Innholdsfortegnelse for 17-Aug-2019 i Amateur Photographer

You might scoff at the idea of a 100MP camera and question who could possibly need that much resolution, but the same used to be said about 10MP. If technology continues to evolve at the current rate, it won’t be long before our phones will have 100MP sensors and we’ll dismiss cameras with less than half a gigapixel as unworthy of serious consideration. So even if you don’t plan to shell out £10k on a Fujifilm GFX100 you can still marvel at the tech, and remember when the 1.3MP Kodak DCS 100 would have set you back £13,000. From the newest photo technology we go back in time to revisit one of the oldest – cyanotypes – a surprisingly simple process that doesn’t even require a darkroom. We also reveal…

Rotolights I'm intrigued by what James Paterson said about Rotolights in his feature in the 13 July issue of AP – and I think there's a ‘but' to add. I've owned a Rotolight NEO 2 for six months, and have found it very useful as a supplementary light where natural levels are low, and for some specific lighting effects. Adjustable colour temperature and precisely variable output are big pluses. However, I can't help feel they are primarily intended for video users. The downsides are low output (which James mentions) and cost: a NEO 2 costs £300, an AEOS around £900. This is costly lighting, considering that you can get a two-light Godox studio outfit complete with stands, octoboxes and a trigger system for under £300. Certainly, the Rotolights are versatile,…

Mangalika Ghosh, Singapore Like so many before her, Mangalika has a parent to thank for igniting her interest in photography. Her mother gave her a film camera, but it was joining a camera club in India about 10 years ago that really fired up her passion for making images. She uses her camera as a tool for exploring the world, with landscape, people and culture forming her main interests. ‘If any of my images can influence a viewer to protect the beauty of Earth and respect people and their unique cultures, that would be my greatest achievement,' she says. ‘The more I photograph new places, unique people and capture their stories, the more I feel alive.' Visit www.mangalika.com. Mushan, Inle Lake, Myanmar 1 ‘This Tibeto-Burman minority is one of the…

Wideangle lens The foreshortening effect created by using ultra-wide focal lengths can add impact to your photography. What’s more, wideangle lenses are usually lightweight and compact. Flashgun A flashgun is useful in low-light conditions to complement natural light or to provide a little fill-in during the day. You’ll need to pair it with a trigger and receivers if you want to try off-camera flash. Beanbag When working low to the ground with a wideangle lens it’s often necessary to react quickly to changing conditions and moving subjects. I find that a beanbag provides excellent support and is easier to shuffle about than a tripod.…

1 Retouching I used Capture One to start processing my raw file's basic adjustments. I then used Photoshop where I retouched the skin with a local Dodge and Burn method. Using a Curves layer and a brush on 1% flow, I removed unwanted shadows. You can see the layer mask above. 2 Dodge and burn Next, in order to add shape and depth, I used a method called Dodge and Burn, again using Curves Layers to both lighten and darken areas of the image. In this case I wanted to bring shape to the face by darkening the contours and then darkening the hair. 3 Colour grade I then used various colour-grading tools in Photoshop to achieve my desired effect. I started by adding in yellow, but I soon abandoned…

1 Coat the paper Mix solutions of ammonium ferric citrate and potassium ferricyanide (diluted as per manufacturer's instructions) in equal parts. Lay your paper on a board or glass and apply the solution with a foam or hake brush. You can do this in a uniform or more artistic manner. If you are using pre-prepared paper, spritz with water to wet the surface. 2 Apply your negative Create your composition by laying your subject on the wet paper. Cyanotype is a contact printing process. Where you cover the paper will not expose and the areas exposed to the sun will colour, although with the wet process leaks and chemical reactions take place and fresh botanicals may also leave colour and add moisture. 3 Add a little extra I like to…

Two batteries The integrated grip has allowed Fujifilm to include two NP-T125 batteries, as previously used in the GFX 50S and 50R, promising a combined endurance of 800 shots. Removable EVF The viewfinder can be slid off the body if you want to use the screen instead. There’s a hinged adapter that allows it to be set to different angles as well. Connectors On the left side you’ll find microphone and headphone sockets, along with USB-C, HDMI and 15V power-in connectors plus a PC sync socket for studio flash. A 2.5mm remote control socket is on the handgrip. Top-plate LCD This large screen can show detailed exposure information, a virtual ISO/shutter speed dial display or a live histogram. A button alongside cycles through the display modes. Dual cards As befits…

