2008 May | Digital Photographing

Nokia 6600 fold

Posted on May 20, 2008 - Filed Under Digital | Leave a Comment

Nokia 6600 fold mobile phone : The Nokia 6600 fold mobile phone has just been introduced by Nokia. The new mobile phone balances stunning and sophisticated looks with the latest in mobile functionality. The Nokia 6600 fold presents a smooth, minimalist design and many easy-to-use features. With one touch of a button, the elegant Nokia 6600 fold mobile phone smoothly opens to reveal a bright 2.13” OLED screen displaying up to 16 million colors. With its seamless design, the signature “smooth back” of the Nokia 6600 fold creates a comfortable contour when open, and remains subtle and compact when closed. The Nokia 6600 fold will be sold at an estimated retail price of 275 EUR excluding taxes and subsidies.

Nokia 6600 fold – Beautiful mobile phone
“There is a strong consumer demand for mobile handsets that blend elegant looks with modern features,” said Mikkel Drucker, Director, Connect Devices. “The Nokia 6600 fold introduced today offers a slightly different take on a core design language. We believe it is a beautiful to use and beautiful to behold mobile phone.” The Nokia 6600 fold easily fits into a pocket or a handbag and has an estimated retail price of 275 EUR excluding taxes and subsidies and will start shipping during the third quarter of 2008.

Nokia 6600 mobile phone
The high-gloss surface of the Nokia 6600 fold comes to life when tapped twice to “wake up” the hidden outer display that reveals time, incoming messages, missed calls and more. A double tap on the Nokia 6600 fold also snoozes alerts and silences or rejects incoming phone calls. With a set of contemporary mobile features that belie its compact size, the Nokia 6600 fold is proof positive that beauty can be far more than skin deep. 3G technology allows for fast and easy sharing of pictures and videos snapped with the integrated 2 megapixel camera with double LED flash or swift access to Internet services such as Yahoo! Go or Flickr.

Nokia BH-803 Bluetooth Headset
Complementing the newly launched handset, the new Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-803 echos the classic style of the handset with a sleek design and stainless steel details. An optional ear loop makes it comfortable to wear, while the exceptional voice quality, touch sensitive volume control and voice dialling activation make for easy use of the Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-803.

Adobe Photoshop Express Adds Flickr Integration

Posted on May 17, 2008 - Filed Under News, Photo | Leave a Comment

Adobe has updated its Photoshop Express online image editing application with Flickr integration, a save-as function, and an embeddable slideshow player. The player allows users to add slideshows created in Photoshop Express to blogs and Web sites, including pages on social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace. Integration with the photo-sharing site Flickr lets users work on photos hosted on Flickr from within Photoshop Express. The new save-as function automatically saves edited versions of photos in addition to the original version, whenever a user clicks the Save button after editing an image.

Camera Test: Sony Alpha 350

Posted on May 17, 2008 - Filed Under Cameras, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment

What’s in a name? With DSLRs, not much. Case in point: Sony’s new Alpha 350 ($800, street, body only; $900 with 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Sony DT lens). Based on quick math, you might guess it’s half the camera the Alpha 700 ($1,300, body only) is. But the A350 actually boasts a higher-megapixel (14.2) sensor than the A700, plus several conveniences such as a tilting LCD and a live-view mode with fast autofocusing.

Then again, Sony didn’t design the A350 to compete against advanced DSLRs such as the A700. It’s geared toward photographers coming from digital compacts, who may be drawn to its live view, high megapixel count, compact size, and friendly price. The A350′s closest competitors in terms of megapixels, the 14.6MP Pentax K20D and Samsung GX-20, both cost $500 more. The Canon EOS Rebel XSi, priced similarly to the A350, offers 12.2MP. And the less-expensive Nikon D60 and Pentax K200D pack 10.2MP.

Rowling privacy victory to hit photographers (update)

Posted on May 16, 2008 - Filed Under Digital, Photo | Leave a Comment

Today’s legal ruling, which allows JK Rowling to ban future publication of a paparazzi photograph of her son David, could have a major impact on the future value of such pictures, a leading media lawyer has warned.

The Harry Potter author has won her legal fight in the Court of Appeal, overturning a decision made in the High Court last year that prevented her banning future publication of the image.

The shot showed Rowling and her husband, with David in a buggy, on an Edinburgh street in November 2004.

Jonathan Coad, media lawyer at Swan Turton solicitors said today: ‘This decision is hugely significant for individuals in the public eye who wish to protect their children from media intrusion. However, it seems that only parents who have consistently taken steps to protect their children from the media glare will elicit the sympathy of the court’

He said the decision indicates the way that the courts appear to be going on the issue of privacy and that the Court of Appeal ‘unanimously found that a claim over a photograph taken in a public place is at least arguable’.

Rowling had initially sued Express Newspapers, which printed a photograph of David, then an infant.

She also took action against Big Pictures (UK), the agency that supplied the photo, captured covertly using a long lens.

It is reported that Big Pictures will now have to pay the majority of costs in the case, estimated at £600,000.

