Photography News Issue 56

Eastwood Photographic Society in Glasgow won this year’s Camera Club of the Year contest and you can check out the story behind the final shoot-out in the issue. We also look at all things travel and offer techniques and inspiration to get your creative juices flowing, plus we revisit one of last year’s biggest camera launches, the Nikon D850.

Your FREE newspaper packed with the latest news, views and stories from the world of photography news Photography Issue 56 18 June – 15 July News Tests Reviews Interviews Techniques Competitions Exhibitions Clubs Produced by

DIGITAL EDITION every month* *at photographynews.co.uk FREE GET YOUR

A Samsung 128GB memory card Enter thecompetition onpage48 WIN!

Nikon D850 Howwe feel about this award- winning DSLR 10,000 frames later See page 32

First tests A veritable feast of top photo kit for your credit card to consider Page 36

Camera school Get creative and deliberately move the camera during an exposure Page 47

Fujifilm’s stylish ace The sleek X-T100 is Fujifilm’s latest addition to its range of popular X-series mirrorless cameras and comes at an attractive price

As far as camera naming goes, the general rule is that models with more numbers are more consumer focused and single- digit cameras are more pro-oriented. On that simple basis you know that the Fujifilm X-T100 is an entry-level X-series camera and that’s confirmed by its price; £619 with the new EC 15- 45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lens. Its entry-level price, however, buys you an impressive features set and certainly looks a great option for would-be Fujifilm X-series owners, or existing users wanting a back-up camera body. The X-T100’s sleek, compact bodyform has an

ergonomic layout including three large mode dials on the top-plate and an innovative monitor.

The body houses an extensive collection of features that includes a 24.2-megapixel APS-C format sensor, a 91-point AF system with an algorithm designed for the flagship X-series cameras and Bluetooth connectivity. The sensor uses a conventional Bayer array – so it’s not an X-Trans model as found on more advanced cameras – with a native ISO range of 200 to 12,800 with expansion up to 51,200 possible. The Fujifilm X-T100 is available in store from late June.

Eastwood PSwins After an epic contest and final shoot-out, Glasgow’s Eastwood Photographic Society emerges triumphant in our Camera Club of the Year 2017-18. For the full story behind the final, see page 12.

Fujifilm.eu

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Photography News | Issue 56 | photographynews.co.uk

News

Fujifilm’s stylish ace

The Fujifilm X-T100 is a compact X-series model and – typical for the X-T family – has a pentaprismbulge that houses the high resolution EVF. An integral, manual pop- up flashgun is also secreted away here with a guide number of 7 (ISO 200/metres). Key physical highlights include three large dials across the top for mode selection, exposure compensation and, on the far left, a function dial which can have 20 different features assigned to it. The rear monitor sees an innovation too. The X-T100’s can be set for waist-level or above-head shooting but it also swivels out to face forward for selfie shooting or for use at any angle in between.

Delivering high image quality is the Bayer array 23.5x15.7mm APS-C sensor with a resolution of 24.2 megapixels. It also offers video recording, with 1920x1080 Full HD available at 59.94p, 50p, 24p and 23.98p and 3840x2160 4k at 15p. The IntelligentHybridAF system features a 13x7 array (91 zones) that offers single point AF with five size options, Zone AF (3x3, 5x5, 7x7) and Wide/Tracking (up to 18 areas). Fujifilm’s new algorithm, designed for flagship X cameras, gives responsive and accurate AF in a wide range of lighting conditions. The system and how it works is very similar to other X-series cameras and its 91 AF point array should give spot-on results time after time. Low energy Bluetooth is fitted for quick, easy and automatic image transfer to your phone or tablet via Fujifilm’s free app, Camera Remote. With 17 Advanced filters and 11 Fujifilm Film Simulation modes, the X-T100 has plenty of in-camera creative potential. The

Film Simulation modes can be engaged very quickly via the touch monitor while Art Filters

are engaged via the top-plate function dial. Fujifilm’s extensive lens range, with 26 lenses and converters on offer, is compatible with the X-T100

so you are buying into a system that can keep pace with you as your skills develop. The Fujifilm X-T100 is available in black, champagne and dark silver

and is priced £619 with the EC 15- 45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lens, and is in the shops from late June.

Fujifilm.eu

Hands onwithWill Cheung: FujifilmX-T100

I had a short time with the X-T100 with the EC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6. Size-wise, a quick side-by-side comparison with the X-E3 shows they are similar length and depth and it is only in height that there is any significant difference. That’s because the X-T100 has a pentaprism-style housing, in the same vein as the X-T2 and X-T20, that houses the EVF. The EVF’s image is crisp and highly detailed. The touch monitor is an innovative development from the X-T2. It pulls out and can be

angled for waist-level or overhead shooting, but the neat thing is that it also swivels out, making it ideal for selfie shooting or very sneaky candid shooting. Having the option of shooting subjects to one side while you face away is awesome, and that is only enhanced with touch AF/release and silent electronic shutter. The menu structure is just like other X-series cameras so this is great to use and I found what I needed pretty quickly. There is a more-than-decent level of user-selectable options. In the function menu there are six options, four of which

large unmarked dial on the left side of the body this can be set to 20 different features. The unmarked dial on the far right of the top-plate is the click- stopped exposure compensation dial. While you can’t tell from the top plate whether compensation is set, the scale on the monitor/ EVF does tell you as will the light/ darker viewing image. Autofocus I found to be typically swift and responsive. In single or zone AF point shooting to navigate the AF area around the frame means using the AF option of the four pad control on the camera back and then using the other pads to move the AF spot around. In single AF point mode changing AF point size is done by the rear input dial. There is no focus lever. Therear inputdial is interesting in that it is positioned vertically not horizontally so it may take a little while to get used to. We’ll be testing the X-T100 very soon, but so far my first impressions are positive and there is certainly a great deal to explore and enjoy.

