PhotoComment June 2009

JUNE 2009RSA R12.50

photocomment

Professional Portfolio: Bruce Davidson

Review: Nikon 35mm DX Lens

Reader’s Portfolio: Ivo Lusic

Editor’s Comment 4

Readers Comments 4We want to hear from [email protected]

Scoop 6All about what is happeningin the photographic world locally and internationally

Professional Portfolio 8Bruce Davidson

Technique 12Photo Essays

Reader’s Portfolio 16Ivo Lusic

Review 20AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8 G

Final Comment 23

contentsJUNE 2009

Whilst all care and attention is employed to ensure the legitimacy, accuracy and correctness of the information, data, texts, images, ideas, photographs and opinions expressed herein, PHOTOCOMMENT cannot be held responsible or liable in any way whatsoever for the content as it appears herein. Similarly, PHOTOCOMMENT makes no express or implied warranty or representation as to the proprietorship or intellectual property inherent in the images and photographs published herein and which it has commissioned for use from external sources on good faith dealing. Accordingly, PHOTOCOMMENT is hereby indemnified, defended and held harmless against all claims, liability, damages, costs and expenses in regard thereto.

International and local Intellectual Property and Copyright laws protect all material (text, images, photographs, graphics, software and icons) used herein. You are only permitted to download, copy or print this on-line publication or any features there from for personal, instructional and non-commercial use.

Cover Image: Tristan Hall

Editor’s Comment 4

Readers Comments 4We want to hear from [email protected]

Scoop 6All about what is happeningin the photographic world locally and internationally

Professional Portfolio 8Bruce Davidson

Technique 12Photo Essays

Reader’s Portfolio 16Ivo Lusic

Review 20AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8 G

Final Comment 23

contentsJUNE 2009

Whilst all care and attention is employed to ensure the legitimacy, accuracy and correctness of the information, data, texts, images, ideas, photographs and opinions expressed herein, PHOTOCOMMENT cannot be held responsible or liable in any way whatsoever for the content as it appears herein. Similarly, PHOTOCOMMENT makes no express or implied warranty or representation as to the proprietorship or intellectual property inherent in the images and photographs published herein and which it has commissioned for use from external sources on good faith dealing. Accordingly, PHOTOCOMMENT is hereby indemnified, defended and held harmless against all claims, liability, damages, costs and expenses in regard thereto.

International and local Intellectual Property and Copyright laws protect all material (text, images, photographs, graphics, software and icons) used herein. You are only permitted to download, copy or print this on-line publication or any features there from for personal, instructional and non-commercial use.

Cover Image: Tristan Hall

t is best if we start off this June issue with an Iapology for being so late. Though we do not

wish to totally excuse ourselves, there have been

many changes in the lives of the PhotoComment

team which have greatly influenced our deadline

beyond the normal difficulties of the tight

schedules of the people we feature in our

portfolio sections etc.

With this noted we would ask for further patience

over the next few months while we settle into

some changes that will hinder us from publishing

in the first week of the month as we usually

intend doing.

Moving on, we are excited to have featured in

this issue the portfolio of Bruce Davidson, a film

maker and documentary photographer who has

worked for National Geographic and other

international publications. We meet up with him

Editor’s Comment

Readers CommentsWe welcome feedback about what you think of

PhotoComment Magazine. Your stories,

experiences, questions, inspirations, are all welcome

and can be sent to [email protected]

enter “Letters” as the subject. Each month we will

publish some of your feedback.

Win Stand a chance to win by contributing to our

Readers Letters section.Camera Stabilising Bag

sponsored by Tandem Focus

Distributors

TANDEM

to talk about his current 17month long, self

funded project through East and Central Africa.

We also feature the work of Ivo Lusic, a

supportive and avid reader of PhotoComment

since day one we are told. Ivo, we will be in

touch to organize the delivery of your prize.

There are also some exciting news items in our

scoop feature and a review of the AF-S DX

Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G, a lens which is just a few

acronyms short of a thesis, but packs a fair

punch.

Finally we also look at the impact of Photo

Essays and how best to plan, prepare and shoot

your own. So sit back, relax and enjoy an issue

of PhotoComment that we hope you'll find worth

the wait.

by Tristan Hall – PhotoComment Founder.

www. .co.zatandemfocusTANDEM

Improve your flash photography

®GARY FONG LIGHTSPHERE-II

Coming soon to South Africa

Pre-Order at:

Dealer Enquiries Welcome

2009 TIPA Awards

ecently TIPA (Technical RImage Press Association) announced their picks of the best products for 2009. The association - made up of nearly 30 international publications - had a tough job this year with many new cameras bringing technology to the industry that has never been seen before. Digital is certainly showing its ability to shake things up, particularly with these awards. There are no less than 10 digital camera categories... I am sure there were fewer categories on film. The winning products can be found at the TIPA website http://www.tipa.com/english/XIX_tipa_awards_2009.php

Afripixel's First Meet

n online forum more particularly for Sony AAlpha shooters, Afripixel held their first meeting of forum members on Monday the 25th May 2009 at the Museum of Military History in Saxonwold, Johannesburg. We went along to see what it was like and can report back that it was a great success. Along with a competition where you could only shoot one image around the Museum, there was also a presentation by internationally acclaimed photographer and film maker, Bruce Davidson. With the hope that this will become a monthly event at different locations, we'll keep you posted as to when the next meet will take place. In the meantime check out the site www.afripixel.com

Sony Soccergraphy

hile this is certainly not news hot off the Wpress, we felt it needed some fresh exposure. Sony Electronics Asia Pacific launched the Soccergraphy campaign in April 2009 to celebrate its official partnership with FIFA for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Bringing together two universal passions - photography and soccer - this competition features both an Amateur and Professional category. With fantastic prizes up for grabs for submitting your view on the theme "Soccer" perhaps you should pop on over to www.sony-asia.com/soccergraphy

he PHOTO & FILM EXPO will take place Tfrom 10th-12th JULY 2009 at the Coca-Cola Dome Northgate JHB. 2009 will be the first time an event dedicated to Photography and Film takes place under one roof in SA. www.photofilmexpo.com

Pentax K-7

ENTAX recently Pannounced the launch of the PENTAX K-7 an interchangeable lens digital SLR camera. Despite its compact, lightweight body, this new model brings together a wide array of advanced functions and user-friendly features with outstanding reliability and operability. This makes it possible to enjoy high-quality digital SLR photography with great ease.

