PhotoAxe.com
Digital Photography Tutorials

Functions:
• Shooting Modes: Auto, P: Program AE (Program shift can be performed), A: Aperture priority AE, S: Shutter priority AE, M: Manual, Scene program AE, Scene select AE
• Scene Program Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sport, Night + Portrait
• Scene Select Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Children, Sport, High Key, Low Key, Digital Image Stabilization, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Fireworks, Documents, Panorama* (* Available with the Olympus xD-Picture Card), Beach & Snow, Underwater Wide, Underwater Macro
• Effects: Vivid, Natural, Muted, Monotone; Yellow, Orange, Red or Green filter available for Monotone; Sepia, Blue, Purple or Green tone available for Monotone, 4 levels gradation (auto, high key, normal, low key); Contrast, Sharpness and Saturation level available in 5 steps for Vivid, Natural or Muted, Contrast and Sharpness level available in 5 steps for Monotone
• Flash Modes: Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Fill-in, Slow synchronization, Manual, Off.
• Focus Modes: Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF) / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / C-AF + MF, 3 point multiple AF
• White Balance: custom + 7 preset settings (3000K - 7500K) Lamp (3000K), Fluorescent 1 (4000K), Fluorescent 2 (4500K), Fluorescent 3 (6600K), Daylight (5300K), Cloudy (6000K), Shade (7500K)
• Metering: TTL open-aperture metering system
(1) Digital ESP metering (49-point multi pattern metering)
(2) Centre weighted average metering
(3) Spot metering (approx. 1% for the viewfinder screen)
(4) Spot with Highlight control
(5) Spot with Shadow control
• View finder information: Aperture value, Shutter speed, Record mode, AF confirmation mark, Flash, WB, AE lock, Number of storable still images, Exposure compensation value, Metering mode, Battery warning, Exposure mode, AF frame (super impose)
• Live View: Live MOS Sensor for still picture shooting is used, 100% field of view, Exposure adjustment pre-view, White balance adjustment pre-view, Grid line displayable, 7x/10x magnification possible, MF/S-AF, AF frame display, AF point display, Shooting information, Histogram, Heat warning.

Technical Data:
• 2.5 inch LCD + 95% coverage 0.92x magnification viewfinder
• 10 megapixels
• ISO Range: AUTO / ISO 100 - 1600 (AUTO: Automatic control is available in AUTO, Program, A, Scene program, Scene select, Flash be fired. Up to ISO 800)
• Flash Synchronization speed: 1/180 sec. or less, Super FP up to 1/4000 sec.
• Flash intensity control: Up to ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps
• Exposure Compensation: ±5 EV in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps selectable
• Exposure bracketing: 3 frames in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1EV steps selectable
• White balance compensation: ±7 steps in each R-B/G-M axis (in Auto WB/Preset WB mode)
• Continuos Shooting: Approx. 3 frames/sec., RAW mode: Max. 6 frames, JPEG mode: Depends on compression ratio and no. of pixels (HQ mode: approx. up to card capacity)
• Shutter Speed: Auto mode: 2 - 1/4000 sec. (depends on settings), P(Ps), S, A, M mode: 60 - 1/4000 sec. (Bulb: up to 8 min. with limiter), Scene program/Scene select mode: 4 - 1/4000 sec. (depends on settings) 1/3EV steps
• Self Timer: 12 sec., 2 sec.
• File Format: RAW (12-bit), JPEG, RAW+JPEG
• CompactFlash Type I/II, Microdrive, xD-Picture Card (Dual-Slot)
• BLS-1 Li-ion battery (included) – 500 shots
• Dimensions: 5.1 in. (W) x 3.6 in.(H) x 2.1 in. D / 129.5 mm (W) x 91 mm (H) x 53 mm (D)
• Weight: 13.2 oz. / 375 g (body only)

Do you wish to create your own calendar for next year? I have a solution for: free and simple to use.
Also, at the end of this article, you’ll find a free PhotoAxe calendar which is my Christmas Gift from me to you, my readers. All photos in the calender are copyrighted by me, lau, and they are all made in Romania. And you know what? It’s a really cool calendar of which I’m very proud of.

