Lightroom Fuji X-Pro1 Issue
I have had my Fuji X-Pro1 now since April 2012. Immediately I was blown away by the detail this thing could record, this was a big deal for me and I had heard really good things about the new sensor that is on the X-Pro1 and when I started shooting and seeing the results I wasn’t disappointed. Of course there was no Adobe Lightroom support for the camera at this stage and this was a big annoyance for me as I have used Lightroom for a long time and I am bing champion of it. But I processed the Raw files with SilkyPix (Fuji Software) and the results were good – it was hard to work with though, to get the colours right wasn’t easy. Plus I was convinced that there was more dynamic range to come from those Raw files than what I could achieve in the Fuji software.
So then comes support from Adobe in the form of Lightroom 4.1. My prayers were answered, but not quite! Right from processing my first images it was obvious that there was a problem, some sort of painterly effect was taking place. Upon reading up, it seems I am certainly not the only person experiencing this problem which I believe is referred to as Chroma Blurring!? Anyway, at low-res for putting on Flickr or something, the images seem fine, but hires the detail is strange and blurry, like an oil painting.
My worry is that a lot of people seem to think it’s down to bad processing or incorrect setting that the users has made within Lightroom. This simply isn’t true.
Please click on the images for a much larger view. The first image of my daughter in the sand dunes was processed with Lightroom 4.1 default settings, the next with Raw File Converter powered by SilkyPix. The colour is better in Lightroom. But move on to the next shot which is a detail crop from the image, you can clearly see painterly effects on her shoes, her legs and in the sand around her. Move to the next shot which is the detail crop but this time processed with Raw File Converter powered by SilkyPix, those horrid painterly effects are no where to be seen! The colour isn’t as good and as I mentioned before, I think it’s much harder to achieve a nice balanced colour shot in SilkyPix, but that painterly detail has gone.
I know that Adobe don’t have to fix this, they don’t have to support the camera at all. I just hope that Fuji will work with Adobe on this and fix the problem fast. I love Lightroom and don’t want to have to jump on the next alternative that comes available. Please Adobe, can we fix this?
New Courses
I have been busy writing, thinking and creating new photography courses of late. I’m really excited about some of the new ideas (and some of the existing ones!) that will be starting soon.
Photoclub in the Pub
Photoclub in the Pub still remains popular and I have new courses starting in Sevenoaks, Eridge, Battle and Lewes in August 2012. Places are already going, but some still remain and you can book them here.
Battle, East Sussex
Sevenoaks, Kent
Lewes, East Sussex
Eridge, East Sussex
Art Photo Studies (NEW)
I’d like to expand on Photoclub in the Pub too, with a brand new course called Art Photo Studies. It’s a bit like a part-time college or university course, but far more relaxed and aimed at those who are in employment but want some of the benefits of studying art photography. It is completely delivered online and you can work it around your lifestyle and be anywhere in the world. There will be 6 modules in total, 5 of which will be assignments set by myself and one will be an overall body of work to one specific theme. You have 9 months to complete all 6 modules.
The course includes:
- 5 set assignments for you to work on
- 1 open assignment to create a larger body of work
- Video screencast feedback (20 images per module)
- Online live discussion forums to discuss ideas and projects (once a week)
I will be present at these at least once a month - At the end of the course you will be marked on all work and given a grade.
It’s important to say that there is no formal qualification for this course at the moment, but you will receive a detailed report from me at the end of the course charting your improvements and abilities. I hope that this will be useful to you if you want to go on and enjoy a career in photography.
This course aims to give the student an understanding of working in a thematic way and producing high quality imagery to set and open briefs in a creative way.
This course will be available in September and will cost £249. Please email me if you’re interested in enrolling hello@andrewnewson.co.uk
Mentored Courses (NEW)
The Mentored courses I offer are a great way to learn photography over a period of time in specific areas. I offer them in 3 months, 6 months and 12 months.
All of the courses are written specifically for you and they will be structured in such a way to help you achieve the results that you want to achieve. So whether you are a keen amateur or perhaps have ambitions to turn a hobby in to a profession, then this could be the course for you.
We start with a consultation meeting of up to 2 hours. It’s an informal meeting over coffee where we will discuss your personal requirements and what you want to achieve from the course. I will assess your level and write a course for you.
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3 Month Mentored Course Example:
- Consultation meeting to assess your level and requirements.
- After the consultation I write the course and deliver to you (7-10 days after the consultation) your first assignment. This will have a number of key objectives to achieve within 1 month.
- You will take photographs throughout the month and submit to me up to 10 digital images (electronically via Dropbox) that represent the objectives.
- Upon receiving your files I will do a screen cast critique of your images and deliver to you electronically (via Dropbox). This will offer advice on where you could improve your technique.
- Included with your feedback will be the next assignment which will have another set of objectives to achieve. Again, you take photographs throughout the month and submit back to me 10 of your best images for me to critique. There will be 3 assignments in total and you will receive feedback on all.
Now I realise that you might need some hands on 1-2-1 help during your course and that’s why I have included that. So in addition to the above you have 2x 2 hour 1-2-1 tuition sessions that you can take at any point during your course. These sessions are usually run in Crowborough, East Sussex but can be run at your home if my travel expenses are covered at 25p per mile round trip from TN6 2XR.
In addition you can contact me via email at any point during the 3 month period, I understand you will have questions from time to time and I will do my best to return your emails within 48 hours.
The course can cover a number of different topics, we can cover technical aspects of photograph, creative aspects and also business aspects if required.
£390
2 month mentored course includes:
- 2 hour consultation meeting
- Bespoke photographic course delivered in 3 modules.
- Screen cast critique of up to 10 images per month (30 images in total).
- 2x 2 hour 1-2-1 tuition sessions taken anytime within the 3 months.
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Image Review
My video screencast feedback has been really popular as part of my other courses and I am now offering this as an individual service. You submit your images digitally (very easy to set up) and I provide you with a video of me talking whilst viewing your images, so I can point out certain elements that work or could be improved upon, I can even show you some processing tips to improve along the way. Prices are currently £10 for 5 images and £15 for 10 images.
1-2-1 Camera Workshops
I have been running these for a long time now and they are still really successful. It’s dedicated time with me to learn what you need to know about your camera or equipment. I can come to your home or you can come to me at the local cafe where the coffee is on me! So whether you’re stuck on auto mode or just want to learn specific things, this could be for you.
For all of my course please check the Photography Courses page from the menu at the top.