FUJIFILM INSTAX – SUPERHERO PHOTO CONTEST (Facebook Users)

Instax image contest shot and posted by Facebook registrants between May 1st- June 30th, 2009 on the Fujifilm Instax Facebook Page. The theme will be “Superheroes”.
Each posting will be required to have the title: “Superhero Instax Contest Entry”.

All judging will happen online through the Facebook “like” feature and all FANS of Fujifilm Instax will be able to vote. Once the finalists are narrowed down to 5 the panel of judges will pick the winner.

Winner will receive one case of Instax Film (A $688.00 value) and have their image posted in Cable Release Newsletter.

No Instax originals will be accepted so please do not send any. All entries must be scanned and posted on Facebook.

Entries limited to 3 per entrant.
Must be shot with Fujifilm Instax 200 Camera.
Must have Superhero Instax Contest Entry as the title.
Must be submitted between May 1st and June 30th 2009.
Judges for the competition will be:

• Daniel Milnor – Professional Fine Art Photographer
• Skip Cohen – President MEI
• Brandon Remler – Fujifilm Professional Sales Director
• Jonathan Canlas – Professional Wedding Photographer
• Jason Etzel – Unique Photo Trade Show/Online PR Coordinator

Fujifilm employees and their affiliates may not enter.

Click This Link To The Facebook Contest Page

Also Join The Unique Photo Facebook page for the latest and greatest

Service Notice: PowerShot G10: Lines Appear in Captured Images

We have discovered that in rare instances, lines may appear in images captured by some units of the PowerShot G10 digital camera. Accordingly, we would like to convey the details and our service policy concerning this phenomenon.

We regret that some of our customers may have been inconvenienced by this issue and would like to offer our apologies to them. Canon will continue to strive to provide our customers with high quality products that they can use with confidence. Thank you for your kind understanding.

Service Notice: PowerShot G10: Lines Appear in Captured Images

John Woodward Discussing Child Portraits, Mamiya DL28, and the Leaf Aptus-II 6 Digital Back

© John Woodward Photography

John Woodward shares his wisdom while

shooting with the Mamiya DL28 and

Leaf Aptus-II 6 camera back

Scott & Sneakers: Product Photography 101

Review Of Canon 14mm L Lens & Canon MP-E 65mm Lens

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture: 14mm f/2.8
Lens Construction: 14 elements in 11 groups
Diagonal Angle of View: 114° (on full-frame cameras)
Focus Adjustment: AF with full-time manual
Closest Focusing Distance: 7.9 in. / 0.2m
Filter Size: Gel filter holder at rear of lens
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight: 3.2 in. x 3.7 in. / 80mm x 94mm
22.8 oz./645g (lens only)

The 14mm f/2.8L II is the widest rectilinear EF lens offered by Canon Currently. It is a redesign on the 14mm f/2.8L I. The redesign added weather resistance (rubber seal around mount, sealed switching), two aspherical elements, one UD element and a brand new cap design. The new version is much sharper and a bit heavier. It also exhibits a much lower degree of Chromatic aberration. This lens is easily noticeable by its extremely large, curved front element and fixed lens shade.

© Robert Huber

The first thing i noticed about this lens when using it was the front element. If purchasing this lens for myself, I wouldn’t leave the store without a case to store it in. This is an expensive lens and the front element is extremely vulnerable to damage. Another thing i noticed very quickly after using it was how amazingly silent and fast the autofocus worked. I’ve used many USM lenses before, but i was really not expecting it to be this quiet. It was extremely accurate too. I did catch a bit of flare in a few shots, but with a lens of such a wide angle it is a bit difficult to maintain your desired angle sometimes while excluding things such as a glare or the sun directly.

14mm, even on a crop sensor camera, is a very wide angle. When shooting handheld, it is very easy to see your shoes or some tripod legs in your shots with a lens this wide. Sometimes such a wide angle is a blessing, forcing you to slow down and pay more attention to all of the small details that will fill such a large frame. Other times, it will be a curse. Perhaps when trying to shoot architecture, being forced to wait while people walk out of the frame.

For many people, spending a great deal of money on a single focal length (particularly such a wide angle) may not be worth it. But for anyone shooting close quarters architecture, landscapes or interiors, this lens is great.

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture: 65mm 1:2.8
Lens Construction: 10 elements in 8 groups
Diagonal Angle of View: 18° 40′
Focus Adjustment: Manual
Closest Focusing Distance: 0.24m / 0.8 ft. (from film plane to subject)
Filter Size: 58mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight: 3.2″ x 3.9″, 25.8 oz. / 81.0 x 98.0mm, 730g (lens only)

The 65mm MP-E is a very special lens. It is the only lens in Canon’s line that allows for true photomicrography, or rendering images on a 35mm frame actual size or larger. It comes with a standard lens cap and a tripod collar. Although this lens does utilize 1 UD element and is built to a rugged standard, it does not carry the “L” designation.

When I first began to test this lens out, I got a bit frustrated. Trying to operate this lens without having a firm understanding of both how it works and what I wanted to photograph, I just ended up putting it away after a bit. Once I read a few reviews and got a better grasp on the special purpose of the lens, I was prepared to try my hand at it again. Armed with a tripod, a hand release, and a few flashes, i took action.

© Robert Huber

Once you understand the limitations this lens gives you, it really is a tool of exploration. I Ran around my house and yard and photographed everything that didn’t run from me. When you see that the lens magnifies by five times you don’t think much of it, but when reviewing the images on a 21-inch widescreen monitor you really get an understanding of the difference between macro and micro.

