Kodak Launches Sweepstakes to Award Photographers with Nature Photography Experience

Eastman Kodak Company has launched a sweepstakes that will award ten exclusive Nature Photography experiences to participants who buy KODAK PROFESSIONAL EKTAR 100 (EKTAR 100) Film. Each winner can bring up to three guests to enjoy a package that includes a four-night stay at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. In addition, each winner will enjoy unique behind the scenes access to Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park and the Nature Conservancy's Disney Wilderness Preserve, and workshops with award-winning professional nature photographer Eddie Soloway.

"Kodak is excited to award nature photography experiences that are truly one of a kind," said Shona Mead, marketing director, Worldwide Film Capture Film, Photofinishing & Entertainment Group, Eastman Kodak Company. "For the commercial photographers and advanced amateurs who love EKTAR 100 Film's ability to capture stunning levels of detail in exceptionally vivid color, our Exclusive Nature Photography Experience is an incredible opportunity to put EKTAR 100 Film through its paces in a highly photogenic setting. We're thrilled to offer exclusive workshops with renowned professional photographer Eddie Soloway as part of this special experience."

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is a deluxe African Lodge-style resort set in a 33-acre wildlife preserve, featuring over 30 species of wildlife that roam amid three lush, tropical savannas. In addition to their stay at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, behind the scenes access to African wildlife, and photography workshops, winners will take part in an early-morning safari with Disney wildlife photographers, receive workshop guidance from Eddie Soloway and meet well-known Florida nature photographer Clyde Butcher. The package also includes round-trip domestic US flights for 4, airport transfers between the Orlando International Airport and the Walt Disney World Resort, a gift card valued at $200 and a supply of KODAK Film.

Anyone who purchases three rolls of 35mm or a 5-pack of 120 format KODAK PROFESSIONAL EKTAR 100 Color Film between February 17, 2009 and July 31, 2009 and mails in a proof of purchase will receive a $5 rebate and automatically be entered for a chance to win*. For more information and full terms & conditions of the sweepstakes, please visit www.kodak.com/go/ektarexperience.

Snapact PhotoTips Newsletter Program

The Snapact PhotoTips Newsletter program is designed to offer information to photo enthusiasts that will include tips on how to use some of the features of digital cameras, better understand photography terminology, inform our readers on photo industry and social networking related news, and offer tips on how to use some of the features in the Snapact Photo Manager.

By contributing to PhotoTips, Snapact users can showcase their photography knowledge and skills, while further expanding their Snapact Online Community network. Although Snapact PhotoTips will be primarily providing information to our readers, it will also serve as a channel for Snapact users to request information regarding a PhotoTip that they would like to read and learn more about in future newsletters.

To join the Snapact PhotoTips Newsletter program, visit http://www.tecagora.com/.

To download your copy of the Snapact Photo Manager and register for your free Snapact online account, visit http://www.snapact.com/

Vertical Magazine Launches of Photo Contest - $500 Cash Prize

MHM Publishing, publisher of Vertical Magazine and Vertical 911 Magazine, has launched the 2009 Vertical Photo Contest.

From March 15 to October 1, readers of Vertical and Vertical 911 are encouraged to submit their personal photos in any of three categories: Helicopters in Action, People and Helicopters, and Helicopters in the Field. The contest is open to any photographer -- amateur or professional -- who is at least 18 years of age.

"For the first time, readers of Vertical and Vertical 911 have the opportunity to take part in a Vertical photo contest," said Vertical's editor-in-chief, Mike Reyno. "We're looking for readers' photos that convey the essence of helicopter life. This competition is open to readers around the world — and is not only open to the civil helicopter sector, but to the military sector, too."

One grand-prize winner will receive a US$1,000 cash award and have his or her winning photograph published on the cover of the December-January issue of Vertical, in addition to receiving a two-year subscription to Vertical and Vertical 911 and a Vertical-branded jacket.

Three first-place winners -- one in each of the three categories -- will win a $500 cash award. Three second-place winners will receive a $250 cash award, and three third-place winners will receive a $100 cash award. Each winner will have their winning photo featured within the December-January issue of Vertical and will also receive a two-year subscription to Vertical and Vertical 911 and a Vertical-branded jacket.

Although there is no limit to the number of photos that can be entered, only original digital photos taken by the entrant will be considered. The entry fee is $25 for submission of up to five photos, plus an additional $5 for each subsequent photo.

Complete entry rules will be published at www.verticalmag.com/photocontest on or before March 15. Images must be high-resolution digital files, and may be uploaded through the Photo Contest web page, or mailed to the Vertical office on a CD or DVD. Images will not be accepted by email. All winners will be notified by November 1, 2009.

