Well it's not July 30th yet but there's more leaks about what Nikon may be announcing come the end of July. The rumors go something like this a small body DSLR similar to the D5000 called the D3000 which may or may not have a HD video feature and an update to the D300 the D300s. How true are these rumors well they're rumors so who really knows for sure, one thing for sure is that is not just one site that's picked up these rumors. The sites that are talking about these rumors are the same sites that leaked the D5000 weeks before the official announcement so maybe they have something there. So if you love leaks like these hit the links below to read about them!
Was just browsing through the Star news paper and found an interesting little side line in the CityWatch section apparently there's a photography course out there that's going to pay you! That's right, pay you! Here's the write up
Photography Course
Shutterbugs who enrol for a one-and-a-half-months Certificate in Photography course will be paid a monthly allowance of RM500, given free accomodation and materials for the course study. The course, from Nov 2 to Dec 15, is fully sponsored by the Human Resources Ministry. The training will be conducted at Amp D Video Photo Sdn Bhd, No:20 Jln Pusat BCH 1/3, Bandar Country Homes, Rawang. For details, call Ananda Mohan at 016-222 7921.
So what are you waiting for, learn photography and get paid for it! Sounds like a good idea, especially if you're a student!
Found an interesting review on the high iso levels of the most recent releases by Canon as compared to their previous models, its an interesting article if you're the anal retentive type when it comes to your picture quality at high ISO settings. Probably not meant for the average photog out there but still an interesting read anyway, and a good guide if you're looking into getting one of the models they've reviewed. The other article is on a rumour about the next Nikon model to be released and interesting enough this time it might actually feature a full HD video capturing. So if any of these things interest you hit the link below...
Was just browsing the net and decided to type look for photography events in Malaysia and i found these two sites. They're quite recent since i occasionally do the same search but have not seen them before and since they've popped up on the first page on a google search they must've been visited quite a few times. The first is sort of a directory site of local Malaysian photographers but not all of them are represented of course(Malaysian photographers tend to be an anonymous bunch, hanging out only with other photogs). The main site on the hand (if you want to call it that leads back to a resource page for camera stuff) isn't much to look at so a bit of a disappointment there. But the directory listing is interesting.
The second site is a facebook group site called the Malaysian Photography Outing Group and here's what they say about themselves "This is a group that gather all facebook members who are interested on photography outing, either in Malaysia or Oversea. Members can share their outing experiences , photos and any photography outing events in this group." Seems like a pretty interesting bunch of folks since they like to share their photo spots with others as well as share other photography related stuff like trip packages and equipments. So if you're Malaysian (or not) and interested in photography and locations to go shoot or anything to go shoot, and you've got a facebook account you should definitely drop by and join them.
The folks at AkihabaraNews.com have just come up with a review of Panasonic's latest micro four thirds camera the Lumix GF1. And apparently they're more impressed by it then Panasonic's previous offerings the G1 and the GH1, they're even more impressed by it then the Olympus EP-1 which took the camera world by storm a few months back. Pretty impressive don't you think? It looks to me like the micro four thirds are here to stay. Anyway. if you're looking to get a new camera and more specifically a micro four thirds camera maybe you should read their review of the Lumix GF1 first. Follow the link below...
And here are two interesting news articles for you pro shooters out there, one is of Canon's latest release for their proline the EOS-1D Mark iV and the other is on Nikons latest release the D3s, hit the link below for the articles
Here are three interesting news articles that caught my attention. One is about the dSLR control software that's been available for you iphone users out there(lucky you!), the other is on Adobe's release of Photoshop.com an image manipulation software for you iphone users (again damn you iphone users...) and the last thankfully has nothing to do with the iphone, is the wireless memory cards from Eye-fi. The first two are self explanatory but still interesting news for iphone users with or without dSLRs now the only thing left for Apple to do is put a decent camera in the iPhone. The wireless memory cards on the other hand are curious advancements for memory cards in my opinion, a sort of who would've thunk it situation... Anyway for the full story hit the links below...
Starting tomorrow till the end of the weekend(that sounds strange)... there'll be a Nikon show at the Mid Valley Megamall. It's called the Nikon Show but they'll only be showing their newest cameras and also there'll be some models there and contest and such, you know the deal. This time though it's purely for the still photography purist, so no video presence here which means we at V9kon get to be in the audience this time. Our friends Kelvin Chan and Louis Pang will be there to give talks on their specialty so that's definitely not to be missed but you shouldn't miss Erna Dyanty and Jimin Lai either. Though i'm not too sure how it'll go since it'll be at the ground floor, center court. Anyway, it's on for four days so there's no reason to miss it! Below is the link...
If you've checked recently we've updated the site a bit there's a couple of new things on the front page. Also we've uploaded two new videos of Mr Mahfooz, he recently ran the D5000 clinic for first time users of not only the D5000 but also users new to dSLRs. The videos aren't specific to the D5000 though so if you're looking for some quick photography tips take a quick peek at them. Also we're still working on the interview with Louis Pang but in the meantime there's a bunch of new pictures uploaded by our new members that aren't too bad.
Ever wondered why D-SLR/SLR's always came in black, I guess Pentax had that question in mind and decided to break the ice
GOLDEN, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PENTAX Imaging Company redefines the entry-level digital SLR category with the introduction of the K-x digital SLR. This latest PENTAX camera offers high-end features including Live View and HD video. And, since there’s no rule that SLR cameras must come in black only, the K-x will be available in a choice of white or black, as well as special, limited edition red and navy.
Priced at USD $649.95 (for body with DA L 18-55mm lens), the K-x is perfect for users stepping up from a point and shoot digital camera to their first digital SLR. The PENTAX K-x offers photographic performance that challenges higher class DSLR models and offers several features that set this camera apart in the entry-level category:
High resolution 12.4 megapixel CMOS image sensor features sensor-shift Shake Reduction for stabilized image and video capture up to 4 stops max.
Large 2.7 inch LCD features Live View with contrast, phase difference, and Face Detection autofocus (up to 16 faces).
Widescreen HD video capture in full 720p resolution (1280x720) at 24 FPS cinematic framerate, using any PENTAX 35mm lens.
Creative processing and filter modes produce high quality finished images, while offering the ability to explore artistic freedom through unique special effects.
True High Dynamic Range (HDR) image capture blends 3 bracketed images into a single picture with outstanding shadow, highlight, and midrange detail.
Fast 4.7 FPS capture speed and 1/6000 second maximum shutter speeds are possible with the PENTAX PRIME II image processing engine.
Powerful automatic modes, including PENTAX Auto Picture and scene modes, ensure the perfect shot in any situation, while helping new photographers learn DSLR photography.
Responsive 11 point wide angle SAFOX VIII autofocus system focuses quickly and accurately and easily tracks moving subjects.
Captures up to 1900 shots with universally available, easy-to-find AA lithium batteries (also compatible with AA NiMH rechargeable and alkaline batteries).
