Nikon Owner magazine blog: July 2010

Thursday 29 July 2010

Nikon Owner member wins large array of awards

African dancer, Liberian National Peace & Cultural Festival
by Jonathan Banks

We are proud to present Jonathan Banks, a Nikon Owner subscriber and Grays of Westminster customer, who is a selected finalist for the Africa Photographic Awards 2010

Jonathan Banks recently received notification from the Africa Photographic Awards 2010 announcing that he was a finalist in three categories: Africa Culture, Weddings Single Image and the Weddings Portfolio category.

This is a great achievement, as the judges have narrowed down the finalists from thousands of photographers who submitted their images.

The winners will be announced at a gala event at the Vodaworld Dome, Johannesburg on the 12th of August.

Jonathan Banks behind his Nikon F100

About Jonathan Banks

Jonathan Banks graduated with a BA honours in “Photographic Studies” in June 1993. He won the Jessops student of the year award and went on to gain sponsorship with Kodak with whom he produced several bodies of work for a touring exhibition.

He has freelanced with many of the broadsheets, and world class magazines and now divides his work between a stable of blue chip clients and a handful of publications.

His recent achievements include:

July 2010 - Selected for the Foto8 Summer Festival
April 2010 - Featured as a winner in the Top Knots Awards in the PDN magazine
March 2010 - A semi finalist in two categories in the Nikon Africa International Awards
Dec 2009 - Runner up in the Travel Photographer of the Year - Festivals
Dec 2009 - Scooped a Silver in the Photojournalism category of the International Aperture Awards
Dec 2009 - Received a Bronze in the Weddings category of the International Aperture Awards
July 2009 - Achieved an honourable mention in the International Photography Awards in the Culture Pro category

For more information, check out his websites: www.jonathanbanks.co.uk and www.photo-banks.com.

About the Africa Photographic Awards

The Africa Photographic Awards celebrate photography, the most powerful and widely used communication medium in today’s society. It awards professional and aspiring amateur photographers using any make of camera, for photographic excellence, on an international stage.

The distributors of Nikon in South Africa’s support of the Africa Photographic Awards shows its commitment to photography, the public perception of the art, and a commitment to social prosperity via The Tomorrow Trust.

The distributors of Nikon in South Africa’s CEO, Stefan van der Walt elaborates : “We want to create a greater awareness of the importance of the role of photography in our society and to promote it as a career and rewarding hobby for life. Photography is the most powerful and widely used medium of communication today whether for recording history, for capturing memories or as an expressive art form.”

[Africa Photographic Awards information was taken from: www.africaphotographicawards.com]

Monday 19 July 2010

World Exclusive! Photographers Jim Brandenburg and Mike Maloney interviewed for next issue of Nikon Owner magazine

Advance Sell-Out Notice: It is anticipated that this will be a highly collectable, sell-out issue. So to those who have been thinking of subscribing to Nikon Owner or renewing their subscription, they should consider doing so as soon as possible.

London – In Issue 32, the next unique issue of Nikon Owner magazine, Editor Gray Levett interviews two of the most well-respected photographers in their fields: Jim Brandenburg and Mike Maloney OBE.

Arctic wolf, Ellesmere Island, Canada by Jim Brandenburg

In April of this year, Jim Brandenburg was awarded the prestigious distinction of having his work included in the Top Forty Nature Photographs in the History of Photography by iLCP, the international League of Conservation Photographers.

Jim Brandenburg travelled the globe as a photographer with National Geographic magazine for over three decades. His career resulted in numerous magazine stories, several television features and many National Geographic books. He has been published in a multitude of national and international publications including the New York Times, LIFE, TIME, Audubon, Smithsonian, Natural History, GEO, Modern Maturity, BBC Wildlife, Outdoor Photographer, National Wildlife, and Outside.

He has received a multitude of prestigious national and international honours for his work, including having been named twice by The National Press Photographers Association as Magazine Photographer of the Year for his work with National Geographic magazine, and as Kodak Wildlife Photographer of the Year by BBC Wildlife Magazine and the Natural History Museum, London. In addition, he was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the North American Nature Photographers Association.

Dr Mike Maloney OBE

Mike Maloney is Britain’s most highly decorated press-photographer with 105 major prizes to his name. Voted three times Press Photographer of the Year, he has had numerous royal tours to his credit, as well as photographing world leaders such as Clinton, Regan, Gorbachev and Yelstin, with invitations to dine at both the White House and the Kremlin. Mike was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts degree by the University of Lincoln for ‘a lifetime’s work in photography and his help to young people’. At the ceremony, he was able to read a personal letter of congratulations from The Queen Mother.

