Yay, the long days and warm weather are back. Ideal for great ventures out with the camera Will
ISSUE 99 10 May-13 June 2022 photographynews.co.uk
Pg32 Big test: Sony A1 / The best camera money can buy today? Probably!
Pg29 Buyers’ guide: Workflow / Our top kit tips for a bump-free journey to great shots
Pg13 Prize word search / Win a Samsung 256GBmicroSD memory card
Sony’s latest has the lot Impressive optical skills, fast constant aperture, slick AF and an 11-blade diaphragm make for a total package
The sky’s the limit Vanguard’s Alta Sky 68 delivers huge capacity The Alta Sky collection from Vanguard has been popular since launch. Until now, the largest model was the Alta Sky 66, designed to take a camera fitted with a 600mm lens. The new Alta Sky 68 goes further, holding an 800mm f/5.6 while attached to a pro DSLR or mirrorless body – plus up to seven extra lenses. There’s more: this ultimate carrying solution can take a 16in laptop, 11in tablet and two full-sized tripods. Fully loaded, the Alta Sky is going to be weighty, but the ergonomically designed Air System back, waist strap and shoulder harness help with comfort. Capacity is 36 litres, externally it measures 36x23x59.5cm and weighs 2.8kg when empty. The Alta Sky 68
An 11-blade aperture mechanism helps achieve near-perfect, circular, beautiful bokeh. Reliable AF is enabled by four XD (extreme dynamic) motors, making the most of a camera’s advanced AF skills. Close-up shooting is possible, with a minimum focus distance of 21cm at 24mm and 30cm at 70mm, giving a top magnification of 0.32x. The FE 24-70mm is great for skills, but it’s one of the most versatile lenses in Sony’s G Master range, so well-suited to creative filmmaking, too. Its constant f/2.8, smart AF and versatile control help advanced video creation, plus the aperture ring enables clickless control. This high-flying standard zoom lens is available fromMay 2022 for £2099. sony.co.uk
IT’S SIX YEARS since Sony introduced its FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM. Naturally, customer needs and cameras have progressed since then, so it was only a matter of time before we saw the next-generation lens – and here it is. The FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II is the world’s lightest zoom in its class at this focal length, coming in at 695g – 20% less than the original. It’s smaller, too, being 16mm shorter. There are no compromises on the optical front. This versatile 24-70mm captures sharp photographs with first-rate, across-the-frame resolution at all zoom and aperture settings. Two ED and two Super ED elements, combined with a revolutionary floating focus mechanism, manage aberrations – while flare and ghosting are kept at bay by Sony’s Nano AR Coating II.
backpack is £259.99. vanguardworld.co.uk
Applications for places close 17 May, so hurry! Final call for Photo 24
The Photography News Photo 24 event takes place in London on 25-26 June, and we have limited spaces. To apply, go to the PN website – after 17 May, we will hold a ballot for places. Successful applicants will know soon after, to allow time for planning.
This year’s event is sponsored by used gear specialist MPB, and it is offering 50 Photo 24 participants free gear loans. For details of this and more on the event, go to pages 9 and 10. photographynews.co.uk
2 Photography News | Issue 99
photographynews.co.uk
Read FREE online
Get the latest issue FREE to your inbox when you sign up for our newsletter at photographynews.co.uk
If you prefer a print copy delivered to your door, a yearly subscription costs just £19.99 . See our website for details.
EDITOR’S LETTER WILLCHEUNG
WHAT A THREE months of camera testing I’ve had. Getting the chance to work with the latest cameras is a privilege, and the Nikon Z 9, Canon EOS R3 and Sony A1 have recently been through my hands. This trio represent the pinnacle of contemporary camera tech and have received almost universally rave reviews – and deservedly so, they are sensational. Of course, they are very expensive, too. Although it seems there are plenty of potential buyers and stocks are limited right now. For those of you patiently waiting for your dream machine to turn up, rest assured, the wait will be worth it. Before you ask, I don’t have a favourite – to be honest, I don’t think I’d buy any of them. The Canon doesn’t have enough pixels, the Nikon is too heavy, while the Sony is a lot of money, ideally needing very expensive CFexpress Type A cards. On the plus side, they have amazing subject/eye detection autofocus, superfast continuous shooting rates and impressive high ISO performance. We’re in a lull of new cameras at the moment. This could be because the holiday season is around the corner, or it might be that makers have slowed down, because launching and generating
interest in kit they can’t deliver enough of is self-defeating. We could have a busy autumn, though. Not one to waste an opportunity, I took the Sony A1 with 200-600mm lens to Chester Zoo. I shot a lot of pictures thanks to a silent shutter and 20fps, but didn’t truly appreciate how many until getting home. I really enjoyed the combination, although my arms ached at the end of the day, and the last hour was lost, since the battery was exhausted. Being USB-C-chargeable is brilliant, but not when the power bank is in the car. Doh! Anyway, if you’re thinking of coming along to Photo 24 on 25-26 June, now’s the last chance, with applications closing on 17 May. If you can’t make it, we will be announcing themes for the Super 24 Challenge on Instagram and Twitter. We’ll have more details in PN 100, our podcast and online.
