How to Find and Generate Freelance Photography Opportunities by Kelly Gammon

If you ask most freelance photographers how they get work, you will likely hear some variation on the same three answers: word of mouth, referrals, and networking. Most freelancers in any field will tell you that they typically spend as much time marketing their services as they do providing service. But what other options are there? This article will look at 5 ways to find and generate more freelance photography opportunities. Let's begin.

1. Get a copy of the current year's Photographer's Market.
Photographer's Market is an outstanding resource. It is published every year and lists approximately 1500 active buyers in a number of different categories. In addition to providing full contact information and valuable details about various markets, it will definitely expose you to possibilities that you never knew existed. Get Photographer's Market, gather a list of a few dozen potential clients and start sending queries.

2. Set up a portfolio website, keep it up-to-date and market it well. Include your website address in all of your correspondence, both print and electronic. If you participate in online forums that allow for signature files, put your portfolio website address in your signature. If you follow other photographers' blogs, there is usually an option, if you leave a comment on the blog, to include a web address that can be associated with your name. When you leave an insightful comment on posts you find especially interesting or informative, an active link to your website will remain with your comment, allowing others to find their way to you. They key is to create an online portfolio and then spread the word to get people there. Think of it as your business card for the twenty-first century.

3. Write articles. Pick topics about which you are comfortable writing and offer advice and guidance. How-to articles are an excellent starting point for articles. They are simple to organize and easy to compose from experience. Starting out you can submit your articles to online article directories and hopefully get some feedback. As you grow more confident in your writing abilities, branch out to your local newspaper, regional magazines and other online avenues. Once you have built up a portfolio of articles, query national magazines with article ideas. The key here is to establish yourself as an expert and get a byline.

4. Do interviews. Once you have established yourself as an expert in a certain area of photography, look for opportunities to do interviews. Look for opportunities both online and offline. Also, as you check out various job boards for photography work, be sure to keep an eye out for individuals looking for industry experts to interview. Once again, you are looking for ways to establish yourself as an authority and get our name and contact information in front of more people.

5. Teach an adult education class in photography. These are usually non-credit classes and workshops offered through community groups or colleges and universities. Depending on the interest level of the participants you might even expand this is into a series of classes covering different topics. Teaching adult education is another way to establish some credentials for yourself while making contacts in the community and getting your name better known. The great thing about adult education is that the people who participate in the classes have a strong desire to learn and are very receptive and appreciative.

Bonus Tip: If you have a local public radio station in your town, offer to do a 5-minute segment once a week geared toward amateur photographers. Most public radio stations welcome programming ideas and are often looking for new and interesting spots to attract local listeners.

For more tips on how to build or grow a successful freelance career, check out http://www.gofreelancenow.com

Calling All Nature Photographers!

The Nature Conservancy invites you to view more than 100,000 stunning nature images taken by thousands of photographers--from beginners to professionals--from around the world at the Conservancy's online photo-sharing group.

"The Conservancy has built an interactive community of people who love nature photography," said Evan Parker, the Conservancy's manager of digital membership. "It's a place to be inspired, and to inspire others."

Initially launched as an entry point for the Conservancy's first annual photo contest, the site has blossomed, now engaging a community of thousands of nature-lovers around the world. Nature.org/flickr now hosts more than 100,000 nature photos--and it only takes a minute to upload your favorite nature image.

In addition to sharing images with others, group members can enter the Conservancy's annual photo contest, help vote to select the annual contest's grand prize winner and, throughout the year, enter mini-competitions which include publication in the award-winning Nature Conservancy magazine.

For more details, please visit nature.org/flickr

Free Digital Photography Magazine

PhotographyBB has released the tenth edition of the PhotographyBB Online Magazine. The PhotographyBB Online Magazine is quickly becoming a leading resource in the future of free information distribution, offering readers: Digital Photography tips and techniques, DSLR camera function training, and image post processing tutorials in Adobe® Photoshop™, and RAW processing in Photoshop Lightroom™.

This month's release includes a tutorial on better night photography, a guide on keeping your camera gear (and yourself) safe when shooting in winter conditions, Photoshopping your own personalized (to each recipient) holiday cards, "Is CS4 worth the upgrade?," a look at infrared photography, and much more.

In addition to articles which aide photographers in getting the most from their DSLR cameras, the PhotographyBB Online Magazine also features useful and applicable tutorials on how to use post-processing tools such as Photoshop and Lightroom, to build on digital photography post-processing skills.

PhotographyBB Online Magazine is available for free download through the PhotographyBB Website at: http://www.photographyBB.com/magazine

Learn How To Design The Optimal Lighting Setup For Your Individual Portrait Subject

Flawless lighting is the key to creating professional-caliber portraiture. With the right lighting, photographers can create depth and form, set the mood of the portrait, and sculpt the subject's features to create an idealized portrait presentation that will please the subject and satisfy the photographer's artistic vision.

All too often, photographers fall into the trap of selecting and using tried-and-true, one-size-fits-all lighting strategies for their clients. An obvious benefit to this practice is that this is a streamlined approach. Without the guesswork involved in playing with the lights to determine a lighting pattern that best suits the subject, the photographer can move more quickly through the session, book more sessions, and maximize their profits. However, in doing so, they will sell themselves short artistically and will never produce the images that will best flatter their clients.

In this book, Sculpting with Light, author Allison Earnest "shows photographers how to take full control of their lighting". First, you'll learn how the physics of light govern the way we see it, and how the camera perceives it differently than the human eye. Also learn about the qualities of incident and reflected light, and how the size of the source, the direction of the light, the light intensity, contrast, and ratio between highlight and shadow will affect the mood of the portrait as well as how to best use the tools for modifying light and master its every nuance.

As you move through the book, you'll get can't-miss tips for sculpting the face with basic lighting setups. You'll learn the three desirable positions for the main light and how to best refine the lighting strategy using minimal equipment. You'll learn how to create the lighting patterns most often used in portraiture and will also discover how you can create the portrait effect you're after, from a fashion-type look, to a soft, romantic feel, to an edgy, high-contrast look, by manipulating the light output to create the desired ratio of highlight and shadow on your subject.

Unique to Sculpting With Light is Earnest's focus on using lighting to sculpt a variety of basic facial shapes, oval, long and angular, heart-shaped, and square, and show subjects at their personal best. Makeup artists have always relied on cosmetics to highlight and shade areas of the face to play upon a subject's best features and draw attention away from perceived flaws. However, this is an opportunity that most photographers overlook in their haste to create cookie-cutter portraits with minimal changes to the lighting setup. Allison Earnest shows readers how to choose and easily set up the best lighting for each individual client, male or female, to produce a likeness that makes them feel attractive. After all, a client must like the way they look in their portraits in order to spend their money on your images.

Covering a wide variety of techniques and images that show the impact of using basic and complex lighting setups on individual or multiple subjects, both male and female, this amply illustrated book will prove an indispensable guide for photographers or all skill levels.

Website: http://www.amherstmedia.com/

Travel Photography Competition

Social travel guide tripwolf  and RCA Label Group have launched an exclusive photo competition with international multi-million selling artist, Dido, for the grand prize of a signed lithograph of Dido's newest album Safe Trip Home. The winner will also receive a CD of the album, as will the five runners up. To win, entrants simply post photographs that fall into one of three categories on the competition page, found at http://www.tripwolf.com/en/page/competition/dido.

Submission are now being accepted in the following categories:

* Last photo before heading home from traveling;
* Best travel photo; and,
* Best adventure photo.



"We are thrilled to be working with RCA Label Group to present our users with this wonderful opportunity, and to work with such an acclaimed artist as Dido," says Sebastian Heinzel, tripwolf CEO. "There is nothing like traveling to make you appreciate home. So this album is especially significant to our community of globetrotters."

The competition will run for a full month. A combination of tripwolf and RCA representatives will judge the submissions, and the winners will be announced shortly after the closing of the competition on January 15, 2009. Guidelines and rules can be found on the tripwolf competition page http://www.tripwolf.com/en/page/competition/dido.

tripwolf is a collaborative social network where members share travel experiences, give real-time advice and search for both user-generated and professional editorial travel content on the best places to visit.

