SIGMA Photo Pro 5.1 Software is now available for download

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce that SIGMA Photo Pro 5.1 (Ver.5.1.0) for Windows and SIGMA Photo Pro 5.1 (Ver.5.1.0) for Macintosh is available for download.


DP series and SD series camera users can now download the latest Sigma Photo Pro software.




Benefits of the Sigma Photo Pro software update:
SIGMA Photo Pro 5.1 (Ver.5.1.0) for Windows

• The Exposure Picker function is added.
• In processing X3F files from the SD1, Highlight processing is improved.
• Various bugs have been corrected to achieve more stable operation.
• Updated Italian Help menu.

SIGMA Photo Pro 5.1 (Ver.5.1.0) for Macintosh

• The Exposure Picker function is added.
• In processing X3F files from the SD1, Highlight processing is improved.
• The Network drive is now recognized by Mac OS X10.7.
• Various bugs have been corrected to achieve more stable operation.
• Updated Italian Help menu.

SIGMA Photo Pro 5.1 (Ver.5.1.0) for Windows and SIGMA Photo Pro 5.1 (Ver.5.1.0) for Macintosh is available for download at the following site: SD1 Special Site

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Pentax Announces The OPTIO RZ18 With 18x Zoom

GOLDEN, CO. (September, 2011)…PENTAX Imaging Company announced the Optio RZ18 digital compact camera. Featuring a slim, lightweight body, the new model offers a powerful 18X optical zoom lens covering focal lengths from 25mm wide angle to 450mm super-telephoto (in the 35mm format). The Optio RZ18 is the latest addition to the RZ zoom lens series, which provides photographers simple, effortless shooting of a wide variety of subjects and occasions, from travel and landscape to action and spectator sports.

The Optio RZ18 features include:
•    Generous 18X zoom (equivalent to 25-450mm) with extra wide angle lens captures subjects near and far.
•    High resolution 16 megapixel sensor for large prints or aggressive image cropping.
•    Slim footprint for outstanding portability and inconspicuous use.
•    Multiple PENTAX Shake Reduction (SR) image stabilization options, including sensor-shift SR, for sharp images in any lighting.
•    Large 3 inch LCD with HVGA resolution (460,000 dots).
•    Powerful automatic shooting modes such as Auto Picture and scene modes take the guesswork out of great photography.
•    Creative special effects filters add artistic flair to the common snapshot.
•    Advanced 9-point autofocus with a 4cm super macro mode.
•    Face detection for perfectly focused and exposed portraits, includes a dedicated pet recognition feature.
•    Widescreen HD video in 720p at 30 frames per second.
The Optio RZ18 will available in black, pearl white or metallic orange for $299.95USD in October 2011.

PENTAX Imaging Company is a leader in the production of a variety of adventure ready digital cameras including weather-resistant digital SLRs and stylish, compact, waterproof cameras, as well as lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, and eyepieces.  For more than 90 years, PENTAX has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of adventurous consumers and businesses.  With headquarters in Golden, Colorado, PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of Hoya Corporation.  

On July 1, 2011, Hoya announced an agreement to transfer the PENTAX Imaging Systems business to RICOH Corporation.  The effective date of the sale is set for October 1, 2011.  Additional details may be found here: www.pentaximaging.com/news

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idxSoft LLC Announces PicBlitz Virtual Photo Manager V3.20

PRZOOM - /newswire/ - Prospect, CT, United States, 09/13/2011 - PicBlitz Virtual Photo Manager is a surprisingly fast, full featured image viewer and organizer for Windows with a do it first, save it later design. Mouse hovering makes it very user friendly, blazingly fast and intuitive - idxSoft.com

PicBlitz Virtual Photo Manager has the power to handle more than 500,000 photos and images in the blink of an eye; at speeds you've only dreamed of. Featuring mouse hovering, instant search, slide show, batch resize, brighten, rotate, colorize and quick rename, copy and move commands without needless prompts. With a do it first, save it later design, there's no need to update the hard drive until all organization and modifications are complete. View an image instantly just by moving the mouse; there's nothing easier. Search through 100,000 images as quickly as an online search. Download a trial at idxSoft.com

Imagine having your photos viewed as fast as a video; PicBlitz unleashes the power hidden inside of your PC. It's designed to work the way humans think: Organize and modify first, double check everything and then safely write them back to disk. Have too many images? PicBlitz finds them no matter where they are hidden on the drive. Then view them by date, folder, or name. Change the resolution and size for quick upload to the web. Clear the clutter safely; a junk folder holds the bad images so they can be reviewed before recycling them.

A short description could never explain all the power and speed PicBliz has; try it yourself, risk-free, fully functional for 21 days. You'll fly through JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF, ICO, and GIF formats. View RAW digital camera formats like .NEF and more. Give it the test, scan everything on your drives; see images you've never knew existed. PicBlitz integrates with Windows Explorer and external software. It's designed for professionals. A home version handles 50,000 images (35% off). Runs on Windows 7, Vista, XP and has passed Microsoft designed tests to ensure compatibility. Find out more at idxSoft.com

idxSoft LLC, (idxsoft.com) located in Prospect CT, develops software using Microsoft .NET technologies for the Windows platform and has in business since 2010. Using proprietary data matrix objects, we create outstandingly fast software for the Windows environment. In addition to PicBlitz, we are designing document and PDF lookup and organization software returning results similar in speed to online searches.

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Canon U.S.A. Announces PowerShot S100 and PowerShot SX40 HS Models With New DIGIC 5 Image Processor Providing Enhanced Resolution and Faster Shooting Speeds

Featuring Full HD Video Recording, High-speed Burst HQ and Intelligent IS


LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., September 15, 2011 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announces the addition of two feature-packed digital cameras, the PowerShot S100 and PowerShot SX40 HS, to its award-winning lineup of point-and-shoot models. In addition to superb low-light performance and increased overall speed, these two cameras include a new DIGIC 5 image processor, HS SYSTEM, Full HD video capture, High-speed Burst HQ and Intelligent IS providing clearer, smoother looking images.

"Photo enthusiasts are always on the search for that next great camera to help them achieve the best results," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. "The inclusion of the new DIGIC 5 image processor and Full HD recording capabilities on both new models will provide users with the tools needed to capture brilliant images and videos as they continue their photographic journey."

A challenging task for the photographer on assignment or appointed family photographer is working under low-light conditions. Helping improve the quality of images from those situations is Canon's HS SYSTEM, where the camera's image processor and high-sensitivity image sensor work in tandem to enhance low-light image quality. With the PowerShot S100 and PowerShot SX40 HS, Canon has introduced a new DIGIC 5 image processor, maintaining the cameras' superb low-light image quality while improving overall camera operation and color accuracy. The new image processor has improved noise reduction and advanced Multi-area White Balance optimizing color tones of both subject and background under multiple light sources.

High-speed, High-quality, High-performance

An added benefit of the DIGIC 5 image processor is the incorporation of the new High-speed Burst HQ¹providing users with the ability to continuously capture a maximum of eight frames. This new feature will allow the story of a child scoring the winning goal on the soccer field or a marathon runner crossing the finish line to be told frame-by-frame through the eye of the photographer.

