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July 25, 2011

AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G sparks Nikonians interest

logo_nikon.gifThe recent announcement of a new DX lens from Nikon has sparked a range of opions and and conclusions in one of our Master Your Lenses forums. They range all the way from "useless" to a show of faith by Nikon in the DX format.

40mm-f2-8-size_250.jpgAccording to the Nikon press release: The new AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G lens has a minimum focusing distance of just 0.53 feet (6.4 inches) to allow users to capture extreme close-up photographs and High Definition (HD) video with a life-size 1:1 reproduction ratio.

Our members have been sharing their thoughts on this lens in the Nikkor Autofocus Lenses forum.

What's your opinion? Let us know.

Posted by flashdeadline at 6:49 PM

July 24, 2011

Nikonians Academy schedule heating up

Nikonians-Academy-News-Bog.jpgNikonians Academy Director Mike Hagen tells us the pace for the Academy workshop locations and topics is heating up as fast as this summer's record heat wave in the USA.


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Steve Simon just added new workshops for Vancouver, BC and New York City this August and September.

His Vancouver dates are August 27- 28 and the New York dates are September 8-11.

It's not too early to begin thinking about our fall workshop schedule and our Master Your Vision series.

The Nikonians Academy staff is preparing for workshops covering the Nikon D700, D3, D300s, D7000, and Capture NX2.

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Adding the iTTL Wireless Flash and Passionate Photographer workshops to this schedule means the Academy has something for just about every Nikon shooter.

We're also continuing to add more workshops for the fall season, so stay tuned.
Indianapolis, Indiana — September 22-25
Denver, Colorado — October 27-29
Chicago, Illinois — November 3-6
Raleigh, North Carolina — November 10-12
Las Vegas, Nevada — December 8-11

David Tejada has made a name for himself world-wide through of his stunning work with small strobes. He is running a number of workshops with the Nikonians Academy this September and October called Professional Lighting on Location with Nikon CLS.
The dates are September 9-10 in Boston, October 15-16 in Los Angeles, and October 22-23 in San Francisco.

Michael Mariant's workshops bring participants to some of the most beautiful areas in California for amazing photography. Join him this fall for a photo adventure you'll never forget.

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His Eastern Sierra workshop is already sold out, but we still have space for Yosemite in Fall (November 3-6) and Death Valley (November 17-20).

For you wildlife shooters, Jim Stamates continues his very popular Wildlife Adventure in Grand Teton NP October 3-6.

Check out our galleries from previous trips to see images that will whet your appetite.

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Next Year
Our photo adventure to the Galapagos Islands next year has only has a few seats remaining. Mike Hagen, our Academy Director, will be leading a group of explorers through Quito Ecuador and the Galapagos island chain September 14-23, 2012.

Posted by flashdeadline at 8:48 PM

July 21, 2011

The Image Doctors #146

Jason traveled to Florida to see the final shuttle launch, and the "doctors" announce a new photo workshop.

Download The Image Doctors #146 (MP4 format)

 

For the MP3 version of this podcast (audio only) click here.

Learn more about the Image Doctors photography podcast at www.theimagedoctors.com
Get your Image Doctors gear at our online shop.

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Image Doctors directly in iTunes.
[RSS] Add the Image Doctors feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically to you.
[Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley!

Posted by drjay32 at 6:00 AM

July 17, 2011

Nikonians Academy Europe workshops coming to Germany

Nikonians-Academy-EU_100.jpgHayo Baan, Head Instructor for Nikonians Academy Europe, provides a detailed look at the new and enhanced workshop schedule — which now includes offerings in Germany.

