Innholdsfortegnelse for 14-nov-15 i Amateur Photographer

There was a recent comment on the AP forum from a reader who learnt to love shadows because of a particular slide film. It’s an interesting idea. Does the equipment we use influence our style, or does our style influence our choice of equipment? With digital, I’ve switched from getting it right in-camera to exposing as much as possible to reduce noise and get more detail in shadows. Has your equipment affected the way you take particular images? Let us know by voting in this week’s poll on page 19. One man whose circumstances have influenced his photography is Matt Weber. With many of his New York documentary images taken while in the driver’s seat of a taxi, he has a unique angle and style (see pages 24-28). Speaking of…

POPULAR mobile application Snapchat denied it stores users' photos on its servers after privacy fears emerged over recently revised terms and conditions. Snapchat, a service favoured by teenagers which claims to have 100 million daily users, hit back at press reports that it now owns all pictures and video. A key feature has been its automatic deletion of images a few seconds after they have been viewed. But revised rules state that users grant Snapchat ‘a worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free, sublicensable, and transferable license to host, store, use, display, reproduce, modify, adapt, edit, publish, create derivative works from, publicly perform, broadcast, distribute, syndicate, promote, exhibit, and publicly display that content in any form and in any and all media or distribution methods…' Subscribe to SAVE 28%* Visit amateurphotographer subs.co.uk (or see…

1 Select images Once you've selected the images you want to use, batch convert the raw files in Lightroom or Photoshop. Then, with an ambient headlight shot working as your background layer, paste in another image and change the Blending Mode to Screen. 2 Layer mask You may want to hide some elements of the image, so with Layer 1 selected, create a new Layer Mask and with a black Brush, run over the areas to you want to remove. You can then look to add your next layer. 3 Fill to black Some layers don't need a Screen Blending Mode. Instead, apply a Layer Mask filled Black before using a White brush to reveal certain areas – in this case we only wanted to have the wheels show in…

You answered… What you said ‘Like a good many photographers, my hobby is hampered by having to work five or more days a week’ ‘I don’t think the range of options in the poll go nearly high enough, especially for those of us who are enjoying retirement and can spend time on our hobbies. I reckon I spend well over 60 hours per week on photography and related activities’ ‘I never leave home without a camera. If I see something I like, I’ll start recording it. When I feel like posting a picture, I do so. No time “dedicated” to it’ This week we ask… Has your camera equipment ever affected the way you take images? Vote online www.amateurphotographer.co.uk Guess the camera Every other week we post a photograph…

For a city that’s been endlessly mythologised, the spirit, perhaps even the true face, of New York has always eluded strict definition. The city is a cultural Chinese whisper, a shape-shifting entity where one’s experience of the streets rarely matches those of your neighbour. Author Don DeLillo has his version, one full of conspiracy and political intrigue. JD Salinger has his, where all adults are phonies and the ducks have vanished from the ponds. Jay McInerney’s is chock full of hedonistic yuppies and cocaine-fuelled magazine writers. Then there are photographers such as Saul Leiter and William Klein, who were both able to capture New York’s kaleidoscopic palette. Over to former cab driver Matt Weber, whose ongoing documentation serves as perhaps one of the most vital current records we have. Matt’s…

Paul Hobson After more than 20 years as an environmental science lecturer, Paul packed it all in to move into wildlife photography full time. He loves travelling around the world, but definitely prefers working in the UK – the demands on the photographer are harder, but the rewards greater. www.paulhobson.co.uk Wildlife photography in the UK has never been easier. With only limited wildlife knowledge or field skills, you can amass an incredibly impressive portfolio of some of Britain’s most iconic animals. In our time-constrained modern world, workshops and pay-as-you-go hide set-ups provide a great way to get face to face with some stunning creatures like pine martens, ospreys and red squirrels. However, for many photographers, while these can produce incredible images, something is missing – originality and the challenge! Know…

