Free Webinar

Two sessions are available:
Wednesday, July 13th

Session One - 9 AM Pacific Time
(11 AM Central, 10 AM Mountain, 12 PM Eastern)
Learn More and Register Here

Session Two - 11 AM Pacific Time
(1 PM Central, 12 PM Mountain, 2 PM Eastern)
Learn More and Register Here

Join X-Rite and Nik Software for an hour with David Saffir, internationally recognized, award winning portrait, commercial photographer and fine art printmaker.

This webinar will teach fundamentals of end-to-end workflow for creative photographers, from pre-visualization through color management, capture and selected image editing techniques. We will focus on landscape and scenic imagery. Using the latest tools from Nik and X-Rite, David will demonstrate his workflow using X-Rite i1 Pro solutions and his techniques with Nik's Viveza 2 and Silver Efex Pro to achieve the best quality from his images.

Who should watch this webinar?
– Landscape and Nature Photographers
– Commercial Photographers
– Environmental Portrait and Wedding Photographers
– Fine Art Photographers
– Anyone interested in a creative, color managed workflow

Learn more about David Saffir at www.davidsaffir.com

Solms, Germany (July 6, 2011) - Leica Camera AG announces a multi-faceted collaboration with Facing Change: Documenting America (FCDA), a non-profit collective of prominent photographers and writers who have come together to explore the United States during one of the most enduring times in the nation’s history. Sharing a commitment to supporting independent documentary photography, Leica and FCDA will present a number of photographic projects to be featured online on at www.leica-camera.com and www.facingchange.org, as well as in LFI Magazine, books and travelling exhibitions beginning in July 2011.

These presentations will not only serve as photographic documentaries but also inspire and highlight debate on the national stage. Thought provoking projects include a story by Alan Chin from the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan, exploring the reactions of the crowd that spontaneously gathered after the killing of Osama Bin Laden was announced late at night on May 1, 2011. Under this partnership, Leica Camera AG will also create a series of independently produced multimedia essays. These essays will highlight the personal journeys of the photographers as they travel and generate images using the latest Leica equipment, providing an opportunity to learn from the FCDA photographers and share in their personal experiences.

FCDA was founded in 2009 by Pulitzer Prize winning photographers, Lucian Perkins and Anthony Suau. The organization focuses on America's diversity and covers social and political issues including immigration, the mortgage crisis, obesity and the war on terror.

“Inspired by the Farm Security Administration (FSA) of the 1930s, FCDA is creating an extensive archive with the most talented photographers and journalists currently working in the US. We are sincerely honored to have Leica cameras and lenses travelling beside us on this important journey and we proudly embrace Leica’s newest technologies,” states FCDA President, Co-Founder and Leica Photographer Anthony Suau.

“Leica has always been closely linked with the names of the greatest photographers of our times. Many world famous photographs documenting history in the making were captured with Leica cameras,” said Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Leica Camera AG. “It is therefore only natural that we have now entered into a collaborative venture with a group of photographers dedicated to documentary photography. We are very much looking forward to the joint projects and images that tell fascinating stories.”

The photographers of Facing Change: Documenting America are David Burnett, Alan Chin, Danny Wilcox Frazier, Stanley Greene, Brenda Ann Kenneally, Andrew Lichtenstein, Debbie Fleming Caffery, Carlos Javier Ortiz, Lucian Perkins (Vice President) and Anthony Suau (President). Detailed information about FCDA, the photographers, the photojournalists and their projects, can be found on www.facingchange.org.

Lexar has launched its Lexar Photography Suite Giveaway on the Lexar Facebook page. Fans have the chance to win a computer souped up with a suite of end-to-end memory and storage solutions including Lexar Echo backup drives, and Crucial DRAM and SSDs, as well as Lexar Professional memory cards and card readers that help take the “work” out of “workflow” and make the most of post-production time.

To enter, fans are asked to become a fan of the Lexar Facebook page and answer a poll question telling us which product they think is best at speeding up their workflow.

The contest ends July 15^th and winners will be randomly selected on Monday, July 18^th.

Find out more here

Solms, Germany (July 5, 2011) - Leica Camera AG announces that it has been inducted into the renowned French Comité Colbert as a European member in June 2011. The economic alliance, founded in 1954, represents French premium enterprises and is aimed at creating a deeper understanding of the values manufacturers in the premium segment share in France, Europe, and worldwide. These shared values include a sense of tradition, modernity, craftsmanship, creativity, history and innovation.

Many members of the Comité Colbert have been pioneers in their field and can look back to a proud decades- or century-long history of their brands. French brands such as Chanel, Baccarat, Bollinger, Château Lafite-Rothschild, Dior, Hermès, Lacoste, Lancôme, Longchamp and Louis Vuitton are members of this exclusive alliance. Since 2010, selected manufacturers from other European countries have been invited to participate. In addition to Leica Camera AG, Montblanc has become a new member from Germany.

