WIN! A DAY’S PHOTOSHOOT WITH LEGENDARY SPORT PRO MARK PAIN Issue 45 • May 2015 • £5.49 www.digitalcameraworld.com
NIKON’S NEW
D7200 REVIEWED & RATED
the ultimate
TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE!
The no.1 magazine for
Nikon users !
The 37 mistakes photographers make, and how to fix them fast INDOOR SPORT MASTERCLASS
IN-DEPTH TEST
HOOP DREAMS!
ZOOM ZOOM!
Go behind the scenes of a basketball shoot with award-winning sports photographer Mark Pain
Eight super-telephoto zoom lenses compared From idea to execution, it took me about a decade to get the kind of shots I wanted of reflections in insects’ eyes Paul Harcourt Davis, nature photographer
SHAPE LIGHT Get creative with a flash stencil p49
MIRROR MAGIC Learn how to see right through a subject p54
Fresh ideas for
spring macro Discover new ways to shoot stunning seasonal images
HDR SECRETS Revealed: the key to doing HDRwell p56
May 2015
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Welcome to issue 45 of…
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ABOUT THE COVER
Title Cherry Plum Blossom Photographer Jacky Parker Home UK Camera Nikon D300 Lens Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Exposure 1/400 sec Description I took the blossom image in my garden. I set the camera to aperture-priority, f/5.6 and ISO200 as the light was a little flat. I wanted to capture the soft play between the ethereal tones and crisp details on the tiny stamens of the flowers. I held the camera, which enabled me to move until I had the composition I felt worked well. Website www.jackyparker.com
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■ My favourite quote of this issue? It has to be from this month’s interview with inspirational nature pro Paul Harcourt Davies. He talks with great eloquence about his amazing career, but the line that really did it for me was his answer to the question ‘has digital changed your macro work?’ “The magical factor is immediacy,” he says. “I can now see what I’ve done straight away, and act to correct it if needed.” I can think of no better way to articulate just why digital photography is so exciting, and so rewarding. Amateur or pro, we all make mistakes: it took Paul ten years – ten years! – to master his technique for capturing reflections in insects’ eyes, and I’m sure there were a few false starts along the way. This brings me neatly to this issue’s feature, which explores the most common mistakes we all make, and offers practical advice on how to stop making them – fast. But that’s not to say you should eliminate mistakes entirely; if you’re not making any, you’re probably not trying hard enough to take your photography to the next level – the risk being, of course, that all of your pictures are passable, but predictable. So, the next time you get out your camera, do yourself a favour and try something new, or different. If you’re lucky, you might even make a mistake...
Paul Grogan, Editor paul.grogan@futurenet.com
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May 2015
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Cover feature
37 things photographers do wrong
…and how to fix them! If you find particular flaws cropping up in your pictures time and time again, we’ll help you put things right
Nikon Skills Fresh ideas for spring 46 Shape your flash light 49 50 Build your Collections 52 Magnify without a macro lens Magic with a mirror 54 Master the art of HDR 56 58 Capture the setting sun
Nikopedia 74
Cover feature
Capture more original seasonal close-ups with our inspirational guide
Cover feature
Get creative with an off-camera flash and a homemade stencil
Cover feature
Create a playful shot where a mirror lets you see straight through your model
Cover feature
Learn how to use HDR techniques to photograph high-contrast scenes
Try our Big Project: create an image that goes from day to night in one frame
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May 2015
Cover feature
Mark Pain takes our Apprentice to court for a lesson in sports photography
The latest inspirational images from photographers around the world Subscribe to N-Photo in print or digital format, or both together
Make searching for photos easier with the help of Collections in Lightroom
Don’t want to fork out for a macro lens? Try one of these affordable alternatives
Essentials The Apprentice 08 20 Lightbox 40 Subscriptions offers 64 Over to You The N-Photo Interview 84 121 Next issue 122 My Best Shot
74 Nikon Know-how 78 Nikon Software
Michael Freeman unravels the intricacies of the ‘exposure triangle’
Discover how to use Nikon Capture NX-D to change the Picture Control setting on your RAW files, and change tones and contrast with a single mouse-click
80 Ask Rod
Our Nikon expert is here to solve all your camera-related problems and help with those important buying decisions
Three photo stories packed with brilliant shots, plus all your rants and raves
Cover feature
It’s a small – but fascinating – world for macro maestro Paul Harcourt Davies
