I’m not one to rely too much on third-party plug-ins. I try to keep things simple, and usually stick with Lightroom and Photoshop. Macphun’s Intensify is an exception. I use it regularly in my workflow. A plug-in for Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, and Apple Aperture, it is unfortunately only for Mac users. I use Intensify for three reasons—at times it is quicker than me figuring out similar enhancements in Lightroom or Photoshop; it provides greater controls over adjustments than other plug-ins I have experimented with, and … [Read more...] about MacPhun’s Intensify: Taking Images to the Next Level
Reviews
Fixing Three Common Workflow Problems with the Drobo 5N
Well… It’s a pretty exciting day here at SharkPixel and Washington DC Headshots. I am finally upgrading my storage “situation” thanks to the amazing people over at Drobo. John Harrington once told me, there are two types of photographers in this world; people who have had a drive fail and people that will. So when I was asked to review the set-up process as a person who was completely unfamiliar with any of Drobo’s products previously in exchange for a Drobo 5N unit, I jumped at the opportunity. In this article, you’ll see how the Drobo 5N … [Read more...] about Fixing Three Common Workflow Problems with the Drobo 5N
First Look: New LUCiD Plug-ins for Photos for Mac
A few years back, Apple decided to slowly kill of Aperture and iPhoto. in their places emerged Photos for Mac. The app left something to be desired, but has kept maturing. One of its biggest changes was the support of Extensions (or what others would call plug-ins). Essentially these are small, dedicated apps that you can run on your Mac or as an add-on to the Photos app. LUCiD Apps/Extensions We're big fans of Perfectly Clear from Athentech. The tech behind this automated image correction is what powers these new LUCiD … [Read more...] about First Look: New LUCiD Plug-ins for Photos for Mac
Ten Reasons Why I Love My New Fuji X-T2
I am star-struck. My Fuji X-T2 just arrived, it was released September 8. I am reading through the manual and looking at the camera’s features. It is definitely an exciting upgrade from the Fuji X-T1 and in some regards even the Fuji X-Pro2. Here are my ten favorite Fuji X-T2 camera features, in no particular order: A focus stick on the back of the camera. I can move the focus stick with my right thumb, in a tilting or pressing motion, and change my focus point. So if I am focusing on the eyes of the person to the far left of my … [Read more...] about Ten Reasons Why I Love My New Fuji X-T2
Transcend’s New Ultra High Speed SD Cards
As a kid, I remember my parents asking me to pick up some RAM for our business while I was on a family vacation...I don't remember how much it cost...but I do remember that the 16k of ram that I had picked up was on two boards about the size of a Wacom Small Tablet each! So when I stop to think about where we've come from and where we're going with the amount of memory we're able to compact in these Hard Drives and Memory Cards now just blows me away. Looking back at some old articles about the first computers, it's pretty clear to see how … [Read more...] about Transcend’s New Ultra High Speed SD Cards
Drobo 5N User Review–It’ll Make You A Superhero
12You've probably had the experience of a client calling with an urgent need for a photo that you have in your image library (which, of course, is safely backed up using a Drobo or other RAID/NAS system). You'd be happy to help your client, but the picture is on the drive at the office, or at home, and you're traveling and won't be back for a week. Normally, you'd have to say, "I'm sorry, I can't help you until Monday." However, if you're using the Drobo 5N, you've got a solid way to help your client and solidify yourself as a superhero in … [Read more...] about Drobo 5N User Review–It’ll Make You A Superhero
Book Review: Read This If You Want To Take Great Photographs.
I saw it on a table at a museum bookstore. A black paperback book, not too big. The title popped, with silver letters: “Read This If You Want To Take Great Photographs," by Henry Carroll. This book had to be read--there was no doubt in my mind. It promised greatness. I took the book home and breezed through it in an afternoon. A perfect resource for the new or lesser experienced photographer, it is well organized and covers photography basics in a very succinct and entertaining style. The book consists of talking points on the ABC's of … [Read more...] about Book Review: Read This If You Want To Take Great Photographs.
