Hello friends:

As you can see, it has been difficult for me to keep up with updating all of the various elements on the front page of RAW that we created to highlight all of our features. That page was created in our content management system and put in place of the traditional blog index page.

Everybody likes to take great photos at scenic locales, but sometimes it's hard to know exactly where to go to get that fantastic shot that's going to end up framed over your fireplace, given as a treasured gift, or - hopefully! - sold at a show.

He writes:

Back in February of 2011, I posted a note from Janet Claffey of Newburyport telling us of the passing of a dear friend of hers who was a RAW enthusiast - Barbara Bailey. Recently, Janet took Second Place in "The Color Yellow" contest, and sent me this note:

The Japanese website digicame-info.com says that Nikon will soon announce - and then release on June 28 - two new lenses: a 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 VR and an 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DX VR.

Nikon Rumors translated some of the specs for the 24-85mm:

• Camera shake correction VR with 4 stops shutter speed compensation


• SWM AF motor


• Lens design: 11 - 16 elements, ED element


• Internal focusing


• Minimum aperture: f/22-29


• Filter diameter: 72mm


• Minimum focusing distance: 0.38m


• Lens diameter: 78mm


• Lens length: 82mm


• Weight: 465 gr.


• Lens hood: HB-63


• Lens case: CL-1118

Some of the features of the 18-300mm include:

• DX format 16.7x zoom lens with versatile 18-300mm focal range (FX/35mm equivalent:27 to 450mm)
• Vibration Reduction II (VR II) stabilization system enables more flexible hand-held shooting and lets you use shutter speeds that are up to 4 stops slower.
• Maximum aperture of f/5.6 at the telephoto end of the range.
• Zoom-lock switch keeps the lens secure when not in use.
• 9-blade rounded diaphragm opening makes out-of-focus elements blend together smoothly.
• Three ED glass and three aspherical lens elements ensure high resolution and superior contrast.
• SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for fast, whisper-quiet autofocus.
• Compact and lightweight design for a lens with this range.

Keep track of developments on NikonRumors.com.

Associated Press

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Eastman Kodak Co. said today that it will stop making digital cameras, pocket video cameras, and digital picture frames, marking the end of an era for the company that brought photography to the masses more than a century ago.

Founded by George Eastman in 1880, Kodak was known all over the world for its Brownie and Instamatic cameras and its yellow-and-red film boxes. But the company was battered by Japanese competition in the 1980s, and was then unable to keep pace with the shift from film to digital technology.

The Rochester, N.Y.-based company, which filed for bankruptcy protection last month, said it will phase out the product lines in the first half of this year and instead look for other companies to license its brand for those products. Once the products are phased out, Kodak said its consumer business will focus on photo printing and desktop inkjet printers.

Kodak said it's working with its retailers to ensure an orderly transition. The company will continue to honor product warranties and provide technical support for the discontinued products.

The moves are expected to result in annual savings of more than $100 million. The company didn't say how many jobs would be eliminated as a result of the decision, but did say that it expects to take a charge of $30 million related to separation costs.

Do you own a Kodak camera? What's your reaction to this news?

A local photo essay project by Paul Marotta of Arlington, one of our regular contest judges, has been chosen by Kickstarter - a funding platform for creative ideas - to be eligible for completion funding.

That funding, which consists of online donations from supporters, will allow Paul to turn it into a national project complete with potential gallery exhibits, online and print media publication, and even perhaps a book.

Paul writes:

The Japanese camera site Digital Camera Info (warning: the link is a Google translation of the Japanese language site, and the translation is not perfect) has released what it says are specs for the new Nikon D800, and the camera looks to be a behemoth.

Lee Cullivan of Belmont, aka shoothead on Flickr and a two-time First Place winner of our monthly contests (the Motion theme and the Jobs theme), has been nominated as an AMD VISIONary photographer.

Information from Sony press release

At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Sony unveiled several new point-and-shoot Cyber-shot digital still cameras starting at about $110.

Paul Wainwright was a recent Featured Photographer here on RAW in which he discussed the project that resulted in the book that won the award. Here's a press release about his prize:

New Hampshire photographer Paul Wainwright's new book, "A Space for Faith: The Colonial Meetinghouses of New England", has received the prestigious New England Book Festival Award for best Photography/Art book of the year.

