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Update: Images appear to confirm Nikon’s Z9 is being tested at the Olympics, gives us the first look at its back side

30 Jul

Update (July 30th, 2021 at 1:30pm EDT): We have added a new tweet from the Photolari Twitter account that shows new images of what appears to be the same Nikon camera shown off in the two images from yesterday.

Today, Twitter account Photolari shared a tweet with a pair of photos showing what appears to be Nikon Z9 mirrorless cameras in the wild at the Olympics.

The original tweet has been deleted, but digicame-info managed to save the above images before their removal. Nikon has confirmed some details of its forthcoming flagship mirrorless camera, but only shown renderings of the front of the camera. These new images reveal the back side of the pro-style camera body, which appears to feature Nikon’s signature circular eyepiece, dual joysticks, a directional pad and a generous array of buttons. Below is a breakdown of the buttons (many of which are surely going to be customizable):

There appears to be black gaffer tape around the screen of the camera, obscuring what may or may not be an articulating display.

DPReview confirmed with Nikon earlier this week that it had its Z6 II and Z7 II mirrorless cameras and Z mount lenses on-hand at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but there was no mention of its unreleased Z9 mirrorless camera. It’s been confirmed Canon has photographers testing out its forthcoming EOS R3 mirrorless camera at the Olympics as well, so it’s no surprise Nikon is using the Olympic Games as a testing ground as well for its professional camera system.

Below is a new tweet from the Photolari Twitter account showing off two new images of what appears to be the same camera shown off in the above images:


Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Video: Drone operator helps rescue fisherman he saw being attacked by a shark

22 Jul

Matt Woods was relaxing on his balcony in Bondi Beach, Australia, when he decided to launch his DJI Mavic 2 Zoom drone and capture some footage. To his horror, he discovered a lone spear fisherman in the water using a speargun to ward off an aggressive mako shark. The ordeal lasted 30 minutes, until help arrived.

Woods, 36, took off from his beachside balcony around 4:00 pm. He expected to capture some scenic footage of the swimmers and surfers that frequent the beach on a daily basis. Occasionally he would spot whales but up until that moment, he hadn’t witnessed a shark.

‘I spotted the shark straight away as there was a big bait ball of fish and as I got closer I could see it was also circling the diver in the water,’ Woods revealed to the UK’s Daily Mail. ‘The diver was fending the shark off and poking it with his spear gun. The shark then went after his float that is attached to the diver. He was charging it and trying to bite it, thrashing it about.’

Instead of being a helpless bystander, Woods took action. He grabbed his girlfriend’s cell phone and alerted nearby lifeguards to the conundrum before he resumed filming the battle. After clearing swimmers close to the shore from the water, lifeguards arrived to the scene on jet skis to rescue the beleaguered swimmer – roughly 30 minutes after Woods’ initial phone call.

This grainy image reveals the fisherman using his spear to fend off the aggressive, predatory shark.

‘I felt as if we helped as best we could,’ he revealed. ‘We got on the phone to the lifeguards straight away… while I stayed over the shark on my drone the whole time so we could guide them in. I was pretty happy once the lifeguard came out and I could see the diver had managed to scramble onto the rocks and reef.’

Woods went out to the scene after the ordeal and attempted to locate the diver and show him the footage. He wasn’t able to find him. While there have only been nine recorded attacks from mako sharks on humans, since 1580, experts say the sharks are sometimes attracted to fishermen, in particular, if they’re carrying dead fish.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Texas report details the harsh realities, risks of being a wedding photographer during the COVID-19 pandemic

17 Dec

A recent report of out South Texas reveals the harsh reality of being a wedding photographer in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. In an article titled ‘Texas Wedding Photographers Have Seen Some $ #!+’ shared by Texas Monthly, reporter Emily McCullar tells the story of a wedding photographer who was diagnosed with COVID-19 after it was revealed the groom of the party had tested positive for COVID-19 and didn’t inform the wedding photographer.