Intelligent IS

One of the most important innovations for a point-and-shoot camera has been Image Stabilization (IS) since it helps improve image quality by reducing camera blur for both images and videos. Canon has taken this technology one step further with the new Intelligent IS which automatically chooses from six different modes (Normal, Macro, Panning, Dynamic, Powered, Tripod) to optimize image stabilization and help achieve crisp, blur-free images for various shooting conditions.

It's an HD World

When the time comes to share one of those "can't miss" moments from a family day at the park or of a pride of lions on a safari expedition, the use of HD video is becoming more popular than ever. As a leader in HD video capture, Canon has incorporated Full HD recording (1920 x 1080) capabilities for both new models. Providing exceptional resolution for crystal clear HD video, both cameras have a dedicated movie record button in addition to having the ability to zoom while recording, further enhancing the overall user experience. An HDMI terminal output has also been included for easy sharing of videos with stereo sound on HD ready televisions

PowerShot S100 Digital Camera

When the PowerShot S95 Digital camera was announced in 2010, it received critical praise for having an impressive feature set and superb low-light capabilities. Building upon the success of this model is the PowerShot S100, featuring a host of upgrades making it a must-have for any photo enthusiast. Featuring a 12.1-megapixel CMOS image sensor -- part of the HS SYSTEM -- this versatile camera has a 24-120mm wide angle lens with 5x optical zoom, GPS functionality and is capable of achieving improved low-light performance of up to ISO 6400. Additionally, the camera utilizes an f/2.0 lens increasing the camera's low-light performance by allowing additional light to reach the sensor while creating a shallow depth-of-field for portraits with dynamic, soft backgrounds. The PowerShot S100 will also now be available in either black or silver. Other features of this camera include:

• A large 3.0-inch wide LCD screen for easy viewing of those images and menu options.
• GPS capabilities² where satellites collect data of the latitude, longitude and altitude of an image's location, which is then stored to the image's EXIF data³. A map utility software is included with the camera to view the locations where images were captured. There's also an internal GPS logger to track the day's photographic route.
• A full range of shooting and recording modes similar to those found in DSLR cameras including RAW + JPEG and a control ring on the front of the camera for quick, manual adjustment of key functions such as ISO, zoom and focus.
• Compatibility with the HF-DC2 High-Power Flash, which is an optional flash accessory that operates wirelessly and increases the effective flash range up to approximately 30 feet.

The estimated selling price of the PowerShot S100 Digital camera is $429.99 and is scheduled to be available in early November.*

PowerShot SX40 HS

When visiting the local zoo or sitting in the stands of a youth football game, having a camera that has the flexibility to capture images at close-up and far-off distances is a necessity. Canon's PowerShot SX40 HS is just the camera one would need to ensure those images are of high-quality. Other features include:

• An incredible 35x optical zoom range (24mm-840mm) with image stabilizer and a 12.1-megapixel CMOS image sensor -- part of the HS SYSTEM – the camera can capture low-light images of enhanced image quality up to ISO 3200.
• A 2.7-inch wide vari-angle LCD has been included for easy viewing of images and menus from almost any angle.
• Improved Smart AUTO settings to ensure the settings are intelligently selected based upon the cameras 32 predefined shooting situations.
• The Zoom Framing Assist button, which helps the user steady the camera when tracking a moving subject at extreme telephoto settings keeping it in focus.

The estimated selling price of the PowerShot SX40 HS Digital camera is $429.99 and is scheduled to be available in late September.*

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked fourth overall in the U.S. in 2010†, with global revenues of more than US $45 billion and is listed as number five in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine's World’s Most Admired Companies 2011 list. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of Kyosei – "all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future" – Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at www.usa.canon.com/kyosei. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.

###

† Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.
All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners. All ppm's and imps's based on letter-sized output unless otherwise noted.
* Availability, prices, and specifications of all products are subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by individual dealers and may vary.
¹ The continuous shooting speed is approximately 9.6 fps for the PowerShot S100 and approximately 10.3 fps for the PowerShot SX40 HS.
²In certain countries and regions, the use of GPS may be restricted. Therefore, be sure to use GPS in accordance with the laws and regulations of your country or region. Be particularly careful when traveling outside your home country.
³As a signal is received from GPS satellites, take sufficient measures when using in locations where the use of electronics is regulated.

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onOne Software Announces Perfect Photo Suite 6 for Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Aperture

New products perfect effects, perfect portrait, perfect mask and the perfect layers update provide photgraphers with essential tools to realize their photographic vision.

onOne Software, Inc., a leading developer of innovative, timesaving solutions for professional and advanced amateur photographers, today announced Perfect Photo Suite 6 along with new products Perfect Effects, Perfect Portrait, Perfect Mask, and an update to Perfect Layers. All products in the Perfect Photo Suite 6 now work as standalone applications in addition to working directly from within Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Apple Aperture and Adobe Photoshop.

Giving photographers intuitive tools that work where they do, the Perfect Photo Suite 6 now offers solutions for photographic effects, portrait retouching, creating and working with multilayered files, replacing unwanted backgrounds, image resizing, depth of field control, and edge effects, in one affordable package. The Perfect Photo Suite 6 includes Perfect Effects 3, Perfect Portrait 1, Perfect Mask 5, Perfect Layers 2, Perfect Resize 7, FocalPoint 2 and PhotoFrame 4.6.

With this new version of the Perfect Photo Suite 6, photographers can now move effortlessly between individual applications within the Suite and have complete flexibility to use the products where they work. The Perfect Photo Suite 6 now operates not only as a plug-in for Photoshop but also as a standalone application. This additional functionality means that the Suite can be used directly within Lightroom and Aperture without the need for a separate host application as was previously required. Perfect Photo Suite 6 will continue to include full support for Photoshop CS5 and CS4 with many of the products now functioning as Smart Filters.

“We are extremely excited about Perfect Photo Suite 6,” said Craig Keudell, president of onOne Software. “We have always set our sights on creating tools that help photographers create high quality images so that they can spend more time behind the camera or with clients, and less time behind the computer. With the release of the completely new products Perfect Portrait, Perfect Effects, Perfect Mask and the update to Perfect Layers, the Perfect Photo Suite 6 provides photographers with products that are even more intuitive to use, and that integrate seamlessly into their workflow, so that they can realize their photographic vision.”