Editor's note: The information below is courtesy of the Nikonians Academy Europe Newsletter. If you wish to subscribe for your free copy please go to our Resources-Newsletters page and scroll down a bit until you see your options —
• NAE-UK
Nikonians Academy Europe Mailing List for users from the UK.
• NAE-BENELUX
Nikonians Academy Europe Mailing List for users from the BENELUX.
• NAE-German
Nikonians Academy Europe mailing lists for users from Austria, Germany and Switzerland
• NAE-Europe (rest)
Nikonians Academy Europe Mailing List for users from the rest of Europe

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knackscharftour2.jpg
First there is the Knackscharf 2011 tour where the two famous German Podcasters “Paddy” and “der Stilpirat” teach you all about light in a fun-packed weekend workshop. The tour goes to seven different cities from October till December. Please note that this is a German spoken workshop.

On top of this, we now also offer a great new weekend workshop photographing Germany's beautiful industrial heritage. We will take you to places not normally open to the public, giving you unique photographic opportunities! The workshop is scheduled in the first weekend of October.
Heritage_475.jpg


Other News and Updates
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Wedding workshop discount: we have been able to renegotiate the costs for our exciting three day wedding workshop in London, allowing us to lower the price (people who have already booked benefit from this too of course and will be refunded the difference).
Note: this discount does not apply to the Utrecht location which currently has a waiting list and can not be booked any longer.

BirdsOfPrey2.jpg
In our last newsletter we made note of an additional date for the Birds of Prey Workshop. Due to circumstances, we have had to move this workshop to another date and this workshop is now scheduled for 8 October 2011.

New: Knackscharftour 2011
Join the famous German Podcasters “Paddy” and “der Stilpirat” on their Knackscharftour 2011 and learn all about light.
Knackscharftour.jpg
“Paddy” and “der Stilpirat” visit seven major German cities with their tour, scheduled throughout the months October till December. Please note: the language will be German (only).
Hamburg: Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 October 2011
Saarbrücken: Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 October 2011
Berlin: Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 November 2011
Frankfurt: Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 November 2011
Köln: Saturday 19 – Sunday 20 November 2011
Leipzig: Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 November 2011
München: Saturday 3 – Sunday 4 December 2011

New: Industrial Heritage
A few decades ago, the German Ruhrgebiet was known mostly for its pollution. Nowadays, people have discovered the stern beauty of the now defunct mines and plants, and strive to preserve them. For this reason the Rurgebiet was made European Heritage_05.jpg
capital of Culture in 2010. This exciting weekend workshop takes you to two locations of such beauty and shows you places otherwise forbidden to the public, making for unique photo opportunities.

On the first day we will take you to Kokerei Hansa, an old coking plant. Here we are taken to places normally closed-off to the public, allowing you to take some amazing and unique shots. In the evening the buildings will be lit up beautifully in blue, allowing for some more stunning shots around sunset.

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The second day we go to Zeche Zollern, an old coal mine and its buildings. Offering you a diverse mix of photographic subjects including the old railroad yard, the buildings, the mine shaft and tower, the scrap yard, etc.

Throughout the workshop you'll receive tips and tricks helping you to improve your shots, both in-camera as well as in post processing. Old structures and buildings are a typical subject to receive that processed HDR-look so naturally you'll learn about applying that technique as well.
Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 October 2011

Updated: Nikon Behind the Lens Wedding Photography Workshop (3 days)
New discounted price for London

BF-wedding_275.jpgThe intensive three day Nikon Behind the Lens Wedding Photography Workshop with acclaimed international photographer covers everything from marketing and shooting the wedding, to post production. It is a highly interactive course which will include live shoots using models at a simulated wedding. During the course, Brett will also give you close personal attention regarding your portfolio and marketing material.

Brett Florens' images are admired throughout the globe and have been used on numerous campaigns amongst others, for the "I am Nikon" advertisements series.
Wednesday 10 – Friday 12 August, UK - London (City) featuriing new discounted price

Updated: Master Wildlife Photography - Birds of Prey
The first of our Birds of Prey Workshops was fully booked and very successful, inspiring us to reschedule one very soon. So if you've missed the 11 June workshop, there's another chance on Saturday 8 October 2011!
BirdsOfPrey.jpgIf you've always wanted to create beautiful bird of prey images or learn how to improve your wildlife photography, this workshop provides you with a unique chance to photograph them up close, in flight, or on their prey. This workshop is guaranteed to offer you great opportunities for stunning images of falcons, owls, hawks and other birds of prey.
Have a look at the results and comments of some of the 11 June workshop participants in the Nikonians forums.
Saturday 8 October 2011

Glamour Photography Workshop
Shoot for the entire weekend with Giuseppe Circhetta and his team, learning how to approach the enticing subject of Glamour and Editorial photography featuring production and post-production techniques.
Glamour_7.jpgShooting outside is such a great experience for both the models and the photographer.

