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  • Tutorial: Master the Photoshop Pen Tool in under 8 minutes

    Ahh, the Pen Tool! When it comes to making complex selections and cutting objects out of an image, there is no better tool for the job. And while the Lasso Tool or Magic Wand Tool might make selections faster and easier (and are still quite useful depending on the situation), the Pen Tool reigns supreme when it comes to accuracy and precision.

    So, what’s the drawback? Well, it’s pretty tricky to get the hang of it. Even with all of the helpful videos and guides out there (including a handful of our own), we still get questions all the time on how to master this extremely versatile tool within Photoshop. In our most recent tutorial on the Pen tool, we focused on the absolute need-to-know fundamentals so that you can follow along and start practicing immediately.

    Not only does the Pen Tool provide unparalleled accuracy and control, but it’s extremely flexible as well. Photoshop will store any Paths you create under the Paths tab. If you ever need to adjust a selection as you work, you can simply select the Path you wish to edit, make the changes that you need, and then convert that Path into a new selection.

    Before editing a Path, be sure to check Auto Add/Delete in the Pen Tool options bar. This will tell Photoshop to automatically swap to the Add Anchor Point Tool (when you’re hovering over a line segment) or the Delete Anchor Point Tool (when you’re hovering over an Anchor Point). This setting makes the process of making changes to a Path much easier.

    Avoid using the Delete or Backspace keys to remove Anchor Points! These shortcuts will delete the selected point as well as the line segments that connect to it!

    Another key to mastering the Pen Tool is making sure that your precision selections look realistic within the context of an image. I know that we use the Pen Tool for its clean lines and curves, but rarely in the real world will you find a completely hard edge. To maintain realism in your selections, be sure to add a bit of feathering to account for the naturally occurring softness in photographs. It’s a subtle change that will help avoid that “Photoshopped” look.

    And if you ever feel lost, just remember your “home base” keyboard shortcuts:

    • Use CTRL or CMD to toggle the Direct Selection Tool which will allow to move a Point or a Curve at any time.
    • Use ALT or OPTN to convert a Point into a Curve or vice versa.

    For an even smoother workflow, toggle the Hand Tool by using the Spacebar. The Hand Tool allows you to navigate around your image by clicking and dragging, eliminating any need for you to have to zoom out, scroll, and zoom back in to continue a Path.

    And most the most important tip of all: practice, practice, practice! The Pen Tool completely changed how I work within Photoshop and if you put in the time, I’m confident that you’ll see a considerable improvement in your own work as well.

    About the Author: For over seven years, Aaron Nace has been teaching photography and photo manipulation on PHLEARN.com to millions of users across the world at every skill level. You can subscribe for his professional videos or view the free tutorials as well.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • 5 Ways to Develop Your Photography Style

    Finding your photography style can be a somewhat daunting task especially when you are just starting out. But let me assure you that this also is a problem some of the veterans face from time to time. Do you know why? Because we are human and our likes, dislike, and attitudes do change over time. This is only natural.

    While you may think that if you have a good thing going in terms of an established style, why rock the boat? But sometimes not listening to that inner voice can have negative effects in terms of creating work that you are really proud of!

    5 Ways to Develop Your Photography Style

    This bridal shoot reflects my style, my branding and the visual aesthetics of my business.

    So regardless of where you are in your photographic journey, there are a few things you can do to find your style and creative voice – be it in terms of photographing or editing your photos.

    One thing to keep in mind as you are going through this process is that less is often more than enough. So don’t feel like you need hundreds of images to create a successful collection of photographs! Here are 5 tips to get you started on finding or defining your photography style.

    #1 – Determine your goals (this is your why)

    The first thing to understand in defining your style is to ask yourself what are you looking to accomplish with your photography. Are you looking to photograph for leisure or pleasure? Do you want to sell your work in terms of print or stock? Do you want to use your images for your portfolio to attract a certain type of clients?

    There are many different genres of photography and there are many different types of clients for each genre. It’s typically best to start the process of defining your style by focusing on one collection of work at a time, so set your goals on what you want to accomplish for each individual series of work.

    5 Ways to Develop Your Photography Style

    I want to create images that really reflect the personality of my clients – the people they are and not the people I want them to be! My client, the couple in this wedding, is really a fun loving bunch with a great set of friends they share lots of laughs and joy with on a daily basis! So this goofy photo was one of their favorites.

    #2 – Seek inspiration

    Research, research, research. In other words, look around you to see what everyone else is doing and creating. It is very important to be aware of what other photographers are creating in your industry. I am not telling you this with the intention of you copying or following what everyone else is doing. But with the intention of educating yourself on what all is out there in the market space.

    When you are defining a unique style for yourself, you can certainly use their work for inspiration, but do make your images different so they speak to you and your own aesthetic sensibilities. Your photographs are a visual representation of your brand, so try to think of ways to be true to yourself while still adding a unique edge to your work.

    You can use visual tools like Pinterest and fill it with images that represent the look and feel you are trying to achieve – not just with the photographic style but also the editing style.