Create Your Own Calendar

SmartDraw is the World’s Most Popular Business Graphics Software that helps you quickly and easily create great-looking calendars, planners and more! Get ready-made templates and customize them using clip art, your business logo, or even digital photos! There is a 7 days trial, enough time for you to set-up a calendar and print it.
Here’s a link to direct download the software.
Have you installed it? Good. Let’s mo on.
Step 1:
From the calendar menu on the right, choose a SmartTemplate. Scroll down to see the templates that allow you to include your own pictures. I like Photo Calendar 1 (Landscape) and Photo Calendar 4 (Portrait).

Step 2:
A new window will appear and from the Smart Panel on the right you will now set up the date for each page.
Step 3:
Next you can place appointments (supposing you already know them) and the moon phases. I toked some time to look over at the yearly moon phases over the Internet so here’s where to put the full moon symbol:
Year Month Day
2008 Jan 22
2008 Feb 21
2008 Mar 21
2008 Apr 20
2008 May 20
2008 Jun 18
2008 Jul 18
2008 Aug 16
2008 Sep 15
2008 Oct 14
2008 Nov 13
2008 Dec 12
Step 4:
Now you can add the text of your appointments. For example: mother’s birthday, dad’s birthday, sister’s/brother’s birthday, wedding day, and so on…
Step 5:
Add your desired picture: since you won’t sale the calendar, you can add whatever picture you like no matter who’s if that person allows you to do so. Just make sure you have it at big resolution for high quality printing (a min of 5 mp).
On the top menu you will see plenty of available settings for picture adjustments. Also, I preferred to unlock all movements so that I will stretch my picture to fit how I want.
Step 6:
Advanced features can be controlled from the main menu. For example, you can adjust paper size and margins from the Page menu. From Home menu you can change the style and color design of each shape (the color surrounding the day of the week for example) or even insert new shapes. Font and alignment of the text is also available for adjustments.
Even more advanced, you can add maps, charts, web pages and tables, charts. For me this is kind of useless.
If you don’t want a plane white background (for the entire paper or just some cells), you can change that in many ways by cliquing on the right mouse button (look at the picture at the right). The texture collection is amazing. In the Library Panel (next to the Smart Panel) you have an even more impressive collection of clip-arts which you can use to illustrate the appointments.
Step 7:
Print, save, convert to pdf and all other commands are located next to the product logo in the upper left corner of your screen. The very useful undo control is the first button here.
Now here’s the cover of my calendar and the download links. Enjoy! (The cover is made in Photoshop since this calendar software did not appear to have a cover making feature.) Disclaimer: this calendar is a gift from me and may/should not be sold by any means.

Photoaxe Calendar

Functions:
• Shooting Modes: P: Program AE (Program shift can be performed), A: Aperture priority AE, S: Shutter priority AE, M: Manual
• Color Effects: Vivid, Natural, Portrait, Muted, Monotone, Custom (default setting: Natural)
In custom mode, basic 5 modes and adjustment is available: Contrast, Sharpness and Saturation level available in 5 steps for Vivid, Natural, Portrait and Muted. Contrast and Sharpness level available in 5 steps for Monotone. In custom mode, gradation level available in 4 steps.
• Filter effect: Yellow, Orange, Red or Green filter available for Monotone
• Picture tone: Sepia, Blue, Purple or Green tone available for Monotone
• Gradation: 4 levels (auto, high key, normal, low key)
• Features: dust reduction, depth of field preview, image stabilization
• Flash Modes: Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Slow sync at 1st curtain, Slow sync at 2nd curtain, Fill-in, Manual (1/4, 1/16, 1/64), Off.
• Focus Modes: Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF) / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / C-AF + MF
• White Balance: 7 settings (3000K - 7500K) Lamp (3000K), Fluorescent 1 (4000K), Fluorescent 2 (4500K), Fluorescent 3 (6600K), Daylight (5300K), Flash (5500K), Cloudy (6000K), Shade (7500K), Custom
• Metering: TTL open-aperture metering system
(1) Digital ESP metering (49-point multi pattern metering)
(2) Centre weighted average metering
(3) Spot metering (approx. 2% for the viewfinder screen. Highlight / shadow bases are available)
• Viewfinder information: Aperture value, Shutter speed, Record mode, AF confirmation mark, Flash, WB, AE lock, Number of storable still images, Exposure compensation value, Metering mode, Battery warning, Exposure mode, AF frame (super impose), IS, Bracket, ISO value
• Live View: Live MOS Sensor for still picture shooting is used, 100% field of view, Exposure adjustment pre-view, White balance adjustment pre-view, Gradation auto pre-view, Grid line displayable, 5x/7x/10x magnification possible, MF/S-AF, AF frame display, AF point display, Shooting information, Histogram.

