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Photographing Birds in Flight • How to Check a used lens before buying
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September 2010 • Rs.100
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wildlife special • GREAT MASTERS: Art wolfe • poy 2010 announcement
Amazing animal portraits in the wild
Non-photography essentials for your wildlife expedition
Vol. 14 • No. 4 • September 2010
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Combining patterns & ripples to capture great reflections
PHOTOFEATURE
The raw, elemental beauty of the land of passes - Ladakh
GREAT MASTERS
Art Wolfe on documenting the world’s disappearing vistas
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No. 54
Market sense
Exclusive tests Fujifilm FinePix JZ300 Sigma 50-500mm Canon 100mm Macro Olympus 14-150mm
Save money and market your work by being eco-friendly
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SnapShots
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Website Review www.flakphoto.com
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Book Review Paintings of Purulia
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Look Who’s Shooting Vivek Vilasini
ON THE COVER
photograph: harshad barve Design: pradeep kumar B nambiar
GearGuide
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test
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Fujifilm FinePix JZ300 An incredible value-formoney package
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Canon 100mm Macro f/2.8 IS Breaking conventions for macro photography
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Sigma 50–500mm A lens that can be used for absolutely anything
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Olympus 14–150mm The company’s first superzoom for Micro Four Thirds
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FEATURE
Panasonic GF1 Will its delayed release affect its popularity?
Non-Photography Essentials for wildlife photography
BetterPictures
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SHOOTING TECHNIQUE
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Animal Portraits Make stunning portraits of animals in the wild
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PhotographingBirds in Flight Simple ways to capture fluttering birds
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BigCityProwl Step outside and discover a world of creatures
How Ready Are You? Learn to Be prepared for the perfect widlife moment
InFocus
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116 ShowCase
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ON ASSIGNMENT
Art with Water Combine patterns and ripples to capture great reflections
108 Kunj Trivedi Profile
Discovering his urge to immortalise wildlife in motion
PhotoFinish
189 Nature Photography is DIFFERENT STROKES
a Soldier’s Undertaking
190 PhotographyGoing MARKET SENSE
Green Save money by being eco-friendly
192 The Cloud of Doom Story Behind the Picture
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Flowers in a Bubble Find floral subjects in water droplets
100 Makegreatphotosof TIPS & TRICKS
babies, the moon and on the beach
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MY BEST SHOT
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GREAT MASTERS
Rajesh Bedi Art Wolfe His mission to document world’s rapidly disappearing vistas
Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing, 1945
CAll for entries for Poy 2010 India’s biggest photography awards are back - Page No. 36
Golden roll contest 2010
PHOTO FEATURE
An award for those of you who love to shoot with film - Page No. 54
Revisiting the beauty of Ladakh
Regulars
124 Furqan Khan
Feedback.............................................................12 PHOTOCRITIQUE................................................... 96 Q & A..................................................................104 1000 WORDS........................................................ 122 Your Pictures...................................................128 BP Buyer’s Guide............................................... 174
Canon EOS 7D Studio Version The Canon EOS 7D has been a very popular camera since it launched, due to which a special studio version of the camera does not come as a surprise. The 7D Studio Version is a kit that includes the camera and a wireless transmitter, both modified to use with barcode scanners. In addition to the transmitter, the Studio Version has a brand new Locking feature that provides four levels of locking various settings while shooting. This means that you can customise the camera, switch off any functions you do not need, and create four such levels, each of which can be used in a different shooting situation. The Studio Version kit will cost USD 2599 (approx. Rs. 1,17,000), while the body-only version of the Studio Version costs USD 1829 (approx. Rs. 82,000).
Intuitfocus HF-IF1 16
German brand Intuitfocus has released what is claimed to be the first ever hands-free followfocus system for DSLR cameras. The system targets those who wish to use DSLR cameras to shoot video, so that they can follow focus smoothly, as and when required. Even while shooting at wide apertures and getting a shallow DOF, a device like this can be useful to capture the subject sharp, without needing any focus puller or external help.
Topaz DeNoise 5 Topaz Labs has released the latest version of the DeNoise noise reduction plug-in for Adobe Photoshop. DeNoise 5 is supposed to offer faster processing speeds and can also handle large file sizes. It also gains some new noise processing tools that reduce horizontal and vertical banding. The plug-in is a free upgrade for existing users or for USD 79.99 (approx. Rs. 3600) for first-time buyers.
Stalwarts Honoured with National Photo Awards
Homai Vyarawalla
wh at ’ s new
This photo, shot by National Photo Award recepient Homai Vyarawalla, shows Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru with Jacquelline Kennedy, the wife of former US President John F Kennedy. or the first time ever, the National Photo Awards have been announced by the Indian Govt. The four photographers who were felicitated are Homai Vyarawalla, S Paul, Benu Sen and K G Maheshwari. The photographers received a cash prize of Rs. 1,50,000, a shawl, a memento and a citation from the Vice President of India, H E Shri M Hamid Ansari. The awards commemorate the golden jubilee of the Photo Division, a Media Unit of the Ministry of Information
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and Broadcasting and were conferred to these legends on the occasion of World Photography Day, on 19 August. The awards honour the creative and longstanding contribution of individuals in the field of photography. Award recepient Benu Sen is the Secretary-General of the Federation of Indian Photography and the President of the Photographic Association of Dum Dum. In the past, he has been adjudged the best Indian Pictorialist by Camera World International, Australia and the Harvard Senetic Museum. Maheshwari, on the other hand, is a legend who has won over 400 national and international awards. He is popularly known as Dronacharya. 97-year-old Vyarawalla and 79-yearold Paul are two photojournalists who were amongst the recepients. S Paul is an eminent photojournalist who has won many accolades at national and international level. Vyarawalla, popularly known as the first woman photojournalist in the country, said, “This honour is for the photographs. I am glad my pictures are being applauded and appreciated. But for them, I would not have been anybody.”
