What Would You Like to See?
Paul Malley • 3 July 2020
What would you like to see...?
Over the last 35 or so years in which I have greatly enjoyed my photography, there have been many advances as a consequence of technology. In the 'good old days' (so called), of film, before software programs were needed, these advances were mainly in the field of lenses and camera bodies/internal functions. The advent of Digital has produced some remarkable leaps forward in what can be attained, so much so that a basic 'entry level' camera, kit lens and free software can produce excellent outputs.
I have pondered what the future may bring, especially when we consider that certain things which we previously thought impossible, may, in the future be potentially achievable. With this in mind, here is my 'Wish List' for what is my first choice for new functionality in each of the following: Camera internal, Lens and finally Software:
1. Camera Internal - Sensor Development for ISO : It goes without saying that not too long ago, anything with an ISO above 400 was to be avoided, especially with film, unless you wanted grain the size of golf balls! Sensor development in Digital Cameras is astounding today, to the extent that an ISO of 12800 is eminently useable and, although I have never used it in anger, H+ at 104,000 ISO can easily identify details in standard photography. Personally, I do not consider flash requirement until I get to 6400 ISO, as I know the sensor is good and then software can assist further post capture. However, there is a difference in the ISO capability between full-frame and the variance of Crop. This is where I would like to see development further. We are aware of current limitations of the number of sites which can be placed on a sensor, their position on the array, their light gathering capacity, and even filtering (where used), to counter effect Moiré. Come the day that a crop Sensor comes very, very close to the capability of a full frame then I may look at changing bodies. The apparent extra reach in terms of the crop at the top end of a zoom, coupled to its general weight and fast shooting rate would be good for the wildlife genre I enjoy, but I don't wish to lose the full frame benefit of post production cropping without image detriment. This is a continual area for technological advancement, - since there must come a point where the physical limit of the Sensor is reached and then science can turn to the voltage variance across the sensor to assist the ISO.
2. Lens - Range and Weight : As I've mentioned above, I enjoy my wildlife photography. Because medical science cannot yet reverse the effects of aging, lugging a full frame kit round for the day can be tiresome. I use a 100-400mm zoom with a 1.4 extender (effective range becomes 100-560mm), which covers most options. My latest firmware update allows the camera to operate with f value at f8 or below for autofocus, plus values above. The alternative to this is the mighty 500mm f4 fixed prime. Zooms are great, but the images from a prime are generally accepted to be better (MTF charts as evidence). Optics nowadays cover 150-600mm with ease; my wish would be a 10-600mm f4, yes, that's correct 10mm-600mm. I would suggest f2.8, but I think the laws of optics may discount this, and the lens cap would be the size of a dustbin lid for the light gathering capability. I'd also have to hire Arnold Schwarzenegger, or a team of Nepalese Sherpas to carry the kit. The length of this beautiful optic must be less than 10" to keep the unit balanced. Improbable, maybe, but hey, it took just 10 years from nothing to get a man on the moon, so who knows...
3. Software - A return to single purchase programs (not monthly), which can be customised : There's two very good reasons why I do not use the current monthly payment for LR and PS; firstly, as a Yorkshireman I think its overpriced, and secondly its full of extra bits that I'd be paying for, which I would never use in a million years (I'm back to that medical ageing thing again). I know that the Adobe package is regularly updated and it's all done for you, but 3yrs+ at £10/month is £360.00+. I think there are better programs available. I currently use PS Elements13, (it's so old that some of the functions are written in Latin), however, it was a one-off purchase for £40 and it generally meets my needs. I say generally, because there are a few extras from other mixed programs which I would like and would use, therefore my reasoning for a 'customised package tailored to meet customer specification.' I would like to order a version of PS, or even the cut down version of PSElements which have the following embedded, and not as a bolt on: Fully backwards compatible RAW interface to open files in: Individual colour channel sliders for use in Black and White: A Curves adjustment rather than limited sliders, a quality Panoramic Stitch and a 75 image Stacking function. The closest I have seen to this, to date is Serif Affinity. I would go on-line, order my customised program and then receive the CD in the post - aaah, the good old days again.
So, there we go; that's my vision and aspirations to the Photographic Industry.
I'd like to hear your thoughts, hopes and wishes for where we could go in the years ahead.
Louth Photographic Society
Good Morning All Sand racing starts again this week at Mablethorpe, this Sunday is practice day, times are on their website. Last week at the club we held a local competition, with the categories of: "Straight out of the camera" and "Open", there was a very good entry in each subject with Tony Gaskins having the task of judging the unedited ones and Robin Begley judging the Open. There is a full report on our website but well done to Harry for first place in the Straight out of the camera and Keith Rossington for first place in the Open. This week, Wednesday 14th, Steve West will be our speaker, talking and showing PDI's on the subject of the Louth cinema. The following week will be a print competition, with the categories of "Mono" and "Open", you need to bring your prints in this week and send an email to Dave Turner with your titles. Regards Graham
At our meeting last night we held a PDI (printed digital image) competition, with the categories of "Local Unedited", and "Open". As this was a members competition one of our members judged the competition, Tony Gaskins was our first judge for the "Local Unedited" category, these were .jpg images taken straight from the camera, without any editing, apart from the resizing for projection. Presenting an image such as this in a competition is quite a difficult task, the photographer has to ensure that the correct exposure is chosen, the composition, and subject matter has to be precise, everything done in camera. Normally for competition entries, a degree of post processing would be involved, simple edits like toning down highlights, or even removing extraneous objects from a scene, emphasising a moody sky, all not allowed. Tony Gaskins did an excellent job with his judging, providing clear and concise critique of the images presented, he "held back" 8 images for further consideration, awarding higher points, and finally choosing the top three placements. After the break it was Robin Begley's turn to judge the "Open" category, as these were post process edited images the standard was higher than the unedited images, but surprisingly not markedly so. Robin is potentially hoping to become a N&EMPF approved judge, and he had a different style, able to suggest edits that could have improved an image, again his critique was clear and concise communicating well with members. Robin chose 8 images for further consideration, awarding higher points, and finally selecting the top three placements. It was a fabulous, and interesting competition with excellent images, many thanks to both our judges, it's not an easy job, probably nearly as bad as being a referee in a football match!! Many thanks to both our judges, well done.
