Innholdsfortegnelse for August 31, 2013 i Amateur Photographer

I OFTEN stop and think about how lucky I am, having a job that allows me to ‘play’ with the latest cameras, lenses and kit, and getting to speak to photographers from all walks of life on a daily basis. This issue, I spoke to minimalist photographer Steve Johnson (see pages 28-30). His photography strips away all unnecessary detail and focuses on light, shape and structure. It’s a refreshing change to many other styles I see. Because of this exposure to so many different types of cameras and so many different photographers, I find myself constantly motivated to try out new things, something I know many fellow amateur photographers struggle with. In AP 10 August, we ran a special on 30 great ideas to inspire your photography, but I wanted…

LETTER OF THE WEEK Wins a 20-roll pack of 36-exposure Fujifilm Superia ISO 200 35mm film or a Fujifilm 8GB media card* EMBEDDED PHOTOGRAPHY In 2004, I took a break from photography to give triathlon a try. I soon realised that this sport offered great potential for a photographer, and in 2007 I bought a new Panasonic Lumix bridge camera with redundancy money just before my next race, the ’07 Nottingham Sprint. With my club, Wakefield, putting on a major effort in the club relay the day before, I was instructed to go 24 hours early just in case a ‘sub’ was needed. Otherwise, I was to be a gopher and free to be a photographer. As usual, after club duties I went and found where I could and couldn’t…

THE NEW book Terry O’Neill, published by ACC Editions, is pretty light on text. It doesn’t even bother with a real title. None of it is really necessary. Terry O’Neill needs no introduction. He’s spent decades photographing the most instantly recognisable faces that have graced the planet, and his iconic pictures say more than a biography ever could. It’s hard to pin anything down about Terry’s style of portraiture. Every shot feels different, spontaneous and tailored specifically to the subject. With that in mind, what we’re dying to know is the secret behind his methodology, his photographic techniques. Is he able to tell us how these incredible images are made? No,’ he says, ‘I hate cameras.’ Fair enough. ‘I’m a hired gun,’ he clarifies, ‘I never even take holiday snaps.…

IF YOU’VE ever found yourself struggling to find inspiration to pick up your camera, Steve Johnson’s minimalist work proves that beauty can be found almost anywhere. His photographs are simple portraits of mostly everyday items, with all but the essentials stripped out of the frame. ‘Minimalism is something that can be applied to most subjects,’ says Steve. ‘It is simply a matter of finding the uncluttered shot, and there is always one to be had. Sometimes it means photographing a detail rather than a whole object or losing detail in the editing – by reducing all dark tones to black, for example.’ STARTING OUT Having first picked up his mother’s Kodak Brownie 127 in his youth, Steve started to take his photography more seriously in the mid-1980s. He invested in…

City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia, Spain Frank Gumpert Nikon Coolpix S8100, 34mm equivalent focal length, 1/500sec at f/7.2, ISO 160 THIS isn’t the first time I’ve included a photograph of buildings in Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences in Appraisal (see AP 6 July), but whereas the previous submission was a considered night-time study, Frank’s image is what I’d politely call a ‘holiday shot’. This isn’t meant to be derogatory in any way – it simply refers to the fact that it was taken on a ‘blue-sky’ day (which suggests summer), possibly around midday. This is rarely the best time to take photographs, due to the hard overhead light, but there’s no escaping that it’s a time when tourists are out and about with their cameras . When we’re…

‘The new design, with its large, easy-to-use focus and zoom rings, looks as good as it is to use’ I HAVE wanted to try the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8mm DC HSM zoom lens ever since it was announced earlier this year. As it is designed for an APS-C-sized sensor, the field of view isn’t quite as wide as you might expect, but it works out as roughly equivalent to a 27-50mm lens, making it useful for landscapes and reportage photography. In fact, with an f/1.8 constant aperture, it could easily replace a 24mm, 28mm and 35mm lens in the kit bag of those with a DSLR carrying an APS-C-sized sensor. This lens is part of Sigma’s new Art range of lenses, which is the designation given to wideangle, large aperture or…

PEN DESIGN Q I have read numerous articles on the modern Olympus Pen digital cameras, but would like to understand the original half-frame-format Pen models a bit better. Specifically, did a prism in the original Pen cameras turn the image 90° to the vertical to fit 72 images on a 36-exposure roll of film? Robin Flegg A You are not alone in not fully understanding Olympus Pen camera design – I have answered questions like this at camera events many times. First, you have to understand that there were two quite distinct lines of Pen development: the original 1959-60 non-reflex viewfinder cameras, which appeared in many different versions through to the early 1970s; and the Pen F series of single-lens reflexes, which began with the Pen F in 1964. The…

