The Digital Show Expo 2012 Highlights

See the hot topics at the expo that are sure to light your fire 

This year’s The Digital Show Expo brings a breath of fresh air to Melbourne. That fresh air smells fragrant of camera equipment and curious digital gadgets. Never before has there been more contests, draws, and giveaways for visitors to enjoy. As if the jaw-dropping photo imaging technology wasn’t enough, many of the world’s most prolific and celebrated pro photographers were there to bump elbows and share the tricks of the trade. Here are the highlights of The Digital Show Expo 2012, but hang tight, it’s going to be a wild ride.

Looking for the best tips? Get them straight from the pros

There has never been a greater gathering of industry leading professionals, all for the purpose of working hands on with visitors. Those lucky enough to spend time at The Digital Show Expo were treated with one-on-one, hands-on time with the experts. No question was left unanswered.

Epson shows us that projectors shouldn’t be all work and no play

There was no shortage of impressive, wheelin’ and dealin’ technology at the expo. However, Epson seemed to find the perfect balance of cutting edge and heart warming. Displays of the dream home theatre setup and an interactive projector really opened our eyes and apertures to some fantastic ideas.

The entertaining training camp kept visitors glued to their seats and asking for more

The lively Training Camp theatre offered a wide range of speakers and topics to help visitors take their photographic skills to the next level. Between using flash creatively, taking better portraits, capturing nature, and using the latest tools and gadgets, the Training Camp theatre had it all. Visitors had the chance to watch, be amazed, then have their burning questions quenched by the cool knowledge of the experts.

Speakers at the Training Camp included brilliant artists and photographers Abraham Joffe, Nick Ghionis,  Christian Fletcher, James Madelin, Vicki Bell, Glynn Lavender, Darran Leal, and even yours truly, Jerrel Dulay. The Digital Show theatre across the hall also featured photographic legends such as Michael Coyne, Tony Hewitt, and Dean Jones.

So many different props, with only one chance to enter the contest!

There were countless opportunities for visitors to win big. Of all the draws and contests, this one run by Yaffa Publishing Australia really stood out.  Visitors selected three items out of a mysterious box of of props and took a photo. The most creative photo wins some seriously sweet swag.

Making prints has never been more fun as a family day out

 What’s better than making photo prints with your family? How about making those prints for free? Looks like everyone was a winner at The Digital Show Expo! Visitors who happened to bring SD cards or USB sticks with photos were able to walk away with memories in hand.

Our phones have become ‘smart’, and it’s about time our printers caught up!

The Digital Show Expo saw some brilliant new technology, but this one just about takes the cake. Lightweight, attractive, and user friendly, this Bolle Photo smart printer allows pretty much any smart phone user to produce photo prints that their friends and family can truly ‘Like’.

Try this on for size! All the latest camera bodies and lenses were present for hands-on time

The world of photography has been ever expanding, making massive strides in image quality, ease of use, and creative freedom. It’s no surprise that nearly every cutting edge camera body and lens made a showing at The Digital Show Expo. Nikon left no stone unturned, and put every latest model out on show. Visitors curious to see exactly what makes these new cameras so hot were able to get the answers straight from the horse’s mouth, and then try those cameras and lenses for themselves.

Take it to the extreme with the right camera gear

So you want to be a hero? Now you can be, and prove it to your friends and family back home.  Tackle the toughest winds and waves with the most rugged photo gear. There was no shortage of “radical” gear at the expo.

The absolute best photographers judge this year’s AIPP awards

Visitors were able to have a peak into the award judging to see exactly how the ‘best photos’ are decided upon. Each year, the photo judging has seen more and more entries, but the quantity of entries certainly has not outweighed the staggering quality of art.

A visitors takes his time to enjoy one of the most stunning galleries we’ve seen

It wasn’t all gadgets, gizmos, and talks at The Digital Show. Visitors enjoyed a magnificent and prolific gallery of the most beautiful scenes to be captured on fil… er… camera.

It’s been an electric show this year, with more gadgets, gizmos, and advancements than we could shake a tripod at. However, it’s not over yet! The show is just getting started! The Digital Show website will help keep avid photographers, and anyone who enjoys digital tech and entertainment as much as we do, right in the loop.

High fives around the table for those who had the chance to attend the expo this year! For those who missed out, catch up and follow The Digital Show facebook page, and don’t worry, there’s always next year!

Stay strong, keep your cameras high, and as always, happy hunting!

Jerrel Dulay

Photos Your Mobile Phone Can’t Take

See how mobile-photo-enthusiasts can take their creativity to the next level with an SLR camera.

Smart phones like the iPhone have changed the way we communicate with each other. Mobile phones with camera features have introduced many people to the world of photography.

To deal with the limitations of mobile phones, many apps have been introduced. However, using an app to ‘fix’ an image taken with a mobile phone only masks the faults and limitations of the phone hardware.

