YOUR SOURCE FOR CANADIAN PHOTOGRAPHY

VOLUME 25, NO. 3 / AUTUMN 2016 / $6.98

SPECIAL REPORT: IMAGE HONG KONG

The New Photo

Destination
TONY BECK
How to Photograph
Birds in Flight
MICHAEL DEFREITAS
How Low can you Go?
MICHEL ROY
Tripod Technique
DR. WAYNE LYNCH
Nunavut Adventure
ERIC STEWART – PRINTING 101
Creating Custom ICC Profiles
and more!
Photo by Kristian Bogner

COMPLIMENTARY ISSUE • FREE COPY

 Autumn 2016 3

Focal Point
BY NORM ROSEN, EDITOR | [email protected]

Let’s Take Pictures!

It’s time to pick up your camera and from spectacular autumn leaves to the smiling faces of
head out to explore the colours of children enjoying a maple sugar treat, or the fireworks
autumn! As we prepare to celebrate bursting over the skyline of the nation’s capital… hum a
Join the Canada’s sesquicentennial through- few bars of O Canada or The Maple Leaf Forever, and let
conversation! out 2017, PHOTO News readers have your imagination go wild.
several opportunities to participate Our Reader’s Gallery section presents a selection of
in the magazine. Our major trav- images from our PHOTO News Gallery flickr® group,
facebook.com/ el photography contest “The World where 3,000 avid photographers have shared more than
PHOTONewscanada
through My Lens” will be open for en- 100,000 images. If you haven’t visited the flickr® group,
tries until October 31, 2016–you could please take a minute to drop by, and if you like what you
win a trip for two to Hong Kong! We see, and enjoy communicating with Canadian photo en-
twitter.com/ sent our team of experts to explore the
PHOTONewscanada
thusiasts, you are most welcome to join the group–it's
scenes, the culture, and the lifestyle fun, it’s FREE, and it is the source for all of our Reader’s
photo opportunities that abound in Gallery images.
this spectacular city, so that we could This issue features several articles that will inspire
Tune in to our NEW provide tips and sample images to
YouTube Channel:
photo enthusiasts to try some new techniques: Michael
PHOTO News
help you develop your travel photog- DeFreitas suggests that you look at the world from a
Canada TV raphy skills. Please take a look at the bug’s eye view in his feature on shooting from a low per-
special section in this issue, and then spective; Michel Roy shows us why a tripod can help you
Visit the website at show us your favourite destination– get amazing images; Tony Beck explains how to capture
www.PHOTO News.ca
it could be as far away as the other the beauty of birds in flight; and Will Prentice shows how
Join the flickr® group at side of the world, or as close as the you can get better pictures with portable flash. All in all,
www.flickr.com/groups/ view from your front porch. For more
PHOTONewsgallery/
a very informative issue filled with spectacular images!
information please see the contest If this is your first encounter with PHOTO News, we
Questions or promotion on pages 22-23.
comments? Please send
would like to thank you for sharing your leisure time
me an e-mail at The PHOTO News Challenge theme with us, and invite you to visit the website at www.pho-
[email protected] for autumn is “O Canada, Eh!” a cele- tonews.ca where you may access several years of ar-
bration of the essence of the Canadian chived issues, and sign up to receive the magazine. Our
experience. The challenge is open to one-year subscription is FREE of charge for Canadian
a very wide range of interpretations, photo enthusiasts.

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© 2016 PHOTO News Magazine, Zak Media retail shops throughout Canada, and by mail – please
Cover photo by Kristian Bogner see the subscription page at
A performer from the Cantonese Opera team Printed in Canada • ISSN 1185-3875
www.PHOTO News.ca for FREE subscription information.
at Ko Shan Theatre in Kowloon. Nikon D5, 165 mm, Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement
f/7.1, 1/3200 second, ISO 8000. No. 40040669 U.S. and international readers are invited to read the mag-
azine on-line at www.PHOTO News.ca where you may
Publisher Undeliverables to:
enjoy FREE access to the digital edition archives.
Jacques Dumont [email protected] Photo News Magazine
22 Telson Road, Markham, ON L3R 1E5
Editor
Norm Rosen [email protected] PHOTO News is published four times per year (Spring,
Summer, Autumn, Winter) by Zak Media, and   
Graphic Design distributed to imaging and adventure enthusiasts
Jean-Denis Boillat [email protected] throughout Canada.
Photo Editor All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material Published by
André Dal Pont appearing­in this magazine in any form is forbidden
Zak Media
without prior consent of the publisher.
Contributing writers/photographers 189 Alfred-Desrochers
Dr. Wayne Lynch, Kristian Bogner, Michelle Valberg, SUBSCRIPTIONS – Address change Saint-Augustin, QC, Canada G3A 2T1
Michel Roy, Eric Stewart, Michael DeFreitas, Visit www.PHOTO News.ca or contact : Tel: 418 871 4294 • Fax: 418 871 4295
Tony Beck, Peter Burian PHOTO News Magazine
22 Telson Road • Markham, ON L3R 1E5 www.zakmedia.ca
4 PHOTO News

Contents

34
SPECIAL REPORT -
TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
The Hong Kong Photo Experience - by the
PHOTO News team.

Photo by Michael DeFreitas. Chi Nin Nunnery and Nan Nian Garden, Diamond Hill, Kowloon.
Nikon D800, 24 mm, f/8, 1/60 second (+0.33 EV), ISO 200.

24 28 52
MICHEL ROY WAYNE LYNCH - DESTINATIONS SHOOTING TIPS

The Magic of Tripod Photography Victoria Island, Nunavut Michael DeFreitas – How low can you go?
Shooting from a low perspective.

FLASH 101
Will Prentice sheds light
56 ERIC STEWART - PRINTING 101
Creating Custom ICC Profiles
64
on flash techniques.

IN THE FIELD
Tony Beck – photographing birds
60
in flight
6 PHOTO News
New Products

VANGUARD ALTA RISE KENKO FILTERS

Form Meets Take your images

Function from good to
great with Kenko
Made in Japan with high-quality glass, REALPRO Filters AntiStain
Coating repels unwanted dirt and grime. Featuring SLIM Black Al-
mite, Knurling Edge frames for easy gripping and Black Rimmed
Glass to minimize reflections, REALPRO filters provide you with the
right solution for your images with a complete line of Protectors,
UV, Circular Polarizer, Neutral Density, Faders and Specialty filters
in a wide-variety of sizes.
Value buyers appreciate SMART Filters with SLIM Black Almite
frames and Black Rimmed Glass including the best-selling SMART
Vanguard has raised the bar for camera bag design and quality Three Filter Kit. The kit includes a Clear, Circular Polarizer and a
with a new range of models for 2017. Neutral Density 8 in an easy-storage soft pouch.
The bags feature innovative styling that blends form and function Choose Kenko Extension Tubes to transform an ordinary lens
for a wide variety of applications. to an exciting macro lens or Kenko Teleconverters to make that
“too far away” shot a reality. Smartphones become smarter with
Choose from three “messenger bag” models, two backpacks or a
Kenko LensClips, the perfect lens accessory for iPhone and Android
sling bag, to blend your camera carrying requirements with a host
smartphones.
of everyday uses. The new light-coloured interior makes it easy to
find your gear in any lighting conditions, and a “total coverage” rain View the complete Kenko product line at www.kenko-global.ca
cover protects your gear from inclement weather. The Alta Rise
messenger bags feature compact and streamlined exteriors that
expand up to 6cm to give you extra space.
The Alta Rise backpack models feature Alta Link that lets you at-
tach an “Alta Action” tripod bag, or you can strap your tripod to the
side of the bag. All of the models are carry-on compatible.
All of the Alta Rise models are user focused to provide quick and
easy access to your gear.
For more information on the new Vanguard Alta Rise bags please
visit www.vanguardworld.ca

AURORA LITE BANK

Strip Bounce
SB35 & SB50
Unique and versatile, the Strip Bounce from Setup is simple: just unroll Strip Bounce from
Aurora Lite Bank gives you precise con- its carry bag, zip it together and pull the cov-
trol over your light. Available in two lengths er over the top. Strip Bounce fits over almost
(35cm and 50cm), Strip Bounce provides any speedlight.
soft, diffused and narrow light. It’s perfect for Strip Bounce is made from the same excep-
adding dramatic light to your images – either tional materials used in Aurora softboxes for
as a main light or a rim/accent light. durability and even light.

For more information, please visit www.auroralitebank.ca

8 PHOTO News
New Products

30 Years of Innovations
VANGUARD CELEBRATES THE LOVE OF PHOTOGRAPHY

For many PHOTO News readers, the art of photography is a life-long adventure in creativity. Every image captured, every challenge met
represents an accomplishment - often surpassing one’s “personal best” with every new assignment.

The same can be said of a very select The Vanguard name has come to define Anne Lee
group of suppliers to the photographic in- innovation and excellence at a realis-
dustry. Among these leaders in the photo- tic price… and this is all attributable to a
graphic world the team at Vanguard stands team of dedicated staff who design and
at the top of the list of modern innovators. manufacture products that are developed
in consultation with leading experts in the
Vanguard began in 1986 as a small inde-
field. This constant quest for products that
pendent tripod manufacturer when Anne
will meet and exceed the needs of active
Lee set out to create a product that would
consumers has resulted in an unprec-
meet the needs of active photographers,
edented number of satisfied customers.
and provide work for thousands of people
around the world. As Founder and CEO of The confidence that Vanguard users have
Vanguard, and General Manager of Van- shown for the products has been the foun-
guard USA, her dreams have been fulfilled dation for a global reputation for quality.
as Vanguard’s tradition of innovation, high After three decades of growth, Vanguard
quality, and family values has made the remains a woman-owned and family-led
brand one of the most respected among business. Vanguard carefully orchestrates
photographers worldwide. every step of the product life cycle in its
Anne Lee describes the Vanguard corpo- own facilities – from idea and design to
rate philosophy in terms that one might launch and marketing. This control ena-
expect to hear from a career philanthro- bles the brand to offer exceptional quality.
pist: “The key to success lies not in earn- backed by an exceptional guarantee.
ing revenue but the positive impact the As Vanguard celebrates the 30th Anniver-
business has on the world. Vanguard tripod line. Vanguard team leaders prom-
sary milestone, the company is enjoying ise continued commitment to the cor-
provides a livelihood and unique career widespread praise for its travel-friendly
opportunities for thousands around the porate mission of providing high-quality
VEO collection and award-winning Alta Pro products with game-changing features.
world, and creates products that help
people do what they enjoy, better. This For a look at the latest innovations
is Vanguard’s greatest value and what from Vanguard, please visit
drives my personal motivation.” www.vanguardworld.ca
From a single small factory in 1986, Van-
guard has grown to become a popular
and award-winning brand encompassing
tripods, bags, and optical products en-
joyed by hundreds of thousands of pho-
tographers of every level in 76 countries.
Nikon and NIKKOR are registered trademarks of Nikon Corporation ©2015 Nikon Inc.