concern the monitor and the direction in which it’s swiped. In

each of the four swipe directions (up, down, left and right), 28 functions including ‘none’ can also be set. With the FN button itself you have 32 choices while on the

Latest news just in Fujifilm has launched firmware updates for its X-T2 and X-H1. You may be aware that firmware updates were introduced a month or so back, but gremlins were found. These latest firmwares have resolved any issues, so X-T2 and X-H1 owners can now update. For X-T2: bit.ly/2l5f6oT For X-H1: bit.ly/2l7Q096

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Photography News | Issue 56 | photographynews.co.uk

News

Enter now The second Historic Photographer of the Year Awards is open to all amateur and professional photographers. and DuncanWilson, CEO of Historic England. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held in November. Entries will be judged on originality, composition and

Sigma’s new arrival in its Art family, the 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM, will retail at £1499.99 and for Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts, availability will be from this June. Price for the Sony FE version is to be confirmed. This lens features a 17 element in 12 groups construction. All that glass explains why this lens weighs in at 1645g and comes with a removable Arca Swiss mount tripod collar. Among all those pieces of glass are three FLD, two SLD and one aspheric elements. The result is a high- performing lens with high sharpness and lovely bokeh in out-of-focus highlight areas. Its design also counters light drop off at wider apertures so you get minimal vignetting yet still have that lovely bokeh effect. Add dust and splash proofing, the latest lens coatings and typically slick Sigma AF, and you have a superb lens ideal for general use and could potentially excel with portraits Sigma has a tele

The Awards celebrate the very best historic places and cultural sites across the globe, from the most famous national treasures to the most obscure hidden gems. They are run by Trip Historic, the leading online travel guide to the world’s historic sites, and judging the entries will be a panel of experts including broadcaster Dan Snowof HistoryHit TV, CEO of Trip Historic Mike Lewis

technical proficiency alongside the story behind the submission and its historical impact. By taking part, photographers will get the chance to win a first prize of £1000 and have their winning image showcased across the media.

triphistoric.com

Light and wide from Samyang

Hahnel Modus 600RT

Originally for Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon and Sony the potent Hähnel Modus 600RT speedlight is now available for Micro Four Thirds camera owners. With its rechargeable li-ion battery you can get up to 600 full- power flash bursts with a 1.5sec recycling time. It is fully featured too with TTL flash and high-speed sync correctly working at shutter speeds up to 1/8000sec. The Modus 600RT kit for MFT sells for £269.99. available

sigma-imaging-uk.com

Samyang has introduced its AF 24mm f/2.8 lens for full frame Sony E-mount cameras. With a seven element in seven groups construction, this lens weighs a mere 93g and measuresjust37mmlong (without the hood) so this is a very compact, lightweight lens. Three aspheric and two high refractive lenses along with Ultra MultiCoatinghelp todeliver ahigh

level of performance. This lens gives accurate, fast and very quiet autofocus too, with a minimum focusing distance of just 24cm. Perhaps most impressive of all is the lens’s price. It has a guide price of £279.99, and will be available in the shops

from July.

Intro2020.co.uk

Hähnel.ie

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Professional Photo ’s latest issue is number 147 and is due to hit the news stands from 21 June. This tip-packed issue has something for everyone. If you need help selling yourself we have 21 essential marketing tips; if you like studio photography then we have advice onmaking the most from one light; and if you want to get your creative juices flowing, check out the interview with expert food photographer Tom Parker. All this and much more, guaranteed to enhance your earning potential. Use the coupon opposite to buy one of two issues of Professional Photo from WHSmith and save £1 off the usual £4.75 cover price.

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Photography News | Issue 56 | photographynews.co.uk

News

Rotolight’s great summer offer

The SF 60 flashgun and SF C1 remote control are available for the Leica S, SL and M systems. The SF 60 flash costs £450, boasts a guide number of 60 (ISO 100/metres), high speed flash sync up to 1/8000sec and zoomheadwith tilt-and-swivel functionality. The SF C1 remote radio trigger costs £250 and offers seven channels and three groups. It has amicro SD slot to enable easy firmware updates. Leica’s flash system

Buy a Sony A9, A7R II, A7R III or A7S II from 20 June for a limited period only and you will receive a free Rotolight NEO2, a light that usually sells for £299.99. This portable, innovative light is a powerful versatile continuous light source but it is also a flash with instant recharge, huge shooting capacity from one charge and high speed sync up to 1/8000sec, and can be camera-mounted too. So whether you shoot movies or stills, the NEO2 will suit your needs. This offer is available through an exclusive selection of UK photographic retailers so please see the website for full details.

