Joby has launched a new UltraFit hand strap and UltraPlate. "The UltraFit Hand Strap with UltraPlate is a useful combination of a streamlined hand strap and universal quick-release plate," the company says. "Photographers can keep the hand strap attached to their camera while at the same time mounting it to a tripod or even using an additional camera strap – for example a Joby UltraFit Sling shoulder strap." The UltraPlate features a universal tripod quick-release plate with built-in Arca-Swiss compatibility. Photographers can attach all types of accessories to the UltraPlate without removing the hand strap, including neck strap, flash brackets, and other tripod quick-release plates. The UltraPlate’s practical design also provides easy access to a camera’s battery door without the need for removing the strap. The new JOBY UltraFit Hand Strap & UltraPlate will be available to purchase from 1st November, priced at £41.

AKVIS has released Version 8 of its ArtWork photo-to-painting software. This update adds a new Share feature that enables users to post pictures directly from the program to social networks. Additionally, the plug-in is now compatible with Photoshop CC and PaintShop Pro X6. AKVIS offers a free upgrade to version 8.0 for all registered customers of ArtWork.

Olloclip has today announced immediate availability of its olloclip mobile photography tools for the new iPhone 5S smartphone. The company's add-on lenses enhance the new features of the iPhone 5s camera, which include an 8-megapixel camera, five-element lens, autofocus, matrix metering, dynamic local tone map to ensure more true-to-life colours, 10-frames-per-second continuous shooting and a 120-frames-per-second slow motion mode. The Olloclip range includes a three-in-one photo lens ($69.99), a teleconverter and a circular polariser ($99.99) and the Olloclip Quick-Flip case ($49.99). Olloclip products can be purchased through Apple, Best Buy and other major retailers as well as via the website below.

Back to Front TV has just announced a  new reality show for style photography. The 9-episode series will take the form of a progressive elimination show that will "celebrate the essential relationship between style and photography," Back to Front TV said in a statement. Casting for the series will be conducted through a call for contestants, inviting anyone with a keen interest in photography to submit their best image and describe their motivation for participating in this exclusive first series. The show will break down the process with a mentor briefing and tasks being set for the contestants, who will need to prove their talent on real-life photo shoots. After the photo sessions, there will be a blind-judging process by which the contestant photographer's work is selected or rejected. For more information, contact the company via the address below.

The new Sony Action Cam HDR-AS30V is set to capture some of the action at this year’s Freeze Festival, coming on-board as the Official Action Camera Partner for the brand new rail jam competition. The new main event for Freeze 2013 - Hail the Rail - will be the biggest and most exciting ski and snowboarding competition held at the snow festival to date. “Extreme action is what the Sony Action Cam is all about and this year’s Freeze Festival is set to take it to a new level with the new ‘Hail the Rail’ competition," said Frederik Lange, Category Head - Digital Imaging, Sony UK. “Expect to be in awe of the unbelievable moves from the top skiers and snowboarders in the world, with the Sony Action Cam capturing the best tricks, spills and skills – and providing amazing playback so you can watch them time and time again." Freeze Festival 2013 will run from27th November – 1st December 2013. For more information, visit the website below.

A remotely activated camera set up in a forest in the Russian Far East has photographed a rare instance of a golden eagle capturing a young sika deer. The deer's carcass was found two weeks later, just a few yards from the camera, initially puzzling researchers. "I saw the deer carcass first as I approached the trap on a routine check to switch out memory cards and change batteries, but something felt wrong about it. There were no large carnivore tracks in the snow, and it looked like the deer had been running and then just stopped and died," said Dr. Linda Kerley of the Zoological Society of London, who runs the camera trap project. "It was only after we got back to camp that I checked the images from the camera and pieced everything together. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.”

DxO Labs have released DxO ViewPoint 2, a program dedicated to fixing problems with keystoning and volume anamorphosis. This version includes an exclusive new tool for fixing convergent lines in even the most complex images, and adds compatibility with Adobe Photoshop Elements and Apple Aperture. In addition, the software benefits from DxO Optics Modules to correct optical distortions such as barrelling. This upgrade is free to all owners of DxO ViewPoint who purchased a licence on or after 1 August 2013.

