Scott Kelby has announced his Third Annual Worldwide Photo Walk scheduled for Saturday, 24 July. Billed as “the world’s largest global social photography event in the history of photography itself”, Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photo Walk takes place on the same day around the world where photographers of all walks of life and skill levels gather together, usually in downtown areas to socialize, learn new tips from each other, and explore their corner of the world through photography. There is no fee to participate but pre-registration is required.

Website: Worldwide Photo Walk

onOne Software has released a free compatibility update to all of its Photoshop plug-ins which makes them compatible with Adobe Photoshop CS5 and CS5 Extended. These plug-ins include Genuine Fractals 6 Professional Edition 6.0.6, Genuine Fractals 6.0.6, PhotoTools 2.5.3 Professional Edition, PhotoTools 2.5.3 Professional and Standard Editions, PhotoFrame 4.5.1 Professional and Standard Editions, Mask Pro 4.1.8, PhotoTune 3.0.2, FocalPoint 2.0.1 and of course the complete Plug-In Suite (version 5.1). onOne Software’s compatibility updates for Photoshop CS5 are available now and are free of charge to registered owners of the current product titles listed above. These free software updates are available from within each application and as a download from the onOne Software website.

Website: onOne Software Downloads

Topaz Labs announced that the Topaz Photoshop Bundle now works natively in 64-bit and takes advantage of Photoshop CS5’s 64-bit capabilities for greater speed and stability. Topaz customers can now run Topaz software in either 32-bit Photoshop or 64-bit Photoshop, as well as a number of other host programs like Photoshop Elements, Lightroom, and Aperture. The Topaz products that support 64-bit Photoshop CS5 on Mac and Windows include: Topaz Adjust, DeNoise, Detail, Simplify, Clean, ReMask, and DeJPEG. Existing users can download this upgrade for free by re-downloading and re-installing the software.

Website: Topaz Labs Downloads

ExpoImaging today announced the release of Rogue FlashBenders, the first of several tools in a newly created Rogue Photographic Design line of light modification products. The flexible Rogue FlashBenders were created to enable photographers to direct light exactly where it’s needed or to shield it from where it’s not. The patent-pending design incorporates positionable rods that mould the reflectors to a given shape and holds them firmly in place. Currently comprising three models, FlashBenders install quickly with an easy belt attachment and are designed to work with all types of shoe mount flash. The Bounce Card/Flag, which one positionable rod to mould the product and hold it in place, is priced at $29.95. The Small Reflector, whichcan be used as a reflector, flag or snoot, sells for $34.95. The Large Reflector, which offers twice the reflective surface area of the Small Reflector, retails for $49.95. The 3-piece set is available for $104.85.

Website: ExpoImaging

LetusDirect.com has introduced a range of DSLR video accessories including the Letus Hawk viewfinder and the Letus Talon camera support rod system. The Hawk viewfinder features three lenses in two groups, housed in a CNC machined aluminium lens tube. The Letus Talon line features a quick release camera plate and an optional telescoping support rod setup that lets support rod accessories, such as a matte box or follow focus, slide in or out to accommodate different lens configurations. Additionally, the Letus Talon DSLR Cage has also been announced as part of the new product line. This cage is designed to house a HDSLR camera and provide mounting points for camera accessories such as monitors, microphones, sound recorders, hand grips, car mounts, and other products used in a production environment.

Website: Letus

Op/tech have added a Shoulder Sling to their range. Based on the original Op/tech Utility Strap, the Sling Strap comes complete with the recently announced Op/tech Sling Strap connectors instead of the standard neck-length connectors and has an RRP of £29.99. The Utility Sling Strap comes bundled with 2 quick-release Uni-Loop adapters making it suitable for use with any DSLR, most binoculars or camcorders. In the UK, the Op/tech Utility Sling Strap is distributed by Newpro.

Stella Artois is encouraging its Canadian fans to submit their best photography for a chance to win a Sony digital SLR camera. The competition is organised around five themes including “Travel”, “Good Times”, “Stylish”, “Urban” and “The Life of Légere”. To enter the contest you must have Internet access, a valid Club Stella Artois profile and email address. The top five finalists will have their photos professionally developed and put on display at the Stella Artois Canadian Draught Master Finals in Toronto. A Grand Prize winner will be chosen at the event and they’ll be eligible to win† a Sony Alpha digital SLR camera with DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. Four runners-up will be eligible to receive a Sony Cyber-Shot 12.1-megapixel digital camera.

Website: Club Stella Artois

G. H. Mumm today launched an online photography competition. Take the best snapshot of what you think is the best set of a “stunning dinner to celebrate the world’s beauty”, and upload your picture to the competition website. You have until 7 July to submit your entry. The winners will be announced on 14 July together with the revealing of the Mumm Explorer Experience destination. The Mumm Explorer Experience is an invitation to a once in the lifetime gastronomic experience orchestrated by a Michelin star Chef, as part of a true and authentic expedition alongside a real adventurer. The winner of the photo contest will be awarded the opportunity to be part of the experience, while eight runners up will receive a bottle of Mumm Cordon Rouge champagne.

