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Archive for November, 2018

DPReview TV: Nikon Z7 review

17 Nov

The Nikon Z7 is the company’s first full frame mirrorless camera, and one that presented Nikon with a stiff challenge: how to build a mirrorless camera that could measure up to its own DSLRs and deliver a familiar experience to Nikon users. Chris and Jordan have used the camera for the past couple of months and tell us whether they think Nikon succeeded.

Editor’s note: In order to fully cover the Z7’s new video capabilities, we will be publishing a separate video focused entirely on the camera’s video features and performance.

Also, make sure to read our in-depth review of the Nikon Z7.

Click links below to jump to a specific topic:

  • Intro
  • Handling
  • Z-Mount
  • Battery Life
  • Dynamic Range
  • Stabilization
  • Nathan Elson Introduction
  • Studio Performance
  • Continuous AF Performance
  • Nathan Elson's Impressions
  • Chris' Conclusions

Get new episodes of DPReview TV every week by subscribing to our YouTube channel!

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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How to Batch Resize Your Images Quickly Using Photoshop

17 Nov

While it’s relatively easy to write an Action to resize a series of images in Photoshop, it’s easier still to get Photoshop to do all the work for you. Photoshop comes with an image processor script that will open, resize, and save a series of images for you – very quickly. Here are the steps to make the batch resize process work for your images.

How to Batch Resize Your Images Using Photoshop

Batch resizing images in PS CC 2019 is fast and easy – no need to run an action. You can just run a script in the Image Processor menu option.

Step 1 – Image Processor

How to Batch Resize Your Images Using Photoshop

The Image Processor option lives under the Scripts tab in the main File menu of Photoshop.

Choose File -> Scripts -> Image Processor. The image processor dialog shows a simple four-step process for resizing the images.

Step 2 – Choose images

In Section 1 of the Image Processor dialog, select to either resize the images already open in Photoshop (if you have them open) or click ‘Select Folder’ and choose a folder of images to resize. Select ‘Include all Subfolders’ if you wish to also include them.

How to Batch Resize Your Images Using Photoshop

I prefer to open my images prior to resizing in Photoshop. That way I am not hunting for the folder I need. But if you have all your images organized in a folder you can choose the ‘Select Folder’ option in Step 1 of the Image Processor window.

Step 3 – Save images location

In Section 2 of the Image Processor dialog box, you can select where to save the images. When selecting ‘Save in Same Location,’ Photoshop creates a subfolder to save the images in so you don’t have to worry about overwriting them. When a subfolder of the same name already exists with images of the same names in it, Photoshop saves to that folder but adds a sequential number to the file. That way, you won’t lose your other files. Alternatively, you can select a different folder for the resized images.

How to Batch Resize Your Images Using Photoshop

Indicate where you want Photoshop to save the resized images.

Step 4 – File Type and Size

In Section 3 of the Image Processor dialog box, select the file type you want Photoshop to save your image as. For the web ‘Save as JPEG’ is the obvious choice. You can set a Quality value in the range 0 to 12 where 12 is the highest quality and 0 the lowest.

For better color on the web, you can also select ‘Convert profile to sRGB.’ Ensure that ‘Include ICC Profile’ at the foot of the dialog is checked so the profile will be saved with the image.

How to Batch Resize Your Images Using Photoshop

Option 3 in the Image Processor dialog box is where you can select the type of file you want to save the resized image. You can choose the size in terms of W (width) and H (height) in pixels.

To batch resize the images, select the ‘Resize to Fit’ checkbox. Set the desired maximum width and height for the final image. For example, if you type ‘300’ for the width and ‘300’ for the height, the image will be resized so that the longest side of the image (whether it be in portrait or landscape orientation) will be 300 pixels.

The images are scaled in proportion so they aren’t skewed out of shape. If desired, you can save in another format as well. Just select its checkbox so you can save the same image in different formats and at different sizes in the one process.

The Width and Height measurements do not have to be the same. So you could, for example, specify a Width of 500 and a Height of 700 and no image will have a width greater than 500 or a height greater than 700.

Step 5 – Run Action

In Section 4 of the Image Processor panel, you can also select ‘Run an Action’ on the images if desired.

Step 6 – Run

Once you’re ready, click ‘Run’ and the images are automatically opened (if they are not already), resized, saved, and closed.

To see your resized images, choose File -> Open and navigate to the folder that you specified the images to be saved to. If you chose to save as a JPEG, the images will be in a subfolder called JPEG. PSDs are in a folder called PSD and so on.

How to Batch Resize Your Images Using Photoshop

In conclusion, whenever you need to resize a large number of images for uploading to the web, for example, the batch resize in the Photoshop Image Processor script makes the job fast, efficient, and painless.

