Photofocus

Education and inspiration for visual storytellers

Photofocus Team

Latest posts by Photofocus Team (see all)

Talent and property releases as well as copyright for stock

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Let's continue our look at achieving success as a stock contributor for photo and video.  Photofocus publisher Rich Harrington sits down with Dennis Radeke of Adobe to learn what's needed to sell your photos and videos as stock. This includes getting the necessary releases for your models and locations as well as being wary of intellectual property. Learn how to succeed as an Adobe Stock contributor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWAK_8Oo24w If you missed the other videos in our series, be sure to check out: How to Become an Adobe … [Read more...] about Talent and property releases as well as copyright for stock

Motion graphics templates: Downloading MOGRTs from Adobe Stock

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MOGRTs are a valuable resource for videographers who don't have the time or budget to create high-quality, eye-catching graphics for their productions. A great solution is motion graphics templates. They are available in both free and paid versions on Adobe Stock. This video shows how to download MOGRTs right into Premiere Pro CC. https://youtu.be/fJlp_wAcKIM … [Read more...] about Motion graphics templates: Downloading MOGRTs from Adobe Stock

How to prepare your photos and video for Adobe Stock

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Let's continue our look at achieving success as a stock contributor for photo and video.  Photofocus publisher Rich Harrington sits down with Dennis Radeke of Adobe to learn what it takes to prepare your content for Adobe Stock. This will help you get your content online so you can start earning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lvfcNJTxi8 If you missed the first video in our series, be sure to check out: How to become an Adobe Stock contributor What subjects to shoot for stock video and photography? … [Read more...] about How to prepare your photos and video for Adobe Stock

Free Webinar Today: Making incredible landscapes

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Skylum, maker of Luminar and Aurora HDR announced a free webinar on making incredible landscapes. The webinar is today, Wednesday, August 1, 2018, at 12:00 PM PDT/3:00 PM EDT. Register here. The landscape secrets — revealed Guest Serge Ramelli goes deep into his workflow to get the most from landscape photographs using Aurora HDR. He reveals his process step-by-step and layer-by-layer. Join the webinar today at Noon Pacific and 3 PM Eastern   … [Read more...] about Free Webinar Today: Making incredible landscapes

Super Fast Poll: Are you a Lightroom user?

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It's time to vote.  We're getting ready to produce some more Lightroom training as well as other tutorials.  We'd like to know if you use Lightroom (and if so which version). … [Read more...] about Super Fast Poll: Are you a Lightroom user?

Luminar gets a big update (especially for Windows users)

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The team over at Skylum have been hard at work on Luminar (their photo editor and plugin combination).  They just dropped a big update for Windows users and a smaller update for Mac users.  The update is free if you own the current version of the product (if you want to try it out click here). How to get the update The next time you launch Luminar, it should prompt you to update the software. You can also manually check for the update. Mac – Please choose Luminar 2018 > Check for updates. Windows – Please choose Help … [Read more...] about Luminar gets a big update (especially for Windows users)

Creating One-of-a-Kind Fireworks with Olympus Live Composite

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Editor's Note: We welcome Jamie MacDonald, an Olympus Visionary and Vanguard Pro living in Michigan. With a focus on nature and wildlife, Jamie says his motivations are to connect viewers to the emotional state he was in when his images were created. Learn more about Jamie and follow his adventures at jmacdonaldphoto.com or on Instagram. One of the most under-promoted features of the Olympus brand of cameras is the Live Composite function. It has many uses, but especially during fireworks season. But before you dive headlong into using … [Read more...] about Creating One-of-a-Kind Fireworks with Olympus Live Composite

What Subjects to Shoot for Stock Video and Photography?

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Let's continue our look at achieving success as a stock contributor for photo and video.  Photofocus publisher Rich Harrington sits down with Dennis Radeke of Adobe to learn what subjects sell best as stock video and stock photography.  This is an inside look at the trends and topics that can help you reach a broader audience and monetize your photos and videos. https://youtu.be/VGNiRbsQffU   If you missed the first video in our series, be sure to check out: How to Become an Adobe Stock Contributor   … [Read more...] about What Subjects to Shoot for Stock Video and Photography?

