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Become a Better Photo Editor with the New Lightroom Mobile ‘Discover’ Feature

The post Become a Better Photo Editor with the New Lightroom Mobile ‘Discover’ Feature appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Ringsmuth.

Every time you see a photo that strikes you as beautiful, brilliant, or breathtaking, you are only witnessing the tip of the iceberg. In nearly every case, the photo is the end result of dozens, even hundreds, of edits made by the photographer. From simple cropping and white balance to in-depth editing like curves and color mix, these edits are what turn an ordinary image into a work of art.

Unfortunately, such edits on a photo have been impossible to see. But, thanks to the recent addition of a ‘Share Your Edit’ feature in Lightroom Mobile, you’re now able to view the behind-the-scenes edits made to images.

Nikon D750 | AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II | 200mm | 1/4000s | f/22 | ISO 100

One of the best ways to grow as a photographer is to learn from others. Find out what works for photographers you admire and respect, and then adopt those techniques into your own workflow. This is the foundation for almost any trade, craft, or artistic pursuit. Yet, for photographers, this knowledge is often locked away behind a door. People can see the end result, but not the process.

The Discover feature in Lightroom Mobile solves this by giving you access to a worldwide community of artists who have willingly shared their editing process. There are hundreds, even thousands, of photo communities online that let you view pictures and share your own. However, none of these—not Instagram, Flickr, SmugMug, or anything else—let you see the editing process. You can only see the final image, which isn’t much use if you want to know how the photographer edited their photo to actually create the picture.

This is Lightroom Mobile’s ace in the hole: Because the Discover feature is part of the same software used to edit the images being shared, it allows for a level of freedom unmatched by any other photosharing site. In minutes, you can be learning from experts and professionals all over the world to see how they have edited their pictures, and you can adopt their techniques into your own workflow.

Discovering the Share Your Edit feature

Accessing the Discover option requires nothing more than a few taps on your mobile device. Open the Lightroom Mobile app and then tap on the icon that looks like a globe. If you hold your device vertically the icon will appear at the bottom of your screen along with the Discover label.

Tap the globe icon at the top left to access the Discover feature.

What you see next might remind you of many other photosharing apps, but dig a little deeper and you’ll see so much more. Scroll up and down to see more photos, and tap the heart icon in the lower right corner of any picture to mark it as one that you like. In the lower left corner, you will see the profile photo of the photographer who shot the picture. At the top is a list of categories for you to explore: Featured, New, Abstract, Landscape, Nature, and more.

So far so good, right? If the point of the Lightroom Mobile Discover feature is to help you find photos (or photographers) that you like, then there’s not much to distinguish this from any other photosharing app. The real fun begins when you tap on a photo to see the edit history.

Learning from the edits

When you tap on a picture it’s almost like stepping through a time machine or, more accurately, into a classroom.

Nearly every photo in the Discover feature lets you look at the edits that were made to it.

Lightroom Mobile now shows you the picture you tapped on, along with a blue bar at the bottom of your screen that fills from left to right. As the bar moves, the picture changes right before your very eyes, almost as though you’re watching it being edited in realtime. And, in a way, that’s exactly what’s happening.

Tap the Edits button at the bottom of the screen or just press and scroll upwards on the photo to load the entire editing history of the image. This is where the Lightroom Mobile Discover feature rockets into the stratosphere and becomes an amazing tool for photographers who want to learn from others, not just be inspired by their photos.

Scroll up and down through the list of edits to see them applied in real-time.

After tapping the Edits button you are presented with a scrolling list of every single edit that the photographer applied to the photo. Scroll to the top to see the initial import, and then slowly scroll down to watch the image change before your very eyes as each individual edit was applied. Lightroom Mobile shows you each particular edit along with the specific number for each individual adjustment.

This linear edit history lets you look over the shoulder of the photographer, watching every edit they made and seeing how each decision changed the image. The Discover feature lets you stand in a room with thousands of photographers, learning from each of them as you see how they arrived at their final images.

Looking through the edits to a photo is like being in the same room as the photographer while the image is being refined.

One limitation you will quickly realize is that this feature only shows you the edits. You are not allowed to change any of the editing values and, as a result, alter the image in any way. However, you can save the edits as a preset so you can use them in your own photography.

Click the three-dot icon in the top right corner and then tap Save as Preset to download the edits to your own Lightroom app. You can then apply these edits to any of your photos and adjust any of the parameters that you want.

