A software update is now available for ColorChecker Passport. Version 1.0.2 includes a bug fix for using Passport software with Lightroom 3 when using “Export with Preset” allowing the dialogue box to appear for naming the profile being created. The update also provides improved colour extraction for better profile accuracy and improved patch detection, which eliminates errors in cases where the luminance of light-coloured patches meets or exceeds the luminance of the white patch. The update is free for all ColorChecker Passport users- all you need to do is launch the ColorChecker Passport software on a computer with an active Internet connection, and a dialogue box will appear asking you to authorise the download (see picture above).

The 29th edition of the free PhotographyBB Online Magazine is available for download. The edition features a tutorial on how to create dramatic landscape photos. Additionally, readers will learn about the differences between small flash units and studio strobes, along with the practical applications of each option. This release also examines the relationship between sensor sizes vs megapixels in digital cameras, and how both of these factors combined affect overall image quality. In its Photography Around the World series, the magazine takes its readers to the island of Oahu to show them the filming locations from the TV series, LOST.

Website: PhotographyBB

Panasonic’s new TV ad was shot using the camera it advertises. Set in Valencia and centred on two world-class parkour practicioners, the spectacular TV spot highlights the versatlity of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 as a video camera. The filming technique employed enabled one of the parkour traceurs to flip off a wall over the other, holding not only the G2 to film his action but also a bespoke camera rig attached to the G2. In addition to the advert itself, Panasonic has released a behind-the-scenes video revealing how the ad was shot.

Olympus’ SuperSonic Wave Filter (SSWF) anti-dust technology has won an award in Japan’s National Invention Awards 2010. This technology is found in all of Olympus’ interchangeable-lens digital cameras, including their Micro Four Thirds models and DSLRs alike. Given that the SSWF was already implemented in the Olympus E-1 of 2003 (pictured), the timing of the award is somewhat surprising. The award ceremony is scheduled to be held at Hotel Okura, Tokyo, on July 30.

Website: Olympus press release (in Japanese)

Newpro has taken delivery of three newly designed Cullmann ball & socket heads and a Magnesit monopod. The Cullmann CB2 head (£24.99; load capacity: 1kg) features a reversible top section so you can use it either as a standard 1/4” thread ball & socket head or as a flash shoe mount for off-camera flashes (see illustration above). The CB7.1 ball head (£39.00) has both 1/4” and 3/8” threads, and is suitable for use with most cameras and camcorders up to a maximum weight of 4kg. The CB7.3 (£57.00) features the same specifications as the CB 7.1 head but comes complete with a quick release system and a quick release plate. Finally, the Cullmann Magnesit 560 (£79.99) has a 4-section leg and ranges from a closed size of 46cm up to an extended length of 160cm.

Website: Newpro

Point101 has launched an online giclée prints service. Giclée is a fine art term describing high quality, short run print jobs using large format ink-jet printers and archival inks. Point101’s giclee prints are available on Ilford Pearl, Fotospeed Matt and Hahnemühle Photorag media; and in standard, square, A sizes and panoramic formats. Their Flash-based interface lets you position, crop and accurately preview your images in a virtual living room. To upload your photos and get detailed information on giclée prints, head to the website below.

Website: Point101

Nikon has jsut launched NikonLIVE as part of its sponsorship of the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater with Live Nation. Fans will be able to view images taken by performing artists in the site’s “Sound Check” area, and view professionally photographed images in the “Rock and Roll Picture Show” area. Nikon’s professional photographers will give fans an exclusive, behind the scenes look at their favorite music acts, as well as provide fans with advice and tips on how to shoot great images and video with their digital cameras. In addition to visiting nikonlive.com, fans will be able to follow updates from other fans along with bloggers, photographers and participating artists by using the Twitter hashtag #NikonLive and by visiting the Nikon Facebook Fan Page.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2010, Adobe achieved record revenue of $943 million, representing 34 percent year-over-year revenue growth. The company attributes the strong performance to the successful launch of Creative Suite 5 in April. GAAP diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 were $0.28, while non-GAAP diluted earnings per share were $0.44. Adobe also announced its Board of Directors has granted authority for the company to repurchase up to $1.6 billion in common stock through the end of fiscal 2012.

iStockphoto has released a free application that allows users to browse its library of photos, illustrations and audio files from an Apple iPhone or iPod Touch. Customers can access and manage lightboxes of stored files from their existing iStockphoto account or create new lightboxes to save files for future viewing or purchase. The app also allows files to be e-mailed to clients and colleagues for discussion and evaluation. Available on iTunes, the iStockphoto iPhone app will soon be followed by an iPad version, the company says.

Pixum has launched its annual SummerZoom photo competition. Amateur photographers across 10 European countries - including Germany, Austria, France, Denmark, UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Norway - can enter their favourite holiday pictures and travel stories to win a waterproof Pentax Optio W90 digital camera, a big Pixum Acrylic Print or a Pixum Photo Book Large with hard cover. Additioally, all entrants will get a voucher for 25 free 6”x4” photo prints. Residents of the ten countries listed above have until the end of September to upload their photos and enter their travel stories via the website below.

