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Nikon’s Future: A Flagship Z Camera, 8K Video, and Affordable Lenses

08 Mar

The post Nikon’s Future: A Flagship Z Camera, 8K Video, and Affordable Lenses appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Nikon will be releasing “a flagship Nikon Z-series mirrorless camera…within the year,” said Keiji Oishi, a Department Manager of Nikon’s Imaging Business Unit. The camera “is being developed with the goal of surpassing the D6.”

This comes from a recently published DPReview interview with Oishi, which touches on the past, present, and future of Nikon’s camera business, including new cameras, lenses, Nikon’s mirrorless sales success, and the pursuit of 8K recording.

The development of a flagship mirrorless model is welcome news for Nikon fans; it firmly reinforces Nikon’s commitment to growth and innovation in the face of supply struggles and questions about the company’s viability.

While Oishi didn’t offer many details on Nikon’s upcoming flagship camera, he did claim it “will respond to the advanced needs of professionals” and will “debut a newly developed, high-resolution stacked CMOS sensor.” The term “high-resolution” is a relative one, but this could signal Nikon’s intent to compete with the upcoming Sony a1, an all-around powerhouse packing a 50 MP sensor, class-leading autofocus, and 8K/30p recording.

In other words: Nikon’s flagship model may look to satisfy more than just professional sports photographers. Were the camera to pack 45+ megapixels while offering fast autofocus and shooting speeds in the spirit of the D6, it’d be capable of capturing sports, events, portraits, and even pro-level landscapes.

As for video:

Oishi claims that Nikon’s engineers “are considering powerful video features such as 8K that respond to the needs of all kinds of content creators and professionals.”

So while 8K video isn’t a guarantee, it’ll likely find its way into the upcoming flagship model. With the 2020 arrival of the Canon EOS R5 and the days-away release of the Sony a1, Nikon will soon be the only leading camera manufacturer without an 8K hybrid camera. And while Nikon is ostensibly a stills-centric brand, the 8K bandwagon is one that it won’t want to miss.

So when can we expect this high-resolution, high-performance, 8K powerhouse?

Given the lack of recent leaks, don’t hope for anything before summer 2021, and fall or winter is a realistic possibility. But we’ll definitely see the camera before the year is out, assuming all goes to plan.

A few other interesting tidbits from the interview:

Nikon aims to produce lenses “with a focus on more compactness and affordability” in the hopes of “mak[ing]…lenses more accessible to more people.” This will come alongside an effort to offer an expanded lineup of APS-C Z-mount cameras.

(Currently, Nikon only offers a single APS-C Z-mount model, the Z50.)

Nikon camera sales have “defied expectations” these last few months, especially with the launch of the Z6 II and the Z7 II. As Oishi explains, “In the last quarter, we reported record mirrorless sales, which was helped by strong performance of the Z7 II and Z6 II. We observed strong sales of new products, both mirrorless cameras and lenses.”

Oishi thinks the hot Z6 II and Z7 II sales come from DSLR holdouts; he states that “many loyal Nikon users [were] waiting on the second generation of the Z series,” and that, thanks to “the improvements we put into the second generation,” Nikon DSLR shooters have finally bought into the Z system.

This is all excellent news for Nikon fans, and while the company still has a long way to go, it’s clearly taking steps in the right direction.

Now over to you:

What do you think about Nikon’s upcoming flagship mirrorless camera? Where do you see Nikon headed over the next few years? And what affordable lenses would you like Nikon to produce? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post Nikon’s Future: A Flagship Z Camera, 8K Video, and Affordable Lenses appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

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Apple confirms it’s discontinuing its iMac Pro lineup

07 Mar

Apple has confirmed it will be discontinuing its iMac Pro lineup.

On Friday, March 5, Mac Rumors noticed Apple had added a ‘while supplies last’ notice to its iMac Pro product page and removed all optional upgrade options. In the past, Apple has done this in advance of a product or product line is being discontinued.

Mac Rumors then published a follow-up article yesterday, March 6, to say it’s since confirmed with Apple the iMac Pro lineup will no longer be available once the current supply runs out. Mac Rumors didn’t specifically quote the Apple representative it spoke with, but did have the following to say regarding the rationale for this discontinuation:

‘Apple says the latest 27-inch iMac introduced in August is the preferred choice for the vast majority of pro iMac users, and said customers who need even more performance and expandability can choose the Mac Pro.’

