So you've decided to step up your photography game and get Adobe's Lightroom to manage and edit your photos, eh?! This guide will help you get your photos from Apple's Photos into Lightroom. As of the date of this publication, there isn't an everyday tool or utility that transfers an Apple Photos Library to Adobe Lightroom, like there is an Apple Aperture Library to Adobe Lightroom tool. While this gets your images into Lightroom, this, however, does not go over editing within Lightroom. There are a load of resources here on Photofocus.com … [Read more...] about Moving from Apple Photos to Lightroom – The WHY and the HOW!
Mykii Liu
Mykii is an energetic and kind soul that loves sharing his passion for technology and photography! Outfitted with 15 years of IT experience and 10 years in the portrait photography industry, he adds a different perspective on trending technology and reviews. A couple fun things of the many things he's done include being a Guest Blogger on Scott Kelby's Blog, being featured on Framed Network and being a participant in Adobe's Creative Jam.
Latest posts by Mykii Liu (see all)
- Moving from Apple Photos to Lightroom – The WHY and the HOW! - September 20, 2016
- PEOPLE! Stop Fearing the New iPhone! - September 11, 2016
- Apple’s Photos: The Hidden Power Tools - September 5, 2016
PEOPLE! Stop Fearing the New iPhone!
I'm going to try to tone this down a little bit, as I've willingly participated in absolutely ridiculous and brainless conversations regarding the iPhone 7 with people. Everything from conspiracy theories like, planned obsolescence, to thoughts like "my life as a professional photographer is now doomed" have been made known to me. C'mon people. Really? I don't think anything has been as dramatic in politics, recent news, The Bachelor and other random TV shows lately... except for … [Read more...] about PEOPLE! Stop Fearing the New iPhone!
Apple’s Photos: The Hidden Power Tools
Apple's Photos for Mac was a combination between the previous generation's iPhoto and Apple's discontinued professional software, Aperture. Good thing is that everyone with a new-age Mac can get Photos for free! While free may not get you all the crazy powerful tools that you'd find in Photoshop, thanks to some hidden tools that were donated from Aperture, at least you can make some decent global edits to the photos you have. Get Started Obviously, you'll need to get some images into the Photos app in order to start-- either import straight … [Read more...] about Apple’s Photos: The Hidden Power Tools
Lexar’s 633x 200GB microSDXC Card
I've had this card for over 6 months, and I get so baffled every time I think about it. 200GB in a microSDXC card! That's just ludicrous! Every time I think about what I could do with this card, I kind of freak out. It shouldn't really surprise me in this day and age, but I can't help it. A little tiny chip, the size of your pinky fingernail that weighs as much as a paperclip, can hold more than a base model MacBook Air or Pro and the top of the line iPhone at 128GB right now! Really, that's ridiculous. With this kind of storage, many people … [Read more...] about Lexar’s 633x 200GB microSDXC Card
A Year and Some Change with the Fujifilm X-T1
I can't believe how fast time has flown by. I remember when I started to slowly sell my special Canon gear after the purchase of my Fujifilm X-T1. Do I miss the Canon? How did my X-T1 hold up? Well the experience has been kind of different, but still positive. If you missed out on why I switched, take a read here. Do I Miss the Canon? Honestly, I miss having all my lenses and interchangeability of the lenses with my Canon film bodies. I would say that I miss having security stop me for having a Canon body. I find myself being stopped and … [Read more...] about A Year and Some Change with the Fujifilm X-T1
Instagram Grids– Hot or Not?
Grids. Banners. Cubes. Whatever you call them. More and more companies and individuals have been jumping onto this trend since the Summer of 2015. The owners of these instagram accounts segment one photo into typically 3, 6, 9, 12+, square blocks and post them in a progressive order, typically by using some apps that make it pretty simple-- like Giant Square or Banner Pic. The result is a pretty interesting Instagram profile that can break down the feed into sections or just displays the photo in a unique way. Instagram has been changing a … [Read more...] about Instagram Grids– Hot or Not?