‘This obsession with saving a fraction of a penny is widespread’ RECENTLY, I replaced the soap in the upstairs loo. Because I’m not a total technophobe, it’s liquid soap, with one of those little pumps on top that you press down to squirt some soap past your hand and onto the floor. It took me the best part of a minute to unlock the pump. Now, soap pumps are not a particularly demanding technology, but I’ve noticed for many years that some are much easier to put in service than others. Some, you don’t even notice: a halfturn, and they’re in use. Others, you twist and push and pull, and listen to and palpate like a safe-breaker trying to get past a combination lock. What explains the difference? One possibility,…

News I Analysis I Comment I PhotoDiary 31/8/13 G-series goes wireless • 9fps • ‘Faster’ AF • Star shooting mode CANON PRIMES G16 AS NEW POWERSHOT STAR CANON has launched the PowerShot G16, the next in its G-series of enthusiastorientated advanced compact cameras. Priced £529.99 and due out in late September, the G16 features a new imaging sensor and is the first G-series model to feature wireless connectivity. Although maintaining the same 12.1 million pixels as the one-year-old PowerShot G15, which it replaces, the G16 is designed to shoot a burst of up to 9.3 JPEG-format frames per second. Canon points out that the G16 will continuously shoot at this rate until the memory card is exhausted – an improvement on the previous model. ‘The G15 would do 12fps for…

PHOTOGRAPHY has always been my first-choice pastime, but as a family man of modest means I have always been a budget-conscious shopper when it comes to equipment. Much as I yearn to own the latest in top-ofthe-line DSLRs, the thought remains a dream and I content myself with some shrewd buying at more affordable levels. Patience and careful research have proved a successful combination. Once a new camera is announced, it stands to reason that a previous model has a reduced shelf life, meaning two things for the bargain seeker: prices are likely to drop quite a bit; and some retailers will be keen to run short-term phase-out promotions. It was in these circumstances that I made a big strike. Attracted by the performance, portability and versatility offered in the…

ALTHOUGH Terry may not take as many photographs as he used to, his name and presence still loom large over the world of photography. The Terry O’Neill Awards are dedicated to giving young aspiring photojournalists from all around the world their first start in a difficult industry. Cash prizes are awarded for the best images that present ‘a compelling narrative’. ‘A picture that tells a story so well that you look at the picture and you know straight away what’s happening,’ Terry says. ‘It’s about giving young photographers all over the world a fighting chance to get started in life. I’m really proud of it and I’m interested in making it bigger and bigger.’ The Awards are in their eighth successful year and are set to be bigger than ever…

AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER and Pentax have teamed up to offer five readers the chance to spend a day in London shooting with the Pentax Ricoh GR, with the help of AP Editor and photographic tutor Damien Demolder. The day will take place on 25 September 2013. The five lucky winners will each be given a Pentax Ricoh GR for the day, and Damien will be on hand to offer his expert guidance. They will learn skills that will improve their photographic technique and style, and will gain a full understanding of how to get the best from the Pentax Ricoh GR. IDEAL DOCUMENTARY CAMERA In street and documentary photography, size really does matter and, as a general rule, smaller and more discreet is better. The problem with ‘smaller and more discreet’…

Twice a month we test of six of the best accessories on the market. Here we take a look at carbon-fibre monopods Gitzo Series 5 6X Traveler Price: £329.95 www.gitzo.co.uk Gitzo has several monopods in its catalogue, ranging from big 192cm (when extended) monopods, to this, the Series 5 6X Traveler six-section monopod. True to its name, it is lightweight and portable, and features a belt clip on the handstrap that allows it to be carried on a belt or rucksack strap. A drawstring carry bag is also included. Collapsed down, the monopod is only 41.5cm in length, which is second only to the Delkin Fat Gecko (see far right). At full extension, the Series 5 6X Traveler measures 155.5cm, and with a head and a camera on top it…

DATAFILE RRP £39.90 Processor 1GHz processor or faster recommended Memory 1GB RAM minimum recommended. To handle large images (8 megapixels or more) you would benefit from having 2GB or more RAM Display 1024 x 600 minimum supported display size OS Windows: Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista, or XP. Mac: Intel Mac with OS X 10.5 or later The company has no plans to add support for PowerPC based-Macs. A 64-bit edition of Windows or a 64-bit Mac is required in order to be able to use Portrait Professional Studio 64 FACIAL retouching is big business in portraiture, and aspiring portrait photographers will need to learn the basics and how to use the software to make it happen. Portrait Professional aims to provide both, with powerful skin-smoothing and facial-alteration technology combined…

THE SCHOOL OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGING – in association with Niko n – is one of the largest and most vibrant photographic education communities in the world. Rachel Kennedy Enrolled on Foundation in Digital Photography Age 34 Occupation Fundraiser for a charity Equipment Canon EOS 1000D Q When did you first become interested in photography? A My interest in photography began at a fairly young age, probably around ten years old. Our family ran a business in photo development, so photos were constantly around me. Q What are you hoping to achieve with your photography? A I take photographs for fun and my own enjoyment, so all I’m trying to do is get much better at using my camera. Q What do you enjoy most about photography? A I know people…

