Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Photography Matters Ep 21 – This Was a Nice Surprise – Kodak Tri-X 400

June 5, 2018 By ted 4 Comments

Kodak Tri-X pushed to 800

Kodak Tri-X, wow, probably the most classic popular black and white film around. I’ve found this is really a love/hate film. Either people are passionate about, and love this film, or others just really can’t stand it and can’t bring themselves to shoot a roll. This week I took a break from my journy to find a fine grain replacement for my beloved ACROS to get into the grittier side of film photography and shot some Tri-X. In this episode I’ll share my feelings about my experience. I have to say I was a little surprised.
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Shots from the airport

Kodak Tri-X pushed to 800, Leica M6, Summicron 35mm

Shots from my second roll of Tri-X

Kodak Tri-X, shot at box speed 400, Leica M6, Summicron 35mm

My good friend, photographer, Garrett Winslow. You can see his photography at bywinslow.com and vegasphotosafaris.com

Photographer Spotlight: Rosie Matheson

A selection of work by UK photographer Rosie Matheson. Based between London and Brighton, Matheson uses photography to document the seemingly ordinary and, in turn, uncover the extraordinary worlds of others. Fascinated by the emotional connection between people and places, particularly the different ways young men from around the world express themselves, see more of Matheson’s stunning portraits below.

Holiday road

'The Open Road' celebrates the American road trip

CLARK GRISWOLD wasn’t the first dad to drag his family on a road trip, and he certainly won’t be the last.
“The Open Road: Photography and the American Road Trip” is a collection of over 100 photographs, curated by David Campany and Denise Wolff and organized for display at the Jepson by assistant curator Erin Dunn of the Telfair Museums.

Stephen Shores, U.S. 97, South of Klamath Falls, Oregon, July 21, 1973

Stephen Shores, U.S. 97, South of Klamath Falls, Oregon, July 21, 1973

The exhibition is organized chronologically, beginning with seminal photographers like Robert Frank. The works are from his book “The Americans,” which was published in 1958.
“He was capturing America at a moment of change,” explains Dunn. “He was showing America as it was, not how it wanted to be seen.”
Dunn refers to Frank’s most famous photograph, “Trolley—New Orleans,” taken in 1955. Since segregation was still occurring, white people sat at the front of the trolley and black people sat at the back.
“As a Swiss photographer, he had a foreigner’s perspective,” she explains. “Obviously he loved the country, but there was a lot of stuff he was concerned with.”
“The Open Road” deals with the disillusionment of the American landscape as much as it does the nostalgia of it. One of Joel Meyerowitz’s photos, “Kansas,” depicts a car crash on a Kansas roadway, replete with sadness and desolation.
“Joel returned from Vietnam to this landscape he didn’t recognize anymore,” explains Dunn, “so he went on a road trip to discover America again, in a way.”
A major theme in the exhibition, as seen in Frank’s work, is viewing Americana kitsch through a foreign lens, like the work of Austrian photographer Inge Morath.

click to enlarge

Justine Kurland, Claire, 8th Ward, 2012

“Inge Morath was coming into the country overwhelmed by how large it was and the food and the people,” Dunn shares. “By the end of her trip, she was drinking green tea and eating raw vegetables because she didn’t like the food available on the road.”
Morath visited those quintessential road trip stops, like a Cherokee village in North Carolina, to capture people sight-seeing.
A photographer of note in the exhibition is Justine Kurland, one of the few female photographers involved.
“That’s something to think about,” Dunn prompts. “Who in the twentieth century had the time and capability to go on road trips? It was often men because they didn’t have that domestic responsibility. Justine’s amazing because she took her son Casper along with her.”
“The Open Road” also includes the sort of photographs we’ve come to associate with the American road trip. Ed Ruscha’s 1963 series, “Twentysix Gasoline Stations,” shows 26 of the gas stations he encountered on his road trip.
“He was continuing Duchamp’s idea of the readymades,” Dunn says. “He considered himself a reporter on every gas station he came across. That was the architecture America was adopting—the landscape was being filled out and we needed gas stations to fill up our cars to travel the country.”

