Better Photography - July 2014

B E T T E R P H O T O G R A P H Y JULY 201 4
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V O L U M E 1 8
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GET PUBLISHED IN BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY
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EDITORIAL
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Chief Photographer
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Photographer
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8
B E T T E R P H O T O G R A P H Y
K Madhavan Pillai
editor@betterphotography.in
E DI TORI AL
The Relationship Within a Body of Work
I wonder who that
person is. It is as if
in my one life I have
lived many lives.
-Georgia OKeeffe on
her portraits made
by Alfred Stieglitz
Grandma Toppan,
sixth-plate
daguerreotype,
Philadelphia, 1841
by Robert Cornelius
From the beautiful,
ornately embellished
photograph holders from
over a century ago to
pictures in wallets stuffed
into the backpocket of
trousers, history has not
been kind to portraits
of parents and spouses.
Robert Cornelius did start
the trend though... apart
from being the very rst
portraitist, he was the
pioneer of the sele!

To know more about the
rst ever self portraitist
and why he moved away
from photography...
Turn to page 114
For some time now, I have come to regard the alliance between the
photographer and his subject, however transient or resilient, as
the most profound of experiences in the making of a photograph.
Especially when the subject happens to be another person, the
relationship is wonderfully enlightened and sanguine. The unique
nature of two people coming together, one involved in a sensual,
cerebral process and the other in acquiescence to that process, even
if momentary, is incredibly fullling to both. I believe this is the reason why so many artists
and their models have had intensely intellectual and even intimate involvement that goes
beyond the creation of works of art.
One such famous relationship is that of artist Georgia OKeeffe, known as the Mother of
American Modernism in painting, and Alfred Stieglitz, renowned American photographer,
gallerist and promoter of modern art. Between 1917 and 1937, Stieglitz made over 350 mounted
prints of OKeeffe, distinguishing his images with as much a deep understanding of his muse
as with his use of arduous printing techniques. To demand the (single) portrait that will be a
complete portrait of any person is as futile as to demand that a motion picture be condensed
into a single still, he had once stated.
OKeeffe was married to Stieglitz from 1924, till he passed away in 1946. Tumultuous as
their relationship was, before and during their marriage, the two artists exchanged an
estimated 25,000 handwritten notes and letters between each other. In 1978, OKeeffe had said,
When I look over the photographs Stieglitz took of mesome of them more than sixty years
agoI wonder who that person is. It is as if in my one life I have lived many lives.
Most celebrated artists do tend to live many sequestered lives within one, with each life
contributing to a remarkable body of work. And amongst all the bodies of work produced
since and before, from across the world, I cannot help but see that the ones to withstand the
test of time are indeed born of powerful, heartfelt, enduring relationships.
SnapShots
July 2014
24
Book Review
When Abba Was Ill
by Adil Hasan
26
Look Whos Shooting
Tosha Jagad and
Stuti Jhaveri
27
Visual Musings
by Diwan Manna
GearGuide
78
28
TEST
Olympus OM-D E-M10
We test the most basic
OM-D and see how good
it really is
34
Sony Alpha 6000
How good is this NEX-6
update from Sony?
38
Canon PowerShot
G1 X Mark II
Will it recapture
the advanced
compact market?
46
Canon EF 200400mm
f/4L IS USM
Replaces the burden of
carrying multiple lenses
48
Nikkor AF-S 300mm
f/4 D IF-ED
Pro optics priced for
the enthusiast
50
Samyang 14mm T3.1
ED AS IF UMC
The best economical
ultrawide solution
52
Tamron 16-300mm
F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD
The widest of all
superzoom lenses
54
Adobe Photoshop CC
Signicant upgrade or
inconsequential change?
60
Manfrotto T190XPRO3
The tripod that does it all
86
ON THE COVER
PHOTOGRAPH: DR MAYUR DAVDA
DESIGN: SANTOSH D KAMBLE
Mustafa Qureshi and his
journey to photojournalism
Meet the founding father of
selesRobert Cornelius
Diwan Manna on the changing
meaning of photography & art
What makes a good image?
Mukesh Parpiani answers
PROFILE GREAT MASTERS VISUAL MUSINGS PHOTOGUIDE
B
ET
TER
P
H
O
TO
G
R
A
P
H
Y
ID
EAS TO
M
AKE TH
E M
O
ST O
F YO
U
R
TIM
E IN
D
O
O
R
S!
G
R
EAT M
ASTER
S: R
O
B
ER
T CO
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N
ELIU
S
EXCLU
SIVE TEST: O
LYM
PU
S O
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-D
E-M
10
VO
L. 18
N
O
. 2
JU
LY 2014
Pro food photography right
in your very own kitchen
www.betterphotography.in
IN
S
ID
E
AN EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE DEDICATED
TO CELLPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY
MAKING THE PERFECT CELLPHONE PORTRAIT TIPS FOR STUNNING LANDSCAPES
EXCLUSIVE TESTS
Sony Alpha 6000
Canon G1 X Mark II
Nikkor 300mm f/4
Samyang 14mm T3.1
July 2014 Rs. 150
(Total 172 pages)
IDEAS, TIPS&TECHNIQUESFOR
CREATIVITY
AT HOME
Make every indoor space your private
studio and every object your subject!
OUR VERDICT ON THIS
LITTLE MIRRORLESS
WONDER
OLYMPUS OM-D E-M10
Main Cover July 2014.indd 1 21-06-2014 11:06:26
InFocus
108
PROFILE
Mustafa Quraishi
The photojournalists
journey as he treads on
hostile territory
114
GREAT MASTERS
Robert Cornelius
The life of the rst
self-portraitist
122
PHOTOFEATURE
Birds Eye Botswana
Explore African wildlife
from above
ShowCase BetterPictures
64
TEST
Gionee Elife E7
A camera phone targeted
at serious photographers
66
Oppo R829
Is Oppo being too
ambitious in its claims?
67
CELLPHONE DIARIES
Amit Mehra on the
importance of quietness
68
CELLPHONE TECHNIQUE
A Portrait Affair
Tips for photographing
simple and gorgeous-
looking portraits
72
CELLPHONE PROFILE
Feyza Ceylan
Her fascination
for dereliction
78
SHOOTING TECHNIQUE
Stuck at Home?
Photography ideas for
when you cant
go outside
86
The Secret Ingredient
Explore still life subjects
in the kitchen
90
ON ASSIGNMENT
Odds and Ends
The art of arranging
monochromatic palettes
94
Splash Away!
Innovative yet simple
ideas to freeze splashes
114 108
CellphonePhotography
Regulars
FEEDBACK ............................................................12
READERS GALLERY ................................................76
PHOTOGUIDE ....................................................... 98
TIPS & TRICKS .................................................... 102
Q & A ................................................................. 106
1000 WORDS ...................................................... 120
YOUR PICTURES .................................................. 128
Feedback
Send your feedback to
New Era House, Opp Shamrao Vithal Bank, Mogul Lane,
Matunga (W), Mumbai-400 016,
Maharashtra, India.
Email: feedback@betterphotography.in
Anniversary Issue Delight
Congratulations on completing 17 years
Better Photography! It is a milestone truly
worth cherishing.
The June 2014 cover story 20 Pathbreaking
Women Photographers Share Their Inspirational
Experiences was a stunning read. It was
amazing to see stalwarts like Annie
Grifths, Anna Fox, Sheba Chhachhi,
Lana lezic and others, featured in the
magazine. Also, reading about the younger
photographers like Manjari Sharma, Asmita
Parelkar and Chinky Shukla brought its own
learning. There was a good mix of genres
from nature and social issues to portraiture
and installation art.
In the story, Ami Vitale was quoted as
saying ... we can discover the universal
truth that we are all far more alike than we
are different, in reference to how humans
are the same under the surface in spite
of all differences. It struck me that this
thought is applicable to photographers as
well. While we may all have our own way of
expressing ourselves, we are all alike in our
love for photography.
Santana Dmello, Mapusa, via email
The Drive to Participate
When I logged on to the BP website, I was
quite excited to nd the photography
contests. I participated in the By The
Beach contest. Although I did not win, the
prospect of having my image published in
the Your Pictures section of the magazine,
will keep driving me to participate in
future competitions. I realised that
frequently participating in contests
is important, as they help motivate
and give perspective as to how one can
improve their photography. I would also
suggest that BP critique the pictures that
make it to the Honourable Mentions to
increase learning.
Arun Deshpande, Mumbai, via email
Cellphone Polar Panoramas
The Tips & Tricks section of the June 2014
issue had tips on polar panoramas that were
quite intriguing. I found the technique a
little complicated for me to attempt with my
DSLR, but I was able to nd an alternative on
my cellphone. I realised that there are apps
such as RollWorld that allow you to shoot
and create polar panoramas.
Ava Zaiwalla, Mumbai, via email
Interest in Bird Photography
I have always been a wildlife photography
enthusiast. Of late however, I nd myself
more interested in photographing birds.
Generally during the holidays, I visit the
outskirts of Chennai looking for birds.
On one of these visits, I witnessed two
Green Bee-eaters romancing. The female
would perch herself on the branch and the
male would bring her insects and ies to
feed on. I was pretty close to the birds, only
about 10 feet away, but I did not disturb
their mating ritual. In fact, I even managed
to photograph them.
C S Girish, Chennai, via post
Particpating
in contests is
important as
they help give
perspective
about how one
can further
improve their
photography.
The cover story 20
Pathbreaking Women
Photographers Share
Their Inspirational
Experiences appeared in
the June 2014 issue.
An enthusiastic
wildlife and bird
photographer C S Girish,
sent us this image he
made of two Green
Bee-eaters he spotted
outside Chennai.
C S Girish
12

FEEDBACK
This year the Indian general elections received a
lot of coverage. The mainstream media followed
the elections closely as betting news publications.
However, a very interesting online newsfeed
Scroll.in was covering the elections in a unique
manner, via Instagram. I was aware of their feed
and was pleased to nd that BP featured this
venture in the June 2014 issue.
Publications abroad such as the New Yorker
magazine and National Geographic frequently hand
over their Instagram feed to their photographers,
to cover topics ranging from environmental and
social issues to lifestyle and portraits.
It is refreshing to see Indian photographers
embracing a new medium to disseminate news.
In fact, by using an app popular with a younger
generation, many rsttime voters were able to
Cellphone as a Medium for Reportage
Write in to
Better Photography
with your feedback,
and if your letter
wins the Letter of
the Month, you
will get a Envie
Speedster charger!
Twitter: twitter.com/betterphoto
Facebook: facebook.com/betterphotography
Youtube: youtube.com/betterphotoindia
Website: betterphotography.in
FIND US ONLINE!
Battery Conservation Measures
The June 2014 issue of Better Photography
featured a very interesting article about
cellphone batteries.
I recently gifted my mother a
smartphone so that she could make
pictures for her frequent trips around
the country.
However, she would often nd her
phone running low on battery and would
turn it off to conserve it. This caused
her to miss several unique moments on
her travels. I realised that turning off
her cellphone to conserve battery was
incorrect, and as stated in The BP Textbook of
Boosting Battery Life, I advised her to put her
cellphone in the Airplane Mode instead.
She is now able to get to a power source
before her battery runs out, and I am even
considering gifting her a portable power
bank. Thanks for the advice BP!
Sonal Rajapurkar, Pune, via email
The Real Story Behind
I have been reading the magazine for
four years and one of my favourite
sections is The Story Behind the
Picture. I was quite surprised to see the
June 2014 issue with the image of Che
Guevaras rst visit to India. I was not
aware that he had visited the country
in 1959!
Similarly, the March 2014 issue featured
a photograph of Swami Vivekanandas
rst visit to America. This brings me to a
quote of his that I regard as my motto in
life. Persevere on, my brave lads, we have
only just begun. Never be despondent!
Never say enough!
Another learning came in the form of
the March 2013 issue where I discovered
that Microsofts opening wallpaper titled
Bliss, was the most viewed photograph
in the world. Thanks to the section, I am
always enlightened with a new fact.
Suresh Nair, Kozikhode, via email
No Anniversary Team Shot?
Better Photographys anniversary issues
have always been eagerly awaited, and
the June 2014 issue was no exception.
Seeing the cover with so many
respected names from the photography
fraternity, only excited me further.
However, I was really disappointed to
see that the anniversary team shot was
missing in the magazine. I do hope that
you will be able to put up a picture on
the website soon.
Swastik Chatterjee, Kolkata, via email
experience the enormity of the elections in a way
that their predecessors never could.
The feed of Scroll.in produced images very
different from what we are used to seeing in
the media. This is simply because the medium
is such, that it demands a different approach.
Journalist Naresh Fernandes was very rightly
quoted in the story as saying With a cellphone, you
dont have a telephoto, you have to get in close and
look for the smaller details. The emphasis was to
tell the story of the voter and not the politician.
Cellphone photography is yet to be considered
a serious medium in India. Only when a publication
like Better Photography features ventures such
as that of Scroll.in will it nd acceptance and
its foothold.
Hansa Pant, Noida, via email
I was able to
advise my mother
on how she can
conserve her
battery life so that
she never missed
photographing a
special moment.
The BP Textbook
of Boosting Battery
Life was a Cellphone
Technique on how to
better preserve your
cellphones battery life.
14 14
Fujinon XF18135mm f/3.55.6 R LM OIS
WR Lens
Fujilm announced the XF 18135mm
high magnication zoom weather-
sealed lens, designed to be a match
for the similarly weather-sealed X-T1.
It claims that the lens has the most
advanced 5-stop image stabilisation
system in the world. It will be available for USD 900
(approx. Rs. 54,322).
Phase Ones Schneider Kreuznach
4080mm LS f/45.6 Lens
Phase One launched their
second zoom lens for their
645 digital medium format
systemthe Schneider
Kreuznach 4080mm LS
f/45.6 lens. The lens has
15 optical elements, two of which are aspherical,
arranged in 11 groups. It also has a fast ash sync
speed of upto 1/1000 secs. It comes with a price tag
of USD 8990 (approx. Rs. 5,34,000).
Oppo N1 Mini and Find 7
The Oppo Find 7 has been released
in India and is powered by a
2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 Quad Core
processor and features a 13MP
camera, along with a stacked IMX214
CMOS sensor. The Find 7 is priced
at Rs. 37,990.
Oppo has also ofcially announced
the N1 Mini. For now, it will only go
on sale in China. With a 5-inch display, the phone
is still larger than competing mini smartphones.
It features the same 13MP 206 rotating camera as
the N1, but with an Ultra HD mode that can produce
24MP images.
LG G3
The LG G3 will feature a 13MP CMOS-
sensor rear camera and a 2MP front
facing camera. The 5.5-inch True
HD-IPS+ screen comes with a huge
2560x1440 pixels (QHD) resolution.
At 534 ppi the phone has one of the
densest displays in terms of pixels.
WHAT S NEW
Alex Tehrani is a USA-based photographer who began travelling and making pictures when he lost his mother to breast cancer. He began his
photographic journey in the darkroom of his school and went on to study photography at the Tisch School of Arts. He shoots editorial and
commercial photography, and is also passionate about travelling for his personal work which includes political reportage.
Anyone can shoot chaos. But the most perceptive
photographers can make compelling pictures out of
uninteresting moments.
ALEX TEHRANI (1970)
Instagram Update Offers Serious Photo Editing
T
he worlds most popular cellphone
image sharing app has emerged from
an overhaul. Instagrams latest update
offers 10 new features which has placed
it on the path of a serious editing app, as
opposed to being just a fun sharing app.
To start with, editing tools include
features like Adjustwhich lets you crop
and straighten the image simultaneously.
The other features include the usual
contrast, brightness, warmth, saturation,
highlights, vignette and sharpen tools.
Moreover, you can adjust the lter
strength too.
There is also the Lux slider function,
which acts as a ll light for darker photos.
The strength of this feature is adjustable
as well. However, no new lter has been
added to the existing list.
For a while now, these features have
been available on other photo editing
apps like Snapseed and VSCO Cam.
However, it remains to be seen whether
Instagrams new features will be used over
other cellphone photo editing apps.
Panasonic Releases Worlds First 4K Compact
P
anasonic is
gunning for a ght
in the superzoom
and bridge camera
categories. Its latest, the
LUMIX DMC-FZ1000
superzoom camera, uses
a 1-inch high sensitivity
20MP Live MOS sensor. It is amongst
the rst superzooms to feature a large
sensor. The most exciting feature is that
the camera can shoot 4K videos at 30fps,
making it the rst compact camera in the
world to do so.
The camera offers a wider 16x zoom
range (equivalent to 25400mm) and an
aperture range of f/2.8f/4.
Other features include
5-axis optical image
stabilisation, which is great
for shooting both stills
and video.
The FZ1000s built-in
stereo mic and the option
of using an external mic will please video
enthusiasts. Additionally, the camera has
an ISO range of 12525,600.
Viewers can also grab 8MP photographs
from the 4K video clip. Equipped with
a 921k dot LCD and a high resolution
OLED viewnder, the camera is priced at
USD 899 (approx. Rs. 54,000).
Image Source:
www.alextehrani.com
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Apple iOS 8 Gets More Serious About Photography
HTC One E8
The newly launched HTC One E8 is
similar to the previously launched
One M8. The One E8 however,
features a polycarbonate unibody
frame and uses a 13MP 1/3-inch BSI
CMOS sensor and f/2.2 aperture.
It has a 5MP front facing camera and
features a Qualcomm Snapdragon
801 SoC processor.
Vertu Signature Touch
Vertu has launched its newest
luxury phone, the Signature
Touch, at a whopping USD 11,300
(approx. Rs. 6,70,200). The Signature
Touch can store up to 64GB worth of
memory, runs on Android 4.4 KitKat
and features a 13MP Hasselblad
rear camera.
GoPro Releases Two New Mounts
GoPro released two new mounts
for adventure enthusiasts.
The 3-Way is a tri-hinged arm for
users who want to capture footage
at an arms length. It is priced
at USD 70 (approx. Rs. 4500).
The other mount is the Bodyboard
Mount which allows the GoPro
camera to be mounted on the top
of any bodyboard or soft-top surfboard. It comes
with a price tag of USD 20 (approx. Rs. 1500).
Canon EF-M 55200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS
STM Lens
Canon has announced the fourth lens in its
M mount lens seriesthe EF-M 55200mm f/4.5-
6.3 IS STM. It provides an 88320mm equivalent
zoom range on the Canon EOS M camera.
The 55200mm lens features 3.5 stop optical IS,
and the STM motor claims to provide near-silent
focusing. It has a metal exterior, a built-in Ultra-low
Dispersion element and a seven-blade circular
aperture. It will be available for 330 pounds
(approx. Rs. 33,900).
WHAT S NEW
A
pple announced their latest operating
system, the iOS 8 on 2 June. It offers
a whole bunch of features that will benet
those who use their iPhone as a serious
shooting device.
To begin with, iOS 8 includes
the Time-lapse video feature,
previously available only to
iPhone 5S users. Photosthe
inbuilt gallery app, has been
updated too, allowing every
device to access their photos via
iCloud. Editing images has also become
simpler as tools like brightness, contrast,
exposure, shadows, composition, light and
colours will be available within Photos.
Apple has introduced a
number of new in-built lters
as well. Every edit made or
lter that is added to the
photo, automatically updates
the pictures on iCloud.
However, iOS 8 will not be
available for iPhone 4 devices.
iPhone Photography Award Winners Announced
T
he 7th Annual iPhone Photography
award winners were announced in New
York on 10 June. 54 winners were declared
in 17 categories, including three prizes for
Photographer of the Year. Julio Lucas was
declared as the Photographer of the Year
for his image of the Perito Moreno glacier in
Argentina. Jose Luis Barcia Fernandez and
Jill Messner were the second and third prize
winners of the Photographer of the Year
award, respectively.
All three winners received an iPad Air,
and the rst place winners in each of the
other categories were awarded a gold bar.
Goa-based
photographer Sephi
Bergerson, who
has judged several
Better Photography
competitions,
received an
Honourable
Mention in four of
the categories.
Prix Pictet Winner Michael Schmidt Passes Away
O
ne of the best
post-war German
photographers Michael
Schmidt, passed away
on 24 May at the age
of 68. His death comes
just days after he won
the prestigious Prix Pictect Award, which
recognises photographers works on social
and environmental issues.
He won 100,000 swiss francs (approx.
Rs. 67,02,500) for his body of work titled
Lebensmittel, translated as food stuff. Born in
Berlin in 1945, Michael Schmidts work has
been described by the judges of the award
as an epic and hugely topical investigation
into the ways in which we feed ourselves.
His most well-known book is Ein-Heit in
which Schmidt mixed urban landscapes
and portraits from Germany, along with
historical images from the National
Socialist period.
M
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Julio Lucas
Google Maps World
Cup Stadium Tour
A
long with millions of fans, Google
too indulged in football fever.
Google Maps released Street View images
of all 12 stadiums where the FIFA World
Cup 2014 matches are being held.
The webpage provides stats about the
stadium, including its capacity and the
number of matches that will be held there.
Viewers can also see the streets that have
been painted for the World Cup.
SNAPSHOTS
18
16 June15 July
Here
Gallery Zinc, Mumbai
Here is an exhibit
of Vipurva Parikhs
photography from
North-East India and
Bhutan. The images
are shot away from the
cacophony of everyday
life. They feature the
quiet, impressionable
moments of life in
a monastery.
20 June-13 July
A Quest for
Cultural Nostalgia
Dakshina Chitra, Chennai
Researcher Khushboo
Bhartis exhibition
A Quest for Cultural
Nostalgia is a
documentation of the
vibrant and colourful
public artworks of
Jaipur that were
created between the
period of 19602010.
The artwork she has
photographed are
present at various
spaces in the city, like
over bridges, railway
stations, road crossings
or entry gates in the old
city of Jaipur.
21 June29 June
Longing to Belong:
Refugees in India
India International Centre,
New Delhi
On the occasion of
World Refugee Day
2014, the United Nations
High Commission for
Refugees, India is holding
an exhibition of Raghu
Rais photographs.
They are of refugees
belonging to Afghanistan,
Myanmar, Tibet, Sri
Lanka and Somalia.
They show their resilient
lives, away from the
homes where they
face persecution.
EVENTS
20
CALL FOR ENTRI ES
The Photo Contest 2014-2015
The Competition: The Photo Contest aims to provide a
platform for upcoming photographers.
Category: Nature, Glamour and Abstract.
Prize: Under the Judges Choice Award, one winner from
each category will receive Rs. 13,000 and 100 entries
will be selected to form a group exhibition. On the
other hand, one winner from each category under the
Peoples Choice Award will receive Rs. 12,000.
Website: www.thephotocontest.in
Deadline: 10 July
The United Photography Contest
The Competition: Sony World Photography Awards
presents a contest that honours the passion of football
fans. This is in celebration of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Theme: Images that show the spirit of football and
display celebration, community and unity.
Prize: The rst prize winner will receive a Sony A7
ILCE-7 kit. The second and third prize winners will
each receive a Sony A6000 ILCE-6000L kit.
Website: www.worldphoto.org/about-the-sony-world-
photography-awards/united-competition
Deadline: 13 July
Open Road Photo and Design Contest
The Competition: The Open Road Photo and Design
contest by MINI Space celebrates the spirit of travel
by road. Entrants can submit photographs shot
anywhere around the world.
Theme: The great open road.
Prize: The rst prize winner will win a 21.5-inch 2.7 GHz
iMac computer. The second prize winner will receive
a GoPro Hero3+ camera. The third prize winner will
be awarded the B&O H6 headphones and the Popular
Vote winner will receive a projector keyboard.
Website: www.minispace.com/en_us/
competitions/28/?competition=28
Deadline: 30 July
CBRE Urban Photographer of the Year
The Competition: The CBRE Urban Photographer of
the Year contest challenges people to change their
perception of what everyday life is like in the urban
setting. Entrants can submit up to 24 photographs,
one for each hour of the day.
Theme: The life of a town or city at a given time of day.
Prize: The winner will receive a luxury photo safari
trip from a choice of destinations around the globe.
Website: www.cbreupoty.com
Deadline: 8 August
The Photo Contests
aim is to provide
a platform for upcoming
photographers in India.
Barrel Distortion is
an optical distortion in
which horizontal lines
parallel to each other
in the image curve
to look literally like
a barrel.
PRO TALK
Photoshop CC to Release in Touchscreen Version
A
dobe announced a touchscreen
friendly version of Photoshop
CC at the launch of Microsofts Surface
Pro 3. This version will feature larger
User Interface elements, which will make
it easier to access using either the nger
or the stylus. It will also support high-
density displays like the one on the Surface
Pro 3. However, they remained cryptic on
further developments.
Leica T Allegedly Steals AppCams Interface
T
he recently released Leica T created
waves because it stepped away from its
standard design. Now software developers
at AppCam are claiming that the company
stole their interface and used it.
According to their prickly press release,
AppCam had apparently approached
Leica to include the operating system in
their products, but were rejected after
an evaluation period. Leica has not yet
commented on these claims.
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20
Blowout is caused
by overexposure,
which results in a
complete loss of
highlight details.
PRO TALK
EVENTS
USA. Austin, Texas.
2013. Lake Travis, by
Eli Reed. This was
one of the images
made on sale.
21 June20 July
Photography
Exhibition
NGMA, Bengaluru
19th century
photographer Raja Deen
Dayals photographs
of the British rule in
India, portraits of
royals, landscapes and
monuments will be on
display. The exhibition will
have a rare collection of
photos and glass plate
negatives and will be
inaugurated by historian
Dr Ramachandra Guha.
3 July
Tales From
Merwans
The Pint Room, Bandra, Mumbai
Starting at 5.30pm,
there will be a free-
to-attend discussion
around Tales from
Merwans (www.
facebook.com/
talesfrommerwans). It is
a social-media photo
project by Kashish
Parpiani and Raj Lalwani,
about the shutting down
of the 100-year-old
Irani caf Merwans.
The conversation
will be on the use of
photography to portray
changing cities and the
dissemination of images
in the Facebook age.
4 July-6 July
Albus Atrum
Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai
The exhibition is a
showcase of the best
work of students from
Bharati Vidyapeeths
School of Photography
and New Media.
12 July
Photography
Workshop
Chennai
An advanced
photography weekend
course is being held by
Ambitions 4 Photography
Academy. To register,
send an email to admin.
ambitions4@gmail.com
22
A Retrospective on Raja Deen Dayal
Raja Deen Dayals black and white images were
displayed at IIT, Chennai. It was a part of SPIC
MACAYs 2nd International Convention from 814 June.
The photographs were made in the late 1800s and
showed the Nizam of Hyderabad posing with the skins
of animals, dance girls in his court and portraits of
British generals, among other images.
Magum Photos Celebrates 67 Years
The renowned photographic cooperative Magnum
Photos celebrated its 67th Annual General Meeting, by
offering signed prints at USD 100 (approx. Rs. 6000).
46 photographers works were available from
1720 June. Photographers such as Elliot Erwitt, Rene
Burri, David Alan Harvey, Trent Park, Susan Meiselas,
Eli Reed and Bruce Davidson and several others, had
made their work available for the ash sale.
Photography Exhibition: 25 Kilos
Salamat Husains exhibition titled 25 Kilos was a
montage of his travels to places around the world
Mumbai, Dubai, London, New York, and Turkey.
The name 25 Kilos comes from the weight of the
equipment that Salamat carried with him during his
travels. The exhibition was on display at Gallery 7 in
Mumbai till the 20 June.
Solo Art Show: Heritage
Israeli artist David Schoken showcased his artwork
at the Instituto Cervantes in New Delhi till 30 June.
His work titled Heritage, displayed his representation
of everyday issues that bother everyonebe it the
wrongdoings of the government, problems in peoples
relations or the impact of globalisation. He conveyed
this through the use of installations, paintings
and photographs.
Photography Exhibition: Song of Sharma
Abhijith K V, an 11th standard student held an
exhibition on wildlife and bird photography titled
Song of Sharma. The exhibition featured images that
were taken in the Wayanad wildlife sanctuary, Kerala
and was held from 230 June.
Photos Raise USD 74,000 Against Trafcking
A
merican photographer Tanner
Wendell Stewart was volunteering
in Bulgaria for an anti-human trafcking
organisationThe A21 Campaign, when he
found himself in a strange situation.
While photographing in the streets, a
stranger offered him a baby for USD 50
(approx Rs. 3000). It dawned upon him
that he was facing human trafcking rst-
hand and knew he had to do something
about it.
He then went on to start an IndieGoGo
campaign that offered a book of his 365-day
project of stunning skies around the world.
All the proceeds from the campaign will go
towards The A21 Campaign.
Hubble Team Unveils Image with 10,000 Galaxies
T
he Hubble Team at NASA recently
released the second Hubble Ultra
Deep Field image which shows an
estimated10,000 galaxies in one photograph.
It is the deepest portrait of the visible
universe ever achieved by humankind.
The photograph is made from 841 orbits
that the telescope created in the period
between 2003 to 2012.
Astronomers have combined images of
visible, near-infrared light and ultraviolet
light to create the photograph. I
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22
Canons Cloud Storage
for Photographers
C
anon has
launched Irista,
a cloud storage
service, solely for
photographers.
You can upload
photos of any le
format and size.
It also allows
you to store RAW images regardless
of the camera make and additionally,
uploaded images can be shared on social
networks like Facebook and Flickr. A free
membership of Irista will give you 10GB
of storage space and full access to all
its features. It provides two other paid
options as well.
However, ever since the announcement
was made the website has been temporarily
shut down for site maintenance.
Pin-up Portraitist Bunny Yeager Passes Away
P
hotographer Bunny Yeager passed away
due to congestive heart failure at the
age of 85, in a nursing home in Miami, USA.
A former model herself, Bunny was known
for her erotic and pin-up photographs in
the 50s and 60s. She was a successful model
who popularised bikinis, which she would
make herself. However, she was always more
interested in photography and began
her career by photographing model
Bettie Pagewho later went on to
become an international sex symbol.
Yeager shot most of her pin-up
images outdoors, bold and uncommon
for her time. She was much sought
after by adult publications and had
also published several books of her
photographs. However, in the 70s
and 80s, editors began demanding
more explicit photographs from
her and she stopped shooting
nudes altogether.
Her work was di splayed at the Andy
Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, USA,
and is today recognised as important
in terms of its cultural impact. Bunny Yeager makes a self-portrait outdoors in Naples, Italy.
Bunny Yeager
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SNAPSHOTS
23
23
SNAPSHOTS
I have owned a copy of When Abba Was Ill since the beginning of the year, and am still unable to complete the
book in one sitting. Thats only a testament to the heartbreaking nature of Adil Hasans musings, a series of
photos he made as he came to terms with his fathers cancer.
Initially, I wasnt sure what to make of Sanjeev Saiths painstakingly deliberate edit of Adils photos. The fact
that each picture seemed to interact with more than just one (courtesy gatefolds) seemed like genius, but
this was a time that I was looking at the book with a myopic eye, that of a photographer.
Half an hour later, I realised what Saith and Hasan had done. By designing the book the way
he did, Sanjeev handholds the reader into accompanying Adil. The gatefolds on each spread are
the metaphorical window into Hasans life, as we feel part-voyeur, part-condante. Saith gets us so
involved in piecing together the story that in folding and unfolding each page, we become a part of Adils grief.
Adil shot the entire period with two malfunctioning lm cameras, and the resultant aesthetic is a little like a faded family
album. Old-school practitioners may dismiss the seeming lack of technical nesse, but the visuals are much like our most
tumultuous memories, a little hazy.
When Abba Was Ill is a landmark photography monograph in Indian publishing for its daring edit and equally challenging
subject. Personal grief has been explored by several artists before, but only a few do it with the kind of honesty, vulnerability
and grace that Adil manages.

