A holster bag is a terrific addition to your camera bag quiver. In fact, it's a very good choice as a first camera bag. You'll always find uses for it, even when your equipment needs outgrow its size. I have far more gear than will fit in this bag, but I use it as a convenient bag for keeping a camera and lens handy. It sits next to me in the car, it goes inside another duffle bag or backpack and I attach it to the belt of my backpack when hiking. In this video, I show you the 65, but it comes in various sizes, including a larger bag which … [Read more...] about Gear Review: Ruggard Hunter Pro 65 DSLR Holster Bag
Levi Sim
Levi Sim is passionate about making photographs and helping others make their pictures better, too. He's a full-time photographer making business portraits and marketing and branding pictures for a living. He spends the rest of his time practicing all other kinds of photography. Read more of his articles here. And you can see more of Levi's portfolio here.
Latest posts by Levi Sim (see all)
- Gear Review: Ruggard Hunter Pro 65 DSLR Holster Bag - June 18, 2018
- How To: Use Colored Filters in Luminar 2018 for Black and White Portraits - June 15, 2018
- In Depth Video Gear Review: Vanguard Alta GH300T Tripod Grip Head - June 14, 2018
How To: Use Colored Filters in Luminar 2018 for Black and White Portraits
There's a simple tool for making your black and white portraits look great with little or no retouching. It's called a color filter. We often retouch things like pimples and redness or uneven skin tones, and these things can take a lot of time on each portrait. But when you make black and whites, you can use a color filter tool to remove uneven skin tones and sculpt beautifully contrasty portraits at the same time. What's more, you can do it in the camera and with software like Luminar. In-Camera Black and White I often recommend setting your … [Read more...] about How To: Use Colored Filters in Luminar 2018 for Black and White Portraits
In Depth Video Gear Review: Vanguard Alta GH300T Tripod Grip Head
The right tripod head makes using a tripod a joy, and the Vanguard Alta GH300T is just such a head. It's a grip head, which means you can make adjustments with a single hand, but unlike other grip heads, it doesn't require you to squeeze a handle. A single lock at the thumb loosens and tightens. It is Arca-Swiss compatible. It also has a trigger built-in which can trigger your shutter with an included cord (includes cords for Canon and Nikon). I like this head very much, and I think you'll enjoy it, too. I'm showing it in this video attached to … [Read more...] about In Depth Video Gear Review: Vanguard Alta GH300T Tripod Grip Head
Gear Review: Angler Collapsible Backdrop, 5×7′
Collapsible backdrops are great for location shooting and small studios — even large studios use them for convenient and inexpensive options for backdrops. The video below shows the 5x7' chroma key backdrop. You can use chroma key backdrops to replace the background in your photo or videos, but Angler also has other colors with the same build quality. This is a well-made backdrop that should last a very long time. Even the carry bag is better made than most others that cost a lot more money. I use this kind of backdrop on location every week. … [Read more...] about Gear Review: Angler Collapsible Backdrop, 5×7′
In Depth Gear Review: Vanguard Alta Sky 51D Backpack For Drones!
Vanguard's Alta Sky 51D is a spacious backpack for camera gear. It'll carry a laptop in addition to cameras, including the largest DSLR's, but its special characteristic is that it can be configured to carry a quad-copter drone, like a DJI Phantom. Even loaded very heavily, it is comfortable to wear and manages sweat well. It's a heavy-duty backpack for carrying and storing your gear, and it has a lifetime warranty. Highly recommended. More specs and details right here. Photos below the video. https://youtu.be/EYulL9MLbDk … [Read more...] about In Depth Gear Review: Vanguard Alta Sky 51D Backpack For Drones!
