A few months ago, I discovered an amazing action to edit my sports shots in Photoshop. Everytime I use it, I get great feedback from my followers and athletes. Let me show you how you can, in one simple click, turn out a good picture into a massive impact work of art. What is a Photoshop action? An action, simply put, is a series of modifications that are recorded to obtain a precise result over and over again. An action can be as simple as a single saturation layer but can also be a very complex algorithm with hundreds of interrelated … [Read more...] about The Photoshop Action That Will Bring Your Sports Shots to Another Level
Opinion
It’s Not About the Camera — It’s About Evolving as an Artist
When I first ventured into photography, I started out with a Nikon D5100. From there I upgraded to a D800 (thanks to winning a Photofocus contest on Twitter) and later a D750. Last year I made the tough decision to go mirrorless, ultimately purchasing a Panasonic Lumix GH5 and eventually, a G9. Now I've made another switch. And it's not because I was dissatisfied with my Lumix gear — quite the contrary, in fact. My Lumix system was awesome, and one of the best decisions I've made to switch to them. But after a week of tough thinking, I've … [Read more...] about It’s Not About the Camera — It’s About Evolving as an Artist
Knowing the Camera Settings for a Photo Isn’t Really Important
I'm a part of several photography groups on Facebook, and some provide a suggestion to provide your camera settings for any photos you uploaded. Things like aperture, shutter speed and ISO, for instance. And while it can certainly be interesting to see these settings and see what they can do in certain situations, they don't matter in the long run. Settings Won't Help to Recreate a Photograph Unless you're shooting in a studio with no windows and can control the environment completely, settings won't be the end-all to recreating a … [Read more...] about Knowing the Camera Settings for a Photo Isn’t Really Important
Rediscovering a lens that I already owned
When packing for trips, I find myself seesawing between my Fuji X system and Nikon DSLRs. We do underwater, street, nature and landscape photography. Do I pack the Fuji X-Pro2, the crop sensor Nikon D500 and my old D800 or complicate things and buy the new Nikon D850? Earlier this winter, we were packing for street and winter nature and landscape photography in Japan. My wife and partner in Aperture Photo Arts is a die-hard Fuji shooter and between us, we have most of the Fuji X lenses and spare camera bodies. This was the logical … [Read more...] about Rediscovering a lens that I already owned
First Time Attendee? Getting the Most Out of the WPPI Experience
The time has finally come — the WPPI Conference + Expo is here! It's my first time attending the show, and I couldn't be more excited to check out the expo floor, some classes and to network with other photographers. As a first-time attendee, here's what I wanted to do to get the best out of my conference experience. Three Types of Classes There are loads of classes at WPPI. They're broken into three groups — platform classes, PLUS classes and master classes. Platform classes These are 90-minute sessions that don't require any … [Read more...] about First Time Attendee? Getting the Most Out of the WPPI Experience
A Lesson I Learned About Seeing Opportunities
(Vanelli's note: Michèle Grenier, a talented sports photographer based out of Quebec City, Canada, needed 75 hours of mentoring before she could complete her degree in photography. After meeting her at Photoshop World a year earlier, she called to ask me if I could be her mentor—I’m based out of the East Coast of Florida. Honored, I said yes and, when she arrived, we dove into a 13-hour day of learning and shooting. To help reinforce her learning, I asked her to gather her thoughts and write a few “How I Got the Shot:" articles. Here’s what she … [Read more...] about A Lesson I Learned About Seeing Opportunities
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
The Infocus Interview Podcast | Photofocus Podcast January 19th 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-infocus-interview-podcast-photofocus-podcast-january-19th-2018 Remember to check out our great sponsors including TruLife acrylic face mounted prints. Today's episode, Levi sits down with Sharky James. They talk about their photographer heroes, the industry and more including how he got started in the industry. Then a fun round table with Pamela Berry, Levi Sim, Bobbi Lane and Kevin Ames as they discuss 2018 trends, goals and tradeshows for the upcoming year. Get the show … [Read more...] about The Infocus Interview Podcast | Photofocus Podcast January 19th 2018
Is Baiting Wild Birds For Photography Ethical?
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. In November I came across an activity I hadn’t encountered before. While I wasn’t entirely … [Read more...] about Is Baiting Wild Birds For Photography Ethical?
