Innholdsfortegnelse for 8-Oct-2016 i Amateur Photographer

Deliberately moving your camera during an exposure can result in abstract, often painterly, pictures that provide a fresh take on everyday subjects and scenes. Autumn woodland can be reduced to a wash of colour, for example, while bands of blue sky and golden sand take on the appearance of thick brush strokes. The technique is known as intentional camera movement (ICM), and it has become increasingly popular in recent years due to the availability of digital cameras. To master ICM, you need to make any movement of the camera purposeful, otherwise the result looks like camera shake. You can use a tripod, but you will enjoy greater freedom by handholding your equipment. 1 Before you embark on a session of ICM, look at other photographers who have mastered the art.…

Morris man Regarding Jon Bentley's Viewpoint in 7 Days (AP 20 August), I would like to point out that the vehicle in the picture is in fact a Morris Ital (above) and not a Morris Marina. I had the pleasure of owning both models. Derek Burgis, via email Third-party batteries Two years ago, I bought a Canon EOS 5D Mark III with a free battery grip. A few months ago, I put two Duracell LP-E6 look-alike batteries (bought from Amazon) in the grip. They worked perfectly. I got fed up of carrying the big bulky grip around, so I removed it, replaced the battery-door cover and put one of the two Duracell batteries in. However, the battery door would not close. Worse still, the Duracell battery was stuck in. I…

Although Will Burrard-Lucas has built a firm reputation as a wildlife photographer, he was something of a latecomer to photography. ‘I guess I got into it fairly late, when I was at university,’ he explains. ‘That coincided with the advent of affordable decent-quality digital cameras, particularly digital SLRs. It was about the time that the Canon EOS 300D first came out. I got that camera in about 2003, because I really love travelling, and through my university holidays I tried to travel whenever possible. So I got the camera just to document my travels. ‘I loved the photography side of things, and that led to me figuring out how to take better photos and determine why some worked and others didn’t. It was just learning through a process of trial…

Press photography is such a huge part of our lives that we can almost take it for granted. Open up any newspaper, load any news website or switch on the television and you’re confronted with a stream of images that assist you in navigating current affairs, celebrity news or the results of the latest big football match. But those images didn’t just take themselves. Behind every image there’s the blood, sweat and tears of a professional – a photographer whose sole job is to bring you the best representation of current affairs. As part of London Photomonth, the British Press Photographers’ Association (BPPA) is holding a short exhibition from 14-17 October, highlighting some of the best and most recent examples of press imagery. The show, which takes place at the…

DIGITAL SPLASH 16 is the place for all photography enthusiasts, from amateurs to professionals, to get hands on with the latest equipment, seek expert advice, get inspired with professional seminars and get involved in great workshops – not to mention grabbing special show offers. Visitors can see all the latest cameras, lenses, binoculars, photographic accessories and chat to representatives from the leading brands. Some of the biggest names in photography will be giving talks about their work, how they get their shots and their passion for photography, so you can learn from the best in the business. Visit the Amateur Photographer stand (D17 and D20), where you can take advantage of our great subscriptions offer and the chance to win a Fujifilm X-T10. Digital Splash16 is £5 entry per person…

Lumix DMC-LX15 With the LX15, Panasonic has made a compact camera for serious photographers. It employs the familiar 20MP1in sensor, but includes a 24-72mm equivalent zoom with a super-fast f/1.4 aperture at wideangle, dropping to f/2.8 at telephoto. A 5-axis hybrid IS combines optical and electronic stabilisation to keep stills and video sharp. Panasonic has included an impressive degree of external control, with a dedicated aperture ring, a round-lens electronic dial and a top-plate control dial. Viewing uses a tilting touchscreen, which can be used to set the focus point and change camera settings, but there's no option to add an electronic viewfinder. Thanks to its aluminium body shell the LX15 feels good in your hand, and looks like it could be an excellent compact system camera for DSLR owners.…

Perfecting printing Q Is it best to convert images for projectors to sRGB and use RGB for prints? Also, when converting to monochrome, should you push tones more into the green area first, as cameras have two green sensors and thus more information within the green area? Also, I assume 300 pixels per inch equates to 300 dots per inch for printing? If not, how do you check dots per inch? Adrian Bonnington A First, sRGB is a colour space. This is an agreed framework for the standardisation of colour representation and reproduction. The problem is that not all devices and displays use or even can use the same colour space. sRGB is a good starting point as it offers the widest compatibility, but something like Adobe RGB can accommodate…

As we've already seen from the Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year competition (AP 10 September) and will likely see again in the upcoming results of the Landscape Photographer of the Year (AP 5 November), Scotland is a landscape of geographical diversity. A great example of this is the work of award-winning landscape photographer Neil Barr. In this image taken from near the top of Beinn a'Chrulaiste looking towards Buachaille Etive Mor in the Highlands, we see just how incredible the Scottish landscape can be. Neil's work is currently on display at the Discovery Point Cafe & Gallery in Dundee until 13 October and will then go on show at the Blair Castle Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair at Blair Castle in Dunfermline from 4-6 November. Visit www.neilbarr.co.uk. Words &…

