Links
Here's some links to websites, including software etc that have been useful to my photography.
Seeing the Unseen
"Seeing the Unseen" is an eBook on night photography by Alister Benn (co founder of Whytake.net and owner of Available Light Images).
His eBook is a truly brilliant and comprehensive insight the world of Night Photography. whether you are a beginner or advanced photographer, Alister's eBook has it all.....an in depth (which is a bit of an understatement) and very inspiring read, that has really taught me a lot.
If Night Photography is a subject you are interested in starting, then this is a must read!
Equally, if you have been creating night images for years....this is a MUST read!
Alister's years of experience and passion shine through, all backed up with his incredible images
as proof of what can be achieved!
It's eBooks/Manuals/Tutorials like this that can really "fast track" photographers onto great things, in my opinion it's the best piece of writing on Night Photography available now!
Click on the link below to enter an "Unseen" and magical world! http://harvestinglight.net/category/ebooks/seeing-the-unseen/
Whytake.net
Whytake is an amazing online resource to see and share quality Nature images, it is a purely Nature based place, so no captive animals, composites or manmade elements allowed, but multiple image creations of a naturally represented scene (including HDR, Focus Stacking and "Blending") are very much embraced!
In my opinion Whytake.net is very different from many of the photo sharing websites and forums that can be found on the web these days, it is very unique in it's emphasis on the IMAGES, rather than a fake popularity contest.....and for this it is most definitely Alone (but certainly not Lonely) in it's unique conception and presentation!
Whytake is all about the photo's doing ALL the talking (which is surely what photography should truly and only be about!!!)
Whytake has eliminated the bullshit that can be seen on some other forums (thanks to it's creators), which can make certain photos more popular because of the person rather than the photo.
Whytake also eliminates the sometimes unfriendly Elitist vibe that can also be found on some forums....which is a HUGE and refreshing contradiction, simply because Whytake showcases many of the very top of the TOP nature images that can be seen today........and if you look a little further you can find all kinds of other resources that are so helpful to Nature Photographers.
Whytake.net is owned and run by Alister Benn, Rafael Rojas, Juanli Sun and Anca Minican.....and they all have great taste in photography (including their own!), they have created a very friendly and neutral community (and again, their emphasis is totally on the images).....a great place to participate, that has (maybe most importantly) been created by professional Nature Photographers who have a passion for nature (sounds obvious?, but it can sometimes be a rare thing these days).....and this passion shines through, just check it out to be inspired! http://whytake.net/Inspire
NatureScapes.net
A comprehensive resource for all nature photographers, a quality place to share and learn. http://www.naturescapes.net/docs/
Flickr
A fantastic place (and probably the biggest photo sharing application there is) to share your photo's with other like minded people.
Click on the link below http://www.flickr.com/
Startrails.exe
I'm a big fan of swirling star trails and this is an excellent (again free) application from Achim Schaller (thanks Achim). Check out my article on how (and why) to use it.
I've had so much fun using this software.
Just click on the link at the end of this message and then click on the "startrails.zip(200kb)" link to download this wonderful software and open up an unseen nighttime world! http://www.startrails.de/html/software.html
Vimeo
A wonderful place to share your short movies, video clips and timelapse sequences, a great place!
Click on the link below http://vimeo.com/
Helicon Focus
Here is another great focus stacking software solution. It is very user friendly and has a great user interface. Helicon focus is not free, but you can try the 30 day free trial.
Click on the link below, then click on the "downloads" tab http://www.heliconsoft.com/heliconfocus.html
The Digital Picture
A great and reputable website to review Canon bodies and lenses, plus some great third party lens reviews too.
Click on the link below to see the reviews http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/
CombineZP
Here is a link to the very useful (and free) focus stacking software by Alan Hadley (thanks Alan), just click on the link below and then click on the "CombineZP Package" link to download the software http://hadleyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/CZP/Installation.htm
Fred Miranda
Here is another fantastic website to read user reviews on the most popular cameras and lenses, plus software and other stuff, a great resource for any photographer!
Click on the link below http://www.fredmiranda.com/
Apple Quicktime Pro
For my use, Apple Quicktime Pro has been a great application to comebine multiple stills to create a timelapse movie, click on the link below (the link is for windows) to download Quicktime, upgrading to "Quicktime pro" is not free http://store.apple.com/uk/product/D3381Z/A
DPreview
Yet another fantastic place with comprehensive reviews on all photo equipment. http://www.dpreview.com/

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