August 31, 2007

Buscemi riveting in role of paparazzi


Sometimes we take our favorite actors for granted. We see everything they're in - a lot of the times just because they're in it - and we usually come away happy because no matter how good or bad the film is, the actor or actress we love delivered.

Then there are those times when the actor we take for granted just blows us away. That's what Steve Buscemi does with his performance in Delirious.

Written and directed by Tom DiCillo (The Real Blonde), Delirious is the story of Les Galantine (Buscemi) a professional photographer - don't all him a paparazzi - who makes his living taking candid, and often questionable, shots of celebrities at their worst.

One night a wayward soul named Toby Grace (Michael Pitt) shows up at one of his velvet rope shoots, follows him home and asks for a place to stay and, if possible, a job as his assistant.

What follows is less an exploration of the world of celebrity photographers than a deep look into the world of celebrity - those who live in it, those who live off it and those who can't live without it.

DiCillo's complicated script is brought to palpable life by the cast, led by Buscemi's mesmerizing performance. In less talented hands, Les Galantine could have been a repugnant figure, a man nobody cared for or about. But Buscemi digs in deep and creates an everyman we can all not only empathize with, but cheer for in the end.

August 25, 2007

Brad Pitt Uses Manners To Ward Off Paparazzi


Celebrities are notorious for shouting profanities and throwing punches at the paparazzi. But Brad Pitt has decided to try another way of getting the annoying photographers to leave him alone… a polite request.

Rather than making use of his Fight Club skills, the Oceans Thirteen actor relied on his good manners to try and rid himself, and his family, of obtrusive flash bulbs and chattering celeb-obsessed paparazzi.

Since Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and their pack o’ kiddies will be gallivanting around NYC over the next few days, Brad decided to try and set up an understanding with the paps.

The Meet Joe Black stud opened his comments with a compliment… “Man, you guys work hard!” Then he asked for a favor, as any gentleman would… “Anything you guys can do long-lens would be much appreciated. You’re workin’ hard, you guys.”

August 23, 2007

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Preview


The EOS-1Ds Mark III becomes the seventh Canon professional EOS-1D series digital SLR, although only the third of the 's' suffix sub-category which indicates a full frame sensor. Three years since the last EOS-1Ds, the Mark II, the Mark III pushes digital SLR resolution over the twenty megapixel barrier with specifically twenty-one-point-one million pixels (5616 x 3744) on its 36 x 24 mm (full 35 mm frame) sensor. Canon also claim to have increased the 'light gathering efficiency' of the sensor by reducing the amount of (wasted) space between microlenses, hence despite the resolution increase the Mark III still provides sensitivity up to ISO 3200 (with boost enabled).

As well as increasing resolution Canon has pushed continuous shooting up a step with five frames per second over the Mark II's four frames per second. This means that at full speed the two DIGIC III image processors are dealing with an impressive 185 MB/sec. Other improvements include the larger screen, Live View, a fourteen-bit A/D converter and fourteen-bit RAW files, UDMA Compact Flash support (up to 45 MB/sec) and a whole range of features (such as dual storage slots and Picture Styles) inherited from the EOS-1D Mark III.


Key features

  • 21 Megapixel full frame (35mm) CMOS sensor
  • 5 fps continuous shooting for up to 56 frames
  • Dual “DIGIC III” processors
  • Highlight Tone Priority
  • Auto focus system with 19 cross type sensors and 26 focus assist points
  • EOS Integrated Cleaning System
  • ISO 100-1600 (expandable to L:50 H:3200)
  • 3.0” 230K pixel LCD with Live View mode
  • Redesigned viewfinder now wider and brighter

Canon EOS 40D Preview


Canon today introduces its latest digital SLR for advanced amateurs and semi-professionals: the EOS 40D. With a 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor, 6.5 frames per second burst performance, a newly developed AF system and 3.0” LCD with Live View mode, the EOS 40D makes significant advances in both performance and versatility.

The camera benefits from the new EOS technology platform introduced earlier this year with the professional EOS‑1D Mark III. Canon’s DIGIC III processor delivers responsive operation, improved colour rendering and near-instant start-up time. The EOS Integrated Cleaning System combats sensor dust, while a strong magnesium alloy body with weather resistance ensures lasting durability.

“The EOS 40D represents an important step in the development of EOS for the advanced amateur market. It incorporates many of the technologies pioneered in our latest EOS-1 series cameras,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “For digital photographers, the benefits of upgrading to the EOS 40D are real and significant. For analogue SLR users, there’s never been a more compelling reason to make the switch.”

