Innholdsfortegnelse for 26-Oct-2019 i Amateur Photographer

#No Filter is a popular hashtag on social media as a metaphor for proudly showing yourself and your life warts and all, with no editing. But in landscape photography there are three filters you should certainly not be without – as we mention on this week’s cover. (No, the Cokin rainbow filter is not one of them). Turn to page 18 to learn all about them. If you’re as sick of this wet weather as I am then you’ll enjoy our feature on creating images at home using your flatbed scanner. We also take a first look at the new Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, test Nikon’s first pro-spec zoom for the Z system, and look back at its D7200, now a great-value used buy. If you enjoy the variety…

AP IS sad to report the death of photographer Keith Morris, known locally as as ‘Mr Aberystwyth', who was found in the water at Borth beach, Ynyslas, Wales. Keith, 61, whose images have appeared on the pages of AP, was particularly highly regarded for his landscape and weather photography. The circumstances of his death were not yet confirmed as AP went to press, but it is understood he was last seen on Thursday 3 October, before being reported missing the next day. A spokesperson for Aberystwyth Lifeboat Station told the Cambrian News , ‘Keith was a great photographer and a great supporter of the RNLI. His photos of storms, starlings and daily life put Aber [sic] on the front page across the world and did so much to promote all…

You can't get away from reports that Britain's high streets are in crisis. Boarded up empty shops stand like tombstones – a sad testament to soaring business rates, the spending squeeze and of course the success of internet retailing. But I think there's a small way photographers could help inject life back into this fading streetscape. While in Edinburgh recently for the Fringe, I was strolling from a hilarious play to an uproarious stand up when I came across the shop front of Tête-à-Tête Foto. It convinced me that more photographers should have a retail presence. Obviously photographers' shops are nothing new. Edward Reeves in Lewes has been going since 1855 and W W Winter in Derby from 1852, for example. But they tend to be primarily studios, and feature…

The forest by Noel Bodle Fujifilm X-T1, 55-200mm, 1/40sec at f/10, ISO 320 THIS photo was uploaded to our Instagram page by photographer Noel Bodle using the hashtag #appicoftheweek. He tells us, ‘I visit King's Wood near Challock, Kent, every May for its wonderful display of bluebells. I had recently bought the 55-200m lens, and thought this would be a great time to test it out. I came across this wonderful scene within minutes of arriving. It was beautifully lit from behind with fresh new greens. I didn't intend to make it black & white; it was only when I viewed the image on the computer that I saw its full potential.' Picked by Claire Gillo, technique editor as our #appicoftheweek…

Nothing up north I thoroughly enjoyed your article about photography events (Grand day out, 28 September). Such a shame there's no provision for those in Scotland or north of the central belt. In Aberdeen, we have virtually nowhere to shop, browse or take courses. We have one Jessops store that never has stock (sorry Jessops, but for those who don't live in the city we don't want to order in for collection in two days' time) and a Ffordes, which is a two-hour drive and not open on weekends. I'd so love to see another camera shop open up here. We have a large photographic community who would bite your arm off for some of the experience days that those further south can try. Not to mention a good shop…

Round Six Street Life PATRICK REILLY from County Louth, Ireland, is the winner of Round Six of APOY 2019. He can choose products of up to £1,000 in value (based on Sigma's RRP) as his prize. Classic street photography is usually shot on wideangle to standard lenses, and Sigma has plenty of options here. The SIGMA 24mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art (left, £799.99) is capable of resolving outstanding detail. Alternatively, there's the SIGMA 40mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art (far left, £1,099.99), which received five stars when reviewed in AP 2 March 2019. 1 Patrick Reilly Ireland 30pts Fujifilm X-Pro2, 23mm, 1/110sec at f/5, ISO 200 Our eye goes straight to the man's face in this excellent and witty capture by Patrick. His expression is tricky to read. Is…

