Simon Stafford.

Simon Stafford first became interested in photography while a university student. Completely self-taught, he talked his way into a job as the photographer for the university's weekly newspaper and has been shooting pictures ever since. His photographs have been used widely in newspapers, books, calendars, and magazines, and he has also enjoyed numerous successes in many photographic competitions.

Simon has built up a wealth of experience over the past thirty years in both film and digital photography. Throughout his photographic career he has used the Nikon system extensively, adopting digital photography at an early stage with the release of the Nikon D1 camera during 1999; he has being using digital cameras exclusively since 2004. He completed his first book,The Nikon Compendium, during 2003. With nearly 400 pages and Simon's own extensive photography of Nikon cameras, Nikkor lenses, and Nikon system accessories, it represents a comprehensive history of the Nikon system for the user and collector alike. He has also written fifteen books on the Nikon camera system for the Magic Lantern Guide series, published by Lark Photography Books, and is currently working on a new series of guides for Nikon Speedlights and the Nikon Creative Lighting System.

He is involved in a wide variety of photographic projects, which include presenting photographic workshops, and contributing illustrated articles to leading photography magazines, he is also Technical Editor to Nikon Owner magazine (www.nikonownermagazine.com), and a regular contributor to Pixiq (www.pixiq.com), the photography resource web site.

At the Gallery area of this site you will find portfolios of his work, whilst the News page contains a list of Simon's activities including forthcoming photographic workshops and tutorials, and details of his books, and magazine articles.

"Simon Stafford ARPS is a regular contributor to Practical Photography and has demonstrated his creativity with a camera on many occasions."
 William Cheung, Editor (former).

"Simon Stafford quite simply epitomises a standard of excellence in many different photographic disciplines with real style and, he is always ready to share his knowledge with others."
 Gray Levett, Founder, Grays of Westminster.


Simon Stafford Photographer in Macro.



Simon Stafford’s Micro & Macro Photography Workshop
Posted on January 28, 2013

Sunday, 3rd February 2013
2:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London, W1T 6DX



Simon Stafford’s photographic seminars & workshops presented in association with Grays of Westminster have proved to be hugely popular and in response to high demand, Simon has developed this new practical workshop dedicated to close-up and macro photography.

Regardless of whether you are a complete newcomer to the Lilliputian world of close-up photography or a seasoned exponent, this course has been prepared to help you make a dramatic improvement to the quality of your close-up pictures by mastering core skills and creative techniques. Simon will discuss the critical importance of understanding and controlling light, and there will be an opportunity to use a variety of lighting equipment, including the Nikon R1C1 Macro Speedlight kit.

You will learn how to achieve high-quality pictures by applying sound camera technique and developing a consistent methodology. Simon will share his in-depth knowledge and 30 years of photographic experience so that you can achieve professional-looking results reliably (please note: attendance of one of Simon’s previous seminars or workshops is not a prerequisite of attending this event).
Agenda:

Part one: Camera skills
Understanding reproduction ratios and subject magnification
Appreciate the influence of working distance and diffraction
Choosing and using lenses for close focusing
Using lens accessories for close focusing
Filters for close-up photography
Selecting camera/lens support systems
Achieving accurate exposure at a close focus distance
Learn how to interpret the digital histogram display

Part two: Shooting skills
Best practice in camera handling
The pros and cons of AF and Vibration Reduction
Focusing techniques for close-up photography
Understanding and using depth-of-field
Selecting viewpoint and perspective
Honing composition skills
The importance of backgrounds
Creative techniques with focus, white balance and multiple exposure

Part three: Lighting for Micro & Macro Photography
Working with and controlling available light
Flash equipment and its application for close-up photography
Specialised lighting techniques
Choosing lighting equipment and accessories

Please note there will be ample opportunity to ask questions throughout the event, and Simon will demonstrate some of the tips and techniques he discusses.
Prerequisite:

Since this is a practical workshop each delegate should bring a camera body together with an appropriate lens or lenses to work with during the course

The cost of the session will be £155 with a special price of £95 if you are a current Nikon Owner subscriber. To book, please email me only with your full name, Nikon Owner user name/membership number, daytime mobile and landline. There are very limited places available, so please reply as soon as you are able to in order to avoid disappointment. If you are not currently a subscriber, you are welcome to join whilst booking the workshop to receive the discount on the course. The session will take place from 2.00 p.m. until 5.30 p.m. and includes mid-afternoon tea and biscuits.
gillian.greenwood@graysofwestminster.co.uk

Travelling to Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 6DX: the nearest underground station is Warren Street, but please do make sure that it is open – it is occasionally closed on a Sunday – if so, Goodge Street station is a good option. www.tfl.gov.uk
About Nikon Owner



Standard Annual Subscription – normal price £69; special price £59 when you book this course.
1-year Subscription to Nikon Owner + 3-yr warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
Nikon Owner magazine, a superb, glossy full-colour 60-page quarterly magazine that is 100% Nikon. Each issue delivers benchmark technical reviews of the very latest Nikon equipment, thought-provoking interviews and articles with world-class images
Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website
Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline
18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster
10% off Think Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
Special trips and events
Discounts on events and training sessions
10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK

Gold subscription – special price: £290 when you book this course
3-year subscription to Nikon Owner
5-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
2-year warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster
Gold Priority waiting list for all new Nikon releases (top of the waiting list)
A half-hour tutorial on the phone or face to face, by appointment
Special offers to Gold subscribers throughout the period of subscription
A signed copy of Heather Angel’s Wild Kew while stocks last or a Simon Stafford Nikon Magic Lantern Guide of your choice
Nikon Owner quarterly magazine as above
Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website which includes forum, message board, technical equipment reviews, events’ page and use of a photo gallery
Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline
15% off Think Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
Special trips and events
Substantial discounts on training sessions organised by Grays of Westminster, including Mike Maloney’s Workshops , Heather Angel’s Wildlife & Natural History Workshops, Simon Stafford’s Definitive Flash, Portraiture and Macro Training Sessions, Michael Eleftheriades’ panoramic and colour-calibration seminars and Chris Weston’s Photographic Courses.
10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK

With very best wishes

Gillian Greenwood
Features Editor and Events & Training Coordinator