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Posts Tagged ‘Animal’

Nikon Z50 gets Animal Detection AF, Z6 and Z7 get minor improvements via firmware updates

22 Jul

In addition to a new camera, a pair of teleconverters and a compact zoom lens, Nikon has also released firmware updates for its Z50, Z6, Z7 cameras and FTZ adapter.

Nikon Z50 firmware version 2.00

The most substantial firmware update is firmware version 2.00 for the Nikon Z50. In addition to support for the new Z-mount teleconverters and the ability to update older F-mount lenses via the FTZ adapter, firmware version 2.00 brings Nikon’s Animal detection autofocus (AF) as a custom AF mode. Nikon says this mode can detect the eyes and faces of dogs and cats when shooting stills (only faces will be detected when shooting video).

Additional improvements, taken from the changelog, are listed below:

  • Changed some of the f/-number values displayed when exposure is adjusted in steps of 1/3 EV (f/1.2 is now displayed as f/1.3). As of July 21, 2020, this applies to NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lenses.
  • The bracketing increment is now properly applied to photos taken with exposure locked during AE bracketing in Continuous H (extended) release mode.
  • Release-priority is now enabled if AF-S Single AF is selected for Focus mode when AF-ON is assigned to the AE-L/AF-L button.
  • The following improvements have been made to subject tracking:
    • Users can now switch between the auto-area AF and target selection displays using a custom control such as the Fn1 button.
    • The behavior of subject tracking when AF-C is selected during still photography now more closely resembles that for 3D-tracking on digital SLR cameras.
  • The conditions for displaying the prompt suggesting the use of the flash have been reviewed and the prompt is now displayed under more appropriate conditions.
  • Fixed the following issues:
    • The crop selected for “tall” (portrait-orientation) pictures using PictBridge would not be accurately reflected in the printed image.
    • In rare circumstances, autofocus would not engage if a NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/3.5–6.3 VR lens was extended at the same time the camera was turned on.

You can download firmware version 2.00 and find installation information on Nikon’s support page.

Nikon Z6, Z7 firmware version 3.10

Firmware version 3.10 for the both the Nikon Z6 and Z7 adds support for Nikon’s new teleconverters, as well as the ability to update Nikon F-mount lenses when attached to the cameras via Nikon’s FTZ mount adapter. Other updates for the cameras, taken from the changelog, are listed below:

  • Changed some of the f/-number values displayed when exposure is adjusted in steps of 1/3 EV (f/1.2 is now displayed as f/1.3). As of July 21, 2020, this applies to NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lenses.
  • The bracketing increment is now properly applied to photos taken with exposure locked during AE bracketing in Continuous H (extended) release mode.
  • When an external recorder compliant with Atomos Open protocol is connected, movie recording can now be started and stopped using camera controls if all the following conditions are met:
    • The camera is in movie mode and the recorder is connected via HDMI.
    • A memory card is inserted.
    • The following are selected for HDMI > Advanced in the SETUP MENU:
      • External recording control > On
      • Output data depth > 10 bit
      • N-log setting > Off
    • 3840×2160; 30p/25p/24p is selected for Frame size/frame rate in the MOVIE SHOOTING MENU.
  • Fixed the following issues:
    • The camera monitor would exhibit a green cast when the camera was connected to an external display via HDMI if:
      • Adobe RGB was selected for Color space in the PHOTO SHOOTING MENU,
      • Shutter-release button > Record movies was selected for Custom Setting g2 (Custom control assignment) in Group “g” (Movie) of the CUSTOM SETTING MENU,
      • 10 bit was selected for HDMI > Advanced > Output data depth in the SETUP MENU,
      • On (cannot record to card) was selected for HDMI > Advanced > N-Log setting in the SETUP MENU,
      • On was selected for HDMI > Advanced > View assist in the SETUP MENU, and
      • movie mode was selected with the photo/movie selector.
    • The crop selected for “tall” (portrait-orientation) pictures using PictBridge would not be accurately reflected in the printed image.
    • In rare circumstances, autofocus would not engage if a NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/3.5–6.3 VR lens was extended at the same time the camera was turned on.

You can download firmware version 3.10 for both the Z6 and Z7 on Nikon’s support pages.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Canon confirms the EOS R5 will capture internal 8K/30p video, offer ‘advanced animal AF’

14 Mar

In an uncharacteristic move, Canon Australia has published a press release revealing a number of new details pertaining to the specifications of its upcoming EOS R5 mirrorless camera, in what appears to be an effort to quiet the ongoing speculation regarding what ‘8K’ capabilities the camera will offer. Spoiler alert: Canon’s video-limiting days may be over.

