Innholdsfortegnelse for 03-Feb-18 i Amateur Photographer

It feels like we’re on the final stretch of a long winter, so it’s the ideal opportunity to revisit the essential skills of location portraits. On page 14, Dave Kai Piper shares excellent tips for better people shots outdoors, minus the complicated and cumbersome lighting set-ups (he covers indoor lighting on location, too). Another antidote to short days and leaden skies is the Travel Photographer of the Year – turn to page 20 for our pick of a particularly strong field of entries. Gear wise, we review Canon’s powerful yet diminutive G1 X Mark III compact, which is also ideal for travel (page 38), and Sony’s tasty new 24-105mm zoom (page 45). Finally, don’t forget to nominate your favourite photographic dealer in our Good Service Awards: www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/gsa . JOIN US…

British photographer Neil Burnell has taken home the prize of Wex Photographer of the Year for the second year in a row. The graphic designer from Brixham collected the 2017 trophy, along with £1,500 worth of Wex Photo Video vouchers, at a special awards event at the company's flagship store in Whitechapel, London. Every Monday, the #WexMondays competition runs on Twitter, and the names of the weekly winners and runners-up go on a leaderboard, with points accumulated across the year. Burnell accumulated 760 points to take home the trophy. Now in its fifth year, the competition has proved hugely popular, with over 50,000 submissions last year. The runner-up, also for the second year running, was London-based photographer Tony Sellen, a fine art photographer with a focus on long-exposure images. In…

Remote trigger This is the heart of the off-camera flash system. It is what lets you control a number of lights that are separate from the camera. Pick something trusted, because if your trigger stops, then it’s game over. Flashgun Most flashguns are battery powered, but more advanced and powerful systems are available, too. The more you pay generally means the more power output and versatility you have. Lighting stands Either a dedicated lighting stand or a tall tripod can let you mount your lights where you need them. Use something that is taller than your subject as you might need to mount the lights high. Lighting modifiers Use light modifiers to control the shape and type of light that your flash makes. The bigger and wider you can make…

Details Take advantage of interesting textures and details, and compose shots in a way that draws in the eye. Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 50mm, 1/250sec at f/2.5, ISO 100 Angles Keep a look out for interesting angles, and don't be afraid to position yourself somewhere for a more dynamic angle in order to add impact. Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 24-105mm, 1/800sec at f/10, ISO 800 Working with lighting If you're shooting still life inside use the natural window or doorway light as much as you can, and maybe employ a simple reflector. In low light use a tripod. Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 50mm, 30 seconds at f/14, ISO 100 Moments of drama These can happen in an instant, so try to be where the action is. You…

Twitter not showing Instagram pics Q If I post a photo to Instagram in the app, I can choose to automatically share it to Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. However, I notice that although sharing to Twitter produces a post on my Twitter feed, the photo I want to show isn't included; there is only a link to the photo on Instagram. Is there any way to force Twitter to show my Instagram photos? Hannah Lucas A Back in 2012, Instagram disabled the functionality that enabled photos on Instagram to be reproduced within Twitter posts. The result, as now, is that on the Twitter post made by Instagram you only see a link back to Instagram, which you must follow to see the photo. Fortunately, there are workarounds. Personally, I use…

‘Flower studies date back to the dawn of photography... and I certainly prefer this one by Adrian even to Mapplethorpe’s similar work’ There are at least two ways to approach the creation of art. One is complete immersion in a particular theme, even if only temporarily: a determination to explore as many aspects of an idea as possible. The other can be summed up as ‘I wonder if I can do this' followed by ‘Yes, it seems that I can' followed by ‘all right, what's next?' Many well-known artists follow the former path – it's usually how they get to be well known, after all – but you will never be a first-class artist unless you at least start with the latter. Simplicity Of course I was initially attracted by…

HASSELBLAD'S new H6D-400c MS medium-format camera produces images with an effective resolution of 400MP, with each final image captured using a 6-image capture. Alternatively, 100MP resolution is available via 4-shot multi-shot capture or single-shot mode. Due to become available worldwide from March, the H6D-400c MS will set you back a whopping £36,250 (excluding VAT). You could even rent the device for around £350 a day. To generate the mega shots, the camera's sensor shifts by one pixel for four captures, followed by half a pixel to capture two final images before merging them together. Each of these images measures 23,200 x 17,400 pixels, while the 16-bit TIFFs it creates end up being 2.4GB. So be prepared to invest in some additional hard drives as well. In order to shoot the…

