Product Photography Made Easy: We Review the Ombar Light Box
The Ombar Photo Studio Light Box is a 24”x24” LED box designed to make product photography simple, even for those with limited studio skills. In this review, we discuss the features, pros, and cons and whether this might be the light box for you.
Stillmotion Teams Up With A 9 Year Old To End Child Slavery (And How You Can Help)
It seems like Stillmotion is never content sitting still for long. These Portland based filmmakers have spent the better part of a decade chasing their dreams and doing so on their own terms. The one consistent thread for Stillmotion has always been executing amazing stories that need to be told.
Photographing Sovereign Nations with Respect
One could say that it’s taken the last thirty years to gain a type of access to a sovereign nation that I’ve been privileged and honored to obtain. I say it’s taken that long for me to prove myself to a people that don’t take lightly to disrespect, and recall vivid memories of a time that people with my colored skin acted in unfathomable ways - and access is limited.
Why Should Photographers Stay Up to Date With Tech?
Many of us spend hours of our lives reading gear reviews, checking rumor sites, getting excited about a new camera or computer releases, and generally keeping up to date with the technology behind modern photography. Some believe that by staying up to date with new technology we can make better-informed buying decisions and potentially get better at our craft. Some are simply interested in new technology. But how important is it for photographers to stay up to date with the bleeding edge of new technology?
The Secret to Being in the Right Place at the Right Time
Sometimes it pays to try and identify the key virtues I have found in others that help them build their career, their life, and make their dreams a reality. Today’s hidden skillset? Taking advantage of opportunities.
The Rise of the Android Camera?
Can the smartphone camera leverage the capabilities of the rapidly developing, open source and hugely capable Android operating system to displace traditional firmware? Will this finally integrate camera and computational platform? One manufacturer thinks it might have the answer.
Photographer Modifies Film Hasselblad 500C/M Into a Medium Format Xpan
With the wealth of options out there for lens-adapting and DIY modifications, many industrious photographers are taking things to the next level. The process of adapting anamorphic projection lenses to a take-up lens has been well-established for years now.
Did This Catholic Monk Already Know How to Make Beautiful Pictures?
It’s crazy how ideas develop over time and how far we can track our today’s understanding of the world. Find out, what an influential Italian monk from the 13th century already knew about creating good pictures.
Sony a9 Camera Receives Firmware Update 2.00
Today Sony has released a version 2.00 firmware update for its a9 mirrorless cameras. The enhancements and added functions include changes to the continuous autofocus system as well as metadata input and image protection.
We Review the Westcott Optical Spot by Lindsay Adler
The Westcott Optical Spot by Lindsay Adler is a modifier that can be used to create a variety of in-studio effects including shapes, patterns, hues, and selective shadowing of a subject or background. If you are a portrait photographer, this device can open up a myriad of creative options for you and your clients.
How to Prepare to Shoot Sports in the Rain
A rainstorm and a muddy field can make football look great, but if your camera gets soaked, you might miss some great shots. Being inadequately prepared to shoot in inclement weather could be a really expensive mistake.
British Photographers and Filmmakers Face Costs and Confusion When It Comes to Working in Europe
Since the United Kingdom left the European Union, moving goods and equipment across borders has become more complicated for British passport holders. What are the rules, and will you need to spend more than £300 on an ATA Carnet to take your camera gear across the channel?
Windows 10 Update Removed, Users Report Pictures and Files Going Missing
The rollout of Windows 10 has been unexpectedly halted after user reports that the operating system has been wiping their photos and documents without warning.
Official Photos of Kazakhstan President Accused of Beauty Retouch, Altered Skin and Chin
Official photos of the new leader of Kazakhstan have been met with criticism online, with accusations his appearance has been altered. Comparison photos appear to show him with significantly smoother skin, and less wrinkles.
And The Winners Of The Fstoppers Workshops Contest Are...
A few weeks ago we held a contest for our 2015 Fstoppers photography workshops in the Bahamas. We randomly chose 3 winners and their names are...
