Photography News issue 28

Fujifilm celebrates its 5th anniversary – among their host of exciting releases is the X-Pro2! After a first look at the X-Pro2, we put Canon’s PowerShot G5 X to the test. This issue’s Lighting Academy teaches you slow-sync effects – using flash with streaks of light for stunning results! Also in this issue, 16 creative photography suggestions to ring in the new year.

Your FREE newspaper packed with the latest news, views and stories from the world of photography news Photography Produced by Issue 28 18 Jan – 11 Feb News Tests Reviews Interviews Techniques Competitions Exhibitions Clubs

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Fujifilmkicks off X-series’ 5th anniversary in style New flagship X-Pro2 with 24-megapixel sensor takes starring role among a raft of exciting launches

Five years after the launch of the X100, Fujifilm has lifted the covers on four additions to the X-series line-up. Top of the tree is the X-Pro2 that, on first glance, looks remarkably similar to the X-Pro1 it replaces, yet in reality has a whole host of under-the- bonnet modifications. These include a new 24-megapixel sensor, a faster processor and an enhanced hybrid viewfinder. The X-Pro2 also comes furnished with a new Film Simulation mode – ACROS –

which is inspired by a Fujifilm Neopan black & white film of the same name, has a weather-resistant body and now offers a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000sec and a flash sync speed up to 1/250sec. Joining the X-Pro2 is the X-E2S, which replaces the X-E2. Key improvements include the Real-Time Viewfinder from the X-T1, an improved AF system with Zone and Wide/Tracking options and an enhanced body shape that improves handling.

Fans of Fujifilm’s fixed-lens compacts with APS-C sized sensors are sure to find the new X70 appealing. Created as a result of customer feedback on the X100 series, the small, lightweight model offers a 28mm wide-angle lens (35mm equivalent) with digital teleconverter and is the first Fujifilm camera to offer touchscreen functionality. Finally, the XF lens range now reaches further than ever thanks to the XF100- 400mm F4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR super-

telephoto zoom, which delivers the 35mm equivalent of a 152-609mm zoom. The weather-resistant zoom features a five-stop image stabilisation system and is set to further broaden the appeal of the X-series, with sports and wildlife photographers the most likely to become converts. Turn the page to find full details and images on all these latest launches. The X-Pro2, X-E2S, X70 and XF100-400mm will all be on sale in the UK this February.

Look inside this cover wrap for the latest issue of Photography News

Photography News Issue 28 absolutephoto.com

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Adhering strongly to Fujifilm’s ‘kaizen’ philosophy of constant improvement, the X-Pro2 isn’t a ground-up redesign of the X-Pro1, it’s more of an evolution, which is sure to get a big thumbs up from existing X-Pro users. On first glance, then, you could be tricked into thinking that not a huge amount has changed, but this isn’t the case. We’ve picked out the key specification and cosmetic changes that show the X-Pro2 means business at the top end of the compact system camera market. X-Pro2 –what you need toknow

24.3-megapixel X-Trans III sensor

X Processor Pro

If you’ve seen results from Fujifilm’s 16.3-megapixel X-Trans II sensor you’ll know how good it is. The same random pixel array technology has been used in this 24.3-megapixel version and, based on the results we’ve seen, it’s a blinder. There’s no optical low-pass filter, while the more random pixel arrangement means moiré and false colours are a thing of the past. The larger resolution also gives greater flexibility when cropping images and ISO sensitivity has been boosted to a maximum of 12,800.

ACROS FilmSimulationmode

Fujifilm’s unique Film Simulation modes digitally recreate the look and feel of analogue films and have only been made possible by the knowledge and expertise built up during the company’s long heritage as a film manufacturer. Prior to the X-Pro2, the latest Film Simulation mode was Classic Chrome, but now there’s ACROS that offers superior black & white images compared with the existing Monochrome options. Shoot with ACROS and expect smooth tones, deep blacks and impressive detail. Along with ACROS, the X-Pro2 also has a Grain Effect option, which adds more realistic grain to images. Two strengths can be selected, with the grain structure appearing different depending on whether you’re shooting in colour or black & white.

Using a higher resolution sensor demands more processing power and the new X Processor Pro duly delivers. The most powerful processor yet in a Fujifilm camera, it serves up a performance that’s 4x faster than the EXR Processor II found in the X-T1 and other X-series models, which translates into a start-up time of just 0.4sec, a shooting interval of 0.25sec, shutter time lag of 0.05sec and autofocusing in as little as 0.06sec. Impressive statistics!

Improved AF performance

A whole host of improvements have been made to the autofocusing system, which further cements Fujifilm’s desire to deliver an AF system that can tackle anything. Phase-detection pixels now stretch across approximately 40% of the imaging area to deliver a faster, more precise performance, particularly when capturing moving subjects. This performance is obviously enhanced by the X Processor Pro processor, which ensures the X-Pro2 is the fastest focusing X-series model to date. The number of user-selectable focusing points jumps from 49 to 77, with a new Focus Lever on the rear of the camera, which is effectively a very small joystick, allowing fast access to each one of them.

