The 2011 FEP European Professional Photographer of the Year competition is now open for entries. There are six categories, including wedding; commercial; portrait; reportage; landscape and illustrative, plus there are separate sections for non-European photographers and students. The submission deadline is 31 July 2011. The competition is sponsored by Hahnemühle.

Website: Federation of European Professional Photographers

The new Cinevate Atlas FLT is a lightweight camera slider for video-enabled digital SLR cameras. Featuring a non-reflective, black satin anodised finish, full CNC aluminium/steel construction and stainless steel fasteners, the Cinevate Atlas FLT measures only 26 inches long and weighs in at less than 10 pounds. The slider is equipped with a 3/8” screw, making it compatible with any standard 3/8” threaded ball head. The new Atlas FLT is available now for $579.

The Cinevate Simplis DSLR Rig is a lightweight, “run and gun” support rig targeted at filmmakers, whilst the company’s Grip Sticks allow users to mount standard accessories with ¼-20 threads such as on-camera monitors and external audio recorders. Starting at just $399, Simplis give videographers the ability to customise and scale their rig as desired. Grip Sticks will be available in four variations starting 1 May 2011 throughout the US.

Kodak’s new EasyShare C1530 digital compact camera features a 14-megapixel imager, 3x optical zoom, a 3” monitor, and a wide range of file sharing options. All you need to do is press the Share button when in Review mode, choose your favourite from the list of destinations that include Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, Twitter, Orkut, Yandex, Kodak Gallery, e-mail or a Kodak Pulse Digital Photo Frame, connect the camera to your PC and your images will be automatically sent or uploaded to the chosen website. The Kodak EasyShare C1530 can be yours for $80.

Via 1001NoisyCameras

Fujifilm UK has announced the availability of the Fujifilm FinePix F550 EXR, a 16-megapixel digital compact camera with raw image capture and built-in geotagging; as well as that of the very similar F500 EXR that lacks these features but is offered at a more attractive price. Each model boasts a 24-360mm equivalent 15x optical zoom and a 16-megapixel back-illuminated Fuji EXR sensor with three modes of operation: High Resolution, High Dynamic Range and Pixel Fusion. Furthermore, both cameras record 1080p Full HD video at 30fps, with stereo sound. The Fujifilm FinePix F550 EXR is available now for £329 in black, while the F500 comes in a choice of five colours and carries a price tag of £279.

Kodak has just announced a new all-in-one printer, copier and scanner called the Kodak ESP Office 2170. Featuring simplified Wi-Fi set-up (802.11 b/g/n) and connectivity, the Kodak ESP Office 2170 enables mobile printing of photos from an iPhone, iPod touch, iPad or Wi-Fi enabled Blackberry device with the Kodak Pic Flick App. The ESP Office 2170 also offers important time-saving features, including an intelligent paper sensor that automatically adjusts printer settings based on paper size and type. The devicewill be available in the US by June 2011 for $149.99.

The Sony HVL-F43AM is a compact, dust- and moisture resistant external flash unit for Sony Alpha cameras, featuring Quick Shift Bounce adjustment and wireless ratio control. The company’s innovative Quick Shift Bounce system, which debuted on the more powerful HVL-F58AM of 2008, allows flash head position to be adjusted instantly when switching between horizontal and vertical compositions, maintaining consistent shadow positions regardless of camera orientation. Wireless Ratio Control, available on the Sony A900, A850 and A700, makes it easy to select light emission ratios for up to three separate flash units. The zooming head of the HVL-F43AM covers the angle-of-view range of a 24-105mm lens on a full-frame digital SLR camera, and the flash boasts a guide number of 43 (in metres at ISO 100/21°) at the 105mm setting. Powered by four AA type batteries, the Sony HVL-F43AM recycles in about 2.9 seconds after a full discharge, and is available to photographers worldwide from Spring 2011.

In a surprise announcement made today, Cisco unveiled that it is closing down its Flip camcorder business as part of a major restructuring project. The news comes only a week after the company announced an update to its FlipShare software and launched a suite of FlipMobile apps for Android and iOS devices. Promising to “support current FlipShare customers and partners with a transition plan”, Cisco says it will “realign the remaining consumer business” in an effort to focus on its five key company priorities.

Swann Security has launched the Swann DVR-460 SportsCam, a small, standard-definition (VGA) camcorder that ships with a proprietary waterproof case and a myriad of mounting accessories. Video is recorded in AVI format to (optional) MicroSD cards, while the camcorder’s proprietary battery can be charged via the supplied USB cable. The SportsCam is available now at SRP £99.99.

