It's Friday, and that means a little bit of reminiscing. Which camera did you get first? A look back at the start of the Phototofocus team and their photography careers. Hear from some of our writers which camera they used first in their lives. https://youtu.be/IUaYXpvN_sM __________________ … [Read more...] about Which Camera Was Your First?
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Renting Lenses for Specific Jobs | Alan Hess – What’s in Your Bag
Join Melissa Niu of Photofocus and Chase Reynolds of LensRentals.com as they talk with concert photographer Alan Hess about renting lenses for special jobs. He even admits how much he loves the Nikon 400mm f2.8 lens but doesn't have $12,000 laying around to own one. http://youtu.be/dqO1-g2eBjE Gear Discussed Nikon D4 - http://bit.ly/1ugXiTz Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 - http://bit.ly/1ugWWwt Nikon 14-24mm f2.8 - http://bit.ly/1ugWzlj Nikon 400mm f2.8 - http://bit.ly/1ugXceP Brought to you by LensRentals - … [Read more...] about Renting Lenses for Specific Jobs | Alan Hess – What’s in Your Bag
The Future of Cameras and Autofocus over Manual Focus | Alan Hess – What’s in Your Bag
Join Melissa Niu of Photofocus and Chase Reynolds of LensRentals.com as they talk with concert photographer Alan Hess about the future of cameras and the advantages of using autofocus over manual focus. http://youtu.be/aFAjIvV8Jds Gear Discussed Nikon D4 - http://bit.ly/1ugXiTz Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 - http://bit.ly/1ugWWwt Brought to you by LensRentals - http://bit.ly/pflensrentals SongFreedom - http://bit.ly/songfreedom Photofocus - https://photofocus.com About Alan Hess Alan Hess is a San Diego-based commercial photographer … [Read more...] about The Future of Cameras and Autofocus over Manual Focus | Alan Hess – What’s in Your Bag
A Tip from Hollywood: Outdoor Portrait
The other day I received a photo attached with a text message from Hollywood shooter Mike Kubeisy. He was on the set of NCIS LA photographing what they call "Afghani" mugshots of the stuntmen for the show. The message read,Do you understand what I did?. We often send messages like these to challenge each other to think outside the box. This simple challenge intrigued me so much I stopped eating lunch and analyzed the image carefully. It was an outdoor set up for a portrait head shot, but what was Mike really trying to tell me? Camera "T" … [Read more...] about A Tip from Hollywood: Outdoor Portrait
Arizona Highways Photo Workshop Camera Giveaway Last Chance
Photofocus is proud to have partnered with Arizona Highways Photo Workshops. This 30-year-old non-profit is associated with one of the United States premiere photo magazines - Arizona Highways. Roberta Lites is the Executive Director of AHPW. She WANTS to give you a brand new Canon 7D MK II. This is an exciting new camera from Canon with state-of-the-art autofocus and many new/improved features. The winner of the contest will also get a free two-day pass to the AHPW "Capture Your Moment" Photo Symposium this November. The information on … [Read more...] about Arizona Highways Photo Workshop Camera Giveaway Last Chance
Camera Calibration in Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw
Found in both Lightroom and Adobe Camera RAW lies a module that you may skip over, but it actually holds a lot of power. Mainly used as a calibration for your camera it can be a great creative tool. Lets take a look at Camera Calibration; Where To Find Camera Calibration In Lightroom you'll find Camera Calibratin at the bottom of the Develop Module and in Adobe Camera Raw its the 8th icon across that looks like a camera; Process The Process here is what version of the software was used to process this image. If youre loading in an older … [Read more...] about Camera Calibration in Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw
Spider Pro Hand Strap
I don't use neck straps, and I generally advise everyone against them. I think they're a poor design and dangerous to your body--with as much shooting as I do, carrying a camera was damaging my neck. You may have read my review of the Joby wrist strap when I said it's the only strap I'll use. Well, I've got to take those words back: the new Spider Pro Hand Strap is now with me all the time and it's truly the only strap I'll ever use. It's perfect because it's secure, and well designed. Safety First Neck straps let you keep a camera handy, but … [Read more...] about Spider Pro Hand Strap
Concert Photography with a Nikon D4 and 70-200mm Lens | Alan Hess – What’s in Your Bag
