Featured Photos Weekly Challenge - Leading Lines

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_leadinglinesA fun but harder subject this week as we did have some entries that did not qualify as we needed a strong line in your photo. Leading lines in a photo is a harder composition as you need not just lines in a photo, but strong lines this week to draw your eye to a subject. Falling back on architecture and landscapes while out shooting you can find many things that can focus your photos from a road to a river or a sign.Next Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_photojournalismFind out more about upcoming challenges and past winners at photorec.tv/prtvYou can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv and the team:

Toby’s Features:

A unique take on an iconic landmark!

An "Iconic View" with Sydney Opera House in the background - a triumph of modern architecture, rare engineering and a marvel born out of innovation, creativity and controversy. #itspixelbliss #xploresydney #discoveraustralia #ilovesydney #visitnsw #sydneylocal #canonaustralia #sydney_insta #australia #earthofficial #ourplanetdaily #dailytelegraph #focusaustralia #sun7 #canonphotography #instadaily #picoftheday #amazing #sydneyoperahouse #travel #travelgram #blackandwhite #bnw #instablackandwhite #bnwphotography #bnw_sydney #fineartphotography #mysydney #iconic

A post shared by Martin Snicer Photography (@martinsnicerphotography) on Apr 30, 2017 at 12:10pm PDT

lines don’t always need to be so clear to lead the eye - the broken egg shells do a great job leading up to the bowl and I like the rest of the arrangement in this shot.

Thought I would try some food photography this morning! #prtv #prtv_leadinglines #iphone7plus

A post shared by Michael Homze (@mikehomze) on May 21, 2017 at 6:10am PDT

lovely little curve into the distance.

Fine art Photography #prtv_leadinglines from my Europe Holidays in September 2016 #brussels #belgium #brussels_streets #handheld #cities #natgeotravel #natgeo #lonelyplanet #bbc_travel #europetrip #worldtourists #gypsysoul #europetourist #toplondonphoto #moodygrams #mybestshot #natgeomyshot #best_of_the_day #instagood #travelgram #leadinglines #canon5dmarkiii #canon24105 #streetstyle #streetphotography #belgian_chocolate #floraldecor #floralbeauty #beststreets

A post shared by Gops.Vdra Travelgram (@gops.vdra_travelgram) on May 22, 2017 at 8:07pm PDT

Roy’s Features:

Lines don’t have to be a literal line and this tug of war is a great lead up to your son with a soft bokeh.

Day 136/365 Field Day Activities! #project365 #365challenge #documentyourdays _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ #childofig #dearestviewfinder #prtv_leadinglines #infinity_children #honestlyparents #lifewellcaptured #letthekids #let_there_be_delight #honestlydocumented #count_itjoy #momhub #the_sugar_jar #thegallerycollective #thesincerestoryteller #ourcandidlife #snaplovegrow #childportraits #illuminatechildhood #magicofchildhood #celebrate_childhood #pocket_sweetness #my_magic_moments #uniteinmotherhood #inbeautyandchaos #thedocumentarymovement #snapmaven365 #three_sixty_five2017

A post shared by Krystal Weir (@krystalweirphotography) on May 16, 2017 at 8:56pm PDT

While I’m usually not fond of leading lines that make a chicane the angle is slight enough it still makes a great trail through your photo.

Longleaf pine forests and grasses with golden sunlight gently gilding them makes for a super end to the day!

A post shared by Becky Bardin Photography (@beckybardinphoto) on May 20, 2017 at 3:31pm PDT

A bit on the nose but I like the tiny mountain peeking out at the end of your trail.

