News

How to become a better photographer: A quick tutorial for beginners, and an "Okay, I already do that…" checklist for intermediate amateurs. Advanced hobbyists, you may want to read this, too, just to see if I covered the highpoints.

Back in the days of film photography, the polarizing filter was widely considered an essential tool for shooting outdoors. These days digital photographers often ignore this important accessory, even though it works it’s magic just as well with digital photography.

The National Park Foundation and Olympus Imaging America Inc. challenge everyone
who can point and click to grab their camera, head to a federal land, and enter
the 2008 Share the Experience Photo Contest. This year's official contest
is sponsored by the National Park Foundation and Olympus in partnership with the
National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation,
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service.



The 2008 Share the Experience Photo Contest will run from August 18, 2008 through
December 31, 2008 and showcases the more than 500 million acres of Federal Lands,
drawing entries from all across the United States.



All 2008 entrants will have the opportunity to win one of five exciting prize
packages with a total of 14 winners. The Grand Prize winner will earn the international
honor of having the winning image grace all the 2010 "Federal Recreation
Lands Pass," an annual admission that provides access to all participating
Federal Land Management Agency sites where an entrance fee is charged. Additionally,
the grand prize winner will receive an Olympus E-3 DSLR digital camera kit and
a five-day, four-night trip to a Federal Recreation Land of his/her choice.



"The National Park Foundation is grateful to Olympus for supporting the
8th annual federal lands photo contest, providing park goers with the opportunity
to discover the beauty and diversity of our nation's protected lands and
share that experience with all of America," said Vin Cipolla, President
and CEO of the National Park Foundation. "By entering in the 2008 Share
the Experience Photo Contest, individuals can take part in a truly American pastime:
helping others see the beauty and value of our national parks. The National Park
Foundation is delighted to sponsor this year's contest with Olympus to get
people out to the parks to capture great photo memories."



"Olympus is proud to be the official sponsor of the National Parks photo
contest," said F. Mark Gumz, President, Olympus Imaging America Inc. "We
offer shockproof, waterproof, freezeproof and highly portable cameras, which are
perfect for capturing the parks' elements in any season. We are committed
to respecting nature and promoting healthy, active lifestyles. We encourage everyone
to capture our nation's parks through photography while leaving these majestic
lands untouched for future generations to appreciate."



Citizens and legal residents of the United States who are at least 18 years of
age can enter by submitting up to three photo entries online at www.sharetheexperience.org;
or via mail in a hand-written, stamped envelope to:

Share the Experience Official Federal Recreation Lands Photo Contest

c/o ePrize, LLC

PO Box 8070

Royal Oak, MI 48068



All photographs entered must be taken in one of the Federal Recreation Agency
Lands between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008, must be original creations,
and must be submitted by the original photographer. PLEASE SEE OFFICIAL RULES
AT www.sharetheexperience.org.



Mail-in entries must be postmarked by December 31, 2008 and received by the close
of business on January 8, 2009. Each envelope must include only one entry. All
photos will be judged on creativity; photographic quality; visual appeal; appropriateness;
ability to show diversity and the richness of the Federal Recreation Lands.



Additionally, the public will be able to view an online photo gallery of 2008
submissions from January 9, 2009 -- January 16, 2009 and vote on their favorites
from January 17, 2009 - January 31, 2009.

The Art Of Digital Show is an international exhibition of digital art which will
take place October 6 through November 19, 2006 at the elegant Lyceum Theatre Gallery,
located in San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter. This venue is perfect for exhibiting
a large showcase of world-class digital art. The website for the exhibit is www.artofdigitalshow.com.
Hugh Davies, the Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, is the
Judge for the Art of Digital Show.
...

Sling bags, in general, earn high marks from the Bag Man for accessibility, comfort and cosmetic design. The new 24/7 Traffic Collection lineup, available from Adorama, includes a slick sling bag that breaks some rules—but does it have what it takes to deserve your attention? 

What’s in a name? Would a luxury leather camera bag by any other name not feel as lavish? If it’s beautifully styled and meticulously manufactured, does anyone really care what it’s called?  

In a world where gadget bags are made of black ballistic nylon and closed-cell foam, Tenba has always boogied to slightly different beat. Their latest addition, the Cooper Collection, stands apart from anything you’ve ever seen. If you’re looking for a holiday gift for the photographer in your life—a gift that they’ll pass on to their grandchildren—get in line to buy a Tenba Cooper.