Protected by a durable, high-quality metallic body, the K-7 is designed to be extremely compact and functional — just like all other K-series models — for enhanced portability and maneuverability. In addition, it has added several user-friendly features, including video recording, high dynamic range (HDR), and automatic horizon correction. All of these make the K-7 a tremendous photographic tool, perfect for all discerning digital SLR photographers.

ave you tried iGoogle yet? HiGoogle allows you to customize your Google homepage with many different gadgets. The gadgets inlcude Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, News and many more giving you access to the sites you use regularly on one page. There are also hundreds of photo related gadgets allowing you to see new images everyday. iGoogle features customizable themes. Create your own theme or try the ‘theme of the day’ for a different feel everyday.

Pentax Lenses

ENTAX has launcehd Ptwo compact, lightweight zoom lenses: the smc PENTAX-DA18-55mmF3.5-5.6AL WR, and the smc PENTAX-DA50-200mmF4-5.6ED WR. Featuring a newly designed, simplified weather-resistant construction, these zoom lenses offer excellent reliability in various outdoor applications — especially in rain, fog and mist.

SONY Portrait lens DT 50mm F1.8 SAM

he SAL50F18 is a light, bright Tportrait lens offering superboptical performance at a price that’s irresistible to first-timeDSLR users. With a wide F1.8 aperture, it’s ideal for capturing crisp, beautiful portraits in natural light with smoothly defocused backgrounds. AF performance is quiet and precise thanks to the inbuilt Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM).

New Digital SLR’S From Sony

ncredible images are now within everyone’s reach – Ieven if you’ve never picked up a digital SLR before. Sony expands the Alpha family with the α230, α330 and α380: three easy-to-use DSLR cameras that make serious picture quality and shooting options brilliantly accessible.All three cameras have been styled for comfortable handling. The α230 is the world’s lightest DSLR featuring an APS-C sized image sensor and in-body image stabilisation.

SONY 1:1 macro lens DT 30mm F2.8 SAM

nder development for Autumn 2009, the USAL30M28 makes 1:1 life-size imaging more accessible than ever before. This small, light macro lens opens up exciting new creative possibilities with a detail-packed view of the world in close-up. High quality optics can focus clearly on flowers,insects and other subjects from as close as 2cm away.There’s also an inbuilt Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) for quiet, precise AFperformance.

2009 TIPA Awards

ecently TIPA (Technical RImage Press Association) announced their picks of the best products for 2009. The association - made up of nearly 30 international publications - had a tough job this year with many new cameras bringing technology to the industry that has never been seen before. Digital is certainly showing its ability to shake things up, particularly with these awards. There are no less than 10 digital camera categories... I am sure there were fewer categories on film. The winning products can be found at the TIPA website http://www.tipa.com/english/XIX_tipa_awards_2009.php

Afripixel's First Meet

n online forum more particularly for Sony AAlpha shooters, Afripixel held their first meeting of forum members on Monday the 25th May 2009 at the Museum of Military History in Saxonwold, Johannesburg. We went along to see what it was like and can report back that it was a great success. Along with a competition where you could only shoot one image around the Museum, there was also a presentation by internationally acclaimed photographer and film maker, Bruce Davidson. With the hope that this will become a monthly event at different locations, we'll keep you posted as to when the next meet will take place. In the meantime check out the site www.afripixel.com

Sony Soccergraphy

hile this is certainly not news hot off the Wpress, we felt it needed some fresh exposure. Sony Electronics Asia Pacific launched the Soccergraphy campaign in April 2009 to celebrate its official partnership with FIFA for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Bringing together two universal passions - photography and soccer - this competition features both an Amateur and Professional category. With fantastic prizes up for grabs for submitting your view on the theme "Soccer" perhaps you should pop on over to www.sony-asia.com/soccergraphy

he PHOTO & FILM EXPO will take place Tfrom 10th-12th JULY 2009 at the Coca-Cola Dome Northgate JHB. 2009 will be the first time an event dedicated to Photography and Film takes place under one roof in SA. www.photofilmexpo.com

Pentax K-7

ENTAX recently Pannounced the launch of the PENTAX K-7 an interchangeable lens digital SLR camera. Despite its compact, lightweight body, this new model brings together a wide array of advanced functions and user-friendly features with outstanding reliability and operability. This makes it possible to enjoy high-quality digital SLR photography with great ease.

Protected by a durable, high-quality metallic body, the K-7 is designed to be extremely compact and functional — just like all other K-series models — for enhanced portability and maneuverability. In addition, it has added several user-friendly features, including video recording, high dynamic range (HDR), and automatic horizon correction. All of these make the K-7 a tremendous photographic tool, perfect for all discerning digital SLR photographers.

ave you tried iGoogle yet? HiGoogle allows you to customize your Google homepage with many different gadgets. The gadgets inlcude Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, News and many more giving you access to the sites you use regularly on one page. There are also hundreds of photo related gadgets allowing you to see new images everyday. iGoogle features customizable themes. Create your own theme or try the ‘theme of the day’ for a different feel everyday.

Pentax Lenses

ENTAX has launcehd Ptwo compact, lightweight zoom lenses: the smc PENTAX-DA18-55mmF3.5-5.6AL WR, and the smc PENTAX-DA50-200mmF4-5.6ED WR. Featuring a newly designed, simplified weather-resistant construction, these zoom lenses offer excellent reliability in various outdoor applications — especially in rain, fog and mist.