leica.co.uk

Rotolight.com/sony

DxOdoubles up

Olympus goes blue For the fashion conscious, image- maker Olympus has introduced a blue version of its PEN E-PL9. This lightweight, compact camera is highly featured including a Micro Four Thirds sensor with a resolution of 16.1 megapixels, contrast detect AF and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity for quick image transfer to your smart device. The PEN E-PL5 Blue sells at £649.99 with the 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZPancake lens and is available now. Panasonic firmware updates firmware updates for its GH5 (v2.3), GH5S (v1.1) and G9 (v1.10). A range of performance benefits is available including improved AF, live view boost and the option of monochrome and grain effects. To download the updates and instructions, please visit the website. Olympus.co.uk Panasonic has

DxO has announced two editing softwares, Dx0 PhotoLab 1.2 and Nik Collection 2018. Nik Collection was hugely popular because it was free but also excellent and it was bought by DxO last year. In the intervening months Dx0 has been working on the package and it has been relaunched as the Nik Collection 2018. The Collection is on offer for £39.99until 1 Julywhen the price reverts to £59. Dx0 Photolab 1.2

is a Raw and JPEG processing solution and features Nik Software’s U Point technology that enables local image control in a non-destructive manner. It also has Prime noise reduction technology and Smart Lighting which provides intelligent exposure optimization. Photolab 1.2 is available in Essential and Elite editions, priced at £99 and £159 respectively.

Dxo.com

Above Manfrotto's Befree tripod range offers great stability in compact form, and now there’s the carbon fibre option.

Three up from Manfrotto

Manfrotto’s Befree travel tripod family offers excellent stability in portable forms, and its three latest introductions follow this philosophy. The threemodels are Befree Advanced Carbon, Befree Live Carbon and the Befree GT. TheAdvancedCarbon sells for £319.95 and comes complete with the Advanced 494 aluminium head. The combination weighs in at just 1.25kg. The Live Carbon model is aimed for video shooting, whether you are using a CSC,

DSLR or camcorder. This model sells at £349.99 and includes the Befree Live Fluid head. Sitting at the top of the Befree tree is the GT model, available in aluminium and carbon fibre versions, selling at £239.95 and £399.95 respectively. These tripods come with the Advanced 496 ball head. Finally, the £119.95 Befree Backpack has also been announced.

panasonic.com/global/

Manfrotto.co.uk

consumer/lumix/

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Photography News | Issue 56 | photographynews.co.uk

Tell us your club’s latest news, email: clubnews@photography-news.co.uk

Clubs

Camera club news If your club has any news that you want to share with the rest of 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 achievements; 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 Helping out

How to submit

Deadline for the next issue: 5 July 2018

We need words and pictures by 5 July 2018 for the next issue of Photography News , which will be available from 16 July 2018. Write your story in a Word document (400 words max). Please include contact details of the club, exhibition or event: website, meeting times, opening times, whatever is relevant. Images should be JPEGs, 2000 pixels on the longest dimension, any colour space, and image credits should be included. If the story is an exhibition or event, please send a picture from the exhibition (not the publicity poster) or

one from the event. If it includes people, please identify them. Attach the Word document and JPEGs to an email and send to clubnews@photography-news.co.uk

Peterborough’s in Focus group runs two events to raise funds for the local hospice, Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall. “Our Day of Photography event is held at Thorpe Hall because its gardens are ideal for photography,” says Nigel Thompson, chairman of the group. “The day attracts many photographers, including quite a few youngsters, and also lots of visitors come for the day out, just to meet people and chat photography. We have models to shoot plus demonstrations like martial arts, birds of prey, dancers of any kind, andmany more.” Photography

in photography. We started two years ago and now we meet a once a fortnight. When we can we run studio shoots – models or still-life – but we also go out and shoot on location. We offer members as much advice and help as we can.” The Photography in Focus group meets in the back hall of The Lime TreePub, PastonLane, Peterborough PE4 6HA.

For more details contact Nigel on chairman. photographyinfocus@gmail.com

“We have eight members in our group and we accept anyone who wants to learn and participate

Joe Cornish atWashingtonCC Washington CC presents An Evening with Joe

C o r n i s h , an event to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary. Joe Cornish, r e n ow n e d

Sevenoaks annual exhibition will be held in The Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope Gallery, Buckhurst Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1LQ from 13 June to midday 30 June, during normal Sevenoaks Library opening times. Admission is free. Prints will be on display every day of the show. On Saturdays there will also be a display of digital photos on a TV screen and members of the club will be in attendance to answer questions. Club meetings usually take place on three Mondays a month between September and May. Sevenoaks CC’s annual show CC’s

landscape photographer, will present his work to members and guests. The venue is the Arts Centre, Washington, Biddick Lane, Fatfield, Washington, Tyne & Wear NE38 8AB. Phone 0191 561 3455 or visit artscentrewashington.co.uk/ for tickets

The Monochrome Camera Club (BMCC) is holding its annual summer exhibition at the Burton Hotel in Kington, Herts, where the club also usually meets. Formed in 1976, the BMCC is the UK’s oldest camera club dedicated to monochrome. This year’s exhibition is The Countryside at Work , highlighting the varied aspects of the rural economy. Please go along and vote on the work for a chance to win your own mounted print from the exhibition. It is open till the beginning of September and entry is free. On the Border Border

Summer learning at Chingford

Chingford Photographic Society (CPS) will be once again running its summer school between 16 July and 20 August from 8pm to 10pm. The school suits all skills and abilities from those who want to learn a new skill to those who want to use it as a stepping stone to more professional skills.

