OCTOBER 2010, marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of the first infrared photograph in the Journal of the Royal Photographic Society.


This event will be celebrated by various publications, exhibitions and talks featuring experts in the field. For full details, visit: www.infrared100.org

Over the past 40 years, Simon Marsden has been recognized as a modern day master of the infrared medium and his work will be featured in several of the events.

Princess Anne Theatre , BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LN
While Stanley Bielecki may not be a household name to film fans, the smash hits he helped to market certainly are: Rocky Horror Picture Show, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Star Wars, Legend and Alien to name but a few. Fans and friends from Mel Brooks to Star Wars producer Gary Kurtz rave about the marketing genius of Bielecki who worked with many major studios as a marketing consultant and commissioned some of the great film stills that remain iconic classics.

For this event, Bleiecki's friends and former collaborators including Kurtz (producer Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back), Pierre Spangler (producer, Superman), Sandy Lieberson (producer, Performance and formerly president of production at 20th Century Fox) will join us to celebrate some of his best commissions. Throughout the evening we will explore the art of the great film still and effective film marketing in the hopes of learning from a living legend of the craft.

Tickets are free for BAFTA Members and £7 to the public - Click here to purchase

For a number of years, Grays of Westminster has presented and hosted a number of comprehensive photographic seminars and workshops covering a wide variety of subject matter including Mike Maloney’s recent House of Lords Photographic Event, wildlife and natural history weekend workshops in Pembrokeshire and Sussex, flash, general photographic technique, portrait and macro training sessions, and many more.

Due to overwhelming demand, we are delighted to announce a further general photographic technique seminar to be held in central London, at Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 6DX on Saturday, June 5th, 2010.


The seminar will be presented by Simon Stafford, technical director of Nikon Owner magazine, and will take place from 2.00 p.m. until 5.30 p.m. The cost of the session will be £155 with a special price of £95 if you are a current Nikon Owner subscriber. To book, please email me with your full name, daytime mobile and landline, or call between 2.00 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday on 020 7828 4925 or for International calls telephone + 44 (0)20 7828 4925, and ask to speak to me, Gillian Greenwood.

gillian.greenwood@graysofwestminster.co.uk

Agenda for the General Photographic Techniques session

Part one: Camera skills

• Understanding f/numbers & shutter speeds
• Learn how to optimise white balance and ISO
• Mastering camera menu settings
• JPEG versus RAW: the pros and cons of both
• How to achieve accurate exposures
• Understand how your camera’s metering system works
• Learn the benefits of digital histograms
• Improve your focus techniques with AF and manual focus

Part two: Shooting skills

• Learn good camera handling
• Camera support systems, tripods, monopods, and alternatives
• Understanding and using depth-of-field
• Choosing and using filters
• Imaginative use of shutter speed
• Creative use of white balance

Part three: Beyond the camera

• Planning and visualising the picture
• Techniques of composition
• Transporting photographic equipment
• Tips for location shooting

Please note: there will be ample opportunity to ask questions throughout the event.

About Simon Stafford

Simon Stafford is considered by many to be one of the foremost technical Nikon experts in the UK . With over twenty-five years of experience using the Nikon system, he brings his considerable expertise to bear both as technical editor for Nikon Owner, and as author of a number of comprehensive books on the Nikon system, including his best-seller series of Magic Lantern Guides on the Nikon D70s/D70, the Nikon D80, the Nikon D40, D40X, D50, D60, D200, D300, D700, D90, D3. The series includes a Magic Lantern Guide on the Nikon AF Speedlights & Creative Lighting System, and he is currently working on a fully updated, second edition to include the latest Nikon SB-900.

Special Nikon Owner discount off the price of the course

Enrolling on this course as a current Nikon Owner subscriber will allow you the benefit of a discount of £60 off the normal price of £155 for the session.

