Is It Worth Sticking With Flickr?

Flickr is fast approaching it’s ten year birthday and has had over 8 billion photographs uploaded to it but in recent years it has been overtaken by services like 500px, Instagram and even Facebook when it comes to deciding where to share your photos on the web. It’s not so much that Flickr was offering a bad service, it was just offering almost the same service as when it started up.

After rumours that Yahoo! may be looking to let Flickr go or even close it down a new CEO, Marissa Mayer, was appointed mid-way through last year and things have started to change. So is it worth sticking with Flickr? Let’s look at the pros and cons…read more here

On Lightstalking  Mark McGowan writes. Mark is a UK based urban landscape and architectural photographer, looking for the hidden details of city life, trying to show the city from a different point of view. You can visit his website here.

Alison Ryde

The Oxford School of Photography Flickr group can be found here

Click Here: Is It Worth Sticking With Flickr?

Study exposes social media sites that delete photographs’ metadata – British Journal of Photography

Facebook and Twitter consistently remove the metadata from images, a new study by the International Press Telecommunications Council has revealed.

Study exposes social media sites that delete photographs' metadata – British Journal of Photography.

The interesting part about this article is the comment posted by James Dodd, here is a bit of that “The number of these thieves who actually had a budget to purchase images in the first place is next to none, so we can’t moan as if we’re losing money because this money didn’t exist. Heck, people are now googling more for free photographs than they are for photographers, this is just the nature of our industry……”

Photojournalist launches watermark app for iPhone photos

As told to Olivier Laurent at the BJP. Photojournalist John D McHugh has released a watermarking app on the iPhone in a bid to root out copyright theft on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram……..

“I developed the Marksta app because I was tired of people stealing my work on the web,” says Marksta’s founder, John D McHugh, a photojournalist best known for his work in Afghanistan. “I often work in incredibly dangerous situations to show the world the stark realities of war and revolution. I can’t describe how frustrating it is to find my images online without any credit or byline.”

 Rather than fight what can’t be fought, he says, “I’ve tried to adapt my thinking to the cold hard reality that as soon as I post a photograph online it will be copied, shared and posted around the world. If I want people to know it’s mine, whether for payment or just kudos, I see no way other than to write my name on it.”

To do so, McHugh enlisted the help of a developer to create an iPhone app that would streamline the process of adding a watermark to images.….MORE

Read more: http://www.bjp-online.com/british-journal-of-photography/news/2233605/photojournalist-launches-watermarking-app-on-the-iphone#ixzz2IiVZnSBp
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The Smart Threat: How mobile phones are forcing camera manufacturers to evolve

From Olivier Laurent at the BJP a very interesting article plotting the advances in smartphone camera technology and the response by camera manufacturers.

The rising popularity of smartphones is now forcing traditional camera manufacturers to reassess their strategies by offering devices that can, for example, connect to the internet easily. Nikon, for example, released the S800c, a compact camera powered by Google’s Android system, which allows users to download applications that can help email and share images on social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Flickr….A few years ago, the Nikon and Canon brands used to dominate the charts on Flickr’s Camera Finder, which tracks the most-used cameras on the image-sharing website. But since the release of Apple’s iPhone, as well as many other smartphones by the likes of HTC and Samsung, camera phones have taken over. Last month, the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 were ahead of Canon’s EOS 5D Mark II and 550D, with compact cameras failing to appear in the top 10 of the most-used cameras on Flickr..…MORE

Samsung’s Galaxy Camera offers 3G, 4G and Wifi connectivity and is powered by the latest version of Android, making it a truly connected camera.

Read more: http://www.bjp-online.com/british-journal-of-photography/report/2228796/the-smart-threat-how-mobile-phones-are-forcing-camera-manufacturers-to-evolve#ixzz2IiTk1Roy
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Nikon D3200 – new dslr camera

Nikon have announced their new entry level camera the D3200. The strapline for advertising this new camera is “I am easy for everyone” when did anything good come out of it being easy. Anything that has value and worth and is satisfying requires skill and attention to the process, a camera that is easy for everyone sounds like a camera I would not want to be associated with. Why not just sell them a basic compact camera? Surely anyone with the mindset of buying a camera because it is easy would prefer something light, portable, technically and intellectually undemanding and pocketable, we have those they are called compact cameras.

