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  • Instagram launches Close Friends list for story sharing

    Many Instagram users aim for a large number of followers. However, sometimes you’d like to share an Instagram moment with just your closest friends and not hundreds or thousands of followers, most of whom you probably don’t know.

    This is now possible, thanks to a new feature announced by Instagram today: Close Friends lets you share stories with a select group of people instead of all your followers.

    Instagram says Close Friends gives you the “flexibility to share more personal moments with a smaller group that you choose.”

    To do so, you create a close friends-list and at the time of posting your story select the option to only share with the people on that list. You’ll find the option to add people to the close friends-list in the side-menu.

    Your list can only be seen by yourself. When someone has added you to their list, you will see a green badge when you viewing their stories and a green ring around their profile photo in the Stories tray.

    Close Friends is now rolling out globally on the latest versions of the Instagram iPhone and Android apps.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Weekly Photography Challenge – Type

    The post Weekly Photography Challenge – Type appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

    1 - Weekly Photography Challenge Type

    Bushells House on the corner of Charles Street and New England Highway, Moonbi by Caz Nowaczyk

    Your weekly photography challenge – TYPE!

    That’s right! Typography, text, numbers, and glyphs.

    Any writing in any language. New, faded, barely legible – sign writing, posters, light painting etc.

    2 - Weekly Photography Challenge Type

    Brass and Iron Lace Foundry – Forge and Museum, Enmore Road, Uralla NSW Australia by Caz Nowaczyk

    3 - Weekly Photography Challenge Type

    4 - Weekly Photography Challenge Type

    An old truck stop on Putty Road, Garland Valley in Yengo National Park, NSW by Caz Nowaczyk

    5 - Weekly Photography Challenge Type

    Beechworth, Victoria Australia by Caz Nowaczyk

    6 - Weekly Photography Challenge Type

    Beechworth, Victoria, Australia by Caz Nowaczyk

     

    7 - Weekly Photography Challenge Type

    An old petrol pump gauge at an old truck stop on Putty Road, Garland Valley in Yengo National Park, NSW by Caz Nowaczyk

    Check out some of the articles below that may give you inspiration for shooting and editing Type pictures.

    How to do a Photography Alphabet Project

    How to Find Inspiration for Your Photography When Your Muse is Missing

    The Ultimate Guide to Street Photography

    How to do Light Painting and Illuminate Your Photography

    Beginner’s Guide to Light Painting

     

    Weekly Photography Challenge – Type

    Simply upload your shot into the comment field (look for the little camera icon in the Disqus comments section) and they’ll be embedded for us all to see. Or if you’d prefer, upload them to your favorite photo-sharing site and leave the link to them. Show me your best images in this week’s challenge!

    Share in the dPS Facebook Group

    You can also share your images in the dPS Facebook group as the challenge is posted there each week as well.

    If you tag your photos on Flickr, Instagram, Twitter or other sites – tag them as #DPSTYPE 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.

    The post Weekly Photography Challenge – Type appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.


    Digital Photography School

  • Sony a7/R III firmware 2.0 unlocks all AF modes with adapted lenses

    Sony has released a significant firmware update for its a7 III (Mac | Windows) and a7R III (Mac | Windows) cameras that brings new features, updated support and improved performance to the full-frame mirrorless cameras.

    The big deal here is that firmware 2.0 unlocks all autofocus modes for adapted lenses adapted with the Sony LA-EA3 mount adapter. This includes the subject-tracking Lock-on AF modes on the a7 III and a7R III, as well as Zone and Expand Flexible Spot. Sony specifically mentions its Sony Alpha A-mount lenses in its press release, but we’ve tested it with adapted Canon mount lenses as well and can confirm it works with EF lenses via a Sigma or Metabones adapter. Since Eye AF also works with adapted lenses, we’re really starting to see less and less of a downside to using third-party lenses on Sony cameras, save for a drop in performance at longer telephoto focal lengths.