7 Secrets of Children's Photography

Confused about children's photography? Discover how to get the skills, confidence and inspiration needed to capture authentic photographs that stand the test of time -- to convey the spirit and personality of the child and the beauty of the holiday season.

Expert child photographer Cheryl Machat Dorskind, author of The Art of Photographing Children, reveals tips and secrets to achieve special children's photographs on the "7 Photography Questions" podcast with host Dr. Audri Lanford.

The key, explains Dorskind, is for the photographer to relate with the child on the child's own personal level. "Become a friend," says Dorskind. "Open the heart and connect in a real way, because kids know the truth and can't be fooled."

During this informative, free interview, Dorskind shares answers to the biggest questions about children's photography. Listeners will hear Dorskind:

* Debunk the biggest myth about photographing kids.

* Find out how to avoid getting stuck when it comes to creative ideas.

* Know the ideal settings and lenses to capture children's photographs.

* Scout out the best locations for taking photographs outdoors.

* Discover tricks to put catchlights in the eyes of kids, even in the shade.

* Learn dynamic exercises to improve outdoor children's photography skills.

Towards the end of the interview, Dorskind shares some of her own photographs of children and tells the stories and techniques behind each one.  Current podcast called "Outdoor Children's Photography – An Interview with Cheryl Machat Dorskind."

Learn To Control Light Effectively And Make All Of Your Images Come To Life

Despite the many advances of digital imaging, lighting problems remain a type of photographic flaw that can't easily be corrected in postproduction. Therefore, lighting skills remain just as critical as ever when capturing great digital images. In this fundamental book, Dr. Glenn Rand gives a complete understanding of photographic lighting--covering tools and techniques that can be applied to any subject or situation. For both studio and location lighting, Rand covers every variable to help photographers avoid problems and achieve the beautiful lighting effects desired.

Early digital photography teacher Ike Lea said many years ago, bad lighting with digital imaging, is still bad lighting. His point was clear: while digital imaging can be used to correct many errors that happened in the capture, if the lighting is bad, post-capture tools can do little but cover the faults. These tools cannot correct poor lighting. While it is true that great lighting cannot, in and of itself, make great photographs, bad lighting will surely ruin photographs.

Lighting For Photography presents the tools that are needed to create and control photographic lighting, going beyond avoiding bad lighting to gaining an understanding of how to use lighting as the ultimate tool of the photographer, whether with digital capture or film. Though many books approach lighting from a genre-specific stance, this volume covers the principles of lighting, rules that are not confined to any single pursuit. This "gives readers an understanding of the hows and whys of light and lighting", rather than a series of limited solutions that work only in certain situations.

To this end, the book addresses not only studio lighting, where photographers have total control, but also lighting in the scenic environment, where they are at the mercy of nature. Because photography happens in all environments, a solid knowledge of how to apply these basic concepts will benefit all types of images.

The book begins with how light is created and the optical functions that provide the ultimate controls for lighting. These underpinnings are followed with a discussion of the qualities of light. Next, the book covers the use of various control methods for manipulating and modifying light, as well as how to best measure and capture it. With these basics in hand, the book then moves on to discuss defining the shape and form of the subjects, followed by a brief description of lighting highly reflective surfaces and transparent materials. Finally, the book addresses the specific types of lighting equipment used by professional photographers.

In addition to sample images, the book includes numerous diagrams and detailed captions that explain why particular lighting methods were chosen, as well as how they were executed.

Photoburbia.com Kicks Off Photography Contest

QuickPro, LLC is commemorating the launch of Photoburbia.com (http://photoburbia.com/), its new online community for photographers of all skill levels, with a photography contest that features a Canon Rebel XSi Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) camera as the grand prize.

To enter the contest, members simply create a site account and post any pictures that they have taken in the contest media files. Categories include: People & Portraits; Nature, Wildlife & Travel; Weddings & Events; and "Other" for miscellaneous pictures. In addition to the grand prize of the Canon Rebel XSi SLR camera, other prizes will be awarded for the "best of show" in each category. There will also be SLR's from Pentax and Olympus given on the 15th of December and January for members. On February 15, 2009, the Grand prize will be chosen by a panel of judges made up of professional photographers.

The contest's submission deadline is February 12, 2009. "Not only will participants have a chance to win a gorgeous, high-end digital camera, but it's also a fun way to get together with other photography enthusiasts," said Landon Bradfield, sales manager of QuickPro. "To be eligible for prizes, you just have to set up a valid account and the pictures that you post must be your own."

Members and visitors can browse a gallery of the submitted entries. In addition to the contest entries, members can upload a limitless number of photographs to the site for display in their personal galleries.

The purpose of Photoburbia is to enable photography enthusiasts, from beginners to professionals, to connect with each other to share picture-taking techniques as well as to view and critique each other's photos. "Our business is helping photography enthusiasts get excited about their art and improve their skills via DVD tutorials for SLR cameras," stated Bradfield. "But we wanted to help all photographers expand their knowledge no matter what type of equipment they use. So we have created Photoburbia."

The online community allows users to share the stories and techniques behind their photographs so that others can gain insight into their work. Users can take advantage of blogs, forums and wikis to connect with each other and share expertise, photo opportunities, comments about the inspiration behind specific photographs as well as suggestions on how to enhance images.

Users can look for specific community members via the site's browse, sort or search features. In addition, community members who are searching for specific information or support can join or create groups in the categories of Photoshop, Scrapbooking, Product Review and Photography.

To learn more about Photoburbia, visit http://photoburbia.com/.

Podcast : Digital Photography Life: Make Every Shot Count

Personal Life Media, Inc. (PLM), a publisher of lifestyle podcasts and blogs for people on the leading edge of culture, has added "Digital Photography Life: Make Every Shot Count" to the network. This new podcast by Scott Sherman and Michael Stein is a new show from the creators of one of the most successful photography podcasts, "The Digital Photography Show." The Digital Photography show was nominated for two Podcast Awards in both 2007 and 2008, including the "People’s Choice" award, putting it in the top ten of over 4,000 considered shows in both years.

Leading industry pundits and expressed their support for Scott and Michael in their new podcast:

Scott Kelby, best-selling technology writer, editor and publisher of Photoshop User Magazine, and President of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals said, "I'm totally psyched about the launch of Digital Photography Life. Scott and Michael are two of my all-timefavorite podcasters in the field. People ask me all the time what they can do to improve their photography - my tip for today is subscribe to Digital Photography Life."

Rick Sammon, author, photographer and television and radio personality said, "Scott and Michael and the kinds of über-enthusiasts I most enjoy talking with. They bring the enthusiasm of true fan-boys to digital photography. Better yet, they have a knack for attracting listeners who are every bit as motivated and cool as they are. As a guest and as a listener, I can't wait to be a part of Digital Photography Life."

A free multi-show podcast player widget is free for any podcaster or fan at http://personallifemedia.com/widget

Access the shows for free from a browser or subscribe via RSS or iTunes and listen on an iPod or MP3 player.

NUDE Magazine's Annual Photography Contest Includes Cash Prizes

Carrie Leigh's NUDE Magazines second annual fine art photography contest now includes cash prizes for the winners and runner ups in each category as well as a much coveted feature exhibit in the Summer's Issue. According to Billy Durham, an editor at NUDE, "Publisher Carrie Leigh has decided to give back to the photographers and models that have made NUDE so successful." Durham adds, "With the world's economy in such turmoil and NUDE doing so well Ms. Leigh has decided that this would be a way of helping out those in the artistic community who have the desire to exhibit their work."

According to Master Photographer and seated juror Kim Weston, "To exhibit in Carrie Leigh's NUDE is an honor in itself." NUDE'S fine art competition is the most prestigious print event in the world of black and white nude photography. For the publishers to include cash prizes is really a very gracious gesture."

