Innehållsförteckning för No. 285 från Digital Photographer

Tamron has announced its new 90mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Macro for Sony E- and Nikon Z-mounts. This highly anticipated full-frame lens is said to deliver outstanding performance for portrait and macro photography, offering photographers a versatile tool for capturing everything from lifelike close-ups to beautifully composed portraits. Among the lens’s key features are its 1:1 maximum magnification ratio and a 23.1cm minimum focusing distance, together ideal for detailed close-ups. It’s the first lens in Tamron’s lineup to feature a 12-blade circular diaphragm for smooth, rounded bokeh and impressive starburst effects when stopped down. Weighing only 0.6kg and measuring 12.7cm in length, the lens is both compact and lightweight, allowing for comfortable handheld shooting during extended sessions. At the heart of this lens is Tamron’s VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) motor,…

Onboard clients Providing clear supporting info for your clients before they ask is a great way of showing them the step-by-step process of the shoot and what to expect. It cuts back on repeated questions, which frees up your time. It also alleviates any apprehension from freshly new parents on any ‘what ifs’. Do your preparation Nothing is worse than rushing to a shoot unprepared on the day. The evening before, I go through my mental checklist; making sure I have ample storage on SD cards and full camera batteries, and that my client closet outfits and blankets are washed, ironed and packed. I go through the questionnaire again, plus the family names and shoot poses I want to capture. Make a final check of weather conditions if you are…

Minimalism in photography became popular in the 1950s from the influence of extreme abstract art and the Reductive Art Movement in the United States, led by artist Frank Stella. He conveyed the idea that things that are simple are better understood, which is a concept that minimal photography still centres around. Minimalism is a type of photography that relies on simple compositions, heavy use of negative space, clean lines and often subtle patterns. Minimalist photographers often operate on the premise that less is more. This type of photography lends itself well to high-key, sharp-contrast scenes, as well as monotone imagery. Minimalism helps to draw focus to a lone subject or to highlight unique lines and textures in the scene you’re photographing. There are many well-known photographers who specialise in this…

The broad range of talents you need for portrait photography makes it incredibly appealing. Part artist, part physicist, part counsellor, part clown: it is indeed multi-faceted. Every person’s face is different, so uniqueness is almost guaranteed each time you create a portrait. However, there are still skills and ideas you can bring to bear when working with your subject, from getting the best out of natural light to creating tension in the design of the image and knowing when to release the shutter. In this feature, I’ve outlined some of the ideas that have worked for me over the years and could very well work for you too. I have broken them down into sections for clarity but, honestly, they are a mishmash of many influences and millions of images.…

We often talk about the composition of a shot (I prefer the term ‘layout’), but we speak less about the camera’s position when capturing the image. Of course, any change alters the viewer’s perspective of the final photo and that change in viewpoint can really add a different angle (figuratively, as well as physically) to your work. There will always be a place for the conventional head-height camera position, of course, but wherever possible, look around for something unusual. Keep things interesting I have spent a significant portion of my working life lying in gutters, balancing on chairs and taking on various contortions to create an interesting angle – often having to rely on my camera’s autofocus system, as I am unable to see through the viewfinder! Today, I am…

1 FLASH Flashguns are practical and versatile tools that can enhance your portrait shots with a professional touch. Take, for example, the Godox V1, which resembles a miniature studio flash head. It is equipped with a circular flash tube designed to produce softer and smoother light for a more flattering effect. This model includes a front panel that evenly spreads the light, resulting in a gradual fall-off towards the edges. 2 LIGHT METER Modern cameras come with a built-in light meter, which measures the light bouncing off the scene to calculate exposure settings. When using flash, however, an external light meter is better. Simply hold the meter on the model’s face to get an accurate reading. One example of a versatile light meter is the Sekonic Flashmate L-308X. You can…

Macro photography is all about capturing the intricate details of a subject, revealing a whole new world to the audience. To mesmerise the viewer, simply creating a close-up won’t be enough – light, layers and composition all play key roles here. For example, the technique I follow aims to preserve these details while also incorporating background and foreground elements into the frame to provide context, depth and atmosphere in the composition. This way, I can direct the viewer’s gaze. I recommend using a macro lens for the best results. However, close-up filters or extension tubes can also be used and attached to conventional lenses. Tubes and filters are especially great if you want to dip your toes into the genre of macro photography, as you can explore it with less…