The 27″ iMac Pro was first released back in December 2017 and was meant to be a more powerful version of Apple’s longstanding iMac line. Since its release, the iMac Pro line has been a popular choice for creative professionals, due to its all-in-one design that matched impressive specifications with a high-quality display. The last iMac update was introduced in August 2020 and featured a 5K display, with up to a 10-core 10th-generation Intel Core i9 processor, up to 8TB of storage, up to an AMD Radeon Pro 5700 XT GPU and the option to upgrade to a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port.

Going forward, it sounds as though users will have the option to go with Apple’s standard iMac lineup or upgrade to the more powerful and modular Mac Pro if the iMac options don’t cut it. Apple is expected to announce new iMacs — and potentially a new Mac Pro — powered by its own chipsets after dropping Intel and releasing its M1-powered Mac Mini, MacBook Air and 13” MacBook Pro computers back in November.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Getting Landscapes Sharp: Hyperfocal Distances and Aperture Selection

07 Mar

The post Getting Landscapes Sharp: Hyperfocal Distances and Aperture Selection appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Elliot Hook.

How to use hyperfocal distance for sharp landscapes

Want to know how to master depth of field and hyperfocal distance – so you can capture consistently sharp landscape photos?

You’ve come to the right place.

Because in this article, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about hyperfocal distance.

And by the time you’ve finished, you’ll be able to confidently use it in your own landscape photography.

Let’s get started.

Keeping your landscape photos sharp: depth of field

Great landscape photos generally have all of their key elements sharp.

This includes foreground objects that are just meters from your camera, as well as background elements that are kilometers away.

Sunrise over the limestone pavement hyperfocal distance for sharp landscapes — In this scene, it was important to capture everything in sharp focus – from the frozen puddle in the foreground to the hills in the background.

So how do you achieve such perfect front-to-back sharpness?

By ensuring that your depth of field is large enough to render everything of interest suitably sharp.

Let me explain:

When you focus on an individual point within your landscape, you are creating a plane of focus that lies parallel to the sensor.

Everything in front of and behind that plane is technically not in focus. But there is a region within which objects will appear acceptably sharp – even though they’re not in focus!

That region is the depth of field.

Put another way, the depth of field is the range of acceptable sharpness within a scene, moving outward from the point of focus.

For instance, in the graphic below, the camera is focused on a rock:

Hyperfocal Distance Diagram 1 — A theoretical example showing the depth of field for a given focal length, aperture, and point of focus.

So the plane of focus sits parallel to the sensor at that rock, and the limits of acceptable sharpness that form the edges of the depth of field lie in front of and behind that plane.

If you were to fire the shutter button on that camera, you’d get a photo with a sharp rock. The front of the first tree would be sharp, and the rest of the trees would fade into softness.

Make sense?

Factors affecting depth of field

Thus far, I’ve talked about depth of field as if it were a fixed property.

But it’s not. Your depth of field can change depending on three key factors:

Focal length
Aperture
The distance between the camera and the point of focus.

Let’s take a closer look at how each of these elements affects depth of field, starting with:

Focal Length

A short focal length (e.g., 20mm) will give you a greater depth of field than a long focal length (e.g., 400mm).

So while it’s easy to keep an entire scene in focus with a wide-angle lens, you’ll struggle to do the same with a long telephoto.

Of course, changing your focal length will alter your field of view and therefore your composition, so you should rarely adjust your focal length to change the depth of field. Instead, select your focal length, frame your composition, and then use the next factor on this list to achieve the perfect depth of field:

Aperture

A narrower aperture, such as f/16, will produce a deep depth of field. A wider aperture, such as f/2.8, will give you a shallow depth of field.

So if you’re after an ultra-sharp, deep-depth-of-field shot, you’ll want to use a narrow aperture.

But be careful; extremely narrow apertures are subject to an optical effect called diffraction, which will degrade image sharpness. So while you should absolutely use aperture to adjust the depth of field, be on the lookout for blur.

