American Rivers announced today that it will be the beneficiary of donations through a photo contest sponsored by Orvis. The contest encourages people to submit their favorite fishing or river-related photo. Photos can depict a range of subjects, including rivers and landscapes, anglers, wildlife, and more. The winning photograph will appear on the cover of a future Orvis fly fishing catalog and the winning photographer will receive a $1,000 Orvis gift card or a Helios fly rod outfit. People can vote for the winning photo and each vote requires a $1 donation to American Rivers. The contest runs through 1 June 2010.

Website: American Rivers

Tiffen has announced that its award winning Dfx digital filters will be available as a plug-in for Apple Aperture 3. Tiffen Dfx digital filters allegedly represent a technological breakthrough that both complement and expand the creative control Tiffen optical filters bring to imaging. Unlike other software, Tiffen Dfx filters offer effects that truly simulate the extensive range of Tiffen’s world-renowned optical filters. Tiffen invites Aperture 3.0 owners or those considering its purchase to visit Tiffen’s website at tiffen.com to register their name for further details and to be notified when this latest Dfx plug-in becomes available for shipping. The new plug-in will also work with both Aperture 2.1 and above on any Macintosh computer with an Intel chip.

Tiffen has announced Version 3.0 of its popular Tiffen Photo fx creative effects software, for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. New features include the addition of the Light fx filter group that includes: Ambient Light, Edge Glow, Ice Halos, Light, ReLight and Water Droplets. Tiffen Photo fx 3.0 continues to allow users to enhance their images from photos taken or stored on their iPhone or stored on their iPod Touch. Non-destructive, it saves the new images for display later without overwriting the original image.

Website: Tiffen Photo fx

Bibble has released an update to Bibble 5 Pro. Version 5.0.2 adds support for the Leica M8, M9, X1 and Digital Module R, the Ricoh GX100, GX200, GR Digital II, GR Digital III and GXR, the Sony A230, A380 and A500, and a hsot of older Canon digital cameras, including the D30, D60, G2, G3, G5, G6, S40, S45, S50, S60, S70, Pro 1 and SX1 models. Soft Proofing, a feature that allows you to quickly visualise how your images will appear once printed using your printer’s colour profiles, has also been added.

Website: Bibble Download Centre

Dalsa has just announced the shipment of its newest image sensors, which offer a resolution of 196 megapixels. Of course, you will not find these in the next-generation digital SLR cameras - not that their lenses would be able to resolve that much information anyway -; but if you happen to be in the aerial photogrammetry business, it might be just what you need. For the 196-megapixel Dalsa sensors will be used in the newest models in the UltraCam line of aerial photogrammetry cameras produced by Vexcel Imaging GmbH, a subsidiary of Microsoft. The new UltraCamXp and UltraCamXp Wide Angle use multiple Dalsa CCD image sensors to provide breathtakingly detailed imagery that feeds applications such as Microsoft Bing Maps.

Website: Dalsa

Sony has introduced a range of digital photo frames offering luxurious looks and allegedly “dazzling” image quality. The range-topping S-Frame X85 and X95 feature TruBlack technology for rich, high-contrast images and low screen reflections. The Sony S-Frame X85 & X95 frames couple a 8:5 aspect ratio and WVGA resolution with 8” and 9” panel sizes, respectively. Both models feature 2GB internal memory and Memory Stick, SD and xD-Picture card slots. The 8” Sony S-Frame E75 and the 7” E73 come supplied with three interchangeable coloured bezels that make it easy to personalise your photo frame in moment, but lack the generous 2GB built-in storage capacity of the X series models..The X85 and the X95 will be available from March, while the E series frames will hit the shelves in May.

Lowepro today unveiled the next generation of its innovative SlingShot AW series. Redesigned using customer input, the new and improved models of the SlingShot AW series add a Hideaway Tripod Mount system, compatibility with the latest prosumer and professional grade DSLR cameras, and a more efficient storage and workflow layout. The Hideaway Tripod Mount system lets photographers secure a compact tripod or monopod to the side of the sling via a foldout holder, quick-release buckle and strap. A fully padded and customisable main camera compartment now includes an updated divider system to accommodate the most-popular models of DSLRs and their compatible lenses and accessories. And as with the original series, the latest SlingShot AW models include Lowepro’s patented built-in All Weather AW Cover to protect gear from the elements during inclement weather. The new SlingShot AW editions are available from $89.99.

OverBoard today launched its Waterproof Zoom Lens Camera Case. The Waterproof Zoom Lens Camera Case can be submerged up to 19ft and still take pictures with a regular digital camera. Its telescopic lens addition makes this case different from other products, offering users a chance for much more interesting photographs without the need for an expensive camera. The Waterproof Zoom Lens Camera Case is available for £19.99 from the OverBoard web shop.

Website OverBoard

PicScout and PhotoShelter today announced a partnership to automatically include PhotoShelter photographers’ images in the PicScout ImageIRC (index, registry and connection platform). This partnership gives individual photographers access to the same powerful PicScout technology used by major image libraries worldwide, enabling them to connect with more image buyers and ensure critical metadata remains accessible to image users anywhere online. “Our partnership with PicScout gives our photographers a truly tangible way to increase image sales by allowing their images to be identified with PicScout’s ImageExchange.  When image users encounter one of our photographer’s images online, whether it be via a search engine, at a content website, or wherever an image resides, the user will be provided a very obvious link directly back to the photographer’s e-commerce enabled site on PhotoShelter,” said PhotoShelter CEO Allen Murabayashi.