The photographer, who remains unnamed throughout the article, was informed of the groom’s positive diagnosis by a bridesmaid in the party. But not before the photographer had spent ‘an hour or two inside the unmasked wedding party’ taking photographs. The photographer said ‘[the bridesmaid] was looking for me to be like, “Oh, that’s crazy,” like I was going to agree with her that it was fine.’

That wasn’t the case though. The photographer suffers from asthma, a serious comorbidity factor that can increase the risks of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Additionally, the photographer has three kids and a husband at home that she didn’t want to infect, should she end up COVID-19 positive.

After discovering the groom’s secret, the photographer and her assistant left. Texas Monthly notes ‘her exit was tense.’ ‘The wedding planner said it was the most unprofessional thing she’d ever seen […] Bridesmaids accused her of heartlessly ruining an innocent woman’s wedding day.’ The photographer even recollected a bridesmaid telling her ‘I’m a teacher, I have fourteen students. If I’m willing to risk it, why aren’t you?’

After leaving, the photographer ‘canceled her Thanksgiving plans with family, sent her kids to relatives’ houses so they wouldn’t get sick, and informed the brides of her upcoming weddings that she’d be subcontracting to other shooters,’ says Texas Monthly. Sure enough, a few days after the wedding, the photographer started feeling symptoms and eventually tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The photographer said the couple whose wedding she was photographing ‘didn’t care’ about the diagnosis and ‘didn’t offer to compensate her for the test, nor did they apologize for getting her sick.’

The article goes on to point out that this incident is far from an isolated one. As you browse through the hashtag ‘#TexasWedding’ on Instagram, there are a handful of images that show groups of friends and family celebrating matrimony with what appears to be little regard for protocols suggested for mitigating the spread of COVID-19, a disease that’s confirmed to have killed over 302,000 individuals in the United States alone.

A screenshot of a few images that show up when you search ‘#TexasWedding’ on Instagram. Faces have been blurred for privacy sake.

The report details statements from other photographers, who share their experiences trying to shoot weddings throughout the pandemic. A reoccurring theme is a lack of masks, proper social distancing and little means of sanitation options, such as hand sanitizer.

As for the original wedding photographer, she recalled a heartbreaking conversation she had with a bridesmaid at the wedding:

‘I have children,’ she told a bridesmaid, ‘What if my children die?’ The bridesmaid responded, ‘I understand, but this is her wedding day.’

The report notes that not all wedding anecdotes it came across from photographers were as reckless as the featured one, but even in the anecdotes that featured more responsible weddings, nearly half of the guests were unmasked, including those who had high risk factors. While Texas reduced the size of wedding gatherings — from 500 to 250 individuals — there’s still plenty of risk in having that many individuals together at a single venue.

Vaccines are being distributed around the globe, but according to experts on the matter, it will still be a while before anything gets back to ‘normal,’ whatever that may look like. And until then, this unfortunate reality is what many wedding photographers (and other professions) will have to face as the death toll continues to rise, particularly in the United States.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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The Photography Show is going virtual (and free) for 2020, after initially being pushed back

04 Jun

Earlier this year, the organizers of The Photography Show and The Video Show 2020 announced the exhibition would be pushed back to September due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it’s been announced The Photography Show and The Video Show 2020 will be going entirely virtual for 2020, with the organizers citing ‘the continued uncertainty around hosting large events.’

According to the above announcement on The Photography Show website, the virtual photography and video festival will be entirely free and take place on September 20 and 21 this year. ‘While we believe that there’s nothing quite comparable to the benefits of the live show,’ says the organizers in the announcement, ‘we know that this decision is the best solution for our community during these unprecedented times.’

The entire show will be free to ‘attend’ and all pre-booked entry tickets and passes purchased for the 2020 event will be valid for next year’s event. The Photography Show 2021 is set to take place at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

Registration for the online event will be ‘available shortly.’ You can keep up to date with the latest news on The Photography Show website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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As protests continue in the US, journalists report being targeted by police

02 Jun
A photograph of the state capital building in Lansing, Michigan, during the protest on Sunday, May 31.

Over the past week, protests have been taking place around the United States (and across the globe) after George Floyd, an unarmed black man, died in police custody. The officer concerned has since been charged with his murder.

