Flickr has announced that it has reached another milestone - the 6 billionth photograph was uploaded to the site on Monday by user eon60. The photo, which depicts a Montbretia flower, was taken with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 digital compact camera. “Over the last few years Flickr has seen consistent growth, with uploads increasing over 20% year-over-year,” Flickr said in a statement.

A new iPhone app by Swedish company Dear Future Astronaut, called Photo Stats,p analyses all photos from your camera roll and creates infographics based on the extracted metadata, visualizing how, when and where you take photos with your camera phone. After users start the application on their iPhone, it extracts time, date and location data from the photos on the camera roll, as well as other photo properties such as size, exposure, ISO, photo application used etc. Statistical data are then transformed into a cool infographic which can be viewed on the device as well as shared with friends on social networks or via email. Currently, Photo Stats is available on iTunes at an introductory price of $0.99.

SmartMargin has just launched PortfolioProof, an online portfolio management application for photographers. PortfolioProof allows creative professionals to create multiple portfolios which automatically generate secure, interactive and attractive galleries. Each portfolio is configurable so users can allow all registered users to access it or limit it to the specific client. Once installed on the customer’s Web server, PortfolioProof can be linked to an existing website or kept entirely private. In the latter case, the photographer can simply send each client a username and a password plus a link to the portfolio. The software normally sells for $149, but is on promotion until Sunday, 7th August allowing you to purchase a licence for $99. Note that you need a Web server with PHP version 5 or higher, MySQL Database and GD Components in order to be able to install and use PortfolioProof. If you are not comfortable with FTP, mySQL and file permissions, SmartMargin can install PortfolioProof for you for an extra fee of $30.

Angle of View is a new field-of-view calculator and sensor size database app for iOS. Targeted at amateur and professional photographers and anyone who uses cameras on a regular basis, Angle of View enables users to determine the equivalent millimetres between five customisable sensor sizes simultaneously. The main screen of Angle of View is a colour-coded display showing angles (in degrees) and distances (in feet or metres). The user sets a chosen sensor, focal length, and distance-to-subject combination via gestural controls, and the app updates its graphical and numerical displays in real-time when the gesture is performed. The app is available on iTunes for $1.99.

Between Friday 5th August and Friday 30th September 2011, Manfrotto UK is offering savings of up to £20 across its 290, 190 and 055 Series tripods when purchased with any Manfrotto head. Specifically, customers buying any Manfrotto 290 Series tripod may claim £10, those buying a Manfrotto 190 Series tripod are entitled to £15, while photographers who purchase any Manfrotto 055 Series tripod will receive £20 cash back, subject to the condition that they also buy a Manfrotto head. All claims must arrive by 31st October in order to qualify. For full promotion details and to download the cashback redemption form, visit the website below. NB: The promotion is open to UK residents and valid on items purchased through authorised UK dealers only.

Responding to popular demand, Tenba has added a Photo/Laptop Daypack and Photo/Tablet Daypack to their Discovery collection, and a Photo/Laptop Daypack and Photo Sling Bag to their Vector collection. The Discovery Mini Daypack has a front, padded photo compartment that fits a DSLR camera body with 2-3 lenses and accessories, plus a rear sleeve that fits an iPad or similar tablet up to 10 inches. The Large size Daypack will fit a laptop up to 15 inches and fits an expanded camera system of 1-2 DSLR camera bodies and 4-6 lenses. The Vector Photo Sling Bag combines the ease-of-use and accessibility of a camera shoulder bag with the all-day carrying comfort of a backpack. Finally, the Vector Photo/Laptop Daypack (pictured) fits a laptop up to 15 inches, plus 1-2 DSLR camera bodies as well as 3-4 lenses. The new Discovery and Vector bags are available now at SRPs ranging from $79.95 to $139.95.

Leica has issued a firmware update for the Leica S2 and Leica S2-P digital SLR cameras. Version 1.0.1.8 changes the auto-bracketing procedure in that it is now enough to press the shutter release once for the full bracketing sequence Additionally, the new firmware update brings customisability to the menu-control button. New S2 and S2-P cameras will be supplied with the latest firmware, while existing owners can download the update from the website below.

Website: Leica Owners’ Area

Leica M9 owners who like the discreet look of the new Leica M9-P but are not willing to fork out $7,995 for a new camera can take advantage of a new service announced by Leica. Through the North American Headquarters in Allendale, NJ, Leica will be offering a “Sapphire Glass” upgrade package ($1,295) and a “Top Cover and Sapphire Glass” upgrade package ($1,995). The first package offers the replacement of the M9 monitor cover with the M9-P’s scratch-resistant, sapphire crystal cover, while the second includes the replacement of the monitor glass and the replacement of the top deck and base plate. Interested customers are encouraged to schedule appointments starting 8 August 2011 for upgrades from 3 October 2011 through Leica Camera. All upgrades will be performed by specifically trained technicians and will be a part of Leica’s regular repair service. Customers taking advantage of either service will also receive a one-year warranty extension.

