Innholdsfortegnelse for No. 286 i Digital Photographer

I was out shooting recently when I was approached by a lady who had also been taking photos but with her iPad. She proceeded to tell me that I needn’t bother using ‘such a big camera’ because it was possible to shoot perfectly good photos with a phone or tablet. Of course, I was the perfect gentleman and thanked her kindly, but it did make me wonder; do pro cameras have more features to do everything for the photographer or are they needed to keep up with the advanced skills of the person using them? You could shoot a coastal scene with an iPhone, using HDR mode, but would you be able to capture long exposures with subtle tonality, as seen in our feature on p24? You could use night…

Canon has announced four new lenses, three of which are hybrids designed for photographers and videographers or creators who switch between the two. The fourth lens is a new stereoscopic dual lens for the EOS R7. The new RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z lens takes the top spot as the most premium 70-200mm, sitting above the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM. It features an internal zoom for a more robust design and also has an aperture ring. It is compatible with the Power Zoom adapters that were launched alongside the original 24-105mm F2.8L hybrid. Two new fast primes: an RF 50mm F1.4L VCM and an RF 24mm F1.4L VCM fill gaps at the wider end of the hybrid range. Both are ultra-high-quality primes with fast apertures for shooting in…

Panasonic has launched the world’s most portable full-frame zoom lens with the Lumix S 18-40mm f/4.5-6.3 lens. It has also refreshed its Lumix S5 with a new S5D model adding LiDAR autofocus compatibility, as well as a new smoky white colour scheme to the Lumix S9. Panasonic’s new L-mount Lumix S 18-40mm f/4.5-5.6 has sleek dimensions, measuring 68x41mm and weighing just 155g. The new Lumix S5D is built around the same 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor you’ll find in the S5 with an impressive 14+ stops of wide dynamic range. The S5D offers some minor improvements over the original with new compatibility with DJI’s LiDAR autofocus system and DJI RS 3 Pro Gimbal for speedier autofocus. The Lumix S9 gets a new smoky white colour option and a new firmware update…

Based in Bristol, Sam East began his photographic career in 2013 by shooting ‘passion projects’ – portraits, products and powerful landscapes. More recently, Sam’s product photography work has expanded from luxury watches to some of the world’s most exclusive sports cars. This is why we’re motoring down to the Valley of Rocks, on the northern edge of Exmoor, in the Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo. For anyone curious about what’s under the bonnet, you’ll find an enormous 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8 petrol engine that produces 572bhp at 6,750rpm, alongside a rousing 730Nm of torque, which is available all the way from 2,250-5,250rpm. We start our luxury ride early in the afternoon, setting off from Bristol to our final shooting destination, around 100 miles away via the scenic route to the southwest coast. Accompanying…

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Lens filters are an essential tool for controlling exposures in bright coastal conditions. Neutral-density (ND) filters reduce the amount of light that reaches your lens, allowing slower shutter speeds and wider apertures without overexposing the image. They enable you to create motion blur in waves or to soften water surfaces, even in strong sunlight. Graduated ND (GND) filters are perfect for balancing exposure between bright skies and darker foregrounds, helping you avoid overexposed skies in your shots. Circular polarising (CPL) filters eliminate reflections from water and enhance the colours of the sky and clouds, making them appear deeper and more vibrant in your photographs. Each filter type offers its own distinct benefits, so combining them can greatly improve the quality and creative possibilities of your coastal photography. Adjust the aperture…

To capture the action without introducing motion blur, you can use a high-speed camera or introduce flash, as this can freeze faster movements than the highest shutter speed setting of your camera. Here is a project you can do at home to develop a feeling for this technique, it involves photographing sharp details of water. First, position the flash off the camera to the side of a container or glass with water, leaving some space between the subject and the flash. To capture clear surfaces of the glass without imperfections, place a reflector’s translucent diffuser panel between the setup and the off-camera flash so that the light gets softened. Next, set your flashgun to Slave wireless setting and ensure it is on the same channel as the camera. Then, select…

“Flash photography is a versatile tool that can elevate your photography when used correctly,” says Vince Preston. “Whether you’re working in low-light conditions or outdoors, mastering the use of flash will allow you to manipulate light to your advantage,” he adds. This is especially true when working on location with clients, as the natural light doesn’t always allow for a balanced exposure, whereas using flash opens up new possibilities, such as working in various locations and shooting at different times. “On location, wireless gear is key, from portrait shoots to products and weddings. Reliability and quality are essential to what I offer my clients, that is why I rely on Profoto lighting,” says Vince. While the style of flash photography is popular when creating product photography or portraits, flashing in…