Laowa updates world’s widest shift lens Now with 14 blades, the 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift promises even more artistic freedom for photographers
full-frame, there’s an 11mm shift to correct converging verticals and help stitch multiple images together. On medium format, there’s up to 8mm shift before vignetting occurs. Laowa’s newest optic will launch for £1099/$1199. ukdigital.co.uk
LAOWA HAS LAUNCHED an updated 15mm f/4.5R Zero-D Shift lens. While the original 15mm (identified with a blue ring) has five diaphragm blades, the updated f/4.5R (red edition) has 14 blades that can render greater flexibility with perspective and light bursts. The red edition, with cutting-edge 14-blade iris, gives stunning – and more subtle – 14-point sunbursts. This is especially useful when dealing with challenging reflections or strong light sources.
This will be available in Canon EOS EF/RF, Nikon F/Z, Sony E, Pentax K and L-Mount. Laowa has also made the lens available in Fujifilm GFX fit, in both versions. It features 17 elements in 11 groups, and includes two aspherical. It focuses as close as 20cm, and on
“On full-frame, there’s an 11mm shift to correct converging verticals”
Followus:
@photonewsPN @photonewsPN
@photonewsPN
What’s inside
03 News It’s pretty quiet on the new kit front, but there’s plenty of action in the world of photo contests 09 Photo 24 Our big summer event is around the corner – and there’s still time to apply for a coveted place 13 Vanguard contest and Samsung word search Enter our simple, free contests and you could scoop a tasty prize. In the word search, we have a Samsung 256GB microSD card and SD adapter waiting for the winner, while our regular Vanguard competition has a VEO 3 263CB carbon-fibre tripod on offer
15 Club news A big win fromWoking PS makes the headlines this month 17 City clickers Three inspirational photo ideas for urban shooting in summer 21 Buyers’ guide: It’s all in the bag Look after your kit and it’ll look after you. Check out our carrying and protecting solutions, from shoulder bags and backpacks, to rugged roller cases 29 Buyers’ guide: Worry-free workflow Pre-visualising and shooting a picture is the start of a journey. With our advice, make the most of that entire process
32 Big test: Sony A1 The Sony A1 is an incredible machine, as it showed in this test 36 Used corner: Fujifilm GFX 50R Fujifilm’s GFX 50R was a popular model in its day. Now, it’s widely available on the used market, and even better value 38 First tests l Jackery Solar Generator 1000 power supply l Rode NTH-100 headphones l Manfrotto Professional USB 3.2 CFexpress Type B reader l Vanguard VEO 3 263CB tripod l Tenba Fulton V2 10L & 16L backpacks l Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8
Issue 99 | Photography News 3
photographynews.co.uk
News
Benro offers more support Imaging specialist introduces two compact products for photographers
Arca-compatible head that features two 1/4in mounts; meaning you can add the flex legs to hold an LED. The Tablepod Flex kit costs £140. Benro also released the Koalapod, a flexible minipod for mobile devices and compact cameras. The KP1 includes tripod, quick-lock clamp, locking ring and carry bag, priced at £35. For £10 more, the KP1K kit adds a smartphone holder and five legs. uk.benroeu.com
The Benro Tablepod Flex has rigid, carbon-fibre legs with three angles – mount your camera almost at ground level. Stored in each carbon leg is a flex leg, which can be used on their own or with the carbon legs, and are flexible enough to wrap around a pole or fence, for example. The Tablepod is 30.5cm in length and weighs 430g, coming with an
UP FOR GRABS Limited time offer – buy a Vanguard VEO 3T tripod and claim a free 32M bag
Bag a free gift Your Vanguard VEO Range 32M, worth £69.99, awaits!
extend to 155cm and have a max load rating of 12kg. Each pod comes with a low-angle adapter, rubber and spiked feet, a Bluetooth remote control and Arca-compatible ball head, the VEO BP-50T or BP-120T. The lightweight VEO Range 32M sells for £69.99 and has the benefits of modern design and materials. It fits
Just in time for summer ventures, Vanguard is giving away a VEO Range 32M shoulder bag when a VEO 3T travel tripod is purchased. The VEO 3T tripod is available in four models: the 235ABP, 235CBP, 265HABP and 265HCBP, two carbon, two alloy, starting from £179.99. The smaller models fold down to 41cm,
a small DSLR or mirrorless with lens attached, one or two extra lenses, flash and accessories, and a tablet. Front straps make transporting a travel tripod effortless. Purchase a VEO 3T by 30 June from any authorised UK dealer and claim your free bag by 14 July 2022. vanguardworld.co.uk
Leica’s tough paint job
Vanguard’s clamp delight
The Leica Summicron-M 28mm f/2 ASPH is finished in a special matte black paint that is scratch-resistant, but discrete. This lens, unlike the standard 28mm Summicron, also has an integral lens hood which extends with a quick twist. The new optic is Specialist paint gives Leica’s latest lens a rugged finish
UK photo brand builds on its growing collection of useful kit
3/8in), allowing the addition of any support arm. A third 1/4in threaded hole on the opposite side of the locking knob and each hole integrates bayonet slots on both sides. The VEO CP-46 weighs 130g, takes a load of 1.5kg and costs £59.99, while the CP-65 weighs 160g, bears a 2.5kg load and is £69.99. They are available now. vanguardworld.co.uk
VEO CP-46 and CP-65 clamps from Vanguard feature reinforced durability and portability, making them perfect for everyday use and travelling light. When partnered with a support arm – for example, the VEO TSA DLX – the Vanguard clamps transform almost any surface into a base. At the end of each clamp sit two threaded holes (1/4in and
available now at £3750. uk.leica-camera.com
Photography News is published 11 times a year by Bright Publishing Ltd, Bright House, 82 High Street, Sawston, Cambridge CB22 3HJ. No part of this magazine can be used without prior written permission of Bright Publishing Ltd. Photography News is a registered trademark of Bright Publishing Ltd. The advertisements published in Photography News that have been written, designed or produced by employees of Bright Publishing Ltd remain the copyright of Bright Publishing Ltd and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. While Bright Publishing makes every effort to ensure accuracy, it can’t be guaranteed. Street pricing at the time of writing is quoted for products.
