Innholdsfortegnelse for 14-Jan-2017 i Amateur Photographer

One of the joys of working on a magazine such as Amateur Photographer is the sheer variety of content we get to include in its pages. Some people wonder how we are able to find enough to write about every week, but with an art/science/hobby as vibrant as photography, it’s never a problem. In this issue, for instance, we’ve got tips and insights into subjects as diverse as food photography and wildlife, and a truly inspiring story of how Donato Di Camillo, a troubled ex-convict, used his camera to turn his life around. I find this latter area particularly interesting; more and more people are using photography as a path to healing and greater self-awareness. The variety continues in our gear section, too. Check out Panasonic’s impressive new GH5 mirrorless…

AS PART of its look back at 2016, Facebook-owned Instagram has revealed some of the world's most popular smartphonephotography destinations, gathered through geotagging data when images are uploaded to the app. Reaching the top spot of the list for cities, perhaps unsurprisingly, is New York, followed by London, Moscow and Sao Paulo. Also in the top ten are Jakarta, Paris and Istanbul. Meanwhile the Louvre Museum in Paris and Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles are both on the list of most Instagrammed specific locations. But it seems that amusement parks really clean up; the two overall most popular locations of 2016 were Walt Disney World and Universal Studios theme parks worldwide.…

If you have so far been sceptical about the imaging capabilities of smartphones, or you bought a device some time ago and were underwhelmed by its camera's image quality, now is probably a good time to give it another chance and have a close look at what the mobile industry currently has to offer photography enthusiasts. The camera has been at the centre of smartphone marketing efforts pretty much since the market was created. However, for a long time manufacturers played the same numbers game that we previously saw in digital cameras. Every new generation had a higher megapixel count than the previous one, but with minimum gains for the user. More recently though, there has been a clear shift away from a numbers-focused approach towards camera performance and image…

Telephoto lens Long telephoto lenses are very useful for wildlife photography – they allow a good working distance between you and your subject whilst still offering the opportunity for intimate portraits. Waterproof cover Consider buying a Neoprene cover to protect your gear from the elements. A fully waterproof cover that goes over the whole of the lens and camera is essential in bad weather. Tripod Wherever possible mount your camera on a stable support to avoid shaky shots. If you can't physically take one (when hiking in the mountains, for example) use your camera bag to rest on. Map and compass To ensure that you know exactly where you're heading, and to record where you've found photogenic subjects, carry a map of the local area. Clothing In cold conditions use…

Ruth Humphreys, Nottinghamshire Ruth was always surrounded by photographs as a child, as her grandparents were amateur photographers. As a mother of two small children she rarely has much time for herself, but over the past year has decided to combine her two main passions: family and photography. Here we see a selection of her images, all of which are taken in black & white, giving the images an almost timeless documentary feel. www.flickr.com/photos/134995028@N05 1 Two of Me Ruth saw this opportunity at London’s Science Museum as her youngest son gazed at a display. Panasonic Lumix GX7, 25mm, 1/80sec at f/1.4, ISO 1600 2 Together This is a lovely image taken on a day out. It’s an image that we can all relate to as we take a stroll through…

Mike Smith A wedding, event and portrait photographer based in London and the home counties, Mike specialises in documentary work and environmental portraiture. He also undertakes a range of computational photography commissions generating 3D models for clients. He flexes his creative photography muscles by embarking on personal projects, the latest of which is a pop-up studio called Pause2Pose. 1985 Canon Sure Shot AF35M After a series of low-cost hand-me-downs from my father, I eventually inherited the Sure Shot in my early teens. This was my first ‘serious' camera in that it took good photos, a result of the autofocus, autoexposure and sharp 38mm lens. I used it extensively on climbing trips throughout the UK, but it left me wanting more. 1987 Pentax P30 The upgrade came in the form of…

VETERAN photojournalist and conflict photographer Don McCullin has been knighted at the turn of this year, as a reward for his ‘services to photography'. McCullin's career spans more than six decades, most famously documenting war and ecological disasters. Working for a long time as a correspondent for The Sunday Times, his work has taken him to conflict zones across the globe such as those in Northern Ireland, Vietnam, Iran and Afghanistan. Most recently, he travelled to Iraq to capture the Battle of Mosul – though he says this will be his last trip to cover conflict. He's vowed to continue his other photographic work until he's no longer able. McCullin told BBC News: ‘I've made this huge journey from the beginning of my life where it was very poor and…

ALONGSIDE the GH5, Panasonic has announced the Leica-branded 12-60mm f/2.8-4 that it also showed under glass at Photokina. With a metal-barrelled splash, dust and freeze-proof design, it incorporates a linear AF motor that operates at 240fps for fast, silent focusing. Its optical image stabilisation is fully compatible with the Dual IS 2 system found in the GH5 and G80, and physical AF/MF and OIS switches are placed on the side of the barrel. Priced at £879.99, the new optic also includes a raft of features optimised for 4K video recording. Panasonic says it will also make Leica 8-18mm f/2.8-4 and 50-200mm f/2.8-4 zooms with similar features.…