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FujifilmX-Pro2 announced Fujifilm’s X-system goes from strength to strength and its latest X-Pro2 boasts a brand-new 24.3-megapixel X-Trans CMOS III sensor as well as an innovative hybrid multi viewfinder

Here at last, the Nikon D5 revealed Wait no longer, the Nikon D5 is here! After much speculation and anticipation, Nikon’s latest technology-packed pro flagship has been announced … continue reading on page 5

The

Fujifilm

X-Pro2’s

new

digital noise, as well as superior tonal and colour reproduction. The X-Pro2’s hybrid multi viewfinder gives the option of optical and electronic viewfinders with the ability to switch between them instantly and the magnification changes according to the lens in use. There’s also an electronic rangefinder that displays the electronic viewfinder on top of the optical viewfinder. Add in a 77-point AF system, weatherproofing, a focal plane

shutter with 1/8000sec top speed and flash sync at 1/250sec, and two SD card slots and you have a camera with massive appeal. We’ve been lucky enough to get our hands on the X-Pro2, so turn to page 40 to see what we think; and we’ll have a full review in the next issue of Photography News , out 15 February. The X-Pro2 isn’t the only new kit from Fujifilm though – find out more on page 6.

24.3-megapixel uses X-Trans technology so has a random colour array to conquer moiré and false colours without the need for an optical low-pass filter, thus maximising resolution. Working with sensor is the new high-performance X Processor Pro image processing engine, leading to faster write speeds, start-up time and continuous shooting rates. The faster processor also gives users quicker autofocus and lower sensor

fujifilm.eu/uk

Photography News Issue 28 absolutephoto.com

News

...Continued fromcover

Here at last, the Nikon D5 (andmore!) revealed Wait no longer, the Nikon D5 is here! After much speculation and anticipation, Nikon’s latest technology-packed pro flagship has been announced. It’s a full-frame, 20.8-megapixel DSLR which doesn’t sound that impressive, but pros will be beating a path to its door

The D5 features a Nikon-designed 20.8-megapixel CMOS sensor with a native ISO range of 100- 102,400. This can be expanded to an equivalent of ISO50-3,280,000 (Lo-1 and Hi-5), and that range is available to stills and 4K video shooting. Image data is handled by the new EXPEED 5 processor, which should ensure high image quality across the native ISO range as well as accurate colour and tonal reproduction. The AF system has an impressive 153 focus points, 99 of which are cross-type sensors with sensitivity down to -4EV at ISO 100 for spot- on shooting in really low light. The user has the option of choosing 153, 72 or 25 AF points in continuous shooting, and of the 153 sensors, 55 AF points/35 cross-type points can be quickly selected while shooting.

EXPEED processor as the D5. It can shoot at 10fps with AE/AF tracking with the buffer allowing 200 14‑bit lossless compressed Raws in one continuous burst. It has 4K video capability, too. Native ISO range is 100 to 51,200 and this is expandable to Hi 5, equivalent to ISO 1,640,000 – only the D5 exceeds this level. Robust build is a key feature and the D500 has the same weather-sealing as the D810, a front reinforced by carbon fibre, and the shutter has been tested to 200,000 actuations. The D500 is set to sell for £1729.99 body only and £2479.99 with the 16-80mm zoom. Nikon has also announced its SnapBridge connectivity technology. This is a low-energy Bluetooth feature which means a SnapBridge- integrated Nikon camera can be

Ahighperformance buffer allows a single burst sequence of 200 Raws at 12fps with AE/AF tracking and 14fps with the mirror-up. The D5 will be available in two versions depending on which type of storage card you prefer. There’s a dual CompactFlash option or, for maximum speed performance, a dual XQD version. XQD cards are up to 35% faster than CF cards. Body price of the D5 is £5199.99 and stocks will be in the shops from March, subject to final confirmation. More new releases Sharing some of the D5’s features is the D500, the long-awaited successor to the DX-format D300 s . The D500 offers a 20.9-megapixel resolution and boasts the same 153- AF point, 99 cross-type sensors and

constantly connected to a mobile device once it has been set up and configured. Seamless image transfer, even during shooting, is possible, and you get automatic syncing of location and time information from the mobile device to the camera. SnapBridge is going to be a standard feature on all Nikon cameras that are launched from this year onwards. Also in the announcements are two new standard lens options for the D500. These are the AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, selling at £199.99, and the non-VR version at £149.99. These are the first Nikon lenses to feature its new Stepping Motor technology for really quiet autofocusing making them ideal for shooting video.

The third flagship Nikon product launched this month is the SB-5000 Speedlight, the first Nikon flashgun with radio triggering. With the optional WR-R10 radio unit there’s anout of line of sight operating range of 30m. A Guide Number of 34.5 (ISO 100, metres, 35mm setting), 24- 200mm (FX format) zoom range, a cooling system to avoid overheating during heavy continuous shooting and commander and remote, functions round off this unit’s headline features. The final product from Nikon’s long list of new kit this month is the KeyMission 360, the company's first action camera. It is a rugged 4K video camera capable of recording a 360° field-of-view.

nikon.co.uk

Photography News Issue 28 absolutephoto.com

News

Muchmore fromFujifilm As well as the top-of-the-range X-Pro2, Fujifilm has announced a premium CSC, extended its reach with a zoom lens and introduced two new compacts

