Innholdsfortegnelse for 25-Mar-2017 i Amateur Photographer

Try bracketing Until fairly recently bracketing images (taking a series of shots of the same subject at different exposures) was used as a precaution to guarantee that at least one image was perfectly exposed. But now you can bracket so much more than just exposure. Some cameras provide options to bracket white balance, ISO and film simulation (in the case of Fujifilm), for example. Shooting sequences in this way is a chance to explore your camera’s capabilities. And there is the option to combine multiple exposures to create high dynamic range (HDR) images. This is often the ideal way to capture maximum detail in the highlights and shadows. Bracketing is simple, and could make all the difference between a great picture and one destined for the bin. 1 When you…

Dafna Talmor Constructed Landscapes is an ongoing project that stems from Talmor’s personal archive of photographs across locations such as Venezuela, Israel and the US. Produced by collaging medium-format colour negatives, the process relies on experimentation. Until 6 April, www.photofusion.org/dafna-talmor The Place is Here This exhibition traces some of the conversations taking place between black artists, writers and thinkers during the 1980s. Against a backdrop of civil unrest, they were exploring their relationship to Britain’s colonial past. Until 30 April, www. nottinghamcontemporary.org Photoshop retouching Photographer Tim Daly is on hand to help you learn retouching techniques using professional Photoshop processes. However, this course is geared towards those with a good understanding of Photoshop, so beginners may wish to look for an alternative. 1 April,…

When was the club founded? Edinburgh Photographic Society (EPS) was founded in 1861 and has therefore been in existence for more than 150 years, making it one of the oldest photographic societies in the world. What does your club offer new members? We warmly welcome new members to our premises in Edinburgh New Town. We have a large general membership and can offer a variety of special interest groups, covering such topics as studio, nature and creative digital photography. We are pleased to welcome all photographers, from beginners to the very experienced. Wednesday meetings are open to the public, where prospective members have the opportunity to experience the Society. Describe a typical club meeting On a Wednesday evening, from October to April, we enjoy a wide range of topics presented…

The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens offers the ultimate in image quality. Resolution is extremely crisp at the area in focus, while both front and rear bokeh are silky smooth. Offering the ultra-high performance that characterises Sigma's Art line, it inherits the design principles of the line's first model, the flagship Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM. To achieve exceptionally crisp resolution, Sigma has minimised sagittal coma flare and every type of optical aberration that affects image quality. The result is minute detail without bleeding or streaking, even at wide-open aperture. Axial chromatic aberration is difficult to correct using image processing software after an image has been taken. For this reason, this lens features Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass to minimise axial chromatic aberration and deliver sharp, high-contrast quality…

1 Scale Force Waterfall Scale Force is the highest waterfall in the Lake District. David had to scale a 20ft rock to capture this image Canon EOS 6D, 17-40mm, 1.6secs at f/9, ISO 100 2 Derwentwater Here we see a simple scene reduced to its most minimal visual components using the diffusing mist of an early morning Canon EOS 6D, 70-200mm, 1/50sec at f/4, ISO 200 3 Honister Pass In this image, David has gone for a long exposure in order to give the flowing lake a misty sheen. It also features some movement in the clouds that complement the dust of snow on the distant mountains Canon EOS 6D, 17-40mm, 30secs at f/4.5, ISO 100 4 Honister Pass David spotted these rays of light shining on to Honister Pass…

One-touch copy button Pressing this backs up your memory card without having to connect to a smartphone Status LEDs Four small blue lights indicate card backup progress or the battery charge level Travel charger A 5V, 2.4A USB charger is included with UK, US and European plugs, and a USB 3.0 charging/data transfer cable USB 2.0 connector Accepts an external reader to back up other card types, such as Compact Flash, and can be used to charge phones and other devices • £199 (2TB); £229 (3TB) • www.wdc.com/en-gb At a glance • 2TB or 3TB HD capacity • SD 3.0 card slot • Built-in Wi-Fi • 6,800 mAH battery – up to 10 hours’ life EVERY serious photographer knows the importance of backing up image files as soon as possible…

At a glance £1,249 • 24.2MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor • 23mm f/2 lens • Hybrid optical / electronic viewfinder • Available in silver or black Fujifilm's star is now so high in the camera makers' firmament that it's easy to forget just how recently the firm was primarily a purveyor of identikit zoom compacts. The camera that set it on course towards higher things was the original X100, with its retro rangefinder-style design, fixed lens, APS-C sensor and clever hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder. Now, with the X100F, Fujifilm has unveiled the fourth generation of this modern classic. As with the previous updates, the F (for ‘fourth') remains very close in spirit to the original design, with the same 35mm equivalent f/2 lens and analogue dial-led operation. But it's the most…

Canon flash problem Q After my father-in-law died recently I was given all his old camera gear. This included a couple of Canon EOS film cameras, including a rather impressive looking EOS-5 film SLR. I have started using a couple of his old lenses. Also included in his kit bag was a Speedlite 430EZ flash. My own camera gear is pretty old but at least it's digital and also Canon. I have a Canon EOS 400D. I've been meaning to get a decent flash for some time and was excited to discover the 430EZ, but it doesn't seem to work properly on my 400D. Exposures are all wrong and the shutter seems to have a mind of its own. What am I doing wrong? Harry Gregson A The Speedlite 430EZ…

