Wetpixel/Under The Jungle Cenote Workshop 2021
Articles
Review: Olympus PTE-EP08 Housing and OM-D E-M5
Wetpixel member, Rob Spray tries to decide whether the Olympus OM-D E-M5 is a fantastic compact camera, or offers a true alternative to the SLR. He notes that the camera’s performance is limited underwater by the Olympus housing (although other housings are now available), and with it, the camera really performs more like an enhanced version of the company’s PEN series cameras. He feels that the camera has a “core of capability” which “is on a par with SLRs”.
Alex Mustard at DIVE 2012
Wetpixel Associate Editor Alex Mustard will be teaming up with well-known underwater photographer Martin Edge to give a presentation at the DIVE 2012 show at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, UK. The talk will be about composition, with Alex commenting:
“Whatever camera system you use, good composition will make your pictures stand out. However, this talk goes way beyond the classic rules of composition. Instead Edge and Mustard will share specific examples of compositions that unlock the potential in many common underwater subjects as well as the mistakes that do not. In a talk filled with real world advice on how to achieve the shot underwater. Composition is a personal perspective, so don’t expect them to always agree. They’ll finish their talk with a range of examples of breaking the rules too, encouraging you to push boundaries with your underwater photography.”
DIVE 2012 will also feature “The Photo Zone”, a dedicated area wherein there will be talks and seminars about underwater imaging, as well as stands for equipment suppliers. DIVE 2012 is being held over 27 and 28 October.
Adobe releases Lightroom and Camera Raw Release Candidates
Adobe has announced the availability of Release Candidate versions of Lightroom 4 and Camera Raw 7 on Adobe Labs. Version 4.2 and 7.2 respectively add support for several new cameras including the Canon EOS 650D / Rebel T4i, Canon EOS M, Panasonic DMC-G5, Nikon 1 J2 and Sony DSC-RX100. Both versions also add new lens profiles, including the Zeiss Distagon T 1.4/35 ZE and 2/25 ZE. Lastly, they fix numerous bugs with both programs, including issues with stacked images, publishing, the Defringe control and metadata writing.
Camera Raw 7.2 and Lightroom 4.2 Release Candidates are free to download from Adobe Labs. The Release Candidate status means that these updates are “well tested but would benefit from additional community testing before it is distributed automatically to all of our customers.”
Philippines marine life guide released
Marine biologist, Lee Goldman, has released a book entitled the “Snorkeler’s Guide to Marine Life of the Philippines”, which described over 850 marine species that inhabit the shallow reefs of the area. Also included are descriptions of snorkeling sites in Palawan, Bohol, Puerto Galera, Apo Island, Leyte, Donsol, Boracay and Cebu. Although the book is aimed mainly at snorkelers, it is also caters to divers.
The Snorkelers Guide to Marine Life of the Philippines is available now from all major booksellers in the Philippines and on Amazon.com at around $21.00.
Amazing surfing image placed in NG contest
The recently announced winners of the National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest features an amazing surfing image by Lucia Griggi. The image, entitled “Underwater Surf”, received a Merit Award in the Sense of Place category. Lucia wrote the caption for the image:
“Taken at Cloud Break at an outer reef in Fiji, a surfer duck dives his board to clear the rolling waves of the raw ocean.”
Equipment demo day in Wales
Welsh inland diving site, the National Diving & Activity Center (NDAC) at Chepstow, UK is hosting a Nauticam demonstration weekend over 22 and 23 September, 2012. Nauticam UK / Underwater Visions will be in attendance along with a selection of Nauticam’s DSLR, EVIL and compact camera housings. The NDAC is located close to the M4 and M5 interchange, on the Welsh side of the old Severn bridge.
Wetpixel to be online partner for Ocean Views 2012
Wetpixel is very excited to be teaming up with Alert Diver and Nature’s Best Photographer for the 2012 Ocean Views underwater photography contest. We will be providing a strong online presence in support of our two media partners, and Wetpixel Publisher, Eric Cheng will be joining the panel of judges. Ocean Views is a major international competition in its own right, and the addition of Wetpixel as its online media partner will help to attract an even greater number of entries. Wetpixel will be continuing to run its other competitions of course, including DEEP Indonesia, Our World Underwater (in conjunction with our colleagues at DivePhotoGuide) and the POTW series.
Ocean Views is open for entries now, with a $25 fee for up to 25 images. The deadline is 30 November 2012.
Magic Lantern firmware updates to version 2.3
Magic Lantern has released version 2.3 of their firmware upgrade for Canon SLRs. It is compatible with the 5D Mk II, T1i (500D), T2i (550D), T3i (600D), 50D and 60D cameras. The new version adds a raft of new features including: Fast zebra patterns, automatic HDR bracketing, timelapse features, advanced ISO and FPS controls and a faster playback zoom.
The update is available to download now and is donationware.