    5 Ways to Develop Your Photography Style

    This is one of my favorite go-to poses. It was an inspiration from a magazine – it has been used many times over but is still a favorite for both my clients and myself.

    #3 – Be your own critic

    This may be the most difficult thing to wrap your head and mindset around, but it will definitely help you in the long run. Take a step back and really analyze your work. Pick 10-20 of your favorite images that speak to what you want to focus on (your goals) and really ask yourself what is it about them that you like or dislike. Analyze the images in terms of emotions they convey, tone and mood they set, and even how they look from a distance as well as from up close.

    The idea is that you want to bring yourself to a point where you feel you can recognize your style from wherever you look. Look for similarities in subject matter, composition, depth of field, lenses used, tones, colors, and any unique patterns your eye may catch. No matter which genre of photography you are pursuing, you are still the artist behind the camera and you are creating these images.

    5 Ways to Develop Your Photography Style

    I love photographing on clear bright sunny days as it really helps me photograph with intention and keep my style in mind.

    #4 – Define your rules of engagement

    This process is important because it will really help you set guidelines for yourself so you can start to be consciously consistent. Note what makes all of the images unique to your brand and your style of photography, and how you are going to make them better. Maybe even print out your favorite images so you can compare and contrast any new work you produce to fit within the framework of your style.

    For example, my work is very light, bright and airy because that is how I like my images. I constantly compare new work to see if it fits within that style. In order for me to photograph in that style, I need a few things to be aligned – bright sun, elements that are pastel toned, and scenes that are less busy. This is not to say that I will not photograph dramatic skies or colorful market scenes – it is just not what my eyes naturally gravitate towards. This is just one of the rules I have given myself permission to maintain in order to stay true to my style.

    5 Ways to Develop Your Photography Style

    I love using Instagram as a visual media to showcase my style and my brand. It is a very curated look at how I photograph, what colors I gravitate towards, and how my images look and feel. Instagram is also a way to attract potential customers so I view this platform as an extension of my portfolio.

    #5 – Make mistakes intentionally

    After all the hard work you have put into defining your style, I am going to do a complete 360 turn and tell you to go ahead and break some of the rules and make mistakes. Why? Because that is the best way to learn what to do and what not to do.

    By experimenting and trying out new things, you might find inspiration for a new genre of work. Like I said earlier in the article, your photographic style does not have to stay consistent for the rest of your life. If something else really motivates you and gets your creative juices flowing in spite of having a set style of photography, go ahead and experiment and see where that leads you, based on your why and your goals.

    One accidental shutter click or new editing technique can often spark something new that’ll make your work better, or lead you into an entirely new collection of work.

    5 Ways to Develop Your Photography Style

    Every once in awhile I find myself walking over to the dark side and I quite like that creative freedom. A photo shoot where the light and shadows were so extreme it opened my eyes to the possibilities of dark and moody images. I love giving myself the freedom to experiment with this style.

    Over to you

    I hope these simple yet powerful steps help direct you towards finding and experimenting with your own photography style until you find something that is a reflection of you, your mindset, and your brand.

    The post 5 Ways to Develop Your Photography Style by Karthika Gupta appeared first on Digital Photography School.


    Digital Photography School

  • The 4MP Phantom v2640 can shoot 6,600fps at full resolution, 11,750fps at 1920×1080

    If you thought you had a pretty good high-speed photography set-up, the new Phantom v2640 from Vision Research might make you think again. Using a 4-million-pixel sensor and a shortest ‘shutter speed’ of 142 nanoseconds, this new model from the scientific and industrial manufacturer can reach speeds of up to 6,600fps at full resolution, and can go even faster when the pixel-count is reduced.

    The latest in a line of high-speed cameras aimed at researchers and engineers, the v2640 comes in color and monochrome versions, and with internal memory of up to 288GB to store the data collected. Vision Research claims the camera has a dynamic range of 64dB (over 10 stops) and that the monochrome model has ISO settings of 16,000, so it can work in very low light.

    The black and white model can be switched to 1-million-pixel mode and will then record at up to 25,030fps, while the color model can ‘only’ manage a best of 11,750fps when dropped to 1920×1080 2MP quality. We’ve reached out to the company for a price, and are waiting for a reply, but don’t expect this puppy to come cheap.

    In the meantime, if you fancy one yourself you’ll find more information and instructions for ordering on the Vision Research website.

    Press Release

    New Phantom v2640 Ultrahigh-Speed Camera Achieves Unmatched 4-Mpx Resolution

    Vision Research, a leading manufacturer of digital high-speed imaging systems, has introduced the Phantom® v2640, the fastest 4-Megapixel (MPx) camera available. It features a new proprietary 4-Megapixel (Mpx) CMOS image sensor (2048 x 1952) that delivers unprecedented image quality at up to 26 Gpx/sec, while reaching 6,600 frames per second (fps) at full 2048 x 1952 resolution, and 11,750 fps at 1920 x 1080.