    Another stand-out feature added in the updated firmware is ‘Aperture Drive in AF’. This offers two options for aperture behavior during focusing in AF-S: ‘Standard’ opens the aperture up (up to F2) for focus acquisition, while ‘Silent Priority’ always forces the camera to focus at your shooting aperture to minimize the sound of the aperture opening during focus acquisition.

    Sony warns though that ‘Auto Focus may become slower when Silent Priority is selected’ – precisely the reason why we’ve been asking Sony to add a mode where the camera always focuses wide open in AF-C, at the very least until shutter actuation. This new setting adds the option to do the exact opposite in AF-S, and doesn’t change behavior in AF-C (where newer Sony cameras always focus at the shooting aperture). We urge Sony to add a ‘Focus Priority’ mode that always forces the camera to focus wide open in AF-C, as DSLRs do.

    Firmware version 2.0 for the Sony a7 III and a7R III also improves the overall performance and stability of the cameras, fixes exposure issues when using flash alongside flickering light sources, and better handles continuously shot photos as groups when browsing in playback.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Clever “Sketches” video shows objects being edited in the real world

    A newly published video called “Sketches” from Russian motion graphics designer Vladimir Tomin shows the world around him being edited using video editing tools. The experimental work presents a variety of scenes in which cursors appear to cut and paste birds, type text created from twisted crane pieces, and scrape the painted line off a road.

    Clips from the video, which was published on Vimeo, can also be found on Tomin’s Instagram account alongside other videos of clever reality edits. Tomin also offers content on YouTube and through his personal website.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Keeping Colors Consistent in Photography in 3 Easy Steps

    The post Keeping Colors Consistent in Photography in 3 Easy Steps appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

    In this video by Gavin Hoey from Adorama, he discusses ways of keeping colors consistent throughout your photography process.

    Keeping Colors Consistent in 3 Easy Steps

    Using these 3 quick steps in your photography workflow will make your process much easier and save you time.

    1. Begin with the Right Computer Monitor

    Begin with a great monitor, because a bad monitor makes editing your photos difficult. A monitor with at least 100% of the sRGB color space will work. Even better, is a monitor that displays 99% of AdobeRGB color space, such as the BEN Q SW2700.

    You will need to color-calibrate the monitor. Get the best out of your monitor using a color calibration tool. Using something like an X-Rite i1 Display Pro Display and Monitor Calibrator. See more on using it here.

    2. Getting Colors Right In-Camera

    Set a custom white balance using a color checker passport. Open up to the grey side. Get the model to hold it in front of them. Fill the frame with the white card, use the custom white balance mode in camera (varies from camera to camera) and take a photo. Your white balance should now be correct.

    Setting in-camera means you can show your subjects the photos in-camera.

    Also saves you time in post-processing. The image may then look a bit wrong when looking through the view-finder. Just check the image when you take it – it should look correct.

    Next, take a picture of the color checker passport fully-open to the color side, and under the same lighting conditions. We will use this to make the profile. This color setting will be used for the entire shoot.

    3. Set-up Your Custom Profile in Photoshop

    With the shoot done, it is time to make the Photoshop custom profile for post-process editing.

    Bring the RAW file of the model holding the color checker passport into Photoshop. Open it as a DNG (Digital Negative) and save it somewhere that is easily accessible. Close the file.

    Find your DNG file and drag and drop it onto the Colour Checker Passport application. The application will do all the work for you. All you need to do is click ‘create profile’ and save it with a unique name for that particular shoot/set-up. It is saved as a new color profile.

    Next, open your RAW file into photoshop. Go to the ‘Profile’ Tab and select ‘Browse.’ Go to your saved profile and select it.

    How do you use this profile for all the images across your shoot?

    Go back to Camera RAW. Choose the icon in the top corner of the panel, and select ‘set as new camera RAW default.’ All of the photos you open will now apply the new color profile, keeping your entire shoot consistent.

     

    You may also find the following articles helpful:

    How to Choose the Right Monitor for Photo Editing

    Setting Your White Balance with a Gray Card – a Tip from Phil Steele

    Setting The Mood By Adjusting Your White Balance

    How to Use the X-Rite ColorChecker Passport to Obtain Perfect Color

    How to Make Custom Camera Raw Profiles for Lightroom & Photoshop

    The post Keeping Colors Consistent in Photography in 3 Easy Steps appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.


