One of the issues that always comes up for emerging photographers is dealing with contracts and negotiation. Let’s face it – most of us are more “artist” than “businessman”. we just want to make pictures and leave the legalese to someone else.
Of course the reality is that to be a successful *artist* you must be a successful *businessman* as well.
Go to any photography forum on the web and you will invariably find questions such as “how do I make a contract/terms for such and such a job?” or “the client sent me this crazy contract to sign, what do I do?”
In this piece, Bill Cramer of Wonderful Machine, Inc shows an actual contract negotiation he had with an editorial client, including exchanges, contracts and revisions. This is a fantastic read for any photographer and a perfect example of how to do it right. In particular, notice how he responds to the disagreement in contract terms – guiding the exchange to a mutually satisfactory agreement, rather than stonewalling and confronting.
The Image Salon, a Montreal-based photography and post-production service, recently produced a global educational conference called Photographers Unite that hosted 60 photographers from around the world. The live event is over, but photographers who missed it the first time around can register and watch the full replay until June 6.
Photographers Unite was a free event that asked attendees to make a charitable donation, though it wasn’t and still isn’t required to view the conference. Each speaker donated their time to participate in the conference, lending their expertise over the duration of 20 minutes, as well as an additional five minutes spent answering questions from the audience.
The live event took place on May 26 and May 27 from 11am to 7pm EST. The replay is available on the Photographers Unite website starting today, May 29, and will remain available until June 6. Interested viewers must register for access, which simply requires a name and email address, as well as the viewer’s photography specialty.
The conference had speakers who specialized in a wide variety of photography, including Two Mann Studios, 37 Frames, Sam Hurd, Susan Stripling, Lindsey Adler, Brandon Wong, Sara Monika, Tyler Wirken, Jide Alakija, Chris Knight and others. A schedule of the speakers with timestamps for each of their sessions is available on the Photographers Unite website. The Image Salon has also published examples of each speaker’s photography on its Instagram account.
Access to the replay is delivered in the form of a link and password that is sent to the email address provided during registration. The educational opportunity is unique in that it is completely free and includes some of the top photographers in the field. Donations from viewers go to Global Giving’s Coronavirus Global Relief Fund, as well as select regional charitable funds.
Lensrentals has published the results of its COVID-19 pandemic survey that’s attempting to gauge how the ongoing pandemic has been and will continue to affect the work and outlook of professional photographers and videographers (defined as making the majority of their income from photo and video work) around the world, many of whom are self-employed.
Over 1,000 self-labeled professional photographers and videographers responded to the survey, which was specifically designed ‘to focus on the main source of income per participant to gain an understanding that will align with the unemployment resources for each state,’ according to Lensrentals. While many of the resulting data points from the survey were —such as 96% of respondents stating their income and/or work has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic—there was one stand-out data point.
According to the results of the survey, 18.6% of respondents said they are considering leaving their respective industries due to the loss of income caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, 18.4% of photographers and 20.4% of videographers who took part in the survey said they are actively considering leaving their line of work. Seeing as how it was simply a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question, it’s difficult to gauge how likely it is these particular respondents will follow through on their considerations, but roughly one out of every five professionals is a rather serious number.
Other less-surprising data points include 74.5% of respondents saying ‘all or almost all’ of their jobs (defined as >80%) have been cancelled for the month of April with 59.7% and 20% of respondents saying the same for the month of May and June, respectively.
To read a more detailed breakdown of the numbers, head on over to Lensrentals’ blog post. In the closing paragraph, Lensrentals links to numerous resources its compiled the help creatives amidst the ongoing pandemic and social distancing initiatives.
Things photographers can do for their business during isolation
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on a lot of creative industries, including professional photography. For the past 7 years, I’ve been a self-employed photographer shooting mainly corporate events and restaurants. Just a month ago, my business was starting to pick up, and I was excited for a packed year of photography gigs. But COVID-19 started to spread and in less than 2 weeks, all of my photoshoots for the year were canceled or postponed indefinitely. It was a blow that I genuinely did not see coming.
Today, I have been self-quarantining at home for nearly a month, looking for any excuse to flex my creative muscles. In doing so, I’ve come up with 9 things that professional photographers can do while in isolation at home.
Evaluate your camera gear
Use this time to take inventory of your camera gear and accessories. Thoroughly clean your camera sensor and lenses (if you don’t know how now’s a good time to learn). If you find any gear that needs to be repaired, make a note of it, but don’t send it in to the manufacturer as many servicing facilities have closed down recently.
Make a list of all of your gear with details such as serial numbers for your own records and for insurance purposes. There are mobile apps for this, such as MyGearVault or Zither (iOS only) but a Google Docs spreadsheet will also work just fine. Speaking of insurance, make sure all of your gear is properly insured to give you peace of mind if you happen to damage or lose your gear.
