Innholdsfortegnelse for 24-Jan-2015 i Amateur Photographer

THE TAYLOR Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize has always been controversial and this year is no different. There’s a clearly identifiable aesthetic to the images that tend to be selected. Static poses and vacant expressions devoid of emotion seem to proliferate over any depictions of spontaneity or joie de vivre. If the subject is a child, or has red hair, then all the better. This year’s winner, by David Titlow, doesn’t fit that stereotype, but it’s no less contentious, with many questioning whether it’s even a portrait in the true sense at all. What defines a portrait, anyway? Classic portrait paintings look the way they do because the subject needed to keep still for extended periods. Photography has no such limitations, but I wonder whether the National Portrait Gallery, which runs…

Open to young, amateur and professional photographers worldwide, the 51st Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition opened for entries earlier this month for eight weeks until 26 February 2015. Critiquing the many tens of thousands of submissions to find the winning 101will be an international jury of experts, including National Geographic senior editor Kathy Moran, master of nature photography Tom Mangelsen, French aerial photographer Thierry Vezon and underwater photographer Dr Alex Mustard. This distinctly wintry shot called ‘The Magical Forest’ comes from the 2010 competition and was taken by Sandra Bartocha. To learn more about the competition, visit www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/wpy Words & numbers John Loengard, the picture editor at Life, always used to tell me, ‘If you want something to look interesting, don’t light all of it’ Joe McNally American photographer…

THE CANON PowerShot SX530 HS bridge camera is among a raft of new compact cameras announced to coincide with the CES show. The16-million-pixel SX530 HS (pictured), which features a 50x optical zoom, is due to land in UK stores this month, priced £329.99. Canon has also launched the PowerShot N2, sporting a tilting 180° touchscreen and a dedicated selfie mode. The16.1-million-pixel N2 includes an enhanced Creative Shot function and carries a £289.99 pricetag. Also on the way is a trio of new Canon Ixus models in the shape of the Ixus170 (£149.99), Ixus165 (£129.99) and Ixus 160 (£99.99), each boasting a 20-million-pixel imaging sensor. The Ixus165 and Ixus160 are due in shops now, while the Ixus170 is expected to arrive in February. Next month Canon is also due to launch…

Constructing Worlds: Photography and Architecture in the Modern Age by Alona Pardo, Elias Redstone and David Campany, Prestel, £35, hardback, 280 pages, ISBN 978-3-79138-115-2 AS WE’VE seen in previous books on this subject, it often seems that photography and architecture are intrinsically linked. One art form informs the other in ways that have altered our engagement with the buildings that seem to spring up overnight in our towns and cities. This book aims to demonstrate the ways in which architectural photography is about much more than straight documentation. A construction’s reasons for existing say much about the wider truths of society. Who needs it? What statement is it trying to make? Does it serve a purpose or is it simply for grand exhibition? This lovely book focuses on specific photographers…

Email amateurphotographer@timeinc.comand include your full postal address Write to Inbox, Amateur Photographer, Time Inc. (UK), Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU LETTER OF THE WEEK Just a light-tight box with a lens… Cary Norton’s ingenious Heath Robinson approach – via his amazing Legotron Mark 1 (AP 13 December 2014) – has resulted not only in a fully functional large-format camera, but also one that wouldn’t get lost in a snowstorm! Only joking, as nothing can take away the ingenuity involved. My own efforts at making cameras were the simple pinhole jobs we made in art class at school in the late 1960s. Our art teacher, Mr Heath, was a fanatical photographer who was the first person I heard say that a camera – even a pinhole –…

As photographic competitions go, there are few more hotly contested than the National Portrait Gallery’s annual Photographic Portrait Prize. Sponsored for the seventh year by international law firm Taylor Wessing, the prize awards five photographers cash prizes ranging from £1,000 to £12,000 for a portrait they have taken on commission or otherwise. This year, more than 4,000 entries were received, 60 of which are now on show at the London gallery. There is nothing wrong with the contest in essence – a degree of competition in photography is arguably healthy – but in recent years the prize has come under fire for being repetitive and too conservative, with members of the press and photography professionals questioning its relevance (it has even spawned a parallel ‘Salon des Refusés’ or ‘Exhibition of…