Canon confirms in the press release the EOS R5 will offer 8K internal video recording using the full width of the sensor at up to 30 frames per second (fps). In addition to no crop shooting, Canon notes all 8k modes for the EOS R5 will support Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology.

Canon also says the R5 will support ‘advanced animal AF – recognising dogs, cats and birds, relying not only on the eyes of the animal but also the face and body for situations when the eyes are not visible.’

Historically, Canon has been suspected to limit the video capabilities of its non-cinema camera products in order to minimize cannibalization, a name given to the problem of losing sales within a company’s own product lineup by putting what’s considered premium features and capabilities in lower-cost products.

These new details don’t confirm Canon has taken an entirely altruistic approach to its EOS R camera development, but it does show Canon is getting serious about video in its mirrorless lineup and is determined to make a statement in the market compared to the likes of the Sony’s a7 III and Nikon’s Z7, two full-frame mirrorless cameras that have, until now, been above and beyond what Canon has offered with its EOS R and RP mirrorless cameras.

Sydney, AUSTRALIA, 13th March 2020: Canon INC has today released further development specifications for its recently announced Canon EOS R5, the next-generation full-frame interchangeable lens camera in the company’s EOS R System. These additional details come exactly one month since Canon released the development announcement of the EOS R5 and shut down speculation that some of its revolutionary specifications are ‘a fantasy’.

Signalling a new phase of Canon 5-Series imaging and a revolution in the mirrorless full camera category, Canon’s EOS R5 will offer every photographer – not just professionals – access to high-quality imaging, cutting-edge 8K movie recording, new approaches to in-body image stabilisation, and revolutionary subject detection and tracking performance features.

New possibilities for movie performance
Unleashing new possibilities, Canon Inc. confirms the EOS R5’s video capabilities will exceed that of competing cameras on the market1. With its ability to internally record 8K using the full width of the sensor at up to 30p, the latest Canon EOS R camera is set to redefine mirrorless with its market-leading features. In addition, in all 8K modes the EOS R5 will support Canon’s renowned Dual Pixel CMOS AF.

A beast for subject detection and tracking performance for animals and people
Canon Inc. also confirms the EOS R5 supports advanced animal AF – recognising dogs, cats and birds, relying not only on the eyes of the animal but also the face and body for situations when the eyes are not visible.

Jason McLean, Director – Consumer Imaging & Services, Canon Australia, said: “Our EOS 5-Series was developed fifteen years ago to make full-frame cameras accessible to consumers, not just professional shooters. Today, that purpose remains steadfast as we continue achieving the ‘impossible’ to deliver the hybrid needs of content creators who are demanding uncompromised performance to generate more still and motion visual content than ever before.”

“With its game changing 8K movie capabilities, new approaches to image stabilisation, revolutionary subject detection, and compatibility with Canon’s full suite of EF2 and RF lenses, the EOS R5 represents a category revolution as opposed to product evolution in the interchangeable-lens camera market.”

The EOS R5 specifications previously confirmed by Canon include:
• The EOS R5 offers a step-change in performance with an incredible 12fps using the mechanical shutter and the electronic shutter offering 20fps
• The EOS R5 takes Canon’s cutting-edge image stabilisation technology to the next level, by including a newly Canon-developed, in-camera image stabilisation system – which works in combination with the lens stabilisation system
• With content delivery just as important as image and video capture, the EOS R5 supports automatic transfer of image files from the device to the image.canon cloud platform3
• The highly anticipated EOS R5 will feature dual card slots
• Upon launch, the Canon EOS R5 will also be supported by Canon Australia’s 5-year warranty when purchased from an authorised local dealer4.

To stay up to date with the latest news and information regarding the EOS R5, register here: www.canon.com.au/preference-and-settings/in-focus.

1 As of 13th March 2020
2 When used with Canon’s EF-Series lens mount
3 Automatic file transferring, available for cameras equipped with the automatic file transfer function, beginning with the currently-in-development EOS R5 (announced on 13 February 2020), requires users to connect the camera to a Wi-Fi access point that has been registered in advance
4 For full details on Canon Australia’s 5 year warranty, visit https://www.canon.com.au/support/warranty

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Sony adds Real-Time Animal Eye AF to the RX10 IV via firmware update

15 Nov

Sony, today, released a firmware update for its RX10 IV camera that gives it Real-Time Animal Eye AF and improves the overall stability of the camera.

