As part of the inaugural Sony World Photography Awards, Sony is encouraging photographers from all walks of life to ‘Shoot the World’ – capture and share the world as they see it from their unique perspective.
Photographs can then be uploaded to The Gallery by 15 March, 2008 for display and judging.
The winning entry will win a trip for two to the SWPA in Cannes, including airfares for two, seven nights accommodation, two tickets to the Awards, all transfers and $2,000 spending money.
The grand prize also includes a Sony Alpha A200 DSLR twin-lens kit (A200 camera body plus 18-70mm lens and 75-300mm lens) as well as a flash, battery grip, 2GB memory card and kit bag. Four runners up will each win a Sony Alpha A200 DSLR twin-lens kit, valued at $1,399.
So go on, get out there and snap away. Document whatever the world is to you and make sure to send us a postcard from France!
Congratulations are in order for all of the Aussie entrants shortlisted in the inaugural Sony World Photography Awards. The SWPA aims to provide an unprecedented international platform in the culturally diverse field of photography and to continuously unearth the images of the future while giving tribute to the vision of the past. The competition was open to both Amateurs and Professionals for a variety of categories, ranging from architecture to science, music to photojournalism.
Giz would like to give a shout out to Evan Robinson, shortlisted in the Amateur Science category, and Professional entrants Penny Bradfield (Music/Performance), Paul Sleeman (Nude), and Steve Christo, David Gray and Ezra Shaw for their outstanding entries in the Sport category.
We all want to see a compatriot take out the $25,000 cash prize for Photograph of the Year and would totally rig the competition. But alas, the best we can do is wish them the best of luck and pray to Apollo/ Helios/your deity of choice that their works of art will take them over the line.
The shortlist was compiled by the World Photographic Academy, a judging panel of over one hundred of the industry’s elite, from a total of 25,934 amateur photograph entries and 44,641 professional photograph entries. Shortlisted entries will have the opportunity to have their work displayed with internationally distinguished photographers including Henri Cartier-Bresson, George Rodger, David Seymour and Robert Capa, in an exhibition curated by Magnum Photos.
Three finalists (tba) will be nominated in each Professional category, with all nominated finalists receiving free accommodation in Cannes along with VIP tickets to the SWPA formal events. The winners from each Amateur category (tba) will be exhibited in Cannes with the overall winner receiving a flight to and accommodation in Cannes for the Awards presentation.
Sony announced its high performance DSLR last year after many rumours and much anticipation. The Alpha A700 features a new CMOS sensor with 12.24-megapixel resolution, faster image processing, and a 3.0-inch high contrast LCD monitor.
“With the A700 we aim to provide a high performance solution that meets all of the diverse, sophisticated demands of high-end enthusiast and professional photographers alike,” says John Wallace, Sony Australia’s Business Development Manager for the Digital SLR Division.
The body design of the A700 features contoured grip for comfortable handling and thoughtful control layout for visibility, fast and accurate autofocusing and accurate exposures. Dual slots are provided for Memory Stick PRO Duo and CompactFlash cards, which can be supported simultaneously and users can select which card to record to.
The A700 introduced a new ‘Quick Navi’ interface that enables key camera settings to be accessed via a joystick plus icons on the screen. The 3.0” LCD monitor with 921,000 dots of resolution boasts a hybrid structure and anti-reflective coating to provide better viewing in sunlight. Furthermore, the HDMI terminal allows viewers to experience images in Full HD.
Under the skin, the Alpha A700 boasts Sony’s custom-designed CMOS sensor. The integrated 12-bit A/D conversion and Dual Noise Reduction Circuit enables the camera to read out the image signals at high speed with reduced image noise. The image data is then passed to the new and more powerful BIONZ image processor (capable of 5 frames/second at 12 megapixels) that further reduces noise before the image data is compressed into JPEG files. An all-new shutter mechanism offers a maximum speed of 1/8,000 second with flash synch at 1/250 second without SuperSteady Shot.
The Alpha A700 body is available for $2,249, an extra $150 for the single lens (18-70mm) and $2,999 for the A700 body plus 16-105mm lens.
Sony has refined its entry-level digital SLR with a faster, lighter and easier to use design. The new Alpha A200 model features upgrades influenced by the enthusiast-class A700 and replaces the former A100, Sony’s first foray into DSLR cameras. The performance-enhanced body features 10.2 mega-pixel imaging, 2.7″ LCD display, noise reduction for ISO up to 3200, and body-integrated Super SteadyShot image stabilisation.
“The new A200 is designed for consumers looking for an easy-to-use, reliable yet high performance D-SLR camera to meet their photographic needs,” said John Wallace, Sony Australia’s Business Development Manager for the Digital SLR division.”
Despite being targeted at entry-level buyers, the Alpha A200 provides all the functions required by keen photographers. Significant changes have been made to body design and control layout to make the new model easier for novices to operate.
The A200 boasts improved image processing engine and autofocus response, greater customisation capabilities and quieter shutter sound than its predecessor, as well as auto pop-up flash and battery life indicator that shows accuracy to one per cent.
Available from mid-February from $1,399 for the Alpha A200 body and twin lens kit (DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 and 75-300mm f4.5-5.6).
The Apple Store Australia has dropped their iPod Touch prices, albeit not by a whole lot. The 8GB model is now $399 (down from $419) and the 16GB is $499 (down from $549). Still hefty, no?
Thanks, Cameron!
Ah oh! We’re having difficulty establishing contact with the US site, which is why all these lovely blank images are popping up. Yay!
In the process of smacking their arses now…Thanks for your patience!
Update: Functioning sporadically… Update 2: Back again! More »
MacBook Air: Vent or Praise in this Flamewar Thread Super-sexy or a super-rip-off? Let it all out here.
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The ‘world’s thinnest notebook’ is available for pre-order now at the Apple Store Australia. The 13-inch machines come in at $2,499 for 1.6 Ghz and $4,338 for the 1.8Ghz model. Yep, that’s almost two grand extra for the added 0.2Ghz Core 2 Duo and 64GB solid-state-drive goodness.
Aside from being super-slim (1.9cm and 1.36 Kg), the Air also features a multitouch trackpad. The estimated shipping time of two to three weeks should help somewhat in your quest to acquire $4,000. The only question now is, what the hell do I do with my positively-chubby-by-comparison MacBook Pro?
Check out Gizmodo’s Macbook Air hands-on and complete Macbook Air coverage.
Dendy Films is offering Giz readers the chance to attend a free preview of The King of Kong, the documentary about diehard video game fans and their bid to break World Records on classic arcade games.
The screening will be held at the George Street Cinemas in Sydney’s CBD at 6:30pm, Wednesday 20th February.
Don’t get chumpatized! RSVP with your full name to rsvpATdendyfilms.com.au and include “KONG” in the subject line to get yourself and a mate on the door-list.
The King of Kong opens nationally in February. More »
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