Zwijndrecht, Belgium-based Galarina today introduced PhotoMeta 1.0, their a new iPad app that efficiently handles a variety of photo metadata including maker notes. The app can extract metadata from any photograph stored on your Apple iPad, including photos synced via iTunes, image files imported with the Camera Connection Kit, and even photos on the Internet, courtesy of an inbuilt Web browser. “Support for maker notes and having the possibility to extract metadata from internet photos is really interesting for a lot of photographers” said Chris Cornelis, founder and CEO of Galarina. The basic version of the app is available as a free download from the iTunes App Store, but note that an in-app purchase of $2.99 is required to uncover all metadata stored in the image files.

The new Velbon Ultra Rexi L tripod is ultra compact (36cm) when folded, but gives a full-size extended height of 153cm and boasts a maximum load capacity of 4kg. Featuring a magnesium alloy collar construction, the Velbon Ultra Rexi L weighs in at only 1.3kg and sports multi-angle legs making it especially useful for macro photography and for use on uneven surfaces. Compatible with the Velbon PHD-64Q, QHD-61Q and FHD-61Q tripod heads, the Ultra Rexi L comes complete with a case and carries a suggested retail price of £149.99.

Two ongoing series of photography work by Katja Hock and Jed Hoyland are featuring in Nottingham Trent University’s new online exhibition space, Wall5. Katja Hock, a senior lecturer in photography at the university, is showing a series of woodland landscapes, based on her childhood memories of an area close to the border between Germany and Holland. Jed Hoyland, also a senior lecturer in photography, presents a collection of photographs of objects, arranged on a mantelpiece in a home. The exhibitions can be viewed online at the website below.

Noise Industries have just released their new still animation plug-in, Photo Montage, powered by FxFactory. Compatible with Apple Final Cut Pro, Motion, Final Cut Express, and Adobe After Effects, the new Photo Montage plug-in “allows users to easily string together images, titles, transitions, and more for a picturesque presentation that creates an animated medley of still photos”, the company says. Features include support for all popular image formats, built-in motion blurring, easy re-ordering and re-timing, and over one hundred different presets. More information can be found at the website below.

Website: Photo Montage

Nik Software today released HDR Efex Pro 1.2, bringing full support for 32- and 64-bit processing when working within Adobe Photoshop. This free update also brings about a speed increase, plus improves overall stability and fixes a few minor bugs. Furthermore, HDR Efex Pro 1.2 supports Intel’s Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX) processing for an optimised performance with Sandy Bridge processors. The update is available to all registered users at the website below.

Website: Nik Software Updates

RigWheels are a simple way to add motion to your HDSLR footage utilising support equipment that you may already own. They can mount directly to your camera rig and can easily be configured as a pipe-dolly, skate-dolly, slider and so on. RigWheels feature four high-quality bearing wheels per carriage, giving you a very smooth roll and enabling each carriage to carry a load of up to 50lbs. “RigWheels along with a nearby piece of pipe, glass, plexiglass, laminate, track or other smooth surface can give you the same seamless smooth motion as other options that cost hundreds more,” the company says. A kit of four RigWheels costs $125, and there will also be a rail kit available for $100.

Website: RigWheels

Alkaline is a new self-hosted, image-based CMS for photographers, illustrators, and other artists. Alkaline features drag-and-drop uploading, automatic metadata retrieval, and deceptively simple theming. Alkaline is purchased on a per-site basis and costs $99.

Website: Alkaline

Foto8 and HOST Gallery have announced the call for entries for the fourth-annual Foto8 Summershow, a photographic award, exhibition and print fair. A panel of judges will choose over 150 images to be displayed at HOST from 8 July – 12 August All works included in the show will be available for sale. Once the show is up, an expert team of judges will choose their favourite photograph to be named “Best in Show”. This will be announced during the fourth week of the show and the winner will be awarded £1500. A second award, “The People’s Choice” will be decided from the votes received in the gallery during the show, and presented with a photographic kit. The deadline for all entries is 15 May 2011. For more information, visit the website below.

LightRocket Media Manager is a new browser-based Digital Asset Management (DAM) system. LightRocket Media Manager works on any platform and handles many kinds of media files including photos, videos, PDFs and audio files.

Oorbi, a new company founded by the GMT Art Group, is looking for young and talented photographers to join its international artists portfolio. In the course of the next six months, Oorbi will open a number of galleries in Europe and Asia, together with a Hong Kong-based online gallery that aims to showcase photographic work intended for global sales. The company says its innovative concept will bring photo artworks to a wider circle of collectors worldwide. Interested photographers can apply online at the website below.

piRAWnha 2 is a new version of the first app to enable raw processing on the iPad. piRAWnha additionally offers XMP rating and tagging, full resolution viewing and export for iPad 2, exporting as tiff, vibrance control and ability to open RAWs from other apps. piRAWnha 2 costs £5.99 / $9.99.

Renowned photojournalist Jack Watson documents the Cuban countryside, cities, and citizens in a new book called Hidden Cuba. According to Watson, “This is an unauthorized journal of photographs taken during my visit. While I certainly share similar and compassionate thoughts about humanitarian aid toward people in need, I felt a greater calling in compiling the images in this book.” Hidden Cuba is available now for $39.95.

Panasonic have teamed up with Adobe and Going Digital to offer a photography gift pack worth £150 with purchases of a selected Lumix G model. Included in the pack are Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 & Adobe Premier Elements 9 software and a £35 gift voucher with Going Digital who offer a wide range of one-day photography workshops.

Remote Exposure: A Guide to Hiking and Climbing Photography by Alexandre Buisse is a new title from Rocky Nook. This book will guide you through the various options for equipment - the requirement for lightweight gear that is able to withstand cold, adverse weather conditions presents unique challenges -, and gives readers the tools needed to create images that are not only of good technical quality but that are compelling as well. Throughout the book you will find advice on where to point your camera and how to compose a strong image. The 168-page hardback is illustrated with 100 photographs captured by the author, and is available for pre-order through the website below for $29.95.

Munich-based Candela Project Gallery nowoffers an online buyer’s option on its new website. The gallery responds to an international trend on the art market, which is reflected in the establishment of online-platforms, -associations and online art fairs. It contrasts the media age’s omnipresent flood of pictures with small editions and a professional selection of trend-setting photographic art. As a special highlight, single works also are available as unique Dyestransfer prints, which are especially appreciated by collectors. Currently, the Candela Project Gallery shows the exhibition EXPIRED, with collages of Polaroids, by the Canadian artist Chad Coombs for the first time in Europe. The exhibition can be visited until the 3rd of July 2011.

Rivolu Pte Ltd has released an Android version of its LightTrac app. LightTrac helps photographers track the elevation and angle of Sun and the Moon for any given date for any location on the planet, allowing them to plan their outdoor photo shoots ahead of time. LightTrac for Android is available now for $4.99 from the Android Market.

The second issue of Landscape Photography Magazine is now available online. This edition includes a great variety of new articles and tutorials, and showcases some spectacular landscape locations in great detail, complete with map links. Fly Geyser, Black & white photography, How to shoot bluebells, Shooting under available night light, Visiting Anafi, Aperture choice, Lightroom tutorial are just some of the subjects covered in the new issue, which can be downloaded from the website below.

Website: Landscape Photography Magazine - Issue Two