Most edits can be shared as presets, unless the photographer sharing the edits has specifically forbidden it.

The Lightroom Mobile Discover feature has a few more tricks up its sleeve to help you get inside the mind of photographers who have shared their images. Tap the Info button to see additional details that the photographer has shared about the image. This often includes a title, written description, keywords related to the subject, EXIF data, and camera information. All this is extraordinarily useful for anyone who wants to learn more about a particular photo beyond just how it was edited.

Share your own

After diving into the Discover feature and learning more about how other photos were edited, you might be inclined to share your own images and edits. You can do this easily from Lightroom Mobile with just a few taps.

To get started with sharing your images to the Discover community, just open Lightroom Mobile and tap on any of the images in your library. Then tap the Share icon in the top right corner.

Tap the Share button on any of your images to upload the picture (and your editing history) to the Discover feature.

Then click the Share Edit option.

Note that as of this writing (July 2020) this process is still in Beta. Adobe will no doubt improve and refine it over time, and the exact steps might change.

Share Edit is still in beta as of July 2020, but it works very well.

The next screen prompts you to enter some information about the photo. This is similar to Instagram and other photosharing sites, but keep in mind that the point here is to help other photographers learn more about the photo. You aren’t competing for likes or upvotes; you’re sharing valuable information along with your edits to help a larger community of photographers learn more about their craft.

The more you write in your title and description, the more helpful other photographers will find your image.

It helps to be as descriptive as possible in your title, description, and category sections. That way, you are not only helping other people learn more about your photo; you’re helping them to discover it, as well, by using categories that are similar to hashtags on other photosharing sites.

Finally, choose whether you want your edits to be saved as presets. I always recommend enabling this option because of the sharing mentality that makes the Lightroom Mobile Discover feature so valuable. If you have benefitted from viewing edits that other photographers have made, it’s nice to respond in kind by sharing your own edits, as well.

I don’t recommend including location information, which is turned off by default.

I recommend enabling the Save as Preset option to let others save your editing process to use on their own images.

After you have all the basic information about your photo ready to go, tap the checkmark icon in the top right corner. This uploads your image, editing information, title, description, and categories to the Discover feature.

I get a kick out of heading to the Discover feature right away to see my images show up in the stream of new photos.

Tap the OK button and then head over to the Discover feature to see your image in the New section. Soon other photographers will start viewing it and learning from your edits! To see all the images you have shared with the Discover community, along with the number of likes each photo has gotten, tap your profile icon.

Keep in mind that the point of Discover is not to get likes but to learn and help others do the same. Thus, the number of likes on each of your images is almost entirely irrelevant and I recommend not paying attention to it all.

Conclusion

The Lightroom Mobile Discover feature is still in its infancy, and I’m excited to see where Adobe takes it in the coming years. Even though it’s still a bit rough around the edges in a few places, it’s an incredibly useful tool for learning more about the editing process. I hope you give it a chance and, if you learn anything from it, I’d love to have your thoughts in the comments below!

The post Become a Better Photo Editor with the New Lightroom Mobile ‘Discover’ Feature appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Ringsmuth.

Digital Photography School

August 12, 2020
Hasselblad 907X 50C camera and accessories now available

Hasselblad has announced the general availability of its 907X 50C medium format camera kit, as well as the accessory grip and optical viewfinder. The camera was introduced over a year ago, and up until now a limited edition Moon Landing kit was the only way to get one – but those sold out pretty quickly.

The standard production 907X body with the CFV II 50C back will cost €6590 / £5990 / CNY¥48000 including tax / $ 6399 excluding sales tax and will ship at the end of August. The 907X Control Grip will be of €749 / £679 / CNY¥5990 / $ 729 (no US tax) and the optical finder €499 / £459 / CNY¥3990 / $ 499. The limited edition Moon-Landing kit that came in a matt black finish with black trim cost $ 7500/ €7475/ £6990.

The 907X camera body accepts lenses from the XCD range designed for the X1D series cameras, but can also use the HC/HCD, V system and XPan lenses via adapters. The CFV II 50C back features a 50MP sensor, dual SD card slots, USB-C and Wi-Fi as well as the ability to record 2.7K video. For more information see the Hasselblad website.