Geraldine Dent who joined the summer school in 2017 says about Chingford workshop: “It was well organised and covered a wide varietyof topics. I receiveda friendly welcome and the leaders obviously knew their stuff and communicated well. It was good to have members on hand to help during sessions; the

outing was useful to practice and I found I learnt quite a lot. I have since become a full CPS member.” The cost of the workshops is £50 for all six evenings, which also includes six months club membership.

sevenoakscameraclub.org. uk

bordermonochrome.co.uk

chingfordphotographic.com

Photography News | Issue 56 | photographynews.co.uk

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Photography News | Issue 56 | photographynews.co.uk

Tell us your club’s latest news, email: clubnews@photography-news.co.uk

Clubs

Potters Bar PSwin

Image Roger Baker

Horsham PS had its inaugural meetingin1949.Longestserving member Roger Baker joined in 1953 so this year he celebrates his 65th year at the club. He is now the club president and lifetime honorary member. To honour Roger’s contribution to the club, at its meeting on 2 May, the club’s members gave him an inscribed photographic history of English cathedrals. The presentation was made by the club’s guest speaker on the evening, Walter Benzie FRPS. HorshamPS

Steyning CC enjoyed a clean sweep in all of the external photographic competitions it has entered this season. Last October, it won the cup for the top scoring club in the Sussex Photographic Federation PDI competition. Then in November, it won the Regnum Shield in the Regnum Crouch Group’s Print competition, a battle between eight local camera clubs. Also with the Regnum Crouch Group, in March Steyning retained the Crouch Shield in their projected image competition. Finally, in April Steyning took the South Downs Trophy for the third year running. Well done from PN to all Steyning CC members. Success at Steyning CC Image Pride on Parade by Sue Lambert LRPS was awarded top marks in the South Downs Trophy competition. Accrington annual exhibition is open until 15 July at the Haworth Art Gallery, Accrington. The show is open Tuesday to Sunday afternoons from noon. Entrance to the gallery is free and there is a tearoom and licensed bar. The exhibition comprises 119 prints and two TV screens where the projected images can be viewed. Accrington CC CC’s steyningcc.org.uk

Potters Bar and District PS won the Jubilee Cup in a four-way competition against Barnet, Enfield and Southgate clubs. The competition requires a mix of projected images and prints and each club had to present six of each type of image. Three of Potters Bar’s pictures won the maximum of 20 points. A society spokesman said “although

we did not gain as many maximum scores as some of the other clubs we offered a more consistent quality of image and that helped us to first place”. The Society meets at Wyllyotts Centre, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar on mostMonday evenings from7:30pm.

horshamphotographicsociety. co.uk

pottersbarphotosoc.org.uk

Caister PC

Heady days at Bromsgrove PS

Bromsgrove PS has enjoyed great individual and club success in recent months. The club won the Midland Bank Trophy, a competition between Redditch, Studley and Bromsgrove. At the recentMidland counties competitionwhere 60 clubs were involved, Bromsgrove’s members got 27 acceptances. The icing on the cake was a Midland Counties Photographic Federation Ribbon going to Colin Close and the Best Mammal Print award going to Jenny Webster. Bromsgrove’s Colin Close achieved his BPE Five Crowns distinction and JennyWebster got herBPETwoCrowns distinction;

Above, from left Colin Close, BPS president Barry Green and Jenny Webster.

Caister’s annual exhibition runs 17-21 July at the Minster Church of St Nicholas, Great Yarmouth NR30 1NE. The show is open 10am, 5pm daily. There is limited free parking closebyandamplepublicparkingon

the nearby market place. Admission to the exhibition and Minster is free, so if you are on holiday in Great Yarmouth please drop by.

she has gone from a non- photographer to award winner in two years at Bromsgrove PS.

bromsgroveps.com

caisterphotographyclub.co.uk

Guisborough PGhits 65

On 14 April 2018, Guisborough Photo Group celebrated its 65th season in style with an exhibition of over 120 prints, put together by Rick and Babs Singleton and Bill Hepple. Guisborough PG meets in the Methodist Church Hall, Westgate, Guisborough.

accringtoncameraclub.

org.uk

guisboroughphotogroup.org.uk

Photography News | Issue 56 | photographynews.co.uk

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Photography News | Issue 56 | photographynews.co.uk

Canon Ambassador Samo Vidic’s powerful action portraits Defying the odds Sports photographer Samo Vidic talks about photographing high-achieving disabled athletes, including Paralympic swimmer Darko Duric

IMAGE Samo photographed double world champion Slovenian swimmer Darko Duric from under the surface of the water, using the Canon EOS 5DMark IV.

Working as a professional sports photographer, Canon Ambassador Samo Vidic shoots the world’s top athletes for world-leading brands and publications, showcasing the physical feats and prowess of the sporting elite. But in his latest project, Samo wanted to shine a light on a sometimes-overlooked group of sporting heroes – disabled athletes who’ve overcome the odds

to achieve great things in the sports they love. “Disabled athletes are rarely seen in the media in comparison with the coverage given to non- disabled ones,” Samo says. “The Paralympic Games gets relatively little attention – probably 5% of what the Olympic Games gets. I wanted to show different kinds of sports people, to highlight them

and tell their often amazing life stories.” Slovenian photographer Samo has focused on sport throughout a busy career, which began in 1999. A keen sportsman in his youth who enjoyed ski-jumping, football and tennis, he initially qualified as a mechanical engineer before discovering a fascination for photography.

