Issue 15 is here with a double-dose of camera tests – the Canon EOS 7D MkII and the Samsung NX1. This month’s Camera class teaches you how to deal with tricky exposure situations and landscapes, and we also advise on some great studio flash kits. We get green with our interview as we speak to Chris Young, editor of the RHS’s The Garden magazine.
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Photography News ’s sister publication, Advanced Photographer is proudly launching its inaugural awards this month. The Advanced Photographer Awards will recognise the best photography equipment and services across 37 categories. The voting categories are being announced in two issues of Advanced Photographer ; Issue 52, which goes on sale 18 December, and Issue 53 on sale 16 January 2015. The categories range from Best Advanced DSLR Camera to Best Training Provider. Acknowledging that the readers of both AP and PN are dedicated users of cameras, lens and photographic shops and services, it is the readers who choose the winners of all the categories. For some of the categories AP is asking you to choose from a shortlist, with others, such as Best Website Provider, the decision is entirely yours. It’s your opinion that counts; AP wants you to vote for the best kit, greatest service and cleverest developments. Details on how to vote will follow in Issue 53 of Advanced Photographer , and voting opens on 16 January. In the meantime you can view all the 37 categories and nominees online at www.absolutephoto.com.
Full verdicts on Canon EOS 7DMkII and SamsungNX1 Will your club be our Camera Club of the Year? Sign up and enter rounds 1 & 2 today!
π To find out more about the Advanced Photographer Awards, go to www.absolutephoto.com.
Plus the best flash kits for less than £1k
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Issue 15 | Photography News
Photography News | Issue 15
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Latest photography news
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Make your Fujifilm kit more versatile with one of two (or both) X-mount macro extension tubes. The MCEX-11 and the MCEX-16 have electronic connections to enable you to still use autofocus and aperture overrides whilst the tubes are in place. They’re available to buy now for a pocket-friendly £69.99 each, just a pinch of the price of a dedicated macro lens. Fujifilm has also launched HS-V5 for Windows Ver 1.0 software so you can shoot tethered using the Fujifilm X-T1 and X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition. Use Camera Mode to adjust settings and shoot from the camera itself with the images then transferred to your PC, or in PC Mode you take full control from your laptop or computer. You’ll have to wait until January to get your hands on this software; pricing will be announced in the new year too. Firmware updates for the XE-1, XE-2, X-Pro1 and X-T1 have also been released. Macromagic
Pentax’s new zoom
NEWS INBRIEF A GRAND DAY OUT Got your 2015 diary? Great, then you can put The Photography Show dates in it and book your tickets with our discount code to guarantee a phototastic day out. The Photography Show runs from 21 until 24 March 2015 at Birmingham’s NEC; it’s the perfect opportunity to discover the latest kit, see pro shooters in action and maybe even pick up the next bit of gear on your wish list. To get your ticket for just £10.95 instead of the usual £18, head to the website before 16 March, click on ‘book tickets’ and when prompted enter the code PHNWSTPS15 . photographyshow.com
Pentax has added a 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom to its lens line-up which will get you closer to the action and will render your images sharper and clearer thanks to its Pentax- exclusive HD coating. Chromatic and spherical aberrations are minimised and colour bleeding is suppressed thanks to its ED element and three high-grade aspherical elements. It’s designed for K-mount Pentax DSLRs and its weather-resistant construction prevents water from getting in, keeping you shooting even when the weather takes a turn for the worse. The new 16-85mm can be yours for £599.99.
π To find out more, go to www.ricoh-imaging.co.uk.
Packyour paddle A take-anywhere reflector is the latest offering from Honl’s exclusive UK distributors, Flaghead Photographic. The Honl Light Paddle 3 in 1 can be mounted onto any shoe-mount flash unit using either Velcro or the Speed Strap. There are three surfaces to choose from: gold/silver for warm light, a neutral contrast grey, and white for soft, even light. It weighs just 111g and retails at £47.40.
π To find out more, go to www.flaghead.co.uk.
π To find out more, go to www.fujifilm.eu/uk.
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Issue 15 | Photography News
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Latest photography news
Learn fromamaster printer
NEWS INBRIEF
your darkroom prints. If you’re interested in booking him for your camera club, get in touch with him via john@marrutt.com (talks are charged at PAGB standard expenses). Handily, there’s also a free six-part video training course in inkjet printing available online at www.marrutt.com/printing- masterclass or you can screen his talk at your club via www.marrutt.com/camera-club – and watch his talks at other clubs.
John Read is one man who is well versed in inkjet inks and papers; he certainly knows a trick of two when it comes to printing. He’s managing director of Marrutt, distributors of Lyson and own-label inkjet inks as well as a range of inkjet papers, and could be making an appearance at your camera club soon. His talks expertly guide you through professional photographic colour and monochrome inkjet printing as well as getting the most out of
INTEREST FREE
Buy the medium- format, 51-megapixel Pentax 645Z before 10 January 2015 and get interest-free credit. Spend £10,000 on the 645Z and lenses to get free credit for 18 months; spend £15,000 and get 24 months interest free. Available through Park Cameras, Clifton Cameras, Calumet Photo and The Flash Centre. CONVENIENT PNY Make your life easier with PNY’s Duo-Link On-the-Go Flash Drive. It’s small enough to keep in your pocket and has USB and micro USB connectors. Two sizes are available, 16GB (£13) and 32GB (£20). www.pny.com QUIDS IN X-Rite is offering £30 cashback until 31 March 2015 when you ColorChecker Passport. Or buy the ColorMunki Photo, a device for advanced calibration, and receive a GrafiLite accurate desktop light worth £50 for free. Details at www. xritecashback.com. Transcend has launched a 256GB UHS-1 Class 3 SDCX card for 3D and 4K. uk.transcend-info.com JOBY XL The XL GripTight for holding the iPhone6 Plus is TRANSCEND purchase either the ColorMunki Display and ColorChecker Passport, or the i1Display Pro and
π To find out more about John Read’s talks, go to www.marrutt.com.