10/10 recommend the Canadian Rockies 🌲 #prtv_leadinglines

A post shared by Cødy Anderson🏴 (@cody14anderson) on May 18, 2017 at 3:11pm PDT

ThinkTank SubUrban Disguise 10: Unboxing + Initial Thoughts

In preparation for an upcoming lengthy international trip, I decided to purchase the ThinkTank SubUrban Disguise 10. I already own the ThinkTank CityWalker 20 (which has been discontinued but is very similar to this model) and a LowePro backpack (this model). Currently, I use the CityWalker for day trips and other shorter excursions and the LowePro backpack for airplane travel and other longer trips. I love both of these bags and have been very happy with them for these purposes. However, for my impending trip, I wanted a smaller bag that will hold a limited amount of gear safely without weighing me and my 5'2" frame down too much. I will be doing a ton of walking in warm weather and will be in and out of historic sites and small restaurants and cafes with a larger travel group, which means a big bag isn't ideal. After consulting with the Photorec support group and the ThinkTank support staff, I settled on the ThinkTankSubUrban Disguise 10.In my ThinkTank SubUrban Disguise 10: Unboxing + Initial Thoughts post, I discuss the following points.

• Exactly how I received the bag in the mail
• The camera gear, camera accessories, and other items I plan to carry in the bag and how everything fits in it
• All of the pockets and compartments and how I plan to use them
• The other elements of the bag, such as the rain cover
• How I love being able to rest my Canon 80D with varying lenses on top of the bag
• My final initial thoughts, including the construction of the bag and how I think the bag is going to work for my upcoming trip

I also include detailed photos, showcasing every aspect of this camera bag and the exact gear I plan to carry in the ThinkTank SubUrban Disguise 10.Read the full post over on roseclearfield.com: ThinkTank SubUrban Disguise 10: Unboxing and Initial Thoughts.Please note that this post is only the unboxing and my initial thoughts. It is not a comprehensive review of the ThinkTank SubUrban Disguise 10. Following my trip, I do plan to write a full review. When it's available, I'll link it to this post.

Do you own the ThinkTank SubUrban Disguise 10?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this bag!

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Sony A9 Goes to the Races and Starts Shipping Now

As an update, the Sony A9 starts shipping starting tomorrow, order now and get your brand new a9 soon! If you haven't yet, check out Toby's review of the sportier A9 everyone has come to love. At 20fps and speedy autofocus, it pushes the envelope for what's possible.Buy it now at:

  https://vimeo.com/216570035As you can see in the Sony a9’s speedy video above we recently had the 143rd Kentucky Derby on May 6th and veteran journalist Nick Didlick came toting a rolling case filled with Sony a9 mirrorless cameras using G Master lenses. With Six Sony a9s making the trip to Churchill downs it became a baptism by fire for the new 20fps mirrorless camera. After strong storms through the past week the A9’s would be shooting in rough, wet, conditions with little light from strong clouds making shooting at speed a challenge.Shooting solo, the plan coming to the race was four cameras set as remotes with a mid-range zoom and the other a longer telephoto. For walkaround gear, Didlick focused on the new 100-400mm G Master with a 2x converter for head on shots. A 24-70mm G Master worked as an all purpose lens on the second a9 to complement the telephoto, and he carried a 70-200 f/2.8 G Master lens as well. Overall he covered his bases nicely for somewhat wider shots to the closest portraits of the horse and jockies.Logistically with the small size of the a9 and lenses, it’s actually a relatively small and lightweight setup considering the competition for Didlick. Six Cameras and eight lenses plus accessories fit into one case making it a cakewalk to cart around Churchill Downs. Even out on the track, Didlick was carrying three a9s with their remote setups while others struggled with two DSLRs. The a9’s set to fire as a remote lasted six to eight hours on one battery making no need to hurry to check on them through the day as well.This Kentucky Derby was the Sony α9’s first major foray into big-time sports photojournalism. With Didlick’s guidance, the camera lived up to its potential. You can check out some of the day’s photos below.