At a glance ● MCT-1 controller ● Two multi-mode sensor modules ● Additional accessory kits available SabreSwitch TriggerSmart Kit ● £238 ● www.sabreswitch.co.uk Phil Hall finds out what this affordable motion capture system can do THE SABRESWITCH TriggerSmart is designed to be an affordable way into motion photography – the camera (or video camera) is triggered by an infrared beam, light or sound sensor, making it possible to capture splitsecond moments in the studio or on location. While there are a number of accessories available that will build up and enhance the TriggerSmart’s capabilities, the kit itself comprises the controller, a pair of multi-mode sensor modules, two mini tripods, cables and four AA batteries. To connect to your camera, the TriggerSmart comes supplied with a shutter-release cable with a 2.5mm…

Fixed lens The CM1 features a fixed 28mm f/2.8 Leica DC Elmarit lens, which is good for general use Control A manual control wheel on the front of the camera allows you to adjust exposure and zoom settings Stylish The refined monochromatic design of the CM1 is eye-catching and attractive Sensor This pocket-sized camera features a large 20.1-millionpixel, 1in sensor, like those in some premium compact cameras Communications A SIM card slot and Android 4.4 operation enable full smartphone functionality Touchscreen A large and responsive 4.7in full HD capacitive touchscreen features point-tofocus and shoot Camera interface Similar to the one used by Panasonic for its enthusiast cameras, the CM1’s interface includes a full array of exposure information and manual controls…

THE EPSON Perfection V800 Pro scanner is identical in appearance to the V850, but the V800 has an optical sensor. The V850 has a Matrix CCD with micro lens and High Pass Optics, while the V800 does not have the High Pass Optics. For most scanning purposes, you will not see a great deal of difference, but the V850 does produce the better-quality film scans. The V850 is supplied with two sets of film holders, while the V800 just has the one set. Software included with the V850 is the same as that packaged with the V800, but it also includes X-Rite i1 Scanner and a series of IT8 targets. This software, in combination with the colour targets, can be used to create colour profiles that should ensure the V850…

What you will need ● 1 packet of Sugru ● Camera IF YOU haven’t already come across Sugru, it is a mouldable adhesive rubber that sets completely solid. People have found many uses for it in a variety of different DIY projects, and it can also be used for small repairs. For photographers, there are a number of uses for Sugru, but perhaps the most common is to adjust the shape of your camera. Here we will look at how to add a small handgrip to the front of a camera, in this case a Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 II. Alternatively, you could use small amounts of Sugru to make awkward camera buttons easier to press. Sugru is available in a variety of high-street stores and online. Visit sugru.com to buy…

‘Biggest’ time-lapse event Dozens of photographers toured London to create a time-lapse video of the capital. Hailed as the ‘biggest-ever, single-day, crowd-sourced, time-lapse movie of London’, the project saw 40 amateur and professional photographers set out to capture the ‘beauty and diversity’ of London in a single day. The video, shot last month, was compiled from 80 clips and featured more than 35,000 photographs. To watch it, visit www.triggertrap.com. Nikon DX zoom Nikon has unveiled a 55-200mm zoom for DX-format DSLRs. The AF-S DX Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II features Nikon’s Vibration Reduction system, which is designed to allow users to shoot at up to 4 stops slower. The lens is due out on 5 February, at £279.99. Connect Station CS100 Canon has launched the Connect Station CS100, a…

