Kubota Image Tools has announced the Fall schedule of its free Webinar Wednesdays. Webinar attendees will have a chance to learn tips and tricks for using the Kubota DASHBOARD, Kubota AutoAlbum, Kubota Workflow and much more. Each seminar begins at 10:00 am PST, 1:00 pm EST. Upcoming webinars will take place 23rd and 30th September, 7th, 14th and 28th October and 2nd, 9th and 16th December. For more information about the complete Kubota Image Tools 2009 Webinar schedule and to register,  visit the website below.

Website: Kubota Image Tools Webinar Schedule

Adobe have just released Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac and Windows. Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac complements iPhoto and now includes all of the intelligent photo-editing options as the Windows version. Windows users of Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 can easily manage media and find photo and video clips even faster than before with the enhanced Organizer. The new Auto-Analyzer automatically analyses and tags media so users can quickly find the most interesting and highest quality content and People Recognition identifies people in photos, becoming more intelligent over time, as it learns to associate names and faces. With Adobe Photomerge Exposure, users can simply merge multiple shots of the same scene, with and without a flash, together to create a perfectly lit photo that shows every detail. And for even more creative possibilities, Windows users in the US have the option to purchase Plus. Additional benefits include 20GB of storage for automatic online backup and sharing, as well as regular deliveries of tutorials, tips and tricks, seasonal artwork and interactive online templates sent directly to the desktop software. Photos and videos can also be accessed anywhere with an Internet connection at Photoshop.com. Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 costs $99.99 with the Windows version being available now and the Mac version coming in October 2009. Plus is available to Windows customers in the US only, for $49.99/year.

Photography Unplugged by Prof. Harald Mante is a new book that is meant to present the wealth of Mante’s photographic work and at the same time to advocate a pure, straight approach to photography, untouched by digital image editing tools - uncropped and unmodified captures of scenes as seen through the viewfinder. Harald Mante’s photographs, all captured on Kodachrome slide films, will inspire beginners and expert photographers alike, and will reveal the beauty and magic of masterfully composed photography. Kodachrome was the first slide film Harald Mante ever used and remained his staple film for decades. Therefore, this book is also a way for the artist and the publisher to say “goodbye” and “thank you” to this legendary film whose last remaining variant, Kodachrome 64, was recently retired by Kodak. Photography Unplugged is published by Rocky Nook, and distributed internationally by O’Reilly Media. The price of the 208-page book is $49.95 / £38.50.

The Magnum AW series of pro bags has been redesigned to be more durable and suitable for today’s professional camera kit. The interior is constructed of one-piece foam framing, fully padded and incorporating adjustable inserts allowing a photographer to customize his or her kit to work for any scenario. A removable accessory pocket is included also to hold four memory cards, cords, batteries and cables. The Magnum AW series features an exclusive Lowepro molded base providing stable protection while on the ground, water-resistance and the ability to stack bags in multiples too. There are three sizes available, the Magnum 200 AW and Magnum 400 AW, which meet most airline carry-on size requirements, and the Magnum 650 AW. The bags can carry a Pro-DSLR with lens attached plus 3-4 lenses plus accessories, up to the Magnum 650 AW which holds 1-2 Pro-DSLR’s with 8-10 lenses and accessories and also offers a padded notebook sleeve with integrated sunshade that you can use at the top of the bag for an impromptu work platform. In the UK, Lowepro products are distributed exclusively by DayMen International Ltd.

Peter Crouch has been asked to train the UK Sony ‘Twilight Football’ team ahead of their big game today. The outcome was some simply stunning imagery. Sony says, “The upcoming sporting event from Sony called “Twilight Football” has been set up to do just that, capture some beautiful imagery of the beautiful game, whilst demonstrating the low-light shooting capabilities of Sony’s new range of cameras and Handycams including the Cyber-shot TX1 and WX1 models, the Handycam TG7 and the DSLR A550.” Amateur footballers have competed to take part in matches around the world and the team of successful UK applicants were awarded the extra honour of being trained by England football legend Peter Crouch. He commented:  “It was a fantastic experience working with the UK winners of the Sony Twilight football competition. They are a dedicated, tight knit team and it was my pleasure to coach them ahead of their upcoming match in Australia.”

Indonesia: Landscapes & Culture is a new book by Dutch photographer Rick Wezenaar, devoted to Indonesia and its breathtaking landscapes, warm people, and its rich and diverse culture. Rick Wezenaar began photography at the age of 11 and became a professional photographer ten years later. During a 4-year quest, Rick travelled the countryside, villages and cities of Indonesia, capturing its beauty and culture. Indonesia: Landscapes & Culture is a collection of photographs taken during these years. The 102-page paperback edition can be purchased now for $44.99 from the Lulu Marketplace, whereas an electronic edition can be downloaded from the same website for $9.99. The book will also be carried by Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bol, Ingram, Bowker, Nielsen and Lightning Source.

Canon are offering photographic students at UK institutions the chance to receive cashback on the purchase of a new Canon EOS 450D or 500D DSLR. The promotion runs until 31 October 2009. Apart from photographic students, lecturers and technicians working on photographic courses are also eligible to take part. The cashback on EOS 450D configurations amounts to £50, whereas those purchasing an EOS 500D can claim £65. Cameras can be purchased from any authorised Canon retailer. Once purchased, send the claim form, proof of purchase and UK academic accreditation to the to the freepost address as it appears on the form. Claim forms can be downloaded pre or post purchase. Customers will receive their cheque within 28 days of the forms reaching Canon

National Geographic is about to release a new title, 44 Days: Iran and the Remaking of the World, by renowned photojournalist David Burnett. The book chronicles the first 44 days of Iran’s Islamic Revolution that began 30 years ago with the fall of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. “Burnett’s vivid images of the dizzying events and emotions of that turbulent time illustrate his narrative of the monarchy’s destruction, the last-ditch efforts to salvage a secular government, and the establishment of a hard-line regime dominated by religious leaders and the rule of Islamic law,” the publisher says. David Burnett has worked in more than 75 countries. Early in his career he became the last photojournalist to cover the Vietnam War for Life magazine. A veteran journalist of the political scene in Washington, he has photographed every American president from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama. 44 Days: Iran and the Remaking of the World has a list price of $50 but can be pre-ordered from Amazon for $31.50.

