Hello once again! For this installment, I will share news about the PhotoPlus Expo and a show opening in New York City, and highlight the recent Fine Art issue of Rangefinder magazine.

With the PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo in town, New York City is abuzz this week with photography-related activity. In case you'd like to attend this candy store for photographers of all ages, the main site to learn more is www.photoplusexpo.com. It is always an impressive mix of new products, tradeshow floor demonstrations and seminars covering a wide range of photo and art-related topics. I'll be conducting a seminar on Thursday 10/23 from 3:45-5:45pm entited "How To Choose the Right Inkjet Printers and Papers."

Here is the seminar description: This lecture/demonstration by Andrew Darlow-photographer, consultant and author-covers the following: an overview of pro-quality printers from Canon, Epson and HP; a description of more than 20 recommended inkjet papers (including glossy, fiber gloss, and watercolor); and tips for optimizing print quality with specific papers and printers, such as how to effectively coat papers and canvas for better protection and longevity. Selected prints output from Canon, Epson and HP printers will be on display, and participants will receive more than 25 letter-sized blank sheets of high-end inkjet papers for testing. Handouts describing the papers and products discussed during the workshop will also be provided.

For more info, or to register, visit the PhotoPlus Expo website registration page at http://www.photoplusexpo.com/ppe/5300/attendee/register.jsp

Photographer Marc Hauser, who is still recovering from an accident in which he fell from a 40-foot crane during a photo shoot has announced a 50% sale on his prints in an effort to recover some of the money he lost during his four-year recuperation period. As a result of that fall he shattered one leg, and severely injured his right eye. You can view the images on sale here. The prices for those images are as follows: 8x10-----------$200.00 (edition 100) 11x14---------$400.00 (edition 100) 16x20----------$500.00 (edition 50) 20x24---------$750.00 (edition 25) 30x40---------$1000.00 (edition 20)

All prints are signed and editioned Gicleé prints and are printed on Museo Silver Rag Paper. With Christmas approaching faster than we realize, now would be a good chance to add some very nice images to your collection for a great price. If you have any trouble with the link below, contact Marc at his studio at (773) 486-4381, or e-mail your order to marcfocus@aol.com or FAX the order form at the end to (773) 486-2884. Call him about 30 image "your choice" portfolio prices!

You asked and they delivered. Blurb is pleased to introduce their new Premium Paper. That's right, starting Thursday, October 23 all Blurb books up to 160 pages will be available with 100-pound text silk-finish paper. That's 35% heavier than our standard paper, featuring improved opacity and stellar image quality to make your best work shine. Getting Premium Paper in your next book is easy-simply select "Purchase with Premium Paper" when ordering your book and you're all set.

Phase One A/S recently announced the immediate availability of Capture One 4 PRO, the RAW workflow software for photographers focused on transforming RAW files into the highest quality photographs. Capture One 4 PRO has been designed to enhance the image quality of professional digital captures. It is built on a darkroom paradigm to enhance images and minimize the need for post-production. The workflow is responsive and flexible, adapting to a photographer's needs.

"Phase One supports pro photographers who prefer straightforward, responsive, effective options to meet uncompromising standards of quality," said British fashion photographer Drew Gardner. "So you find in Capture One 4 PRO an experience more consistent with what photography is all about. Using Capture One 4 PRO is more like stepping into a darkroom than entering a post-production computer class."

This piece by Pete Myers is about the need for an industry wide awakening towards a true digital monochrome camera. Myers had the unique experience of photographing with a one of a kind digital monochrome camera for eighteen months. In revisiting some of his digital monochrome work recently it once again become apparent to him that we need this technology to move forward.

Tomorrow, the opportunity to enter and win cool prizes in the iPhone Photo Contest ends at 11:59pm, Friday, Oct. 24, 2008. For a chance to win, just submit photos taken with your iPhone choosing from five categories: family, friends, pets, fine art, and office. A total of three photos will be accepted. The selected winners in each category win a $100 iTunes gift card and a copy of The iPhone Book, Second Edition. The grand prizewinner gets a $500 Apple Store gift card and a copy of The iPhone Book, Second Edition. All winners will be announced on November 3, 2008 on the official contest website.

Sinewy filaments within squirming microscopic diatoms, a type of algae, are artificially rainbow hued as a result of being photographed through polarizing light filters. Captured by retired British microscopist Michael Stringer, the photo took top prize--and U.S. $3,000--in the 2008 Small World Photomicrography Competition, organizers announced on October 15. Sponsored by Nikon, the annual contest showcases "the beauty and complexity of life as seen through the light microscope."

Get a cool deal on printing just in time for the holidays. Stock up on business cards, brochures or other handouts. Send holiday greetings to your entire customer list. Launch a massive direct mail promotion that will keep you busy into the new year. Just go big on quantity - we'll take big bucks off the price! Order online using these offer codes: 15% OFF up to 2,000: OBE-CSQ2 20% OFF 3,000-5,000: OBE-CSQ35 25% OFF 6,000-10,000: OBE-CSQ61 You can also call: 800.959.8365 x2500 and mention this email offer!

