Today Phase One has released a major update for the XF Camera System. Available now and free to all XF Camera System owners, Feature Update #3 adds significant improvements for studio and flash photography applications such as advanced flash controls with the in-camera Profoto Air Remot enable Profoto TTL metering. Further, a post capture Flash Analysis Tool has been added to ensure unparalleled control.
As we like to do from time to time, given what great deals they are to be had, today we wanted to feature some of the many killer deals on refurbished cameras, lenses, and accessories that we know about.
I’m about to say something that is going to be very unpopular with many of you, but will make a whole load of sense to those of you experienced enough to truly realize what I’m saying. CMOS sensors in cameras these days are all good. The ones in phones, dedicated cameras, etc. They work and they’re all highly capable of delivering beautiful results. I’d guarantee you that if you put the output from a Sony camera and a Canon camera side by side, you probably wouldn’t be able to tell which is which. Why? They’re all so perfect. Because of this, I honestly really miss the CCD sensor–the unique look that it was able to deliver rendered images to resemble chrome film and gave us beautiful flaws that could easily be embraced by the most crafty amongst us. Indeed, the “bad results” truly brought out those of us that could make lemonade out of a pile of lemons.
When it comes to cleaning your camera sensor, the truth is that many photographers are very scared and don’t know how to do it. There are options like the Rocket Blower, the Arctic Butterfly and very recently Dexter’s Vac-o-matic was sent to us for review. From the folks over at Dexter’s camera, the Vac-matic is a low power vacuum designed to clean your camera’s sensor by using a soft tip.
There are two different styles of product photography: lifestyle and the stagnant plain background. For years, both have challenged many people. Lifestyle product photography will always be more complicated while the plain background is more studio style in a controlled environment. But perhaps one of the simplest and most fun way of actually doing the stagnant, plain jane background type of photography is with the Foldio 360. As a super portable, app connected option, the Foldio 360 makes product photography really, really fun.
All images by Magdalena Pilecka. Used with permission. Photographer Magdalena Pilecka’s Black and White Stories series is an incredible collection of black and white images that strongly pull their inspiration from those classic silent horror films from the dawn of cinema. A time where there were no crazy sound effects or crazy special effects to blow a …
If I told you that the work that we found isn’t weird, I wouldn’t be honest with you. Indeed, it’s weird.
Anyone can take a portrait photo, but making your image stand out from all the rest of the #instafamous photographers requires a bit more effort on your part that will eventually become common and a part of your routine portrait efforts. Most experienced portrait photographers know this already and chances are that if you are one of those people, you already have the necessary people skills to do this.
One of the myths around Street Photography is that it is an art-form you get into with no expectation of earning money or getting recognition. Though it may be easy to write it off as gospel, the truth is that recognition/generating sales in Street Photography is all about how you market yourself. In today’s uber-connected world there’s no shortage of places you can post your work – Instagram, Behance, or a personal website are all great places to start but if you want to get your work noticed by galleries then you’re going to need a printed portfolio of your work to really stand out.
One day last year, my uncle gave me a gift that rekindled my interest in 35mm film photography–the Nikon N2020. My delight to hear him say “It has a motor focus” was followed by a chuckle of appreciation. Ever since I was a young boy, he knew how much I loved playing with new toys and this wasn’t really any sort of exception. The Hexar AF is the camera that turned that kindle into a raging, fiery passion; but the N2020 has quite a bit going for it that makes it wonderful in some ways. Quirky, fun, reliable, and compact–I can tell why so many people genuinely loved this camera.