Photos by Nick Didlick/VisualMediaProducer.com 

DJI Spark Announced - A New Small Option

https://youtu.be/Yseaxsh23bgDJI has just announced the Spark.  The DJI Spark takes the idea of a seriously portable drone, first introduced with the Mavic Pro last year, and makes it even smaller.Spark is smaller and lighter than the Mavic Pro, but also supports all of the Mavic Pro’s Intelligent Flight Modes and introduces new features like QuickShot and advanced gesture controls like PalmControl.   Described in the launch keynote as easy, intuitive and fun. This really reminds me of the Lily, the failed kickstarter drone that was focused on easy selfie photos and videos.  One feature borrowed from recent innovations in smartphone cameras - fake depth of field with shallow focus mode- intentional background blur.While it can produce professional results the lack of 4k, 16 minute flight time and probable issues in wind make this less ideal for serious aerial photo or video needs. Those that desire a more versatile drone need to consider the Mavic Pro or a higher model.$499 will get you the drone and one battery. You can charge the drone via Micro USB(a first for DJI).   Control with hand gestures or the DJI app on your smartphone - range is limited to approximately 100 meters.$699 for the Fly more combo which includes - extra props, prop guards, 1 extra battery (2 total), a remote and a carry case. The remote extends the range to 1.24 miles and while the remote is similar to the DJI Mavic it is much simpler without the LCD Screen.Shipping June 21st - Preorder from Amazon or B&H Photo (No sales tax outside NY)https://youtu.be/74Cm1p3fr0g[vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Size[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]335mm (Extended) 83mm x 83mm x 198mm (Folded)[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]350mm[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]143×143×55 mm[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Weight[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]1.64 lbs (743g)[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]3.04 lbs (1380g)[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"].66lbs (300 g)[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Operating Temp[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]32° to 104° F ( 0° to 40° C )[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"] 32° to 104°F (0° to 40°C)[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]32° to 104° F (0° to 40° C)[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Max Ascent /Descent Speed[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]16.4 ft/s | 9.8 ft/s[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]19.7 ft/s | 13.1 ft/s[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"] 9.8 ft/s (3 m/s) | 9.8 ft/s (3 m/s)[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Max Flight Time[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]27 Minutes[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]28 Minutes[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]16 Minutes[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Max Flight Distance[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]8 mi (13 km)[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]-[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]-[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Max Tilt Angle[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]-[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]S-mode: 42°A-mode: 35°P-mode: 15°[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]-[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Max Angular Speed[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]-[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]S-mode: 200°/sA-mode: 150°/s[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]-[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Max Wind Speed Resistance[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]-[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]10 m/s[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]-[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Sensor[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]1/2.3” (CMOS), Effective pixels:12.35 MP[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]1/2.3” CMOS, Effective pixels:12.4 MP[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]1/2.3" CMOSEffective pixels: 12 MP[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Lens[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]FOV 78.8° 28 mm (35 mm format equivalent) f/2.2Distortion < 1.5% Focus from 0.5 m to ∞[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]FOV 94° 20 mm (35 mm format equivalent) f/2.8 focus at ∞[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]FOV 81.9° 25 mm (35 mm format equivalent) f/2.6(shooting range: 2 m to ∞)[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Gimbal[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]3-Axis[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]3-Axis[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]2-Axis[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]ISO Range[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]100-3200 (video)100-1600 (photo)[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]100-3200 (video)100-1600 (photo)[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]Video: 100-3200Photo: 100-1600[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Shutter Speed[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]8s -1/8000s[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]8 - 1/8000 s[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]2-1/8000 s[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Image Size[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]4000×3000[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]4000×3000[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]3968×2976[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Still Photography Modes[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]Single shotBurst shooting: 3/5/7 framesAuto Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 3/5 bracketed frames at 0.7 EV BiasInterval[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]Single shotBurst shooting: 3/5/7 framesAuto Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 3/5 bracketed frames at 0.7 EV BiasTimelapseHDR[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]Single ShotBurst Shooting: 3 framesAuto Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 3 bracketed frames at 0.7 EV biasInterval: 2/3/5/7/10/15/20/30/60 s[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Video Recording Modes[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]C4K: 4096×2160 24p4K: 3840×2160 24/25/30p2.7K: 2720x1530 24/25/30pFHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30/48/50/60/96pHD: 1280×720 24/25/30/48/50/60/120p[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]UHD: 4096×2160 (4K) 24 / 25p3840×2160 (4K) 24 / 25 / 30p2704×1520 (2.7K) 24 / 25 / 30pFHD: 1920×1080 24 / 25 / 30 / 48 / 50 / 60 / 120pHD: 1280×720 24 / 25 / 30 / 48 / 50 / 60p[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]-[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Max Video Bitrate[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"] 60 Mbps[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"] 60 Mbps[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]24 Mbps[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Supported File Systems[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]FAT32 ( ≤ 32 GB ); exFAT ( > 32 GB )[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]FAT32 ( ≤ 32 GB ); exFAT ( > 32 GB )[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]FAT32 (≤ 32 GB)[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Photo[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]JPEG, DNG[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]JPEG, DNG[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]JPEG[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Video[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]MP4, MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264)[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"] MP4, MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264)[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]MP4 (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264)[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Supported SD Cards[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"] Micro SDMax capacity: 64 GB. Class 10 or UHS-1 rating required[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]Micro SDMax capacity: 64 GBClass 10 or UHS-1 rating required[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"]Micro SDMax capacity: 64 GBClass 10 or UHS-1 rating required[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"]Buy it Today![/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][/vc_row]Recommended Micro SD Cards for the DJI Spark[vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"]Sandisk 16 GB  SDHCSandisk 32 GB  SDHCSandisk 64 GB  SDXCKingston 16 GB  SDHCKingston 32 GB  SDHC[/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"]Kingston 64 GB  SDXCSamsung 16 GB  SDHCSamsung 32 GB  SDHCSamsung 64 GB  SDXC[/vc_column][/vc_row]

