The specially created graphic showcases Australian pride on an international stage and captures the essence of the iconic green and gold Aussie spirit, solidifying the Flying Kangaroo’s proud position as the official carrier of the 2024 Australian Olympic and Paralympic Teams.

If you’re just getting started in macro photography, or the images you capture leave something to be desired, this tutorial from the Naturefold YouTube channel will significantly improve the quality of your photos, with three helpful tips from a small-world expert.

Instructor Alexis has focused his attention on macro photography for the past five years, and he’s developed a recipe for capturing great images in the camera. What you’ll learn today in barely nine minutes are his three favorite tips that are guaranteed to hasten your learning curve and improve every close-up photo you shoot.

Alexis has an interesting fascination with tiny oft-ignored subjects like spiders, insects, and even slime-mold. The “foolproof” techniques demonstrated in today’s lesson are illustrated with eye-catching images that drive his points home. His first tip is valuable for other genres too; namely concentrating on the background before framing up a shot.

In fact, Alexis says the background can be just as important as the subject of an image. That’s because it’s difficult to draw attention to a tiny, key element if it’s surrounded by clutter and other distractions. One trick is to use a simple flash that will typically accentuate a creepy-crawlie by turning the background black. That’s because the output from the flash exposes for subject but doesn’t have enough power to brighten what’s further back.

In other words, illumination from a flash is significantly brighter than ambient light, and effectively replaces the shutter speed, so the only exposure settings you have to consider are aperture and ISO. Alexis suggests basic settings to try and explains a few long shutter speed tricks if you want a plain background to appear brighter and more colorful.

Alexis’ second tip may seem counterintuitive for macro photography because it involves “taking a step back, using a wider composition, and not always relying upon the maximum reproduction ratio of a high-magnification macro lens.” You’ll be quickly convinced after viewing a couple examples illustrating how this technique works.

The final tip is designed to add depth and dimension to macro photos, which usually results in more dynamic imagery. One way to get the job done is by composing a shot with simple elements in front of and behind the main subject. This works by isolating and accentuating the primary focus of the image.

As you’ll see, Alexis is a contrarian when it comes to the common practice of creating depth by focus-stacking multiple images. There’s a lot more to learn about macro photography on his instructional YouTube channel so be sure to take a look.

On a related note, you’ll also want to watch the recent tutorial we featured from another accomplished pro who demonstrates why the aperture setting in use has a huge impact on the look of the nature photographs you capture.

It’s a happy day for film fans! A new Pentax 35mm film camera. Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation, the global technology giant behind the Pentax label, announced the Pentax 17, the first new 35mm film camera from a major manufacturer in several years.

Key Features
• 35mm half-frame (17mm x 24mm images on standard 35mm film)
• Default vertical format
• Magnesium alloy top and bottom covers
• 25mm f/3.5 lens (equivalent 37mm) 61° angle of view
• Lens design has 3 elements in 3 groups
• Zone focus (6 focus zones)
• 25mm minimum focus distance

Key Features (cont.)
• Seven AE modes including Bulb and Slow Flash Synch
• Shutter range 1/350 to 4 seconds
• Albada-type optical viewfinder with closeup frames
• Traditional film advance lever and manual rewind
• Selectable ISO plus Exposure Compensation (+2 / -2)
• Built-in flash, GN 6 (ISO 100 in meters)
• 40.5mm filter thread

Key Features (cont.)
• Film box top holder
• Three strap lugs to accommodate vertical or horizontal carry
• Compatible with optional CS 205 Cable Switch
• Requires one CR2 battery (not compatible with rechargeable CR2)
• About 10 x 72 exposure rolls per battery
• Measures 5.0 x 3.1 x 2.0 inches (127 x 78 x 52 mm)
• Weighs about 10.2 ounces (290 g) without film/battery

Focus & AE Details
The Pentax 17 compact film camera has six focus zones,  0.82 feet, 1.7 feet, 4 feet, 5.6 feet, 10 feet and infinity (0.25m, 0.5m, 1.2m, 1.7m, 3m, ∞).

There are seven Auto Exposure modes:
· Full auto (Pan focus program AE, Auto flash)
· Standard (Program AE, Flash off)
· Slow-speed shutter (Slow-speed program AE, Flash off)
· Maximum aperture priority (Max aperture priority program AE, Flash off)
· Bulb (Bulb, Flash off)
· Daylight sync (Program AE, Flash on)
· Slow-speed sync (Slow-speed program AE, Flash on)

Price & Availability
The PENTAX 17 will be available late June directly from Ricoh and at Ricoh Imaging authorized retailers nationwide at the MSRP of $499.95.

A kit that includes a 2-year extended USA Limited Warranty, two rolls of film and processing envelopes will be offered exclusively from Ricoh’s web store for $599.95.

Visit the Pentax Store at amazon.com.

Find an authorized Pentax dealer in your area by visiting the Authorized Ricoh Imaging Americas Dealers database.

Backstory
The PENTAX Film Camera Project, which was revealed in December of 2022, drew from extensive consumer research and a careful selection of elite Ricoh engineers to devise the specifications and operational parameters of the new Pentax 17 compact film camera. In homage to Pentax’s long history as a 35mm and medium-format film camera maker, the Pentax 17 has a number of design details borrowed from historical models. For example, the typeface in the numeral “17” came from the Pentax 67, and the film advance lever was taken directly from the Pentax Auto 110. A more substantial adoption, the lens was partially derived from the Pentax Espio Mini and Ricoh Auto Half models.

Market Potential
Ricoh stated that recent research indicates that the compound annual growth rate of the global film camera market is projected to be 5.2% through 2030, and that hashtag #filmphotography on Instagram counts more than 42.6 million posts. Ricoh indicated they are targeting the 18-40 year-old market segment.

More Info for Film Shooters
Start Shooting 35mm Film – Here’s a Complete Guide

Shoot Film? Here are 5 Labs that Develop & Print

Film Shooters: The Film Photography Project is a Valuable Free Resource You Should Know

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