The post How to Batch Resize Your Images Quickly Using Photoshop appeared first on Digital Photography School.


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Friday Feature: 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest entries

17 Nov

2018 National Geographic Photo Contest (Week 1 and 2 entries)

Photo and Caption by Brian Hammonds / National Geographic Photo Contest

CLIMBERS OVER SEOUL

Rock climbers can be seen from Bukhansan’s Peak outside of Seoul, South Korea. The size of the South Korean mega-city is hard to imagine without visiting.

National Geographic has shared the first collection of entries from its 2018 photography contest. The photographs, which fall under the categories of ‘wildlife, people, and places’ showcase beautiful scenes and subjects from all over the world. To see more editor-selected entries, head over to National Geographic’s website.

2018 National Geographic Photo Contest (Week 1 and 2 entries)

Photo and Caption by Eduard Gutescu / National Geographic Photo Contest

THE SHEPHERD FROM TRANSYLVANIA

On the Carpathian mountains in the region of Bran village i found this authentic shepherd. His name is Nea DAN. It was a real joy to listen to his life story as a shepherd .

2018 National Geographic Photo Contest (Week 1 and 2 entries)

Photo and Caption by Eduard Gutescu / National Geographic Photo Contest

FLY OVER TRANSYLVANIA PARADISE

Fundatura Ponorului is a remote village from Transylvania in the Carpathian mountains where people have been living in harmony with nature for hundreds of years . The main activity is animal breeding. The hay gathering is the main activity that takes place during the summer and is the main source of food for animals during winter time .

2018 National Geographic Photo Contest (Week 1 and 2 entries)

Photo and Caption by Yaron Schmid / National Geographic Photo Contest

BABY TEETH

We spotted a pride of lions sleeping on top of the kopjes in the Serengeti, and as we got closer to the rocks, we saw that there were quite a few cubs in that pride. The best moment was when 3 of the young cubs started chasing, playing and biting their mom’s tail as if they were kittens that were playing with yarn. I can’t remember when was the last time that I laughed so hard as I did watching these guys.

2018 National Geographic Photo Contest (Week 1 and 2 entries)

Photo and Caption by Mo Wu / National Geographic Photo Contest

MOONLIGHT

Wanaka Tree is the most famous tree in New Zealand. At a summer night, I captured the shadow of the tree in the golden moonlight on Wanaka Lake.

2018 National Geographic Photo Contest (Week 1 and 2 entries)

Photo and Caption by Marcus Hennen / National Geographic Photo Contest

CURIOSITY

A creative portrait of a little curious burrowing owl. This owl was pretty cute and sat on a small branch in a front yard. I cropped the photo a bit to support this moment of curiosity.

2018 National Geographic Photo Contest (Week 1 and 2 entries)

Photo and Caption by Istvan Ladanyi / National Geographic Photo Contest

THE ALWAYS WATCHING EYE OF A BLACK SWAN

The always watching eye of a black swan. I toke this shot as I noticed the sleeping black swan and he noticed me and open his deep ruby red eye. It was a magic moment because the contrast of the black feathers and the red eye catched me from the first time.

2018 National Geographic Photo Contest (Week 1 and 2 entries)

Photo and Caption by Laura Wood / National Geographic Photo Contest

UNSEEN (SELF PORTRAIT)

It isn’t always obvious – your identity as a mother. It’s clouded by expectations, demands and sleep deprivation. For the most part, you live out your day and your duties behind doors with only children looking on who don’t fully understand the sacrifices you make. Seven pm rolls around and you breathe a big breath as your children go to sleep, you pour a glass of wine and your identity changes again. Always a mother, but sometimes more than others.

2018 National Geographic Photo Contest (Week 1 and 2 entries)

Photo and Caption by Karen Donnelly / National Geographic Photo Contest

SOARING

Taken in the rising morning aboard a hot air balloon, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. Water buffalo scatter on the mara below.

2018 National Geographic Photo Contest (Week 1 and 2 entries)

Photo and Caption by Ana Luiza Sampaio / National Geographic Photo Contest

WINTER IN PINGYAO

This picture was taken during the winter in the ancient city of Pingyao, province of Shaanxi, China. In this season, the skyline of Pingyao changes completely. The use of charcoal to heat up the houses makes the sky deeply smoggy. At the streets, the only color one can distinguish is the red from the national flags and lanterns of Chinese New Year. The dust and soot modify the life of the residents, who strive daily to cope with the cold and the air pollution.

2018 National Geographic Photo Contest (Week 1 and 2 entries)

Photo and Caption by Alison Langevad / National Geographic Photo Contest

A NEW LOOK

‘Sporting a new look’ These rhinos were dehorned in an effort to save them from poachers. The poaching of rhinos in South Africa has reached crisis level.

