It’s interesting times when camera companies announce new camera models ahead of release. With so many new cameras on the market and the swing towards mirrorless designs, owners of DSLR cameras may be considering a wholesale switch from one brand to another, especially as all manufacturers are suggesting that the new lenses for their mirrorless cameras will be better than the old ones designed for their DSLRs.

This marketing approach no doubt encourages new purchases, but it also leaves the way open for stalwart brand supporters to switch allegiances and one wonders if Canon with its R5 announcement is assuring its vast user base that new mirrorless models are coming that are fully competitive with everything else out in the market.

For instance, the yet-to-be-released EOS R5 will include a newly developed CMOS sensor with high-speed continuous shooting up to 20 frames per second using an electronic shutter, and up to 12 fps using a mechanical shutter. It will also offer 8K video capture from which you can extract high-resolution still images, as well as process 8K video into higher-quality 4K video.

The new camera will be equipped with a high-performance image stabilisation system that integrates the camera’s in-body IS with IS systems on attached RF lenses. The camera will also feature dual media card slots (hooray!) and supports automatic transfer of image files from the camera to the image.canon cloud platform.

Alongside the EOS R5, Canon is developing a total of nine RF lenses scheduled for release during 2020, including an RF 100- 500mm f4.5-7.1 L IS USM, Extender RF 1.4x and Extender RF 2x. No doubt this news will keep the Canon crew very happy indeed – and wildlife and sport photographers happier still!

For further information, visit https://www.canon.com.au/cameras/eos-r5

What does it take to create a winning landscape photograph? I wish I knew the exact answer - and then again, I'm quite happy I don't! Life would be pretty boring if you followed a few rules and success was guaranteed!

However, if your aim is to improve your photography, to consistently place in the top 20 percent of a competition's entries and just maybe have a chance at winning a major prize from time to time, then Ignacio Palacios has an eBook for you!

Ignacio and I have taken a couple of photo tours to South American destinations together - and I have written some short comments for the new book as well, so I'm more than happy to help promote it.

Titled Dissecting Award Winning Landscape Photos, the eBook features 20 photos which have won him awards. Each photograph is discussed in detail, looking at the compositional elements that have helped make the image successful. If you're new to composition or you just want to better understand what it is judges are looking at, Ignacio provides some great insights. 

Wrote Ignacio, "I love entering photography competitions and doing well brings genuine excitement. Unfortunately, winning is not a pure science and entering can be just plain disappointing sometimes! Photography is, at its essence, a form of art and as such, the judging process has some very subjective elements to it. Even though there are some consistent qualities to images that do well, winning a competition or receiving an award can ultimately come down to a matter of opinion and personal taste of the judges who are looking at your image at that particular time. Nevertheless, entering my imagery into photography competitions has been very important in my progression and development to becoming the photographer that I am today and this book will show you the creative process I followed for 20 award winning shots."

Ignacio has put a lot of effort into his book which is selling for US$59.95 on his website, but we've been able to organise a 25% discount for Better Photography readers. Just use the coupon code BP25OFF when you order the book. 

If you're interested, you'll find out everything you need to know on Ignacio's website here: https://iptravelphotography.com.au/award-winning-shots-landscapes-vol1

We are all excited to be back in production with a special extended episode of Snap Happy - online!

It's our Lockdown Special and the theme is staying creative at home and we hope that you will be able to join us for the LIVE broadcast on YouTube.

After the premiere, you are invited to join us for a FREE video forum where you will be able to ask questions of our cast and crew. 

The date is this Sunday at 16:30, followed by an online forum at 17.30.

For more information, follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/c/WorldviewProductions?sub_confirmation=1

And to sign up for the live video forum: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qQ57TjwaS5GQu9li-gfpTQ