Kenro has just launched the Reflecta RPL 306 LED studio lighting kit in the United Kingdom. Named after the number of LED lights in each unit, the 306 features dimmable LEDs with stepless light power control and an external power adapter. The LEDs have a colour temperature of 6.500 degrees Kelvin and provide an illumination of 320 lux at a distance of two metres without a filter attached. Each LED panel measures 30x31cm and weighs 1,200 grams, with the total weight of the set - including two RPL 306 lights, power adapters, stands, filters and carrying bag - being 7,950 grams. The Reflecta RPL 306 Studiokit is available now with an SRP of £432.

Kenko Tokina has announced the Tokina 16-28mm T3.0 Cinema Lens for video-enabled EF-mount dSLRs and PL-mount movie cameras. The optical formula comprises 15 elements arranged in 13 groups and a nine-bladed diaphragm. The minimum focus distance is 28cm, and the maximum reproduction ratio is 1:5.26. The lens takes large 123mm filters. In Japan, the PL-mount version is available now for 580,000 yen, with the EF-mount variant scheduled for a late November release. International availability and pricing have yet to be communicated.

The New York Institute of Photography (NYIP) has launched a completely revised and updated version of their flagship course, the Complete Course in Professional Photography. The course, which sells for 1,499, offers students all over the world a wide range of photographic training. Starting with the fundamentals of understanding how to use a camera, the course provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to take professional-quality photos and make money with their photography. “The Professional Photography Course needed a major update for the modern, digital world of photography,” said NYIP’s Director of Education Jay Johnson. “And that’s what we did. We completely revised the course for photography students in the 21st century.” For more information on NYIP’s Complete Course in Professional Photography, visit the website below.

Project Gado, a technology startup building sustainable models for archival digitisation, announced today a strategic partnership with Getty Images. Since 2010, Project Gado has developed an open source archival scanning robot that small archives, museums, and libraries can use to digitise their photo collections with little to no upfront cost. The Gado 2 can autonomously scan and save a photograph every 42 seconds, allowing archivists to focus on more important tasks than manual digitisation. The new partnership allows Getty Images to licence historic photographs digitised using this revolutionary scanning technology to the media. “The historic photos digitized by Gado lend valuable perspective and context to our world today, and we are delighted to make them available for licence so a wide audience can access them,” said Matthew Butson, VP, Archive at Getty Images, “As innovators in the digital media space, we find Project Gado’s efforts to enable archives -- regardless of size -- to preserve their visual history nothing short of amazing, and we are excited to partner with them.”

Canon, HP, Samsung and Xerox today launched the Mopria Alliance, a global non-profit membership organisation formed to promote, simplify and increase accessibility of wireless printing from smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. The Mopria Alliance will focus on breaking down barriers between brands by eliminating the need for users to download multiple print drivers, creating a better – easier and more accessible – user experience for mobile printing, introducing the Mopria brand and using the brand as a vehicle to educate consumers and businesses on the  ease-of-use of mobile printing, providing an open environment and tools for software developers to incorporate print into mobile applications and influencing the development and adoption of standards for mobile printing.

Fotodiox today revealed the WonderPana FreeArc for the Nikon 14-24mm lens. The WonderPana FreeArc for Nikon 14-24mm is a complete mounting system and collection of filters tailored to fit the AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm ultra-wide angle lens. Its all-metal core attaches directly onto a lens with a secure two-piece mount. With the core in place, photographers can mount any of Fotodiox’s new 145mm Slimline Filters. “Since we first introduced the original WonderPana model, photographers and cinematographers have requested the ability to rotate rectangular filters on wide-angle cameras. We are thrilled to be addressing such a popular market demand with the WonderPana FreeArc,” said Kelvin Luo, CEO of Fotodiox. “The FreeArc, combined with our assortment of high-quality filter systems, give photographers the tools they need to flawlessly capture incredible shots, ultimately advancing the industry.” The WonderPana FreeArc for Nikon 14-24mm can be ordered, starting today, for $274.95.

WD has redesigned its well-known My Book and My Book for Mac lines of external desktop drives. With USB 3.0 for speed, the new My Book lines are available in 2TB, 3TB and 4TB capacities. WD SmartWare Pro automatic back-up software with Dropbox integration offers cloud backup capabilities, and the WD Edition of Acronis True Image enables users to execute a full system backup and securely delete digital files and programs. My Book and My Book for Mac hard drives are protected by a 3-year limited warranty and are available from the WD store at wdstore.com as well as select retailers and distributors. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price will be $129.99 USD for the 2TB, $149.99 for the 3TB, and $179.99 for the 4TB unit.