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Triangle Composition in Photography: A Quick Guide (Plus Tips)

13 Apr

The post Triangle Composition in Photography: A Quick Guide (Plus Tips) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.

triangle composition in photography a quick guide

Speaking about triangle composition, artist Wassily Kandinsky once said, “The impact of the acute angle of a triangle on a circle produces an effect no less powerful than the finger of God touching the finger of Adam in Michelangelo.”

Recognizing the momentum within a triangular shape, painters have regularly capitalized on the visual drama of triangular structures. But painters aren’t the only ones to utilize triangles; photographers have also made extensive use of the shape to add impact, lead the eye, and emphasize spirited angles unfolding within the photographic frame.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the dynamics of triangles in photographic composition.

What is triangle composition in photography?

Triangle composition relies on the use of triangular shapes or concepts to create a better image.

Triangles can be found everywhere. Signs, architecture, geography, sailboats, food, arrows, aviation, wallpaper, optical illusions (see the Penrose triangle); the list goes on!

Why are triangles useful?

Triangles are useful in composition for many reasons. Perhaps one of the most obvious selling points of triangles is their striking versatility.

For instance, triangles can represent direction and orientation; they can signal stasis or momentum. A triangle that recedes into the horizon creates the impression of perspective and depth. Off-kilter triangles paired with vivid colors create impactful shapes that express energy and dynamism. And depending on whether a triangle is facing left or right, it can represent progress, forward motion, or backtracking (just think of the symbols on a TV remote!).

Triangles in composition can also create order in chaos. That’s why triangles can be helpful in planning a photograph or figuring out why an image works the way it does.

Over time, artists have developed different compositional concepts to help create appealing imagery. The golden triangle is a visualization that divides the frame into four triangles, like this:

A diagram of the golden triangle composition rule

The golden triangle suggests one of three approaches:

  1. Fill one of the triangles with a main subject.
  2. Align some diagonal subject matter with at least one of the diagonal golden triangle lines.
  3. Line up a significant point in the composition with a point of intersection.
A web with the golden triangle composition rule overlay
Canon 5D Mark IV | Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II with extension tubes | f/2.5 | 1/50s | ISO 100

Triangles found in both the natural and modern landscape can visually unite or disrupt a photograph.

And by incorporating triangles or the golden triangle overlay into a photographic composition, you can control the energy and focus of an image.

Common triangle types

There are several types of triangles you should know:

Self-contained triangles can be found throughout the natural and urban environment. These distinct shapes can command attention and often serve as a key component or structural element within a photograph.

(Interestingly, some triangles do extend beyond the frame, thus becoming more indirect triangular compositions.)

Other triangular formats include triangles with rounded edges, which deliver a softened visual effect.

Triangle composition leaves in the rain
Triangular patterns found in nature.
Canon 5D Mark IV | Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | f/5 | 1/160s | ISO 100

Implied triangles are more subtle arrangements of subject matter that can generate the impression of a triangle composition. Implied triangles aren’t a single specific triangular subject. Instead, they borrow from different elements in an image to form a triangle-like arrangement.

Out of focus lights arranged in triangle patterns
Implied triangles formed from points of light.
Canon 5D Mark IV | Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | f/4 | 1/100s | ISO 250

The type and behavior of triangles can significantly impact a photograph.

To create stability or instability within an image, triangles can teeter on a point or rest firmly on a vertical line. Symmetrical triangles can signal equilibrium whereas asymmetrical triangles can represent an object to overcome or act as a symbol of intensification.

A triangle pointing at the sky can represent the peak of a goal or journey toward success. A triangle pointing at the ground can represent direction, a downfall, or a lessening of intensity.

Other triangles can point to specific subjects or even represent the main subject.

Tips for working with triangles

Triangles are intriguing shapes, and working with them doesn’t have to be hard.

