May 17, 2012

Podcast Episode 32 – Colourless

Welcome to episode 32 of The Circle of Confusion, the professional photography podcast.

This week, Peter, Neil and Roger talk about giving less and charging more, a business model that works for Leica and Phase One.

They discuss the professional mindset – follow your heart or shoot big piles of steaming [NAUGHTY WORD REMOVED] to please the market?

Peter explains the medium-format mindset. Roger asks why camera manufacturers are producing cameras that the majority of reviewers say enthusiasts are too stupid to use are better than their intended audience need.

To hear episode 32 hit the play button below. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes. We’d love it if you did.

Old Leica

Recently a Leica sold for – you might want to sit down for this – €2.16million (which includes the auction fee).

Bidding started at €300,000 and got stuck on €1million for a while. Then it just went silly.

You can watch the bidding in this video.

New Leica

New Leicas sell for nearly as much, though their launches aren’t as exciting as auctions of old ones.

On 10th May, Leica gathered bloggers and other photographic commentators from around the world at the launch of its new monochromatic M-series camera, along with the X2 and a new 50mm lens. By some accounts it was a dull affair, with no models of the new M camera to play with. Even worse, a room full of bloggers had no wifi to tell the world about the new product.

Usually, those who love Leicas don’t question the Red Dot Deity, but at least one commentator had the honesty to raise a dissenting voice: Steve Huff on the Leica launch.

Competition

Vanguard Skyborne 51 - as seen in Dynamic Range episode 2

Time is running out to enter our video competition.

Bag maker Vanguard gave us one of its Skyborne 51 backpacks to review as part of a group test in episode 2 of Dynamic Range and we have that bag to give away. Despite the pummeling it got during the test, it is in almost mint condition and Vanguard has said we can either keep it or use it as a prize. So guess what? We’re keeping it using it as a prize.

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning it is to purchase a copy of either episode 1 or episode 2 of Dynamic Range between 5th April 2012 and 31st May 2012. Your name will go into the hat and we’ll announce the winner on 7th June in the podcast.

It’s a great prize and we’d like to thank Vanguard for its generosity.

FREE SEGMENT FROM DYNAMIC RANGE EPISODE 2

We produced an abundance of great content for episode 2 of Dynamic Range. We can’t possibly include it all in the release next week, so we’ve decided to give you an entire segment for free here. It’s offered in full HD, and will play automatically at that resolution in full screen mode. If your broadband connection is having trouble with that, click the little gear icon near the bottom right of the player to choose a lower res.

If you like it, why not buy the full episode? It’s available for pre-order here: Dynamic Range Episode 2.

What do you think?

As ever, we’d love to hear your views and get your feedback.

Disagree, agree or have a completely different take on what we’ve discussed? Please get in touch by leaving a comment or emailing us at mailbag@circleofconfusion.ie.

Also, if you see or know something you think we’d be interested in discussing on the blog, we’d love to hear from you too.

Lastly, if you’d like to put yourself forward as a correspondent (we’re especially keen to hear from female photographers to help balance our pool of photographers worldwide), then you know what to do.

Blatant plug for our wares

Don’t forget, you can purchase the first episode of our landscape photography video series Dynamic Range for just €9.95, and as a bonus, the pilot episode is just €4.95! You’ll receive the download link via email as soon as you’ve completed the purchase.

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May 10, 2012

Podcast Episode 31 – Pay Up, You @%$&ß!!!!!

Welcome to episode 31 of The Circle of Confusion, the professional photography podcast. This week, Neil and Roger talk about calf injuries and fender benders. Peter doesn’t.

Neil and Roger discuss small cameras and the upcoming Leica release. Peter doesn’t.

Neil and Roger talk about the world’s longest invoice. Peter doesn’t.

Neil and Roger discuss the latest bug in a new camera release. This time round it’s the turn of the Nikon D4 and D800.

Neil and Roger chat about evidence that Adobe Lightroom doesn’t get the most out of the sensor in the Canon 5III. Peter doesn’t.

Peter is ill. Neil and Roger aren’t.

To hear episode 31 hit the play button below. And don’t forget that you can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes. We’d love it if you did.

Climb the mountain

Episode 2 of Dynamic Range was filmed around Croagh Patrick, an Irish icon. Neil has climbed it twice. Most recently with his little boy, who is nine. This is him:

He had to carry his dad up, you know.

