Issue 18
Oct 13th 2010
Helping you take
better photos
How To:
FOOD
PhotographY
Still Life
Competition Winner
NZIPP Iris
Awards Winners
Photoshop Tips
Sony NEX Review
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CONTENTS
4
Are You Serious?
16
Iris
Awards
18 Still Life
Competition
6
Mental
State Exhibition
26
Photoshop Tips
30
Critique
27
Gear Review
36
Cool Stuff
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22
Food
photography
Editorial
If you’re not a Twitter addict, that’s fine –
either get someone else to tweet for you, or
Blackwell for the copy to give away!
Secondly, and equally as exciting, is
the open day I’m holding at my studio in
November. Called “Hands On”, it is just
wait till next time when entries will be different.
The first “Hands On” will be held on
Saturday, November the 13th, from 12-4pm.
Get Tweeting!
that – your chance to get your hands on
cameras, lenses and lighting setups that you
may never have had a chance to play with
before, and all for free! And, better than
that, we’re providing you with opportunities
W
to roll your sleeves up. Bring your DSLR
running again! My photography business
skateboarder for some close-up action shots,
has just gone through its busiest period ever,
several how-to displays, drinks and nibbles
so thanks for your patience!
and much more. Thanks to Canon and Apix
elcome back from our
camera on the day to really get involved,
impromptu little break – we’re
because we’re going to have models,
happy to be back up and
hair and makeup artists, a professional
Two fantastic
announcements to
get things started this
for bringing all your coolest toys along! It’s
going to be a great afternoon.
So, how do you get to come? Well,
month! Firstly, in our
because of space limitations we’re going to
last issue we said
invite 25 of you, but don’t worry, we’ll be
we’d give away to
holding more “Hands On” open days next
one of our readers
year, so if you can’t come this time there’ll be
the totally fabulous
more opportunities! For this first round we’re
10th anniversary M.I.L.K. book,
going to invite the early adopters, the social
“Friendship, Family, Love and Laughter”. You
butterflies, the geeks and the people with too
were invited to leave your name on a post
much time on their hands – that’s right, all you
in Facebook, and within days we had 75
Twitter users out there, here’s the gold at the
responses. Well, after randomly selecting a
end of the “I’m addicted to Twitter” rainbow.
post (using www.random.org) we’re pleased
Simply follow me (@olliedale) and tweet
to announce the lucky winner is Ali Balkwill
with the tags @olliedale and #hands.on
from Wellington. Congratulations Ali – get
before midnight on October the 31st – the
in touch and we’ll send you your new book.
more times you tweet the more entries you
Thanks again to Geoff Blackwell from P.Q.
get into the draw.
ABOUT Whether you’re an enthusiastic
weekend snapper or a beginner
who wants to learn more,
NZ Photographer is the fun
e-magazine for all Kiwi camera
owners – and it’s free!
EDITOR
Ollie Dale, ANZIPP
[email protected]
GROUP EDITOR
Trudi Caffell
ART DIRECTOR
Jodi Olsson
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Phone Alastair on 09 523 4112
or
email [email protected]
ADDRESS NZ Photographer,
C/- Espire Media,
PO Box 137162, Parnell,
Auckland 1151, NZ
WEBSITE www.nzphotographer.co.nz
NZ Photographer is an Espire
Media publication
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Oct 13
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FEATURE
ARE YOU
SERIOUS?
By Ollie Dale
S
omeone emailed me this week: “Just
up a company designing games for the
have a quick question... Do you
Facebook API Gaming platform. We expect
have any pointers as to how I could
our company to grow from 4 million dollars to
referral is someone with money.”
Same product, same opportunity, different
delivery, vastly different results.
approach promoting myself? Since I’m
16 million dollars in the next 3 years due to the
young, it’s often hard to get people to take
success of online gaming. A great referral for
recommend Vistaprint.co.nz for value-for-
me seriously so any hints would be sweet!”
me: who do you know who’s looking to invest
money, especially the foiled business cards),
This is a common problem and can be
in a business with projected growth of 400%
put your best photos on your website as
easily fixed with a mirror, a pen and paper,
in the next 3 years? I’m keen to talk to anyone
examples of your work, then write down
and practise. Just because you’re young
with $2000 or more.”
your features and benefits, and your goals
So, get your business cards made (I
doesn’t mean people won’t take you seriously,
Or, a not-so-confident guy stands up and
but your confidence levels that you portray will
says “um, hi, um my name’s John, and I’m from
definitely impact your results.