Portrait Tips: Make Special Day Portraits
We are so lucky! We get to be present for the most memorable and special days in people's lives. In fact, most of the time our pictures end up being the memory people keep from the day, the image in their mind is one of the photos we made. This is true for weddings, reunions, birthday parties and even funerals. But you can do a little more for your clients and subjects. You can remind them to make pictures on the anniversary of those days, and offer to do it for them. B-days and Anniversaries Birthdays and anniversaries are the simplest to … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Make Special Day Portraits
Portrait Tips: Zoom To Remove Background Problems
Zooming in, using a longer focal length to make a picture, makes your subject look bigger and closer. But you should remember that when you zoom in on your subject, you zoom in on the whole world. That means that the background becomes closer, too. Your whole field of view becomes smaller. So what does that mean for your portraits? Just yesterday I was making portraits in the park. The trouble was that just as I was about to make the portraits, a couple of kids wandered into the frame in the background. I had only a few minutes to make these … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Zoom To Remove Background Problems
Skylum Declares Its Focus on Artificial Intelligence
The latest updates for Skylum's Luminar include a new tool, Accent AI Filter, which does a great job of adjusting the colors and tones of your photograph. It brightens dark areas and darkens bright areas and does it without any kind of local adjustment. I always give it a shot when I'm in Luminar to see if it helps me finish the photo the way I have in mind. It's really incredible that it works so well. Well, Skylum has just announced that they are now putting a lot more effort into creating AI processes to help us, and not only in the areas … [Read more...] about Skylum Declares Its Focus on Artificial Intelligence
Portrait Tips: The Critical Time
Photographs extend one instant for eternity. That's a long time and when you're making a portrait that will last forever, the instant most critical to your success is when your subjects first step into your studio. That first impression will set the stage for the rest of the shoot. Now, when I say 'studio' that includes the park, or the office, or wherever you're making pictures that day. There are three things I do that make a big impact on how the shoot will go, and these three things, done your own way, will impact your shoots for the … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: The Critical Time
Portrait Tips: The Best Selfie Method–Shoot a Timelpase
Selfie's with your phone are fun, but you can do so much if you use your camera. You can control the depth of field, lighting, lens choice, and you can place the camera somewhere other than arm's length. All cameras have a timer built into them, and many of them allow you take three shots on a single timer setting so that you have more opportunity to get into the frame and get everyone looking the same direction. But even better than using the timer is using the timelapse mode--especially for photographing your own family. Time-lapse … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: The Best Selfie Method–Shoot a Timelpase
Portrait Tips: Cut the Rim Light
Making portraits with a rim light is awesome. It gives depth and punch and when you do it really well you'll notice that it looks more natural. Take a close look the next time you're having a conversation anyplace with windows and you'll probably see that the person you're talking with has a rim light illuminating their cheek from one side. That rim light will help you make a lot of people happy with their portraits (which helps you make a lot of money). You should always use a rim light. And you should always turn it off. Simplicity … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Cut the Rim Light
Portrait Tips: Crop the Top
When you make a portrait, your aim should be for maximum impact. Emotion, lighting, and movement all lend impact to a picture, but the way you frame the photo also makes a huge difference. the closer you get to your subject, the more intimate and impactful the picture will be. Off With Their Heads! Considering that most headshots are viewed on very small screens and business cards, the more impact the better. By cropping off the top of the heads you give more room in the frame for the eyes, which are the most important thing in every … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Crop the Top
Portrait Tips: Fix It Now, Not In Photoshop
It's important to keep a shoot moving along, keep your subjects engaged, and keep up appearances that you know what you're doing, right? We all want to appear to be in confident control. However, it's also important to pay attention and make adjustments so that you don't waste time making pictures that are going to cost you more work to finish than they may be worth. Let me give you some examples. Lint & Pet Hair You will spend decades of your life retouching lint and hair off suits and jackets if you don't catch it before you start … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Fix It Now, Not In Photoshop
Luminar 2018 Update: JUPITER (Spoilers: It’s Faster!)
A new update for Luminar launched, today. It's a free update, and it's boasting big speed increases and some new features. They've improved the RAW engine and added support for more cameras, too. They've improved details at high contrast areas so you'll see less chromatic aberration (that pink/green fringe you may see with some lenses) and less of that halo effect that sometimes happens in high contrast spots--like a subject in front of a bright sky. The best new feature (in my opinion) is that picture profiles from your camera are now … [Read more...] about Luminar 2018 Update: JUPITER (Spoilers: It’s Faster!)
