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Posts Tagged ‘Capture’

Review: Peak Design Capture Clip V3

01 Jun

Capture Clip V3
$ 70 | Peak Design.com

The original Capture Clip was a darling of Kickstarter, raising nearly $ 15 million back in 2011. V2 debuted in 2013 and was replaced by V3 at the beginning of 2018.

First released on Kickstarter in 2011, the Peak Design Capture Clip aimed to give photographers an easier way to carry their camera. Seven years later, we now have the Capture version V3, a much sleeker and more streamlined iteration of the original product.

Key Features

  • Arca-compatible plate
  • Aluminum construction
  • Anti-slip pad on mounting surface
  • Quick release button with security lock
  • Clip fits straps up to 6.4 cm wide and 1.6 cm thick
  • System can hold up to 90 kg (200 lb)
  • Available in silver and black

Design

$ 69.95 gets you the Capture Clip, an Arca-compatible plate, x2 hand-drive screws, x2 4mm hex screws (not shown), a hex wrench and a microfiber pouch for storage.

V3 boasts a ‘smaller, lighter and lower profile’ than V2 – more specifically it’s 57 g / 2 oz lighter (clip plus plate), 2.1 cm narrower, 1.2 cm shorter and 0.8 cm thinner. From a design perspective this means an accessory that looks less like a chunky piece of gear and more like an integrated piece of design affixed to your bag or strap. It is still made of all aluminum (minus some rubber bits for gripping your bag strap) and still has a smooth anodized finish like its predecessor. It is also now available in two colors; Silver and Black.

With V3, Peak Design has simplified the Capture lineup to just one product – V2 offered both the Capture Standard and CapturePro at different price points. The former had a glass-reinforced nylon back and was cheaper than the all-aluminum Pro.

Like the V2, you can still integrate a variety of add-ons to your Capture system such as the Manfrotto RC2 compatible Dual Plate or the Peak Design Lens Kit. This means you can use the Capture Clip for its base purpose but still have the option to expand its functionality well beyond just carrying a camera on your bag.

What’s also nice is V3 ships with two different sets of clamping bolts, hand-driven ones and a set that are driven in using a hex key (included).

In Use

The Capture Clip, in action.

The Capture system is extremely well designed and works exactly how you would expect it to: With the plate attached to your camera, simply slide it into the clip from above. When you want to retrieve your camera, press and hold the small button on the right side while sliding your camera back upward.

The first time I attached the system to my bag, I honestly didn’t expect to love it but quickly found myself enjoying the convenience it provides. In fact, all of the following gripes I have are admittedly nit-picky stuff because frankly the Capture Clip works well.

Even with a heavy camera attached, the Capture feels very secure

Attaching the clip portion to your bag for the first time can be a bit of a hassle but the key is just to loosen it more than you think you need to. Most folks will attach it to a backpack but it can easily be attached to a messenger bag, belt or something else entirely. Once attached to something it’s not hard to remove and replace. I tried it on both my Peak Design Everyday Backpack and my nearly decade old Camelbak backpack and it fit securely on both.

Even with a heavy camera attached, the Capture feels very secure. The only time I worried while using it was when pulling my backpack off my shoulders. I sometimes instinctively like to toss my bag around – not a good idea when your precious gear is connected to the front.

While writing this review, I used the Capture with 4 different cameras: a Nikon D750 w/ 50mm 1.8 (1 kg / 2.19 lb), Nikkormat FTN w/ 50mm 1.4 (1.1 kg / 2.43 lb), Bronica RF645 w/ 65mm f/4 (1.1 kg / 2.44 lb) and Hasselblad 501C w/ 80mm f/2.8 (1.47 kg / 3.25 lb). All of these felt confidently secure.

Peak Design says the Capture is rated for up to 90 kg / 200 lb so safety-wise almost anything you would put on there is a non-issue. For me personally, the Hasselblad was a bit too heavy to be comfortable. But it wasn’t just the weight; I also didn’t feel comfortable with the way large cameras or those with long lenses tend to pull down, potentially jabbing into your body.

Bottom line

The Capture system not only makes it simple to carry your camera, but it means you always have a plate attached for tripod mounting.

My biggest hangup with the Capture is just getting used to having your camera on your chest (that’s where I wore it at least), but it only took me about an hour of walking around in a park to get used to it. And by later that same day – while on a different shoot – I found I was using it instinctively.

My biggest hangup with the Capture is just getting used to having your camera on your chest

Overall for the price point of $ 69.95 the Capture Clip V3 isn’t cheap, but it’s worth the money if you’re looking for a new approach to the way you carry your camera. And if you’re looking to add another clip to your arsenal or upgrade from a previous version, you have the option of buying just the Clip alone for the lower price of $ 49.95.

Peak Design continues to bring a photographers-first approach to their design with a very strong sense for what works and what doesn’t. In this writer’s opinion, the new Capture Clip falls squarely in the “works” column.

