Straight No Chaser Kicks Up The Twelve Days!

Everyone at Visualville wishes you and yours a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

65th Annual POYI Call For Entries!

Photo: copyright Yannis Kontos Polaris
Pictures of the Year International invites you to take an early look at the categories and guidelines for the 65th annual photojournalism competition — the world's oldest and one of the most prestigious. To view past winners click here.

Toshiba Kicks It Up A Notch!

As Toshiba’s first Tablet PC with a touch screen supporting both fingertip input capabilities and traditional pen-based input, Toshiba’s Portégé M700 empowers users with a more flexible and convenient Tablet PC computing experience. The Portégé M700 detects the presence of a digital pen or a user’s fingertip, automatically switching between the different input methods, with the digital pen given priority when both inputs are simultaneously detected.

The Portégé M700 series incorporates an LED backlit display with anti-glare coating, which allows Toshiba’s new Tablet PC to be viewed in a wide range of environments both indoors and outdoors. The LED backlit display produces superb image quality and rich color saturation indoors. While outdoors the anti-glare display delivers a clear, easy-to-view image. The resolution offered by the widescreen 12.1-inch WXGA display of Toshiba’s Portégé M700 yields 30 percent more detail than a standard 12.1-inch XGA display. This affords users enhanced clarity for viewing multimedia files and multiple page documents side by side. The Portégé M700 Tablet PC display mirrors the layout of a standard sheet of paper when in portrait mode to give users a familiar writing workspace.

The Portégé M700 series uses high-performance Intel® Centrino Pro processor1 technology,including Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processors2, Intel® 965 Express chipset, Intel® Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN supporting draft 802.11n3, and Intel® Active Management Technology (AMT 2.6)

Another Chase Jarvis Video !

Chase gives us a peek at how he packs for location work. Some good info.

Check Out Lightinfusion's Photo Blog!

http://www.lightinfusion.de/2007/11/seagram_building_02_nyc.html

Check Out Chase Jarvis!

I really like this guys work and he always seems to be having fun!

A Giant Passes - Jane Kinne Dies At 82

I first met Jane more than 30 years ago, that meeting, and others that followed, had a profound influence on me as a photographer and a stock agency owner. It is not hyperbole to say that Jane was a giant in our industry nor is it an exaggeration to say that she literally influenced the life of every professional photographer working today.

The following comments by Niki Barrie, editor of The Picture Professioanl, remember Jane Kinne; Niki, worked closely with Jane through the ASPP and NANPA. A force in the photography world for more than 50 years, Jane Kinne passed away on Saturday, November 3, 2007, of cardiopulmonary failure as a result of complications from surgery. Services will be private, but Jane's husband, Russ Kinne, has suggested that NANPA members (and others) who want to remember Jane can do so through a donation to the NANPA Foundation.

Best known for her expertise on copyright and other legal issues, Jane served as agent and advisor and mentor for thousands of photographers and other picture professionals. She was an ultimate advocate of photographers' rights. Jane served as director of Photo and Film at the National Audubon Society early in her career. She was president of Photo Researchers , Inc. and Vice President of Comstock.

She received Lifetime Achievement awards from the American Society of Picture Professionals, the North American Nature Photography Association and the Picture Archive Council of America (PACA). At the time of her death, Jane was legal chairperson for both ASPP and PACA and the director of Development for NANPA’s Infinity Foundation.

Michel Tcherevkoff Kicks It Up A Notch!

I love his work! To see more click here.

Check Out Daniel Coburn!

Vv Builds An Extreme Quad-Core Under $2400!

Visualville is proud to announce the Xtreme Quad-Core Digital Darkroom v.1! Our latest build features the Intel Pentium Quad-Core QX6600 2.4-8MB Processor and 1.7 Terabytes of server duty Hard Drive space, plus 4 GB of RAM, plus, plus, plus for less than $2400.00!

Intel Quad-Core processors are ideal for multitasking environments because there are four complete execution cores instead of one, each with an independent interface to the frontside bus. Quad-Core processors deliver the resources of four full processing cores giving you greatly increased capability to accomplish tasks with performance-intensive programs like Photoshop.

