If your clients are like mine, they usually don’t know what they need or want. They need a headshot, and they want it outside in a natural setting, but they’re definitely going to need one on plain white for an upcoming presentation. That used to mean wrestling a background stand with a white background into […]
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The mountains hold a special place for creative minds, especially for landscape photographers. There’s something poetic about capturing their grandeur, both in scale and impact. I can definitely see it in projects like the “Peak Hour” by Budapest-based freelance photographer and Sony Alpha Ambassador Gabor Nagy. I consider it a visual love letter to the […]
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Most photographers have a hard time posing multiple people, especially couples. But once you develop a set of different poses, it’s not that hard. Here’s how to create a romantic pose by simply having one person kiss the other’s forehead. Communicate and a little silliness Communication plus a little silliness will help when posing a […]
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This morning, Sigma announced the 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro | Art lens, for both Sony E-mount and L-mount. It is the first prime macro lens designed by Sigma exclusively for full-frame mirrorless cameras. The camera offers a 1:1 magnification, and is constructed to be dust and splash-proof. It features a new optical formula to […]
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Overnight, Olympus announced it has concluded a definitive agreement with Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) regarding the transfer of the Olympus imaging business. Under the agreement, a newly-established wholly-owned subsidiary will be created through an absorption-type split. This will be followed by transferring 95% of the shares of the new company to OJ Holdings, Ltd., a […]
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You might hear the term “stacking” in photography. One can stack for focusing, perspective or star trails. This, however, is stacking for starry night skies, including the Milky Way. The idea here is to take several photos — one right after another — to reduce digital noise that generally occurs when pushing the camera’s sensitivity […]
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I consider myself to be a creative photographer. One that thinks outside of the box when it comes to creating my images. So when a friend of mine introduced me to the new Savage RGB Portrait Kit, I instantly knew I had to have it. Thankfully B&H sent me a kit to review. What is […]
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Want to turn a beautiful still photo into a compelling video clip? You can use the Fractal Noise effect in After Effects to add movement to water in a still photo. In this tutorial video, I’ll show you how to do this by adjusting the settings to your Fractal Noise layer and using it as […]
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The Amazon forest is home to several Indigenous communities, but many of them continue to shy away from the rest of the world. So, when Brooklyn-based cinematographer and adventure photographer Dan Lior had the chance to stay with one of the tribes, it proved to be an eye-opening experience. His time with the Achuar tribe […]
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Walking through a room in my home, I noticed a corner that was too plain and was begging for some kind of art. Like you, I love taking pictures but don’t put a lot of them on the wall. I discovered a really simple and easy way to get them out of my computer and […]
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What are some of the best apps for night photography (or really, other types of photography)? Let’s have a quick look! Clear Outside Free; Android or iOS This may possibly be my favorite. It gives information for cloud cover (low, medium and high, which is very useful!), darkness conditions, the rise of the sun and […]
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This morning, Adobe shared a sneak peek of the new advanced Color Grading tool coming soon to Lightroom, Lightroom Classic and Adobe Camera Raw. The Color Grading tool takes place of the current Split Toning tool, and features better control for midtones, highlights and shadows. Check out a preview of the new tool in the […]
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Photographers have a habit of walking a creative line. Too far one way, the concept is met with ridicule and laughter. Too far the opposite way and they are accused of playing it safe. Playing it safe can be just as bad — do you really want to blend in with your competition and not […]
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Real estate photography is a large piece of my overall business — I’ve been shooting real estate intensely for the last eight years. To give you an idea, I photograph nearly 1,000 homes per year. Meaning, if there’s one genre of the photography industry that I have a good handle on, it’s wide-angle lenses and […]
The post Utilizing the Olympus 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO for real estate appeared first on Photofocus.
I’ve used every version of Lightroom. I can’t imagine how I could have built a business without it. I spend more time with Lightroom than I do with my wife. I love it. I hate it. Utility Whether you use Lightroom or Lightroom Classic, both tools do so much for your workflow. It helps you […]
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“A good photograph is one that can’t be repeated.” -Harry Benson The Scottsman, Harry Benson is a photojournalist’s photojournalist. His American journey began when his plans changed from going to Africa to cover a news event to being assigned to photograph musicians in Paris in 1964. Harry Benson meets The Beatles “I took myself for […]
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This week, Lauri Novak walked us through how to back up images on our smartphones. Then, Sara Kempner told us about putting the experience ahead of everything when it comes to photo excursions. Ken Lee reviewed the Robus RTH-1050 ball head, while Julie Powell gave suggestions on how to get your work featured in publications. […]
The post Weekly Wrap-Up: September 20-26, 2020 appeared first on Photofocus.
(Editor’s Note: We welcome Joy Celine Asto to Photofocus. Joy is a film photographer and visual storyteller based in Manila, Philippines. She’s joining Photofocus to help put a spotlight on creative projects from photographers across the globe, in addition to sharing her own experiences through photography.) Iceland is home to some of the most stunning […]
The post A Touch of Violet: Surreal Iceland in abstract aerial photography appeared first on Photofocus.