Editorial team Editorial director Roger Payne Editor Will Cheung FRPS 01223 499469 willcheung@bright-publishing.com Chief sub editor Alex Bell Sub editors Matthew Winney, Harriet Williams Contributing editor Kingsley Singleton Contributingwriter Alex Fice
Advertising team Sales director Sam Scott-Smith 01223 499457 samscott-smith@bright-publishing.com Salesmanager Maria Francis 01223 492240 mariafrancis@bright-publishing.com
Design team Design director Andy Jennings Design & ad production Hedzlynn Kamaruzzaman and Man-Wai Wong Distribution Distribution and subscriptionmanager Phil Gray philipgray@bright-publishing.com Publishing team Managing directors Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck As well as your local camera club, you can pick up Photography News in-store from: Cameraworld, Castle Cameras, Jessops, London Camera Exchange, Park Cameras, Wex Photo Video, Wilkinson Cameras
Bright Publishing Ltd, Bright House, 82 High Street, Sawston, Cambridgeshire CB22 3HJ www.bright-publishing.com
ISSN 2059-7584
When you have finished with this newspaper, please recycle it
4 Photography News | Issue 99
photographynews.co.uk
Issue 99 | Photography News 5
photographynews.co.uk
6 Photography News | Issue 99
photographynews.co.uk
News
Top travels TPOTY celebrates its 20th year in 2022 and entries are invited for its upcoming contest
Images of South Downs National Park are eligible for competition Stunning shots sought
won, with the runner-up getting £150 and third place £75. Also included are best mobile photo and two youth categories. For more details and to download an entry form,
The theme for this year’s South Downs National Park photo contest is Near and Far. Judges are looking for images that capture size, scale and majesty. There’s a first prize of £250 to be
please visit the website. Entry will close on 31 October 2022.
southdowns. gov.uk/care-for/ photocompetition2022
Travel Photographer of the Year is open to amateur and professional photographers of all ages, wherever they are based, with four categories: Cultures; Desert to Rainforests; Green Planet, Blue Planet; and The Art of Monochrome. For single images, there is Creative Travel, Mark of Mankind and Water. Young TPOTY is for image makers aged 18 and under. The overall winner submits the best eight images across the four categories. Entry begins at £10, with discounts for early entry, starting with 40% off
Celebrate the gripping medieval history of the Welsh Marches Border tales The Mortimer History Society has launched its first amateur photo contest. It focuses on the Welsh Marches bordering England and Wales, and will celebrate the medieval history of the area. The theme is open to interpretation, but the landscapes, cities and churches have real potential. There’s geographical scope, too, from the coast of north-east Wales down the Severn Estuary and along to Pembrokeshire. Judges will select the 12 best images for the society’s 2024 calendar, while one overall winner receives a £100 cash prize. The closing date is 28 October 2022 and entries from around the UK are welcome. Entry forms and details are on the website. mortimerhistorysociety.org.uk
The art of light Winners for Light – the latest monthly category in the WildArt POTY contest – have recently been unveiled
until 31 May. Young TPOTY is free. Go to the website to enter; the closing date is 25 October 2022. tpoty.com
There are ten monthly rounds in WildArt POTY 2022, and four photographers from each (gold, silver, bronze and founder’s choice winners) go through to the grand final, where one photographer will win £3000 in cash and a pair of Swarovski Optik binoculars worth over £2300. The winner of the Light round was Boldizsár Szucs from Hungary. His image titled Angel features the European bee-eater. “I’ve been photographing bee-eaters on the border of a neighbouring village for ages,” he says. “This year, I noticed a place to photograph them against a
black background in the light of the rising sun. I tried for weeks before getting the dream image.” Visit the website for the month’s winning entries and details of all upcoming themes. wildartpoty.com
Food for thought The winners of the Pink Lady Food POTY have been announced
Sony World Photography Awards 2022 recognise professionals and amateurs A truly global collection
kit. For his overall win, Ferguson gets $25,000 and a range of Sony gear. The Open contest is for single images; a winner was chosen from the ten category victors. The UK’s Scott Wilson was awarded Open Photographer of the Year 2022 – he gets $5000 and Sony equipment. A virtual display is on the website. worldphoto.org/virtual exhibition2022
The World Photography Organisation released winners of the Sony World Photography Awards 2022, with the results of professional categories, open, student and youth contests. Photographer of the Year was won by Adam Ferguson of Australia for his black & white images of migrants in Mexico. The ten winning photographers in the professional competition receive Sony imaging
Chowk, a street in Srinagar that transforms into a food hub at night. An exhibition of 2022 finalists at the Royal Photographic Society HQ in Bristol will run from 20 November to 12 December 2022. Entry is free. Enjoy the online gallery of 2022 finalists on the website. pinkladyfoodphotographer oftheyear.com
Thousands of images were entered from over 60 countries into the Pink Lady Food POTY 2022. Victors were announced by chef and TV presenter Monica Galetti in a livestreamed event on the YouTube channel. Debdatta Chakraborty was overall winner for his image Kebabiyana. The shot, which won in the Street Food class, was taken on Khayam
Issue 99 | Photography News 7
photographynews.co.uk
8 Photography News | Issue 99
photographynews.co.uk
News
Photo 24 Our big summer shooting event is drawing ever closer. If you haven’t applied for a place yet, now’s your last chance: applications close 17 May
Take a break from the worries of the world and immerse yourself in 24 hours of photography on one of the longest days of the year. We have 200 places for this year’s event – and it’s free! To scoop a place, go to our website and fill in a simple application form. We’ll be accepting
until 17 May, after which a ballot will decide who attends. Photo 24 2022 is in London, with limited numbers, so not every reader can join us in person. However, this year, you’ll have an opportunity to get involved online. During the event, we’ll be setting hourly