Fujifilm Introduces Phase Detect AF in Compacts C ompact camera technology has now seen a significant breakthrough. Fujifilm has announced that two of their latest cameras will be the first compact cameras ever to use Phase Detect autofocus, a technology that is otherwise used in DSLR cameras. Usually, compact cameras use Contrast Detect AF which is
comparatively slower and less accurate. The announcement is important particularly because even mirrorless cameras that are more expensive than compact cameras do not boast of Phase Detect AF. Considering this, we can expect to see the technology seeping into other cameras in the near future.
Whether he is an artist or not, the photographer is a joyous sensualist, for the simple reason that the eye traffics in feelings, not in thoughts. Walker Evans (1903–1975) Walker Evans was an American photographer best known for his work documenting the effects of the Great Depression for the Farm Security Administration (FSA). Much of Evans’s work from the FSA period was produced by using a large format camera. According to him, his goal as a photographer was to make pictures that are “literate, authoritative, and transcendent.” Many of his works are in the permanent collections of museums around the world, and have been the subject of retrospectives at institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the George Eastman House.
Better Photography
Image source: www.wikipedia.com
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Photoshop Express for iPad and iPhone Adobe has updated its software targeted at mobile users and introduced the brand new Photoshop Express. The software is similar to the older Photoshop.com Mobile, but now has been optimised for use on Apple’s touchscreen devices like the iPad and iPhone. The software now allows you to view, edit and add effects to photographs through gesture-based functions. The software is available as a free download from Apple’s App Store, and is also available in the Android marketplace.
Unified 32 Float
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HDR software manufacturer Unified Color Technologies has released the first 32-bit HDR plug-in for Adobe Photoshop. The 32 Float plug-in is based around the company’s ‘Beyond RGB’ color space that tries to separate the brightness and luminosity of an image from its colour components, to allow you to adjust tones without any shift in colours. The plug-in is compatible with versions of Photoshop from CS3 onward, and is available at an introductory price of USD 79 (approx. Rs. 3650), from www.unifiedcolor.com. After this, the plug-in will be available at a price of USD 99 (approx. Rs. 4450).
Novoflex EOS/NIK-NT Lens Adapter This lens adapter from Novoflex allows you to use a Nikkor G-type lenses on Canon EOS bodies and yet retain full control over various camera settings, including metering, aperture control and the use of the Aperture Priority mode. A G-type lens refers to a Nikkor lens that does not have an aperture ring, due to which, older adapters did not give any control over aperture while shooting. According to the company, the adapter also allows you to achieve infinity focus precisely. The adapter costs USD 292.99 (approx. Rs. 13,000).
HP Photosmart Plus e-All-in-One B110e In tune with the number of wireless technological innovations that have been released lately, HP has released the Photosmart Plus e-All-in-One B110e. This web-friendly printer is equipped with ePrint, a new technology that allows the user to print from any email device to their HP printer, from anywhere in the world. The Photosmart can be used as a printer, scanner or copier. Other features include a 3.5-inch TouchSmart screen, tracking of ePrint jobs, a number of templates and a variety of print apps through the HP ePrint Center. The B110e will be available at a price of Rs. 7570. Better Photography
Panasonic Announces DMC-LX5, Four Cameras T wo years after the launch of DMCLX3, Panasonic has finally unveiled DMC-LX5, the successor to its LX3. The LX5 incorporates most of the features of the LX3, such as a bright wide-angle 24mm f/2 Leica lens. The optical zoom has improved to 3.8x, and the overall focal length is now 24–90mm. According to the company, the 10.1MP sensor of the camera has been improved to give better quality at high ISO settings. Significantly, the camera is now compatible with the same electronic viewfinder that was launched with the GF1. Other features include HD movie recording in the AVCHD Lite format and Power Optical Image Stabilisation. The company also launched four other compact cameras. The FZ100 is a 14.1MP superzoom camera with a 24x zoom lens. It boasts of features like a CMOS sensor, 11fps burst rate and Full HD video recording in
the AVCHD format. The FZ45 has the same lens, but has a CCD sensor, instead of a CMOS one. The camera shoots 720p HD video and can shoot at a rate of 5fps. The fourth camera launched by the company is the FX700, a touchscreen camera with a lens of focal length 24–120mm, 10fps shooting and Full HD video recording. Finally, Panasonic has launched the TS10, a rugged compact camera that is waterproof, shockproof, dustproof and freezeproof. The TS10 has a 4x zoom lens starting at 35mm, and can also shoot HD video.
