Mercedes SLS AMG GT3.

Nicolas Di Marco, Marcello Pulisi from Italy in the Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 ahead of the pack at Surtees, Brands Hatch.

This image is available for reproduction from my store.

This image is copyrighted © Mark Stothard and is protected by Digimarc Technology.

Whoops - How to drop a $2300 lens

Two hands are always better than one !!

Hope your covered by insurance ?

Why should i use Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

Who is Lightroom for?

For more details on » Lightroom Keyboard

For more details on » SLRLouge

Cool Video, Virgin America

I know it's not Photography, but cool video and lighting and a great way of getting over a message most traveller ignore !!!

Enjoy,

Nikon Df - Early hands on previews

It's only been a day since Nikon released details of their Df, Digital Fusion and some luck people have already had a change to get their hands on the Df. 

Here are their video previews.

Nikon Df Images

Images Copyright Nikon

Nikon Pure Photography: Episode #7

Nikon has released the 7th video in there Nikon Df series of new camera line up .

I've already added the Nikon Df to my Christmas list for 2013, thanks Father Christmas LOL.

Adobe Inspire Magazine: November Issue Now Available

Adobe Inspire Magazine: November Issue Now Available, topics covered this month are;

• Accelerated web design workflows with Photoshop CC
• Alternative poster art of James White
• Video editing for non-professionals with Adobe Premiere Pro® CC 

These are just three of hundred's of topics.

More details »

Alamy : Payment fees now scrapped and threshold reduced

Alamy has recently announced some changes to their payment terms.

They have lowered the payment threshold from $175 to $100, but introduced fees for some payment options.

"We’re scrapping the payment fees and reducing the payment threshold again."

more details »

Nikon Pure Photography - teaser #6

The latest teaser video from Nikon for their newest DSLR, Nikon Df.

Has the Nikon photographer rediscovered creativity, passion and photography? Find out on November 5th.

Nikon Pure Photography - teaser #5

One image at a time !

Rediscover creativity, passion and photography as we follow a photographer on a journey through Scotland.

How can the photographer capture a moment frozen in time?

Nikon Df - Pure Photography Update

I'm so excited about the new up coming camera from Nikon, called the Df, Digital Fusion, which is expected to be officially announced on November 5th 2013.
From reading photography news and rumours, this camera looks like it will be based similar in size to one of Nikon's traditional manual cameras like Nikon's F3, but a digital version.
Here are some technical specifications which, I THINK the camera MAY have.

• Standard Nikon F-mount
• Pentaprism viewfinder 
• 16.2MP 36x23,9 full frame sensor 
• AF system, 39 point
• SD memory card
• 2016-pixel RGB image sensor
• 9-cell framing grid display
• 3D color matrix metering II
• Native ISO range: 100-12,800 (incl. ISO 50 and ISO 102,400)
• 5.5 fps for up to 100 shots
• 3.2" LCD screen
• Expeed 3 processor
• Battery:EN-EL14
• Dimensions: 143.5 x 110 x 66.5mm
• Weight: 765g
• No video recording capabilities
• The camera will meter even with non-AI lenses down to full aperture

Nikon Pure Photography - teaser #4

Nikon Retro Full Frame Digital Camera, Nikon DF

I don't really comment on Rumors, just facts, however if you believe everything on the internet, which you shouldn't, Nikon are in early November 2013, launching a Retro Digital Full Frame camera.

• DF may stand for "Digital Fusion".
• AF system could be the same as in the D610 with 39 points.
• Aspect ratios settings for 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 aspect ratios.
• Expect NO video, its a still digital manual camera.
• Possible support for ALL F mount Nikkor lenses.

I'm guessing the DF camera may be a modern digital version of something like Nikon's F3 camera with out all the modern menus?
The promo videos below, look like they were shot in Scotland.
Video #1


Video #2


Video #3

Up to 70% off Photo Gifts

Great photo gift ideals for Christmas with

• up to 70% off Photo Books
• up to 70% Calenders
• up to 66% off Prints
• up to 70% off Canvas
• up to 50% off cards
• up to 60% off Mobile and Tablet cases
• up to 70% off Well Decor and Posters
• up to 70% off Home Gifts
• up to 60% off Home and Desk Decor

Click here for more info

All correct at time of publishing, but may change without notice.

Nikon F5 commercial

Nikon F5 film camera that captures video, such fun.

Nikon CashBack

Nikon is currently offering Cash back on several different products in their portfolio, depending on their geographic markets.
Here is some of them.

• D3100 - £20 / €25 CashBack
• D3200 - £30 / €35 CashBack
• D5200 - £50 / €60 CashBack
• D7000 - £70 / €80 CashBack
• D7100 - £100 / €120 CashBack
• D800 - £160 / €190 CashBack
• S1 - £20 / €25 CashBack
• J3 - £50 / €60  CashBack
• V2 - £80 / €95  CashBack

There are also offer on FX, DX and Nikon 1 lenses, plus Speedlights and Binoculars.
Some USA retailers of offering 4% rewards and FREE shipping.
Check them out  by visiting

Perfect Photo Suite 8

Bring out the best in every photo with Perfect Photo Suite 8

Create extraordinary images, inspire your creativity, and solve the most common photo problems with Perfect Photo Suite 8—a complete photo editor designed to make your images look their best. Work the way you want and perform editing tasks that are too time-consuming in Adobe® Photoshop®, or impossible to do alone in Lightroom®, Photoshop Elements, or Apple® Aperture®. You'll have all that you need to enhance, retouch and stylize images, replace backgrounds, and create high quality enlargements.