Press release:

Press information – For immediate release Gothenburg, Sweden 12 August 2020

HASSELBLAD 907 X 50 C NOW AVAILABLE

COMBINING OUR LEGACY WITH YOUR FUTURE
A UNIQUE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE WITH FULL SYSTEM MODULARITY

Introduced as a concept in June 2019 and now available to purchase, the 907X 50C mirrorless medium format digital camera is comprised of the modernised CFV II 50C digital back and the brand new 907X camera body, connecting Hasselblad’s photographic legacy and future into one system.

With an outstanding medium format 50-megapixel CMOS sensor (43.8 x 32.9 mm), the CFV II 50C digital back enables use with most V System cameras made from 1957 and onwards in addition to third party technical or view cameras. The CFV II 50C features a brilliant 3.2in 2.36K dot tilting rear display with full touch support and Hasselblad’s renowned user interface for settings, image review, and menu naviga- tion. Users of previous CFV digital backs will appreciate the new fully integrated battery design, the same used on the X System, which reduces overall size and with the option to recharge in-camera via the USB-C port. Combining its iconic aesthetics with a chrome edge body finish in addition to modern tech- nology, the CFV II 50C gives a nod to Hasselblad’s history combined with the brand’s world-renowned image quality.

Coupling the CFV II 50C with the 907X, Hasselblad’s smallest medium format camera body ever, creates a highly compact package. This combination offers a truly distinct photographic experience, including the classic waist-level shooting style of the V System enabled by the CFV II 50C’s tilt screen. With the 907X, the photographer gains access to all of the high-quality X System Lenses in addition to a vast range of Hasselblad optics via adapters, including the H System, V System, and XPan Lenses. In addition, the 907X enables compatibility with a wide range of third-party adapters and lenses. Accessories that beautifully complement the combination include the 907X Control Grip and 907X Optical Viewfinder.

Key features for the 907X 50C:
• Large medium format 50MP 43.8 x 32.9 mm CMOS sensor
• 14 stops of dynamic range
• Hasselblad HNCS
• Captures 16-bit RAW images and full resolution JPEGs
• High-resolution 3.2-inch 2.36K dot touch and tilt screen
• Smooth live view experience with a high frame rate of 60fps
• Video: 2.7k (2720 x 1530) and Full HD (1920 x 1080) / Video covers full sensor width in a 16:9 ratio
• Intuitive user interface with swipe and pinch touch controls
• Internal battery slot with the option to recharge in-camera via the USB-C port (same battery used on the X System)
• Compatibility with most V System cameras made from 1957 and onwards in addition to third party technical or view cameras
• Full compatibility with all XCD Lenses
• Full compatibility with HC/HCD Lenses including AF with optional XH Lens Adapter (manual focus only with HC 120 Macro and HC 120 Macro II)
• Compatibility with V System Lenses, XPan Lenses, and third-party lenses using XV, XPan and third- party lens adapters, respectively
• Dual UHS-II SD card slots
• Audio in/out connectors
• Flash in/out connectors
• Integrated Wi-Fi connectivity and USB-C connection, enabling tethered shooting
• Portable workflow with Phocus Mobile 2 support*
• Optional accessories, including chrome finished 907X Control Grip for quick access to main image functions and 907X Optical Viewfinder for convenient eye-level shooting
• 907X ultra-thin and light weight body converts CFV II 50C digital back into digital SWC
• 907X 50C weight: 740 g (CFV II 50C: 540 g / 907X Camera Body: 200 g)

The 907X 50C has an MSRP of €6590 / £5990 / CNY¥48000 including VAT and $ 6399 excluding sales tax.

The 907X Control Grip has an MSRP of €749 / £679 / CNY¥5990 including VAT and $ 729 excluding sales tax.

The 907X Optical Viewfinder has an MSRP of €499 / £459 / CNY¥3990 including VAT and $ 499 excluding
sales tax.

All products are available to order today, and shipping will begin from the end of August. Visit www.hasselblad.com/cfv-ii-50c-907x/ to see more about the 907X 50C.

*Update for Phocus Mobile 2 for iPad and a brand new Phocus Mobile 2 for iPhone to be released soon. This update for Phocus Mobile 2 will enable Live View, allowing for Focus Peaking, control of Depth-of- Field, setting AF area positioning and the ability to simulate exposure, all from the Live View screen in Phocus Mobile 2.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

August 12, 2020
Oakland Museum of California showcases the work of Dorothea Lange in a free online exhibition

The Oakland Museum of California has put together a digital archive of photographs captured by Dorothea Lange, showcasing some of the best works from the 20th-century documentary photographer and photojournalist.