Photofocus Podcast August 28, 2016 — Mirrorless with Scott Bourne & Marco Larousse
On this episode of the Photofocus #Mirrorless Show Scott and Marco will discuss these new products and mirrorless topics: Photokina is just around the corner. It will be held from September 20th to the 25th in Cologne, Germany. Marco will be there to find out what's the latest and greatest in the photography industry. And for those who are planning on going and don't have a ticket yet: Our friends at Hahnemuehle Fine Art paper manufacturer have given Marco a few day pass tickets to give away. Listen to the episode to find out what you have … [Read more...] about Photofocus Podcast August 28, 2016 — Mirrorless with Scott Bourne & Marco Larousse
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
The Seven Best Lenses Ever Made (For Mirrorless Cameras)
Okay - maybe that title was a little over the top. But these are MY favorite seven lenses for mirrorless cameras. Whether or not these are your favorites, you can rest assured that they are all spectacular lenses. If you buy (or are lucky enough to own) one or more of them, you can’t go wrong. By the way, these are typically expensive to very expensive lenses. You get what you pay for. It’s ALWAYS a great idea to buy the best lens you can afford. Lenses last longer in the photography eco-system than camera bodies, so if you have to choose one … [Read more...] about The Seven Best Lenses Ever Made (For Mirrorless Cameras)
Lightroom 2 Minute Tips from Nicolesy — Reviewed
Nicolesy’s new Two Minute Lightroom Tips, a comprehensive Lightroom training video series, is a fantastic option for teaching yourself Lightroom. If you’re looking to develop your skills or speed up your workflow, this course is a great resource. Why learn Lightroom? While it’s name hasn’t been turned into a verb like Photoshop, Adobe’s Lightroom is arguably the more important tool for digital photographers these days. Lightroom has become an industry standard, and is built to accommodate everyone from the working professional to the casual … [Read more...] about Lightroom 2 Minute Tips from Nicolesy — Reviewed
Drobo 5N setup
In this video I recorded "live" as I attempted to follow the instructions and set up the Drobo 5N to use as a networked backup drive. You won't believe what happens next (I always wanted to write that, but spoiler alert: it worked just fine). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gMO1zD1CZM … [Read more...] about Drobo 5N setup
Tamron 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD SP Lens – First Look
It’s been a while since I wrote about a Tamron lens but I have always thought that for the money, they offer good value. Recently, they seem to be upping their game and offering some real contenders that even pros will find tempting. Enter the Tamron SP 85mm f1.8 Di VC USD. It’s a weather resistant, stabilized full-frame short telephoto lens that works on Canon, Nikon, and Sony* cameras. I tested this on a Canon 1DX. While the lens is designed for full-frame cameras, it will work on (APS-C) cameras from Nikon, Canon and Sony and will … [Read more...] about Tamron 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD SP Lens – First Look
Camera Bag Review: Borealis Backpack, from Mountainsmith
Let's cut straight to it: the Mountainsmith Borealis is a very fine backpack, and it's a very fine camera bag. It's exceptionally well made, logically designed by people who clearly know what photographers need, and I think it'll last a lifetime. I've got just a few caveats, but this is a good backpack. Lifetime Construction I've owned Mountainsmith bags since I was a young mountaineer in Colorado, which is where Mountainsmith are headquartered. I've been using one of their bags for 20 years, and it's still going strong. The reason these … [Read more...] about Camera Bag Review: Borealis Backpack, from Mountainsmith
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
Photofocus Podcast July 28, 2016 — Mirrorless with Scott Bourne & Marco Larousse
On this episode of the Photofocus #Mirrorless Show Scott and Marco will discuss these new products and mirrorless topics: Scott talks about his trip to Photoshop World in Las Vegas with his mirrorless camera. Sigma has announced pricing and availability of the sd Quattro camera. The body only will be a competitive $799 (US). A unique feature of this camera is the 'Super-Fine Detail' mode that combines 7 exposures into one high dynamic range image. Samyang Optics have announced the global availability of the long-awaited … [Read more...] about Photofocus Podcast July 28, 2016 — Mirrorless with Scott Bourne & Marco Larousse
“Street Photography: First Steps and Beyond” by Valerie Jardin
Valerie Jardin's latest book is exactly what you need to get started with the wonderful genre of street photography, and it's a perfect refresher course for those with experience. Jardin is an energetic and passionate teacher who leads workshops for street photography in places like Paris and Chicago and when you read her book you'll feel that passion and it'll excite you to get out and shoot. The book is well organized and it is simple to read, yet it maintains an intelligent voice. Jardin's photography fills the book and the examples are … [Read more...] about “Street Photography: First Steps and Beyond” by Valerie Jardin
First Impressions: Hasselblad’s Mirrorless X1D
Hasselblad has made some of the finest cameras since the 1950's, and their newest camera looks like it fits with their reputation for quality and simplicity. The recently announced X1D stands out from all other medium format cameras because it is mirrorless and includes all the latest technology treats I've come to rely upon. Today I got my hands on it at Pro Photo Supply in Portland, OR, and I'm ready to share my initial impressions. You can check out all the specs here, so I'll tell you about the stuff you don't get reading the brochures. To … [Read more...] about First Impressions: Hasselblad’s Mirrorless X1D
Drobo 5D: Solving My Storage Problems
I plugged in my first-ever Drobo unit a few weeks ago. I realized my computer was out of hard drive space yet again and it just made sense to store my photography working files on the Drobo 5D. The transition to the Drobo was seamless. Now that I have been up and running for a while I keep asking myself, “Why did I wait this long” to get a Drobo?" I do not like to change equipment or software. My experience is that something always goes haywire and I spend way too much time talking to Technical Support from whatever company I bought my … [Read more...] about Drobo 5D: Solving My Storage Problems
SpiderLight Hand Strap Mini Review
Spider Holster has been innovating the way photographers carry cameras for years. Their line of holsters takes the burden of a heavy camera off your neck and puts it on your hips, where the largest bones and muscles in your body carry all the weight. Last year, they added the SpiderPro Hand Strap to the lineup. It takes the weight of the camera off your fingers and allows your whole arm to lend support. I've been using the hand strap for more than a year, and the holsters for more than three years and my body appreciates the way they shift the … [Read more...] about SpiderLight Hand Strap Mini Review
Quick Review: Tamron 90MM F/2.8 Macro VC Lens
These days when you hear Tamron, most people seem impressed with their lenses. My go-to lens recently has been their 35mm f/1.8 lens which is a must for landscapes. I’ve also found myself using it frequently on weddings. Tamron has been a breath of fresh air in providing high quality, inexpensive options for lenses. A Look at the 90MM F/2.8 Macro VC Lens Recently I was able to get my hands on the new Tamron 90mm f/2.8. My normal favorite macro lens has always been the Canon version 100mm. The lens is available on the following … [Read more...] about Quick Review: Tamron 90MM F/2.8 Macro VC Lens
My Week At The Out Of Chicago Photo Conference
There seems to be a major photo conference, seminar, trade show, etc. every month these days and there are lots of opportunities to spend your photo workshop dollars on training. As a veteran of these events, as an attendee, a vendor and a speaker, I’ve pretty much seen it all. As you might expect, some of these events are better than others. Often it boils down to personal preference. Sometimes, an event stands out because it is SO good that people from very diverse backgrounds, age groups and interests universally agree that it was … [Read more...] about My Week At The Out Of Chicago Photo Conference
The New Perfect Skin: Supermodel Results in Photoshop
In the article, One click Supermodel Results in Lightroom, we covered what images are great for a Supermodel look. Then, using the Lightroom version of Perfect Skin, we applied a superfast One-Click preset to produce a killer look. But sometimes an image may need a little editing first. Removing flyaway hairs or a blown-out highlight on the nose is what Photoshop was created for. Here’s how we are going to take a skin-damaged image and give it a Supermodel look. Getting our Photoshop workspace in order Let’s start by opening an image inside … [Read more...] about The New Perfect Skin: Supermodel Results in Photoshop
More to a Silhouette than Exposure
