Extraordinary Everyday Photography by Brenda Tharp and Jed Manwaring is a new title from Amphoto Books. Encouraging amateur photographers to slow down, open their eyes, and respond to what they see to create compelling images; the authors teach readers how to use composition, available light, colour, and point of view to create stunning photographs in any environment. The 160-page paperback is available for $25.99 through the Random House website.

Verbatim today introduced a range of SDHC and SDXC Cards with UHS-I specificationand bus interface speeds up to 104MB/s. Conforming to standards set by the SD Association, the UHS-I SDHC and SDXC Cards from Verbatim offer read speeds of up to 600x (90MB/sec) and write speeds of 166x (25MB/sec). Verbatim’s UHS-I SDHC Cards are available to buy now and cost £24.99 for a 16GB card and £39.99 for a 32GB, while the UHS-I SDXC Card (pictured) will be released in 64GB capacity later this year.

Gary Fong has announced two new products; the Lightsphere Collapsible Snoot and the Colored Dome Kit. The Lightsphere Collapsible Snoot ($49.95 on its own or $59.95 with a PowerGrid) gives photographers maximum efficiency and directional control over strobe lighting when mounted off-camera, allowing one to create cutting edge, “fashion style” special effects, while the Coloured Dome Kit (pictured)includes a Red, Blue and Green Dome for creating special effects as well as a Gray Dome for white balancing. Compatible with the renowned Lightsphere Universal and Lightsphere Collapsible, the Coloured Dome Kit is available for $24.95.

Rollei has expanded its Powerflex series with three new digital cameras offering 5x, 8x and 36x optical zoom. The range-topping Rollei Powerflex 360 (€369.99, pictured) has a 22.5-810mm equivalent lens, 18-megapixel Sony 1/2.3” sensor and 3.0-inch TFT LCD screen. The Rollei Powerflex 550 Full HD (€129.99) comes with a 14-megapixel CMOS imager, 5x optical zoom and a 2.7” display, while the Powerflex 700 (€149.99) is equipped with a 12-megapixel sensor, 3-inch screen and 1 gigabyte of internal memory. All three cameras can shoot Full HD video at 30fps, with some models offering 60-, 120- and even 240-frame-per-second shooting at reduced resolutions.

The Rollei Bullet HD Pro camcorder is now available in Motorbike, Outdoor and Ski editions. The bullet-shaped Full HD action camcorder has a waterproof aluminium housing, a 170-degree fisheye lens and the capability to take stills at an (interpolated) resolution of 20 megapixels. The new Motorbike, Outdoor and Ski editions will be available from September at a recommended retail price of €229.99 each.

RCP-Technik GmbH has unveiled two tripods made of carbon fibre and magnesium; the Rollei Fotopro X-5M and the Rollei Fotopro X-6M. With a height of 1.48 metres when extended and a folded size of just 42.5 centimetres, the X-5M carbon-fibre tripod (€599.95) weighs just a little over 1.3 kilograms, including a ball-head, yet it boasts a maximum load capacity of 15kg. The tripod shoulder is made of magnesium, which saves a great deal of weight while giving the tripod increased stability, the company says. The X-6M model (€699.95) with a height of 1.74 metres when extended, is no more than 56 centimetres long when folded, and with a weight of 1.5 kilograms it is the bigger brother of the X-5M. It has a load-bearing capacity of up to 25kg including the head. Both tripods will be available from early November 2012.

We’ve teamed up with Lovecases.co.uk to offer one lucky winner the opportunity to win a Crumpler Cupcake Slim DSLR Camera Photo Backpack.

The lucky winner is: Giacomino Parkinson.

This bag is a slim photo backpack made from super tough Chicken Tex Supreme high performance nylon. The complete section is a padded photo compartment with adjustable dividers. It’s suitable for a digital SLR camera with zoom lens attached plus approx 4 more lenses and a flashgun.

