News

Fujifilm brings the Instax 200 camera to America

http://www.fujifilmusa.com/press/news/display_news?newsID=879723

Polaroid files for Bankruptcy protection
http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2008/12/15/daily49.html

Pentax K2000 brings the color (if you consider Black and White Colors)

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13580_3-10124531-39.html

Windows Live Photo becomes real competitor

http://photos.live.com
Flickr Pro no longer free for AT&T and Verizon broadband users
http://flickr.com/help/account/#452229

Topic
Cleaning your camera

Tip of the Week

Can the “Cheese” – The first thing we teach children, is to smile in a corny way that we come to regret later.  So, stop the “cheese”  Let them be themselves.  Or, tell them a silly joke or something to elicit a real response (if you have to draw it out at all), just don’t tell them to say “cheese”

Site of the Week

Teeny Tile – http://www.teenytile.com

News

No news seemed to come forth this week as everybody is in full Xmas promtion mode.

Topics

Eye-Fi Card – Elizabeth gives her first impressions working with the Eye-Fi card

Beware of scams – If a dealer shows prices dramatically cheaper than everybody else, don’t think you got a deal, ask yourself why this one obscure dealer can offer prices that the biggest and best can’t.

Tip of the Week

Pick a spot for an annual “marker.”  Yes, there are plenty of pictures that you take annually, Xmas pictures, school pictures etc.  But nothing really marks the passing of time, and to “witness” growing up in slow motion, than a series of pictures in the same location and setting.  Standing next to a tree, or sitting in a specific chair, or against a certain doorway.  The visual cues around your child will make it all the more obvious the growing up each year and at each stage.

Site of the Week

Photoassignment.net – http://www.photoassignment.net/

News

Creative releases Vado HD
http://www.gearlog.com/2008/12/hands-on_creative_vado_hd.php

Sony sheds jobs and plans to increase prices

Canon Rebate Checks Go Bounce
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=StandardDisplayAct&fcategoryid=2587&keycode=important_rebate_info

PMA guesswork is already starting
http://www.1001noisycameras.com/2008/12/pma-2009-rumors-speculation-predictions.html

Flickr Updates Mobile Site
http://www.mobileburn.com/news.jsp?Id=5848

Polaroid film stops production this month

Topic

Filters

Buying used equipment. Buying from places like B&H, Adoroama, Midwest Photo Exchange or KEH versus eBay and/or Craigslist.

Tip of the Week

Shoot present unwrapping in burst mode, to capture expressions as present is opened.  Don’t try to catch it all in a single shot and risk missing, shoot it all.

If using a flash, consider (if you are using an external flash) to set the power lower, and if possible bounce the light rather than shooting dead on.  The lower power will allow more of your burst shots to have flash, and the bouncing keeps you from blowing out your picture.

Site of the Week

Strobist – http://strobist.blogspot.com

If you want to learn something about lighting, this is a excellent place.  Some of their stuff is complicated and over the heads of those that aren’t professionals or “enthusiasts” but they also have plenty of good tips for those of us with less that big budgets as well.

News

Firm creates software that makes you “look better”
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE4AO4MV20081125

Nikon Announces D3X
http://press.nikonusa.com/2008/11/nikon_unveils_a_digital_master.php

Canon says dSLR market may shrink in 2009
http://www.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUSTRE4AO0C220081125

Nextar introduces Photo frame ornaments
http://www.nextar.com/frontend/proddetail.asp?pn=N1-517&co=10000328

Contests

PNY Celebrate the Children Contest – “submit inspirational pictures of your child”
http://stjude.pny.com/

Pictures must be submitted by January 31st, 2009.

Moments of Intimacy, Laughter and Kinship (M.I.L.K. contest)

http://www.freshmilkphotos.com/

Pictures must be submitted by December 31st.

Topics

Geotagging, Macro Photography, dealing with snow

Tip of the week

Snow will often (if not always) trick your camera into underexposing a picture.  If you have exposure compensation on your camera (even many point and shoot cameras now have this feature), set your camera to a +2 EV.

Site of the Week

Photography Bay – http://www.photographybay.com

News

Circuit City “Giving Thanks” Photo Contest

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/genericContent.do?&plckGalleryID=d804b9e1-5ced-4d2f-a972-22831dc414b4&oid=192242&om_keycode=1018644

Runs now through the end of November

IPNStock.com is running a “Go Indie” contest.
http://www.goindiecontest.com/

There are fees involved in this contest however, $15 for Pro and $10 for Amateur entries.

It should be noted for this contest (and it is a good thing to check for all contests that you may enter).  By entering the contest, you give the companies that are sponsoring this contest the right to use your image, whether it wins or not.

