This is the typical sunset light we experienced each time we visited Tunnel View during my Yosemite and Mono Lake 
While we waited for good light which never really came we were fortunate when there was some light that hit the granite rock faces to the right as you look out toward the valley. The image below is what we saw (note the moon in the upper right):
Although May is a great time of the year for exceptional waterfalls it is not the best time for sunsets. The angle of the light at sunset just does not hit Half Dome rights from the iconic locations such as Glacier Point and Washburn Point. Similarly Tunnel view sunsets are weak compared to later in the year. This is one of two evenings where the light on El Capitan made it worth photographing. (Photographed May 2016 during my Yosemite & Monolake workshop.)
A while back I had done a 
This week on TWiP with 
The ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 expands the Batis range of lenses with a super wide-angle lens. For the Sony α system with E-mount the new lens, which features a diagonal angular field of 99 degrees, is currently the shortest full-frame fixed focal length with autofocus. The new ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 with innovative OLED display to show focus distance and depth of field is also impressive thanks to its high image quality across the entire image field. The lens will be available from May 2016.
Think Tank Photo have just released the largest photo lighting rolling bag ever and have added a new size and color to their popular Retrospective shoulder bag series. The Production Manager 50 is a monster, designed to hold C-stands, multiple flash heads, power packs, monoblocks, softboxes, and light-stands. What it used to take two people to transport, you can now do by yourself. And, they’ve added a new color—Sandstone—to their Retrospective line, and the new Retrospective 6, which holds Mirrorless systems or a gripped DSLR. Don’t forget, that by using these web links to order you will receive free gear and free shipping.
Click on the links below to order.
The Platypod ProTM Deluxe Kit is essentially a small pocketable camera and accessory support. When you add a small to medium ball head it will do almost everything a tripod does. Best of all, it will not draw a lot of attention in locations where a tripod may not be permitted. With the addition of a bungie cord you can use it in places where you would otherwise need a three legged flexible tripod like a GorillaPod. So the Platypod Pro is your tripod to-go.
The Platypod is a sturdy aircraft grade aluminum base plate with a welded 3/8-16 inch titanium screw for mounting a ball-head. A ball-head as large as 5 inches tall and 3.5 inches wide will work and will also fit in the carrying case. There is also a second welded 1/4-20 inch screw that can be used for mounting accessories, LED lights, a small strobe or speed light, etc. The kit includes three stainless steel spikes and lock wheels. A rubber cap is provided for the flat end of each spike. In addition, a 1/4-to-3/4-inch female spigot adapter is included in the kit.
The base plate has three threaded holes that allow you to mount the spikes. Four additional mounting holes have been drilled into the base plate. In addition to providing a secure footing the spikes can be used to easily level the Platypod. The additional holes can be used to secure the base plate to your studio walls, shooting platforms etc. I find these holes to be perfect for attaching bungie cord hooks and securing the base plate to fence posts, rails and tree limbs. 
The kit comes in a beautifully designed red and black zippered pouch. In its collapsed state the pouch holds the base plate, screw spikes and the spigot adaptor. A magnetic closure keeps the pop-out pouch in place. It can be attached to your belt or attached to a loop via the supplied carabiner. The pouch will pop out and expand to hold a decent sized ball head. A zippered outer pocket can hold your keys, memory cards, etc.
With a good small or medium sized ball head you can support most DSLRs and mirrorless cameras fitted with normal to long telephoto lenses. A super telephoto lens will not balance well. It is best to position the camera with the lens pointed in the same direction as the nose of the Platypod and with the balance point as close to the center of the ball head. The Platypod is great for ground level photography, a mount for action cameras and for creating panoramas. For panoramas use a pan/tilt ball head like the Uniqball as shown below.
An Astro radial motion time lapse and panorama unit with a camera mounted to it is easily supported for panning time-lapse imagery or automated panoramas.
The Platypod Pro can be used on any flat surface without using the spikes. If you need to level the base plate the spikes can be used in either orientation. The rubber caps not only provide some friction preventing the base from sliding but also prevent damaging furniture etc. For uneven surfaces like asphalt, rocks and brick the spikes are your best choice for stability. To attach the baseplate to a fence post, rail or tree limb, a pair of bungie cords work great. All you need is to secure the cord around your object and hook the ends into the four unthreaded holes in the base plate. Zip-ties have been suggested as an alternative means of securing the baseplate but I find their removal requires cutting the tie. Moreover, zip-ties are not reusable and are not environmentally friendly.The Platypod has found a permanent home in my photography bag. The Platypod Pro cost $49.95 and you can get yours 
Had a wonderful conversation with 
We are happy to announce a partnership with The Coop, a professional photographic studio and educational venue. The Coop is located in Putnam Connecticut. Putnam is easily accessed from western, central and southern Massachusetts, Rhode Island and the surrounding areas.
The Studio is three floors. The first floor has about 1500 sq feet, can be used as a natural light studio with 2 huge storefront windows. Black out curtains are available. Neutral grey walls allow for uncontaminated color casts. There is ample space for backgrounds, floor drops, and stationary props. This studio includes desk, counter and storage space for client’s orders. On the first floor is class room/meeting space with seating for 20+ for presentations and workshops and a reveal wall.
The 2nd floor has 3 shooting areas and a separate meeting space for consults and meetings. The main shooting areas are filling with hanging muslin, tracked backdrops as well as 108” paper rolls. A smaller room, ~ 10x15’ allows for soft window light perfect for newborns or more intimate photography. The meeting space with HDMI TV and comfortable couches allow for a more private meeting. Storage space on the 2nd floor is available for equipment storage.Then there is the attic for creating offbeat images with exposed lathe, old brick and exposed beams.The Coop is well equipped with strobes, light modifiers, backdrops, V-flats, furniture, faux floors and a lot more. The meeting space has a projector and screen.
The Coop is available for long and short term photo and video rentals. Memberships or hourly rates are available. We will be offering classes and hands on workshops for all levels of levels of experience.
Panasonic has announced a Firmware update 2.5 that introduces several enhancements introduced in Lumix G series cameras since the GH4 was originally introduced.Post FocusPost Focus is a special function that enables users to select an in-focus point after shooting. It has already been integrated in new LUMIX cameras such as the GX8. This feature allows you to change the perspective for greater photographic expression or to choose the best in-focus shot for macro shooting.4K PHOTO (4K Burst / 4K Burst (Start/Stop) / 4K Pre-burst)With 4K PHOTO mode there are three dedicated modes – 4K Burst / 4K Burst (Start/Stop) / 4K Pre-burst – are all now available on LUMIX GH4*. The addition of these modes further enhances the usability of 4K PHOTO to capture fleeting photo opportunities at 30p.External Flash BurstA new feature supporting consecutive shooting with flash burst is available with an external flash that is capable of continuous emission. This includes the following Panasonic models:
- Flash Burst Compatible Models
* Discontinued models are compatible but have some restrictions due to slower charge speeds
The firmware will be available at the end of March 2016 from the following link:DOWNLOAD HERE
On a whim I set up the Swarovski scope to its lowest magnification at 30X. The camera was the Panasonic Lumix GH4 set at ISO 1600, and 1/60 sec shutter. The image when clicked on is the full frame from the camera 4680 X 3072 pixels. The adjustments made to the raw file are: highlight recovery of -29, white balance adjusted to 5700 Kelvin (to taste), noise reduction using Topaz Denoise version 6. A a touch of contrast and clarity to finish. All this in the hope the weather stays good and I can get a few images of Jupiter this weekend. I did not use a remote shutter release but will for the Jupiter images.