click to enlarge

Ed Ruscha, Phillips 66, Flagstaff, Arizona, 1962

Ed Ruscha, Phillips 66, Flagstaff, Arizona, 1962

In her presentation of the exhibition, Dunn included archival material like Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass opened to the poem “The Open Road.”
“You can see this is a theme that didn’t just start in the 1900s, but has been in the American mindset for a long time,” she points out. “Then you start to have the road trip prevalent in literature, film and photography.”
“The Open Road” is more than just a fun trip down memory lane; it’s a great introduction to some of the finest photographers in our history.
“The road trip is this fun experience we can all relate to,” Dunn says. “We’ve all done it, we’ve all taken our camera with us to take photos. You can place yourself in many of these photos. It’s also a chance for us to introduce our audience to these wonderful photographers from American history.”

See first photos of Jamie Lee Curtis vs. Michael Myers in horrifying new 'Halloween'

Classic horror villain Michael Myers returns in a new Halloween. Unfortunately for him, so does Laurie Strode.

Jamie Lee Curtis reprises her “final girl” role for the 40th anniversary of John Carpenter’s original 1978 fright fest. But in director David Gordon Green’s follow-up (in theaters Oct. 19), the tables have turned a bit: Laurie has been preparing for a rematch with the iconic knife-wielding masked psycho, and when he stalks her again in suburban Haddonfield, Ill., she’s as ready for him as he is for her.

In the first film — the actress' Hollywood debut — “she was running for her life,” says Curtis, 59. “In this case, she is well-matched, she is prepared, she is focused. She will be the one people are standing behind when that moment comes, because she’s the one ready.”

Produced by horror guru Jason Blum, the new Halloween brings back Laurie and Michael but also leans into pop culture’s current fascination with true crime (see also: Making a Murderer, Serial). A British documentary crew comes to the States to visit Michael in prison for a retrospective of the maniac’s night of terror — “Someone has to bring a modern audience into a 40-year old movie,” Curtis says — but their project becomes way more interesting when Myers escapes custody, retrieves his signature mask and seeks revenge on Laurie, with others naturally being part of his impressive career body count along the way.

Review: Stephen King's 'The Outsider' is a witchy brew of crime, horror

More: Why 'A Quiet Place' is John Krasinski and Emily Blunt's 'most personal' film yet

In the decades following the fateful Halloween night that forever altered the former babysitter’s life, Laurie has armed and prepped herself for Michael’s inevitable return — to the detriment of her family, including daughter Karen (Judy Greer) and granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak).

“We’re being very honest and truthful about that, how it would affectthe upbringing of her daughter, who has a lot of conflicts because of her mother’s obsession with this incident, and her granddaughter, who’s trying to connect” with Laurie, Green says.

Her community is also a little wary of Laurie. “It becomes a little bit ‘The British are coming!’ and everybody just gets tired of it,” Curtis says. “It’s the girl who cried Michael, and they’re all like, ‘Oh, my God, Laurie, shut the (expletive) up.’ And that’s why I like where we find her.”

More: Jamie Lee Curtis to make screaming return as Laurie Strode in new 'Halloween'

Earlier: Jamie Lee Curtis on the 'new, horrific reality' of Eliza Dushku's accusation

As for Michael (Nick Castle, the original Michael, and James Jude Courtney split the role), nothing has changed too radically, though his new mask is a bit more weathered and reflective of the antagonist's “authentic evolution” over four decades, Green says. “He’s the essence of evil, so we don’t want to get too much into the specifics of what makes him tick. So much of what makes the boogeyman horrifying to me is the mystery and almost cat-like mannerisms and curiosity of this character.”

