Photography Week cover February 2020

Photography Week cover 13 February 2020

One of my drone landscape images was used on the cover of the 13 February issue of Photography Week magazine. The cover illustrates an article inside I created covering essential information and techniques for photographers considering adding drones to their photography. The image was taken in the Lake District in early autumn as the foliage on trees began to turn which created an interesting patchwork of colour when shot from above. See below for the original image and a larger version of the cover.

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DJI Mavic 2 Zoom example images

DJI Mavic 2 Zoom drone

The Mavic 2 Zoom is a consumer-level drone featuring an optical zoom lens with a full-frame/35mm equivalent focal range of 24-48mm. The sensor itself is smaller sensor than that of the Mavic 2 Pro, but this means that aerial photographers can get closer to their subjects safety and legally while maintaining the minimum required separation from people and buildings. See below for example images shot on the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom.

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Enhance detail and atmosphere with the Orton effect

Cwm Idwal waterfall, in Snowdonia North Wales, at sunset in winter edited with the Orton effect

Discover an advanced method of applying the Orton effect that keeps file sizes small and image quality at its best. I developed this refined technique myself in response to upgrading to a higher resolution camera, which meant the original technique created huge file sizes when saving layered images as TIFFs. And also, to deal with the problem of crushed shadows. This version solves both of these issues for the best results possible, and the tutorial works for Both Photoshop and Affinity Photo.

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PhotoPlus magazine cover December 2019

PhotoPlus magazine cover December 2019

It’s always a pleasure to see one of your images gracing the cover of a magazine, and I’m delighted to say that my winter sunrise shot of Southwold Pier was used on the cover of the December 2019 issue of PhotoPlus magazine. The full image is actually landscape format, and can be seen in full below, but it works well in the portrait crop used for the cover.

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Rydal Water shot on a DJI Mavic 2 Pro

The lone tree at Rydal Water in the Lake District on a misty autumn morning

A flyover of the largest island on Rydal Water in the Lake District shot on a DJI Mavic 2 Pro on a misty autumn morning. The video, which is a single 30 second shot is longer than most footage of its type but it works because the result almost looks like a moving still image where more interest is revealed the longer you watch it. Scroll down to view the video.

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Discover Cymru Calendar 2020

Misty sunrise in Dee Valley above Llangollen

I’m delighted to announce that my image of mist rolling into Dee Valley, near Llangollen in North Wales at sunrise has been selected to be featured in the Discover Cymru Calendar 2020. This image was taken during my second visit to the location where weather conditions were looking promising for mist, and they certainly didn’t disappoint.

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Peak District dawn to dusk landscape photography workshop 24th Jan 2020

James Abbot Photography shooting at Stanage Edge in the Peak District. One-to-one workshops and small group landscape photography workshops.

Improve your landscape photography skills with a small group workshop in the Peak District with professional landscape photographer James Abbott on Friday 24th January 2020. The workshop will be limited to just five people so everyone can take advantage of lots of one-to-one and group tuition throughout the day. The workshop costs just £150 per person.

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Review of bark.com for photographers

Bark.com homepage

In this review of the lead generation website bark.com, I look at how effective the website is for photographers. In an ever-crowded marketplace, photographers have to do everything they can to stand out from the crowd and explore all possibilities for finding new clients. And with bark.com, potential clients effectively come to you.

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Drone photography and video

Twisleton Scar in the Yorkshire Dales shot on a DJI Mavic 2 Pro at sunrise

Drone photography is something I’ve shied away from until this year when I was first loaned a DJI Mavic air from DJI, and then bought my own drone – a DJI Mavic 2 Pro. So, in April this year, I completed the two-day PfCO course with Pro Drone Academy in Ely, which I’m happy to say I passed. And after applying for my Permissions for Commercial Operations from the Civil Aviation Authority, I received my PfCO at the end of May. I’m now a CAA approved drone pilot, so in addition to my standard photography services I can now provide aerial stills and video to clients.

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Vanguard Supreme 37D – the best case for your DJI Mavic 2

Vanguard Supreme 37D Hard Case

Finding the best hard case for your Mavic 2 Pro or Mavic 2 Zoom can be something of a minefield. Despite there being many options out there ranging from dedicated cases with cut outs specifically for the drone and other accessories, to more general hard cases with a padded insert that can securely hold a much wider variety of kit, the big question is which is best for you?

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