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS You don’t have to work too hard in London to find scenes worth recording
RINGS OF FIRE You never know what you might find after sunset on a walk down by the Thames at low tide
SPEED IT UP When the light levels drop, push up your camera’s ISO speed for sharp handheld shots
Photo 24 sponsors: MPB MPB offers opportunity for free hands-on kit experience at Photo 24
makes kit more accessible and sustainable, recirculating 300,000 cameras and lenses every year. mpb.com
enter, register to attend Photo 24 and more information will be sent to you with the confirmation of your place. In the meantime, to find out what your existing tech may be worth, visit mpb.com and get a free, instant quote. You can sell to MPB or trade-in; and it offers free, insured pick-up and superfast payment, plus free delivery on any kit you buy. MPB is the world’s largest platform for buying, selling and trading used kit. Trusted by more than 250,000 visual storytellers worldwide, MPB
At this year’s Photo 24, main sponsor MPB is offering 50 photographers the chance to try out kit of their choice – free of charge. MPB will lend equipment to 50 ticket holders a few days before the event, with the lucky people selected at random. With all the biggest brands available – such as Canon, Nikon, Sony and Fujifilm – each photographer can take their pick from MPB’s huge range. If you want to upgrade your camera, or get your hands on a lens, you can’t miss this opportunity. To
Issue 99 | Photography News 9
photographynews.co.uk
News photo assignments in our Super 24 Challenge, announced to everybody using social media – so anyone can take part, wherever you are. As an additional incentive, we have three £500 MPB vouchers on offer, for our favourite pictures taken in the Super 24 Challenge. London, like most bustling cities, is brimful of photo opportunities – not just in quantity, but quality, too. There are no restrictions on what you can shoot in Photo 24, so whether you enjoy buildings,
street art, people or abstracts, there’s a chance to really indulge yourself. Participants will also have the option of signing up for extra activities, and most are free. Details will be sent to successful applicants soon after 17 May. Look out for more details on the Super 24 Challenge and Photo 24 in the next issue of PN , on the website and on our podcast. Meanwhile, if you want to come along, please go to the website and apply for a place. photographynews.co.uk
GLARING Urban reflections work best when there is good light on the subject and the reflecting surface is in shadow. Try to focus at various points and bracket exposures, if you’re uncertain
DEMO DELIGHTS There are often demos on Saturdays in London, which are great photo opportunities
GUITAR HERO Get to places like Camden and you will invariably find interesting characters keen to be photographed, so have your camera set up ready to shoot
Listen up: PN has its own podcast
We’ll also host a special, recorded at MPB’s Brighton facility, where PN goes behind the scenes with the popular retailer. Each podcast is free to enjoy and available on our website, Apple Podcasts and YouTube . photographynews.co.uk
The Photography News Podcast features the PN team of editor Will Cheung, editorial director Roger Payne and contributing editor Kingsley Singleton taking their light-hearted and informed look at today’s imaging world. Each episode includes reader questions, so if you need advice to help get more from your photography, drop us an email – podcast@photographynews.co.uk. The team will be at Photo 24, and will give hints and tips on shooting urban subjects in forthcoming pods.
Street sharp Catching fleeting moments on the street is a challenging, rewarding subject. And Brian Lloyd Duckett, founder of StreetSnappers, is very good at it.
including one-to-ones and private groups in London, Lisbon, Prague and Venice. There’s an online option, too. Also, see our City Clickers feature on page 17 for more on street and urban shooting opportunities. streetsnappers.com
his son, Alex Duckett, for free photo walks around some London hotspots. These will last around an hour or so, long enough to get a feel for street shooting. If you enjoy the free sampler, Brian offers a range of workshops and masterclasses –
Readers attending Photo 24 will have the chance to join Brian and
10 Photography News | Issue 99
photographynews.co.uk
Issue 99 | Photography News 11
photographynews.co.uk
12 Photography News | Issue 99
photographynews.co.uk
News
A Samsung memory card! WIN! Reliablesupporter
Win this month’s free-to-enter contest and you could be the proud owner of a top-of-the-range Vanguard carbon-fibre tripod
H D M E E O T G D C C F T O R T L N E N L M E S J O K S S H U O X W L E L W O L B O U G E I O P P G O A S D O Z A K X L N C C Z S X R R E E W N H K L H V R T F F A V Q L F V P E E W J R M E I C P L A K H E M B V G F A E S C G X E E X H S C L T O O U N N V T U S B R P L T M G F I N T A O B U P V H N M N C C B R W T A R G Y Y E K E O T S A C D O P F L T H G I R B Z Q B F W W Z S T R A P K E E L With the need for superfast, high-capacity memory greater than ever, the new Samsung 256GB Pro Plus microSD card could be just the ticket – and here’s your chance to win one. Boasting up to 160MB/s read and 120MB/s write speeds, the card is ideal for expanded mobile device storage and capturing high-quality photos or 4K UHD video. Complete the word search below, and you’ll find one word in the list that’s not in the grid. Email us on puzzle@photographynews.co.uk with that word in the subject box by 12 June 2022 and the winner will be drawn at random from all the correct entries received. Only entries from UK residents will be accepted. The correct answer to PN 97’s word search was ‘moonrise’, and the Samsung 256GB Evo Plus card was won by J Gilbert fromWest Sussex. samsung.com/uk/memory-cards
The Vanguard VEO 3 263CB is a carbon-fibre tripod for landscape and telephoto lens photography, where a stable support is the priority – with versatility and usability close behind. Supplied with a VEO BH-160S dual-axis ball head, the carbon VEO 3 263CB weighs in at 1.9kg and has a max load capacity of 15kg. The height is impressive, too, stretching up to 1.8m from its folded length of 74cm. Secure, smooth leg locking is achieved with easy-clean twist-grip leg locks, and there’s the option of rubber or spiked feet. A VEO 3 263CB worth £299.99 could be yours if you answer this question correctly. What type of leg locks are on the VEO 3 263CB? Go to photographynews.co.uk and follow the link to enter. The closing date for entries is 12 June – the first correct answer drawn at random wins. Only entries from UK residents will be accepted. The winners of the two Vanguard VEO Active bags from PN 97 were M Howenstein and J Paterson. vanguardworld.co.uk A) Lever locks B) Head locks C) Twist locks
