Showing posts with label Fitzroy House. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fitzroy House. Show all posts

Friday, 6 May 2011

The Definitive Simon Stafford Photography Flash Seminar

Grays of Westminster presents
The Definitive Simon Stafford
Nikon Flash Seminar, Saturday 21st May


For a number of years, Grays of Westminster has presented and hosted a number of comprehensive photographic seminars, workshops, tutorials and events covering a wide variety of subject matter including wildlife and natural history, flash, general photographic technique, portrait, macro and many more.

Following the sold-out success of the Definitive Nikon Flash Seminar last year, we are delighted to be able to repeat this comprehensive training session on Saturday, 21st May in central London, at Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 6DX.

The seminar will be presented by Simon Stafford, technical director of Nikon Owner magazine and respected author of many Nikon books, and will take place from 2.00 p.m. until 5.30 p.m. The cost of the session will be £155 with a special price of £95 if you are a current Nikon Owner subscriber. To book, please send an email with your full name, (as well as your user name if you are a Nikon Owner subscriber), daytime landline and mobile telephone number to: gillian.greenwood@graysofwestminster.co.uk

Agenda for the session

Part One: Flash basics
  • Introduction to Nikon Speedlights and the Nikon Creative Lighting System
  • Understanding light, sync speeds, flash modes, and flash sync modes
  • Shooting with one Speedlight on your camera
  • Modifying light, its colour, quality, and direction
  • Taking the flash off camera, using a cable
  • The Advanced Wireless Lighting system
Part Two: Digging deeper
  • Advanced Creative Lighting System features: FV Lock and Auto High-speed Sync
  • Shooting with multiple Speedlights using wireless control
  • Controlling light: get creative with filters and light modifiers
  • Practical considerations for location shooting
Part Three: Shooting with one light
  • A practical demonstration of setting up and shooting a still-life photograph, using a single Nikon Speedlight and the few simple lighting accessories
There will be ample opportunity to ask questions throughout the event.

Please note: We are anticipating a very high level of response, so please do reply as soon as you are able to to ensure you have a place.

About Simon Stafford

Simon Stafford

Simon Stafford is one of the foremost technical Nikon experts in the UK. With over twenty-five years of experience using the Nikon system, he brings his considerable expertise to bear both as technical editor for Nikon Owner, and as author of a number of comprehensive books on the Nikon system, including his best-seller series of Magic Lantern Guides on the Nikon D70s/D70, the Nikon D80, the Nikon D40, D40X, D50, D60, D200, D300, D700, D90, D3. The series includes a Magic Lantern Guide on the Nikon AF Speedlights & Creative Lighting System, and he is currently working on a fully updated, second edition to include the latest Nikon SB-900.

Special Nikon Owner discount off the price of the course

If you are not already a Nikon Owner subscriber, you are welcome to join Nikon Owner at the same time to receive the benefit of booking the seminar at the lower price of £95
with the discount of £60 off the normal price of £155 for the session.

Nikon Owner Subscription

If you are not already a Nikon Owner subscriber, you are welcome to join Nikon Owner at the same time to receive the benefit of booking the seminar at the lower price.


Standard Annual Subscription - special price: £59
  • 1-year Subscription to Nikon Owner
  • 3-year 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
Silver Subscription - launch price: £129 (normal price: £179)
  • 2-year Subscription to Nikon Owner
  • 3-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
  • A half-hour tutorial on the phone or face to face, by appointment
  • Nikon Owner quarterly magazine as above
  • 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 - launch price £349 (normal price £450)
  • 5-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 Grays of Westminster - In the Company of Legends, or if you have one already, a Nikon Magic Lantern Guide of your choice
  • A Grays of Westminster umbrella (in store only)
  • 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
  • 10% off Think Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
  • 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

Wednesday, 20 April 2011

The Definitive Colour Calibration Seminar by Michael Eleftheriades


As the Introduction to Colour Calibration held last year was very well-received and many of the attendees requested a full seminar on the subject, Grays of Westminster are pleased to announce The Definitive Colour Calibration Seminar by Michael Eleftheriades on Saturday, May 7th, 2011 at Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 6DX.

The seminar will comprehensively demonstrate the procedures and settings for calibrating Nikon cameras, monitors, lenses and printers and how to manage colour-profiled workflows with consistency and reliability. Attendance at the introductory evening is not a prerequisite.

The presentation will be given by Michael Eleftheriades, Nikon Owner London Group Coordinator. He says, "Like most of us, I found the myriad of options daunting and I was never in control of my camera's colour or the printing process, which usually ended in disaster. After many years of experimenting I finally began to 'see the light' and started to be in control of my workflows with predictable and controllable results. My aim in this seminar is to demonstrate my key rules and processes so that attendees can benefit too".

The event will end with a prize draw to win a SpyderCube (White balance tool), LensCal (Lens calibration tool) and Spyder 3 Express (Monitor calibration tool), kindly donated by Datacolor. Darren Sharpe, Product Marketing Manager for Datacolor at Computers Unlimited, will also be on hand to answer any questions and to provide a special discounted pricing offer.

The seminar will take place from 2.00 p.m. until 6.00 p.m. The cost of the session will be £155 with a special price of £95 if you are a current Nikon Owner subscriber, and includes afternoon tea. To book, please email your full name, daytime mobile and landline to Gillian Greenwood at: gillian.greenwood@graysofwestminster.co.uk If you are also a Nikon Owner subscriber, add your user name /subscription number to the email. There are limited places available, so do book as soon as you are able to in order to avoid disappointment, and please be kind enough to reply by email rather than by telephone.

'Colour Calibration - from Start to Finish': Seminar Agenda

The aim of the seminar is to provide attendees with the technical knowledge to calibrate their equipment and to be able to colour-manage their workflow successfully from acquisition to print.

Part 1: General Principles
  • Colour Theory
  • What are Colour Spaces & ICC Profiles?
  • Bit Depth; 8, 16 or 32 bits?
  • How Resolution and Pixel Size are interrelated
  • How to set up your applications
Part 2: Calibrating your Nikon
  • Recommended settings for your camera
  • Getting the right exposure
  • Determining the White Balance under any lighting conditions
  • Colour Calibrating your Camera
  • Camera Tips & Tricks

Part 3: Lens Calibration

  • Why calibrate
  • How to check your lenses
  • Setting up your camera to use the calibration

Part 4: Monitor Calibration

  • Why Monitor Calibration is important
  • The right settings for your display
  • Gamma and White Point explained

Part 5: Printer Calibration
  • When do you need to calibrate your printer?
  • Printing papers explained
  • How to calibrate your printer
  • Print Settings & Rendering Intent
  • RGB and CMYK Profiles explained
  • Printing workflows using Adobe Photoshop (or Elements) including Camera RAW
  • Advanced printing using a RIP (raster image processor)

Part 6: Putting it all together
  • Demonstration of colour-profiled workflow from acquisition, manipulation, to printing

About Michael Eleftheriades

A Nikon Owner subscriber since 2002, Michael is an architect and photographer who fuses his particular passion for architecture, virtual reality, computer graphics and photography in the creation of large-scale panoramic imagery.

Michael had been photographing virtual reality scenes using Nikon film cameras since 1986, and subsequently moved into digital usage and implementation with the launch of Nikon's Coolpix range in 1998.

He has exhibited his photographs at three exhibitions in London and lectured on panoramic creation to wide acclaim in the UK, Europe and the United States. When not photographing, Michael directs the efforts of Media Synthesis, a media development and consultancy company established in 1993, and is responsible for virtual reality tours and interactive exhibits at many of the UK's leading museums, including the Maritime and Natural History Museums.

Michael also created the virtual tour for Grays of Westminster and has been the Nikon Owner London Group coordinator for the last two years.

Travel Information

Fitzroy House

Travelling to Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 6DX: the nearest underground station is Warren Street, but please do make sure that it is open – it is occasionally closed on a Saturday – if so, Goodge Street station is a good option.

Nikon Owner Subscription

If you are not already a Nikon Owner subscriber, you are welcome to join Nikon Owner at the same time to receive the benefit of booking the seminar at the lower price.