Here are a few tips for creating beautiful triangle compositions in photography:

1. Use variety

Triangles come in many shapes and forms. To add variety to your photos, include different triangle sizes, types, and orientations (this will also help you develop an eye for the shape).

triangles on a sidewalk
Triangles can disrupt patterns and direct the viewer.
Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | f/8 | 1/125s | ISO 100

2. Try the golden triangle rule

As I explained earlier, the golden triangle is a visual device used to help create harmonious compositions.

While the golden triangle takes practice to visualize (see the overlay displayed above), it encourages you to make the most of the available subject matter. The rule also draws attention to areas in a composition that might otherwise be ignored.

3. Rules can be broken

Although triangle composition is an engaging approach to photography, compositional rules can be bent and broken.

The golden triangle serves as a guide or exercise rather than a definitive rule – and can therefore be manipulated or ignored.

And using triangular subject matter in a composition is pretty flexible. For example, rounded points or points that extend off the edge of the photograph can still suggest engaging and cohesive triangle-based compositions.

Triangle composition in photography: final thoughts

Over the centuries, triangles and triangle composition have come to represent strength, vitality, energy, and momentum.

By incorporating triangles (and the golden triangle rule) into your compositions, you can create dynamic, eye-catching photos.

So the next time you’re out with your camera, look for triangles – and create some powerful compositions!

A utility pole with triangle composition
Canon 5D Mark IV | Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | f/9 | 1/250s | ISO 100

Triangle composition FAQ

What is triangle composition?

Triangle composition is either the incorporation of triangular shapes into photographic work or adherence to the golden triangle compositional rule.

What is the golden triangle?

The golden triangle is a compositional device. By mentally dividing an image into triangular sections, you can arrange elements to create beautiful compositions.

Where can I photograph triangles?

Triangles make up our world in many ways. Triangles can be found in the urban landscape as well as the natural environment. Once you start looking, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to photograph triangles.

How can I use triangle composition?

There are several ways to incorporate triangular compositions into a photograph. The most obvious ways involve photographing triangular shapes themselves and using the golden triangle rule to guide your compositions. You can also use implied triangles to loosely organize subjects in a triangular format.

The post Triangle Composition in Photography: A Quick Guide (Plus Tips) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.


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Happy New Year from the dPS Team (Plus Our Ultimate Guides)

01 Jan

The post Happy New Year from the dPS Team (Plus Our Ultimate Guides) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Happy New Year 2021 from the dPS team

On behalf of the entire dPS team, I’d like to extend the warmest of New Year’s greetings!

2020 hasn’t been easy, but it’s over – which means it’s time to think about 2021.

Here at dPS, we’ll continue to bring you photography tips, tutorials, and techniques of all kinds, so make sure you check back regularly for our best new content.

And for those of you looking to get a head start on your photography education, I’ve shared our dPS Ultimate Guides below – which offer a quick way to master new photography topics. You can even download the guides as PDFs; that way, you can take them with you wherever you go.

Simply click on the links below to view the Ultimate Guides:

  • The dPS Ultimate Guide to Photography for Beginners
  • The dPS Ultimate Guide to Landscape Photography
  • The Ultimate Guide to Learning How to Use Your First DSLR
  • The Ultimate Guide to Street Photography
  • The dPS Ultimate Guide to Getting Started in Lightroom for Beginners
  • The dPS Ultimate Guide to Taking Portraits and Photographing People
  • The dPS Ultimate Guide to Photography Terms
  • The Ultimate Guide to Nature and Outdoor Photography
  • The Ultimate Guide to Night Photography
  • The dPS Ultimate Guide to Food Photography
  • The dPS Ultimate Guide to Fine Art Photography

And if you feel these ultimate guides are valuable, make sure you share them with your friends!

The post Happy New Year from the dPS Team (Plus Our Ultimate Guides) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


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Two Nikon DSLRs Will Ship Next Year (Plus New F-Mount Lenses)

27 Nov

The post Two Nikon DSLRs Will Ship Next Year (Plus New F-Mount Lenses) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Nikon DSLRs next year

With major camera companies dedicating themselves more fully to mirrorless technology, it might surprise you to learn that Nikon isn’t giving up on their DSLRs just yet.

