Thursday, November 11, 2010

London to Brighton Veteran Car Run pictures: Madeira Drive, Brighton, Nov 7, 2010


Managed to get some great pictures of the Veteran Car Run this year on a beautiful day in Brighton. It was probably one of the best days I have seen in the many years of covering the event. What's more, the Daily Telegraph website featured 30 of my images.

This year, the pictures were taken with the great Canon 7D DSLR. With its high-speed drive, even in RAW mode, the camera was a joy to use... although I had to edit down more than 1,000 images!
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Saturday, November 06, 2010

Semi nude Kate Moss photos in Best of British exhibition

Semi nude Kate Moss photos win ‘Best of British’ billing
- Amateur Photographer

http://bit.ly/atdgnh

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Photography scientist Geoffrey Crawley dies

Renowned photography scientist Geoffrey Crawley dies (update with tributes)

Amateur Photographer
http://bit.ly/9adpkG

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New Canon EOS lens delays

Canon has announced a production delay to three news lenses announced recently: the EF 8-15mm F4L USM, the EF 300mm and the 400mm F2.8L IS II
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Camera News Updates

Panasonic GF2 announced and previewed








Digital Photography Review

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Watchdog warns about street pictures

Watchdog warns photographers over street pictures
- Amateur Photographer
http://bit.ly/aaydjA


Here is an interesting story about publishing images of people who object to having their picture taken in public.

The key to the story is in the first paragraph: "If a person 'actively objects' to having their picture taken in a public place then photographers should not publish that image, the privacy watchdog has warned."

Clearly, you can TAKE the pictures, but it then becomes a matter of judgment about publishing them. Sensible enough, you might think. But, what does 'actively object' mean?

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) in the UK tells Amateur Photographer magazine: 'If an individual actively objects to having their photo taken or if a photograph is taken without an individual's consent in circumstances which could clearly cause them distress or embarrassment, then it is good practice not to use that image.'

That's not good enough. There are many occasions when it WOULD be good practice to USE that image. For example, a police officer assaulting a member of the public would no doubt 'actively object' to having their picture taken and it would cause them distress and embarrassment if that picture were published. Yet, it would be in the public interest to ensure that such an image had the widest possible audience. And what about candid pictures? Many people would object to seeing themselves in a strange light.

Also, what if you came across a drunken teenage girl in the street and it was a good illustration for a story? Good judgment would dictate that the girl should not be identifiable. However, when she sobers up, she and her friends might know it's her in the picture and she could 'actively object' to its use. Should you then suppress the image? I think not.

So, the ICO warning is as clear as mud, if indeed it is a warning at all. What are they warning about? What happens if such pictures are published?

And it does not, of course, address the real issues.

It is not illegal to take photographs in a public place in the UK (yet!) As the ICO itself adds: "[The Data Protection Act] does not stipulate that photographers, whether professional or amateur, must gain the consent of everyone they photograph before they publish photos." [Let alone take the pictures in the first place!]

Sensible and responsible photographers should always exercise judgment, of course. But the whole issue of photography in a public place and publication on the internet has arisen because of the ridiculous concept - perpetuated by some ignorant people wearing uniforms - that everyone carrying a camera is a criminal (maybe even a terrorist or a pedophile).

Moveover, the ICO fudges the internet issue entirely: "While the ICO this week said it has no plans to issue 'specific guidance' on the use of photographs, the spokesman added: 'However, the publication of photos online is part of a wider issue about individuals' use of the internet which is an issue we are looking at.'"

Correct me if I am wrong, but the internet has been around for quite a while now. Isn't it about time someone 'stopped looking' and actually said something constructive?

Should I publish this picture?

'Actively objecting'
The driver of an old Jaguar 'actively objected' to my taking pictures of him and his car that had broken down and was belching steam.

I was photographing the London to Brighton Jaguar Run so this ruling, quoted from the ICO is clearly relevant: 'Professional and amateur photographers taking photos in the street, at a festival or at a football match, for example, do not need to obtain the consent of the individuals who appear in their photos.'

The picture is a good illustration of the passion people have for their old cars, which is the whole point of the Jaguar Run. I'm sure he would have been happy if it was just a picture of his beautiful car before it broke down, so he was fair game.
In my opinion, including him in a gallery of the event is the right judgment. His objection not only makes the picture but also illustrates the event itself.

Friday, November 05, 2010

Nostalgia: Chevrolet Impala

Chevrolet ImpalaI love going through pictures I have taken over the years and comparing the different cameras used. It is always interesting to see how the technology has improved. And, of course, I keep asking myself if an upgrade to the latest  equipment is really necessary. Take this picture of an old Chevvy for example. It was taken two years ago with a Leica Digilux 3 - only 7.5m pixels, a bit clunky, but still great results. Full pic

Leica M3 pictureThen, the name Leica starts me hankering for the days of film and the M series... Leica M3
And what about that o-so-practical classic, the Olympus OM1. Yes, I've used them all! Below is a picture I took in Bergen, Norway, about 17 years ago, using an OM1, with the standard 50mm Zuiko lens and Kodak negative film.  Norway pictures

Bergen Norway picture Olympus Om1

Where have the storms gone?

We have had several storms in Brighton, England, during October over the years, but it has been very quiet this year.

Is this an example of climate change?

Below is a spectacular example of waves breaking over Brighton Marina last year.

It was shot using a Canon 500D, 100-400mm L lens and a tripod from the safety of a flat in Royal Crescent, Brighton.

The Upside Down House


Polish designers Klaudiusz Golos and Sebastion Mikuciuk have built an upside down house because they wanted "to do something different.”
It is certainly that... check out more pictures of this bizarre house: bitrebels.com

Thursday, November 04, 2010

Black and White Horse


Going through old pictures I have taken to see what can be turned into black and white.

This beautiful horse was taken a few years back using one of the very first Canon digital SLRs on the market, the D30. It was only 3m pixels, but the images are still rather good.

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2010

It's that time of year again
The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is this Sunday, November 7, and I hope to be taking pictures again.
According to the weather forecast, it might be a bit chilly, but dry.
My images last year were featured on the Daily Telegraph website

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Veteran car pictures 2009

Iceland in black and white














Looking through some of my pictures taken in Iceland to convert to black and white. Here's a nice moody picture of an old fishing boat in Reykjavik harbour.

Copyright © 2010 Peter Greenhalgh

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