Theperfect fit Think Tank celebrates its tenth anniversary with some new releases
at just £31. There are also two limited edition bags released to celebrate Think Tank’s tenth anniversary. The Airport International rolling camera bag (£327) features leather accents and panels as well as all the features of the classic version and can fit two DSLR camera bodies, lenses and accessories. The Urban Disguise Classic shoulder bag has also had the limited edition treatment. Available in four sizes, the bag is are built to protect your gear and come with a padded compartment for a laptop. Prices start
There are bags of new releases this month from Think Tank, starting with the Perception range of six new daypacks which are the smallest and lightest backpacks from the firm and are designed specifically for CSC kits. The Perception range is available in two colours and three sizes and features a water-repellent coating; prices start at £70. If you’re looking for a small, portable bag to fit in the essentials, a CSC with kit lens, look at the Digital Holster 5 which is small on size as well as price, retailing
If you’ve ever wanted to capture a perfect 360° spherical image or video of the world around you without having to move a muscle, then Ricoh had you in mind when designing its Theta m15. It’s an upgrade to the original Theta with the new version opening up the niche world of seamless spherical videoing as you can now record for up to three minutes. It’ll cost you a pretty penny (£270), but you do get a choice of pink, blue, white or yellow. Snap a sphere
now available. www.joby.com
π To find out more, go to www.thinktankphoto.com.
π To find out more, go to www.ricoh-imaging.co.uk.
Photography News | Issue 15
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Latest photography news
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When Sony says it’s released a camera with world’s- first credentials, well, it has our full attention. The A7 II’s claim to world-first fame is that it’s the only model to feature a full-frame sensor and optical five-axis image stabilisation – that’s an awfully tempting combination for any photographer. Its 24.3-megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor moves along five axes to compensate for pitch, yaw, roll and shift shake. In theory, the system claims a 4.5EV benefit which means you can shoot handheld at slow shutter speeds in challenging low-light conditions or when using a telephoto lens. That isn’t all there is to shout about this new mover and shaker in the CSC market, it also boasts Fast Hybrid AF with 117 focal plane phase- detection points and 25 contrast-detection points. That in combination with more advanced subject detection and tracking algorithms makes for a happy photographer with the ability to accurately capture even high-speed subjects. A BIONZ X image processor drives the A7 II and helps to create detailed photos with reduced noise even when working in low-light conditions. It has a quick start-up time that’s 40% faster than current models and there’s built-in Wi-Fi and NFC making it easy to connect to your smartphone or tablet. It’s expected to be on sale from January and will cost £1500 body only and £1700 with a 28-70mm kit lens. Aworld first fromSony Sonymakes a full-frame statement with the A7 II
Longexposurefilters
NEWS INBRIEF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY One of the UK’s leading residential photo workshop businesses is up for sale. Lakeland Photographic Workshops, based in Braithwaite in the Lake District and within the National Park, is selling its guesthouse and UK business. The Victorian house with nine en- suite bedrooms and owner accommodation plus six acres of woods is valued at £800,000. Current annual turnover is £200,000, with 99% occupancy rate and more than 60% of guests returning regularly. For more details email lph. gail@gmail.com. BAG A BARGAIN Want to improve your photography? Then try Damien Lovegrove’s online training videos. They cover everything from lighting to wedding photography and Lightroom skills. Each video is 80 minutes long and shows you how to take pictures with extra sparkle. And until 28 February 2015, there’s a 50% discount on them all; prices start at £9. GOLDWINNER The unusual aesthetic of Sigma’s dp Quattro camera has earned the model the 2014 Good Design Gold award. Chosen from 100 shortlisted products, the dp Quattro was one of 19 selected for the Gold award. As well as good looks, the camera also features an X3 direct image sensor. www.lovegrove consulting.com Perfectly timed to sweeten any January blues, Olympus is running a free food photography workshop on 14 January, at the Image Space Gallery in London’s Bishopsgate. With plenty of tea and coffee on offer, as well as the latest kit to try out, the event also offers you the chance to learn from pro photographers, who’ll be sharing their tips and tricks for the tastiest shots. Places are going like hot cakes, so sign up now. www.olympus- imagespace.co.uk HAVE YOUR CAKE
gives total IR suppression, while the AXENT has no impact on IR and the ADVANTIX has moderate IR suppression. Screw-fit sizes from 40.5mm to 82mm are available. AXENT prices start from £28.99 to £103.99, ADVANTIX from £49.99 to £129.99 and APEX £78.99 to £168.99.
The Tiffen XLE filter series comprises three filter types designed to give neutral results with different sensor types. Some camera sensors are more sensitive to infrared and with standard long-exposure ND filters the colour cast is difficult to remove. Tiffen’s new filters will ensure perfect colours. The XLE APEX
π To find out more about the XLE filters, go to www.tiffen.com.
Add the new Lume Cube to your kitbag to keep the weight down but efficiency up. This little light box is the world’s-first 1500-lumen external flash and video light that can be used on its own or you can wirelessly sync five at a time for extra luminosity. It’s the perfect match for your GoPro camera Let it shine
and its water-resistant silicone shell means it knows no bounds. The Lume Cube is the miniature alternative to pro lighting systems, and as with any pro system you can adjust the brightness and duration of light, but it’s all done via an easy-to-use app. This clever creation is Kickstarter funded so a pledge of $59 or more will get you a Limited Edition Lume Cube with a blue silicon sleeve; $99 will get you the Dual Kit of two black Lume Cubes; and for $179 you’ll get the GoPro Hero Dual Kit with two Lume Cubes, a GoPro Hero mount/connector and two waterproof cases.
