Innholdsfortegnelse for 06-Jul-2019 i Amateur Photographer

The average modern camera’s AF system is so complex and offers so many permutations that getting to grips with it feels like a feat akin to learning to fly a jet. If you’re as befuddled by focusing functions as I am, then this week’s main feature may bring some clarity. I must admit, though, that the complexity of today’s cameras makes me nostalgic for the simplicity of my old Nikon FA – if only my ageing eyesight was up to the manual focusing! John Wade’s look back at this classic brings back fond memories. The FA was cutting edge in the mid-1980s, whereas Panasonic’s Lumix S1R represents the cutting edge of today’s camera technology, and award-winning photojournalist Edmond Terakopian gives his verdict after putting it through its paces during an…

1854 Media, together with Magnum Photos, has launched Portrait of Humanity, a global initiative that aims to celebrate our shared values. Photographers of all levels were invited to submit work. The shortlisted and winning pictures from this year's competition have now been published in Portrait of Humanity, a hardback that serves as a timely reminder that we all share common emotions and experiences. Fabian Muir's image, ‘The Hand That Rocks the Cradle', shows children in a North Korean orphanage. ‘They make me think not only of their own future but also of their country's future,' writes Muir. ‘I hope they grow up in a North Korea that opens up and emerges from the time capsule within which it has been locked for well over half a century.' 2,400 Number of…

A few months ago I saw a series of paintings by Bob Dylan in a gallery. I'm a big fan of Dylan the singer-songwriter, but it turns out that I'm not a big fan of Dylan the painter. One image, ‘Woman in Red Lion Pub (Green), 2008, features the outline of a lady painted with thick, rough brushstrokes. It's an unflattering picture, with oddly placed lines giving her lumps in all the wrong places. Another picture, ‘Train Tracks (Orange), 2008, reminds me of a perspective exercise I carried out in an art lesson at school. These paintings were priced at over £2,500 each. Looking at the display made me a bit cross – if it weren't for Dylan's name these paintings would probably never have seen the light of day.…

This week we set the controls for the heart of… no, not the sun, to disappoint Pink Floyd fans, but to 8 July 2000. The millennial celebrations were in full swing and it was a patriotic issue, with the cover bigging up a feature on vintage MPP cameras by Ivor Matanle (a long-time and very well-regarded AP contributor who sadly passed away this year). In other hardware news, Joël Lacey tested the Nikon Coolpix 990, which illustrated the great leap forwards that digital cameras were making. The 990 could record 3.1MP images which, although puny by today's standards, was quite a jump from the 1.2MP recorded by the Coolpix 900S only two years earlier. Another big feature was on the 143rd RPS Print contest, which was pushing the boundaries then,…

There are a few creative exceptions, but one of the fundamental aims of most photographers is to get their subject sharp. Thankfully, that’s the aim of a modern camera’s autofocus (AF) system too but although they are sophisticated, they are not 100% foolproof. There isn’t one go-to setting that guarantees every subject is tack-sharp in every situation. As a result, it’s important to understand how your camera’s AF system works, the conditions that challenge it, and the settings or techniques that will help you to get the results you want. How does my camera’s AF system work? There are two types of autofocus systems commonly used today: phase detection and contrast detection. Digital SLRs use phase-detection focusing when the viewfinder is in use, but many (recent Canon DSLRs being a…

Waterfowl can be found extensively across the UK, but your local lake, pond or country park is usually a good place to start. ● Locations Lakes, ponds, rivers, wetlands and coastal stretches ● Bird size Ranging from 55cm to 2.4m wingspan. Up to 12kg ● Nest Usually near water, in dense vegetation, hollows in trees and small islands or refuges ● Diet Wide – ranging from fish to vegetation ● UK population Healthy. One million plus…

I took up photography for creative expression after working for many years as a glass blower. I think this is one of the reasons I’m drawn to working with intentional camera movement (ICM), which is where you move the camera while the shutter is open to create abstract effects. I then combine this with multiple exposures (ME), in camera or in post-processing, of layers of images to create new and abstract effects. The combination of flowing colours and layering of textures and forms mirrors the creative processes I used when creating hand-blown glass. My photography is almost entirely shot within a few miles of my Dorset home, making it sustainable and with a minimal carbon footprint. As a trained ecologist and natural historian, I like to be rooted in the…