Crappy Games Ltd, and I, um, write coding
For example:
for computer games. We’re looking for, um,
Features: I use a Canon 5D MK II, I have a
says “Hi, I’m John, I’m 24 and graduated
people with money to invest in our company
studio in Parnell
Auckland Uni with a Master of Business
because, um, we think our company will grow
Studies and Computer Science. I’ve just set
over the next few years, and, um, so a good
Picture this - a confident guy stands up and
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for your business.
Benefits: I’m able to capture great photos
in low lighting at your next event, it’s easy for
So, you need to
practise who you
are until you believe
it (say it to yourself
in the mirror every
day), and then go
out into the big
wide world and BE
that person.
Auckland’s business people to get to me
to be...” you become the person who isn’t yet.
the young, uninformed and vulnerable are the
People pick up on that. Why would I use you
people who accept those low-paying jobs and
photographer in Auckland, My clients are the
if you want to become a photographer? Will
hurt the industry as a whole.
biggest corporate companies in Auckland
you practise on me?
Goals: I am the most sought-after event
Memorise them, especially the differences
The answer is of course yes, you will learn
So, you need to practise who you are until
you believe it (say it to yourself in the mirror
between your features and your benefits (and
something on every job and the photos you
every day), and then go out into the big wide
concentrate on your benefits), and always have
take next year will be better than the ones
world and BE that person. People will take
your goals ready to recite to anyone who asks.
you take this year, but your client doesn’t
you seriously, and they will offer you little jobs
care about that, they just care that they hire a
to try you out, and when they realise you’re
photographer to get the job done.
the best around they start increasing the size
Then, start handing out your cards. When
people ask you what you do say “I am a
photographer” NOT “I’m just starting out...”
And if you ARE a photographer you
of the jobs and you make millions and live
or “I want to be...” or “I’m young and no one
may get hired. If you’re GOING TO BE a
takes me seriously...”
photographer you won’t get hired, or if you do
Or something like that...
“I AM a photographer”
it will be at a much-reduced rate because some
People will take you seriously as soon as you
As soon as you say it to someone, you are -
clients prey on the young, uninformed and
take yourself seriously, so, seriously, be who
vulnerable by only paying low amounts, and
you want to be and be serious about it!
NZ Photographer
5
5
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NZ Photographer
Dec 2
such is the power of speech. If you say “I want
happily ever after...
EXHIBITION
6
Oct
Mar13
3
NZ Photographer
The
Form
of
Mental
State
‘T
he Form of Mental State’ is an
Mark: This exhibition represents my
art exhibition featuring original
exploration into inner emotions, dreams
artwork from Mariya Nakova
and metal states, and is conveyed in
and Mark Tronson.
Mariya’s photography explores spiritual
the form of personified and profoundly
abstract creatures and beings. The
balance, the human body and the surreal
characters that emerge are done
moments we experience, while Mark’s
spontaneously, I only create based
airbrush paintings focus on dreams,
on shapes in the moment, rather than
emotions and mythical creatures.
preconceived visions. As I am a trained
airbrush artist, but a surrealist cartoonist
Mariya: Capturing moments of ‘the
at heart, I hope to combine the mediums,
timeless state of mind’, where rules do
which I’ve never attempted before.
not apply, and translating those visually
has been a phenomenon to me. That,
Join us for a glass of wine at the opening on
combined with my fascination with the
Saturday 23rd October at 3pm.
human body creates a natural and very
abstract look I have fallen in love with. I
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NZ Photographer
Here is a link to the facebook
am using long exposure photography to
event: http://www.facebook.
portray what parts of the mind would look
com/?ref=home#!/event.
like if it had a ‘body’.
php?eid=147204415314148&ref=ts
IRIS AWARDS
NZIPP Iris Awards 2010
T
his year’s Iris Awards were held in
eyebrows are raised by the results, both
beautiful Queenstown, which, after
positively and negatively.
watching hours of judging in dimly-lit
With the advent of digital photography
because I could go on for days about it.
