Photography

Ezybox Speed-Lite

Ezybox Speed-Lite

The new Ezybox Speed-Lite is a 22cm x 22cm mini softbox which attaches directly onto a flashgun whether it’s on or off the camera. The softbox folds in the same way as our other highly successful Ezybox softboxes making it an ultra portable solution for busy photographers. The Ezybox Speed-Lite also features an inner and outer diffusion layer (both removable) which delivers an unrivalled softness of light from such a small softbox. 

Specifications:

1. Softbox for hotshoe flash
2. Attaches directly onto a flashgun, on or off camera
3. Removable inner and outer diffusion layers
4. Ultra portable and lightweight
5. Assembled in seconds
6. Folds flat for easy storage

Source:lastolite.com

Nikon D3100 DSLR

The Nikon D3100 is the first Nikon DSLR to feature 1080p video capture at 24 frames per second in H.264 compression.

As a successor to the Nikon D3000, the new camera features Nikon’s new EXPEED 2 image processor, Nikon’s 14.2-megapixel Nikon DX format CMOS sensor, Active D-Lighting, sensor cleaning and airflow control system, a 3.0-inch 230,000-dot resolution fixed TFT LCD display, a continuous up to 3 frames per second, Live view mode, full time AutoFocus in movie mode, a 3D Color Matrix Metering II with Scene Recognition System, a 3D Tracking Multi-CAM 1000 AutoFocus sensor module with 11 AF points and an ISO sensitivity 100 to 3200 (6400 and 12800 with boost). This camera also supports JPEG, NEF (Nikon’s RAW, 12-bit compressed) file formats. Like Nikon’s other entry-level DSLRs, the D3100 has no in-body AutoFocus motor, and fully automatic AutoFocus requires a lens with an integrated AutoFocus-motor (Nikon AF-S lenses).

Nikon D3100 Key Features

• 14.2MP CMOS Sensor
• 1920 x 1080 at 24p Video Capture
• 1280 x 720 at 24p/30p Video Capture
• H.264 AVCHD Codec (.mov file)
• Full-time Video and Live View Autofocus
• ISO 100-12800 (equivalent w/ expansion)
• 3″ LCD
• 11-point AF
• 3 fps
• Quiet Shutter Release Mode
• HDMI Output
• Shutter Rated to 100,000 Cycles
• SDXC Compatibility

The Nikon D3100 should be available in September 2010. Check availability below.

Nikon D3100 Availability

B&H Photo

Amazon.com

Source: photographybay.com

Sven Prim’s Art

Sven Prim is a Swedish photographer/retoucher. It’s fun looking at his work, it’s eye catching to say the least. He describes him self as a real technology geek who loves to create strange and surreal situations. His work has appeared in magazines and commercials.

Many people think that a photographer’s truth is compromised when the photographs are retouched, Sven disagrees with this. He sees the concept of truth in a completly subjective way. He believes that a picture is always manipulated, regardless of how it’s taken. When the photographer selects the time and place to snap a picture, the truth is already being bent. In my opinion, his work speaks for it self and I think it is amazing. Therefore there should be no arguments or doubts about him being a great photographer even if he does retouch the pictures he takes.

Sven Prim is a terrific artist in photo retouching, and his portfolio features some magazine work along with some morbid, graphic novel-ish stuff. There isn’t a lot of info on his website, not even an artist statement so I guess his art will have to speak for itself.

Check out these selections:

Nigel Barker

Talented, famous, a good father and husband, this guy has it all. His day job? Taking pictures of beautiful women and judging for America’s Next Top Model.

He began his career as a male model in England. He was introduced to the fashion industry in the mid 1980’s when his mother entered him into a televised model search in England, where he was a finalist. This lead to a successful modeling career that spanned a decade and took him to Paris, Milan, London and New York City.
Moving quickly to international stature working for giants like Giorgio Armani, Valentino, Kenzo, Donna Karan, and Ralph Lauren. 

With a full-fledged career in modeling under his belt, Nigel after a decade in front of the camera, discovered his love for fashion photography, he then switched to the other side of the lens and by 1998 had opened his own photo studio in Manhattan, New York dubbed Studio NB for obvious reasons. Quite the trend-setter indeed, is our young Mr. Barker; now famous fashion photographer .

Nigel met his future wife, both formerly of Q Model Management, through a mutual friend in the business. Nigel, however, did not immediately snare the beautiful Cristen Chin and proceeded to woo for a full 2 months before she agreed to be his girlfriend. Nigel followed his love from England to Paris, from Paris to New York, and they were wed in Alabama in 2001.

Nigel’s core business Studio NB services clients as posh as GQ, Interview, Paper, Lucky, and People. And why not delve in to the chic ad industry winning brands like Beefeater Gin, Sean John, Pierre Cardin, Nicole Miller, and Frederick’s of Hollywood to name a few.

Nigel is a man who goes for what he wants, and gets it.

Today, Nigel Barker is a renowned high fashion photographer and an expert judge on America’s Next Top Model. He is known for his honest and constructive critique and his keen eye.

In 2009, Nigel’s photo exhibit, “Haiti: Hunger and Hope” was launched at the Milk Gallery in New York.  The exhibit was a fundraiser for the charity Edeyo, an organization that works towards better food and education for children in Haiti.  The event raised over $20,000 for the charity.