Website: Pixum SummerZoom 2010

Pentax has opened its first camera boutique within Willoughby’s Camera, New York City’s oldest photographic emporium. The new shop-in-shop puts visitors within easy reach of Pentax DSLR cameras, premium lenses, stylish and rugged compact cameras and a full line of sport optics including binoculars and scopes. Today from noon to 2pm, shoppers may trade in any pre-owned camera for major savings on a new Pentax digital camera purchased over-the-counter from Willoughby’s.

The Annenberg Space for Photography has announced a range of programmes that will coincide with The Year, an exhibit featuring winning photos from the 67th annual Pictures of the Year International (POYi) competition. The exhibition itself opens its doors to the public on 26 June and runs until 10 August. The Annenberg Space for Photography will offer two digital feature presentations, weekly IRIS Nights lecture series and a slideshow night presenting special photography related to the themes in the exhibit. All programming is free to the public with advance online registration at the website below.

Website: Annenberg Space for Photography

Lexar has just introduced the Lexar Multi-Card 24-in-1 USB Reader. Featuring five slots and supporting 24 memory card formats, the newest reader is an all-in-one solution enabling concurrent downloads and card-to-card file transfer. Boasting a unique pop-up design, which allows the card slots to be protected when not in use, the Lexar Multi-Card 24-in-1 USB Reader comes equipped with a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 cable. The recommended retail price for the reader is £29.99.

Flickr has launched a new page layout for members’ photos. Firstly, the default size of the images has been increased by 28% linearly, reaching 640 pixels on the longer side. Secondly, the film strips have been redesigned to show more of the surrounding photographs in a set or a group. Thirdly, a location map has been added to the right-hand column next to each photo that has been geotagged either manually or automatically. Other changes include the introduction of a new “light box view” that allows photos to be displayed against a black background, the removal of the button clutter above the images, the addition of new navigation tools, the integration of favourites with the comment stream, and more. As of writing, the new look can only be previewed by members, so you’ll need to sign in and click the “Take me to the future’” link above any photo to actually see it, but Flickr promises that the new features will be rolled out to their entire audience in the coming weeks.

Source: The Flickr Blog via 1001 Noisy Cameras

According to new research commissioned by Mozy, an online backup service, a third of Brits have lost precious digital photos forever due to a computer failure. The research has revealed the average Brit has over 1,500 photos or videos stored on a computer. A fifth of all respondents do not back them up at all, and over a quarter only backup data on a CD, USB stick or external hard drive. Mozy argues that a house fire or similar accident is just as likely to destroy these media and devices as a PC, and offers its MozyHome online backup service to those worried about data loss.

Website: An overview of consumer backup habits in the UK and Ireland

The United Nations Development Programme have teamed up with Olympus and the Agence France-Presse (AFP) Foundation for the second annual ‘Picture This’ photo contest. Aimed at showing the world the inspirational work that is being done in many countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) the contest, titled Picture This: We Can End Poverty, is open to amateur and professional photographers worldwide. Entrants may submit up to three different photographs, focusing on progress towards one of the MDGs, preferably in a developing country. The deadline for entries is midnight EST 16 July 2010. The first prize winners in the professional and amateur categories and the “People’s Choice” winner will be flown to an awards ceremony and launch of an exhibition in September in New York. Prizes to be won include various Olympus digital cameras and kits, from the Olympus Mju Tough-8000 to the E-P2.

Website: Picture This

AKVIS has released ArtWork4.0, which transforms photos into paintings using various techniques. Version 4.0 introduces the linocut style, meaning photos can now be converted to an image in the style of a linocut print. A linocut is made by carving a raised pattern into a piece of linoleum, which is then used with ink to print that pattern onto paper. Linocuts are known for their characteristic expressiveness, strong contrast between black and white, and rich, exuberant strokes. According to AKVIS, it is an ideal effect to use with photos of architecture or nature scenes. In addition to the new linocut style, the program offers three more painting techniques including comics, oil painting and pen&ink. AKVIS ArtWork Home License (plug-in or standalone) sells for $72. Registered users can upgrade to version 4.0 free of charge.

Website: AKVIS

The Golden Hour: A Photographer’s Life and His World is a new book about Herb Ritts’ life and legacy. Among the most esteemed and well respected fashion and celebrity portrait photographers, as well as an acclaimed director of music videos, Herb Ritts’ images ranged from Masai warriors and angelic underwear models, to Olympic athletes and one-named superstars. Author Charles Churchward, a long-time and distinguished art director at publications including Vogue and Vanity Fair, spent the last five years interviewing Ritts’ family, and scores of his photographic subjects, business associates, curators, staff, closest confidants, and friends. Apart from text by Churchward, the book contains more than 200 photos by Ritts. Published by Rizzoli, The Golden Hour will be released in October priced at $65 / £40.

The SD Association has announced two new high-speed performance symbols for the fastest SDXC and SDHC devices and memory cards. The first symbol (UHS-I) identifies products with businterface speeds up to 104 Megabytes per second for greater device performance. The second symbol (UHS Speed Class 1) identifies SD memory cards and products with a performance option allowing real-time video recording.