Starting in April, Spinning Hat will be offering a large SD card shaped photo album that holds sixty 4x6” (10x15cm) prints. The cool album not only mimics the shape of the popular memory card, it even imitates the contacts on the rear side (see image gallery at the end of this post)! Spinning Hat is already taking pre-orders for the album, which can be yours for £9.99.

Pentax has issued a firmware update for the Pentax K-7 digital SLR camera. Version 1.03 improves the stability of movie recording with certain SDHC cards, and adds a distortion / chromatic aberration removal function for the smc PENTAX-FA 31mmF1.8AL, smc PENTAX-FA 43mmF1.9 and smc PENTAX-FA 77mmF1.8 Limited lenses.

Website: Latest Pentax K-7 Firmware Updates

PictoColor has released iCorrect EditLab Pro PowerSuite, comprising iCorrect EditLab Pro 5.5 Plug-in for Photoshop and iCorrect EditLab ProApp 6.0 standalone application, which integrates seamlessly into the Lightroom workflow or operates as a standalone batch processing colour correction program for JPEGs and TIFFs. With its highly acclaimed technology, smartly arranged tools, and workflow enhancing features, iCorrect EditLab technology will allegedly save photographers hours and minimise the frustration of making colour, noise, and sharpening adjustments, the company says. iCorrect EditLab Pro PowerSuite may be purchased at PictoColor’s on-line store at for an introductory price of $149.95 as a software download. After the introductory period the price will be $174.95.

Adobe Photoshop turns 20 tomorrow. In 1987, Thomas Knoll developed a pixel imaging application called Display - a simple program to showcase grayscale images on a black-and-white monitor. However, after collaborating with his brother John Knoll, the two began adding features that made it possible to process digital image files. The program eventually caught the attention of industry influencers, and in 1988, Adobe made the decision to license the software, naming it Photoshop, and shipping the first version in 1990. Over its 20-year history, Photoshop has evolved significantly from a simple original display program to a wildly popular application that has over 10 million users worldwide. “Twenty years ago, Adobe predicted that it would sell 500 copies of Photoshop per month,” said Thomas Knoll, co-creator of Photoshop at Adobe. “I guess you could say, we beat those projections!”

The International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) competition is back with a new format. This year there will be four seasonal competitions, based on specific themes, which allows photographers to win cash prizes throughout the year. The first of these seasonal competitions is on the theme of ‘Winter Beauty’ with a closing date of 28 February. In addtion to the new format, International Garden Photographer of the Year has also introduced a new category, ‘Wildflowers’. They will use this category in our exhibitions to highlight issues around the alarming disappearance of wild places.

Website: IGPOTY

The 14.1-megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 boasts an ultrawide 25-250mm equivalent superzoom lens and a 3” LCD screen. Other highlights of the Sony H55 include Optical Steady Shot image stabilisation with Active Mode, 720p HD video recording, a Self portrait timer that automatically takes the shot two seconds after one or two faces are detected, Smile Shutter technology to automatically capture smiles and Sony’s trademark Sweep Panorama feature that lets you capture panoramic photographs effortlessly. The Sony H55 camera will be available in black and silver this April for about $250. Pre-sales begin in February.

The 10.2-megapixel Sony TX5 is the world’s thinnest and smallest certified waterproof digital still camera with Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation and touch operation. It’s also freezeproof, dustproof and shockproof up to about a five-foot drop. The Sony Cyber-shot TX5 features an “Exmor R” sensor and offers 10fps continuous burst shooting for capturing action shots plus Sony’sunique Sweep Panorama mode for taking panoramic images without having to bother with stitching individual frames. An ultra-wide 25-100mm equivalent 4x zoom lens and 720p HD movie recording round off the features list. Compatible with both SD(HC) and Memory Stick PRO Duo memory cards, the Sony TX5 camera will be available in silver, black, pink, green, and red this April for about $350.

The Shootout Ultralight backpack from Tenba weighs less than 48 ounces, yet has the capacity to accommodate a full-size pro digital camera system. Constructed of a rugged combination of nylons, chosen for their durability and water-resistance yet minimal weight, the Shootout Ultralight features a padded camera insert – Switchback Module – that can be used facing either the front or back of the pack. When reversed inside the bag, the camera gear can only be accessed through a discreet rear door on the harness side. The backpack is available in black/olive, silver/black and black/black color combinations, priced at $154.95.

The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, the Nikon D3S (review), the Olympus PEN E-P2 (review) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 (review) have just been tested over at DxOMark. The Nikon D3S (pictured), a camera that has recently been awarded our highest Essential rating, received a DxOMark sensor score of 82.4, which is the fourth-best score ever. The Nikon D3S sensor is bettered only by the Phase One P65+ and P40+ medium-format digital backs and the Nikon D3x. The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV landed on 16th place with a DxO Mark Sensor rating of 73.6. Out of the two Micro Four Thirds cameras, the Olympus E-P2 received a slightly higher score than the Panasonic GF1, though both achieved much lower results than the Lumix GH1 tested earlier on.

Website: DxOMark

Shutterstock has just announced the addition of its 10 millionth image. Founded in 2003, Shutterstock claims to be the largest subscription-based stock photo agency in the world. Its 10 millionth image is by Matthew Jacques of Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada. Jacques submitted a dramatic image of two male Dall Sheep locking horns against a snowy background, photographed at a wildlife park in Nova Scotia. A Shutterstock submitter since 2006, Jacques started taking pictures as a hobby, but he recently used his Shutterstock earnings to invest in a professional-quality DSLR camera and has branched out to shoot motor sports, weddings and portraits. “My hobby’s paying for itself,” said Jacques. “That’s what Shutterstock and online stock sales have done for me.”

Website: Matthew Jacques Photography