What we like:

  • Very comfortable, lightweight and slim
  • Rated for up to 90 kg / 200 lbs, very secure and safe
  • Very quick learning curve and extremely easy to get used to
  • Feels great ergonomically
  • Lots of options for placement and expanding uses with other add-ons
  • Stylish, really

What we don’t:

  • Pricey
  • Gear hangs forward on chest
  • Hex screw requires you to keep the hex wrench with you

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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7 Quick Tips To Help You Capture Better Portraits

24 May

Taking great portraits is a great genre of photography to master. Some of the most famous photographs in the world and even paintings are simple head and shoulder portraits. They can tell us so much about the person being photographed. Think of arguably the most famous painting of all time and most people would probably say the Mona Lisa. But taking portraits also seems to be a difficult thing for newbie photographers to do. Fear not, here are 7 quick tips to help you capture better portraits.

7 Quick Tips To Help You Capture better Portraits - portrait of a chef

1. Start with a conversation

It might seem daunting taking someone’s portrait, even in a studio. But it will get so much easier if you build a rapport with the person first. Whether it’s in the studio or in the street, start the shoot with a conversation and get to know who they are. Find out what they do, what they like, and even what their personality is like.

If you can, make them laugh with a joke. Not only will all of this help build a picture of who they are which can influence the photo, but it will also mean that they are much more comfortable working with you.

This, in turn, will mean that they will be more relaxed and also more be accommodating to you taking their photo. Clearly, sometimes that will be difficult in travel photography, for example, when you might not speak the same language. But even then it’s amazing what a few hand gestures, a few local phrases, and a smile can achieve.

portrait of a lady smiling - 7 Quick Tips To Help You Capture better Portraits

2. Frame carefully

While it might seem obvious, it’s amazing how often I’ve seen a portrait taken where it hasn’t been framed properly. When you are taking an environmental portrait, you need to capture some of the person’s surroundings to be able to tell a story. But when you’re doing a normal head and shoulders portrait, the sole focus should be the person standing in front of you. Their face is where the focus should be, so if there are distracting elements near them or in the background try to crop those out.

Often the reason that photographers end up with too many distractions in the photo is that they are too far away from their subject. So, if you find that you are not able to focus primarily on the subject’s face when taking a portrait, get closer.

portrait of an Asia lady - 7 Quick Tips To Help You Capture better Portraits

3. Think about the background

Another key element of framing your portrait properly is to ensure that the background isn’t too overpowering. Ideally, a muted or plain surface such as a wall works best as the viewer isn’t distracted by anything else. They can focus solely on the person’s face. If you find that your subject is standing somewhere that doesn’t work best for the portrait, ask them if you can move them and position them somewhere better. Even if you don’t speak their language, usually pointing to where you want them to go does the trick.

If you find that you have to take the photo with too much stuff happening in the background, set a wide aperture so that you will get the background blurred. This will help make your subject stand out from the busy background and not get lost in the photo.

portrait of a person in costume in Italy - 7 Quick Tips To Help You Capture better Portraits

4. Experiment

Most of the time the advice that you are given is to try and light your portrait using natural light, photograph your model from the front, and get close enough to eliminate any distractions. Sound familiar? For example, being outside on an overcast day is ideal for taking portraits as the soft even light means you don’t get harsh shadows on the person’s face.

But while these are great bits of advice that you should follow, it is also worth sometimes pushing the boundaries. So experiment with harsh lighting or even a more creative shots such as in the example below. I took a step back to let people pass and was immediately struck with the dynamism that having someone walk across the image brought to it. It’s still a portrait, but it’s a little more interesting than if there was no one else in the shot.

The key is to not be afraid to go against convention and try something different, you might be surprised by the results.

7 Quick Tips To Help You Capture better Portraits - portrait of person in costume in Venice

The passer-by added a sense of mystery to this portrait.

5. Keep the eyes sharp

If there is just one rule that you need to follow when it comes to taking better portraits, it is to ensure that the subject’s eyes are sharp and in focus. If the eyes are not in sharp focus, the whole image looks soft and unappealing. So, take extra care that you are focusing correctly and that you are keeping the eyes sharp.

When taking portraits outside, the majority of the time you can get away with using a fairly wide aperture. So as long as there is decent light your shutter speed should remain fast enough to avoid camera shake. If you are unable to keep a fast enough shutter speed, raise your ISO accordingly.

portrait of a young Asian child crying - 7 Quick Tips To Help You Capture better Portraits

6. Take multiple shots

You often have a relatively short window when taking portraits as your subject will usually want to get on with their day. But that should still give you plenty of time to take multiple photos. Try taking photos in burst mode so that you can capture the exact moment when your model has their eyes open or has an expression on their face that works for the photo.

You can also try a few different compositions and even angles to give your photos variety. The great thing about digital photography is that it won’t cost you anything to take multiple photos as long as you have enough memory space.

man taking a photo in Venice -7 Quick Tips To Help You Capture better portraits

7. Just relax

Sometimes the real key to taking any great photo is just relaxing and letting it happen naturally. So rather than rushing around and clicking away frantically, just slow down and take your time.

Start talking to people without the burden of knowing that you want to photograph them and if the situation lends itself to a photo just enjoy the process and have fun. Show the person the photos you’ve taken, keep everything casual and you will find that your photos become much better and more intimate.

young girl's portrait - 7 Quick Tips To Help You Capture Fantastic Portraits

Taking a great portrait takes great skill, but when done well it can have incredible results. You will find that not only will you have amazing photos that will look great anywhere, but also memories that you will cherish. Just follow these 7 quick tips to help you capture better portraits and you’ll be on your way to capturing great photos of people.

