The Crazy Zoom of a 1700mm Nikon Lens

Check out Nikon’s 1200-1700mm f/5.6-8P lens. 

Nikon launched a prototype of the lens in 1990 for newspaper photographers covering baseball in Japan. The sample photos above show the lens’ ridiculous reach. A standard 50mm FoV can be seen on the left, while the right photo shows what the same scene looks like at 1700mm.

UC pays to settle photographer's suit over arrest

The University of California has agreed to dish out a $162,500 settlement to David Morse, a 43-year-old photographer who was arrested back in 2009 while covering a student protest. The SF Chronicle writes,

[The suit] an officer told Morse, “We want your camera. We believe your camera contains evidence of a crime.”

The officers ignored his press pass and arrested him and seven others on suspicion of rioting, threatening an education official, attempted burglary, attempted arson of an occupied building, vandalism, and assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, the suit said.

Morse spent the night in jail. Prosecutors declined to file charges.

But police obtained a search warrant and used several of his photos in brochures and online in hopes that the public could identify individuals.

As part of the settlement, the police department has also agreed to modify its procedures regarding seeking materials from journalists and will be conducting training sessions teaching its officers about media rights.

UC pays to settle photographer’s suit over arrest (via PDN Pulse)

ACLU-NJ Releases Police Accountability Smartphone App

Android app allows citizens to record and store video and audio of police encounters, includes guide to citizens’ rights.

Citizens can hold police accountable in the palms of their hands with “Police Tape,” a smartphone application from the ACLU of New Jersey that allows people to securely and discreetly record and store interactions with police, as well as provide legal information about citizens’ rights when interacting with the police. Thanks to the generosity of app developer OpenWatch, the ACLU-NJ is providing Police Tape to the public free of charge.

NYPD Publishes Poster of "Professional Agitators," aka Citizens who Record Cops

The New York City Police Department issued a notice to officers to be aware of a pair of “professional agitators” who like to video record police performing their duties.

It was the agitators themselves who discovered the flyer when they walked inside the 30^th Precinct for a community board meeting.

This is how Christina Gonzalez Nysid, who captured the flyer on video, described it on Youtube:

Walked into the monthly 30th Precinct community board meeting to discover our own faces hanging on the podium. It reads
Be aware that the subjects are known professional agitators that live at [our address posted on poster]. Above subjects mo is that they video tape officers performing routine stops and post on youtube. Subjects purpose is to portray officers in a negative way and too deter officers from conducting there responsibilities. Above subjects also deter officers from being safe and tactical by causing unnecessary distractions. Do not feed into subjects propaganda.

Getty Draws Initial Bids in Auction of $4 Billion

Getty Images has received around $4 billion in initial bids related to a potential sale as it progresses to the second round of an auction, people close to the matter told The Wall Street Journal.

The Seattle-based photo agency holds an archive of tens of millions of photographs, including those taken of Lyndon Johnson when he was being sworn in following the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

On its web site, Getty says its archive photos collection cover "America from its birth to present day," including "an array of photos, maps, fine art and engravings from legendary sources like Pictorial Parade, FPG and George Eastman House.”

The agency distributes its photos and videos to media and other organizations.

Buyout company Hellman & Friedman took Getty private in 2008 in a leveraged buyout that valued the photo agency at $2.4 billion. A group of investors, including Getty’s co-founder, Mark Getty, that together hold a minority stake in the company, are expected to roll over their investment and strike a new deal with the incoming private equity owner,

Getty’s owners had also been considering an initial public offering, however people close to the matter told the newspaper that those plans are on the back burner.

Alec Baldwin's Daughter Blames Paparazzi Clash on Wedding Stress

Alec Baldwin was suffering from "wedding stress" when he clashed with members of the paparazzi on the eve of his nuptials on Friday (29Jun12), according to his teenage daughter.

The 30 Rock star hit the headlines last week when he approached a snapper who had been camped outside his New York apartment complex and grabbed his arm in a bid to escort the photographer away from the building.

