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                        *      PHOTOGRAPHY HAPPENINGS !!      *
                        *        Photography news in Singapore         *
                        **************************************************
 

Greetings all photo enthusiasts !!

1) This a private mailing list for photographers in Singapore, so that we
can all be kept informed of the latest happenings in the photographic circle, eg. any courses, outings, interesting websites, and new products in photography.

2) If you wish not to receive any mails, or if you have any photography
enthusiast friends who wants to be added onto this list, pls e-mail me their
e-mail addresses.  All the recipients on this mailing list will not be listed, so your address will be kept private and confidential.

3) Depending on the amount of news, you should be receiving one update every
two weeks or so. If you have any news of photographic interest you wish to
share with the rest, pls mail it to me !! Remember, this mailing list is only as good as the info I receive !

4) I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information posted, but I'll try my best to verify the information before putting it up.

5) The official "Photography Happenings !!" homepage is located at:
 

                     Http://home.pacific.net.sg/~nelson88
 

                                                        Best regards,
                                                        Nelson Tan  (Editor)
 

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Issue #12                                                   Dated: 21 Jan 1999

                                *** CONTENTS ***
 

Okay, and in this issue of "Photography Happenings !!", we have:
 

        1) Announcements
           - Revamped Homepage and New Virtual Web Gallery
           - New Articles
 

        2) New Products
           - Kodak Ektachrome 100 VS film
           - AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6D IF

        3) Website Reviews
           - Kodak Feature Archives
           - Michael Mclennan Nikon Links Page
           - Basic Photography Guide by Robert Slade
           - Scanning Images for the Web

        4) Events in Singapore
           - Thaipusam procession (reminder)

        5) Photography tips
           - Darkroom special effects
           - Developing B/W negatives
           - Photography Tips by Roh Hashiro
           - Making prints from slides
           - Electronic Flash Information
           - Using a paper clip

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                             * ANNOUNCEMENTS *
 

Revamped Homepage and New Virtual Web Gallery
---------------------------------------------

As we step into the beginning of a new year, it seems only appropriate that we refresh our look. Thus, the official "Photography Happenings !!" homepage has been revamped to give it a more lively look. The contents have not been changed, but the opening page is enhanced and packed with great new fonts, java-enhanced animation and a new opening photo. Although it takes some time to load fully, I think it's worth the wait !! (You must let it load fully to see the animation). Why not check out the new look and pass me your comments ?
 

Also, I have completed the Virtual Web Gallery section. You may access it from the homepage menu. Click on the Gallery link,to be transported to the gallery. The website has expanded considerably, and thus requires seperate websites to hold the contents. I've chosen Geocities as the site for the photo articles, equipment reviews and the gallery. It may be slightly slow, so please bear with it until I can find a more elegant solution. E-mail me if you have any comments about the images or the gallery.

Special thanks to Darren Soh for taking his precious weekend to scan the images.
 
 

New Articles
------------

To keep the look of the articles in line with the new look of the website, all the articles from now on will be spiced up with better looking fonts and presentation, but the old articles will not be revamped.

There are two new articles in the articles section, and I personally feel that the two articles are pretty interesting because they are mutually conflicting.
 

A) What you see is what you get ?? - The Myth of the SLR
The first article explains why the image in the viewfinder may not be the image that you get on film, and how to make sure that you do not make such mistakes.
 

B) What you get is what you see ?? - The Myth of Modern Photography
The second article sort of contradicts the first, because it questions why should the image in the viewfinder be the image that ends up on the film.
 

You can check out the articles under the Articles Section.

             Http://home.pacific.net.sg/~nelson88
 

P.S: Beginning photographers, you are not forgotten !! Check out the website         reviews for super tips !!
 
 

                                        [Total list membership stands at 319]

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                            *  NEW PRODUCTS  *
 
 
Kodak Ektachrome 100 VS film
----------------------------

Kodak has just launched a new film - the Kodak Ektachrome 100 VS film. The "VS" stands for 'Vivid Saturation', and the new E100VS film is supposed to deliver detail, accuracy from low-contrast samples.
 

