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X-Rite launches beta version of its custom ICC profiling tool with Capture One support

Color management and measurement technology company X-Rite has announced a new public beta release of ColorChecker Camera Calibration software version 1.2. This pre-release update includes support for Phase One’s Capture One software with TIFF file support, a first for X-Rite’s custom profiling tool.

X-Rite has been working on adding Capture One support to its custom camera profiling software for some time now and it’s finally here — at least in beta form. As is currently possible in the Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw version of the ColorChecker Camera Calibration software, v1.2 adds the ability to create custom ICC profiles in Capture One with various camera, lens and lighting combinations.

X-Rite has created a helpful how-to video, embedded below, that runs through the process of creating a custom ICC profile using Camera Calibration software v1.2. There’s also a PDF version available.

To download the public beta release, head over to X-Rite’s download page. Keep in mind this is a pre-release program, so there will likely be a few bugs here and there. X-Rite requests users submit details when an error occurs to help further development.

X-Rite also notes a known issue with the Windows version of the ColorChecker Camera Calibration software wherein ‘the software cannot process a TIFF file larger than 150 megabytes.’ X-Rite suggests cropping or reducing the resolution if users run into this issue and notes the issue is currently being addressed.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

January 10, 2019
Longsys launches Lexar-branded 1TB SDXC card

Longsys, under the Lexar brand name, has announced the Lexar Professional 633x SDXC UHS-I card with 1TB of storage.

The Class 10 UHS-I card has a theoretical maximum read speed up to 95MB/s and write speed up to 70MB/s, but it’s only guaranteed a sustained write speed of 30MB/s as noted by the V30/U3 rating. This means the write speeds might peak at 70MB/s, but the card certainly can’t sustain them, otherwise it’d be labelled as a V60 card.

The card, which is also available in sizes down to 16GB, is capable of operating from 0° to 70° C (32° to 158°F) and being stored from -25° to 85° C (-13° to 185°F) in humidity levels between 5 and 95 percent. Each card comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

The 1TB Lexar Professional 633x SDXC UHS-I card is available now and retails for $ 499.99.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

January 10, 2019
5 Tips for Photographing Festivals

The post 5 Tips for Photographing Festivals appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

Goroka Show, Papa New Guinea. © Jeremy Flint

The performance, color and wonderful crowds that are the signature features of festivals make them an excellent subject for photography. Festivals are great organized events worth attending and can occur anywhere at any time.

A festival is defined as ‘a day or time of the year when people have a holiday from work and celebrate some special event.’ Festivals could be a day or period set aside for celebration to commemorate an anniversary or other significant events. A festival may also occur for feasting, such as religious events or for performances of music, theatre, and dance.

These special events are usually held periodically and are designed to entertain, providing a fantastic opportunity to capture some interesting images.

Consider if there is a festival or event you have always wanted to attend? Whether it’s at home or abroad, it will be sure to offer an array of colorful and compelling subjects and scenes.

Here are five 5 tips for photographing festivals:

1. Shoot local festivals

© Jeremy Flint

You don’t have to travel long distances to visit festivals. Find an event that is going on near you and head out with your camera to capture it. Often festivals are seasonal, so time your visit to a festival that takes place during your favorite time of the year such as summer or winter. Arrive early for the chance to get your bearings and find a suitable place to see and photograph the event.

Remember festivals in towns and cities can cause built up traffic, and road closures may restrict access. Allow extra time to get to the event and be observant to ensure your gear stays safe in crowded situations.

© Jeremy Flint

2. Shoot festivals around the world

If you are traveling abroad, consider visiting a festival during your vacation. Some incredible festivals are celebrated around the world including the Holi festival in India, the Rio Carnival, the Goroka and Mount Hagen shows of Papa New Guinea and Oktoberfest in Germany. They offer the chance to see a unique and varied side to the people of the place you’re visiting.

Goroka Show, Papa New Guinea © Jeremy Flint

There is generally a great atmosphere during these events, and the costume-clad festival participants are dressed to impress and hopefully won’t mind having their photograph taken.

Festivals involving cultures, such as those in Papa New Guinea and parts of Asia, brilliantly combine local culture with exciting tribal traditions. I photographed this image at the Goroka show in Papa New Guinea where local groups demonstrate their unique song and dance.

Goroka Show, Papa New Guinea © Jeremy Flint

Try and get a bit closer to the action and capture the variety of activities taking place. Alternatively, if you are with friends and family and prefer to remain in one place, wait for the action to come to you.

3. Add color

Festivals such as carnivals, street parties, and fetes create endless opportunities for lively, colorful images. Since everyone taking part in the celebrations are enjoying the occasion, they are happier than usual to have their picture taken. You can take advantage of this by capturing interesting poses and joyous people.

Be sure to look out for vibrant individuals in which to point your lens. Take portraits of cheerful revelers and capture the participants in their colorful clothing.

© Jeremy Flint

4. Capture action

© Jeremy Flint

At festivals, things happen fast. With parades and processions, attendees move quickly, so be ready to capture the action. With this in mind, I recommend you use a fast shutter speed to capture any aspects you find interesting. Try experimenting with different shutter speeds of 1/100th of a second and above.

A guy falling off a horse, Llanthony Show, Brecon Beacons, Wales © Jeremy Flint

5. Relax and enjoy it

Don’t get hung up on getting the perfect shot. Take time out from the photography, and you can enjoy it more. Spend time soaking up the atmosphere and see the activities with your own eyes. Similarly, immerse yourself in the event and enjoy the spirit of the festivities and the kaleidoscope of color.

Join in the festivities and dance or walk with the participants if they are marching.

Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the event, you will have a much more memorable experience.

Conclusion

In summary, festivals offer a wonderful chance to create pictures with color, impact, and action. Most importantly, relax, enjoy it and don’t get too engrossed in taking the perfect shot. When photographing festivals remember these tips to help you improve your images. Therefore, get out there and capture a festival near you and share your photos below!

The post 5 Tips for Photographing Festivals appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

Digital Photography School

January 10, 2019
Why Carrying Less Camera Gear Will Make You a Better Photographer

The post Why Carrying Less Camera Gear Will Make You a Better Photographer appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.

During travel photography workshops, we teach participants who often carry big, heavy camera bags. A lot of the time people do not use very much of what they are lugging around with them.

In this article, I want to encourage you to think about carrying less camera gear and how it can help you improve your photography.

© Kevin Landwer-Johan

Restrictions of weight

Walking around with less weight on your shoulder or back makes a huge difference to photography sessions. It’s no problem if you’re working in a studio or are going to be mostly in one location, but otherwise, it can wear you out quickly.

Going on a photo walk, or even when you go on location, carrying less weight in camera gear frees you up and gives you more energy. You can enjoy your photography for longer periods of time. This becomes more noticeable as you get older.

Well-designed camera bags make a difference with good weight distribution. Mostly though, bags designed to carry a lot of camera gear are backpack-style and I do not find these easy to use. They are either strapped on and secure, with a belt to help support the weight on your hips, or your gear is easily accessible but the weight is not so well distributed.

Carrying a heavy bag of equipment hanging off your shoulder is tiring. It can also lead to back problems if you frequently do it for long periods.

© Kevin Landwer-Johan

The hassle of bulk

Bulky bags make moving around more difficult. Again, this is more pronounced as you get older. Getting down on the ground to capture a low angle view becomes difficult with a bulky backpack on. If you do not have the bulk and weight on you are far more likely to get down and potentially make a more interesting photo.

Markets and other busy locations are far easier to navigate if you are carrying less camera gear.

With less of a mass of gear, you are also more inconspicuous. This can be a great advantage and help you obtain more natural, candid photos.

© Kevin Landwer-Johan

Thinking differently about how you compose

I think the biggest advantage of carrying less camera equipment with you is that you are forced to be more alternative in your approach to composition.

You will need to be more imaginative if you have only one or two lenses with you. Zooming with your feet becomes more necessary. It does not take long to get used to.

Seeing in new ways that still allow you to take interesting photos becomes second nature if you practice often enough. You have to think more about taking photos with the lens you have on your camera. If you have limited options you have to focus on your composition rather than relying on the perspective a different lens gives you.

Of course, this all means you need to plan more in advance. Packing the right gear for a particular situation is important. Before you head out with minimal gear, carefully consider the demands you are facing and which lenses will be most appropriate. If you are like me and prefer not to use zoom lenses, your options are more limited and carrying less gear is more challenging.

© Kevin Landwer-Johan

What gear should I pack?