A STORYTELLER

Do you have a story to tell? Whatever it is, you can tell it even better
with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G. It’s designed to capture
stunning portraits in all their glory. So you never miss that perfect
moment. And for sharp, beautiful, extreme close-ups, try the AF-S DX
Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR. Made for Generation Image. nikon.ca
10 PHOTO News
In Focus

THE B-GRIP BRAND

Innovation Inspired by Experience

by Andrea Corticelli

PHOTO News asked b-grip inventor Andrea Corticelli to describe After a few months, a large company offered to buy me out. As of-
the process of creating one of the industry’s most intriguing ten happens, the negotiations were long and exhausting, and led to
new products. a stalemate due to an excessive gap between my demands and the
offer by this famous brand. During the course of the negotiations,
someone said “Come on Corticelli! You can’t think you can manu-
facture it by yourself!”
This statement determined my future choices. My answer to this
challenge was “Why not?”
It was a lot of hard work: research, study, business planning… despite
having some experience in business management, the startup
phase occupied all of my time for many months.
In 2010 we presented our first and unique “camera belt holster” at
Photokina–one of the most important worldwide photography exhi-
bitions, and it was a huge success!
At b-grip we are engineers, designers, and photographers... but
above all, we are travellers, so we create unique accessories for the
world of photography and the b-grip line evolves along with it.
Our mission is to help creative photographers and adventurers en-
joy their camera in any environment, thanks to the b-grip line of
unique, innovative and extremely comfortable carrying accessories.
Please take a few minutes to visit the website at www.bgrip.ca and
take a look at how the b-grip line can make your adventure photog-
raphy more enjoyable!

Like many inventions in the world, the story of b-grip came from
a personal need. I have always been passionate about travelling
around the world, and since childhood my photography has always
played a major role in my adventures.
Over the years, I have bought and tested a large number of bags,
including many shoulder bags with various accessories that could
let me carry my camera everywhere in maximum comfort.
In late 2008, on the way home from a trekking tour in Thailand, I The b-grip UNO is a work of pure genius. Attach it to your belt or use the
decided to develop a belt holster for my camera–the concept was special wire device to clamp it to your backpack, and you are ready for
to design a quick-release system that would allow me to have the adventure! The quick-release camera mount clips into the holster and
camera always available yet anchored safely to my body. has a safety lock - it also has a flip-out “kick stand” on the camera plate
that allows the camera to sit flat on a table or any convenient surface.
In April 2009, after months of research and development, the first The long plate on the waist belt keeps the camera from banging on your
prototype was ready. I patented it worldwide. leg. It’s a great way to carry your gear!
 Autumn 2016 11
 New Products

Take your Tele Cactus V6 II

to the limit! and V6 IIs
The second generation of the world’s first
Tamron has announced mid-September deployed on both models to help minimize cross-brand wireless flash transceiver now
availability for two new tele converters de- ghosting and flare. supports High-Speed Synchronization (HSS)
signed exclusively for select Tamron lenses. with the Cactus V6 II and V6 IIs!
Autofocus functions normally with com-
These tele converters expand the versatil- patible lenses, and VC (Vibration Compen- The original Cactus V6 allowed cross-brand
ity of the new SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di sation) performance is maintained. power control and triggering of Canon, Nikon,
VC USD G2 (Model A022) ultra-telephoto Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax
The new tele converters have special seals flashes at the same time. In addition to HSS,
zoom lens. TELE CONVERTER 1.4x (Model that are dust resistant and moisture proof–
TC-X14) increases the focal length by a V6 II/IIs add an auto-focus assist beam, re-
ideal for use in outdoor photography when mote zoom control and auto-detection of
factor of 1.4x, while TELE CONVERTER 2.0x matched with any lens that has a Mois-
(Model TC-X20) doubles the focal length. flash and camera systems. Cactus V6 IIs is
ture-Resistant Construction. a dedicated version for the latest Sony Alpha
The tele converters increase the effective cameras featuring the ADI hotshoe.
focal length of the lens while the minimum
object distance remains nearly the same, Cactus V6 II/IIs allow you to use shutter
so the magnification ratio during close fo- speeds up to 1/8000s (depending on your
cusing is enhanced. camera). After applying a firmware update
to Cactus RF60, you can shoot with the V6
The Tamron tele converters are designed II/IIs and RF60 with practically any camera
and constructed to preserve the original system above that camera’s native X-Sync.
superior image quality of the lens. The 2.0x
model uses one LD (Low Dispersion) lens For full details, visit www.cactus-image.ca
element to suppress aberrations. BBAR Model TC-X14   Model TC-X20
(Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) coatings are

Please visit the website at

www.tamron.ca for more
information on Canadian availability.

Get inspired, informed and motivated!

Toronto • November 9, 2016

STA N D OUT
PHOTOGRAPHIC FORUM www.hangloosemedia.com

Speakers include:
Erika Blatt • Walter Borchenko • Joseph Cartright • Tim Kemple • Steve Richard • Renee Robyn

RESOURCE PHOTO.VIDEO.LIFESTYLE ONLINE.

Join our mailing list for more details: www.standoutphotoforum.com

12 PHOTO News
New Products

Epson’s New ET-3600 Printer

and FF-640 Scanner
REFILLABLE TANKS AND SUPER FAST SCANNING!
By Peter K. Burian

During Epson Canada’s annual product

showcase in New York City, the company
introduced several new items to the me-
dia. We were most impressed with two of
these: a new high speed printer that can
make literally thousands of colour prints
with the included ink tanks, and an en-
tirely new ultra high speed scanner for
photographic prints. Both should be avail-
able in Canada soon after you read this.

Epson Expression EcoTank

Wireless ET-3600
Faster than the current Eco-Tank models,
this new four-colour printer ships with “up
to two years of ink in the box”. With this
unit, that is said to be enough to make “up
to 8500” colour prints or “up to 11,000”
print head is unusually rugged, so it should ing for an important anniversary, wedding
prints if using only black ink, based on the
last for years. Based on the demo, print qual- or family reunion when you want to display
ISO standard. Note too that the tanks are
ity was excellent for a four-colour machine. numerous photos on a monitor or a high def
refillable; a full supply of the dye-based ink
Granted, the ET-3600 is expensive ($529.99, (including 4K) TV or projector. With the Docu-
costs under $75 ($18.29 each). That’s a bar-
list) compared to traditional printers, but it ment Capture Pro and ABBYY FineReader
gain compared to hundreds of dollars for the
should provide good value for families and software (also included) it should be easy to
equivalent 50 (approximately) ink cartridges
home offices that print high volumes. set up an efficient file organization system
required by conventional machines.
for your scans. It also allows for uploading the
This sleek, compact machine offers auto- FastFoto FF-640 Scanner digital images (scans) to the cloud for con-
matic two-sided printing on demand and a venient photo sharing and archiving.
Billed as the “world’s fastest photo scanner”,
“complete wireless solution” making it easy
this new unit was designed to digitize nu- The maximum size of the original can be
to print from an iPad, iPhone, Android tablet
merous photo prints at a mere two seconds up to 8x10 inches, and the FF-640 was de-
and smartphone; Wi-Fi Direct8 for network-
for a 4x6 at 300dpi, using a new type of roll- signed to accommodate panoramic photos
free printing is also provided. It’s much faster
er technology. During the demo, we watched as well as documents, children’s art work,
than two earlier (similar) models, with an es-
a hundred snapshots scanned in just over flat memorabilia, and so on. Thanks to the
timated speed of 13.7 prints per minute with
three minutes. Scanning at 600dpi would special handling sheet, custom rollers, and
only black ink or 7.3 in colour based on the
have taken longer, as expected. Thanks to paper path, this scanner can also accept
ISO standard. To ensure long life, the Epson
Epson’s Perfect-Picture proprietary image- fragile photos such as those from your
processing technology, the quality of the ancestors. Compared to Epson’s conven-
scans that we saw was surprisingly good. tional flatbed scanners, this unit is pricey, at
An Epson rep demonstrated the Single-Step $899.99, list, however, anyone with thou-
technology that automatically scans both sands of photos, artwork and other flat ob-
the image and any handwritten notes on the jects to scan will find that the FF-640 will
back. They also showed examples as to how make such projects a breeze.
the Custom FastFoto Software was able to
improve faded photos automatically with
Smart Photo Fix (SPF) technology, remove
red-eye, and generally enhance colours. In
some cases, the benefit was dramatic.
Other features include the ability to easily
create slideshows, displays, and more. This
would be particularly useful during a gather-
 A PRINT ENSURES YOUR STORY
WILL CONTINUE.

PRINT YOUR LEGACY.

STEVE McCURRY
PHOTOGRAPHED BY TIM MANTOANI

epson.ca/printyourlegacy

EPSON is a registered trademark and EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product
and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks.
Copyright 2015 Epson America, Inc.
14 PHOTO News

FIELD TEST | TAMRON SP 85MM F/1.8 DI VC USD  

BY PETER K. BURIAN

An ideal portrait lens

with many other uses
Opinions vary as to the ideal focal length for portraits, but with a full-
frame DSLR, 85mm provides a highly pleasing perspective in a head-
and-shoulders portrait from the typical camera-to-subject distance.

While many zoom lenses include this short telephoto lens is not restricted to tightly framed photos of
focal length, Tamron’s new 85mm f/1.8 a single individual. In fact, during the test period, I used it often
lens (in Canon, Nikon and Sony DSLR for group photos and action shots at colourful events. Indoors,
mount) provides a significant benefit: a where flash was not practical, I definitely appreciated the ability
much wider aperture of f/1.8. This al- to shoot at ISO 1000 to 1600 at f/1.8 instead of using a much
lows for shallow depth of field to isolate higher ISO at f/4 with my zoom lens.
the subject by blurring a distant back-
ground into a soft wash of colour. And Lens Construction and Features
f/1.8 offers another benefit vs. zooms in In spite of the relatively affordable price, the Tamron engin-
available light photography: the wider eers specified a high-grade optical formula with LD (Low dis-
aperture allows for shooting at a much persion) and XLD (Extra-low dispersion) glass. Flare is con-
faster shutter speed to prevent blurring trolled with eBAND and BBAR multi-layer coatings as well as
from subject motion and camera shake. the deep lens hood. The very rugged barrel contains 13 large
The lens is also fully-compatible elements so this is not a lightweight lens but it’s average in
with a DSLR with the smaller APS-C size and balanced very nicely on a Nikon D810.
format sensor, providing a 127.5mm or This lens is equipped with the VC image stabilizer (except
136mm equivalent (depending on the in Sony mount) and the fast, quiet Ultrasonic Silent Drive auto-
exact sensor size). That’s very close to focus. Manual-focus override is available in AF mode. The
135mm which is the second favourite 0.8m close focus distance allows for close-up shots of a small
focal length for portraits, providing a bit subject; that’s not macro, of course, but remains useful. This
more compression of perspective for a is the only lens in its class with an image stabilizer; that was
flattering effect that many photograph- useful in low light, helping to compensate for camera shake.
ers appreciate. This fast (wide aperture)
In-Use Performance
The USD autofocus system was very fast, and highly effective.
The nearly silent action of the AF and VC motors was useful
whenever I decided to record video clips. Like any image stabil-
izer, VC needed time to spool up to full effectiveness, but that was
under one second. Afterwards, I was consistently able to achieve
a series of blur-free photos of static subjects at 1/20 sec. or faster.
At f/1.8 this Tamron lens delivered high sharpness in the
central 75% area; the corners were surprisingly sharp too.
The bokeh is beautiful: defocused areas in the background
are smooth and creamy. Flare was minimal even in strong
side lighting. Optical aberrations were well controlled but a
bit of purple fringing was visible in some photos; that was
 Autumn 2016 15

Specifications - Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD

Angle of View: 28° 33’
Minimum Object Distance: 0.8 m
Maximum Reproduction Ratio: 1:7.2
Diaphragm: 9 blades, circular
Filter Threads: 67mm
VC Stabilizer: In Canon and Nikon mounts
Autofocus: Ring-type USD with full-time manual override
Dimensions: 84.8 x 88.8 mm
Weight: 700 g

easy to fix in RAW converter software.

My best images made for 13x19” prints
(using an Epson SureColor P800) that I
would be proud to exhibit. By f/4 to f/8,
sharpness across the entire frame was
impressive; the images would make ex-
cellent 24x36” custom prints.

