Wednesday, 20 April 2011

The Definitive Colour Calibration Seminar by Michael Eleftheriades


As the Introduction to Colour Calibration held last year was very well-received and many of the attendees requested a full seminar on the subject, Grays of Westminster are pleased to announce The Definitive Colour Calibration Seminar by Michael Eleftheriades on Saturday, May 7th, 2011 at Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 6DX.

The seminar will comprehensively demonstrate the procedures and settings for calibrating Nikon cameras, monitors, lenses and printers and how to manage colour-profiled workflows with consistency and reliability. Attendance at the introductory evening is not a prerequisite.

The presentation will be given by Michael Eleftheriades, Nikon Owner London Group Coordinator. He says, "Like most of us, I found the myriad of options daunting and I was never in control of my camera's colour or the printing process, which usually ended in disaster. After many years of experimenting I finally began to 'see the light' and started to be in control of my workflows with predictable and controllable results. My aim in this seminar is to demonstrate my key rules and processes so that attendees can benefit too".

The event will end with a prize draw to win a SpyderCube (White balance tool), LensCal (Lens calibration tool) and Spyder 3 Express (Monitor calibration tool), kindly donated by Datacolor. Darren Sharpe, Product Marketing Manager for Datacolor at Computers Unlimited, will also be on hand to answer any questions and to provide a special discounted pricing offer.

The seminar will take place from 2.00 p.m. until 6.00 p.m. The cost of the session will be £155 with a special price of £95 if you are a current Nikon Owner subscriber, and includes afternoon tea. To book, please email your full name, daytime mobile and landline to Gillian Greenwood at: gillian.greenwood@graysofwestminster.co.uk If you are also a Nikon Owner subscriber, add your user name /subscription number to the email. There are limited places available, so do book as soon as you are able to in order to avoid disappointment, and please be kind enough to reply by email rather than by telephone.

'Colour Calibration - from Start to Finish': Seminar Agenda

The aim of the seminar is to provide attendees with the technical knowledge to calibrate their equipment and to be able to colour-manage their workflow successfully from acquisition to print.

Part 1: General Principles
  • Colour Theory
  • What are Colour Spaces & ICC Profiles?
  • Bit Depth; 8, 16 or 32 bits?
  • How Resolution and Pixel Size are interrelated
  • How to set up your applications
Part 2: Calibrating your Nikon
  • Recommended settings for your camera
  • Getting the right exposure
  • Determining the White Balance under any lighting conditions
  • Colour Calibrating your Camera
  • Camera Tips & Tricks

Part 3: Lens Calibration

  • Why calibrate
  • How to check your lenses
  • Setting up your camera to use the calibration

Part 4: Monitor Calibration

  • Why Monitor Calibration is important
  • The right settings for your display
  • Gamma and White Point explained

Part 5: Printer Calibration
  • When do you need to calibrate your printer?
  • Printing papers explained
  • How to calibrate your printer
  • Print Settings & Rendering Intent
  • RGB and CMYK Profiles explained
  • Printing workflows using Adobe Photoshop (or Elements) including Camera RAW
  • Advanced printing using a RIP (raster image processor)

Part 6: Putting it all together
  • Demonstration of colour-profiled workflow from acquisition, manipulation, to printing

About Michael Eleftheriades

A Nikon Owner subscriber since 2002, Michael is an architect and photographer who fuses his particular passion for architecture, virtual reality, computer graphics and photography in the creation of large-scale panoramic imagery.

Michael had been photographing virtual reality scenes using Nikon film cameras since 1986, and subsequently moved into digital usage and implementation with the launch of Nikon's Coolpix range in 1998.

He has exhibited his photographs at three exhibitions in London and lectured on panoramic creation to wide acclaim in the UK, Europe and the United States. When not photographing, Michael directs the efforts of Media Synthesis, a media development and consultancy company established in 1993, and is responsible for virtual reality tours and interactive exhibits at many of the UK's leading museums, including the Maritime and Natural History Museums.

Michael also created the virtual tour for Grays of Westminster and has been the Nikon Owner London Group coordinator for the last two years.