Firmware version 2.00 adds the same functionality we’ve seen Sony add to a number of its other mirrorless cameras. As with the other cameras, the update makes it possible to use Sony’s AI-powered eye-tracking feature on certain animals. Sony doesn’t specifically say what animals the functionality is limited to, but does note in the firmware changelog that ‘Eye detection may not be possible depending on the environment, animal type or the movement of the animal.’

Below is a brief explainer video of the feature shared by Sony on its YouTube channel:

Firmware version 2.00 for the RX10 IV is available to download for macOS and Windows computers on Sony’s RX10 IV support page.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Sony Japan says the RX10 IV will soon receive real-time Animal Eye-AF via firmware update

29 Oct

Sony Japan has announced its RX10 IV superzoom bridge-camera will receive the company’s Animal Eye-AF feature via an upcoming firmware update.

The impending firmware will add real-time Animal Eye-AF support for still images, improve the reliability of the real-time Eye-AF already present in the camera and overall improve general stability. No definitive date has been given for the update, but Sony says it should be out before the end of the year.

Translated press release:

RX10IV main unit software update schedule

Target product: “DSC-RX10M4”

Software update contents:

1. Real-time pupil AF support for animals (still images only)
2. Real-time pupil AF operability improvement (Support for half-pressing the shutter button)
3. Improved operational stability

Scheduled release date for software updates: Scheduled for 2019

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Using Creative Zoo Photography for Awesome Animal Photos

13 Oct

The post Using Creative Zoo Photography for Awesome Animal Photos appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Rick Ohnsman.

creative-zoo-photography

Wildlife photographers are a dedicated bunch.  They spend money to travel to exotic places, brave miserable conditions, deal with whatever light conditions are present at the time and then sometimes don’t even see the animals they came to photograph.  Pandas in China, tigers in India, lions on the Serengeti, polar bears in the frozen Yukon or maybe gorillas in the Congo.  You could spend a lifetime photographing wild animals in their native lands.

creative-zoo-photography

Bengal Bath – Photographed in the wilds of India or in a zoo? You tell me.

Or, you could take a cue from Simon and Garfunkel –

“Someone told me it’s all happening at the Zoo”

                     – “At the Zoo” – Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel

I’ll grant you, photographing a lion in the zoo doesn’t have the same thrill as being on safari. If you have the time and the money to do such things, by all means, go for it.  For many of us though, the zoo offers a chance to photograph animals we’d never see otherwise and, using the tips we’re about to cover, you can still make some very nice images.  You don’t have to tell your friends where you took them, right?

creative-zoo-photography

It’s hard to make a zoo photo look like it was taken in the wild with a chainlink fence in the background. Go with a wide aperture to throw the background out of focus if you can.

Challenges

In the bush, the challenges of photographing wildlife are likely finding the animal you’re seeking and, depending on the species, perhaps trying not to get eaten.  At the zoo, there are cages, glass or at least barriers designed to separate you and the creatures.  Safer, yes, but also a little frustrating when you’re trying to make a nice photo.

Let’s look at some workarounds for zoo photography.

Image: Sometimes this is what you encounter when trying to do zoo photography. When the animal is ri...

Sometimes this is what you encounter when trying to do zoo photography. When the animal is right up against the wire, there’s not much you can do.

Image: Get a little separation between the animal and the cage, get close to the wire, use a large a...

Get a little separation between the animal and the cage, get close to the wire, use a large aperture, and you can do this. This could probably be cleaned up further with the cloning tool in post-production.

Cages

Zoos are getting better at designing structures so that the animals aren’t always behind bars or chainlink fences, but sometimes you will still have to deal with this.  If the animal is up close to the fence, you might have no choice but to include it in the shot.

But, if you can wait until the beast moves further away from the barrier, this trick can work.  Get close to the fence if you can, then use a wide aperture.  Zoom into and focus on the animal.  You may find that the limited depth of field pretty much renders the fence as a blur, barely showing up at all.  Often you can clean up what remains of the fence or bars when editing.

Image: Having to work through the glass, the top image is straight out of the camera. But, with some...