Final Assessment
This fast, versatile portrait lens is
unique in its class because of the com-
bination of image stabilizer and mois-
ture-resistant construction. Consid-
ering those aspects – plus the overall
rugged construction and superb optical
performance – the price is incredibly
competitive. If you’re in the market for
a short telephoto with a very wide aper-
ture, this one should be high on your list
to consider. .

FIREFLY PAR First Place

A 16-sided, almost circular softbox for
strobes and speedlights. Opens like an Kathryn
umbrella - it doesn’t get any easier. Ideal Mussallem’s Sailor
as a main light or a fill when circular in the Spotlight
catchlights are needed.

STRIPBOUNCE
SB35 & SB50
Portable and easy to use so you can shape
your light instantly. Creates a narrow
strip of light - perfect for accents and
precise lighting. Zips together and the top
flips over.
To learn how we captured this image with
FIREFLY PAR and STRIPBOUNCE,
subscribe to PHOTONews Flash at
www.photonews.ca/subscribe Will Prentice, Captura Photography • www.capturaphoto.ca
INNOVATION… AND LUMIX By Johan Sorensen

In my line of work, I need to constantly innovate to stay current.

My name is Johan Sorensen and I have been creating
my art with a camera and lens for over 35 years.
As a photographer, I often look to the art world for
inspiration–music, movies, paintings, sculpture – they all
fuel my creativity. However, technology can play a part
as well in fueling my vision. In this case, I used the latest
in projection technology along with Lumix cameras to
create an innovative series of portraits.

In my job, my equipment is one of the keys to my

success. I demand a lot from the camera bodies and
lenses that I use in my day to day work. I need to have
something small and portable as I shoot on location
quite often. I also require sharpness and resilience from
the lenses that are in my bag. That’s why I enjoy using
the Panasonic Lumix brand of cameras.
The Lumix bodies are packed full of features but they
don’t weigh me down. I can carry two bodies and four
lenses in a small bag. That allows me to follow my
creativity wherever it may lead me. The sensor delivers
quality images in file sizes that don’t bog down my
computer. This is an added plus in my line of work–I can
speed up my workflow and still deliver fantastic images.
The Dual Image Stabilization on the GX8 and GX85 is
incredibly advanced. I can hand hold the bodies, even
with longer lenses and not worry about image shake.
Many of the Panasonic lenses are designed by LEICA.
Any photographer knows that the LEICA brand means
phenomenal quality lenses, very sharp and accurate.
Whether I am outside or in the studio, I can rely on
the ultra-fast focusing and superior optics of the
Panasonic lenses to get the job done right. My images
are crisp and sharp every time.
Panasonic Lumix... It’s now my “go to” brand both
personally and professionally.
Shop.Panasonic.ca/Lumix

1 page ads
Panasonic

No one wants Shaky Shots. That’s a fact. The LUMIX GX85 incorporates a new 5-axis
Dual Image Stabilizer for more effective suppression of blur. This feature combines Body
Stabilization plus Lens Stabilization for crisp handheld shots every time. The Dual I.S.
is ideal for both wide-angle and telephoto modes, as well as challenging night shots
and one-handed shooting. The 5-axis Dual I.S. works in both photo and motion picture
recording including 4K video. Say goodbye to blur with the Panasonic Lumix GX85.

Shop.Panasonic.ca/Lumix
18

Congratulations to the winners of

the PHOTO News “Macro Magic”
Challenge, who participated in
the contest thread at our flickr®
group at www.flickr.com/groups/
PHOTONewsgallery/
Our winning photographer will receive
a special prize – a Lumix LX100 from
Panasonic Canada, our PHOTO News
Challenge sponsor for 2016.
You could be the winner of the next
PHOTO News Challenge and have
your photo published in the Winter
issue – for more information please
see page 66.

Winner
Getting Ready for Winter!
Eduardo Baena of Surrey, BC captured
this image of a bee flying to a flower with
a Nikon D90 and an 18-105mm Nikon
lens, shooting at 105 mm, f/8, 1/1000
second, ISO 800. “It was an early Autumn
afternoon and the sun was low in the
sky, which gave me the perfect light for
the shot. Of course the difficult part was
keeping everything in focus!”

Voluptueux
Judy Hancock Holland of Nanaimo,
BC, captured this image of a dried
anthurium blossom with an Olympus
E-M1 and Olympus 60mm macro
lens, shooting at 1/13 second, f/6.3,
ISO 400. “I took this shot in window
light with in-camera focus brack-
eting, and stacked the frames using
Helicon Focus.
 Autumn 2016 19

Golden Tunnel
of Post-it Notes
Marianna Armata,
of Montreal, Quebec,
created this image of
a golden tunnel using
four sheets of yellow
Post-it Notes rolled
around a pencil, and
back lit with a little spot
light on a black Arborite
table. “I used my
mirrorless Panasonic
Lumix GH2 and an
Olympus 60mm f/2.8
Macro Lens, shooting
at 1 second, f/16,
ISO 160. Inspired by
the outcome of this
image, I continued
my exploration into
macro photography of
paper and created a
whole series.”

Reminds me of a
Bridal Bouquet…
Monica de
Moss, of East
Lawrencetown
Nova Scotia, used
a Canon EOS 5D
Mark III, and an
EF 100mm f/2.8
Macro USM lens
to capture this
image, shooting
at f/2.8, 1/125
second, ISO 100.
Moth
Brenda Brand, of
Crediton, Ontario,
shot this Moth in her
backyard garden. I
took this picture with
my Nikon D90 and a
105mm lens, shooting
at f/10, 1/640 second,
ISO 200.
Poppy
Marion Buccella of London
Ontario, captured this image
of a poppy with a Nikon D7000
and a Nikkor 85mm macro lens,
shooting at f/11, 1/160 second,
ISO 400. “I focused on the
intricate centre to capture all of
its detail, but also made certain
I had enough depth of field to
show the ruffly petals”.
20 PHOTO News Reader’s GALLERY
Each issue, PHOTO News presents a gallery of spectacular images from
our readers, as posted in the pool at the flickr® group.
To view the full array of images from PHOTO News readers, please visit
the pool at www.flickr.com/groups/PHOTO Newsgallery/pool

Heading Down the Dusty Trail

Ryan Courson, from Cambridge, Ontario, captured this image while visiting a ranch in BC, using a Nikon D750 with 70-
200 f/2.8 lens, shooting at f/8, 1/1250 second, ISO 800. “I really wanted to capture the power and motion of these
incredible animals. The dust that they kicked up really helped to create the atmosphere that made the shot special.”

Canadian Road Cycling

Championship
Nelson Mercier, of Gati-
neau, Quebec, shot this
photo of Lex Albrecht
leading the pack during
the Canadian Road
Cycling Championship
on June 25, 2016 in
Ottawa, Canada, using
a Nikon D750 and
Nikkor 24-120 mm
lens at 105 mm, f/10,
shutter priority mode
at 1/1000 second,
ISO, Metering Mode
- Centerweighted
average, hand held.
“The cyclists were
going uphill and had
to turn right just after
me. They were going to
slow down and get very
close to the road curb.
The sun was on my
right and the back-
ground was free of
crowds, cars or signs.”
Images featured in the PHOTO News Reader’s Gallery are selected from the photo pool at the
PHOTO News flickr® group – why not take a look, join the group, and post a few pictures! Autumn 2016 21
www.flickr.com/groups/PHOTO Newsgallery/
9PM Gun, Vancouver BC
Garry Johns of Port
Moody, BC, captured this
image with his Nikon
D750, using a Nikkor
17-35mm f/2.8 lens
with a Lee Big Stopper,
shooting at 17mm f/13,
30 seconds, ISO 50.
“I rose early in order to
arrive at Stanley Park in
Vancouver for a 05:30
shoot. Stanley Park
is probably the most
photographed area in
BC, but seldom do we
see sunrise photos. I was
tired but excited to be
able to capture this spe-
cial moment. This photo
was processed entirely
in Lightroom.”

Wings Up
Gary Fairhead, of Ottawa Ontario,
photographed this Great Blue Heron with a
Canon 7D MKII and Canon EF 500nn f/4 IS
USM lens, shooting at f/8, 1/3200 second,
ISO 1250. “I spotted this beautiful Great
Blue Heron shortly after it caught a catfish
on the Ottawa River at Petrie Island in the
East end of Ottawa. The bird then flew to a
drier spot to consume the fish, and that is
when I was able to take this photo.”

Night on the Lake

Michel Filion from Magog, Quebec, made this waterscape
image at night, shooting at 12 seconds and wide open at
f/2.8, ISO 1600. “I used the live view function to lock the
mirror up, thus preventing unwanted shot vibration for this
long exposure. the 12 second exposure time was perfect for
the mirror-like effect of the water.”
Photo Challenge

“The World Through

“The World Through My Lens” is a travel Entries close Oct. 31, 2016.
themed contest open to all Canadian For full contest rules and information please
photo enthusiasts. visit hongkong2016.PHOTO News.ca
Your assignment – to photograph the
sights and scenes of your favourite Follow the adventures of our team
destinations – your subjects could be as of Canadian Nikon professionals
close as the view from your front porch Kristian Bogner, Michael DeFreitas,
or as far as the other side of the world… and Michelle Valberg – online and in the
so grab your camera and get ready for a pages of PHOTO News magazine, as
photo adventure! they explore the wonders of Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of the world’s premier and share a wealth of knowledge on the
travel destinations. Enjoy the vibrant culture techniques of travel photography. Check
and exotic flavour of this amazing city. out the special section in this issue of
Enter the PHOTO News “The World Through PHOTO News showcasing the amazing
my Lens” contest to win! Contest is open to sights of Hong Kong.
Canadian residents 18 and older.

SUPPORTED BY:
 Dea
d
Oct line fo
obe r en
r 31 trie
, 20 s:
16

My Lens” A TRAVEL THEMED PHOTOGRAPHY

CONTEST CELEBRATING OUR
25th ANNIVERSARY

GRAND PRIZE Return economy airfare for two from a major airport in Canada to Hong Kong courtesy
of Cathay Pacific; 4 nights accommodation in Hong Kong courtesy of The Langham
Hong Kong; selected tours courtesy of the Hong Kong Tourism Board; a Nikon D5500
with a 18-55mm VR II Lens Kit and a Vanguard Kinray 53 Purple Backpack (Model
VAK53PR) and Vanguard VEO 234 Monopod (Model VAVEOAM234). Total approximate
retail value of the grand prize is $7500.

SECOND PRIZE A Nikon COOLPIX AW130 and a Vanguard Kinray 48 Purple Backpack (Model VAK48PR).
Total approximate retail value of the second prize is $590.

THIRD PRIZE A Nikon COOLPIX AW130 and a Vanguard Kinray 43 Purple Sling bag (Model VAK43PR).
Total approximate retail value of the third prize is $510.

For more information on Hong Kong, visit DiscoverHongKong.com

24 PHOTO News

Special Feature | The Magic of...

BY MICHEL ROY

Tripod Technique
I have been a professional
photographer for quite a while
now, and through all those years
the most frequent questions
that people ask me are “should I
buy this camera?” and “should I
buy this lens?”

Yes, there are some cameras and lenses

that are better than others, but believe
me–I could use a less expensive cam-
era and lenses, sharpen the images in
Photoshop, and achieve pretty much the
same results in the end.
Other than your choice of camera
and lens, there is one piece of equip-
ment that can really make a difference
in the quality of your photographs–a
good sturdy tripod!
I went for a walk around old Quebec
City at blue hour the other day, with my
dog Rocky, my camera, and my tripod.
The light was spectacular–it was the
perfect time of day for photography–just
before dusk.

Bio
When we arrived at the Fountain of Tourny, I saw a group of
8 or 9 photographers, but only one of them was using a tripod,
While I did not see the results of their work, I can guarantee that
the other photographer with a tripod and I had the best pictures.
Why? Because in low light and in many other shoot-
Michel Roy, from Quebec City, is the ing conditions the tripod is the most important part of your
owner of Digital Direct Photos & Videos, equipment, it will help you create the photo of your dreams.
specializing in a full range of photography
and video from corporate assignments to With a tripod, you can take your time to compose and frame
weddings. For a visual adventure, visit the the picture, and think more about the whole process of tak-
website at www.digitaldirect.ca. ing a photograph.
 Autumn 2016 25

Using a tripod is not just a matter of setting it up and taking

the picture. Many people use their tripod at eye level far too
often. You should always keep in mind that a good tripod will
help you get low for dramatic angles, or go high to shoot over
a crowd. The possibilities are virtually endless.
It is very important that you “become the camera” before
you set up your tripod. Bend your knees, go low, move around,
find the perfect angle for your shot, and then set up your tripod
for a rock solid shot. Put one of the legs in front (in line with the
lens) so the camera and lens are most solidly supported, and
you have space to stand or kneel directly behind the camera.
Always use the larger diameter leg extensions first if you don’t
extend the legs fully. These sections are more solid than the
thinner sections. If you have a level built-in to your tripod, you
can use it to set up the most accurate shooting platform, but
the most important adjustment is to level the camera after the
tripod setup is rock solid.
Some tripods have a centre column that you can extend–
use this only in when absolutely necessary, your camera will
be less stable when this is extended. Extend the legs instead if
you need to get higher.
One thing I do when my camera is on a tripod is to switch
to live view mode on the LCD, so I can adjust the framing
faster than bringing my face to the viewfinder. To make sure
that you are not imparting any vibration to the camera when
you hit the shutter button, use a remote control, or do like
me, and use the 2-second shutter delay on the camera – this
works perfectly.
I cannot overemphasize that you should take your time
composing the shot and adjusting the camera settings. Invest
a few seconds to do everything right, and it will save you lots
of money. Rush when you set up a camera on a tripod and bad
things can happen. I learned this lesson the hard way–I got
out of my car in a big hurry to catch a beautiful snowy owl that
was perched next to the road. In my haste, I did not take the
seconds required to set up the tripod on solid ground, and in a
split second my Canon with a 500mm lens fell to the ground.

Colourful Rue St-Louis in Quebec City is

looking great with a slow shutter speed on
a sturdy tripod. Yes, I could have gone with
a high ISO and hand held technique, but the
image would not have been as beautiful
and artistic.
26 PHOTO News
Michel Roy | Special Feature

That mistake cost me a $1,650 repair. It

has been 10 years since this happened
and I am still angry at myself for this, so
please learn from my mistake!
If you are using a heavier lens, al-
ways make sure to mount the lens on
your tripod using the tripod collar on
the lens, instead of mounting your
camera and letting your lens hang off
the mount. The camera and lens will be
more stable and easier to balance.
On a tripod, image stabilisation
can be turned off. I don’t think about it
all the time, but many say it is a good
thing to do.
My trusty tripod is always in the
trunk of my car, I never go to an as-
signment without it, and if you aspire
to become a great photographer, invest
in a good tripod, they last forever and
they retain their value. I feel like crying
when I see someone with an expensive
camera and lens mounted on a cheap
tripod! Everything could fall at any
time… would you put cheap tires on a
Ferrari? I don’t think so.
Getting the perfect shot often means
waiting for your subject to pose, or wait-
ing for the light to be change. In nature
photography as well as studio and loca-
tion assignments, waiting is part of the
work, and a tripod can save your back in
the long run.

When the time of day and the light is perfect,

your sturdy tripod is the only way you can
use the perfect shutter speed for photog-
raphy. This is the Fountain of Tourny in
Quebec City, HDR from 5 exposures.

With a good tripod you can perfectly frame the picture to your taste.
I used f/5 because I wanted a separation between the fountain and
the Price building. And yes, it is a 5 exposure HDR image shot on a
solid tripod.
 Autumn 2016 27

The Fairmont Chateau Frontenac is the

most photographed hotel in the world,
but only the photographers with a good
technique and a tripod can catch all its
beauty. HDR from 5 exposures.

There are many opportunities to use a good tripod

I shoot tons of HDR images. To get the best results from my Bring a neural density filter as well as a polarizer with
camera, a tripod is absolutely necessary. I want the best align- you, they are light accessories, and an easy way to create
ment from the different HDR exposures, and only a tripod can long exposure images that can only be captured with the
guarantee that. help of a tripod.
I love long exposure photography, you should love it also, it If your tripod was made in the last century, be a sport and
has a “look” that is so cool. give it away–the days of the old bulky metal and heavy tripods
Creating amazingly sharp photography at dawn, dusk or are over! Go out and get yourself a brand new carbon-fibre
at night is the tripod’s bread and butter, since you can combine or lightweight but sturdy tripod, and you will forever change
a low ISO with a small aperture and long exposure. your approach to photography!
A tripod lets you shoot a scene with exactly the same com- Take a few minutes to share your beautiful pictures of the
position time after time. This makes it easy to mask people or world at our Photo News Gallery flickr® group, let’s see your
swap smiles in Photoshop if necessary. best shots!
With an interval timer you can easily create amazing
video using the time lapse photography technique. Asta la vista baby!
28 PHOTO News

Photo Destination | Victoria Island-Nunavut

BY WAYNE LYNCH

The Art
of Seeing
Victoria Island is one of my treasured arctic photo
destinations. As Canada’s second largest island
after Baffin Island, it is nearly double the size of
Newfoundland and larger than Great Britain.
For several decades I have been going to this arctic oasis to photo-
graph herds of woolly muskoxen, spirited arctic fox pups, exotic
yellow-billed loons, and flamboyant king eiders, perhaps the most
colourful bird in the Arctic. In years when lemmings are plentiful, the
island’s midnight sun enhances the chances of capturing snowy owls
at the nest. On a recent trip I spent a long day slogging over the wet
tundra near my camp and found three nesting snowy owls. In the late
afternoon I set up a blind at the most photogenic of the three nests and
hid inside for five hours. I recorded the events in my journal:
3:40 pm–The female is incubating her six white eggs while
facing into the sun, her eyes shielded behind black squinting
lids. Five mosquitoes are clinging to the feathers along the side
of her beak. I revel in the soothing sounds of nature I hear from
inside the blind and try to decipher the natural events occur-
ring outside around me: the tinkling whistle of a territorial male
horned lark, the raspy rattle of a red-throated loon flying over-
head, the rhythmic gurgle of water lapping along the shore of the
lake only 40 meters away and the jingle of candle ice collapsing
in the afternoon heat.

Arctic Fox
 Autumn 2016 29

4:47 pm–The male snowy owl has

landed behind my blind, resting on
an upturned shelf of ice on the lake,
possibly cooling himself in the warm
afternoon.
6:25 pm–The female hoots softly
while she moves the eggs beneath her
with her bill and then shifts about 15
degrees on the nest.
7:05 pm–The female flies off the
nest and mates with her partner on a
nearby ridge after he offers her a lem-
ming. She swallows the entire animal
in a single convulsive gulp. Afterwards
she wipes her beak back and forth on
the tundra and within a minute she is
back on the nest warming her eggs.
8:30 pm–The female flushes from
the nest when I accidentally sneeze.
She is back again within three min-
utes. I’m happy that my presence is not
too great a disturbance to the mother
owl. Capturing these candid moments
with a camera has always been of
secondary importance to me and the
greatest reward has always been ex-
periencing the natural wealth of the
moment.
30 PHOTO News
Wayne Lynch | Photo Destination
On my trips to Victoria Island I always camp near the base
of Mt. Pelly, 15 kilometers northeast of the small community
of Cambridge Bay. Mt. Pelly is a 200-m high esker rising
above the surrounding landscape of hummocky tundra and
small shimmering lakes. The conspicuous hill is the center-
piece of Ovayok Territorial Park. Two smaller eskers are
visible north of it, Baby Pelly and Lady Pelly. An Inuit legend
claims that the three hills are a family of starving giants
that died while crossing the island hunting for food. Aside
from the wildlife richness of the area there are also several
archeological sites within the park that include ancient food
caches and tent rings from Thule campsites, suggesting that
the area has been inhabited for over 1,000 years.
Going back to the same location always challenges me as
a photographer. Rather than comforting me with its famili-
arity it pushes me to be more creative. It forces me to “see”.
Seeing is very different than looking, and both are influ-
enced by preconceptions. Psychologists recognize two kinds
of preconceptions. Personal preconceptions influence what
we photograph and whether a subject is worthy of considera-
tion or is simply ignored. Most of these preconceptions are ac-
quired as we grow up, absorbed from the attitudes and values
of our family, friends, teachers and other influential people in
our lives. For example, when I was growing up I learned from
the people around me that snakes were to be feared and avoid-
ed. After all, they were cold, slimy, ill-tempered beasts to be
shunned rather than admired for their biological beauty. Con-
sequently, for a long time I never considered snakes, or any
other reptiles, to be a worthy photo subject. My preconceptions
stifled and limited my creativity. Thankfully, we as photog-
raphers, and everyone else for that matter, can change our
personal preconceptions by conscious analysis and re-evalu-
ation. Today, reptiles are among my favorite subjects and con-
tinually challenge me artistically. Willow Catkin

Muskoxen Calf
 Autumn 2016 31
Wayne Lynch | Photo Destination

Tundra Flowers, Victoria Island

The second type of preconceptions are artistic ones. For

me, artistic preconceptions are like a set of questions I use to
help me break old habits. What time of year should I photo-
graph a particular subject, which lenses should I consider
using, which angles are likely to yield a fresh approach, which
shutter speeds and apertures have I never considered trying?
Before my most recent trip to Victoria Island this past
summer, I studied my copy of Freeman Patterson’s classic
1985 book Photography and the Art of Seeing. Freeman chal-
lenges photographers to ask a simple question each time
they are confronted with a photographic subject, especially
a familiar one. Rather than ask yourself: “what do I see?” he
suggests asking yourself “what do I not see?” This kind of
lateral thinking can be liberating and very exciting. When
you fail to challenge your artistic preconceptions and limit
yourself to old habits, your photography becomes predict-
able and boring. Consider the beauty of a sunset. Most of us
still find the vision of a crimson setting sun igniting a carpet
of clouds to be a beautiful visual experience. Every photog-
rapher I know has such images, but unfortunately many of

Black-crowned Night-heron Fishing

Snowy owl Red-throated

Black-crownedloon
Night-heron Fishing
32 PHOTO News
Wayne Lynch | Photo Destination

Drake King Eider

us stop photographing sunsets even

though we continue to be emotion-
ally moved by them. I suspect we are
bored with our own results because
we always tend to photograph sunsets
Even after in exactly the same way. By asking
yourself what you are not seeing in
35 years as the beauty of a sunset you can rekin-
a pro wildlife dle your passion for the subject and re-
photographer vitalize your photography.
I still catch From childhood we learn that life is
full of rules. But there are no rules in
myself mired art, only guidelines. Don’t be afraid to
in the familiar. fail. It takes conscious work to change
one’s artistic preconceptions but the
rewards are immense. Even after 35
years as a pro wildlife photographer I
still catch myself mired in the familiar.
It’s like the old expression “it’s hard to
teach an old dog new tricks”. Returning
to Victoria Island was like returning to
the warmth of an old friend’s home. I
knew what I would see, but I made my-
self a promise to see what I had missed
on so many previous trips.