Be honest and upfront on your work
If you don’t know how to shoot something, don’t do it and expect to be paid. Be honest and upfront. Okay, there’s more to it of course. If you want to learn how to do something, absolutely learn it. However, if you take a paying job and you are in WAY over your head, it's probably not the smartest thing to do. I was inspired by a post that commercial photographer had vented about on social media. Someone had contacted him and wanted a step by step detailed guide on shooting a commissioned piece that this photographer had no business accepting … [Read more...] about Be honest and upfront on your work
Choosing the Right Paper for the Right Photo
Having more options when selecting photo paper is great, but it can also get confusing. Here’s how to select the right paper based on the photo you plan to print and display. E-surface paper E-surface paper—also called luster, satin, pearl, and sometimes semi-gloss—is a premium finish on a heavier paper. It’s normally the number one choice for photographers. It boasts accurate color, realistic saturation, excellent neutral flesh reproduction, and great intensity. It offers brighter blues, cyans, purples, and reds with the finger-resistant … [Read more...] about Choosing the Right Paper for the Right Photo
Wedding and Portrait Editing Survey (Plus Free eBook)
We'd like to better understand your needs when editing portraits and wedding images. We're helping to design some new presets as well as software features and we'd like to know what you want. The survey can be taken here — https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/weddingphoto All folks who take the survey get a free copy of Scott Bourne's 72 Essays on Photography eBook (worth $9.99). You'll find the link at the top of the survey right below the title. You can also enter to win a $50 B&H Gift Card. Please take 3 minutes and share your … [Read more...] about Wedding and Portrait Editing Survey (Plus Free eBook)
Should You Update to Adobe Lightroom “Classic”?
A few weeks ago during Adobe Max 2018 some major updates were announced for the Adobe CC plans. While all of them were pretty exciting and amazing, (in theory), photographers were left pretty confused. The big question most of us had, was "What's up with this CC vs Classic thing for Lightroom?" and the more important one, "Should I upgrade/replace my currently Lightroom with the updated "Classic" and CC versions?" Making Sense of it All Well, to answer the specifics about Lightroom CC and Classic, I'll refer you to a few articles. What's … [Read more...] about Should You Update to Adobe Lightroom “Classic”?
Will the New Adobe Lightroom CC Make it in My Workflow?
Adobe just launched two new versions of Lightroom: Lightroom Classic CC—the Lightroom we’ve all come to know—and a new product called Lightroom CC. Sound confusing? Well, yeah, it is; but here’s how you can decide if the new..errrr.. newer version Lightroom CC will make it in your workflow. Let’s get the names straight New Coke, Coke Classic... What??? Remember when Coca-Cola tried to introduce a reformulated Coca-Cola? Yeah, that firestorm ended with the return of the original formula—now called Coca-Cola classic—a few months later. I love … [Read more...] about Will the New Adobe Lightroom CC Make it in My Workflow?
QOTW: How Big Is Your Photo Library?
With Adobe's decision to make Lightroom CC cloud-based (and to require that ALL your photos go to the Cloud) we wanted to check how big your photo library is. Please choose from one of the answers below so we can better understand your storage needs. photo by ohsuriya & Adobe Stock. … [Read more...] about QOTW: How Big Is Your Photo Library?
5 Excuses for Not Buying a RAID Backup
Imagine losing every image you have ever taken of your child, your wife, a family member that has passed away, that beautiful sunset in Hawaii, all of your client’s images...you get the point. Are you feeling sick to your stomach, especially knowing it could have been prevented? The good news, it’s not too late. If you have more than 6TB of data, you need to invest in a RAID backup. Here are 5 common excuse people make for not buying a RAID Backup and 5 solutions to help you make the right choice. 1. I Don't Understand Why I Need a RAID … [Read more...] about 5 Excuses for Not Buying a RAID Backup
QOTW: What application do you use to organize your photos?
image by johnnychaos and Adobe Stock We'd like to better understand how you work. This helps us create more tutorials to help you out. The question this week is about digital asset management, also known as your photo library. … [Read more...] about QOTW: What application do you use to organize your photos?
QOTW: How many lenses do you shoot with?
image by monticellllo and Adobe Stock We'd like to know more about you and your photography habits. This helps us better create content to help you. We'd like to know how many lenses do you actually use on a regular basis (not how many are collecting dust on a shelf). What's your shooting style, travel light or be prepared? … [Read more...] about QOTW: How many lenses do you shoot with?
QOTW: How Much Time Editing?
image by dusanpetkovic1 and Adobe Stock It's that time... where we get to know our Photofocus readers a bit better. This helps us create better content for you. When it comes time to work on a photo that you intend to print or share, how much time do you spend adjusting it on your computer? … [Read more...] about QOTW: How Much Time Editing?