Having to work through the glass, the top image is straight out of the camera. But, with some editing, a pretty nice Panda Portrait results.

creative-zoo-photography

An aquarium is a zoo of sorts where all the animals will be behind glass. Note how I rescued the turtle image with editing and monochrome conversion.

Glass

Sometimes the barrier between you and the animal will be glass.  You’ll have to deal with grime, scratches, and reflections.  Carry a cloth in your bag when you go to the zoo and clean a spot on the glass where you’ll be shooting.  Get as close to the glass as you can, again with a wide aperture to help blur any scratches.  If reflections are a problem, consider throwing a jacket or cloth over your head or perhaps just the camera to help eliminate them.  Later in editing, the dehaze tool can be your friend with photos made through glass.

Using Creative Zoo Photography for Awesome Animal Photos

Distance

Many times I’m glad there’s some distance between the animal I’m photographing and I. (The Komodo dragon was a scary guy for sure!). The difficulty becomes making the animal in your photo more than just a speck in the shot.

You’ll have even more difficulty with this if you’re visiting a wild animal park where instead of the animals being in smaller cages or enclosures, they roam a wide area, and you drive through the park on a tour bus. There’s only one solution here – longer telephoto lenses.

More about lenses in a bit, just know that to get those nice portrait shots, you’re often going to need some bigger glass.

Image: Frame tightly as you would with a human portrait, be sure the eyes are in focus and you...

Frame tightly as you would with a human portrait, be sure the eyes are in focus and you’ll capture a more engaging image.

Backgrounds

Though you’ll be photographing animals at the zoo, you’d prefer to have your images look like they were taken in the wild.  Your story about photographing zebra on the Serengeti plains will fall apart if there’s an obvious chainlink fence in the background.  So, a couple of possible options here:

  • Fill the frame with the animal, including as little of the background as possible in the shot.
  • Zoom in and use a wide aperture so the background blurs.
  • Consider your vantage point when composing your shot.  Could you move a little to put natural vegetation, rocks, or something not manmade in the background to better simulate the animals’ natural habitat?
creative-zoo-photography

Watch, wait and be ready, and you can capture animals behaving as they do in the wild.

Capturing behavior

A photo of a lion just standing there might be okay, but a shot of a lion roaring…that’s the one you’d like.  Images that capture animal behavior are the prize winners.  The difference is waiting for the moment. Waiting, waiting, and perhaps waiting some more.

Perhaps you’re not up to being another Dian Fossey living with the mountain gorillas so you can get that unique photo.

Or there’s Guido Sterkendries, who spends weeks in the stifling heat of the Brazilian rainforest on a perch in the treetops to photograph poison dart frogs.

But, rather than just taking the minute or so the average zoo visitor views each exhibit, you might have to wait, watch, and be ready when the animal does something interesting.  Also, watch for animal interactions and make photos that tell a story.

creative-zoo-photography

Mamas and babies can make good photos. Look for animal interactions that tell a story.

Set up, be ready, and perhaps have continuous mode and servo-focus activated. Then, when it happens and the subject does that intriguing behavior, fire off a burst of shots to guarantee you’ve got that one really great shot.

After all, would you rather go home with a boring photo of every animal in the zoo or just one superb shot of one animal engaging in some really interesting behavior?

When to go

Sometimes you get to a particular animal exhibit at the zoo and the animal is nowhere to be seen. Or maybe he’s over in the corner, zonked out and sleeping – hardly a great photo subject.

Often the trick is to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon when it’s cooler, and the animals are apt to be more active.

Photographers are also quite familiar with the “golden hour.” Not only will the light be better during these times, but the animal’s up, about, and ready for their closeup. Feeding time can also provide some action.

If you can, talk with the zookeepers to find out the best time to come, especially if you have your sights set on shots of particular animals. They will be a great source of information.

Including people

Sometimes the action at the zoo can be on the other side of the cages, the antics of people reacting to or aping for the animals.  Keep an eye out for these kinds of behaviors too.  Sometimes people are the funniest animals.

Equipment

If you’re going to spend a day at the zoo, you may not want to bring your whole photo kit. Firstly, it’s not much fun schlepping it around. Secondly, while you’re intent on making a shot, an unscrupulous bandit could help themselves to some of your gear.  Thirdly, you really don’t need that much for zoo photography.

Here are some things you might want:

Camera

Something with the ability to go manual if necessary and, of course, shooting Raw is almost always better.

creative-zoo-photography

A Canon 100-400 zoom was a great lens to have to allow these bird portraits. Wildlife photographers use long lenses and at the zoo, they can help too.

