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Insta360 teases a combined action, 360-degree, drone and 1-inch camera

03 Jan

Insta360, the company behind consumer 360-degree cameras, such as the Insta360 Go or One X, as well as professional models like the Pro 2, has posted a teaser video hinting at the launch of some kind of multi-purpose or modular camera on the 7th of January.

In the video footage of several electronics items being shredded in a blender is interspersed with various action-cam and drone-filmed scenes and viewers can read the sentence ‘our next camera combines an action-cam, a 360 cam, a drone, a 1-inch cam into one.’

It appears the company is close to launching a camera that is capable of providing the functionality of a GoPro-style action cam, presumably a consumer-level 360-cam like the One X, and a camera with 1″ sensor, like the Sony RX0. And presumably this camera or modular camera system can be used for aerial filming in conjunction with a drone.

This sounds like quite a unique concept that, depending on pricing, accessory compatibility and other factors, has the potential to appeal to a very wide range of customers. We’ll know more on the 7th of January when the new product is scheduled to launch.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Photoshop Sharpening for Beginners – Unsharp Mask, High Pass and Smart Sharpen Explained

02 Jan

The post Photoshop Sharpening for Beginners – Unsharp Mask, High Pass and Smart Sharpen Explained appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Nisha Ramroop.

photoshop-sharpening-for-beginners

With the constant improvement of technology, it is realistic to expect tack sharp images straight out of your camera. Many times, though, the image appears sharper on your camera than when uploaded to your computer. This is because images need to be sharpened for their specified output. In Photoshop sharpening for beginners, we look at why and how to sharpen your images. Also, you will review some of the sharpening filters and techniques that help make a huge difference to the overall quality of your final edit.

Image: F/5.6 1/200/ ISO800 @420mm

F/5.6 1/200/ ISO800 @420mm

Why sharpen?

Before we delve into the photoshop sharpening tools, it is important to know why and when you need to sharpen your images. The premise of sharpening is that it increases the contrasts around the edges in your image.

As previously mentioned, you need to sharpen images for their specific output types. This means you sharpen an image displayed on the internet differently than one meant for print.

Sharpening is also very useful when it comes to correcting smaller focus issues. For example, if you are shooting a portrait and the focus is on the ear instead of the eyes.

Sharpening the subject’s eyes brings the attention back where you intended. In other genres of photography, use sharpening in pretty much this same way. Sharpen the areas you want to draw the viewer’s eyes to and decrease the sharpness in areas you want to “fall away”.

Photoshop-Sharpening-for-Beginners

Sharpen for your respective output: web vs print. Details make a difference F/11 1/250 ISO200 @10mm

Keep in mind that while sharpening takes your image to the next level, there are times when it is not needed. While sharpening a person’s eyes and lips can take their portrait to the next level, you want to avoid sharpening their skin!

How to sharpen

As with other editing techniques, Photoshop sharpening filters are destructive (when applied directly to your image). Use layers and smart objects, to maximize the following sharpening tools and avoid permanently changing it.

Bonus Tip: When post-processing, save the application of your sharpening technique for last.

Unsharp Masks

While the name “unsharp” sounds like a tool that would make your images less sharp, this counter-intuitively named filter is, in fact, a sharpening tool. Interestingly enough, it was regarded as the best tool to sharpen images in earlier iterations of Photoshop.

While it is still useful, some of the other tools afford you a greater amount of control.

Photoshop-Sharpening-for-Beginners

Photoshop sharpening for beginners notes: When you sharpen an image too much, it starts to look a little noisy.

To use Unsharp Mask:

  • Duplicate your original/background layer
  • Right-click on your new layer and choose “Convert to Smart Object”
  • Go to Filter -> Sharpen -> Unsharp Mask. This brings up a dialog box with the options: Amount, Radius and Threshold

 

Remember, we said that sharpening basically increases the contrasts around the edges in your image? Well, building on that will make these sliders easier to understand.

Use the Amount slider to increase or decrease the amount of contrast in the edges of your image.

Radius manages the level of detail. So a smaller radius will manage the smaller details, while a large radius affects a bigger area.

The last slider, Threshold, affects the areas of higher contrast.