About Nikon Owner

Nikon Owner is a worldwide users’ group initially founded with the purpose of assisting Nikon owners to make full use of the Nikon equipment they own, to give advice on a wide spectrum of photographic queries and problems, and at the same time to offer ideas to bring about an increase in photographic skills. As a subscriber to this group, you will receive an array of offers and assistance, which includes:

Nikon Owner Magazine


Nikon Owner Magazine and Interactive Website is considered by many to be the world’s number 1 user group for Nikon owners.

Subscriber benefits include:

• Nikon Owner Magazine: a stunning, full-colour 60 page glossy quarterly magazine which is 100% Nikon.
• Subscribers’-only website with a lively forum, message board, technical equipment reviews, events’ page and use of a photo gallery.
• Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline: free technical consultation and support from Simon Stafford, one of the top Nikon experts in the UK.
• FREE 3-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster, or a free 18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster.
• 10% off Think-Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster.
• Special trips: past visits have included a two-week trip to Japan and a personal tour of the Nikon factory, a visit to Nikon Thailand , Angkor Watt, Cambodia.
• Substantial discounts on events and training sessions such as Mike Maloney’s House of Lords Photographic Workshop, Heather Angel’s Wildlife & Natural History Workshops, Simon Stafford’s Definitive Flash, Portraiture and Macro Seminars, Chris Weston’s Photographic Courses, Michael Eleftheriades’ Panoramic Seminars.
• 10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK.
• A range of complimentary meetings and outings organized by local Nikon Owner Groups.

Please email me at gillian.greenwood@graysofwestminster.co.uk with your name, daytime landline and mobile telephone number if you are interested in enrolling in Nikon Owner or call me after 2.00 p.m. Monday to Friday on 020 7828 4925 or for International calls, telephone + 44 (0)20 7828 4925. The cost of an annual subscription to Nikon Owner is currently only £59.
With best wishes,

Gillian ( Greenwood )
Features Editor, Events’ Coordinator

London - Grays of Westminster is pleased to present two one-day workshops on Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th July 2010 at Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead, West Sussex, England.


Heather Angel, the internationally renowned wildlife photographer, has been the recipient of a large number of awards and prizes from all over the world for her widely acclaimed lectures, writing and workshops. In addition, she is a regular contributor to the worldwide photographic press and the distinguished author of over 50 books.

Heather Angel is an enthusiastic tutor of wildlife and nature photography, and these hugely popular one-day workshops on Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th July 2010 at
Saint Hill Manor are perfect for both the newcomer and experienced photographer alike. The schedule for each day includes lectures, demonstrations and the chance to handle and use a huge range of new Nikon camera equipment and the range of Think Tank camera bags. Her workshops regularly attract visitors from all over the U.K., Europe and throughout the world.

An overview of the schedule for the day:

09.15 Registration with coffee and tea served on the terrace of the Manor

10.00 -11.15 Heather Angel - What makes a memorable image?

11.15 Break for mid-morning refreshment: tea, coffee, mineral water on the Terrace.

11.45 - 12.45 Nikon Total Imaging System - John Clements

13.00 Lunch: an elegant lunch overlooking the beautiful gardens of Saint Hill Manor and a wooded lake

14.00 onwards there will be a choice of four sessions:

• Practical Macro session with Heather Angel inside and in the garden
• Outside Practical session with John Clements
• Photoshop Techniques with Giles Angel (aimed at different levels as the afternoon progresses)
• Practical Macro session with Heather Angel inside and in the garden
• Outside Practical session with Flying Falcons and Julian Ford

By popular request, the birds of prey are back - ideal subjects to achieve stunning action images - both as stills and HD video with the latest DSLR Nikon cameras.

16.15 Afternoon Tea and Coffee or cool drinks served on the Terrace.

16.45 Practical Session with Heather Angel outside. Heather will demonstrate various gadgets for aiding outdoor photography and demonstrate how she works in the rain.

