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Rick Sammon, Author, Travel Photographer, Instructor joins host Scott Sheppard to give us an update from his recent trip to Antartica where he went to photograph Emperor Penguins and share highlights from his new book titles. Rick released three books this year which include; Face to Face: Rick Sammon’s Complete Guide to Photographing People, Rick Sammon’s Exploring the Light: Making the Very Best In-Camera Exposures, and Rick Sammon’s Digital Photography Secrets. One of his favorite things to photograph are people and when doing so Rick finds ways to bond with the local culture and people by performing magic tricks. Rick explains that breaking the ice in this manner can bring him closer to his subjects.

Rick also gives us a peek at his favorite gear which include a Canon 5D Mark II and discusses how he is now learning to expand his portfolio by incorporating video features using the capabilities of this new camera. Rick is a Canon Explorer of Light and has several informative clips available online. He is also working closely with the National Association of Photoshop creating training titles for Kelby Training, and has a series of DVD training on the Canon EOS Rebel line. He also posts many tips and insights on his YouTube channel.

For more information about Rick’s work visit: http://www.ricksammon.com.

The McNamara Report on Inside Digital Photo with Michael J. McNamara
This week’s topic: Last minute holiday gifts for your favorite photographers.

Mike reviews some great gifts and gear for this holiday season. From the stylish White Pentax K2000 ideal 10.1MP DSLR camera, the Iomega 250GB eGo Black Belt Portable Hard Drive, the Olympus Stylus or the Leica Digilux 4 Titanium, and the eStarling Impact 8" wireless Picture frame. For some great stocking stuffer ideas try a 32GB Kingston SDHC card, some Nik software or Apple Aperture.

Listen in on the McNamara Report segment or get more photo insights and analysis on a variety of topics from Mike McNamara at: http://www.mcnamarareport.com.

Inside Digital Photo - Special Report
Photokina 2008

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Join Scott Sheppard and Mike McNamara as they review this year’s highlights announced at Photokina 2008 held in Cologne, Germany September 23-28, 2000. Many of the product that were introduced were previewed in the U.S. prior to the event and Scott and Mike share their personal experiences with them and discuss some products that should stay on your radar screen as the fall show season unfolds.

• Adobe CS4 - many features added to this version provide enhanced productivity which at first seem tuned for graphic/print design but will offer great benefits for professional photographers once they become more familiar with the new tools.
• Casio - announced the Casio HIGH SPEED EXILIM Pro EX-F1 and the EX-FH20 Camera superzoom with 9.1 megapixels, and high speed burst shooting up to 40 fps at 7 megapixels and high definition movie recording at up to 1,000 fps. At a price point around $600.
• Canon - launched the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, which could easily become the camera of the year but they also showed their new top range compact digital, the PowerShot G10. Both cameras offer the key functionality and performance near their professional cameras but are marketed to the prosumer/entry-level DSLR users.
• Leica - introduced the Leica S2, with its premium collection of lenses that include everything from ultra wide to super telephoto. The S2 features a smaller metal body that is easier to carry, and a special new sensor with 30 x 45 mm and 37.5 megapixels designed for professionals.
• Sigma - delivered upgrades to their camera bodies with Sigma SD15 powered by the 14 megapixel Foveon X3 direct-image-sensor which captures all primary RGB colors. They also announced the Sigma DP2, also 14 megapixel high definition digital camera, which packs the full spec of a DSLR into the body of a compact camera.
• Pentax - took the lead in the entry-level category with their lightweight, easy to maneuver, PENTAX K-m digital SLR camera and lenses. The lenses include two DA L-series interchangeable zoom lenses: the smc PENTAX-DA L 18-55mmF3.5-5.6AL and the smc PENTAX-DA L 50-200mmF4-5.6ED. The system is perfect for first-time DSLR users.
• Ricoh -adds another "cult" point-and-shoot with the GX200 featuring 24 mm wide-angle optical 3x zoom and an effective 12 mega-pixel CCD. Not readily available in the U.S. these cameras add another option to those wishing for their unique status and capabilities.
• Epson - introduced the Epson Perfection V300 entry level scanner, at a price of $99 which includes 4800 x 9600 dpi optical resolution and a built in transparency unit to scan 35mm film.

Scott & Mike also shared their insights to new products announced by Fuji, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, and Kodak with their predictions on the impact of these new technologies and their effect on the "megapixel" and "camera wars" which are sure to drive performance to new heights in the next 6 months.

Stay tuned for more in-depth coverage on these products or visit Mike’s site "The McNamara Report" at http://www.mcnamarareport.com.