Think Tank introduces Version 3 of their popular Airport Roller Bags
Think Tank Photo has just released completely updated versions of their award-winning Airport rolling camera bags. They feature improved handles, greater durability, and dedicated laptop and tablet compartments. The Airport International V3.0, sized for international carry on requirements, holds two gripped DSLRs with lenses attached, plus two to four additional lenses, a 15” laptop, and a 10” tablet. The roller fits up to a 500mm f/4 detached or 400mm f/2.8 attached (hood reversed). The Airport Security V3.0, sized for US domestic carry on requirements, holds two gripped DSLRs with lenses attached plus four to six additional lenses, a 17” laptop, and a 10” tablet. The bag fits up to a 600mm f/4 detached or 500mm f/4 attached (hood reversed). With our partnership with Think Tank, you receive free gear and free shipping with every order you place for their gear.Click Here for the Airport Security Version 3Click Here for the Airport International Version 3
Panasonic Lumix Post Focus Stack vs. Racked Focus Stacking
This comparison was done using the in camera "Post Focus" feature of the Lumix GX85 for one image and an automated focus rack of the same number of images (40 total) as RAW files. The "Post Focus" video was rendered into an image sequence using Photoshop and the output files were generated as TIFF. Both sequences were stacked using Helicon Focus using the Depth Map option for stacking. Each stack was saved as a TIFF file. The images were cropped to proportion and exported using Lightroom. Both stacks are excellent, further validating the viability of the "Post Focus" capability of Lumix cameras. The lens used was the Lumix H-HS030 30mm f/2.8 macro at f/4.0, ISO 200, 1/100 sec.Please click on the images for a larger view.
Eastern Sierra Fall Adventure with Lumix Luminaries in attendance
Eastern Sierra Fall Color AdventureOctober 20-23, 2016Based in beautiful Mammoth Lakes you will traverse the Sierra capturing nature's beauty and amazing locations…Lee Vining Creek, Lundy Lake, Bodie Ghost Town, Mono Lake and many more.You’ll receive hands-on help to find and capture amazing pictures. Have fun with great people and inspirational photographers.Panasonic's Mark Toal, Suzette Allen and Jon Yoshinaga will be at the workshop and will have a loaner trunk of Lumix G Series cameras for you to use.The Sierra Adventure is ideal for beginners to advanced photographers Click here for more info and to register
Out of New York - 2016
Are you familiar with the Out of Chicago Photography conference? Now the producers Chris and Malinda have put together another amazing, inspiring, and fun photography conference bringing it to New York City.As the “Shooting-est Photography Conference on Earth”, not only will you learn in a classroom setting with photographers like Lindsay Adler, Bryan Peterson, Rick Sammon, Valerie Jardin, and MORE, but they’ll also take you on the streets of Manhattan to use what you learn! One of the many reasons for its success is the smaller, more intimate class size. You will be in a classroom with no more than 60 people (other than the keynote speakers), and you will be able to interact with your favorite instructors!Out of New York is set for Friday and Saturday October 14 and 15, 2016. Included in your fee is 2 full days of classes along with many social photowalks to choose from. There will also be opportunities for educational, smaller photowalks for an additional charge. Check out the Sunday, full day on-the-street workshops too! Sign up at www.outofnewyork.com or email malinda@outofchicago.com for more information. Here is what attendees from the Out of Chicago 2016 event had to say:Attendee Jessica Zoller Kaplan posted in the 2016 Attendee Facebook group…“As I continue to process the many amazing moments of this weekend, I'm feeling inspired, motivated and grateful to have been a part of something so special. Thanks to Chris, Malinda, Michelle and the whole team for your work on this incredible conference. (I'm already signed up for OOC2017 - are you?) Thanks in particular to Angie, Ron, Levi, Bryan, Valerie, Tim,Ken, Steve, Steve, Eugene, Corwin, James, Rick and Scott for your wisdom and encouragement. My feet and shoulders were aching last night, but the view from Maggie Daley Park made it all worth it.”Per Bette J. Kauffman, “Thanks to Chris Smith and the #OOC2016 team for a terrific experience.”From Jim Jones“HUGE thanks go out to Chris Smith and the entire army of volunteers and speakers - Out of Chicago 2016 was phenomenal! It was fun, educational and inspiring! Grateful to have met so many great people and to have learned from so many awesome photographers and instructors. You guys are awesome!!!”