SONY Portrait lens DT 50mm F1.8 SAM

he SAL50F18 is a light, bright Tportrait lens offering superboptical performance at a price that’s irresistible to first-timeDSLR users. With a wide F1.8 aperture, it’s ideal for capturing crisp, beautiful portraits in natural light with smoothly defocused backgrounds. AF performance is quiet and precise thanks to the inbuilt Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM).

New Digital SLR’S From Sony

ncredible images are now within everyone’s reach – Ieven if you’ve never picked up a digital SLR before. Sony expands the Alpha family with the α230, α330 and α380: three easy-to-use DSLR cameras that make serious picture quality and shooting options brilliantly accessible.All three cameras have been styled for comfortable handling. The α230 is the world’s lightest DSLR featuring an APS-C sized image sensor and in-body image stabilisation.

SONY 1:1 macro lens DT 30mm F2.8 SAM

nder development for Autumn 2009, the USAL30M28 makes 1:1 life-size imaging more accessible than ever before. This small, light macro lens opens up exciting new creative possibilities with a detail-packed view of the world in close-up. High quality optics can focus clearly on flowers,insects and other subjects from as close as 2cm away.There’s also an inbuilt Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) for quiet, precise AFperformance.

PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO BRUCE DAVIDSONruce Davidson has Africa in his blood. Born in BKenya and having assisted the filmmakers that

recorded Diane Fossey’s work, the movies Out of Africa and Gorilla's in the Mist, Bruce tackles the complexities of conservation in Africa, putting his photographic expertise to indispensable good use. His aims are to help remote parks and reserves in Central Africa by promoting their tourism and Culture to heighten conservation awareness. Having experience in the film making and photographic industries, Bruce explained that though closely technically related videography and photography are “hugely different” as the techniques are applied with another aim. In filming you have a sequence of images to tell the story. A photograph has to tell the story in one image. Experience in the field is what Bruce accredits his ability to balance all the necessary elements together to form a photograph that tells the story. He best achieves an aesthetically pleasing image that meets its purpose by balancing technical knowledge, with aesthetic understanding and the right equipment – no use taking a compact camera on a big shoot. A tip Bruce shared for photographic enthusiast is to; 'immerse' oneself in others works and learn as much as one can about the techniques. Visit Galleries look at all artworks as well as photographs. Observe other peoples artworks to teach yourself. Discipline in the photographic art was also

expressed as a necessity by Bruce. The digital age with its ability to take so many images compared to a roll of film has revealed a “generation that has not learned the discipline”. It takes thought and discipline in applying your expertise to “get the shot” when you know you only have a limited number of images to do it with. We were eager to know when Bruce joined the digital age and in his words the answer was “fairly late”. As a professional photographer he needed digital cameras to reach a stage of development where they met his needs, making the jump from film to digital not too vast. An element of film photography that he misses is in the archival factor, the ability to pull out a photograph from fifty years ago and not worry about what techno equipment he needs to view it. He raised the concern that with the many thousands of pictures we can now take and store we are reliant on current technology to view them. Technology is speedily advancing and in fifty years the equipment will be different resulting in a possible loss of data. Passion for conservation and helping communities help themselves is what drives Bruce through often difficult days in remote places. Despite the challenges that come with traveling through Central Africa – violence, disease, wildlife to name a few – Bruce picks up a camera everyday with the hope of bettering those areas. Passion with purpose defines Bruce Davidson’s Photography. [o]

To see more of Bruce’s work see the following links:Video clips of from Bruce's film work on the Gorilla with National Geographic. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/tv/bts/gorilla/Bruce’s pictures on the Nature Picture Library site. http://www.naturepl.com/bin/npl.dll/go?a=disp&pt=1&t=us\srloadersearch.html&si=&usp=0&_spb=0&_spe=0&_spw=0&mw=2&_collection=&se=53&_filterori=&searchtext=bruce%20davidson

PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO BRUCE DAVIDSONruce Davidson has Africa in his blood. Born in BKenya and having assisted the filmmakers that

recorded Diane Fossey’s work, the movies Out of Africa and Gorilla's in the Mist, Bruce tackles the complexities of conservation in Africa, putting his photographic expertise to indispensable good use. His aims are to help remote parks and reserves in Central Africa by promoting their tourism and Culture to heighten conservation awareness. Having experience in the film making and photographic industries, Bruce explained that though closely technically related videography and photography are “hugely different” as the techniques are applied with another aim. In filming you have a sequence of images to tell the story. A photograph has to tell the story in one image. Experience in the field is what Bruce accredits his ability to balance all the necessary elements together to form a photograph that tells the story. He best achieves an aesthetically pleasing image that meets its purpose by balancing technical knowledge, with aesthetic understanding and the right equipment – no use taking a compact camera on a big shoot. A tip Bruce shared for photographic enthusiast is to; 'immerse' oneself in others works and learn as much as one can about the techniques. Visit Galleries look at all artworks as well as photographs. Observe other peoples artworks to teach yourself. Discipline in the photographic art was also

expressed as a necessity by Bruce. The digital age with its ability to take so many images compared to a roll of film has revealed a “generation that has not learned the discipline”. It takes thought and discipline in applying your expertise to “get the shot” when you know you only have a limited number of images to do it with. We were eager to know when Bruce joined the digital age and in his words the answer was “fairly late”. As a professional photographer he needed digital cameras to reach a stage of development where they met his needs, making the jump from film to digital not too vast. An element of film photography that he misses is in the archival factor, the ability to pull out a photograph from fifty years ago and not worry about what techno equipment he needs to view it. He raised the concern that with the many thousands of pictures we can now take and store we are reliant on current technology to view them. Technology is speedily advancing and in fifty years the equipment will be different resulting in a possible loss of data. Passion for conservation and helping communities help themselves is what drives Bruce through often difficult days in remote places. Despite the challenges that come with traveling through Central Africa – violence, disease, wildlife to name a few – Bruce picks up a camera everyday with the hope of bettering those areas. Passion with purpose defines Bruce Davidson’s Photography. [o]