Written by Raj Lalwani
Title: When Abba Was Ill
Authors: Adil Hasan
ISBN: 978-81-927943-1-0
Publisher: Nazar Foundation
Price: Rs. 1000
BOOK REVI EW
Uneasy Notes of Tenderness
MET Museum Digitises Collection for Viewing
T
he Metropolitan Musuem of
Art in New York has made over
400,000 high-resolution images of their
collections available in the public domain.
The photographs can be used for scholarly
purposes in any media.
This digitisation features select
photographic work of the likes of Henri
Cartier-Bresson, Diane Arbus, Walker
Evans and Berenice Abbott, among others. I
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Iran Reinstates Ban
on Instagram
A
ccording to a news agency in Iran, a
court order that came from a private
lawsuit was given to Irans Ministry of
Telecommunications to ban Instagram.
The app joins Facebook and YouTube
on the list of banned social media outlets in
the country. Apart from Irani citizens, many
ofcials are active users of social media too
and not all of them are in agreement with
this. The ofcials opposing the ban are of
the opinion that the internet should be seen
as an opportunity and not a threat.
27-Year-Old Photojournalist Killed in Iraq
A
gence France-
Presse reported
the death of
27-year-old Iraqi
photographer
Kamaran Najm
Ibrahim, on 12 June.
He was killed near
the city of Kirkuk in Iraq. At the time
of his death, he was photographing the
clashes between the Kurdish forces and the
jihadists. However, it is unsure as to whether
he was specically targeted or was one of
the casualties during the ring.
Kamaran was the founder of
Metrography, Iraqs rst photo agency.
He established the organisation in 2009,
along with photographer Sebastian Meyer.
Our photographers are trying to cover
different stories of Iraq and Kurdistan.
They do daily life. They do everyday news.
There are not only bombs and blood.
There are other stories too, he said about
his agency. His photographs have appeared
on The Washington Post, Financial Times,
Vanity Fair and other publications.
Despite the repeated requests made
by local and international organisations,
the security forces have done very little to
protect the journalists in Iraq.
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Konica Minolta India
Appoints New MD
Y
uji Nakata has been appointed as the
new Managing Director of Konica
Minolta India Pvt Ltd. He was previously
the companys Chief Representative in
Thailand. He joins at a time when the
company plans to launch new printers into
the Indian market.
24
Nikon Sets Aside 1.8 Billion Yen for D600 Repairs
S
ince its release, the Nikon
D600 has been plagued
with troubles. They have now
announced the allocation of
1.8 billion yen to cover the cost
of repairs and replacements in
an effort to appease disgruntled
customers. The spots on the sensors
were so problematic that the Chinese
government had to step in and
order Nikon to stop selling the
D600 in the country.
As a damage control
measure, Nikon USA offered
free inspection, cleaning and
replacement of the shutter
assembly and even entire replacements of
the camera.
Camille Lepage
Better Photographys
First Contest Winners
T
he rst online contest held by BP saw a
whopping 2300 entries by enthusiastic
readers. Achintya Das, the winner of the
By The Beach contest and the runner-up
N Prasad, both have their images featured in
the Your Pictures section of the magazine.
Two other competitions based on harsh light
and Fathers Day saw a successful run as well.
For the Love of Nature is the ongoing contest,
winners of which will receive Rs. 5000 worth
of gift vouchers and free participation in
BPs Secrets of Shooting Workshop.
MIT Project Mimics Greats for Cellphone Images
R
esearchers at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology along with
Adobe Systems and the University of
Virginia, have developed an algorithm that
could bring the distinctive photography
styles of Richard Avedon and Diane Arbus
to your cellphone images.
The algorithm rst recognises the facial
features in a cellphone image. It then
selects a portrait shot by an accomplished
photographer that has similar facial features.
After which, it applies the same look as the
portrait to the cellphone image.
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www.photokina.com
When the global leading industry fair opens in autumn 2014, the entire photo world
will be casting its eyes on Cologne. photokina is the centre of attraction for experts
from the industry and trade, for manufacturers, service providers, professional users
and photo enthusiasts.
For good reason: This is the only show at which the many worlds of imaging are
represented in all their facets from taking photos to saving them, from processing
to printing. When the worldwide business meets up to network, you shouldnt be
missing: Be there and discover new trends and technical innovations rst-hand !
The must-attend event for professionals.
DISCOVER THE MANY WORLDS OF IMAGING.
COLOGNE | SEPTEMBER 1621
Buy tickets
online and save up
to 40 % !
photokina.com
Koelnmesse YA Tradefair Pvt. Ltd. Ofce # 1102, 11th Floor DLH Park, Opp. MTNL ofce S. V. Road, Goregaon (West)
Mumbai 400062 Tel: +91-22-28715206 Fax: +91-22-28715222 r.gupte@koelnmesse-india.com
pk14_205x134_BetterPhotography_IN.indd 1 21.05.14 14:43
SNAPSHOTS
B E T T E R P H O T O G R A P H Y JUNE 201 4
25
Tosha Jagad and
Stuti Jhaveri
Gifting Smiles Along the Way
LOOK WHO S SHOOTI NG
Recently, my Facebook feed saw a urry of activity
from two girls whove been travelling and
documenting their trips in an extremely
interesting mannerwith Polaroids and Instagrams.
Tosha Jagad and Stuti Jhaveri decided to make a
trip to Bhutan and Nepal. They already knew they
were going to photograph their travels and also
blog about them, once they were back. They set out
with a Polaroid camera and initially, the idea was
to make Polaroids of the people and places they
came across.
Once in Bhutan, we met such amazingly warm
people right from our rst shared taxi ride that we
felt the need to give something back. So we started
gifting Polaroid portraits to the people we met along
the way, and took an iPhone picture of the Polaroid,
for our reference, she said.
The photos are a spontaneous, impromptu reaction
spurred by the interesting conversations they have,
and the unusual moments they experience. Both of
them decide together what will the Polaroid be about,
based on what they have shared with a particular
person. Tosha shoots the Polaroids, while Stuti writes
on them.
We wanted to gift them these pictures so that
they could remember us by it and we also wanted to
remember them, so we started making pictures of
the Polaroid against a background that was relevant
to the subject in order to make a complete story.
They intend to continue this extremely personal
storytelling for the duration of their trip. More of their
photographs can be found on Instagram at
@polaroid_portraits.
Written by Ambarin Afsar
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Adobe CCs Dysfunction
Costs Photographers
R
ecently, the Adobe CC platform
was down due to a technical glitch.
This caused a lot of problems to its users,
many of whom use it as a primary resource.
The platform was unavailable for an
entire day. There was no word about the
issue from the technical support service,
apart from the fact that it was unusable.
This glitch and the inability of Adobe to
adequately provide an explanation caused
a furore from artists everywhere, as many
were unable to meet their deadlines.
We gift Polaroids
to the people we
met along the way
on our travels.
Photographers Come Together to Help Sherpas
T
he month of April saw one the
most horric days in the history
of Mount Everests climbs, where 16
sherpas were killed in an avalanche.
In the wake of the tragedy, a group
of ten photographers organised by
National Geographic photographer
Aaron Huey got together and
created For Our Sherpa Friends
a fund created for the families of
the deceased sherpas and to also
provide long-term support to the
community. To contribute, you can
visit the website www.sherpasfund.org
He came to the riverside with a tin can. He threw a hooked string
into the water, reeled and caught three sh like a boss, says Stuti.
After they saw the Polaroid, these otherwise elusive monks took
Tosha and Stuti on a tour to the temple chamber in their monastery.
SNAPSHOTS
26
Art is the Art of Going
Beyond the Obvious
Diwan Manna is one of the rst exponents of conceptual photography in the country. His work, often a combination of painting, body arts and acting, revolves
around the broad themes of personal journeys and self actualisation. Diwan is currently the Chairman of the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi.
V I S UA L MU S I N G S
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27
T
here is a story in Vishnudharmottara Puran, much referred to
by scholars of Indian art, that I am reminded of. King Vajra
approaches Sage Markandeya and requests him that he wants
to learn painting. The sage looks at him, smiles, and says that he
would need to learn to write before he would learn to paint.
In order to learn writing, he needs to learn dance. For dance, he
needs to learn music. And the story goes on...
The sages cyclic rumination is probably what describes the
prerequisite of being an artist. In order to be a good photographer,
a good artist of any medium, you have to develop an overall
understanding of the arts. Give art your heart. Do remember, I am
using the word art in a broad way. Any creative pursuit, where you
convey a thought as a form of expression, can be classied as art.
Having traversed both photography and other disciplines of
art, there is one aspect where I nd a lot of young photographers
lacking, because of the overreliance on technology in the medium.
Their exposure to alternate ways of expression is often limited.
Getting involved with other disciplines of expression, like music,
theatre, poetry, painting and so on,
helps acquire better understanding
of ones medium.
How will this help a
photographer? When you indulge
yourself in multiple art forms, you
learn to appreciate different nuances
and subtleties, each of which you
can then imbibe in the next chapter
of your photographic journey.
There is another reason why I am
advocating this. Photography, by its
sheer nature, is a very spontaneous
medium. If you engage in other
art forms, one thing that you will
appreciate about them is how you
have to work towards something.
So be it the thousands of strokes
required to make a sketch or
a painting, or the amount of
deliberation needed to compose a
song. Photography is instantpoint,
shoot, you are done, no time to mull
things over, no time to sensitise
yourself, unless one is consciously
involved with the need to treat every
photographic pursuit as riyaaz.
Diwan Manna
This is a photograph from a body of work titled Shores of the Unknown.
The most important reason this has happened is that personal
contact is so much lesser. Most of us look at pictures on our cameras
or on our computers. The tactility, the experience of touching and
feeling the print, dodging and burning it, is not there anymore.
There is just a gadget in our hands now, designed to help, but which
ends up being a hindrance between us and our sensitivity.
How do we achieve this seemingly abstract sensitivityfrom the
idea of rasika, by developing an aesthetic. And that takes hours, days,
months and years. You have to have an eye that is receptive and
perceptive. Its the simple things that matter. To sing well, you need
to have good ears to listen. To write eloquently, you need to have the
ability to read. To shoot well, you have to develop the capability to
see. Its a neverending process, and maybe thats the joy of it.
But art is not just about practising it. Its about getting into its
madness, understanding its history, recognising its limitations and
then experimenting. Its about pushing the medium to its limits,
about doing all you can, transcending barriers, and then going
beyond... beyond the obvious.
28
T
hird in the line-up of the OM-D
series after the E-M1 and E-M5, the
E-M10 is a smaller mid-segment
mirrorless camera. While it inherits
many (but not all) of the excellent
features from its more advanced siblings, it
certainly holds its own by adding to them.
Features
It uses the same 16MP sensor as the E-M5,
and the latest TruePic VII image processor
and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity from the
E-M1. It features the wonderfully effective
twin control dials, a built-in ash, focus
peaking, and a blazing continuous shooting
TEST
HOW WE TEST
Product Categorisation
We rst segregate products
into categories for the purpose
of equitability in testing.
The DSLR is divided into
entry-level, semi-professional
and professional categories.
For compacts, we distinguish
between advanced and basic
compact cameras. Similarly, we
also test consumer and pro
lenses, ashguns, printers, and
other photographic accessories
and gear.
The Process
We primarily test for features,
performance, build, ergonomics,
warranty and support. While this
remains constant, the weightage
we give to these parameter
differs from category to
category, because different
types of consumers have diverse
expectations from products.
Final Ratings
Under each main parameter,
we list out hundreds of individual
variables (for eg. colour accuracy
for individual colours in different
lighting, individual features,
dynamic range, center-to-edge
denition, light falloff, etc) against
which we either give points
or simply mark yes or no.
Thus, we arrive at a score for
that parameter, and then, the nal
score, denoted as a percentage.
Additionally, based on the current
pricing of a product, a star
rating for Value for Money is
considered. Value for Money does
not affect the nal percentage,
because prices for products
change constantly.
Our Seals of Approval
Any product that scores 80%
or higher in individual tests gets
BP Recommendeda seal
of approval from our team.
In comparison tests, we also tag
products as BP Best Performer
and BP Best Value for Money.
BP Excellence Awards
At the end of the calendar year,
the highest rated products in
each category automatically
win the Better Photography
Excellence Award. This is
Better Photographys recognition
of the very best products
launched in the course of the
year, and the companies that
made them.
TEST
GearGuide
There is a lot to like about the diminutive Olympus OM-D E-M10 at rst
glance. K Madhavan Pillai discovers a little giant sleeping under the hood.
Olympus OM-D E-M10
Stout Hearted Tiny Goliath!
29
Maestros Anup Jalota
with Padma Vibhushan
Pandit Birju Maharaj
eloquently rendered by
the Grainy Film Art Filter,
set to lower contrast and
overexposed by a stop.
Exposure: 1/125sec at f/4
(ISO 3200)
WEIGHTAGE OF
PARAMETERS
Features
Performance
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Warranty &
Support
30%
20%
30%
15%
5%
TEST TEST TEST
TEST
Sony a6000
Could this be the best
mirrorless yet?
34
TEST
Canon G1 X Mark II
The agship of
Canons compacts
38
TEST
Adobe Photoshop CC
Will it change things
for photographers?
54
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speed of 8fps with the focus locked on the
rst frame, or 3.5 fps while continually
focusing on the subject.
In fact, the E-M10 is quite alike the E-M5
in features, except for the weatherproong,
the proven 5-axis sensor based image
stabilisation (relying instead on a 3-axis IS),
and a maximum shutterspeed of 1/4000sec
instead of the 1/8000sec found in the E-M5.
On the lower side, shutterspeeds with the
E-M10 can extend upto 60 sec. A feature that
I have found quite useful is the Time mode.
Unique to the three OM-Ds, it allows the
user to select from 1 to 30 min of exposure
and release the shutter with a delay.
The 1.04MP dot tilting touchscreen OLED
display is visibly improved. A built-in eye
sensor optionally switches between the
The incredibly subtle,
nuanced grace of Pandit
Birju Maharaj at a
performance in Mumbai,
captured at 5fps.
Exposure: 1/200sec at
f/5.6 (ISO 1600)
30
TEST
Despite being small, the E-M10 feels good in the hands,
owing to the contoured grips and the reassuringly solid
magnesium alloy build. The new 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ kit
lens is the worlds most compact pancake zoom lens.
The ability to change settings using the twin control dials,
without pressing any buttons, is invaluable in a mirrorless
camera. One of the buttons can be customised to
temporarily change control dial functions to ISO and WB.
The tilting LCD touchscreen is an improvement over
the E-M5 in both visibility in sunlight, and in resolution.
Yet, I rarely found myself using it while shooting, after I
customised the controls to my liking, preferring the EVF.
ERGONOMICS
Rear
control
dial
Customisable
Four-way
controller
Front control
dial / shutter
release button Highlight
& Shadow
Control /
customisable
function
button
Tilting OLED
touchscreen
panel
Customisable
function button
On-off
switch
1.44MP dot EVF and the OLED screen.
The EVF has a relatively large magnication,
presenting the user with a larger view than
those seen with the OVFs of most entry and
mid-level DSLRs. The contrast-detect AF
system uses 81 selectable AF points, and
enables focus down to -2EV.
There are, of course, the immensely
enjoyable 11 Art Filters, Highlight and
Shadow Control curves, the Colour Creator
feature from the E-M1, in-camera HDR,
the rather unique Live Composite mode
that assembles a number of long exposure
images into one composite image, while
showing progress in real time.
In fact, there are so many fun and serious
creative options, both for shooting and for
in-camera processing, that it takes a while to
try them all.
Handling
What makes the E-M10 truly fun to use
is that you can customise the camera and
use the buttons, touchscreen, and dials to
access and control quite a large number
of these creative options. Initially, I found
the buttons and dials a bit too close to each
other. The complex, layered menu and
controls may seem daunting to a new user.
Yet, I am glad that Olympus did not try to
over-simplify their system.
I cannot overstate how useful the twin
mode dials are. Depending on which
exposure mode I was using, I was always
in control of shutterspeed, aperture,
compensation, and ISO, through these
dials. The Live Super Control Panel on the
touchscreen provides access to 21 functions.
Changing settings is as simple as pressing
AF-assist
lamp
pop-up
ash
Front Top Rear
Small but speedy
Customisability
Impressive AF
Good JPEG engine
EVF
PLUS
Pricing
MI NUS
Textured body,
handgrip
Lens
release
button
Kit lens
Mode dial
EVF Diopter
correction
Camera strap
eyelet
Hotshoe
Video record
button
EVF with
eye sensor
Sony a6000
Panasonic G6
ALSO LOOK FOR
Test Shots
Low Light Focusing and Tracking
The stage lighting for this dance performance was rather dim. The AF of the E-M10 is
fast and accurate, even in low light, as long as there is some contrast in the frame.
Real World Noise and Detailing in Low Light
At ISO 3200, images show some grain. Most of the details are retained till this point.
Underexposing your shots while using a high ISO is not a good idea.
Flash
pop-up
switch
32
TEST
the OK button, touching the function you
want to change on the touchscreen, and then
spinning the front dial.
Performance
The E-M10 is certainly speedy. AF with
E-M10 is exemplary. It locks instantly and
rarely misses, even in lower levels of light.
The buffer is reasonably good and allows
about 11 RAW and JPEGs to be stored before
the E-M10 will need to write to the card,
which it does quickly. Metering too is spot
on, as is the white balance.
While the JPEG processing is excellent,
the RAWs have plenty of latent detail
which can be recovered. The TruePic VII
engine really shows its advantages with
the JPEGs. For example, it corrects for
chromatic aberrations like fringing.
The E-M10 does quite well with high ISO
noise, but lags behind in comparison to the
larger APS-C sensors. The best results are
seen from ISO 100 to 1600.
I was also not too happy about the ash,
especially in the auto mode. The results
were overly harsh. I found myself
constantly trying to control it for good
results, and was never completely satised
with what I got.
The M.Zuiko Digital ED 1442mm
f/3.5-5.6 EZ powerzoom lens that comes with
the E-M1 as a kit, is amazingly compact, and
looks good with the E-M10. The powerzoom
is a bit too slow for still photography
but good for video, for which the lens is
compatible. While distortions are visible at
the tele and wide ends, they are controlled.
This is not the sharpest standard zoom kit
lens I have tested, though. It produces its
best results between f/5.6 and f/8.
Conclusion
In the US, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 kit
costs about USD 800. Even if it is priced
equitably in India, it still faces some stiff
competition from other mirrorless cameras
(Sony, Panasonic), as well as APS-C DSLRs.
The reasons to buy the E-M10 come from its
sheer range of creative options (especially
for JPEG users), handling prowess, and for
those who want to build a Micro Four Thirds
lens system. In that case, the OM-D E-M10 is
certainly an excellent camera to buy. But, if
these are not your primary motives, you
should consider your options.
Noise Test
Between ISO 400 to 1600, noise increases very
gradually and is wonderfully controlled. At 3200, it
starts affecting critical detail. At 6400, this becomes
more pronounced. ISO 12,800, and 25,600 are best
avoided. It is also best to leave the rather aggressive
noise reduction of the E-M10 set to off and to reduce
noise later, when you post process your images.
SPECI FI CATI ONS
Model name Olympus OM-D E-M10
MRP USD 800 (with the M.Zuiko
Digital ED 1442mm
f/3.5-5.6 EZ lens)
Effective pixels 16.1MP, 4608 x 3456 pixels
Sensor size, type 17.3 x 13mm (Four Thirds),
Live MOS sensor
Sensor cleaning Yes
Aspect ratio (w:h) 4:3 / 3:2 / 16:9 / 1:1 / 3:4
Focusing type, modes Contrast Detect AF,
Single AF (S-AF, selective
point) / Continuous AF (C-AF) /
Manual Focus (MF)/ S-AF + MF
/ AF tracking (C-AF + TR), Full
Time AF, Face Priority, Live View
AF points 81-area AF / Single (normal and
small), Group (9-points), All
Metering 324-area Average, Center
weighted, Spot, Spot with
highlight or shadow control
Shutterspeed range 1/4000 - 60 sec, Bulb/Time
(1/2/4/8/15/20/25/30 min)
Exp. compensation -/+5 EV (at 1/3 EV steps)
ISO Auto, 20025600
White balance Auto WB, 7 Presets, 4 Capture
WBs, Custom WB (Kelvin), WB
compensation in +/-7 steps
Drive modes Single, Continuous (H: 4 to
8fps, L: 1 to 3.5fps selectable),
Self-timer (12, 2, custom
1-30sec) with shooting interval
0.5/1/2/3sec (1-10 shots)
Built-in ash Pop-up, TTL, GN 8.2 (ISO200)
Flash modes,
sync speed
Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Off, Slow
sync.(1st and 2nd curtain),
Manual (1/1 to 1/64),
1/250sec sync speed
LCD 3-inch tilting touchscreen,
1.04 million dot
Viewnder Yes, 1.44 million dot EVF
Image stabilisation Yes, 3-axis sensor shift
Storage types SDHC, SDXC (UHS-1), Eye-Fi
Interval recording 1sec - 24 hours, Max 999
frames, (also available for auto-
matic time-lapse movies)
Movie clips Yes, Full HD
Weather Sealing No
Input / Output Micro-HDMI, combined USB/AV
output, Wi-Fi (le sharing, Live /
Rec View, wireless release with
touch AF shutter, GPS)
Dimensions (W x H x D) 119.1 x 82.3 x 45.9mm
Weight 350g (body only)
ISO 1600
ISO 12,800
ISO 3200
ISO 6400
F I N A L R A T I N G S
Features
EVF, touchscreen tilting OLED, 8fps
continuous shooting, Art Filters, WiFi
27/30
Performance
Exemplary AF, good JPEG processing,
detailed RAWs, ash could be better
26/30
Build Quality
Magnesium alloy build, feels reassuring
17/20
Ergonomics
Excellent customisability and speedy handling
13/15
Warranty & Support
One-year warranty, limited service centres
3/5
OVERALL

