Hi All, here is a little something I did whilst at home with man-flu……hope you like
Grunged Art by Glyn Ridgers
Monthly Archives: September 2012
Latest photokina news from Cologne
Final Report 2012: photokina – the leading sector fair – now more international than ever
photokina reaffirms its position as the world’s leading innovation and business platform for the photography and imaging sector
Some 185,000 visitors from around the globe come to the fair in 2012
Greater international scope than ever before
Cologne is the central meeting place for the global photo and imaging industry
The 32nd photokina, which ended on Sunday, 23rd September 2012, was a great success. Some 185,000 visitors from 166 countries attended the world’s leading fair for the photography and imaging sector, which marked an increase in visitors from the prior event in 2010 (181,464). The share of trade visitors was 48.8 per cent; 42.5 per cent of these visitors came from abroad, a significant increase (7.5 per cent) compared with the equivalent figure for the prior event. In particular, photokina recorded a substantial increase in the number of specialist dealers and imaging professionals from Asia (16 per cent), North America (26 per cent), and Eastern Europe (40 per cent). “The further increase in the international scope of the fair and the extensive ordering activity by trade visitors underscored photokina’s significance as the world’s leading business platform for the sector,” said Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse GmbH.
Christoph Thomas, President of the Photographic Industry Association, the co-organizer of the World of Imaging, also emphasized the international importance of photokina 2012 as an ordering and networking platform for the photo and imaging industry. He also praised the innovative capability of the sector: “The companies once again staged a spectacular presentation of new products that put their tremendous innovative capability on display and also impressively demonstrated the huge range of products the sector offers for everything from image capture to image output. Moreover, photokina 2012 once again succeeded in effectively presenting the future of the photo and imaging sector. Indeed, a key topic at the fair was the increasing convergence of digital imaging and modern communication technologies.”
The newly introduced trend segments of mobile imaging, connectivity, and digital camera filming were extremely popular among exhibitors and visitors alike. “The new segments enabled photokina to present itself as an important source of momentum for the sector,” said Katharina C. Hamma, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH. “What’s more, the expansion of its topical spectrum to include a greater number of modern image communication systems again impressively demonstrated the fair’s role as a trendsetter.”
Extensive ordering activity by trade visitors from around the world led to full order books and an exuberant mood among exhibitors. Andreas Wahlich, Senior Manager Marketing Digital Imaging at Samsung, was extremely pleased with the way the fair went: “The many visitors at our stand and the very satisfying number of new orders we received clearly show that photokina 2012 was a great success for us.” Ralf Hansen, General Manager Communication at Panasonic Deutschland, was also happy with the large number of visitors from Germany and abroad. As a result, he believes Panasonic will enjoy very positive business development up until the end of the year on the heels of photokina: “photokina has once again proved to be the international photography trade fair. It was very important for us – and also very successful.” Martin Winkler, Director of Sony Deutschland, said his company was “able to attract more visitors to our stand than we did two years ago,” and that “we had a successful fair in every way.” Jürgen Schmitz, Director of the Consumer Imaging Group at Canon Deutschland GmbH, was already looking forward to the next photokina on the last day of the fair: “This fair once again impressively demonstrated that consumers remain very interested in innovative high-quality products. We’re very satisfied with the way in which the trade reacted to our products and look forward to returning here in two years.”
The decision-making competence of the trade visitors was also impressive. In fact, initial results of an independent survey show that around two-thirds of visitors (65 per cent) were either main procurement decision-makers or else had decision-making input. Fredrik Franzén, PR & Media Coordinator at Profoto AB from Sweden, was especially pleased about that: “We were able to welcome a very qualified group of specialist visitors – increasing numbers of them from Eastern Europe – to our stand on every day. photokina allowed us to reach all of our key high-level customers, which is why the fair is so important to us.”
Visitors to photokina were just as happy with this year’s fair as exhibitors and the trade were with the visitor response. A total of 87 per cent of visitors said they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the range of products and services on display at photokina. Trade visitors were pleased with the opportunity photokina offered them to achieve their trade fair goals. Altogether, some 84 per cent of trade visitors reported they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the results of their visit; 93 per cent said they would recommend the event to close business acquaintances.