1 Experiment with the way you move the camera. With one scene in front of you try moving the camera vertically, horizontally, and in shivering, rolling and organic movements. You can then compare the results and determine which works for the image you want to create. 2 Be aware of highlights in the composition. In much the same way as one may approach light painting, these elements can be used to draw lines through your image. This is especially true when photographing running water or if light is coming through gaps in foliage. 3 Use live view while shooting in ICM. This will help you determine if you need to adjust ISO, white balance, exposure compensation or shutter speed to create the image you're after. 4 Using ND filters can…

The importance of presentation is often overlooked, but this can be a costly mistake. The difference between a well-presented image and a poorly executed one means your photograph either ends up as a work of art hanging in pride of place or it gets put to the back of an old dusty cupboard, probably never to be seen again. Thanks to WhiteWall and its online services, when it comes to presenting your photographs you need not worry about your image being forgotten about in the cupboard. Its high-quality service and large quantity of presentation products means WhiteWall is the number one service to go to. The hard part is choosing the right finish that works for your image – however, WhiteWall being WhiteWall has taken this into consideration, and has…

Precision timing Macro isn't all about insects and flowers. Let your imagination run riot and imagine how everyday things – such as water droplets – might look in close-up, just as Gary has done here. Perfect placement The water droplets in this image have been placed in such a way so as to draw the eye through the image. Acting as tiny mirrors, they add interest to what would otherwise be a classic close-up. Breathing space Don't automatically go as close as you can to your subject. By leaving so much space around this midge, Steve has made the image as much about scale and colour as it is about the bug. Background basics A completely plain background in a neutral colour allows this bright red ladybird to stand out…

Grab handles Grab handles at the side and the top make it easy to pull from overhead lockers. Straps The bag has an adjustable sternum strap and waist strap, but the latter is a little thin. Carry-on compatible This backpack fits the carry-on luggage requirements of most airlines. Access The bag offers quick, convenient access to the main compartment from the side, top and rear. ● £149 ● www.vanguardworld.co.uk FINDING a bag that's perfectly matched to your photographic needs can be quite a challenge. Sometimes you might want to carry lots of gear and distribute the weight across both shoulders, whereas other times you might want to travel light and prefer a messenger-style bag to sling over one shoulder for fast access to your kit. Vanguard has identified that some…

Sigma 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 C DC If you're looking for flexibility out in the field, this APS-C lens could be the choice for you. The Sigma 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 C DC provides a wider angle of view than its featured rivals for in-situ style shots at one end of its focal range, and a fantastic 450mm full-frame equivalent reach at its other so you can really fill the frame with subjects. £349 • Versatile focal range• Weighs just 585g• Available in Nikon, Canon, Sony and Pentax fits Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 SP Di VC USD With an advanced optical design that features Low Dispersion and Extra Low Dispersion elements, this lens promises images rich with sharp contrast. Not only is this optic's Ultrasonic Silent Drive (USD) autofocus system speedy but it's near silent…

If you’re a portrait photographer, you will have one key concern on any shoot: how can you best facilitate a working environment where the subject reveals themselves to the camera. Every photographer is looking for that one frame where the sitter shows a side of themselves that ordinarily remains hidden. The majority of us prefer to remain invisible, closed off to prying eyes, particularly when the gaze is coming from the cold, hard stare of a camera lens. Some photographers simply talk to their subjects and wait for the reveal of a reaction. Legend has it that while photographing the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Richard Avedon told them a fabricated tale of a dog being run over by his taxi. The heartbroken look of the pair became the key…

THIS Milky Way vista was uploaded to our Facebook page using the hashtag #appicoftheweek. It was taken by photographer Kieran Metcalfe. He tells us, ‘I went to Talacre in North Wales in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights as conditions were favourable. There was nothing visible to the naked eye, but as the skies were crystal clear I spent time shooting the Milky Way over the lighthouse instead. It was only when I processed the images that I noticed the faint pink auroral glow just above the horizon.' Kieran processed the final result from 22 images that were then blended to reduce the noise.…