The good stuff doesn’t end with this issue – here’s something to look forward to
Hours in a muddy African waterhole paid off spectacularly for Greg du Toit…
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expert HANDS-ON video guideS Whenever you see this button, simply use this web link… bit.ly/NPhoto45 to view our online video tutorials
20 98
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Six great ideas for fresh new macro shots this spring
02
03
Make searching your archive easier with Collections in Lightroom
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Discover affordable alternatives to a specialist macro lens
05
A model you can see through? We show you how it’s done
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08
Create a stencil for your Speedlight and shape the light
Test Team Nikon D7200 94 Cover feature
The D-SLR at the top end of Nikon’s APS-C range has been upgraded, and has some very nice features indeed – we take an in-depth look at them all
98
Cover feature
94 98
Big Test
When we say Big Test, we mean Mammoth Test, with our review of eight super-sized telephoto zoom lenses
Use HDR to capture a high-contrast scene in a single image
110 New Gear
The latest Nikon-fit kit, including a gorgeous wide-angle prime, pocket-sized storage and some stunning studio lights
112
Mini Test
Store more photographs, and store them securely, in one of the six external hard drives we’ve got on test
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110
Go from day to night Get a new look in one in a single frame with click: change Picture THE VIDEOS INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS DISCControls ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND NOT our BigAND Project with Capture NX-D ENDORSED OR SPONSORED BY NIKON CORPORATION OR ADOBE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
May 2015
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Which sports would our team shoot on a day with Mark Pain, like this issue’s Apprentice?
Print 22,708 Digital 7,184 The ABC combined print, digital and digital publication circulation for Jan-Dec 2014 is
29,892
A member of the Audited Bureau of Circulations
Paul Grogan Editor | D800
paul.grogan@futurenet.com
As a keen cyclist, the chance to capture other people in action would be too good to pass up, plus knowing the sport would help me anticipate events.
Andrew Leung Art Editor | D5100
andrew.leung@futurenet.com
Miriam McDonald Operations Editor | D3100 miriam.mcdonald@futurenet.com
I’ve tried taking pictures at cricket matches, and would love to know how to get a professional result – and how to cope with busy backgrounds.
Matt Tuffin Staff Writer | D700 matt.tuffin@futurenet.com
It has to be football, and it has to be Leeds United. That said, I wouldn’t turn down the chance to photograph a football team in Europe…
Ali Jennings Lab Manager | D800 ali.jennings@futurenet.com
I’d like to photograph something away from a stadium or pitch… road cycling, cross-country running, anything where the environment adds drama.
Angela Nicholson Head of Testing | D7100 angela.nicholson@futurenet.com
I’d like to photograph a sailing race. I’m not a sailing fan, but it’d give me the chance to capture some action with one of the long lenses I’ve had in the lab!
I like photographing most sports, but chances to cover big athletics events are rare. It’d be great to be at the finish line for a major sprint race.
This issue’s special contributors… Matthew Richards
■ Toting all eight of this issue’s monster telephotos around proved better than gym membership… Page 98
George Cairns
■ Discover how to use Lightroom’s Collections feature to sort your images – George reveals all. Page 50
Michael Freeman ■ Michael
explores the ‘exposure triangle’, and the interaction of shutter speed, aperture and ISO this issue. Page 74
Tom Welsh
■ The newest
member of the Photo Techniques team, Tom explores fresh ways to shoot spring macros. Page 46
Amy Davies
■ Not content to sit and admire the new D7200, Amy took it straight out for some real-world tests. Page 94
Mark Pain
■ Mark takes
this issue’s Apprentice to court… the basketball court, for a sports-photography masterclass. Page 8
May 2015
Paul Grogan Editor Andrew Leung Art Editor Miriam McDonald Operations Editor MattTuffin Staff Writer Angela Nicholson Head of Testing Ali Jennings Imaging Lab Manager Video production Pete Gray Producer Adam Lee Videographer Advertising Matt Bailey Senior Sales Executive matt.bailey@futurenet.com, 01225 687511 Claire Harris Account Manager Marketing & circulation Charlotte Lloyd-Williams Direct Marketing Executive Michelle Brock Trade Marketing Manager 0207 429 3683 Print & production Vivienne Calvert Production Controller Mark Constance Production Manager International & licensing Regina Erak International Director regina.erak@futurenet.com, +44 (0)1225 442244 Management Nial Ferguson Content and Marketing Director Matthew Pierce Head of Content & Marketing: Photography, Creative & Design Chris George Group Editor-in-Chief Rodney Dive Group Art Director