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Roger Hance Memorial Lecture 16th October
Last night Lee Dixon from Cleethorpes Camera Club gave his first ever presentation to a camera club, which we were privileged to view. His presentation consisted of portraiture, creative, and his genre of choice; wildlife. Lee is an extremely talented photographer, with a highly creative portfolio, his portraits are quite atmospheric, unusual, and capture the essence of the model, and scene. For Lee’s creative work, he buys props from charity shops, often very cheaply, reusing those props in various scenes. For his composite work he will often take one of his photos of a room, and blend it with a subject in Photoshop using “blend” modes. For wildlife he visited Lake Kerkini in Greece to photograph the Pelicans, if the sky is a little on the bland side, Lee will often over expose the image resulting in a striking white background to the subject. On safari in Africa Lee showed us some amazing images of the wildlife, the close-up images of elephants, the wildebeest migration, and this stunning image of a cheetah. Lee was ably assisted by Mike Bennett. More of Lee’s work can be found on his website: https://leedixonphoto.co.uk/ Lee his kindly given permission for his images to be used in this post. Many thanks to Lee, and Mike for an amazing evening.
Good Morning All Last week at the club we held our monthly PDI competition, with the categories of "Objects in the Air" and "Open", there was a very high-quality entry in both competitions and judge Mike Bennett had quite a job on his hands scoring the entries. Well, done to Dave Turner for first place in the Objects in the Air and Tony Gaskins for first place in the Open. All the results are on our website. This week, Wednesday 30th September, our speaker will be Lee Dixon from Cleethorpes Camera Club showing us his natural history, Creative and many other photographs he has taken. It will be the first time Lee has shown his photographs at our club. If anyone else wants to enter PDI's in the 2027 N&EMPF Exhibition, the deadline is this Wednesday at midnight. Harry is still taking entries for the PDI competition, with the categories of "Local Straight from Camera" (unedited .jpg), and "Open", to be held on Wednesday 7th October. Regards Graham
At the meeting last night Mike Bennett judged our competition with the categories of “Objects in the Air”, and “Open”. The standard of entries was excellent, and it gave Mike a tough task of judging the images, Mike gave some very good critique of the images displayed, the feedback helps members to develop compositional skills. Dave Turner was awarded first place for his image of the “Tiger Club Display Team” in the “Objects in the Air” category. Tony Gaskins was awarded first place for his image of the “Spectacular Rustgill” in the “Open” category.
Good Morning All, Last week at the club we watched the N&EMPF PDI Exhibition for 2026, it was a very good evening viewing very high standard images from all over the East Midlands. Dave Turner and I did manage to get images accepted; there is a full report on our website. This week, Wednesday 23rd September, we will hold our monthly PDI competition, with the categories of "Objects in the Air" and "Open", please send entries to Harry by midnight tonight. Harry is also accepting images for the PDI competition, with the categories of "Local Straight out of the Camera (only resizing permitted)" and "Open". Regards Graham
Members were shown the 2026 N&EMPF PDI Exhibition video last night with all of the accepted PDI images in the first part, and after the break the awarded PDI images. There were some stunning images on view, and Louth was successful in having 3 PDI images accepted, Graham Harrison with his image of a Stonechat, and Dave Turner with his portrait of Paul Rudd, and his monochrome image of Kings Cross railway station "Going Down". Overall it was a good inspirational evening.
Good Morning All Last week at the club members had 15 minutes to show what they had done over the summer. It was a very interesting evening with eight members taking part. There were many locations on show and as usual some excellent photography. There is a full report on our blog. This week, Wednesday 16th September, we will be showing the N&EMPF exhibition, this is part one showing all the PDI's that were accepted. This is the highest standard of photography we as individuals take part in as a club. Members sent around 50 entries but only 3 were accepted. If you are inspired to enter the 2027 Exhibition after seeing the show, I send the clubs entries and I can give you more information. Closing date is the end of September. The Maximum size for N&EMPF is 1600 x 1200 3MB sRGB Harry is still taking entries for the monthly PDI competition, with the categories of "Objects in the Air" and "Open". Harry did ask about what can be accepted, and we couldn't really say as long as it's an object in the Air. The best way is to look up the definition of an object first. Harry is also accepting entries for the Local and Open competition in October. Robin is going to judge the Open competition, does anyone fancy judging the "Straight from the camera" category? Regards Graham