2018 National Geographic Photo Contest (Week 1 and 2 entries)

Photo and Caption by Roger Chen / National Geographic Photo Contest

SISTERHOOD

A quiet moment backstage as dancers of the classical Indian Kuchipudi dance form, which is focussed on rhythmic hand gestures and eye movements, support each other in preparation for the performance.

2018 National Geographic Photo Contest (Week 1 and 2 entries)

Photo and Caption by Vladimir Kushnarev / National Geographic Photo Contest

FATHER AND SON

The family of nomadic herders living at the Polar Urals. Father and son Tiberi.

2018 National Geographic Photo Contest (Week 1 and 2 entries)

Photo and Caption by Leighton Lum / National Geographic Photo Contest

LAND ON FIRE

Recently the Kilauea volcano erupted causing thousands of gallons of lava to flow into the ocean. It was an incredible sight to witness such power of this eruption!

2018 National Geographic Photo Contest (Week 1 and 2 entries)

Photo and Caption by Camille Niel/ National Geographic Photo Contest

LAS COLORADAS

A Salt evaporation pond located in Yucatan, Mexico. This pink color come from the plankton, shrimps and roots of red plants

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Rhino Arc II 4-axis robotic camera system supports 15lb camera payloads

17 Nov

Rhino has launched a Kickstarter campaign for its new Rhino Arc II, a “robotic camera assistant” designed to replace a fluid head. The Arc II features a 4-axis motorized head with support for both tripods and the Rhino Slider, as well as up to 6.8kg/15lbs of camera equipment. Users have both joystick and mobile control options.

Rhino Arc II supports LightLapse, Interview, Keyframe, and Rack modes for smooth camera movements in a variety of filming scenarios. The robotic assistant supports Rhino Focus and the High Torque & High Speed Motor as optional tools for expanded capabilities.

The system is also backwards compatible with the Rhino EVO Motor and Slider EVO. When used with an optional Rhino Power dummy battery, Arc II offers integrated power output for mirrorless and DSRL cameras. Other features include an integrated 501 plate receiver, an OLED screen, and a pan motor for motorized mounting.

Rhino is offering the Arc II to Kickstarter backers who pledge at least $ 960 USD, a $ 240 discount over the anticipated retail price. The campaign also offers other rewards for backers, including the Rhino Slider Carbon, Slider Pro, and Rhino Arc II + Slider bundles. Shipping is expected to start in May 2019. To dine out more information and to make a pledge, head over to the Kickstarter campaign.

Disclaimer: Remember to do your research with any crowdfunding project. DPReview does its best to share only the projects that look legitimate and come from reliable creators, but as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Weekly Photography Challenge – Doorways

17 Nov

This week’s photography topic for our weekly challenge is DOORWAYS!

Doorways – Beechworth Mayday Hills Asylum Victoria by Caz Nowaczyk

I’m a big fan of photographing doorways. There is so much mystery behind them. They are an opening to other possibilities and secret worlds…

Post a picture of a doorway, or peering through one.

Beechworth Mayday Hills Asylum Victoria by Caz Nowaczyk

Check out some of the articles below that give you tips on finding and shooting doorway pictures.

Architecture: Photographing Exterior Details

Photographing Buildings [Composition Tips]

You may like to try adding some black and white or split-tone effects to your image:

How to Create Silky Split Toned Black and White Photos Using Luminosity Masks

Photography Weekly Challenge – Doorways

Simply upload your shot into the comment field (look for the little camera icon in the Disqus comments section) and they’ll be embedded for us all to see. Or if you’d prefer, upload them to your favorite photo-sharing site and leave the link to them. Show me your best images in this week’s challenge!

Share in the dPS Facebook Group

You can also share your images in the dPS Facebook group as the challenge is posted there each week as well.

If you tag your photos on Flickr, Instagram, Twitter or other sites – tag them as #DPSDOORWAYS to help others find them. Linking back to this page might also help others know what you’re doing so that they can share in the fun.

The post Weekly Photography Challenge – Doorways appeared first on Digital Photography School.


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Nikon D3500 sample gallery

17 Nov

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Nikon’s D3500 DSLR is one of the best camera bargains out there, with a list price of $ 500 including a lens (and it will be even less on Black Friday). While it doesn’t have Nikon’s latest and greatest technology, this compact DSLR has a reliable 24MP sensor that produces impressive-looking photos. See how it captured tropical Kauai and chilly Seattle in our sample gallery.