When it comes to editing landscapes, judgment is the most important tool in your arsenal. Ask yourself whether anything needs addressing – is the exposure right? Does the scene need more contrast? Would a colour boost benefit the image? A good edit has more to do with answering these questions than expertise in editing tools, but it pays to know the best tools for the job and there are plenty to choose from in Affinity. What you’ll be using Curves Gradient tool Exposure sliders Dodge and Burn tools Inpainting tool Tone Mapping 1 Boostthe tones Whether you’re editing a RAW or jpeg file, the best place to begin enhancing tone and colour is in Develop Persona. For this, use the panel on the right to boost Contrast, Clarity and Saturation.…

Name: Torres de Quart Date: April 2024 Kit: Leica Q2 Summilux 28mm 1:1.7/28 ASPH “Some of my best photos are taken when simply being a tourist, that is why I love my Leica Q2. I don’t need to carry my heavy professional kit with me all day, and I can still take pro-quality photos. Compact cameras have a beautiful place in the world of photography!” Andy Nelson Based in Warwickshire, UK, Andy primarily focuses on street and travel photography. He enjoys the challenge of taking new and unique compositions in popular tourist locations. While enjoying photography passionately as a hobby, Andy holds himself to professional standards and wouldn’t say no to a National Geographic assignment! @ndrwnlsn…

GuruShots is billed as the world’s leading photography game. It’s an online platform that gives global exposure to people who love taking photos. GuruShots members start as Newbies and compete with other photographers to win challenges, increase their ranking on the site and eventually progress to ‘Guru’ status. Challenges are voted on by Gurus and the wider GuruShots community, and there’s a fresh competition brief, such as the Night Photography challenge, every day. All the winners receive prizes from GuruShots’ partners, including Lowepro, Kodak and Manfrotto. For more information, visit www.gurushots.com…

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.…

3 Legged Thing Camera Desk Mount System Price £27/$35 (Basic Kit), £39/$50 (Kit 1A), £47/$60 (Kit 2A) Website 3leggedthing.com The 3 Legged Thing Camera Desk Mount System (CDMS) offers a versatile desk-mounted solution for live-streaming or video recording, or for shooting top-down or flat-lay photography. The system comes in three kits: the CDMS Basic Kit, Kit 1A and Kit 2A. The Basic Kit provides a vertical pole with a table clamp and mini ball head, while Kit 1A adds a sidearm with a pole clamp and mini ball head. Kit 2A includes everything in Kit 1A plus an additional auxiliary arm with ball head. The height of the vertical pole ranges from 40cm to 85.5cm, making it suitable for eye-level or top-down shots, depending on your desk or table setup.…

KIM BUNERMANN This month, our technique editor paid a visit to pro photographer Louise B to learn what it takes to capture the character of newborn babies at a special time in their lives. Turn to p14 to discover these essential insights. Kim also analyses a travel photo by Andy Nelson on p74 of the magazine. Website: digitalcameraworld.com DAN MOLD DP regular, Dan has turned his attention to AI imaging this issue. In our Career Feature, starting on p66, he explores the darker side of artificial intelligence in photography and outlines the key steps you should take to ensure your photography isn’t used to train AI generators without your permission, accidentally or otherwise. Website: digitalcameraworld.com PAUL WILKINSON Paul is an internationally recognised and award-winning portrait photographer and author. This month, we feature…

Leica has unveiled its Q3 43: the third generation in its compact full-frame lineup. Known for its top-tier design, craftsmanship, and exceptional image quality, the Q-series has gained a loyal following worldwide. The new model introduces a 43mm fixed focal length. At the core of the Leica Q3 43 is the specially developed APO-Summicron 43mm f/2 ASPH lens, joining the elite range of Leica’s renowned APO lenses. The high-resolution OLED viewfinder ensures you can compose with clarity and precision, while the compact design of the camera remains intact despite the addition of four aspherical lens elements for enhanced optics. The design of the Leica Q3 43 maintains the iconic aesthetics of the Q-series while introducing new features, such as a grey leather outer finish that contrasts with the black camera…

More snippets of photography news from around the world NEW CANON SELPHY QX20 PORTABLE MINI PRINTER Canon has launched its new Selphy QX20 dye-sub pocket printer. Its 2.7x2.7in and 2.1x3.4in thermal sticker photos can be printed wirelessly from a smart device in 40 secs. Canon claims the printer produces vibrant, rich colours that can last up to 100 years. Pricing and availability is TBA, although it will hit the shelves in white, red and dark grey colour options. 7ARTISANS LAUNCHES 60MM F/2.8 2X MACRO LENS 7Artisans has unveiled a 60mm f/2.8 macro lens that can capture images up to 2x life-size, enabling incredibly detailed close-ups. As a full-frame-compatible lens, it makes the most of the greater light-gathering capabilities of the latest mirrorless cameras, such as the Nikon Z 6III or…

