Instagram Challenge Top Picks – Nature & Reflection

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.https://youtu.be/E6PXeQVqZho

Two Challenges! #prtv_nature2 & #prtv_reflection3

A month worth of summer challenges with nature and reflections, nice job folks! We had some great pics this week but check out Toby's video for all the shots and learn a few tips. If you're up for a challenge it's up to you this time with a wildcard challenge, just tag those shots #PRTV_wildcard on Instagram.

Nature Top Pick:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnDyznXncy7/?tagged=prtv_nature2

Reflection Top Pick:

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BmuNILrHzwc/?tagged=prtv_reflection3[/embed]For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks – Bokeh 2

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL5VGByJFUo

The #PRTV_bokeh2 Challenge

Bokeh is a great tool for separating your subject from a background but you can also have a bit of fun with it as well. Congratulations to Toby's Top Picks and check out the video for all the honorable mentions.

Top Picks

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl3JCsXBjwE/?tagged=prtv_bokeh2[/embed][embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkxro2MAi2-/?tagged=prtv_bokeh2[/embed][embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BmNI0EUnhxw/?tagged=prtv_bokeh2[/embed]For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks – Fireworks

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEpQ2yLlZRs&feature=youtu.be

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_fireworks

Fireworks are fun to shoot and a challenge as well relying on a bit more knowhow to get them right in camera. Congrats to this week's top picks with some great shots for competition in this month-long challenge! Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_bokeh2Next up, your challenge gets a bit blurry with bokeh! Bokeh used creatively can be a tool to separate your subject from their background to make them stand out or add a bit of flair with bokeh balls. Try it this week and post those shots on Instagram with #PRTV_bokeh2!

Top Picks

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BlPCXbPhmy4/?tagged=prtv_fireworks[/embed]

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk2RM-MhI26/?tagged=prtv_fireworks[/embed]

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk0DQfqnOV8/?tagged=prtv_fireworks[/embed]

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk2cZm-HeQR/?tagged=prtv_fireworks[/embed]

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Tips // Instagram is too much F#$%ing Work!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmbe5vT_4XY

Sometimes it feels like the time I spend posting, hashtagging, captioning is a total time suck. A few tools and tips that can help but really a conversation with you - how are you feeling about Instagram these days?

Auto Publishing

Services like Later.com can help schedule your posts to Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Now at least for Instagram, they've finally enabled auto-publishing, saving you from getting the phone out just to post! Check it out at https://later.com/#ref=photorectv

Hashtagging

Hashtags take forever, especially for those wanting to put out 30 for each post. Later.com uses hashtag groups to save time, but you need to change it up. Fortunately, it's hashtag suggestion feature will help a bit, but it needs to be fleshed out more. Instead just stalk your local Instagrammers to see what the popular tags are for your area and try to incorporate some when you can.

Image Tips

Your image quality matters!

• Bright images with a strong white point draw people into the photos
• Level your horizon, that's that little extra to make people think your photo is worth a like
• Clear subjects have to count, get rid of distracting elements so there's a strong focus on your subject

Captions

Connect with your viewer, you need to sell yourself with a good caption for the photo.

• The personal story behind the photo
• How the image was captured
• Or ask a question, just make it a good one!

Instagram Challenge Top Picks – Songtitle

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_songtitle

We get inspiration from many places when it comes to shooting and this week had a musical spin. Thanks to those that entered as you came up with some really clever ideas! Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_fireworksWe’re changing it up for this next challenge, you have one month to enter! Get all those firework shots out of your system, and you’ve got plenty of time to edit for once. What can you come up with? We’ll be checking out those shots July 25th!

Roy’s Features:

• A really cute idea for "Hungry Like a Wolf"!

• While you may be addicted to that soft lens at this point it did a nice job of putting all the focus on your main subject.

• The inspiration might be "Don't go Chasing Waterfalls" but I think this was a great one for a shot!

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Locations of In-Flight Photos

So what the heck did you just shoot a photo of out the plane? As we’re back from Joshua Tree here’s a quick tip for traveling if your the type that loves the window seat for photos. It’s not that hard and gives you a rough idea where you took the shot.