Finally, take note of your camera inventory and evaluate what you really need. If you’re low on funds and really need the money, selling camera gear is one way to help make ends meet.
Rework your photography contracts
Before you perform any photography service in exchange for money, it is wise to have your client sign a photography contract. There are a number of reasons why photography contracts are important, but there’s one reason in particular that stands out right now. A good photography contract will have a section detailing what happens if a photoshoot needs to be canceled. This is important during times of economic prosperity (ie. what happens if you, the photographer, gets sick and can’t shoot?). But it is more important than ever now that nearly every type of photoshoot has been put on hold or canceled.
I am not a legal professional and cannot provide specific guidance, but here are a few things to consider spelling out in your photography contracts:
If a deposit is paid to secure your services, under what terms (if any) is that deposit refundable?
What happens if the client needs to postpone or cancel the photoshoot?
When it comes to enforcing the contract terms, it depends on your relationship with the client, but it doesn’t hurt to have some flexibility, especially since everyone is suffering right now. I’ve had a number of relatively positive outcomes including clients who credit the deposit toward a future photoshoot, some who decided not to collect the deposit back even though they had every right to, and many who have promised to rehire me for the photoshoot when they are able to reschedule it.
Back up your photos
If you don’t already have a solid backup system for your photography content, now is a great time to start one. There are a lot of backup options out there including NAS and RAID systems, cloud storage, and simply using physical hard drives. According to the 3-21- backup strategy, you should have at least 3 copies of your data, 2 copies that are on different devices (think 2 different hard drives), and 1 copy offsite (think cloud storage).
The great news about backups is that the cost of physical hard drives has dropped dramatically. Western Digital 10TB hard drives are under $ 200 right now, and Costco likely has not sold out of hard drives yet. My backup strategy uses a combination of physical hard drives, and cloud backups to both Backblaze and SmugMug.
Update your portfolio
While you’re backing up your photo archives, take time to comb through your library of images for work that can be used to update your photography portfolio. Add new work to existing albums, and consider making new categories. A section for Personal Projects is always great for showcasing creativity.
If you don’t have a photography portfolio or are considering switching platforms, now is a great time to look into different website options. Today, photographers are using everything from WordPress, Squarespace, SmugMug, and Instagram to showcase their work. Some sites are free and others are paid; many paid sites are offering discounts or extended trials right now, so consider taking advantage of them.
Also, don’t forget to update your LinkedIn profile. Although photography resumes are rarely needed, LinkedIn is a great place to keep a digital resume and professional presence. It can also help you generate new photography leads if you use the platform regularly.
Experiment with different photography techniques
It takes about 10,000 hours to master a skill, and it’s still possible to keep taking photos even if you’re stuck inside. Play with different photography concepts such as natural lighting and artificial lighting, macro photography – you get the picture. Explore these concepts in-depth and consider participating in or setting up a daily photography challenge for motivation. You may end up new skills that you can use in the future, or a new section in your portfolio.
One particular photography genre worth exploring is product photography. Online sales everywhere are up even during this pandemic which means that product photography is more important than ever before. Product photography requires proficiency in lighting and composition, and many of these skills are transferable to other types of photography including headshots and stock photography. You can also make a makeshift product photography “studio” in your home without buying expensive gear.
Consider selling stock photos
Stock photography doesn’t always have a positive reputation because payouts can be small and you typically have to upload a large number of photos over a long period of time to see results. However, this is a good time to consider stock photography because 1) we have a lot of time on our hands, and 2) any long-term passive income payment is better than nothing.
If you’re curious about stock photography, there are a number of websites out there where you can sign up and start uploading almost immediately. Shutterstock is my favorite since it is relatively quick and easy to upload and keyword content, and I have consistently made sales there since I started uploading two years ago. Just sign up for an account, read the fine print that details what quality standards they require and start learning about how to keyword your images since keywording is ultimately what will help you sell more images.
But before you start uploading, make sure that the images you want to sell are not prohibited for re-sale if you shot them for a client (refer to your contract), or a unique image that you might want to sell for yourself at a higher value down the road.
Diversify your income
This point may be hard to act on right now as many industries are not hiring, but start thinking of ways to diversify your income outside of taking photos. The reality is that outside of a pandemic, there are many reasons why you may not be able to perform your job (ie. prolonged illness, personal situations). In times like this, it’s important to have other streams of income or jobs that you can do that don’t require you physically picking up a camera.
Think editing photos for other photographers, being an image quality reviewer for stock photography websites, teaching photography classes, etc.
