64 out of nearly 11,ooo photographic and graphic works were chosen as winners for Epson’s annual contest.

press release

Seiko Epson Corporation (”Epson”) today announced that it has selected the winners of this year’s Epson Colour Imaging Contest. An annual contest that seeks to support the development of a new era in the culture of digital expression, this contest has been held across the Asia region since 1994 and has invited participants from India since the last 5 years. A total of 64 photographic and graphic works were selected (53 from Japan and 11 from other countries and territories) from among 10,956 entries (9,416 in the photography category; 1,540 in graphics) for the Asia Region & S E Region Awards this year. In addition this year 10 exclusive India Awards are being given.

A total of 1381 entries were received from India for the contest this year. Of these, the entries by Mr. Muhammed Safi of Malapuram titled “Window View”, “End of the Journey”, “Alone”, “Sacred Heart”, “Waiting with Dark” & “Untitled” (6 entries considered as 1 Series) was awarded a Runner-up Prize in Level 2-S-E Asia Region (Singapore) Award category. As a Runner-up Mr. Muhammed Safi has won a prize comprising of a trip to Japan in Dec 2008 to attend the award ceremony, SG$2,000 and an Epson Stylus Photo 1390 - Inkjet Photo Printer . Another Ten photographers have won prizes in the category of India Exclusive Awards.

The winners’ details of the India exclusive awards are:

First Prize Award - Epson Stylus Photo RX610 (All-in-One) Inkjet Printer
- Ms. Nisha Nair, Mumbai
Second Prize Award - Epson PicutreMate PM270 Inkjet Printer
- Mr. Poras Chaudhary, Panchakula
- Mr. Partha Pal, Birbhun
Third Prize Award - Epson Stylus Photo R290 Inkjet Printer
- Mr. Satish Bate, Mumbai
- Mr. Akhter Husain, Mangalore
- Mr. Jayavardhan Sampath, Chennai
Fourth Prize Award - Epson Stylus TX200 (All-in-One) Inkjet Printer
- Mr. Korou Khundrkpam, New Delhi
- Mr. Cyrus Dastur, Mumbai
- Mr. Tapas Basu, Kolkata
- Mr. Durgashankar Mukherjee, Kolkata

Could make a pleasant gift, an XXL photobook!

 fotoinsight.co.uk

press release

To provide space in which the favourite photographs can shine, photo book services like FotoInsight Ltd are constantly improving their software and their range. So far, most books printed with own photographs are limited to less than 100 pages. With the upcoming version 4 of FotoInsight Designer its photo books can feature up to 130 pages for the first time. After introducing the Photo Book XL (12″x12″ / 30×30cm) last year the software upgrade will add a new “Photo Book XXL” format (H12″x16″ / H30xW42 cm) in stylish faux leather and with a traditional screw bound. In the new XXL format landscapes can be spread over 80 cm wide double pages. For this, FotoInsight is increasing the print resolution to 360 dpi.

The software upgrade announced for the UK Retail Imaging Show has finally been launched. The clever ‘Assistant’ in the FotoInsight Designer photo book software will then be able to design a 130 page extra large photo book in under three minutes, For this the application automatically lays out the pages with the chosen images and can put these in order of date, file name or event.

When designing a photo book page by page hundreds of templates in the free software help to position images. A “Help Grid” can be turned on in the application’s editor window to provide optical guiding in positioning photographs and text. The size of the grid can be changed and the application can make pictures stick to the grid lines. An even finer positioning can be achieved by zooming into the editor.

Any picture can go without, with a standard or an individual frame to set the photo apart from the background or layered images. Text can be written on any part of any page or it can be copied & pasted from a word processor or other application. This ensures that names and dates can be recorded and the text of for example a wedding speech can live on for future generations.

Repeat Orders
Once the photo book of a holiday or party arrives everyone is cheering and many want their own copy. With the new release arrives what many regular FotoInsight customers have been asking for: the re-ordering option. During six weeks after an order a photo book can be re-ordered without having to upload the layout again. Photo Books ordered by the 16th of December should be delivered in time for Christmas.