The Orton effect is a technique often used by landscape photographers. It takes the harshness away from detail without obliterating the fine detail, resulting in an ethereal combination of sharpness and controlled blur. However, this can come at the expense of crushed shadow detail, so in this tutorial, we’re going to look at how to avoid this problem for improved detail. 1 Duplicate and blur With the Background Layer active, press Ctrl/Cmd+J twice to make two copies of the Background Layer. With the top Layer active, go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and set the Radius to between 20-35 Pixels, depending on the resolution of your camera; the higher it is, the more blur. 2 Change Blending modes With Layer 1 copy at the top of the stack…

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PRICE: £300/$335 FOCUS DISTANCE: 0.17m WEIGHT: 550g Build and handling Founded in 2015 by a group of Chinese camera enthusiasts, 7Artisans has become best known for its range of fully manual lenses. This model has neither autofocus nor any built-in electronics, which precludes shooting in Shutter-priority mode. However, the build quality is sturdy and solid – both the barrel and the mounting plate are engineered from metal rather than plastic. The focus control ring has a particularly long throw of 180° degrees and operates with silky smoothness and good tactile feedback. It’s exactly what I’d want in a manual-focus macro lens, enabling fine and precise adjustments. Performance With focusing and lighting perfected, the lens is capable of delivering pleasing images. Sharpness in the central region of the frame is mostly…

Fujifilm’s new X-M5 is a compact interchangeable lens mirrorless camera with the same 26.1MP X-Trans 4 CMOS APS-C sensor found in the X100V. It also boasts 20 classic film simulation modes, 6K video capability and an improved mic port location for video, plus an articulating 3in LCD screen. Also announced were two new Fujifilm lenses in the shape of an XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR and XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II. The 500mm f/5.6 is a powerful telephoto capable of matching the furious speeds of the X-H2S and delivers a film focal length equivalent to 762mm on Fujifilm’s APS-C cameras. It also works with Fujinon teleconverters for extra reach. The XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II is an update on a classic in a more…

“A polarising filter is an incredibly useful tool that changes the way your camera sees and captures light, particularly in relation to reflections and glare – a prominent problem with car photography,” says Sam. “By using a polarising filter, you can dramatically improve your automotive photography to create images that are vibrant and dynamic, and that stand out from the rest. “Polarisers have the effect of increasing colour saturation in some circumstances by reducing unwanted reflections such as the sky, clouds or glare from the sun. If you’re into shooting landscapes, you’re likely to have a polarising filter tucked away in your kit bag already, and you can use it for photographing cars, too. “The professional finish you get from using polarising filters can’t be replicated in editing, so it’s…

“Always be looking out for fresh angles. Every car you photograph will have a slightly different design shape, with its own styling details.” “Don’t forget about the interior. When we think of cars, we usually think of them from the outside on a road, but there are plenty of details to photograph on the inside.” “Try to create a sense of movement where possible – to get a shot of the wheels in motion with a 1/125 sec shutter speed, the car doesn’t need to be moving very fast.” “Get low to the ground. This perspective will give the car a real sense of power, and will also often create a blurred foreground, bringing attention to the main subject.” “Use a variety of wide-angle and telephoto lenses. This will keep…

Coastal photography is an artform that goes beyond simply capturing the beauty of the sea. It is about conveying the dynamic essence of the coastline, the interplay of light and water, and the mood of the ever-changing weather. Coastal photographers have a distinctive opportunity to combine technical mastery with a deep appreciation of the natural world. It is not just about finding the perfect composition, but also about understanding the rhythm of the tides, the movement of the waves and the subtleties of coastal light. For an experienced photographer, capturing coastal scenes provides a rich field for experimentation. Mastering the use of long exposure times can transform crashing waves into ethereal, hazy veils, while a fast shutter speed can freeze the raw power of a breaking wave. Polarising filters can…

Flash: some photographers embrace it and see it as an essential tool in their photographic arsenal, while others approach it with caution and prefer to rely on natural light or other lighting techniques. However, when balanced right, artificial lighting transforms your subject, offering the opportunity to enhance your imagery in innovative ways. Using flash grants you greater control and flexibility, allowing for the creation of more creative and professional results, even when shooting in bright daylight – so diving into this topic is beneficial for any photographic genre. These days, working with flash lighting is safe but this was quite different when it was first used in the 20th century. Initially, flash powder was used as a method of artificial lighting, but it was both inconvenient and posed safety hazards.…