To check out all the spec's click here.

Canon Kicks It Up A Notch or Two!

This week Canon announced the development of two new telephoto lenses for use with its EOS SLR cameras: the EF200mm f/2L IS USM and the EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM.

Classed as professional L lenses, both the new Canon EF200mm f/2L IS USM and EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM incorporate a high-performance Image Stabilizer, along with special optical materials such as fluorite to correct chromatic aberrations and offer the highest levels of resolution and contrast when using these lenses.

With its large f/2 aperture, the EF200mm f/2L IS USM targets photographers who seek a brighter lens for portraiture and indoor sports photography.

The EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM, which will deliver telephoto performance surpassing the current EF 600mm f/4L IS USM lens, is being developed in response to requests from professional sports and news photographers for a high-performance lens that offers a longer focal distance.

For more info check out the Canon website.

Through Each Others Eyes - The Japan Exhibit

Through Each Others Eyes will celebrate its 15th exchange exhibition with photographers from Himeji, Japan, in the Atrium of Phoenix City Hall from 6 - 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 2. Food, drink, and entertainment will highlight the opening, displaying 80 prints from four photographers: two from Phoenix, and two from our sister city of Himeji, Japan.

Valley photographers Art Holeman and Colleen Miniuk-Sperry traveled to Himeji in early April of this year to photograph the hanami, the cherry blossom festivals, as well as the people and landscapes of Himeji and Hyogo Prefecture. Art and Colleen stayed in the homes of members of the Himeji International Photographic Society, who assisted in helping them document Japanese culture. Three weeks later Art and Colleen hosted Himeji photographers Itsuko Azuma and Yasushi Ienaga as they photographed festivals in Phoenix and the lifestyle of rural Arizona. The 80 16 x 20-inch exhibit prints will contain 20 from each photographer.

Through Each Others Eyes began in 1988 with an exchange exhibition involving two Phoenix and two Himeji photographers, and the November exhibition marks the 15th exchange with Japan. In addition to Japan, photographers in Through Each Others Eyes have on-going exhibitions with photographers in China, the Philippines, Mexico, Cuba, Ireland, Scotland, Sicily, and the Czech Republic. For more information check the website at www.teoe.org.

October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Early detection of breast cancer saves lives, and for years October has been National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Grim statistics reported by the American Cancer Society predict that 180,510 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2007 and 40,910 women and men will die from it.

We've all heard or read the numbers. Over the years the numbers have grown, and as time went by and more friends and family were diagnosed I began to pay more attention to the numbers and the terrible disease they represented.

On August 27, 2007 Breast Cancer got my full and undivided attention when this silent and unseen assassin entered my home and attacked the most important person in my life. Fortunately an annual mammogram alerted us to the attack on our lives by this remorseless killer.

The good news is... there is hope, not just for Nancy, but for all the women and men who battle breast cancer. The death rate from breast cancer began to drop a few years ago and continues to drop by about 2 percent a year, underscoring the importance of funding further research and the absolute necessity of annual mammograms.

Our family and friends have been wonderful throughout the past couple of months offering prayers and support and we know that will continue and are so thankful. Often her friends will say "let me know what I can do for you" and her answer is always the same... get a mammogram, don't put it off, schedule it today! God bless.

Through Each Others Eyes - Mexico Exhibit

Dear friends of Through Each Others Eyes: You have two opportunities this weekend to view photographs from our fifth exchange with photographers in Sonora, Mexico:(1) At the First Friday Artwalk at Levine Machine beginning 6 p.m. Friday, and (2) At the official opening at Historic Southwest Cotton Company Bldg. 605 East Grant Street, Phoenix on Saturday night from 6 - 7:30 p.m. We hope to see you there! Errol Zimmerman, President

Check Out This Killer Series Preview!

This video previews The Killer Series Episode "Model Composites" a behind the scenes look at a real 1st time models' composite card shoot. The 2 DVD set includes lighting diagrams, Photoshop tutorials and a ton of extras! For more information or to place an order go to www.thekillerseries.com

Steve McCurry - My Heroes (cont.)