    Digital Photography School

  • Best DSLR For Beginners: Canon or Nikon?

    If you’re a beginner DSLR camera user, it means you’ve outgrown your smartphone or compact camera and want to take your photography to the next level and deliver quality images.  Right? If that’s the case, we’ll help you take that big step up. There’s a range of DSLR Cameras for entry-level users like the Canon and Nikon brands that offer Continue Reading

    The post Best DSLR For Beginners: Canon or Nikon? appeared first on Photodoto.


    Photodoto

  • Sigma 40mm F1.4 Art sample gallery

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    Sigma holds its Art series lenses to a high standard, so our interest was piqued when the company’s CEO Kazuto Yamaki described the 40mm F1.4 as a ‘reference’ lens for the entire Global Vision range. While we had a chance to shoot with a pre-production model at Photokina, we were eager to really put the 40mm to work when a full production lens rolled into the office. Take a look at how it performed.

    See our Sigma 40mm F1.4 Art
    sample gallery

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Instagram announces new features for visually impaired users

    Instagram has announced it’s making changes to its platform in order to make it more accessible to the more than 285 million people in the world who have visual impairments.

    The first new feature is automatic alternative text. This will allow visually impaired users to hear image descriptions through their readers while using Instagram’s Feed, Explore and Profile sections.

    Automatic alternative text uses object recognition to automatically generate photo descriptions for screen readers, so users can hear a list of items that photos may contain while navigating the app.

    Given Instagram’s parent company Facebook has already developed an AI-powered object recognition system (trained using Instagram images) this new feature is likely using the same technology, although this hasn’t been confirmed.

    Custom alternative text is the second new feature designed to make things easier for visually impaired users. Uploaders can now provide a more detailed description of images while posting. This description will be read out to users of screen readers.

    Instagram says these are only first steps, so we’ll likely see more accessibility features in the near future.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Phase One releases Capture One 12 with new interface, third-party plug-in support

    Phase One has released Capture One 12, the latest edition of its image editing software. The updated product features a redesigned interface, revamped menu aligned between the Mac and Windows versions, linear and gradient masks via the new Parametric Masking Engine, luminosity masking and a new plug-in ecosystem.

    Capture One 12’s new plug-in ecosystem supports third-party extensions and will soon have access to plug-ins for sharing and editing, as well as connecting the software to “specialized editing tools,” according to the company. Phase One’s Capture One Plugin SDK enables developers to create their own plug-ins for the software.

    The updated product also adds new Fujifilm Film Simulation, lens, and camera support, expands AppleScript support for macOS users, and features a redesigned keyboard shortcut manager. Capture One 12 supports more than 500 camera models across all major brands.

    Phase One is offering Capture One 12 with a perpetual license to new customers for $ 299 USD, but existing customers can purchase the update starting at $ 149 USD. Alternatively, the company offers Capture One Pro Sony 12 and Capture One Pro Fujifilm 12 for $ 219 USD. Buyers also have a subscription option starting at $ 15/month for Capture One Pro 12 and $ 14/month for the Fuji and Sony editions.

    Redesigned and reimagined for the needs of today’s creatives, expanding for tomorrow’s solutions

    COPENHAGEN, November 29, 2018: Phase One, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-end digital camera systems, today released Capture One 12, the next major milestone in the evolution of the industry’s premier RAW conversion, image editing, and asset management software. This release takes a top-down approach to streamline, modernizing, and improving the user interface to continue the program’s tradition of providing powerful features in a customizable, uniquely-configurable interface.

    New masking tools and improved workflow features continue Capture One’s tradition of providing the most powerful image editing tools available, while a new plug-in ecosystem will allow third-party developers to connect their services and applications to Capture One.

    Capture One 12 furthers Phase One’s commitment to providing unparalleled RAW editing, with unmatched tethering, color handling and precise editing on images captured with any of more than 500 different camera models.