Despite the recent launch of the Z6 II and the Z7 II, and despite the handful of Z-mount cameras and lenses in the works, Nikon still plans to debut two DSLRs sometime in 2021, according to an “internal presentation” reported on by Nikon Rumors.

While the internal presentation discussed many items, some of which merely confirmed that which we already knew, the highlights include various interesting tidbits about Nikon mirrorless cameras versus DSLRs; up until now, Nikon DSLRs have actually performed better than their mirrorless counterparts in terms of sales, though Nikon predicts “within 60 days that mirrorless will outsell [the] F-mount.”

But presumably as a consequence of the still-significant DSLR sales, Nikon aims to launch two DSLRs next year, along with “several new F-mount lenses.”

What DSLRs will these be?

A safe bet is that at least one will be a mid-level or entry-level Nikon model, especially because this is one area where Nikon lacks mirrorless counterparts. We might see a Nikon D3600, for instance, which should be a relatively low-priced option aimed at beginners (though bear in mind that it was rumored over a year ago that Nikon was canceling its Nikon D3500 lineup). Alternatively, we might get a more midrange option: a Nikon D7600, which is long overdue and should offer higher-end capabilities, such as fast autofocusing and strong low-light performance.

In fact, these models would correspond pretty closely to two of Canon’s few DSLR releases in the past year or so: the entry-level Canon EOS 850D (also known as the Rebel T8i) and the mid-level Canon 90D.

The second new DSLR is likely a Nikon D850 replacement; this would be a high-resolution professional model, designed for landscape and commercial shooters in particular (but with the potential to work as a wildlife or event camera, as well!).

As for the new lenses, it’s anybody’s guess, but I suspect they’ll cater more toward beginners (assuming the new cameras are entry-level models) and professional sports photography, which is one area where DSLRs are still the overwhelming choice.

Ultimately, I’m not sure Nikon’s DSLR lineup can withstand the next five or so years; it’s very possible these 2021 cameras will be some of the last DSLRs that Nikon releases. Regardless, for DSLR shooters, it’ll be nice to look forward to a couple more cameras and lenses over the coming year!

Now over to you:

What do you think these DSLRs and lenses will be? And do you think they’ll be some of Nikon’s last DSLR products? Share your thoughts in the comments!

The post Two Nikon DSLRs Will Ship Next Year (Plus New F-Mount Lenses) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


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What Is Abstract Photography? (Plus Three Ideas for Getting Started)

19 Nov

The post What Is Abstract Photography? (Plus Three Ideas for Getting Started) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Charlie Moss.

What is abstract photography?

The exact definition can be tricky to pin down. It seems that everyone has an opinion, but those opinions can differ wildly depending on who you talk to. Of course, there will always be regional and cultural variants, but let me try and tell you where abstract photography came from.

That way, you can decide what abstract photography means to you.

What is abstract photography?

Abstract photography is no one particular style or technique. It has varied in style and approach for the last century or so.

However, all abstract photographers do have one thing in common: They are always looking to avoid symbolic representation.

What does that mean?

Well, it means that abstract photographers reject the idea that a photograph must always be of something recognizable. Instead, abstract photographers focus on color, shape, and texture.

what is abstract photography
Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM | 100mm | 1/320 sec | f/2.8 | ISO 100

It was in the 1930s that abstract photography really became recognized internationally. Early pioneers include Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Weston, and Dora Maar. For some photographers, the process of making images was just as important as the result, which meant that new techniques and new ways of taking photographs were discovered during this period.

Much abstract photography today involves unusual framing and viewpoints in order to try and disassociate the object being photographed from the resultant images. Abstract photographers almost try and trick our eyes and minds into not being able to easily understand what they’re looking at. Such abstract images often use high contrast, sharp focus, and an emphasis on geometric structure.

Now that we’ve answered the question of what is abstract photography, it’s time to try and put the theory into practice.