ISO range is 200 to 6400 with expansion possible to ISO 51,200. Superior AF performance is possible thanks to a new 77-zone AF system for tracking moving subjects. In standard use, it’s a 49 single point system. There’s eye detection and auto macro modes too. Other appealing features for shooting stills include an electronic shutter speed of up to 1/32,000sec, a multiple exposure function and Wi-Fi capability. Also new to the X-series is the Fujinon XF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR, due to go on sale this February. This zoom is the

The Fujifilm X-E2S is a premium CSC, which presents an upgrade from the popular X-E2 camera. Many features of the XE-2, such as the key top-plate controls, have been retained, but the handgrip has been improved for more secure handling. Also improved is the electronic viewfinder, which now features a 2.36 million dot organic EL screen and produces a clear and high definition image. The sensor is an X-Trans CMOS II unit with 16.3 megapixels and it works with the EXR Processor II for faithful colours and low noise pictures. The native

equivalent of 152-609mm in the 35mm format. Construction comprises 21 elements in 14 groups and includes five ED lenses and one Super ED lens to combat chromatic aberration. While the lens weighs in at 1400g, it is designed for handheld shooting and fitted with a powerful image stabilisation system claiming a 5EV benefit. Two linear motors deliver swift, almost silent AF and a focus limiter option lets you limit close focus to 5m when needed. Challenging conditions present no problems, as there's water and

dust resistance, courtesy of 13 seals in 12 positions. The front element has smudge and water-repellent fluorine coating too. Compact cameras Finally, Fujifilm has introduced two top compacts, the X70 and the XP90. The X70 is the smallest, lightest camera featuring anX-series APS-C sized sensor. It’s a premium fixed- lens compact with a resolution of 16.3 megapixels from its X-Trans CMOS II sensor, while the lens is an 18.5mm (roughly 28mm in 35mm format) with a fast aperture of f/2.8

and a minimum focus of 10cm. Other key features include eight customisable function buttons, an aperture adjustable in 0.3EV steps and a 180° adjustable monitor for easy selfie shooting. The XP90 is a rugged 16.4-megapixel compact ideal for holidays and outdoor activities, and is available in several colours. It’s waterproof down to 15m, as well as dust and drop proof (to 1.75m). It features a 5x optical zoom, advanced creative filters and optical image stabilisation.

fujifilm.eu/uk

Photography News Issue 28 absolutephoto.com

News

Over 200 leading imaging brands will be in attendance at this year’s The Photography Show, taking place at the NEC, from 19-22 March. It’s the perfect place to check out the latest cameras, lenses and imaging accessories. Web hosting services, insurance and training providers will also be on hand as well as leading retailers so there’s the chance to snap up a bargain or two. Simply, it’s unmissable for photographers of all levels and interests. Photography News will have a stand there too, so do come along to say hello and pick up your free copy of our special show issue. The Photography Show ismuchmore than just kit, though, and there is an extensive learning programme of seminars, demonstrations and conference sessions covering a huge range of subjects. Many events are free, while paid sessions are just £10 each. See the website for event details, timings, booking and price details. Order your Show tickets in advance and you can save £3 per ticket – that’s £10.95 instead of the usual £13.95. Just enter the discount code PNTPS16 when booking on the website. The imaging world will be gathering at the NEC, Birmingham, this March for The Photography Show. Book your tickets with our code and save money It’s showtime

News in brief

Zeiss phone lenses Three Zeiss lenses designed for use on iPhones with customised brackets have been launched. A wide, telephoto andmacro lens are available, all offering high optical quality and outstanding edge-to-edge contrast. The macro lens has a zoom function too, making precise framing much easier. zeiss.com

photographyshow.com/homephotography-news

DxOadds Apple Photos app DxOOpticsPro for OS X Photos is a paid download from the Apple App Store. Costing £7.99, it appears as an extension in the editing tools of Photos and you get access to DxOOptics modules as well as features such as Smart Lighting and ClearView to enhance your shots. dxo.com

Photography News Issue 28 absolutephoto.com

News

Compacts fromCanon New models for the respected PowerShot bridge and IXUS compact ranges

News in brief

Sony in action The HDR-AS50 is Sony’s latest action camera. With a resolution of 11.1 megapixels from its back-illuminated CMOS sensor and a 3x Zeiss Tessar zoom, this action cam can shoot high-quality stills and video. The guide price is £170 and it will be available from February. sony.co.uk

Canon has introduced two compact bridge cameras, the PowerShot SX540HS and PowerShot SX420 IS, selling at £299.99 and £219.99 respectively. The PowerShot SX540HS has a 20.3-megapixel sensor working in conjunction with a DIGIC 8 processor and has Full HD movie capability. The integral optical zoom has a massive 50x range and an ultra wide-angle lens. With the long lens the Zoom Framing Assist feature will help ensure accurate framing and it includes an image stabilisation mode. The PowerShot SX420 IS has a 20-megapixel sensor and a

DIGIC 4+ processor. The lens is a 40x optical zoom with an ultra- wide lens and it features a host of creative filters including fisheye and miniature effects. As well as the two PowerShot models, three versatile compact models join the IXUS range. The IXUS 175, 180 and 285 HS are priced at £99.99, £129.99 and £169.99 respectively. These three models are all highly specified, pocket-sized cameras and each one features an optical zoom – 8x, 10x and 12x respectively. All five cameras are on sale now.

canon.co.uk

Olympus go long

Olympus’s line-up of pro spec lenses for its Micro Four Thirds systemhas gained a long telephoto, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f/4 IS PRO. This is equivalent to 600mm in the 35mm format with the Micro Four Thirds 2x crop factor. Its guide price is £2199.99. Lens construction comprises 17 elements in ten groups adding up to

a total weight of 1475g which suits handheld shooting; although there is also a tripod adapter if needed. For sharper results its five-axis Sync IS system also claims a benefit of 6EV. Teaming the lens with the latest OM-D models, autofocus is claimed to be accurate, responsive and fast – Olympus states it’ll lock on in just 300ms.

