Think you’ve got what it takes to be a dpreview reviewer? Are you passionate about the techniques and technology surrounding digital photography? Do you want the dubious pleasure of working alongside the rest of the dpreview team on what is arguably the most exciting photography website in the world? We’re looking for someone who knows cameras inside out and wants to put them to the ultimate test – then write about it. We expect you to have a solid photographic knowledge as well as experience using our chosen authoring tools (see inside). This position will be at our office in London (UK).

Phil: Note this position is at our office in London (UK), please do not apply unless you live in the UK and are willing to commute to the office or are willing to relocate to London (at your own expense).

dpreview.com Camera Reviewer / Writer –
job reference 11117

Dpreview is the world’s leading photography website, with well over 20 million visitor sessions per month and a large, active community of users. We’re looking to recruit another camera reviewer to join our growing team of writers and developers based in our new studio and office in central London.

The role will involve producing both in-depth and concise reviews of the latest compact and SLR digital cameras to dpreview.com’s exacting standards. You’ll be doing everything from product and gallery photography to image analysis, as well as writing and assembling the reviews and helping us to develop new content areas and broaden our news coverage.

You’ll need to be able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of current digital camera systems and an understanding of the underlying technologies and how they impact on performance and image quality. You’ll love photography and be able to take a decent picture, but you’ll also love getting under the skin of a camera to really find out what makes it tick. You’ll have exceptional attention to detail and be prepared to go the ‘extra mile’ needed to bring our readers the definitive review of the camera you’re working on.

Although training in our authoring tools will be given, you’ll need a good working knowledge of Photoshop (ideally including RAW workflow) and have a good level of general computer literacy.

Finally you’ll need to be able to turn all the raw data and observations into a written review in a clear, concise and engaging manner.

In return for all this you’ll get the opportunity to join one of the most influential editorial teams in the world of photography, to put the latest and greatest cameras to the ultimate test and to get paid to do what you love – taking pictures and playing with cameras. As part of Amazon we can offer a competitive compensation package with a generous benefits package.

Key Requirements of the Role:

• Excellent working knowledge of digital compact and SLR cameras and systems,
  along with digital photography workflow/processes
• Experience of writing for publication or demonstrable writing skills.
• Authoring tools / experience: Dreamweaver (preferable), Photoshop (essential).
• Understanding of and interest in the technical aspects of digital imaging systems.
• Ability to demonstrate an eye for a good photograph • Exceptional attention to detail.
• A good knowledge of web standards such as HTML will be a bonus.
• As this role is based full-time in central London (SE1) applicants must be willing to relocate or commute to the office on a daily basis.

Qualifications and Experience

Ideally Bachelors degree or higher in journalism or photography or equivalent work experience

Personal Qualities

• Innovative and inquisitive.
• Flexible and independent in approach.
• Strong communicator at all levels.

Benefits

Because we are part of Amazon being part of dpreview.com means you will receive a competitive salary, stock package, pension scheme and life cover. Paid holiday of 25 days per annum and a range of other excellent benefits including healthcare.

To apply for this role please email your CV in Word format quoting vacancy reference 11117 to jobs@dpreview.com.

note: previous applicants are welcome to re-apply for this position.

About dpreview.com

dpreview.com is the world’s leading digital photography website, with detailed product reviews, daily breaking news and an active forums community. Started in 1998 by Phil Askey, dpreview.com has now grown to attract over eight million unique visitors each month reading over 140 million pages. In May 2007 dpreview.com was acquired by Amazon.com and with their help we are now striving to expand our content and site functionality to offer our visitors the world’s most comprehensive ‘one stop’ digital camera resource.