In video footage of the incident, a visibly-upset Baldwin can be heard telling the paparazzo, "I want you to shut the f**k up and get outta here", before heading back into his home.

It was the 54 year old's second recent bust-up with the media - he is currently under investigation over claims he attacked a New York Daily News staffer outside a courthouse after obtaining a marriage licence last month (Jun12).

However, Baldwin's daughter Ireland, from his first marriage to actress Kim Basinger, has come to her father's defence over the public tirades, insisting her dad lost his temper as a result of the stress of planning his wedding to yoga instructor Hilaria Thomas.

Speaking to the New York Post before the nuptials, Ireland said, "(He is) actually a very mellow guy, and since he changed his diet, he's been doing so much better... This is all just wedding stress".

The actor exchanged vows with Thomas, 28, on Saturday (30Jun12) at Manhattan's St.

Patrick's Old Cathedral, in front of guests including the groom's brothers Stephen and Billy, his 30 Rock co-star Tina Fey and director Woody Allen.

Baldwin's security team were on high alert at the event and made it clear the paparazzi were unwelcome outside the wedding venue - one photographer was forcefully removed from the area as he tried to snap images of the bridal party arriving at the church.

Baldwin fights another photographer outside home

Alec Baldwin fights with another photographer on the street outside his apartment today.

Yoga isn’t having much of calming effect on rageaholic Alec Baldwin.

Hot-headed actor Alec Baldwin went after another photographer this morning, roughing up a shutterbug even as the shooter was trying to get away from the “30 Rock” brute.



Video footage showed Splash photographer Brian Prahl walking away from Baldwin when the actor chased him down and forcibly grabbed the shooter's left arm.

“What are you squeezing my arm for,” the photographer pleaded. “You’re breaking my arm .. all we’re doing is taking your picture.”

The shooter’s calm reasoning set off Baldwin.

“I want you to shut the f--k up and get outta here, I want you to get outta here,” screamed Baldwin, who is getting married tomorrow to his young yoga instructor gal pal Hilaria Thomas. "Leave my neighbor alone."

Prahl explained: “I was just telling you to have a good wedding,”

Again, Baldwin refused to be calm.

“Shut up, shut up. Leave my neighbor alone,” seethed Baldwin.

Video showed one of Baldwin’s lackeys desperately trying to block other shooters from photographing the actor’s latest meltdown.

“Did you hear what I said, did you hear what I said?!” seethed Baldwin, as he menacingly backed the smaller man into a parked van.

Then the TV tough guy, with a pink stuffed animal under his left arm, sneered with no sense of irony: “You little girl.”

The video didn’t show what might have preceded Baldwin’s latest explosion.

VideoBaldwin got physical with a photographer today outside his apartment.

Photographers boycott Stone Roses gigs in contract row

Photographers are planning to boycott the Stone Roses reunion concerts in Manchester this weekend in a dispute over the use of their images.

They claim a contract issued by the band is unfair as it expects them to surrender all rights to their pictures.

The National Union of Journalists is supporting the boycott.

A spokesman for the band denied there was a boycott and said a full quota of photographers will be covering the gigs. Rights

The Stone Roses will play three gigs at Heaton Park in Manchester this weekend.

It is claimed that photographers covering the gigs were initially asked to sign a contract which would see the Stone Roses pay £1 to own all the rights to the pictures.

It also stated the images could be used across all merchandise without crediting the photographers.

An improved contract was produced on Monday but it too has been rejected by photographers.

Photographer Ian Tilton, who is encouraging his colleagues to take part in the boycott, has photographed the Stone Roses on several occasions.

His images have previously been used for some of the band's album covers.

He said it is unacceptable for the band to expect photographers to surrender their copyright meaning pictures could only be used in the magazine which commissioned them.

"I understand that the Stone Roses want to make money from the pictures. But I don't agree that the photographers can only use the pictures once, for one publication," said Mr Tilton.

"The photographers should be allowed to earn money from the pictures they take," he added. Assistance

John Toner, from the National Union of Journalists, said they will provide every assistance to the photographers.