“Leica can look back to more than 150 years of long tradition and has always been, and still is, the pioneer in developing optical devices of highest quality,” said Alfred Schopf, Leica Camera AG’s Chairman of the Board. “Engineering ingenuity, technical know-how and craftsmanship applied during the whole manufacturing process give our products their unique characters. All the lenses for our professional Leica S camera system and for the Leica M, our range-finder camera system, are made in Solms by hand. So, we fulfill our aspiration of creating the prerequisites for better images day by day.”

“Being appointed a member of the exclusive Comité Colbert circle has been a great honor to Leica Camera AG that reflects the exceptional status of the Leica brand among European premium manufacturers,” said Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Leica Camera AG’s Chairman of the Supervisory Board and its major shareholder. “Leica Camera AG is committed to the premium segment’s high demands concerning value, design, and exclusivity and we are very pleased to get the chance to build network connections within this renowned circle.”

Free Webinar

Two sessions are available:
Tuesday, July 12th

Session One - 11 AM Eastern Time
(10 AM Central, 9 AM Mountain, 8 AM Pacific)
Learn More and Register Here

Session Two - 1 PM Eastern Time
(12 PM Central, 11 AM Mountain, 10 AM Pacific)
Learn More and Register Here

For more detailed information please click on one of the registration links listed above.

Topics Covered
Creating and Using Camera Profiles
Custom White Balance with the Passport
Once click accurate color edits
Matching color response of two or more cameras
Matching color response under different lighting conditions
Color editing in Adobe® Lightroom®
Color editing in Adobe® Photoshop®

Who should watch this webinar?
Professional photographers
Photographic enthusiasts
Anyone passionate about accurate color

Solms, Germany (June 29, 2011) - Leica Camera AG announces the latest firmware update for all versions of the Leica M8. Users wishing to benefit from the new offerings can now download firmware update Version 2.014 from the Leica Camera website and take advantage of new, improved features.

The firmware update coincides with the launch of the Leica Super-Elmar-M 21 mm f/3.4 ASPH. and supports the use of this new wide-angle lens on Leica M8 cameras. In addition to   new improvements, users can expand the range of lenses for their Leica M8 system with the versatile, high-performance super-wide-angle lens. With this free service, Leica Camera AG again proves their commitment to full system compatibility and decades of enduring value of the M series.

For installation instructions and to download firmware update 2.014, please visit: http://en.leica-camera.com/service/downloads/rangefinder_cameras/m8.

What: Adult Dodgeball,

Where: Various neighborhood rec centers around the east side of LA

Why: I take photos for the fun of it, sometimes I get paid.

How: Flash on camera, combined with a key light coming from the back or side. My assistant is on the far side of the gym going side to side following the camera moves, holding a monopod with a flash head on it. Keep it simple.

Gear: Canon 1DS III, 24-70 zoom, 550EZ flash, Pocket Wizards, Quantum Q Flash w/turbo battery. The Qflash has 1/4 CTO on it.

Soundscape: Loud. Think bar juke box: ACDC, Stones, Bowie

The first round was done journalistically, but after taking a couple of direct hits to the camera from one of the 16 balls that are in play, I learned that some kind of control would be a good idea. The later photos are more setup, although they are still playing for real.

Here is the entire series.

Huge thanks to Erik and the other folks World Dodgeball Society who were great in helping me do this series. For those so inclined, check out playing in one of their leagues. Super nice, super fun, co-ed, you get to wear silly outfits and throw grade school rubber balls at each other, then go out for beers with the whole gang. What’s not to like?

Image & text copyright David Harry Stewart 2011

Participants to discover five historic American cities through “Travel Photography with Leica and Lonely Planet” workshops

Allendale, NJ (June 28, 2011) – Leica Camera, Inc., the legendary German camera manufacturer, has partnered with Lonely Planet, the leading global travel information company, to offer experiential photography tours. Beginning July 2011, participants are invited to discover five North American cities with a Leica camera in hand. During these special Leica Akademie workshops, individuals capture must see spots and off the beaten path local favorites while expanding their photographic knowledge in exclusive, real world shooting situations. Host cities include San Francisco, CA; New York, NY; New Orleans, LA; Savannah, GA and Los Angeles, CA, and were selected based on Lonely Planet’s “Top Ten Places to Visit in 2011” as well as the book USA’s Best Trips: 99 Themed Itineraries Across America. 

“Leica Camera and Lonely Planet have come together to offer a truly incomparable experience,” said Christian Erhardt, Vice President of Marketing at Leica Camera, Inc. “Whether local residents or out of town visitors, participants will leave these unique workshops with a deeper sense of the city’s nature, culture and environment, captured in images of unmatched brilliance.”