I've been a big fan of Steve McCurry ever since his coverage of the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, where he disguised himself in native dress and transported his film by sewing it into the lining of his clothes. For the Afghan coverage he was awarded the Robert Capa Gold Medal for Best Photographic Reporting from Abroad. The images in the YouTube video are part of a one man show that traveled extensively a few years ago. If you have the chance to see the prints in person do so.

Enjoy the videos. To learn more about this gifted photographer click here.

Epson Kicks It Up A Notch!

Epson announces a new ink jet printer to add to their already impressive large format group. Information is currently coming from Germany and Australia but make no mistake this new 64" behemoth will be available in the US. Check with your Epson authorized Pro Graphic Dealer to pre-order yours. The Stylus Pro 11880 will be available in October with a recommended price of: $22995.00

Key Specs Include:

Delivers a colour gamut equivalent to conventional 12 colour ink sets
64”
Micro Piezo TFP Print Head Technology
UltraChrome K3 Ink with Vivid Magenta Ink
Advanced Image Processing Technology
9 x loaded individual 700ml ink cartridges
Advanced Image Processing Technology
A.I.D Technology
Active Matte and Photo Black Inks
Barcode Media Tracking System
360 nozzles per colour (Stylus Pro 800 series = 180per colour)
700ml ink cartridge capacity
2880 x 1440dpi maximum print resolution
Automatic Take-Up Reel Standard
Accepts up to 1.5mm thick media
Borderless – 8”, 10”, 300mm, 13”, 16”, B2, A1, 24”, B1, 36”, 44”, 1200mm, 50, 54
Large 2.5” Backlight LCD Control Panel
Pressurised Ink Cartridge Technology
Standard USB2.0 and Gigabit Ethernet

Triops - Too Cool For School!

Triops is a robust digital camera which allows the user to experience new perspectives and perceptions and takes the potential of digital photography to a new level. The camera is equipped with three protected fisheye lenses and allows for an active, spontaneous and playful photography experience. Triops can take images while being thrown, suspended or just being placed in an unusual location. It captures the moment by responding to sound or movement, or by reacting to the manually operated release. Sequentially taken photographs are possible as well as 360 degree panorama images. All working parts are integrated in the robust casing and can be operated easily and intuitively. Pictures can be wirelessly transmitted to a separate display unit for display. This unit functions as a processing and storage device and the camera‘s charging station. To learn more click here.

Eight Special People Remembered - A Repost

It's hard to believe that 911 was six years ago. I want to share with you the story of eight of the 3000 people who perished that Tuesday; eight exceptional people, Joe Ferguson, (photo), Ann Judge (photo), James Debeuneure, Rodney Dickens, Sarah Clark, Asia Cottom, Hilda Taylor and Bernard Brown. This is their 911 story.

"Two staff members of the National Geographic Society, along with three Washington, D.C., teachers and three students they were traveling with, were among the victims of the terrorist attacks in the United States on Tuesday, officials of the Society announced on Wednesday.

Ann Judge, director of the Society's travel office, and Joe Ferguson, director of the Geography Education Outreach Program, were accompanying the three teacher-student pairs on an educational trip to California.

They were all killed along with the other passengers of American Airlines Flight 77 after it was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon at about 9:45 Tuesday morning.

Teacher James Debeuneure and student Rodney Dickens were representing Ketcham Elementary School; teacher Sarah Clark and student Asia Cottom were from Backus Middle School; and teacher Hilda Taylor and student Bernard Brown were from Leckie Elementary School. All the students were 11-year-old sixth graders.

They had been selected to participate in a program at the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary near Santa Barbara, California, as part of a Society-funded marine research project known as Sustainable Seas Expeditions."

"Through our educational outreach program, Ann and Joe were going to make geography and the environment come alive for these committed, talented teachers and their star students by putting them into the field with scientists and researchers," said John Fahey Jr., the Society's president and CEO.

"The D.C. School District has lost six extraordinary people, and we at the Society have lost two treasured colleagues," he added.

Today our thoughts and prayers are with all the victim's families, and this commitment we make to them, we will never forget.