Unfortunately, there is a Circle of Confusion tax to pay every time one of us gets near the place. This time, it was Neil’s wife’s car.

Leica

At the time of recording, we only had rumours that the Leica release today is a B/W camera. Somehow our invitation to the launch got lost in the post.

D800 and D4 lock-up, 5DIII fix

Nikon has confirmed a bug in its latest releases. They can stop working suddenly.

Meanwhile, the problem with the Canon 5DIII top plate LCD has been fixed. Find out how here: Lens Rentals opens up a 5DIII.

If only someone could fix the interface of Canon’s image processing software Digital Pile of Pony Digial Photo Professional. However, it seems DPP gets a better result from Canon files than Lightroom. Listener Kevin Curry (thank you, Kevin) sent us a link to a Canon Rumors forum: LR 4 to Blame.

Pay up

Freelancers are used to being used as cheap credit facilities for bigger businesses. Sometimes, they are a source of slave free labour. Just how bad the problem is is illustrated by The World’s Longest Invoice of outstanding fees owed to creatives in the US.

Competition

Vanguard Skyborne 51 - as seen in Dynamic Range episode 2

Bag maker Vanguard gave us one of its Skyborne 51 backpacks to review as part of a group test in episode 2 of Dynamic Range and we have that bag to give away. Despite the pummeling it got during the test, it is in almost mint condition and Vanguard has said we can either keep it or use it as a prize. So guess what? We’re keeping it using it as a prize.

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning it is to purchase a copy of either episode 1 or episode 2 of Dynamic Range between 5th April 2012 and 31st May 2012. Your name will go into the hat and we’ll announce the winner on 7th June in the podcast.

It’s a great prize and we’d like to thank Vanguard for its generosity.

FREE SEGMENT FROM DYNAMIC RANGE EPISODE 2

We produced an abundance of great content for episode 2 of Dynamic Range. We can’t possibly include it all in the release next week, so we’ve decided to give you an entire segment for free here. It’s offered in full HD, and will play automatically at that resolution in full screen mode. If your broadband connection is having trouble with that, click the little gear icon near the bottom right of the player to choose a lower res.

If you like it, why not buy the full episode? It’s available for pre-order here: Dynamic Range Episode 2.

What do you think?

As ever, we’d love to hear your views and get your feedback.

Disagree, agree or have a completely different take on what we’ve discussed? Please get in touch by leaving a comment or emailing us at mailbag@circleofconfusion.ie.

Also, if you see or know something you think we’d be interested in discussing on the blog, we’d love to hear from you too.

Lastly, if you’d like to put yourself forward as a correspondent (we’re especially keen to hear from female photographers to help balance our pool of photographers worldwide), then you know what to do.

Blatant plug for our wares

Don’t forget, you can purchase the first episode of our landscape photography video series Dynamic Range for just €9.95, and as a bonus, the pilot episode is just €4.95! You’ll receive the download link via email as soon as you’ve completed the purchase.

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May 3, 2012

Podcast Episode 30 – Knäppa Häppi Snäppa

Welcome to episode 30 of The Circle of Confusion, the professional photography podcast.This week, Neil, Peter, Roger and Neil talk about the launch of CS 6 and Adobe’s subscription programme.

We look at the launch of two new cameras, one of which is actually real – which is a bit like one of the two Neil’s who appear in this episode.

There is a discussion about light in landscape photography and talk of a super moon: bigger, brighter, better – and coming to a sky near you soon.

Here’s what it might look like:

To hear episode 30 hit the play button below. And don’t forget that you can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes. We’d love it if you did.

Knäppa

Swedish furniture company IKEA has launched a cardboard camera called the Knäppa, a 2.3MP camera that can take 40 photographs. Image stabilization and zoom functions are optional – dependent entirely on a) whether there is a stable surface nearby and b) whether the operator can be bothered to get off their fat rear-end and move.

Here is the promotional video.

Instagram has also released a new camera. Maybe. Not.

Awärd

Both Peter and Roger have won national awards for their landscape work in the past.

Peter can be forgiven. He’s a landscape photographer.

Roger really has no excuse whatsoever. This is his award-winning landscape image, which is discussed, albeit it mercifully briefly, in the episode.