Prioritize your spending
This is probably a no-brainer if your business has ground to a halt as mine has, but it bears repeating. Now is the time to save your money as much as possible. We don’t know how long this pandemic will be around or how long it will be before business is back up and running. Realistically, not all of our clients’ businesses may make it, and budgets for photography may shrink or dry up after all of this is over. So count your pennies now and do what you can to make your money stretch.
And if you don’t already have one, consider starting an emergency saving account that you chip in to on a regular basis. This may not be possible to start right now, but this pandemic is a good reminder of why it is essential to have emergency savings on hand in the future.
Take up a new hobby
Even though it’s important to keep practicing photography right now, it’s also worth taking a break from it. Taking some time away from photography is great for inspiring different types of creativity. We have so much time on our hands right now, that you can make the most out of it by learning a new skill or taking up new hobbies. Is there a language you always wanted to learn? Or a recipe you want to perfect? Think of a time when you’ve said, “If only I had more time, I would do ___” and start doing it.
People are getting creative during these challenging times. As a result, a few top camera companies and creators are acknowledging homebound ingenuity. Freelance photographer Jeremy Cohen already won the ultimate reward, the cover shot on a recent edition of the New Yorker after his ‘quarantine cutie’ TikTok clip went viral.
It isn’t just about sharing, or winning. It’s also about community. This is why major companies, from GoPro to Leica, are launching challenges and offering free educational resources as well. The key is to stay inspired and even learn a few new skills. The opportunity to gain exposure, without being exposed, is going to be an ongoing theme these next few months. Here are 5 photography and videography challenges worth checking out.
GoPro #HomePro Challenge
GoPro recently launched the #HomePro challenge to reward photographers and videographers confined to their abodes with prizes. From now until April 30th, creators are encouraged to upload their most imaginative homebound content to Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Youtube, or Facebook with the #HomePro and #GoPro hashtags. 5 submissions will be selected every day and the winners will receive their choice of a HERO8 Black or MAX camera plus 5 years of GoPro PLUS.
‘The GoPro community captures the most amazing videos that wow billions of viewers around the world. Now, we want to tap into their creativity to inspire others to find magic in their home-bound experience,’ said GoPro founder and CEO, Nick Woodman. ‘We launched this challenge to see what creative radness, inventiveness or weirdness people are getting up to at home. And so far, we’ve been stoked with what we have seen.’
Turn up volume on for #HomePro awardee Philipp Klein’s stop-motion freeride.
“What inspired me was to try to put all the negative news on pause and put a smile onto peoples’ faces. If I wasn’t home, I’d be skiing, my biggest passion, so I found a way to ski at home.” pic.twitter.com/N0eFXoPP6w
— GoPro (@GoPro) April 4, 2020
Download the FREE GoPro App to get started. You don’t need to capture footage with a GoPro device to qualify. Entries taken with any type of camera, including a phone, will be considered. If you’re looking for a soundtrack to accompany your footage, GoPro offers up free music on their contest page.
Stay Home with Leica Photo Challenge
Leica recently announced a series of free Akademie educational talks to help the photography community stay active and inspired while safely social distancing. To coincide with the courses, they’re also offering weekly Instagram challenges to reward community members who are making the most of their time indoors. Courses with Ruddy Roye and award-winning documentary photographer Doug Menuez are starting this week.
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Some more Color captured from my balcony. . . . #stayhomewithleica #leicas #leica #leicastorela #leicagallery #socialdistancing #crps #spicollective #streetphotography #street #streetphotographyinternational #color_captures #capturestreets #lensculture #lifeframer #streetphotographer #walking #store #fromhome #stayhome #streetlife #digitalmediumformat #mediumformat #city #losangeles #leica_fotografie_international #spi_colour #capturelandscapes
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Any camera can be used to capture submissions to the contest. Simply tag your posts with the hashtag #StayHomeWithLeica to be considered for a prize that includes a Leica Akademie bespoke class (a $ 150 value) and a feature on their social profiles including Instagram. The winner of the current challenge will be announced on Saturday, April 11th. Here are the rules:
#StayHomeWithLeica Photo Challenge Rules
Follow us on Instagram
Post an image that shows a daily ritual performed or a moment with your family
Tag #StayHomeWithLeica & @LeicaCameraUSA in the caption
Starting April 6th through June 26th, Sigma is encouraging participants to submit their best photos and videos depicting life in quarantine. A $ 500 American Express gift card will be awarded weekly. At the end of each month, weekly winners will be pooled and the overall best submission will be awarded with a $ 1,000 American Express gift card. At the conclusion of the contest, the grand prize winner will receive a Sigma fp camera plus a 45mm F2.8 DG DN contemporary lens. A second-place contest winner will be awarded with any Sigma lens valued at $ 1000 or less.