Nearly every major city in the United States has seen some kind of protest in recent days. While many stayed peaceful, others have resulted in disorder, which has seen special police units, SWAT, National Guard and even federal agencies deployed in an effort to keep things under control.

When violence erupts, regardless of where it happens in the world, the media are on the front lines – with all of the risks this entails. For example, during violence in Minneapolis over the weekend, Reuters photographer Lucas Jackson had the lens attached to his Canon 1DX Mark II destroyed by a ‘protester wielding a crowbar’.

Most experienced photojournalists could tell similar stories, but increasingly, members of the press are reporting coming under threat from law enforcement officers, too.

From television news anchors being arrested live on air to camera operators and photographers being targeted by non-lethal rounds, credentialed members of the media and freelance photographers covering the protests have found themselves under threat from law enforcement. So much so that the matter has attracted international attention.

One of the first instances of police apparently targeting the press came in Louisville, Kentucky when officers started firing non-lethal projectiles at a reporter and camera operator for local NBC affiliate WAVE 3 News:

Linda Tirado, a freelance photographer, was covering the protests in Minneapolis on Friday night when she was hit in her left eye by what she believes was a rubber bullet fired by police. Speaking with The New York Times, Tirado said she ‘put [her] camera down for a second, and then my face exploded.’

Tirado was carried away by protestors and was taken to a hospital, but has since been told by doctors that she is permanently blind in her left eye.

It’s unclear whether Tirado was deliberately targeted, but it seems that some members of the press have been. According to data compiled by Neiman Labs and others, during the ongoing protests, photojournalists and other members of the media have reported being attacked ‘at least 100 times’ by authorities, in many cases despite presenting press credentials.

The Columbia Journalism Review has shared a comprehensive summary of police attacks on the press throughout the recent protests:

CJR: The Police Abuse the Press. Again.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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US students failing AP exams due to iPhone photos not being supported by the testing portal

21 May

According to a report from The Verge, high school students across the United States are failing their Advanced Placement (AP) exams due to the College Board’s online testing portal not accepting photos captured in the default HEIC image format.

Back in March, the College Board, the entity that creates the curricula and exams for AP courses, announced exams would be online rather than in-person since schools across the U.S. were being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While this proved beneficial in many ways – most notably the online exam is only 45-minutes while the in-person exams run three hours – it seems the rollout is not without a few hiccups.

AP exams require long-form answers. With in-person testing, these answers are completed and turned in on paper. Online though, the College Board allows students to either type up and submit their responses or write them by hand and submit an image of the handwritten work as a JPG, JPEG or PNG file.

A notification on the AP exam page of the College Board’s website that links to an explainer on how to properly submit images of written responses.

The problem is, iOS devices and a few newer Samsung phones are set to capture the more storage-friendly HEIC files by default, not JPEGs. As a result, students are seeing a perpetual loading screen, which stays up until the 45-minute time limit of the exam is up. Once the time is up, a screen reading ‘We Did Not Receive Your Response’ pops up, confirming nothing was submitted.

A graphic created and shared by the College Board showing students how to change the default image file format on their iOS devices.

The Verge reports enough students at one Los Angeles high school encountered the issue that the school forwarded a message sent to it from the College Board explaining how to troubleshoot the issue to prevent image submissions from being denied. But that message, as well as the below tweet from the College Board explaining how to change the default capture image format on iOS devices, doesn’t help the students who have already taken their exams and were unable to submit their work to no fault of their own and, as a result, are being forced to re-study for a make-up exam.

In a statement to The Verge, the College Board says ‘less than 1 percent [of students were] unable to submit their responses,’ and notes ‘[It shares] the deep disappointment of students who were unable to submit responses.’