• So when you take photos off your phone typically it stays in the time zone that you started in which works out in this case. That gets saved to the photo's metadata which you can get to by hitting info (under … at the top right in android) or pulling it up in Lightroom (bottom of the right panel in the library).

• Go to flightradar24.com or flightaware.com and pull up your flight info. Without paying for a plan Flightradar24 only gives you the last 7 days free, Flightaware is 14 days or 4 months with a free account. I’m including both as you might miss the first one coming back from a trip.

Flightradar24 (www.flightradar24.com)Flightradar, in this case, is the easy one. Simply convert your time to UTC, in my case “5:59pm edt to utc” in google brings up 9:59 PM which is 21:59 in military time. So then hit play, skip to that time, and there we go. Albeit the data is usually off a bit but gets you in the ballpark. I shooting a bit behind the plane so this shot is a bit northeast of what the site says. Making this Bullfrog Bay in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area with Mt Ellsworth and Mt Holmes in the background.FlightAware (flightaware.com)

1. Get your takeoff time off the site.

1. Go to www.calculator.net/time-calculator.html and subtract your shot time by the takeoff time.

1. Hit play and skip ahead to your shot time. In comparison, this map isn’t as helpful but overall you get the area and can find it in google maps. If you click on the three lines at the top right of the map you can switch between map sources to get some city names to find in google maps.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks – Urbex

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: Urbex - #PRTV_urbex

A long called for challenge, urbex show’s what we left behind and a good look at something long gone. Your goal for this week and certainly a challenge!

Next Week's Challenge: Song Title - #PRTV_songtitle

We take inspiration while shooting from many places and next week your goal is to use a song title as an idea for a shoot. It should be an interesting challenge so get creative!

Top Picks

• Toby: I like that this one is light and airy showing the decay
• Roy: A really interesting shot showing the aging and abandoned setting

• Toby: A nicely balanced image, the editing really matches the content
• Roy: A piece of history left behind works well with those iconic posters. It's a shame in your caption the building is now demolished.

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks – Walk

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_walk

Whether in the city or in the country this week’s goal was to get out for some photos either by a bit of street photography or nature. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting out and you all grabbed some neat shots this week.Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_urbexAs I’m relatively near Detroit a popular one for the area is Urban Exploration (Urbex). This week get your explorer on and get some neat shots of some of the more abandoned parts of your area. This was a highly requested subject, so for those that asked, now it's your shot!

Toby’s Features:

• The Position of the horse - off center, framed by the background trees - perfect!

• Including the path leading the viewer to the SF city skyline works so very well

• A lovely scene!

Roy’s Features:

• A great macro shot and the lighting is just perfect for putting the focus on your subject.

• An interesting photo and I like that you had someone in frame to break the pattern

• It’s a nice sunset shot and I like that you cropped it close for the plants in this one.

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks – SOOC

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_sooc

Your challenge this week, if you dared, was to post one shot without ANY editing. Scary for some, but it’s a good challenge this week to really think about the exposure in your photos.Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_walkIts summer time now so that means its a good time for a walk. This week your challenge is to go on a photo walk in your area and shoot a series of photos then post that one best photo that made your day. It's a good chance to practice your street photography or go for wildlife on a nature hike. 

Toby’s Features:

• I love it when participants try something new to complete a challenge!

• I can feel the chill and damp just looking at this photo

• Bright, crisp and lovely - what a shot!

Roy’s Features:

• I like that the exposure is a bit dark in this and that fade to black in the tunnel.

• Heather was clever with this one! Shooting a double exposure in camera counts this week.

• I’m a wildlife nut and I like this headshot, the biggest thing with birds for me is you need to nail that catchlight in the eyes.

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Travel Adapters and Charging on the Go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBsy4J4U39gWhen traveling you still need to keep everything charged and ready to go. From camera batteries to your phone there are a few items out there that will make your next trip a bit easier. 