π To find out more, go to www.sony.co.uk.
π To find out more, go to www.lumecube.com.
Get your free FujifilmXmagazine
The latest issue of Fujifilm’s free X Magazine is now available to view or download. The fully interactive digital title that can be viewed through a web browser or on iOS and Android tablets and smartphones is aimed at photographers of any level who own – or are interested in owning – the company’s growing range of X-series compact system cameras, lenses and compacts, including the X-T1 Graphite Silver and X100T.
Highlights from this issue include an interviewwith professional Fujifilmuser Jamie Stoker, who swapped his digital SLRs for an X-Pro1 to shoot high-end fashion images; a gallery of stunning long exposure images; all the latest news on Fujifilm products and some fantastic advice on capturing great images in cold conditions. In addition, there’s also a chance to win a Millican bag called ‘Daniel’ – what’s not to like?
π To view the magazine, go to http://en.fujifilmxmagazine.eu/
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Issue 15 | Photography News
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Latest photography news
The connoisseur’s camera
Catcha bullet Vela’s new speedlight blows all others out of the water
CAN’T WAIT togetyour copyof Photography News?
handsome-looking camera with a fine wooden or carbon-fibre grip as well as a 20.2-megapixel sensor, Wi- Fi connectivity and a multifunctional hotshoe. It comes in four different grip finishes: olive wood, walnut, padouk and carbon fibre. We don’t yet know when you can buy it – so time to save up?
We’ve come to expect nothing but the best from Hasselblad, and the firm hasn’t let its standards slip with the release of its latest compact camera, the Stellar II. Similarly, we’ve also come to expect a hefty price tag and at €1650 it isn’t the kind of camera you’d buy on a whim. For all that dosh, you’ll get an undeniably
Nowyou don’thave to.
Conventional speedlights when working at their fastest have a duration of about 1/20,000 second, which sounds impressive. The Vela One flash however is 100 times faster, reaching speeds starting at 1/2,000,000sec. That’s quick enough to capture a bullet on camera. Vela One is billed as a cheaper, safer alternative to expensive or homemade flashes whilst still able to work at exceptionally high speeds. It features nine ultra-bright LEDs boosted 2000% and has a quarter- inch thread for mounting onto a tripod. It runs on four AA batteries, making it truly portable. To support production of this one-of-a-kind product and to get your hands on one yourself, head to the Kickstarter page where pledges are starting at £495.
Camera Clubmembers are now able to read Photography News digitally on their desktop, smartphone or tablet for free eachmonth!
Registration is easy, simply visit
www.absolutephoto.com and eachmonth you will be sent a link to view the newspaper as soon as it’s published.
π To find out more about the Vela One, go to www.vela.io.
Register today absolutephoto.com
π To find out more, go to www.hasselblad-stellar.com.
Cover up
The rave-reviewed Lensbaby Circular Fisheye 5.8mm f/3.5 lens is now available in a range of new mounts. Owners of Sony A and E, Micro Four Thirds, Samsung NX, Pentax K, Canon EF and Nikon cameras can now all take stunning 185° view shots. Extreme close focusing together with a 5.8mm focal length delivers otherworldly distortion with exceptional sharpness throughout and it’s yours for £229. Newmounts for fisheye
Our sister magazine, Advanced Photographer , recently hosted a reader shoot to produce its latest cover. With NX1s and lenses loaned from Samsung, the shoot took place at Wrest Park, an English Heritage site near Luton. Six readers, with the help of the mag’s team, broncolor lighting, two models and a make-up artist, had the task of shooting an image for the front cover. More than 1000 images were shot and if you want to read about the experience, pick up Issue 52, on sale 18 December. S ix luckywinners get the chance to shoot a cover image
π To find out more, go to www.lensbaby.com.
π To find out more, go to www.absolutephoto.com.
Photography News | Issue 15
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Competition
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Big cats on camera Join PN’s editor Will Cheung for an exclusive big cat safari at Longleat Safari Park using the latest Samsung memory cards
IMAGES Longleat Safari Park is a great place to take wildlife pictures, with VIP photography tours available. To find out more, go to www.longleat.co.uk. Images courtesy of www.longleat.co.uk.
one of our lucky winners, travel there and back is at your own cost. The shoot will take place on 27 March 2015 so please only enter if you will be available on that day. To be in with a chance of being one of five lucky readers to be invited along for this very special day, go to www. absolutephoto.com and register or log in if you are already a member. Once there, go to the Members’ Area drop- down tab and select Competitions, then simply follow the instructions to upload your entry. We are looking for your very best natural history picture. It can be taken on an African safari or on a trip to Antarctica, but equally it could have been captured in the local nature reserve. We’re looking for technical competence as well as creative interpretation so please let your imagination roam. The best five pictures submitted, as judged by the PN team, will win their photographers a spot on this special safari. You’ve got till 10 February 2015 to get them in. Good luck!
