News
Photography & Video Show reveals speakers as registration opens
After a break in 2023, the UK’s biggest annual event for image makers – The Photography and Video Show – returns to its usual slot of 16-19 March 2024, at the NEC in Birmingham. Free registration for pro photographers, videographers and content creators is now open, with 250+ brands promised to be exhibiting on the show floor and a speaker line-up comprising 350+ talks and demos. A Creator Playground promises to be ‘fun filled’, plus interactive sets and specialist workshops will be led by big names. Just a small selection of the speaker line-up reveals must-see subjects including music photographer Scarlet Page (daughter of Jimmy Page), wedding photographers Sanjay Jogia and Brett Florens, professional photographer Tim Flach, photographer and author Scott Kelby, Getty Images royal photographer Chris Jackson, freelance photographers Gavin Hoey and Ben Moore, portrait photographer Hannah Couzens, pet photographer Jessica McGovern and many more. To get in the mood, you can listen to the latest episode of the show’s brand-new podcast via the event’s official website. photographyshow.com
AI-based binoculars help identify birds and animals
Optical specialist Swarovski Optik has launched what it’s calling the world’s first AI-supported smart binoculars. The pitch for the AX Visio states it marries high-performance, analogue long-range optics and digital intelligence, which assists with the identification of birds and other creatures at the touch of a button. In fact, the AX Visio 10x32 model claims to be able to assist with the identification of 9000 birds and other wildlife, coming complete with an integrated camera that captures photos and videos. In conjunction with the Swarovski Optik Outdoor app, these images can then be shared via a smartphone. Additionally, a ‘share discoveries’ option allows users to guide another person
to an observed object using arrow markers in the display. All device settings are carried out via the app, facilitating future updates and promising a product lifecycle for the device of ‘many years’, according to the maker. With a distinctive look and ergonomic design devised by industrial designer Marc Newson, the device draws on Swarovski’s 75 years of experience. We’re told five of those years alone have been invested in the development and construction of the AX Visio. All this technology doesn’t come cheap, though, and the flagship product is priced at a suggested £3820. Availability is from 1 February. swarovskioptik.com
Music photography awards invite 2024 entries
IN THE LIGHT Ben Moore (top), Hannah Couzens (middle) and Scarlet Page.
The Music Photographer of the Year Awards is back for a second year, this time under a new collective name: the So.co Image of Music Awards 2024. With the honours born from a desire to champion the often-unsung heroes behind the lens, entry is free and open now – but hurry, as they will close 31 January. There are three open-entry categories to choose from this time:
the Image of Music people’s choice award 2024, the music photographer of the year and the young music photographer of the year. The latter spotlights promising talent under 23. Other categories include venue of the year, innovation of the year, the must-see artist of the year and the So.co legend award. Submission and entry guidelines can be found at the URL below, with winners being
announced at London’s Amazing Grace on 26 March 2024. “I am thrilled to announce our music photography awards will return for its second year under the new title So.co Image of Music Awards, as we were blown away by the entries, enthusiasm and interaction around the inaugural awards,” says So.co CEO and co- founder Vince Bannon. “At So.co, our aim is to celebrate the music photographers behind the lens. Seeing a packed room in London with nominees and worthy winners telling their stories was the highlight of the year. We are delighted to bring the awards back bigger and better in 2024; it’s going to be a great night!” so.co/awards
Nikon pioneers new image provenance function for cams
The photographic industry is recognising the perceived threat to digital image infidelity from AI, particularly in newsgathering and photojournalism professions. Case in point: Nikon has newly partnered with Paris-based news agency AFP (Agence France- Presse) to involve the agency’s photographers in verifying a new image provenance function recently developed for its cameras. This feature generates images with embedded watermark data directly within the camera system, ensuring image authenticity even if metadata compliant with the
Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) is deleted by accident. Nikon says that this is designed to protect individuals and enterprises from falsification and/ or unauthorised use of images, enabling photographers to securely conduct professional activities. The objective is to improve the reliability of new photos and streamline the fact-checking process. According to Nikon, the plan is to incorporate the watermarking function in its upcoming products. The exact timing will be announced separately, once determined. nikon.co.uk
6 Photography News | Issue 113
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