Please show us your portraits and share your tips advice below.

The post 7 Quick Tips To Help You Capture Better Portraits appeared first on Digital Photography School.


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Snapchat launches water-resistant Spectacles V2 with photo capture

27 Apr

Snapchat has just introduced version 2 of its Spectacles camera glasses, and they come with a bunch of new features. The glasses—which Snapchat has dubbed “your hands-free camera”—can now take photos in addition to video, are water resistant to the point where you can even submerge them for short periods of time for underwater snaps, and will be available with prescription lenses, too.

When Snapchat debuted its original Spectacles camera glasses in September of 2016, the company was able to leverage novelty and scarcity to make the glasses a big hit… for a time. But it didn’t take long for both novelty and scarcity to wear off, and the glasses never really caught on with a mainstream audience.

After selling a little over 200K glasses, demand plummeted and that… was that. No doubt, the new features, more stylish options, and immediate mass-market availability of Spectacles V2 are meant to appeal to a much broader audience and succeed where Version 1 fell flat.

Spec wise, Snapchat Spectacles V2 are nothing special. They take video at 1216 x 1216 pixels, and photos at 1642 x 1642 (a whopping 2.7MP). The field of view has also been decreased from 115 to 105 for less of a fish-eye look.

Where the Spectacles V2 should shine compared to its predecessor, though, is in build quality and convenience. According to TechCrunch’s Josh Constine—who got to try the specs out early—the glasses feel much sturdier, the charging case is much smaller and more convenient, battery life is substantially improved, and pairing to your phone is easier too.

What’s more, Constine seems to think these glasses could be the commercial success that V1 (and Google Glass, for that matter) never were:

After two days of use, I think Spectacles V2 cross the threshold from clumsy novelty to creative tool accessible to the mainstream. And amidst user growth struggles, that’s what Snap needs right now.

Spectacles V2 are available to purchase today from Snapchat’s website in the US, UK, Canada and France, with more countries on the way. They’ll cost you $ 150 ($ 20 bucks more than the original V1s) and are available in Onyx, Sapphire and Ruby with each color offering a darker or lighter version of the attached lens.

To learn more about Spectacles V2 or if you want to give the new camera glasses a go for yourself, head over to the Spectacles website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Capture One update adds new styles workflow, updated camera support

20 Apr

Phase One has launched the first major update to Capture One Pro 11, the company’s Raw conversion and photo editing software. Capture One 11.1 brings along a few important new features, including improved import performance, an updated styles workflow, a new resource hub, enhanced LCC presets, and support for new cameras and lenses.

The most obvious changes in the update come in the form of new workflow adjustments that should speed up the importing and processing of large numbers of photos. Now, you can apply styles and presets directly to a photo or on top of it as a layer; for even more control, you can control the opacity to make sure the effect is as subtle or significant as you want it to be.

Capture One has also thrown in a new ‘Spring’ collection as part of its included styles packs.

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_1238844740″,”galleryId”:”1238844740″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

A new ‘Normalize’ tool has also been added to the workflow. This tool replaces the old ‘Skin Tone White Balance’ tab within the white balance module and, “is designed to make easier baseline corrections to images.”

And if you’re new to Capture One (or simply want to refresh your skill set) Capture One has dropped the learning curve by adding a new Resource Hub. You can now get instant access to free learning resources directly in the app, including: tutorials, webinars, news, and blogs, plus direct access to support and Capture One’s web shop.

Finally, Capture One 11.1 also includes updated support for eight new cameras and 16 lenses. Below is a full list of the cameras and lenses that have been added to the more than 400 cameras already supported:

Cameras

  • Sony A7 Mk III
  • Fuji lm X-H1
  • Leica CL
  • Leica M262
  • Leica TL2
  • Leica V-Lux Typ 114
  • Leica X-U
  • Olympus E-M10 mkIII
  • Olympus E-PL9
  • Panasonic G9
  • Panasonic GH5S

Lenses

  • Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM
  • Leica Elmarit M 90mm f2.8
  • Leica Summicron M 90mm f2
  • Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS (SEL18135)
  • Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS (SEL24105G)
  • Tamron 16-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO B016 • Tamron 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD A010
  • Tamron SP 35mm F/1.8 Di VC USD F012
  • Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 A025
  • Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD F017

For owners of Capture One Pro 11, version 11.1 is available as a free update for both MacOS and Windows. If you don’t own the current version, Capture One 11.1 can be purchased for a one-time fee of $ 300 or used via subscription for $ 20 per month, or $ 180 per year if paid up front. There’s also a free 30-day trial if you want to test the waters before you commit.

To see what else is new and to purchase Capture One 11.1, head on over to the Capture One website.

Press Release

Phase One Releases Capture One 11.1

Update Provides New Resource Hub, Expanded Camera Support and Improved Workflow

COPENHAGEN, Apr. 19, 2018 – Phase One, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-end digital camera systems, today released Capture One 11.1, a feature release to the industry’s premier RAW conversion and image editing software. The release enhances the Capture One user experience, through a new support platform and functionality updates to ensure a faster, smoother workflow. Improved Styles and presets workflow, support for 11 new cameras, including Sony A7 Mk III and Fuji X-H1 and 10 new lenses, including Tamron lenses for both Nikon and Canon, and an all-new Resource Hub are among the latest updates.

