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Posts Tagged ‘Video’

Video: Photographer debunks popular food photography ‘hacks’

14 Aug

Commercial food photographer Scott Choucino has published a new video debunking some of the food photography ‘hacks’ popularized in YouTube videos. Choucino comments on a variety of supposed industry techniques, including things like using lipstick to make fruit look ripe and spraying hairspray on fruit.

‘We don’t color in fruit if it’s the wrong color, we just buy more fruit,’ Choucino explains in the video while shrugging. The photographer shares some techniques that are used by food photography professionals, as well, including using glycerin and water — not hairspray — to make fruit look wet. Choucino likewise touches on the topic of making meat look cooked, getting gooey cheese pizza shots, myths about foamy coffee and more.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Video: Taking natural light portraits in a backyard shed

11 Aug

Photographer Irene Rudnyk has published a new video demonstrating how she captured portraits in her backyard using a garden shed and natural light. The process was fairly simple, involving a backdrop, large circular reflector, and two-step ladder, the total cost of which was minimal, camera gear aside.

The portraits were captured using a Mamiya 645 camera with a Mamiya 80mm F1.9 lens and Porta 400 film, as well as on digital using a Canon 5D Mark III with a Canon 85mm F1.2 lens. Two of the portraits captured during the photoshoot are available on Rudnyk’s Instagram account. Rudnyk’s other work can be found on 500px.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Video: Sony Tough SD cards torture tested with blender, washer, freezer and more

08 Aug

Photographer Steve Huff has published a new video in which he subjects Sony’s Tough SD cards to a variety of durability tests involving everything from a washing machine to a blender. According to Sony, it engineered this SD card model ‘for toughness,’ stating on its website that the Tough cards are ‘dust, dirt, water, mud, and grime-proof.’

The Sony Tough SD card has an IP68 dustproof and waterproof rating, as well as a rib-less and switchless design, which Sony says eliminates ‘risks of breakage.’ Ultimately, the company claims its Tough cards at shock- and crush-proof.

Of course, this doesn’t mean the cards are indestructible, as demonstrated by Huff. The SD cards were no match for the blender, which immediately rendered them into small bits of plastic and metal. The Sony Tough cards were able to withstand the other tests, however, including cycles through a washer and dryer, being frozen in water, submerged in a pool and left out in sunlight.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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DPReview TV: Is the Fujifilm GFX 100 good for video?

06 Aug

Would you use a medium format camera for video? In this week’s episode Jordan does, and he explains why he’s pleasantly surprised – even impressed – with the video capabilities of Fujifilm’s 100MP medium format camera.

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

  • Introduction
  • Image stabilization and autofocus
  • Color profiles
  • Sensor
  • Rolling shutter
  • Low light and dynamic range
  • Wrap-up

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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The 5 Most Overused Photography Techniques [video]

04 Aug

The post The 5 Most Overused Photography Techniques appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

In this video, James Popsys discusses what he believes are the 5 most overused photography techniques. Take a look and see if you agree with any or all of these.

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1. Water photos using Long Exposures

James points out that photographers who always use long exposures whenever there is water around could be missing out on telling the true story of the scene. They could be missing out on the ripples, textures, etc. that are available in the true scene.

He also states how he likes to imagine himself within a scene, and finds that some of these long exposures all feel too unreal. He knows he could never experience that in real life.

What are your thoughts on that?

2. Panoramas

James loves panoramas and has done many of them himself. The problem he has with them is that he thinks some people who shoot them can’t decide on what their focus point should be so they just try and capture it all.

Do you agree with that?

He believes good photos are all about subtraction and taking things out of the shot to make the message stronger. So to shoot a good panorama, everything you are capturing needs to be of interest. Or else, you need to change perspective and your composition to get a better photo.

Also, they aren’t great for viewing on digital media.

3. Adding foreground interest

James states that always trying to have a point of interest in the foreground isn’t necessary and that sometimes it can dilute what is already an interesting photograph.

4. Golden hour

Jaymes isn’t a fan of shooting during Golden Hour as he believes the color overpowers the subject matter. The light becomes the story rather than the place. The light steals the show. Photos can also become quite similar because it becomes about light and not composition or story.

Shooting at other times of the day improves your composition skills.

