Technology Explained, Practice
Daniela Bowker
Resolution and pixels and image quality! Oh my! ...

When you hear the term 'high-res' thrown about with such abandon when it comes to images for web use, have you ever stopped to think just how big or how high quality and image meant for the web needs to be?

Resolution and pixels and image quality! Oh my! Saving images for the web
Feature Articles, Photography Theory
Haje Jan Kamps
Low-contrast photographs don't have to be boring

There's an assumption that high-contrast images are more dynamic, more compelling, more inviting. Have a go at some low-contrast photography. You might surprise yourself with the results.

Low-contrast photographs don't have to be boring
Feature Articles, Theory
Daniela Bowker
Seeking balance in your photos

Balance doesn't mean symmetry; it means an internal consistency and tension within your photos. And it's a vital element of composition. 

Seeking balance in your photos
Feature Articles, Photography Theory
Haje Jan Kamps
Training your photographic luck

Great photos might be down to a little bit of luck, but most of that 'luck' you make yourself. Don't believe us? Read on...

Training your photographic luck
Feature Articles, Practice
Daniela Bowker
The ups and downs and ins and outs of ...

Photographing buildings doesn't have to mean wide-angle lenses and fretting about correcting for the keystone effect. Any lens, and angle. Don't believe us? Let us show you!

The ups and downs and ins and outs of photographing buildings

amateur photographers

Sony World Photography Awards: Open Category winners


Starry Tree by Elmar Akhmetov, Kazakhstan, Winner, Low Light, Open Competition

The swanky gala awards ceremony for the Sony World Photography Awards 2013 draws closer, and the winners of the ten Open categories, the 3D category, and the Youth cetegory winners have just been announced.

Taking the spoils of a Sony A77 each for their prowess in the Open categories are:

  • Architecture - Martina Biccheri, Italy
  • Arts and Culture - Gilbert Yu, Hong Kong
  • Enhanced - Hoang Hiep Nguyen, Vietnam
  • Low Light - Elmar Akhmetov, Kazakhstan
  • Nature & Wildlife - Krasimir Matarov, Bulgaria
  • Panoramic - Yeow Kwang Yeo, Singapore
  • People - Hisatomi Tadahiko, Japan
  • Smile – Ming Hui Guan, China
  • Split Second -  Matías Gálvez, Chile
  • Travel - Manny Fajutag, Philippines

These ten amateur photographers are now up for being awarded the title Sony World Photography Awards Open Photographer of the Year on 25 April 2013 at the aforementioned swanky gala ceremony, and will be presented with $5,000 in addition to their new camera.

As for the 3D award, that's going to Matjaž Tančič, a Slovenian fashion photographer based in Beijing and Ljubljana. 

The overall winner of the Youth category will also be announced on 25 April, but the finalists for that honour are:

  • Culture - Alecsandra Dragoi, Romania
  • Environment - Xu Wei Shou, Taiwan
  • Portraits- Berta Vicente, Spain

The professional photographers have been shortlisted; the winner of the Iris d'Or will be unveiled on 25 April in London.

(All images copyright their respective photographers and courtesy of the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards.)

Channel Five launches photo course

Five

What are you up to tomorrow night? If you’re having a quiet night in, you might want to have a look at Channel Five’s new programme: ‘How to take stunning pictures’. It’s a joint venture between Panasonic and Channel Five and the aim is to help amateur photographers take better pictures with some professional help.

Pull up a chair and grab your SLR - Channel Five is launching their photo course

Hosted by Miss Gadget Show, Suzi Perry, there are six programmes that each focus on a different theme: landscapes, portraits, action shots, holiday snaps, celebration photos, and animals. A guest photographer will host a masterclass and then send off some amateurs to see who can get the best shot. I suppose you could try it out, too!

Lumix have sponsored the series and it’s going out on a variety of media: Panasonic’s IPTV service Vieracast, Panasonic’s and Channel Five’s websites, and of course, Channel Five at 19:30 on Tuesdays.