The court ruled that a child has a ‘reasonable expectation that he or she will not be targeted in order to obtain photographs in a public place for publication, which the person who took the photographs knew would be objected to on behalf of the child’.

However, the court stressed that the ‘focus should not be on the taking of the photograph in the street but in its publication’ and rejected the view that the claimant has a legal ‘image right’.

Coad said that the court took into account the ‘clandestine taking of and subsequent publication of the photograph’ in circumstances in which Big Pictures ‘did not ask David’s parents for their consent’.

He concluded that Big Pictures now has to decide whether to try to overturn the Court of Appeal’s decision in the House of Lords or ‘accept the commercial consequences of this decision which will undoubtedly reduce the value of such photographs’.

Overturning the High Court decision the Court of Appeal asserted: ‘In our opinion it is at least arguable that David had a reasonable expectation of privacy. The fact that he is a child is of greater significance than the [High Court] judge thought.’

Big Pictures had yet to respond to our request for a comment at the time of writing.

Speaking last summer, Big Pictures chief executive Darryn Lyons said it was never the agency’s intention to cause David Murray, or indeed any member of the family of JK Rowling, any distress.

Before last year’s High Court ruling Rowling argued that the capture and publication of the image entitled her son to damages for breach of confidence or ‘mis-use of private information’ and compensation under the Data Protection Act. A temporary ban was placed on publication of the image.

Rowling filed the claim, under her real name Joanne Murray, on behalf of her son.

Lawyers warned last year that a Rowling victory could have major implications for photographers as the boundaries of privacy law in the UK would be ‘significantly enlarged’.

Picture credit: Jeff Meyer

Miley’s in Trouble Now

Posted on May 13, 2008 - Filed Under Culture, Photo | Leave a Comment

Recently, a picture of Miley Cyrus on the cover of Vanity Fair was released and caused a stir for parents and Miley fans alike. This didn't bother me as much as the pictures that were released of her lying across a teenaged guy with her bra showing. The reason this all surprises me? Guess which picture I hear the most trash about?

Now, I don’t want to pass judgment on Miss Cyrus. What she does in her free time, and what article of clothing is showing is certainly none of my business. I'll be honest, I think she's stupid for letting this all happen – but she's a teenager, and I know from first hand experience that teenagers do stupid things. However, wouldn't you expect more people to be mad about the pictures with her bra showing than the Vanity Fair ones? I mean, which one do you think is going to have a more negative effect on your pre-teen daughter?

I don't even really see what's wrong with the Vanity Fair one. She was covered in a revealing, yet modest way, and she wasn't showing anything big. The biggest thing I have against it was that her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, let it happen. He probably wasn't even there. It can't be easy to be a celebrity and have your daughter be one, too. I'm sure he can't be with her all the time. I don't know if that justifies what happened, but I've certainly seen worse parenting.

Then we have the picture of her and the guy, no doubt a private photo revealed to the public by so-called friends. This one bothers me the most. As a star, you take on a certain responsibility to the public. You have to keep your personality, work with others, and look good for the public, understanding that there will be a few incidents. We're all going to make mistakes, and though in our eyes celebrities are gods, they're actually only human.

Yes, the pictures were private, but, she shouldn't have taken them in the first place. This isn't the first time a picture like this has leaked through, if you all recall the Vanessa Hudgens incident. It's not as if all teenage girls take pictures of themselves in their underwear either, I wouldn't be caught dead doing it, and I know plenty of other girls who wouldn't, either. She could have gone without taking the pictures, but once again, she's a teenager. She's going to do stupid stuff.

Besides, how can she not get in trouble when she's constantly being compared to Britney Spears? People are just looking for the bad stuff about her. I know that most artists and actors hate being compared to someone no matter how true it is, and to face facts, Britney Spears is not the best person to be compared to. Sure, they're similar — they're both young, blonde, original Disney girls. However, does that automatically mean every girl that comes through is going to be like Britney? I haven't heard of anyone comparing Ashley Tisdale to her. Miley seems to be the only one cursed with that. If they keep pushing that reputation on her, eventually Miley's going to follow it.

Do I think this whole incident will ruin Miley's career? Not really. Vanessa seemed to bounce from it well, and hers was worse. However, I just have to wonder if this is the last incident. It better be — Disney is still upset about this one.

Nokia 3600 slide

Posted on May 13, 2008 - Filed Under Digital | Leave a Comment

Nokia 3600 slide mobile phone : Three new mobile phones have been announced by Nokia. One of them, the Nokia 3600 slide mobile phone, presents a smooth, minimalist design and an appealing array of easy-to-use features. The Nokia 3600 slide aims to win hearts with a blend of tasteful colors, materials and tactile finishes. Soft ceramic paint and metal combined with high gloss surfaces and gradated colors to make the Nokia 3600 slide beautiful to both touch and see. The Nokia 3600 slide is equally beautiful to hear as it is the first Nokia product to feature background noise cancellation. With a built-in music player the Nokia 3600 slide offers up to 3000 favorite songs on an optional 4 microSD card.