Find Photography Tutorials and News at MyShots.com

www.myshots.com is an attractive and easy to use online photo community website which has a number of features that are fantastic for Photographers and those who are interested in photography. It is free to join and members can upload their images onto the site to share with friends, family, clients or other members.

The key differences between Myshots.com and other similar websites is that many of the subscribers are photographers and share a strong talent and passion for the art.

On Myshots.com also offers tutorials and news sections, which keeps up to date with current issues and new releases in the photography world. The forum section is a way for subscribers, professional and amateur to link up and communicate - here, questions, ideas, and thoughts can be shared with like minded people.

Members can also 'collect' photographs taken by other photographers, to keep as inspiration. Each image can have a description added to it, as well as keywords and so that photographers have control over the copyright of their work, they can add their own restrictions of usage. Registered users can also rate the photograph; therefore it's a way to get feedback and critique from other professionals.

Each subscriber gets their own home page which has their images in thumbnail form and personal details (as detailed or basic as they like). There is a personal blog area for members to document their photographic pursuits - it's a great way to get to know your peers.

Got Lights On Bikes Flickr Photo Contest

OK, we all know how to ride a bike, use bike lights and work a camera. Here's your chance to take all three, do something creative and win free gear and maybe even a new singlespeed bike. All you have to do is enter.

Starting today, Princeton Tec's "Got Lights On Bikes" photo contest (http://www.princetontec.com/) gives you -the amateur bike-loving photog - the opportunity to put your skills to work. The catch: send us your best digital shots of anything involving lights on bikes. On the pavement, in traffic, on the trail, near the creek, outside the bagel shop, on the train, in the rain, near the beach ... it doesn't matter, you choose the medium - just make sure there are lights on the rig!

Finger twitching on the shutter button already?

There will be five categories that will be judged by the best manufacturers, riders, bike light fanatics and dirt bag peeps in the bike biz.

The categories are: Best Overall Lights On Bikes, Best Action, Best Lifestyle, Most Dramatic and Most Creative. The top three photogs will be chosen from each category and rewarded with killer gear from Crumpler, Ergon, Swobo, Princeton Tec and Urban Velo. The lensperson with the Best Overall image will take home a new Lager singlespeed bike from SE Bikes.

To get in, you need a Flickr account. If you don't have one, setting one up takes less time than putting on your underwear.

Upload your pics, drop them in our Group Pool at our Flickr page "Princeton Tec: Got Lights On Bikes Photo Contest," and write a brief description of your shot(s). Each image must be accompanied by photogs email address and the category you want your photo to be entered. Enter as many photos in the contest as you'd like and in as many categories as you'd like.

The contest runs through April 12 and winners will be contacted via email.

So get shootin!!

New Nikon DTOWN Weekly Show Featuring Photographer Scott Kelby

Today, Scott Kelby, bestselling author, acclaimed photographer and leading Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) expert, launched the first Nikon DTOWN weekly show, featuring the coolest camera tips, photography techniques, accessories and news for Nikon's digital SLR cameras.

Nikon DTOWN, which can be viewed at http://www.nikondtown.com/ each Thursday and runs 10-12 minutes, is sponsored by Nikon(R) and produced by Kelby Training. With Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski, education and curriculum developer for the National Association of Photoshop Professionals as its hosts, Nikon DTOWN is a fresh approach to teaching camera tips and photographic techniques to today's digital photographers. No matter what skill level or interest, each episode covers a wide range of topics.

"My buddy Matt Kloskowski and I tried to create a show we'd want to watch ourselves, something we wouldn't want to miss every week. Today's Nikon cameras are so powerful with so many features that there are so many cool things you can do with them - we wanted to cover it all, plus offer tips and photography techniques Nikon D-Series owners can really use," said Scott Kelby.

Using Facebook Increases Photography Business

A portrait artist from South Dakota harnessed the world's most powerful social networking tool and watched his business boom.

In search of new high school clients, Rod Evans ditched traditional direct mail for Facebook. The result: 70 new sessions and $100,000 in extra sales. He posted photographs of high school seniors to online photo albums and added students as "friends." His popularity on Facebook grew rapidly, eclipsing 1,000 friends within 6 weeks, creating buzz in local high schools. Evans had gone viral.

Now Evans shares his teen marketing strategies in a new video tutorial for photographers. It teaches portrait artists how to create targeted advertising, harness the viral power of Facebook to reach new audiences, and create a business presence. Rod guides new Facebook users through setting up their profile, group and business pages. He talks at length about his strategy, which includes effective Facebook etiquette. The 54-minute tutorial concludes with an overview of how Rod incorporates Facebook in his overall marketing strategy.

The video has received rave reviews in its first month of release from photographers who have already reaped the benefits of Evans' marketing strategy. The tutorial is available for immediate download at http://www.evanscreativetraining.com/ [Evans Creative Training].