Featured Photos Weekly Challenge - Architecture 2

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_architecture2In Architecture 2 looking up above, finding a hole to frame a composition, or even going for a mural worked out this week for some really nice shots. Compared to most things we shoot architecture is tricky since the subject is so much larger than most we shoot, limiting options in cases, but creating some in others. Next Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_leadinglinesFind out more about upcoming challenges and past winners at photorec.tv/prtvYou can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv and the team:

Roy’s Features:

Finding a bit of symmetry works great for this shot and it’s cropped with a nice border.

The ceiling of the Great Hall #prtv_architecture2 #prtv

A post shared by Jeff Kuhn (@jkuhn36) on May 11, 2017 at 11:53am PDT

Some nice lines in your photo to direct the eye and a modern look.

#prtv #prtv_architecture2 #sagreat #glamadelaide #southaustralia #adelaidefootbridge #torrensriver

A post shared by Tony Lawrence (@tony_lawrence.sa) on May 14, 2017 at 9:09am PDT

Shooting in the evening gives this photo some nice color for a gradient that goes with the bridge.

MUMBAI Worli Sea Link Captured on #nikonb700 enhanced on iOS #lightroom #prtv_architecture2 #worli #worlisealink #sunset #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #architecture #architectureporn #lonelyplanetindia #bbc_travel #bbc_earth #sealink #natgeo #natgeotravel #natgeomyshot #minimalist #evening #glorious_sunsets #sunset #pattern #bestofig #flyover #aamchimumbai #incredibleindiaofficial #incredibleindia

A post shared by Gops.Vdra Travelgram (@gops.vdra_travelgram) on May 12, 2017 at 10:22pm PDT

Rose’s Features:

I love this composition with the reflections on either side.

St Paul's Cathedral

A post shared by Caroline (@carolineefarrow) on May 17, 2017 at 4:41am PDT

A classic shot but so well executed. I really like the tones in this image, too.

