An Awesome Deal - the Platypod Pro and the Max for one low price
Best Price Ever on the Topaz Collection - Nov. 25 - 30, 2016
Take advantage of the best pricing of the year on the complete lineup of Topaz products, with 50% off the Complete Collection starting November 25 through the end of November. Whether you want amazing photo effects or technically perfect images, Topaz helps you create the looks you love faster than ever. Click on the "Get it Now" button above or use the code “BLACKFRIDAY16”What is the Collection?With the recent addition of Topaz Texture Effects 2, Impression 2, and Glow 2, the Complete Collection includes all 17 products, which individually would cost over $1000. We normally offer the Complete Collection at 50% off. However, until the end of November you can take an additional 50% off (meaning you pay 25% of the price of individual plugins) for the collection and collection upgrades.What is a Collection upgrade?If you’ve already purchased an individual product (or several products) from Topaz in the past, our system already discounts the collection upgrade price. As long as you're signed into your account, you can get an additional 50% off your custom collection upgrade pricing through the end of November. Whether you’re just starting or looking to expand your collection, there is never a better time to buy! *Note that this discount does not apply to individual plugin purchases, which are sold at full price.
Panasonic Lumix GH4 and G85 Firmware Updates Released
Panasonic has released firmware updates for the Lumix GH4 and the G85.
The GH4 update address a few minor issues when the camera is used with a battery grip.
The G85 update resolves the in-camera image stabilization not working properly when the camera is panned while capturing video.
Go get the updates CLICK HERE for the GH4
CLICK HERE for the G85
Nov 14, 2016 - Supermoon
Just a caution, the November 14 "supermoon" (aka beaver moon) will be at its peak at 8:52 am EST - not the best time to photograph it but you could get a good image prior to that, just as it is about to set. The moon sets at 6:36 AM so any time between 5:30 and 6:20 AM will be great for some awesome images of the Western Sky.The evening of November 13th and the 14th will have a 99% full moon - great for some exceptional images even though the moon is not 100%. Be sure to include some good foreground elements.Unfortunately I will be in NY City so am not sure what opportunities I will have.
Lume Cube and the new Life Lite
Even with all the advances and improvements to camera equipment, they can’t rise to every challenge. Lighting is still the most important factor in capturing a quality photograph, and good light can be as fleeting as the moments you are trying to capture.
Lume Cube has made it possible to carry perfect lighting in your pocket and pull it out when you need it.
In 2014 they launched the original Lume Cube, which is a powerful tool that allows photographers and videographers to control lighting in a unique way. The Lume Cube is bluetooth controlled, so by using their iPhone/Android app you can adjust the brightness, flash duration, use strobe modes, and turn on the optical sensor, to use your Lume Cube as a slave flash. You can also control Lume Cubes manually. There are two simple buttons on the top of the cube, and by clicking the left one you can cycle through 10 settings of brightness.
With a ¼ 20 thread, the Lume Cube is compatible with any camera. You can mount it on your DSLR with their popular ball-head cold shoe mount. You can remove the base of the cold shoe and then mount your Lume Cube onto a light stand for a studio setting. They make several different mounting solutions including a GoPro Mount, smartphone clip, and even drone mounts. Yes, you can use Lume Cubes on your drone as a spotlight, and even get creative with light painting and long exposure photography.
To make things even more convenient, Lume Cubes are waterproof up to 100 feet. Can you use your current studio lights for underwater photography as well?
You can purchase a Lume Cube on their website for $79.99, and they also sell sets of two and four Lume Cubes.
In case that’s out of your budget and you don’t necessarily need that level of professional lighting, Lume Cube just launched their latest innovation, the Life Lite on Kickstarter. Their campaign is live now, and you can preorder a Life Lite below retail price for $39. They are expected to ship in March of 2017. The new portable light delivers the same award-winning design and functionality as the original Lume Cube, but scaled down in size, weight, and price to offer mobile lighting to the masses.
The Life Lite is still smartphone controlled, waterproof, and fully adjustable. So what are the differences? Life Lite is adjustable up to 1000 lumens, where the Lume Cube is a 1500 lumen LED. Also, the color temperature of the Life Lite is 5600K making it a bit warmer than the Lume Cube. In addition, the Life Lite is about half the width of the Lume Cube and lighter at approximately 2 ounces. This makes it much easier to use the Life Lite with your smartphone for mobile photography. Lastly, the Life Lite is half the price of the Lume Cube.
