Accidental Photographer - Francis Hills - The Tour Begins Today - September 28, 2010

Francis Hills is known as the Accidental Photographer, and for a compelling reason: seven years ago, after losing his job during the dot.com bust, he picked up a point-and-shoot and discovered his true passion. Today, Francis shoots celebrity, fashion and beauty from his New York Studio. A digital photography evangelist, he's worked closely with Hasselblad and Hewlett Packard, giving presentations about his photographic journey and demonstrating high-end digital photography, worldwide. His work is primarily shot on high resolution digital using medium format backs. Francis has appeared numerous times as photographer and judge on Scandinavia's Top Model, Norway's Top Model, Sweden's Top Model (as resident photographer) and TLC's Covershot TV shows. In 2007 Francis had the rare opportunity to fly to Africa and France to take portraits of the enigmatic French Foreign Legion, documenting first hand the Legionnaires for a book and exhibition. His work has appeared in numerous magazines world wide including: Elle, Entertainment Weekly, Esquire, Essence, Gotham, GQ, Las Vegas, LA Confidential, Ocean Drive, Oprah, Time and Zink.

First Stop - Seattle

Join renowned celebrity photographer Francis Hills for a 3-hour photographer's workshop where he will demonstrate the digital photo workflow he uses to create iconic images of today's most interesting and influential personalities. In addition to an intimate look at how Hills achieves his unique photographic style, you will learn image capture with SanDisk memory, how to edit, showcase and manage your images with Aperture, and create gallery-quality prints with large format photo printers.

Francis Hills' workshop will demonstrate his photo digital workflow using products from Apple, HP, and SanDisk.

Learn How To:

1. Capture with SanDisk imaging memory cards & readers
2. Refine and manage massive libraries with Aperture.
3. Print with HP DesignJet Large Format printer.

Schedule

Tuesday, September 28, 2010 from 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM (PT)

Location

REI Seattle
Casey Schwabland Conference Room
222 Yale Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109

Tickets $29.95 - order here

Next Stop - LA

Date:     September 30th, 2010
Time: 10:00-1:00pm
Location:     Samy's Camera Fairfax Classroom
Instructor:     Francis Hills
Fee:     $25 - order here

Next Stop - Gaithersburg

Date: Wednesday, October 6, 2010 -Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Time: 10:00 -1:00 pm
Location:    Mac Business Solutions , 9057 Gaither Rd., Gaithersburg MD 20877 (US).
Fee: Free - book place here

Next Stop - New York

Session 1

Date: Monday, October 11, 2010
Time: 10:00 - 1:00 pm
Location: B&H Super Store, 420 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10001
Fee: Free - book place here

Session 2

Date: Monday, October 11, 2010
Time: 3:00 - 6:00 pm
Location: B&H Super Store, 420 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10001
Fee: Free - book place here

Next Stop - New York City

Date: To be determined
Time: As above
Location: Adorama, 42 West 18th Street, New York City, NY 10011
Fee: $25

NEC adds 23-inch MultiSync PA231W to range

NEC make some of the best displays in the business, and the new PA231W seems like an ideal replacement for Apple's now no longer available 23-inch HD Cinema Display. The PA231W has a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution has dual digital DVI-D interfaces and features digital DisplayPort connection. However, if you're using a Mac with a mini-display port, you'll need one of these, or this. The PA231W is available now at $635 / £535 (plus VAT).

NEC Display Solutions presents 23” model in the MultiSync® PA series


Future-proof features to increase productivity


London, 28 September 2010 – NEC Display Solutions is launching the MultiSync® PA231W, a 23-inch monitor in its award-winning PA series of professional class displays. The display, with its powerful IPS technology, delivers excellent picture quality in the new 16:9 format and includes sophisticated features such as a future-proof DisplayPort connection and ergonomic comfort through height adjustability. With a focus on improving user productivity and having an attractive price/performance ratio, this monitor is designed to meet the demands of the CAD/CAM and DTP sector, precision engineering and for detailed image reproduction in the field of medical radiology.

