Amateur Photographer 19/04/2022

Preserving highlight detail can still be a challenge for a lot of photographers, and it remains a common reason for images being marked down in camera club competitions or photo society distinctions. However good your editing software, you can’t pull back any tonal variation in an image if the highlights are blown. So this issue we have some expert tips for ensuring your highlights come through as part of a well-balanced exposure, with top pros sharing advice for landscapes, portraits and more. On the subject of editing software, we review the innovative DxO PureRaw 2, which now offers Lightroom integration and Fujifilm support. Don’t miss our engrossing feature on the enigmatic Vivian Maier, too – while unknown in her lifetime, she is now posthumously celebrated as a world-class street photographer. If…

Sellers Interview by John Chillingworth The actor Peter Sellers (centre), at his home in Muswell Hill with the Picture Post journalist, Bob Muller (right), and legendary photographer Thurston Hopkins (left). The image was shot as part of a story about Peter Sellers for the magazine, but it wasn’t included in the article. It is interesting to note that despite Thurston Hopkins being there, John Chillingworth – another of the team’s ‘star’ photographers – was also present to capture some extra images. The Getty Images Hulton Archive is one of the world’s great cultural resources. Tracing its origins to the founding of the London Stereoscopic Company in 1854, today it houses over 80 million images spanning the birth of photography to the digital age. Explore it at www.gettyimages.com.…

To congratulate the AP Pic of the Week winner, Fujifilm is giving the winner a £25 voucher to spend on any photo prints or gifts at myFUJIFILM.co.uk, so that they can print their image any way they like! Simply go to myFUJIFILM.co.uk, select what you want, then enter your given voucher code at checkout. The voucher is valid for 6 months and can be used in multiple transactions. No monetary eligibility or exchange. Need help using your code? Contact myfujifilm_uk@fujifilm.com *THE PRIZE APPLIES TO UK WINNERS ONLY. PLEASE ALLOW UP TO 28 DAYS FOR DELIVERY…

AP picture of the week Light in the Shadows by Amber Burton Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, Olympus 45mm f/1.8, 1/2500sec at f/2.8, ISO 200 Amber says, ‘A bright, sunny and blustery spring day, with deep contrasting shadows everywhere. Nearly impossible to take a photo without clipping. I spotted this little lone daffodil standing in a splash of direct sunlight, against the moody and muddy background. It was bright, hopeful and resolute – and just what I needed in that moment.’ Instagram: @amberjaneburton We also liked... The Kestrel & The Dragonfly by Martin Buckley Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, 100-400mm at 400mm, 1/800sec at f/5.6, ISO 160 ‘An amazing experience at my local reserve in Dagenham (the Chase Nature Reserve). The kestrel swooped down into the tall grass and reappeared with a dragonfly for lunch. The phrase “Right place,…

LEICA has added a new, robust version of its Summicron-M 28 f/2 ASPH fast, wideangle prime lens in Matte Black. The ‘especially robust’ Summicron-M variant has a specialist paint finish with extremely scratch-resistant properties. The light green inlaid engravings on the lens have been designed to complement the Leica M10-P Reporter camera, but the lens is compatible with any other M-mount rangefinder camera. The matte black variant features an integrated lens hood, which extends via one quick twist. The lens is said to be ‘fast, compact and delivers exceptional performance. Its outstanding speed makes it particularly versatile and delivers brilliant imaging results even in difficult lighting conditions.’ It’s available now at £4,000.…

NIKON has revealed it has increased prices on its imaging products and that this ‘new pricing will apply to all new orders that ship after 1 April 2022.’ However, certain Nikon imaging products have been excluded from the rises – these include the flagship 45.7MP Nikon Z 9, sport optics, accessories and other ‘certain new products’. Nikon admitted, ‘We have had to increase our prices as a result of increased component parts and logistics costs. We have explored all options to absorb these, however, regrettably we have to increase costs to maintain production.’ The exact amounts of the Nikon price increases have yet to be confirmed.…