Lowepro is introducing an extensive line of digital camera pouches, shoulder
bags and photo viewer case designed for the outdoor and adventurous photographer.
Lightweight and rugged, Apex AW shoulder bags and pouches have a convenient,
single-compartment design that offers quick access and accommodates a pro compact
camera or digital SLR plus accessories. The Apex AW pouches also have the single-compartment
design and accommodate a camera, memory card and battery or small accessories.
Soft brushed-tricot lining and interior dividers guard against scratches. Lowepro's
patented All Weather Cover protects against weather, dust and sand. In addition,
the new Apex PV AW pouch is designed to protect and carry a variety of digital
media playback devices including photo viewers, digital storage devices and
PDA's.

...

Lexar has announced that new Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) flash memory
cards will be available as part of the company's Platinum II and Standard
lines of products. Lexar SDHC cards satisfy market demand for reliable SDHC
cards that are ideal for storing and sharing digital images, video, and music
and are offered at varying price and performance levels. SDHC cards from both
Lexar product lines will be available next month in 4GB capacity, and later
this year in 8GB capacity.

...

Epson has
introduced the 13-inch wide Epson Stylus Photo 1400. Sharing the same technology
as the Epson Stylus Photo R260 and R380, including Claria ink and DX5 MicroPiezo
print heads, the Epson Stylus Photo 1400 has an estimated street price of $399.99.

...

Online photo and video sharing service Phanfare has announced the availability
of downloadable slideshows that can be easily viewed on any PC or Mac computer
system.

...

Brooks Institute of Photography has announced that it's "5 x 5"
fine art photography exhibition will be the school's featured event as
a participant in the Downtown Organization's 1st Thursday initiative.
A public artist's reception will take place on Thursday, February 1, 2007
from 5 -- 9 pm at the Cota Street Campus and Gallery, located at 27 E.
Cota Street in Santa Barbara.



Five photographic perspectives by five recent Brooks' graduates depict
this "artist invitational" public exhibition. More than 50 images
will be on display by photographers: Chris Buckpitt (2003), Adam Gerlach (2003),
Kodiak Greenwood (2004), Serena Lee (2005) and Matthew Rainwaters (2003).



Adam Gerlach, who serves as the gallery's assistant director, specializes
in black-and-white photography. He also specializes in hand-toning his work
to transform reality and create strange and unfamiliar qualities in his images.
Greenwood, a native of Big Sur, has twice earned awards in the Fuji photography
competition, and is represented in private galleries. His extensive photography
of the West Coast -- both in color and black-and-white -- has garnered
critical acclaim.



In contrast to outdoor and landscape photography, Chris Buckpitt strives to
capture the essence of people. About his work, he says "I have a very
deep connection to the human race, and I have always found the human body to
be very beautiful."



Serena Lee, already distinguished in her field of portrait, wedding and fine
art photography, finds that her passions lie in using antique and alternative
processes, and digital imaging, to mix the old world with the new. Her work
has been seen in many venues, including the International Photography Hall of
Fame.



Matthew Rainwaters began working with cameras at age 14 shooting skate videos
with his friends. Five years later, he bought a Pentax K-1000 and took a junior
college photography course. A teacher's comment that he was "pretty
good" forever changed his life. Today, his work's featured twice
in the Advertising Photographers of America annual Personal Ads show, appeared
in the notable Focus on Aids charity auction in Beverly Hills, and has shown
in the Frank Lloyd Wright Hollyhock House. He presently teaches photography
and reprints portfolios for publication.



The `5 x 5' exhibition, which opens on January 18, will run through
March 31, 2007. In the coming months, the Cota Campus and Gallery will feature
exhibitions by a range of professional photographers, as well as shows presented
by Brooks Institute students and alumni. The public is invited to visit the
gallery on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 9
p.m. For more information, call the Brooks Institute Cota St. Campus and Gallery
at (805) 690-4913.


www.brooks.edu, or call
805-966-3888.

...

Face Recognition for Image Searching

by Ron Leach

With the Internet becoming more and more visually oriented all the time, a
Swedish company has devised a unique approach for searching the millions of
images that are uploaded daily. The new Polar Rose technology employs a combination
of user input and facial recognition...

Photodex Corporation has announced the release of the next generation of its
slide show software, ProShow Gold.

...

Delkin Devices, Inc. has announced the SensorScope£ System, said by the
company to be the safest and most effective system for cleaning your digital SLR
image sensor. The SensorScope (patent pending) is the first and only sensor inspection
device in the market designed for DSLRs. Its use of magnification and focused,
high intensity light enables camera owners to inspect their camera's sensor
to see if it needs cleaning.



The
SensorScope looks like a camera lens; however, it allows you to look back into
your camera to inspect your sensor. The SensorScope is easily portable and provides
a 5x magnification lens and 4 ultra bright LED lights, which are focused to completely
illuminate the field of inspection. Although specifically designed for Canon and
Nikon DSLRs, the SensorScope may be used on any manufacturer's DSLR.



The SensorScope system includes the new DigitalDuster cleaning kit with the SensorVac,
SensorWand£ and SensorSolution.



Four different types of contaminants can show up on your DSLR camera sensor. These
vary by their chemical components. The most common types of debris that show up
are dry, and look like dust. This "dust" can be made up of one of
four materials:



· Silica/Quartz: these hard particles such as rock or sand can easily cause
scratches

· Metallic: hard particles such as metal shavings from the manufacturing
of the camera

· Fiber: synthetic materials such as nylon

· Organic: pollen, skin cells, and similar material
...

Kingston Technology Company, Inc. has announced that renowned documentary and
National Geographic photographer Chris Rainier has shared new tips for lighting
under less-than-ideal conditions at Kingston's `Icons of Photography'
Web site. In this month's tip, Rainier tackles illumination challenges
he has faced in exotic locations and explains how his lighting solutions can
be applied a little closer to home.

...

Longtime Shutterbugco...