Seeing big cats through your camera lens is an amazing experience and it will be one that you can enjoy if you win this competition, sponsored by Samsung. The day will begin with a briefing from Will Cheung, PN ’s editor, who will talk through the opportunities of the day and for the shoot itself you will be given a Samsung SD 32GB PRO card. Capturing images, whether family snapshots or memorable scenes, depends on using reliable memory cards. Samsung’s latest family of SD and Micro SD cards offer dependable performance coupled with impressive read/write speeds at attractive value-for-money prices. The flagship PRO cards boast Class 10, Grade 1 data transfer speeds of up to 90MB/s. Not only that but the cards are water- and shockproof, as well as resistant to extreme temperatures, magnets and X-rays. At our special shoot, we will concentrate on the incredible big cats at Longleat, in Wiltshire, and if you are selected as
For this VIP safari you’ll be supplied with one of the very latest Samsung SD memory cards. These offer high write/read speed performance and are extremely rugged too. SamsungSDcards
TERMS & CONDITIONS Travel to Longleat Safari Park is at your own expense. The shoot takes place on 27 March 2015 and the date cannot be changed. You will be expected to use the Samsungmemory cards supplied on the day. Photographs taken on the day remain the copyright of the photographer, but Samsung and Advanced Photographer magazine reserve the right to use them in connection with this competition. Full credit will be given but no payment will be made. Entries must be received by midnight, 10 February 2015, and the winners will be notified on 20 February 2015. This competition is open to UK residents only, aged 18 and over. Employees of Bright Publishing and Samsung and their immediate family and agents may not enter. Entries not in accordance with these rules will be disqualified; by entering, competitors will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by these rules. For full t&cs, visit www.bright-publishing.com.
π To find out more about Samsung memory, go to www.samsung.com/memorycard.
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Camera clubs Tell us your club’s latest news, email: clubnews@photography-news.co.uk Camera club news If your club has any news that you want to share with the rest of Allow plenty of time. Photography News comes out around the third week of the month. For the next issue, which comes out 15 January, we need words and pictures by 6 January. HOWTO SUBMIT
Write your story on a Word document (400 words maximum) and attach it to an email to clubnews@photography-news.co.uk. In the story please include contact details of the club, exhibition or event – website, meeting time, opening times, whatever is relevant to the story. Images: Yes please, and attach these to the email too. Images should be JPEGs, 2000 pixels on the longest dimension and any colour space. If the story is an exhibition or event, please send a picture from the exhibition (not the publicity poster), the winning image or one of the event. If the picture includes people please identify them on the Word document. Deadline for the next issue: 6 January 2015
the world, this is the page for it. Your story might be about your club’s success in a contest, or a member’s personal achievement; it could be about a group outing you had recently or when the annual exhibition is on show. Any news is eligible for inclusion, so club publicity officers please take note of the submission guidelines and get your stories in
Northallerton Camera Club had a clean sweep at the recent NYSD (North Yorkshire South Durham) Silver Salver and PDI competition. The competition consists of six rounds, with all the clubs participating in every round, in both the print section and the PDIs. This year Northallerton Camera Club won both the PDIs and the print competition. Pauline Pentony from Northallerton CC won the Best Colour Print and the Best PDI. The Silver Salver Individual Print winner was Eric Brooks from Richmond CC, while the Individual PDI winner was Dave Beadle from Guisborough PG and Gallery PG’s Tony Robinson won the Best Mono Print. In other news from Northallerton CC, Richard Cochrane’s Step into my World lecture included images from a recent visit to London, such as the Tower of London poppies display. News from Northallerton
“Blandford Forum Camera Club is part of the Wessex Colour Group and the Stour and Avon Photographic Association (SAPA), and has a committed and diverse membership and committee,” explains Dave Hurley, assistant treasurer at the club. “Our programme secretary works hard to ensure we have a range of events going on throughout the year, with guest speakers, photographic days and social events. Our Points Cup Competitions are held on the first Tuesday of each month (October to May) with both Print and Digital Projected categories. “The regular, monthly club evenings include the Digital Imaging Group – bring your laptop and we will work through problems and techniques; Studio Group – using our own lighting kit we will set up and photograph a range of subjects; and Distinctions Group – working towards RPS and PAGB distinction, which is run as a drop-in session once a month. The club’s Annual Exhibition is held in the town’s Corn Exchange, over a weekend in May, and we include club and open entries. “The club still has a few spaces available for membership so those interested should contact me on 01258 451895 or visit our website www.bfcclub.co.uk.” BLANDFORDFORUMCC SPOTLIGHT
If you want your club featured in Club Spotlight, write 200 words about your club and why it’s going places, then send the Word document and up to five JPEG images from members to clubnews@photography-news.co.uk.
π To find out more about Northallerton CC, go to www.northallertoncameraclub.co.uk.
Winning an invite Of the 17 clubs entered, two vie for the honour of lifting the Bedford Invitational trophy
the possible 120, tying with Harpenden Photographic Society. The tiebreaking images from Harpenden and Buckingham were projected, and Colin selected Buckingham’s as the Best Image, which was called Flash Bang Wallop, by Graham Wills. Buckingham Camera Club meets every Wednesday evening 8pm to 10pm at Padbury Village Hall. Membership is open to all.
BuckinghamCamera Club entered the Bedford Invitational Inter-Club competition hosted by St Albans Camera Club. The judge was Colin Harrison, FRPS, FIPF, FBPE, MFIAP, MPAGB, EFIAP/g, PPSA who viewed 102 images: six each from the 17 clubs entered. Colin saw all the images before commenting on each during the second run-through, then scored them as they were shown again. Buckingham scored 111 points out of
ABOVE The Best Image – Flash Bang Wallop by GrahamWills from Buckingham Camera Club.
π To find out more about Buckingham Camera Club, go to www.buckinghamcameraclub.co.uk.
Call toorder Clubs join forces to bring order to chaos with landscaper Colin Prior
Colin illustrated his talk with superb photographs and discussed his methods for achieving the best results, summing up this approach as “decoding the natural world”. In this interesting and practical presentation, Colin shared his expertise and knowledge with the audience, and included some stunning images from his new book on the Karakoram project.
Motherwell Photographic Society recently hosted a successful meeting with two neighbouring clubs, Hamilton Camera Club and Strathaven Camera Club, to hear speaker Colin Prior give his talk, Order from Chaos. He specialises in landscapes and has travelled to more than 40 countries, produced books, calendars and featured in a BBC documentary, Colin Prior: Mountain Man .