© Roger Overall 2008

Competition

Bag maker Vanguard gave us one of its Skyborne 51 backpacks to review as part of a group test in episode 2 of Dynamic Range and we have that bag to give away. Despite the pummeling it got during the test, it is in almost mint condition and Vanguard has said we can either keep it or use it as a prize. So guess what? We’re keeping it using it as a prize.

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning it is to purchase a copy of either episode 1 or episode 2 of Dynamic Range between 5th April 2012 and 31st May 2012. Your name will go into the hat and we’ll announce the winner on 7th June in the podcast.

It’s a great prize and we’d like to thank Vanguard for its generosity.

FREE SEGMENT FROM DYNAMIC RANGE EPISODE 2

We produced an abundance of great content for episode 2 of Dynamic Range. We can’t possibly include it all in the release next week, so we’ve decided to give you an entire segment for free here. It’s offered in full HD, and will play automatically at that resolution in full screen mode. If your broadband connection is having trouble with that, click the little gear icon near the bottom right of the player to choose a lower res.

If you like it, why not buy the full episode? It’s available for pre-order here: Dynamic Range Episode 2.

What do you think?

As ever, we’d love to hear your views and get your feedback.

Disagree, agree or have a completely different take on what we’ve discussed? Please get in touch by leaving a comment or emailing us at mailbag@circleofconfusion.ie.

Also, if you see or know something you think we’d be interested in discussing on the blog, we’d love to hear from you too.

Lastly, if you’d like to put yourself forward as a correspondent (we’re especially keen to hear from female photographers to help balance our pool of photographers worldwide), then you know what to do.

Blatant plug for our wares

Don’t forget, you can purchase the first episode of our landscape photography video series Dynamic Range for just €9.95, and as a bonus, the pilot episode is just €4.95! You’ll receive the download link via email as soon as you’ve completed the purchase.

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April 26, 2012

Podcast Episode 29 – The Musical Interlude

Welcome to episode 29 of The Circle of Confusion, the professional photography podcast.

This week, Neil, Peter and Roger try to get a word in edgewise over a piece of disruptive music that has escaped from episode 2 of Dynamic Range, which was released on Monday.

Neil is just back from photographing the London Marathon; Roger once ran a marathon; and Peter has a sore index finger.

We spend time marvelling at the gargantuan leap forward in sensor technology that Sony and Nikon have made compared to Canon. We also talk file structures and how to keep track of your files and job folders easily.

To hear episode 29 hit the play button below. And don’t forget that you can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes. We’d love it if you did.

Marathon man

Neil has been photographing marathons for several years now and runs a team of photographers at the big international events. Last weekend, he was in London and he tells us what’s involved in photographing a big marathon and argues that shooting around 20,000 frames in a single day is “conservative”.

Oh, and er, “Mr Canon” photographs marathons using *COUGH*Nikon*COUGH* cameras. But don’t tell anyone.

Neil's dirty little secret © Neil McShane

D800 sensor stunner

Model/bodybuilder-turned-professional-photographer-and-programmer (now there’s a CV) Fred Miranda did a real world test of the Nikon D800 sensor compared with the Canon 5DIII. If you’re a Canonista you won’t want to click on the link to see just how incredibly good the Nikon sensor is compare with the Canon.

Seriously, it’s not funny.

It’ll make you cry.

Here is the link: Fred Miranda shows how good the D800 sensor is and how SHOCKINGLY WOEFUL the 5DIII sensor is by comparison.

Archiving

Once you get started as a professional photographer, you need to keep on top of your image files and your folder structure. We talk about how we do this. Our approaches range from “having a punt” to very structured indeed.

Competition

Bag maker Vanguard gave us one of its Skyborne 51 backpacks to review as part of a group test in episode 2 of Dynamic Range and we have that bag to give away. Despite the pummeling it got during the test, it is in almost mint condition and Vanguard has said we can either keep it or use it as a prize. So guess what? We’re keeping it using it as a prize.

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning it is to purchase a copy of either episode 1 or episode 2 of Dynamic Range between 5th April 2012 and 31st May 2012. Your name will go into the hat and we’ll announce the winner on 7th June in the podcast.

It’s a great prize and we’d like to thank Vanguard for its generosity.

