Friday, March 2, 2012

Canon EOS 5D Mark III 22MP full-frame DSLR

Canon announces EOS 5D Mark III 22MP full-frame DSLR
http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/03/02/Canon-5D-Mark-III

Canon has announced the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, the latest in its enthusiast full-frame 5D series and successor to the popular EOS 5D Mark II. Based around a 22MP full-frame sensor, it can shoot 6 frames per second and features a 61-point AF system much like the EOS-1D X. It can capture 1080p movies at 24, 25 or 30 fps and offers high quality intraframe (All-I) video compression amongst a host of movie-related improvements. It will be available from the end of March with an MSRP of $3499 / €3299 / £2999.99.


Click here to read our hand-on preview of the Canon EOS 5D Mark III



Hands-on Preview

Press Release

Specifications

Additional Images

Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT

Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT
SHOOT WITH FREEDOM – CANON UNVEILS NEW RANGE OF PROFESSIONAL ACCESSORIES



The Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT features wireless radio connectivity.

LONDON, UK (March 2, 2012) – Canon today extends its range of acclaimed accessories, unveiling a number of new models designed to offer enhanced flexibility and new creative control to its professional and mid-range EOS Digital SLRs.
Sitting at the top of Canon's range, the Speedlite 600EX-RT is Canon's first flash unit to feature inbuilt wireless radio connectivity and replaces the advanced Speedlite 580EX II. Partnering with the new Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT , this new model offers enhanced opportunities for photographers wishing to explore creative lighting techniques. In addition, Canon is also launching the BG-E11 battery grip, Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7 and GPS Receiver GP-E2, which complement the newly-announced EOS 5D Mark III – offering increased versatility across a range of shooting situations – from studio portraits to field-based shoots – with a compact lightweight and affordable configuration.

Speedlite 600EX-RT: Taking creative flash further

The Speedlite 600EX-RT is a high-performance TTL flash unit designed to meet the expanding creative needs of modern professionals. Integrated radio frequency triggering, in addition to standard infra-red wireless flash control, allows photographers to achieve exciting results with complex on-and-off-camera lighting set- ups. Using one master 600EX-RT or the new ST-E3-RT radio-frequency wireless Speedlite transmitter, up to 15x 600EX-RT flash units, positioned up to 30m away, can be remotely triggered – offering great potential to experiment with more creative lighting techniques and effects. EOS cameras with a connected Speedlite 600EX-RT can also be triggered remotely by either model, allowing photographers to explore more extreme shooting angles to produce surprising and inspiring creative results.

Subjects over a wide range of distances can be lit creatively or evenly exposed, thanks to an increased guide number of 60m*1 and wide lens coverage of 20 – 200m. For wide- angle shots, a diffuser adapter can also reduce the focal length to 14mm and the bounce-and-swivel flash head creates more flattering, shadowless effects. Ideal for shooting portraits, a catch-light panel produces natural catch-lights in the eyes of a subject when shooting with bounce flash. Additionally, custom flash coverage options provide more creative scope by using guide number priority to light the subject, while creating slightly darker edges to the frame.

Like its predecessor, the Speedlite 600EX-RT communicates white balance settings to the camera through the hot shoe connection. However, to further balance flash and ambient light, a new colour filter adapter and two supplied colour gels can be fitted to balance the temperature of the flash and create a more natural effect when shooting around tungsten or mercury lighting. When shooting in dark conditions, photographers can also employ the AF-assist beam for accurate autofocus with lenses of 28mm or longer, ensuring the subject remains in focus when the flash fires.

Designed for professionals, the Speedlite 600EX-RT and Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT feature a robust, weatherproof design matching that of the EOS-1D X, with a clear LCD display making it easy to select settings and switch between normal flash mode and wireless modes. Powered by four AA/LR6 batteries for added convenience, the Speedlite 600EX-RT offers fast, silent recycle times, allowing photographers to keep shooting and exploring creative lighting effects in all conditions.