Distance to the point of focus

If your focal point is close to the camera, then you’ll get a shallower depth of field. If your focal point is far from the camera, you’ll get a deeper depth of field. So if you shoot a distant subject, it’ll be much easier to get the entire scene sharp!

In other words:

To increase the depth of field, you can either choose a more distant subject…

…or you can back up to frame a wider shot.

Note that these three factors work together to determine the depth of field.

grasses and mountain landscape using the hyperfocal distance to keep the landscape sharp

No one factor is important than any of the others; instead, they’re three variables in the depth of field equation.

So if you want a deep depth of field, you could use a narrow aperture or move farther away from your subject or use a wide-angle lens.

(You could also do all three of these things for an ultra-deep depth of field.)

And if you want a shallow depth of field, you could use a wide aperture or move closer to your subject or use a telephoto lens.

Keeping the entire scene sharp with hyperfocal distance

If you’re dead-set on capturing a scene with front-to-back sharpness, then you’ll need to understand another key concept:

Hyperfocal distance.

Hyperfocal distance is the point of focus that maximizes your depth of field.

In fact, by focusing at the hyperfocal distance, you can often ensure that the entire scene is sharp, from your nearest foreground subject to the most distant background element.

Look at the graphic below:

Hyperfocal Distance Diagram 2 — By focusing at the hyperfocal distance, the entire scene will fall within the depth of field.

Do you see how the area from the point (or plane) of focus onward is sharp?

That’s what the hyperfocal distance will do for you.

And it’s the reason landscape photographers love using the hyperfocal distance.

Because by selecting a narrow aperture, and by moving the point of focus to the hyperfocal distance, you can render the entire scene in focus – for a stunning result!

(By the way, when focusing at the hyperfocal distance, the near acceptable sharpness limit is half of the hyperfocal distance.)

Now, you’re probably wondering:

How do you determine the hyperfocal distance when out shooting?

Technically, you can do a mental calculation, but this can get pretty complex. So I’d recommend you use a hyperfocal distance chart or calculator (there are plenty of apps for this, such as PhotoPills).

Eventually, you’ll be able to intuitively identify hyperfocal distances for common apertures and focal lengths – so you won’t even need to use an app!

Aperture selection and the dangers of diffraction

As you should now be aware, a narrow aperture deepens the depth of field.

So if you want your entire scene sharp, you generally need a narrow aperture.

Unfortunately, choosing your aperture isn’t as simple as dialing in f/22. Thanks to diffraction, if you set such a narrow aperture, you may get the entire scene in focus – but still end up with a blurry image.

For example, the image below shows a comparison of the same scene, shot at f/8 (left) and f/16 (right):

images taken at f/8 and f/16 to illustrate the dangers of a narrow aperture

The frosty fern leaf is an important part of the foreground interest here. And though both images look perfectly sharp when resized and compressed for browser viewing, the 100% crop for each image below shows a significant difference in detail:

100% crops of the f/8 and f/16 images, to illustrate hyperfocal distance for sharp landscapes — The sharpness of the fern leaf at f/8 (left) versus f/16 (right). The image was captured with greater sharpness via a wider aperture of f/8 – though I took care to focus on the hyperfocal distance.

Do you see how the image on the right (taken at f/16) is blurrier than the image on the left (taken at f/8)?

That’s diffraction at work.

And note that, for the scene in question, both apertures resulted in a depth of field that extends from before the fern leaf to infinity.

(In other words: The blurriness has nothing to do with depth of field.)

Diffraction becomes an issue in all lenses as the aperture gets smaller, though it is more pronounced on inexpensive lenses. Typically, the sweet spot, in terms of lens performance, is somewhere between f/8 and f/11.

So when selecting your aperture, you’ll want to keep your lens as close to the sweet spot as possible, while also ensuring sufficient depth of field.

Getting landscapes sharp: conclusion

Now that you’ve finished this article, you can hopefully see that it’s worth understanding hyperfocal distance, aperture selection, and how they affect each other.

So make sure you find a nice hyperfocal distance app.

And remember to avoid tiny apertures (because they cause diffraction).

That way, you can get consistently sharp landscape shots!

Now over to you:

Do you struggle to keep your landscape photos looking sharp? Do you think an insufficient depth of field is the culprit? Or is it diffraction? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post Getting Landscapes Sharp: Hyperfocal Distances and Aperture Selection appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Elliot Hook.

