Psst… The Photo book contest Photography.Book.Now is due July 16!  We all go around thinking about creating a photo book for our best photos. Why not do it now and take the chance to win 25 000 USD? No matter where you live in the world you may submit your contribution.

This is how it works
- Create a photo book using Blurb software
- Order one or more copies of your book
- Submit the order number to Photography.Book.Now (even if you created a book months ago, you may use this books order number)
- Await the praise of the competition jury

Even if you’ve created a self-promotional book with another service you may participate.

The top winners will be invited to attend the awards celebration and meet-up in New York this fall.

Visit pbn.blurb.com

Photo District News is a great resource for professional photographers both online and in print. The offer an array of camera reviews, photography biographies and stock photo galleries, PDNOnline.com is packed with news on everything Photography related.

Now PDN invites all Jalbumers to enter the 2009 PDN Photographers' Self-Promo Awards. Amateurs and professionals are welcome to showcase their online and offline work. Compete for great prices such as digital cameras and the grand prize: a full-page ad in PDN magazine highlighting the winner's photography!

Categories include:
•    Best Overall Campaign
•    Extraordinary Non-Traditional Pieces
•    Digital Self-Promotions
•    Printed Self-Promotions

Be sure to submit your work before July 17, 2009.
Visit www.selfpromoawards.com to read more and add your contribution.
 

"Faces" by Iprevost

"People" by huy

"People" by yumi-la

Album by amirweiz

Enjoy the world under water with these great Jalbums:

Album by timso

Album by jamesmallard

Album by Palantar

Album by RBA

Album by gcolin

When photographers first learn about compositional guidelines, such as the rule of thirds, they are often subconsciously bound by these parameters. One thing to keep in mind is that if an image is symmetrical, or has a triangular appearance to it, a centered composition often works best. For the above image, if the door was placed on the left or right of the picture space (rule of thirds), the photo would lose much of its strength. Indeed, images that have triangular shapes are often associated with power or authority, and to compose off-center will often weaken the photograph.

The best way to find out for yourself what compositions look best is to take three versions of the same scene; one where the center of interest is to the left, one to the right, and one in the center. It won't take long to be able to know in advance of your picture taking what composition will be the most effective.

Thanks to professional photographer Mark Hemmings (www.markhemmings.com) for writing this photo tip.

We recently tried the new search engine from Microsoft called Bing.  It has a neat look with a calming background that seem to change from day to day. As photo enthusiasts, we think that is a nice feature. But wait, what happens when we hit the search button; the search result comes up and the background image moves to the upper left corner and gently fades in.

Haven’t we seen that before? Yes, in the showcase skin! Dare we suggest that this Jalbum skin, when making the search engine, inspired Microsoft? Probably not, but it’s a funny coincidence.

PhotoBox is the latest and greatest skin from our code ninja Kristoffer. The skin has a nice feature where image thumbnails zoom and float gracefully when touched by the mouse pointer. It's a great way to preview images before watching the full blown photo. Have a look at this sample album.

PhotoBox works with Jalbum widgets and runs on any site. Thanks to our friends at Mr Green for sponsoring this skin. Download and try it out here. Enjoy!