The festival will be running from 12-14 April 2024 at the Carriageworks Theatre, Millennium Square, Leeds. Visit www.photonorthfestival.co.uk for more information.

From Photo North Festival, January 2024:

This spring the photography industry spotlight will shine on the historically proud and culturally vibrant city of Leeds for the fifth edition of Photo North Festival.

Exhibitions by legends of the profession will be on display alongside up and coming photographers against a backdrop of talks, networking, screenings, food, drink and more.

Martin Parr will exhibit a selection of images from Chew Stoke, a Year in the Life of an English Village courtesy of the Martin Parr Foundation. In 1992 Parr shot hundreds of rolls of film to capture the Milk deliveries, school drop-offs, gardening, keep fit classes, cups of tea, pints in the pub, jars of home-made lemon curd and jumble sales that defined the community. An exhibition was held at the village hall. A new edit was published in the book A Year in the Life of Chew Stoke by RRB Photobooks in 2022.

British documentary photographer Peter Mitchell known for documenting Leeds and the surrounding area for more than 40 years will be exhibiting specially made prints.

Bespoke for the festival, renowned Arts Director, Curator & Producer Tracy Marshall-Grant has curated Voices, an exhibition combining three award winning women working at the forefront of documentary photography and photojournalism: Jillian Edelstein, Carol Allen-Storey and Kirsty MacKay. The exhibition focuses on work by each photographer which not only visually illuminates social, political, and healthcare issues but also gives voice to those in the images and empowers their stories to be told.

In partnership with The Royal Photographic Society, Photo North deliver The Fighting Spirit of South London by Aneesa Dawoojee to a northern audience. The Fighting Spirit of South London delves into the lives of martial artists and combat sports athletes from gyms near Aneesa’s home. Through her lens, Aneesa has captured the indomitable human spirit as these individuals confront life’s challenges head-on.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be part this year’s Photo North Festival with ‘The Fighting Spirit of South London’ collection, a very personal exploration of community, resilience, hope, and social discourse, told through the lives of martial artists and combat sports athletes from South London.”  

“When I started photographing this series, I wanted to show how ordinary people can unite and really make a mark in life, whether it be for themselves, their children or social group, and that there is always a way forward, however hard life becomes. I’m still driven by that, so I have tried to capture the indomitable strength of human spirit shown by these individuals as they confront life’s challenges head-on. I hope that these photographs stand as a striking and honest tribute to their unwavering determination as they craft their own path of inspiration to others.”

“Following the success of my RPS solo exhibition Only Human: Aneesa Dawoojee, I am grateful that with the support of the RPS, and collaboration with PhotoNorth this project is able to reach a new audience.” 

Harry Borden’s On Divorce is the debut title in a new portrait photography series by The School of Life. The photographs and accompanying texts were captured and recorded over two years by Borden (himself divorced). The images are a mirror that can help to correct some of what we think we know of divorce and pull us in a different direction: towards compassion, identification, curiosity, self-reflection and empathy.

Taking inspiration from the Brontës, Hardy and Free by Carolyn Mendelsohn is a celebration of women in the landscape that means the most to them, whether an open hillside, quiet expanse of water or an urban oasis.

John Bolloten’s gritty series Tbilisi Raw goes deep inside the Georgian underground with a rare and intimate insight into the secretive and closed world of the Elita football hooligans of FC Dinamo Tbilisi.

Barry Lewis will exhibit from GULAG, a new book of photographs from his 1991 journey into the darkness of Stalin’s Siberian prison camps.

Specialising in reporting across Russia and the Former Soviet Union, travelling 50,000KM mostly by motorcycle, award winning Jeremy Nicholl has photographed the thousands of memorials that remain of Lenin across the country.

Windrush: A Voyage through the Generations by Jim Grover was created to honour the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush in Britain 1948. The work explores how subsequent generations are living their lives today in terms of the distinctive culture and traditions that the first Windrush Generation brought to the UK.

The ‘Home. Perspectives’ exhibition brings together diverse projects of Ukrainian photographers who offer distinct ways of seeing and thinking about Ukraine, inviting contemplation on Ukraine’s history and contemporary visual culture. Launched at the Open Eye Gallery in Liverpool, where both curators are based, presenting it to the diverse audiences at Photo North is a fascinating opportunity.  CuratorsViktoria Bavykina and Max Gorbatskyiexclaim “We’re thrilled to join the discourse of the festival’s 2024 edition, seizing the opportunity to further cultivate cultural connections with Ukraine right here in the North.”

Gurushots global community will host their Art of Photography photo-challenge winners.

The Channel 4 picture team will have a presence at the festival for portfolio drop-ins and a Saturday take-over of industry chat, presentation and inspiration with confirmed guests Simon Webb & Tom Barnes.

Photo North Festival Founders

Festival co-founder & curator, Peter Dench, says: ‘We recognise people are passionate about photography. Photo North Festival aims to introduce or advance understanding of the medium through our programme of exhibitions – to inspire and engage debate. We have one perfect venue, with headline events and renowned photographers confirmed and the list is growing. The creativity in planning the festival format, talks and screenings is something unique to offer people in the north of England and beyond.’

Sharon Price, co-founder & curator, says: ‘We’ve chosen thought-provoking works that provide relevant social commentary on some quite hard-hitting issues. We also have the beautiful and the poignant, that will appeal not only to enthusiasts seeking to be challenged, but also to those seeking a feast for the senses.’

Sharon and Peter have secured the sensational line up to deliver a thought-provoking, lively and inclusive festival that will appeal to the professional photographer, photo-enthusiast, keen amateur and anyone who wishes to engage with the timeless appeal of the medium.

Once again, Photo North Festival promises to be one of the most exciting and engaging European photo events.

12-14 April 2024 –  The Carriageworks Theatre, Millennium Square, Leeds UK.

www.photonorthfestival.co.uk

Featured image credit: Carol Allen-Storey

Related content:

• Best photography events and festivals
• AP Awards 2023 – Power of Photography Award – Aneesa Dawoojee
• Best photography competitions to enter

Follow AP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

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AstrHori has released the AstrHori 25mm f/2.8 Macro lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. This wide-angle lens has a magnification range of 2x-5x and is compatible with Sony E, Nikon Z, Panasonic L, Fujifilm X and Canon RF mounts. It also ensures seamless compatibility with APS-C models.

It designed specifically for close up and macro photography and is said to excel within a dedicated 2:1 to 5:1 magnification range. The manual focus lens can focus as close as 113 millimeters in 2x mode, 137.8 mm in 3x, 162mm in 4x, and 186.4mm at 5x magnification. Additionally, it incorporates an eight-blade diaphragm ‘a pleasing out-of-focus quality’ when using a shallow depth of field.

The lens’s slim and lightweight design, with the lens weighing about 274g, is said to facilitate handheld use with ease. It has a longer working range of 4cm-4.5cm between the front edge of the lens and the subject, which AstrHori says will allow photographers to accurately arrange lighting.

The AstrHori 25mm f/2.8mm 2x-5x Macro lens is already available to buy from the AstrHori website for $249.00, as well as from Amazon US, with 10% discount when using the code “10K5LEZO”.