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DPReview TV: Fujifilm X-S10 vs Sony a6400 – two great cameras with different superpowers

06 Mar

We compare two popular APS-C cameras: the Fujifilm X-S10 and the Sony a6400. In a bizarre twist, Chris is left to argue with himself (literally). Meanwhile, Jordan is stuck in Pentax K-01 video purgatory. It’s enough to make your head spin.

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

Introduction
Handling
Displays
Autofocus
Image quality
Video performance
Battery life
Lens lineup
The wrap

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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9 Pet Photography Tips

06 Mar

The post 9 Pet Photography Tips appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Guest Contributor.

If you’re looking to capture some stunning pet photography, then you’ve come to the right place.

Because while pets are unbelievably cute, taking pictures of your best friend isn’t easy.

Pets, unlike humans, do not understand what we are trying to do. They won’t just pose for the camera!

That’s where this article comes in handy.

I’m going to give you nine simple tips for pet photography…

…that will get you taking beautiful pet photos in minutes!

Let’s dive right in.

1. Use natural light

When doing pet photography, always use natural light.

Why?

For one, flash can cause the red-eye effect, which looks, well, bad.

Plus, flash bursts can scare animals.

That’s why I recommend shooting outside (go out when it’s cloudy for some soft diffused light).

You can also try shooting indoors, but make sure you’re in a well-lit room (ideally one with a large window).

2. Keep the eyes sharp

Sharp eyes are always important in portrait photography – and pet photography is no different!

As they say, “The eyes are the window to the soul.” And your pet’s eyes can be very expressive.

So make sure to focus on your pet’s eyes. Keep them tack sharp.

(If you’re working with a shallow depth of field and can only get one eye in focus, make sure it’s the one closer to the camera!)

These days, some cameras offer eye AF for animals. With eye AF activated, your camera will identify your pet’s eyes – and nail focus consistently! So if your camera does offer this feature, I highly recommend you try it out.

3. Go to your pet

It is very important that your pet feels comfortable and at ease.

So instead of forcing your pet to come to you…

…go to them.

Most importantly, get down on your pet’s level. Sit on the floor or lie on your belly and remember to shoot from your pet’s eye level or below.

We all know how a dog looks when viewed from above; this is the way we always see them.

Instead, show us how your pet sees the world!

4. Highlight your pet’s character

You know your pet better than anyone else, and a successful picture is one that conveys the character of its subject.

So try to display your pet’s character in your photos.

If you have a lazy cat, show them yawning. If your animal is of the playful type, show them in action performing their favorite trick.

Really, the opportunities are endless! Just ask yourself: What is special about my pet?

And then try to communicate that in your next photo!

5. Go macro

Macro pet photography is intimate and often stunning.

And it’s not tough to do, either.

Simply use a macro lens, a telephoto lens, or some type of close-focusing camera.

Then fill the frame with your pet’s face and fur!

You’ll soon find that close-up shots make some of the best pet portraits!

6. Surprise your pet

One of the most difficult aspects of pet photography is keeping your pet still.

(Especially if you have a pretty energetic pet…)

So here’s an easy trick:

First, let your pet play quietly.

Then, once you have your camera set up and ready, give a quick whistle.

This will surprise your pet. With luck, you’ll have a few seconds to capture them in a nice, alert posture!

7. Time your session carefully

If you want to capture some formal-looking pet photography, then “schedule” your photoshoot when your animal is somewhat sleepy.

You might shoot after your pet has woken up from a nap. Or you might shoot late in the day, when your pet is tired and lacks energy.

That way, it will be much easier to capture a sharp shot.

Of course, if you want a more dynamic series of shots, then grab your camera at a time when your pet is especially active!

8. Be patient

Pet photography requires a lot of patience.

Dogs, cats, and other pets can be pretty excitable – but if you’re patient enough, your furry friend will end up relaxing.

And that’s when you can get some of your best shots!

In fact, you might consider starting your photoshoot with action images.

Then, as your pet calms down, you can capture intimate close-ups, cute poses, and more.

9. Experiment

Here’s your final pet photography tip:

Experiment!