Passport: First Fail-Safe Global Travel Adapter

• Univeral adapter good for traveling in multiple countries
• Includes four USB ports to charge devices
• Built-in circuit breaker to protect devices

Zendure 26800mAh Quick Charge 3.0 Portable Charger

• Capable of charging your devices multiple times
• Supports quick charging to charge your devices quickly and recharging the battery itself
• Pass-through charging to act as a hub

Zendure 10000mAH Portable Charger

• A smaller size and cheaper version to charge devices

UPWADE 2 Outlet Travel Power Strip 

• A long winding cord to give you room from the outlet
• Includes two power ports and four USB ports to charge devices

Check out more gear!➨ My Recommended Gear: https://kit.com/photorectoby➨ Recommended Travel Gear: https://kit.com/photorectoby/travel-gear

Instagram Challenge Top Picks - Long Exposure

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_longexposure

When you need more light, you make it! With this week’s flash challenge it was your chance to show off those skills when you get away from all natural lighting.Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_soocNo excuses for editing this go around as we want you to shoot straight out of the camera. Think of this week like going back to film so that means you’ve got to nail that exposure.

Toby’s Features:

• Creatively setup and captured!

• Love the black and white and smooth water vs tree trunks

• Lovely sunset tones!

Roy’s Features:

Long exposures let you capture the motion and energy of an area and I think this shot fits the challenge to a T.

A classic long exposure and it’s a neat shot with the water almost looking like a fog.

Pulling focus is one I didn’t think of when coming up with this challenge and it's a neat way to pull focus to a subject with a creative flair.

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks - Flash 2

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_flash2

When you need more light, you make it! With this week’s flash challenge it was your chance to show off those skills when you get away from all natural lighting.Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_longexposureNext week it’s time to shoot a bit longer. Slowing your shutter speed down just a bit can be a great tool for showing motion, a bit more for blurry waterfalls. At the longest times letting enough light in to catch a milky way and stars.

Roy’s Features:

• A clever idea and the black and white almost gives it a metallic effect with that more contrasted side lighting.

• Just a great portrait with nice even lighting that looks great!

• While I’d suggest a colored gel next time this is a nice go at balancing out a flash with the ambient lighting of a sunset.

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks - Black or White

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_blackorwhite

With May 4th as the official star wars holiday did you go for the light or slip to the dark side? While the theme might be a bit silly it’s all about thinking about the color in your images and how it affects the photos. We’ve got a few neat shots this week and certainly, some that stand out for thinking outside the box.Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_flash2Next week you need to flash your subject. It’s a lighting challenge so you need to add a bit of artificial lighting to your subject whether it’s from a cheap flashlight or an expensive strobe.

Toby’s Features:

Perfectly framed and thoughtfully composed - love the B&W treatment here

Black and white with a hint of golden color - nicely captured

The shadows on the walkway really complete this for me!

Roy’s Features:

Black and white lets you really push the look of an image and this architecture shot really fits the bill for this week’s challenge

Considering the challenge I'd have to say going for a high key shot of Yoda wasn't something I thought of this week but really fits the theme.

A bit of work in post but all the focus on this bird for an interesting shot

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks - Golden Hour 3

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_goldenhour3

With spring finally making an appearance it was a great time to get out for some of that golden hour light. While that does include sunsets it's nice to see so many of you thinking out of the box. Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_blackorwhiteMay the 4th be with you! This week your challenge is a bit different in that you’ve got to capture something dark or something light. This is going to be a good challenge for flash photography!

Toby’s Features:

Gorgeous layers so warmly lit - I spent MANY summers at chincotaegue. Love it!

You balanced the flash so nicely with the warm setting sun - nicely done.

Lovely leopard lit but the last bits of light.

Roy’s Features:

A great job at balancing natural and golden light for a really nice shot

If a challenge is about light a golden sun flare I’d say fits the bill.

Wildlife gets super active at later times and catching them in a golden light like this makes for great photos.

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks - Parks

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_parks

Happy Earth Day and National Parks Week! Spring is going strong and you guys got out for some really great photos! Parks are a great location to go shoot a variety of subjects but still close that it's not necessarily out of the way, bar going to Yosemite. Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_goldenhour3Soft and warm light can make for great shots and that’s gonna be what you are looking for in the golden hour challenge. Remember that it's a focus on the light so your subject can be anything you'd like to try shooting. 

Toby’s Features:

Nicely captured some iconic elements of Yosemite NP

Simple composition nicely showcasing Canyonlands

Love the soft low contrast here that matches the feel of the sand and wood

Roy’s Features:

Wooded areas are great for playing with sun flares in your images due to the trees and this photo worked out nicely.