Here are three techniques you can use to try and shoot your own abstract photos:

Make it out of focus

One of the first things we all learn in photography is how to get things in focus. In fact, our cameras will do this automatically for us if we want them to!

Accurate focus and good sharpness are two of the most desirable traits that most photographers look for in a photograph. So what happens when you subvert that traditional approach?

This bright red photograph (below) was created by using extension tubes to get right up close to a flower. I then ensured that the entire image was out of focus. The colors and patterns become the focus of the image instead of the flower itself:

flower abstract photography
Canon EOS 350D | Canon 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 | Extension tubes | 1/1000 sec | ISO 200

You can take this one step further by turning your image black and white to remove all of the color information. This abstracts the subject even more, moving the photograph further away from the original object and reality:

black and white abstract flower
Canon EOS 350D | Canon 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 | Extension tubes | 1/1000 sec | ISO 200

For a photographer who is trying to explore what is abstract photography, this approach of creating out of focus photos can be a great way to start. It forces you to think hard about the composition of your images as you play only with light, color, and shape.

Make it move

There are several ways to “make it move” when you’re doing abstract photography. You can move your subject, or you can move your camera.

Moving the camera can be as simple as panning the camera left to right during long exposures to capture the beautiful tones of a golden beach under blue skies. This will create smooth strips of horizontal color across the photograph.

An exciting way to shoot motion-based abstract photography is to attend sports events. The photograph below was shot at a classic car racing meet, the block colors of the barriers and curb creating stripes of colorful interest in the picture:

what is abstract photography? car in motion
Fujifilm X-T20 | Fuji 50-140mm f/2.8 | 140mm | 1/15 sec | f/22 | ISO 100

For creating abstract images with panning, first set a long exposure. You might need a very low ISO and a narrow aperture in order to get a shutter speed that’s long enough if it’s a sunny day.

Then move your whole body to follow the subject with your camera. It will take lots of practice!

what is abstract photography jar
Fujifilm X-T20 | Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4 R | 35mm | 1/170 sec | f/5.6 | ISO 200| Layered images in Adobe Photoshop

Instead of moving your camera, you can also try moving your subject. The deceptively simple image of a glass bottle (above) is not quite as it seems. It was created from a dozen different shots, layered on top of each other using a Pep Ventosa technique. For each shot, the bottle was rotated slightly to catch the imperfections in the glass and the slight movement.

Make it repetitive

Repetition is a technique that can be used to great effect in abstract photography. It makes the viewer focus on the patterns and shapes rather than the subject.

abstract photography building repetition
Fujifilm X-T20 | Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4 R | 35mm | 1/340 sec | f/8.0 | ISO 200

Try finding patterns in architecture and then isolating them, rather than photographing the whole building. This kind of approach of looking for details in larger scenes can help you really understand what abstract photography is all about.

If you want to shoot some architectural abstracts, modernist buildings are some of the best subjects. Their clean, smooth lines really lend themselves to abstract photography.

To remove your picture further from reality, you can experiment with color toning the image in Lightroom, or even turn it black and white.

Conclusion: What is abstract photography?

There are many different answers to the question, “What is abstract photography?” And there are many different ways to create abstract images.

What’s important is to try to move away from straight reproductions of scenes and objects that look just like reality.

Try introducing movement, repetition, or even making your images out of focus. Creating abstract photos is a great way to try breaking the rules and pushing the boundaries of what is usually seen as the correct way to do photography!

The post What Is Abstract Photography? (Plus Three Ideas for Getting Started) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Charlie Moss.


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Camera Bits releases Photo Mechanic Plus, a new DAM with an emphasis on speed, efficiency

08 Oct

Camera Bits, the company behind the popular photo ingestion program Photo Mechanic, has released its newest product, Photo Mechanic Plus. This new program features all of the ingestion, code replacement and other features within the standard Photo Mechanic program, but takes it a step further by adding a full-fledged digital asset manager (DAM) for organizing and sorting through your photographs with ease, not unlike Adobe Photoshop Bridge or the ‘Catalog’ module in Lightroom.