Because while the advice in this article will certainly get you some great shots…

…there’s always room to try new things!

So take your time and enjoy the session. Don’t be afraid to test different approaches, angles, and compositions.

Shoot a lot; you can worry about the results later!

Pet photography tips: Final words

Hopefully, you now feel well-equipped to capture some stunning pet photos!

By getting low, being patient, carefully timing your session, and more, you can practically guarantee gorgeous results.

Now over to you:

What pets do you like to photograph? Share your favorite pet photography in the comments below!

This guest post on pet photography was submitted by Antoine Khater at All Day I Dream About Photography. Read more unique photography and retouching tips on Antoine’s website or subscribe to his RSS feed.

Pet Photography

GENERAL
- 9 Pet Photography Tips
  - 1. Use natural light
  - 2. Keep the eyes sharp
  - 3. Go to your pet
  - 4. Highlight your pet’s character
  - 5. Go macro
  - 6. Surprise your pet
  - 7. Time your session carefully
  - 8. Be patient
  - 9. Experiment
  - Pet photography tips: Final words
  - 1. Use natural light
  - 2. Keep the eyes sharp
  - 3. Go to your pet
  - 4. Highlight your pet’s character
  - 5. Go macro
  - 6. Surprise your pet
  - 7. Time your session carefully
  - 8. Be patient
  - 9. Experiment
  - Pet photography tips: Final words
- 9 Tips for Taking Better Photos of Cats
- Beginner's Guide to Photographing Horses
- Why Taking Pictures of Your Pets Will Help Make You a Better Photographer
- How to get the Money Shot in Pet Photography
- What Are Your Pet Photography Peeves?
PREPARATION
- 6 Tips for Working with Unruly Animals in Pet Photography
LIGHTING
- Tips for Great Lighting for Pet Photography
GEAR
- 4 of the Best Lenses for Creative Dog Photography
- Pros and Cons of Photographing Dogs with a Prime Lens
CREATIVE TECHNIQUES
- Five Tips for Creative Pet Photography
- 10 Amazing Camera Hacks for Better Dog Photography
POST-PROCESSING
- Fixing Animal Eyes in Lightroom
BUSINESS
- Five Things You Need to Know Before Starting a Pet Photography Business
ADVANCED GUIDES
- 6 Tips for Photographing Dogs in Action
- How to Shoot Animal Portraits
- How to Photograph Agility Events and Other Dog Sports

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The post 9 Pet Photography Tips appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Guest Contributor.

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Weekly Photo Challenge – Cars

06 Mar

The post Weekly Photo Challenge – Cars appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

We’ve had ‘transport’ but I thought maybe this week we’ll look at cars specifically!

We have SO many tips for photographing cars, and I’ve gathered a search for you (Click Here) and I also want to share a link to a friend of mine’s website, Larry Chen, he’s a Canon Explorer of Light and an amazing car photographer (Click Here) for some inspiration.

Don’t forget, you can go back and try ALL of our CHALLENGES over HERE!

Weekly Photo Challenge – Cars — Your Cuban Ride

Quick Car Photography tips? Here’s a list of seven that might help you.

Think about details and angles that you don’t often see or think about, perhaps you could try panning for a different looking photo?

Photo of a car in Cuba in a street scene

You can upload your photo here (comments down below) or over in our Facebook Group.

Share on Instagram or Twitter and use the hashtag #dPSCars so we can see them!

How do I upload my photo to the comments?

Simply upload your shot into the comments field (look for the little camera icon in the Disqus comments section) and they’ll get embedded for us all to see. Or, if you’d prefer, upload them to your favourite photo-sharing site and leave the link to them.

Weekly Photography Challenge – Looking Up

The post Weekly Photo Challenge – Cars appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

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Street Candy Film announces new MTN100 black and white 35mm film

05 Mar

Street Candy Film writes that they make ‘the tastiest black and white films around.’ It offers even more black and white film now with the addition of Street Candy Film MTN100 to its catalog, joining its previous film, ATM400.

MTN100 is a black and white ISO 100 film. The film is taken from a Motion Picture Film and promises to take your ‘black and white photography to the next level with a classic cinematic look and fine details.’ MTN100 is a panchromatic film ideal for outdoor and indoor photography. You can process it as a normal black and white negative or with a reversal kit to create direct positives.