5. Sky replacements

Jaymes isn’t a fan of sky replacements. They are becoming too obvious, and they look fake. He thinks it is outdated and disingenuous.

What do you think? Are there other techniques you think are overused in photography? Share with us in the comments below.

The post The 5 Most Overused Photography Techniques appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.


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Fujifilm GFX100 Camera Review [video]

27 Jul

The post Fujifilm GFX100 Camera Review appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

In this video by Georges CamerasTV, Andrew reviews the Fujifilm GFX100 camera.

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Overview of the Fujifilm GFX100

This camera is Fujifilm’s large format size camera, designed for studio, landscape, architecture and any other form of photography to be printed in large format.

On top of the camera:

  • Large 5.76million dot EVF
  • Drive mode dial
  • Three modes on the top dial: Still, Multi and Movie Modes.
  • Top Settings LCD – Back-illuminated and graphical. Easy to use at night.

On the back:

  • A large LCD flip screen. Very well illuminated so that it can be seen well in bright daylight sun.
  • Bottom Settings LCD Screen to see your settings so you can see your settings if the camera is mounted upon a tripod.
  • Has one small joystick to let you navigate through the menu.
  • A feature that the camera is missing is a 4-way joystick that many cameras have, which some photographers may take some getting used to.
  • Has a touch screen for navigation.

Battery Grip:

  • Inbuilt battery grip house two batteries with a total of 800 shots.
  • It has a secondary shutter button so you can use the camera in portrait mode.
  • There is access to a second joystick to navigate through your focus points and your quick menu so you can change your white balance and any other settings.
  • There is no rubberized grip when using it in the portrait mode, so it isn’t as comfortable to hold and may slip out of your hands if your hands are sweaty.

Body Size

  • Quite large – comparable to a Canon 5D Mk IV but feels quite lightweight because of its magnesium alloy construction.
  • Fully weather sealed and gives operating temperatures from -10 degrees to 40 degrees celsius.
  • On the left side of the camera, there are two SD slots and a remote port.
  • The right-hand side has all your video recording inputs and outputs including a 3.5-millimeter audio jack and a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack.
  • Below that is a USB-C port for tethering and an HDMI port for output and a 15-volt direct power supply.

Inside the camera

  • Large Format 102MP sensor backed up with an X processor
  • ISO range from 100 to 12,800 or an expandable range of 50 to 102, 400.
  • Shoot continuously up to 5fps
  • 3.76million dot face detection autofocus system which gives you autofocusing capabilities as low a -3EV

Video specifications

  • 4k DCI up to 30fps or full HD up to 60fps
  • Films with a 10-bit color depth
  • If recording to an external device via HDMI, you can get a 10-bit 422 color depth.
  • Shoots in F-log giving you a nice flat color profile to later color grade in post.
  • If filming handheld, the GFX100 has 5-axis in-body image stabilization which is not in the other GFX models. This is also beneficial if shooting with longer telephoto lenses or for general handheld photography.
  • It has wifi and Bluetooth, allowing you to connect straight to your smartphone or smart device to use it as a camera remote or to transfer your photos across to your smart device.

Performance

  • Because it is lightweight, the Fujifilm GFX100 doesn’t feel like you are holding a large-format camera.
  • The speed of the autofocus is ridiculously fast – identical to the XT3, if not slightly slower.
    The continuous autofocus works really well.
  • It feels like you are shooting with a standard mirrorless camera or digital SLR because the focus is accurate and lightning quick.

Features

  • Voice memo feature allows you to record a voice memo when you take a picture, and you can download that to your computer when downloading the photos. This is a great reference point for how you took the photo, where, settings etc.

User Experience

  • Andrew predominately uses Panasonic and Nikon cameras and found the transition to be quite easy.
  • Navigating through the menu system feels familiar and easy. Similar to the XT3 and the XT30.
  • If you are a passionate Fuji user, you will notice some things missing from the GFX100.
  • There no shutter speed dial, exposure compensation dial or ISO dial.
  • For exposure compensation, there is a button you can access and press or you can program any function button. It’s the same with your ISO as well.
  • To change your shutter, you have to roll your dial to change that.