Travel Information

Fitzroy House

Travelling to Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 6DX: the nearest underground station is Warren Street, but please do make sure that it is open – it is occasionally closed on a Saturday – if so, Goodge Street station is a good option.

Nikon Owner Subscription

If you are not already a Nikon Owner subscriber, you are welcome to join Nikon Owner at the same time to receive the benefit of booking the seminar at the lower price.



Standard Annual Subscription - special price: £59
  • 1-year Subscription to Nikon Owner
  • 3-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
  • Nikon Owner magazine, a superb, glossy full-colour 60-page quarterly magazine that is 100% Nikon. Each issue delivers benchmark technical reviews of the very latest Nikon equipment, thought-provoking interviews and articles with world-class images
  • Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website
  • Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline
  • 18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster
  • 10% off Think Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
  • Special trips and events
  • Discounts on events and training sessions
  • 10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK
Silver Subscription - launch price: £129 (normal price: £179)
  • 2-year Subscription to Nikon Owner
  • 3-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
  • A half-hour tutorial on the phone or face to face, by appointment
  • Nikon Owner quarterly magazine as above
  • Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website
  • Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline
  • 18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster
  • 10% off Think Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
  • Special trips and events
  • Discounts on events and training sessions
  • 10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK
Gold subscription - launch price £349 (normal price £450)
  • 5-year subscription to Nikon Owner
  • 5-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
  • 2-year warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster
  • Gold Priority waiting list for all new Nikon releases (top of the waiting list)
  • A half-hour tutorial on the phone or face to face, by appointment
  • Special offers to Gold subscribers throughout the period of subscription
  • A signed copy of Grays of Westminster - In the Company of Legends, or if you have one already, a Nikon Magic Lantern Guide of your choice
  • A Grays of Westminster umbrella (in store only)
  • Nikon Owner quarterly magazine as above
  • Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website which includes forum, message board, technical equipment reviews, events’ page and use of a photo gallery
  • Gold subscription card
  • Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline
  • 10% off Think Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
  • Special trips and events
  • Substantial discounts on training sessions organised by Grays of Westminster, including Mike Maloney’s Workshops , Heather Angel’s Wildlife & Natural History Workshops, Simon Stafford’s Definitive Flash, Portraiture and Macro Training Sessions, Michael Eleftheriades’ panoramic and colour-calibration seminars and Chris Weston’s Photographic Courses.
  • 10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK

Thursday, 14 April 2011

Nikon Stock Levels

You may have heard that there have been supply issues with certain Nikon products as a result of the tsunami in Japan. The affect of which has resulted in a rush to buy equipment before it disappears. Stocks of certain Nikon cameras and lenses are affected and this is likely to remain so for some time to come. However, we do have some good news. We have been able to secure limited stocks of the following:


Nikon D3s, D700, and D90 camera bodies, and in lenses, Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII, AF-S14-24mm f/2.8 G, AF-S 24-120 f/4G ED VR, AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR and others too numerous to mention.

We also have very good stocks of Nikon accessories.

Second hand Nikon equipment

In the Aladdin's Cave that is our second hand department you will find we are full to the brim with all manner of Nikon DSLRs, film SLRs both autofocus and manual types. Additionally, we have a very broad range of auto-focus and manual focus Nikkor lenses. For those of you interested in vintage equipment we have a number of pristine examples of Nikon rangefinder as well as F and F2 cameras.

On a positive note, the main production plant and seven of Nikon's manufacturing subsiduaries have returned to production, but it will probably take a little time before they are back in full swing.

We look forward, as we have done over the last quarter of a century, to be of service to you.