“Capture One remains dedicated to the needs of ambitious photographers. These latest updates introduce an extension to camera and lens support, as well as an all-new Resource Hub. The Resource Hub is an in-app portal that allows users to easily access news, tutorials, updates and much more – all designed to inspire photographers and ensure the best workflow and user experience in Capture One,” said Jan Hyldebrandt-Larsen, VP Software Business at Phase One.

NEW FEATURES AND TOOLS IN CAPTURE ONE 11.1

IMPROVED STYLES AND PRESETS

A new workflow adds a much faster way to apply both Styles and Presets to a Layer on one or multiple images, offering a direct control of opacity, imperative to wedding and portrait photographers.

Furthermore, a new Spring Styles Pack is included, offering bright pastel color grading to images, particularly helpful to wedding, portrait and landscape photography.

RESOURCE HUB

The Resource Hub has been introduced to offer quick access to free learning resources via a dynamic on-screen portal. Tutorials, news, webinars, blog posts and much more are offered in one convenient location to improve the user experience and learning curve with Capture One.

NORMALIZATION TOOL

The normalization tool provides a reference point for exposure and white balance for batch adjustments, now allowing any color to be used when previously the only option was a neutral grey.

NEW CAMERA AND LENS SUPPORT

The Capture One R&D team, alongside our color scientists, analyze hundreds of images from each camera to provide photographers access to the best out of box experience with natural profiles. Below outlines the new camera and lens additions that Capture One 11.1 supports. A full list of supported cameras can be found here: http://www.phaseone.com/supported-cameras

New camera support includes:

  • Fujifilm X-H1
  • Leica M262
  • Leica CL
  • Leica X-U
  • Leica V-Lux Typ 114
  • Leica TL2
  • Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mk III
  • Olympus E-PL9
  • Panasonic G9
  • Panasonic GH5S
  • Sony A7 Mk III

New lens support includes:

  • Canon lens:
    • Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM
  • Leica lenses:
    • Leica Elmarit M 2.8/90
    • Leica Summicron M 2/90
  • Sony lenses:
    • Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS (SEL18135)
    • Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS (SEL24105G)
  • Tamron lenses:
    • Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 A025
    • Tamron SP 35mm F/1.8 Di VC USD F012
    • Tamron 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD A010
    • Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD F017
    • Tamron 16-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO B016

CAPTURE PILOT 2.0

Capture Pilot 2.0 adds camera control support for Sony, allowing users to change camera settings of the tethered camera directly from your iOS device.*

AVAILABILITY AND PRICING

Capture One 11.1 is available now for the Mac and Windows operating systems online at www.phaseone.com/store and from Phase One authorized partners worldwide www.phaseone.com/partners.

Capture One Pro

Owners of Capture One Pro 11 perpetual and subscribers can update for free by downloading. New customers can purchase Capture One Pro 11 for 299 USD or 279 EUR. Capture One Pro 11 is also available by subscription. A single-user subscription is 20 USD/EUR per month for a 12-month plan or a 180 USD/EUR prepaid subscription, paid annually.

Owners of Capture One Pro 9 and 10 can upgrade for 119 USD/EUR

Capture One Pro Sony

Owners of Capture One Pro Sony 11 can upgrade for free by downloading. New customers can purchase Capture One Pro Sony 11 for 79 USD/EUR.

Owners of Capture One Pro Sony 9 and 10 can upgrade for 69 USD/EUR.

Download a 30-day trial

A fully functional version of Capture One is available for a 30-day trial. Download the trial here: www.phaseone.com/download

Please see all products and payment options at www.phaseone.com/store.

*Requires in app purchase.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Rylo update adds 180° mode, bluetooth capture and motion blur timelapse effect

19 Apr
Credit: Rylo

The popular Rylo 360° camera—a camera we called the “360 degree camera done right” in our review—is receiving a major update today. The update adds two new features for both iOS and Android users of the Rylo camera and app, with a third feature available only to iOS users for now.

Let’s take them one by one.

180° Mode

The new 180° video mode shrinks the field of view, allowing you to capture 180° video at higher resolution and better image quality than 360° mode allows. According to Rylo, 180° mode “is especially useful for chest-mounted shots or activities/scenarios in which one lens is blocked.”

Bluetooth Remote Capture

The name kind of gives this one away. Remote capture lets you sync your phone to the Rylo camera via bluetooth, which allows you to: switch between recording modes, start or stop a video, and snap a photo, all from the app on your phone.

Obviously, this feature will help if you’ve got the camera mounted somewhere hard to reach.

Motion Blur

A new feature for timelapse shooting, Motion Blur adds a ‘cinematic’ motion blur effect that is actually synced up to the speed of your timelapse shots (more speed = more blur). The effect doesn’t show up while shooting, but will be viewable upon export.

All three features ship today, although Bluetooth Remote Capture is currently only available for iOS, with Android support “coming soon.”

If you own a Rylo 360-degree camera and want to try these features out, all you need to do is update your Rylo app via the App Store or Google Play, then update your camera’s software through the app. And if you haven’t heard about the Rylo and want to know what this camera is all about, check out our full review at the link below.