Somewhere in 2016 ISO 100 | 15mm | f7.1 | 1/100s . . . . . #theworldneedsmorespiralstaircases #tv_spiralstaircases #SDMtravels #streetdreamsmag #agameoftones #illgrammers #tv_leadinglines #rustlord_archdesign #archilovers #prtv #fubiz @fubiz #canonnederland @canonnederland #hsdailyfeature #fatalframes #estheticlabel #gramslayers #theimaged #thelensbible #createcommune #createexplore #tv_pointofview #instagood10k #thecreatorclass #prtv_architecture2 #unlimitedcities #eclectic_shotz #createandcapture #archdaily #urbanromantix #arquitecturamx

A post shared by Mitchell van Eijk (@mitchellvaneijk) on May 5, 2017 at 9:06am PDT

I love the way the columns and their reflections will the whole frame.

A 10 stop neutral density filter may have been overkill for this photo, but it was all I had with me at the time. It did smooth out the water to give me a nice reflection of the columns, though. . . . #palaceoffinearts #sanfrancisco #alwayssf #sfguide #nowrongwaysf #onlyinsf #howsfseessf #wildbayarea #abc7now #igerssf #thesanfrancisco #sinfrancisco #westcoast_exposures #californiacaptures #visitcalifornia #longexposure #reflection #reflectiongram #architecture #canon #teamcanon #prtv #prtv_architecture2 #adoramapix

A post shared by Justin Lai (@justlai87) on May 12, 2017 at 6:02pm PDT

Hands-on - NEW Sony Lenses 16-35 f/2.8 and 12-24 f/4

Sony has just announced two new lenses and I have had early access to both, shooting on an a7RII and a9 and have sample photos and thoughts below.https://youtu.be/G73lzUHaniY

The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM Wide-angle Zoom Lens

This nicely rounds out Sony's f/2.8 offerings (16-35, 24-70, 70-200 - the f/2.8 trinity) and looks to be an excellent lens.  I was impressed with edge to edge sharpness, lack of vignetting and smooth bokeh.   Most lenses in this category have 9 aperture blades, the new FE 16-35 f/2.8 has 11.  This lens is seriously sharp - Sony is designing it with future ultra high resolution sensors in mind. It is dust and moisture resistant too. Below are a few sample photos I shot.   Lens will be available in late August. Price $2,199  PREORDER from B&H Photo[gallery td_select_gallery_slide="slide" link="file" ids="14849,14848,14847,14846,14845,14844"]I do love the focus hold button included on G Master lenses -  its primary function is to lock focus when recomposing, but you can customize to a number of other functions depending. In addition to Focus Hold, custom functions include: Eye AF, AF On, Aperture Preview, Shot Result Preview or Bright Monitoring.Additional 16-35 f/2.8 Specs -

• Weather Sealed Design
• Product weight (oz): 24 oz (680 g.)
• Product Dimension (L*W) inch: 4.875” x 3.5” (121.6 x 88.5mm)
• Nano AR Coating
• ED glass w/ multi‐coating reduces chromatic aberration

Currently the Canon 16-35 f/2.8 III sells for $1,999 - I expect this Sony lens to be sharper when we compare them side by side. Make sure you subscribe to the my Youtube channel to get updated news and comparisons when this lens is released.

The Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G Ultra Wide-angle Zoom Lens

Sony surprised us with this small, unassuming ultra wide angle lens.  I can't quite believe how compact and lightweight it is while still providing full frame coverage of 12-24!   Weighing just over a pound and nicely fitting in your hand the 12-24 provides a constant f/4 aperture, focus hold button and integrated/fixed lens hood.   It does have a bulbous front element requiring an adapter to use filters.   While it doesn't seem quite as sharp as the GMaster 16-25 f/2.8 it still provides very good sharpness and nothing else offers this wide a view on full frame at this size and weight unless you go with a prime lens.  You could use an adapter with the Sigma 12-24 but that lens weighs twice as much and is significantly larger.   The lens will be available in Late July for $1,699 PREORDER from B&H Photo[gallery td_select_gallery_slide="slide" link="file" ids="14854,14853,14852,14851,14850,14860"]Additional 12-24 f/4 G Specs