17.00 Workshop closes

18.30 Dinner at the Manor. A special complimentary thank-you dinner to all those attending the workshop has been organised by Grays of Westminster and the staff of Saint Hill Manor.

For a more detailed schedule, please visit: http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/workshop/

Please note that Nikon cameras and lenses will be available for attendees to try out during the day; in fact these workshops are an excellent opportunity to handle and try out Nikon equipment before making a purchase. However, attendees are asked to bring their own kit - macro lens, long lens, flash and tripod - to get the best from the practical sessions.

Heather Angel: "Everything is planned to perfection and nothing is left to chance. My annual Nikon workshops have become a fixed date in the photographic calendar. The innovative formula combines an attractive venue with splendid views over the Sussex countryside, the provision of technical expertise and ample opportunity to try out a wide range of Nikon equipment. All this provides a memorable experience for everyone.”

Copies of Heather's books - including Wild Kew, which is the basis of the 2010 summer exhibition at Kew Gardens - will be available this weekend.

Booking details:

The ticket for either day includes refreshments, lunch and the evening meal, costs £245.00 (£185.00 for Nikon Owner subscribers) per person for the day and can be booked online here: http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/secure/angel-workshop.php

About Grays of Westminster

The legendary award-winning Grays of Westminster, currently celebrating its twenty-fifth year, is a charming period shop, specialising exclusively in Nikon. It offers what is probably the widest range of new and second-hand Nikon in the world. It is situated in a quiet location in central London and offers a fast and reliable mail-order service on any Nikon item - available to all world-wide destinations. Tax free shopping to non-European Community residents is also available.

For more information, please contact:

Gillian Greenwood
Grays of Westminster Exclusively…Nikon
40 Churton Street
London
SW1V 2LP

Main: +44 (0)20 7828 4925
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7976 5783
E-mail: info@graysofwestminster.co.uk
Web: http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk

The Richard Young Gallery is delighted to announce the Tim Motion ‘An Eye For The Sound’ Exhibition, showing through May and June 2010. The show will display a variety of striking images by photographer Tim Motion, featuring portraits of some of the most influential jazz musicians in the history of the genre.

Signed, limited edition posters have been made to accompany the exhibition and will be sold for £12.50 each. These fantastic photographs will be exhibited until the 12th of June. We look forward to seeing you in the gallery!

The unique exhibition showcases photographs of jazz icons including Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Bo Diddley, George Benson and Art Blakey. These arresting images provide an insight into the vibrant world of jazz, capturing its stars in their element, with the passion of their performances clear in every shot.

Since he first attended the Lisbon Jazz Festival in 1971, Tim Motion has built an unrivalled reputation as a jazz photographer after opening a club that brought him into contact with the members of the legendary ‘Newport All‐Stars’ who defined the genre.
“The images in this exhibition represent a selection from almost four decades in jazz photography for me, and what a time that has been. The photographs reflect a real labour of love, capturing the great musicians that I have been lucky enough to watch perform, and I am very pleased to have them on display at the Richard Young Gallery. These pictures fuse my passion for jazz music and photography, and through capturing the undeniably great performers portrayed here, strengthens my love of both. Music is, of course, something that cannot be photographed, but with these images I have sought to provide a glimpse of the magic and personality that jazz is so famous for.”

An Eye for the Sound will open from 4th May 2010 to 12th June 2010 at The Richard Young Gallery, 4 Holland Street, London, W8 4LT.

Photographs will be available for purchase with prices ranging from £375 ‐ £2500.

For further information please contact:
Susan Young or Michelle Boynton on 020 7937 8911, office@richardyoungonline.com

The exercise of selecting the Top Forty Nature Photographs of all time is both an honour and a tremendous challenge. It may not be possible for anyone to create a definitive selection of the forty 'best' or 'most important' nature photographs, if only due to the vast variety of criteria that must be considered. But the international League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) decided to try anyway and made their announcement this week to help celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.

The international League of Conservation Photographers is a fellowship of the top professional photographers from around the world working today.

