The free Alamy Photo Collection iPad app is a gallery of “breathtaking and intriguing” imagery sourced from Alamy’s large network of photographers and international agencies. Alamy’s CEO, James West says “The Alamy Photo Collection app is beautifully simple - it’s free, it looks great, it’s updated every day, and it brings the Alamy brand to an exciting new device for a global audience of photography enthusiasts.”

Website? Alamy Photo Collection

365 Photography Days tells the story of award-winning, freelance photographer Phil Gould, as he travels the globe in search of adventure. It is also a practical guide to photography techniques with hints and tips from an expert. Each day of the journey includes a photo tip, giving advice about everything from lighting techniques and camera settings, to groupings that work and images that sell. The 488-page hardback is going to be available priced at £25.

Nik Software today announced HDR Efex Pro, a completely new HDR imaging toolkit “designed to help photographers quickly and easily achieve the full spectrum of HDR enhancements from the realistic to artistic”. Key features include U Point powered selective tools for fast precise enhancements of contrast, shadow, structure and saturation adjustments, a proprietary tone mapping technology enabling a wide range of HDR styles and capabilities, automatic image alignment and reduction of “ghosts”, integrated video-based help system including education on HDR photography techniques, and more. The suggested retail price of HDR Efex Pro is $159.95. The software will be available in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Gitzo has launched a promotion for UK residents to receive a free tripod bag with every Gitzo Series 1 and Gitzo Series 2 Traveler. When you buy a Gitzo Series 1 Traveler you will and get a GC1201T or a GC2240T. Those that purchase a Gitzo Series 2 Traveler will get a GC3320 and a GC5210 free of charge. Running until the end of September, the promotional offer is available from all authorised UK Gitzo 5 Star dealers.

Website: Gitzo

Paperless Post has partnered with Magnum Photos to offer a range of greeting cards imprinted with Magnum’s iconic images. Paperless Post is a website where users design and send cards digitally without sacrificing the traditions of classic, custom stationery. The website is free to join, and there are 25 free stamps included with sign-up. The Magnum collection features some of the most important fine art photographs from the 20th century - you simply select a photo you like, add a personal message and have the card delivered to the recipient immediately.

Website: Paperless Post Magnum Collection Samples

The BenQ E1420 and 1430 HDR cameras are two new 14-megapixel models with 3x optical zoom, 720p HD video and in-camera HDR imaging functionality. The E1420 and E1430 both come with blink detection, smart scene recognition, “Love Portrait” and “Beauty Enhancer” modes, and a 3-inch, 230,000-dot monitor on board. The E1420 comes in “Elegant Gray” and E1430 in “Cool Blue”. Both will be available in China and Asia Pacific in August, Europe in September, and Latin America in October.

Blurb will host a free webinar covering the company’s PDF to Book workflow. Topics covered include camera white balance and profiles using X-Rite’s Color Checker Passport, monitor calibration and profiling using ColorMunki Photo, creating and using custom printer profiles, soft-proofing in Adobe Photoshop, converting images to the Blurb CMYK profile, setting up InDesign for Blurb books, pre-flight and uploading a PDF book to Blurb. Webinar times include 1pm EDT and 3pm EDT today, plus 1pm and 3pm EDT on 2nd September.

Website: Blurberati Blog

Color Confidence has confirmed the availability of the new NEC SpectraView Reference 241W and 271W monitors. The new screens feature a 3D Look Up Table (LUT) for precise colour space emulation and excellent colour mixture, 14-bit LUT for each RGB channel, Digital Uniformity Control for consistent colour across the entire screen, built-in SpectraView profiler software and more. NEC MultiSync versions of both of these models are also available in the form of the PA241 and PA271, which also offer superb levels of colour accuracy and many of the functions and features of the SpectraView models, the company says.

Website: Color Confidence Monitor Showroom

The new JVC Picsio GC-FM2 and GC-WP10 pocket video cameras feature Full HD video, 5-megapixel stills, a 3-inch touch screen and compatibility with Eye-Fi cards for Wi-Fi connectivity. Users can select from four different recording resolutions: Full HD 1080 (1920 x 1080/30p), HD 720 (1280 x 720/60p), iFrame (960 x 540/30p) and Quarter High Definition (960 x 540/30p). The new PICSIO cameras also offer time-lapse recording, which reduces hours-long segments to mere seconds. The GC-FM2’s special conveniences include a slide-out USB connector, so no connecting cable is needed, while the GC-WP10’s claim to fame is that it’s waterproof to a depth of 10 feet. The JVC Picsio GC-FM2 will be available in early September for $179.95. The GC-WP10 will hit the shelves in late September for $199.95.