He considered a career in reportage before attending a sports photography workshop and realising he could combine his two passions. “I loved photography and everything connected with sports and the outdoors, so I was immediately hooked,” Samo says. “I’m self-taught, so learning the best techniques for different sports was challenging but, at the

same time, it was really enjoyable. I worked hard and would have done anything to become a sports photographer. I started with an ambition to shoot sport for a local newspaper and went on from there. I was always pushing the bar higher, which I still do.” For his latest personal project, he arranged to photograph several disabled athletes. He wanted to

Photography News | Issue 56 | photographynews.co.uk

Advertisement feature 11

Disabled swimmer Darko Duric has pushed himself to become a Paralympian, a double world champion and to break the world record in the 50mButterfly S4 class. When shooting Darko’s portrait and action shot, Samowanted to convey his story immediately. “Darko only has one arm, but the water gives himwings, somehow. That’s what I wanted to show,” says Samo. The sports shoot took place at a pool in Ljubljana, Slovenia. With Darko posing on a diving board for the portrait, Samo got two assistants to throwbuckets of water at him from left and right, creatingwing-like shapes with the water before it hit the ground. Samo froze themovement of the water with his studio flashes, having placed themain light three metres in front of the swimmer and a backlight fivemetres above him. emphasise both their sporting prowess and the considerable obstacles they have had to overcome. His two camera bodies for these shoots were the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and the Canon EOS 6D Mark II, fitted with Canon's EF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens, the EF 24- 70mm f/2.8L II USM lens, the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens, and the EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM lens. The combination of bodies and lenses enabled Samo to explore a range of creative approaches – each shoot allowing him to execute a different challenging technical approach, from light trails to underwater action shots. To achieve his creative vision, Samo photographed his subjects in two contrasting ways. One image was a portrait, revealing their personalities and showing the physical challenges they faced, while the other was a dynamic action shot that put the focus on their courage, determination and

To see videos and read more about how Samo Vidic created the in-camera effects in his Defying the Odds series, visit www.canon.co.uk/pro/stories

IMAGES Samo photographed sprinter Libby Clegg (top), climber Anoushé Husain (above) and skateboarder Felipe Nunes (right).

achievements. The two resulting images of each athlete are presented as diptychs, which show both sides of their lives. Slovenian swimmer Darko Duric, who was born with only

one arm and no legs, features alongside Felipe Nunes, a Brazilian skateboarder who lost his legs in a train accident when he was a child. The other two athletes Samo photographed were

British Husain,

climber

Anoushé

Samo’s remarkable series of dynamic, creative and striking images of high-achieving disabled athletescelebratesthepersonalities, skills and determination of some truly inspirational people.

born her right arm below her elbow, and visually impaired sprinter and British Paralympic gold medallist Libby Clegg. without

Case study: photographing Darko

pool. The Canon EOS 5DMark IV communicatedwith the lights via cables connected to a transmitter set up beside the pool. Samo used the camera’s AI Servo setting to get pin-sharp images, and hemade use of the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV’s fast, continuous shooting mode to get 6.5 frames-per-second. “If you photograph a swimmer with two arms, you havemore chances of a good shot, but because Darko only has one arm, I needed tomake sure I maximisedmy opportunities to capture him in a striking position [with his right arm reaching forwards and face visible],” he explains. “It was my first time shooting with the Canon EOS 5DMark IV underwater, and everythingworked perfectly. The autofocus was great, and all the images are sharp, which is themost important thing.”

in the frame, and I don't like to do that with portraits,” Samo continues. “Besides, the white walls were about twometres fromDarko, so they would have featured a lot more in a wide-angle shot and it would have been impossible to achieve the effect of the dark backgroundwhile standing so close to him.” He did, however, use his Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USMwide- angle lens for the second photo: an underwater shot of Darko swimming in the pool. For the action shot, Samo set up two studio flashes beside the pool, lighting the subject fromabove, and one behind a porthole in the pool, pointing at the subject from below the water's surface. Then he went underwater in his scuba diving gear to photograph Darko in action, swimming across the

ABOVE In this image, Samo creates a wing-like effect with the splashes of water to capture a sense of Darko’s power and majesty in the water.

“I had planned on shooting the portrait from the water, but then I would have had to stand ametre and a half from the subject and use a wide-angle lens to get the subject

Photography News | Issue 56 | photographynews.co.uk

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CameraClubof theYear in associationwith

Camera Club of the Year 2017-18: the final

Five of the UK’s leading camera clubs made it to our final showdown and after a day shooting five challenges with Fujifilm cameras, we had a winner… Eastwood Photographic Society

IMAGES EditorWill Cheung presents themembers of Eastwood PSwith their trophy.

final. This was a good thing to do for several reasons. Everyone got the chance to meet informally and it took away the stress in the morning of getting to the venue on time for an early start. And very importantly, it meant that the club members could spend some time with the cameras they would be using the following daywith the Fujifilm technical teamanswering questions and explaining key features. We devised five different scenarios (see the accompanying panel, below) that each club had to shoot in turn, with an hour allowed for each club to produce their entry with each member submitting an image each. Each club entry was judged as individual images, not as a set. The judging panel was: Liz Bray, fields account manager, Fujifilm; Tris Dawson, Natural Light Spaces; and Ian Farrell and Adam Duckworth, expert photographers representing Photography News . Every image was scored out of 20