"Too many musical artistes now wish to grab rights from photographers. Having said that, people are surprised that the Stone Roses have chosen to go down this route.

"We fully understand why a band would wish to retain merchandising rights, and the photographers would be happy to concede this. Equally, a photographer must have the right to license editorial use of images without obtaining the band's permission for each use," he said.

The Stone Roses press agent, Murray Chalmers, said it is normal for contracts to be signed and, as far as they are concerned, "there is no boycott".

"We have a complete list, a full quota of photographers who are covering the concerts," he added.

Alec Baldwin Guards Wedding From Potential Paparazzi

The details of Alec Baldwin’s big day are on a need-to-know basis.

The “30 Rock” star is expected to wed his yoga instructor fiancee Hilaria Thomas Saturday at downtown Manhattan’s St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral. The New York Post reported that because the happy couple is wary of paparazzi — Baldwin scuffled with a New York Daily News photographer last week — they have yet to tell guests where the reception will take place.

But a source close to Baldwin told ABCNews.com that’s nonsense. “Everyone knows where to go,” the source said, adding that while Baldwin and Thomas didn’t send out traditional wedding invites, “the idea that they are not telling people” details “is just not true.”

Rihanna's Bodyguard Punches Paparazzi in London

Rihanna's bodyguard punched a photographer in the face when he got too close to the singer, reports TMZ. The altercation was caught on camera, which sees the burly bodyguard smack his fist onto the photographer's face. Rihanna had just got inside her car after coming out of the Whiskey Mist nightclub in London when the incident happened.

Alec Baldwin Dressed As Ghost To Avoid Photographers

This is Alec Baldwin adjusting a white covering over his head on the Upper East Side today 

 

Earlier today, hot-headed actor Alec Baldwin ended up having a rage attack against a pair of Daily News photographers in lower Manhattan, allegedly punching one. Baldwin had been at the marriage bureau to get a marriage license with fiancee Hilaria Thomas when he became upset at the photographers trying to take pictures of him. So later in the day, Baldwin decided the only way he could avoid photographers was to wear a white covering (sheet? blanket? big towel?) over his head while on an Upper East Side sidewalk. Hey, doesn't he know the bride wears the veil?!

As for the morning incident, News photographer Marcus Santos says he had been waiting to take pictures of City Councilman Larry Seabrook (you know, the $177 bagel politician), and, after getting the Seabrook photo, he was called away to get a shot of Baldwin. There, Santos noticed that fellow News photographer Jefferson Siege had attracted Baldwin's ire.

So Santos tried to defend Siegel, only for Baldwin to direct his anger at him: "That's when Alec Baldwin turned around and came after me and started punching me and pushing me. I say stop, stop don't touch me, and as you see in the pictures, I was far away from him and he lunged at me like 'Raging Bull.' And I didn't think that could happen to me because I usually tend to be nice to everybody, I tend to respect everybody, I always give everybody space."


While Baldwin's rep insisted that the actor didn't punch anyone (and blamed the photographer for getting physical), freelance photographer Goran Veljic told the Post that Baldwin hit Santos. He added that Baldwin seemed really angry, "I don't know why -- you're getting married, you should be happy. It was very unusual... I was scared. I moved inside. I thought maybe he was crazy."

Alec Baldwin Did Not Punch New York Daily News Photographer, Says Rep

Alec Baldwin got in a heated scuffle with a New York Daily News photographer on Tuesday morning.

The Daily News published an account of the incident, in which the paper alleges the "30 Rock" actor punched photographer Marcus Santos outside of the city Marriage License Bureau on Worth Street.

According to the paper, Baldwin and his fiancee Hilaria Thomas were exiting the building after just obtaining a marriage license.

Santos and other paparazzi were waiting outside when the 54-year-old actor approached with "an angry glare." The actor reportedly asked the photographers to step back and Santos claims they began to give Baldwin some space. Baldwin then allegedly grabbed another Daily News photographer, and Santos demanded that the actor back off.