EISA Awards Announced for the Year 2010–11 T he European Imaging and Sound Association, an association of over 50 European magazines, has announced their 2010–11 photo awards. These awards are presented to products released within the past 12 months. The European Camera of the year award went to Canon EOS 550D while the Canon EOS 7D was awarded the European Advanced DSLR. Nikon won the honours in the European Professional Camera of the year category, with the D3S being chosen as the winner. A list of all the awards announced by EISA is as follows: • European Photo Software 2010–2011: Apple Aperture 3 • European Camera 2010–2011: Canon EOS 550D • European Advanced SLR 2010–2011: Canon EOS 7D • European Super Zoom Camera 2010–2011: Fujifilm FinePix HS10
• European Professional Lens 2010– 2011: Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II • European Professional Camera 2010–2011: Nikon D3S • European Micro System Lens 2010–2011: Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 9–18mm f/4-5.6 • European All-Weather Compact Camera 2010–2011: Olympus µ Tough‑8010 • European Multimedia Camera 2010– 2011: Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G2 • European Travel Compact Camera 2010–2011: Panasonic LUMIX DMC‑TZ10 • European Advanced Compact Camera 2010–2011: Samsung EX1 • European Lens 2010–2011: Sigma 17–70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM • European Compact Camera 2010– 2011: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V • European Micro System Camera 2010–2011: Sony Alpha NEX-5 • European Zoom Lens 2010–2011: Tamron SP70–300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD S e pt e m b e r 2 0 1 0
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GearGuide
How We Test Product Categorisation We first segregate products into categories for the purpose of equitability in testing. The DSLR is divided into entrylevel, semi-professional and professional categories. For compacts, we distinguish between advanced and basic compact cameras. Similarly, we also test consumer and pro lenses, flashguns, printers, and other photographic accessories and gear.
The Process We primarily test for features, performance, build, ergonomics, warranty and support. While this remains constant, the weightage we give to these parameter differs from category to category, because different types of consumers have diverse expectations from products.
Final Ratings Under each main parameter, we 40 list out hundreds of individual variables (for eg. colour accuracy for individual colours in different lighting, individual features, dynamic range, center-to-edge definition, light fall-off, etc.) against which we either give points or simply mark ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Thus, we arrive at a score for that parameter, and then, the final score, denoted as a percentage. Additionally, based on the current pricing of a product, a star rating for ‘Value for Money’ is considered. Value for Money does not affect the final percentage, because prices for products change constantly.
Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF1
Late to The Party The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF1 is finally available in India, a year after its worldwide launch. Raj Lalwani tests it to see whether it can hold its own, despite the delay.
Our Seals of Approval Any product that scores 80% or higher in individual tests gets Weightage of ‘BP Recommended’—a seal parameters of approval from our team. In comparison tests, we also tag products as ‘BP Best Performer’ 5% and ‘BP Best Value 15%for Money’.
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BP Excellence Awards
20% At the end of the calendar year, 30% the five highest rated products in each category automatically gets nominated for the ‘Better Features Photography Excellence Awards’. Performance A panel of experts then decide the Build Quality winners. This is BP’s recognition of Ergonomics the very best products launched Warranty & in the course of the year, and the Support companies that made them. Better Photography
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xactly a year ago, Panasonic introduced a camera that generated a lot of interest. The LUMIX DMC-GF1 was supposed to be Panasonic’s answer to the PEN E-P1, an Olympus camera that had gained a huge amount of popularity by breaking ground in terms of size and performance. A year has elapsed, and the GF1 has been made available in India only now. Has mirrorless technology moved ahead during this one-year delay? Or is the GF1 still a compelling camera? We put it to the test.
Features The essential features of the Panasonic GF1 are rather similar to the G1, which was the company’s first mirrorless camera. This
12.11MP camera is based on the Micro Four Thirds technology, which allows the use of a large DSLR-type sensor in a smaller, lighter camera body. Unlike Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras, the GF1 is not fully compatible with all Four Thirds lenses, and can autofocus only with those that support contrast-detect AF. When introduced, the GF1 was the first camera of its size to sport a flash—a distinction that has now been matched by the much cheaper Olympus PEN E-PL1. The camera allows you to shoot using three different aspect ratios. However, the choice of aspect ratio also affects the RAW file, which means that the camera is not capturing all possible data when you do not use the native 4:3 aspect ratio. s e pt e m b e r 2 0 1 0
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Fujifilm FinePix JZ300
Compact Marvel
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The FinePix JZ300 is part of a new series of Fujifilm cameras that sport a lot of zoom in an ultra compact body. Neha Mutreja puts it to the test.
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he Fujifilm FinePix JZ300, launched in February this year, is a part of the new J-series of ultra compact cameras that target an audience looking for both features and affordability. This tiny camera is packed with a number of modes that target basic users and also packs in some interesting features.
Features The FinePix JZ300 is a 12.1-megapixel camera with a 10x optical zoom lens that gives an effective focal length of 28–280mm (in 35mm parlance). To target casual photographers, the camera is bundled with 13 Scene modes, but it does not have a Manual mode. The camera has a Scene Recognition Auto mode as well.
This mode chooses the most appropriate settings by taking a reading from the shooting situation. The camera also features CCD-shift image stabilisation, which is a feature that is often missing in cameras of this price range. Going with Fujifilm’s new philosophy of including HD video in every compact camera, the JZ300 also shoots 720p HD video with mono audio.
Handling
What’s in the box
The Fujifilm JZ300 is a sleek camera that easily snuggles into one’s pocket. Since it is so small, the camera has no real grip—I found it necessary to put the camera strap around my wrist at all times to avoid dropping it. The top plate of the camera houses the On/Off button, shutter-release
• FinePix JZ300 camera • Camera strap • Instruction manual • Li-ion battery • USB cable • Warranty card s e pt e m b e r 2 0 1 0
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Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Bending the Rules
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Image stabilisation is usually not associated with macro photography, but the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM tries to break conventions. Shridhar Kunte takes a closer look.
