Innehållsförteckning för No. 277 från Digital Photographer

For a great many creative people, photography is a means of expression – a way of converting emotions into a physical representation of who they are and what they stand for. However, for some, the act of photography itself can present challenges most of us would never stop to consider. On p14 of the magazine, we join a photographer on a mission to highlight issues of accessibility in photography and the small changes that could make the industry a better environment for us all to work in. Then, on p24, we dive into the core software techniques for editing landscape images, covering everything from colour treatment to lighting effects. Create scenic shots that truly express the emotions you experience when out in the field. Often, expressive imagery is far from…

Isobel Greenhalgh Manchester-based Isobel Greenhalgh is a commercial and portrait photographer, image retoucher and creative who specialises in photoshoots that are accessible to clients with additional needs. Her colourful style is contemporary and heavily inspired by modern concept art. Isobel strives to raise awareness of accessibility issues in photography and as a working professional who is dealing with chronic illness herself, she is well-positioned to understand the community she serves. isobelgcreative.co.uk @isobelgcreative The term ‘anything for a photograph’ is used quite a lot. Many professional photographers will find themselves walking several miles to remote locations, lying on the floor of a studio or contorting into odd positions to get the perfect shot for their clients, resulting in a few aches and pains in the following days. However, few of us…

The range of colours visible in a landscape scene is vast. Even under flat lighting or in seemingly drab locations, there are a plethora of analogous colours hiding in the scene – subtle variations, the sum of which creates a natural palette that the human eye can identify and relate to. This spectrum can be both a blessing and a challenge. It’s one of the aspects that makes landscape photography so appealing but also means that becoming a deft hand at postprocessing is a crucial skill. Over-working colour can break down the smooth gradations we’re accustomed to seeing and introduce uncomfortable jumps and shifts which instantly make the scene look strange and unattractive. “Colour adjustment is a vital aspect within post-production and plays a crucial role in enhancing and refining…

LOCAL ADJUSTMENT BRUSHES Editing software offers brush tools so you can paint onto specific areas of the image and then make selective exposure adjustments. GRADUATED FILTERS Enables gradual exposure adjustments across the image, such as darkening the sky while keeping the foreground unchanged. RADIAL FILTERS Creates circular or elliptical selections with controllable feather measurements so you can brighten or darken specific areas. LUMINANCE RANGE MASKS Layers and masks allow complex exposure adjustments to specific parts of an image. Range masks allow precise tonal targeting. DODGE AND BURN TOOLS  These are commonly used to selectively lighten (dodge) or darken (burn) targeted areas based on a specific tonal range.…

Abstract photography is a dynamic and varied genre that presents endless opportunities to explore and unleash your creativity. In the early days of photography, there was little room for abstract frames. The first cameras served the sole purpose of capturing scenes as they appeared in real life, providing a more accurate depiction than paintings. However, like most art forms, photography evolved and began to find its creative voice as a reaction against expressionism in the 1920s, when photographers such as Albert Renger-Patzsch freed the medium from its initial function. This period saw the emergence of movements such as New Objectivity and New Vision, where photographers embraced a fresh approach to discovering the technical possibilities of photography to showcase structures, forms and angles in innovative and exciting ways. To create frames…

Hi Marisa, tell us a bit about yourself… I’m a business coach to small and micro businesses. One way or another, I have been running businesses for nearly 28 years across many industries and sectors. Since setting up my coaching business in 2008, I have worked with hundreds of business owners, many of whom are artists, creators and makers. What is a business coach and how do you help your clients? Crucially, I am not a consultant, so I don’t tell people what to do! As a coach, I believe that you already have answers to the issues you are grappling with. My role is to facilitate you being able to find those answers. That doesn’t mean I don’t hold my clients accountable. I spend a lot of time getting…

Best Wedding Photo Contest 2023 Since 2008, international wedding publication Junebug Weddings has hosted annual photography contests, celebrating the artistry of wedding photography and curating image collections that represent the very best of the year’s achievements in artistry, technical skill and emotional impact. The 2023 contest saw nearly 10,000 submissions from photographers around the globe eager to share the love stories they captured over the past year. A judging panel of wedding photographers, including Henry Teiu, Brittany Boote and Mic Panic, assisted the Junebug Weddings team in compiling a shortlist of 50 images that showcase diversity through sexuality, race and geography. For more info, visit junebugweddings.com/photocontests/best-of-wedding/2023…

