Blurb seeks entries for the first-ever Best Blurb Books Contest. Submissions will be accepted through October 22, 2009. Beginning October 23, the public can cast their votes for their favorite books submitted. One vote per person per category will be accepted through November 9. Once public voting is closed, one judge in each category will select a grand prize winner and a runner-up from among the Blurb books that received the most votes. There is no cost to enter the Best Blurb Books Contest other than the cost to purchase one copy of the book you design and submit.
Photo books can be entered at the website below in one of three categories - family, pets, or travel - for a shot at one of three $3,000 grand prizes or one of three $1,000 runner-up prizes. As always, we recommend that you read the rules before entering your photography book.

Website: Blurb Books Photography Book Contest

World-renowned photographer and director Chase Jarvis has announced the availability of his newest book, The Best Camera Is The One That’s With You: iPhone Photography by Chase Jarvis, together with an iPhone app called Best Camera and an online community, thebestcamera.com. The book, which is a collection of his iPhone photography, reveals what is possible with an iPhone camera. Available now from Peachpit, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders and other retailers worldwide, The Best Camera Is The One That’s With You: iPhone Photography by Chase Jarvis is priced at $19.99. The Best Camera App, which allows users to creatively edit and share iPhone images via a unique set of filters and effects, is available for $2.99 from the App Store.

Website: The Best Camera

The multimedia specialist MAGIX presents its new ‘Video easy’ software as “probably the world’s easiest video editing program.” During development it was important to help users overcome their fears and clear obstacles out of the way. Without any detours or distractions, the software achieves your required goal. However Video easy still inludes elegant user navigation and the latest technologies: MAGIX Video easy accepts AVCHD camcorder videos without a glitch, the company claims. This program comes not only with eye-catching menu templates for DVDs, but also with the function for publishing directly on YouTube. MAGIX is currently offering a deal on its Video easy and PC Check & Tuning 2010 programs, which can now be purchased in a bundle for £39.99 + shipping.

Website: Video easy

Building on the popularity of their beginner trainings, Nik Software has decided to offer advanced users a number of pro webinar specials. These are presented by internationally known photographers and digital artist that give you their personal tips ‘n’ tricks live and direct. On November 3rd, for example, the successful photographer and popular speaker Robin Preston will show you advanced techniques for increasing the quality of your pictures, e.g. by changing the whole look into the 40s Pin-Up style or the current look of commercial photography, and much more. If interested, you can sign up at the website below.

Website: Nik Software

KelbyTraining LIVE has announced the addition of a brand new seminar tour for the Adobe Creative Suite – Adobe Creative Suite 4 Unleashed! – to its line up of live, one-day, regional photography and Adobe Photoshop seminar tours. Featuring National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) and Adobe Certified Instructors Dave Cross and Rafael “RC” Concepcion, the first Adobe Creative Suite 4 Unleashed! seminar debuts in Miami on Oct. 7 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Attendees will learn how to streamline their workflow with the powerful integration features of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, and Acrobat. The entire full day of training is $49, or $39 for NAPP members, and includes a free Adobe CS4 Suite Integration DVD by Dave Cross. Registrations are taken online at KelbyTraining LIVE, or calling 800-201-7323, Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 7:00pm.

Cognitec Systems Corporation, a company which develops, markets and deploys well-established and market-leading face recognition software to global customers and government agencies, today announced it will deploy its face recognition technology in Adobe’s consumer digital imaging and digital video editing software. The collaborative effort will focus on the Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Premiere Elements products. Cognitec and Adobe believe that the pairing of their combined technologies in a consumer product environment should greatly enhance the functionality of Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements software and address the growing consumer demand for improved face-matching or finding capabilities within the market.

FUJIFILM U.S.A. has announced the availability of the Instax Mini 7S Instant Camera and Instax Mini Instant Colour Film to the U.S. market. The Instax Mini 7S is a compact and lightweight instant film solution for the on-the-go photographer or photo enthusiast. Fujifilm’s line-up of Instax instant cameras have been enjoying success in Asia and Europe for years, which has allegedly helped generate a loyal following in the United States, particularly over the last year. The new Instax Mini 7S has an electronically controlled shutter and sports a built-in flash for low-light shooting. The Instax Mini Instant Film has a sensitivity rating of ISO 800/30° and an image area of 1.8"x2.4”. Camera and film will be available at retail locations beginning in September, 2009. MSRP for the Instax Mini 7S Instant Film Camera is $95.99 while MSRP for a 10-Pack of Instax Mini Instant Film is $19.99.

