e-news from the PAGB

 Issue 56 of e-news from the PAGB.

Although this contains some interesting items the main purpose
is to notify the GB Cup Entries received by the Final Closing
Date of 23 Jan 2012.

 IN THIS ISSUE

2 Meritorious Service Awards APAGB
3 Results of our AV Awards Consultation
4 Notices from FIAP & RPS
5 Ken Holland - Looking at Photographs
6 Notices ....... and Finally

Appendix 1 GB Cup Entries received by 23/01/12 


Link to news letter

Link to PAGB

Macro workshop

Last night saw a very successful workshop all about macro photography. Roland Adams explained the basics of macro photography. Whilst others took time to experiment with macro photography and exchange hints and tips. Below I have included some pictures of the workshop.


Previous post on hints and tips

Kodak files for bankruptcy protection

BBC reports


"Eastman Kodak, the company that invented the hand-held camera, has filed for bankruptcy protection.

The move gives the company time to reorganise itself without facing its creditors, and Kodak said that it would mean business as normal for customers.

The company has recently moved away from cameras to refocus on making printers to stem falling profits.

The 132-year-old firm has struggled to keep up with competitors who were quicker to adapt to the digital era."

continues

It looks as though Kodak will fade away as technology moves on and the demand for film falls away.  I suspect Kodak will downsize to support the those few areas where there is still a demand for film. 

America in Pictures: The Story of Life Magazine

BBC IPlayer


"Life was an iconic weekly magazine that specialised in extraordinarily vivid photojournalism. Through its most dynamic decades, - the 40s, 50s and 60s - Life caught the spirit of America as it blossomed into a world superpower. Read by over half the country, its influence on American people was unparalleled. No other magazine in the world held the photograph in such high esteem. At Life the pictures, not the words, did the talking. As a result, the Life photographer was king.

In this film, leading UK fashion photographer Rankin celebrates the work of Life's legendary photographers including Alfred Eisenstaedt and Margaret Bourke-White, who went to outrageous lengths to get the best picture - moving armies, naval fleets and even the population of entire towns. He travels across the USA to meet photographers Bill Eppridge, John Shearer, John Loengard, Burk Uzzle and Harry Benson who, between them, have shot the big moments in American history - from the assassination of Robert F Kennedy, the Civil Rights struggle and Vietnam to behind the scenes at the Playboy mansion and the greatest names in Hollywood.

These photographers pioneered new forms of photojournalism, living with and photographing their subjects for weeks, enabling them to capture compelling yet ordinary aspects of American life too. Rankin discovers that Life told the story of America in photographs, and also taught America how to be American.

Available until 24 January        Link to programme

Best Print & Projected Image from League Competitions in 2011

Best print & projected Image from League Competitions in 2011 was held 12 January and judged by  Martin Faiers.  Martin had to crack on with judging at a rapid pace to get through the 80 or so entries. 


He did any excellent job providing constructive feedback. The meeting was well attended and enjoyed by all. The winner of the print section was Duncan Grove FRPS with his stunning image of Serena Williams at Wimbledon tennis championships

Macro Photography Workshop 19 January

Members may feel it helpful to have a look at the post before attending the Macro Photography Workshop !9 January.  A good explanation of macro photography can be found on Wikipedia


For macro I use my Canon 40D with a 100mm Canon macro lens which gives a standoff of about 50 cm for 1:1.  To freeze movement, to increase depth of field and to darken backgrounds I use a Canon 580EXII flash and high speed sync.The camera is set manual, the desired aperture is selected and the flash used to control the amount of light for the correct exposure.

My macro setup

My setup is shown to the right. Normally I don't use a tripod.  I often set the focus to servo to allow for movement in the subject eg an airborne insect. Below is an image of a hover flycaptured using flash and below that an image of a Mayfly in the wild using natural light.  Because of the very shallow depth of field the photograph of the Mayfly was taken side on to ensure all the insect was in focus.


I have included a couple of videos for further more detailed help. I recommend Digital Macro Photography Ross Hoddinott published by PiP

The Camera never lies

A sad reflection on a society that prays on peoples wish to be be something they are not. 


So we know why the models in studio shots look so good.



Fotoshop by Adobé from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

Decisive moment? Smartphones steal focus from point-and-shoot cameras

From the Guardian


"Camera sales fell 30% in 2011 as experts predict snapshot device may go way of satnav and landline


Not long ago, life's precious moments were captured by someone who had the foresight to bring their camera. Now, everyone can reach for their phone. And having also dented demand for landlines, the PC and the satnav, smartphones are now officially replacing the compact camera as the most popular device for taking photos."


continues

Copyright for photographers

For those of you who missed last nights meeting when  Sal Shuel gave a interesting talk on copyright.  


Further information about her views on copyright can be found here

Are your camera lenses radioactive???

Did you know that some camera lenses have Thorium coating to improve their optical properties





Further information