Lenses

You might very well be able to get by with a good wide-range telephoto for zoo photography. Something like a 70-200mm, or if you have something longer like a 70-300 or 100-400, better still.

You’re not apt to need a wide-angle lens at all.

The only other possibility is for zoos that have a butterfly exhibit where a macro could be useful.  One or two lenses should have you covered.

Image: Sometimes zoos will have a butterfly exhibit. If where you’re going has one, take a mac...

Sometimes zoos will have a butterfly exhibit. If where you’re going has one, take a macro lens.

Tripod

You may find that some zoos prohibit tripods, so it would be a good idea to check before you go.  A monopod can be a good substitute.

Flash

Probably not.  Again, some zoos will prohibit them, they spook the animals, and you’re not apt to want a “flash look” anyway.

Polarizing filter

This can be a good idea.  The fur of many animals is shiny and a polarizer can help tame that, also giving you richer colors.

Cloth

Cloth is great for cleaning the glass on animal enclosures that use that.

Settings

You will encounter a variety of lighting situations at the zoo, from dark animals lying in the shade to light animals in the sun, to the dreaded speckled light situation.

Some animals may barely move while others may leap wildly about.

There’s no substitute for knowing your camera and how to deal with varied conditions.  Often going fully manual, both for exposure and focus will be your best option.

Fences or glass in the foreground can too easily fool the autofocus, so be careful there.

Image: Some zoos will have a walk-in aviary. If so, it’s a great opportunity for bird photogra...

Some zoos will have a walk-in aviary. If so, it’s a great opportunity for bird photography. Again, have a long lens and if you’ll be handholding the camera, keep the shutter speed high.

In general, a wide aperture to blur the background, coupled with a fast shutter speed to freeze any animal movement, is good.  You may also be dealing with a long focal length, and having to handhold is a recipe for camera shake/blur.

Try to keep the shutter speed as fast as possible.  Also, keep the ISO low to minimize noise.  In varied lighting conditions, you may also want to consider Auto ISO if you understand how it works with your particular camera.

Continuous mode can be a good option so that when an animal does something interesting, you can fire a burst of shots, helping guarantee you capture the moment.

Composition

If there’s any mistake I see beginners making, it’s not filling the frame with their subject. Of course, not every shot needs to be a tightly cropped “portrait,” but the problem comes in when the subject in the image is so small it’s barely identifiable. Alternatively, the shot is so cluttered with other things that one questions what the real subject is. This is where a long lens can help with zoo photography.

Real wildlife photographers must sneak up on their subjects in places where enclosures don’t restrict the animals. So, often they will use – really – long, (and really expensive), glass. You need not go to that extreme, but you do want to make the animal in your shot the star, so frame accordingly.

Image: The eyes have it. You can have parts of the animal out of focus if you must, but the eyes nee...

The eyes have it. You can have parts of the animal out of focus if you must, but the eyes need to be sharp.

As when making portraits of people, when photographing animals, keep the eyes in sharp focus. Having other parts of the animal out of focus or a very limited depth-of-field is forgivable, but if the eyes are not in focus, the shot is probably a candidate for the delete button.

Use manual focus or learn you use your focus points to force focus on the animal’s eyes. Simply using the default center-focus point will likely fail you almost every time. Be the master of your camera’s focus.

This is a tricky one because enclosures, cages, and places where the animal will be won’t always allow this, but where possible, try to get on the same level as the animal.  Looking down on the subject just won’t be as impressive.  Perhaps you’ll have to put your camera on the ground or use something like a Gorillapod, (appropriate for the zoo, yes?) but do what’s needed to improve your shot.

Image: This could have been even better if I could have got down at the same level as the beast. The...

This could have been even better if I could have got down at the same level as the beast. Then again…

Editing

As with any photo editing, you want to use the tools and tricks in your editing program to improve your shot. Always consider whether a crop may help eliminate distractions or better highlight the animal. Use the exposure, highlights, shadows, whites, and blacks sliders (if editing with Lightroom), to bring out the color and detail of the animal.

The Dehaze option may help, especially where you made a photo through a glass enclosure.

The new Texture slider can also work wonders, bringing out details in an animal’s fur.

Image: Monochrome can give a classy look and in the case of this cheetah, emphasize his spotted camo...