Along with the K-x, PENTAX announced the smc PENTAX DA L 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED super-telephoto zoom lens. This lens will be exclusive to a K-x Twin Lens Kit package consisting of a K-x body, this new lens and the smc PENTAX DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 lens.
The PENTAX K-x is now available for pre-order in black or white on www.pentaxwebstore.com and the product will ship in October 2009 in three options:
K-x single lens kit with body and smc PENTAX DA L 18-55mm lens for USD $649.95.
K-x twin lens kit for $749.95 with K-x body, smc PENTAX DA L 18-55mm lens and smc PENTAX DA L 50-200mm zoom lens.
K-x twin lens kit for $849.95 including a K-x body, the smc PENTAX DA L 18-55mm lens and the smc PENTAX DA L 55-300mm zoom lens.
Limited edition colors of red and navy will become available at select locations to be announced.
Man...what was thought to be just a rumour a few months ago is now reality. You can shoot your stills and video and project it wherever and whenever you want. If you're looking for that extra show off credit, this is the toy to get. Impressive. Recently launched to Malaysia by Nikon Malaysia, it is here and now.
The COOLPIX S1000pj doesn’t just pack a punch with its projector – the compact camera delivers high resolution images with 12.1 effective megapixels and a 2.7” wide viewing-angle TFT LCD monitor. With a high ISO 6400 sensitivity and using Nikon’s exclusive image processing concept, EXPEED, the camera offers the kind of high quality images you expect from Nikon. This is all wrapped up in a sleek aluminium silver or anodized black casing that contains a wide-angle 5x zoom NIKKOR lens.
One touch projection If you’ve ever wanted to share your photos or videos at a party or relive a day’s memories while on your travels, then now you can with one-touch projection on the COOLPIX S1000pj. The built-in projector easily projects an image size from approximately 5 inches up to 40 inches*1. A supplied remote control means that you can wirelessly operate both the projector and usual camera functions, and a simple projection stand is supplied for optimal viewing wherever you are.
Getting the shot you imagine The COOLPIX S1000pj features Scene Auto mode, whereby the camera automatically selects the appropriate scene mode based on the contents of your shot, allowing picture perfect images at the touch of a button. In addition, five functions to reduce image blur and the Smart Portrait System ensures that you can get those ‘red carpet smiles’ every time. An additional feature enables users to ‘airbrush’ someone’s face using the Skin Softening function to reduce the appearance of blemishes. Together with face tracking and anti-shake functionality, the COOLPIX S1000pj helps you to get the shot you envisaged without any hassle.
my Picturetown You can now store your images safely and securely using Nikon’s my Picturetown, a free online digital photo storage and sharing service. Easily share photo memories with friends and organise precious memories into online collections. You get 2GB of space free to use for storing thousands of memories and you can upgrade your membership to Gold Account at any time if you need to store more pictures.
Features
Sharper results with five advanced Nikon image stabilising features*3 Nikon's Optical lens shift and Electronic VR image stabilisation systems combine to help produce blur-free images. High ISO 6400*4 capability allows faster shutter speeds when shooting in low light or capturing fast-moving subjects. Motion Detection automatically controls shutter speed and the ISO setting to compensate for subject movement and camera shake. And, Nikon’s original BSS (Best Shot Selector) function automatically shoots a series of sequential frames and saves the one with the sharpest focus.
Nikon’s Smart Portrait System with Skin Softening Face-priority AF helps produce more satisfying portraits by adjusting focus and exposure for as many as 12 faces in the framed shot. Skin Softening function detects and analyses a framed subject’s skin, and then adjusts smoothness to produce enhanced results. Smile Timer automatically releases the shutter when the subject smiles, while its Blink Proof function shoots two sequential frames, then saves the one in which the subject’s eyes are widest open. Blink Warning presents an alert when it suspects that someone in the shot has blinked. In-Camera Red-Eye Fix automatically corrects any perceived red-eye effect before saving the image to memory.
Intelligent automated shooting modes that promote carefree shooting Nikon’s Scene Auto Selector makes it faster and easier to capture the moment by eliminating the need to manually select a scene mode to match the intended shot. This intelligent function determines the subject, analyses the surrounding settings, and then automatically selects the appropriate scene mode for optimal results. Subject Tracking enhances the shooting experience by following the subject’s movement to ensure clear focus and quick response when that special shutter opportunity presents itself. Subject Tracking even functions if the subject moves out of the frame for a second or two.
Quick Retouch Quick Retouch automatically adjusts the contrast and saturation of selected photos to create an enhanced copy with the right finishing touch.
Other Features
2.7-in. high-resolution LCD monitor with anti-reflection coated cover
16 handy scene modes for optimised shooting in various settings
D-Lighting
Active Zoom
Auto Sort and Favorite Pictures functions
Four movie modes with sound
Time zone function for easy setting of multiple locations
Approx. 36 MB of internal memory
Hi-Speed USB connectivity
*1 Projection area size dependent upon light conditions of the room
This'll be a short one... This week the facebook groups page for V9kon is up so if you do have a facebook account (and who doesn't these days...) be sure to join us. And we've got our second featured member for the site and her name is Cheryl Ho. She has a pretty fun blog and she's an entrepreneur of sorts running her own little online store. So be sure to check her site out at wwww.CherylHo.net!
Today bright and early I found myself at a club. I am not kidding at 10a.m. on a Friday morning I was standing in front of the Ministry of Sounds, The Deq, Euphoria. Why was I there? Well Nikon was a having a media preview of their latest cameras. Six cameras to be exact, two dSLRs and four brand new compacts. The dSLRs were the D300s an upgrade to the popular D300 and a brand new intro level dSLR that’s even easier to use than the D5000. The compacts they were introducing were the Coolpix S1000pj, S70, S640 and S570.
The event started of with a speech by Mr. Stephen Ng, one of the top dogs at Nikon Malaysia. Followed by a little interactive video element that played advertisements for the various models. After which some girls dressed very provocatively in white and platinum wigs came out to show off the S1000pj, which was why the event was being held at a club.
That pretty much ended the planned program for the day and after which the press was allowed to have interviews and ask questions from the Nikon management present.
Myself I got right down to matters at hand and had a look at the three cameras that interest me, namely the D300s, the D3000, the S1000pj and the S70.
Let’s take it a model at a time, first up the D300s I am not familiar with the original so looking at the button layout confused me somewhat. But I do know what it’s capable of, the D300 is a popular model for Nikon and the upgrade or replacement includes the HD video feature that’s present in all of Nikon’s latest dSLR. And I’ve seen what the camera can do in the hands of an open minded professional. At the Nikon USA site if you browse around for the D300s you’ll eventually come across a video done by Amy Vitale, she is a very respected photographer and was given one of the first working D300s. With that first working model she was able to shoot an amazing video of her recent visit to India. If you want to see what your dSLRs video mode is capable head on over and watch it, I strongly recommend it. But I wasn’t really able to play with the D300s at the event primarily because one I wasn’t familiar with and two, there was no storage media in them, so I couldn’t really take pictures to see much.
