This is an old timers technique used by poor mans photography to create shadow less studio works before strobe lights were available. A film camera would be set on a tripod and the photographer would use a single tungsten light. Lights were turned off in the studio, camera shutter opened and the light pointed at the subject would be waved in an ark resulting in a very subdue soft shadow. In the early days exposures were a bit of trial and error.

I revisited this technique in the late 80s using a flash strobe with a bit of a twist. In almost any environment where studio lights where difficult to place or required too many lights a single flash can exceed your expectations. The only real limitation is a need for a dark space without light.

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Recently, PhotoWorks launched a new service called My Storefront, which allows photographers and photo enthusiasts to sell content (images, photo books, postcards, photo gifts, etc.) and pocket a profit from their photographic creativity. Many amateur-to-professional photographers are currently “setting up shop” and self-promoting their work.

Additionally, photographers can self-promote their photos through PhotoWorks’ offering of widgets, which allow members to easily showcase slideshows of photo albums stored on their PhotoWorks accounts from within their personal Web sites, homepages or blogs.

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Gavin Stoker at Photography Blog has written up a detailed review of this summer's Pentax K100D Super. Aimed at people unfamiliar with the first iteration of the K100D, Gavin gives a complete overview of the features, image quality, and design. His conclusion? That the camera is worthy of 5 stars of 5, "Essential!"

Gavin writes: "Having the arrogance to call your camera 'Super' places it justifiably in the firing line for a critical kicking. But having used the camera for more than six weeks, that thought has never entered my head until now. That's because the Pentax K100D Super ticks very nearly all of the boxes for those wanting an easy to use DSLR that delivers images you'll want to keep straight out of the camera; and with the minimum of user input and effort to boot. That said, there is enough room to grow built in for those of us who do want to do more than simply point and shoot, and first time DSLR users will have fun experimenting. Any camera that makes photography fun again gets a big, Paul McCartney-style thumbs up in my book."

Link: Photography Blog Pentax K100D Super Review

Pentax UK is asking that K10D owners in Europe check their plug cable for a possible defect (detailed below and at this page) and is offering to replace the cable at no charge. This is for the K10D and certain Optio cameras sold in the UK and Europe from November 2006 to October 2007. This does not apply to U.S., Asian, or Australian cameras.

From Pentax UK:

As a responsible manufacturer, PENTAX take the safety and quality of the products we sell very seriously and we spend a considerable amount of time and effort ensuring that the products we sell meet all relevant regulations and standards.

In addition, we monitor the performance of the products that we have sold very closely to ensure that we identify any issues that may affect their safety, quality or fitness for purpose.

IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING

We have been made aware that some of the 3-pin plug cords provided with some of our cameras after 17th November '06 may reveal a manufacturing defect under certain conditions.

ITEM: 3-pin plug cord PL09593


Turn off at the mains before unplugging affected cables.

IDENTIFICATION: The plug cord is one of four types that were supplied with some Pentax Optio A20, Optio L20, Optio S7, Optio T20, Optio W20 and K10D cameras. To identify the cable in question hold the cable by the end with the 3-pins. Turn the pins to

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Datacolor has updated its Spyder monitor calibration and print profiling system, featuring the only seven detector color engine on the market and boasting 400% extra light sensitivity for increased accuracy. Other new features include a built in ambient light sensor, combined desktop cradle and tripod mount and ‘before and after’ SpyderProof proofing capability. Initially available as the $279 Spyder3Elite which deals with displays only or the $599 Spyder3Studio with printer profiling, the range is compatible with Mac OSX (10.3 and higher) as well as Windows 2000, XP and Vista 32/64.

Read full story at dpreview

Danny’s Boots by J. Darmenia

Pop Photo does its Editor's Choice thing a few times a year, giving coverage to all sorts of nice photography gizmos. This fall, they've singled out the DA 70mm F/2.4 Limited lens as being worthy of some additional ink. I have this lens and it's probably one of the sharpest prime lenses I've ever owned, so I'm not complaining. Pentax should be selling these things by the truck load and I'm glad it gets some mention in the magazine. Which leads me to wonder, has Pentax ever considered doing a special bundle of all three prime DA Limited lenses with a special discount?

From Pop Photo:

"Built to last and optimized for Pentax digital SLRs, this 105mm equivalent SMCP-DA pancake lens ($480, street) is great for portraits and is a superb choice for lightening the load in the field."

Links: 2007 Pop Photo Awards, Pentax DA 70mm Limited Lens