Angus McBean image

Is anyone able to identify the actress in this post-war Angus McBean photograph which is owned by a friend? It is a whole plate print mounted on card, signed by McBean in pencil. The reverse has his stamp from Endell Street WC2 putting the image after 1945. Any leads or comments welcome.

Tokyo Camera Style

I’ve just come across John Sypal’s delightful Tokyo Camera Style blog – wonderful to see so many old cameras being enjoyed – I’ll add his link to the blogroll.

Chinese editions

It has been difficult tracking down the covers for the simplified Chinese language editions of my books Basics Photography: Composition and Basics Photography: Lighting. Available through the site http://www.gmw.cn/ (I think). Working in Black-and-white is also now available in a Chinese co-edition. I’m told the first two titles are selling well enough to be in their 3rd or 4th reprint.

More from the Bronica RF

Another wonderful image from the standard lens on the Bronica RF645. Shot on ISO 400 Portra NC it is proving difficult to scan and print digitally – especially with respect to the grain and noise in the dark shadows. Which of course would not be an issue with conventional printing – I need to get it along to a lab! The picture is from our trip to America last year.

Creative Applied Photography book

My latest book - Fundamentals of Creative Photography – is now in the last stages of production and will be published early next year by ava academia. It is a comprehensive 200-page introduction to the world of applied creative photography, exploring the basic principles underpinning photography, and guiding readers though the practical considerations involved in executing the perfect shot. The book is concerned with photography in a professional context – images that are to be used in the fulfilment of a brief, rather than those created solely for self-expression. For this, creativity is vital, but must be focused on meeting the client’s needs.

As such, the Fundamentals of Creative Photography deals in practical advice for photographers as working image-makers, from the importance of communication to useful industry information and advice. It includes guidance on acquiring and developing new skills, the practice of self-promotion and self-administration, and a discussion of the image workflow. ISBN 978-2940411139

Google – Street View

The Google – Street View car has just visited us – just had the time to pick up a digital compact and return the favour before the car turned around. I hope I have posted my image of them quicker than they can post their image of me!

Hungarian editions

My titles Basics Photography: Composition and Basics Photography: Lighting are now available to Hungarian readers in editions from Alexandra Publishing. This publishing house has enjoyed massive recent growth and is based in the city of Pécs soon to be European Capital of Culture (2010). The few details I have are Kompozícío (ISBN 978-963 244 112-2) and Világosítás (ISBN 978-963 244 113-9). The books sell for 5500 Hungarian Forints each but are available online at a discount at 4400Ft at http://www.scolar.hu/

Coming soon…

Also in the final stage of preparation for the presses is my Visual Dictionary of Photography.  This is a comprehensive guide to terms and concepts used throughout photography – it covers ever eras and all types of photography. Details here. Like the other dictionaries in this series it is a beautifully bound pocket book providing and essential reference source for students, enthusiasts, photographers and tutors alike. (ISBN 978 2 940411 04 7)

… also coming

My next book to be publiched is in ava’a Basics Photography series. Exposure – is now in final production and should be available in September 2009.  Basics Photography: Exposure covers the ground from the basics of light, depth of field and aperture. motion, light meters and measurement always emphasising how technique can be used expressively and creatively. It is packed with images, ideas and information. (ISBN 978 2 940411 05 4). Paperback with flaps – 184 pages

Black-and-white in French

My latest book in the Photography FAQs series has now been translated into French and published as Photographique FAQs: Noir et Blanc (ISBN13: 978-2-912679-78-9). Présenté comme une encyclopédie de questions-réponses de 50 thèmes, cet ouvrage couvre tous les aspects de la photo Noir et Blanc, depuis l’essence même d’une véritable image Noir et Blanc jusqu’à l’équipement nécessaire à sa capture. Noir et Blanc aborde tous les aspects de ce genre photographique, comme la saisie de la scène et sa composition, les processus de conversion, les techniques de tirage et la réalisation d’effets spéciaux ; en tant que tel c’est un ouvrage de référence indispensable. Noir et Blanc apporte des réponses détaillées aux questions-clés soulevées par une majorité de photographes aux cours de conférences, dans les magazines spécialisés et sur les forums Internet. L’ouvrage abonde d’illustrations, d’images comparatives complétant le texte, de photographies de qualité qui ne peuvent qu’inspirer le lecteur.