Campari Calendar 2013 - 2001. Evolution

Next year lucky 9,999 owners of Campari Calendar 2013 will enjoy company of Penelope Cruz photographed by Kristian Schuller. This is not new as annoucement issued few months ago and finally we can see the product.

Though my eye catched evolution of the concept- from 100% nude (which made this calendar similar to hundreds of others with one exeption- Campari always invited only one one top class model and photographer) into glamour appearance as today.
Is this an evolution? I think so. Advertising industry overestimated impact of naked woman body and resulted into loss of audience. Meanwhile story-tellers, such as Virgin Group, always gained attention with their tales.
Let us see how long recession of agressive sexuality will stay appreciated.
By the way all visual story of evolution you may find here: http://www.camparigroup.com/en/press-media/campari-calendar/

Photography: is it art?

Andreas Gursky's Rhein II fetched £2.7m last year, setting a record for any photograph sold at auction. Photograph: Andreas Gursky/AP Photo/Christie's

Another great photography event coming:
Seduced by Art: Photography Past and Present
National Gallery, London, WC2N 5DN

Michael Prodger from Guardian provides sophisticated prospect yet I found this article remarkable for comments and my favourite is:
ArundelXVI 
Photography most certainly can be art. My problem with so much contemporary fine-art photography is that so much of it seems like bloody snapshots. Without much aesthetic consideration for form and colour. And blowing the picture up to near-mural size does not add profundity.

Are the biggest storms over for this autumn?

Don't think so though The Big Picture claims that  tropical cyclone season passes its peak
Detailed visual story here


South Korean Marines search for land mines swept from North Korea by a recent typhoon in Gimpo, South Korea on September 4, 2012.

Nikon unveiled D600

Yes, finally it is announced at Photokina and will be available from September, 18, 2012.

Recently Nikon pleased their fans and customers offering full frame pro range body D800 with 36 Mpix sensor.
Although price tag was around $3000 this is milestone in industry as 36 Mpix is rather close to full frame film (24 x 36 mm) resolution scanned at 4000 dpi with Nikon Coolscan. So digital finally beated film for resolution, too.

Now it is prime time for "young brother" D600. As experts reports it lacks full alloy body (having only partial on top and rear) and some other features. Full frame sensor resolution is 24 Mpix and price tag at $2100. As D600 positioned to fill advanced amateur market  this might be serious rival against Canon EOS 5D Mark III annouced earlier this year

More information from Nikon:
http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Digital-SLR-Cameras/25488/D600.html

Light torch with a dash of humour

Every keen photographer heard of light torch technique. Darren Pearson from LA brought his images to a new level.


Full story you may find at Daily Mail.

It is always pleasure to find tasteful blend of creativity, and this is the one- simple, humorous and creative. Thank you, Darren and good luck with new works.

Yeah, its true that gift it is only 20% of the success, the rest is hard work

Prints available from 22$.

Flat lens with no distortion

Again we witness tech breakthrough. Applied physicists at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have created an ultrathin, flat lens that focuses light without imparting the distortions of conventional lenses. Piece of silicone and gold about 60 nm thin.

Shall we say Good bye to camera lens barrels in a few years?

More details you may find here:
Flat lens offers a perfect image

Perfect home for sale

Usually people thinking of photography as images of family and friends. Although this is important part of the industry, there are thousands of niches where professional "applied photography" looking at. 

The Wall Street Journal today reminding how important is good photograph when we are about to Get a Picture-Perfect Home Sale

Do you make living or looking forward to do so from stock imagery?

Recently found on web Getty Images changing hands. More details you may find in BJP article here.
As you may know Getty Images is one of the biggest players on the market since 1993.

If you are new to stock photography and would like to try this business then you may try Dreamstime.com. This is successful and friendly medium size company.
How much you may earn with stock photography? If you'll find your niche in this environment then average earnings for the beginner would be around $ 1.00 per image per month assuming you have 50+ images online.
As my own portfolio at Dreamstime in general consists of non-dedicated shots in the middle of other commercial projects then five bucks per full size image I considering as nice topping apart from the fact that sometimes you have to wait for cherry a couple of years. Although business is tedious and picky, image sometimes generating more cash than whole assignment in the past. And business is running while you sleep.

Good luck to all of you. And have busy week!

P.s. This is about "fast food for the eyes", isn't? Yet it proves ability to survive in harsh modern information space.

Good afternoon

If you'd ask me to tell anything new about photography making then I have nothing to tell. You have an option to read makers' reviews, ask professionals, join online communities etc. This is some kind of "information gathering", not photography, isn't it?

Then you may ask why this blog? I am looking for new visual inspirations. For food we may call it "slow food dining". Full flavor, no artificial stuff added. Chef shows his best, we just trying to find the catch.

Modern technology drives us far into "quality of experience" overwhelming our imagination. Some sort of "rated visual drugs" where we have no time to stop and think over, no time to express ourselves or share our emotions but "terrific, give me more".

Yet photography itself is static. No glitters, just combination of lines and colors. We have it all through the eyes as this is about light. All our life is about light, isn't it?

We may go through hundreds of images online or choose one photographers site or even just one image, then speculate or just look for catch. We may share something really precious and inspirational or just discuss some new device by sharing our knowledge or "hands-on" experience.

Your choice is to show direction, so I'll be happy if you have any suggestions, questions and ideas to share. Have a nice ride!




P.s. Most images in this blog are my own make otherwise copyright stated. Your comments welcome.