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10 Tips to Boost Your Creativity

11 Feb

The post 10 Tips to Boost Your Creativity appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Bond.

tips to boost your creativity

Do you want to capture more creative photos?

In this article, you’ll discover tips to boost your creativity so that you can start taking photos that stand out from the crowd.

There are a number of different approaches you can use for creative images, each with its own benefits.

Read on to find out how you can be even more creative!

1. Try a new technique

A great way to boost your creativity is to learn a new photographic technique.

The choices available to you are vast, so there really is no limit to your creative potential here. And the great thing about learning a new concept is that it’ll generally offer plenty of options for experimentation!

Plus, you can apply what you’ve learned to areas of photography you already know; that way, you can grow in genres you thought you’d already mastered.

Here are a few creative techniques for you to try:

  • Light painting – Transform your scene using tools such as a flashlight or a programmable LED lightstick.
  • Flash – Up your game in both portrait and still life photography by learning how to use off-camera flash.
  • Drone – Get dramatic angles from the sky, once only available to the select few who could hire a helicopter.
tips to boost your creativity woman with light painting
Light painting is a very popular creative technique.

2. Constrain yourself

The best way to really master something is to add constraints.

Too many techniques, ideas, or pieces of equipment can negatively affect the way you approach a subject.

But if you allow yourself to only start taking photos once limitations are in place…

…the results are often much more creative.

For instance, if you only shoot with a 50mm lens, you’ll need to think more creatively about how you’re going to use it.

How about limiting the area you can photograph to 100 meters from your house? You’ll have to work with what you have and think about how you can apply techniques to get creatively interesting photos near your home.

The key here is that, when you’re forced to work with limits, you’ll find different ways to express your vision. Those lessons you learn can then be applied to all of your general photography.

tips to boost your creativity festival
Here, the festival happened to be 100 meters from my house, literally just down the street!

3. Increase your knowledge

Of course, increasing your knowledge of photography is a good way to improve your creativity.

After all, you can only get so far by learning on your own through experimentation. There are many times when reading a photography book, visiting a website like Digital Photography School, or downloading digital resources will make a big difference.

This often happens when you experiment with a new technique and you initially get better, but you then hit the intermediate plateau.

At such a point, looking for expert outside help on the topic you’re learning is a good idea.

4. Use new equipment

Using new equipment is in essence learning a new photography style.

The first time you use a wide-angle lens, your photography will change forever. That’s why getting new equipment is one of my top tips to boost your creativity.

Of course, you need to keep your Gear Acquisition Syndrome under control; going out and buying something new every time you run out of creative ideas is not the way forward.

Also, if you do decide to purchase new equipment, choose something that will really add value to your photography. A wide-angle lens, a tripod, or a flash are all good investments. Then take the time to really learn what the new equipment brings to the table.

tree shot through a lensball
Why not try a lensball? This photo combines a creative zooming technique with a lensball.

5. Explore a new location

You’ve learned a new technique or mastered some more equipment, so what is the next challenge?

Indulge your wanderlust and try a brand new destination!

Going somewhere new is the equivalent of a painter starting with a blank canvas; you have so many possibilities. Once you know the area to which you’ll be traveling, I recommend you plan your trip beforehand. Start by researching the iconic photography locations that are worth visiting. Then go beyond the iconic photos and see how you can photograph the locations in a way that is uniquely yours.

lensball composition in Greece
This photo was taken on a visit to Greece the first time I visited there.

6. Revisit places

It’s also possible to capture creative photos of places you’ve visited before!

There are several reasons you might get different – and perhaps even better – results by revisiting a place.

First of all, you will know where the locations with the best angles are (though the challenge is to reinterpret compositions you’ve found in the past).

Here’s some advice for getting creative shots when revisiting locations:

  • Go during different seasons – Locations can have a dramatically different feel from one season to the next, such as summer to autumn.
  • Try a new technique – If you’ve learned a new skill since last shooting a location, why not try it out?
  • Wait before revisiting – Sometimes, you simply need time to think about a location before revisiting with fresh ideas.
South Korean village
This local folk village is a short drive from where I live in South Korea.

7. Join a photography club

One of the best ways to learn from other photographers is to join a photography community. So consider joining your local photography club or an online photography group.

Clubs and groups are a great place to be inspired by other photographers and to learn from their experience. You may also get the chance to collaborate on creative projects. You might even get to run a joint exhibition.

go on photowalks to boost your creativity
Joining other photographers for club meet-ups like photowalks is a great experience.

8. Start a project

A great way to bring focus and direction to your photography is to start a project.

There are plenty of options, though a successful project will take some time commitment. The benefits are huge, though, as your mind will be focused on how to enhance your project, which will then increase your creativity.

sunset landscape tips to boost your creativity
Why not begin a project by photographing the same location repeatedly?

9. Combine techniques

Here’s another tip to boost your creativity:

Combine different techniques or photographic styles. This might give you a fresh take on a style of photography you’ve been practicing for years.

For instance, why not try combining light painting with lensball photography? Or you could try flash photography and light painting (which is another excellent combination!).

Think about the techniques you know and how they complement each other. That way, you can combine them to create a new style of image.

10. Get feedback on your work

There are plenty of benefits to getting feedback on your photography.

First of all, it will improve your work! However, remember that you’ll be getting other people’s opinions – people who may not understand the creative vision you have.

You need to ensure you keep your own unique creative drive, while also taking on board the ways you can improve your game.

Ideally, you’ll find someone whose feedback encourages your creativity and pushes you to get the best results.

Tips to boost your creativity: Conclusion

Now that you’ve read this article, you should be ready to try some creative photography.

So pick your favorite tip and get creative!

Now I’d like to know your thoughts:

How do you stay creative? Are there any tips you can give to the community? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!

The post 10 Tips to Boost Your Creativity appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Bond.


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Olympus Announces the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV, With 20 MP and an AF Boost

10 Aug

The post Olympus Announces the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV, With 20 MP and an AF Boost appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV announcement

Earlier this year, Olympus made news with the reveal that it will be selling off its camera division, yet it seems that the company plans to go full steam ahead (at least for now).

Because Olympus has just unveiled its latest Micro Four Thirds camera model, the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV, a compact, low-cost, travel-ready option for entry-level photographers and successor to the well-received OM-D E-M10 Mark III.