Feeding stations Red squirrels can be quite difficult to track down, even in areas that have a good population. If you only have a limited amount of time available for photography, or are struggling to find them, many nature reserves have feeding stations that are visited by red squirrels. Available light Photographing in woodland, especially conifer plantations in winter, can present challenges due to low light levels. Look for areas where natural light penetrates the tree canopy. Photographing red squirrels in a ‘pool' of natural light against a dark background can make for stunning images. You can also experiment with photographing red squirrels backlit. Positioning Photographing from any animal's eye level makes for more intimate portraits. With an animal as small as the red squirrel, this means you may have…

Diffusion panel There are two diffusion panels, one outside and one inside. One or the other, or both, can be used, allowing you to vary the softness of light. Carry case A handy case comes included, which allows for easy carrying of the softbox on location. Ratchet gear system A ratchet gearing system and silicone band allow the flash to be mounted. This secures most flashguns, regardless of their size. Lastolite Ezybox Speed-Lite 2 £49.95 www.lastolite.co.uk Callum McInerney-Riley tests a redesigned softbox that can be used with big or small flashes At a glance Versatile light modifier for on and off-camera flash Designed specifically for flashguns Inner and outer diffuser to allow very soft light LASTOLITE has redesigned the original Ezybox Speed-Lite softbox to bring us the Ezybox Speed-Lite 2.…

WIRELESS camera controllers are prone to time lag, but I found the Case Remote to have very little delay and it refreshed reasonably quickly. Like many similar devices, the app can crash at times, but not that frequently. Being able to perform small adjustments to the focus remotely is great, but I was unable to enlarge the image to check the focus – something that is featured on many Wi-Fi apps and on some of the Case Remote's competitors. However, as a company, Case Remote is very proactive, tending to fix software bugs quickly, and developing new apps and adding extra functionality to existing products, so I wouldn't be surprised if focus enlargement is added very soon. The trouble is that, right now, the Case Remote is not the complete…

LAUNCHED 1954 PRICE $99.50 (USA 1955) GUIDE PRICE TODAY £110-£150 THE IMMENSELY innovative Voigtländer Vitessa 35mm ‘barn doors' folding cameras of the mid-1950s have a build quality comparable to that of the contemporary Leica M series. I used a Vitessa for several years during the1980s when preparing my book Collecting and Using Classic Cameras and the results were superb. The camera is focused by a coupled rangefinder with a thumb wheel protruding from the back of the top-plate. It is wound by pressing the tall vertical plunger, which cocks the shutter and winds on the film, and fired with a shutter button in the usual place. Photographs can be taken in rapid succession using the right hand to focus and press the shutter button, and the left to press the…

Grandiose ideas are easy. It’s carrying them out that’s the problem. The Painters Project (www.thepaintersproject.com) is certainly grandiose: one photographer, ten models and 100 painters. Eric invited the painters to use the models’ bodies as canvases for photographs that he would execute. He had worked with all the models before and all are credited on the site. But why no men? The answer is simple enough: that was his vision. If you’ve as good an idea, using male models, go for it. We’ve already had something along those lines on this very page: Annie Leibovitz’s photograph of Keith Haring. Eric’s pictures are mostly against neutral backgrounds. Inevitably, some work better than others. But which ones are ‘better’ will very much depend on your personal taste, and you may well change…

Since the very beginnings of mobile photography, Apple's iPhones have been the devices of choice among the most dedicated practitioners of this new form of taking photos. iPhone cameras simply used to be better than the cameras on competing devices which, combined with a superior imaging app selection, resulted in the iPhone and iOS operating system's leading position in mobile photography. However, recently, this lead has started to shrink. Many observers were sceptical when last year Apple launched the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, without significantly upgrading the 8MP imaging sensor that had been in use since the iPhone 4s. But Apple demonstrated that software is one of the company's core strengths, and thanks to excellent image processing and clever use of technology, despite the inferior pixel count the iPhone…