How do you see yourself? How do you think of yourself? How do you think other people see you? Are you the fly on the wall or the center of attention? The Idea of Self stretches further than the self portrait, and into the recesses of the mind, spirit and our subconscious. Juror: Susan A. Zadeh is the founder, publisher, editor in chief and artistic director of EYEMAZING, an international magazine on contemporary photography based in Amsterdam. EYEMAZING just received the most prestigious Lucie Awards Photo Magazine of the Year In 2008. Deadline: November 12, 2008 Exhibition and Awards: With selection for this exhibition, artists and their work will be seen by an international audience of collectors, curators, art consultants and others who appreciate the fine art of photography. · Juror's Selection award: $500 · EYEMAZING Magazine Award: One artist will be selected to be published in EYEMAZING Magazine · Director's Selection award:$300 · Gallery Visitor's Choice Award: $100 · Two Artists' ShowCase Online subscriptions (Valued at $120 each) - the Center's new online image marketing website (preview at www.artists-showcase.org) · All exhibitors are included in the Center's online gallery · Inclusion in the Center's 2008 Exhibition Collection CD which is distributed to selected galleries, collectors, design houses and corporations world wide

In December, we will be releasing the Shape Shifter, the first backpack designed to expand and to contract to fit photographer's equipment. The inspiration behind the bag was a discussion our president and lead designer Doug Murdoch had with a London-based photojournalist. This pro photographer complained that his backpack was fine when full, but when he emptied it and strapped his gear to his belt, he was left with a big empty foam shell on his back that got in the way, especially in tight shooting quarters. The Shape Shifter was designed to solve this problem. The backpack holds a lot of gear (as is described in the attached press release) and then zips down to only three inches in width. In addition to the press release, I've also attached photos that illustrate its functionality and carrying capacity. If you're planning to attend PhotoPlus Expo, October 23-25, in New York, they will have a sample of the Shape Shifter you can try out.

by Mary Ann Lynch
It's autumn in the Big Apple and once again the Annual Lucie Awards, now in their sixth year, have razzle-dazzled New York City with their Hollywood-style tribute to the Lucie Honorees and their "unrivaled contributions to the world of photography." Hossein Farmani, Founder and Chairman of the Lucies, notes, "It has become our tradition to jump-start a week filled with the celebration of image-making, from Aperture Foundation's benefit to the mammoth PDN/Photo Plus Expo." Through their track record in presenting a world-class event, and their ability to form wide-ranging international collaborations, the Lucie Awards have become an eagerly anticipated New York City attraction. In fact, visitors are planning their schedules around their activities, this year evidenced by a week-long photography workshop out of Portland, Oregon. Like the Lucies, "Escape to New York," led by Guy Swanson and well-known photographer Cherie Hiser, founder of the legendary Center of the Eye in Aspen, is setting out to become an annual event. (Erwin Olaf, pictured)

They are striking, compelling, and extraordinary women. The book is Female Body Builders, and the women who are photographed are at the height of their game. In this recent book by Martin Schoeller, he captures them with a straight-forward approach that reflects their obvious strength, yet at the same time revealing their seldom seen vulnerability. While thumbing through the pages it is very difficult to simply close the book and walk away; the pictures are to striking, too personal.
"With the Female Bodybuilders series I am offering a proximate challenge," writes Schoeller in the Photographer's Note. "We all operate within narrowly constructed ideas of the good, the right, and the beautiful, all subject to the countless influences that swirl around us.
The athletes presented here are no different in this regard, they are as vulnerable as any other person standing in front of a camera. So what is it that provokes our admiring, conforming, outraged, or refused response? If a subject is proud of the way she looks, whose discomfort are you feeling?" Female Bodybuilders (96 pages, 63 color photographs, Hardcover, October 2008, $50, Pond Press ISBN 978-0-9761955-3-5 CUSA)

Museo Fine Art, the preeminent brand of digital fine art media from InteliCoat Technologies, a world leader in the manufacture of coated paper, film and specialty substrates for digital imaging applications, today announced that it will be unveiling Museo Textured Rag digital fine art watercolor paper at the PhotoPlus Expo taking place from October 23 -25, 2008 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.
Like all Museo papers, Museo Textured Rag is long lasting100% cotton and acid free. With a texture reminiscent of old world cold press watercolor paper, Museo Textured Rag has been enhanced with an ink receptive layer that allows for the most vivid images possible. Museo Textured Rag is ideal for art reproductions, fine art photo printing, portfolios, exhibition prints, portraits and sepia prints.

Unibind announced that it will introduce this week at the PhotoPlus Expo in NY, the Unbind "UniWire 3" Calendar Kit professional wire-binding system and "Your PhotoBook" hard and soft covered books to create perfectly-bound 100% lay-flat calendars and books.
UniWire 3 easily wire-binds calendars with the highest degree of precision and quality. The system is ideal for thick, non-flexible, or laminated photo paper that needs to lay open flatly. It punches up to 25 sheets of paper at a time and binds up to 120 sheets of paper for beautiful easy-to-read calendars, featuring a thumb-cut punch for hanging.
In addition to calendars, UniWire 3 also creates professional wire-bound hard and soft-covered books using Unibind's "Your PhotoBook" covers, available in 3 sizes (6x8, 8x11, and 8.5x11), with various customization options and a variety of finishes, including leatherette and linen.