Lumix G9 Hi-Res Mode - Canyonlands, UT
Despite windy conditions, I wanted to test the Hi-Res Mode of the Lumix G9 in a lighting situation where there would be a minimum shadow definition. I found this location and vantage point and returned at near high noon. The clouds were interesting but as they were not interfering with the light falling on this monolith, I set up and captured this image.
The original RAW file before any crop was 10368 px by 7776 px and approx 138 MB. One for one pixel (native resolution) at 260 DPI this image will print 40 inches wide. The image was processed in Capture One and I cropped down from the top for a better composition. The reduced resolution is a 1400px by 922px file.
No sharpening or lens correction has been applied, nor has any chromatic correction been done.
To determine the detail and quality of the image I have done an extreme crop as shown in the image below.
Alaska - Bears of Katmai and more Photography Workshop
July 1 to July 7, 2019
Coastal Grizzly Bears and Walrus will be our primary subjects but we may also see Wolf, Lynx, Moose, Beaver, Caribou, Dall sheep, Seals, Fox, Sea Otters, Tundra Swan, Puffins, and Bald Eagles. This is the best location on Planet Earth to observe and photograph the giant coastal grizzlies (brown bears). In this perfect wilderness, you will watch bears fishing for salmon, digging for clams, eating sedge grasses or grazing on blueberries on the alpine tundra. Visit one of the world's only photographable walrus pods on a remote Baring Sea beach.
The lodge provides a true wilderness experience. Iliamna and Redoubt are two active volcanoes in Lake Clark National Park. Iliamna has not erupted recently but is frequently seen steaming from its summit fumaroles. Redoubt erupted in the spring of 2009. Both these volcanoes provide an excellent backdrop for coastal brown bear photography.
We will have the opportunity to photograph the coastal brown bears, boars, and sows (many with cubs) in their natural environment but at close up ranges. At times 70 mm can be too much. This location does not have the typical viewing platforms and limited viewing areas. You will photograph from the ground as well as low trailers pulled by ATVs.
Tanzania - Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Mara Photography Safari
August 14 to 23, 2017
The annual migration in Tanzania is a once in a lifetime experience. This photo adventure is planned to give you the opportunity to photograph the world’s largest concentration of elephants per square mile in Tarangire National Park; descend into Ngorongoro crater with a population of over 25,000 animals including the big 5 and travel the northern plains of the Serengeti. We will visit the Mara and Sand Rivers to witness and photograph the annual wildebeest migration. We will also have the opportunity to be among and photograph the Maasai going about their daily routines. Game drives will take advantage of the awesome light of the dry season. If we are lucky we will see the endangered black rhino.For this photo safari we will stay in camps and lodges that are inside the parks and reserves allowing us to view game in the early hours without the need to travel miles to get into the park. Our vehicles will give each photographer a single row allowing an unobstructed view from either side of the vehicle.CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Light of Cape Cod - Photo Workshop Spring 2019
Announcing the Light of Cape Cod
A 4-day, 3-night photography workshop - Eastham, MA - May 24 to 27, 2019
Mid Spring in Cape Cod is a multi-faceted photo opportunity with truly spectacular scenics and some wildlife. The tourists have not crowded the roads and traffic is not a nightmare. This very special workshop is for all levels of photographers from beginner to advanced. The Cape provides some of the most incredible landscapes and seascapes and the light during spring is exceptional. We will explore and photograph the Cape's classic seashore, sand dunes, lighthouses, and some wildlife. We will determine schedules and locations based on weather forecasts, tides and sunrise/sunset times. We may even explore the opportunity to do some night photography.
The workshop will begin with a meet and greet and an orientation briefing. We will then venture out to capture a sunset. A post-dinner short classroom session devoted to teaching exposure theory, composition and field techniques will be conducted. Each day we will explore various landscapes whether intimate ones or those on a grand scale, photographing sand patterns, marsh grasses, and fishing scenes.Our days will be based on a very flexible schedule allowing us to respond to the opportunities based on weather and light conditions so you can have the best photo experiences each day. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND REGISTRATION A few comments from past participants:
I learned a lot about digital photography from this hands-on, highly flexible workshop, and met a great network of people with a shared interest in becoming better photographers.
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The Cape Cod Light workshop was such an incredible learning experience. The sites selected to photograph the sunsets were just beautiful. The entire group was so much fun and great to photograph with. I would like to thank Shiv and Monica for a fun-filled weekend and am looking forward to my next workshop with them. Gail Shiv is a great instructor and a great time was had by all.
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It was a wonderful experience to be around the two of you. We learned so much. Both technically as well as rushing up our concepts. We also really value the personal touch. Thank you.
I consider myself an Advanced Hobbiest Photographer, but with still much to learn. Well Shiv Verma's "The Light of Cape Cod" workshop was a well worth taken for experience I learned. The locations Shiv scouted out to photograph were wonderful. Not only classic Cape Cod scenes, but other sites on the Cape that were off the beating trail. Shiv not only teaches you about composition, but gives you his technical expertise on the use of exposure, HDR, and use of filters. He even got me over the learning curve of 100% manual exposure and shutter lockup for my landscape photos. I would recommend anyone to take this particular workshop, and I am personally looking to take another workshop of his at a different location.
