In Focus, the Photographic Training Centre based in the Peak District National Park, England has just announced the launch of their new iPad
application, which is the first in a planned series of
applications.
The app, written by Simon Watkinson ABIPP in conjunction with Tabella Publishing is called inFocus (Essentials) and is a basic photography guide that contains clear and easy to understand stages on how to set up your DSLR camera. Not only does it cover what settings to choose, but also explains in great detail each of their functions. inFocus (Essentials) is an essential guide for anyone who owns a DSLR camera and wants a deeper understanding of their equipment.
The app covers all the basics, from file types, to lenses, how the camera judges exposure, how to make exposure compensations and understanding your histograms. This app also explains the many different ways in which the camera can focus, and gives you a guide as to which shutter speeds to use at different focal lengths.
Amazing, full colour pictures and diagrams make the learning process easy to understand, and are good visual examples for each relevant section. Simon’s philosophy is that you have to get to know and understand your camera inside out to get the best out of it. With this knowledge under your belt the whole picture taking process becomes more pleasurable. So, if you’re looking to improve and understand subjects such as ISOs and white balance, apertures and exposure, this is your essential guide.
About In Focus
In Focus is an award winning training company that offers a wide range of Photography courses. All courses for In Focus are taught by World-renowned photographer Simon Watkinson ABIPP and is run by professional photographer Tammy Tidmarsh LBIPP.
Courses on offer include Beginners Photography Courses, Wedding Photography Courses, Landscape Photography Courses, Studio Lighting Courses, Wedding and Portrait Workshops, Digital Imaging Courses in RAW File Workflow and Lightroom / Photoshop classes, Private Photography Tuition as well as Overseas Photography Tuition Holidays to Nepal, India and Morocco. There really is a course to suit all from absolute beginner to established professional. See
http://www.swinfocus.co.uk for more information.
O2 Stories is a collaborative photography-based storytelling project and photo competition. O2 has commissioned Alexis Kennedy of Failbetter Games to write two stories, inspired by photos taken by the public. One story is a journey in sunlight, a happy tale of a far off land, while the other is a dark and hard-boiled thriller, set in shadows. Each tale begins with a single picture and from there, it’s up to the audience how the stories twist and turn over the next eleven chapters. To become part of the story, all you have to do is read what has been written so far, take a photo that you think could tell the next part, and then tweet it via twitpic, yfrog, plixi, or twitgoo with the hashtag for the story (either #o2sunlight or #o2shadows). Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening, the author will choose a photo that inspires him to write the next chapter for each story. If your picture is chosen, you will win a printed book of the complete story, featuring your photograp
Intel is running a photo-video contest on Facebook as part of its Visual Life campaign. The orgainsers are looking for submissions of original photographs and movie clips in six categories including Things, Moments, Northern Lights, Remastered, Places and People. Facebook members can either upload a file from their hard drive or select a photo from their Facebook albums. Please note that this competition is open to UK residents aged 18 or above only. As always, we suggest that you read the rules before entering yourwork.
US-based General Electric (GE), which recently re-entered the Singapore camera market, seems to have its sights set on entering the Interchangeable Lens Camera (ILC) industry. A spokesperson from its distributor in Singapore told CNET Asia that GE is looking to introduce its first Micro Four Thirds-like camera before the end of 2011. 
Canon’s L range of lenses (L standing for Luxury) is the pinnacle of Canon lens design and each one bursts with innovative technology such as fluorite lens elements, Super UD glass, image stabilisation and Ultra Sonic Motors. The standard 70-300mm IS lens has arguably been the most popular zoom lens they’ve produced with image stabilisation, so it’s a bit of a surprise that it’s taken them so long to produce an L version. This is a compact L-series telezoom lens featuring optical image stabilisation, two ultra-low dispersion elements and Canon’s Super Spectra coatings. An eight-blade circular diaprhragm offers excellent bokeh, while AF is fast and quiet thanks to a ring-type ultrasonic motor. The new Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM currently retails for £1599.99 / €1909.99 / $1599.99.
Bokeh
Bokeh at f/5.6
Bokeh at f/22
DPS has posted their review verdict of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 and here is a summary of that review – ‘Photos out of the GH2 are excellent with great detail.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