Carrie Leigh's NUDE Magazine is the world's best selling high end fine art quarterly of its gender featuring exhibits from some of the most recognized names in their field. The publication is printed on heavy stock paper using old style plates to insure a gallery quality visual presentation of fine art. In addition to Kim Weston the juror's for this prestigious contest include renown fine art photographer Carrie Leigh, Master Figure Painter Craig Srebnik and other distinguished photographers who have exhibited in NUDE.

Carrie Leigh's NUDE Magazine is distributed throughout North America and can be purchased in Barnes and Nobel, Borders, Chapters, Joseph Beth, Hastings along with other book and magazine stores. NUDE is also distributed in half a dozen foreign countries.

The contest entry applications can be found online at http://www.carrieleigh.com/.

PEANUT CHEWS(R) Brand Launches Photo Contest

PEANUT CHEWS(R) Brand Candy is excited to introduce the Chews Your Adventure(TM) Photo Contest to its most daring, athletic and funny fans. Chews Your Adventure(TM) is a web-based contest being hosted now on the newly re-launched http://www.peanutchews.com/ website.

The PEANUT CHEWS(R) Brand is challenging its fans to submit photos of themselves and their favorite PEANUT CHEWS(R) candy. Photos should show their funniest or coolest moment or capture them participating in their favorite sport or adventure. Site visitors can then submit their comments on the photos and vote to choose their favorites.

The Chews Your Adventure(TM) contest will continue in 2009, awarding winners an exciting adventure vacation they can 'chews.' The grand prize winner will 'chews' an adventure trip for four such as skiing in Sun Valley, kayaking in Oregon, scuba diving in St. Thomas or Riding the Rails at the 'Roller Coaster Capital of the World.' First prize winners will receive $100 gift checks and PEANUT CHEWS(R) candy.

Is Photoshop Killing Photojournalism?

In an age of photo doctoring and other technology-driven turmoil, the legendary photographic agency Black Star has released a free e-book to help photojournalists and students sort through "what's right and wrong today."

Black Star, the 73-year-old photographic agency that helped introduce contemporary photojournalism to the United States, today announced the release of an e-book -- "Photojournalism, Technology and Ethics: What's Right and Wrong Today?" -- that examines photojournalism's ethical challenges through the prism of the profession's past, present and future.

"The profession of photojournalism as we know it is threatened by technological transformation, the rise of video, and the fragmentation of the media," said John P. Chapnick, executive vice president of Black Star. "It's under fire from a suspicious public – watchdog bloggers, cable and radio pundits, and other critics who question the profession's credibility and authority to bring us an accurate picture of the world.

"This e-book looks at the implications of these changes for the future of photojournalism. It also asks what actions photographers, editors and publishers can take to ensure photojournalism's authority with audiences, now and in the years ahead."

Authored by Black Star editorial director Anh D. Stack and Black Star Rising editor Scott Baradell, "Photojournalism, Technology and Ethics" explores issues such as Photoshop manipulation, shot-staging, and the politicization of photojournalism. It includes probing interviews with working photojournalists and academics.

The e-book's chapters include:

* "Our Pictures Must Always Tell the Truth"

* The Golden Age of Photojournalism

* Altered Photographs, Staged Shots and the Era of Distrust

* Toward a 21st Century Ethical Model

Download the free e-book.

Global Market for Digital Photography Worth $230.9 Billion in 2013

According to a new technical market research report, THE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY MARKET (IFT030B) from BCC Research, the global market for digital photography technology was worth $136.7 billion in 2007 and an estimated $155.0 billion in 2008. This market will increase to over $230.9 billion in 2013, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3%.

The market is broken down into digital photography products and digital photography applications. Digital photography products are the larger market segment, generating $91.0 billion in 2007. This segment is expected to increase to $101.3 billion in 2008 and $130.6 billion in 2013, for a CAGR of 5.2%. Digital photography products include digital still cameras, interchangeable lenses, photo processing equipment, photo printers, image sensors, camera cell phones and storage products.

Digital photography applications have the second largest share of the market, worth $45.7 billion in 2007 and an estimated $53.7 billion in 2008. This should reach $100.4 billion in 2013, for a CAGR of 13.3%. Applications include professional photography, traditional stock photography, microstock photography, photography software, photo processing, photo books, surveillance and security, automotive, machine vision and medical visualization.

Before the advent of the digital camera, photography related markets would have included the cameras, interchangeable lenses, film, film processing equipment, photo printers, scanners, and some storage products. However, the introduction of the digital camera changed all of these markets in some way. Overall, the markets are substantially larger than they were in the past because a much greater number of people are more passionately involved with digital photography than ever were with silver halide photography.

Additionally, digital cameras have made possible new applications in areas such as online photo sharing, customized digital photo products, microstock photography and camera cell phones.

Source: http://www.bccresearch.com/

Expert Photographer Shares Free Bright Secrets to Turn on the Lighting in Photography

By taking creative control of the lighting, even ordinary photographs suddenly become extraordinary, captivating, and powerful. Learn to overcome the confusion of how and when to light a photograph -- both indoors or out and even in low light situations -- as expert photographer John Siskin reveals his personal secrets on this week's free 7 Photography Questions podcast with host Dr. Audri Lanford.

Siskin, a commercial photographer who specializes in architectural, industrial, product, and advertising photography and whose clients include Walt Disney Corporation and the UCLA/Hammer Museum, explains that "Creative lighting really changes photographs. First think it through and visualize the ideal lighting situation in the mind's eye. Then, using the right technological solutions to control the lighting, make the shot happen."

He discusses these issues and more about lighting in photography, including how to:

* Avoid the biggest mistake people make when lighting their shots.

* Understand the biggest myth about lighting in photography.

* Get the best lighting indoors in low light environments.

* Learn why lighting is the most important skill any photographer can acquire.

* Focus the viewer's eyes where they need to go with strategic lighting.

* Figure out the minimum and maximum lighting needed for every photograph.

Towards the end of the podcast, Siskin takes a few minutes to discuss the lighting in his own photographs while telling the stories behind each one. Click here to find the current podcast called "Lighting in Photography - An Interview with John Siskin."

Interviews with top photographers are posted to www.7PhotographyQuestions.com every Tuesday. Listeners can use any computer to hear the podcast at the http://www.7photographyquestions.com/ website, or easily download it to any MP3 player or subscribe at iTunes for iPods and iPhones. The text of the interviews are also posted to the website, as well as Show Notes, the photographs that are discussed, and all of the resources mentioned in each podcast. All of the current podcasts are available here. http://www.7photographyquestions.com/audio-podcast/

Crestock Launches the Annual Photoshop Design Contest

Crestock, the world's northernmost stock photography agency is now offering professional and aspiring designers the chance to put their creative talents to the test in their third annual Photoshop contest.

In four rounds of one week each, Crestock Stock Photos will present a selection of images to the contestants, who are challenged to turn it into something beautiful, hilarious or otherwise exceptional, using their Photoshop skills.

Starting off with an iPod Touch & iPod Nano in the first round, the prizes get gradually sweeter with a MacBook in the second round, a MacBook Pro in the third round, and to finish it off, the Holy Grail for any designer, the latest Apple Mac Pro with a 30" HD Cinema LCD display.

Each round will have have a specific theme, starting out with the potentially controversial "US Election Propaganda Posters", but aside from the chosen theme, the designers are free to do exactly what they want;

"Our audience is a design savvy, online community of creative amateurs and professionals around the world," said Crestock founder Geir Are Jensen. "We consider our contests to be a graphic artists playground, and during our past design contests we have seen a wide variety of incredible talent on display, and I simply cannot wait to see what this year will bring us."

Earlier this year, Crestock worked closely with Snoop Dogg & Doggy Style Records to bring the Snoop Dogg Official Ego Trippin' Wallpaper Design Contest.

The winners will be decided by a jury of renowned digital design artists. Some notables who have signed up for this year's jury include Mike Rundle; CEO at 9rules.com, Andy Rutledge; Owner of Andyrutledge.com, Darius A Monsef IV; CEO at ColourLovers.com and Brett Terpstra; Staff writer at TUAW.com.