To see more of Bruce’s work see the following links:Video clips of from Bruce's film work on the Gorilla with National Geographic. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/tv/bts/gorilla/Bruce’s pictures on the Nature Picture Library site. http://www.naturepl.com/bin/npl.dll/go?a=disp&pt=1&t=us\srloadersearch.html&si=&usp=0&_spb=0&_spe=0&_spw=0&mw=2&_collection=&se=53&_filterori=&searchtext=bruce%20davidson

PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO BRUCE DAVIDSON

fripixel recently hosted a talk by Bruce ADavidson and had the following to say: Photographer and film maker Bruce Davidson and logistician Francois Franck are heading-up a small team that will spend seventeen months travelling to some of the most remote and exciting reserves and national parks in Central Africa. The photographic mission will visit Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tchad, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and the Central African Republic. The mission funded by CAPAN (Central African Protected Areas Network) and the European Union, aims to investigate the tourist potential of the region and at the same time build-up a bank of high quality images that will publicise what's happening in this part of Africa. The photographs will document the people, the wildlife, and the exotic scenery. The images will also explore the conservation successes and issues that will impact directly upon the continued preservation of the environment throughout Central Africa. The mission has successfully completed its tour of Gabon, the islands of Sao Tome and Principe in the Atlantic, and it is currently working its way through the Republic of Congo. The photographic operation has been temporarily halted after an attack and stabbing incident in Libreville, Gabon, which has Davidson recuperating in Johannesburg before his return to the Congo.For more please visit www.afripixel.com

PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO BRUCE DAVIDSON

fripixel recently hosted a talk by Bruce ADavidson and had the following to say: Photographer and film maker Bruce Davidson and logistician Francois Franck are heading-up a small team that will spend seventeen months travelling to some of the most remote and exciting reserves and national parks in Central Africa. The photographic mission will visit Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tchad, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and the Central African Republic. The mission funded by CAPAN (Central African Protected Areas Network) and the European Union, aims to investigate the tourist potential of the region and at the same time build-up a bank of high quality images that will publicise what's happening in this part of Africa. The photographs will document the people, the wildlife, and the exotic scenery. The images will also explore the conservation successes and issues that will impact directly upon the continued preservation of the environment throughout Central Africa. The mission has successfully completed its tour of Gabon, the islands of Sao Tome and Principe in the Atlantic, and it is currently working its way through the Republic of Congo. The photographic operation has been temporarily halted after an attack and stabbing incident in Libreville, Gabon, which has Davidson recuperating in Johannesburg before his return to the Congo.For more please visit www.afripixel.com

ost people who pick up a copy of National MGeographic are blown away by the power of the images that accompany their stories. In many circumstances the photographs tell so much of the story that you get the gist of the article before you even read the text. It is this visual impact that has made photography such an essential part of our lives today and perhaps the largest medium used to communicate messages or information to people around the globe.

We use photography for three main reasons which often intertwine with each other. Firstly we use cameras to capture moments in time for cherished memories. Secondly and closely related to the first is the purpose of reporting on events particularly of news worthy interest. The third objective of photography is to influence behaviour be it in advertising, journalism etc. Often when we pursue a photographic documentary or essay we use photography for at least two of the three reasons, if not all of them, as in the case of our featured professional this month, Bruce Davidson.

So what is the process behind shooting a photographic essay?

1. Choose a topic you are passionate about. Bruce considers this to be key in directing your time, talents, energy and patience.2. Decide on one of the three purposes discussed above and plan how you'll best approach the topic to accomplish that purpose.3. Research! In our interview with Bruce he stated that this is “Hugely important” and can make

up 85% or more of projects. Failing to research and plan is planning to fail.4. Budget. If you shooting this essay for yourself budget your time and costs. If you are shooting for a publication remember that less and less – particularly in a poor economic climate – magazines spend on long trips, shoots etc. You don't want to be short.5. Know your gear. Having the right gear helps a great deal but if you don't know it well enough it wont help when the action picks up. Shooting should be second nature.6. If you are shooting for a publication spend time learning about what the picture editor is looking for in your work.

Pictures have the incredible ability to leave lasting impressions on the mind while reaching into your heart and twisting your emotions. Think of iconic images that have shaped the world from Barack Obama's inauguration to the slaughtered Silver Back Gorilla on the cover of National Geographic. There are images of uprisings in our country that inspire us to forge a better future and today, there are smaller everyday stories of the ordinary people living next door, helping to build that brighter future who need their stories to be captured, remembered and told through the powerful medium of photography.

We would like to hear about and see your picture stories. Send through details and low res images to [email protected]

PHOTO ESSAYS PHOTO ESSAYS

ost people who pick up a copy of National MGeographic are blown away by the power of the images that accompany their stories. In many circumstances the photographs tell so much of the story that you get the gist of the article before you even read the text. It is this visual impact that has made photography such an essential part of our lives today and perhaps the largest medium used to communicate messages or information to people around the globe.

We use photography for three main reasons which often intertwine with each other. Firstly we use cameras to capture moments in time for cherished memories. Secondly and closely related to the first is the purpose of reporting on events particularly of news worthy interest. The third objective of photography is to influence behaviour be it in advertising, journalism etc. Often when we pursue a photographic documentary or essay we use photography for at least two of the three reasons, if not all of them, as in the case of our featured professional this month, Bruce Davidson.

So what is the process behind shooting a photographic essay?

1. Choose a topic you are passionate about. Bruce considers this to be key in directing your time, talents, energy and patience.2. Decide on one of the three purposes discussed above and plan how you'll best approach the topic to accomplish that purpose.3. Research! In our interview with Bruce he stated that this is “Hugely important” and can make

up 85% or more of projects. Failing to research and plan is planning to fail.4. Budget. If you shooting this essay for yourself budget your time and costs. If you are shooting for a publication remember that less and less – particularly in a poor economic climate – magazines spend on long trips, shoots etc. You don't want to be short.5. Know your gear. Having the right gear helps a great deal but if you don't know it well enough it wont help when the action picks up. Shooting should be second nature.6. If you are shooting for a publication spend time learning about what the picture editor is looking for in your work.

