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Simon Stafford’s

Definitive Micro & Macro Photography Seminar

Saturday, 5th May 2012

2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London, W1T 6DX

Simon Stafford’s photographic seminars presented in association with Grays of Westminster have proved to be hugely popular, and in response to high demand he has developed this presentation dedicated to close-up and macro photography.

The seminar has been prepared to help you make a dramatic improvement to the quality of your close-up pictures by mastering core skills and applying creative techniques. Simon will discuss the critical importance of understanding and controlling light, using sound camera technique and developing a consistent methodology. You will learn how to achieve high-quality pictures with the minimum of specialized equipment, regardless of whether you are a complete newcomer to the Lilliputian world of close-up photography or a seasoned exponent. Simon will share his in-depth knowledge and 30 years of photographic experience, so that you can achieve professional looking results reliably (please note attendance of one of Simon’s previous seminars or workshops is not a prerequisite of this event).

Booking:

The cost of the seminar (including mid-afternoon refreshments) is £155, with a special price of £95 if you are a subscriber to Nikon Owner magazine; if you are not currently a subscriber, you are welcome to join or re-join at the same time as booking this workshop in order to receive the £60 discount. There is a limited number of places, imposed strictly to ensure everyone attending fully benefits from the seminar. To reserve a place please email your full name, Nikon Owner user-name if available and daytime telephone number to Gillian Greenwood:

gillian.greenwood@graysofwestminster.co.uk

It is vital that you send an email rather than telephone and due to the very limited number of places available please reply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Agenda:

Part one: Camera skills

• Understanding reproduction ratios and subject magnification
• Appreciate the influence of working distance and diffraction
• Choosing and using lenses for close focusing
• Using lens accessories for close focusing
• Filters for close-up photography
• Selecting camera/lens support systems
• Achieving accurate exposure at a close focus distance
• Learn how to interpret the digital histogram display

Part two: Shooting skills

• Best practice in camera handling
• The pros and cons of AF and Vibration Reduction
• Focusing techniques for close-up photography
• Understanding and using depth-of-field
• Selecting viewpoint and perspective
• Honing composition skills
• The importance of backgrounds
• Creative techniques with focus, white balance and multiple exposure

Part three: Lighting for Micro & Macro Photography

• Working with and controlling available light
• Flash equipment and its application for close-up photography
• Specialised lighting techniques
• Choosing lighting equipment and accessories

Please note there will be ample opportunity to ask questions throughout the event, and Simon will demonstrate some of the tips and techniques he discusses.

About Nikon Owner

Standard Annual Subscription – current price £59 (shortly to increase in price)

• 1-year Subscription to Nikon Owner + 3-yr warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
• Nikon Owner magazine, a superb, glossy full-colour 60-page quarterly magazine that is 100% Nikon. Each issue delivers benchmark technical reviews of the very latest Nikon equipment, thought-provoking interviews and articles with world-class images
• Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website
• Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline
• 18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster
• 10% off Think Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
• Special trips and events
• Discounts on events and training sessions
• 10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK

Gold Subscription – special price £349 (normal price £450)

• 4-year subscription to Nikon Owner
• 5-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
• 2-year warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster
• Gold Priority waiting list for all new Nikon releases (top of the waiting list)
• A half-hour tutorial on the phone or face to face, by appointment
• Special offers to Gold subscribers throughout the period of subscription
• A signed copy of Heather Angel’s Wild Kew while stocks last.
• A Grays of Westminster umbrella (in store only) or a Simon Stafford Nikon Magic Lantern Guide of your choice
• Nikon Owner quarterly magazine as above
• Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website which includes forum, message board, technical equipment reviews, events’ page and use of a photo gallery
• Gold subscription card
• Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline
• 15% off Think Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster (this month only)
• Special trips and events
• Substantial discounts on training sessions organised by Grays of Westminster, including Mike Maloney’s Workshops , Heather Angel’s Wildlife & Natural History Workshops, Simon Stafford’s Definitive Flash, Portraiture and Macro
• Training Sessions, Michael Eleftheriades’ panoramic and colour-calibration seminars and Chris Weston’s Photographic Courses
  10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK