DNP releases all-in-one passport and ID photo printing solution

Earlier today, DNP announced the new IDW520 Passport and ID Photo Solution. This new system offers the ability to produce passport and ID photos that comply with federal regulations, adding an easy, highly profitable service. The IDW520 contains DNP’s smallest and lightest passport printer, weighing just 13 pounds. It produces the same high-quality dye-sublimation images […]

The post DNP releases all-in-one passport and ID photo printing solution appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/news/dnp-releases-all-in-one-passport-and-id-photo-printing-solution/

Join Oscar-nominated visual effects artist Matt Silverman; win a ticket to Adobe Video World!

Adobe Video World is the place to be if you’re interested in elevating your motion graphics and visual effects skills. They’ve just announced that Oscar-nominated artist Matt Silverman will take the stage as the keynote presenter. Silverman, CEO & Founder of Swordfish, has been involved in motion design and visual effects work around the world. He’s been […]

The post Join Oscar-nominated visual effects artist Matt Silverman; win a ticket to Adobe Video World! appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/video/join-oscar-nominated-visual-effects-artist-matt-silverman-win-a-ticket-to-adobe-video-world/

Mobile Mondays: Seven sensational smartphone video tips

With so much mobile video content being produced every minute, good technique can help your video stand out. Here are some of my tips to ensure you record the best video possible on your smartphone. 1. Familiarize yourself with your phone Many people don’t take the time to learn the full capabilities of their phone. […]

The post Mobile Mondays: Seven sensational smartphone video tips appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/video/seven-sensational-smartphone-video-tips/

How I got the shot: Raspberries

I often get asked to break down, HOW I got the shot, so I thought I would share a fairly common type of still life image I captured and break it down. This time, I’m talking raspberries. Behind the scenes For this shot, I used a small vintage silverware sugar jug filled with fresh raspberries. […]

The post How I got the shot: Raspberries appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/photography/how-i-got-the-shot-raspberries/

Does Canon’s new 1Dx Mark III flagship live up to the hype?

I have been using Canon professional digital cameras since the 1Ds Mark II. Every time Canon has provided a new version, I have upgraded and been very happy. I saw a prototype of the 1Dx Mark III at PHOTOPLUS in 2019 and got my hands on one at WPPI 2020. It was love at first […]

The post Does Canon’s new 1Dx Mark III flagship live up to the hype? appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/reviews/does-canons-new-1dx-mark-iii-flagship-live-up-to-the-hype/

Venus Laowa 12mm f/2.8 robust but suffers from edge-to-edge sharpness issues

I’ve been photographing real estate for nearly a decade. If there’s one genre of lenses I have a strong handle on, it’s wide-angle lenses. I photograph around 1,000 homes per year. I’m always in search of the best possible image quality at the lowest possible cost. When I see a 12mm lens with an f/2.8 […]

The post Venus Laowa 12mm f/2.8 robust but suffers from edge-to-edge sharpness issues appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/reviews/venus-laowa-12mm-f-2-8-robust-but-suffers-from-edge-to-edge-sharpness/

The Sunday Shutter: August 30, 2020

Every Sunday we highlight some of our best finds from across the web for photographers. Here are some of our most notable finds. See the breathtaking beauty of America’s least visited national park National Geographic Photographer Kiliii Yüyan explores the northernmost national park — the Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, located in […]

The post The Sunday Shutter: August 30, 2020 appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/photofocus-com/the-sunday-shutter-august-30-2020/

On Photography: Cecil Beaton, 1904-1980

“Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary.” -Cecil Beaton Photographer and much more Cecil Beaton was a renowned British photographer and so much more. He designed costumes and theatrical stages. He was […]

The post On Photography: Cecil Beaton, 1904-1980 appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/featured/on-photography-cecil-beaton-1904-1980/

Weekly Wrap-Up: August 23-29, 2020

This week, Scott Wyden Kivowitz kicked things off by providing eight ways to amplify your photography website. Then, Kevin Ames reviewed the GoPro Hero8 Black, while Bryan Esler told us how to utilize stars, color labels and other metadata with Excire Foto. Lauri Novak walked us through how to best choose our sessions for the […]

The post Weekly Wrap-Up: August 23-29, 2020 appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/photography/weekly-wrap-up-august-23-29-2020/

Navigating through a lack of creativity in challenging times

Storms inevitably come along the road of life and can affect inspiration. Here's how to deal with a lack of creativity in challenging times.

