Archive for the ‘portraits’ tag
Review: Olympus 45mm f1.8 MSC
As the other MSC prime lens in the Olympus line up of Micro Four Thirds glass, the 45mm f1.8 is one that will help many prime users complete their entire lineup of fast prime lenses…or at least it promises to. Though many reviews have tested the lens in shooting many various and random things, we’ve felt that many of the reviewers have neglected to test it for what it was designed for. As a fast aperture focal length that equates to 90mm, this lens was designed to shoot portraits.
And that’s exactly what we did on both the EPM1 and EP2. Yesterday, we shot fashion with the lens. And soon we will feature a full portrait session with the lens and a ring light.
Review: Canon 8-15mm f4 L Fisheye Lens
See that piece of glass in the photo up above? That is one of the most highly talked about Canon L lenses right now. Indeed, the Canon 8-15mm f4 L fisheye zoom lens is one of the company’s latest additions and also one of the lenses that cannot stay on shelves or warehouses. Even people that don’t like fisheye lenses are amazed by this portable eye of a fish.
But is it worth the hype, money and your time?
Spending Two Weeks with Kodak Ektar and Portra
Portra 160 35mm
Not long ago, Kodak got in touch with me and wanted me to try out their latest Portra films: 160 and 400 in 35mm. At Photo Plus, I was also given a roll of Ektar to play with. Admittedly, I’ve mainly been a user of Portra 400, Tri-X 400, Fuji Pro 400, and Ilford XP2. However, I decided to give it a shot and reawaken the excitement that comes with not knowing what your image looks like until it comes back from the lab.
A giant thank you goes out to Nathan Blaney for letting me use his Canon 1N for this post. Blaney is a wonderful photographer, and you should take the time to look through his site.
Useful Photography Tip #6: Making Your Subjects Look Better
Help your subjects look their best
The most common question I get at the beginning of a shoot from non-professional models, especially females is “Can you make me look skinnier/prettier/younger?” They’re generally saying it in jest and are thus surprised when I answer in all seriousness “Yes, I can. It will still be you, just the best you.” How do I do that without changing what the person actually looks like? Well here are a few tricks to do just that.
Some Tips for Cosplayer Photography (Pictures Taken at New York Comic Con )
One of my favorite things to do at any Comic book or Anime Convention or combination of the two like New York Comic con is to photo walk around the show and take cosplayer portraits. These folks are all dressed up and had a place to go. I consider it the performance art of these shows and thing the images should be captured for all to see. Cosplayers put a lot of time and effort into their costumes and accessories. I give them my respect by putting a little thought into how I take their photos. There are large amounts of tips that can be given, but here are the ones I think are the most important.
Battle of the Ring Flashes: Orbis vs Ray Flash (As Tested at NYC Comic Con in Practical Use)
Comic Con has been over with for a little while now, but if it has solidified anything that I’ve been taught it’s that your lighting is paramount. The lighting on a convention floor won’t always be ideal, and you can even take your on-camera flash’s capabilities a bit further with a light modifier. Last year, I tested the Orbis at the event and this year I took the Ray Flash—a close competitor. Though the Orbis and Ray Flash have received shining stars from us, here’s a test from us in practical use for portraits.