104 Fujifilm GFX 100 II Gareth Bevan tests a do-it-all medium-format camera that is aimed at tempting full-frame professionals 106 Canon XA65 camcorder Is there still room for another pro camcorder in a crowded market, wonders Lauren Scott NEW SECTION 96 Photo Kit Leaderboard Check out our exciting new Photo Kit Leaderboard feature – a real-time guide to all the best cameras, lenses and other photography accessories on the market. 104 Fujifilm GFX 100 II Gareth Bevan tests this do-it-all mediumformat camera that Fujifilm hopes will tempt full-frame professionals. 108 Lenses Every month, we take two professional optics out into the field. This issue, we put the Sigma 15mm f/1.4 DG DN Diagonal Fisheye Art and the 7Artisans 50mm f/1.05 lenses to the test. 110 Accessories It’s the little things…

Which came first? My passion for travelling or my passion for photography? They are both so intertwined that it’s a hard question to answer. However, I do remember once standing in front of the New York City skyline and realising that my old phone camera simply wasn’t doing justice to what my eyes were seeing. Since then, I have travelled to over 50 countries taking shots that showed the culture and sights of each new city, village or nature park I was visiting. In 2018, that eventually led me to leave everything behind – including my job, my apartment and my furniture – so that I could travel the world for 18 months. Despite the many challenges, it is a decision that I will never regret. It wasn’t an easy…

Meet the OM System OM-1 Mark II – an all-purpose AI powerhouse that’s so smart, it might just replace your neutral density and graduated filters. At first glance, the differences between this model and the original OM-1 might be difficult to spot. But in short, what the Mark II offers is more than double the buffer size for burst shooting, an industry-best 8.5 stops of in-body image stabilisation, improved autofocus performance and what could be the most exciting feature we’ve seen on a flagship camera in ages – AI-based graduated ND filters. While the software and AI powering the Mark II have seen some welcome upgrades, the core technology remains the same. The body is identical apart from new rubberised dials and at its heart is the same stacked 20.4MP…

Sigma has announced two new lenses for L-mount (shared with Sigma, Leica and Panasonic fullframe mirrorless) and for Sony’s E-mount. But that’s where the similarities end between the new 500mm telephoto for sports and wildlife and the 15mm fisheye with a huge 180º degree angle-of-view. The Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS I Sports is set to be about 60 per cent lighter and 40 per cent shorter than Sigma’s 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM | Sports for DSLRs at 234.6mm and weighing 1.37kg (L-Mount). This is, in part, due to its special exclusive low-dispersion glass elements and precision-engineered TSC (Thermally Stable Composite) materials to help keep the size and weight down. Also on the spec sheet is a high-speed HLA motor and OS2 algorithm for fast and precise autofocus…

Very few photographic genres offer the same range of lighting, colour and detail that can be found in a landscape. Changing weather, the shifting position of the sun in the sky and the steady progress of the seasons afford us the opportunity to capture familiar locations in new ways almost every day, which goes some way to explaining why landscape photography is such a popular area of the medium. The downside of so many photographers shooting landscape images is that it has become almost impossible to capture a truly unique shot of a well-known landmark. Instagram is awash with photos of places such as Durdle Door in Dorset, Yosemite National Park in the USA, Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Canada and, more recently, the misty skeletal forests of Madeira…

WHITE BALANCE I often use the Basic Panel sliders in Lightroom to correct the colour casts, adjust the colour temperature of the scene and control the Tint for a more natural range of colours. SATURATION AND VIBRANCE I use these tools to enhance or tone down colours, as they impact all colours and the least dominant ones, respectively. For more precise control, use Point Color or other sampling tool. HSL Fine-tune specific colours to achieve the desired look. The Hue, Saturation and Luminance sliders alter the shade, intensity and brightness of each colour range. COLOR GRADING This will influence the impact of the image, based on the depth of colour. Independently add or neutralise colours in the highlights, mid-tones and shadows.…

Landscape photography can often be seen as a literal genre, merely tasked with capturing the scene before the camera exactly as it is. However, this attitude has changed over recent years, thanks to the advent of social media trends and AI software features such as Generative Fill in Adobe Photoshop. Although these tools have been controversial and have stretched the definition of digital photography, they have also opened up a whole world of creative and cultural possibilities. I have always believed that the impact of the final image is the end goal for a photographer and that we must be free to take whatever steps are necessary so that the viewer can connect with our subject. If that means adjusting the colours and lighting conditions of a scene because they…