She dances on Jackson By Vanessa Winship Mack, £35, hardback, 144 pages, ISBN 978-1-9079-4636-3 AMERICA’S an odd place. It’s so very large, for one thing, much larger than it’s really possible to understand from our crowded little isle. Culturally, in many ways it’s similar to us, but also vastly different. Vanessa Winship’s photography doesn’t provide any answers as to what makes America the way it is, but it isn’t trying to. It’s an exploration of small-town life in rural America, of how belonging to a place can affect and shape a person. In sultry black & white she depicts communities that have been worn down around their edges, littered with abandoned artefacts from better times. Winship is adept at both landscape and portrait, and both here show us a way…

BRINGING YOU ESSENTIAL EXPERT ADVICE EVERY WEEK JEROEN STEL Jeroen Stel left his job as a fashion designer several years ago in order to follow his passion for wildlife photography. Since then, he has been working full-time as a freelance wildlife photographer and has gained many prizes and accolades, including an International Photography Award (IPA) in 2012. Jeroen has a great passion for macro and bird photography, and is a member of the Canon Professional Services system To see more of Jeroen’s images, visit his website at www.jeroenstel.com I TOOK this image at a wildlife reserve here in the Netherlands called De Rietputten. It’s a very small reedland reserve that is close to Rotterdam. There’s some controversy around the area at the moment because of plans to dig a tunnel,…

1 Ian Webb Swansea 46pts Canon EOS 5D MarkII, 24-105mm, 1/2000sec at f/5.6, ISO 100 Cleaner Judges say We knew that People at Work would present people with a challenge, but we didn’t anticipate just how strong some of these entries would be. Ian’s monochrome shot of a cleaner working away on a building in Beijing, China, really stood out among the crowd. His exposure has rendered the cleaner in silhouette, yet also retained detail in the building. This is a real winner of a shot 2 Dusica Paripovic Bosnia and Herzegovina 45pts Nikon D5000, 50mm, 1/160sec at f/14, ISO 100 The Masseur Judges say Not only is Dusica’s shot a great interpretation of the brief, but it is also just unusual enough to make you stop and consider what…

ADAM Ferguson is one of the brightest talents among a new generation of photojournalists. A regular contributor to Time magazine, National Geographic and The New York Times, he has won awards in the World Press Photo and Pictures of the Year International competitions. His work has included stories on the conflict in Afghanistan, elections in Burma (Myanmar) and Iraq’s recovery after two major wars. Yet two years ago a near-death experience made him re-evaluate his life and the kind of work he was doing. He was embedded with US Infantry in Afghanistan, near the Pakistan border, and it was the eve of the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. ‘I went on patrol with the military and we were ambushed,’ says Adam. ‘One of…

DATAFILE RRP £304.80 Aspect ratio 16:9 Screen size 7in Resolution(pixels) 1280 x 800 (native) 1920 x 1080 (max) Viewing angle Viewing angle 178°h, 178°v Brightness 400 cd/m2 Contrast ratio 800:1 Video input/output HDMI, YPbPr (via BNC), AV, 3G-SDI/HDMI Audio out Built-in speaker, 3.5mm jack Mount type 1/4in BSW thread, shoe mount x2 Dimensions 191.5 x 31 x 152mm Weight 938g MANUFACTURERS have become very good at finding the space for large LCD screens on the backs of their cameras, but even the biggest in use on a standard DSLR is only about 3in across. Although this size allows some checking, it isn’t until we view via a laptop or desktop computer that we can feel confident everything is as it should be. If it is up to the job, this…

AT ONE time, photographers would buy a specific film stock to create a mood for their photographs. For example, a high ISO film might have been chosen for a grainy look, or Kodachrome 25 for ultra-smooth colours. Now, with digital capture, we have a smooth, grainless look for almost every shot. However, there are filters that can simulate traditional film stock using Photoshop and other imaging applications, so achieving particular filmic ‘looks’ is predominantly a post-capture process. DxO FilmPack 4.0 is a suite of filters that includes many predefined settings to simulate black & white, colour slide and colour negative films. There is also a set of designer presets that includes old film processes and traditional film filters, plus toning effects. DxO FilmPack 4.0 can be used as a standalone…

Amateur Photographer’s… ICONS OF PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHER I PHOTOGRAPH I ICONIC CAMERA VOIGTLÄNDER was one of the great German optical and photographic manufacturers of both the 19th and the 20th centuries, and was actually founded in Vienna, Austria, in 1756, moving to Braunschweig (Brunswick) in Germany in 1862. By the time the Bessa II appeared in 1950, the company was almost 200 years old. It was the oldest photographic manufacturer in the world, and one of the best. The Bessa II was an 8-on-120 6x9cm (or 16-on-120 6x4.5cm) folding camera with an accurate coincident-image coupled rangefinder within the satin-chrome top-plate housing, operated by turning the left-hand knob on the top of the camera. Turning the knob operated the optical assembly in the rangefinder, as well as causing the lens and shutter…