“A party. A smile. A memory you don’t want to forget. Capture those not‑to‑be‑missed moments with the new Nikon D3200. The D3200 is packed full of features to give you professional‑looking photos, without any of the complications. Its Guide Mode acts as your in‑built expert, giving you brilliant results step by step. While its 24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor helps you create images with incredible depth of detail ‑ you’ll soon have the photos and videos you always wanted. ” Nikon advertising

Can I ask when did having more pixels to play with generate ….”you’ll soon have the photos and videos you always wanted. “ I thought pixels were just part of the deal and the most important component of any decent image was what was behind the camera.

Nikon seem to have lost the faith; that professional looking photos come from professional photographers with professional equipment. If this camera were able to turn the unknowing into professional photographers what is the point of the super professional D3X Nikon camera at nearly £5,300 without a lens (add another £1,000)

The simplification of the use of cameras does not make for professional photography, cameras are/were simple enough in the first place. Understand aperture, shutter and ISO and you are pretty much there, how hard can it be?

If you don’t understand these basics take one of our DSLR courses

So the new D3200, what does it offer?…. this is what Nikon chose to highlight in the email they sent out

24.2 mpx

Guide Mode to ensure brilliant results every time

Full HD (1080p) Movie to always capture those special moments

Turn your images into something really special with a selection of special effects

This link takes you to the Nikon website with the details

Sorry to sound so sour but this new DSLR sounds like an over large compact camera, I am surprised it doesn’t have a button to allow for uploading directly to a plethora of social networking sites……. Too soon, I spoke too soon, while researching more about this “I am easy” camera I found details in the BJP of an accessory that “Nikon has unveiled a new accessory, which combined with the new D3200 announced today, will allow users to share their images on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter via their smartphones” I might puke. Why would you want 24 megapixels if you aim is to upload to Facebook? Further information from the BJP here

The excellent DP review has already details with the full specification here

Has Instagram made everyone’s photos look the same?

From the BBC

“Instagram, the photo app, has been sold to Facebook for $1bn. But has it sparked a wave of generic retro-looking snaps, asks photographer Stephen Dowling. Instagram – and its bedfellows such as Hipstamatic, Camerabag and Picplz – have brought to digital photography a fever for a certain style of imagery. Smartphone photos are given saturated colours and Polaroid-style borders, dark vignettes, light leaks and lens flare like those that plagued the Kodak moments of previous generations. It may be 2012, but popular photography hasn’t looked like this since the early 1970s.

The trend began a few years ago with Hipstamatic, an app which apes the look of lo-fi toy cameras. Now Instagram allows a pic to be taken on your smartphone, a digital “filter” to be applied, and the resulting pic made viewable to the site’s ever-increasing community. Chances are that that artfully retro pic of a display of cupcakes your friend showed you at the weekend was an Instagram pic.”

Continue reading the main story

Before and after…

Applying Instagram’s X-Pro II filter to the image for a more “vintage” feel

“Launched in March 2010, Instagram took until the end of that year to notch up its millionth user but from there its ascent was dizzying. Just 15 months later there are more than 30 million account holders and a billion pictures on the site’s servers. That’s a lot of cupcakes.

Instagram’s use of filters mimics some of the processes photographers used to push photographic boundaries – such as the super-saturated colours created cross-processing slides in negative chemicals, or using expired film’s palette of soft, muted colours, or playing around with camera settings or darkroom equipment to boost contrast.”.…..MORE…….

I think this conclusion is where my thoughts lie..

“The ability to turn an everyday pic into something “artistic” at the click of a button is the very embodiment of digital photography’s curse of convenience – no long learning curves, or trial and error with expensive rolls of film. But is it creative?

Writer and photographer Kate Bevan doesn’t think so.

“Do I think it’s artistically valid? No. I think it kills the creative instinct. However, I do love sharing and I understand the mindset that wants to make his or her pics stand out, even though Instagram does the opposite of that.” The first time one sees a picture with an Instagram-type filter applied, it might be impressive. But the thousandth time? “I’m all in favour of people experimenting with pictures, and I’d never be elitist about photography,” suggests Bevan. “But I don’t think it encourages experimentation – it encourages the use of lazy one-click processing.”..…..MORE

What do you think?