Standard Annual Subscription - special price: £59
  • 1-year Subscription to Nikon Owner
  • 3-year 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
Silver Subscription - launch price: £129 (normal price: £179)
  • 2-year Subscription to Nikon Owner
  • 3-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
  • A half-hour tutorial on the phone or face to face, by appointment
  • Nikon Owner quarterly magazine as above
  • 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 - launch price £349 (normal price £450)
  • 5-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 Grays of Westminster - In the Company of Legends, or if you have one already, a Nikon Magic Lantern Guide of your choice
  • A Grays of Westminster umbrella (in store only)
  • 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
  • 10% off Think Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
  • 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

Wednesday, 9 March 2011

The Definitive Simon Stafford General Photographic Techniques Seminar

Saturday, 26th March - 2.00 p.m. - 5.30 p.m.

Simon Stafford's General Photographic Techniques Seminar will be held in central London, at Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 6DX on Saturday, 26th March between 2.00 p.m. and 5.30 p.m.. The price of the seminar is £155 with the lower price of £95 for Nikon Owner subscribers and includes mid-afternoon tea and coffee.


The seminar will be presented by one of the world's foremost Nikon experts, Simon Stafford, the technical editor of Nikon Owner magazine and best-selling author of numerous Magic Lantern Guides to the Nikon camera system.

Agenda for the session

Part one: Camera skills
  • Understanding f/numbers & shutter speeds
  • Learn how to optimise white balance and ISO
  • Mastering camera menu settings
  • JPEG versus RAW: the pros and cons of both
  • How to achieve accurate exposures
  • Understand how your camera’s metering system works
  • Learn the benefits of digital histograms
  • Improve your focus techniques with AF and manual focus
Part two: Shooting skills
  • Learn good camera handling
  • Camera support systems, tripods, monopods and alternatives
  • Understanding and using depth-of-field
  • Choosing and using filters
  • Imaginative use of shutter speed
  • Creative use of white balance
Part three: Beyond the camera
  • Planning and visualising the picture
  • Techniques of composition
  • Transporting photographic equipment
  • Tips for location shooting
Questions and Answers:
Please note that there will be ample opportunity to ask questions throughout the seminar.

Nikon Owner Subscription

If you are not already a subscriber to Nikon Owner, and would like to enrol on this course at the special price, you can apply for the standard, silver, or gold subscription to Nikon Owner below, by sending me, Gillian Greenwood (gillian.greenwood@graysofwestminster.com), an email with your full name, daytime mobile and landline. Alternatively, please call between 2.00 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday on 020 7828 8971 (or 020 7828 4925 if that line is busy) to speak to me or any of my colleagues.


Standard Annual Subscription - special price: £59
  • 1-year Subscription to Nikon Owner
  • 3-year 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
Silver Subscription - launch price: £129 (normal price: £179)
  • 2-year Subscription to Nikon Owner
  • 3-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
  • A half-hour tutorial on the phone or face to face, by appointment
  • Nikon Owner quarterly magazine as above
  • 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 - launch price £349 (normal price £450)
  • 5-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 Grays of Westminster - In the Company of Legends, or if you have one already, a Nikon Magic Lantern Guide of your choice
  • A Grays of Westminster umbrella (in store only)
  • 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
  • 10% off Think Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
  • 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

Monday, 14 February 2011

The Definitive Panoramic Workshop Saturday, February 26th, 2011

Grays of Westminster presents
The Definitive Panoramic Workshop by Michael Eleftheriades
Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 6DX Saturday, February 26th, 2011

For a number of years, Grays of Westminster has presented and hosted a number of comprehensive photographic seminars and workshops.


Following on from Michael Eleftheriades' very popular Definitive Panoramic Seminar (October 2010), Grays of Westminster is delighted to announce the Definitive Practical Panoramic Workshop on Saturday, February 26th, 2011. Whilst the first seminar provided a general overview, the second workshop will go through the practical processes in detail and is aimed at all photographers who are interested in improving their practical skills in shooting panoramas.

Photographers are welcome to bring their own laptops (either Mac or PC) so they can follow the tutorials. A list of recommended software and demo files will be sent via email to all attendees a week before the workshop. As a minimum requirement, attendees should have a recent copy of Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements installed.