Olympus cameras are known for their small size and limited weight, thanks to the compact dimensions of a Four Thirds sensor. This makes Olympus models a favorite of travel and street photographers, especially when you factor in the size of the lenses (which are some of the most compact options on the market, and will feel positively dainty in your hands).

But the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV takes portability to a new level, coming in at just 0.85 lbs (0.385 kg), which is the lightest of any Olympus mirrorless model to date. It’s perfect for anyone looking to shave off weight from their camera bag, and stays featherlight even when combined with some of Olympus’s longer zoom lenses.

The main drawback to a Micro Four Thirds system is limited resolution, which is why the OM-D E-M10 Mark III only offered a 16 MP sensor. But Olympus has finally decided to give the Mark IV a megapixel boost, up to 20 MP for added detail, which increases both cropping capabilities and printing possibilities, though you should also expect a potential hit to high ISO performance and dynamic range.

Personally, I’d like to see a 24 MP MFT sensor, but this still isn’t a spec offered by Olympus’s higher-end models, so I doubt we’ll see it on a camera like the OM-D E-M10 anytime soon. Plus, 20 MP really is enough for most purposes, including relatively large prints, so there’s not really much worth complaining about.

Moving along, Olympus offers the best in-body image stabilization in the business, which is why you can expect up to 4.5 stops of IBIS on an entry-level model like the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV. This will allow for tack-sharp images at shutter speeds far beyond what would normally be considered possible, as well as smooth video recording (and did I mention that the camera offers 4K?).

As for additional noteworthy specs, the OM-D E-M10 promises improved autofocus over the E-M10 Mark III, thanks to upgraded tracking algorithms, as well as 8.7 fps continuous shooting speeds; also relevant is an interesting flip-down LCD design, which allows you to see previews of images and footage from in front of the camera, but by tilting the LCD below the camera.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

Oh, and you get Olympus’s now-standard electronic viewfinder resolution, at 2.36M dots. I didn’t expect anything better (there are only so many upgrades you can make to a camera at a sub-$ 1000 USD price), but Olympus’s EVF game is frustratingly limited, even on its higher-end models, and I’d ideally like to see a resolution boost here.

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV will debut in late September, for a relatively cheap MSRP of $ 699.99 (body only). It is available for preorder here.

Now over to you:

What do you think of Olympus’s latest mirrorless model? Are you impressed? Disappointed? Are there any features that the E-M10 Mark IV is lacking but that you’d like to have seen? Share your thoughts in the comments!

The post Olympus Announces the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV, With 20 MP and an AF Boost appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


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Apple acquires Spectral Edge to boost iPhone camera performance

13 Dec

It looks like Apple might have just made another move to improve image quality on its iPhone camera. Bloomberg reports that according to filings made public in the U.K. on Thursday, Apple has acquired the Cambridge, U.K.-based startup Spectral Edge Ltd..

Spectral Edge has developed a technology that can improve detail and color on digital cameras by taking an infrared picture and merging it with a conventional color photo using machine learning. Apple is already using AI in some of its camera algorithms, for example to improve low light images, so using AI to improve other aspects of image quality would fit nicely into the concept.

The Spectral Edge technology can be applied via software or baked into hardware which would allow Apple to integrate it into a custom image signal processor.

No purchase price has been reported but last year Spectral Edge said it raised more than $ 5 million in funding.

We should not expect the technology to be integrated in the next iPhone generation but in the medium and long term it will be interesting to see if Spectral Edge can help improve smartphone imaging.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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AMD teases huge Adobe performance boost with new 3rd-gen Ryzen ‘Threadripper’ CPUs

12 Nov

American semiconductor company AMD has taken the wraps off its new 3rd-generation Ryzen Threadripper processors. The product line is comprised of the 24-core 3960X and the 32-core 3970x models featuring the company’s 7nm ‘Zen 2’ core architecture, 140/144MB cache, and up 88 PCIe 4.0 lanes.

In its announcement on Monday, AMD provided some examples of the performance increases consumers can expect from its new Threadrippers, including up to a 47% performance boost in Adobe Premiere. That’s with the 3970X processor model in comparison to the market’s ‘top-end HEDT processor,’ according to AMD.

The company offers a more detailed look at the technical aspects of its 3rd-generation processors in the video above. Both models will be available to purchase globally starting on November 25. The 3rd-gen Ryzen Threadripper 3960X will be priced at $ 1,399 USD and the 3970X at $ 1,999 USD.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Tools for Doing In-Person Photography Sales to Boost Your Income Stream

21 Oct

The post Tools for Doing In-Person Photography Sales to Boost Your Income Stream appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jackie Lamas.

in-person-photography-sales

It seems now many clients only want digital files, however, there are still photographers doing in-person photography sales and making more from their art than the shoot and burn photographer. You don’t need a lot to get started with in-person photography sales. You can add products, samples, and such as your sales increase. Learn the tips you need to get started by reading below!

Image: Photo: John Schnobrich

Photo: John Schnobrich

What are in-person photography sales?

In-person photography sales are where you set an appointment with your clients to give them a personalized viewing of their photos and conduct a sales meeting with them at the same time.

You can set the date for the in-person photography sales appointment before the actual session or when the photos are ready to view. It all depends on how you handle and schedule your calendar.

Image: Photo: Annie Spratt

Photo: Annie Spratt

An in-person photography sales appointment is for photographers who wish to sell products like prints, frames, and other specialty items. These have a set profit margin so you can make the most out of a portrait session or wedding.

Why have in-person photography sales to begin with?

When a photographer gives away their photos in digital format, the client is allowed to print outside of the photographer’s studio, resulting in a loss in money for the photographer. With in-person sales, you are able to offer your clients their most valuable photos of their family, or event, and get top-quality products in return.

Image: You can use a gallery mock-up like this to sell wall galleries, frames, or other products dur...

You can use a gallery mock-up like this to sell wall galleries, frames, or other products during the in-person photography sales appointment. It helps your clients visualize the final product.

In-person photography sales give your clients more personalized attention. It also allows them to get their photos off digital format and onto their walls.

Giving your clients this personalized attention will also make your clients feel taken care of in the most intimate way. This rounds out the whole portrait photography experience. You’ll have them come to you next time they need that personal experience again.