GREAT VIEW The VEO 3 263CB comes with three easy-set leg angles: 20°, 50° and 80°
Fast, tough and secure – an SSD dream Blazing-fast data transfer speeds from Samsung’s latest rugged, credit-card-sized SSD
Samsung’s sharp external memory device is the T7 Shield, a portable solid state drive (SSD). The sleek drive is shock resistant from drops up to three metres, IP65-certified and weighs just 98g. It’s also a fast performer, with read speeds of 1050MB/s and write speeds of 1000MB/s. It is about twice as fast as its predecessor, the T5, and over nine times faster than a traditional external hard drive. To maximise performance, Samsung optimised the drive inside and out. It features better security, with 256-bit AES hardware encryption and access to Magician. The Shield comes in 1TB and 2TB sizes, priced at £134.79 and £250.99, respectively, with USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables. samsung.com/uk/memory- storage/portable-ssd/
BACKLIGHT BLUEBELLS BRIGHT CABLE CAP
CLOUDS EFFECTS EXPLORE EXPOSED KEEL
POCKET PODCAST SOUND STRAP STROBE
SUNNY TRAILS VENTURE
VISION WARM
TOUGH COOKIE The T7 Shield offers high levels of water and dust resistance
If you do not want to receive any marketing information from Bright Publishing or our partners, please type NO INFO in your email entry.
Issue 99 | Photography News 13
photographynews.co.uk
WhiteWall
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
The ultimate Coffee Table Book
WhiteWall’s Coffee Table Book service means you can create a professional-level product from high-quality materials – use your own photographs, simply and without fuss
COFFEE TABLE BOOKS of your own photographs are an expression of personal creativity, giving you plenty of space and the perfect finish for your photographic art. They stand for understated design, quiet aesthetics and a passion for photography. Your most memorable images are transformed into a perfect artistic book, as an exclusive presentation of your best work. To create compositions for photographic books in large format and present your pictures in a high-quality photography book, WhiteWall offers unique solutions: a classic format art book and album, a small presentation, an extensive photo project or a coffee table book. Each is inspired by the stunning examples from the world’s most renowned photographers. With WhiteWall Coffee Table Books, special emphasis is placed on exquisite materials and manufacturing quality – production according to the highest standards of craftsmanship. The range is based on simple layouts, styles and backgrounds, which focus on the photos. In addition, there are no logos or barcodes on the books, emphasising the professional character of the product. As the best online photo lab and professional image workshop, WhiteWall offers three ways to order: online, via a new downloadable software, or PDF upload. All of these options lead you step-by-step to an individual, top-quality coffee table book – the design process is easy to implement and user-friendly. Powerful photographs, from perfectly staged architectural or nature photographs to personal portraits, all need space to showcase their full effect. For this reason, the WhiteWall Coffee Table Book can also be designed in an elegant large format up to A3 – freely selectable between portrait and landscape – so that your coffee table book can always be adapted to the type of image. “Our goal is to always offer our customers the absolute best. The books are produced in our own workshop, and reach a whole new level,” says WhiteWall managing director and founder Alexander Nieswandt. A stunning exhibition WhiteWall’s range offers different formats, paper types, covers and endpapers, meaning you get an individual result. Essentially, the larger the images can be presented, the more impressive the coffee table book will be. Exhibition A4 Portrait (20.5x27cm) or, if there are a lot of panorama images to display, Exhibition A4 landscape (27x20.5cm) are both ideal formats for any design project. The Gallery Square (29x29cm) format has a creative effect. Impressive photos could also be displayed in Portfolio A3 format (portrait: 27x35.6cm, landscape: 38.2x29cm). Options start from 28 pages,
expandable by four at a time up to 200 pages, depending on the paper selection. This means a WhiteWall Coffee Table Book is ideal for even the most demanding and expansive projects. The special feel of these books truly brings photos to life. High-quality paper is an important design feature, guaranteeing extraordinary print results, with brilliant colours, precise contrasts and captivating image depth. Customers will be able to choose from six carefully selected, branded papers, including different thicknesses and surfaces – with glossy, high-gloss or silk-matte finishes. For the high-quality inkjet papers, WhiteWall uses modern printing and an elastic glue binding for classic bookbinding – inkjet printing is a speciality in the market. High-resolution printing is particularly suitable for detailed photographs, brilliant colours and detail sharpness. The Fuji photo papers use a traditional photographic printing method. Here, panorama layflat binding reduces the fold to a minimum, ideal for large-format photographs on double-page spreads. No disturbing folds interrupt the viewer’s eye. It doesn’t begin with the designed content; the discerning class should be unmistakable from the very first page. The cover gives the first impression of style and character. With a high thickness of 3mm and a choice of matte or glossy finishes, the sturdy hardcover of the WhiteWall Coffee Table Book immediately conveys the elegance and exquisite feel of a luxury art book. The free design options for the cover allow your creative ideas to run wild, forging a truly unique object. WhiteWall also offers a standard choice of inner cover pages for photo paper, and front cover paper for inkjet printing. Choose to be modern and stylish in white, or classically elegant in black.