Join Melissa Niu of Photofocus and Chase Reynolds of LensRentals.com as they talk with concert photographer Alan Hess about shooting concerts with a Nikon D4 and a 70-200mm f2.8 lens. http://youtu.be/Uj3PLpDWXPM Gear Discussed Nikon D4 - http://bit.ly/1ugXiTz Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 - http://bit.ly/1ugWWwt Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 - http://bit.ly/1ugWIVV Nikon 14-24mm f2.8 - http://bit.ly/1ugWzlj Brought to you by LensRentals - http://bit.ly/pflensrentals SongFreedom - http://bit.ly/songfreedom Photofocus - https://photofocus.com About Alan … [Read more...] about Concert Photography with a Nikon D4 and 70-200mm Lens | Alan Hess – What’s in Your Bag
Announcing the Winner in Our Latest Camera Contest from Drobo
While it took a while to track him down, we've got our winner for the last camera contest! Congratulations to Michael won a brand new Canon 7D Mark II and a Drobo of his choice. He went with the Drobo Mini. "It's a blessing to win," said Aragon. "It gives me an open door for more opportunity to be creative and explore the great unknown world of inspiration!" Michael knows how he'll put the two pieces of gear to use. "I will use my camera for many photography projects coming up! And for video projects that I love to do as well." And he … [Read more...] about Announcing the Winner in Our Latest Camera Contest from Drobo
When to Use Your Camera’s Auto Mode
While covering a water polo event, I noticed a mom holding her camera. I looked at her and she smiled and said I know, I know Im holding it wrong. She then turned her hand and cupped the lens properly. She laughed and said she read my article, For Gods Sake, Learn to Hold Your Camera!. We both started to laugh as she introduced herself. She said, Now I need to learn how to take my camera out of auto mode. You would not believe how many times I hear that request. My reply, embrace your auto mode and learn from it. New photographers shy away … [Read more...] about When to Use Your Camera’s Auto Mode
3 Keys to Adding Interest to Landscape Images
Far and away my favorite subject to photograph for relaxation and practice is in the Landscape venue. Having grown up in the Blue Ridge mountain region of Southwest Virginia, learning to make better landscape photographs has been a staple in my own learning curve over the years and an ever-present means of practice to this day in terms of shooting and processing. The Normal Approach In days gone by, when presented with a scenic landscape of any kind, being overwhelmed with the newness of the sight itself, I would likely frame the best overall … [Read more...] about 3 Keys to Adding Interest to Landscape Images
Quick: You Have 5 Minutes to Get the Shot. Where Do You Start?
She got me thinking I saw this beautiful girl walk by for a second time. I loved her outfit and her carefree attitude. I asked myself, if she were a celebrity and I only had 5 minutes to photograph her, where would I start? Then I thought what the heck, let's see. I smiled at her, lifted my camera and said hey do you want to do a quick photo shoot? We both laughed knowing it was a weird request but it sounded like fun. Remember, we were strangers in an airport. Self talk while breaking the ice I told her I'm a professional photographer and an … [Read more...] about Quick: You Have 5 Minutes to Get the Shot. Where Do You Start?
What Causes a Memory Card to Corrupt?
Your memory card can be the most important piece of gear on a shoot. It stores the one thing that can get you paidbut what do you do if it becomes corrupt? Ive had a bunch of memory devices become corrupt; a brand-new CF card while shooting HDR and portraits on Zuma Beach in California, a trusty SD card in my main camera while shooting video interviews for Under Armour, and even an AJA hard drive while recording my multi-camera sports production for ESPN. I was on set with Under Armour, shooting video for interviews and event coverage of the … [Read more...] about What Causes a Memory Card to Corrupt?
Replace or Repair Your Camera?
Back in October of 2014 I wrote, "Click Away Digital is Free, or is it?". I wrote the article when my trusty Nikon D700 reached the end of its life. I arrived at the cost per click by dividing the initial price of my camera by the number of shots I took. The result, it cost me about 2 cents per click, not bad but I missed my camera. A Tough Decision; Replace or Repair my Camera? I replaced my the D700 with a new Nikon D810. I love the D810 for portraits but not for sports. I thought about getting a used Nikon D4 but after using a refurbished … [Read more...] about Replace or Repair Your Camera?
Professional Color with Lightroom’s Camera Calibration
I started photography by shooting film in high school just before the turn of the century, and I don't miss film one bit. Its so wonderful to see a photograph on the back of the camera and see how the composition and the highlights are working, and then make changes. I don't know what I learned in school, but I learned it all again the first day I shot with a DSLR by looking at the LCD and making a change and trying again. Its powerful, but if you shoot RAW it may be frustrating, too. The camera shows a JPEG preview, and that just doesn't often … [Read more...] about Professional Color with Lightroom’s Camera Calibration
New Camera, Now What?
You have a camera now what? I came across this meme on Facebook recently and it made me laugh yet reminded me of questions Ive recently been asked. Being the resident photographer among friends, Ive been asked the following questions several times over the past couple weeks. I picking out a new camera, whats the best camera to get? My husband/partner/wife/girlfriend got me a camera, whats the best way to learn how to use it? Let me address the first question: I picking out a new camera, whats the best camera to get? To many this question … [Read more...] about New Camera, Now What?
Fuji X100T – Yep It Can Be A Landscape Photographer’s Camera
(This is the second in a series of posts Im writing about shooting with Fuji cameras.) While most of us might not think of a compact camera with a fixed lens as a first choice for landscape photography, the Fuji X100T is a very capable landscape shooter none the less. To those who think a mere 16 megapixels pales compared to the new 50MP behemoth from Canon - well we can agree to disagree. 50MP crammed onto a full frame sensor isn't something that interests me at all. I happen to think that 16 megapixels is the new sweet spot. I … [Read more...] about Fuji X100T – Yep It Can Be A Landscape Photographer’s Camera
Bad Music = Bad Video & How To Beat the Shakes
I attended a workshop tour put on by David Ziser a few days before my first DSLR arrived, and he got me hooked on hybrid slideshows. I used to use Animoto to make these, and more recently I prefer ProShow Web, but I also like to make my own productions using Photoshop (Richard Harrington has a good introduction for video in Photoshop right here). These hybrid slideshows are always a win for weddings and family and senior portrait clients, but I also make them for some non-profit clients. The thing is, nothing is more moving than powerful … [Read more...] about Bad Music = Bad Video & How To Beat the Shakes
Fuji X100T – First Look
NOTE: I made every photo for this post using a Fuji X100T and shot in JPEG mode. The images you see here are 100% right out of the camera without any modification of any kind (except some cropping here and there.) They never touched Lightroom or Photoshop. I made no tonal changes, no corrections - nothing. I used no sharpening, no software and nothing has been added to any of these images. Bupkis. Nothing. Nada. This is what you see when you shoot jpeg mode! I shot these images at between ISO 200 and 500 - most at 250 and … [Read more...] about Fuji X100T – First Look
Fixing Camera Shake with Photoshop
Camera shake means that during the exposure the camera moved. This movement can be very small and still create blurry images especially if shooting at a very slow shutter speed. You can reduce the risk of camera shake by simply learning how to hold your camera. In the event you find an image you really love but is blurry, Photoshop can help to a certain degree. Shake reduction is a special filter to sharpen an image. This filter should only be used as a last resort. Use automatic camera shake reduction Open an image. Right mouse click on the … [Read more...] about Fixing Camera Shake with Photoshop
Why I’m Shooting With A Canon 7D MK II
Yep you read that title right. I am going to be using the new Canon 7D MK II as my primary camera. For most of the last three years, Ive mainly relied on Micro Four Thirds cameras from Olympus and Panasonic. They are inexpensive, super easy to carry and offer amazing image quality. In the case of the Panasonic, these cameras offer some of the best and most affordable ways to capture professional video. DSLR or MFT? I have occasionally used DSLRs for big shoots like Coastal Brown Bears or American Bald Eagles. While I often use DSLRs for birds … [Read more...] about Why I’m Shooting With A Canon 7D MK II
About Gray Market Camera Gear
Canon recently published a press release about gray market Canon products being sold in the USA. For those of our readers who live in the U.S., it is important to know what gray market stands for and what it means to you. Keep in mind, this affects all camera brand and manufacturers. I know many people who buy gray market products to save a few dollars. I am not giving you advice either way. I do want you to know some of the potential pitfalls. Then the rest is up to you. What is the Gray Market? When you buy a camera or camera gear from a … [Read more...] about About Gray Market Camera Gear
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
Custom Camera Calibration in Lightroom
A few months back I wrote an article, "Click Away Digital is Free, or is it?" after my trusty Nikon D700 died. It was replaced with the latest and great D810. The D810 received great reviews and the camera specs are very impressive. So if the D810 is a better camera why were my photos looking dull and flat when I imported them into Lightroom? Creating a new camera profile when importing my RAW images fixed the problem. The Problem My photography career has taken me down the path of a generalist. I photography portraits, sports, events, … [Read more...] about Custom Camera Calibration in Lightroom
What Does Daylight Savings Time Mean for Photographers?