At Photoshop World? Come See Us

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Are you in Orlando this week for Photoshop World? The Photofocus team is here and would love to chat or have a drink.  You can catch up with several team members including: Vanelli Levi Sim Kevin Ames Jason Hahn Rich Harrington Scott Bourne Where to find us? Meet Our Editor Kevin Ames, our Managing Editor is at the show.  He's got several free slots to meet. Just email him at [email protected] Share your ideas Request articles Sign up to write for Photofocus Learn about our upcoming … [Read more...] about At Photoshop World? Come See Us

Questions of the Week – Copyright & Metadata

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It's that time... we need your votes to settle an argument.  Just how important are metadata, copyright info, and EXIF camera data to you?  Do you add this info to your pics?  Do you sort by it?  Please vote below. Everyone who takes the survey gets a free eBook You can also take the survey here – https://photofocus.polldaddy.com/s/metadata … [Read more...] about Questions of the Week – Copyright & Metadata

Want to Avoid HDR Issues? Check Out this Free Webinar

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Are you looking to take your photography to the next level? Join Photofocus publisher Rich Harrington for a free webinar as he helps you unlock HDR photography.  This session is all about getting natural looking photos with expanded details, tone, and color. FREE WEBINAR How to Fix HDR problems In-camera & Aurora HDR May 21, 2018.  10.00 AM Pacific Time (PST) Discover how to create better HDR images from start to finish with photographer and Photofocus publisher Richard Harrington. Event … [Read more...] about Want to Avoid HDR Issues? Check Out this Free Webinar

How to Become an Adobe Stock Contributor

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Making money as a creative professional can often be a challenge.  Recently Adobe unveiled a new program that helps creative folks sell their photos and videos to a much broader audience as stock footage.  In fact, the ability to reach people is built right into Adobe apps and is even available inside other tools like Microsoft office. In this first video in our series, Photofocus publisher Rich Harrington sits down with Dennis Radeke of Adobe to learn how to sign up as a stock contributor. This is a great way to earn more from your … [Read more...] about How to Become an Adobe Stock Contributor

Flickr is Bought by SmugMug

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(Editor's note: For more information see Bryan Esler's post on this consolidation in the photo-sharing website industry.) Big news just crossed our desk.  The popular photo sharing site Flickr has been bought by SmugMug.  Previously Flickr was owned by Yahoo.  Below are some details about the changes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4B_qlaN8C4   Why did SmugMug buy Flickr? An opportunity to join together two communities and businesses that share the same values was one we couldn’t pass up. Is SmugMug simply acquiring … [Read more...] about Flickr is Bought by SmugMug

Inspiration Can Strike Anywhere (Or How I Made the Most Viewed Photos of My Career)

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Editor's Note: This is a Guest Post by pet photographer, Darcy Evans. See more of his photography here. As a working professional photographer, one thing I can say for sure is that photoshoots rarely go exactly as planned. If something can go wrong, it likely will. The focus of my photography business is pets, so you can guess that when live animals are involved, this is even more true. I find that it is super important to remain adaptable during shoots and to always keep an open mind to new ideas. Bring the Outdoors In Recently I was … [Read more...] about Inspiration Can Strike Anywhere (Or How I Made the Most Viewed Photos of My Career)

Skylum Software Offers Free Hands-On Shooting Lab at Shutterfest

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Are you headed to Shutterfest?  A bunch of folks from the Photofocus team will be there including Vanelli, Jason Hahn, Levi Sim, and Rich Harrington. SHOOT. LEARN. PARTY. ST. LOUIS, MO. | APRIL 3-4, 2018  Our site partners, Skylum software makers of Luminar will also be there with a cool hands-on photo shoot.  Join Vanelli, Abba Shapiro, and Levi Sim for a fun class (absolutely free).   Location Shutterfest Midway Suite #2 Hours of Operation Day 1 | 10am–6pm Day 2  | 10am–6pm Description Join Skylum Software, … [Read more...] about Skylum Software Offers Free Hands-On Shooting Lab at Shutterfest