What do you need to get started with in-person photography sales?

To begin with, you need an action plan. You’ll need to determine how you’ll be conducting the sales appointment. Choose a location with minimal distraction and noise, so that you can tailor your sales appointment to have the atmosphere you want. It can be a shared space, a rented location, or even in your home or the client’s home.

Image: Photo: Brooke Cagle

Photo: Brooke Cagle

You’ll also need some sort of device to showcase the photos from the session. This can be a laptop, iPad/tablet, or even a screen projector to showcase the photos large. If you have a studio space, you can choose a room or location inside that has a TV or computer to show their images.

Sign up with a professional lab

Next, you’ll need to make a catalog of the products you’ll be offering. Make sure to use a top photographic lab and not your friendly neighborhood Costco. While there’s nothing wrong with Costco for personal printing, they are not a professional lab with professional printers and top quality control.

Image: WHCC offers a program you can use on your iPad called Studio to create mockups of products yo...

WHCC offers a program you can use on your iPad called Studio to create mockups of products your clients want to buy.

White House Custom Color, Bay Photo Lab, Black River Imaging are a few of the leading professional photography labs, among many, many more. Find one that you like best and give them a try. All of them offer a variety of products ranging from loose prints to specialty items like tree ornaments, bookmarks, and even mugs with photos on them.

After you figure out what products you want to sell to your clients, figure out the pricing. Factor in shipping and the cost of the product. Only then can you determine how much of a profit margin you want. Depending on your market, you might be at a 40% profit margin or perhaps more.

Image: A digital catalog can help you showcase your products and pricing to clients without having t...

A digital catalog can help you showcase your products and pricing to clients without having to order samples. Some labs offer free product guides without branding or prices.

If you have capital, get samples of the products that you think will be top sells, and loose prints in various sizes. If you’ll be offering to frame, get the sample corners.

Each photographer has their own set of top sellers. With time, you can accumulate samples of those products. However, if you don’t have money to invest in samples, create a sales catalog in Illustrator or Photoshop. That way, your clients can see the products.

Image: Having sample albums in smaller sizes can help your clients visualize the final product.

Having sample albums in smaller sizes can help your clients visualize the final product.

WHCC has a site without any branding that you can use to get your clients excited about products. Many professional labs also offer samples at a discount so that you can afford some of the products to help you sell.

Payments

Sign up with a merchant account of some sort so that you can take credit card and debit card payments. You can get a card reader with some services like Square and PayPal to make processing credit cards and debit cards much easier. These also allow you to email receipts to your client.

Image: Photo: Thomas Drouault

Photo: Thomas Drouault

Some gallery services like Instaproofs offer merchant services and invoicing to photographers right from the gallery. They can also provide direct printing straight from the gallery.

Figure out what works for you and which service offers a better plan for you. It’s really helpful when more and more people use these types of services.

To recap, you’ll need the following:

  1. Figure out your plan. Where will you have the in-person photography sales appointments?
  2. Sign up with a professional photography lab.
  3. Figure out the products and pricing you’ll be selling.
  4. Invest in samples or create a catalog of products to show clients.
  5. Get a merchant account, Square, or PayPal for payments with cards.
  6. Stick to your plan!

What are the benefits of having in-person photography sales?

The benefits are many in that you are giving your clients something that they won’t get anywhere else – your personalized attention throughout the whole photographic experience.

Tools for Doing In-Person Photography Sales to Boost Your Income Stream

By having an in-person photography sales appointment with your clients, you are showing them their beautiful portraits via slideshow or even just in the gallery one by one. You are helping them choose their favorites, and setting them up with products that they’ll treasure for many years to come.

When you hand over digitals via an online gallery, you are missing out on the emotion behind the whole experience. They download, print, and buy somewhere else – leaving you with a loss.

Image: Showing your clients what their photos can look like in their home is also a good way to sell...

Showing your clients what their photos can look like in their home is also a good way to sell products.

Even if you offer digital products, having an in-person photography sales appointment with clients is the best way to show them that you not only take great photographs but care about your clients. It shows then that you are there with your knowledge and expertise to find the right product, photo, and gift to make their photos stand out.

In-person sales appointments are a great way to end the whole experience and create a deeper bond with your clients that an online gallery or digital photos never will.

What if my clients can’t meet or live out of town?

Although it’s better to be physically face-to-face with your clients, sometimes you can’t, and that’s okay. Luckily, there are other ways to hold an in-person photography sales appointment.

Image: Even digital mockups of products can help you sell more to your clients. Show them on your la...

Even digital mockups of products can help you sell more to your clients. Show them on your laptop or tablet after you show your clients their gallery.

If they can’t meet with you in person, offer a video chat style of sales appointment that best fits into their busy schedule. It’s understandable that clients can get busy with their families, life, work, and travel, however, make it a point to have some type of face-to-face appointment with them.

Use Skype so that you can share your screen with them and show them the slideshow of photos you’ve prepared. You’ll see their reactions and emotions to the beautiful photos and can then begin the process of selling your products.

Image: On the left is a catalog unbranded from a professional lab. On the right is a digital mockup...

On the left is a catalog unbranded from a professional lab. On the right is a digital mockup of various products using my own photos.

Make sure to send your product guide/catalog to them before the meeting so that they are aware of what type of products you offer and at what price points they begin.

Make the most out of in-person photography sales appointments

If you offer digitals with your packages, don’t make them readily available to your clients before your sales appointment. Chances are, they’ll walk away with the digitals and forget to make or go to the appointment since they’ve gotten their digitals.

It’s best to schedule the sales appointment before you have the actual session. That way, you can set a time and day that works best for everyone ahead of time. Families especially need careful planning so that they can attend the sales meeting.

Image: Photo: S O C I A L . C U T

Photo: S O C I A L . C U T

Set the tone for the in-person photography sales appointment. Even if you don’t have physical products yet, bring copies of your catalog. Perhaps offer drinks or snacks during the appointment and have the slide show and gallery ready to view. Make sure there is no need for an internet connection in all of your prep, just in case you meet at a place that doesn’t have wifi.

Give your clients an incentive for purchasing their photos. You could offer a gift print with purchases over a certain amount. Or if it’s part of your business plan, include a digital print of the photos that they get in prints or products so that they can keep that as well.