UNSEASONAL SANTA John Boteler from Oxford PS took this shot in March on an outing with the society’s retired gentlemen’s group as they’re known. “I saw this guy in a Santa hat. I stuck with him and after a while he was on his own and I got my shot. No idea why he had a Santa hat on in March.”
π To find out more about Motherwell Photographic Society, go to www.motherwellphotographicsociety.co.uk.
Photography News | Issue 15
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Camera clubs
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Members of the City of London and Cripplegate Photographic Society (COLCPS) enjoyed a week in The Lakes recently Photographing in the LakeDistrict
Words & pictures by Greg Lambert LRPS
Lakeland Photographic Holidays (LPH) offers photographic clubs the opportunity to use its facility, Fern Howe, in Braithwaite as a base to photograph in and around the Lake District at certain times. LPH, run by Gail and John Gravett, is a well-known venue offering various workshops and tuition. Our stay was a bit different as John was photographing in Italy but Fern Howe was available for use as a B&B catering to club photographers. The opportunity was terrific and nine members of COLCPS committed to a week in late September. On arrival we were greeted by Gail who not only oversees all the arrangements, but is a terrific cook with a wealth of local knowledge and suggestions for the best places to photograph. The facility has a number of en-suite bedrooms, a media room, dining room and drying room for wet clothes and muddy boots. Hanging on the walls are inspirational and beautiful photographs taken by John – as if any additional motivation was needed to get the creative juices flowing. The media room can be used to display people’s images taken during the day. We realised the best way to do this is to shoot JPEG images in addition to Raw – assuming you are shooting Raw – as displaying unprocessed Raw images from various cameras proved to be problematic. A typical day began with a predawn shoot to take advantage of the mist we were blessed with on Castlerigg,
TOP LEFT Overlooking Newlands Valley. Taken with a 24-70mm lens at 50mm, 1/60sec at f/22, ISO 100. ABOVE Early morning mist at Castlerigg Stone Circle near Keswick. Taken with a 70-200mm lens at 85mm, 0.6sec at f/16, ISO 100.
blessed with misty mornings, lovely cloud cover, moody skies and only a brief period of rain which didn’t dampen our spirits. The views are stunning and we captured images from the beach in Silloth to waterfalls like Aira Force and The Grot, built in 1668 as a place to frame and enjoy the spectacular lower Rydal waterfalls. We stopped at the Borrowdale Shepherds’ Meet, replete with Herdwick sheep, sheepdog trials and local artisans weaving baskets and spinning wool. We photographed in rapidly changing light at Blea Tarn and climbed up a steep fells slope at Martindale to enjoy and capture the beautiful pastoral scene in the valleys below. Of course many of the shots could be taken again and again under different light conditions in search of the ‘perfect image’. Dinner each evening was prepared by Gail and her son; we were famished by the time we sat down. The meals, sourced from local suppliers, were varied and delicious. We were treated to Gail’s signature dish of sticky toffee pudding which is not to be missed (neither are the beers at the local pubs). Did the experience live up to our expectations? Judging from cards full of landscape and pastoral images, the answer is yes! It’s a great venue and location, with unmissable views and photographic opportunities, lovely food and ever-changing weather and light. The week was over all too soon but as we left, we all entertained thoughts of a return to this inspiring and extraordinary photogenic region of England. π To find out more about City of London and Cripplegate Photographic Society, go to www.cityandcripplegate-ps. org and for Lakeland Photographic Holidays, go to www. lakelandphotohols.com.
complete with a Druid as it was the autumn equinox; or a sunrise while looking over the valley from Latrigg, including a mad dash up the hill as the sun was rising; or moody shots across Derwent Water, interrupted by two early morning swimmers who caused ripples in the reflective water – oh well, always a hurdle to overcome! The morning shoot was followed by a sumptuous breakfast prepared by Gail who then provided a commentary covering the anticipated weather conditions in the various sections of the Lake District and suggestions for the best places to visit and photograph during that day. Our group of nine broke into smaller groups and headed off for a day of shooting. We were
LEFT Hallin Fell in the Martindale Valley. Taken with a 24-70mm lens at 24mm, 1/4 sec at f/22, ISO 100.
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Issue 15 | Photography News
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IN ASSOCIATION WITH
CameraClubof theYear 2014-15
Think your club is the best of the best? Thenwe hope you’re signed up andwarming up for Round 2 of our Camera Club of the Year contest. This round, we want yourmost impressive weather photographs
have until 5 May 2015 to enter all the rounds – you could in fact enter all five categories in one go on the last day if you wish. Good luck, and we look forward to seeing your water- and weather-related pictures.
There are many hundreds of camera clubs and photographic societies in the UK and the overall standard of photography is very high, helped in no small measure by the numerous national and international competitions held by and involving clubs and their members. The competitive edge means members are constantly striving for bigger and better things and that’s also the aim of our inaugural Camera Club of the Year contest. We want to promote club photography and bring it to a wider audience and getting your club involved couldn’t be easier. See the How to enter panel right for details of how you can get started. With prizes from Canon and a day with top landscape pro David Noton up for grabs, the effort will be totally worthwhile for the winning club. We’ve announced Round 1 already, Water, and entry for that round closes on 5 January 2015. Theme 2 is Weather and its closing date is 2 February 2015. Enter by then to be in with a chance of your shot being selected as our Image of the Month. Remember, though, that you
First, your club’s competition secretary (or whoever is going to enter eachmonth) must sign up at www.absolutephoto.com . Next, click on Members’ Area in the menu bar, then choose Camera Club of the Year 2014- How to enter
15 from the drop-down list. Simply register your camera club and follow the upload instructions.
Thewinning club gets… ... a brilliant CanonXEEDWUX450multimedia projector worth over £3,000 to showoff their winning shots and 25 subscriptions to Irista, plus an exclusive experience day with international landscape and travel pro, DavidNoton!