Using eBay to find deals on lenses
I found my copy of Canon's EF 20-35mm F/2.8 on eBay of all places, and while I don't typically sell on eBay, I'll buy like no other. People are worried about scams and not receiving items as described, but in my experience of buying upward towards 500 expensive items, I've only had issues with only about 5 items, all of which eBay's buyer protection had back. I've bought lenses, computers, cameras and all sorts of random things for photography (often finding that some stores like Adorama, Newegg and Best Buy, exist), as well as other household … [Read more...] about Using eBay to find deals on lenses
Synchronizing folders in Lightroom
As much as I try to keep my workflow minimal and simplistic, sometimes there are other pieces of software that I'd like to use that don't seamlessly integrate with Lightroom. When you use a third party program to edit a picture outside of Lightroom's knowledge (i.e. when Lightroom is closed), Lightroom doesn't have a chance to update the changes to the photo. Maybe you created an edit, maybe you created a couple different versions, maybe you even deleted them or moved them. Synchronizing folders helps you use Lightroom to track all those … [Read more...] about Synchronizing folders in Lightroom
Write Speeds – Memory Cards Are Not Created Equal
Most consumers don't know that there are differences between memory cards besides the obvious capacities and different formats that are available. There are several identifiers to know to help you choose the right memory card for the type of shooting that you do and that can be crucial since not all cards are created equally. Before going out and buying new cards on sale... 1. Consider this What type of photography do you do? If you're an action and sports photographer or even a videographer, having a memory card with a fast minimum write speed … [Read more...] about Write Speeds – Memory Cards Are Not Created Equal
Increase Mouse Accuracy in OSX
If you've ever switched from a PC to a Mac, there's no doubt that you've realized that moving the mouse just isn't the same-- like something doesn't feel right. I really noticed it when I was younger and played video games that needed precision, and maybe you have experienced it too. That sensation is called mouse acceleration-- basically the faster you move the mouse the less distance your hand has to travel to get from point A on the screen to point B and the slower you move, the more distance you have to move the mouse to get from point A … [Read more...] about Increase Mouse Accuracy in OSX
Fujifilm X-T1 Firmware Update v4.20
Fujifilm announced a new firmware update, v4.20, for the X-T1! Fujifilm has been known to listen to us, their users, to update features. I, for one, am super excited for the ability to shoot with the a flash in continuous low and continuous high, as previously, one could only fire the flash on a single image capture mode. Other things that make life easier, like focus and exposure locking while in manual focus mode, will help those macro shooters and those who crave a way to make sure they've got tack sharp focus. Details are below: Using a … [Read more...] about Fujifilm X-T1 Firmware Update v4.20
X-Rated – The Solution to Understanding X-Speed Memory Card Speeds.
Dang it, why isn't there a universal tech language out there?! I mean seriously, as photographers and videographers, we already have to deal with all sorts of random vocabulary to understand our craft, why must there be even more to decipher? Now that my rant is slightly over, let me share the super secret code that may help you understand the write performance of the card you have, and the cards you'll perhaps end up buying in the future. First and foremost, we're going have to understand what "x-speed" is -- Companies note the maximum … [Read more...] about X-Rated – The Solution to Understanding X-Speed Memory Card Speeds.
FujiFilm X-T1 Wireless Camera Control
While it isn't very often for my family to ask me to make our family pictures, I typically have fun with it. This go around, which is the first time in my family's history, I decided to play with a feature on my camera that allows my phone, the iPhone 6S, to work with FujiFilm X-T1 as a wireless remote. I was able to effortlessly get myself into the shot and still have the control I wanted over the camera settings-- and see what those changes did in real time! This specific app works with the X-T1, X-T10, X-E2, X100T, X30, FinePix S9900W, … [Read more...] about FujiFilm X-T1 Wireless Camera Control
iPhone Photography/Videography Giftlist!
Hopefully you've started on your holiday shopping and aren't waiting till the last minute to get things out for people. If you're short on ideas, here's a list of main gifts that an Apple iPhone photographer or videographer techie would enjoy. I say that these are main gifts, because well... they're not cheap :D Polaroid ZIP printer This little printer is a nice portable printer that allows you to print out 2x3 prints instantly without any smudging! It connects through Bluetooth 4.0 to an app for iOS and Android and utilizes Polaroid's ZINK … [Read more...] about iPhone Photography/Videography Giftlist!