WFT-E7: High-speed wireless control

The WFT-E7 is a new wireless file transmitter for a wide range of EOS models. For those who need to transfer their images quickly and easily, for example, photojournalists or sports photographers, the new WFT-E7 provides enhanced versatility through high- speed Wi-Fi and support for wired connectivity over Gigabit Ethernet. Featuring 802.11a/b/g/n support for file transfer speeds of up to 150mbps, and Bluetooth for linking to external GPS units, the WFT-E7 offers super-fast image transfer direct to an FTP server or even to a DLNA*2-enabled HDTV.

When creative shoots or harsh conditions require the photographer to control the camera from a distance, the WFT Server function of the WFT-E7 allows the camera settings and the scene framed in the viewfinder to be accessed and controlled through a web page on any internet-enabled device, such as smartphones, tablets or laptops. Camera settings can also be changed remotely via EOS Utility, allowing photographers to control and trigger the camera over a wired or wireless LAN connection.

The WFT-E7 has a lightweight design and can be attached to the bottom of the camera, to the new bracket AB-E1 or even to the strap. For added versatility, it also supports Linked shooting with up to ten other cameras, with Wireless Time syncing ensuring that the time across all slave devices is aligned with the master camera in order to maintain consistency across multiple units. During Linked shooting, the WFT server function can also be activated to allow easy remote access to the master and slave cameras for even greater creative control of lighting effects during multi-camera shoots.

GP-E2: Geo-tag your images with compact, lightweight GPS

Also launching today is the GPS receiver GP-E2 – a new compact, lightweight, high- performance hot shoe GPS unit which makes it easy for photographers to geo-tag their images. Compatible with the EOS-1D X, EOS 7D*3 and new EOS 5D Mark III, the GP-E2 tags photos with longitude, latitude and altitude data as well as the direction in which the shot was taken, adding information to the EXIF file of the image.

A GPS Logger function also allows photographers to track their route by downloading GPS data at regular intervals, whether the unit is attached to the camera body or stored in its case. Once back in the studio, photographers can tag their images with the GPS data stored in the log files and their route can be displayed using Google Maps or the bundled Map Utility software.

For improved accuracy and precision when recording the time of image capture, photographers can also synchronise the clocks of their cameras with the global atomic clock via UTC information downloaded from the satellite. This is particularly useful for professional photographers shooting with multiple EOS 5D Mark III bodies, who may wish to process all the images together and sort them according to the time each was recorded.

BG-E11: Improved handling for the EOS 5D Mark III

For photographers who want to shoot for longer with the EOS 5D Mark III, the new ergonomic battery grip BG-E11, doubles the battery life with two additional LP-E6 batteries, with the added flexibility of using AA batteries as an emergency back-up. For those who frequently shoot vertically, such as sports or portrait photographers, duplicate AF start, Focus point and AE-lock controls in addition to a second

Multi Controller and Control Dial make shooting vertically more comfortable and intuitive.

In keeping with the premium design of the EOS 5D Mark III, the BG-E11 is made of durable magnesium alloy and offers the same high standard of weather-proofing – ideal for harsher shooting environments.

Speedlite 600EX-RT Key features

• Guide number 60 (m, ISO 100, at 200mm)
• Radio triggering with 30m range
• Use up to 15 units together
• Infra-red wireless functionality
• Remote camera triggering
• Bounce-and-swivel head with zoom control
• White-balance correction filters
• Fast, quiet recycling

Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT Key features

• Radio frequency remote flash trigger.
• Fire selected Speedlites from 30m away.
• Controls up to 15 flashguns.
• Remote camera triggering.
• Weather sealed against dust and moisture.

Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7 Key features
• Supports IEEE 802.11n
• Built in Bluetooth
• Versatile design
• Easy Wi-Fi protected Setup
• FTP server transfer
• Remote control functions
• DLNA media server compatible
• Linked shooting

GPS Receiver GP-E2 Key features
• Hotshoe-mounted GPS unit for compatible EOS cameras.
• Embeds location and altitude data into each file's metadata.
• Digital compass records heading information.
• Data logging mode.
• Portable design, powered by 1xAA battery.
• Accurately set camera's time using UTC time.

