 Digital Outback Photo - Photography using Digital SLRs |
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For me there is hardly any doubt that the "Luminous Landscape" by Michael Reichmann is one of the most interesting web sites dedicated to landscape photography and I am a reader for now about two years. We all know that often a picture is worth a thousand words but often a video can be worth a thousand pictures. This was probably Michael thinking when he planned this new video magazine about landscape and nature photography. |
| After a readers poll Michael decided to go for the DVD format. This is a great decision as DVD is convenient, provides a menu and also much better quality than just VHS tapes. |
| Before we talk about the detailed content of this first ever issue we have to say that it is professionally produced and fun to watch. |
| This journal has one quality in common with the Luminous Landscape web site: Michael Reichmann presents a lot of little details (tools, techniques, opinions, ..) which turn out to be so important. I also think that Michael's claim to serve advanced and novice photographers holds to be true. |
| Here is a more in detail review of the major sections: |
| 1. Death Valley — 4 separate video segments on doing photography in Death Valley, California |
| These are some shorter video clips about the story behind some photos. This part is excellent as it shows the little details which make or break photos ("Where is the compass?", "Footprints as graphic or annoying photo elements".) |
| Even if these clips are not very long you probably will like to view it more often. |
| 2. Canon EOS D30 |
| This review by Michael might not be everyone's style as it is presented in a quite long monologue. Michael clearly likes Canon gear and to be fair he also produces excellent results with the D30. The glossy prints printed with the Epson 1270 printer are also good photos although this is difficult to judge in a video. But you then also can later see the photos as part of the online D30 review at the "Luminous Landscape". |
| On the other side this review concentrates on key essentials which were important for Michael. Many reviewers compare digital cameras with film but mostly based on resolution. Michael sees other characteristics like saturation, color quality, contrast and shadow detail to be as or more important (and I clearly join him on this). |
| 3. Captive Wildlife with D30 |
| This clip follows Michael to the zoo where he made some stunning animal (Tiger head, ...). Michael again covers the important details, like: "Why is overcast the right time for the zoo?" and "How to photograph through the protective wire mesh?". You will be the next weekend in the zoo! Overcast in California is a different issue :-). |
| 4. An Interview with Alain Briot |
| This interview is very, very informative. Briot captures great "Rock art" and comes from an artistic background (painting). His comparison of painting and photography is just to the point (I intentionally stay this vague not to spoil your fun watching this clip). Also the interview was taped in an amazing Canyon setting. |
| Finally also some amazing Iris prints (printed on water color paper) of Briot's work were presented and commented by the artist. Here in the interview or later Michael could have pointed to some web resources with more information about "Iris" prints. |
| Overall as said in the beginning this was fun to watch and very "inspirational" (currently my favorite word and should indicate that something gives me the energy, ideas and knowledge to continue with our own photography. Actually this is also a quality not to be easily found.) |
| Conclusion: Highly recommended! |
| As we are convinced about the quality of this "Luminous Landscape Video Journal" we joined as a Video Journal partner and you can subscribe the journal right from us. |
| Subscribe to the Luminous Landscape Video Journal |
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