Image quality

  • The sample images were shot using the Fujifilm GFX100 with the 110mm and 45mm lenses.
  • The images out of the GFX100 are superb. The detail out of the 102MP sensor is full of color, depth, and detail.
  • The dynamic range on the camera is amazing, and Andrew was able to recover blown-out highlights and shadows without losing detail.
  • The crop value on the photos is excellent. It handled all cropping and post-processing well.
  • All images were edited in Lightroom and not Capture One, which may or may not give better results.

Video Mode

  • In video mode, Andrew found that the GF prime lenses weren’t the best lenses to use in manual focus due to its focus by wire construction. However, they were told that there are a range of senior lenses to come in the future that should improve that experience.
  • The continuous autofocus in video mode is great. One thing to note, however, the IBIS does blip out when panning a bit rough, so keep the camera steady.
  • The image quality and actual video result and flexibility are amazing. All the footage was shot on the Eterna Film Simulation Mode, which gives more room to work within post.
  • They wished it could shoot in 4k in 50fps or give more flexibility in slow motion; however, as far as large-format goes, it is incredible.
  • The Fujifilm GFX100 could be a viable option for cinema users down the track.

Conclusion

The GFX100 is super-impressive in both photo and video mode. It won’t be for everyone because it is quite expensive at $ 10,000 USD. (They have a cheaper alternative in the Fujifilm GFX50S at $ 5000 USD with a 51.4MP sensor.)

However, in comparison to other large-format cameras, the Fujifilm GFX100 is well-priced, particularly for the autofocus features, the sensor size, and the potential for it to be a game-changer for cinema users in the future.

It would suit people shooting advertising, cinema or an enthusiast wanting to get large format landscapes without paying for a medium format camera.

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Would you like to own this camera?  I know I would! Share with me in the comments below.

You may also like:

  • The Best Fujifilm X-Series Kits for Travel Photography
  • Fujifilm X-T3 versus Fujifilm X-H1: The Best Mirrorless Camera for You?
  • Thoughts and Field Test of the Fujifilm X-H1 Camera
  • Camera Comparison – The Fujifilm X-H1 Versus the Sony a7R III
  • Mamiya Announces New Medium Format DSLRs

The post Fujifilm GFX100 Camera Review appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.


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How to Shoot Animal Portraits [video]

21 Jul

The post How to Shoot Animal Portraits appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

animal-portraits

In this video from the crew over at Cooph, Vincent Lagrange, shows you how to shoot animal portraits that have style and tell the story behind the animal.

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These are the key things Lagrange points out in the video:

Purity

Animals don’t need makeup or a stylist – they have their own unique look to photograph from the get-go.

animal-portraits

Technique

  • Build a good relationship with the animal.
  • Create a soft light setting. Avoid flash so that the animal is as relaxed as possible.
  • Create a quiet atmosphere
  • Communicate with sound.
  • Only use food when the shoot is becoming difficult.

animal-portraits

Approach

  • Don’t start directly photographing the animal. Spend some time with it first.
  • If the animal doesn’t want to be photographed, then don’t. Let it rest and then try again. It is not an object.
  • Have patience

Equipment

  • For the larger portraits, Vincent uses the Leica S medium format camera.
  • When he is on the road, he uses the Leica M.
  • He always uses fixed lenses – never zooms.
  • He also never uses continuous shooting mode. He invests time in composing and doing single shots and keeping it quiet.

You may also find the following helpful:

  • Five Tips for Creative Pet Photography
  • Tips for Great Lighting for Pet Photography
  • 6 Tips for Working with Unruly Animals in Pet Photography
  • Why Taking Pictures of Your Pets Will Help Make You a Better Photographer
  • Five Things You Need to Know Before Starting a Pet Photography Business

 

The post How to Shoot Animal Portraits appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.


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Do Larger Camera Sensors Create Different Looking Images? [video]

05 Jul

The post Do Larger Camera Sensors Create Different Looking Images? appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

In this video from fstoppers, they show you whether large sensors create different-looking images to smaller sensors in cameras.

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In the video, Lee Morris photographs his friend Keith Bradshaw with four different cameras each with different sensor sizes.

Lee uses the following cameras and settings:

FujiFilm GFX 50R/ 43.mm x 32.9mm sensor/ 64mm lens f/8

Canon 6D/ 35mm ff sensor/ 50mm f5.6

FujiFilm XT-3/ 23.6mm x 15.6mm sensor/ 35mm f4

Panasonic GH5/ Micro 4/3 sensor/ 25mm f2.8

He shot each image in RAW and only changed the white balance. he also cropped in on all images to hide the 4/3 aspect ratio of the GH5 and GFX.