“Lonely Planet is excited to lend our expertise to the ‘Leica Akademie’ photography tours,” says Lainey Franks, VP Marketing and Client Solutions at Lonely Planet. “We help travelers get to the heart of a city and pride ourselves on our accurate and trustworthy insider knowledge. Our authors will lead participants to the best places to see and photograph, where they’ll get a unique and truly local view of the city, providing invaluable experiences along the way.”

Each excursion is customized by a Lonely Planet author and designed to offer a wealth of insider information, first hand tips and ample memories to fill a photo album. Lonely Planet’s carefully crafted itineraries will introduce photographers to a mix of iconic locations, hidden neighborhood spots and exceptional local cuisine. While discovering Savannah’s Forsyth Park Fountain or strolling in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district, participants interact with an experienced Leica instructor, ensuring creative and personal images through the sharing of insights and techniques. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to submit their best images taken during the workshops for a chance to be featured online and for possible inclusion in future Lonely Planet guidebooks. 

Lonely Planet’s Leica Akademie workshops are beneficial to participants of every skill, interest and experience level. These day long workshops are geared towards amateur and professional photographers who enjoy the best and finest, demand excellence in image quality and appreciate incomparable ease-of-use. Amateurs can explore the world of point-and-shoot photography with Leica's complete line of compact cameras - the X1, D-Lux 5 and V-Lux 2 and the just released V-Lux 30. Experienced photographers have the opportunity to utilize Leica’s flagship M9 rangefinder camera along with the entire portfolio of M lenses including the latest Super-Elmar-M 21 mm f/3.4 ASPH.  and the world's highest-speed aspherical lens, the Leica Noctilux-M 50 mm f/0.95 ASPH.

Each workshop is limited to 12 participants to ensure personal interaction with the instructors. These exclusive events run from 10AM to 7PM. The cost is $249 and each participant receives the following to continue their adventure in travel photography: a $50 Leica voucher to be used toward the purchase of a Leica product from any North American Dealer, a 30% discount on a future purchase at LonelyPlanet.com and a copy of the book Lonely Planet’s Guide to Travel Photography. 

This series of events provides yet another exciting option for amateur and professional photographers alike to experience Leica Akademie North America’s year-long programming. Continuing Leica's long tradition of photographic education, Leica Akademie offers a wide range of experiential workshops in cities across North America. The Akademie's goal is to increase the fun and enjoyment of photography, expand photography knowledge and bring the total Leica experience to a new generation of photographers.

For additional information and to sign up, please visit www.leicaakademie.com or email Akademie@leicacamerausa.com. To learn more about Lonely Planet, please visit www.lonelyplanet.com. 

Two sessions are available:
Wednesday, June 29th

Session One - 11 AM Eastern Time
(10 AM Central, 9 AM Mountain, 8 AM Pacific)
Learn More and Register Here

Session Two - 1 PM Eastern Time
(12 PM Central, 11 AM Mountain, 10 AM Pacific)
Learn More and Register Here

You are invited to a FREE Webinar to see for yourself how to easily have your printed images match your display – every time! For more detailed information please click on one of the registration links listed above.

Topics Covered
Monitor to print matching (calibration and profiling)
Obtaining consistent color in camera
One click accurate color edits
Benefits of creating and using custom printer profiles
Soft-proofing in Adobe® Photoshop®
Applying printer profiles in Photoshop®
Digital projector profiling

Alex Majoli presents the everyday life of a gondolier in Venice through images of unmatched brilliance

Solms, Germany (June 23, 2011) – Leica Camera AG announces the debut of a multimedia essay shot by Magnum Photographer Alex Majoli. The inspirational project stems from Leica’s recent partnership with Magnum Photos and features Majoli’s account of a young gondolier in Venice. The multimedia essay is presented in conjunction with the launch of the M9-P that took place in Paris on June 21. Vital, authentic and brimming with the essence of real life – it is a narrative captured with the Leica M9-P, a new version of the world’s smallest, full-frame digital system camera that specifically meets the needs of professional photographers.

A full member of the prominent photographers’ cooperative since 2001, Majoli’s piece reaches beyond simply documenting a profession steeped in tradition.  The images tell a vivid story of how a gondolier continues to embody the heart and soul of his city. The protagonist of the portfolio is Alvise Catullo Ragazzo, one of around 700 gondoliers in the city of Venice. Majoli has captured moments of Ragazzo’s everyday life amidst tradition and tourism. The day begins with donning a straw hat and the traditional blue-and-white-striped garb of his trade, the journey to work leads Ragazzo past the sights of the city and, of course, his skillful daily routine consists of rowing a Venetian gondola. Majoli’s portfolio also reveals the very private scenes far removed from the bustle of the city. They present an intimate view of family life; the people behind the gondoliers. Majoli has successfully recorded a sensitive portrait of a young man and his city that invites the audience to take a look at life beyond the characteristic tourism of Venice.

A video showcasing the making of the portfolio can be viewed on the Leica website at http://bit.ly/M_Venice. An in-depth interview with Alex Majoli can be found at http://magnum.leica-camera.com.