The Twitter Killer: Will Threads Spell the End for Twitter?

Mark Zukerberg and the people over at Meta have just launched the new Instagram-adjacent app, Threads, which sees scores of photographers jumping ship from Twitter. Here, we unpack our initial thoughts on the new contender on the social scene.

The Smartsuit Pro Adds Characters in Real Time for Motion Capture

Our blockbuster action films have become so advanced with regards to the 3D and special effects that I'll go watch a movie just to watch it, and forgiving the lame dialog or bad acting just as long as the movie pushes the barriers to what I've experienced. Now Rokoko has made a suit that someone can wear that can generate a character of any kind to embed into a realistic computer generated space in real time. It removes the cameras and the time it takes to add in these characters in post production, and it happens in real time, so it's a massive saving for the production houses. It leads to new possibilities with regards to character movement and creating something that looks indistinguishable from reality.

Vintage Chairs and Wine Glasses: Behind the Scenes of an Old Shoot

A few years ago, on one of my first advertising shoots, I was asked to take a photo of a condo building downtown. All I knew was that the client would be bringing props, that we’d be shooting on a balcony, and that it would be night time. From start to finish, I wasn’t really sure how the ad was doing to turn out… and it turns out, years later, that’s still what tends to happen on commercial shoots: things don’t turn out how I think they will.

Instagram to Add 'Mute' Feature

Over the next few weeks, Instagram will be rolling out a new feature: the ability to mute accounts that you don't want to see in your feed, but also don't want to unfollow. Business Insider's article explores some of the mechanics of this new implementation.

ENDING SOON: Win $100 Worth of Printing in Our Colorful Photo Contest

We've been listening to feedback, and it seems as though you all like contests that engage your skill level. Well prepare to be engaged! We will be hosting more photo contests in the future, starting with this one brought to you by Nations Photo Lab and hosted by our pals at Viewbug! Just submit your best photo that features bright colors for your chance to win!

From Google- Zeitgeist 2012: Year in Review

Sometimes we post content that's just worth watching. Videos that speak for themselves and just make you feel. Google has done a great job with their search-based videos in the past, and this is no exception.

Photography Contest - Win $100 B&H Gift Card!

Fstoppers is starting a new bi-weekly contest in our Community! Every two weeks we will announce a new contest within a specific group. We are kicking things off in the Compositing and Photo Manipulation Group.

[Pics] Flickr Spotlight #6 - The Magic Of Hot Air Balloons

This week on "Flickr Spotlight" I decided to bring some of the 'magic' of Hot Air Balloons. Never been on one, but something about them is making images look so unique and interesting. Dont you think? Check out the Full Post to see some of the best Hot Air Balloons pics out there, and then let us know if you ever got to photograph one yourself...
Behind The Scenes Of Ryan Wehner's "Joy Kingdom"

Take a behind the scenes look at how the intricate ad for the game "Joy Kingdom" was created. Almost all of the elements that you see in the ad were shot as a scene, there was obviously some degree of compositing done, but the meat of the scene was done in camera. They even shot some stop motion elements using ice! I can't imagine how time consuming this shoot must have been.

Photography's Power as an Agent of Social Change

Since its origins in the 19th century, photography has proven to be a powerful medium for documenting human life and bringing awareness to social issues. When a photograph captures an injustice or iconic moment, it can resonate around the world and galvanize people to take action. Photography's unique ability to convey visual information makes it an unparalleled tool for social change.

Knowing What to Look for When Hiring an Assistant During the Busy Season

Recently the studio hired a new assistant for the busy holiday season. While the intention was for light assistant work it quickly changed when the applicant mentioned they knew album design, retouching, and much more. Before sitting down with an applicant, have you thought about the possibilities of what more they could do for you?

Sony Creating Technology to Allow Blinking Your Eyes to Capture Photographs

Imagine a world where a simple blink will simply freeze time; where the amount of blinks you take are the amount of photos captured. Well Sony is making this possible with their new patent of camera lens contacts. Yes a contact lens that enables us to just blink and captures the moment. The images may be individual still photographs or sequences of images, depending on your blinks. This might be straight out of a movie like "Mission Impossible" or "Minority Report," but the future seems to be around the corner for this kind of technology.