The Art of Building photography competition is open to amateur and professional photographers, and acts as an international showcase for the very best digital photography of the built environment. The competition is run by the Chartered Institute of Building and celebrates the creativity of the industry. The overall winner this year was Roman Robroek with his shot of an art-deco control room taken in Hungary. However, here we see a shot by Marco Grassi. What was the largest Buddhist settlement in the world where nuns and monks led a passive life, Larung Gar, Tibet, is now being partly demolished by Chinese authorities. It's an incredible scene and one with a serious message. Words & numbers “The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people…

SWISS lens manufacturer Irix has announced the launch of a new model, the 11mm f/4. Similar to its previous 15mm outing, the 11mm is another ultra-wideangle manual focus lens for DSLRs – but with a considerably wider angle of view and a rear gelatin filter slot. Constructed with 16 lens elements arranged in 10 groups, the 11mm f/4 comes in two versions, as is Irix standard. The Firefly version, billed as the standard option, is constructed from lightweight composite materials and has printed markings. This version is complemented by the heavier and more expensive premium version of the lens, the Blackstone, which features engraved markings and a sturdier aluminium and magnesium body that Irix says offers more complete weather- and dust-protection when in use in the field. Internally, though, it's…

Light Works by Rupert Vandervell, e-book, 99p, available from www.rupertvandervell.co.uk/ebook.html IF YOU'RE familiar with street photographer Rupert Vandervell's work then you'll know that his images carry with them a distinct aesthetic. Vandervell's London-based black & white images are notable for the interplay between strong geometric form and stark tonal contrasts. His use of light is a true wonder to behold, and it's with this in mind that he's decided to release a dirt-cheap e-book that explains the thinking and process behind some of his favourite images. Vandervell's images are genuinely stunning and the opportunity to see how he does it is a real treat. If you're new to the genre of street photography or just looking to take your images in a fresh direction, then this e-book is worth every…

Waiting room I recall taking my mother to hospital for a check up, and while waiting for her, I noticed there were a few old editions of Amateur Photographer, which I avidly read. With this in mind, I would encourage your readers to recycle their old copies, by leaving them in hospital and dentist waiting rooms. Not only would it be a good read, it might encourage people to subscribe; I know I did. Andrew S Redding, via email Win! The EVO Plus microSD Card has added memory capacity and multi-device functionality. This UHS-I Speed Class 1 (U1) and Class 10 compatible card is perfect for capturing photos and video recording. www.samsung.com…

Visualisation The key to great images is to think about how colour translates into tone. Notice the tones in the scene and the proportion of shadows and highlights. The fact is, not every subject will work well in black & white so think about what you're shooting. Patterns and Textures When colour is removed, a scene can look flat if there's nothing of interest to see. Since you can't rely on bold colours for impact, you could always try incorporating textures and patterns into your image. Atmosphere Black & white can be used to create real atmosphere at the right event and location. When you're within your chosen environment, consider how black & white can emphasise the aesthetic drama of your location. Weather could be a factor here. A dark…

The scene is London and we’re sitting in the basement studio of Southwark Street’s Blue Fin Building. Ahead of me sits photojournalist Peter Dench, lit by two small lights and watched by the beady black eyes of two video cameras. The first thing that hits you about Dench is his unwavering confidence in front of the camera, even in the face of questions that other photographers would find uncomfortable (at one point he refers to me as a silent sniper). He’s a seasoned pro at this game. His eyes stay fixed on mine and he often gesticulates with his hands like a politician striving to reassure you that your local library is definitely not under threat and children are our future. Dench is here to talk about his new book,…

Towards the back end of last year, we were inundated by a flurry of new releases from lens manufacturers. This included Sigma, who presented three full-frame optics for us to get excited about. In recent months we've reviewed the Sigma12-24mm f/4 DG HSM Art and the monstrous Sigma 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM. Now, it's time to turn our attention to the third lens we've been longing to test. It was widely reported that Sigma would launch a new 85mm f/1.4 prime to replace the company's aging 85mm f/1.4 EX DH HSM, but what was less well known was how the Sigma would improve it. With the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DH HSM looking rather dated alongside the company's latest lenses in the ‘Art' lineup, we assumed its replacement would…

Battery The NP-W126S battery is the same as used by X-system mirrorless models (previous X100s used the lower-capacity NP-95). An external charger is provided, but it can also be topped up via the USB port Hot shoe Accepts external flash units such as Fujifilm’s EF-X20 or EF-42 units, or third-party alternatives like the compact Nissin i40 and Metz Mecablitz m400 units AF illuminator This bright white LED is now placed beside the flash to give an even more rangefinder-like look. Fortunately, the X100F doesn’t feel the need to use it often, and it can be disabled completely Filter adapter By detaching the front ring of the lens and attaching an optional adapter, 49mm filters can be used, as well as a bayonet-mount hood Threaded shutter button In a nod to…