Both the Lume Cube and the Life Lite feature a custom fresnel lens, so both lighting solutions give off an even light with zero hotspots, and a soft falloff around the edges of the beam. Both products deliver high quality lighting, it just depends on your lighting needs and your budget. Which one will you choose?
Day 1 - Cape Cod Fall 2016 Workshop
Near perfect weather greeted us on the first day of my Fall workshop in Cape Cod. Here is an image of Rock Harbor in Orleans, MA just after the sun set.
Loving Lumix and IR
Another IR image from my recent Tetons trip. This is Oxbow Bend captured early morning. Mt. Moran and the clouds teases us for hours without a once showing its peak. This was about the best once could get.
Mormon Row Barn
The Panasonic Lumix G7 IR Converted camera with the 7-14 mm lens is ideal for these vast sky IR images.
The Grand Tetons and Mt. Moran
Just back after a truly wonderful trip to Yellowstone and The Grand Tetons.This is a panorama captured at sunrise yesterday October 8, 2016, just a few hours before heading to the airport to return home.Please do click on the image for a lager rendition. In its native state the image is 153 inches wide at 240 ppi.
The Pre-Order for Aurora HDR 2017 is ending soon, order now.
Aurora HDR 2017 is the world’s ultimate HDR photo solution, chock full of new tools and capabilities. As a one-stop tool kit for casual and pro photographers alike, it’s versatile interface features a faster, more powerful, feature-rich and satisfying experience than any other photography software or combination of tools. Perfect for single shots or multiple-exposure brackets, Aurora HDR 2017 gives you the ultimate freedom to create.Upgrades and Pricing:
- New Customer Pre-Order Price:
$99$89 – Save $10 during pre-order, Includes Pre-Order Bonuses! - Current Users of Aurora HDR Pro Upgrade Price:
$59$49 Includes Pre-Order Bonuses - Current Users of Aurora HDR Upgrade Price:
$79$69 Includes Pre-Order Bonuses
Pre-Order Bonus Items:
- Trey Ratcliff Deep Dive video
- 1 Year basic subscription to SmugMug
- 60-day KelbyOne membership
- 25 Square Prints from Parabo.press (free global shipping)
Aurora HDR 2017 Key Features:
- NEW: Polarize Filter
- NEW: Powerful Zone System for Luminosity masks
- NEW: Batch Processing
- NEW: Radial Masking
- IMPROVED: Tone-mapping technology with reduced HDR noise, improved realism of initial result and faster performance
- IMPROVED: User Interface with a cleaner more modern style
Iceland Sept 2016 - IR was fun
On a whim I took my IR converted Panasonic Lumix G7 to Iceland. Knowing fully well that a lack of deciduous trees could yield not so great IR images but wanted to try it out anyway. Here are a few from various locations. All images were processed using Capture One 9.2 and then converted to Monochrome using Silver Efex Pro.
TWiP - The iPhone 7 arrives and a lot more
Once again it was a pleasure to cohost TWiP this past week with Frederick van Johnson and Andy Biggs.Apologies that this post is a week late as I am in Iceland with limited internet access.Click here for the podcast audio and video.
Imagination
"The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see nature all ridicule and deformity... and some scarce see nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself." William Blake
This is an image created when I saw this Birch tree and imagined it as an IR - Black and White (pre-visualizing the end result). Panasonic Lumix G7 Enhanced Color IR converted camera with the Lumix 14 - 140 mm lens at 14 mm. Exposure triad: ISO 200, f/5, 1/800 sec. Processed using Capture One and Photoshop CS6.
TWiP 481: Photokina Preview
With the Photokina tradeshow just around the corner, vendors are polishing up their offerings, and teasing us with the next amazing thing that will make us whip out that credit card. DJI has new drones, GoPro also has new drones, and even Garmin is entering the fray with an action camera that takes direct aim at GoPro. There are definitely some interesting announcements ahead and Frederick, Doug and I had a great opportunity to discuss these and more.CLICK HERE FOR THE PODCAST
2016 Labor Day Weekend in Maine
On a whim, decided to spend two nights in ANP Maine. With no hotels available we ended up in Searsport about 1.5 hours from the park. The plan was to do some night photography. Here are a few of the images from the trip.