86%
Value for Money
Who should buy it? Enthusiasts who enjoy creative
options and like to experiment, and those who want an entry
into the Micro Four Thirds system for its range of lenses.
Why? The E-M10 can prove a bit daunting for a beginner.
Olympus line-up of lenses in indeed worth having.
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JULY 201 4
The NEX-6s successor seems to be a promising contender. Supriya Joshi
spends some time with the Sony Alpha 6000 to see how it fares.
NEXt in Line
S
ome time back, Sony bid farewell
to the NEX moniker from their
E-mount mirrorless lineup, and
rebranded them as the Alpha
series. It is difcult to say how
this affected camera sales and brand
perception, but I do know that the latest
camera in their lineup, the Alpha 6000, is a
really strong contender.
Features
Announced in February 2014, the Alpha
6000 is the successor to the much loved
NEX-6. There are several upgrades over
the predecessor, the most exciting being
the updated hybrid AF system.
The NEX-6 had 99 phase-detect points,
which covered approximately 50% of
the sensor. The Alpha 6000, on the
other hand, has 179 phase-detect points
with a whopping 92% sensor coverage.
The A6000 also has the same 25-point
contrast detect system as the one in the
NEX-6. Due to this, the wider coverage
area allows for ease in tracking moving
subjects across the sensors range.
Thats what the company claims anyway.
The A6000 features an upgraded
24.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor, against the
16.1MP one in the NEX-6. The A6000
can shoot at 11fps with continuous AF, a
feature not many mirrorless cameras at
this price point possess. You can either
make 22 RAW images, 49 JPEGs or 21
RAW + JPEG images at that frame rate.
As for the video capabilities, the camera
records video at 1080/60p and 24p.
The trend of including NFC and
WiFi in cameras continues with the
Alpha 6000 as well. The device can be
Sony Alpha 6000
WEIGHTAGE OF
PARAMETERS
Features
Performance
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Warranty &
Support
30%
15%
5%
20%
30%
TEST
35
JULY 201 4
controlled remotely using a cellphone,
images can be uploaded to the cloud
using WiFi and you can download
several features to the camera, via Sony
PlayMemories apps. However, most of
these apps come at a price.
Against these new features is Sonys
step backwards, in the form of a lower
resolution 1.44m dot SVGA viewnder.
The 2.3m dot XGA variant in the NEX-6
would have been ideal, so it was quite
surprising to see this feature degradation
from Sony.
Sony also eliminated the level
gauge that was present in the NEX-6.
Additionally, images on the Alpha 6000
are viewed on a 3-inch, 9,21,600 dots
tilting LCD screen. The camera comes
with a 1650mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens
(2475mm equivalent).
Handling
The Alpha 6000 features a rather
exhaustive menu system... so exhaustive,
you could literally nd yourself lost
Sony Alpha 6000
1650mm lens
Battery
USB cable and wire
Lens cap
Body cap
Camera strap
WHATS IN THE BOX
amongst the troves and troves of options.
To counter this, however, there are four
customisable buttons, three on the back
panel and one next to the power button.
Programing these buttons helps bypass
the neverending menu system.
To add to the already confusing amount
of menus, the back panel of the camera
body features a lot of dials and buttons.
All this can be a bit daunting for a
new photographer.
The form factor of the A6000 is
compact, but feels sturdy. The inbuilt
ash is recessed inside the camera body
and pops out only when the ash button
is pressed.
One major irritant in the cameras
handling is its overly sensitive eye
sensor. I would ideally like to alternate
between using the viewnder and LCD
screen instead of sticking to just one
type. However, the sensor is so badly
implemented, the screen would black
out even with the slightest movement...
intentional or not so. I got so frustrated,
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The cameras tilting
LCD allowed me to frame
this image from a lower
height, all the while
being discreet.
(ISO 320)
TEST
36
JULY 201 4
The camera body is light, but feels sturdy. It is
compact enough to carry around in a small camera
bag. The grip is also quite goodones hand can rest
comfortably against it. There is also an IR receiver in
the front for optional remote control.
ERGONOMICS
AF-assist lamp
Front Top Rear
Handgrip
Olympus E-M10
Panasonic G6
ALSO LOOK FOR
Test Shots
Quick AF Capabilities
Autofocus is exceptionally fast, especially in good light. While all the AF modes are
quite reliable, I preferred the Flexible Spot AF the most, for added precision.
TEST
There are as three customisable buttons, each of which
can be customised to a shooting function of your choice.
The EVF sensor is very troublesome, switching to the
viewnder even at the slightest movement. The LCD is
bright and a pleasure to use.
Movie button
The multi-interface shoe can be used to attach
an external ash unit or a microphone. The lower
resolution electronic viewnder features absolutely no
lag. The custom button can be used to program one of
several features.
Multi-interface
hot shoe
Strap eyelet
Power zoom
kit lens
Custom button
High resolution
tilting LCD screen
Good Colour Reproduction and Metering
The colours reproduced by the A6000 are bright and punchy and are quite faithful.
The metering is quite accurate as well.
Customisable
button
I just stuck to making my images through
the LCD.
Performance
You know a camera is special when it gets
you out of a shooting slump. Maybe it was
the cameras image and video quality, its
responsiveness or perhaps I got out of the
slump off my own accord. But credits go
to the A6000 where it deserves them.
My time spent shooting with the A6000
was more than pleasant. The 1650mm
kit lens bundled with the camera was
quite nice. It was a power zoom lens,
and it moved almost instantly from wide
to telephoto.
Sonys promise of a faster AF system
with the A6000 became a reality, as
I discovered while shooting. There are
various kinds of AF control options you
have to play with. Of course, if youre
comfortable with letting the camera
choose the AF point for you, the Alpha
6000 will not disappoint there as well.
In low light, the AF does slow down, but it
still locks well enough.
The image quality of the Alpha
6000 is generally quite good. The ISO
Mode dial
USB charging
EVF not as good
MI NUS
Excellent sensor
Very fast AF
PLUS
Eye sensor
for EVF
Control dial
Electronic
viewnder
IR receiver
37
Features
Inbuilt WiFi, NFC, manual video control, low
res EVF, 179 phase detection points
27/30
Performance
Stunning video, average battery life, excellent
AF performance, good image quality
27/30
Build Quality
Compact form factor, yet sturdy
17/20
Ergonomics
Low res EVF, over sensitive eye sensor, good
grip, too many menu options
12/15
Warranty & Support
Two year warranty, widespread service network
3/5
Value for Money
Who should buy it? Anyone looking for a great all
round stills and video performer.
Why? The Alpha 6000 is one of the most competent video
and stills mirrorless camera available today. It offers some
fantastic features at a good price.
OVERALL

86%
SPECI FI CATI ONS
Model name Sony Alpha 6000
MRP Rs. 51,990, with kit lens
Effective pixels 24.3MP, 6000 x 4000 pixels
Sensor size, type 23.5 x 15.6mm, APS-C
Processor Bionz X
Focusing modes AF-A (Automatic), AF-S
(Single), DMF (Direct Manual),
AF-C (Continuous), MF
AF points 179
Metering Multi-segment, Center-
weighted, Spot
Shutterspeed range 301/4000sec, Bulb
Exp. compensation +/- 5EV(1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps
selectable)
Colour space sRGB, Adobe RGB
ISO Auto, 10025,600
White balance Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy,
Incandescent, Warm White,
Cool White, Day White,
Daylight, Flash, Underwater
Auto, C.Temp./Filter, Custom
Built-in ash Yes
External ash Yes
Flash modes Autoash, Fill-ash, Slow Sync,
Rear Sync, Red-eye reduction,
Hi-speed sync *5, Wireless
control *5
LCD size TFT LCD, 3-inch
LCD dots 9,21,600 dots
Viewnder Yes, OLED Electronic viewnder
File format JPEG, RAW, MP4, AVCHD
Image stabilisation No
Live View Yes
Self-timer 2sec, 10sec, 35 shot continuous
Storage types SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick
Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Microphone port No
Movie clips 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p),
1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 640 x
480 (30p, 25p)
USB Yes
Environmentally sealed No
HDMI Yes, micro HDMI
Battery NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery
and USB charger
Dimensions (W x H x D) 120 x 67 x 45mm
Weight 344g
In terms of noise, the camera performs well
through the ISO sensitivity range. The images are
quite usable up to ISO 3200, and images at ISO
6400 can easily be used for smaller prints. In fact,
at lower resolutions, you can crop into a large
image without much loss of detail. The camera can
apply area-specic noise reduction, but it tends to
be a bit heavy-handed with the same.
Noise Test
ISO 3200
ISO 6400
ISO 12,800
ISO 25,600
performance at the lower end of the
spectrum is quite commendable.
The quality gradually drops as you keep
going up the ISO range, but the images
are easily usable up to ISO 3200. At ISO
6400, make sure you shoot in RAW
and that you are careful about your
exposure settings. Anything above this
is alright to upload on to social media,
or to pass your images off as abstract
watercolour paintings.
The battery life of the camera is not the
best. The in-camera micro USB charging
makes it a very slow, laborious process.
However, the battery life is displayed in
percentage form, which is quite helpful.
I truly enjoyed the camera for its video
capabilities. Its denitely far away from
the kind of quality the Panasonic G6
offers, but I am a videographer at heart,
and I still loved the kind of control the
Alpha 6000 gave me over recording video.
Moreover, in the Manual mode, you can
change the aperture and shutterspeed
during video recording. It also has
continuous AF.
The White Balance capabilities of the
camera was also quite good. Colours were
rich and vibrant. The Picture Effect
mode, while a lot of fun to use, is sadly
unavailable when shooting in RAW.

Conclusion
To sum up the Sony Alpha 6000, one can
say that it is the jack of all trades, master
of some. For the kind of features this all
rounder offers at this price point, the
Alpha 6000 is quite the bargain. With that
said, however, one cannot ignore the
obvious niggles.
Importantly, most of the lenses
available for the E mount are consumer
lenses and they are relatively few in
number. The range of lenses is not as
well developed as the ones available for
MFTs, for instance. However, if youre ok
with using only a kit lens, this is as good
as it gets.
In a world populated by some fantastic
cameras, the Sony Alpha 6000 has
found its own little spot. When the
NEX-6 was released, it was a veritable
gamechanger. However, the A6000, while
a commendable successor, is a reasonably
subtle upgrade to the pathbreaker.
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TEST
JULY 201 4
38
TEST
Ambarin Afsar wonders whether the PowerShot G1 X Mark II will make
the advanced compact camera market Canons stronghold once again.
Recreating a Niche?
O
nce upon a time, Canon used
to be the biggest player in the
advanced compact camera
market. The celebrated G
series is a proof of this era.
The series was meant for prosumers who
wanted great exibility and image quality
while avoiding bulky DSLRs.
Canons reign lasted for a while, and
then the market was taken over by other
manufacturers. The regrettable G1X
didnt do much to save Canons footing
in this particular area. Meanwhile,
Sony came out with the RX100 and
the RX100 II.
Now, in what is being touted as an
overhaul of the G1 X, Canon seems to be
making amends with the G1 X Mark II.
Features
The styling of the G1 X Mark II is a far cry
from the G series of cameras. Instead, it
looks a lot like Canons mirrorless camera,
the EOS M. A redesigned body means that
there is no room for a viewnder, which
was originally on the G1 X.
There are two signicant updates in the
G1 X Mark IIthe sensor, and a fast aperture
range. The sensor is a 1.5-inch large, multi-
aspect 15MP CMOS sensor that is never used
entirely. Instead, the camera makes different
crops from it. It captures 12.8MP images in
the 3:2 aspect ratio, and 13.1MP images at the
4:3 aspect ratio, while maintaining the same
angle of view. This idea isnt exactly novel,
Panasonics GH1, GH2 LX3 and LX5 also
work on similar principles.
WEIGHTAGE OF
PARAMETERS
Features
Performance
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Warranty &
Support
20%
15%
40%
20%
5%
Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II
TEST
B E T T E R P H O T O G R A P H Y JANUARY 201 4
39
G1 X Mark II body
Camera strap
Li-ion battery
Battery charger
USB cable
Reference manual
WHATS IN THE BOX
Interestingly, while Canon says that the
G1 X Mark II is designed around a new
sensor, its sensor size measures 18.7 x
12.5mm, which is quite close to the G1 Xs
18.7 x 14mm sensor. This is much larger
than other advanced compacts that have
zoom. Basically, on paper, this should
mean better image quality, especially in
low light, shallower depth of eld and an
improved dynamic range.
Add to this the fact that the the G1
X Mark II sports a 24120mm f/23.9
lens, and replaces the older cameras
comparitively slow 28112mm f/2.85.8
lens. This combination of a 1.5-inch
sensor and a fast lens could offer a
great payoff.
The other major update is the
redesigned LCD that is now touch-
sensitive, can be ipped up by 180 for
seles, and down by 45. However, the
G1 X sported a hinged, fully articulated
screen, something that I personally nd
more preferable than a tilting screen.
Other than this, the Mark II offers a
minimum focusing distance of 5cm as
opposed to the 20cm offered by the G1 X.
The G1 X II can record Full HD 1080p
video at 30fps, compared to the 1080p
video at 24fps offered by the G1 X.
However, the video functionality is not
the best around.
Other interesting features include four
Starry Skies modes such as Star Portrait,
Star Nightscape, Star Trails and Star
Time-Lapse movie.
The camera also features WiFi and
NFC connectivity, and can remotely
be controlled using a cellphone once
you download the proprietary Canon
CameraWindow app. You can also
transfer images to a cloud service.
I quite liked how the
fast aperture helped me
make great portraits.
However, I expected
better dynamic range
from the camera.
Interestingly, the colour
palette is completely
unlike Canons cameras
and the tones are very
subtle and refreshing.
Exposure: 1/60sec at f/3.9
(ISO 100)
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a
r
40
TEST
ERGONOMICS
Fast lens
Large sensor
Dual lens
control rings
PLUS
No MF during video
No in-camera RAW
conversion
Short battery life
MI NUS
Handling
The camera is made of magnesium alloy and
feels extremely sturdy. What bothers me
about it is the fact that once you extend the
LCD, on the left, you can see the LCD cable
running through the structure. Keeping this
sort of a display cable exposed is just asking
for trouble. Regardless of how strong the
cables casing is, it can be prone to damage at
any time.
Other than that, I was quite pleased with
the touchscreen functionality. I am happy
about the fact that a manufacturer has
realised that even prosumers can desire
the touchscreen experience, and it isnt
just limited to being used by beginners or
those looking for frills and fancy features.
I dont feel the lack of an optical viewnder,
especially as the G1 Xs viewnder was
tiny and unusable. It did not improve the
shooting experience.
The lens control dials are fairly smooth
and easy to operate. However, there is a
lag between the dial being turned and the
function being detected by the camera.
This can be quite annoying. Also, the
four-way controller is a little too recessed.
Instead of pressing the controller, I ended
up clicking the dial surrounding it quite a
few times. My other grouse with the camera
is the amount of remote control provided
by the app when connected via WiFi.
You can transfer images, zoom in, zoom
out and release the shutter, but you cannot
control anything else. Also, the app is a
buggy and slow.
Sony RX100 II
Sony RX100 III
Olympus OM-D
E-M10
ALSO LOOK FOR
An Intuitive Metering System
I was shooting through the bars of a window here, and I thought it was difcult
situation to meter. However, the camera read the situation quite well!
f/3.9 at the Telephoto End Means Great Portraiture Opportunities
The best part about the fast lens and the large sensor is what it means for
portraiturelovely shallow DOF and fast shutterspeeds in dim light.
Test Shots
The Mark II looks a lot more sleek and streamlined
than its predecessor. Also, the front dial that offered
control over Av/Tv settings has been removed.
With the addition of dual lens control rings, this is not a
problem though.
The two rings on the lens control different
variables, depending on the mode you are in. I only
wish that Canon would have made it possible for
users to assign a specic function to each ring in
different modes.
The Function menu is summoned by a press of a
button. Sending it away, however, is a problem.
You need to tap twice on the LCD if touchscreen
functions are enabled, if not, then you need to press
the button again, which is cumbersome.
Front Top Rear
Lens
AF-assist lamp
Pop-up ash Playback button
Zoom
rocker
Vari-angle
articulated display
Shortcut
button
WiFi button
Mode dial
Lens
control rings
Tilting LCD
Grip
Four-way
controller & dial
Manual focus
button
42
TEST
Features
Has hot shoe, but no EVF, LCD does not swivel
15/20
Performance
Sluggish AF, decent image quality but not
best in its class, inefcient battery life
31/40
Build Quality
Sturdy magnesium alloy body, but imsy LCD
hinge, with cable exposed
13/15
Ergonomics
Dual lens control rings are excellent on
paper, but are slow to respond
16/20
Warranty & Support
Two-year warranty
4/5
Value for Money
Who should buy it? People who want to use the
considerably shallow DOF offered by the Mark II.
Why? Despite the large sensor and decent image quality,
what really makes the Mark II worthwhile is its fast aperture
of f/3.9 at the telephoto end. Great for portraitists!
OVERALL

