Hugely delighted to share that an image of mine has been chosen as a finalist in the One Shot, Single Image category of TPOTY, with the theme of ‘Water’.
A heavy downpour of rain soaks pedestrians as they pass an illuminated advertising sign saying “Love Your Job”. Hammersmith, London. January 14, 2011. Photo: ©Edmond Terakopian
The judging will take place at the end of November, so fingers crossed!
Posted in competition, News, Photography, Pictures
Tagged awards, finalist, finals, image, photography, rain, tpoty, travel photographer of the year, water
Delighted to share some good news. A reportage I shot at the amazing Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, to highlight the conditions the hospital has to work in and help raise awareness and hopefully funds, has been selected by the UK Picture Editors Guild as a finalist in this year’s competition.
The 20 images have been selected as a finalist in the Photo Essay category of the awards and the winners will be announced tonight at the awards dinner this evening. The photo essay is one of six selected essays submitted by press photographers from around the country, covering national and international stories. Fingers crossed!
Edmond Terakopian, Richard Chambury and Kelvin Bruce during Yasmin’s Print Auction, Thursday October 11, 2012 Photo by Andrew Parsons / i-Images
On the 11th of October a group of press photographers got together to help out their friends and colleagues when it was found their two year old daughter Yasmin had been diagnosed with Leukaemia.
Karen and Andrew Parsons have set up a blog, Our Life With Leukaemia, sharing the pain of finding out their daughter is ill and charting the voyage the family has been put on. They also started a Just Giving page to raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) where little Yasmin is being treated.
Kelvin Bruce and Richard Chambury show a set of images by Brian Rasic. Yasmin’s Print Auction, Thursday October 11, 2012 Photo by Andrew Parsons / i-Images
Photographers Eddie Mulholland and Kelvin Bruce had the idea of organising a print auction to help raise funds for GOSH. Photographers donated prints and images to be auctioned, the majority being printed by Alex McNaughton on Epson equipment.
Eddie Mulholland works the room during Yasmin’s Print Auction, Thursday October 11, 2012 Photo by Andrew Parsons / i-Images
There were many notable images donated for this auction, with the highlight being a signed and stamped print of a dust storm in Lesotho by Ian Berry from Magnum Photos.
A raffle was also organised and huge thanks go to all who generously donated prizes for this. Cameras were donated by Fuji, Leica, Nikon and Olympus and Calumet donated accessories and sensor clean prizes. The raffle alone raised £1350.00 for GOSH.
An A1 Giclee print of an image, Love Your Job by Edmond Terakopian is shown around the room by Kelvin Bruce. Yasmin’s Print Auction, Thursday October 11, 2012 Photo by Andrew Parsons / i-Images
I’m very proud to say that the grand total, including the raffle, raised on the night for GOSH by press photographers bidding on each others work came to £10,785.00.
We all wish you well Yasmin 🙂
Photographers view the prints on auction. Yasmin’s Print Auction, Thursday October 11, 2012 Photo by Andrew Parsons / i-Images
Posted in News, Photography
Tagged photography, press, print auction, yasmin parsons
Trailer from Ken Kobre on Vimeo.
I had the pleasure of attending a screening of “Deadline Every Second” by Ken Kobré at the Frontline Club a week ago. It’s a brilliantly shot short film covering 12 photojournalists from AP as they cover various assignments around the world, with great photographer interviews as well as superb footage of them actually on the job. Just to make things complete, we’re also treated to the actual images taken by the photographers.
Deadline Every Second screening and Q&A with director and professor of photojournalism at San Francisco State University Kenneth Kobre (on left) and AP staff photographer Lefteris Pitarakis. Frontline Club, London. September 21, 2012. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
The event had AP staff photographer Lefteris Pitarakis, one of the featured photographers, and Ken Kobré present for a very interesting Q&A session after the screening.