Next up the D3000, this is an interesting camera. It seems targeted to those looking to buy a compact but want some features of a dSLR. It’s got a very small body comparable to the D5000 but unlike the D5000 it does not have the flip out LCD screen nor does it have a video mode which is available in all of Nikon’s latest offerings. It does have a new menu feature called Guide which is supposed to make shooting pictures with dSLRs a lot easier to understand as it tells you what does what. Again there was no storage media in it so you couldn’t really play with to get a feel for it. Personally if I had to choose between the D3000 and the D5000 I’d go with the D5000. You get the flip out screen, the video mode and if you experiment enough you’ll figure out what does what anyway.
For the compacts you have the S1000pj and the S70. The S1000pj was the reason that the event was held at a club as I mentioned because of an interesting feature that it has, its got a projector. So it’s targeted at a younger, fun loving, want-to-share-the-moment sort of crowd. You can take a picture or a video and immediately you can project it on a wall or any other surface to about 5 feet. It was pretty neat. And it comes with a remote to so you can sort of have a fun presentation wherever you are. The S70 on the other hand intrigued me because of its new screen and menu/navigation feature. It’s got an OLED screen so that’s very nice. They’re going to become more common soon I know that most of the latest cell phones from the Korean manufacturers will soon sport them. And the entire back is made up of it, which means that it’s a touch screen. The touch screen is very responsive and fluid compared to Nikon’s previous model, and they’ve also included gestures. Gestures was first introduced if I’m not mistaken by Apple on their Airbook laptops, that’s where you can navigate and manipulate elements on you desktop by doing gestures on the mouse pad. Same thing with the S70 menus system. Doing certain gestures will help you navigate through the menu or even manipulate your pictures. For example, if you want to zoom in to a picture you take your fingers pinch them together on the screen and then open them, to zoom out you do the opposite place them a part and then bring them together.
All in all an interesting line up, I’m curious to see how the market responds to some of these models. One things for sure though if Nikon keeps up this habit of putting things you don’t expect of a camera it’ll keep everyone on their toes.
Just for fun here’s the official press release that Nikon gave us.
Nikon Shows-Off the World’s First Projector Camera
11 September, Kuala Lumpur. Nikon (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd launches the first compact camera with built-in projector capability in the world at The Deq, Euphoria Sunway today.
The Coolpix S1000pj is the world’s first digital camera that has a built-in LCD projector, upping the ante on the feature warfare of this highly competitive industry. With a simple touch of a button, the camera projects photos or movie clips on any flat surface up to 40 inches in size. Nikon has created a new experience in sharing photos with family and friends in most any location.
In this season, Nikon also rolled out the Coolpix S70, its first digital compact camera to feature Nikon’s innovative Clear Color OLED display with intuitive touch control. Immediately noticeable in the OLED display is its brightness, vivid color reproduction, and sharper contrast. At 3.5”, it is highly responsive and recognizes multiple fingertip commands, giving freshness to the meaning of “camera control at your fingertip.”
“The Coolpix S1000pj and Coolpix S70 mark another milestone in Nikon’s long history as a camera brand that is synonymous with innovative and quality products,” says Mr. Stephen Ng, General Manager.
“It used to be a megapixel war zone however consumers today are aware that megapixels are not the only key to enhanced photography experience. One of the joys of picture taking is sharing our photos with our friends which traditionally we would print them out or showing them via the camera’s LCD. The projector function of the Coolpix S1000pj makes photo sharing more convenient and exciting with your friends, as they just sit back and view the photos in an instant,” added Mr. Ng.
For those consumers who would like to shoot action or moving objects, the new Coolpix S640 is designed with an ultra-fast auto-focus drive which is close to that of a DSLR, enabling it to capture fast moving objects much easier than before. Nikon also launched highly affordable Coolpix S570 which comes with various colour choices, to meet consumers’ expectation of a trendy outlook.
The Coolpix S1000pj, S70, S640 and S570 all come with 28mm wide angle lens, 12 megapixel image sensor and 5x optical zoom. There are also a bundle of built-in image enhancing functions such as the Nikon Smart Portrait System, Scene Auto Selector, and Quick Retouch to make photo taking simple, yet satisfying.
Also in Nikon’s new line-up are the D300S and the D3000 DSLR cameras that are upgraded versions of the D300 and D60 respectively. The D300S not only has a 7 frame-per-second shutter rate, but also comes with auto-focus HD movie shooting capability. It also features an SD and CF memory card slots allowing users to select the recording medium of their choice.
The D3000 on the other hand, is a highly affordable DSLR for new enthusiasts. Comes with easy to use Guide Mode, the D3000 is affordably priced at RM 2,288 which comes with an AFS 18-55mm VR kit lens. It is expected to draw more upgrades from the compact level. “Consumers today are more aware about photography than never before. Thanks to DSLR becoming more affordable and easy to use, consumers will slowly move towards cameras with better pictures quality, and Nikon DSLR cameras will definitely give them that satisfaction,” said Mr. David Ng, Marketing Manager.
It’s been a while since I last blogged, life got in the way if you will. Anyway, about three weeks ago Seel and I had the pleasure of attending KLPF. You may have seen the banner on the main page. Not only had we attended KLPF, but we were actually invited to speak on the main stage by Nikon Malaysia. It was the first time we had ever been asked to do anything like it, but I’m getting ahead of myself. First of all let’s say a little something about KLPF of the Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival. It’s the only event of its kind in Malaysia but it isn’t truly a festival per se, more like the usual vendor exhibition mixed in with a few guest talks, speakers and contests. If I were to describe a photography festival it would be something along the lines of Chobi Mela held in Bangladesh. This past KLPF though is the biggest one yet in KLPF even when compared to last years which was held at Berjaya Times Square. Moving on, Seel and I were invited to talk at KLPF because just recently we had shot a video PSA using Nikon camera namely the D90 and the D5000. It was sort of a pro bono-slash-experimental video that a close acquaintance of us, who just so happens to run an advertising agency, came up with. Alan Lim is a pretty well known name in the industry and used to work at Naga DDB as a creative director, he was curious about the quality of the video and if it were acceptable to use in actual production. We have worked with Alan before and he knew about us and our website and what we do, so he got in touch with us. Anyway long story short we showed him what we can do with using both the D90 and the D5000 and some lenses, and we ended up blowing him away, sort of. We showed him that we could get angles and shots that had he used the usual production method would have been time consuming or in some cases because of the situation would have been impossible. We used little to no lights, using only the available lights and fiddling with the sensor settings such as the ISO, aperture and exposure. In the end not only did we manage to pull of a fantastic job but a fast and fun one too. If we had actually been doing it for a fee it would have probably come in at a more affordable price for Alan too. So now there’s interest in the video by some parties since Alan has been showing it around, we’ve been told that it might actually be viewed publicly and if I’m not mistaken firstly on public buses. So that’s why we were on stage at KLPF. KLPF itself had a good turn out. It stayed crowded throughout the day only tapering of towards evening, and even the special rooms set up for the speakers would have lines waiting to enter. We managed to catch Louis Pangs’ talk and it’s safe to say that his fame precedes him. We caught him after his talk for a chat and an interview. We’ll be putting up that video soon or you can see it at Louis’ site once we get him a copy. The usual vendors were there but the one that surprised me was Tamron. They had decided to make a big presence by setting up their lenses on an elevated stage, all the other vendors had the usual floor displays. Nikon didn’t have anything new to show other than dummy models of the upcoming D300s and the S1000pj, though we heard that they did have preproduction models back at their headquarters. We were also impressed with a few of the Panasonic cameras especially their compacts since they shot at FullHD and the image quality was surprising. Also at KLPF Olympus had their latest cameras including the EP-1 the micro four thirds that’s been making waves in the camera industry. All in all it was a good experience.