Source: www.dpreview.com

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Berea College Observatory, Kentucky. Taken by Virgil

Source: planetearthdailyphoto.blogspot.com

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Frontier Inkjet Solution at Ritz Camera Centers : Fujifilm announced that Ritz Camera Centers, the largest specialty camera chain in the USA with approximately 1,000 locations, is enhancing its print technology with the introduction of Fujifilm’s Frontier Dry Minilab 400 Inkjet Printers throughout a number of its centers. The Frontier Dry Minilab 400 is the latest Frontier inkjet printing system that delivers Frontier quality prints with the combination of Fujifilm’s High Quality Dry Photo Paper, inks and Fujifilm’s Image Intelligence technology. “Ritz Camera has always been focused on providing high quality photos with personalized service to our customers,” said Rich Tranchida, executive vice president, Ritz Camera Centers.

Ritz Camera Centers
“The Frontier Dry Minilab 400 produces prints with rich color tones and image stability that our customers expect, while providing us a flexible and scalable solution to meet our changing store needs.” Industry research indicates a growing consumer demand for prints at retail that presents retailers such as Ritz Camera with a tremendous growth opportunity. According to a January 2008 study by PMA Marketing Research, in the year ending November 2007, printing volumes at retail minilabs and kiosks grew 23 percent and 30 percent, respectively.

Fujifilm Frontier Dry Minilab 400
“Consumers still enjoy preserving and sharing their memories with prints, but they are demanding greater quality, flexibility and a variety of choices when it comes to making their prints,” said Thomas Curley, director of marketing, Imaging Group, Fujifilm U.S.A. “Fujifilm is pleased to work with Ritz Camera Centers to expand their Frontier Solutions with the Frontier Dry Minilab 400, in addition to the Xerox Phaser 7760, which Ritz Camera recently installed in order to meet their customer demands.”

Ritz Camera Center printing solutions
The Frontier Dry Minilab 400 integrates into the existing Frontier system, and incorporates Fujifilm’s new Frontier Workflow Management Software “MS” featuring its proprietary Image Intelligence technology. For over 70 years, Fujifilm has been at the forefront of developing and improving image quality. Fujifilm’s Image Intelligence technology optimizes images to ensure that excellent quality prints are produced from any Frontier solution.

Fujifilm Minilab
The Frontier Dry Minilab 400 employs a four cartridge dye ink system that generates up to 650 4”x6” prints per hour, and up to 250 8”x10” prints per hour. In addition, the Frontier Dry Minilab 400 is scalable by allowing multiple printers to be stacked for increased output without increasing the footprint. It also has options such as a print sorter to separate customer orders, and a back printing device to identify customer order data.

Source: www.letsgodigital.org

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“Captured from a speeding car near Braidwood, Australia“. Taken by Smiler

Source: planetearthdailyphoto.blogspot.com

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Fujifilm has today announced the Finepix Z200fd, a new addition to its range of ultra compact digital cameras. The Z200fd features 10 megapixels resolution and a 5x (33-165mm equiv.) zoom lens. It also brings us exciting new features such as the ‘couple’ and ‘group’ self timer modes, all wrapped up in an attractive metal body.

UK press release:

Fujifilm introduces a stylish new snapper: the FinePix Z200fd

May 22 2008 – Fujifilm today announced the launch of the 10 Megapixel FinePix Z200fd, the latest addition to its popular range of ultra-slim, metal-bodied, high performance compact digital cameras.

Despite being only 19.8mm thick the FinePix Z200fd is packed with state-of-the-art technology including a 5x Fujinon optical zoom lens, Fujifilm’s acclaimed Face Detection technology, intelligent red-eye removal and Dual Image Stabilisation, as well as two brand new self-timer modes: Couple Timer and Group Timer.

It’s all about the timing
The FinePix Z200fd features two brand new self-timer modes: Couple Timer and Group Timer. Working in combination with Face Detection technology, the self-timer automatically sets off after the camera has detected faces in a frame. The camera won’t take the photo if one of the faces is out the frame, so there’s no need to worry about someone being missed out of the shot!

Cheek-to-cheek
The Couple Timer mode cleverly detects two faces in a frame and will automatically release the shutter button as the two faces come closer together. The Couple Timer mode has three settings so users can set the timer to detect faces at various distances, whether they are standing side by side, or cheek-to-cheek.

