NZ Photographer Issue 34

Issue 34 : July 2014

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Beautiful work!

G

reat to see some of you braving the cold (and numb fingers!), camera in hand, to capture those awesome ‘Winter Wonderland’ Photographs!

Congratulations to Peter Kurdulija for his inspiring image, Hallelujah.

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 Hollie Wightman, hollie@nzphotographer.co.nz GROUP EDITOR Jennifer Liew ART DIRECTOR Jodi Olsson

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Phone Richard Liew on 09 522 7257 or email richardl@espiremedia.com

WEBSITE www.nzphotographer.co.nz

NZ Photographer is an Espire Media publication

The shortest day of the year has been and gone, so spring can’t be far away, and would you believe me if I told you I’ve already seen lambs! This of course gave me the idea for this month’s competition, Pets and Wildlife.

In this issue Neil Protheroe explains Polarising Filters: what they are and how to use them. Paul Conroy shares some great tips on successful sports photography; just what you side-line rugby supporters need to capture some great images. Also, Canon announces a new EF-M Telephoto Zoom Lens.

Can’t wait to see your Pets and Wildlife pics!

Hollie Wightman Hollie Wightman Resident Judge NZ Photographer

PCL’S NEW IPHONE AND IPAD APP FREE WEEKLY TUTORIALS!

•Photographic Printing New Zealand’s premium photo lab, PCL IMAGING, has made its latest evolution •Custom Framing into the palm of your hand. They have launched this month the iphone and ipad app 30 Karaka Street, Eden Terrace, •Mounting which allows users to edit, enhance and order photographs directly from their phones.

Auckland (09) 309 8090 •Scanning PCL has been a photographic industry leader for over 40 years and once again is enabling photographers with the latest technological contact@pcl.net.nz development.

The app itself isPrinting a direct result of another technology PCL has been using for several years called ROES or remote order www.pcl.co.nz •Inkjet entry software. This software was made available for MAC or PC and has been used to by thousands of happy customers.

•Canvas Prints PCL will be holding weekly tutorials for the new app for their customers and if you mention this article you can join them for a free cupcake, espresso photographic print. The relaxed tutorials will take place at PCL every Thursday at 11am.

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APP YOU FACE WEB 0800 ASK PCL STORE SITE BOOK TUBE



Next Month's Competition:  Pets & Wildlife

Y

our challenge this month is to capture a great shot of your beloved pet or any animal, bird, insect – you get the idea! Entries close July 17th.

Rules: Images submitted must be no older than 12 months from the date of publication of this issue.

Entry to the competition is $5 and you can enter up to five images. Images must be no more than 100 dpi and no more than 1600px wide. Save them as jpgs in the prefered colour space of Adobe RGB (1998). If you don't know what this means, don't worry, but do Google it...●

GET SHOOTING AND WIN! Photographers - This is a great opportunity to improve your photography skills and get some feedback from professional photography judges in a safe and friendly environment. Here's what's up for grabs: • The winning image on the cover of the next issue • A high quality print of your image and cover to immortalise your achievement for your grandchildren, courtesy of PCL Imaging •

$50 cash

• And of course, bragging rights and the envy of your fellow NZ Photographer fans!

Check out next month’s theme and enter at www.nzphotographer.co.nz!

WIN!

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Correctly polarised

Polarising Filters

Over-polarised

By Neil Protheroe www.imagesabound.com

Over-polarised.jpg

A polarising filter is used to reduce reflected light entering the camera lens. It has the effect of saturating natural colours and reducing or eliminating unwanted glare and reflections. It can sometimes cut through haze, making our photographs more vibrant, defined and lively. It is one filter which should be in every SLR user’s camera bag, if only because its effects cannot be properly replicated with any post-processing software

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How Polarisers Work Most polarisers comprise a fixed glass filter and a rotating ring, which screws on the front of the lens. Manufacturers of filter systems such as Lee and Cokin also offer polarisers to fit their filter holders.

The effect of a polarising filter varies according to the angle of the light reflected towards the camera. This is controlled by manually rotating the front part of the filter, and the result can be seen through the viewfinder. The maximum effect is achieved when the camera is positioned at a 90 degree angle to the sun. A polariser will have no discernible effect when the sun is directly behind the camera, nor when shooting into the sun.

With filter

Use with Caution!

Without filter

The full effect of a polariser is not always easy to gauge, and is easily overdone. In certain light conditions, skies can sometimes become unnaturally blue, even ink-coloured.

Also, as the effectiveness of a polariser varies with the angle of reflected light, caution should be exercised when using one with a wide-angle lens, to avoid uneven saturation of the sky across the width of the frame. With screw-in filters, since the filter itself extends the length of the lens barrel, vignetting (dark corners) can also arise when using zoom lenses at their shortest focal length.

Polariser Effects We can use a polariser to make a pale blue sky appear more blue, to saturate the colours of trees, and to give more definition to clouds in the sky, and to the features of a landscape.

When shooting through a window, (perhaps from an aircraft) a polariser will help to eliminate reflections. It is also ideal for removing unwanted surface reflections from water, (eg at the shore of a lake, or in front of a waterfall) making the water photographically transparent. Even under cloudy skies, a polariser will help to saturate colours. It is particularly useful when photographing trees, autumn leaves, or fields of flowers, for example.