Hollywood Asked to Shut Down Due to COVID-19 Concerns
In the wake of surging COVID-19 cases, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has asked the film industry to "strongly consider" shutting down for the time being.
Expect The Unexpected: Tips for Working With Children
Working with a child is a lot like dealing with the weather. It’s unpredictable, temperamental and has the potential to wreck your entire shoot. At the same time, huge risk can mean huge reward. Children add an undeniable “cute” factor that will always have a place in advertising or event videos/photography. Unlike the weather, there are a few steps we can take to increase our chances of success when working with children.
Are These Memory Cards Really Worth It? We Review the OWC’s Atlas Memory Card Line
OWC’s Atlas line of memory products, which includes SDXC, CFexpress Type A and B models, and high-performance readers, isn’t cheap. However, they promise leading performance and integration with their Innergize card management system. But can users really make use of all that performance? In this review, I’ll take a look at the ecosystem and test out all the features.
The Panasonic GH5 Is In Stock And Shipping Today
The video camera we have all been waiting for is finally here and surprisingly it isn't backordered... yet. You can order a GH5 from BH today and have it by the weekend.
Three Tips for Better Sales and Happier Clients
When I talk to a lot of photographers, they seem to think that business and creativity are at odds with each other. Being a salesperson and an artist just don't go together, right? I think we've just been mislead on what it really means to sell.
Using Your Camera for Something Bigger Than Yourself
There are so many ways to approach photography. We can search for artistic expression, money, Instagram fame, or any number of other things. Photographer Damari McBride believes we should all do a volunteer photo-journalistic project at least once. Let’s find out why.
[Video] Zombie Boy Rick Genest Stars in Sick Dermablend Video
Rick Genest (aka Zombie Boy) is nothing if not intense. The 26-year-old Canadian fashion model is tattooed head to toe to look like a decomposing corpse, representing “the art of the rotting cadaver.” Genest, who you may recognize from Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” video, spent over 6 years and thousands of dollars on his body art project, so who better to star in a commercial for tattoo-cover-up cosmetic company Dermablend?
Is Sony Finally About to Release a 35mm f/1.8 Lens?
One lens has been weirdly missing from Sony’s full-frame line-up and it seems that the Japanese manufacturer is about to fill that gap. From recently registered model numbers it appears that Sony is a few months from finally announcing the FE 35mm f/1.8.
Capturing and Editing a Cinematic Building Demolition With a Drone
As I was browsing Facebook, my attention was caught by a short video made by Arthur Nguyen. The brief video depicts demolition of two university residence buildings but what got me hooked was the way Nguyen recorded and edited it, which made me want to watch it several times in a row. I reached out to the young artist behind this video to find out more about why and how he created it (and on a student's budget!).
Making the Most of 8 Megapixels: Portrait Shoot With the Olympus E-500
What matters more, gear or creativity? For this camera challenge, I set out to do a portrait shoot with an 8-megapixel camera that is almost 20 years old. Yes, I am talking about the Olympus E-500.
What Interior Designers Could Learn From Photographers
Photographers could talk about soft light and color temperatures all day long, but what could we bring to interior design? Could photographers do a better job than an interior designer?
Unique Archive of Beatles Photographs for Sale
On March 24, a unique archive of photographs of the Beatles will go on sale and is expected to fetch at least $350,000 at auction. Photographer Mike Mitchell was just 18 when he shot the Beatles' first US concert in 1964, and the 413 negatives with full copyright are available to purchase. Mike's story of how the photographs came about is compelling.
Want to Make Stock Video Footage That Sells? Read These Nine Tips First
If you have a camera, a love for video, and a couple of hours to spare each week, then a sneaky little side gig in stock video creation might just be the perfect thing for you.
Get a Job! Here's Why Full-Time Photography Employment Is Underrated
Have you been told to stop messing around shooting models and get a job? Do your loved ones wish you'd do something more stable instead of wondering when the next job will drop into your email? Well, I believe they're on to something.