London 2012: The Opening Ceremony – Best Photos

Thanks to The Atlantic for this roundup of images from the opening night of the London Olympics. These images are so much better than anything seen on tv, make sure you have a look at these fantastic pictures

Last night the 2012 Summer Olympics kicked off with a huge Opening Ceremony in London’s new Olympic Stadium, an event watched on television by an estimated 1 billion viewers. Performances paid tribute to British heritage and culture, from agrarian beginnings through pop culture successes like the Beatles and J.K. Rowling. Contingents from more than 200 nations marched in the athletes parade, and the evening was capped off by the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron, a performance by Paul McCartney, and a huge fireworks display. Collected below is just a glimpse of last night’s ceremony, as the 2012 Olympics are now underway. [44 photos]

Newly “forged” Olympic rings light up the stadium in London, on July 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Britain’s flag bearer Chris Hoy holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade in the Olympic Stadium, on July 27, 2012. (Reuters)

Union Flags, commonly known as the Union Jack, are projected on the Palace of Westminster next to Big Ben on the bank of the River Thames, on July 27, 2012. (Reuters/Sergio Perez)

Actors perform in a sequence meant to represent Britain’s National Health Service (NHS), on July 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Britain’s David Beckham (center) drives a powerboat with the Olympic torch as fireworks are launched over Tower Bridge during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, on July 27, 2012. (Reuters/Eddie Keogh)

Actors portraying the Queen of England and James Bond arrive via parachute after jumping from a helicopter during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, on July 27, 2012. (Reuters/Murad Sezer)

A giant marionette of Lord Voldemort from the Harry Potter books makes an appearance in the Opening Ceremony, on July 27, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)

Fireworks on display at Tower Bridge on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Julian Finney/Getty Images)

A wide-angle view of the Olympic stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, on July 27, 2012. (Reuters/Pawel Kopczynski)

 

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The 7 Deadly Photo Mistakes

Not sure why deadly, and that there are only 7 but the cheeky chaps over at photoformula.com have put together a free downloadable pdf that has seven essential points you need to think about as a photographer.

It’s a work of love to an extent.  Here are just a few of the things you can learn from it:

1. What 4CS is!  (This is a little technique, that when I tell you, you won’t believe how simple it is).  But honestly, when I was told about it, I had a HUGE “ah ha” moment.  From that moment on, I haven’t looked through a camera viewfinder the same way
2. How to make every portrait pop and look BEAUTIFUL!  This again is so simple, but hardly anyone does it (can anyone say webcam photos).
3. How to get “tack sharp” images and how to forget about noisy images
4. The proper settings you should be using on your camera (it’s not what you might think)
5. How a 2 second photoshop correction can make sure your photo is NEVER passed over.
6. How not to be a complete fool like me, and make sure you never leave the house without a memory card (I’ve seriously done this numerous occasions)
7. …and many more tips, instructions, settings and all around goodness!!!

Whilst there getting your free download have a look at his images, great looking photo-journalism and street shots plus lots of sports including David Beckham playing “soccer” in the US

The link again for the pdf is here