Kodak Kicks It Up A Notch!

Eastman Kodak Company is introducing an advancement in image sensor technology that will help to make dark, blurry digital photos a thing of the past.

Kodak’s new sensor technology provides a 2x to 4x increase in sensitivity to light (from one to two photographic stops) compared to current sensor designs. Image sensors act as the “eye” of a digital camera by converting light into electric charge to begin the capture process.

Today, the design of almost all color image sensors is based on the “Bayer Pattern,” an arrangement of red, green, and blue pixels that was first developed by Kodak scientist Dr. Bryce Bayer in 1976.

Kodak’s new proprietary technology adds panchromatic, or “clear” pixels to the red, green, and blue elements that form the image sensor array. Since these pixels are sensitive to all wavelengths of visible light, they collect a significantly higher proportion of the light striking the sensor. By matching these pixel arrangements with advanced software algorithms from Kodak that are optimized for these new patterns, users can realize an increase in photographic speed, directly improving performance when taking pictures under low light. Kodak’s new technology also enables faster shutter speeds (to reduce motion blur when imaging moving subjects), as well as the design of smaller pixels (leading to higher resolutions in a given optical format) while retaining performance.

To learn more click here.

Check Out Kathleen Connally !

"A Walk Through Durham Township" is a wonderful example of what a self assignment can become. To see more images click here.

Virtual Fluffy Dice? That's Just Wrong!

According to Engadget: "It looks like Microsoft is sparing no amount of detail in its so-called "adaptive heads-up user interface for automobiles," with the company even going so far as to include a virtual pair of fluffy dice (as seen above) in the still-in-development system. According to a recently revealed patent application, the virtual dice actually simulate the movement of the real thing, bobbing back and forth as your vehicle moves. As for the more practical aspects of the system, it seems that Microsoft sees no limit to its potential, with it able to display all the information normally confined to your dash, as well as stuff stored on your cellphone, PDA, or media devices and, of course, various GPS-related information (including ads for nearby businesses). This simply being a patent application, however, there's no indication as to when or if we'll ever actually be able to get some virtual fluffy dice of our own."

Let's Trash The Dress!

You've heard of destination wedding photography... well this video kicks it up a notch!

Model Compostites Is Shipping!!

That's right wake the kids and call the neighbors! The Killer Series is launching with it's first offering, How To Shoot A Killer Model Composite! The introductory price is $39.95 click here for more info or here to order.

Too Cool For School - The Photron APX !

A friend sent this to me. Thanks David! For more info click here.

Bruce Testones - Fashion Photographer Extraordinaire!

Bend It Like Beckham?

PA Photos used images of David Bechkham's debut for the LA Galaxy last Saturday to try out a new release of ShootLive, a photo service that allows pictures to appear on authorized web sites and mobile devices within a few minutes of the real time capture. For more info click here.

You Have To Be In Shape For Golf!

For a few more amusing looks at us looking at them click here.

Check Out "Masters Of Photography"!

Harry Callahan - My Heros (cont.)

No not "Dirty Harry" Callahan just Harry Callahan. To learn more about one of the most overlooked Masters of 20th Century American Photography click here.

Check Out Don Giannatti's Lighting Workshop!

"A single 550EX was used with light mod to provide the blend of daylight and strobe. Subtle posing keeps the light natural looking". NOTE: this shot was taken by workshop attendee Ray Prax.
Don's next workshop is Saturday July 28th. For more info, read what attendees have to say or to watch free lighting tutorials click here.

On Location With Gregory Crewdson

Take a peak behind the curtain...

Gregory Crewdson On NPR

To hear NPR's interveiw with Gregory Crewdson and see more of his unique images, click here.

Future Media Is Here! Check Out "Circle of Blue"

Sprague award winner Kenny Irby, Sports Illustrated's Karen Mullarkey, author Jerry Dennis, Google's Alon Halevy, Flickr, YouTube, FilmLoop.com. What does this group have in common? Circle of Blue. To learn more about this fascinating project and the enormous problem it attempts to address, click here.