Chief executive Zillah Byng-Maddick Non-executive chairman Peter Allen Chief financial officer Richard Haley
Dale Mears
■ Dale tells us how he got started photographing kayakers, and the special challenges it presents. Page 64
Ami Vitale
■ Ami’s shot of Samburu warriors with an orphaned rhino highlights the role communities play in conservation. Page 20
Our contributors Ben Andrews, Joseph Branston, Dawn Cotterell, Oscar Dewhurst, Richard Dunwoody, Viktoria Haack, Paul Harcourt Davies, Roie Galitz, Marcus Hawkins, Marco Heisler, Kacper Kowalski, Keszi László, Simon Lees, Andy McGregor, James Paterson, Hamish Purdey, Harry Reid, Gavin Roberts, Joby Sessions, Terry Tooze, Keith Wilson, Kai Sheng Xiang Special thanks to… Bath & North-East Somerset Council, Bath Rugby Club
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N-Photo Magazine, Future Publishing Quay House, The Ambury, Bath, UK, BA1 1UA Editorial mail@nphotomag.com +44 (0)1225 442244 Subscriptions and back issues (UK) 0844 848 2852 (overseas) +44 (0)1604 251045 Subscriptions nphoto@myfavouritemagazines.co.uk Or go to www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/nphoto
Tel +44 (0)207 042 4000 (London) Tel +44 (0)1225 442 244 (Bath) Printed in the UK by William Gibbons and Sons Ltd, on behalf of Future. Distributed by Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London EC1A 9PT. Tel 020 7429 4000. Overseas distribution by Seymour International.
N-Photo is an independent publication and is not in any way authorised, affiliated, nor sponsored by Nikon. All the opinions expressed herein are those of the magazine and not that of Nikon. Nikon, NIKKOR and all associated trademarks are the property of Nikon Corporation. © Future Publishing Limited 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Future Publishing Limited (company number 2008885) is registered in England and Wales. Registered office: Registered office: Quay House, The Ambury, Bath, BA1 1UA. All information contained in this publication is for information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. Future cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. You are advised to contact manufacturers and retailers directly with regard to the price and other details of products or services referred to in this publication. Apps and websites mentioned in this publication are not under our control. We are not responsible for their contents or any changes or updates to them. If you submit unsolicited material to us, you automatically grant Future a licence to publish your submission in whole or in part in all editions of the magazine, including licensed editions worldwide and in any physical or digital format throughout the world. Any material you submit is sent at your risk and, although every care is taken, neither Future nor its employees, agents or subcontractors shall be liable for loss or damage.
We are committed to only using magazine paper which is derived from well managed, certified forestry and chlorine-free manufacture. Future Publishing and its paper suppliers have been independently certified in accordance with the rules of the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).
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Indoor sport masterclass
Name Mark Pain Cameras Nikon D4s, Nikon D4, Nikon D810 ■ Chief Sports Photographer for The Mail on Sunday, Mark was named Sports Photographer of the Year at the British Press Awards in 2005 and 2011. His images of the 2012 London Olympics, for which he was named British Airways Olympic Photographer of the Year, encapsulated the spirit of the games. He also runs the UK’s only dedicated sports photography school, with shoots at a range of locations and events. For more details visit www.markpain.com
www.digitalcameraworld.com
Name Hamish Purdey Camera Nikon D4 ■ Hamish, who works in the financial services sector, has been a Nikon user for well over a decade, and his very first D-SLR was a Nikon. A keen sports fan and photographer, he’s looking to impove his skills by tackling some indoor photography, which he hopes will help him to master nailing sharp shots in low light.
May 2015
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Hot Shot #01 expert insight Freeze the action Mark says… Once you’ve found the shutter speed that freezes the action of a person moving, dial it up a third of a stop. This will guarantee that any rapid, sudden movement will still be sharp, even if you’re reacting rapidly to it, and the shutter speed will freeze anything moving more quickly, such as the ball.
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May 2015
Watch the lights
You’ll get balanced light indoors, but that doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get a balanced exposure. Pay attention to how the light falls in the corners, and where the lights are, as you may have to track someone through two or three exposure levels.
