Apple Software Updates

Apple have released OS X 10.6.6 today, which brings software updates (including the new Mac App Store), along with bug and security updates.

Black Friday Deals

Just a heads up on a couple of Black Friday offers. For those of you who may not know Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the US and retailers consider it the start of the shopping season in the lead up to Christmas. Some amazing deals are offered to get people in the mood for parting with their hard-earned cash.

For the photographically minded, Apple Australia will be offering black Friday deals via their online store. Also, Nik Software will be offering 30% off their products with the promotional code BLF2010. You will also be able to buy their complete product bundle for US$419.95 (A$428.00) using the same code. Their products are compatible with Photoshop, Lightroom and Aperture.

Amazon is also offering deals but, for us Aussies, that will mainly be for books, CDs, DVDs, computer games and Blu-Rays as they don’t ship a lot of their other products outside the US. Amazon.co.uk will also be getting in on the act this year.

Please note that Friday in the US will be our Saturday, so the offers (except for Apple’s) may not show up until then!

Studio Day With Peter Coulson: Call For Expressions of Interest [Updated]

Hey All,

Thanks to Giusep we have been offered a studio day with AIPP Photographer of the Year 2010, Peter Coulson, for an incredible price. The exact day is yet to be determined but will most likely be mid-late October (see the update below for the confirmed date). Cost will be between $115 – $170 per person (depending on numbers) with a maximum of 15 places available. For that price we get tuition on lighting and directing models in a commercial studio for the day, at least one model, and the opportunity to learn from a professional, award-winning photographer.

To determine if this is viable, could you please indicate either via comments here or direct e-mail to me ASAP if you are interested and whether a Saturday or a Sunday would suit you better. Majority rules on the choice of day, so be prepared to be flexible.

[UPDATE] Saturday 13th November has been booked in! Confirmation of attendance and payment of $125 must be made to me no later than Wednesday November 10. Please note that refunds will not made after that date. Those of you that are interested, please e-mail me and I will provide you with account details.

[UPDATE 2] I’ve extended the payment deadline until Thursday November 11 to allow extra time for other PSC part-timers to join us.

You can see Peter’s work at his website or Facebook.

Print Matting

Here’s the list of required things for mounting your prints for folio submission:

• Backing board
• Matte/window mount (Arctic White is recommended)
• Gum paper tape (white), which is cheaper, or framer’s tape

You’ll also find it beneficial to get:

1. White cotton gloves
2. Cutting mat/steel ruler/cutting knife
3. Art-gum eraser (for removing marks, etc. on the matte)

Landscape Photography Exhibition

The Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square is hosting an exhibition, Stormy Weather: Contemporary Landscape Photography, from November 5 until March 20 2011. Entry is free.

The Big Picture: Photomicrography

A selection of beautiful micrographic images from the Nikon International Small World Photomicrography Competition at The Big Picture.

 

102 year old lens on a Canon 5D Mark II

Nice. Click here for the pics!

E-books

I’ve been flicking through a couple of ebooks by David duChemin over the last couple of days. I had downloaded them a while ago, but hadn’t really bothered with them until recently. Oddly enough, the first book I started reading, Ten More, deals with a number of things that Neil had touched upon in his first class and will most likely talk about further in future.

They are available for the iPad from the iTunes app store for $5.99 and for download as PDFs (US$5.00) from craftandvision.com. They’re not lengthy (around 30 or so pages) but for the price they’re well worth a look.

His blog is an interesting read too.

Studio Shoot: July 17 & 18

Hey All,

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned the possibility of doing a studio shoot and have settled on dates: Saturday 17 and (probably) Sunday 18 July (in the afternoon only) at Aperture Studios in Richmond.

I have opened a casting call this afternoon on Model Mayhem for people to sit for us and have had two responses already, which is promising.

If you’re interested in participating, or just coming along to observe/chuck in your two cents worth, please reply via comments.

This will be the last real opportunity for studio before classes resume. For those of you who are interested but can’t make it on those days, I’ll arrange another session after those damned Saturday classes are over.

Model Releases

The August issue of Shutterbug magazine has an interesting article on the need to obtain a model release. Glenn also briefly covered the subject at his blog in May. Given some of us are doing studio next weekend, I’ll give a quick (but not comprehensive) overview of model releases.

What is a model release?

A model release is a simple form that provides clarity around copyright and your rights to use the image.

Why do I need one?

Models releases vary in format, but a signed release demonstrates that the model has acknowledged your right to copyright and limits their right to object to images being used commercially in the future.

Even if you’re shooting a subject with no intention of commercially exploiting the image at the time, you should ensure that a release is signed. Circumstances may change down the track and no model release has the potential to limit your ability to use the image later on.

If you’re shooting a family member or friend who is happy to sit for you it is best to get them to sign a release in case things go pear-shaped later. People can get resentful if they perceive that you are making money from their image! For persons under the age of 18 you should have the consent of their parent or guardian.

This advice is quite general and resources you may find elsewhere on the Internet may not address the specifics of Australian  law so, if you’re searching online for further information on the topic, please bear this in mind.

I’ve updated the article to include a link to the Arts Law Centre of Australia Online. Members can download a copy of a model agreement written from an Australian perspective for $35.

Arts Law Centre of Australia Online

Sample model release

More information at Shutterpoint