1clickactions have released their latest set of Photoshop actions for photographers, called 1clickPRO. Using a combination of traditional actions and javascript, 1clickPRO offers a higher degree of versatility and control than has previously been available, the company says. The 1clickPRO series is compatible with Photoshop CS2 and later on both Windows and Macs and is available now from http://www.1clickactions.com.

Issue #17 of the PhotographyBB Online Magazine has been released. The June 2009 edition features articles on composition and how keeping things simple can lead to great photography. The issue also examines how to overcome “photographer’s block” when lack of inspiration occurs. Included is also a Photoshop tutorial on creating an urban “grunge” type effect for dramatic impact. In the Photography Around the World column, photographer Ian Miller takes readers to Cambodia, a place of interesting history and rich culture. The magazine also has some tips on how you can make money with your photography, an editorial for the film purists, a look at 50mm prime lenses, and an interview with one very talented photographer. PhotographyBB Online Magazine is available for free download from http://www.photographyBB.com/magazine.

Plawa-feinwerktechnik GmbH & Co. KG has just announced the AgfaPhoto DC-600uw, a compact digital camera that is waterproof down to a depth of 10 metres. The manufacturer has apparently resisted the urge to put a ten- or twelve-megapixel sensor into the DC-600uw, equipping it with a more reasonable-sounding 6-megapixel CCD instead. The other highlights of the new camera include a moderately wide, 36.5mm equivalent prime lens, a 2.4” TFT LCD screen, a sensitivity range of ISO 100-1600, ten scene modes, a custom white balance option,  32MB of internal storage plus compatibility with SD/SDHC memory cards. In addition to taking still photographs, the AgfaPhoto DC-600uw underwater camera can also capture 640x480-pixel videos at 30 frames per second. Weighing in at 131 grams, the camera runs on two AA-sized batteries and is available now for €149 including German VAT in Europe. The MSRP in the U.S.A. is $199.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Olympus Corporation and the AFP Foundation have announced a photography competition entitled “Picture This: Caring for the Earth”. Its aim is to portray the people of Africa as stewards and protectors of their environment, and photos submitted for the contest must illustrate that theme. Special attention will be given to photos that take into account the role that women can and do play in that regard. There are two categories: individual photos (up to 5 entries per person) and photo essay (one photo essay, 4-10 photos per essay, per person). You may only enter one category. The top three winners in each category will receive Olympus cameras. Once again, and as with every competition, we encourage you to read the rules before entering.

Website: Picture This: Caring for the Earth

The National Geographic Museum is hosting a new exhibition of photographs taken in the 1950s and 1960s by American photographers in Europe. Culled from the National Geographic archives, the images showcase the work of more than 35 legendary photographers — including Luis Marden, Volkmar Wentzel, Thomas Abercrombie, James Blair and Winfield Parks — and revisit a photographic medium that changed the way we document the world, says National Geographic. The photographs will be on display until 7 September 2009. The National Geographic Museum, 1145 17th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., is open Mondays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Website: National Geographic Museum

Photographer and Podcast Producer, David E. Warner, recently launched LensFlare35 to link the community of Canon professional photographers. Warner’s initial concept of a simple networking community quickly evolved into an all-out quest to interview today’s top Canon photographers. Their unique stories, tips and techniques are shared with other photographers through his LensFlare35’s weekly podcast episodes. For a list of upcoming episodes, visit LensFlare35.

Website: LensFlare35

Photographer Daniel Bayer, who had started his now-famous Kodachrome Project back in 2004, recently issued a statement saying he would “continue gathering images through The Kodachrome Project until its end date”. The statement comes after Kodak’s announcement of retiring the iconic film after 74 years of production. Daniel Bayer started his project five years ago, being fully aware that “it was only a matter of time before Kodak would discontinue producing this film”. He has travelled far and wide throughout the United States to capture “the best images possible” before it becomes too late, and now hopes to produce a book and exhibit next year to “visually celebrate the 75th anniversary of Kodachrome Film”.

Website: The Kodachrome Project

Microsoft has announced its new Bing Photo Contest. The competition kicks off on 29 June and runs until late July. The winning photo will be featured on the home page of Microsoft’s new search engine, Bing, in early August. The contest will be implemented through the Bing Photo Sharing Facebook application. As always, make sure to read the rules before you enter.

Website: Photo Contest Details

Bogen Imaging has announced a new Service Centre dedicated to all Manfrotto and Gitzo products. The new Service Centre that comes into effect on July 1st 2009 will undertake all warranty and non warranty service / repair issues and also supply spare parts. All repairs must be sent directly to the service centre and where a claim under warranty is being made a copy of the sales receipt should be included. The address of the new Manfrotto / Gitzo service centre is Unit 23 Hewitts Industrial Estate, Cranleigh, Surrey, GU6 8LW.