The Managing Director of FotoInsight Klaas Brumann comments: “The larger formats XL and the new XXL provide the space to preserve the favourite pictures from holidays and events in shiny quality. Books can be accessed at any time. Unlike videos and images on digital media there will never be compatibility problems with future digital standards. With your FotoInsight Photo Book simply turn the pages and enjoy, now and in a hundred years.”

A wicked dose of inspiration - your daydreams could become reality…

Press release

Nikon UK has teamed up with Intrepid Travel for the launch of the Ultimate Guide to Travel Photography published by Footprints publishing, a new book that will change the way you travel.

Written by acclaimed author and photographer of ‘Unforgettable Places to see Before you Die’ Steve Davey, it covers everything that you need to know about travel photography including preparation, exploring with a camera, all of the technical stuff as well as hints and tips about virtually every travel photography scenario. There is even a comprehensive section on post-processing your pictures using some of the most popular computer software, and tips on making money from your photography.

Whatever camera you use and whatever your level this book is packed with information for you. There are Pro-Tips, information about shooting in RAW format, as well as specific information for users of film SLRs, digital compacts as well as Digital SLRs.

Broken down by technique and photography style, rather than destination, the layout of this book makes it easy for you to decide what kind of picture you’re trying to take and find, at a glance, the right techniques for you.

As well as taking pictures, this book will inspire you to head out and see the world. Packed with inspirational pictures and anecdotes from Steve’s years on the road, this book is a call to get out and explore.

When you buy the book, you get exclusive access to a dedicated website, with further information sections, expanded photographic galleries, weblinks from the book and a forum to ask the author questions and even a photo-clinic where there is the opportunity to get your images critiqued by the author.

 Slidescan4u.co.uk offer restoration of slides, negatives and images at a respectable price. Could make a swell xmas gift…

P. Release

Fire, flood, dust damage or even a toddler armed with mums makeup bag are all disasters waiting to happen, but if a disaster does strike, it need not mean that your most treasured photographs are destined for the dustbin in a blur of poster paint or even worse waterproof mascara!

Photo restoration is an innovative way to ensure that your memories are kept firmly in the present and to make sure that your family history is preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Scanning Coordinator at Slidescan4u, Marie Holder, said, “Photo restoration is becoming increasingly popular and it means that when photos begin to fade due to poor storage, cracks begin to appear or even when sections of the photo have been damaged, we can 99.9 per-cent of the time restore them back to their former glory.”
The rigorous process, involves zooming in on the section requiring work and using a highly sophisticated programme, the restoration coordinators clone the original colours and shapes to cover any visible cracks or damage.

The comprehensive service is offered online at www.slidescan4u.co.uk rivalling many other photo restoration companies in offering their customers a very hands on approach, all the way through the process, to make sure that their individual needs are met.  What’s more, their service costs just £4 per photo restored unlike some of their competitors who charge up to £30 per photo.

A new TV advert for camera experts, Nikon - will it do the trick?

www.nikoncoolpix.tv

P. Release

Nikon UK is pleased to announce its COOLPIX TV advertisement is set to return to our screens in the run up to Christmas after a successful summer campaign.

The advert will be aired on all major terrestrial, satellite and cable TV channels, including Channel 4, Channel Five and multichannel TV from 3rd November - 30th November 2009.

Having seen a significant uplift in sales of the COOLPIX S210, the star of the summer TV campaign, the focus now extends to the entire COOLPIX range. The ad reflects the versatility of the autumn/winter range in that there is something for everyone; from the super stylish touch screen COOLPIX S60 model to the more advanced COOLPIX P6000 which boasts integrated GPS and RAW modes. RRPs from £79 - £429.

The ad is set in the early evening at a typically bustling, whirring fairground with some spectacular special effects and thin fibre-optic lenses that probe the internal workings of the Coolpix. The premise of the advert is that whichever environment you find yourself in, the technology behind a Nikon COOLPIX camera allows you to capture that priceless, special moment that you’ll want to look back over and share with your friends and family.  Got the picture?

The target audience is 25 - 45 yr old males and females that are either pre-family or have young children. Their busy, full lifestyles makes capturing those everyday special moments even more important, so they want a compact camera from a trusted camera brand that will deliver the picture with the highest possible quality, at the simple touch of a button.

