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Archive for the ‘News’ Category

23 September, 2012 – Final Photokina Report

16 Oct

Photokina closed Saturday and our intrepid reporter, Nick Devlin has filed his final report, looking at offerings from Sony, Pentax and Panasonic among others.

Final Photokina Show Coverage 

 "Every time I go back to a module I had already seen, I learn additional things.  I have never seen tutorials that have the excellent mix of what the features are, 
how to use them, enough of the under-the-hood information 
and concepts so that I can utilize the features creatively and efficiently, 
and just enough humor to keep the motivation
 level high.  Wow!"

 


The Luminous Landscape – What’s New

 
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25 September, 2012 – Sigma DP1 Merrill Review & Open Letter to Sigma’s CEO

16 Oct

When I started working with the Sigma DP2 Merrill I was floored by the image quality. It’s a quirky camera that needs patience to use, but rewards with sensor and lens quality unmatched in the industry for its price and size.

It’s sister camera, the DP1 Merrill, with an effective 28mm focal length lens, started to ship recently and I was very curious to learn if it could match the optical quality of its older sibling. My review is now online.

As remarkable as these cameras are when it comes to image quality, sadly Sigma’s raw software is truely horrid. But, it’s the only game in town unless and until Sigma starts working with the major software companies or adopts DNG export.

I have therefore written an open letter of concern to Sigma’s CEO which is also part of my SD1M review.

        

"You and Jeff did it again!  A great series of videos.

I’ve watched the earlier Camera to Print series as well as the LR 2 & 3 videos and as usual, I learned 
new technique and ideas even though I’ve been behind a camera for 45 years.

Additionally, the rapport you two have is most engaging, enjoyable, and totally different than the sterile video tutorials from others (I’m afflicted with being a visual learner). 

Again, a great series of videos that have helped me grow once again." 

 

 


The Luminous Landscape – What’s New

 
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28 September, 2012 – I Said I Wouldn’t Do It Again – But I Am!

16 Oct

Sorry – After just 24 hours the waitlist is now 4X over-subscribed,
and so we’re not adding new names at the moment.

After leading my third photographic expedition to Antarctica I said publicly that I was done.  But what I didn’t say was the reason why.

I love Antarctica. It’s as close to visiting another planet as is possible. It’s a life changing experience that only a very small number of people get to do, and a photographic challenge unlike any other.

But after six rough crossings sailing across the Drake Passage, the roughest ocean in the world, is not something I care to do again. Two and a half days of lying in my bunk drugged with anti-nausea pills is not only a rite of passage, but also just not worth it. For me anyhow.

But now there’a an alternative. There is a company that flys us from Chile directly to an Antarctic base, and to our ship. The flight takes 2 hours in a modern 4 engine commercial jet, instead of two and half stomach churning days at sea. 

So – In late January 2014, just 14 months from now I will be leading my fourth photographic expedition to Antarctica. I’m not ready to annnounce details yet, or take reservations. That’ll come a couple of weeks from now. But since my last three expeditions sold out in a matter of days, I want to allow people a chance to get in place before the official announcement.

If you think you want to join this one week expedition to Antarctica (aboard a fantastic ship, one which I chartered for my last trip), with eveything included and some of the world’s best photographic instructors, all you have to do is send me an email. I’ll put your name on a waitlist and you will be given priority notification of the opening of booking. No obligation at this point.

Sorry – After just 24 hours the waitlist is now 4X over-subscribed,
and so we’re not adding new names at the moment.

  

 "Every time I go back to a module I had already seen, I learn additional things.  I have never seen tutorials that have the excellent mix of what the features are, 
how to use them, enough of the under-the-hood information 
and concepts so that I can utilize the features creatively and efficiently, 
and just enough humor to keep the motivation
 level high.  Wow!"


The Luminous Landscape – What’s New

 
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30 September, 2012 – The Digital Negative Book

16 Oct

Jeff Schewe has just published an important new book titled The Digital Negative. I have created a brief review (more like a plug) for my friend’s book. But, my bias aside, it really is that good, and it should find its way to your bookshelf tout suite.


Sony A99

I have started field testing the brand new Sony A99 full-frame 24MP camera. I will be shooting with it in Algonquin Park next week, and expect to have my review available some time the week after.

 

 "Every time I go back to a module I had already seen, I learn additional things.  I have never seen tutorials that have the excellent mix of what the features are, 
how to use them, enough of the under-the-hood information 
and concepts so that I can utilize the features creatively and efficiently, 
and just enough humor to keep the motivation
 level high.  Wow!"

 


The Luminous Landscape – What’s New

 
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4 October, 2012 – Using Color Harmonies in Photography

16 Oct

Our regular columnist Alain Briot continues with his tutorial series on Using Color Harmonies in Photography with an essay on Complimentary Color Harmony.