Monochrome can give a classy look and in the case of this cheetah, emphasize his spotted camouflage in his environment.

Don’t forget to take a look at going monochrome with some of your images.  Sometimes a black and white version of an animal image can be especially striking.

Go zoo it!

So grab your gear and get down to your nearest zoo.  You’ll have a great time, get some nice images, and if the song is right, “the animals will love it if you do.”

Do you have any other zoo photography tips? Share with us in the comments! Also, share with us your zoo photography photos.

The post Using Creative Zoo Photography for Awesome Animal Photos appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Rick Ohnsman.


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Sony a9 firmware update adds Animal Eye AF, interval shooting and more

24 Sep

Sony has officially released the latest firmware for its a9 full-frame mirrorless camera, bringing with it Real-Time Eye AF for animals, interval shooting and more.

Firmware version 6.00 makes good on Sony’s promise to bring Real-Time Eye AF for animals to its flagship mirrorless camera. As detailed previously when Sony launched Animal Eye AF on its a7R III and a7 III, the new mode will be available to select alongside Human Eye AF in the autofocus menu.

Only one of the modes can be selected at once and the Animal Eye AF will be slightly slower than Human Eye AF due to the increased processing power required, but the a9 shouldn’t have any problem keeping up. Sony has a detailed documentation page to read up on all of the intricacies of the Animal Eye AF mode.

The firmware update also includes built-in Interval Shooting, a feature we previously detailed with the a7R III and a7 III update:

Now, it’s easy to capture between 1 and 9999 photographs in 1 to 60 second intervals. The new feature also includes an auto exposure (AE) sensitivity setting that can be adjusted between High, Mid or Low to account for changing exposures throughout the set capture time. The resulting images can also be put together into a full video using Sony’s Imaging Edge app, which will process the Raw photographs and output the final video to YouTube, PlayMemories Online and other online video services.

Another addition is the ability to select the Focus Frame Color so it’s easier to see it in various environments, as well as the ability to make the ‘My Menu’ appear when the menu button is pressed on the camera. Bugs have also been addressed to smooth out the overall stability of the a9.

Firmware version 6.0 for the a9 is available for free on Sony’s support page for macOS (direct download) and Windows (direct download).

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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How to Shoot Animal Portraits [video]

21 Jul

The post How to Shoot Animal Portraits appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

animal-portraits

In this video from the crew over at Cooph, Vincent Lagrange, shows you how to shoot animal portraits that have style and tell the story behind the animal.

?

These are the key things Lagrange points out in the video:

Purity

Animals don’t need makeup or a stylist – they have their own unique look to photograph from the get-go.

animal-portraits

Technique

  • Build a good relationship with the animal.
  • Create a soft light setting. Avoid flash so that the animal is as relaxed as possible.
  • Create a quiet atmosphere
  • Communicate with sound.
  • Only use food when the shoot is becoming difficult.

animal-portraits

Approach

  • Don’t start directly photographing the animal. Spend some time with it first.
  • If the animal doesn’t want to be photographed, then don’t. Let it rest and then try again. It is not an object.
  • Have patience

Equipment

  • For the larger portraits, Vincent uses the Leica S medium format camera.
  • When he is on the road, he uses the Leica M.
  • He always uses fixed lenses – never zooms.
  • He also never uses continuous shooting mode. He invests time in composing and doing single shots and keeping it quiet.

You may also find the following helpful:

  • Five Tips for Creative Pet Photography
  • Tips for Great Lighting for Pet Photography
  • 6 Tips for Working with Unruly Animals in Pet Photography
  • Why Taking Pictures of Your Pets Will Help Make You a Better Photographer
  • Five Things You Need to Know Before Starting a Pet Photography Business

 

The post How to Shoot Animal Portraits appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.


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Sony adds Animal Eye AF to the a6400 with new 2.00 firmware update

13 Jun

Sony has released firmware version 2.00 for its a6400 mirrorless camera, bringing with it Animal Eye AF, support for the RMT-P1BT wireless remote commander and other improvements to help with stability.

It’s been roughly two months since Sony launched firmware updates for its a7R III and a7 III, which brought with them, amongst other things, Sony’s new Animal Eye AF. Now, Sony has brought the system to its crop sensor mirrorless cameras.

As a refresher, Animal Eye AF is an autofocus mode that uses AI-trained algorithms to find and focus on the eyes of wild animals and pets. It works with AF-C focus mode and is activated when the shutter is half-pressed or when assigned to the AF-ON button.