Perfect Photo Suite 6 includes full versions of the following onOne Software products:

• Perfect Effects 3 (New!): Perfect Effects builds on the popularity of PhotoTools to provide an even faster and more powerful way to create images with impact. Perfect Effects 3 includes a complete library of professional photographic effects that can be previewed live, full screen, on an image before being applied. Perfect Effects 3 now includes blending options that provide even more control over how effects are combined and applied.
• Perfect Portrait 1 (New!): Perfect Portrait is a completely new product that offers the latest innovations in portrait retouching for photographers. Photographers can now focus on the art of retouching and portrait creation because the most time consuming tasks have been automated in Perfect Portrait. Perfect Portrait automatically finds faces and features in images so that photographers can get directly to the work of retouching and enhancing an image. Improving skin texture and color, removing blemishes and enhancing features like eyes, lips and teeth have never been easier.
• Perfect Layers 2 (New!): Perfect Layers allows photographers to combine photos for endless creative options. Create and edit multi-layered files with Perfect Layers directly from Lightroom and Aperture, or as a standalone application. All Perfect Layers files can be edited in Photoshop later. Perfect Layers is the heart of the new Perfect Photo Suite 6.
• Perfect Mask 5 (New!): Perfect Mask 5 is the next generation of Mask Pro, the leading software for background replacement. Perfect Mask takes the core strengths of Mask Pro to another level, by automating many common masking tasks with incredible accuracy. Perfect Mask’s new masking technology makes selecting subjects and isolating backgrounds surprisingly easy. With Automatic Background Removal, an initial mask is made on the image and can then be fine-tuned using the Erase and Refine Tools. With these new features, high quality masks can be created in just a few clicks. Perfect Mask 5 makes masking tough subjects like hair and glass on complex backgrounds easy.
• Perfect Resize 7: Perfect Resize 7—powered by Genuine Fractals—is the industry standard for image resizing. It is renowned across the photographic and printing industries for its ability to increase image size well over 1000% without the loss of sharpness or detail that is normally expected. The patented, fractal based interpolation algorithms work like nothing else and the results speak for themselves.
• PhotoFrame 4: Add the perfect finishing touch to images and layouts with PhotoFrame. With over one thousand design elements like film edges, borders, textures, backgrounds and adornments, PhotoFrame 4.6 even has complete layouts where users can simply drop an image in and they are done. It is the easiest and fastest way to add an authentic darkroom touch with a film edge or to create beautiful albums or scrapbook pages.
• FocalPoint 2: Like bringing the camera lens inside Photoshop, FocalPoint 2 gives photographers the best way to add the most realistic depth of field and selective focus control to any image after it is photographed. Photographers now have an incredible amount of flexibility and control over the look of the blur with FocalPoint 2’s new blur algorithm, FocusBrush, Lens Presets and multiple FocusBug features.

Availability

The new Perfect Photo Suite 6 will be available in late October 2011. Owners of the Perfect Photo Suite 5.5, Plug-In Suite 5 or earlier versions, can upgrade to Perfect Photo Suite 6 for $149.95. Perfect Photo Suite 6 is available to new users for $299.95. Customers who own one or more of the products in Perfect Photo Suite 6 will be able to upgrade as well by visiting http://www.ononesoftware.com/upgrade. For more information on the Perfect Photo Suite 6, please visit http://www.ononesoftware.com.
For those that have purchased the Perfect Photo Suite 5.5 on or after August 7, 2011, onOne Software will issue a complimentary upgrade to the Perfect Photo Suite 6 via download when it is available in late October 2011.

About onOne Software

onOne Software, Inc., a leading developer of innovative software tools for photographers, develops timesaving software solutions for professional and advanced amateur photographers. onOne Software solutions have been created to help photographers spend more of their time behind the camera taking pictures instead of the computer workstation. The products include a wide range of easy-to-use applications and plug-in enhancements for Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Photoshop Lightroom, Apple Aperture applications and the iPhone and iPad. Founded in 2005, onOne Software is a privately held company located in Portland, Oregon. For additional information, visit http://www.ononesoftware.com or call 1-888-968-1468.

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New Greenpeace iPad app marks 40 years of environmental photo-activism

WEBWIRE – Monday, September 05, 2011 -Perpignan – A Greenpeace iPad application showcasing four decades of dramatic photography from the environmental frontline was launched during this week’s Visa pour l’Image photojournalism festival in Perpignan, France.

The Greenpeace Images HD, which is free to download from iTunes, features iconic imagery ranging from the first Greenpeace voyage to stop nuclear weapons testing in 1971, right through to activists taking action to prevent environmental crimes today.

“Greenpeace has always sought out innovative ways of telling stories that inspire people towards action; the iPad app opens up whole new ways of using provocative photography, to not only communicate the threats our planet faces, but to engage people in countering these threats and finding solutions ”, said Greenpeace International Head of Photography John Novis.

“This year marks Greenpeace’s 40th year on the environmental frontline - the Images App keeps us at the cutting edge of communications, by keep people up to date with our campaigns and showcasing our remarkable images archive – created by photographers who are not only bearing witness, but exposing and helping to put a stop to environmental crimes.”

On August 31, the prestigious Visa pour l’Image festival, in Perpignan, honoured the 30-year relationship between French photojournalist Pierre Gleizes and Greenpeace, with an open-air projection at the city’s Campo Santo cathedral. Gleizes’ powerful 1982 images of activists protesting the dumping of nuclear waste at sea – which contributed to the banning of the practice - are also featured in the app.

Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace.

The Greenpeace Photography Application is available for download from iTunes, at:
http://itunes.apple.com/app/greenpeace-images-hd/id451106852?mt=8

Both the images featured in the app, and screenshots of the app are available from the Greenpeace Picture Desk.

Follow the Greenpeace picture desk on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/greenpeacepix

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International Loupe Awards 2011

The International Loupe Awards is now open for entries. Over US$80,000 in cash and prizes!

Enter online at www.loupeawards.com

Note: Due to an unfortunate Trademark conflict, our name has changed this year from The International Aperture Awards to The International Loupe Awards.

The 4th Annual International Loupe Awards consists of 8 open categories, 3 amateur categories and the exciting introduction of the world’s first Medium Format Fine Art Prize.

The Medium Format Art Prize is a premier showcase of medium and large format imagery. It is open to all photographers, both professional and amateur, however entries must be captured using a medium or large format film or digital camera. Short-listed entries will then become part of an exhibition to be showcased in various locations. The major prize for The Medium Format Art Prize is an Epson Stylus Pro 7900 printer.

The Major Open Awards prize is US$20,000 in cash! The top 5 Open category placings will receive a cash prize with first place in each winning US$1000. The 2010 winner was Daniel Cedras of Florida USA for his image ‘Great Egret with nesting material’;

The major Amateur prize has also been announced, including a huge prize package from Kayell Australia consisting of an Elinchrom BX-Ri 500/500 Studio Flash Kit, Epson R3880 A2 Desktop Printer, $500 worth of Canson Infinity Photo and Fine Art Inkjet Papers, Lastolite TriFlip 8 in 1 75cm Deluxe Kit, Drobo 4 Bay Storage Robot data backup, Spyder3Studio SR and a Spyder Checkr by Datacolor.

The 2010 Amateur winner was Ben Ryan of Queensland, Australia, with his entry ‘Long Ride’;

Also new for 2011 is the integration of the Pro Feedback image assessment system into the judging process. The judges now have the option to not only offer feedback on how an image can be improved, but to pinpoint exactly where more attention needs to be focused in a given entry.

The 2011 International Loupe Awards is proudly supported by Kayell Australia, Epson Australia, F-Stop, Better Photography Magazine, Genius Printing, Lastolite Professional, Mentem Learn, Datacolor Spyder, Drobo, Elinchrom, AIPP and Canson.