Twitter Gary Chittick @gbc123 A simply composed landscape here showing us a different angle of Beinn Narnain and The Cobbler, locations found in the Scottish Highlands. A bit of foreground interest in the rock helps to focus our eye on the scene and lead our eye into the background. Join the conversation @AP_Magazine Facebook Artyom Liss Street scenes can offer us perhaps some of the most fascinating opportunities for images. Artyom missed his bus by a couple of minutes and so took the time to capture this mesmerising scene of light and colour. It’s the kind of image you could stare at for ages. Like us www.facebook.com/amateurphotographermagazine Flickr Peter Bartlett Here we see another approach to street photography, this time using a a wideangle lens (12-35mm) and black &…

In the 17-24 December issue of Amateur Photographer I was extremely sorry to read the sad news about the death of Chris Cheesman. Back in 2000, I was the very lucky gentleman who won the prize of a trip to the Olympics in Australia. For family reasons we could not travel. However, your company was extremely understanding and paid me the money instead. So on the appointed day we went to your office where my wife Janette and I were treated like royalty. We were taken for a superb lunch in the Oxo Tower and then back to the office for the presentation of the cheque and a photograph. It was at this point that I can still remember vividly the short interview that I had with Chris Cheesman. He…

‘The fact that she’s crossed her hands and feet suggests she’s keeping something back. That fitted in with the mood of the shoot’ For me, improvisation is a vital part of the creative process. When I’m shooting a portrait, I enjoy looking for something that hasn’t been done before and ending up with images I hadn’t anticipated. Tampering with the instinctive approach and plundering pre-existing ideas is likely to produce images that are contrived and hackneyed. I believe it’s better to react to what’s around you and riff off things, because then you get the unexpected. That’s what happened when I did a portrait shoot of the actress Rosamund Pike in September 2006. I had been commissioned to photograph her for the Sunday Telegraph magazine, to illustrate an interview. At…

PHOTO shoots at any time of year can be approached in a similar way. If you develop a general routine this helps to improve the hit rate of each of your outings. It is always a good idea to research your subject fully to understand where you might find it and the behaviour it might exhibit. Once you are aware of the traits of the species, you can put together ideas of the types of shots you'd like to achieve. This pre-visualisation technique can improve your chances of spotting opportunities when they arise and ensure that you don't miss out on any potential images. It may sound a bit like a military exercise, but it's not so regimented, and a lot of the process is very enjoyable. Another helpful tip…

Tripod strap A clipped strap allows a tripod to be tied and hung on the front Elasticated pouch Ideal for a water bottle or a waterproof jacket Three access points Kit can be accessed from the left, right or back of the bag • £120 • www.thinktankphoto.com At a glance • Designed to hold a CSC and three zoom lenses • Three points of access to main compartment • Dedicated pocket for 8in tablet ALTHOUGH cameras may have been getting smaller over the last few years, backpacks seem to have stayed roughly the same size. Smaller ones are usually sling-type backpacks, or they seem too tiny to warrant even carrying on your back. The Think Tank Photo Trifecta 8 changes all that. It is a traditional, dual shoulder bag that…

Cameras don't come much simpler or cheaper than the SupaSnaps Snappit. In fact, cheap is an understatement, as these were given away by the high street chain SupaSnaps in the early1990s. If memory serves, you got a free camera whenever you had a film processed; sometimes you even got a free126 cartridge, too. They came in a whole range of colours, and often had cartoon characters printed on them, or came with stickers so you could customise them to your taste. I don't know how many were actually used. After all, the chances are you already had a camera if you were having a film processed, but I know they featured heavily in rummage boxes in charity shops and car boot sales for years. You still see them now, but…

Luxury English camera bags Hawkesmill England has announced it is rolling out a line of smaller luxury camera bags. Designed for a single mirrorless or DLSR camera with limited space for lenses, it says portability is key. The range will sell for £329, handmade in England with a lifetime warranty against defects. ExoLens comes to iPhone 7 The ExoLens PRO range, attaching specific Zeiss-engineered lenses to smartphones, is now compatible with the latest generation of iPhones. By equipping their iPhone 7 with the updated bracket, users can then attach special Zeiss wideangle, macro and telephoto lenses for use on the go. Visit www.exolens.com to find out more. Paralympic athletes honoured in exhibition Some of the stars of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games were the focus of a special photography exhibition…