With a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, the PA231W offers outstanding viewing angle stability and image precision. The Digital Uniformity Control (ColorComp) automatically regulates the evenness of the brightness and colour distribution, thereby guaranteeing consistent display quality. The monitor also features a programmable 3D LUT for precise colour space emulation.

Intelligent features such as the picture-in-picture function for the parallel display of multiple video feeds enhance productivity and facilitate effective working practices. The model also comes with an integrated, programmable USB hub (DisplaySync Pro) that allows flexible connections to multiple PC platforms. The NEC MultiSync® PA231W scores brilliantly with its first-class connectivity. As well as VGA and dual digital DVI-D interfaces it also features a future-proof, high-bandwidth, digital DisplayPort connection.

The height adjustability of up to 150 mm and the optional landscape or portrait viewing mode mean that the display can be set up to suit the individual user’s specific needs. These ergonomic features were an important contribution in the PA231W’s achievement of the TCO 5.0 certification.

When developing the 23” model, NEC focused greatly on the issue of environmental responsibility. The use of recycled plastic for the monitor housing, the use of arsenic-free materials and the transparency of the carbon savings meter are all consistent with NEC’s acclaimed “Green Vision” campaign. In order to minimise environmental impact, the company employs a green product design methodology with energy-efficient technology solutions and seeks sustainability in the manufacturing process.

“Current users of conventional 19, 20 and 21-inch 4:3 format professional displays will appreciate the move to a wide screen format and all the well known advantages and qualities of NEC products,” says Christopher Parker, Product Line Manager for Professional Displays at NEC Display Solutions Europe. “The NEC MultiSync® PA231W offers the combination of a new format and future-proof features to boost productivity and ensure our customers will be well equipped to meet the growing demands of today’s working life.”

Availability, price and warranty
The NEC MultiSync® PA231W is currently available in black priced at £535.00 (excl. VAT). The package supplied includes a power cable, one digital DVI-D, one DisplayPort signal cable, one analogue VGA cable, a manual and an installation and driver CD-ROM. NEC Display Solutions Europe offers a three-year warranty including backlights.

Further information can be found here.

The Most Beautiful Insect Photos You Have Ever Seen

I'm totally serious, these images are fantastic. They represent a very distinctive style of brightly colored macro photography that Leon Baas has spent over eight years perfecting. I love them.

A ladybird is pictured at the water's edge in this picture taken by Dutch photographer Leon Baas.

Leica release background video of M9 Titan

Leica has released an interview with the italian car designer of the M9 Titan, Walter de'Silva. Unfortunately for us English-only speakers, the video is in Italian, with German subtitles.

Leica UK has kindly sent the DJP a selection of images to accompany the video.

We're having some technical difficulties embedding the code, so please visit here, instead.

Previously Unseen Photographs of Marilyn Monroe

Just when you thought you had seen every possible photograph of Marilyn Monroe, some more pop up.  In this case the images have been published in a new book, Marilyn: August 1953: The Lost LOOK Photos, and it's coming out this week.

All the photographs were taken whilst the diva was actually 'resting' with a sprained ankle and unable to continue filming with Robert Mitchum in Alberta, Canada.  They were working on 'River of No Return'.

John Vachon was the photographer who took over 100 shots for the feature, commissioned by LOOK Magazine but only three were published at that time.

All the images have been digitally restored.

CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year 2010 Award Winners.