Eastern State Penitentiary
I had the opportunity to visit the ESP on my way to the Art in Nature Festival where I am presenting Color Management and Workflow.The ESP invites artists to create work that address ESP's themes—including issues of crime and justice, architectural history, and the site’s fascinating past. Ruth Scott Blackson is one of the artists who has created a fascinating piece of work entitled No Trace Without Resistance
As you can see from the image, Ruth applied new paint chips, coated in gold leaf, to the flaking walls of this cell. Quote from the ESP site "In the resulting “shimmering constellation,” sunlight on the installation may entice the visitor in the same way an inmate may have been forced to concentrate on the walls during solitary confinement. The prison’s neglect reveals something surprising and rare underneath."And the as you walk through the cell blocks - you see cell after cell all in arrested decay. Al Capone - spent his time in a rather elaborate cell - the age old radio still plays.
The other inmates did not have such comfort as you see in the typical cell below.
Though each cell block had a Barber Cell with a centrally placed Barber's Chair there are currently just two that remain.
Like the spokes of a wheel the never-ending corridors of the ESP.
Whales - Cape Cod
We had an exceptional whale watch on July 23rd. Having been on many whale watches, this was my first time experiencing Humpback Whales bubble feeding. This method of feeding behavior is when the whales blow clouds or rings of bubbles around a school of fish. The bubbles then rise around the fish which are trapped inside the column of rising bubbles while the whales rise up with their mouths open and trap the fish using baleen as the filtering mechanism. “Bubble feeding” is unique to the Humpback whales.
We were also fortunate to watch a fairly recent feeding method that has been adopted by the Humpback Whales - "Kick feeding" where the whale pounds the surface of the water with its tail before diving and blowing a bubble ring. It is believed that the tail pounding stuns the fish and makes them easier to catch.All Monica's images were captured using a Panasonic Lumix GX8 and the Lumix 35 - 100 mm f/2.8 lens
Petite Pointe Au Sable Lighthouse, Mears, MI
Spent the last three days in Holland, MI at the SWMCCC conference. Went out to Mears last evening to get some images of this lighthouse. It seems that all of Mears shows up to see the sun set every evening - sure it tough shooting between the crowds. This post has two views - both worth the effort. Photographed using the Lumix GX85 and the 14-140 lens. The non anti aliasing filter GX85 sure bring out a ton of detail.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 and DMC-G7 Firmware updates
Panasonic released firmware updates for the GX8 and the G7 bodies late yesterday. The key updates are:New functions are added in Fn button.
- The option "Wireless Setup (Flash)" has been added to [Setting in REC mod] on the [Fn Button Set] of [Custom] menu.
- The option "Wi-Fi" and "LVF/Monitor Switch" have been added to [Setting in PLAY mode] on the [Fn Button Set] of [Custom] menu.
Infrared and More
This image was made using a Panasonic Lumix G7 converted camera. The RAW image was processed using Capture One and the channels were swapped using Photoshop. Topaz BW Effects and Macphun Intensify were used to further enhance the image.
Cape Cod Sky - 10 minutes apart
Join us in October for a grand weekend and photo workshop in Cape Cod - CLICK HERE for details
The Joy of Mirrorless and IR
Typical cameras are designed to capture the visible spectrum. Geting your camera converted to capture IR opens up another world of photography.Keep in mind that IR wavelength is longer than the wavelength range of the visible spectrum and thereby focuses differently. When you convert a DSLR you are limited to certain focus adjustments that must be made so as to achieve the best quality of images with sharp focus. As lenses with different focal lengths behave differently you need to select one lens and have the camera sensor calibrated to achieve sharp focus with that lens. Any other lenses will not be in a position to achieve good focus. Live view can help but it is not the best option.Mirrorless cameras on the other hand rely on the imaging sensor for focus attainment and metering they are able to discern the IR focus shift in real time and adjust accordingly. This feature allows you to use any lens, prime or zoom and capture sharp IR images.In my opinion a mirrorless cameras with no in body image stabilization is a better choice for conversion.Lifepixel is who I use and their service and conversions are exceptional. Click on the icon to get started.
Use the coupon code shivverma50 to get $50 Off with a Priority Processing Upgrade - this coupon code expires on August 6, 2016
July 2, 2016 Fireworks in Boston
Panasonic GX85 with the Leica 100 - 400mm lens
I received my GX85 a few days ago but yesterday was the first opportunity to try it out. The GX85 with the Leica 100-400 is a superb combination. Both these images are considerable crops. There are two recently fledged Downy Woodpeckers, a male and a female who frequent the back yard. I am most impressed with the detail from the GX85 (no anti-aliassing filter) and excellent image stabilization.