The more the merrier
Group shots have never been so easy. The FinePix Z200fd’s Group Timer mode can detect up to four faces in a frame and automatically sets the timer to take that precious shot. Using the Face Detection button, the user can select the number of faces in the frame, from one to four, and the camera will only take the shot once all the specified number of faces are in the frame.

Cutting edge design and packed with features
The FinePix Z200fd houses powerful features in an elegant, metal body. This stylish camera comes in four attractive colours – a black and red combination, pink, silver and black – and has a unique diagonally sliding lens cover with a snazzy ‘Z’ logo that illuminates when the camera is switched on. Its slim design means that it can fit easily into a cluttered handbag or jean pocket so your camera is always to the ready.

Beneath its trendy exterior, the FinePix Z200fd boasts an impressive Fujinon 5x zoom lens (33-165mm equivalent), Dual Image Stabilisation, which combines CCD-shift and high ISO to combat the problem of camera shake and blurry images, and ISO sensitivity up to 1600. There’s also Fujifilm’s Intelligent Flash system, which sets the power output to achieve natural foreground illumination with balanced background exposure for more natural looking photos. For users who cannot decide whether to use a flash or not, Natural Light plus Flash mode takes two photos in quick succession, one with flash and one without. Both photos are then displayed side by side for quick comparison allowing users to decide which one they prefer.

The FinePix Z200fd makes perfect portraits simple with Fujifilm’s Face Detection technology. Face Detection works by triangulating eyes and mouth, using an algorithm to optimise focus, white balance and exposure for up to ten faces in a single frame, and is not confused by spectacles. In addition, the automatic red-eye removal feature can find and instantly correct any red eye from every face in the frame, saving the user the time consuming process of doing it afterwards on the computer.

To share and share-alike
The FinePix Z200fd is a perfect social camera. In addition to the Face Detection technology and people-friendly self-timers modes, the FinePix Z200fd features a Blog mode, which resizes images for easy upload to social networking sites such as FacebookTM, and an Auction mode, which combines up to four photos in one frame – ideal for eBayTM users. What’s more, the FinePix Z200fd’s IrSimpleTM function allows consumers to share photos from one IrSimpleTM device to another.

Real Photo Technology
Driving the FinePix Z200fd is Fujifilm’s unique Real Photo Technology (RPT). The guiding principles behind RPT are simple; to set the highest possible standards for overall image quality, to expand digital photography opportunities and to give users fewer wasted shots.

With the human eye as the ideal, Real Photo Technology cameras are designed from the ground up to capture ‘real’ photographs with stunning quality – giving users the power to capture the moment exactly as the eye sees it, no matter how challenging the shooting conditions.

Adrian Clarke, Fujifilm’s Director of Photo Products, said: "The FinePix Z200fd is the perfect ‘social’ camera for the user looking for a combination of classic styling and cutting edge features. We believe that consumers wanting a super-slim camera shouldn’t have to make compromises on image quality or features, and with the FinePix Z200fd they don’t.”

FinePix Z200fd features at a glance

• Ultra slim (19.8mm thick) styling with two-tone all metal body
• 5x optical zoom lens (33-165mm equivalent)
• Dual Image Stabilisation
• Face Detection Technology and automatic intelligent red-eye removal
• 52MB internal memory plus xD-Picture card, SD and SDHC compatibility
• ISO 100-1600 sensitivity at full resolution
• Wide view 2.7-inch high resolution screen
• Playback features including Face Zoom and Micro Thumbnail (100 shot) view
• IR Communication (IR simpleTM)
• Blog mode and Auction mode
• VGA movie capture of 30 frames per second with sound
• New modes including Folder Select (categorise your photos using handy preset folders) and Illustration Mode.
• PictBridgeTM compatible for direct printing without a PC

Availability & pricing
The FinePix Z200fd will be available from UK retailers from August. Pricing will be announced nearer to the date of the launch.

Fujifilm FinePix Z200fd specifications

Source: www.dpreview.com

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