Words byWill Cheung

There is no camera club competition quite like the Photography News Camera Club of the Year, which climaxes in a live final shoot-out where entries have to be produced in a set time using cameras that most members have never used before. Qualifying for the final is a challenge in itself and our five finalists deserve huge congratulations for getting that far, beating off over 40 of the country’s leading clubs to win their respective rounds. That is no mean feat so well done to them all. Indeed, well done and thanks to every club that supported the competition during the year. Our five finalists were invited to spend a relaxing evening with the Fujifilm and Photography News teams the night prior to the

and all scores totted up with highest scoring club declared the winner. After a close judging session Eastwood PS from Glasgow emerged triumphant. You can enjoy some of their pictures and some from our other finalists over the next few pages. Aside from the glory of being the Photography News Camera Club of the year, Eastwood PS also wins free lectures by three Fujifilm X-photographers of their choice so that the entire club membership benefits from the team’s hard work. Well done to Eastwood PS.

So that ends our search for the best UK camera club for this year. For most clubs the new season kicks off in September. Like all camera clubs and photographic societies, our five finalist clubs always welcome new members so if you are interested please check the relevant website for the latest programme details and meeting venues before dropping in, or better still contact the membership secretary in the first instance. Look out for the launch of the new competition this autumn.

The shooting scenarios

Shoot 2: The canal Aim of the shoot: Shots had to be taken in and around the area of the canal so reflections, detail and any wildlife was eligible. Minimum shooting time was 40 minutes. Kit to be used: Fujifilm X-T2 with 50-140mm and 100-400mm lenses

Kit to be used: Fujifilm X-T20 with 60mm and 80mm macro lenses Shoot 5: TheDepot Aim of the shoot: The Depot dates back to 1803 and the historic site offers interesting photo opportunities. Kit to be used: Fujifilm X-E3 with 10-24mm and 18-55mm lenses

Each teamhad one hour to shoot in each of the five scenarios, and also in that time to select and edit their entry with one image per team member required. In four scenarios, downloading and editing could not begin until a certain time (30 or 40 minutes) had elapsed and in Shoot 1, entries had to be taken using Fujifilm Film Simulation modes. At the end of each shoot the scene

(obviously not Shoots 2 and 4) was reset for the next club so the start point was the same for each club. Shoot 1: Pip the gentleman Aim of the shoot: Pip’s unique look has huge potential. Members had to the make most of him, with lighting, posing and styling. Kit to be used: Fujifilm GFX with 32-64mm and 110mm lenses

selection of dresses for members to choose from. With flash, props and a wind machine there was plenty of photo potential. Kit to be used: Fujifilm X-H1 with 56mm and 90mm lenses Shoot 4: Still life Aim of the shoot: To fashion great still-life/macro shots from supplied props using continuous light.

Shoot 3: PromQueen Aim of the shoot: Model Em had a

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The gear used

GFX

X-T2

X-E3

X-H1

X-T20

The final venue

The Camera Club of the Year final shoot-out took place at Natural Light Spaces (NLS) in Weedon Bec, Northampton. NLS offers the space and the variety we need on one site, so is almost ideal for a photographic challenge designed to test the technical nous, technique and creative mettle of our five finalist clubs. NLS has two large studios, the Natural Light Studio and The White Room. The Natural Light Studio is 2500 square feet with nine huge windows for gorgeous daylight all day long. It has an aerial rig and is equipped with LED and flash lighting kit, and this was where Shoot 1 took place. For our final a section of this studio was fenced off for the still-life shooting area for Shoot 4. The White Room is the same size and has the same number of large windows. This area also has an aerial rig and at one end of the studio is an 8m wide, 5m high and 5m deep infinity curve. For the purposes of Shoot 3, the Prom Queen, we asked that flash lighting be used. NLS is based in a former ordnance depot and the grounds offers more picture opportunities so we choose outdoor two themes for the finalists to shoot. The Depot was for Shoot 5, where a barge, old fire engine and several cars awaiting renovation

XF50-140mm

XF100-400mm

IMAGES The canal provided the location for Shoot 2 during our final.

provided interesting subject matter, as well as the building exteriors. Just outside the studioandrunningalmostthewholelengthof the Depot is a canal complete with reeds, fish and birds. The canal was the location for Shoot 2.

NLS offers studio days with experienced models, special events, photo workshops and location shoots as well as studio hire, so check out its website for latest offerings.

XF56mm

GF32-64mm

XF80mm

naturallightspaces.co.uk

Photography News | Issue 56 | photographynews.co.uk

Photography News | Issue 56 | photographynews.co.uk

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Winners : Eastwood Photographic Society

Eastwood PS’s digital competition secretary is Colin McLatchie ARPS and he was also team leader at the final. He was delighted with winning the title Camera Club of the Year 2017-18. “Our president is still on cloud nine,” says Colin. “We have arranged some local media coverage and it’s going down a storm, so maybe you’ll get more entries next year from north of the border. The club members are ecstatic and looking forward to the Fujifilm speakers. “Actually, we thought we had bombed, especially in the Round 4, still life. None of us had a clue, especially due to the limited and non-inspirational subject matter, so it was hard to get creative. We all hated our still- life images, but we had to submit something. The actual shoot was not hard, it was just the choice of what to actually shoot. It turned out not too shabby. On the other hand, Pip was a fantastic model and photography subject. “Overall, I thought the day was excellent and the organisation was first class. In

many ways it was a little tougher than we expected, with the time constraints and the limited editing time proving a real challenge, especially if you see what we have created since the shoot with many of the images. “Using the kit was a challenge too, but that’s what it was supposed to be. The three non-Fujifilm users have been working with either Canon or Nikon for over 30 years so using the Fujifilm cameras was a tough nut to crack but no one can argue about the image quality; that was impressive.”

