Fondation Carmignac has anounced Libya: A Human Marketplace, an exhibition of work by Mexican photographer - and the 7th Laureate of the Carmignac Photojournalism Award - Narciso Contreras, hosted by the Saatchi Gallery, London, from 16 May to 16 June 2017. Contreras lays bare an unfolding humanitarian crisis in which illegal migrants, refugees and asylum seekers are at the mercy of militiamen who exploit them for financial gain. Held in detention centres, the migrants are subjected to inhumane conditions including overcrowding, lack of sanitation and vicious beatings. The exhibition of 32 photographs by Narciso Contreras will be displayed from 16 May to 16 June 2017 at London’s Saatchi Gallery.

The Epson International Pano Awards 2017 competition is now open for entries. Dedicated to the art of panoramic photography, the 8th Epson International Pano Awards is open to all professional and amateur photographers with a combined pool of more than $50,000, including $22,000 cash. Prizes include an Epson SureColor P7070 and an Epson SureColor P5070 printer, and an Epson EB-1776 ultra-slim projector. “Epson is proud to continue its support as the title partner of The International Pano Awards in 2017,” said Craig Heckenberg, General Manager, Business Division, Epson Australia. “Each year the competition continues to go from strength to strength and nothing highlights this better than the fact that the awards now attract entries from over 60 countries around the world. The images submitted are nothing short of spectacular and I am confident 2017 will raise the bar once again.” For the first time ever, Nikon is now also sponsoring the Awards. Early-bird entries are open now until Sunday, 9 July 2017.

Fantasea line has just launched the rugged FRX100 V housing for the Sony RX100 V, RX100 IV and RX100 III cameras. Providing full access to all essential camera controls and functions, the Fantasea FRX100 V housing is depth rated to 60 metres, and features a shock-resistant construction, ergonomic design and double O-ring protection. Free extras include a hand-strap, moisture detector and port cover. Do note that the FRX100 V is very similar to the FRX100 IV housing. However, the FRX100 IV has a built-in front port thread design compatible with 55mm wet lenses and also includes in the box a 55-67mm lens ring adapter. By contrast the FRX100 V has a built-in front port thread design compatible with 67 mm wet lenses and is therefore not compatible with 55mm ones. The Fantasea FRX100 V underwater housing is available for $529.95.

Magix have released the latest version of their video editing software, Video Pro X. From 10-bit HEVC decoding/encoding and professional colour grading to 360° editing and precise audio mastering, this new edition offers powerful tools for broadcast-quality results. In addition, scalable proxy editing, preview rendering and hardware acceleration enable real-time video editing in HD, 4K and 360°. The software supports all formats from the professional and consumer sector such as ProRes, HEVC 10-Bit, AVC and MPEG-2. Thanks to new support for lookup tables in Video Pro X, it can sync flat recordings with LUTs from the camera manufacturer or upload cinematic effect LUTs to create unique film styles. Lookup tables save colour grading information and can easily be imported and applied, or custom created and saved. The latest version of Video Pro X is now available in stores and online for £349.00.

Phase One today announced a new capture solution for Cultural Heritage digitisation projects: the iXG Camera System. The robust, fully integrated camera - available in 50MP and 100MP configurations with exchangeable repro-lenses (72mm and 120mm macro) guaranteeing one million actuations - makes the iXG Camera System a powerful tool for processing high volumes of Cultural Heritage subject matter including documents, books, transparent film, glass plates and more. Operating on a new version of the Capture One CH software, the iXG Camera System provides precision focus control through motor driven focusing, with position recording of the lens to ensure accuracy. Contrast-based autofocus sets distance and resolution parameters accurately. The iXG Camera System is available for order now through Phase One Cultural Heritage Partners. Shipping commences in June 2017. Prices start at €33,990.

The Phase One IQ3 100MP Achromatic is the World's first 101-megapixel achromatic digital back. Featuring a new CMOS sensor design and state-of-the-art focus on classic black and white photography, the Phase One IQ3 100MP Achromatic has a top ISO of 51,200; making it the most light sensitive medium format digital back available today. The IQ3 100MP Achromatic’s 101-megapixel sensor is produced without a Bayer colour filter, allowing all available light to be captured unaltered and unobstructed. With no colour information to be interpreted, the sensor is free to focus solely on capturing the highest level of detail, nuance and luminance. The IQ3 100MP Achromatic Digital Back also provides an electronic shutter, long exposure of up to 60 minutes, HDMI output, WiFi capabilities, full IQ3 XF Camera System integration, and compatibility with other camera bodies, as is standard with all IQ3 Digital Backs. "The IQ3 100MP Achromatic enables photographers to capture a timeless expression,” said Stefan Sándor, Vice President Marketing and Product Management. “The detail, tonality and image quality must be experienced first-hand, as seeing is not only believing, but truly inspirational.” The MSRP for the IQ3 100MP Achromatic digital back is $49,990. Shipping will begin in early August.

Sony and the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) have worked together to help raise awareness of some of the world’s rarest species through a stunning photography series shot entirely on the Sony RX10 III camera. This spring, UK photographer and finalist in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2014 and 2016 Sam Hobson, an award-winning Finnish wildlife photographer Lassi Rautiainen, Spanish nature photographer Javier Alonso Huerta, Swiss wildlife photographer Markus P. Stähli and nature photographer Gustav Kiburg set out to capture some of the rarest mammals and birds in the world including the European Bison, the Atlantic Puffin and the Little Bustard. Yann Salmon Legagneur, Head of Product Marketing, Digital Imaging for Sony Europe, commented: “We are delighted to showcase this collection of beautiful rare animals’ pictures, creatures that can be found right on our European doorstep. The Sony RX10 III, with its extended 600mm super-telephoto zoom lens and silent shutter capability ensures that these incredible animals are not disturbed whilst photos are taken.”

