On the heels of Yahoo's purchase by Verizon, SmugMug has bought former Yahoo property Flickr. SmugMug has promised that neither product is going anywhere, but has yet to offer any specific details about the future of Flickr. According to an FAQ page about the acquisition, "Flickr and SmugMug will continue to operate separately, just as both have been. Your SmugMug and Flickr accounts will remain separate and independent for the foreseeable future." "Flickr is an amazing community, full of some of the world's most passionate photographers. … [Read more...] about SmugMug Just Purchased Flickr
photography
Improve Your Photography Skills For $0 – $5 with these Essential Tools
As a beginner photographer, we don't always have a killer budget to invest in education. I found some very useful tools over the years that helped me along the way without breaking the bank. Here are 5 totally FREE options to improve your photography skills! 1) YouTube This is such a powerful one. We have access to thousands of hours of free content right at our fingertips. Everything is in there. I can't tell you how many times I looked for video tutorials and how many times I found the answers in a matter of seconds. There are … [Read more...] about Improve Your Photography Skills For $0 – $5 with these Essential Tools
Searching for a Lightroom Alternative: Is it Time to Switch?
Since Adobe changed some of its Creative Cloud pricing on Monday (4/16/18; note the Photography plans were not impacted), there's been a lot of discussion surrounding alternatives to Lightroom. And while Lightroom continues to be the industry standard for photo editing and organization, there's a lot of tools out there that are great alternatives for people who don't want to be married to a subscription model. Luminar $59 for Photofocus readers; available for Mac and Windows I've been using Skylum's Luminar 2018 since it first came out, and … [Read more...] about Searching for a Lightroom Alternative: Is it Time to Switch?
The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast April 13, 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-mind-your-own-business-podcast-photofocus-podcast-april-13-2018 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please post a review on iTunes. In this episode, Skip Cohen and Chamira Young chat with renowned photographer Anne Geddes. We discuss in detail: How storytelling relates to photography How to be authentic in your work Finding your personal creativity and style, and the importance of being able to control light How to find the photographic "bliss" that will drive your work … [Read more...] about The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast April 13, 2018
Beauty Photography Basics
If your goal is to shoot beauty portraits, you must understand that not only does the model want to feel flawless, but the hair and makeup artists want their work to look beautiful in the final image as well. You may know a lot of various lighting setups but when it comes to beauty the main goal is to avoid creating unflattering lighting that either expose the subject’s uneven skin and hair texture (acne problems, fine line or wrinkles, coarse or damaged hair) or visually age them. For that reason, your choice of light modifiers and main … [Read more...] about Beauty Photography Basics
The InFocus Interview Show | Photofocus Podcast April 6, 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-infocus-interview-show-photofocus-podcast-april-6-2018/s-FwwbO Remember to check out our great sponsors including TruLife acrylic, MPB.com, ThinkTapLearn In this episode: Rick Friedman Photojournalist Rick Friedman talks about: His career that involved photographing every US Presidential campaign since Jimmy Carter How his Photojournalist days influence his portrait sessions. How to nail your exposure. Pitfalls of “Chimping”. Tips to control overshooting How to expose for the … [Read more...] about The InFocus Interview Show | Photofocus Podcast April 6, 2018
Coloring a Rockstar
Guitarist, singer, and photographer Ken Susi of the band, "Unearth", dropped by the Photographic Test Kitchen, for a portrait session. Our goal is how to create a different look by using colors. Creating the First Image In the first image, I used 2 Dynalite Baja B6 strobes, one on either side and slightly behind Ken, giving him the light on his face. Both strobes had a Dynalite 20 degree, 7” grid. The ends of both of the grids were wrapped in Rosco Cinefoil, black tin foil, that controls how the light is spread. On the left side I used a … [Read more...] about Coloring a Rockstar
The InFocus Interview Show | Photofocus Podcast March 30, 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/infocus-interview-show-photofocus-podcast-march-30-2018/s-uuin1 Remember to check out our great sponsors including TruLife acrylic, MPB.com, ThinkTapLearn In this episode: Eddie Tapp I had a chance to sit down with Commercial Photographer Eddie Tapp while he was in Florida giving a lecture to The Camera Club of Brevard Florida. Eddie talks about Learning to see the delicacy of light, The 4 Qualities of light--Spectacular Highlights, Diffused Highlights, Diffused Shadows, and Hard Shadows– and he gives a … [Read more...] about The InFocus Interview Show | Photofocus Podcast March 30, 2018
Tips and Tricks for Using Layers
What is a Layer? Layers are a powerful way to “build up” your images. They allow you to add filters--or stack several filters together--to apply corrections or enhancements. Changing blending modes, adding a layer mask and adjusting the overall opacity (revealing or hiding the layer below) will give you the freedom to experiment until you achieve exactly the look you’d like for your image. Base Layer Luminar creates a base layer when an image is first opened. Think of this as the background layer. Since there isn’t a layer beneath it, you … [Read more...] about Tips and Tricks for Using Layers
How to Create a Photo Series: Learn How Live at ShutterFest 2018
(Editor's note: The following article is part of a class Photofocus authors will be teaching--sponsored by Skylum, makers of Luminar--at ShutterFest April 3-4, 2018. Each day we will post helpful tips and tricks plus share some of our behind the scenes videos. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter or check back here. Remember to also follow Skylum!) Creating a photo series isn’t as complicated as it sounds. Norman Rockwell—an American author, painter, and illustrator—is famous for creating a series of paintings reflecting American … [Read more...] about How to Create a Photo Series: Learn How Live at ShutterFest 2018
The Traveling Photographer: Photographing People: Guidelines
As traveling photographers, we all wear many hats—landscape photographer, bird photographer, portrait photographer, food photographer, etc. We may feel comfortable in some of the hats we wear, and some hats just don’t seem to fit well at all. I had my roots in landscape and nature photography then moved on to cityscapes. Photographing people on the streets in the places I visited always seemed a tough fit. So I pushed hard--taking a class, watching videos, reading some books, and making lots of pictures--to figure out how to get good shots … [Read more...] about The Traveling Photographer: Photographing People: Guidelines
What’s In the Bag: Gear I Use to Photograph President Trump
Last week I was assigned to photograph President Trump during his visit to Manchester, NH. I try to bring all gear I might need on the first trip to the site. Quite often it is a very long walk from the parking lot to the press entrance. Once you are inside you don't want to go back out, or you may not be allowed to go back out through security. After you go through the press entrance, you proceed to press check-in, where you are issued your press pass for the day. Often there are long lines to wait in as credentials are … [Read more...] about What’s In the Bag: Gear I Use to Photograph President Trump
Lights, Colors, Fractals
I shot this photograph at WPPI in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago. I was at the ClickProps Studio Backdrops booth. This company makes over 500 backdrops in various designs and sizes, and we got to test out a number of them. This photograph was shot against the "Brick Natural" backdrop. Our shooting space that was only about 5 feet by 10 feet. A Collaboration Between Two Photographers The photograph was a collaboration between 2 photographers: the model, Kat Armendariz of Hush Hush Shoot Studio in Las Vegas and me. Kat is one of Las Vegas's … [Read more...] about Lights, Colors, Fractals
How to Use Luminar’s Brushes, Filters and Masks – Part 2
Welcome to part two of this series. You can find Part 1 here. In this article, I'll show you two ways to use the Brush and Masking to apply the Dehaze Filter. These techniques can be applied to the other Filters as well. To follow along you will need Luminar 2018. Using the Brush with the Dehaze Filter This video is about one way you can use the Brush with the Dehaze filter. In this example, we are going to enhance a sky. Using the Brush by Painting on the Mask a Little at a Time This video is about another way to use the Brush with … [Read more...] about How to Use Luminar’s Brushes, Filters and Masks – Part 2
Go from Drab to Fab by Replacing Skies
In Michigan, we get a lot of gray days. But as photographers, we can't let the weather hold us back. Let me show you how I used Luminar 2018 to replace the sky and make my image more engaging. Preparing Your Image In my case, I had already had an image that I processed in Luminar. I did some clone stamping and really played around with the tones, making for a blue-ish, cool tone. But the sky was completely flat, despite using the blue tone present. Choosing a Sky While I loved how my photograph turned out, I knew I wasn't getting any … [Read more...] about Go from Drab to Fab by Replacing Skies
Beyond Technique Podcast | Photofocus Podcast March 21, 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/beyond-technique-podcast-photofocus-podcast-march-21-2018 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please, post a review on iTunes. Welcome to Beyond Technique, a podcast empowering photographers to bring their businesses to the next level! In this episode, Skip Cohen and Chamira Young dive deep into a discussion with editorial, corporate, and advertising photographer Todd Spoth. We discuss in detail: how paying attention to details about your client can help facilitate trust the role … [Read more...] about Beyond Technique Podcast | Photofocus Podcast March 21, 2018
How to Use Luminar’s Brushes, Filters and Masks – Part 1
Filter masks in Luminar 2018 give you the ability to use the filters beyond just applying them to the entire image. This gives you flexibility and adds to your creativity. I have written a series of three articles. In Part 1 of the series, I talk about the basics of filter masks and brush and mask basics. In Part 2, I show you two ways to apply a mask using the Brush with the Dehaze Filter. In Part 3, I show you the basics of using the Gradient mask with the Dehaze Filter to enhance the sky, the basics of using the Luminosity mask with the … [Read more...] about How to Use Luminar’s Brushes, Filters and Masks – Part 1
Inspiration vs. Perspiration for Photographers
Education is so key to the photography business these days. If you can’t do it, you can learn it, and odds are, it’s free or very cheap. But how cheap is education? There is a stark difference between cheap education and education that’s cheap, and both are taking hold in the photography world now more than ever. Education is cheap now, but it might be cheap in more ways than one. Learning and educating yourself are no longer an accessory. They are a necessity. You are expected to know every part of your camera and the gear that you use. … [Read more...] about Inspiration vs. Perspiration for Photographers
Getty Stands Up for Photographers’ Rights Online
You may have noticed a few weeks ago that Google made some minor changes to its Image Search service. Prior to this change, you used to be able to search for an image and view just that image — making it easy for people to download. The problem here is that people took advantage of this a little too much, often violating copyright. Now, when you search for "summer in Michigan" (wishful thinking), you're provided with an option to visit the page that the image appears on, but there's no direct way to view the high-resolution source … [Read more...] about Getty Stands Up for Photographers’ Rights Online
Super Important Habits for Saving Photographs part 1
(Editor's note: Photofocus author Tim Grey tackles the nine most important backup habits for photographers in this three-part, easy to digest series. Check-in for the second installment next Tuesday.) Every photographer dreads the thought of losing photos due to a failed hard drive or some other problem. When it comes to defining a workflow for backing up your photos, there are certain habits I have found particularly important. Presented here are the nine backup habits that I consider most important for photographers, and that go beyond … [Read more...] about Super Important Habits for Saving Photographs part 1
Beyond Technique Podcast | Photofocus Podcast February 21, 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/beyond-technique-podcast-photofocus-podcast-february-21-2018 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please, post a review on iTunes. Welcome to Beyond Technique, a podcast empowering photographers to bring their businesses to the next level! In this episode, Skip Cohen and Chamira Young dive deep into a discussion about food photography with Christina Peters. We discuss in detail: how food photography ties into product, still life, headshot, and livestock photography accommodating … [Read more...] about Beyond Technique Podcast | Photofocus Podcast February 21, 2018
The Traveling Photographer: Driving Route 66
Route 66 cut through the heartland of the US, from Chicago to Los Angeles. Known as the "Main Street of America" or the "Mother Road," it was established in 1926 and became popularized by the Route 66 television show which aired in the 1960s and the song “Get your Kicks on Route 66" by American songwriter Bobby Troup. Although the original Route 66 was removed from the highway system in 1985, stretches of the route remain accessible off of the interstate. Along these stretches are bits and pieces of Americana, weathered buildings … [Read more...] about The Traveling Photographer: Driving Route 66
The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast February 9, 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-mind-your-own-business-podcast-photofocus-podcast-february-9-2018 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please post a review on iTunes. In this episode, Skip Cohen and Chamira Young chat with photographer and marketing expert Sarah Petty. We discuss in detail: Common marketing mistakes many photographers make tips on pricing the difficulty of being a "shoot and burn" photographers picking a business model early on the strategic things smart photographers do ways to build … [Read more...] about The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast February 9, 2018
Svalbard (Part 2-thermal preparation)
Traveling to a polar region, whether the Arctic or the Antarctic, instantly brings to mind glaciers, icebergs, and very possibly snow, sleet or rain. These regions also can have rapidly changing conditions, all in the same day. It takes specialized clothing and gear to comfortably shoot in extreme weather, but you can’t get the shot if you are too cold to venture out on deck when the action is happening. Shore landings may be for several hours, so one needs to be well prepared for staying out in the elements for an extended … [Read more...] about Svalbard (Part 2-thermal preparation)
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
Beyond Technique Podcast | Photofocus Podcast January 17, 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/beyond-technique-podcast-photofocus-podcast-january-17-2018 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please post a review on iTunes. Welcome to Beyond Technique, a podcast empowering photographers to bring their businesses to the next level! In this episode, Skip Cohen and Chamira Young dive deep into a discussion about the benefits of having special photography projects with Stacy Pearsall. We discuss in detail: How Stacy was brought out of a dark place through the Veteran's Portrait … [Read more...] about Beyond Technique Podcast | Photofocus Podcast January 17, 2018
Evolution of a Glamour Image in Post
Great Glamour Starts with Light but Finishes with Luminosity One of the concepts I stress most with my students is that photography is all about the play of lights and darks; tonal value is more important than color! I find that, most of the time, the path to a great color image runs through a B&W conversion, at some point. It is much easier to make tone and contrast decisions when you are not being distracted by color. Once an ideal B&W is achieved, you can apply the B&W luminosity to the original color. The following example, … [Read more...] about Evolution of a Glamour Image in Post
Photographer of the Day: Neil Edwin Sinadjan
Category: Street Photography Photograph: "Hold on to hope" by Neil Edwin Sinadjan In photography, we often label photos by their genre and style. The beauty of the powerful image "Hold on to hope" by Neil Edwin Sinadjan is that it transcends these labels. This scene is from the Traslación of the Black Nazarene, a procession through the streets of the city Quiapo, in the Philipines, that attracts millions of devotees. The Black Nazarene is a carving made by an unknown Mexican artist in the 16th century, and transported to the Philippines. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Neil Edwin Sinadjan
Panasonic’s New Camera: Lumix GH5S
The GH5S is the latest camera from Panasonic, and it's carving out an interesting niche. It's not a replacement for the GH5 (which was made available only one year ago), and it's got a very interesting feature set. I haven't had one of these in my hands, yet, so this isn't a review--it's simply my impressions. Let me show you what stands out to me and I'll let you know whether I'll be buying one. The Body The GH5S is the same as the original GH5 on the outside. It looks like it could be the same chassis, and I don't notice any different … [Read more...] about Panasonic’s New Camera: Lumix GH5S
Its All About the Square
Why I love Instagram & Hipstamatic Like every photographer nowadays, I have been shooting with my iPhone more—it has virtually replaced the pocket point & shoot! The one camera that is always with me, it has come to represent the future of photography technology, and it cannot be ignored. More often than not, my go-to photo app is Hipstamatic. Why? The funky, old fashioned, snapshot camera simulator has an interesting effect on my vision, simplifying my approach to picture making by virtually removing the post-processing part of image … [Read more...] about Its All About the Square