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After nap snuggles. We were standing by our front door and I noticed our reflection in the window. This girl has always been a snuggle bug, it’s my favorite thing. #sigmashotathome ?? • • • #nikond750 #sigma35mmart #candidchildhood #pixel_kids #cameramama #clickinmoms #getin52 #my_magical_moments #follow_this_light #galleryoflightfeature #jj_its_kids #exploringcreativephotography #clickthrough52 #oureverydaymoments #loveourbigkids #theartofchildhood #momhub #cm_homesweethome #sigmashotathome #sigmaphoto
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‘We are in the midst of an unprecedented moment in history that has dramatically impacted the heart of the creative imaging community,’ says Mark Amir-Hamzeh, President, Sigma Corporation of America. ‘#sigmashotathome is our humble attempt to bring inspiration and creativity to a difficult situation and to remind creators, regardless of stylistic choices, field or gear preferences, that we are in this together.’
Entries can be captured with any type of camera though Sigma encourages entrants to let them know if their brand was used. Up to 10 photos or videos are permitted per week and can be submitted here. The contest is currently open to U.S. residents only.
Files uploaded must:
Have the file naming convention: DATE_LAST NAME_DESCRIPTIVE TITLE
Be under 25MB and .jpg format with 3000×2000 maximum resolution
If any discernible person is in your film, you must be able to provide an image release form
Must be original work in which you own all creative rights
Entrants can also:
Like and Follow Sigma Corporation of America on Facebook and Instagram
Upload the photo submission to Facebook and Instagram, tag Sigma Corporation of America and include the hashtag #sigmashotathome
Getty Museum Recreations of Famous Artwork
While there aren’t any prizes awarded, the opportunity to be featured on the Getty Museum’s Twitter feed, which currently boasts 1.3 million followers, makes it worth the effort to enter their current stay-at-home challenge. To qualify, the Los Angeles-based museum has invited people to recreate famous works of art using three objects found in the home with these simple requirements:
Choose your favorite artwork
Find three things lying around your house
Recreate the artwork with those items
And share with us (by replying to their Twitter posts)
We stan.https://t.co/K3JVGpFPAJ pic.twitter.com/rIqXzr5hIK
— Getty (@GettyMuseum) March 25, 2020
The contest looks to be ongoing. The Getty staff has shared the following resource for inspiration.
Bathroom tile Mondrian pic.twitter.com/zKB6hmyavP
— Dan Martini (@dmontherocks) March 29, 2020
The Art of Photography Challenges
Ted Forbes, who runs the popular instructional YouTube channel The Art of Photography, has returned with much-anticipated new challenges for 2020. Free bi-weekly classes are designed to change how photographers see things while enhancing their skills.
In the spirit of staying home, and mostly indoors, Forbes is encouraging people to make the most of the light that is available. The lessons for his first assignment can be found below:
The post Things Photographers Will Do For The Perfect Shot (video) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.
With everything happening in the world at the moment, I thought we could all do with a bit of a laugh. So, I found this video that shows some of the crazy things (and poses) that photographers do to get the perfect shot.
So take a look, and let me know if you have done any of these “moves” to get just the right shot. Let’s face it, most of us will have at least done one of them!
Share with us in the comments section, along with the photo you achieved from your position.
You may also like:
Why Using Ant’s View Perspective Can Take Your Photography to the Next Level
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Perspective in Photography – Don’t just stand there move your feet!
5 Great Yoga Exercises for Photographers (with Illustrations)
Change of Perspective in Photography – Start from the Top
How to Improve Your Photography by Changing Perspective
The post Things Photographers Will Do For The Perfect Shot (video) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.
The post Canon Explorers of Light – Q&A with Photographers Bob and Dawn Davis appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.
In this Canon Explorers of Light Q&A series, we interview several professional photographers who are a part of Canon’s Explorers of Light program.
The Explorers of Light Program, running since 1995, boasts some incredibly talented photographers. These photographers have spent years honing their craft, and influence and educate other photographers of all levels – something, we at dPS, can respect and relate to.
In this Canon Explorers of Light Q&A series, we interview photographers Bob and Dawn Davis. They share their experiences and give tips to upcoming photographers.
I was inspired by my father, who always had a camera or movie camera within arms-reach. Growing up, I played with Polaroid, where you had to coat the photographs and mount them onto the cardboard included with the pack of instant film. Also, all kinds of Kodak cameras, 126, 110, and Disc cameras.
I became addicted to captured moments and anything that caught my eye, and I was on a first-name basis with the one-hour lab in the Jewel near my home.
Once I got into high school, I took my first photography class. Mrs. Morrison encouraged my passion for documenting everyday moments. She said to me, “you can make a living in photography as a photojournalist!”
That was it; I knew my life’s calling.
I joined the school newspaper and yearbook, had a front-row seat to current events, and in my senior year, I won the National Honor Society Scholarship in Photojournalism and subsequently attended Columbia College in Chicago.
Simultaneously, a small newspaper, The Daily Southtown Economist, hired me. Eventually, work took up all my time. I decided to leave college and work full time, setting my sights on a position at the Chicago Sun-Times, working alongside John H. White, Pulitzer Prize winner in feature photography. I realized my dreams in 1989 when I was hired full time at the Chicago Sun-Times, where I was a staff photographer covering daily news until 2004.
My first camera purchase was a Canon AT1 with a 50mm 1.4 lens, 28mm 2.8, and a 200mm 2.8 lens, which fueled my passion for photography in high school.
Eventually, I had the Canon AT1 modified to accept the highspeed motor drive that would allow for five frames per second. I was pursuing sports photography, and the local weekly newspaper, The Star, hired me as a freelancer to photograph the local football team who were heading to State. Score!
What camera gear do you use now and why?
I am a lifelong Canon user, and I’m blessed to be a part of The Canon Explorers of Light Educational Program. I purchased my own Canon EOS 1D digital camera. I love Canon color and glass period!
My current Canon kit is the EOS 1DX MkIII and EOS R for bodies; lenses to photographers are like brushes to fine art painters.
I use the RF 28-70 f2.0, RF 50mm f1.2, EF 16-35 f2.8 vIII, EF 24-70 f2.8 vII, EF 70-200 f2.8 IS vII, 100-400 f4.5 5.6 vII, 300 f2.8 vII, 1.4x vIII, 2x vIII and 10-600EX RT Speedlites. I love the speed and low light focus capability of both the EOS 1DX MIII and EOS R full-frame mirrorless bodies. There’s no situation I cannot cover with these cameras.
What area of photography do you specialize in, and why did you move into that field?
I love capturing real authentic moments and fashion-inspired portraits. I would call our style timeless and classic with an editorial twist. Currently, I practice in wedding, portraits, and wildlife photography.
Honestly, being a lifelong photojournalist, there isn’t much I haven’t covered in my career, so I’m prepared for anything.
I’ve photographed every president since Ronald Reagan and captured the most exclusive events for A-list celebrities. I love photographing the once-in-a-lifetime moments that unfold at weddings and special events.
Are you working on any exciting projects you’d like to share?
I love weddings and events, but I’m transitioning into destination wildlife, travel photography, and workshops. Photography is a powerful medium to tell stories and share a message. I want our wildlife and destination work to inspire people to think and be grateful for the abundance of beauty that surrounds us and that we need to be stewards of our planet and environment!
If you could share any photography tips with our readers, what would they be?
Practice, practice, practice! I learned from Michael Jordan while covering his many NBA championships that before every game, he would be on the floor before anyone else and practice the basics. He was ready and confident, so when the moment came for the big shots, he was prepared. I still practice and push myself to be green and growing, and always be prepared no matter the assignment.
My cameras have always been a passport, allowing me a front seat to history. While at the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper for 14 years, I covered countless historic events, such as presidential elections, Michael Jordan’s entire career with the Chicago Bulls, many faiths, celebrations, and rituals. I’ve traveled around the world for weddings and human-interest stories for nonprofit organizations.
I have since moved on from the newspaper industry. Now, I have created an endeavor with my wife, Dawn Davis – Bob & Dawn Davis Photography & Design.
Our client list reads like a “Who’s Who” of entertainment’s elite. We had the honor of photographing A-list weddings such as Eva Longoria & Tony Parker’s wedding in Paris, Salma Hayek & François-Henri Pinault’s wedding in Italy, La La Vazquez & Carmelo Anthony’s TV wedding in New York, Tracey Edmonds & Eddie Murphy’s wedding in Bora Bora, ABC’s TV show The Bachelorette Ashley’s wedding to J.P. in California, along with many other fabulous events with Oprah Winfrey.
I was commissioned to work on the book America 24/7, which was featured on the Oprah Winfrey show and was a New York Times Best Seller.
Our work has been featured in publications such as People, OK, O Magazine, InStyle, Inside Weddings, Town & Country, Munaluchi, Grace Ormonde, Modern Luxury Brides, and dozens of others.
I am honored to be a member of the Canon Explorers of Light, Westcott Top Pro Elite, and SanDisk Extreme Team. Dawn and I are the authors of two books, Lights Camera Capture, and We’re Engaged!
I am happily married to my wife, Dawn, and together we have two beautiful children, Bobby and Alli.
The post Canon Explorers of Light – Q&A with Photographers Bob and Dawn Davis appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.
