Wetpixel/Under The Jungle Cenote Workshop 2021
Articles
Canon releases firmware update for EOS 60D
Canon has released a firmware update for the EOS 60D SLR. Firmware version 1.1.0 fixes two bugs: One in which flash settings are reset to default when the battery is removed and the other repairs the tendency for image rotation information not to be recognized at certain shutter release timing.
The update is available from Canon’s 60D support page.
Underwater Festival shootout: Six weeks to go
The 2011 Underwater Festival is a photo and video shootout competition which will be held from Friday 2 to Sunday 11 September 2011 simultaneously in the whole of Australasia. Competition entries can be shot in any country in the geographic region of Australasia, the only stipulation being that they must have been taken during the above time period. In addition to entries being judged for prizes, there is also a prize draw for all participants.
Registration for the shootout is open now.
Boat with 357 dead sharks apprehended in Galapagos
MSNBC.com reports that 30 fishermen were caught with 357 dead sharks aboard their rundown vessel inside Galapagos National Park last Monday night. A patrol by park rangers and an Ecuador navy ship detained the vessel as it fished 20 miles inside the Galapagos Marine Reserve, the park said in a statement. Shark fishing, as well as any commercial-scale fishing, is illegal inside the park and its associated marine reserve, and the fishermen will now face criminal charges.
Illegal shark finning in the Galapagos became prevalent during the late 1990s after the local sea cucumber fishery collapsed.
Adobe lists known issues with Mac OS 10.7 Lion
Apple released its latest version of OS X yesterday. OS 10.7 Lion inevitably has issues with some other software, and Adobe has published a list of known issues. Overall, there are remarkably few problems and it seems that the primary compatibility problems are with older versions of their software and with some features being unavailable in the new OS. A key change for all programs is that Apple has hidden the user library folder which is where preferences, presets and user customization settings are stored and Java Runtime must now be manually installed.
Adobe releases Photoshop Elements 9 for Mac
Adobe has announced the release of Photoshop Elements 9 for Mac. Apple users can purchase it via the Mac App Store, which is a first for any Adobe software. Elements 9 is designed to provide a simple tutored workflow for users that either don’t want or need the advanced capabilities of Photoshop. It incorporates many automatic workflows and one-touch shortcuts for common tasks.
Photoshop Elements 9 for Mac is available now as a download for $79.
Reports from Lembeh: Mount Lokon eruption
Mount Lokon, an active volcano located on the northern tip of the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia, is currently erupting. Sulawesi is home to many Wetpixel members, and visited by many more. We have been in touch with some of the dive centers in Lembeh, and the news is reassuring: The airport at Manado is still open, and none of the dive centers are experiencing any problems. There have been widespread evacuations from areas within a 3.5 kilometers (2.17 miles) radius of the volcano (which do not affect any dive centers) but so far few casualties.
Our thoughts go out to all in the area, and are glad to hear that the eruptions are not currently causing any major disruptions to business, travel or property. We will continue to monitor the situation, and if it changes, post updates here.
Call for entries: Environmental Photographer of the Year 2011
The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CWIEM) has announced that it is calling for entries for its 2011 Environmental Photographer of the Year competition. Featured in the contest is a specific category for the underwater world, and a new category for video. Entries should be:
“Contemporary, creative, resonant, challenging, original and beautiful. But most of all, we want your pictures to inspire people around the world to start taking care of our environment.”
Full details and competition rules are available on the CWIEM website, and the deadline for entries is 31 July.
Remote control for stereoscopic 3D cameras
German video engineers Digi-Dat has announced the release of the ste-fra LANC Canon XF, a stereoscopic LANC remote control specially developed for the Canon XF series. The remote allows the synchronous control of two cameras, via a cable up to 100m long. All functions work in stereo mode (both cameras get the same command) or for each camera independently. This single control allows controlling the lens shift of each camera individually. It is thus possible to adjust vertical position very accurately as well as adjusting the convergence by shifting the lenses without ending with images showing a keystone distortion.
For a 3D mirror rig you can adjust the image orientation (mirrored/flipped) for each camera individually. The single control can also change all settings individually for example, color correction which is needed for 3D mirror setups to correct the color shift resulting from the half mirror. It is likely that the remote’s functions will be incorporated into the controls of 3D underwater housings.