Got to love the tiny details you can find at a park, macro really does make a tiny area a giant one full of options

Parks are not just trees and this landscape shot is a great reminder. Remember when shooting big landscapes like this a foreground element can really balance an image

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Instagram Challenge Top Picks - Architecture 3

Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_architecture3

Some really neat photos this week! Focusing on repeating patterns and light really worked out for this week’s challenge. There are only three top picks this week with Toby on tour but check the rest out at #PRTV_architecture3. Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_parksWith spring starting, hit up a park! This week will be Earth Day and National Park Week with the National Park Foundation so it’s a great time to go shoot outside.

Roy’s Features:

An interesting take on an architecture black and white that really shows the shapes in the building.

It might be Trinity College but this shot from Marita almost seems Harry Potterish with this old architecture for a great photo.

A different take on a recognizable monument to most, giving the building a bit of breathing room worked well!

For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Nixplay Iris Review - Show YOUR photos in my living room!?!?

I have spent a few weeks with the Nixplay Iris wifi cloud frame and discovered a cool feature that I need your help to use! watch till the end - I have thoughts on this $175-$200 digital frame with 10GB of cloud storage. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Buy the Nixplay IRIS

Amazon

B&H

Mish Mash Highlights: 4/11/2018

A post shared by Toby (@photorectoby) on Apr 10, 2018 at 5:00am PDT

This week's photography news and more with the Mish Mash Highlights. Want to mount an iPhone to a 70-200? It might sound crazy but that's an option this week with a new adapter.Toby's back this week with the live show as well. It's the same material you get here, but straight from the man himself while you can talk to the PEN community in a group chat. If that sounds good sign up to PEN today at photoenthusiastnetwork.com. The live show is just a bonus to a ton of great content.

This Week at Photorec.tv

Want to travel with Toby?We've got some great new trips to sign up for:

• Return to New ZealandApril & May 2019
• Oregon Waterfalls and CoastAugust 24th-26th 2018

New for PEN, join today at Photorec.tv/PEN

• Tuesday Tips -The F Stops Here! - Getting started with controlling aperture

WPPI Panasonic Booth - Quick look at GX9 and G9 from PanasonicToby spends a few moments with the Panasonic Gx9 and G9. Talking briefly about the Canon M50 and the Panasonic Gx9

Around the Web

We can't cover everything photography news related but we try. For everything else, we've got the best news articles from around the web.This Adapter Lets You Mount Any Giant Lens On Your Tiny SmartphoneWhile manual only, including aperture, check out this neat adapter that lets you shoot with a smartphone. Essentially digiscoping, shooting through a scope, you can use a large variety of lenses (Canon EF, Nikon F, and Sony E). It's a neat idea if a niche item, hit the link for a video for more!Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is a different beastA smaller micro four-thirds design almost in line with the GH5 with 4K at 60 fps. At $1200 it's an interesting choice and a bit of competition for Panasonic.Other Stories You Might Like:

• Photos of a Starry Lightsaber Duel in the World’s Largest Salt Flat
• How to Rescue an Underexposed Photo and Maintain Natural Color
• How to Stay Creative and Constantly Improve Your Work
• PolarPro Moves Into Still Camera Lens Filters with QuartzLine
• Lutify.me Cross-Platform LUTs Are Now Even Better in Lightroom and Camera Raw
• Elinchrom will skip Photokina this year, other brands may follow suit
• A Photographer got arrested for using his drone- And Says it was worth it
• ProGrade Digital Unveils World’s First 1TB CFexpress Card
• Photographer Forced to Watch His Stolen Custom-Modified Lens Sell on eBay for $65,100
• Fujifilm will discontinue ACROS 100 black & white film in October
• Patent: Canon Application for a New Tilt Screen for the Eos-M
• Photographer Turns Bullied Kids Into Avengers Superheroes
• The Crazy Shots You Can Do with a Camera Robot

Featured Photos Weekly Challenge

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_pets3

It’s been a furry week with some nice photos! Glad to see some silly shots this week with the cold weather up here in Michigan. Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_architecture3A focus on buildings this week, try to focus on shapes and lines as a lot of it will be drawing the eye to your subject.

