Nikon today introduced the COOLPIX P7000. At home in a pro’s gadget bag or in the hands of a spirited enthusiast, passionate photographers of all levels will benefit from the P7000’s high performance, extensive manual controls, stunning image quality and advanced shooting functions.

The 10.1-megapixel COOLPIX P7000 features [...]]]>

The new Nikon Coolpix P7000

Nikon today introduced the COOLPIX P7000. At home in a pro’s gadget bag or in the hands of a spirited enthusiast, passionate photographers of all levels will benefit from the P7000’s high performance, extensive manual controls, stunning image quality and advanced shooting functions.

The 10.1-megapixel COOLPIX P7000 features a large 1/1.7” CCD sensor coupled with a 7.1x Wide Angle Optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED Glass Lens for consistent superior image quality that explodes with vivid color and sharpness frame after frame. Taking Nikon’s commitment to image quality a step further, the P7000 adopts Nikon’s new EXPEED C2™ high performance digital image processing engine to ensure high-quality pictures with stunning color and sharpness.

“The COOLPIX P7000 represents the best of both worlds. It is an exciting compact camera offering from Nikon, as it not only provides expanded creative control found in digital SLR cameras, but also provides photo enthusiasts with the portability and simplicity of COOLPIX digital cameras,” said Bo Kajiwara, director of marketing, Nikon Inc. “The P7000 is the perfect complement to an advanced photographer’s D-SLR, and it inspires the entry-level consumer to explore the boundaries of their photographic capabilities and fulfill their creative vision.”

ISO sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to 6400 (expandable to ISO 12,800 in low noise Night Mode) to ensure incredibly sharp, crisp images when shooting in low-light or photographing fast-moving subjects. The P7000 also offers a variety of functions that enable superior rendering when shooting at high sensitivities, including a Low Noise Night Mode and a Noise Reduction Filter. The camera also features 5-Way VR Image Stabilization System, which utilizes a variety of tactics including optical lens shift to minimize the effect of camera shake to help banish the blur while shooting handheld or in low-light.

Thoughtful engineering has led to the addition of features that will be welcome to current D-SLR users. The Zoom Memory function allows the camera’s 28-200mm (35mm equivalent) lens to be used in a way that simulates use of a prime lens, ideal for shooting at a preferred angle of view. The P7000 also adds controls and buttons for key features like ISO, white balance, bracketing and exposure compensation. The new innovative and independent Quick Menu dial ensures easy access to key functions with the comfort of analog operation. Advanced users will also enjoy the benefits of shooting RAW/NRW* files for creative freedom, and macro abilities as close as 0.8 inches.

While the image quality of the P7000 is nothing short of stellar, the video capabilities are far beyond that of a typical compact. The P7000 records HD video at 720p at 24 frames-per-second (fps) with optical zoom and autofocus control. A COOLPIX first, users can now record audio with an external stereo microphone via the microphone input. An accessory microphone or Nikon Speedlight can be mounted on the P7000’s hot shoe.

Additional features of the Nikon COOLPIX P7000 digital camera include:

• 7.1x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens (28-200mm f/2.8-5.6) allows for detailed close-ups and dramatic landscapes.
• 3.0-inch 921,000-dot Clear Color Display with wide viewing angle makes it easy to compose, view and share still images and movies that come alive with rich detail and improved contrast.
• Large optical viewfinder with diopter adjustment dial
• Tone Level Information helps photographers achieve their desired exposure with a histogram display, allowing them to determine the exposure while checking the balance between highlights and shadows.
• Electronic Virtual Horizon Indicator gives the user visual confirmation that the camera has a level horizon.
• In-camera editing functions include exposure compensation, COOLPIX Picture Control, noise reduction filter, Quick Retouch, D-Lighting and Active D-Lighting.
• 5-Way Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization System
  • Optical VR Image Stabilization by lens shift minimizes the effects of camera shake.
  • Hybrid VR Image Stabilization by lens shift and electronic VR.
  • Motion Detection automatically detects moving subjects and adjusts shutter speed and the ISO setting to compensate for camera shake and subject movement.
  • High ISO up to 6400 at full resolution for optimal results when shooting in low-light or photographing fast-moving subjects.
  • Best Shot Selector (BSS) automatically takes up to 10 shots while the user presses the shutter and saves the sharpest image.
• Full Manual Controls-PSAM (Program, Shutter, Aperture, Manual) control gives creative control over images.
• NRW (RAW) file function compatible with Mac® and Windows® Operating Systems.
• Bracketing functions for Automatic Exposure (Sv and Tv) and White Balance allows the user to take consecutive shots with slightly different settings and select the one that best matches their intention.
• HD (720p) Movie with Stereo, Mic Input Jack and HDMI Output records at 24 fps with optical zoom, autofocus and stereo sound.
• Subject Tracking automatically activates autofocus while tracking moving subjects, like active children or unpredictable animals.
• Scene Auto Selector automatically recognizes the shooting situation and adjusts the camera’s settings accordingly for great pictures anywhere.
• Smart Portrait System integrates the following features to make it a snap to capture stunning portraits:
  • In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™ automatically fixes most instances of red-eye.
  • Enhanced Face-Priority AF can detect up to 12 faces from a variety of angles.
  • Skin Softening ensures smooth skin tone on the face of subjects by leveraging built-in face-detection technology.
  • Smile Timer automatically detects when a subject smiles and releases the shutter.
  • Blink Warning alerts the photographer if a subject has blinked.