The extensive archive is split into four categories: The Depression, World War II at Home, Post-War Projects and Early Work/Personal Work. Each of the categories provide a synopsis of Lange’s work during the specified timeframes and further divides her images into themed galleries, which show not only the images Lange captured, but also supplementary material, such as notes to Lange from the United States Department of Agriculture, contact sheets of Lange’s images, maps of her travel routes and more.

It’s a fascinating, insightful and sometimes heartbreaking journey through the life and work of one of the most iconic 20th century American photographers. The online exhibition is entirely free to view, so set aside a few hours and head on over to the Oakland Museum of California website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

August 12, 2020
Meike’s first autofocus lens is a new 85mm F1.8 prime that costs just $190

Budget optics manufacturer Meike has announced the release of an ultra-affordable 85mm F1.8 autofocus lens for Canon EF- and Nikon F-mount cameras that costs just $ 190.

The lens, which is the first autofocus lens Meike has produced, is constructed of nine elements in six groups, features an aperture range of F1.8-F22, has a minimum focusing distance of 85cm (33.5”) and uses a nine-blade aperture diaphragm. It also has a built-in microUSB port for updating firmware.

The lens measures in at 79mm long, 75mm diameter and weighs 420g (14.8oz). The 85mm F1.8 lens is currently listed as available on Meike’s online shop for just $ 190 (Canon EF, Nikon F). It comes with the lens, a lens hood, front/rear caps, and a microfiber pouch for transporting it in.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

August 12, 2020
Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra comes with 120mm optical tele, 120Hz display and more

Electronics manufacturer Xiaomi is celebrating its 10th anniversary with an event in China today and to mark the occasion the company has launched a new top-end-phone, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra.

The Ultra shares quite a few specifications with its sister model Mi 10 Pro which was released in February, but, at least in terms of specifications ups the camera game considerably. Both devices come with a quad-camera setup, including short and long tele cameras as well as an ultra-wide. However, the Mi 10 Ultra comes with improvements in several key areas.

The long tele now offers a 120mm equivalent focal length (approximately 5x) versus 94mm on the Pro and comes with a larger 48MP sensor (1/2-inch versus 1/4.4-inch). The lens is stabilized and features a F4.1 aperture.

Wide-angle performance has been boosted, too. The Mi 10 Ultra ulta-wide camera features one of the widest fields-of-view in the market at 12mm (16mm on the Pro), making it an interesting option for mobile photographers with a focus on landscape and architecture. The ultra-wide uses a 20MP 1/2.8-inch sensor and comes with a F2.2 aperture and PDAF.

The short tele provides a 2x zoom factor (50mm) and is also used in portrait mode. Light is channeled through a F2 aperture and onto a 12MP 1/2.56-inch sensor. This module features a Dual-Pixel AF.

The primary camera offers a 25mm equivalent field-of-view and uses a 48MP Quad-Bayer sensor instead of the 108MP variant in the Mi 10 Pro. The large sensor (1/1.32-inch) combined with a fast F1.85 aperture and OIS should make for very decent low light image quality, though. In addition the camera array features a multispectral color temperature sensor to support the auto white balance system.

In video mode the Mi 10 Ultra is the latest device capable of recording 8K video at 30 frames per second. When shooting at 4K the frame rate can be increased to 60fps which should make for smooth panning and motion. At the front a 20MP selfie shooter hides under a ‘punch-hole’ cutout.

Non-camera specs and features are flagship-worthy, too. The phone is powered by Qualcomm’s top-end chipset Snapdragon 865, including 5G modem, and features the latest generation LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage for swift data transfers and overall performance.

Images and videos can be viewed on a 6.67-inch FHD+ OLED display with a high 120Hz refresh rate for smooth and responsive operation. In the battery department the Xiaomi offers 120W fast-charging, with the compatible charger provided in the box. The company claims the system can charge the 4,500mAh battery to 100 percent in only 23 minutes, or to 41 percent in five minutes. 50W wireless charging and 10W wireless reverse charging are available, too.

The Mi 10 Ultra also comes with in-display fingerprint sensor, IR blaster, NFC and stereo speakers. The display is protected by a layer of Gorilla Glass 5. The back is covered with Gorilla Glass 6.