dobe today released the Photoshop Camera Raw 5.5 plug-in and DNG Converter 5.5 Release Candidates available immediately. The update extends raw file support to four of the latest popular camera model releases, including the Nikon D300s, Nikon D3000, Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic DMC-FZ35. The Release Candidate also includes a correction to the demosaic algorithms in the raw conversion process for Bayer sensor cameras with unequal green response. The Photoshop Camera Raw 5.5 plug-in and DNG Converter 5.5 Release Candidates are available as free downloads for existing customers of Photoshop CS4.
The Photoshop Camera Raw 5.5 plug-in and DNG Converter 5.5 Release Candidates are available as free downloads for existing customers of Photoshop CS4. Click here for more information and to download: http://labs.adobe.com. Feedback on the release candidate can be provided on the Adobe User to User forum (http://forums.adobe.com/community/cameraraw).
Looks like all the rumors of the D300s are true. So it's the newest, well not so new since the D300 has been out for a while but this is the new and improved version of the D300 but now with the D300s you get improved features plus HD video recording but that's not much of a surprise since every DSLR that comes out these days has that feature! (though one wonders when Nikon will go full HD like the others.) If you're interested in the new and improved D300s check out the article at my favorite camera site DPReview.com!
Okay i haven't posted in a while things have been a little busy these days... anyway i haven't forgotten you guys so here's the first in a series of post i'll be making to help out you budding photographers out there and it'll pretty much cost you nothing. Just a little time more time in front of your pc instead of out there shooting. What i'll be bringing to you are free open courseware that are "free" and they're all about photography and how to help you become a better photographer.
The first one for this post is brought to you by the folks at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or better known as MIT. And what they have to offer is an open courseware on Introduction to Photography. The main page for it is a little out of date and the details for the syllabus and schedule are not applicable anymore but the courseware is still good and available for download. So if you're interested hit the links below.
Amsterdam, July 1, 2009 – Viewbook PhotoStory, a new contemporary photography contest opened its submissions today, encouraging all documentary and conceptual photographers around the world to submit their most compelling series of photographs; photo stories that are judged by the public and an internationally renowned jury.
Viewbook PhotoStory 2009 challenges documentary and conceptual photographers around the world to create compelling stories with a linear series of photographs in an online gallery. Every professional photographer or emerging talent can easily submit their series free of charge using a 60 day, no obligation, Viewbook Pro account. ’With this competition we aim to inspire each other with photographic creativity and generate international publicity for the most talented entrants.’, says Peter Bas Mensink, publisher of GUP magazine and co-initiator of the competition.
An international jury consisting of Marcel Feil, (curator of FOAM museum) Lauren Heinz (Editor Foto8.com) and Alison Zavos (editor Featureshoot.com) and other industry professionals assess the photo stories on their overall impact and photographic excellence. The first price winners receive international publications & lifelong subscriptions with a value exceeding $12,000. The best photo series get published in the Viewbook PhotoStory 2009 book.
All pre-selected entries appear on the viewbookphotostory.com website, where everyone can view the photographic narratives and vote on their favorites. ’We want this to be an online event that everyone can be part of, says Peter Bas. The public decides which photographers win the special public prices.’
Viewbook PhotoStory is initiated by www.viewbook.com and GUP magazine, backed up by Blurb, Workbook and many supporters. The organization encourages photographers to submit their work as early as possible to get the most out of the public voting. Submissions close on 1 October 2009.
Nikon Systems Inc. and Fujitsu Broad Solution & Consulting Inc. establish a joint company
June 30, 2009
Nikon Corporation (Michio Kariya, President) announces that Nikon Systems Inc. (Masao Hagimoto, President), a subsidiary of Nikon Corporation, and Fujitsu Broad Solution & Consulting Inc. (Takao Kaneko, President; hereafter, Fujitsu BSC) establish a new joint company, named “Nikon Imaging Systems Inc.”. The company will be solely responsible for the firmware development in Nikon digital cameras. Nikon Imaging Systems Inc. will initiate operations in August 2009.
Firmware is the software built into devices that provides fundamental control over hardware. As the performance of digital devices becomes higher, so does the importance of firmware. To date, all firmware installed in Nikon digital cameras has been developed by Nikon Corporation and its subsidiary, Nikon Systems Inc.
The new company is dedicated exclusively to the firmware development for Nikon digital cameras. The objective of the company will be to proceed with the establishment of firmware platforms and to accelerate the speed and quality of firmware development by merging the long experienced mechatronics control and image processing technologies established in Nikon Corporation and Nikon Systems Inc. with the software technology, know-how, and resources provided by Fujitsu BSC.
Found this interesting piece on Wired about how to do Street Portraits with people off the streets. Done with the help of photographer Clay Enos who shots the stills for the Watchmen movie, they have him literally picking people off the sidewalk, chatting them up and taking their picture. Its an interesting piece, and oh yeah it's in video so if you're curious as to how some people do street portraits or want to do it yourself its an interesting video. So hit the link below to watch it!
Eligibility: The exhibition is open to photographers world wide, both amateur and professional. The Center for Fine Art Photography invites photographers working in all mediums, styles and schools of thought to participate in its exhibitions. Experimental and mixed techniques are welcome.
Exhibition and Awards: With selection for this exhibition, artists and their work will be seen by an international audience of collectors, curators, art consultants and others who appreciate the fine art of photography.
Juror’s Selection: $300 and an online marketing consultation with Andy Adams, Editor of Flak Photo. The Juror’s Selection will also be included in Flak Photo’s Online Exhibition during the month of October 2009.
Director's Selection award: $200
Gallery Visitor’s Choice Award: $100
Flak Photo’s Online Exhibition: A selection of artists will be chosen to exhibit their work in the Flak Photo Gallery (www.flakphoto.com) during the month of October, 2009.
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More Nikon Rumors... the D3000 More Nikon Rumors... the D3000, D300s?
