Adobe Lightroom – a test drive

So I picked up a copy of lightroom, and i’m impressed. A very easy workflow, layout and quick processing time make this an excellent tool. I’m not going to write a review as its not needed. However, suffice to say I’m pleased it as a photographers tool. Adobe clearly spent some time with professional snappers, and it shows. 

So the above image was converted in to the standard black and white preset and I played around with the contrast. Not a bad result for less than 5 minutes work. This image is by no means the finished article, however, compositionally I think it is there. Tone and contrast need a wee bit of work. 

 

 

Least Wanted – my favourite Flickr stream

Bloody system has kept me logged out for the last 3 weeks, and job hunting don’t hep either. Anyhoop, on the theme of hunting, here’s a bit on my favourite flickr thread: Least Wanted. 

The owner collects mugshots. Predominately from the States from the 20’s onwards. The result is a part bibliographical story of crime and life in the States and part unfinished story.  What appeals to me, is firstly the photography. In my mind, this is true portraiture: controlled yet off-guard, emotive yet objective and above all, the beginning or indeed the end of a story.

Secondly, the snapshot of information given for each photo is just enough to tell you the situation and too little to give the whole game away. I want to know what happened to these people, and how they wound up in this situation, are any of them still alive?

All these questions and more are unlikely to be answered, which makes this stream quite simply the best on Flickr. 

Amazing 1st World War colour Photo’s

Now, these have been doing the rounds on the net for a while but they never fail to amaze me. So i thought I’d share them. Here they are.They are quite simply stunning. For me, there two pictures that stand out for me. Firstly, this picture of Senegalise soldiers. I’ve read up on the WW1 and in the 15 or so books I’ve read there has been little or no mention of those nations outside of the standard BEF countries. And to see these three soldiers in colour, amazes me. Secondly, this image. Amongst all the chaos there is this little oasis reserved for the French. Brilliant.   This is quite simply a stunning collection, made even more poingnant, knowing that everyone featured in these images has long past left this earth.

These new Annie Leibovitz shots

So they are for Disney, and they need to have a certain appeal, but blimey they are rubs imho. Now I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of Leibovitz but these don’t do enough for me to change my opinions.I can’t put my finger on it but there is something not quite right about these. Maybe its the way they render on my screen or maybe its the fact that they are a bit David LaChapelle, in that they are very polished, very studio. They are just not my bag, but I am sure they will be very much admired.

Nikon Vs Canon -does it matter?

This is a debate that will now doubt rage on, like mac vs pc. I use Nikon. most probably always will. That said, I’m the only one of my photography peers that uses Nikon. Canon seems to be all the rage. Take my photography class at the moment, part from my Nikon and a pentax, the rest of the class use Canon. And then you discover that the most popular camera on Flickr is the EOS digital Rebel.

I love my Nikon SLRs, F75 and D70, however, I also without the blink of an eye wholeheartedly recommend the Canon Ixus range of compact digital cameras. Either that or the Panasonic Lumix. To be honest I don’t get asked all that often, but the Ixus 400 was the first digital camera I got and I loved it. Intuitive, manageable and crytal clear clarity. When 1 year later I stop a step back (film) and a step up (slr) I plumped for a Nikon. At the time it was not an informed decision. I had some money, so budget played a small part, however, I knew that I would only buy Nikon, so I got the F75, and it has served me well. The D70 was the natural successor.

I have to be honest, I have never touched a Canon DSLR so cannot really comment on them, other than they are clearly doing something right. and at the end of the day its all matter of preference. Thats said Canon do seem to dominate the entry level dslr market, maybe its marketing.

Who knows, I love Nikon, I’ll recommend Canon. It doesn’t really matter.

Channel 4’s Picture this – the final

So for those of you following Channel 4’s enlightening series ‘Picture this’ then you maybe, or indeed, maybe not, excited about the outcome in this weeks final.

 I am non-plussed I have to say. I’ll be interested to see who they select but I’m not rooting for anyone in particular.  Its been an interesting little series documenting ‘The Apprentice’ style the search for a new photographic talent. The judges include Martin Parr, Alex Proud (Proud Galleries) and a lady whose name I cannot remember but who runs the hugely influential Photographers Gallery in London.

The two finalists Lizzie and Lucinda are both two very talented photographers and two who come from very different backgrounds which in turn makes an intersting subplot. That said I don’t feel inspired by their work. However at the same time I wish I could produce the work they are.

Anyhoop, it will interesting to see what the final projects are and too see who succeeds in winning the book deal and exhibition. Either way at the very least I hope it gets some people inspired enough to pick up a camera and give it a go themselves.

The amazing adventures of Kavalier and Clay

Right then. This is a big thing to say, however, I think this is quite possibly the best book I have ever read!

 Now. I love the great gatsby and I love Carter beats the devil, but this tops the lot and then some. Honestly, this book has completely captivated me over the last 4 weeks or so.

Written by Michael Chabon, it charts the relationship of two cousins from the late 30’s to the early 50’s. One, Clay, lives in New York City, the other, Kavalier, in Prague. Clay dreams of making a fortune in comic books. Kavalier is a trainee magician and incredible artist. The family send Kavalier to stay with his cousin in NYC just as the Nazi’s start occupying Chezhslovakia. The pair get together making a small fortune from a character they invent called The Escapist, a Nazi busting superhero.

The backdrop to all of this is centred around Kavalier coming to terms with the new opportunities he has whilst his family is at the mercy of the Nazi’s, and in Clay’s case his purpose and in turn happiness in his life.

This aint a new book, originally published in 2000, it went on to win the 2001 Pulitzer prize.  Much like Carter beats the devil it is fiction based on the factual era, though unlike Carter the great, Kavalier and Clay did not exist. This book really has caught the imagination and there are several graphic novels starring the Escapist.

I can only recommend this book. If you have been lucky enough to be recommended and have read Carter beats the devil then you will adore this book.

Bound for Glory

Okay, so my first post and I reckon its a bit of a cracker. That said its also pilfered from the Flickr blog  and its a little project undertaken by The Library of Congress. Its basically some stunning shots both in black and white and in colour, possibly Kodachrome doumenting America through the ages. The full stream can be found here

This is related to the exhibition that was held at the photographers gallery in London last year entitled ‘Bound for Glory’. Which put leading photojournalists into the field to document the Great Depression, and to test Kodaks new Kodachrome film. The photographers assigned to this included Jack Delano, Marion Post Wolcott and I’m pretty sure W. Eugene Smith was involved too. An online gallery of the work is here and the book can be bought here