It boasts a robust construction and the body is dust, freeze and splash proof. Minimum focus is 1.4m, which is impressive for such a long lens, and the filter fitting is 77mm. A neat extra function is the L-Fn switch that can be customised to one of 27 different functions.

olympus.co.uk

PermaJet launch Fine Art range

PermaJet its collection of fine art inkjet papers with five new surfaces to join the existing range. New technology allows superior coatings to deliver an even better Dmax rating with the latest inkjet printers. The new papers are Portrait Rag 285gsm and Photo Silk 290gsm in the Smooth Art range, and in the Textured Fine Art series there’s also Museum Heritage 310gsm, Artist Watercolour 250gsm and Gallery Etching 310gsm. The revised Fine Art range is also available in ten-sheet packs, as well the usual larger sheet packages and roll sizes. For full availability details and information about the finishes that remain the same or have now have been withdrawn, please see the PermaJet website. has updated

The papers will be launched at the SWPP Convention, 22-24 January, in London.

permajet.com

Memorymoves fromSamsung

Electronics giant launches new card and portable drives

Samsung’s latest memory card is the PRO Plus 128GB microSD, joining the 32GB and 64GB versions already in the range. Featuring Samsung’s MLC NAND technology, UHS-1 Class 3 and Speed Class 10 support for high- speed recording, this card is ideal for action cameras and drones, as well as for DSLRs shooting 4K video. Shooting 4K UHD video, the card has a recording capacity of close to four hours. The new card has a ten-year limited warranty and features

Samsung’s features, which include protection from X-rays, magnetic fields, water and temperature – it has an operating range of -25°C to 85°C. The price of the new 128GB card is £85.49 without an SD adapter and £85.99 with. Samsung has also announced an addition to its range of solid state drives (SSDs). The Portable SSD T3 drives are compact (smaller than the average business card), palm-sized external units, available in 250GB, 500GB, 1TB and 2TB capacities. four-proof

With Samsung’s Vertical NAND and SSD Turbo/Write technologies they give super-fast read/write performance with transfer speeds of up to 450MB/secs. Interface compatibility is USB 2.0 and 3.1. One of the key benefits is durability, as SSDs do not have any moving parts. The T3 drives can withstand up to 1500g of force and a drop from two metres, while an integrated Thermal Guard prevents overheating at high temperatures.

samsung.com

Photography News Issue 28 absolutephoto.com

News

Phase reach 100megapixels

News in brief

Lexarworkflowkit Lexar has introduced two portable solid state drives, a 256GB and a 512GB, offering a read performance of up to 450MB per second. The drives feature a simple yet effective LED capacity meter to gauge available space. Also new is the Plug and Stay JumpDrive S45. This is a USB 3.0 drive available in different colours

Phase One has introduced its XF 100-megapixel medium-format camera system. The latest back has a CMOS sensor offering 16- bit capture and is capable of recording 15EV dynamic range, giving incredible highlight and shadow detail. ISO range is 50 to 12,800. The camera system

features an extensive lens collection and accessories todealwithmost subjects, while the highly featured body has a plethora of AF and exposure options. Go online to book a demonstration.

with capacities of 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB. lexar.com

phaseone.com

Dual skills Metz The Metz 44 AF-2 flashgun is an excellent lighting solution for photographers, and

Storage fromKingston Kingston has added to its SSDNow family with the KC400. It is available in 125GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB capacities and comes with a five-year limited guarantee and free technical support. Also new is an encrypted USB drive with keypad access. For extra security an auto lock feature kicks in when the device is removed from the host and the encryption key and password are deleted after ten failed log in attempts. Three capacities – 16GB, 32GB and 64GB – are available. kingston.com

videographers, with high-speed sync options (according to the camera) and a Guide Number of 44, ISO 100/metres. But it also has an integral LED light with a 100 lux output at one metre for video shooting. For stills shooting the flash zoom head covers from 24mm to 105mm, and with the integrated diffuser enabled wide-angle coverage reaches 12mm. On sale now, it costs £179.99.

intro2020.co.uk

If you are in the City of London and at a loose end on 20 January, join an interactive photo trail with Leica and QuizTrail. The trail starts at the Bank Tube station and ends at Leica’s Royal Exchange store. To register go to quiztrail.comand download the iPhone app from iTunes. When on the tour the app will ask questions along the way with more of the route revealed when you get the right answer. You can start the trail at any time between 11am and 7pm, and it should take no longer than 30 minutes with photo opportunities on the way. While the app is free, it costs £2 to join the event and Leica is donating all proceeds to the charity PhotoVoice. Enjoy the City with Leica Have a heart Photographs by Peter Sellers – his first job was as a photographer – are being auctioned in aid of the British Heart Foundation. The auction is being hosted on fundraising platform givergy.com and the auction is open until March this year. On the trail of good shots quiztrail.com

Curious Cameras

Topprotection fromSigma

With the strapline, 183 Cool Cameras from the Strange to the Spectacular, Todd Gustavson’s book Curious Cameras is published by Sterling, price £16.99. Todd Gustavson is the curator of technology at the George Eastman House, where the featured cameras are showcased, so he’s well-placed to talk about the technology behind the cameras, old and new. It is a very interesting read, not too technical, and a lovely journey, from the early days of photography to the present.