Toby’s Features:

Love the crop!

I agree and the taller dog’s gaze at the camera is perfect!

Just a simple tight portrait! lovely!

Roy’s Features:

I love that yawn! It's a cute shot and a really unique angle.

The pet for this challenge doesn't have to be yours, using a fast aperture works great to seperate your subject.

A bit of aww, going for that morning light

For more info, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Photos from Space

Sunrise crashes an aurora party

"Sunrise crashes an aurora party over the southern hemisphere," said astronaut Ricky Arnold (@astro_ricky) of the image he snapped from the International Space Station. Auroras are one of the many Earthly phenomena the crew of the space station observe from their perch high above the planet. The dancing lights of auroras provide spectacular views, but also capture the imagination of scientists who study incoming energy and particles from our Sun. Auroras are one effect of such energetic particles, which can speed out from the Sun both in a steady stream called the solar wind or from giant eruptions known as coronal mass ejections or CMEs. After a trip toward Earth that can last three days, the solar particles and magnetic fields cause the release of particles already trapped near Earth, which in turn trigger reactions in the upper atmosphere in which oxygen and nitrogen molecules release photons of light. The result: the Northern and Southern lights. #earth #aurora #night #day #nasa #international #space #station

A post shared by International Space Station (@iss) on Apr 11, 2018 at 10:50am PDT

Pick up a "Major Tom" spaceman LED light for your computer today. Part of Toby's Photos from space segment and it helps support the site. Click here to buy your own Major Tom on Amazon.Want to keep up with things happening this year? Sync your calendar with the solar system

That's all folks! We'll be back next week with even more of your photo news. If you guy's like the highlights leave us comments on the social media posts and we'll keep this going!

Upcoming live show schedule for PEN - No show on April 18th

Mish Mash Highlights: 4/4/2018

A post shared by Toby (@photorectoby) on Mar 31, 2018 at 5:30pm PDT

This week's photography news and more with the Mish Mash Highlights. This week Lightroom got a big update, if you haven't noticed yet go check it out. We've also got a bunch of gear in for reviews so that'll be coming out soon!Toby's back this week with the live show as well. It's the same material you get here, but straight from the man himself while you can talk to the PEN community in a group chat. If that sounds good sign up to PEN today at photoenthusiastnetwork.com. The live show is just a bonus to a ton of great content.

This Week at Photorec.tv

Want to travel with Toby?We've got some great new trips to sign up for:

• Return to New ZealandApril & May 2019
• Oregon Waterfalls and CoastAugust 24th-26th  2018

New for PEN, join today at Photorec.tv/PEN

• Tuesday Tips - Need Inspiration? Steal it!
• The Making of a Black and White Series
• PEN PPA Level Photo Critique - March

Articles Out this week!

• 5 Reasons the 40mm is Better Than the 50mm
• Spring Photography Backgrounds and Props
• Safari Review – Sony 100-400
• Gnarbox Review

Lightroom Classic CC v7.3 | April 2018 UPDATESFor those that want to get a bit more advanced with their editing Lightroom Classic now has a new color profile system and creative profiles. A big boost to editing and we should be seeing some really neat presets in the future. Along with the update there's been a few UI changes and items moved for better workflow, hopefully to get you out shooting again faster.

Around the Web

We can't cover everything photography news related but we try. For everything else, we've got the best news articles from around the web.

• This Camera Was Lost at Sea for 2 Years — Its Photos Just Led to Its Owner

As one of those viral stories, you can't stop this Canon G12 that managed to survive under water for two years! Al beit, thanks to an underwater housing, but with the power of social media they managed to find the owners within a couple days. This little Canon got swept 155 miles away from where it was lost in Japan to end up in Taiwan and fortunately found by school kids.