In a few of the reviews I read before using this lens I saw that some people were shooting this lens handheld. I didn’t try my hand at this so much. Being the perfectionist that I am, I prefer the hand release method. Another reason I prefer the hand release was less obvious until I actually began shooting. Due to the high magnification factor any slight vibration, movement of subject, or wind can destroy your shot. Given the slim depth of field afforded by this lens, this is understandable. Another issue I ran into while using this lens was that of a very dim viewfinder image. This is easily dealt with by using the live view function with exposure preview.

In concusion, this lens is a great deal of fun. It allows you to explore everyday objects in a way that you may have never thought of before.

Nikon Digital Day Photos!

Final Questions for Chris Knapp Nikon Tech Rep Unique University Creative lighting seminar

Q&A with Nikon Tech Rep Chris Knapp at a creative lighting seminar at the Unique University

Nikon tech rep Chris Knapp teaches another full house at Unique Photo

Nikon tech rep Chris Knapp discussing the sb-800 and sb-900 in a seminar at Unique University

Nikon Digital Day At Unique Photo 4/18 – 4/19

If you are passionate about photography and intrigued by high-end technology, We are hosting 3 Nikon classes on Saturday April 18th and Sunday April 19th. Join Christopher Knapp, Nikon’s North Eastern Technical Representative at the newly expanded Unique University (located in the Unique Photo Superstore) and learn about the latest digital imaging and flash technologies.

The Nikon D300 and Nikon D90 will be featured as students will see and learn hands on the power and features of two of Nikon’s finest DSLR cameras. Learn how to control light with built-in wireless flash capabilities and then enhance your images right in the camera with the new retouching menu. Groundbreaking features, including Live View, a cinematic-quality 24-fps D-Movie Mode (D90) it is easy to spark the creativity of anyone looking to make incredible images.

Learning about your Nikon Digital SLR is only the first step in taking great pictures; To “Create better Pictures” you need to learn to use other photographic equipment with your Nikon DSLR. Christopher Knapp will be presenting a “Creative Lighting Techniques” seminar using Nikon Speedlights that can be controlled right from your camera using Nikon’s “Commander” mode. This class will teach the importance and art of balancing your ambient and on-camera flash.

With Each class has a registration you will receive a $10 gift card that can be used at the Unique Photo’s SuperStore

Click Here Or Images Above To Register

Destination du Jour: Detroit

With its dying auto industry, abandoned neighborhoods and crumbling infrastructure, Detroit has become a symbol–verging on a cliche–of American decline. The visual drama is hard for photographers to resist. Several have already visited Detroit to document the ruins, and no doubt more will follow. If you’re thinking of going, here’s a quick round-up of some of the work that has already been done.

Bruce Gilden - Click For Images

Ian Willms - Click For More Images

James Griffioen - Click For More

Destination du Jour: Detroit From PDNPulse.Com

Fashionable Wedding Photography: Roundtable with Claudio Basso on April 17th

At this Webinar our speakers, David Fisher & Claudio discuss:

* The importance of understanding the concept of fashion and how it is created
* Making the most of your environment
* Avoiding the “cheesy” image
* What is “Fashion Flair” and how to successfully add that style to your photography

During this Webinar, you have exclusive advantages:
1. Interact one on one with our special speakers. Ask questions & get the answers you need!
2. Automatic Chance to Win one of three Prize Giveaways of the Metz 45 Cl-4 Digital Handle Mount Flash, a value of $474.The 3 winners will be announced at the end of the Webinar, so you must attend the Webinar in its entirety, from beginning until end to qualify for a chance to win.*
3. FREE recorded version on the entire webinar. Within 24 hours of the event, you will automatically receive an email with instructions on how to access the webinar.

Special guest Claudio Basso is renowned from Milan to London, Paris and New York for creating editorial for prestigious magazines such as American and Italian Vogue, New York Woman, French Elle, Vanity and Grazia. The elegance of his work has also contributed to such prominent catalogues as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales and Bonwitt Teller. Enriched by twenty something years behind the camera with a unique style that combines sensuality, elegance and sophisticated photography.

*In order to be eligible to win a prize, you must have a valid United States address and a valid email address upon registration.

Note: Webinars are now available by audio podcast via VOIP and a standard phone line. If you attend following the audio podcast online, be sure to have speakers or a headset.

Offical Link For Information & Registration

Apple has released an updated version of its Aperture Version 2.1.3

What’s new in this update?

Image Compatibility

Nikon images imported using a direct camera-to-computer connection now display thumbnails correctly in the Import window.

Aperture Library

Fixes an issue that could cause unwanted duplicate image versions to be created after rebuilding a library or after importing projects. These duplicate versions appear in the Browser as gray boxes or square thumbnails and show a Pixel Size of “0 x 0” in the Metadata panel. The word “(null)” may appear in the name of these versions. If your Aperture Library contains these duplicate versions, you may be able to eliminate them by rebuilding your library after updating to Aperture 2.1.3. To rebuild an Aperture Library, hold down the Option and Command keys while opening Aperture, then click the Rebuild Now button. If rebuilding the Aperture Library does not remove these unwanted duplicate versions, you can manually delete them.

Addresses a library issue that prevented the operation of the Relocate and Consolidate commands in some circumstances. This situation could occur if you renamed images using the Relocate Masters command, and then subsequently rebuilt your Aperture Library. If you are unable to Relocate or Consolidate Masters, you may be able to remedy the issue by rebuilding your Aperture Library using Aperture 2.1.3, as described in the previous paragraph.

Official Apple Webpage