Bio
Author Wayne Lynch has published four books on
the beauty and science of the Arctic. His most recent
is Planet Arctic: Life at the Top of the World praised by
the American Library Association as “breathtaking in
its detail and startling in its warmth.” Sabine's Gull
34 PHOTO News

SPECIAL REPORT – HONG KONG PROJECT

BY JACQUES DUMONT

A World of
Photo Opportunities!

View from the Peak

If a single image could represent Hong Kong, it would be the panorama

from Victoria Peak. Looking down at the city from this famous vantage
point, you will see one of the finest harbours on Earth. Nikon D800,
24mm lens at f/4, 1/80 second, ISO 200.
 Autumn 2016 35

In April 2016, in collaboration with the Hong

Kong Tourism Board, I had the pleasure of
leading a team of Canadian photographers on
P hotographers Michelle Valberg, Kristian Bogner, Mi-
chael DeFreitas and I set out to capture images while
Hayley Ohlig, our logistics and technology consultant,
coordinated the schedules and equipment that we would need
to capture four key aspects of the Hong Kong tourism assign-
a four-day PHOTO News “Image Hong Kong” ment. Our goal was to capture the visual essence of the at-
tourism adventure. tractions, the culinary experience, the outdoors, and the living
culture of this magnificent destination.
The PHOTO News team compiled a portfolio of spectacu-
lar images that will be exhibited throughout the year by the
Hong Kong Tourism Board. The following pages include a
selection of images from our expedition, which we present
in conjunction with our 25th Anniversary “The World
Through My Lens” photo challenge. Please take a few min-
utes to discover Hong Kong with us, as we reveal the tips
and techniques that the pros use to cover a major travel and
tourism assignment.
Hong Kong is one of the most dynamic cities in the world
and one of the easiest to visit. After more than 150 years of
colonial immersion and 5000 years of Chinese culture, this
city offers the opportunity to experience a vibrant culture dis-
playing a unique fusion of “East-West” elements.
Dining in Hong Kong is a very special experience. You can
excite your taste buds and sample the dim sum and a host of
regional specialties at an endless variety of locations, or enjoy
a gourmet experience at one of 57 highly rated Michelin res-
taurants. It is not surprising that Hong Kong is often referred
to as the Culinary Capital of Asia.
Hong Kong is an outstanding destination if you enjoy
shopping. One moment you walk in front of a row of tradition-
al Chinese medicine shops and then you suddenly find your-
self in the cool splendour of an exciting shopping centre.

The Challenges of Travel Photography

With only four days on location, we took advantage of every
opportunity to take pictures. When the weather was rainy and
cloudy we created a different range of images than what you
usually see in the travel promotions. Our team quickly adapt-
ed to the challenge of overcast skies, using the soft light to
create beautiful photographs.
Photographing a very large and bustling city can be quite
a challenge. With more than 7 million residents, Hong Kong is
one of the busiest places on Earth, yet it is a clean and safe city
with an incredible bus/train/subway transit system. We found
the people to be extremely polite and helpful–they love wel-
coming tourists, and seem to be especially fond of Canadians!
Hong Kong is the #1 city in the world for architectural
images. With 7,685 high-rise buildings, and more than 300
skyscrapers (buildings over 150 meters), you often find your-
self looking up. The tallest of the skyscrapers is the 118-storey
International Commerce Centre, which stands 484 metres
(1,588 feet), the ninth-tallest building in the world.
You could take pictures in Hong Kong 24 hours a day–and
we certainly did! The Hong Kong skyline is spectacular–wide-
ly considered to be the finest in the world. The architecture
stands in harmony with the surrounding mountains, with
Victoria Harbour gleaming in the foreground. Every night,
more than 40 of the skyscrapers and surrounding buildings
coordinate their lights to create a visual attraction called the
Symphony of Lights. The Guinness Book of Records applauds
this lighting spectacular as the largest permanent light and
sound festival in the world.
 36 PHOTO News

H
About Hong Kong
ong Kong or “Fragrant Harbour” is situated on the
south-eastern coast of China and covers an area
of 1,104 square kilometres (425 square miles). It
comprises Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New
Territories, which includes 262 outlying islands with a
total of 7.2 million inhabitants and an area of 2,700
km2. Travel in the spring and you can expect pleasant
temperatures with some humidity. During the sum-
mer, the weather tends to be hot, humid and sunny,
with occasional showers and thunderstorms. The
daytime temperature may exceed 30°C. Autumn is a
beautiful time to visit, with pleasant breezes, plenty
of sunshine and comfortable temperatures. Winter
tends to be cool, dry and cloudy, with average tem- 
perature around 15°C in urban areas.
Getting around town is incredibly easy despite
this amazing population density. The Mass Transit
Railway, or MTR, was founded in 1979 and com-

prises 155 stations on nearly 220 km of rails. The
system is air-conditioned, clean and very safe. A
traditional Tramway that started operating in 1903
uses double-decker trams. It covers parts of Hong
Kong Island on a circular route around the Happy
Valley Racecourse and is a great way to see some
of the older parts of town. A network of busses also
operates in and around the New Territories, allowing
residents and visitors alike to reach destinations
such as the Aberdeen Fishing Village.
Since Hong Kong is built around a deep harbour,
the transportation system would not be complete
without ferries. A must-see, these ferries provide
a great view of both Kowloon and Hong Kong Island
from the water!
Transport is relatively inexpensive, particularly
with the versatile Octopus card. This tap-enabled
card is accepted on of all the above systems and
counts down based on the distance travelled. Eas-
ily reloaded and with no expiry date, this card is an
invaluable travel companion. Taxis are also reliable
and affordable. When you are ready to travel, down-
load the app: “My Hong Kong Guide”–it is an excellent
way to features and attractions.
For more information on travel to the area,
please visit the Hong Kong Tourism Board website:
www.discoverhongkong.com

1. Buddhas at Po Lin Monastery. Nikon D800, 55mm lens 3. Po Lin Monastery. Nikon D800, 46mm at f/5.6,
at f/4.5, 1/80 second, ISO 400. 1/125 second, ISO 640.
2. Double-decker Tram. Nikon D800, 34mm at f/5.5, 4. A performer from the Cantonese Opera team at Ko Shan
1/10 second, ISO 360. Theatre in Kowloon. Nikon D800, 112mm at f/4.5,
1/100 second, ISO 400.
 38 PHOTO News

Hong Kong:
“Simply Surprising”
I
Michael DeFreitas
nstantly recognizable by its world-famous skyline, Hong Kong is one of the most exciting and photogenic
cities in the world. With its glimmering skyline, eclectic night markets, neon cluttered streets, picturesque
harbour, secluded hilltop temples, laidback out islands and its peaceful bucolic countryside, you’ll find sur-
prising photo ops everywhere in this culturally diverse and colourful destination.
I love photographing people going about their daily life and there are no better places to do this than in
Hong Kong’s local markets. These bustling oases of commerce, tucked amid the towering skyline, provide a
peek into Hong Kong’s fascinating melting-pot culture and people.
Over the years I have found that people usually alter their behaviour when someone points a big obvious
and intrusive lens in their direction. That’s why I opt for a wide-angle lens (14mm-24mm) so I can get close
to the action without intimidating anyone. I seldom bring the camera up to my eyes, relying instead on
wide-angle close-ups to record the scene. I usually wrap the camera strap around my wrist and shoot from
a low angle, pointing at the products while still including the people.
When language permits I always try to communicate with my subjects (English is widely spoken in HK).
Showing an interest in a vendor’s product or a buyer’s purchase generally puts them more at ease resulting
in more natural looking photos. Wide-angle lenses work great for close-up shots of food, jade charms, cal-
ligraphy brushes, prayer tags and other detail worthy subjects.
One of my favourite spots for photographing people was the small fish market on Nelson Street. A few
steps from my hotel (Cordis Hong Kong at Langham Place), it hums with activity all day. I struck up a con-
versation with one of the fish vendors and before I knew it, I was getting a lesson on fish identification and
some cheesy posed shots. After establishing a friendly connection it was easy to get more spontaneous
shots around his stall. Other people hotspots include the Ladies and Goldfish Markets on Tung Choi Street,
the indoor Jade Market on Battery Street, and the Flower and Bird Markets near Flower Market Road.
I love Hong Kong because it stimulates all my senses. The glittering neon studded skyline, the delicious
aromas, colourful temples and fascinating markets. It’s like three or four great cities rolled into one. I can’t
wait for my next visit!


 Autumn 2016 39
Portfolio | Johan Sorensen

1. I used my wide-angle lens and shot from a

low perspective to capture this image at the
food market.

2. I photographed a performer checking

makeup by shooting his image in the mirror.
Nikon D7100, 58 mm, f/3.5, 1/100 second
(-0.33 EV), ISO 400.


 40 PHOTO News
Michael DeFreitas

 

1. Nikon D7100, 70 mm, f/5, 1/100 second

(-0.33 EV) ISO 200. 
2. Tropical fish are a popular item at the market.

3. Shooting movement at the MTR station, using a slow

hand-held shutter speed with my D7100, 48 mm, f/6.3,
1/1.3 second (+0.33 EV), ISO 100.

4. Now that’s dinner! Nikon D7000, 38 mm, f/3.2, 1/30

second, ISO 400.
 Autumn 2016 41
SPECIAL REPORT – Hong Kong Project

Nikon D7100, 29 mm, f/3.2, 1/80 second

(-0.33 EV), ISO 200.
 42 PHOTO News

A Dream Destination!
When I was asked to join the Image Hong Kong photography team,
I immediately thought “dream job!”

T
Michelle Valberg
his week-long adventure, a unique collaboration between PHOTO News magazine and the Hong Kong Tour-
ism Board, with sponsorship from Vanguard and Nikon, would be my first opportunity to visit Hong Kong. It
was a wonderful assignment with Kristian Bogner, a fellow Canadian Nikon Ambassador and Michael Defr-
eitas, a travel writer/photographer as well as Jacques Dumont, the publisher of the magazine. I have traveled
around the world (including all 7 continents) but never to Hong Kong. It was clear right from the start that this was
going to be an amazing experience full of exploration, learning and collaboration.
We had numerous outings brilliantly planned for us by Hong Kong Tourism who made sure that we had
ample opportunity to photograph the diversity and beauty of the city and countryside.
The weather forecast gave us little chance of blue skies, so I had to shift my mind’s eye to be creative
with rain and fog. I had decided that I would primarily focus on colour, lines, patterns and textures.
On our first day we went up the tram to “The Peak” and got caught in a downpour. We could see that the
fast moving clouds were going to lift, so we stood in the rain with our umbrellas while everyone else went
inside. In one instant, the sun peaked through and the colours became brilliant as the buildings began to
emerge through the clouds. This created a breathtaking view of the city and Victoria Harbour and demon-
strated why Hong Kong is known for its magnificent skylines.
One of my favourite spots was a small fishing community called Tai O. This is the home of the Tanka
people, who for generations have built their houses on stilts above the tidal flats of Lantau Island. The fog
and light rain created an atmosphere that lent itself to the colours and textures around us. I particularly
loved how the colours popped as my photo of a fisherman working on his nets.
I was thrilled to be shooting with the new Nikon D5 camera. The ISO capability surpasses anything I ever
imagined in a camera and the clarity and colours it produces are brilliant. This camera exceeds all expecta-
tions. With the D5 I would switch between the 24-70 and 14-24mm lenses, while my Nikon D4S would most
often have a longer lens like the 80-400mm or 70-200mm.
Hong Kong is an incredible place made up of diverse arts and culture, wonderful people, stunning sky-
lines with extraordinary architecture. I hope someday to have the opportunity to go back as I know there is
so much more to discover.

Night view of Kowloon from Fei Ngoi Shan Park.