The Kodak E100VS film claims to offer "the highest sharpness available in a 100-speed professional film, and to produce high-quality images even under suboptimal conditions". The E100VS film also employs Kodak's patented T-Grain emulsions for light sensitivity and superior image sharpness. According to Kodak, "it is an exceedingly versatile film that produces dynamic yet realistic colors while maintaining a neutral gray scale in virtually any lighting situation."

The Kodak Ektachrome E100VS film will become commercially available in January 1999, in 35mm, 120mm, 220mm, 4X5" and 8X10". Looks like it is going to be a showdown between Fuji and Kodak again, with Kodak introducing a Velvia-like film that offers a 1-stop advantage over the slower Fuji counterpart.

You can check out the Kodak website for more info at:

http://www.kodak.com/cluster/global/en/professional/products/films/e100vs/e100vsSellSheet.shtml
 
 

AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6D IF
-------------------------------------

Nikon has just lauched a compact AF zoom covering 24-120mm. The new lens includes aspherical lens elements for minimized distortion, and internal focusing (IF) technology for fast AF operation. According to Nikon, "this lens produces higher resolution photographs with excellent contrast". The specs for this new lens is as follows:

    Lens construction: 15 elements in 11 groups
    Closest focusing: 0.5m/2 ft.
    Filter attachment size: 72mm
    Hood: HB-11
    Weight: 19.6 oz.
    Dimensions: 3.1" x 3.14"

This lens is sold together with the F100 as a set in Japan, and sold seperately in U.K.

                                            <Brought to attention by Simon Ng>
 

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                           * WEBSITE REVIEWS *

 
Here are this issue's recommended websites:
 

Kodak Feature Archives
----------------------

Kodak's website is one of the best photo websites around. Not only do they have extensive information on their wide range of products, they also offer technical tips and feature various professional photographers and their works at the Kodak website. Agfa also features a great website. Fuji's and Ilford's website absolutely pales in comparison to Kodak's and Agfa's. Check out the professionals featured in the Kodak website at:

    http://www.kodak.com/US/en/corp/features/archives/featureArchives.shtml

Also, featured currently at the Kodak website is photojournalist Joe McNally. If some of you find his name familiar, you probably have seen his work in some of the top magazines and newspapers around. McNally is frequently featured in many Nikon advertisements, since he uses Nikons for his assignments. Check out some of his pictures at this link, which includes the exclusive coverage of US Senator John Glenn's space shuttle training.

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/features/legendsV2Q4/legendsIndex.shtml
 

Michael Mclennan Nikon Links Page
---------------------------------
This must be one of the most comprehensive websites on links to Nikon products and reviews. You can find write-ups and product information on virtually any Nikon product here. If you are a diehard Nikon fan, or simply a Nikon user seeking more info, bookmark this page before you lose this link !
 

                http://www.lisp.com.au/~mmphoto/nikon/
 

Basic Photography Guide by Robert Slade
---------------------------------------

This site is suitable for the very beginners in photography, and covers the basics of photography, such as aperture, film and shutter speeds in brief form. Great as a introduction to photography.

                http://www.bath.ac.uk/~masres/photo/manual.html
 
 

Scanning Images for the Web     <all levels>
---------------------------
With the numerous websites popping up like mushrooms after the rain, this article should prove very useful for everyone who's keen on maximizing the quality of scanned pictures on the net. However, you need to have some very basic knowledge about website constructions and images format. It is very comprehensive. Take a look... you'll not regret it !!
 

                http://photo.net/wtr/thebook/images.html
 

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                            * EVENTS IN SINGAPORE *
 

Thaipusam procession (reminder)
-------------------------------
This year's Thaipusam procession will be held on 31st Jan (Sun). The organizers and authorities predict that the turnout will be greater than the usual numbers of previous years. The procession will be starting at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road, and will end at Sri Thendayuthapani Temple in Tank Road. Watch for the devotees carry kavadis (heavy metal structures) with skewers that pierce into their skins.