Creating LUTs in Photoshop

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LUTs are Look Up Tables. They are really easy to create in Photoshop for use in other programs like Premiere Pro for motion and Luminar 2018 for still photographs. This video from Rich Harrington shows you how. Building a LUT in Photoshop from Premiere Pro Guru: LUTs and Look Files by Richard Harrington Photo: Adobe Stock … [Read more...] about Creating LUTs in Photoshop

Skylum at WPPI with Luminar and Aurora 2018

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Macphun has changed its name. Welcome, Skylum! The same great products, both stand-alone and plugins formerly only for Mac are now for Windows, too. If you are coming to WPPI be sure to visit the Skylum booth in the Expo to meet Photofocus authors like Levi Sim, Vanelli, publisher Rich Harrington and more. They will be doing live demos of Aurora 2018 HDR and Skylum's new stand-alone answer to Lightroom CC Classic Luminar. Luminar has features previously found only in Photoshop. Free passes to WPPI expo If you are coming to Las Vegas for WPPI … [Read more...] about Skylum at WPPI with Luminar and Aurora 2018

Creativity in Motion

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(Editor's note: This guest post is from Adobe Stock Video expert Dennis Radeke. The photograph above was created with Adobe Stock.) Last year, we launched a brand new content type on Adobe Stock: Motion Graphics templates. These templates, made in After Effects, are easily accessed in Adobe Premiere Pro to create animated transitions, titles, and lower thirds, enabling video creators to add a polished, finishing touch to their video projects. https://youtu.be/P2vlCeW8RoI We’ve sourced our collection from the world’s leading motion … [Read more...] about Creativity in Motion

Join The Photofocus Staff For Breakfast At WPPI!

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Are you planning to come to this year’s Photoshop World? Come join our team for breakfast, Tuesday, February 27, 2018, at 7:30 am! For the past few years, we have hosted a special Las Vegas breakfast for our readers. We reserve a private section at Mandalay Bay's Bayside Buffet where our readers have the chance to socialize and get to know some of our staff. This is a perfect opportunity to give authors (and our publisher) suggestions for articles and tutorials you would like them to write! It's also a great chance to hang out with a bunch … [Read more...] about Join The Photofocus Staff For Breakfast At WPPI!

What Are The Most Popular Used Cameras and Lenses?

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Our friends at MPB.com keep track of which cameras and lenses are the most purchased over the course of the year. This is pretty interesting to see. Perhaps you've got one or more of these collecting dust in your closet. If so, it's a good time to call MPB and see about trading them in. By buying and selling or trading different gear, you can experience a variety of equipment and refine your kit to what works best for you. I've owned over 30 changeable lens cameras in the last several years, and I don't know how many lenses, from multiple … [Read more...] about What Are The Most Popular Used Cameras and Lenses?

Want a Free Pass to WPPI?

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Photofocus partners, Skylum software, have free passes to WPPI in Las Vegas.  In fact, Photofocus writers Richard Harrington, Robert Vanelli, and Levi Sim will be speaking at their booth. Get a Free Pass This is 3-day expo for Wedding and Portrait Photographers is one of the biggest events of the year in Las Vegas.  We hope to see you will at WPPI in Las Vegas, Feb. 26 - 28, 2018. Expo Hours Monday, Feb. 26, 10am-4pm Tuesday, Feb. 27, 10am-4pm Wednesday, Feb. 28 10am-3pm For free Expo Passes and discounts on Photo Walks, Plus … [Read more...] about Want a Free Pass to WPPI?

Do You Revisit Old Locations?

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(Editor's Note: This is a guest post from our partner mpb.com a great place to use your old gear to acquire newer gear.) For many, the thought of revisiting an old location may seem like a step back rather than the potential for a step forward in terms of honing your skills. However, as you grow as a photographer and as your personal perceptions change, a location can develop a new meaning or open new opportunities. Locations don’t wait for you to photograph them, nor do they give you a heads up when conditions are ideal for you to realize … [Read more...] about Do You Revisit Old Locations?