Related content: 

• Top Macro Photography Tips and Techniques
• Best macro lenses for mirrorless and DSLRs
• Best smartphones for macro
• Fast wide Voigtlander prime for Fujifilm: at a good price

Follow AP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

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The Voigtlander COLOR-SKOPAR 18mm F2.8 Aspherical X Mount is a manual focus wide-angle lens that covers the APS-C size image circle, with an optical design optimised for the Fujifilm X sensor.

The angle of view is equivalent to 28mm in full-frame, which is a useful and popular focal length for landscapes, street photography, travel and portraiture. The lens costs £469 including VAT and you can order from Robert White.

Key features at a glance

• Designed exclusively for the Fujifilm X mount
• Data communication with the camera body via electronic contacts
• Highly rigid and durable all-metal lens barrel
• Manual helix for reliable and accurate focus
• Aperture ring has a mechanical direct connection
• Beautiful bokeh with 10-blade iris diaphragm
• Shortest shooting distance is 0.17m`

Further reading
New Voigtlander Nokton 35mm F0.9 for Fujifilm X-Mount
Voigtlander Ultron 27mm F2 for X-mount released

The post Fast wide Voigtlander prime for Fujifilm – at a good price appeared first on Amateur Photographer.

The Safety Track feature included in the DJI Mic 2 allows content creators to record a second track alongside the primary audio track in case of unexpected audio level spikes. The mic system also has direct Bluetooth connection support, which allows for seamless pairing with smartphones, and DJI’s own Osmo Pocket 3 and Osmo Action 4 without the need for a receiver. Additionally, it connects to various other devices through USB-C, Lightning adapters, and 3.5mm TRS analog output.

To suit the style and preferences of different users, DJI Mic 2 is available in two colours, Shadow Black and Pearl White. It is now available to buy from the DJI website and retailers. At $349 / £309, you get the complete kit, which includes two transmitters for dual-channel audio, one receiver, a charging case, wind shields, a lav mic, plus the necessary connectors.

Related content:

• DJI Mini 4 Pro review
• DJI OM 5 Smartphone Gimbal review
• Best accessories for video
• Best vlogging tips and how to get started

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The post DJI Mic 2 boasts AI noise-cancellation and 32-bit float recording appeared first on Amateur Photographer.

Let’s start by taking a look at the range-topper, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra…

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra features:

• 200MP f/1.7 main camera, with OIS
• 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle camera (0.6x)
• 10MP f/2.4 3x telephoto camera, with OIS
• 50MP f/3.4 5x telephoto camera, with OIS
• 5x telephoto camera has 10x Super AI / Multi-frame / Super Resolution
• 12MP f/2.2 PDAF selfie camera (same on all models)
• 8K 30fps video, 4K 120/60/30fps
• 6.8inch screen, 1-120Hz, 2600nits, with Corning Gorilla Glass Armor*
• Titanium frame, 5000mAh battery
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor
• Available in Titanium grey, black, violet (blue), and pale yellow**
• £1249 (256GB)

**exclusive colours will be available directly from Samsung’s website

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra colours. Photo JW/AP

Samsung are very keen to explain that we are now entering the “Era of AI” – first we had the era of the internet (on phones, thanks to smartphones), then we had the era of the camera phone, and now AI is becoming a part of every new smartphone announced. In fact, it’s been in many phones for years, with subject detection AI (and optimisation) featuring on Samsung phones for many years now.

The new generation of AI, however, is being used for both photography when you take the photo, and when you edit the photos, with both on-phone AI technology (when shooting), and a mix of on-device and cloud-based AI features available when editing.

Similar AI editing features were recently introduced with the Google Pixel 8 series, and similar features can now be found on the new S24 series.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra intelligent scene optimiser settings. Photo JW/AP

Photography features are improved with a new “AI ProVisual engine” which is said to improve night photography, noise performance, zoom quality, colour reproduction, as well as HDR (High Dynamic Range) imaging.

HDR shooting has been improved and this SuperHDR feature now includes HDR preview so you can see what it’ll look like before you take the photo. There’s also support for HDR shooting in third party apps like Instagram, and Snapchat, as well as an improved HDR gallery.

One AI feature that particularly stands out as useful for photographers is the new “Reflection removal (AI)” feature – this looks particularly useful if reflections from glass (etc) have been an issue in your photos. Other on-device AI photo editing features include Reflection removal (as mentioned) as well as Portrait effect, and Remaster photo.

In-cloud AI based features include removing, moving, and resizing objects (just like Google’s Magic Editor), as well as generative fill, for example if you want to rotate an image, it can then fill in the missing bits.

Samsung say that the meta data will include whether AI features have been used in editing, to ensure that there is clarity and transparency around these features.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra cameras. Photo JW/AP

The new 50MP 5x telephoto camera replaces the 10x telephoto camera on the S22/S23 ultra.

I tested the 10x zoom feature on the S24 Ultra, which uses the 50MP 5x telephoto camera along with AI tools to improve the image quality and then compared this to the 10x optical telephoto camera on the S22 Ultra, and was immediately impressed by the improvement in detail, colour and image quality on the S24 Ultra.

Improved video recording

AI can also be used to generate intermediate frames in video, for example, letting you create slow-motion footage from your videos, after you’ve recorded them. The phone can record 8K video at normal frame rates (up to 30fps), as well as 4K video at up to 120fps (as well as 60 and 30fps)

The S24 Ultra comes with *Corning Gorilla Glass Armor on the screen, which is said to be 4x stronger, and reduces glare by 75%. Gorilla Glass Victus 2 is used on the back, and the frame is made from Titanium.

The design may, at first glance, look remarkably like the S22 and S23 Ultra, but the screen, and back, are no longer curved, and this gives the phone a slightly more business-like appearance. The cameras also take up a bit more space on the back of the phone as well.

Oh, and another thing, just like Google phones, the Samsung S24 series will be getting 7 years of updates.

Left to right: S24, S24 Plus and S24 Ultra. Photo JW/AP

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus

In comparison, the S24 and S24 Plus feature a triple camera setup, with ultra-wide-angle, wide-angle and 3x telephoto cameras, as well as a 12MP selfie camera with auto-focus. The AI features are also available on these phones, albeit without the 5x telephoto camera. The S24 remains Samsung’s small flagship camera phone, for those that want smaller phones.(LINK)

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus:

• 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle camera
• 50MP f/1.8 main camera, with OIS
• 10MP f/2.4 telephoto camera (3x), with OIS
• 6.7inch screen
• 4900mAh battery
• £999 (256GB)

Samsung Galaxy S24:

• Same camera setup as S24 Plus
• 6.2inch screen
• 4000mAh battery
• £799 (128GB)

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24 Plus and S24 Ultra. Photo JW/AP

We’ll be testing all three models, as soon as they are available. If you pre-order the phone, directly from Samsung, before the 31st January, you’ll be able to get double the storage.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – Samsung’s best camera phone ever?

Related reading:

• Best camera phones for photography
• Best budget and mid-range camera phones for photography
• How does Google’s Magic Editor work on the Pixel 8?