Photoshop Sharpening for Beginners – Unsharp Mask, High Pass and Smart Sharpen Explained

When using these sliders, a good starting place is to figure out your radius first. Do you want to sharpen the smaller details or the larger ones? If you are still unsure how to work with Photoshop sharpening for beginners, experiment!

In this example, push your radius up and then work back down until you affect the areas that you want. From here, you can start moving around the other two sliders until you get your desired results.

One of the downsides of using Unsharp Mask is that it is Layer specific. This is because it affects your entire image, so you need Layer Masking to discard areas that you don’t want sharpening.

Smart Sharpen

The Smart Sharpen tool is like a child of Unsharp Masks, as it gives you some more options. One of the cool things with Smart Sharpening is that it ignores skin detail and focuses on areas with higher contrasts e.g. eyes, eyebrows, lips.

Use the same workflow as above to access the Smart Sharpen filter. The dialog box gives you more advanced options than the previous Unsharp Mask. Amount and Radius work the same way as previously described.

Image: F/5.6 1/1600 ISO100 @420mm

F/5.6 1/1600 ISO100 @420mm

A drop-down menu allows you to remove different types of blurs such as Gaussian, Lens and Motion blur. Lens blur is the most common removal used in this menu.

Image: In Photoshop CC, your menu looks a little differently but has all the same options. Additiona...

In Photoshop CC, your menu looks a little differently but has all the same options. Additionally, it includes a useful option to reduce noise.

Smart Sharpen also allows you to create presets. This is helpful if you are sharpening a batch of images at similar focal lengths. Remember, when you apply your filters/filter preset to a Smart Object, you can further adjust/refine it.

High Pass Sharpening

Another photoshop sharpening for beginners is the High Pass Sharpening technique. While it is a little more advanced than the other tools, you can still easily apply it. It is not a filter found in the Sharpen Menu like the Unsharp Mask and Smart Sharpen filters. What it is, however, is a combination of steps that sharpens your image.

To process with High Pass Sharpening:

  • Duplicate your layer
  • Desaturate your new layer. It seems like a strange step, but since sharpening increases saturation around your edges, your image may start to look surreal.
  • Right-click on your desaturated layer and choose “Convert to Smart Object”
  • Go to Filter -> Other- > High Pass. Your entire image now turns to gray, and when you move the radius slider, you will see the targeted detail areas affected.
Photoshop-Sharpening-for-Beginners

Left: Using High-Pass in the default normal mode, see how your edges are defined. Right: Using High-Pass in Overlay Blend Mode allows you to see your changes in real-time

There is, of course, an alternate way to this gray image where you see your edit in real-time.

Prior to the last step above:

  • Select your desaturated layer and go to Blend Modes
  • Select Overlay
  • Then go to Filter -> Other -> High Pass and adjust

 

Photoshop-Sharpening-for-Beginners

At full size, you don’t always see that the eyes are not as sharp as they can be. Like Smart Sharpen, the eyes and lips are sharpened, but the skin is unaffected. F/7.1 1/125 ISO100 @70mm

Note: This sharpening technique is the only one that lets you apply sharpening with different blend modes.

Conclusion

Remember, sharpening should be the last step in your post-processing workflow. These filters and techniques in Photoshop Sharpening for Beginners will take your image to that next level. It helps to know when and why to sharpen an image and as with all processing, applying correctly makes a huge difference to your final image.

Do you have any other photoshop sharpening for beginners tips you’d like to share? Please do so in the comments!

The post Photoshop Sharpening for Beginners – Unsharp Mask, High Pass and Smart Sharpen Explained appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Nisha Ramroop.


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We’ve updated our Sony a6100 sample gallery

02 Jan

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Sony’s a6100 is the perfect entry-level camera for folks looking to step up their photography game to something more powerful than their phone. We’ve updated our sample gallery to give you a better sense of its capabilities.

See our Sony a6100 sample gallery

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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New Year’s Resolutions for Creative Photographers

02 Jan

The post New Year’s Resolutions for Creative Photographers appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Charlie Moss.

new-years-resolutions-for-creative-photographers

It’s that time of year when your friends and family begin to bug you for your New Year’s resolutions. So, in this article, I’ll share with you some possible New Year’s resolutions for creative photographers.