THE VIDEO Mode's Amateur Filmmaker Of the Year (AFOY) competition, in association with Canon, is now open for its third and final round. AFOY challenges you to produce creative films, and gives you the opportunity to win some fantastic Canon prizes, worth more than £13,000 in total. For Round 3, the category is ‘People'. To enter, submit a video no more than five minutes in length, of HD quality, with any camera – the content and editing are up to you. What does the theme ‘People' conjure up? It might be close family and friends or the story of people you have met. Try thinking creatively and plan what you think will have the most impact in a video. To enter visit www.thevideomode.com/competitions/amateur-filmmakeryear-competition-round-3-people. For the latest news visit www.amateurphotographer.co.uk…

Mark Benham Mark is a graphic designer turned photographer. Not only was he named Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year 2016, he also won the Food in Action category. Mark’s images tell engaging stories and capture the essence of what he sees, whether it’s documenting the work of the charity People Against Poverty or olive harvesting in Tuscany. To find out more about Mark and his work visit www.markbenham.co.uk. 1 Capture the atmosphere In this image of a cook fanning the coals at a medieval festival, the trick was to capture the atmosphere and make it clear what was going on, hence the composition. The image was taken at night among crowds of people, so I used a lightweight Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens, just right for low-light conditions,…

You answered… A A new DSLR 19% B A new CSC 12% C A new lens 36% D A new tripod 6% E A new camera bag 4% F None of them – I hate Christmas! 9% G All of them, I’m greedy! 14% What you said ‘I have nearly all the kit I need/want at the moment. As the pace of technology has slowed down I suspect that quite a few have come to the same conclusion – causing grief in various boardrooms in Japan.’ ‘I don’t need one, but I fancy using a Fujifilm X-T2 and power base with 18-55mm and 50-140mm lenses.’ ‘I’m waiting for the X-T1 to fall to £200 used – there seem to be so many about at hopeful prices. Our local independent had…

John and Tracy Langley Nature photographers John and Tracy Langley have been passionate about wildlife and wild places for as long as they can remember. In 2010 they were both awarded an Associateship Distinction by the RPS. www.ourwildlifephotography.com Do you remember when you were young and the first fall of snow had you dashing outside to build a snowman or go sledging with your friends? The onset of winter is still an exciting time, only by now many of us have swapped our sledges for cameras. As the cold of winter sets in, a covering of frost or a blanket of snow can transform the landscape. Capturing images of our native wildlife during this time can be a challenge, but it’s a rewarding one. There are some advantages to winter…

Recce in summer Arriving at an unfamiliar location in the depths of winter can be daunting. If at all possible try to visit potential winter locations in the summer. Good weather and long days enable you to familiarise yourself with the area in comfort and safety. Be aware of your tracks Footsteps in the snow are very photogenic, but only when they are made by your subject and not by you. When searching for wildlife keep disturbance to a minimum and ensure you leave enough pristine snow for your subject to move in to. Exposing for snow Camera meters aim to achieve mid-tone grey. In snowy conditions this renders the scene dull. To ensure snow appears bright and white you need to add extra exposure time. Use exposure compensation (typically…

Resolution Our Applied Imaging tests confirm what we found by studying our real-world images. At f/0.85, the centre of images are noticeably sharper than the edge. Sharpness at the edges starts to improve beyond f/2. Users wishing to find the sweet spot between centre and edge sharpness will want to use the lens around f/5.6. To help remind users that this is the optimum aperture for edge-to-edge image sharpness, the f/5.6 setting is coloured green on the barrel. Shading Using the lens at f/0.85 introduces corner shading at the edges, with corners appearing approximately 1.2EV darker than the centre of the image. Stopping the lens down to f/1.4 sees an improvement, with corners appearing 0.8EV darker than at the centre. You can use it between f/2.8-f/22 safe in knowing that…

Cheap stopgap lens Q I have sold my Nikon D5100 and collection of DX lenses, and now own a full-frame D800E. I am using the Nikkor AF-S 24-70 f/2.8G IF-ED as my kit lens. I'll not be able to afford another decent quality lens for a while, so I'm exploring a stopgap, in the form of a very old manual-focus lens. I would like a medium telephoto zoom. I read good things about the Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm but they seem hard to find. On the other hand, a few Tamron Adaptall 2 80-210mm f/3.8-4 zooms are going for silly money on eBay. Would this work as a stopgap tele zoom? Anton Grant A For the best quality from old Tamron lenses, it’s worth looking out for examples from the…

The full caption to this picture is heartbreaking: ‘Girl looks through restaurant window hoping for leftovers.’ It’s from Paula Bronstein’s Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear (University of Texas Press). Aesthetically, it’s lovely: the flowers, symbols of freshness and innocence; the face partly obscured by the misted window; the streaks of rain, like weeping; the curtain following the line of the girl’s shoulder and head; the out-of-focus background. It shows how ultimately, composition is internalised, so we take good pictures almost without thinking. However, on the way to this compositional nirvana, there must be compositional analysis. The positive side of this is taking and studying good pictures. The negative side consists of looking at what goes wrong rather than what goes right. After all, we’ve all taken pictures that would have…