You may be surprised by the results (or perhaps you already knew this).

Check it out.

You may also find the following helpful:

  • Full Frame Sensor vs Crop Sensor: Which is Right For You?
  • Full Frame VS Crop Sensor VS Micro Four Thirds: Camera Sensors Explained
  • Is it Time to go Full-Frame? Weigh These Pros and Cons Before You Decide
  • Is Full Frame Still the Best?
  • Making Sense of Lens Optics for Crop Sensor Cameras

 

The post Do Larger Camera Sensors Create Different Looking Images? appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.


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Sony announces a new RX100 III Video Creator Kit with grip, SD card and additional battery

02 Jul

Sony has announced its new RX100 III Video Creator Kit, a product bundle that combines the RX100 III with Sony’s VCT-SGR1 grip, a 64GB SD card and an additional NP-BX1 battery.

Like most video creator kits, the RX100 III Video Creator Kit is designed to be an all-in-one solution for creators looking to get their foot in the door with a simple Full HD video setup.

At the heart of the RX100 III is Sony’s Exmor R CMOS sensor and BIONZ X processor, capable of recording 50Mbps 1080 / 60p video through the F1.8-2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm lens. Combine those specs with the 3-inch tilting screen and the ability to control both image capture and zoom with the VCT-SGR1 Shooting Grip and you have yourself a solid vlogging setup.

Sony says the RX100 III Video Creator Kit will retail for $ 799.99 and will begin shipping July 2019. However, the kit is currently available to pre-order at Adorama for $ 798 and is listed as available at B&H for $ 699.99.

Press release:

Sony Launches RX100 III Video Creator Kit

The RX100 III Video Creator Kit Provides the Perfect Video Setup for the Run-and-Gun Creator

SAN DIEGO — July 1, 2019 — Sony Electronics, Inc. today introduced a powerful new tool for vloggers and video creators with the launch of the RX100 III Video Creator Kit. Based around the award-winning compact camera, the Cyber-shot RX100 III, the Video Creator Kit provides an all-in-one kit for video creators.

The Kit features the RX1000 III, with a 180º tiltable LCD screen, 1” Exmor R sensor, BIONZ X processor and 24-70mm F1.8-2.8 ZEISS Lens. The bundle also includes an innovative remote grip that doubles as a mini tripod, a 64GB SD Memory Card and an extra NP-BX1 battery to keep you shooting longer. The RX100 III’s video creator kit has everything you need to take your content on the move.

“Empowering creators is critically important to Sony,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president for Imaging Products and Solutions Americas at Sony Electronics.“We want to make it as easy as possible for them to realize their vision, to capture content in new and different ways.”Manowitz added, “An excellent all-in-one solution, the new Video Creator Kit is a convenient tool that will encourage many aspiring creators to go out and shoot.”

Fast, Sharp Lens

The DSC-RX100 III sports a fast, sharp F1.8-2.8 Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 24-70mm zoom. With such a versatile range of perspectives between wide-angle and medium-telephoto, it’s perfect for all kinds of videography with beautifully defocused, high-bokeh backgrounds. A premium multi-layered T* coating also dramatically reduces ghost and flare caused by light reflection.

Full HD Video Recording

The DSC-RX100 III records HD movies in the XAVC S format and saves files as MP4, allowing for extensive record times. With 50Mbps Full HD (1920×1080) up to 60p high-quality video recording, XAVC S* enables beautiful video recording with minimal compression noise even in scenes with a lot of movement. The RX100 III also records in AVCHD and easily shareable MP4 HD video.

Versatile Shooting Grip

For the ultimate creative freedom, the RX100 III Video Creator Kit includes the VCT-SGR1 Shooting Grip, which allows control of capture and zoom functions directly from the grip and integrates with the RX100 III for ease of use and dynamic filming styles. The ergonomic design is comfortable for both left- and right-handed use, and the pop-out legs convert it into a mini-tripod.