  

 "Every time I go back to a module I had already seen, I learn additional things.  I have never seen tutorials that have the excellent mix of what the features are, 
how to use them, enough of the under-the-hood information 
and concepts so that I can utilize the features creatively and efficiently, 
and just enough humor to keep the motivation
 level high.  Wow!"


The Luminous Landscape – What’s New

 
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8 October, 2012 – Sony Alpha A99 Field Test Report

16 Oct

This year the peak of Fall colour in Algonquin Park coincided with the arrival of a production Sony Alpha A99 camera for testing. I was able to spend several days working with the A99 in a range of weather and light conditions, along with a wide selection of Zeiss and G series lenses.

My field test report is now online.

         

"You and Jeff did it again!  A great series of videos.

I’ve watched the earlier Camera to Print series as well as the LR 2 & 3 videos and as usual, I learned 
new technique and ideas even though I’ve been behind a camera for 45 years.

Additionally, the rapport you two have is most engaging, enjoyable, and totally different than the sterile video tutorials from others (I’m afflicted with being a visual learner). 

Again, a great series of videos that have helped me grow once again." 


The Luminous Landscape – What’s New

 
Comments Off on 8 October, 2012 – Sony Alpha A99 Field Test Report

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12 October, 2012 – The Needles District – The Road Less Travelled

16 Oct

Miles Hecker’s Geotagged travel article for this month is titled The Road Less Traveled – The Needles Distrct. Been there, hope to go back.

Observant Home Page viewers will note that the new front page image was taken with the as-yet unreleased Panasonic Lumix GH3. I have been shooting with a press review sample and will continue for the next ten days or so. This is a pre-production camera, so it has it foibles. But so far I am extreemly impressed with the build, handling, and especially image quality, both stills and video. This may be the best hybrid camera yet.

 

  

 "Every time I go back to a module I had already seen, I learn additional things.  I have never seen tutorials that have the excellent mix of what the features are, 
how to use them, enough of the under-the-hood information 
and concepts so that I can utilize the features creatively and efficiently, 
and just enough humor to keep the motivation
 level high.  Wow!"

 


The Luminous Landscape – What’s New

 
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15 October, 2012 – Multistitch Review

15 Oct

Richard Sexton reviews Multistitch, a new product designed to allow medium format back users to create stitched images with 4X5 cameras.

 

  

 "Every time I go back to a module I had already seen, I learn additional things.  I have never seen tutorials that have the excellent mix of what the features are, 
how to use them, enough of the under-the-hood information 
and concepts so that I can utilize the features creatively and efficiently, 
and just enough humor to keep the motivation
 level high.  Wow!"

 


The Luminous Landscape – What’s New

 
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4 September, 2012 – Medium Format Image Quality from a sub-$1k Compact?

06 Sep

Is the headline above hyperbole, or am I just laying out some troll bait? Neither actually. That’s why I put a question mark after it.

The new Sigma DP2 Merrill is destined to be one of the most polarizing cameras in a while. It is not without its flaws (none terribly serious if IQ is your primary need), but it also produces some of the highest resolution images that I’ve seen short of a top-of-the-line DSLR with a 1st rate prime lens attached, or from a medium format back.

What have I been smoking? Read my Sigma DP2 Merrill review and find out.

     

 "Every time I go back to a module I had already seen, I learn additional things.  I have never seen tutorials that have the excellent mix of what the features are, 
how to use them, enough of the under-the-hood information 
and concepts so that I can utilize the features creatively and efficiently, 
and just enough humor to keep the motivation
 level high.  Wow!"


The Luminous Landscape – What’s New

 
Comments Off on 4 September, 2012 – Medium Format Image Quality from a sub-$1k Compact?

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8 August, 2012 – Dynamic Patience

25 Aug

What role does patience play in your photography? Do you rush from one location to another? Do you contemplate and prepare, or do you count on chance?

In his new essay, Dynamic Patience – The Essential Photographic Skill, photographer Bors Vesterby shares with us some insights on these questions.


This Contest Ends in Just One Week!

   

Sales always slow down in the summer. We wanted to do something to motivate you to spend a bit, here on your favourite web site.

So, we’re doing a give-away. Every order for one of our download videos – tutorials as well as Video Journals, entitles you to a chance to win a new Olympus O-MD E-M5 camera, one of the hottest cameras of the year.

This contest is open to anyone, anywhere in the world. All you need to do is purchase something. Come on. Don’t just sit there – make a purchase and become eligible to win!

 


The Luminous Landscape – What’s New

 
Comments Off on 8 August, 2012 – Dynamic Patience

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