FUJIFILM and Nikon revealed new lenses at this month’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, USA. Fuji unveiled the Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR, a ‘weather-resistant’ zoom lens (equivalent to 24-84mm) with a constant aperture of f/2.8. The 17-elements-in-12 groups lens boasts three aspherical and three ED glass elements. It also features Fujifilm’s High Transmittance Electron Beam Coating (HT-EBC) across its entire surface, which controls ghosting and fl are. This is boosted by new Nano-GI (Gradient Index) technology, designed to inhibit fl are and ghosting by introducing nano-sized irregularities on the lens surface. Fuji says the lens is weather-sealed at 14 locations, and claims it is weather-resistant, dust-resistant, and able to operate in temperatures as low as -10°C. It carries nine rounded aperture blades and a claimed…

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch If you enjoy photographing the birds in your garden, why not take a chance to do them some good? The RSPB is encouraging everyone in the country to spend an hour this weekend counting the birds in their garden in order to gather data on wildlife populations – vital statistics for conservationists. 24-25 January, www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch Positions In a macabre reimagining of pin-up photography, Eva Stenram presents shots of models that have been digitally altered to remove their entire bodies, save for one orphaned limb. Weird and wonderful. Until 22 March www.siobhandavies.com DENCH Yourself Book a place now for a talk with World Press Photo winner Peter Dench as he takes his audience through good reportage practice and how to survive as a modern photographer. 3 February…

Most photographers agree that the landscape usually looks its best during the ‘golden hours’ – the 30mins or so either side of sunrise and sunset – with vivid, saturated colours in the sky and low, modelling light revealing form and texture on the land below. However, the most magical conditions probably occur in the hour or so leading up to dawn, from the moment the light begins to creep up into the sky until the sun breaks the horizon. This is the time when you can see some of the best colours of the day – either strong and saturated or more subtle, but equally beautiful pastel shades. Warm/cool contrasts are common, with warmer colours above and cooler shades on the land, particularly in the shadow areas where no direct…

Mountains are a perennially popular subject for landscape and adventure photographers, but few people are more intimately acquainted with their pleasures and pains than Robert Bösch. This modest Swiss native is the mountain photographer’s photographer, a vastly experienced climber and former guide who has taken some amazing images for outdoor clothes company Mammut, as well as many other clients. Indeed, his images for the ambitious Mammut campaign, many of which are shown here, caused ripples way beyond the world of advertising. Robert’s Mammut shoot became a story in its own right, covered by newspapers and websites the world over. He also takes some wonderful art photography of his beloved mountains. ‘I always had a passion for climbing, and when I was studying geography at the University of Zurich I spent…

Mike Smith, France It was while looking through his photo albums that Mike identified a three-year gap in his life when he was without a camera. When he discovered these missing photographic years, which were while he was at university, Mike decided to make up for lost time. He bought an entry-level DSLR, visited the Flickr website and discovered the100 Strangers project – a selection of images from which are printed here. Mike has recently moved to France, where he hopes to ‘commune with the landscape’ and improve his photography in all areas. You can view more of Mike’s images at www.apanacea.co.uk. Milly 1 As Mike says, the leading lines do most of the work here. In a strange way, the parting in Milly’s hair also functions on the same…

Expert reviews of the latest kit to look out for Rain Design mStand 360 ● £50 ● www.raindesigninc.com MANY photographers, including myself, use a laptop for much of their image editing. The mStand 360 from Rain Design is a stand that raises a laptop off a desk to make it more ergonomic. This helps to prevent strain on the neck and shoulders, which can make a long editing session much more comfortable. The aluminium stand is designed to match Apple’s MacBook computers in colour and finish. It features rubber grips on the top to stop the laptop from slipping off, and there are also rubber feet on the bottom to secure the stand on the desk. These feet are mounted underneath a circular disk that allows the stand to spin…

