Monthly archives: November 2011

November 25, 2011

View Animals in Their Natural Environments using the Instant Wild App

The Instant Wild app allows you to view animals in their natural habitats by sending your photographs taken from camera traps. The app, created by the Zoological Society of London, features 50 camera traps from around the world. Part of the aim of this app is to allow users to help identify the animals in the photographs, as opposed to someone having to sift through thousands of photographs on their own. It’s currently free to download, so try it out while you can.

November 25, 2011

Fujifilm X-S1

Fujifilm recently announced the X-S1, which looks like a DSLR, but functions like a compact camera. It features a 12 MP sensor and boasts and incredible 26x zoom (equivalent to 24-624mm). Since the camera has a very long range (from macro to zoom), it’s partially geared towards photographers who would rather not carry around multiple lenses.

November 24, 2011

Artistic Challenge: Upside Down

Every month, we will have two special contests: one addressing the technical aspects of photography, the other, the artistic aspects. Each contest is open for two weeks, allowing our users to discuss them in detail before entering.

This month’s artistic topic: Upside Down

November 24, 2011

Underwater Icicle of Death Filmed for the First Time

BBC captured this incredible footage of a underwater icicle forming. The salty water, which has a temperature lower than zero degrees, causes the water around it to freeze. The result is an icicle that makes it’s way to the bottom of the sea and leaves a frozen path of destruction. Poor starfish never saw it coming!

November 24, 2011

Adobe Black Friday Deals

From now until November 29th, 2011, you can get Adobe software at discounted prices. The list of software includes Photoshop CS5 (30% off), Photoshop CS5 Extended (30% off), Lightroom 3 ($100 off) & Elements 10 (50%).

November 24, 2011

Henry's Gift Certificate Giveaway - Nov 26th

If you live in Canada, then this might interest you. This Saturday, November 26th, Henry’s will be giving away 50 gift certificates at every location. Gift Certificates will be given on a first come, first served basis and range in value from $10 to 500. They must be used on the same day.

November 24, 2011

Have Your 2012 Wedding Filmed and Photographed for Free

StillMotion is giving away a “photo and cinema” prize of $15,000. While I still don’t fully understand the rules, I believe they are asking couples to share their stories about how they met, their relationship, and their ideal wedding. One winner will be chosen, at which point, they will essentially have their 2012 wedding filmed and photographed by 4 professionals. More details below.

November 23, 2011

New Guinness Record For Largest 3D Street Art

Reebok teamed up with two artists to create the world’s largest 3D street art, certified by Guinness World Records. I’m always amazed at how good they are at bringing these scenes to life. I’m still not sure if they draw perspective lines to begin with, use a projection, or if they are continually looking and adjusting from the perspective of the camera.

November 23, 2011

Xerox Aesthetic Quality Image Search

Xerox is currently working on software that is able to determine if a photograph has good or bad aesthetic quality. This is obviously a difficult task considering the plethora of topics, as well as having to determine what makes a photograph aesthetically pleasing. Of course there will be photographs marked as bad that you may think look good, or vice versa, but I still think it is a challenge worth pursuing.

November 23, 2011

Pinterest is an online “pinboard” that allows you to gather all the interesting things you find from all over the internet. You can organize pages by topics and other users are able to “repin” anything you post. The website has had incredible growth since June, going from 20 million pageviews to 421 million in October. We had a look at the photography pinboard, and there is lots of interesting content. They are still in Beta phase however, so you will need an invitation in order to create an account.

November 23, 2011

One Year of American Photo Magazine for Only $5

Until December 3rd, you can get 1 full year of American Photo for only $5 (six issues). Please note that their is an auto renewal at regular price after the first year, but you have the ability to cancel at any time.

November 23, 2011

iPhone4s Is Now the 2nd Most Popular Cameraphone on Flickr

Well that didn’t take long. The iPhone 4s is already the 2nd most popular cameraphone on Flickr. I guess I shouldn’t be that surprised since they are selling like hot cakes and this version has improved camera features.

November 22, 2011

Aaron Hobson's "Cinemascapes" Are Edited Google Maps Images

Why spend countless hours travelling when you can do so from the comfort of your own home? Aaron Hobson adapted a different approach to his artwork, by finding interesting Google map images, and editing them as would a professional photographer. What do you think of the results?

November 22, 2011

Leaving a Disposable Camera in the Park

Katie O’beirne started a neat project where she left disposable cameras in New York City parks, and left a note asking strangers to take photographs of themselves. She has had a lot of positive feedback and therefore she started a Kickstarter campaign to allow her to continue her work. While she has already hit her fundraising goal, she is now focused on sending the cameras all over the world, as well as putting together her own art show. Pledges start as low as $1 if you are interested in supporting her.

November 22, 2011

The Air Clicker Two Finger Concept Camera

The Air Clicker is a concept camera by Yeon Su Kim. He has come up with the most simplified version of a camera possible. The lens is contained on a loop on your thumb while the shutter release is activated when you pose your hand as if you were taking a photograph.

November 22, 2011

The iPhone Lens Dial

If you’re the type who’s always taking photos with your camera phone, then you might be interested in the iPhone Lens Dial. The case has 3 lenses to rotate into position, allowing for quick lens changes. The three lenses are a Wide Angle, a Telephoto and a Fisheye. It’s quite pricey at $249, but if that’s what you want to spend your hard earned money on, then good on ya.

November 22, 2011

Vivitar's New 3D Camera is Only $99

If you are interested in making 3D movies, there is no need to shell out a lot of money. Vivitar’s new DVR 790HD is apparently only going to cost $99 in the United States. Not bad for a 5.1 megapixel video camera.

November 21, 2011

10 Reasons Why You Should Join the 500px Community

In case you have been living under a rock, of if you are on the fence about starting up a portfolio on 500px, here are 10 good reasons why I think you should. Please note I have no affiliation with 500px, I am simply a happy member.

November 21, 2011

Cameras That are Sweet Enough To Eat

While it’s a little too late to add this to our list of gifts for photographers, I still think this camera cookie cutter is pretty sweet (pun intended). Cut out the cameras using your favourite cookie recipe, add tasty icing and voila, you have miniature camera sweets. $17.95 gets you 3 camera cookie cutters, one SLR shape, one TLR shape, and one Rangefinder shape.