Deadline Every Second screening and Q&A. AP staff photographer Lefteris Pitarakis ansers questions put from the packed screening room. Frontline Club, London. September 21, 2012. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
I can’t recommend this film highly enough to anyone interested in journalism or world affairs, but also to photojournalists and students of it. Definitely try and see it. It’s being screened by various US TV stations and is also available from Amazon.
Posted in education, Interview, News, Photography, Pictures, Video
Tagged ap, associated press, interview, ken kobré, kenneth kobré, photography, photojournalism, photojournalist, press, video
With great quality and no compromise manufacturing, comes cost. Leica, who don’t cut corners and use the best materials, making by far the best lenses in photography, also have to charge a premium for these non mass-produced products. With photography being so undervalued, the professional photographer often struggles to get into the Leica system . Naturally some enthusiast photographers also fall into the category of struggling to buy a Leica camera.
The Leica M-E. Photo: © Leica
With tonight’s Photokina announcement, there is good news. The Leica M-E, which will be available for £3900 including VAT! Don’t misunderstand the price though as the M-E resembles the excellent Leica M9; a camera I have been shooting with professionally for around three years.
The Leica M-E, rear view. Photo: © Leica
The camera comes in a rather attractive dark grey finish with a silver shutter speed dial and shutter release button, is a full frame, 18 megapixel rangefinder camera.
The Leica M-E, top view. Photo: © Leica
One thing with Leica is that practically every lens made from the 1950s will work on the camera as will a range of Leica screw mount lenses going even further back, using an adapter. Once an investment is made in Leica lenses, they stay with you for life. With the more affordable body, a doorway into Leica digital M photography is now open, bringing with it what I consider to be the best photographic lenses ever made.
The Leica M-E, front view. Photo: © Leica
Leica Press Release
Leica announces M-E: The essence of rangefinder photography
Photokina, Cologne, 17 September 2012: Leica Camera AG today presents a new model in the Leica rangefinder portfolio: the Leica M-E.
Together with the new Leica M and Leica M Monochrom – the world’s first digital black and white camera in 35mm format – the Leica M-E joins the latest digital generation of Leica M cameras, now comprising three rangefinder models. Offering rangefinder technology perfected by Leica over decades, the Leica M-E represents the essence of rangefinder photography. Concentrating on the essential photographic functions and renowned dependability for all typical ‘M’ fields of use, the Leica M-E makes an ideal entry- level model for photographers wishing to experience the fascination of M-Photography in its purest form.
Featuring a proven, high-resolution, 18 MP CCD sensor in full 35 mm format, the Leica M-E offers exceptional image quality combined with the distinct advantages of rangefinder photography, and a minimal, discreet design in an unobtrusive anthracite grey paint finish. The application of an attractive new leather-style trim, which also provides enhanced grip for steadier shooting, ideally complements the camera’s classic design.
About the Leica M-System
Since 1954, the Leica M system has stood for an unmistakable, individual kind of photography and a very conscious photographic style. This is because, with a Leica M, the photographer becomes a part of the action in the process of capturing challenging and creative images. The rangefinder allows the photographer to frame the shot precisely, while providing a clear view of what is happening outside the viewfinder frame lines. This allows the user to predict the decisive moment and capture it discreetly and reliably at the right moment – in all fields, from photojournalism and ‘available light’ exposures to discreet and aesthetic fine-art images.
The functions of the Leica M rangefinder camera are consistently constructed for extreme durability and robustness. The highest quality materials, meticulous manufacturing processes and precise manual assembly guarantee functional reliability for many years to come. Full backward system compatibility – almost all lenses in the Leica M range built since 1954 can still be used with the latest M camera models – is an important factor in the enduring value of the Leica M series.
Pricing and availability
The Leica M-E in anthracite grey paint finish is scheduled to be available in the UK at a suggested retail price of £3,900 inc VAT from September 2012 from authorised Leica dealers including the Leica Store Mayfair: www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk, tel: 020 7629 1351. A full list of authorised UK Leica dealers is available at www.leica-camera.co.uk.