    The v2640 features very high dynamic range (64 dB) and the lowest noise floor of any Phantom camera (7.2 e-)—making it an excellent tool for researchers, scientists and engineers who need to capture clean, high-resolution images at ultra-high speeds. The high dynamic range shows significant detail, especially in high-contrast environments, while the low noise is particularly beneficial when analyzing the dark regions of an image. It also has exceptional light sensitivity, with an ISO measurement of 16,000D for monochrome cameras and 3,200D for color cameras.

    “We’re excited to bring this extremely high image quality to the high-speed camera market,” says Jay Stepleton, Vice President and General Manager of Vision Research. “In designing this new, cutting-edge sensor, we focused on capturing the best image in addition to meeting the speed and sensitivity requirements of the market. The 4-Mpx design significantly increases the information contained in an image allowing researchers to better understand and quantify the phenomena they are observing.”

    The v2640 has multiple operating modes for increased flexibility. Standard mode uses correlated double sampling for the clearest image, while high-speed (HS) mode provides 34% higher throughput to achieve 6,600 fps. Monochrome cameras can incorporate “binning,” which converts the v2640 into a 1-Mpx camera that can reach 25,030 fps at full resolution, with very high sensitivity. “The various operating modes also allow users to have just one camera to cover multiple applications,” adds Doreen Clark, Product Manager for the Phantom Ultrahigh-Speed family.

    To help users manage the amount of data inherent in high-speed imaging, the v2640 is available with up to 288GB of memory, and is compatible with Phantom 1TB and 2TB CineMags® for fast data saves. Alternatively, 10Gb Ethernet is standard, saving significant download time.

    Key Specifications of the Phantom v2640

    • 4-Mpx sensor (2048 x 1952), 26Gpx/sec throughput
    • Dynamic range: 64 dB
    • Noise level: 7.2 e-
    • ISO measurement: 16,000D (Mono), 3,200D (Color)
    • 1 µs minimum exposure standard, 499ns / 142ns minimum exposure with export-controlled FAST option
    • 4 available modes: Standard, HS and Binning (in Standard and HS)
    • Standard modes feature Correlated Double Sampling (CDS) performed directly on the sensor to provide the lowest noise possible
    • Up to 288 GB of memory
    • 10-Gb Ethernet standard
    • Compatible with CineMag® IV (up to 2 TB)

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Shutterfly reveals plans to buy Lifetouch for $825 million

    Shutterfly—the massive online retailer of personalized photo-based products such as calendars and photo books—has announced plans to acquire Lifetouch, a professional photography company. The acquisition, which isn’t yet finalized, will cost Shutterfly $ 825 million according to Star Tribune, who broke the news.

    Speaking about the business deal to Star Tribune, Lifetouch CEO Michael Meek revealed that the company’s growth hasn’t been sufficient enough to generate the cash needed for new tech investments, among other things. Shutterfly presents the solution, with its CEO Chris North explaining that the company will bring its products and cloud-based management system to Lifetouch.

    “We’re focused on growing both these businesses,” North explained. “We’re just now bringing the two teams together.”

    Of course, this isn’t a one-way deal—Lifetouch has a lot to offer Shutterfly, mainly the prospective business of its 10 million-or-so customers, many of whom may turn to Shutterfly post-acquisition for their photo product needs. “Lifetouch is [an] expert at photography and we provide online tools,” says North. “Each company will operate separately to serve their customers, but each company has things the other can use.”

    Assuming everything goes according to plan, the companies anticipate the acquisition to close in the second quarter of this year.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • GoPro’s updated Plus subscription will now replace two broken cameras per year

    GoPro has announced an expansion to its Plus subscription service, now offering subscribers “no questions asked” camera replacements in the event their own camera breaks. The new benefit started on January 31st, and is available to both existing and new Plus customers. The camera replacement offer is in addition to Plus’s other various perks, including mobile backups and priority customer support.

    For now, GoPro’s $ 5/month “enhanced” Plus plan is only available to US customers, though expansions into other markets are expected to start later on in 2018. The camera replacement perk is available for customers who have a Hero5 or newer, though it is not a free replacement. GoPro charges the following “exchange fees” for the four replaceable GoPro camera products:

    • HERO5 Session: $ 39
    • HERO5 Black: $ 59
    • HERO6 Black: $ 79
    • Fusion: $ 139

    Per GoPro’s FAQ, Plus customers must return their old camera to get the replacement—which is done using a return shipping label the company provides—so the replacement program doesn’t cover cameras that are lost. Additionally, subscribers are limited to two camera replacements per 12 billing cycles, though the exchanges can happen any time during those 12 months.

    In addition to device replacement, Plus subscribers will soon also have access to mobile cloud backups for photos and videos—unlimited image backup and up to 35 hours of video backup. Apple customers get the backup feature first via its February 20th iOS availability, while Android users will get the same backup benefit on an unspecified date this Spring.

    Finally, GoPro Plus includes front-of-the-line customer support priority status and a 20% discount on accessories on the GoPro.com website.

    A free 30-day trial is available now for new customers. To learn more, visit the GoPro website.