Think Tank Photo has announced a camera bag that accommodates one standard size DSLR camera with one to three lenses, or a complete Micro Four Thirds or rangefinder camera system. Scheduled to go on sale in May 2011, the soft, fkexible and lightweight Think Tank Retrospective 5 shoulder bag sports a strap featuring cushioned non-slip pad for long-term comfort, a convenient carrying handle for quick transport and a seam-sealed rain cover. Priced at $129.75, the Think Tank Retrospective 5 measures 25.5x21.5x15cm and weighs in at 1kg.

The Eye-Fi Mobile X2 is an 8GB SDHC memory card that provides instant uploads anywhere by wirelessly connecting the camera to a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet. The card will be available for pre-orders immediately on Amazon.com, and available at Apple and Best Buy stores across the U.S.A. for $79.99 on 17th April. Owners of other Eye-Fi X2 cards will benefit from Eye-Fi’s Direct Mode, scheduled for release later this week, which empowers the cards to establish a direct connection to a mobile device by creating their own Wi-Fi network anywhere. The launch of Direct Mode will be accompanied by new Android and iOS apps that enable smartphones and tablets to receive files sent from an Eye-Fi X2 memory card. Direct Mode and the accompanying apps are offered as free upgrades to every Eye-Fi X2 card.

This year’s judges have chosen Hungarian photographer Tamás Dezs? as the overall winner of The Center Awards. The awards, now in their 16th year, offer support and exposure via a photographic career hallmark, an exhibition at the New Mexico Museum of Art, $5,000 cash award, publication in Fraction magazine, tuition to the Santa Fe Workshops, printing services from Singer Editions and more. Tamás’ project, “Here, Anywhere”, which documents a slowly changing country in the heart of Europe, has convinced the jury with its clear concept and unique style. For more work by the winning photographer, visit his website by following the link below.

Canon is exhibiting a wide range of products at the 2011 NAB Show, booth # C-4325. Included in the booth’s exhibit will be Canon’s new PL-mount lenses, a new portable 20x HD zoom with a built-in extender (pictured), the company’s robotic pan-tilt HD cameras, the new Canon XA10 professional camcorder, XF300-series and XF100-series professional camcorders, EOS DSLR cameras, the REALiS WUX4000 Installation LCOS projector, and large-format imagePROGRAF printers.  Also on display during the show will be the new Technicolor CineStyle for the Canon 5D Mark II, a custom picture style which provides cinematographers with the image latitude for digital intermediate colour-grading and delivery.

Manfrotto School of Xcellence has announced that it has enrolled photographer Michael Freeman and CEO of Kelby Media Group, Scott Kelby to create an inspiring photo educational programme. weekly tutorial by Michael Freeman will present practical photographic expertise in areas like colour management and composition, while a monthly video tutorial by Kelby Media Group will focus on providing easy tips and photography tricks for beginners.

Toshiba has announced two new camcorders with Full HD capability: the Camileo B10 and the Camileo P100. The Toshiba Camileo B10 is a neat, robust yet lightweight and pocket sized camcorder that can be kept close at hand for spontaneous shots, while the Toshiba Camileo P100 is a more advanced model with 5x optical and 8x “advanced” zoom. The B10 features a 5-megapixel CMOS sensor, while the P100 has an 8-megapixel one. Thanks to their high-resolution imagers, both can capture stills in addition to recording Full HD video footage. Furthermore, both devices are SDXC compliant, and each features an Upload Button, which allows easy uploading of videos to social networks.

Getty Images has announced that entries are now open for the 2011 Grants for Editorial Photography programme. First established in 2004, the Grants for Editorial Photography provides five grants of $20,000 each to provide photojournalists with the funding to pursue projects of personal and journalistic significance. Grants will be awarded by independent judges, including Jon Jones, Emanuela Mirabelli, Cyril Drouhet, Tom Stoddart and Jean-Francois Leroy. For further information, visit the website below.

Canadian training developer Infinite Skills has released a comprehensive Photoshop course specialising in photo editing and optimisation. Their Adobe Photoshop CS5 tutorial ($99.95) is a 10.5 hour course for Apple Macintosh users, which is now available on DVD-ROM and as a direct download from the company website. The course includes lessons on skills such as colour correction, how to remove unwanted objects from images, dodging and burning, camera raw, photo restoration, HDR effects, how to create panoramas, whitening teeth, image sharpening and even tips on creating better shots with a digital camera. While the videos feature Adobe Photoshop CS5, the lessons also explain how the same results can be achieved in older versions. There are 138 tutorials in total, 20 of which can also be accessed free of charge at the company’s website.