SPECS
STREET PRICE £1999.99 CONSTRUCTION 21 elements in 16 groups, one Super ED element, fluorine coatings FORMAT Full-frame and APS-C FOCUSING Ultrasonic Motor, internal AF with full- time manual override MAXIMUM APERTURE RANGE f/4.5-5.6 IMAGE STABILISATION 4EV DIAPHRAGMBLADES 9 FILTER THREAD 77mm MINIMUMFOCUS 98cm DIMENSIONS (DXL) 94x193mm WEIGHT 1570g
CANON XEEDWUX450 PROJECTOR
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
David Noton EXPERIENCE DAY!
CANONXEEDWUX450PROJECTOR+ANEXCLUSIVEDAYWITHDAVIDNOTON The Canon XEEDWUX450multimedia projector, worth over £3000, is Canon’s most compact WUXGA projector. WUXGA stands for Widescreen Ultra Extended Graphics Array, so you get a 16:10 screen aspect ratio and a huge display resolution of up to 1920x1200 pixels. www.canon.co.uk David Noton is one of the world’s top photographers specialising in landscape and travel work. The winning club gets an exclusive day with David where he’ll be hosting a workshop and then providing an illustrated talk on his amazing images. www.davidnoton.com 25SUBSCRIPTIONSTOIRISTA Irista is the newway tomanage, organise and share your image files online. It supports JPEGs and Raws frommost manufacturers and 10GB of storage space is available free on sign-up. The winning club, though, will get 25 free Value subscriptions that have 50GB storage capacity – which is normally £45 for a year’s subscription. www.irista.com
Register your club today at absolutephoto.com
Photography News | Issue 15
11
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Round2:Weather Shooting when it’s dry and sunny is all very well but it’s not very challenging and the results can look benign. For Round 2 we want mood and lots of it, so get geared up for the cold and wet
The UK is blessed with interesting weather and on occasions it can change from dry and bright one moment to overcast with heavy rain the next. It can be a pain when there is washing waiting to be dried, but photographically speaking the ever-changing conditions are a boon. For this round we want to see pictures that show the photogenic face of weather. How you define photogenic is obviously a matter of subjectivity but we want to see pictures that work because of the weather conditions at the time. This might be gale-force winds whipping up high waves or people bent over double as they fight their way through the conditions. If you are lucky to get some snow, you could make great pictures of the stuff as it falls through the sky, or again you can look for that human interest angle as folks struggle with the conditions – or enjoy them. Phenomena related to weather are included too. Rainbows, for example – if you have a good foreground, a vivid rainbow can finish off a scene nicely – but phenomena can also include interesting cloud formations, mist and fog. Mist and fog make life hazardous on the roads by limiting visibility but that very quality transforms everyday scenes. Suddenly an ordinary scene can look very special as fog hides a messy background but close subjects dominate to give a feeling of depth. Irrespective of the weather, pictures still need to be well composed and eye-catching. It’s not enough to have a good shot of the weather, it needs to be a compelling composition too, one that involves the viewer. The process of using a camera in some conditions can be an issue in itself and it is clearly
RAINY DAYS The reflections really add to this shot so get out in the rain for cracking images, or after it for smooth puddles. Why not practise your street shooting at the same time?
A bigger problem might be keeping the lens front free of raindrops. Obviously having the lens front protected by a clear filter is strongly advised and at least if that filter gets wet it’s easier to wipe dry with a microfibre cloth than the front lens. We look forward to seeing your photography club’s weather pictures.
important not to let it get too wet. Many models are weatherproof which can help, but a standard camera should be alright unless the weather is really bad: torrential downpours and Arctic winds spring to mind. Protecting the body with a polythene shopping bag, purpose-designed raincover or just shielding it under your coat in between shots are all considerations.
It’s not enough to have a good shot of the weather, it needs to be a compelling composition too
MOODYMONO The subject of weather is so broad, there are so many different shots you could submit. Shoot in black & white or colour, full length, head height or looking down – whatever gets across the feeling that without the weather the shot would fall flat.
LET IT SNOW It’s not just the weather you need for success, it’s the composition too. In this snowy landscape the trees frame the person perfectly.
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Issue 15 | Photography News
12
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
MASTERCLASS: WEATHER David Noton Throughout the competition we’ll be tapping into landscape shooter and Canon ambassador David Noton’s fount of expertise. This month’s theme of weather is a topic David could talk endlessly about
David’s top tips DIY COVER “A simple shower cap can be a really useful thing to just pop over the camera to keep it dry in a rain shower.” shooting to utilise these really dramatic skies then going quite wide can be a good thing to do. I use the Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L tilt-shift lens.” EARLY START “Winter weather in particular is fleeting because the snow and ice start to melt very quickly and can look a bit grubby, so that’s a difficult one to pull off and an early start is definitely needed because when it comes together it’s great.” “I don’t think it’s possible to try and second guess the weather too much, at the end of the day you’ve just got to go for it and capture TAKE A CHANCE SIMPLE COMPOSITION “The simplest pictures work the best, so if you’re photographing weather and it’s all about the drama in the sky then just keep all the elements simple and bold with nothing in the frame that doesn’t deserve to be there.” KEEP ITWIDE “If you’re going to be whatever Mother Nature gives you.”
ABOVE The mountains of Corsica captured during a misty rainstorm. CanonEOS5DMark III, Canon70-200mmf/2.8L IIUSM, 1/250secat f/5.6, ISO200. ABOVE RIGHT The Isle of Skye, the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. CanonEOS5DMark III, CanonTS-E17mmf/4L tilt-shift lens, 1/60secat f/14, ISO100.