Apparently, humans started making New Year’s resolutions four thousand years ago. So you’re in good company if you want to make some this year!

new-years-resolutions-for-creative-photographers

You might be considering pledging to go to the gym more or stop biting your nails (but we know you’ll never last past January). So instead, why not think about how you might use the new year to make some changes to your photography? You never know, they might even stick for longer than a month!

Reflect on the past year

Take some time to review the photos that you’ve taken during the past year. Pick out the ones that you like the most and try to think about why they make you feel that way. Are they perhaps full of happy memories? Or did they mark a moment when you understood a new technique?

Consider turning your favorite photos from the year into a photo book to permanently make a record of what you achieved. Think of it as being like a journal of your hobby that you can look back on in the future to see how much your approach to taking photographs has changed.

New Year's Resolutions for Creative Photographers

It could be that many of the things you enjoyed most about photography over the past year were the experiences. Maybe you enjoyed spending time with certain other friends who are into photography or going to different places. Make a note of those experiences you enjoyed the most, and we’ll come back to it later!

Don’t be afraid to take risks

Taking risks with your photography can be a useful tool to help you improve. Cameras are tools that are meant to be used and they can always be replaced.

But taking risks doesn’t have to be about putting yourself and your equipment at risk. Sometimes it can be about pushing your boundaries and taking creative risks.

The worst that can happen when you take a creative risk is that you get a photograph that isn’t as good as you hoped it would be. And if that happens, you don’t have to show anybody! But when a creative risk takes off… that’s when risk-taking really becomes worth it.

Take your camera everywhere

The famous hockey player Wayne Gretzky said that you’ll miss one hundred percent of the shots you don’t take. He’s not wrong – if you don’t have a camera with you, then you won’t be taking any photos!

New Year's Resolutions for Creative Photographers

Two years ago, I realized that I wasn’t taking my camera out and about with me because it was too big and heavy. Shortly after, I ‘side-graded’ to a more compact camera that was easier to take with me everywhere that I went.

My photography improved almost immediately. I was simply taking more photographs and getting more practice. Over time I also found that I was finding more excuses to take photographs because I was enjoying photography more than I ever did previously!

Say ‘yes’ more often

It’s too easy to say no to opportunities that crop up. You might think about the other things that you ‘should’ be doing. You might think about the money that you could be using for something else. But how much would it really hurt if you said ‘yes’ a few more times during the upcoming year?

Say yes to a photographic adventure with a friend. Say yes to a new kind of photography. Also, say yes to new styles and techniques that someone offers to show you. And, say yes to things that are outside of your comfort zone.

You might not enjoy everything that you photograph as a result of saying yes, but then you’ll certainly know for the future when to say no!

Plan your year in advance

Each year I buy an almanac, and I first use it as a convenient list of key dates and celebrations that I might want to explore photographically. But a good almanac book will have so much more than just a calendar.

New Year's Resolutions for Creative Photographers

Divided into monthly chapters, almanac’s have tide tables, information about the night sky, and what flowers are in bloom that month. It’s a guide to what you should see in nature, and some almanacs even have seasonal recipes.

Imagine if you let the almanac be your guide for photography over the coming year? You’d shoot everything from seascapes, wildlife, and cultural celebrations to food photography.

Start a passion project

The first thing to know about passion projects is that they don’t have to change the world. They don’t have to be big, dramatic, and meaningful; they just have to satisfy you and your desire to take photographs.

I like to use passion projects as a way to help me be more attentive to the world around me or to work on skills.

This year I have been setting aside the time to shoot a self-portrait every month to improve my portrait photography. While working in London as a photographer, I documented my changing walk to work for several months, as industrial development happened around me.

Use it as an excuse to get out and about and photograph things that you might not normally photograph. A friend of mine, this year, has been visiting every UK Cathedral and photographing them all. He sees parts of the world that he’s never seen before – despite them being virtually in his backyard!

Set some goals

Setting goals for your photography can be a good way to figure out how you’re going to spend the next year. Goals can help inform the trips you take, the accessories you buy, and ultimately the pictures you make.

new-years-resolutions-for-creative-photographers

Take a few minutes to consider what you really want out of your photography hobby. Is it perhaps more time for yourself with a camera? Or do you want to win a local photography club competition? Think about what you wrote down when you considered what you’d enjoyed most over the past year photographically.