As with the firmware updates for the a7R III and a7 III, Animal Eye AF can’t be used at the same time as Human Eye AF and, due to the extra processing power required to get the job done, it won’t be nearly as fast as the Human Eye AF. Sony has put together a full documentation page detailing the intricacies of Animal Eye AF.

Firmware version 2.00 has also added support for Sony’s RMT-P1BT wireless remote commander and a number of other bug fixes that improve the overall stability and functionality of the a6400.

Firmware version 2.00 can be downloaded from Sony UK’s website for macOS and Windows computers. Installation instructions can be found on the respective download pages.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Sony adds enhanced Real-time Eye AF, Animal Eye AF and interval shooting to the a7R III, A7 III

11 Apr

Sony has released firmware version 3.0 for its a7R III and a7 III full-frame mirrorless cameras, bringing enhanced real-time Eye AF functionality as well as an Eye AF mode designed specifically for animals.

Enhanced Real-time Eye AF

Sony’s enhanced Real-time Eye AF is now available in the AF-C focus mode and works with a half-press of the shutter button, or when pressing the AF-ON button. When set to function with a half press of the shutter or with the AF-ON button, Real-time Eye AF will continue to operate as usual, even if no eye is found in the scene. If you choose to map the Real-time Eye AF function to a custom button, you will lose out on this functionality.

Firmware version 3.0 seen installed on an a7 III camera.

Real-time Animal Eye AF

It’s not just human eyes Sony is focusing on either. Firmware version 3.0 brings — for the first time ever in an interchangeable lens camera — Animal Eye AF, a new autofocus mode that uses AI-trained algorithms to pinpoint and focus on the eyes of wild animals and pets.

Like Real-time Eye AF, Animal Eye AF works with AF-C focus mode and is activated with the half press of the shutter button or when assigned to the AF-ON button. It’s worth noting however, that you must choose between the ‘Human’ and ‘Animal’ Eye AF mode in the menu before shooting. Sony also notes that due to the large amount of data required to track animal eyes, the Animal Eye AF likely won’t perform as well as the Human Eye AF.

Interval Shooting mode

Firmware version 3.0 also brings an interval shooting mode first seen in the Sony a6400. Now, it’s easy to capture between 1 and 9999 photographs in 1 to 60 second intervals. The new feature also includes an auto exposure (AE) sensitivity setting that can be adjusted between High, Mid or Low to account for changing exposures throughout the set capture time.

The resulting images can also be put together into a full video using Sony’s Imaging Edge app, which will process the Raw photographs and output the final video to YouTube, PlayMemories Online and other online video services. Below is a video shared by Sony showing a video produced with the new Interval Shooting mode.

Other changes found in firmware version 3.0 for a7R III and a7 III cameras include support for Sony’s wireless remote commander RMT-P1BT, the ability to assign the ‘Menu’ button to a custom key and general stability improvements.

As for the a9, Sony anticipated firmware version 6.0 will be released Summer 2019 and will include Animal Eye AF and the interval shooting modes now available for the a7R III and a7 III.

Firmware update 3.0 is available to download now on Sony’s website via the Sony a7R III support page and the Sony a7 III support page. As the firmware was only released at the time of publishing this article, we will be spending time with the firmware update to provide more hands-on insight at a later time.

Press release:

New Firmware Update for Sony a7 III and Sony a7R III Boosts Eye AF Capabilities and Adds Interval Shooting for Time Lapse

Sony’s acclaimed a7 III and a7R III mirrorless cameras have received an exciting firmware update—Software Version 3.0— that enhances Real-time Eye AF performance and adds Real-time Animal Eye AF and interval shooting for time lapse.

Real-time Eye AF

Software Version 3.0 brings Real-time Eye-AF to the a7R III and a7 III, an AI-driven, enhanced eye detection system that’s based on the results of machine learning. Through machine learning, Sony has created a system that can detect—and focus on—the human eye even if the subject is looking down, partially blocked in the frame, turning or backlit. This feature is available in AF-C mode with a simple half-press of the shutter button.

Real-time Animal Eye AF

As with human eye recognition, Software Version 3.0 brings AI-driven animal eye detection to Sony cameras for the first time. Advanced subject recognition allows the a7 III and a7R III to detect and track animal eyes, and is the first step in a robust animal-tracking AF system.