Website: 44 Days: Iran and the Remaking of the World on Amazon

Kubota Image Tools has announced its 18th Digital Photography Bootcamp workshop. Bootcamp, taught by renowned photographer Kevin Kubota (pictured), is a 5-day workshop for professional photographers designed to supply all of the technical know-how to run a successful digital portrait/wedding studio; at the same time, it encourages continued development of a photographer’s unique style and creativity. The Fall 2009 workshop will take place from Sunday, 8 November through to Friday, 13 November in the FivePine Lodge, Oregon. The cost is $2,895 including lodging and gourmet meals.

Direct Source Marketing, the sole US distributor of Horseman photo products for professionals and high-end consumers, today announced unique multi-coated conversion lenses for DSLR cameras. These conversion lenses, all made in Japan by Komamura Corporation, provide wide-angle and macro solutions without changing lenses. They are attached in front of the taking lens, much like a filter. Street pricing is expected to range from $60-$120, depending on the model, of which there are seven.

Website: Multi-Coated Horseman Conversion Lenses for DSLRs

DXG has unveiled the rugged and weather-proof DXG-125V high-definition digital video camera. The DXG-125V was designed with sports and outdoor enthusiasts in mind. A durable rubber handgrip makes it easy to securely hold and protects the camcorder against bumps and drops when out on excursions, while the included carabiner and compass keep consumers on track during their adventures. The splash-proof exterior can be rinsed off if it falls in a muddy puddle along the trail or in the snow when getting off a chair lift. The DXG-125V shoots 720p video at 30 frames per secondhas a 2” TFT LCD screen and has a built-in HDMI slot to enable users to instantly share their outdoor activities with family and friends on the plasma or HDTV. The camera can also capture 3-megapixel stills. The DXG-125V is available at retailers today for $139.99.

Fitch Ratings has revised Eastman Kodak Company’s rating outlook to Stable from Negative. The Stable Outlook reflects Kodak’s improved near-term liquidity and financial flexibility. However, Fitch still expects “significant top-line and operating profit deterioration in all of Kodak’s businesses through at least 2009 due primarily to the global economic downturn”, and believes that “growth and margin expansion in Kodak’s digital businesses necessary to offset the rapid secular decline in the high margin traditional film business will remain challenging”.

Point Grey and Fresco Logic have developed a SuperSpeed USB-enabled HD video camera that can stream uncompressed 1080p high-definition video to a USB 3.0 host device. The prototype camera is designed and manufactured by Point Grey and uses the new 3-megapixel Sony IMX036 CMOS image sensor. The sensor also supports an HD 1080p60 mode, which allows the camera to output raw, uncompressed 1920 x 1080 pixel images at 60 frames per second. At the 2009 Intel Developer Forum (IDF), the camera will connected to a USB 3.0 interface card on the host side which is powered by the FL1000, a PCI Express to SuperSpeed USB Extensible Host Controller Interface host controller chip from Fresco Logic. The host PC to be used at the live demonstration from September 22nd to 24th at IDF in the Fresco Logic booth #731 inside the USB-IF Community has an Intel i5-based P7P55D motherboard from ASUS.

Panasonic has issued firmware updates for its Lumix DMC-G1 and GH1 Micro Four Thirds cameras. Version 1.4 of the G1 firmware improves AF performance with low-contrast subjects and optimises AE control for the upcoming Leica 45mm Macro lens that is due for release in October. Version 1.2 of the GH1 firmware also includes these improvements, plus decreases the operational noise of the auto-focus system during movie recording with the Lumix 20mm f/1.7 lens. N.B.: this modification also brings about a decrease in AF speed while recording a video clip with this lens, but does not affect AF speed or noise when taking stills.

Website: Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Firmware 1.4
Website: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Firmware 1.2

Sakar has announced the availability of the Kodak Smile G150, a pocket-sized digital viewer sporting an extra-bright 1.5” screen. The tiny viewer is claimed to have a capacity of more than 100 images, and comes with on-board software enabling plug-and-play use. Simply plug the device into your computer’s USB port, and the Photo Uploader (for PCs) or DPKMate (for Macs) will open automatically to your My Pictures folder or file directory depending on your operating system. Images can also be resized, rotated, cropped, and changed to a different text and/or background colour from the easy-to-use interface, the company says. The KODAK Smile G150 Digital Photo Keychain will be available in black, gray, red, blue and silver at major retailers in late September for an MSRP of $29.99.

MotionTouch and Predator technology have announced the Predator VX360, a wearable, waterproof video camera system. Targeted at the extreme sports market, the Predator VX360 is a rugged system designed to be worn by the adventure sports enthusiast, to capture rider’s-eye footage. It is waterproof to three metres and robust enough to survive impact with rock and the abrasive effects of seawater. The recording unit is worn on the arm and has large ergonomic buttons, which are easy to use on the go. The unit also features an integrated colour LCD screen to play back footage. The eyeball camera, in a fully adjustable mounting, is worn on a headband. The Predator VX360 has a recommended retail price of £549.99.