The sector also reacted very positively to the expansion of the exhibition portfolio at photokina 2012 to include modern image communication products and services such as mobile imaging and connectivity. Exhibitors presented numerous new cameras equipped with state-of-the-art imaging technology that allows photos to be wirelessly uploaded to social networks, and whose features can be expanded with Apps. Many companies recognized this growing trend and displayed products and applications specifically tailored to this segment. Dr. Rolf Hollander, CEO of CeWe Color Holding AG, utilized photokina to exchange ideas with retail partners and consumers: “We decided to make photokina the venue for unveiling our innovations, video photobook features, and all smartphone and Tablet PC photo applications for the first time under the motto ‘CeWe goes mobile’.” photokina also set aside a special area for presenting the various aspects of mobile imaging. Smartphone manufacturers joined network providers and App creators to highlight their product portfolios in this photokina showcase section. Martin Kang, Head of Marketing DACH at smartphone manufacturer HTC, said his company’s first trip to photokina was a great success: “We were really pleased by the great interest shown by the media, trade visitors, and the imaging community at photokina 2012.”
The premiere of the special “shoot movie Park” presentation for imaging professionals was a success as well. The event, which focused on professional filming with DSLR and system cameras, featured 28 companies – including premium partners Canon and Zeiss – which presented their products and services for this special segment to an international audience. Martin Dominicus, Head of the Marketing Camera Lens Division at Carl Zeiss AG, said the event paid off for his company, praising the high quality of the visitors in attendance and the opportunity “shoot movie Park” offered for directly engaging specialist visitors. Dominicus’ overall assessment of photokina was equally positive: “The fair proved again this year that it’s able to intelligently incorporate new market segments like HD video and mobile imaging. We’ve been here since the first photokina and this year we’re once again very satisfied with its outcome. Not only that: We’re already looking forward to 2014; we’ll definitely be back then.”
The wide-ranging program of events was a big hit again this year. Professionals at the fair focused on exchanging information on the latest sector trends, market developments, and business models. For private users it was all about touching, sampling, and experiencing the latest systems and technologies. In addition, photokina 2012 again featured many high-quality photography exhibitions that addressed topics ranging from photo documentation and photo design to photo journalism and photo art. A lot of praise was given to Leica Camera AG, which presented pictures shot by internationally renowned photographers in Hall 1 and transformed photographic art into an exciting experience for visitors.
The “photokina: köln fotografiert!” event, which took place this year for the third time, once again saw photokina organizers successfully take photography to the streets from the beginning of September until the end of the fair. Cologne Mayor Jürgen Roters was the patron for “köln fotografiert!”, which consisted of a large number of individual events that included photo workshops, shoots, exhibitions, and more. Nearly all of these events, which were carried out in cooperation with Cologne-based companies and institutes, attracted many participants; in some cases they were fully booked.
photokina 2012 figures:
A total of 1,158 companies from 41 countries participated in photokina 2012, with 63 % of the exhibitors coming from abroad. The exhibiting firms included 280 exhibitors and 140 additionally represented firms from Germany and 523 exhibitors and 215 additionally represented firms from abroad. Including the estimates for the last day of the fair, around 185,000 visitors from 166 countries came to photokina 2012.
The next photokina Köln – World of Imaging – will take
place from Tuesday, 16th September to Sunday, 21st September 2014.
by Glyn Ridgers
Your lifetime of images, on demand – Canon unveils new image management platform
| Canon today announces the beta launch of a new image management platform under the working title Project 1709. Designed to seamlessly bring your entire photography collection together, the new cloud-based service makes it easy to store and access images, regardless of where they’ve been saved. With unique indexing and tagging functionality, you can easily find any image stored on the cloud, or share your collection of photographs with friends, family and social networks thanks to integration with services such as Facebook. | ||
“Since the advent of digital photography, people are taking more photos on a range of devices, and it’s become more challenging to effectively manage and enjoy these images,” said Rainer Fuehres, Head of Consumer Imaging, Canon Europe. “In Project 1709 we’ve developed a unique solution that makes it easier to manage photo collections across different platforms – whether stored on a hard drive, a social network, or in the cloud. This platform is designed for the modern photographer, providing instant access to their entire collections whenever and wherever they want it. We’re excited at the prospect of working with photographers during the beta programme, and evolving the platform in the months and years ahead.” Easily store, find, access, improve and enjoy The platform’s clean, tiled design gives a fresh and enjoyable new way to view images, with a customisable timeline ribbon and tag-based filtering options that make it easier to find images using important dates, location, user-added tags, and much more. The platform has been created around five core principles designed the make it easier for photographers to manage their images:
Designed around users Project 1709 is scheduled for a full public launch in 2013, when the platform identity and additional features will be unveiled. The public launch will also include enhanced search and tagging functionality, as well as integration with a wider range of third party services, including content upload and sharing platforms. Consumers interested in the beta can register their interest atwww.Project1709.com Project 1709 – key features
|
Some images taken during a Loft A Workshop…on a rainy day..
