A change of camera bags. Not to be undertaken lightly and never without significant expense. I’ve been with the same bags for the last three years but have now returned to the brand I first used nearly 20 years ago.
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The Great Wilderness by Alex Nail
This is the second book by mountain photographer Alex Nail and is another very special book indeed. My review is a little behind the curve as I didn't want to hurry my reading of the book. Something this good deserves, like a fine wine, to be savoured rather than gulped down. I read it slowly and in small amounts then immediately read it again.
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Nikon Z 70-180mm f2.8 Lens Review
This is the second in a mini series of short reviews to clear a backlog of lenses I’ve been using and reviewing. These have all been purchased at full price and I am under no pressure or inducement. I bouth this one at a great price from Cotswold Cameras who in addition to being very competitively priced were exemplary in their service.
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TTArtisan 75mm f2 AF Lens Review
This is the first of a mini series of short reviews that I’d like to get completed before they all start to stack up and I begin to forget the original experiences. As with all the rviews I do, I’m under no arrangement or pressure to produce a favourable view. I bought this lens at full price and have no potential eanings from any sales. The current cost is between about £160-199 depending where you buy.
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Natural Landscape Volume 2 Review
Whether you entered or ever enter competitions and whatever your views on competitions, this is a beautiful book. I can recommend it without hesitation. It flies the flag for natural, authentic images that faithfully record our beautiful landscape.
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TTArtisan 75mm f2 lens review
The low cost lenses emerging from China are changing dramatically from the manual focus legacy designs of only a few years ago to modern, well made high quality optics. This delightful little lens is small, light, metal bodied and feels very well put together. The AF is quick and quiet
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Creation of Sadamitsu by S. Nei Fujita from the album cover of Time Out by the Dave Brubeck Quartet
Time Out
I'm approaching my annual summer sabbatical from landscape photography. Every year I take about six weeks off during which the big camera, tripod and all the other paraphernalia stay packed away
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Midgespecs Review
The answer to landscape photography in locations where midges make life unbearable. These Midgespecs are gamechangers and are worth a look by photographers, climbers, fisherman and many others.
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Summit Creative Tenzing 30 photo backpack review
I’ve spent the last couple of months with a Summit Creative Tenzing 30 Photo backpack and there are many positive aspects to reflect on from that time.
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A Time to Print #2
Having set up the printer from the box and installed ink cartridges, the next step is to make some prints. However there are some significant steps to make before we hit the ‘Print’ button in Photoshop. The major parts of this are monitor calibration and colour management.
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A Time to Print
Every print that I've sold since leaving a wet darkroom environment has been produced by a specialist printer. Some years ago by the inestimable Paul Grundy and for most of the last ten years by Loxley of Glasgow. I've never needed to print beyond admin stuff and whether by luck or skill, Loxley precisely match the images I see on my screen.
However I have become increasingly dissatisfied that I'm not fully au fait with what's going on under the hood.
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Cod and Lobster - Staithes
In praise of a sabbatical
I'm halfway through my annual summer sabbatical from landscape photography. Every year I take six weeks off during which the big camera, tripod and all the other paraphernalia stays packed away and I spend time just being with my family.
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Nikon Z8 - My next camera?
The photo world has been full of the new Nikon Z8 over the past few weeks. I’ve noticed a few landscape photographers moving over and last week I was asked twice if I’d be buying one. Will I be handing over my money? Read on to find out.
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Blea Tarn
Kingjoy C83S Tripod Review
Last year I reviewed the outstanding Kingjoy C85 Tripod and found that it not only performed as well as my Gitzo Systematic 3 Series but that by the end of the review period I was choosing it in preference on a regular basis. My interest was especially raised therefore when Kinjoy invited me to try out another of their tripods. This time the C83S.
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To crop or not to crop - a perfect bridge too far?
Is a cropped image of less value or less ‘pure’ than one in which the entire captured frame is used? There has been some debate on the subject recently and I felt the need to nail my own colours to the mast.
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Sunway GH Pro II + Geared Tripod Head review - UPDATED CONCLUSION #2
The advantages of a geared head are that it allows for very precise adjustments in composition to be made in exactly one plane. With a ball head, while adjusting to raise the camera slightly, you may also very slightly move to the side or slightly incline. With a geared head, only the adjustment you desire is accomplished. There is an oft quoted parallel benefit of slowing the photographic process down.
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Another little bit of perfection
It's the little things that often make a disproportionate difference and for those of us given to obsessing about small details, some such small details can be all but life changing.
Read MoreA certain lack of focus
I like the look of a minimal depth of field image. I think it instantly creates a sense of depth by virtue of the layers of focused and unfocused elements. This will give at least two layers and if there is some foreground then three distinct layers resolve giving yet more depth.
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26 Hours in Coigach and Inverpolly
A dramatically curtailed trip to the far NW of Scotland. Fabulous locations, enjoyable photography but an unexpectedly short visit cut short by Covid.
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Kingjoy C85 Tripod Review
Over the past few weeks I've had the opportunity to try a new tripod, the Kingjoy C85 - in this instance with a Ball Head, the T30x. KingJoy may sound a new name to many but they seem to have been around for quite a while, quietly making tripods for other brand names so while the name may be new the experience is clearly there.
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