Pricing has so far only been released for Xiaomi’s home market. In China the Mi 10 Ultra starts at 5,299 yuan (approximately $ 763) for the 8GB/128GB version but you’ll also be able to pick up 8GB/256GB, 12GB/256GB and 16GB/512GB options in either Obsidian Black, Mercury Silver or as a Transparent Edition.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

August 12, 2020
Canon releases firmware updates for the EOS R and 7 RF lenses
Canon has released new firmware updates for its EOS R camera and a handful of its RF-mount lenses. The updates bring support for Canon’s latest lenses to the EOS R and improve compatibility between the in-lens stabilization and in-body stabilization of the EOS R5 and R6 with RF-mount lenses.

Firmware version 1.7.0 for the Canon EOS R adds support for Canon’s RF 600mm F11 STM, 800mm F11 STM, RF 1.4x teleconverter, RF 2x teleconverter and the new LP-E6NH Battery Pack. No further bug fixes were addressed in this firmware update, but Canon does say the using the EOS R’s multifunction bar in playback mode has been improved.

Canon has also released updated firmware for seven of its IS-capable RF-mount lenses so they will better work alongside the sensor-shift image stabilization inside Canon’s new R5 and R6 mirrorless cameras. Below are the lenses getting the new update:
- RF 15–35mm f/2.8L IS USM
- RF 24–70mm f/2.8L IS USM
- RF 24–105mm f/4–7.1 IS STM
- RF 24–105mm f/4L IS USM
- RF 24–240mm f/4–6.3 IS USM
- RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM
- RF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS USM
You can download firmware version 1.70 for the EOS R and all of the lens firmware updates from Canon Canada’s website, as the Canon USA website is still down due to a recent hack.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
August 12, 2020
Slideshow: 2020 Underwater Tour Awards Winners

2020 Underwater Tour Awards Winners

The Underwater Tour Awards recently announced the winners of its inaugural photography competition. Hundreds of images were submitted from around the world. Winning entries were selected by a panel of judges led by 6-time winner of the AIPP Professional Nature Photographer of the Year competition, Darren Jew.

The Guru Award, bestowed on the photographer who submitted at least 5 images, and had the best collection, went to Chelsea Haebich. An accompanying Q&A session is included with the 5 Guru images on display below. ‘I am still a few inches off the ground. I genuinely did not think I was in for a chance as I watched all the other amazing shots winning categories!’ exclaimed Haebich. ‘Winning this award might make me stop doubting myself and have a bit more faith in my abilities. Something I struggle with for sure.’

‘Moving forward I hope it can put my work out there further and bring people and connections into my life that will help me grow as a photographer and further share this astounding world with more people,’ Haebich continued. ‘I love seeing people’s curiosity and hearing their questions about the Underwater World. If winning lets me share that more, grow more and impact more people then that would be wonderful and very fulfilling.’

The next Underwater Tour and photography competition is set to commence May 13th, 2021.

Winner, Guru Award: Chelsea Haebich (Adelaide, Australia)

UTA: What was it that inspired you to take up nature photography?

CH: I came to diving somewhat later in life than most people and had never picked up a camera, but that first dive, nine years ago, under the Jetty at Rapid Bay in South Australia just blew my mind. I was inspired by the colors and the creatures. The variety and energy just astounded me.

I was so excited about what I saw and wanted to share it with anyone who would listen, but I found it so hard to convey what I was experiencing in words, so I grabbed a camera and never looked back! A little Panasonic point and shoot. Loved it. My long held fear of cameras went out the window pretty fast from there on, apart from Instructing, I hardly ever enter the water without a camera.

I feel compelled to capture what I see and feel, from the tiniest Clingfish, to the towering pylons of our local Jetties. I have always loved nature and animal interactions and now I feel inspired daily to capture that in images as best I can.

Winner, Guru Award: Chelsea Haebich (Adelaide, Australia)

UTA: How will winning the Underwater Tour Award help you moving forward?

CH: Personally, winning this award might make me stop doubting myself and have a bit more faith in my abilities. Something I struggle with for sure! Moving forward I hope it can put my work out there further and bring people and connections into my life that will help me grow as a photographer and further share this astounding world with more people.

I love seeing peoples curiosity and hearing their questions about the Underwater World. If winning lets me share that more, grow more and impact more people then that would be wonderful and very fulfilling.