"I said, 'Don’t touch him.' I knew he was going to attack me. I stepped back, and he kept coming," Santos told the paper. "He comes after me, starts shoving and punching me — one time, right in the chin. And then he started shoving me, and pushing me. Then he goes the other way.”

Baldwin addressed this morning's incident on Twitter, claiming that one of the photographers nearly hit him in the face with his camera.

@alecbaldwin
AB

A "photographer" almost hit me in the face with his camera this morning. #allpaparazzishouldbewaterboarded

June 19, 2012 2:21 pm via Twitter for iPhone Reply Retweet Favorite

Later, in response to the paper's story, Baldwin tweeted: "@nydnbrooklyn @nydailynews Ever since that English Queen took over the Daily News, they lie like the Post."

Baldwin followed up his last tweet, by making a reference to the Trayvon Martin case, writing:

@alecbaldwin
AB

I suppose if the offending paparazzi was wearing a hoodie and I shot him, it would all blow over...

June 19, 2012 3:52 pm via Twitter for iPhone Reply Retweet Favorite

The actor's rep, Matthew Hiltzik, released a statement to The Huffington Post, denying the actor ever threw a punch at the photographer:

"As Alec and his fiancee were leaving City Hall, a 'civilian' walking in front of Alec positioned himself to obstruct the view of a photographer aggressively trying to shoot the couple. The photographer was clearly frustrated, pushed past the bystander and assaulted Alec with his camera. There were no punches thrown, and any subsequent physical contact was simply Alec protecting himself."

This isn't the first time Baldwin has become frustrated with members of the New York media. In April, the star tweeted that he was leaving NBC, because of "Today Show" cameras that were parked outside his Manhattan home while covering the arrest of his alleged stalker.

“A story about stalking sure brings out the stalkers in the media. But, the Today Show?” Baldwin tweeted, later adding,“The television crew camped outside my apt said they were with the Today Show. #howthemightyhavefallen,” read another tweet.

Alec Baldwin Makes Trayvon Martin Quip After Paparazzi Clash

He snapped Alec Baldwin's photograph – and then the actor, well, snapped.

Daily News photographer Marcus Santos says that the Rock of Ages star, 54, got physical with him Tuesday morning as Santos stood with other photographers outside Manhattan's Marriage License Bureau.

"He comes after me, starts shoving and punching me, one time right in the chin," he tells the newspaper. "He started shoving me and pushing me. Then he goes the other way."

But the 30 Rock star's rep Matthew Hiltzik refutes the photographer's account, telling PEOPLE, "As Alec and his fiancée were leaving City Hall, a 'civilian' walking in front of Alec positioned himself to obstruct the view of a photographer aggressively trying to shoot the couple. The photographer was clearly frustrated, pushed past the bystander and assaulted Alec with his camera. There were no punches thrown, and any subsequent physical contact was simply Alec protecting himself."

Afterward, Baldwin, who presumably was getting a license to wed fiancée Hilaria Thomas, later took to Twitter with a reference to the Trayvon Martin case.

"A 'photographer' almost hit me in the face with his camera this morning. #allpaparazzishouldbewaterboarded," he wrote, adding, "I suppose if the offending paparazzi was wearing a hoodie and I shot him, it would all blow over."

Getty Images owners weigh sale or IPO

The owners of Getty Images Inc, the largest supplier of stock photos, video and other digital content, have retained bankers to examine a possible sale or public offering of the business, a person close to the matter said Tuesday.

Hellman & Friedman, the U.S. private equity fund which bought the business four years ago for $2.4 billion, is working with Goldman Sachs Group Inc  and JPMorgan Chase & Co, the source said.

A sale or IPO of Getty could value the company at $4 billion, the source said.

Hellman & Friedman and JPMorgan declined to comment. Goldman Sachs was not immediately available for comment.

The news was reported earlier by the Financial Times.

Justin Bieber Not Due Back For Police Questioning Until June 17Th

As police get down to the business of trying to sort out the details of Justin Bieber's fracas with a photographer, it looks like they'll be forced to wait a while before they can put both parties under interrogation. Bieber's unveiled his tour plans for Europe, and none of them seem to have been changed to allow for a trip back to the US to explain the event that led to the paparazzo filing a claim of criminal battery against the 18 year-old singer.