Nikon Robotics and the Boston Red Sox are working together to allow photographers and videographers to capture games while still maintaining social distancing during COVID-19 restrictions. This is done by installing a stadium-wide robotic camera system to capture photo and video content. Fenway Park has installed five Robotic Pods, a modular camera system housing that […]
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Think of this as a public service announcement. Today, I’m going to discuss how to avoid smashing your equipment, day or night. I’m not a great example of this, so this is one of those cases where you should do as I say, not as I do! Tripping the light fantastic I walk around in […]
The post Don’t be like me: How not to smash your lens and knees appeared first on Photofocus.
With LuminarAI officially announced for release this holiday season, we’re starting to get a first look at some of the features in the new program. Add depth with Sky Enhancer Speaking from experience, Sky Enhancer in the current version of Luminar has saved my skies too many times to count. It’s helped add depth, reduce highlights and add […]
The post Realistically enhance and replace your skies in Luminar<sup>AI</sup> appeared first on Photofocus.
UPDATE, September 25, 2020: Tamron has announced pricing and availability of the 70-300mm lens for Sony E-mount. The lens is set to be released October 29, 2020 for $549. Preorders are now available. Tonight, Tamron announced the development of a new telephoto lens for Sony E-mount full-frame cameras — the 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD. […]
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If there’s anyone that understands Olympus cameras and the company’s vision, it’s Peter Baumgarten. Based on Manitoulin Island in Northern Ontario, Peter is known in the photography world as someone that captures amazing landscape and wildlife imagery. His outdoor photographs let you view the world in ways you wouldn’t think were possible. Loyalty and innovation […]
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One of the most popular prime lens focal lengths is 35mm. It gives a great view for everything from landscapes to environmental portraits. But with so many options on the market, how do they compare? In the video above from The Slanted Lens, Jay P. Morgan and Kenneth Merrill compare three 35mm lenses for the Sony […]
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I had just sat down to begin processing an image of a starry sky and a faint Milky Way. I wondered, “How would Aurora HDR work on this?” After all, I hadn’t really heard of anyone using HDR for Milky Way photos before. What would happen if I used it for something other than the […]
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Once considered one of the greatest photographers — compared with Alfred Stieglitz and Ansel Adams — Imogen Cunningham has stayed elusive. Her photographs of flowers, portraits, street scenes and more have largely gone unseen. Recently, scholars have turned their attention to Cunningham’s artistic practice, as seen in an upcoming book that looks back on her […]
The post Imogen Cunningham’s rise: Why the proto-feminist photographer has grown so popular appeared first on Photofocus.
Are you looking to get your work featured in publications? Granted this is not something for everyone, but many photographers have been asking for some tips and tricks that could help you get published. Why get published? Well, it doesn’t hurt, that’s for sure. If you’re trying to build your own following or build your […]
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I hear this a LOT. Me too! My first paid gig in front of a large audience was terrifying. I swear I “ummed” and “aahed” far more than I should have. My stomach was in knots the whole time. I felt like I stood there in the spotlight like a startled rabbit. But once I […]
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UPDATE, September 23, 2020: Nikon has released Webcam Utility for macOS in addition to the previously available Windows version. This morning, Nikon released a beta version of its Webcam Utility software for a variety of Nikon DSLR and Z series mirrorless cameras, including the upcoming Z 5. The software lets Nikon users use their cameras […]
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Perhaps you have a still image that would make a great video clip if you enhanced it with rain or snow. Likewise, you may have a video that needs some precipitation for better storytelling. CC Particle World is a useful effect that is included in After Effects. Although it may be considered more basic than […]
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I had the opportunity to try out the Robus RTH-1050 ball head, using it for two consecutive nights of long exposure photography in a remote auto salvage yard. Robus is a new name to me, but seeing it reminded me of the Really Right Stuff BH-55 ball head in some respects. As the BH-55 is […]
The post Locking it down:Reviewing the mighty Robus RTH-1050 ball head appeared first on Photofocus.
We just painted our home office. It was a sunny bright yellow — all the rage twenty years ago — but not brilliant for photo editing. So now it’s a nice modern mid-gray with black and white trim and accents. While that is cause for celebration (it’s only taken years of talking about it), it’s […]
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I just got my hands on an M. Zukio 100-400mm f/5.0-6.3 lens with a loan from Olympus, and I’ve gotta tell you I’m impressed. Here are a couple images I made while chasing down wildlife in northern Arizona. Long reach plus I added my MC-20 2X teleconverter to see what the added reach would do […]
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(Editor’s Note: We welcome Sara Kempner to Photofocus. Sara is an outdoor photographer specializing in fine art landscapes, lifestyle and sport and recreation imagery. She is based out of the Comox Valley, BC, Canada. When not taking photos you can find her on her mountain bike or snowboard while out enjoying all that Vancouver Island has to offer.) […]
The post Lessons from the field: Putting the experience first appeared first on Photofocus.