FREE SEGMENT FROM DYNAMIC RANGE EPISODE 2

We produced an abundance of great content for episode 2 of Dynamic Range. We can’t possibly include it all in the release next week, so we’ve decided to give you an entire segment for free here. It’s offered in full HD, and will play automatically at that resolution in full screen mode. If your broadband connection is having trouble with that, click the little gear icon near the bottom right of the player to choose a lower res.

If you like it, why not buy the full episode? It’s available for pre-order here: Dynamic Range Episode 2.

What do you think?

As ever, we’d love to hear your views and get your feedback.

Disagree, agree or have a completely different take on what we’ve discussed? Please get in touch by leaving a comment or emailing us at mailbag@circleofconfusion.ie.

Also, if you see or know something you think we’d be interested in discussing on the blog, we’d love to hear from you too.

Lastly, if you’d like to put yourself forward as a correspondent (we’re especially keen to hear from female photographers to help balance our pool of photographers worldwide), then you know what to do.

Blatant plug for our wares

Don’t forget, you can purchase the first episode of our landscape photography video series Dynamic Range for just €9.95, and as a bonus, the pilot episode is just €4.95! You’ll receive the download link via email as soon as you’ve completed the purchase.

 

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April 23, 2012

Hot Dog! It’s Here! Episode 2 of Dynamic Range

One of Neil's photographs from episode 2 of Dynamic Range

What can we say about episode 2 of Dynamic Range, other than “Please buy it”?

Well, for a start, it was a hard shoot on our gear. It claimed the lives of one camera rear LCD screen, one Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens and a small Lowepro backpack. All in separate incidents, only one of which is captured on video.

That’s actually a lower attrition rate than episode 1, during which we lost an entire sound crew and very nearly a Toyota RAV4.

So that’s progress.

On the downside, we did get much wetter during the filming of episode 2. In fact, we couldn’t have got much wetter had we decided to film the entire episode in the local swimming baths.

“There are three aspects of the videos that I find particularly enjoyable. In no particular order, these are the very beautiful Irish landscape itself, the images you make and your commentary on them, and the interaction between the lot of you. You approach the material with a very good blend of humor and serious content. I’m a happy customer, and am looking forward to Episode 3″ – Bill Tyler

Topics

This episode of Dynamic Range was filmed mostly in beautiful Co. Mayo. Neil and Peter visit Bartra Stand, Silver Strand, “Neil’s Waterfall” and an abandoned farmhouse that belongs to Peter’s family. In each location, they discuss cameras and technique, and show you how to use shutter speeds, apertures and post-production to get the effects and mood you’re after.

They also put four camera backpacks through a rigorous test. If you’ve always wondered what happens when you throw a backpack filled with eggs and rocks down a 15-foot drop onto a stoney beach (and who hasn’t?), you can find out in this episode. If you’ve ever wondered how well Neil can catch, you can find out in this episode.

“Nicely done!” – Javier Leite

Competition

Vanguard Skyborne 51

Vanguard Skyborne 51 - One careful owner

Bag maker Vanguard gave us one of its Skyborne 51 backpacks to review as part of a group test in the show, and we have that bag to give away. Despite the pummeling it got during the test, it is in almost mint condition and Vanguard has said we can either keep it or use it as a prize. So guess what? We’re keeping it using it as a prize.

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning it is to purchase a copy of either episode 1 or episode 2 of Dynamic Range between 5th April 2012 and 31st May 2012. Your name will go into the hat and we’ll announce the winner on 7th June in the podcast. There are some very light terms and conditions, which you’ll find on the competition page.

It’s a great prize and we’d like to thank Vanguard for its generosity.

“Great job on episode 2 lads enjoyed every minute of it!” – Darren Moran

Abundance

We ended up with so much material for this episode that we couldn’t fit it all in. Some bits never made it into the first edit, others were cut during the refining process – including this segment we filmed about Peter’s camera system. It’ll give you a good idea of the production values, the boys’ ability to stick to a script and our general DNA when it comes to producing educational videos.