Full press release from Samsung: Enter the New Era of Mobile AI with Samsung Galaxy S24 Series

Designed to empower everyday experience, from barrier-free communication, to creativity, to the power for more possibilities, Galaxy AI transforms the iconic S series for the future.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra cameras – here you can see the periscope lens for the 5x telephoto camera. Photo JW/AP

London, United Kingdom – January 17, 2023 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today unveiled the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24, unleashing new mobile experiences with Galaxy AI[1]. Galaxy S series leads the way into a new era that will forever change how mobile devices empower users. AI amplifies nearly every experience on Galaxy S24 series, from enabling barrier-free communication with intelligent text and call translations, to maximising creative freedom with Galaxy’s ProVisual Engine, to setting a new standard for search that will change how Galaxy users discover the world around them.

“The Galaxy S24 series transforms our connection with the world and ignites the next decade of mobile innovation,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Galaxy AI is built on our innovation heritage and deep understanding of how people use their phones. We’re excited to see how our users around the world empower their everyday lives with Galaxy AI to open up new possibilities.”

“We are thrilled to introduce the Galaxy S24 Series and lead the new era of mobile with Galaxy AI,” said James Kitto, Vice President, Head of MX Division, Samsung Electronics UK. “Our Galaxy S Series range has always been the trend-setter in providing premium mobile experiences, and we’ve taken this further with the Galaxy S24 – placing AI right into people’s hands and unleashing the power and potential of everyone that touches it. Whether you are at work, travelling, or being creative at home, Galaxy AI allows users to enhance every part of their daily lives.”

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra colours. Photo JW/AP

Make Everyday Experiences Epic

Galaxy AI introduces meaningful intelligence aimed at enhancing every part of life, especially the phone’s most fundamental role: communication. When you need to communicate defying language barriers, Galaxy S24 makes it easier than ever. Chat with a student or colleague from abroad. Book a reservation while on vacation in another country. It’s all possible with Live Translate[2], two-way, real-time voice and text translations of phone calls within the native app. No third-party apps are required, and on-device AI keeps conversations completely private.

With Interpreter, live conversations can be instantly translated on a split-screen view so people standing opposite each other can read a text transcription of what the other person has said. It even works without cellular data or Wi-Fi.

For messages and other apps, Chat Assist can help perfect conversational tones to ensure communication sounds as it was intended: like a polite message to a co-worker or a short and catchy phrase for a social media caption[3]. AI built into Samsung Keyboard can also translate messages, emails and more in real-time in 13 languages[4]. With the power of AI, you can connect and collaborate quicker, simpler and more effectively when it comes to work with the S24 Series which will also be available for business. In the car meanwhile, Android Auto[5] will automatically summarise incoming messages and suggest relevant replies and actions, like sending someone your ETA, so you can stay connected while staying focused on the road.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in violet colour. Photo JW/AP

Organisation also gets a big boost with Note Assist[6] in Samsung Notes, featuring AI-generated summaries, template creation that streamlines notes with pre-made formats, and cover creation to make notes easy to spot with a brief preview. For voice recordings, even when there are multiple speakers, Transcript Assist[7] uses AI and Speech-to-Text technology to transcribe, summarise and even translate recordings.

Communication isn’t the only way Galaxy S24 takes the fundamental benefits of the phone into the future. Online search has transformed nearly every aspect of life. Galaxy S24 marks a milestone in the history of search as the first phone to debut intuitive, gesture-driven Circle to Search[8] with Google. To give Galaxy users an incredible new tool, Galaxy turned to the worldwide leader of search, Google, and opened up new forms of discovery with a simple gesture. With a long press on the home button, you can circle, highlight, scribble on, or tap anything on Galaxy S24’s screen to see helpful, high-quality search results. If you see a beautiful landmark in the background of your friend’s social media post, or a surprising fun fact on YouTube Shorts, you can quickly learn more – without having to leave the app that you’re in. It’s that easy. And that epic.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra rear, and front. Photo JW/AP

Unleash Creativity to Discover the World in New Ways

Galaxy S24 series’ ProVisual Engine[9] is a comprehensive suite of AI-powered tools that transform image capturing abilities and maximise creative freedom every step of the way, from setting up a shot all the way to sharing it on social. Gone are shaky, pixelated images taken from far away. Galaxy S24 Ultra’s Quad Tele System, with new 5x optical zoom lens, works with the 50MP sensor to enable optical-quality performance at zoom levels from 2x, 3x, 5x to 10x[10] magnification thanks to Adaptive Pixel Sensor. Images also show crystal clear results at 100x with enhanced digital zoom.

With upgraded Nightography capabilities, photos and videos shot on Galaxy S24 Space Zoom are brilliant in any conditions, even when zoomed in. Capture more light in dim conditions with Galaxy S24 Ultra’s larger pixel size, now 1.4 um, which is 60% bigger[11] compared to the previous model. Blur is reduced on Galaxy S24 Ultra with wider optical image stabiliser (OIS) angles and enhanced hand-shake compensation. When recording videos, both front and rear cameras are equipped with Dedicated ISP Block for noise reduction, and Galaxy S24 analyses gyro information to distinguish between the filmer’s movement and the subject’s. This allows more effective noise removal and clear videos in the dark, even from far away.

After great shots are captured, innovative Galaxy AI editing tools enable to make simple edits like erase, re-compose, and remaster photos. For easier and more efficient optimisations, Edit Suggestion[12] uses Galaxy AI to suggest the perfectly suitable tweaks for each photo. To give users even more creative control and freedom, Generative Edit[13] can fill in parts of an image background with generative AI. When a picture is crooked, AI will fill in the borders. When an object needs to be slightly moved to be in the perfect position, AI lets users adjust the position of the subject and generates a perfectly blended background in its original spot. Anytime Galaxy S24 deploys generative AI to amplify an image, a watermark will appear on the image and in metadata. And if an action-packed video needs to be slowed down, new Instant Slow-mo can generate additional frames based on movements to smoothly slow down action-packed moments for a more detailed look.

To ensure every image stuns at every stage, Super HDR reveals lifelike previews before the shutter is ever pressed. And while capturing memories is an essential phone feature, sharing memories with the world is just as meaningful. Now, third-party social apps make the most of Galaxy’s AI-powered camera system. Premium Galaxy S series camera features now integrate directly with mobile apps, like Instagram, in HDR to level up social sharing[14]. When it’s time to find an image in Gallery or on your go-to social app, photos are also shown in Super HDR for a more lifelike range of brightness, colour and contrast by analysing highlighted section of the images.

Samsung Galaxy S24 series comes with a 12MP selfie camera with AF. Photo JW/AP

Galaxy’s Most Intelligent Experience Ever, Powered by Premium Performance

As AI becomes a more prominent part of everyday life, performance power must excel to meet the demands. Gaming. Heavy-duty video recording and editing. Jumping between five apps as you plan a trip. Whatever the task, Galaxy S24 provides an incredible experience thanks to enhancements in its chipset[15], display and more. Every Galaxy S24 Ultra is equipped with Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy[16]. Optimised especially for Galaxy users, this chipset delivers remarkable NPU improvement for incredibly efficient AI processing. In all three Galaxy S24 models, 1-120 Hz adaptive refresh rates also improve performance efficiency.

