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North Korea Opens Up
What is the hardest country in the planet to get any news into or out of? If you think about it there are a few places around the world that are essentially hermetically sealed, but the top answer would definitely be the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Since the 1950′s nothing has gotten into or out of the country without close review by the authorities and absolute censorship. The last few images out of the country in recent years that were published by the national media group Korean Central News Agency have had kill orders issued by everyone (Reuters, AP, etc) due to varying degrees of manipulation. With such stringent measures taken by the DPRK’s media arm to control the flow of information, no one has effectively been able to get unbiased free press news in or out of the country for over a half century.
Until now.
Image Copyright held by the Associated Press
Thanks to the continued efforts of the AP, they have set up an all-format media office (they have had a small video office there since 2006) in Pyongyang, allowing for the free press to operate for the first time since the early 1950s. When asked about the ability of the AP to operate freely given checkered history the DPRK has on suppression of free media, the AP executive editor Kathleen Carroll stated that the AP “does not submit to censorship,” and is not going to start with North Korea. Instead she says, the DPRK and the AP have worked out solutions to enable them to “find a way to understand one another and to cooperate closely enough to open an AP bureau.”
The bureau will operate within Pyongyang and be staffed by two North Korean journalists who in turn will be closely monitored by the Seoul bureau.
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Sweet Gifts for Sweethearts
Tired of giving or receiving chocolates and roses for Valentines? Year in and year out it’s the staple gift that everyone flocks to. Like ties and socks and marshmallow Santas for Christmas, no one really wants the usual gifts but we all get them. It’s easy to resort to these kitsch gifts because everyone does.
It can be hard to step out of the box, so let Precision Camera & Video help! With tons of great photographic accessories and items to choose from (and even some stuff that’s not so photographic), we are sure to help you find that perfect Valentines gift. Whatever your price range and needs are, we have something to trump any box of grocery store chocolates.
There are tons of great items in our store to choose as a gift for your deserving Valentine, but here are a few quick ideas in case you need some help:
Everyone and their mother has an iPhone today, especially in the photographic world. With such a magnificent camera and such a variety of uses, the iPhone makes a perfect walk-around camera. Why not get some accessory lenses or a great little tripod to accent your iPhone’s photographic abilities?
What is the one thing that photographers are always in need of now days? More storage space! Generally inexpensive and a massive help to have around, this will make for an awesome quickie gift. Just make sure that you know if your photography lover uses SD or CompactFlash cards, as they are not interchangeable.
One of the more essential items in a photographer’s kit, as it carries everything in the kit! Going for something practical and utilitarian or a little more covert like the new Kelly Moore bags, we have a bag to suit any need. Don’t forget the straps too, as it is much easier to be a camera slinger when it has a strap to be slung by. If your significant other happens to shoot weddings for instance, straps and belts are a mandatory item in order to have cameras ready to cover every last important moment. For a bonus check out the very versatile Black Rapid modular straps and belts.
These may be one the smaller items, but they can make a big difference out in the field! Joby’s compact Gorillapods make using a tripod anywhere easy.
Learning is love! Treat your lover to some classes, and they will come away with a gift that never fades: the knowledge of how to handle unique situations and problems!
The one gift that never fails if you are not sure what to decide on. Just choose the denomination and let your lover make the choice for themselves!
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A Darkness Visible: Afghanistan
Few foreign photographers travel freely within the country of Afghanistan. It’s considered to be one of the most dangerous places in the world for photojournalists, and is consistently ranked in the top 10 world-wide. It’s one of the worst places possible to find yourself alone, in trouble, and with no friends in high places. Most photographers in Afghanistan are escorted by hired security contractors or embedded within a military group to ensure their protection in the war-ravaged country. If you are a photojournalist, you go with protection or you don’t go at all.
Not Seamus Murphy.
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Photographic Education
There are many resources available to us in this day and age of photography to expand our visual horizons and deepen our understanding of the equipment we use to take the photographs we love. Schools like the Brooks Institute in California are devoted to providing a vast archive and staff full of photographic knowledge and expertise. The world-renowned University of Texas and Austin Community College’s ever-expanding Photography Departments are there for those ready to garner a degree in photography. Online resources and a wealth of knowledge are just waiting for our perusal from every corner of the globe. There is something for everyone on any subject or matter available everywhere, the question is now: Where to start?