Thirty years ago in March 1987, Canon introduced the first camera in its new EOS system – the EOS 650. At the time, camera manufacturers were wrestling with how best to add the new autofocus technology to their 35mm SLRs, which were simultaneously going though a transition from mechanical to electronic operation. Faced by significant limitations of its existing FD lens mount, Canon’s solution was to design an all-new fully electronic mount. Unlike other contemporary systems, this placed the motors to control the autofocus and aperture diaphragm within the lens, thereby eliminating all mechanical linkages between the lens and camera. Thus was born the new Electro Optical System – EOS for short – and the Electro-Focus, or EF mount that’s still in use today. It’s fair to say that this…

AFTER the success of their ‘Remembering Elephants' project, founders Margot Raggett and Will Travers have turned their attention to another mammal in constant danger of poaching – the rhinoceros – again using crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. Taking the form of a coffee-table book, Remembering Elephants saw 65 high-profile wildlife photographers contribute their best shots of endangered elephants. The tome sold more than 2,500 copies and raised well over £135,000 for conservation and anti-poaching projects currently taking place in Kenya, Ethiopia, Mali, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Now, acting as a spiritual sequel, the ‘Remembering Rhinos' project sees wildlife photographers coming together to raise awareness with their shots – including household names like Art Wolfe, Marsel van Oosten and Steve Winter – under the collective moniker Wildlife Photographers United. Following the internet-based campaign, the…

Twitter Neil Almond @N_Almond75 The key to much landscape photography is simplicity. In this shot of the cliffs at Happisburgh in Norfolk, Neil Almond has found a mirroring of forms in the rush of the tide and the form of the slowly eroding cliffs. Join the conversation @AP_Magazine Instagram Darren Rose @winterrosephotos While it’s tempting to create grand landscapes, getting in closer to the details of the environment can be extremely beneficial, as we see here in this black & white shot of barley. Follow us at @amateurphotographermagazine Flickr Alexandra Bochkareva This is a gorgeous take on contemporary portraiture. The scene evokes Sir John Everett Millais’ famous painting Ophelia, right down to the upturned palms as she drifts downriver. Submit your photos apmag.co/flickr…

What is ‘close’? I read Michael Topham's ‘Into the Wild' (AP 11 February) with interest. When shooting wildlife, I constantly try to achieve sharper pictures, but I can find very little information about the lens-to-subject distances the pros achieve. I did find online a razor-sharp otter picture by Andy Rouse where the Exif data showed the animal was nearly close enough for its breath to steam up his lens. I'd appreciate some information about the distances that technique and field craft make possible. Pete Birrell, via email Subject distance is an interesting subject, but rarely talked about. The distance at which we're able to photograph something, whether an owl in the wild or a car at a racetrack, all comes down to access. The issue with wildlife is the closer…

This drone image was taken late last November during a trip to Scotland with an old school friend of mine. The pair of us realised we had a lot of holiday days left at work and we were keen not to waste them. Scotland is an area that feels very different from anywhere else. It’s an incredibly rugged place, and probably one of the last few places in the UK where you can get away from everything and everyone. Scotland is definitely one of my favourite places. Even though it can be up to a 7- to 12-hour drive, it still feels like you can pop there whenever you want. My friend and I quickly developed a plan, and I contacted a camper van company called Quirky Campers. I proposed…

‘I gave Thom Yorke the infrared cable release and asked him to point it at the camera. I let him take the pictures’ Radiohead has been established as a major ‘alternative rock’ band for more than 20 years and has sold over 30 million albums worldwide. However, when I first photographed the band, back in 1993, they were at the beginning of their career. Their first album, released a few months earlier, had received mixed reviews, though the single ‘Creep’ showed they had enormous potential. I was asked to photograph them by the music magazine Select. The pictures would be published with a feature about ‘The secret life of Radiohead’. I was initially told I would photograph them in a studio, but we actually did the shoot in a garage…

With 30 years of development behind it, the modern EOS system is vast, with a huge array of cameras, lenses and accessories covering every imaginable need, from beginner to professional. At the time of writing it includes no fewer than 19 cameras, 78 lenses and 5 flash units, along with 2 teleconverters, 2 extension tubes, 5 remote releases and other assorted accessories. Needless to say, there’s a wide range of older EOS kit available on the second-hand market, too. Cameras With 15 DSLRs and 4 mirrorless CSCs currently on sale, Canon aims to have a camera for every type of photographer. Broadly speaking, its SLRs are arranged into three levels: for beginners, enthusiasts and professionals. Even entry level models, however, give you full manual control over exposure settings for really…

David Clapp David is a successful landscape, travel and architectural photographer. He became a full-time professional in 2009, after which he developed a strong position as a renowned teacher and technical specialist regularly employed by Canon UK. www.davidclapp.co.uk WHEN I started out in photography in 2002, I chose a Canon T90. It was like a camera from the future and I remember the feeling of potential and possibility in my hands. Of course, I was at the beginning of the adventure and the images were far from professional, but I knew that there, inside this almost military-grade camera, was a world of adventure. It’s this limitless potential that I feel even to this day. Since then, I have owned a 5D Mark I, 1Ds Mark III, 6D and now the…