What we will ask you to do, however,
is take whatever you want out of viewing
rooms, is probably the most picturesque
and post production techniques the Iris
these pictures, and enjoy them for their
location in New Zealand to have come
Awards constantly seem to re-ignite debate
masterful imagery. Over the next few
slowly into focus as your eyes readjust.
about what photography is, and how much
issues we’ll meet and get to know the
post processing is too much processing.
photographers behind the images, so they’ll
Every year photographers from around
the country enter the Iris Awards, the official
awards of the NZIPP, and every year
Richard Brown
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NZ Photographer
I’m not going to get into that debate here,
because it spoils the imagery, and also
get a chance to expand on and explain the
thinking behind their work.
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NZ Photographer
Wedding Photographer
of the Year
10
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NZ Photographer
Commercial Photographer
of the Year
11
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NZ Photographer
Wedding Album of the Year
12
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NZ Photographer
Illustrative
Photographer
of the Year
13
Oct 13
NZ Photographer
Editorial-Photojournalism Photographer of the Year
14
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NZ Photographer
Portrait Photographer
of the Year
15
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NZ Photographer
Creative Photographer of the Year
16
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NZ Photographer
TONY CARTER
Overall Photographer of the Year
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COMPETITION WINNERS
Filicia Sgh - After several shoots, I finally
found what I want to do with this clown.
I bought the fabric and made it into a
stage curtain, printed a poster that I found
on Google and used a camping torch for
my lighting. Location: my dining room :)
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NZ Photographer
Shane Perry
W
hat a great response for
such a tricky subject!
Thank you all for
entering! And thank you Fillicia for
your efforts in creating a great image
and perfect cover shot! Apologies for
butchering your original for our cover,
but we couldn’t have too many words
competing for attention!
Fillicia wins this issue’s cover (which is
a portrait shape, everyone– hint-hint!) and
a $100 voucher from the fabulous people
at Giclée Print. For all YOUR fine art and
canvas printing needs, visit
www.gicleeprint.co.nz
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Janet Curry
Cornelius Van Wyk
Michelle Davies
Murray Lowe
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Richard Burson
Hilary Lakeman
Suzi Hurley
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NZ Photographer
HOW TO
FOOD
Photography
Photographer: Nick tresidder
By Ollie Dale
M
any professional photographers
also regularly shoots for Dish magazine,
photographer because I don’t know
in New Zealand find their work
published bi-monthly by Tangible Media.
enough about the games.
isn’t big enough for everyone to pick one
NZP: How did you get into food photography?
NZP: Do you find yourself doing other work
genre and stick to it.
Nick: I started out shooting all sorts, as
or do you solely stick to food photography?
Some photographers do, though,
most of us do, and I really liked shooting
Nick: Food photography has become quite
and one area of photography that is
food so it kinda just worked out that way.
dominant in the last few years, but I like
very specialised is food photography.
It’s a slow evolution and it wasn’t
variation. I think cross-pollination of styles
Nick Tresidder has spent more than 20
deliberate. I think the best photographers
can be helpful. I recently had to shoot
years developing his food photography
shoot the subjects they have an
chrome bathroom ware, which obviously
skills, and has worked with some big
affinity with, and the most successful
requires different lighting to food, but what I
names that we’ve all tasted; Nestlé,
photographers have a good feel for
learned in that shoot I’ll be able to bring in
Cadbury, Heineken, Steinlager etc. He
what they do; I couldn’t be a sports
to my food photography.
to be generalist – our market
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Luckily for all of us Nick believes in sharing
knowledge for the good of the industry –
here are some tips on how to successfully
photograph your dinner tonight:
•
My main concern when taking photos
of food is making it look delicious. If
I look at my photo and think “Yum!”
then I’ve succeeded.
•
Preparation and Presentation is key
– you need to become a food stylist
as well as a photographer. I use food
stylists on my shoots, and their job is
to present the food looking its best for
photography. That doesn’t mean it’ll
look how a high-end chef might plate
their food, because they will sometimes
stack their food so it looks amazing to
the diner, but which may be very hard
to capture well in a photograph.