79%
Noise Test
Clean images upto ISO 800. But I was expecting
better performance from ISO 3200 and above,
considering the sensor. In all fairness, high ISO
performance could have been a lot better.
ISO 6400
ISO 12,800
ISO 3200
ISO 1600
SPECI FI CATI ONS
Model name Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II
MRP Rs. 58,995
Sensor size, type 1.5-inch, CMOS
Resolution 12.8MP (3:2) and 13.1MP (4:3),
4352 x 2904 pixels
LCD Tilting, 3-inch, 104k dots
Focal range 24120mm (35mm equivalent)
ISO range Auto, 10012,800
Aperture range f/2.03.9
Shutterspeed 60sec1/4000sec
Metering modes Evaluative, Centre-weighted
average, Spot
File formats Still: JPEG, RAW; Movie: H.264
Hot shoe Yes
Battery Li-ion
Storage SD, SDHC, SDXC
Dimensions, weight 116 x 74 x 66mm, 553g
R
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Performance
Canon promised a faster, more sophisticated
AF system with the Mark II. While the
cameras AF performance is certainly way
better than that of the G1 X, especially at the
telephoto end, its competitors are faster.
In terms of image quality, I had very
high expectations from the sensor, and
while both in-camera JPEGs and those
processed from RAW les turned out
really crisp, they werent the best in the
class, and certainly did not match up
to the image quality of the Sony RX100
II, a camera that shouldnt even be a
competitor considering its sensor is
smaller. There is no in-camera RAW le
conversion either. On the other hand, the
colours are great out of the camera and
look really punchy on the LCD. Also, the
lens is quite sharp across the zoom range.
Conclusion
The G1 X Mark II sounded wonderfully
promising when I rst heard about it, and
while it addresses quite a few issues, it
doesnt get all of them right. There arent
many cameras like it, and it could have easily
eaten up its competitors, but fell short of the
mark. Priced at Rs. 58,995, the camera is an
expensive buy, especially when you consider
that for a few thousand rupees lesser, you
can get an equally efcient sensor, an EVF
and f/2.8 at the telephoto end with the newly
announced RX100 III.
Purple fringing was
visible along the girder
beams in the image.
Exposure: 1/1000sec at
f/2.8 (ISO 400)
46
One King for Many
N
ikon has had a constant aperture
super telephoto zoom for a long
time, in the form of the recently
updated 200400mm f/4G VR II.
In comparison, Canon didnt have
a lens that was directly competing, but in
2013, they announced that a similar lens was
being developed. Only, this was special.
It was the worlds rst ever lens that has a
built-in 1.4x teleconverter inside.
Features
The focal length along with the built-
in converter make this a rather exotic
lens, especially for sports and wildlife
photographers. Imagine you are
photographing an important sporting event
and you have to cover two different ends of
the eld. 200mm is good enough to cover
the side that you are on, and if you wish to
quickly switch between the closer subject
and one thats further away, you may want
to switch to the 560mm eld of view that
the teleconverter helps provide. No other
lens that has this level of build quality and
optics offers this amount of convenience.
The lens has a minimum focusing distance
of 2 meters. At this working distance the lens
offers a magnication of 1:5.
The lens is lled up with plenty of glass.
It contains 33 elements in 24 groups when
used with 1.4x converter. The converter
incorporates one uorite and four UD lens
elements.
Canon also makes use of Super Spectra
coating and Sub-Wavelength coatings, on
some elements to reduce are, ghosting and
any unwanted reections.
For autofocus operation, Canon has
used ring type Ultrasonic Silent Motor to
achieve fast, accurate and noiseless focus.
There is a separate CPU built into the lens,
preprogrammed with AF algorithms for fast
and accurate autofocus.
Canons armoury consists of some fantastic telephoto primes. The EF 200
400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4X is the rst lens that covers multiple
focal lengths, all the way from 200 to 560mm. Shridhar Kunte nds out.
TEST
If you have an
APS-C sensor
camera, then you
are effectively
using a 300-
840mm lens.
WEIGHTAGE OF
PARAMETERS
Features
Performance
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Warranty &
Support
15%
25%
35%
20%
5%
Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4X
47
The power Focus mode allows to shift
focus with virtually no noise, which is
essential while capturing video. There are
three image stabilisation modes (standard,
panning, and during capturing). The image
stabilisation is effective up to four stops.
This means you can use shutterspeeds
of approximately 1/35sec at 560mm focal
length, without getting visible shake.
Handling
I used this lens on the EOS 6D as well as the
EOS 1D X. Both combinations are pretty
hefty and difcult to handle without any
kind of external support. But as I spent more
time with the lens, I was able to capture
some good images while handholding the
lens. The lens itself weighs 3620g, which is
lighter than the Canon 600mm prime but
a bit heavier than the 400mm. This lens
utilises 52mm drop-in lters.
The teleconverter switch can be easily
accessed with left hand with a quick
movement straight back from the zoom
ring. There is a locking mechanism for
the teleconverter but I never had any
trouble with the mechanism. My personal
preference, though, was to use this lens
without locking. But here, one needs to
remember to open up the aperture to f/4
when disengaging the extender.
Performance
When it comes to pro-grade lenses such
as this, it is all about optics and focusing
speed. In both of these departments, the
lens did exceptionally well. I found the
lens tack sharp throughout the entire
focal length, even with the 1.4x extender.
In fact, the quality is so good that I nd no
reason to stop down the lens, either at the
maximum aperture of f/4 at 200400mm
or f/5.6 at 280560mm.
The AF operation is snappy and silent.
That said, it is a tad behind prime lenses
with similar focal lengths. Even while
using the converter, the focusing speed
barely drops. For instance, while shooting
eld hockey, I was able to capture action
in front of both the goal mouths by
switching on the 1.4x teleconverter.
After inspecting all the images captured,
I was not able to nd any kind of
distortion or chromatic aberration!
Conclusion
A majority of the photographers in India
will think whether the cost of Rs. 7,35,000
is justiable? For professional sports and
wildlife photographers, yes, its absolutely
worth it. This lens has an impressive range
of focal length and the performance is close
to prime lenses with similar focal lengths
in this class. With the built in teleconverter,
I see a few advantages it saves time as it can
be call in to service with a ick of lever, it
keeps the dust away and the most important
matches the lens optics, thus enabling best
possible sharpness. Canon has truly made a
groundbreaking product!
SPECI FI CATI ONS
Model name Canon EF 200400mm f/4L IS
USM Extender 1.4X
MRP Rs. 7,35,000
Lens construction 25 elements in 20 groups
33 elements in 24 groups with 1.4X
Min. focusing distance 2m
Diaphragm blades 9
Filter diameter 52mm drop-In
Dimensions 128 x 366mm
Weight 3620g
TEST
Even with the 1.4x
converter, the lens
exhibits very good
image quality.
Exposure: 1/1000 sec; f/8;
ISO 640
Visible light falloff
Price
MI NUS
AF speed
Build quality
Image quality
PLUS
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M
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S
h
r
i
d
h
a
r

K
u
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t
e
Features
Built-in teleconverter, effective focal length
range, four-stop IS advantage
19/20
Performance
Good AF speed, fantastic optics
33/35
Build Quality
Built like a tank, weathersealed
24/25
Ergonomics
Wide zoom ring, Full time manual focus
override, dedicated switch for TC
13/15
Warranty & Support
Large number of service centres
4/5
Value for Money
Who should buy it? High-end action and wildlife pros
who want the best possible quality without budget constraints.
Why? This one lens reduces the bulk of carrying multiple
telephotos without compromising on image quality.
OVERALL

93%
48
Pro Optics for the Enthusiast
F
or many nature photographers, the
300mm focal length would be the
next logical addition after a macro
lens. While there are a few good
zoom telephoto options available
in that range, none can really match up to
the level of construction, optical quality,
sharpness and contrast afforded by prime
lenses. The trouble is, primes above 135mm
can be frighteningly expensive and out of
reach for an enthusiast. Luckily for us, this
300mm is different.
Nikon unveiled the AF-S 300mm f/4D
IF-ED in early 2001, as a successor to the
AF 300mm f/4 ED that was released in 1987.
With most prime lenses witnessing upgrades
at least once every decade, the AF-S 300mm
f/4D is due for an update at any moment,
possibly to a G-type variant. At the moment,
however, it is still available and remains a
favourite with many photographers.
Features
The AF-S 300mm is designed for use on
Nikons FX (full-frame) DSLRs. With a Silent
Wave Motor, focusing promises to be quiet
and speedy. The lens can also be used with
all of Nikons current range of DX (APS-C)
DSLRs, offering a focal length of 450mm.
Sacricing brightness for size and weight,
the 300mm f/4 can be used handheld
when shooting in reasonably good light, or
attached to a tripod via a large tripod collar.
It does not feature Vibration Reduction.
The lens is made of 10 elements in 6
groups, with two of the elements made of
Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass to correct
chromatic aberrations. AF occurs internally,
with no movement at the front lens element,
allowing users to attach polarizing and
graduated lters. The maximum aperture
of f/4 keeps the lter diameter to a relatively
small 77mm as compared to f/2.8 lenses.
Yet, good 77mm lters will be both
expensive and hard to come by.
The 300mm features a 9-bladed aperture
diaphragm for near circular bokeh.
Of special note is the excellent minimum
focusing distance of 4.8 feet. The maximum
magnication at this distance is 0.27x.
Handling
In terms of controls, the 300mm f/4 AF-S
does not feature the rather useful focus
hold button found on the bigger telephoto
primes. Also, the variable focus limiter
found on Nikons older 300mm f/4 lens is
now replaced with a single switch that limits
the choice to the full range of focus, or from
3m to innity. There is full-time AF override
and MF can be enabled with a switch that
toggles between M/A and M.
K Madhavan Pillai eld-tests the AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4D IF-ED and
discovers a high-quality, well-priced option for the serious enthusiast.
TEST
A big advantage of
the f/4 is that is
can be handheld,
quite comfortably,
unlike the larger
f/2.8 version.
WEIGHTAGE OF
PARAMETERS
Features
Performance
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Warranty &
Support
15%
25%
35%
20%
5%
AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4D IF-ED
49
The lens is relatively lightweight and
compact, especially in comparison to the
Nikon 300mm f/2.8. It allows effective
handheld shooting, but necessitates the
use of some support a monopod or a
tripod, for shutterspeeds below 1/125sec.
I used the lens with both a D4s and
D800. The camera balances well on both.
Build quality is top notch.
Performance
In terms of optical performance, there is
very little to aw the 300mm on. Even at
f/4, sharpness is superb, certainly much
more than what you would get out of
any zoom. At the edges, there is a slight
loss if you pixel peep. There is also an
increasingly perceptible loss at the smaller
apertures, beyond f/11. However, in both
instances, it does not make a real-world
difference. Aberrations and are are both
well controlled.
Focus is reasonably fast for most nature,
street, stage or reptile photography. It is at
least as fast as some of the recent premium
telephoto zooms I have seen. Yet, extreme
action and bird photographers may nd it
a bit slow for their use. Nevertheless, with
both the D800 and D4s, the camera locks
convincingly enough. In poor light, the
tendency to hunt for focus increases. AF is
where the lens begins to show its age.
Conclusion
Priced at Rs. 81,050, it happens to be
Nikons least expensive high quality
telephoto prime above 135mm. It is also
less expensive, and sharper, than most
of the high-end telephoto zooms that
we tested so far, including Nikons own
famous 80-400mm.
On a personal note, I would have opted
for the 1987 version of the lens, if it were
available in AF-S and boasted of the same
image quality. Yet, amongst all the choices
available at this point of time, this lens is
indeed well worth investing in. If you are
a Nikon DSLR owner and need a 300mm,
you will nd yourself hard-pressed to get
a better deal.
SPECI FI CATI ONS
Model name AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4D IF-ED
MRP Rs. 81,050
Min. focusing distance 1.46m
Diaphragm blades 9
Filter diameter 77mm
Lenshood Built-in
Tripod Collar Yes, rotatable
Dimensions 190 x 222.5mm
Weight 1,440g
TEST
The excellent close
focusing distance of 57.6
inches opens up some
interesting possibilities.
At this distance, DOF is
critical, even at f/22.
(ISO 400)
Marginally slow AF
MI NUS
Optical quality
Build
Price
PLUS
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K Madhavan Pillai
Features
Has all the features similar lenses offer,
lacks VC
15/20
Performance
Displays exemplary sharpness, AF is very
slightly slow, good control over are
30/35
Build Quality
Sturdy, metal barrel
23/25
Ergonomics
Wide rubberised rings, easy to shoot
handheld over long periods of time
13/15
Warranty & Support
Two year warranty, several service centres
4/5
Value for Money
Who should buy it? Nature, stage, street, reptile
and sports photographers looking specically for sharpness
Why? It is extremely well priced, can be used handheld,
and comes with excellent optics for very sharp results
OVERALL

85%
50
Cine Wide Paradiso
S
amyangs Cine lenses are primarily
targetted at cinematographers but
if you are a stills user who indulges
in some video, these lenses
may catch your curiosity. Let us
understand the name rst. T3.1? Surely thats
f/3.1, right? Wrong. Cinematography lenses
usually have their aperture rated in the form
of t-stops instead of f-stops, where t-stop
denotes the absolute amount of light passing
through the diaphragm. Effectively, still
shooters can keep in mind that this T3.1 lens
is similar to an f/2.8 optic.
Features
Ultrawides are not easy to handle, remember
that. Its very easy to get enamoured by all
the dramatic perspective that 14mm offers,
and one often ends up shooting distorted
drama for dramas sake. This is actually a
very interesting lens on cropped-sensor
bodies, especially because both Canon and
Nikon do not have a fast 20mm or 21mm
equivalent lens for APS-C.
The Nikon version of the lens that we
tested, has electronic contacts. These allow
you to conrm focus in the viewnder and
also allow you automatic metering, when
used with the D700. The Canon-mount
option, though, is all manual.
Handling
With a construction that is largely plastic,
the Samyang 14mm is relatively lightweight,
a rarity in f/2.8 glass of such exotic focal
lengths. That said, the quality of plastic used
The Samyang 14mm T3.1 Cine is not only the least expensive ultrawide lens,
but also an interesting option for cropped-sensor users. Raj Lalwani nds out.
TEST
Manual focus is
an attention-
intensive process.
This only helps
you perfect your
composition,
which is usually
very difcult
with a lens that is
so wide.
WEIGHTAGE OF
PARAMETERS
Features
Performance
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Warranty &
Support
15%
25%
35%
20%
5%
Samyang 14mm T3.1 ED AS IF UMC VDSLR Cine
51
seems very good and the build quality is
quite assuring.
Besides an inbuilt petal hood, the lens also
has an aperture ring. With a clearly marked
distance scale, it becomes easy to prefocus
at a certain distance. There are no DOF
markings and no hard stop for innity, but
with a focal length so wide, one can rarely
go wrong with MF. There is no ability to use
lters, which is a big negative, especially for
landscape shooters and even videographers.
The gears around the focusing ring
are what differentiates this Cine version
from its still-photography counterpart.
The lens features industry-standard
gearing for the focus and the aperture ring.
This makes the 14mm a breeze to use with
a cinematographers rig, be it for high-scale
productions or personal indies.
You know that the ergonomics are
nuanced when you realise that the aperture
ring is declicked. This basically means that
a change of aperture does not result in
any perceptible clicking sound or action.
Dedicated stills shooters may not appreciate
this. But I didnt face a problem with this as
I was mostly shooting at f/2.8 all throughout.
Depth control is barely possible as almost
everything is sharp at the widest aperture.
Performance
The Samyang 14mm may be a cinema-
specic lens, but that does not
compromise on its photographic quality.
In fact, it compares rather positively to
some of the best ultrawide lenses in the
market. When it comes to optics, the
Nikkor 1424mm f/2.8 is the undoubted
king in this eld. The Samyang, on the
D700, actually comes close, especially
when it comes to centre sharpness. The
corners are nowhere near as good as the
Nikkor lens, but stop down by two stops
and you will see this inexpensive lens
improve. The story is still pretty good on
cameras like the D610 and D800 both of
which have high-resolution sensors that
are far more demanding than the D700s.
Contrast and colour rendition is the
lens greatest strength, even while shooting
against the light. This not only produces
crisp images with minimal haze, it shows the
lens true potential while shooting video.
However, there is some noticeable purple
fringing. Distortion is the other big aw, it is
of a complex variety and cant be removed
easily via postprocessing. Its best to avoid
this lens for architecture.
Conclusion
At Rs. 41,520, the Samyang 14mm is
excellent value for money, especially
considering that the Nikkor and Canon
counterparts cost well over a lakh.
The manual focus constraints will
only make you appreciate the lens
more! Canon users lose the electronic
communication between camera and lens,
but at this price, its a compromise you
will not mind making.
SPECI FI CATI ONS
Model name Samyang 14mm T3.1 ED AS IF
UMC VDSLR Cine
MRP Rs. 41,520
Diaphragm blades 6
Filter diameter Not available
Dimensions 96.1 x 87mm
Weight 620g
TEST
Its easy to conrm
focus on a camera like
the D700, and sharpness
wide open is excellent.
Exposure: 1/250sec at f/2.8
(ISO 6400)
Cant use lters
No electronic
communication with
Canon bodies
MI NUS
Great sharpness
Price
PLUS
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Raj Lalwani
Features
Built-in hood, cant use lters, T3.1 capabilities,
MF with conrmation (Nikon version)
15/20
Performance
Acceptably sharp images, AF not as good as
proprietary lenses, good control over are
32/35
Build Quality
Sturdy, easy handling despite the zoom
22/25
Ergonomics
Excellent focus ring, easy to use with cinema
rigs, balances well on full frame bodies
14/15
Warranty & Support
One-year warranty, limited service centres
3/5
Value for Money
Who should buy it? Landscape photographers and
videographers who shoot in cramped spaces.
Why? The only genre youd want to avoid is architecture due
to complex distortion, but the sharpness and value is great!
OVERALL

86%
52
A Versatile Package
T
hey say all good things come in
small packages and it seems to be
Tamrons motto for the
16300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD
Macro lens. The lens weighs a
mere 540g and only slightly longer that a
18105mm kit lens from Nikon.
It has a 16mm wide end that no other
competing superzoom lens has and that
too at the price tag considerably lesser
than that of competitors. So far, so good.
But whats the catch? We nd out as we
test the Nikon-mount version on the D90.
Features
There are other competing lenses
proprietary lenses like the Nikkor AF-S
DX 18300mm F/3.5-6.3 VR and the
Canon EF-S 18200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
in this range. These are, however much
more expensive, and it is the wide angle
capability of 16mm that makes the Tamron
16300mm unique. The lens is built for
APS-C sensors and gives a zoom range
of 24450mm on Nikon and Sony, and
25.6480mm on Canon.
The Nikon and Canon versions
of the lens have Tamrons Vibration
Compensation (VC) system and the Piezo
Drive (PZD) fast and silent AF motor.
The Sony mount does not have VC but that
is because Sony DSLT and DSLRs have in-
body stablisation.

Handling
The build quality of the lens is not
bad. Its body is mostly plastic, but it
has a metal mount. For all the focal
lengths that the lens packs in, the
weight is impressively light. Of course,
a superzoom lens is never really
inconspicuous. The lens may look
deceptively small when closed, but almost
doubles in length at 300mm.
Can the all-in-one superzoom Tamron 16300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD
Macro lens prove itself? Natasha Desai nds out.
TEST
No other
superzoom lens
starts at as wide
a focal length as
24mm equivalent.
WEIGHTAGE OF
PARAMETERS
Features
Performance
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Warranty &
Support
15%
25%
35%
20%
5%
Tamron 16300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Macro
53
Moving from one focal length to
another is easy as it only takes around
half a turn to go from wide to tele and the
entire action is smooth. I found that I did
not need to use the zoom lock at all as the
lens did not creep to the ground nor when
pointed upwards. Then again, this could
only be because it is a straight out-of-the-
box lens. Tamron claims that the lens is
moisture resistant, but whether it ought
to be used in rough weather is debatable.

Performance
With such a large zoom range, one would
expect a large compromise in terms of image
quality, but the lens manages to hold up
well. At the wide end, focusing is nice and
quick, despite using an old-generation body
like the D90. At 300mm, however, the lens
does take a bit of time to focus, especially
if the subject is moving or if the light levels
are low. Even though the lens has an smooth
manual focus ring at the base, it does not
allow manual focus override at any point.
When shooting at the wide end, the
sharpness is excellent especially in the
centre. Corner sharpness improves on
stopping down the aperture, and f/9 seems
to be the sweet spot of the lens. At the
telephoto end, sharpness suffers, but it is
usable enougha minor tradeoff, when
you gain such a huge zoom range. If you
are using one of the new high-resolution
APS-C cameras, you may want to avoid
shooting at the longest focal length,
especially if detail is critical.
There is quite a fair amount of purple
fringing around the edges especially
in high-contrast images. Vignetting is
noticeable at 16mm, at the widest aperture.
There is a fair amount of barrel distortion
at the wide end, when there is a horizon or
some other horizontal line in the frame.
People standing towards the corners do
not get distorted, so the lens wide end is
actually quite good for street photography.
The lens claims to have macro capabilities.
However, the magnication ratio is nowhere
near 1:1. It does have a very close focusing
distance, which helps get great close-ups at
300mm. Depth isolation at the telephoto
end is very good, but the quality of the
bokeh is a little harsh.