Recently, Fujifilm released its fifth-generation Fujifilm X100V camera, an update that has been two years in the making. By now there are a lot of reviews out there, but my goal here is to focus on why I believe this is the best camera on the market for street photography. The X100V works really well as an everyday travel camera and even as a daily a cityscape/architecture camera, but I think that street photography is in the camera’s DNA.
I’ve been using the X100 since the first version, released in 2011, as my everyday camera and my primary street photography camera. Since then, it has transformed the way that I work as well as the quality of my work. Full disclosure: Fujifilm provided me with a loaner camera to review.
How the original X100 transformed street photography
The original X100 rocked the photography world in 2011. It embraced the design and ergonomics of old rangefinder film cameras and combined them with a cutting edge hybrid viewfinder and excellent image quality. And the cost was fairly affordable considering everything that was packed inside it.
While a few other camera companies had come close, no company had yet to put together such a small, tight, and refined (after some firmware updates, admittedly) street photography camera. Many photographers began to ditch their SLRs and prime lenses for the X100 and its later models.
And while many companies have created incredible cameras for street photography, most of them have a significant flaw or two that hold them back in some way (or they cost $ 10,000). I still don’t believe there is a camera company out there that has put together the entire package for street photographers in the way that Fujifilm has. It continues to lead the pack.
What’s new in the X100V?
The X100V comes with a host improvements over the previous models, including:
More reliable autofocusing: This may be the major reason for upgrading the camera for some of you.
New 26.1-megapixel sensor (shared by the X-T3): You get a modest resolution bump and much faster readout speeds.
Newly weather-resistant body: You will need to purchase an attachment to make the lens itself weather resistant, but I have shot significantly with older versions in the rain with an umbrella and never had an issue with it getting fairly wet. A weather-resistant body would make me even more comfortable in doing so.
Newly developed lens: The lens redesign is two years in the making and improves corner sharpness and close-distance focusing.
Slightlysleeker design: Streamlined lines and new top and bottom aluminum plates with a satin finish make the camera even more aesthetically appealing.
Two-way tilting screen: The screen is so thin, you hardly know it can tilt.
Updated hybrid viewfinder with a new OLED panel.
4K Video: For any street photography videos you may want to make.
Now let’s take a look at why I think the X100V is perfect for street photography.
Size and ergonomics
While the benefit of the Fujifilm X100 series is its complete package of features, the size and ergonomics of the camera are what stand out the most for me. With its very compact 23mm (35mm equivalent) lens, the camera is tiny and a pleasure to carry around all day. It is both inconspicuous for street photography and light enough that it allows you to photograph in a quicker and more spontaneous manner.
The X100V just makes you want to take it outside and walk around all day
The camera has dials for all the major camera functions, which makes it easy to change your settings on the fly without going into the menus. The viewfinder allows you to move between an optical view and an electronic view, which I do frequently depending on what I am shooting.
The X100V just makes you want to take it outside and walk around all day. And it’s tough to understate that, because that’s really the key to street photography: getting out there with a camera consistently and having as much fun as possible.
Image quality
Part of the genius of the X100-series is the restraint that they showed in building it. The choice to have a fixed lens and an APS-C sensor could have been thought to have been features that held this camera back, but instead, they were the features that defined this camera. Both choices allowed it to hit a perfect mix between size and image quality. The photos that come out of it look great and I easily feel comfortable blowing them up to giant sizes, even at remarkably high ISOs.
I find that the colors and black and white tones that come out of this camera are nothing short of remarkable, and in recent years Fujifilm has provided a wide variety of color and black and white profiles that allow you to create a variety of looks depending on your style and the particular image you’re working with.
High ISO and autofocus
I’ve found the X100V to be a beast for night photography, whether it’s street or architectural. I tested this camera up to ISO 6400, and found the noise was fairly minimal. The photographs were sharp as well. I would certainly be comfortable printing ISO 6400 photographs and I would even be comfortable using ISO 12,800 in a pinch. The level and look of the noise in the newest version of the X100 is something that I could not have imagined even five years ago.
Mix the ISO capabilities with the size and inconspicuousness of the camera, and shooting street photography at night is so much easier. In general, street photography at night is incredibly hard to do, but this camera speeds you up enough to significantly lessen some of the primary constraints with night street shooting.
Autofocus, what was originally one of the main issues with the first X100 camera in 2011, is now one of its strengths. The X100V has incredibly reliable autofocusing and performs remarkably well for a camera of this size. It’s still is not as fast as an SLR, of course, but with each new iteration, they get closer.