It has been a long time coming, but with fewer people now shooting film it’s understandable that Epson has only just got around to updating its popular Perfection V750 Pro flatbed scanner with the new Perfection V850 Pro. The original V750 scanner set the standard for consumer flatbed scanners for a number of years, so the new V850 will be looked upon with interest by those who still shoot on film, particularly medium and largeformat users. As Epson’s top-of-the-range flatbed scanner, the V850 is designed specifically for keen hobbyist and professional photographers. As such, it comes with a whole host of accessories and software, including eight film holders for 35mm strips, mounted transparencies, medium format, 5x4in and even10x8in sheet film. Also included is Epson Scan, Epson Event Manager, Epson Copy…

Email your questions to: apanswers@timeinc.com, Twitter @AP_Magazine and #AskAP, or Facebook. Or write to Technical Support, Amateur Photographer Magazine, Time Inc. (UK), Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU Installing Photoshop QI have a copy of Adobe Photoshop CS5 for Mac, but I plan to get a copy to put on my work laptop, which is a PC. I know that you can use Photoshop on two different machines, but can I use my Mac version on a PC? How would I install that version on my PC and what would happen if I wanted to update to the latest version via Creative Cloud? Jonas Dent A In theory, you can install Adobe Photoshop on two machines, so long as there is only one person using the software…

‘The Band, Woodstock, NY, 1968’, by Elliott Landy This is 1968, not 1868. The musicians best known as Bob Dylan’s backing band look like… what? Like gunslingers from the Wild West, alienated ex-warriors in the aftermath of the American Civil War. This was taken at the height of the Vietnam war, remember: never neglect subconscious parallels. Or perhaps they are like cowboys: rootless, itching to be on the move. The clothes create the immediate impression, of course. Much more important, however, are the (apparently) unimaginative poses and composition: evenly spaced, dead centre, no grins or gestures. This is where Elliott Landy’s genius shows. The picture is at least as much about him as about them: about how a great photographer can take control. Elliott was only 26 when he shot…

Shoot a music event There are a variety of live music events to be found up and down the country, usually on Friday and Saturday nights. Whether it is at a small music venue, in a nightclub or, in warmer months, at a music festival, there is always something going on that will make an exciting subject. For some events you will be unable to take a ‘professional’ camera into the venue, but at many places cameras are allowed – make sure you check with the venue beforehand. Most events will have special lighting on stage, which adds a great deal of atmosphere to images. Also, the musicians just ooze passion and this combination makes for very interesting photos. This weekend, do a little research and head out to a…

MARCH is set to see the launch of the Panasonic Lumix DMCTZ57, a 16-million-pixel compact with a 3in, 180° tilting screen that triggers a self-shooting mode. Priced £229.99, the TZ57 also features full HD video and a 20x optical zoom (24mm at the wide end). Also due in March is the Lumix DMC-FT30, a ‘rugged camera with style for the intrepid adventurer’. Costing £139.99, it is ‘dustproof’, waterproof to 8m, shockproof to 1.5m and freezeproof to -10°C. Other features include a 4x (25mm) optical zoom and a 16.1-million-pixel imaging sensor. The Panasonic newcomers also include the Lumix DMC-TZ70 travel zoom. Read our first impressions at www.amateurphotographer.co.uk. Visit amateurphotographer subs.co.uk/15E when you pay by UK Direct Debit…

My fellow presenters and I on The Gadget Show recently shot a whole episode of the programme using just consumer cameras. This was a hugely enjoyable experience, and a heartening one, because, to my eyes at least, the results were virtually indistinguishable from those using professional kit costing umpteen times more. I thought the Canon EOS 700D and, in particular, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 we used performed brilliantly. Such an exercise would have been impossible when I started in television back in 1984. As a novice director, even if I’d tried shooting parts of Top Gear on, say, a Super 8 movie camera, there’s no way it would have been transmitted. Over the years, consumer equipment has gradually become accepted. I recall the arrival of domestic Super VHS camcorders in…