Conclusion
This lens is ideal for the photography
enthusiast as it is extremely convenient.
If you are looking for specic use like
architecture or macro, then this is not the
lens for you. For the price, the Tamron
16300mm is a pretty good option.
While Rs. 48,990 is by no means a small
amount of money, it is still much cheaper
than its direct competitors and offers
16mm on the wide end, making it a
unique general purpose lens.
SPECI FI CATI ONS
Model name Tamron 16300mm f/3.5-6.3
Di II VC PZD Macro
MRP Rs. 48,990
Diaphragm blades 7
Filter diameter 67mm
Dimensions 75 x 100mm
Weight 540g
TEST
Even though the leaves
were moving, I was to get a
pretty sharp image at 300mm.
Exposure: 1/250sec at f/9 (ISO 160)
Images not as sharp
at 300mm
MI NUS
Portability
Zoom range
Price
PLUS
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Good zoom range, vibration compensation,
16mm focal length
17/20
Performance
Decently sharp images, good wide end
performance, some purple fringing
31/35
Build Quality
Sturdy, easy handling of zoom, no zoom
creep in spite of zoom range
21/25
Ergonomics
Narrow focus ring, easy to carry
13/15
Warranty & Support
Limited number of service facilities
3/5
Value for Money
Who should buy it? The photography enthusiast
who needs a range of focal lengths on a budget.
Why? The portability even with such a zoom range, the
price edge over competitors.
OVERALL

85%
54
Goodbye World, Hello Cloud
Is Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud the biggest upgrade yet, or an inconsequential
one? Aditya Nair puts it to the test.
S
omewhere, in the not so distant
future, Photoshop reviews are
going to read, This software
is terrible! It doesnt let me
print photos straight from my
imagination. Thats the problem with
reviewing a software thats been around
for 26 years, with 15 versions. Being the
industry leader, everything in Photoshop
is either great or new. And new, not just
in the software, but to the industry, as
well. Worse? Most of the time, whats new
is pretty darn good too. Fortunately, one
year, four major upgrades to CC and a
couple of PR faux pas has given me plenty
to talk about. So, lets begin.
Looking to the Sky
Back in June 2013, Adobe took its entire
gamut of Creative Suite software and sent
them to the cloud, a magical place on the
internet tied together with a beloved
TEST
B E T T E R P H O T O G R A P H Y MAY 2009
54
TEST
Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud & CC 2014
55
WEIGHTAGE OF
PARAMETERS
Features
Ease of Use
Performance
30%
40%
30%
TEST
subscription model, called Creative
Cloud. It was code named Lucky 7 while
the latest version, CC 2014 is codenamed
Single Malt Whiskey Cat.
Creative Cloud was supposed to give
users access to Photoshop at much cheaper
prices and was supposed to help Adobe
ght piracy (it was pirated three days after
being launched).
Creative Cloud gives you access to 20GB
of storage space that lets you access your
les anywhere by simply signing into
your Adobe account. You can also directly
connect to your Behance account to add
your work to your portfolio.
With Sync Settings you can transfer
your preferences, shortcuts and settings
to a different computer. Gone are the
days when you had to redo all your
favourite shortcuts and Actions when you
changed computers.
A new preference setting also
allows you to become a beta tester
for Photoshops future experimental
features too.
The best part, though, is that you no
longer need separate licenses if you use
Mac and Windows machines. You can use
the software on either computers using
just your Adobe account.
Despite being
comparatively
inexpensive,
the company
has faced
tremendous
ak for the
rental model.
The Pros and Cons of the Subscription Model
T
he subscription model announced by Adobe
has been the subject of quite a lot of hate,
including a 48,000 person strong petition
on Change.org to get rid of it. The fact that
photographers can no longer own a version of
the software but have to rent it each month has left a lot
of users very unhappy.
Problem of Moving to a Cloud Based System
The biggest problem with the monthly subscription
model is that you need to sign in at least once a month
even if you have paid for a year. This became a real
problem when Adobes servers went down, leaving
some photographers without their editing tools.
Chalk it up to teething issues of a company moving
to a cloud-based system for the rst time. Every
inherently cloud-based service has gone down at some
point in the past. This includes Gmail, Instagram,
WhatsApp and at the time of writing this, Facebook, all
after the CC debacle.
The Need for Ownership
That said, servers going down can cause loses in the
lakhs for businesses. Adobe needs to put an alternate
solution in place to ensure that it doesnt happen again.
Regular Updates
On a positive note, since you are paying a monthly fee,
you no longer have to pay for upgrades. And CC has
had four signicant upgrades (14.0, 14.1, 14.2 and 2014)
in the year since its launch. Photoshop no longer has
to wait and create a bunch of features before it updates
the software either.
Its Quite Inexpensive
The monthly subscription for a single software is
USD 19.99 (approx. Rs. 1200) per month. At that price
you would have to use Photoshop for 4 years before
it equals the price of its predecessor, Photoshop CS6
Extended that used to cost USD 999 (approx. Rs.
60,000). And this doesnt include the cost of upgrades.
There is
something
almost celestial
about being able
to use Camera
RAW as a lter.
The Workow Goes Mobile
With Adobe Photoshop Mix (iOS), you can take
your image editing workow with you on the go.
Its the rst mobile application that gives you
non destructive image editing on a phone. A key
tool lets you cut subjects out of the scene by
simply dragging you nger over them. Well be
reviewing it in one of the upcoming issues of
Better Photography.
Camera RAW, Now a Filter!
Possibly the coolest feature, Adobe
Camera RAW can now be used as a Filter
for JPEGs and TIFFs in addition to RAW
les. Genius! While you could use ACR
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Before After
Shake Reduction does a good job sharpening images with unidirectional shake without reducing the image size.
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The much hyped Shake Reduction lter, showcased at Adobe Max over two years
ago, is nally here and its... disappointing. Dont get me wrong, under certain specic
parameters it does do an admirable job of xing the shake. But those are limited.
With complex camera shake, or in low light, this tool just doesnt live up to the
hype. This is probably why, Adobe themselves have chosen not to highlight it in
the Filter Menu.
Personally, I would run images that look acceptably sharp through the lter once
just for the added sharpness. But I wont be hunting through my old les looking for
good images ruined by camera shake, just yet.
For fun, we also ran a motion blur image (seen below) to see what it would do.
Using the Blur Direction Tool, I applied the lter to correct for the bike on the right.
The results were actually pretty spectacular for the bike on the right. (After you
ignore the surreal glitch abstract it created out of the bike on the left.). The image
can be used by cropping or masking out the glitchy portions or by applying Shake
Reduction separately for the second bike.
Quite frankly, Shake Reduction is a new feature and in its infancy. But it still
manages to excite me enough to wonder what it will be able to do, a couple of
updates from now.
Photoshop Wants You To Be a Sharper Photographer
Before After
There are some sharpening artefacts that can be dealt with using the sliders, or in serious cases with some creative layer masking.
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Before After
While its not meant for motion blur, we decided to put try it out anyway. Needless to say it yielded some interesting results.
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for JPEGs even in CS5 & CS6, as a Filter
along with Smart Objects, it lets you go
back and tweak enhancements even after
making other edits.
Cloning and Healing are now a part of
ACR too. While its not as easy to use as the
same features in Photoshop, it still does a
really good job.
The new Radial Filter lets you select
a specic part of the image and apply
adjustments like highlighting it, applying
selective colour or applying a vignette.
There is also the option to straighten
images in ACR too. Going by this, you
may never need to leave Camera RAW to
edit your pictures.
There are also a few enhancements that
have been made to improve the overall
quality of the image enhancement sliders.
An Improved Smart Sharpen Filter
Smart Sharpen has updated its
sharpening algorithm to give improved
results. But the addition of the Radius
sliders is a drastic improvement.
It helps you reduce the halos created by
sharpening, very easily.
Earlier you would have to apply the
feature and then manually mask out the
halo. This is another step that you dont
need to go through anymore.
Other New & Improved Features
The much-loved Content Aware
technology has been updated to work
better. The Colour Adaptation tab does
a good job of blending colours and
textures better.
Typically, Photoshop performed
Actions in the order of the instructions
mentioned. Now, you can also add If/
Then conditions through a feature called
Conditional Actions.
Another new feature, Focus Masking
lets you select only that part of your
image that is in focus. Its basically the
digital equivalent of Focus Peaking.
The new Linked Smart Objects
feature will be welcomed by frequent
collaborators. Changes made by one user
With all the
new features,
90% of your
image edits can
be done using
ACR alone.
Fix Perspective Distortion with Ease, Even When Using Adobe Camera RAW
Lens Correction in Camera Raw
New to Camera RAW, you can now x perspective
distortion using the Lens Correction feature.
There are four auto correction functions while using
this featureAuto, Level, Vertical and Full that work
well for simple images.
If they dont give you the results you desire,
use the Transform slidersDistortion, Vertical,
Horizontal and Rotate. You can use the Scale slider
to crop the image once you are done. The slider
next to the Show Grid tab increases the number
of grid lines. This is very useful when you need
to ne tune the edit.
The Perspective Wrap Tool
For changing perspectives of specic parts of
the image, you will need to go into Photoshop and
use the Perspective Wrap Tool under the Edit tab.
With this tool you can change the perspective of
specic portions with affecting the overall image.
The tool is very convenient. You simply need
to highlight the two planes of reference you want
to change, drag the edge points as needed and
watch the magic.
Another very interesting addition is that the
software gives you step by step instruction on
how to use new tools like the Perspective Wrap.
Before After K Madhavan Pillai
TEST
58
Camera RAW is now
a lter
New improvements
to existing features
A workow that
can be extended to
your mobile device
PLUS
Shake Reduction
doesnt quite live up
to the hype
The photographer
is still needed to
shoot pictures
MI NUS
SPECIFICATIONS
Product name Adobe Photoshop CC & CC2014
MRP Rs. 499 per month for
Photoshop and Lightroom 5
Processor Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon
64 processor (2 GHz or faster)
Operating system Microsoft Windows 7 with
Service Pack 1, Windows 8, or
Windows 8.1
Mac OS X v10.7, v10.8, or v10.9
RAM 2GB RAM (for both Windows
and Mac users)
Monitor resolution 1024x768 display (1280x800
recommended) with 16-bit color
and 512MB of VRAM
Features
Shake Reduction, Perspective Correction,
improvements on existing features
29/30
Ease of use
Simple interface despite being a
complex software
29/30
Performance
Very efcient, but has problems handling
heavy les
37/40
OVERALL

95%
Value for Money
75MP JPEG les created by the Sigma DP3
Merrill or 36MP D800 les, it struggles.
The Verdict
Other than ACR, this version, doesnt yet
have the wow features that we have come to
expect from a Photoshop upgrade. The two
that could have potential been winners
Shake Reduction and Perspective Wrap are
very interesting but dont live up to the hype.
In that sense, Photoshop CC isnt the feature
heavy upgrade you were looking for.
As a cloud based system, it offers a
lot of convenience to your workow.
The remaining features and improvements
make it an almost no-brainer for someone
using Photoshop CS5. CS6 users, who
paid USD 999 (approx. Rs. 60,000) for the
software may not nd it that signicant.
However, with the current offer of
Rs. 499 per month for both Photoshop
and Lightroom 5, (as well as Photoshop
Mix and Lightroom for iPad) you might
just want to go for it anyway.
gets reected on the les of everyone else
collaborating on the project.
The Image Size command has been
upgraded to include methods to preserve
details and provide better overall
sharpness. While it is an improvement
over CS6, Alien Skins Blow Up (that
can be used as a Photoshop, Lightroom
plugin or as a standalone software)
produces far sharper images.
How Does It Handle?
To improve the overall performance
and that of certain processor heavy
tasks like Smart Sharpen, Liquify and
others, Photoshop has given the Adobe
Mercury Graphics Engine a boost with
OpenCL so that effects are applied much
faster. Their claim is that it works great
for editing even your largest les. This is
where I noticed a bit of a disconnect.
While processor intensive features works
well with regular image les, I wouldnt
call it future ready. With large les like the
A Whole New Panel of Blurs to Play With
When Photoshop CC launched, Adobe added three
new blursField Blur, Iris Blur and Tilt-Shift Blur to
add gradient blurs, shallow depth of eld and tilt-shift
effects respectively.
Two More in CC 2014
The June 2014 update adds two more Blur Filters.
Spin Blur allows you to give the impression that the
selected object is spinning. It lets you choose varied
angles and simulate a strobe effect pretty well.
Path Blur lets you add motion blur along a
specied path. In addition to directional blur, you can
tweak it to add blur along a curved path to create
artistic effects.
Realistic Effects
The Blur Filters have greatly improved usability.
You can add pins to specic parts of the images
and add blur in relation to those pins.
There is also a Blur Handle circle that appears on
the image and lets you change the amount of blur,
without having to use the sliders. The Blur Effect
panel allows you to control the amount, size and
colour of the bokeh created.
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TEST
Aditya Nair
60
TEST TEST
Value for Money
Novel Centre Column and QPL Clips
JULY 201 4
SPECI FI CATI ONS
Model name Manfrotto MT190XPRO3
MRP Rs 13,534
Maximum Operating Height 160cm
Minimum Operating Height 9cm
Folded Length 59cm
Weight 2kg
Number of Leg Sections 3, with a central column
Leg Lock Type Quick Power Lock
Maximum Load 7kg
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90-degree central column, Quick Power Lock
26/30
Performance
Central column changes orientation
28/35
Build Quality
Made with aluminium
12/15
Ergonomics
Central column changes orientation without
disassembly, low on portability, sturdy
13/15
Warranty & Support
Limited service back up
3/5
Who should buy it? Photographers who are on the
look out for a sturdy tripod with innovative features.
Why? The tripod is quite sturdy, but with limited
portability. Newbie tripod users will enjoy its ease of use
and its unique features.
OVERALL

82%
M
anfrottos 190 series tripods are
the compact versions of the
055 Pro series. The 190XPRo3
is a fairly new offering from
the company, and it contains
some very interesting features. I spent
some time with the tripod to see if it is
the ideal companion for me. Here are
my observations.
The Do-It-All Tripod
Innovative, yet ergonomic, the Manfrotto MT190XPRO3
seems like a promising deal. Supriya Joshi tests the
tripod to see if it passes muster.
Manfrotto MT190XPRO3
A Wide Range of Possibilities
One of the main features of the XPRO3
is the 90 centre column mechanism,
which allows it to be extended
vertically as normal, or horizontally.
Moreover, switching between vertical and
horizontal orientation does not requrie
any disassembly, which I really liked.
I felt like this is a very useful feature, as
it does the job of an additional lateral
arm attachment, at no extra cost.
Quick to Lock
The Quick Power Lock (QPL) clip
fasteners on each leg section were
a breeze to use. Basically, from the
folded position, the sections of each
leg of the tripod can be released in a
single movement and it locks into place
very easily. The bubble level is accurate
as well.
Not So Lightweight
The tripod folds down to 59cm, but
weighs in at 2kg, so it is denitely not
the best choice for photographers who
want to travel long distances on foot. It is
sturdy and reliable in various conditions.
The XPRO3 costs Rs. 13,534 (without
the head) and I do feel this is a good
investment, specially because of the
central column. If you are certain you do
not require the feature, you may want to
consider other options. But for this price
point, this is as good as it gets.
The 90-degree centre column can be extended
vertically and horizontally, without any
disassembly. It was easy to use.
The Quick Power Lock (QPL) clip mechanism was
really great. The tripod legs can be released in
one single movement.
Cellphone
MAKE GORGEOUS PORTRAITS
Just how good is the camera in the Gionee Elife E7?
Feyza Ceylans gritty images of derelict ruins
Simple ways to make lovely pictures of your family & friends
63
Dont stress
yourself over the
big picture.
Life is often
about the
tales behind
the tales.
Editorial
(The snapshot is) the form of photography that is most
dened by love. People take them out of love, and
they take them to remember.
NAN GOLDIN
Theres a Story in Here, Somewhere
A few days ago, I was narrating a story to a friend of mine, a story of how I met this girl.
My friend heard me out for what must have been the eleventh time, and then said, You only
ramble, dont you? All this while, youve mentioned these stupid quirks and random
instances, but I still dont know what exactly happened.
But then, I have always loved the odd ramble or two... the minute details, the most
commonplace of goings on, the most inane things that nobody would really care about.
So when I look back and actually try to recall how I met someone, I probably dont remember. I have vague memories
alright, but there is no dramatic moment I can pinpoint. Its only the periphery that dominates my mindspace.
There are no little events with the heart. It magnies everything. It places in the same scale the fall of an empire
of fourteen years and the dropping of a womans glove. And almost always, the glove weighs more than the empire.
Jimmy, an old Parsi gentleman with a twinkle in his eye and nostalgia in his voice, had once said these words to that
same friend of mine. As I was reminded of the conversation, I started searching for pictures, hoping that what I had
shot would help me build my memory in a more dened way. But the photographs, even the ones that were most
personal, seemed to have a mind of their own. There was no direct photograph of the girl I spoke of, just a bunch of
moments that happened alongside. Maybe it is because I have always enjoyed that kind of imagery more. One that
doesnt tell me everything, but inspires me to connect the dots, in whatever way I want. Photography, for some, has all
the answers. For me, however, a photograph is usually the starting of a question.
The one you are photographing is not a subject. He or she is a fellow being. The camera is often a barrier to this,
though phones, with their constraints, urge us to go closer, not just physically, but emotionally. Converse, observe
and feel. The most intimate of photographic moments happen when are least expecting them. But then, they are
always the little events, the ones that still weigh so much.
Untitled
by David Alan Harvey
You want to make a
picture of whats in front
of you and connect it
with whats inside your
heart. Too much gear in
the middle will just get
in the way. That is why
I always say that its not
about what it looks like,
but what it feels like.
The legendary David Alan
Harveys iPhone work
will be featured in an
upcoming interview.
To make gorgeous portraits
of your closest ones
A Portrait Affair
Turn to page 68
Cover photograph by
Bhumika Bhatia
Raj Lalwani
raj.lalwani@betterphotography.in
Goldin is one of the most inuential photographers of our age. After The Ballad of Sexual Dependency, an iconic work that
pushed boundaries and explored questions of morality, her new work is a surprisingly delicate take on childhood.
David Alan Harvey/Magnum Photos
64
The dynamic range of
the camera falls just a
little short of the mark.
Here, I wish that the
highlights on the chair
and on the wall were not
blown out.
Gionee Elife E7
Ambarin Afsar wonders whether the Gionee Elife E7, a phone that is
aimed at cellphone photographers, lives up to its claims.
Made For Shooting?
M
ost cellphones are targetted
at people who are extremely
social, and some even have
a button dedicated to social
networking sites like Facebook
and Twitter. Very few are aimed at the
growing market of serious cellphone
photographers.
And so, it is interesting to see Gionee
make their foray into the Indian market
with a agship that claims that it is Made
for Shooting. There is a huge amount
of competition in the Rs. 20,00030,000
price segment, including last-gen
agships, older iPhones and Oppos
innovative swivelling camera, the N1.
In comparison, the Gionee Elife E7 has a
rather high camera resolution and some
attractive features and ergonomics.
Whats in the Box?
A 16MP primary camera and an interface
dedicated to advanced users is the USP of
the E7. I must say that I was quite impressed
with the frame rate, the writing speed and
the buffer capacity of the phone.
TEST
This strange banding
and posterisation are
what occurred when
I pointed the camera
at the sun, which was
partially hidden by trees.
TEST
A Radically Different Camera Interface
The interface is very similar to the one found
on the Samsung Galaxy camera, in terms of
virtual dials and sliders. While Im extremely
pleased to nd this sort of an interface in a
phone, I also have a few grouses with it, most
of which are rst generation issues and can
easily be ironed out with a rmware update.
But Not Without Issues
Firstly, summoning the advanced mode
is a two-tap option and if you dont know
what that little icon on the bottom right of
the screen does, chances are, you will never
hit it, and never access the advanced mode.
This needs to be better labelled. The ISO,
WB and Exposure Compensation sliders
need to be made a little larger. Right now,
either the touchscreen is not responsive
enough, or the sliders are too small to be
accessed and moved quickly.
Shooting Speed and Image Quality
The camera is quite fast at focusing,
however, there is a certain amount of shutter
lag that slows down response time. This is a
serious drawback because most cellphones
today perform very well in this department,
and offer virtually no shutter lag. The low
light quality is decent, but the dynamic range
isnt as good as other phones in this price
range, and the optics are lacking.
Priced at Rs. 26,999, the Elife E7 aims to
be complete value for money, but fails to do
so mostly due to rst-gen interface issues,
shutter lag and subpar optical quality, which
results in are and other problems. Wait for
the second generation version.
AT A GLANCE
SPECIFICATIONS
16MP back camera, 8MP front camera, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, Quad-core
2.2 GHz, 2500mAh battery, Rs. 26,999
WHAT WE LIKE
The superfast burst shooting capacity, the cameras innovative interface
WHAT WE DISLIKE
Sliders that do not slide fast enough, interface glitches
WHY BUY IT?
The interface is the E7s best feature, but that too comes with its own
imperfections. It will appeal to those who want great control.
The colours straight
out of the camera
are quite nice, but
sometimes, I spotted a
strange sort of purple
discolouration or
fringing as is visible at
the bottom of the image.
INSTAFOLLOW NOW
@batsaboutcats is a
street photographer
from Mumbai who
enjoys shooting quirky
scenes, portraits
and abstracts that
catch her fancy.
Quiet landscapes,
encounters with
passersby and nature
shots are also what
you are likely to see.
FINAL RATINGS 75%
CAMERA FEATURES 8MP front camera, advanced UI, no slow shutter mode
12/15
IMAGE QUALITY Decent low light quality, light sources always posterise
25/35
VIDEO QUALITY Camera records 1080p video, front facing camera shoots 720p 17/20
HANDLING Feels plasticky, but is sturdy; camera app needs to be improved 11/15
SPEED & RESPONSIVENESS Fast AF, but considerable shutter lag 10/15
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Another instance of
the manner in which
the light source in the
frame has blown out.
While I was metering
for the foreground
and anticipated
blown out highlights,
I did not expect to
see posterisation.
66
Oppo R829
Conchita Fernandes puts the Oppo R829 to
the test, and nds out if the cameras phone
is being too ambitious in its claims.
Fighting a
Tough Battle
C
oming from a family of phones,
who have given us the swiveling
206 rotating cameraphonethe
Oppo N1, the 8MP Oppo R829
looks promising. While it assures
you of good low light performance, the
phones camera does not quite hit the mark.
A Laidback Camera Interface
I was surprised by the lack of additional
options on the phone. By this, I mean that
there were no fancy lters or effects that
I could apply to my images. This is actually
a good thing as the simplicity makes the
overall user experience more pleasant and
less confusing.
However, Nothing Exceptional!
The Oppo R829 has an 8MP rear camera
that produces decent quality. The optics
are sharp, but when light sources are in
the frame, the are control is not as good
as other phones in this price range.
I had a few issues with the cameras
focusing, where it would fail to focus on
the subject. I had to turn off the camera
app and go back to it after a few seconds.
And though the R829 is pegged around
low light photography, similarly priced
phones like the Lumia 920 and iPhone 4S
do a better job in extremely low light.
Not a Good Deal
With a price tag of Rs. 24,990, I nd that
the Oppo R829 to be expensive, if it is
only the camera that you are buying this
for. Unlike some of the more expensive
Oppo phones, this one does not have any
standout features that are completely
TEST
The Exposure
Compensation
tool would have
given the camera
a slight edge
to its overall
average features,
but it is currently
not there.
AT A GLANCE
SPECIFICATIONS
8MP, Android 4.2.2 Jellybean, 5-inch 1280x720 Capactive Touch Screen,
Quad-core 1.3GHZ 2GHz processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB storage (not
expandable), Rs. 24,990.
WHAT WE LIKE
Minimal camera interface, sharp images in good light
WHAT WE DISLIKE
No exposure compensation, slow focusing
FINAL RATINGS 74%
CAMERA FEATURES Continuous shooting up to 20 shots, 8MP, 5MP front camera
12/15
IMAGE QUALITY Sharp images, average low light performance, lens ares up
27/35
VIDEO QUALITY Average quality 720p video, cant capture stills during video 12/20
HANDLING No Exposure Compensation feature 11/15
SPEED & RESPONSIVENESS Fairly decent with a few hiccups in the AF 12/15
APPS YOU CAN TRY
InstaShape (Android,
free) is a simple
app that lets you
choose the shape
of your photograph.
It provides a list of
several shapes to
choose fromranging
from the usual circles
and triangles to hearts
and owers. Users can
also play around with
the apps transparency
feature and adjust the
opacity of the shapes.
Conchita Fernandes
unique. The lack of Full HD video is also
rather strange, considering this is 2014.
The Oppo R829 is a good phone with
excellent battery life, but cameraphones
like the aforementioned Lumia 920 and
iPhone 4S provide far better quality.
The images out of
the box are a little dull,
but you can recover a
good amount of detail to
play with, when editing
the image in a software
or app.
67
Listening to the Silent Notes of Life
Constantly trying to walk on a tightrope between commercial and documentary photography, Amit describes himself saying, Im like an octopus who likes to deal with
different things at the same time. You can call me a schizophrenic photographer. The moments in this monthly diary are excerpts from his ongoing work titled Roznaama.
CELLPHONE DIARIES
P
hotographers often love drama. Be it exaggerated
expressions, characters frozen in animated action
or a moment that is truly momentous, such images
are the obvious suspects, ones that immediately attract
attention. In recent years though, I have found myself
gradually moving away from such imagery.
There is a certain magic in the absence of drama.
It could be something seemingly trivial that triggers a
memory and creates a sense of nostalgia. A curtain that
slowly, gracefully moves to signal the rst gust of wind
that the monsoon brings... these images, for me, are the
silent notes of life, playing out, one moment at a time.
It is a way of seeing and a way of being, not dictated by
my gear, but yes, the constraints of a cameraphone help,
as it demands a more intimate approach.
Of course, the whole idea that everything around
you is a potential photograph is also a dangerous
generalisation, especially in the cellphone age, with
everyone obsessively documenting every little thing
around. How do you know whether you are shooting a
mundane snapshot or actually seeing the mundane in a
new light? There is no shortcut, no simple answer, just
the fact that you have to have an open mind, an alert eye
and a sensitivity towards the smaller nuances of life.
Amit Mehra
67
A Portrait Affair
It is said that a persons portrait can give you a glimpse into his soul.
Conchita Fernandes gives you a few tips to help you in this endeavour.
JULY 201 4
W
hat was your rst image?
It would have probably
been a photograph of
a close friend or a dear
family member, essentially
a portrait. The cellphone has in fact made
this experience even more easier and fun.
Moreover, it has reduced the stiff, posed
quality that portraits are known for and have
made them more personal.
Watch Out for the Background
Barring environmental portraits, it is
advisable to keep the background of your
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CELLPHONE TECHNIQUE
Sometimes its okay
to move away from
the traditional frame,
both in terms of pose
and setting, as well
as the frame created
by the app.
Shot with: Nokia Lumia 1020
subject plain and simple. You want to
minimise the viewer being distracted by a
colourful or patterned backdrop.
Ambient Light is Good Light
It is best that you stick to natural light as it is
the easiest and the most non-fussy light that
you can get your hands on. A window or a
door will be your subjects best friend, where
there is plenty of light streaming through.
How Close is too Close?
Owing to wide lenses in cameraphones,
you have to be wary about how close
you are to your subject. Avoid holding
the phone parallel to the persons face.
Look around you.
There will always be
objects or props lying
around. Use them to
create goofy portraits
of your subject.
Shot with: Xolo Q800
When you are out
shooting, nd interesting
elements in the
environment around you.
The rainbow here creates
a colourful arc-like
frame over the subject.
Shot with: Gionee Elife E7
Supriya Joshi
Ambarin Afsar
Supriya Joshi
69
69
CELLPHONE TECHNIQUE
The beauty about
making portraits is that
they are not dependent
on the venue. All you
need is favourable
lighting conditions and
you are good to go!
Shot with: Xolo Q800
INSTAFOLLOW NOW
Varun Thota
(@vnthota) is an
Instagrammer based
in Macau, Hong Kong.
He has a penchant
for photographing
symmetrically pleasing
photographs of the
architecture in the city.
Always carry
your cellphone.
Wait, you
already do that,
right? So always
keep looking
for images!
When shooting a
portrait of a child, you
may have to get down on
your knees to match his
height level.
Shot with: Oppo N1
Looking away from the
camera can reveal your
subjects delicate side.
Shot with: Samsung
Galaxy Nexus
Raj Lalwani Ambarin Afsar
Instead, step back a few paces and shoot.
Additionally, place the phone at the level
of your subjects chin, in order to avoid
creating a distorted-looking portrait.
Achieving Depth of Field
There is very little that one can do when
it comes to shooting a shallow depth-of-
eld portrait when using a cellphone.
CELLPHONE TECHNIQUE
70
If you are planning to
take a conventional route,
make sure to place your
subject in the centre.
Shot with: Oppo N1
Ambarin Afsar
A portrait-making
opportunity can occur
at the most unlikely
of places. Here, the
reection of the leaves
complements the
solemn expression of
the subject.
Shot with: Samsung
Galaxy Nexus
However, there are several apps that can
aid you in this, one being AfterFocus.
Where Should You Place Your Subject?
You dont always have to include your
subjects entire face in the frame. What you
can do is include only a part of the persons
face, and maybe frame it in such a way that it
appears on the extreme right or left section
of the image. The negative space in the rest
of the photograph will deviate the viewers
attention toward your subject.
To Use Flash or Not?
If you must use ash, make sure that you
use a diffuser. This could either be a piece
of butter paper or tissue, and will lead to a
more softer-looking portrait.
Taking Advantage of Your Conducive Device
On account of the cellphone being a
convenient device to hold and carry
around, you will nd it easier to use in
photographing from unusual shooting
points. Think more along the lines of
capturing an overhead environmental
portrait, where the subject is looking up at
you, while being surrounded with his/her
favourite things.