Contact

Eastwood PS meets on Thursdays at Albertslund Hall, Westacres Road, Newton Mearns, Glasgow G77 6WW.

eastwoodps.co.uk

IMAGE Left to right: ColinMcLatchie, Peter DeMarco, Stuart McCann, Ken Lindsay (seated)

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Joint 2nd : Great Notley Photographic Club

IMAGE Left to right: Dave Greenwood, John Buckley, Shaun Spalding, Natasha Spalding (seated)

Contact

Meetings are held on Thursdays from 7:45pm-9:45pm at The Church in Great Notley, Bridge End Lane, Great Notley, Essex CM77 7GN.

gnpc.co.uk

Joint 2nd : Leicester Forest Photographic Society

IMAGE Left to right: AndrewKirkby, Catherine Knee, David Turnbull, JimMonk (seated)

Contact

Leicester Forest PS usually meets on Thursday evenings at the Braunstone Civic Centre, Kingsway off Narborough Road South, Leicester LE3 2PP.

lfps.org.uk

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Photography News | Issue 56 | photographynews.co.uk

Photography News | Issue 56 | photographynews.co.uk

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4th : Eastbourne Photographic Society

5th : Caister Photographic Society

IMAGE Left to right: David Towers, Tony Bushkes, Gillian Denny, Alan Field (seated)

Contact

Caister PS meets on Wednesday evenings from7.30pm-10pm, (7pm-10pmon a competition night) at Scratby All Saints Village Hall, Beach Rd, Norfolk NR29 3AJ.

caisterphotographyclub.co.uk

IMAGE Left to right: Maurilio Teso, RoyMorris, AlisonMorris, PhilipWestwood (seated)

Our thanks

Contact

Pip the gentleman facebook.com/philip.atkins.39

An event like the Camera Club of the Year needs a lot of work to make it happen so our sincere thanks go to:

Eastbourne PS meets on Fridays at at Bridgemere Community Centre, 100 Bridgemere Rd, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN22 8TY.

EmTheresa

The Fujifilmteam Liz, Steph, Carl, John

emtheresamodel.com

TheDepot

TheNatural Light Spaces team Tris, Karl, Paul, Robert and Jim

the-depot.uk

epscameraclub.co.uk

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Photography News | Issue 56 | photographynews.co.uk

Advertisement feature 22

Photography News | Issue 56 | photographynews.co.uk

World-class images withOlympus Out of Africa Tommy Reynolds is a successful and very busy portrait photographer and music video director based in Kent. A couple of times a year he takes time out from his usual schedule to pursue his own projects and document other cultures. This is the story of his latest trip, to the Omo Valley in Ethiopia, in the company of an Olympus OM-D system

IMAGE “This was the first image we took on the trip and it is one of my favourites,” says Tommy. “We met 18-year-old Woinshet as we were driving towards the Omo Valley. She walks 5km every day to fetch water and wood for her family. She was in a rush so we only had a fewminutes to get the shot with the sun setting in the background. Thanks to the OM-D E-M1 Mark II’s five axis image stabilisation system I was able to shoot at 1/13sec on the 17mm lens with no problem but even at that shutter speed I needed ISO 1000.”

Contact

You can keep up with Tommy Reynolds’ imaging adventures on his website, social media networks and his rapidly growing You Tube channel which features video blogs and cinematic behind the scenes movies. Search ‘Tommy Reynolds Ethiopia’ for his movie on this trip. He also offers photography training so check out the shop section of this website for his latest offerings.

Every year, I plan one or two big photography trips. I’ve done a couple of landscape trips, but for me, they’renever quite as satisfying as travelling to another country to photograph its culture. My trip to the Omo Valley in Ethiopia was my biggest and most ambitious project yet even though it lasted just eight days. It was a very intense shoot with a lot of preparation going into the trip beforehand.

That included thinking about my camera outfit. I have a full- frame outfit, but with the usual headaches of weight and space, I picked out the OM-D EM-1 Mark II for its great features set and rugged construction. Being dust and splash proof I figured would be key attributes to have on this trip, so I borrowed one to check out its image quality and quite honestly, the camera’s 20.4-megapixel

Micro Four Thirds sensor really impressed me with its resolution and sharpness. For lenses I packed the 7-14mm f/2.8, 17mm f/1.2, 25mm f/1.2 and the 40-150mm f/2.8. The 17mm and 25mm lenses I picked because they give the full-frame equivalent views to the 35mm and 50mm which are my favourite focal lengths. I’m even more impressed now that I have thrown the camera

tommyreynolds.co.uk facebook.com/TommyReynolds89 youtube.com/TommyReynolds89

Photography News | Issue 56 | photographynews.co.uk

Advertisement feature 23

IMAGE “When we arrived at the Hamer tribe village I scoped out potential backgrounds and found this house just being kissed by a low sun. I knew I wanted a shot in that spot with the family that lives in that house for added context. I wanted some separation and depth too, so got them to stand away from the house. The women were very natural in front of the camera. All I said to themwas either look at the camera or face away. Perhaps the small camera was less intimidating which helped their natural-looking poses.”