Phase One A/S, in conjunction with senior management employees of Leaf, today announced that they have created a new entity, Leaf Imaging Ltd., to purchase certain assets of the Leaf camera business. The assets include the “Leaf” brand product names, engineering design and production tools. In collaboration with Phase One, high end Leaf digital camera equipment will continue to be developed in Israel and marketed under the “Leaf” brand through a global network of specialised and dedicated value added resellers. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

To celebrate the Cecil Beaton: Portraits exhibition, the Walker Art Gallery has launched a competition to find a modern day icon. If you’re the spirit of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Sir Winston Churchill or Fred Astaire whose photographs can be seen in the exhibition, collect a registration form from the information desk or download from www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk. 

Entries are welcomed from 26 June – 20 July 2009 for your chance to be styled as one of these fabulous icons and be photographed by Zoe Photography. The winning iconic portrait be displayed throughout August and be awarded to the winner in September. The exhibition opens at 10am tomorrow, 26 June, at Walker Art Gallery William Brown Street, Liverpool. Admission is free.

Kubota Image Tools have announced Webinar Wednesdays – free online educational opportunities created with today’s busy digital photographer in mind. Webinar Wednesdays will cover topics such as Kubota DASHBOARD Basics, Kubota AutoAlbum V.3, and Kubota DASHBOARD image enhancing techniques such as: Black-and-White and Sepia Tone Lovin’, Creative Effects – Cracking the Creative Code, and Color Effects – The Perfect Punch. For more information about the complete Kubota Image Tools 2009 Webinar schedule and to register, please visit: http://www.kubotaimagetools.com/webinar_schedule.html . Once registered, attendees need only log-in from their computer at the scheduled date and time.

Fujifilm is joining forces with Fujifilm Sericol, Epson and Xerox to hold a free open day at its showroom in Bedford on Thursday July 9. This event is intended for those interested in what’s new in the world of inkjets, inks, dry labs, digital printers and learn about business opportunities and how the market is changing, Fujifilm says. The day will feature a series of presentations and an introduction to the new generation of inks and eco-friendly solutions as well as demonstrations of the latest kit, including the Fujifilm Acuity UV Inkjet, the Epson Inkjet, Xerox iGen Digital Press, Epson Disk Producer and Fujifilm’s award winning Drylab. The event is free to attend but advance registration is required. To register, send an e-mail to [email protected] or call 01234 572144.

SanDisk has just unveiled the world’s fastest 32GB SDHC memory card, which boasts read and write speeds of up to 30 megabytes per second. The 32GB SanDisk Extreme SDHC card adheres to the SD Association’s new Class 10 specification, which exceeds requirement for today’s high definition (AVCHD) video recording. The card is claimed to offer a sustained write speed fast enough to ensure high-definition video recording and capacity capable of storing 160 minutes of full HD 1920x1080 pixels at 24Mb/s data transfer rate. Like all SanDisk SDHC memory cards, the 32GB Extreme guarantees operation at extended temperatures ranging from minus 13 F (minus 25 C) to 185 F (85 C). The SanDisk Extreme SDHC 32GB cards will be shipping worldwide to major retailers in August.

The Pentax Optio W80 is Pentax’s most water-, shock-, dust- and cold-proof digital camera ever. The Pentax W80 can withstand depths of up to 16 feet (5 meters) for up to 2 hours, drops of up to 3.3 feet (1 meter), and sub-freezing temperatures of 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Celsius). The 12.1 megapixel W80 also features a 5x zoom lens, HD movies, a 2.5-inch LCD screen and triple anti-shake protection. Available in Cardinal Red, Azure Blue and Gunmetal Gray, the Pentax Optio W80 will be available in July 2009 for $299.95. Accessories include a custom designed clear protective skin ($16.95) and a comfortable floating wrist strap ($19.95).

General Imaging has begun shipping the GE E1250TW touch-screen digital compact camera. The latest release in the 2009 lineup of GE-branded cameras, the E1250TW boasts a 28-140mm equivalent lens, a 12.2-megapixel sensor and a 3” touch-sensitive screen featuring “next-generation” touch-panel controls allowing for swiping, rotation and zoom among the many new touch-controlled functions. The GE E1250TW also has a panorama assist function called Pan-Capture Panorama and comes loaded with now-standard features like Face, Blink, Smile and Auto Scene Detection. The camera lists for $199 and is available through Amazon.com and other retailers.

Western Digital today introduced its newly redesigned My Book® World Edition™ II dual-drive network storage system in capacities of up to 4 TB. With the double protection of two Mirrored (RAID 1) drives and continuous backup software, the My Book World Edition II network storage system provides an extra-safe place for users to back up and store the data and digital media from all the computers on their network in one central location. The new My Book World Edition II network storage systems are available now in 2 TB and 4 TB capacities at select retailers and WD’s online store (www.shopwd.com). MSRP for the My Book World Edition II dual-drive storage system with 4 TB is $699.99 USD and 2 TB is $399.99 USD.