•
Control of lighting is essential. I prefer to
shoot in daylight, but quite often I need
the consistency of studio lights to get
similar pictures throughout the day. The
trick then is to make the studio lighting
look natural.
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Don’t worry if you don’t have access to studio
lights – here’s how to use natural light to take
amazing food photos:
4. Identify and focus on the most important
part of the food.
5. Use a tripod for consistency, and
don’t be afraid to experiment with
1. Indirect Sunlight Only! Cloudy days
or south-facing windows are ideal,
because direct sun will spoil your
photos (and your food!
2. If you are outside look for shade – even
the picnic table umbrella can be enough
8. Get your viewpoint right – think about
where you’re shooting from, and where
you should be to get the best angle.
9. Don’t overwhelm the food with
your camera settings to find the best
props. Use them to add to the
combination for the situation.
image, but don’t distract the viewer
6. Be prepared to shoot your food
pretty quick – it can lose its
attraction pretty quickly.
7. Shoot interesting, good looking food.
from the food.
10. Last but definitely not least – lighting!
Try this simple setup – backlight your
food and use reflectors to bounce
shade to give you nice soft light.
I’ve been known to pop out to the local
some fill light back in to the food.
3. Use a short depth of field. Set your
deli and buy a pre-made lasagne and
Reflectors can be paper, tinfoil, or
camera to manual and a large
salad to practise shooting on, so if
anything else that will bounce the
aperture (small f-number), which will
you’re not the world’s best chef you can
light where you want it. Remember,
depend on the food.
still shoot great looking food.
have fun!
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Nick Tresidder is based in Auckland, is an Advertising/Commercial photographer specialising in Food and Still Life, and says
he’s lucky to be paid to do what he loves doing. For more of his photography visit www.nick-t.com or www.shotsfood.com
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TIPS
RESOLUTION II
1
By Pete West
2
3
(1) Let’s try and put an image or two in your
information which it thinks should go in here,
or you’re not sure what the final size of the
head about what is happening when you
these pixels are not entirely accurate. As
picture will be, go to Layer > Smart Objects
enlarge or reduce an image. The jug in the
a result the image starts to blur. When you
> Convert to Smart Object ( small ‘s’ icon
top left of the image, represents the file size.
reduce an image the computer throws away
appears in the bottom left of the layer to
If you were to pour it into a ‘U’ tube , with the
information, and if you then try to enlarge it
show it is a smart object). In this mode the
left side representing the image size and the
again information is added and the picture
picture loses no information no matter how
right side representing the resolution, you can
blurs once more.
many times you reduce or enlarge it.
see that the higher the resolution, the lower
While it is a smart object you cannot
the image size, and the higher the image
(3) Here we are re-sampling and the ‘U’ tube
edit it directly – if you need to make
size the lower the resolution. All this takes
is broken at the bottom. The file size and
changes to it, double click it to open it as
place without re-sampling.
resolution are no longer connected. In this
a separate file, make your changes, then
mode information can be added to either
Save and close it – the saved file then
(2) When you resample you add or take
image size or resolution without affecting the
appears in your original document with
away information, the original information
other column.
the changes made to it – think of a Smart
is shown in blue. When you enlarge the
image the computer fills the gaps with
Object as a file within a file, but beware
In Photoshop if you wish to resize pictures,
of ballooning file sizes!
Pete West emigrated from the UK in 2002 and taught Photoshop at Natcol for 3 years.
He works freelance producing aircraft illustrations and photographic articles on Airshows
for magazines in the UK and Brazil. www.flickr.com/photos/oneleggedpom/
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GADGETS
GEAR REVIEW
Sony Alpha NEX-3 & NEX-5
The World’s Smallest Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera (so far...)
By Brian Foose (“Inspector Gadget”)
T
he Sony Alpha NEX is one of
Technology really enhances the viewing
the cameras that we just couldn’t
experience on the back of the camera. The
wait to get our hands on since its
colour and contrast is really the best we’ve
announcement earlier this year, and there
are several good reasons why.