Kind regards,

Tabitha Hardy
Sales Director
Grays of Westminster
40 Churton Street
Pimlico
London
SW1V 2LP
Tel: +44 020 7828 4925
Fax: +44 020 7976 5783
Website: http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/

Wednesday, 13 April 2011

Grays of Westminster Mentioned in Amateur Photographer magazine's 'AskAP' section

Your questions answered: AskAP quotes Gray Levett of Grays of Westminster (Amateur Photographer, 16th April 2011)


Manual and Electronic

Q: I enjoyed Richard Sibley's article on pancake lenses (AO 26 March), but was curious about the Nikkor 45mm f/2.8P lens that featured in the piece. Despite being a manual lens, it has electronic contacts so that aperture information can be communicated with the camera. Are there any other Nikon manual-focus lenses that also have electronic contacts so they can be used with automatic exposure modes on modern DSLR camera?
Neil Winters

A: I spoke to Gray Levett of Grays of Westminster www.graysofwestminster.co.uk , who kindly lent us the 45mm f/2.8P lens featured in the article. He told me 'Nikon had a 500mm f/4P Nikkor IF-ED optic in its manual lens range, and produced, to special order, the 1200-1700mm f/5.6-8P Nikkor IF-ED which was the Godzilla of all manual-focus Nikon lenses. We had one here briefly and, if I remember it correctly, it cost £53,000. Its specification is: focal length 1200-1700mm, aperture f/.5.6-f/8, lens construction 18 elements in 13 groups (3 x EDs), weight 16kg, dimensions 237mm diameter x 880mm long (overall), filters 52mm drop-in. It was designed to cover an American baseball field, or baseball diamond as it is sometimes known.
Richard Sibley

Nikon announces the production of its 60 millionth NIKKOR interchangeable lens for Nikon SLR cameras


London, UK, April 2011 - Nikon celebrates a significant milestone this month, with the production of its 60 millionth NIKKOR interchangeable lens. The landmark figure is the culmination of over 50 years of Nikon's commitment to supplying professional and amateur photographers alike with the best possible equipment.

Five million lenses have been produced in the last seven months alone, after total production of NIKKOR lenses reached 55 million in August 2010. Since then, Nikon has continued to expand the product lineup by releasing six new NIKKOR lenses for FX- and DX-format SLR cameras. The popularity of the six new releases, which satisfy the needs of a wide variety of photographers, has helped production surpass expectations.

NIKKOR lenses released since August 2010:

AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
(released September 2010)
An ultra high-power zoom lens with magnification of approximately 10.7× that covers a broad range of focal lengths from the wide-angle 28 mm to the telephoto 300 mm; equipped with Nikon's latest vibration reduction system, VR II, which provides image stabilization equivalent to an approximately four-step increase in shutter speed. This lens is compatible with the FX format.

AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G
(released September 2010)
fast, mid-telephoto, fixed focal length (prime) lens that offers pleasing blur characteristics and superior resolution with a focal length of 85 mm and fast maximum aperture of f/1.4. This lens is compatible with the FX format.

AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
(released September 2010)
An ultra high-power zoom lens with magnification of approximately 5.5× that covers the 55 mm to 300 mm range of focal lengths; equipped with Nikon's latest vibration reduction system, VR II, and high refractive index (HRI) lens elements. This lens is compatible with the DX format.

AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR
(released September 2010)
A 5× standard zoom lens with a fixed maximum aperture of f/4 throughout the entire zoom range; utilizes Nano Crystal Coat and is equipped with Nikon's latest vibration reduction system, VR II. This lens is compatible with the FX format.

AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II
(released October 2010)
A fast, telephoto, fixed focal length (prime) lens with a focal length of 200 mm and maximum aperture of f/2 that is equipped with Nikon's latest vibration reduction system, VR II, and utilizes Nano Crystal Coat. This lens is compatible with the FX format.

AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G
(released November 2010)
A fast, wide-angle lens that exhibits superior image quality with shooting at f/1.4 maximum aperture; utilizes Nano Crystal Coat and is equipped with Nikon's Silent Wave Motor (SWM). This lens is compatible with the FX format.

The history of NIKKOR lenses began in 1959, when Nikon (then Nippon Kogaku K.K.) released its first SLR camera, the Nikon F. At the same time, Nikon also released its first NIKKOR interchangeable lenses for Nikon SLR cameras, among them the NIKKOR-S Auto 5cm f/2. The current lineup of more than sixty NIKKOR lenses for Nikon SLR cameras offers a rich variety of lenses, including fisheye lenses, super wide-angle to super telephoto lenses, micro lenses and PC-E lenses.