• Weather Sealed Design
• Product weight (oz): 20 oz (680 g.)
• Product Dimension (L*W) inch: 4.625” x 3.5” (117.4 x 87mm)
• 7 Bladed Aperture Design
• Super ED and ED glass w/ multi‐coating reduces chromatic aberration
• Customizeable Focus Hold button

Canon offers an 11-24 f/4 lens for $2,699 and it is larger and heavier. Sigma offers a slightly cheaper model but as mentioned it too is a good bit heavier and bulkier, also not weather sealed.  Once the lens is released I will make comparisons and publish the results here and on Youtube.Pre-order these lenses at B&H:

• Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM
• Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G

How to Maximize the Potential of Your Kit Lens

When you first purchase a DSLR camera, you don't know what type of lens you need. So you buy the camera with the kit lens. Major camera manufacturers offer multiple DSLR packages with a camera body and a kit lens. Brand new to DSLR photography, a kit lens is a great place to start.

Once upon a time, kit lenses had numerous issues including chromatic aberration and fringing, lack of sharpness, and low built quality with slow, noisy auto focus. Over the past couple of decades, kit lenses have come a long way. While a kit lens doesn't offer the focus speed and sharpness of a high-level lens, it's an extremely good value for a $150-$200 lens.Equipped with an entry-level DSLR and kit lens, you have the tools to create fantastic images. A few tips to maximize the potential of your kit lens will help you transform your good images into polished, professional images.

Use the entire focal length range of the kit lens

The standard focal length range for a kit lens is 18-55mm. It may be tempting to purchase a lens with a much greater focal range, such as 18-200 or 70-300. Unless you're buying a high-end lens, you'll compromise image quality for greater focal range. 18-55 is an extremely versatile focal range, allowing you to explore landscape photography, street photography, portrait photography, and even macro photography with ease. If you want to shoot closer than 55mm, extension tubes are an affordable way to get a little more length and can be used with any other lenses you may purchase in the future.

With that being said, the extreme ends of the focal length tend to get a little soft. You'll produce sharper images shooting at 24mm than 18mm and at 50mm than 55mm. Take care to shoot just under the extreme focal lengths.

Find the "sweet spot" of the lens

Typically, kit lenses perform best with an aperture in the range of f/5.6-f/8. Unless you're trying to create a shallow depth of field or you're shooting in very low light conditions, try stopping down your aperture to create sharper images. When you're shooting at 18mm, stop down from f/3.5 to f/5.6. When you're shooting at 55mm, stop down from f/5.6 to f/8.

Move to get your shots

When you're shooting with a zoom lens, it's tempting to do all the zooming with the lens. Of course, a zoom lens is a powerful tool to create images at a range of focal lengths. However, you should also move physically with your camera to produce great images. If you're not happy with your composition and can't fine tune it by zooming with the lens, move your feet. Adjusting 15 or sometimes even five feet can make a big difference.

Review your images

There are a lot of decent images out there that just aren't great because of an issue such as being slightly out of focus or having a person's feet getting partially cut out of the frame. Reviewing your images just after you've shot them allows you to make corrections on the spot, fixing minor issues and creating stronger, sharper compositions.

Get out of auto mode

It's easy to leave your camera in auto mode, believing that the camera will make better setting choices that you will. It doesn't take a lot of time experimenting with manual camera settings to appreciate how much more control you have over your images. Initially, learning to shoot in manual is often frustrating and even overwhelming. However, it's well worth the effort and will help you take your kit level photos to a whole new level.Related reading: Making the Transition from Auto Mode to Manual Mode

Embrace the low weight and versatility of the kit lens

A kit lens is lightweight and offers a versatile focal range you'll be hard pressed to find in many high-end lenses. The less weight you're carrying, the more time you'll enjoy exploring new sites with family and friends. While you won't have the capacity to shoot at a low aperture like you would with a kit lens, you also won't have to spend time changing lenses to shoot at different focal lengths.

Do you have any additional tips for maximizing the potential of the kit lens?

Leave your insight in the comments!