Key features

  • 10.1 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
  • 6.5 fps continuous shooting, max. burst 75 JPEGs
  • New AF system with 9 cross-type sensors
  • DIGIC III processor
  • 3.0” LCD with Live View mode
  • EOS Integrated Cleaning System
  • Clear and bright viewfinder
  • Customisable Picture Style processing parameters

Nikon D3, Full-Frame, previewed


The professional Nikon D 'single digit' series of digital SLR's started life back in June 1999 with the groundbreaking D1. Groundbreaking because it was the digital SLR which broke Kodak's stranglehold on the digital SLR market and fundamentally brought prices down to a level which most professionals could afford (around the US$5,500 mark). Since then we have seen a steady progression of this line of cameras, while the core values of a high quality full size body with integrated grip have remained the line split into two halves, one targeted at high resolution photography the other high speed sports type photography (lower resolution but faster continuous shooting); the X and H suffixes. It's been almost three years since Nikon introduced a completely new digital SLR with a new sensor (the D2X) and there has been much anticipation that Nikon's next move would be a full-frame chip.

This predictions have come true with the introduction of the 'FX format' (new moniker created by Nikon) D3 which features a 36 x 23.9 mm 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor as well as a vast array of new features which absolutely raise it another notch above previous single digit Nikon DSLRs. Important headline improvements include high sensitivity support by default, up to ISO 6400 with 25600 available as a boost option, 14-bit A/D conversion, a new standard image processor, a new shutter, new auto focus sensor, focus tracking by color, nine frames per second continuous, dual compact flash support, DX lens support (albeit at lower resolution) and a 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor (which it has to be said is lovely).

Some will undoubtedly question Nikon for 'only' delivering twelve megapixels on their first full frame digital SLR, all we can presume by looking at past model line history is that this camera is designed for speed (both in sensitivity, auto-focus and continuous shooting).


Nikon D3 Key Features

  • First ever Nikon DSLR with a Full-Frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor (coined FX format)
  • 12.1 megapixel full-frame sensor (8.45µm pixel pitch)
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (with boost up to ISO 25,600)
  • Also supports DX lenses, viewfinder automatically masks (5.1 megapixels with DX lens)
  • 5:4 ratio crop mode (10 megapixels, up to 9 fps, viewfinder masked)
  • 14-bit A/D conversion, 12 channel readout
  • Nikon EXPEED image processor (Capture NX processing and NR algorithms, lower power)
  • Super fast operation (power-up 12 ms, shutter lag 41 ms, black-out 74 ms)
  • New Kevlar / carbon fibre composite shutter with 300,000 exposure durability
  • New Multi-CAM3500FX Auto Focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type, more vertical coverage)
  • Auto-focus tracking by color (using information from 1005-pixel AE sensor)
  • Auto-focus calibration (fine-tuning) now available (fixed body or up to 20 separate lens settings)
  • Scene Recognition System (uses AE sensor, AF sensor)
  • Picture Control image parameter presets (replace Color Modes I, II and III)
  • Custom image parameters now support brightness as well as contrast
  • Nine frames per second continuous with auto-focus tracking
  • Eleven frames per second continuous without auto-focus tracking
  • Ten / eleven frames per second continuous in DX-crop mode (AF / no-AF)
  • Dual Compact Flash card slots (overflow, back-up, RAW on 1 / JPEG on 2, copy)
  • Compact Flash UDMA support
  • 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor
  • Live View with either phase detect (mirror up/down) or contrast detect Auto Focus
  • Virtual horizon indicates if camera is level (like an aircraft cockpit display)
  • HDMI HD video output
  • 'Active D-Lighting' (adjusts metering as well as applying D-Lighting curve)
  • Detailed 'Control Panel' type display on LCD monitor, changes color in darkness
  • New MB-D10 vertical grip fully integrates into body, multi battery type compatible
  • Buttons sealed against moisture
  • Dual battery charger as standard
  • Available November 2007

Nikon D300 Preview


Just under two years since the D200 Nikon reveals the D300, the range of changes is so significant that it wouldn't be inappropriate to call it a 'compact D3' (less the full-frame sensor of course). From the top there's a new CMOS sensor with twelve megapixels, a new auto-focus sensor with 51-points (15 of which are cross-type sensitive), there's focus tracking by color, scene recognition, Picture Control presets, six frames per second continuous shooting (or eight frames per second with a battery pack), Compact Flash UDMA support, Live View (with contrast detect AF) and the mighty impressive 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor (oh and HDMI video output). It's an impressive list, the D200 was a fair step up from the D100, the D300 can be seen as just as big a step, certainly more than enough to make the competition sweat.