All modern DSLR cameras use ‘circular polarisers’ as opposed to ‘linear polarisers’, and some are better than others. As with all optical products, avoid the temptation of cheap brands, and buy from a reputable manufacturer. ●

Because it filters light out, using a polariser will require a slower shutter speed at any given aperture, which can be up to two stops. For those who do not always use a tripod, this is important to bear in mind. www.nzphotographer.co.nz 5

Succeed at Shooting Sports

By Paul Conroy www.paulconroyphotography.com

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Shooting sports often requires fast telephoto lenses, the best of which are beyond the financial reach of most photography enthusiasts. There are, however, some techniques which you can use to improve your chance of getting great results when shooting sports.

T

here are two basic techniques I use when shooting sports and these are determined by the sport I’m shooting.

1. Predictable Movement Sports The type of sports that fit into this category are those where the subject will move in a pre-defined path, such as: Softball, Cricket, Motorsport and Equestrian.

playing area, for example: rugby, soccer, hockey and tennis.

• Shoot at your widest aperture, as this will let the most light in and allow for a faster shutter speed.

• Set the camera’s auto focus mode to continuous tracking, as this adjusts the focus as the length to the subject changes.

• Turn off image stabilisation on your lens, as this will slightly improve the speed at which the lens focuses.

• Use your longest lens. You can pick up a 2x converter, • On the entry-level cameras, use the centre auto-focus which will double the length of your lens, for a couple point, as this is the most sensitive for tracking. Do of hundred dollars. not have your auto focus set to manual.

• Pick an area where you think there will be some • Ensure your camera is in continuous shooting mode. action (ie second base on a softball field, or a corner of a race track). Focus on that area and then turn your lens to manual focus.

If you find the camera is constantly waiting to write to the disc whilst you’re shooting, you can reduce the size of the file • Ensure your camera is in continuous shooting mode. being written, or change the file type to JPG. Both of these will improve the speed in which the files write to the card.

2. Erratic Movement Sports

Sports in this category will have subjects that are free to move in any given direction within the confines of the

Lastly, learn the rules of the sport you are shooting, as this will give you a better chance of understanding where the next play will be happening. ● www.nzphotographer.co.nz 7

PRESS RELEASE

Canon announces a new EF-M Telephoto Zoom Lens CAMERA SUPPORT SYSTEM

Key Features: • Compactness and precision image quality is achieved through a new type of five-group zoom system, making use of short back focus and aspheric lens.

• Uses a UD lens to correct chromatic aberration for excellent image quality throughout the zoom range.

• The focussing mechanism employs a stepping motor and lead screw to provide quiet and smooth movie servo AF for shooting movies • Image stabiliser equivalent to a shutter speed 3.5 settings faster.

• Maintains the EF-M Lens design concept of projecting from the mount in a straight form.

• Lens disposition and coatings are optimised to minimize ghosting and flare.

• Uses a seven-blade circular aperture for exquisite blurred areas.

• Fast auto focus is achieved for still images using a rear focus system, high speed CPU, and optimized AF algorithm.

Lens Specifications:

W

ith the design and portability characteristic of the EOS M series, you can easily enjoy the world of telephoto zoom-lens shooting in a compact and lightweight body with the EF-M 55-250 f/4.5-6.3 IS STM. This EF-M lens features a built in Image Stabilizer so you can capture images from a distance in sharp, crisp quality; and a built in stepping motor (STM) for silent and smooth Autofocus. Used in combination with an EF-M standard lens, a wide range of shooting scenes can be covered with the EOS M series.

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• • • • • • • • •

Focal length 55-200mm Max Aperture f/4.5-6.3 Lens construction 17 elements in 11 groups Aperture blades 7 Minimum focusing distance 1.0m Maximum magnification 0.21x Dimensions 60.9x86.5mm Weight (approx.) 260gms Included accessories Lens cap E-52 II, Lens dust cap EB

Available from the end of July. For more information visit www.canon.co.nz ●

TAKE MORE cONTROL GET MORE cREATIVE NEW EOS 70D

An EOS first, Dual Pixel CMOS AF / 20.2 megapixel CMOS sensor / Built-in WiFi

See it for yourself today

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Hallelujah by Peter Kurdulija Lake Tekapo The iconic church is blessed with a rather mysterious glow in the background and is captured wide. Settings: Nikon D200, f/4.5, 1/640 sec, ISO 100.

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Morning Sheep by Steve Harper From Maungakiekie: sheep waking for the day.

Settings: Nikon D600, 8 sec, f16.

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Windscreen Art by Gregory Van Dugteren Christchurch city street scene taken through the windscreen of my van during a downpour. I like the abstract feel of the image and the way the rain distorts the lights from the cars and traffic signals.

Settings: Canon 600D /55-250 EFS lens at 55mm/F8: ISO 400.

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The light is on by Peter Kurdulija A gentle, romantic sunrise by a beautiful lake.

Settings: Nikon D200, f/5, 1/160 sec, ISO 200.

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“Yourfirst10,000 photographs areyourworst” - Henri Cartier-Bresson

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*As of October 26, 2011.