Renowned photographer and lighting guru Damien Lovegrove will be hosting a fashion photography workshop in Southern France from 10-12 July 2015. During this intensive three-day workshop Damien will share his years of experience, creativity and knowledge of fashion photography to help you develop your own unique style and build the confidence required to shoot fashion successfully. You will learn how to direct a professional model, adapt swiftly to changing light conditions and gain a greater understanding of how to get the most out of your kit. The cost for three days is £996. Photography Blog readers can get a discount of £117 by entering the following code at the checkout.

Despite the fact that the Leica Q camera hasn't even been announced yet, the Leica Q app is now available on Google Play and Apple iTunes for Andorid, iPad and IPhone devices. "The Leica Q app connects your camera to your iPhone or iPad. It allows you to remote control your camera and gives you access to your images. The Leica Q app supports the Leica Q (Typ 116) camera." Suffice to say, we'd expect the Leica Q camera to make an official appearance sooner rather than later...

The new Samsung Galaxy S6 active is a rugged smartphone with a 16-megapixel camera and a 5.1" QuadHD screen boasting a resolution of 577 pixels per inch. Built to withstand whatever everyday life throws its way, the Samsung Galaxy S6 active has IP68 certified casing that is water resistant up to 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes, shock resistant, and dustproof. The 16-megapixel rear- and 5-megapixel front-facing cameras are claimed to "launch faster than ever," whilst auto-real time High Dynamic Range (HDR) promises balanced exposures even in contrasty light. Photos and videos are saved unto the smartphone's 32GB internal storage unit. The Android 5.0.2 powered Galaxy S6 active has a 3500mAh battery and a 64-bit octa-core processor but unlike the S6 edge and regular Galaxy S6 models, it appears not to feature optical image stabilisation. In the US, the Galaxy S6 active will be available exclusively atAT&T.

Version 3 of Camera MX is now available in the Google Play Store. This update adds a new Shoot the Past mode, which grants users the ability to go back in time up to three seconds before the shutter release was pressed to select and save missed shots. The new version additionally features a completely redesigned user interface and a wider range of photo editing options. The app is available for free.

The Metabones Speed Booster XL 0.64x is a new Micro Four Thirds Speed Booster adapter with a magnification of 0.64x. Reducing the MFT 'crop factor' from 2x to 1.28x, the Metabones Speed Booster XL 0.64x adapter uses an advanced 6-element optical design to achieve "extraordinary optical performance" at apertures up to f/0.8, a new record for the Micro Four Thirds format. The Speed Booster XL 0.64x is similar to the Blackmagic-specific 0.64x BMCC Speed Booster, but the working distance has increased by 1mm to permit use on the Panasonic GH4 and a number of other Micro Four Thirds cameras without touching the flexible outer cover of the camera’s shutter mechanism. Also, when the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 is used in Cinema 4K video mode the horizontal full frame crop factor is reduced from 2.34x to 1.50x, thus effectively transforming the GH4 into a Super-35 format 4K cine camera. Planned lens mounts for the Speed Booster XL 0.64x include an active Canon-EF version and a Nikon F version with what Metabones call "the most advanced Nikon G aperture adjustment mechanism in the industry." The Speed Booster XL 0.64x will be available for $649. (Canon EF mount) and $479 (Nikon F/G mount).

JK Imaging have announced a cashback offer on the Kodak Pixpro SP360 Extreme Kit. Those who buy the camera bundle before 15th July can claim £30/€40 back by downloading and returning this cashback form. Note that claims must be submitted before 9th September. This promotion is open to residents in the UK and Ireland aged 18 or over only.

We Want More: Image Making and Music in the 21st Century is an upcoming exhibition hosted by The Photographers' Gallery in London. Exploring the expanded role that photography and image-production plays in defining music culture today, this exhibtion is presented across two floors, dedicated in turn to musicians and their fan bases. It includes works commissioned commercially as well as personal projects initiated by the photographers themselves and a selection of creative collaborations whose aim is to unpick the genre of Music Photography. The exhibition also presents a selection of music videos created by photographers, rather than moving image directors, demonstrating the increasing dialogue and interface between these mediums. Curated by Diane Smyth, We Wnat More opens on 17 July 2015.