Lens(es)
The Fujifilm X100V comes with the option to purchase 50mm equivalent and 28mm equivalent attachment lenses. I’ve found that 35mm and 50mm primes are my bread-and-butter focal lengths for street photography: wide enough to get close and intimate while showing a lot of background, but not too wide. Many street photographers love to use a 28mm equivalent as well, although that is usually too wide for me unless I am on a very crowded street corner.
The act of using a prime lens like this has allowed me to capture so many more split-second moments than I would have missed otherwise. With a zoom, I feel like I am a part of the camera, but with a small prime, I feel like the camera is part of me.
Battery life
The battery life over the last few versions is remarkably improved, particularly for a camera of this size. I still find that I need three batteries for an active day of shooting, but the battery life has been turned from a detriment to a benefit over the five generations of this camera.
Street photography settings and tips
While I think that the silver version of the camera is the prettiest, people tend to notice it frequently. It still works great for street photography, but I suggest getting the black version, which is more inconspicuous and gets fewer comments.
The X100V has a leaf-shutter, so is already very quiet, but you can disable all other sounds and enable an electronic shutter for completely silent shooting. This is particularly helpful for indoor and especially quiet situations.
I also lengthen the time that it takes for the camera to go to sleep. I find this option necessary since the camera will go to sleep occasionally just as a fast-moving moment appears out of nowhere The ‘Boost’ option also enables even faster autofocus speeds. Both of these options will significantly reduce the battery life, but with three batteries, you should have more than enough for a full day of busy shooting.
Street photography accessories
While Lensmate has not yet released a thumb-grip for the new design of the X100V (here it is for the X100F), I’m sure one is coming soon. This type of thumb grip makes the camera much easier to hold, particularly with one hand.
I also find that a soft release button makes the camera more comfortable and sensitive to shoot with: My personal favorite is the Abrahamsson Mini Soft Release. Purchase a couple of these because they can unscrew in your bag and get lost easily. I lose one a year usually and I’m very careful.
The overall aesthetic of Gordy’s camera straps goes very well with the camera and are incredibly comfortable. I typically keep the strap shorter than normal to keep the camera higher on my chest, which makes it easier to shoot quickly with and isn’t bothersome since the camera is so light.
Conclusion
The X100 series has been around for almost 10 years now, and it only gets better as Fujifilm works to find smart and subtle ways to improve it and the photos that come out of it without straying from the initial spirit of the camera.
I’ve found that the Fujifilm X100V has helped turn me into a more spontaneous street photographer. I can react faster, am able to manipulate the camera easier, and have gotten really in-tune with the fixed focal length. If you decide to get one for yourself, I think you’ll feel much less self-conscious and afraid of getting close and intimate with your photographs.
The combination of all of these factors has allowed me to capture images that I would not be able to come back with before. And to be honest, I don’t know what camera I would use for street photography if the X100V didn’t exist. I can’t say I would be as happy or comfortable with any other.
The Professional Photographers of America (PPA) has announced it’s unlocking all of its more than 1,1000 online photography classes for the next two weeks as a way to help those who are quarantined amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the sign up page to access the free classes, PPA says:
‘Times are tough – we need to be at our best. More kindness. More patience. More giving. And we at PPA want to pitch in to make things a little easier. What better way to spend your time at home than preparing your business for when things kick back into high gear? That’s why PPA is opening ALL of our online education to ALL photographers and small business owners worldwide for the next two weeks.’
To access the more than 1,100 classes, all you need to do is sign up for a free account on this page. There, you are asked to enter your first name, last name, email, a password and the city, state and country you reside in. Once the account is created, you’ll automatically be sent to the page shown in the screenshot below, from where you can choose the class(es) you want to partake in.
The available classes range in topics and genres, from classes on how to get started with your photography business and create contracts to guides on how to balance natural light with flash and how to organize keywords and metadata in Lightroom.
PPA CEO David Trust also shared a letter to the photography community, which you can read on the PPA website.
The post 5 Great Yoga Exercises for Photographers (with Illustrations) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.
Sore back and neck, stiff shoulders, probably sore feet too…Unfortunately, the physical nature of photography means that aches and pains can come with the territory. Even a solid editing session at the computer can take a toll. Luckily, there are ways to help ease these troublesome maladies. In this article, I’ve picked out a few yoga exercises for photographers that I use to help combat the strains we accumulate both in the field and during editing sessions.
What is Yoga?
Yoga in the West usually describes a modern form of Hatha yoga (yoga as exercise) which consists of set poses called asanas. By performing these poses, yoga practitioners build flexibility and strength and also learn how to focus through breathing and mindfulness.
Basically, yoga is great for the body and the mind.
All you need is a bit of floor space, comfortable clothing, and a yoga mat if you want one.
To start, take a few deep breaths to get in the zone. If you like, sit cross-legged for a little while (Sukhasana), straightening your spine and rolling your head side to side to relax the neck muscles.