Nikon D5, 28 mm, f/7.1, 1/6 second (+1 EV), ISO 1000.
 Autumn 2016 43
SPECIAL REPORT – Hong Kong Project

Kowloon Park Aviary in Tsim Sha Tsui, a city oasis.

Nikon D5, 24 mm, f/7.1, 1/125 second, ISO 640.
 44 PHOTO News
Michelle Valberg

1. T
 ai O Fishing Village, Lantau Island. Nikon D810,
180 mm, f/7.1, 1/250 second, ISO 800. 
2. Mountain view from Tai O, Venice of Hong Kong.
Nikon D5, 24 mm, f/8, 1/400 second (+1 EV),
ISO 2500.

3. Freshly made Cantonese dim sums. Nikon D5,

24 mm, f/4.5, 1/60 second, ISO 1250.
 Autumn 2016 45
SPECIAL REPORT – Hong Kong Project

Seated Big Buddha statue at Po Lin Monastery, Lantau Island.

Nikon D810, 200 mm, f/4.5, 1/640 second, ISO 640.
 46 PHOTO News

A World of
Stunning Images!
Kristian Bogner

Panoramic view of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak.

Nikon D5, 24 mm, f/8, 1/160 second, ISO 320.
 Autumn 2016 47
SPECIAL REPORT – Hong Kong Project

M
y Hong Kong photo excursion was a spectacular trip with
even more amazing sights to capture than I could have
imagined. I love to be able to switch gears or “photo-
graphic cross-train” on assignments, focusing on a range of
very different types of subject matter, and Hong Kong was the
perfect place to do this. From beaches and fishing villages to
dramatic architecture, markets and monasteries, to delicious
Skyline. Nikon D5, 58 mm, f/8, 1/500 second, ISO 1600.
cuisine and cultural experiences, there was always something
wonderful to photograph. Even though we had a great deal of
rain the week we were there, we still were able to capture some
unique, mysterious and moody images that in some ways
made the trip even more exciting.
It is important to see the photographic opportunities avail-
able to you in the moment. Solving the rain problem was as sim-
ple as buying an expandable umbrella, wearing a good rain jacket
that can cover your camera if necessary and bringing enough
dry lens wipes to clean your lenses from any water droplets or
condensation. I recommend keeping some cleaning cloths in
Ziploc™ bags just to make sure they stay as dry as possible. Also,
if you change lenses in the rain make sure that you find shelter
first–or at least tip your camera down and do the lens change as
quickly as possible. If you have a hot-shoe cover it is a good idea
to have it in place during the rain, unless you are using a flash.
This was a really fun assignment for me because I was able to
test and push the limits of my favourite new camera, the Nikon
D5, in low light and a variety of challenging lighting conditions. It
was great to travel with other amazing photographers on this
trip. You always learn something by observing other photog-
raphers in action – how they shoot, how they see the world, and
how their unique perspective produces different results in sim-
ilar situations.
Without a doubt, my favourite photo ops on this trip were the
monasteries. Man Mo Temple and Chi Lin Nunnery were stun-
ning, especially when viewed through my wide angle lens.
Capturing the evening skyline from high vantage points was
another one of my highlights. I shot a combination of RAW and
in-camera HDR images from a tripod with my in-camera picture
control settings set to full saturation.
I loved the people and friendliness of everyone we met in
Hong Kong. While walking through the markets and streets in
the rain I captured some wonderful faces and illustrative still
life images. I often paused to show my subjects the image I
took of them and this helped me make a personal connection
with the people.
The transportation systems in Hong Kong are very impressive.
It was great to be able to get around efficiently and safely, and the
subway made zipping around underneath the city a breeze.
The food was incredible and we were able to taste and photo-
graph some amazing cuisine. I am really looking forward to going
back again soon to enjoy more of what this wonderful photo des-
tination has to offer!
 48 PHOTO News
Kristian Bogner

 

1. C
 hinese garden in Chi Nin Nunnery & Nan
Nian Garden, Kowloon. Nikon D5, 24 mm,
f/7.1, 1/400 second, ISO 1250.

2. One of the many open air markets in Mong-

kok, Kowloon. Nikon D5, 70 mm, f/2.8,
1/500 second, ISO 2000.

3. Serene Chinese garden in a Buddhist

nunnery, Kowloon. Nikon D5, 34 mm, f/7.1,
1/800 second, ISO 1000.

4. H
 ong Kong Observation Wheel in Central
harbourfront. Nikon D5, 14 mm, f/13,
4 seconds, ISO 100.

5. S
 tar Ferry, the cheapest harbour cruise in
the world. A must ride in Hong Kong. Nikon
D810, 175 mm, f/6.3, 1/1250 second,
 ISO 800.

 
 Autumn 2016 49
SPECIAL REPORT – Hong Kong Project

PMQ, a multi purpose heritage building

& a creative hub for local design
talents. Nikon D5, 24 mm, f/4,
1/125 second,, ISO 2500.
 50 PHOTO News
SPECIAL REPORT – Hong Kong Project

“I love Hong Kong because it stimu-

Quotes from the photographers
lates all my senses. The glittering
neon studded skyline, the delicious
aromas, colourful temples and fas-
cinating markets. It’s like three or four
great cities rolled into one. I can’t wait
for my next visit!”
Michael DeFreitas

“Hong Kong is an incredible place

made up of diverse arts and culture,
wonderful people, stunning skylines
with extraordinary architecture. I
hope someday to have the oppor-
tunity to go back as I know there is so
much more to discover.”
Michelle Valberg

“Hong Kong is the perfect place for a

photo adventure. From beaches and
fishing villages to dramatic architec-
ture, markets and monasteries, to
delicious cuisine and cultural experi-
ences, there is always something
wonderful to photograph.”
Kristian Bogner

“You could take pictures in Hong Kong

24 hours a day–and we certainly did!
The Hong Kong skyline is spectacu-
lar–widely considered to be the finest
in the world. The architecture stands
in harmony with the surrounding
mountains, with Victoria Harbour
gleaming in the foreground.”
Jacques Dumont
 Cathay Pacific Airways Limited
Travelling well
means rest assured.

Explore other travellers’ #lifewelltravelled experiences

and share your own memorable moments.
cathaypacific.com/lifewelltravelled
52 PHOTO News

TECHNIQUE
BY MICHAEL DEFREITAS

How Low Can You Go?

Getting down for more dramatic images

Making travel images more interesting is a never-ending

task. Every day, dozens of beautiful travel images pop up
on our TVs, Internet and cell phones, so creating images
that stand out in the crowd can be challenging. That’s
where shooting from a low angle can help.

Except for a few glances up or down, we typically view life from eye-
level and sadly most of today’s imagery lacks real interest because it
tends to mimic that perspective. Things start to get interesting when
we stray from our normal perspective. For example, when we look
down on subjects that we usually look up at, like an aerial view of the
Eiffel Tower, or when we look up at subjects that we usually look down
at, like a small dog, the unusual perspective tends to make those sub-
jects more interesting. After all, you seldom see people with their cheek
pressed to the sidewalk looking up at their dachshund.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, may not be the most photogenic city, but that
doesn’t mean you can’t make it interesting. While on assignment there
last summer, I took some time to grab a few shots at a circus. Over the
years, I have collected thousands of circus shots, so I decided to docu-
ment this circus from a different perspective. Since chartering a helicop-
ter for aerial views was not practical, I opted for a low perspective.
 Autumn 2016 53

The resulting low angle shots of

people waiting in line at the Ferris
wheel, the camel riders, and the acro-
bats practicing behind the big top made
for an interesting day of shooting. I was
so impressed with my low-angle shots,
I used the same technique to capture
some of the city’s other attractions, in-
cluding the most photographed build-
ing in town, the Quadracci Pavilion at
the Milwaukee Museum of Art.
The big question I get from students
about this technique is, “how low do you
go?” and my answer is usually “as low
as you can” depending on safety con-
cerns for you and your camera equip-
ment. I would hardly recommend posi-
tioning yourself and your camera at the
surface of an icy cold river unless you
and your equipment were in waterproof
housings. The same is true for very hot,
greasy or corrosive surfaces. Barring
these concerns, I often rest my camera
directly on the ground for most of my
low-angle shots.

Interior of St. Stephan's Cathedral in Passau,

Germany. Nikon D800, 14mm, f/11, 0.6
second, ISO 200.

Dome of the Rock temple, Jerusalem, Israel.

Nikon D700, 14mm, f/16, 1/80 second, ISO 200.
54 PHOTO News

Men playing
alpenhorn or alpine
horn, Switzerland.
Nikon D700, 14mm,
f/14, 1/160 second,
ISO 200.

While
shooting
stock in
Switzerland
I came
While shooting stock in Switzerland I came across four You don’t have to get down to ground
across men blowing those huge wooden alphorns. After a few un- level for every subject to get the same
four men interesting shots from eye level, I placed my camera on the effect. For example, if your main subject
blowing ground close to one of the big horns and got a more dramat-
ic image. I used the same approach when shooting a couple
is a glass of smoked beer on a bar table
in Leipzig, or an Arab juice vendor in Is-
those huge of small dogs on a Paris street, the interior of Passau’s St. rael’s Akko market, or a coffee packer in
wooden Stephan’s Cathedral in Germany, the exterior of the Dome of
the Rock mosque in Jerusalem, and sea lions on a beach in
Guatemala, you can place your camera
on the table or bench top. As long as the
alphorns. the Galapagos. angle you select is not one that people
typically view from, you will usually
create a more interesting image.

The Quadracci Pavilion of the Milwaukee

Museum of Art, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Nikon
D800, 17mm, f/16, 1/160 second, ISO 100.

Galapagos sea lions,

Gardner Bay, Isla
Espanola, Galapagos
Islands, Ecuador.
Nikon D700, 17mm,
f/14, 1/125 second,
ISO 200.

PRO TIPS MORE SHOOTING LOW TECHNIQUES

• To capture more background and reduce the amount of ground/table in the
frame, raise the front of the lens a bit off the surface.
• With lenses wider than 24mm you sometimes risk being “in” the photo if you
hold the camera so preset everything and prop the camera on a bean bag and
use the camera’s self-timer to take the photo.
• Vertical low-angle shots tend to work better because they produce a more
“uplifting” perspective.
• A lens hood will help protect the front element of your lens from dust and rain-
drops when shooting from a low angle.
• Incorporating leading lines helps to accentuate the upward perspective.
 Autumn 2016 55
Michael DeFreitas | Technique

Smoked beer at the Hotel Post Restaurant in Burghausen, Germany.

Nikon D800, 17mm, f/4, 1/13 second, ISO 200.

Wide-angle lenses in the 14mm to 35mm range provide

the ideal field of view and depth of field needed for great low
perspective shots. For better results try to place your main
subject in the foreground and include enough background to Footprints on the beach at Warwick Long Bay, Jobson's Cove, Bermuda.
connect your subject with their surroundings. The shot of the Nikon D800, 14mm, f/20, 1/160 second, ISO 100.
people standing by the Ferris wheel would still have worked
without the wheel, but including the wheel helped “place” the
people at the fair or circus.
Mastering low-angle shots takes practice, but it’s worth
the effort. It also helps if you’re okay with getting down and
dirty at “street level” and don’t mind the awkward glances
you’ll get from onlookers.

