Deadline approaching in €50,000 photojournalism prize

“Photojournalists have less than two weeks left to enter the third edition of the Carmignac Gestion Photojournalism Award, which comes with a €50,000 grant.

The Carmignac Gestion Photojournalism Award was created two years ago to help fund a photojournalism report “on a proposed topic directly related to current affairs, over several months.” It has been designed to allow photographers to “continue visiting zones that are neglected by the mainstream media outside of periods of conflict,” while celebrating the photographers’ “courage, audacity, freedom and determination,” according to Edouard Carmignac.

Each year, one region of the world is chosen as the focus of the Prix Carmignac Gestion. In 2009 and 2010, the prize went to photographers who focused on Palestine and Afghanistan. This year, the Carmignac Gestion Photojournalism Award is looking for projects made in Zimbabwe or relating to the South African country. Entries will be judged by a panel chaired by Magnum Photos member Susan Meiselas.” Author: Olivier Laurent in the BJP....more

Image © Massimo Berruti / Agence VU’ for Carmignac Gestion Foundation.

Read more: http://www.bjp-online.com/british-journal-of-photography/news/2110099/deadline-approaching-eur50-photojournalism-prize#ixzz1YgYHNXIg
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Read more: http://www.bjp-online.com/british-journal-of-photography/news/2110099/deadline-approaching-eur50-photojournalism-prize#ixzz1YgYL8xoA
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Nikon 1 mirrorless cameras

“Nikon has announced the release of what it calls a “revolutionary digital camera system,” entering the mirrorless market with the Nikon 1 V1 and Nikon 1 J1 compact cameras.

The Nikon 1 system has been built from scratch, says Nikon, with the goal of offering still image and movie recording capabilities “without compromise,” according to the firm. “This next generation pioneers amazing photography features such as pre and post capture technology that starts before you – enabling groundbreaking new shooting modes that mean you’ll never miss a thing – even the most fleeting of moments, bringing shots to life to help you to capture images you didn’t think possible. And that might be Nikon 1′s most important feature, setting it apart from the other camera manufacturers that have entered the mirrorless camera market more than three years ago now.” Author: Olivier Laurent at The BJP

“You just press the shutter once and, utilising the pre and post capture technology, the camera starts to take the pictures before you’ve even fully depressed the button.” The camera then automatically selects the best five shots, which are saved based on facial expression, composition and focus.”  Do we need cameras that decide which expression is best?

Read more: http://www.bjp-online.com/british-journal-of-photography/news/2110726/nikon-goes-drawing-board-releases-nikon-mirrorless-cameras#ixzz1YgUDDPld

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Iceland: The Landscape Photographer’s Promised Land

“We have put together a lot of photo collections here at Light Stalking including some very popular ones of New Zealand, China and India, but rarely have we seen the consistently incredible landscapes that seemed to crop up when putting this collection of photographs of Icelandtogether. We think you’re going to enjoy this one!” From those hardworking people over at Lightstalking

When I went there it was cold, grey and wet for a week so these images make me a bit jealous

Click Here: Iceland: The Landscape Photographer’s Promised Land

Iceland by helgabj, on Flickr

Volcanic Eruption Eyjafjallajökull by fridgeirsson, on Flickr

aurora borealis – hotel ranga by http://heatherbuckley.co.uk, on Flickr

Click Here: Iceland: The Landscape Photographer’s Promised Land

5 Key Steps in Creating an Online Stronger Portfolio

By Jacob Maentz over at Lightstalking

“In our growing digital world an online portfolio of images is now the preferred way most photographers choice to showcase their work. Whether you want to attract more business from potential clients or simply show off your best photos to family and friends, here are five key steps to help you create a stronger online portfolio.”

