In the annual Buyer’s Guide issue of Popular Photography & Imaging, on newsstands November 21, 25 winners of the
best photography products available are announced. All of the P.O.P.  (Photography’s Outstanding Product) award-winners have made a significant contribution to the advancement and enjoyment of photography in 2006. This group includes a variety of compact cameras, DSLRs (digital single-lens reflex camera), printers, software, scanners and lenses. All of the products will improve your chances of taking great pictures, make it easier to share photos, or provide a service that solves a critical photo-related problem. This list will educate you on the top photography products prior to your holiday shopping.

LUND, Sweden - Swedish explorer Johan Ernst Nilson is about to test Anoto’s (STO:ANOT) Digital Pen and Paper technology to the extreme as he gears up for the ultimate climb in his Seven Summits challenge. In December 2006, Johan will use the technology as he climbs Mount Carstensz in Papua New Guinea and Mount Vinson in Antarctica, before going on to tackle Mount Everest next year. During the expeditions, Johan will use the technology for gathering data, writing his journal and sketching routes. This data will then be stored in the pen and transferred via a docking station or wirelessly to a laptop computer at base camp.

Earlier this year, the Anoto Digital Pen and Paper technology proved more than a match for the extreme temperatures, altitude, humidity and wind speeds that Johan encountered during his expedition on Aconcagua in Argentina – the highest peak outside the Himalayas, and widely considered to be one of the world’s toughest mountaineering challenges.

By: B.L. Hill

There are lots descriptions of this effect that go into great detail, giving all sorts of formulas and diagrams. While these are very useful to more advanced photographers, the purpose of this article is to introduce you to the subject and to get you trying things out for yourself to increase your understanding and ability to use this effect to best advantage.

What is Depth of Field and why should you learn about it?

Depth of field refers to the distance in front of and behind the subject (focal point) of the photo that remain in 'acceptable' focus.

Have you ever seen a photo of a flower for example where the flower was in clear focus while the background was out of focus? It really made that flower the focus of attention as your eye is not distracted by details of the background. This is an example of using a shallow depth of field to enhance a photograph. A shallow depth of field means that only objects within a small distance range are in focus.

By: B.L. Hill

We've all experienced the dreaded "red-eye photo" syndrome or the "left out half of someone's head in the photo" syndrome. Once we have moved past those mistakes, our photos can still seem to be missing a certain something that moves our friends and family from saying, "Oh, that's nice, dear" to saying, "Wow! How did you do that?"

Below we've given you 5 tips that will help you move from beginner to master of digital photography whether you're using your cellphone or a point-and-shoot camera to take your photos.

Compose Carefully

One of the most basic digital photography tips (actually this is important regardless of the camera you use) is composition. Pay attention to what you see in the viewfinder. Fill the frame. Nothing but blue sky, for instance, behind a single subject throws off the proportions of the photo and decreases interest. Having something in the foreground can make that same subject catch the eye.