We are also pleased to announce that 360Precision has donated two Atome heads for this event, worth over £200 each. The Atome is a lightweight and compact head which is ideally suited to hiking, travel or back-packing. The draw for the two Atomes will take place at the end of the workshop.

This panoramic workshop will be held in central London, at Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 6DX.

The cost of the session will be £155 with a special price of £95 if you are a current Nikon Owner subscriber. To book, please email your full name, daytime mobile and landline to Gillian Greenwood at: gillian.greenwood@graysofwestminster.co.uk or call between 12.00 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday on 020 7828 4925 - for International calls telephone + 44 (0)20 7828 4925 - and ask to speak to Gillian Greenwood or Katrin Ruckert. There are limited places available, so please book as soon as you are able to, in order to avoid disappointment.

Panoramic Workshop Agenda

The aim of the workshop is to give attendees first-hand experience in setting up their equipment, shooting successfully in demanding environments, and guidance in the post production and final output of panoramic files for the web and mobile devices.

Part 1: The General Principles
  • Panoramic theory & principles
  • Selecting the right camera and lenses
  • Finding the lens nodal point
  • How to set the exposure
  • White Balance Tools
Part 2: Shooting Planar Panoramas
  • Benefits & How To Shoot
  • Using Tilt & Shift lenses
Part 3: Shooting Cylindrical Panoramas
  • Benefits & How To Shoot
  • Image processing
  • Stitching using Photoshop and more advanced tools
  • Photographing in public spaces (dealing with movement)
  • Printing Considerations
Part 4: Shooting Spherical Panoramas
  • Benefits & How To Shoot
  • Stitching using advanced tools
  • Creating the illusion (capping the nadir)
  • Creating photospheres
  • Publishing on the web (virtual tours)
  • Playback on portable devices
Part 5: Panorama showcase
  • Examples of recent work, including panoramas from Japan, Thailand and Cambodia.
About Michael Eleftheriades

A Nikon Owner subscriber since 2002, Michael is an architect and photographer who fuses his particular passion for architecture, virtual reality, computer graphics and photography in the creation of large-scale panoramic imagery.

Michael had been photographing virtual reality scenes using Nikon film cameras since 1986, and subsequently moved into digital usage and implementation with the launch of Nikon's Coolpix range in 1998.

He has exhibited his photographs at three exhibitions in London and lectured on panoramic creation to wide acclaim in the UK, Europe and the United States. When not photographing, Michael directs the efforts of Media Synthesis, a media development and consultancy company established in 1993, and is responsible for virtual reality tours and interactive exhibits at many of the UK's leading museums, including the Maritime and Natural History Museums.

Michael has recently created the virtual tour for Grays of Westminster and has been the Nikon Owner London Group coordinator for the last two years.

Comments from the attendees of his Panoramic Seminars at Nikon UK

Thank you for a informative and enjoyable evening. I have been an architectural photographer for twenty something years and your seminar has enlightened me on how to offer clients alternative marketing, display and web site design possibilities. I will be very interested in attending any future workshops that you and Nikon might offer - C.B. & K. M.

I really enjoyed the talk you gave, and was fascinated by the capability of both the software and pano heads. When I got home that night, I told my wife that I had seen true magic! Those are powerful tools, and you have personally done some amazing things with them - J. W.

I was lucky enough to attend both your recent seminars at Nikon House. It's an interest I have had for a long time and I found your seminar most interesting and informative - M. H.

I just wanted to thank you for the two seminars that I attended, I found both seminars very informative and inspiring. Both seminars were very well presented - K. P.

I should like to let you know, how much I enjoyed the talk by Mike Eleftheriades - I found it most inspirational - T. J.
Fast, but a great deal to cover. Excellent friendly manner, presentation by a master of his art - E. C.

Fantastic, a real eye opener! Excellent! - S. H.

Absolutely fascinating - R. J. S.

Travelling to Fitzroy House
the nearest underground station is Warren Street, but please do make sure that it is open – it is occasionally closed on a Saturday – if so, Goodge Street station is a good option.

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

Subscribe to Nikon Owner and receive £60 discount off the course

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.

Nikon Owner standard subscription benefits 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 widely recognized as 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, Chris Weston’s Photographic Courses, Simon Stafford’s Definitive 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.
The cost of a standard annual subscription to Nikon Owner is currently at the special price of £59. (Quote ME2 59 when you email.)