A "YouTube" Portolio by Rodolfo Paez

Photographers are beginning to place portfolios on YouTube. I'm not sure that placing a video on YouTube will lead to an avalanche of bookings or assignments, but the ability to embed the video that you uploaded to YouTube on your home page or the porfolio page of your web site or your blog, does have real value. For one thing you're not paying for the bandwidth required for a large number of people to view your video and for another it's easy to rotate with other videos you've uploaded to YouTube and last but not least, potential customers can then search YouTube for additional videos that promote you or your work. Not bad for a free service.

Here's Rodolfo's video, BTW, I'm not suggesting that you use his as a template. If I had edited his work this video would look much different. There is some nudity in the video so if you find nudity offensive don't click the play button.

Very Cool Time Lapse by 599 Productions!

Where Have All The Pictures Gone?

We celebrated the 50th Anniversary of my Father and Mother-in-Law this past weekend. In the week or so leading up to the big event I began putting together a slide show of images that chronicled their life before and after their wedding. The final edit held more than 100 photographic prints. Prints of importance to be scanned, sized and included in the DVD that played at their Saturday night celebration.

If you're wondering what all this has to do with the title of this post.. hang on I'm getting there. There was a time when photos, (prints), were precious. A fireman once told me that normal folks will only run back into a burning building for one of the three P's... People, Pets and Pictures. Could you lay your hands on 100 meaningful printed images from your life? I doubt if I could. We are making more and more digital images and fewer and fewer prints. Where have all the photographs gone? Will we have our memories as we grow older? I hope so. I was reminded this past weekend why they are so precious.

Happy Anniversary Bob & Bonnie you two are the best!

JVC Kicks HDTV Up A Notch!

In the never ending game of "whose got the biggest one?" JVC readies for stateside delivery of the 110 inch HD-110MH80 designed to throw a 1080p , rear projected image, into your "media room".This behemoth goes on sale in July with an Ocotober delivery. The best news is that it's designed to sit on a shelf, provide the shelf is 110 inches long, 36 inches deep and can hold 728 lbs. It's a solid 1920 X 1080 HD @ 5000:1 contrast and only $53,000.00 and yes the remote is included.

Beautiful Model Beautiful Light!

Saturday was another great lighting workshop with Don Giannatti! Mia and Judi supplied the beauty and Don supplied the beautiful light. If you've not attended one of Don's workshops you don't know what you're missing; they are the best I've ever attended and I've been to a few. Check out the workshop schedule by clicking here.

A Perfect Thing...

Sometimes perfect happens in our imperfect world. Enjoy the perfection of Bill Evans as he plays "My Foolish Heart".

LaCie Kicks It Up A Notch!

Is your computer drowning in a sea of images? Is your hard drive so full it can't even burp? Has megapixel madness put a frown on your face. Well buck up Spanky, LaCie is ready to turn that frown upside down!

Their new 2-Terabyte Ethernet Big Disk with storage space for 13,333 15MB photos will put a smile back on those chops. A slender 2x7x11 inches in size, it can be networked , via a Gigabit Ethernet port to share it's considerable capacity among several computers. Connect it via Ethernet to your router and it becomes a wireless home server.To use it as your personal archive, just connect a cable to the USB 2.0 port and plug it directly into your computer. A second USB 2.0 port allows you to expand the capacity further by adding in another hard drive and it has full support for Windows, Mac and Linux. Price: $1,099 Available: Later This Month. For more info click here.

Underwater Glamour Shoot? Did I Miss A Meeting?

Choose Your Wedding Photographer Carefully!

Check Out This Cool Video By Chase Jarvis!

Check Out Karen French!

Karen French is one of the world's most published wedding photographers and a former Photoshop student of mine. Check out the beautiful portfolio images on her web site!

Check Out Sarah Silver @ ImagingInfo.com!

Click here to read the article. Click here to check out Sarah's web site.

Feel Free To Add Your Own Tag Line

Found this image, on a site named mladenpenev.net while meandering the web, can't find a photo credit, if anyone knows the photographer please drop me an email. What a great image!