Nikon D300 Key Features

  • 12.3 megapixel DX format CMOS sensor
  • Self-cleaning sensor unit (low-pass filter vibration)
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (6400 with boost)
  • 14-bit A/D conversion
  • Nikon EXPEED image processor (Capture NX processing and NR algorithms, lower power)
  • Super fast operation (power-up 13 ms, shutter lag 45 ms, black-out 100 ms)
  • Shutter life 150,000 exposures
  • New Multi-CAM3500DX Auto Focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type, more vertical coverage)
  • Auto-focus tracking by color (using information from 1005-pixel AE sensor)
  • Auto-focus calibration (fine-tuning) now available (fixed body or up to 20 separate lens settings)
  • Scene Recognition System (uses AE sensor, AF sensor)
  • Picture Control image parameter presets (replace Color Modes I, II and III)
  • Custom image parameters now support brightness as well as contrast
  • Six frames per second continuous shooting (eight frames per second with battery pack)
  • Compact Flash UDMA support
  • 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor
  • Live View with either phase detect (mirror up/down) or contrast detect Auto Focus
  • HDMI HD video output
  • 'Active D-Lighting' (adjusts metering as well as applying D-Lighting curve)
  • Detailed 'Control Panel' type display on LCD monitor, changes color in darkness
  • New MB-D10 vertical grip fully integrates into body, multi battery type compatible
  • Buttons sealed against moisture
  • Available November 2007

August 22, 2007

Princess Diana: editors admit guilt over death


The editors of the three biggest selling tabloid newspapers at the time of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales have disclosed for the first time their own share of guilt over the accident that killed her.

The editors of The Sun, Daily Mirror and News of the World have conceded that they had helped create an atmosphere in which the paparazzi, who were chasing Diana when her car crashed in a Paris underpass, were out of control.

Phil Hall, who was editor of the News of the World, said it was a circle of culpability involving the readers who demanded more photographs, the photographers who chased her and the newspapers that published the pictures.

"A big Diana story could add 150,000 sales. So we were all responsible," he said.

Mr Hall, speaking on the ITV1 documentary Diana’s Last Summer, said: "I felt huge responsibility for what happened and I think everyone in the media did.

"If the paparazzi hadn’t been following her the car wouldn’t have been speeding and, you know, the accident may never have happened."

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He said the princess had often tipped off his newspaper about photo opportunities and invited his executives to lunch at Kensington Palace. "She wanted to try to be on the front foot over her media coverage," he said.

After the death of the princess in Aug 1997, the tabloids said they would ban photographs taken by the paparazzi.

The Sunday Mirror bought the paparazzi pictures, published three weeks before the princess’s death, which first showed the seriousness of her liaison with Dodi Fayed and encouraged the Paris chase.

Stuart Higgins, who edited The Sun, told The Daily Telegraph: "The death of Princess Diana was the most tragic story during my period as editor. I have often questioned my role, the paper’s role and the media’s role generally in her death and the events leading up to it.

"The tabloids created a frenzy and appetite around Diana. But in the end I believe it was just a terrible accident, caused by a drunken driver and possibly because of the lack of the high level of police and security protection that she had enjoyed previously."

Patrick Jephson, her former private secretary, said: "They would chase the royal motorcade on motorcycles. They had pillion passengers carrying heavy television cameras. It all contributed to the sense of being inside a Wild West stagecoach while bandits were attacking it."

Piers Morgan, the then editor of the Daily Mirror, accepted that as editors they had not done enough to curb the wilder excesses of freelance photographers. He said: "Everyone working on national newspapers, in the first few days after she died, felt a collective sense that the paparazzi were out of control in relation to Diana. She was the biggest celebrity we have ever seen and it got completely out of hand."

Asked if it had changed, he said: "No one person attracts the attention she used to. I don’t think any single human being had more fascination to the public, was more intruded upon, or when it suited colluded more."

Mr Morgan said the princess had no choice but to try to dictate some of the media coverage. "I went to lunch with her at Kensington Palace. She pointed out of a window showing me 12 vans and motorbikes from foreign media organisations. That was her daily life. You realised although she did collude she did not have much choice."

He said her death was a "ghastly accident" but added: "We in the media were culpable in allowing the paparazzi to become ridiculously over the top."

August 21, 2007

Liev Schreiber Chases Down "Scumbag" Photogs


Liev Schreiber went berserk yesterday, when paparazzi got too close for his liking -- and violently shoved one and chased down the rest. Liev me alone!