Portrait Tips: Know Your Software
Here's a quick tip that will help you be more creative while shooting and manage details. You need to know your software tools at least as well as you know your camera and lights. This has been on my mind, lately, behind I've been demonstrating Luminar for lots of folks and it's amazed me how quickly I've been able to integrate it into my workflow and understand how it can affect my pictures. Photoshop isn't New "Getting it right in the camera" is often invoked as the hallmark of a good photographer, but it's a big misconception. Ever since … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Know Your Software
Portrait Tips: Why You Shouldn’t Use Auto White Balance
I should have followed this rule the other day. I photographed 50 people in a row and I need to finish all of those pictures for delivery. It’d be a lot easier to get a great starting point if I had shot a white balance target to begin with. Why Not Use Auto White Balance? Auto white balance reads the colors in the scene and makes a judgment about how to compensate for those colors. It’s supposed to make the color of light look great, but there are a couple of problems when shooting a lot of portraits with a flash. First, if you’re not … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Why You Shouldn’t Use Auto White Balance
Portrait Tips: 3 Good Reasons You Should Wear Your Glasses
I spent yesterday making portraits at a corporate event, and several people tried to insist that they wanted to remove their eyeglasses for their portraits. This happens a lot, and it's usually because your subject has had a bad experience wearing glasses in portraits before. Here are a few good reasons your subject should wear their glasses in portraits. Recognition There's a picture of my family at my parents' house, and there's a guy I just don't recognize in that photo: it's my dad. But my dad has worn glasses every day since he was in … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: 3 Good Reasons You Should Wear Your Glasses
Portrait Tips: Include the No-Look Look
You can double the unique pictures you make during every shoot by utilizing the No-Look portrait. Most portraits include the subjects looking at the camera smiling. But every pose you set up and each location should also include shots with the subject looking someplace other than into the camera. Don't Look Ahead One key to the No-Look portrait is that the subject should rarely be looking right where their body is facing. When the subject is looking downward in-line with the rest of their body it looks a little depressed or like they're … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Include the No-Look Look
Quick Tip: Use the Moon to Find the Sun
The other morning I was in the mountains waiting for the sun to rise and looking for the right composition. The moon was helping me because it was indicating exactly where the sun would be rising, which was great because the layers of hills made it hard to see the center of the sun's glow. Anytime the moon is not full, the thickest part is pointing toward the sun, and you can use this to know where the sun will be. … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Use the Moon to Find the Sun
PDN 30: New and Emerging Photographers to Watch
Each year, Photo District News finds and highlights 30 emerging photographers they think we should watch. This year's bunch come from all genres of photography. I spent way too much time indulging in their profiles and portfolios, and I think you might enjoy looking at them, too. Here's the link. The pictures featured in their profiles are not necessarily the pictures that they have been hired for, but may instead be part of their own ongoing personal projects. While many of these photographers are graduates of art schools, I don't think … [Read more...] about PDN 30: New and Emerging Photographers to Watch
Portrait Tips: If You Know Your Tools You Can Relax
At weddings, you shoot portraits as quickly as possible so that your couples can spend as much time with their families as possible. I was an assistant shooter at this wedding with Lisa Robinson a while ago, and she set this portrait up and shot from one angle while I shot from another. It was a pleasure to work with her and see her processes. When I shot this, I was wishing I was in her position so I could crop out the bright spot at the bottom right corner. However, I also knew my tools well enough that I was confident I could salvage this … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: If You Know Your Tools You Can Relax
The Ultimate Print Contest–Last Chance!
We've got a great contest for you to enter. Your chance to win a bunch of cool prizes. One TruLife Face Mounted Acrylic Photographic Print produced by ArtisanHD, up to 32x40 inches (More than $500 value) A License for On1 Photo RAW ($99) A Year of ThinkTAP Learn ($99) Live Consultation with Levi Sim before printing Work Featured on Photofocus.com a Rafflecopter giveaway Official Rules No purchase necessary to enter or win. You must be 18 years or older to enter Contest runs from 12/29/17 to 2/28/18 You must … [Read more...] about The Ultimate Print Contest–Last Chance!