Visit the 2008 Crestock Photoshop Contest for further information and design specifications

Corel Announces 'Before and After' Photo Contest

Corel today announced the opening of its new Corel® Paint Shop Pro® Photo X2 Ultimate 'Before and After' Photo Contest. Photography enthusiasts around the world are welcome to enter the contest by enhancing a photo using Paint Shop Pro® Photo. Providing easy-to-use photo editing tools such as the Makeover Tools or more advanced tools including HDR Photo Merge to merge several photos to create the perfect shot, Paint Shop Pro Photo provides a continued depth of functionality that enables users to grow as their skills and knowledge progress.

The winner of the Corel 'Before and After' Photo Contest will have their winning photo featured in the official Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo Magazine and will receive one Sony® DSLRA300K (alpha) Digital SLR Camera, and one box of the all-new Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 Ultimate that includes more than 250 raw camera formats, a new background remover, new Creative Content Pack, and the ability to turn photos into paintings. In addition, two (2) winners will each receive one (1) AgfaPhoto 7” Digital Photo Frame, and one (1) copy of Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 Ultimate.

Photographers can find information on the 'Before and After' Photo Contest at www.corel.com/beforeandafter or in Issue 5 of Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo Magazine available now on newsstands and online at http://www.imagineshop.co.uk/.

Corel has also provided video tutorials showcasing simple and advanced edits such as removing blemishes, whitening teeth, applying a suntan, removing background objects from a photo and changing a full-color photo to black and white at www.corel.com/beforeandafter. Users can choose from more than 500 creative effects to enhance their photo leaving a lasting impression with friends, family and the contest judges.

Second Annual Photographers Of Tomorrow Contest

Olympus is seeking entries for its second annual Photographers of Tomorrow contest, designed to inspire students enrolled in top photography programs. Under this year's theme "YOUR WORLD: The Art of Technology Through Your Eyes," students are encouraged to identify the innovation or technology that has had the greatest impact in their life and capture its beauty.

Starting today through February 28, 2009, students at participating universities can submit images at www.olympusamerica.com/yourworld. Participating schools include: Academy of Art University San Francisco, Art Institute of Colorado, Brooks Institute, Hallmark Institute of Photography, Maine Media College, Pellissippi State Technical Community College, Rochester Institute of Technology, Texas A&M University at Commerce, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, University of Missouri, and University of Texas at Austin.

"The Photographers of Tomorrow contest is a way for the next generation of pro photographers to showcase their work nationally, build their portfolios, and be recognized by their peers and critiqued by some of the world's most accomplished photographers," said John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Digital SLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc.

Images will be judged by a panel of three award-winning Olympus Visionary photographers: Larry Price, Maki Kawakita and Nick Kelsh. Submissions will be judged on four criteria: originality, photographic quality, composition and appropriateness (each valued at 25 percent). Students may submit up to four images. Images must be taken with an Olympus E-System digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera. Complete rules and regulations are available at www.olympusamerica.com/yourworld.

A grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship and an Olympus E-3 camera, ED 12-60mm f2.8/4.0 SWD Zoom lens, ED 50-200mm f2.8/3.5 SWD Zoom lens and gadget bag. The student's professor will also receive a matching Olympus E-3 outfit. Finalist images will be posted online for "public voting" from March 31 through April 30, 2009. The winner of the public vote will receive an Olympus E-520 kit. The grand prize and public vote winners will be announced in May 2009.

"Rising Stars In Photography" Accepting Applications

Hub's Rising Stars of Photography project will launch in early November to showcase the talents of emerging photographic artists. As a companion site to Hub's Visionary Photographers, this unique project serves as a central source for viewing the art of tomorrow's photographic luminaries. Designed to provide a "jump start" showcase stage for aspiring photographers whose work is destined to blaze new trails in creative photography, Rising Stars is dedicated to fostering the art form and nurturing the enthusiasm inside tomorrow's Visionary Photographers.

Visitors to the Rising Star site -- from lovers of photography to photographic agents, from students to potential employers -- will experience the visions and youthful wisdom of artists who are pushing the boundaries of photography to make their voices heard in the photographic conversation.

Applications for Rising Star consideration are now being accepted. Each applicant's form, photographic samples and references are evaluated for entry into this prestigious family of future photography luminaries.

To apply for entry into Rising Stars send an email to the included address. You will be sent an overview of the project, a site address to preview the template being used to feature your creative talents and a formal application. There are no fees required at any time. No ads. No pop ups. No manufacturer endorsements. No kidding.

Website: http://www.visionaryphotographers.com/

How to Take Artistic Photographs... Even If You're 'Creatively Challenged'

By following a few easy steps and tips, even those who feel they have no creativity or talent can develop vision, discover new photographic talent, and learn to see creatively.

Master photographer and teacher Bryan Peterson is the author of four books that have sold over 300,000 copies, including the best selling "Learning to See Creatively." On this week's free 7 Photography Questions podcast with host Dr. Audri Lanford, Peterson explains how to learn to see creatively – even for photographers not born with an abundance of creative ability.

"Photographers can really grow in their creativity. I really can't stress that enough because I've seen it happen amongst my students," explains Peterson, who is the winner of many awards including the prestigious New York Art Directors Gold Award. "In a matter of a few sessions they too can be just as creative as someone born with special artistic talent," Peterson continues.
In this interview, Peterson reveals how to:

• Discover secret techniques for more creative compositions.

• Learn to understand the special language of each lens– and how to use it – to take artistic photographs.

* Get "unstuck" and come up with more intriguing and creative shots.

* Find out the biggest mistake people make when learning to see creatively.

* Use simple psychological personality analysis to improve photographs.

* Do special exercises to see creatively as a photographer.

Towards the end of the interview, Peterson tells the stories behind several of his exceptional photographs and describes their unique compositions. Click here to find the current podcast called "Learning to See Creatively -- An Interview with Bryan Peterson".

liveBooks Empowers World-Renowned Photographers to Expand Their Businesses, Gain Exposure

liveBooks, Inc. (www.livebooks.com), the leading provider of customized portfolio websites and marketing software for professional photographers, has launched three new liveBooks-powered websites for professional photographers Ally Godfrey, Jay Maidment and Jerry Uelsmann.

Godfrey represents award-winning photographers specializing in an array of styles from fashion and food to lifestyle and conceptual photographic illustration. Her new website, showcased at www.allygodfreyreps.com boasts a colorful sampling of images from photographers under Godfrey's representation. Godfrey chose liveBooks because of the ability to easily upload and manage images on her own and add photographers to her website, while also maintaining a professional, user-friendly site.

Jay Maidment, a British movie stills specialist, launched his liveBooks site at http://www.jaymaidment.com to give his clients a more engaging experience and create a stronger platform for the presentation of his work. From movie stills seen in "Casino Royale" and "Doomsday" to film premiere posters of "Flyboys" and "Beyond the Sea," Maidment has garnered greater exposure by giving website visitors a world-class experience.

As a widely recognized fine art photographer, Uelsmann saw the need to have an intelligently designed website that would allow him to easily upload images to share with the photo community. His new site, www.uelsmann.com, gave Uelsmann the platform he needed to showcase his award-winning images.

"Photographers depend on liveBooks to drive their business to the next level," said Andy Patrick, president and CEO of liveBooks. "We're honored that such highly regarded photographers have chosen to partner with liveBooks and look forward to watching their businesses reach new heights."

Capturing the startling beauty of fall colors is easy once you separate fact from fiction

Fall is in the air, and those magnificent fall colors can be yours as soon as you learn a few expert tips - and free yourself from a longstanding fall photography falsehood. Get your facts straight and your camera ready, because the favorite time of the year for colorful outdoor photography is here.

On this week's free 7 Photography Questions podcast with host Dr. Audri Lanford, master photographer Jim Zuckerman answers 7 of the biggest questions about photographing fall colors.

