Ron Leach

We all tend to stow our gear when the weather turns nasty, and that’s a real shame because that’s often when the most dramatic photo opportunities arise. Now you can ignore rain, dust, snow and salt spray and keep shooting, thanks to the versatile and affordable Altura Professional Rain Cover.

Here’s an interesting video in which Chief White House Photographer Pete Souza explains how he makes such intimate images of President Obama who considers him a friend. In the past Souza was an Official White House Photographer for President Reagan and a freelancer for National Geographic. He also worked for the Chicago Tribune in their Washington bureau.

Using filters with ultrawide lenses can often be a difficult proposition but Fotodiox has just launched a nifty solution. Called the Wonderpana FreeArc XL, the innovative filter system enables Canon shooters to use NDs, polarizers and other filters on the ultrawide Canon 11–24mm lens.

In 2009, Fine Art photographer Betsey Chesler decided to use her craft to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged teens, and she launched the Cameras For Kids Foundation (CFKF).  The idea was to put cameras in the hands of kids and teach them basic concepts of art and photography—thereby fostering self-esteem, confidence, and a skillset they could be proud of.