    Press Release

    GoPro Rolls Out Enhanced Subscription Service: Plus

    New Benefits. No Additional Cost. Damage Replacement, Mobile Cloud Backup and Unlimited Photo Storage Added to $ 4.99 Monthly Service

    SAN MATEO, Calif., Jan. 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ – GoPro, Inc. (NASDAQ: GPRO) is building on the success of its Plus subscription service with the introduction of new benefits that deliver significant value to GoPro customers at no additional cost.

    Today, the company announced details of the expanded Plus monthly service:

    • Camera replacement – If you break your GoPro we’ll replace it, no questions asked
    • Mobile cloud backup – The GoPro App now automatically backs up your photos and videos, eliminating the need to connect to a computer or buy new SD cards
    • Unlimited photo storage
    • 35 hours of video storage
    • 20% off accessories at gopro.com
    • Front-of-the-line priority phone and chat support

    Mobile cloud backup will be available on iOS February 20 and on Android in the spring.

    “Plus streamlines the GoPro experience and delivers outsized value for our customers,” said GoPro Founder and CEO Nicholas Woodman. “Our subscription business, Plus, has proven popular with consumers and the roll out of our enhanced service marks the first of several subscription initiatives we will introduce this year.”

    The new GoPro Plus is now available in the US for $ 4.99 a month with a 30-day free trial and will expand to global markets later this year. Visit The Inside Line for more details on all the benefits of becoming a subscriber and the GoPro Plus page to sign up.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Biospheres with a spherical camera: the Theta V at Amazon HQ

    Introduction

    Note – click and drag the 360 images in this article to explore. Enter full-screen by using the button on the bottom right of each image.

    It’s not every day that you get to take 360-degree spherical images inside of a collection of enormous spheres. But it wasn’t just any day; it was the start of opening day for the Amazon Spheres, and our former writer and current Amazon Visual Storyteller Jordan Stead invited me along for the ride.

    And so, I armed myself with Ricoh’s Theta V, Jordan armed himself with a Canon 5D Mark IV, and we set off into the warm, humid expanse to capture all the images we could. We were allowed in just one hour before the Spheres were to be overrun with events staff, tours and employees looking for an artisanal caffeinated beverage to sip while being gently misted in the face by the building’s environmental control system.*

    Full disclosure: DPReview is a wholly-owned but editorially-independent subsidiary of Amazon. We weren’t asked to visit the Spheres, or to write this article, we just thought it would be fun.

    Inside the Spheres

    This space is primarily geared towards large presentations, and is where the grand opening festivities chiefly took place.

    Walking through the entrance to Amazon’s Spheres begins with a blast of humidity followed with a spike in temperature, concluding in several seconds of adjustment to the blindingly bright lights from every direction. It feels like an exercise in teleportation or extraterrestrial abduction (in a good way).

    Here, the Theta V makes perfect sense

    And the Spheres also lend themselves really well to 360-degree imaging, mainly because of how architecturally distinct they are. I’ve struggled with really understanding the broad appeal of 360 imaging in the past, but here, the Theta V makes perfect sense. Given that it’s such an extraordinary environment, 360 photos and video provide a unique and valuable view of what it’s like to be there.

    Despite the Spheres’ immense size, part of what helps in this case is that they’re enclosed; the geometric skeleton gives you a consistent frame of reference and provides visual interest whichever direction you look. I also enjoy how the hard corners and edges of the metal skeleton contrast with the gentler curves of so many leaves and plant stems throughout the space.

    The Theta V: What worked

    One of the reasons we chose the Theta V for this shoot was its compact size and ease of use. We could mount it on a long monopod to convey a sense that the viewer is ‘floating’ within the surrounding area, and once it was paired to my Android smartphone, remote triggering of the shutter proved reliable.

    The Theta V automatically downloaded images to my phone immediately after capture

    Through the app, we could also experiment with other exposure modes for a given shot location, including DR Compensation and HDR capture; sometimes these improved things, sometimes they didn’t. But it also helped that we could preview our perspective in real time, to make sure we could be as efficient with our limited time as possible. That the Theta V automatically downloaded images to my phone immediately after capture was icing on the cake.

    Lots of power in an impressively small package.

    And though functionally and physically the Theta V is very similar to the older Theta S, Ricoh’s shoehorned an all-new processor into the V. Not only does this allow the V to capture good quality spherical 4K video (the S could only do 1080p), but still images are improved as well, despite the fact that the actual sensors and lenses are unchanged.

    Robust battery life was a plus, as well. We had the Theta V Wi-Fi connected to my smartphone for most of an hour, captured a couple of dozen stills as well as almost ten minutes of 4K video, and still the app showed full bars for the battery. Not bad.

    What needs work

    I really like this vantage point, but unfortunately, it required me holding the camera horizontally over the rail, and the Theta V’s auto horizon correction only works in video mode, not stills. Neither our embed code, nor Ricoh’s Theta app for Mac will allow me to adjust it at this time.

    For the average user, the Theta V could really benefit from software tweaks more than anything else.