Nokia 3600 slide – Elegant mobile phone
“There is a strong consumer demand for mobile handsets that blend elegant looks with modern features,” said Mikkel Drucker, Director, Connect Devices. “The Nokia 3600 slide introduced today offers a slightly different take on a core design language. We believe it is a beautiful to use and beautiful to behold mobile phone.” The small, ergonomically shaped Nokia 3600 slide also delivers a 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus and 2 LED flash and is excellent for taking pictures or videos, even in dim lighting conditions. The TV-out feature, which conveniently connects the Nokia 3600 slide to most television sets, ensures quick and easy sharing of pictures and videos.

Nokia 3600 slider – Nokia Maps application
While the beauty of the Nokia 3600 slide will tell the world about its owner, the pre-installed Nokia Maps application with an optional Nokia Bluetooth GPS Module LD-4W will tell the owner a lot about the world they are in. The Nokia Maps application holds more than 15 million points of interests, including restaurants, shops, hotels and more. The Nokia 3600 slide has an estimated retail price of 175 EUR excluding taxes and subsidies and will start shipping during the third quarter of 2008.

Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-803
Complementing the newly launched handset, the new Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-803 echos the classic style of the handset with a sleek design and stainless steel details. An optional ear loop makes it comfortable to wear, while the exceptional voice quality, touch sensitive volume control and voice dialling activation make for easy use of the Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-803.

Nik and Vertus Announces Discount Software Bundle

Posted on May 12, 2008 - Filed Under News, Photo | Leave a Comment

Nik Software and Vertus are selling a discounted software bundle through June 1, 2008. The package includes Nik’s Color Efex Pro 3.0 Complete Edition creative effects software and Vertus’s Fluid Mask 3 masking program. The discounted package is available from both companies’ Web sites for $429.95, which is $110 less than the cost of the two software programs purchased separately.

Time to Offer Prayer

Posted on May 12, 2008 - Filed Under Photo | Leave a Comment

“Kai (age 6.5) spontaneously sat down on the large hill leading back down to Topanga Canyon Blvd and started a meditative stance. An onlooker was heard saying, ‘Ah, look, is he doing the lotus?’”. Taken by Siona-Earwen

Casio Exilim EX-S10 Review at TrustedReviews

Posted on May 12, 2008 - Filed Under Digital, Ratings, Reviews, Tips | Leave a Comment

Trusted Reviews has posted their review of the Casio Exilim EX-S10 where they write – ‘As a small snapshooter the Casio may not suit everyone, even though it offers something for everyone. The handling is down to taste and personal physiology, so we can’t expect the perfect camera, but the small form is quite fiddly. In terms of images the camera is also hit and miss, with reasonable but not great results. A stand out feature is the dynamic range but other than that the camera produces too many blurred, noisy and distorted images. Most snappers won’t notice, but there are so many cameras available that are better that it would be a shame to miss out just through ignorance.’

British government due to issue ‘amended’ anti-terror guidance in November

Posted on May 12, 2008 - Filed Under Digital, Photo | Leave a Comment

Police officers are expected to be issued with fresh guidance in a government bid to ensure they do not abuse their stop-and-search powers under the Terrorism Act 2000.

The Home Office outlined the plans after a police body complained that officers are not sufficiently trained in how to correctly apply anti-terror legislation when dealing with photographers.

Metropolitan Police Federation chairman Peter Smyth said that officers are ‘not properly trained in this legislation and that is probably leading to misunderstandings’.

He was speaking on BBC Radio 4s programme last Saturday, which focused on increasing concerns that photographers are being unfairly stopped and questioned by police when taking photos in public places.

In response to the police claims, a Home Office spokesperson told : ‘We want to make sure that this power, which is useful in creating a hostile environment for would-be terrorists to operate in, is being applied appropriately and proportionately. The review will look at guidance for the use of Section 44 to make sure that this is the case.’

She added: ‘One of the key aims of the guidance is to set out a framework for the use of Section 44 powers to ensure that they are used appropriately by officers on the ground. The guidance clearly states that the powers should only be used for searching for articles which could be used in connection with terrorism.’

Police, civil liberties groups and ‘other stakeholders’ are being invited to comment on the existing guidance until May 16.

Amended guidance is due to be published in November, according to the Home Office.

Earlier this year, civil rights group Liberty told us that stop-and-search powers are meant to be ‘exceptional powers which allow the police to act without any grounds for suspicion’. The lobby group added: ‘It is incredibly important that anti-terror stop and searches never become an ‘everyday’ police power because of the negative long-term impact on community relations and apparently, the Arts.’

The reassessment of police stop-and-search guidance forms part of a review announced by the Prime Minister in October last year.

The move comes as issues surrounding the rights of photographers to take pictures in public continue to grab the headlines.

The campaign to protect street photography is gathering pace, boosted by recent coverage on TV and widespread support from MPs.

Labour MP Austin Mitchell plans to raise the issue directly with Home Office Minister Tony McNulty and hopes to include a representative from magazine in a ‘delegation’ to visit the Home Office.