Leica warranty and added value services
The Leica M-E comes with a two-year warranty and a one-year Leica UK ‘Passport’ (complimentary accidental damage cover). UK customers are also welcome to visit the Leica Store and Akademie in Mayfair, London, for a complimentary demonstration or training session on the features of the camera. Technical support by telephone or in person is available via Leica’s London-based Client Care department.
Posted in Camera Equipment, Leica, News, Photography
Tagged affordable leica, leica m-e
Rather than changing the classic lines of the Leica rangefinder, Leica have instead opted to bring out a range of accessories that transform the image making machine into an even more capable tool, taking it beyond it’s traditional charm and ability as a classic rangefinder.
Leica R-Adapter M
The Leica M. Shown with the multifunctional Handgrip-M, optional finger loop, Leica R-Adapter M (and a Leica R 70-180mm zoom lens) and Leica EVF2 electronic viewfinder. Photo: © Leica
One of the big upsets amongst Leica users who had the R range of Leica SLRs and lenses has always been the lack of an DSLR solution. The Leica S2 definitely brought the DSLR aspect, but is firstly aimed at the studio environment with it’s medium format chip, but also has it’s own S lenses, making the R lenses still unusable. Thankfully, the Leica M changes things and with the R-Adapter M, the majority Leica’s superb R lenses can now be used. This now opens up the ability to shoot with telephoto, macro and zooms, for photography as well as video. The adapter will be priced at £215 and as with all the new accessories, available from early 2013.
Leica EVF2
The Leica M. Shown with the multifunctional Handgrip-M, optional finger loop, Leica R-Adapter M (and an R lens) and Leica EVF2 electronic viewfinder. Photo: © Leica
In the old days of film, some Leica M models had Visoflex attachments which brought SLR abilities. These were cumbersome and slow to operate. Thankfully, the modern day equivalent isn’t. The EVF2 is a 1.4 megapixel electronic viewfinder that allows through the lens viewing when using Live View for both photography and video. It simply slots onto the hotshoe and into the small interface slot under the hotshoe, on the back of the camera. It can also be tilted 90 degrees, allowing for low angle work with comfort. Having seen the quality of the image from this viewfinder on the Leica X2, it is going to provide an ideal solution for shooting with the camera to the eye. Although the rear screen of the camera can be used for using Leica R lenses or shooting video, the EVF2 will extend the way the camera can be used, and will for most I suspect, be a must buy item. The EVF2 will be priced at £360.
Multifunctional Handgrip-M
This smart grip brings with it several functions; it incorporates GPS, allowing tagging of image location straight into the image’s EXIF.
The Leica M. Shown with the multifunctional Handgrip-M, optional finger loop, Leica R-Adapter M (and a Leica R 70-180mm zoom lens) and Leica EVF2 electronic viewfinder. Photo: © Leica
The grip also offers the ability to use a flash when the normal hotshoe is occupied with the EVF2, using a dedicated SCA adapter and hotshoe, duplicating all of the normal hotshoe’s flash abilities.There will also be an extension cable with a flash bar to allow off camera flash using the grip. For those who prefer it, the grip also offers the ability to attach finger loops, first seen on the limited edition Leica M9 Titanium. The Multifunctional Handgrip-M will be £630. For those who may not need these functions, there is also going to be a Standard Handgrip-M for £209. I think for using the much larger and heavier Leica R lenses, a handgrip is going to be an absolute necessity.
Microphone Adapter Set
An absolutely essential aspect of video is great audio. Most people who work in the film business will in fact tell you that sound is 60% of the final product. It’s great to see that the Leica M is going to have the ability to use an external microphone, for which this adapter will be required.
