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!

[The Gallery]

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 World Photography Awards]

“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.

[Product page – Sony Australia]

“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).

[Sony Australia]

Thanks, Cameron!

[Apple Store Australia]

In the process of smacking their arses now…Thanks for your patience!

Update: Functioning sporadically…
Update 2: Back again!

MacBook Air: Vent or Praise in this Flamewar Thread
Super-sexy or a super-rip-off? Let it all out here.

Why Cheap Wiimote Addons May Be a Bad Idea
God bless stupid kids and their stupid Myspace vids.

Is MacBook Air Worth the Money? Five Slim Laptops Face Off
The Macbook Air Battlemodo: not so over-priced by comparison.

Steve Jobs: “People Don’t Read Anymore,” Android Is Going Down
If you hate Apple, you probably won’t like Steve Jobs and his sweeping statements. Or this whole MacWorld thing.

Darkest Material Ever Is Almost Blacker Than Karl Rove’s Soul
Only reflects 0.045 per cent of all light.

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.

[Apple Store Australia]

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.

Magic Fireballs are Awesome, Not as Dangerous as You’d Think: For the pyro in every one of us.

Giz Banned For Life and Loving It: On Pranks and Civil Disobedience at CES: Enough said.

1960s Braun Products Hold the Secrets to Apple’s Future: Getting back to basics.

F-15 Eagle Literally Breaking Apart: Must-see TV.

Do You Really Think the Macworld Keynote’s Leaked on Wikipedia?: Fanboy’s fantasy.

Polar Cities for Day After Tomorrow Survivors Will Save Us All From Horrible Deaths: “Visionary futurist” town planning…whatever that means.