Image: Photo: Brooke Cagle

Photo: Brooke Cagle

Offer a payment plan to your clients. Put their credit card on file with a payment date so that you can automatically charge their cards when the payment is due. This allows them to have the products that they want most. Sometimes, payment plans can increase your sales because they offer more flexibility to your clients.

Set about two minutes worth of favorite images to music and create a slideshow. After, have your order form, catalog or samples, and begin showing the rest of the gallery to your clients. This creates excitement around seeing the rest of the images.

In conclusion

Having an in-person photography sales appointment doesn’t mean you have to have a studio or even samples.  You can get started right away with a catalog of products and prices. You can use a rented or shared space, or even have the in-person sales appointment in your clients’ home or via video chat.

Image: Photo: John Schnobrich

Photo: John Schnobrich

Either way, giving your clients this personal and handheld experience to get the most out of their photos will mean more income for you and wall portraits for them. This makes the whole photographic experience more meaningful!

Do you make in-person photography sales? What tips can you offer other photographers? Share in the comments!

The post Tools for Doing In-Person Photography Sales to Boost Your Income Stream appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jackie Lamas.


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Nvidia Studio will boost the performance of your creative apps

28 May

Nvidia has launched a new software and hardware initiative at the Computex Taipei trade show. Nvidia Studio is targeted at video editors, photographers and other content creators and consists of a collection of APIs, SDKs and drivers for Nvidia RTX GPUs that have all been designed to increase performance in use with creative software from providers like Adobe, Epic, Autodesk, Unity and Blackmagic Design.

App developers can make use of an AI-powered software that provides automation of some tasks, including image upscaling or video color matching.

Acer, Asus, Dell, Gigabyte, HP, MSI and Razer will all be announcing 17 RTX Studio-branded laptops between each other at the trade show this week. Graphics options in the new models include Nividia’s RTX 2080, 2070, and 2060 GPUs as well as the Quadro 5000, 4000, and 3000 workstation models.

Nvidia says that in testing with apps like Maya and RedCine-X Pro, an RTX Studio laptop with Intel Core i7 CPU and RTX 2080 Max-Q GPU was seven times faster than a top-end MacBook Pro with a Core i9 and AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20 GPU.

The first RTX Studio laptops will be available in June, with pricing starting at $ 1,599.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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How to Boost Your Creativity with Lightroom Presets

01 Dec

The post How to Boost Your Creativity with Lightroom Presets appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Stacey Hill.

1 - How to Boost Your Creativity with Lightroom Presets

There are many divisive points in the photography world – brand versus brand, film versus digital, and minimal editing versus Photoshop. The one that seems to have a fervent dislike is the use of Presets in Lightroom. Find any post on presets and people line up in the comments to judge and criticize anyone who uses them. People get told they are lazy, that their images all look the same ala Instagram filters and so on.

Up to a point they are right – anything overused becomes a short-lived fad. If all you ever do in your editing is use canned settings and don’t learn even the basics, then I agree with them.

Many people make the mistake of thinking that applying a Preset (or a filter) makes a bad photo better, but hopefully, Instagram has taught us better by now. Instead, think of Presets as tools to help you automate your process, make you faster and more efficient at editing.

Still, there’s a lot of potential and possibilities that presets offer us. Let’s explore that idea!

(Note:  While this article specifically addresses Creativity with Lightroom Presets, the same principles apply for any other program that allows presets, including Photoshop Actions)

2 - How to Boost Your Creativity with Lightroom Presets

This is the same image as the header but this features a preset which deepens the green tones and desaturates the image, toning down the yellow. I like this much more than the original which is true to life.

The Benefits of Using Lightroom Presets

1. Saves Time

You can spend hours on editing just one image if you want to. However, most of us don’t have the luxury of that much time. Nor do customers want to pay that much for their images.

My recommendation is you should do a basic edit for each image to suit its requirements. However, if you want a specific look or a consistent style to your images, imagine how much more time you have with just being able to click a preset to finish it off?

Some images take more time to edit. You can allow extra time for those images by utilizing presets on the easier ones.

Of the two images below, the top image is an unedited RAW File, while the second image is a processed image using Presets.

3 - How to Boost Your Creativity with Lightroom Presets 4 - How to Boost Your Creativity with Lightroom Presets

2. Easy and Fun

Why do people judge you for doing something that is easy?  Does everything have to be complicated and involved? Can’t it be fun too?

Not everyone has time to fully understand and master every setting and option within Lightroom (or any other program). Presets can allow you to quickly and efficiently apply complex effects.

It’s also fun to experiment with new styles.

3. Consistency

If you have a shoot where the subject/light/tones are all similar, you can achieve a consistent finish for the final image by applying a preset. You can also make one specifically to suit the shoot if required.

Besides, if you have done a series of tweaks to your image, do you remember exactly what you did and what the settings were?  Do you remember everyone to add to lots more images manually? Yes, you can write it all down or pull it out of the ‘history,’ but there’s no need.

Of the two images below, the top image is an unedited RAW File, while the second image is a processed image using Presets.

5 - How to Boost Your Creativity with Lightroom Presets 6 - How to Boost Your Creativity with Lightroom Presets

4. Customizable

You can easily create your own presets in Lightroom and save them for using repeatedly. Alternatively, you can create one that only works for a specific shoot. Presets are also available to buy pre-configured for all kinds of different finishes.

Once you have applied the preset, you can continue to edit and refine the look. Depending on the settings, you can stack multiple presets on top of each other for a unique outcome.

There are many different ways to use and apply presets, and you can get a sophisticated outcome quickly and easily even when you may not fully understand all the capabilities of the software.

5.  Different Functions can have Presets

For your editing functions, the primary use for Presets is in the ‘Develop’ module. However, you can create presets that apply to Metadata, or when you Import or Export images. This process can help you apply copyright information or customer information to images, or quickly change the export settings depending on requirements. For example, print versus web use.

Of the two images below, the top image is an unedited RAW File, while the second image is a processed image using Presets.

7 - How to Boost Your Creativity with Lightroom Presets 8 - How to Boost Your Creativity with Lightroom Presets

So, can I just use Presets for everything?

Presets are not a magic one-click fix. Each preset reacts differently with individual images. It is essential to understand the basics of your program because some editing is necessary.

However, if you only want to use presets, no one is going to stop you. Do you want to make that choice though?

Can people tell if you are not entirely in control of your editing software?  Yes. In general, experienced people can tell.

That said, I strongly recommend that everyone should have a solid understanding of the basic features their editing program has so they know enough to be able to edit without relying on presets. If you are using presets, you should understand how you can further tweak and improve the effect.

Please note that not all presets are created equal. Some are better designed and, when applied, provide a more polished effect.

Of the two images below, the top image is an unedited RAW File, while the second image is a processed image using Presets.

9 - How to Boost Your Creativity with Lightroom Presets 10 - How to Boost Your Creativity with Lightroom Presets

Freedom to be Creative

One of the most powerful things Presets can do is take us out of our comfort zone and show us new possibilities in the way we edit images. Humans are creatures of habit, so once we find the comfortable place that we can generate images of acceptable quality, we are likely to settle in there.

Maybe we don’t know everything the program can do? Perhaps we don’t understand how we can apply this feature here on top of that function there. For example, how many people fully understand Split Toning?

What if we didn’t need to understand absolutely EVERY function and feature in our software? Maybe we simply don’t have the time. What if we could understand enough to be able to use the necessary bits and then use the knowledge someone else has created to add that extra dimension to our editing?

What if we CAN try a new look with one click? Maybe a purple-toned one, then a matte-finish one, and a black and white one? We can compare a whole heap of different processes.

Maybe by trying out Presets, we can learn more about the software’s capabilities? Perhaps it can give us more confidence to shoot in a different style, taking advantage of the new editing prospects.

Breakdown of an Edit

In the screenshot below it shows the final edit of the clematis flower (Before and After images featured above).

As you can see, after Import, the next step is ‘Paste Settings.’ This is where I have copied the Preset and some adjustments made on a previous image in the shoot.

A further 19 steps have been taken to enhance and finalize this image to achieve the desired outcome.

Could I have stopped after the first ‘Paste Settings?’  Absolutely.

Was it the best that image could have looked?  Not in my opinion. So, I spent the time I had saved using a preset to do further fiddly little tweaks and refinements.

11 - How to Boost Your Creativity with Lightroom Presets

Using Presets Creatively

This winter landscape of frost-crusted rocks, icicles, and what I can assure you was freezing water, was already quite blue-toned. The blue tone was due to the 10-stop filter I used to achieve long exposure on the water.

I liked how the blue tone emphasized the cold crisp winter feel so I decided to use it to set the whole mood for this image.  A blue-toned, slightly matte finish preset helped boost that aspect of the process. It added more brightness on the whites, deepened the shadows a touch and added a bit of clarity for extra crispness.

I could have completely changed the color space to natural daylight, but seeing this blue tone inspired me to follow that direction further. I knew I had a preset that would do interesting things to the blue tones and it worked better than expected.

Of the two images below, the top image is an unedited RAW File, while the second image is a processed image using Presets.

12 - How to Boost Your Creativity with Lightroom Presets 13 - How to Boost Your Creativity with Lightroom Presets

I tend towards darker, moody edits. So, using Presets for an image helps me see different possibilities quickly. With a few clicks, I can assess what is suited to a high-key edit, a desaturated, matte edit, a neutral, natural edit, or perhaps black and white one.

Sometimes I strike gold and end up with something delightfully unexpected (like the green currants at the top of this article). It never fails to amaze me how much scope Lightroom has to do things I don’t fully understand yet. However, using presets has taught me a great deal, and I am slowly unpacking them, figuring it out and beginning to make my own Presets now.

14 - How to Boost Your Creativity with Lightroom Presets

Conclusion

Lightroom (and other editing programs) offer a lot of functions and scope for editing your images. Many people don’t have the time to learn all the features and capabilities in detail. It can be frustrating when you are learning how to use it.

Presets give you access to features within the software without needing to know exactly how to implement them manually.

Using Presets allows even novice users the ability to be creative and experiment with different styles and looks to their editing. More experienced users can create their own presets, or utilize purchased ones in their editing process. They save time and can make your editing process more efficient as well.

Presets offer you the opportunity to try a style that is different to what you typically create. Alternatively, perhaps you want to dabble and see how an image turns out with a range of edits. Using Presets can also help you learn more about the program by showing more of its capabilities.

While Presets can be overused, or not used to best effect, they also offer many advantages. Provided they are used as part of your process, and not as a magic solution, Presets can be a valuable tool.

Finally, playing with them is fun. Being able to experiment safely and easily with one click of a button gives you the latitude to be brave while considering new editing styles.

 

The post How to Boost Your Creativity with Lightroom Presets appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Stacey Hill.


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Nine Ways to Boost Your Kit Lens Creativity

19 Nov

The first lens many photographers will own is the kit lens. This lens typically covers a focal range of 18-55mm and has a variable maximum aperture. So before you move onto other lenses, how can you get the most out of this particular lens? Well, there is an awful lot that can be achieved with this lens when you put your mind to it. There are limitations of course, but there is even more room to experiment with your kit lens creativity! So let’s look at some of the ways you can do just that.

Kinetic Light Painting - Nine Ways to Boost Your Kit Lens Creativity

This photo used the kit lenses ability to zoom to do some kinetic light painting.

1 – Kinetic Light Painting

Light painting is an exciting form of photography and one that you can experiment with using a humble kit lens. What the kit lens is well suited for is a niche form of light painting, called kinetic light painting. This form of light painting involves moving the camera, as opposed to moving the light source. Light painting uses a long exposure, and as with all long exposure shots, it’s a good idea to use a tripod. So what types of kinetic light painting will work well?

  • Camera rotation – This is a type of light painting that involves moving the camera around while it is attached to a tripod. Use a wide focal length, and experiment with light sources that are above the camera. Tall structures like skyscrapers often work well for this technique.
  • Zoom – The 18-55mm focal range is ideal for zoom light painting work, good for kit lens creativity. In fact, perhaps the only better lens would be a superzoom 18-300mm. This time you’ll change the focal length of the lens during the photo, causing light to be painted across the scene.
Panning - Nine Ways to Boost Your Kit Lens Creativity

Panning is a great technique to practice, and it’s fun.