“I really enjoyed watching it. There are some very useful lessons on the art of composition and the technical aspects of landscape photography and some valuable insights into the benefits of patience and perseverance in waiting for the “light”. I have no doubt but that the series will build into a “must have” item in the library of any landscape photographer of whatever standard.”- Ger O’Halloran

Affiliates

We’re actively looking for affiliates to help us sell the Dynamic Range video series. We give a very generous commission percentage on each video sold and if you’d like to earn a bit of tin by placing an affiliate link or ad on your website, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about producing a video like Dynamic Range, just drop us a line or leave a comment. We’re pretty open and happy to share what we know and what we’ve learned – even the screw ups. We’ll answer any questions in the Circle of Confusion podcast.

Buy Dynamic Range Videos

You can purchase episode 2 of our landscape photography video series Dynamic Range for just €9.95.

 

 

 

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April 20, 2012

Dynamic Range Episode 2 Is Here! (Almost)

The second episode of Dynamic Range was due for release today, Friday 20th April 2012.

It’s coming, but it won’t arrive today unfortunately.

Instead it will be available tomorrow, Saturday 21st April 2012. Please bear with us for 24 hours longer.

The good news is that we’ve extended our pre-order offer for episode 2 until it is released tomorrow. Buy now and get the pilot episode of Dynamic Range free to download immediately.

 

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April 19, 2012

Podcast Episode 28 – The Idiot Look

Welcome to episode 28 of The Circle of Confusion, the professional photography podcast.

This week, Neil, Peter and Roger talk rubbish – both literally and figuratively. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

In this week’s news roundup, Canon admits a light leak issue on the recently launched 5DIII; leading portrait photographer Padraic Deasy launches a photo accessories and consumables business; German binmen turn rubbish containers into pinhole cameras; and there is a discussion about website solutions for photographers. Peter and Roger actually manage to disagree on something – twice.

Since the last episode, Peter and Neil have been recording voice overs for episode 2 of Dynamic Range. Roger has been getting “idiot looks” from his daughter.

To hear episode 28 hit the play button below. And don’t forget that you can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes.

Let there be light

Canon’s 5DIII was released to general acclaim/disdain (please select your choice), but now a minor flaw has been found with it. At least, it would be minor if the camera didn’t cost €3,500. For that kind of money, it should be perfect. In fact, it should be Superman-style perfect.

Dutch website FotoVideo.nu posted this video that explains the problem.

A load of rubbish

Germany has a fine photographic tradition, not least in producing high-quality precision-engineered camera equipment. Now the nation’s binmen have developed their own camera range: modified bins used as pinhole cameras. Contrary to what you’d expect, the results aren’t rubbish. They’re very compelling. You can check out the project’s Flickr stream here: The Trashcam Project.

The Fleetschloss in Hamburg

The Fleetschloss in Hamburg photographed with a pinhole garbage container by garbageman Hans-Dieter Braatz, Christoph Blaschke and Mirko Derpmann. Shot on a 106x80 cm sheet of Ilford Multigrade with 45 minutes exposure time.

Seamless

Leading Irish portrait photographer Padraic Deasy has launched Seamless, an online photo accessories and consumables business, with his wife and brother-in-law.

We look at this interesting business model and discuss the fact that Peter is featured on the company’s website here: Seamless Spotlight.

Neil and Roger aren’t featured on the website.

At all.

They don’t mind.

Seriously, they are relaxed about it.

Honestly.

Really, they are.

They know their place.

The Idiot Look

In the episode, there is a lot of talk about the look Roger’s daughter regularly gives him. This, in case you were wondering, isn’t the “Idiot Look”. The “Idiot Look” is far more damning.

The Idiot Look

Not the "Idiot Look" © Roger Overall 2011

Competition

Bag maker Vanguard gave us one of its Skyborne 51 backpacks to review as part of a group test in the show, and we have that bag to give away. Despite the pummeling it got during the test, it is in almost mint condition and Vanguard has said we can either keep it or use it as a prize. So guess what? We’re keeping it using it as a prize.

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning it is to purchase a copy of either episode 1 or episode 2 of Dynamic Range between 5th April 2012 and 31st May 2012. Your name will go into the hat and we’ll announce the winner on 7th June in the podcast.

It’s a great prize and we’d like to thank Vanguard for its generosity.