Jim Zuckerman, the author of 12 photography books and hundreds of articles including work published by National Geographic and Time-Life Books, explains that the biggest myth about fall photography is "shooting during the middle of the day when the sun is out. Everybody loves the brilliant colors -- the red, the orange, and the yellow maple leaves and oak leaves. People think that you need bright sunlight to show it. In fact, you want to avoid direct sunlight. It sets up too much contrast."

Zuckerman offers many tips, techniques and secrets, including:

A surprising weather condition that most people avoid yet can create stunning photographs of fall colors.

The top places to go when photographing in autumn, and the optimum time of day to shoot.

The best lenses, gear, and equipment for photographs of vibrant fall colors.

Tips for dealing with windy conditions and protecting your gear in bad weather.

Exercises that will help you improve your fall color photography composition and skills.

Towards the end of the interview, Zuckerman also tells the story behind some of his own autumn photographs and explains how you, too, can take excellent photographs of brilliant fall colors. Simply click here to find this interview, called "Photographing Fall Colors - An Interview with Jim Zuckerman".

Reflex Stock Launches Exciting New Editorial Image Collections

Reflex Stock, the leading independent supplier of royalty free stock photography, images and illustrations has launched a new collection of rights managed editorial images.

Included in the new collections is Heritage Images, an image collection distilled from the vast image resources of the British Library, Guildhall and the British Museum. Most of the images are available commercially for the first time.

Dwyer O'Neill, Chief Executive, Reflex Stock said: "In December last year we provided the main component of a composite image for the cover of Time Magazine (December 17th) which was a huge vote of confidence in our content."

"As a result, we have increased our focus in this area and have spent the last ten months putting together this unique and extensive mix of images that offers an attractive and diverse range of content for our editorial customers.

We're looking forward to providing the same quality imagery and first class service to the editorial market as we do for the creative sector. Our new images coupled with our high end picture researching will ensure we make a big impression in editorial and we intend to add significantly to the collections in the coming year."

Reflex Stock also provides attractive features for editorial clients including an editorial price calculator and an easy image delivery system tailored to their needs.

The company has recruited an editorial account management team to represent the business to publishers throughout Europe and the USA.

Reflex Stock Limited was founded in 2006 and now represents over 140 image collections consisting of around 12 million images online in various territories. Website: http://www.reflexstock.com/

SplutterFish Offers over $7,500 in Prizes for a New Brazil Scene Contest

SplutterFish, creators of the award-winning Brazil Rendering System, announces they are working with a new rendering technology, and are offering cash prizes in exchange for help from the 3ds Max community. Brazil r/s is already one of the most advanced renderers available, and SplutterFish is developing the next generation of the product - a bold technological leap that will transform the creative workflow of visual effects artists, industrial designers and architects worldwide.

To support this effort, SplutterFish is challenging artists and designers to create scenes which help test the development of this new system. A total of $7,500 in prize money will be awarded to the best submissions across a variety of categories.

"Our Brazil customers include some of the most successful, talented artists and designers in the world," says Scott Kirvan, CEO of SplutterFish. "Their creativity and passion is what drives us to make Brazil the most advanced rendering software available, and we’re confident their participation in this contest will help us push Brazil with this exciting new level of rendering technology."

The contest is open to any 3ds Max user – industry professionals, enthusiasts and students. No Brazil purchase is necessary – you can use the Brazil Rio edition, a fully functional, non-expiring, free version of the Brazil rendering system software.

Everyone can download the free Brazil Rio edition at http://www.splutterfish.com/, risk-free.

Contest Details

1 Grand Prize Winner: $2,500
5 Runners Up: $1,000 each
100 other prizes, such as Brazil product discounts and other merchandise.

Contest ends on October 15th, with prizes being awarded now, to early entrants.

No purchase is necessary to participate.

New Line of Lenses for Creative Photography

Lensbaby, LLC (formerly known as Lensbabies, LLC) is launching today an entire new system of selective focus lenses at the Photokina tradeshow in Cologne, Germany.

Three new Lensbaby lenses - The Composer™, The Muse™ and The Control Freak™, - make up the new line of products. Each features the Lensbaby Optic Swap system. The new Muse and the new Control Freak replace the current Original, Lensbaby 2.0, and Lensbaby 3G lenses, which are being phased out. With the Composer, Lensbaby introduces a completely new lens, based on a ball and socket configuration that delivers smooth selective focus photography with unparalleled ease of use.

All Lensbaby lenses provide photographers with a new way to control depth of field by bringing one area of a photo into sharpest focus with that Sweet Spot surrounded by graduated blur. By bending the Lensbaby lens, the photographer moves the sharp area around the photo for customized creative effects.

The new Composer retains its position after being bent and is easy to use even with one hand. Photographers do not squeeze the lens to focus, but simply tilt the lens to a desired angle and then focus with a barrel focusing ring. The Composer stays in the desired bent position without requiring a locking mechanism and features the new Lensbaby Optic Swap System. The Composer’s barrel focusing ring has a unique design that dampens the optic’s movement (requiring greater rotation to move the optic in and out) as you approach infinity, making it easier to focus on subjects from 10 feet to infinity.

All three lenses - the Composer, Muse, and Control Freak - feature the Lensbaby Optic Swap System and ship with one optic installed. Additional optics are available as optional accessories. When a photographer wants to change the optic in their Lensbaby, they simply pop the optic out and drop in a different optic using an Optic Swap Tool supplied with the new optic. Each optic has different features and image qualities, allowing photographers to choose the look that fits their creative style. All the optics feature magnetically levitating interchangeable aperture disks, allowing aperture settings from f/2 to f/22.

The Lensbaby Optic Swap System will include four interchangeable optic options: Double Glass (multi-coated doublet, 50mm), Single Glass (uncoated, 50mm), Plastic (50mm) and Pinhole/Zone plate (f/177 aperture hole for pinhole photography and f/19 Zone plate opening).

The Single Glass, Plastic, and Pinhole/Zone plate optics will be sold individually as well as in an Optic Kit to retail for $94.95.

The new Composer – with Double Glass installed, will be available for $270; the Muse is priced at $150 with the Double Glass optic installed; $100 with the Plastic optic installed; and the Control Freak is priced at $270 with the Double Glass optic Installed.

Website: http://www.lensbaby.com/

How to Create Exciting Photographs and Effects with Cutting Edge HDR Photography

Now you can take great photographs despite challenging light conditions, or learn to create astonishing and artistic high quality visual effects. What photographers used to think was virtually impossible just got a whole lot easier with High Dynamic Range or HDR photography.

In this week's free 7 Photography Questions podcast with host Dr. Audri Lanford, master photographer Tony Sweet, the author of four books and hundreds of articles, answers 7 of the biggest questions about HDR photography - which is one of the most exciting new areas of digital photography.

"With HDR photography," explains Sweet, "the photographer can emphasize shadows or tone them down, because HDR provides complete control over the entire dynamic range of the image. The important thing is to get familiar with what HDR software can do and learn how to expose images so you get all the highlights and all the shadows. Once you get those two things nailed down, you're on your way."

Sweet gives easy to understand answers to the most asked HDR photography questions:

* The biggest secret photographers need to know to get the best HDR images.

* How many different exposures to take for optimum results.

* The preferred format for shooting HDR and the best HDR software to use.

* Which types of cameras, lenses, and accessories to use for HDR.

* How to choose the ideal subjects for shooting HDR images.

* Exercises listeners can do to improve their HDR photography skills.

Towards the end of the interview, Sweet shares his own HDR photographs and explains how he got their various unique looks and amazing effects. To find the current interview called "HDR Photography - An Interview with Tony Sweet" go here: [ website ]

Sony World Photography Awards 2009

The Sony World Photography Awards welcome submissions from every corner of the world. Last year -- the first year of the awards -- over 70,000 entries were received from 178 countries. For both professional and amateur photographers, the categories cover a broad range of subjects from photojournalism to sport, architecture to fashion, offering an all-encompassing competition for the photographic world.