In addition to the explainer on how to change the default file format on iOS devices, the College Board has also opened up a backup email submission process that requires students who encounter the HEIC error to send their responses via a unique email address ‘immediately’ following the exam. This option isn’t retroactively available for the students who were unable to submit their responses the first time and have had to reschedule a makeup exam.

The Verge’s coverage details a number of anecdotes from high school students who have encountered this file format compatibility issue, so head on over for more information.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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‘Like being asked to cook for Gordon Ramsey’ Photographer Jerry Ghionis on shooting portraits of Joe McNally

20 May

When Jerry Ghionis got a call asking if he was interested in photographing portrait legend Joe McNally, he jumped at the opportunity. Using just one lens – Nikon’s Z 85mm F1.8 S – Jerry and Joe turned their cameras on one another. Watch the video above to see how they got on.

What’s it like to take pictures of a portrait legend? In an exclusive interview, Jerry explains the background to the shoot and what it was like to work with Joe, as well as offering some insight into his work, and his approach to portrait photography.

Tell us how you got involved with this shoot

When I got the call about taking portraits of Joe McNally, I thought wow – that’s like being asked to cook for Gordon Ramsey!

The brief was just to shoot portraits of one another, have some fun, and see what comes of it. I wasn’t intimidated, I was excited. I want to create flattering and meaningful portraits of people, and I thought, well, here’s a guy who’s done this for everyone, and he deserves something for himself. That was the opportunity I was excited about: creating something for Joe that he’s done for so many people.

For this shot, Jerry posed Joe with the first Nikon camera he ever used, an FTn with F36 Motor Drive.

Photo by Jerry Ghionis, courtesy Nikon USA.

The one shot that was pre-planned was the portrait of Joe with the Hollywood lights and me in the mirror. For that one I thought it would be cool to feature Joe with the first Nikon camera he ever used. He’s a tall guy, and I wanted to style him like a trendy 50s or 60s-era photographer, with a blue background working with his blue eyes, and the contrast against the color of his hair. So I found some old studio lights, a vintage mirror and some other things. I knew what I wanted, but I only had literally about five minutes to set it up and another five to shoot it. That was quite tough. I’m trying to light Joe, who’s a lighting master!

Everything on this shoot, including the video, was shot using the 85mm alone. Was that intimidating?

No, not at all. Once you’ve shot a few weddings and you know how to do it, very few things intimidate you. At least in terms of gear. And anyway, some of the recent weddings I’ve shot, most of the images I took were using that one lens.

The 85mm suits my style of photography because I like longer focal lengths

How long had you been working with the 85mm at that point?

Probably a month or two, before the shoot. And I loved it. The 85mm suits my style of photography because I like longer focal lengths. My usual favorite lens is a 70-200mm, so I was looking for something longer to use with my Z6 and Z7, which might become my new ‘go to’ lens.

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What is it about the 85mm that makes it useful to you?

Whenever you use a lens that’s faster than F2 for portraiture, you’re going to want to shoot a handful of images, sort of rapid fire, to make sure that you get a shot where the focus is exactly where you want it. That’s just the nature of portrait photography on fast lenses. But the 85mm has just become my reliable everyday go-to lens. I’d say the last six months of weddings I’ve shot, I’ve used the 85mm probably about 90% of the time. It’s so light. Focus is perfect at F1.8 and it’s completely sharp. I’ve made an incredible amount of pictures using that lens, I love it.

Had you worked with Joe on a project together before?

No this was the first time we’d shot together. It’s rare on campaigns like this that you’d shoot with somebody else. It was great, it was just two guys, no egos – we just wanted to have some fun and create some cool pictures.

The whole thing was probably one of the biggest honors of my photographic career.

It’s rare on campaigns like this that you’d shoot with somebody else

Did Joe like the pictures you took of him?

He did! He’s referred to the pictures on stage in his presentations. He’s been very generous and kind. And most importantly his wife likes them too!