Review: Rylo is a 360° camera done right

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Free Atomos Shogun Inferno update will let you capture 5.7K RAW on the Panasonic EVA1

04 Apr
Credit: Atomos

Atomos’ Shogun Inferno and Sumo19 external HDR monitor/recorders are about to get a free upgrade that will really delight owners of the popular Super 35 Panasonic AU-EVA1 cinema camera. The update—full details incoming at NAB 2018—will allow EVA1 owners to capture 5.7K Raw video direct from the sensor at up to 30fps using the recorders’ 6G SDI connections.

If you pull that down to 4K resolution, you can record Raw video at up to 60fps in CDNG Raw, as well as straight to Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHR formats. If you drop the resolution further to 2K, you can record slow-motion Raw video at 240fps. According to Atomos, “the resulting frames are super clean, detailed and capable of withstanding heavy grading.”

Credit: Atomos

For those of us not into video, it’s worth noting why this is a big deal.

The Panasonic EVA1 is a camera that a lot of DSLR/mirrorless users consider when they get serious about video. Support for 5.7K Raw on a ~$ 7-8K cinema camera of this quality is pretty compelling. It’s a logical next step for people who want to go beyond DSLR/mirrorless video.

We won’t dive into the Shogun Inferno or Sumo19’s other features here, but you can learn more on the Atomos website. And if you already own one of these recorders, keep an eye out—this free AtomOS update will be released at NAB 2018 later this month.

Press Release

Atomos Shogun Inferno and Sumo19 unlock the Panasonic AU-EVA1 5.7K RAW output

Melbourne, Australia – 02 April 2018 – Panasonic’s AU-EVA1 is a great Super35 cine camera with excellent low light capabilities – winning wide-spread acclaim since its launch last year.

Now users will be able to unlock the true potential of this amazing camera and its low noise sensor by combining it with the Atomos Shogun Inferno HDR monitor/recorder, thanks to the release of Panasonic’s free RAW output upgrade. The results take the camera to another level of performance, giving you images with maximum dynamic range in pristine quality.

Users will soon be able to capture stunning 5.7K RAW imagery direct from the sensor at up to 30 fps over the 6G SDI connections and record it to reliable, affordable SSD media. Full details will be revealed by Atomos at the NAB 2018 show this month.

In 4K resolution you can record up to 60fps from the RAW output in production ready Apple ProRes, Avid DNxHR,or CDNG RAW up to 2Kp120 or 4Kp30. The resulting frames are super clean, detailed and capable of withstanding heavy grading.

The Shogun Inferno also supercharges the EVA1’s slow motion performance. It can record the RAW output at up to 240fps in 2k/HD, direct to Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHR. Perfect for sports, wildlife and a wide range of other uses.

All these features will come in an AtomOS upgrade for the Shogun Inferno and Sumo19 to be released at NAB April 2018. This will be offered for free as part of our continuing commitment to our users.

“Panasonic and Atomos have combined to deliver an astonishing set of features for end-to-end RAW production – 5.7K, 4kDCIp24-60, 2KDCIp240 in 10-bit V-Log recorded on our Shogun Inferno or Sumo 19. This is the best RAW solution for the price point on the market today,” said Atomos CEO Jeromy Young.

Of course, recording is only half of the equation, accurate monitoring is also essential. Luckily, the Shogun Inferno also offers state-of-the-art monitoring for both HDR and SDR recording with its 7” 1500nit high brightness panel with the Sumo19 at 19” and 1200nits.

Take the guesswork out of exposure in HDR or Log with Atomos’ unique AtomHDR system which shows a massive 10+ stops of dynamic range on either screen. The display is colour accurate and can be calibrated over time using a X-rite i1Display Pro probe. Benefit from AtomoOS’ full range of monitoring tools like waveform, vectorscope, false colour, audio level meters and pixel-to-pixel magnification.

Users can also load and store LUTs directly into Shogun and Sumo for complete creative control, production to post. With HDMI or SDI users can output their footage in 4K PQ (HDR 10) or HLG HDR direct to a compatible television or monitor for instant preview using our AtomHDR engine – great for on-set use or client review.

When used with the EVA1 no other external monitor recorder will give users the extensive range of options available from the Shogun Inferno and Sumo19. It remains the most versatile, flexible and cost-effective solution for high end external monitoring and recording on the market today.

If you are attending the NAB Show then be sure to come and check out the EVA1 and Atomos RAW capabilities live at Booth C9425.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Google created this rotating 16-GoPro arc to capture light field data for VR

30 Mar

Google has announced that it is experimenting with light field technology to improve its virtual reality content. The company detailed the work in a recent blog post, explaining that it has modified a GoPro Odyssey Jump camera so that it features 16 cameras mounted along a vertical arc, which is itself mounted to a 360-degree rotating platform.

According to Google, light field technology is one potential way to give users a “more realistic sense of presence” within a VR world. Light field-based content presents objects in different ways depending on the position of the user’s head and their distance from the object.

“Far-away objects shift less and light reflects off objects differently, so you get a strong cue that you’re in a 3D space,” Google explains. VR headsets with positional tracking take this to a new level by determining where the user is “located” within the virtual world.