Previous winning and highly ranked images from the 2008, 2009 and 2010 competitions can be seen on the website www.loupeawards.com

Regular entries close 15th October, 2011.

- ends -

For enquiries and more information, or to become a Media Partner, contact; Nathan Oxley, Curator: media@loupeawards.com

Images from previous competitions are available for publication on request (no charge, photo credit only)

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PhotoCardApps.com Releases the 'Photo Cards-Lighting Edition' Application for Photographers

PRZOOM - /newswire/ - Sacramento, CA, United States, 09/04/2011 - The "Photo Cards - Lighting Edition" application is launching on the top 3 mobile platforms to provide maximum availability to photographers as a handy resource in the field or on location with 16 lighting setups and diagrams, instructions and photo. 


The "Photo Cards - Lighting Edition" application is now available at photocardapps.com for the top three mobile platforms. This application provides the mobile user with 16 different lighting setup cards, each with a lighting diagram, instructions specific to that lighting setup, and a photo taken with that lighting setup. There are seven setups that were created with 1 light, six setups created with 2 lights, and three setups created with 3 lights.

This application serves as a great resource whether the photographer is just starting out with lighting and posing as well as for someone looking for some new ideas for some different lighting setups. The photos for this application were all taken in the studio but can easily be replicated hot shoe camera flashes, studio strobes, or even reflectors and natural lighting setups.

The concept for the cards was developed as part of an instruction DVD published by John Hoeft. The DVD provides training on studio lighting (photographydvds.com) and is aimed at beginning and amateur photographers that are looking for good foundational information on lighting in a studio environment. The response to the printed cards that were included with the DVD was so positive that this electronic version was subsequently developed for mobile computing devices.

"I have always loved sharing my passion for photography with other photographers and developing this application is a real personal milestone for me." said John Hoeft, owner of HoeftPhoto and author of the Photo Cards - Lighting Edition. "When I was developing these materials I tried to put myself in my audiences shoes and give them what I was really looking for when I first started shooting with flashes and strobes. I think this application with its 16 lighting setups and 54 example photos is what I would have found to be quite beneficial when I was struggling with this type of lighting early on. "
The "Photo Cards - Lighting Edition" application is available now for Apple, Android, and BlackBerry platforms and the link to each can be found at photocardapps.com, All trademarks are property of their respective trademark owners.

About HoeftPhoto
John Hoeft (HoeftPhoto.com / PhotoCardApps.com) is a local part-time photographer in the greater Sacramento, California area with over 35 years of photography experience. In addition to the usual photography pursuits John is also very active in the instruction of photography to local photographers. He currently is the Organizer of three local Meetup groups in the Sacramento, California area with over 650 total members. John will typically conduct 1 or 2 hands-on workshops per month for small groups of students on a variety of photographic topics.

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Panasonic Expands Popular LUMIX FZ Series With Premium 24x Super-Zoom, 3D Shooting Compact Digital Camera

New Panasonic LUMIX FZ150 Digital Camera Packs a Powerful 24x Optical Zoom in High-Quality 25mm Ultra Wide-Angle Leica Lens That Shoots Full HD Video

SECAUCUS, NJ (August 26, 2011) – Panasonic today introduces the newest addition to its super-zoom LUMIX FZ-Series digital cameras. The new LUMIX DMC-FZ150 is fully equipped with a 25mm ultra wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens and a powerful 24x Optical Zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 25-600mm) available for shooting both stills and videos. Additionally, the LUMIX FZ150 has two of Panasonic’s newest features – newly advanced Nano Surface Coating technology which helps minimize light reflection that causes ghost and flare – and the new 3D Photo Mode.

As the top-end model of LUMIX’s popular FZ series, the FZ150 combines a new 12.1-megapixel MOS sensor and the renowned Venus Engine giving the camera high-performance image recording capability in both higher light sensitivity and speed. And as a step-up from the recently announced LUMIX FZ47’s 1920 x 1080 60i video feature, the FZ150 realizes 1920 x 1080 60p Full-HD AVCHD Progressive (MPEG-4 / H.264) format. It is also possible to take still images while recording video simultaneously (3.5-megapixel) and the powerful 24x optical zoom is available in video recording. The FZ150 incorporates a stereo zoom microphone with a Wind Cut function, so that videos come with high-quality stereo sound through Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator.

“Panasonic continues to strive to meet the photography demands of its consumers by providing unique features and advanced technology in all our LUMIX digital cameras,” said Darin Pepple, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “With the 24x Optical Zoom and 3D shooting capabilities the FZ150 is a versatile, powerful camera that gives users endless options to take creative and high-quality images and videos.”

The Light Speed AF of approx. 0.1 sec never misses fleeting photo opportunities. To encourage step-up users to enjoy shooting even more, full manual control is available with the FZ150. Users can enjoy image shooting while expressing their intention not only in photos but also in video, utilizing a host of options including the new Creative Control and Photo Style with a wide variety of preset options. The effective hand-shake correction system POWER O.I.S. now gains Active mode, which helps to record stable video even if shot while walking.

The LUMIX’s popular iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode powerfully assists in any shooting situations to get the best results. Thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology, Intelligent Zoom is available with the FZ150 extending the zoom ratio by approx. 1.3x, maintaining the picture quality while combining a digital zoom. This means the 24x optical zoom can virtually extend to a 32x equivalent. Not only drawing near the subject that is far away with its powerful optical zoom, the 25mm ultra wide angle lens captures approx.196% wider angle of view compared with a standard 35mm camera. This is helpful for shooting dynamic landscape or indoor group portrait.

The popular iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode is also available in video recording. The POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent D-range Control also support shooting beautiful videos with ease. The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically switches between Normal, Portrait, Macro, Scenery, and Low Light modes according to the situation, to optimize visual quality. The Intelligent D-range Control makes images look more natural by preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights to optimize the exposure for each part of an image. It also ensures a beautiful reproduction of gradation and details.

A new 12-Megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor pursuing Resolution, Sensitivity and Speed has been incorporated along with the renowned Venus Engine enabling the FZ150 to excel in image processing power. The combination of these powerful components results in the S/N ratio improvement by 3.9dB (ISO 100) to 4.7dB (ISO1600) compared with the predecessor – the FZ100. Newly developed Multi-process Noise Reduction applies optimum noise reduction according to the brightness of the part of the picture. Both high frequency noise that occurs in the dark part and low frequency noise in the light part are suppressed even in a picture. As a result, Images recorded in low-lit situations are now dramatically clear.

The Venus Engine has a quad-circuit system for processing large amount of progressive Full HD data at high speed. Not only 1920 x 1080 60p smooth Full-HD video recording, but also super fast consecutive shots at 12 fps (without auto focusing) and 5.5 fps (with auto focusing) in full resolution. It is also compatible with recording high-speed video at 220fps in QVGA. At the same time, the multi-task image-processing engine, the Venus Engine, realizes a super-fast response time. The auto focus gains approx. 50% faster speed compared with the FZ100, achieving Light Speed AF of approx. 0.1 second. The speed in AF Tracking also becomes faster, thanks to the improved tracking performance which doubles its sampling frequency.

