up will be awarded with $25 gift vouchers. Entry to this contest is free and you will retain copyright over any pictures you submit. The submission deadline is 15th October.

Website: Burrard-Lucas Photography - Wildlife Photo Competition 2011

The organisers of PhotoBook London are reminding interested photographers that today’s the last chance to enter their self-published photo books to be on show and for sale during the fair. Giving photographers and publishers a platform to get their books seen and sold, PhotoBook London will take place at Hotshoe Gallery from 2-5 September, offering events, exciting talks and book reviewing sessions, all with the intention of promoting independent, and self published books. To submit a book for consideration or simply to learn more, visit the website below.

Website: PhotoBook London

Olympus has released firmware updates for six digital cameras. The Olympus XZ-1, E-P2, E-PL1 and E_PL2 gain support for the new VF-3 electronic viewfinder, while the updates for the VR-310 and VR-320 compacts improve the image quality of the rear LCD screen. You can learn how to update your camera’s firmware by clicking through to the website below.

Website: Olympus Firmware & Language Update Instructions

Epson has just introduced the Epson Artisan 837 ($299.99) and Artisan 730 ($199.99) wireless all-in-one printers for photo enthusiasts. The company claims that the Epson Artisan 837 and Artisan 730 deliver the world’s fastest 4”x6” photo print speeds of any inkjet photo all-in-one priced at $299 or less.  Both models allow users to print from any room in the house with built-in wireless and Ethernet networking, and both. offer Epson Connect for hassle-free printing on the go. With Epson Connect, mobile device users can print photos and documents directly from compatible tablets, smart phones and other mobile devices. Both devices are capable of scanning and copying reflective media such as documents and prints. The difference between the two models is that the flagship Epson Artisan 837 also offers high-speed colour copying and faxing with a 30-page automatic document feeder.

The third issue of Adore Noir Magazine is now available. Adore Noir is a fine art photography magazine available exclusively in digital format. Featuring artistic nudes by Elena and Vitaly Vasilieva, amazing macros by David Johndrow, sensual portraits by photographer/model April-Lea Hutchinson, landscapes by Håkan Strand, fine art photographs by Charles Grogg and architectural photography by Thibault Roland, this issue reinforces the magazine’s commitment to high-quality black-and-white imagery. In addition to introducing the featured artists, issue #3 also includes articles on topics such as censorship in photography and Art vs. Science, plus an interview with master printer Mike Crawford. The latest issue of the magazine is available for $2.95 from the website below.

Website: Adore Noir