The post Navigating through a lack of creativity in challenging times appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/inspiration/navigating-through-a-lack-of-creativity-in-challenging-times/

Bring texture to your photographs

If you’re looking for new ways to add a unique view to your photographs, try adding a texture overlay. Textures can bring a different look no matter what genre of photography you’re working with. Matt Suess has come up with a Photo Texture 100 Variety Kit, coming with four different texture packs with 25 textures […]

The post Bring texture to your photographs appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/software/bring-texture-to-your-photographs/

Three ways to cope with a distracting photo location

What do you do when you are stuck in a cluttered, ugly or distracting photo location for a lifestyle portrait session? Maybe it’s the only space you can photograph your bride and groom in a running-out-of-time fragment of the wedding day. Maybe you can’t change angles because you’ll lose your perfect light. Maybe it’s an […]

The post Three ways to cope with a distracting photo location appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/photography/three-ways-to-cope-with-a-distracting-photo-location/

SpiderPro Hand Strap v2 provides secure, balanced hold for your camera

I seek out tools that solve real problems well. That’s what I like about Spider Holster’s tools, including their hand straps. They identified a specific set of needs and crafted high-quality solutions. I’ve been using their holsters to free my hands for over a decade. I tell everyone I know about how great they are […]

The post SpiderPro Hand Strap v2 provides secure, balanced hold for your camera appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/reviews/gear-review-spiderpro-hand-strap-2/

Under a bayou moon with night photographer Mike Cooper, part two

This is the second of a two-part interview with Texas-based night photographer Mike Cooper. We cover the more technical aspects of his night photography. Click here to read part one. Setting the exposure Mike described his process of determining the best exposure at night during a full moon, including when he first began. “I started […]

The post Under a bayou moon with night photographer Mike Cooper, part two appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/inspiration/under-a-bayou-moon-with-night-photographer-mike-cooper-part-two/

Olympus users: Tired of your 40-150mm lens hood breaking? A solution

One of the most common complaints I hear from Olympus users is how the LH-76 lens hood for the 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO breaks easily. It’s happened to me before, so I understand the pain. While the lens hood is certainly a unique and cool design, letting you contract it so it goes back on the […]

The post Olympus users: Tired of your 40-150mm lens hood breaking? A solution appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/photography/olympus-users-tired-of-your-40-150mm-lens-hood-breaking-a-solution/

First look at Boris FX Optics

I was recently asked to review Boris FX Optics software. I had never heard of Boris FX before — they’re mainly in the video space, making visual effects and video software, which looks pretty cool. They have been in the film industry for over 20 years. So how does this still photography product, FX Optics, […]

The post First look at Boris FX Optics appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/reviews/first-look-at-boris-fx-optics/

How to choose your Adobe MAX sessions

This year will be my first time attending the Adobe MAX conference. In reality, I would not have likely gone in-person but it’s being held online this year. But there are so many interesting and informative sessions that I couldn’t pass it up. At first, it can appear to be overwhelming with all of the […]

The post How to choose your Adobe MAX sessions appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/software/how-to-choose-your-adobe-max-sessions/

Utilizing a crystal ball for otherworldly photography

If you are looking to have a little fun with your photography you might try getting a crystal ball. Crystal balls can add that little bit of spice to a scene. Mix in some Photoshop skills for a really cool look. Neewer three-inch crystal If you put ‘crystal ball’ into the search on Amazon.com you […]

The post Utilizing a crystal ball for otherworldly photography appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/photography/utilizing-a-crystal-ball-for-otherworldly-photography/

Olympus brings Webcam Beta to the Mac

Late last night, Olympus announced the availability of its OM-D Webcam Beta software for macOS users. Initially announced in July for Windows 10, OM-D Webcam Beta lets Olympus camera owners connect their cameras to their computers with the USB cable that came with their cameras. OM-D Webcam Beta enables users to turn their cameras into […]

The post Olympus brings Webcam Beta to the Mac appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/news/olympus-brings-webcam-beta-to-the-mac/

Using Aurora HDR with night photography

At first blush, I am an unusual photographer to write about HDR software. After all, I do night photography, where it typically isn’t used as much. And us night photographers tend to handle wide dynamic range largely by the way we illuminate our subjects. Nonetheless, I thought I would try Aurora HDR to see if […]

The post Using Aurora HDR with night photography appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/software/using-aurora-hdr-with-night-photography/

How to install and use presets with Lightroom Mobile

Are you on-the-go and want to utilize your Lightroom presets? In this video, Serge Ramelli walks us through how to do just that. You’ll learn how to install and use your presets on Lightroom Mobile to retouch all your photos and improve your phone photography skills! Ready to take your photo editing even further? Be […]

The post How to install and use presets with Lightroom Mobile appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/software/how-to-install-and-use-presets-with-lightroom-mobile/

Filter by stars and color labels with Excire Foto

Excire Foto is quickly becoming my favorite new tool for organizing my photos. As someone who has multiple catalogs spread out across different programs — it’s pretty easy to see why. Excire Foto lets me add any photo to it, meaning I can search across catalogs, programs … even different hard drives. And while Excire […]

The post Filter by stars and color labels with Excire Foto appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/software/filter-by-stars-and-color-labels-with-excire-foto/

Enter to win an Olympus prize package!