FREE SEGMENT FROM DYNAMIC RANGE EPISODE 2

We produced an abundance of great content for episode 2 of Dynamic Range. We can’t possibly include it all in the release next week, so we’ve decided to give you an entire segment for free here. It’s offered in full HD, and will play automatically at that resolution in full screen mode. If your broadband connection is having trouble with that, click the little gear icon near the bottom right of the player to choose a lower res.

If you like it, why not buy the full episode? It’s available for pre-order here: Dynamic Range Episode 2.

What do you think?

As ever, we’d love to hear your views and get your feedback.

Disagree, agree or have a completely different take on what we’ve discussed? Please get in touch by leaving a comment or emailing us at mailbag@circleofconfusion.ie.

Also, if you see or know something you think we’d be interested in discussing on the blog, we’d love to hear from you too.

Lastly, if you’d like to put yourself forward as a correspondent (we’re especially keen to hear from female photographers to help balance our pool of photographers worldwide), then you know what to do.

Blatant plug for our wares

Don’t forget, you can purchase the first episode of our landscape photography video series Dynamic Range for just €9.95, and as a bonus, the pilot episode is just €4.95! You’ll receive the download link via email as soon as you’ve completed the purchase.

 

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April 12, 2012

Podcast Episode 27 – Is That How You Keep Warm In The Arctic?

Welcome to episode 27 of The Circle of Confusion, the professional photography podcast.

This week, Neil, Peter and Roger cannot stop laughing.

Facebook buys Instagram for “One billion dollars!”. French professional photographers defend their copyright. A US photographer sues shoemaker Skechers for copyright infringement and demands a quarter of “an Instagram” in damages. And a print collector sues photographer William Eggleston for printing too many photographs.

There’s also a chance for you to win a great prize – a Vanguard Skyborne 51.

And last, but certainly not least, we have an entire segment that we couldn’t include in episode 2 of Dynamic Range here for you for free on the blog.

To hear episode 27 hit the play button below. And don’t forget that you can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes.

F in Instagram – $1bn

Facebook is notorious for claiming ownership of anything its members put on up on their Facebook pages. In the past, a couple of sneaky attempts at rights grabs by the company have caused a bit of a stink. Now that it has spent a vast amount of money on Instagram, the photo sharing app, it will be interesting to see whether it tries to do the same to Instagram users. Or will it kill Instagram altogether? We discuss the acquisition and look at the reasons given by some industry commentators.

Sketchy Skechy – $250,000,000

US photographer Richard Reinsdorf has taken Skechers to court for infringing his copyright. The best place to read commentary on this case is over at Rob Haggart’s excellent A Photo Editor blog. We discuss the case and outline Skechers shaky defence that it was co-creator of the photographs in question.

William Eggleston – $ALotLessThanBefore

Collector Jonathan Sobel is suing photographer William Eggleston after the latter recently sold new prints of photographs that had previously been marketed as limited editions. According to Sobel, the release of new prints has devalued his work. There is a great interview with him on the PDN site: Art Collector Jonathan Sobel Explains His Beef with William Eggleston. Neil and Peter debate the wrongs and rights of the case, as well as the folly of issuing limited editions to begin with.

(French) photographers’ rights – $0

The Union des Photographes Professionnels – Auteurs is campaigning for photographers’ rights in an eye-catching, and some would say eye-watering, way with this photograph:

This is what life is like for many professional photographers, according to the UPP in France

Prize

Bag maker Vanguard gave us one of its Skyborne 51 backpacks to review as part of a group test in the show, and we have that bag to give away. Despite the pummeling it got during the test, it is in almost mint condition and Vanguard has said we can either keep it or use it as a prize. So guess what? We’re keeping it using it as a prize.

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning it is to purchase a copy of either episode 1 or episode 2 of Dynamic Range between 5th April 2012 and 31st May 2012. Your name will go into the hat and we’ll announce the winner on 7th June in the podcast.

It’s a great prize and we’d like to thank Vanguard for its generosity.

Correspondents

We’re looking for half a dozen or so correspondents dotted around the globe to help us expand the podcast’s information base. If you’d like to help us out, drop us a line and we can arrange a Skype call to chat to you about becoming one.

We’re really pleased to announce that Tom Waugh, a long-time listener based in Switzerland, is the first to join us. Tom has a great blog called Waugh Stories, so why not check him out? He’s at a very interesting point in his career as a professional photographer.