Sometimes the weather can be unkind to us photographers however here at Loft A Photographics we always have a back up plan for our workshops….these include product, still life and macro shooting and then some fun creating some stunning images like these using Lightroom and Photoshop… So if the weather is wet on the day of the workshop and you don’t fancy facing the elements then bring along a item that you would like creatively shot or we will just use whatever is lying around the office……not that we have Vodka laying around the studio often. Haha!
Creating images from absolutely anything is fun and further more it helps us to see things differently as well as gets our creative juices flowing. So don’t let the British climate put a dampener on your photography….Just get creative.
Check us out at www.loftaphotographics.co.uk
Loft A Photographics workshop launch a success…
Hi All,
Loft A Photographics launched their workshop days with great success yesterday and were blown away from the response of the attendees.
Above image taken by Anna Eaton on a Loft A Workshop day
Above image taken by Pauline Rendall
Glyn Ridgers from Loft A said ” We had been planning these workshops designed for beginner to intermediate photographers for sometime now and and we are delighted that the students said that they all had a wonderfully fun and informative day and had met new friends doing so”
Jonathan Wignall from Loft A added “The day was a real success, we had people with various abilities and photographic experience and as the workshops hold a maximum of 6 people we were able to tailor the course to their needs enabling them to get the most out of the day”
The workshops run from their studio in Tollesbury, Essex and cover a few hours theory on getting to know the basics of photography and photographic equipment followed by a practical session either outside in the boat yard and marina or if the weather is not to good they will cover a practical session of studio/ still life/ product photography. Then everyone has lunch in the wonderful tea rooms followed by a Lightroom session back in the studio.
Anna Eaton who attended the workshop said
” Just wanted to say thank you again for today. I had a great time and have learnt some more tricks and cemented my understanding a little bit more on some technical points“
Linda Precious also said
” I wanted to say thanks for a lovely day today, I thought you guys were very good, you compliment each other very well, Jonathan doing the presentation and Glyn backing up and reinforcing, you are a great team, it’s also good that one is Nikon and one is Canon. For me, it made me think about my photography more and I particularly liked the introduction of Lightroom, I definitely think Loft A Photographics have a good future, good luck and thanks again”.
For more info on our workshops check out www.loftaphotographics.co.uk
The new Canon Speedlite 90EX…
Overview
The Canon Speedlite 90EX combines simplicity with a compact, lightweight design, making it ideal for the Canon EOS M Digital Camera. With many features directly accessed through the camera’s menu system, the Speedlite 90EX offers easy and intuitive operation. It supports 24mm wide-angle lenses (35mm terms) and can control multiple flash units for advanced, creative lighting effects. The Speedlite 90EX also features a standard Canon EOS hot shoe mount for compatibility with all EOS SLRs.
Features
Ultra-compact and ultra-lightweight flash unit, perfect for the Canon EOS M Digital Camera.
Supports 24mm wide-angle lenses (35mm terms).
Max. Guide No. 30 ft./9m at ISO 100.
Standard Canon EOS hot shoe mount for compatibility with all EOS SLRs.
The Perfect Complement to the EOS M Digital Camera.
Ultra-compact and Ultra-lightweight flash unit, perfect for the Canon EOS M Digital Camera
Whether mounted on top of the Canon EOS M Digital Camera or stowed in a pocket, the diminutive yet powerful Speedlite 90EX is 1.7″ 
x 2.0″ (h) x 2.6″ (d) and a featherweight at 1.8 oz. It runs on 2 AAA batteries, recycling quickly between exposures. To save power, it automatically turns off after 5 minutes of idle operation.