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ay back in 1995, Canon introduced the world’s first ever lens to feature optical image stabilisation. At that time, the technology was a revolution. Last year, the company announced another significant development in this technology. The new Hybrid IS technology was claimed to be useful for macro shots as well. The first lens to incorporate this technology is the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM. This new lens is not going to replace the older nonstabilised version, but will sit along with it in the company’s macro lens lineup.
the amount of camera shake generated by shifting the camera—thus making it useful for shooting close-up photos too. The system also employs a newly developed algorithm that combines the output of these two stabilisation sensors and compensates for shake accordingly. When mounted on Canon EOS 7D, the lens can also compensate for forward and backward motion if the camera is set to Macro Servo AF mode. Unlike the older 100mm f/2.8 macro lens, this new lens is an L-series lens, which automatically gives it features like an Ultrasonic Motor and internal focusing.
Features
Handling
Hybrid IS is obviously the headline feature for this macro lens. According to the company, conventional image stabilisation systems compensate only for angular camera shake, and thus is not effective while shooting macros and close-ups. The new Hybrid IS system has a new acceleration sensor that determines
I tested the 100mm lens on two different camera bodies—the Canon EOS 30D and the full-frame Canon EOS 5D Mark II. The lens balances perfectly on both these cameras, though it may seem a little frontheavy on lighter bodies like the Canon EOS 550D. The build quality is excellent, something that we have come to expect
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Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM
Superzoom Bazooka
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Can this ‘do-it-all’ lens really replace other similar zooms by surpassing them in quality and versatility? K Madhavan Pillai finds out.
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ersonally, I am not a great admirer of superzoom lenses. I do not trust them as much as I would an inexpensive 50mm normal or a high-end zoom with a much smaller range. With this Sigma, I did not expect the worst, but I was skeptical. I came away pleasantly surprised. Weightage of parameters 10% 15% 15% 25%
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Features Performance Build Quality Ergonomics Warranty & Support Better Photography
Features With DSLR lenses, any lens capable of 5x or more of zoom would be considered a superzoom. At 10x, the Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM not just fits the bill, but it also features the highest focal length of any superzoom at the tele end. It is optimised for a digital full frame sensor (the DG or ‘digital’ notation). With an APS-C sized sensor, this translates to 80-800mm. Add to this the optical image stabilisation (OS, which gives you the benefit of four stops) and the Hyper Sonic
Motor (HSM, for silent AF), what you get is a lens that is almost perfect for wildlife or sports or big, fat, Indian weddings. The reason it is ‘almost’ perfect is because of the maximum aperture of f/4.56.3. It is acceptable for a lens of this range, but not ideal for low light situations (unless the OS is as good as Sigma claims it to be, after contending with the compromise of using slower shutterspeeds). The lens made up of 22 lens elements in six groups, including four Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements to correct aberrations and improve sharpness across the zoom range (thus the APO or ‘apochromatic’ designation). This lens comes with a removable tripod mount collar, a petal-type hood and a nice, cushioned carrying case. It has a large filter size of 95mm. It is supplied with a step down ring for 86mm filters, for digital cameras with APS-C sensors.
P lu s • Addictive 10x zoom • Good sharpness • Effective OS • Reasonably priced Minus • Fringing at edges after 300mm • Slight light fall-off s e pt e m b e r 2 0 1 0
Sho ot ing T echniq Fe at ure ue
Non-Photographic Essentials Many websites, blogs and experts will tell you what cameras and lenses to carry when you want to go for outdoor photography. Ketan Kundargi tells you what essentials—other than your photographic gear—you must keep in mind when you set out for the same.
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hen you are going for outdoor photography, you are bound to lug your camera and other photographic gear around. However, most photographers tend to overlook other basic non-photographic essentials and end up facing a crisis. So whether you are going to an animal reserve in the Africa or your local national park, keep this checklist handy.
Do Not Forget the Bandages
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Apart from your camera and gear, a must have for any outdoor trip is a compact, but complete first-aid kit. Carry a roll of bandages, a few pads of gauze, surgical plaster and antiseptic ointment in case you get a cut or a blister. Also carry basic medicines for common problems like asthma, allergies, food sensitivities and other disorders.
For Ants That Can Crawl Up Your Pants Carry a mosquito and bug repellent to keep you safe as you go about shooting images. It is preferable to carry the ones that are made naturally. Look for repellents that are made from the extracts of Peepal tree (also known as India tree) and neem, as they do not give away your presence to the animals.
When Walking Long Hours Wildlife, or any genre of photography for that matter, can involve long hours of walking. When you are going out into the wild, you are going to face various terrains—from rocky mountains to marshy lands. Make sure you have put on footwear which can deal with the terrain and let you bother only about your photography. Waterproof shoes and shoes with a thick sole are an advantage. Better Photography
Dry Socks for Happy and Healthy Feet Carry one or two extra pairs of socks. When your feet get wet, you can dry your shoes and feet whenever you get the chance, and put on a new pair of socks. If your feet are damp or wet for too long, they are prone to fungus, flaking skin and eventually to dangerous infections.
Remember to Cover Your Hair! Black hair easily stands out in the wild making the animals and birds conscious of human presence. An ideal camouflage for this is a cap—a brown coloured cap or military-green cap is ideal.