The closing shot of the ad directs viewers online to www.nikoncoolpix.tv, a site where they will be able to view the ad, enter a competition to win Nikon camera and digital photo frame. Visitors will also be able to find out more about the COOLPIX range and also where to buy the products.

Try out your imagination with this one… a mascot or two for the London Olympics 2012!

press release

The organizers of the London 2012 Olympic Games have announced the first stage of the search for mascots for the Games. Creatives are invited to register their interest through the Olympics business Web site.

Mascots are an important part of the Games’ branding — possibly all the more important for the London Games given the unpopularity of Wolff Olins’ much-derided 2012 logo. The Beijing Games this year had five mascots.

London 2012 Commercial Director Chris Townsend said: “Those of us lucky enough to go to Beijing this summer saw first hand the magic of the mascots - whether it was the soft toy version, entertainment at a venue or simply photo opportunities at the airport.

“They help set the tone for the Games and we’re very excited about kicking this process off. Fun and games aside, the mascot programme will be a key component of our licensing plan and will be a strong revenue driver as we seek to raise the £2bn required to stage a Games in 2012.”

Mascots are an important part of generating revenues for the event: they appear as toys, on clothing, in film and animations, as well as being used in computer games and for the overall branding of the Games. The Paralympic Games will have their own mascots.

Creatives have until November 21 to register their interest; a shortlist of suitable agencies will be made in December. Locog (the Olympics business organization) expects that the eventual successful agency or group of studios will work with the public in some way to develop the mascots.

Chris Townsend says: “‘This country is home to - in my view - the world’s best creative industry and this is an opportunity for them to play a key role in making the Games both memorable and a great success.”

 We’re eight years into the 21stC and if you’re still apple bobbing then let’s face it - you’re Halloween needs a makeover. Scrap tradition, you’re wasting your time!

www.comicbrush.com

A press release

We’re well into ‘spooky season’ with parties planned and supermarkets and shopping malls piling the pumpkins high and selling out of ‘Scream’ masks. Comicbrush.com has got into the spirit of things and created 24 spooky Halloween images which can be used in your own Halloween comics and cards and to enhance your holiday and party photos!

Comicbrush.com lets you mix any of your own photos with high quality comic artpacks to create comic strips personal to you. Simply upload any of your own photos to www.comicbrush.com for free and use the free tools to manipulate them into comic panels, with speech balloons and captions. In the secure store you can spend just a few pounds to buy thousands of points (in addition to the free 1000 you receive on registration), and a world of creepy comic art will open before you.

Everything from Frankenstein neck bolts and empty coffins to pitchforks, pumpkins, spiders and witches are available for your diabolical designs. Make your Halloween party invitation twice as scary, or play with the party photos to give your guests huge vampire teeth, devilish horns and tail, and even drop in tombstones to add to the atmos-fear!

Don’t forget to check out all the other comic artpacks too - put Paris Hilton on a witches broomstick, turn the cast of High School Musical into zombies, or give vice-presidential wannabe and self-confessed ‘hockey mom’ Sarah Palin her very own Friday the 13th-style hockey mask. Once your Halloween horrors are complete, publish your final Comicbrushed strip to the Community Galleries, email it straight to your friends or even send it to their iPhones.

Less is more - Varta’s USB Charger!

press release

Power on the go for photographers - now that’s something to smile about!

Photographers can say goodbye to hauling an endless supply of batteries around with them and lighten the load of their equipment bags (as well as their pockets), thanks to the new compact, lightweight USB Battery Charger by Varta - perfect for providing power on the move.

Any keen photographer knows that batteries can be a costly expense and old battery rechargers tend to be bulky and restrictive, but there’s nothing worse than being without power and missing that crucial shot because of flat batteries.

The pocket-sized Varta USB Charger is smaller than most mobile phones and is the ideal travel companion for the amateur photographer. It fits into a standard USB port, enabling batteries to be charged easily and conveniently through a personal laptop or a computer station in an internet café. So photographers can be downloading, editing and reviewing their latest set of pictures on a computer, whilst charging their camera’s batteries ready for their next shoot.