“It is possible to predict when and where mist is likely to form, for example if rain is followed by clearing skies at the end of the day, clear skies overnight and then a big drop in temperature with still conditions, it’s almost certain that the following morning mist is going to lie over the damp landscape.” Weather apps can often be a useful shooting aid although as David says, they are great at telling you the weather you’re in but not always so reliable in predicting what’s coming. Indisputably though, the most important piece of equipment to take into consideration is your camera. “The weather sealing on my Canon EOS 5D Mark III is very good and that is very, very important because we need to use our cameras out in difficult conditions, we need to use them in the rain,” David emphasises. “There’s the old adage that the worst weather brings the best pictures and there’s some truth in that. We need to get out there in the pouring rain, the freezing cold, the high winds or the sea spray and that’s often when the best pictures come. They’re quite challenging conditions to work in photographically so weather sealing is crucial.” As for lenses, if David wants to make the most of a really dramatic sky he relies on a wide-angle such as the Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L tilt-shift lens. But for when the weather does take an unexpected turn a zoom lens is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your kitbag, able to capture a wide range of images for whatever the weather throws at you. “I remember shooting in the mountains of Corsica in the most heavy downpour,” recalls David. “Yet the cloud and mist clinging to the mountains around
We’re a nation obsessed with the weather and whilst most of the population bemoans the Great British climate, there’s a small cluster of people – best known as landscape photographers – who quite like it. Landscape photographers rely on the much grumbled about changeable nature of the weather, it’s what makes for some of the most dramatic and impactful shots. Our Camera Club of the Year masterclass expert David Noton naturally echoes that sentiment. “As a general rule, changeable weather is usually good for photography,” he begins. “It’s what we photographers hope for, that weather which either precedes or follows, for example, heavy rain. When there’s a front passing through and the rain is clearing you often get really dramatic skies, clear conditions and really interesting light, and of course visibility is usually good because all the haze has been flushed out of the atmosphere. Often what is forecast as bad weather can be just what we photographers want.” Having been in the business for almost 30 years, David has become attuned to a number of Mother Nature’s tells and is able to predict certain weathers, giving him a fairly accurate idea of what he will be able to capture on camera. “Mist is a phenomenon beloved by landscape photographers,” begins David.
us was incredibly dramatic, it was so angry and sombre.” In that situation, David fitted his 70-200mm lens to his Mark III. “I was using a longer lens and compressing the perspective to concentrate in on those clouds hanging in amongst the mountains.” One thing David advises is that skies can make or break landscapes. As David says: “The most interesting landscape in the world under bland blue or completely overcast sky is never really going to do it.” So wait for the clouds to roll in and prepare for a bit of rain to capture those unique and impactful weather-centric landscapes.
π To find out more, go to www.davidnoton.com.
TheVision
Handily for us photographers, David Noton has put onto paper what makes a successful image in his new book The Vision . Get inside the mind of one of the
country’s best-loved landscape and travel
photographers to learn how David creates those winning images. It’s all illustrated with examples from David’s impressive back catalogue of work and can be bought from his website. π To find out more about David’s book, go to www.davidnoton.com/product/539/ The_Vision.
Oftenwhat is forecast as badweather can be just what we photographerswant
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Photography News | Issue 15
Advertisement feature
13
Get on a roll with Manfrotto BAGS OF ROOM
It’s nearly 2015, which means it’s time to start planning photo trips… and getting the right bag to carry your kit
of modern travel still require high levels of protection to ensure that your gear arrives at your destination in the same state that it left home. The Roller range is well catered for here, featuring both Manfrotto’s Camera Protection System (CPS) and Exo-Tough Construction. Both provide high levels of protection for your camera gear, not only from general bumps but also sharper impacts. This protection applies no matter how you have the bags’ internal compartments configured. These can easily be swapped and changed by rearranging the dividers, which are both interchangeable and flexible for ultimate versatility. Further protection is provided by the water- repellent fabric used in both bags’ construction and if the heavens really open, they also feature a fold-out rain protector that stretches over the whole bag for excellent levels of weatherproofing. The perfect travel companion Compact, portable and capable of carrying plenty of equipment, Manfrotto’s Roller bags make the ideal travel companion whether you’re going to the other side of the world, or staying closer to home. What’s more, they also feature external connections to attach a tripod, so you don’t need to leave anything at home when you head off on your next photo adventure.
Travelling with your camera is one of photography’s biggest pleasures, but it can also cause one of photography’s biggest headaches. Deciding which kit to take on your travels gives many of us sleepless nights, such is the fear of arriving in the perfect far-flung location only to discover that the vital lens/accessory/camera body has been left at home. Thankfully, Manfrotto is clearly aware of this dilemma and offers two roller bags to overcome these distressing symptoms of leftkitaphobia. Both the Roller 50 and Roller 70 cases swallow an impressive amount of gear and, crucially, comply with carry-on luggage dimensions for most airlines so you need never let your kit out of sight. Perfect portability As their names suggest, Manfrotto’s Roller bags feature two wheels and a telescopic handle for easy portability on the move. No more slinging a heavy, gear-laden gadget bag or backpack over your shoulder, just extend the handle and away you go! The Roller 70 is taller than the Roller 50, but both models can accommodate a similar level of equipment, which is sure to keep even the gear hoarders amongst you well sated. Expect them to comfortably house two pro-sized DSLR bodies, four or five lenses, a couple of hotshoe flashguns and miscellaneous accessories. They also feature a laptop compartment (again, taller in the Roller 70) and a dedicated space for a tablet so you can be sure of carrying everything you need for the perfect photo shoot. Total protection Being able to keep kit with you at all times does mean that it’ll stay well clear of the notorious airport baggage handlers, but the rigours
π To find out more, go to www.manfrotto.co.uk.