Galaxy gaming is more powerful thanks to hardware and software improvements. Galaxy S24 Ultra boast an optimal thermal control system with a 1.9 times larger vapour chamber[17], improving device surface temperature while also maximising sustained performance power. Ray tracing enables life-like visuals with superior shadow and reflection effect. And through collaboration with industry-leading gaming partners, Galaxy S24 let users enjoy more optimised popular global mobile games.

Visuals are more vibrant and captivating on the brightest Galaxy display ever[18]. Galaxy S24 reaches 2,600nit peak brightness and delivers improved outdoor visibility with Vision Booster.

On the display, Corning® Gorilla® Armor[19] on the Galaxy S24 Ultra is optically enhanced and demonstrates superior durability against damage caused by every day scratches. It delivers dramatically reduced reflection by up to 75% in a wide range of lighting conditions, ensuring a smooth, comfortable viewing experience.

Across the Galaxy S24 series, design enhancements with slimmer and even bezels make it easier to immerse in any viewing experience and enable larger screen sizes on Galaxy S24+’s 6.7-inch and Galaxy S24’s 6.2-inch displays within the same size specifications[20]. Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 6.8-inch flatter display, optimised not just for viewing but also for productivity. Plus, Galaxy S24+ now supports the same level of QHD+ found on Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra feels like a premium product in the hand. Photo JW/AP

Advanced Security and Privacy Empowers User Choice and Trust

Secured by Samsung Knox, Galaxy’s defence-grade, multi-layer security platform, Galaxy S24 safeguards critical information and protects against vulnerabilities with end-to-end secure hardware, real-time threat detection and collaborative protection.

Samsung’s long-standing commitment to provide users choice and control over their device continues in the era of AI. Galaxy S24 users have full controllability over how much they allow their data to enhance AI experiences, through Advanced Intelligence settings which can disable online processing of data for AI features.[21]

The Knox Matrix[22] vision of a secure, connected and password-less future is also advanced with passkeys. Passkeys enable convenient and secure access to a users’ registered websites and apps across all their trusted devices through digital credentials, helping protect against phishing attacks. Enhanced Data Protection offers end-to-end encryption when users backup, sync or restore their data with Samsung Cloud, allowing Galaxy S24 users to connect to other devices while staying synchronised and secure. This ensures the data can only be encrypted or decrypted on a user’s devices, meaning nobody can see it but the user, even if a server is compromised or account details are stolen. And if access to a trusted device is lost, a recovery code can help prevent loss of data. Galaxy S24 is also protected with Samsung’s expansive list of innovative security and privacy features including Knox Vault, Security & Privacy Dashboard, Auto Blocker, Secure Wi-Fi, Private Share, Maintenance Mode and more.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra photo mode. Photo JW/AP

The Next Phase of Samsung’s Environmental Journey

Establishing a new category of mobile experiences also means reimagining how Galaxy technology is designed and packaged to do more with less for people and the planet. Galaxy S24 continues to scale the variety of recycled materials in Galaxy devices by applying recycled plastics, glass and aluminium to internal and external components[23]. It also takes these efforts one step further. For the first time, Galaxy S24 features components made with recycled cobalt and rare earth elements[24]. In Galaxy S24 Ultra, a minimum of 50% recycled cobalt was used in the battery[25], and 100% recycled rare earth elements were incorporated into the speakers[26].

Galaxy S24 is also the first Galaxy S series to be designed with recycled steel and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). Galaxy S24 Ultra features a minimum of 40% recycled steel in the speakers[27], and it includes a minimum of 10% pre-consumer recycled TPU in the side and volume keys. Additionally, every Galaxy S24 comes in a packaging box made from 100% recycled paper material.

The latest flagship continues Samsung’s commitment to extending the product lifecycle, offering seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates to help users reliably experience the optimised performance of their Galaxy devices for even longer[28]. Lastly, Galaxy S24 is UL ECOLOGO® certified[29] and its carbon footprint has been measured and verified by The Carbon Trust[30].

[31] By 2030, Samsung will incorporate at least one recycled material in every module[32] of every mobile product.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has a titanium frame. Photo JW/AP

Precision Technology and Elegance in Every Detail

Galaxy S24 Ultra is the first-ever Galaxy phone to feature a titanium frame[33], enhancing device durability and longevity. Galaxy S24 Ultra’s significantly thinner body enables better on-the-go experience with more comfortable grip. On Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24, a streamlined One-mass design satisfies a more aesthetic standard with seamless connection between the device’s rear cover and side frame.

UK Availability and Special Offers

Starting on 31st January, the Galaxy S24 series will be widely available in operators, retailers and samsung.com with pre-orders beginning today (17th Jan).

The Galaxy S24 series comes in Earth mineral-inspired colour tones. On Galaxy S24 Ultra, colours[34] include: Titanium Grey, Titanium Black, Titanium Violet and Titanium Yellow. On Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 colours include: Onyx Black, Marble Grey, Cobalt Violet and Amber Yellow. All three models will also come with additional colours available exclusively via samsung.com.

For customers who pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+ and S24 Ultra from Samsung.com, we will offer double the storage for the price of the lower storage model, with savings available of up to £200[35].

What’s more, with Samsung Flex, enjoy the brand-new Samsung Galaxy S24 Series for a low monthly cost. Pre-order the Galaxy S24 Ultra for under £30 per month and pay just 10% upfront. Plus, a low monthly cost for 13 or 25 months and a final settlement payment at 0% APR representative[36].

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with an updated S-Pen. Photo JW/AP

Pricing and availability:

Galaxy S24 Ultra RRP:

• 256GB – £1249
• 512GB – £1349
• 1TB – £1549

Galaxy S24+ RRP:

• 256GB – £999
• 512GB – £1099

Galaxy S24 RRP:

• 128GB – £799
• 256GB – £859

For more information about Galaxy S24 series, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/uk/smartphones/galaxy-s24-ultra/buy/

[1] Samsung does not make any promises, assurances or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the output provided by AI features. Samsung Account login may be required to use certain Samsung AI features.

[2] Live Translate requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. Live Translate is only available on the pre-installed Samsung Phone app. Certain languages may require language pack download. Service availability may vary by language. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed. Available in 13 languages from launch.

[3] Tone suggesting feature in Chat Assist requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. Must meet length requirements to activate feature. Service availability may vary by language. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[4] Translating feature in Chat Assist may require Samsung Account login. Some chat applications may not support this feature. Certain languages may require language pack download. Service availability may vary by language. This feature is activated when a translatable language is detected. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[5] The new features of Android Auto will be supported with app update.

[6] Note Assist requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. Character limit applies. Service availability may vary by language. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[7] Transcript Assist requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. Transcript Assist is only available on the pre-installed Samsung Voice Recorder app or files recorded using the pre-installed Samsung Phone app. Voice recording feature in the pre-installed Samsung Phone app may not be supported in some countries. Audio files must be under 3 hours in duration to be processed. Summarising feature in Transcript Assist can be activated when a certain number of characters is met. Service availability may vary by language. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[8] Results may vary depending on visual matches. Requires internet connection. Users may need to update Android to the latest version. Product functionality may be dependent on your app and device settings. Some functions may not be compatible with certain apps. Availability of the service varies by language. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[9] AI Zoom is applied to distances between digital zoom lengths. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[10] 3x and 5x zoom are enabled by physical optical lenses. 2x and 10x zoom combine physical lenses with AI enhancements for optical-equivalent image quality.