DxO Labs have posted detailed raw-based image quality data on the Olympus E-P1 mirrorless interchangeable-lens system camera and the Phase One P40+ medium-format digital back / camera system. The findings are available on the DxOMark website, a free online resource that delivers key objective sensor performance metrics measured directly on the raw image for a variety of cameras.

Website: DxOMark

Sony UK celebrated a hard-fought victory over Sony Italy in the 6th of 7 twilight football games by graciously signing the match ball for a local fan (see picture). At a picturesque setting in the Pinnacle Desert, Western Australia, the final score was 17-14 to the UK, as more than 100 spectators looked on and used Sony’s latest low-light cameras to record the action. The UK team, who battled their way through a London-based football competition to earn their ticket to Oz, outbattled and outpassed the skillful Italians to edge a tightly-fought encounter.

We’ve already published sample images from both the WX1 and TX1 compact cameras earlier this week, with both coping well at ISO speeds that are beyond most pocket cameras thanks to the new Sony Exmor R sensor technology. The new Alpha A550 was also in evidence at this showcase Sony event, with its 7fps continuous shooting speed and maximum ISO of 12800 proving useful for the ever darkening conditions - Mark Goldstein took the main picture at the fastest ISO speed in virtual darkness.

We’ll be bringing you full reviews of the TX1, WX1 and Alpha A550 in the next few weeks…

Google has released version 3.5 of Picasa, its free image editing application for Windows and Mac. The new version has name tags and uses the same technology that powers name tags on Picasa Web Albums. Picasa 3.5 also features face detection, a technology it uses “to create groups of similar faces”. Finally, Picasa 3.5 also has integrated Google Maps to make geotagging even easier. Now you can add location info to photos—one photo at a time or several photos at once.

Website: The Official Google Photos Blog

Work by twelve of the world’s leading photographers, one of whom will receive this year’s Prix Pictet photography prize for environmental sustainability will go on display for the first time at Purdy Hicks Gallery, London from 5 to 7 October. The Prix Pictet is an annual search for photographs that communicate powerful messages of global environmental significance under a broad theme. This year that theme is ‘Earth’. Photographers shortlisted for the £60,000 prize are Darren Almond, Christopher Anderson, Sammy Baloji, Edward Burtynsky, Andreas Gursky, Naoya Hatakeyama, Nadav Kander, Ed Kashi, Abbas Kowsari, Yao Lu, Edgar Martins and Chris Steele-Perkins. This London preview is two weeks in advance of the prize announcement and exhibition opening at the Passage de Retz in Paris on 22 October and a world tour of the exhibition. The Purdy Hicks Gallery is located at 65 Hopton Street, Bankside, London SE1 9GZ, and the opening hours are 10am - 6pm.

PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo has announced that the Arnold and Augusta Newman Foundation will provide details of a new prize established to identify and reward individuals who exhibit “new directions in photographic portraiture,” during the annual PDN PhotoPlus Expo trade show. In addition to announcing the details of the award, Gregory Heisler, world-renowned photographer—and Artist in Residence at Hallmark Institute of Photography—will present a lecture of his own work, reflect on Newman’s influence and legacy, and talk about his formative experiences as Newman’s assistant.  Heisler’s presentation and details of the annual award will be held on Thursday, 22 October at 6:00 p.m. inside the Jacob Javits Convention Center The “Arnold Newman Prize” for new directions in portraiture will be available as a separate category entry in PDN’s Photo Annual competition and will recognise an individual for their innovative approach to photographic portraiture.

Buffalo Technology has just announced a high capacity, lightweight, portable USB hard drive, the MiniStation, with in-built Hardware Encryption that protects your data. The MiniStation is a low cost, external hard drive ideal for storing, backing-up and transporting digital photos, giving people access to their important files wherever they are. The MiniStation is compatible with both PC and Mac, connecting directly using USB and requires no additional power supply. With built-in Memeo AutoSync and SecureLockMobile software, you can ensure your files are always up to date and protected from unauthorised access. Thanks to the Hardware Encryption, you can even set a password that protects your data from prying eyes. The MiniStation will be available shortly, with pricing starting at £69.99.