Well it's not July 30th yet but there's more leaks about what Nikon may be announcing come the end of July. The rumors go something like this a small body DSLR similar to the D5000 called the D3000 which may or may not have a HD video feature and an update to the D300 the D300s. How true are these rumors well they're rumors so who really knows for sure, one thing for sure is that is not just one site that's picked up these rumors. The sites that are talking about these rumors are the same sites that leaked the D5000 weeks before the official announcement so maybe they have something there. So if you love leaks like these hit the links below to read about them!
Engadget
Lenstip.com
Nikonrumors.com
Electronista.com
Paid to learn photography! Paid to learn photography!
Was just browsing through the Star news paper and found an interesting little side line in the CityWatch section apparently there's a photography course out there that's going to pay you! That's right, pay you! Here's the write up
Photography Course
Shutterbugs who enrol for a one-and-a-half-months Certificate in Photography course will be paid a monthly allowance of RM500, given free accomodation and materials for the course study. The course, from Nov 2 to Dec 15, is fully sponsored by the Human Resources Ministry. The training will be conducted at Amp D Video Photo Sdn Bhd, No:20 Jln Pusat BCH 1/3, Bandar Country Homes, Rawang. For details, call Ananda Mohan at 016-222 7921.
So what are you waiting for, learn photography and get paid for it! Sounds like a good idea, especially if you're a student!
Here's the article at TheStar.com.my
A few interesting articles... A few interesting articles...
Found an interesting review on the high iso levels of the most recent releases by Canon as compared to their previous models, its an interesting article if you're the anal retentive type when it comes to your picture quality at high ISO settings. Probably not meant for the average photog out there but still an interesting read anyway, and a good guide if you're looking into getting one of the models they've reviewed. The other article is on a rumour about the next Nikon model to be released and interesting enough this time it might actually feature a full HD video capturing. So if any of these things interest you hit the link below...
Canon EOS 7D vs Canon EOS 50D vs Canon EOS 5D Mark II High ISO Noise
Rumor: Nikon D800 instead of D700s/x
A few interesting finds... A few interesting finds...
Was just browsing the net and decided to type look for photography events in Malaysia and i found these two sites. They're quite recent since i occasionally do the same search but have not seen them before and since they've popped up on the first page on a google search they must've been visited quite a few times. The first is sort of a directory site of local Malaysian photographers but not all of them are represented of course(Malaysian photographers tend to be an anonymous bunch, hanging out only with other photogs). The main site on the hand (if you want to call it that leads back to a resource page for camera stuff) isn't much to look at so a bit of a disappointment there. But the directory listing is interesting.
The second site is a facebook group site called the Malaysian Photography Outing Group and here's what they say about themselves "This is a group that gather all facebook members who are interested on photography outing, either in Malaysia or Oversea. Members can share their outing experiences , photos and any photography outing events in this group." Seems like a pretty interesting bunch of folks since they like to share their photo spots with others as well as share other photography related stuff like trip packages and equipments. So if you're Malaysian (or not) and interested in photography and locations to go shoot or anything to go shoot, and you've got a facebook account you should definitely drop by and join them.
Here are the links...
Malaysian photographer directory
Malaysian Photography Outing Group on Facebook
Panasonic Lumix GF1 review plu Panasonic Lumix GF1 review plus two updates!
The folks at AkihabaraNews.com have just come up with a review of Panasonic's latest micro four thirds camera the Lumix GF1. And apparently they're more impressed by it then Panasonic's previous offerings the G1 and the GH1, they're even more impressed by it then the Olympus EP-1 which took the camera world by storm a few months back. Pretty impressive don't you think? It looks to me like the micro four thirds are here to stay. Anyway. if you're looking to get a new camera and more specifically a micro four thirds camera maybe you should read their review of the Lumix GF1 first. Follow the link below...
Lumix GF1, redefine Power and Compact - The Review
And here are two interesting news articles for you pro shooters out there, one is of Canon's latest release for their proline the EOS-1D Mark iV and the other is on Nikons latest release the D3s, hit the link below for the articles
Canon updates pro line with EOS-1D Mark IV
Nikon unveils D3S high-speed pro DSLR
News that caught my eye... News that caught my eye...
Here are three interesting news articles that caught my attention. One is about the dSLR control software that's been available for you iphone users out there(lucky you!), the other is on Adobe's release of Photoshop.com an image manipulation software for you iphone users (again damn you iphone users...) and the last thankfully has nothing to do with the iphone, is the wireless memory cards from Eye-fi. The first two are self explanatory but still interesting news for iphone users with or without dSLRs now the only thing left for Apple to do is put a decent camera in the iPhone. The wireless memory cards on the other hand are curious advancements for memory cards in my opinion, a sort of who would've thunk it situation... Anyway for the full story hit the links below...
onOne Software updates DSLR Camera Remote Server
Adobe releases Photoshop.com Mobile for iPhone
Eye-Fi releases wireless memory cards in the UK
NIKON SHOW @ Mid Valley Megama NIKON SHOW @ Mid Valley Megamall
Starting tomorrow till the end of the weekend(that sounds strange)... there'll be a Nikon show at the Mid Valley Megamall. It's called the Nikon Show but they'll only be showing their newest cameras and also there'll be some models there and contest and such, you know the deal. This time though it's purely for the still photography purist, so no video presence here which means we at V9kon get to be in the audience this time. Our friends Kelvin Chan and Louis Pang will be there to give talks on their specialty so that's definitely not to be missed but you shouldn't miss Erna Dyanty and Jimin Lai either. Though i'm not too sure how it'll go since it'll be at the ground floor, center court. Anyway, it's on for four days so there's no reason to miss it! Below is the link...
NIKON SHOW @ Mid Valley Megamall, Ground Floor, Centre Court
Tips from Mr Mahfooz added! Tips from Mr Mahfooz added!
If you've checked recently we've updated the site a bit there's a couple of new things on the front page. Also we've uploaded two new videos of Mr Mahfooz, he recently ran the D5000 clinic for first time users of not only the D5000 but also users new to dSLRs. The videos aren't specific to the D5000 though so if you're looking for some quick photography tips take a quick peek at them. Also we're still working on the interview with Louis Pang but in the meantime there's a bunch of new pictures uploaded by our new members that aren't too bad.
PENTAX Announces Affordable, N PENTAX Announces Affordable, New PENTAX K-x With HD Video and Live View
Ever wondered why D-SLR/SLR's always came in black, I guess Pentax had that question in mind and decided to break the ice
GOLDEN, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PENTAX Imaging Company redefines the entry-level digital SLR category with the introduction of the K-x digital SLR. This latest PENTAX camera offers high-end features including Live View and HD video. And, since there’s no rule that SLR cameras must come in black only, the K-x will be available in a choice of white or black, as well as special, limited edition red and navy.
Priced at USD $649.95 (for body with DA L 18-55mm lens), the K-x is perfect for users stepping up from a point and shoot digital camera to their first digital SLR. The PENTAX K-x offers photographic performance that challenges higher class DSLR models and offers several features that set this camera apart in the entry-level category:
Along with the K-x, PENTAX announced the smc PENTAX DA L 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED super-telephoto zoom lens. This lens will be exclusive to a K-x Twin Lens Kit package consisting of a K-x body, this new lens and the smc PENTAX DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 lens.
