The Best Cameras for Action Photography

Night in Jaffa

New photography gallery set for English capital

London and culture are two words that seem to go hand in hand, as all fans of art and photography across Europe, and even further afield, will tell you. With a vast array of museums, major art galleries, and independent art shops offering visual gems for art lovers and casual onlookers, the English capital is set to receive a further boost to its cultural scene with the news that the V & A museum is to open a new photograph gallery in the coming months.

The new gallery will focus upon the history of photography, and will take visitors through the evolution of the genre right from its inception in 1839 to the boom-time of the 1960s. The work of photography greats such as Irving Penn and Man Ray will appear alongside work from Henri Cartier-Bresson and a few lesser known photography experts.

Photography fans will also be excited to learn that the space in the world famous V & A museum (which was founded way back in 1852 and was actually the first museum to collect photos) will also make room for the oldest photograph possessed by the owners of the museum, with that image being a shot of Parliament Street in London.

The only downside to this intriguing news is the fact that the gallery isn't set to open until the end of October. If you're finding the time is dragging between now and the launch date, divert your attention by checking out Fosters' new amusing online videos of British comedians Vic and Bob.

At the exhibition

Tel Aviv Januar 2011

Photography Masterclass

There are Nature Photos Lessons on the new site of BBC WILDLIFE MAGAZINE. So, everyone can start to learn to

Photo masterclasses part 1 . Landscapes
Photo masterclasses part 2. Mammals portraits
Photo masterclasses part 3. Plants
Photo masterclasses part 4 . Dusk to Dawn
Photo masterclasses part 5. Underwater
Photo masterclass part 6: Invertebrates
Photo masterclass part 7: Birds in flight

Ethics in wildlife photography

Mark Carwardine talks about ethics in modern digital wildlife photography:
"...in 1982, National Geographic catapulted photographic manipulation into the headlines. Its designers famously squeezed together two Egyptian pyramids to make the image suitable for the cover.

The ‘squeeze’ caused an uproar but, far from stopping photographic forgeries, it heralded a new era in which manipulating photographs has become almost routine. What’s changed is the advent of digital photography. The technology is so good these days that it’s easier than ever for photographers and art editors to make significant changes to pictures without most people ever knowing. Indeed, it is actively encouraged by the adverts for some digital manipulation software: one memorable slogan tells us to “Spread Lies”.

Does any of this really matter? After all, most of us assume that fashion, advertising and even paparazzi photos are likely to have been doctored in some way. We live in a world where airbrushed celebrities rule."

read complete article - http://www.bbcwildlifemagazine.com/wildlife-nature-photography/ethics-wildlife-photography

Warm Light Sill Life

Nikon D300 Digital SLR

This is the camera I'd like to buy next.



New 12.3 effective megapixel Nikon DX-format CMOS image sensor with integrated A/D converter and the increased bit precision of selectable 14-bit NEF (RAW) output
Incorporates Nikon's original EXPEED digital image processing concept
Nikon's original Scene Recognition System greatly improves autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance performance
New 51-point autofocus system features 15 cross-type sensors that maximize the potential of lenses with apertures as small as f/5.6
Viewfinder with approx.100% frame coverage and large approx.0.94 magnification (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, –1.0 m-1)
Rapid 8 fps*1 or 6 fps*2 continuous shooting for up to 100 shots*3*4
New Picture Control System for image finishing optimized to match individual preferences
Quick response of 0.13 sec. power-up and 0.045 sec. shutter release time lag*5
Two liveview modes enable shooting while confirming subjects in the LCD monitor
Magnesium alloy body for light weight and rugged durability
3-inch LCD with 920,000-dot (VGA) resolution and a 170° ultra-wide viewing angle
Active D-Lighting optimizes tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights
Shutter speeds ranging from 1/8,000 to 30 s for full creative control
Optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 extends shooting capability, enhances stability, and provides the further shooting potential of added controls
Built-in Speedlight with i-TTL flash control and full support for Nikon's Creative Lighting System

Support for the Wireless Transmitter WT-4 (optional) enables direct cable-free image transfer to a compatible computer
Includes Nikon’s Software Suite software for easy control over image adjustment and management

Supported by Nikon Capture NX software (optional), to explore the extensive potential of NEF (Nikon Electronic Format)

*1When using AC Adapter EH-5a/EH-5 or Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 with batteries other than Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e *2When using Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e *3NORMAL – LARGE image setting, using a SanDisk Extreme IV CompactFlash 1 GB card *４When shooting in Continuous-servo AF (C), Shutter-Priority Auto [S] or Manual [M] exposure modes, at a shutter speed of 1/250 s or faster with other settings at default *5When shooting in JPEG, TIFF or 12-bit NEF (RAW) formats

Sunday Morning

Windows Night

The Time

Canon EOS 500D

Canon's EOS Rebel T1i is packed with features, both refined and new. In addition to its admirable performance with a 15.1-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 image processor, a 3.0-inch clear view LCD with anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coating, and compatibility with the EOS system of lenses and speedlites, the EOS Rebel T1i adds remarkable Full HD video capture at resolutions up to 1920 x 1080.