BG-E11 Key features
• Improved handling for EOS 5D Mark III
• Duplicate controls for vertical shooting.
• Larger grip for bigger hands.
• Use two LP-E6 batteries, or four AA/LR6 cells as an alternative.
*1 ISO 100 at 200mm setting
*2 Digital Living Network Alliance
*3 Via firmware update – connection via cable only

Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT Specs

Guide Number
• 60m at ISO 100 with lens at 200mm

Power Source
• Four AA batteries
• CP-E4 external power supply
Charging time
• Approx 3.3 seconds

Illumination angle
• 20-200mm
• 14mm with built-in wide panel
• Auto zoom

Bounce angle
• Up: 45, 60, 75 and 90 degrees
• Down: 7 degrees
• Left: 60, 75, 90, 120, 150 and 180 degrees
• Right: 60, 75, 90, 120, 150 and 180 degrees

Dimensions
79.7 x 142.9 x 125.4mm (3.1 x 5.6 x 4.9 inch)

Weight (without batteries)
425g (15oz.)

Pricing and availability

The Speedlite 600EX-RT and Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT are scheduled for availability at end of March 2012. The Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7, GPS Receiver GP-E2 and Battery Grip BG-E11 are scheduled to be available by the end of April 2012.

■Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT US: $629.99 / EUR: €699 / UK: £679.99

■Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT US: $470 / EUR: €320 / UK: £309.99


■Canon Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7 US: $849.99 / EUR: €759 / UK: £789.99


■Canon GPS Receiver GP-E2 US: $390 / EUR: €279 / UK: £299.99


■Canon Battery Grip BG-E11 US: $490 / EUR: €380 / UK: £329.99



Canon Battery Grip BG-E11

Review of the NEW PocketWizard Plus III

Hands-On Review of the PocketWizard Plus III

By Grant Willing
Published Tue, 2012-02-21 09:53
The PocketWizard Plus III Transceiver is a camera and flash trigger and receiver that represents a marked improvement and refinement over the earlier Plus II and it accomplishes the same tasks with equal efficiency. Based on the same principles as its predecessor, the Plus III is a combination radio transmitter and receiver in one unit. This dual-function device allows the greatest amount of flexibility and customizing of your remote setup depending on your needs at any given time.

Read the entire review and specs here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/indepth/photography/hands-reviews/hands-review-pocketwizard-plus-iii












A video showcasing the Plus III's new features is here.

Read Rob Galbraith's review here: http://robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-11674-12341

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Become the Next Photoshop Evangelist!

Become the Next Photoshop Evangelist!


Photoshop Hidden Gem videos reveal lesser-known features or new uses for common tools. Submit a video of your favorite Hidden Gem and you could become the Next Photoshop Evangelist! Win a trip to Photoshop World 2012 to present your tip, spend time with the product team, and receive a copy of Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Design Standard.

Submissions are due by March 5th...

What is a Photoshop Evangelist?

What is a Hidden Gem?

2012 Doorways and Passages Photo Contest

2012 Doorways and Passages Photo Contest


February 15, 2012 /Photography News/ A door can simply be a way of leaving one room and entering another room. Some can be rather simple and plain while others can be grand and ornate. A door or doorway can lead us to an unknown destination full of surprises and mystery, or it can lead us to home and security. Doors can be obstacles that prevent us from seeing what is happening and they can hide all types of secrets. Profotio is seeking creative images that best represent what may be seen on either side of doors and what happens in their passageways.

 
Title: Doorways and Passages

Eligibility: Open to all photographers 18 years and older. Color and/or Black and White images will be accepted.

Prizes: $600.00 cash prizes awarded

First Place: $300 cash prize. The winning image will be featured on the Profotio.com homepage slideshow

Second Place: $200 cash prize. The winning image will be featured on the Profotio.com homepage slideshow

Third Place: $100 cash prize. The winning image will be featured on the Profotio.com homepage slideshow
3 honorable mentions: The winning images will be featured on the Profotio.com homepage slideshow
 
Sponsor: Profotio

Entry deadline: April 3, 2012 (11:59PM CST)

Open House for Careers in Photography

Open House for Careers in Photography
March Open House
Sunday, March 4th at 12:30pm
If you have been thinking about a career in photography but just don't know how to get started, this is it! Join us for our exciting Careers in Photography Open House where you will experience the Unique Educational Training System that has turned those with a sincere interest into professional photographers in only 10 months. If this sounds too good to be true, then come and see for yourself on Sunday, March 4th.