The PENTAX K-x is now available for pre-order in black or white on www.pentaxwebstore.com and the product will ship in October 2009 in three options:
Limited edition colors of red and navy will become available at select locations to be announced.
Complete information is available here: http://www.pentaximaging.com/about-us.aspx?p=press.
Product images are available here: www.pentaximaging.com/press/pressfiles.html.
An informational video is available here: www.youtube.com/Pentaxian1.
The World's First Projector Ca The World's First Projector Camera
Man...what was thought to be just a rumour a few months ago is now reality. You can shoot your stills and video and project it wherever and whenever you want. If you're looking for that extra show off credit, this is the toy to get. Impressive. Recently launched to Malaysia by Nikon Malaysia, it is here and now.
The COOLPIX S1000pj doesn’t just pack a punch with its projector – the compact camera delivers high resolution images with 12.1 effective megapixels and a 2.7” wide viewing-angle TFT LCD monitor. With a high ISO 6400 sensitivity and using Nikon’s exclusive image processing concept, EXPEED, the camera offers the kind of high quality images you expect from Nikon. This is all wrapped up in a sleek aluminium silver or anodized black casing that contains a wide-angle 5x zoom NIKKOR lens.
One touch projection
If you’ve ever wanted to share your photos or videos at a party or relive a day’s memories while on your travels, then now you can with one-touch projection on the COOLPIX S1000pj. The built-in projector easily projects an image size from approximately 5 inches up to 40 inches*1. A supplied remote control means that you can wirelessly operate both the projector and usual camera functions, and a simple projection stand is supplied for optimal viewing wherever you are.
Getting the shot you imagine
The COOLPIX S1000pj features Scene Auto mode, whereby the camera automatically selects the appropriate scene mode based on the contents of your shot, allowing picture perfect images at the touch of a button. In addition, five functions to reduce image blur and the Smart Portrait System ensures that you can get those ‘red carpet smiles’ every time. An additional feature enables users to ‘airbrush’ someone’s face using the Skin Softening function to reduce the appearance of blemishes. Together with face tracking and anti-shake functionality, the COOLPIX S1000pj helps you to get the shot you envisaged without any hassle.
my Picturetown
You can now store your images safely and securely using Nikon’s my Picturetown, a free online digital photo storage and sharing service. Easily share photo memories with friends and organise precious memories into online collections. You get 2GB of space free to use for storing thousands of memories and you can upgrade your membership to Gold Account at any time if you need to store more pictures.
Features
Sharper results with five advanced Nikon image stabilising features*3
Nikon's Optical lens shift and Electronic VR image stabilisation systems combine to help produce blur-free images. High ISO 6400*4 capability allows faster shutter speeds when shooting in low light or capturing fast-moving subjects. Motion Detection automatically controls shutter speed and the ISO setting to compensate for subject movement and camera shake. And, Nikon’s original BSS (Best Shot Selector) function automatically shoots a series of sequential frames and saves the one with the sharpest focus.
Nikon’s Smart Portrait System with Skin Softening
Face-priority AF helps produce more satisfying portraits by adjusting focus and exposure for as many as 12 faces in the framed shot. Skin Softening function detects and analyses a framed subject’s skin, and then adjusts smoothness to produce enhanced results. Smile Timer automatically releases the shutter when the subject smiles, while its Blink Proof function shoots two sequential frames, then saves the one in which the subject’s eyes are widest open. Blink Warning presents an alert when it suspects that someone in the shot has blinked. In-Camera Red-Eye Fix automatically corrects any perceived red-eye effect before saving the image to memory.
Intelligent automated shooting modes that promote carefree shooting
Nikon’s Scene Auto Selector makes it faster and easier to capture the moment by eliminating the need to manually select a scene mode to match the intended shot. This intelligent function determines the subject, analyses the surrounding settings, and then automatically selects the appropriate scene mode for optimal results. Subject Tracking enhances the shooting experience by following the subject’s movement to ensure clear focus and quick response when that special shutter opportunity presents itself. Subject Tracking even functions if the subject moves out of the frame for a second or two.
Quick Retouch
Quick Retouch automatically adjusts the contrast and saturation of selected photos to create an enhanced copy with the right finishing touch.
Other Features
*1 Projection area size dependent upon light conditions of the room
*2 Availability dates can vary from region to region. Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. August 2009 ©2009 Nikon Corporation.
*3 The camera selects and uses only the features required to optimise each image.
*4 ISO 3200 and 6400 are available only for image sizes of 3M (2048 x 1536) or smaller.
Info courtesy from Dpreview
Facebook Groups is up and we'v Facebook Groups is up and we've got a new featured member.
This'll be a short one... This week the facebook groups page for V9kon is up so if you do have a facebook account (and who doesn't these days...) be sure to join us. And we've got our second featured member for the site and her name is Cheryl Ho. She has a pretty fun blog and she's an entrepreneur of sorts running her own little online store. So be sure to check her site out at wwww.CherylHo.net!
Nikon's Media Preview of the A Nikon's Media Preview of the Autumn '09 Product Line-up
The event started of with a speech by Mr. Stephen Ng, one of the top dogs at Nikon Malaysia. Followed by a little interactive video element that played advertisements for the various models. After which some girls dressed very provocatively in white and platinum wigs came out to show off the S1000pj, which was why the event was being held at a club.
Myself I got right down to matters at hand and had a look at the three cameras that interest me, namely the D300s, the D3000, the S1000pj and the S70.
Let’s take it a model at a time, first up the D300s I am not familiar with the original so looking at the button layout confused me somewhat. But I do know what it’s capable of, the D300 is a popular model for Nikon and the upgrade or replacement includes the HD video feature that’s present in all of Nikon’s latest dSLR. And I’ve seen what the camera can do in the hands of an open minded professional. At the Nikon USA site if you browse around for the D300s you’ll eventually come across a video done by Amy Vitale, she is a very respected photographer and was given one of the first working D300s. With that first working model she was able to shoot an amazing video of her recent visit to India. If you want to see what your dSLRs video mode is capable head on over and watch it, I strongly recommend it. But I wasn’t really able to play with the D300s at the event primarily because one I wasn’t familiar with and two, there was no storage media in them, so I couldn’t really take pictures to see much.
Next up the D3000, this is an interesting camera. It seems targeted to those looking to buy a compact but want some features of a dSLR. It’s got a very small body comparable to the D5000 but unlike the D5000 it does not have the flip out LCD screen nor does it have a video mode which is available in all of Nikon’s latest offerings. It does have a new menu feature called Guide which is supposed to make shooting pictures with dSLRs a lot easier to understand as it tells you what does what. Again there was no storage media in it so you couldn’t really play with to get a feel for it. Personally if I had to choose between the D3000 and the D5000 I’d go with the D5000. You get the flip out screen, the video mode and if you experiment enough you’ll figure out what does what anyway.