Think Tank introduces Version 3 of their popular Airport Roller Bags
Think Tank Photo has just released completely updated versions of their award-winning Airport rolling camera bags. They feature improved handles, greater durability, and dedicated laptop and tablet compartments. The Airport International V3.0, sized for international carry on requirements, holds two gripped DSLRs with lenses attached, plus two to four additional lenses, a 15” laptop, and a 10” tablet. The roller fits up to a 500mm f/4 detached or 400mm f/2.8 attached (hood reversed). The Airport Security V3.0, sized for US domestic carry on requirements, holds two gripped DSLRs with lenses attached plus four to six additional lenses, a 17” laptop, and a 10” tablet. The bag fits up to a 600mm f/4 detached or 500mm f/4 attached (hood reversed). With our partnership with Think Tank, you receive free gear and free shipping with every order you place for their gear.Click Here for the Airport Security Version 3Click Here for the Airport International Version 3
Panasonic Lumix Post Focus Stack vs. Racked Focus Stacking
This comparison was done using the in camera "Post Focus" feature of the Lumix GX85 for one image and an automated focus rack of the same number of images (40 total) as RAW files. The "Post Focus" video was rendered into an image sequence using Photoshop and the output files were generated as TIFF. Both sequences were stacked using Helicon Focus using the Depth Map option for stacking. Each stack was saved as a TIFF file. The images were cropped to proportion and exported using Lightroom. Both stacks are excellent, further validating the viability of the "Post Focus" capability of Lumix cameras. The lens used was the Lumix H-HS030 30mm f/2.8 macro at f/4.0, ISO 200, 1/100 sec.Please click on the images for a larger view.
Eastern Sierra Fall Adventure with Lumix Luminaries in attendance
Eastern Sierra Fall Color AdventureOctober 20-23, 2016Based in beautiful Mammoth Lakes you will traverse the Sierra capturing nature's beauty and amazing locations…Lee Vining Creek, Lundy Lake, Bodie Ghost Town, Mono Lake and many more.You’ll receive hands-on help to find and capture amazing pictures. Have fun with great people and inspirational photographers.Panasonic's Mark Toal, Suzette Allen and Jon Yoshinaga will be at the workshop and will have a loaner trunk of Lumix G Series cameras for you to use.The Sierra Adventure is ideal for beginners to advanced photographers Click here for more info and to register
Out of New York - 2016
Are you familiar with the Out of Chicago Photography conference? Now the producers Chris and Malinda have put together another amazing, inspiring, and fun photography conference bringing it to New York City.As the “Shooting-est Photography Conference on Earth”, not only will you learn in a classroom setting with photographers like Lindsay Adler, Bryan Peterson, Rick Sammon, Valerie Jardin, and MORE, but they’ll also take you on the streets of Manhattan to use what you learn! One of the many reasons for its success is the smaller, more intimate class size. You will be in a classroom with no more than 60 people (other than the keynote speakers), and you will be able to interact with your favorite instructors!Out of New York is set for Friday and Saturday October 14 and 15, 2016. Included in your fee is 2 full days of classes along with many social photowalks to choose from. There will also be opportunities for educational, smaller photowalks for an additional charge. Check out the Sunday, full day on-the-street workshops too! Sign up at www.outofnewyork.com or email malinda@outofchicago.com for more information. Here is what attendees from the Out of Chicago 2016 event had to say:Attendee Jessica Zoller Kaplan posted in the 2016 Attendee Facebook group…“As I continue to process the many amazing moments of this weekend, I'm feeling inspired, motivated and grateful to have been a part of something so special. Thanks to Chris, Malinda, Michelle and the whole team for your work on this incredible conference. (I'm already signed up for OOC2017 - are you?) Thanks in particular to Angie, Ron, Levi, Bryan, Valerie, Tim,Ken, Steve, Steve, Eugene, Corwin, James, Rick and Scott for your wisdom and encouragement. My feet and shoulders were aching last night, but the view from Maggie Daley Park made it all worth it.”Per Bette J. Kauffman, “Thanks to Chris Smith and the #OOC2016 team for a terrific experience.”From Jim Jones“HUGE thanks go out to Chris Smith and the entire army of volunteers and speakers - Out of Chicago 2016 was phenomenal! It was fun, educational and inspiring! Grateful to have met so many great people and to have learned from so many awesome photographers and instructors. You guys are awesome!!!”