If you want to see what the event is about, feel free to check out some pictures taken during past Thaipusam processions at Pixtoriz.com, a photojournalism showcase (a great site):

                  http://www.pixtoriz.com/thaipusam.htm
 

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                             * PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS *
 

This issue's photography tips contain useful info for beginning and intermediate photographers, so make sure you check them out !!
 
 

Darkroom Special Effects        <Intermediate>
------------------------
Sick and tired of conventional and straightforward darkroom printing ? Want to find out more about various darkroom effects ? Check out the Agfa website for some great tips on how to make special darkroom effects ! The best thing is that some of the superb effects need not be very complicated, nor do you need special equipment. Before you set off to the darkroom for more printing, check out this site first !

        http://www.agfaphoto.com/library/bwcourse/9812/index.html
 
 
 

Developing B/W negatives        <Beginners>
------------------------
For beginners in the darkroom, the Agfa website also offers a great tech tip site on how to develop your black and white negatives. Just follow the simple instructions on the site, and you're on your way to developing your own film !
 

        http://www.agfaphoto.com/library/bwcourse/9809/index.html
 
 
 

Photography Tips by Roh Hashiro         <Beginners and Intermediate>
-------------------------------
This site by Roh Hashiro has two good pages on photography tips. The first is about general photography tips, and is applicable to everyone. The other is more specific, targetting at wedding photographers. Those of you whom wants to do wedding photography for friends and relatives could do some reading up first !
 

        http://home1.gte.net/rhashiro/photo-tips.htm

        http://home1.gte.net/rhashiro/photo-weddings.htm
 
 
 

Making prints from slides       <Intermediate>
-------------------------

Slides shooters out there know that slides always present a three-dimensional quality and vivid colours to the images, which are qualities very difficult to obtain with print films. However, they also know that it costs a bomb to print from slides. However, if you've captured stunning images on slides that will never make it to print, how could you let others admire your masterpiece ? More importantly, how do you get a great print from a slide ? Check out this superb article by Steve Traudt before sending off your next slide for enlargement.

                http://www.apogeephoto.com/mag1-6/mag1-8st.shtml

(P.S: In case some of you who are interested to know just how much a 35mm film can be enlarged, I just made a 16X20 inch enlargement from 35mm Fuji Astia 100. The grain structure and colours are still wonderfully good. But that is just about the limit I would recommend. But do take note it was done by a pro-lab.)
 
 

Electronic Flash Information
----------------------------

This is the abbreviated "bible" for flash photography - this is a superb article on the workings of the electronic flash. Although it is a bit technical (any flash article will be technical), it offers a glimpse behind the workings of the electronic flash. Worth a look !!

                http://www.chem.helsinki.fi/~toomas/photo/flash-faq.html
 

(P.S: For those of you who attended the NUS P.S Intermediate Photography course and wondered why there is no section on flash photography, it is because flash photography is a specialized topic, and will easily take hours to explain.)
 
 

Using a paper clip
------------------

Those of you who wants to rewind a roll of film even though you have not finished it yet, may find that you need to poke some miserable small button on the camera to activate the mid-roll rewind. This is especially true for compact cameras, and even other functions like setting the dates require that you have toothpick-like fingers to push the buttons !

The solution ? Bring along a small paperclip in your wallet or key-holder. When you need to press any small buttons, just unfold one end and use it to depress the buttons ! Cheap and easy !!
 

________________________________________________________________________________
 

That's all, folks !
Happy shooting !!!

                                                 Your friendly list-maintainer,
                                                                    Nelson Tan
 

Visit the official "Photography Happenings !!" website at:
 
                        Http://home1.pacific.net.sg/~nelson88