What lenses would you advise someone should invest in who wants to get into portrait and event photography?

Most of the weddings and portraits I’ve shot lately have been on the 85mm F1.8, and at a minimum, I would recommend an 85mm, two camera bodies, a 24-70mm, and a 70-200mm, and two flashes. One camera’s not enough, and you’ll need cameras from the same system, so that you can switch between them without thinking.

The Z 85mm F1.8 S is a compact short-telephoto prime lens for the Z System. Sharp and almost aberration-free wide open, the Z 85mm is a useful lens for portraiture and available light shooting.

What simple things can someone do to improve their portrait photography?

The biggest problem I see is people shooting too quickly. When you’re photographing a wedding or a portrait, you can’t just show what someone looks like, you need to show who they are. To do that, you need to slow down, connect with them, and know how to flatter them. You can’t do that if your eye is glued to the viewfinder or your head is buried in your camera’s menu system. Shooting too quickly contributes to a lack of confidence.

The other thing is people don’t practice enough. I practice all the time. I’ll often shoot once a week just for myself, trying a new technique or a different lighting setup. I have a mannequin at home, so if I want to produce a particular lighting setup that I haven’t done before, while the hair and makeup person is doing their thing, I’m practicing with the mannequin and by the time my subject is ready I’ve prepared the full lighting setup.

What advice would you give to someone who is trying to get into photography seriously?

Remember that you’re only as good as your last shot. You don’t have to be the best, you just have to be better than you were last week.

This is sponsored content, created with the support of Nikon. What does this mean?

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Sony PRO Support is being extended 6 months for members, free of charge

13 May

Sony has informed DPReview that it will be extending its Sony Imaging PRO Support platform for all members for an additional six months due to the ‘current global situation.’

No press release was issued, but in an email shared with DPReview (embedded below) via a spokesperson, Sony says PRO Support members will have an extra six months of service added free of charge, immediately and automatically. These services include dedicated U.S. Phone support, expedited repair turnaround time, repair loaners, evaluation loaners, camera maintenance and more.

Sony says its PRO Support members ‘are among [its] most loyal customers [and it wants] you to know how much [it] values you being a part of Sony’s Imaging family.’

Email:

Sony PRO Support extended by six months for customers due to global conditions

As a PRO Support member, you are among our most loyal customers and we want you to know how much we value you being part of Sony’s Imaging family.

With the current global situation, we are taking steps to ensure we are supporting all of our customers during these difficult times. For all Pro Support members like yourself, we are automatically extending membership for an additional 6 months, free of charge.

As a refresher, your ProSupport membership includes:
– Dedicate US Phone Support Experts
– Expedited Repair Turnaround Time
– Repair Loaners
– Evaluation Loaner
– Camera Maintenance
– Terms & Conditions for the program applies to
o US members
o Canada members
We are here to support you via phone or email:
M-F 7AM PST to 5PM PST. Saturday 7AM PST to 2PM PST.
Phone: 866-470-7669
Email: ImagingProSupport@sony.com.
Thank you again for your loyalty and support.
All the best,
Sony Imaging PRO Support

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Photography deals, discounts and freebies for making the most of being stuck inside

28 Mar

As the number of newly-diagnosed Coronavirus cases continues to increase, so do the strict orders to stay home. For some, this means an increase in free time along with a decline in disposable income. Across the photography community, multiple retailers, software manufacturers, teachers and more are offering discounts, extended trials or freebies to help pass the time and (hopefully) make your dollars go a little further in this time of economic downturn.

We’ve rounded up just a few of the offerings from around the photography world and are sharing some of our favorites below. Keep in mind not all of these specials are specifically made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, but we’ve included them below, unaffiliated, to ensure as little goes unseen as possible.

This will be a living list, so as we come across more deals and freebies, we will be adding them to the collection, which is split into two categories: ‘Deals and discounts’ and ‘Classes, courses and webinars.’ If you know of any we’ve missed, please share them in the comments below and we’ll be sure to add them to the list.