The new program includes all of the features of Photo Mechanic 6, but also adds a powerful database option for managing all of your photos on macOS and Windows computers. This includes the ability to create individual catalogs that can be accessed independently or together based on the filters and parameters you’ve applied.

Camera Bits claims you can scroll through a million photos ‘without a pause’ in its new DAM. While this might seem implausible, anyone who’s used Photo Mechanic knows how quickly the program is capable of displaying and sorting through thousands of images without bringing your computer to a halt.

Other features include a powerful search box for finding exactly the images you need as well as saved searches for keywords and parameters you frequently need to access. Filters and Collections can further be used to sub-categorize your images. Below is a fantastic video rundown from Camera Bits showing off the new features inside Photo Mechanic Plus:

Photo Mechanic Plus includes all functionality of Photo Mechanic 6, but is a separate purchase. A perpetual single-user license will set you back $ 229 (as an introductory price, with $ 399 being the eventual retail price), while an upgrade from Photo Mechanic 5 and Photo Mechanic 6 will set you back $ 179 and $ 90, respectively. A 30-day free trial is available as well if you want to take Photo Mechanic Plus for a spin before purchasing a license.

You can find out more information on Camera Bits’ website and view the pricing details on the Photo Mechanic product page.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Canon May Release an R APS-C Mirrorless Camera (Plus APS-C RF Lenses)

03 Mar

The post Canon May Release an R APS-C Mirrorless Camera (Plus APS-C RF Lenses) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

canon-release-rumors

According to Canon Watch, a new rumor suggests that Canon may be developing a new R-series camera:

A body with an APS-C sensor.

As Canon fans will know, Canon currently offers two mirrorless camera lines:

  1. The EOS M series, with options such as the Canon EOS M50, the Canon EOS M6 Mark II, and the Canon EOS M5, uses only APS-C sensors;
  2. and the EOS R series, which currently only features the Canon EOS R, the Canon EOS RP, and the Canon EOS Ra, has thus far been composed of full-frame bodies.

Note that a fourth Canon EOS R body, the R5, is also on the way, and will continue the full-frame tradition.

But it seems that Canon’s lineups may be changing.

According to Canon Watch, the rumor indicates that the new APS-C camera (dubbed the EOS R7) will debut in 2021, along with three APS-C RF lenses.

And Canon Watch goes on to discuss the possibility that the EOS R7 will be a successor to the much-loved Canon 7D Mark II, which dropped way back in 2014. Interestingly, the Canon 7D Mark II is only slightly overdue for an upgrade, given that it was announced five years after its predecessor, the Canon 7D.

If the Canon EOS R7 were a spiritual successor to the 7D Mark II, then we could expect a camera designed for sports and wildlife shooters, packing a fast continuous shooting rate and a top-of-the-line AF system.

But the question remains:

Is Canon even interested in creating an APS-C R camera?

There are reasons to think that Canon might be considering this possibility. For one, the success of Fujifilm’s X-series, as well as Sony’s higher-end a6000 offerings, suggests that there’s a real market for higher-level mirrorless APS-C cameras.

That said, you do have to wonder whether a 7D Mark III would make sense as Canon’s first EOS R APS-C camera, especially when plenty of action shooters are going for a Canon 1D X Mark III over alternatives such as the Sony a9 Mark II due to the perceived inadequacy of mirrorless cameras. Sure, the 7D Mark II is due an update, but I’m not sure that mirrorless technology (and viewfinders in particular) have matured enough to fully convert the 7D Mark III’s intended audience.

Regardless, Canon has been focusing heavily on its RF lenses and R-series lineup, and this is a trend that should continue over 2020. It’s plausible that Canon will decide to consolidate its mirrorless systems for the sake of efficient development, especially as Canon also continues to produce DSLR cameras.

So keep an eye out for more news regarding this APS-C camera; if there is any truth to this rumor, there will undoubtedly be more talk down the line.