Learn how to modify available light in order to get the best out of your shots with flash and light modifiers (both outside and in the studio). If you know the technique, you concentrate on the model and you don’t waste precious frames setting up your camera. Understand the mood you’re shooting, use the light as the creative means to express your idea, talk to the model and let her know what you need, stir her up with your effective communication and then shoot, shoot, shoot! And after that, perfect your shots through realistic and precise photo retouching.

All of this, in the quite and calm frame of Legnano, a small village 15 minutes away from the city of Milan with the availability of a studio and different locations.
Duration: 2 days (3rd day optional). For more details and the day to day schedule, please see the description of the workshop at our website.
Saturday 10 – Sunday 11 September 2011

Artistic Nude Photography (5 days)
Learn to create beautiful artistic nude photography in this 5 day training workshop with Pascal Baetens.
4nude_175.jpgThe workshop will be held at Salve Mater (Lovenjoel, near Brussels), an abandoned early 20th century hospital/monastry with more than a hundred rooms, long corridors and a chapel.

Together with the surrounding scenic garden this will provide beautiful scenery for your images. With Pascal's guidance, expert tips and a team of stunning models (at least three different models a day) you will be able to realise beautiful and creative images.

This special version of Pascal's workshop includes the services of our Head Instructor, Hayo Baan, who will provide advanced technical support throughout the five days. Hayo and Pascal will both be available give feedback on your existing portfolio. If you want to take advantage of this extra service, don't forget to bring your portfolio with you.

Lodging at the Salve Mater (albeit very basic) is included in the price of the workshop (please see the description of the workshop on our website for more details).
Monday 5 – Friday 9 September 2011

Why Choose Nikonians Academy Workshops?
1. From us you hear it the way it is. We are not sweet-talking about every and all features. You learn what works and which functions you should (or shouldn't) use, and why. And you learn it from photographers who use their gear professionally.
2. Fully packed days. Not just 6.5 hours like some others, no, with us it is a really long and full learning day!
3. In-depth. We are not the marketing department of someone else. We are going in-depth, hard-core, beyond the surface of things, and we love questions!
4. Camaraderie – You may meet your online buddies AND make new, offline friends! Nikonians are a friendly bunch and the classroom is not crowded, but everyone has the chance to discuss and to raise questions and learn, learn and learn!

Want to to know more?
Visit the Nikonians Academy Europe pages today.

Posted by flashdeadline at 1:34 PM

July 14, 2011

Meet the Berger Bros. Team

Yvonne-B_75.jpgYvonne Berger, best known in the community as part of the Berger Bros. Forum team, has been sharing photo advice online, in person and on TV.

Yvonne is a professional photographer specializing in product, food, corporate and interiors. She has a vintage photo restoration business through Berger Brothers Camera for the past 10 years. She started teaching digital imaging and now has many workshops and seminars that she gives at Berger Brothers School of Photography and Digital and is head instructor of Photography at The Art League of Long Island.

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Check out her latest TV appearance on the New York City CBS network affiliate:

While you check out that Berger Bros. page you will also get a closer look at the Team that has been behind our Ask Berger Bros Camera Forum.

Lens update:

If you have been searching for high quality Nikkor lenses at competitive rates, the Berger Bros. Team has recently been doing brisk business on:

AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4.0G ED VR Lens

AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4.0G ED VR Lens

AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR Lens

AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II

AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II

AF-S Nikkor 200mm f/2G ED VR II Lens

Contact Brad Berger or Lisa M weekdays at 800-542-8811 to get a special Nikonian deal.