The Inconspicuous Phone
Of the many features available on the
phone, its ability to mute its shutter
sound is great. This aspect comes in
handy especially when shooting portraits
of infants, who are sensitive to even the
faintest sound.
CELLPHONE TECHNIQUE
71
A portrait
can be direct,
pleasing and
beautiful.
But sometimes,
a bit of mystery
and mood is
welcome too.
Raj Lalwani
Ruin Aesthetic
Feyza Ceylan, an architect from Turkey, shares her fascinating ideas and
opinions about derelict spaces in a conversation with Ambarin Afsar.
Feyza Ceylan
She does pilates twice a
week, and goes jogging
thrice a week.
Feyza loves watercolour
paintings and visiting
museums and galleries.
The work of Henri
Matisse inspires her and
his Femme Endormie is
her favourite artwork.
Since she is an architect,
she is close to industrial
design and is an avid
follower of the news,
trends and materials in
the feld.
Instagram:
@_feyza
Twitter:
@FCcakmak
FIND FEYZA HERE!
Feyza describes
herself as an urban
explorer. She is
naturally drawn towards
abandoned structures
and rusty objects.
72
B E T T E r P H o T o g r a P H y
ProFILE
JULy 201 4
She does not believe
in interfering with
the place or touching
the objects before
photographing them.
O
ften, passersby have asked me
this question, Why do you like
shooting dilapidation, rubbish
and decay? What is so fascinating
about that pile of garbage?
Why are you shooting that fruit peel on the
road? People nd it very hard to fathom
that anyone would be drawn to such things.
It is only when they look at the images that
they realise there can be beauty in what is
considered ugly and undesirable by the
majority. Feyza Ceylan, an architect from
Izmit, Turkey has a similar fascination.
Not all her
photographs come
from professional
excursions. She just pays
great attention to her
surroundings and chance
upon these places.
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ProFILE
JULy 201 4
The Corrosive Effect of Time
Feyza is drawn to abandoned buildings
partly due to her profession as well. She is
involved with the renovation of historic
buildings. These places are more attractive
to me than newly renovated ones. I love the
corrosive effect of time on the structures.
The resistance ratio and the aging of the
buildings depend on geography, the climate
conditions and the culture of the people of
that region.

A Little Surgical Intervention
She takes her renovation work really
seriously. We need to determine the extent
to which we can renovate and preserve.
It is important for historical places to
survive and be transmitted to the next
generation. However, in some cases, instead
of renovating, she ends up freezing the
place, where she touches up the building
only a little. Too much renovation can make
She loves dimly lit,
dark environments and
the light that lters from
windows and doors.
There are traces of lives
lived, old peeled paint,
rust, decay and grime.
Tiredness and
obsoleteness are
the ngerprints
of the abandoned
building structures.
While she enjoys
her excursions to
these places and is
fascinated by the
marks left by the
ravages of time, she
is also saddened by
the decay.
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ProFILE
JULy 201 4
Feyza mentions how
pictures of women with
skinny legs or outrageous
shoes receive the
most number of likes.
However, she does not
always think that these
are the best photographs.
Find your own Way: Nobody can teach you how to convert abandoned grime into
a piece of art hanging on the wall. It can only come from your way of seeing.
Document almost Scientifcally: If an old building in your area is condemned, do
your best to document each and every part of it before it is demolished.
Want to Begin a Similar Project of Your Own?
Cultural differences
have an enormous
impact on the status of
abandoned buildings.
Also, she is less likely
to nd furnishings
and equipment in
impoverished localities.
a building look as unnatural as a person
who has taken cosmetic surgery to the
extreme. However, nobody objects to a little,
unnoticeable surgical intervention.
The Watercolour Effect
She likens her photographs to watercolour
paintings by using a very interesting analogy.
Watercolours dry quickly, and are a lot like
abandoned houses. I have to hurry or move
quickly or the artwork is spoilt.
Shoot and Run
Most of the abandoned places house
homeless people or animals. Feyza feels that
some of them even echo the atmosphere
of the movie I am Legend. I feel that one
day I am going to come across a ferocious
otherworldly creature instead of a human
or animal. Compared to this, the prospect of
an encounter with a malicious human starts
to seem pleasant. She believes that she can
act quickly because of fear. Shoot and run,
she says, Adrenalin also adds pleasure to
making photos.
Why Speed is of The Essence
Feyza makes these pictures with her
iPhone and she has recently bought an
AGPtek Circular Clip 180 sheye lens.
When shooting with DSLRs, you need to
be in a place you already know. Often, I have
very little time to be in a structure because
it may be imsy. Therefore, a simple,
lightweight cellphone is my best bet.
Often, when it isnt possible for her to enter
a place, she simply sticks her arm into the
building and tries to make a photograph.
It is heartening to hear Feyza talk about
derelict sites with such passion. I follow
the grime. We need to document these
places before their identities are lost or
before they are torn down.
PROFILE
She is especially
drawn towards windows
with curtains and
drapes, and shafts
of light ltering
through them.
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JULy 201 4
READERS GALLERY
Better Cellphone Photographys readers stop
to take some stunning images for this months
theme View from the Window.
Rainy Day
Abstracts
Amit Vakil, Chamba

What made me shoot this:
I was on my way to
Dharamsala when
I noticed that the water
droplets created an
abstract pattern in
combination with the
trees. The design
fascinated me.
What I learnt:
While phones allow
limited techniques, they
let you concentrate on
composition instead.
Shot with: Samsung GT
S7530
JULY 201 4
READERS GALLERY
Winner
Honourable Mention
76
JULY 201 4 B E T T E R P H O T O G R A P H Y
Seeing Double
Rohan Mishra, Chennai
The symmetry and
beautiful surroundings
with just a hint of motion
made this picture for me.
What I learnt: Keeping
my hand steady was
quite difcult. I shot
multiple images to pick
the sharpest one later as
camera shake would ruin
the picture.
Shot with: Lenovo P780
To be featured on these
pages, participate in our
contests by logging on to
betterphotography.in/contests
and w
in exciting prizes!
Honourable Mention
Honourable Mention
Ceiling Drive
Romel Dutta, Bengaluru
At rst, I was
concentrating on the
prayer ags, when
I noticed the reection of
the mountains and passing
cars. I liked the confusion
the illusion created, so
I made this photo instead.
What I learnt: Compostion
was key to emphasising
the illusion. I wanted
the reection to be
completely visible but the
cars themselves had to be
almost nonexistent.
Shot with: Motorola Moto G
Swipe
Selvin Kurian, Mumbai
This was an impromptu
image. The cleaner
dangling on ropes,
cleaning the glass
walls made for a
beautiful silhouette.
What I learnt: As I had only
a few seconds to get the
shot, timing and getting
a sharp image were
absolutely essential.
Shot with: Samsung Galaxy
Note N7000
Grand Prize
The winner, Romel Dutta, wins The Tao of
Photography: Seeing Beyond Seeing by Philippe L
Gross and S I Shapiro.
Take a look at all the nominees for this contest:
http://betterphotography.in/?p=29274
77
READERS GALLERY
77
M
onsoon is the season of foiled
plans and dull weekends.
On a Sunday morning, you
decide to go out for a shoot.
You pack your bags and
get ready. Then it starts pouring cats
and dogs and suddenly, you are stuck at
home for what is bound to be a long and
agonisingly boring day.
But dont let the rain gods ruin your
photographic plans. Who says you cant
shoot fun projects at home? Here are a
few tips to help you make the most of a
day spent indoors.
Are the rains playing spoilsport again? Sarang Naik gives you 15
photography ideas to make the most of your time indoors.
JULY 201 4
SHOOTI NG TECHNI QUE
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JULY 201 4
SHOOTING TECHNIQUE
Explore still life
subjects in the kitchen
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ON ASSIGNMENT
Splash Away!
Innovative yet simple
ideas to freeze splashes
94
TIPS AND TRICKS
On how to
shoot intimate
landscape photos
102
Fresh fruits and
vegetables make great
subjects. Bring out their
colours and contours with
diffused window light.
Bring out the artist
in you. Mix photography
with other art forms like
calligraphy or sketching.
There are a lot of
quirky objects
to shoot at
home. You just
need to have an
eye for detail.
1. Shoot the Mundane Objects of Your House
Have you ever looked closely at the walls
and furniture of your house? They make
great abstract subjects. Get quirky and
include the cleaning marks and cobwebs
in your images.
2. Explore the Window Garden
From owers to insects, there is a world
of beautiful things to shoot in your
indoor garden. Flowers look really fresh
after the rain. Go up close and also include
the raindrops on petals. Search for insects
like jumping spiders or mantises lurking
in your ower pots. They make for great
macro subjects.
3. Raid the Kitchen
No matter where you live, your kitchen is
bound to be a lively place full of clutter.
Experiment with Light
Painting: Create light
trails using colourful
LED lights and your
DSLRs Bulb mode
with a cable release.
You can also use
the Night Landscape
mode of your
compact camera.
If you are shooting
indoors, make sure
the place is dark.
If outdoors, shoot in
low light and avoid any
bright points of light
such as street lamps.
You can create unique
spheres by swinging a
light by a sling.
80
Vivek Bansal
Humanise common
household objects
like matchboxes or
vegetables and create
your own quirky photo
stories with them.
Randall Henriques
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When shooting simple
subjects like this, pay
more attention to the
little details such as
contrasting colours
and intricate textures.
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Use your free
time to study
the works of
your favourite
photographers
and read their
personal blogs.
You can do a lot with
a single light source.
Shoot multiple images
with different lighting
angles and then merge
them together to make
the nal image look like
a multiple light shot.
Look for colours and patterns that
stand out. Shoot the cutlery, the food
or just the mess.
4. Capture All 26 Letters of the Alphabet
This is a really fun challenge. Find objects
in your house that look like one of the 26
letters. Search every nook and cranny.
Keep the composition simple. Shoot them
against the same background and with the
same settings.
If you have trouble nding a letter, then
form the shape with whatever materials
you have at hand. In this way, you can also
create words and sentences.
5. Shoot the View From Your Window
You dont have to be out in the rain to
photograph the drama. Peep out from
the window and maybe even include it
in the frame to give the images a different
perspective. You could also shoot through
textured glass or a transparent umbrella.
6. Build a Light Box and Shoot Products
A simple light tent or light box can be
made with a cardboard and butter paper or
a white cotton cloth. Use ashguns, CFLs
or even table lamps to light the products.
You can make reectors by wrapping silver
foil over cardboard sheets.
82
Shoot everything shiny you can nd
from wristwatches to perfume bottles.
Try to make the visual treatment similar to
an advertisement.
7. Build a Makeshift Portrait Studio
Use white bedsheets and mirrors as your
light modiers. Turn colourful bedsheets
into the studio backdrop or custom dye
your own backdrop.
Do a crash course on posing for
portraits with your friends or family.
Think creatively and make optimum use
of your equipment. Having multiple
lights helps, but even if you have a single
ashgun, you can still get beautiful,
diffused light by bouncing it off the
ceiling or walls.
8. Shoot With the Least Used Lens
Dust off the grime from a lens that you
rarely take out. Challenge yourself to
work around its limitations and nd
good pictures.
9. Make Collages With Cellphone Photos
Use a collage-making app or good old
Photoshop to create funky collages from
your cellphone images. Select a particular
collage format (square with four photos
Shoot a Timelapse
Video: Find a good
subject like the
moving clouds or
ower buds.
Set the exposure
and focus manually.
Decide the number
of photos that you
will need to make a
time-lapse video.
For example, a 30
second video at 24
frames per second
will need 24 x 30 =
720 photos.
Sarang Naik
83
works very well) and compose new images
with that collage in mind. Make sure that
the app you are using does not reduce the
picture quality.

10. Or Make a Patchwork Photo Montage
Photograph a scene in parts with a
telephoto lens and then merge all the parts
together with the help of Photoshop or a
photo-stitching software. Shoot several
overlapping images so that you will have
more options while postprocessing.
11. Try Out Freelensing
A quick and easy technique, freelensing
lets you turn your normal lens into a tilt
lens. Hold the disconnected lens in front of
the camera and turn it at an angle to get the
tilt effect. It creates a shallow depth of
eld and makes life-sized objects look
much smaller.
12. Collaborate With Your Buddies
Call up a friend and ask him or her to
make an interesting image. Shoot another
image yourself and make a diptych from
both the images. You can invite more
people to shoot and create collages
Shooting images like
this one indoors and in
low light means you may
have to use a tripod to
get sharp images.
Stalk the creepy
crawlies at home.
Geckos, spiders and
moths are always
hiding in the corners.
Try Your Hand at High
Speed Photography:
Keep your speedlight
on manual and at the
lowest power (less
power=more speed).
The camera should
be on the highest sync
speed. It is crucial to
shoot in a dark
room. Play around
with water droplets
and splashes.
Prasanth Joseph
Sayan Das
84
from them. You can also decide on a theme
in advance.
13. Become an Architectural Photographer
Have you ever tried to shoot architectural
images but never had access to good
shooting locations? Well, start with your
own home! Use a wide angle lens or rent
or borrow if you dont have one. You can
also make panoramas to capture larger
expanses. Use HDR or multiple ashguns
to get professional results.
14. Learn a New Postprocessing Technique
Use your free time to learn and perfect
the Photoshop technique that daunts you
the most. Watch tutorials online and read
about layer masks, perspective control
and histograms. Your images will thank
you for it.
15. Enter an Ongoing Photo Contest
There are several free-to-enter
photography contests on the web. You can
also contact local photography associations
and ask about ongoing photography salons
and exhibitions.
Read the terms and conditions carefully
before you enter. Be very critical when
reviewing and selecting your photos and
send out only the best ones.
Shooting through any
transluscent object like
frosted glass can give
you fascinating results.
Make a Photo Calendar: There are several websites that help you do this.
You just need to select a template and upload your images, or create a design
of your own in Photoshop. Gift the copies to your family and friends.
Make a Pinhole Camera: Its simple and fun! There are several easy methods
available on the internet that make use of stuff lying around the house.
Experiment with exposures ranging from a few seconds to a few months.
Make an LCD Viewnder: No more squinting at the cameras LCD screen
in bright sunshine. Just build a viewnder from a cardboard sheet or a
plastic box. You can also use the eye cup and magnifying glass from a pair of
toy binoculars.
Dull and diffused light
is best for black and
white photography.
You will be able to
capture a richer and
wider range of grey
tones with such light.
Fun DIY Ideas To Try At Home
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Window light is
your best friend
and makes food
look natural.
You dont need
studio ash
units. Just use
the window
as a giant
light source.
A great food shot
depends as much on the
styling and composition
as the lighting. Think of
the surface as a
sketchpad. Here, the
raisins in the cup have
served as soil, and the
sprig of the herb looks
like a sapling.
86
Your kitchen can help you cook up sumptuous and stimulating still life
images. Ambarin Afsar tells you how to explore this box of goodies.
H
ow often have you considered
your kitchen as a location to shoot
still life? You may want to hone
your skills by doing something
completely new and challenging.
Or, you might simply have a passion
for food. Your own kitchen can provide
you with a wonderful training ground
that keeps evolving. Its got raw material,
delicious cooked things, utensils and spices.
Heres how you can make the most of
all these things.
Summon the Spices
In most traditional Indian kitchens, the
spices are stored in a round box with
several cups for each spice. You can
arrange these on a textured wooden
surface and keep a few raw condiments
such as coriander, lemons, or even onions
to add more context, and shoot a top angle
shot, with directional window light.
Remember that your choice of
background will be based on the nature of
your subject. Spices are earthy and exotic.
This is why wooden surfaces or warm,
earthy colours and fabrics embellish the
nature of spices really well.
Style the Utensils and Kitchen Accessories
While the blanket term utensils can sound
clinical and boring, the kitchen houses
Migle Seikyte
86
Bounce an
external
ashgun off a
white wall or the
ceiling for to get
soft, diffused
light on the dish.
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JULY 201 4
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A simple collage of
the cooking process
can also make for a
delicious-looking image.
You can even arrange
the pictures so that they
follow the recipe.
many interesting implementsfrom apple
corers to knives, whisks and beaters. If you
are shooting more than one, then you can
group them based on their function, nature
(whether plastic, steel or wood), or even as
per the recipe they are used in.
Backgrounds can vary from plain, solid
colours and surfaces to textured ones or
you could shoot them hanging on a nail
rack against a wall.
Combine the Accessory with Its Use
An egg beater can be placed in a clear bowl
with egg yolk and eggshells kept right beside
it against a plain white background. A roller
pin can be styled with a round roti on the
patra or platform, with sprinkles of our.
Before it is Cooked
Usually, food is photographed after it is
cooked. But the raw materials that go into
shoot at home. You just need to
have an eye for
Besides being a
convenient source of
light, sometimes the
character of the windows
themselves can help add
more context to your
image. Also, while granite
is a fairly common
surface, it embellishes
the fruit really well in
this image. R
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When shooting re,
use a relatively telephoto
focal length and look for
tight compositions.
Soak cotton
balls in water
and microwave
them for a
few seconds.
Place them
behind your
dish, and
you willl get
instant steam!
This image is a
composite of the drop
of honey suspended
from the top, and the
apple with the honey
rolling off it.
Lars Falkdalen Lindahl
Sarang Naik
89
making a consummate item have their
own appeal. Create a composition with the
various ingredients of a recipe. If you are
using raw vegetables, keep a water spray
handy to douse them with water and make
them look fresh. Shoot the food during
the various preparation stages, right from
chopping to boiling and or steaming.
While your setup will consist of the stove
or the chopping board, you can ensure that
your framing isolates a single pot or pan.
Use the kitchen table as a backdrop, and
think of every vessel as a potential still life
subject, you will have pots of fun!
Using only ve basic colours, Richa Chopada shows us
how easy it is to arrange monochromatic palettes.
ON ASSI GNMENT
90
Description: An attempt to segregate and analyse
colours from my day-to-day life colour palette.
Duration: It took me 15 days to decide the colours,
set the background and shoot and edit the
nal photographs.
Notes: Monochrome still-life paintings and graphics
have been a great source of inspiration for
my project.
My Assignment
In a way, my project is
inspired by the popular
food arrangement
shots that I love to see
on Instagram.
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JULY 201 4
For this series I used
a Nikon D5000 along
with a AF-S DX Zoom
Nikkor 1855mm
kit lens. Besides
this I also used a
Manfrotto 055XPROB
Pro Tripod and
a reector.
My Equipment
Each image took me a
little over an hour, right
from the test shots to
the nal composition.
While photographing
this series, I couldnt
help myself from
constantly popping one
of the Falero candies into
my mouth!
Since I associate
myself with all
the objects used
in the images,
I decided to
show my hands
in the frame,
to establish a
visual connect.
A
rent we all hoarders of peculiar
oddities? As much as we try to
get rid of them, there are always
a few that linger due to their
sentimental value. A few of my
possessions are an old toffee tin now turned
into a sewing box, passed down from my
grandmother, a jigsaw puzzle and a quirky
cat-shaped toy phone. I decided to unearth a
few more such items and have a little fun!
My Perspective
I had a vague idea about the project for quite
some time. Soon, it developed into a more
clear-cut concept, when I realised that a lot
of my possessions were red in colour. It was
quite a surprising revelation!
This got me thinking about how we are
unknowingly connected to the different
colours present in our homes. In many
ways, the project was an exercise of
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ON ASSI GNMENT
While photographing
my hand along with the
different items, I ensured
that it did not cover the
objects in the image.
After the individual
images were shot,
they were merged in
Photoshop using the
masking tool.
discovery and the unearthing of favourite
objects from my childhood.
The Process
The work that went behind the project
was not too hard. In fact, procuring the
materials was the toughest job, as I only
wanted to use objects from around the
house. I also decided to shoot the images in
my shed because of the abundant natural
light streaming through it.
Once I had collected all the objects,
I placed them on a similar coloured piece
of chart paper, on a low table. I have to
admit that it was a little taxing to arrange
and then rearrange the objects till I was
happy with the nal arrangement. I used
a silver reector to minimise any shadow
areas in the image. At the same time, I still
wanted to maintain some shadows, so as
to retain the three-dimensional aspect of
the items.
Originally, I had set out to include a
yellow coloured arrangement as part of the
series, but I wasnt able to procure enough
items. Nevertheless, I do plan to include
more colours to the project and maybe
even create a two-colour arrangement.