MANFROTTO has released the Befree GT XPRO pro travel tripod, the first from the company to feature a built-in 90° column and 180° foldable legs. It inherits the 90° column from larger Manfrotto tripods. ‘The 90° column is smartly stored out of the way, until it is time to defy gravity with a low-on-the-ground or a challenging overhead macro shot,' said the company. The new tripod features three leg sections, which open using Manfrotto's M-lock twist system, and comes with Manfrotto's 496 Center Ball Head. There are also side pull selectors which enable you to adjust the leg angles independently. The Befree GT XPRO is available in carbon fibre (1.76kg) and aluminium (2kg) versions, with the former costing £409.95 and the latter £269.95.…

Blow the bridge In your review of Nikon's Coolpix P1000 (AP 1 June), you make an unfair comparison with the Sony RX10 IV (which I own), in that the latter only offers 24-600mm zoom range, without mentioning that the Sony has a 1in sensor. This gives it a 4x area advantage over Nikon's 1/2.3in sensor. I've owned a superzoom camera with this sensor size and, despite raw shooting, have found it to be seriously lacking in the image quality department. No serious wildlife photographer, let alone a professional, would touch this camera with the proverbial bargepole. Brian Parkin Buying guide idea The photo nerd in me loves your Buying Guide, but how about reviewing the performance of some of the older lenses in the guide. I am using a Canon…

1 What is the focus limiter switch for? If your subject is going to be within a specific range it can be helpful to use the lens focus limiter to prevent it from hunting across the entire focus range. 2 What is focus stacking? This technique involves shooting a series of images, each with a slightly different focus distance. The images are then composited into one that has much greater depth of field than an individual shot. It's a very popular technique with macro photographers. 3 Why does AF depend on the lens I am using? Different lenses have different motors that drive the focusing and different weight elements. Also, lenses with a wider maximum aperture let in more light, which helps the AF system. 4 Why are full-frame DSLRs’…

Vertical panning This works well with subjects like trees, grasses and reeds. I always shoot handheld but if you're having trouble getting crisp, straight lines a tripod could be used. Be careful to pick an area clear of horizontal lines such as branches, or pan quickly if this is not possible to keep the image clean. Layering multiple ICM images This works best for images with strong lines, such as the vegetation in this picture of the River Allen. I then combined layers with motion in different directions. By using the overlay or multiply blending modes in Photoshop these elements can be emphasised. Elements moving your subject The image above was taken in strong wind. I held the camera still and let the daisies move through the exposure. To pull…

Steve Field, Stoke Gifford, South Gloucestershire ‘I shoot an eclectic range of subjects – everything from sport and wildlife to macro and travel. I'm a member of the Bristol Photographic Society (BPS) and never fail to be inspired by both the visiting speakers and my fellow photographers. Without their encouragement and guidance, I'd still be a ‘snapper'. I particularly love black & white photography, and started off doing my own developing and printing in my twenties. This project was always going to be black & white to portray not just the shapes and chalk, but also the power these girls possess in order to carry out the moves with such ease and grace.' The images Steve’s daughter does acrobatic gymnastics, and he helps her club with fundraising through photography. The…

1 The Statement Piece This is one picture hung alone, and can be effective in small rooms or in a nook. 2 The Wall Art Cluster Think of it like organised chaos. It is an arrangement of numerous, tightly grouped pictures on one wall. The pictures should be ‘connected' in some way. 3 On an Axis This picture-hanging concept is a classic and is also great in rooms with low ceilings. Simply align the centre of each picture along an imaginary axis. 4 All in a Row Hang pictures evenly in a horizontal or vertical line. If you have pictures of different sizes, but would still like to hang them in a row, you can align them along one of the frame's edges. 5 The Chessboard A clear geometric concept…