Now, in just their second year, the awards have grown to become much more than an awards programme. It is a mix of festival events, exhibitions, award schemes and student programmes throughout the year. In April 2009 the WPA will host Festival @ The Sony World Photography Awards, a week-long celebration of photography at the Palais des Festival in Cannes attended by some of the most influential names in the photography industry from around the world. The highlight of the week is the awards ceremony gala dinner when the winners in all the categories will be honoured and the Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year will be announced.

In addition to the 12 categories for professional photographers and the nine categories for amateurs, the Sony World Photography Awards are delighted to announce the partnership with

The Prince's Rainforests for the PRP Awards which complements this year's theme of the environment. Professional photographers will be submitting their portfolios in the hope of being selected for a fully-funded project to document the rainforest regions of the world. Amateur photographers will also be invited to submit their images for a global awareness campaign, using photography to educate and inform.

Through its many initiatives, the Sony World Photography Awards aim to unite the international photographic community.

The awards are judged by the World Photographic Academy which today comprises close to 100 of the world's leading photographers including Elliott Erwitt, Mary-Ellen Mark, Susan Meiselas, Bruce Davidson and Tom Stoddart; gallery owners; picture agencies; international Guilds; picture editors; critics and publishers. Their role is to promote excellence in photography and set the standard for award selections.

The WPA website -- www.worldphotographyawards.org -- now features an online magazine and gallery. It also includes comprehensive information about the awards, the categories, a current list of World Photographic Academy members, and key dates.

How to Take Great Portraits and Fall Foliage Photos

Bogen Imaging, a leading distributor of top quality photographic support products and accessories in North America, is proud to announce a free webinar titled "Learn How to Take Stunning Photos of Fall Foliage and Amazing Portraits." The course, to be held from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, October 7, will provide photographers with useful insight on how to maximize autumn's natural colors and lighting to produce stunning images of fall foliage and portraits.

Gitzo and Manfrotto product managers, David Fisher and Will Holowka, will guide participants through unique ways on how to capture spectacular outdoor images this fall. A great learning experience for any photographer, this course will provide tips and techniques, including how to leverage the use of a flash when shooting outdoors and how to incorporate the changing colors of the season in an image.

Topics for discussion include:

- Changing perspectives to capture changing colors
- Flash tips for outdoor fill
- Taking advantage of the "golden" hours
- Posing and positioning your subjects

Participants will have access to a number of exclusive advantages, including one-on-one interaction with the speakers, and will be automatically entered in a chance to win prizes, including a Manfrotto 190CX Tripod or a Metz Mecablitz 48 AF-1 Digital Flash. Winners must be US residents and will be announced at the end of the webinar, so participants must attend the event in its entirety to be eligible to win. A free recorded version of the webinar will also be available to registered participants within 24 hours of the event.

To register for the free webinar course and for additional information, please visit http://www.bogenimaging.us/Jahia/site/bius/pid/18095

Top 100 Distinguished Women Photographers for 2008

Women In Photography International continues its tradition by establishing a list of the Top 100 Distinguished Women Photographers for 2008. Included on the list are photography's classics, Lillian Bassman, Jodi Cobb, Anne Geddes, Graciela Iturbide, Helen Levitt, Sally Mann and Cindy Sherman.

Starting in 2006, to celebrate WIPI's 25th Anniversary, Women In Photography International (http://www.womeninphotography.org/) began the process of researching and culling the names of working women photographers worldwide for their online resource center. After two years, the finalized list of the top 100 female photographers was completed in August 2008, and serves as the 25th Anniversary Addendum to WIPI's Distinguished Photographer's Award, first presented to Eve Arnold in 1981.

Selecting the top 100 women photographers involved Googling each of the candidates nominated with attention focused on the artist's body of work, history of exhibition, biographies, portfolios, career longevity, publications, and social impact. The selection acknowledges women starting at the earliest stages of their career to working photographers with twenty-five or more years of history.

A variety of resource materials was used to assemble the list, most notably Dr. Naomi Rosenblum's 1994 groundbreaking volume, "A History of Women Photographers," and photo historian Peter E. Palmquist's 2001 list of women photographers, donated to WIPI's online resource center. The Palmquist Collection of Western American and Women's Photography is housed at Yale University's Beinecke Library. Additional support and consultation were provided by photographers, curators, educators, museums, educational foundations, photographic organizations, and gallery owners worldwide.

Women In Photography International's Top 100 Distinguished Women Photographers list honors the accomplishments of dedicated working women photographers around the globe. Each of the nominees, and the selected finalists, have contributed uniquely to the field of the visual arts. Whether self-taught or formally educated, each of these women were selected for their dedication, artistry, and for creating a body of work that has touched our lives.

Penthouse Photographer Says No to Scantily Clad Models, He's Shooting Something Hotter

Minneapolis native Jeffery R. Werner's photographs have appeared in numerous publications such as Penthouse, Playboy and Maxim -- but not for the reasons you might think. Werner's work at times made him hot under the collar, literally! Known for his astounding photographs of stunts, he's had a couple of close calls on shoots, ducking behind a building or diving off a truck to avoid being seared from the blasts of heat coming from the explosions.

Now after three decades of traveling across the nation -- and 60 countries -- in pursuit of stuntmen and daredevils who put themselves in harm's way in every way imaginable -- by motorcycle, gun, hot-air balloon, airplane, car, train, helicopter, boat and even a washing machine, Werner will return home to debut the release of a collection of his best work in a new coffee-table book called "Incredible Stunts: The Chaos, Crashes, and Courage of the World's Wildest Stuntmen and Daredevils with a Special Tribute to Evel Knievel."

"Incredible Stunts" is like "Fear Factor" on steroids. Featuring photographs of stunts deemed too dangerous for television, here's a book that needs a disclaimer and it should read: Warning! Just looking at this book could inspire greatness... and a few broken bones, too.

Some photos were captured with a special Hulcher camera that shoots up to 65 frames-per-second that would have been impossible to catch with a conventional camera. Some sequences were shot with up to 15 remote cameras to catch all aspects of the stunt, taking hours to set up for just a few seconds of film. By request, Werner will also be conducting a limited number of seminars on action photography and relay some of the harrowing stories of the triumphs and tragedies he's managed to capture.

Website: http://www.incrediblestunts.com/

Photographing Children is Child's Play

Photographing children can be a challenge - even for the most seasoned professional photographers - but it doesn't need to be, even if you're only a novice. Taking fabulous photographs of children becomes as easy as pie for those who understand just seven great tricks and techniques. This week, master photographer Vik Orenstein reveals 7 tips, techniques and secrets you definitely want to know about photographing children - but didn't know who to ask - with host Dr. Audri Lanford, on the free 7 Photography Questions podcast.

"The most important thing is to forge your emotional connection with your child," says Orenstein, who has written several books on the subject of photography including Creative Techniques for Photographing Children. "Go with the child's mood because the image will have more emotional integrity."

During this interview, Orenstein reveals:

The single biggest mistake people make when photographing children.

Two simple exercises you can do at home to improve the photographs you take of children.

Several ordinary household objects that are guaranteed to hold a child's attention and help capture those magical photography moments.

A surprising photography tip that involves toilet paper!

How to get softer, prettier skin tones and a better light ratio between the child and the background.

What clothes and colors are best for kids to wear when being photographed.

Towards the end of the interview, Orenstein tells the story behind several of her own photos of babies, kids, and teenagers while explaining the various tricks, techniques, and camera gear she used to take them. This interview is not to be missed! So learn how you can take amazing photographs of children by listening in for free here.

Interviews with top photographers are posted to www.7PhotographyQuestions.com

New Photographic Book, 'One of Us,' by Chris Usher

Today, photojournalist Chris Usher, a member of the White House Press Corps and freelance contributor to TIME, introduces One of Us, a unique book that highlights the results of nearly three years of photographic fieldwork begun the day Hurricane Katrina made landfall on August 29, 2005.

The portraits and interview excerpts contained in the book bear witness to the fear, fatigue, frustration and, ultimately, resilient spirit of those who survived Hurricane Katrina. Through the support of Kodak, Usher will donate 100 percent of the profits from One of Us to the Gulf Coast Fund and the Southern Animal Foundation, relief organizations that continue to provide post-Katrina aid and assistance in the Gulf Coast.