I’m quite excited about this camera, as I’ve been using a Canon G9 for the last few years and while it’s a brilliant compact I really feel a bit dirty using a Canon   It’d be nice to be able to use my Nikon flash on a compact as well.  The £480 price tag does make it a camera for serious photographers though or those who don’t want a bulky slr system to carry around.  I think I’d find the HD video a lot more useful on a camera like this than on an SLR too, but perhaps that’s because I’ve not tried HD on an SLR yet.

Favourite feature on this, Blink Warning!  Genius!

As part of North-East Open Studios I will be showcasing a selection of my best work from the last few years and selling prints, postcards and books in Peterculter Heritage Hall, Station Road East.  It’s a brilliant location as the hall is situated on the Deeside Way, just a few yards from the River Dee.

Also showing [...]]]>

As part of North-East Open Studios I will be showcasing a selection of my best work from the last few years and selling prints, postcards and books in Peterculter Heritage Hall, Station Road East.  It’s a brilliant location as the hall is situated on the Deeside Way, just a few yards from the River Dee.

Also showing in the hall is Jane Ronie who will have a selection of her glass jewellery on display.

The hall also has afternoon teas and cakes for sale from 2 till 4 on the Saturday and Sunday so there will be refreshments available if you make the trip.

As part of the exhibition week we are holding a celebration night on Friday 17th.  Doors will open at 7pm and we’ll be finished by 10pm, Kitchen Cynics will be performing on the night at around 8.30.  I’m really excited that Kitchen Cynics agreed to perform for us as I’m a big fan and think it’ll work really well in the hall.  Myself and Jane will be on hand to talk about our work and share a glass of wine or two!

I’ll be manning the exhbition most days so if you have any questions or want to talk photography then pop down, I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and getting some feedback.  Make sure you check out as much of the NEOS events as possible, head over to the NEOS site to see what’s on offer: http://www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk/

I’ll also be blogging regularly during the NEOS week, so check back as often as you can to see what’s been happening!

I’ve published my first book with a collection of 20 of my best photos from the last couple of years.  You can buy it online at Blurb.com or in person at my NEOS exhibition later this month.  It’s a softback book, [...]]]>

I’ve published my first book with a collection of 20 of my best photos from the last couple of years.  You can buy it online at Blurb.com or in person at my NEOS exhibition later this month.  It’s a softback book, printed in very high quality and for only £20!  Tell your friends!  An early christmas present perhaps?

My brother in law Neil has been travelling the world and as a result, decided that he needed to see more of Scotland upon his return.  We thought Skye would be a good place to start and headed there for 2 nights camping near Dunvegan.

I simply love Skye.  This was the third time I’d been in [...]]]>

My brother in law Neil has been travelling the world and as a result, decided that he needed to see more of Scotland upon his return.  We thought Skye would be a good place to start and headed there for 2 nights camping near Dunvegan.

I simply love Skye.  This was the third time I’d been in a year and we found new places with amazing views and more reasons to love the place.  We stayed in a camping pod on the shore of Loch Greshornish, near Edinbane.  If you’ve never stayed in a camping pod then I can thoroughly recommend it, particularly in rainy places like Skye.  We were caught in a torrential downpour walking back from the pub and it would’ve been a big hassle 3 wet people and a dog going back to a tent, but a dry pod which you can stand up in made all the difference.