The first thing we notice about the NEX is
The tilt-able LCD screen is a joy to use,
and we can now take pictures from all sorts
its small size. Unlike traditional DSLRs, the
of angles without having to get yourself into
NEX camera body is roughly the same size
uncomfortable positions.
(or even smaller) as some compact digital
The user interface on screen is easy to
cameras on the market today. However it’s
understand, and for beginner shooters,
equipped with a full-size APS-C sensor just
an on-screen tip feature can guide you
like most of the DSLR cameras.
to achieve better images. However, for
The Sony NEX features a newly improved
the more experienced shooter, the lack of
APS HD sensor, which has an amazingly
hardware keys to change simple settings
clean high ISO/low light performance.
like ISO can be a little annoying to start
The noise level in the higher ISO range
with, but just like most things in life, you will
is comparable to some pro-level DSLR
get used to it over time. Something worth
cameras, meaning cleaner, less noisy
mentioning about this camera is that it is
pictures and video.
designed for the point & shoot customer
The NEX uses Sony’s new E-mount system.
who wants to upgrade to something a
There are currently 3 lenses available
little bit more capable. Therefore it is not
(16mm F/2.8, 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 & 18-
targeted at semi-pro level users, which
200mm F/3.5-6.3) and 2 lens converters
explains a lot why they designed the
(ultra wide and fisheye adaptors). And with
interface the way they did.
an optional mount adaptor, you can use all
of your Sony A-mount lenses with it.
Also, if you are a Canon or Nikon shooter
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seen on a digital camera LCD screen.
The NEX is also capable of shooting HD
video at full 1080 resolution (NEX-5 only,
NEX-3 shoots at 720P resolution). Unlike the
you will be able to get an adaptor from a
compact digital cameras with a fixed lens
3rd party company that will let you use their
and the automatic video settings, the NEX
range of lenses.
has an interchangeable lens system like a
The user experience is nice and easy,
DSLR camera. This means you can shoot
as is expected from Sony. The 3” tilt-able
video with more control and achieve that
Xtra Fine LCD screen with Sony’s TruBlack
nice bokeh in video.
colour and contrast is really the best we’ve
seen on a digital camera LCD screen.
The tilt-able LCD screen is a joy to use,
and we can now take pictures from all sorts
of angles without having to get yourself into
uncomfortable positions.
The user interface on screen is easy to
understand, and for beginner shooters,
an on-screen tip feature can guide you
to achieve better images. However, for
the more experienced shooter, the lack of
hardware keys to change simple settings
like ISO can be a little annoying to start
with, but just like most things in life, you will
get used to it over time. Something worth
Hands-on with the nex
The Sony Alpha NEX is one of the
cameras, meaning cleaner, less noisy
mentioning about this camera is that it is
pictures and video.
designed for the point & shoot customer who
cameras that we just couldn’t wait to get our
hands on since its announcement earlier this
wants to upgrade to something a little bit
The NEX uses Sony’s new E-mount system.
more capable. Therefore it is not targeted
year, and there are several good reasons
There are currently 3 lenses available
at semi-pro level users, which explains a lot
why.
(16mm F/2.8, 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 & 18-
why they designed the interface the way
200mm F/3.5-6.3) and 2 lens converters
they did.
The first thing we notice about the NEX is
(ultra wide and fisheye adaptors). And with
its small size. Unlike traditional DSLRs, the
an optional mount adaptor, you can use all
NEX camera body is roughly the same size
of your Sony A-mount lenses with it.
(or even smaller) as some compact digital
Also, if you are a Canon or Nikon shooter
The NEX is also capable of shooting HD
video at full 1080 resolution (NEX-5 only,
NEX-3 shoots at 720P resolution). Unlike the
cameras on the market today. However it’s
you will be able to get an adaptor from a
compact digital cameras with a fixed lens
equipped with a full-size APS-C sensor just
3rd party company that will let you use their
and the automatic video settings, the NEX
like most of the DSLR cameras.
range of lenses.
has an interchangeable lens system like a
DSLR camera. This means you can shoot
The Sony NEX features a newly improved
The user experience is nice and easy,
APS HD sensor, which has an amazingly
as is expected from Sony. The 3” tilt-able
clean high ISO/low light performance.
Xtra Fine LCD screen with Sony’s TruBlack
The noise level in the higher ISO range
Technology really enhances the viewing
is comparable to some pro-level DSLR
experience on the back of the camera. The
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NZ Photographer
video with more control and achieve that
nice bokeh in video.
Brian Foose is a great assistant and loves gadgets like they're going out of fashion.
Which, of course, they're not - lucky for him! See Brian's work at BrianFoose.com
Wrapping up
most of the DSLR goodness. The image
The Sony Alpha NEX camera has a lot to
quality is amazing, and the HD Video is just
offer in a very attractive small form factor. It
a bonus. The build quality of the review unit
small flash unit which can be attached to the
has features that can fill page after page,
NEX-5 is top notch, and feels solid in hands.
accessory terminal without too much drama,
but what do we think about this camera?
The Sony Alpha NEX is not here to
replace your DSLR. It is a step up from your
point & shoot, something you can take
But nothing is perfect in this world, so I
pocket wizards at this stage.
No built-in flash: Although Sony included a
it’s still something extra to carry around
would just like to point out a couple of things
– when not in use, it clips on to the camera
that are on the “not so fantastic list”.
strap so you always have it right there with
No hot-shoe: Sony decided to use a
you. This was done by Sony to reduce the
anywhere quite comfortably without lugging
proprietary accessory terminal instead of the
size of the camera. Personally, I never use the
a huge DSLR around, but still benefits from
normal hot shoe system. Which is not too
onboard flash in any camera, as I believe
bad if Sony offered an
onboard flash ruins most photos. With the
adaptor, however at this
NEX’s clean high ISO performance, I much
stage you can only use the
prefer to use higher ISO setting to add more
3 accessories from Sony (an
ambient light to my picture when possible.
external optical viewfinder,
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Sony has done a brilliant job with the
external microphone and
Alpha NEX, and personally I can’t wait to
the included flash unit), so
buy one myself, but for now I think it’s safe
unfortunately you can’t use
to say I am going to find it pretty hard to
your own external flash or
hand this camera back to Sony.
CRITIQUE
Sized Up
YOUR WORK
CRITIQUED
There’s no better way to learn than by having your
work critiqued! In this section you get to have your
work critiqued by professional photographers Lisa
Crandall and Ollie Dale.
Lisa Crandall is a multi-award winning portrait
photographer. In 2008 she was named ‘People
Photographer of the Year’ at Iris, NZ’s professional
photography awards. Her studio, ImageMe
www.imageme.co.nz is located in Takapuna
in Auckland. She also runs photography
workshops, and is an Associate of the New
Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
(ANZIPP).
Ollie has been a professional photographer for seven
years, and has clients such as the NZ Herald, Visa,
Microsoft, Westpac, Unitec and BMW. He is also a
qualified commercial member and Associate of the
New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
(ANZIPP).
Camera: Nikon D60
happened to see this beautiful sunset.
that the building is not in the middle of the
Shutter: 1/640 sec
I couldn’t resist taking a shot because I
frame.
Aperture: f/4
loved the orange glow of the sunset. I just
ISO: 800
managed to catch the bird flying off into the
Ideally, the people in the shot would not be
Author: Eddie Kyle
distance. A few minutes earlier, there was
partially hidden by the rails, and they would
a man and a boy on a bike on the wharf. I
be doing something recognisable - putting
From the author: I took this a few
got a few shots of them, but they were just
bait on a line, or even just looking out at the
weekends ago in Akaroa, not far from
leaving as we got there.
view. Instead, on close inspection we can
see that the woman in the middle is bending
Christchurch. My partner and I had gone
down for a long weekend and had spent
LISA’S COMMENTS:
over and we don’t know why. Also, the
some of the Saturday afternoon joining up
I love the soft, warm mood of this image
placement and direction of the flying bird is
with the Photo Walk group in Akaroa. Most
- what beautiful light. What at first glance
not perfect - I think it would look better higher
people seemed to be from Christchurch and
looks like the sky, turns out to be a stunningly
in the frame, flying into the picture rather that
we were the only couple from Auckland.
subtle background of hills, grass and trees.
out of it. As it is, it leads the eye out of the
We were just taking a leisurely drive back
Well done to the photographer for seeing
frame. However, this is the moment as it was
to our accommodation in the late afternoon,
and capturing this wonderful sunset scene.
captured, and these are small details.