Too Cool For School - Manfrotto Neotec

Awesomely fast and easy to use, the 458B has the innovative Neotec rapid opening and closing mechanism - just pull each leg downwards to open and automatically lock it in any position, with no screws, knobs, or levers to tighten or loosen. Then to fold it back up again, press the mechanism release button and push the leg closed. To learn more click here.

Too Cool For School - Olympus 770 SW!

Shockproof. Waterproof. Freezeproof. Crushproof. Introducing the world's most durable digital camera — the Olympus Stylus 770 SW. You can drop it (from 5ft), dunk it (to 33ft), freeze it (-10°C/14°F) or even try to crush it (up to 220lbf). But the 770 SW isn't all brawn and no brains. It features a bright 2.5" Hypercrystal LCD so you can easily compose, view and capture your images underwater or in direct sunlight. Digital Image Stabilization (DIS) creates sharp, blur-free pictures, even if your subject is moving. The 770 SW has 27 Shooting Modes, includes movies with sound and a street price just over $300! Get Out!

To get more info click here.

notyouraveragejoe.com Is Not Your Average Web Site!

Check out Joe Grisham's web site... very cool!

Check Out Parish Kohanim!

copyright Parish Kohanim
Double Exposure is a great web site that I check out often. This month's issue has a feature story "Parish Kohanim: The Pursuit of Beauty" (very nice work) click here to check it out and check out Double Exposure, lots of great info and beautiful images.

Edge Of The Earth Corner Of The Sky - Book Review

Published in August 2003, with Forewords by Robert Redford and John H. Adams, Edge of the Earth/Corner of the Sky is the first landscape based photography book that Art Wolfe has produced since Light on The Land. It's subject... our earth.

Of the fifty-six books that Wolfe has produced in his thirty year career, Edge may be the most ambitious. The book is physically imposing at 11" X 14", with 130 images on 240 pages, (many double trucks), in landscape format.

The five sections, Desert, Ocean, Mountain, Forest and Polar open with a 2,000 word essay by Art Davidson. Normally the essays might keep me from getting too interested, (I'm an image guy and make no apology for my bias), however, in this case they really make the book. The slant is certainly towards environmental conservation but that's OK, they say so up front. And while I'm an image guy, I'm also a conservationist. The essays are beautifully written and not at all "preachy".

Edge of the Earth/Corner of the Sky gets 4 out of a possible 5 Stars. The book retails for $75.00 but the good news is... it's probably at your local library, that's where I found this copy!

Check Out Create Network!

Building "community" seems to be the next "half caf double latte" of the web world. This one, aimed squarely at creative professionals, comes to us via those wonderful folks who gave us Create Magazine . Click here to check it out, interesting and very well done.

Visualville Kicks It Up A Notch! (Shameless Plug)

Visualville is proud to announce the Xtreme Quad-Core Digital Darkroom! Our latest build features the Intel Pentium Quad-Core Extreme QX6700 1.66-8MB Processor currently the worlds fastest processor!

Intel Quad-Core processors are ideal for multitasking environments because there are four complete execution cores instead of one, each with an independent interface to the frontside bus. Quad-Core processors deliver the resources of four full processing cores giving you greatly increased capability to accomplish tasks with performance-intensive programs like Photoshop.

To check out all the spec's click here.

One More From The Workshop

This one of Kassi by David H. Smith

Another Pic From The Workshop

Another Great Lighting Workshop!

As I've said before, my hometown of Phoenix Arizona is home to some incredibly talented photographers and Don Giannatti proves my point. This past weekend I attended another great lighting workshop led by Don.

Over the years I've attended many workshops by some of the best our industry has to offer. Don is on that short list we refer to as "the best of the best". Seriously, if you can fly, drive or crawl to Phoenix come and experience his workshop in person, if that isn't possible, check out his latest DVD.

LaCie Kicks It Up A Notch!

Looking for a new monitor? Check out LaCie's latest... the LaCie 526 Monitor employs a wide 25.5-inch H-IPS panel with 1920x1200 resolution for displaying two A4 pages at full size. It's wide gamut supports 95% AdobeRGB and 98.5% ISO-coated color space. Integrated circuitry features a 12-bit Look Up Table (LUT) and 16-bit processing for smooth display of color gradients.