Pictures have the incredible ability to leave lasting impressions on the mind while reaching into your heart and twisting your emotions. Think of iconic images that have shaped the world from Barack Obama's inauguration to the slaughtered Silver Back Gorilla on the cover of National Geographic. There are images of uprisings in our country that inspire us to forge a better future and today, there are smaller everyday stories of the ordinary people living next door, helping to build that brighter future who need their stories to be captured, remembered and told through the powerful medium of photography.

We would like to hear about and see your picture stories. Send through details and low res images to [email protected]

PHOTO ESSAYS PHOTO ESSAYS

ecently, a tragedy occured in the life of a friend Rof mine. It may not seem such a tragedy to some, but if it had happened to me, it would have warrented the title. Her computer bombed, with three years of their daughter’s baby photos. Their son is older, and they’d printed out his and made him a baby boook, but when Baby Girl came along, life was a bit more hectic, and they hadn’t had a chance yet... Now they never will.I am photo crazy. I’ve made baby books of each of my three kids, and of all the photos I could get together of my foster sons. It probably stems from the fact that my dad was very into photography when we were growing up and I have many happy memories of us cuddled up on a Friday night watching slide shows from our little family projector, shown up on the lounge wall, of our favourite people... us. It does something to children to see photos of themselves. I felt special, loved by my parents, and it helped me form my identity and reinforce who I was. Also, it reminded us as a family of special family moments and kept special occasions alive and healthy in our memories as we laughed and remembered together.I was exhibiting at the Baby Expo the other day and had the privilege of speaking with David Rabinowitz,

ADVERTORIALrenown South African portrait photographer. He was very interested in my product... photobook software, and had lots of interesting observations to pass on. His opinion fascinated me. He said in the past, people took photos for the future – to remember and preserve. At the moment, what with digital cameras, cell phone cameras and face book, the trend has shifted, and we take photos for the present: See my new hairstyle! Look at what this silly puppy’s up to now etc. Also, photos of the past had to be printed in order to be viewed – when a spool was full, people had to take it out to put in a new spool and automatically took the old one to the developer to get the photos developed. Then what excitement there was when the photos came back. Everyone looked at them, showed them around and commented on them. They were put in an album, or left in the paper sleeve, and placed on the dining room table. From there they moved to the top of the piano, and then finally ended up in a box under the bed. A few years later they were rediscovered, and Wow! What a joy to see all those old photos again. Now it’s not like that. We have our photos on our computers or phones. We forget to download them when it’s time for our new upgrade, or we save it to a disk put it somewhere or the

Readers Portfolio

This is your chance to get your images published.

For each issue we (the editors assisted by a panel of

industry leading photographers) will choose a

reader's portfolio that inspires and celebrates the art

and craft of photography best for that month.

You stand a chance to win a prize from SONY, one

of our advertisers, should your portfolio be

published. Include a self-portrait accompanied with a

brief introduction of yourself, your style and your

philosophy.

Send us no more than 10 of your best images with

your contact details to [email protected]

enter “Readers Portfolio” as the subject. Make sure

the images are in JPEG format and no larger than

640x480 (or closest too), we will contact you for

larger files if needed. Needless to say that the

standard will be high and uncompromising so

please put your best foot forward.

1 x Laptop Sleeve

1 x SONY ALPHA Lens Book

1 x Memory Card Pouch

1 x Rain umbrella

All branded SONY ALPHA

computer bombs... and as a result, there will be a generation without photos. His opinion was that as there is no ‘toothache’ to force us to the ‘dentist’ in order to get our photos saved or printed now, we just don’t do it anymore. We have the new solution (without the ‘toothache’). RapidStudio has beautiful, affordable photobook software. You arrange your photos on your own computer with very easy to use software including frames and masks, backgrounds, text and effects. Order and pay for it over the internet and then we print and bind the book professionally for you and deliver it to your home. Our prices are great – an A4 book holds 40 to 50 photos, and only costs R350. Not too bad for photos that won’t fall out of the scrapbook no glue, no mess, no fuss. It includes your text on your choice of matt, glossy or linen paper that protects it so you can wipe it if there are finger prints or spills, and all bound in a glossy hard cover coffee table book that you can easily share with friends and family.So don’t let those memories get lost over time – make the most of modern technology and take a few

ecently, a tragedy occured in the life of a friend Rof mine. It may not seem such a tragedy to some, but if it had happened to me, it would have warrented the title. Her computer bombed, with three years of their daughter’s baby photos. Their son is older, and they’d printed out his and made him a baby boook, but when Baby Girl came along, life was a bit more hectic, and they hadn’t had a chance yet... Now they never will.I am photo crazy. I’ve made baby books of each of my three kids, and of all the photos I could get together of my foster sons. It probably stems from the fact that my dad was very into photography when we were growing up and I have many happy memories of us cuddled up on a Friday night watching slide shows from our little family projector, shown up on the lounge wall, of our favourite people... us. It does something to children to see photos of themselves. I felt special, loved by my parents, and it helped me form my identity and reinforce who I was. Also, it reminded us as a family of special family moments and kept special occasions alive and healthy in our memories as we laughed and remembered together.I was exhibiting at the Baby Expo the other day and had the privilege of speaking with David Rabinowitz,

ADVERTORIALrenown South African portrait photographer. He was very interested in my product... photobook software, and had lots of interesting observations to pass on. His opinion fascinated me. He said in the past, people took photos for the future – to remember and preserve. At the moment, what with digital cameras, cell phone cameras and face book, the trend has shifted, and we take photos for the present: See my new hairstyle! Look at what this silly puppy’s up to now etc. Also, photos of the past had to be printed in order to be viewed – when a spool was full, people had to take it out to put in a new spool and automatically took the old one to the developer to get the photos developed. Then what excitement there was when the photos came back. Everyone looked at them, showed them around and commented on them. They were put in an album, or left in the paper sleeve, and placed on the dining room table. From there they moved to the top of the piano, and then finally ended up in a box under the bed. A few years later they were rediscovered, and Wow! What a joy to see all those old photos again. Now it’s not like that. We have our photos on our computers or phones. We forget to download them when it’s time for our new upgrade, or we save it to a disk put it somewhere or the

Readers Portfolio

This is your chance to get your images published.