In the next issue of Nikon Owner, Mike recalls the pivotal moment which led him to take the road south to London from his humble beginnings at a provincial newspaper in Lincoln. He narrates some of the singular stories from the glittering career that followed, resulting in dozens of awards and an OBE from The Queen.

The interview with Mike Maloney will be followed in subsequent issues by a new series of articles unique to Nikon Owner entitled ‘Mike Maloney’s World’.

What is Nikon Owner?
Nikon Owner Magazine and Interactive Website is considered by many to be the world’s number 1 user group for Nikon owners. It was initially founded with the purpose of assisting Nikon users to make full use of the Nikon equipment they own, to give advice on a wide spectrum of photographic queries and problems, and at the same time to offer ideas to bring about an increase in photographic skills. Subscription to Nikon Owner magazine and interactive website provides a bridge between theory and practical, technical knowledge and accomplishment. As a subscriber to this group, you will receive an array of offers and assistance, as well as the unique photographic publication:

Nikon Owner Magazine
From the cold reaches of the Arctic to the muted ocres of The Palio, from the panoramic sweep of an alien landscape to the microscopic detail of a leaf in bud, Nikon Owner magazine is both inspirational and informative. It is a superb, glossy full-colour 60-page quarterly magazine that is 100% Nikon. Each issue delivers bench-mark technical reviews of the very latest Nikon equipment, thought-provoking interviews and articles with world-class images. With its mix of stunning images, illuminating articles to assist and enlighten the photographer, and the very latest reviews on Nikon equipment, it is the essential magazine for the Nikon user.

Nikon Owner subscriber benefits additionally include:

Private user name and password to subscribers’-only website which includes a lively forum, message board, technical equipment reviews, events’ page and use of a photo gallery.

Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline: free technical consultation and support from Simon Stafford who is considered to be one of the top Nikon experts in the UK; you will be able to benefit from his formidable knowledge and have all your technical questions fully answered by email. This service is exclusive to Nikon Owner subscribers.

FREE 3-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster within your year of subscription.

FREE 18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster within your year of subscription.

10% off Think-Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster.

Special trips: past visits have included a two-week trip to Japan and a personal tour of the Nikon factory, a visit to Nikon Thailand, Angkor Watt, Cambodia.

Substantial discounts on events and training sessions such as Mike Maloney’s House of Lords Photographic Workshop, Heather Angel’s Wildlife & Natural History Workshops, Neil Lucas's Definitive Time-Lapse Event, Chris Weston’s Photographic Courses, Simon Stafford’s Flash, Portraiture and Macro Seminars.

10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK.

A range of complimentary meetings and outings organized by local Nikon Owner Groups.

Nikon Owner Grand Christmas Dinner at the Institute of Directors, Pall Mall, London.

Please email your name, daytime landline and mobile telephone number to me if you are interested in finding out more or speak to any of my colleagues between 10.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday on 020 7828 4925 or 020 7828 8971; alternatively for International calls, telephone + 44 (0)20 7828 4925. The cost of an annual subscription to Nikon Owner : Special price: £59. Please quote JBMM:59.

With kindest regards,

Gillian Greenwood
(Features Editor and Events & Training Coordinator)
info@graysofwestminster.co.uk
http://www.nikonownermagazine.com

Friday 16 July 2010

Distinguished Photographer Michael Huggan Puts On ‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ Exhibition throughout August 2010

Cheetah on a termite mound in Africa

Official opening of the exhibition at The Allen Gallery, Alton, Hampshire, will be by Britain’s most decorated press photographer,
Dr Mike Maloney OBE, on 6th August 2010

Hampshire – Throughout the month of August 2010, award-winning Hampshire-based wildlife photographer, Michael Huggan, Royal Photographic Society Associate with Distinction (ARPS), will be exhibiting a collection of his photographs at The Allen Gallery, Alton, Hampshire. The free exhibition is entitled, “Wildlife and Wild Places’.

Dr Mike Maloney OBE, Britain’s most decorated press photographer, will be officially opening the exhibition at 7:00pm on Friday 6th August 2010 (by invitation only).

Kathawari stallion, Rajasthan

“The Allen Gallery serves the local community and promotes different skills locally. As a local photographer, I was extremely happy to be asked to display my pictures for the month of August. I decided to call the exhibition ‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ because my photography has grown from purely wildlife to everything that surrounds it. Of the places I have visited (Africa, India, the Camargue in France and parts of the American dessert), one must take into account the locations, people and their environment. All these elements, together, make the final picture,” explains Michael.

On display will be images, canvas prints and cards of locations, wildlife and customs of Africa, India and the US. The exhibition will also include images of ‘Marwari’ horses in India and of the American Mustang horses of New Mexico.

‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ is on at The Allen Gallery, Church Street, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2BW Tel 0845 603 5635, from 10:00am Tuesday 03 Aug 2010 to 5:00pm Saturday 28 Aug 2010. Admission is free.

Michael Huggan

About Michael Huggan
Long-time Nikon user and Royal Photographic Society Associate with Distinction (ARPS), Michael Huggan lives in Four Marks, Hampshire. His photographic experience covers a wide range of subjects but he is most well known for his wildlife work, for which he has won many awards, most notably a Royal Photographic Society gold medal in 2007. His photography, available as limited edition pictures, calendars, note cards and exhibition-range framed pictures can be viewed at http://www.michaelhuggan.com/assignments.php. Michael also recently launched a new instructional website for budding wildlife photographers: http://www.wildlifephotographyinfo.com. Michael is a supporter of the Born Free Foundation.

For more information, please contact:

Michael Huggan, ARPS
Michael Huggan Photography
Cranford House
Alton Lane, Four Marks
Alton
Hampshire
GU34 5AJ

Thursday 15 July 2010

Nikon Wanted for Cash!

We have a huge demand for high-quality second-hand Nikon DSLRs and autofocus Nikon lenses. Telephone us today on 020 7828 4925 or email info@graysofwestminster.co.uk for the best offer.

At Grays of Westminster, we are very keen to buy your mint, or near mint, Nikon digital camera equipment. For example:

Cameras

Nikon DLRs: D3s, D3X, D700, D300s, D300, D200 an others.

We also want to buy your Nikon Autofocus lenses.

AF-D Nikkor Lenses

10.5mm f/2.8F DX, 14mm f/2.8D IF ED, 16mm f/2.8D Fisheye, 20mm f/2.8D, 24mm f/2.8D, 28mm f/2.8D, 28mm f/1.4D, 35mm f/2D, 50mm f/1.8D, 50mm f/1.4D, AF-S 50mm f/1.4G, 85mm f/1.4D IF, 85mm f/1.8D, 105mm f/2D AF-DC.

AF-D Zoom-Nikkor Lenses

18-35mm f/3.5-4.5D IF-ED, 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF, 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6D, 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D IF, 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6D, 35-70mm f/2.8D, 70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED, 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AFN, 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED AF VR.

AF-S Silent Wave Nikkor Lenses

24mm f/1.4G ED, 35mm f/1.8G,50mm f/1.4G, 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED DX, 17-35mm f/2.8D, 17-55mm f/2.8G DX IF-ED, 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED, 28-70mm f/2.8D AF-S, 70-200mm f/2.8G VR, 80-200mm f/2.8D, 200mm f/2G VR IF-ED, 200-400mm f/4G VR IF-ED, 300mm f/2.8G VR IF-ED II, 300mm f/4D IF-ED, 500mm f/4G VR IF-ED, 600mm f/4G VR IF-ED, TC-14E II 1.4x, TC-17E II 1.7X, TC-20E II & TC-20E III 2x teleconverters

AF Micro-Nikkor Lenses

AF-S 60mm f/2.8G ED Micro, 60mm f/2.8D AF Micro, AF-S 85mm f/3.5G VR DX Micro IF-ED, AF-S 105mm f/2.8G VR Micro, 105mm f/2.8D AF Micro, 105mm f/2.8G VR AF-S, 200mm f/4D AF ED Micro, 70-180mm f/4.5-5.6D AF ED Micro, 85mm f/2.8D Perspective Control Micro-Nikkor.

Please telephone us on 0207 828 4925 or email info@graysofwestminster.co.uk with a list of your unwanted Nikon equipment.

Friday 9 July 2010

Find out how to win a Nikon Training Voucher worth £180!

Celebrate Grays of Westminster’s 25th Anniversary by taking part in our Second Prize-Draw

As part of the celebration of Grays of Westminster’s 25th Anniversary this year, we are delighted to let you know that if you are a current subscriber to Nikon Owner, your name will be entered into a special silver anniversary prize-draw and the first two names chosen will each win a training voucher from Nikon UK worth £180. This can be spent on any training course that Nikon provides!

The four runners-up will win a signed hardback Grays of Westminster book - In the Company of Legends.

If you are not a current subscriber to Nikon Owner, please read below to find out how you could qualify to enter the prize-draw.

