master gear R


emember how much fun photography was be- fore you started earning your living from it ? Well just recently I have rediscovered the fun to be had from simply shooting for pleasure.


As my business has declined (but not completely dead yet) over the last few years, I decid- ed to step back a little from the world of social photography and see if I could rekindle the crea- tive urges that got me started in the first place. The problem was that the current working cameras, Nikon D200 and D300, were just too big and heavy to lump around on trips out, holi- days etc, so I was leaving them in the camera bag and not tak- ing any photographs other than weddings and portraits. This was not good – everyone needs to practice their craft, and so I decided just before Christmas 2010 to do something about it. I needed a camera which was light enough to fit into my pocket, or my cycling rucksack, but with enough pixel power to produce a useable image should I manage to capture something worthwhile. I also needed some degree of image control, I am so used to “working” the business photographs I would feel lost if I couldn't view a histogram when I wanted to. The other stipulation was it must have a viewfinder of some sort, not for me the composing of an image on a screen at arm’s length! Since this was a for pleasure impulse, price was also a con- sideration.


Long live on-line auction websites! A few days later I was the proud holder of a “nearly new” Canon G11 camera, £280 for the camera and a few extras and I was in “toggin” heaven. This wee beauty gave me all the features I needed, 10mp crammed into a tiny ( y D300 standards anyway) bundle of solidly constructed modern technology. The flip out screen allows me to view all the settings I need, including the


MASTER PHOTOGRAPHY 30


photography


histogram (exposure meters, who needs them?), and a close up focus checker, main controls on the outside and therefore easily accessible, even with stiff little fingers, what more could a chap need.


It now goes with me on all my trips out, even to the shops (just in case I see the Duke Of Edinburgh fishing in the park or something). Cycle trips, it’s right there is the rucksack ready and waiting for the next killer shot. The battery hasn’t been both- ered by the sub-zero tempera- tures of this winter, even if the owner was. Holidays would be the big test though, would it be able to capture the sights and scenes I encounter whilst away from Blighty.


Being covetous of sunshine and culture we decided to book a four night break in Marrakech in mid-February. That ought to test what it can do for certain. Previously I would have lumped the D300 along as hand luggage but probably left it in the Riad because “I couldn't be bothered dragging that thing around with me“. Now I hardly knew I was loaded with pixel power, the G11 just slipped into my pocket or even dangled around my neck, Brits on tour style. It went everywhere with me and I can tell you it got plenty of use. The people in Marrakech can some- time be a little camera-shy and cover their faces if the see a lens pointing in their direction. The Canon was almost invisible and only a few shots were lost by hands being brought up to cheek, imagine how many times would that have happened with the 18-200 on the D300! I found I was taking shots I would not of fancied trying before, from the sneaky candid (isn’t that what candid means ?) to the instant grab shot, the G11 got them all.


I came home with around


170 shots on the card ( deleting some didn’t seem to make the camera any lighter) and apart from a few OOF ones where I


David Worthington LMPA, like many professionals with heavier working kit, wanted a lightweight camera for travel. He chose a 10 megapixel Canon G11.


Above: the current Canon raw-capable, pro interface compact digital is the G12 which updates the G11 with an articulated rear screen and HD video shooting.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44