ROLLER 50
ROLLER 70
SRP
£279.95
£319.95
External dimensions (HxLxW)
47x37.5x23cm
56x37.5x23cm
Internal laptop compartment dimensions (HxLxW) Internal main compartment dimensions (HxLxW)
38x34x1cm
45x34x1cm
40x32x21cm
50x32x21cm
Weight
4.4kg
4.77kg
www.photography-news.co.uk
Issue 15 | Photography News
14
Profile
INTERVIEW
Eddie Ruffell has been with Lee Filters since near enough the beginning (he was the firm’s second employee); he’s worked his way through the ranks and now as managing director he walks us through the firm’s history and his involvement with its development EddieRuffell
It’s a skilled and repeatable process that allows us to produce the various different types of graduation needed by today’s differing formats. Why do you favour that method when competing with mass-produced products? We have researched the production of filters by mechanical means and have concluded that hand-produced graduated filters are better than the mechanically produced version as the process allows perfect graduations to be constructed. What are some of the most exciting developments you’ve witnessed at Lee? I was the major influence in the unique design of the Original Lee Filter Holder and the recent explosion of the digital era has spawned some exciting new products that I have helped develop, such as the Big and Little Stopper. Do you have a personal highlight? I created the self-supported bellows (no need for a rack and pinion) that is used in the Lee Hoods. It’s a unique item that has sold well and has also evolved into traditional camera bellows, removing the sag often seen in long extensions. I enjoy photography immensely – the process of seeing the subject from my perspective, capturing the frame, using filters in imaginative ways. The Stopper range of filters has provided the most thought-provoking photography recently: to learn to see what a five-second exposure is in your mind prior to the actual shutter press, is quite intriguing. However nearly all landscapes do have a graduated filter in the frame somewhere. What can we expect from Lee in the future? We do have new filters in development currently. Our latest introduction though has been a form of pouch that attaches directly to the tripod or belt, that we have called the Field Pouch. It allows for the easy selection of filters when in the field. It allows the process of changing filters to be seamless, thereby letting the photographer concentrate on the image, rather than where the filter needs to be put whilst not in use. Is there anything else you’d like to add? We will continue to develop further products in all areas of photography as and when we identify a need. Feedback from our customers is very important, it helps to us generate new ideas. Are you a photographer yourself? Do you have a favourite filter that you like to use?
a very valuable and important asset. A typical day consists of arriving at the factory just after eight, and reviewing the overnight email torrent. I like to keep very hands-on with product and manufacturing processes so a reasonable proportion of the day consists of review. My door is always open to my staff. Developing new products is very much a part of the day’s thinking. In my role I also travel around the globe looking for new opportunities and ideas. You’ve recently added a new landscape polariser to the line-up, can you tell us about it and its development? The new Lee landscape polariser was developed and introduced as we had recognised the need for a filter to be able to work with the wider-angle lenses of today. Our new landscape polariser, being made as thin as possible, allows for a 16mm lens full frame to be used without any vignetting. We also included a small degree of warming in the polariser as it benefits landscape photography. Filters are traditionally used by landscape photographers, are you seeing a change in the primary use of your filters? Our filters are primarily used to help the camera catch all of the detail within the frame. Graduated filters help to balance the light within the frame and bring the highlights and lowlights within the grasp of the camera’s range. Polarisers allow the camera to see beyond reflections, and ProGlass Neutral Density standard filters help to provide the longer exposure times photographers sometimes want. Cameras are now being developed with inbuilt art filters, how does this differ from what Lee offers and what would be the benefit of investing in an external filter? Built-in filters are effects that are applied in-camera after the image has been captured, what exterior filters help provide is a balanced scene to allow the camera to capture the frame with the maximum detail. Polarisers cannot be applied after the frame has been taken as the polariser affects the polarised light within the scene. Standard neutral density filters allow longer exposure times to be used. I do not see this digital development impacting on the demand for optical filters more than it currently is. I always advocate getting it right in-camera as opposed to sitting in front of a computer screen after the event; it allows more time on location, where we should all be. It’s rumoured that your graduated filters are dipped by hand – is there any truth in that? We produce all our graduated filters by hand dipping.
BIOGRAPHY
Lots of people know and use Lee Filters, but many of our readers won’t know its background. The company was founded in 1967 by John and Benny Lee who formed and owned Lee Electric, a very successful lighting rental company, with David Holmes, a lighting cameraman in the cinematographic industry. David had seen the need for a range of lighting filters to correct all the many types of light and lighting and had suggested this to John and Benny. Lee Filters started the production of lighting filters on 1 April 1974. Next, polyester camera filters, as opposed to gelatine-based products, were invented in 1978 and then the resin camera filters that you see today started production in 1980. What’s your history with Lee Filters? I joined the company in 1972 (I was the second employee) in London at the age of 18. David Holmes, the managing director, and I moved to Andover at the end of 1973 and we started producing lighting filters in 1974. I have held various positions within the company from van driver, to mixer, to coating machine operator, to product development and technical sales, into today’s position of managing director. My role as MD is quite varied, but includes ensuring Lee Filters remains at the forefront of lighting and camera filter technology: keeping an open mind for new products that help photographers; keeping the company profitable; keeping costs under control; introducing new procedures and processes to help in manufacturing; and providing the best possible environment for the employees, who are What does your role now entail and what does a typical day look like for you? Years in the photo industry: More than 40 Current location: East Cholderton, Hampshire Last picture taken: Poppies at the Tower of London Hobbies: Photography, rock music and my Triumph Stag When youwere younger, what did you want to bewhen you grewup? A fire engine driver or train driver. Dogs or cats? Dogs (although don’t let my cat read this) Toast or cereal? Both (alternate days) Email or phone call? Email or text
I always advocate
getting it right in camera as opposed to sitting in front of a computer screen after the event
π To find out more, go to www.leefilters.com.
Photography News | Issue 15
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