The Titanic iceberg………

 An original photograph of the iceberg suspected of sinking the Titanic in the North Atlantic in 1912 will be sold at an RR Auction on Dec. 16.
The 9.75 x 8 photo of a uniquely-shaped ‘blueberg’ was photographed by the captain of the Leyland Line steamer S. S. Etonian two days before Titanic collided with it. The photo shows is captioned in black ink by the captain, “Copyright. Blueberg taken by Captain W. F. Wood S. S. Etonian on 12/4/12 in Lat 41° 50 W Long 49° 50 N. Titanic struck 14/4/12 and sank in three hours.” A “blueberg,” as indicated in Wood’s caption, simply refers to the tinting of an iceberg from the sun’s rays, much like the blue of the ocean.
Experts believe it’s the same iceberg because it was photographed in the right area and matches descriptions and sketches from that time.
The photo is expected to fetch between $8,000 and $10,000, and it is just one of over 400 Titanic memorabilia items included in American auction house RR Auction’s sale next month.

Leica M3D Camera Used by Picasso's Photographer Sold for £1.4m

The Leica M3D 

A camera used by one of the world’s most influential photographers, who documented Spanish artist Pablo Picasso‘s life, has sold in Vienna for a record €1.7m (£1.4m).

The Leica M3D, which had attracted an opening bid of €150,000, belonged to former Life magazine photographer David Douglas Duncan. The 96-year-old photojournalist was a close friend of Picasso and published hundreds of exclusive photos of him.

Manufactured in 1955, the camera is one of only four ever made, and the price set a world record for a commercially produced camera. It is the second highest price paid for any camera after a Leica 0-Series was sold for €2.2m last May.

The Westlicht gallery in Vienna said the second-highest price in the sale, held on Saturday, was for a gold-plated Leica made in 1929, which sold for €1m. A third, the first serial-production M3, sold for €900,000.

Making an entrance…

Making an entrance can be quite difficult if there is no door to enter through, so lets give the doors some credit and take some pictures to show just how marvellous they are…

I have started this as another project as it is quite interesting how creative we can be and how many incredible opportunities there are out there to make art from a simple door…

Toy looking....but real by Glyn Ridgers
Toy looking….but real by Glyn Ridgers

This was a door on a cathedral, the door and surround is beautiful however in the original image the background was to powerful so with a simple Gaussian blur layer added then the subject erased through created an almost toyish looking image very similar to what you would get using a tilt shift lens…

Door Light by Glyn Ridgers
Door Light by Glyn Ridgers

I really liked this door as it is interesting enough on its own but with the surrounding textures created by the wall climbing plants and the berries as well as the light made this a great picture.. I shot this using the bracketing technique and then merged three images together to bring out maximum tone and detail…

Overgrown Undergrowth by Glyn Ridgers
Overgrown Undergrowth by Glyn Ridgers

A forgotten old building where the environment has made it its home presented me with this wonderful door, again bracketed and merged then slightly desaturated to give a nice weathered effect…

Hope you like these images enough for you to start noticing doors of interest near you as they really do make great images.

All the best

Glyn

by Glyn Ridgers

What's being said about Loft A Workshops..

Here are a few of the comments made by some of the students who attended Loft A Photographics workshops…

Ray EnnosNov 21, 12:38 pm

I attended a workshop on 14th November, it was excellent in every respect. Clear and understandable content, delivered in a professional and friendly manner. Technical aspects clearly illustrated using sample images, plenty of one to one contact to help with specific issues.
Good advice on suitable software and how to use it.
Highly recommended

 by a student of Loft A Workshops
by a student of Loft A Workshops

.

“Setting up camera for certain situations and effects were explained clearly and I never knew how important a tripod could be….”

“Thank you for a very interesting day”

“Clear and concise ideas given in a friendly way”

 by a student of Loft A Workshops
by a student of Loft A Workshops

“Technical aspects of the camera explained well, I enjoyed looking at everyone’s images at the end of the day”

“Well delivered in a relaxed atmosphere, very informative presentation with excellent visuals”

“All topics were clearly explained and the knowledge of the tutors was vast, The practical part of the workshop was extremely interesting”

by a student of Loft A Workshops

Would love to attend one of the follow up workshops in the future..”

“A fantastic day Thank you!!!!”

 by a student of Loft A Workshops
by a student of Loft A Workshops

Thank you to all those that have attended so far and remember you can contact us if you need advice on anything photography related and get ready to start receiving  the new Loft a Photographics newsletters that will be  full of interesting stuff, how to guides, equipment guides, up coming events and future discounts…..Look forward to seeing more faces at the next workshop.

Glyn

Book Life Project…

Hi All,  I am starting a new photo series called “Book Life” it is just a personal project to see how creative books can be as a subject for photographic art and artists… maybe this is something you guys would want do also to keep the creative juices flowing…

Here are a couple of images I have created so far…..hope you like.

Old and french...by Glyn Ridgers
Old and French…by Glyn Ridgers
Clarity looking through the glass.. by Glyn Ridgers
Clarity looking through the glass.. by Glyn Ridgers

I hope you like these images and if you would like to know how they are done please feel free contact me at glyn@loftaphotographics.co.uk and I will let you know the camera set up and lighting etc…Remember that this is a fun project to do so be as creative as you can….

Speak soon

Glyn

by Glyn Ridgers

Canon launches the new EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM and EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

Canon adds to its world-famous EF lens series with the launch of two models designed for enthusiasts and professionals – the EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM and EF 35mm f/2 IS USM. Offering first-class optical technologies alongside highly compact designs, the new lenses are perfect for a range of creative purposes, including reportage, landscape, portrait, and travel photography.

EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM

EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM image

EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

 EF 35mm f/2 IS USM_image

Ideal for use alongside DSLRs like the new EOS 6D, both new lenses utilise the latest Canon technologies to consistently deliver superb results. Both include aspherical lenses and Super Spectra Coatings optimised for each individual element, Canon’s industry-leading Image Stabilizer (IS) technology and Ultrasonic Motors for superfast Auto Focus (AF) – providing outstanding optical performance. The EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM is also the latest lens to feature Hybrid IS, delivering shake-free shots at any distance, including at macro focal lengths.

EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM – high performance, high flexibility, Hybrid IS

The EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM is the latest addition to Canon’s elite L-series, and expands the range of standard zoom EF lenses available for both professional and amateur photographers. Ideal for reportage and wedding photography, it combines an essential everyday focal range with a premium quality L-series construction, delivering consistently sharp, professional-quality stills in a range of different situations. A new macro function also optimises the placement of lens groups during macro photography, allowing shooting at a maximum magnification of 0.7x – reducing the need for photographers to carry a dedicated macro lens.

 Its first-class optical system includes two aspherical elements alongside two Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) lenses, each with optimised Super Spectra Coatings to minimise chromatic aberration, colour blurring and flare. A constant f/4 aperture throughout the zoom range provides photographers with exceptional creative control, allowing blurring of the background of a scene at all focal lengths. A nine-blade circular iris also assists photographers in making their subjects stand out, delivering beautiful out of focus highlights (bokeh) in the background blur to add atmosphere to a shot.

The EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM also features a newly designed IS system, delivering blur-free images throughout the zoom range. Canon’s advanced optical IS offers a 4-stop light advantage, while Hybrid IS effectively compensates for angular and shift shake during macro shooting for stable close ups.

Superfast AF performance is provided by a small, ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM). Working in combination with a high-performance CPU and advanced AF algorithms, USM technology enables accurate, silent and ultra-responsive autofocusing. Full-time manual focusing also ensures adjustments can be made even when AF is engaged.

The EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM features a high grade, usability-focused design – both inside and out. The exterior features a high quality leather-texture coating, a revised shape ensures ease-of-use, and the focusing and zoom rings have been designed for optimal operation. Additionally, a dust and drip-proof construction is resistant to dust and moisture, a lock function protects lenses from knocks when travelling, while fluorine coating minimises the amount of dust, dirt and fingerprints that adhere to the front and rear lenses – helping to maintain superior image quality and reduce the need for cleaning.

 EF 35mm f/2 IS USM – take a wider look at the world

The new EF 35mm f/2 IS USM is designed to offer outstanding flexibility – allowing photographers to capture an even broader range of scenes and subjects in wide-angle. The lens is Canon’s first-ever 35mm prime to feature optical Image Stabilizer technology, which combines with high quality optics to offer outstanding performance from a lightweight, compact body. The 35mm focal length also provides the ability to capture everything from close-up portraits to wide-angle landscapes, making it an ideal companion for travel or general reportage photography.

 Its advanced specification offers photographers great flexibility to shoot a wider-range of scenes and subjects. A bright, fixed f/2 aperture also allows photographers to employ a shallow depth of field, and optical IS offers users a 4-stop light advantage, allowing the capture of blur-free images in low light conditions when shooting handheld. Intelligent detection of panning motion is also supported, with Panning IS mode automatically engaged to enable photographers to capture movement with greater accuracy.

 Designed to deliver exceptional image quality, the EF 35mm f/2 IS USM features an aspherical glass-moulded (GMo) element positioned at the rear of the optical path to correct aberration for the entire optical system. Additionally, each individual element features optimised Super Spectra coatings to reduce ghosting and flare – ensuring excellent colour balance with minimal need for post processing. A combination of a ring-type USM and high performance CPU also provides rapid AF performance, with full-time manual focus also available for users who want to retain maximum control.

 New lens caps – designed for greater ease and convenience

Both new lenses also come with newly-designed Mark II lens caps, which incorporate a hook mechanism in the centre of the cover, as opposed to the sides. Simply pinching the hook allows users to quickly remove and replace caps mid-shoot, especially when using lens hoods. The re-designed lens caps will start to be rolled out across Canon’s entire EF lens range from the beginning of January 2013, and will also be available to buy separately.

EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM key features:

High image quality 24-70mm lens with f/4 aperture

Light weight design

Built in IS

Macro function

Dust / moisture resistant

EF 35mm f/2 IS USM key features:

Fixed prime 35mm wide angle lens

4 stop Image Stabilizer

Fast f/2 minimum aperture

Compact size and design

Circular aperture

Garlic…..

I was trying to create an image that was similar to the old Masters style of painting….I was rather pleased with this result….hope you like

The image was taken in an ordinary room with the camera set to bulb mode and a small torch was used to expose parts of the image I wanted….The old potato sack  and weathered oak board helps bring an old world feeling to the image…

Garlic by Glyn Ridgers
Garlic by Glyn Ridgers

by Glyn Ridgers

It's amazing what adding textures can do to an image….

Here is an image I took just to demonstrate how by just adding two different textures can transform a dull image to one that would look good in a portfolio…

Before image
Before image
French Canvas {b&w} added as an multiply layer in CS5
French Canvas added as a multiplied layer in CS5
Ginger layer added and multiplied using CS5
Ginger layer added and multiplied using CS5
Ginger biscuits and tea...
Ginger biscuits and tea…

This was a fun project to do and only took around an hour or so but it is a great example on how using photoshop as our digital darkroom can create an interesting image out of what is potentially a poor photograph….

Images by Glyn Ridgers