PPA Today

GretagMacbeth Announces New Eye-One Display Solutions for Professional On-Screen Color

GretagMacbeth, the worldwide technological leader in color measurement and management solutions, announces an all-new high-end professional version of its award-winning Eye-One Display 2 monitor calibration solution. In today's digital world, the computer monitor is the first and most important visualization of what is in the digital file and accurate color is essential to professional photographers, designers and publishers. Eye-One Display 2 sets a new standard, delivering unparalleled functionality for high-end professional results. At the same time, GretagMacbeth is pleased to announce the new Eye-One Display LT for budget conscious professionals just getting started with color management.

Both of the new Eye-One Display solutions feature the renowned professional Eye-One Display measurement device, which is recognized as the defacto industry standard for its ability to precisely measure all types of displays, including LCDs, CRTs and laptops, as well as its high sensitivity in dark areas resulting in a better control of shadow detail. The new functionality in the Eye-One solutions is a result of the new Eye-One Match 3.6 software that is included with the devices, making it ideal for both new users as well as existing Eye-One Display 2 and Eye-One Pro users who want to gain more from their investment.

International Competition Illuminates Action Sports Photography

Red Bull Illume Image Quest Honors the Art of Spirit, Grit and Edgy Perfection

Santa Monica, Calif. (April 18, 2006) – Commitment, passion and daring are qualities necessary to persevere in action and adventure sports – and, they are the required elements to effectively capture the action on film. Beginning today, Red Bull Illume Image Quest will spotlight the individual behind the camera, praising the triumphs achieved in action and adventure sports photography. 

 

Red Bull Illume Image Quest 2006 is the first-ever international photography competition that celebrates the world of action and adventure sports, inviting both professional and talented emerging photographers to participate. The quest will honor the unique expression and skill of the photographer, as well as the spirit of the action sports community. The top 50 finalists will have their work exhibited in larger-than-life outdoor venues across the globe, providing the most dramatic compilation of action and adventure sports imagery ever assembled. The ‘Image of the Year’ winner will be commissioned for the photo shoot of a lifetime with a Red Bull athlete of the winner’s choice. 

PPA Announces 2006 Chicks Who Click™ Retreat for Women in Photography

Las Vegas marks the spot in June for the Chicks Who Click™ retreat for women in photography, hosted by Professional Photographers of America (PPA). The event promises three days of lively discussion, inspirational and educational programs, and lots of networking at the Red Rock Casino, Spa and Resort in Las Vegas June 23-25.

“Women approach business differently than men,” said Ann Monteith,    “It's refreshing to hear the viewpoints of women who bring their new and often unexpected perspectives to the business of photography.” Topics will include Setting the Stage for the Success, The Success Recipe and Passion with a Purpose all led by speakers Ann Monteith, Cindy Baxter, Sandy Puc and other successful women in the photographic industry.

True to its mission, the retreat will feature other activities to encourage networking and idea exchange. “As an attendee of the last three conferences I have witnessed the brilliance of the speakers, the connection between  attendees and the warmth of the experience,” said Michael Taylor, PPA President. This year promises to be bigger and better.

Special student and PPA member rates are available. For more information or to register online visit http://events.ppa.com.

Senate to Vote on Small Business Healthcare

PPA is asking all members to contact their Senators and ask them to vote in favor of S. 1955, the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization Act. This legislation will be brought to the floor of the Senate for a vote during the week of May 1.

Like other healthcare legislation that PPA has supported, S. 1955 would allow small business owners to band together across state lines in order to purchase health insurance for themselves and their employees.

A recent study indicates that S. 1955 would save an average of 12% per employee on premiums and reduce the number of uninsured individuals by 1 million.

The vote on this legislation represents the best hope of meaningful insurance reform for small business owners in more than a decade. We encourage all photographers (regardless of PPA membership), their employees and other small business owners to contact their Senators using the following link: http://www.copyrightdefense.com/congress.html.