Wainwright works with a wooden large-format camera, sheet film, and develops all his images in his darkroom. Every photograph is carefully and individually created. He prefers to create a photograph rather than "shoot" or "take a picture" and uses traditional processes which force him to slow down and really think about what he wants his images to be.

Bruce Haring, director of the New England Book Festival, said: " 'A Space for Faith' shows a true artist's eye for detail and serves as a wonderful guide to a part of the region that deserves more attention."

The New England Book Festival Award will be presented at the Festival's award ceremony at 7 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Omni Parker House Hotel in Boston. The Parker House is the grand literary hotel where Thoreau, Emerson, and Longfellow met at the legendary Saturday Club for poetry readings and high-minded discussions.

"A Space for Faith: The Colonial Meetinghouses of New England" is a collection of Wainwright's classic black-and-white photographs that paints a composite portrait of these once ubiquitous landmarks of the New England landscape. Only a few remain as they were – touched only by time – and Wainwright's photographs give us a glimpse into an age when life was simpler.

"I am extremely honored by this award," says Wainwright. "New England's meetinghouses embody a large part of our nation's history, and my work photographing them was aimed at bringing their story to a broad audience."

Wainwright, who has long considered himself to be a "photographer with a day job," discovered his creative passion with his first darkroom at age 12. In 2001, when the job he had held for 24 years at Bell Laboratories was eliminated, he embraced his love of photography and re-created his life.

"I took a leap of faith," Wainwright says. "I'll admit that like many of us who suddenly find ourselves without a job, I was scared. But that leap of faith led me to create 'A Space for Faith', a book which wouldn't exist if I'd still been working in the corporate world." Wainwright is now a successful landscape and architectural photographer.

Drawn to capture images that reflect our Puritan heritage, Wainwright says, "They were religious dissidents who came to New England so they could live apart from the Church of England. Their lives were simple, and their belief in God was central to their lives. I believe my meetinghouse photographs reflect the Puritans' simple, well-ordered lives and inspire my quest to simplify my own life."

For review copies and author interviews, call 603-362-6589. Additional information and photos may be found in the Media Room section of the book’s web site, www.aspaceforfaith.com.

A Space for Faith: The Colonial Meetinghouses of New England by Paul Wainwright (ISBN 13: 978-0-9817898-5-9) is published by Peter E. Randall Publisher of Portsmouth, NH.

Business Wire reports today that leading up to next month's annual Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas, Samsung has announced the release of the latest camera in its successful NX family, the mirrorless NX11, as well as the ultra-slim WB700, a high-end point-and-shoot.

Samsung says the NX11 contains a feature set similar to its first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, the NX10. However, the NX11 is also compatible with the new i-Function lens that was introduced for the NX100.

The NX11 will come with an 18-55mm i-Function lens, as well as two new i-Function lenses: a 20mm pancake and a 20-50mm zoom silver color lens.

It has a 14.6-megapixel image sensor, a 3-inch LCD screen, and 720p HD video. It will retail for $649 when it hits store shelves in February.

The WB700 comes with an ultra-wide Schneider Kreuznach lens with a 24X zoom function, made up of an 18X optical zoom and 1.3X Smart Zoom.

It also has a 16-megapixel sensor, full manual control, and full 1080p high-definition video capability. The camera is expected to be released in April and sell for about $300.

Do you have a Samsung NX or point-and-shoot now? How do you like it?

The Middleborough Historical Association is looking for old photographs to use in a book entitled "Middleborough, a Pictorial History," to be published by Arcadia Press as part of its "Images of America" series. The association has scheduled a photo collecting day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday (March 21) in the Grant Building, 40 North Main St. Anyone with unpublished photographs that could be considered for the book should bring them that day. For more information, contact Nancy Gedraitis at 508-947-3823.

Marshfield's Information Technology Department is on the lookout for quality local images to display on the town's website. Officials would like to get a variety of photos of the town's coastline, farms, historical sites, and landmarks. If you have any photos you'd like to contribute, e-mail them to pics@townofmarshfield.org or drop them off at the IT Department in Town Hall, 870 Moraine St..