To view more photographs from Richas work, you
can visit www.facebook.com/Inspilux
Taking Scale into Consideration: Ensure that you do not include objects that
are too small, because they may get overshadowed by the larger ones in
the composition.
Maintaining a Variation: It is not necessary that you use colours of the same
shade. A little diversity is good. For instance, under red, you can use vermillion
or even maroon.
Planning for the Worst: Collect a good number of objects. It will help you in case
there are any last minute changes in the arrangement.
Tips for Fine Tuning Your Photographs of Arrangements
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Bura Na Mano,
Holi Hai!: This image
is dedicated to Holi,
the festival of colours
celebrated in India.
The festival is about
the victory of good over
evil, and so, the crown
signies the triumph
of good.
Exif Details: 1/2sec at f/13
(ISO 100)
Dr Mayur Davda attempts to capture splashes that are unusual with
the help of unconventional and surreal concepts and backgrounds.
I
mages of water droplets fascinated me,
especially when I learnt that the artists
had made them using entry-level DSLRs.
I decided I wanted to try this technique
as well, but for about a year, I couldnt get
it right. I used eye droppers, burettes, and
all kinds of lighting systems. I realised that
I needed to switch from borrowed studio
lights to using ash. Soon, I was able to
freeze stunning formations.
Splash Away!
Description: To capture extraordinary images of
splashes and to explore a subject that has been
quite well shot, the world over, yet with a twist.
Duration: An ongoing project that started a year
ago, and has only grown since.
Notes: Splashes are never the same twice over.
This can be a disadvantage when the splash turns
out to be larger than your anticipated frame.
My Assignment
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JULY 201 4
ON ASSI GNMENT
The motion blur doubles
up as leading lines that
guide the eye through
the photograph.
Untitled: This is a chance
formation. The stem
of the droplet appears
curved, which is very
atypical. Collisions that
are produced from
multiple drops of water
(in this case, three drops)
result in varying and
unpredictable splashes.
(ISO 100)
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ON ASSI GNMENT
JULY 201 4
I used a Canon
EOS 600D camera
along with a 100mm
f/2.8 macro lens
and a Manfrotto
tripod. For the
lighting setup, I used
four ash units by
Yongnuo along with
a dedicated Yongnuo
wireless trigger for
Canon cameras.
My Equipment
The Battle of the
Sexes: This is a simple
mushroom-shaped
formation of a droplet
of milk. The theme is
a playful competition
between girls and boys.
I covered the ashes
with blue and pink
gelatine papers to get
this result.
(ISO 100)
The Spirit of India:
The image is the result
of one drop of plain
milk colliding with three
differently coloured
drops of acrylic paint
(green, white and
orange), on a sheet of
black exiglass.
(ISO 100)
My Perspective
Simply freezing splashes can get very
monotonous, so I wanted these images
to have denitive concepts and ideas.
I wanted the splashes to convey a strong
story, and so I experimented with various
elements and backgrounds, turning them
into props.
The Process
Once I think of a concept, I start visualising
it, and look for reference backgrounds
online. After sourcing these backgrounds,
I print them on an A4 paper and include
them in my setup. Sometimes, I also
use unusual elements like smoke or
aluminium foil as backgrounds. I use a
tripod and work in a dark room to avoid
ambient light completely. Before I switch
off the lights, I ensure that the camera has
focused on the area where the droplets will
strike the surface.
My subjects usually include plain water
or milk to which colour has been added.
Like any other form of photography,
I have to work on the composition, and
also the subject. I have to be careful about
the consistency of the liquid and the
height from which it is dropped, so that
I can get a striking formation.
I modify my compositions by increasing
or decreasing the number of drops and
sometimes even tinkering with the liquid
kept in the container (called a reservoir)
that accepts the droplets. The permutations
and combinations are unlimited.
Personally, I prefer compositions that
involve a low magnication ratio. In such
frames, the eld of view is large enough
to incorporate the reection of the splash
JULY 201 4
96
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New Life in a Mothers
Womb: It was really hard
to get this as I shot it
through a soap bubble.
(ISO 100)
Incredible India:
To get vibrant colours
that dene the people of
India, I used aluminium
foil, and three ash units
with ash gels aimed at
the foil. I also shot at
magnication ratio of
1:5 so as to include the
reection.
(ISO 100)
on the surface of water, or a solid element
like exiglass.
So far, the experience has been extremely
delightful and I have achieved some really
surreal results. One good shot makes me
forget the pain of 500 failed shots. The high
point of the series was a vase-like formation
that I got when I used more than two drops
for liquid collision. I named this image
Holy Grail. When I exhibited the series, it
was visited by a priest who was particularly
fascinated by the image and its title, and
so I gifted it to him. In all likelihood, it has
been put up in his church.
The Shutterspeed and Aperture Sweet Spot: Use slow shutterspeeds of 1/2sec, but
always choose apertures as narrow as f/11 and more. This will also depend on the
magnication ratio, and the distance from which you will be making the photo.
Go Manual: Focus manually, and also meter manually. Depending on the camera
or the ash to meter accurately in a dark room will get you nowhere.
Use a Focusing Aid: I use a metal pipe that measures 4cm in length and 1 inch in
diameter in order to achieve focus accurately.
Tips to Achieve the Perfect Droplet Shot
Ultimately, I give my imagination free
rein while ensuring that the resulting
concepts are well thought out and planned.
After that, it all comes down to how they
are executed.
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98
PhotoGuide
Want your photographs reviewed? Send your photographs to
The Editor, Better Photography,
Mumbai-400 016, Maharashtra, India.
E-mail: photocritique@betterphotography.in
JULY 201 4
Deciphering the Street
An intense and aggressive approach to photojournalism has made
Mukesh Parpiani one of Indias most renowned photographers.
He shares his opinion on what makes a good image.
S
treet photography is no easy feat.
Not only does it require you to
spend a lot of time outdoors, but
also demands that you be patient
for the perfect shot. It becomes
imperative for the image to have an
important message and context.
This is why whenever I go out to shoot,
I look for that one newsworthy aspect that
will set my images apart from the others.
The image below was a result of a similar
instance and was photographed a few
years ago.
Maharashtrians are very proud of
their land. The slogan Jai Maharashtra or
Praise be to Maharashtra depicts this
strong sentiment. I, however, feel a little
differently. According to me, while there
is a lot to proud of when it comes to ones
state, it is more important that we think of
India as a country, and not just single out
our own region. This is why I found it both
ironic and interesting when I saw that the
gardener had covered the rst half of the
word Maharashtra, thus resulting in the
phrase Jai Rashtra.
Mukesh Parpiani
A photograph
without an
underlying idea
or context is a
waste of time.
The image of the
gardeners was shot
at Hutatma Chowk,
in the Fort area
of Mumbai.
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SEPTEMBER 201 3

Tips & Tricks
99
The Street is a
Stage 24/7
Unlike other genres
of photography,
there is no xed time
when it comes to
photographing the
residents of the street.
It is a constantly
evolving place that
always has a plethora
of subjects ready for
you to capture.
Try to be
Inconspicuous
This is probably the
most repeated tip
when it comes to
street photography.
If you want to capture
a good moment,
maintaining a low
prole is crucial.
Avoid clothing that will
attract attention.
Learn to blend.
Changing Lenses
Avoid doing this in the
middle of a busy area.
Constantly changing
lenses will increase
the chances of dirt
entering your camera
body and lens. If you
must do it then walk
over to a not so
crowded area.
Pace Yourself
Walk slowly and
observe keenly.
With the amount of
varying activities
taking place in the
street, unless you slow
down and observe,
chances are that you
will miss most of them.
Taking the Law
into Consideration
Unlike the West, India
has not reached the
threshold of restrictive
laws. However, a few
places that you must
avoid are military
bases and government
quarters, religious
sites and private
property. Also be
careful when you
are photographing
minors. Always take
the permission of
the parents.
JULY 201 4
Whether you choose
to photograph in black
and white or colour
completely depends
on what you want to
communicate through
your photograph.
If you are going for a
more rugged-looking
image, then you
may want to dive
into black and white.
Alternatively, colour is
a great way to add a
splash of vibrancy to
your street images.
DON T FORGET
Behind the Scenes with Mukesh Parpiani
Camera Awkwardness
I feel conscious while pointing the camera
at people. How do I overcome this?
Rajesh Kumar, Lucknow, via email
Spend enough time around your subject.
Depending on their demeanour, you
may even want to consider engaging in a
conversation with them. This will bring about
a more personal connect. Also, keep your
equipment to a minimum. Larger bags or
hefty DSLRs tend to intimidate people and
make them less friendly.
What Lens Should I Use?
Does street photography require the usage
of a specic lens?
Arpana Seth, Bhopal, via email

Im a strong advocate of Robert Capas
methodology of If your pictures arent good
enough, you are not close enough. For this
reason, I have always preferred wide lenses.
But at the end of the day, its all about
cultivating your own personal taste. I think
that a prime lens is a good option. One can
make great street portraits using a 50mm or
85mm lens. Alternatively, cellphones can be
a great tool as well.
Getting the Lighting Right
How do I make a well lit portrait, especially
in a spontaneous situation?
Devashish Bhatnagar, Delhi, via email
In the most impromptu of situations,
the best xes are the ones that come to
you instinctively. It is, however, advisable to
invest in lenses that offer wider apertures.
This would allow you to control varying
lighting conditions with a turn of the aperture
dial. Also, keeping a battery-operated LED
light handy can be helpful in the form of a
ll light. Avoid using the camera ash as it
often renders an image at, and may solicit
unnecessary attention.
What exactly goes into the making of the perfect photograph?
Here are some frequently asked questions about photographing the street,
answered by Mukesh Parpiani. Q&A
You will have to visit several places and shoot countless photographs before you can arrive at that one important image.
Sarang Naik
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MAY 201 4
PHOTOGUI DE
B E T T E R P H O T O G R A P H Y B E T T E R P H O T O G R A P H Y
Sumanta Podder,
Kolkata
Camera: Nikon D3100
Aperture: f/4.5
Shutterspeed: 1/20sec
ISO: 400
Mukesh says:
I like the light falling on the boys face.
The bamboo on the extreme right side of the
image is a cause of distraction.
A tighter crop would have been preferable.
Amrita says:
The consistent contrast across the frame is appealing.
I like the candid and powerful moment.
Zooming out slightly would have prevented the boys
foot from being cropped.
Conchita says:
The string in the centre of the image gives the
photograph a sense of direction.
At the same time the string also overlaps the gure of
the man, thus creating a distraction.
The cloth located in the upper portion of the image is
slightly distracting. The crop could have been cleaner.
Mukesh says:
I wish the boat on the bottom right corner of the
image had not been cropped so abruptly.
That apart, it is a well framed photograph.
It is also a good example of using a wide lens.
Saumalya Ghosh,
Kolkata
Camera: Nikon D7000
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 640
100
JULY 201 4
101
MAY 201 4 B E T T E R P H O T O G R A P H Y

Mukesh Parpiani
is a noted photojournalist
with a career spanning
nearly four decades.
He began as a freelance
photographer in 1979 and
went on to work for The
Daily for about a decade.
He is currently the Head
of the Piramal Art Gallery
at the National Centre
for the Performing Arts
in Mumbai.
Conchita Fernandes
likes all things quirky
and loves doodling.
She appreciates the
smaller, unnoticed
things in life and makes
it a point to illustrate
her experiences, not
just in photographs, but
also in her drawings.
Amrita Ganguly-
Salian
befriended the camera
23 years ago, and
continues to inspire
many students of
photography. Her critique
is rooted in classical
theories and balances
the photographers
opportunity with the use
of technique.
Our Experts
101
Mukesh says:
The reection of the bystander in the window glass is an
added plus point to the photograph.
The image seems overprocessed.
The current crop of the image does not work for me.
Conchita says:
I like how the subject is not quite off the train.
If only the angle of the shot was tilted slightly, more of
the mans reection would have been visible.
I wonder what a close-up of the moment would look.
Mukesh says:
The soft reections of the legs in the wet sand are the
winning features of the photograph.
However, a tighter frame would have been better.
A little tweak in contrast and highlight would have
rendered in a crisper-looking photograph.
Amrita says:
I nd the reections in the image not sharp enough.
The overall contrast is too low.
I think a low angle shot showing a portion of the sea
would have added an aesthetic value to the photograph.
Make it a habit
to acknowledge
the subjects you
photograph with a
simple thank you!
DON T FORGET
Lamiel Mig,
Canada
Camera: Nikon D7000
Aperture: f/2.5
ISO: 200
Varun Thottathil,
Mumbai
Camera: Canon EOS 400D
Aperture: f/4.5
Shutterspeed: 1/180sed
ISO: 200
101
JULY 201 4
Want to share your ideas and tips? Write to
Email: editor@betterphotography.in
102
JULY 201 4
Chip Away at the Distractions
Look carefully at the scene and keep out
anything that doesnt go well with the
rest of the image. Fill the frame with the
subject and avoid distracting elements in
the background. Dont hesitate to manually
remove some objects like plastic wrappers.
One way to simplify a cluttered scene is
to shoot in the early morning haze when
the smaller details are not easily visible.
MAKE SIMPLICITY A HABIT
If you are shooting in
the RAW mode, then it
is essential to add some
sharpening later to make
the textures pop in an
image like this.
Pay Attention to the Edges
Keep the corners of the image clean and
free of disturbance. Be very mindful of
where you put the edges.
Sometimes, we get so excited by the
subject that we forget to pay attention to
the rest of the image. But remember that
even an image with a strong subject can be
ruined by badly composed edges.
To Zoom in or to Zoom Out
Zooming in or going closer is the easiest
way to simplify your composition. But for
certain landscapes, like a beach or a desert,
zooming out and going ultra wide can
atten out the undulations and give you a
less cluttered image.
Mind the Colours
A simple colour palette easily draws
attention and is pleasing to the eye.
Remember to keep the focal point of the
image brighter in colour as the eye is rst
attracted to the brightest part of the image.
Look for contrasting colours such as
yellow owers against a deep blue sky.
Kareemchamza Hamza
Look at your images
critically and think of
how you can simplify
them further in terms
of colour and form.
Subrata Kar
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JULY 201 4
Use a relatively fast
shutterspeed to capture
sharp reections on the
surface of water bodies.
Choppy water gives more
abstract reections.
Dont Include the Sky
Portray the smaller details of the
landscape instead of the grand vistas.
Traditional landscape photographers
always include the sky to keep the
image realistic. But by excluding it from the
image you can turn the viewers attention
to the intricacies of the landscape.
Concentrate on Composition and Texture
Keep the composition simple but strong.
Pay attention to leading lines and
unconventional viewpoints. Bring out
GOING BEYOND TRADITIONAL LANDSCAPES
Prasanta Mohanty
the texture of the subject by shooting at
sunrise or sunset when the light falls at an
angle. Sharpness is of prime importance in
this case and can make or break the image.
On the other hand, you can decrease
the shutterspeed and blur all the moving
elements like water or clouds.
Use a polarising lter to make the colours
pop and to reduce reections from tree
foliage and water bodies.
Practise Simplicity Even When Not Shooting
Develop the habit of noticing good
compositions even when you dont intend
to make an image. Imagine the nal
picture and think of how you will go about
shooting and processing it. This practice
keeps your photographers eye sharp.
Adding a human
element, or even an
indirect reference like
this one, creates a
sense of scale in your
landscape shots.
Use your speedlight
or pop-up ash to
spotlight a part of
the landscape.
QUICK TIP
Bijoy Jain
104
JULY 201 4
For mist to form on
water, the conditions
need to be just right.
Go at dawn as the mist
evaporates after sunrise.
Dont Be Afraid to Go Abstract
Get closer and photograph the tiny details
of the landscape. Shoot just the lichen on a
rock or the reections on water.
Make use of creative techniques to get
more intriguing images. For example,
if you shake the camera while shooting
trees at a slow shutterspeed, they form
interesting blurs.
Forgo the Wide Angle Lens
Use telephoto zoom lenses (especially in
the range of 70200mm) to compress the
distance between objects. They atten
the eld of view, giving the image a more
two dimensional look. They also help you
single out a part of the landscape especially
when it is not possible to go closer. A lens
with image stabilisation and a constant
aperture is an added bonus.
Look For Interesting Shapes and Patterns
Always keep an eye out for distinct forms
or recurring patterns that stand out as they
become very powerful compositional
elements in the image. For example, the
lines on a tree trunk, algae in a river or
paddy elds when seen from a hill create
some very captivating patterns.
Do Some Research Beforehand
Read as much as you can about the location
before you visit it. Use Google Maps and
see pictures taken by others to get an idea
of how the place looks. Use desktop and
cellphone apps like The Photographers
Ephemeris and Photopills to check the
timings and trajectories of the sun and
the moon.
If you are going to the seaside, then
having a tide timetable with you is very
helpful. From your research you will be
able to determine the best time to visit the
place and get good images.
Visit the Place Without a Camera
Sometimes a camera becomes a distraction
from really exploring and appreciating
the beauty of a place. So when you have a
location in mind, rst go without a camera
and just explore it. Look for interesting
subjects and compositions and then return
with the camera.
CONNECT WITH THE LANDSCAPE
First Observe and Then Shoot
Dont start shooting as soon as you reach
the place. Give your mind some time to
relax and open up.
This allows you to become more aware
of your surroundings and you begin to
notice little details and intricacies that you
may have missed earlier.
Visit the Same Place in Different Settings
A forest, for example, undergoes a huge
transformation with the changing seasons.
Swapnali Mathkar
105
JULY 201 4
Sheena Sabharwal
I was documenting Muharram at Kolkata when
I crossed this gentleman and saw his peculiar shad-
ow being cast on the newspaper. I took advantage of
the harsh light hitting at a sharp angle and used it to
create an illusion.
In harsh light you can use the lowest ISO value for
noise free and sharp images. To avoid unnecessary
lens ares use a lens hood or you can use your free
hand to shield the lens. A ll ash or a reector can be
used to ll light in the shadow areas.
If you are shooting portraits, keep the sun behind
the person or nd a shaded spot to get an even,
balanced light on the face. Using a high shutterspeed in
harshly lit situations can give you pleasing silhouettes.
Metering in the harsh sun can be tricky. Your best
bet is to use Spot Metering so that the camera will
calculate the exposure for a smaller part on the center
of the frame. When shooting under the sun make sure
to take necessary precautions. Remain hydrated and
carry adequate water. Travel light, use sunglasses,
wear a hat, and carry an umbrella (which can also be
used to shade the subject). Do not point the camera
directly at the sun as it can cause serious harm both to
the eyes and the camera.
Soumya Shankar Ghosal
READERS TIP
Beating Harsh Light
Make sure you dont overexpose the highlights as you will not be able to recover the blown out details.
Nikky Stephen
You will get thick golden mist on winter
mornings while in the monsoons, it is lush
green everywhere with brooks and streams
dotting the landscape. The more you visit
the same place, the more intimate you will
get with it. Some of the best landscape
photographs stem out of a photographers
love for the land.
Speak With the Locals
The best way to understand the lay of the
land is to talk to the locals. They can give
you valuable information about the best
places in the area and when to visit them.
With their help, you can stay updated
with the current weather and plan your
photography outings at the right time.
Participate in the
Readers Tip Contest on
to win a chance to be
featured in the magazine and
win exciting prizes!
Long exposure images
work best when there
are fast moving clouds
with distinct shapes
in the sky.
Want your doubts cleared? Write to
The Editor, Better Photography
Network18 Media & Investments Ltd
Mogul Lane, Matunga-West,Mumbai-400 016,
Maharashtra, India.
E-mail: editor@betterphotography.in
A Swollen Battery Pack
One day my DLSRs battery refused to
come out. When the service centre took
the camera apart to remove the battery, it
was swollen from the centre, which is what
prevented it from coming out. How did
this happen and how can I prevent it from
happening again?
Rehan Dadachanji, New Delhi, via email
A battery pack swells up if you repeatedly
overcharge it or keep it inside the camera
for a long period of time. Try this outplace
your battery horizontally on the table and try
spinning it around. If it spins, it means that the
centre of the battery is beginning to swell up
and in such a case, it would be advisable to buy
a new battery. If it doesnt spin, your battery is
in good shape.

Professional Timelapses?
I love making timelapse photographs
and I am interested in taking it up
professionally. Is there a market for it
in India?
Spruha Mehta, Surat, via email
There isnt a dened market as such for
professional timelapse photography.
However, there would be people like
scientists, movie producers, travel
documentary makers and others who might
require timelapse photographs. Having said
that, if you have the skill and condence, then
go ahead and take the initiative to create a
market for timelapse photography.
Do UV lters
actually help?
Yes, provided that they
are of good quality.
Inexpensive UV lters
that are easily available
in the market may result
in unwanted are in
your images.
BRI EFLY
Watch out! A bloated
battery may ruin
your DSLR.
The Difference Between Using a Graduated ND Filter and Shooting HDR
Your eye can adjust well to scenes which have
extreme brightness as well as darkness
something that your camera might not be capable
of doing by itself. So in order to capture a scene
with such extreme lighting, you could use a
Graduated Neutral Density Filter or shoot in HDR.
A Graduated Neutral Density (GND) Filter
It is a lter that is physically attached to your
lens that is more opaque at the top and gradually
becomes lighter at the bottom. The resultthe
skys brightness is reduced while the landscape
remains the same, giving you perfect exposure
even in extreme lighting.
High Dynamic Range (HDR)
HDR is the process of taking multiple shots at
different exposure levels and merging them on a
software. This technique highlights details which the
camera wouldnt have been able to capture in a single
exposed shot.
When To Use What
A GND lter cannot be used if an element in the
foreground, such as a tall tree, extends from the
landscape to the sky because the top portion of the
tree will be visibly darker than the bottom. Also, the
brightness has to uniformly change in one direction.
In such cases, HDR will do the trick.
HDR cannot be used in situations where clicking
multiple shots with the help of a tripod isnt an option.
Additionally, shooting in HDR requires you to spend
time on post processing the image.
On The Whole
GND lters result in images that look more natural.
It is simple to use and requires little post processing.
The lters even come in different strenghts. HDR, if
overdone, creates images that might look unreal.
If thats the effect wanted, then HDR is the way to go.
So if you are one of those people who believe in the
purity of an unprocessed image, a GDN lter is what
you need.
WHAT I S
Even if the source of light is moving from from left to right, you can rotate the GND lter accordingly so that the opaque portion covers the source of the light.
However, GND lters are expensive. Shooting in HDR, however, doesnt require you to have any equipment other than a camera, tripod and photo editing software.
No Filter Graduated ND Filter HDR
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JULY 201 4

Heres a tipuse websites, blogs and
social media sites like Instagram and Vimeo
to broadcast your work. Only then will they
understand the different things that can be
done with timelapses.
For instance, there was never a market for
candid wedding photography until someone
created it, and today it is a well
known profession!
Selling My Old DSLR
I am planning to buy a new DSLR.
Should I sell my current one to get some
resale value or keep it for nostalgia?
Mili Sanwalka, Jaipur, via email
If you are happy with the resale value of your
current DSLR or are benetting from an
exchange offer, go ahead with it.
However, if youre unhappy with its resale
value, it would be a better option to keep it.
If its still in working condition you can always
use it as a secondary camera, convert the
body into a pinhole camera or even have it
modied (from trained personnel) for
infrared photography!