Ask yourself how much of your gear you really use each time to go out. When you stop to think about it you will probably find that you use certain lenses and other equipment more often and other gear hardly at all.

Check your metadata in Lightroom to see which lenses you use the most. Open a catalog of the favorite photos you’ve taken over the last twelve months or so. In Grid View in Lightroom click on the Metadata option in the top bar. Now you will see lists of cameras and lenses you have used. Analyzing your best photos based on lens and focal length may help you decide which lenses you use the most to take the photos you are most satisfied with.

Maybe you will choose to take one or two lenses with you more often, based on this information. Don’t always pack the lens you use the most. Push yourself by sometimes only packing a lens you tend not to use so much. This helps you become more comfortable using these lenses and to master them.

© Kevin Landwer-Johan

Conclusion

You may need to buy a new bag, or consider not taking a camera bag with you. If you are only taking one or two lenses out you may not even need to take a camera bag at all.

Don’t aim to travel too light when you have to produce a set of photos for a customer or specific purpose. Limiting yourself in terms of gear options can be detrimental in these situations. If you have a job to do, you need to be sure to do it well.

Challenge yourself to use minimal camera equipment for a month or two. Create a new body of work. When you reach the set period of time you have made yourself, look back over your photos and think about the difference this exercise has made to your photography.

Do you limit your photography gear? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Why Carrying Less Camera Gear Will Make You a Better Photographer appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.

Digital Photography School

January 10, 2019
Kodak-branded SMILE lineup includes two instant cameras and a new instant printer

New Jersey-based C+A Global has launched new Kodak-branded products, including an instant camera and two instant printers. Called the Kodak SMILE Instant Print, this product line offers the SMILE Classic Instant Print Digital Camera, SMILE Instant Print Digital Camera, and SMILE Instant Digital Printer.

The KODAK SMILE Classic Instant Print Digital Camera features a vintage camera body design coupled with a ZINK instant printer, pop-up viewfinder, automatic strobe flash, microSD card slot, and 10-second timer. Despite its retro appearance, the model has Bluetooth and works with the Kodak Instant Print Companion mobile app.

Joining the retro-styled Classic camera is the slimmer, modern SMILE Instant Print Digital Camera, a 10MP digital camera with a ZINK Zero Ink printer, microSD card slot, automatic flash, LCD viewfinder, and 10-second timer.

The SMILE line’s new instant digital printer offers instant printing for images captured with a smartphone, the Kodak Instant Print Companion app, and a Bluetooth connection. The digital printer and digital camera will cost $ 100 each, while the Classic camera will cost $ 150. Kodak hasn’t yet revealed the products’ launch date.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

January 10, 2019
Sharp reveals 8K Micro Four Thirds camera prototype at CES 2019

Sharp made a surprising announcement during CES 2019 this week: it’s developing an 8K Micro Four Thirds camera, currently referred to as the ‘8K Video Camera.’ YouTuber Kinotika published a short hands-on video (above) with the prototype camera, but details are slim at this time. Sharp reportedly told CES attendees that it will reveal the model’s official specs in Q2, possibly at NAB 2019.

According to Kinotika citing Sharp employees at CES, the 8K Video Camera will support 8K video recording at 30fps in H.265 codec. The model, at least at this point in the development process, is also expected to offer a single UHS-II SD card slot, sensor stabilization, and a large 5-inch flip-out display.

Sharp reportedly stated that it is working on a 60fps recording option for a lower resolution, possibly 1080p. Other features present on the prototype include a full-size HDMI port, audio-in, USB-C, a microphone input, and a headphone jack. Assuming nothing changes by the time an official announcement takes place, the ‘8K Video Camera’ will have a sub-$ 5,000 price.

Unfortunately, the prototype wasn’t functional and additional details aren’t available.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

January 10, 2019
The Neimeo e-ink keyboard can be customized for Photoshop, Lightroom and other apps

Nemeio is a portable keyboard that uses e-ink technology to allow for complete customization for any app you want to use it with, including Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and other image or video editing apps.

The keyboard features mini-displays in each of the 81 keys, so users can create specific key-layouts for any app they are working with and switch between them using the Nemeio companion software. Icons can be dragged and dropped in the latter’s virtual keyboard and then immediately show up on the real one.

The Nemeio can also be set to change its layout automatically with the app you are using. For example, you could use a standard keyboard layout while typing emails or writing a letter. Once you open Photoshop the keyboard would then automatically change to a different layout with editing shortcut icons.

