Friday Happy Hour: Light Painting Images Capture a Fairy Tale-Like World

This week, take a look at images made with light painting technique, National Geographic‘s new Tumblr, Canon’s smallest DSLR, and a few other noteworthy news items.

Light painting images capture a fairy tale-like world

Jason D. Page uses light painting technique to capture his brightly colored images in almost complete darkness. “To produce my images I use everything from ordinary household flashlights to chemical concoctions of nitrate and potassium chlorate to create explosions of light,” he says. Jason stresses that there is no photo editing involved. Check out a few of our favorites and visit his galleries for more.

National Geographic celebrates 125th year anniversary with new Tumblr blog

In celebrating its 125th year anniversary, National Geographic quietly started a Tumblr blog to showcase photos from its massive archive, which is said to hold over 10.5 million images. Found has already amassed thousands of followers since it launched a few weeks ago. Through Tumblr, “we have access to a community that National Geographic doesn’t normally tap into, which we’re excited about,” Digital Creative Director Jody Sugrue told PDN.

Canon unveils world’s smallest DSLR

Earlier this week Canon introduced the SL1, known as the “world’s smallest and lightest DSLR camera.” The camera’s body is about 25% smaller and 28% lighter than the Rebel T4i. It also packs a new 18 megapixel APS-C sensor, Digic 5 processor, and 9-point AF system with a single center cross-type. The SL1 has a native ISO range of 100-12800 for stills, and 100-6400 for video, and can shoot continuously at up to four frames per second. It’s set to ship in April, and will cost $649 for body only and $799 for body and kit lens. (via TechCrunch)

Photographer uses crappy photos made by clients to demonstrate his own work’s impact

Mining and industrial photographer James Hodgins has created a dedicated portion of his site to Crappy vs. Snappy, which contrast his professional images along clients’ “crappy” photos of the same thing. “A lot of times I see subpar images (not by other photographers, but non-photographers) being used in marketing materials, websites and tradeshow booths that do not do the company any justice,” he says. “I’m not saying you need to spend a fortune to obtain great photography for your company but why settle for ‘good enough’?” Hodgins says it is one of his most effective sales tools. (via PDN)

Amazon introduces Lens Finder Tool

Amazon wants you to find the right lens for your camera with their new Lens Finder Tool. Input your camera brand, series, and model and it will spit back a list of compatible lenses (that Amazon carries). Pentax, Samsung, Sigma, and Leica are currently missing from the list. (via PetaPixel)

Dominic Bracco’s images of the Amazon’s lost tribes

PhotoShelter member Dominic Bracco II of Prime Collective had a series featured in this month’s Smithsonian magazine. The Lost Tribes of the Amazon documents isolated groups living deep in the South American forest, which for years have resist the ways of the modern world. Check out the author’s account of their journey to find these people and learn more about their way of life, and see a few of Dominic’s shots below.