Click Here: 5 Key Steps in Creating a Stronger Portfolio

Utterly fantastic North Korea by David Guttenfelder

From the Denver Post quite the most brilliant pictures from North Korea by David Guttenfelder….more here, just go and look

Central Pyongyang, North Korea at dusk. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder) #

A young girl stands on floral-print carpet inside the Pyongyang Children’s Palace in Pyongyang, North Korea. The large facility teaches performance arts, fine arts, and sports as extracurricular classes to students in Pyongyang. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder) #

A children’s choir performs in Pyongyang, North Korea. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder) #

A waitress is reflected in a mirror inside a hotel restaurant in Mount Myohyang, North Korea. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder) #

A girl plays the piano inside the Changgwang Elementary School in Pyongyang, North Korea. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder) #

 

 

 

Paul Sims

I have been putting off writing this for more than a week because the thought of it is so painful.

On Friday 23rd at 3pm I will be at the funeral of my great friend, teacher and mentor Paul Sims.

Paul was quite simply one of the nicest people I have ever known, that I was lucky to have known him for more than 30 years was my great fortune.

If you needed help he didn’t say no, whether it was something to do with his exceptional practical skills in engineering, woodworking, motor mechanics, electronics in fact anything. He had more knowledge about the practice and theory of photography than anyone I ever met, his printing skills in black and white, C-Type (colour negative) or Cibachrome (from slides) were unparalleled. When he turned his prodigious mind to digital he embraced it in a way that others take to religion.  He read books on the digital practise as thick as any major religion boasts. His understanding far outstripped anything you could comfortably comprehend, but then he distilled his knowledge down for others to manage. Never has the phrase, “when he died it was like a library burned down” been more appropriate. It could be said he was a perfectionist, but actually he was more than that, the concept of fit for the purpose didn’t enter his head, it had to be as good as it could be.

Speaking of Paul and religion in the same sentence is inappropriate, he didn’t believe in a superior being, why would he? He understood that a human being is as good as it gets and like his machines, just need nurturing to to get the best from them. So Paul helped everyone; this week I have been told countless times what a nice and generous man he was. He gave of his time, his knowledge, he never grumbled, I never heard him raise his voice but he was not a push over. If he disagreed with you he gently, quietly  reasoned and helped you to understand his position and generally you came around to his point of view.

Paul had a humour that was dry, no other word for it. He didn’t use any form of cruelty to get laughs but his asides and wry thoughts were so funny, his gentle nature pervaded his conversation but he was never dull. Paul had many passions, and coffee was one of them, just this week someone reminded me of Paul’s coffee dictate, never pour boiling water on the coffee. That is real coffee, properly made. Anything that had ‘instant’ attached was not coffee it was a beverage. To see him drive an espresso machine was a joy and the nectar he produced ambrosia.

The world is a poorer place without my friend Paul, he will be missed.

Barcelona

I am so pleased to have found the Denver Post Pblog, fantastic pictures and a wide range of subjects, put it in your bookmarks and go back regularly.

Anyway Barcelona, what can I say, the best football team in the world, the most wonderful city (even though I had all my cameras stolen there one Christmas eve) and bull fighting. This might not be for the squeamish, in fact don’t think I like the practise of bull fighting but the pictures…...more

“Bullfighter Francisco Rivera Ordonez ‘Paquirri’ of Spain performs during the first bullfight of the season in Barcelona, Spain. Tourists follow from the stands his performance.

This summer is the last that bullfighting will be seen in Barcelona’s bullring. Catalonia’s parliament voted to ban bullfighting after 2011. This season is the last time you will be able to watch an event that Hemingway called “art.”

Bullfighter Finito de Cordoba of Spain (C) is helped by his assistants as he dresses up before the first bullfight of the 2011 season. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) #

Bullfighter Francisco Rivera Ordonez ‘Paquirri’ of Spain performs during the first bullfight of the 2011 season after the bullfight ban at the Monumental bullring on June 26, 2011 in Barcelona, Spain. Bullfighting in Catalonia will be banned as of January 1, 2012. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) #

Bullfighter Francisco Rivera Ordonez ‘Paquirri’ of Spain performs during the first bullfight of the 2011 season after the bullfight ban at the Monumental bullring on June 26, 2011 in Barcelona, Spain. Bullfighting in Catalonia will be banned as of January 1, 2012. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) #

Cuba In Focus from the Denver Post

“HAVANA – When Cuba legalizes buying and selling real estate by the end of the year – as the government promised again this week – many expect a cascade of changes: higher prices, mass relocation, property taxes and a flood of money from Cubans in the United States and around the world.