Our correspondents will start contributing to the show in a month or so, and Tom will be one of the first you’ll hear from.

Again, if you’d like to be involved, just drop us a line at mailbag@circleofconfusion.ie.

FREE SEGMENT FROM DYNAMIC RANGE EPISODE 2

We produced an abundance of great content for episode 2 of Dynamic Range. We can’t possibly include it all in the release next week, so we’ve decided to give you an entire segment for free here. It’s offered in full HD, and will play automatically at that resolution in full screen mode. If your broadband connection is having trouble with that, click the little gear icon near the bottom right of the player to choose a lower res.

If you like it, why not buy the full episode? It’s available for pre-order here: Dynamic Range Episode 2.

What do you think?

As ever, we’d love to hear your views and get your feedback.

Disagree, agree or have a completely different take on what we’ve discussed? Please get in touch by leaving a comment or emailing us at mailbag@circleofconfusion.ie.

Also, if you see or know something you think we’d be interested in discussing on the blog, we’d love to hear from you too.

Lastly, if you’d like to put yourself forward as a correspondent (we’re especially keen to hear from female photographers to help balance our pool of photographers worldwide), then you know what to do.

Blatant plug for our wares

Don’t forget, you can purchase the first episode of our landscape photography video series Dynamic Range for just €9.95, and as a bonus, the pilot episode is just €4.95! You’ll receive the download link via email as soon as you’ve completed the purchase.

 

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April 5, 2012

Podcast Episode 26 – The Cutting Room Floor Is Empty

Welcome to episode 26 of The Circle of Confusion, the professional photography podcast.

In this episode, we look at the overhaul of copyright law in Ireland and put out a call for photographers to help by sending the Irish Professional Photographers Association (IPPA) examples of copyright infringement.

We have an interview with Kevin Wilson, who was one of the judges involved with the recent controversy at the British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP).

The edit of the second episode of Dynamic Range is well underway, and going surprisingly smoothly, so it’s time to announce a competition with a great prize.

We also talk about how the Nikon D800 is performing in image quality tests – is it really a threat to medium format digital photography? Peter, for one, certainly hopes not.

And we look at the pain of flying with camera gear these days.

To hear episode 26 hit the play button below. And don’t forget that you can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes.

Copyright review

Copyright law in Ireland is under review at the moment and the IPPA is actively involved in fighting the corner of photographers.

The association is participating in the review process and will be asking members for their input. However, if you work in Ireland but aren’t a member of the association, you can still help it protect photographers’ copyright by sending it examples of how your copyright has been infringed. The more ammunition the association has, the more effective it will be in its efforts to safeguard our rights in the new legislation.

You can contact the association via its website at www.irishphotographers.com. If you’re interested in learning more about what the review is all about, check out the committee’s web page.

BIPP/Kevin Wilson

Last week, we highlighted the controversy surrounding the latest annual BIPP awards. It was reported that several photographers who had judged the final prizes had themselves won awards. Unsurprisingly, there was uproar. We got in touch with Kevin Wilson, one of the judges implicated, and he explained to us what really happened.

Prize

To mark the release of episode 2 of Dynamic Range on 20th April, we have a great prize to give away.

Bag maker Vanguard gave us one of its Skyborne 51 backpacks to review as part of a group test in the show, and we have that bag to give away. Despite the pummeling it got during the test, it is in almost mint condition and Vanguard has said we can either keep it or use it as a prize. So guess what? We’re keeping it using it as a prize.

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning it is to purchase a copy of either episode 1 or episode 2 of Dynamic Range between 5th April 2012 and 31st May 2012. Your name will go into the hat and we’ll announce the winner on 7th June in the podcast.

It’s a great prize and we’d like to thank Vanguard for its generosity.

D800

DxO labs recently announced its test results for the sensor in the Nikon D800. It almost went off the chart. So much so that medium format back owners are getting a little wobbly at the knees. Could the D800 herald the beginning of the end for medium format sensors? Surely not?

Correspondents

We’re looking for half a dozen or so correspondents dotted around the globe to help us expand the podcast’s information base. If you’d like to help us out, drop us a line and we can arrange a Skype call to chat to you about becoming one.

We’re really pleased to announce that Tom Waugh, a long-time listener based in Switzerland, is the first to join us. Tom has a great blog called Waugh Stories, so why not check him out? He’s at a very interesting point in his career as a professional photographer.

