The body art of Aida Muluneh – in pictures

Sometimes the most startling things show up and it is with thanks to the Guardian this time. Aida Muluneh is a photographer and film-maker from Ethiopia.

Born in Ethiopia in 1974, Aïda left the country at a young age and spent an itinerant childhood between Yemen and England. After several years in a boarding school in Cyprus, she finally settled in Canada in 1985. In 2000, she graduated with a degree from the Communication Department with a major in Film from Howard University in Washington, D.C.

After graduation she worked as a photojournalist at the Washington Post, however her work can be found in several publications.

Her work is beautiful and surprising in colour and presentation and also quite wonderful.

Memory of Libya

Sai Mado. The Distant Gaze

The Morning Bride Muluneh has had an uprooted existence since her birth in Ethiopia, living in Yemen, the UK, Cyprus, Canada and finally the US, where she worked as a photojournalist for the Washington Post

Age of Anxiety She has since returned to Ethiopia, a move she describes as ‘a lesson in humility, and what it means to return to a land that was foreign to me’

Denkinesh Birth on Ground These works are from her series The World Is 9, named after a saying of her grandmother: ‘The world is nine, it is never complete and it’s never perfect’

See more of these images here on the Guardian page

Visit Aida Muluneh site here

Canon EOS77D

So something that I find really confusing is the way that Canon name or more correctly number their cameras. So at the moment you have the entry level 1300D then you have the 750D then the 80D, then the 7D, 6D, 5D and 1D in ascending order or professional type cameras and of course cost. So they have just announced the 800D but this seems to be step down in the ‘professional’ category, but at the same time they also have announced the 77D which is said to occupy the space sitting below the 80D in the lineup, so logically is the replacement for the 750D. Canon need to get their numbers people together and bash their heads about a bit.

So the new 77D shares the 80D’s 24.2MP sensor with Dual Pixel autofocus and adds an updated Digic 7 processor to the mix. Users opting to focus using the optical viewfinder will be greeted with a 45-point all-cross-type AF system and 7650-pixel RGB+IR metering system, which work together for better accuracy and subject recognition.

Rounding out the package is an ISO range of 100-25600, continuous 6 fps burst shooting with autofocus (4.5 fps when using Live View), 1080/60p video capture and wireless connectivity featuring NFC and Bluetooth LE.

Canon EOS 77D smaller in the hand

 

The EOS Rebel T7i and EOS 77D (same camera different names in different parts of the world?)both feature an optical viewfinder with a 45-point All Cross-type AF system^* to help enable more precise focusing. In live view mode, both cameras utilise Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF to deliver the world’s fastest AF focusing speed of 0.03 seconds.¹ This technical achievement allows users to find their subject, focus accurately, and capture the shot more quickly than ever before. Both models also have built-in Wi-Fi®², NFC³ and Bluetooth®⁴ technology for easy transfer of images.

In addition to the focusing enhancements, common features of the EOS Rebel T7i and EOS 77D cameras include:

• Optical Viewfinder with a 45-point All Cross-type AF System*
• Fast and accurate Dual Pixel CMOS AF with Phase-detection
• 24.2 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) Sensor
• DIGIC 7 Image Processor, ISO 100–25600
• Built-in Wi-Fi®², NFC³ and Bluetooth®⁴ technology
• Vari-angle Touch Screen, 3.0-inch LCD
• Movie Electronic IS
• HDR Movie & Time-Lapse Movie
• High-speed Continuous Shooting at up to 6.0 frames per second (fps)

The EOS Rebel T7i is the first camera in the EOS Rebel series with a 45-point, all cross-type AF system* within the Optical Viewfinder. It is also the first in the series with Dual Pixel CMOS AF with Phase-detection and the first with a DIGIC 7 Image Processor. Creative filters for both still images and video will allow users to customise the look and feel of their content in new and imaginative ways.

Much of this information comes from DP Review and they have a full list of specifications here

The camera should be available in April and cost £830 for the body only

The 3″, 1.04 million-dot touch-sensitive rear LCD works in concert with a generous suite of physical control points to allow control over every aspect of the 77D’s operation. In live view and movie modes, the screen can also be used to set focus point by touch. Dual Pixel autofocus means that like the EOS 80D, servo AF can be used in these modes, too. 