Unveiled earlier this year, the full range of Case Logic's Kontrast bags are now widely available at Dixons, Argos and online with Amazon. Featuring 7 different camera bag designs that offer a range of backpacks, shoulder bags, slings and holsters suitable for interchangeable-lens cameras and action cams; the Kontrast collection boasts customisable storage solutions enabling adaptability to meet changing situations. The intelligently placed zippers, dividers and pockets provide easy, speedy access when it is needed. Each bag boasts tough, water-resistant EVA molded DuraBase that provide a new level of stability and durability. Prices range from £29.99-£129.99.

'Capa in Color,' a unique exhibition of Robert Capa's most remarkable colour photographs that debuted last year at the International Center of Photography (ICP) in New York, is now on view at Budapest's Capa Center. From as early as 1938 right until his death in 1954, Capa shot literally thousands of frames on colour film, principally Kodachrome, in various formats ranging from 35mm to 4x5". Capa in Color spans a variety of genres including war photography, portraiture, classic photojournalism and fashion photography. In conjunction with the exhibition, the Capa Center will also present a collection of images by Capa’s best friend and editor, John G. Morris, who also documented the Normandy landings. The exhibition hall is located at 8 Nagymező utca, Budapest, Hungary.

The Cineasy Touch is a small accessory which makes capturing video with the Sony A6000 and A7S compact system cameras more comfortable. "The video record button [on these cameras] is too small, awkwardly placed and slightly recessed," the company says. "This is why we created the Cineasy Touch Button Enhancement. This Patent Pending device, for the Sony Alpha line of mirrorless cameras will help your camera to capture pristine video just as easily as it does still images." The Cineasy Touch attaches to the camera via one of the neck strap eyelets. The A6000 and A7S versions are now available and a third model, designed for the Sony A7II, is coming soon.

The Miggo AGUA all-weather quick-draw camera bag is now available on Kickstarter. The IPX3-standard storm-resistant case enables you to comfortably carry your camera close to your body in any weather - and draw it quickly and with ease at the right moment to capture a perfect shot. The camera is attached to the bag with quick-release buckles, including a failsafe connection. This solution eliminates the need for the original camera strap because the AGUA's strap is used to carry the camera itself. Interested readers are encouraged to check out the campaign's Kickstarter page.

Sony is reporting a record growth in compact camera sales. According to The NPD Group, overall mirrorless camera revenue has grown 16.5%  over the past 12 months, with DSLR sales declining approximately 15% over the same period.  During this time, Sony has experienced a 66% boost in their company's CSC sales, strengthening their dominant position as the number one overall mirrorless brand, a position they have held for 4 consecutive years. "Growth in the mirrorless segment shows this new technology and form factor are resonating with consumers," said Ben Arnold, executive director, The NPD Group. "Going forward, mirrorless will continue to command a greater share of the interchangeable lens camera category."

The second international Felix Schoeller Photo Award, which kicked off on 1st January, has received 1200 entries from 65 countries around the world. The countries with the highest number of entrants are Germany, Austria, France, USA, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, India, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland. “We are particularly pleased about the high percentage of “repeat customers” from the last competition," says Dr Friederike Texter, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communication with the Felix Schoeller Group. "All the 2013 award winners – with the exception of the winner of the Emerging Photographer prize – submitted entries again this year, as did over 70% of those who were nominated for a prize. That demonstrates that we were able to secure the trust of professional photographers and get a lot of things right first time round. The jury is already looking forward to the thrill of viewing and selecting the entries and the Felix Schoeller Group is looking forward to a superb exhibition!" The jury will have selected the nominated and prize-winning work in the different categories by the end of August. The awards ceremony and exhibition opening will take place on 27 September 2015.

Returning for its sixth consecutive year, the Marwell Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest is now open for entries. The popular competition is open to professional, amateur, and young photographers alike.This year’s top prize is an 8-day photography trip to Estonia worth £1,795 along with an annual subscription to Digital Photographer magazine. The competition has four categoriess including native wildlife (flora and fauna native or resident in the British Isles), cute and funny (Mother Nature at her cutest or most amusing), Marwell Wildlife residents and Marwell Wildlife endangered – specifically classified by IUCN as either endangered or critically endangered. Entry to the competition costs £10 for adults and is free for juniors. This year, photographers can enter twice and up to 10 images. To find out more information and enter visit the website below.

Nikon has issued a firmware update for the Nikon D3200 digital SLR camera. Version C1.04 addresses an issue that caused the memory card access lamp to light longer than normal or the message “This memory card cannot be used. Card may be damaged. Insert another card” to be displayed while the memory card was accessed. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Nikon