Using its rotating Jump rig, Google is able to capture approximately 1,000 outward-facing viewpoints on a 70cm sphere, which ultimately offers a 2ft / 60cm diameter volume of light rays. The company explains how its translates that data into VR content:

To render views for the headset, rays of light are sampled from the camera positions on the surface of the sphere to construct novel views as seen from inside the sphere to match how the user moves their head. They’re aligned and compressed in a custom dataset file that’s read by special rendering software we’ve implemented as a plug-in for the Unity game engine.

Demo content has been released to the public via the Steam VR app “Welcome to Light Fields.” Users will need a Windows Mixed Reality, HTC Vive, or Oculus Rift headset to view the content. Light field VR demo experiences include a look inside the Space Shuttle Discovery, Gamble House, and Mosaic Tile House.

To learn more, head over to the full technical post on Google’s Keyword blog.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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7 Tips to Help You Capture the Perfect Landscape Photo

08 Mar

Landscape photography is one of the most popular genres of photography and it’s easy to understand why. After all, every single person at some point in their life has probably looked at a landscape photograph of an epic scene with dramatic clouds and beautiful light and just thought, “Wow!” But as easy as it may seem, capturing stunning landscape images isn’t straightforward. Here are seven tips to help you capture the perfect landscape photo.

How to Capture the Perfect Landscape Photo

1. Find Your Perfect Spot

The starting point for any great landscape photo is your location. This, of course, means you have to start planning a shoot in advance to ensure you don’t waste time looking for it once you are on location. The first thing you need to do is decide what you are actually going to photograph. Is it a beautiful valley from lookout point? Or is it a historic castle perched on top of a cliff?

This might come from your research into the area you are visiting or it might be a place someone has told you about. It could even be somewhere that you have already been to, but now want to photograph.

Once you have an idea of where and what you are looking to photograph, you then need to look at the relevant maps to make sure that what you are planning to photograph is accessible. Then you need to delve in deeper and ensure that your view of that beautiful valley isn’t going to be obstructed by a big hill in front of you – this means using maps that show elevations. On top of all of this you also need to factor in the direction of the light and how that will affect your view.

Ideally you want to end up with an exact spot of where you would like to photograph and which direction you are intending to look. The good news is that in today’s digital world there are tons of options to help you find out this information from the likes of Google maps, and apps like Photographer’s Ephemeris or PhotoPills.

How to Capture the Perfect Landscape Photo

2. Light is Everything

Any sort of outdoor photography relies heavily on the light that is available. For landscape photography, light is even more vital. The most amazing scene in front of you will look uninspiring and mundane under a blanket of white cloud. If you want to capture the perfect landscape photo, then you need to ensure that you are working with the best light possible.

It’s no secret that most landscape photographers would recommend photographing in the early morning and late afternoon/evening. This is when you will get a low golden soft light from the sun that produces long shadows but that doesn’t mean you can’t photograph at any other time.

You just need to ensure that you understand and have planned for the light you intend to use. For example, it may be that you want to capture a particular side of a cliff. It may be that the only time it is lit by the sun at that time of year is late morning. The most important thing is understanding and trying to organize your shoot for the best time that you possibly can.

How to Capture the Perfect Landscape Photo

3. Compose Your Shot Perfectly

One of the best things about landscape photography is that you often have plenty of time to prepare and compose your shot. That big mountain in front of you isn’t suddenly going to move like an animal does in wildlife photography. As long as you have planned your shoot well and have arrived at your location early, you should have enough time to really fine-tune your composition.

The first thing I always do whenever I get to a location for a landscape shot is just to sit down and look around for 10-15 minutes, I recommend you try it. Not only does this help you evaluate the scene and think about the best composition, but it also helps you lower your heart rate (if you have had a long walk). It allows you to get over that initial awe that you often feel when you see an amazing landscape before you.

When you feel you are ready, compose the shot and take a few test photos while you wait for the perfect light. Think about the scene in front of you. Should you show more of the foreground? If so, is there a point of interest to capture the viewer’s eyes? Or are there interesting mountains or sky, in which case you need to show more of the background? As I said earlier, keep taking test photos and recomposing your shot until you feel that you have the perfect composition and then wait for the perfect light.

Clearly, on the odd occasion, you might have to work fast. For example, if you have a small break in a storm that allows the rays of the sun to get through, but the majority of the time if you have planned your shoot well, you should not be in a hurry.

How to Capture the Perfect Landscape Photo

4. Use a Tripod

For landscape photography a tripod is essential. If you want to capture the best possible photo, in the best possible light, you will have to use a tripod. The alternative usually means having to raise your ISO, which in turn means excessive noise in your photos that can affect the overall image sharpness.

But the other advantage of using a tripod is that it can give you more options for your photography. For example, you can use slower shutter speeds to capture movements of clouds or water or give you a more elevated or lower point of view.

Yes, they are a hassle to carry (you may want to invest in a good camera bag that you can strap your tripod to), but they are simply essential for landscape shots.