Sony is reminding interested photographers that the 2010 Sony World Photography Awards is open for entries. With categories for both professional and amateur photographers, the Sony World Photography Awards is one of the world’s largest photographic events. The awards are a platform for both established and emerging photographers and in 2009 the competition attracted over 60,000 entrants from 139 different countries. The competition for professional photographers incorporates 12 categories across three genres – commercial, fine art and photojournalism/documentary. The overall winner will take the L’Iris D’Or title together with $25,000 along with Sony camera equipment. The 36 category finalists will then be exhibited in galleries across the world as part of the Sony World Photography Awards Global Tour throughout 2010 and 2011. New for the 2010 awards, a documentary category has been introduced for amateur photographers. Whether documenting a person, place or current issue, the category is looking for an image which captures momentous occurrences of every day life. From the nine categories, one photographer will be chosen as the Sony World Photography Awards Amateur Photographer of the Year and win a grand prize of $5,000 and Sony camera equipment. Click through / read on for the full list of categories and key dates.

Kubota Image Tools has announced the Fall schedule of its free Webinar Wednesdays. Webinar attendees will have a chance to learn tips and tricks for using the Kubota DASHBOARD, Kubota AutoAlbum, Kubota Workflow and much more. Each seminar begins at 10:00 am PST, 1:00 pm EST. Upcoming webinars will take place 23rd and 30th September, 7th, 14th and 28th October and 2nd, 9th and 16th December. For more information about the complete Kubota Image Tools 2009 Webinar schedule and to register,  visit the website below.

Website: Kubota Image Tools Webinar Schedule

Adobe have just released Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac and Windows. Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac complements iPhoto and now includes all of the intelligent photo-editing options as the Windows version. Windows users of Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 can easily manage media and find photo and video clips even faster than before with the enhanced Organizer. The new Auto-Analyzer automatically analyses and tags media so users can quickly find the most interesting and highest quality content and People Recognition identifies people in photos, becoming more intelligent over time, as it learns to associate names and faces. With Adobe Photomerge Exposure, users can simply merge multiple shots of the same scene, with and without a flash, together to create a perfectly lit photo that shows every detail. And for even more creative possibilities, Windows users in the US have the option to purchase Plus. Additional benefits include 20GB of storage for automatic online backup and sharing, as well as regular deliveries of tutorials, tips and tricks, seasonal artwork and interactive online templates sent directly to the desktop software. Photos and videos can also be accessed anywhere with an Internet connection at Photoshop.com. Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 costs $99.99 with the Windows version being available now and the Mac version coming in October 2009. Plus is available to Windows customers in the US only, for $49.99/year.

Photography Unplugged by Prof. Harald Mante is a new book that is meant to present the wealth of Mante’s photographic work and at the same time to advocate a pure, straight approach to photography, untouched by digital image editing tools - uncropped and unmodified captures of scenes as seen through the viewfinder. Harald Mante’s photographs, all captured on Kodachrome slide films, will inspire beginners and expert photographers alike, and will reveal the beauty and magic of masterfully composed photography. Kodachrome was the first slide film Harald Mante ever used and remained his staple film for decades. Therefore, this book is also a way for the artist and the publisher to say “goodbye” and “thank you” to this legendary film whose last remaining variant, Kodachrome 64, was recently retired by Kodak. Photography Unplugged is published by Rocky Nook, and distributed internationally by O’Reilly Media. The price of the 208-page book is $49.95 / £38.50.

The Magnum AW series of pro bags has been redesigned to be more durable and suitable for today’s professional camera kit. The interior is constructed of one-piece foam framing, fully padded and incorporating adjustable inserts allowing a photographer to customize his or her kit to work for any scenario. A removable accessory pocket is included also to hold four memory cards, cords, batteries and cables. The Magnum AW series features an exclusive Lowepro molded base providing stable protection while on the ground, water-resistance and the ability to stack bags in multiples too. There are three sizes available, the Magnum 200 AW and Magnum 400 AW, which meet most airline carry-on size requirements, and the Magnum 650 AW. The bags can carry a Pro-DSLR with lens attached plus 3-4 lenses plus accessories, up to the Magnum 650 AW which holds 1-2 Pro-DSLR’s with 8-10 lenses and accessories and also offers a padded notebook sleeve with integrated sunshade that you can use at the top of the bag for an impromptu work platform. In the UK, Lowepro products are distributed exclusively by DayMen International Ltd.