Check out the rest of Lovecases’ slr camera bag and bridge camera case ranges.

Just answer this simple question to enter the contest. (HINT - visit this Lovecases product page to get some help with the answer).

We’ve teamed up with color management specialists Datacolor to giveaway a fantastic SpyderSTUDIO worth £450!

The lucky winner is: Branislav Beliancin.

SpyderSTUDIO is a complete colour calibration solution. It provides everything needed for the utmost in accurate colour management from shoot, to edit, to print. With solutions from RAW camera calibration to quick and easy custom ICC printer profiles, the results are reliable, real-world colours.

In addition to SpyderPRINT, SpyderSTUDIO also consists Spyder4ELITE and SpyderCUBE. The former is an advanced colorimeter that automates and simplifies display calibration. It features a patented, full-spectrum, 7-colour sensor that can accurately characterise a variety of wide and normal gamut displays. The same sensor - which offers double-shielded filters for longer life and enhanced performance - is used to calibrate a monitor, laptop computer, iPad, iPhone and projector. Datacolor’s SpyderCUBE is a three-dimensional white and contrast-balancing tool. Also included in the SpyderSTUDIO is a desktop cradle/tripod mount, SpyderGuide, 6’ USB cable and Quick Start Guides. The package comes in a convenient and stylish metal case for easy transport.

SpyderSTUDIO - along with the entire Spyder range - is available at photography and consumer electronic retailers nationwide or online at www.Datacolor.com. The SpyderSTUDIO is priced at around £449.99.

Just answer this simple question to enter the contest. (HINT - visit the Datacolor Facebook page to get some help with the answer).

We’ve teamed up with MILK to give away three of their coffee table-quality books.

The three lucky winners are: T Chao, Chris Bouvard and Vasko Bujaroski.

PQ Blackwell, internationally renowned publisher of illustrated books and the creators of MILK (Moments, Inspiration, Love, Kinship) has just launched MILK Tailor Made Books (www.milkbooks.com), a new website which enables anyone to showcase their artwork or images in a personally designed, tailor-made book. 

Three subscribers now have the chance to create their own exquisite coffee table-quality book. Using MILK’s editorial and design frameworks, these beautiful books will be printed to the creator’s unique specifications on high quality art paper, professionally bound in designer fabric, and will be accompanied by digital versions that allow people to add video in the telling of their stories.

This competition ended on the 22nd August 2012 (12:00PM GMT).

Just answer this simple question to enter the contest.

Profoto has launched a new line of flash heads for professional photographers. Compatible with over 120 different Profoto Light Shaping Tools and accessories, the Profoto Pro Plus range comprises a number of products, including the Pro Head Plus, the Pro-B Head Plus, the ProRing Plus and ProRing 2 Plus. The Pro Head Plus and Pro-B Head Plus heads feature new safety lamp head connectors that help prevent dust and moisture from penetrating the generator, improved stand adapters, patent-pending Perfect Arc flash tubes that provide better color and energy stability from flash to flash on all power settings and an improved glass cover. The ProRing Plus and the ProRing 2 Plus have been updated with the new safety lamp head connector.

Profoto today announced the Pro-B4 1000 Air battery generator, featuring flash durations down to 1/25,000 of a second. “Profoto’s new Pro-B4 1000 Air is the fastest, toughest and most versatile battery generator on the market today,” said Mark Rezzonico, VP Product Group. “With its unprecedented flash duration and world’s fastest recycling time, this new portable unit provides a world of creative possibilities for today’s fast-paced professional digital photographers.” At lower power settings the Profoto Pro-B4 1000 Air is capable of firing up to 30 flashes per second, while the maximum recycle time after a full-power discharge is less than a second. The unit’s energy setting can be adjusted with precise control in 1/10 f-stop increments. The Pro-B4 will be officially introduced at this year’s Photokina trade show. Pricing and availability to be confirmed.