Click to enlarge

Street Candy writes that MTN100’s primary features are beautiful contrast, fine grain and rich details. It comes as a 36-exposure 35mm roll in Street Candy’s recycled paper film canister. Regarding the canister, Street Candy Film introduced the first alternative to plastic film canisters in 2020. The canister is made of recycled cardboard and is printed with soy ink.

Street Candy Film MTN100 is available for preorder now. It is available in small quantities ahead of its April release. The minimum required purchase is two rolls, which costs 21€. For ordering information, click here.

Image shot using Street Candy MTN100. Click to enlarge.

Although not new, it’s worth doing a quick rundown of Street Candy’s ATM400 film. The panchromatic black and white negative film was originally coated for use in security surveillance cameras. It was used in banks, ATMs, offices and other places in need of security before digital surveillance became commonplace. Street Candy states that the ISO 400 film is easy to shoot, forgiving and delivers ‘beautiful contrast while retaining rich details throughout its wide dynamic range.’ ATM400 starts at 19€ and comes in 36-exposure 35mm rolls, which like the MTN100, are hand-rolled.

Street Candy ATM400 key features. Click to enlarge.

If you’d like to check out images shot by photographers using Street Candy Film, the company hosts an online gallery. To see the companies other product offerings, including merchandise for analog photography fans, click here.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Canon to Announce a New Camera and “Many, Many Lenses”

05 Mar

The post Canon to Announce a New Camera and “Many, Many Lenses” appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Canon will soon be announcing “more lenses at once than ever before,” according to the often-reliable Canon Rumors.

This information comes from an unnamed source “with a stellar track record.”

According to CR’s source, “Canon is going to make a ‘massive splash with a new camera and many, many lenses.’” And while the source – and Canon Rumors – offered no information as to which lenses and camera this will be, we can certainly speculate, based on the Canon RF lens roadmap and leaked information on upcoming Canon mirrorless models.

So what gear can we expect from Canon? And when can we expect it?

Regarding lenses:

Canon’s leaked roadmap is pretty sizable, featuring a whopping 15 lenses to be released over the next couple of years:

Canon TS-R 14mm f/4L
Canon TS-R 24mm f/3.5L
Canon RF 10-24mm f/4L USM
Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM
Canon RF 18-45mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
Canon RF 100-400mm f/5-6-7.1 IS USM
Canon RF 35mm f/1.2L USM
Canon RF 135mm f/1.4L USM
Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro
Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Canon RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM
Canon RF 500mm f/4L IS USM
Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM
Canon RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM
Canon RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM

As you can see, Canon’s new lenses cater to wide-angle landscape shooters and sports/wildlife super-telephoto photographers, with a few fast primes sprinkled in.

I could certainly see Canon announcing most or all of the super-telephoto glass in one breath, especially if their release coincides with the announcement of Canon’s flagship, sports-focused mirrorless camera, the highly-anticipated EOS R1.

And previously, Canon Rumors did claim that the EOS R1 will “show its face in 2021” – and that the R1 will likely be teased prior to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

So does Canon’s “massive splash” announcement refer to a summer reveal of the EOS R1 plus a series of super telephotos? This seems plausible; releasing sports- and wildlife-focused super-telephoto lenses alongside Canon’s highest-performance mirrorless model to date certainly makes sense, though hopefully Canon will include a couple of non-specialist lenses to keep other users satisfied.

Another camera possibility is an EOS R5s, rumored to pack 90+ megapixels into a 35mm sensor, or an APS-C RF-mount EOS R7, designed as a mirrorless successor to Canon’s popular 7D lineup.

Regardless, I do think a summer 2021 announcement date is likely, especially given Canon’s current “supply chain and manufacturing issues.”

So if you’re a Canon shooter looking for additional lenses, or you’re a non-Canon shooter considering a switch to Canon, make sure you keep an eye out for more information!

Now over to you:

Which Canon RF lenses do you think will be announced? And which camera? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post Canon to Announce a New Camera and “Many, Many Lenses” appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

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100 Famous Short Inspirational Photography Quotes

05 Mar

Inspiration comes in many forms for photographers, such as light falling on an object, the time of year, look on a person’s face and others. Below is our list of 100 inspirational photography quotes along with images and links to their authors. We hope this large list inspires you and makes you take a moment to reflect on your photography. Continue Reading
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13 Creative Food Photography Ideas (For Unique Results!)