We’re excited to announce a bonus prize as a part of our Celebrate 21 Years of Photofocus contest — an Olympus prize package, consisting of the new OM-D E-M1 Mark III camera and M.Zuiko 12-100mm f/4 PRO lens! Perfect for photographers of all kinds, the E-M1 Mark III offers revolutionary features in a small, lightweight […]

The post Enter to win an Olympus prize package! appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/photofocus-com/enter-to-win-a-bonus-prize-an-olympus-prize-package/

GoPro Hero8 Black takes action to a new level

The GoPro Hero8 Black is the newest action cam from GoPro. I have used GoPro Hero 3s and 4s on projects, and this one is a marked improvement. It has made time-lapse movies of construction and wrapping a truck in custom graphics, as well as recorded empty streets during the early days of the pandemic. I […]

The post GoPro Hero8 Black takes action to a new level appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/reviews/gopro-hero8-black-takes-action-to-a-new-level/

Adobe’s recent gaffe with Lightroom shows why cloud storage can’t be the only storage

One of my biggest complaints about the new Lightroom, since day one, is that you can’t store your catalog of images on a local storage device. Sure, you can copy them to a local storage device, but everything still “lives” in the cloud. Adobe has said time and time again that Lightroom should be viewed […]

The post Adobe’s recent gaffe with Lightroom shows why cloud storage can’t be the only storage appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/opinion/adobes-recent-gaffe-with-lightroom-shows-why-cloud-storage-cant-be-the-only-storage/

Mobile Mondays: Up your video game with this foldable ring light from Raya

In a world where video calls or Zoom meetings are becoming a daily thing, I’d recommend giving yourself a quick 30 seconds to setup the Raya Bendie-Brite Folding USB Bi-Color LED Ring Light beforehand. The Bendie-Brite is a great light for anything video related. FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, Zoom, Skype … you name it. If you […]

The post Mobile Mondays: Up your video game with this foldable ring light from Raya appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/reviews/up-your-video-game-with-this-foldable-ring-light-from-raya/

PHOTOPLUS cancels in-person event, moves online

This morning, PHOTOPLUS announced that it has canceled its in-person event, originally scheduled for October 22-24, 2020 at the Javits Center in New York City. “The difficult decision was made after consulting our community partners and supporters and closely monitoring the ongoing progression of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.,” said Joseph Kowalsky, show director, […]

The post PHOTOPLUS cancels in-person event, moves online appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/news/photoplus-cancels-in-person-event-moves-online/

How to fix broken or missing teeth in Photoshop

Isn’t it always the way that, just before some big event, you chip a tooth or break out in pimples, or junior’s wobbly tooth just fell out, the kid fell over and scraped his nose? Well, it seems it’s no different for our clients. So when they ring to say they want to postpone because […]

The post How to fix broken or missing teeth in Photoshop appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/software/adobe/how-to-fix-broken-or-missing-teeth-in-photoshop/

Eight ways to amplify your photography website

There are countless things you can do to a website which can amplify its effectiveness. Today I want to share eight of those methods with you, so you can bring your photography website to a new level. Compact menu One of the first things people see when they visit your website is the menu. Due […]

The post Eight ways to amplify your photography website appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/business/eight-ways-to-amplify-your-photography-website/

How much crop is too much?