The included LaCie blue eye pro software allows for hardware calibration in a single click, without further user involvement. Post-calibration, an extensive set of tools is available for advanced users who want more precise control. This includes manual fine-tuning of the white point, Test & Report to verify profile accuracy, and profile switching without the need to recalibrate. Users may also conduct a quick Ambient Light Analysis, which analyzes the light in the room to better understand whether an environment is ideal for color work.

The LaCie 526 Monitor will be available end of April via LaCie's specialized dealer network for $1,999 MSRP. Also available in a bundle with the LaCie blue eye pro colorimeter for $2,299 MSRP.

To learn more click here.

Check Out Jesse Young!

Ran across this site while searching for another, some very nice images many with a kind of stark, solitary almost lonely feel.

Click here to see more.

David Douglas Duncan - My Heroes (cont.)

David Douglas Duncan has covered a diverse range of subjects - from the United States Marines in three wars to the paintings of Picasso and the treasures of the Kremlin. As a photographer for Life, Duncan won the Overseas Press Club Award for picture reporting from abroad. He also won the United States Camera Gold Medal Award for This is War!.

Arguably the greatest of all war photographers. He gave the royalties from This Is War! to the Marine Corps Fund for widows and children of the dead, and he turned over the proceeds from I Protest to the families of marines killed at Khe Sanh.To visit the David Douglas Duncan Online Archive click here.

Harry Benson - My Heroes (cont.)

In 1964 Harry Benson came to New York to photograph the Beatles and never went home. A veteran of Fleet Street, the Scottish born photographer's first U.S. assignment led to the classic image above. During the next fifty plus years Benson's images would chronicle the known and the unknown including politicians, celebrities, movie stars, athletes and artists from every discipline.

His best known images include essays for Vanity Fair and more than 100 covers for People magazine. To see some of Benson's best check out his book "Harry Benson: Fifty Years In Pictures" . To learn more about this gifted photographer check out "On The Road With Harry Benson" by David Friend at The Digital Journalist.

Check Out "Deceptive Media"!

No it's not the home page of the New York Times, it's a cool photo blog owned by a very creative photographer named Andy Bell from the UK. Beautiful images, click here to check them out.

Monte Zucker - A Legend Passes

Monte Zucker lost his battle with Pancreatic cancer this past week. Monte's influence on the photographic industry as a Portrait and Wedding Photographer, Educator, Mentor and Author spanned five decades. Honored with countless awards, he was named Portrait Photographer of the Year in 2002 by the United Nations.

There will be a memorial service for Monte in Washington DC on Sunday, April 22nd from 1-4 PM. Details are still tentative; those wishing to attend should follow the thread on the Monte Zucker forum for further information.

RIP Monte, you will be missed.

Just When You Thought The Digital Camera Market Couldn't Get More Crowded!

General Electric, one of the world's largest corporations, is planting it's famous logo on eight digital cameras and one digital printer. The cameras range in price from $199 to $399 and will be available mid year 2007.

In a competitive market where several late comers with huge corporate profiles have failed to even put a ripple in the sales waters GE's move certainly makes me scratch my head. To find out more click here.

A Great Photoshop Weekend In LA!

The Visualville crew, (Scott & Nancy), spent this past weekend teaching Photoshop in the beautiful "Old Town" area of Covina, California. A very special "Thank You" to Kathy Trerotola of Portraits by Kathy for hosting the class and Dennis Nisbet of Meridian Professional Imaging for sponsorship.

Nancy and I would also like to say "Thanks" to all of the students, several of whom traveled long distances to be part of the class.

Check Them Out In Person!

Through Each Others Eyes presents it's first Prague Exchange Exhibition with 40 images of Prague from Phoenix photographers Dean Stevenson and Michael Norton and 40 images of Arizona from Prague photographers Ivana Matejkova and Jeroslav Bohm.

The opening night, "wine and cheese reception", begins at 6p.m. Saturday March 3rd.
The images can be viewed from March 3rd, through March 10th 2007 at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, 5350 East Marriott Drive, Phoenix 480-293-5000.