Instaview by RogueSheep is a new third-party Instagram app that allows Mac users to view photos and participate within the Instagram community. The Instaview application allows users to create one or more stream windows showing Instagram photos. The stream shown in each window is configurable as well as the size and frame of the window itself. Streams can display their photos either in an automatic slideshow mode or by direct user navigation. Controls on the window overlay allow users to browse information about the photo including the location, contributor, caption, timeframe of the photo, number of likes and comments. The program is available at the introductory price of $4.99 exclusively through the Mac App Store in the Social Networking category.

Smartfish has released two computer accessories that might be of interest to photographers working on location. The Smartfish Mouse Pad Travel Pouch ($14.95, pictured) provides a smooth 9” diameter surface work area, and zips up to stow and protect your mouse and accessories while not in use. The tiny Smartfish Whirl Mini Notebook Mouse ($49.95) features an ambidextrous design, 800-dpi hi-def laser sensitivity, 2.4MHz wireless connectivity and extra long battery life. Both products are available through the website below.

Joensuu, Finland-based SofColor has released Color Correction Engine V4, a smart and customizable colour correction solution to fix white balance, exposure and contrast issues in digital photographs automatically. Color Correction Engine V4 comes with a completely rewritten error detection algorithm, a totally redesigned colour correction workflow and the option to enable or disable automatic white balance, exposure and contrast corrections separately. The program is available immediately as part of SoftColor’s Automata, Server Automata, PhotoEQ, Toolbox applications. Version 4 is a free upgrade to existing customers.

X-Rite has announced a number of free webinars for the month of August. There are three topics including “Raw Colour Power with Adobe Lightroom and the ColorChecker Passport”, “Everyday Imaging Miracles with Suzette Allen” and “Beyond Monitor Calibration - Get Prints That Match Your Display!” Click through / read on for webinar dates and times.

PhotoGrid is a new iPhone/iPad app by independent developer James Janke. The application uses your device’s photo library to create beautiful photo mosaics. You can use your entire library or select specific albums. Available on iTunes for $0.99, PhotoGuide is compatible with the Apple iPhone 3GS/4, iPod touch (3rd and 4th generation), and iPad.

Serif today launched a free video editing application called MoviePlus Starter Edition. With this program, you have two options to edit a film: you can use the simple Storyboard to create a movie quickly and easily, or explore the flexible Timeline which allows up to three video and three audio tracks at once. Users can create smart and fun fades, wipes and other transitions from one scene to the next for a stylish finish. Enthusiasts wanting to achieve the Hollywood look can easily add titles, captions and credits, sound effects and music as well as cool video effects like picture in picture. It’s also simple to add a bit of animation for scrolling credits or exploding titles. There is plenty of on-screen help too, thanks to Serif’s ‘How To’ tab which offers step-by-step illustrated topics. Serif MoviePlus Starter Edition can be downloaded free of charge from the website below.

Panasonic has released firmware updates for the Lumix DMC-FT3/TS3, TZ20/ZS20 and TZ22 compact camera models. Version 1.2 (for all models) improves the accuracy of the built-in GPS unit, while the DMC-TZ20/ZS20 and the DMC-TZ22 also benefit from “enhanced picture detail”. The firmware upgrades can be downloaded from the websites below.

Website: Panasonic DMC-TZ20/ZS10 Firmware update service
Website: Panasonic DMC-TZ22 Firmware update service
Website: Panasonic DMC-FT3/TS3 Firmware update service

Photo Guide is an easy-to-use and simple-to-understand guide to photography for Android and iOS devices. Released by Self Study Apps, Photo Guide teaches beginners about what lenses, f-stops and camera-to-subject distances to pick for portraiture, sports, landscapes and other applications. Additionally, it offers a number of tips on composition and framing. Photo Guide requires Android 2.1 or higher / iOS 4.2 or later, and is available for $1.99 through the Android Market and the iTunes App Store.

Nik Software has just released version 1.2 of Snapseed, its image editing app for iOS. The new version adds universal compatibility with all current iOS devices, including the Apple iPod touch, iPhone 4 and of course the iPad & iPad 2. Those who have already purchased the previous, iPad-only version can simply log on to their iTunes account with their iPhone/iPod connected and sync their apps to have Snapseed on all of their iOS devices.

Website: Snapseed on iTunes