By default, the 77D uses Canon’s standard UI, but it can be switched to the more beginner-friendly graphic UI also found in the new T7i (shown above) if desired. 

Canon EOS 800D

DP Review has a hands on look at this new camera from Canon.

The T7i will be sold with a new kit lens: the Canon EF-S 18-55mm F4-5.6 IS STM. This new zoom is 20% smaller than its predecessors and a little slower, but in terms of handling, it suits the equally diminutive camera quite well. According to Canon, image stabilization should produce up to four stops of shake reduction. 

Able to focus in just 0.03 seconds in Live View, the Canon EOS 800D Digital SLR Camera Body is a high-quality DSLR that boasts the world’s fastest Live View AF system. It features a 24.2-megapixel sensor and fast DIGIC 7 image processor, which together deliver ready-to-print, detailed images. Its dual pixel CMOS AF mode tracks subjects as they move, focusing smoothly for professional results

On the left of the top-plate you can see the tiny LED light which indicates when the camera’s built-in Wi-Fi is active. Speaking of Wi-Fi, the T7i has that plus NFC for easy pairing with Android devices and Bluetooth LE for instant photo transfer to a compatible smartphone. It’s also compatible with Canon’s new BR-E1 Bluetooth remote control.

A brand new user interface guides beginner photographers through the process of choosing the right exposure modes and settings to get the shots they want.

A fully-articulating 3″, 1.04 million-dot touch-sensitive LCD makes video shooting easy. In live view and video modes, focus can be set by touch. For video shooters, a 3.5mm diameter stereo mini jack is available for recording sound via an external microphone.

Key Features: Canon EOS 800D Digital SLR Camera Body

• 24.2-megapixel sensor
• DIGIC 7 image processor
• 6 frames per second continuous focusing
• Bright optical viewfinder
• 45 cross-type autofocus points
• Vari-Angle touch screen colour LCD screen
• World’s quickest Live View AF system* focuses in as little as 0.03 seconds
  _{*Among interchangeable-lens digital cameras with APS-C sized sensors with phase-difference detection AF on the image plane as of 14th February 2017, based on Canon research.}
• Built-in flash with Guide Number of 12
• Able to record 1080p Full HD video
• Dual pixel CMOS AF tracking for focusing on moving subjects
• In-body 5-axis image stabiliser
• HDR movie shooting allows users to capture detail in shadows and highlights
• WiFi, NFC, and Bluetooth connectivity
• The body only will cost about £780 and available from April

 

How to Pause and Learn to Make Fewer and Better Photos

The question I always impress on my students that they should ask themselves is Why? Why are you taking this picture, interrogate the reasons that made you stop and look and raise your camera. If you can understand why that will help you to point the camera at the right bit of your subject but also tell you how to set the camera. I ask my students to employ a simple technique which I describe as close, closer, still closer. By looking harder, pausing and thinking about why, taking a picture, then getting closer and doing the same you learn how to understand what about the subject moves you

Launceston Gorge Tas Au © Keith Barnes

This article on Digital Photo School A Post By: Kim Manley Ort explains this in a different way but I totally agree with the ideas here. If you want your pictures to improve read this and learn what it is that makes a photographer.

At the end of each year do you find yourself with thousands of photos and wonder what to do with them all? Or wondering if you should even keep them? This is a lament that I often hear in my photography workshops and have experienced the same problem myself. Sometimes, this is a result of being too quick to click. You see something that excites you photographically and proceed to snap away, hoping that you’ll cover all the bases and that at least one shot will be a keeper. Sometimes this works and you do get one that you like, but often you find yourself disappointed because there isn’t even one that truly reflects your experience.

Luna Park, Sydney,Aus ©Keith Barnes

Kim Manley Ort says But what if you could take a different approach to your photography? One where you make fewer and also perhaps better photos? I’ve found that the simple practice of pausing before clicking the shutter can make a huge difference in the quantity and quality of your photographic output and enjoyment…..read more here

Peacock tail ©Keith Barnes

Pausing is the practice of checking in with oneself. When something stops you and you want to make a photograph, take a moment to notice what’s happening and ask yourself a few questions.