Protecting the front element of your expensive lens is very important and Sigma’s new protection filters are made fromClear Glass Ceramic material. This innovative material has the high levels of transmission quality needed for imaging use, but it offers greater hardness than strengthened glass. In conventional protection filters only the surface is strengthened. But Clear Glass Ceramic is made using a special heat treatment that produces crystals through the whole filter for maximum and consistent strength. Sigma says this material has ten times the strength of a conventional protection filter and three times the strength of a chemically hardened glass filter. The new filters will be available in sizes from 67mm to 105mm. The 77mm version has a guide price of £84.99.

eastman.org

sigma-imaging-uk.com

givergy.com bhf.org.uk

Photography News Issue 28 absolutephoto.com

News

Instant photography is growing in popularity once again and Polaroid aims to build on this with its Snap+ camera. This model includes a 3.5in touchscreen LCD for shot-framing as well as navigating the menus and the sensor is a 13-megapixel model for high-quality stills as well as 1080p Full HD video. Images and video are stored on a micro SD card. The Snap+’s integrated printer produces 2x3in copies and up to ten pics can be queued to print at a time. A self-timer and pop-up mirror makes selfie shooting a breeze. Download the app and this camera also offers Bluetooth remote connectivity too. Polaroid in a snap

polaroid.com

Fripito is a photography and travel guide app made by local professionals. It includes technique tips based on selected locations with GPS navigation as well as offline maps. There are two app types – inspiration and photo – which offer shooting tips and detailed schedules of what to see. Prices vary between $3.99 and $8.99, depending on the version. Currently, available guides include Iceland, Paris, Prague, NewYork and London. Upcoming guides will feature the US National Parks, China and Japan. Location app

fripito.com

Photography News Issue 28 absolutephoto.com

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Travel Photographer of the Year results

Beating off entrants frommore than 110 countries, the overall winner of the Travel Photographer of the Year contest 2015 is Dutch Photographer Marsel van Oosten. Also announced was the Young Travel Photographer of the Year, Chase Guttman, from the USA. In total, photographers from 22 countries scooped awards.

An international panel of judges comprising expert travel photographers, picture directors and the director general of the RPS decided the winners. You can see all the winners on the TPotY website and a book, Journey 8 , will be published this summer. Also in the summer, a major

exhibition will go on show at the Museum of London Docklands. The dates for the exhibition will be announced in due course. And in case you fancy trying to win, entry to the 2016 Awards will open in the spring.

tpoty.com/winners/2015

Above Brazil’s Alisson Jonas Cardoso Gontijo got a Special Mention in Travel Photographer of the Year for this shot.

An unmissable show

Original prints from Tim Rudman’s latest book, Iceland: An Uneasy Calm , can be enjoyed at the National Trust Fox Talbot Museum at Lacock Abbey until 10 July. Tim’s pictures have been taken over a period of eight years using filmand the prints are split-toned in Ilford Multigrade Warmtone FB paper.

You’ve got plenty of time to see the show and the fact that it is at the birthplace of photography makes the effort even more worthwhile.

The Northern Lights can put on anamazingcelestialshowandin recent months there have been occasions when they’ve been visible from the UK. But if you really want to enjoy them you need to go much further north. Alaska, for example, which is where dedicated aurora hunters and authors Daryl Pederson and Calvin Hall went for their book, The Northern Lights: Celestial Performances of the Aurora Borealis. Published by Sasquatch, it’s £14.99 and will make you want to see the lights for yourself. For your bookshelf

nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock-abbey-fox-talbot- museum-and-village

Photography News Issue 28 absolutephoto.com

News

Shoot survival towin

©Mixtec,Mexico,2015,EricMindling,esephoto.com

Entry to Survival International’s 2016 Photography contest is now open. This annual contest aims to raise awareness of tribal people, their ways of life and the factors that threaten their existence. Amateur and professional photographers are eligible and there are three categories: Guardians, Community and Survival. Please see the website for more details on the themes and the rules of entry. Enter this year’s Survival contest at thewebaddressbelow. The closing date for entries is 30 April and the 12 winning images will be published in Survival’s 2017 calendar with the overall winner’s image on the front cover. The 2016 calendar is still available priced £11.99 from the online shop. survivalinternational.org/ photography survivalinternational.org/shop

South Downs winners

Piers Fearick won first prize in the South Downs National Park photo contest 2015-16 and with it a cash prizeof£350.Hispicturefeaturesthe famous cottages at Cuckmere Haven and it is the unusual treatment of

themuch-photographed subject that attracted the judges. Second prize of £150 went to Martin Offer and third prize went to Rhian White. The winning pictures plus four commended images will

now go forward to the people’s vote on the website. The winner of this vote (it ends 28 January) receives a prize of £100.

