Innholdsfortegnelse for 16-Sep-2017 i Amateur Photographer

Vogue: The Covers (Updated) By Dodie Kazanjian, Abrams, £45, 304 pages, hardback, ISBN 978-1-41972-753-5 THIS is certainly a book you won't mislay easily – it's an updated version of Vogue: The Covers, featuring a knockout image of Rihanna ‘dressed' in one of the skimpiest outfits in history. The updates include every cover since 2010, featuring such millennial heroes as Kim and Kanye, Lena Dunham and Michelle Obama. For fans of vintage Vogue, the book also features classic covers from the past 125 years, many from before the 1940s (when illustrations were the norm). So many great photographers have shot Vogue’s cover such as Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Bruce Weber, Herb Ritts and Annie Leibovitz. This book is a fascinating chronicle of changing tastes in fashion, and how photographers responded to…

Within the diverse world of photography we don’t always find our niche straight away. For Craig Reilly it was a change of camera system that also inspired him to try street photography for the first time. Now he teaches workshops in the subject and is part of the prestigious Street Photography International collective (#spicollective) which, with more than 300,000 followers, is one of the most popular street photography channels on Instagram. ‘When I had my DSLR I was shooting mostly landscapes, and some travel shots because I was working for British Airways,' recalls Craig. 'But it got to a point where I didn’t enjoy taking my DSLR kit out with me, because it was so big and heavy. When I bought my first mirrorless camera, the Olympus OM-D E-M10, the…

NOW THAT you have identified the best stock agencies to target with your images, have a rough idea of how much you're likely to earn, and have a better understanding of the technical requirements, which types of images are likely to continue selling for years to come? It's a difficult question to answer, but once you have a significant portfolio spread out at various sites you will generate most of your income from a small percentage of your pictures. This is likely to be in line with the Pareto Principle, so you would earn 80% of your revenue from 20% of your images. The beauty of the microstock business model is that such high-grossing images should continue to sell for years to come. The key is to produce images that…

British lighting manufacturer Rotolight has just hammered a nail into the coffin for hot-shoe flashguns with the launch of the NEO 2, a portable camera-mountable light offering both continuous lighting and high speed sync flash (HSS). Aimed squarely at both stills photographers and videographers, the NEO 2 offers a host of world firsts. It is the first hotshoe mount flash with dial-in colour temperature adjustment, enabling users to balance the NEO 2’s output precisely to the ambient lighting, or the camera’s WB settings, using the built-in kelvin display. Unlike conventional flashguns the NEO 2 has no recycle time, so you can use it with your camera’s high speed burst mode, at shutter speeds up to 1/8,000sec, and it will fire continuously without missing a shot. No need to worry about…

Tel 0800 4 70 80 90 or visit www.thesilverline.org.uk FOUNDED by Dame Esther Rantzen (left), The Silver Line is the UK's only free 24-hour helpline, offering information, friendship and advice to older people. Dame Esther says: ‘The most revealing question we ask when we suspect that a caller is isolated or lonely is: “When is the last time you had fun?” We think everyone has the right to have fun, so if you visit our helpline or listen in to our group calls, the sound you will hear is laughter.' The Silver Line has trained around 3,000 volunteers. To find out about volunteering or to make a donation, visit www.thesilverline.org.uk. Grays of Westminster THE PRIZES for The Silver Line competition were generously donated by Grays of Westminster. Grays…

Just a few months after adding the EOS 800D to its range of beginner DSLRs, Canon unveiled the replacement for its four-year-old EOS100D. The Canon EOS 200D is small, lightweight and very convenient to carry on the go. Bearing the distinction of being the world's lightest APS-C DSLR to feature a vari-angle screen, it slots in between the entry-level EOS1300D and the more advanced EOS 760D and EOS 800D models. It's a camera aimed at those looking to purchase their first DSLR as well as people who'd like to develop their skills. The EOS 200D is petite in DSLR terms, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's lacking in up-to-date features. It boasts Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology, a vari-angle screen and Wi-Fi. So, what's the camera like…

Laowa might not be the best-known brand when it comes to third-party lenses, but its Chinese parent company, Venus Optics, is rapidly establishing a reputation as a maker of interesting optics. The one we're looking at here is a compact, large-aperture ultra-wideangle prime for Micro Four Thirds (MFT) mirrorless cameras: the £499 Laowa 7.5mm f/2 MFT. With its 110° angle of view, this lens is the widest-angle fixed-focal-length optic for MFT to provide a rectilinear perspective (in other words, straight lines towards the edge of the frame are rendered as such). This makes it a very different proposition to the similar-sounding Samyang 7.5mm f/3.5 MFT Fisheye, which instead renders dramatically curved lines at the edges of the frame, enabling its huge 180° view. Micro Four Thirds users have a lot…