Technical Data:
• 2.5 inch LCD + Eye-level single-lens reflex viewfinder, 1.15x magnification
• 10.1 megapixels
• ISO Range: AUTO (ISO 100 - 3200) / Manual (ISO 100 - 3200), 1/3 or 1 EV steps
• ISO bracketing: 3 frames in 0.3, 0.7, 1EV steps selectable
• Flash intensity control: Up to +/- 3 EV in 1/3 EV steps
• Flash bracketing: 3 frames in 0.3, 0.7, 1 EV steps selectable.
• Exposure Compensation: +/- 5 EV in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps selectable
• Exposure Bracketing: 3 or 5 frames in 0.3, 0.7, 1EV steps selectable
• White balance compensation: +/- 7 steps in each R-B/G-M axis (in Auto WB / Preset WB mode / One touch WB)
• White balance bracketing: 3 frames in 2, 4, 6 steps selectable in each R-G/G-M axis.
• Continuos Shooting: Approx. 5 frames/sec. in sequential shooting H, 1 to 4 fps selectable in sequential shooting L., RAW mode: Max. 16 frames, JPEG mode: Depends on compression ratio and no. of pixels
• Shutter Speed: P(Ps), S, A, M mode: 60 - 1/8000 sec., Bulb: 1/3, 1/2, or 1EV steps selectable.
• Self Timer: 12 sec., 2 sec.
• File Format: RAW (12-bit), JPEG, RAW+JPEG
• CompactFlash Type I/II, Microdrive, xD-Picture Card (Dual-Slot)
• BLM-1 Li-ion battery (included) CR123 x 3 with LBH-1 (610 shots)
• Dimensions: 5.6 in. (W) x 4.58 in. (H) x 2.9 in. (D /(142.5 mm (W) x 116.5 mm (H) x 74.5 mm (D)
• Weight: 1.79 lbs./810 g (body only)

The month is not yet over, but, since Christmas is near and I have to bake cookies, he’s a short list of the most important software updates and releases that might be of interest for digital photographers.

LightZone for Linux

With LightZone First Professional Photo Editor for Linux Users, you have all the powerful LightZone tools for editing, enhancing and improving digital photos that Windows and Mac users have, including the innovative ZoneMapper and Re-Light tools. LightZone is the first and only application of its kind spanning all three major platforms. The 3.3B beta version of LightZone for Linux is free and available for download at http://www.lightcrafts.com/linux .
Linux users will now enjoy access to LightZone’s ZoneMapper and Zone Tools, which enable digital photographers to easily apply the powerful Zone System™, developed by Ansel Adams in 1941, to produce photos with exceptional exposure and tonal ranges.
Linux users will especially enjoy access to the new LightZone Relight Tool which recaptures the High Dynamic Range (HDR) images they visualized when originally taking the photograph.

onOne Software Now Leopard Compatible

The following onOne Software products are now compatible with Apple’s latest version – Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard: Genuine Fractals 5.0.4, Mask Pro 4.1.2, PhotoFrame 3.1.1, PhotoFrame Professional Edition 3.1.2, PhotoTune 2.2, Intellihance Pro 4.2.1, Essentials for Photoshop® Elements 2.0, PhotoTools 1.0, PhotoTools Professional Edition 1.0, Plug-In Suite 3, PhotoFrame Frame Collections, PhotoPresets for Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom®, and PhotoPresets for Adobe Camera Raw.