Tuesday, 9 November 2010

The Definitive Flash Workshop, Saturday, November 27th, 2010

Due to overwhelming demand, we are delighted to announce a very special speedlight workshop to be held in central London, at Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 6DX on Saturday, November 27th, 2010.

Simon Stafford

The workshop will be presented by Simon Stafford, one of the world's foremost Nikon experts, who is the technical editor of Nikon Owner magazine and best-selling author of numerous Nikon books. It will take place from 12.00 p.m. until 4.00 p.m., and includes a light lunch and mid-afternoon tea and biscuits.

The cost of the session will be £155 with a special price of £95 if you are a current Nikon Owner subscriber. To book, please email me with your full name, daytime mobile and landline, or call between 12.00 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday on 020 7828 4925 or for International calls telephone + 44 (0)20 7828 4925, and ask to speak to me, Gillian Greenwood. There are very limited places available, so please book as soon as you are able to in order to avoid disappointment. If you are not currently a subscriber, you are welcome to join whilst booking the workshop to receive the discount on the session.

gillian.greenwood@graysofwestminster.co.uk



About the Workshop
Following his highly successful series of Nikon Speedlight seminars presented earlier this year Simon has developed this entirely new workshop, based on the feedback and demand from delegates who attended those events. The emphasis is focused very much on the practical application of tools and techniques, and it will include an opportunity for delegates to practice applying settings their own Nikon cameras and CLS compatible Speedlight equipment (please note attendance of Simon's earlier seminar is not a prerequisite of this workshop).

Nikon's Creative Lighting System (CLS) offers a level of flexibility and control that provides a huge range of creative possibilities for off-camera flash and portable on-location lighting. Simon will share his in-depth knowledge of the CLS and 30-years of photographic experience, so that you can achieve professional looking portraits easily and swiftly using a minimum of equipment.

Simon will show you how to set-up, position, and control simple lighting that will have an immediate impact on your photography. He will lead you through a variety of lighting set ups with live demonstrations, so you will be able to observe first-hand how to improve your lighting techniques. Starting with a single Nikon Speedlight you will learn how to progress from the uncompromising light of direct, on-camera flash to well crafted lighting that complements your subject to best effect, then building on this foundation Simon will show you how you can introduce additional Speedlights and other lighting control accessories to expand your lighting repertoire.

Session 1
The simplest and most effective way to improve lighting with a Speedlight is to take it off the camera, as this enables you to direct the light at will. In this session you will learn how to:

Understand the relationship between the TTL metering of your camera, ambient light and the interaction with the Speedlight and camera settings for flash.

Work with flash output controls and flash sync options, so you can mix light from a Speedlight with ambient light for more balanced, natural lighting effects.

Modify the light from a Speedlight to emulate the "soft box" look without actually using a sophisticated lighting accessory.

Direct and control light from your flash on to the subject and avoid light spill by using some simple accessories

Session 2
Adding a second Speedlight will increase options and elevate the lighting possibilities to a greater level. In this session you will learn how to:

Set up and control your Speedlights wirelessly from the camera position for effective and efficient shooting

Establish a lighting set up starting with a single flash as a key light, and then introduce a second, or even third Speedlight as fill-lights

Use lighting ratios for creative off–camera lighting effects on both your subject and background

Set up multiple flashes on location quickly and easily using the minimum of equipment

Use light modifying accessories to improve the colour, direction and quality of the lighting

Session 3
Exploring a few of the more advanced flash techniques will help you expand your lighting creativity even further. In this session you will learn how to:

Apply Front -curtain, Rear-curtain, Slow-flash sync to achieve special effects when mixing flash with ambient light

Adjust the zoom head of your the flash manually to further refine the light output from a Speedlight

Understand and use the Auto FP High–Speed sync mode which will enable you to shoot with flash beyond the normal maximum sync speed of your camera

Exploit the FV Lock feature for consistent flash results

Session 4
The final session will be an opportunity for delegates to practice setting up their own camera and flash under Simon's supervision, while asking questions about the tools and techniques discussed during the previous sessions.