The post Canon May Release an R APS-C Mirrorless Camera (Plus APS-C RF Lenses) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


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Profoto adds Android support to its B10, B10 Plus strobes via Profoto Connect app

31 Jan

Profoto has announced it’s added Android compatibility for its B10 and B10 Plus strobes via its Profoto Control Android app.

Until now, only iOS users were able to control their B10 and B10 Plus strobes on their mobile devices. Now, Android users can control nearly every setting available on the strobes and even perform wireless firmware updates.

The Profoto Control Android app is free to download in the Google Play Store and works with smartphones running Android 7 or later.

Now for Android – Profoto B10 & B10 Plus

Profoto announces Android compatibility for B10 & B10 Plus’s control, offering seamless smartphone connectivity to more photographers.

In September 2018, Profoto launched the B10, a powerful battery-powered flash in a compact size. Shortly afterward in 2019, Profoto released the ever so slightly bigger brother the B10 Plus. Since then, the B10 series has been the preferred light for on-location photographers globally.

At the time, iPhone users could enjoy the freedom to control light by a simple swipe on their smartphone screen. Today, Profoto also offers that freedom to Android users through the Profoto Control Android app available on Google Play Store.

The Profoto B10 series are seriously small with the Profoto B10 similar in size to a medium camera lens and the B10 Plus around the size of a large camera lens. That said, both lights punch significantly above their weight with the Profoto B10 delivering five times the power of a speedlight and the B10 Plus providing twice that amount; light that’s natural and beautiful with a soft, gentle fall-off.

Trigger and control them wirelessly with ease from any Profoto Air remote, from Profoto Connect, or the Profoto A1 or A1X. You can point and shoot with TTL or switch to manual control at any time.

With the B10 & B10 Plus connected to the Profoto Control Android app, you can easily view and control all B10 and B10 Plus settings from the palm of your hand and install new updates in seconds.

Wherever your shoot takes you, Profoto B10 series provides you the power to create with seamless smartphone connectivity – now available for all Android and iPhone users.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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2020! Happy New Year from the DPS Team, plus Ultimate Guides

01 Jan

The post 2020! Happy New Year from the DPS Team, plus Ultimate Guides appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

happy-new-year-2020-dps

Wow, 2019 is over already!

From the entire dPS family, we wish you a wonderful new year ahead! We are also very excited to continue to bring you some fabulous tutorials to help you on your photographic journey in 2020!

As a bonus, here is a summary of some amazing dPS Ultimate Guides we published in 2018 that may be helpful for you.

Happy New Year 2019 and the Ultimate Guides of 2018!

Each is available as a free PDF – just click on the ones you want to download below.

  • The Ultimate Guide to Food Photography
  • The Ultimate Guide to Photographing People for the Shy Photographer
  • The Ultimate Guide to Night Photography
  • The Ultimate Guide to Taking Portraits and Photographing People
  • The Ultimate Guide to Street Photography
  • The dPS Ultimate Guide to Landscape Photography
  • The dPS Ultimate Guide to Getting Started in Lightroom for Beginners
  • The dPS Ultimate Guide to Photography for Beginners
  • The dPS Ultimate Guide to Photography Terms – a Glossary of Common Words and Phrases
  • The Ultimate Guide to Nature and Outdoor Photography
  • The dPS Ultimate Guide to Fine Art Photography

Enjoy, and if you feel these guides are valuable, please share this page with your friends!

The post 2020! Happy New Year from the DPS Team, plus Ultimate Guides appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.


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Ilford Photo updates its Multigrade darkroom paper, introduces Ortho Plus film in smaller formats

26 Oct

Black and white film specialist Ilford Photo has announced the development of a new version of its resin-coated Multigrade black and white darkroom printing paper, and said that its existing orthochromatic emulsion will be available in 135 and 120 formats. The company plans to introduce Ilford Multigrade V RC Deluxe as stocks of the current version sell out, and Ilford Ortho Plus should go on sale at the end of November.