For photographers, the frustration of a pristine scene marred by distractions is a common occurrence. Whether it’s busy crowds, moving vehicles or onlookers in popular tourist spots or scenic viewpoints, we have all experienced this frustration. While patience might secure a gap for a clean shot, it’s often unfeasible in continuously busy locations. So how can you ensure your photos aren’t inundated with crowds of people? One highly effective solution involves the use of extremely long exposures. By keeping the shutter open for an extended duration, the motion in the scene blurs, effectively eliminating unwanted elements from the frame. This technique proves particularly valuable in crowded scenarios, transforming busy city streets or iconic landmarks into empty, almost surreal landscapes. The beauty of this method lies in its ease; with the…

“Capturing moments, creating memories – never give up on chasing your dreams!” Shaun Antle Shaun Antle, also known as ‘Oh Me Nerves Photography’, hails from Ontario in Canada but calls the Newfoundland region his ‘true home’. Since taking up photography in the early 2000s, Shaun has undertaken many journeys across the globe but it has also had a profound impact on his life, serving as a therapeutic outlet for managing anxiety and depression. Shaun’s eye for a great image has been recognised by several professional organisations, including the International Photography Awards 2023, where he received an honourable mention, and Canadian Geographic ohmenervesphotography.ca magazine, reaching the final of its Photographer of the Year contest in 2023. @oh.me.nerves_photography…

Photographer: Jo Brown Title: Sparrows, Watch Out! Location: Kirkcudbright, Scotland @jobrownphotography ko-fi.com/jobrownphotography About the shot: “My goal for 2023 was to dedicate more time to wildlife photography, so I booked myself a week in Scotland. I was aiming to shoot mustelids, such as otters and stoats, but spent most of the time watching this sparrowhawk. I was fascinated by his intense stare and set up the shot to highlight it against the soft green backdrop.” Tag us @dphotographermag for a chance to feature here Every issue, we’ll be sharing the best images from our Instagram community. Tag us on @dphotographermag WIN! SAMSUNG 256GB PRO PLUS MICRO SDXC MEMORY CARD WITH SD ADAPTER Every issue, one Digital Photographer reader wins a Samsung 256GB PRO Plus MicroSDXC memory card with SD adapter.…

PRICE: £1,859/$1,999 FOCUS DISTANCE: 0.38m WEIGHT: 1,360g Build and handling I’ve seen some seriously small fisheye lenses over the years. However, this one is a comparative heavyweight, complete with a tripod mounting ring that has an Arca-Swiss profile, enabling direct attachment to likeminded tripod heads. I like that the ring is completely removable and the lens comes with a rubber band that you can slip over in its place, which is ideal for handheld shooting. With so much emphasis on ‘hybrid’ shooting these days, I also like that the lens has lockable aperture control and focus rings, along with a click/de-click switch. Another nice touch for astrophotography is a lens heater retainer lip at the front, which keeps heat strips in place to avoid condensation as the temperature drops during…

Photographer: Louise B @louiseb.photography Website: louisebphotography.com Image location: Home session, London Type of commission: Commercial Shot details: Nikon D750, Nikon 50mm f/1.8, 1/200 sec, f/2.8, ISO 320 About the shot: As a photographer who specialises in family and newborn images, Louise’s timeless images aim to tell a story about each family. She does this by creating a relaxed and organic atmosphere to capture the raw beauty of the special bond between family members. “If the subjects aren’t fully relaxed, then it shows,” Louise says. “But taking a short break to reset can really help.” Lots of patience is required, especially with newborns but, having young children of her own, she understands what’s required to get the balance between the perfect shot and a happy and calm family. Louise prefers working…

Exposure and colour in photography are often discussed independently as if they are unrelated topics, however, it is important to remember that the brightness of an image directly impacts the appearance of colours. In landscape photography, the decision is often taken to underexpose slightly to maintain highlight detail but also to create richer colours that appear more saturated. This means that you need to be mindful of how your exposure choices affect the colour fidelity of your photos. In scenic imaging, this can be challenging due to the tonal range of many compositions. The sky is usually brighter than the foreground by a significant margin, which means colours will be impacted differently in each area of the frame. This is why localised adjustments are hugely important in landscape editing. Most…