How much crop is too much? I recently got asked this question and my smart aleck response was, “if there are no pixels left, you cropped in too much!” But it is a fair question, right? So, how much crop is too much? I guess it boils down to what the image is and what […]

The post How much crop is too much? appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/software/how-much-crop-is-too-much/

The Sunday Shutter: August 23, 2020

Every Sunday we highlight some of our best finds from across the web for photographers. Here are some of our most notable finds. Six iconic artists, as captured by Magnum photographers Artsy While Magnum Photos is most known for photographs that covered world events, since the agency emerged after World War II, its photographers have […]

The post The Sunday Shutter: August 23, 2020 appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/photofocus-com/the-sunday-shutter-august-23-2020/

On Photography: Toni Frissell, 1907-1988

“Here are faces that I have found memorable. If they are not all as happy as kings, it is because in this imperfect world and these hazardous times, the camera’s eye, like the eye of a child, often sees true.” -Toni Frissell Antoinette Frissell came from a long history of accomplished ancestors including the founder […]

The post On Photography: Toni Frissell, 1907-1988 appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/featured/on-photography-toni-frissell-1907-1988/

Weekly Wrap-Up: August 16-22, 2020

This week, Ken Lee kicked things off by talking with Mike Cooper about lighting locations by the moon, stars and handheld light. Then, Scott Wyden Kivowitz showed us the Oben GH-30C gimbal head for panoramas. Julie Powell walked us through the Xpozer Prints Presets Pack, perfect for preparing your prints before you send them off, […]

The post Weekly Wrap-Up: August 16-22, 2020 appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/photofocus-com/weekly-wrap-up-august-16-22-2020/

Does sensor size really matter?

You hear arguments about sensor size all the time. Full frame is better, crop sensors are terrible in low light … the list goes on. But does sensor size really matter when it comes down to the details of a photo? In the video above from The Slanted Lens, Jay P. Morgan and Kenneth Merrill […]

The post Does sensor size really matter? appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/photography/does-sensor-size-really-matter/

Creating a cool urban desaturated look with Lightroom or Camera Raw

Want to utilize that cool contrasty desaturated look in your images for social media? In this video, Serge Ramelli shows you how to make a cool urban desaturated look using Lightroom or Camera Raw presets. You’ll learn how to create it, and how to use presets to get it just right. Ready to take your […]

The post Creating a cool urban desaturated look with Lightroom or Camera Raw appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/software/creating-a-cool-urban-desaturated-look-with-lightroom-or-camera-raw/

Sigma 24-70mm Art lens for Sony offers a unique view in a traditional footprint

Ever since I started photography professionally, the 24-70mm f/2.8 range has been a staple in my bag. It’s a lens I simply have always relied on, due to its traditional viewpoint and great performance in low-light scenarios. I’ve had four lenses in this range. So when I had the chance to test out the Sigma […]

The post Sigma 24-70mm Art lens for Sony offers a unique view in a traditional footprint appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/reviews/sigma-24-70mm-art-lens-for-sony-offers-a-unique-view-in-a-traditional-footprint/

Equipment that will take your photos from zero to hero for less than $400

When I’d been shooting for about eight years, I reached a plateau in my skills and equipment. I upgraded my original consumer camera to a pro body and replaced my kit lenses with quality ones. When I’d gotten the hang of my pro camera (which, by the way, was harder than I thought), I wanted […]

The post Equipment that will take your photos from zero to hero for less than $400 appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/photography/lighting-photography/equipment-that-will-take-your-photos-from-zero-to-hero-for-less-than-400/

No, not all your images need that creamy bokeh look

Bokeh has been exploding in popularity left, right and center. Everyone wants that creamy bokeh look on their photos. What is bokeh? Why has it become so popular? Should you use bokeh too? Well, this article will answer all those questions. What is bokeh? Bokeh comes from a Japanese word that means “blur.” It is […]

The post No, not all your images need that creamy bokeh look appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/opinion/no-not-all-your-images-need-that-creamy-bokeh-look/

Join us live for The Photographer Show, starting at 1 p.m. ET!

Starting today at 1 p.m. ET, we hope you’ll join us for a free, live webinar! Lauri Novak and Scott Wyden Kivowitz are booting up a brand-new webinar series for Photofocus, called The Photographer Show. During this webinar, they’ll explore what you love about photography as well as the how and why behind some of […]

The post Join us live for The Photographer Show, starting at 1 p.m. ET! appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/webinars/join-us-live-for-the-photographer-show-starting-at-1-p-m-et/

Sony releases solution to use cameras as webcam

This morning, Sony announced the release of Imaging Edge Webcam, which allows users to use their Sony digital camera as a high-quality webcam. Available for Windows 10, the camera connects via USB. It enables users to take advantage of Sony’s imaging technologies, such as autofocus, high resolution picture quality and several other camera-specific features. “Given […]

The post Sony releases solution to use cameras as webcam appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/news/sony-releases-solution-to-use-cameras-as-webcam/

Would you rather?