FUJIFILM stunned Photokina 2016 by announcing the development of a medium-format camera system called GFX. The mirrorless GFX 50S camera, expected out in ‘early 2017’, will feature a Fuji-designed 51.4-million-pixel, G-format imaging sensor measuring 43.8x32.9mm. The sensor can be adapted to various ratios including 4:3, 3:2, 1:1, 4:5, 6:7 and 6:17. Theo Georghiades, general manager for electronic imaging at Fujifilm UK, told AP: ‘The last five years with X series has been a phenomenal evolution for us, but we wanted to bring out another system to complement what we have already achieved. ‘Bringing out a full-frame camera would probably cannibalise what we have already done, but we wanted to take it on to the next level in terms of image quality.’ One of the benefits of removing the mirror is…

Birds of Prey Photography Workshop Join award-winning wildlife photographer Steve Race on a three-hour Birds of Prey Photography Workshop at the National Centre for Birds of Prey in Helmsley, North Yorkshire. You’ll have exclusive access to a range of iconic native and worldwide raptors in the idyllic setting of Duncombe Park Estate, Helmsley, North York Moors National Park. Book in advance to secure a place. 18 October, www.yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk/workshops Edward Burtynsky Edward Burtynsky presents two exhibitions at London’s Flowers Gallery. One is on themes from his work: mines and quarries, the oil industry, China, and so on. The other is his latest project ‘Salt Pans’, produced this year in India. Until 29 October, www.flowersgallery.com Photo Biennial For this, its seventh edition, Brighton Photo Biennial sets out to…

Raptors in Focus By Dirk Forsman, Reed New Holland, £19.99, 176 pages, hardback, ISBN 978-1-92151-768-6 DIRK Forsman is an expert on birds of prey, particularly when it comes to photographing them. In this volume we find around150 images of these ornithological specimens as they perch, hunt and glide through the air. Anyone who has ever seen one of these birds in the wild will understand the feeling of witnessing the breathtaking grace, and will appreciate just how well Forsman has captured these beautiful displays. Every image tell a story of how streamlined evolution has made these creatures. As well as the images, there's plenty to learn about the behaviour and environment in which these birds of prey exist. It's nice to have such a personal exploration of one man's encounters…

‘My first camera was a Box Brownie camera, which I got when I was 10 years old’ It’s impossible to say who is, or was, the most photographed band in the world, but the Beatles and the Rolling Stones are obvious contenders. Both bands shot to fame during the golden age of photojournalism and the rise of the music press in the 1960s, and their instantly recognisable members generated some truly iconic images. While most AP readers can reel off a mental list of great shots of these legendary bands, fewer may know that former Stones bassist Bill Wyman is also a keen photographer. Bill, who turns 80 this year, is featured in a new exhibition, titled Around the World in 80 Years: Photographs by Bill Wyman, at the Proud…

‘I asked a technician to put the studio lights on Mary – a hard light directly on her, and a hair light’ In July 2010, I was commissioned by Red magazine to photograph four high-profile women at work and at play. They were historian Bettany Hughes, chef Gizzi Erskine, media personality Sally Bercow, and news and current affairs presenter Mary Nightingale. It was a rewarding job to get, and as I would get to spend the whole day with each of them, it was much better than just turning up and having to quickly shoot a portrait. Mary Nightingale had, at that time, been working as an ITN newscaster for 10 years and had presented other programmes including Wish You Were Here…? . My brief was to get a range…

Every two years, the photographic industry gets together in Cologne, Germany, for the Photokina trade fair. It's an opportunity for manufacturers to show off their latest and greatest products and technologies, but not just cameras and lenses as there are all kinds of accessories too. Canon chose to pre-announce its main products before the show. We've already previewed the 30-milion-pixel EOS 5D Mark IV and the enthusiast-friendly mirrorless EOS M5 in previous issues (AP 3 September and 24 September respectively), so we won't be repeating details of these here. The firm also introduced four new lenses, updating two of its professional workhorses to produce the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM and the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM. Meanwhile, the EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IS II USM is an upgrade for…

SONY used the Photokina show as the launchpad for the Alpha 99 II – a release that coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Alpha series. This new flagship A-mount SLT (single-lens translucent) model features a back-illuminated full-frame 42.4-million-pixel Exmor R CMOS sensor that we're told is basically the same as the sensor used within the Sony Alpha 7R II, with some minor electronic alterations. The sensor has no optical low-pass filter and features an ISO range of100-25,600 that's expandable to ISO 50-102,400. The appeal of the Alpha 99 II is its continuous shooting speed, and it's likely to attract interest from enthusiasts and pros who like to shoot action, wildlife or sport. It can produce full-resolution images at up to 12fps with AF tracking, or 8fps with minimal EVF…

