Digital Photography: 1.9-Megapixel & 1474-Megapixel Photos Make News

If there’s one good thing to come out of the dramatic changes in the publishing world it is that photographs are becoming more important. The Internet is allowing individuals to post amazing news photos instantly. Newspapers can reproduce more images of far higher quality and pro photographers can display giant images that would cover a wall in a
large room.

There were two major news events in January 2009 that garnered worldwide attention—at least for two photographers.

First, there was the amazing water landing of the US Airways jet in the Hudson River in New York City. The first image of passengers walking onto the wing of the floating plane was taken by Janis Krums, a passenger on one of the ferries that rushed to the rescue. He instantly posted the image he captured on his iPhone on his Twitter account. Within minutes it was being linked around the world, which was great news for relatives and emergency crews as it confirmed that the passengers had survived the crash landing.
Fortunately for Krums, Associated Press picked up the photo and it was published by newspapers in print and on websites worldwide. The Los Angeles Times, for example used it as a six-column-wide image the next day. Not bad for someone with the smarts to use a 1.9-megapixel “camera” and immediately post it on the Internet.

The following week, during the inauguration of President Obama, David Bergman, a New York freelance photographer, took an amazing photograph with a Canon G10 compact camera. Within hours of it being posted on the Internet it was seen by millions of people and has become the most famous picture of the inauguration.

In case you haven’t seen it, check out David’s blog (www.davidbergman.net) to see the 1474-megapixel picture and his description of how he set about creating it. He made it by taking hundreds of photos on the G10 using the Gigapan Imager, a robotic camera mount. The final image was created from 220 photos that were stitched together with the Gigapan software to produce the giant 59,783  x  24,659 pixel photograph. Like other gigapixel multi-exposure images that have become increasingly popular, one can zoom in and look at details so fine that you can even see Yo-Yo Ma taking a photograph with his iPhone.

You can see more giant images on the Gigapan website (www.gigapan.org) and find details on the Gigapan Imager at www.gigapansystems.com.

Bergman says he was overwhelmed with the interest in this photograph and has now started selling large prints through his website, as well as licensing the image for use on other websites.
 
Sharing photographs like these two iconic images has become so prevalent that regular news outlets have started to get in on the act. I read Rob Galbraith’s website (www.robgalbraith.com) once a week and he regularly posts links to websites that publish photo galleries. Two of the best are the Boston Globe’s “Big Picture” and the Sacramento Bee’s “The Frame.”
Photo galleries or photoblogs such as the ones from these papers encourage people to visit their websites. Even if they are not local readers it does not matter as ads on the pages can automatically be tailored to be relevant to people wherever they live. I regularly read British daily newspapers that contain ads for companies in California. Likewise, I have noticed that when I am traveling in the U.K., I’ll read U.S.-based websites with U.K. ads instead of U.S. ads.

The changes currently decimating traditional newspapers are gut wrenching for all involved. However, it will eventually sort itself out as the viral nature and global reach of the Internet is coupled with the love of newsworthy photography. This combination will create a new business model that will allow everyone involved in producing content to continue to make a living.

Weatherproofing
I have been a fan of Olympus’ Stylus SW cameras that are waterproof, dustproof and shockproof. I’ve been carrying a Stylus 1030 SW as my everyday camera for getting grab shots if needed. This range of cameras has been a good differentiator for Olympus and it’s interesting to note they have changed the camera line name from Stylus SW to Stylus TOUGH, which makes sense.

Pentax is another company with a waterproof compact and now Panasonic has become the third one to produce a tough point-and-shoot camera to withstand abuse. Its Lumix TS1 will also shoot HD video.

I am in favor of tougher cameras and for that matter I’d like to see phone manufacturers make mobile phones waterproof and dustproof.
My son dropped a cell phone in a pool (the second time he’s done it!) and ruined my perfectly good Treo phone. It was no surprise that a few weeks later, when he bought a camera for his girlfriend’s birthday, he chose a waterproof Olympus 770SW. They were shooting underwater stills and video with it almost immediately.

Surely, waterproof cameras and phones should be popular. Yet, there are no waterproof phones on the market and camera manufacturers are only slowly introducing waterproof cameras. Is it lack of interest or am I a cynic in suggesting that companies are happy for consumers to ruin their products so they can buy replacements?

I find myself needing pro-level cameras and lenses that can withstand dust and rain on many of my shoots. Two years ago I was covering the Dakar race in Africa and I had a lens malfunction because of the inevitable dust storms in the Sahara Desert. Last year I covered the Baja 1000 race and used the Pentax 20D, which proved to be dustproof. Likewise, the Olympus E3 is splash proof so it can be used in the rain. But none of the cameras in the under $2000 price range from Canon or Nikon are really dustproof.

In January I covered the 2009 Dakar race (in South America this time) and I was testing the new Nikon D3X and Canon EOS 5D Mark II. Since the D3X uses the same body as the D3 and is pretty robust. I used it when I was likely to be covered in dust and sand. I did not change lenses to avoid getting dust on the sensor as the D3X does not have a built-in sensor cleaner. I restricted my use of the 5D to keep it out of the dust as much as possible. Neither of these cameras is really aimed at tough photojournalism work as such, but they both survived the ordeal, as you’ll read in my upcoming reviews.

HD camcorder for $200
When HD camcorders first appeared a few years ago, they cost thousands of dollars and were only suitable for professional videographers. Now you can buy one for around $200 that can be used by anyone!

I recently received a Creative Vado HD for review. It is the size of a cell phone and can shoot two hours of HD 720p (1280 x 720) video and store the clips on its built-in 8GB of storage. Unlike pro camcorders the Vado is simple to use with just a few buttons. Naturally it is lacking many features need for pro level shoots, but it does produce amazingly good video considering its $200 price.

Although it is adequate for home use and for YouTube videos, it’s not likely to be adequate as a primary camcorder for a pro shoot. However, it is so small and unobtrusive that it could easily be set up to record scenes where a larger camcorder and operator could not be positioned. In fact it’s so affordable that three or four of them could be placed in strategic locations for multiple viewpoints and without needing operators.
I have only taken a couple of quick test clips and I plan to play with it more in the near future. But I felt it worthwhile mentioning now as I am sure many readers are either not aware of these new low-cost HD camcorders or if you are, you probably dismissed them as cheap gimmicks.

Ray Flash
At last year’s WPPI trade show, ExpoImaging showed a prototype Ray Flash, which is an intriguing way to convert a regular flashgun into a ring flash. I have recently been trying one and found it works as advertised. It turns the harsh light from a direct flash into a more pleasant soft light. The one downside is it adds weight (16 oz.) to the front of the flash, making it a little unwieldy. I am not sure I’d shoot a wedding with one attached, as it is likely to get knocked around. However, if you’re doing close-up work in a more controlled environment, the Ray Flash is fine.

ExpoImaging has reduced the price and the Ray Flash is now available for $199.95. Since the opening on the adaptor must be a snug fit on the flashgun, and the distance from the flash head to the lens center varies, it is not available as a universal model. Instead the Ray Flash has to be ordered for specific flashguns and specific cameras. Currently it is only available for use with the Nikon SB800 and the Canon
580EX flashguns.

John Rettie is a photojournalist who resides in Santa Barbara, CA. He has been using a camera as a professional for 39 years, a computer for 29 years, and has combined his knowledge of both for the past 16 years. Readers can contact him directly by e-mail at [email protected].