I've now been playing around with the Sony a9 and the Olympus OM-D E-M1X for a few weeks and gotten to know them quite a bit better. I shot sports photographs in all kinds of lighting conditions (the good, the bad and the really crappy ones). This article sums up my experience with both cameras and my opinion on their performance. All men are not created equal. Neither are cameras. Each and every individual has something unique to bring to the table. There's no "one-size-fits-all" magic recipe. I am not looking for THE ultimate perfect … [Read more...] about Will I switch from DSLR to Mirrorless? The final round
sports
Will I switch from DSLR to Mirrorless? My first photoshoot experience with the Olympus OM-D E-M1X
As I already mentioned in my very first article, that I am looking at upgrading my photography gear (my two Nikon D750 cameras). As this is a pretty expensive move, I am currently trying both the Sony a9 and Olympus OM-D E-M1X to see which one would best fit my sports photography needs. Now's the time to experiment with the new top-of-the-line micro four-thirds camera — the E-M1X. What I am looking for in my new partner I have specific needs regarding my sports photography. Above all, I need high ISO capabilities and great autofocus. Good … [Read more...] about Will I switch from DSLR to Mirrorless? My first photoshoot experience with the Olympus OM-D E-M1X
Will I switch from DSLR to Mirrorless? My first photoshoot experience with the Sony a9
As you might already know, I am seriously thinking about changing my DSLR gear in favor of mirrorless. Because it would require a very important investment — perhaps one of the biggest I could make as a photographer — I want to feel 100% confident about my decision. For review purposes, I've been loaned two camera bodies: The new micro four-thirds Olympus OM-D E-M1X and the full-frame Sony a9. This article reviews my first photoshoot experience with the latter. Our first date Cloudy sky, soft light coming through the window, this was the … [Read more...] about Will I switch from DSLR to Mirrorless? My first photoshoot experience with the Sony a9
Are you considering switching your DSLR to a mirrorless? I am
I've been using DSLRs from the day I started doing photography. But frankly, with the growing quality of the Mirrorless market, I feel quite tempted to do the big jump ... Still, will spending my hard earned money really be worth it? Today I'm sharing my thoughts, hopes and concerns about completely switching my photography gear. Once upon a time ... Not so long ago, I remember living a happy and fulfilled life, taking pictures in the gyms with my two DSLRs, never second guessing my cameras or lenses. They were doing what I expected from … [Read more...] about Are you considering switching your DSLR to a mirrorless? I am
Shutter Priority and when to use it
Shutter Priority exposure mode is a fantastic tool for controlling how motion appears in your final image. This exposure mode allows the photographer to set the shutter speed while the camera determines the aperture. Most DSLR and mirrorless cameras offer at least four different exposure modes including shutter priority, aperture priority, program mode and manual. Although I shoot the majority of my images in aperture priority, I regularly use shutter priority for subjects where I’m concerned about properly conveying motion. How to set up … [Read more...] about Shutter Priority and when to use it
Editing hundreds of images in minutes with Luminar’s batch processing
Batch processing is a huge time saver in my editing workflow. It allows me to be more efficient and deliver images faster to my clients with the exact look, format and size I want. No doubt after reading this, you'll fall in love with this process too! What is batch processing? Batch processing is an automated action that allows us to apply a Look to multiple images in a single click. It's a tremendous and easy way to edit hundreds — thousands! — of images with the same unique and seamless look at once. Why do I use it? When I have hundreds … [Read more...] about Editing hundreds of images in minutes with Luminar’s batch processing
Photographing high school football with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, part three
Editor’s Note: We welcome Bob Panick to Photofocus. Bob is an enthusiastic amateur photographer based in the Detroit area. Bob shoots a variety of subjects including sports, landscape, nature and automotive. Bob has little to no interest in being a professional photographer and shoots for his own enjoyment. Bob learned photography back in the 70s, got away from it and came back about 10 years ago. You can check out his sports-related work at https://photos.panick.com/. Click here to read part one and part two. Pro Capture Pro Capture is a … [Read more...] about Photographing high school football with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, part three
How to photograph sledding (comprehensive)
Wanna have some fun this winter? Go photograph kids sledding. When your subjects are having fun, you're sure to have fun, too. It's a great excuse to get out and make pictures and keep your eye sharp through the winter. As much fun as it is, there are some surprising challenges you'll need to overcome if you want to make epic sledding pictures. Let's talk about camera settings and shooting techniques so you can get great pictures quickly and focus on having fun. White balance Why is white balance at the top of the list? It's simple, but … [Read more...] about How to photograph sledding (comprehensive)
Combo superpower: Using Luminar 3 and Aurora HDR 2019 together
Whether it be for outdoor images or oppositely poorly lit indoor ones, combining the power of both Aurora and Luminar in my editing workflow helps me achieve looks that would otherwise be impossible to get. Here are two recent pictures example I did with two different lighting conditions. Example 1: The breezy sunrise Picture yourself: It's 6:30 in the morning and you are in the middle of a vast area surrounded, wind and snow and below zero temperature. The sun isn't up yet but a bunch of courageous athletes is already warming up to take on … [Read more...] about Combo superpower: Using Luminar 3 and Aurora HDR 2019 together
The advantage of Auto ISO
In photography, ISO is a rating of your camera sensor’s sensitivity to light. A lower ISO like 50 or 100 means that the sensor will require longer shutter speeds and larger apertures to properly expose an image. A higher ISO like 1600 or 3200 will require shorter shutter speeds and/or smaller apertures to properly expose an image. What is Auto ISO? Almost all current interchangeable lens digital cameras give you the option to manually select an ISO value or to use a setting called Auto ISO. There are advantages to setting your ISO for a … [Read more...] about The advantage of Auto ISO
Photographing high school football with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, part two
Editor’s Note: We welcome Bob Panick to Photofocus. Bob is an enthusiastic amateur photographer based in the Detroit area. Bob shoots a variety of subjects including sports, landscape, nature and automotive. Bob has little to no interest in being a professional photographer and shoots for his own enjoyment. Bob learned photography back in the 70s, got away from it and came back about 10 years ago. You can check out his sports-related work at https://photos.panick.com/. If you haven't read part one, please click here. More settings Exposure … [Read more...] about Photographing high school football with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, part two
Photographing high school football with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, part one
Editor's Note: We welcome Bob Panick to Photofocus. Bob is an enthusiastic amateur photographer based in the Detroit area. Bob shoots a variety of subjects including sports, landscape, nature and automotive. Bob has little to no interest in being a professional photographer and shoots for his own enjoyment. Bob learned photography back in the 70s, got away from it and came back about 10 years ago. You can check out his sports-related work at https://photos.panick.com/. I’ve had a few people asking questions on photographing football so I … [Read more...] about Photographing high school football with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, part one
Timing the power — how to photograph Olympic Weightlifting
I just got back from an amazing Olympic Weightlifting (O-lift) meet. Many athletes were competing to qualify for the upcoming nationals. Needless to say, it's been an intense and exciting event! O-lift is a very challenging discipline. It is challenging to photograph as well. Everything in a lift happens in literally a matter of moments. Timing is the key between making or missing a great shot. Here's exactly what I do to make mesmerizing pictures that the athletes and the event organizers are willing to pay for. Locating the camera In … [Read more...] about Timing the power — how to photograph Olympic Weightlifting
How I use the new Aurora HDR 2019 for NON-landscape photography
Create amazing HDR photographs with Skylum’s Aurora HDR 2019. Purchase today and save plus get a free bundle of training, LUTs and Looks too! I don’t shoot landscapes (like, never, ever). So when the Skylum’s team asked us to give it a try on their Aurora HDR 2019 update, I wasn’t sure what I could write about. My amazing editor, Kevin, told me the articles didn’t have to be super long - and I just had to stay true to myself. So I thought about this big CrossFit event I covered a few days earlier. We were outdoors and the lighting conditions … [Read more...] about How I use the new Aurora HDR 2019 for NON-landscape photography
Summertime fun: Take me out to the ballgame
We recently attended a professional baseball game for the first time in literally decades. We had cousins visiting from Japan for a few days and when asked what they would like to do during their visit to San Diego, they responded with a very specific request: To attend a game between the San Diego Padres vs. the Los Angeles Angels. I purchased tickets online months in advance and thought no more about it until later, corresponding with a Japanese friend who lives in Tokyo. When I mentioned that I would have cousins visit from Japan in … [Read more...] about Summertime fun: Take me out to the ballgame
Evolving as a visual artist takes time, work and practice
This week was a stepping stone for me. It was the third time I was covering the same annual CrossFit competition. Three years of hard work. Three years of experience. I thought it would be cool to do a recap of my three years of evolving as a visual artist in the sports field. I realize that lots of things have changed - and I'm not only talking about my cameras. 2016: Where it all began I remember when I got into photography. I started by taking pictures of everything. A walk in the park was an excuse to bring my camera and experiment … [Read more...] about Evolving as a visual artist takes time, work and practice
Tamron’s 70-200mm lens — is it ready for major league sports?
Our friends at B&H Photo sent me Tamron’s SP70-200mm F/2.8 G2 (Model A025) telephoto lens to see how it performs at a major league sporting event. I kept my Nikon 70-200mm on hand, just in case. At the end of the first quarter, my trusty Nikon lens stayed in my bag! What I liked about it Focus speed The autofocus is fast. I mean really fast. I had no problem keeping up with the fastest sport on two feet, major league lacrosse. Tamron uses an Ultrasonic Silent Drive (USD) ring-type motor, along with two high-performance microcomputers to … [Read more...] about Tamron’s 70-200mm lens — is it ready for major league sports?
Charging the right price: Why is it important?
This article came to my mind a couple weeks ago, as I was approached by several event organizers. They likely were expecting my services for free and were almost hit by lightning when I educated them on the value of what they were asking for. That led me to one important question: Why some people believe that (our fair and right) prices are too high? I finally came up with an answer and found different ways to assert my services. Why do some people mistakenly believe that photographer's rates are too high? How many times have we seen on … [Read more...] about Charging the right price: Why is it important?
The InFocus Interview Show with Wes Maggio | Photofocus Podcast July 6, 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-infocus-interview-show-with-wes-maggio-photofocus-podcast-july-6-2018/s-nVr8l In this episode: Specializing in volume sports portraiture, portrait photographer Weston Maggio shares how he produces Volume Photography and still gets Studio Portraits results. Topics: What is Volume Sports Photography? How long to spend with a subject. What gear is needed. What to expect during a shoot with 50 Plus subjects. The business side of high Volume Photography If you like these Infocus … [Read more...] about The InFocus Interview Show with Wes Maggio | Photofocus Podcast July 6, 2018
Photographer of the Day: Peter Hickson
Category: Sports Photographer: Peter Hickson "Travelling at speed" Peter does a nice job here using panning in this shot of a windsurfer. With the background blurred, the windsurfer is crystal sharp, and the contrast between the different colors present really helps to elevate this to the next level. Originally shared with the Photofocus Flickr community right here. You can be the Photofocus Photographer of the Day. Here's how. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Peter Hickson
Photographer of the Day: Johann Walter Bantz
Category: Sports Photographer: Johann Walter Bantz "we don’t play boxing" This portrait of a boxer does a really great job of showcasing the training process. There's some anticipation present with the boxer, and the capture gives us a great view of the world behind the sport. The black and white treatment strengthens the viewpoint here, as it gives a slight edginess to the shot. Originally shared with the Photofocus Flickr community right here. You can be the Photofocus Photographer of the Day. Here's how. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Johann Walter Bantz
Capturing the Sports Grit Look Using Cross Light with Continuous Light
This is a follow-up article based on the article I wrote: “No Excuses! Making Photos No Matter What.” The article talks about what went through my mind when we were shooting. This article simply focuses on how I got the shot to create the sports grit look using a cross-light setup with continuous light. The Technical Stuff Placed the subject in the middle of two continuous lights set diagonally across from each other on a 45-degree angle Used a black background to isolate the subject Shot on a low angle with a 15-30mm lens at 30mm … [Read more...] about Capturing the Sports Grit Look Using Cross Light with Continuous Light
Gear Review: Ruggard Hunter Pro 65 DSLR Holster Bag
A holster bag is a terrific addition to your camera bag quiver. In fact, it's a very good choice as a first camera bag. You'll always find uses for it, even when your equipment needs outgrow its size. I have far more gear than will fit in this bag, but I use it as a convenient bag for keeping a camera and lens handy. It sits next to me in the car, it goes inside another duffle bag or backpack and I attach it to the belt of my backpack when hiking. In this video, I show you the 65, but it comes in various sizes, including a larger bag which … [Read more...] about Gear Review: Ruggard Hunter Pro 65 DSLR Holster Bag
How to Step Up Your Boxing Photography Game
Boxing combines two challenging components for a photographer: bad lighting and high speed. Challenging task, indeed. Impossible? Not! Here are a few tips I wish I knew before shooting my first fight. The basics Who hasn't seen an amazing shot where someone gets a punch straight in the face - with sweat and blood all over the place? Yeah, this is the ultimate action shot everybody is looking for at a boxing event. It's those kinds of when-preparation-meets-opportunity, you know, "lucky" shots. This instant lasts for such a brief moment, a … [Read more...] about How to Step Up Your Boxing Photography Game
Photographer of the Day: Mike Millspaugh
Category: Sports Photographer: Mike Millspaugh "Newgarden" A great example of panning, Mike captures a racer during qualifying for the Indy Grand Prix. Here, the background is simple yet helps to display motion with the white lines above the car. For its part, the car is very sharp here, and Mike does a nice job of framing it with the race track. Originally shared with the Photofocus Flickr community right here. You can be the Photofocus Photographer of the Day. Here's how. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Mike Millspaugh
No Excuses! Making Photos No Matter What
After a long couple of days of teaching at Photoshop World, my good friends Ray and Kim insisted I join them for dinner and a quick shoot. Exhausted, I tried every excuse not to go but they are the type of friends you can't say no to—and I'm glad I didn't. Here's what went through my mind when we created the Sports Grit Look using a cross-light setup with continuous light. Not My Normal Lighting Gear Normally I use a 3-light setup using studio strobes or speedlights attached to strip boxes and a beauty dish. For this setup, I had one … [Read more...] about No Excuses! Making Photos No Matter What
Photographer of the Day: Mark Fletcher
Category: Sports Photographer: Mark Fletcher "Jamie Vardy - Leicester vs Southampton 19/04/18 (Explored)" Mark captures this soccer player mid-air as the soccer ball reaches his toes, in what is an excellent, well-composed photograph. The blurred background helps to separate the player and make him stand out in what is already an excellent, sharp scene. Originally shared with the Photofocus Flickr community right here. You can be the Photofocus Photographer of the Day. Here's how. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Mark Fletcher
Photographer of the Day: Nic Taylor
Category: Sports Photographer: Nic Taylor "Dropping Bombs!" When sports and portraiture meet, it's often a really dynamic result. Nic's photograph highlights the emotion and energy of boxing by having the boxer punch a boxing bag. The dust and sweat that releases as he hits the bag, coupled with the boxer's energy, makes for a really telling sports portrait. The post-processing and reduction of saturation give this a moody and urban feel that fits the situation perfectly. Originally shared with the Photofocus Flickr community right … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Nic Taylor
Photographer of the Day: John Sessa
Category: Sports Photographer: John Sessa "Gulfstream Park, Florida Derby Day 2018!" John gives a unique perspective at the start of the horse race — right as they're pushing out of the gates with great anticipation. The composition here is well done, giving enough space around the horses to draw in the viewer. John followed it up with a great photograph of the winner, too. Originally shared with the Photofocus Facebook community right here. You can be the Photofocus Photographer of the Day. Here's how. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: John Sessa
Photographer of the Day: George Adkins
Category: Sports Photographer: George Adkins "Morning Surf" George zooms in and captures this surfing image, which, is crystal sharp in showcasing the greatness of the sport. You can see the surfer anticipate the wave; George's composition of the surfer makes this a powerful image. Originally shared with the Photofocus Flickr community right here. You can be the Photofocus Photographer of the Day. Here's how. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: George Adkins