southdowns.gov.uk

With the chance of being called a Hasselblad Master and a new camera to be presented at a lavish ceremony, you can see why the Hasselblad Masters contest is one of the world’s prestigious photo competitions. Check out the ten winning images on the Hasselblad website – John Paul Evans won the wedding category with the above image. Ten new Masters revealed in prestigious annual competition Hasselblad winners announced

hasselblad.com

Photography News Issue 28 absolutephoto.com

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 achievement; it could be about a group outing you had recently or when the annual exhibition is on show. Any news is eligible for inclusion, so club publicity officers please take note of the submission guidelines and get your stories in

How to submit

Deadline for the next issue: 4 February 2016

We need words and pictures by 4 February for the next issue of Photography News , which will be available from 16 February. Write your story in a Word document (400 words maximum). 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.

Six clubs vie for Cup

News in brief

Closing 2015 in style, Farnborough CC hosted a local interclub competition. The annual Interclub Cup involved Aldershot, Farnham and Fleet CC, Bracknell CC, North Hampshire PS, Windlesham and Camberley CC and Yately CC. Each of the six clubs submitted ten PDIs, which were judged by Roy Lambeth DPAGB, AFIAP, BPE2. The scoring was tight, with only 0.5 points

separating first and second place. Bracknell CC won the Cup with a score of 89.5, beating Windlesham and Camberley into second place. And to kick-start 2016, Farnborough CC is holding its annual exhibition in the town’s Princes Mead Shopping Centre, 30-31 January.

David inDroitwich On 9 April, David Noton is visiting Droitwich Camera Club with his Chasing the Light roadshow. The event is at Droitwich High School, at 7pm. Tickets are £12 and are available from the club’s website or 07580 602474. droitwichcamera.co.uk CheltenhamISP The 4th Cheltenham International Salon of Photography opens for entry on 1 February. This year’s categories are Open colour, Open monochrome, Experimental/Creative, Natural history and Travel. cheltenhamcameraclub.co.uk Photo2016 open for entry exhibition organised by the Vale of Evesham Camera Club. The competition is open for entry until 29 February, and entry details are on the website. There are four digital categories: Colour, Monochrome, Experimental/ Creative and Natural history. Part of the BPE and with PAGB patronage, the national exhibition is enjoying its 18th outing. Last year, Photo2015 attracted 4592 entries, with 927 images accepted; you can still see them all on the website. Every entrant receives a copy of the A4 printed catalogue. This year the selectors are Graham Hodgkiss, Malcolm Kuss, Peter Siviter and Ian Whiston. Selection takes place 12-13 March, and accepted images will be available on the exhibition website from 10 April. It’s time to enter Photo2016, the annual national

farnboroughcameraclub.org

A great action shot, worthy of being shown at the IDPS exhibition.

Ipswich and District Photographic Society is holding its annual exhibition in March. The exhibition of prints and projected images will be at the Council Chamber, in Ipswich’s Town Hall Galleries from Tuesday 1 until Saturday 12 March. It is open 10am-5pm, but closes at 4pm on the 12th and is closed Sunday and Monday. Admission is free. Ipswich’s annual exhibition

idps.org.uk

Above Singing Wren, one of the images scoring a 10. Below Roy Lambeth presenting Jon Sawyer from Bracknell Camera Club the cup.

Above Ain hoa by Fred Barrington ARPS, AFIAP is just one of the photographs in Beckenham Photographic Society’s Annual Exhibition. It’s at Beckenham Public Hall from Thursday 18 to Saturday 20 February, 10am to 8pmweekdays and to 5pm Saturdays. Entrance is free.

Saturday Night and SundayMorning Iconic film commemorated by new book from local club member

Skegness Camera Club member, Ron Disney has produced a book documenting the areas of Nottinghamwhere the film Saturday Night and Sunday Morning was shot in the 1960s. The book, with the

tagline Then and Now , charts the changes in the city since. As well as his photos, the book also includes stills from the film and memories of those who lived or worked in the area. Ron used a

period Ordnance Survey map to pinpoint where the camera was placed to filmthe scenes so he could recapture the shots. Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, Then and Now by Ron

Disney costs £9, and all proceeds go to British Film Institute and the National Animal Trust. To order a copy, call 01754 766587.

eveshamphoto.net

skegnesscameraclub.co.uk

Photography News Issue 28 absolutephoto.com

Profile

Before the Judge

Biography

Each issue, a respected judge or exhibition selector shares their thoughts and experiences. This month, we hear from judge and tightrope walker Chris Palmer Chris Palmer FRPS