    The main reason that we left the Theta connected to my smartphone for most of an hour was because early on, we had difficulty with reconnecting after a disconnect. The app would crash one or two times in a row for no real reason, and then it would work successfully on the third try. Usually. It wasn’t confidence inspiring.

    An option for batch conversion would be appreciated

    The next issue arose when I downloaded the spherical video files onto my iMac. Ricoh’s Movie Converter App refused to recognize any video files; luckily, the ‘Basic App’ converted the files just fine, albeit one at a time. An option for batch conversion would be appreciated.

    Lastly, the Theta falls behind on the video front compared to the likes of the Rylo 360 camera. This isn’t necessarily due solely to image quality (and our informal tests show the Theta produces more pleasing still images), but more due to the impressive software-based stabilization and subject tracking that the Rylo offers. The Theta V does at least offer intelligent horizon correction from its built-in gyros, but shaky footage remains shaky.

    What I learned

    Quibbles aside, I really enjoyed using the Theta V in the Amazon Spheres. Not only did I come away with some really neat 360 images, but I also learned just how little I know about ‘proper’ 360 video capture.

    When I sat down to edit the video, first of all, I was impressed that Adobe Premiere Pro handled the files just fine, and has an option to view the videos in their ‘VR’ form as I’m editing them. But I noticed that, too often, I just didn’t record clips that were long enough. The viewer really needs time to be able to click-and-drag around to explore before you move onto the next clip. Also, I was walking way too fast while recording.

    I also find myself wondering, for the first time, what other events and venues would lend themselves well to 360 stills or video capture – maybe all it takes is a little thinking outside the box.

    * There are a lot of misters throughout the Spheres to regulate humidity, but in the event that you don’t want to be misted in the face while sipping an artisanal caffeinated beverage, they’re easy to avoid.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Steven Soderbergh shot his latest movie entirely on the iPhone, calls it a ‘gamechanger’

    We’ve seen plenty of film makers shooting movies on an Apple iPhone in the past. However, director Steven Soderbergh—whose filmography includes movies such as Erin Brockovich, Traffic, and Ocean’s Eleven—is arguably the highest-profile iPhone movie makers yet.

    His latest project, the psychological horror-thriller Unsane, was shot entirely on the iPhone, and Soderbergh wasn’t afraid to admit (and embrace) that fact when speaking to IndieWire.

    “I think this is the future,” Soderbergh said. “Anybody going to see this movie who has no idea of the backstory to the production will have no idea this was shot on the phone. That’s not part of the conceit.”

    In fact, the director was so impressed by the iPhone’s movie capabilities and the recorded levels of detail, that he is likely to also use the Apple smartphone for future projects. “People forget, this is a 4k capture. I’ve seen it 40 feet tall. It looks like velvet,” he told IndieWire. “This is a gamechanger to me.”

    We don’t know which exact iPhone model(s) Soderbergh used in the production of the movie, but it’s fair to speculate that the latest iPhone X/iPhone 8 generation was deployed in combination with all sorts of professional lighting, audio and stabilization equipment.

    By the way, in case you’re curious, the movie’s synopsis is the following:

    A young woman is involuntarily committed to a mental institution where she is confronted by her greatest fear – but is it real or is it a product of her delusion?

    You can find more information about the movie on its website and view the trailer at the top of this page.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Zion National Park clarifies controversial tripod restrictions

    Photo by Jeremy Bishop

    A few weeks ago, Zion National Park published its 2018 Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) for photography workshops, and found in its “Unauthorized Use” section on public use obstruction was a troubling note: The use of tripods on trails is prohibited by permittees or clients (monopods are authorized).

    Restricting such a vital piece of gear would be fatal to most photography workshops operating in the park, and operators were quick to criticize the decision.

    Speaking anonymously to DPReview, one photography workshop operator and permit holder explained how such a restriction would impact their workshop, saying, “I will be forced to cease all commercial workshops in Zion National Park … [by] enforcing this rule, they are essentially saying that they don’t want commercial photography workshops in their park.”

    In light of the criticism, Zion National Park officials reassessed the tripod restriction and have since issued a clarification to workshop operators via an email sent Monday. In the email, officials said that “misleading information” had been spread earlier this month on social media about the matter, and that commercial photography workshops aren’t entirely banned from using tripods.

    Rather, according to a copy of the email published by Fstoppers, commercial photography workshop participants are allowed to use tripods on road-side pullouts and in other designated park areas. Tripod usage is restricted on park trails, however, due to the size of these groups and the potential safety issues, trail congestion, and environmental effects they pose.

    The email states, in part:

    Large groups concentrated in one place can result in trampling of vegetation, soil erosion, widening of formal trails, and impact other visitors’ experience of the natural views and soundscapes along these trails.

    In order to reduce roadway safety concerns for all photographers on the Canyon Junction Road Bridge, the use of tripods on the Pa’rus Trail will soon be added to the 2018 conditions of use for Commercial Photography Workshops. Otherwise, the conditions of use for commercial photography workshops are unchanged from 2017.