Deals and discounts

Adobe

In addition to granting free access to its Creative Cloud suite for qualifying students and educators alike, Adobe is also giving everyone two months of free Creative Cloud to help creatives affected by the ongoing pandemic. PetaPixel has shared a thorough guide on how to get your two free months.

Affinity

Serif has increased the length of its free trial to 90 days (from 30 days) for its entire Affinity suite and is offering all of its apps, both desktop and mobile, for 50% off. This includes Affinity Designer, Affinity Photo and Affinity Publisher. Additionally, Serif has pledged to ‘engage more than 100 freelance creatives for work, spending the equivalent of our annual commissioning budget in the next three months.’ Serif says more details on that initiative will be announced soon and has in the meantime shared a letter regarding this news.

Adorama

As always, Adorama has a number of special offers and discounts across various photo gear, as well as a ‘Deal of the Day’ that kicks off with a new product at 10am EST everyday.

B&H

B&H too has its own ‘Deal Zone’ that features ‘unbeatable specials.’ Not everything is photo-specific, but you can count on at least two or three photography-specific deals going on every day.

DaVinci Resolve

While not exclusive to the COVID-19 pandemic, DaVinci Resolve 16, an inline video editor akin to Adobe Premiere Pro, is free to download for Linux, macOS and Windows computers. Whether you’re looking to cut your Adobe subscription to bring down your monthly bills or simply want to try something new, it’s hard to beat the price of nothing and the app itself is a treat to use, as we’ve been over before.

DxO

DxO is slashing prices by up to 30% off through March 31st, including the recently-released DxO PhotoLab 3.2 update as well as its Nik Collection. With the discount, PhotoLab 3.2 and the Nik Collection cost $ 99.99 each, compared to the usual $ 129.99. You can also try out both programs for 30-days with free trials.

ON1

ON1 is currently offering 50% off Photo RAW 2020.1, bringing the normal $ 99.99 price down to just $ 49.99. ON1 is also offering 50% off its ‘Gold Package’ version of Photo RAW 2020.1, which includes the program, 50 fine art texture overlays, the ON1 Foundations video course, a one-year SmugMug Portfolio membership (normally a $ 180 value), as well as a pack of presets, LUTs and ‘styles.’ You can find both the standard download and the ‘Gold Package’ download at ON1’s online store. The deals end March 31, so you only have a few days left to snag this deal.

Skylum

Skylum is currently offering Luminar 4.2 and Aurora HDR as a bundle for $ 149, a $ 39 savings over the usual price. In order to see the deal, visit the Aurora HDR product page, click ‘Buy Now’ and scroll down to see the bundle with Luminar 4.

Classes, courses and webinars

Professional Photographers of America

As we covered earlier this week, Professional Photographers of America is currently offering its library of more than 1,100 courses for free. Usually these classes are limited to paying PPA members, but to help photographers and creatives affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, PPA has temporarily opened them up for all.

Advanced Aerial Photography with Vic Moss

In a webinar scheduled for this Thursday, March 26th, at 4:00 PM MST (6:00 PM EST), Drone U’s Vic Moss shares important lessons learned through his 30-plus years of experience as a photographer and 6-plus years operating drones.

‘Drone U has decided to offer some free courses and webinars during this time to give people an outlet. Many of us are cooped up and still need a creative outlet. Now is a good time to hone our skillsets, so Drone U thought we’d do this. We’re all in this together, so let’s get through it together,’ Moss tells DPReview.

Here are a few concepts that will be covered:

  • The exposure triangle and how the three parts work together (ISO, f-stop, shutter speed)
  • Megapixel vs. resolution: how are they different? Or are they?
  • The basics of composition
  • How to use the histogram to enhance your images
  • HDR and some basic editing concepts

While the webinar will be available for replay after it’s recorded, the live session offers attendees the opportunity to ask questions. Register here.