Once you’ve come up with a few goals, start thinking about how you can achieve them. Do you need to take a specific trip to photograph some wildlife? Or do you need to book a workshop with a photographer who’s style you love?

Whatever you write down, make sure you tuck these ideas away in a safe place so that you can keep looking at them throughout the year. That way, you’ll find it easier to stay on track and achieve your goals.

Take more photos!

Everything I’ve talked about in New Year’s Resolutions for Creative Photographers is just a way to try and help you shoot more photographs that you love over the coming year.

new-years-resolutions-for-creative-photographers

By working out what you enjoy photographically, and where you want your journey to go over the coming year, you can start to make a plan to help you achieve your photographic goals.

Do you have any New Year’s resolutions for creative photographers you’d like to share? What are your goals for the upcoming year? What are you doing to try and do differently? Don’t forget to tell us in the comments!

The post New Year’s Resolutions for Creative Photographers appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Charlie Moss.


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How Many Camera Bags Do You Need?

02 Jan

Camera bags. Who knew there would be so much choice? I certainly didn’t as I took my first steps into the world of photography. From small camera shaped bags which perfectly fit the contours of your camera to large wheeled suitcases designed to store and transport a whole range of photographic equipment the choice can be overwhelming. Then, after talking Continue Reading

The post How Many Camera Bags Do You Need? appeared first on Photodoto.


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2019 resolutions revisited: what we hoped for, and what we got

01 Jan

Resolutions revisited – what we hoped for, what we got

About this time last year we sat down as a team to write some new year’s resolutions. But not for us – where’s the fun in that? No, we wanted to help our favorite camera and lens manufacturers out, by writing some for them.

Wishful thinking? Sure. Reasonable? Not at all. Borderline condescending, from a group of keyboard warriors who would struggle to complete a moderately complex jigsaw puzzle, let alone make a digital camera? Absolutely.

We didn’t get everything we wanted in 2019, but some of our resolutions / wishes / predictions (just go with us on this one, and don’t think about it too hard) did come true.

Feel free to play along at home via the comments.

Canon

Our 2019 resolutions for Canon:

  • Add IBIS to the RF lineup and update your sensors (or buy Sony’s).
  • Make the RF mount an open standard.
  • Reclaim your ILC video crown – no more cropped 4K!
  • Dump the M-Fn bar…
  • Make the 5D Mark V a true digital EOS 3.
  • Think different – embrace computational photography.

How things panned out: 2.5/6

Our resolutions for Canon in 2019 were ambitious, and probably for the most part unrealistic. What can I say? We’re big picture people.

The RF mount isn’t going to be opened up any time soon (why cede those lens sales to third parties when you don’t have to?), the EOS 5D Mark IV wasn’t really due for an upgrade, and while we know that IBIS is coming to the EOS R lineup, it didn’t happen in 2019.

But Canon did develop a very nice new sensor, in the form of the 32MP APS-C sensor used in the EOS 90D and EOS M6 Mark II. Not only does it offer excellent resolution and good dynamic range, it also works with an updated processor to allow for un-cropped 4K video. There are rumors starting to float around of an upscaled version of this sensor coming in the RF line possibly next year, so we’ll see. Canon also (sort of) dumped the M-Fn bar, omitting it from the EOS RP.

It remains to be seen whether the controversial control will be re-introduced in a future R-series model but we won’t be sad if it isn’t. We’re not against the concept of a touch-sensitive control of this kind, we just want one that works.

Fujifilm

Our 2019 resolutions for Fujifilm:

  • Make a full-frame X100 / monochrome X100 / 28mm-equiv X100.
  • Continue improving your face and eye-detection autofocus.
  • Make a proper X70 successor.
  • Refresh your F1.4 primes.
  • Don’t try to palm us off with 15fps ‘4K video’ ever again. For shame.

How things panned out: 2/5

Well, we didn’t see that full-frame X100-series in the end, but honestly that was probably a stretch. Fujifilm was pretty focused on its medium-format GFX range in 2019, but the company did release the unique X-Pro 3 (we didn’t see that one coming!) and update its entry-level X-A7 lineup. We were very pleased to see that the X-A7 finally offers proper 4K video. No more 15fps!