For more details on Perfect Photo Suite 8, visit - on1.so

Sony released Full Frame α7 and α7R cameras

The Internet has been awash of the news of Sony officially released their new Full Frame α7 and α7R cameras. 

Since Sony's announcement, there has been lots of questions on social media such as Facebook .

David Peacock says “um, i m guessing an a-to e-mount adapter would be mandatory for these cameras , since e-mount lens are not currently designed for anything larger than an APS sized sensor. Not to mention many of Sonys a-mount lenses would not be ideal either . So that tends to make me think Sony has a new line of full frame e-mount lenses on the drawing board.”

Sony has replied to some of these, Your α7 and 7r question FAQ.

We need power..

As a travel photographer, I need power where ever I go to take photographs, up a mountain or in the rain forest.

I have plenty of batteries, together with my travel, car and solar power charger, but sometimes, I don't have mains power to charge my batteries, then at night, my solar power charger won't work either.

Here is a great idea for fire charging, called Flame Stower, the idea is you can charge your USB devices from a fire or stove.

I love the concept and perhaps this kickstarter project has some real benefits for travel photographers?

Check them out at  flamestower.com or at their kickstarter page.

Nikon D610 now shipping

Nikon’s newest Full Frame DSLR the D610 is now in stock at several online retailers.

DxOMark has recently published their findings for the Nikon D610 cameras.

"Although we can’t comment on whether the D610 addresses the issue of dust and oil deposits found on the original model, the new camera has some improved features, including a new shutter mechanism, which sounds promising. Along with that, the D610 offers all the performance of the original D600. While the original is available discounted at $1699, saving around $300 on the body of the D610, the new model is still excellent value when compared to rival offerings."

To read their review click here

60% off A4 Wall Calendars

Currently PhotoBox are offering 60% of their A4 Wall Calendars.

• 250gsm premium card
• Month-to-view layout
• Choose your own start month
• Layouts with 1-3 photos
• Spiral bound white or black pages
• Email exclusive 60% Off
• Was: £18.99 Now: £7.49

Offer ends: Midnight Monday 21st October

Offer code: A4WALLCAL

To view this offer click here

Memory Cards - Best Practice.

If you use a digital camera then you will more than likely be using memory cards. The most popular today are SD or CF cards and over the years I have found below are the best practices for the use of memory cards.

1. Always format your cards in the camera – not on the computer. Especially if you have more than one camera and card. Format the card each time and as soon as you put it in the camera ready to use.
2. Never format or erase a card until you know it’s been backed up in at least two places. Also, don’t erase or format until you’ve verified the backup.
3. Ejecting your memory card from any computer by dragging it to the trash or select “Safely Remove” on a Windows machine or Command + E on a Mac.
4. If you use multiple cards, reference / ID the cards. Marking it easy to identifying your cards from cards used by other user. Sequential numbering may also helpful in making sure you know which card you are dealing with.
5. Always buy Brand cards, I have always used SanDisk, they have never let me down. True that there are only a few component manufacturers, while these manufacturers build to different quality standards depending on who they manufacture. Generic cards, are not normally made to the same standard. Other brands Lexar Fuji and Sony.
6. Not all cards (specifications) work the same in all cameras, ie speed and capacity. Why not go into your local camera store and try one out.
7. Always carry your card on your person, not in your camera bag, especially after a days photography. If you have lost or mislaid your cards you can’t take or make photographs. Try some sort of wallet like the  Think Tank Photo Pixel Pocket Rocket.
8.  To help you keep track of which cards have been used and which are empty, place the cards you’ve filled in your memory card wallet upside down or reverse them so you can see which ones are ready.
9. Never edit files on the card. Memory cards are designed to get data from the camera to the computer.
10. Try not to delete images on the card from the camera. If you delete images on the back of the camera you may easily make a mistake. It’s better to delete images in your computer software.
11. Accidents do happen so if you delete an image on a card STOP using it and obtain a data recovery program to try to restore the image.
12. Don’t share cards or put them into other people’s cameras or computers. This can cause a crash since the other camera or computer may attempt to write a system, desktop or file of unknown format to the card.

and finially

• Turn your camera off before inserting or removing a memory card.

Fisheye Image

Here is something a little different, a Red Ensign Flag flown from a flag pole shoot with a Nikon 16mm Fisheye, you can see how the lens makes the clouds bend.

To see this image large, please visit http://ims.markstothard.com/image/I0000qKM3hwpAAy8

Damien Wright preparing to bowl at Somerset

Damien Wright preparing the ball, ready to bowl again James Hildreath. Somerset v Worcestershire at Somerset.

Click here for larger version - http://ims.markstothard.com/image/I0000eNa8iuY0uC4