The Halloween franchise spawned seven sequels — plus a two-movie reboot from Rob Zombie — but Green has essentially thrown out all those in favor of establishing a fresh mythology built on the original 1978 movie. (Carpenter also returns as executive producer and composer.) When Green studied the franchise as a whole, he says, “I started finding limitations instead of opportunity, and thinking, ‘If there was a little bit of a clean slate to take it in a direction I selfishly as a huge Halloween fan wanted, where would I go?’ ”

That streamlining was one of the main reasons Curtis signed on to return, and she finds the follow-up to be “simple, clean, scary and excellent.” She also remains hugely proud of her character and this horror show.

“I recognize that it will be my biggest contribution,” Curtis says. “Despite writing books for children, all of my advocacy, all of my politics, all of my own personal journey, my legacy will be Halloween.”

Monday, June 4, 2018

Best compact camera 2018: 10 top models to suit all abilities

Compact cameras and the compact camera market have changed a lot over the last few years. Smartphones have decimated the entry-level range of point-and-shoot models that used to be popular and as a result manufacturers have concentrated on putting more advanced features into cameras to make them more attractive than ever before.
In addition to a move towards having physically larger sensors to boost image quality that can rival DSLRs and mirrorless cameras in some cases, some compact cameras sport lenses with long zoom ranges or wide maximum apertures, allowing for much more flexibility when shooting a range of subjects. Wi-Fi connectivity is also now de rigueur on most compacts, so you can transfer shots quickly to a phone for sharing on Facebook etc, while most offer 4K video recording as standard.

Best compact cameras

1. Fujifilm X100F
2. Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200
3. Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV
4. Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II
5. Panasonic Lumix LX10 / LX15

Many enthusiast photographers used to be very sniffy about compact digital cameras, but there are now many that make a great alternative to a DSLR or mirrorless camera. And those who are new to photography and thinking about stepping up from a smartphone have some pretty sophisticated choices as well.
There are small cameras that can slip in a pocket yet have huge zoom ranges, and large bridge cameras that look like DSLRs, but have a fixed lens and lots of automated easy-to-use options.
These cameras prove that you don't have to buy a camera that takes interchangeable lenses to get great shots.
If you need a bit more help figuring out what kind of camera you need, then read this article: What camera should I buy?
Or if you already know what kind of camera you want, then check out our more specific compact camera guides:

Otherwise, keep reading to find out which are the best compact cameras on the market right now, and why.

1. Fujifilm X100F

The X100F is the perfect compact for the enthusiast photographer

Beautiful design

Hybrid viewfinder

1080p video

Fixed focal length lens

It may be one of the more expensive options here and it's not a compact for everyone, but if you're after a high-quality camera, you're not going to be disappointed with the fabulous X100F. Everything about it oozes class. Unlike a lot of compacts here, it has a fixed lens as opposed to a zoom, but this 35mm equivalent f/2.0 lens is paired with a DSLR-sized 24.3MP APS-C sensor that delivers cracking results. There's also the tactile external controls and clever hybrid viewfinder - you have the option of electronic and optical views make it a joy to shoot with. You'll need some photo knowledge to get the best from it, but the X100F is an exquisite camera that you'll cherish if you take the plunge.

Read our in-depth Fujifilm X100F review

2. Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200

The best travel zoom camera you can buy right now

Large 1.0-inch sensor

15x zoom range lens

Small electronic viewfinder

Fixed screen

Panasonic invented the travel-zoom camera genre - compact cameras that you can fit in a pocket but that have long zoom lenses built-in. Despite strong competition, the ZS range (known as TZ outside the US) has continued to dominate sales, and it looks set to continue this with the brilliant Lumix ZS200 (called TZ200 outside the US). As we first saw with the Lumix ZS100 / TZ100, Panasonic has been able to keep the camera body about the same size as earlier ZS-series cameras but squeeze a much larger 1-inch sensor into the camera to deliver much better image quality. The zoom lens isn't quite so extensive as some, but the versatile 15x zoom should be more than enough for most users, while you also get (an admittedly small) electronic viewfinder, 4K video and a great touchscreen interface. If you're looking for a neat all-in-one compact camera that delivers great images, this is it.
Read our in-depth Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / Lumix TZ200 review

3. Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV

Expensive, but highly capable and offering a huge focal range

Superb sensor

High quality zoom lens

Expensive

Menu system could be better

If you're looking for a powerful all-in-one bridge camera, then the RX10 IV from Sony is the best there is. You'll pay a premium for that performance, but when you look at what else is out there for the same price, the RX10 IV is virtually in a league of its own. Featuring a huge 24-600mm f/2.4-4 zoom lens, the RX10 IV builds on the RX10 III with an overhauled AF system that now does justice to the rest of the camera, while the 1-inch, 20.1MP sensor is capable of achieving excellent levels of detail. Handling is very polished, feeling like a DSLR in the hand and complemented by a large and bright electronic viewfinder. That's not forgetting the ability to capture video in 4K and shoot at up to 24fps. Impressive stuff.
Read our in-depth Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV review

4. Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II

A pocket powerhouse of a compact camera

Compact size

Simple to use

Limited zoom range

No 4K video

While there's now a decent selection of premium 1.0-inch sensor compact cameras to choose from, the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II sets itself apart thanks to its dinky proportions and streamlined controls. The highly pocketable dimensions do mean there are sacrifices to be made, with the PowerShot G9 X Mark II featuring a relatively short focal length zoom lens. However, if you're looking for a neat compact camera that can produce vastly superior images to your smartphone, and has decent connectivity options and simple-to-use controls, the PowerShot G9 X Mark II is an excellent choice.
Read our in-depth Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II review

5. Panasonic Lumix LX10 / LX15

With some stiff competition, this is our pick of the 1-inch compacts

Ultra-fast f/1.4 lens

Fast AF system

No viewfinder

Lack of proper grip

Panasonic's muscled it's way into the growing premium 1-inch compact sector with the brilliant Lumix LX10 (known as the LX15 outside the US), and is the perfect balance of performance, features and price. First, the bad news - there's no built-in EVF and the smooth finish doesn't offer the best handgrip, but the 24-72mm lens is one of the fastest around with a maximum aperture of f/1.4. Add to that some polished handling with dual control rings and a touchscreen, snappy AF and 4K video capture, and you have one of the best compact cameras around.
Read our in-depth Panasonic Lumix LX10 / LX15 review

6. Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V

Sony's super-high speed sensor tech is brilliant but pricey

High-speed shooting and 4K

Built-in EVF

The tech makes it expensive

No touchscreen

Sony's original RX100 was a landmark camera that fused a 1-inch sensor in a compact, metal body with the controls and image quality demanded by enthusiasts. The RX100 V goes several steps further, though, with a 'stacked' sensor design for high-speed data capture. This means it can shoot 4K video, amazing 40x slow motion and still images at 24fps in continuous burst mode. That's not forgetting the neat little built-in electronic viewfinder that its rivals lack. It's a pricey option and does have its quirks, but if you're looking for a versatile, pocket-sized compact with a quality zoom lens, you won't be disappointed.
Read our in-depth Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V review

7. Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 / FZ2500

The FZ2000 / FZ2500 combines a bridge camera zoom with a big 1-inch sensor

1-inch sensor

Super-fast AF

Comparatively large

No weather-sealing

This trend towards bigger sensors shows up in the Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 (known as the FZ2500 in the US). Bridge cameras are very popular because they offer a colossal zoom range at a modest cost. To design a big zoom, though, the makers have to use a tiny sensor – and here Panasonic took the wise choice to sacrifice zoom range for better quality. The Panasonic FZ2000 uses a 1-inch sensor, and while the zoom tops out at 480mm equivalent, which is relatively short for a bridge camera, that's still plenty for all but the most extreme everyday use. We love the FZ2000 because it delivers both image quality and zoom range - if you're looking for something a bit cheaper, the older FZ100 0 is still available.
Read our in-depth Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 / FZ2500 review

8. Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III

A unique compact, thanks to an APS-C sensor and zoom lens

Big sensor, small body

Refined touchscreen controls

Limited zoom range

Only 1080p video capture

Keen photographers usually go for a DSLR or mirrorless camera, but they also want something that will slip in a pocket for those days when the big camera needs to stay at home. Usually, that means putting up with a smaller sensor – but not this time. Somehow, Canon has shoehorned a DSLR-sized APS-C sensor into a compact camera body. There's also a built-in electronic viewfinder and refined touchscreen interface. The zoom range is a bit modest at 24-72mm, but there's nothing else quite like it.
Read our in-depth Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III

9. Sony Cyber-shot WX220

Cheap and cheerful 10x compact

10x zoom lens

Compact design

Limited features

Small screen

If you're wanting a compact camera that can do a better job than your smartphone the WX220 ticks a lot of boxes, especially when you consider the extra flexibility offered by the 10x optical zoom, running from 25-250mm. Images are bright and punchy, with decent detail – ideal for sharing online or printing at typical sizes – while it's nice to see Wi-Fi connectivity included as well. The 2.7-inch screen is a little on the small side, but that does help to keep the dimensions of the camera to a pocket-friendly size. The WX220 may not have lots of bells and whistles, but what it does do, it does well.
Read our in-depth Sony Cyber-shot WX220 review

10. Leica Q

It's incredibly expensive but the Q is the best compact camera around

Full-frame sensor

Fabulous fast lens

Stomach-cramping price

Front grip is an optional extra

When photography was film-based most compact cameras took 35mm rolls, the same as a professional-level SLR. This meant that provided your camera had a decent lens you could get brilliant results. Digital photography changed that and many compact cameras have much smaller sensors which makes achieving high quality images more of a challenge. Leica and Sony are the only companies that make a compact camera with a full-frame sensor and while Sony's RX1 models are great, the Leica Q (Typ 116) has won our hearts. The biggest downside to the Q is its price, there's no getting around that. But for that huge stack of cash you get a Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH lens, a superb electronic viewfinder with 3,680,000 dots, a 3-inch 1,040,000-dot touchscreen, snappy autofocusing, traditional exposure controls and the ability to create stunning images. Despite the price, Leica can't make enough Q's to keep up with demand.
Read our in-depth Leica Q review
Should you buy a mirrorless camera over a DSLR? Watch our guide video below to learn more!

What camera should I buy?

DarrylT

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Photography Matters Ep 21 – This Was a Nice Surprise – Kodak Tri-X 400

Shots from the airport

Shots from my second roll of Tri-X

Photographer Spotlight: Rosie Matheson

Holiday road

'The Open Road' celebrates the American road trip

See first photos of Jamie Lee Curtis vs. Michael Myers in horrifying new 'Halloween'

Monday, June 4, 2018

Best compact camera 2018: 10 top models to suit all abilities

Best compact cameras

1. Fujifilm X100F

2. Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200

3. Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV

4. Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II

5. Panasonic Lumix LX10 / LX15

6. Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V

7. Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 / FZ2500

8. Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III

9. Sony Cyber-shot WX220

10. Leica Q

How To Kiss A Man

Financial Freedom

I Blame Biden Shirt

How to Make Him Worship You

Netspend Card

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Photography Matters Ep 21 – This Was a Nice Surprise – Kodak Tri-X 400

Shots from the airport

Shots from my second roll of Tri-X

Photographer Spotlight: Rosie Matheson

Holiday road

'The Open Road' celebrates the American road trip

See first photos of Jamie Lee Curtis vs. Michael Myers in horrifying new 'Halloween'

Monday, June 4, 2018

Best compact camera 2018: 10 top models to suit all abilities

Looking for a new compact? We've picked out 10 of the best

Best compact cameras

1. Fujifilm X100F

2. Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200

3. Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV

4. Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II

5. Panasonic Lumix LX10 / LX15

6. Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V

7. Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 / FZ2500

8. Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III

9. Sony Cyber-shot WX220

10. Leica Q

I Blame Biden Shirt

How to Make Him Worship You

Netspend Card