The Fujifilm Student Awards 2011 is now open for entries. The theme for this year’s Award is ‘Senses’ with students being briefed to capture an image that encapsulates at least one of the five senses - sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. All images must be taken on Fujifilm Professional film and submitted via the contest website. Entry is free and students can enter as many photographs as they wish. The closing date for entries is 28 February 2011.

Website: Fujifilm Student Awards

MiMedia is a next-generation backup and access provider for amateur and professional photographers. Currently in Beta, MiMedia allows users to “secure and access their digital lives” instantly from any web-connected PC computer or iPhone. MiMedia has developed a new and patent pending approach to initial backups. Users can either backup their files over broadband or use MiMedia’s free Shuttle Drive service for faster upload. The Shuttle Drive service leverages a specialised and encrypted hard drive (pictured) sent to the user shortly after signup. Attached to the PC by USB, the Shuttle Drive encrypts and backs-up all selected files automatically. The drive is then returned to MiMedia in the same box using the enclosed label. Post initial backup, new and changed files are secured automatically over broadband. A subscription-based service, MiMedia offers monthly and annual options, starting at $5 per month or $50 per year for 25GB storage.

Cameras Underwater has launched a redesigned version of its Aquatica underwater housing for the Nikon D3 series. This newer housing will accept the latest Nikon D3S version as well as all Nikon D3 and D3X models. Extra controls for the D3S’ video features have been included and larger, more tactile control knobs added for better feel in cold water.  In addition, the new housing back can be retrofitted onto existing D3 housings, extending their life span. The Aquatica D3 range housing is available now to order from Cameras Underwater at £2978.71 excluding VAT.

The Seashell SS2 is a universal waterproof digital camera case designed for digital compact cameras. Billed as the world’s first universal waterproof digital camera case for models with a lens located in the top left corner, the Seashell SS2 is compatible with over 150 internal zoom-type digital compact cameras, and complements the SS1, which fits cameras with a centrally located lens. Supplied with a comprehensive accessory kit, the Seashell SS-2 is available now from Cameras Underwater for £149.99 including VAT.

Cameras Underwater has announced a new underwater housing for the Sony NEX-5 compact system camera. Depth rated to 300ft/90m, the Aquatica AN-5 housing has an anodised shell, powder coated to a smooth finish that will resist years of extensive use, the company says. All controls are double sealed and every shaft and push button has been manufactured to a mirror smooth. A quick access lever serves to bring the internal flash up and down for easy switching between strobe and ambient light photography. The Aquatica AN-5 waterproof housing is available to order now from Cameras Underwater. Price to be confirmed.

Nikon has announced the launch of the new Nikon Professional Services (NPS) global website. The NPS Global site has been developed to serve as a portal that distributes the latest information to assist NPS members working globally in their photographic activities, the company says. Among other things, it provides: links to regional NPS sites to find out about practical local information, local service facility list for photographers to visit when they face with equipment problems while they are on overseas assignment, and world-wide NPS service depot information.

Website: Nikon Professional Services

Akvis has released version 1.5 of Akvis Nature Art. Described by its developers as “an excellent tool for imitating the magnificence of natural phenomena”, AKVIS NatureArt lets photographers choose from six nature effects including rain, water, lightning, clouds, fire and Sun. Version 1.5 introduces the option of changing the colour of lightning bolts and coluds in the Lightning and Colours effects, respectively, and adds new languages to the program’s interface. The software is now available in seven languages including English, French, German, Russian, Italian, Portugese and Japanese. Available as a standalone program or as a plug-in to an image editor, Akvis NatureArt costs €55 / $72, with version 1.5 being a free update to existing users.

Apple has just released an update to Snow Leopard, which adds system-level raw support for ten new digital cameras. The additional cameras supported by MacOS X 10.6.5 include the Canon EOS 60D, Powershot S95, Hasselblad H4D-40, Nikon D3100, Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5, Sony DSLR-A290, A560, A580, A33 (pictured) and A55.

Website: Apple

On Monday 22 November, join Uzair Kharawala of SF Digital for a talk about photographing weddings in extreme conditions, from shooting at the world-famous ICEHOTEL in Sweden at -30° C to photographing in Borneo, Malaysia in temperatures over 30° C. Participants will learn about using Aperture 3 for a complete workflow, sorting through images to find the keepers, batch processing and more. The event will take place in the Apple Store at 235 Regent Street, London, starting at 7pm.