"For the people of the Gulf Coast region, Katrina is just as devastating today as it was in 2005," said Usher. "Katrina was a cataclysmic disaster that forced hundreds of thousands of people to migrate across the country, or stay and suffer with little or no help. Many of those who left haven't returned and those who stayed continue to face unemployment and mortgages on uninhabitable or non-existent homes. This project documents, through survivors' stories, that the situation is still as real and as challenging as it was that very first day."

To fully illustrate the ongoing effect of Hurricane Katrina, Usher revisited the Gulf Coast region six times over three years and traveled across the country for two months in 2006 to find displaced residents. The subjects include families, parents, siblings, children, as well as first responders, volunteers, and the media.

After witnessing the continuing impact, Usher compiled these stories into One of Us. His goal was to generate awareness and a way for people to directly support Gulf Coast re-building efforts. Having already provided film and processing for the project, Kodak responded by enabling the digital on demand printing and an online ordering of One of Us, facilitating the donation of book proceeds in partnership with ColorCentric, a KODAK NEXPRESS Digital Production Color Press customer. ColorCentric is headquartered in Rochester, New York with manufacturing facilities in Rochester, New York, and Reno, Nevada.

"Katrina is a story that still has many chapters left. When you open Chris Usher's book, you realize just how important it is that we all continue to support rebuilding in the Gulf Coast. This book serves as a reminder and mechanism by which people can provide some much-needed support," said Jeff Hayzlett, chief business development officer, Eastman Kodak Company. "We've had a long and productive relationship with Chris and are proud to support this project. His work has touched countless people over the years because of his profound ability to capture images that tell powerful, moving stories. We're honored that we can use Kodak expertise in film and on-demand printing to support Chris and his ground-breaking project."

One of Us can be bought on line at www.chrisusher.com/news and http://www.kodak.com/go/one_of_us for $40.

Learn To Capture Vibrant Results with Fall Color Landscape Photography

If you have ever looked at amazing landscape photography of Yosemite or some other gorgeous place and wondered what the photographer was thinking and how you can take stunning fall photographs like that, there's an important new free resource that has just become available.

William Neill, one of the world's top landscape photographers, reveals some of his most important secrets and techniques and answers seven of the biggest questions about landscape photography with podcast host Dr. Audri Lanford in this week's "7 Photography Questions" podcast interview.

You may have seen William Neill's award-winning landscape photography in such publications as National Geographic, Smithsonian, and Conde Nast Traveler - or exhibited at the Museum of Fine Art Boston and the Ansel Adams Gallery. "I got to spend time with Ansel Adams and learned a tremendous amount," recalls Neill. "For me landscape photography doesn't occur in the camera. It happens in the heart, with a passion for the subject and a reconnection to our own experience of nature."

During this week's free "7 Photography Questions" podcast you'll discover:

* Surprising tips for creating creative photographs of vibrant autumn colors.

* Ideas for capturing the intimate details of large, expansive landscapes.

* The biggest landscape photography mistake made by amateurs.

* Creating a signature look with magical lighting and mysterious moods.

*Special exercises to improve your landscape photography.

Towards the end of the interview, Neill also discusses several favorite photographs from his own personal portfolio and explains the ideas and techniques behind each one. You can find the current podcast called "Landscape Photography - An Interview with William Neill."

Canon Releases EOS 50D Digital SLR Camera

With the demand for digital SLR cameras reaching unprecedented levels, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, is answering the call with the announcement of the next evolution in advanced amateur digital SLR photography, the EOS 50D Digital SLR Camera with 15.1 megapixel resolution and Canon's new DIGIC 4 image processor. Designed to offer extraordinary quality and image control for the advanced photographer with a passion for the art, the Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR camera includes an expanded ISO range, improved noise reduction, and in-camera photo editing features. Canon has loaded the EOS 50D camera with a number of enhancements and some trickle-down technology from Canon's professional Digital SLR cameras, as well as a new Creative Auto Mode (CA) that gives users more creative flexibility to make image setting adjustments conveniently without the need to be a photo expert.


Canon has built upon the success of the popular EOS 40D model -- which will remain in Canon's line -- with the EOS 50D Digital SLR camera. Expected to be the camera body of choice for advanced amateur photographers this holiday season, the Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR camera carries over the EOS 40D's 14-bit Analog-to-Digital conversion process for smooth tones, and also includes enhanced noise reduction, especially at higher ISO ranges which will help bring those romantic nighttime shots into greater focus and clarity. Capable of shooting 6.3 frames per second (fps), the EOS 50D Digital SLR camera is ideal for shooting everything from beautiful night landscapes to fast-action sports.

Improved Image Quality

The EOS 50D Digital SLR camera's 15.1-megapixel CMOS APS-C size image sensor has been improved thanks to the use of newly designed gapless microlenses over each pixel to reduce noise and expand sensitivity up to ISO 12800. The faster processing speed of the camera's DIGIC 4 image processor contributes to the fast 6.3 frame-per-second (fps) continuous shooting capability (for bursts of up to 90 Large/Fine JPEGs or 16 RAW images on a UDMA CF card), to give shooters the tools they need to capture that perfect moment in perfect clarity.

The Canon EOS 50D camera provides ISO speeds from ISO 100 up to ISO 3200 in 1/3-stop increments, along with two high-speed settings -- H1 and H2 -- of ISO 6400 and ISO 12800, respectively. Along with a wide ISO range, Canon gives shooters more tools to help maximize clarity and color. The EOS 50D Digital SLR camera offers multiple levels of noise reduction during high-speed shooting. Users can choose from one of four settings-- Standard/Weak/Strong/None -- to help reduce digital noise that can result from poor lighting conditions.

As part of the camera's internal image processing, the Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR camera conducts peripheral illumination correction, which automatically evens brightness across the image field, making an image of a blue sky even toned throughout, a function previously accomplished through post-processing software on a personal computer. Thanks largely to the DIGIC 4 processor, this automatic adjustment can be made in-camera during shooting with JPEG images or corrected in post-photoshoot processing with RAW images through Canon's Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software, which is supplied at no extra charge.

Helping to ensure each picture's subject is clearly visible, Canon's enhanced Auto Lighting Optimizer analyzes the brightness of subjects and automatically adjusts dark images so that they appear brighter, perfect for subjects in shade or in backlit situations. The Auto Lighting Optimizer on the EOS 50D Digital SLR camera has been updated not only to optimize images while they are being taken, but can also optimize images post-capture, during playback, to help ensure the subject of each image does not appear too dark. This is especially helpful when an amateur photographer uses the camera, because post-capture enhancement can help maximize image quality without the need of a computer.

A significant upgrade to the Canon EOS 50D camera is its large, clear 3.0-inch Clear View LCD screen which features 920,000 dot/VGA resolution, four times the pixel count of the EOS 40D camera's screen, for better clarity and color. To help show off those fantastic shots, the EOS 50D camera includes an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) output to display crisp, clear images on a High-Definition TV. The EOS 50D recognizes the needs of today's photographers, and the faster processing speed of the DIGIC 4 processor helps support UDMA cards for faster writing of image files.

The camera is also equipped with a high-performance viewfinder featuring 0.95x magnification and the same high-performance Autofocus (AF) system as the EOS 40D camera with nine cross-type sensors for accurate target subject acquisition with lenses possessing maximum apertures of f/5.6 or faster and a high-precision diagonal center cross-type AF point that's effective with f/2.8 and faster lenses, helping photographers ensure better focus of their targets. The AF Microadjustment feature, originally introduced last year with the Canon EOS-1D Mark III professional digital SLR camera, has also been added to the EOS 50D for maximum control over focusing precision.