Specifications
Compatible Cameras
Type-A EOS Cameras (E TTL II/E TTL Autoflash)
Guide Number
Approximately 30 ft./9m at ISO 100
Number of Flashes
Approx. more than 100 times
Recycling Time
Normal flash: Approx. 0.1 – 5.5 sec./ Lamp lights (with size-AAA/LR03 alkaline batteries)
Flash Range
Effective flash range (approx. ft/m) at ISO 100:
1) Normal Flash:
|
Guide Number |
Aperture Value |
||||
|
f/1.4 |
f/2 |
f/2.8 |
f/4 |
f/5.6 |
|
|
30ft. / 9m |
21.2 / 6.4 |
14.6 / 4.5 |
10.6 / 3.2 |
7.4 / 2.3 |
5.3 / 1.6 |
2) Approximate shooting range of EF-M lenses:(Approx. ft/m)
|
ISO |
EF-M 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM |
EF-M 22mm f/2 STM |
|
|
18mm (f/3.5) |
55mm (f/5.6) |
22mm (f/2.0) |
|
|
100 |
3.3 ~ 8.5 / |
3.3 ~ 5.2 / |
3.3 ~ 14.8 / |
|
200 |
3.3 ~ 11.8 / |
3.3 ~ 7.5 / |
3.3 ~ 21.0 / |
|
400 |
3.3 ~ 16.7 / |
3.3 ~ 10.5 / |
3.3 ~ 29.5 / |
|
800 |
3.3 ~ 23.9 / |
3.3 ~ 14.8 / |
3.6 ~ 41.7 / |
|
1600 |
3.3 ~ 33.8 / |
3.3 ~ 21.0 / |
5.2 ~ 59.0 / |
|
3200 |
4.3 ~ 47.6 / |
3.3 ~ 29.8 / |
7.5 ~ 83.6 / |
|
6400 |
5.9 ~ 67.6 / |
3.6 ~ 42.3 / |
10.5 ~ 118 / |
|
12800 |
8.5 ~ 95.4 / |
5.2 ~ 59.7 / |
14.8 ~ 167 / |
AF Assist Beam
System: Intermittent flash firing system
*The AF-assist beam does not emit light under the wireless flash control mode.
Effective Range (Approx.):
At Center: 9.2 ft. / 2.8m
Periphery: 8.2 ft. / 2.5 m
Custom Functions
C.Fn-01: Auto power off (ON/OFF)
Personal Functions
N/A
Power Source
Two AAA-size/LR03 alkaline (size AAA/LR6 Ni-MH or lithium batteries also possible)
Internal Sound Generator
N/A
External Power Source
N/A
Dimensions
Approx. 1.7″ x 2.0″ (H) x 2.6″ (D) / 44.2 x 52.0 (H) x 65.0 (D) mm
Weight
Approx. 1.8 oz. / 50g
by Glyn Ridgers
Hasselblad TV…. Excellent viewing.
Hasselblad set to release the H5D….
A Hasselblad camera is not a reward for having achieved a successful career. A Hasselblad camera is the tool with which you build your successful career to begin with.
There is never any time like the present to start building for the future. And if you think 35mm is good enough for this stage of your career, then you’d better hope that your clients are also willing to settle for “good enough”. The best clients, however, are almost never willing to settle for “good enough”. And why should they, when there are photographers out there who can provide the best? And providing the best is what Hasselblad and the new H5D are all about.
The next step in the evolution of the world renowned Hasselblad H System, the Hasselblad H5D provides a powerful addition to any photographer’s toolbox and provides you with the competitive edge you need in today’s crowded marketplace. The H5D features Hasselblad’s legendary image quality, a new stylish and more compact design, an updated lens line, new electronics, improved AF precision and speed, increased stability and performance, and a range of other new camera functions and improved features, including:
New HCD 4.8/24mm lens
New Macro Converter
More accurate focusing with True Focus II
New Immediate Focus Confirm
New print ready Jpeg files
New compressed multi-shot RAW files for faster and smoother workflow
New Camera Configurator
Larger and more ergonomic buttons
Larger, easier to read display style
Updated Graphics User Interface
More programmable buttons
New and improved weather sealing
New and faster processors implementing Hasselblad Image Processing Architecture
And more.