The FZ150 provides the new Creative Control mode with a selection of artistic effect modes; Expressive, Retro, High Key, Sepia, High Dynamic, Miniature Effect, Film Grain and Pin Hole. In addition, Photo Style is newly added to the FZ150 for the expression of finer nuance. It has Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, Scenery, Portrait presets, while enabling finer adjustment of contrast, sharpness, saturation and noise reduction by each.

As a further step-up from the FZ47, the FZ150 is equipped with a hot shoe allowing attachment of various accessories including an optional stereo microphone (DMW-MS1) or an optional external flash (DMW-FL220 / FL360 / FL500). The FZ150 is also compatible with an optional remote shutter (DMW-RSL1) for advanced expression in photography.

The newly-added 3D Photo mode takes 20 panning shots and then the camera automatically selects the two most suitable images – one for the right eye and one for the left eye – to synthesize a 3D composite. The 3D image can then be viewed on any VIERA 3D HDTV. The format of 3D images is compatible with MPO which can be played back on other MPO-compatible equipment.

Other features of the Panasonic LUMIX FZ150 include:

- Motion Deblur Mode, which helps to prevent blur. 
- Intelligent Handheld Nightshot Mode, which generates beautiful night scenery with illumination by layering multiple images shot consecutively. 
- PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.5 BD Edition Software makes it possible to sort and organize photos not only of those newly taken but also of those stored on the PC with quick start-up and fast read-in of images. Recorded videos can be edited with the Short Movie Story function and written into MPEG2 to burn onto a Blu-ray or DVD disc.

The Panasonic LUMIX FZ150 will be available in black for a suggested retail price of $499.99, starting in late-September 2011. For more information on Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.

*¹ The "AVCHD Progressive" is a high definition (HD) digital video recording / playback format jointly established by Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.

Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.

The LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lenses are manufactured using measurement instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company's quality standards.

Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.

All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective corporations.

This unit is compatible with both SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Cards. You can only use SDHC Memory Cards on devices that are compatible with them. You cannot use SDHC Memory Cards on devices that are only compatible with SD Memory Cards. (When using an SDHC Memory Card on another device, be sure to read the operating instructions for that device.)

Some accessories are not available in some countries.

The use of recorded or printed materials that are protected by copyright for any purpose other than personal enjoyment is prohibited, as it would infringe upon the rights of the copyright holder.

Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

 

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Canon's Latest Powershot Cameras Set New Standards For Image Capture

New PowerShot SX150 IS and ELPH Cameras Showcase Extraordinary Image Quality with Every Shot

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 23, 2011 – Today's tech-savvy consumers expect to have a photo-capturing device always at hand that is adept at producing exquisite images and video without sacrificing quality. Delivering these users' must-haves, Canon U.S.A., a leader in digital imaging, announced three new PowerShot Digital cameras that capture beautiful still images and great high-definition video: the PowerShot SX150 IS, the PowerShot ELPH 510 HS (the world's thinnest digital camera with 12x optical zoom and a 28mm wide-angle lens1) and the PowerShot ELPH 310 HS. Built to handle a wide range of shooting situations with ease and accuracy, each camera is equipped with features such as impressive zoom, a new Intelligent Image Stabilization (IS) system, Smart AUTO with 32 shooting scenes, High-Speed Burst mode and HD video capture. The ELPH 510 HS and ELPH 310 HS Digital cameras also include Canon's renowned HS SYSTEM to handle shooting in low light.


"With a strong reputation of imaging excellence, Canon incorporates acclaimed quality, design innovation and intuitive engineering into each product," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. "With the inclusion of advanced features, such as the HS SYSTEM and HD video in these new PowerShot cameras, we continue to reach new levels of performance and design to satisfy our users."

Key Features:

Small Cameras, Big Zoom

The impressive zoom with optical image stabilization found in all three new PowerShot models allows users to snap a memorable, highly detailed shot from a variety of distances. The PowerShot SX150 IS Digital camera is equipped with a 12x wide-angle optical zoom and 28mm lens. In the compact ELPH series, the PowerShot ELPH 510 HS is the thinnest camera to date, with a 12x optical zoom and 28mm wide-angle lens, while the PowerShot ELPH 310 HS has an 8x optical zoom with 28mm wide-angle lens.

Increase Camera Intelligence

Helping to capture blur-free images and video, Canon introduces the new Intelligent IS system in these PowerShot models. To deliver crisp, undistorted images in various shooting conditions, Intelligent IS automatically chooses from six different modes (Normal, Macro, Panning Dynamic, Powered and Tripod) to optimize image stabilization.
Many novice photographers are intimidated when adjusting camera settings. Canon eliminates this issue with its Smart AUTO feature, which analyzes faces, brightness, colors, distance and movement and selects the appropriate setting based on 32 predefined shooting scenes for stills and 21 scenes for video.

Shoot Better in Low Light

Low light photography is a challenge even for a seasoned photographer. To assist the user, the PowerShot ELPH 510 HS and ELPH 310 HS utilizes Canon's HS SYSTEM that combines a 12.1-megapixel, high-sensitivity CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4 Image Processor to enhance image quality in low-light settings. The HS SYSTEM also reduces noise at high ISO speeds and expands the camera's dynamic range to allow for greater detail and color when shooting in darker settings. The HS SYSTEM can also help compensate in situations where a flash can't be used, such as a wedding or dance recital.

Never Miss the Action

Determining the right moment to "freeze" what you are shooting can be difficult in action scenes. The High-Speed Burst mode in the PowerShot ELPH models ensures that you never miss out on the fast-moving or unpredictable moments. With the simple hold of the shutter button, the High-Speed Burst mode shoots continuously, capturing up to 7.8 frames per second (fps) in the PowerShot ELPH 510 HS and 8.7 fps in the PowerShot ELPH 310 HS.

Elevate Video to High Definition

Today, the ability to switch between shooting still images and high-definition video is a key consideration when customers shop for a new camera. Providing stellar video-shooting capability in a compact frame, Canon has incorporated 1080p Full HD video recording into the PowerShot ELPH 510 HS and ELPH 310 HS, while the PowerShot SX150 IS camera features 720p HD video recording. Each camera can optically zoom while filming and has a dedicated movie button for quick access to the video-recording mode. The PowerShot ELPH 510 HS and ELPH310 HS cameras also include Movie Digest mode that shoots a four-second video before capturing a still image and then automatically combine a full day's worth of videos into one clip. All three PowerShot cameras are also iFrame capable, allowing for quick and easy sharing and editing across multiple platforms and devices.

PowerShot Products:

The Canon PowerShot SX150 IS Digital camera

The PowerShot SX150 IS Digital camera is equipped with a 12x optical zoom with 28mm wide-angle lens, 720p HD video recording, Intelligent IS and Smart AUTO. The PowerShot SX150 IS Digital camera also features a 14.1-megapixel CCD sensor and Canon's DIGIC 4 Image Processor. This new camera includes manual-shooting capabilities, such as aperture priority and shutter priority for optimal artistic control that any photography aficionado will appreciate. The PowerShot SX150 IS Digital camera includes a discreet-shooting mode to help ensure a low disturbance when capturing photos, and a 3-inch LCD screen for easy viewing and scrolling through menus. Available in black and red, the PowerShot SX150 IS Digital camera is scheduled to be available at the beginning of September for an estimated retail price of $249.99.