PhotoPerfect 2.85

Arcadia Software introduces the english version of its Photo Editing Software PhotoPerfect 2.85 with a rich functionality and range of features - like exposure correction, selective color saturation, RAW and 16-bit TIFF editing, support of lab- and RGB color mode, color-profiles / soft proofing as well as HDR/DRI images and framing –, combined with a moderate introductory sales price of only $59.99, PhotoPerfect is geared towards both the enthusiast and the professional photographer. With one-click optimizations the enthusiast achieves results that are so good that most pictures need no further enhancement. The professional finds advanced image enhancement functions that are usually included only in much more expensive software. Product fact-sheet: http://www.arcadiasoftware.com/download/pp-factsheet.pdf

Bibble 4.9.9

Bibble Pro Version 4.9.9 adds support for Nikon D300, D3, Canon 1Ds Mark 3, Canon G9, Olympus E-3, Sony A700, and adds Tethering Support for Intel Mac’s with Nikon dSLR’s. This latest update is free for all current Bibble 4 customers, and new customers will also receive a free upgrade to Bibble 5, when available. Bibble Pro is the most comprehensive cross-platform RAW Workflow application available today, including robust support for the latest cameras and offering Best-in-Class image quality with features such as tethered shooting, Noise Ninja technology, Perfectly Clear automated image optimization and the industry’s only RAW-Level plug-in interface. The Bibble Pro plug-in for Adobe Photoshop supports CS2, CS, and version 7 - providing native access to the latest camera formats otherwise inaccessible in these older versions of Photoshop. Bibble Pro also remains the fastest RAW converter in existence. Bibble 4 is available in both “Pro” ($129.95) and “Lite” ($69.95) versions for Windows, Macintosh (PPC/Intel as a Universal Binary) and Linux. Visit http://www.bibblelabs.com for further details and to download.

AKVIS Frame Suite 2.6

AKVIS Frame Suite is an impressing collection of edge effects. Thanks to its 12 effects and a rich Pattern Library, the software can generate an endless number of photo frame versions (from classic to most fancy ones).
For the upcoming holidays, new Christmas decorations have been added to the Pattern Library. Screenshots of the program’s features are available at http://akvis.com/en/frame-suite/screenshots-photo-framing.php. Whether you plan to upload holiday photos on a web-site to share with your friends or you wish to decorate a personalized Christmas greeting card, you can rely on AKVIS Frame Suite - it will add elegance and style to any photo.
The program is available in two versions  as an independent program (standalone) and as a plug-in to a photo editor.
AKVIS Frame Suite Plugin is compatible with Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, Corel Painter, Corel Photo-Paint, and Paint Shop Pro, ACD FotoCanvas, and Ulead PhotoImpact.

Microsoft HD Photo Plug-In for Adobe Photoshop

The Microsoft HD Photo Plug-In allows you to open and save any HD Photo file (.wdp or possibly .hdp) in Adobe Photoshop. The HD Photo plug-in supports a wide range of pixel formats (including high dynamic range, wide gamut formats) and numerous advanced HD Photo features. HD Photo is also known as Windows Media Photo. This plug-in is designed for use with the CS2 or CS3 versions of Adobe Photoshop software running under Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista or Mac OS X.
Download for Windows
Download for Mac

Sigma Photo Pro 2.3

Sigma Photo Pro 2.3 includes new image processing code, which provides better auto white balance performance. Sigma Photo Pro is an exclusive software package for displaying and manipulating your Sigma digital camera images on your computer. Available for both Windows and Macintosh operating systems, Sigma Photo Pro 2.3 can be downloaded now.

