Editor’s note: Lowepro friend and sports photographer Kohjiro Kinno is shooting in London now with colleague Robert Beck for Sports Illustrated. We caught up with him (just for a nano-moment; his schedule is busy as you might imagine) to get a few impressions.

Men's Field Hockey, © Kohjiro Kinno

Your schedule must be pretty exhausting. What’s it like to cover the world of amazing athletes in this fascinating city?
The first few days were the most challenging. Opening ceremonies ended around 12:30am and after everything, I got back to my hotel around 3:30am. On the shuttle to our first venue by 6am. Some people didn’t even sleep. Probably got back to the hotel that night around 1am. Then back on the shuttle around the same time. This went on for 3 days. Everybody looked like zombies. After awhile you get used to not sleeping. Tempers are shorter; patience is put to the test. Little things start to irritate you. People are a little… edgy. You fall asleep on the shuttle bus and miss your spot. But after a week or so, things calm down, you start making good photos, all is good, you love everybody. You see world-class athletes with tears of joy, tears of defeat, the music of your national anthem plays…. Great Britain’s national anthem plays with EVERY Brit singing along. It’s the best.

What’s the most challenging venue so far? Why?
So far I’ve been to the Olympic Stadium (Track), Aquatic Center (Swimming, Diving and Synchronized Swimming), Field Hockey Stadium, Basketball Arena, and the Marathon Area. It’s been all easy to get to and easy to get in and out quickly. The photo staff the London Olympic Committee put together has been very helpful to make nice pictures. The most challenging part, no matter what the venue, is just finishing the day with a set of nice photos.

Swimmers Underwater, © Kihjiro Kinno

Favorite Brit-food snack to keep you on-the-go?
Wine Gums (kinda like gummy bears) and McDonald’s. Yup, we’re living large.

Most surprising moment you captured?
Being able to photograph from underwater during the Aquatics Competition. Especially the Synchronized Swimmers from underwater; it’s very surreal and yet very beautiful.

Every photographer understands the importance of light as it relates to their photography, but how many have actually mastered using it? For myself, it’s a constant learning process, and I find myself thinking if only I had a proper lighting set up, I could get that specific look I’m going for. If you’ve ever found yourself needing more lighting equipment, than I’ve got some exciting news for you.

We have teamed up with Photoflex to give away a great lighting rig, the Extra Small LiteDome Location kit. Some of the SWEET features include the new Photoflex® StarFire Wireless Flash and FlashFire Wireless Trigger/Receiver and the hugely popular Photoflex® LiteReach. The full Lowepro giveaway kit includes:

• Extra Small LiteDome
• Basic Connector
• FlashFire Wireless Trigger/Receiver
• StarFire ShoeMount Digital Flash
• LiteReach Kit (which includes Adjustable ShoeMount Hardware and ShoeMount Multiclamp)
• Small LiteStand

Value- $405.00

This is a great setup that will give you some awesome versatility while on the go with your Lowepro bag.

To enter, simply reply to our blog post with a comment on what you would do with this equipment.

Winners will be announced on our Facebook page, so if you are not yet a fan, make sure to “Like” us.  Also, our friends at Photoflex are giving away a Lowepro Pro Roller x100 on their site, so make sure you check them out on Facebook as well. Contest is void where prohibited, and valid for those within the Continental U.S.

Best of luck to you!  – Frank

The 2011 WPPI tradeshow is right around the corner, and we are feverishly getting ready for all the festivities. We’ve got some exciting things we will be unveiling, so if your not able to attend in person, you’ll definitely want to stay tuned to our blog and our Facebook page.

We are partnering with SanDisk and Pictage (they provide a platform for marketing, selling and fulfilling professional photo products online) to give away some cool prizes at the show, so be sure to stop by our booth and ask about the details.

And then there of course is the awesome product. We will have a ton of our hottest gear on hand for you to play with. If you haven’t had a chance to see our new Street and Field product yet, it will be there for you to put through the paces.  This modular system features the Lens Exchange 200 which has been getting amazing feedback from professionals around the world.