The Canon PowerShot ELPH 510 HS and ELPH 310 HS Digital cameras

The PowerShot ELPH 510 HS Digital camera features a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor with a 12x optical zoom and 28mm wide-angle lens, Canon's HS SYSTEM and 1080p Full HD video recording. The ELPH 510 HS Digital camera also includes a High-Speed Burst mode, Intelligent IS and Smart AUTO. Available in red, black, and silver, this camera has a 3.2-inch wide, touch-panel LCD screen, offering fast and easy menu navigation. The ELPH 510 HS Digital camera also has Touch Shutter, simply touch the screen where you want to focus and release your finger to take a photo. The ELPH 510 HS Digital camera is scheduled to be available at the beginning of October for the estimated retail price of $349.99.
The PowerShot ELPH 310 HS Digital camera has a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor with an 8x optical zoom and 28mm wide-angle lens, Canon's HS SYSTEM and 1080p Full HD video recording. The ELPH 310 HS Digital camera features a High-Speed Burst mode, Intelligent IS and improved Smart AUTO. The ELPH 310 HS Digital camera includes a 3-inch LCD screen and comes in five vibrant colors: purple, blue, pink, green and silver. The ELPH 310 HS Digital camera is scheduled to be available at the beginning of October for an estimated retail price of $259.99.

The Canon HF-DC2 High-Power Flash

To further enhance the built-in flash of the PowerShot lineup, Canon has developed the HF-DC2 High-Power Flash , which increases the effective flash range up to approximately 30 feet and supports 24mm wide-angle shooting with the wide-panel attachment. The HF-DC2 automatically fires in-sync with the camera's built-in flash and operates wirelessly to capture subjects at twice the range of the camera's built-in flash. The HF-DC2 includes a mounting bracket that attaches to the camera, but it can also be hand-held or mounted on a tripod. The HF-DC2 High-Power Flash is scheduled to be available in December for an estimated retail price of $149.99.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked fourth overall in the U.S. in 2010†, with global revenues of more than US $45 billion and is listed as number five in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine's World’s Most Admired Companies 2011 list. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of Kyosei – "all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future" – Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at www.usa.canon.com/kyosei. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.

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¹ As of August 23, 2011.
† Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.
All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.
Availability, specifications and prices subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by the individual dealer and may vary.

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Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition Announced; Over $75,000 in Prizes will be Awarded

Underwater Photography Guide is pleased to announce that the prestigious Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition 2011 will be accepting images between August 9 and November 20, 2011.

Marina Del Rey, CA - Underwater Photography Guide is proud to announce it is accepting entries for the second annual Ocean Art Photo Competition 2011.

There are over $75,000 worth of prizes, including over 25 liveaboard and scuba diving resort packages, dive equipment, and much more. Grand prizes include an all-inclusive 10-night stay at Kungkungan Bay Resort in Indonesia, an 18-night stay in Papua New Guinea including a trip on the M/V Febrina, an 11-day voyage on the SMY Ordina, a cruise on the Rocio Del Mar to the Socorro Islands, an 11-night cruise with Kararu Dive Voyages, a 7-day charter on the Nai’a in Fiji, a 5-night stay at Wananavu Beach Resort in Fiji, a week-long stay for two with Maluku Divers in Ambon, and a voyage on the Nautilus Explorer.

This is one of the largest underwater photography competitions held in terms of prizes.

The competition has 12 categories, including a Novice dSLR category and 3 compact camera categories, giving underwater photographers of all levels a chance to win a great prize. Unique categories include SuperMacro, Cold/ Temperate Water, Nudibranchs, and Divers/ Fashion. The more traditional categories include Wide-Angle, Macro, Marine Life Portraits, and Marine Life Behavior.

Winners from each category will be awarded a package at a fantastic resort or on a liveaboard. Winners will be able to rank the prizes they would like to receive, making it more likely for winners to receive a prize they want.

Judges include world-renowned underwater photographers Martin Edge, Marty Snyderman, Tony Wu, and Bonnie Pelnar. Martin Edge is the author of The Underwater Photographer, a top-selling book on underwater photography. Marty Snyderman has won an Emmy and has been published in dozens of top publications such as National Geographic. Tony Wu is a renowned underwater photographer and author of Silent Symphony. Bonnie Pelnar has been published in numerous diving and travel magazines, and conducts photography workshops at tropical destinations around the world

Photos must be submitted before the deadline on November 20, 2011.

We look forward to your participation. Information can be found on our Ocean Art Photo Competition page at http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/underwater-photo-contest. Looking for inspiration? Here are the winning photographs from the 2010 Ocean Art Photo Competition.

Underwater Photography Guide is a website and online magazine dedicated to helping underwater photographers and scuba divers learn and improve their underwater photography. For more information, please visit http://www.uwphotographyguide.com.

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PhotographyTalk.com Invites Digital Photographers to Become Online Writers

PhotographyTalk.com, a leading photography forum and social networking site, announced today that it is expanding its Web site, with a new, free service that allows digital photographers to submit articles and supporting photos.

Santa Ana, CA (PRWEB) August, 2011 - PhotographyTalk.com, a leading photography forum and social networking site, announced today that it is expanding its Web site, with a new, free service that allows digital photographers to submit articles and supporting photos.

All photographers are invited to write and submit articles focused on tips and techniques they’ve learned, and successfully put into practice. They may also upload photos and captions that will help PhotographyTalk.com members and visitors understand how to use those tips. Topics could include equipment techniques, camera, lenses, lighting, exposure, etc. and specific types of photography, such as nature, portraits, sports, travel, family, weddings, etc.

PhotographyTalk.com also welcomes articles and photos about photographers’ experiences and the challenges they faced when trying to capture a particular photo or satisfying a client’s requirements. Other categories of articles accepted are post-production techniques and photography business methods and best practices.

“Our visitors want exact information to help them with specific photography problems, or to learn the correct methods for various types of photography they haven’t tried yet,” said Alex Schult, president of PhotographyTalk.com. “Becoming a PhotographyTalk.com writer is simple, free and an easy way to bring more attention to a photographer’s work or his or her photography business.”

Schult added that a writer’s name, article, photos and know-how will be read and seen on one of the largest online photography sites, plus he or she will have the advantage of PhotographyTalk.com’s massive social media reach.

“Sharing your ideas, thoughts and photos on PhotographyTalk.com could lead to paying assignments and purchases of your photos. It’s also a great way to find photo buddies, mentors or mentoring opportunities in your locale,” said Schult.

Interested photographers can submit their articles and photos with an easy-to-use article submit form on the PhotographyTalk.com Web site or via the site’s Forum section on tips and taking photos.

About PhotographyTalk.com – PhotographyTalk.com has quickly grown to become a prime resource where all photographers—beginners, intermediates and seasoned professionals—are able to share their passion for and enjoyment of the art of photography. They communicate with fellow enthusiasts at the same ability level or with the same interest in a specific type of photography and help each other advance their skills and improve their photography.

