Definition of Humanity

Nikon have released firmware update C 1.10 for the D810.  The biggest change from the previous 1.02 version is: An External recording control option has been added to the HDMI item in the SETUP MENU. If the camera is connected via HDMI to a third-party recorder that supports the Atomos Open Protocol (the Atomos SHOGUN, NINJA2, or NINJA BLADE), selecting On allows camera controls to be used to start and stop recording. You can read more information in the supplementary manual that has been made available by Nikon.


On top of this there are a number of fixes which correct the following issues:
"Incorrect distances were shown in the camera playback info display for photographs taken with an optional flash unit in distance-priority manual (GN) mode.

The brightness of the live view photography display would not change when a command dial was rotated to adjust exposure compensation with On (Auto reset) selected for b Metering/exposure > b4 Easy exposure compensation > Easy exposure compensation in the CUSTOM SETTING MENU.

Although the preview button would stop the lens down to maximum aperture when assigned the Preview role, the maximum aperture indicator would not appear in the monitor.

In rare cases, the shutter would not be released when the user attempted to take photographs in movie live view.

About 4 seconds of static could be heard on audio recorded with external HDMI recorders during movie live view.

The shutter speed, aperture, and ISO sensitivity displayed in the monitor during movie live view would differ from values in the final movie file.

Volume could sometimes not be adjusted if movies were played with indicators hidden during full-frame playback (None (image only)).

Exposure compensation would fail to produce the desired results if a negative value was selected when NEF (RAW) images were processed using the NEF (RAW) processing option in the RETOUCH MENU.

Images would, in rare cases, fail to record correctly with HDR (high dynamic range) selected in the SHOOTING MENU.

If On was selected for Exposure smoothing during interval timer photography, every frame after the first would be overexposed.

File numbers were not assigned in the proper sequence.

In some languages, characters or parts of characters would be missing from the SETUP MENU > Location data > Position display.

In some languages, characters or parts of characters would be missing from the SETUP MENU > AF fine-tune > List saved values display.

Some help text has been changed."


Head on over to the Nikon downloads page to get yours and read all of the details.
in-my-viewfinder



Nikon has also released firmware updates for the Coolpix L32 and Coolpix L30 cameras.
For both cameras; this update fixes an issue where " …the power lamp would light when the power switch was pressed but the lens would not extend, nor would the camera start up normally." A wel-come change if your camera has been suffering from this issue.
in-my-viewfinder



Nikon have racked up a load of trophies from the good design awards for a range of their products including the Nikkor F mount lens system, F6, D5500 P900 and many more.
Head on over to the Nikon blog to read more.
in-my-viewfinder

---

As this is our last month before we announce the winners of our Everything Ni-kon Foto Competition we thought we would look a bit more into the subject matter of this competition; Humanity.

What is Humanity?

The Dictionary says:
[hyoo-man-i-tee or, often, yoo-]
noun, plural humanities.
1. all human beings collectively; the human race; humankind.
2. the quality or condition of being human; human nature.
3. the quality of being humane; kindness; benevolence.
4. the humanities.
a) the study of classical languages and classical literature.
b) the Latin and Greek classics as a field of study.
c) literature, philosophy, art, etc., as distinguished from the natural sciences.
d) the study of literature, philosophy, art, etc.

Pick one and roll with it. Remember though; we need to know what you are trying to tell us. The clearest definitions are going to be self-explanatory but those that may be more vague can also be used, just explain what you mean in a note.

So how do I express Humanity?

Well you have to use a camera, a Nikon one more specifically and shoot in black and white but that is pretty much where the conditions run out so long as you remember the subject.
You can pick off the dictionary definitions above and turn them into bullet points. Look at what you have captured and try to think if it meets at least some of the definitions.
Clearly some are easier than others: You are going to need a bit of organisation and a wide angle lens if you want to photograph all of humanity. However expressions of benevolence or the effects of humanity can, more easily, be expressed in a photograph.

Planning

Spontaneity will get you the best and most real emotions but this will rarely come with the desired light, framing or even location. The most simple of plans will head you in the right direction so make one, even in your head but better still stick it on paper or in your phone. Not a toilet wall though, they aren't very portable.

What is it you want to express: Well Humanity clearly
What part smart ass? Errr….

Look up each definition in our galleries, search for how other people have defined this word and decide for yourself what you think it means.
Pick one and plan around it. If you want people then go get some mates together or head to a popu-lated area. Street PJ might well work nicely here. Alternatively if you want to express some effects of humanity then find a suitable location that you think best expresses what you want to show.
Timing and kit will organically grow around your subject. Keep in mind you are shooting for tome and contrast not colour here so don't lose sight of this throughout your plan and shoot.

Use of shooting techniques or postprocessing can be used to further push the meaning of your image but remember to stay within the constraints of the competition rules.

Shooting

We have so many tutorials now of how to shoot a range of subjects that we don't need to elaborate here. For shooting people you might benefit form our Portrait photography tutorial or maybe a Landscape tutorial would be of more use to you.

Keep in mind (as mentioned before) you are going to be publishing this image in black and white and the image needs to meet the rules of the our Everything Nikon Foto Competition.

Don't be afraid to look at what other artists have already submitted to our EN-Foto Challenge 2015 gallery . You will also gain more inspiration from our Galleries the broader deviant art communities, web searches and your local library.
So what direction will you go? Are you already, ready to submit? Let us know on our new Poll.

in-my-viewfinder