 

Need an Instagram Alternative? This Photo App Has Old-School Filters

So I am ambivalent about the use of camera phones for a means of making photographs. For me they are just too damn random, something which I am sure is part of the appeal to the regular user. I know people who just love Instagram, friends whose FB pages are just awash with rather boring images given a treatment to make them more interesting, my view is take better pictures. Anyway, not one to stand in the face of progress, I am no Canute or Luddite, here is a brief piece about an alternative to Instagram in case you are concerned by the world domination plans of Mark Zuckerberg.

“Many Instagram users decided to delete the app, after news broke of Facebook‘s $1 billion acquisition of the wildly popular photo app, with approximately 30 million users.

Regular smartphone photos may be too muted or rectangular for these former Instagram addicts. Enter Pinweel.

Instagram users expressed their concern with Facebook’s purchase of their favorite photo app due to privacy concerns. On the in-app camera, there is a simple on-screen flash button, one that rotates the frame and 10 beautiful filters to apply, named by years. Filter “1931″ makes square black-and-white photos, while “1987″ outlines photos like a Polaroid. Our favorite is “1999,” which washes frames over with a sunny yellow, orange tinge.

After the picture is taken, you can push it on Facebook or Twitter. You can also share photos with friends and family by creating private and public albums.”....MORE

 

Stage and gig photography a few tips

Yes it is hard to get out and photograph when it is pounding down with rain, as it is now. This time of year many people make the effort to see concerts and other stage based performances and although photographing them might not be permissable if you have the chance and want to then there are a few tips that will help you do better.

This post from Picture Correct by Scott Wrigley may help you to do better, “While stage photography may seem simple to the naked eye, the lighting and constant movements that must be continuously mapped are akin to jumping on a trampoline, while balancing on an operating jackhammer, and snapping pictures. The overall public consensus is to take every possibly photograph of the on stage idol, post them all to Facebook, and allow friends to “ooo” and “aww” over how close their friend the photographer was to their personal hero.”.…more

Here are some shots from The Great Escape Festival in Brighton this year, as a festival for emerging artists it is a great place to catch the next big thing in a small venue and pub. These shots are of EMA, she is touted as being the next great rock star by The NME magazine, personally I don’t think so.

 

Three Essential Skills for Today’s Wedding Photographer

Times….they are a changin’.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard some of the doom and gloom that’s been rumbling in our industry. And although the photo industry is different than it used to be, this isn’t necessarily bad news. The photographers who are able to successfully navigate the changing industry landscape are still running successful businesses and have adapted to ensure that their business will still be around in the years to come. Whether you’re just jumping in and are new to the industry or you’re a seasoned pro, here are three essential skills that will help you succeed.…more  Written by Katie Humphreys

How to make your photographers better, to stand out from the crowd

“Digital cameras have completely revolutionized the photography industry. With more convenient, cheaper and higher quality cameras now available on the market, it seems everyone owns a point and shoot or DSLR. More recently, social media brought this growth explosion to the next level, encouraging many people around the world to share their work online. Popular social media sites like Facebook host over 15-billion unique images and with its current rate of growth, users are expected to upload 30 billion more images this year alone. These sites, whether primarily built for photographers or not, are growing rapidly. In such a huge network how can you differentiate your visual artistry from the rest of the pack? Here are some tips to make sure your photographs don’t get lost in the crowd.” writes Chase Guttman in this interesting article found here on the Lightstalking blog

What he has to say is the basis of our teaching at The Oxford School of Photography. Our courses teach technique but more importantly, that your pictures are better because of how you see rather than the value of your equipment. Learning how to use your DSLR is vitally important because without control of  your camera you are at the mercy of it’s automatic functions, but beyond that it is about how you see and respond to the subjects before you, we address these areas in our Composition course and in the new Travel Photography course which starts on June 9th. We also explore deeper into the motivations of photographers to understand why we take take pictures and how we can infuse them with more meaning and purpose on our Intermediate Course.

Chase also has a blog site that covers similar ground to that which we aim to highlight and you might like to have a look at his Photography Tip World you cannot get too much of a good thing and we try to bring you the best. As our family motto goes, “Too much is not enough”

Josef Koudelka

Edward Weston

Robert Frank