Winner, Guru Award: Chelsea Haebich (Adelaide, Australia)

UTA: What do you consider your own challenges when taking photos?

CH: What do I consider my own challenges when taking photos (I was going to say something about the challenge of a permanently empty bank account, but I don’t think that is what you are looking for here in this question). Seriously, though, my challenges when taking photos is getting out of my comfort zone and experimenting more. I work a regular job full time and don’t get to dive as often as I like, so I want bang for my buck when I do.

I love to come home with new images to edit and explore and sometimes I don’t think I push myself and risk a card full of learning errors because I need to come home with something! So time would be the other challenge. I really have to push everything else aside to get the dive time I want, often neglecting other important life matters…which of course I can TOTALLY justify at the time.

Winner, Guru Award: Chelsea Haebich (Adelaide, Australia)

UTA: What is your aim when you’re taking images?

CH: My aim when taking images is to capture something about the animal or moment that makes people keep looking. With tiny creatures I love to capture the detail that often can’t see until I’m home looking at it on my computer. This draws me back to images to keep seeing detail. I really like to capture character and humor as well. Right or wrong I find many of the behaviors and habits of Marine creatures very comical and endearing. I love to capture character as it gives people something to relate to when they look at an image.

The image of the Australian Sea Lion is an example of that. The look it’s giving the camera conjures up images of peoples own puppies at home. Marine life is so often seen as cold and glassy eyed. I try and capture those personalities, or at least the personalities I see! I want people to connect and find something they love in a world they could never image themselves entering. I believe people will protect and look after things they love and understand better. So I guess my aim is connection, both for myself in the moment and for others when viewing the images.

Winner, Guru Award: Chelsea Haebich (Adelaide, Australia)

UTA: Do you have any preferred underwater subject or concept?

CH: I don’t have a preferred underwater subject or concept when I dive. Sometimes I have a goal or a shot in mind, but on the day I really like to just see what is presenting itself when I am down there. I don’t like to turn down opportunities with a critter or a shot just because I have a set goal. I really like to just let the world pass me by while I am down there and see what my eye picks up on.

I dive and set up my camera to the conditions we have here in South Australia and try to make the most of the day. Sometimes wide angle happens, but macro is more reliable here in SA. I don’t set out with any very set ideas. It’s part of what I love. I never know what I am going to come back with. It does mean you have to be on your toes with your settings and sometimes completely rethink what you are doing, but that all part of it for me. It helps me switch off.

Winner, Underwater Scenes: Pavlos Evangelidis (Brussels, Belgium)

Artist Statement: Leru Cut in Solomon Islands is one of my favorite dive sites. It goes under the island for about 100 meters at a depth up to 23 meters. It really comes alive when the sun is out and the sunrays break through the cracks but photography here can be challenging because of the extreme light conditions and the deep shadows.

Winner, Underwater Characters: Simone Caprodossi (Byron Bay, Australia)

Artist Statement: Northern Gannets fighting for a fish in Shetland Island UK.

Winner, Aquatic Abstracts: Louise Nott (Lane Cove, Australia)

Artist Statement: Pineapple Swirl, Sydney Harbour NSW.

Winner, Topside Scenes: Yung Sen Wu (Keelung City, Taiwan)

Artist Statement: These Pacific species of salmon will come to the west coast of Canada from the distant sea every autumn, return to the birthplace of the inland river through the estuary, and look for the estuary of the estuary, the temperature of the river, and the environment.

Winner, Underwater Black and White: Richard Condlyffe (Battle Creek, USA)

Artist Statement: Two Spotted Dolphins look as though they’re communicating and watching something out of shot. Bimini, Bahamas.

Winner, People’s Choice Awards: Pierre-Laurent Pablo (Nimes Languedoc, Philippines)

Artist Statement: Frog Fish hanging at Southern Leyte in Philippines.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

August 11, 2020
Interview: Photographer Cath Simard talks about developing your own personal style

Introduction

Above: El Chaltén, located in the Argentine side of Patagonia, is known as the National Capital of trekking.

I first stumbled across Cath Simard’s work on Instagram and was instantly mesmerized by its beauty. Not only does the Canadian photographer capture stunning and unsullied locations around the globe, she’s developed a distinctive style. Every photographer serious about making a living with their work especially needs to focus on creating an aesthetic that makes them instantly recognizable.