See our Nikon D3500 sample gallery

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Skylum partners with EyeEm to launch global photography scholarship

16 Nov

Software company Skylum and mobile image sharing community EyeEm have teamed up and launched a global photography scholarship that is open to anyone interested in photography. Skylum Software will be supporting 10 artists on the EyeEm platform with $ 10,000 to help them focus on their photography.

In addition the selected photographers will be able to create editing presets for the Skylum Luminar software. The presets will be available to purchase on the Luminar marketplace as part of a special collection. Revenue from preset sales will be shared 1/3 with the artists.

Skylum CEO Alex Tsepko said: “Our focus has always been to provide artists with the best photo enhancement tools, and collaborating with a creative community like EyeEm to empower next generation of creatives is just a natural fit”.

If you want to apply for the scholarship you’ll need an EyeEm acccount, have an impressive portfolio, and convince the decision makers that your work is standing out. Submissions are open from now until December 2. You’ll find more information and the submission form on the EyeEm website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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SLC-2L-04: Thank You [BTS/360]

16 Nov

Today on Lighting Cookbook, something different: A BTS/360 look at a single photo.

Normally, we concentrate on the "how" part. But today we'll also be looking at the broader ecosystem— the why—and how a simple photo can serve as a catalyst to create value.

Read more »
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iPhone X bug lets hackers steal deleted photos

16 Nov

If you have any particularly embarrassing or otherwise compromising photos on your iPhone you might want to think twice about how to keep them from being discovered by someone else. Simply deleting them might not be enough.

A vulnerability allowing hackers to access deleted photos and other files on the iPhone X was discovered by two researchers this week at the Pwn2Own hacking contest for finding iOS and Android bugs.

Richard Zhu and Amat Cama demoed the issue by connecting the iPhone X with iOS 12.1 to a malicious Wi-Fi network and exploiting a vulnerability in a so-called just-in-time (JIT) compiler which is designed to help iPhones to perform certain tasks faster.

The couple could then retrieve a photo from the Photo app’s Recently Deleted album where images are stored for 30 days after you delete them from the camera roll. This feature allows users to recover deleted photos should they have a change of mind. Through the same method other files processed by the JIT compiler could be accessed as well.

Zhu and Cama received a $ 50,000 reward for their findings and Apple has been informed of the bug. According to Forbes, the issue has yet to be fixed, though.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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How to Make Easy and Affordable DIY Food Photography Backdrops

16 Nov

In this helpful video by Joanie Simon of The Bite Shot, she explains how to do DIY Food Photography Backdrops that are both affordable and easy. Costing you less than US$ 30 per backdrop!

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Before beginning, please be sure to use your spray paints outdoors and always paint in a well-ventilated area.

Things you will need:

  1. Laminated plywood
  2. Paint scraper/palette knife
  3. Joint Compound (used for drywalling)
  4. Oil-based spray paint
  5. Chalky finish acrylic paint
  6. Acrylic or oil-based metallic spray paint.

When you pick out your paint, ensure that you choose paint that has a matte finish to stop glare and reflection.

Stick to colors that are subtle so that your food is the star. For example, browns, topes, cool greys, mossy green, and robins blue.

Step 1:

Use the scraper/palette knife to apply the Joint Compound to the board. Allow it to be organic and textural. Explore cross-hatching and mixed textures for different boards.

Let it sit for a few minutes and drag the palette knife across the applied compound to flatten it a bit while still leaving interesting grooves and patterns.

Let it dry overnight (24hrs).

Step 2:

Apply your darker peak-through color first (oil based spray paint). There is no need to apply full coverage as the other colors will be overlayed.

Step 3:

Next, brush on your chalky finish paint. You can use a short blending brush. Brush, stipple, use circular motions to blend over the previous color so that the peak through color still shows through.

If you put too much on, you can use a damp cloth to wipe the acrylic paint back off.

Step 4:

Take your colored spray paint and just spray sections from a distance to give light coverage for extra tone and texture.

Step 5:

Spray a little water onto your board and spray your oil-based metallic paint over it. The paint won’t adhere to the areas of water. Wait ten minutes for the paint to dry and once it is dry, wipe the water off. You are let with a really cool effect.

Step 6:

Take your other boards and play around with these techniques using your different tones and textures.

Step 7:

Apply a matte finish spray to your boards to protect the surface. 2-3 coats will do the trick.

Please share with us any of your DIY food photography backdrops in the comments below.

 

You may also find the following helpful for your food photography:

Food Photography – An Introduction

5 Tips to Seriously Improve Your Food Photography Techniques

Are You Making These Five Food Photography Mistakes?

Household Items to Bring to Your Next Food Photography Shoot

The Secret to Finding the Hero Angle in Food Photography

The post How to Make Easy and Affordable DIY Food Photography Backdrops appeared first on Digital Photography School.


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