GEAR UP
Ready To Take It To The Next Level?
Besides a wide-angle lens in the 14mm to 35mm range there
are a few gadgets that can make taking low angle shots
easier. I spend a fir bit of time on my knees when shooting
low so I use a set of volleyball kneepads. A small beanbag is
great for raising the front of the lens off the ground and a The annual Great Circus Parade, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Nikon D800,
mini/tabletop tripod will keep your camera off sandy, dirty, 17mm, f/16, 1/160 second, ISO 100.
or oily surfaces. Some tripods like my Vanguard Alta Pro
254CT have a multi-angle centre casting that allows you to
position the camera close to ground level.
56 PHOTO News

FLASH 101
BY WILL PRENTICE

On-Camera Flash
When I worked in a camera store, I would often be asked to suggest the best gifts for a
photographer. After a few questions to determine the photographic skill level of the gift
recipient, there was a quick list of gear I would suggest: filters, memory cards, speed-
light and speedlight modifiers, a camera bag, and a tripod were the first to come to
mind. If the lucky photographer didn’t have a speedlight, the choice was obvious–dollar
for dollar, the speedlight (or hot shoe flash) offers the most potential to enhance the
photographer’s ability to capture great pictures.

The questions followed quickly: “Do I have to buy a speed-

light from the company that made the camera? What about
your house brand? Have you heard of X, Y or Z from one of
those internet stores?” I would explain my thoughts on each
option and let the customer decide. (See the sidebar)
So what happened to that wonderful new speedlight? In
many cases, the new speedlight owner would drop by the
store with their speedlight safely nestled in their camera bag.
It may have been used once and returned to the bag. You see,
the use of any artificial light source has a bit of a learning
curve–whether you start with an on-camera speedlight, or a
set of studio strobes, you have to learn about lighting tech-
Red Eye Reduction off (L) and on (R) nique to achieve the best results.
I have found that photographers who try flash for the first
time have three common complaints: “the eyes are red”; “the
Images are too bright”; and “I hate the shadows on the wall!”

Here’s how to fix each of these problems.

Red Eyes – One way to reduce or eliminate the red eye effect in
photos is to set the flash to “Red Eye Reduction” – the flash fires
just before the exposure to make your subject’s pupils contract,
and then fires again a split second later to take the photo.
With most of today’s cameras, you can access this feature
Nikon (up) and Canon (bottom) red eye setting by pressing the flash button and spinning one of the wheels
identification
or by pressing <Menu> and scrolling to <Flash Settings> and
changing the Flash Setting to Red Eye Reduction (Fig. 3). You
have to read your manual. Seriously!
Bright Images – Images come out too bright because your
camera thinks it is smarter than you are. With TTL “automatic
mode” turned on, your camera and speedlight are trying to cre-
ate a balanced exposure. Your camera looks at the background
and thinks it is as important as your subject, and the camera
meter tells the speedlight to blast light out there. Your subject
gets overexposed and looks awful. Your speedlight goes back
in the bag.
 Autumn 2016 57

Nikon (L) and Canon

(R) Flash Exposure
Compensation

But wait–get that speedlight back a white card built into the head – it slides out at the top. You
out–we can fix this! There’s a function may even find that your speedlight head tilts and swivels. A
called “Flash Exposure Compensa- great way to reduce or eliminate that shadow is to angle your
tion (FEC)” and it’s not as scary as you speedlight head to 45° to 60° to use the wall or ceiling as a
might think. Find this function on your giant reflector, and slide the flash’s white card out. This lets
camera or flash and turn it to a negative you bounce some light off the ceiling and some off the card
number. Most speedlights don’t have to light your subject and whatever is behind them. (Fig. 5)
this control built-in – I set my cameras Light Modifiers – Your speedlight may come with a
to “-0.7” or “-1.0” to take pictures with white “dome” accessory that pops onto the speedlight
– 2/3 to one full stop less exposure, or head to diffuse the flash output, softening it and spread-
light, from my flash, and I use this for ing the light over a greater area. These light modifiers are
every photo. That way, any time I use great tools for reducing the shadows created by the flash.
flash, whether it’s built-in or a speed- I like the Cactus DC60 as it does the same thing, comes
light, I get less light from the flash and with 2 colour correcting domes and it is economical: I can
the camera compensates with slower keep a few around.
shutter speeds. For shots where I want to use a vertical or “portrait” orien-
You can also set flash compensa- tation, I like to use the LumiQuest Pocket Bouncer. Since it
tion on some speedlights – this is a attaches with a Velcro strap, I can pop it onto my speedlight
cumulative setting. If you set the speed- quickly. It folds flat so it stores easily in my camera bag.
light to “-1.0” and the camera to “-0.7”, Aurora Lite Bank makes a light modifier called the
the flash output is underexposed by “Portaflex” – this is like a white card on steroids. Portaflex fea-
Metz 64 AF-1 with
bounce card ex- -1.7 stops of light. If you usually use the tures a sewn-on Velcro strap to fit almost any flash, and you
tended and rotating P-S-A-M or P-Tv-Av-M modes on your can bend the Portaflex to put light where you want it! These
flash head. camera, set FEC on your camera; if you are a great addition to your kit–they are very flexible (literally!)
usually use “Green Auto” or the preset and inexpensive.
modes, you normally have to set FEC There are two other advantages to using a bouncer with
Metz 64 AF-1
with Cactus DC60
on your speedlight. your flash – they reduce red-eye as you are not burning any
diffuser What does this mean? If I take a retinas with direct flash and they soften the flash exposure for
photo with FEC reduced (less light from less harshness.
my speedlight), my subject doesn’t get Another way to reduce red-eye, soften the light, and re-
scorched with flash and overall expos- move shadows, is to get your speedlight off your camera and
ure is more balanced. My photos look away from your lens. Next issue, I’ll share my favourite gear
so much better that I want to use my and tips for using your speedlight off camera.
speedlight more often. Maybe I can Show us your favourite photos taken with a speedlight at
outthink my camera! our Flickr® group–look for the discussion thread “Let There
Shadow Control – Now that our family Be Light!”
and friends no longer look like ghostly There are some advantages to the clones: their low cost
zombies in our photos, what about that leaves money for spare speedlights and more flash modifiers;
nasty dark shadow on their nose or be- they are an inexpensive way to learn flash photography; and
hind them? FEC adjustments made that a when one speedlight dies, it doesn’t sting your wallet as much.
little better, but anyone posing too close to As you move into paid work where consistency and reli-
the background will have a dark shadow ability are as important as your reputation, quality speedlights
behind them. This shadow effect is even are worth every penny. You never want to say to a client who
worse when you turn the camera for a is paying you, “Hold on right there while I swap out my flash”.
vertical composition. The bottom line is simple… you may not need the best of the
You can diminish the shadow ef- best when it comes to portable flash units, but you should have the
fect very easily. Most speedlights have best speedlight you can afford. Your work deserves that much.
58 PHOTO News
Will Prentice | Flash 101

How to Choose a Speedlight

The number of speedlights available today is staggering. A quick
search of online retailers shows 582 results for “speedlite flash”.
Choice is not the problem, but how do you make the right deci-
sion? Let’s wade through this quagmire and see if we can “find
the light”.
The first decision is “how much light do I need?” I always recom-
mend that you buy the most powerful speedlight for your needs,
as you can always dial down the power, but you can’t make a
speedlight more powerful.
Camera manufacturers provide a selection of dedicated speed-
lights, with models available giving photographers a range of
price points and features to choose from.
Camera manufacturers’ speedlights normally work with any
camera from that brand. They are usually plug’n’play. However, Metz 44 AF-2 is the
the camera manufacturers love to add features that may not be Are all of these speedlights perfect first speed-
backwards compatible, like built-in radio triggering, which requires the same? light–only 5 buttons
the latest camera to fully co-operate. In some cases, the new- for ease of use,
Build quality is always a consideration – lots of power and
est cameras require the newest flash units, and last year’s flash great features, like
clones may appear to be very similar to the
may not be 100% compatible with this year’s camera, so please an LED video light
name brand speedlights on the outside, but
confirm your selection with your local photo retail specialist before and durable metal
the plastics may be thinner and cheaper hotshoe. It’s also
you invest in new equipment.
and the internals–where the lack of qual- very affordable.
There are several highly regarded aftermarket flash manufactur- ity is really hidden – could be glue and clips
ers. These include familiar brands like Metz and Quantum, spe- instead of solder and screws. Take a look at
cialists of the potato masher and bare bulb flash respectively. the country of manufacture – German and
These manufacturers have earned a first-rate reputation for Japanese build quality is legendary. Chanc-
quality, durability, and innovation that makes them an excellent es are that the house brand flash from your
alternative to the camera manufacturer’s models, which often favourite retailer is made at the same fac-
carry higher prices for similar features. tory with the other clones.
There are many “no-name” flash units on the market today. Camera brand flashes work well, but the
A quick search of any online retailer yields an alphabet soup of cost seems to increase with every genera-
“Made in China” brands – literally A to Z. tion of technology, and they aren’t always
The cheaper models and “house” brands seem to be carbon backwards compatible. The better speed- Cactus V6 II
copies of each other. The factory makes brand “A” on Monday, lights can be repaired (not just a 30-day re-
Tuesday is brand “B” day, and so on. You can buy a speedlight placement, if you want to ship it back over-
starting at $15! What a great deal! Until you realize that it only seas). The best speedlights include a USB
puts out a bit more light than your camera’s built-in flash. Some port for do-it-yourself firmware updates
of the more expensive clone flashes offer more power, full TTL to keep your speedlight working when you
and radio triggering – several even look identical to the camera upgrade your camera.
brand speedlight! Consider the value of a flash warranty–
most of the camera manufacturers of-
fer a one or two year warranty on their
speedlights. Metz speedlights now offer a
five-year warranty and they are serviced in
Great results with Markham, Ontario.
the Portaflex
Is there a difference
in the light?
You may think that light is light, right? Not
always… comparing the different brands,
there are differences in light quality: budget
speedlights are less accurate and less con-
sistent with light output; colour tempera-
ture changes shot-to-shot and light cover-
age is rarely ideal.
 Siros L
Battery Powered.
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Up to 440 flashes at full power per
battery charge, consistent colour and
fast flash duration. Available in 400
and 800 watt versions.
Easy to control with the bronControl
App from your smartphone or tablet.
This is Siros L.

www.bron.ca

Go High-speed Sync!
The WORLD’S FIRST Wireless Flash Transceiver
that supports CROSS-BRAND HSS!

The Cactus V6 II supports cross-brand

high-speed sync and can control both power
and zoom of Cactus RF60, Canon, Fujifilm,
Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax system
flashes all at the same time.* Auto-detect
camera and flash, AF assist, Multi-master and
firmware update, all packed in a compact body
with swift controls.

There is also a dedicated Sony version V6 IIs

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with the Cactus V6 II and Cactus RF60.

Explore more possibilities at

www.cactus-image.ca
*Restrictions applied. Check cross-brand compatibility at www.cactus-image.ca/v6ii.html
60 PHOTO News

TECHNIQUE
BY TONY BECK
Photo by Nina Stavlund

Photographing
Birds in Flight
With the latest digital cameras making it easier than ever to capture high-quality
images, it’s no wonder that nature photography is so popular. However, some aspects
of nature photography present considerable challenges–capturing birds in flight is
particularly difficult.