Simard’s humble, down-to-earth demeanor and grace dealing with the occasional critic is also refreshing. I got a chance to catch up with the former model and find out how she got into photography, why she’s passionate about teaching others her methods, and how traveling solo altered her outlook.

What inspired you to get into photography?

Above: This campsite, located at an altitude well above 4,000 meters, was the perfect site to capture the night sky against the Andes Mountains in Peru.

I started in the creative industry as a model when I was 15 years old. I modeled for ten years and worked as an Art Director and fashion stylist for four years. I’ve always been attracted to the visual arts but I would have never thought I’d be a photographer one day. Then, back in 2014, I got tired of the fashion industry. I decided to sell all my belongings and buy a one-way ticket to Australia with very little money in the bank.

I did farm work for two years over there, documenting my journey with my iPhone. I was approached by an Australian bandana company to take photos of their products. I said yes, immediately, even if I had no experience using a camera or in professional shooting. I decided to purchase a Sony a6000 with a 35mm F1.8 lens and started photographing people wearing bandanas doing outdoor activities.

Why did you gravitate toward nature?

Above: After a long evening hike, the best was made of a foggy morning in the mountains of Peru.

After completing my farm work, I decided to go on a three-month solo trip covering Indonesia, Hawaii, and Western Canada. Never before had I seen such huge mountains as when arriving in Alberta. The feeling I got when I saw them for the first time is indescribable. It was in Alberta I discovered my passion for hiking and I was introduced to scrambling, which allowed me to access more remote areas and reach viewpoints that have never been photographed before.

I started to document my adventures and fell in love with photographing the mountains, specifically. It was the first time in my life I found something that made me feel whole and brought me so much joy and energy.

How were you inspired to grow into offering workshops?

Above: Here are the Cerro Yerupajá and Siula Grande mountains, in Peru, amongst other giants, captured between 2:00 and 3:00 am.

Three years ago, a company from Quebec (my hometown) asked me if I would be interested in teaching photography to a group of 10 people for one day. It was something I have never done before and I was curious to find out if it is something I’d enjoy, so I said ‘yes.’ That day was quite a revelation for me – the amount of excitement, satisfaction, and the feeling of accomplishment I got from teaching each student was indescribable. A new passion was born.

After this experience, I decided to combine my passion for teaching, hiking and traveling into unique international photography workshops for people to learn photography while completely immersing themselves in nature. I highly enjoy spending time with people that have similar interests, sharing my knowledge, and giving as much insight as possible so they can return home with images they are proud of.

Which photo are you most proud of and why?

Above: My favorite photo to date was captured at Jasper National Park in the Alberta province of Canada.

I don’t have one in particular but, in general, the images I’m the proudest of are the ones where I followed my own personal creative vision. They often involve a lot of physical work and perseverance. Being unique is also something I value and prioritize a lot, so I’d say that my favorite images usually have a unique and original compositional component or mood along with a great story behind them.

What gear are you using lately?

Above: I wanted to capture this ice cave in Iceland at night. Although I didn’t get Northern Lights when I took this particular image, I decided to composite it with a night sky I captured a couple of days before.

I use the Sony a7R III + 16-34mm F2.8 lens for 80% of my images. I also love the Sony 100-400mm F4.5-5.8 lens for tighter shots of mountain peaks and compression.

What is your favorite photo editing software?

Above: This image was taken with a drone at El Chaltén National Park. It’s important to note that you need a permit to fly inside the borders of a National Park, or you need to take off outside the border.

I used to say Lightroom Classic CC, but I’ve been experimenting much more with Photoshop over the last year. I like to combine both software programs for my editing.

You’ve traveled extensively. Do you have a favorite place? If so, why?

Above: My favorite image from 2019 was taken at Torres del Paine National Park in Chile’s Patagonia region.

I simply cannot choose between Patagonia and Peru. I love the variety in landscape and wilderness that Patagonia offers and the remoteness and untouched beauty of Peru. Both places demand that you put work into creating great images – especially Peru, since you need to trek in high altitude for many days to reach interesting viewpoints.

Any destinations you wish to visit?

Above: Also captured in El Chaltén, I challenged myself to get out of my comfort zone by creating something interesting out of an average foreground and backdrop.

I would love to explore Alaska – especially its giant snow-covered peaks, glaciers, lakes, and ice caves. It seems this part of the world has it all!

