As you may or may not have heard, Canon just stepped up its game, yet again, with an upgrade to its top-of-the line DSLR ‘1D’ series. The 1D Mark IV. Continuing on with the trend of the DSLR/HD video market, they’ve given the Mark IV the ability to capture full 1080p HD video at 24fps, WITH variable frame rates. It has an ISO range of 100–12800 (102,400 in H3 mode), and a 45-point autofocus system.

The short film Nocturne is the first major display of what this camera is capable of in terms of video, all shot at night in low-light, and I have to say it’s quite impressive (especially for all being shot at 6400 ISO!). Granted, most of the footage was shot using some sort of support system, but it also appears that Canon’s done a good job of making moves to better stabilize the picture. Running at $5,000 for the body alone, I’m not sure how many videos are going to be rushing in for us to watch, so check out Nocturne here after the jump.

Our good friend and very talented photographer Keegan Gibbs just got back from a month-long surf trip to Indonesia. For a lot of that time, he and a crew of friends (among them Jordan Tappis, Sage Vaughn, and Josh Brolin) charted the coastlines on a large power catamaran looking for surf. Naturally, Keegan also spent a lot of time snapping photographs, and captured some really great moments that would have almost anyone considering picking up a board and heading to Southeast Asia.

While they were there, a powerful earthquake struck the nearby city of Padang Padang, leaving much of it in ruins. So while at once offering a glimpse into an enviable paradise, this photoset also provides peek into the kind of devastation many of us can’t understand. Check out a bunch of pictures after the jump, and make sure to visit Keegan’s blog to see all 300 and read about the entire trip.

LAPP originates on a real-time basis directly in front of the camera. Created between opening and closing the shutter. The pictures shown here are in each case one single photo, not a result of working on the computer. With especially developed light and luminous tools they are projected on the sensor. Within a performance, form and colour by light arrange such complicated figures and light forms.

I’m on a mission to find said ‘luminous tools.’ Images after the jump.

via Trend Land

Sony’s newest party endeavor poses some questionable outcomes. The ‘Party-Shot’ is essentially an automated camera mount that works with the DSC-WX1 and DSC-TX1 cameras. It uses the cameras’ BIONZ image processor (used to identify faces and smiles), to take pictures for you and your friends with 360° rotation and tilt capability of up to 24°. I fear for the girls at the party once that nerdy tech-dude figures out how to make the mount tilt up to 90° and sets it on the floor.

Not sure how well this will work, but once Sony sends us one to test out, we’ll be sure to let you know. Releasing in September ’09, this little bad boy will only run you $150.

Anyway, I just came across this blog, and they just released the first issue of their zine. I love it for many reasons, but mainly because the issue is called ‘Girls,’ and it’s ONLY pictures of girls doing cute/sexy things. I’m partial. What can I say.

Love it here. You really need to see it all together, but we’ve got more photos after the jump for your convenience.