Posted by flashdeadline at 4:15 PM

July 10, 2011

Nikonians Academy adds new photo trip and workshops

Nikonians-Academy-News-Bog.jpgNikonians Academy Director Mike Hagen has an update including a photo trip to the Galapagos Islands and heads up on limited seating availability for some of the popular sessions in the months ahead.

Galapagos-Tony-Karalsony4-024.jpg
Mike has just firmed up the details on a new Galapagos Islands photo adventure trip set for September 2012. A small group of intrepid photographers will travel together on an expedition yacht throughout the Galapagos Islands. This is your opportunity to spend three nights in Quito Ecuador to explore some of the neat cultural heritage of that city.

Mike tells us: Grand-Teton_150.jpg
"Many of our late summer and early fall travel workshops are already sold out such as the Monument Valley/Slot Canyons, Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Eastern Sierra and ANPAT.

However we still have a few seats remaining for Yosemite in November, Death Valley in November and our wildlife photography adventure to the Grand Tetons in October.

David X. Tejada is one of the best known small flash photographers in the industry today. His workshops are known world-wide and he's teaching with us!

You can join David for his Professional Lighting on Location series this September and October in Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco."

Looking ahead
The Academy contues to add more of the extremely popular "Master Your Vision"
series of workshops all around the USA.
D300-D33-s_284.jpg
Winston Hall, Mike Hagen and Steve Simon are adding more classes for Fall and Winter. They are currently running classes on: Nikon D300/D300s, D700, D3/D3s/D3x, D7000/D90/D80, iTTL Wireless Flash, Passionate Photographer, Capture NX2 and more.

If you don't see your favorite topic or city posted right now, don't worry ... The Academy will have more posted soon. They are also are developing new curriculums such as Lightroom and digital workflow.

The Tanzanian Safari has two seats remaining for November 2011.

Posted by flashdeadline at 3:36 PM

Best of Nikonians Photo Contest unveils new twist

Logo_Nikonians-Contests-kl.jpgGet ready for an expanded eligibility Best of Nikonians - 2011 Images Photo Contest starting this month. All Silver, Gold and Platinum Nikonians members will now have the opportunity to enter in four categories representing a multitude of themes.

That multitude comes from an innovative approach to the first category, which will draw on a broad range variety of images based on past success. This will be a ground-breaking new twist in the contest because it opens the door for multiple submissions based on winning images of 2010-Win-Contest_250.jpgthe Online Assignments forum and challenges posted in our many specialized forums from January 1st to October 31st, 2011.

If you earned more than one win (in those forums and within those dates) you now have the opportunity to submit each of those wins for consideration by our panel of expert Nikonians photographers.

The other three categories (Themes) will be Nature, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and B&W (open to any subject with grayscale images that may have been originally shot in grayscale or converted during post processing).

Lowepro_99.jpgCategory winners and honorary mentions will be recognized in our News Blogs and General Newsletter and they will be eligible for prizes from our Contest Sponsor: Lowepro — The Trusted Original.

Ready to win?
Follow these important links:
Best of Nikonians - 2011 Images Photo Contest
Contest Rules
Contest Gallery
2010 Photo Contest Winners
▪ subscribe to our Nikonians General Newsletter (to make sure you get the contest updates).

Posted by flashdeadline at 2:55 PM

July 9, 2011

The Image Doctors #145

Jason & Rick discuss their current gear and workflows, and then explore the realm of really large prints.

Download The Image Doctors #145 (MP4 format)

For the MP3 version of this podcast (audio only) click here.

Posted by drjay32 at 12:06 PM

July 8, 2011

Mastering The Nikon D7000 book now shipping

Rocky_Nook_Nikonians-Press_125.jpgJust in time for summer reading, Mastering the Nikon D7000 by Darrell Young is printed and now on its way to book retailers. Advance copies have already been received by the author and members of the publication team.