[11] Compared to Galaxy S23 Ultra.

[12] Edit Suggestion is compatible with JPG, PNG, GIF and MP4 formats. Edit results and quality may vary depending on the photography condition. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[13] Generative Edit requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. Editing with Generative Edit results in a resized photo up to 12MP. A visible watermark is overlaid on the image output upon saving in order to indicate that the image is generated by AI. The accuracy and reliability of the generated output is not guaranteed.

[14] Some social media apps may not support Super HDR. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[15] AP performance improvements shown compared to prior generation chipset. Actual performance will depend on user environment, conditions, and pre-installed software and applications.

[16] Snapdragon branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

[17] Compared Galaxy S24 Ultra to Galaxy S23 Ultra.

[18] The Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on Galaxy S24 Ultra received a certification from VDE Germany for 100 percent Mobile Colour Volume in the DCI-P3 colour range, which means your images aren’t washed out and you’ll get unbelievably vivid colours regardless of differing levels of brightness. The display can achieve peak brightness of up to 2600 nits, improving the contrast between dark and light aspects of digital content for a more brilliant picture quality, with a 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio to make your mobile experience more immersive.

[19] Corning® Gorilla® Armor is incorporated into front display of Galaxy S24 Ultra. Scratch tested compared to a competitive aluminosilicate cover glass and reflection tested compared to a typical glass.

[20] Compared to Galaxy S23+ and Galaxy S23 respectively. The display and device size of each model: Galaxy S23+(6.6-inch, 76.2 x 157.8 x 7.6mm), Galaxy S24+(6.7-inch, 75.9 x 158.5 x 7.7mm), Galaxy S23(6.1-inch, 70.9 x 146.3 x 7.6mm), Galaxy S24(6.2-inch, 70.6 x 147 x 7.6mm).

[21] Samsung Account login required. Advanced Intelligence settings preventing server access will limit the functionality of some AI features. Regardless of server access, Samsung does not save user input or output data.

[22] Knox Matrix is supported on Galaxy smartphones and tablets with One UI 6 or above. Availability may vary by country or region.

[23] Galaxy S24 Ultra features recycled materials in the Top Speaker Module, Bottom Speaker Module, Case Front, S Pen Inner Cover, S Pen’s Knob Holder, Side Key, Volume Key, SIM Tray, Camera Deco, Front Screen, Back Glass and Battery.

[24] Neodymium

[25] The batteries of the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ include a minimum of 50% pre- and post-consumer recycled cobalt. The battery of the Galaxy S24 includes a minimum of 10% pre- and post-consumer recycled cobalt.

[26] The speakers of the Galaxy S24 series include 100% pre- and post-consumer recycled neodymium.

[27] The speakers of the Galaxy S24 series include a minimum of 40% pre- and post-consumer recycled steel.

[28] Availability and timing of Android OS upgrades and security updates may vary by device model.

[29] UL ECOLOGO® Certified products and services are verified for reduced environmental impact based on environmental performance criteria throughout its life cycle, including energy reduction, materials, health, environment, and manufacturing and operations. Galaxy S24 series met the UL 110 which is the UL Environmental Standard for Mobile Phones Sustainability.

[30] The Carbon Trust has measured and verified the cradle-to-grave carbon footprint of the Galaxy S24 series, including manufacturing, distribution, use and eventual disposal. This has been verified against PAS2050, an internationally recognised standard.

[31] In 2021, the Samsung MX business announced a set of four goals across its products and business to be accomplished by the end of 2025. The goals include developing and incorporating recycled materials in all new mobile products, eliminating single-use plastics from mobile packaging, reducing the standby power consumption of all smartphone chargers to zero, and achieving zero waste to landfill across global operations.

[32] Samsung defines a module of a smartphone as the Antenna, Battery, Camera, Display, Mechanical Components, Motor, PBA/FPCB, Speaker, Wireless Charger Module and Packaging.

[33] Titanium is only applied on the device

[34] Colours may vary by carrier.

[35] Operates as a price discount: Pre-order the larger storage variant (S24 256GB, S24+ 512GB, S24 Ultra 512GB S24 Ultra 1TB) before 30.01.24 and pay the future price of the smaller storage variant (S24 128GB, S24+ 256GB, S24 Ultra 256GB, S24 Ultra 512GB respectively) Pre-order the S24 Ultra 1TB from samsung.com by 30th Jan and pay the future price of the S24 Ultra 512GB’. This would achieve a saving of £200.

[36] Subject to status and credit check. 18+ UK only. Minimum 10% payment upfront required, followed by 13, or 25 fixed monthly payments and a final settlement payment equivalent to 30% of the full price for 14 & 26 month terms. Charges may apply if your device is not in good working condition when it is bought back, as set out in the full T&Cs. Representative example: 0.0% APR representative (fixed). Cash price: £1,249.00. Pay upfront: £124.90. Total amount of credit of £1,124.10 over 26 months at an interest rate of 0% p.a. (fixed). Monthly repayment £29.98. Final settlement payment: £374.70. Cost of credit: £0.00. Total amount payable £1249.

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The BBC reported that according to data from the International Data Corporation (IDC), a fifth of phones shipped in 2023 were Apple phones. Following Samsung in second place – with 19.4% of the market share – were Chinese manufacturers Xiaomi, Oppo and Transsion.

A Research Director with the IDC’s Worldwide Tracker team Nabila Popal told the BBC that Apple was the only one in the top three to show positive growth ‘despite facing increased regulatory challenges and renewed competition from Huawei in China, its largest market.’

The IDC also said the smartphone market is entering a ‘very interesting time’, with several Android phones splintering the market and customers increasingly prioritising foldable phones and AI tools.

Related content:

• The best budget camera phones
• Xiaomi introduces Redmi 13 phones
• TECNO Mobile pulls a hat-trick of innovations at its annual expo
• iPhone 15 Pro Review – the perfect balance?

Follow AP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

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From Nature Photography Contest, 15th January 2024: 

The Nature Photography Contest, which held its first edition in 2023, has proved to be an excellent meeting point where photography and love for our planet go hand in hand. Now, two months after entries closed, the contest has presented the winning photographs and photographers of a contest that promises to continue growing and expanding its borders.

Nature Photography Contest Photography of the Year winner: Sea Lion in Los Islotes by Glenn Ostle

Photography of the Year – Glenn Ostle – Sea Lion in Los Islotes, https://thenaturephotocontest.com

Glenn Ostle’s photograph “Sea Lion in Los Islotes” has clinched the prestigious Photography of the Year award, along with a €1000 prize. Ostle’s ability to capture the exact moment when the sea lion seems to be posing for him in front of a school of fish that forms an inimitable natural backdrop has astonished the jury. Not surprisingly, the naturalness of the animal and the complexity of the image perfectly illustrate the importance of our seabed and the care of its species.