1 Add a movable layer Start by adding a Black Solid Colour layer above your Background layer. The black background will make it easy to move the lighting effect around at a later stage. You can toggle the layer on and off using layer visibility. 2 Add a flare The process varies between software, in Photoshop go Filter > Render > Lens Flare. Select the 105mm Prime option, resize using ‘Brightness’ based on the focal length and resolution of your image and place the flare where your light source would be. 3 Remove the background Click OK and the filter is applied. Change the layer blend mode to Screen to remove the black background and then adjust the placement and size of the flare layer. Consider the ambient lighting and…

Wildlife photography is arguably one of the medium’s most challenging genres. However, if you are thinking of practising your wildlife shooting skills, you needn’t necessarily travel to far-off places. Wildlife can be found in urban areas, even on the streets of our biggest cities, where foxes and deer often appear at night. Wildlife parks or nature reserves also provide opportunities to capture animals closer to your home. In these better controlled environments, you can observe a range of species and learn their behaviour, characteristics and movements. Pay attention to their feeding times, activity patterns and preferred environments within the area. If you decide to shoot in your local forest, take advantage of the many helpful resources available online, such as the RSPB website, forums and apps, which provide detailed information…

“Ultimately, the question is, in your photography career, do you want to be a commodity or do you want to be an asset? Do you want to survive or do you want to thrive?” When preparing for this interview, the discussion at the Digital Photographer office inevitably turned to the cartoon characters that inspired us when we were young. Whatever their background, it’s a topic that connects people and, despite growing up on the other side of the World, Mitchel Wu’s work features many of the characters that influenced our childhoods. As we spoke to the Los Angeles-based Wu by video call, the toy figures sitting on shelves in the background reminded us of the movie Toy Story, with Wu resembling the human main character, Andy. However, whereas Andy is…

For our latest competition in association with Photocrowd, we challenged you to submit your best Minimalist Masterpieces. After working through all the entries, the winners have been selected. As a prize, the expert 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 Back home Photographer Jeremiasz Gadek This is a true minimalistic masterpiece, skilfully demonstrating how shadows can sometimes be given more importance than the physical subjects themselves. We love the surrealistic touch this frame provides, introducing the viewer into the scene, despite a common perception of reality. Well done! WIN! Prizes from Affinity Enter our Macro…

Price: £6,999/$7,499 Website: fujifilm-x.com It has only been a few short years since Fujifilm began a journey to push its own vision of exactly what a medium-format camera should be. After decades of medium-format being large, boxy and heavy cameras for high-end professionals, the Fujifilm GFX 50S and GFX 50R brought medium format (almost) to the masses with a body size that rivalled DSLRs and even some mirrorless cameras, but at a price that undercut the competition from other brands. The Fujifilm GFX 100 II features a new highspeed 102-megapixel CMOS sensor paired with Fujifilm’s X-Processor 5. This enables the camera to shoot at 8 frames per second at full resolution, a notable achievement for a medium-format camera, with a larger buffer than its predecessor of up to 325 frames…

DOWNLOAD TEST SHOTS https://bit.ly/DPH277 PRICE: £339/$399 FOCUS DISTANCE: 0.57m WEIGHT: 606g Build and handling Think super-fast prime lens and you’re probably thinking of big, hefty glass with a preposterous price tag. The 7Artisans 50mm f/1.05 breaks the mould at less than a third of the weight of the Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct and costing a fraction of the price. Build quality feels solid and robust. Both the inner and outer barrels are crafted from metal, the inner one extending at shorter focus distances. The supplied slip-on front lens cap is also metal but, by contrast, the mounting plate is made from high-grade plastic, unlike the metal plate of 7Artisans’ sibling 10mm fisheye lens. There are no weather-seals, neither on the mounting plate nor elsewhere. Performance Sharpness is highly…

Photography is both an art and a science and, as such, there are a plethora of confusing technical terms to get to grips with. Luckily, we don’t often need to think about this jargon, except perhaps when buying a new lens or investing in new tech. However, understanding how your camera works and what these terms mean can improve your appreciation of the medium, help you make better buying decisions and shoot better images as you progress. Here are some of the ones we wish we had known from the beginning. Aspect ratio The shape of an image frame, defined by the proportional relationship between the width and the height of the image sensor. Aspherical element Any lens element, the surface profile of which does not form part of a…