Private property is the nucleus of capitalism, of course, so the plan to legitimize it here in a country of slogans like “socialism or death” strikes many Cubans as jaw-dropping.

Indeed, most people expect onerous regulations and, already, the plan outlined by the state media would suppress the market by limiting Cubans to one home or apartment and requiring full-time residency. Yet even with some state control, experts say, property sales could transform Cuba more than any of the economic reforms announced by President Raul Castro’s government.”

These pictures are great…more from the excellent P Blog on the Denver Post

A worn staircase in an old house that has been subdivided and is in use by several families, known as a “solar,” in Old Havana, July 28, 2011. Experts say that even with some state controls, property sales, announced recently by the government that some would be permitted, could transform Cuba more than any other economic reform announced by President Raul Castro’s government. (The New York Times) #

A man gets a haircut in Central Havana, July 26, 2011. The area is one of the most heavily populated of the Cuban capital since many of these old buildings have been subdivided to house multiple families. (The New York Times)

A mother and son sleep in the livingroom of their house in Central Havana, July 27, 2011. Other family members sleep in a room known as “barbacoa (the barbecue),” a windowless floor added atop their current dwelling for added space. (The New York Times)

Pictures from the insides of deposed dictators palaces after the dictators have been ousted.

This is revealing and oddly addictive, some of the images are a bit expected but the majority have the ability to surprise. Pictures from the insides of deposed dictators palaces after the dictators have been ousted. You will not learn a lot about photography here but you will learn something.…more

A US Army soldier from the 1-22 Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division (Task Force Ironhorse) shoots the ball during a basketball game inside one of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s former palaces along the banks of the Tigris river in Tikrit, 180km (110 miles) north of Baghdad, 23 November 2003. With their marble interiors, domed roofs and intricate arabesque stucco, the headquarters of the 4th ID look more like a vision from a Middle Eastern fairy tale than a military camp. The resort-like series of palaces now called Forward Base Ironhorse used to be a favorite resting place of Saddam before US-led coalition forces ousted him in April. AFP PHOTO/Mauricio LIMA (Photo credit should read MAURICIO LIMA/AFP/Getty Images) #

US Army Sergeant Craig Zentkovich from Connecticut belonging to the 1st Brigade Combat Team photographs a pink bedroom at Saddam Hussein’s presidential palace 13 April 2003. The palace is located in a vast military compound near the airport southwest of the capital. AFP PHOTO/Romeo GACAD (Photo credit should read ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images) #

U.S. Army soldiers Spc. Daniel Andrews of Lynchburg, Va., left, and Pvt. Robert Knott of Fort Hood, Tex., both from Alfa Company-588 swim in an indoor pool at one of ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s palaces, now a U.S. Army base, in Tikrit, Iraq, Monday Sept. 1, 2003. U.S. soldiers stationed here in this riverside palace complex that once belonged to Saddam Hussein face constant danger from Iraqi insurgents whenever they leave the base. But once inside, they are getting to kick back inincreasing style. (AP Photo/Murad Sezer) #

Julia Margaret Cameron Awards for Women Photographers

WPGA announces the Winners, Honorable Mentions and Finalists of The Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers. Awarded images were juried by the photographers Mary Ellen Mark, Vanessa Winship and Kim Weston; Magnum Photos’ members Alessandra Sanguinetti and Olivia Arthur; Zoom’s Editor in Chief Rosanna Checchi, and the Curator of the San Diego Museum of Photography Carol McCusker. The overall winners will be featured in ZOOM Magazine. All awardees, including finalists will be published in the Book “The Julia Cameron Award 2010”. The exhibition of the overall winners and categories’ winners–which was originally planned to be held in Berlin- will be finally held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in August 2011.

Winner of the Julia Margaret Cameron Award:

LIVIA CORONA, Baja California, Mexico

STELLA JOHNSON, Watertown, Massachusetts, United States one of the runner ups

If you would like to see all the winners in the different categories please visit this link