    Capture One 11.3 introduced support for all Fujifilm cameras and their unique sensors. Capture One 12 now enhances that support with the ability to correctly read and interpret Fujifilm’s legendary Film Simulations.

    “Capture One has long been recognized as the industry standard for RAW image editing and image management,” says Jan Hyldebrandt-Larsen, VP Software Business at Phase One. “With this update, we focused on creative control — updating and improving the user interface, adding powerful new masking tools, and extending the Capture One ecosystem through plug-in support. These updates further our commitment to ensuring that Capture One continues to be the industry’s recognized leader in accuracy, performance, and customizability.”

    Download Capture One 12, as well as find resources and tutorials at: www.captureone.com/12

    New features and tools in Capture One 12

    Powerful, refined interface

    Capture One 12 introduces a newly re-designed, contemporary interface, designed to make Capture One easier to use during long editing sessions and to make discovery, experimentation, and customizability easier than ever. New iconography better conveys tool functionality, and the new slider design, the spacing of the tools, and font size increase improves both the look and the usability of the program.

    The result is a new environment that feels more welcoming for new users while being more customizable for power-users.

    Revamped menu system

    Every menu item in Capture One 12 has been evaluated, categorized, and organized according to its logical function and grouped along with associated tasks, which makes it easier to find the desired controls and settings, and brings the Mac and Windows menu options into alignment.

    Luminosity masking

    One of a trio of new masking tools, Luma Range allows users to quickly create masks based on the brightness of pixels in an image and is the most powerful luminance masking tool of its kind.

    This masking technique is particularly powerful in landscapes and high-key portraits, as it allows for nearly-instantaneous masks in complex scenes based on brightness—eliminating the need to tediously paint complex masks. Once a luminance range is created and adjusted using the precision mask-adjustment tools, nearly any editing tool can be applied to the mask.

    The masks created with the Luma Range tool are dynamic and can easily be tweaked and modified at any point in the workflow. Unlike a hand-drawn mask, Luma Range adjustments can be applied from one image to another, and the effect will be based on the luminance of each image. This functionality is a huge time-saver as it eliminates the need to create precision masks for each frame in a shoot.

    The new Luma Range selection masks open up an incredible range of editing possibilities, from selective noise reduction to precise color grading.

    Linear Gradient Mask

    Capture One 12 takes gradient masks to the next level, allowing for editable, moveable, rotatable—and best of all—asymmetric gradient masks. Using a brand-new Parametric Masking Engine, Capture One allows for adjustments in the size, shape, and symmetry of the masks with simple mouse clicks and key presses, truly redefining the possibilities of linear gradients in Capture One. Rotate, feather and adjust a mask with a precision never before possible.

    Radial Gradient Mask

    The new Radial Gradient mask tool enables quick, flexible radial masks, useful for vignette and other adjustments with a desired falloff effect. Using the same Parametric Masking Engine as the Linear Gradient mask tool, radial masks can be adjusted, rotated and moved after creation for extreme control over desired effects.

    Redesigned Keyboard Shortcut manager

    Capture One is known for its ability to custom-assign and custom-configure virtually every task to a keyboard shortcut. With more than 500 individually-assignable and customizable commands, it’s essential to be able to find the exact shortcut, without having to hunt through hundreds of choices.

    Users can now search by the specific menu command, or by the assigned keyboard shortcut, making it easy to find and manage shortcuts. To unify the interface between the Mac and Windows versions the new menu system has been moved to the same location on both platforms, making it easier for workgroups to stay in sync.

    New plug-in ecosystem

    To address the needs of photographers and creatives looking to share, edit and collaborate on their images, the new Capture One plug-in ecosystem will allow for powerful third-party extensions. The new Capture One SDK will allow any developer to create custom solutions to expand Capture One, and to transform Capture One into an open ecosystem.

    Users of Capture One will be able to extend the platform with the upcoming addition of plug-ins that allow for sharing, editing, and that can connect Capture One to a variety of specialized editing tools.

    For developers, the Capture One Plugin SDK—available as a free download—will provide access to the broad base of passionate professional and enthusiast photographers that use Capture One. Developers are now able to create solutions that leverage the image-editing and organizational prowess of Capture One, and the added capabilities of third-party resources.