Using flash in an indoor setting during the daytime, even when it is well-lit with natural light, might seem contradictory. However, the additional artificial light from the flash can enhance your subject’s appearance when used correctly. It creates a catchlight in the model’s eyes, making them appear lively, while also brightening the skin and reducing shadows on the face. The key challenge is to carefully balance the natural light, ambient light and flashlight to achieve natural-looking photographic results. To achieve this, place the subject near a window. The flash can be a studio light or a speedlight used off-camera for this technique. Mount it on a tripod and position it next to the window so that natural light and the flashlight enter the scene from a similar direction. To maximise…

When it comes to colours in photography, the creative freedom is virtually endless, and this is a positive aspect. Colours transform the visual language of an image and consequently impact the viewer. This is demonstrated in the colour grading seen in popular movies or brands, which have adhered to a specific colour grading style. Additionally, you can experiment with attaching colour gels to the flash to infuse an artistic touch into your shots. These gels also play a crucial role in establishing a particular atmosphere and are instrumental in creating a mood-driven effect. In genres where working with clients or their products, precision in colours is key. Vince emphasises that two genres where accurate colours are crucial are those where a flash is often used: portrait and product photography. When…

Difficulty level: Intermediate Time taken: 2 hours You heard it here first – winter is coming! It is getting decidedly chilly outside, and the hours of daylight are getting shorter. But don’t be too tempted to put your feet up in front of the fire: winter promises a multitude of wonderful seasonal opportunities, particularly for landscape enthusiasts. Weather is obviously the key to capturing standout, atmospheric winter landscapes. Snow and frost will transform the landscape into a winter wonderland, while mist or winter storms can produce magical and dramatic light. Depending on where you live, wintry conditions may not occur very often, though, so it is important that you make the most of opportunities when they present themselves. Alternatively, you might decide to visit a colder climate specifically in pursuit…

Colour grading is one of the best-known secrets when it comes to giving your photos a serious boost of mood and atmosphere. Although there are several ways that you can colour grade in Lightroom, the Color Grading controls provide an easy yet powerful way to adjust your images. The colour wheels can appear crude at first, but the full set of adjustments provides a huge amount of control. 1 Process the image To get started, process your image as you usually would to make it look its best before moving on to the Color Grading Controls. Make sure that the white balance is correct to avoid unnecessary colour casts – this provides the best starting point possible for colour grading the image. 2 Adjust Shadows Scroll down to the Color…

Magazines are one of the largest publishers of photographic work, so they represent a tremendous opportunity for you to see your work in print or supplement your income. In the current market, making a reliable living from shooting images alone can be a challenge, so creating photographic works and writing about them is a popular option for professionals. Your Digital Photographer team is unusually well-positioned to understand the requirements of both photographers and publishers. Most of us have worked as freelance content creators and journalists, so we can see the differences in schedules and workload faced by professionals on either side of the picture desk. Photographers tend to think of the images they create as the final product but, if you choose to submit your content to a magazine, you…

What is your photography about? I am a people-person photographer, which essentially means if there are people, I want to photograph them. I have my studio in Northampton but I’m often travelling up and down the UK as well as overseas. I am a proud brand ambassador for Lensbaby USA and Analogue Wonderland, and a hater of beige. My work is very much about the colour and the subject. I want colours to pop out and the connection to be felt. I am also an educator who unintentionally found that role. I started by teaching a course for adults with traumatic brain injuries, which then snowballed into teaching other groups – people with dementia, young adults transitioning out of education and people on an alternative education pathway outside of the…

FUJIFILM X-H2S “It’s fast, and offers animal eye focus.” FUJINON XF 90MM F/2 R LM WR “For outdoor photography, to get a creamy bokeh and pin-sharp images.” FUJINON XF 16-55MM F/2.8 R LM WR “The lens I use most of the time in the studio, as I can shoot quirky, wide-angle shots at around 16mm and more elegant portraits at around 55mm.” HOBOLITE AVANT LED CONTINUOUS LIGHT “To be able to take images of very timid and easily scared pets in the studio without strobes.” THE EXTRA BITS “Lots and lots and lots of treats, patience and praise for my models.”…

For our latest competition in association with Photocrowd, we challenged you to submit your best Conceptual Frames images. After working through all the entries, the winners have been selected. As a prize, the winners will receive a licence for Affinity Photo professional editing software. Congratulations to all of the winners – as usual, the standard of submitted images was extremely high and it was a difficult task to select the best ones. 1ST PLACE WINNER Old Photographer mogyshots This is a classic documentary-style shot that is both a literal and metaphorical interpretation of the brief. It makes great use of the frame-within-a-frame technique, isolating the girl while making use of the rule of thirds. The colours are natural too, allowing us to focus on the textures in the scene –…