1 Pixels per inch (ppi) This is the resolution screen on the computer. Dots per inch (dpi) is what your image will print out at. The scanner setting for resolution is set to dpi on the Epson scanners. 2 Switch your scanner’s setting Use the professional mode as you have the most control over the final outcome. 3 Keep the liquids away! Try to get as little moisture on your scanner as possible. 4 Keep your scanner clean In between scans spray some glass cleaner onto a cloth and wipe over the flatbed. This will do the trick. 5 Do a preview and build your image When starting out it can be tricky to know what might work, so build up your scene slowly and…

The AEOS and NEO 2 will work with Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Sony, Pentax, Olympus and Panasonic cameras. Rotolight supplies the Elinchrom Skyport Pro. (Third-party transmitters are available, but will require the corresponding receiver to work.) • Phottix ODIN II (HSS) works with Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax. • PocketWizard FlexTT5 and FlexTT6 support High Speed Sync (HSS) for Canon and FP Sync for Nikon. • Cactus VI II (HSS) works with Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Panasonic, Sigma, and the Cactus VI IIS (HSS) with Sony.…

At the time of its release in 2015, the D7200 was Nikon's flagship APS-C DSLR. Like the D7100, it was intended to meet the expectations of enthusiasts and semi-pros who wanted a versatile camera with a number of professional-grade features. Improvements included a 51-point AF system that was more responsive in low light, introduction of NFC connectivity and a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor that was less prone to generating banding in night scenes at high ISO. The EXPEED 4 image processor didn't offer any increase in burst speed (6fps); however buffer depth improved from a measly five raw files on the D7100 to a more acceptable18 frames. What we said ● ‘The D7200 is a more appealing choice for wildlife and sports photographers with its improved buffer performance' ● ‘Images…

LAUNCHED 1935 PRICE AT LAUNCH £27.10s (£27.50) GUIDE PRICE NOW £450 (recent auction buy) Following the launch of the Rolleiflex in 1928, camera manufacturers around the world began making their own versions of the twin lens reflex (TLR) design. The vast majority of such cameras – which used twin lenses, one for shooting, the other for reflecting its image to a large viewfinder screen on top of the body – shot twelve 6x6cm images to a roll of 120 film. The images being square meant that, when changing from portrait to landscape shaped subjects, there was no need to turn the camera on its side, an awkward manoeuvre with any TLR. The Superfekta is rare in that it shoots eight 6x9cm images on 120 film. In its normal operating position,…

Now entering its second year, Photo North is very much on track to become one of the highlights of the UK photo festival scene. Last year's inaugural event included a wealth of British talent, all gathered together in this quaint Yorkshire town. I had the privilege of attending and meeting some fantastic photographers including Homer Sykes, John Bolloten, Carolyn Mendelsohn, Ella Murtha (daughter of the late Tish Murtha) and more who have since featured on our pages. Co-founded by regular AP contributor, Peter Dench, the team behind Photo North works tirelessly to bring together a wonderful (and eclectic) set of displays, talks and events across the three days. Nearby hotels can be booked for a reasonable price, so if you're not particularly local you might want to consider making a…

Samyang AF 45mm F1.8 FE Andy Westlake tests a lovely prime for Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras A lasting legacy Victoria and Albert: We celebrate how Prince Albert championed photography Still-life in the studio With simple gear, Ian Plant shows how easy it can be to shoot studio still-lifes…

Photography has long been an essential aspect of archaeology. Excavation destroys much of our basic evidence, and hence, photography forms a key part of recording an excavation. With digital photography we can now map sites from the air using drones and a technique called Structure from Motion. We can make 3D models of finds, buildings and even landscapes from digital images. By using Reflectance Transformation Imaging we are no longer limited to a few light directions when recording a worn inscription or carving. Both traditional and digital photography, however, leave us with a dilemma. If we destroy a site by excavating it, and use photographs to mitigate that destruction, we are honour-bound to take steps to archive those images. Negatives and slides must be stored in archival quality sleeves in…