It's great to see traditional analogue photography in such rude health. However, there is a weak link. If it's to continue thriving we need better film scanners. Most gadgetry gets better, cheaper and easier to use, but scanner technology seems to be in reverse. I bought my Nikon Coolscan 4000 ED back in 2001. I was writing motoring articles and taking pictures to illustrate them and while magazines still wanted transparencies, even then, newspapers were beginning to demand digital shots. The Coolscan allowed me to satisfy both requirements whilst also providing a backup of slides which might be lost. Though not cheap at just over a grand, I was thrilled by the quality, detail, colour reproduction and dynamic range of the 23MP scans produced by it. It did justice to…

When I saw the results from a fellow photographer's Canon EOS 6D Mark II with a 24-70mm L lens, I fell in love with both bits of kit and convinced myself it was exactly what I needed to improve my rather lacklustre images. Coinciding with this was Park Cameras' discount open day, so I was off like a long dog to get a great deal. I signed up for the 6D Mark II and, for a tad extra, the Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM lens. There were none in stock but it was placed on order with all given discounted offers of the day. The following week I was preparing for my camera club talk on the subject ‘10 Common Photography Mistakes And How To Overcome Them'. Looking through…

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. Submit your images Please see the ‘Send us your pictures’ section on page 3 for details or visit www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/portfolio NOTE: PRIZE APPLIES TO UK AND EU RESIDENTS ONLY…

Teleconverter Teleconverters are great accessories for close-ups, increasing the effective focal length, yet retaining the same minimum focusing distance. Image quality is reduced slightly, and they will reduce the maximum speed of your lens by up to two stops. Auto extension tubes Auto extension tubes are hollow rings that fit between the camera and lens. They reduce the lens’s minimum focusing distance, thereby increasing the lens’s maximum magnification. Beanbag For ground-level work, a beanbag is arguably the best accessory for supporting and stabilising longer lenses. They are quick and easy to position; will dampen any vibrations; and will help you to remain nice and steady.…

Michael Lang was born in Brooklyn in 1944 and was already known as a music promoter when he decided to co-organise the Woodstock festival with Artie Kornfeld. Though only 25 at the time, Lang’s calm demeanour and organisational skills helped to keep the festival running, despite logistical nightmares, bigger crowds than anticipated, huge traffic jams and downpours. At one point the National Guard was nearly called in, but despite all the drugs and mayhem, only two people died.…

WHITEWALL'S Jan-Ole offers some sound printing and presentation advice for Drew's portrait print. ‘With this portrait, Drew Buckler has created a fantastic composition. He definitely knows how to play with light and shadow, using draped lace to place the woman at the centre of attention. This photo would work best as an Original Photo Print Under Acrylic Glass.At WhiteWall.com, you'll receive an award-winning, premium product with several options to make the most of your image. With a matte surface, you can achieve an elegant look without glare. If you want to add a frame, our black Aluminium ArtBox is a subtle and harmonious addition. On the other hand, glossy acrylic glass – which is available in 2mm, 4mm, or 6mm – would really emphasise the image's brilliant colours. Adding our…

The right brush To apply the solution onto your paper avoid a brush with a metal ferrule, as these can react with the cyanotype chemicals. Instead use a foam or hake brush or glass rod. Chemicals There are many different companies that sell cyanotype chemicals. The two you need are ammonium ferric citrate and potassium ferricyanide. Paper Use a heavyweight paper that can withstand the washing process. Hot pressed papers are the best for keeping the whites white and the blue rich. Cyanotype kit Take the stress out of getting all the individual parts and purchase a ready-to-go kit. This one from Fotospeed costs £40.…

When Fujifilm decided to give full frame a miss and instead develop a medium-format mirrorless system, it offered a perfectly rational explanation. Its APS-C X system would meet the needs of most enthusiasts, especially given its comprehensive lens system. But for professionals requiring higher image quality, the larger 44x33mm sensor would provide a much more significant step up compared to full frame. However, while the firm's current 50MP GFX cameras are capable of producing truly stunning images, the problem is that high-resolution full-frame models aren't all that far behind, while offering faster and more polished operation. With the GFX100, Fujifilm's answer has been to boost the resolution to a spectacular 102 million pixels. Its brand new, back-illuminated sensor also gains on-chip phase detection, promising much faster autofocus – arguably the…