Three pathways to perfection At WhiteWall, there are three routes you can take when designing your coffee table book:
1 Use the browser on whitewall.com. This practical, brand- new solution means your book project can be viewed and edited from anywhere – with a storage time of 90 days. In addition, this cloud-based option lets you share the book with friends or clients during the drafting process.
2 WhiteWall’s new downloadable software for Windows, Mac and Linux is specially developed for creating extensive book projects. With myriad features, as well as a wizard function, this software brings together a user- friendly application with the full range of design options.
3 Design books personally with your own software. Then, order your individually created coffee table books via a print-ready PDF upload at WhiteWall. This feature offers full flexibility, as it is designed for programs including Adobe InDesign – with many templates to download.
whitewall.com
14 Photography News | Issue 99
photographynews.co.uk
SUCCESS + EXHIBITIONS + PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS + OUTINGS News Camera club
Prestigious prize heading toWoking PS Woking PS won a thrilling annual Surrey Photographic Association (SPA) Inter-Club Open Print Championship
The historic Surrey Comet Shield saw 18 clubs compete – and it produced a tight finish. A judging panel of Tony Oliver, Clive Tanner and Sue Sibley awarded points for the ten images submitted by each club. Woking scored 121, squeezing past runners- up Bookham by a single point, with Godalming PC a close third with 119 points. John Sherringham’s portrayal of innocence in ‘Who, Me?’ was singled out for an award by the judges. Woking Club president Richard Sheldrake said: “The quality of photographs produced by Surrey clubs is extremely strong, so Woking is honoured and humbled to win – it is testament to the skill and creativity of our members, and I thank Cath Ind, our external competitions secretary, for her work.” wokingps.uk
Thanet goes abstract
this competition. Once again, they demonstrated the creativity and talent that exists in the club.” The winner was ‘Moving grass’ by Terry Scales; runner-up was ‘Honesty’ by Laura Drury. facebook.com/IsleofThanet PhotographicSociety
Thanet PS held its recent abstract competition and received 49 print entries to be judged by Helen Taylor, who looked for creativity and imagination above all. Club secretary Rod Giddins said: “It was fascinating to see how members had approached
WOKING’SWINNING FEELING SPA past president David Smith (left) presenting Woking president Richard Sheldrake with the Surrey Comet Shield
North Fylde PS’s last meeting of the season was its grand presentation night, hosted by chairman Paul King. There were 15 trophies to be handed out to members. “It was nice to see new faces picking up some of those trophies,” said King. “All in all, it was a great evening, finished off with a hotpot supper and cake!” northfylde-ps.co.uk Trophies galore
TROPHYWINNERS Left to right: Carroll Pierce, Dawn Keeling, Nicki Greenwood, Janet Whitlow, Angela Carr, Kean Brown
Issue 99 | Photography News 15
photographynews.co.uk
Amazing Internet
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Historic sites! An Amazing Internet websitemakes themost of your awesome images, is easy to update andmaintain, andwill maximise your commercial success
WINNER
WE ALL KNOW that getting images online is vital if you want them to be noticed, or if you sell services as a photographer. But while it’s pretty easy to create your own website these days, it’s actually becoming harder to find a company that offers a really great user experience. So, if you’re looking for the reason why so many readers picked Amazing Internet as the winner of the Photography News Awards best photo website provider – for the fourth year running, in fact – this is why. They have found a company they can develop a relationship with. One that takes the time to find out what they really need, while offering
ongoing support via phone and email. This isn’t a faceless call centre – with Amazing Internet you’ll be communicating with the people who actually create your website. With 22 years of experience, Amazing Internet specialises in websites for photography businesses. Therefore, it knows what makes a great site and how to show your images at their best. After all, planning a website can be a daunting and time- consuming task. But with Amazing Internet, you get to speak to an expert directly, who can clarify your ideas and find the right solution for your style – as well as understand what you want your site to achieve.
Offering a complete range of services, to suit everyone from keen amateurs who want an online gallery, all the way through to medium-sized business, there’s certainly a great mix of options to choose from. The Portfolio Series is where you can build a brilliant-looking and fully featured site yourself, with an intuitive content management system. It starts at £60 per year, but even at this price, has tools to sell your work, add a blog and help people find you. Then there’s the Pro Series where things really take off. Starting at £1440, you begin by choosing from a series of layouts. Amazing Internet then builds and customises this for you, making a site that’s branded and tailored to your exact needs. Add-on services even include a logo design. Finally, Amazing Internet can make a fully bespoke site. This is
We spoke to Amazing Internet’s co-founder Andrew Skirrow. “First of all, I’m delighted for our company to have been recognised as best website provider for another year. I definitely feel that our success is down to how photographers feel when they engage in making a site with us. When someone becomes an Amazing Internet client, it’s like they’ve become part of our team. We’re working towards the same goals – and want them to be delighted with our service, stay with us and create a long-lasting relationship. The fact we have many clients who have been with us for more than 20 years suggests that we are achieving that goal.”