The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) Environmental Photographer of the Year honours amateur and professional photographers who use their ability to raise awareness of environmental and social issues. The competition encourages entries that are contemporary, creative, resonant, challenging, original and beautiful. But most of all, we want your pictures to inspire people around the world to start taking care of our environment.
Take a look at this years winning entries. For more details, click here

An amazing picture of thousands of rays swimming through the ocean in a colossal school has scooped top prize in the CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year 2010 awards. The group of Munkiana Devil Rays were spotted in Baja California Sur, Mexico, by German conservation photographer Florian Schulz. He described how he was able to capture his jaw-dropping image named Flight of the Rays: "During an aerial expedition I came across something I had never seen before. Not even my pilot, who has surveyed this area for 20 years, had seen anything like it. As we got closer we started to discover its nature: an unprecedented congregation of rays. The group was as thick as it was wide, all heading towards the same direction. I have asked around why this took place but no one has been able to explain it to me. After such a unique sighting, I realise there are so many marvels in the oceans that we are yet to understand"

Albert Watson Worthy Royal Photographic Society Centenary Medal Winner

Scotland's Albert Watson has made his mark as one of the most successful fashion, commercial and art photographers in the world – shooting over 200 covers for Vogue alone – and was this month honoured for his lifelong contribution to the art.

Mick Jagger, Los Angeles, 1992

Photograph: Albert Watson

Eyestorm Exhibition - Fashion In Art

Not to be repeated this rare exhibition is being hosted by Eyestorm to celebrate 'the merging boundaries between fashion and fine art'. Taking place on September 30, 2010 slotted between London Fashion Week and the Frieze Art Fair.

This exhibition is taking place in an unnamed (as yet) gallery space in Mayfair, London, W1. With work by Helmut Newton, Bob Carlos Clarke, William Klein and many more famous photographers, it is sure to be a treat.

Clare Shilland, Love from...Big Ben, 2009

© Clare Shilland, courtesy of Eyestorm

Britain From The Air - Looking Down On The UK - A New Exhibition

Britain from the Air shows you Britain as you have never seen it before. 100 huge images of our natural and built landscapes and captions tell stories of our heritage, bring alive the beauty of our environment, and challenge us all to understand the changes taking place today in our towns and cities. 

“All too often, chasing far away places, we forget just what beauty we have on our doorstep and just how rich and diverse a country we live in. I can think of no better time to celebrate Britain¹s built and natural landscapes. The scale of the hundred images that make up this spectacular street gallery is breathtaking, and I very much hope it will one day travel to every major city in Britain” - Michael Palin (RGS-IBG President).

The street gallery exhibition, featuring a large walk-on Ordnance Survey map, is being launched in Bath on 28 September by Society President Michael Palin, and will be free for everyone to view in the city centre, 24-hours a day, until early 2011.

Salmon farm in the Shetland Isles, Scotland

Photograph: Adrian Warren and Dae Sasitorn/PA

Phase One offers 40% off Capture One 5 PRO

Phase One, the high-end medium format back maker, is offering 40% off the price of the highly regarded Capture One 5 PRO raw converter. The utility has wide-ranging raw compatibility with various makes (Nikon, Canon, Leica Sony and others), not just Phase One and Mamiya cameras. The "Photokina special " is valid for all C15 Pro variants Mac and Widows (new, upgrade and multiuser) and expires at the end of the month (September 2010).

Please use the voucher code 5PRO to obtain the saving.

Ari Marcopoulos Camera/iPad Bag Plus Free Photography Book

Incase partnered with renowned photographer Ari Marcopoulos to create a camera bag that meets his exacting standards. As a veteran photographer whose work takes him across the globe to a variety of locales and climates, a durable yet comfortable bag is a must. The result of this particular design challenge is a low-profile bag with optimal weather resistance, long-wearing comfort, excellent protection and functional features that allow Ari to access his equipment as quickly as possible, never missing a shot.
The Camera Bag also comes with Now Is Forever, a limited-edition book of unpublished Ari Marcopoulos photographs.

Sony NEX lens roadmap revealed

Sony has revealed plans for the introduction of seven new lenses for the mirrorless NEX cameras during 2011 and 2012, including four primes (a macro, portrait, mid tele and one Carl Zeiss wide-angle), a high-performance G-series zoom and two further zooms; one wide, one tele. Sony also announced a firmware upgrade will be made available in October supporting AF operation with both A-mount SAM and SSM lenses when using the optional LA-EA1 Mount Adaptor.