Pre-production models will be available for demonstration at Photokina on September 18, 2012. The H5D is scheduled for commercial release in December 2012.
by Glyn Ridgers
Nikon Introduces the D600
Nikon Introduces the D600
Nikon today announces a new 24.3-megapixel FX-format D-SLR, the Nikon D600. The smallest and lightest full-frame D-SLR Nikon has ever crafted, the compact Nikon D600 is set to change the game for enthusiast photographers.
Equipped with an FX-format image sensor as used in Nikon’s professional cameras, the surprisingly lightweight Nikon D600 will give many more photographers the chance to explore the advantages of full-frame photography. Suitable for a wide range of subjects and shooting situations, the D600 will allow photographers to experience a new level of depth and detail.
Hiro Sebata, Product Manager for Professional Products, Nikon UK says: “We are delighted to introduce the Nikon D600, a small, lightweight full-frame camera that offers the exceptional performance capabilities found in Nikon’s D4 and D800 cameras.”
He adds: “The D600 will open up new realms of photography for passionate photographers, particularly those looking to take the next step and enjoy the creative edge that comes with a full-frame sensor.”
Exceptional depth and detail
Nikon’s newly developed 24.3-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor delivers outstanding levels of detail and tonal range, even in low light situations.
From true wide-angle to super telephoto, the 14-bit A/D conversion and excellent signal-to-noise ratio enable images of remarkable quality with low noise and wide dynamic range even at high ISO sensitivities.
Offering an ISO range of 100–6400, extendable up to 25,600 (equivalent) and down to 50 (equivalent), low light capability is superb. The camera’s intelligent noise reduction systems manage noise without sacrificing fine details, allowing superb flexibility under all lighting conditions: images are crisp and clean, even at higher ISO settings.
EXPEED 3 image processing
Equipped with the same state-of-the-art EXPEED 3 image-processing engine as Nikon’s flagship D4, the Nikon D600 makes light work of data-rich tasks without sacrificing speed and quality.
16-bit image processing offers richer colours and tones than ever before, delivering smooth gradations with abundant detail and tone all the way up the scale to pure white, even when shooting in JPEG.
Highly sensitive autofocus system
The Nikon D600 enables superior subject acquisition in most lighting conditions thanks to Nikon’s newly developed Multi-CAM4800 39-point AF system that boasts AF sensitivity inherited from the flagship D4.
Compatible with lenses up to f/8 combined open aperture and sensitive down to -1 EV (ISO 100, 20°C/68°F), sharp shots are possible even in challenging light conditions. A variety of AF-modes such as Dynamic-area AF and 3D-tracking maintain focus on even the smallest subjects, however unpredictable their movements may be.
Broadcast quality video
Based on the same technology as Nikon’s acclaimed D800, the Nikon D600’s Multi-area D-Movie offers all the flexibility required for photographers who want to shoot video. A wide variety of movie applications, a comprehensive variety of frame rates and convenient custom controls, which enable full control over live view operation when filming, combine to ensure large format movie shooting at its best.
Frame rates: Full HD (1080p) movies can be recorded in 30p, 25p and 24p, with 60p, 50p and 25p options at 720p. Full HD movie clips can be up to 29 minutes 59 seconds long.
Multi-area mode: Full HD (1080p) recording is possible in both FX- and DX-based formats, enabling exceptional freedom of expression.
High-fidelity audio control: with the Nikon D600 movies sound as good as they look. A microphone jack allows use of an external stereo microphone for crisp sound recording and there is an audio out for external headphones.
Uncompressed HDMI output: the Nikon D600 offers the possibility to output an uncompressed live video stream at 1080p to external recorders, and output will automatically drop to 1080i if use of an external monitor is detected. The uncompressed data is output at the designated image size and frame rate, and is clean of the information overlay that can be simultaneously displayed on the camera’s TFT monitor.
