Canon EOS-1D Mark III Update

As reported on Rob Galbraith's website, Canon has released firmware v1.1.0 for the EOS-1D Mark III. The firmware update includes the changes of firmware v1.0.9, plus a correction for an anomaly whereby the camera won't power up after a battery is inserted, requiring the battery to be removed and reinserted.

The firmware update is meant to improve the camera's AI Servo autofocus performance, provide a sharper zoomed view when playing back photos on the rear LCD, fix a bug that affects the operation of the Main Dial and Quick Control Dial and correct errors in the Italian and Simplified Chinese menus.

The update can be downloaded from here

Exhibit: Diversity of Devotion

Image Copyright © Marcia Halperin-All Rights Reserved
"Diversity of Devotion" a shared photo-documentary project exploring the range of spiritual practices observed throughout New York City will be exhibited at Safe-T-Gallery in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn, from September 7th, through September 23rd, 2007. The show, features the work of 32 photographers from across the country, who participated and photographed events during one week in November of 2006 and during a second week in January of this year. There will be an opening reception on Thursday, Sept. 6th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm which is open to the public and will be attended by many of the photographers as well as representatives of various spiritual groups.

The exhibition contains 40 thought-provoking, and inspired images documenting New York City's varied and unique spiritual and religious beliefs. "Diversity of Devotion" photographers were welcomed in homes, churches, and spiritual centers where they went about capturing both distinct and universal aspects of belief and faith. Islam, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Santeria, Greek Orthodoxy and Catholicism are all represented among the images, to name a few.

Four photographers were selected for special honors: Stephanie Keith, Melanie Einzig, Marcia Halperin and Nura Qureshi, their work and the work of all the photographers helped to exemplify the extraordinary diversity of belief found within New York City. The jurors were Tewfic El-Sawy - travel and culture photographer, Russell Joslin - Editor / Publisher SHOTS Magazine, Alison Nordstrom - Educator and Curator of Photographs, George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film, Eli Reed - Award winning Magnum photojournalist and Molly Roberts - Smithsonian Magazine, Photo Editor.

The Project Director and Curator of the Diversity of Devotion project is Jenny Joswiak, who can be contacted through her email.

Safe-T-Gallery, 111 Front Street, Suite 214, Brooklyn, NY 11201 is located in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn, between Washington and Adams Streets

For further information, visit Diversity of Devotion

Barbara Paul: Grasslands of Eastern Tibet

Image Copyright © Barbara Paul _ All Rights Reserved
Tibet House US, the internationally renowned arts and cultural institution in New York City, is now hosting a two-month exhibition of work by photographer Barbara Paul. "Grasslands of Eastern Tibet: Nomads, Festivals & Monasteries" is a selection of photographs from several thousand images shot on the high plateau of Eastern Tibet, featuring the unique customs and lifestyle of the Amdo nomads.

The show includes the brilliantly costumed Machen summer horse festival and its bejeweled women adorned with amber and coral.

Barbara Paul is a well-traveled photographer, with an affinity for tribal cultures and endangered traditions, and has previously exhibited at Gallery Vietnam in New York, and at the Thomas J. Walsh Gallery at Fairfield University, among others. Her Tibet House exibition will certainly be a must-see for those of us who are similarly passionate.

"Grasslands of Eastern Tibet" continues her association with Tibet House US following the use of her other work for the institution's Philip Glass-curated 2005 Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall with Patti Smith, Lou Reed, Debbie Harry and Michael Stipe.

For further details including the date for the opening reception, here's the link to Tibet House

Verdict: Bali Photo Expedition

Image Copyright © Tewfic El-Sawy- All Rights Reserved
I’m returning to blogging after the hiatus of leading a photo expedition in Bali from July 15 to July 28. I’ve just arrived in London after spending 16 hours in flights so this is only a brief overview.

The expedition consisted of 7 photographers wanting nothing else but to photograph the island’s cultural and religious rituals all day long. Our timing was perfect since it included a whole week of innumerable temple anniversaries all over the island of Bali, and a calmer second week gave us the opportunities to focus more on non-religious activities, which are plentiful on the island. Some of us also opted for a day in Borobodur, the fascinating Buddhist monument, in Java.

It is extraordinarily difficult to set up a rigid itinerary for such a photo expedition in Bali as temple anniversaries are all scheduled to the lunar-based Balinese calendar that has only 210 days…temple anniversaries (known as odalan) are frequently 3 or 4 day-long events, while others only last one day….some have their crescendo just before noon (a time of day that is terrible for photography), and others have it later in the evening. Thrown into this confusing mix is that some temples will not allow non-Hindus in certain sacred areas, but others will welcome them with open arms (provided they wear the appropriate clothing such a sarong and sash).

Notwithstanding, because of our perseverance and quick-witted drivers/fixers, we were able to immerse ourselves in temple ceremonies, cremations and other sacred rituals occurring on the island. We were extraordinarily lucky when we were allowed to photograph a small group of white-clad Balinese performing a mewinten, which is a sacred ritualistic purification ceremony attended by only a few relatives of the devotees. Among the best odalans was held at Pura Puseh in Perancak conducted by a high-ranking female pedenda.

The Balinese people are extraordinarily hospitable and generous, and I regret having seen many foreigners abuse this hospitality. At a private cremation, I overheard the head of the family requesting some other photographers not to approach the remains of the deceased and not to use flash, and yet they did so repeatedly until I intervened.

The above rather quirky photograph is of rejang dancers during a ceremonial procession in Pura Goa Lawah.

I will address the expedition's logistics, accommodations and related matters in another post.

Bali: Dragonfly Cafe

Hello to all readers of TTP! I've been absent from blogging since early July and enjoying Ubud in Bali to the maximum. My photo expedition is now underway, and we've been swept away by the intensity of the odalan (temple anniversaries) that have taken place in the past few days. Two days ago, we attended a massive odalan in Pura Pengerebongan in Kesiman, where the pageantry was just spectacular. Our cameras haven't been quiet during the past days, but they are getting a well deserved rest (and well needed battery charges) while we're taking a few hours off.

This posting is courtesy of Dragonfly Cafe, where free wireless internet service is available!

Rio Helmi :Bali

I've been introduced to the lovely work of a local Balinese photographer by the name of Rio Helmi. He has been able to capture the local cultural ceremonies and festivals of Bali as no one but someone who can spend extended periods of time near his or her subjects of interest. As I'm posting from a internet cafe, I chose not to save one of his many excellent images on this computer to illustarte this post. However his website gallery is replete with many of his images.


Rio Helmi Website