Tuesday, 12 April 2011

CHRISTIE'S again represented Michael Doven Fine Art

CHRISTIE'S International recently represented another of Michael Doven's fine art photographs

Michael Doven

This one is called: EVEREST VALLEY.

It was for the 2nd Annual GREEN AUCTION to benefit the ENVIRONMENT: "A BID TO SAVE THE EARTH".

Everest Valley, by Michael Doven

Proceeds to benefit Conservation International, Oceana, Natural Resources Defense Council and the Central Park Conservancy.

http://www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/ABidtoSavetheEarth/catalog_items/256001

It is a large photographic print of a part of this planet that Michael has a great love for.

"Some years ago, I rented a helicopter and went from Kathmandu, Nepal to Mt. Everest Base camp. I had tea with the Lamas at the highest monastery there and saw the mountain of my dreams and took images. As we turned back down valley to return to Kathmandu I saw the most spectacular blue distant huge mountain ridges in the distance that we would be passing and I shot from the Heli. The combination of our altitude (18,000 feet) and the clear day cause the color temperature to go very blue to the eye and on the film negative.

The result was a view of the Everest Valley we never see." - Michael Doven, www.michaeldoven.com

This is a fine art Giclee print on Museum matt Archival Hahnemuhle paper.

Shot with a Mamiya 7 on film, from Helicopter near Everest.

30”wide by 24” high, EVEREST VALLEY, 3 of 5

Last year his CENTRAL PARK print sold at this same auction and also sold again that week elsewhere for $9,500.

Friday, 8 April 2011

Sneak Preview of the next Grays of Westminster Amateur Photographer Advert

click image to enlarge

Specialising in the Exceptional

The Vintage Department at Grays of Westminster seeks out only the very best mint or near mint examples of Nikon equipment for our customers. For example, on the right-hand page is the very rare Nikon Model H Field Microscope. This is a portable microscope based on the design of their Nikon rangefinder cameras. It enjoyed a reputation as one of the finest field microscopes, eventually being selected by NASA for a place in Skylab Missions in the early 1970s, where it was known as the “Skylab Microscope”. It employed inverted optics with an especially large prism, along with a built-in three-position objective revolving nosepiece. The range of the optics covered 4x, 10x, 40x, 100x (oil immersion) - and 10x wide-field eyepiece lens. It also offered illumination provided by daylight or a built-in incandescent lamp, powered by two self-contained penlight batteries.

If you have Nikon equipment like this that you wish to dispose of, or indeed any high-quality Nikon, then kindly contact us by telephone 020-7828 4925 or if you prefer, you can email us at info@graysofwestminster.co.uk for our highest offer.

Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Nikon D5100 and Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone Preview

Nikon is pleased to announce a new D-SLR to its line-up, the D5100, which is packed with features to make shooting stills or full HD movies more exciting than ever.

 Nikon D5100

Sales start date: End of April 2011

The D5100 offers a new creative perspective thanks to its improved Vari-angle screen, special effects mode and full (1080p) HD Movie. Additionally, Nikon UK is proud to introduce a new stereo microphone, the ME-1. Specifically designed for D-SLRs, the new microphone allows you to record movie clips in high-quality stereo sound without picking up AF-noise.


I AM THE NIKON D5100. I am new perspectives. With a large, high resolution vari-angle monitor, full HD movie shooting, 16.2 MP CMOS sensor, EXPEED 2 image processor, up to 6400 ISO for detailed pictures in low light conditions, and new special effects mode. I am full of creativity. iamnikon.co.uk



Unique viewing angles
The D5100 features an improved Vari-angle LCD screen. The screen now opens horizontally for greater manoeuvrability, even when using a tripod. This freedom of movement adds unparalleled creativity when using Live View, allowing shooting from virtually any angle. You can also view pictures and movies in more detail on the high resolution (approximately 921k-dot), 7.5 cm (3-in.) wide-viewing angle monitor.