When I was a kid in Sister Tonis 4th grade class, she gave us a handy way to remember Daylight Savings Time. Spring forward; turn the clock ahead lose an hour. Fall back, turn the clock back gain an hour. For years this little saying has helped me remember which way to turn the clock at 2 a.m. But what does it really mean for Photographers? For starters, make sure your camera has daylight savings enabled and check to make sure it automatically adjusted the cameras time. If not. change it manually. Set Your Cameras Clock Your cameras … [Read more...] about What Does Daylight Savings Time Mean for Photographers?
Domke’s Next Generation Camera Bag
When I was just a kid - and gasoline was only 52 cents a gallon, my first camera bag was a Domke bag. Every working photo journalist I know has owned or still uses a Domke bag. They have always been very sturdy for the money and very easy to work out of. I used my old Domke bag for 30 years. It was time for a new one so enter the Domke J-LEDGE-RM Ledger Rugged Wear (Military/Black). Its part of the Next Generation Journalist series of bags that Domke offers and as usual, its a keeper. The old F-6 (one of the models I used to use along with … [Read more...] about Domke’s Next Generation Camera Bag
Zeroing Out Your Camera
There I was shooting a Lacrosse game in the bright Florida sun. Before the game started, I snapped a shot to make sure I had my settings dialed in. Looked good so I fired off a burst at 9 frames per second during the opening face off. I looked at the images and noticed the exposure was all over the place. Some images were dead on, others were either under or over exposed. Raise your hand if this has ever happen to you, laugh if it has happen more than once! I stopped for a second, took a deep breath then realized earlier in the week I had … [Read more...] about Zeroing Out Your Camera
For God’s Sake, Hold Your Camera Correctly!
While we were at the Las Vegas Photoshop World, Photofocus hosted a focus group breakfast. Our mission, ask our loyal subscribers what topics they want us to write about and give us honest feedback on how we are doing. Several people commented, "We want more controversial articles that make us think, don't be afraid to hold back." So, here is an article that I'm sure is going to offend a few people, well only those that are not holding their camera correctly! Last week I photographed a swim meet for Aran, talented 13 year old multi-sport … [Read more...] about For God’s Sake, Hold Your Camera Correctly!
How to Find a Model
By adding the word model to the title, I knew that would get your attention. I really meant to say, how to find someone willing to allow me to photograph them so I can work on a new style or learn about lighting. But that title was way too long and really, most photographers like the term model. It conjures up images of drop dead, beautiful runway women. So, how do we find subjects to work with? Experimenting Depending on what you are trying to accomplish, you can use family, friends, co-workers or people you meet everyday. Approach them and be … [Read more...] about How to Find a Model
Seven Myths About The Need for Full Frame Camera Bodies (Updated)
A few years back, I made the switch to micro four-thirds and mirrorless cameras. I am more convinced than ever that these cameras perform as well as ANY camera in 95% of the situations where it counts. While I used to be an advocate for full frame cameras, I changed my mind when I saw the advantages of going small. So to counter all the posts that are out there advocating why you need a full frame camera, here's why I think you may not. 1. The Need for Low Light Performance One of the arguments for full-frame cameras is that they offer better … [Read more...] about Seven Myths About The Need for Full Frame Camera Bodies (Updated)