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National Geographic Seeks Youth Photographers For 5th Annual International Photography Contest

Kids Can Enter to Win Trips to Costa Rica and Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON — Young photographers around the world are invited to take part in the 2011 National Geographic International Photography Contest for Kids. The competition is conducted in partnership with the U.S. edition of National Geographic Kids magazine (also available in Canada) and nine local-language editions of the magazine in Bulgaria, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Lithuania, Slovenia, South Africa, Turkey and the United Kingdom. The overall international grand-prize winner will receive a trip to National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., while the U.S./Canada grand-prize winner will receive a trip to Costa Rica.

U.S. and Canadian contestants ages 6-14 may enter now through Oct. 31, 2011, by submitting one photo in any or all of four categories: People, Animals, Scenery and Humor. Photos can be black-and-white or color, and shot with a digital camera or with conventional film. Entries can be submitted online at http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/activities/contests/kids-photo-contest/ or via regular mail. Entry forms and official contest rules are found at http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/contests/photo-contest-rules. Void where prohibited.

"National Geographic’s International Photography Contest for Kids encourages budding photographers from around the globe to capture their world and share it with others in a creative way" said Melina Bellows, International Photography Contest judge and executive vice president and chief creative officer for Books, Kids and Family at the National Geographic Society. "Kids have such a fun, unique point of view, and we hope this contest inspires future National Geographic photographers"

One grand-prize winner from the U.S./Canada regional contest will be selected from the four first-place category winners to receive a nine-day, eight-night trip for a family of four to Costa Rica, courtesy of The Adventure Company and the Adventure Center. The four first-place category winners in the U.S./Canada region will win digital camera kits, a selection of National Geographic books and will be entered into the global National Geographic International Photography Contest for Kids for a chance to win the International Grand Prize: a five-day, four-night trip to Washington, D.C., featuring a special tour of National Geographic headquarters.

Each participating international local-language edition will submit its winning entries in each category to National Geographic headquarters to be judged alongside the winning U.S./Canada entries by a panel of three National Geographic experts: Melina Bellows; Annie Griffiths, National Geographic photographer; and Jay Sumner, National Geographic Children’s Publishing photo director.

The judges will announce the overall grand-prize winner of a trip to National Geographic headquarters in January 2012. Winning entries from each country will be featured in that country’s edition of National Geographic Kids magazine.

National Geographic Kids, geared toward children ages 6-14, is an interactive, multitopic magazine covering animals, entertainment, science, technology, cultures and current events. The magazine has 19 international editions, including the U.S. edition that is also available in Canada.

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National Geographic Kids, a multitopic, photo-driven magazine for 6- to 14-year-olds, empowers its readers by making it fun to learn about the world. Its numerous industry awards include Periodical of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from the Association of Educational Publishers. Published 10 times a year, National Geographic Kids has a circulation of 1.1 million and is available by subscription for $19.95 a year and on newsstands for $4.99 a copy. Its website is at kids.nationalgeographic.com.

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Education And Inspiration Is Focus of Seminars, Special Events, And Keynote Presentation At PDN Outdoor Photo Expo

More Than 25 World-Class Pros Including Frans Lanting, Art Wolfe, Moose Peterson and Corey Rich, Inspire, Teach, and Share Secrets to Success During Two-Day Event

 

Salt Lake City, UT – July, 2011 – Nielsen Expositions released official details and the schedule for seminars, special events, and the keynote presentation for its first annual
Outdoor Photo Expo (OPE) in Salt Lake City August 4-5, 2011.  During the two-day event, seminar attendees will receive an inspiring and well-rounded education in a variety of topics including the latest shooting techniques, self-promotion and marketing, copyright protection, lighting, multimedia, and shooting HD video with a DSLR, from some of the most respected and successful outdoor and adventure photographers in the world.

Adding inspiration to education, Frans Lanting and Art Wolfe will share their work and experiences during a special keynote presentation on Friday evening, August 5th.  Additional activities include Outdoor Photo Expo's ArtFair and cocktail reception, and access to the Outdoor Retailer trade show, the largest outdoor recreation lifestyle expo, with your OPE badge, on Saturday, August 6th.  For a complete schedule and description http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/expo-events/conference-schedule of seminars and special events visit Outdoor Photo Expo's website http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/.

"Education has always been the underlying theme of our trade shows and we are proud to offer a learning experience at the Outdoor Photo Expo featuring a list of presenters who are the best at their respective crafts," explains Lauren Wendle, vice president, Nielsen Expositions.  "Education and inspiration are two elements we incorporate into all our events, and we fully expect our lineup of seminars and speakers to provide both experiences to those who attend the show.”

Admission to the expo is free for those who register in advance online and special discount prices on seminars are available for members of photo associations and clubs and for students too. Members may use promo code VR2EGAD and students* may use promo code UR2EGAD to register online. To register in advance online visit Outdoor Photo Expo’s website https://www.xpressreg.net/eReg/?ShowCode=OPEX081.

Seminars will be presented during two time slots each day: 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on August 4th and 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on August 5th.  Following is brief summary of seminars, special events, and the keynote presentation. For additional details, visit OutdoorPhotoExpo.com http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/expo-events/conference-schedule
 

Keynote Presentation -- Friday, August 5thFrans Lanting and Art Wolfe: Photo Power for Planet EarthSponsored by EpsonFor the first time, two of the world’s most acclaimed nature and outdoor photographers come together on stage to share images and insights about the power of photography to shape ideas about our natural world.  This unique event featuring presentations by Frans Lanting and Art Wolfe, will be followed by a live discussion moderated by photo industry expert Patrick Donehue. Become part of the conversation and submit your questions to Art and Frans at patrick@patrickdonehue.com.

Special EventsPDN HDSLR Video Workshop -- August 3-4If you're a photographer looking to expand into HD video then attending the HDSLR Video Workshop http://www.pdnvideo.nielsencontests.com/ is a must. Attendees of this 2-day workshop will learn how to get the most from their camera’s HD video capability by gaining a comprehensive understanding of camera settings, technical training in HD video formats, an understanding of composition for motion pictures, and much more to get you on your way to producing great videos. Workshop fee is $450 per person.

ArtFair Cocktail Party -- Friday, August 5thAttendees can enjoy their favorite adult beverage while networking and viewing portfolios and photographs taken by several outdoor, nature, and adventure photos from around the country.

Seminar Summary and Schedule
MORNING SEMINARS
Thursday, August 4, 2011
8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

The Creative Adventure -- Chris Noble http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios
Inspired by a career spanning 40 years, The Creative Adventure is a multi-media presentation that combines stories, imagery and music to explore the excitement, challenges and potential of outdoor photography today.  The seminar focuses on how to use creativity to gain a better understanding of ourselves and contribute to nature and the world.



From Gigascapes to Snowflakes -- George Lepp http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios
Sponsored by Canon
The versatility of today’s DSLR has literally revolutionized outdoor photography and George Lepp offers a survey of the latest and greatest techniques.  Attendees will learn capture techniques for unlimited depth of field in landscape and macro photography, high dynamic range capture and processing techniques to achieve expanded tonal range and so much more!