DSLR – Definitely So Ludicrously Redundant? Mirrors are so last year. Actually, so last decade. Panasonic launched the Micro Four Thirds Panasonic Lumix G1, the first digital, mirrorless, interchangeable-lensed AF camera in 2008. Fast forward to 2019 and we now see evolution in full flow, with the full-frame mirrorless S series, winding its way through the camera market. Those old enough will remember the constant struggle and resistance to new things in photography. The weighing up of fad or marketing hype against real-world advantages. Throughout my 30-year career I've seen some huge changes and realise that we are experiencing yet another evolutionary leap. Mirrorless. Micro Four Thirds. EVFs. Innovation created not as often by the major players, but those either newer to the game or more traditionally on the sidelines.…

● £18-£38.50 ● www.tenba.com THERE'S a huge array of lens cases on the market, and it's tempting to assume that they're all much the same. However these lens capsules from Tenba offer something genuinely a bit different. Unusually, they have soft sides, but hard top and base sections moulded from ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), with generous padding throughout and a soft lining. This design is great for absorbing shocks and preventing them being transferred to your delicate optics. There's a loop on the back for attaching the pouch to a belt or bag, with a secure double-velcro fastening, and a good-sized grab handle at the top. A mesh pocket in the lid will hold a filter or lens cloth. Tenba makes this design in five sizes, and rather than using obscure…

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. Viewfinder The biggest difference between DSLRs and mirrorless cameras is that the latter use electronic, rather than optical viewfinders. They’re more power hungry, but can display more information and show exactly how your pictures will turn out. Size and weight Mirrorless models tend to be smaller and lighter than DSLRs, and not just the cameras themselves, but their lens systems, too. However, there’s still a wider choice of lenses available for DSLRs. Handgrip DSLRs traditionally have relatively large handgrips, while many mirrorless models have much smaller grips to…

EXHIBITION Tim Motion: An Eye for The Sound Lucy Bell Gallery, 46 Norman Road, St Leonards on Sea TN38 0EJ. Visit www.lucy-bell.com MUSICIAN and photographer Tim Motion has shot portraits of some of the most influential jazz musicians in the history of the genre. Chet Baker, Miles Davies and Dizzy Gillespie are all here, each one captured ‘in the zone' – that unique moment when instrument and human become one. Following the music helps Motion to decide when to release the shutter, and looking at the work it's clear to see he has impeccable timing. Motion has had many jobs, from working for the first London minicabs (during which time he frequented the 606 Club in Kings Road) to running a disco/jazz club (hosting artists such as Ronnie Scott). His…

In 1973, as a 13-year-old pupil, I was introduced to photography at my secondary school by the art teacher Brian Parkhurst. That was the start of my 46-year passion for photography, which grew into a career, and a 46-year friendship with that teacher. This year on 10 May, Brian lost his battle with cancer leaving many former students, photographers who benefited from his knowledge and teaching, and friends and family heartbroken. Brian was a pioneer with regard to teaching photography in the early 1970s at a secondary school, where he had to fight for every penny needed to teach photography and set up a darkroom. My school at that time was a collection of kids who failed their 11+ and were neither bright enough for high school or grammar school.…

The Reader Portfolio winner chosen every week will receive a copy of Skylum Luminar 3, worth £65. See www.skylum.com Luminar is a fully featured photo editor for Mac and PC designed for photographers of all skill levels, blending pro-level tools with remarkable ease of use and an enjoyable experience. A new Library feature lets you organise, find and rate images easily, while over 100 editing features, plus a suite of fast AI-powered technologies under the hood, will make any image stand out.…

Manufacturing tolerances can result in a DSLR's AF sensor and a lens not being perfectly matched, which means that your subject isn't as sharp as you might expect. Thankfully, high-end cameras have a lens calibration or AF Microadjustment feature that allows you to correct this problem. The following steps show how the AF Microadjustment feature works using a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and a calibration target created from a free template downloaded from the internet at www.squit.co.uk/ photo/files/FocusChart.pdf. 1 Set up your target Assemble your calibration target and mount your camera on a tripod at least 25x the focal length of the lens away. Next, select mirror lock-up mode. 2 Use the widest aperture Set the widest aperture and put the centre AF point over the chart focus marker…