Vietnam - Land of the Ascending Dragon - Photography Tour, March 17 to 27, 2019
Vietnam - a bucket list location for any photographer interested in the many splendors of travel photography. One of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant cultures that offer spectacular scenery, stunning historical sites, colorful ethnic groups that rank it among the great photographic destinations of the world.This photo tour is tailored to have you in the right locations with the best light for all our planned photo shoots. The tour is designed to provide you with a mix of street photography, people portraiture, landscapes & the work environment like fishing and salt collection. The tour includes arranged photography in beautiful locations with professional models and local village folk.This is not a photography workshop but an intense photo tour. We want this to be a fun photography adventure and all instruction is informal and voluntary. This is an all-encompassing tour that includes hotels, meals, and transportation from the day of arrival to the day you depart.We will visit 7 beautiful locations for some of the finest photography.
- Colorful ethnic people of the land.
- Model shoots in traditional clothing
- Hue, the Imperial City with models in ancient and exotic settings
- Stunning images of workers in Hon Khoi Salt Fields
- UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Hoi An
- Cham Culture
- Vast Sand Dunes
- Conical hat market at night
Platypod Black Friday Deals
As you may be aware I have been involved with and have been using the Platypod Max and Ultra "Tripods in your Pocket" when they were just prototypes. Now for Black Friday you can get them too, and get the accessory kit for free. Click Here
TWiP 541 – All About LUMIX!
Panasonic goes full-frame, is M/43 dead?
In this episode, Don Komarechka and I with Frederick Van Johnson as host, dive into a discussion about Panasonic’s expansion into the full-frame mirrorless space. This brings the company out of the “small sensor” game and directly into competition with Sony, Nikon and other manufacturers vying for consumer “full-frame” dollars.WATCH TWiP 541 NOW!
Panasonic Lumix G Series New Firmware Updates Released
Firmware updates for the Lumix GH5, GH5S, G9, and the GX9 were released today. You can get the latest firmware from the following page:http://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/index.htmlOf significance is the improvement in autofocus performance with all these cameras.Please be sure to follow the instuctions as indicated on the following page:http://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/step1.html
The Lumix GH5S in Arches NP, Utah
I took the GH5S with the Leica 8-18mm lens to the PSA Conference in the hope I would get to use it and capture some night skies. It was mainly a bust most evenings except last night when the skies were clear. The park is crowded with tourists even at night - and of course 30 - 40 at a time they climb out of busses and vans with bright flashlights - not a care that someone is trying to photograph the stars.I was so happy to get a few shots that I really like. The milky way is not ideal for this time of year but good enough to test the performance of the GH5S. In my opinion, it gets 5 Stars.
Panasonic announces 2 Full Frame Cameras, 3 lenses for the FF bodies and one for MFT
Panasonic today announced two models of its first Digital Single Lens Mirrorless camera called the "S" Series. Both with a 35 mm full-frame image sensor, the LUMIX S1R and the S1. Both cameras will support 4K 60p video and the Dual I.S. image stabilization system. These cameras are slated for release in early 2019 and both promise to be exceptional systems.Key features:
- Effective pixels: 47M for the S1R and 24M for the S1)
- 4K 60p video recording
- Dual I.S. (Image Stabilization)
- A double slot for XQD memory cards and SD memory cards
- Rugged triaxial tilt LCD
- Leica Camera's L-Mount, making it possible to use interchangeable lenses that meet the L-Mount specifications in partnership with Leica Camera and Sigma.
Panasonic will also expand its lineup of LUMIX S series compatible lenses, developing more than ten by 2020, including a 50 mm/F1.4 fixed-focus lens, 24-105 mm standard zoom lens, and 70-200 mm telephoto zoom lens. The speed of the two zoom lenses was not specified.Stay tuned for additional details as they become available for release.For the MFT system:Panasonic has started developing a LEICA DG VARIO-SUMMILUX 10-25 mm constant aperture f/1.7 lens≥In addition, Panasonic has announced the launch of LUMIX PRO, a service and support program for its LUMIX professionals. This program has been designed to ensure that professionals can receive service and repair benefits globally. Stay tuned for additional details on the October launch for the US market.Prototypes of the new cameras and lenses introduced above are being exhibited at Photokina in Germany.
Aurora HDR 2019 ready for pre-order
About Aurora HDR 2019:
Skylum’s Quantum HDR Engine harnesses the power of AI for a more streamlined editing experience than ever before. It reduces burned-out colors, loss of contrast, noise and unnatural lighting caused by halos and unstable deghosting.
The Quantum HDR Engine has taken three years to create within Skylum’s AI lab, and contains the vast knowledge of the development team paired with artificial intelligence to bring you seamless HDR editing, be it with a single image or multiple bracketed shots.
Skylum’s developers tested thousands of bracketed shots through a neural network, and used the results to develop the technology needed for creating incredible HDR photographs - whether it’s real estate, landscape, cityscape or any other type of HDR photography.