    Per the 2018 Zion National Park CUA, photography workshops may have up to 12 participants, plus up to two instructors, allowing for up to 14 individuals total per group.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • PolarPro unveils collection of filters and accessories for the DJI Mavic Air

    Accessories manufacturer PolarPro has introduced new versions of its Cinema filter series for those ordering the DJI Mavic Air drone. The filters are designed to give photographers control over the shutter speed of their footage, as well as polarizing reflected light to improve color saturation.

    The company has also announced it will make two cases for the drone, as well as a customizable mount for filming with the drone hand-held.

    Filters

    Users will be able to choose from a pack of ND filters in ND4, ND8 and ND16 strengths, or to have the filters combined with a polarizer to intensify color as well as reduce the amount of light reaching the lens.

    For especially bright conditions a further pack of NDs is available in ND32 and ND64 strengths both with and without a polarizer.

    The filter packs will cost $ 80 for the three-packs of ND and ND/PL units, and $ 150 for all six together. The Limited Collection of extra dense filters will be $ 100. For more details see the PolarPro website.

    Cases

    Both cases on offer have soft exteriors, with the Minimalist ($ 30) designed to be as compact as possible, and the Rugged ($ 50) designed to provide the most protection.

    DJI Mavic Air Soft Case – Rugged DJI Mavic Air Soft Case – Minimalist

    Katana ‘Tray’ System

    Finally, the Katana Pro Tray system allows used to clamp the Mavic Air into a set of handles so that it can be used to film at ground level and in places where drones aren’t allowed to fly. Depending on your preferred filming orientation, you can go with the standard DJI Mavic Air Tray ($ 50) or purchase the Air Tray/T-Grip Combo ($ 80) for one-handed operation and low-angle camera control.

    DJI Mavic Air Tray DJI Mavic Air Tray/T-Grip Combo

    To learn more about these products or pick any of them up for yourself now that the DJI Mavic Air is officially shipping, head over to the PolarPro shop to browse the entire PolarPro Mavic Air collection.

    Press Release

    PolarPro Announces Lens Filters and Cinematic Accessories for New DJI® Mavic Air

    Consumers placing orders for the newly-release DJI Mavic Air can now preorder the PolarPro accessories to take their aerial filmmaking to the next level.

    Costa Mesa, C.A. – January 30, 2018 – PolarPro, developer of products inspired by adventure, announced today it is opening preorders for its newly designed line of cinematic lens filters and purpose-built accessories for the DJI® Mavic Air. Known for producing some of the industry’s highest quality lens filters for pilots looking to maximize the cinematic aspects of their drone video, PolarPro is now offering polarized, neutral density and UV filters to help Mavic Air pilots improve overall color saturation and control shutter speed. Additionally, PolarPro’s Mavic Air line includes landing gear, handheld mounts for shooting from the ground and other workflow-streamlining accessories that have been adapted to DJI’s latest drone model. PolarPro anticipates preorders will begin to ship by early February 2018, and the full list of offerings for the Mavic Air can be found here: https://www.polarprofilters.com/collections/dji-mavic-air-filters-and-accessories.

    “The new generation of consumer drones from manufacturers like DJI become more advanced every day, and though their native video capabilities are great, anyone who is looking to create videos with more cinematic qualities needs some specific tools to achieve that particular look,” said Austen Butler, VP and Co-Founder of PolarPro. “Our lineup of Mavic Air accessories includes a newly designed line of lens filters to help content creators capture the best possible footage of their adventures that stand out from the rest. We also have custom protective cases to keep their sensitive gear safe on the way to the shoot, and other camera solutions to help streamline their capture process while on location.”

    PolarPro Mavic Air Lens Filters

    For any drone pilot looking to ensure the best possible quality from their aerial video, no accessory is more important than a set of high quality lens filters. PolarPro offers a series of Mavic Air Filter Packs which include combinations of commonly used polarizing lenses (PL) for enhancing color saturation, UV filters for reducing haze and glare, as well as a substantial lineup of all-important neutral density (ND) filters and hybrid polarizing/ND filters for slowing shutter speeds to achieve cinematic looks.

    PolarPro uses lightweight yet durable AirFrame Aluminum, producing filters that weigh just .59 grams. Combined with industry-leading HD glass and coatings for razor sharp clarity, PolarPro filters work seamlessly with the Mavic Air camera gimbal for uninhibited performance.

    All PolarPro lens filters are produced in Standard Series (three pack and six pack options available) and Cinema Series (detailed below). Cinema Series filters feature production grade multi-coated glass for pilots who demand the best. PolarPro Mavic Air filters collections include:

    Cinema Series Shutter Collection ($ 79.99): For controlling shutter speeds, includes straight ND4, ND8, and ND16 filters

    Cinema Series Vivid Collection ($ 79.99): For controlling shutter speeds and boosting saturation, includes hybrid ND4/PL, ND8/PL, and ND16/PL filters

    PolarPro Mavic Air Six Pack ($ 149.99): Combines the Shutter and Vivid collection in a single bundle

    Cinema Series Limited Collection ($ 99.99): For bright light conditions, includes ND32, ND32/PL, ND64, ND64/PL filters

    For more information on which PolarPro filters will fit particular pilot needs, please refer to PolarPro’s Filter Guide for the Mavic Air: https://press.polarprofilters.com/dji_mavic_air_filters/

    PolarPro DJI Mavic Air Cases

    With some expensive and delicate components, the Mavic Air needs to be properly protected when traveling to shooting locations or stored away in-between shoots. PolarPro has designed two Mavic Air Cases to suit the needs of most users.