More than 100 photographers and editors associated with the iLCP nominated images that they considered to be 'the best' in what they felt represented aesthetics, uniqueness, historical and scientific significance, and conservation efforts. The photographers were not permitted to self-nominate.

The prestigious Top Forty nominations represent the work of 25 photographers including the legendary Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, and Eliot Porter. Four of Brandenburg's images were included in the final selection, more than any other photographer. "To have 4 of my photographs chosen by my peers as part of the top 40 nature photographs of all time is indeed the highlight of my career. I am honoured beyond words," said Brandenburg.

The four Brandenburg images selected were: Oryx on Namib Desert, Namibia, southwest Africa; Gray Wolf near BWCAW, Ely, Minnesota; Arctic wolf, Ellesmere Island, Canada; and Bison on Frozen Landscape, Blue Mounds State Park, Luverne, Minnesota. They may be viewed on his blog or website at: www.jimbrandenburg.com Within this past year, the Arctic wolf image was named one of 100 most important photos in Canadian history in the book 100 Photos that Changed Canada.


The oldest nature photograph included in the Top 40 is of three frightened deer in the north woods of Minnesota near Lake Superior by George Shiras, published in 1921 in National Geographic Magazine.

Jim Brandenburg's long career of conservation efforts was honoured in 1991 by the United Nations. He received the World Achievement Global 500 Forum award in recognition of his using nature photography to raise public awareness for the environment. Jim and his wife Judy are the founders of the Brandenburg Prairie Foundation (BPF), whose mission is to preserve native prairies in southwest Minnesota. The BPF has helped to preserve approximately 1000 acres to date with Touch the Sky Prairie, a division of USFWS Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuges. Touch the Sky Prairie is near Brandenburg's hometown of Luverne, Minnesota, USA.

The complete collection of the Top Forty Nature Photographs may be viewed at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ilcptop40/sets/72157623774840478/

International League of Conservation Photographers: www.ilcp.com
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Nikon UK April 2010: For the third year in a row, Nikon has claimed the DSLR top spot in the TIPA (Technical Image Press Association) Best D-SLR Professional award - this year picking up the award for the D3S. The Best Professional Lens prize was claimed by the AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II.

Robert Cristina, Manager, Professional Products at Nikon Europe, comments: “We are delighted that for the third time in a row, a D3 series camera has won the Best DSLR Professional award. We invested a huge amount of time implementing feedback from customers to ensure that the D3S keeps them ahead of the game.” He went on: “The AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II builds on the success of the ground breaking AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8, which won the TIPA award in 2008. Both products continue to ensure that today’s photographers enjoy the best in the business”.

TIPA is Europe’s leading image press association. Its awards are chosen by Europe’s 29 leading photographic magazines in 13 countries and given to products that the jury consider to be the very best in their category in terms of overall quality, performance and benefit for the defined end-user. The awards further underpin Nikon’s leadership position in high-end photography and recognise the company’s continued pursuit of excellence.


Best D-SLR Professional: the Nikon D3S
The TIPA jury comments: “Taking up most of the functions that made the success of the Nikon D3, the D3S marks a milestone in the history of photography: it is indeed the first DSLR to feature the record "push” sensitivity of 102 400 ISO. Superbly constructed, with an excellent viewfinder and a top-level autofocus system, it is an ideal D-SLR for the pros, in particular for reportage and sport photography.”

Best Professional Lens: the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II
The TIPA-jury comments: “The AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II telephoto zoom lens has been developed for use with digital and film based Nikon SLR cameras. A number of unique Nikon technologies have been adopted for this lens, including the use of seven ED glass elements, Nano Crystal Coat, a vibration reduction (VR II) system that provides camera shake compensation equivalent to increases in shutter speed by four steps, and a Silent Wave Motor (SWM)”

About Nikon

Founded in Japan in 1917, Nikon has grown to become the world leader in digital and precision optics technology with a strong presence in all four corners of the world.

