Photocritic photography blog

I don’t normally write about camera equipment launches - there wouldn’t be much space for anything else on this blog if I did - but it’s rather worth noting that Canon are launching their brand new baby-brother of the digital SLR family, the 400D. Read the rest of the article »

Of all the types of photography ever invented, I would claim that live concert photography is up there among the most difficult ones. You have five thousand fans behind you, and there is a band in front of you. Nobody stands still. In fact, even the notion of standing still ruins the idea of a good music photo. The bouncers hate you, because you are in their way. The crowd is jealous of you. Crowdsurfers will kick you in the head. The band thinks you’re annoying. The lighting is never bright enough, and changes so frequently that you’re screwed even in the few moments that it is.

And nonetheless, concert photography is one of my all-time favourite pasttimes. It’s hard. It’s unrewarding. But it’s deeply gratifying on a personal lever. It’s about capturing the mood. Capturing the looks. Capturing something the audience is feeling.

Of course, it’s also something I know something about - I’ve done my share of concerts…

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As someone who occasionally dabbles in photography, I am frequently asked “I have £XXX to spend, and want to buy a digital camera. What should I buy?”. It’s a difficult question, especially because I’ve been known to spend high sums of money on digital photographic equipment, and I haven’t actually kept myself up to date with what’s stirring in the world of digital.

I am able to offer a few pointers, of course… Read the rest of the article »

So, you like the idea of doing macro photography, but you think you can’t afford it? Think again - with less than £1 worth of equipment, a little bit of sweat and tears (and blood, if you, like me, are a bit on the clumsy side), and you can build yourself a surprisingly good macro lens. Don’t believe me? Well, have a look at the article, and think again!

Of course, as I’m using a Pringles can to make this lens, you also have the opportunity to pause for a snack. Now that’s the type of DIY projects I like. Read the rest of the article »