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

scandal

Authorities raid Olympus' HQ

I'm guessing that 'Authorities raiding the office' was pretty close to the bottom of Shuichi Takayama's, the President of Olympus', wish-list. But that's just what has happened, as a team of prosecutors attempts to get to the bottom of the accounting irregularities that have pervaded the company for the past two decades.

Japanese TV recorded a train of officials tramping their way into the office. It wasn't just Olympus' Tokyo HQ that was over-run, though. The home of ex-President Tsuyoshi Kikukawa and three offices of businesses that played their part in hiding Olympus' losses amounting to ¥117.7 billion (£960 million) were also raided.

Olympus has stated that intends to co-operate fully with the investigation and has issued an apology to its investors, shareholders, and customers for the 'troubles and worries' it has caused them. Their troubles and worries are far from over, I'd venture. Whatever the investigation might turn up, the raid isn't going to help Olympus' share prices, which have already taken a colossal hit since the scandal broke in late October. Furthermore, Olympus' revised accounts, submitted to the Japanese Stock Exchange a whisker before the 14 December 2011 deadline, have revealed a serious cash-flow problem that could prove even more serious without some rapid restructuring at the company. It's all looking a bit bleak. 

(See also the BBC and The Guardian.)