    Minimalist Edition ($ 29.99): This custom molded soft-shell case takes up the least amount of space in a pack. Featuring customizable dividers, the Minimalist Edition has space for the Mavic Air, three extra batteries, remote, charger, charging hub and filters.

    Rugged Edition ($ 49.99): Designed with a laser cut foam insert to act as a shock absorber, the Rugged Edition snugly holds the Mavic Air, four extra batteries, remote, charger, charging hub, filters and cables. A removable shoulder strap is included for added carrying configurations.

    Hand-Held PolarPro Katana Tray

    The Katana Mavic Air Tray ($ 49.99), and even more dynamic Mavic Air Katana Pro($ 79.99) are essentially force multipliers for the UAV. The drone’s compact size and high-quality imaging capabilities make it a great filming platform for just about any situation, and with a little help from the PolarPro Katana it can become a powerful handheld shooting camera as well. Ideal for capturing ground-based footage, the Katana allows pilots to still shoot in no-fly zones such as national parks where drones are banned. The Katana Tray is crafted from durable glass-filled nylon and features two sturdy grips on either side of the clamping mount that holds the drone securely in position. The Katana Pro also features a T-Grip enabling one-handed and low angle camera control. Each version includes an integrated smartphone mount that lets users utilize the drone’s companion app for framing and camera controls.

    For more information about these and other new PolarPro solutions for the Mavic Air, including individual anticipated ship dates, please visit: https://www.polarprofilters.com/collections/dji-mavic-air-filters-and-accessories.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Eight tips for photographing your first hot air balloon festival

    This article was originally published on Elliot Nahm’s website, and is being republished in full here on DPReview with express permission from Elliot.

    Ah, you’ve just received your first camera over the holiday season, and you’re itching to use it. Or, perhaps you’re just looking for something new to photograph this year. Well, allow me to make a suggestion: You should go photograph a hot air balloon festival!

    Why hot air balloons? I personally enjoy their vibrant colors against the sky; it’s a pleasure for me to meet the pilots, and their crew; and, last but certainly not least, it’s fun to fly in them!

    Some of you may be surprised that these festivals have already been happening in the winter. It should come as no surprise, though, that the number of events ramp up as the weather gets warmer. Check out www.hotairballoon.com for information of any events near you.

    To be frank, I’m no master of photography, and there are bigger names photographing hot air balloons. However, these tips should still help make your first hot air balloon festival a more photographically enjoyable experience.

    Note: these tips apply more for festivals based in the United States. I understand that other countries do some things differently, but many of the tips should still apply.

    More days, better chances

    I’m going to start with the most important tip of all. Try attending as many days as possible for the best chances of getting great photos. Hot air balloon festivals typically happen for at least two days, usually over a weekend. Larger events can span the entire week. Understandably, this can be difficult to budget time for, but the time isn’t just for photos, it’s also to account for weather.

    To many peoples’ dismay, hot air balloons cannot just fly whenever. High winds, rain, smoke, etc. can all prevent mass ascensions (many balloons flying together), and balloon glows (balloons glowing at night) from occurring. Balloon festivals play it very safe, and generally do not fly if winds are above 8 miles per hour (12.9 kph). You may be at an event that only flies once out of their allotted days.

    I personally was at the Lake Havasu Balloon Festival & Fair this year when high winds canceled all six flights. Weather happens, and the more days you have, the better your chances of a successful day.

    Get close

    This tip is in almost every type of photography guide out there, and it still applies to balloons. Get close! I’ve seen so many people stand way out on the edge of the field using their cameras at the widest focal length possible. Then they pull out their smartphones, and take the same picture. C’mon, folks, you’ve already put so much money into a camera, why use it in the same pedestrian way as you would with your smartphone?

    Get onto that field and get closer to the action.

    Photograph the pilots, and the crew. Capture the detail in the balloon fabric. Witness the shadows from inside of the balloons. Do something more than just being an observer. Wide shots from the edge of the field have their place, but recognize that many other people already have that angle covered.

    While being up close, be courteous, and follow pilot and crew instructions. I will list some DO NOTs that you need to heed:

    • Do not step on the balloon fabric. Just play it safe, and don’t touch the balloon.
    • Do not smoke by the balloons. There have been many cases of carelessly tossed cigarettes burning holes into the fabric.
    • Do not bring pets near the balloons. There have been many cases of claws tearing the fabric.
    • Do not stand on, or cross, laying ropes. Always go around.
    • Do not peek inside of the balloon without asking crew and pilot permission first. You may be getting in the way.
    • Do not get in the way of the crew.
    • Do not stand right behind the basket when the pilot starts shooting flames. You will get crushed.
    • Do not be in the flight path during take off. Flight directors, or crew, will try to clear the area—follow their instructions.