2 – Panning

While it’s true you can use more or less any lens for panning, you don’t need an upgrade from your kit lens to make this type of photo either. In fact, a focal length of around 55mm is often ideal for this particular technique. You simply require a shutter speed of around 1/20th second. There are some excellent guides on this subject, and the technique is simple and fun to master.

  1. Find an area where you’re moving subject will move across the area you intend to photograph. You’ll want your moving object to run parallel to you, relative to where you’re positioned.
  2. Use a shutter speed of around 1/20th. You can increase or decrease this if you wish. At slower shutter speeds the chance of camera shake increases, so you will need to be very steady when tracking the motion of the object you’re panning. It’s possible to use a faster shutter speed for panning, but then you’ll need a fast moving object to pan with.
  3. As the object you’re panning approaches, begin to follow the motion with your camera. When you’re confident you’re following the motion steadily, press your shutter gently as you continue to move with the object.
Zoom Burst - Nine Ways to Boost Your Kit Lens Creativity

Using your lens for long exposure photos can be creative.

3 – Zoom Burst

You’ll notice zoom is a kinetic light painting technique. It can also be used during the day, to create a dynamic feel to your photo. The shutter speed needed is similar to that of panning, so around 1/20th. You can also use a tripod for extra stabilization of your photo. It’s best to zoom into your subject when practicing this technique, which can work very nicely for portrait photos. Once again the kit lens is well suited to this since it allows a zoom range from 18mm to 55mm.

4 – Glass Ball Refraction Photography

Refraction photography is a niche that can use any kind of camera. You can certainly use a kit lens to get this type of photograph. The technique revolves around using a crystal ball, though other objects such as wine glasses filled with water will work. When you consider that a glass ball works like an external lens optic, in a sense, you’re getting your creativity from another lens. However, you still need a kit lens to take the photo! As these photos work best with a blurred background look to photograph at 55mm, and with the largest aperture you can.

Refraction - Nine Ways to Boost Your Kit Lens Creativity

In this photo, a wine glass was used to show refraction.

5 – Low-Key Light Portrait

You don’t need low light to create low-key portraits, and with that in mind, the kit lens can be a very useful lens. Using your lens at around 50mm will work nicely for your portrait, and you can use your camera body to expose at -2 or -3 exposure value. You’ll need to set your aperture and shutter speed to the appropriate settings to get this exposure value, depending on the environment you’re in. To make a low-key photo you’ll need a large difference in light from model to the background. This can be achieved through finding a place where a shard of sunlight comes through a gap in the roofing, perhaps at a market. You now need your model to be lit up by the sun, while the background will be underexposed, and therefore dark.

Low-Key Portraits - Nine Ways to Boost Your Kit Lens Creativity

You can use any lens for low-key portraits, including the kit lens.

6 – Long Exposure Photography

Your kit lens will not restrict your ability to take long exposure photos. The limiting factor here will be a lack of a tripod, and perhaps a lack of the correct filter. That means you can take amazing long exposure photos with a kit lens, so long as you have the correct additional equipment.

  • Car light trails – Find the right location above a road with plenty of traffic, and you can take photos of light trails produced by cars. Close down the aperture, and you’ll also create a starburst effect with any street lights nearby. You’ll need exposure times of 5 seconds or more for this type of photo.
  • Moving water – Moving water can look attractive in your photo, and a kit lens can certainly capture this. Exposure times of around 1 second or more will give moving water a silky look when photographed.
  • Light painting – The merits of the kit lens for kinetic light painting has already been discussed. It’s no surprise you can also up your kit lens creativity with light painting of any type.
Long Exposures - Nine Ways to Boost Your Kit Lens Creativity

Fireworks can be recorded using a kit lens, and it’s great for capturing the whole scene at wide focal lengths.

7 – Attaching a Filter

A great way to increase your kit lens creativity is to add a filter, and that’s not the digital kind. There are a good variety of filters you can add to your kit lens that will give you extra options as a photographer. These can be graduated sunset filters, that add warms tones to the sky. Alternatively, a strong ND filter will allow you to take long exposure photos during the day, using your kit lens and a tripod. This article will give you an idea of some of the available filters you can use. You’ll need to use the correct sized filter, with 52mm or 58mm being typical for a kit lens.

Adding Filters - Nine Ways to Boost Your Kit Lens Creativity

Filters can be attached to your kit lens. This photo was taken with an infra-red filter attached to a kit lens.

8 – Get Wide

At 18mm your kit lens is wide enough to capture a good amount of the scene in a landscape photo. This means as you travel with this lens you can take some photos of amazing viewpoints. Combine this with a technique such as long exposure or kinetic light painting and you will get your kit lens creativity! Note that if you’re using a crop sensor APS-C camera 18mm is effectively 28.8mm on a full-frame camera.

9 – Portrait Work

At the other end of the scale with your kit lens is 55mm. Once again when using an APS-C camera this will effectively be 88mm if this was used on a full-frame camera. These focal lengths are ideal for portrait photography though. Any compression of the face won’t be too extreme at the effective focal length of 88mm. So focal lengths from around 30mm through to 55mm will give you some good compression ratios to work with for portrait photography.

Get Wide - Nine Ways to Boost Your Kit Lens Creativity

Whether your portraits are street photos, posed, or travel, the kit lens is going to give you nice results.

How Will You Get Your Kit Lens Creativity?

The drive for more creativity is always there with photography. There is a lot you can do using your kit lens if you choose to. The list above gives you some examples of how you might go about doing that. Have you tried any of these techniques with the kit lens? Are there any other ways you’ve taken interesting photos with this particular lens? Please share your thoughts, and photos in the comments section.

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How to Boost Your Post-Processing Skills With a Graphics Tablet

22 Sep

During the course of your love affair with photography, you’ll use many different pieces of equipment. Some you’ll purchase, some you’ll beg, borrow, or steal. They will all serve one purpose or another. Some you may love so much that you keep forever. Most you won’t.

You don’t hear me talk about gear often. Over time I’ve worked hard to simplify my gear, and as a travel photographer, I’ve had to be ruthless in shedding excess size and weight. Every now and then, however, you come across a tool that is so valuable to your workflow that you can’t imagine working without it. One of those tools for me is a graphics tablet.

step up your post-processing with a graphics tablet

Photo by Kate Trysh on Unsplash

I’ve been using a tablet for quite a few years now, and it’s totally worth the extra weight in my bag. When I sold everything I owned and bought a one-way ticket to travel the world with my camera, I found space for my tablet. It has revolutionized my post-processing, and it can revolutionize yours too.