When it comes to photographing waterfowl, one of the best things you can do is spend as much time as possible at your local site. You are more likely to dedicate time and energy into a site that's nearby and which will be easier to swing by if you only have a bit of time on your hands. Once there, try and shoot at the level of the birds. That either means getting into the water, using an articulated screen, or using a right-angle viewfinder. Of course there will be opportunities to shoot from different angles and perspectives, but images often draw your attention in better if shot from water level. I shoot in manual mode but aperture priority is also a good option if you want to control your…

Buxton Photographic Club Buxton Village Hall, Mill Street, Buxton, Norwich NR10 5EN Meets First and third Monday of each month at 7.30pm Membership Individual annual membership is £30, couples membership is £35 Contact Online contact form on website or email chairman@buxtonphotographicclub.co.uk Website www.buxtonphotographicclub.co.uk What are the club's goals for the future? We are always looking to provide our members with the best opportunities to improve their knowledge and skills with photography. So our strategy to meet our objective is to continue with actions commenced to: • Hold continuous improvement technical evenings • Post-processing workshops • Studio evenings (subject to obtaining suitable equipment) • Assist those members who want to gain RPS and PAGB Distinctions • Have a wider membership doing well in competitions. Want to see your club featured on…

Camera Any camera or smartphone camera that will allow you to control shutter speed will enable you to shoot ICM photography. The lighter weight of mirrorless systems may be more comfortable if you are out for long periods taking handheld ICM shots. I use a Sony Alpha 58. Lenses Any lens can be used when shooting ICM photography, so choosing one with a focal length appropriate to the subject you wish to photograph is the most important factor. I have a 300mm, 18mm and a Tamron 90mm f/2.8. Software I process my images first in Adobe Lightroom, making minor adjustments and corrections. I then use Photoshop to layer multiple exposures and add textures, if applicable. I also use Nik Collection’s Analog Efex Pro 2; the film options in this software…

The theme of the 2019 EISA Maestro competition was ‘Power'. The winning entries from each of the 16 participating EISA countries were judged together at the association's General Meeting in June and the final results will be revealed at the EISA Awards Gala in September. The overall winner will take home a cash prize of € 1,500 and the EISA Photo Maestro 2019 trophy. The overall winner from the UK, as selected by the AP team, is Steve Field and we see his work here. The two runners-up portfolios will be featured in the forthcoming issues of AP.…

What options for improving lens reach? Q I'm a photographer for my local non-league football team. I normally use a 70-200mm f/2.8 and a 300mm f/2.8 prime lens on match days to capture the action. I don't really want the weight (or the expense) of another prime lens in my kit bag, but could occasionally do with something to help me get images of distant action on the pitch. Any suggestions for a solution that won't break the bank or my back? Michael Davis A A teleconverter sounds like the ideal solution for this problem. Depending on the model you select, adding one of these compact secondary lenses between your existing optic and camera would provide a magnification increase of 1.4x-2x to focal length, getting you much closer to all…

AF Nikon AF lenses driven from camera AF-S Nikon lenses with Silent Wave Motor AF-P Nikon lenses with stepper motors AL Pentax lenses with aspheric elements APD Fujifilm lenses with apodisation elements APO Sigma Apochromatic lenses ASPH Aspherical elements AT-X Tokina’s Advanced Technology Extra Pro AW Pentax all-weather lenses CS Samyang lenses for APS-C cropped sensors D Nikon lenses that communicate distance info DA Pentax lenses optimised for APS-C-sized sensors DC Nikon defocus-control portrait lenses DC Sigma’s lenses for APS-C digital DG Sigma’s designation for full-frame lenses Di Tamron lenses for full-frame sensors Di-II Tamron lenses designed for APS-C DSLRs Di-III Tamron lenses for mirrorless cameras DN Sigma’s lenses for mirrorless cameras DO Canon diffractive optical element lenses DT Sony lenses for APS-C-sized sensors DX Nikon’s lenses for DX-format digital…