Call us now at 413.863.2478 (or RSVP here) to let us know you will be joining us or Just Show Up!
What Our Graduates Are Saying 
Sounds Incredible? Come See For Yourself...
Sunday, March 4th
12:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Click here to RSVP and add your name to our guest list or just show up.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Hummingbird webcam

http://phoebeallens.com/#.Tza1RLDNDKw.facebook


How the Live Webcam Got Started




Living in Southern California, we are blessed to be joined by numerous species of birds and several years ago we noticed a hummingbird setting up her nest in our yard. What amazed us is we thought it would be a one-time event, but she kept coming back year after year. After several years, we thought it would be fun to get a closer look and set up our first webcam in 2007. As the number of viewers grew, in March 2009 we moved the broadcast to Ustream.tv, and the number of viewers exploded and we had climbed to the most popular birding site on the web (Fat Birder's Top 1000 Birding Website). In less than a year, we had over 2 million views, and by the 2nd year are over 11 million. Phoebe has a dedicated community of followers from all around the world, and we love hearing that school children are learning about hummingbirds with the help of our webcam and that Phoebe has inspired visual artists, musicians, poets, and more.


Who is Phoebe?

Phoebe is a non-migratory Channel Islands Allen's Hummingbird (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen's_Hummingbird). She builds her nests in a rose bush, and the nest is about the size of a golf ball, with eggs being about the size of a tic-tac candy (Egg Pics). The season for nesting is October through May/early June, and Phoebe will lay four to five clutches per season. Two eggs are laid per clutch, they hatch after 17 days, and the chicks typically fly three to four weeks later. Phoebe will sometimes build a new nest, but frequently repairs old nests. For more information, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

Canon 5D Mark III Photos and Specs Leak Ahead of Impending Launch

Canon 5D Mark III Photos and Specs Leak Ahead of Impending Launch




We’re on the verge of seeing the successor to the Canon 5D Mark II, the 5D Mark III, and photos and specs are already starting to emerge ahead of the camera’s rumored March 2nd announcement. The camera will reportedly have a 22MP sensor, 61 autofocus points, 100% viewfinder coverage, a 3.2-inch LCD screen, dual CF/SD slots, and a price tag of around $3,500.

Here are a couple more leaked photos:




There are also a few new lenses rumored to be on the horizon: a Canon EF-S 18-125mm II, an EF 200-400mm f/4L IS 1.4x, and an EF 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens.
(via Canon Rumors Forum via Canon Rumors)

Untouched Sample Shots Captured with Nokia’s New 41MP Camera Phone

Untouched Sample Shots Captured with Nokia’s New 41MP Camera Phone



Nokia has released a set of sample photographs in order to show off the camera quality of its new 41MP 808 PureView camera phone.

The 33.3MB ZIP file contains just 3 untouched JPEG images — the largest of which (seen above) is a 5368×7152, 38-megapixel photograph that weighs in at 10.3MB. The quality is quite impressive, given that the images were captured with a phone.

Here’s a 100% crop of the photograph shown above:


This sample shot is a 34-megapixel image (resized here, of course):



Here’s a 100% crop:



You can download the sample shots here if you want to check the out yourself.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Lexar 16GB Pack of 2 Cards - $39.95

Lexar 16GB, 133x High Speed Series, Professional Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) Memory Card - Pack of 2 Cards -  $39.95 at Adorama until 3/04/12
http://www.adorama.com/ILXSD16GBPR2.html?utm_term=Other&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=cj_227502