Here are some of Nigels work:

 

SONY World Photography Awards 2010

Sony World Photography Awards 2010
 
Shortlist Announced

 
 We are delighted to announce the 2010 shortlist for the Professional, Amateur and Student competitions.

Spanning 48 countries and 80,000 images the shortlist for the 2010 Sony World Photography Awards is announced! Including categories from fashion to music, architecture to current affairs, the Honorary Judging Committee, comprising world-renowned photographers, curators, representatives from leading international photo agencies and picture editors came together in London to make their selection from over 80,000 professional and amateur photography submissions.

We are pleased to announce that this year’s shortlist includes a number of Sony World Photography Awards winners and finalists from previous years including Robin Utrecht, winner in the Sports category in 2008; Wojciech Grzedzinski, winner in Current Affairs in 2009 and Edgar Martins, finalist in Conceptual and Constructed in 2009.

The finalists in each of the categories will be announced on Thursday 22 April at the Sony World Photography Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner at the Grand Lumier Theatre at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. Also on the night, the 2010 winner of the L’Iris D’Or, the Sony World Photographer of the Year, will be announced and will receive $25,000 and professional Sony camera equipment. The winning amateur photographer will receive a $5,000 cash prize as well as Sony camera equipment. The final presentation of the night will be in honour of the acclaimed photographer Eve Arnold, who is the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

For more information and to see a selection of shotlisted entries, click here to go to the The Sunday Times Spectrum feature on the Sony World Photography Awards 2010.   To see the full shortlist nominations please click here and to see the shortlist gallery click here.

The professional category finalists, amateur category winners and Student Focus winners will be showcased in the Winner’s Exhibition as part of the World Photography Festival, a five day celebration of the craft of photography. The festival takes place across the city of Cannes, at locations including the famous Croisette, with a host of exhibitions, workshops, portfolio reviews, student programmes and talks from World   Photography Academy members including Jonathan Torgovnik, Idris Khan, Chloe Limpkin (Picture Director of British Harper’s Bazaar), Reza and Bill Hunt (Co-founder of Hasted Hunt Gallery in New York. A highlight of the programme will be the ‘Photography Now’ symposium, presented by some of the leading international industry figures. It will explore the current topics, trends, dilemmas and debates concerning photography today.

For the first time, members of the public will be able to attend the Sony World Photography Awards ceremony.  Tickets, priced £25, are available via the World Photography Organisation website: www.worldphotographyawards.org/festival

Images above:

© Andy Stewart, Professional shortlist in Landscape,

© Espen Rasmussen, Professional shortlist in Current Affairs,

© Philipp Lohöfener, Professional shortlist in Architecture

CANON EOS-1D Mark IV

A new Age of Canon EOS Series…

Offering a comprehensive combination of speed, accuracy and image quality, the EOS-1D Mark IV is the perfect choice for professional photographers and subjects on the move. With a completely redesigned 45-point AF system including 39 cross-type points, a new AI Servo II AF focus tracking system with improved algorithm combined with 10 fps continuous shooting, the EOS-1D Mark IV can handle even high-speed situations with ease.

An APS-H sized 16.1 Megapixel CMOS Sensor, Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors, a spectacular ISO range of 100 – 12800 (up to 102400 in H3 mode) with an advanced noise reduction system helps ensure sharp, low-noise images even in low-light situations. Add advanced Live View shooting, Full HD movie recording with selectable frame rates and manual exposure control plus a host of new features that enhance every facet of the shooting process.

The EOS-1D Mark IV is the choice of professionals looking for the ultimate in SLR performance.
 

Features New 45-point Area AF sensor including 39 cross-type AF points with f/2.8 support plus new AI Servo II AF with improved algorithm. ISO 100 – 12800 (expandable to L: 50, H1: 25600, H2: 51200, H3: 102400) for shooting from bright to dim light with low noise levels. EOS HD movie with manual exposure control and multiple frame rates (1080: 30p (29.97) / 24p (23.976) / 25p, 720: 60p (59.94) / 50p, 480: 60p (59.94) / 50p). 16.1 Megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors for high image quality and speed. 10.0 fps continuous shooting up to 121 Large JPEGS or 28 RAW using a UDMA CF card. 3.0-inch ClearView II LCD monitor, 160° viewing angle, 920,000-dot VGA, reflection resistance with multi coating and high-transparency materials for bright and clear viewing. Magnesium alloy body with shutter durability up to 300,000 cycles and exclusive dust- and weather-resistance. Fully compatible with over 50 EF lenses and a wide range of EOS System accessories. Professionally Proven, High-Speed AF. New 45-point Area AF sensor including 39 cross-type AF points with f/2.8 support plus new AI Servo II AF with improved algorithm. The EOS-1D Mark IV has a newly developed, high-precision Area AF sensor with 45 manually selectable points including 39 cross-type, high-precision AF points for exacting and fast focusing no matter the subject. New AI Servo II AF focus tracking features improved algorithms that help improve stability, reliability and focus no matter the situation. Whether shooting a fast-paced soccer game or shooting a close-up of a bee on a wind-blown flower during macro photography, AI Servo II AF helps ensure sharp focus every time. AF point selection has been improved as well. Photographers can select their own point through either the camera’s Multi-controller or Main Dial/Quick Control Dial. Automatic selection is as simple as the press of a button. With Custom functions, photographers can select their own default focus point to automatically switch between horizontal and vertical shooting and can even choose to have primary focus supported by adjacent focus points for more accuracy with  objects.