With those long winter months in sight and the weather miserable and cold more often than not, now is the time to hibernate indoors. In the winter season a great project to immerse yourself in is scanner art. Producing a photographic image without the use of a camera is a creative and fun thing to do. It requires a little bit of patience and consideration in the initial set-up and ideas stage, but once these are in place it’s plain sailing from then on. It goes without saying but to try this at home you will need a computer and a flatbed scanner. It doesn’t have to be an expensive scanner to get good results. We’ve tried this technique on a variety of models, and price doesn’t really come into…

1 Scanning software Start by opening your scanning software and go to the professional setting. We scanned our objects in at a resolution between 600 and 720dpi. This was large enough for what we needed it for. We also set the Image Type to 24-bit color (for higher quality, select 48-bit). 2 Lay out your objects Next arrange your subjects on the flatbed. You want to include the smaller items at the front so place them in first, and then the larger bits behind. Less can be more so build up your image slowly. Think about your background choice too at this stage. 3 Scan in Once happy click Preview to see a quick view. Decide if you want to add in more objects, move any around or take any…

Resolution The red line indicates that it puts in a mighty fine performance at the wide end of the zoom range, with corner sharpness improving by closing down to f/4 and f/5.6. It is sharper in the centre and at the edge at 50mm than it is at 70mm. Excellent centre and corner sharpness is upheld through the zoom range between f/5.6 and f/8. The influence of diffraction sees sharpness drop off beyond f/11. Shading Use the lens at f/2.8 and you will notice that the corners of images appear darker than the centre of the frame, even with the embedded lens correction profile automatically applied. Stopping the lens down a stop or two from f/2.8 to f/4 or f/5.6 helps alleviate the fall-off of light towards the edge. Curvilinear…

Joe Mortimer My photographic journey started with the humble D3300. Photography fell hand in hand with other interests, as I mostly shot landscape, nature, travel and adventure sports. Whilst the D7200 had a similar 24MP crop sensor, I was impressed with its range of advanced features in a more rugged, weather-sealed body. It represented an affordable ‘do it all' option for the beginner/intermediate such as myself. For landscapes I gained exposure bracketing, and for wildlife and sports it provided a higher frame rate, higher maximum shutter speed and back-button focusing. The advanced flash features even allowed me to experiment with portraiture and off-camera flash. The weight of the D7200 when considering its sensor size became its biggest drawback for activities like travelling and hiking. With full-frame cameras becoming more competitively…

The 100 millionth Canon EOS-series camera An EOS R mirrorless camera was the 100 millionth EOS-series camera to roll off the Canon production line. The very first EOS model was the EOS 650, an SLR, which launched in 1987 and featured the world’s first fully electronic lens mount. Production originally began in Canon’s Fukushima plant and now takes place at various locations. Sir Jonathan Ive portrait unveiled Photographed by Andreas Gursky, this image of Sir Jonathan Ive, Apple’s chief design officer, was taken at Apple’s new headquarters at Apple Park, California. Unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery, it is the only portrait commission Gursky has undertaken for a public museum. Societies of Photographers: convention 2020 Canon, Sony, Fujifilm, Elinchrom, Panasonic, Rotolight, Pentax and Epson are just some of the names…

AS WELL as announcing the brand new Nikon Z 50 (see First Look , 19 October), Nikon has also released a lens road map for its mirrorless cameras, giving users an idea of what to expect over the next couple of years. Joining those already available, we can see more prime lenses, macro lenses, zoom lenses and those which are specifically designed for the new DX-format Z 50. Speaking at the launch event in London, a Nikon representative said that by the end of 2021, focal lengths between 14 and 600mm will be available. To date, the longest focal length available for full-frame Z cameras is 85mm, so it'll likely be welcome news for sports and action photographers to see planned lenses such as a 70-200mm f/2.8, 100-400mm and a…

IN MANY respects, the OM-D E-M5 Mark III appears to be just the update that Olympus needed to make. The improved AF system and 4K video capabilities bring the camera in line with current expectations, while the layout tweaks improve what was already one of the best-handling small mirrorless cameras on the market. The plastic body shell is bound to disappoint Olympus fans, but on a more positive note, the Mark III retains the tactile controls and robust construction of its predecessors. The question is whether it will still stand out sufficiently in an increasingly crowded market, and we're looking forward to addressing this in our upcoming full review.…