The frustrated and limping star of the "Scream" flicks went off on a photog after walking up the stairs of Taverna Tony's, where he set down his baby's carrier, turned around and pushed the pap while screaming, "You f**king disgust me, it's a f**king child and I have one f**king foot!" It didn't end there though -- Schreiber then chased the rest of the photogs on scene, screaming at them and making them retreat to their cars.

When Schreiber and baby mama Naomi Watts emerged from the restaurant, they were taunted by paps, with one yelling at the actor, "You better sit down before I knock your ass out!" This time, Liev remained calm and got into the car, but Naomi gave the photog a piece of her mind -- with a finger.

August 19, 2007

Joel Madden's paparazzi ban

Rocker Joel Madden has reportedly banned the paparazzi from snapping him with women other than Nicole Richie, in a bid to control his image.


Sources have claimed that this ban has been instigated by Richie in order to keep rumours from being spread about her man, reports Contactmusic.

Recently, the 'Good Charlotte' singer was asked to pose with a pretty fan at a party at Village Pourhouse, but he declined, citing Nicole as his reason.

Meanwhile, latest reports have claimed that Madden has already popped the question to Richie, who is four-and-a-half months pregnant with his child.

Reports that Madden and Richie may be engaged circulated after a local radio DJ announced the news, following an acoustic concert by the singer and his band at the Clarendon Ballroom in Arlington, Virginia.

August 17, 2007

Pervy Pap Creeps Up Paris' Skirt

Some photogs go to serious lengths to get their shot. Others, like this degenerate, just take the lowest road possible, literally.


Paris strolled through a parking lot with the usual retinue of snapperazzi, but most of them, with the exception of this unidentified upskirt-chaser, were getting shots of her face.

August 15, 2007

Moore DEDICATION


DEDICATION premiere
Chelsea West Cinemas, 7:30pm
August 14, 2007

Arrival set up was either side of the carpet, one pen was smaller than the other. A little too close to each other, which makes for really busy backgrounds.

All this waiting for essentially Mandy Moore. Mandy was gracious and posed for both sides. Everyone got a shot if you worked quickly and without haste.

A group of photogs tried chanting "MANDY!" to entice her to come back out... to no avail.

I would like to take a minute to welcome back
an Ol' Time Shooter, Mr. Victor M.


Many good times we've had years ago, let's keep 'em rollin'!

August 9, 2007

Why Is Sienna Miller Hiding From The Paparazzi?


Sienna Miller and P Diddy have been at it again. They’ve been partying together in Ibiza, because that is what “friends” do. But why are they being so coy about it and hiding from the paparazzi? Suspicious...

The pair were seen living it large at the DC 10 Club in Ibiza earlier this week, but when leaving the club, both were seen wearing sunglasses at night.

Not only that, but Sienna was doing everything she could to avoid the cameras from snapping her.

Do these two party animals to have something to hide? Hmmm...

Richards and Anderson settle paparazzi assault suit


Denise Richards and Pamela Anderson have settled an alleged assault lawsuit with two paparazzos, in relation to a 2006 incident on the set of their movie 'Blonde and Blonder'.

In papers filed in March, the former Bond girl was accused of launching a "verbal tirade and a physical assault" on photographers Scott Cosman and Rik Fedyck after she spotted them taking pictures of the actresses on the movie set.

The snappers claim she then "snatched their laptop computers from their hands, and threw them over the (hotel) balcony", almost hitting an elderly woman.

The actresses were also accused of lying to Canadian authorities about the November incident, blaming the two photographers for threatening behaviour.

However, the two parties have now come to a "full and complete confidential settlement of all claims", according to new papers filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on July 26.

PAPARAZZI PATHOS

NATIONAL ENQUIRER:

Question: How do we know that Lindsay Lohan has officially hit bottom?

Answer: Because even the paparazzi feel sorry for her now.

An L.A. celebrity photographer tells the Enquirer (Page 14): "A few months ago, Lindsay started alerting us to where she'd be, so we could get a good photo-op -- in exchange for cash. It's so sad that an actress ... with so much promise has sunk this low."

August 7, 2007

Lily Allen banned from working in The US!

Pop star Lily Allen has had her US visa cancelled after being held at a US airport, locked in a cell and strip searched.

Last night, the singer, who is due to do a US tour in September, told the Mirror: "I am trying everything I can to sort this out. I don't like letting my fans down." The star was challenged by US custom and immigration officers at Los Angeles international airport on Sunday night.

Lily, who had flown in from Australia for the MTV video music awards launch in Las Vegas, was hauled into an interrogation room. After negotiations with her lawyers Lily, the daughter of film and TV star Keith Allen, was released five hours later.

She was questioned about her arrest in London in March following an alleged clash with a photographer.