Words by Chris Palmer

I first started judging way back in 1986. Since that time I have been fortunate to climb the ladder of judging experience and acceptance, through regional and federation events to national and international exhibition level. I am delighted to be included in the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain judges list. I’ve judged many BPE and FIAP Internationals in theUKand Ireland, notably Edinburgh, Southampton, Smethwick and Tallaght. I also had the pleasure of judging both of the PAGBNational ClubChampionships – Connah’s Quay (prints) in 2009 and Warwick University (PDI’s) in 2010. Although I love my own photography, I genuinely like reviewing, assessing and judging other people’s work too. I’m deeply aware of the responsibility placed upon me, but I always enjoy the process, searching out the gems, discovering great images, and appreciating the work of others. I have heard it said that a good judge sees more in the picture than the photographer saw themselves. The most important judge of any picture is the photographer, and in the amateur world I always encouragepeopletoproducepictures that primarily please themselves. However, many of us can become too close to our own work. A good judge can hopefully give an unbiased and dispassionate view of the image, and when necessary provide advice that will allowa photographer to improve and take better pictures. Through the RPS, and a special interest group that I run within AmershamPS, I have been fortunate to assist and encourage many towards distinction or personal photographic success. In my time judging I have had manywonderful experiences, butmy favourite is selecting the Edinburgh International. The system of selection allowed us judges the freedom and, more importantly, the time, to really appreciate the work. The hospitality was also wonderful! Standards of photography do vary widely across the UK, and it is noticeable that certain regions have their own tastes and styles. I am often pleasantly surprised by the wonderful work that I am invited to comment upon, and the imagination, skill and technical proficiency always impress me. Where the standard is lower, it is invariablyaproduct of clubmembers who only see the work of their own fellow members. It is vitally important to get out and see as many exhibitions as you can, and look at

is often a clue as to what provoked the entrant to raise the camera to their eye and take a shot. I try not to look AT a photograph, but to look INTO it, and thereby involve myself in the image. Placing myself in the photographer’s position makes it much easier to provide a helpful response for the author. There are some techniques and styles that you can tire of, so yes, I too am tired of HDR. It is a valuable tool in the photographer’s armoury that, when used carefully, can facilitate great detail in an image and solve problematic exposures that might otherwise fail. Unfortunately, I see far too many images where HDR has been used to try to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, or when it was not necessary in the first place. I also tire of formulaic predictable images, where photographers get on the competition bandwagon, then they see a successful image and attempt to replicate it. I always try to encourage originality. The trend of highly manipulated and constructed images seems to be fading now, while portraiture and studio photography is enjoying a resurgence. When judging I have found so many potentially good images have been spoiled by over manipulation and excessive processing. Aim for quality, simplicity, originality and good aesthetic appeal. Judges have a poor reputation among clubmembers, but it’s a tough task! I was invited to talk at a judges’ seminar to aspiring trainee judges.

I called my talk Walking the Tightrope, because judging is a balancing act. One is invited to a club as a guest, yet it is often the judge’s responsibility tomanage the evening and to time things responsibly. A judge is invited to comment or critique the work, yet not upset anybody, to be fair to all, reward the good and help the less successful. In addition often 50% of the audiences haven’t entered at all, so they are looking for entertainment, or at least an interesting evening. Of course, all judges have off days, when the words perhaps don’t flow so easily, and there are some poor judges on the circuit too. But we should remember that there are not enough good judges around, and that irrespective of the decisions made, the visiting judge has given up a fair chunk of their time and is doing their best. Whenmost clubmembers are already back home, the judge is normally still at the wheel, regularly obstructed and frustrated by the Highways Agency’s latest game of ‘Let’s close the motorway’! We all see the world differently, and I would encourage aspiring entrants to try and follow their own individuality of vision. Take pictures that please you. Follow your own path in photography, take lots of pictures, build your confidence, identify what you enjoy, and then hone your technique. If the judge likes it too then it’s a bonus!

the work of other photographers, and thereby feed your own creativity, raise your standards, and realise what is achievable. Judging in panels with fellow photographers, it is possible to get frustrated by your fellow members; I like to think I manage not to. I respect my fellow judges for their own personal views and we work as part of a team. Hopefullywe combine to assess consistently and produce a satisfactory result. Rarely have I been lost for words when confronted by an entry. My favourite way of judging is to comment and mark as I go, but hold back anything I feel is particularly worthy. This allows me to also hold back a problematic image and then have another look at it before I make any decision. It’s important to state at the hold-back stage why you are doing so, and that the image might not subsequently meet with success. When you see the shortlist at the end I invariably then find it easier to make a considered comment about a puzzling image. I sometimes see outstanding images, particularly in internationals. When selecting an international we normally mark between two and five, with five being a potential award winner. When an outstanding entry is presented I will hit the five and wait to see if my fellow judges feel the same way. There is a certain reluctance for some to ‘hit the five’, so one really needs to concentrate all the time, but to not be frightened to give top marks to a deserved entry. I also pay particular attention to the following image, because it just might be another 5, or I could be tempted to mark it more harshly because it follows a really good image. The biggest failings I see are images shot at the wrong time of day, or in poor or inappropriate light. Photographers travel to some amazing places but don’t necessarily place an importance on being in a location at the right time. Impatience and time pressures are normally incompatible with good photography. I regularly suggest that if only the photographer had spent five more minutes at the taking stage they’d have produced a better shot. There seems to be a relaxation of what I call camera craft, in the mistaken belief that any technical or aesthetic deficiencies can be corrected on the computer later. Far better to get it right in the first place. As a judge, what I think of as an ordinary snapshot the photographer may love. Within each photograph

