Shutterbug Staff

We welcome your comments on articles, photo and digital events, feedback on how we're doing, constructive criticism, and friendly advice. We reserve the right to edit for brevity and to paraphrase longer comments if necessary. You can send us letters by US mail at Editor, News & Notes, Shutterbug Magazine, 1419 Chaffee Dr., Suite #1, Titusville, FL 32780, or by e-mail...

Wacom's new Graphire4 pen tablets are said to provide the tools needed
to have fun editing photos and exploring digital creativity. These new pen tablets
include a patented, cordless, battery-free pen and mouse, a tablet and five
valuable software applications. Using the natural control of the pen and the
included software, it's easy to enhance photos and to create artwork for
scrapbooks, craft projects and slide shows. It's also easy to communicate
more personally by using the pen to digitally jot notes, annotate documents
and sketch quick diagrams. Graphire4 pen tablets are available immediately in
a choice of three colors (Silver, White and Metallic Blue) and two sizes (4x5
and 6x8) which are priced at $99 and $199.

...

As America struggles to cope with the devastation and loss caused by Hurricane
Katrina, Professional Photographers of America (PPA) has taken unprecedented steps
to assist photographers in the affected areas. Yesterday the PPA Board of Directors
guaranteed up to $200,000 for the recently established PPA Disaster Relief Fund,
as the Association continues its fundraising efforts.



"With more than 250 PPA members in the stricken areas of Alabama, Mississippi
and Louisiana, PPA knows firsthand of the destruction caused by this hurricane,"
said Ann Monteith, PPA President. "We all watched in shock and sadness as
the scope of the damage unfolded, and we felt compelled to find a way to directly
help PPA members affected by this disaster as soon as possible. We will continue
fundraising in hopes that we can surpass the $200,000 mark."



PPA's relief fund was established last week through PPA Charities, a 501(c)(3)
organization. The original intent was to disburse the money collected to disaster
relief agencies. PPA's Board of Directors, in response to requests from
PPA members, voted this week to shift the focus of the relief fund so that it
will now be used to provide direct aid to PPA member photographers. The fund will
distribute $1,000 to each PPA member studio directly affected by Hurricane Katrina.



"PPA's members have a long history of pulling together to help each
other in times of crisis," said PPA CEO, David Trust. "PPA's
Disaster Relief Fund is another example of our members' commitment to one
another and their spirit of generosity and compassion."



In addition to directly assisting its members, PPA is contributing $10,000 ($5,000
each) to its two state Affiliates in the hard-hit areas, Professional Photographers
of Louisiana and Professional Photographers of Mississippi-Alabama. These Affiliates
will use the contributions to directly assist their members.



To request a studio grant, PPA members in the disaster areas should call PPA at
1-800-786-6277 and ask to speak with a Disaster Relief assistant. They will be
asked to provide information and details including name, studio name and address,
temporary location information, brief description of damage/loss, where the grant
money can be sent or wired, and how they can currently be reached.



How Others Can Help

PPA is challenging its other members, along with vendors and suppliers in the
industry, to join forces with PPA by contributing to the relief fund. Contributions
can be made by sending a check payable to PPA Charities to Disaster Relief, c/o
Professional Photographers of America, 229 Peachtree Street, Suite 2200, Atlanta,
GA, 30303. Please note "Disaster Relief" on the check.


PPA also needs your help getting the word out about the Disaster Relief Fund.
If you know of anyone who has been directly affected by the hurricane, please
do whatever you can to get information to them about the relief fund so they can
receive assistance right away. Please also encourage photographers with useful
information to share it on the Hurricane Katrina Forum on OurPPA.com.



PPA Charities is a charitable, non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization that allows
imaging professionals to combine their individual efforts to make an impact on
the lives of children and families everywhere. It also allows PPA to become a
force for positive change in our society and to make a difference in the lives
of others. For more information about PPA Charities, visit charities.ppa.com.



Professional Photographers of America (PPA), the world's largest and most
influential photographic and imaging trade organization, exists to assist its
more than 14,000 members in achieving their professional, artistic, and fraternal
goals; to promote public awareness of the profession; and to advance the making
of images in all of its disciplines as an art, a science and a visual recorder
of history. For more information about PPA, visit www.ppa.com.
...

MAGIX has announced the new MAGIX Photostory on CD & DVD 4. By automatically
fixing photos and adding exciting 3D transitions, fades, effects and sounds,
the software turns simple photo collections into multimedia slideshows. Slideshows
can then be easily burned onto CD or DVD and viewed on any TV or computer screen.
MAGIX Photostory on CD & DVD 4 will be available in stores for $39.99 starting
September 15th and online at www.magix.com starting September 8th.



MAGIX Photostory on CD & DVD 4 lets you quickly and easily transform holiday
memories, family, party, and Internet photos into 3D slideshows in just three
easy steps: Import photos; edit them with transitions, zooms, music, and text;
and burn onto DVD or CD



The slideshows can also be uploaded to the free MAGIX Online Photo Album site
at www.magix.com directly from the software, where photos can be viewed in fullscreen
mode with music. Photo products can also be ordered directly from the site as
well as from the software on premium paper, calendars, t-shirts, and mugs, etc.
The site also has an Online Content Library to enrich your slideshow with stock
photos. Photos on CD & DVD 4 also burns DVD player-compatible JPEG discs
for fast playback optimized for TV viewing.



MAGIX Photostory on CD & DVD 4 will be available in stores for $39.99 starting
September 15th and online at www.magix.com
starting September 8th. See www.magix.com
for more info.
...