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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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
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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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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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.
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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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Nikon Z 24-200mm f4-6.3 Review
This review has been difficult to write, I feel as though I've been swimming against the tide throughout. I've had to force 'head over heart' and analysis over instinct. I've had to forget decades of experience and accept the new.
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Shimoda Action X Photo Backpack size comparison
Many photographers I meet assume that three sizes is to allow varying amounts of camera equipment to be carried. Not so in my case at least. For me, its all about what else goes in the bag. How much other stuff needs to be carried.
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Light on the Landscape by WS Neill - Review
This delightful book arrived a couple of weeks ago courtesy of the inestimable @blackwellbooks. I've been waiting for the release since I first heard about the possibility. It is a brand new book but not brand new content. Rather it is a carefully curated collection of Neill's essays for Outdoor Photographer, the American magazine.
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Aspira Smock
Some thoughts on waterproof clothing
If considering an item of waterproof ( or indeed any) clothing for use in wild country, a number of factors need to be balanced. First and foremost the purpose of your endeavours. In my case there is a need for complete compatibility between foul weather protection, landscape photography and comfort. Comfort? That's clearly very individual but while I'm prepared to endure ( and even relish) the extremes of UK weather, if they compromise what I'm doing I feel that I have failed.
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Shimoda Action X30 Review
Some photographers are exceptionally fussy about camera bags, others don’t see it as a big deal. I’m fussy. I always have been and probably always will be.
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Nikon Z50 +16-50mm +50-250mm
Nikon Z50 Review
Before attempting to provide a perspective on this (or indeed) any camera it is helpful to be clear about what one hopes the camera will achieve. In my previous post, I sought to examine the reasoning behind buying this camera and the desired outcomes. This review in greater depth, seeks to evaluate how well those outcomes are met.
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Which is better - a Nikon Z50 or a D810?
Easy answer, 20 vs 36 MP, full frame vs APS, ease of use, output, robustness, control, configuration, flexibility - almost everything that can be judged makes the D810 the better camera. Only size and weight make the Z50 a winner and potentially access to a more future-proofed development stream.
So why did I sell my D810 to buy a Z50? Read on..
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Printed, linen cover
SAAL Professional Line Photo Book Review
SAAL Professional Line Photo Book Review
Some time ago the terribly nice people at SAAL offered me a voucher towards the cost of one of their Professional Line books. The voucher was for £100 and this was enough to completely cover the production of a book.
Read MoreLee 100 Hood Review
I’ve been using the newest Lee Lens Hood for the past few months and since I’m unlikely to be taking it out over the next few, this seemed like a good point to review the progress so far.
Lee Filters have offered a lens hood ( two in fact including the WA variant) for many years. I'd often considered owning one but felt the flaws did not balance the potential advantages. Advances in design, materials and the launch last year of the new 100 holder enabled a very welcome update in the form of this new 100 Hood.
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On being Ruthless
Traditionally we understand the term ‘ruthless’ as being without pity or compassion; a lack of care for the feelings of others. Many years ago I was introduced to another , less loaded, connotation. That being to do what needed doing quickly and effectively without any prevarication, self doubt or any self indulgent angst. It presupposed of course that the act was indeed necessary.
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Z7 with 14-30mm
Nikon Z 14-30mm F4 S Review
The brand new Nikon Z 14-30mm F4 S lens is finally arriving into circulation. I received mine this week and here are my initial findings. This is a lens with specifications that would have been unthinkable only a decade ago. Nikon have managed to combine an extreme wide angle zoom with compact size and the ability to mount conventional filters. The new Z mount together with ever improving optical designs and exotic elements and coatings have brought a product that sounds like the perfect wide angle zoom for many photographs. Read on to see how successful Nikon have been.
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Netspex - Midge Protection
There are many ups and downs associated with landscape photography in the summer months including clear blue skies, high sun, harsh shadows and very early starts for dawn. However one of the biggest issues for those operating in the north of Britain is that of the midge. Milder, wetter winters will I suspect lead to more successful midge breeding and increasingly it seems that insects that once failed to survive hard frosts are now wintering through. Responses range from getting bitten to death and complaining about it to refusing to go out on still days.
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