Capturing a world of color and light |
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Written by James Jordan
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Tuesday, 28 October 2008 14:24 |
 Simple, pure images that glow with light and color is the hallmark of Lucie Debelkova’s photography. Currently based in Kuwait, Debelkova has literally traveled the world – having visited 73 countries and counting – to bring home vivid photographs that almost seem to breathe with a life of their own.
Debelkova is self taught, and her choice of gear throughout the learning process reflects each stage of her developing skills. “My digital journey started in 2001 with a point and shoot Canon PowerShot A20,” Debelkova shared. “A year later I migrated to a 5mpx Minolta Dimage 7i. Another year came and another camera change brought me to the 6mpx Nikon D70. In 2005 I made the switch to an 8mpx Canon 350D and by the end of 2006 I upgraded it to the 10mpx Canon 400D.”
 Each change in gear comes after Debelkova thoroughly researches her options, relying heavily on product reviews. Sometimes, those reviews have taken her in an unexpected direction.
“When looking around the market for a new upgrade at the beginning of this year, I was making my mind between the 12mpx Canon 450D or 12mpx Nikon D300,” Debelkova said. “By pure chance I saw reviews of the new 15mpx Pentax K20D. It was an instant decision as it offered the most mega pixels in its class and provided other great functions. I'm extremely happy about my decision and would not change it.”
 Debelkova’s pragmatism extends to her choice of lenses as well. “After having a bag full of great lenses for Nikon, I decided to go with the Sigma 18-200mm lens with both Canon cameras. It is a very practical lens when traveling and there is less danger of getting dust on the sensor. I followed a similar approach with the Pentax K20D and got a Pentax SMCP-DA 18mm-250mm f/3.5-6.3 AL with a wide angle Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM and a Pentax D-FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro Auto Focus Lens.”
Debelkova defines her choice of gear on what meets her needs rather than brand loyalty. “As I've gone through different camera brands until now, I don’t count myself as a pure Canon or Nikon or Pentax user,” she said. “Each of the brands has its advantages. I'm a travel and landscape photographer; therefore I don’t need the fastest camera, as a sport photographer might need. I'm selling my work and I need to produce a large print size. That is what Pentax has offered me, among other things.”
 In addition to selling prints of her far-flung photography, Debelkova’s photos have appeared in a variety of travel magazines. Some of her work was recently published in curriculum produced by Yale University.
Debelkova prides herself on producing work with a minimal amount of post processing. “None of my photos are HDR or blended images - they are taken from just one shot,” Debelkova said. “The software I use is called Zoner. It is similar to ACDSee - simple but convenient editing software. I used to work with Photoshop but find Zoner easier to use for those few adjustments I make.”
 Debelkova’s travels have crossed many of the arbitrary lines drawn all over the globe. She sees her photography as being no different. “Photography is a great self-learning process that has no borders,” she says. “It should be far more than the simple act of recording a lasting memory. In a way, it is about tempting our imagination to create an external image. “
 “Travel, on the other hand, allows us to discover new places with new atmospheres, smells, tastes and sounds. It allows us to meet other people with different lives, opinions, experiences or customs; to let us realize that nothing is just black and white, that there might be a visible or hidden reason for everything people do.”
“Just because we don't understand something today it doesn't mean we won't understand it tomorrow.” |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 30 October 2008 19:43 )
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Steve Morris -- Shrewsbury in soft light |
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Written by René Edde
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Tuesday, 16 September 2008 00:00 |
 Steve Morris creates the kind of pictures that inspire dreams. His images taken in the sleepy old town of Shrewsbury, England, have a surreal sense of place that transports you back in time.
The vibrant colors of the skies and the warm lights in the windows of Steve’s photographs have a surreal glow. His use of long exposures, slow shutter speeds, and low lighting situations, all combine together to make Steve’s Shrewsbury photographs look like antiqued oil paintings. It is easy when viewing them, to get transported to this other place, losing yourself for a while in the magic and mystery before you.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 30 September 2008 17:12 )
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The serenity of the wilderness |
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Written by James Jordan
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Tuesday, 02 September 2008 00:00 |
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The photography of Peter Bowers  When the hectic life of a trader gives way to free time, you’ll often find Peter Bowers exploring the wilderness near his native Toronto, Canada by canoe, by foot, or on a mountain bike or cross country skis. And more often than not, Bowers will carry his photo gear with him to capture stunning landscapes. His photos depict a world in repose with the power to draw the viewer in to momentarily become a part of his elusive world.
Bowers is a compositional kung fu master, skillfully using leading lines to draw the viewer’s eye into the picture. His photos are not so much images of scenery, but of light, reducing elements into compelling forms and shapes. Bowers’ images have appeared on calendars, in an outdoors supply catalog and on corporate websites. He also maintains an active photo stream on Flickr, going by the username of Mr. Fabulous.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 25 September 2008 15:53 )
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Landscape Photography Gear for Traveling Light |
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Written by IDP Editorial
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Friday, 20 June 2008 04:12 |
 Whether you travel several times a year or live on the road, as a professional photographer you know the demands of taking photos when you travel. There is definitely more to consider when you are on the move than just your camera.
But the camera and the equipment demands on landscape photographers on the move can add up to serious weight in gear when you include accessories and storage. A lightweight camera like the Samsung GX-20 which is very similar to the Pentax K20D, is a welcome alternative for landscape photography without compromise. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 15 September 2008 22:34 )
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