Our cameras and lenses are tested using the industry-standard Image Engineering IQ-Analyser software. Visit www.image-engineering.de for more details Thanks to its 102-million-pixel medium-format sensor, the GFX100 comprehensively outperforms any other camera we've tested to date. As expected, it offers considerably higher resolution than any full-frame model. At high ISO settings it also outperforms its 50MP medium-format cousins, particularly when its higher resolution is taken into account. Fujifilm's excellent in-camera processing gives superb JPEGs direct from the camera, but as always you'll only be able to fully exploit the sensor's astonishing dynamic range by shooting raw. Resolution At its base ISO 100 setting, the GFX100 resolves around 8,500 lines per picture height in our chart tests, comfortably surpassing even the best full-frame models. This declines gradually as the sensitivity is raised,…

If you're after a fast 28mm prime lens, the number of options available are quite limited. Canon offers the small and lightweight EF 28mm f/1.8 USM and EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM, but lacks a 28mm f/1.4 in its L series. Nikon has the Nikkor AF-S 28mm f/1.4E ED, but it's very costly (£1,749). There's the sensationally sharp Zeiss Otus 1.4/28 and compact Summilux-M 28mm f/1,4 ASPH from Leica, but again you need deep pockets and both of these are manual focus only. Based on this selection you can see why Sigma was keen to make its own lens and offer it in all the major lens mounts. Optically, the lens is very good. I expected it to be a touch sharper at f/1.4, but it is quick to sharpen…

TSA Lock The main zip pulls are designed to clip into the three-digit TSA-approved combination lock, to keep your valuable kit safe from prying fingers. Address holder A slim pocket on the back will hold your business card or contact details in case the bag gets mislaid. Laptop A separate compartment in the lid for a laptop and tablet means you don’t have to open the main zip at airport security. Tripod holder A stretchy neoprene foot holder and two adjustable straps allow you to securely attach a full-size tripod, such as a Manfrotto 190-series model. ● £350 ● www.manfrotto.com/uk-en ROLLER cases are perfect for taking the strain when you need to travel with a significant amount of kit. However they can be unwieldy to lug around, particularly up or…

If you’d like to see your words or pictures published in Amateur Photographer, here’s how: Something to say? Write to us at ap@ti-media.com with your letters, opinion columns (max 500 words) or article suggestions. Pictures Send us a link to your website or gallery, or attach a set of low-res sample images (up to a total of 5MB) to appicturedesk@ti-media.com. Join our online communities Post your pictures into our Flickr, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram communities or the gallery on our website.…

BENRO has announced the 3XS Lite, a gimbal stabiliser for smartphones that it claims will ‘vastly improve' smartphone photography and videography performance and make it easier to get creative effects such as panorama or time-lapse. The 3XS Lite has a ‘barrier-less' smartphone clamp which enables you to slide the handset left or right until it's balanced. This also enables users to retain access to their smartphone's charging and audio ports during use of the gimbal. A single button handles switching from portrait to landscape orientation and vice versa, and the camera shutter, video record, zoom and focus functions can also be accessed directly from the gimbal handle. An external microphone can be fitted, too. The 3XS Lite can support most smartphones weighing up to 290g, but at 430g it is…

PEDALLING furiously back to 2004 gives another reminder of how far camera technology has leapt forward in the past 15 years. Six megapixels is easily outgunned by a cheap smartphone these days, though some of the early digital compacts featured in this issue were nicely made and can be picked up for a song on eBay or at boot sales. This issue also carried a moving obituary on Henri Cartier-Bresson, who passed away that year. As then-editor Garry Coward-Williams reminds us, ‘One marvels at the simplicity of his kit: an old Leica rangefinder camera, a standard 50mm lens and a roll of black & white film… (Henri) proved beyond doubt that equipment will always be secondary to one's ability to “see” a great picture.' Another highlight was an interview with…