AP SEEMS to be suffering from the winter blues in its 4 February 1976 issue as the cover is very olŽ – we're getting Spanish package holidays, buckets of sangria and gyrating señoritas. Not sure who the background randomers are, but this cover is so good it doesn't need any coverlines! The main test was the Kodak Tele-Instamatic 430; this pocket camera for 110 cartridge film is now at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, which makes us feel old. The big interview was with a certain Rolf Harris, so we'll quickly move on to the standout feature which was on portrait composition. It was written by then-editor R H Mason, who provided some bang-tidy tips; however, his main model seems to have had a bad hair day.…

‘Never did he lose his enthusiasm or optimism for photography’ It was an epiphany a long time coming; 30 years in the making. Yet, it took me by surprise. What was the cause of such satori? It was the revelation that a photographer is not necessarily one who takes pictures. If this sounds counter-intuitive or like I've had too many sherry trifles, I make no apologies. This was a lesson learned the hard way. Death opened my eyes, teaching me there's more to being a snapper than taking photos. Photography is much more than sculpting with light. We may think that we define our photography; yet, in reality, it defines us. Last year, I watched from the sidelines as illness consumed my best friend, Charlie. There were no spectators. First,…

Retain sky detail Underexposing a background can be a great way of retaining plenty of detail in the sky, while allowing you to add light to your subject and ensuring they stand out. Backdrops that are much lighter than the foreground can be harder to light and therefore to control, and will most likely detract from your subject. Watch the weather Sometimes you want cloud cover, sometimes you don't. Working outside can bring lots of challenges to both you and your kit. Using a container such as a Peli hard case for all your kit means you have protection from dust, dirt and rain if the weather takes a turn. Keep lights above eye line The height of the sun means we always see faces lit from above. As such,…

1 Charge batteries It seems obvious, but make sure your batteries are fully charged before heading out. There's nothing more annoying than having no power, especially when you've only got a small window of opportunity. Carry a spare if you're likely to be shooting for a long period of time or shooting video. 2 Which mode? It's up to you and the type of shooting you're doing – an auto or semi-auto setting helps with fast shooting on the move. 3 Review lighting conditions Check you've got the correct settings for the type of shooting you're about to do, especially ISO and shutter speed. 4 White balance Choose the correct setting for the light source. An artificially lit restaurant will be different from a farmer shot in sunlight. But shoot…

Pop-up flash The small built-in flash lifts up from the front of the viewfinder housing. A hotshoe above it allows connection of more powerful external units. Dust and drip-proofing Rarely found in compact cameras, this allows outdoor use in difficult weather conditions. Connector ports On the side of the handgrip you’ll find micro-USB and HDMI ports, alongside a socket for Canon’s RS-60E3 wired remote release Optional underwater housing Canon is selling a matched WP-DC56 underwater housing, which is waterproof to a depth of 40m (130ft) while still giving access to all the external controls. It’s the only such housing Canon makes for an APS-C-sensor camera, and costs £429.99. Battery The small NB-13L battery offers just 200 shots per charge, or 250 in Eco mode, according to CIPA standard tests. USB…

‘A sensor that counts individual photons is as close to a perfect sensor as could be’ Every so often, we hear about a new kind of sensor that will revolutionise the way digital cameras work. The most recently promoted technologies are quantum dots and organic sensors. This article looks at what would be the perfect sensor. Generally, sensors are judged on the basis of pixel count and image noise. There are two main components of image noise – one is the electronic noise, called ‘read noise', and the other is the noise in the light itself, called ‘photon shot noise'. The noise performance due to the latter depends on how many of the available photons the sensor can collect. The photoelectric effect, which is the mechanism by which present sensors…

Michael Kenna's style - black & white images of nature and urban environments taken using long exposures - has been much emulated over the years, but most imitations lack the depth that his pictures convey. All of Kenna's imagery is evocative, ethereal and unmistakable. He has a wonderful ability to capture the spirit of a place while possessing the technical skills to deliver his vision flawlessly. His latest book, however, is a slight departure from the norm. Here we see Kenna using inexpensive, plastic Holgas to shoot familiar haunts such as Hokkaido in Japan and the Forbidden City in China. Pictures made using these devices are unpredictable, so it must have been challenging to relinquish control and embrace their vignetting, light leaks and soft focus. But in the introduction, writer…

Lightroom photo fixes James Paterson shows you how to correct all manner of photo problems Panasonic 200mm f/2.8 Full review of the Panasonic Leica DG Elmarit 200mm f/2.8 Power OIS Laowa Magic Shift Converter We test a unique accessory that’s ideal for architectural photography CONTENT FOR NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE…