Lily was said to have lashed out at snapper Kevin Rush, 43, outside a nightclub. She voluntarily attended a police station in June and was cautioned.

Lily was in America to film a music video with rapper Kanye West and attend today's MTV video music awards nominations party. But now her visa has been revoked she is worried that once she leaves America she may not be allowed back for her tour in September.

She said: "It is my intention to play my American dates in September.

"This depends on the authorities granting me a new work visa.

"I want my fans to know that I will do everything I can to be back in America in September. I don't like letting my fans down and this is a situation that I am sure we can sort."

Lily, who performed in front of Princes William and Harry at the Concert For Diana, has documented her run-ins with airport staff on her Myspace blog.

In May, she wrote about an incident at an airport in New York, saying: "I was told it was because I am a musician."

August 1, 2007

NYC Considers Permits for Pictures

Filmmakers and Photographers Troubled by Proposed Rules for Using Cameras in New York City


Filmmakers, photographers and civil liberties advocates are protesting proposed rules that would require permits and $1 million insurance policies for people trying to film or take pictures in one of the world's most photographed cities.

New regulations drafted by the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting would require a permit for any type of filming or photography that involved "an interaction among two or more people at a single site for 30 or more minutes."

Permits would also be required for five or more people using a tripod for more than 10 minutes.

The rules would be nothing new for professional crews that film regularly in the city; they have long been required to get a permit and insurance to block off streets and sidewalks.

But critics say the proposed rules would affect a new class of shooters: fashion and wedding photographers, independent journalists doing street interviews, and amateurs making videos to post online.

The New York Civil Liberties Union is prepared to take action against the regulations in court if they're enacted without revision, said one of the organization's lawyers, Christopher Dunn.

"There is no way that they should be requiring permits for people using handheld cameras," Dunn said. "It would give the police license to stop virtually anyone, and that opens the door to harassment."

Documentary filmmaker Jennifer Livingston called the proposal "draconian," and a betrayal of the city's long history of nurturing budding talent.

"Think of that young artist who is going to be hurried along by some cop, who has no choice but to follow regulations," she said. "I would hate to see film students thinking that any time they make an image, it has to be sanctioned by the government."

City officials insist the rules aren't an attempt to quash free speech.

People unable to afford liability insurance, which could cost between $500 and $1,000 for even the smallest of photo shoots, could apply to the city for a waiver.

Journalists with a press pass issued by the police department would be exempt. So would anyone using handheld equipment to film a parade, rally or political demonstration.

Julianne Cho, associate commissioner of the film office, said the city's only intention was to help filmmakers get safe access to great locations, while ensuring that production didn't obstruct traffic or interfere with New Yorkers' lives.

The city is accepting public comment on the proposed rules until Friday and could still make changes.

Since the Sept. 11 attacks, photographers of all types have increasingly complained about harassment.

D. Bruce Yolton, an amateur nature photographer, said he was run off by a police officer last spring when he tried to take pictures of a hawk nesting on the Triborough Bridge.

Things will only get worse under the new rules, he said. He wondered whether the regulations would result in officers cracking down on groups of amateur bird watchers gathering to stake out wildlife.

"There is no way for me to apply for a permit," he said. "For one thing, I never know where the bird is going to be."

The film office drafted the proposed rules earlier this year as a result of a lawsuit involving an independent filmmaker detained for using a handheld video camera in midtown Manhattan.

Rakesh Sharma, the Indian director of the award-winning 2003 documentary "Final Solution," was told he needed a permit to record images of the MetLife building near Grand Central Terminal, even if he had no crew and no equipment besides his camera.

The New York Civil Liberties Union sued, arguing, in part, that the city had never properly enacted regulations governing film permits. The case was settled and the film office agreed to formalize its rules.

SIGN THE PETITION HERE

Spears hurls baby bottle, threats at paparazzi

Britney Spears threw a baby bottle and threatened two photographers after they took pictures of her leaving a Las Vegas spa, the photographers said in a statement Tuesday.

Spears yelled, "I am going to kill you!" and cursed at Andrew Deetz, a photographer who says he was beaten by Spears' bodyguard on Thursday, according to a statement released by Deetz's lawyers.

Deetz, 24, is preparing to sue, his lawyers said. The other photographer involved was Kyle Henderson, 23. They both work for a celebrity photography company.

The men were taking pictures of Spears, 25, as she and her children — 22-month-old Sean Preston Federline and 10-month-old Jayden James Federline — left the spa at the Wynn Las Vegas casino-hotel.

Then, Spears threatened to kill Deetz and said he should get a restraining order against her because she was going to kill him or hire someone who would, the statement said.