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Editor Sam Prince
Contents Editors note…. 3 Canon 550D review…. 4 The 365 project…. 6 Joel Sartore The conservationist…. 7 The perfect portrait…. 11 Alex Air interview…. 12 Steel wool tricks…. 15
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Editors note Dear Readers, Here at behind the lens we strive to help our readers improve their photography skills with insightful professional opinions about how become more technologically advanced with their camera, more creative with your compositions and finally teaching readers to play more attention to detail when they are editing. This special first edition of behind the Lens includes a lengthy feature article detailing Joel Sartore’s work as a conservationist and using his public appeal generated by his photography career to spread his word about our dyeing planet. We have also included an interview with one of the many photographers from the newest generation of photographers. There are many other great articles that are sure to awaken your inner photographer conscience. We at Behind the Lens sincerely hope that you thoroughly enjoy the very first edition of Behind the Lens photography magazine.
For inquiries about upcoming issues please call: 0479 046 026
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Canon 550D
The 18 megapixel, canon 600D still sits on top of the entry level DSLR range ahead of the 550D and the Nikon D3100. Released to the public in the 7th of January Canon couldn’t make them fast enough. They had just discontinued the multiple awards winning 550D and many first time DSLR buyers as well as season professionals’ wants to see what canon had changed. The 600D is still considered one of the great entry-level cameras of all time and it doesn’t look like it will be losing that title any time soon. The design Very little has changed relating to the button layout of the 550d. The main difference that the 600d includes that the 500d doesn’t is the flip out LDC screen. Many amateur many not think that is a relevant inclusion but for pros that often are manipulate their tripods into all sort of unusual angles and into all kinds of spaces this can be incredible helpful.
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Video The full HD video recording at 30, 25 and 24 frames per second are basically standard for all canon DSLR cameras released after 2010. The one feature that canon has added to the 600d is video snapshot. As you probably guess from the name it allows you to take a photo of a particular frame whilst you are filming a down side of this is that you will capture the sound of the shutter closing in your video you will also capture the sound of most lenses on autofocus when refocusing during the cameras audio. On a whole this is a great camera for all entrée level photographs as well as families and travellers who just want the quality of a DSLR camera. With the price it sits at and the duel lens combo you can't go past this camera if you are just getting into the photography industry.
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The 365 project
Okay, the 365 projects, all photographers know of it yet very few have the willingness commitment and patience to do it. The 365 project for those who are unaware of it, it is consists of a person taking a photo everyday for the entire year. There are many reasons why people do choose to do it such as that fact that its good practice, you might take a really good photo and it’s a great way to collect memories. But the 365 project is often seen as an amateur activity as unfortunately you don’t take a great picture every day for 365 consecutive days. Well all you top shots that think your professional then the 365 project can be made professional believe it or not. Think, if you take the time to do it you might get 30 photos that you are really proud of, it doesn’t have to be every day that you go out and take the photos either, change it to the 52 day project, and make it your goal to go out and take photos weekly not just one individual photo but a series that means you will have a very good chance that you enjoy. So top shots I challenge you to under take the 52 day project, make an effort to go every week and it will greatly improve your technology knowledge and composition craftsmanship.
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Joel Sartore the conservationist National Geographic photographer and world renowned conservationist, teacher and lecturer Joel Sartore has dedicated 20 years to the development and publication of the National Geographic magazine. Having feature articles in more then 34 different issues and more then 15 front cover photos his talent and time in the field has allowed him to cover anything from the exotic amazon jungle to the remote rattle snake festivals in the middle of Arizona. His recent effort to help preserve wildlife has led him to publish a book titled, with portraits of more then 500 rare and endangered animals from North America. Born in Ponca City (1962), Oklahoma Sartore's Photography career started after graduating from The University of Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. His photography career with National Geographic began in 1991 as a freelance photographer who left on assignments at the point of call. Since 1991 his work has taken him to every continent in the world were he both photographs and writes about in particular the natural wildlife but also natural history and particular human actions and development that have devastating consequences on the wildlife and what needs to be done to stop these side effects. As well as working for national geographic Joel has 7  Â
also covered for names such as time magazine and sports illustrate. Joel’s most recent endeavour as a conservationist is to realise the first issue of Rare, this book takes a look at the endangered animals in America as well as the species that have come back from the brink of extinction. He hopes that this will raise awareness for the beauty and situation that these groups of animals have found them selves in due to human actions. Some of the animals in Rare are likely to go extinct without people ever knowing they existed, and the goal of this book is to give them a voice. Part of a multi-year project documenting Earth’s vanishing biodiversity, Rare shows what we stand to lose if we don’t act now. The good news is that there is still time for us humans to act, and this book highlights what each of us can do to save these unique creatures. All animals that are photographed by Joel Sartore are all simple portraits on either a black or white background. This is because Joel wants the main focus of the image to be the animal itself and not any distractions that could be in the background.