Shutter Count Confusion
How can I check my cameras shutter
count? Should I replace my camera
before it reaches its limit? What happens
if I continue using the camera even after
surpassing the limit?
Sahir Zaveri, Indore, via email
The shutter count of any DSLR is usually written
in the user manuals that come in the cameras
box. There are a number of websites that read
the exact shutter count limit for cameras.
There are even websites such
myshuttercount.com that allow you to check
the number of times your cameras shutter
has been used.
Once the limit has been reached, theres no
need to worry. Your shutter might marginally slow
down, but thats about it.
The Smooth, Glassy Effect
How do I create that smooth glassy feel
effect on water bodies?
Rayan Modi, Udwada, via email
The amount of blur on glassy effect
you want depends on the shutterspeed.
Accordingly reduce the speed to 1/8sec
or even as slow as 5sec. Use a low ISO and
narrow aperture. You will also need a
tripod to prevent unwanted blurs caused
by the slow shutter. Since there might still
be excess light entering the camera, use an
ND lter to keep light out.
What does the +/-
dial near my DSLRs
viewnder mean?
This is a diopter. It can
be adjusted according
to your spectacles
power. To an extent,
this will allow you to
see clearly into the
viewnder without
wearing your glasses.
BRI EFLY
Send in your
queries to Better
Photography. If your
letter wins Question
of the Month, you
stand to win a Lexar
8GB 100x SDHC
media card!
Ive clicked hundreds of pictures of landscapes,
portraits and weddings over the past seven years.
How can I compile all of this into a portfolio to
show clients?
Ronita Bhattacharya, Kolkata, via email
First of all, decide whether you want to portray yourself
as a photographer who specialises in one genre or as
one who covers many genres. Accordingly, make the
compartments in your portfolio. If you shoot multiple
genres, dont forget to represent all of them.
The photographs you select must be your nest. In a
matter of 57 photographs, the client should be impressed
with your skills. Each photograph must be unique in the
technique or lighting used. Apart from your pictures,
include any web or magazine pages where you have
been featured.
Package your portfolio by designing one that best
exemplies who you are and what you shoot.
Need inspiration? Browse through the internet for some of
the most innovative portfolios created by people around
the world.
Developing an online portfolio in addition to its physcial
counterpart, is also a good idea since people from all over
the world can have a look at it. Clients would go through
your blog or website before contacting you in person.
It is also cost effective and sites link can be given to
anyone, increasing the chances of getting hired!
Creating a Portfolio
This image was shot
with a shutterspeed of
1sec, an aperture of f/22
and ISO 100.
Sarang Naik
107
Mustafa Quraishi
He admires the work
of photographers
like Kevin Frayer,
Gurinder Osan and
Anja Niedringhaus.
His work has been
featured in several
publications like The
New York Times,
Newsweek and
The International
Herald Tribune.
B E T T E r P H O T O G r A P H Y JUlY 201 4
PrOFI lE
108
ShowCase
Mustafa does not think
that he has ever had
a difcult project.
However, he did mention
one physically daunting
situation, when he had
to walk for days and
even climb a mountain to
reach a Maoist camp
in Chhattisgarh.
From a celebrity photographer to being a seasoned
photojournalist, Mustafa Quraishi has come a long
way. Conchita Fernandes takes you through his journey.
Treading on
Hostile Territory
W
hen he was a young boy,
Mustafa Quraishi dreamt
about piloting army
helicopters. However, a
failed medical examination
because of a broken elbow made this
impossible. His mother Humra Quraishi,
who is also a journalist, suggested that
he spend some time with photographer
K K Lashkar from The Times of India.
The time spent with Lashkar out in the
eld allowed him to recognise how much
he enjoyed photography. This was his
beginning. During his second year in
college, The Indian Express offered him a job
as a photographer and in his own words,
the rest was history.
The Exhilarating Glamour
In the nascent years of his career, Mustafa
spent a considerable amount of time
photographing celebrities and high-prole
social gatherings. Even at the time, the term
Page 3 carried the tag of being frivolous.
He says, other photographers didnt think
that it was photography, because of the
late nights, early mornings and drunk
and abusive people. But for me, it was a
great thrill.
His Page 3 photography days made me
wonder about how a photographer can
go from something so glamorous and
supercial to covering important political
issues that are their polar opposite.
A Life Changing Opportunity
Although he enjoyed his time at The Indian
Express, he eventually got too comfortable
and complacent. He realised that he had
to move on. He wasnt seeking a job, but
photographer Gurinder Osan from The
Associated Press asked him to submit his
photos to the agency.
With a photography background
that was completely disassociated from
photojournalism, Mustafa was surprised
when AP asked him to travel to Andhra
Pradesh to document the Naxal community.
This would be his stepping stone in the
eld of photojournalism. They wanted me
to cover the state independently without
having any reporters spoonfeeding me their
story ideas. It was just like covering a foreign
country, with a foreign language.
B E T T E r P H O T O G r A P H Y
PrOFI lE
109
JUlY 201 4
GREATMASTERS
Robert Cornelius
Story of the worlds
rst self portraitist
114
PHOTOFEATUrE
Birds Eye Botswana
Beautiful aerial images
of African wildlife
122
1000 WOrDS
Our selection of the
best photographs from
mainstream media
120
Before his rst trip to
Afghanistan, he asked his
journalist friends what
they wanted to see from
the country. They said
that they wanted to look
at photos of the youth
and the everyday Afghan
life. But when you
see abject poverty and
helplessness, it becomes
difcult to ignore them.
Mustafa does not have
a set idea about how he
wants his photographs
to look like or what
he wants from them.
Instead, he lets his
pictures develop as the
day goes by.
His photography
gear mostly
consists of the
Canon EOS 5D
Mark II and Mark
III, along with a
range of lenses.
For everyday
photography, he
prefers using
a 24105mm
f/4 lens.
GADGETS & GEAR
Discovering Humanity
When I was sent to Hyderabad in 2004,
the Naxalite movement had become huge
in the state. Mustafas rst encounter
with the group was when he accompanied
a few journalists to the Nallamala forests.
It was an eerily exciting trip by road, on
foot and then by boat. It was strangely
thrilling to be marooned on an island
accompanied by heavy downpour, along
with the looming threat of a police raid
and encounter.
Here, he met a variety of Naxals of all
ages, belonging to different professions.
Though most of the Naxals knew why
they had joined the movement, I met a
17-year-old girl called Laxmi, who, in broken
Hindi requested me to teach her Hindi and
take her away from the place. This entire
experience led to a long term project at
110
PrOFI lE
understanding who the cadre were and why
they decided to join the movement.
Similarly, Mustafa has also ventured
into the core of the Maoist community in
Chhattisgarh. There are only a handful
His photos from the
Maoist region are not
just depictions of their
harsh realities. It gives
us a rare look into their
day-to-day activities.
Under AP he was sent
for hostile environment
training. This enabled him
to better handle tense
situations like the 2008
Delhi bomb blasts.
learn to talk to all
kinds of people and
be kind to them.
remember to
empathise and
not sympathise.
Dont be a
photographer if
you think that its
a glamorous job.
There are too many
of usthe supply
is greater than
the demand.
TIPS BY MUSTAFA
of photographers who have been
able to delve into the layers of secrecy
surrounding both the Maoist and Naxalite
communities. With the help of his
photographs, he has been able to bring
111
PROFI LE
forth a rather different aspect of their
livesone where we dont just see the
groups training or in battle, but visuals of
subtle moments from their private lives.
The Thrill of Uncertainties
In the 10 years that he spent with AP,
Mustafa was present at the centre of
several important and volatile moments.
During a party, he
had shown his Page 3
portfolio to the Editor of
a leading magazine, who
rubbished it. Later, the
same magazine called
him up to source
his images.
I dont have
a role model.
Being a good
human being and
a photographer
is what inspires
me the most.
Quite a few of his
photos are laden with
mild threads of humour,
a quality only a few
photojournalists possess.
PROFI LE
For instance, right after Osama Bin Laden
was killed, he was sent to Kabul to be
on standby to photograph any violence.
He recalls the place being completely
on edge and a visible tension was felt
in everyone he spoke to. To add to the
unstable situation, his two-week stint
there turned into two months. At one
point, I remember calling up my mother
and telling her that I didnt want to die
so soon.
During his Page 3 days, he recollects
being beaten up over a dozen times and
even faced a legal issue with a Bollywood
actor, all in the name of getting the best
photograph. And then there were nights
where he slept with the lights switched on,
because he could not get rid of the mental
image of an Afghan boy who had lost his
legs to an explosive device.
This is what makes Mustafa one
of the few photographers who can
seamlessly alternate between issues
ranging in varying levels of intensity.
Depending on a photographers approach,
a controversial subject can either be
gloried or demonised. But Mustafas
impartial, yet sensitive vision has helped
him tread this very ne line.
You can view Mustafas photographs on his website
www.mustafaquraishi.com
I used to carry
my camera
everywhere.
I felt totally
insecure without
it, because
I didnt want to
miss a breaking
news picture.
Mustafas and
Khushwant Singhs
association goes back to
about 17 years. Over the
years he had created
several portraits of the
noted author, who passed
away on March 20, 2014.
113
PrOFI lE
114
GREAT MASTERS
114
Robert Cornelius, self-
portrait; believed to be the
earliest extant American
portrait photo, 1839.
Grandma
Toppan. Sixth-plate
daguerreotype.
Philadelphia, 1841.
I
m
a
g
e

C
o
u
r
t
e
s
y
:

L
i
b
r
a
r
y

o
f

C
o
n
g
r
e
s
s
GREAT MASTERS
Robert Cornelius
Besides being the rst ever portraitist, Robert Cornelius was a pioneer who
gave the daguerrotype its much needed nesse. Raj Lalwani rewinds.
115
R
ecently, the legendary S Paul
uploaded a self portrait of his, on
Facebook. It was shot in 1963, and
shows the photographer, elegantly
posing in a suit in front of arches,
wearing his camera. Minutes after, someone
commented, The era when seles used to
be classy. I was reminded of an amusing,
albeit photographically rich Tumblr blog,
called My Daguerrotype BoyfriendWhere
Early Photography Meets Extreme Hotness.
A blog that calls a certain Robert Cornelius
as the original daguerreotype BF.
Cornelius, of course, is the chemist
who shot the worlds rst ever photo that
portrayed a persons face, a few months
after Louis Daguerre introduced the
daguerreotype process in 1839. It was a self
portrait, of him gazing pensively, unlike
the duck-faced seles that dominate our
visual feeds today. Cornelius wasnt just
a rst mover. His metallurgy skills and
specialisation in silver plating ensured
that his daguerreotype advancements
laid great importance on both technical
sophistication and aesthetics.
A Relentless, but Realistic Innovator
The annals of photographic history are
lled with innovators who tasted early
success, but were not able to sustain
themselves nancially, with their lives
ending in poverty and anonymity.
Cornelius is a noteworthy exception, not
(1809-1893)
Seated couple, 1840.
GREAT MASTERS
116
Catching a
shadow is a
thing no more to
be laughed at.
Mr Cornelius, in
one matter, has
outstripped the
great master
of the art.
Godeys Ladys
Book, April 1840
only because he was amongst the rst to
recognise the commercial possibilities of
the daguerreotype portrait, but because
he knew when to move on.
The wealthy would come by to his two
studios and pay what was then a princely
sum of ve dollars, to get a 7 x 5 inch
likeness of themselves. Within four years
though, his interest waned. I personally
dont think that was a coincidence,
though. Robert Cornelius was a bit of
a visionary. Observing the number of
studios that had mushroomed since 1839,
he recognised the diminishing exclusivity
of his business. He also preempted that
technology would get easier. The growing
urge to photograph ones own life for
posterity was not a long-term business
opportunity as cameras would become
simple enough for everyone to do it on
their own.
Self-portrait of Robert
Cornelius with laboratory
instruments, 1843
Le Mcanisme de la
Physionomie Humaine
is a journal of medical
photographs made
by Duchenne.
117
GREAT MASTERS
JULY 201 4
Jules Talrich, a
young anatomy student,
volunteered to be part of
Duchennes experiments.
He was also able to
mime expressions
without the need for an
induction current.
Moving Away from Photography
He decided there was far more money in the
gas and lighting business, and he paid full
attention to the family-run Cornelius & Co,
making it the largest lighting company in
America, over the next few decades. In fact,
after the success of their solar lamps and
gaslights, it was Cornelius who presented
the rst ever lamp that ran on kerosene.
The success of his companys kerosene
lamps was stunted because of a rivals
invention that resulted in far cheaper
kerosene lamps, but the worlds rst
portraitist, also the rst self-portraitist,
retired a wealthy man, with the title of the
Grand Old Man of American lighting.
Maybe because he changed his career
path so dominantly, Cornelius never made
much of his photographic achievements.
Apart from the odd critical mention in
daguerreotype journals, his work was
in danger of being forgotten, until 1876,
when Marcus Aurelius Root organised
A daguerrotype
portrait of a frowning
gentleman, 1841.
118
GREAT MASTERS
JULY 201 4
GREAT MASTERS
118
James Curtis Booth,
half-length portrait,
facing left, with arm
resting on table, 1841.
John Henry Frederick
Sachse, half-length
portrait, facing front,
seated, 1842.
119 119
GREAT MASTERS
an exhibit on the history of photography.
The exhibition was noticed by Julius Sachse,
a photographer and the future editor of
American Journal of Photography, whose father,
John Henry, had coincidentally worked
under, and also posed for Cornelius.
A Chance Writing into the Pages of History
Only 30 of his daguerreotypes
survive today, but Robert Cornelius
is remembered as an icon because of
a chance conversation he had with
Sachse. He happened to mention that
he had made portraits in 1839, the birth
year of the daguerreotypea fact that
stunned Sachse and made him realise the
importance of corroborating his claims,
and giving him his due.
Its probably a bit of an irony that
Cornelius passed away in 1893, just a few
years before photography went truly mass
with the Brownie, a seminal innovation
that has often been compared to todays
cameraphone revolution. I wonder what
he would have made of the modern-day
ubiquitous sele.
120
A selection of some of
the best images from the
Indian mainstream media
Up, Up and Away!
On a warm sunny Saturday afternoon,
two kids are seen swinging away.
The photographer has beautifully
captured the free spirit of children by
photographing them against the backdrop
of the open sky.
Kunal Patil,
Hindustan Times
Amit Chakravarthy,
The Indian Express
Ire of the Ocean
On 13 June, a massive high tide hit the
shores of Bandstand in Bandra, Mumbai.
The three photographs vividly capture
the full fury of the sea, as it came crashing
on to the hutments in a fraction of a few
seconds. The black and white treatment of
the photos too, intensies the ferocity of
the destruction.
121
Renuka Puri,
The Indian Express
The Emptiness Within
On 3 June, Rural Development Minister
Gopinath Munde passed away in a road
accident. His desolate ofce presents a
somber memorial of his untimely and
sudden death.
Zack Seckler
is a photographer
from New York.
He rst picked up a
camera on a trip to
India, which inspired
him to change his
college specialisation
from business to
photography. His work
has been featured
in GQ, Harpers
Bazaar and New
York Magazine.
Birds Eye Botswana
Zack Seckler captures the magical landscapes of the Okavango Delta and the vast
expanse of the Makgadikgadi salt pans in Botswana in a unique way.
A
fter I was done with a
photography assignment in
Botswana for a non-prot
organisation, I wanted to see
more of the Okavango Delta
I was in. What better place to really
experience wildlife, than Africa? The delta
and the Makgadikgadi pans are both
beautiful places to see wildlife in their
natural habitat.
The salt pans are vast expanses of land.
Seasonally, some portions get covered with
water that eventually recedes. The delta,
however, is lush and green.
I wanted to make aerial photographs
of the landscape, without them being too
abstract. The non-profit organisation
helped me get in touch with a bush pilot
who would take me around in his plane.
His aircraft was ultralight, which proved
advantageous, as we could fly as close as
50 feet to the ground sometimes!
For me, the whole experience was about
capturing this beautiful landscape from
a distinctive view. Also, to absorb the
contrast between the land and the animals
habiting it. It gave me perspective on how
small we are in the larger scheme of things.
PHOTO
FEATURE
122
JULY 201 4
The pilot and I followed
these zebras intently as
they explored the salt
pans. I was attracted to
the delicate juxtaposition
between the animals
stripes and the
surrounding landscape.
PHOTOFE ATURE
123
JULY 201 4
I was drawn to the
complex forms as this
herd of cattle sought out
a drink of water in the
early morning light.
Animal tracks on the
ground are sometimes
lost in translation.
From above, however,
they look beautiful.
These pictures were
not led as they did
not connect with the
reporters story.
This just proves the
adage that a story can
have many sides.
124
PHOTOFE ATURE
JULY 201 4
Out in the delta,
nature was ourishing
and running its
course, untouched and
undisturbed by man.
Although wildlife is sometimes used to human
presence in tourist areas, it is very sensitive to
even the smallest of changes. Being obtrusive
could upset natural cycles in a habitat.
Ensure that your vehicle does not cause too
much of a disturbance by way of noise or getting
too close to the animals.
Animals have seasonal patterns of migration and
feeding. Picking the correct time of the year is
essential for photographing them in all their glory.
Things to Keep in Mind When Photographing a Wildlife Habitat
It was exhilarating and
humbling to see wildlife
living the way they are
supposed to as opposed
to being tamed.
It was
important to
me that the
images were
recognisable
as our earth
and not just
abstractions.
125
PHOTOFE ATURE
JULY 201 4
YourPictures
128
Want your photographs showcased?
Send in your photographs to
Mogul Lane, Matunga (West),
Email: entries@betterphotography.in
JULY 201 4
128
Winner
Our readers beat the summer heat and shared their images for this months theme By the Beach.
Swept Away
Achintya Das, Kolkata
Starsh are intriguing
creatures that show
up on the beach one
moment and are gone
with the next tide. I had
the idea to portray this
sliver of a moment and
so, I used the Burst
mode. This helped me
avoid missing the shot.
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikkor AF-S DX
1855mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
Aperture: f/11
ISO: 125
129
Perfect Harmony
N Prasad, Hyderabad
The symbiotic ecosystem
created between the
sherfolk and the birds
fascinated me. The crows
simply need to wait
patiently and they would
be rewarded with sh.
The sherman, on the
other hand, continues
his work, while remaining
oblivious to the birds
encircling him.
Camera: Nikon D7000
18105mm f/3.5-5.6G
ED VR
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 560
JULY 201 4
Honourable Mention
Grand Prize
The winner of this
contest, Achintya Das,
gets BPs collectors
edition Secrets of
Shooting 12 Pocket
Guide set.
Check out all the
nominees on our
website: http://
betterphotography.
in/?p=28487
130
YOUR PI CTURES
JULY 201 4
Participate in the
Your Pictures Contest on
to w
in a chance to be
featured in the m
agazine and
w
in exciting prizes!
Ethereal Twirl
Bharat Baswani, Mumbai
The image was made as
a result of using a slow
shutterspeed, panning
and many, many attempts.
I like this photo because
of the delicate lines and
symmetric curves that it
has, along with the hint of
the orange sunset hue.
Lens: Sigma 1020mm
f/4-5.6 EX DC
Aperture: f/22
Shutterspeed: 1sec
ISO: 100
Tranquil Comedy
Subhadeep Mondal,
Kolkata
Despite the sense of
emptiness the image is
almost comical. I had to
be careful not to frighten
or hurt the cow as I was
getting quite close to it
while making the image.
Camera: Canon EOS
1000D
Lens: Canon EF-S
1855mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Aperture: f/11
ISO: 200
Honourable Mention
Honourable Mention
131
JULY 201 4
The Days Catch
Santanu Paul, Guwahati
While the sherman
was throwing his net,
I chose to include his
family as well. I felt it
conveyed a feeling of
kinship while they waited
for the nal catch. A slow
shutterspeed helped
capture the swishing
motion of the net, which
made for a better story.
Camera: Nikon D7000
18105 mm f/3.5-5.6G
ED VR
Aperture: f/6.3
ISO: 160
Chasing The Storm
Mithilesh Choubey,
Navi Mumbai
While a tripod would
have been ideal to make
this picture, I wasnt
carrying one at the time.
Despite that, I wanted
to get a good lightning
photograph. So, I switched
my camera to the Burst
mode, stood there for
almost 40 minutes and
kept shooting. It paid off!
Lens: Canon EF-S
18135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Aperture: f/3.5
ISO: 1250
Honourable Mention
Honourable Mention
W
I
N
!
BLOG OF THE MONTH
Junes winning entry
I dont think this phone works!
Abhishek Sherry, via SMS
Provide a caption for this picture, photographed
by Sanjay Tripathi, to get a chance to win Camelion
batteries and charger worth Rs. 1455.
The selected entry will be published in the
August 2014 issue of Better Photography.
Learn Food Photography (LFP) is a blog that caters
to photography enthusiasts who wish to learn and
explore the art behind food photography. Its posts
cover a broad range of topicsfrom the equipment
and tools required to the ethics and business of
food photography.
Whats particularly great is the ability for viewers
to upload their photographs and submit it for critique.
Theres no need to sign up or pay. Users only have
to ll in their contact details and upload the picture
along with its EXIF data. The blogs writer Neel C,
critiques the photos before leaving them open for
people around the world to comment. Fortunately, the
discussion is relevant and informative.
You also have the option to read the interviews of
professionals or listen to their podcast. These cover
a wide range of topics related to food photography,
such as how to select props for food photos, and food
styling and presentation tips.
LFP also features special sections for book
reviews and lighting respectively, and even hosts
online seminars that are conducted by professionals.
Through these articles, the blog gives a comprehensive
view of food photography.
Whether youre a professional or a hobbyist food
photographer, theres a lot you can learn!
A Mouth Watering Food Photography Blog! Every photographer
knows that once
the moment has
passed, it cannot
be recreated to
photograph.
But on April 19 2014,
something extraordinary from the pastaround
12 billion years agowas photographed.
The light rays from one of the most erce
explosions to have taken place in our universe
was discovered and photographed by a telescope,
the ROTSE-IIIb, which is owned by the Southern
Methodist University, Texas, United States.
There are only four such telescopes in the world.
A 4.2MP camera with a back-illuminated sensor
was connected to this high-end telescope.
The result was a low resolution image that will
give scientists vital information to help them gain a
better understanding of the universe.
DID YOU KNOW?
Camera Managed to Capture Light
Emitted 12 Billion Years Ago!
Send your captions to
E-mail: entries@betterphotography.in,
or SMS BP Jul <your caption> <your name> to 51818
(for eg. BP Jul Main Hoon Don! Aashti Miller)
Last date to receive entries
5 July 2014
http://learnfoodphotography.com
169
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170
Photograph by:
Mary Krahmer
Image Source:
Wikipedia
JULY 201 4
The Image that Caught JFKs Assassination
A
merican President John F Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald
on November 2, 1963 in Dallas, Texas, United States. Mary Krahmer, a
homemaker, was standing about ve meters away from the Presidents
limousine with a friend. The duo wanted to catch a glimpse of the Presidents
wife, Jackie Kennedy. Krahmer shot this image with her Polaroid camera, a
fraction of a second after the rst fatal shot was red. It is the only image to have been
photographed at the precise moment that he was shot.
When asked what she saw through the viewnder, Krahmer said that she thought
that it was only a gust of wind that lifted Kennedys hair up. At the time, however, she
was oblivious of the fact that she was a witness to the Presidents assassination. I saw
his hair jump. But it wasnt just his hair, it was part of his head, said Krahmer. That is
so clear in my mind, to this day.
This is also the only known photograph to capture JFK as well as the infamous grassy
knoll in the background. Investigators and conspiracy theorists have examined this
image innumerable timesto check if the people present on the knoll were Oswalds
accomplices. However, they later came to the conclusion that Oswald acted alone.
In November 2013, Krahmers photograph was put up for auction but failed to sell.
To commemorate 50 years since Kennedys death, the International Center of
Photography held an exhibition, JFK November 22, 1963: A Bystanders View of History
where this photograph was exhibited.

Better Photography - July 2014

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B E T T E R P H O T O G R A P H Y JULY 201 4

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