Website: Mumm - The Game

This year’s Leica Oskar Barnack Award goes to the Swedish photographer Jens Olof Lasthein for his portfolio, “Waitingfor the future – pictures from Abkhazia”. Abkhazia is a disputed territory that is considered to be a part of Georgia international law. “The future of the people there is just as uncertain as that of their home country. It is precisely this uncertainty that Lasthein has captured in his photography,” Leica says. You can read an interview with the winner at the Leica Camera Blog.

The National Wildlife Federation encourages all US based photographers to take part in its 40th photo contest. The contest offers cash prizes totaling more than $30,000, as well as other gifts to be awarded to winners from seven categories in three separate divisions: Professional, Amateur, and Youth. Winners will be published on NWF’s website and a selection will appear in the December 2010 issue of National Wildlife Magazine. The deadline for entering NWF’s photo contest is 6 July. Note that there is a $20 entry fee, which includes a one-year membership to the National Wildlife Federation and six issues of National Wildlife magazine

Website: NWF Photo Contest

The Emotion Company announced today the launch of its new photofinishing service. This service fully relies on the KoffeeWare Photo Web Shop, which allows for easy creation of photo dedicated webshops including features ranging from the interactive online product customisation tools to the product and promotion management system associated to full control of the service and a full featured content management system CMS for an easy update of the hosted photo web shop. The Emotion Company’s service is available in 8 languages at the website below.

Website: The Emotion Company

The Canon Camera Hackers Manual is a new book that targets “geeky” owners of Canon consumer cameras who would like to tweak them to do things way beyond their original specifications. Canon cameras allow the user to temporarily upload so-called add-ons into the camera through the memory card. The next time the camera is powered on, the add-on is active; when the camera is switched off, the camera returns to its original state, so there is no risk of losing the manufacturer’s warranty, the publisher claims. The hacks are based on the Canon Hack Development Kit, free software maintained by a group of enthusiasts. Many scripts are already published on the web, and this book teaches how to use existing scripts and how to write new ones. The Canon Camera Hackers Manual is available now from O’Reilly, priced at $29.95.

Essex photographer Claire Moir has scooped the top prize in the Envisage Photography Awards. The prize has been awarded for her portrait of 5-year-old ELissa Faith Keating (see above). The Award includes a cash prize of £1,000 which Claire splits with her client who commissioned the winning image.

This September, Skira/Rizzoli in association with the South Street Seaport Museum is publishing Alfred Stieglitz New York, which brings together Alfred Stieglitz’s photographs of NYC for the first time since 1932. Curated by respected author, art historian and professor Bonnie Yochelson, this is the first book devoted exclusively to Stieglitz’s New York photographs.  The book’s publication date of 14th September coincides with the opening of the exhibition at the South Street Seaport Museum which will run until 10th January 2011.

Color Confidence has launched ProfileWriter, a profiling solution developed specifically for the Epson Stylus Pro 7900S and 9900S large format printers. Color Confidence ProfileWriter communicates directly with the built-in Epson SpectroProofer and makes the process of producing ICC profiles fast, accurate and affordable, the company claims. ProfileWriter is available now from all Epson large format printer resellers.

There are just a few days left to enter our fantastic competition.

Manfrotto Distribution have kindly donated THREE of their superb new Manfrotto Joystick Heads - in fact we are giving away ONE 327RC2 Joystick Head and TWO 324RC2 Joystick Heads worth £385 in total!

The new joystick heads offer a uniquely ergonomic way of quickly unlocking, moving and locking the camera, so you can frame and reposition freely to get the perfect photo.

To have a chance of winning one of these great prizes, simply subscribe to the Photography Blog Newsletter and answer a simple question.

The contest closes at the end of Monday 7th June 2010 – good luck!

ZeissImages.com, the recently launched online photo gallery of images captured with Zeiss lenses, has just announced its first photo contest. The theme is “As seen through your eyes”, and there are five categories - Landscape, Glamor, People, Nature and City/Architecture. ZeissImages.com members can submit up to 3 photographs per category.There are no fees or exchange of services required to participate in the contest, but it is mandatory that photographs submitted be taken with a Zeiss lens. The deadline for submissions is 1 August 2010.

Website: ZeissImages.com

GoingPro has hit the quarter million mark in page views just two months after start-up of its new blog. “The response from the photographic community has been incredible. Feedback from the public has been so positive. We’re working hard to keep expanding content, podcasts and even sponsorship,” commented Scott Bourne, GoingPro Co-Founder. Created by MEI’s Skip Cohen and BMG’s Scott Bourne, GoingPro is a year-long annual programme dedicated to educating professional and aspiring professional photographers through a GoingPro book, educational workshops, national conferences, free webinars and podcasts, blog and training

Nik Software announced today a new academic programme designed to make its digital imaging software products accessible to more students and faculty located in the U.S. and Canada at more affordable prices. The discounted price for Academic versions of Dfine 2.0, Viveza 2, Silver Efex Pro and Sharpener Pro 3.0 is $99.99. Color Efex Pro 3.0 Complete and the Complete Collection for Lightroom and Aperture cost $149.99, while the Complete Collection Ultimate Edition for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture is $299.99. These figures represent discounts of up to 50% versus the standard retail prices. Eligible customers include all students and educators at any accredited educational institution.