Variable ND filters are a great choice for photographers looking to block some of the light coming into their cameras. They let you easily increase your exposure time, making it key for things like long exposures and video capture. Variable ND filters have their problems though — color shifting, vignetting and cross hatching, to name […]
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Lately, I’m sad to say I’ve seen several of my friends lose images due to not having a proper backup system in place. Here at Photofocus, we have plenty of articles that can help you with that for your photography workflow. Our Flipboard storyboard is an easy place to find them all. This did get […]
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This morning, Adobe shared a sneak peek of the Sensei-powered AI Sky Replacement feature, coming soon to Photoshop. In the video above, product manager Meredith Stotzner shares how the new tool gives the ability to add dramatic skies to scenes faster and easier than ever before.
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Climate change, misguided fire suppression, population boom — the current wildfire crisis has been building for decades, and crews are now fighting in unprecedented conditions.
The post <i class="fas fa-external-link-alt"></i> Witness California’s record blazes through the eyes of frontline firefighters appeared first on Photofocus.
Over the weekend, I was presented with a firmware update message for my Wacom Intuos Pro Medium tablet (B&H | Amazon). This tablet has been a staple of my workflow since I first received it for review two years ago. I went to do the firmware update, and for whatever reason, it kept failing on […]
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People aspire to performing their dream jobs quickly. But will the window of opportunity still exist? The window to becoming a photographer is rapidly closing unless you put in hard work to master the basics and your future niche. Let me explain. What the future holds Technology is developing at a frightening pace. One day […]
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This is the second of a two-part interview with California-based night photographer Ron Pinkerton. Click here to read part one. Determining the length of exposure For photography near a full moon, Ron’s default is to shoot at f/8 with ISO 200, noting that a little technical discipline can serve you well. Test exposures to save […]
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Every Sunday we highlight some of our best finds from across the web for photographers. Here are some of our favorites. Scenes from the 2020 Tour de France The Atlantic After being delayed for more than two months due to COVID-19, the Tour de France kicked off August 29, 2020 in France. The tour — […]
The post The Sunday Shutter: September 20, 2020 appeared first on Photofocus.
“Anything outside of the realm of being an observer to reality was the only definition [of photography] that was legitimate. I had no problem breaking the rules because I never bought the rules in the first place.” -Duane Michals Storytelling with stills Duane Michals is one of the few photographers to pioneer a completely new […]
The post On Photography: Duane Michals, 1392-present appeared first on Photofocus.
This week, Nate Torres dove into whether photography helps to improve your memory. Then, Bryan Esler previewed the upcoming LuminarAI feature, AtmosphereAI, to let you add things like fog, steam and mist to your images. Lauri Novak gave her first experience with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, while Levi Sim taught us how to […]
The post Weekly Wrap-Up: September 13-19, 2020 appeared first on Photofocus.
(Editor’s Note: We welcome Sean McLean to Photofocus. Sean is a photographer and software engineer residing in the Santa Cruz Mountains near Santa Cruz, CA. Sean studied Art with a Multimedia Design Option at California State University East Bay. Some of Sean’s favorite activities are blogging, landscapes, portraiture and building communities of local photographers. Sean’s website […]
The post Monster fires: Documenting and picking up the pieces of the California wildfires appeared first on Photofocus.
Welcome to Mind Your Own Business, the podcast that helps photographers improve their business and their lives! Today, we chat with photographer Shiv Verma! Shiv discusses ways to foster your creativity and improve your photography business. We discuss: How Shiv got started as a professional photographer The role patience plays in his photography process and […]
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(Editor’s Note: We welcome this guest post from Bert McLendon. After a long career in the video game industry, Bert used his skillset to build his company, McLendon Photography, and services some of the biggest brands like Dell, Facebook, Google, Indeed, 3M, Dropbox, Atlassian, EA, Freightliner and more. He is also a DNP ambassador. Learn […]
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We hope you were able to join us today for episode 3 of The Photographer Show! During this webinar, Lauri Novak and Scott Wyden Kivowitz spoke with Jim Sollows, an amateur photographer from British Columbia, Canada. Tune in below to learn more about Jim — including his love of film photography — and his approach […]
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When Adobe MAX Online kicks off on October 20, 2020, there will be a plethora of courses to attend. Whether you’re a photographer, videographer, designer or marketer, Adobe MAX offers quite a bit. And this year, it’s all free. Adobe just released another batch of courses for photographers to choose from. So what should you […]
The post My favorite sessions for photographers at Adobe MAX appeared first on Photofocus.
When you look at a photo, have you ever consciously thought about far your eyes are from the image you’re admiring? Probably not. As photographers, we’re most o$en concerned with the photo’s resolution, not its viewing distance. Yet when printing photos both the viewing distance and resolution are important. Let’s explore how a photo’s viewing distance and […]
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