Here are the most essential changes:
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New Quantum HDR Engine
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LUTs support with 11 New Integrated LUTs
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Photoshop plugins support
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New HDR Smart Structure filter for realistic and artefact-free structure (can be found in the new HDR Enhance filter)
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Presets are now called ‘Looks’
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Improved Adjustable Gradient filter with new sliders for Shadows and Highlights added
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Improved HDR Details Boost Effect (the photo is shown in high-resolution while fine-tuning the filter)
Offer Availability:
Aurora HDR 2019 will be available for pre-order on September, 12, and released on October, 4.
Pre-Order Pricing:
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Current users may upgrade at a price of $49 USD ($59 USD MSRP)
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New users can purchase Aurora HDR 2019 at a price of $89 USD ($99 USD MRSP)
Pre-Order Bonuses:
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Video Tutorial: Getting the Most from Aurora HDR 2019 by Trey Ratcliff
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Landscape Photography Handbook by David Johnston
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Burning Moods Looks by Richard Harrington
Fog X FLO -2
This was photographed at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University located in the Jamaica Plain and Roslindale sections of Boston. It was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and is the second largest "link" in the Emerald Necklace. This was another test of the Lumix G9 and Leica 12-60 lens combination's weather resistance. Both camera and lens were soaked as a result of the spray from the high pressure water misters but performed flawlessly.This art exhibition runs through the end of October and is worth visiting.
Fog X FLO an interpretation
This image was captured midday on Sept 3, 2018, when the temperature was 95 degrees. This location is Back Bay Fens in Boston."Emerald Necklace Conservancy presents the first citywide exhibition of Fujiko Nakaya’s “climate-responsive” fog art, sited in dialogue with the landmarked landscapes designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (FLO)." This exhibition is to mark the 20th anniversary of the Conservancy.
Leica 50-200mm f/2.8-f/4 on the G9 with 2X Tele-extender
This is a crop from the image below. I wanted to see how well the Leica 50-200 mm performed when used with 2X tele-extender. The image was shot at ISO 16000 and as you can see the noise performance is great. The cropped image has a small amount of Lightroom noise reduction applied. Though the flash did fire the distance to the bird was beyond the flash units reach.
Streets of Old Montreal
Not only is the Lumix GH5s a great low light camera, it has excellent dynamic range. I should have used its native ISO of 400 instead of 160 to get an even better range.
Panasonic announces the LUMIX LX100 II with 24-75mm LEICA DC Lens
- 17 MP [4:3 aspect] high-sensitivity multi-aspect four thirds MOS sensor. 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 1:1 multi-aspect modes taken from 21.77 megapixel total count*.
- Leica DC 24-75mm lens [F1.7-2.8], with POWER O.I.S. [Optical Image Stabilizer]
- 24p / 30p 4K video and exclusive 4K PHOTO modes plus focus stacking.
- Electronic Viewfinder EVF [2,764k-dot], and large 3-inch touch sensitive monitor [1240k-dot]
Topaz Labs AI Gigapixel - now available
Topaz Labs introduces A.I. Gigapixel - The smarter, sharper, image resizer.A.I.Gigapixel™ is the first desktop application to use a breakthrough in artificial intelligence (A.I.) to enlarge your images while adding natural details for an amazing result. This is in stark contrast to existing image resizers that produce images that are blurry, unrealistically painterly, or lack detail.Whether you need high DPI image conversions for large prints, blowing up extensive crops into existing photos to get that perfect composition, enlarging pictures taken from drones or smartphones, or just hope to have a 50MP medium format camera, A.I. Gigapixel can help. Powerful, Diligent Pixel Perfect Processing.
A.I. Gigapixel can perform Millions of calculations per pixel in your image, resulting in trillions of computations for your image to ensure it enhances all the right details. This many calculations on a full-size RAW image can take time to complete, but the results speak for themselves.Topaz A.I. Gigapixel is a standalone application only (it does not work as a plugin or Topaz Studio adjustment) made for batch resizing your images. It uses the power of Topaz's proprietary Artificial Intelligence engine to make sharper and clearer upscaled images than traditional upscaling tools.
Focus Bracketed - Yellow Orchid
One of the greatest features of the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 is "bracketing". Yes, like most cameras the G9 can bracket exposure. However, the G9 can bracket aperture, white balance and focus. While in camera focus stacking is possible using the "Post Focus" function, the individual images are JPEG as is the final stacked image. For RAW images and high-resolution stacks, it is best to use focus bracketing. With focus bracketing, you set the stepping distance and the number of images that need to be captured. You can also set the sequencing for how the images are captured, similar to exposure bracketing - 0/-/+ or 0/+. I prefer the second as I always start my stack from the front of the subject and work the focus away from the camera.
Hosta - flowers in color
While the intent is to create a book, using sepia or color is still a big debate. Here is an image that adds to the dilema.
Notre Dame Basilica in monochrome
This was another hand-held image inside Notre Dame. I used the G9, a camera that has the best image stabilization I have experienced. I had not enlarged a image from the G9 so tried with this one. Using On1's resizing I enlarged this to a 60 inch image at 300 ppi and saw no significand degredation in detail or quality.