8 WAYS to take a better PHOTOGRAPH
Kirstin Martin photography portfolio A Classic Reborn
New 1970’s style Nikon Df
Fall 2013 • $2.99
Contents FALL 2013
3 new gear
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A Classic Reborn
4 work in progress
Kirstin Martin Portfolio
6 bright & natural Cray-Z-Fence
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7 improvement
8 Ways to Take a Better Photo SUBSCRIPTIONS: k•rae photography, Fall 2013, Volume 1, No. 1, k•rae photography is published quarterly. (Jan/Feb/Mar, Apr/May/Jun, Jul/Aug/Sep, Oct/Nov/Dec) by MP Corporation, N Hwy 94, Burnside, IL 62330. Periodicals postage paid at Carthage, IL 62321 and at additional mailing offices. Authorized periodicals postage by the Post Office Department, and for payment in cash. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to k•rae Photography, P.O. Box 648394, Quincy, IL 62301; 334-234-5328; www.kraephoto.com/ad. If the postal services alert us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within one year. One-year subscription rate (four issues) for $25. Two years: $35. Three years: $40. For reprints email reprints@mpcorp.com.
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k•rae photography
A Classic Reborn
With its new Df, Nikon remakes its top DSLR in 1970s style by miriam leuchter Hopping on the retro design train for its new DSLR, Nikon dug into its archives and came out with the dial-heavy control layout of its 35mm F line of 40 years ago. Inside the Df, the company put the same 16.2-megapixel, full-frame sensor and processor that’s in its top-of-the-line DSLR, the D4. The Df promises similarly excellent images, plus low-light capability up to ISO 204,800. But that’s where the most similarities to the D4 end. Nikon has trimmed a lot of bulk from the body: The Df measures an inch or two smaller than the D4 in each direction
and weighs a little more than half as much (1.7 pounds versus nearly 3, with a battery and memory card.). Gone are the D4’s built-in vertical grip and dual CF and XQD card slots–the Df takes a single SD card only. And its 39-point autofocus system closely resembles that of Nikon’s more affordable full-framer, the new D610, rather than the D5’s 51-point version. But there’s one major difference between this new DSLR and its siblings–indeed, pretty much every digital camera released by any maker in the past several years: It does not shoot video. Nikon built the Df for traditional
still photography only. Unmistakable design to appeal to Baby Boomers’ nostalgia for the golden age of the single-lens reflex, the Df has loads of old-school details. Deeply grooved and well-marked mechanical control dials let the photographer set every crucial factor before turning on the camera. A collapsible exposuremeter coupling affords compatibility with vintage Nikkor lenses. And for those who don’t like to use an actual bulb with the Bulb shutter setting, the shutter button even accepts threaded remote triggers. In a kit with an
FALL 2013
equally retro-styled special-edition 50mm f/1.8G lens, the Df retails for about $3,000. The price seems better suited to deep-pocketed camera collectors and well-heeled hipsters than to still shooters hoping that giving up video will save them a few bucks.
Article from American Photography January/February 2014 issue.
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WEEDS
(pictured above) Weeds was taken in Summer 2012 on a smart phone. It was later used in a school project where a filter was applied to give the photo an artistic finish.
COUNTRY SUNSET
(pictured left) Country Sunset was taken in Fall 2012 on a smart phone. The levels of this photo were manipulated to bring out the warm colors of the sunset and create silhouettes of the trees and landscape.
BIRDS
(pictured above)
This photo was taken in Spring 2013 on a Nikon D3200 DSLR camera. The birds flying out of the tree wasa perfectly timed shot.
WINTER SUNSET (pictured upper left)
Taken in Spring 2013 on a Nikon D3200 DSLR camera, this photo was inspired by the Country Sunset photograph. The desired effect was to successfully capture the soft sunset.
COLORADO SKY (pictured bottom left)
Taken in Summer 2013 on a Nikon D3200 DSLR camera, this photo shows a focus on the raindrops falling on the car window while driving through central Colorado in the summertime.
Cray-Z-Fence
Spring 2013 • Fence post, modified. 6
k•rae photography
Spring Clouds
Spring 2013 • Sunny Country Sky
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Ways to Take a Better Photo
1. Understand your camera. Read your manual to learn what each button, switch, and menu item does. Learn the basic actions first, on/off, flash, etc. 2. Get started. Set the camera’s resolution to take high quality photos using the highest quality resolution possible. Start with setting your camera to one of its automatic modes, if you have a choice. 3. Find photo opportunities. Take your camera everywhere. When the camera is in your possession, you will start to see the world differently; you will look for and find opportunities to take great photographs. Get outside. Motivate yourself to get out and take photographs in natural light. 4. Learn to use your camera. Keep the lens clear of caps, thumbs, straps, and other obstructions. It is basic, yes, but any of these (often unnoticed) obstructions can ruin a photo. 5. Take good photographs. Compose your shot thoughtfully. Frame the photo in your mind before framing in in the viewfinder. Fill the frame with your subject or try an interesting angle and focus your lens. 6. Avoid blurry photos. Keep still while taking your photo. Consider using a tripod if your hands are shaky. Most importantly, relax when you push the shutter button. 7. Using the flash Avoid red eye. Use your flash judiciously; do not use it when you don’t have to. 8. Keep organized and gain experience. Go through and organize your photos. Practice, practice, practice. Take many photos, aim to fill y our memory card or to use up as much film as you can afford to have developed. For more information, visit www.wikihow.com/Take-Better-Photographs
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