Fujifilm has also continued to work on its autofocus. A major firmware update was released for the X-T3 in spring, specifically aimed at improving face and eye-detection AF performance. Fujifilm has also improved the implementation of Face/Eye AF in the X-Pro 3, which presumably will filter down into future models.

Leica

Our 2019 resolutions for Leica:

  • Stop with the special editions already!
  • Make a Q2 – maybe even with a 35mm lens…
  • Make an M-mount camera with an EVF.
  • Improve service / repair times.

How things panned out: 1.5/4

Asking Leica to stop making special editions is like asking a Kuh not to muh. This year saw the launch of the ‘Safari’ edition M10-P, the Lenny Kravitz ‘Drifter’ edition M Monochrom (with snakeskin finish, no less) three limited edition versions of M-mount lenses, and no fewer than three special edition CLs: ‘Bauhaus’, ‘Urban Jungle’ and ‘Edition Paul Smith’.

Ouch. It’s almost as if Leica wanted to put us in our place.

Meanwhile, although we’re still waiting for an M11 with an EVF, Leica did release the Q2, which comes with some really welcome upgrades compared to the original Q. Ditto the SL. The company also claims to be continuing to invest in improving service times, which, because we’re feeling generous, we’ll say earns them a 0.5.

Nikon

Our 2019 resolutions for Nikon:

  • Keep developing that Z-series lens roadmap.
  • Bring 3D AF Tracking to the Z-series.
  • Make an FTZ adapter with a built-in AF motor.
  • Make the Z mount an open standard.

How things panned out: 1/4

We didn’t do a great job of anticipating Nikon’s moves in 2019, but nobody said that new years’ resolutions were easy, especially when you’re making them for other people. Nikon didn’t add a version of 3D AF tracking to the Z-series this year, but it did introduce a new camera, in the form of the APS-C Z50. Pending some final testing, we’ve been pretty impressed by its performance so far, but it basically has the same autofocus behavior as the Z6 and Z7.

The only one of our resolutions on behalf of Nikon which ended up becoming reality was perhaps the most obvious one – continued development of the Z-mount lens lineup.

We’ve really been impressed by the Z-series lenses so far, and 2019 saw the release of the standout Z 24-70mm F2.8 S and Z 85mm F1.8 S, with more still to come on the roadmap.

Olympus

Our 2019 resolutions for Olympus:

  • Start making small cameras again.
  • Update the OM-D E-M5 II.
  • Simplify your cameras’ menu systems, please!
  • Add PDAF to your lower-end PEN and OM-D cameras.
  • Add a large sensor to the TOUGH range.

How things panned out: 3/5

Olympus didn’t release a whole lot of products this year, but the OM-D E-M5 lineup did see a refresh in the form of the very powerful E-M5 Mark III. Despite being packed with powerful features (many of which were inherited from the E-M1 Mark II) it is even smaller than its predecessor, and features on-sensor phase-detection autofocus.

Sadly it still features a dense and complicated UI / menu, but 3/5 ain’t bad.

Panasonic

Our 2019 resolutions for Panasonic:

  • Ditch field-sequential EVFs.
  • Either fix DFD for video, or use PDAF instead.
  • Make a full-frame 4K video camera.

How things panned out: 2/3

With so many announcements in late 2018, it was hard to make too many specific resolutions for Panasonic in 2019, but the company did check off two items from our wishlist: An (apparent) move away from field-sequential and towards OLED electronic finders, and a full-frame 4K video camera, in the shape of the Lumix DC-S1H.

The S1H is an interesting product, coming so quickly after the launch of the S1R and the more video-oriented S1 – itself a hugely capable camera for shooting video, especially with Panasonic’s paid DMW-SFU2 update. The S1H can shoot perfectly good still images from its 24MP sensor, but it’s really a video-first product, and the first ‘consumer’ camera to be certified by Netflix for broadcast-quality recording. Impressive stuff.

Ricoh / Pentax

Our 2019 resolutions for Ricoh / Pentax:

  • Make a true successor to the K-1.
  • Give your fans a proper mirrorless camera.
  • Make a full-frame GR to compete with the Leica Q and Sony RX1R II.

How things panned out: 0/3

It was a very quiet year for Ricoh in the end, with the GR III the only significant new Pentax-branded product released in 2019 (actually late 2018, but it became available this year).