We will also be showing off the new Pro Roller Attache x50 which was just awarded Professional Photographer’s “Hot One” award for 2010. This is a killer product that gives professionals the versatility they need to be able to travel easily and comfortably.

We can wait to see you at the show!

Frank Filice is the Marketing Manager for Lowepro USA

Here at Lowepro in addition to loving photography, we are also big fans of technology. I’m a gear head myself and really looking forward to seeing what future products are headed our way.

You may have heard the rumors about everything from Sony’s camera lineup to all the iPad competitors. To say the least it’s going to be a super exciting show.

What will I be bringing with me? I’ll be taking my Lowepro Pro Roller Attache x50 loaded with my Canon T2i, 24-105 F4 and 50mm 1.4 lenses as well as my Speedlight 580 ex II. The Attache x50 will allow me to carry all my gear onto the flight as well as give me ample room for all my clothes.

We will be sure to follow up with what we find out and give you a first hand glimpse of what went down.

-Frank

Frank Filice is the Marketing Manager for Lowepro USA

This will be our last post for the year, but as we wind things down, we’ve been reflecting on everything that has happened over the last 12 months. Each year brings a fresh set of challenges and opportunities — and this has been no exception. One of the things we are most grateful for is the ongoing friendship and support you all have given us.

So to all of you, from all of us — we send our heartfelt thanks and our best wishes for the holidays and on into the New Year. May it bring you health, happiness and prosperity. (Please click below)

Sam is the PR and Photographer Relations Manager for Lowepro’s Worldwide Marketing team.

Ever since I’ve been working with Lowepro, they’ve lived on the second story of a lovely office building located in Sebastopol, CA, about an hour north of San Francisco. It’s an area I know well. I live about 20 minutes away in Santa Rosa, and have had jobs in Sebastopol for the last 10 years. But December will be our last month in the “Gravenstein Apple” town. As of Jan. 2, 2011, our headquarters will reside down the road south in Petaluma, about 20 minutes closer to the Golden Gate Bridge.

I drive to HQ a couple times a week for meetings and to catch up with my coworkers. Last Thursday will most likely have been my last visit there. Around every corner boxes were stacked high as we prepare to relocate. Anyone who has ever made a big move knows the challenges involved.

Boxes are stacked high as we prepare to relocate our headquarters.

We’re moving because, quite honestly, we’ve outgrown our current location. As we look at the roadmap for what lies ahead, we’re going to need more room and the best talent we can find to continue to innovate, communicate, and fulfill the needs of our customers… you. I’m very excited about 2011. This is a company that always wants to do better. During our final “lowdown” meeting with everyone in attendance, Gil, our CEO, talked about how hard we can be on ourselves, adding “that’s OK, just keep your perspective.” In other words, yes, never be satisfied, but remember that it also takes patience (with yourself and others) as you strive to move forward.

Our new address, as of Jan. 2, 2011, will be: Lowepro, 1435 N. McDowell, Suite 200, Petaluma, CA 94954. It seems appropriate that we start this exciting New Year in a new location. I can’t tell you how much I look forward to working with you in 2011. I think together, we’re going to achieve great things.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

Lowepro has teamed up with Nik software to give away a South African Photo Safari Experience of a lifetime.

Led by famed photographer John Paul Caponigro beginning in September 2011, this private photo safari will take you on a wide-ranging exploration of South Africa. The safari will focus on photographing wildlife in the world-famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve and the many landscapes of the Cape Town region.

Sponsored by Artsy Coutre, Blurb, Datacolor, Graphic Authority, Lowepro, Nik Software, and Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and organized by renowned tour operator Eyes on Africa, you’ll experience some of Africa’s finest wildlife photography opportunities, great accommodations, and expert guiding. These two locations have been selected to create a private safari geared specifically toward serious wildlife, landscape and scenic photography.

Enter the sweepstakes, and read more about the partners and the photo safari at www.safarisweepstakes.com