Innovative Design

With a fully-tiltable 3” (1,229K dots) Xtra Fine™ LCD Display it’s possible to check and monitor composition and settings during the entire shoot, thanks to the ability to flip the screen 180º to face the subject, perfect for selfie-style shooting of both still images and video. WhiteMagic™ technology dramatically increases on-screen visibility in bright daylight. The large display delivers brilliant-quality still images and movies while enabling easy focusing operation.

The pop-up EVF viewfinder features an OLED Tru-Finder with a ZEISS T* coating, designed to dramatically reduce reflections that can interfere with composing and viewing stills and videos.

Performance and Image Quality

The backside illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor, advanced BIONZ X processor and fast-F1.8-2.8 aperture lens combine to allow for incredible speed and low light versatility for stills as well as beautiful HD video.

The RX100 III features a large 1.0” Exmor R® CMOS image sensor. The back-illuminated technology doubles light sensitivity — a great help when shooting in dimly lit environments. Enjoy reduced noise in your videos and photos, even when capturing night landscapes or indoor scenes.

Full HD Video Capture

The RX100 III captures video in HD in the XAVC S format, allowing full HD recording at a data rate of 50 mbps with low compression, resulting in excellent video quality. The RX100 III can also capture 120fps at 720p, and a dual-video-recording capability allows the camera to record in XAVC S/AVCHD along with MP4 files.

The RX100 also features Intelligent Active Mode, which uses Sony’s frame rate analysis technology and 5-axis image stabilization to dramatically reduce the effects of camera shake when capturing video.

Connections and Sharing

Connect the RX100 III to an external monitor/recorder via HDMI® simultaneously for a bigger view of what you’re recording. The shooting info display can be turned off for an even cleaner view and to capture uncompressed video at much higher bitrates (depending on external recorder and settings). Frame rates include 24p, 60p and 60i.

Connectivity with smartphones for One-touch sharing/One-touch remote has been simplified with Wi-Fi®/NFC control. Easily and instantly transfer videos and photos to your smartphone for sharing with friends and family on social media. In addition, the camera can be controlled remotely using the free Imaging Edge app giving you greater creative freedom.

Pricing and Availability

The RX100 III Video Creator Kit will begin shipping in July 2019 for approximately $ 799.99. It will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.

Exclusive stories and exciting content shot with the RX100 III can be found at alphauniverse.com, a site created to educate and inspire all fans and customers of Sony’s Alpha™ brand.

Images taken with the RX100 III can be found at the Sony Photo Gallery and footage from the camera at the Sony Camera Channel on YouTube. For detailed product information, please visit Sony’s Compact Camera information page.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Canon patent details triple image stabilization system for low-light video recording

28 Jun
A diagram from the patent that details the process of integrating multiple image stabilization systems together.

Canon has patented a new image stabilization system that utilizes three different technologies to prevent blurry images: lens stabilization, image sensor stabilization and electronic image stabilization. The system would add another layer of movement prevention over Canon’s existing dual image stabilization option that uses both lens and digital stabilization when shooting in video mode.

The patent was first posted on the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s website (USPTO) on June 27. According to the document, Canon’s triple image stabilization system, which uses a combination of lens, sensor and electronic image stabilization technologies, kicks in to prevent slow shutter speed blurs that may otherwise exceed the capabilities of the current Dual IS system.

Canon splits camera shakes into two different categories: low-frequency for slight movements that can be corrected using electronic stabilization and high-frequency for stronger shakes like the vibration from a moving vehicle that can be corrected using optical stabilization.

The patent details a third type of movement Canon called ’accumulated shake’ resulting from low shutter speeds experienced in dim environments. In the case of recording in low-light situations, Canon explains:

…so-called ‘accumulated shake’ may occur, which is a blur occurring in a subject image due to the position at which an optical image is formed being displaced during exposure, and therefore, it may be impossible to acquire a favorable image even if a region that is to be cut out is adjusted.

It appears Canon patented this new system as a potential solution for this problem; the patent explains the system offers ‘favorable shake correction corresponding to the shutter speed.’ Based on the details provided in the patent, Canon may envision future cameras that utilize a detection method for determining when accumulated shake is a problem in order to utilize the triple image stabilization system.

The feature may be used to reduce blurs in videos recorded in low-light settings, but only speculation about Canon’s intentions is possible at this time. As with any patent, Canon may never bring this technology to the consumer market.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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