From a compositional point of view, it’s great
I have noticed a slight smudge on the left-
when we decided to stop and photograph
a statue. We walked around and just
30
Oct 13
NZ Photographer
OP
1
this image (OP1). Firstly, I straightened the
have created an unattractive smoky grey
horizon. I believe this is a very important
smudginess on the water. Instead, I added a
finishing touch for every image. Unless your
null curves adjustment layer (a curves layer
horizon is tilted for a reason, the horizon
with no adjustments actually made to the
should be dead straight. Secondly, I cloned
curve), set the blending mode of this layer
out the yellow sign which I found visually
to ‘multiply’, and then hid it behind a black
distracting.
mask. I then took a soft brush on 10% and
gently painted white on that mask in the
hand side of the building’s roof - it looks
like spill-over from an attempt to darken the
bright part of the roof. When you make
adjustments in Photoshop it is always worth
checking for spill-over.
I have made a couple of minor tweaks to
I also cropped a little off the bottom of the
corners of the image. This multiply vignette
image, to bring the horizon down around
technique gives a very natural-looking
the third. To comply with the ‘rule of thirds’,
polishing touch to this beautiful image.
important features such as the horizon need
happened to see this beautiful sunset.
to be placed either one third or two-thirds
I couldn’t resist taking a shot because I
of the way up the image. This gives a
loved the orange glow of the sunset. I just
composition which is pleasing to the eye.
managed to catch the bird flying off into the
distance. A few minutes earlier, there was
Finally, I added a very subtle vignette,
a man and a boy on a bike on the wharf. I
particularly on the water, to help keep
got a few shots of them, but they were just
the eye inside the frame. I did not use a
leaving as we got there.
standard vignette technique, which would
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CRITIQUE
1
32
Oct 13
NZ Photographer
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Shutter: 1/250 sec
Aperture: f/5
ISO: 100
OP
1
Author: Gilles Rabaud
From the author: I’ve had my new Canon
7D less than a month now, and to get to
know the camera I take it to work with
me every day, in the hope of capturing
something of interest during my lunch break.
I was walking down Fanshawe Street
when I was struck by the reflections
of neighbouring buildings in the glass
facade of the new NZI building. From
across the street I whipped out my new
camera and zoomed in to get a tight
crop, for this abstract look. I cropped a
little more in Lightroom and added a wee
bit of vibrance.
OLLIES’S COMMENTS: Nicely done Gilles,
you’ve captured a great contemporary
image, with several layers of creativity
and intrigue.
Firstly, there are the graphics – the shapes
of the triangles made by the steel, and the
collection of patterns made by the reflections.
Then there’s the juxtaposition of the
conformity of the straight lines versus the
abstract of the reflections.
I also love the fact that while you’ve
included the Auckland Sky Tower you haven’t
made it the obvious and very cheesy focal
point that most reflection-seekers shoot, so full
marks for that.
Another superb touch is the inclusion of
the two women in the window in the upper
left – nice!
This is a critique, so you’ve asked for
my constructive criticism. To me this is a
great shot already, and if it were mine
The graphic nature of the triangles is
I’d attempt to straighten up the horizontal
enhanced when all the lines are straight,
lines made by the steel. You could do this
and I personally believe this improves the
in-camera by using a Tilt-Shift lens, or in
shot. Having said that, there’s not much
post production by using the transform tool
more that’s obviously flawed about the
set to warp (OP1).
image. Good work!
Call for entries: Get your images critiqued by professionals – send an image to [email protected] with a
brief description of how and why you took the shot, and we’ll tell you what we think and if it could be improved.
The views and opinions expressed in this section are only two people’s ideas on photographic imagery. You may have different,
constructive ideas about how good or not the images are, and what could be done to them. You’re welcome to send those ideas in to
[email protected]. We agree that the opinions contained in this critique section are by no means the only opinions
that could be held about these images.