Jerry Monkman NANPA Road Show Seminar Rye, NH April 14, 2012

Road Show 2012 Rye, NH

NANPA 2011 Rye, NH Road Show
NANPA is pleased to announce the 2012 Rye, NH Road Show Seminar to be held in Rye, NH on April 14, 2012 at the Seacoast Science Center in Rye, NH. Road Shows are indoor seminars hosted by well-known leaders - your host for this event will be Jerry Monkman, a nature and adventure photographer. Cost will be only $99.00 for NANPA members...
Online Registration is now open!
Just the Facts...
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Jerry Monkman photoDate: April 14, 2012
Time: 9 am to 4 pm
Cost: $99 for NANPA Members / $129 for non-members
$110 for camera club members in groups of 4 or more...
Camera clubs please contact the NANPA office for
details on this offer.
Location: Seacoast Science Center, Rye, NH [venue details]
Last Date to Register: April 9, 2012
Share this event with your fellow photographers, both offline and online. Links, graphics, and printable material are available below to use on your website, blog, Facebook, or as a printed one-sheet flyer to hand out at club meetings and other gatherings.
Link to this page: http://www.nanpa.org/2012rye
Event graphics (right-click to save a copy):

Adobe Lightroom in a Day
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Jerry Monkman photoIn this seminar, you will learn how to maximize your time in Lightroom by efficiently managing your photo archive, developing a consistent RAW processing workflow, and taking advantage of Lightroom's powerful printing engine.

In the morning session, Jerry will show how he uses Lightroom's Library module to easily track images and automate the process of entering keywords and other metadata. He will also simplify the process of editing RAW files using the Develop module.

In the afternoon session, Jerry will get more in-depth with the Develop module and explore the use of Lightroom plug-ins, including Nik HDR EFEX Pro and Helicon Focus. Wrapping up the seminar will be a discussion of how to use Lightroom's Print module to automate the print process, and how to use print profiles and Lightroom's sharpening algorithms to produce fine art prints.


Location Details...
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Jerry Monkman photo
Located in New Hampshire's scenic Odiorne Point State Park, the Seacoast Science Center sits just yards from the Atlantic Ocean and the rocky New Hampshire shoreline. Several miles of walking trails skirt the shoreline and meander through oak-hickory forests. Inside is a state of the art education center with an aquarium and touch tank replete with marine life from the Gulf of Maine and nearby salt marshes. You can bring a lunch or pick one up in nearby Portsmouth, about a 10 minute drive from the science center.
[Seacoast Science Center website]

Address: Seacoast Science Center, 570 Ocean Blvd., Rye, NH [map link].

About Your Host...
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Jerry MonkmanJerry Monkman is a nature and adventure photographer based in Portsmouth, NH. Specializing in adventure and conservation stories in New England, his work has appeared in publications around the world, including Outdoor Photographer, Audubon, National Wildlife, Backpacker, Men's Journal, and the New York Times. He has been leading destination workshops and teaching Photoshop and Lightroom seminars since 2003. Jerry is also the author of nine books, most recently, The AMC Guide to Outdoor Digital Photography. You can see more of Jerry's work at his [website].

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NANPA Logo
NANPA, the North American Nature Photography Association, is the first and premiere association in North America committed solely to serving the field of nature photography.

Our Mission:

NANPA promotes the art and science of nature photography as a medium of communication, nature appreciation, and environmental protection.

NANPA provides information, education, inspiration and opportunity for all persons interested in nature photography.

NANPA fosters excellence and ethical conduct in all aspects of our endeavors and especially encourages responsible photography in the wild.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Ron Rosenstock NANPA Road Show Seminar Boylston, MA June 9, 2012

Road Show 2012 Boylston, MA

NANPA 2012 Boylston, MA Road Show

NANPA is pleased to announce the 2012 Boylston, MA Road Show Seminar to be held in Boylston, MA on June 9, 2012 at the Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, MA. Road Shows are indoor seminars hosted by well-known leaders - your host for this event will be Ron Rosenstock, a nature and adventure photographer. Cost will be only $99.00 for NANPA members... Online Registration is now open!
Just the Facts...
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Ron Rosenstock photo
© Ron Rosenstock
Date: June 9, 2012
Time: 9 am to 4 pm
Cost: $99 for NANPA Members / $129 for non-members
$110 for camera club members in groups of 4 or more... Camera clubs please contact the NANPA office for details on this offer.
Location: Tower Hill Botanic Garden - Theatre
11 French Drive
Boylston, MA 01505-0598
508.869.6111 for information [venue details]
Last Date to Register: June 4, 2012
Max Attendees: 85
Share this event with your fellow photographers, both offline and online. Links, graphics, and printable material are available below to use on your website, blog, Facebook, or as a printed one-sheet flyer to hand out at club meetings and other gatherings.
Link to this page: http://www.nanpa.org/2012boylston
Event graphics (right-click to save a copy):