There are a few techniques that will take your minimal photography to the next level, with the main one being long exposures. A long exposure allows you to smooth the texture of water and the movement of clouds in the sky, enabling you to simplify the scene as well as creating a dreamlike wonderland of smoothness. Long exposures can also eliminate moving subjects and generally add more light into the scene. A body of water shot on a long exposure is a great way to convey a sense of calm or even loneliness and isolation, especially when presented in black and white. A long exposure combined with a panning technique will simplify your subject into smooth strokes of colour, taking the distraction of shape and strong lines out of the…

The most readily available soft light source is natural daylight: all you require is an overcast sky. If you are lucky to live in sunnier climes, there are always shady porches and doorways to avoid hard sunlight and capture some simple headshots. Provided my subject in the doorway can see the sky over my shoulder when they look up to the camera, the light will always be reliable. I know I have it sorted when I can see the sky clearly reflected in their eyes – the sky is a natural softbox, illuminating the face and creating wonderful catchlights. This pose has the advantage that the subject’s body drops out of focus, making it all about the face. If I want to keep the camera at the same eye level…

It’s common to have to apply filters to pixel-based layers in Photoshop – typically copies of the Background Layer or a merger of all visible layers into a new layer. But if you then need to make changes, deleting the layer and starting again can be a cumbersome process. Fortunately, using Smart Filters makes re-editing possible, helping you streamline your workflow. What you’ll be using Smart Filters High Pass Filter Blend Modes Camera Raw Filter Profiles in ACR Filter 1 Convert for Smart Filters Open your image in Photoshop and press Ctrl/Cmd+J to duplicate the Background Layer. Next, go to Filter > Convert for Smart Filters, and the layer will be converted to the correct format. Here, you can rename the layer to something that makes it more easily identifiable.…

Portrait skills What are the key skills for photographing people? I want to photograph families but I am not quite sure how to make the leap to becoming professional, or what clients expect from a family photo shoot.  Susan Percy If you want to photograph people, you have to be a people person! Making your subjects feel relaxed in front of the lens is essential if you are going to get good shots. Also knowing your camera like the back of your hand is vital, so you can give your subject your full attention. If you are offering a family photo shoot, be clear to your client what they can expect and what they will receive. For example, are you going to airbrush final images, and how many final images…

Welcome to the Digital Photographer Photo Kit Leaderboard! The digital world moves fast, and photo kit comes and goes in no time at all. The continuous march of development and progress means there can be a confusing array of potential cameras, lenses, software and accessories to choose from. Some products see yearly updates and replacements, while others stick around for longer – a testament to their quality, usefulness, value and popularity. We review a huge variety of items, but these summaries are often time-specific to the tech generation in which the products were launched. A five-star review might be awarded for ingenuity, marking something that is ahead of its time, but several months later, the competition has caught up. Conversely, as a product’s price drops over time, its value proposition…

Free 162-page ebook DP Annual 2024 Things never stand still in the world of photography – there are always new camera features to explore and techniques to try, so we’ve handpicked our favourite features, creative projects and interviews to keep you informed. Check out our guide to the tools and tricks your camera is hiding from you and go behind the scenes with pro photographers to see how they navigate a live photoshoot. Read our special features on pet photography, magical macro and amazing astrophotography. Plus, don’t miss our essential career advice for earning cash with your camera. To claim your free ebook, visit https://bit.ly/DPH285 Enter our Photocrowd contests online to win Affinity prizes Every month, we team up with Photocrowd – the world’s leading photography competition platform – to…

TTArtisan has released the AF 75mm f/2 prime for Sony E and Nikon Z-mount cameras. This full-frame prime boasts a stepping motor, delivering fast autofocus, and is priced at just £199. Not only is that an incredibly competitive price for a full-frame, autofocus-capable lens that will appeal if you use your camera for portraits, but the optical construction (10 elements within seven groups) is housed within a premium metal body. Surprisingly, it weighs just 328g compared to the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S at 470g and the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 at 371g. Dimensionally, the Sony variant is slightly shorter at 74mm than the Nikon variant at 76mm, with both featuring a diameter of 67mm. A standout feature of the 75mm f/2 is the presence of an aperture ring. This…