There were some signs of life though – Ricoh did unveil a new wide zoom for APS-C – the HD Pentax-DA 10-17mm F3.5-4.5 ED fisheye. This year also saw a small refresh of the HD Pentax-FA 35mm F2 AL, with new coatings and a redesigned aperture diaphragm. Will we ever see a K-1 III, or a reimagined Pentax-branded mirrorless ILC? Nothing is impossible but we get the sense that 2020 will be a make or break year for the Pentax brand.

Sigma

Our 2019 resolutions for Sigma:

  • Create a range of compact F2 lenses.
  • Try again with the 24-70mm F2.8 Art.
  • Develop some native Sony FE lenses.
  • Reverse-engineer the Canon RF and Nikon Z mounts
  • Create a range of full-frame Merrill compacts.

How things panned out: 3.5 / 5

Well, either we got unusually good at guessing, or Sigma listened to us (I’ll leave you to figure out which is more likely) because of our five resolutions for Sigma in 2019, three of them became reality. This year we saw the porting of Sigma’s popular DC DN range of fast prime lenses to Canon’s EF-M mount (hey, they’re F2.2 equivalent), the release of the distinctive and very compact (albeit not for everybody) 45mm F2.8 for E and L-mount, and the launch of two high-performance ‘DN’ zoom lenses, also for E and L – one of which sort of counts as a second try at the older 24-70mm F2.8 Art.

The only one of our resolutions which definitely didn’t come to pass is reverse-engineering the Nikon Z and Canon RF mounts, which to be fair may be a decision out of Sigma’s hands. Meanwhile the full-frame fp earns a 0.5 for being pretty close (in spirit) to a full-frame Merrill, while offering so much more, especially to videographers.

Sony

Our 2019 resolutions for Sony:

  • Release a Cyber-shot RX1R III.
  • Create some new APS-C lenses.
  • Make your video and stills AF experience consistent.
  • Release an FE 35mm F1.8. Your non-pro and pro customers will thank you.
  • Focus on user experience.

How things panned out: 4/5

Another very good showing for the resolutions crew in the end, but Sony has been releasing so much new technology every year that we felt pretty optimistic about this one.

2019 saw the release of some really welcome E-mount APS-C lenses, including the excellent (albeit pricey) E 16-55mm F2.8. And we finally got that FE 35mm F1.8! Meanwhile the company did make efforts to improve the UX of its latest cameras, particularly in the a7R IV, which also offers a more consistent stills / video autofocus and user experience,

It’s a shame about the RX1R III, though. Maybe in 2020.

Tamron

Our 2019 resolutions for Tamron:

  • Continue developing full-frame E-mount lenses.
  • Reverse-engineer the Canon RF and Nikon Z mounts as soon as possible.
  • Resist the temptation to create large, heavy F1.4 glass.

How things panned out: 2/3

Again, the decision whether (or when) to reverse-engineer the Nikon Z and Canon RF mounts is probably down to Canon and Nikon, so we’ll let Tamron off the hook for that one. Ultimately, while the physical dimensions of the mounts themselves can be copied, the protocols governing data transfer between camera and lens are protected by IP, and licensing will happen on Canon and Nikon’s respective schedule (if it happens at all).

As for the other two resolutions, we’re pleased to see that Tamron did indeed continue to develop new native E-mount glass, in the form of the 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD and 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD. Meanwhile, the company announced three lightweight (I’ll get in terrible trouble in the comments section again if I suggest they’re ‘compact’) F2.8 primes. But alongside these small (ish) lenses, Tamron also sneaked in one of the highest-performance 35mm F1.4s we’ve ever used, in the form of the SP 35mm F1.4 Di USD.

We’ll forgive it.

Looking ahead to 2020

So there you have it – not all of our 2019 resolutions became reality, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned in 2019 it’s that we don’t always get what we want. Another thing we’ve learned is that lexicologically speaking, things get really complicated when you start trying to make resolutions, which are really requests, but also kind of predictions, on behalf of third-parties.

Lesson leaned. So what does 2020 have in store? As always, the future is hard to predict, but that doesn’t mean we can’t try. Here are some resolutions predictions from the DPReview team – feel free to add your own in the comments.

