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  • Texture: Weekly Photography Challenge

    Claire Woollam Leaf.JPGThis week your challenge is to take and share an image with the theme of Texture.

    To participate check out our post this week with 8 ideas for creating great Texture shots and pick one of them (or choose one of your own) and get out there looking to capture some interesting textures in your photography in the next few days.

    Once you’ve taken and selected the ‘Texture’ image that you’d like to share – upload it to your favourite photo sharing site or blog and either share a link to it or – embed them in the comments using our embed tool to do so.

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

    Also – don’t forget to check out some of the great shots posted in last weeks challenge – Candid Portraits challenge where there were some great shots submitted.

    Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

    Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

    Texture: Weekly Photography Challenge



    Digital Photography School

  • Catching High Water on the South Platte River


    s-platte-packraft

    September 13, 2012. Alpacka Yukon packraft on the South Platte River between Kersey and Kuner. Camera: Pentax Optio WG2

    A couple days of rain increased water level in the South Platte River from around 100 cfs during dry summer to 2000 cfs at Kersey. I managed to catch the high water wave in this late afternoon bike-packraft trip: Kuner-Kersey-Kuner.

    Related posts and more pictures:
    Wildcat Mound Run – the South Platte River by Bike and Packraft
    Biking and Packrafting – A Selfsupported Classic Run on the South Platte River near Greeley
    Inline Skating and Packrafting – Road and River Test on the South Platte
    South Platte River below Denver, Colorado
    GPS/photo river guide


    paddling with a camera

  • Output from Lightroom to Your Blog

    Lightroom print image with border opener

    I use Lightroom to prepare the images ready to upload to my blogs so it’s critical that I can get them out of Lightroom all ready to upload without having to do any more work on them. On one blog I use framed images and therein lies a problem – the images need a thin keyline around them so you can see the edge. Without an edge the image would just blend into the surrounding white background of the blog page.

    So, here’s how to create a frame effect in Lightroom – the images will be sized for the web with the appropriate resolution, they will have a frame around them, together with my name, and they will have a keyline around the image and around the page itself. And, to finish, it will all be saved as a reusable template.

    Start outside Lightroom in any graphics or photo-editing program and create an image 500 x 600 pixels in size and filled with white. Save it as a jpeg format image and import it into Lightroom – place it somewhere easy to find.

    Lightroom print image with border 1

    Then, in Lightroom place the images for the blog post into a collection and add the empty image you just created to the same collection. For convenience I use a single collection for the images destined for my blog – it makes them easier to find and it simplifies the output process.

    Switch to the Print module and select the collection. To configure the document size, from the Layout Style panel select Custom Package and from the Print Job panel set Print To to read JPEG file. Set the File Resolution to 100 ppi and select the Custom File Dimensions to 5 in x 4 in to make a landscape orientation image which will ultimately be created as a 500 x 400 pixel image. Set Color Management Profile to sRGB.

    Lightroom print image with border 2

    Now, drag and drop the first image into the work area and size it to suit. Choose Image Settings > Inner Stroke and then set the width to 0.2 pt black line. This will appear around the image.

    Lightroom print image with border 3

    Now drag the empty white image into an empty place in the work area and then size it to just smaller than the size of the work area. It will automatically have a line around it – the Inner Stroke setting is applied to all the images. To place this image behind the first image, right click it and choose Send to Back.

    Lightroom print image with border 4

    The text is added using an Identity Plate. To make one, click the Page panel and enable the Identity Plate checkbox. Click the small triangle in the Identity Plate box and click Edit and then click Use a styled text identity plate. Type the Identity Plate text – for example, mine reads Helen Bradley | Photography – select and format it as desired. Click the Custom button, click Save As and type a name for it, click Save and then Ok to add it. Move it into position and size it to suit.

    Lightroom print image with border 5

    When you’re done click Print to File to print the image.

    Lightroom print image with border 6

    To save the design as a template you can use over and over again, click the + opposite Template Browser in the left panel. Type a name for the template.

    Lightroom print image with border 7

    In future you can select this template and use it to print another image. Before you do so, you will need to drag and drop an image into the image placeholder and add the empty image to the larger placeholder. If you want to be able to print portrait orientation images, repeat the process to create a second template – you can reuse the empty image and the Identity Plate.

    Lightroom print image with border 8

    Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

    Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

    Output from Lightroom to Your Blog



    Digital Photography School

  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5

    The G5 slid out of the review basket just as this baby fell in!

    Talk about comparing apples with oranges. More like comparing melons with mandarins. Or, sizewise, potatoes with peas.