Adobe Camera Raw 4.3.1

Camera Raw 4.3.1 for both Windows and Mac platforms Version 4.3.1 includes the following changes:
- Compressed raw files from the Nikon D100 were read incorrectly in Camera Raw 4.3
- A possible artifact in Camera Raw 4.3 raw file support for the Olympus E-3 has been corrected
Adobe Camera Raw 4.3.1 (Windows)
Adobe Camera Raw 4.3.1 and DNG Converter (Windows)
Adobe Camera Raw 4.3.1 (MAC)
Adobe Camera Raw 4.3.1 and DNG Converter (MAC)

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom1.3.1

The update will provide corrections for the following issues:

-The Lightroom 1.3 Print Module could previously cause the application to crash on either OS X 10.5 or 10.5.1 during template usage.
-On Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.5.1, the import process from a card reader or other device into Lightroom could fail to import all or a portion of the selected images.
-A decrease in Develop slider responsiveness introduced in Lightroom 1.3 has been corrected.
-The Lightroom 1.3 Develop module could cause the application to crash if adjustments were made in quick succession.
-Compressed raw files from the Nikon D100 were read incorrectly in Lightroom 1.3.
-A possible artifact in raw file support for the Olympus E-3 has been corrected.
-The Lightroom FTP Plug-in provided as sample code with the Export SDK did not function properly if the password was not saved with the selected FTP preset.
-Editing or creating a new FTP preset immediately prior to using the FTP plug-in provided as sample code with the Export SDK would cause the FTP process to fail.
-Using the Export as Previous option did not work with the FTP plug-in provided as sample code with the Export SDK.

JAlbum 7.4

Jalbum.net has been lacking visual ways of sharing published albums, but, the new browse album page is the first step in enabling the users to share their albums on our site. See the page by clicking on a featured album thumbnail on: http://jalbum.net. Other new features include password protecting albums hosted on myjalbum.net, support for Windows Vista and a sharing function. JAlbum is a free service.
- User interface redesigned to be more workflow-logical. These changes have been performed after analyzing user behaviour on a test group. We strongly believe this change will help a lot of new users to get a long with the UI resulting in a lot more published albums.
- Password protecting albums hosted on myjalbum.net. This has been one of the most requested features.
- Windows Vista support.
- New sharing function: JAlbum can now help users telling about their new albums after publishing them via email and web.

StudioLine Photo Classic 3 Plus

H&M System Software is now offering StudioLine Photo Classic 3 Plus, a feature-rich update to its multiple award winning image editing and archiving software StudioLine Photo Classic. The update is available immediately at http://www.StudioLine.biz and is free for registered users of StudioLine Photo Classic 3. StudioLine Photo Classic 3 Plus costs £42 for a download version or £49 for a CD version. The “Christmas Special” of £21 or £28 will apply until December 31, 2007.
StudioLine Photo Classic 3 Plus features:
Clear User Interface and Optimized Workflow
Rapid Keywording and Description
Efficient Search Functions
RAW Support
Professional Tools for Image Editing
High Quality, Flexible Printing
Film Strips for Rapid Export Preview
Add-on Module DigitalXpress for Exchanging Large Numbers of Pictures

Image Doctor 2

With Image Doctor, you can restore old shots and retouch new shots. This Photoshop plug-in from Alien Skin Software is capable of:
Removing unwanted objects. Image Doctor’s powerful Smart Fill feature removes large, unwanted objects from photos, such as trash items from foregrounds and undesirable guests from party photos. Smart Fill can automatically replace these areas with an intelligent sampling of the nearby background pattern or the user can specify the location of the background samples.
Repairing low-quality JPEG images. Use Image Doctor’s JPEG Repair to fix blocky areas and ragged edges in over-compressed JPEG images. Select an area for repair or use it on your entire photo.
For examples, illustrations of the powerful photo repairs you can make with Image Doctor 2:
http://www.alienskin.com/imagedoctor/idoc_filters.html
Upgrade: Registered users of Image Doctor 1 can buy Image Doctor 2 at a discounted price (Image Doctor 2 is available now for $199, or $99 to upgrade from a previous version).
https://www.alienskin.com/ecomm/s2_deliv_type.asp?prod=57&buy_now=212

World Press Photo is opened an online service for professional photographers for uploading their entries of the 2008 World Press Photo Contest online. Photographers can register until 4 January to access the site. The deadline for uploading entries is 10 January 2008. The web entry site can be accessed at: https://submit.worldpressphoto.nl
According to their press release, photographers wishing to enter their images need to apply for a password by 4 January to gain access to the site. After receiving their password they can finish uploading their images until 10 January 2008.