The lady departs… off to pastures new by Carolyne Barber Nikon D90, 100mm, 1/3200sec at f/3.5, ISO 320 This image was uploaded to our Twitter page using the hashtag #appicoftheweek. ‘Ladybirds are beautiful creatures that have captivated me for a long time,' says Carolyne. ‘The day that I took this I had spent many hours observing their behaviour as they crawled and flew among the grass stalks. On this particular day it was very hot and the ladybirds were very active, so I decided to get my Nikon D90 and 100mm macro lens to see if I could capture them on the move. I was so lucky to be able to capture one in flight. I was thrilled to see the image back of my camera.' Win! Each week we…

The prestigious National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year 2017 results have been announced. This year's contest recognises spectacular photos taken within the last two years, with entries in three categories – Nature, People and Cities. This photo (left), ‘The Man's Stare' by Moin Ahmed, received honourable mention in the People category and also caught our eye. It was taken on a rainy morning at Tongi Railway Station, Gazipur, Bangladesh. Ahmed was taking photos when a train from Dhaka pulled in. ‘I saw a pair of curious eyes looking at me through the misty window, and next to him a black umbrella shielded passengers from the rain. It created a dreamy moment.' The full list of winners and honourable mentions can be seen at travel.nationalgeographic.com.…

FUJIFILM has announced it is developing software that will work in conjunction with its cameras to convert raw images. The Fujifilm X RAW Studio will enable photographers to convert raw files quickly once a camera is connected to a Mac or PC via USB cable. Utilising the X Processor Pro in the camera, rather than the CPU of the computer, it promises to retain exceptional image quality. As raw files have increased in size, batch conversion of multiple images can be extremely time consuming but by working with the X Processor Pro, batch processing is handled much more efficiently. Also announced is a set of free firmware upgrades for a range of Fujifilm models, including the X-Pro2, X-T2, X100F and X-T20. The upgrade brings with it support for the new…

Enlarged grip A larger, re-sculpted front grip moulding and more prominent thumb-rest give a surprisingly secure hold Shortcut button The button beside the power switch now brings up a touch-sensitive function menu, with options that depend on the current shooting mode AP mode A new position on the mode dial gives access to a range of ‘Advanced Photography’ functions that were previously buried in the menus Micro USB The proprietary port found on previous Olympus cameras has given way to a standard Micro USB connector OVER the past decade the camera industry has changed dramatically. Casual photographers now use smartphones rather than compact cameras, and share their photos instantly online. But some of these budding photographers inevitably then look to upgrade to a ‘proper' camera. So the traditional camera manufacturers'…

Alexandre Rotenberg Alexandre Rotenberg is a Brazilian travel photographer, currently based in Italy. He loves exploring new places, preferably on a bicycle, and capturing pictures that provoke a strong emotional response. Alexandre is the author of The Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock Photography. Visit brutallyhonestmicrostock.com. Photography might just be a hobby for some of you, but it’s nice to earn cash from images that would otherwise be gathering digital dust. This extra income can be put towards photographic trips and/or upgrading equipment. The good news is that it is still possible to fund these activities by uploading your images to microstock agencies. Naturally, the market is tougher than it was a few years ago, but there are still plenty of ways to give your work an edge over the competition.…

 When did you first become interested in photography? ‘I find the 50mm is ideal for street photography and the 25mm is perfect for architecture’ I bought my first DSLR back in 2009, but I don’t think I really got into photography seriously until 2014. In those first five years of owning a DSLR it was really an on/off hobby where I’d go months without touching the camera, yet I would learn something new every time I did pick it up. Then, in 2014, I decided to start taking it more seriously. I did a workshop with the talented Vulture Labs (www.vulturelabs.photography) at the end of 2014, and then I was really was hooked. Since then, I’ve been taking my camera everywhere I go and, as a result, I shoot most…

Trudi Knight Trudi Knight is a well-known international gig photographer based in London, whose photos have been featured in the artwork for 30 CD/DVD/EP releases to date, as well as extensively in band merchandising. See www.bandsonstage.co.uk. A lot of AP readers will be music fans, and photographing a gig or festival can be a great way of combining two passions. Sadly, however nice it would be to get a photo pass – right down in front of the band, with no beer-swilling giants spoiling your shot – you’re unlikely to get one for a major act just because you really like them and want to build your portfolio. A more realistic option is to build your skills by shooting less well-known bands, who are often eager for publicity images –…