Chris Palmer Chris has been judging for many years at local, national and international levels. He acknowledges that judging and helping fellow photographers is very rewarding but also flags up that it’s not an easy job with so many people to keep onside. Years in photography I was introduced to photography by my father when I was about seven years old, and I have been taking photographs ever since! My photography really got going seriously when I joined Field End PS (Middlesex), in about 1975. Home club Amersham PS, and the RPS where I am privileged to serve on the Visual Art (Creative & Pictorial) Distinctions Panel. Favourite camera My current Nikon D700, although I had a lot of affection for my old (film) Nikon FE. Favourite lens A Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 (although it’s very heavy!) Favourite photo accessories My Giotto’s tripod Favourite photographers Freeman Patterson, Christopher Burkett and Sebastião Salgado Favourite subject or technique Primarily I am a landscape and location photographer. Rather than shoot a big picture I often hone in on an important feature or detail within a scene and represent that strongly, mindful of the importance of using an appropriate light too. Awards An RPS Fellowship was my most significant achievement, but I have had good success in international exhibitions around the world while gaining my AFIAP and subsequent EFIAP distinctions.

chrispalmerphotographer.co.uk

I try not to look AT a photograph, but to look INTO it, and thereby involve myself in the image

What do you think?

Have you seen a photographic judge at work who you’d like to see profiled in Photography News ? If so please drop us a line to opinion@photography- news.co.uk with the judge’s name and, if possible, their contact details.

Image Icelandic Horses.

20 Camera Club of the Year IN ASSOCIATIONWITH

Photography News Issue 28 absolutephoto.com

Round 3: Patterns & textures Closes: 08/02/2016

Camera Club of the Year 2015-16 Two clubs have already qualified for the final but there are three berths left so still plenty of opportunities to win. Get your club’s entry in now

How to enter

First, your club’s competition secretary (or whoever is going to enter each month) must sign up at absolutephoto.com . Next, click on Members’ Area in the menu bar, then choose Camera Club of the Year 2015-16 from the drop-down list. Simply register your camera club and follow the upload instructions.

Dorchester Camera Club and Harpenden Photographic Society have both qualified for the final photo shoot-out to win the first prize of the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 and the prestige of being our Camera Club of the Year 2015-16. You can see the winning images from Round 2 opposite, and all the entries can be viewed on absolutephoto.com. We’ve teamed up with Canon and this year’s Camera Club of the Year promises to be bigger and

better than ever, and it is easy to enter too. To start, every club must register on absolutephoto.com. Once registered, go to the Member’s Area tab and click on Competitions and then Camera Club of Year. Follow the instructions from there to upload images. Each month we’ll set a theme and we want to see five images from five different club members on that theme. Any club or group is eligible to enter so long as there are at least five

members. Online groups, internal company clubs and those clubs not affiliated to the PAGB can enter. After the closing date, the images will be judged by the experts at Photography News and the top- scoring club from that month will qualify for the grand final and win a Canon PIXMA PRO-100S A3+ printer worth £499.99. Once a club has qualified for the grand final they needn’t enter again – they can if they want but they are not eligible for the monthly prize.

Clubs can enter at any point, even at the fifth and final round. After the five monthly rounds, we’ll have five finalists and theywill be asked to submit more pictures on a theme yet to be revealed. It is from these images that the overall winning club will be decided. The overall winners earn the accolade of the Photography News Camera Club of the Year 2015-16 and win a Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000, a professional 12-ink A2 inkjet printer worth £1199.99 Every photographer loves to see their work in print and Canon offers that opportunity with its hdbook service. A wide range of book sizes, formats and paper finishes is available so it is easy to produce your own personalised tome that is professionally printed and bound – and all at great prices. An A4 landscape book starts at from £59.99 The process is simple. Select your pictures and then visit the website of one of the participating dealers. You have the option of working online with the Online Creator or you can download the Desktop Designer Software. The online creator means you can work from your tablet or mobile phone as well as the computer and offers a simple way of creating your book. Projects can be saved too. For more design options and the option to work offline, the software

CanonHD Photo Books

The Camera Club of the Year wins… … a Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000. This brand-new professional quality A2 printer is worth £1199.99. It uses a 12-colour Lucia PRO inkset that includes four blacks for excellent monochrome output. On appropriate media, Lucia PRO inks have impressive lightfast qualities. … an exclusive day with renowned professional landscape and travel photographer David Noton, enjoying a workshop and an illustrated talk.

With the Desktop Designer Software, you can simply flow the pictures in, letting the app do the work for you, but you can also get creative with layout. Drag and drop layout templates, background styles and frames are available or you can just import your pictures and resize or crop to your tastes. Adding text is simple too. Once you are done, click on the shopping basket, complete your purchase and upload the book, which will be printed on the state-of-the-art Canon DreamLabo 5000 printer. So whether for special family occasions, a record of your latest photography trip or simply your favourite images, check out the hdbook service, powered by Canon. Go to the Canon website for more details of hdbooks and retailers who offer the service.

Overall winner prize: CANON imagePROGRAF PRO-1000

Overall winner prize: DAVID NOTON exclusive day

option is the way to go and it is available for Windows and Mac.

canon.co.uk

Monthlywinners

The five monthly winners each get a Canon PIXMA PRO-100S worth £499.99. This is a professional quality A3+ printer, featuring an eight colour inkset with excellent lightfast qualities.

Its built-in Wi-Fi capabilities means wireless connection is possible so prints can be made from tablets and phones as well as the computer. canon.co.uk

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