Nikon lets go of 1500 workers
http://www.photographyblog.com/index.php/weblog/comments/nikon_sacks_1500_workers/

Made the move to dSLR?  Your not alone
http://www.photographyblog.com/index.php/weblog/comments/dslr_market_grows_by_40/

Consumerist put up for sale
http://www.thestandard.com/news/2008/11/12/briefly-gawker-media-shuts-valleywag-offers-consumerist-sale

Jill-e bags announces “Jack” line
http://www.popphoto.com/photonews/5655/jill-meets-jack-at-jill-e-designs.html

Topics

B & W – Photgraphing in Black and White

Site of the week

Imaging Buffet – http://www.imagingbuffet.com – Andrew Darlow is THE expert on inkjet printing.  This site is the companion to his book 301 Inkjet Printing tips and Techniques.

Tip of the Week

When photographing pets, you don’t have to get their whole body.  Pet shots are often very similar and boring (LOLCatz aside of course).  So how do you get something a little more interesting?  Zoom in.  Don’t be afraid to shoot just head shots, or even shots that cut off part of the face, get different angles but try keeping it tight.  You will find some new looks and experessions you may not have noticed before.

News

Sigma acquired Foveon

http://www.cameratown.com/news/news.cfm?id=6681

Eye-fi introduces 1 year anniversary 4GB edition card.

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/11-12-2008/0004923657&EDATE=

Flip Mino goes HD

http://solution.allthingsd.com/20081111/flip-camcorder-goes-high-def/

Taget offers gift card with built in camera

http://www.target.com/dp/B001I7Y9QK?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_r=0K7SXSJP368QMZBGQFN4&pf_rd_p=451554401&title=view%20full%20details&pf_rd_i=B001I7Y9QK&pf_rd_s=popup-1&pf_rd_m=A1VC38T7YXB528&pf_rd_t=5301

Topics

Winner of the Joby Gorillapod – Kathy Howe of Kazoofus.
Shooting Video – Using your point and shoot vs traditional camcorder vs new single purpose recorders like Flip Mino or Kodak KI-6, Creative Vado

Tip of the Week

Making your own family portrait or photo of the kids… tie the picture together with color and style. Assorted shirt colors, etc give the picture mixed up mashed up look, but get everybody in a similarly colored theme (it DOESN’T have to be exactly the same), and the picture comes together more like a “matching set”

Site of the Week

Digital Picture Frame Reviews – http://www.digitalpictureframereview.com/

News

Circuit City files for bankruptcy

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE4A936V20081110?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=10339

Black Friday Camera Watch List

http://www.1001noisycameras.com/2008/11/black-friday-digital-camera-deals.html 

Aviary now open to all.

http://aviary.com

Topics

Panasonic Lumix LX3 – First reviews are in

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmclx3/

Canon A590 IS

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=183&modelid=16336

• 8 Megapixel resolution
• 4x optical zoom
• Image Stabilization
• Good Picture Quality

Digital Photo Frames

Good and Bad.  Elizabeth has had good experiences with frames by LG Phillips, but my experience with SmartPart’s Frames was less than satisfactory 

Tip of the Week

Get on their level.  Many, Many, Many (dare I say too many) pictures you see of children are shot… down!.  While it is certainly a nice effect sometimes, it is not the most flattering angle for a picture, and can cast shadows.  When taking pictures of small children, try getting down to their level and shooting straight… or even if possible or necessary, bring them UP to your level, on a chair, a counter, table, etc.  

Site of the Week

Scrapblog – http://www.scrapblog.com/ 

Scrapbooking meets blogging.  Display online and/or turn into a print book.

News

Shopping for a camera  Part I.

Nikon P6000 gets reviewed… and disappoints
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews_nikon_coolpix_p6000.php

Site of the Week

Zooomr – http://www.zooomr.com – The best way to think about Zoomr might be, Flickr meets Twitter.  It is a place to share photos as well as stories that go with them.  As well as discover other photographers that you enjoy their work and/or stories.

PhotoPlus Expo New York

Olympus Micro FourThirds

- That nifty little camera that was showed at Photokina was there… under glass.  Nothing new until “early 2009″  Probably at PMA.

Expo Disk

- This is an awesome tool to have if you battle White Balance Issues (use a lot of mixed light).  It may seem a bit expensive, running $70 and up depending on the size you need, but if you value not having to spend time later fixing white balance, it may be worth it.

Joby Gorilla Pod

When you don’t have the time or space, or just can’t use a tri-pod, Joby’s Gorilla Pod just might be the answer.

Plus Site of the Week and Tip of the Week, in this weeks show.

News

Canon announces fall rebates

Reader’s Digest Photo Contest

Halloween is right around the corner, and here is a chance to use that photo I just know you were going to take anyway.  You have until November 2nd to submit your Halloween photos of yourself, a family member or pet for a chance to win $100.

http://www.rd.com/photo/submission.do?plckGalleryID=7e8e5c07-ac9d-4bf2-9264-232708786cc4

PhotoPlus Expo – October 23rd – 25th

Topics