Introduction to Aerial Videography: Creative Direction for Drone Filming

This course is offered for free through Skillshare. All you need to do is create a free account to access a 2-month trial that can be canceled (it would be wise to set a reminder if you’re not interested in becoming a full-time member). Drew Roberts and Nathan Labruzza of Los Angeles-based Wild Rabbit Aerials, have created footage for major car companies including GMC, Ford, and Toyota, a Super Bowl ad for SodaStream, and footage for numerous feature film productions.

The duo walks through the basics of aerial cinematography including how to get started from the ground up. They share some hard-learned lessons from their years of experience, how they conduct the simplest to most complex shoots and run through the post-production process. Register for this course through a free Skillshare account here.

Various Beginner + Intermediate Photography Courses

Brit + Co, a lifestyle and DIY-based site, is offering all of their courses, which usually range from $ 27 – $ 107 each, for free through March 31st. Simply use the all-caps promo code ‘SELFCARE’ without the quotes at checkout. Click on ‘Have a Coupon?’ and you’ll automatically be registered without having to use your credit card or PayPal account.

Relevant courses include ‘How to Become a Wedding Photographer,’Phone Photography: Capturing Your Travels,’Family Photography: Capturing Your Little Ones, and their ‘Wanderlust Photography Bundle’ which gives an introduction to travel photography and walks you through using photo editing apps. ‘Some of us can’t work and are catching a serious case of cabin fever. All of us want to stay inspired, creative, and take care of ourselves,’ reads the official blog post introducing the initiative.

Adobe Premiere Pro, Lightroom, Photoshop, and After Effects Tutorials

YouTube hosts millions of free tutorials from creators around the globe. As with any major platform that goes largely unmoderated, save for removing objectionable content, the quality of information offered can vary. Justin Odisho has consistently created high-caliber content around showing creatives how to use Adobe products.

Adobe Premiere Pro is inarguably an industry standard when it comes to video editing software. In a series of 187 videos, Odisho walks you through everything from color correction to creating effects. Lightroom, Photoshop, and After Effects users will also find a wealth of information to master their respective crafts.

Kelby One

Scott Kelby’s Kelby One program is also offering free weekly webinars and memberships to some of its most popular classes. In a notification on the Kelby One website, it reads ‘We hope these resources help during this trying time as you work from home or self-quarantine for safety.’

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Is Being Shy a Good Reason to Only Take Candid Photos?

16 Mar

The post Is Being Shy a Good Reason to Only Take Candid Photos? appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.

Standing back with a long lens on your camera and snapping candid photos is an easy option for many people. The alternative is to use a shorter lens and get in close and connect with your subjects. This is challenging for most photographers.

Flaming Wallet illustration Is Being Shy a Good Reason to Take Candid Photos
© Kevin Landwer-Johan Nikon D700, lens 20mm, f/4, 1/125, ISO400

A candid photo is one where your presence and your camera are not affecting the outcome of the photos you take. There is no pose. There is no distraction from you or your camera at all.

When you are shy, using a long lens for candid pictures might be less taxing on your emotions. But it does not often result in the most engaging photographs. If you are capturing candid photos only because you are shy, this is a cop-out. Only using this technique will limit your potential as a photographer.

French Horn - Is Being Shy a Good Reason to Take Candid Photos
© Kevin Landwer-Johan Nikon D800, Lens 35mm, f/1.4, 1/5000, ISO 400

When a candid approach to photography is better

At times, a candid approach to photography will result in more interesting photos.

You will not always be in a position to engage with your subject. Sometimes doing so will disrupt a natural flow of events.

Finding yourself in situations where you think you or your camera will alter the scene, it’s good to remain candid.

If your subject sees your camera, it may distract them. Sometimes when people are aware there’s a photographer present, they will alter their behavior.

This will not always be to your benefit.

Fruit vendor at a market in Chiang Mai, Thailand
© Kevin Landwer-Johan Nikon D800, Lens 35mm, f/4.5, 1/250, ISO 400

Other times, you might be wanting to photograph a whole group of people. There’s no way you’ll be capable of approaching them all for even a short conversation.