DURING our visit to Photokina 2016, AP spoke to Kimio Maki, senior general manager of the Digital Imaging Business Group, Sony Corporation. With the newly announced Sony Alpha 99 II a hot topic, we were keen to find out what the future looks like for Sony's A mount and whether current demand makes it viable. Asked what Sony would say to photographers who thought the Sony A mount was dead, Maki replied, ‘We've never said such a thing and we're keeping the A-mount system as our asset.' This reply implies Sony is far from pulling the plug on the A mount, and Maki gave the impression that so long as there's demand from A-mount users, Sony will continue to deliver new cameras to the system. He added: ‘Our target base…

‘CANON'S EOS 5D Mark IV is a total advance in every aspect of its operation,' says Go Tokura, chief executive, Image Communication Products Operations at Canon, in an interview with AP's Andy Westlake and Steve Fairclough at Photokina 2016. Previewed in AP 3 September, the latest model in Canon's ever-popular EOS 5D range features a 30.4-million-pixel full-frame Dual Pixel CMOS sensor and is capable of recording 4K video. According to Tokura ‘the EOS 5D Mark IV is an all-rounder; it's for all kinds of photographers, which is why we've upgraded everything'. However, the most important change is the Dual Pixel CMOS sensor. This doesn't just bring big improvements in autofocus in live view and movie mode, but also improves image quality. ‘There is lower noise and higher dynamic range,' says…

‘Problems can occur when your background contains strong lines, bold colours or bright highlights’ The relationship between your subject and the area behind it is fundamental to the success of your picture. It’s no exaggeration to say that a bad background can destroy an otherwise perfect picture, while a good one can increase its impact dramatically. Bad backgrounds come in many forms, but what they all have in common is an irritating ability to divert the viewer’s attention away from the main subject. We’ve all seen pictures of lamp posts Ôgrowing’ out of people’s heads, pieces of litter destroying otherwise picture-perfect landscapes, and family snaps ruined by strangers photobombing the frame Ð but sometimes potential distractions are subtler. Problems can occur when backgrounds contain strong lines, bold colours, or bright…

1 Choose the correct tool For this guide we are going to stick with the most widely used of the cloning tools, the Clone Stamp. This tool allows you to copy an area of the image by using a source, destination and brush. 2 Create a new layer Always create a new layer before carrying out any cloning work. In this way, your original image will be unaffected, and you can delete the layer if you make any mistakes. This is a crucial part of the workflow, so don't ignore it. 3 Brush size and blending For removing an object, a round soft brush is the most suitable as it helps to create a smooth transition to the edges. Turning the Opacity and Flow down and going over the area…

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Olympus's latest top-end mirrorless camera is designed for speed. It's capable of shooting at18 frames per second with autofocus, or a remarkable 60 frames per second with focus fixed, in 20-million-pixel full-resolution raw using an electronic shutter. Focusing uses a 121-point hybrid AF system that includes on-chip phase-detection elements covering most of the frame. Inside the camera is an updated 5-axis stabilisation system that promises up to 5.5 stops benefit, or 6.5 stops when used with one of Olympus's optically stabilised lenses. Physical changes include a fully articulated LCD screen and a larger, faster-charging battery. The camera should be available before the end of this year, with pricing to be confirmed. From our brief time with the camera, it certainly looks very impressive. At a…

MeFoto Air We've been impressed by MeFoto's colourful but sturdy GlobeTrotter travel tripods, and the Benro subsidiary demonstrated a new series of supports at the show (right). As well as funky colours, the big selling point of the MeFoto Air range is a new leg-lock system called HyperLock. With HyperLock, users need to only interact with one locking mechanism per leg, the company claims. One small turn unlocks and extends the entire leg, and the legs lock into place with a reverse twist, reducing the time it normally takes to set up a tripod. Each MeFoto Air also converts into a telescoping selfie stick and includes a spring-loaded phone adapter. For more details visit www.mefoto.com/uk. At a glance • Uses a new leg-lock system to reduce set-up time and save space• Available…

Pockets and straps Side mesh pockets and compression straps are great for a water bottle, but will also fit a compact tripod. Accessories Twin zipped hip belt pockets are handy for small accessories such as a compass or a lens cloth. Main compartment The main compartment is big enough for extra clothing, a couple of camera inserts and food, with space for some overnight items. Osprey Talon 44 backpack I HAVE tried a variety of camera backpacks over the years, and while I've always been happy with the space and protection afforded for my precious camera kit in all these bags, I've been disappointed with the amount of space for all the other gear I need on a long hike (extra clothing, food, water, maps and so on) and with…