Phottix Hero and Hector showcased at CES

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The Phottix Hero and Hector LiveView Remotes were featured at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas earlier in January. The wired and wireless LiveView DSLR Remotes were shown to more than 112,515 attendees as part of Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) product showcase.

The Phottix Hero Wireless LiveView Remote and the Phottix Hector LiveView Remote won the Bronze Outstanding Innovation and Technology Products Award from the HKTDC during the Hong Kong Electronics Fair in October 2009. The HKTDC displayed the award-winning remotes at the CES.

The Phottix Hero Wireless LiveView Remote sends a video preview from a camera’s viewfinder to a remote unit, and displays it on a color LCD screen. A photographer can take photographs from the remote, up to 100 meters away. The Hero is perfect for aerial, wildlife, street and sports photography.

An artist first: Photographer Ben Lawson

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Ben Lawson considers himself an artist first and a photographer second. He bought his first camera a 7 years old and was instantly hooked. His current goal is to bring boudoir photography back to his ultra-conservative community.  What are Ben’s secrets? How does he set up his shots? Read more in today’s Photog Friday.

Name: Ben Lawson

Country of residence: USA

How did you first get interested in photography?
When I was around 7 years old, I bought an old manual twin-lens reflex camera at an auction. Being a kid and a beginner gave me the freedom to experiment. I was hooked as soon as my first prints came back from the lab. It was a sad day when the film it used was discontinued, and I had to retire my beloved first camera!

What do you like to shoot?
I think of myself as an artist first, a photographer second. I shoot subjects and concepts that interest me, or challenge me to expand my skills. I love working with other people, not just clients but models, makeup artists, etc. The experience of collaboration on an art project has always been very rewarding.

What’s your approach to photography, your philosophy?
As I said, I am an artist first. Although I have quite a range of subject matter and themes, they are all intended to create a body of art. Even client work like weddings and portraits are approached with the same goal in mind. I loathe the traditional formal portrait, and strive to have fun and be creative with everything I do. I collaborate with every client and model to convey their unique personality along with my own vision.

Updating a legend: Canon Releases 70-200 f/2.8 IS II USM

Camera News

Canon’s new L Series lens, the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II USM was announced January 5. The highly anticipated announcement offers photographers new features and an improved IS system.

The updated lens features a re-designed optical system, with 23 elements in 19 groups, with a fluorite element and no fewer than five ultra-low dispersion (UD) elements. These changes, says Canon in their media release, drastically reduces chromatic aberration through the zoom range and produces edge-to-edge definition in high contrast images.

The lens’s new autofocus system is geared towards Canon’s new DSLRs, the 1D Mark IV and 7D. This updated model features a ring-type USM AF motor. When combined with a new high-speed CPU and AF algorithm, focusing is both faster and quieter.

Each frame is precious: Photog Cameron Fong

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After a two week holiday hiatus Photog Friday is back. This week we travel to the land down-under to meet shooter Cameron Fong. He started his life behind the lens at 9 and has since amassed an arsenal of Nikon DSLR gear. He’s set some ambitious goals for 2010. What’s Cameron’s philosophy? How does he shoot? Read on…

Name: Cameron K. Fong

Country of residence: Australia

Brief Bio:
Born 1987 in Australia, met my first SLR when I was 7 or 8, got my first camera (35mm Kodak compact) when I was about 9, went on to learn to shoot SLR using Nikon FM2’s and Pentax K1000’s in high school. I started to own my SLR’s in 2007 when I bought my Nikon D40x (since sold) and have been shooting heavily ever since.

How did you first get interested in photography?
I first came into contact with SLR’s at a young age, and just knew from then onwards that photography would be something that I would pursue. I can’t draw or paint very well, so I borrow the camera to capture the things to see.

What do you like to shoot?
In many ways I will shoot almost anything, but I am most comfortable shooting landscape and macro.

What’s your approach to photography, your philosophy? What do you look for? How do you set-up a shot?