Fotomuseum Winterthur will be showcasing a comprehensive retrospective view of the work of American photographer and filmmaker Danny Lyon from 20th May - 27th August. As a dedicated and sharp-eyed observer fascinated by outsiders and subcultures, Lyon has spent more than fifty years documenting sociopolitical issues, delving deep into the heart of the matter and always building a close rapport with the people in front of his camera. Determined to counter the one-sided preoccupations of the mainstream media by offering an alternative viewpoint, he has developed an increasingly subjective and participatory form of documentary photography in the tradition of Walker Evans and Robert Frank. In addition to his iconic images, this wide-ranging retrospective also includes, for the first time in Europe, some of his lesser-known films, collages and fascinating material from Lyon’s own archives. Fotomuseum Winterthur is located at Grüzenstrasse 44, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland.

The Sundisc is an ultra-portable softbox and reversible reflector that sits directly on your speedlight and fits in your camera bag. While it is essentially a compact softbox, the Sundisc can also double as a reflector with both warm and cool light. This way you can carry less gear and still get great shots. Additionally, the Sundisc flips into shape and clips to your speedlight within seconds. "We have worked with the Sundisc for over three years, testing and iterating and testing again. We have tested in the studio and we have tested in the field. We have sent the Sundisc out to be tested by other photographers and taken in feedback," the inventors say. "Now we are at a point where we are confident we have ironed out all the kinks and are ready to share the Sundisc with you." Interested readers are encouraged to pay a visit to the Sundisc project's Kickstarter page.

Olympus has issued new firmware updates for the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, OM-D E-M5 Mark II and Olympus PEN-F compact system cameras, expanding their compatibility with Profoto AirTTL flashes. The updates Version 1.2 for the OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Version 3.0 for the OM-D E-M5 Mark II and Version 2.0 for the PEN-F enable compatibility with the new Profoto Air Remote TTL-O, allowing users to seamlessly integrate Profoto AirTTL flashes with these cameras. Further new functions for the E-M5 Mark II as well as the PEN-F include the ‘Save Setting/Mysets’ feature already available on the E-M1 Mark II. Click through / scroll down for the details, including an overview of all the new functions.

Entries are now open for the 2017 international Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) awards. Amateur, semi-pro and professional photographers of all ages and from all countries are invited to enter until the closing date on September 25th. Entries can be submitted online via tpoty.com or as prints. Entry fees are £8.00 for the One Shot single image categories, £15 for portfolio and New Talent categories and entry for Young TPOTY is free. This year’s jury features judges from the UK, USA, Italy, Germany and Malaysia, including the award-winning photographer and picture editor Eamonn McCabe – recently seen presenting the BBC TV Series ‘Britain in Focus: A Photographic History’ – Michelle Jana Chan (Travel Editor, Vanity Fair magazine), Michael Pritchard (Director-General of the Royal Photographic Society) and TPOTY’s first judge in Asia, picture editor and filmmaker Cheryl Brophy-Chan. The TPOTY sponsors Fujifilm, Genesis Imaging, Hurtigruten, Páramo Directional Clothing, Photo Iconic, Plastic Sandwich and the Royal Photographic Society - joined by new sponsor Jack Wills - have provided a prize package worth around £30,000, and the winning photographers will see their work displayed at TPOTY exhibitions in the UK and overseas in 2018, including at the University of Greenwich in London’s magnificent Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site. Click through / scroll down for more information.

Polaroid have just introduced a range of all-in-one tabletop photo studio kits aimed at perfecting product shots of food, jewelry, trinkets and more. Each kit comes complete with two output lights, a tripod stand, four backdrops, three diffuser screens, and a carrying case – making it easy for photographers to set up in the studio or on the road. When assembled, the tabletop photo studio kit lightbox tent is 16 inches high and 16 inches long with a 22-inch diagonal, accommodating most tabletop product shoots with optimal light softening. The four background colours -- red, blue, black and white -- let photographers change up backdrops to better match product and setting. The included tripod can accommodate compact cameras and most SLRs. The standard version comes with two changeable output lights (5500K), while the pro version ships with two power LED lights. Remote controls can also be ordered for dimming or controlling the LEDs. The Polaroid tabletop photo studio light kit standard version is available now for $45.99 from Amazon. The Polaroid pro tabletop LED version is available now for $89.99.

The Lomographic Society has announced the Neptune Convertible Art Lens System. Presently raising funds on Kickstarter, the Neptune Convertible Art Lens System is a prime lens kit for every photographer who has ever lamented the size and weight of high quality prime lenses. It comprises a base element which mounts to a wide range of film and digital cameras, and three front lens elements of fixed focal lengths: the Thalassa 3.5/35, the Despina 2.8/50, and the Proteus 4.0/80. What’s more, you can switch through a range of apertures and use special drop-in aperture plates to achieve countless shooting styles. Not content with offering only three focal lengths, Lomography is already designing new lens components with a range of unique effects and possible focal lengths from an ultra-wide-angle 15mm to a 400m monocular. Interested readers are encouraged to pay a visit to the system's Kickstarter page.

Phase One today released Capture One Pro 10.1. New features in this version include an enhanced Stules workflow, tokenised watermarking, a new master reset function, vectorscope orientation for colour wheels, and a number of Apple Script enhancements. This update adds support for raw files generated by the Pentax K-70 and KP, the Panasonic GH5, GX8, TZ85, TZ100 and FZ2000, the Nikon D5600 and D3400, the Fuji X-Pro2, X-T20 . X-A10 and XQ2 cameras, as well as 21 new lenses. Capture One Pro 10.1 for Mac and Windows is available now and free to current Capture One Pro 10 customers.