    The initial Capture One Plugin SDK allows for plugin development, and can be leveraged for common tasks like sharing, sending files to external editors, and allowing images to be opened in other applications, and more.

    Fujifilm Film Simulation support

    Fujifilm X-Series and GFX-series cameras feature Film Simulations, which are in-camera tonal adjustments that faithfully reproduce the color and tonality of classic Fujifilm photographic films. Sixteen Film Simulations are available, ranging from color stocks like Provia and Velvia to black and white film like Acros. These simulations give Fujifilm users the ability to digitally capture images with the feel of beloved photographic films.

    Thanks to the collaboration between Capture One and Fujifilm, photographer’s using Fujifilm’s renowned X-Series and GFX-series cameras will be able to edit photos complete with Fujifilm Film Simulations. These in-camera settings have been faithfully reproduced in Capture One, to provide an identical experience when working with files, resulting in images that appear the same as if the Film Simulation picture profiles were applied in-camera.

    Extended AppleScript support

    Users of Capture One on Mac OS can take advantage of extended AppleScript support for automation and workflow streamlining. More than a dozen of Capture One 12’s areas and properties can now be directly modified with AppleScript, adding to the existing, robust AppleScript support in previous versions of Capture One.

    New camera and lens support

    Capture One provides users with the most accurate and powerful image editing available, and the wide-ranging support of cameras and lenses is a hallmark of the software. For enthusiasts and professionals alike, Capture One continually evolves to handle the newest cameras and lenses.

    Phase One carefully evaluates and interprets each camera’s RAW formats, allowing Capture One to present images with the utmost fidelity, often bringing out nuances that other programs can’t even perceive.

    In addition to the RAW support for more than 500 cameras, Capture One also provides profiling and image correction support for more than 500 lenses. Like with the RAW file interpretation, Phase One carefully measures the optical characteristics of each supported lens and builds correction algorithms that compensate for the various optical imperfections of various designs. As a result, Capture One can correct for numerous common optical issues such as vignette, and chromatic aberration as needed for each of the supported lenses.

    New camera support:

    • Nikon Z7
    • Nikon Z6
    • Fujifilm GFX 50R
    • Canon EOS R
    • Canon EOS M50

    For a complete list of supported cameras, please go to: www.phaseone.com/supported-cameras

    Availability and pricing

    Capture One is available in several versions. Capture One Pro 12 supports more than 500 cameras from all major camera brands, while Capture One Pro Sony 12 and Capture One Pro Fujifilm 12 supports cameras from those brands, respectively.

    Phase One is committed to providing customers a choice when it comes to how they acquire their software, so Capture One Pro 12 is available for purchase, or via subscription. The perpetual license for Capture One Pro 12 is available for $ 299, with upgrade pricing from previous versions starting at $ 149. Capture One Pro Sony and Capture One Pro Fujifilm are available for $ 219

    For those that prefer subscription models, Capture One Pro 12 is available for plans as low as $ 15 per month, and Capture One Pro Sony and Capture One Pro Fujifilm subscription plans start at $ 14 a month.

    For a complete list of all products and licensing options, please visit: www.phaseone.com/store to learn more.

    A 30-day fully-featured free trial of Capture One 12 is available. Download the trial here: www.captureone.com/download

    Via: PDN

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • 7 Ways To Take Your Photography To The Next Level

    The post 7 Ways To Take Your Photography To The Next Level appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kav Dadfar.

    It easy to stagnate as a photographer. It’s a lonely hobby where you often work alone spending hours in pursuit of one photo which may not materialize. You can begin to lose interest and become lazy. This loss of interest can manifest itself in your photos which, in turn, demoralizes you further. As with many hobbies, the great thing about photography is you can reignite your passion. So here are 7 ways to take your photography to the next level.