"ok. going to board. Off To Europe! Phase 1 of operation secret concerts! lol. Oslo first stop. See u soon....and..." Bieber tweeted, before - some 20 hours later - writing "Norway!!! here with the team. Loving the people! thank u. good food too." Bieber's itinerary for the next few weeks sees him call in at Oslo, Paris, Milan, Verona, Madrid, London, Cologne, Berlin, Mexico City, Nyc and Toronto, before apparently returning to his home town on June 17th.

So it could be three weeks or so before officials even get their hands on the performer. Judging by the muted response coming from his camp, too, you'd suggest that there may some truth in the photgrapher's account in which he claimed he was "physically battered" by Bieber - it's a very different to response to their aggressive cease and desist tactics employed on Mariah Yeater last year when she accused the artist of being the father to her child.

Justin Bieber wanted for questioning after allegedly 'roughing up' a photographer

Teen idol Justin Bieber is wanted for questioning by Los Angeles County Sheriff's investigators - after a paparazzo complained of being roughed up by the young pop star at a shopping center.

The scuffle allegedly happened when the photographer tried to snap pictures of the 18-year-old and his girlfriend Selena Gomez, after they walked out of a theater at The Commons at Calabasas today.

Sheriff Lt. Robert Wiard says the photographer in question called 911 on Sunday and complained of pain to his chest.

Wiard says the photographer was taken to a hospital where he was treated and released.

He says Bieber and Gomez left before deputies arrived, so investigators want to talk to him to get his side of the story.

During the altercation, the usually complaint pop star appeared angry and frustrated and girlfriend Selena appeared to be trying to reason with him.

Justin Timberlake Tells Paparazzi To 'Get A Real Job'

No one wants to hear celebrities complain about having to deal with the paparazzi, but Justin Timberlake has a good reason to be angry.

On Tuesday, the 31-year-old star and his business partner, Trace Ayala, learned just how intrusive the paparazzi can be, when some overeager photographers unsuccessfully attempted to snap a photo of the actor and singer, taking out their frustration on Ayala's truck.

Timberlake justifiably lashed out at the photographers, tweeting about the incident:

Justin Timberlake

@jtimberlake

So... A paparazzi can't get a photo of me so he kicks my best friend's truck door in..? And they wonder why they can't get a "fair" shake.

22 May 12

Justin Timberlake

• ✔

@jtimberlake

I mean, seriously... Not ruining my day though. #getaREALjob

22 May 12

While this would be an unfortunate incident for anyone, Timberlake has had previous run-ins with the same photographers, according to Gossip Cop.

Of course Timberlake isn't the only celeb to tweet about frustration with the paps. In April, Miley Cyrus became so fed up with aggressive photographers that she wrote that she was considering leaving Los Angeles for Nashville. Cyrus has also said she doesn't think hounding celebrities for candid photos is a real occupation.

"Today I told a paparazzi to get a real job and he said you too. Hahahahahaha," she wrote in March and later explained to a fan, "@saaaaaaarrrrrah cuz its stalking. how would u feel being followed around by men u don't know? & cuz they risk my life driving dangerously."

Other stars have gone to great lengths to prevent the paparazzi from getting a photo. Teen pop star Justin Bieber received a Fisker Karma for his 18th birthday earlier this year, and had the prestigious car customized with special paint that gives the paparazzi a taste of their own medicine. The chrome finish makes the camera's flash bounce back. "They just get their own face back," he told talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

Meanwhile, actress Halle Berry also has a big problem with the paparazzi -- especially when they try to snap photos of her 4-year-old daughter, Nahla -- and she wants things to change.

"We are going to figure out what we can do on our local level in Los Angeles to sort of change some laws because it is becoming child exploitation,” the actress told "Access Hollywood" on Tuesday.

"Our children should be off limits. They are innocent little babies that should not be exploited all over these magazine. I’m fair game, I get that, but my kids [and] kids at my children’s school should not be harassed like that,” Halle said. “It’s just wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong and wrong."