As photographers, we are constantly imagining, “What if?” What would our shot be like from this angle or that? What if the light were different, or if I used different settings or a different lens? But sometimes we let our imaginations run wild and end up with options that are probably impossible but great fun […]

The post Would you rather? appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/inspiration/would-you-rather/

Portraits during a pandemic: Delivering value at a distance

(Editor’s Note: We welcome this guest post from Mason Foster. Mason is a commercial photographer specializing in portraiture. He is also the co-founder of Two Dudes Photo, a full-service photography and video production company based in California. He is also a DNP ambassador. Learn more about Mason at twodudesphoto.com.) As we navigate these unprecedented times, […]

The post Portraits during a pandemic: Delivering value at a distance appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/photography/portraits-during-a-pandemic-delivering-value-at-a-distance/

Portrait Tips: Shuffle the subject

Yesterday I made 2665 portraits. I didn’t have that many subjects, but that’s how many pictures I took of several people, which is a ton. I’m not bragging about how many I made — I’m just trying to wrap my mind around it. Of those, I like at least two of them a whole lot. […]

The post Portrait Tips: Shuffle the subject appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/photography/portrait-tips-shuffle-the-subject/

Happy World Photography Day, from Photofocus!

From all of us here at Photofocus, Happy World Photography Day! We hope you get out and photograph something today, whatever it may be. Be sure to check us out on Flipboard, where we’re curating some of our best content into storyboards that you can follow. If you’re new to photography, be sure to check […]

The post Happy World Photography Day, from Photofocus! appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/photofocus-com/happy-world-photography-day-from-photofocus/

Beyond Technique: Wildlife Photographer Moose Peterson discusses maintaining passion and focus

Hello and welcome to Beyond Technique, the podcast that empowers photographers to bring their businesses to the next level, brought to you by Platypod, Photofocus and Skip Cohen University. Today we chat with wildlife photographer Moose Peterson! Check out Platypod: The world’s most compact tripod for photographers and filmmakers! We discuss: How Moose got started […]

The post Beyond Technique: Wildlife Photographer Moose Peterson discusses maintaining passion and focus appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/business/beyond-technique-wildlife-photographer-moose-peterson-discusses-maintaining-passion-and-focus/

Enhancing waterfalls with Luminar 4 and Aurora HDR

Luminar is my go-to image editing program. but sometimes I need to tone map a single or a set of bracketed images to pull out its dynamic range. This is when I turn to Aurora HDR — software specifically designed for HDR. Here’s how to use Aurora HDR as a Luminar plugin to tone map […]

The post Enhancing waterfalls with Luminar 4 and Aurora HDR appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/software/enhancing-waterfalls-with-luminar-4-and-aurora-hdr/

Keyword search and applying that to XMP files in Excire Foto

Have you noticed after you make a change to a RAW file — say adding your copyright info or a keyword or two — that sometimes a new file pops up in the folder? It carries the same name as the RAW file but with a different extension that reads XMP. So what is XMP […]

The post Keyword search and applying that to XMP files in Excire Foto appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/software/keyword-search-and-applying-that-to-xmp-files-in-excire-foto/

Quick and easy ready for print presets with Xpozer and Luminar

Getting your images ready for print with Xpozer has never been quicker or easier in Luminar (and Lightroom) with the new FREE Xpozer Prints Presets Pack. Follow the link and register your email; they will send you a download link. Load them into Luminar 4 and have a quick play. If you don’t love the […]

The post Quick and easy ready for print presets with Xpozer and Luminar appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/reviews/software-reviews/quick-and-easy-ready-for-print-presets-with-xpozer-and-luminar/

Celebrate the end of summer with huge savings on Luminar and Aurora HDR

Boost your creativity and save over 45% to celebrate the end of summer with Skylum! For five days only, you can save $89 on a Luminar 4 and Aurora HDR special bundle. In addition to making manual adjustments to your photographs, you can take advantage of Luminar’s AI tools, including AI Sky Replacement, AI Portrait […]

The post Celebrate the end of summer with huge savings on Luminar and Aurora HDR appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/news/celebrate-the-end-of-summer-with-huge-savings-on-luminar-and-aurora-hdr/

Lightweight, stable panoramas with the Oben GH-30C

As someone who wrote a book about panoramic photography, I often get questions about multi-row panos. But the funny thing is, until now I never paid much attention to them, mainly because I didn’t have a gimbal head. I’ve always used my Really Right Stuff ball head, panning plate and nodal slide to make my […]

The post Lightweight, stable panoramas with the Oben GH-30C appeared first on Photofocus.

source https://photofocus.com/reviews/oben-gh-30c-carbon-fiber-gimbal-head-review/