It would seem that one of the consequences of Internet giant Google’s acquisition of Nik Software is that the latter’s Color Efex Pro plug-in is no longer compatible with Nikon’s Capture NX2 image processing software. Nikon Europe announced that:

“Shortly after the acquisition of Nik Software by Google in September 2012, Nik ended sales of the Color Efex Pro plug-in for Nikon Capture software.”

Version 4 of the plug-in is now incompatible with Capture NX. Since Nik Software had been responsible for the development of the NX platform, this must raise questions about the viability of Capture NX’s platform. Elsewhere, the British Journal of Photography reports that Getty Images has granted Google a license deal that offers Google Drive users access to some 5,000 iStockphoto images for free. Photographers whose images were used were apparently paid a non-negotiable fee of $12, and all embedded image data , including copyright notices was removed from the images.

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Dyron has announced various new accessory products. The SWAL13 is a 13mm wide-angle removable wet lens with a 67mm thread attachment It features coated lenses in 2 groups and is described as being great for split level shots. In addition, the company has released a series of clip-on filters for the GoPro HERO3 POV cam. The filters are available as a red filter with mount, and additional colored lenses in either orange or purple.

The new products are available now, with prices still to be announced.

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The Ocean Artists Society has posted a film about shark conservation. 48 members contributed their artwork to the project, and the music was scored by a member artist. Amanda Cotton describes the goal of the film:

“As ocean advocates and artists, it is our duty to create a connection between those who view our work and the ocean. We serve a pivotal role as her voice, as steadfast protectors, just as sharks play a vital role in the health of our oceans in keeping balance and order within them. The survival of our oceans, and of ourselves, are reflected within the story of sharks themselves. Without them in our oceans, we are lost. In their future, we create our own.”

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Pew Environment Group has released a guide to the fins of the oceanic whitetip, porbeagle, scalloped, smooth and great hammerhead sharks. The aim of the guide is to assist enforcement and customs personnel in the provisional identification of dorsal fins, allowing for these fins to be held pending an expert or genetic test. All five shark species are in need of protection and are proposed for CITES protection at the organization’s next meeting due to be held in Bangkok, Thailand in March this year.

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An image has been posted on Facebook that shows a Hugyfot housing for the GoPro HERO3. Details are not yet available, but the image shows the housing having an external monitor attached via a ball mount which presumably uses the camera’s HDMI connection. There also seems to be an additional port as well as a window for the LCD BacPac. Housing controls seem to give access to all camera functions. The illustration also shows the housing attached to a tray with two grips.

Hugyfot has just released full details. The housing will retails for 499 Euros, and will be available from mid-March 2013.

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