Recommended Reading: How to Take Photos in Extreme Cold by Uzair Kharawala

The new AutoStitch 3.1 brings significant improvements in panoramic photography to users of the iPhone 4 and the new iPod touch 4G. While AutoStitch has already been widely used on these new devices, Version 3.1 introduces some important new features, including multi-tasking to complete a stitsch while a user runs other apps, improved Facebook uploads and the option of entering a caption directly from the app. Many other small interface improvements and bug fixes are included. AutoStitch 3.1 is $2.99 and available through the App Store.

Application Gap has announced that its product, Easy Release 1.8 for iOS, is the first application approved by Getty Images, Inc for creating digital model and property releases. Getty announced its approval on 9th November via its creative contributor website. Note that Getty has only approved Easy Release for iOS version 1.8.100814 (the current version available in Apple’s App Store). Robert Giroux, founder of ApplicationGap, says “Since its release in March 2010, Easy Release has gained wide and enthusiastic acceptance from professional photographers.  While many stock agencies have for months been accepting model and property releases created with Easy Release, approval by Getty Images means far more professionals will be able to take advantage of our application to save time and money.”

Today marks the UK launch of the Sony Bloggie Touch Full HD pocket camcorder. The new Bloggie Touch has a 3-inch capacitive touch screen that automatically adjusts for vertical or horizontal shooting and viewing, enabling its users to shoot video right-handed, left-handed, right-side-up or even upside-down. Equipped with an f/2.8 wide-angle lens, 8GB of memory and a sensitive Exmor CMOS sensor, the Bloggie Touch has SteadyShot image stabilisation for smoother footage and a built-in USB arm for easy charging and uploading to a computer.

MediaPad Pro is a new app for the Apple iPad which, accordig to its developers, will “revolutionise” the presentation of professional portfolios. The app comes equipped with features such as a fully customisable interface, offering instant access to showcase a selection of work and even edit presentations on the spot. MediaPad Pro is available now on iTunes for $14.99.

The five winning young photographers of a global photography competition run by the World Photography Organisation and UNICEF have just returned from Ethiopia following a week of unique workshops. The five youngsters - aged 16-19 and from Brazil, Morocco, New Zealand, Romania and the United States - took part in the Eye See workshop themed around children’s rights alongside local Ethiopian children and was led by acclaimed photography and humanitarian Reza. The five young photographers were among thousands of young people from around the world who submitted photographs to a competition launched last year by David Beckham and Ewan McGregor asking for images that highlighted one of the five fundamental rights of a child.

The Lomographic Society has released three new members of the Diana camera family. The three new clones of the Diana Mini include a pink, a white and a black version. These 35mm “toy” cameras can shoot two different frame sizes including 24x24mm square and 18x24mm half-frame, and the photographer can switch from one to the other even mid-roll. The Diana Mini White is available at a price of £55 / €60 / $70, whereas the Diana Mini En Rose (pink) and Petite Noir (black) retail for £99 / €100 / €110.

Samsung has announced the release of the music video for indie band OK Go’s latest song, “Last Leaf”, filmed using the Samsung NX100 compact system camera. The “Last Leaf” video was made using thousands of photographs taken with the Samsung NX100, woven together to create a stop motion animation clip. The images were combined with hand-drawn animations created by the band, along with award-winning animator Geoff McFettridge. “Samsung’s been great because we had a creative idea and they had the tools to help us make it,” said Damian Kulash, lead singer of OK Go.

Website: Last Leaf

The Broadway show ‘Time Stands Still’, which follows a photojournalist and a foreign correspondent trying to find happiness in a world that seems to have gone crazy, is running a talk back series. The next event in the series will take place on 16th November at the Cort Theatre, 138 West 48th St, New York. Moderated by Newsweek senior international photo editor James Wellford, the talk back will feature Pulitzer Prize-winning Getty Images staff photographer John Moore, Getty news photographer Mario Tama, and Reportage by Getty Images photographer Shaul Schwarz. Past talk backs can be listened to online at the website below.

Website: Time Stands Still Talk Backs

James Clews has been named the Express Insurance photographer of the year. “My photograph was taken at Hawkstone Park in Shropshire for the British series and captures the renowned motocross rider Mike Brown,” James said. “The idea of the shot was to give the rider a better sense of speed and bring out the colours. I used a panning shot which is a great technique in photographing this sport.” James’ winning prize is £250 worth of KTM motorcycle gear plus an exclusive one-to-one photography lesson with professional photographer Ray Archer.