Under the Umbrella Carry a small foldable or collapsible umbrella when you are going out to shoot. You might need it during the rains, and it is also a great way to protect your camera when in the middle of a shoot. If your umbrella is plain white, it can also be used as a diffuser to soften direct sunlight.
Do Not Let the Animals Find You! Clothing is a very important. It is also often overlooked. Wear clothes of colours that blend in with the surrounding. Full length trousers or jeans are a must to protect you from insects, thorns etc. Khakis and cargo pants are great options. They usually have many pockets, which helps when you have to carry quite a few accessories. Memory cards, batteries and even smaller lenses can be easily stored in the pockets. Try to get khakis in polyester material so that they dry up faster.
Dress Up Like a True-Blue Photographer A photographer’s jacket comes handy when you want to store smaller lenses. It keeps the lens safe and close by so that you can use them when needed. Jackets are S e pt e m b e r 2 0 1 0
Sho Fe atoure t ing T echnique
for Wildlife Photography Be Natural When in the wild make a conscious effort to be one with nature. Avoid soaps, detergents, perfumes, deodorants and other grooming products or cosmetics. Animals and birds will pick up the smell of these chemicals and be repelled by it. Use natural options like neem or other herbs when you really need a clean up.
When Setting Up Base in the Wild If your wildlife shoot involves camping overnight, make sure you have all the equipment in place. A sturdy tent is a must to protect you and your gear from the unpredictable weather in the wild. A comfortable sleeping bag and air pillow will help you get a good night’s sleep and keep you fresh for the next day.
Sometimes, you might wander around in pursuit of that perfect shot and end up getting lost. At such times, a Global Positioning System (GPS) device can prove handy. A cell phone can also be very useful in places where there is network coverage, for making emergency calls or for Google Maps.
Go Green Be responsible towards the environment when you go out for wildlife photography. Carry biodegradable materials rather than plastics. Recycle and reuse plastic and other materials whenever possible. It is often said that ‘Well begun is half done’ but rarely do we implement it. Packing the right photographic gear and the above mentioned essentials are a step forward in your preparation for any outdoor trip. Once you are done with all the packing, set out and start clicking some stunning pictures.
Ration Food and Water
Make a Survival Pack
Keep a stock of canned food and bottled water during such camps. You never know when you might need them. Manage your food stocks according to the duration of your trip and your requirements. Not too much and not too little is a good policy to have when you ration food and water. Ensure that you do not fall short during the trip.
On the rare instance that you may get stranded alone in the wild, gather all the essentials you will need and put them into a small bag. This survival pack, comprising the first-aid tools as well, should consist of things you will absolutely need to keep you going till help comes your way. • A Swiss knife: This multipurpose knife serves as a knife, a small saw, screwdriver, bottle opener—tools you might need. • Canned food: Pack food that has a long shelf life and carry enough stock to last you at least for a week. Remember to carry iodine tablets to disinfect water. • Waterproof poncho: To keep you safe from rains. • Compass and a map: So that you have an idea of where you are. You can also carry a GPS system or use the GPS in your mobile phones and find your way back. Always remember, when you are lost, accept it and seek help immediately. • A whistle or a flare: A must-have so that you can signal for help when lost. • General knowledge: Take some time out to learn about the flora and fauna of a place, first-aid basics like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), how to handle bee bites and other basics. In the event of an injury or any other emergency, calmly asses the situation.
Camping Arrangements for Your Gear For your photographic gear, make sure you keep all your photographic accessories like cameras, lenses, flash, etc., in your camera bag and cover it up with a rain cover, or even your raincoat. Remember to have a few silica gel packets at hand. Place them inside the bag as you lock it up for the night. Charge the batteries for all your gear and transfer photos from your memory card if possible. This will ensure that you are all set for the next day. S e pt e m b e r 2 0 1 0
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When packing for an outdoor photography trip, well begun is half done. Then all you need to do is focus on getting your shots right! Better Photography
Anand Patel
also available in waterproof material and prevent your gear from getting wet. If you do not have a jacket, you can always use a simple raincoat.
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BetterPictures
How Ready Are You? Being prepared for the perfect action moment helps you capture wildlife at its best. Digantika Mitra shares some ideas to help you get some stunning wildlife shots.
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hen you venture to shoot wildlife and you want to capture action, seizing the right moment may seem like a tough task. A monkey in mid air while it jumps from one tree to another or a bird right when it is putting Better Photography
a worm into its babies’ mouths—these moments can make excellent captures but they require a certain discipline and skill. Advance planning, perfect timing and the right technique are some of the tricks that will help you photograph wildlife in moments of vibrant action. S e pt e m b e r 2 0 1 0
shooting technique
shooting technique
On assignment
Animal Portraits Make stunning portaits of animals in the wild
Big City Prowl Step outside to discover a world of creatures
Art with Water Combine patterns to capture abstracts
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When you shoot closeups of dangerous wild animals like lions, be ready with the right telephoto lens. S e pt e m b e r 2 0 1 0
Better Photography
Kevin McGee
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Sho ot ing T echnique
Animal Portraits Shooting animal portraits presents its own set of challenges. Aditya Nair tells you how can rise above them and come back with stunning pictures.
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ike humans, animals have unique features and characteristics that distinguish them from each other. Some have big noses or ears and some have long tongues. Some are very furry and some have bodies that are smooth as velvet. A good animal portrait, just like a human portrait, highlights those unique characteristics and offers a glimpse into their nature.