Canon Gets Creative For Advancing Amateurs

Canon is taking steps to give advanced amateurs more flexibility with a new "CA" Creative Full Auto setting on the EOS 50D Digital SLR camera's mode dial. This new setting goes a step beyond Full Auto, by allowing users to make adjustments before shooting while still in an Automatic mode, without needing to know the meaning of technical terms such as aperture, shutter speed, etc. In this mode, the camera menu on the back screen spells out options in common language for average photo enthusiasts, allowing them to "blur the background" or "lighten or darken the image." These easy-to-comprehend image options will help amateur photographers improve the shots they are capable of taking, while helping them learn new techniques. When in the new CA mode, users will be able to adjust flash settings, brighten or darken images, blur the background, set the camera's drive mode, and select a picture style directly on the camera's LCD screen.

Better Live View

For photographers who prefer to frame their shots using the camera's 3.0-inch Clear View LCD screen, Canon has improved the Live View function of the EOS 50D Digital SLR camera to include "Quick Mode AF," "Live Mode AF," and "Face Detection Live Mode AF" that detects up to 35 individual forward-looking faces for better focus and clarity when taking group or portrait shots. The camera's Quick Mode AF setting flips the mirror down and carries out regular phase-detection autofocus, while the Live Mode AF and Face Detection Live Mode AF use the camera's CMOS image sensor for contrast detection autofocus. Two detailed grid displays have also been added to Live View shooting as optional settings for easier composition.

Two Small RAW Formats

In addition to the RAW and JPEG image capture modes that photographers are accustomed to, the EOS 50D Digital SLR camera now offers more manageable resolution settings and file sizes with two sRAW recording formats, sRAW1 and sRAW2. At the sRAW1 setting, resolution is 7.1 megapixels with a file size that is approximately 25 percent smaller than a standard 15.1 megapixel RAW image. With the sRAW2 setting, resolution is 3.8 megapixels at less than half the file size of a standard RAW image, retaining all of the flexibility and creative possibilities associated with full-size, conventional RAW images. The EOS 50D is the first Canon Digital SLR that allows the use of RAW and sRAW settings in Basic Zone as well as Creative Zone shooting modes, even further improving the camera's flexibility.

EOS Integrated Cleaning System

The Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit for the Canon EOS 50D has also been upgraded and now includes a fluorine coating on the low-pass filter for better dust resistance. The Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit uses ultrasonic vibrations to shake dust particles off of the low-pass filter in front of the sensor each time the camera is powered up or shut down. The second part of the system includes a software component where sensor spots are mapped and saved as Dust Delete Data that is attached to the image file for removal during post processing using Canon's DPP software.

Pricing and Availability

The EOS 50D is compatible with the full lineup of Canon EF lenses as well as the Company's ever-growing line of affordable EF-S lenses created specifically for Canon Digital SLRs with APS-C size image sensors. The Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR camera is scheduled for October delivery and will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated selling price of $1,399.00*. It will additionally be offered in a kit version with Canon's EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens at an estimated selling price of $1,599.00*.

New EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

Canon has answered the call from advanced amateur photographers looking for a solid all-around lens with the introduction of the new EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens. With an incredible focal length range equivalent to 29-320mm in the 35mm format, the new EF-S 18-200mm lens will make an excellent addition to any camera bag, and it gives shooters a great lens to capture both standard as well as telephoto images. The new lens features Canon's built in Optical Image Stabilization system which gives the equivalent effect of a shutter speed roughly 4 steps faster, for better image clarity, even in shaky shooting conditions. With a minimum focusing distance of 0.45m/1.5 ft. at all zoom settings, this new lens should prove to be ideal for those situations where swapping lenses isn't an option. An ideal complement to the EOS 50D SLR camera and all other EF-S compatible EOS SLR cameras, the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens is scheduled to be in stores this October at an estimated selling price of $699.00*.

Art of Nature Photography Course

Art of Nature (http://www.artofnature.com/) states that many people are missing out on taking great photographs because they do not understand the manuals that come with their cameras. In order to compensate for that, the company has began offering classes for people who want to understand more about digital and film photography.

The classes are designed to teach people how to find beautiful pictures. Instead of working on the technical aspects of photography, Art of Nature focuses on people using their eyes to find shots that they want immortalized in a picture. The company offers landscape photography courses and workshops in order to help people understand what they need to do in order to take the perfect picture.

Art of Nature states that every person has the talent to take great pictures. They simply need to develop that talent. In order to do that, the company says that it is not necessary to rely on the traditional rules. They claim that people can take pictures just like professional photographers by using their unique composition techniques.

The company says that it can teach students how to take the perfect holiday photos. They point out that this will save people money. Art of Nature says that their holiday photographs will look professionally done, even if they are done by the student.

The company says that students do not need expensive equipment to master the class. They say that unlocking the inner talent of the students is what is important, not the equipment that is used. They encourage people of all levels and with all kinds of equipment to register for a class.

Eileen Marsh, a 75 year old woman who took the class, said, "I have a new camera which I left in its box for many weeks. I was too scared to take it out. I have come to this late in life. I love it. Thank you Erik for opening my eyes."

Another student, Erin Rook, said, "Learning the technology aspect was fantastic but gaining the confidence in your own likes and dislikes was invaluable."

To learn more, visit http://www.artofnature.com/.

Smithsonian Magazine's Sixth Annual Photo Contest Now Open for Submissions

To date, Smithsonian magazine editors have judged a total of 72,000 photographs from more than 90 countries around the globe for their yearly amateur photography contests. With the breadth of experience to determine what sets a Smithsonian winning photo apart from the pack, Smithsonian.com's 6th Annual Photo Contest is now open for submissions at http://photocontest.smithsonianmag.com/v6/. Smithsonian magazine judges post the best of the incoming entries online, in a new, ongoing photo gallery feature called "Picture This" (http://www.smithsonianmag.com/multimedia/picture-this/ ).

"When we see the entrants' skill, passion and vision come together in an image that truly captures a moment, we know we have a winner," said Smithsonian magazine Editor Carey Winfrey. "The new 'Picture This' feature lets us showcase, on a rolling basis, the sheer volume and astounding diversity of photos we receive with top-prize potential."

Contestants can enter photographs in five categories: The Natural World, Americana, Altered Images, Travel and People that represent subjects of special interest to the magazine. Fifty finalists will be selected, ten for each of the five categories. Smithsonian magazine will notify the 50 finalists by February 28, 2009. From these 50 finalists, five category winners and a grand prize winner will be selected. The entries of all finalists will be published on the magazine's Web site on March 2, 2009. At that time, readers can vote online for one readers' choice winner. The winning entries will be published in the print edition of Smithsonian magazine during summer 2009.

World's Richest On-Line Photographic Competition

The International Aperture Awards on-line photography competition is open to ALL professional and aspiring photographers, photographic students and anyone with a hidden gift for capturing a winning photograph. Enter up to four images from the following categories for your chance to win - People and Portrait; Sport; Landscape; Science and Nature; Commercial/Advertising; Abstract/Illustrative; Photojournalism/Press.

Peter Eastway, the editor of Australia's Better Photography magazine and himself an international award winning photographer, believes the International Aperture Awards have an amazing potential to bring together the very best photography from all corners of the globe and showcase it to an international audience.

In addition, there will be a People's Choice Award so everyone can become involved, photographers and viewers alike. The Entry voted the People's Choice will receive USD$10,000 and four (4) Voters in the People's Choice Award, selected at random, will each receive USD$1,000.

A team of a 100 international industry professionals will judge the photos. Along with an overall winner, the top five entries from each category will be selected and the following prizes awarded: USD$6,000 (1st prize), USD$3,000 (2nd prize), USD$1,000 (3rd prize), USD$500 (4th Prize), USD$250 (5th Prize). And for the photographers just outside the winners circle, there are internationally recognized Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze merit awards to be earned for high scoring images.

If you think you have what it takes to capture a winning photograph, get your entries in on-line at www.internationalapertureawards.com from September 1st till October 29th 2008. The entry fee is USD$250 throughout September (the early bird special) and then rises to USD$290 during October.

Polaroid will be a major sponsor of The International Aperture Awards in 2008. You're only a few clicks away from sharing in photography's ultimate prize!

Website: http://www.internationalapertureawards.com/