The new paper is said to offer deeper blacks and ‘improved’ spacing between the mid-tones, along with a slightly warmer base tint in the paper. Ilford says too that contrast is more consistent across the tonal range which will make printing more predictable.

A sample photo on Ilford Ortho Plus

Ilford has made an orthochromatic emulsion for some time, but it has only been available on sheet formats in the recent past. Cut sheets of 5x4in have been the smallest widely available size, so introducing it for 35mm and 120 medium format cameras will make the film accessible to a much wider audience. Ilford Ortho Plus is designed for copy work, but its color sensitivity also makes it suited to creative uses. Rated at ISO 80 in natural light and ISO 40 in tungsten conditions, the film is only sensitive to green and blue light, and thus darkens anything red in the scene.

It emphases blood stains in forensic work, but can also create interesting effects in portraiture as it darkens freckles and brings out skin texture. The film is very fine-grained and can produce punchy contrast and high resolution in flat copy work. Sensitivity drops off at around 570nm, so it can be processed ‘by eye’ under red safe-light conditions without the risk of fogging. It is suitable for processing with all of Ilford’s main-stream chemicals.

The company has also created a new film processor’s starter kit that includes a Paterson dev tank, two spirals, film clips, measuring cylinders, thermometer and pre-measured chemicals to fit the tank.

For more information see the Ilford Photo website.

Press release

NEW PRODUCTS ANNOUNCED PRODUCTS INCLUDING 5TH GENERATION ILFORD MULTIGRADE RC PAPER & ILFORD ORTHO FILM IN 135 AND 120 FORMATS

We are delighted to announce a number of exciting new products added to our range.

ILFORD MULTIGRADE RC DELUXE

ILFORD announced the world’s first variable contrast MULTIGRADE paper in 1940 and in 2019, as we celebrate our 140th anniversary, we are pleased to announce the 5th generation of our best-selling MULTIGRADE RC Papers.

MULTIGRADE IV RC papers (4th generation) were launched 25 years ago and have been hugely successful becoming the ‘go to’ black & white RC papers for discerning students, amateurs and professional darkroom users all over the world.

“Improving them was not going to be easy but we wanted to bring the manufacturing in line with the latest emulsion making technology used in our other RC and fibre papers and so we have redesigned the emulsion from the ground up. This project has been in development for 8 years and we are extremely pleased and excited with the final product.” Giles Branthwaite, Sales & Marketing Director.

These new papers have a slightly warmer base tint than their predecessor as well as better, deeper blacks, improved mid-grade spacing for easier printing and more consistent contrast throughout the tonal range.

Check your preferred stockist for availability and pricing of the new papers. MULTIGRADE IV RC papers will continue to be available while stocks last.

ILFORD ORTHO PLUS

We are expanding the world’s biggest selection of black & white films with the addition of ILFORD ORTHO PLUS in 135 and 120 formats. As the name suggests this is an orthochromatic black and white film (all other ILFORD and Kentmere films are panchromatic) rated at ISO 80 in natural light and ISO 40 in Tungsten.

“Our Ortho film was designed as a technical, high-resolution copy film for negatives and has been available in sheet format for some time. We know photographers want choice and love to try new films and so we have now coated our Ortho emulsion onto an acetate base for 35mm cassettes and 120 rolls. We believe ORTHO PLUS offers superb photographic potential thanks to its fine grain and sharpness and some of the results we have seen are stunning.” Giles Branthwaite, Sales & Marketing Director.

The blue and green sensitivity of this emulsion enables the film to be handled in deep red safelight conditions making processing and inspection easier. Its lack of red sensitivity also means that reds and oranges are rendered darker than panchromatic films.

ILFORD ORTHO PLUS will be available from early November. Check your preferred stockist for pricing.