Travelling to Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 6DX:

Fitzroy House, London

The nearest underground station is Warren Street, but please do make sure that it is open – it is occasionally closed on a Saturday – if so, Goodge Street station is a good option.

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 CoversNikon 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. 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, and is 100% Nikon.

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 widely recognized as 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, Chris Weston’s Photographic Courses, Simon Stafford’s Definitive 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.
The cost of a standard annual subscription to Nikon Owner is currently at the special price of £59. (Quote ME59 when you call or email.)

With kindest regards

Gillian Greenwood
Features Editor and Events & Training Coordinator

Thursday, 3 June 2010

A Unique Midsummer Event: A Journey into Time-Lapse Photography with Neil Lucas

Grays of Westminster and the Nikon Owner London Group present A Unique Midsummer Event A Journey into Time-Lapse Photography with Neil Lucas

We are delighted to announce a unique presentation by Neil Lucas, producer for the acclaimed BBC 'Life' Series, to be held in central London, at Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London, W1T 6DX on Saturday, June 19th, 2010 from 2.00 p.m. until 5.30 p.m.

For a number of years, Grays of Westminster has presented and hosted a number of comprehensive photographic events and seminars, covering a wide variety of subject matter including Mike Maloney’s recent historic House of Lords Photographic Event, an evening with best-selling author Graham Hancock, a Christmas event with photographer and celebrated mountaineer, Jo Gambi, another event featuring Simon Marsden, wildlife and natural history weekend workshops with Heather Angel, as well as training sessions with Simon Stafford.

Neil Lucas
will take us on a journey from his earliest photographic passions to his discovery of time-lapse techniques and how they developed throughout his career, leading to the first real time-lapse programme 'The Private Life of Plants'. He will describe the problems and successes and demonstrate the techniques, culminating to his recent work for the BBC series 'Life' and beyond.

Neil Lucas worked for the BBC Natural History Unit as a producer for over 20 years. During that time he worked on many internationally acclaimed and award-winning productions, including Sir David Attenborough’s The Trials of Life, The Private Life of Plants, The Life of Mammals and Planet Earth. In the outstanding 'Life' series he produced two of the most technically challenging programmes, and many of his programmes have been nominated for BAFTAs and EMMYs. Neil is now working as a freelance film director and photographer specialising in challenging and technical shoots, using the same filming and photographic techniques he has mastered throughout his career.

Venue Details
Fitzroy House, from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. on Saturday, June 19th 2010 - presentation starts at 2.30 p.m..

Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London

Fitzroy House
37 Fitzroy Street
London W1T 6DX

Google map: [maps.google.co.uk]

Tickets are available at £25 for Nikon Owner subscribers and £85 for non-subscribers. English afternoon cream tea and refreshments will be served during the break. To reserve your tickets please call me, Gillian Greenwood, on 020 7828 8971 or email: gillian.greenwood@nikonownermagazine.com with your full name and daytime mobile and landline. Please note that limited seats are available – please book early to avoid disappointment.

We would like to thank Mike Eleftheriades, who runs the Nikon Owner London Group for all his hard work in setting up this unique event.

Please note that subscribing to Nikon Owner Magazine and Interactive Website allows you a £60 discount off this event and many of our other training sessions.

About Nikon Owner:

Nikon Owner magazine and Interactive Website is considered by many to be the world’s number 1 user group for Nikon owners.

Nikon Owner was initially founded with the purpose of assisting Nikon owners 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. As a subscriber to this group, you will receive an array of offers and assistance, which includes:

  • Nikon Owner magazine

Nikon Owner magazine
  • Nikon Owner magazine 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.
  • 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 widely recognised as one of the world's foremost Nikon experts; 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, as well as 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, Chris Weston’s Photographic Courses, Simon Stafford’s Definitive 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.

To subscribe to Nikon Owner at the special price of £59, please email me at gillian.greenwood@graysofwestminster.co.uk as before, with your name, daytime landline and mobile telephone number or call and speak to any of our staff between 10.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday on 020 7828 4925 or for International calls, telephone + 44 (0)20 7828 4925, and 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. on Saturdays.

With best wishes,
Gillian Greenwood
Features Editor, Events’ and Training Coordinator