Advanced scene recognition with 2,016-pixel RGB sensor
The Nikon D600’s Advanced Scene Recognition System incorporates Nikon’s renowned 2,016-pixel RGB metering sensor that meticulously analyses each scene for outstanding accuracy. It can detect human faces with startling accuracy through the optical viewfinder, and recognize a scene’s colours and brightness with unprecedented precision.
This level of detailed scene analysis is also utilised to support more accurate autofocus, auto exposure and i-TTL flash exposure results in a diverse range of compositional and lighting situations. For example, 3D-subject tracking is particularly improved when shooting smaller subjects.
Implementing Nikon’s highly-acclaimed Multi-CAM4800 AF system —with individually selectable or configurable 9-, 21- and 39-point coverage settings — the autofocus sensor module and algorithms have been re-engineered to significantly improve low light acquisition sensitivity capabilities to be compatible with a combined aperture up to f/8 with detection down to -1 EV (ISO, 20°C/68°F).
Simplified selection of AF modes such as AF-A, AF-S and AF-C is now possible without taking your eye away from the viewfinder.
Full frame mobility
The surprisingly lightweight Nikon D600 is Nikon’s first FX format camera to boast such a compact build. Combined with advanced options for image transfer, it offers the freedom to capture, and share, the full perspective from anywhere.
Compact, light and durable: built to withstand severe conditions, the Nikon D600 boasts magnesium alloy top and rear covers and weighs only 760 g (without battery). Weather-sealed to the same degree as Nikon’s professional D800 SLR, it offers enhanced resistance to moisture and dust.
Efficient power management: a re-working of the D800’s circuits now enables approx. 900 shots of still image shooting or approx. 60 min. of movie live view. All on one charge of a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL15.
Storage media: high-speed dual SD-card slots support SDXC and UHS-I memory cards.
Data transfer: the Nikon D600 allows high-speed data transfer with Hi-Speed USB and wireless image transfer with the optional WU-1b Mobile Adapter.
Responsive and intuitive
Made to fuel passion for photography in any situation, the Nikon D600’s fast response, reliable operation and conveniently placed buttons and controls enable smooth, comfortable handling and the flexibility to respond quickly to even unexpected shooting opportunities.
Fast response: start-up is approx. 0.13 seconds, shutter release time lag is minimized to approx. 0.052 seconds, with continuous approx. 5.5 fps capability in FX- and DX-format.
High-precision, high-durability shutter: the shutter unit has been tested to 150,000 cycles of release to prove durability and precision. Boasts a speed range of 1/4000 to 30s; features an intelligent self-diagnostic shutter monitor and a drive unit designed to reduce the demand on power when the shutter is raised for extended periods during movie shooting.
Precision 8-cm (3.2-in.), approx. 921k-dot, wide-viewing-angle LCD monitor with automatic monitor brightness control: delivers bright, crisp image playback with wide colour reproduction capacity. LCD brightness is automatically adjusted according to the viewing environment.
Glass prism optical viewfinder: with approximately 100% frame coverage and 0.7x magnification (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, -1.0m-1).
Dual-axis electronic virtual horizon: offers accurate confirmation of level shooting by letting you check the LCD monitor, or the viewfinder, for both the camera’s position in relation to the horizontal plane and its pitch (forward or rear rotation).
Enhanced ergonomics: buttons and dials have been strategically laid out for fluid operation. Improvements around the shutter-release button mean your index finger can rest comfortably for longer periods of time, while the designated movie record button means you’re ready to trigger movie shooting in an instant. The camera also features dedicated buttons for ISO, White Balance, Image Quality, and bracketing.
In-camera creative tools
A variety of creative and practical in-camera tools such as HDR and filter effects help to make the most of every shooting opportunity and enable images to be perfected with ease.
Time-lapse shooting: Interval Timer Shooting enables the shutter to be triggered at preset intervals. Time Lapse Photography saves images as movie files that allow slow action to be viewed in fast playback, with playback rates from 24 to 36,000 times faster than normal.
HDR (High Dynamic Range) shoots one overexposed and one underexposed frame in a single shutter release. The range can be widened by up to 3 EV for different looks, full of saturation and tonal gradation, while the smoothness of the edge where the two exposures meet can be adjusted for a more natural appearance.