SLR cameras grant users an exciting level of creative freedom, and quality of images that simply cannot be matched by mobile phones. For those smart phone owners who have had a taste of photography and are looking for more, we look into the photos that your mobile phone simply cannot take.

Click any image to see the full-size versions to really compare the differences

#1 Fast Shutter Speed

Ever wonder why some pictures taken at kids birthday parties have all sorts of colourful blurs where there should be happy children? This happens when a camera’s shutter speed is too slow to capture a scene with movement. Mobile phones do not offer much control for the user in this respect. When there are options for controlling shutter speed, they are extremely limited.

Most entry level SLR cameras can capture pictures at up to 1/4000^thof a second!  The faster the shutter speed, the more “frozen in time” the image will look. Modern phones automatically do what they need to do in order to achieve the “best” picture. This often results in unwanted images. SLR cameras allow users to have full control over shutter speed with just a flick of the wrist.

#2 Long Exposure

There are few things quite as enchanting as a glowing city skyline at night. Ever try to snap a quick photo, only to see bunch of little squiggly lines? Sometimes with luck, one might get a photo that kind of looks like the city, except with blue and gray sprinkles everywhere. These are not the same kind of delicious sprinkles found on donuts and cupcakes. These sprinkles are referred to as “noise” or “grain”, and they definitely do not make the picture look good.

SLR cameras allow users to take “long exposures”, which means the camera is taking a photo for a few seconds, or even a few minutes! This lets users take amazing photos at night, where there doesn’t seem to be any light at all.

Taking night pictures isn’t the only cool thing SLRs can do. Long exposure shots allow anyone with a flashlight or torch write out cool messages or draw silly pictures. Ever wonder how some people are able to take mystifying photos with blurry ferris wheels or misty oceans and waterfalls? How about those star-filled night sky photos? The answer is long exposure photography!

Top 10 Coolest iPhone Cases

Find out which phones cases will be sure to wow and bedazzle your family and friends.

Mobile phone cases have become a great part of everyday life as both a guardian force to our phones, as well as a fashion accessory to character. Nothing says ‘Princess’ quite like a pink case encrusted with rhinestones. Express yourself with style, or put a bit of laughter into someone’s day with a clever phone case.

At iDigital Darwin, we don’t like to mull over what’s already popular and well known. We like to find the obscure, somewhat exotic gems of technology. Here are the Top 10 Coolest iPhone cases we’ve seen in 2011. As always, click the images to find these items for sale in online shops.

Gameboy Silicone iPhone 4s

No classic gamer can be without the clever Gameboy case and its humbling charm. There are  a myriad of colours and alternate designs for the iPhone 4 and 3G. The buttons are even beveled, so it feels as if they can be pressed. This way, you can pretend you are playing an actual classic Gameboy with the contrast turned all the way down.

Slipper Thong iPhone 4 Case

Heading out for a day at the beach? You wouldn’t leave home not properly dressed for the occasion, and neither should your phone! Sadly, this case does not improve the iPhone’s resistance to sand or water.

Pastry iPhone 4 Case

Looking to lose weight for the summer? Try confusion therapy. Blur the line between delicious snack and communication device to prevent impulsive munching.

Tape Cassette

What better way to say, “I’m a child of the 80s and 90s” than by rocking this surprisingly articulated tape cassette case? The answer; there is no better way.

Imaging & Entertainment Expo Highlights – Sydney 2011

The latest Photo Expo brought some serious flare to Sydney this month. Here are some of the highlights from the show.

2011 saw the loudest, strongest, and most action-packed Photo Expo Sydney has ever seen. From an endless stream of brilliant workshops and talks, to the latest and greatest in photo imaging technologies, the Imaging & Entertainment Expo had it all. A positive surge of energy brought in by enthusiastic visitors brought the showroom floor to life, and we were lucky enough to be there to capture it! Take a look at some of the highlights from 2011′s Imaging & Entertainment Expo in Sydney.

The Hasseblad was never without a crowd, as experts shared tips on shooting models and mastering post production.

Print 2 Metal was just one of the many exhibitors showing off incredible new ways to create and share photo prints.

The number of visitors shattered records, and the show did not disappoint! There was plenty to do and see

Take your iPad and iPod for a swim with wicked new water pouches

The latest developments in creating wedding albums was simply stunning to say the least

There were no shortage of beautiful models (both male and female) for visitors to meet and photograph

Gadgets at the show ranged from necessary advancements in gear, to just plain good fun

World renowned photographers such as Ken Duncan share their expertise and advice with visitors

For all those who were able to make it to the show, we hope you enjoyed! We’ll see you next year in Melbourne, with a bigger, more exciting new show!

Happy Hunting,

Jerrel Dulay