Photography News Issue 28 absolutephoto.com
Technique 34
13. Try newediting effects
14. Out with the old, inwith new says Roger Payne
your images unique. Over 40 monochrome film effects are also included and there are other creative presets like light leaks, frames, vignettes and a new Blur tool to try, plus you can work on files straight from Raw format (as well as JPEGs and TIFFs). That’s a lot to play with for just £59. Try using the same effect over a series of images and see how the consistency turns them into a pleasing collection.
into old images. In Film Pack 5, which can be run as a stand-alone package or as a plug-in for Photoshop, Elements or Lightroom, there are over 80 analogue looks to try, many of which replicate much-loved film stocks like Kodak Portra 400 and Fujicolor Pro 400h, which are new to version 5. As you’d expect, each effect can be adapted using a range of sliders, so you can tailor them to your own needs and make
One of the great things about digital photography is the range of effects that can be applied to your images, and of course you’re not limited to processing a photo just the once; part of the fun is also trying out different looks on the same picture. If you’d like some new effects to try in 2016, check out DxO’s Film Pack 5 (dxo.com), a collection of film-inspired digital filters which can breathe new life
“When it comes to how much photo gear you keep in your collection, sometimes you need to be brutal. Let’s face it, unless a lens has
sentimental value, or is actually rare and appreciating in value, if you’ve not used it for a few years, you might as well cash it in and put the money towards something you will actually use. That’s what I’m planning with my Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM – it having not seen the light of day since Cherie Blair took the curtains down at number 10. But I’m not just talking about nipping down to the local pawn shop here, where some guy will rip me off between roll-ups, and I can do without the hassle of putting kit on eBay for time-wasters to bid on; no, if you want the best service and the best return, go for a respected dealer. Naturally it’s well worth canvassing a few to find the best price for your unwanted kit, but try Mifsuds (mifsuds.com), London Camera Exchange (lcegroup.co.uk), Ffordes (ffordes.com) and MPB Photographic for starters, where you can expect a good price and helpful service.”
Inject some FX
15. Get some inspiration
Though many people feel they’re not learning without a camera in their hand, that only applies to the technical aspects of photography. In fact, the most important elements – inspiration and ideas – often come when you’re not shooting. So if you feel like your pictures are stuck in a rut, set aside some time this year to find inspiration. Of course, this can come from anywhere, but if you’re lacking ideas and feeling flat from a creative point of view, a good way to start is by immersing yourself in others’ photography; get yourself to a gallery, whether it’s a big one like the Royal Portrait Gallery (free!) or a pop-up exhibition like The Landscape Photographer of the Year 2015 that runs until 7th February in London’s Waterloo Station, and absorb some great imagery. Analyse why the pictures work, and try to apply those facets to your own shooting. It doesn’t end with stills though, try approaching films and TV with a critical eye to see how shots are lit and frame, too.
ISSUE AGAIN! Get Photography News delivered direct to your door for just £14.99 a year MISS AN NEVER
Insure your kit
16. Get yourself coveredsays LisaClatworthy
allergic to. So, no more risks for me. Shopping around is a good idea, of course, but the specialist photographic cover provided by Aaduki (aaduki.com) is a good place to start; with premiums beginning at £96 (which covers up to £3000 worth of kit), you can be covered against all sorts in no time. “There’s extensive cover available, of
“How many photographers have their gear properly insured? Sure, home insurance covers you to a certain degree, but check the maximum cost of single items and you might be surprised (in a bad way). The solution is dedicated photo insurance. And that’s what I’ve decided to get some this year. The reason? My two main photographic interests are swimming pools (an ongoing project to shoot the nation’s lidos) and shooting on my hill walks. “These involve the perils of water and falling from great heights, both of which my DSLR is
Guarantee your fix of news, reviews, advice and opinion by subscribing to the UK’s only photographic newspaper absolutephoto.com
course, and all packages include up to £2 million public liability in case your camera lands on a litigious American’s head.”
Powered by FlippingBook