There are a few key elements that create a successful silhouette. I'll say it loud and proud. It is MORE than exposure. Yes, you meter for the sky, yes, that brings the blacks black, but there is so much more to it than that. I used to say, angle, separation, and exposure. But it is even more than that. You can nail the angle, shooting from down low, you can nail the exposure, and you can even get the separation, but if you aren't telling a story, or conveying an emotion, you're not getting it. There needs to be a story. There needs to … [Read more...] about More to a Silhouette than Exposure
Photofocus Podcast June 28, 2016 — Mirrorless with Scott Bourne & Marco Larousse
On this episode of the Photofocus #Mirrorless Show Scott and Marco will discuss these new products and mirrorless topics: We talk a bit about listener feedback that we have received on last months "mirrorless manufacturer repair service quality" topic. And we have found at least one official mirrorless pro service claim in one country. Hasselblad has just announced the first compact mirrorless medium format camera. It is called the Hasselblad X1D and has a 50 MPix CMOS sensor (44mm x 33mm) that works at a native ISO range … [Read more...] about Photofocus Podcast June 28, 2016 — Mirrorless with Scott Bourne & Marco Larousse
The New Perfect Skin: One-Click Supermodel Results in Lightroom
We all have wrinkles, blemishes and laugh lines. When these features are completely removed—with the exception of blemishes—the image instantly looks fake. The key is to make the retouch look natural by softening wrinkles, fading laugh lines and smoothing the skin. But sometimes you may want flawless, almost porcelain skin that screams SUPERMODEL. You could spend hours following along with tutorials on how to dodge, burn and soften skin or you can easily get amazing results with Athentech’s new Perfect Skin plug-in for Lightroom and … [Read more...] about The New Perfect Skin: One-Click Supermodel Results in Lightroom
Speed Up your Import Workflow with a New Card Reader
With new cameras being released every month and new developments in memory card technology, many readers have struggled to find a memory card reader that works well for them. My friend Michael Tapes, designer of LensAlign, was having an issue finding a card reader that could grow with him and evolve as his cameras evolve. The Nikon D5 shoots either dual XQD or dual CF cards, Nikon D810 shoots SD and CF, Nikon D500 shoots XQD and SD, Canon 1DX Mark II shoots CF and CFast cards, and both the Canon 5D Mark III and 5Ds R shoot CF and SD cards. As … [Read more...] about Speed Up your Import Workflow with a New Card Reader
Faster Storage for Photographers with Drobo 5Dt
Drobo has just started shipping a new storage system (in fact mine's already on its way to me). Drobo announced the DROBO 5D Turbo Edition also know as the Drobo 5Dt. I've recently had several talks with the company's CEO and leadership team, and they've assured me that they're laser-focussed on building tools for photographers and video pros. These is the first unit in that offering. What is the Drobo 5Dt? Drobo is offering a souped-up version of its popular 5D RAID system. Here's what's improved over the original Drobo 5D. A … [Read more...] about Faster Storage for Photographers with Drobo 5Dt
Adobe Creative Cloud Update Offers Great Features for Photographers!
Photoshop’s update is going to make a lot of photographers and retouchers happy with the boost in performance plus three improved tools--Selecting and Masking, Content-Aware Crop and Face-Aware Liquify. Performance Adobe has been focusing on increasing the speed of Photoshop. Faster startup time, removing unnecessary dialog boxes, warnings and clicks, as well as how fast a tool returns results. They have promised this in past versions, but in this version it has lead to a noticeable boost in performance. Selection and Masking Space gets its’ … [Read more...] about Adobe Creative Cloud Update Offers Great Features for Photographers!
Field Review: The Platypod Pro Max
Oh Platypod, I’m not going to lie. I love my platypods. I received their original version last year and it quickly replaced using a tripod 90% of the time. Yes, 90%. I still needed a tripod if I wanted my camera up higher or using heaver lenses and extra gear. Welcome Platypod Pro Max When Platypod announced they were making a bigger version of the original called the Platypod Pro Max I was over the moon with getting one into my hands. The biggest reason is I do a lot of night sky and time-lapse photos in which I like using my Atomos Ninja … [Read more...] about Field Review: The Platypod Pro Max