EASY DOES IT An Amazing Internet website is simple to update
the ultimate in creative design, and sees the company complete an in- depth analysis of your requirements to ensure your site not only looks stunning, but perfectly reflects the images and agenda you have – ideal for businesses or even camera clubs looking to have the best online presence possible. It all adds up to a service that’s rightly been rewarded once again.
HERE’SWHAT USERS SAY
“When you’ve gone to great lengths to capture an image, it deserves the best website to show it. If you’re passionate about your work, look no further than Amazing Internet. Its expertise is exceptional. They are, in my opinion, the best at what they do!” - Robert Thompson, Pro Series website user
amazinginternet.com
16 Photography News | Issue 99
photographynews.co.uk
Technique
Our larger urban areas are photo hotspots, but with so much opportunity, it pays to focus on just a few ideas at a time. Here are three subjects with massive potential worth exploring City clickers
URBAN SCENICS, STREET art, people, architecture and night scenes are just a small sample of city subjects you can have a go at. Whatever your photographic tastes,
there’s something for everyone. Furthermore, with Photo 24 coming up in June, now’s the time to look at the creative photo opportunities on offer in our towns and cities.
Reflected glory
Walk down almost any urban street and you will see reflections – from shop windows, polished cars and mirrors. In landscape shots, a body of still water is ideal for reflections, and even flat light can work. But in urban locations, a stronger light is best to make the reflected subject stand out and, in the case of water, even a gentle ripple works well. With the harsh light of summer around the corner, now is a great time to start enjoying this subject. You can get some wonderful abstract compositions. There are many variables with such a diverse genre. The first technique to master is looking for reflections as you walk. Once you start seeing them, you get to know what conditions work best. Exposures and focusing are technical challenges to overcome. A bright reflection and dark reflective surface can make it tricky to get exposure right. Shooting in auto is fine, provided you use compensation to get a good exposure. If you have the time and the subject is static, take an exposure bracket and merge them later in editing. Focusing can be tricky, as there is a choice between zoning in on the reflected subject or the reflective surface. Both work, but the usual advice is to focus on the surface, or use a small enough lens aperture to get both decently sharp.
The camera’s AF can struggle and may not focus at all. So be prepared to manually override the camera or use focus lock. Also consider a polariser to control the reflection. This filter cuts down glare and minimises the reflective effect, so rotate it while watching the effect and shoot when it looks right. PN reader Andrew Moss has taken a watery approach to his reflections: “This time last year we saw the easing of lockdown restrictions, and I was able to get out and try an instant project. I had seen the work of Mike Curry, who specialises in photographing reflections at Canary Wharf, and decided to have a go myself. “I spent a wonderful morning taking photos in and around the area, within half a mile or so of the Jubilee line tube station. There’s an amazing variety of images to be found just looking at the way the world is reflected in the many bodies of water. The obvious places to start are the three main docks and many buildings that surround them. Wandering around, I found all kinds of different reflections – neon signs, DLR trains, boats and even air-conditioning inlets. There are fountains and a raised rivulet at Jubilee Park, directly above the station, where the trees give a completely unexpected green view. “Varying shutter speeds provide very different results. There’s always another angle to be discovered. You can shoot with the sun behind or in front – there are many opportunities to play with light and shade. “All in all, it was a rewarding, relaxing and fulfilling time, which resulted in quite different and very satisfying images.”
ON REFLECTION Good light is definitely a benefit when shooting water reflections, especially with a wind-generated ripple. In processing, don’t be afraid to get more aggressive than normal with contrast, dehaze and clarity sliders for a strong, abstract look
Issue 99 | Photography News 17
photographynews.co.uk
Technique
Street photography is a simple pleasure, and here Brian Lloyd Duckett of StreetSnappers offers his expertise. “There’s probably no other subject where you’ll see some take better pictures with a compact than others can with a DSLR. If you have a big camera around your neck, chances are people will stop what they are doing, turn away or just walk off – and you’ll miss your shot. Street photography, from a technical perspective, is best kept simple. “Always have your camera on, with the lens cap off. Use a wrist strap, so the camera is in hand, with your finger on the button. Set auto ISO with a limit of ISO 1600, and a minimum shutter speed of 1/200sec or faster. These settings are a good start. “AF is quick and face detection can work, but if you find the camera unreliable, then try manual focusing. Preset focus with a distance of, say, three metres, using a wide-angle or standard lens and an aperture of f/8, so you have depth-of-field from two metres to ten metres – and beyond. Street success
“Setting up the camera like this will allow you to put all mental energy into seeing and taking the best shots. “Skilled street photographers are sharp observers of life; they soak up all the detail, watching body language and anticipating what might happen next. Think of it as being able to ‘read’ the streets. You have to be curious, always thinking about what’s around that corner, who’s inside that shop or what is behind that door. Be nosy! “Light observation is also a priority. Seek out good light and try to find subjects and backgrounds bathed in it. Don’t be afraid of contrast – your job is to record, not flatter – and rejoice in strong directional light. “A big part of street photography is spotting and capturing ‘the moment’. You have an incredibly short window in which everything is just right for the perfect shot. Not only do you need to be alert and in the zone, but your kit and technique must be geared towards reacting instantly to events.” streetsnappers.com
BE PREPARED Having your camera correctly set up and ready to shoot is a key step on the way to street success. Make sure you have your brain in gear looking for pictures
Join us for Photo 24 If you like the idea of attending
to get your application in. See pages 9-10 for more – and go to photographynews.co.uk to apply.