Free Classes at WPPI

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Coming to WPPI?  Be sure to stop by the Skylum booth to learn about Luminar.  You can learn from Photofocus authors Rich Harrington, Vanelli, and Levi Sim, as well as other top industry experts. Free Sessions All Day at Booth #462 We are very excited to share some of your favorite wedding and portrait photographers that will be speaking at our Skylum booth (#462) during WPPI's 3-day Expo. Plus, many of the speakers will be doing portfolio reviews! Jerry Ghionis Jerry Ghionis - How to Find Inspiration Speaking: Monday, Feb. 26 … [Read more...] about Free Classes at WPPI

Gear Review: NiSi Medium GND 100x150mm Filter

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Editor's note: This is a guest Post by Ugo Cei. See his work right here. In recent times I haven’t been making much use of filters in my photography. I would occasionally use a polarizer and that’s all. As a consequence, when faced with landscape scenes with a lot of contrast, like when the sky is bright, but the ground is in shade, I would normally resort to bracketing and then merging the resulting shots to HDR or doing some kind of blending. Graduated Neutral Density (GND) Filters When creating HDR photos, I always strive to produce … [Read more...] about Gear Review: NiSi Medium GND 100x150mm Filter

How to Choose & Use Reflectors

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(Editor's note: Photographer and author Andrew Darlow returns with this guest post where he shares tips, techniques and gear suggestions for photo reflectors and accessories. In a 2011 Photofocus post, Andrew showed a collection of do-it-yourself unconventional reflector/fill card options, a topic that never goes out of style!) Photo reflectors can have a dramatic effect on your images and videos. They are generally very inexpensive. Choosing and using them effectively can be confusing, so I’ve organized this article by reflector type, with … [Read more...] about How to Choose & Use Reflectors

Canon 5D: 12 Years & 5 Cameras

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(Editor's note: This is a guest post from our friends at MPB.com a great place for photographers and videographers to buy quality used gear as well as to see thier old equipment.) Canon's 5D series Canon's 5D series of cameras has been revolutionary its inception. The original 5D was the one of the first full-frame digital cameras--one of the first to have a sensor the same size as 35mm film--and it was a relatively affordable price. Each iteration on from the Mark I, with the exception of maybe the Mark IV, there has been some aspect of the … [Read more...] about Canon 5D: 12 Years & 5 Cameras

Looking For Light from MPB.com

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(Editor's Note: This is a guest post from our friends at MPB.com. MPB is a great place to sell gear that's no longer in use as well as where to buy quality used photo and video equipment at much lower cost than that of new.) Photography is completely centered around light: it not affects your photo's mood, but it also dictates what your settings must be in the camera to record a picture and represent that mood in the picture. Let's talk about how shutter speed, aperture, and ISO setting affect your image, and then we'll dive into the … [Read more...] about Looking For Light from MPB.com

Turning a Boring Shoot Into an Inspired Photo Session

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Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Cathy Seaver, a commercial photographer in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She works primarily for Cull Group shooting product, corporate headshots, and other client needs. In her off time, Cathy enjoys getting out into nature to shoot what she sees around her. She is also an avid horseback rider, enjoying her time in the saddle on trails and playing around with a bit of dressage. Check out her work on Instagram. Shooting commercially, a photographer doesn’t necessarily get to choose what they are shooting, … [Read more...] about Turning a Boring Shoot Into an Inspired Photo Session

How To Find Work In Freelance Television

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Guest Post by Jacob Swart. You want to work on a television set, but don’t know where to start. The world of freelancing is daunting and confusing. I have heard the question “How did you even get that job?” even from my film school friends. No need to worry though, it isn’t impossible. If you didn’t already know, Hollywood television shows are actually filmed in your backyard. Hundreds of crews fly around the globe with camera equipment and crash land in your neighborhood. I’ve worked on ABC, FOX, Discovery, and HGTV crews that were all … [Read more...] about How To Find Work In Freelance Television