So, 3.20 am on nearly the shortest day of the year, I decided that would be the perfect time to get up and go for some sunrise shots.  I’d had one in mind for a while and wanted to capture it while the Oil Seed Rape was in full bloom, it would make a perfect summer [...]]]>

So, 3.20 am on nearly the shortest day of the year, I decided that would be the perfect time to get up and go for some sunrise shots.  I’d had one in mind for a while and wanted to capture it while the Oil Seed Rape was in full bloom, it would make a perfect summer scene and should work brilliantly with the orange glow of the rising sun.  Alas, the light wasn’t quite at it’s best but I did get a couple of shots.  I wanted the catch Stonehaven as the sun bathed it in orange light but the sky was stubbornly flat.  Thankfully I looked over my shoulder and got a spectacular sunrise over the rape, a tantalising glimpse of what could have been on another day.

The Stonehaven shot is still good but just doesn’t have the bang I was hoping for.  My Father-in-Law had joined me for this early morning excursion, and after about an hour of being relentlessly attacked by midges we decided a change of location was needed.  Off to Dunnottar Castle!

Again the sky wasn’t great here but the opportunity to take summer photos of one of Scotland’s most photographed castles, without any tourists wandering into shot was too good to miss.  With such a fine ruin it’s not always necessary to have a spectacular sky, sometimes a simple patch of flowers can help to make the picture.  After working the flowers for about half an hour I figured I’d better catch up with Russell.  I found him on the bridge over the little stream running alongside the path upto the castle, the stream working as a brilliant lead into the castle.  The valley is looking fantastically lush and green just now, adding a real vibrancy to the scene and hopefully a slightly different take on this most photographed of monuments to our medieval past.

6 am came pretty swiftly, I grabbed a couple of butteries as the shop opened and made for home for some well earned breakfast and a few hours more sleep.  Refreshed, I made my way back down the hill to the harbour in wonderful summer sun.  Again the light wasn’t amazing but it’s not often we get to see Stonehaven harbour looking almost tropical.  Naturally, I took advantage of this with a swift pint of refreshment on the harbour wall.  Suitably quenched, I headed off to Dunnottar woods to try and grab a bluebells photo before they withered and crept back to the earth.

A pretty productive and successful day, I’ll need to push myself a bit more to get out early and ensure I get the best light for photography.  The rewards are worth the lack of sleep.

Yesterday was the first Saturday since the Council passed their motion to support City Square Project and the possible destruction of the beautiful Union Terrace Gardens, in the heart of Aberdeen.  It also happened to be the hottest day of the year so far, as a result it was rammed.  I was there from 3 till [...]]]>

Yesterday was the first Saturday since the Council passed their motion to support City Square Project and the possible destruction of the beautiful Union Terrace Gardens, in the heart of Aberdeen.  It also happened to be the hottest day of the year so far, as a result it was rammed.  I was there from 3 till about 6pm and the gardens were still busy when I left, a couple of bbqs had started and people were enjoying this wonderful green space without any real problems arising.  There were families, single people reading, a hen party, punks and groups of friends all enjoying the park in different ways.  Most were happy to just sit and enjoy the sun, others were practicing parkour flips and moves, some boys were kicking a ball around and others were playing musical instruments, adding a bit of summer songs to the chattering and laughter already being carried round the park by the warm breeze.

One group was absent, there was no sign of any Junkies or ne’er do wells, no anti-social behaviour(apart from one kid lobbing a coffee cup into a flower bed, his friend picked it up though) and no sign of any councillors to witness this. This is probably because they are completely out of touch with fellow Aberdonians, mixing only with fellow councillors or businessmen.  Maybe because they all have their own gardens, or live in parts of the city well catered for with parks and green space.  Space soon to be denied to those who live or work in the city centre, hence why they flock to UTG on a sunny day.

They weren’t all there due to some mythical organised campaign(though it soon will be organised) either, one man I spoke to had no idea what was being proposed for the gardens.  A young guy from Slovakia, he spends a lot of time relaxing in UTG and was reading a book that afternoon, he asked me about the photos I was taking and we struck up a conversation.  I was wary of mentioning City Square at first as I can get quite passionate and ramble on, so we chatted about Aberdeen and Slovakia.  I asked what he thought of the gardens, “It is like an Oasis amongst all the grey buildings here” was the reply.  Totally unprompted.

“That is idiotic and stupid” was the reply when I told him what they planned to do to the gardens.  Our Slovakian friend couldn’t understand why you would rip up a park to make a square, particularly one like UTG.  We want our gardens, not a huge developed square with landscaped shrubbery.  They just need some TLC, working toilets and perhaps a cafe.  Peacocks plan would’ve provided this but now that it’s dead in the water we need to focus on saving the gardens.

A protest is planned for the 12th of June, we will make our voice heard.