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Indoor sport masterclass EXPOSURE 1/1600 sec, f/2.8, ISO2000 LENS Nikon AF-S 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II
OUR APPRENTICE says… I didn’t quite appreciate how hectic basketball was, and this shot captures the fast pace perfectly. Mark prepared me for it as best he could before the game, telling me which settings to lock in and which to adjust on the fly. This shot really sold me on focus tracking [see page 15], as I wasn’t sure how it worked, but this proved it’s essential for action that’s unfolding fast.
TECHNIQUE ASSESSMENT Preparation is everything
Hamish needed a few pointers before tackling the hectic pace of basketball…
Back-button focusing
Mark says… By transferring focus control to the AF-ON button at the rear of the camera, focusing and capturing an image become two different functions. This means you can concentrate entirely on focusing rather than splitting your concentration. On most high-end cameras there’s a dedicated button for this, but on entry-level models it’s usually possible to assign it to the AE-L button in the custom menu.
Use a high ISO
Mark says… To shoot indoor sports you’ll need a high shutter speed, and therefore a high ISO. For most of the game we were shooting at well above ISO1000 to cope with the fast shutter speeds we needed, so ideally you need a full-frame D-SLR to produce a decent image. Modern D-SLRs cope superbly well at these ISO levels, avoiding the usual noise levels expected.
Go manual Be balanced
Be comfortable when you shoot. It’s more difficult to keep the camera steady and track a subject with the lens if you’re falling over or cramping up. If you’re struggling, a monopod can help, though long-term you should aim to get used to the weight of the lens and body, and develop a sense of balance from that.
Pro’s Killer kit #01 Domke F2 Camera Bag When you’re shooting in an area likely to have people rushing towards you, a soft bag can prevent injury, unlike a hard case. A soft bag is also more pliable, meaning it can be easily stowed under advertising hoardings and seats. Make sure yours is protective enough to take a basketball player treading on it, though!
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Mark says… The trick to sports shooting is to have as little as possible to do once play starts. If you use manual mode you can avoid having to tinker with controls during the game, locking in the aperture and focus zones prior to shooting. Then you only need to concentrate on changes to the shutter speed between shots.
the pro’s bag
Nikon D4s n Nikon D4 n Nikon D810 n Nikon 300mm f/2.8 n Nikon 200mm f/2 n Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 n Nikon 85mm f/1.4 n Nikon 35mm f/1.4 n Domke F2 camera bag n 13-inch Apple Macbook Pro n Various Lexar/ Sandisk/Sony XQD and Compact Flash cards
May 2015
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Hot Shot #03
EXPOSURE 1/1600 sec, f/2.8, ISO2000 LENS Nikon AF-S 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II
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May 2015
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Indoor sport masterclass
OUR APPRENTICE says… I had great fun using the 300mm f/2.8 lens Mark had brought along with him. It forced me to think about my photography in a completely different way, and the reaction speed was incredible, changing depths in a heartbeat. It was fairly heavy, and I needed a bit more support to track subjects effectively, but it helped me nail some cracking images.
pro portfolio GOOD SPORT Two-time Sports Photographer of the Year
expert insight Get your game face on Mark says… The pre-game practice is an excellent opportunity to get some idea of what you’d like to shoot, the angles to adopt and the players to follow. It’s also a chance to experiment with different settings and get everything locked in.
Glitz, glamour and speed
Sebastian Vettel passes the ultra-luxurious Yas hotel on his way to winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2013. Vettel went on to win the Championship that year, and Mark’s image clearly shows the German’s domination.
Lock the focus point
Be aware that some cameras will change the manually adjusted focus point when you change from landscape to portrait orientation, and vice-versa. The focus point can be locked using a menu option, so make sure you activate this prior to shooting.
Change your exposure
You may need to change your exposure when you photograph players of different skin tones. Switching from one person to another may require a slight adjustment, as might a player moving into an area with poor lighting.
Here come the Brits!
Team GB’s track pursuit team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. They went on to win the gold medal, and dominate the track cycling event that year, making this shot, with its blurred background and sharp subject, all the more iconic.
Pro’s Killer kit #02 Constant aperture zoom lens Mark says… A 70-200mm f/2.8 lens is a musthave when you’re shooting indoors, as you’ll need the wide aperture to enable a fast shutter speed. Not only will this ensure you’re able to freeze the action, it will also mean that your backgrounds are nicely blurred out, which will help your subjects to stand out from the crowd – quite literally.
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In a spin
In spite of professional diving being one of the more difficult sports to capture, Mark perfectly caught Chinese diver Liang Huo in mid-rotation during the men’s 10-metre platform final at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
May 2015
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