  • ‘Professional’ mirrorless ILC from Canon and / or Nikon.
  • At least one more serious DSLR from either / both of the above (in addition to the EOS-1D X Mark III and D6).
  • Computational imaging approaches will continue to make their way into dedicated cameras across the board.
  • More affordable full-frame L-mount ILC from Panasonic (and maybe an APS-C body?).
  • New X100-series or similar compact from Fujifilm (possibly with a medium format sensor?).
  • More lenses, and a sub-$ 1000 full-frame E-mount camera from Sony.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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2020! Happy New Year from the DPS Team, plus Ultimate Guides

01 Jan

The post 2020! Happy New Year from the DPS Team, plus Ultimate Guides appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

happy-new-year-2020-dps

Wow, 2019 is over already!

From the entire dPS family, we wish you a wonderful new year ahead! We are also very excited to continue to bring you some fabulous tutorials to help you on your photographic journey in 2020!

As a bonus, here is a summary of some amazing dPS Ultimate Guides we published in 2018 that may be helpful for you.

Happy New Year 2019 and the Ultimate Guides of 2018!

Each is available as a free PDF – just click on the ones you want to download below.

  • The Ultimate Guide to Food Photography
  • The Ultimate Guide to Photographing People for the Shy Photographer
  • The Ultimate Guide to Night Photography
  • The Ultimate Guide to Taking Portraits and Photographing People
  • The Ultimate Guide to Street Photography
  • The dPS Ultimate Guide to Landscape Photography
  • The dPS Ultimate Guide to Getting Started in Lightroom for Beginners
  • The dPS Ultimate Guide to Photography for Beginners
  • The dPS Ultimate Guide to Photography Terms – a Glossary of Common Words and Phrases
  • The Ultimate Guide to Nature and Outdoor Photography
  • The dPS Ultimate Guide to Fine Art Photography

Enjoy, and if you feel these guides are valuable, please share this page with your friends!

The post 2020! Happy New Year from the DPS Team, plus Ultimate Guides appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.


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The dPS Top Nature and Wildlife Photography Tips of 2019

01 Jan

The post The dPS Top Nature and Wildlife Photography Tips of 2019 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

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This week on dPS, we’re featuring some of the top articles in different categories that were published on the site throughout 2019. It’s always a bit tricky to gauge the overall popularity, as some were published earlier in the year and have had more time on the site than the ones posted more recently. But still, it gives you an idea!

We’ve already published the overall Top Photography Tips of 2019, the Top Photography Gear Tips of 2019, the Top Landscape Photography Tips of 2019, the Top Photography Post-Processing Tips of 2019, and the Top Portrait Photography Tips of 2019, and the Top Travel Photography Tips of 2019.

So now we have The dPS Top Nature and Wildlife Photography Tips of 2019.

Here are the Top Nature and Wildlife Photography Tips of 2019:

1. 7 Photography Exercises to Take Your Nature Photos to the Next Level

By Jaymes Dempsey

7 Photography Exercises to Take Your Nature Photos to the Next Level

2. The 7 Nature Photography Mistakes You Don’t Know You’re Making

By Jaymes Dempsey

The 7 Nature Photography Mistakes You Don’t Know You’re Making

3. 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Photographing Wildlife

By Jeremy Flint

7 Mistakes to Avoid When Photographing Wildlife

 

4. 7 Techniques for Original (and Stunning) Nature Photos

By Jaymes Dempsey

7 Techniques for Original (and Stunning) Nature Photos

5. 5 Secrets for Stunning Creative Bird Photography

By Jaymes Dempsey

5 Secrets for Stunning Creative Bird Photography

6. Review of the Nikon D500 for Wildlife and Bird Photography

By Shreyas Yadav

Review of the Nikon D500 for Wildlife and Bird Photography

 

7. 5 Tips for Gorgeous Nature Photography Lighting

By Jaymes Dempsey

5 Tips for Gorgeous Nature Photography Lighting

 

8. Using Creative Zoo Photography for Awesome Animal Photos

By Rick Ohnsman

Using Creative Zoo Photography for Awesome Animal Photos

9. How to take Great Flower Photos without a Macro Lens

By Ana Mireles

How to take Great Flower Photos without a Macro Lens

10. Field Test: Could the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 be the Most Versatile Wildlife Lens?

By Shreyas Yadav

Field Test: Could the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 be the Most Versatile Wildlife Lens?

