Epson Launches Focal Points, a new addition to its website

Epson America, makers of professional imaging products for photographers worldwide, has announced the launch of "Focal Points," a supplement to the company's official website. The new addition is Epson's way of spotlighting the success stories of leading professionals in the industry of creative photography, and their experiences in pushing their work to a higher level through the use of Epson products.

One of the portfolios currently on display is "Movie Stars: Portraits by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders." When invited to display his images of famous personalities at the Museo Carlo Bilotti in Rome (following exhibitions at the prestigious Metropolitan Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Whitney Museum), Greenfield-Sanders utilized the Epson Stylus Pro(r) 11880 wide-format inkjet printer to produce stunning 56x72 inch prints in both color and black and white. Focal Points tells the story of how this and other exhibitions came to life.

Other featured stories include "Rock and Roll" by Lynn Goldsmith (September/October 2006), who created enormous, high-detail prints for her exhibitions at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; "Just Suppose" by Maggie Taylor and Jerry Uelsmann (CameraArtsCameraArts May/June 2007), who met a challenge to "go bigger" for their joint exhibition at the Harn Museum; and "Empowered by Color" by Pete Turner, legendary colorist and satisfied user of Epson UltraChrome K3™ ink technology for greater transparency in his prints.

From Dan Steinhardt, Professional Imaging, Epson America, Inc:

"Focal Points features content that is both informational and inspirational. The first round of stories, images and videos allow viewers to experience recent exhibitions in some of the most prestigious galleries and museums in Europe and North America that they otherwise may not have had the opportunity to see. The accounts are also a testament to the overwhelming trust leading artists have in Epson Professional Products."

To view the new stories, and watch video interviews with selected photographers, Click here.

Image © Lynn Goldsmith.

New Release from Olympus: The E-520 DSLR

With their claim of an in-body image stabilizer for any lens, Olympus has put their best foot forward announcing the new Olympus E520 DSLR. The new camera boasts advanced Image Stabilization technology such as Supersonic Wave Drive, which provides blur-free images with any one of 30 digital camera lenses, and Autofocus Live View, which brings a sharp image to the LCD by HyperCrystal II. Another feature (to which I am particularly drawn) is Perfect Shot Preview, which enables the photographer to preview and select effects of exposure compensation and white balance adjustment.

From John Knaur, senior marketing manager, DSLR Division, Olympus Imaging America Inc.

"Beyond a successor, the Olympus E-520 features an array of new technologies that help photo hobbyists and serious digital photographers take remarkable images. Its image stabilization system now lets photographers pan while holding the portable camera vertically—perfect for capturing everything from a sprinter breaking from the pack to the bride and groom walking down the aisle."

The Olympus E-520 DSLR becomes available in July 2008, at a retail price of $599.99 USD, or as a bundle offer with the ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens for $699.99. Click here for more information.

Western Digital announces new My Passport Elite Drive

A new mobile media storage device has been introduced by Western Digital, one that is designed to appeal to photographers—the MyPassport Elite Drive. Easy transfer of large files and back-up utilities are indeed essential to today's digital photographer, and the MyPassport brand was designed to meet these needs. The small size (of no more than 5 ounces) should appeal greatly to those with already overstuffed photography bags. MioNet software, a failsafe backup program that will allow photographers to retrieve images lost (while still on the road) also comes included.

Features include automatic backup, a USB power source, MioNet software-enabled remote access, and a massive 250 GB storage space. A capacity gauge is included as well, so the photographer can know, at a glance, how much room for how many pictures is still available. This package is priced at $169.99, while an even-more-whopping 350 GB edition retails for $199.99.

The My Passport Elite is available at WD's online store here.

All Fujifilm Imaging Products to form single point of order

Fujifilm has just announced that it will be incorporating its Wide Format Inkjet unit into its generic imaging division of Fujifilm U.S.A. This move is expected to make it easier for retailers and professional labs to order any kind of product from one source at Fujifilm. The company has also introduced a simplified, streamlined ordering process for all of its 250 products, including inks, papers, and printers.