• What do I see, smell, and hear?
• What stopped me?
• Was it a colour, shape, or texture?
• What am I feeling? What do I like about it and why?
• Does it mirror something going on in my life at this moment?

If this sounds like navel-gazing to you, believe me, it’s not. Many photographers over the years have said that a photograph says something about the creator. Your choice of subject matter reveals a lot about you. By becoming more aware of why you photograph what you do, you will gradually uncover your photographic vision…..read on

 

Better Black and White Photography

from those nice people at Lightstalking

Black and White photography can provide some stunningly beautiful images that have a classic feel if done really well.

Standing stones at Avebury, Wiltshire UK by Keith Barnes

There was a time when all photographs were done only in black and white, and people were still able to see the different tones (i.e. the tonal range) in black and white. That is immense beauty in black and white photography and it’s important to show tonal variations in black and white too.

This week we’ve got some quick tips for you on how to create beautiful black and white photographs. This applies to both photography and the conversion process.

Quick tip:

Remember an important fact to be kept in mind while using the term monochrome (varying tones of one color); all black and white photographs are monochrome, but not all monochrome images are black and white!

Did you know about the Zone system of exposure that was developed by Ansel Adams and his friend Fred Archer?

Ansel Adams known for his famous black and white landscape photographs, was very particular about capturing as much dynamic range in his images (from the deepest black (shadows) to the brightest whites (highlights)).

So he developed this system for metering and exposure that made him stand out from other photographers of his time.

His images stood out so beautifully because of the range of tones that they had between the color black and white.

Tip Number 1: Learn to use your histogram

Keep a check on your histogram to see that you have a full range of tones before you start the process of black and white conversion, or if you are shooting black and white, make sure that your histogram has enough details for you to bring out the perfect tonal range in your photograph.

Black and white photography is not about capturing just the color black and the color white, but about capturing all the other shades of gray that lie in between black and white!

Look for yourself at the difference in Histograms when you change contrast and exposure in an image.

Pay close attention to the histogram

And, look at the histogram for the picture with a correct exposure; you see that there are a good range of tonal variations!

Tip number 2: Understanding Tonality

You need to choose a scene that has contrasting tonal values. Yes, tonality matters. What happens if you disregard this? You’ll simply end up with flat images that will look and feel lifeless with not much to look at.
Truth is, not all images will look good in black and white and you may have to tweak them a bit in the conversion process so that they don’t look flat.

This also tells, do not use automatic black and white settings in your camera, but instead shoot RAW in color and do the conversion manually so that you can tweak up the image later to bring in the tonal range.

What is tonality? It’s the lightness of the image and is very important while shooting black and white. Colors that look very distinct may actually look the same when converted to black and white!
If you don’t quite understand, look for yourself at the conversions below! Amazing isn’t it? (Basic automatic conversion in Lightroom)

But a slight variation of the above colors can create good tonal variations as seen below!

Tip number 3: Choosing a good photograph for conversion to black and white

So from the above two tips, what do you gather? You need a photograph that has plenty of shadows and highlights, good tonal ranges and some textures wouldn’t hurt at all, but create a striking black and white photograph.

So, choosing an image that will create a decent black and white photograph is important and that doesn’t mean that you cannot make a good conversion from other pictures, but it simply means that it will be more difficult to achieve it.

Look at the images below along with a default black and white conversion to see how they turn up!

Check out these examples:

The image on the right has some tonal values and beautiful textures whereas the image on the left, although a beautiful landscape, lacks tonal range and textures!

If you wish to learn for yourself about the histograms, how the Zone System works for photographs along with useful and step by step illustrations to convert photographs into beautiful black and white pieces of art, you really should check out Kent’s “Better Black and White” premium photography guide.

