National Geographic 2011 Traveler Photo Contest

Photo © Robin Moore-Courtesy National Geographic Traveler

If you're the kind of photographer who likes participating in contests, then the National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest 2011 could be of interest.

The submission period runs from April 5 to July 11.

The magazine tells us that 3,700 photographers entered nearly 11,000 images in last year's competition, which consisted of an assortment of places, wildlife, and people that make traveling memorable. This is the 23rd year that the Traveler is inviting readers to share their photos of the world around them.

The four categories are:

Travel Portraits. Outdoor Scenes. Sense of Place. Spontaneous Moments.

There's an entry fee, and winning images will be featured in the November/December 2011 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine. There are also a number of prizes.

As always, I counsel a careful reading (and wide-eyed acceptance) of the contest's applicable rules, especially those that relate to the License, which starts as follows:

By entering the Contest, all entrants grant an irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide non-exclusive license to Authorized Parties, to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the entries (along with a name credit) in connection with the Contest and promotion of the Contest, in any media now or hereafter known, including, but not limited to: ......

Kieran Doherty: The Fishermen of Kerala

Photo © Kieran Doherty-All Rights Reserved

This post is a treat...and one that I know will appreciated by readers of The Travel Photographer blog.

Kieran Doherty is a photojournalist whose career started with the Reuters News Pictures service in London. He remained with Reuters 15 years until resigning his position to undertake commissions in 2008. His photography has taken him to almost every part the world and his work has appeared in all the major international journals and magazines including Time, Newsweek, Der Spiegel, Stern, National Geographic, The New York Times and The Sunday Times magazine.

His recent commission by the BBC Natural History Unit has used his photography in the television series Human Planet. His work has been awarded first prizes in news, sport, features and essay categories, including being shortlisted for Fuji's European Photographer of the Year and the British Photographer of the Year on five occasions.

From Kiernan's compelling photo essays, I chose The Fishermen of Kerala to feature here. It was photographed with a Leica M6 using a 125 asa film made in India for about 50 cents a roll. Kiernan tells me that the essay was photographed in Kovalam, where Muslim and Christian fishermen were at odds over fishing rights.

While I suggest you explore all of Kiernan's photo galleries, don't miss his photo story involving the repatriation of British soldiers through the tiny English village of Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire. This often-covered Wootton Bassett event is about to end as the local airbase RAF Lyneham is to close...an end to an era.

Finally, Kiernan's website is one that many photographers ought to emulate...large images (including full screen view), clear and simple navigation and a concise About page.

New Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone

I guess it was just a question of time before the camera manufacturers would come up with microphones that can be used with their digital DSLRs.

Nikon's foray in this field is the Stereo Microphone ME-1, an compact stereo condenser microphone that features a hot shoe mount, a 3.5mm stereo output connector, and a removable windscreen, as well as a "noise dampening components designed to minimize noise resulting from AF operation," according to Nikon's press release.

The ME-1 is meant for use with Nikon digital cameras that incorporate a stereo audio input jack, including the D3S, D300S, D7000, D5100 and P7000. The new microphone does not require a battery; instead, it draws power from the connected camera.

The issue with any camera mounted microphones is that every whirr, click or hum that the camera makes in its normal operation is picked up.

Via Rob Galbraith DPI which reports that its estimated selling price of US$179.95 in the U.S.