The adapter slots into the hotshoe and plugs into the interface on the rear of the camera, allowing mono and stereo mini jack microphones to be used. Although the press release or the supplied images do not show this, I’m hopeful that there may be the ability to also mount a microphone to the secondary hotshoe available on the Multifunctional Handgrip-M. If this doesn’t turn out to be so, there are many other options already on the market for attaching a microphone, so I’m not too worried, although this would be an extremely neat solution.
Mounting the brilliant yet tiny Rode VideoMic Pro to the Leica M should make for a superb, compact and ultra high quality video shooting setup. I really cannot wait to try this out! The Microphone Adapter Set will be £150.
Leica Press Release
New accessories for LEICA M
Range of accessories for new LEICA M camera expands potential beyond traditional rangefinder capabilities
Photokina, Cologne, 17 September 2012: Leica Camera AG has unveiled a new range of accessories for the Leica M, increasing the potential use of the camera far beyond the classic capabilities of rangefinder photography. The accessories include the Leica R-Adapter M, Leica EVF2 electronic viewfinder, a Multifunctional Handgrip-M with optional finger loops, and a Leica Microphone Adapter Set, all compatible with the new Leica M, which was also announced today.
The Leica R-Adapter M enables almost all Leica R-Lenses ever built to be mounted on the new Leica M. Users can access a list of 20 dedicated profiles – including calibrated imaging workflows and Exif lens recognition – for a range of R-Lenses covering wide-angles, telephoto, zoom and macro options. This comprehensive portfolio opens up new potential for Leica M photographers, including, for example, video recording with Leica R zoom lenses.
The optional accessories range also includes a high-resolution, electronic Visoflex viewfinder. The Leica EVF2 has a resolution of 1.4 megapixels, and offers 90° rotation for capturing images from unusual angles. When mounted on the camera, it displays all significant exposure parameters and allows precise subject assessment, and is particularly useful when shooting in brightly lit surroundings. Using the R- Adapter M, R-Lenses and viewfinder, the Leica M can be used independently from its monitor in the same way as a DSLR camera.
Also new is the Multifunctional Handgrip-M, which features an integrated GPS module. With this handgrip, the user can record precise geographical information in the image’s EXIF data (i.e. geotagging), enabling the photographer to sort and display images according to location. Facilitating the use of a separate flash unit when an accessory viewfinder is mounted on the camera, the Multifunctional Handgrip-M also provides a dedicated SCA hot shoe that communicates with the camera in the same way as its own hot shoe. The Leica SCA Adapter Set is also available for this purpose. The set comprises a flash bar and a spiral cable with a hot shoe. In addition, the Multifunctional Handgrip-M provides a socket for a remote power supply, as well as a DIN/ISO X-sync socket for studio flash systems. An optional remote power unit (DC Adapter) is also available.
Furthermore, the Leica M can be connected directly to a computer workstation via the handgrip’s integrated USB socket. This allows full remote control of the camera with the ‘Leica Image Shuttle’ software provided, and the transfer of image files directly to the computer by USB cable.
The Multifunctional Handgrip-M is also a valuable aid to safe and steady handling of the camera, particularly when shooting with heavier R-lenses. The optional finger loops, which come in three sizes (S, M and L) further enhance safe and steady handling of the camera and lens system. These can be used in combination with the standard Handgrip-M, which is also available as an optional accessory.
Ensuring high quality sound with the 1080p Full HD video capability of the Leica M, a Leica Microphone Adapter Set, consisting of an adapter and stereo microphone, is also available. Other brands of microphone may also be connected using this adapter.
A new ever-ready case completes the range of accessories for the Leica M.
Pricing and availability
The Leica M range of accessories is scheduled to be available in the UK from early 2013 from authorised Leica dealers including the Leica Store Mayfair: www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk, tel: 020 7629 1351. A full list of authorised UK Leica dealers is available at www.leica-camera.co.uk. Suggested retail prices including VAT are as follows:
Leica R-Adapter M – £215 Multifunctional Handgrip-M – £630 Standard Handgrip-M – £209 Optional Finger Loops (S, M, L) – £80
Photo This & That 