We have a load of new and exciting ThinkTank products to show you, as well as some brand new products from Green Clean, cleaning systems for delicate equipment.

Check out this funky competition and Treasure Hunt we’re taking part in :  http://www.thegreatphotographytreasurehunt.co.uk/

Make sure you come and visit us every day to take part in the competition and see all the new stuff !

See you there – Chablis Suite, Stand 182!

FOCUS ON IMAGING 2011

Snapperstuff is exhibiting Think Tank Photo and Orbis at the Focus on Imaging 2011 show.

BUT… WE HAVE MOVED… WE ARE NOW ON:

STAND L 3

Days: Sunday – Wednesday

Dates: 6th – 9th March 21010

Venue: Stand L3, Halls 9 & 10,  NEC, Birmingham

Hope to see you there !

The Gadget Scientist is a visual & easy to read Guide to using your Digital Camera whatever the size. This guide has been written for both point-and-shoot compact and DSLR cameras. Containing 216 pages this guide is packed full of hundreds of easy to understand colour illustrations and photos.

• Did you received a new camera for Christmas and not sure how to work it?

• Know someone who wants know how to use their digital camera to take better pictures?

• Are you feeling a bit lost or disappointed with your holiday and family photos?

• If so, I think we have the answer !

The Gadget Scientist Guide to Using Your Digital Camera will help you take better pictures:

• identify the buttons, dials and settings on your camera
• take better photos even with AUTO mode
• use advanced camera settings
• fix common photo mistakes
• learn tips and tricks used by professional photographers
• enjoy taking photos

When can I buy it? www.snapperstuff.com

Home-Start Eastleigh

Home-Start Eastleigh is an independent charity offering support, friendship and practical help to parents with young children throughout the Borough of Eastleigh and parts of Test Valley South, Hampshire.

Home-Start Eastleigh offers a unique service, recruiting and training Volunteers – who are parents themselves – to visit families with at least one child under five at home, to offer informal, friendly and confidential support.

Home-Start Eastleigh is based in the home town of Snapperstuff founder Helen Atkinson. Helen and her family have supported Home-Start for many years so, this Christmas 2010 Snapperstuff also made a donation to Home-Start Eastleigh and will continue to support them.

Home-Start Eastleigh is looking for new Volunteers to undertake their Course of Preparation in 2011:

• Could you give 2 to 3 hours of your time once a week to a local family in their own home for which full training, on-going support and supervision is offered in return?
• Give your time now and give a family a wonderful New Year gift of friendship to a local family with at least one child aged under 5 years
• Families, like Volunteers, come from all walks of life – no fancy wrappings – just normal people who are waiting to accept your gift of friendship

For more info, to make a Donation, or Volunteer please contact:

email: office@homestarteastleigh.co.uk

tel: 02380 612310

To help give children the best possible start in life, Home-Start support parents as they grow in confidence, strengthening and enjoying their relationships with their children and widening their links with the local community.

• Are you feeling exhausted, isolated, depressed or just plain lonely and in need of a friend?
• Finding family life tough and not at all what you expected
• Do you need a bit of practical help in the home due to a medical problem or disability?
• Do you have twins, triplets or multiples of children under five?
• Are you suffering family conflict or violence in the home?
• Will you pick up the phone and call us? We want to help

There is no charge for using Home-Start Eastleigh’s confidential service, tailored to individual needs.

Tiger's ball heads straight towards Mark's camera

Mail on Sunday photographer Mark Pain stood fast as Tiger Wood’s golf ball headed straight for him during Saturdays play at this years Ryder Cup held at Celtic Manor in Wales back in October.

Tiger Woods, the American world No 1, was partnering Steve Stricker in the fourball against Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher (European Team) at the Ryder Cup. Tiger’s second shot to the 18th was a little wayward and landed in the crowd to the right of the green. The usual funnel opened up so Tiger could see the green and play his third shot in from the area trampled by spectators, a chip onto the green. However, he duffed his third shot, and it didn’t make it to the green, he sent the ball directly towards Mark who was crouched at the feet of the watching spectators.

Its the sort of shot that Tiger hits perfectly 999 times out of a 1000

“Its the sort of shot that Tiger hits perfectly 999 times out of a 1000″ says Mark, but not on this occassion. Milliseconds after Tiger struck the ball it hit the lens hood of Mark’s 24-70mm lens and ricocheted into trusty Nikon D3s body before hitting him in the chest rolling onto his Think Tank Speed Changer then falling to the ground and coming to rest at his feet.

Mark tells me that thankfully it didn’t hurt him as the camera took the sting out of the shot, however the glare form Tiger was something else. “He knew he’d hit a bad shot and I wasn’t in the way, but it gave him something to focus on I guess.”

Your shot has had some impressive claims made about it on the internet Mark, I’ve seen quotes about it being “instantly iconic” and “Tiger gives us the best golf shot ever.” Are you surprised how big a shot it became and how fast? “Yes, indeed. It’s amazing CBS News interviewed me live for about 4 minutes and the guy with the cigar in the crowd behind Tiger was flown over to the States to be interviewed on the Today show.”