Jobo has unveiled its new action camera, the JIB 4, which can capture Full HD movies (in both 30p and 60i formats) as well as eight-megapixel stills. Equipped with a 170-degree lens and a detachable monitor, the Jobo JIB 4 is powered by a rechargeable and replaceable lithium-ion battery good enough for two hours of continuous recording. A built-in laser pointer allows precise aiming even if the monitor is not visible to the user. The included waterproof housing enables underwater operation down to a depth of 60 metres. The Jobo JIB 4 carries an MSRP of €349. An optional remote control is available for €29.

Landscape Photography Magazine has relaunched its website with new features and improved core functionality. In celebration of the relaunch, the magazine has also announced a special offer - get the current issue plus the next two issues for just $1. The promotion runs until 15th September.

GIMP Magazine, a brand new, free publication featuring works created by the worldwide community of GIMP users, is launching on 5th September. “Photography, digital arts, graphic arts, web design, tips & tricks, step by step tutorials, master classes, help desk questions, product reviews and so much more are showcased and explored in this quarterly publication,” says Steve Czajka, Managing Editor, GIMP Magazine. “We will be hosting a launch party on the popular Canadian Technology and Pop Culture Podcast called Dyscultured.  Everyone is invited to attend this event and meet some of the GIMP Magazine team members, ask questions, and provide suggestions for upcoming issues!  The event will be LIVE to the world!” The launch event is taking place from 10pm EST on 5 September 2012.

The Lomographic Society has unveiled the Diana Baby 110, the second member of the Lomography 110 Camera Family. With this tiny 110 format film camera you can choose between two lens options; shoot wide-angle square shots with the 12mm lens or switch to the 24mm lens for standard square photos. The PC flash adapter allows Lomographers to use any hot-shoe flash including the Colorsplash Flash or Diana F+ Flash. The Diana Baby 110 is available in two kits - choose between the standard Diana Baby 110 with 24mm Lens (£39) or the all-in-one Diana Baby 110 + Lens Package (£49), which includes both the 12mm and the 24mm lenses. Both bundles can be ordered through the website below.

Akvis has released version 14 of Akvis Sketch, a program that digital photos into pencil sketches and watercolour, charcoal, and pastel drawings. This update introduces a new Timeline feature to the Business and Deluxe editions, adds compatiblity with MacOS X 10.8, and fixes bugs.

Kodak has announced its plans to sell off its Personalised Imaging and Document Imaging businesses. The Personalised Imaging business includes still camera film products, photographic papers, retail print solutions and souvenir photo products sold at theme parks and other venues. The Document Imaging business provides a portfolio of scanners, capture software and services to enterprise customers. In future, Kodak intends to focus on its commercial, packaging and functional printing solutions and enterprise services, while retaining its Consumer Inkjet, Entertainment Imaging, Commercial Film and Specialty Chemicals businesses. Discussions continue on the company’s digital imaging patent portfolio, which may be sold or retained

On November 11 2012 screens in town halls, universities and village squares will play host to the worldwide première of the 11Eleven project’s feature film. Last year, when the calendar read 11.11.11, the project began with photographers, filmmakers, musicians and bloggers joining forces to create a truly global narrative - a snapshot of our world on that day. The full-length feature film that will make its debut in November is only one of the fruits of this worldwide collaboration - it will soon be followed by a photographic book and a world music collection, with all proceeds divided equally between six different charities. Interested readers are encouraged to visit the project’s website for more information.

Nikon has released a firmware update for two of its 1 System lenses, including the 1 Nikkor VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 L and the 1 NIKKOR VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 L. Version 1.10 adds the following feature: when these lenses are used with Nikon 1 cameras released in, or after, August 2012, the camera can be turned off by locking the lens barrel (retractable lens barrel button), even if the monitor has turned off and the camera has entered standby mode.

Website: 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 L Firmware Update 1.10
Website: 1 NIKKOR VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 L Firmware Update 1.10