Our correspondents will start contributing to the show in a month or so, and Tom will be one of the first you’ll hear from.

Again, if you’d like to be involved, just drop us a line at mailbage@circleofconfusion.ie.

What do you think?

As ever, we’d love to hear your views and get your feedback.

Disagree, agree or have a completely different take on what we’ve discussed? Please get in touch by leaving a comment or emailing us at mailbag@circleofconfusion.ie.

Also, if you see or know something you think we’d be interested in discussing on the blog, we’d love to hear from you too.

Lastly, if you’d like to put yourself forward as a correspondent (we’re especially keen to hear from female photographers to help balance our pool of photographers worldwide), then you know what to do.

Blatant plug for our wares

Don’t forget, you can purchase the first episode of our landscape photography video series Dynamic Range for just €9.95, and as a bonus, the pilot episode is just €4.95! You’ll receive the download link via email as soon as you’ve completed the purchase.

 

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March 29, 2012

Podcast Episode 25 – Everything Is Black Or White – Except For The Grey Bits

Welcome to episode 25 of The Circle of Confusion, the professional photography podcast.

Neil talks black and white, Peter gets distracted by the best cave photograph he has ever seen, and Roger is silent for ten minutes.

We hear the story of a UK photographer who didn’t get justice despite the law being on his side, highlight the million dollar selling photograph that never was, and discuss Nikon’s innovative approach to pricing new products in the UK and Ireland.

To hear episode 25 hit the play button below. And don’t forget that you can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes.

Someone mentions Pinterest, but only briefly.

We look back at the furore storm in a tea cup caused by Roger’s outburst against the Master Photographers Association (MPA) last week, and discuss the recent controversy surrounding the British Institute of Professional Photography’s (BIPP) annual awards judging.

There’s also the latest on our search for correspondents.

The Stolen Scream

Listener Ollie Byrne sent us a link to a video that tells the story of a photograph taken by Noam Galai, an Israeli living in the US. The photograph has been used hundreds of times over without Noam’s permission. Had he received royalties, the photograph would be a commercial super hit – the kind all professional photographers dream of. Noam, though, has received nothing.


Limited editions

Fuji continues its march into Leica territory and is now producing limited editions of the X-Pro 1. Check out Steve Huff’s write up here: Special Edition X-Pro 1. By the way, Steve also has a great post by singer-musician Seal, who owns a limited edition titanium Leica M9. It’s worth a read: Seal’s M9 Limited Edition.

Caveman

Peter halts the podcast about halfway through having found a terrific photograph of someone descending (or ascending, it’s hard to say) into (or out of) a cave over at DPReview. com. Click the link to see the photograph: The Best Person In A Cave Photograph Peter Has Ever Seen.

Dis-Organisation 1

After last week’s outburst, Roger sent an open letter to the MPA. It sparked quite a lot of debate and prompted the association to email Roger with the following response:

Dear Roger

Thank you for your email.    

As an Association we have a duty of care to make our members aware of any issues that may affect their trading practices, and it is up to the individual member as to whether they choose to avail themselves of our advice.

Our advice is always based on the best practices of the DTI and OFT.

Yours sincerely
Colin
Colin R Buck Hon FMPA
Chief Executive

Dis-Organisation 2

This week the British Institute of Professional Photography found itself in the dock when reports of judges winning awards in the organisation’s annual awards made it as far as the BBC. As a consequence of the fuss, the BIPP is thinking about banning judges from entering in future.

What do you think?

As ever, we’d love to hear your views and get your feedback.

Disagree, agree or have a completely different take on what we’ve discussed? Please get in touch by leaving a comment or emailing us at mailbag@circleofconfusion.ie.

Also, if you see or know something you think we’d be interested in discussing on the blog, we’d love to hear from you too.

Lastly, if you’d like to put yourself forward as a correspondent (we’re especially keen to hear from female photographers to help balance our pool of photographers worldwide), then you know what to do.

Blatant plug for our wares

Don’t forget, you can purchase the first episode of our landscape photography video series Dynamic Range for just €9.95, and as a bonus, the pilot episode is just €4.95! You’ll receive the download link via email as soon as you’ve completed the purchase.

 

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