Photographer of the Year and His Environmental Commitment: Alain Schroeder

Photographer of the Year, Alain Schroeder, https://thenaturephotocontest.com

The Photographer of the Year 2023 award went to Alain Schroeder for his striking and attractive images. Photographs in which he has been able to demonstrate his talent and versatility. Alain Schroeder’s photographs stand out for his commitment to the environment, with captures such as the one that have led him to win, also, the category “Sharing the planet”. As part of his newly acquired title, the Photographer of the Year will be in charge of deciding the country in which the nearly 400 trees that The Nature Photography Contest, in collaboration with One Tree Planted, will plant. One for each of the participants in this first edition. An achievement that has excited the organizers and that they hope to surpass in future editions.

Other Award Winning Categories:

But Glenn Ostle and Alain Schroeder are not the only photographers to receive awards. In addition to the Photograph of the Year award for the former and the Photographer of the Year title for the latter, the ten categories presented by the photo contest have been resolved as follows:

• Natural Landscape: “Burning Flower” by Marek Biegalski.
• Wildlife: “Stories in the Sand” by Soumya Ranjan Bhattacharyya.
• Macro Photography: “The Dreamer – Philaeus chrysops” by Adrian Truchta.
• Underwater: “Tangle” by 家 住.
• Birds: “Puffin in Iceland” by Alessio Calviani.
• Plant Life: “Pandora” by Marcio Cabral.
• Night World: “Los Arcos y la Cueva” by Marc Marco.
• Environmental Impact: “Fatigue Sleep” by Muhammad Hossain.
• Sharing the Planet: “Saving Orangutans 01” by Alain Schroeder.
• Funny Nature: “Monday” by Panisara Sripratoom.

Landscape Winner – Marek Biegalski – Burning Flower, https://thenaturephotocontest.com

All these photographs are able to illustrate different aspects of why we should pay attention to our world, from the beauty of its landscapes to the effects of not taking care of it. Incredible pictures to which almost a hundred of finalist photographs are added and that can be enjoyed on the contest website: https://thenaturephotocontest.com/photo-contest-winners-2023

The Future of The Nature Photography Contest:

The first edition of The Nature Photography Contest has ended with more than a thousand images submitted, representing the feelings of almost 400 photographers who have participated with their photographs from many different places. A participation that has amazed the organizers and they can only hope that the next edition, which is expected to begin in May 2024, will go even further and allow the images they have shared with them to fulfill their function.

“These photographs are not only exceptional images, but also a call to action to protect and preserve our planet. Through The Nature Photography Contest, we seek to inspire awareness and appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us” said The Nature Photography Contest.

This year, the contest has attracted entries from around the world, whose images reflect the diversity of life on Earth. Competition has been fierce, and each winner has contributed to the global narrative of nature in its purest form.

To discover more about the winners and delve into their captivating images, feel free to visit https://thenaturephotocontest.com

Related reading:

The Great British Photo Walk – Get involved! #TGBPW

Egg timer is ticking down – food contest closes soon!

Close-up Photographer of the Year 5 winners announced!

Follow AP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

The post First Nature Photography Contest winner revealed! appeared first on Amateur Photographer.

Advertising feature

Picture of the Week winners currently win a beautifully framed print of their winning image worth up to £100 from our 2024 sponsors, ThisPicture.

Week 3: Journey Through the Golden Hills by Charles Ames

Canon EOS 250D, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM, 1/500sec at f/2.8, ISO 100

Image: Charles Ames

‘Photography is my escapism, and this impromptu Scottish Highland adventure away from university was no exception. I was incredibly lucky with the golden hour light during the train journey, which highlighted the contours of the hills beautifully. A wider aperture and manual focus helped to contrast the foreground, as well as allowing my camera to “see through” the dirty windows!’

Instagram: @charlesamesphotography

Week 2: Daytime Harmony by Maria McGrath

Canon EOS R7 with Canon RF 100-500mm lens, 1/5000sec at f/8, ISO 3200

Image: Maria McGrath

‘This was taken in the middle of the afternoon at Staines Moor nature reserve, where I witnessed this unique moment of two short-eared owls flying in synchronisation. I was photographing a passing kestrel when my attention was caught by these two owls who appeared, squabbling at first and then flying in close harmony.’

Instagram: @bizz2018

Week 1: An Autumnal Owl by Thomas Roberts

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, Canon 500mm F4 L IS USM, 1/500sec at f/4, ISO 500

Image: Thomas Roberts

‘I set off with a fellow photographer to find this tawny owl. I’ve seen plenty of nice close-up images but with the leaves in wonderful autumnal colour I thought bringing them into the image with a slightly wider scene would help create something special!’

Instagram: @spottedthroughlens

How to enter AP Picture of the Week:

Tag us in your photos Instagram or Twitter @ap_magazine with the hashtag #appicoftheweek or email your best shot to us at ap.ed@kelsey.co.uk

Your photos can be taken on a digital camera, film camera or smartphone. All genres are accepted.

AP Picture of the Week sponsor: ThisPicture

ThisPicture.com is an experienced, high-quality framing company with a unique, easy-to-use website. Build single or multi-image frames with a few clicks of your mouse and select from a wide range of frames, window mounts and glazing options. Each frame comes with a three-year guarantee and FREE P&P within the UK. Visit thispicture.com

Related reading:

Best photography competitions to enter

Get Involved – Amateur Photographer

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Full disclosure: I have a penchant for quirky, cheap toy cameras. I love the low-fi quality and weird anomalies that cheap plastic lenses produce. I was an early adopter of ‘Lomography’ and have a growing collection of oddball cameras. Most of my ‘toy’ cameras use film, and as such, the increasing cost of film and processing taints the fun factor.

So I was delighted when the Camp Snap camera appeared on my Instagram feed and I snapped it up (see AP’s full review here). Think disposable camera but with a digital sensor instead of a roll of film. It is a delightfully simple camera that I was instantly seduced into purchasing for around $60 (£47).

Green grins – Ben loves his lo-fi Camp Snap

Camp Snap: not just for kids

The Camp Snap is a very easy-to-use camera designed for kids on holiday camps with the idea that they can remain ‘present’ without distraction by screens. So there is no screen.

There’s very little to the camera, in fact – a shutter release that doubles as the on-off button and a flash setting, which has three options: on, off and auto.

Images can only be viewed after connecting the camera to a computer via a USB-C cable, which also doubles as the charging socket. The micro SD card is accessible, but you’ll need a small screwdriver.

In sunnier climes with great light, the Camp Snap comes into its own

Besides that, a simple LED counter lets you know how many photos you’ve taken. The viewfinder isn’t much to write home about, and once I had a sense of its field of view, I didn’t use it, preferring an element of educated guesswork.

The plastic lens has a field of view equivalent to about 35mm, which is perfect for me as that’s more or less the only focal length I use anyway.

To be honest, it’s not just kids that could do with remaining photographically ‘present’ without the distraction of screens, so this camera is perfect for most adults, too. Me included.

I’ve taken Camp Snap on a couple of recent international trips and had a great experience. Being free of the shackles of settings, menus, modes, and all the other bells and whistles associated with modern digital cameras was a liberating experience.