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Kodak Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
David Duprey/AP/File
After months of denials and death-throes litigation against “competitors” in attempts to bolster it’s coffers, Kodak has finally publicly admitted it’s defeat. More information and the official press release after the jump…
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Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2012 Wrap Up
Fun was had last week by the lucky members of the Precision Camera and Video team who attended CES last week in Las Vegas. Camera buffs at the world’s largest consumer electronics trade show are the equivalent of turning kids loose in a candy store. After three days of walking three convention halls and two other hotel ballrooms they are back; a bit tired but very excited about all the cool new toys, tools and new digital cameras that are coming out.
I asked them to highlight the best of the best of what they saw. These were among their favorites:
Fujifilm has game. Their soon to be released Fuji X-Pro1 Camera justifiably won four awards at the show including Best New Camera. The Fujifilm X-Pro1 camera is mirror-less and offers interchangeable lenses and an electronic viewfinder. That’s just the tip of the iceberg for this hotly anticipated new digital camera. Read the rest of this entry »
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Meet Lindsay Adler
Fashion photographer Lindsay Adler will be one of the featured instructors at Precision University’s upcoming three-day Photography workshop (March 2-4, 2012). Today Lindsay is guest blogging for Scott Kelby. Don’t miss this great article featuring 10 tips that she has used to make her portfolio stand out from the crowd. Check out Lindsay’s article “10 Tips for Improving your Portfolio in 2012” here.
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Pre-Order the Fujifilm X-Pro1 Now!
Are you ready for the next step in digital imaging and the future of photography?
Introducing the Fujifilm Finepix X-Pro1 Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera. The camera that the Fujifilm Finepix X100 was built to eventually become, the X-Pro1 elevates photography to new levels and broadens the horizon of digital photography in this new era of technology.
Clearly demonstrating the aesthetic refinements of successful film cameras of bygone eras like the classic Leica M3 and the Olympus Pen F, the retro-styling and all metal construction calls out to the photographer to be carried everywhere and shown the world. Not only does it urge it’s owner to explore the world through it’s lens, the Fuji X-Pro1 delivers unparalleled performance suitable to make images of all types to be captured effectively and beautifully. From the studio to the street and into the jungle, this camera is made to perform above and beyond all expectations.
CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER FujiFilm X-Pro1 Camera Body Only
CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER THE X-Pro1 35mm f/1.4 Kit
CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER THE X-Pro1 18mm f/2 Lens
CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER THE X-Pro1 35mm f/1.4 Lens
CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER THE X-Pro1 60mm f/2.4 Macro Lens
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Nikon D4 SLR Camera and 85mm f/1.8G Lens Are Official!
The Nikon D4 and the Nikon 85mm f/1.8G lens are now official! Announced very early this morning, Nikon has bolstered their professional camera lineup with the new masterpiece known as the Nikon D4, as well as provided a classic portrait lens upgrade at a very comfortable price.
The new products that Nikon has released will create new milestones in the Nikon product line. The Nikon D4 Camera answers the masses’ requests for professional video capabilities that shore up and exceed the expectations that Canon has so rigorously created with their video fan favorites. With these new steps into the dawning age of the professional shooter/videographer arena, Nikon has set themselves up to conquer all.
Want to be first in line for either product? Sign up to be on the waiting lists through our product pages for the Nikon D4 and the Nikon 85mm f/1.8G.
Excited about what this camera has in store for you? Take a look at the specifics after the jump!
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Fuji X-Pro1 Unofficial Announcement!
Thanks to some wonderful folks in France at the magazine Réponses Photo, we have actual images and specs for the new Fuji MILC offering!
Utilizing the popularity garnered among pro’s, enthusiasts, and hobbyists with the X100, this camera is set to exceed and create new expectations in the photographic community for MIL (Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens) cameras. More on this exciting new change of pace in the photo industry after the jump!
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