Portrait Tips: Watch & Assist Someone Else
I'm heading to Las Vegas this week for the WPPI conference, and I'm pretty excited. I've been attending conferences and workshops since before I even owned a camera, and words can't express how important these are to learning to make yourself a better portraitist. The value in these is not only learning from the master but also learning with others. Find a Master As far as I'm concerned, a master is anyone who can do something better than me, and there are loads of those in photography. You should take every chance you can to watch others … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Watch & Assist Someone Else
Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Fuji’s New X-H1
Fujifilm have announced a new camera which should be the flagship of the line. The X-H1 seems to build on the incredibly popular X-T2 by adding more pro-level features, most notably, In-Body-Image-Stabilization (IBIS). Here's a short list of features: 24.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS III Sensor X-Processor Pro Engine 5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilization Internal DCI 4K Video and F-Log Gamma 0.75x 3.69m-Dot Electronic Viewfinder 3" 1.04m-Dot 3-Way Tilt LCD Touchscreen 325-Point Intelligent Hybrid AF System 1080p at 120 fps; … [Read more...] about Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Fuji’s New X-H1
4 Good Reasons You Should Attend WPPI
The chances are that you haven't ever attended a photography tradeshow, and I think you're missing out on several good opportunities. I think this is my 9th WPPI, and I wouldn't even consider not going. Not only do you get to go to Las Vegas, which is a terrific break from winter weather and a marvelous place to explore the mountainous desert (not to mention the sites and flavors the Strip has to offer), but you'll also get a multi-faceted education that can't be replicated. Here's some of what you get by attending this sort of thing in-person … [Read more...] about 4 Good Reasons You Should Attend WPPI
Mirrorless Maniac: Sony a7R III First Impressions
Editor's note: This is a guest post from MBP.com. General Specs: 42MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor BIONZ X Image Processor & Front-End LSI399-Point AF System & 10 fps Shooting UHD 4K30p Video with HLG & S-Log3 Gammas 3.69m-Dot Tru-Finder OLED EVF 3.0" 1.44m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD 5-Axis SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization ISO 102400 & Pixel Shift Multi Shooting Built-In Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, Dual SD Slots USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C Port & PC Sync Port Recap of a7R II Sony released their Sony A7RII in 2015 and it … [Read more...] about Mirrorless Maniac: Sony a7R III First Impressions
Portrait Tips: You Gotta Make ‘Em Engage!
I look at a lot of portraits and I can confidently offer a general critique of 99% of them. I see work from photographers who make very good portraits with great lighting and terrific wardrobe and beautiful people, but they lack this one thing that would turn an otherwise well-made portrait into an intriguing piece of art. The problem with most portraits is that they lack engagement. What the Heck Is Engagement? By this, I mean that the subject of the photo looks a little blank. Looks like they don't care, or like they don't have any opinion … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: You Gotta Make ‘Em Engage!
The Ultimate Print Contest–It’s Not Too Late
We've got a great contest for you to enter. Your chance to win a bunch of cool prizes. One TruLife Face Mounted Acrylic Photographic Print produced by ArtisanHD, up to 32x40 inches (More than $500 value) A License for On1 Photo RAW ($99) A Year of ThinkTAP Learn ($99) Live Consultation with Levi Sim before printing Work Featured on Photofocus.com a Rafflecopter giveaway Official Rules No purchase necessary to enter or win. You must be 18 years or older to enter Contest runs from 12/29/17 to 2/28/18 You must … [Read more...] about The Ultimate Print Contest–It’s Not Too Late
The Infocus Interview Show | Photofocus Podcast February 2, 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-infocus-interview-show-photofocus-podcast-february-2-2018 Remember to check out our great sponsors including TruLife acrylic face mounted prints and join the raffle for huge prizes here. In this episode, Levi Sim talks with photographer Bill Konway about his career in photography spanning more than 30 years and a whole lot of changes. This episode is brought to you by TruLife face mounted acrylic prints. They discuss: -Bill's start in photojournalism -Stories from Bill's days at the … [Read more...] about The Infocus Interview Show | Photofocus Podcast February 2, 2018
Portrait Tips: Avoid Symmetry In Groups
Photographers love symmetry. We like things neat and we like horizons straight. That's great for landscapes and products, but when you photograph groups of people you need to rein in your symmetry bug and set things a little off-kilter. If you line up faces side by side with eyes and mouths at the same level it looks static and the people don't look cozy or comfortable. Sometimes you can solve this simply by tilting the camera a little bit, which will misalign their eyes and mouths and it gives the image more energy. A rule of thumb is that … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Avoid Symmetry In Groups