An HDMI port allows for quick connections to high definition TVs and monitors for easy viewing of your stills and video. The entire operation is simple and easy even if you are a beginner. You'll have uncompromised EOS digital performance with power and flexibility right in the palm of your hand.

Higher resolution sensor (15.1 vs 12.2 effective megapixels)
Extended ISO range up to ISO 12800
HD video capability
New 3.0 inch 920K pixels screen
Adjustable noise reduction and highlight tone priority
Face Detection in Live View
Peripheral Illumination Correction
HDMI output
Larger buffer in continuous shooting
Digic 4 style menu design

Nikon D3s

Meet the D5000, a breed of Nikon digital SLR camera. A wonderful blend of fun, simplicity, and beautiful image quality, the D5000 features an innovative Vari-angle monitor for an exciting new take on photographic expression. Combined with Live View shooting, this monitor gives you the ability to shoot from nearly any angle. And your creativity is not limited to still images - Nikon's D-Movie function lets you record richly detailed HD movie clips, too. There's also a dazzling array of shooting features to help you get great pictures, shot-after-shot.

A Lonely Ship

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

Sea Fever by John Masefield

Holy Night

Christmas in Jaffo



Christmas in the City

Night Raining

Samsung ST550

The Samsung ST550 - or Samsung TL225 as it's known in the USA - has two LCD screens. The primary touchscreen on the back, with a smaller screen on the front too. May sound a little absurd, but it's actually fairly criminal it's not happened before. How often do you see holiday goers trying to take self portraits (unsuccessfully) at an arm's length? The ST550 sets out to eliminate this problem, but it doesn't shun the rest of its performance - with a 3.5in touchscreen on the back the Samsung ST550 looks to be a real crowd pleaser. The What Digital Camera Samsung ST550 review gets snapping...

Features
As well as dual LCD screens, the ST550 dons a 12.2 Megapixel sensor for ample-sized images and has a 27-124mm (4.6x optical zoom) lens to cover a varied range that's also optically stabilised to avoid camera shake. The main 3.5in rear LCD screen is touch sensitive, meaning there's no need for any physical buttons on the rear. The front screen is more or less invisible until activated with a stern tapping, when it becomes bright and easy to view front-on.

High ISO setting ranges from ISO 80-3200 for low-light performance when needed, or the in-built flash can provide an extra punch of light. The 27mm lens is fairly wide angle, and with 4.6x optical zoom stretches as far as a 124mm equivalent.

A number of options including Smart Auto to auto-detect the best conditions, face detection, smile and blink detection as well as Smart Touch AF which tracks a subject in frame by clicking the very subject with your finger. It's all rather clever stuff.

Autumn Still Life

The Autumn Sun

Go, sit upon the lofty hill,
And turn your eyes around,
Where waving woods and waters wild
Do hymn an autumn sound.
The summer sun is faint on them --
The summer flowers depart --
Sit still -- as all transform'd to stone,
Except your musing heart.

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

The Night Dance

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic 'til I'm gathered safely in
Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove
Dance me to the end of love
Oh let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone
Let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon

Theres The Moon Over Bourbon Street

Theres a moon over bourbon street tonight
I see faces as they pass beneath the pale lamplight
Ive no choice but to follow that call
The bright lights, the people, and the moon and all
I pray everyday to be strong
For I know what I do must be wrong
Oh youll never see my shade or hear the sound of my feet
While theres a moon over bourbon street

It was many years ago that I became what I am
I was trapped in this life like an innocent lamb
Now I can only show my face at noon
And youll only see me walking by the light of the moon
The brim of my hat hides the eye of a beast
Ive the face of a sinner but the hands of a priest
Oh youll never see my shade or hear the sound of my feet
While theres a moon over bourbon street

She walks everyday through the streets of new orleans
Shes innocent and young from a family of means
I have stood many times outside her window at night
To struggle with my instinct in the pale moon light
How could I be this way when I pray to God above
I must love what I destroy and destroy the thing I love
Oh youll never see my shade or hear the sound of my feet
While theres a moon over bourbon street
@Sting

The Crossroad

The Bike

Resting Man