Gary Fong has introduced its new tripod adapter for the iPhone 3GS and the iPhone 4. The new Gary Fong iPhone adapter affixes to most tripods as well as the Gary Fong Flip-Cage lineup of camera stands, enabling shooters to steady their iPhones. The adapter features a 1/4-20 female tripod socket, and is constructed of rugged industrial strength plastic to safely stow inside a backpack or pocket. The Gary fong tripod adapter for the iPhone is available for $19.95.

Website: Gary Fong

Want to see exactly what the new Sony A55 DSLR camera looks like in the flesh?

Here are 19 hands-on product shots of the exciting Sony A55, giving you a good idea of just how small it is - click through to view the gallery.

Want to see exactly what the new Sony A580 DSLR camera looks like in the flesh?

Here are 12 hands-on product shots of the traditional Sony A580, which replaces the existing A550 in Sony’s now extensive range of mid-level DSLRs - click through to view the gallery.

The Sony A55 and A33 are two new DSLR cameras that use Translucent Mirror Technology to offer high-speed shooting and smaller size. The 16.2 megapixel A55 can shoot at up to 10fps and has built-in GPS tracking, while the 14.2 megapixel A33 offers up to 7fps burst shooting. 1080i HD Movies with smooth, continuous autofocus during video shooting are available, plus enhanced Quick AF Live View, a 7.5 cm (3”) free-angle LCD, and Tru-Finder (Electronic Viewfinder) with 100% coverage. The new A55 and A33 Single Lens Translucent mirror cameras from Sony will be available from September 2010. The A55 and A33 cameras will cost about $750 and $650 (respectively) in the US and £700-800 and £600-700 in the UK for the body only, and about $850 and $750 for the body and 18-55mm zoom lens.

The Sony A580 and A560 are two new DSLR cameras that can both shoot Full HD movies. The 16.2 megapixel A580 and 14.2 megapixel A560 also offer up to 7fps shooting, an articulating 3 inch LCD, ISO 25,600, 15-point phase-detection autofocus system, in-body sensor shift image stabilisation, 3D Sweep Panorama, Auto HDR and Multi Frame Noise Reduction. The new Sony DSLR-A580 and DSLR-A560 digital SLR cameras will be available from October 2010 for £650-700 and £550-600 respectively. In the US only the A560 will be released, with the 18-55mm kit lens costing about $750, with the body only costing about $650.

Canon have developed a new 120 megapixel CMOS sensor that can shoot at 9.5fps and record Full HD movies. Nearly 7.5 times larger and offering a 2.4-fold improvement in resolution when compared with Canon’s highest-resolution commercial CMOS sensor of the same size, the 120 megapixel APS-H-size sensor has 13,280 x 9,184 pixels. The imaging area of the newly developed sensor measures approx. 29.2 x 20.2 mm. No word yet on exactly what Canon intend to use the new sensor for…

Mamiya, Phase One and Profoto have just today announced the Phase One/Mamiya V-Grip Air, the first vertical grip with a built-in wireless flash trigger. The wireless flash triggering system is an out-of-the-box solution that works with all current and most modern Profoto flash systems. It is also possible to leverage the wireless flash triggering with other flash brands by using an optional receiver unit from Profoto. Additionally, the new V-Grip offers owners of Phase One and Mamiya 645DF cameras more shooting styles, and delivers longer camera battery life through power integration and easy firmware upgrades. The Phase One/Mamiya V-Grip Air for Phase One and Mamiya 645DF camera systems is priced at $1290/€990. An L-bracket/handstrap standalone package is available for $299/€229, while the Profoto transceiver costs $199/ €149.

Carl Zeiss will present new lenses and, for the first time, accessories at Photokina. The “application island” at the booth in Hall 2.1 will allow visitors to test the entire line of Carl Zeiss lenses using a number of real subjects. In addition to the entirely new Zeiss lenses, guests will also be able to use Sony lenses featuring Carl Zeiss technology. Zeiss’ other partner, Nokia, will also present its latest smart phones at the booth, featuring Carl Zeiss optics.

Nikon has released an update for Capture NX. Version 2.2.5 adds support for raw files produced by the Nikon D3100 DSLR, fixes bugs and implements changes to Picture Control Utility specifications. The Macintosh version also adds compatibility with Mac OS X version 10.6.4.

Website: Nikon Capture NX 2.2.5 for Mac
Website: Nikon Capture NX 2.2.5 fot Windows