They’re opportunities to learn, reignite inspiration, and are an excellent excuse to get out of our editing caves and connect with other creatives. As such, several other members of The Phoblographer staff and I joined one on the last day of the expo and discovered a story deserving of discussion that unfolded right in front of us. Usually, photo walks are quite fun and create fun ways to connect with other photographers, but this walk in particular became a different sort of revelatory encounter. As the model who was hired to help with the photo walk joined us, we watched what we’ve all probably seen all too often on the set of a shoot: a slow but steady dehumanization of the young woman in front of us, beautiful, photogenic, and seen as a prop instead of a person.
Medium format cameras sure are fun to use. So it’s no surprise photographers are out on the street using them on a daily basis. Most opt for a film camera. Because let’s face it, most people don’t have in the region of $10,000 (and then some) to buy digital. The image quality of medium format cameras is awesome, and the novelty is intriguing. After spending some time enjoying the work of some street photographers who are using medium format, we thought, “let’s write an article about it.” So we did. And here it is. Five photographers using a medium format camera for street photography. Enjoy!
The season of crazy sales is upon us, my friends. In fact, you can start getting top-rated gear on the cheap starting now. Flashpoint lights are some of the most popular in the industry. They are affordable at their regular prices, but they are now even cheaper. You can get the Flashpoint lights that we have listed at Cyber Monday prices now. The Flashpoint Zoom Li-Ion (Godoxo V860) is a workhorse flash that comes with a rechargeable battery. Right now, you can pick one up for just $129! If you want one that also comes with an R2 trigger so that you can use it off-camera, you can get one for only $188! Need a light with enough output to overpower the sun? The Flashpoint XPLOR 600 PRO TTL is a steal at $799! Check out the Flashpoint light deals after the break.
Carrying our camera gear around with us, and keeping it protected from whatever comes our way is essential. We spend thousands of dollars on our camera and lenses, yet sometimes we don’t store it in bags or cases that offer a whole lot of protection. Pelican has been making hard cases for photography gear for a while, and their new Vault cases are aiming to not only protect your equipment while you’re out in the wild, they’re aiming to be wallet-friendly too. Join us after the break we for specs, pricing, and release information about the new Pelican Vault cases.
Black and white photography involves a totally different mindset when it comes to shooting and a different way of seeing things before you even press the shutter. But what exactly are these about? How do you train your eye to hunt for the right scenes that will look best in monochrome? What makes a good or effective black and white image? With some tips and insights from today’s featured video, you’ll be able to get ideas on these for your next black and white shoot.
Take a look at any photography blog or any photography YouTube channels, and you’ll hear about how lousy camera sales are world-wide. We know the camera market has been in a freefall over the last year, but what’s the answer to this problem? The rise of smartphones with very capable cameras are playing a considerable role in declining sales for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, and many others. Now, consumers feel like they simply don’t require a dedicated camera. Should camera manufacturers forget about the entry-level market and start focusing on high-end cameras only? Let’s talk about this after the break.
When the air turns cold, and the snow and freezing rain starts falling from the sky, many photographers will head inside, but there are those of us who are brave enough (or stupid enough) to head out into the elements. When we head outside, we need to make sure that our gear can withstand the cold temperatures, the blowing winds, and precipitation. If you’re a Sony shooter who likes to get outside when the going gets rough, you need to check out these nine weather-sealed primes that will get the job done for you.
Ask London-based photographer Jamie Windsor who his all-time favorite photographer is, and there’s a big chance that he’ll answer Nan Goldin. He explains his choice by explaining what about her work draws him and commands his attention: the authenticity and emotional narratives brought about by imperfection. Yes, you’re reading it right. Imperfection is something that the digital world has largely addressed, if not erased, with the latest and greatest when it comes to gear. But in the case of photographers like Nan Goldin, Jamie has found that their “bad photos” often resonate with viewers because of their creative use of imperfections to convey a feeling or capture a moment from their own perspective.
Shooting black and white goes more than just taking away the colors or shooting in your camera’s monochrome mode. There’s a lot of things to check and keep in mind before you can get a good black and white image, especially when you’re shooting landscapes. To help us with this, Doug McKinlay shares some of his useful tips when shooting and editing black and white landscape photos in a video by Adorama.
Landscape photography is really one of the most enjoyable genres of photography to practice. There’s nothing better than heading out into the great outdoors, connecting with nature, and then being able to capture all of the beauty that surrounds you. Landscape photography isn’t supposed to be stressful, but I hear more and more photographers complain about having to get this shot or that shot so that they can get all the likes on social media. Thomas Heaton is a fantastic landscape photographer, and in one of his latest videos, he explains why it’s important to shoot without expectations, and why you should practice patience. Join us after the break to hear more.