Identifying That Special Something As with any kind of photography, when you are shooting animal portraits you need to take a moment to consider what you are looking for. Ask yourself “What about this particular animal interests you? What are you looking to showcase in your photograph?” Whether it is the antlers of a deer, the long neck of a giraffe, the webbed feet of a duck, the stripes and spots on
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different cats or the scaly body of a fish… unique characteristics make a good point of focus for your photography.
Remember: Animals Will Not Pose You might be able to train your pet dog or cat, but you can never ask a wild animal to pose and say ‘cheese’. If it is an animal used to human presence, talking and gesturing might give you a blank expression or elicit a weird reaction from them. But if it is animal you cannot approach, you will simply need to wait for the right pose. Understanding and anticipating its behaviour is one way to make things easy. But otherwise, patience is the answer. However, under no circumstances should you provoke an animal to get them to look in a direction you want by making funny sounds or throwing things in their direction as it can disturb them, or even harm you.
Not Always the Perfect Specimens Needless to say, animals will not be groomed, powdered and well-attired. In fact, it is their raw appeal that makes them so beautiful. Features like large or dark eyes, vibrant colours, or the
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Sho o t ing T e chnique
The eyes and wrinkles of the baby monkey make this picture interesting. The exclusion of the mother ensures that the viewer’s attention is drawn immediately to the baby’s face. S e pt e m b e r 2 0 1 0
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Sripad Sridhar
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Sho ot ing T echniq ue
This is an image of Goliath Heron, taken in Keoladeo Ghana bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur, Rajasthan. All photographs by Adhik Shirodkar
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Photographing Birds in Flight Senior advocate and wildlife photographer Adhik Shirodkar shares his experiences and suggests some simple techniques to get that perfectly timed shot. The Grey Heron, a resident of North India, looks fascinating in flight, since its black wings compliments its grey upper wings.
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ursuing wildlife photography requires a tremendous amount of patience and endurance, especially for a wildlife photographer whose specialisation is birds. While birds perched on tree branches make for a pretty
photograph, a bird in flight has its own beauty. The unique design of their wings, distinctive patterns and kaleidoscopic colours are a sight to behold and a dream to photograph. One has to sharpen reflexes to photograph birds in flight. By keeping some of the following basic rules in mind, you can increase your chances of success.
Start Small If you are new to photographing birds in flight, it is always better to start with locations like a nearby lake, park or a sea shore. The simple reason for this is that the birds at such locations are used to human presence and therefore, are easier to approach. Swans, sparrows and seagulls also make ideal subjects to hone your skills.
Know the Subject’s Behaviour Pattern It is a boon for a wildlife photographer to understand their subject’s characteristics, Better Photography
The unique design and kaleidoscopic colours on birds’ wings make them a dream to photograph. S e pt e m b e r 2 0 1 0
Sho o t ing T echnique
Settings to Shoot Better Photos • If your camera has the feature, use a histogram to get the right exposure. • You can also use spot metering to avoid underexposure. • To shoot wellbalanced frames, remember to keep the gridlines on.
I took this picture when the bird was flying towards me. This bird is generally found in India, Egypt and Africa.
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their feeding and breeding pattern. With birds too, knowledge of their behavioural patterns will help you predict a subject’s movement, thereby enabling you to shoot better images. For instance, a bird defecating is an indication that it is about to fly. Speak to the experts, browse the internet or read books on birds’ behaviour to gain an insight into their habitats, quirks and specific features and habits.
Gear Up Correctly At the beginner’s level, you can start with medium-range lenses like 100–200 and later on move to 300–400mm lenses. But when moving on to serious bird photography, good equipment is a must. Zoom lenses are an asset in wildlife photography, as neither the subject nor the photographer can move. A combination of a good DSLR and lens will certainly render good results. Some photographers prefer the additional advantage offered by fast lenses with high speed auto-focus and vibration reduction functions. However,
if you wish to handhold your camera and shoot, then the best choice is a 400mm f/5.6 lens.
Practise Basic Techniques It is always wise to practise basic techniques like panning before you head out to photograph birds. For instance, shooting a flock of birds is relatively easier compared to photographing a single bird in flight. This is because it can be quite tricky to achieve focus on a single moving subject. In order to pan and shoot, stand with your legs shoulder-width apart and firmly tuck your elbows inside. This helps in balancing your body during the panning
Photographed in Masai Mara, Africa, this is a Secretary bird. It is a graceful bird with long legs and pearl grey raptor with long black nape feathers.
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Big City Prowl Neha Mutreja breaks the myth that wildlife photos can be made only in the wild, by reintroducing you to the animals that have been living with you all along, within the city.
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ow often have we travelled to far-off sanctuaries and forests to capture wildlife within our cameras? However, we tend to ignore the common species that can be found in our very own city. Even the most common and less Better Photography
exotic species can offer many spectacular photographic opportunities. Essentially, you need to keep your eyes peeled, notice the tiny creatures around you and treat this quest as a treasure hunt. You will be amazed by the kind of urban wildlife around you that tend to go unnoticed. S e pt e m b e r 2 0 1 0
Sho o t ing T e chnique
This is a Garden Lizard, which can be easily found in the parks or gardens. This image was shot while this male was chasing a female for mating. S e pt e m b e r 2 0 1 0
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Amol Patwardhan
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Art with Water
Walking down a lake, the reflection of a tree in combination with green and pink algae struck me like a Japanese painting. Time: Dusk
Inspired by a ripple that caught his attention, Mayank Bhatnagar ended up with a series of fine art photographs on various patterns and reflections on the surface of water.