What is your calling?
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Ron Rosenstock photo
© Ron Rosenstock
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Introduction - Do you set expectations only on what YOU think is possible? Ron will help you shoot for your highest potential and show you how to listen to your inner voice. He will share with participants many of the creative things that he learned from Ansel Adams and Minor White. You will get to know your inner artist and how to be definite about goals that will help you find your creative soul.

10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Break Time. An opportunity to get a cup of coffee and peruse the sponsors' tables.

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Creating an audience: Being an artist is being self-reliant, self promoting, and most of all self-motivating. You will explore all the ways to get you and your work known through publishing, exhibiting, speaking and networking. Ron will show you how to stop letting ego get in your way and how to have it work to your advantage and bring you to your highest potential.

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch in the Twigs Café or on the grounds with a bring-your-own brown bag lunch. If time allows, exploration of this wonderful arboretum.

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
What is your calling? Ron will help you explore how to become known for your "special talent." Through a slide show of work by "masters of photography," we will explore what can be learned from the "Masters" and from what has been done before. Participants will then explore with Ron how to get known for a style and an approach to subject matter.

2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Break Time - An opportunity to get a cup of coffee and peruse the sponsors' tables.

2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Are you working at your highest potential? During this session we learn how to work at our highest potential-- how to work with all that is necessary to produce the work we want. Conventional visible light photography is challenging enough. Why bother with infrared? Because it opens up an otherwise unseen corner of the world - one of serene beauty and never-ending surprise. Digital cameras make this peak around the red end of the visible spectrum easier than ever before. Ron will help us explore infrared photography, showing many examples of Infrared vision, and help us to learn to pre-visualize what is possible.

Do you know what software is best for your work? Ron will show you how to get the software program that is right for you.

Location Details...
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Venue photo
© Tower Hill Botanic Garden
The Road Show Program will be held in the Theatre of the Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts, a 132 acre (53.4 ha) botanical garden with spectacular views of Mount Wachusett and the Wachusett Reservoir. It is located approximately 8 miles (12 km) north of central Worcester. Tower Hill hosts a number of interesting plant collections and gardens. Several new additions opened in 2010, including the Limonaia (Lemon House conservatory) and the Winter Garden-a 14,000-square-foot (1,300 sm) courtyard garden that features plants especially known for their winter attributes; a formal pool with twin turtle fountains is in the center of the Winter Garden.

The Theater is a contemporary carpeted meeting room with 88 fixed seats designed for presentations and lectures. It's equipped with a large retractable viewing screen for slide and/or overhead projections. It is acoustically wired to accommodate the special needs of the hearing impaired and is accessible to the physically challenged.

On the day of the Road Show you can either bring a Brown Bag lunch to be eaten on the beautiful grounds or purchase a lunch at the Twigs Café where their Chef creates a new sumptuous menu every Friday.
[Tower Hill Botanic Garden website]

Address: Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Dr., Boylston, MA 01505 [map link].

About Your Host...
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Ron Rosenstock
© Leslie Weidenman
Ron Rosenstock retired from Clark University after teaching photography there for thirty years. He has published three books of his exquisite black and white photographs: The Light of Ireland, Hymn to the Earth, Chiostro (Cloister), and his new color book Journeys. Ron's work has been featured in more than one hundred exhibitions, both in the U.S. and abroad; and his photographs are found in the permanent collections of the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University, the Worcester Art Museum in Worcester, Mass., The Polaroid Collection in Cambridge, Mass. and the International Center of Photography in New York City.

Ron firmly believes that the photograph comes from within, not from without--meaning you can't buy creativity, however, you have to learn to recognize that creative spirit within. Ron teaches exercises that will help that creative spirit come to the surface. He doesn't focus on technical knowledge, rather places the emphasis on a more Zen approach such as ways of seeing, photographing in the NOW and practical aspects of printing, exhibiting and getting your work out there.