    1 - 7 Ways To Take Your Photography To The Next Level

    1. Photograph Something Different

    One of the things many photographers are guilty of doing is photographing the same things over and over again. If you did the same thing again and again, eventually you’d get fed up with it. So, a great way to boost your passion for photography is to photograph something completely different. For example, if you are a travel photographer, spend some time photographing wildlife. If you take portraits, start photographing food.

    Not only will this help reignite your passion, but it can also add more skills to your repertoire. You never know, you may find a new passion you never knew you had.

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    2. Work On a Brief

    Remember when you were at school and had to work on projects set by the teacher? It required you to learn about the subject, think about it and create a piece of work to present to your teacher. The concept of working on a brief is the same. You are given a topic or subject to photograph, and you take photos that answer the brief.

    The project could be anything from a simple task of documenting a local event, to photographing a remote tribe in another country. Many people who take up photography as a hobby take photos of things that they come across rather than a specific brief. Working on a brief can help focus your photography and make you think about things differently.

    Ask a friend or family member to set you a brief. It could be on anything. After you receive the brief, go about creating a set of images that respond to it.

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    3. Set Yourself a Challenge

    Another way to improve your photography is to set yourself challenges. These can help diversify your portfolio. For example, you may have lots of photos but are missing some nice close-ups. So, set yourself a challenge to capture one close-up image every day. Perhaps you have a weakness in a specific area of photography? Set yourself a challenge to improve that one element.

    If you are a shy person and struggle to approach people to take their photo, set yourself a challenge to photograph ten people in one day. You’ll be surprised how much more confident you feel after doing so.

    4 - 7 Ways To Take Your Photography To The Next Level

    4. Read, Watch, Follow

    One of the best ways to improve your photography is to be inspired by photographers whose work you admire. Follow photographers on social media whose work inspires you. Look at the work of the masters like Ansel Adams, Steve McCurry, and Robert Capa. Read books such as the ‘Bang Bang Club‘ and watch documentaries and movies about photography. Even flicking through photography books or magazines can help inspire you. However, remember the objective should be to be inspired, not copy someone else’s work.

    5 - 7 Ways To Take Your Photography To The Next Level

    5. Get a Photo Buddy

    Photography is usually an isolated hobby and can be difficult to judge how well you are doing. Having someone who shares your passion can help motivate you while also giving you someone to bounce ideas off. You can learn from one another and push each other to capture better images. If you don’t know anyone who has a passion for photography, join your local camera club where you can meet likeminded individuals.

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    6. Rent or Buy a Film Camera

    There is no doubt that cameras are better and more powerful than they have ever been. You’ll find it hard finding many photographers who still shoot in film.

    Still, one negative of digital photography is that it makes the decision of taking photos easy. Back in the days of film, every single photo you took cost money. Meaning, you had to be sure of what you were photographing to avoid wasting money. So you didn’t waste money, you had to think a lot harder about a scene. You had to think about your settings and if it was an interesting subject. You didn’t have the luxury of looking at the picture on the back of your camera.

    Try it out. Rent film camera for a day, or buy a second-hand one, and see if it makes you think differently about photography.

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    7. Go On a Photo Tour

    Photo tours are quite common these days. Tours usually entail going to a country and touring it with the purpose of capturing photos. Ranging from a few days to weeks, tours are one of the best ways to boost your photography. You are away with likeminded individuals who share your passion, and you are joined by a professional photographer who can help you with your photographic weaknesses.

    Nevertheless, arguably the most significant benefit of a photo tour is you are immersed in photography every day for weeks. If you keep practicing and doing something for hours every day, it’s natural for you to become better at it. So, if you haven’t tried a photo tour or workshop, give it go. It could be the best way to boost your photography skills and passion.

    8 - 7 Ways To Take Your Photography To The Next Level

    Like any other hobby or profession, you need to continually challenge yourself, set goals and have the motivation to create great photos. Sometimes that comes naturally, like when you are heading to a fantastic destination. At other times you have to make an effort to push yourself to be able to take your photography to the next level. The above tips should help you on your way, but ultimately it is down to you to push yourself.

    What do you do to improve your photography? Tell us below.

    The post 7 Ways To Take Your Photography To The Next Level appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kav Dadfar.


    Digital Photography School