For each issue we (the editors assisted by a panel of

industry leading photographers) will choose a

reader's portfolio that inspires and celebrates the art

and craft of photography best for that month.

You stand a chance to win a prize from SONY, one

of our advertisers, should your portfolio be

published. Include a self-portrait accompanied with a

brief introduction of yourself, your style and your

philosophy.

Send us no more than 10 of your best images with

your contact details to [email protected]

enter “Readers Portfolio” as the subject. Make sure

the images are in JPEG format and no larger than

640x480 (or closest too), we will contact you for

larger files if needed. Needless to say that the

standard will be high and uncompromising so

please put your best foot forward.

1 x Laptop Sleeve

1 x SONY ALPHA Lens Book

1 x Memory Card Pouch

1 x Rain umbrella

All branded SONY ALPHA

computer bombs... and as a result, there will be a generation without photos. His opinion was that as there is no ‘toothache’ to force us to the ‘dentist’ in order to get our photos saved or printed now, we just don’t do it anymore. We have the new solution (without the ‘toothache’). RapidStudio has beautiful, affordable photobook software. You arrange your photos on your own computer with very easy to use software including frames and masks, backgrounds, text and effects. Order and pay for it over the internet and then we print and bind the book professionally for you and deliver it to your home. Our prices are great – an A4 book holds 40 to 50 photos, and only costs R350. Not too bad for photos that won’t fall out of the scrapbook no glue, no mess, no fuss. It includes your text on your choice of matt, glossy or linen paper that protects it so you can wipe it if there are finger prints or spills, and all bound in a glossy hard cover coffee table book that you can easily share with friends and family.So don’t let those memories get lost over time – make the most of modern technology and take a few

ur Reader’s Portfolio this Omonth is by Ivo Lusic.

PC: How did you get into photography, or what sparked your interest?IVL: The first time I can recall using a camera was on a trip around Transvaal and Botswana organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs after our familymoved here from Zambia. I borrowed a Kodak Brownie for those first photographs.

At university, I bought myself a Nikkormat FTn, I also had a Leica IIIc and went to South America where I sold the Leica (it was a pain to load) and came back to South Africa after a couple of years. I've kicked myself for selling that camera ever since.

PC: Do you have any formal training in photography?IVL: I'm basically self taught. The first book on photography

that I read was Andreas Feininger's "Principles of Composition", this has been a major influence in my photography... not that I always follow the rules.

PC: You have some great images of Johnny Clegg from years ago, care to share the background to them?IVL: I was fortunate enough to go to the same school (Athlone Boys High), although, we were not in the same class. He stayed reasonably close to where I stayed and we got to know each other on the bus going to and from school. I would hang around when he danced at the George Gogh Hostel and would take photographs. The Zulu's even gave me an 'isibongo' (praise name) or two. One was 'ndiza' or 'flyer' because of my height.

PC: Did you shoot much on Black and White and do your own processing?IVL: Not at first. I used to shoot a lot on Agfa Professional, a 50 ASA colour slide film (now discontinued) and then send away my films for processing. It was only in South America, where I was working on a mine, that a local priest who was an avid photographer showed me how to develop black and white photographs.

PC: Any commercial success with photography?IVL: I did sell two photographs, a long time ago, to Business Day while my girl friend was working there. She arranged for us to go to Jabulani Stadium around 1978 (at that time, the documentation to get in was thicker than a telephone directory!). It was quite amazing, being one of six or seven pale faces there and yet never feeling threatened or worried about it.

READER’S PORTFOLIO IVO LUSIC

Never really made any money on that as I was still shooting on slide and so the two shots they bought had to be converted by Pro Colour in town to Black and White for the paper, a costly exercise. Today, I shoot for myself.

PC: Your digital conversion?IVL: Took place when I was traveling through Europe. I was stuck in transit at Vienna airport when I saw this Panasonic NV-DCF5 (1 Mp) digital camera for about $600. I think it was also branded as a Nikon Coolpix

300. I bought that and started taking photos... very frustrating. Today I shoot mostly on digital because I am lazy. I think that is a problem with digital, it is sometimes too easy to be 'happy snappy'. That said, I do try plan my photographs, with the end result I would like in mind, as I shoot.

PC: What do you enjoy about photography?IVL: Both my parents were artists. My father was a monumental mason and my mother used to paint. I don't see

photography as my little piece of immortality but rather a way to communicate what I saw and share with others

how I saw it.

PC: What is your greatest fear photographically?IVL: Dropping my camera and hearing it break! Other than that, photography is my hobby and passion, not my business, I want to be able to continue to learn from my mistakes and enjoy it.

PC: Your favorite subject matter?IVL: Landscapes. I have done portraits but prefer a more candid approach. I also enjoy the preparation in a good macro shot, particularly with an old film camera, belows and tiny specimens to shoot.

ur Reader’s Portfolio this Omonth is by Ivo Lusic.

PC: How did you get into photography, or what sparked your interest?IVL: The first time I can recall using a camera was on a trip around Transvaal and Botswana organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs after our familymoved here from Zambia. I borrowed a Kodak Brownie for those first photographs.