Price: £1,049/$ 1,066 Website: ricoh.co.uk When you think of the Ricoh GR III, a certain type of camera might come to mind – a pocket-sized premium compact with an APS-C sensor, a fixed focal length lens and a serious reputation amongst serious photographers. The GR III fills a lot of photography needs – its small size and quality make it possibly one of the best point-and-shoot cameras and it’s also among the best cameras for travel. But it’s not just one camera, there are four distinct variants and some special editions, with a history that makes the whole line-up, past and present, very confusing indeed. Right now, there are two principal versions. The Ricoh GR III is the original, with a 28mm equivalent f/2.8 fixed focal length lens. But this…

As a lifelong music enthusiast, the song Colorblind by Counting Crows was a staple of my 90s playlists. Little did I know that just a few years later, the term would come to define my artistic journey, igniting a profound passion for monochrome photography. This wasn’t simply a stylistic choice; it was also a nostalgic return to my youth, one that reminded me of my early 20s when I first delved into photography at the Alliance Française academy in Quito, Ecuador. It’s early morning and before the rest of the world awakens, I wander through the deserted streets of cities around the world, seeking that enchanting blend of darkness and dawn. The first light kissing the corners, creating silhouettes of the few early risers, fills me with immense inspiration. These…

Sam says: “In all genres of photography, attention to detail can make or break your shot. With a portrait, it might be a strand of hair across the eyes, or it could be a macro shot with specks of dust. Although 99 per cent of these problems can be fixed later in post-processing, it’s still best to get as much right in-camera as possible. “With automotive photography, you’ll most likely have to drive to your shooting spot, unless you’re lucky and can have the car delivered there. The main problem with this, of course, is mud, dirt and potentially adverse weather conditions when you weren’t expecting them. I always carry a couple of cloths – one to clean and one to dry – and a water-spray bottle. The spray bottle…

Coastal photography exposes your equipment to harsh elements such as salt water, sand and high winds. To protect your gear, choose a weather-resistant camera body and lenses that can withstand these harsh conditions. A wide-angle lens is especially useful for capturing sweeping seascapes and dramatic skies, making your coastal photos even more impressive. ND filters are useful for controlling exposure and allowing slower shutter speeds in bright conditions, which is perfect for creating smooth, dreamy water effects. Carrying the gear in a sealed backpack and using UV or polarising filters can further protect it from splashes and scratches, ensuring the kit is reliable and ready for any coastal photography scenario. Use a sturdy tripod A strong, corrosion-resistant support will keep your shots steady even in wind and rain Shooting seascapes…

1 Correct white balance Adjust the white balance to remove unwanted colour casts and set a natural tone. Use the Eyedropper tool to select a neutral point in the image or adjust the sliders manually. This helps achieve a realistic look. 2 Adjust exposure levels Check the exposure to ensure the image is not too dark or overexposed. Adjust Exposure to correct the overall brightness. Fine-tune Highlights and Shadows to balance the image while preserving detail in the lightest and darkest areas. 3 Enhance colour Increase Vibrancy to make the colours pop without being oversaturated. Adjust Saturation carefully: too much can make the image look unnatural. Coastal photos often benefit from a slight boost in Blues and Greens. Aim for a balanced yet vivid look. 4 Sharpen image details Sharpen…

1 Set the scene For this photo technique, placing your subject in front of a black background works best. To maximise the effect, work with colourful subject features, for example, a brightly coloured dress. To make the movement visible, ask your subject to dance or move an object like flowers around while you are taking the image. 2 Decide on the flash type For smaller scenes, where the subject does not need the entire backdrop to perform the movement, the power of a flash gun is sufficient. However, when more space is needed, studio lights are more powerful and are best placed to the left and the right of the scene. Bear in mind that, to make this approach work, you will also need a continuous light as well as…

Do’s USE FLASH TO FILL SHADOWS One of the best uses of flash is to incorporate it as a ‘fill light’ to reduce harsh shadows in natural light settings. For example, when shooting outdoors with bright sunlight, use flash to illuminate the shadowed parts of your subject’s face or body. BOUNCE THE FLASH Direct flash can create harsh, unflattering light. To soften the light and avoid strong shadows, try bouncing the flash off nearby walls or ceilings. This diffuses the light and creates a more natural look. If your flash doesn’t swivel, consider using a diffuser or reflective surface. ADJUST FLASH POWER Many cameras allow you to adjust the flash output, which can help you avoid overexposure. Experiment with the power settings to find the right balance for your scene.…