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ater is an apparently simple theme in photography. Yet, if we can photograph water imaginatively, there are endless possibilities. One cold January evening in 2007, the way I viewed the world changed. A simple ripple in a lake caught my atention and an intense desire stirred in me. I wanted to discover the various ways in which a ripple could be photographed—be it a ripple caused by a falling leaf, a sudden gust of breeze or even by the presence of reeds in water, I wanted to capture it forever. Better Photography
My Perspective Nature has an incredible way of producing the most sublime works of art. It only remains to be frozen, because nature’s art is fleeting and momentary, and forever evolving in absolutely wondrous ways, without any respite. Observing the ripple that evening suddenly opened my eyes to the beauty in the simplest of things. It set me thinking about the immense variety of possible photographic opportunities that we come across in our daily lives. In fact, for a while, these possibilities left me wonderstruck.
My Assignment Description To explore natural abstract painting-like patterns on water and shoot them with a touch of lyric.
Duration December 2006 to December 2007
Notes The surface of apparently unimpressive water bodies like ponds and lakes resemble beautiful abstract paintings, only if you observe carefully. S e pt e m b e r 2 0 1 0
o n a ss i g nm e n t
wanted to promote this cause by inspiring people to look at water from an artistic angle and appreciate its beauty. I thought this could be a novel way to draw people spontaneously towards the cause, unlike the clichéd awareness photographs of water pollution and wastage. With both these intentions combined, I set out on my rendezvous with water. The reflection of the silvery sky and a tree on the rippling water below looked like ink painting with some ink splashes. Time: Early evening
The realisation dawned that water, as a subject of photography, could be as aesthetic and compelling as a masterful water-colour painting. I was quite surprised that very few photographers had come up with a series of images that captured what I saw. While I was thinking about all of this, I also realised that I could spread a message about water conservation through this. I
Water as a subject can be as aesthetic and compelling as a masterful painting.
The Process The ripple in the lake that had first stirred my imagination always stayed with me. I returned to the same lake on several occasions, at different times of the day and in different seasons to photograph the different moods of the water. Later that year, I had the chance to travel to Delhi, Jaipur and Bharatpur. I had my camera with me all the time. I constantly
Standing at the edge of a lake in Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary I captured the intricate net-like patterns of creepers reflected on the moving water. Time: Dusk
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Flowers in a Bubble
Steve Wall combines the best of macro photography with a fantastic imagination, to create some spectacular images.
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aving always been drawn to nature and wildlife photography, I love taking my camera to capture images of seldom-seen animals and exotic scenery. We cannot always plan distant adventures to shoot photographs. But we can train our eyes to find beauty in our own backyards. My fascination with water drops has been long standing. I am often asked if the Better Photography
My Assignment Description With this series, I wanted to squeeze flowers into those tiny drops of water.
Duration I worked on this series from 2006–2008. I still take these pictures now and then, even today.
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The physics of shooting droplet photos is simple. When water forms a drop, it no longer reflects back what is in front of it. Instead, it refracts anything behind it. Exposure: 1/125sec at f/5.6 (ISO 250) s e pt e m b e r 2 0 1 0
Better Photography
Profile
ShowCase
Kunj Trivedi
• Kunj believes that photography is a remedy to all the problems, just like it cured his shoulder pain. • It is his obsession to own the latest equipment in the market. • Given a chance, he wishes to spend all his life in the wild.
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A Tryst With The Wild Kunj Trivedi’s love for wildlife and his passion to immortalise that one moment of action in his frame is what makes his images spectacular. Neha Mutreja speaks to him and finds out about his quest for perfection. Better Photography
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MY BEST SHOT
GREAT MASTERS
PHOTOFEATURE
Rajesh Bedi
Art Wolfe Brilliance in the great outdoors
Furqan Khan Profile Revisiting the magic of Ladakh
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hen I first met Kunj Trivedi at his exhibition titled Through My Lens in Mumbai, I remember him saying “wildlife photography is all about disappointments.” This simple yet insightful statement had me curious about Kunj as a wildlife photographer. I thought to myself… here is a man who knows what this genre of photography entails, S e pt e m b e r 2 0 1 0
accepts it humbly and yet brings back some spellbinding images. At his exhibition, everyone from kids to adults had something to say about the huge prints—educational, awe inspiring, experiential... all at the same time. I was very motivated to find out more about the rather reclusive Kunj bhai. So, one rainy morning I reached his apartment, which is situated in one of the plush localities of Mumbai. I found
Usually, lions do not like water, but in the Okavanago Delta Area in South Africa, they have to cross a number of springs and streams to hunt for prey.
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Art Wolfe
Like the soul is to the body, so is art to Art Wolfe. Neha Mutreja speaks to this artist to find out what keeps him on his toes, even at the age of 59. Better Photography
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hile flipping through the leaves of an international magazine, I was transported to the world captured by Art Wolfe—a photographer who has dedicated three decades of his life to capturing the wonders of the world. But that alone is not what he does, as I discovered while studying his magnificent photographs. For Art, photography serves a greater purpose. It is a medium S e pt e m b e r 2 0 1 0
to interpret and record the world’s fastest disappearing vistas and wildlife.