Dealing with that Creative Rut
I don't know if there's a term for the photographer's equivalent for writer's block, but l had it for the majority of last year. I remember that I couldn't feel the vibe, I couldn't find the energy to shoot and I couldn't find the motivation. I took a double dose of it all when I started feeling self conscious about my work. Now, if you were to pile on some of the issues that could exist in life-- relationship issues (or perhaps a lack thereof), financial burdens, moving, school and a slew of other things-- it can be more than enough for many … [Read more...] about Dealing with that Creative Rut
Renee Robyn – A dose of creative inspiration
Renee Robyn is a pretty freakin awesome and inspiring person that is out to show how beautiful the world can be-- I'm pretty sure that's what you just learned in the video, that is if you weren't distracted by SmugMug's gorgeous cinematic display of her and her work. But besides being awesome at what she does, which is compositing multiple images to make an awesome image, she's a really cool person. First off, she's got a blue streak of hair. Secondly, she rides a motorcycle. Thirdly, she's pretty freakin deep and down to earth. But seriously, … [Read more...] about Renee Robyn – A dose of creative inspiration
It Isn’t Film vs Digital Any Longer
With the popularity of film finding its way into photographer's hands, headlines are still reading, Why Film is Better than Digital and Comparing Film vs Digital. Isnt the Debate Over? At the starting point of digital photography, people once thought that film was going to be a dying art. A movie quote instantly comes to mind: -- spoken from a man whom is brought out to be piled onto a wagon carrying dead bodies to be disposed of in the movie, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Film is far from dead and isn't exactly going to go away it seems... … [Read more...] about It Isn’t Film vs Digital Any Longer
GPU Acceleration – Upgrade for a Performance Boost!
Graphics processors are something that most people, including myself, overlook! They're commonly called video cards, as these little chips are responsible for putting all that color onto your monitor. It should be known that just like the CPU, not all are created equal and this technology is always improving. The GPU is in charge of rendering all that you see on your screen. It aids in making your operating system look pretty, function smoothly (without graphically stuttering-- a graphic easter egg for you OS X users, try holding SHIFT while … [Read more...] about GPU Acceleration – Upgrade for a Performance Boost!
Commonly Misunderstood Photo Words
I took the time to read comments on this site, as well as a few other sites, and found that there are some terms that need some clarification for use in the photo world. Some are quite comical, and some are just plainly mistakenly used in place of another term. So here's a quick list of words that were commonly misunderstood. If you've got any other's that you know of, feel free to comment, share and help others learn the lingo! F-Stop What it isn't: Shutter speed What it is: F-stop is another term that refers to the aperture setting. The … [Read more...] about Commonly Misunderstood Photo Words
A Quick Look at the Samsung’s NX1
Mirrorless has come a long way since its introduction into the market. With technology advancing and improving so quickly, it is to no surprise that a technology companies, like Samsung, are able to produce amazing photography equipment alongside the other devices they make. Those in the industry aren't radically surprised by the great mirrorless cameras that other other technology companies has been producing (Sony, Panasonic), but when Samsung steps up to the plate with their flagship NX1 and its pretty awesome feature set, there's bound to … [Read more...] about A Quick Look at the Samsung’s NX1
Upgrade Your Computer! Upgrade Your Performance! Part 2: RAM
Editor's Note: Be sure to check out part one of this article too. I, like many of you, have dealt with technology for quite a long time. If you haven't dabbled with all this tech, I can understand how confusing (or even difficult) it can be upgrade or a replace an already expensive machine, but let me tell you that now is the time to upgrade! Today, we're going to supplement some information from all previous parts and talk about some more things to think about when you upgrade. Today's subject? RAM! Random Access Memory (RAM) This won't be a … [Read more...] about Upgrade Your Computer! Upgrade Your Performance! Part 2: RAM
UHS-II SD-Card Speed Shootout – Memory for the Fujifilm X-T1
Super-sport motorcycles, computer tweaking, camera lenses and even camera memory. Ever since I was little, I was obsessed with speed and making things go faster. Famous video game character Sonic the Hedgehog appealed to me more than Mario did. Why? Because he was blazing fast! A Shootout Today, I get to pit out two of the fastest cards and card readers that specifically pair up with my weapon of choice - the Fujifilm X-T1. It's one of the few still cameras that is capable of using the speed of a UHS-II standard card at the moment, so if … [Read more...] about UHS-II SD-Card Speed Shootout – Memory for the Fujifilm X-T1
Safe and Simple External Storage
Data loss is something that I wish upon no one. Those who have experienced this catastrophe already know that one occurrence can easily mess up one's day, jack up one's week, and quite possibly destroy one's year. Many of us have priceless photos of those we love, places we've experienced, and people we've seen. We want to keep those photos with us for our lifetime! That's why some of us have resorted to external hard drives to archive the lovely photos we take, right? But the right workflow matters. Using External Storage There are several … [Read more...] about Safe and Simple External Storage
I Made The Switch From 5D3 to X-T1- Here’s Why!