Top tech I just wanted to drop you a line to say how much I've been enjoying Amateur Photographer recently. It can't be easy producing consistent high quality in a weekly magazine! I have particularly enjoyed Jeremy Walker's articles, which are well written and bring a lighthearted style to a subject that has an often unrecognised, but nonetheless nuanced technicality to it. As a mainly wildlife photographer, I've been appreciating the greater depth of these articles. Dr Robin Glaze, via email Thanks! We like to mix up the content and contributors as much as possible so there's something for everyone, and so that you hear the thoughts, opinions and advice of as many different types of photographers as possible – Richard Sibley, deputy editor Jump the Q When the Leica…

In the first part of this series we looked at making the jump to shooting digital film, but now it's time to start getting down to the nitty-gritty and to demystify some of the terms you'll come across. While it may seem like there's a minefield of acronyms and numbers to learn, the key concepts are quite easy to understand. The different file types have different characteristics and use different compressors to code the video footage. Just like when shooting still images, the higher the compression, the smaller the file is, although the image quality suffers as a consequence. Compression Perhaps the most common compression format is H.264. Chances are if you have a DSLR, CSC or even a compact camera released in the last few years, it will record…

‘FOR THE first 15 years (1985-1999), I used the Canon AE-1 and F-1 with a 50mm and a 200mm lens,’ says Matt. ‘Then I bought a pair of Leica M6s. In 2014 I was struggling to come up with $500 per month for film, so my friend Mike Peters taught me how to use a digital camera. I now feel comfortable and have found it to be very liberating. I can take several pictures of anything when the faintest inspiration hits – and if the pictures stink, it’s not a problem. I’ve been using a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8, which just came out. Its 20 megapixels are more than adequate, and it’s not a heavy SLR. I miss the Leica’s viewfinder, but the cost of the M240 is just not in…

Long telephoto For most birds and larger mammals, I choose a 500mm so I can get the maximum working distance, which keeps the animal relaxed. Macro For invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians, I usually use my 180mm macro lens, as I will with many plants. Hides I use a chair hide if I’m only putting it up and down on the day, and have a selection of box and dome hides if I need something a little more durable and permanent. I always have an old blanket with a plastic backing for situations where I may have to lie in wait for hours.…

Loose-fitting flash Q My Nikon Speedlight has a small pin that comes out when I slide the lock lever to the right. This fits into a hole on the hotshoe. When mounted on my camera, the Speedlight is not very loose, but on a Wansen slave unit it's possible to rock the Speedlight up and down. Is this normal? Adrian Bonnington A We’re not particularly familiar with the flash triggers you describe, but a quick web search shows them to be inexpensive, costing around £10 for a transmitter and receiver unit. There’s a saying that you get what you pay for, and I suppose that’s what’s happening in this case, as the shoe on the slave unit isn’t built to the same standard as the one on your camera. This…

Discover More Calumet Photographic is hosting a series of Discover More open days across the UK that are designed to improve photography skills and knowledge. The open days offer demonstrations from brands including Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm and Manfrotto, with free sensor cleaning and the chance to win Canon kit worth £500. Visit calumetacademy.co.uk. Camera appeal A camera found on Scafell Pike has triggered a social media appeal to track down its owner. The Wasdale Head Inn in Cumbria launched a campaign to trace the owner after a ‘very honest person’ handed in the camera. The pub posted a photo it retrieved from the device (left). Can you help? Visit The Wasdale Head Inn’s Facebook page. Winslet to play war ace Actress Kate Winslet is set to play war photographer Lee…

POLICE have warned of the dangers of railway-line selfies after groups of people, including a toddler, were seen on tracks in Derbyshire. Shocking CCTV footage shows adults and children taking selfies and posing for pictures on the railway track at Matlock Bath station, which sees more than 30 trains passing through it each day. A group spent over eight minutes on the line ‘taking photographs and chatting' in one of eight incidents that took place over a single day, according to Network Rail. Inspector Eddie Carlin from British Transport Police said: ‘The photos captured are extremely worrying. ‘We are really concerned someone is going to get seriously injured or killed at the crossing. Trespassing on the railway is extremely dangerous and can have tragic consequences for those involved.' Anyone who…