Birds are typically energetic, erratic, shy, uncooperative and Telephoto lenses between 200
unpredictable subjects. In most cases, it seems that they just and 400mm function best if your goal
don’t want to be photographed. Capturing images of birds in is to fill the frame with shy animals.
flight (BIF) involves shooting from a distance and focus track- In the field, you need equipment that
ing fast-moving subjects, often in difficult lighting situations. is versatile and portable. Although it
Overcoming these challenges requires some awareness, a bit is easier to fill the frame with longer
of practice and a few special field techniques. lenses, flexibility decreases when you
use bulky and heavy lenses, especially
those longer than 400mm, so you may
want to find a balance between size and

Bio
reach that suits your style. If your lens
has image stabilization or vibration re-
duction, make sure it is activated. This
valuable feature helps steady the image
while you keep the subject in the frame
as you pan with the action.
Freelance photographer
Tony Beck describes
himself as a “naturalist”,
specializing in a wide
variety of wildlife and Cape (Pintado) Petrel–Drake Passage,
nature subjects. Based Antarctica
in Ottawa, Ontario, Although most images of flying birds have
Tony and his wife Nina appeal, the quintessential “bird in flight” shot
Stavlund operate a small shows it at eye level, with much of the upper
company called "Always side filling the frame, and with a degree of
An Adventure" offering a eye contact.
variety of photography, Pintado Petrels are a striking species found
nature, birdwatching and of the southern oceans. They often follow
tourism related services ships, and inspire me to take many photos
including workshops, specifically looking for compositions like this.
courses, excursions and
short trips. Nikon D4, AF-S Nikkor 300mm F4D, f/8,
For more information 1/1250 second, ISO 200.
please visit
alwaysanadventure.ca/
 Autumn 2016 61

For sharp images, set your exposure to include a fast

shutter speed. Even if you have to raise your ISO or open your
aperture to create a proper exposure, top priority should go
to a fast shutter speed. I prefer to shoot around 1/1000th of
a second or faster if possible. These speeds freeze the action
while preventing camera shake from softening the image.
Some automatic cameras offer a “sports” or “action” mode.
Look for the “running man” icon on your camera’s dials or in
the camera’s menu. This automatic setting defaults to a fast
shutter speed, suitable for any type of fast-action photography.

Focusing on moving subjects requires some practice.

Adult Red-tailed Hawk - Eastern Ontario Many new cameras offer a variety of intelligent auto focus-
Capturing birds like this Red-tailed Hawk ing options like Predictive Focus Tracking or 3D tracking.
as they fly toward the camera requires
fast focusing, quick reaction, and steady
Some of these sophisticated systems lock onto your subject,
panning. To achieve images like this, there is adjusting focus as you follow the subject along its path of
no substitute for practice and persistence. movement. Experiment with different focusing styles to see
Nikon D4s, AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 which system works best for the situation at hand, and how it
VR, f/8, 1/1000 second, ISO 200. fits your working comfort zone.
62 PHOTO News
Tony Beck | Technique

For fast and erratic subjects like birds, you will want as
much freedom as possible to move around. It’s like a dance,
where your photographic subject is your partner. The best im-
ages happen when you synchronize your rhythms and move-
ments with those of the bird. “Panning” is a simple technique
of keeping your subject in the frame as it moves. Once you find
the bird in your frame, follow it as it flies. When you are confi-
dent that the bird is in focus, blast off a number of frames while
continuing to move with the flow of action. If your panning is
perfectly in sync with the bird’s flight, your image should be
razor sharp, especially when you use fast shutter speeds.
If you are feeling creative, try panning with slower shutter
speeds around 1/30 or 1/15 second. This causes blurry back-
grounds and shows the motion of wing beats while the bird’s body
remains relatively sharp. Whatever shutter speed you select, set
the camera to “continuous” or “burst” mode. You will want to take
as many consecutive images as possible when the action peaks.
If you need additional support, try a monopod or gunstock.
When using a tripod, I recommend coupling it with some-
thing quick and responsive like a fluid video head, joystick or
gimbal head.

Exposure
Expect to deal with exposure issues when the sky is your
background. Under blue skies, pay attention to where the sun
is relative to your bird, and whether the bird is reflecting sun- Common Nighthawk–Saskatchewan
light or not. Ideally, you will want the sun at your back, and Swift and erratic flyers, like this Common
your subject in front of you reflecting the sun. Your meter will Nighthawk, challenge even the most sea-
soned wildlife photographers. During the
read the exposure fairly accurately in this situation. breeding season on the Saskatchewan
If the bird is mostly in shadow, you will have to add some prairies, they conduct energetic aerial
light for a proper exposure. Gray or cloudy skies typically trick displays over established territories.
meters into underexposing. Compensate for this by adding Improve your chances of capturing a
one or two stops of light. sharp image by using a fast shutter
speed combined with panning. Nikon
D7200, AF-S Nikkor 300mm F4 PF
Point of View ED with TC-14E III teleconverter, f/6.3,
Take lots of photos, and shoot from several angles. Cameras 1/1250 second, ISO 200.
with huge buffers and high frame rates work best. Compos-
itionally, the most appealing images show eye contact with
your subject at eye level, either coming toward you, or pro- Greater Snow Geese - Eastern Ontario
filed from the side. When your subject flies away from you, the If you can't get close enough to fill the frame with just one bird,
composition loses most of its impact. If you can’t fill the frame search for an edge-to-edge, frame-filling flock. Each spring and fall,
huge numbers of gregarious waterfowl, like these Greater Snow
with just a single bird, look for a large, tight flock. Geese, migrate through Quebec and Eastern Ontario, sometimes in
staggering numbers. Nikon D7200, AF-S Nikkor 200-500 VR zoom,
Perfecting Your Technique f/8, 1/1250 second, ISO 200.
While wild birds in flight present the most challenging and
impressive subjects, you can work your way up to great BIF
images by practicing with easier subjects. It is easy to find
willing subjects to photograph. Take advantage of the many
ducks, gulls and geese in your local park. I am sure they will
be happy to model for you.
It pays to carefully observe your subject's behaviour. Look
for patterns in their movement so you can anticipate the
best moments. Look for aerial courtship displays, territorial
boundaries, feeding style and interactions with other wildlife.
Since bigger birds are heavier and slower than small ones,
they are often easier to photograph.
Combine these techniques with lots of practice, and you
will be able to add some dramatic, prize-winning images to
your portfolio.
64 PHOTO News

SPECIAL FEATURE | PRINTING 101

BY ERIC STEWART

Creating Custom ICC

Profiles
For photographers who are particular about colour, or for those who like exploring
different papers from companies like Hahnemühle or Awagami, creating your own
custom ICC profile will ensure perfect colour in your prints.

With the high quality of downloadable printer that you use for your photographs means absolute
ICC profiles, it may seem an unneces- colour accuracy no matter the manufacturing tolerances of
sary expense to get into creating cus- your printer.
tom ICC profiles for your printer, but The process of creating a custom ICC profile starts with
the range of media that you can use the choice of profile device called a spectrophotometer. If you
and the quality of the prints makes the are just getting into colour management in your workflow,
expense worthwhile. a spectrophotometer will allow you to obtain perfect colour
When you download a generic ICC across your printers, computer monitors, projectors and your
profile from a paper manufacturer’s mobile devices. A good spectrophotometer can even take into
website, what you are getting is a pro- consideration the ambient lighting in the room. I use two dif-
The ColorMunki file that was created for the brand and ferent spectrophotometers. The ColorMunki Photo is one of
Photo is a simple model of printer that you own, but not the cheapest spectrophotometers on the market and does a de-
to use spectro- your actual printer (the one that is sit- cent job. The i1Photo Pro 2 is significantly more expensive, and
photometer for
photographers ting on your desk). Downloaded pro- looks at a larger number of colours when creating ICC profiles.
who are looking files are usually very accurate, but cre- The ColorMunki Photo creates 100 unique patches, while the
for better colour ating a custom ICC profile for the actual i1Photo Pro 2 can create up to 1600 individual patches.
from their prints. For profiling printers, a target is printed with no col-
our management applied to the file. Printing with no colour
management would normally produce terrible results, but in
this case, you are looking for a printed target with no adjust-
ments. The target is read by the spectrophotometer by sliding
the device along each row of colours. The device takes a read-
ing from every colour in the row and compares the results to
what the printer should be printing. Once each row is read, the
software calculates the difference between the actual colours
and what should have been printed and applies an opposite
colour shift, thus creating perfect colour.
In my own printing workflow, not every new paper that I
try gets its own custom ICC profile. There are situations where
the downloaded ICC profile is good enough for my needs, how-
ever there are several specific situations where a custom ICC
profile is a must. Some papers do not have downloadable ICC
profiles for all printers. Some photographers coat their prints
with protective coatings which may change the colour of the
 Autumn 2016 65

The i1 Profiler software gives the user lots of

control. The device will even read the patches
under two different light sources to ensure
correct colour no matter what the colour
temperature of the lighting conditions will be
for displaying the final print.

print. I also find that some manufactur- change the colours slightly. For profiling these papers, all
er’s ICC profiles are not as accurate as of the treatments are applied to the tests targets and once
they should be. A custom ICC profile dry, the targets are read to create the custom ICC profile.
means perfect colour no matter what Because of the personalized nature of coating papers, a
paper or printer is being used. custom ICC profile is necessary.
Awagami has a unique line of tex- For some photographers, downloaded ICC pro-
tured inkjet paper. While they have files will be good enough for their needs, but for those
profiles for many Epson printers, my photographers who demand accurate colour, a custom
Canon printer does not have a down- ICC profile is the way to go.
loadable profile. There are many im- While you may choose to buy your own spectro-
ages in my library that look really cool photometer, there are companies across the country
on this ancient Japanese inspired paper, that specialize in creating custom ICC profiles for
and I have to create custom ICC profiles their customers.
in order to get those images to look While “really good” is often good enough for many
their best. photographers, sometimes “perfect” is what is necessary.
When printing on Hahnemühle A custom ICC profile will give you perfect colour.
canvas, I often coat the canvas with a
clear liquid to ensure that the corners
of the canvas don’t open up when they
are folded around the stretcher bars.
The coating that I use adds sheen to
the print and slightly changes some of The ColorMunki Photo software is a simple wizard based program.
the colours. Hahnemühle makes a pro- The software walks users through the process of creating a
tective spray for digital fine art prints custom ICC profile. Part of the process is a timer while the ink dries.
that doesn’t change the colours in the
print, but other protective coatings can

The 1600 colour

patches of an i1Photo
Pro 2 target creates
very accurate custom
ICC profiles.
66 PHOTO News Final Frame

O Canada, Eh!

A Comfortable Paddle through the Wetlands – John McCrae of Edmonton, Alberta captured this idyllic Canadian scene with
a Pentax K5 and a 10-24mm zoom shooting at 10mm, f/9, 1/160 second, ISO 100. “It is a slow and comfortable canoe ride on
the Columbia River just north of Invermere, B.C. as the river leaves Lake Windermere.”

The PHOTO News Canada Autumn 2016 Challenge The contest deadline for entries for the “O Canada,
theme is “O Canada, Eh!”–a prelude to the celebration of Eh!” Challenge is October 15, 2016.
our sesquicentennial (150th Anniversary) in 2017.
See your pictures in print!
Your assignment – to photograph a subject that you feel
symbolizes the essence of Canada. Images may be scen- It is always a thrill to see your pictures in a national
ic landscapes, portraits of the multicultural nature of magazine – for every issue, PHOTO News Canada
Canadians, photos of our national pastimes, distinctive- selects reader’s images from the photos posted in
ly Canadian sports, or any picture that literally screams our PHOTO News Canada Reader’s Gallery flickr®
“this is Canada–eh!” group pool – so take a look, sign in, post a few of
your favourite photos, and enjoy our interactive
You may submit images photographed prior to the Au- photographic adventures!
tumn of 2016.
The contest is open to all Canadian photographers. The PHOTO News Canada Challenge is
Please enter by joining our flickr® group at www. sponsored by Panasonic Canada, who
flickr.com/groups/photonewsgallery/ and look for will present a special prize for the most
the Autumn 2016 “O Canada, Eh!” Challenge discus- interesting image selected for publication
sion thread, where you will find additional details, in the next issue.
samples, suggestions, and technique tips. It’s fun, it’s
free, and it’s a friendly environment for photograph-
ers of all ages and skill levels.

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 SOMETIMES FEELING SMALL MEANS
LOSING YOURSELF IN THE BIG PICTURE.