Evolving Artist Turned Photographer Born to middle class, self-employed parents, Art was never averse to the idea of being an entrepreneur. While in college, when he was pursuing studies in fine art, he took up photography to document his trekking and climbing trips and got hooked on to the medium. He says, “Inevitably, the
A small herd of Camargue horses race across the waters of the Rhone estuary in France. Better Photography
Imaging: Santosh D Kamble
M a rk e t Sense
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Photography Goes Green Save some money while doing the planet a favour. Aditya Nair tells you how you can go green in some very easy ways and yet make some money at the same time.
T Instead of throwing out prints, collect and sell them. You could earn Rs. 5 per kg! Better Photography
he beauty of becoming an ecofriendly photographer is that you do not have to spend more to conserve nature. Just the opposite, in fact—going green involves reducing consumption, recycling and re-using old products. These practices will leave the environment thanking you. So will your wallet, when the bills come in. The mantra of ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ translates to ‘Money! Money! Money!’
Friendly Neighbourhood Scrap Dealers A large form of waste generated by studios and photographers is in from of paper... be it old bills, envelopes, magazines, or photographic paper. Most of us are used to
collecting newspapers and selling them to the scrap dealer. Take this one step further. Instead of throwing paper out with the daily garbage, store them and sell them at the end of the month. You could earn almost Rs. 5 per kg! The scrap dealer, in turn, will sell the paper to a recycling plant.
Eco-Friendly Power Sources If your camera uses rechargeable batteries, switching back and forth between two sets can ensure they last longer. If you have a choice, pick lithium over nickel as it is considerably less toxic. Also, replace the light bulbs of your working space with eco-friendly, electricity saving options like compact fluorescent lamps or CFLs. s e pt e m b e r 2 0 1 0
M a rk e t Sense
Energy Saving Practices Most of us tend to leave our cameras, laptops or cell phones charging overnight. That is a very bad idea! It usually takes approximately three hours to completely charge a battery, depending on its specifications. But by leaving the charger on for the entire night, you waste electricity for the remaining five hours, even if the charger has cut-off the charging. Moreover, by unnecessarily charging the battery, you are reducing its ability to hold a charge for a longer duration. Most batteries come with a disclaimer about how long they should be charged. Follow that—if it says charge for 45 minutes then there is no point in charging it for eight hours!
Reduced Carbon Footprint Printing pictures is fun. However, a lot of photographers print out the entire roll or a whole set of pictures before decing which one to enlarge. This wastes time, money and paper. If you specifically pick prints that you really want to hang, exhibit, or give away, you will not only save printing cost you will also consume less paper, electricty, photo ink and chemicals. Additionally, if you print with a good quality lab whose printer is calibrated, you will have to deal with fewer reprints.
Old Prints Make Great Gifts Say you have taken an amazing new photograph and are planning to replace an older print that is on your wall for this new one. Do not throw out the old print. Instead, gift it to a friend or business associate. That way you are not
wasting the print, you are also giving a very personalised gift. To top it all, you will subtly promote yourself as a photographer.
Photography for a Cause If there are local environmental issues for which you would like to contribute, take pictures to showcase the problems. You can volunteer to take photos for organisations that help with these problems. They may be need your help to get the word out, and great pictures can make a big difference in increasing awareness and getting others to go green. Apart from photographs, if you are planning to upgrade to a new camera, you can always donate your old one to a school or college for somebody else to use. Be a leader and be the change you want to see.
Let people know you are a ‘green photographer’. The more they learn, the more they will expect this from your competition.
Make Some Noise So now that you have gone green to save the environment, it is time to cash in on that aspect of your business strategy. Let people know you are a ‘green photographer’. Teach clients what it means. The more they learn, the more they will expect this from your competition. And this only helps further your cause. The more the demand for green photography, there more is the demand for you. As photographers and artists we strive to capture beauty in all its forms. If we fail to conserve nature we risk ruining the future for generations of photographers. And we owe it to them to do our best to allow them access to the same beauty we have.
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Being Eco-Friendly – A Practical Take Switching from film to digital is one way of being eco-friendly and also saving lots of money. That is, if you do not mind the change. But, if you are an adherent film buff, you do not need to make the switch. You can be eco-friendly even while continuing to use film.
Why Go Digital
Working with Film
Make the Switch: Simply put digital photography easy easier on the garbage dumps—less packaging, fewer chemicals and no used plastic film cans. The film development process also involves toxic chemicals, and uses a lot of water and electricity for processing. Digital equipment may be expensive but in the long run you will save a lot of cash on film and processing.
Use Eco Friendly Options: More companies are concentrating on creating chemicals that are less harmful to the environment. Use such chemicals for your processing and printing as they have low toxins, are easy to use and most importantly are eco-friendly. Recycled paper is also a good option for printing. The more the demand for eco-friendly products the more suppliers will stock them.
Go Virtual: Storing photos on a digital medium is far cheaper and more environment friendly than paying for hundreds for photos you print out. You probably rarely or never look at them again. Also, sharing pictures via services such as Facebook or Flickr is much easier. By storing images in digital format, they will also last far longer, possibly forever, than film or digital prints that steadily deteriorate from the moment they are processed. s e pt e m b e r 2 0 1 0
Reuse and Recycle: Recycle your ink cartridges from your printers, refilling whenever possible rather than just discarding them. Do not throw out your plastic film containers. Recycle them. Better still reuse them to make new things. You can use them to store items like stationery. Or you can really go green—take one step further and grow pocket plants in them and gift them to friends and Better Photography