Retro subjects suit the lo-fi vibe particularly well

Being in the moment and embracing looking without being encumbered by technology is a beautiful experience. The toy-ness of the camera makes me behave less preciously about my image-making, too, and this is also a refreshing way to connect with the world photographically.

This mindful way of connecting with the world is important to me, and I sense is an approach that’s gaining popularity. The image quality is predictably poor when stacked up against a serious camera.

Better than you’d think

I made this little comparison below with my medium-format Fujifilm GFX 50R. As you would expect, the image quality from the much more expensive Fujifilm camera is far superior, even more so when you zoom in, so the comparison is a bit silly, albeit interesting.

I use the comparison in my workshops and talks to make the point that the act of looking, seeing and noticing, a sense of composition, design and an appreciation of light, along with storytelling, are all more important factors than the kit when it comes to making images. These two images below are essentially the same and make that point.

With the Fujifilm GFX 50R

With the Camp Snap

The JPEGs out of the CampSnap are reasonable, perhaps marginally better than you expect. They generally have a lovely lo-fi vibe, which holds an allure for me. I run them through Adobe Camera Raw to tweak the tones and contrast and typically leave the colour as I found it.

I add a decent dose of grain, preferring the film-esque look to the jpg artefacts and digital noise, particularly noticeable in low-light photos made with the Camp Snap. There is a lag with the shutter, so the timing is a honed art that requires a decent amount of anticipation.

Various locations around the world were photographed with the Camp Snap. Looking for scenes that work, such as high-contrast situations with strong shadows, rich colour and a subject matter that suits the low-fi aesthetic.

It’s safe to say this is not a camera for action photography or any other activity which requires a quick response. That doesn’t matter, though, and this limitation also adds to the joy of using the Camp Snap camera and further encourages a ‘mindful’ attitude.

I’ve had the good fortune to travel a lot this year and encounter lots of lovely low raking light, rich contrast, long shadows, and an ethereal glow. The Camp Snap performs better in these conditions and produces some lovely colours.

I became a little obsessed with using the Camp Snap to capture my shadow, and for this, it worked a treat. The LED flash is pretty rubbish and can produce odd colours, but these, too, can be embraced once you free yourself from any hang-ups around quality.

Shadow self-portraits shot with the Camp Snap in the low, raking winter in various port towns worldwide.

Camp Snap: embrace the odd

With this camera you need to accept and celebrate its intrinsic rubbishness. If you have a creative instinct, can embrace happenstance, are not overly precious, and feed off the spirit of creative adventures, this is just the camera for you.

I don’t quite dare to leave all my cameras at home for big trips. I couldn’t, as I rely on them to make my living. However, I’m increasingly slinging my Camp Snap in my daily backpack and love using it on mundane trips to the supermarket.

It makes a great conversation piece with fellow creatives and comes in a bunch of swanky, stylish colours to choose from. Mine is green. This is a camera that a creative image-maker of any age can embrace and love.

Further reading:

• Best compact cameras
• Vintage digital cameras you should actually buy
• Read our Camp Snap camera review

The views expressed in this column are not necessarily those of Amateur Photographer magazine or Kelsey Media Limited. If you have an opinion you’d like to share on this topic, or any other photography related subject, email: ap.ed@kelsey.co.uk

The post Why everyone should try this $60 camera appeared first on Amateur Photographer.

Whether you favour landscape, portrait, macro or fine art photography, Hahnemühle’s award-winning Digital FineArt paper collection is recognised the world over for its performance and archival storage quality. The brand has recently added four new surfaces giving discerning image makers even more choice – Will Cheung tries them out

Regular home printers will know the name Hahnemühle and could already be regular users of its Digital FineArt range, which includes a multitude of impressive baryta, textured and matt finish papers.

To photographers just getting into printing, whether at home or through a digital printing lab, Hahnemühle is a leading German brand with a very long paper-making history. Founded in 1584, the brand is considered to be the inventor of fine art papers for digital photographers and celebrated its 25th anniversary in this sector in 2022.

The Hahnemühle story

Hahnemühle has been working sustainably from the beginning, producing papers in a tightly controlled closed water system. Its current production process conforms to its own 12-point Environment Manifesto which includes using 100% renewable energy and it is certified to ISO 14001 for environmental management.

Delivering on its own Green Rooster initiative, Hahnemühle introduced its Natural Line collection in 2019. Agave, Bamboo and Hemp came first with and Sugar Cane following a little later and these papers are made using plants that grow quickly, use less water and don’t need pesticides.

With the latest launches, the Digital Fine Art collection now offers the Photo Rag Matt Baryta and Bamboo Gloss Baryta. The Photo Paper range, meanwhile, now features Sustainable Photo Satin and Photo Silk Baryta X.

For this article, we used an M2 Mac Studio computer system, calibrated BenQ SW2700 27-inch monitors and an Epson SureColor SC-P800 printer loaded with Epson inks and custom ICC printing profiles created with a Calibrite i1 Studio.

Hahnemühle offers free generic downloadable ICC profiles for Canon, Epson and Hewlett Packard printers from its website, and also offers a free app with tips, technical support and features available via the App Store and Google Play. Extra features are offered by a paid PRO subscription at £1.99 a month or £17.99 a year.

Hahnemühle Bamboo Gloss Baryta

Bamboo Gloss Baryta is the first glossy finish in the Hahnemühle’s Natural Line range which comprises the textured Agave, Bamboo, Hemp and Sugar Cane. It’s also the world’s first premium high-gloss baryta paper made from 90% bamboo fibres and 10% cotton.

With its 305gsm weight, this paper has a lovely heft and texture, and lies flat out of the box to make printing and mounting as painless as possible. Bamboo Gloss Baryta is OBA-free giving the base a natural off-white look and its baryta coating gives deeper blacks and smoother, more detailed mid-tones. The paper is also acid- and lignin-free for museum-level longevity.

Bamboo Gloss Baryta performed well with my test image giving rich colours that mirrored the image on the calibrated screen. Image credit: Will Cheung

I was delighted with this paper and my test images looked very impressive. The blacks and shadows had plenty of depth and shadow detail was recorded well too. At the other tonal extreme, highlights were smooth and delicately detailed.

If you like your colours punchy, you won’t be disappointed: my prints showed plenty of vibrancy with good saturation levels, and this came without losing out on more delicate hues. To conclude, Bamboo Gloss Baryta is an excellent paper. If you’re printing for exhibitions, clients, your portfolio or fine art sales, it is a great investment.

If you want rich, intense colours, Bamboo Gloss Baryta could be just the ticket; its high D-Max gives good contrast and solid blacks. Image credit: Will Cheung

Key features (correct at time of publication)

• Guide prices:
  25 sheets A4 £56.70, £2.27p a sheet
  A3 £111.40, £4.45p
  A3+ £141.30, £5.65
  A2 £215.90 £8.63
• Size availability:
  A4, A3, A3+, A2, 17in, 24in, 36in, 44in, 50in
• Key features:
  Made from 90% bamboo fibres, baryta coating, acid and lignin-free, OBA-free
• Weight: 305gsm
• Available from Hahnemuhle UK Digital Fine Art Resellers.