General contest information, including biographies of the 2008 jury, can also be found on the main World Press Photo website http://www.worldpressphoto.org
PDF files with information about entering the contest is available on the website in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Entries can still be submitted by regular mail or courier.

Singles pictures as well as photo stories/portfolios are accepted in the following ten categories:
Spot News,
General News,
People in the News,
Sports Action,
Sports Features,
Contemporary Issues,
Daily Life,
Arts and Entertainment,
Portraits, and Nature.
The jury will give first, second and third prizes in all categories. The first prize winners in each category will receive a cash prize of 1,500 Euro, the premier award, the World Press Photo of the Year, carries a cash prize of 10,000 Euro.

The winners will be announced during a press conference at 11 a.m. C.E.T. on 8 February 2008 at the Amsterdam city hall and on the World Press Photo website.

The prizewinning pictures are presented in a traveling exhibition that will be displayed in about 95 cities in 45 countries, starting in Amsterdam at the end of April. The exhibition is accompanied by a yearbook published in 6 languages.

In the 2007 contest, 4,460 photographers from 124 countries participated submitting a total of 78,083 photographs.
Also, check out the 2006 results here.

Why not trash the dress the day after the wedding. We took this couple into a remote location in the RM to set up a really cool fashion shoot underwater in a cave (Centoe) in the middle of the Mayan Jungle. We have provided photo examples of our set up and narrate the shoot throughout the video. Trashing the dress!
This is very inspirational, original, well done and… I think I wish for something similar for my wedding.

Olympus E410 Underwater Pro Kit
· Olympus E-410 body
· ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 (28-84mm)
· ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50mm 1:2.0 Macro (100mm)
· FL-36 external flash (GN 36)
· Underwater cases, ports and bracket: PT-E03 Kit, PFL-E01, PPO-E03, PTBK-E01 and UCLS Longarm Set

Recommended price: £2599

Olympus E510 Medical & Macro Pro Kit
· Olympus E-510 body
· ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50mm 1:2.0 Macro (100mm)
· SRF-11 Ring Flash Set with FR-1 Flash Adapter Ring
· SBC-1 E-System Bag Compact

Recommended price: £1329

Olympus E510 Architecture Pro Kit
· Olympus E-510 body
· ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm 1:4.0 (14-28mm)
· ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 (28-108mm)
· FL-50 external flash (GN 50)
· SBC-1 E-System Bag Compact

Recommended price: £2329

Olympus E510 Travelling Pro Kit
· Olympus E-510 body
· ZUIKO DIGITAL 11-22mm 1:2.8-3.5 (22-44mm)
· ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 18-180mm 1:3.5-6.3 (36-360mm)
· FL-36 external flash (GN 36)
· SBC-1 E-System Bag Compact

Recommended price: £1529

Olympus E510 Reportage Pro Kit
· Olympus E-510 body
· ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 (28-108mm)
· FL-50 external flash (GN 50)
· SBC-1 E-System Bag Compact

Recommended price: £1199

Olympus E510 Nature Pro Kit
· Olympus E-510 body
· ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm 1:4.0 (14-28mm)
· ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 (28-108mm)
· ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50-200mm 1:2.8-3.5 (100-400mm)
· ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50mm 1:2.0 Macro (100mm)
· EC-14 Teleconverter (1.4x)
· E-System Bag

Recommended price: £3459

Olympus Evolt E510 10MP Digital SLR Camera with CCD Shift Image Stabilization and 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 Zuiko Lenses
Olympus Evolt E410 10MP Digital SLR Camera with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 Zuiko Lenses

Photographers Of Tomorrow Contest (For Top Photography Students) is running under the sponsorship of Olympus USA. Therefor, next to the top prize of a $5,000 scholarship, if you are one of the first 3 winners, you can get a Olympus E-3 Digital SLR Camera with lenses and accessories (Two New ZUIKO Digital Lenses - the ED 12-60mm “24-120mm equivalent” f2.8-4.0 SWD and ED 50-200mm (100-400mm equivalent) f2.8-3.5 SWD, Olympus Travel Bag and Lens Cloth).