At university, I bought myself a Nikkormat FTn, I also had a Leica IIIc and went to South America where I sold the Leica (it was a pain to load) and came back to South Africa after a couple of years. I've kicked myself for selling that camera ever since.

PC: Do you have any formal training in photography?IVL: I'm basically self taught. The first book on photography

that I read was Andreas Feininger's "Principles of Composition", this has been a major influence in my photography... not that I always follow the rules.

PC: You have some great images of Johnny Clegg from years ago, care to share the background to them?IVL: I was fortunate enough to go to the same school (Athlone Boys High), although, we were not in the same class. He stayed reasonably close to where I stayed and we got to know each other on the bus going to and from school. I would hang around when he danced at the George Gogh Hostel and would take photographs. The Zulu's even gave me an 'isibongo' (praise name) or two. One was 'ndiza' or 'flyer' because of my height.

PC: Did you shoot much on Black and White and do your own processing?IVL: Not at first. I used to shoot a lot on Agfa Professional, a 50 ASA colour slide film (now discontinued) and then send away my films for processing. It was only in South America, where I was working on a mine, that a local priest who was an avid photographer showed me how to develop black and white photographs.

PC: Any commercial success with photography?IVL: I did sell two photographs, a long time ago, to Business Day while my girl friend was working there. She arranged for us to go to Jabulani Stadium around 1978 (at that time, the documentation to get in was thicker than a telephone directory!). It was quite amazing, being one of six or seven pale faces there and yet never feeling threatened or worried about it.

READER’S PORTFOLIO IVO LUSIC

Never really made any money on that as I was still shooting on slide and so the two shots they bought had to be converted by Pro Colour in town to Black and White for the paper, a costly exercise. Today, I shoot for myself.

PC: Your digital conversion?IVL: Took place when I was traveling through Europe. I was stuck in transit at Vienna airport when I saw this Panasonic NV-DCF5 (1 Mp) digital camera for about $600. I think it was also branded as a Nikon Coolpix

300. I bought that and started taking photos... very frustrating. Today I shoot mostly on digital because I am lazy. I think that is a problem with digital, it is sometimes too easy to be 'happy snappy'. That said, I do try plan my photographs, with the end result I would like in mind, as I shoot.

PC: What do you enjoy about photography?IVL: Both my parents were artists. My father was a monumental mason and my mother used to paint. I don't see

photography as my little piece of immortality but rather a way to communicate what I saw and share with others

how I saw it.

PC: What is your greatest fear photographically?IVL: Dropping my camera and hearing it break! Other than that, photography is my hobby and passion, not my business, I want to be able to continue to learn from my mistakes and enjoy it.

PC: Your favorite subject matter?IVL: Landscapes. I have done portraits but prefer a more candid approach. I also enjoy the preparation in a good macro shot, particularly with an old film camera, belows and tiny specimens to shoot.

PC: Are you an avid image manipulator or only where necessary?IVL: Only where necessary e.g. Dust spots, levels. For example. I'm not a HDR (High Dynamic Range) fan as it often overdone and the results doesn't feel real.

PC: What motivates you?IVL: Photography is something I can control - composition and exposure wise. I can do it my way and be creative.

PC: Do you have a dream photographic purchase?IVL: I agree with Ken Rockwell when he keeps saying that the equipment is not the destination, but the tools we use to get there. Ansel Adams said "A good photograph is knowing where to stand ".

PC: Is there anything that frustrates you about photography today?IVL: The cost of entry - even at entry level - which is in my mind still too high, particularly here in SA. There is a discrepancy between local and foreign prices, probably due to the small market here in SA. [o]

“I do try plan my photographs, with the end result I would like in mind, as I shoot.”

“...not that I always follow the rules”

IVO LUSICIVO LUSICREADER’S PORTFOLIO

PC: Are you an avid image manipulator or only where necessary?IVL: Only where necessary e.g. Dust spots, levels. For example. I'm not a HDR (High Dynamic Range) fan as it often overdone and the results doesn't feel real.

PC: What motivates you?IVL: Photography is something I can control - composition and exposure wise. I can do it my way and be creative.

PC: Do you have a dream photographic purchase?IVL: I agree with Ken Rockwell when he keeps saying that the equipment is not the destination, but the tools we use to get there. Ansel Adams said "A good photograph is knowing where to stand ".

PC: Is there anything that frustrates you about photography today?IVL: The cost of entry - even at entry level - which is in my mind still too high, particularly here in SA. There is a discrepancy between local and foreign prices, probably due to the small market here in SA. [o]

“I do try plan my photographs, with the end result I would like in mind, as I shoot.”

“...not that I always follow the rules”

IVO LUSICIVO LUSICREADER’S PORTFOLIO

REVIEW ot too long ago in a lens Nlaboratory somewhere in

Japan a group of extraordinary designers and technicians from Nikon began working on a brief to create a new prime lens to take over the reigns from the tried and trusted 50mm in the DX range of digital cameras. Recently that lens came to life in the form of the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8 G lens... that is a mouthful.

I am quite fussy when it comes to optical quality, at one point – when digital was still in it's infancy and we almost all shot on film – my bag was filled only with prime lenses, a favourite of which was the trusty, old and often overlooked 50mm. I am sure it is with this in mind that friends and colleagues suggested I look at the new Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX.

Well it has been a few weeks and I will be honest, I'm torn, because while Nikon have made a sharp lens, the approach that a 35mm is a perfect replacement for a 50mm on a DX or digital crop (APS) sized sensor is just not going down too well with me, but why do I say it doesn't work so well?

With out getting too technical, on 35mm film (or full frame digital) the 50mm lens is considered a standard lens because the angle of view it offers (47 degrees) is similar to that which you see with one eye

open. Your DX – or any other APS sensor size camera – is smaller than film meaning it only uses a portion of the image created by your lens... I guess you could say it crops into the image, hence we multiply lens focal length by 1.5x (or 1.6x on Canon) to get your equivalent focal length on film. Basically this means that a 35mm technically is your standard lens on DX format because the angle of view it offers is similar to your eye like the trusty old 50mm is on film.