Strategies for the Emerging Outdoor & Adventure PhotographerModerator: Amber Terranova
Panelists: Trevor Clark http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios, Mark Fischer http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios, Blake Gordon http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios & Yassine Ouhilal http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios
Sponsored by PDNFor many outdoor/adventure photographers, shooting what you love is the ultimate goal but turning that into a career with steady clients can be a challenge.  In this seminar, four noted outdoor photographers share their career trajectories and explore the business essentials of striking out on your own, including how to negotiate fees, write contracts, and how to maximize the use of social media marketing tools to help build a brand.

- more -

Workflow Secrets for Achieving the Most Realistic HDR Results for Creative and Commercial Work
John Omvik http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios

Sponsored by Unified Color Technologies
HDR imaging continues to evoke sharp criticism from outdoor photographers, who associate the technique with over-saturated and over-contrasted images.  John Omvik, VP of Marketing for Unified Color Technologies, will discuss when to use HDR techniques and demonstrate the latest tools for creating and editing true color HDR images.



EVENING SEMINARS
Thursday, August 4, 2011
4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Lighting for Action -- Scott Markewitz http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios
Sponsored by Bron Imaging Group
When used well, the addition of strobes and artificial light sources to outdoor sports and lifestyle activities can create stunning, dramatic and powerful action images.  In this seminar, Scott Markewitz will discuss the basics of lighting the outdoors and the evolution of using strobes and artificial lighting in outdoor photography.


From Camera Click to Computer Click, Producing Gorgeous Landscape Prints
Moose Peterson http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios

Sponsored by Epson
Every time Moose Peterson take a photograph, he looks to accomplish two things: produce an emotional response from the viewer of his landscapes; and ensure he has the quality required to output a print in large format.  Spend some time with Moose Peterson learn all the steps in this process.


A Career in Photography in Today’s Diverse Marketplace
Mary Virginia Swanson http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios & Patrick Donehue http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios



As photography is widely regarded as our common visual language, the marketplace for contemporary imagery is rapidly evolving. Who is hiring photographers and for what skills? What markets are interested in your existing work for licensing, fine art print sales or decor usage? Industry veterans Mary Virginia Swanson and Patrick Donehue provide participants with answers to these, and many other questions.



The Future of Stock: Photography + Video
Corey Rich http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios /Aurora Photos


How do you monetize your adventures and passions. Corey Rich will present and lead a candid discussion on the business of stock photography and the role video will play in the lives of outdoor/adventure content creators.  Topics include capturing unique content, editorial and commercial outlets, model releases, licensing fees, stock agencies, and much more.

MORNING SEMINARS
Friday, August 5, 2011
8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Big light, Small light, No light: Understanding Light, Telling Better Stories
Kevin Winzeler http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios



This seminar will dive into a variety of simple and complex lighting techniques for today's commercial photographer.  Kevin will discuss the nuances of lighting a scene with reflectors, soft boxes, scrims and other modifiers, as well as when to leave it all in the car and use natural light.


Photographing the West & Using Natural Light for Western Portraiture
David Stoecklein http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios


Sponsored by Canon
David Stoecklein has photographed thousands of cowboys all over the United States through environmental portraits done in very realistic and natural settings with only natural light.  In this seminar, Stoecklein presents his images and shares the knowledge gained from his career of more than 40 years, documenting the West in commercial advertising.



Copyright: Know It or Blow It! Stop Giving Your Money Away!
Debra Weiss http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios & Patrick Donehue http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios
Sponsored by APA NationalUnderstanding how to put copyright to work for you is crucial to your success as a photographer.  Predatory image rights demands and widespread image theft can leave a photographer’s business in jeopardy.  Don’t let this happen to you.  Learn what you need to succeed.

Documenting an Expedition with Video
Jimmy Chin http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios,
Tim Kemple http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios & Renan Ozturk http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios



During this engaging session, Chin, Kemple and Ozturk will share their knowledge about how they incorporate video into nearly every aspect of their work including the use of DSLRs on location in extreme environments, editing and uploading real time dispatches from the field, basic support/audio/monitor kits that can be used in the 'real world', and advantages and disadvantages of RED/AF100 and other 'video' cameras.



EVENING SEMINARS
Friday, August 5, 2011
3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Environmental Action Shots
Adam Barker http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios



Barker discusses how he uses the fundamentals learned from fine-art scenic photography to create stunning, active lifestyle images that connect with viewers.  Topics will include understanding and utilizing natural light, engaging the viewer with three-dimensional composition, proper lens selection and how to choose and use landscape filters.

The Agile Photographer: A Multimedia Partner for Business
Jay Kinghorn http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios


Sponsored by ASMP
From blogs to tablets, an explosion of new media are opening up a world of opportunity for photographers willing to learn, adapt and reorganize their business to provide new services to current and future clients.  In this valuable seminar, media trainer and consultant Jay Kinghorn will offer a thorough overview of the new publishing and advertising landscape with an emphasis on channels opening up on mobile devices. Kinghorn will provide valuable insight into new business and pricing models along with sample business opportunities for you to pursue.



Marketing & Publicity for the Outdoor Photographer
Genny Fullerton, Jon-Paul Harrison http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios & Ian Shive http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios

Sponsored by Tandem Stills + Motion
Dive into cutting-edge techniques used by leading corporations to expand your brand and visibility in one of the most desired and competitive photography markets -- the outdoor industry.  This dynamic duo will discuss guerilla marketing techniques and affordable ways to leverage the power of social media to sell images and gain new clients.



Storytelling for a New Era – 2.0
Corey Rich http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com/ope/seminars/speaker-bios



Corey Rich follows up on last year’s popular PhotoPlus Expo presentation “Storytelling for a New Era – 2.0” with more valuable insight on all of the details surrounding a shoot.  Rich will dissect the entire process including pricing (estimating and building proposals), pre-production (concept development, storyboarding and technical considerations), scheduling, logistics and post-production (editing, color grading, animations/effects, scoring, and sound mix,  all utilizing Adobe Creative Suite Production Premium).


About PDN Outdoor Photo Expo PDN’S OUTDOOR PHOTO EXPO (OPE) will consist of two days of exposition and educational seminars. Currently there is no equivalent live event that is dedicated to the outdoor photography market: adventure, landscape, nature, outdoor sports, travel and wildlife.



OPE is being held in conjunction with Outdoor Retailer which attracts thousands of buyers and senior level decision makers looking for outdoor specific products, services, brands, fresh ideas and outdoor innovation. OPE will focus on bringing together the latest and greatest technologies in the photography and imaging industries with thousands of end users from professional photographers and high-end prosumers to educators, studio managers, photo editors and more looking to take their craft to the next level.

* Students will be required to show a valid student ID.

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Website:          http://www.outdoorphotoexpo.com 
Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/OutdoorPhotoExpo
Twitter:          @outdoorphotoexpo http://twitter.com/outdoorphotoXpo
 

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