Inspire your creativity
The D5100 has a newly introduced special effects mode to shoot amazingly unique pictures and full HD movies (1080p @ 24/25/30fps). There are seven different effects to choose from directly accessible via the mode dial on the top of the camera.

Superior image quality
The DX-format 16.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, delivers rich colours and fine detail for both pictures and movies, whilst the powerful image-processing engine, EXPEED 2, maximizes the performance of the sensor for exceptional quality. Adding to this the D5100 has an expanded ISO range from 100 to 6400 (can be raised to 25600 at Hi 2) to further help capture brilliant images in challenging light conditions.

 Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone with removable wind screen

ME-1 Stereo Microphone
The new Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone (sold separately) is designed specifically for DSLR videography. Featuring a gold plated 3.5mm input jack ergonomically positioned for eye-level use, and robust build quality, it is suitable for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

 Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone mounted on the Nikon D7000

The microphone's vibration reduction design almost eliminates the pick-up of auto-focus noise and the switchable Low-Cut Filter reduces low frequency wind noise not blocked by the included wind screen.

 Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone without wind screen

Both the Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone and the Nikon D5100 will be available at the end of April 2011. The D5100 is available to order as a body only option or as a kit with the 18-55mm VR lens.

Tuesday, 5 April 2011

The Definitive Simon Stafford Close-up & Macro Photography Seminar

Saturday, 16th April
2.00 p.m. - 5.30 p.m.


Simon Stafford's Close-up & Macro Photography Seminar will be held in central London, at Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 6DX on Saturday, 16th April between 2.00 p.m. and 5.30 p.m.. The price of the seminar is £155 with the lower price of £95 for Nikon Owner subscribers and includes mid-afternoon tea and coffee.

Following his highly successful series of photographic seminars and workshops presented in association with Grays of Westminster, Simon has developed this entirely new presentation dedicated to close-up and macro photography. Simon Stafford is one of the world's foremost Nikon experts, the technical editor of Nikon Owner magazine and best-selling author of numerous Magic Lantern Guides to the Nikon camera system.

The event has been prepared to help you make a dramatic improvement to the quality of your close-up pictures by mastering core skills and applying creative techniques. The emphasis is very much on methodology and achieving high-quality pictures with the minimum of specialized equipment, regardless of whether you are a complete newcomer to the Lilliputian1 world of close-up photography, or a seasoned exponent. Simon will share his in-depth knowledge and 30 years of photographic experience so that you can achieve professional looking results consistently.

(Please note attendance of one of Simon's previous seminars or workshops is not a prerequisite).

Agenda

Part one: Camera skills
  • Understanding reproduction ratios and subject magnification
  • Appreciate the influence of working distance and diffraction
  • Choosing and using lenses for close focusing
  • Using lens accessories for close focusing
  • Filters for close-up photography
  • Selecting camera/lens support systems
  • Achieving accurate exposure at a close focus distance
  • Learn how to interpret the digital histogram display

Part two: Shooting skills
  • Best practice in camera handling
  • The pros and cons of AF and Vibration Reduction
  • Focusing techniques for close-up photography
  • Understanding and using depth-of-field
  • Selecting viewpoint and perspective
  • Honing composition skills
  • The importance of backgrounds
  • Creative techniques with focus, white balance and multiple exposure

Part three: Lighting for Micro & Macro Photography
  • Working with and controlling available light
  • Flash equipment and its application for close-up photography
  • Specialised lighting techniques
  • Choosing lighting equipment and accessories

Please note there will be ample opportunity to ask questions throughout the event, and Simon will demonstrate some of the tips and techniques he discusses.


To book a place on this course, send an email to Gillian Greenwood, gillian.greenwood@graysofwestminster.com, with your full name, daytime mobile and landline. Please note there are limited places available, so do send the email as soon as you are able to, in order to ensure you have a place.

Nikon Owner Subscription

If you are not already a Nikon Owner subscriber, you are welcome to join Nikon Owner at the same time to receive the benefit of booking the seminar at the lower price.