What grounds you and keeps you inspired?

Above: I spent all night photographing the Andes Mountains in Peru. Obviously the Milky Way doesn’t bend in an arch but I had some fun with compositing to create this effect.

Traveling solo multiple times allowed me to do discover hidden parts of myself through self-reflection and introspection. I think that introspection is essential for becoming a better person and it is the single most powerful tool for internal self-awareness and how to find true happiness.

When you take the time to become an expert, you make better decisions, you are more confident, you learn to respect your limits which all brings you closer to live the life you want. You worry less about what other people think of you, you become more empathic to others, and have a more positive attitude towards life.

This is definitely easier said than done. You need to find a time and space for this, and to me this happens whenever I’m alone hiking in the mountains. It’s like a meditation that grounds me and helps me get back to what’s important in life.

Other tools that help are self improvement books such as How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie and What to Say When You Talk to Yourself by Dr. Shad Helmstetter, to name a few.

What advice do you have for someone looking to develop their own style?

Above: A final perspective of El Chaltén, located in Patagonia.

Pick three photographers that inspire you and analyze their images. Why do they speak to you? Try to identify the elements that you like in their photos and look for them when you are shooting or editing. I do believe that imitating – not copying – is a great way to learn and find your own personal style.

Another thing is to listen and trust your creative instinct. For example, I started creating composites at a very early stage of my learning process. Compositing has always been a creative way for me to express myself but it has always attracted negative comments. I’ve often been told that my images were too contrasting, too blue or too Photoshopped.

If I would have left these comments get to me and influence the way I create, I would never be where I am today as an artist. The moral of the story for me is to ignore negative comments and only take constructive criticism from people you trust and who you know truly believe in you.

Lastly, developing your style takes time. A lot of a time. So be patient, learn new techniques and practice as much as you can.

Catherine Simard is a Canadian-born self-taught travel/landscape photographer and digital artist with a passion for the outdoors and the wilderness. She is a Sony Artisan of Imagery. Simard will be resuming workshops at various international destinations in 2021.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

August 11, 2020
Zenit teases upcoming 60mm F2.8 macro, 58mm F1.9 and 35mm F2 lenses

Over the past week, Zenit has announced three new lenses: the Zenitar 60mm F2.8 macro lens, the Selena 58mm F1.9 lens and the Zenitar 35mm F2 lens. All three lenses will feature electronically-controlled apertures and are set to be available later this year.

Krasnogorsky Zavod main building. Credit: ??? ???, used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Zenit doesn’t divulge too many details about the lenses, aside from the most basic specifications. In machine-translated press releases, Zenit says all three lenses will be constructed in the S. A. Zverev (KMZ) factory in Krasnogorsk, Russia, which has a long history of producing cameras and optics.

The Zenitar 60mm F2.8 macro lens will offer a 1:1 magnification ratio and feature a minimum focusing distance of 23cm (9”). Information on the Selena 58mm F1.9 is even more scarce, with no other specifications outside of the focal length and maximum aperture being revealed. Both the Zenitar 60mm F2.8 and Selena 58mm F1.9 will be available in Canon EF and Nikon F mount at release.

As with the previous two lenses, detailed specifications of the Zenitar 35mm F2 aren’t provided, but we do know it will be available for Sony E-mount cameras. Zenit says it plans to release future versions for other mirrorless mounts as well.

All three lenses are set to go on sale in the United States, Germany, Italy and China through Zenit’s online store and authorized retailers. The press releases suggest the lenses will be made available during the International Forum on Photography and Video Filming, which takes place from October 8–10 in Moscow.

Update (August 10, 2020 10:00 AM ET): Added details about the forthcoming Zenitar 35mm F2 lens and confirmed the mount options for the Zenitar 60mm F2.8 macro and Selena 58mm F1.9.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

August 11, 2020
Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM sample gallery

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The Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM (along with its 600mm counterpart) does something pretty extraordinary: it puts impressive telephoto reach in the hands of hobbyist full-frame shooters, provided they can live with a slower, fixed aperture. If that’s a sacrifice you can make, you’ll be rewarded with a lens many, many times less expensive than the likes of the pro-grade EF 800mm F5.6L IS USM. We put it to work on some of the inhabitants of Seattle’s Lake Union – those on the ground as well as in the sky.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

August 11, 2020