Wide format printing products have joined the already impressive roster of professional products, including everything from video to printing tools, at Fujifilm. In addition, Consumer products available at Fujifilm USA include still and film digital cameras and printers, while Commercial and Government-oriented supplies include microfilm, semi-conductors, and commercial-quality printing solutions. It seems that everything under the sun in photography is now under one roof.

Fujifilm USA can be accessed via its website here.

CALL FOR ENTRIES: HeliRussia 2008!

HeliRussia 2008, the first Eastern European exposition for the Helicopter Industry, is extending an invitation for professional and amateur photographers to enter an International Photo Contest, "The Beauty of the Rotor Wing Machines." This event follows in the footsteps of the American Heli-Expо, West Europe's Helitech, HeliShow Dubai, and Heli-Asia. The exhibition is intended to promote awarness of the history and industry of Helicopter craft. There is no entry fee. Entries from photographers, publishing companies, Museums, and galleries will be accepted, for a maxiumum entry of five images. Entries are made by email, and finalists will need to submit a CD of images. The juried exhibition will run concurrently with HeliRussia 2008, May 15 to 17, 2008, at the Crocus Expo Exhibition Center in Moscow, Russia.

The deadline is April 15, 2008. Only Photographs, not mixed media or photo collage projects, will be accepted.

From HeliRussia 2008:

"All works must be sent to helicopterphoto@rambler.ru in JPEG format. The description in the email must include name of the photo work, full name of the author, date of birth, home address, phone number, and email."

Results will be available at the HeliRussia website here.

Think Tank Photo brings new concept to bags for photographers

With the release of its new "Skin" Series of modular bags, Think Tank Photo has brought new ideas and inventions into the mix for photographers on the move. New security features include improved protection for photographer's gear and a "Security Plate" System for the identification and tracking of lost bags. Every bag has a unique serial number that can be tracked at Think Tank's website. Features also include a combination zipper lock, a security cable (think bike locks for cameras), and a secure laptop attache for roller bags. Also, the new "Skin" series bags are fully collapsible to maximize space while traveling.

The material forgoes the extra foam padding so often associated with photographer's bags, and is designed with the working photographer in mind. Think Tank's "Lock or Rotate" technology is present here, and all components for cameras, multiple lenses, and SLR flash units can be easily accessed from the Skin Belt, where they can rotate around freely or be locked in position. The Skin Set is intended to work with a minimum of noise, to avoid startling that elusive subject, whether they are cranes waiting above water, or a transient man who has yet to wake up.

Among the new line of Roller Bags, the Airport Airstream has received the most acclaim, having been included in the "Hot One Awards" of 2008 in Professional Photographer magazine. By synthesizing the qualities of a large camera bag with international carry-on size requirements, and including space for a laptop bag to be securely stored inside, Think Tank Photo has combined comfort, security, and ease of use in their new line.

From Doug Murdoch, Think Tank Photo’s founder and lead designer:

“As they are rollers, photographers can move quickly from one flight to the next and without the burden of carrying this weight on their shoulders. The goal is to minimize the wear and tear on their bodies and the fears associated with transporting expensive photographic equipment.”

The Airport Airstream comes at a price tag of $289. The Airport International V2.0 retails for $329. Visit Think Tank's website for more information.

Polaroid and Film part ways

Polaroid Corp. has sealed the deal on its breakup with film photography, and is closing factories in the US, Mexico, and the Netherlands. The Polaroid camera was a familiar sight to anyone growing up in the 20th Century (amazing that such a statement can make a 25-year old blogger feel so old). The last Polaroid instant camera was released in 2006, and production of consumer cameras was halted a year later. Polaroid will be changing its focus to digital photography and flat-screen monitors, and has only manufactured enough film to last through 2009. There is good news, though: Polaroid plans to share its technology with third-party, niche-oriented companies.

