Northlight Images Photography

Black and white photography - thoughts and influences

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:08:13 +0100

From a recently published specialist black and white photography magazine article, this extended version discusses some of Keith Cooper's influences and thoughts about his approach to black and white landscape photography.
Includes links to many more detailed related articles.

CMYK for photographers

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:53:33 +0100

Some advice for photographers asked to supply images in CMYK to clients.

As a policy, we won't do it unless they can convince us that they understand what's going on...

Software update – ImageNest 3

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 13:44:09 +0100

The ImageNest RIP page layout software has been upgraded to version3 (Mac OSX - free upgrade)
Lots of refinements make it even easier to use.

True Black and White

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 13:41:37 +0100

Review of the specialist prints software 'True Black and White' from BowHaus.

Designed to give complete control of B/W printing on Canon large format printers.

Vertical lines and movement in photographic composition

Sun, 08 Aug 2010 12:19:21 +0100

First of a series of articles where Keith Cooper looks at an aspect of photographic composition, in relation to his work.

Vertical lines are an important element of architectural photography, but how does the feel of a photo change when they start to lean?

JetMaster canvas system

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 09:23:43 +0100

I first saw the JetMaster canvas display system at a trade show - seemed a strange idea, sticking canvas to a box.
Actually quite a good mounting method for shows, displays and places where you want quick display method for a print.

Canon iPF6300 review

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:07:57 +0100

Full review of the Canon iPF6300 printer.

The 24" width version of Canon's large format printers - we've had it under test for a month and it's a very nice printer, with only a few minor issues.

Digital B/W print choices

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:23:53 +0100

A short article about Northlight Images' black and white printing setup.

Keith Cooper was recently asked about his current approach to black and white printing, in connection with an upcoming magazine feature. The article is an extended version of his comments.

Canon iPF6300 arrives for review

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:30:30 +0100

Canon have sent us an iPF6300 large format printer to test :-)

Full review on its way...

Cleaning dried up inkjet printers – an update

Sat, 05 Jun 2010 18:04:29 +0100

With care that old dried up inkjet printer can be made to work again.

I've just updated our article about inkjet cleaning with a new cheap cleaner to try.

DNG ProfileManager – organising DNG profiles

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:28:51 +0100

DNG ProfileManager from X-Rite for managing DNG profile collections

DxO Optics Pro review

Wed, 26 May 2010 19:10:13 +0100

Full review of version 6.2 of DxO Optics Pro.

It's what I often choose for RAW conversion and lens distortion correction for my larger prints.

This detailed review looks at some of the new features and what the software offers.

Why do photography review videos and podcasts suck?

Wed, 26 May 2010 19:08:20 +0100

The title says it all... I just hate wasting half an hour watching a video photography 'review' to learn something best put in a tweet

New Digital Black and White group set up on LinkedIn

Wed, 12 May 2010 22:38:57 +0100

Hopefully this can be of interest for people using LinkedIn?

DxO Optics Pro V6.2 for Mac and PC

Mon, 10 May 2010 15:58:18 +0100

Quick preview of the new version of DxO Optics Pro - looks at one example of improved RAW processing.

Spyder 3 Elite review V4.0 software

Wed, 05 May 2010 20:22:16 +0100

Full review of the Datacolor Spyder3 Elite.

The software for the Spyder 3 Elite has been revised.

As well as adding extra functionality, the basic profiling algorithms have been improved, noticeably in providing a more even grey balance.

ImageNest V2 review update

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:55:29 +0100

Covering some of the enhanced functionality in Version 2 of ImageNest.

Tested when recently looking at the Epson 3880

Epson Stylus Pro 3880 review

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:50:51 +0100

Full review of the Epson Stylus Pro 3800 A2+ 17" printer.

Follows on from Keith Cooper's review of the SP3800

Could you sell your photography prints?

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 21:07:30 +0100

We're often asked about selling prints. How do you go about it, and what are the markets?

Keith Cooper has written an article describing some of his own experiences, observations and advice, in the field of landscape/'art prints'.

It comes down to marketing and a realisation that what you like the most, may not always be best for the market.

Which side of inkjet paper to print on?

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 10:56:29 +0100

With some fine art papers it can be difficult to see which side of the paper to print on.
Keith's quick test - just lick your finger...

Personal photography tuition for individuals

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:49:16 +0000

Photography training (121 and groups). Based in the Leicester area (UK) - this is in addition to Northlight's corporate photography training services, and is aimed at at photographers looking to learn more about particular aspects of photography, such as architecture, tilt/shift lenses and landscape.

We're also building up a directory of professional photographers who offer specialist training in other locations.

Full width printing Epson 3800 and OSX 10.6

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:55:03 +0000

Thanks to Tony Purvis for sending in this suggestion for getting round the problem of printing full width on the Epson 3800 when using Apple's OSX 10.6 (Snow Leopard)

Out taking pictures…

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:10:48 +0000

Out in the country taking some photos, I'm snapped by the Google streetview camera car :-)

Trade shows…

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:16:11 +0000

Some brief thoughts on visiting the Focus on Imaging show yesterday (Birmingham, UK)

Pinnacle Art papers

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:05:17 +0000

During our recent review of the Canon 9500 Mk2 and epson SP2880 printers, we also had a chance to try out the Pinnacle range of art papers from Paper spectrum.
Review also contains equivalent types of papers from larger international suppliers.

AF Microadjustment - updated

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:04:47 +0000

We've added a new method to the collection of AF microadjustment techniques.

Page has several different techniques - totally free and which do not require the purchase of an expensive gadget...

Canon Pixma Pro9500 MkII review

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:23:15 +0000

A look at Canon's 10 ink A3+ printer.
Covers colour and black and white print performance with a variety of media

Web site update

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:56:32 +0000

Quite a major overhaul of our site.

Large portions have been re-written or edited for style.

Hopefully it will be a bit easier to find your way around and a bit clearer to read.

There are still sections that need tidying up some more, but we thought it looked good enough to upload.

Nik Viveza V2

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:06:53 +0000

Review of Viveza V2 from Nik software. Updated version of the Photoshop plug-in that allows selective enhancement and adjustment of tone and colour in images. Simplifies complex masking of effects.

Olmec photo papers - a review

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 14:57:00 +0000

While we had an Epson R2880 printer on loan recently, Keith tested some of the range of Olmec papers, now distributed by Innova.

The test included the Photo glossy 260gsm paper in 13" roll format, which fits the roll paper holder of the R2880

Review of Color Efex Pro V3

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:04:47 +0000

A review of the plugin filter set for image enhancement and stylising from Nik Software. Includes advanced image selection techniques for applying filters to parts of images.

Plugin works with Photoshop, PS Elements, Lightroom and Aperture.

Epson Stylus Photo R2880 review

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:23:37 +0000

A look at the Epson R2880 A3+ printer.

New pigment inks and a wide range of print options make this a printer well worth considering for home use

DxO Optics Pro updated

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:00:51 +0000

V5.3.6 offers OSX 10.6 support and works with new cameras, including the EOS 7D

Looking at the Canon EOS 7D

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:50:01 +0000

Canon have lent us a 7D body and we will be having a look at it over the next few days. Any comments/questions? Please feel free to mail us or leave a comment on the blog.