our free event on 25 and 26 June, you have until 17 May
Twilight zone
Twilight, or the blue hour, is that transition period when the sun has dropped below the horizon, but is still lighting the upper atmosphere. This magical time may last anything from 15 minutes up to an hour. What’s more, you can get rewarding photogenic twilights on cloudy days as much as bright ones. Although you do get more colour for longer on fine evenings. With time of the essence, it pays to scout your location and check possible subjects and viewpoints beforehand. Colour in the sky is one thing, but you need foreground interest, too. For this, you could go for a bold silhouette, but finding a floodlit building or structure works nicely. Alternatively, look for a busy road and enjoy mixing light trails with the colour of twilight. With the latest stabilisation systems, handholding to one or
two seconds is possible in the right conditions. Factor in the high ISO skills of modern digital cameras and you can shoot great shots handheld. However, for the best quality and freedom when it comes to ISO and shutter speed choice, use a tripod. Twilight doesn’t last long, so carry on photographing for as long as there is no natural colour in the sky. Once darkness has fully descended, there’s no reason to stop shooting, just change your creative approach.
A QUESTION OF BALANCE Take your time with twilight exposures, to get detail in the sky and any foreground
18 Photography News | Issue 99
photographynews.co.uk
Issue 99 | Photography News 19
photographynews.co.uk
20 Photography News | Issue 99
photographynews.co.uk
Buyers’ guide
It’s all in the bag
Buyers’ guide
No matter what the camera, you need a bag to keep it safe. We
Manfrotto Pro Light Flexloader L › manfrotto.co.uk › £299
Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L › peakdesign.com › £121.50
Famed for its backpacks, Peak Design’s Everyday range also includes a handy sling bag that’s perfect for smaller gear. This 10L version is the largest – there are 3L and 6L models, too – and comes in either black, grey or blue. The Sling features a padded 86-172cm cross-body strap. The 10L has a dedicated sleeve for a 13in laptop and will take a full-frame DSLR body with a 70-200mm attached, plus another lens or accessories. There’s a weatherproof outer and storm-sealed zips.
Designed for unparalleled protection and portability, the Flexloader is part of Manfrotto’s new Pro Light collection. Its all-new M-Guard protection system gives greater shock resistance. The 26x15x47cm front-accessed interior is deep enough for gripped bodies and multiple lenses, and has a wealth of easy-to-fit dividers. There’s also an expandable rear pocket and sleeve for a 15in laptop. See-through pockets are on hand for small accessories and there are multiple attachment points for tripods or other gear. The outer is water-repellent and it comes with a sun/rain cover.
take a look at some of PN’s recommended backpacks, shoulder bags and cases... CAMERA-CARRYING KIT IS a vital component in photography, protecting your precious gear and helping to transport it in comfort. If your bag is looking a bit long in the tooth, consider some of these. But remember, just as different shoes fit different purposes, there’s plenty of justification for owning multiple bags for various situations, too. You might want a large rucksack for a long trip away from home, but also invest in a smaller bag for day trips. With advancements in design and build coming every year, there are loads of good reasons to upgrade. Let’s check out some great options.
ThinkTank Photo Freeway Longhaul 50 › snapperstuff.com › £125
ThinkTank is well-known for its superb photo backpacks and shoulder bags, but the company also makes great products as part of its Travel Collection. The Freeway Longhaul carryall duffel is a rugged organiser that can be used to safely move all sorts of gear. This 50-litre version comes in grey or green and measures 43.5x32.5x35cm externally. Internally, there’s a padded divider and Velcro strips to fit a camera compartment, as well as four outside pockets. There are duffel-style handles on top, as well as three other handles fixed to the sides, while a padded shoulder strap may be fitted between six different D-rings. A zippered top cover and extra-durable base protect from weather, too.
VanguardVEOActive 49 › vanguardworld.co.uk › £229.99
Vanguard’s Active range is intended for comfort when hiking or travelling, while keeping gear safe and accessible. All the bags have a USB port interface, hydration pouch and lots of organisation pockets. The Active 49 isn’t the largest in the range, but still takes a pro-sized DSLR or mirrorless body with a grip and mounted telephoto lenses, plus room for some big glass like a 300mm f/2.8 or 150-600mm zoom. There’s also enough space for a 15in laptop. Rear access means muck-free, safe loading, while there’s a smaller daypack section for other essentials. The bag has a water-resistant outer, storm-sealed zips and a seam-sealed rain cover. It measures 33x25x51cm, with a camera compartment that is 28x16x35cm.
MindShift Gear FirstLight 20L › snapperstuff.com › £247
Built for travel, the FirstLight series combines all-day comfort with carry-on compatibility. This 20-litre model is the smallest in the range, but roomy enough for a detached 200-400mm f/4. Its comfort comes from several adjustable features, including a contoured harness with 11 adjustment points – letting the fit be modified for men or women, tall or short. The bag measures 29x47.5x17.8cm externally, 27.5x44.5x13.5cm internally, and will comfortably fit a DSLR and three or more lenses, plus 15in laptop. It has grab handles, a rain cover and mounting points for a tripod.
Issue 99 | Photography News 21
photographynews.co.uk
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48Powered by FlippingBook