Active D-Lighting: Nikon’s Active D-Lighting automatically retains the details in both dark and bright areas for stunning images with natural contrast when shooting in high-contrast situations.
Picture Controls: customize the look of your stills and videos by fine-tuning parameters such as sharpness, saturation, and hue. Directly accessed via a dedicated button.
Scene modes: 19 scene modes optimize settings such as shutter speed, ISO and aperture for superior results every time – an ideal way to quickly capture perfect shots.
In-camera editing menus: include an array of useful features including options to correct red-eye and color balance, as well as D-lighting, RAW processing and resize options. Filter effects include Skylight, Cross screen, Minature, Colour outline, Colour sketch and Selective colour. Quick retouch options include distortion control, perspective control, straighten and Fisheye. There is also an edit movie feature that enables the start and end point of movie clips to be designated in order to save them more efficiently.
Accessories
Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D14 (optional): accommodates a variety of batteries including AA-sized batteries of various types and Nikon’s Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL15 (see specifications). The MB-D14 has its own dedicated shutter-release button and command dials for more comfortable composition when shooting with the camera in vertical orientation.
Creative Lighting System: compatible with Nikon’s creative lighting system, the Nikon D600 supports use of powerful and versatile iTTL Speedlight flash units such as the professional SB-910 or the easy-to-use SB-700.
WU-1b Mobile Adapter (optional): Nikon’s wireless mobile adapter allows images to be transferred directly to any smartphone or tablet, and enables the camera to be controlled remotely via the smart device. A great way to easily share high-quality images, preview shots on a larger screen or experiment with full-frame self-portraits.
Capture NX 2 (optional). Fast, powerful and creative image processing: to accommodate the imaging power of the Nikon D600’s 24.3 effective megapixels, the latest Capture NX 2 is faster than before and boasts full 64-bit compatibility.
Camera Control Pro (optional). Versatile remote camera controls: the software offers numerous improvements to make the Nikon D600’s live view operation exceptionally smooth. Aside from controlling exposure mode, shutter speed and aperture, creative controls include remote start and stop for movie shooting and switching between live view for stills and movies.
ViewNX 2 (supplied). Browse, edit, share and more: this bundled, all-in-one software implements an easy-to-use interface and an array of editing functions, including basic editing of RAW files and D-Movies. Seamlessly integrates with my Picturetown, Nikon’s photo sharing and storage service.
by Glyn Ridgers
Ines Costa wins the CIOB Art of Building Photography Contest 2012
Top Slot: Roof in Colours named overall winner in CIOB Art of Building Photography Contest
An image depicting the construction of a modern, terracotta-coloured temple roof in Bangkok has struck a chord with hundreds of people worldwide and earned Ines Costa, a pharmacist from Lisbon, Portugal, the prestigious title of Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) 2012 Art of Building Photographer of the Year.
The winning photo, entitled ‘Roof in Colours,’ fought off stiff competition from 11 other finalists. Costa was delighted with the win and said she plans to use her cash prize of £2,000 to buy a much-needed new lens and other photography equipment.
“This man is building art!” she says. “I spotted him whilst on holiday in Bangkok. It was very inspiring to see how he chose the colours and put the tiles onto the temple roof.”
Thousands of votes were cast to determine the overall outcome, reflecting the continuing worldwide interest in the CIOB contest whose brief is to encourage people to explore and discover the ‘art’ of building as well as celebrate creativity in the construction industry. The twelve finalists hailed from all over the world, including India, the UK, the USA, Vietnam and Uruguay.
This year’s competition judges included Peter Murray and Maxwell Hutchinson, both renowned architects and senior media figures. The panel were particularly taken by the traditional orange hues which shone through in Costa’s ‘Roof in Colours.’ “The orange tiles are reminiscent of older European buildings,” observed Hutchinson. “There’s something almost humorous about this colourful, uplifting composition.”
‘Roof in Colours’ will feature in a charity auction later this year, alongside a selection of other 2012 Art of Building competition entries. All money raised will contribute to a major project to build hurricane and earthquake resilient schools in Haiti, organised by development and disaster relief organisation, Article 25.
To see the final twelve along with the newly-announced ‘Highly Commended’ entries, visit artofbuilding.org
by Glyn Ridgers
Glyn Ridgers Photography 