For the compacts you have the S1000pj and the S70. The S1000pj was the reason that the event was held at a club as I mentioned because of an interesting feature that it has, its got a projector. So it’s targeted at a younger, fun loving, want-to-share-the-moment sort of crowd. You can take a picture or a video and immediately you can project it on a wall or any other surface to about 5 feet. It was pretty neat. And it comes with a remote to so you can sort of have a fun presentation wherever you are. The S70 on the other hand intrigued me because of its new screen and menu/navigation feature. It’s got an OLED screen so that’s very nice. They’re going to become more common soon I know that most of the latest cell phones from the Korean manufacturers will soon sport them. And the entire back is made up of it, which means that it’s a touch screen. The touch screen is very responsive and fluid compared to Nikon’s previous model, and they’ve also included gestures. Gestures was first introduced if I’m not mistaken by Apple on their Airbook laptops, that’s where you can navigate and manipulate elements on you desktop by doing gestures on the mouse pad. Same thing with the S70 menus system. Doing certain gestures will help you navigate through the menu or even manipulate your pictures. For example, if you want to zoom in to a picture you take your fingers pinch them together on the screen and then open them, to zoom out you do the opposite place them a part and then bring them together.
All in all an interesting line up, I’m curious to see how the market responds to some of these models. One things for sure though if Nikon keeps up this habit of putting things you don’t expect of a camera it’ll keep everyone on their toes.
Just for fun here’s the official press release that Nikon gave us.
All picture courtesy of indomeez.blogspot.com
11 September 2009
PRESS RELEASE --For Immediate Release
Nikon Shows-Off the World’s First Projector Camera
11 September, Kuala Lumpur. Nikon (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd launches the first compact camera with built-in projector capability in the world at The Deq, Euphoria Sunway today.
The Coolpix S1000pj is the world’s first digital camera that has a built-in LCD projector, upping the ante on the feature warfare of this highly competitive industry. With a simple touch of a button, the camera projects photos or movie clips on any flat surface up to 40 inches in size. Nikon has created a new experience in sharing photos with family and friends in most any location.
In this season, Nikon also rolled out the Coolpix S70, its first digital compact camera to feature Nikon’s innovative Clear Color OLED display with intuitive touch control. Immediately noticeable in the OLED display is its brightness, vivid color reproduction, and sharper contrast. At 3.5”, it is highly responsive and recognizes multiple fingertip commands, giving freshness to the meaning of “camera control at your fingertip.”
“The Coolpix S1000pj and Coolpix S70 mark another milestone in Nikon’s long history as a camera brand that is synonymous with innovative and quality products,” says Mr. Stephen Ng, General Manager.
“It used to be a megapixel war zone however consumers today are aware that megapixels are not the only key to enhanced photography experience. One of the joys of picture taking is sharing our photos with our friends which traditionally we would print them out or showing them via the camera’s LCD. The projector function of the Coolpix S1000pj makes photo sharing more convenient and exciting with your friends, as they just sit back and view the photos in an instant,” added Mr. Ng.
For those consumers who would like to shoot action or moving objects, the new Coolpix S640 is designed with an ultra-fast auto-focus drive which is close to that of a DSLR, enabling it to capture fast moving objects much easier than before. Nikon also launched highly affordable Coolpix S570 which comes with various colour choices, to meet consumers’ expectation of a trendy outlook.
The Coolpix S1000pj, S70, S640 and S570 all come with 28mm wide angle lens, 12 megapixel image sensor and 5x optical zoom. There are also a bundle of built-in image enhancing functions such as the Nikon Smart Portrait System, Scene Auto Selector, and Quick Retouch to make photo taking simple, yet satisfying.
Also in Nikon’s new line-up are the D300S and the D3000 DSLR cameras that are upgraded versions of the D300 and D60 respectively. The D300S not only has a 7 frame-per-second shutter rate, but also comes with auto-focus HD movie shooting capability. It also features an SD and CF memory card slots allowing users to select the recording medium of their choice.
The D3000 on the other hand, is a highly affordable DSLR for new enthusiasts. Comes with easy to use Guide Mode, the D3000 is affordably priced at RM 2,288 which comes with an AFS 18-55mm VR kit lens. It is expected to draw more upgrades from the compact level. “Consumers today are more aware about photography than never before. Thanks to DSLR becoming more affordable and easy to use, consumers will slowly move towards cameras with better pictures quality, and Nikon DSLR cameras will definitely give them that satisfaction,” said Mr. David Ng, Marketing Manager.
--- End ---
We were at KLPF! We were at KLPF!
It’s been a while since I last blogged, life got in the way if you will. Anyway, about three weeks ago Seel and I had the pleasure of attending KLPF. You may have seen the banner on the main page. Not only had we attended KLPF, but we were actually invited to speak on the main stage by Nikon Malaysia. It was the first time we had ever been asked to do anything like it, but I’m getting ahead of myself. First of all let’s say a little something about KLPF of the Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival. It’s the only event of its kind in Malaysia but it isn’t truly a festival per se, more like the usual vendor exhibition mixed in with a few guest talks, speakers and contests. If I were to describe a photography festival it would be something along the lines of Chobi Mela held in Bangladesh. This past KLPF though is the biggest one yet in KLPF even when compared to last years which was held at Berjaya Times Square. Moving on, Seel and I were invited to talk at KLPF because just recently we had shot a video PSA using Nikon camera namely the D90 and the D5000. It was sort of a pro bono-slash-experimental video that a close acquaintance of us, who just so happens to run an advertising agency, came up with. Alan Lim is a pretty well known name in the industry and used to work at Naga DDB as a creative director, he was curious about the quality of the video and if it were acceptable to use in actual production. We have worked with Alan before and he knew about us and our website and what we do, so he got in touch with us. Anyway long story short we showed him what we can do with using both the D90 and the D5000 and some lenses, and we ended up blowing him away, sort of. We showed him that we could get angles and shots that had he used the usual production method would have been time consuming or in some cases because of the situation would have been impossible. We used little to no lights, using only the available lights and fiddling with the sensor settings such as the ISO, aperture and exposure. In the end not only did we manage to pull of a fantastic job but a fast and fun one too. If we had actually been doing it for a fee it would have probably come in at a more affordable price for Alan too. So now there’s interest in the video by some parties since Alan has been showing it around, we’ve been told that it might actually be viewed publicly and if I’m not mistaken firstly on public buses. So that’s why we were on stage at KLPF. KLPF itself had a good turn out. It stayed crowded throughout the day only tapering of towards evening, and even the special rooms set up for the speakers would have lines waiting to enter. We managed to catch Louis Pangs’ talk and it’s safe to say that his fame precedes him. We caught him after his talk for a chat and an interview. We’ll be putting up that video soon or you can see it at Louis’ site once we get him a copy. The usual vendors were there but the one that surprised me was Tamron. They had decided to make a big presence by setting up their lenses on an elevated stage, all the other vendors had the usual floor displays. Nikon didn’t have anything new to show other than dummy models of the upcoming D300s and the S1000pj, though we heard that they did have preproduction models back at their headquarters. We were also impressed with a few of the Panasonic cameras especially their compacts since they shot at FullHD and the image quality was surprising. Also at KLPF Olympus had their latest cameras including the EP-1 the micro four thirds that’s been making waves in the camera industry. All in all it was a good experience.