04 Mar

The post 13 Creative Food Photography Ideas (For Unique Results!) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Bond.

If you’re looking for creative food photography ideas, then you’ve come to the right place.

Because in this article, I’m going to give you 13 fun ideas to take your food photography to the next level.

So if you’re ready to move beyond basic food photos, and if you want to start creating compelling artistic images with your food…

…then let’s dive right in!

creative food photography ideas food as a map of the world — Food photos can have a message and a concept.

1. Try different points of view

Here’s a simple yet effective food photography idea:

Change your perspective.

You see, most people view their food from a sitting position. And that’s how many casual food photographers approach their food.

But if you adjust your angle, you’ll capture food in a very different way.

Here are some perspectives you could try:

Bird’s-eye view: Aim your camera directly down at the food from above.
Plate level: Get down on the same level as your plate and photograph across it.
Wider scene: It’s tempting to focus only on the food. Instead, use a wider lens to show the scene around the food (plus the food itself, of course!).

shooting a plate from above — The bird’s-eye view angle is an effective one! Here, some food styling adds to the overall look.

2. Experiment with the white balance

Food is often photographed with an off-camera flash, which opens up a lot of creative possibilities.

One trick:

Put a gel on your flash (such as a blue gel or an orange gel). Then adjust the white balance of your camera to compensate for this color shift. Finally, fire your flash at the subject (while aiming to keep the background untouched by artificial light).

If you’ve done your work carefully, you’ll end up with a colorful background (a color opposite that of the flash gel), but neutral food!

3. Use a food artist

Getting someone to professionally style your food before shooting will give your photos a more creative feel.

As a photographer, you’ll be leaning on the creativity of your stylist here; your job will be to compose and light your image in a professional way.

close-ups are an artistic creative food photography idea — Detail photos can create an unusual narrative. This is a close-up of a Korean kimbap slice.

4. Try out some light painting

Food photography is, in essence, a form of still life (though one that needs to be carried out while the food still looks fresh!).

As with most still life photography, you can use light painting to give your images a more dynamic look.

Here’s how it works:

First, set up your food and determine your composition.

Set your exposure, making sure the shutter speed lasts 10 seconds or more.

Then fire off a shot and use some form of light to “paint” your food.

(Anything that emits light could be used, from a smartphone to a programmable LED light stick.)

If all goes well, you’ll end up with a very pro-looking image!

light painted pastry — Light painting with food photography is fun! I used a smartphone to create an artistic background.

5. Think about the background

If your photograph includes a background, you’ll need to use it in an aesthetically pleasing way.

Because the background matters – almost as much as the foreground, in fact!

Fortunately, there are a few easy strategies you can use to create a stunning backdrop:

Bokeh: Use a large aperture, focus on your main subject, and blur the background. Add some lights in the background for beautiful bokeh light balls.
Plain: Stick colorful paper or a painting behind your subject for a more standard, plain look.
Show a scene: Include the wider scene to give your food some context. (This could even include the restaurant where the food has been served!)

bowls with background bokeh — A large aperture blurs the background into beautiful bokeh.

6. Reflect your food

Here’s a creative food photography idea that makes for very modern, sleek images:

Reflect your food in glass for a double image.

Simply set up your food on a glass panel. Then lower your camera angle until you get a nice reflection in the glass.

You’ll want to make sure your food is well-lit – but be sure to avoid obvious balls of light bouncing off the surface of your glass.

cake reflection with bokeh in background — Here, a cake is reflected on a sheet of glass.

7. Tell the story

Cooking and preparing food is a process.

So every dish goes through a journey before it gets plated and put on a table.

Try to document that journey! Look to take photos of food at various points along the way to the table, so you can create a complete picture of the food.