system into a challenging real world situation, complete with sandstorms and often really tricky, contrasty lighting. If you’re going to take portraits in Ethiopia, my advice is to hire a guide. Without a guide, I wouldn’t have been able to get 90% of my pictures.Also, take enoughmoney to tip your subjects, especially inside the villages. I spent around £50 in tips for all the portraits I shot. For his trip, Tommy Reynolds took Olympus’s flagship camera, the OM-D E-M1 Mark II. This innovative and remarkable camera rewrote the rules of what was possible when it was launched. The ability to shoot full resolution 20.4-megapixel Raw at 60fps in single AFmode and 18fps with full AF and autoexposure is incredible and opens up boundless opportunities. But there’s evenmore. In Pro Capture mode, the OM-D E-M1 Mark II lets you go back in time thanks to its large buffer that has the capacity to About the kit

I shoot in manual exposure mode in available light and with flash. I know that once settings are dialled in for a particular scenario, images won’t differ slightly as I move around. With flash, I get the background exposure right, then set the flash to fill to give a balance between the foreground and the background. On occasion I thought there would be no way of recovering deep shadows but the

Raw files surprised me by what was possible without noise issues. One of the main reasons I go on these shoots is to take myself out of my photography comfort zone. The best art is the art you make when your head is just above water and when the pressure is on. My next trip is to Asia and I can’t wait. I’ll definitely be taking the Olympus system: it’s the perfect travel camera.”

IMAGE “Balancing contrasty light with flash can be very awkward. This shot was very tricky. I had to be accurate because the boy was much closer to the flash than his dad. My first few tests had a well-lit boy and an adult in darkness, or vice versa. We spent ten minutes on the set-up until I was satisfied, then I just needed to wait for the boy to look towards the flash, not his dad, as his face would have been in darkness. After a patient wait for the right moment I got a shot I was really happy with.”

of the OM-D E-M1. Among a long list of features, there’s a fully featured exposure system, autofocusing with a 121 point system and five-axis image stabilisation in a portable, robust weather-proofed body that accepts Olympus’s range of dedicated M.Zuiko lenses. For more on the Olympus

record up to 35 shots. Partially depress the shutter release in this mode and the camera starts capturing images and storing them in the buffer but without actually recording them. It is only when you fully depress the shutter release that the images – up to 35 – already in the

buffer are written to the SD card as well as the shots you took in real time. Speed is just one aspect

OM-D E-Mark II and its system, please see the website.

itsnotyouitsme.co.uk

Photography News | Issue 56 | photographynews.co.uk

Technique 24

On the road Travel Adapter Follow this month’s handy travel tips and change the way you shoot on holidays and city breaks. We put these five travel techniques through their paces on a lightning trip to Berlin – give them a try and you’ll get better shots and enjoy your photography more than ever

Words and pictures by Kingsley Singleton

Bigger scenes need a bigger format

1 Ever struggled to fit every part of an exciting view into the frame? Sometimes a scene is just too big for a one shot, especially when travelling means you’re restricted in lens choices. It’s then that youneed to turn to a panoramic treatment. Stitching multiple frames into one, panoramas not only give you a much wider – or taller – view, but they can also increase the amount of information in your travel images, allowing you to capture more fine detail, and print larger. To start off though, try to get away from the idea that simply creating a panorama will make a better image. It won’t. You should only use a panorama if the scene naturally presents itself as one. It’s not an excuse to get slack on your technique either – for the best results, you still need to shoot at the most photogenic times of day if you can, like sunrise, sunset and blue hour.

Above If a scene naturally reads in a way that’s wider than a normal frame, take the time to record it as panorama. But remember, shooting a panorama doesn’t in itself mean the picture will be better, so still concentrate on shooting at the most photogenic times of day if you can.

Only use a panorama if the scene naturally presents itself as one

There are some other things you can do to make your panos more successful, too. Firstly expose and focus manually, so that the sharpnessandlightingisconsistent.Andshoot from tripod if possible, rotating the camera

as though its lens was the axle of a wheel if you can – this will make stitching in software more successful. Work out where the panoramic framing naturally begins and ends, then set the far

edge of your composition in the middle of the first shot and fire the shutter. While keeping the camera position level, rotate slightly to take the next shot, making sure you get lots of overlap between the pictures.

Get a safety net for your exposures

2 On your travels, time can be at a premium and you may not be able to shoot in the best light. Likewise, you may not have the time or the gear with you to control the light in the way you would normally do. For that reason it’s usually best to shoot in Raw image quality mode. Raw files give you greater latitude in your adjustments than regular files, so you can shoot with some reassurance that you can fix an exposure in editing Left If you don’t have your usual filters with you, or time and conditions don’t allow them, you can achieve greater control by shooting Raw files. Here, it’s mainly the Highlights and Shadows sliders that have improved matters.

if required; JPEG files offer no such safety net. The image on the left of Berlin’s Fernsehturm tower was taken in early eveningwith the tower lit by the setting sun, but the street in shadow. The camera can’t cope with this in a single exposure, leading to the tower and sky being too bright and losing detail. Thanks to processing the Raw file in Photoshop’s Camera Raw interface I could correct it. I set the Exposure to a negative value of -1.20, darkened the highlights by moving the Highlights slider to the left, and brightened the shadows by moving the Shadows slider to the right. A small increase in Vibrance returns the colour to overexposed areas, and I straightened up the framing using the Transform and Crop tools.

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