The Nemeio comes with a brushed-metal body and measures only 12x7x0.43-inch (30.5×17.8×1.1cm), making it easily portable. It can connect to any device with Bluetooth keyboard support.

The Nemeio is not quite available yet but shipping is expected some time this year. Pricing could be an issue, though. Engadget reports the keyboard could cost somewhere between $ 300 and $ 500.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

January 9, 2019
Canon RF 28-70mm F2 L sample gallery

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Canon launched the mirrorless full-frame RF-mount with a handful of impressive lenses including the RF 50mm F1.2L as well as the the versatile, fast 28-70mm F2L – a lens we’ve been shooting with a lot. Described by one DPR-staffer as ‘the size and weight of a 25 oz can of [popular-Australian-in-name-only] beer,’ this lens isn’t necessarily compact, but it does seem like an indicator for what’s to come for the RF-mount. Simply put, it seems more suited for a larger, more professional body than the EOS R. Despite some awkwardness using it on the aforementioned, we’re impressed with the results.

See our Canon RF 28-70mm F2L sample gallery

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

January 9, 2019
DJI unveils Smart Controller with a built-in ultra-bright 5.5″ Full HD display

DJI has unveiled Smart Controller, a new drone controller with a built-in ultra-bright 1000cd/m2 5.5-inch Full HD screen. The display, which is around double the brightness of a smartphone LCD, eliminates the need to use a mobile device when piloting DJI drones.

The Smart Controller’s ultra-bright display is designed to be usable in direct sunlight, according to the company. The controller supports drones featuring DJI’s OcuSync 2 video transmission system, including the Mavic 2 Zoom and Mavic 2 Pro. The Smart Controller’s physical controls were optimized for DJI’s drones.

Other Smart Controller features include a 2.5-hour battery life, support for operating in temperatures as low as -20C / -4F and as high as 40C / 104F, automatic switching between 2.4Ghz and 5.8GHz wireless connections, transmissions up to 4.9 miles / 8km, detachable control sticks, and an integrated microphone and speaker. The Smart Controller’s built-in HDMI port enables video playback at up to 4K/60fps with H.264 and H.265.

At the software level, the controller’s customizable Android dashboard includes support for the DJI GO 4 and Pilot apps, as well as SkyTalk for livestreaming and select other third-party apps. With DJI GO-Share, imagery viewed on the Smart Controller can be directly transferred to a tablet or smartphone.

DJI will begin selling its new Smart Controller in early 2019 for $ 649 USD. Consumers will also have bundle options featuring the Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom drones.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

January 9, 2019
Wacom announces the Cintiq 16HD, a Full HD graphics tablet that displays 16.7 million colors

Wacom has announced its latest creation, the Cintiq 16HD, a mid-range pen tablet that takes inspiration from Wacom’s much larger (and more expensive) Cintiq Pro lineup and packages it in a more compact and affordable form factor.

The Cintiq 16HD falls right between Wacom’s Cintiq 13HD and Cintiq 22HD graphics tablet. Its display, as it name suggests, is a 15.6 inch 1920 x 1080 pixel touchscreen display with the ability to produce upwards of 16.7 million colors — 72% NTSC color coverage and 100% sRGB. The screen has a brightness rating of 210 cd/m², a 1000:1 contrast ratio and a 176-degree viewing angle.

The pen tablet features built-in legs that provide a natural tilt angle and a recessed connection so it lays flat when the three-in-one power port is plugged in.

Included with the Cintiq 16HD is the Wacom Pro Pen 2, which works with the tablet to offer 8192 levels of pen pressure sensitivity — four times that of its predecessor, the Cintiq Pro 16. The pen features two side buttons and lag-free tracking. It uses Electro Magnetic Resonance (EMR) technology, meaning no batteries are needed to keep the pen operating.

The Wacom Cintiq 16HD works with both macOS and Windows operating systems and is currently available for pre-order for $ 649.95. In addition to the graphics tablet and Wacom Pro Pen 2, it comes with a detachable pen holder, three replacement nibs, a nib removal tool, a 3-in-1 cable, and the required power cable and adapter.

Wacom offers a limited one-year warranty in Japan, Asia Pacific and China and a two-year limited warranty in the USA, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

January 9, 2019