Auto Lighting Optimizer This is Canon’s term for in-camera post-processing to automatically adjust shadows and highlights in high-contrast images. It can be set to four settings – disable, low, standard and high, with the option to disable it separately during manual exposure. Dual Pixel AF Autofocus in live view is possible over approximately 80% of the frame. The Servo AF mode and three different AF methods (Live tracking, Zone AF and 1-point AF) are accessed from the quick menu. Lenses As well as accepting Canon’s EF-S mount lenses, the EOS 200D is fully compatible with the EF lens range. Apply the 1.6x crop factor to work out the equivalent focal length. Custom functions Some camera functions, such as ISO expansion, AF-assist beam firing and mirror lock-up are hidden away in…

FUJIFILM has revealed the details of the latest model to sit in its esteemed X-series line-up of APS-C cameras. Following on from the popularity of the X-E2 and the X-E2S, the X-E3 is crafted in a rangefinder-type style, being flat in appearance and with the viewfinder placed to the left. Like other cameras in Fujifilm's X-series, it features a 24.3-million-pixel X-Trans CMOS sensor, which is coupled with the powerful X-Processor Pro, the latest version available for Fujifilm cameras. A new feature, which makes its debut in the X-E3, is Bluetooth low-energy wireless communication. This allows photographers to pair the camera with their smartphone or tablet for easy transfer of pictures using minimal power – a standard Wi-Fi connection is also available. On the rear of the camera, the LCD monitor…

PANASONIC has announced a firmware upgrade for its flagship mirrorless model, the Lumix GH5. A comprehensive update, Firmware 2.0 brings a wide range of improvements, including video and AF performance. In still image mode, the AF system should now be better placed to cope with low-contrast subjects, while AF tracking in video is enhanced. Another interesting new feature thanks to the latest firmware is the ability to shoot tethered via USB with Lumix Tether PC software, as well as improvements to time-lapse shooting. Panasonic says that the improvements have been implemented after extensive consultation with photographers and videographers. The firmware software will be available to download from the end of September, for more information see www.panasonic.com.…

When was the club founded? Cheltenham Camera Club is one of the oldest and largest camera clubs in the country. It was established in 1865. What does it offer new members? Guests and new members are made welcome; we encourage a ‘new buddy' atmosphere for new members. We understand that all our members have different aspirations and our programme accommodates this. We run tuition courses on subjects ranging from camera techniques through to post processing. We also have sub-groups focusing on Nature, Studio and Audio Visual work, and arrange photographic outings. Describe a typical club meeting. Our weekly club meeting, held each Thursday, lasts for around two hours. The theme varies on a weekly basis; we have guest speakers, internal and external competitions and two ‘member print appreciation' meetings. We…

I’m a fashion and portrait photographer. I love working with sustainable fashion brands, using exceptional photography to create and elevate an emotional connection with style and purpose. A typical client for me is a fashion or lifestyle brand like Natural Spa Factory, which produces gender-neutral skincare, and Seven Boot Lane, an independent footwear brand. I also shoot portraits, in which it’s important to capture the essence of the person in the brief window of time I have. I recently worked with an amazing creative director who commissioned me for a series of portraits of her, for her various projects. It was a fun and liberating shoot. Planning ahead Before a shoot the client and I discuss ideas and what they would like to achieve. Once the look, feel and theme…

Congratulations must go to Deborah Brown of Jersey, who won first prize with a delightful image of her mother-in-law. Peter Murrell came second with a candid image taken during a shopping trip with his wife, while Hayley Lehmann took third prize with a charming portrait of an elderly lady that she has befriended. Here’s what they won: 1st prize • Nikon D3400 DSLR • 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR DX lens • 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR lens • Hawkesmill Jermyn Street bag • 1 year of Nikon Owner magazine 2nd and 3rd prizes • Nikon 1 J5 with 10-30mm lens • ThinkTank Retrospective 5 bag • 1 year of Nikon Owner magazine The winners 1st: Deborah Brown, Jersey This is my mother-in-law, Mary, and her best friend Jean at the Normandy Landing beaches.…

The image quality results from the EOS 200D are very similar to those from the Canon EOS 800D and EOS 77D. This isn't a huge surprise given that the EOS 200D has the same sensor and processor. The EOS 200D's sensor retains an optical low-pass filter and the increase to 24.2-million pixels sees it resolve slightly finer detail as well as return higher dynamic range figures across its sensitivity range compared to the100D. The noise performance is particularly impressive, with ISO 6400 being eminently usable in low light. Dynamic range At ISO 100, the EOS 200D returned a high dynamic-range figure of over 12EV, which is on a par with the likes of the EOS 800D and EOS 77D and higher than the 11.7EV figure as previously recorded by the…