Once you are feeling centered, you’re ready to go!
Cat/Cow (Marjaryasana/Bitilasana)
The yoga poses I’ve selected for this article put particular emphasis on common photography sore spots. In terms of yoga exercises for photographers, you can’t go wrong with Cat and Cow Poses.
When performed together, Cat and Cow Poses lengthen the spine, flexing the back and the neck to relieve tension and stress.
Begin on your hands and knees (Table Top Pose or Bharmanasana). Position your wrists directly under your shoulders. Shift your knees so they are aligned with your hip points. Look down towards the floor, relaxing the neck.
Starting with Cow Pose, inhale and slowly drop your belly towards the floor. Lift your chin and chest, looking toward the ceiling. Draw your shoulders away from your ears and hold the position for 5-10 seconds.
Next is Cat Pose. Begin to exhale and draw your belly up to your spine, rounding your back towards the ceiling. Look down towards the floor, relax your neck and hold the position for 5-10 seconds.
Repeat Cat/Cow as many times as you like, breathing in for Cow Pose and out for Cat Pose.
Upward Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)
Upward Facing Dog may look like one of the trickier yoga exercises for photographers, but it’s well worth a go. Stretching the back and neck and opening up the chest and shoulders, Upward Facing Dog is a great way to check-in with your body.
Start by lying face-down on the floor. Rest the tops of your feet on the floor with your legs a few inches apart.
Position your hands on the floor next to your lower ribs. Point your fingers towards your head and pull your elbows in close to your rib cage.
Press your hands into the floor. Straightening your arms, lift your torso and upper thighs off the floor.
Pressing down on the floor with the tops of your feet, tense your leg muscles to keep your upper thighs lifted. Keep your elbows pressed tightly against your body.
Pull your shoulders away from your ears and push your chest up towards the ceiling.
Tilt your head to look at the ceiling and hold the pose for 10-30 seconds. Release gradually.
Ragdoll Pose (Baddha Hasta Uttanasana)
Ragdoll Pose, also known as Dangling Pose is a variation on the Standing Forward Fold Pose (Uttanasana). It’s a perfect yoga exercise for photographers, stretching the back and relaxing the shoulders, arms, and neck.
I find it also helps with headaches too.
Start in a standing position, with your feet aligned with your hips and your toes pointed forward.
Fold forward from the hips so that the belly meets with the tops of the thighs. As you fold, bend the knees generously. Keep your navel drawn up to your spine.
Hold your elbows with your hands and let the weight of your arms and head hang down, lengthening the neck and spine.
From here you can rock side to side, rest your hands on the floor or stay as is. Hold the pose for as long as you’d like, focusing on inhaling and exhaling.
Extended Child’s Pose (Utthitta Balasana)
Extended Child’s Pose is calming and restorative – great for the spine, thighs, hips, shoulders, arms, and neck.
To begin Extended Child’s Pose, kneel on the floor. Keep your weight on the heels of your feet.
Touch your big toes together. Separate the knees so that they are a little more than a hip’s width apart.
Reach your arms ahead of you and let the chest sink towards the floor.
Rest your forehead on the floor, drawing the shoulders away from the ears.
Stay in Extended Child’s Pose for as long as you need, focusing on your breath.
Triangle pose (Trikonasana)
Triangle Pose is a yoga exercise for photographers that opens up the chest and shoulders as well as stretching the groin, hamstrings, and hips. It helps to relieve pain in the lower and upper back and stimulates balance.
Begin in a standing position with your feet together. Step your feet wide and raise your arms parallel to the floor, palms down. Your wrists should be roughly in line with your ankles.
Rotate your palms up to the ceiling and turn your right toes out by 90 degrees. Turn the left foot inward slightly so you are balanced.
Reach the right fingertips forward and bend at the hip crease, sending your buttocks back. Keeping the arms straight, reach your right hand towards the top of your right shin, allowing the left arm to raise toward the ceiling.
Once your right hand is settled on your shin and your left arm is pointed toward the ceiling, rotate the chest out and look towards your left hand.
Hold Triangle Pose for 10-15 seconds and then return to a standing position. Reverse the feet and repeat to the left.
Conclusion
Helping to ease stress as well as aches and pains, yoga exercises for photographers are pretty great. Of course, there are plenty of other yoga asanas out there, but I’ve found these five to be especially effective after long days out in the field.
Do you have a favorite yoga pose that you find beneficial to your photography practice? Let us known in the comments!
Note: Megan is not a qualified Yoga instructor. These exercises are a guide only. As with all exercise, please listen to your body, and only do what feels comfortable for you.
The post 5 Great Yoga Exercises for Photographers (with Illustrations) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.
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