Award-winning publisher PQ Blackwell has launched a new membership programme for those who desire professional-level elegance in their photo albums – and to celebrate we have a luxury album to give away.

The publisher is now making it’s stylish MILK and CREAM photo albums available at a 50 percent discount when purchased through the new professional membership service, and for a limited time you can sign on for free.

To qualify for a year’s worth of membership discounts you need only purchase one unbranded CREAM album at the special launch price of US$297.50 (about NZ$345) or three unbranded MILK albums at US$262.50 (about NZ$305) and you’re in  – plus you’ll be in the draw to win free albums for a year.

The exclusive unbranded albums are only available through the MILK and CREAM Professional Membership programme, boasting leather, silk and linen covers; lay-flat pages; art paper or card; and beautifully crafted presentation boxes designed specifically for professional photographers and their clients.

To mark the launch of this affordable new professional programme, D-Photo has a MILK album worth $US175 ...full story

Paul Gummer talks to three rising stars about photojournalism as a way of life

Kirsty Head

Numerous graduates from UCOL have headed off into the world of newspaper photography over the years. It’s always inspiring to watch people come to one of our courses with little more than a dream, then see them grow to the point where their work becomes professional. But to hear they have achieved an industry award is even more exciting, because you know they have really made the grade from their own hard work.

Three talented photographers who came through our doors and went on to win national Media Awards within a short time are Kirsty Head, Nikki Williams and Ben Curran. Each has a fascinating story. Canon replaced Qantas as naming sponsor for the Media Awards. It is fitting that companies such as Canon are enthusiastic about having a strong presence among photographers — this symbiotic relationship is healthy for our industry. (more…)

We are excited to announce the country’s most prestigious competition exclusively for amateur photographers is now accepting submissions for its 2014 programme.

The Sigma D-Photo Amateur Photographer of the Year contest gives passionate photographers throughout the country the chance to showcase their skills and vie for a share of over $13,500 in prizes.

D-Photo is thrilled to announce this latest partnership with Sigma to help encourage and promote the talent of our local photographic community – head to the official competition page for terms and conditions, online entry form and to view images already submitted.

In addition to the grand title of Amateur Photographer of the Year, prizes will also be awarded for the top three spots in each competition category, thanks to the generosity of our category sponsors.

They are:

Landscape, sponsored by Vanguard

People, sponsored by Epson

Action, sponsored by GoPro

Nature, sponsored by Marumi

Monochrome, sponsored by Hasselblad

Creative, sponsored by Fantail Publishing

Travel, sponsored by Sandisk

The competition is open to any New Zealand residents who do not earn their primary income ...full story

Adventure photographer Chris McLennan has some close encounters with Alaska’s hulking grizzly bears 

It’s not uncommon at rural landing strips around the world to ‘buzz the runway’, swooping low along the strip, before landing to ensure no grazing cattle, wandering wildlife or other native guests are in the path of the landing plane. Buzzing the beach to clear the foraging grizzly bears in Alaska, however, is certainly something different. Yet this is a common theme to my arrival into Silver Salmon Creek Lodge as part of the Alaskan Grizzly Bear photo tour that I run each year in the Lake Clark National Park area. (more…)

The ridiculously generous early bird tickets for a weekend of inspiration talks by top-level commercial photographers, both local and international, have almost sold out.

You can currently grab a ticket to the Image Nation conference, hosted by the Advertising and Illustrative Photographers Association (AIPA), for as low as $69, but as of this morning there are only 20 such tickets left.

AIPA, NZIPP and students are eligible for the early bird price of $69, everyone else pick them up for the still very affordable price of $119 – get in quick before they’re gone.

The event takes place on Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14 – confirmed speakers include international advertising photographer Simon Harsent, local photographers Emma Bass; Dean Zillwood; and Joseph Michael, published Geoff Blackwell, and five more to be confirmed.

The event will this year be held at Auckland’s Q Theatre, and you can purchase tickets directly from its website.

Image Nation is always one of the most exciting and creatively energising events of the year and the AIPA has done ...full story