How to Capture the Perfect Landscape Photo

5. Use Graduated ND filter

Often the other most widely used accessory for landscape photography is graduated filters. One of the big challenges of landscape photography, especially in low light conditions is the difference in the light areas (the sky) and your dark areas (the foreground). For example, as it gets nearer to sunset, the sun drops lower on the horizon. This might mean that mountains obstruct it.

You then have a situation where your sky is really bright as obviously it is still being lit by the sun, but your foreground is dark because the light from the sun is obstructed by the mountains. So, if you expose for the sky (light areas or highlights) then your foreground will be too dark and if you expose for the dark areas (shadows) your sky will be blown out ( completely white with no detail).

To compensate for this difference in exposure settings needed, you can either use a technique called “exposure stacking”. That means taking multiple shots at different exposure levels and then merging them into one photo in post-processing (using layer blending or HDR techniques).

Or, most landscape photographers prefer to capture photos as correctly as possible at the time of taking the photo. In this situation, the only way to do this is by using a graduated neutral density filter, which balances out the difference in the brightness between the top and bottom of the photo.

How to Capture the Perfect Landscape Photo

6. Experiment With Shutter Speed

As mentioned earlier, one of the great things about landscape photography is that you often have time to take a few different shots. Even during the short time when it’s sunset or sunrise, you will have plenty of time to experiment with different settings and even a few different compositions. So don’t be afraid to really push your settings to extremes.

For example, set a really slow shutter speed of 30 seconds and if there is some wind you will see some amazing cloud movement streaks in the sky. Or if you are by the coast set a fast shutter speed to capture the waves crashing into the rocks. Play around with the settings until you have something that looks amazing and captures the scene perfectly.

How to Capture the Perfect Landscape Photo

7. Post-Production

Usually, the final step in any good landscape photo is some post-processing. This always seems to be a contentious issue as some photographers prefer to keep post-processing to a minimum and some like to really boost the image. Whatever your preference and way of working are, it comes down to personal opinion. But there are a few things that you should look at as a minimum.

For example, making sure your images are straight, clear of dust spots, and correcting the white balance should be a must. You may also want to tweak the crop of the photo if it needs it. Beyond that, ensuring a good contrast and boosting the saturation will help your landscape image jump out.

Generally speaking, every photo will benefit from some level of post-production. Some will need more and some less.

How to Capture the Perfect Landscape Photo

Conclusion

Landscape photography is an incredibly rewarding genre of photography. A great landscape shot often has the power to really capture the viewer’s attention which is why it’s no surprise that it’s also one of the most popular branches of photography.

The post 7 Tips to Help You Capture the Perfect Landscape Photo by Kav Dadfar appeared first on Digital Photography School.


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Samyang unveils ‘premium’ XP 50mm F1.2 lens for 50MP sensors and 8K capture

20 Feb

It’s official! 24 hours after product photos leaked online, the rumored Samyang/Rokinon XP 50mm F1.2 lens for Canon EF Mount has officially arrived. This is the third so-called “XP” lens—the first two, which were announced in 2016, were the XP 85mm F1.2 and XP 14mm F2.4—which are named for their ‘Excellence in Performance.’ That is: they’re designed to resolve over 50 megapixels for photography purposes, and easily capture crisp 8K video.

Like those lenses, the XP 50mm F1.2 is manual focus and currently only made for the Canon EF mount. It boasts a 9-blade aperture, and is made from 8 groups of 11 lens elements, including one aspherical and one high-refractive lens element that promise to “deliver sharp and vivid images to camera sensors by effectively tuning the light path.”

Finally, Samyang has also included its “ultra multi coating” to help ameliorate flare and ghosting. Here’s a closer look at this lens:

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And here are some sample photos, posted by Samyang on the new XP 50mm F1.2 product page alongside an MTF chart and detailed specs:

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Samyang/Rokinon XP 50mm F1.2 spec sheet

The Samyang XP 50mm F1.2 will be available for purchase in March, at an expected retail price of 950 Euro (and very likely the same price in USD). To learn more, head over to the Samyang Global website.

Press Release

Samyang Optics Launches the Premium Photo Lens- XP 50mm F1.2

February 20th, 2018, Seoul, South Korea – Global optics brand, Samyang Optics (http://www.samyanglensglobal.com) is pleased to unveil the Premium Photo Lens – XP 50mm F1.2 for Canon full frame DSLR cameras. The XP 50mm F1.2 is the third lens of the premium line up, XP series, created under the motto of ‘Excellence in Performance’. The XP 50mm F1.2 lens is expected to expand the brand power of Samyang in the premium lens market thanks to its great image quality, following in the footsteps of the XP 14mm F2.4, XP 85mm F1.2.

The moment of the drama with absolute resolution

This lens, built for DSLR cameras, has a resolution of more than 50 megapixels for photography and 8K for video. The XP 50mm F1.2 manual focus lens enables you to capture those dramatic moments in perfect image quality with a bright F1.2 aperture. In particular, it optimizes for portraits, capturing the delicate change of the eye at the time of a portrait, right down to a strand of hair, and bright and beautiful skin colour. You can express unconstrained depth with the bright aperture, while the 9 blades also deliver beautiful bokeh, starburst, and out-focusing effects. Also, you can even achieve high image quality in low light conditions and indoors thanks to the fast shutter speed

Excellence in Performance

Produced from a total of 11 lenses in 8 groups, you can minimize distortion and various aberrations while producing crystal clear resolution. The special optic lenses, aspherical lens, and high-refractive lens deliver sharp and vivid images to camera sensors by effectively tuning the light path. Also, flare and ghost effects can be well controlled thanks to the ultra multi coating.