Standard Annual Subscription - special price: £59
  • 1-year Subscription to Nikon Owner
  • 3-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
  • Nikon Owner magazine, a superb, glossy full-colour 60-page quarterly magazine that is 100% Nikon. Each issue delivers benchmark technical reviews of the very latest Nikon equipment, thought-provoking interviews and articles with world-class images
  • Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website
  • Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline
  • 18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster
  • 10% off Think Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
  • Special trips and events
  • Discounts on events and training sessions
  • 10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK
Silver Subscription - launch price: £129 (normal price: £179)
  • 2-year Subscription to Nikon Owner
  • 3-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
  • A half-hour tutorial on the phone or face to face, by appointment
  • Nikon Owner quarterly magazine as above
  • Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website
  • Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline
  • 18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster
  • 10% off Think Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
  • Special trips and events
  • Discounts on events and training sessions
  • 10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK
Gold subscription - launch price £349 (normal price £450)
  • 5-year subscription to Nikon Owner
  • 5-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
  • 2-year warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster
  • Gold Priority waiting list for all new Nikon releases (top of the waiting list)
  • A half-hour tutorial on the phone or face to face, by appointment
  • Special offers to Gold subscribers throughout the period of subscription
  • A signed copy of Grays of Westminster - In the Company of Legends, or if you have one already, a Nikon Magic Lantern Guide of your choice
  • A Grays of Westminster umbrella (in store only)
  • Nikon Owner quarterly magazine as above
  • Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website which includes forum, message board, technical equipment reviews, events’ page and use of a photo gallery
  • Gold subscription card
  • Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline
  • 10% off Think Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
  • Special trips and events
  • Substantial discounts on training sessions organised by Grays of Westminster, including Mike Maloney’s Workshops , Heather Angel’s Wildlife & Natural History Workshops, Simon Stafford’s Definitive Flash, Portraiture and Macro Training Sessions, Michael Eleftheriades’ panoramic and colour-calibration seminars and Chris Weston’s Photographic Courses.
  • 10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK

Monday, 4 April 2011

Heather Angel Wildlife & Natural History Nikon Photography Workshop

Grays of Westminster present
by Public Demand

The 15th Annual
Heather Angel Wildlife & Natural History
Nikon Photographic Workshop


With Nikon & Thinktank

Saturday 23rd July, 2011
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 60 books. Heather Angel is an enthusiastic tutor of wildlife and nature photography, and these world-famous workshops on Saturday 23rd July, 2011 at Saint Hill Manor have become part of the photographic calendar. They are perfect for both the newcomer and experienced photographer alike. The schedule for the day includes lectures, demonstrations and the chance to handle and use a large 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.

Please note that Nikon cameras and lenses will be available for you to try out during the day, but do bring your own gear - macro lens, long lens, flash and tripod - to get the best from the practical sessions

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

10.00 - 11.15 Heather Angel Creative Digital Outdoor Photography

Using images from the natural world Heather will show how Nikon digital cameras have enabled her to get some shots, which would have been impossible with film. She will show comparative shots taken with available light and after modifying it to enhance the subject, which will be relevant to the afternoon session. Heather will also show how enhanced depth of field is possible with 3-D macro shots by using focus stacking. Multiple exposure digital images created in-camera are possible to achieve on only some Nikon cameras; however, it is also possible to produce multi-exposure images from any camera by shooting individual shots and combining them using a software program.

Copies of Heather's books will be available this weekend.

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

11.45 - 12.45 Nikon Total Imaging System - John Clements

Regardless of your choice of Nikon camera, you need to know how to achieve the best from it using Nikon optics, plus Nikon Speedlights and software; so the NTIS will be fully explained. In a live shoot environment, using Speedlight illumination inside, John Clements will demonstrate how to create images to using the Creative Lighting System and in camera options to cover various genres of natural history photography, explaining every step of the way from taking the initial image to the end result. As our example images are shot, they will appear on screen. John will then talk through as he fine-tunes and improves upon them in camera. Each vital camera feature - from focusing and exposure with many other considerations - will be detailed and exact settings explained during the shoot.

Maximising the Jpeg?

Jpegs - working within a limited time frame, Jpegs allow a speedy way to go straight to print when all aspects come together.

Maximising your image quality?