From Bloomberg:

"'Last month, Polaroid unveiled a line of Zink printers that can develop wallet-sized photos from digital cameras in 60 seconds. The company plans to roll out larger-format printers in coming years,' (Tom Beaudoin, Chief Operating Officer, Polaroid Corp.) said. 'Polaroid also makes DVD players, TVs and other electronics, which brings in about $1 billion in annual sales,' he said."

The Polaroid 600 series of film is perhaps the most recognized: the thick white border is unmistakable. What are not are the other products mentioned above. Who has seen a Polaroid DVD Player on someone's shelf? It's easy to imagine that anything with the "Polaroid" brand will appeal to white-border fanatics, but there's no doubt that the company has liquidated the film for its most prized and famous product.

The artful possibilities of the Polaroid are universally simple, and manipulating the image can be done by a fourth grader (with the help of an adult to boil the water). With the relegation of this medium into the world of technological relics, it seems that Polaroid will deprive future generations of yet another thing that doesn't need to be plugged in.

Lensbabies Goes to the Movies

Lensbabies, creators of the one-of-a-kind Lensbaby 3G for digital and film cameras, have added to their catalog the PL Mount Lensbaby 3GPL selective focus lens for movie and video cameras. Announced at this year's PhotoPlus Expo, The Lensbaby 3GPL will work on any 16mm or 35mm PL camera. A PL adapter (for the 3GPL or SLR mount adapter (for the regular Lensbaby SLR 3G) is required for all video cameras. The current retail price for the 3GPL is $490.

From the Lensbabies web site:

"Dream sequence, hallucination, drunken reverie, fading memory—the creative possibilities are endless with the Lensbaby 3GPL...like its still camera predecessors, Lensbaby 3GPL allows filmmakers to bring one part of their frame into sharp focus; a ‘sweet spot’ surrounded by gradually increasing blur. You can move the sweet spot of sharp focus anywhere in the photo by bending the lens."

Lensbabies has some glossy film clips available as examples on their site. Many are advertisements for other organizations and services that utilize the Lensbaby in assembling transitional shots. Yet another example of a relatively simple piece of technology opening up new creative possibilities.

Microsoft announces new universal image format

Microsoft has proposed a new image file standard—formerly known as HD Photo format, now called JPEG XR—to the Joint Photographic Expert Group (JPEG). Now awaiting approval, Microsoft has claimed that the new format will capture sensor information with improved fidelity and greater efficiency, so that less pixels are left behind.

From Microsoft’s press announcement:

The ballot deadline for this new project is early October 2007. Finalizing and publishing the completed standard is expected to take up to one year after that. Throughout, Microsoft will be working closely with JPEG to ensure that this new proposed standard serves the needs of the next generation of consumer and professional photographers and delivers the next experience in image display. If approved, Microsoft will offer a royalty free grant for its patents that are required to implement the standard.

This news comes despite ongoing efforts by Adobe to raise support and awareness for its own image format, DNG, which it hopes will replace many proprietary image formats in many different brands of digital cameras. The format originated as a by-product of RAW format, which is sensor data captured in full by a digital camera, unprocessed and unfiltered.

From Underexposed: A blog by Steven Shankland:

Personally, I'd welcome a little competition among powerful companies trying to improve image quality, as long as the world isn't saddled with two competing standards that do the same thing. But although there's definitely some overlap, I suspect the two formats will remain more in separate domains--and not just because Adobe spoke positively about JPEG XR earlier this year, indicating it doesn't feel too threatened by JPEG XR.

In promising better image quality and processing efficency with JPEG-XR, Microsoft seems to have short-term benefits more in mind than Adobe. Adobe's DNG will have to rely on changes in digital camera technology and cooperation from camera-makers to make its presence felt. Only time will tell if Adobe's plan will work out.