    Panasonic Lumix DMC GF5 front

    Panasonic Lumix DMC GF5 angled

    Panasonic Lumix DMC GF5 side

    Panasonic Lumix DMC GF5 side 2

    Incredibly tiny, even for a mirrorless digicam, the review DMC-GF5 came equipped with the same lens as the review G5: the Lumix G Vario f3.5-5.6/14-42mm pancake lens, a lens that I came quite to like over the few days that I used it, notwithstanding its not-so-wide end of 28mm as a DSLR equivalent.

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 Features

    Using the Micro Four Thirds System, the CMOS sensor can capture a maximum image size of 4000×3000 pixels, or 34x25cm as a print. Effective pixel count: 12.1 million.

    Movies: again, like the G5, this one can take Full HD 1920×1080 video with 1920×1080 pixel resolution in either AVCHD or MPEG: the latter has many followers who indulge in post production. You can shoot video and capture stills at the same time without interrupting the movie’s flow.

    Menu 1

    Menu 2

    Menu 3

    The 7.6 cm LCD is the same size but does not swing out, up or down. A pity. But the $ $ saving is significant.

    External controls are minimal: top deck has the shutter button, power on/off, video record, Intelligent Auto; rear has the four way control dial (white balance, burst shooting, exposure correction, AF area); plus replay, display options, Q menu/trash. And that’s about all. Unlike the G5, I found it quite easy to get around in my early hours with the camera.

    The Contrast AF system is quite fast and, via the touch screen, quite accurate. Once you get used to it.

    I missed the on-body zoom lever. Ho hum, guess I’ll have to make do with the lens-mounted lever, set just above the lens’ manual focus. But having said that, I discovered that when you shut the power down, the lens retracts. And … you can drive the zoom via the touch screen.

    Continuous shooting is on tap: 4 fps at full size, or two other speeds: 2 and 3 fps.

    As with the G5, the Scene Guide helper has 23 sample pro quality pictures to help you choose the one closest to your current needs: the settings will be made automatically by the camera.

    In Creative Control mode there are now 14 filters: soft focus, monochrome, art, etc. Each is adjustable. Additionally, in iA or iA Plus modes there are recommendations as to what filters to use.

    To my mind these features make the GF5 an excellent camera for the photo beginner.

    I have to admit that, at first, I had a little difficulty in wrangling the various ISO settings for my ISO Tests and, I never thought I would say this, the touch screen came to the rescue: made it dead easy!

    A level gauge detects the horizontal/vertical angle of view while shooting and shows this on-screen, as well as indicating a camera tilt forwards or back.

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 ISO Tests

    Panasonic DMC GF5 ISO 160

    Panasonic DMC GF5 ISO 400

    Panasonic DMC GF5 ISO 800

    Panasonic DMC GF5 ISO 1600

    Panasonic DMC GF5 ISO 3200

    Panasonic DMC GF5 ISO 6400

    Panasonic DMC GF5 ISO 12800

    I figure you could (just about) use ISO 6400 if you had to! But avoid ISO 12800! I’m sure this spec is in the camera just to please the marketting people!

    Trimmer ISO 800

    Trimmer ISO 12800

    Then, by chance I shot this lawn trimmer at ISO 12800. Wow! The noise.

    Compare it to the same shot taken at ISO 800.

    Cactus 2.JPG Statue.JPG

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 Verdict

    Quality: Excellent quality, far above many fixed lens compacts.

    Why buy it: if you can make do with just 12.1 megapixels of capture, this is a great camera.

    Why not: too simple for some.

    An excellent starter camera.

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 Specifications

    Image Sensor: 12.1 million effective pixels.
    Metering: Multiple, centre-weighted and spot.
    Effective Sensor Size: Four thirds 17.3×13.0mm CMOS.
    Lens Factor: 2x.
    Compatible lenses: Micro Four Thirds.
    Exposure Modes: Auto, Program AE, shutter and aperture priority, manual.
    Shutter Speed: Bulb, 60 to 1/4000 second.
    Burst Speed: 4, 3, 2 fps.
    Memory: SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.
    Image Sizes (pixels): 4000×3000 to 1440×1440. Movies: 1920×1080, 1280x720p, 640×480, 320×240.
    Viewfinders: 7.6cm LCD screen (920,000 pixels).
    File Formats: JPEG, RAW, AVCHD/MPEG4, MPO (3D).
    Colour Space: Adobe RGB, sRGB.
    ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 160 to 12800.
    Interface: USB 2.0, AV, HDMI mini, DC input.
    Power: Rechargeable lithium ion battery, AC adaptor.
    Dimensions: 108x67x37 WHDmm.
    Weight: Approx. 267g (inc battery).
    Prices: Get a price on the Panasonic DMC-GF5KK DMC-GF5 or Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 with 14-42 Power Zoom Lens.

    Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

    Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5



    Digital Photography School

  • The New Canon EOS 6D – Welcome to the Full-Frame Club!

    Rejoice, Canon fans, for we have a new Canon EOS 6D coming. Preorders are already available at Adorama, Amazon and B&H Photo at the price of $ 2099 for body only, $ 2899 for kit with EF24-105mm f4L IS USM Lens. While technical specs have already spread all over the internet, we know that it would be a full-frame mid-size DSLR with Continue Reading
    Photodoto

  • 12. Oktober 2012

    Ein Beitrag von: Florian Leist


    kwerfeldein – Fotografie Magazin

  • Evening with WSBS Thunderbolt Kayak on Beaver Pond


    WSBS Thunderbolt kayak

    September 16, 2012. 1 hour evening paddling with WSBS Thunderbolt-X kayak on the Beaver Pond in Arapaho Bend Natural Area near Fort Collins. Camera: Pentax Optio WG2

    Related posts:
    3 Pictures from My Paddling Pond in Fall Colors
    7 Pictures from Fall Paddling in Colorado Featuring Thunderbolt Kayak


    paddling with a camera

  • Just Posted: Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm F2.8 hands-on preview

    35-100-520.png

    Just Posted: our preview of the Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm F2.8 OIS. The 35-100mm F2.8 is Panasonic’s second constant aperture zoom for Micro Four Thirds and is designed to cover the classic 70-200mm equivalent range. It does so in a relatively compact lens that matches the company’s existing 12-35mm F2.8 bright standard zoom. The lens we have isn’t ready for the rigors of studio testing, so isn’t part of the relaunch of lens reviews just yet, but is ‘final’ enough for us to be allowed to publish a full-resolution samples gallery.

    News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Largest SEO For Photographers Resource List

    SEO for Photographers is an ongoing process.  In fact, learning SEO for any industry is the same.  We decided to make the journey a little easier by supplying a list of the best resources to learn SEO for photographers.

    If you have suggestions or questions, feel free to comment below.

    What is SEO?

    Search engine optimization is the process of improving the visibility of a website or a web page in a search engine’s organic search results. SEO algortithms are changing rapidly.  Effective SEO is when a person enters a keyword in a search engine and your website appears due to optimization of the keyword.

    seo for photographers

    SEO for Photographers List

    This list includes content specific to SEO for photographers, and additional resources to further grow your SEO knowledge.

    • Photography Web Marketing
    • ProBlogger
    • SEO for Photographers & The Photographers SEO Community
    • Scribe SEO
    • Outspoken Media
    • Search Engine Land
    • SEO for Photographers, A Necessary Evil
    • Mozcast
    • WordPress SEO
    • SEO… The Beginning
    • The Ins and Outs of Inbound Links
    • The 3 Essential Steps for Photography SEO
    • Search Engine Round Table
    • 18 Easy SEO Tips
    • SEOMoz Blog
    • Make Google Love Your Photo
    • SEO Gadget
    • SEO Tips
    • Basic SEO
    • John Doherty’s SEO Advice
    • Not Just For Wedding Photographers Anymore
    • Optimizing Images
    • Effective Websites
    • Distilled
    • 5 Keys to Searchable Images
    • SEO & Photo Blogs
    • Search Engine Journal
    • Link Exchanges

    Want to search all of these sites at once?  Use this search box powered by DuckDuckGo.

    As I mentioned above, feel free to comment with links to articles about SEO for photographers that you think belong on this list.

    Thanks for reading

    dslrBlog

  • GoPro Hero Camera and Thunderbolt Kayak


    WSBS Thunderbolt kayak

    September 18, 2012. Another evening with WSBS Thunderbolt-X kayak on the Beaver Pond in Arapaho Bend Natural Area near Fort Collins.

    Thunderbolt provides for me the fastest way to go for a paddling workout – just a few seconds to load a kayak into V-racks on my car. And, in a small pond, I don’t even need to mess up with a sprayskirt.

    I was playing with the GoPro Hero camera mounted on a kayak bow and set up in the interval shooting mode. This time I was using my two suction cup mount based on Sticky Pod.

    Related posts:
    10 Minute Double Suction Cup Camera Mount for a Kayak Deck
    3 Pictures from My Paddling Pond in Fall Colors
    7 Pictures from Fall Paddling in Colorado Featuring Thunderbolt Kayak


    paddling with a camera