Vibrant, contrasty scenes come out very nicely on Bamboo Gloss Baryta. Image credit: Will Cheung

Hahnemühle Photo Silk Baryta X

Photo Silk Baryta was a popular member of Hahnemühle’s Everyday Photo Range and won multiple awards in its lifetime. Photo Silk Baryta X is a new, enhanced version of this paper made from cellulose and features an optimised inkjet coating for a wide range of photo applications. The baryta coat gives the look of a traditional silver halide paper.

No problems with the Carla Monaco portrait, and Photo Silk Baryta gave delicately smooth flesh tones. Image credit: Will Cheung.

Its base is a natural white and not quite as creamy as Bamboo Gloss Baryta, while the 310gsm base weight gives the paper a pleasant feel. Handling is first rate and it lies flat straight out the box and surface – unprinted and printed – is quite resistant to fingerprints and day to day handling. The lustrous sheen finish does mean you get reflections when viewing paper surface obliquely, however.

Shot at Didcot Railway Centre at a TimeLines Event, the Raw file was processed to reveal sky detail and the shadows lifted. The result was pretty moody and Photo Silk Baryta X gave a good rendition. Image credit: Will Cheung.

Photo Silk Baryta X performed well in this test and it handled my test images with no problems. Primary colours came out accurately with good saturation and a lifelike quality but without being too aggressive or over the top. More muted hues came out very nicely too If you want accurate reproduction without an over-strident approach, this could be your ideal paper.

Photo Silk Baryta turns in a solid colour performance, not over-rich but accurate, neutral and lifelike. Will Cheung

With an A4 sheet working out at £1.43, Photo Silk Baryta X is nicely priced and appeals as a paper for proofing and everyday prints, with the performance headroom to make it a candidate for exhibitions and print sales too.

Key features

• Guide prices
  25 sheets A4 £35.60, £1.43 a sheet
  A3 £67.40, £2.70
  A3+ £92.60, £3.70
  A2 £148.20, £5.93
• Size availability
  A4, A3, A3+, A2, 17in, 24in, 44in, 60in
• Key features
  Silky gloss finish, baryta coating, cellulose paper
• Weight
  310gsm
• Available from Hahnemühle UK Digital FineArt Resellers 

A naturally vibrant subject and Photo Silk Baryta X made a decent fist of reproducing the file accurately. Image credit: Will Cheung

Hahnemühle Sustainable Photo Satin

Sustainable Photo Satin is a keenly priced, green alternative to PE-based (polyethene) inkjet photo papers. It’s a white base 220gsm cellulose paper featuring a newly developed bio-coating that is free of plastic composites/film and is 100% recyclable.

A solid showing from Sustainable Photo Satin here and colour reproduction was accurate although saturation and contrast were just below more expensive papers. Image credit: Will Cheung

With its relatively light base Photo Satin needs careful handling to avoid creasing or adding a kink. It is always advised to handle paper with both hands and that is good practice even with A4 sheets. The satin finish is a super smooth lustre and looks great but it can collect fingerprints so keep your sticky fingers away from the image area.

Sustainable Photo Satin showed itself good at dealing with skin tones and this print is an accurate depiction of the screen image. Image credit: Will Cheung

Photo Satin showed itself to be a capable performer and dealt well with my selection of images giving good blacks, clean highlights and accurate colours. Tonality and contrast rated highly too.

Actually, it is only when you look at prints side-by-side with, say, Bamboo Gloss Baryta, that it’s noticeable that Photo Satin doesn’t quite have the richness and depth of much more expensive papers. Of course, making direct comparisons like this is not something most people will do, so with that in mind, Photo Satin is remarkable value with an A4 sheet working out at a fraction under £1.

Nature is a subject area where Sustainable Photo Satin with its calm approach to colours could work in its favour. Image credit: Will Cheung

To sum up, Sustainable Photo Satin is a very good paper with a printing performance that is only very slightly below that of premium papers. At this price, it’s a great paper for proofing, family snapshots, camera club competitions and much more.

Key features

• Guide prices
  25 sheets A4 £24.90, £1 a sheet
  A3 £49.10, £1.96
  A3+ £63, £2.52
  A2 £96.70, £3.87
• Size availability
  A4, A3, A3+, A2, 17in, 24in, 44in, 60in
• Key features
  Bio inkjet coating, bright white base, satin finish, 100% recyclable
• Weight
  220gsm
• Available from Hahnemühle UK Digital FineArt Resellers

While it might not have the intense depth of more expensive papers, Sustainable Photo Satin still delivers a solid black & white performance. Image credit: Will Cheung

Hahnemühle Photo Rag Matt Baryta

Hahnemühle’s Digital FineArt collection features over 10 Photo Rag papers with popular finishes that include Metallic, Pearl, Satin and Ultra Smooth. The missing finish was matt-baryta, but this has been rectified with the arrival of Photo Rag Matt Baryta.

It’s made from 100% cotton and is free of optical brighteners giving a very slightly off-white base. The paper is 308gsm and the baryta coat gives a superior tonal range, high sharpness and better clarity. Being acid- and lignin-free gives museum-level age resistance and it’s compatible with pigment and dye printing systems.

Photo Rag Matt Baryta gives plenty of contrast for a matt finish paper and blacks are lovely and deep too. Image credit: Will Cheung

The finish is a lovely flat, dead matt and there’s no sheen at all. Traditionally, matt papers can be less capable when it comes to solid blacks and deep colours but in this test Photo Rag Matt Baryta didn’t reveal any such shortcomings.

Photo Rag Matt Baryta is a fine performer when it comes to monochrome and even contrasty scenes work well. Image credit: Will Cheung

I was really pleased with how my test shots turned out. Images had depth, contrast and a good level of colour saturation that wasn’t far behind what you would expect from a high grade lustre or satin paper.

You wouldn’t normally expect (or want!) strident colours on a matt finish Photo Rag Matt Baryta’s approach is more subtle but the result looks great. Image credit: Will Cheung

Post-printing, the paper needs careful handling but to be fair, that’s the same with any matt paper. Finished prints will survive a gentle brushing with the finger but firmer touches and a scuff mark is the likely result, so handle with care and, ideally, use cotton gloves, which is good advice whenever handling prints.

I reckon Photo Rag Matt Baryta will be warmly received by fine art photographers and big prints will look fabulous. For current Hahnemühle photo rag users waiting for a matt paper, their patience has been richly rewarded with a very fine paper.

It performs impressively, its matt finish looks fabulous and this paper will surely find many admirers among fine art and exhibition photographers.

Key features

• Guide prices
  25 sheets A4 £53.90, £2.15 a sheet; A3 £107, £4.28; A3+ £136.40, £5.45; A2 £209.60, £8.38
• Size availability
  A4, A3, A3+, A2, 17in, 24in, 36in, 44in, 50in, 60in, 64in
• Key features
  Premium matt coating, 100% cotton, acid and lignin-free, OBA-free, conforms to ISO 9706 museum quality
• Weight
  308gsm
• Available from Hahnemühle UK Digital FineArt resellers

Photo Rag Matt Baryta definitely delivers on its matt finish with reflections or sheen; you just get a gorgeous smooth surface. Image credit: Will Cheung

The post Hahnemühle expands paper range for every genre appeared first on Amateur Photographer.