Adobe Camera Raw 5.5 plug-in a Adobe Camera Raw 5.5 plug-in and DNG Converter 5.5 RC
dobe today released the Photoshop Camera Raw 5.5 plug-in and DNG Converter 5.5 Release Candidates available immediately. The update extends raw file support to four of the latest popular camera model releases, including the Nikon D300s, Nikon D3000, Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic DMC-FZ35. The Release Candidate also includes a correction to the demosaic algorithms in the raw conversion process for Bayer sensor cameras with unequal green response. The Photoshop Camera Raw 5.5 plug-in and DNG Converter 5.5 Release Candidates are available as free downloads for existing customers of Photoshop CS4.
The Photoshop Camera Raw 5.5 plug-in and DNG Converter 5.5 Release Candidates are available as free downloads for existing customers of Photoshop CS4. Click here for more information and to download: http://labs.adobe.com. Feedback on the release candidate can be provided on the Adobe User to User forum (http://forums.adobe.com/community/cameraraw).
Rumors of the D300s are true! Rumors of the D300s are true!
Looks like all the rumors of the D300s are true. So it's the newest, well not so new since the D300 has been out for a while but this is the new and improved version of the D300 but now with the D300s you get improved features plus HD video recording but that's not much of a surprise since every DSLR that comes out these days has that feature! (though one wonders when Nikon will go full HD like the others.) If you're interested in the new and improved D300s check out the article at my favorite camera site DPReview.com!
DPReview.com's piece on the D300s
Free Open Courseware Collectio Free Open Courseware Collections for Digital Photographers
Okay i haven't posted in a while things have been a little busy these days... anyway i haven't forgotten you guys so here's the first in a series of post i'll be making to help out you budding photographers out there and it'll pretty much cost you nothing. Just a little time more time in front of your pc instead of out there shooting. What i'll be bringing to you are free open courseware that are "free" and they're all about photography and how to help you become a better photographer.
The first one for this post is brought to you by the folks at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or better known as MIT. And what they have to offer is an open courseware on Introduction to Photography. The main page for it is a little out of date and the details for the syllabus and schedule are not applicable anymore but the courseware is still good and available for download. So if you're interested hit the links below.
MIT OpenCoureseWare Introduction to Photography Mainpage
CourseWare Material Download
If you're interested in videos related to the courseware follow the link below and follow the instructions.
Courseware videos
Viewbook PhotoStory Call For E Viewbook PhotoStory Call For Entries
Amsterdam, July 1, 2009 – Viewbook PhotoStory, a new contemporary photography contest opened its submissions today, encouraging all documentary and conceptual photographers around the world to submit their most compelling series of photographs; photo stories that are judged by the public and an internationally renowned jury.
Viewbook PhotoStory 2009 challenges documentary and conceptual photographers around the world to create compelling stories with a linear series of photographs in an online gallery. Every professional photographer or emerging talent can easily submit their series free of charge using a 60 day, no obligation, Viewbook Pro account. ’With this competition we aim to inspire each other with photographic creativity and generate international publicity for the most talented entrants.’, says Peter Bas Mensink, publisher of GUP magazine and co-initiator of the competition.
An international jury consisting of Marcel Feil, (curator of FOAM museum) Lauren Heinz (Editor Foto8.com) and Alison Zavos (editor Featureshoot.com) and other industry professionals assess the photo stories on their overall impact and photographic excellence. The first price winners receive international publications & lifelong subscriptions with a value exceeding $12,000. The best photo series get published in the Viewbook PhotoStory 2009 book.
All pre-selected entries appear on the viewbookphotostory.com website, where everyone can view the photographic narratives and vote on their favorites. ’We want this to be an online event that everyone can be part of, says Peter Bas. The public decides which photographers win the special public prices.’
Viewbook PhotoStory is initiated by www.viewbook.com and GUP magazine, backed up by Blurb, Workbook and many supporters. The organization encourages photographers to submit their work as early as possible to get the most out of the public voting. Submissions close on 1 October 2009.
For more information and to submit, please visit www.viewbookphotostory.com
Nikon Teams Up with Fujitsu to Nikon Teams Up with Fujitsu to Form New Company
Nikon Systems Inc. and Fujitsu Broad Solution & Consulting Inc. establish a joint company
June 30, 2009
Nikon Corporation (Michio Kariya, President) announces that Nikon Systems Inc. (Masao Hagimoto, President), a subsidiary of Nikon Corporation, and Fujitsu Broad Solution & Consulting Inc. (Takao Kaneko, President; hereafter, Fujitsu BSC) establish a new joint company, named “Nikon Imaging Systems Inc.”. The company will be solely responsible for the firmware development in Nikon digital cameras. Nikon Imaging Systems Inc. will initiate operations in August 2009.
Firmware is the software built into devices that provides fundamental control over hardware. As the performance of digital devices becomes higher, so does the importance of firmware. To date, all firmware installed in Nikon digital cameras has been developed by Nikon Corporation and its subsidiary, Nikon Systems Inc.
The new company is dedicated exclusively to the firmware development for Nikon digital cameras. The objective of the company will be to proceed with the establishment of firmware platforms and to accelerate the speed and quality of firmware development by merging the long experienced mechatronics control and image processing technologies established in Nikon Corporation and Nikon Systems Inc. with the software technology, know-how, and resources provided by Fujitsu BSC.
Clay Enos Watchmen Photographe Clay Enos Watchmen Photographer on Street Portraits
Found this interesting piece on Wired about how to do Street Portraits with people off the streets. Done with the help of photographer Clay Enos who shots the stills for the Watchmen movie, they have him literally picking people off the sidewalk, chatting them up and taking their picture. Its an interesting piece, and oh yeah it's in video so if you're curious as to how some people do street portraits or want to do it yourself its an interesting video. So hit the link below to watch it!
Clay Enos on Street Portraits at Wired.com
2009 International Exhibition 2009 International Exhibition of Fine Art Photography
2009 International Exhibition of Fine Art Photography
Deadline July 14, 2009
Angelina, © Andrea Land
Eligibility:
The exhibition is open to photographers world wide, both amateur and professional. The Center for Fine Art Photography invites photographers working in all mediums, styles and schools of thought to participate in its exhibitions. Experimental and mixed techniques are welcome.
Exhibition and Awards:
With selection for this exhibition, artists and their work will be seen by an international audience of
collectors, curators, art consultants and others who appreciate the fine art of photography.
month of October 2009.
For more information and entry details go to
The Center for Fine Arts Photography