The development of Animal Eye AF performance will continue, increasing the range of animals recognized by the system as well the system’s ability to track their movement.

Interval Shooting

This new software adds a built-in interval timer that can be set for anywhere between 1 and 60 seconds, with a total number of shots from 1 to 9999. AE tracking sensitivity is available to be adjusted to “High”, “Mid” or “Low” in order to reduce changes in exposure.

For more information on Software Version 3.0 for the a7R III and a7 III cameras, please visit AlphaUniverse.com.


Update (April 11, 2019): Text edited to clarify Real-time Eye AF and Animal Eye AF work with AF-C focus mode.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Wildlife Photographer of the Year winner disqualified for using stuffed animal

28 Apr

The winner of the Environment category of the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition has been disqualified after the competition’s organizers discovered the anteater starring in his dramatic nighttime image is stuffed. According to the competition, photographer Marcio Cabral—who had won £1,250 and a place in the awards exhibition in London’s Natural History Museum with his image ‘Night Raider’—was found to have included a ‘taxidermy specimen’ taken from the entrance to the park in which his picture was created.

Organizers’ suspicions were raised after an anonymous tip off that came supported by a picture of the anteater in question occupying its usual role as a greeter at the Portão do Bandeira gate of the Emas National Park in Brazil. Five independent science experts were called in to conduct a ‘thorough investigation’, and they concluded that the pose, markings, shape and fur patterns of the stuffed creature and the subject of Cabral’s picture were simply too similar—they had to be one and the same animal.

Cabral continues to plead his innocence, despite not being able to show a raw file that includes the anteater other than the shot he entered in the competition. Cabral provided a witness who testified that they saw the live animal, but the organizers were not convinced. Cabral had his award removed and is banned from entering ever again.

This isn’t the first time the competition has been struck by such circumstances. In 2009, the overall winning image was found to include a zoo wolf called Ossian being passed off as a wild animal. The photographer on that occasion, Jose Luis Rodriguez, also claimed he hadn’t cheated, but the judges concluded it was likely the wolf had been hired for the shot and the photographer was disqualified, leaving the competition with no winner for that year.

For more information on the disqualification, read the press statement below. And if you want to see the other, legitimate winners of this year’s WPotY, visit the competition’s website.

Press Statement

Press statement: Wildlife Photographer of the Year image disqualified

After a careful and thorough investigation into the image ‘The night raider’, taken by Marcio Cabral, the Natural History Museum, owner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, has disqualified the photograph, which was selected as winner of the 2017 Animals in Their Environment category.

Evidence was presented to the Museum by third parties that it is highly likely the animal in the awarded photograph is a taxidermy specimen. After a thorough investigation taking just over three weeks, the Museum has concluded that the available evidence points to this allegation being true. As a result, the Museum believes that the image breaches the competition rules. The rules clearly state that ‘entries must not deceive the viewer or attempt to misrepresent the reality of nature.’

The Natural History Museum is a world-leading scientific research institution. The team of scientists involved in the investigation comprised of two mammals experts and a taxidermy specialist at the Museum, plus two external experts; a South American mammals expert and an expert anteater researcher.

Evidence examined included high resolution photographs of a taxidermy anteater that is kept on open display in the educational collection at a visitor centre located at the Portão do Bandeira gate, one of the entrances of the Emas National Park – the large park where ‘The night raider’ was taken.

The anteater in the awarded image was compared to the taxidermy anteater depicted in the photographs received by the Museum. The five scientists, working independently of each other, all reached the same conclusion that there are elements in overall posture, morphology, the position of raised tufts of fur and in the patterning on the neck and the top of the head that are too similar for the images to depict two different animals. The experts would have expected some variation between two individuals of the same species.

The Museum also considered the responses to specific questions put to the photographer Marcio Cabral, who cooperated fully in the investigation, and who supplied RAW image files he claims were taken of ‘before’ and ‘after’ the winning shot was taken – none of which included the anteater. Mr Cabral did provide an explanation as to why he had no other images of the anteater. He also provided a witness who claims he saw the live anteater.

Mr Cabral strongly denies that the anteater in the image is a taxidermy specimen.

The competition rules clearly state that photographs achieved through unethical practices will be disqualified. The competition rules are available to all entrants including versions translated into several languages, including Brazilian Portuguese.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the world’s most prestigious photography competition of its kind and any transgression of the competition rules is taken very seriously. The image will be removed from the exhibition and tour.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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