Picophoto wishes you a fantastic Christmas and start to 2009! Thanks for all your support and visit us again soon.

See some of the world’s most spectacular nature and wildlife at the Australian Museum.

Now in it’s 44th year, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2008 exhibition features over eighty images taken by professionals, amateurs and children – even some as young as 10 years old.

The exhibition not only offers an extraordinary insight into the beauty, drama and diversity of the world’s amazing wildlife, it also raises awareness of conservation issues and the fragility of our natural world.

Image: “Night griffon © Safie Al Khaffaf / Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2008″

When: 9:30am – 5:00pm, 13 December – 8 March, 2009
Where: The Australian Museum, College Street, Sydney

Life Magazine cover - one of many archived by Google

If you like a little nostalgia, Google has recently launched an online archive of Life magazine’s images, with 2 million out of 10 million or so photos already cataloged.

Google claims 97 percent of Life’s images have never been released to public.

According to BBC, you can download and print the photos without any repercussions as long as you don’t try to flog them as your own unique piece of history or make a dime in any other way!

So put on an old record and let’s go a’wandering.

See http://images.google.com/hosted/life

Every year without fail, the Christmas cards arrive. I love them because nothing says ‘I care’ than a warming Christmas Card. Then of course the next thing to do is clear a spot on the TV cabinet or dining room to place them (or the quintessential card-hanging string). The kids are going round the school yard exchanging ‘em. The corporates are busy handing them out too. It’s Christmas card heaven!

This Xmas, rather than focus on quantity, think quality! And most people will agree the best ever Christmas cards are the ones made personally by you. Make your own design with a favourite photo, add some words using a photo editor or Microsoft Paint, and order a set of greeting cards from Picophoto. There are even 3 sizes to choose from (4×6″, 4×8″ and 5×7″ landscape or portrait).

Step 1: Select your favourite photo

Step 2: Add words with an image editor such as Microsoft Paint

Step 3: Order Cards and Upload Photo to Picophoto.com.au

And presto! Personalised Greeting Cards

It’s quick, easy and it’s fun! Picophoto is offering a huge $7 off 20-pack of 5×7-inch greeting cards or $5.00 off 20-pack of 4×8-inch cards. Start designing one today.

Go to www.picophoto.com.au to look at greeting cards.

Every year, the Walkley Awards celebrates the best in Australian journalism photography. The ACP is exhibiting over 90 works from the finalists of the 2008 Nikon Walkley Press Photo Exhibition.

The great thing about journalistic photography is that, like the article story itself, every photo tells a story, and almost always, the story is compelling and REAL.

ACP Gallery

Oxford St, Padding, NSW

Galleries 3 & 4

31 October - 15 November

www.acp.org.au

As part of World Architectural Day, from October 6, Customs House in Circular Quay Sydney is exhibiting examples of what Australians call their favourite place. Expect some awe-inspiring shots that make us all feel both at home and worlds away, all at the same time.

Picophoto PhotoTips - be excitied!

We are so excited to present PhotoTips - tips for you to choose the right digital camera, use the right settings and get some surprising good shoots (you never thought you could). Digital cameras may have become more affordable than ever before. They are also packed with so many more great features, it may take a professor to know how to use it.

Never you fear! PhotoTips is meant for the digital newbie. We give you a small dose every week so you won’t feel overwhelmed with all that photography goodness. Now…let’s dance!

Whilst planning our next big party, a good friend of mine pitched a great idea for invites. Why not get a personalised jigsaw of a photo of, say, the party host, and send out individual pieces with the invites! It’s such a beautiful and symbolic gesture and at the end of the party, you can piece the jigsaw together and see who you need to call to tell them they are dearly missed.

Try and get creative and choose a photo that is original or that brings up wonderful memories.

Hey thanks for paying a visit to the Picophoto Blog! For you efforts, we would like to offer 5% off your next Picophoto order. Just enter BLOGGER as the coupon code.

We hope to see you again soon! Offer ends 31st of October 2008

Timeout Sydney’s latest release is about the all the secret (yet public) locations in Sydney. One of the older Picophoto posts is about making sure you check out your very own urban jungle by taking a local photography tour. If the guide is good, you’re likely to get a feel of all the ‘nooks and crannies’ your city has to offer.

Whilst browsing through the Secret Sydney issue, I slap myself silly thinking all the wondrous places that exist right in my backyard.

So off me bum, camera in hand…I’m off to see Sydney like never before! Can’t wait to see your shots of these spectacular locations. Email them to blog@picophoto.com.au and let’s compare!