    I empathize that a list of DO NOTs doesn’t give much credence that this is a fun subject to photograph. This is all about safety though, and we should all take safety seriously.

    Note: some festivals actually fence observers off from the field. In that case, you need to start planning, and the next tips can help with that.

    Find a prominent feature

    Is there a body of water, or some cliffs near the launch field? If so, you want to keep an eye on balloons approaching those areas. Many pilots aim for these features, and you can get some of the best shots at these locations.

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    At bodies of water, balloonists like to perform a “splash-and-dash” in which the pilot will touch the basket to the surface of the water, and just float there. This provides a great chance for you to get a reflection of the balloon on the water.

    For cliffs, pilots like to hang around them, and just go up and down them. If a balloon has a seated pilot instead of a basket, you may find the pilot “running” along the face of the cliff. Pilots also like to fly close to the tree line, or land onto hay stacks to flex their skills. So you may find an amusing moment even if there are no significant land features.

    Larger balloon festivals have flight directors. These people give the pilots the “okay” before taking off. You’ll often find these flight directors wearing a uniform that stands out. Taking a photo of them can provide great contrast to the balloons.

    Attend the pilot meeting

    As a photographer, understanding the conditions the pilots are flying in can help for planning where you want to be. During this meeting, someone will release the “pibal” (pronounced ‘pie-ball’; short for pilot balloon). It’s just a typical party balloon, but it’s a great indicator for how the winds above are behaving.

    If, for example, the winds are blowing south, take a note of what’s down there and find a place where you want to be. This information is especially useful if you plan on taking photos away from the launch field. If the mass ascension is canceled… well… go enjoy your breakfast at the nearby Denny’s before everyone else floods it.

    The pilot meeting is also a good place to find the opportunity to crew for a balloon which is conveniently the next tip.

    Crew for a balloon, and get free flights

    Volunteer to crew for a balloon, and you may just have a chance to get a free flight out of it. Commercial flights can cost anywhere from $ 180 USD to $ 450 USD, so if you can fly for free, you had better take that opportunity. Understand, though, that crewing does not always guarantee a flight. Sometimes the pilot will already have paying passengers, and you may never fly. Still, your chances are pretty decent, and a chance to fly for free is definitely better than none.

    While crewing, consider having your camera on a sling so that you can use both hands freely to do your duties. If you spot a moment, take a quick snap of it, and continue your crewing. While pilots are grateful for the help, they won’t sign you on again if you don’t do what is asked of you.

    Another incentive for crewing is free food. Many festivals cater a few meals for pilots and crew. Pilots often have tailgate parties as well. If you earn your pilot’s trust, you’ll likely be invited to these. Saving money is always good, right?

    Fly!!!

    Whether you pay for a flight or you get it for free by crewing, flying is always a great place to be for taking pictures. Flying in a hot air balloon is quite the different experience in contrast to helicopters or fixed wing aircraft. Because the balloon moves with the wind, you too are moving with the wind, so you don’t really feel it at all. Some passengers find it to be a very odd sensation.

    It is tempting to go wide with your shots, just don’t go too wide. In my opinion, making balloons super tiny just doesn’t look too good. Wide angle lens distortion is heavily pronounced on the balloons on the edges, and sometimes the simple lens profile fix isn’t enough to correct it. If the pilot allows for it, bring a telephoto lens as well when you go up.

    Note: weight is an issue for ballooning. Sometimes pilots won’t accept a camera bag, or second lens on board to keep things as light as possible. Also, having extra objects in the basket can be a hazard.

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    Attend the balloon glow

    Although I greatly prefer the mass ascensions, balloon glows are still necessary to having the full experience. You may find photographing the balloon glows more difficult however.

    Wide aperture glass is highly recommended, and higher ISO is required. You can attempt to use a long shutter time but, if there’s any breeze, you will have blurry balloons. I personally don’t like to cranking up the ISO so, I get close to the light sources (the balloon burners), and use ISO 1600 or less. I also greatly prefer the colors of the balloons during the day than the glow.

    And go again…

    If you ever want the best photos of anything, you must keep revisiting it. Sometimes we can get lucky with getting a grand slam of a photo on the first try. Between you, and I though, that rarely happens. If you enjoyed your first balloon festival, go to another one, and another one, and then the same festival again the near year.

    Check out www.hotairballoon.com for finding out festival information around the world. It’s by far the best resource I’ve come across, and I believe that you too will find it useful.

    Whew, what a read, right? Since you’ve made it to the end, congratulations, I guess. For more examples of balloon photos, you can check out my portfolio, Instagram, and my other blog posts. I hope that you find these tips useful, and take fantastic photos at your first balloon festival!

    Elliot Nahm is a Denver, CO-based photographer whose ambition is to be able to travel the world, camera in tow. His two great photographic passions are hot air balloons, and the outdoors. You can see more from Elliot on his website, Instagram, and YouTube channel.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)