11. How to Shoot Abstract Flower Photography using Close-Up Filters

By Charlie Moss

How to Shoot Abstract Flower Photography using Close-Up Filters

12. A Quick Guide to Amazing Bird Photography Compositions

By Jaymes Dempsey

A Quick Guide to Amazing Bird Photography Compositions

13. 5 Nature Photography Editing Tips to Create Stunning Images in Seconds

By Jaymes Dempsey

5 Nature Photography Editing Tips to Create Stunning Images in Seconds

14. Tips for Creating Compelling Nature Photography

By Karthika Gupta

Tips for Creating Compelling Nature Photography

 

15. 5 Tips for Better Forest Bird Photography

By Samuel Bloch

5 Tips for Better Forest Bird Photography

16. A Step-by-Step Guide to Using Light in Flower Photography for Awesome Photos

By Simon Ringsmuth

A Step-by-Step Guide to Using Light in Flower Photography for Awesome Photos

17. How to Shoot Animal Portraits

By Caz Nowaczyk

How to Shoot Animal Portraits

18. 5 Different Approaches to Photographing Wildlife

By Jeremy Flint

5 Different Approaches to Photographing Wildlife

19. Why You Need to Know the History of Flowers in Art and Photography

By Megan Kennedy

Why You Need to Know the History of Flowers in Art and Photography

 

20. 11 Tips for Photographing Bears in Alaska

By André Costantini

11 Tips for Photographing Bears in Alaska

This is the last of the Top Photography Tips of 2019. We hope you enjoyed and learned some new skills from them!

If you have some other favorite nature or wildlife-related dPS post, share it with us in the comments!

The post The dPS Top Nature and Wildlife Photography Tips of 2019 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.


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DPReview TV: Introducing new host Liam Drake!

01 Jan

Please welcome our newest DPReview TV host, Liam Drake. Liam comes to us from Calgary, Alberta, mostly because that’s where his parents live. Watch his first camera review and let us know what you think.

Want to see more reviews from Liam? Let us know in the comments!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get new episodes of DPReview TV every week.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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COSYSPEED is crowdfunding to create first ‘Made in Africa’ camera lens pouches

01 Jan

German company COSYSPEED is looking to raise at least $ 11,000 by offering up the option of either plain or ‘African-style’ camera lens pouches to backers via the popular crowdfunding platform, Indiegogo. Burundi, located in central Africa, is the world’s poorest country. COSYSPEED has partnered with Burundikids, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating young women and girls, to produce a series of 3 microfiber-lined lens pouches plus a microfiber cloth.

The lens pouches come in three sizes designed to fit prime, standard zoom, and telephoto zoom lenses. The microfiber cloth is the most affordable option, starting at $ 4, followed by $ 9 for the prime pouch, $ 10 for the standard, and $ 11 for the telephoto zoom lens pouch. The entire bundle, containing all 4 items, can be purchased for $ 28. The measurements for each item are as follows:

  • S size Lens Pouch: (Ø) 80 mm / 3.2″ x (h) 100 mm / 4″ – Fits prime lenses
  • M size Lens Pouch: (Ø) 120 mm / 4.7″ x (h) 200 mm / 8″ – Fits standard zoom lenses up to 24-70/2.8
  • L size Lens Pouch: (Ø) 140 mm / 5.5″ x (h) 280 mm / 11″ – Fits tele zoom lenses up to 70-200/2.8
  • Microfibre Cleaning Cloth: 150 mm / 6″ x 150 mm 6″ – For lens cleaning

If the campaign is successful, COSYSPEED aims to set up a permanent production facility in Bujumbura, Burundi’s largest city, so they can continue to produce the first ‘Made in Africa’ photo accessories. It will house homeless young mothers, and their children, while providing them food and health care. The women will also have the opportunity to participate in an apprenticeship program that will make them dressmakers.

COSYSPEED will be crowdfunding on Indiegogo through January, 2020. Items are expected ship starting in May.

Disclaimer: Remember to do your research with any crowdfunding project. DPReview does its best to share only the projects that look legitimate and come from reliable creators, but as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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