But this is where the problem is with this lens, certainly for me. On film 35mm is a wide angle lens and has certain distortion characteristics that are unique to wide angle lenses. Being familiar with these from my more abundant shooting on film, I was disappointed to find that though offering a tighter angle of view on digital, this 35mm maintains some of the distortion it would have presented on full frame and does not match what I have set as my neutral standard, the 50mm.

So after all that, what is my summary of this lens? It's sharp, not to badly made and all in all a brilliant buy. The bit of wide angle distortion bugs me for some of the photography I enjoy doing, but if you haven't had the bias of full frame and film then it shouldn't plague you at all.

AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8 G

REVIEW ot too long ago in a lens Nlaboratory somewhere in

Japan a group of extraordinary designers and technicians from Nikon began working on a brief to create a new prime lens to take over the reigns from the tried and trusted 50mm in the DX range of digital cameras. Recently that lens came to life in the form of the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8 G lens... that is a mouthful.

I am quite fussy when it comes to optical quality, at one point – when digital was still in it's infancy and we almost all shot on film – my bag was filled only with prime lenses, a favourite of which was the trusty, old and often overlooked 50mm. I am sure it is with this in mind that friends and colleagues suggested I look at the new Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX.

Well it has been a few weeks and I will be honest, I'm torn, because while Nikon have made a sharp lens, the approach that a 35mm is a perfect replacement for a 50mm on a DX or digital crop (APS) sized sensor is just not going down too well with me, but why do I say it doesn't work so well?

With out getting too technical, on 35mm film (or full frame digital) the 50mm lens is considered a standard lens because the angle of view it offers (47 degrees) is similar to that which you see with one eye

open. Your DX – or any other APS sensor size camera – is smaller than film meaning it only uses a portion of the image created by your lens... I guess you could say it crops into the image, hence we multiply lens focal length by 1.5x (or 1.6x on Canon) to get your equivalent focal length on film. Basically this means that a 35mm technically is your standard lens on DX format because the angle of view it offers is similar to your eye like the trusty old 50mm is on film.

But this is where the problem is with this lens, certainly for me. On film 35mm is a wide angle lens and has certain distortion characteristics that are unique to wide angle lenses. Being familiar with these from my more abundant shooting on film, I was disappointed to find that though offering a tighter angle of view on digital, this 35mm maintains some of the distortion it would have presented on full frame and does not match what I have set as my neutral standard, the 50mm.

So after all that, what is my summary of this lens? It's sharp, not to badly made and all in all a brilliant buy. The bit of wide angle distortion bugs me for some of the photography I enjoy doing, but if you haven't had the bias of full frame and film then it shouldn't plague you at all.

AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8 G

>>next

photocomment

- Tips to improve your Cellphone Photos

- We try the new Sony Alpha Range

- More porfolios to inspire

- You could be featured next month submit comments or images to [email protected]

Final Comment By Tristan Hall

Archaic or Archival?

In my interview with Bruce Davidson I asked him which photographic medium he preferred, digital or film? I was interested by his response that film was still a favourite for two main reasons. One of these we have mentioned before, that the characteristics of film in regards to colour, dynamic range, tonality still have an edge over digital.

There is another character that Bruce and many other photographers prefer about film – including myself – namely it's archivability.

Some time back I was sent an article about the long-term storage ability of various digital memory formats. Some of the lifespan figures mention in the article included:

- Flash / Memory cards up to 10 years- Increased Hard Drive failure after 3-5 years- CD/DVD media 20-100 years (just don't scratch them)

In addition to the above limited physical lifespans, technology has in the past done a marvelous job limiting itself by making formats or standards obsolete as R&D creates 'better' and bigger storage capacity or methods. The fact is that there is always a risk of losing your images if you are not as diligent as those who have never lost information would classify it, paranoid.

Somehow film seems to offer us this security that doesn't cause you to wake up in the middle of the night screaming nooooo! in a puddle of cold sweat. I'm not saying that film is indestructible, but following last years Eskom disaster where we were thrust back in time to the dark ages, I realized the great dependency of digital on electricity opposed to films magical ability to keep you occupied in the darkroom for hours.

We want to hear from you how you backup your digital images and what your views are on archiving photographs today. Email [email protected]

>>next

photocomment

- Tips to improve your Cellphone Photos

- We try the new Sony Alpha Range

- More porfolios to inspire

- You could be featured next month submit comments or images to [email protected]

Final Comment By Tristan Hall

Archaic or Archival?

In my interview with Bruce Davidson I asked him which photographic medium he preferred, digital or film? I was interested by his response that film was still a favourite for two main reasons. One of these we have mentioned before, that the characteristics of film in regards to colour, dynamic range, tonality still have an edge over digital.

There is another character that Bruce and many other photographers prefer about film – including myself – namely it's archivability.

Some time back I was sent an article about the long-term storage ability of various digital memory formats. Some of the lifespan figures mention in the article included:

- Flash / Memory cards up to 10 years- Increased Hard Drive failure after 3-5 years- CD/DVD media 20-100 years (just don't scratch them)

In addition to the above limited physical lifespans, technology has in the past done a marvelous job limiting itself by making formats or standards obsolete as R&D creates 'better' and bigger storage capacity or methods. The fact is that there is always a risk of losing your images if you are not as diligent as those who have never lost information would classify it, paranoid.

Somehow film seems to offer us this security that doesn't cause you to wake up in the middle of the night screaming nooooo! in a puddle of cold sweat. I'm not saying that film is indestructible, but following last years Eskom disaster where we were thrust back in time to the dark ages, I realized the great dependency of digital on electricity opposed to films magical ability to keep you occupied in the darkroom for hours.

We want to hear from you how you backup your digital images and what your views are on archiving photographs today. Email [email protected]

photocomment 2009

PhotoComment June 2009

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Transcript of PhotoComment June 2009