You don't need big bucks
Recently, I watched a high-end photo shoot demonstration where multiple Broncolor studio lights and power-packs were used to photograph a bottle of single malt Scotch Whisky. At least four Broncolor Strobes with Broncolor Strip boxes and focusing light modifiers were used to capture the image. It was an excellent demonstration and the results were great. Well here is my version:
Westcott was kind enough to provide me with a set of Rapid Box Strip lights that I decided would have to do the job.Each Rapid Box Strip was mounted on a light stand and a Nissin DI866 flash head triggered by a Yongnuo wireless trigger was used as the light source. A third Nissin i40 flash also triggered by a Yongnuo trigger was used as the light for the label on the bottle. A Rogue Flashbender was formed into a snoot to concentrate the light and prevent any spill.The camera was a Panasonic Lumix GX8 with the Lumix 35 - 100mm f/2.8 lens. A Yongnuo mounted on the hot-shoe was used to trigger the lights. Exposure triad: f/7.1, 1/100 sec, ISO 200. Lens focused at 42mm.Here is a behind the scenes image.
Fireworks
The 4th of July weekend is next. The weather forecast for the Greater Boston area looks good so why not try photographing fireworks. In addition to the annual Boston Pops concert and fireworks, the Boston Harbor Fest will also have a fireworks display on July 2, 2016. Here is an excerpt from the festival site: "Various sailors will decorate their boats and light up the Inner Harbor on Saturday, July 2nd. Live music on Long Wharf will lead up to an incredible fireworks display over Boston’s Inner Harbor."Here is a link to my tips page for photographing fireworks.
TOPAZ Impression 2 is here
Topaz Impression 2, an updated version of the popular painterly effect software was released yesterday. As always, the update is free to anyone who already owns Impression. And for those who don’t own it, Impression 2 will be on sale (40% off!) from June 23rd - July 7th. Please use the coupon code "2IMPRESS" to take advantage of the discounted price of $59.99 (regularly $99.99).
Click Here to get Impression 2Topaz Impression generates natural painterly effects by painting brushstrokes one at a time. (It just does this very fast!) Impression can paint over 10,000 brushstrokes in less than a second, all while completely following your artistic direction, making truly personal art that you can call your own.NEW FEATURESIf you’re already familiar with Impression, the updated release of Impression 2, gives you more powerful processing with a completely redesigned framework and the following additional features:• 30+ New effects - Impression 2 now comes with over 140 effects!• Larger Brush Panel - no more squinting to find the brush you need.• Masking - Impression 2 now includes masking in application! Using a brush, color range, luminosity range, or spot masking, the masking panel even includes our color aware tool.• Topaz Community - now you can share your created effects with the other users of Impression 2 with a click of a button. Not seeing an effect you like? Browse the Topaz Community to surf an ocean of custom user made effects.• New brush customization options:- “Number of strokes” options to change the number of strokes applied to the image.- “Large Brush Volume” that adjust paint volume in large areas of color to help focus on the details.- “Stroke “Rotation Variation” to add randomness to your effect strokes.• Highlight and Shadow control in the lighting menu.• Support for High DPI (4k) monitors in Windows 7/8/10...and much more.
Hasselblad X1D
Hasselblad introduces a rangefinder sized Medium Format mirrorless camera and a new set of lenses too. This is not a rebranded Sony for sure. Details and specs can be found on their website but of significance is the dual card slots - a first for mirrorless cameras. Time for Panasonic, Sony, Olympus and Fuji to seriously consider dual card slots.Canon, Nikon - now what?
A US Navy DC3 Cargo Wreck
On Sólheimasandur a black sand beach in Iceland lies the remains of a Douglas Super DC-3 cargo plane that crashed here in 1973. The cargo aircraft was abandoned and is now a tourist attraction. Though not easy to get to, it is a great photo opportunity. It tail section, wings and engines are all gone and its interior stripped.The wreck is most photographed from the side you first see it when approaching the beach but on this evening on August 14, last year the dramatic clouds made an exceptional backdrop for the opposite side of the plane.I am so looking forward to going back this September for another great workshop.
Half Dome by Moonlight
This will be my last post from the 2016 Yosemite and Mono Lake workshop. This image was captured at 8:20 PM on May 18, 2016. The idea was to do some light painting but there is no way a hand-held lantern will reach Half Dome two miles away. So the conifer was painted while the moon cast its light on Half Dome and the snow-capped range in the background. The exposure triad was ISO 100, f/2.8, 30 seconds. A higher ISO would have prevented the stars from trailing but would not have given enough time to paint the foreground. Photography is all about compromises, so I let the stars trail.If you do read this post to the end - let me know via a comment or an email if you would consider joining me on a Yosemite and Mono Lake photo tour/workshop in 2017.
Cape Cod, Yellowstone and The Grand Tetons
Just finalized the 2016 Fall Photo Tours and Workshops in Yellowstone and The Grand Tetons National Parks and Cape Cod.Yellowstone and The Grand Tetons - October 1 through October 8, 2016 - Details HereCape Cod - October 12 through October 16, 2016 - Details HereIn addition, the September 2016 Iceland photo tour and workshop is nearly full - two spots are available - Details Here