Dave Kai Piper Dave Kai Piper is a Fujifilm-X photographer specialising in fashion and portraiture. He spends most of his time working out of the back of a case strapped to his motorbike, travelling up and down the country and working on location. See more of his work at www.davekaipiper.com. The first thing to consider when it comes to location lighting is the location itself – shoot in interesting places with interesting light and you can’t go far wrong. Most location lighting photographers work with natural light and only look to put in additional illumination to balance out any shadows. We call this additive lighting. Once you have decided to add light into your image, the type of light is the next choice. There are two main areas to look…

Spare batteries Carry spares, especially when out shooting for lengthy periods. I find camera brand batteries tend to last longer. Shoulder bag Keeping weight to a minimum makes working on the move much easier – a smaller shoulder bag that can carry a couple of lenses is perfect. Lenses I currently use a Canon EOS 5D Mark III camera. My preferred lenses are the Canon 24-105mm f/4L and the 50mm f/1.8 prime, which give me all the flexibility I need. Lens cloth When working outside in changeable weather it’s essential to keep the outside face of your lens optics clean Tripod Useful for any video work and restaurant interiors, and essential for details in low-light conditions.…

Thursday, 1 March, 1-5pm Birdcage Bandstand Café, 147 Kings Rd, Brighton BN1 2PQ ARE YOU a DSLR owner looking to switch over to a smaller, lighter, mirrorless system? Are you free on Thursday, 1 March? Then why not come and spend the afternoon in Brighton trying out the latest Olympus cameras and lenses, while enjoying an escorted photowalk around one of Britain's most photogenic cities. Starting at the iconic Victorian Bandstand, our meeting point, you will enjoy the many photo opportunities that Brighton's seafront has to offer, from the rusting remains of the West Pier to the fairground fun of Brighton Palace Pier. We'll take in the magnificent Regency architecture, narrow walkways of the Lanes, Bohemian North Laine and, of course, the spectacular Royal Pavilion. Your tour will be escorted…

Our cameras and lenses are tested using the industry-standard Image Engineering IQ-Analyser software. Visit www.image-engineering.de for more details With its 24MP CMOS sensor, the G1 X Mark III offers very similar image quality to Canon's APS-C DSLRs. This means it has slightly higher resolution and noticeably less high-ISO noise than its 1in-sensor competitors. However, this high-ISO advantage is almost precisely offset by its smaller-aperture lens, which means its practical low-light image quality is unlikely to be much different to that from the Sony RX100 V or Panasonic Lumix LX15. Raw files give plenty of latitude for recovering shadow detail when exposing to preserve highlights, especially at ISO 100. Resolution With a maximum resolution of around 3,600 l/ph in our chart tests, the G1 X Mark III is no slouch. However,…

• £155 • www.lowepro.com Colour Our review sample was supplied in a pixel camouflage finish, but it’s also available in black. All-weather design The bag comes with a built-in all-weather (AW) cover to keep dirt and moisture away from expensive kit. Tripod connection There’s a tripod support at the front of the bag. Alternatively, tripods can be attached to the side using the available straps. Accessory pouch A removable padded accessory pouch is supplied for storing small items such as cards, chargers and cables. LOWEPRO has an excellent reputation for making some of the best backpacks in the business, and late last year the company revamped its successful Flipside series with four new additions. The Flipside 400 AW II falls into the large backpack category, and offers a more spacious…

Cameras Interchangeable-lens cameras come in two types: DSLRs with optical viewfinders, and mirrorless models with electronic viewing Controls Entry-level cameras tend to have simple, easy-to-understand controls, while more expensive models add lots of buttons and dials to give quick access to settings. Handgrip DSLRs traditionally have relatively large handgrips, while many mirrorless models have much smaller grips to keep size down. However, some can accept accessory grips to improve handling with larger lenses. Lens mount Each camera brand uses its own lens mount, and mirrorless cameras use different lenses to DSLRs even from the same brand. However, mirrorless models can often use DSLR lenses via a mount adapter. Viewfinder The biggest difference between DSLRs and mirrorless cameras is that the latter use electronic, rather than optical viewfinders. They’re more power…

Do you have more than one lens? What about a tripod, carry case or any additional video or audio equipment? The value of all your kit soon mounts up – but would you be able to replace it if something happened? Cameras are designed to be taken out and about, whether to shoot your next landscape, capture wildlife or travel photos for your portfolio, or just to capture those precious family moments. Plus, if you’re passionate about photography, as well as investing your time, you’ve probably invested heavily financially too. That’s why we’ve teamed up with well-known insurance provider, Thistle Insurance Services Limited, to bring you the cover you may need. Amateur Photographer Insurance Services can provide protection against theft and accidental damage for your camera and accessories up to…