What is a Graphics Tablet?

A graphics tablet is a device that allows you to use a stylus instead of a mouse to control the cursor on your computer screen. They come in many sizes and offer a variety of features. They work by pointing at or drawing on the surface of the tablet with the stylus, which transfers your movements onto your screen. Most come with buttons on the stylus and on the tablet, which you can configure to act as mouse buttons or keystrokes.

They range from small tablets with no buttons all the way up to huge displays where you can draw directly onto the screen, much like an iPad. They often include features like pressure-sensitivity, allowing extremely precise controls that come in very handy when drawing.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Why Use a Tablet?

You might be asking yourself what’s so special about a tablet. What’s wrong with a good old mouse? I used to feel the same way until I tried using one. The humble mouse works fine for everyday computer usage, but it’s severely limited when it comes to photo editing.

Have you ever found yourself getting frustrated while trying to edit some fine details in a photo and having to go back over and over again? When you use a mouse, you’re relying on the movements of the large muscles and bones in your arm and hand to move it around your screen. It’s incredibly cumbersome. Your arm works great with big movements, but not so much with small, precise ones.

Now think about the precision and fine motor skills required to draw with a pen. Every tiny muscle in your hand is used to control the movements. I like to think of it this way: a toddler can use a mouse, but there’s no way they could use a tablet. They can’t even write their own name. A tablet will allow you to use those fine motor skills that you developed all those years ago.

step up your post-processing with a graphics tablet

Photo by Josefa nDiaz on Unsplash

How Do You Use a Tablet?

You may have seen tablets being used in Photoshop tutorials and wondered how they’re used. You don’t need to be a professional retoucher or illustrator to benefit from using a tablet. Even if you do all your post-processing in Lightroom, you will likely still find that a tablet will make the process much more precise and enjoyable.

step up your post-processing with a graphics tablet

ExpressKey menu in the Wacom setting panel.

The main benefits of editing with a tablet are speed and precision. As I mentioned earlier, most tablets will have some extra controls on the stylus and on the tablet itself. These controls can be customized to do pretty much anything.

This means that you can replace your most commonly used keystrokes with a single button. The touch ring can be set to adjust things like brush size and hardness, or scroll and zoom. These controls can speed up your post-processing dramatically.

step up your post-processing with a graphics tablet

Touch Ring options in the Wacom settings panel.

Where a graphics tablet really shines is when you want to apply local adjustments to your photos. Whether you’re making selections, drawing, painting, erasing, or dodging and burning, you’ll find that it’s far easier with a stylus than a mouse. It feels more natural and you’ll make a lot fewer mistakes.

If you don’t currently make a lot of local adjustments to your photos, I highly recommend taking some time to learn how. Learning basic dodging and burning is one of the best things you can do to take your post-processing skills to the next level. Do it with a tablet and you’ll be amazed what a difference it makes to your workflow.

There are many great resources available online for free that will teach you the basics of dodging and burning in both Lightroom and Photoshop. Likewise with setting up and using a tablet. There is a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll never want to edit with a mouse again.

Choosing a Tablet

As I’ve mentioned, tablets range massively in price, size, and features. What you need will depend on a few factors like your budget, how much space you have on your desk, and how you like to work.

You can spend anywhere from $ 25 to $ 2000, so there is something that will suit your needs. You should be able to find a decent tablet under $ 100 that does the job.

step up your post-processing with a graphics tablet

Wacom’s high-end Cintiq tablet.Photo by Norbert Levajsics on Unsplash

Choosing the right size can be tricky. On one hand, the larger your tablet, the easier it is to use. You won’t find yourself having to move around the screen as much with a larger tablet. On the other hand, it will take up more space on your desk or in your bag. I personally like using a tablet that’s smaller than my laptop, that way they both fit nicely in my bag when I’m on the road.

In terms of features, you don’t need a lot of the more advanced features. My older Wacom Intuos doesn’t feature pressure sensitivity, and I don’t miss it. I would recommend using a tablet with at least a few control buttons, as they can speed up your workflow quite a bit.

Don’t stress about getting an expensive, high-end tablet, though. You’ll likely find that a basic model or a cheaper brand will suit your needs just fine. If you have an iPad lying around, there are apps available that allow you to connect it to your computer and use it as a tablet.

step up your post-processing with a graphics tablet

Huion Graphics Drawing Pen Tablet – Photo by Drew Thomas on Unsplash

Beg, Borrow or Steal

Well, maybe not steal, but ask around and see if someone you know has a tablet you could borrow or rent to try for a week. If you can find one to test out, give it a chance. As I’ve said, it takes a while to get used to it, so don’t give up too soon.

I’m sure that once you get your head around it you’ll be wanting one of your very own, and you’ll never look back.

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Nikon D3500 gets smaller and cheaper, battery life gets a boost

30 Aug

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Nikon has replaced its entry-level D3400 DSLR with the aptly named D3500. The main change is that the body is similar to that of the even-smaller D5600, minus the articulating touchscreen display. The D3500 is also cheaper than its predecessor, with a list price of just $ 499 with an AF-P 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 VR lens, compared to $ 649 for a D3400 kit.

Nikon has also managed to increase battery life by 30% to 1550 shots per charge, despite using the same processor and battery as the D3400.

The D3500 has the same 24MP DX-format CMOS sensor, 11-point AF system, easy-to-use Guide Mode, 1080/60p video and Bluetooth-only connectivity as the D3400.

As mentioned above, the D3500 will sell for $ 499 with an 18-55mm kit lens. A two-lens kit which includes the 18-55 as well as a non-VR AF-P 70-300 F4.5-6.3G ED lens will be priced at $ 849. Both kits will ship in September.