Has your mobile phone calmed down yet? “Yes it has, it was crazy for a week or so after I took the picture and the Mail on Sunday article was published, it really is amazing how many times it’s listed on Google, its been used on so many other sites and blogs, it’s a shame they don’t pay for usage.”

What about other news or golf magazines? “Yes, I’ve had calls from as far afield as Japan and Brazil that want to use the picture, it really is a globally recognised image and at least the magazines pay. Sports Illustrated used the image over two pages as a magazine opener, which is pretty impressive. Golf Digest ran a nice piece in the US too. There is also a nice little piece in the winter issue of Nikon Pro magazine”

I see that you’ve put the image in question as the splash page on your website, has it increased traffic at all? “Yes it has, but I think that as the picture is on so many sources and my name that people have searched for “markpain.com” and come to the page that way as nobody seems to have hyperlinked it in anyway”

Can you tell me a bit more about how you set up for the shot? “It was a tough call as to which lens to use, the shot was at around 70mm, so I took the 300mm off the D3s and grabbed my 24-70mm out of my Lens Changer 50 so I had 24-70 on one body and the 70-200 on the other. Covering the bases in case we were moved back when Tiger set up. When Tiger hit the shot I kept the camera on him to see his reaction, little did I know that the ball was heading my way and thats how I got the shot! The picture of me moving away and Tiger glaring at me was shot by Matthew Harris who was obviously in a different spot.”

Which belt do you use your Speed Changer on Mark and what other Modular Components do you use? “I’ve got a Speed Belt with my Speed Changer in the middle to the front, I then have a Lens Changer 25 and a Lens Changer 50 which are really brilliant with the zip down extensions they cover most of the lenses I’ll ever need to carry. I also have a Lightening Fast for my flash and some spare batteries and just in case for anything else I have a Whip it Out.

The really really great thing about the system and especially at this years Ryder Cup as the weather was so wet and muddy is the rain covers that come free with each component, I’m certain it saved my kit and kept it working when others were having problems.”

How long have you been using Think Tank gear for Mark? “I guess I’ve had the Speed Belt and the pouches for 3 or 4 years now and of course I’ve got one of the Airport International roller cases which is superb and goes literally everywhere with me.

To be honest all the Think Tank bags do exactly what you need them to do, most of the guys who cover golf pretty much full time all use Think Tank, you can wear it all day and have no problems what so ever and as I said mines 3 or 4 years old and still going really strong.”

Well Mark, congratulations on a brilliant picture, I’m really pleased that you were helped to get the shot because you were able to Be Ready “Before The Moment” with your Think Tank Photo gear, I hope it wins you a few competitions.

Mark Pain is glared at by Tiger Woods - photo Matthew Harris

No image manipulation, no staging, just straight forward top quality sports photography.

For further reading see: Mail on Sunday’s article

See Mark’s website: www.markpain.com

You can see more from Dom on his blog: http://dombowerphoto.blogspot.com/2010/11/orbis-ring-flash.html

Real World Wedding Workshop

Multi award winning Wedding photographer Peter Prior has launched his ‘Real World Wedding Workshop’ aimed at aspiring and established photographers wishing to freshen or build up their business and wedding photography. For December 2010 only he is offering the workshop at a special price of £200.

Download full workshop info (PDF) from here: PeterPriorWorkshop2011

He has timed his workshop to get you up to to speed just as the new 2011 wedding season gets under way. It is intended to be a very informal, ego and hype-free workshop, and welcomes questions and input from all delegates!

Date: Thursday 3rd March 2011

Day: Thursday

Time: 10.00 to 5.00pm (registration and coffee 9.30am)

Venue: Ashdown Park Hotel, East Grinstead, East Sussex.

Spaces are strictly limited.

COST: £295

SPECIAL OFFER FOR DECEMBER 2010 ONLY:

Peter is offering an EARLY BOOKING RATE of just £200.00 per delegate for spaces booked before Christmas.

After the 25th December the price will increase to £295.00 per delegate.

The fee includes coffee on arrival, a decent hot and cold lunch and afternoon coffee.

Follow Peter Prior’s blog here: PETER PRIOR’S BLOG

We look forward to seeing you there this Saturday 11th December 2010, from 10am to 4pm.

We at Snapperstuff have donated a special Think Tank Photo Goodie bag to Snapperweb (aka “Fleet Street” photographers) for their Christmas charity auction in aid of:

Help for Heros

… near the popular Bentall Centre in Kingston-Upon-Thames, Jacobs invite you to demo the lastest technology with unique ‘Touch & Try’ stands and experience the latest 3D equipment first-hand…

… of course they are also stocking the Think Tank Photo gear too!

Address: 103 Clarence Street, Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey, KT1 1QY

Tel: 020 8549 3372

Email: kingston@jacobs-photo.co.uk