Available from March 2018

The absolute resolution XP 50mm F1.2 lens will be available in March at a suggested retail price of EUR 949. To celebrate the launch, Samyang Optics will hold various consumer events on Facebook and Instagram. For more information on the product, visit Samyang Optics’ official website.

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How to Capture a Winter Wonderland – Essential Tips for Photographing Snow

08 Feb

There’s nothing quite like waking up to the winter’s first snow covering the landscape. It’s an amazing transformation that affects everything from light and sound to mood. Whether you’re interested in nature photography, abstract photography, or portraits, winter is a fantastic time to do something different!

01 winter photography tips

Snow offers a lot to the willing photographer. The unique light, the brilliance of the white, the refreshed feeling you get when a fresh blanket of snow covers the ground, the low temperatures — the opportunities (and challenges) are endless. In this article, I hope to help you prepare with some essential tops for photographing snow so you can get started on your wintery outdoor adventure. So let’s get to it!

Before you set out

Before you grab your camera and run outside to capture your wintery landscape, there are some very important things to remember. First of all, you need to get dressed, and you need to do it well. Wear several layers of clothing rather than just one very warm layer. Put on shoes that will keep you warm and dry and don’t forget gloves and a hat!

02 winter photography tips

It’s important that you’re dressed warmly, but who said anything about your models?

When you’re certain you’ll stay warm for long enough to be able to enjoy the snow, make sure you grab some extra batteries. The cold weather will drain the camera’s batteries surprisingly quickly. Keep the extra batteries close to your body (preferably your torso), inside your clothing, to keep them from getting cold and discharging faster.

Now you’re ready to head out!

03 winter photography tips

Practical things to keep in mind while you’re rolling in the snow

Once you’ve stepped out the door, there are some things you should keep in mind to make your photography excursion as comfortable as possible for you, and as safe as possible for your gear.

Be sure to stay warm. Taking photos often means you’ll be standing (or lying) still for a long time. So if you’re getting cold, get up and move around a bit. Also pay attention to your toes and fingers, as they can get really cold even if the rest of you is warm and cozy.

04 winter photography tips

Use protection

It’s also important to protect your eyes. Especially if it’s cloudy it might seem like there isn’t actually that much light. But as snow reflects light very effectively your eyes can easily get damaged without you even noticing. This is called snow blindness and the best way to avoid it is to wear sunglasses.

Yes, sunglasses, in the winter, even when it’s cloudy! It sounds crazy, but ask anyone who spends a lot of the winter outdoors and they’ll agree. And, of course, you’ll also look cool.

05 winter photography tips

To protect your gear, it’s important to keep snow off of it. Once the snow melts, it can damage your camera, your lenses, as well as other electronics. Keep the gear you’re not using in a bag, and remove any snow from your camera before you go indoors. Also, if it’s snowing while you’re out photographing, be careful so it doesn’t get on your lens and end up as big blurry blobs in your photos.

Technical aspects and tips

So let’s get to the bit that’s actually interesting, the photography itself. There are some basic technical aspects to keep in mind while you’re photographing snow, but I’ll also bring up some ideas for how to enjoy your snow white photography to its fullest.

1. Overexpose

If the world around you is more or less completely white, and you’re not going for a drab kind of image, you need to overexpose by at least one stop. This will give you a photograph that looks more like what you saw with your bare eyes, as well as one that captures the magical atmosphere of winter.

11 winter photography tips

2. Pay attention to shutter speed

As always, you need to use your shutter speed intelligently to capture the scene the way you want to. In winter, it’s good to remember to use a very short exposure time if you want to freeze falling snow, and to play around with slower shutter speed if you’re trying to capture drifting snow moving across a landscape.

07 winter photography tips

3. Look for contrast

In a completely white world, you might have to look quite hard to find something to contrast with the snow. Contrast is interesting, though, so keep your eyes and mind open.

To add colour contrast, look for something colourful or wait for sunset when the blue of the shadows and the warm colours of the sun mingle. If you find moving water, contrasting the stillness of the snow with the rushing water can add a lot to your image.

08 winter photography tips

06 winter photography tips

09 winter photography tips

4. Try something different

Like any season, winter offers a diversity of photo opportunities. Snow can be a great way to create negative space in your image. It is a great way to really bring out your subject or to create a calm atmosphere.

10 winter photography tips

You can also try to go beyond the obvious to find the treasures that are hiding in your winter wonderland. Go from landscape photos to close-ups, from strong color contrast to black and white, from a classical winter landscape to a surprising take on the season…

Don’t let the weather stop you, and remember to have fun and tell an interesting story with your photos.

12 winter photography tips

Conclusion

What do you think is the best thing about photographing snow? Do you have any fun or informative experiences to share? I’d love to hear your thoughts and see your snowy creations in the comments below/

The post How to Capture a Winter Wonderland – Essential Tips for Photographing Snow by Hannele Luhtasela-el Showk appeared first on Digital Photography School.


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