ILFORD & Paterson FILM PROCESSING STARTER KIT

Building on the launch of the ILFORD Simplicity range of film processing chemicals in 2018, we have worked in collaboration with Paterson, a specialist manufacturer of some of the world’s most popular darkroom products, to create a starter kit containing all you need to process your first two rolls of film. You just need a light tight space and some film!

“ILFORD Simplicity chemicals are pre-measured for simple, convenient use and while they can easily be used in most tanks their volumes work perfectly with the Paterson 2-reel Universal Film Development Tank as they hold 600ml of diluted chemicals. Working closely with Paterson we have now created a kit that offers film photographers a convenient and affordable way to start processing their own films.” Giles Branthwaite, Sales & Marketing Director.

The kit contains: 1 x ILFORD 35mm Film Cassette Opener, 1 x ILFORD Simplicity Film Starter Pack (containing developer, stop bath, fixer and wetting agent), 1 x Paterson Universal Film Tank, 2 x Paterson Super System 4 Reels, 3 x Paterson 600ml Graduates, 1 x Paterson Thermometer, 1 x Paterson Stirrer, 2 x Paterson set of 2 film clips.

ILFORD & Paterson FILM PROCESSING STARTER KIT will be available from early November. Check your preferred stockist for pricing.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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The Google Pixel 4 Will Feature Two Cameras Plus Enhanced Night Sight

19 Oct

The post The Google Pixel 4 Will Feature Two Cameras Plus Enhanced Night Sight appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

 

The Google Pixel 4 Will Feature Two Cameras Plus Enhanced Night Sight

Earlier this week Google announced the long-awaited Pixel 4, which promises to take smartphone photography to a whole new level.

This comes in the wake of Apple’s iPhone 11 Pro announcement last month, which saw the debut of a triple-camera setup and features such as Night Mode.

In other words, the Pixel 4 is a competitor in an intense fight to create the best cameras, the best lenses, and the best camera software.

So what does the Google Pixel 4 offer?

Let’s take a closer look:

First, the Google Pixel 4 features a dual-camera setup, offering the usual wide-angle lens alongside a new 2X telephoto option. This isn’t unique (Apple has regularly included “telephoto” lenses going all the way back to the iPhone 7 Plus), but it is a nice addition for those who need a bit more reach. You can use the 2X lens for tighter portraits, and it’s also useful for street photography, where you often need to photograph subjects from a distance.

Interestingly, Google has decided to keep the wide-angle camera at 12 megapixels, but has packed in a 16-megapixel sensor for the telephoto camera. While plenty of photographers will be excited by this jump in resolution, it remains to be seen whether such tiny pixels will result in significant noise.

The dual-camera setup should also improve Google’s Portrait Mode, and Google has promised more natural background blur and very precise edges (e.g., when dealing with hair). Truthfully, I’m skeptical. I’ve yet to see a Portrait mode photo that looks perfect on any smartphone camera. But I’ll wait until I see the results from the Pixel 4 before judging.

One cool new feature that will debut in the Pixel 4 is Live HDR. When you go to capture an HDR photo, you’ll be able to see a live HDR preview on your smartphone screen; this should give you a sense of what you can expect from the HDR+ effect.

Finally, if you enjoy doing astrophotography, you’re in luck: The Pixel 4 offers an improved Night Sight mode, in which you can take stunning photos of the night sky. It works by taking a series of long exposures, before blending them together to create a beautiful final photo. Note that you’ll need a tripod or other method of stabilization to get sharp astrophotography shots.

Overall, the Google Pixel 4 offers some impressive new features, even if none of them feel totally groundbreaking. Up until now, the Pixel lineup has dominated regarding low-light shooting, and the enhanced Night Sight suggests that Google plans to keep running with this success.

The Google Pixel 4 is currently available for preorder starting at $ 799 USD and will hit the shelves on October 24.

You can check out this first look video from cnet to get more of an idea of the Google Pixel 4.

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Are you interested in the Google Pixel 4? Let us know in the comments!

The post The Google Pixel 4 Will Feature Two Cameras Plus Enhanced Night Sight appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


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