When the sun sets, the world is transformed. With the urban environment shrouded in darkness, buildings, vehicles and street lamps become the main sources of light, inspiring many of us to capture stunning night scenes. Here, the magic lies in the unique interplay of light, which highlights subjects in captivating ways. When photographing at night, these additional light sources not only reveal features that are often overlooked in daylight but they also enable the creation of striking high-contrast images that place the spotlight on the subject. This contrast is amplified when working in black and white. While post-processing can enhance these effects, many cameras offer an in-camera black-and-white preview, allowing you to see the scene in monochrome and helping you to fine-tune exposure settings for maximum depth. A common misconception…

An impactful frame allows the subject to stand out without distractions. While this sounds straightforward in theory, it can be challenging to achieve in practice. Depending on your subject, distractions such as people or street signs may be present. Although a shallow depth of field and the frame ratio can help minimise these distractions, let’s use the tools in Affinity Photo 2 to get a focused and clear frame. 1 Analyse the image Open your image in Affinity Photo 2 but before applying any targeted editing, take some time to analyse the frame. This way, we can start to plan a fluid workflow as it becomes clear which elements are taking attention away from the subject and where we need to make adjustments. 2 Separate layers Place the subject and…

Career path When did you start out in your current photo genres? I have always been a multi-genre photographer; I am guided by my feelings, desire, and willingness to photograph. I never stick to just one genre but can switch between several genres at the same time. For me, it is most important that a hobby remains a hobby and that I simply get paid for it. Photography as a job must not take over at all. I have turned down many photography jobs because of this. I am driven by my desire and willingness. What challenges did you face as a startup, and how did you overcome these? Since I was born deaf, I have to work much harder to break into the competitive market. Once I manage to…

Name: Dominate Warbler Date: October 2023 Kit: Nikon Z 9 Nikkor VR 200-500mm f/5.6 E “I don’t take photos to feel fulfilled – photography brings me fulfilment. Living life and having fresh, new experiences inspires me to continue my photography journey daily.” Rylan Meadows An award-winning photographer and content creator based in Kentucky, USA. Last summer, Rylan worked with the Olympic Broadcasting Service at the Olympic Games in Paris, helping operate the Athlete Moment video booths. In addition to focusing on wildlife and nature subjects with his camera, Rylan also uses a drone. He is also the author of the book To You, From Me, which documents the journey of his career so far. rylansamazingphotography rylansamazingphotography.com…

Astronomy Photographer of the Year Astronomy Photographer of the Year is the largest international competition of its kind. Every year, it showcases the best space photography from a global community of astrophotographers. The competition is open to all, with the winning and shortlisted photos going on display at the National Maritime Museum, London, in its dedicated photography gallery space. For further information about the competition and the exhibition, visit: www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/astronomy-photographer-year…

Our ratings Our team of trusted and expert reviewers score gear thoroughly to help you make better buying choices. Product awards Digital Photographer’s awards are given out when a product really catches our attention. Here are our three most used accolades. Lab testing Some of our product reviews also have in-depth lab data, graphs and scores. This means that the kit has been subjected to more rigorous testing. Lens tests are carried out using Imatest, and cameras are tested in our laboratory using DxO Analyzer hardware and software to check the image noise and dynamic range.…

Price: £45/$59 per year Website: zoner.com Photo editing software rarely fails to capture the imagination with developers working hard to make their software stand out from the crowd – and, indeed, differentiate themselves from the market leaders that dominate this competitive sector. Zoner Photo Studio X is one such offering which claims to be a Lightroom and Photoshop alternative, albeit one that’s for Windows only. The main difference here, and one that makes it similar in some ways to ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2024, is that it’s all-in-one software offering a single interface made up of Modules. These modules provide image cataloguing, RAW processing, pixel-based editing, photo printing and even basic video editing. This streamlined approach to the interface is an interesting concept and could even make it one of…

PRICE: £649/$659 FOCUS DISTANCE: 0.12m (W) 0.19m (T) WEIGHT: 260g Build and handling With Canon keeping such tight control over its EOS R tech since the system was launched back in 2018, only lenses with no AF or electronic communication body were available until Sigma’s recently released RF range. While the constant f/2.8 aperture rating is a key advantage over the Canon lens, the Sigma is similarly strong when it comes to the overall design. Autofocus is driven by a fast and near-silent stepping motor, and focusing is fully internal, so the front element neither extends nor rotates. The avoidance of rotation is an important factor when using filters like ND grads. It’s bigger than the Canon lens (when the latter isn’t retracted) and heavier as well. Even so, it’s…