COMPETITIONS
FOOD
Competition
(single Image)
T
ime for y’all to get out to your
from the fabulous people at Giclée
Monday the 15th of November, 2010.
nearest Urban area and get
Print. For all YOUR fine art and
Winner will be published in Issue
snapping! Send us your best
canvas printing needs, visit
20, out on Wednesday the 24th of
www.gicleeprint.co.nz.
November, 2010
image that illustrates what ‘urban’ means
to you, and remember that thinking and
One entry per person, and you
shooting ‘out of the box’ will give you
must be in New Zealand or hold a
the best chance of winning!
NZ Passport at the time of entry to
Even if you don’t win you may still get
published on our Best of the Rest page.
Be in to win cover of Issue 19,
and the fabulous $100 voucher
34
Mar 3
NZ Photographer
qualify to win.
Images must be 100dpi, 1600
pixels wide, and sent to competitions@
nzphotographer.co.nz by 5pm on
URBAN
Competition
(single Image)
A quick reminder…
T
image that illustrates what ‘urban’ means
the fabulous $100 voucher from the
in Issue 19, out on Wednesday the 27th
to you, and remember that thinking and
fabulous people at Giclée Print. For
of October, 2010.
shooting ‘out of the box’ will give you
all YOUR fine art and canvas printing
the best chance of winning!
needs, visit www.gicleeprint.co.nz.
ime for y’all to get out to your
competition have been extended to the
sent to competitions@nzphotographer.
nearest Urban area and get
18th of October!
co.nz by 5pm on Monday the 18th of
snapping! Send us your best
Even if you don’t win you may still get
Be in to win cover of Issue 19, and
One entry per person, and you must be
published on our Best of the Rest page.
in New Zealand or hold a NZ Passport at
Due to the delay in Issue 18, the
the time of entry to qualify to win. Images
deadlines for the Urban photography
must be 100dpi, 1600 pixels wide, and
35
Oct 13
NZ Photographer
October, 2010. Winner will be published
GADGETS
COOL
STUFF
The best camera is the one you
have with you™
If you’re the proud owner of an iPod
Touch or iPhone 3G/3GS/4 then I
thought I’d give a shout-out to my favourite
Photography application – Chase Jarvis’s
“Best Camera”. It’s not new, in that it’s been
around for months, but I just bought it last
week (NZ$4.19) and it’s fabulous. The
two best features are the one-touch sharing
to thebestcamera.com, Flickr, Facebook,
Twitter, email and into your device’s Camera
Roll, meaning you can update all your
How to Promote your Photography 101
the efforts of one Clint Davis. If your
accounts in seconds, and also the modular
So, you want to get your name out there
efforts didn’t include buying 40 cameras,
image editing – there are 14 inbuilt effects,
and show off your photography to some
branding them and sending them out with
and the order in which you add them affects
potential clients? Sent out anything via post
examples of your work then you really
the end result. The great part is you can
recently? I’d be impressed and probably a
could learn something by reading his blog!
delete or change the order of any of the
little shocked to hear ANY of you beating
Source: Ollie Dale
settings you apply at any time, meaning if
something you did at the beginning looks
bad with a whole bunch of other effects
on top of it, it’s simple to go back and
delete that first effect, or shift it into a better
position. There are a number of items on
my wishlist for the next update (e.g. effect
opacity sliders), but this is still my favourite
photography app by far! Check out my
personal uploads for examples – http://
bestc.am/photographers/18140 only,
excuse the poor image quality of the first
few – the iPhone 3G’s camera is BAD, and
you can see the difference the iPhone4
makes!
Source: Ollie Dale
36
Oct 13
NZ Photographer
NEXT ISSUE
In the next issue of
NZ Photographer…
How To: Sports Photography
Plus much more...
Urban Competition Winner
Issue 19, Out Wednesday 27th October 2010
iPad Review: A Photographer’s Tool
Have you subscribed to NZ Photographer? It’s free!
Simply visit www.nzphotographer.co.nz to get a copy of NZ Photographer
delivered straight to your inbox every third Wednesday!
37
Oct 13
NZ Photographer