Photographer: Mainak Halder @mainakhalder001 Image location: Purbasthali Bird Sanctuary, West Bengal, India Type of commission: Personal Shot details: Nikon D7500, Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6 E ED VR, 1/1250 sec, f/7.1, ISO 1000 “During the monsoon season of 2022, I was on an expedition at the Purbasthali Bird Sanctuary, West Bengal, India. All of a sudden, I saw a mother little grebe roaming around in the wetland area and carrying her baby on her back. It was an adorable moment. “I noticed some waterlily flowers in a row where the mother was roaming around with her baby. So I waited for around three hours to capture the moment when I could get the perfect frame of that little bird and the baby along with the flowers. It was all about patience and…

1 Fujifilm X-T5 “This is my main camera – I transitioned from my full-frame Nikon DSLR over a year ago. I wouldn’t be without it. It’s very quick and really kicks in shooting in low-light situations. The image quality is very sharp and it has a 40-megapixel sensor.” 2 Fujinon XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR Louise prefers to work with prime lenses, as their sharpness is outstanding. This Fujifilm lens delivers superior performance in terms of image quality and autofocus response. The latter is indispensable when working with moving subjects. Its low aperture of f/1.4 enables you to create a beautiful and intense shallow depth of field, to make the subject pop. 3 Nikon D750 with variouslenses “I still use the Nikon D750 as a backup. However, my heart belongs…

Many minimalist photographers work in monochrome, whether it’s black-and-white or compositions that only include one or two colours. Minimal photography is all about simple, impactful compositions, so keeping the image to just two tones helps to streamline things and draws focus into the subject. The absence of numerous colours and tones in monochrome imagery highlights specific shapes, as well as emphasising textures and patterns in your imagery – especially when those tones are high-contrast. Monochrome images do not have the complexity of full-colour photographs, so the focus remains entirely on the subject and the simplicity of the scene. High-key photography in particular works well because you are working with striking, high-contrast captures. Minimalist photographers often highlight the contrast in their black-and-white scenes by using simple but striking shapes and silhouettes…

Next issue The latest kit reviews, tutorials and projects to hone your photo skills PLUS FREE eBook GUIDE Issue 286 is on sale 22nd November 2024 Read these essential features: • Learn to use flash like a pro for beautiful light • Capture winter sunsets with stunning colour • Become a magazine photographer Available at www.magazinesdirect.com *Content subject to change…

The magic of portraiture isn’t in the lighting, the setup, the layout, the exposure, the rule-breaking or any other aspect of the image. Instead, the magic of portraiture lies in your connection with subjects and the magic you create. Timing is everything. This is a human endeavour, not a technical one. Getting to know you Step into your subject’s world. Ask about their life, their interests, their family and their career. Make the conversation as you work. If, like me, you love to chat, remember to listen. If you’re less extroverted, you already have an advantage as a listener: it’s the listening that is the trick. Forming a relationship with your subject creates intensity in your portraits. As your subject relaxes, the micro-muscles in the face change and intense eye…

Smartphone cameras rarely fail to impress, and the fact we have them with us most of the time makes them invaluable tools. The image quality they produce is far from what’s possible with a mirrorless camera or DSLR, but the ability to shoot in RAW then use Adobe Lightroom Mobile makes it possible to elevate the quality, look and feel of smartphone shots. Let’s take a look at the workflow. What you’ll be using Crop Auto geometry Light controls Color controls Masking 1 Crop and correct Import your smartphone RAW file into Lightroom Mobile and select Crop & Rotate. Tap Auto geometry if there’s any noticeable perspective distortion in the image; you can tap on the pencil if you prefer manual control. Next, tap Aspects and select the crop type…

“My Nikon Z 6II has been my main camera for three years now. It’s able to handle the elements and has exceptional autofocus for quick-moving storms. The dynamic range is unmatched, which is essential for how quickly the light changes under a storm cloud. “I alternate between three lenses because my position to a storm changes so quickly and I never want to miss a moment. My favourite lens is the 24‑70mm because I’m typically trying to get as close to a storm as possible.”…

Photography is both an art and a science and, as such, there are lots 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. Acutance The subjective perception of the sharpness of a photographic image, as defined by the contrast between edges, independent of pixel resolution. Additive colour Colour created by mixing light from different light sources, starting with black, red, green and blue…