Christmas Sale: SLR Lounge's How To Use Lightroom 4 DVD

Let's face it, learning new software can be a pain in the ass sometimes. As photographers we have to juggle between Photoshop, Lightroom, our camera's proprietary software, and countless other editing software tools. Most of us learn just enough to get the job done but in the process we probably fail to get the most out of each program. SLR Lounge has sent the Fstoppers team a copy of their new Lightroom 4 Workshop Collection to test out and this thing smokes! They've also discounted both the download and the physical copies for the holidays! Read more details

Photo Contest: Win BIG This Holiday Season

Our friends at ViewBug are proud to give away a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV in the creative landscapes photo contest. ViewBug is launching a new contest series called the Newly Shot Series; everybody wants to see your new photos. Only images uploaded recently are eligible for this contest, so keep uploading great new stuff. Increase your chances for awesome prizes and bragging rights doled out. Moral of the story - upload awesome images every month!

Rankin and 40 Graduating Photographers at Visual Noise

"Use your platform for good. Don't worry about your platform, be concerned with your impact." Very few people find success without a helping hand or barrels of luck. As one of photography's stars, Rankin is using his influence to help out young and emerging photographers through the Visual Noise art fair at Maryland Studios and online catalog through Public Offerings Ltd.

Is More Gear Making You Less Creative?

When you begin your journey into photography, you feel gated by how small your arsenal of equipment is, despite the elders of the craft telling you it doesn't matter. But, is there a negative correlation between creativity and the amount of gear owned? For me, I suspect there might be.

Peter Hurley Photographs Chaske Spencer of Twilight

Our good friend Peter Hurley has been tearing up Twitter the last few days which can only mean one thing: He's done something pretty exciting! Peter loves to film his own videos on his Flip HD camera while in the middle of his shoots so the footage is always a bit spontaneous. Check out this short clip of Peter as he shoots Twilight megastar Chaske Spencer in his studio and on top of his roof. If you watch closely you may even see the Empire State Building a half a dozen times :) Check out the final images over at Peter's blog http://www.comeontakeyourbestshot.com/ and if you haven't watched our Fstoppers Original on Peter check it out here.
[BTSV] Contest Entry: Drummer (the spirit of the Fstoppers)

These high school kids, Ersta, Christian and Marshall, embody the spirt of the Fstopper community. Only 17 years old, these three, got motivated, came up with a concept and made it happen. Can you say as much? We are down to the wire, so, get those contest entries in. NOW!

Redrock Micro Releases the ultraCage | blue for Canon EOS C100

Today, Redrock Micro announced the new ultraCage | blue for the Canon EOS C100, the first support cage designed specifically for the C100. Built in partnership with Canon for the premiere at IBC 2012, the ultraCage C100’s form-fitting design matches the ergonomics and size of the C100, adds needed support and mounting features and minimizes bulk and weight.

Pete Souza Photographs President Obama...365 Days A Year

Fstoppers Forum member DPC shared this teaser video about a new BTS series PBS is doing on US Presidental photographer Pete Souza. It's pretty interesting to hear the issues Pete faces day in and day out shooting one of the most well known figures in the world. If you are able to tune into PBS, you can check the schedule for The President's Photographer: Fifty Years Inside the Oval Office. Click on the full post to watch a very lengthy interview with Pete about the issues he faces as a photojournalist working for the US Commander In Cheif and be sure to check out the offical White House Flickr Page for a ton of Pete's images. <
Fstoppers Original:  Dave Lehl, Snowboard Photographer

Dave Lehl is one of the best snowboard photographers in North America. Luckily we are good friends and were allowed to tag along during one of his photoshoots in the back country of Vail, Colorado. In Dave's own words, what you are about to watch is "pretty typical"...Click the post for another video of Dave talking about his career. <
Hasselblad Goes To The Ocean

After our half disastrous sailing trip in the Charleston Harbor today, it's only fitting to feature this really inspirational video on sailboat photography. Tim Wallace is an amazing auto and commercial photographer but today he is taking his Hasselblad out on the water. Shooting large boats like this with just natural light is always a challenge but Tim makes it look like a walk in the park. Equipped with helicopters, chase boats, models, and expensive cameras most people probably can't afford, Tim creates some spectacular images in Project Genevieve. I love this shoot because it's both commercial and editorial in nature and features spectacular shots of the sailboat as well as some lifestyle images with models that aren't hard on the eyes. Be sure to check out Tim's full portfolio especially if you like automotive photography.