A Photographer’s Take On iPhone X And iPhone 8
Apple has done it again: they've created new phones with significantly different features and some of the changes include new cameras and software cheats for "better" pictures. I've watched the Keynote and read the press releases, and here are my impressions of the new iPhone X and iPhone 8/8+. First of All... In the Keynote they said that these new camera phones will help you make better pictures, but I take issue with that statement. These new phones will provide better image quality than ever before from a super tiny camera that is really … [Read more...] about A Photographer’s Take On iPhone X And iPhone 8
QOTW: Which Brand Camera Will You Buy Next?
image by ARTYuSTUDIO and Adobe Stock It's time for our Question of the Week. We'd like to know which camera manufacturer has caught your eye or kept your loyalty. … [Read more...] about QOTW: Which Brand Camera Will You Buy Next?
Moving into 360-Degree Cameras
Camera technology is constantly changing and it's about to the point where we're wondering. . . What do we want next? We have ultra-high megapixel digital cameras like the Canon 5Ds R and the Pentax 645z medium format camera, amazing low light cameras like the Sony A7s Mark II, great action sports and underwater cameras with the GoPro Hero 5, high frame rate cameras like the Nikon D5 and Canon 1Dx Mark II... the list can go on and on. More of what we're seeing now comes in the form of one body, multiple functions. Stills cameras that shoot … [Read more...] about Moving into 360-Degree Cameras
New Gear, Need it? or Want it?
First, let me admit that I am a gear hoarder. I have whatever I could possibly want in cameras, lenses, grip and lighting. When an idea hits, the gear to make it into a photograph is right at hand. Here's the thing. I am beginning to believe that a simple kit is a better kit. I remember back to a time when I didn't have everything I wanted or needed to make a photograph. I made it anyway. How? I improvised. It made me a better problem solver. Do I still solve problems? Sure. Since I have every thing I need and more problem solving is quicker. … [Read more...] about New Gear, Need it? or Want it?
Photography Marketing: Studio Management and CRM Tools are Key to Success
As photographers, we're responsible for a lot of things beyond just showing up and photographing. There's editing, setting up meetings, bookkeeping, scheduling our time...the list is endless. Needless to say, it was long overdue earlier this year when I finally decided to investigate studio management and customer relationship management (CRM) tools. What is a CRM? Simply put, a CRM is an application that allows you to keep track of all your clients' information. You can create contacts, companies, notes and record deals. For photography, … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Studio Management and CRM Tools are Key to Success
Question of the Week: What Parts of Photography Do You find Hard?
It's that time... time to vote. We ask a question of you the reader so we know what sort of content to produce more of. Your input helps us make Photofocus better. … [Read more...] about Question of the Week: What Parts of Photography Do You find Hard?
Your Photos Become Their Memories
I've been a photographer since college. First, as a hobbyist, taking photos of my friends on my point-and-shoot Canon camera, to remember the memories we were making. It wasn't until about seven years later that I bought my first DSLR. And this opened up a whole new world for me, leading to my first professional DSLR, photographing for clients part-time, and eventually making the jump full-time as a professional photographer. It's important to realize your purpose as a photographer. I've written about the importance of looking back, and … [Read more...] about Your Photos Become Their Memories
Question of the Week: Why Haven’t You Turned Professional?
We're looking to write some business articles to help you, but we need to know what's holding you back. Please take this one question survey. If you can't see the poll, click here. Comments welcome for other reasons. http://polldaddy.com/poll/9669127/ … [Read more...] about Question of the Week: Why Haven’t You Turned Professional?
My WPPI 2017 Experience
You may have heard there’s a little photography convention in Vegas every year. Over ten thousand photographers (mostly of the wedding and portrait variety) gather along with every possible associated vendor for the annual WPPI convention. Just the scale alone of the event is impressive. If you want some new inspiration or to further your understanding of the industry and it’s latest trends, WPPI is where you want to be. This was my second year attending the conference and I thought I’d share my personal take on the event. Previously held in … [Read more...] about My WPPI 2017 Experience
Good Riddance, Flickr
It's no surprise that over the past couple years, Flickr has had lots of ups and downs. Back in the day, Flickr was the social site to use to view and interact with photographs. But since its sale to Yahoo!, things have gone downhill. With its drastic relaunch in 2013, shutdown of the Flickr marketplace, it's CEO proclaiming there's no need for "pro" photographers and continuous tweaking interface and other features, lately Flickr seems to always have one step on the wrong side of death's door. With Yahoo!'s impending sale to Verizon, Flickr … [Read more...] about Good Riddance, Flickr
A Portrait Photographer’s Highest Responsibility
Weddings. Engagements. Pregnancies. Graduations. Professional portrait photographers are often invited into people’s lives at very special moments. Memorable moments. Moments of transition and transformation. As a headshot photographer, often my clients are involved in career transitions. Some are getting new headshots to mark a promotion. Others are launching a solo practice. It’s an honor to be part of these major turning points in a client’s life and career. Most of these occasions are happy. Sure, they can also be a bit stressful — … [Read more...] about A Portrait Photographer’s Highest Responsibility