[embed]https://www.facebook.com/park.lee.10/posts/1976030532434236[/embed]

 Other Stories You Might Like:

• Depth-Based Photo Editing Is Now a Thing
• CIPA Early 2018 Shows Up to 28% Fall in Camera Sales
• The Best Photography April Fools’ Jokes of 2018
• This Tour Around the Sigma Japan Factory Explains Why All Their Machinery Is Blue
• Netflix Teases With Kodachrome Movie Trailer
• VSCO Opens Up A New Studio In Oakland | Free To The Public
• This ‘Secret Code’ Shows if Your Nikon Gear is Refurbished
• Sheriff's Deputy who shot photographer won't face criminal charges
• Do YOU Look Through the Viewfinder with Your Dominant Eye?
• Services and Apps You Can Use to Work More Productively

Featured Photos Weekly Challenge

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_dark2

Starting out I think a lot of photographers wait for that bluebird sky to take photos. So this week we flipped the script going for darker shots whether you got a bit creative or just waited for that light to fall. Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_pets3Time to let the fur fly with a pets challenge next! Go get some cute shots or your pets, or someone elses, for a nice shot this week.

Toby’s Features:

Roy’s Features:

For more info, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.

Photos from Space

Check out theis neat shot of Java, Bali, and Lombok. It almost looks like someone photoshopped a line of islands into a shot :)

From space, the sprawling Indonesian islands of Java, Bali and Lombok appear perfectly arranged. In this majestic view, captured from 250 miles above courtesy of astronaut Ricky Arnold (@Astro_Ricky) aboard the International Space Station (@iss), the impeccably aligned islands are disconnected only by tiny passages of water called straits. The Lombok Strait, which separates Bali and Lombok, is a slice of an invisible boundary called the Wallace Line. The margin, which runs between Asia and Australia, was created by British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace in 1859 and was drawn to separate the wildlife of Australia from the wildlife of Southeast Asia. This study of the geographical distribution of species and ecosystems is called biogeography and was formed from the work of Wallace and other biologist and explorers. There are currently six people living on the space station. While living aboard humanity’s only permanently occupied microgravity laboratory, they will work on hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science and Earth science. Credit: NASA/@Astro_Ricky #nasa #space #spacestation #crew #astronaut #spacecraft #orbit #earth #research #science #picoftheday #indonesia #bali #archipelago #java #lombok #islands

A post shared by NASA (@nasa) on Mar 31, 2018 at 8:11am PDT

Pick up a "Major Tom" spaceman LED light for your computer today. Part of Toby's Photos from space segment and it helps support the site. Click here to buy your own Major Tom on Amazon.Want to keep up with things happening this year? Sync your calendar with the solar system

That's all folks! We'll be back next week with even more of your photo news. If you guy's like the highlights leave us comments on the social media posts and we'll keep this going!

Upcoming live show schedule for PEN - No show on April 18th

Safari Review - Sony 100-400

I take the Sony FE 100-400 and Sony 1.4x Teleconverter on Safari in Tanzania, Africa with McKaylive.com and https://thomsonsafaris.com/ - I loved, LOVED the results and share with you my full review of the Sony 100-400, with sample photos and a report of how the Sony 100-400 performs paired with the Sony 1.4x Teleconverter for wildlife and portraits!

• Buy the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens with FREE Circular Polarizer Filter Kit from B&H Photo

• Buy the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter from B&H Photo

Your use of these links supports these reviews and costs you nothing extra.

Sample Photos Sony FE 100-400 f/4.5 - 5.6

[gallery ids="18038,18039,18040,18041,18042,18044,18045,18046,18047"]

Sony FE 100-400 with 1.4x Teleconverter Sample Photos

[gallery columns="4" ids="18048,18049,18050,18051,18052,18053,18054,18055"]

Sample raw files for personal use only.

Pick up the Sony G Master FE 100-400mm Today

Sony 100-400

Amazon

B&H

Sony 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 Specs

Focal Length

100 - 400mm

Aperture

Maximum: f/4.5 - 5.6Minimum: f/32 - 40

Mount

Sony FE (Full Frame or APS-C)

Angle of View

24° - 6° 10'

Minimum Focus Distance

3.22' (.98 m)

Magnification

0.12 - 0.35x

Optical Design

22 Elements in 16 Groups

Blades

9, Rounded

Image Stabilization

Yes

Auto Focus

Yes

Tripod Collar

Yes, Removable

Filter Size

Front: 77 mm

Dimensions

Approx. 3.70 x 8.07" (93.9 x 205 mm)

Weight

3.07 lbs (1395 g)