Saturday, December 10th, 2011

Apple updates Aperture

Apple has released an update to Aperture. Version 3.2.2 of its photo editing app fixes various issues most notably those associated with the integration of Apple’s iCloud and iOS, specifically fixing a flaw that limited Photo Stream from working beyond the first 1,000 images for some users. It also adds new gestures including swipe gestures that can be used to navigate between photos, and pinch to zoom automatically activates Zoom mode in the Viewer. Lastly, the update fixes some bugs that relate to using Aperture with Mac OS X Lion, including fixing incorrect color profiles attached to externally edited images, and crashes related to using brushes.

The update is free to Aperture owners and is available via software update or the Apple support site.

Friday, December 9th, 2011

Book review: Final Cut Pro X Visual Quickstart Guide

Steve Douglas reviews the Final Cut Pro X Visual Quickstart Guide by Lisa Brenneis and Michael Wohl. The book, published by Peachpit Press aims to be a practical resource for editors to refer to whilst actually editing. Steve finds that:

“All in all, this new release from Peachpit meets the high standards and expectations we had and found for early versions of the Quick Pro Guides from Peachpit. No where, that I could find, is it suggested that you go online to find information on tools or features that were left out. “

Friday, December 9th, 2011

ULCS releases polecam for GoPro cams

Ultralight Control Systems (ULCS) has released a polecam system for the GoPro POV cam that retails at under $30. Featuring a 24” painted wood pole with two end fitting variations. One of these fittings allows the attachment of a GoPro tripod attachment, the other a 1” ball. If the latter is fitted, the cams can be mounted using the GoPro cages made by the company. These options are all available now.

At DEMA, ULCS also demo’d a unique pan fitting for the polecam and GoPro. This has not been released yet.

Friday, December 9th, 2011

OWU and DEEP Indonesia contests accepting entries

The previously announced 2012 Our World Underwater and DEEP Indonesia competition are new open and accepting entries. Held by Wetpixel in conjunction with DivePhotoGuide, and hosted on the UnderwaterCompetition.com site, the two competition have come to represent two of the most prestigious underwater imaging contests in the world.

Full entry details are available on the Our World Underwater pages, with still and video entries being accepted now and closing on 23 January. DEEP Indonesia is also accepting photo entries now, but has a closing date of 10 February. 15% of all entry fees will be donated to marine conservation causes.

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Patchmaster offers special discounts for Wetpixel members

Patchmaster is offering a special discount to Wetpixel members on the purchase of their lightning, lightning and sound combo or three-in-one triggers. The lightning trigger will release the shutter of your camera when exposed to a flash of lightning, the sound trigger will trigger a flash when a sound is made (e.g. balloon or champagne cork popping) and the three-in-one can be set to be triggered by either lightning, laser or as a timelapse. They are available for Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus and Minolta cameras.

The discount codes are as follows: WTPXL3IN1 will save you $19.00 on the three-in-one model, WTPXLSTLT will save you $10.00 on the sound + lightning combo and WTPXLLT gets you $10.00 off the lightning trigger. There is a limited availability on this promotion, and the codes are only valid until 28 February 2012, so please place your order with Patchmaster soon.

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Firmware update for Lumix GH2

Panasonic has released a firmware update for the LUMIX GH2 EVIL camera. Version 1.1 adds support for 24Mbps video to be shot at 1080p 30fps (or 25fps on PAL European units). It also offers an area enlargement of the AF focus area on the LCD screen, increased burst shooting rate, a “half-press” shutter release and the ability to switch the touch-screen controls off.

Many of the GH2 cameras in use have had their firmware hacked to incorporate non standard features. It is reported that this update disable the current hack, although it is also reported that a new version will be released soon. The firmware update is available from Panasonic’s support site.

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

Anemonefish photo contest open for entries

Digitalay has announced a unique competition which is soliciting entries for pictures of anemonefish (clownfish, Aphiprion sp.) images only. The categories include: The best anemonefish photo, the most anemonefishes in one frame, the best ugly anemonefish image, a popular vote award and a lucky draw prize.

The contest is open for submissions now, with a deadline of 31 March 2012. Full entry details are on the Digitalay website The images will be open to vote for on the Digitalay Facebook page from 1 February.

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

Japanese whaling fleet uses tsunami relief funds

The Guardian Newspaper reports that the Japanese whaling fleet that has just set sail to the Southern Oceans has used funds earmarked for disaster relief. The article reports that: “according to campaigners the government used 2.28 billion yen (£19m/US$30m) from the earthquake recovery fund, on top of its existing $6m annual subsidy, to pay for this year’s hunt.”

The whalers plan to kill more than 900 minke whales and about 50 fin whales this season. Commercial whaling was banned in 1986 but the International Whaling Commission (IWC) permits Japan to kill a limited number of whales for “scientific research”. Sea Shepherd is sending three ships to the Southern Ocean to try and intercept and frustrate the whalers’ aims as a part of Operation Divine Wind.

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

Wetpixel Rinse Tank issue 6

The sixth issue of the Wetpixel Rinse Tank feature is written by Wetpixel Editor Adam Hanlon. In it, he mentions some AA battery holders produced by Think Tank, waterproof memory card by Samsung, the new GoPro HERO2 POV cam and the ZEN 230MM (9”) dome with the Sigma 8-16mm rectilinear wide-angle lens. He has mounted the GoPro camera to his housing and has posted some POV footage in the article, actually shot whilst testing the ZEN dome.

The Rinse Tank will feature different Wetpixel staff in rotation, each writing about current projects and equipment related issues.

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

Tropical Marine Fish Guide app Volume 2 released

Volume two of Andrea and Antonella Ferrari’s Guide to Tropical Marine Fish app is now available for download from iTunes for iPad and iPhone. It has added 100 more tropical marine fish species with full identification features, color pictures and text.Volume one, previously only available for iPad, is now available for iPhone too. They expect to release Volumes three,four and five for iPad and iPhone soon.

The new app is available to download from the iTunes app store now for $0.99.

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