Mish Mash Highlights for September 23rd, 2015 - Greece Edition
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Live shows return in one week! Toby and Christina are out for another adventure with McKay Photography Academy in Greece. As there is no live show in the meanwhile these are the highlights of the week in the traditional article format. Remember to follow Toby on Instagram @photorectoby and Christina @christinabernales for vacation photos in lovely Paris. For the Greece trip coming up you can use the hashtag #mckaylivegreece2015 to see all of the talented photographers photos.
In Case You Missed It! Vlogs!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG2ZuwJFjd0&feature=youtu.be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSi6zDdWzWM&feature=youtu.be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cneABU-qKZM&feature=youtu.be
News
As a note if anyone would like to contribute a story feel free to send an email to DPRnews@rm3.me. Check Out David Bergman’s 20,000-Megapixel Photo of Yankee Stadium825 photos with a Canon 5DS R and a Gigapan Epic Pro to stitch a massive panorama for Canon Expo 2015. https://vimeo.com/139312923Patent: CANON EF-S 15-53MM F/2.8-4Another patent from Canon coming down the line, will we get a kit lens starting at F/2.8?Small and Speedy Mitakon 25mm f/0.95 Lens Coming for MFT CamerasInteresting news for Micro 4/3 shooters, the Mitakon 25mm F/0.95 pancake will be one of the fastest mft lenses available when it's released. Priced at $500, if it manages to be a sharp lens as the company says it is, the lens might be a new option for photographers looking for a fast and wide focal length. The Pentax Full Frame Camera Is Finally on Its WayA little competition is always a good thing, last week Pentax put this teaser on their website for a full frame camera. As a brand that makes decent cameras but does not have a horse in the full frame race yet it will be nice to see another choice in the market. 
New Petzvar 120mm f/4 Lens for the Hasselblad 500 is Made by a Single ManA new kickstarter from Denys Ivanichek looks to make a new Petzvar 120mm F/4. Somewhat like the lomography petzval lens that came from a kickstarter previously this looks to replicate the look and character of earlier lenses with a petzval lens setup. Find out more from the Kickstarter hereRokinon Adds a 50mm F/1.2 and a 21mm F/1.4 Lenses (for All but Nikon)
Sorry Nikon shooters. Rokinon adds 50mm and 21mm lenses for everyone in the mirrorless market. Mounts for Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, MFT, and Sony E mount cover the board bar Nikon. Available October 7th from B&H50mm F/1.2 ($549) and 21mm F/1.4 ($499)VSCO Keys Lives On By Going Free and Open SourcePreviously a $79 program to use your keyboard for lightroom VSCO keys is now going free and open source online. While lightroom does have shortcuts built in this allows for complete control without having to constantly run the sliders for your photos. Get here today, http://vsco.github.io/keys/. https://vimeo.com/50564724Lowepro Expands Applauded ProTactic Line with Four New Photography Bags
Four new compact ProTactic all weather bags from Lowepro released this week. Perfect for someone starting out or someone that wants to travel light the premium bags look to be a good fit. Available now from B&HONA launches new leather and nylon Black Collection
Now to a bag series a bit more expensive than the Lowepro. ONA released an upscale set of leather and nylon bags this week with travelers in mind. A daypack, set to hold a larger full frame DSLR with up to 7 lenses and a laptop it can handle everyday shooting and handles a bit of rain. A messenger bag, also water resistant, has enough room for 2-3 lenses and a small 13” laptop. The rolling duffel has enough room for all your gear while holding a large laptop, has room for clothing on a trip, and still legal for a carry-on luggage. Available from B&HONA Brixton Messenger BagONA DaypackONA Rolling Camera Bag & DuffleTermites Infested this Photographer’s Jungle Camera Trap DSLRIn an area known to be a bit damp, termites decided this camera trap was the one dry spot available. Check out the poor Canon 7D in the link above and prepare to cringe a little.
Astrophotography
The Super Blood Moon is ComingSept 27-28The Night of September 27-28 will be the best blood moon of the year as its also a super moon. Those on the east coast, south america, and western Europe will have the best chance at seeing the blood moon. This one is a little bit easier to see at 10:51 P.M. EDT unlike my photo here which was at 3 A.M. Remember after you get your Blood moon photos it is a good moment to shoot the stars as well as there is very little light pollution from the moon.To line up your shot before the event I suggest using the program Stellarium, a virtual planetarium for your computer. After you set your location you can get a precise angle where the moon is going to pass through. (http://www.stellarium.org)Need help shooting the moon? Check out Toby's tips in Super Moon? Super Crop!
Instagram
The challenge, black and white, has been extended for another week so the winners can be presented during the live show. In the meantime keep sending in more photos! With an open challenge like this it brings out the possibilities as we’ve got: buildings, animals, pets, people, vehicles, items, landscapes, and even a clever reflection! Join the challenge on Instagram by tagging your photos #prtv and #prtv_blackandwhite.
Tip of the Day - Take Notes
A good habit to get into today is taking notes, it may seem a bit silly at first but you will be better for it. While there is that magical 1% that can pull a photo out of nothing with natural talent for the rest of us we need experience and notes to fall back on. Amateurs all the way to pros keep notes because you can’t keep 100% of everything in your head. A small memo book like field notes is great for taking with you on the go and fits conveniently in a camera bag. In conjunction with Evernote, an online notebook, you can keep your digital notes backed up and access them through a phone or tablet. A memo book can keep quick notes, and important info if your phone dies, while Evernote can backup the info and hold notes and photos that wouldn’t translate well to paper. Notes do pay off and just like homework the information will pay off later:
- Take note of shots on TV and ads you like
- Ideas for your next photo
- Inventory of gear to and from a location
- Required shot list for a shoot
- Tasks & checklists so you don’t forget anything
- Important subjects for the area you're visiting
- People's names if you're bad at remembering them
- In the case of shooting a wedding who is related to who.
- Contact info
- Camera settings of a photo
- A story that goes along with the photo you’ve taken. Helpful if you're going for a Humans of NY style of shooting.
- Editing tips for Lightroom / Photoshop and steps for certain effects
- Important information for a location you’ve visited for the next trip
- Detail info. In my case the make, model, and year of a car I’m shooting
- Tips for camera settings for beginners getting used to not shooting on auto
- Shot setups for the subject, lighting, and settings
Evernote, free for computer & mobile devices, evernote.com Field Notes, available at Amazon
McKay Photography Academy
Join us in 2016! Well more exactly Toby, Christina, and the McKay Academy. You get a great vacation, photography trip, mentors, and great company. See unique places with hands on learning to take the best photo possible on your journey. Find out more at mckaylive.com and on Facebook at McKay Photography Academy & Vision Culture
Patreon
This article is brought to you by YOU! Join us on patreon and with your support get access to exclusive lightroom videos, behind the scenes shots, a support forum on Facebook, and easy access to Toby (and Me) for all your photography questions. We’re happy to help you find the right gear – camera, lens, accessories and teach you to be a better photographer.Find out more today at http://photorec.tv/support/Regularly scheduled programming will return next week. In the meantime, check out the project below for a DIY exploding box photo album. 