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Joel’s book rare is only of the many missions that he has undertaken in order to help save the natural environment. The most publicly advertised and well known endeavour Joel has successfully undertaken was to persuade the Bolivian government to abandon its plans to build one of the largest hydroelectric dams that would effectively drown a large portion of the untouched rain forest. This project started when he was sent to Bolivia in early 2000 with a mission to photograph the natural wildlife for the National Geographic magazine. He was there for 2 weeks where he learnt a lot about the plans to dam the complex rivers systems essential for the rainforests and its residence. Joel became very interested in the governments plans and the reasons behind them, he decided to write an article and got it published as the main feature article as well as a front cover image. As a result of the negative criticism that governments received due to the broad coverage of the article they scrapped their plans. I recently was fortunate enough to meet Joel at of one his talk at the Sydney Opera house earlier this year, he was so willing to share his experiences and so proud of what he had achieved, not in a boasting way but in the form and integrity that meant he really felt passionate about what he was doing. He spoke to me about his rare book and signed my copy; it was a humbling experience to meet someone who has done so much good that is just hidden under the amazing photos he takes.
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The perfect portrait When searched on Google images all sorts of images come up, the phrase ‘the perfect portrait’ is ridiculously over used in the photography industry, but the question is how do you actually take the perfect portrait. Is it the luck of the draw, does it depend on who the subject of the photo is or is it up to who has the most expensive kit? No you can read countless articles on the Internet about how to position your head but this will not necessarily make the image perfect. A combination of many things will help create in my opinion the perfect portrait, firstly the subject. The subject is the centre point of the photo and it’s the first component of the image the audience looks at and thinks about, it is import that the person looks interesting, distinctive and aware, as the audience will pick up on these features. The background is also extremely important, a simple black or white background does mean that all attention is on the subject matter but if you have another visually appealing component of your image that it gives your work dimension and can result in a more engaging photograph. Finally experience, the more practice you have in a particular field the better and more confident you will become so just keep practicing.
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Alex Air
Two weeks ago I sat down with 15 year old photographer Alex to discuss what its like to be part of the new generation of photographers, what he is achieving in his photography and where he wants and hopes his skills will take him, this is what he had to say. Hey Alex thanks for coming in and talking to us today. Pleasure, happy to be part of this new magazine So Alex I think the most important question to start of with is of cause what is your camera of choice? Canon 650d That was the right answer, and how long have you had that camera for? I purchased it approximately 12 months ago and that was my first DSLR but before that I spent a lot of time experimenting and getting into photography with my parent DSLR. Do you think you will be upgrading soon? Well I have been saving for a new camera; full frame cameras are incredibly expensive so I hope to have to money by the New Year. I’m currently leaning towards sticking with Canon though Good luck with your saving then, so what started your passion for photography?
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During year 8 a lot of the people in my friendship group were getting into film production and video editing so I got to use some of their DSLR camera and help them out. Around the same time I was on a trip to New Zealand with me family and despite not really having a passion for photography at the time I really enjoyed taking the landscape photos with my family’s camera. This then encourages me to look at DSLR’s and lead to my purchase of the 650. Did you use the DSLR for your filming hobby as well? Well I actually started off filming and that the reason I got a DSLR as it is a lot more functional because at the time I wanted to pursue both hobbies. Was there anyone who particular influence on you becoming so interested in the industry? There was now initial professional influence in my life but as I have learnt more about the industry I have start to be very interested in chase Jarvis and Chris McLennan and the way they compose their work has really inspired me in my photography.
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And how far have you come, what are you currently doing? Well I start off my photography hobby by just doing some close up high detail macro shots around my local area just to practise my skills but since then I have created my own website as well as done portrait work for people and my family. My latest achievement is to have been offered to shoot at someone’s wedding under the guidance of a professional freelance photographer so that is coming up and I’m really looking forward to the experience. And finally do you think it’s hard to get a name for yourself in the industry when you’re only young? Yes absolutely, the first few months just trying to get as many opportunities to learn the ropes and get some experience is a real pain in the neck but once you get a bit of a reputation its great. Well Alex it was great talking to you so thanks so much for your time. Good luck with the magazine, and anyone who would like to see any images of mine please visit Alex Air photography on Facebook.
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Steel Wool Magic The simple yet elegant trick of steel wool long exposure photography, many people have seen the kind of images that you can create with a minimal budget and are amazed. The possibilities are infinite when using steel wool, you can be very authentic and spin it round in a circle, or you can use it in light painting, bounce the sparks off the walls to add more dimensions. So many options and variety. Its important to remember when you are taking you photos to think about the foreground and background as these will both become visible when the photo comes out and more importantly you don’t want it to catch on fire. A simple method to achieving some specular results it to fill a whisk with steel wool and connect that to a rope as the fast you swing it the fast the reaction is between ignited steal wool with the oxygen and the more exciting the effect it. It’s simple, mesmerising and low cost so why wouldn’t you go out and do it one night.
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