Press Release

THE NEW NIKON D3500: CAPTURE AND SHARE YOUR TREASURED MOMENTS WITH THE LIGHTEST, FRIENDLIEST NIKON DSLR YET

The Redesigned Nikon D3500 is the Most Portable Entry-Level Nikon DSLR Ever, and the Easiest Way to Capture the Moments that Matter Most

MELVILLE, NY (AUGUST 30, 2018 at 12:01 A.M. EDT) – Today, Nikon unveiled the new Nikon D3500, a compact, entry-level DSLR that makes capturing the world easier and more convenient than ever. The 24.2-megapixel D3500 features an updated CMOS image sensor and Nikon EXPEED image processor to capture sharp details and vivid colors, and is packed with easy-to-use features that help first-time DSLR users start capturing better photos and video right away.

With its ergonomic and lightweight body, approximately 1,550 shots on a single charge and convenient features like Nikon SnapBridge1 and helpful Guide Mode, the Nikon D3500 is a great option for parents, travelers and photo enthusiasts who are eager to take their photography to the next level.

“The Nikon D3500 is ideal for consumers who are looking to easily capture the kinds of images that their smartphone simply cannot match, and share them seamlessly with family and friends,” said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. “The D3500 reaffirms our commitment to releasing convenient DX-format DSLR options for those just discovering photography.”

Capture Stunning Images and Video with Ease

The Nikon D3500 is bursting with high-performance features that help first-time DSLR users capture amazing images in a variety of situations. The camera’s broad ISO range of 100-25,600 makes it easy to capture sharp, clear images in low-light shooting situations with very little noise, while the 11-point autofocus (AF) System locks onto subjects, even fast-moving pets or children to help ensure that fleeting moments aren’t missed. The D3500 also features built-in Effect Modes to help entry-level users discover and express their personal creative vision.

Additionally, the Nikon D3500 is capable of continuous shooting up to five frames-per-second (fps), helping to capture candid moments with ease. The Nikon D3500 is also equipped with Full HD 1080/60p video capability. Users can switch from shooting photos to video at the press of a button, allowing them to capture spur-of-the-moment memories that will last a lifetime with stunning sharpness and clarity.

To further expand creativity, the in-camera Guide Mode gives new DSLR users the tools they need to learn about their new camera’s capabilities and become better, more knowledgeable photographers.

All these amazing features have been incorporated into a new ergonomic and lightweight design featuring a more comfortable, deeper grip and the slim monocoque body design similar to the Nikon D5600. The new design also features a more beginner-friendly and intuitive control layout, with a larger playback button and the most frequently-used controls all relocated to the right side of the camera’s LCD where they are easiest to access.

The redesigned Nikon D3500 is ideal for a fast-paced on-the-go lifestyle, making it the perfect companion for any family event or travel adventure.

Always Connected for Easy Sharing

Sharing photos with the ones you love is easier than ever with the Nikon D3500 and Nikon SnapBridge app. The D3500 uses Bluetooth2 to create an always-on3 connection between the camera and a compatible smart device, making it possible to seamlessly share 2MP images to social media as they are captured. Additionally, D3500 users will now be able to trigger their camera remotely via Bluetooth using SnapBridge. Nikon SnapBridge users can also access Nikon Image Space4, a free online image sharing and storage service that preserves memories in the cloud.

Pricing and Availability

The Nikon D3500 will be available in a two-lens kit option, including the AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED, for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $ 849.95* in September 2018. A Nikon D3500 single-lens kit with the AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR will also be available for (SRP) of $ 499.95* in September 2018. For more information on the new Nikon D3500, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

Nikon D3500 specifications

Price
MSRP Body w/AF-P 18-55mm VR lens ($ 499), body w/AF-P 18-55mm VR and 70-300 F4.5-6.3 non-VR lenses ($ 849)
Body type
Body type Compact SLR
Body material Composite
Sensor
Max resolution 6000 x 4000
Other resolutions 4496 x 3000, 2992 x 2000
Image ratio w:h 3:2
Effective pixels 24 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors 25 megapixels
Sensor size APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor type CMOS
Processor Expeed 4
Color space sRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter array Primary color filter
Image
ISO Auto, 100-25600
White balance presets 12
Custom white balance Yes
Image stabilization No
Uncompressed format RAW
JPEG quality levels Fine, Normal, Basic
File format
  • JPEG (Exif v2.3)
  • NEF (RAW, 12-bit)
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
  • Contrast Detect (sensor)
  • Phase Detect
  • Multi-area
  • Center
  • Selective single-point
  • Tracking
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Face Detection
  • Live View
Autofocus assist lamp Yes
Digital zoom No
Manual focus Yes
Number of focus points 11
Lens mount Nikon F
Focal length multiplier 1.5×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD Fixed
Screen size 3
Screen dots 921,000
Touch screen No
Screen type TFT LCD
Live view Yes
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.85× (0.57× 35mm equiv.)
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed 30 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 sec
Exposure modes
  • Program
  • Shutter priority
  • Aperture priority
  • Manual
Scene modes
  • Auto
  • Auto [Flash Off]
  • Child
  • Close-up
  • Landscape
  • Night Portrait
  • Portrait
  • Sports
  • Special effects
Built-in flash Yes (Pop-up)
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100)
External flash Yes (via hot shoe or wireless)
Flash modes Auto, Auto slow sync, Auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, Auto with red-eye reduction, Fill-flash, Off, Rear-curtain sync, Rear-curtain with slow sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync
Flash X sync speed 1/200 sec
Drive modes
  • Single-frame
  • Self-timer
  • Quiet shutter-release
  • Quick response remote
  • Delayed remote
  • Continuous
Continuous drive 5.0 fps
Self-timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures))
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot AF-area
Exposure compensation ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
WB Bracketing No
Videography features
Resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Format MPEG-4, H.264
Modes
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1280 x 720 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1280 x 720 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Microphone Mono
Speaker Mono
Storage
Storage types SD/SDHC/SDXC
Connectivity
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
USB charging No
HDMI Yes (mini-HDMI)
Microphone port No
Headphone port No
Wireless Built-In
Wireless notes SnapBridge (Bluetooth only)
Remote control Yes (via smartphone)
Physical
Environmentally sealed No
Battery Battery Pack
Battery description EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1550
Weight (inc. batteries) 365 g (0.80 lb / 12.87 oz)
Dimensions 124 x 97 x 70 mm (4.88 x 3.82 x 2.76)
Other features
Orientation sensor Yes
Timelapse recording No
GPS None

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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