Westcott unveil new umbrella

Westcott has introduced three new collapsible 43-inch (109cm) umbrellas for budding Strobists. Available in three different models, white satin, soft silver and a white satin with removable black cover, each weighs 1lb (454g) and collapse to just 14.5-inches (37cm). Prices are just £19 inc VAT for the white and silver varients, while the shoot through (white) umbrella is £22 inc tax.

Hasselblad announce limited edition H4d Ferrari

Not to be out done by Leica's VAG designed M9 Titan, Hasselblad has introduced the limited edition H4D Ferrari. Just 499 units will be made in Ferrari red "rosso fuoco", bearing the the car maker's distinctive 'prancing horse' racing shield. Details on pricing and availability have yet to be released.

22/09/2010


Two worldwide renowned companies born from the passion of two men now collaborate in the creation of the H4D Ferrari, a limited edition of Hasselblad’s latest flagship camera. This brand new model is dedicated to the new generation of photographers looking for the ultimate image quality, and will be produced in 499 units. A winning combination, the Hasselblad H4D Ferrari Limited Edition camera will have appeal to Ferrari and Hasselblad fans who appreciate the innovation, quality and design that symbolize both brands.

Leica release background video of M9 Titan

Leica has released an interview with the italian car designer of the M9 Titan, Walter de'Silva. Unfortunately for us English-only speakers, the video is in Italian, with German subtitles.

We're having some technical difficulties embedding the code, so please visit here.

Carl Zeiss to expand HDSLR lens range, end Pentax ZK

Carl Zeiss has issued a statement this morning promising more DSLR and CP (Compact Prime) cine lenses. Although the latter feature the same optical train as their DSLR system lenses, the CPs are optimised for full-frame HDSLRs. However, the Lens Division at Carl Zeiss say they will continue to focus their efforts on the popular ZE (Canon) and ZF.2 (chipped Nikon) lines, while the production of ZK (Pentax fit) range are scheduled to end over the next month or so (this fall). The remaining ZK lenses will continue to be offered at regular prices while stocks last.

Hasselblad's V-System Cameras Get 50 Megapixel Digital Back Option

Following the releases of the CFV-16 and the CFV-39 digital backs, Hasselblad is now offering another option for photographers looking to transition from film to digital. The new back offers a maximum resolution of 50 megapixels – twice the size of the best 35mm full-frame DSLRs on the market today.

Peter Stig-Nielsen of Hasselblad issued a statement at a press conference at Photokina and explained that the launch of the CFV-50 was sparked by the huge success of its 39 megapixels predecessor. “It took us by surprise when we received tons of positive response from customers around the world,” he explains. “This success was not just because it was a new digital back, but also because it offered compatibility with the Carl Zeiss lenses, which took the platform to another level.”

The CFV-50 has been custom built to match the design and functionality of the V-cameras, says the firm. It is compatible with most V-Cameras such as the 202FA, 203FE, 205FCC, and all members of the 500 and 900 series.

It also offers Hasselblad’s DAC lens correction technology for the majority of V-System Carl Zeiss lenses. The technology corrects for distortion, lateral chromatic aberration and vignetting in the same way as it does for the H-System lenses, claims Hasselblad.

The CFV-50 has a sensitivity range of ISO 50 to ISO 800, has an exposure time of up to 64s and offers both normal capture at full resolution or classic square capture at 38 megapixels. It also features a 2.5-inch LCD screen and take CF memory cards.

The CFV-50 is available now retailing at $15,750/€11,990.

Hasselblad H4D-31 Now At $13k

Hasselblad have reduced the entry price to join their exclusive club, the H4D-31 is one of the most affordable cameras the company have produced. Retailing for $13,132 complete with lens albeit an 80 mm or you do have the option of a CF-lens adapter that allows you to attach V-System gear, if you already have some of course.

Billed by Hasselblad as 'the perfect digital medium format alternative for 35mm DSLR photographers and for V-customers who are ready to transition to digital'. They might just be right about that.