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.