D7000-Cover_200.jpgProfusely illustrated with step-by-step setting adjustments, easy to follow menus screens, and detailed explanations for the proper use of every button, dial, switch, and menu option, this latest book by Darrell Young in the NikoniansPress/Rocky Nook series is (in a simple word) huge.

The author has already explained his enthusiasm for the Nikon D7000 in a recent News Blog. He likes to describe the camera to his friends as "a great value for its robust capability—yet medium price."

Mastering the Nikon D7000 has 496 pages, including table of contents and index.
That's nearly 100 more pages than Darrell's previous best seller, Mastering the Nikon D300/D300S.

In a recent interview, the author tells us the Nikon D7000 presented a unique challenge in terms of page count (and he's got an extra 100 pages in reserve available online):

"A book only has finite space before it becomes too big and bulky to be used in a portable way. Subsequently, in addition to the printed book there are free additional downloadable Darrell-Young_200.jpgsections available to readers, at a private website address.

Most users of the D7000 will have at least some experience with other DSLRs. However, some new users have little experience with DSLR cameras and are unsure about how to change a lens, format a memory card, and charge the battery.

I added special material for these new users in downloadable documents, so as not to make the book bigger than it needed to be for more advanced users. In addition there is downloadable material on basic photography, such as understanding the aperture, shutter speed, and principles like depth of field. All said, in addition to the book’s 496 pages, there are nearly 100 more pages available by download."

If you prefer reading in the new digital reading, O’Reilly Media has already released the eBook versions of the book and soon the Kindle version will be available on Amazon.com. The print version will be in mass distribution by mid-month. If you have been thinking about preordering the book, now’s the time.

Bundle and Save
This is an excellent time to take advantage of the preorders. Amazon currently has a preorder rate of $20.31 USD (saving you $14.64) and all books in the NikoniansPress/Rocky Nook series include a special Nikonians 50%-off voucher discount for a one year Gold Membership in the Nikonians community. This will save $37.50 on Gold Membership. That's an impressive combined total of $52.14 savings on a book selling for less than $21 at the (limited time available) preorder rate.

Looking for more by the author?
Darrell Young (DigitalDarrell) has also been published in the following NikoniansPress/Rocky Nook series of books: Mastering the Nikon D5000, Mastering the Nikon D90, Mastering the Nikon D300, Mastering the D700, (co-authored by James Johnson) and Mastering the Nikon D3000.

Posted by flashdeadline at 1:06 PM

July 6, 2011

Nikonians official magazine latest edition now available

TheNikonian50-Cover_THU_88.jpgThe latest edition of our eZine THE NIKONIAN, #50 is now available for free download (3.553 MB PDF file). This edition shows how one member has been privileged to share a ringside seat to space exploration history and shares information and advice on shooting techniques, new products and upcoming Nikonians Academy workshops.

This latest edition of THE NIKONIAN features:

Editorial — Nikonians look forward.

Witnessing history — Nikonian Graham Martin (Nikon32250) shares with us how he photographs Space Shuttle launches

eZine50-Cover_350.jpg
Fantasea Line FP7000 in the spotlight — Sharon Rainis shows us how to bring your Coolpix underwater to make inspiring photographs

Photographing Animals and Action — Nikonians Academy Director Mike Hagen explains and illustrates focusing techniques guaranteed to capture wildlife images

NikoniansPress — Darrell Young (DigitalDarrell) shares a sneak preview of his upcoming book Mastering the Nikon D7000

Lowepro Pro Roller x200 bag — Nikonians Moderating Team member Brian Tilley (briantilley) delivers an in-depth review of the

Nikonians PhotoProShop — news of some specials and added products

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New from Nikon — D5100 DSLR and the ME-1 Stereo Microphone

Calendar — Nikonians Academy North America and Europe upcoming workshops, Nikonians Chapters Gatherings & PMA Photo show re-scheduling update.


We invite you to download your free copy today.

Posted by flashdeadline at 12:57 PM