Mik Critchlow – Coal Town Critchlow's long-term project Coal Town began in 1977. Documenting his home town of Ashington, Northumberland, he worked with his local community with a deep-rooted empathy for the townsfolk – he's also the son of a miner. Images That Resonate When we visit exhibitions we learn lots about the subject, but we rarely discover much about the image-maker. With Images that Resonate, the display brings together several images taken by a diverse range of photographers which hopes to change that (selected by Jason Olley). Document Scotland – A Contested Land Exploring the complex relationship between Scotland's people, history and landscape through the work of several photographers, Document Scotland was founded in 2012 by four photographers who were tired of clichés and to provide an accurate view…

Tranquil by Gary Chittick Huawei P20, 27mm, 1/300sec at f/1.8, ISO 50 Gary's peaceful and tranquil image was photographed recently early one morning. He reveals, ‘The image was taken at Knapps Loch beside Kilmacolm in Inverclyde. This is a small, man-made fishing loch popular with local walkers and photographers. The forecast was for low temperatures and little wind, which gave the potential for mist. As the sun rose and lit the mist and land softly, the boats made an interesting and idyllic scene. It's definitely a location to return to at different times of the day.' Picked by Geoff Harris, deputy editor Glencoe light by Joe Higney Nikon D800, 10-20mm, 0.6sec at f/16, ISO 50 JOE HIGNEY'S image shows us what good light can do. As he explains, ‘I had…

1 Clean regularly It can be endlessly frustrating when you get home from a shoot and realise that you've got lens flare and spots all over that killer image because you haven't bothered to make sure the filters were clean. When mounting them onto your camera be careful not to leave any fingerprints. 2 Less is more When it comes to graduated filters, I find that less is more. I tend to use a .3 or a .6 rather than a .9 or 1.2. This gives me greater control over the feel of the image and I can always work on the exposure more in post. But if the sky is too dark, then I'm limited to what I can do without creating unnecessary noise in the image. 3 Buying…

DURING the 1990s, AP moved away from the titillating glamour of previous decades and towards more fine-art erotica. In 1996 the annual Erotica Special was guest edited by the late, great Bob Carlos Clarke, though there is no mention of this prestigious coup on the cover. Even the picture is a lovely, but far from saucy, portrait of Beatrice Dalle. There is a ‘but', though: it came sealed in a bag with ‘Erotica Special' written in big letters. Bob was more than just a token figurehead. He selected the portfolios and wrote one of the interview features, as well as the Editor's letter, in which he explained that ‘Erotica is a genteel term for something sexy dressed up as art, and is concerned more with aesthetics than arousal.' Some of…

Scanner We used the Epson V600 Photo for our shoot; however any flatbed scanner will do. Make sure your scanner software is installed, and switch to the professional mode for best results. Pick a subject You’ll need to find objects to scan. It can be anything from plants to objects you have lying around the house. Get creative! Background Decide what colour you want the background to be and lay some card behind your subjects. This will have a great impact on the end result. Glass cleaner In between scans give your scanner a clean with glass cleaner to remove unwanted marks and fingerprints.…

● £149 ● www.manfrotto.co.uk Grab handles Two small handles clip together, allowing you to carry the bag briefcase-style. Passport pocket A hidden flat-zipped pocket on the front face can be used to keep travel documents safe and secure. Rain cover The bag is supplied with a waterproof cover that can be used with both the backpack and shoulder bag configurations. Trolley slip The bag can be slipped over the handle of a roller suitcase for easier transportation. AS ITS name suggests, this bag has an unusual trick, in that it can convert between three carrying modes: backpack, shoulder bag and briefcase. The idea is that you can carry it on your back when it's fully loaded with kit, and then convert it to a shoulder bag for easier access when…