View more of Ron's work at his [website].

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NANPA Logo
NANPA, the North American Nature Photography Association, is the first and premiere association in North America committed solely to serving the field of nature photography.

Our Mission:

NANPA promotes the art and science of nature photography as a medium of communication, nature appreciation, and environmental protection.

NANPA provides information, education, inspiration and opportunity for all persons interested in nature photography.

NANPA fosters excellence and ethical conduct in all aspects of our endeavors and especially encourages responsible photography in the wild.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Portland camera Club Tony Sweet March

The Portland Camera Club will be hosting a photo seminar featuring Tony Sweet on March 18, 2012. I hope you’ll take a few minutes at your next meeting to also acquaint (or reacquaint) your members with program, as Tony is an excellent presenter.
       I’ve already mentioned in my earlier letter some of the details. The addition is that Tony has agreed to make a presentation discussing his own work only to those who have enrolled for the seminar. It’ll be at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 17th at the Universalist-Unitarian church, 97 Main Street in Yarmouth, Maine, about eight miles north of Portland. The cost is $25. 

  Tony is the latest in a series of outstanding photographer/teachers PCC has brought to New England (others recently have been John Sexton, David Middleton and Brenda Tharp). As you are probably already aware, Tony is one of the best of the current crop of outdoor and nature photographers in the country. In addition, he’s also an impressive and inspiring instructor, leading seminars and workshops nation-wide.

        The title of Tony’s presentation is “Digital Photography in the 21st Century,” His material covers both those just getting started in digital as well as experienced photographers. His goal is to help everyone to take outstanding pictures, whether from a technical or fine arts aspect. His approach is informal, and he welcomes questions.

And , here again, are the details of the seminar:
Date: March 18, 2012, 9:00a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Place: Auditorium of the South Portland High School, 637 Highland Ave., South Portland, Maine. The auditorium has state-of-the-art projection facilities, with a 30x15 foot screen. And very comfy seats.

Cost: $99 if paid before March 12th, $125 thereafter or at the door. (The cost of the Saturday night presentation is in addition to the fee for the seminar.) Moderately priced snacks, light lunch and beverages will be available on site, since the nearest restaurants are almost a mile away. Participants are also welcome to bring their own lunch.
We would appreciate your informing your club members of our programs.

For those wanting more details or information on getting to the high school, look in on our club web site,  www.portlandcameraclub.org. Those wishing to learn more about Tony Sweet, his web site is www.tonysweet.com. Tony has just revamped his website, and it’s a beauty.
Yours for great photography,

Steve Thomas
Chairman, Tony Sweet Seminar Committee  

Monte Zucker education


If you're having trouble viewing this, you may see it online.

Untitled Document

Saturday, February 25, 2012

In Kenya, Photographing on Safari

In Kenya, Photographing on Safari
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/02/24/travel/26onassignment.html#1
Slide Show: In Kenya, Photographing on Safari
A photojournalist takes a three-day safari in the Masai Mara, offering tips on how to take pictures of animals; technical specifications for each photo are included.
Related

EPSON International Pano Awards

EPSON International Pano Awards

Open categories
  • Nature (including landscapes)
  • The Built Environment (including architecture)


 

 

Amateur categories

  • Nature (including landscapes)
  • The Built Environment (including architecture)
*note: People, abstract/creative, B&W and vertical panoramic images can be entered in any category

-The competition is now open for all professional and amateur photographers with a combined prize pool of over US $25,000 in cash and prizes! Category winners in the Open competition will compete for the overall title of The Epson International Pano Awards Photographer of the Year 2012. Category winners in the Amateur competition will compete for the title of The Epson International Pano Awards Amateur Photographer of the Year 2012.

Regular entries close Friday 20th of April 2012. There will be a late entry period until Saturday 28th April 2012. Late entry fees will apply.
The Open and Amateur competitions share the same entry process.