Halle Berry Talks Paparazzi: ‘Our Children Should Be Off Limits’

Halle Berry has been very vocal about the growing problem of the persistent paparazzi, who often try their hardest to snap pictures of the star with her 4-year-old daughter, Nahla. Now the actress is looking to change the laws when it comes to photographing children.

“We are going to figure out what we can do on our local level in Los Angeles to sort of change some laws because it is becoming child exploitation,” the 45-year-old actress told Access Hollywood correspondent Jill Martin at the Revlon ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup launch in New York on Tuesday.

The actress has become frustrated with seeing her daughter and the kids of other stars in the pages of magazines and tabloids.

“When I open up all these magazines and I see all these children in them. Nahla was just in a magazine and they said, what does she – and I think Gwen Stefani’s kid – have in common? They were both nose pickers and I thought, ‘You know we are stooping to a new low when we prop up our children and exploit them like this.’ And people can’t wait to open up a magazine and see what 4-year-olds are wearing. There is something wrong, fundamentally wrong, with that,” she continued.

Halle acknowledges that photographers should be allowed to take her picture, but not her daughter’s.

“Our children should be off limits. They are innocent little babies that should not be exploited all over these magazine. I’m fair game, I get that, but my kids [and] kids at my children’s school should not be harassed like that,” Halle stressed. “It’s just wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong and wrong.”

Adding, “When you have these creepy guys with cameras lurking around it’s really hard for parents, myself and other parents, teachers, principals, to discern who’s supposed to be there… it’s just a chaos and a confusion that doesn’t need to surround where little kids play and where they live and what their world is. It’s just not right.”

John Travolta Can Thank Nosy Paparazzi for Proving He Didn't Do the Dirty Deed

Okay, let me see if I've got all these peen-grabbing rumors about John Travolta straight: first he allegedly assaulted a masseur in a Beverly Hills hotel on January 16, and then the same attorney handling that lawsuit suddenly got a second plaintiff, John Doe #2, who also accused Travolta of improper behavior during a massage in Atlanta, and they're both asking for $2 million in damages, and—arrrgh, this is so confusing! I need a diagram that clearly maps out the relationships between penises, massage tables, and million-dollar payouts.

At any rate, it seems like Travolta may be off the hook from at least one of those masseur's accusations, due to photographic proof he was in New York on January 16. As it turns out, Travolta just may have gossip site TMZ to thank for digging up the evidence that sinks John Doe #1's case.

Horribly intrusive celebrity stalking FTW!
TMZ has a photo that sources say was snapped on January 16 in New York. In it, Travolta's seen wearing a cap, scarf, and his hands do not appear to be clutching anyone's penis. TMZ also has a receipt from a meal Travolta ate at Mr. Chow in New York, which includes a date (1/16) and a rather generous $100 tip on a $382 meal.

Okay, so obviously this is the kind of privacy-invasion stuff that TMZ and other sites do all the time, and it's pretty creepy and weird. I mean, how did they get their hands on that receipt? Did they pay a restaurant employee to hand it over, did they fish it out of the trash, or what?

But in this case, TMZ's relentless ability to ferret out seemingly inconsequential celebrity information may actually pay off for Travolta. If he can use this as evidence that he was, in fact, in New York at the same time he was supposedly groping John Doe #1, I'm guessing that's a good thing.

The sooner Travolta can prove his innocence, the better, because that lawyer who's representing the two masseurs says there are even MORE John Does who are crawling out of the woodwork ... and looking for a paycheck.

Halle Berry Has Screaming Match With the Paparazzi! (Photos)

Halle Berry has had enough with the paparazzi!
The celebrity mom was caught in a screaming match with a few photographers who ended up getting too close for comfort at her daughter’s school!
Halle tried talking her feelings out, but ended up going into full protective mode as she screamed at a photographer through a car window!
In the photos below, you’ll see Halle running around her daughter’s campus as well as duking it out with the photographers at hand.