For as long as there have been bona fide stars, there have been people with cameras running after them. You don’t have to go far to find examples. There’s Terry O’Neill’s fruitful working relationship with Frank Sinatra, or the many photographers who spent time with the Beatles. There are many ways in which you could compare the recent evolution of music to that of photography, with both art forms irrevocably changed by the rise of digital culture and the internet. London’s Proud Galleries and Sony recently joined forces to explore this relationship in the exhibition Studio to Stereo, which presented photographs documenting the making of seven iconic albums alongside the tracks themselves. We sat down with Proud Galleries’ Alex Proud to find out a little more about it. How did…

LOCATED just north of Wareham and south of the A35 in Dorset, Wareham Forest consists of acres of pine woodland and open heath criss-crossed by a network of paths. While a few of the paths are part of a designated set of longer routes, most meander through the woods, allowing you to walk or cycle as far as you feel able. You certainly do not have to venture too far from the car to start enjoying good landscape and photo opportunities. My favourite area is around Woolsbarrow Hillfort, which has the Wareham Forest Way running right past it. There are two parking areas within a 15-minute walk, although there are some really interesting views and vistas on the way. In fact, I rarely reach the fort before I have the…

Alan Cronin Béal Ban races Canon EOS 7D, 24-105mm, 1/80sec at f/11, ISO 100 THERE is something very exciting about horse racing along the beach, which Alan has made a very good attempt at capturing with this shot taken at Béal Ban, on the Dingle Peninsula in Co Kerry. He has created a real sense of speed in his panned photograph, and shows an impressive level of skill to keep the head of the forward jockey nice and sharp. Panning is hard, and timing with fast-moving creatures like these is critical. I think it’s important to shoot while the subject is still approaching, but here the first horse is slightly beyond the photographer, which can give a sense that the action has already happened. Alan added +0.33 exposure compensation, presumably…

At a glance ● Large 1in sensor ● Full HD LCD touchscreen ● 28mm (equivalent) f/2.8 Leica DC lens ● 4K capture ● Full smartphone capabilities with Android 4.4 OS ● Price £799 For and against Large 1in sensor captures good detail Shoots raw and has full manual controls Responsive touchscreen No grip, making it unstable when only using one hand Could benefit from optical image stabilisation Some materials used could be of better quality Where in the range Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 Price £630 The Panasonic LX100 has a 16-millionpixel micro four thirds sensor, 4K video recording and a 2.76-million-dot EVF Panasonic LumixDMC-TZ70 Price £350 This pocket travel camera has a 30x optical zoom and a 12.1-million-pixel, 1/2.3in sensor Data file Sensor 20.1-million-pixel, 1in, High SensitivityMOS sensor Output size 5472×3648…

LOOKING at our test black & white scans from a 35mm negative, the 3200ppi version displays the best overall sharpness, with excellent detail in both highlight and shadow areas. The film grain is sharp and crisp, which indicates that the film holder was well aligned, thanks to the height adjusters. The 6400ppi scans are equally impressive, but lack that extra bite of the 3200ppi scan. The scanner produces the best scans at 3200ppi and 4800ppi resolutions. Although the specifications state a maximum scanning resolution of 6400ppi, you can scan using other values up to 12,800ppi, but at the high ppi settings scans look like interpolated resolutions. To get the best quality out of any scan, you must apply Unsharp Mask (USM). This can be applied in an image-editing application rather…

LAUNCHED October 2005 PRICE £699 (kit with viewfinder, wideangle conversion lens, adapter and hood) GUIDE PRICE TODAY £175 (non-kit) RICOH has always been a niche player and the GR Digital from 2005 is no exception. This was a very compact magnesium-alloybodied, 8-million-pixel digital camera with a fixed-focal-length f/2.4 lens that was equivalent to a 28mm wideangle. It appealed to specialist photographers and had an exclusive air about it. What’s good The GR Digital is commendably compact and yet it offers controls and a user interface that you’d expect on a much more sophisticated DSLR. The camera is also capable of very fast focusing and images have a natural tone about them. In premium kit form, you get a 21mm (equivalent) wideangle conversion lens, hood and adapter, plus an external optical…