You can choose which of the competitions you would like to enter in the Image Upload section after you have created your entry account.
(The VR/360 competition has a separate entry process - please enter via the Homepage)
Note that once payment is made your entries will be finalised and cannot be changed. You may however login at any time to add more entries until close of competition.

Please prepare your images for the Open and Amateur competitions as follows prior to entering;

sRGB, 3000 Pixels on the longest side (minimum ratio 2:1, therefore not more than 1500 pixels on the shortest side), 300 dpi, saved as a jpeg at a setting of 10 or higher.
Please include your own name in each file name.
Images are judged on calibrated monitors. Please ensure your own monitor is calibrated prior to entering your images.

A summary of some important rules;
  • Entries in the Nature categories must be predominantly of natural subjects, although some man made objects within image are accepted. An example of this would be a jetty or a building within a landscape.
  • Entries in the Built Environment categories must be predominantly of man-made subjects, although some natural subjects within the image are accepted. An example of this would be a park within a city environment.
  • All images must be panoramic format, defined for this competition as a minimum 2:1 ratio (long side:short side). See Wikipedia for information regarding this definition. Images not complying with the minimum ratio rule will be given the lowest average score.
  • 360 degree images are exempt from the minimum 2:1 ratio rule.
  • Entrants are not encouraged to crop single shot 35mm files to fit the minimum ratio. If your entry is selected for the exhibition at PMA and is a cropped 35mm file, it may not be included due to quality and file size. Cropping from medium and large format is acceptable, however stitching and single captures from dedicated panoramic cameras are preferred. If you wish to crop from a single capture 35mm image, please ensure it originates from a high quality file (eg RAW) and quality DSLR camera.
  • Winning and high scoring entrants must be able to supply a high res file of their entry suitable for exhibition printing, within 7 days of judging completion.
  • The EPSON International Pano Awards recognizes that you retain full ownership of the copyright in each entry. Our sponsors, including Epson do NOT assume rights of use. Images are used for display of winning and highest scoring images, and promotion of the competition ONLY.
  • Images may be from single capture or stitching software, film or digital capture, but must be 100% photographic in origin.
  • VR/immersive/360 degree panoramic images are most welcome in the Open or Amateur competitions, however they must be entered as a 'flat' jpeg file if entered in Open or Amateur (not as formats such as .swf or Quicktime VR).
  • An Amateur is defined for this competition as someone who earns less than USD$20,000 per year from photography as an occupation. Amateurs may enter the Open or Amateur competitions.
  • A Professional is defined for this competition as someone who earns greater than USD$20,000 per year from photography as an occupation. Professionals may only enter the Open competition.
  • There is no restriction on the date of origin of entries, or on the number of entries per entrant.
  • *note: People, abstract/creative, B&W and vertical panoramic images can be entered in any category, with the exception of the VR/360 competition which does not accept vertical images.
  • Amateur and non-professionals may enter an identical image into the Amateur and Open competitions if they wish, as they are judged as separate competitions.

Open awards

The Open category is open to professional, non-professional/amateur and student photographers.

Entry fees are US$20 per image, US$36 for 2 images, US$48 for 3 images, US$56 for 4 images and US$12 for each additional image. Includes GST for Australian entrants

There is no limit on the number of entries per entrant.

Categories:

Nature (including landscapes)
The Built Environment (including architecture)


The overall open winner will be decided from the two category winners in the Open Awards.


































Amateur awards

The Amateur category is open to non-professional and student photographers only.

Entry fees are US$18 per image, US$32 for 2 images, US$42 for 3 images, US$48 for 4 images and US$10 for each additional image. Includes GST for Australian entrants

There is no limit on the number of entries per entrant.


Categories:

Nature (including landscapes)
The Built Environment (including architecture)


The overall amateur winner will be decided from the two category winners in the Amateur Awards.



VR/360 awards

The VR/360 category is open to professional, non-professional/amateur and student photographers.

Entry fees are US$18 per image, US$32 for 2 images, US$42 for 3 images, US$48 for 4 images and US$10 for each additional image. Includes GST for Australian entrants

There is no limit on the number of entries per entrant.

Category:

Open

The highest scoring image will be awarded the overall VR/360 winner.