NEF Raw files - using Nikon Capture NX2 and John's broad experience of post-capture techniques to generate imagery to professional imaging standards.

During the event John will use the Nikon WT-4 Wi-Fi system, the Creative Lighting System and components of the Nikon software system.

John Clements is a professional photographer specialising in digital photography, as well as consultant and trainer for a number of photographic companies, such as Nikon UK. He has written extensively for leading photography magazines and currently writes on a monthly basis for the BJP (British Journal of Photography), Practical Photography and PC Pro.


13.00 Lunch

14.00 onwards there will be a choice of four sessions. You may attend them all or be selective. Please note that Giles' Photoshop session will be aimed at different levels as the afternoon progresses. The sessions are outlined here with details of each below.

14.00 - 16.15 Practical Macro session with Heather Angel inside and in the garden
14.00 - 16.15 Outside Practical session with John Clements
14.00 - 16.30 Photoshop Techniques with Giles Angel
Outside Practical session with the Birds of Prey and Flying Falcons and Julian Ford - time to be announced

14.00 - 16.15 Practical Macro session with Heather Angel inside and in the garden

An opportunity to get to grips with macro photography in the field. Heather will demonstrate how to use natural light and especially how to modify it to get the best possible light by reducing the dynamic range. This is done by modifying natural light with a reflector, a diffuser (or both) or by using a portable soft box. If you have a macro lens, do bring your own. This is a great opportunity for you to gain instant feedback on composition and lighting from Heather. If the weather is wet, we will works indoors with a still life session using window light, flash, a light box, a light tent and fibre optics.

PLEASE BRING A MACRO LENS, TRIPOD AND FLASH



A few Micro Nikkor lenses will be available to borrow from the Nikon stand. Indeed, these workshops are an excellent opportunity to handle and try out Nikon equipment before making a purchase.


14.00 - 16.15 Outside Practical session with John Clements

Following on from his morning presentation, John with continue to explain how to get the best out of the Nikon Total Imaging System; this time — weather permitting — using available light outdoors.

Outside Practical session with Flying Falcons and Julian Ford - time to be announced

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!

14.00 - 16.30 Photoshop Techniques with Giles Angel

Giles is a professional photographer and digital retoucher. The start of this session will be pitched at the beginner and will move onto more advanced and specific techniques as the afternoon progresses.
  • Introduction to a colour managed workflow
  • Editing your images using Adobe Bridge
  • Workflow in Bridge (editing, renaming, applying raw corrections)
  • RAW v JPEG
  • RAW conversion tips & techniques
  • Simple colour correction / variations
  • Introduction to adjustment layers
  • Levels - adjusting colour balance
  • Preparing images for print and the web
  • Precise colour correction with adjustment layers
  • Replace colour
  • Black and white from colour
  • Masking
  • Solarisation / colour effects
  • Content aware scaling
  • Panoramic stitching and panoramic head gear. Photo Merge (to create panoramics) in CS3/ CS4
  • Dodging and burning selective areas (CS4 comparison)
  • Shadow and highlights tool
  • Combining different raw conversion exposures using masks
  • Editing masks using paint brushes and gradients to make selective exposure and tonal adjustments
  • Working with mask and adjustment levels with reference to levels and curves
  • Selectively correcting areas using masks
  • Pseudo HDR. Working with multiple adjusted raw files (Single) image and using masks to selectively
  • Introduction to HDR

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

16.45 Practical Session with Heather Angel

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 thank you dinner to all those attending our workshop has been organised by Grays of Westminster and the staff of Saint Hill Manor. This must be arranged in advance.

Booking details:

The ticket price includes refreshments, lunch and the evening meal, and costs £245.00 (£185.00 for Nikon Owner magazine subscribers) per person for the day. The workshops start at 9.15 a.m. and run until 5.00 p.m., followed by dinner. Book online here! or call Gillian Greenwood, Events and Training Coordinator between 2.00 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. on 020 7828 4925 or 020 7828 8971 Monday to Friday if you are not a current Nikon Owner subscriber to find out how you can receive the £60 discount.