Alms Giving in Chiang Mai - Is Being Shy a Good Reason to Take Candid Photos
© Kevin Landwer-Johan Nikon D700, Lens 180mm, f4, 1/200, ISO 400

Is your subject highly focused on what they’re doing?

If your subject is absorbed in what they’re doing, you might not want to interrupt them. They might be:

  • Having an animated conversation
  • Playing sport
  • Creating art
  • Working
  • Or even sleeping

These are all times when asking permission or otherwise engaging a person will break their concentration (or slumber). This will affect the potential photo opportunity.

In ideal situations, you’ll be able to catch a person’s eye. They will see your camera and might give you an approving nod without breaking the flow of what they are doing. Then you can take photos in a relaxed manner because you know your subject is comfortable with you doing so.

Street Drummer - Is Being Shy a Good Reason to Take Candid Photos
© Kevin Landwer-Johan Nikon D800, Lens 105mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 400

You can’t always engage with your subject

Many times it’s not practical to engage with your subject. Candid photos are the only practical option when you are photographing:

  • Crowds
  • Street scenes
  • Where your subject is inaccessible

At times like this the only other option to taking candid photos is to not take photos.

When you can’t engage, it pays to be patient and observant. Wait for the decisive moment when the action is at its peak. When as many of the elements of a good photograph align, this is when you can capture the best candid photographs.

Poi Sang Long Festival - Is Being Shy a Good Reason to Take Candid Photos
© Kevin Landwer-Johan Nikon D800, Lens 35mm, f/5, 1/20, ISO 100

You don’t need to be an extrovert to photograph people

Being shy is a strength. Shy photographers can make the best portraits. This is because they show empathy toward the people they photograph. Learn to overcome the fear of imposing and you will take portraits with more depth.

To simply take candid photos because you are shy is not a good reason. Yes, as I have pointed out, candid photography is valid at times. But to avoid connecting with people because you don’t want to impose will often not result in the best photos.

When you want to photograph someone you see at the market, or a friend or your barista, talk to them first. Engage with them and build a rapport.

If you’re photographing a wedding or portrait, work on building a comfortable relationship with them. In many circumstances, the degree with which you connect with your subject will directly influence how good your photos are.

Portrait of a couple
© Kevin Landwer-Johan Nikon D800

Approach with care, not fear

Don’t worry. If you are fearful of someone’s response, this will show. They will know and respond accordingly. Approaching someone with confidence, you are more likely to receive a positive response.

You don’t need to get in their face with a false boldness, just be yourself. Know what you want and communicate this to your subject. Take your time as it will pay off with better photos.

Spending time with anyone you want to photograph will usually result in a more interesting portrait. Learn to connect, even if you don’t have much time.

If you’re in a street market or a coffee shop, take a few moments to show people why you are interested in taking their photo.

With a friend, share with them what’s on your mind. Talk with them about why you want to take their picture.

When you’re photographing a model, compliment them.

There are many ways to communicate positively that will enhance your photographic opportunities. Staying quiet will often inhibit your creative potential.

Portrait of a Kayaw woman
© Kevin Landwer-Johan Nikon D800, Lens 85mm, f/1.4, 1/400, ISO 1250

Overcome your shyness

As a young man, I was painfully shy. I loved photography, but could not bring myself to photograph people. Now, the main subjects in my photographs are people. I learned to use my camera as a bridge to connect with the people I want to photograph.

In my book, Photographing People – A Guide For Shy Photographers, I share my experience and teach you how to overcome your shyness.

My journey to becoming a people photographer has been challenging. Camera skills are only a part of what you need to create great portraits, no matter what gear you use.

Learn when it’s best to connect. Learn how to connect. You will create more interesting, more engaging photos of people when you do.

Please Click Here to purchase my book on Amazon.

The post Is Being Shy a Good Reason to Only Take Candid Photos? appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.


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