The Holbrook Public Library is hoping to resume its position in the community as a backdrop for the display of art, according to library director Ruth Hathaway. Hathaway is urging area artists, not just those who live in town, to use the walls in the adult section of the library to display their framed photographs, paintings, needlework, and other work. Artists are welcome to list the price of their work and their contact information. The library has featured exhibitions in the past, and is looking to resume support of the local arts community, Hathaway said. The only exhibit booked so far is an informational display on foster care in February, she said.

Officials in Manchester-by-the-Sea are seeking photographs of the town to be included in the annual town report. Submissions must be original pictures taken of Manchester landmarks and/or town-related events. Selected photos will appear on the front and back covers and inside the report, which will be distributed to residents before Town Meeting in April. Submit photos to Beth Heisey, the selectmen's administrative assistant, as prints mailed or brought to the Selectmen's Office, Town Hall, 10 Central St., Manchester, MA 01944, or by e-mail to heiseye@manchester.ma.us. Include your name, address and phone number; those submitting prints should list that information on the back of the photo. For more information, call Heisey at 978-526-2000.

How do you get an art gallery named after you? Well, you can be a world-famous photographer.

Salem Open Studios Tour
Arts & Antiques Month in Salem includes an Open Studios Tour from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 22) in three places: Old Town Hall, artists' studios, and retail stores. This year, the work of several photographers will be showcased, along with paintings, mixed media, jewelry, fiber, glass, and sculpture.

The details:

"Photography Past and Present" is a special event presented by the Film-Only Group (FOG) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. this Thursday (Nov. 6) at the Cape Cod Museum of Art, 60 Hope Lane off Route 6A in Dennis in the Cape Playhouse compound.

FOG consists of 16 advanced amateur photographers who photograph for the love of the art. They will present photos that reflect both conventional film photography and contemporary digital photography. The exhibit will consist of vintage chemical prints, new silver prints, and digital prints. A prized collection of vintage film cameras, as well as old darkroom equipment for developing chemical film and prints, will be on display.

Dress is casual, wine and light refreshments will be served, and admission is gained simply by making a small donation to the museum.

FOG meets at the museum every month to discuss old and new methods of photography.

The Panopticon Gallery throws two receptions in one tonight. The opening party for Christian Waeber's exhibit "Later That Night . . ." will also be the reception for Mara Brod's "Miniatures." Waeber's photographs are surreal shots of deserted parts of Boston at night. Brod's exhibit features tiny, toy-camera shots of Boston suburbia. Both photography collections make Boston look beautiful, albeit creepy.

Reception tonight from 5 to 7. Free. Both shows up through Nov. 17.
Panopticon Gallery, Hotel Commonwealth, 502c Commonwealth Ave., Kenmore Square, Boston. 617-267-8929.

-- The Boston Globe

Wellesley
The Wellesley Free Library is hosting a workshop on digital photography basics and computer use from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5. This workshop will provide an overview of digital photography to include selecting a camera (compact, SLR) and printer, image file formats, and basic techniques for adjusting the quality of digital photographs for printing, emailing, and displaying on the web.

The program will also look at storage options both for the camera and computer, transferring images from the camera to the computer, and accessories to make the process easier. Other topics include free services where you can share photos with family and friends, data recovery, and a demonstration of basic photo editing.

The class is designed for adults with some computer experience. Advance registration is required; sign up online, by calling 781-235-1610, or in person at the main library, which is located at 530 Washington St.

Raynham
A two-part workshop on digital camera use will be held next month at the Raynham Public Library, 760 South Main St. At 7 p.m. on Nov. 12 and Nov. 19, members of the Hockomock Digital Photographers, a West Bridgewater camera club, will present a primer on digital camera use. The first session will focus on camera basics and terminology related to digital imaging. Part two will focus on digital darkroom techniques. Participation is free, but registration is required. Call the library at 508-823-1344.
-- Christine Legere, Globe South

RAW reader fairnsquare writes:

"There is an exhibit through October, Images of the North End, at Boston City Hall, in the Mayor's Gallery on the 5th floor. Some of the photographs are taken during [St. Anthony"s] Feast. You may find yourself or your neighbors in them!"

The next meeting of the new Photographic Society of Cape Cod will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, 315 Old Main St,, South Yarmouth. (Old Main Street intersects with Route 28 at the traffic lights just before the Bass River Bridge in South Yarmouth.)

Here are the details: