For 2019, there were a few things I wanted to do differently. One was to shed some weight, and by that, I am referring to how much I carry with me. It was time to change bags and go with something a little lighter.
While there are dozens of options for filters, covering different effects, sizes, and manufacturers, I’ve found that I only need a few key filters for a landscape shoot. I like to use neutral density filters and circular polarizers, both of which are impactful and less easy to replicate in software. Haida’s NanoPro line has delivered great results in my past experience — can their magnetic filter line deliver the same quality?
Photographers use their computers a lot. I'd say 50% of the time spent working as a photographer or creative professional would be done on a computer. What if that could change into a more enjoyable experience, where you exchange your keyboard, which was designed for typing, for a console. Enter Monogram’s Creative Console Studio.
The WiMiUS L1 4K action cam is a competitively priced budget alternative to a market that has quickly become saturated with tiny cameras from a huge variety of companies looking to stake their claim in the action sports market. On the surface, the WiMiUS L1 boasts what appears to be an impressive value, so Fstoppers put it through the grinder to see if it is truly a considerable contender in the action camera market.
There are a plethora of 360 cameras that can do a fine job creating immersive content for under $500. But when you need to move from “do a fine job” to “do a really awesome job,” there you’ll find the Insta360 Pro 2, waiting for you.
As a freelancer, I find myself taking on different roles in both production and post. I can do some modest animations, but any major work, I outsource to an animator. With plugins like the Trapcode Suite though, even a simpleton like me can make some eye-catching graphics.
It's about time for a new approach. There are a few online stores and stock libraries where you can get templates, videos, and music that help you save time when creating professional videos. Some of them can get really tricky when dealing with prices and licensing.
The brand name Exascend is synonymous with high-quality products. So, will their award-winning Explorer SSD, designed for challenging environments, live up to its name? When the going gets tough, will the tough get going?
When it comes to traveling as a nature photographer, one trouble spot comes up: charging. I recently fell down the rabbit hole of portable power stations, and let me share with you the difference a good power station makes for the road-tripping photographer.
Is there a thing of having too many tripods? Over the years, I have tried out several tripods, usually trying to stay more at the affordable end of the price tags some of the tripods have. There have been a few tripods that I have simply returned or sold after not liking them and there's the small stack of tripods that I have held on to. My main tripod is a Manfrotto which is very sturdy and reliable, but it is also a bit heavy for my taste when traveling. In the past, I have left it behind simply because I do not want to carry it. So what’s a good budget-friendly travel tripod?
GVM recently sent me their new 50SM lights, and in this video, I do a quick overview and put them to the test filming a puppy adoption video.
Have you ever wanted a pocket-sized printer so you can hand out personal prints everywhere you go? Then Kodak's newest mobile printer might be for you.
When I received this bag I have to admit I had never heard of K&F Concept as a company before. A quick examination of the bag and I could see that this large travel backpack style bag wasn't something cheap you would pick up at Walmart.
In a previous article, I reviewed the Prince Street by ONA and for the most part, I had some very positive things to say about it. More recently ONA sent me The Big Sur to review and I've been using it quite extensively for the last few weeks.
Do you ever ask yourself whether your method of retouching is correct or the best or if there is something new to learn, like how to use frequency separation and a tool in Photoshop that you’ve never tried?
Zeapon Sliders are relatively new to the market. The original Zeapon slider proved to be an interesting and popular option; however, it wasn't without its flaws. Since its release, the company has worked hard to produce something more stable and capable, and we now have the Zeapon micro 2 motorized sliders. This new slider could be the best one on the market.
Moment has always been the front runners with regards to developing tools and lenses for mobile phones, and with MagSafe now standard on new iPhones, they’ve knocked it out of the park with their mounts.
This is the first 70-200 f/4 lens Sony has released in nine years. Is the product worth the wait?
I was sent this live production system that doesn’t require anything else to get you streaming six feeds of live camera action to your social video platforms, all at the same time. It’s an encoder, switcher, recorder, and monitor, all in one. You can even insert a SIM card to stream over your mobile network if your destination doesn't have a stable internet connection.
Color grading is a technique we usually relate solely to the video post-production process. This course teaches color directing which is way more than just software manipulation of the hues of a video footage. It will tell you how to color grade both in-camera and in post.
As photographers, we often go through many modifiers to find the right one, and this may just be my new go-to. With its low cost, portable form factor, and ease of setup, the Aputure Lantern could be right for you too.
When it comes to shooting video, a camera screen can be a bit small and challenging to see. Depending on the type of work that is being done, sometimes it is nice to have an external monitor that can help us compose the perfect shots.
Color Cone boldly positions itself as a powerful but easy to use tool to augment any color grading workflow. Is Color Cone the next great addition to your post-processing ritual or just another app that you will purchase and never use again?
In this review, we’ll look at a book that celebrates a man who needs no introduction, Steve McCurry. Bonnie McCurry has taken it upon herself to celebrate Steve’s life and work in the form of the beautifully crafted 'Steve McCurry: A Life in Pictures.'
What benefit can having two screens on a laptop offer you and is there anything more to this device than that? We review ASUS' newest dual-screen laptop to see if it is worth your time and money.
Today, we’re going to step away from multitude of camera announcements, software updates, and gorgeous new lenses that have tickled our feeds recently and take a look at a brand new book titled “Photographers on Photography: How the Masters See, Think, and Shoot.”
Something that was always missing from the Profoto Clic lineup was hard reflectors. Being very low-powered while also aimed to be used outside, the A series was a bit of a mystery to me. After all, can you really work in harsh sun with a light that can't do anything about it? Well, now you can. Your 100-watt light becomes 1.7 stops more powerful, making it suitable for more location work.
Some fabulous new tech on the market that is making our lives as photographers and videographers evermore easy. The Hohem MIC-01 Wireless Lavalier Microphone is released today. I found it a great addition to my arsenal of tools that exceeded my expectations.
I hope I'm not the only person who does this, but up until recently, I had not used any of the cataloging features from any image editing software. This isn't because I thought any of them were particularly bad; instead, I just have my own way of managing files and their locations. However, ACDSee has changed my mind about this.
I wanted to share with you my experience exploring the new extensions available in Luminar Neo, photography software that many of you may already be familiar with. These add-ons offer specific functionalities to enhance your photographs and are each sold separately.
For lenses 200mm on up, a collapsable travel hood may be something to consider in order to free up bag space. In this comparison review I check out a couple similar travel hoods to determine which is the one to buy.
Hiring retouchers is something often talked about but I’ve never considered until recently as it has always seemed out of reach. Canadian company, The Image Salon, recently allowed me to try their portrait retouching services and I was excited to give them a whirl!
The Micro Four Thirds system isn’t my go-to system for night sky or astrophotography, but if it’s yours, you can do far worse than photographing that sky with the Venus Optics Laowa 7.5mm f/2 lens for Micro Four Thirds.
Insta360 is looking to change how we view action cameras, but can they compete?
On an early Friday morning, I receive a call from Dominik Scheffel, the inventor of the app cinnac to discuss the features of the app and how it would benefit photographers like myself. For those of you who aren't familiar with this app, it's an app for photographers, that allows them to upload a set of images for users to review and rate them by either swiping left to downvote or right to upvote. This handy tool makes it easier for photographers to see which images would perform better on other platforms such as Instagram and Facebook before submitting them to those social media platforms.
When it comes to buying new lights, you first need to decide if you want a continuous light or flash, which can be a difficult decision if you shoot both photography and video work. But with the new Reflex S from StellaPro, you no longer need to decide.
Lomography recently announced the release of a new film, LomoChrome 92, a 400 ISO C-41 process color negative stock. The film is touted as a throwback to older stocks, with vibrant colors and a more noticeable grain structure.
Spending more time filming at home or a studio and need something to level up your shots? Take a look at the review of this motorized slider, which may be a good addition to your kit!
As consumer 360 cameras enter a second generation for many manufacturers, a lesser known name is joining the fray with a unique offering. Kandao’s QooCam bills itself as the “World’s First interchangeable 4K 360° & 3D Camera,” bringing some interesting tricks to the party. How does it measure up?
When I first heard of this Sony 16-35mm f/4 lens with power zoom, I looked at it as a gimmick feature. But after actually getting to use the lens, I think people are really going to love this lens.
With the new year comes an opportunity to set some goals and make some decisions as to how to make improvements to your career. Learning new techniques and developing skills is a fundamental part of being a photographer and a filmmaker, and Skillshare has an abundance of classes that cover everything from frequency separation to bookkeeping.
CyberLink has an update for its long-available PhotoDirector image editor, which runs on Mac OS and Windows. This latest version is called PhotoDirector 13. New light effects and color adjustment features have been added. The company claims you can turn any photo into a "visual masterpiece with a comprehensive set of AI tools, including AI-powered Sky Replacement and Photo Animation effects."
Working with multiple cameras in filmmaking is almost inevitable. Most of the time you are in a situation working with cameras of different brands or different models. Matching the picture from these cameras can be a painful process involving color charts, reference frames, creating custom LUTs (look-up tables), etc. PolarPro tries to make our workflow easier by releasing presets of cinematic LUTs that can be used to match footage from different cameras and drones.
Since obtaining my FAA Part 107 certification and flying with the Phantom 4 Quadcopter, I have been pouring over flight apps like crazy. Kittyhawk, available for iOS and Android, has become my go-to app for every flight I make that provides a comprehensive flight workflow all in one location. With enhanced telemetry data, airspace maps, fleet management, and weather reports, here’s my review of the app that could replace the entire drone folder on your mobile device.
More and more lens companies are starting to realize that mirrorless cameras are here to stay. So, I was excited to try out one of the first prime lenses from Tamron that were specifically designed for Sony.
Fisheye lenses are always nice to have in your bag. Though they may not always be applicable, especially for professional work, having a nice fisheye lens adds a certain spice to your photos.
You're probably wondering how much can really be said about a backpack. However, if you're frequent reader here then you're probably similar to most of us staff writers in that you just love a good backpack and you know exactly how easy it is to have a lot to say about one.
When it comes to equipment, I'm looking for ways to simplify. I try to find tools that make my life as a photographer and videographer easier. And with the Zhiyun Fiveray M20 and M20c lights, I can achieve that, as I show in this article.
There are many ways to create a glow effect in Photoshop using layers and blending modes. What if you could do it in a fraction of the time and get even better results? Would you be interested?