It isn't very often that I switch camera systems. Especially after I've spent more than $10,000 of my precious life-sustaining money on crap and gear combined with more time than a grad student would study just to learn how to use it all. My photography career changed ever since, um... I wanted it to change. Part of that change incorporated some interesting decisions that affected my gear choices. Weird right? --There's been a small update to the article regarding an error I was encountering while shooting in continuous high. See the end of … [Read more...] about I Made The Switch From 5D3 to X-T1- Here’s Why!
How to Become a Professional Photographer – Guest Post
Guest posts, don't we all love them? Think of how refreshing it is to hear a new voice from the crowd! This is one of the ways that photographers can give back something inspirational, educational, or otherwise neat or fun. In her spare time she enjoys DIY projects, playing guitar and mandolin, obsessing over Apple products, and driving her Mini Cooper. She's an awesome and fun goofball and I've found that she gets addicted to starting and voting for photos on some websites. … [Read more...] about How to Become a Professional Photographer – Guest Post
Upgrade Your Computer! Upgrade Your Performance! Part 1: CPU
I, like many of you, have dealt with technology for quite a long time. I can understand how confusing (or even difficult) it can be upgrade or a replace an already expensive machine, but let me tell you that now is the time to upgrade! An upgrade from a four year old machine to a new machine can yield a pretty impressive performance boost if you choose the right stuff! Choosing the right stuff for the performance you want can be a little confusing. So time for me to geek out and hopefully get you on the right track for a good investment! Why … [Read more...] about Upgrade Your Computer! Upgrade Your Performance! Part 1: CPU
Building Your Bag: Accessories | Part 2 – Functionality
Filters of all sorts, flashes, cards, readers, light-meters, remote triggers, straps, battery chargers, batteries, business cards, business card holders, lens bags, cases, cords, levels, tripods, lens cloths, blah, blah, blah. Do you need it all and does it have to be the best of the best? YES, GO BUY IT ALL RIGHT NOW-- but only if you've got a limitless income! Well, most of us can't go out and buy a car full of photography equipment, so I'd recommend that you start off slow and figure out what you need and want to use first. I always felt … [Read more...] about Building Your Bag: Accessories | Part 2 – Functionality
The FujiFilm X-T1 Owners Have Been Heard!
As a pretty new FujiFilm X-T1 owner, I'm super stoked to see such an awesome list of updates to this already amazing camera! I've got to say that FujiFilm has been listening pretty well to current owners and have implemented a number of awesome changes! There are quite a few things that have been added to this revision. I'm excited to share a truncated yet still somewhat long list (at 10) that I'm personally looking forward to! If you're an owner, you're going to love the boost that the camera is going to get! I've added my little notes in … [Read more...] about The FujiFilm X-T1 Owners Have Been Heard!
Understand Smart Previews in Lightroom
Adobe made a huge change when Lightroom 5 launched with Smart Previews. Smart Previews are a feature that I've been using since I installed Lightroom 5, but based off the majority of people I've talked to that use LR5, I've found that this remarkably simple and useful feature is under used. I encourage every budget minded person who hasn't tried utilizing them to think about incorporating them into the workflow. Who would this benefit? Answer: Anyone with limited storage on their machines who want to edit on the go. Let's create a scenario to … [Read more...] about Understand Smart Previews in Lightroom
Going Mobile with Lightroom Mobile
I like being productive: fixing things, cleaning rooms, building up cities, conquering countries, culling pictures. I like comfy things: beds, couches, car seats, fluffy stuff, shoes, pillows. So, what if... one could be productive AND comfortable!? With Lightroom Mobile, you can cull, edit, and amaze yourself with the productivity that you've had on the comfort of your own couch (and it doesn't have to be on a couch... it could be on an airplane, or the toilet, or the dinner table; you can choose anywhere you really want to be) all while not … [Read more...] about Going Mobile with Lightroom Mobile
