Editor's Note: Vanelli has used a preproduction model of the Platypod Ultra that we were sent for test shooting. The units are on Kickstarter now, but only until Sunday, July 25, 2017. Consider ordering one if you want to get the product first. Tripods are a great tool to steady a shot and keep the subject in focus. Sometimes their size prevents them from being placed in exact position you need to capture a shot. This is where a Platypod fits in. Here’s how I used the new Platypod Ultra to keep the camera low to capture … [Read more...] about How I Got the Shot: Great Reflections with Platypod Ultra
Platypod
Shoot Anywhere With Platypod Ultra
I've become a fan of Platypod Ultra. It's got all the best features of the original Pro and the larger Max, and it fits in my back pocket. It goes everywhere I go from road trips to long hikes. I use it in airports, cities, and other places tripods just aren't safe to use. Let me show you some of the ways I've been employing Ultra in my photography and you'll see that you should have one, too. Group Portraits This is an easy way to use Ultra, and since it's small and light you can have a solid platform for your camera with you all the time. … [Read more...] about Shoot Anywhere With Platypod Ultra
Platypod Ultra – The Best Alternative to a Tripod
Let’s get a few things out of the way before I get to the review. I’ve bought five Platypod Pros and three Platypod Max units for myself in the past. I’ve stashed a Platypod in every camera bag and even my car’s glovebox. I’ve loved the original Platypod Pro (review) and the Platypod Max (review). I can call the inventor and offer feedback. I appear on the Kickstarter page and offer a testimonial because I believe in the products so much. What is It? The Platypod Ultra is a tripod alternative. It combines with virtually … [Read more...] about Platypod Ultra – The Best Alternative to a Tripod
Photowalk: Orlando, April 21st, 5:30 pm
We're at it again. We're getting together and practicing making pictures. This is a fun time to meet and make photographs and chat and have a fun time. Since we're visiting for Photoshop World, we'll meet at the Hyatt Regency Lobby where the conference is being held. We'll meet at 5:30 pm, head down International Drive and find some photos and maybe grab a bite before Stacy Pearsall's talk later in the evening. We can practice architecture, street portraiture, and even long exposure motion capture. We're looking forward to seeing you and having … [Read more...] about Photowalk: Orlando, April 21st, 5:30 pm
Photowalk Las Vegas: 6:00pm Wednesday, Feb. 8th
Many of our Photofocus team will be in Las Vegas for the WPPI photography conference, and we'd love to get together and make pictures with you. Photowalks like this are a great time to put into practice various techniques that you don't otherwise get time to use. We won't be walking very far on this walk, but we will be shooting a lot. We're in Las Vegas, so let's practice making pictures that show off the light and excitement of the strip. We'll do long exposures and motion and see some of the iconic spots. We'll meet at the gazebo outside … [Read more...] about Photowalk Las Vegas: 6:00pm Wednesday, Feb. 8th
“I Like This Picture Because…”
I think the Snake River Plain in southern Idaho is one of the prettiest places in the world and one of the hardest places to photograph. It’s expansive and grand and as you drive you’ll see heavenly light and subtle color and texture changes that make it seem like you’re driving through a painting. But when you stop to make a photograph, you’ll see that it’s difficult to make a picture that expresses the beauty you see with your eyes. Idaho isn’t the only place that offers this obstacle. Most beautiful places can stymie even experienced … [Read more...] about “I Like This Picture Because…”
Photofocus Products Of The Year – Kevin Ames
Editor’s Note: It’s time for something new. In the past, Photofocus has made it a practice of acknowledging a specific camera and/or lens as the “camera/lens” of the year. This year several of us are putting together a list including camera and lens choices along with a few other pieces of gear that we think you’ll like. While it’s not designed specifically as a holiday gift guide, this list does happen to be a resource for photographers (and their friends/family) who want to get the ball rolling on their holiday shopping. A few things … [Read more...] about Photofocus Products Of The Year – Kevin Ames
Quick Tip: Use a Platypod as a Tripod
What is a Platypod? A Platypod is a versatile compact designed base ideal for supporting cameras to capture below-angle shots and for situations where traditional tripods are cumbersome or impractical. Mounting your Camera This video shows how to replace your tripod by mounting your camera to a Platypod with a Ball Head. This gives you a solid base allowing you to place your camera in places that are impractical for tripods. Use the included spikes to level the base on uneven surfaces. https://youtu.be/C7JV3jZC0ew … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Use a Platypod as a Tripod
Live Speaker Schedule for Saturday at Photo Plus Expo
We've got a great speaker lineup, today, at Photo Plus Expo. In addition to our own Vanelli, Richard Harrington, and Levi Sim, we're honored to have Joe McNally, George Redhawk, Troy Plota, and Sascha Scheider joining us, and they're going to show you how to make photographs that'll make your work stand out from the crowd. Win A Camera! If you come to our booth, not only will get some terrific education free of charge, you'll also be able to enter our drawing for a brand new camera! And it happens to be a top-of-the-line mirrorless camera, … [Read more...] about Live Speaker Schedule for Saturday at Photo Plus Expo
Live Speaker Schedule for Friday at Photo Plus Expo
We've got a great speaker lineup, today, at Photo Plus Expo. In addition to our own Vanelli, Richard Harrington, and Levi Sim, we're honored to have Joe McNally, Sam Isom, Troy Plota, and Sascha Scheider joining us, and they're going to show you how to make photographs that'll make your work stand out from the crowd. Win A Camera! If you come to our booth, not only will get some terrific education free of charge, you'll also be able to enter our drawing for a brand new camera! And it happens to be a top-of-the-line mirrorless camera, the … [Read more...] about Live Speaker Schedule for Friday at Photo Plus Expo
Attach Your Camera To A Railing for a Unique Perspective
It’s been said that if you want better pictures you need to put your camera in better places. One better place to put your camera is where there are bridges and railings. These are usually elevated and offer a different perspective than we get from street level. Let’s take a look at some examples. You’ll often find thick cement railings on bridges. This one is a modern bridge in Chicago, but anywhere the Civil Conservation Corps worked in the 1930’s you’ll also find terrific bridges with wide railings. National parks and other high traffic … [Read more...] about Attach Your Camera To A Railing for a Unique Perspective
Live Speaker Schedule for Thursday at Photo Plus Expo
We've got a great speaker lineup for Thursday at Photo Plus Expo. In addition to our own Vanelli, Richard Harrington, and Levi Sim, we're honored to have George Redhawk, Kristi Sherk, Troy Plota,and Sascha Scheider joining us, and they're going to show you how to make photographs that'll make your work stand out from the crowd. Win A Camera! If you come to our booth, not only will get some terrific education free of charge, you'll also be able to enter our drawing for a brand new camera! And it happens to be a top-of-the-line mirrorless … [Read more...] about Live Speaker Schedule for Thursday at Photo Plus Expo
A Year With The Platypod Pro
It’s been around a year ago that I first got my hands on a cool little gadget called the Platypod. It’s an extremely portable camera support that can usually take the place of a traditional tripod. The device requires you to add your own ballhead (I use a cheap $39 ballhead I bought on Amazon for the Platypod Pro) and it all fits nicely in a carrying case that fits easily in your camera bag or can be worn on your belt. Time after time I’ve been in situations where security won’t let me set up a tripod or where it would be unsafe to do … [Read more...] about A Year With The Platypod Pro
Change Perspective to Make Better Photos
If something is worth photographing, it's probably worth photographing from multiple angles. It's easy to start high, at eye-level, because that's how you see the world. Most photographers arrive on location and immediately extend their tripod legs to bring the camera to eye-level. This is the most comfortable place to shoot and you should definitely make a picture at eye-level. But you should also get down and see how low you can go. Get Down Low Lowering your tripod will give you a whole new photograph. If you told me I had to shoot … [Read more...] about Change Perspective to Make Better Photos
Double Up–Packing Extras When You Travel
Seeing double? I see double every time I pack for a trip. Like two remote shutter releases, two tripod plates, and the list continues, including two cameras or camera bodies. Sometimes I also see triple, quadruple, and beyond. It has never failed. Just when everything is going great I seem to misplace or lose something when I am out shooting for the day, away from my hotel room. Or my equipment stops working or breaks. Now I try to second guess my future travails, and plan head with multiples. I recommend the same for any traveling … [Read more...] about Double Up–Packing Extras When You Travel
How to Compensate for a Lightweight Tripod
Maybe you're on a trip and you only brought a lightweight tripod, or maybe you were seduced into buying that cheap tripod that came in a package with your camera. Either way, you'll find that using a lightweight tripod often ruins the pictures you're trying to make. A tripod is supposed to be a steady platform for shooting, but if it's too light then a breeze can make the whole thing shake during an exposure and ruin the picture with movement blur. The following techniques will help you get the most from your lightweight tripod even in less … [Read more...] about How to Compensate for a Lightweight Tripod
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
Get a Grip with Platypod Pro Max
Whenever I see a new piece of photo gear, one of the first things I ask myself is "what else can it do?" You'll find great reviews of Platypod Pro Max by my fellow Photofocus authors extolling it's virtues as a camera platform - and while it certainly excels at that - I'm more interested in what else it can do. Its large flat surface and 3/8-16 thread made me immediately think it could also be perfect as a lighting platform whenever I wanted to place a kicker light close to the ground. I've improvised many times in the past, using everything … [Read more...] about Get a Grip with Platypod Pro Max
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
Playtpod Pro Max: Making “Pull, Push, Prowler”
Recently, I had a chance to try out some new techniques while shooting. One of my clients, The Rack Athletic Performance Center, is a training facility cleverly disguised as a gym. The trainers there emphasize functional training, not working out. I produce short, less than a minute, easy to absorb videos that are an integral part of their marketing and social media outreach. Pull Push Prowler One of the pieces of training gear we focused on is the Prowler. This is an equilateral triangle made of steel with sled like skis at each apex. There … [Read more...] about Playtpod Pro Max: Making “Pull, Push, Prowler”
Looking for a Hiking Tripod? Platypod Max is It
I hike every week with my family, and I travel by air and shoot in other cities every month. You and I both know that using a tripod unlocks picture opportunities that just can't be made without one. I can use it for super long exposures to blur the sea and clouds, or reduce traffic to trails of light down the road, and make waterfalls that pour smoothly into eternity. However, carrying a tripod can be wearisome. Just thinking about carrying it on a seven-mile hike makes my shoulders and legs hurt. I know I need a tripod, and I know my … [Read more...] about Looking for a Hiking Tripod? Platypod Max is It
Platypod Pro Max – How to Make Any Camera Rock Solid (Without a Tripod)
Sure, most of us know that we’re supposed to use a tripod when making great photos. A stable camera means sharper photos and the ability to shoot in lower lighting levels without camera shake. Why Use a Tripod In my own photography, I often find that stability is essential. Of course it’s a must in my timelapse and video work, but it also comes in handy when shooting in lowlight. I also love long exposure photography, to drag the shutter and slow down motion. I also use HDR for my black and white as well as product photography, so … [Read more...] about Platypod Pro Max – How to Make Any Camera Rock Solid (Without a Tripod)
Platypod Pro Camera Support – Deluxe Kit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-caZNZW5UrA (NOTE this is an infomercial for Platypod - I include it here because it is frankly pretty darn good at explaining the product in a way that a written blog post cannot.) While Rich & I were walking the show floor at Photoshop World in Las Vegas last August, we came upon an ingenious little product invented and sold by a mom & pop company called Platypod Pro. The inventor of the Platypod is a doctor from the NYC area. He's a photography enthusiast who wanted to solve the problem of camera … [Read more...] about Platypod Pro Camera Support – Deluxe Kit
Pinball Heroes: How I Previsualized and Realized a Photograph
When I heard that Photofocus was renting the Pinball Hall of Fame for a party, my mind started going crazy with ideas. The plan was to host a party during Photoshop World in Las Vegas and invite Photofocus readers to join us for a live shoot with models and borrowable cameras from LensRentals.com. The party was a blast, and you've already seen some of the pictures posted here on the blog. I had a particular plan in mind, however, and I'll show you how I made it come to life, and maybe my method will help you realize a vision you've had in … [Read more...] about Pinball Heroes: How I Previsualized and Realized a Photograph
Walking around New York City with the Platypod Pro
New York City is probably my favorite place in the world. I grew up outside the city in a small town in Connecticut, and love taking the train into New York to enjoy the hustle-and-bustle sights and sounds of a city that never sleeps. Recently, I met a friend of mine in New York City to walk around and make a stop to my new favorite restaurant in Little Italy. Hes not as into photography as I am so I opted for a smaller camera bag with less gear. I only took one body, one lens, a cell phone tripod, and 2 Platypod Pro portable tripods. … [Read more...] about Walking around New York City with the Platypod Pro
Photofocus Podcast September 15, 2015 — Lisa Robinson, Scott Bourne, Platypod Pro, and Bert Monroy
This week we catch up with a lot of great folks. Our main interviews are with Lisa Robinson and Bert Monroy who will both share techniques and inspiration. We're honored to have Scott Bourne back on the show as a co-host this week and we even catch up with the creator of the Platypod Pro. Get the show here or get it on iTunes Don't forget to post a review on iTunes. Lisa Robinson Lisa Robinson is a professional wedding photographer from Washington, DC. She also shoot boudoir photography for her clients. She's been a small business … [Read more...] about Photofocus Podcast September 15, 2015 — Lisa Robinson, Scott Bourne, Platypod Pro, and Bert Monroy
How to Beat the Tripod Police Without Sacrificing Stability
I'm six foot four and built like a pro wrestler. If it weren't for TSA Pre my camera bag would be dismantled every time I fly. It just seems that I attract attention from "authority figures" just about every single time. Toss in dark skin and my propensity for bringing a camera just about everywhere I go, and I am a magnet for the "tripod police." An Alternative to Tripods I've found the perfect solution... the Platypod Pro. This tripod alternative lets me use a full size ball-head without the need to carry a tripod. So let's break down … [Read more...] about How to Beat the Tripod Police Without Sacrificing Stability