Garden Photographer of The Year

IGOPTY is an annual competition to find the great images of plants and gardens from photographers around the world. If you have any interest in this area of photography then this web site and the associated exhibition is an absolute must for you. The images are universally beautiful and engaging; you ask yourself if it is this easy, it is photography in a garden, why can’t I do it. I guess it is about a great understanding of the use of your camera, huge amounts of patience, the desire to be there at the best moment and attention to detail. We can help with the camera bit with our courses on understanding your camera and with help on improving your composition and the use of software to make the most of your images we can help too. However the getting up before dawn to be in the right place at the right time that is up to you. To see the full gallery of winning and placed images go here to the IGOPTY site

Volker Michael – Finalist First Rays Jistrum, Friesland, The Netherlands

Rosanna Castrini – Commended The Ring Piedmont, Italy

Jianjun Huang – Commended Charming Dongjiang Guangdong Province, China

Lili Gao – Finalist Waiting Dandong City, Liaoning Province, China

Stefano Coltelli – Commended Plitvice Falls The Plitvice Lakes National Park, Plitvicka Jezera, Croatia

The winner is

This late autumn photo – from Snowdonia National Park in North Wales – has been crowned the overall winner of the 10th annual International Garden Photographer of the Year competition.

Taken by Lee Acaster, and entitled Left, this stark image won the Trees, Woods and Forests category – and then beat thousands of other entries to win the top spot.

Garden designer Chris Beardshaw – one of the competition judges – says the photo “perfectly encapsulates both the extremes of fortune and personality of these giants”.

While Clare Foggett – who edits The English Garden Magazine – says the image “draws the viewer in, to reveal the still surface of the lake behind. It demands closer inspection”.

If you wish you can see these and many more on the BBC website that has a major feature on the competition and winners

The exhibition is toured and here are dates

Venue	Exhibition	Photographs
November 1st 2016 – Feb 28th 2017	The Beth Chatto Gardens, Colchester, ENGLAND	9	Outdoor selection from Competition 9
January 14th – March 5th	National Trust Sissinghurst Castle & Gardens, ENGLAND	9	Indoor exhibition, competition 9
January 21st – March 1st 2017	Willis Museum Gallery, Basingstoke, ENGLAND	9	Indoor exhibition, competition 9
Feb 4th – March 12th 2017	Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, London, ENGLAND	10	IGPOTY Annual launch ceremony – winners of Competition 10 [indoor exhibition] announced to the public.
March 24th – June 18th 2017	de Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS	10	Outdoor selection from Competition 10
April 1st – June 4th 2017	RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Rettendon, ENGLAND	10	Outdoor selection from Competition 10
April 1st – November 15th 2017	The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, Merano, South Tyrol, ITALY	10	Outdoor exhibition, competition 10
April 1st – November 15th 2017	Gibraltar Botanic Gardens (The Alameda), GIBRALTAR	10	Outdoor exhibition, competition 10
August 28th – October 29th 2017	National Trust Sheringham Park, Norfolk, ENGLAND	10	Outdoor exhibition, competition 10

12 Creative Photography Project Ideas to Get you Motivated

I don’t know why this article on DPS is headed 12 Projects but it seems that all blog posts these days limit their advice to an arbitrary number. Anyway that is not the point, I agree with the basic premise of this article wholeheartedly. When I teach people who are beyond just getting to grips with their cameras I always recommend working to projects. This is one way of ensuring you have a reason to pick up your camera and go and shoot. It doesn’t rely upon serendipity of finding something interesting you already have something you are interested in. You have defined your project. For this reason I find the picture a day/week a bit unhelpful. I think deciding on a project which could be a specific place or idea or activity is always more productive and I see this in the results my students bring to my Intermediate Photography Course A great example of this is the work by one student, Darren Bicknell who embarked on a project to explore liquid and light, his results and progression was excellent as can be seen by these pictures

light and liquid

Light & Liquid 2

so this article makes a number of good points about projects you can set for yourself and ways to keep your creative juices flowing.

As with anything in life, it’s important to make a plan. This is a big step towards being successful. There are a number of projects you could attempt-

#1 – The 52-week project,  #2 – 365-day day projects,  #3 – One consistent theme

# 4 – Limited yourself to 24 photos,  #5 – A musical song or album, #6 -Use only one lens

Go here to see the rest of the suggestions in this article on DPS

Here are some more of Darren’s wonderful pictures

Liquid & Light 3

Liquid & Light 4

Liquid & Light 5

Liquid & Light 7

Liquid & Light 8

All images ©Darren Bicknell