Here are a few times when you might want to photograph food:

When it’s growing. Food needs to be produced, and photographing it during this phase can help you tell a story, especially if you’re creating a series of images.
When it’s sold. A visit to the market is a fantastic opportunity for food photography because vendors often display their food in an interesting way.
When it’s cooked. If possible, photograph the chef as they prepare the food. Pro tip: If you can capture the chef adding the finishing touches to a dish, you’ll get an especially satisfying shot.
On the table. The majority of food photos are of the plated meal. There’s nothing wrong with photographing food at this point; just aim to use some of these ideas to capture more creatively plated food photos.

a chef framed by rice paper — A chef creates a fresh spring roll with rice paper (and he’s framed by rice paper, too!).

8. Create some detail photos

Get out that macro lens, and get in close to your food!

First, this will offer some interesting, never-before-seen perspectives.

Plus, focusing on the detail or shape of food just makes for some very cool photography!

Try focusing on a single item of food. Then switch it up, and capture lots of the same food repeating throughout your photo.

food framed with key objects is one example of a creative food photography idea — An off-camera flash captures the steam coming off the noodles.

9. Frame your food

Food photographers rarely frame food with important contextual elements.

But if you can find ways to create an interesting frame, you’ll end up with a much stronger composition.

For instance, you might try surrounding the main food item with items that relate to it, as I did in the photo below:

strawberries framing the food in the center — Here, the strawberries frame the main subject and add narrative to the photo.

Or you can use plates or cutlery to frame the food.

Really, the sky is the limit!

10. Try lensball food photography

Lensball photography is a fun technique that uses a crystal ball to create unique photos. Like this:

sushi in a lensball — A lensball can provide a different perspective for food photos.

And they’re easy to use, too!

Just place your lensball close to the food…

…and you’ll get a very cool result.

11. Shoot food floating in midair

If you want to get a bit wild with your food photography, then try some midair shots!

For instance, you might show a banana floating off the ground, or a carrot suspended against a dark backdrop.

And if you want to take this a step further, you can try cutting up the food – so you get a set of suspended food slices smack-dab in the middle of your photo.

Of course, you’ll need to build some type of stand for your food (or use a technique like this one here), and you’ll need Photoshop to complete the effect.

But if you’re willing to put in the work, the results will be worth it!

12. Create a splash!

You can use water (or other liquids) to give your food a fresh feel – especially if you’re willing to get the food wet.

Now, there are a couple of different approaches to this. Both use flash to get that moment of capture.

Splash: Drop liquid-like milk, water, or juice onto food to create a splash.
Food into water: Drop food into a tank of water. Then photograph the food as it creates bubbles and splashes. Of course, this works best with fruit and vegetables; cake will likely be a bit messy!

13. Freeze your food

Here’s your final creative food photography idea:

Put your food in a tub of water, then stick it in the freezer.

Check back in a bit, and you’ll have a block of ice – with the food encased inside it!

Take out the block and photograph through the ice. You’ll end up with some unique images, like this one:

frozen fish in ice — I froze these fish in a block of ice.

While you can try this technique on many different types of food, I like to use it for fish photography. It can even look like the fish are swimming in the water!

Creative food photography ideas: final words

Now that you’ve finished this article, you know plenty of creative food photography ideas.

And you’re well on your way to capturing some unique photos.

So take your camera, find some food, and have fun!

Now over to you:

What food do you plan to photograph? Which of these creative ideas do you plan to use first? Share your thoughts (and images!) in the comments below.

The post 13 Creative Food Photography Ideas (For Unique Results!) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Bond.

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Keeping your landscape photos sharp: depth of field

Factors affecting depth of field

Focal Length

Aperture

Distance to the point of focus

Keeping the entire scene sharp with hyperfocal distance

Aperture selection and the dangers of diffraction

Getting landscapes sharp: conclusion

1. Use natural light

2. Keep the eyes sharp

3. Go to your pet

4. Highlight your pet’s character

5. Go macro

6. Surprise your pet

7. Time your session carefully

8. Be patient

9. Experiment

Pet photography tips: Final words

Table of contents

Pet Photography

How do I upload my photo to the comments?

1. Try different points of view

2. Experiment with the white balance

3. Use a food artist

4. Try out some light painting

5. Think about the background

6. Reflect your food

7. Tell the story

8. Create some detail photos

9. Frame your food

10. Try lensball food photography

11. Shoot food floating in midair

12. Create a splash!

13. Freeze your food

Creative food photography ideas: final words

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