Photography

Lensbaby has announced a new 5.8mm f/3.5 Circular Fisheye lens for Canon and Nikon APS-C DSLRs. It's a manual focus lens with a close focus distance of 1/4". The lens barrel features a focus distan...

Via planetMitch

Nikon’s traditional strengths are very much evident in the Df: it’s built to last, takes amazing photos, and is compatible with one of the broadest and best lens ranges in the business. But then it’s also more than $1,000 more expensive than Nikon’s own D610, which is roughly the same size, much easier to use, and can record 1080p video.

Via Marko Dolinar

Nikon has stated that it is aware of the need for 4K video recording on its cameras, hinting that the Ultra HD options could feature on future DSLR offerings..

Via Marko Dolinar

After many a rumor indicating that this very thing would happen, Nikon has officially announced that the followup to the flagship D4, the D4S, is in development and will be on display at the company’s booth at CES in Vegas over the next few days.

Via Marko Dolinar

With the latest addition to Nikon’s popular F1.8 prime series of FX-format lenses, Nikon has announced the new AF-S NIKKOR 35mm F1.8G, a versatile fixed lens ready to thrive in any shooting situation. The new 35mm F1.8G lens rounds out a collection of acclaimed F1.8 lenses including the AF-S NIKKOR 28mm F1.8G, AF-S NIKKOR 50mm F1.8G and AF-S NIKKOR 85mm F1.8G lenses. Sporting the popular 35mm focal length and covering a 63 degree angle of view with a constant F1.8 aperture, Nikon’s newest FX-format lens delivers outstanding viewfinder clarity and high contrast while providing outstanding low-light performance and depth of field control.

Great for available light environment portraits, landscapes and travel photography as well as for producing beautiful images with soft, natural bokeh, the AF-S NIKKOR 35mm F1.8G is a versatile and valuable addition to any FX-format photographer’s lens arsenal and sports the latest in core NIKKOR technologies that ensure elite performance. The lens’ construction includes one ED and one aspheric element in addition to a Silent Wave Motor to provide quiet AF operation.

"As the latest addition to the extensive NIKKOR lens line-up, the new AF-S NIKKOR 35mm F1.8G lens reinforces Nikon's commitment to providing versatile prime lens options to photographers of all levels," said Masahiro Horie, Director of Marketing and Planning, Nikon Inc.

 

Via Philippe Gassmann

A review of the Nikon Df dslr retro style camera with comparisons to the nikon d4 and high resolution jpeg sample photos for download.

Via Marko Dolinar, Philippe Gassmann

"Most people say that street photography features people photographed on the street in unposed situations. For me this definition is simply too broad as it includes portraiture, reportage and peopled cityscape, which might have nothing to do with the genre. For me this broad definition can be narrowed easily to define proper street photography by adding just one word – “a twist”. A little twist – something clever, funny, unexpected, surprising or ambiguous. Something making you scratch your head, something putting a smile on your face… And the photo does not have to be taken on the street – it can be shot indoors, on the beach or in the forest. What matters is that little “twist”.
 
What are the key elements of a good photo? In my opinion it is the content, composition and light. The content is most important for me. Sometimes a poorly composed and lit photograph still can be good, what matters is the message it conveys. The composition is the way elements are placed and related to each other in the frame. It greatly depends on the distance from the subject – usually the closer you get the more dynamic perspectives you can achieve that can make your compositions more interesting.

 

The light is what illuminates the scene and produces shadows and highglights in the image. It can be natural or artificial. It can be a direct sunlight (which can be soft or harsh depending on the time of the day), soft ambient light in the shade or flash produced by the flashgun on top of the camera. When these three elements come together nicely in one frame you most probably have a great photo."- Maciej Sakowicz

Via Photo report

Via Photo report

World Press Photo, who has selected VII Photo co-founder Gary Knight as chair of its 2014 contest, has announced a change of rules regarding "the permissible levels in post-processing of image files" submitted following this year's intense debate about manipulation in photojournalism.

Via Mario Pires

Nikon was the first to introduce video in DSLRs, but that pioneer position did not stop Canon from taking the sceptre and running to the front. It has been this way since then, but a new era might have started: Nikon is back on the fight, with the Nikon D810, a camera conceived with video in mind. The new DSLR is launched with a mission: conquer Canon's territory in terms of video. Specifications similar to the EOS 5D Mark III and a competitive price are part of arsenal Nikon has provided the D810 with. But there is more to discover in this new camera.

Via planetMitch

2014 PHOTO CONTEST

The World Press Photo of the Year 2013 is a picture by American photographer John Stanmeyer.

Judging
An international jury of leading professionals in the field of photojournalism worldwide began judging the entries at the World Press Photo office in Amsterdam on 1 February.

Results
The results of the 2014 World Press Photo Contest were announced on 14 February. The prize-winning pictures will be presented in a year-long exhibition that travels through more than 100 cities in over 45 countries, to start in Amsterdam in De Nieuwe Kerk on 18 April 2014.

Prizes
The jury awarded first, second and third prizes in nine categories. First-prize winners receive a cash prize of €1,500. The premier award carries a cash prize of €10,000. In addition, Canon will donate a professional DSLR camera and lens kit to the author of the World Press Photo of the Year 2013. The annual Awards Days, a two-day celebration of the prizewinners, takes place in Amsterdam on 24 and 25 April 2014.

Via Photo report

A Nikon Df camera review by Tom Grill (Web | Blog, click on images for larger view):
When I first held the Df I immediately felt at home, as if I was greeting the return of an old friend.

Via Philippe Gassmann

I was born in 1971 in Brighton, on the south coast of England. Taking pictures is one thing I have stuck at. It’s the occasional surprise; either in the picture or circumstance I find myself part of, which keeps me wandering.

I try not to have an agenda but seem to be drawn to the psychology of a situation- this often seems to involve a relationship of some sort, either between people or their environment. I do enjoy the fun stuff, but it’s the pictures that raise questions or might have different interpretations that really interest me. To me, it’s the business of discovering latent fictional stories in everyday situations. - Justin Sainsbury

 

Via Photo report