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