Through its award-winning product line-up, including entry-level and professional digital SLR cameras, interchangeable NIKKOR lenses and the consumer COOLPIX range, Nikon regularly raises the standard in product design and performance. With over 90 years of engineering expertise, it is no wonder that Nikon is the top choice for photographers around the world.

In 2009, Nikon celebrated two key milestones in the lens category – the 50th anniversary of its legendary F-mount SLR lens-mounting system, making it the only manufacturer to sustain its original lens mount for such a long period, and the production of its 50 millionth NIKKOR lens. Both highlight Nikon’s dedication to producing quality and functional products that can be used by photographers for years to come.

Nikon also produces equipment such as IC and LCD steppers and scanners, instruments such as microscopes and semiconductor inspection equipment. Other products include sports optics products such as binoculars, rangefinders and fieldscopes, ophthalmic lenses and surveying instruments. It is the only major optical company in the world that still controls and manufactures every aspect of its glass-making business, allowing it to finely tune Nikon lens specifications, quality and performance.

Nikon has consolidated net global sales of 879,719 million Japanese Yen (year ending 31 March, 2009) and Nikon Corporation is listed on the Tokyo stock exchange.


For more information please contact Nikon’s press office:

Jenny Grace / Claudia Armstrong
Jenny.grace@nikon.co.uk / claudia.armstrong@nikon.co.uk
020 8247 1797 / 020 8481 6838
www.nikon.co.uk

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Grays of Westminster
...Exclusively Nikon
40 Churton Street
Pimlico, London
SW1V 2LP
Tel: +44 (0)20 7828 4925
Fax: +44 (0)20 7976 5783
info@graysofwestminster.co.uk
www.graysofwestminster.co.uk
graysofwestminster.blogspot.com
@nikonatgrays
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Customers purchasing a Nikon D700, either as a body or part of a kit, will be entitled to claim a free MB-D10 battery grip worth £343.99 RRP. The offer is available from 1st May 2010 to 30th June 2010 (inclusive) and all claims must be received by 31st July 2010.

Niki Needham, Lens Product Manager at Nikon UK says: “Customers purchasing the Nikon D700 will not only benefit from the high performance features and outstanding image quality of the Nikon D700, but will also experience the enhanced shooting capabilities that come with the free MB-D10 grip. An increased frame rate and extended operating time offered by the grip makes the combination a practical solution for professionals, particularly those out in the field or on location.”

Terms and conditions and information about how to claim your free MB-D10 battery grip can be found at www.nikon.co.uk/D700grip

The MB-D10 allows photographers using the D700 to achieve a maximum frame rate of 8 frames per second. Professional photographers will also benefit from the grip’s ergonomic design which features an alternative shutter-release button, multi-selector and AF start buttons, all beneficial when holding the camera in the vertical shooting position. Powered by eight AA-size standard batteries or rechargeable EN-EL3e or EN-EL4a batteries, the MB-D10 extends the operating time of the camera.

Inheriting many of the features from the acclaimed Nikon D3 series, D700 users will enjoy first class image quality in a smaller more compact body. Such high performance features include a 12.1 megapixels CMOS sensor, innovative EXPEED high speed image processing system, 14-bit A/D conversion and 16-bit processing pipeline to provide the detail and smooth gradation necessary for outstanding print enlargement and reproduction. The D700 is ideal for those seeking a perfectly-balanced DSLR on the move, without compromising durability or environmental resistance to moisture and dust.

More information about the Nikon D700 can be found at www.nikon.co.uk

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Grays of Westminster
...Exclusively Nikon
40 Churton Street
Pimlico, London
SW1V 2LP
Tel: +44 (0)20 7828 4925
Fax: +44 (0)20 7976 5783
info@graysofwestminster.co.uk
www.graysofwestminster.co.uk
graysofwestminster.blogspot.com
@nikonatgrays
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