Lensbaby Try the ‘Spark’, which has a fixed f/5.6 aperture plus a focal length of 50mm. Or the Creative Bokeh Spark, which has a fixed f/2.5 aperture and can be fitted with shaped discs to change the bokeh.See www.lensbaby.com. Toy camera lens A cheaper alternative to the Lensbaby is a toy camera lens for your DSLR. Holga lenses in common mounts such as Canon and Nikon cost around £20 (www.wexphotovideo. com). Diana lenses are pricier at £39 (www.lomography.com). Pinhole ‘lens’ Why not try your hand at digital pinhole photography by replacing your normal lens with a pinhole body cap that acts as both lens and aperture? See Pinhole Solutions (www. pinholesolutions.co.uk).…

As well as specialising in creative portraiture, wedding photography and brand influencing, I also take every opportunity to capture inspiring images from around the world. Over the past few years, I have invested more and more time into Instagram, where I have had great success and managed to attract a large following. Sharing my creative portraits through the platform has not only enabled me to meet many inspiring and creative people, but it has also given me the opportunity to successfully work with brands from all over the UK, USA and Canada. I use a variety of equipment to capture my content. I have a pair of Fujifilm XT-3s for the bulk of my videography, and more recently I’ve been working with Panasonic UK to test, and share my expertise…

1 Colour theory Having a colour harmony in mind can really help with your creative process. Adobe Colour Wheel is free, and can be found easily on the internet. 2 Skin retouching Using the ‘local dodge and burn' retouching method will ensure you avoid blurring pixels, and it creates a more natural edit. 3 Eyes Only brighten the opposite side to the catch light; this is how light travels in and out of our eyes. 4 Depth Create depth in camera with foreground and background elements, using your editing software with complementary colours or using global dodge and burn. 5 The original Keep referring to the original photograph by keeping it on the bottom layer in Photoshop; it's easy to over edit! 6 Sleep on it After you're happy with…

I USE the wet process because it is more unpredictable owing to the interaction between the wet chemicals and the surface matter, and can give interesting results. I apply the chemical mix using a brush to watercolour or inkjet paper then apply the subject matter while the chemical is still wet on the surface. I mostly use plant matter followed by products that will react to the chemicals. This might include salt, spices (turmeric is effective), food colouring, spritzing with diluted vinegar, and sometimes covering with cling film. Once the composition is created it will be held in place with a sheet of glass in a clip-frame and then placed outside in the sun and left to expose. Exposure times can range from 30 minutes to days, and really it…

Absolutely superlative image quality comfortably surpasses any full-frame camera In-body stabilisation allows practical handheld shooting in most lighting conditions Superb viewfinder and screen gives excellent experience when composing images Stunning JPEG processing with excellent colour and detail Control layout is less coherent and engaging than Fujifilm’s other cameras Small buttons and dials are fiddly to operate Uncomfortable vertical grip, with different control layout to main grip…

It's easy for us to get blasé about all the new cameras that pass through the AP office. While they're constantly improving, they don't often bring something completely new to the table. However, just occasionally one comes along that offers a step-change in capability, and the GFX100 is a perfect example. It completely redefines what's possible in a sub-£10,000 camera. It's not just the jaw-dropping image quality that matters here, although the resolution and dynamic range are unparalleled for a camera of this size or price. It's also the ease with which you can take full advantage of that astonishing sensor. Shooting with the GFX100 and getting high-quality 102MP files is really no more difficult than using one of Fujifilm's APS-C X-system models. Indeed where ultra-high-resolution medium format was once…

Resolution Our Image Engineering MTF tests were carried out with the lens coupled to Canon’s 50-million-pixel DSLR, the EOS 5DS R. The solid red line shows that there’s an improvement when you stop down from f/1.4, with centre sharpness peaking around f/4. Corner sharpness peaks later in the aperture range, with the sweet spot being found around f/5.6. Push beyond f/8 to f/11 and f/16 and you’ll start to notice softening from diffraction. Shading Shoot wide open at f/1.4 and you’ll be able to make out gradual vignetting at the edge, which measures approximately 1.7EV darker than the centre. Stop down to f/2 and you’ll find it reduces considerably, and by f/2.8 it’s barely visible. If the vignetting disturbs you or if you plan to shoot regularly at f/1.4, it’s…