What is Nikon Owner?
Nikon Owner magazine and Interactive Website is considered by many to be the world’s number 1 user group for Nikon owners. It was initially founded with the purpose of assisting Nikon users to make full use of the Nikon equipment they own, to give advice on a wide spectrum of photographic queries and problems, and at the same time to offer ideas to bring about an increase in photographic skills. Subscription to Nikon Owner magazine and interactive website provides a bridge between theory and practical, technical know ledge and accomplishment. As a subscriber to this group, you will receive an array of offers and assistance, as well as the unique photographic publication:

Nikon Owner magazine
From the cold reaches of the Arctic to the muted ocres of The Palio, from the panoramic sweep of an alien landscape to the microscopic detail of a leaf in bud, Nikon Owner magazine is both inspirational and informative. It is a superb, glossy full-colour 60-page quarterly magazine that is 100% Nikon. Each issue delivers bench-mark technical reviews of the very latest Nikon equipment, thought-provoking interviews and articles with world-class images. With its mix of stunning images, illuminating articles to assist and enlighten the photographer, and the very latest reviews on Nikon equipment, it is the essential magazine for the Nikon user.

Nikon Owner subscriber benefits additionally include:

Private user name and password to subscribers’-only website which includes a lively forum, message board, technical equipment reviews, events’ page and use of a photo gallery.
Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline: free technical consultation and support from Simon Stafford who is considered to be one of the top Nikon experts in the UK ; you will be able to benefit from his formidable knowledge and have all your technical questions fully answered by email. This service is exclusive to Nikon Owner subscribers.
FREE 3-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster within your year of subscription.
FREE 18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster within your year of subscription.
10% off Think-Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster.
Special trips: past visits have included a two-week trip to Japan and a personal tour of the Nikon factory, a visit to Nikon Thailand , Angkor Watt, Cambodia.
Substantial discounts on events and training sessions such as Mike Maloney’s House of Lords Photographic Workshop, Heather Angel’s Wildlife & Natural History Workshops, Neil Lucas's Definitive Time-Lapse Event, Chris Weston’s Photographic Courses, Simon Stafford’s Flash, Portraiture and Macro Seminars.
10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK.
A range of complimentary meetings and outings organized by local Nikon Owner Groups.
Nikon Owner Grand Christmas Dinner at the Institute of Directors, Pall Mall, London.

Please email me your name, daytime landline and mobile telephone number if you are interested in finding out more or speak to any of my colleagues between 10.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday on 020 7828 4925 or 020 7828 8971; alternatively for International calls, telephone + 44 (0)20 7828 4925. The cost of an annual subscription to Nikon Owner: Special price: £59. Please quote PD2:59. Offer ends July 31st, 2010.
With kindest regards

Gillian Greenwood
Features Editor and Events & Training Coordinator

Sunday 4 July 2010

Nikon Sponsors the 150th Open Championship

image: www.standrews.org.uk

Nikon today announces its continued sponsorship of The Open Championship, the world’s oldest golf tournament, which is celebrating its 150th year. Nikon will be sponsoring The Championship, which is taking place between 15-18 July, at St Andrews, Scotland, for the 17th consecutive year, and has lined up some exciting activities and promotions to reflect this special anniversary for the tournament.

Nikon will be hosting an experiential area at St Andrews where members of the public will be able to view their golf swing as they hit balls into a net, using the COOLPIX P100, Nikon’s high performance COOLPIX camera that features full HD Movie Mode. Visitors will then have the chance to spend time with a professional golfer, who will analyse their swing, help to iron out any flaws and make improvements to their swing. The COOLPIX P100 will then be used to capture this improved swing which will be available for visitors to take away with them on a memory stick for future reference.

Nikon Coolpix P100

Nikon will also be setting up a retail unit displaying all of the latest Nikon DSLR and COOLPIX cameras, with expert advisors on hand to help people looking for a camera to capture the stunning scenery and important moments of what promises to be a memorable Championship. There will also be a gallery showing some of the iconic images captured by leading Nikon professional sports photographer, David Ashdown, which have characterised Open Championships through the years.

As with previous years, Nikon will be providing a dedicated photography service depot on site for the army of professional photographers that will be present at St Andrews from all over the world, where they can loan equipment or check their equipment in for cleaning or repair services.

The Open Golf Championship is one of Nikon’s most significant worldwide sponsorships, having been a patron of the event since 1993. The company is committed to continuing its patronage until 2012 and beyond, ensuring a prominent brand presence at what remains one of the biggest events in the sporting calendar.

Commenting on Nikon’s ongoing sponsorship of The Open Championship, Birgitta Olson, General Manager of Marketing Communications at Nikon Europe, said: “Golf has provided sport with some of its most inspiring images and therefore we see our sponsorship of the oldest and most prestigious golf tournament in the world as a very natural fit. We understand the unique challenges involved in shooting high quality golfing images in what are often testing conditions, and therefore we are continuing to provide photographers with the very best equipment and technical support they need.”