Features of the Varta USB Charger include:

* Compact, slim-line and lightweight
* Shock resistant
* Comes with 2xAA and 2xAAA pre-charged batteries
* Can charge up to two batteries at any one time and caters for AA and AAA batteries through its adjustable connector
* 10-15 hour charge time
* Two green LEDs to indicate when the device is in charging mode

With a one-off purchase and no need to keep stocking up on batteries for cameras, the USB is kind to the pocket and does its bit for the environment, too. When single-use batteries run out, most end up in landfill sites, polluting the earth. Switching to rechargeables can help to preserve the environment by cutting down on waste batteries and their packaging.
The USB Charger will be available from October 2008 in leading high street retailers, with a RRP of £9.99. It is just one of a range of must-have rechargeable products for amateur photographers that are being launched by Varta this autumn. Other products in the range include:

* Ready2Use rechargeable batteries
* Travel charger with 4xAA
* Pocket charger with 4xAAA
* Power Station with 2xAA and 2xAAA

A walking but not talking 3D man is ready to download! He should make your life easier…

press release 

Worthy of a double-take, the newest version of DAZ 3D’s popular 3D male figure Michael 4 allows for final renderings that are nearly indistinguishable from photography. Derived from high-resolution real-life human photography and body scans which are combined with the fourth generation unimesh and improved rigging and body contours, Michael 4 offers the most realistic, versatile and anatomically accurate human male figure available for public use. This long-awaited version of Michael is now available for purchase at www.DAZ3D.com.
“Working with Michael 4 has been a dream,” said DAZ 3D Published Artists, Steve and Diane Pinchbeck (”Predatron and Diane”). “His rigging and jointing is robust and easy to operate even during the most extreme poses. The morphs are very realistic and offer potential in creating a host of diverse characters. Michael 4 is easily the hottest digital male figure yet.”
Built to use the same add-on technology as his counterpart Victoria 4, Michael 4 allows characters of different proportions and shapes to be loaded, morphed and mixed, providing an extensive platform for limitless character generation. Michael 4 comes complete with multiple head shapes to alter age, weight and ethnicity characteristics, along with high-resolution photo-real skin texture maps showcasing enhanced irregularities such as pores, freckles, veins and muscle striations. The added utilization of DAZ 3D’s new high-end Character Setup Tools grant Michael 4 more realistic joint movement while eliminating distortion in each pose.
“Artists will immediately see the advantages of improved realism offered through Michael 4,” said DAZ 3D’s President and Co-Founder, Dan Farr. “From photo-real skin textures, to fine-tuned body contours and highly realistic joints, Michael 4 provides unsurpassed results that professional artists demand, with the ease-of-use desired by beginners.”
Pricing and Availability 
Available free of charge for all registered DAZ 3D users, Michael 4 is now available for electronic download via the www.DAZ3D.com online store. Corresponding product bundles range in price from USD $34.97 (reg. price $49.95) to $59.97 (reg. price $99.95) and contain a variety of clothing, hairstyles, skins, heads and body shapes.
For a complete Michael 4 feature list, system requirements and links to additional resources, please visit http://www.daz3d.com/i/3d_models/overview?_m=d.

A new version of Suitcase Fusion helps graphic designers, illustrators and more pro’s to manage their font collections. A big task, not to be taken lightly.

 press release

www.extensis.com

Extensis on Monday announced that it is shipping Suitcase Fusion 2, a new version of its single-user font management software. It costs US$99.95, or $49.98 if upgrading from Suitcase X1 or newer.

Suitcase Fusion 2 helps graphic designers, prepress professionals, illustrators and others more effectively manage the fonts used by their system. It lets you identify and repair corrupt fonts, preview fonts, automatically activate font sets for various projects or applications, experiment with fonts using previews, and much more.

Changes in Suitcase Fusion 2 include a redesigned user interface and a dramatically changes code base that now uses SQLite database technology. You can navigate through glyphs within a single typeface, drag and drop type previews directly onto a layout, view multiple fonts side-by-side and dynamically zoom the point size larger and smaller.

New auto-activation plug-ins are included for InDesign CS4, Illustrator CS4 and QuarkXPress 8; plug-ins are also included for Creative Suite 3 and QuarkXPress 7.