Starting January 14, 2008, participants will submit their best work captured with the Olympus E-3 digital SLR camera in 3 categories:
Speed: Images capturing the essence of speed and movement of life;
Travel: Images depicting exotic, exciting, or extreme journeys or adventures, showing the color and temperament of the local culture; and
Environment Issues: Images showing the impact of man and global warming, or natural settings of landscapes, flora, and fauna. (this is my favorite).

The entries will be judged by a panel of award-winning photographers, comprised of Olympus Visionaries. The winning images will be announced in April 2008. Complete rules and regulations can be viewed at http://www.olympusamerica.com/e3photocontest.

Established by Olympus Imaging America Inc. in partnership with some of today’s most talented photographers, the Olympus Visionary program is dedicated to creating superb digital images with the help of Olympus’ digital cameras and lenses. Olympus Visionaries span all fields of photography and work in a diversity of styles and subject matter, but they are united in realizing their creative vision through digital photography. The Visionaries use Olympus digital cameras in their daily assignments and personal work, participate in speaking engagements and appearances, and provide Olympus with input into equipment development. The Visionaries include several Pulitzer Prize-winning and Magnum photographers, as well as internationally-renowned photographers from the United States, Bermuda, Canada, Italy and Japan.

I’ve been asked where from can someone purchase a good lighting kit. There are many places and not even I can know them all. I suggest that you first star by looking in some local shop: it will spare you the cost of delivery.
However, here’s what I’ve recently found out:

JP Distribution announced the arrival a new All in One Umbrella Kit from award winning manufacturer Lastolite. This Kit can be used as a silver or white bounce, a silver and white bounce or shoot through, and it is available in two sizes featuring either an 80cm (34”) or 100cm (40”). This is accompanied with a 4 section stand, hotshoe flash tilthead and a padded shoulder bag for quick and simple transportation. The kit is compact, it features removable covers on the All in One Umbrella and internal pocket in shoulder bag for hotshoe tilthead.
You can buy Lastolite All in One Umbrella for £95.99 and £105.99 respectively:
All in One Umbrella Kit 80cm (34”) LAS Code: 2475 SRP £95.99 Inc vat
color temperature:5600/5450k
shoot through -0.6f
silver white bounce -0.2f
white bounce -0.1f
silver bounce -0.2f
All in One Umbrella Kit 100cm (40”) LAS Code: 2476 SRP £105.99 Inc vat
color temperature:5600/5450k
shoot through -0.6f
silver white bounce -0.2f
white bounce -0.1f
silver bounce -0.2f

If you are interested: marketing Tel: 01782 753304 and email: info@johnsons-photopia.co.uk.

The competition, launched under the Royal Photographic Society, is known as IRIS-25 (The International Review of Images with Soundtrack for Under 25 year olds) and it is designed to promote and encourage the interest and growth of Digital Audio Visual photography among young people. The deadline for entries is 21st April 2008 and free software to assist in creating the increasingly popular sequences has been kindly provided by Igor Kokarev of the Pictures to Exe Software company . Entry forms can be downloaded from http://www.iris-25.org .
The entry categories are:
· Single author under 16 years old (prize - £100)
· Single author aged 16 to 24 years (prize - £150 + Pollock Medal)
· Group entry – by young people aged under 16 (prize - £100)
· Group entry - by young people aged 16 - 24 years (prize - £150)

A Special Prize will also be awarded to the school or college with the maximum number of entries.

“The production of AV sequences involves many skills useful in modern life, and can benefit the workers and leaders of tomorrow, teaching them to communicate, not only visually but also verbally; to look, listen and understand; and to express their ideas creatively with skill and sensitivity.” - Maureen Albright, Organiser.