Like Lars Rehm (AP 24 October), I too do much more photography with a smartphone, in my case a modest13MP on the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. My Canon DSLR mostly sits at home in its case. I carry my phone in my pocket pretty much all the time, so when I see a photo opportunity it's there to grab at a moment's notice. Indeed, I'm reminded of a notable photographer's advice on how to get great shots, ‘f/8 and be there'. However, although modern sensors are constantly improving, pursuit of pixel count above all else has left an issue with image quality – especially when using very small sensors and lenses. Even the best-quality sensor is at the mercy of the lens. It seems to me that the tiny lens…

‘I ALWAYS carry a little sling bag around with me that holds the little Pocket Cinema Camera [pictured], a Panasonic Lumix 12-35mm lens, an ND filter, a Zacuto Z-Finder, and a little portable Manfrotto tripod that I can screw in and also use as a handle, or put on a table,' says Sean. ‘That little “run-and-gun” kit really is incredible. You're actually getting cinema-quality footage out of that camera. ‘You'll read a lot about the 13 stops of dynamic range, which normally you'd need a much bigger, much bulkier and much more expensive camera to get. This camera is going to give you all that dynamic range. ‘A lot of people have been disappointed, as they'll grab the camera and shoot with it, and say that the initial footage looks…

AS WELL as Garry Winogrand and Robert Frank, Ansel Adams is a photographer Matt identifies as being a primary influence on his own photographic work. ‘Ansel Adams published three books on how to be a photographer,' says Matt, ‘The Camera, The Negative and The Print. Those three books were invaluable to me. In1984 you had to learn how to use the darkroom, and also how to use filters and master manual exposure if you expected to become a competent photographer. Of course, today that's not the case. Thirty years ago, the slower learning curve made sure that being a photographer was something a person really wanted to become. Today, a kid can buy a fancy camera on the high street or wherever, and within a few days technically fantastic pictures…

Ice hockey player Brian Dingle Nikon D200, 300mm, 1/125sec at f/4, ISO 800 BRIAN'S image, featuring Ryan Lake of the Hull Stingrays ice hockey team, stands out because of the expression on the player's face. It has a real sense of concentration, and Brian has caught him at a good angle. There are a couple of things I think Brian could have done differently, though, to make the image more effective. The first is a faster shutter speed. With a 300mm lens mounted on an APS-C camera, Brian should have used nothing longer than 1/1450sec to avoid camera shake, so it's no surprise that his 1/125sec exposure has resulted in an image that lacks proper sharpness. There are also a couple of obstacles in the way of viewing the player's…

Martin Evening Martin Evening has worked for many years as a London-based commercial beauty photographer, shooting mainly studio work. Since the mid-1990s he has written books about Photoshop and Lightroom, most notably the Adobe Photoshop for Photographers series. In 2008, Evening was inducted into the Photoshop Hall of Fame for his work in education. 1974 Zenit EM My first proper 35mm camera was a Zenit EM, which at the time felt very modern, especially because it had a selenium-cell light meter. I used to take this camera with me everywhere, and from that my passion for photography grew. I still have the Zenit EM and the smell of the leather camera case is as evocative as that of the darkroom chemicals I associate with my early photography. 1977 Nikkormat FTN…

Recently there's been a spate of introductions of a kind of lens that might have been thought almost obsolete – the prime lens. At the vanguard of the trend was Sigma, with its Art' (or A) series of lenses, available for full-frame use at 24mm, 35mm and 50mm, and all with an aperture of f/1.4. Nikon has recently extended its f/1.8 series of prime lenses, which now includes focal lengths of 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm. In the round of summer announcements, Tamron also launched two new f/1.8 primes – a 35mm and 45mm, both with optical stabilisation. People select prime lenses over the more ubiquitous zoom lenses for one of three reasons. The first is lens speed. The slowest of these lenses is f/1.8 and there are…