In addition to making it easy to send e-mail to your Senators, this link will also take you to a sample e-mail that you can send "as-is" or you can change as you see fit. While it takes extra time, we strongly encourage you to personalize your message if at all possible.

After sending your message, look around at www.copyrightdefense.com. This is PPA's official government affairs blog and features all of the latest news from Capitol Hill.

If you have questions about this legislation, feel free to contact the following members of PPA's Government Affairs Department: Stephen Morris or Deyanna Jones.

SmartDisk Introduces PhotoBank Image Storage Device

SmartDisk Corporation, a leading provider of portable, network and multimedia storage products and technologies, today introduced PhotoBank, a USB photo storage device.

"Handheld PhotoBank offers a quick, convenient, easy way to directly transfer digital photos from your camera," states Charles Klinker, Vice President of Marketing for SmartDisk. "Simply insert your flash memory card into PhotoBank and, with one touch, copy and safely store your photos."  With 40GB of storage capacity, PhotoBank holds over 40,000 photos (at 800KB file size) and can be connected directly to a PC to offload images to share with family and friends. The LCD status indicator and the single key enable reliable, quick one-step transfer. 

Pricing and Availability
PhotoBank will be available in 40GB capacity in March for $179.99 retail price through distributors, retail stores and at the company's Web site at http://www.smartdisk.com.

Apple Releases Aperture 1.1

Universal Version Delivers Improved RAW Quality, Incredible Speed & New Lower Price

Apple® today released Aperture™ 1.1, a significant update to the revolutionary all-in-one post production tool for photographers that runs natively on both Intel- and PowerPC-based Macs. Aperture 1.1 features dramatically improved RAW image rendering and a new set of advanced RAW adjustment controls. Aperture 1.1 also delivers impressive speed gains on any Mac® including desktop performance on a MacBook™ Pro* with image adjustments and searching up to 4x faster. At a new lower price of $299, Apple is putting Aperture within reach of anyone shooting with a digital SLR camera.

Extensis Announces Updates for Portfolio 8

Free update includes added RAW camera and MS Office support for digital asset management needs.

Extensis, a division of Celartem Inc., today released two free updates to Portfolio 8 - the leading Digital Asset Management (DAM) solution for creative professionals. These updates include two file format support filters, which add support for Microsoft Office allowing users to catalog, find and view files from Microsoft Word and Excel on the Windows platform. Additionally, Extensis has added support for 22 new camera Raw formats on both Mac and Windows versions of Portfolio. Registered owners of Portfolio 8 are eligible to receive the free upgrades immediately through the Extensis website at http://www.extensis.com/portfolio.

National Geographic Announces "Your Shot" Contest

National Geographic Magazine is launching a new, monthly themed “Your Shot” contest and is inviting the public to submit their digital photographs.  Editors will review the first 5000 images each month and select one for publication. In addition, Top Shots from each months contest will be displayed online. Visit http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/yourshot/ for complete rules and information.

Apple Introduces Boot Camp

Public Beta Software Enables Intel-based Macs to Run Windows XP

Apple® today introduced Boot Camp, public beta software that enables Intel-based Macs to run Windows XP. Available as a download beginning today, Boot Camp allows users with a Microsoft Windows XP installation disc to install Windows XP on an Intel-based Mac®, and once installation is complete, users can restart their computer to run either Mac OS® X or Windows XP. Boot Camp will be a feature in "Leopard," Apple's next major release of Mac OS X, that will be previewed at Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference in August.

IAPEP Announces Name Change

Progression is the name of the game in 2006 for IAPEP (International Association of Professional Event Photographers), as the organization today announced that they’re changing the name of  their organization to the Society of Sport and Event Photographers (SEP).

“This change is another step forward in the progress and growth that has come to be known as SEP. “Our future is bright, and our new name reflects the unity and collaborative efforts essential to our continued growth. Members will continue to see define this organization,” said Michelle Hatch, Association Manager for IAPEP, soon to changes as we identify more ways to help increase their business and make more money.”