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Croatia

We will return to Croatia for a photo tour - This tour will likely sell out quickly. Add your name to the pre-notice list to be notified when it opens for sign up.   Please notify me of the next Croatia Tourhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz4JRlKer2g&feature=youtu.beComplete List of gear - GH5, DJI Mavic (and more)Itinerary and Photos -We started our Journey in Trogir- a fascinating old town with twisting alleyways and a medieval castle that protected the harbor.

 Our Guide - Tanya Jucik Braculj was awesome - contact her to arrange any type of fantastic trip in and around Croatia - tanja.jukicb@gmail.com        

Croatia Photo/Video Gear

https://youtu.be/UWWsvoKWQAk I just finished a fantastic trip in exploring the coast and islands of Southern Croatia. Beautiful country, friendly people. My goal on this trip was to produce video first and photos second. With video being my primary goal I am calling this the

Videography Travel Bag

Bags & Holster

[vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Mindshift Gear - Backlight 26LAmazon | B&H[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Camera Holster - Spider Backpacker KitAmazon | B&H[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Secondary Bag - Multi-Mount Holster 30Amazon | B&H[/vc_column][/vc_row]

Gear

[vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Panasonic GH5Amazon | B&H[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Lumix 12-60 f/2.8-4 LensAmazon | B&H[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Lumix 42.5mm f/1.7 LensAmazon | B&H[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Lumix 45-200 f/4.0-5.6 LensAmazon | B&H[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Rokinon 7.5mm f/3.5 lensAmazon | B&H[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Rode Video Micro ProAmazon | B&H[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Sony RX1R IIAmazon | B&H[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]DJI Mavic Pro - Fly More SystemAmazon | B&H[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Hoya Circular Polarizers for each lensB&H[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Hoya ND Filters 0.3 for each lensB&H[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]MeFoto Carbon Fiber Road TripAmazon | B&H[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Olympus TG Tracker WP CameraAmazon | B&H[/vc_column][/vc_row]  

Featured Photos Weekly Challenge - Reflection

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_reflectionOur 100th challenge with almost 200 entries, nice job guys! For this week Toby’s early callout on YouTube from Croatia and Rose’s Article hopefully gave you some ideas. Your challenge this week had you looking for the reflections in your surroundings with some great finds and as creating your own nice shots as well. Next Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_architecture2Find out more about upcoming challenges and past winners at photorec.tv/prtvYou can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv and the team:

Roy’s Features:

A really great shot for the challenge, using the floor to reflect the museum’s roof turns it into a tunnel view effect drawing the eye to the statues.

Reflections at the Victoria & Albert museum

A post shared by @andymac_photo on May 7, 2017 at 7:08am PDT

Changing up a shot by playing with reflections was key this week and this works out as a great shot getting the mountains in the water. 

I throw away a lot of photos. #reflection #k1000 #shootmorefilm #prtv_reflection

A post shared by Korey (@korey_rowe) on Apr 27, 2017 at 9:26am PDT

It’s a neat shot out at night getting the milky way captured in the water. Check out the time-lapse he took on YouTube. 

I made the mistake of posting this on reddit with ducks in the title. I now have 200 comments telling me that those are in fact Canadian Geese. #prtv_reflection

A post shared by Aryeh Nirenberg (@art_only) on May 5, 2017 at 7:21am PDT

Rose’s Features:

I love this composition and how you can see the skyline twice, in the ball and then in the reflection. The lighting is really nice, too.

Lower Manhattan 11.16.16 #Freedomtower #nyc #newyork #jerseycity #jcmakeityours #jersey #manhattan #skyline #streetscape #what_i_saw_in_nyc #nycinstagram #instagramnyc #icapture_nyc #igers #nyclive #agameoftones #rsa_streetview #picoftheday #illgrammers #beautifuldestinations #wtc #oneworldtradecenter #nyclive #nbc4ny #nydngram #prtv_reflection #reflectiongram #nycprimeshot #primeshots #prtv

A post shared by JC (@johnny.cab) on Nov 16, 2016 at 6:25am PST

Seemingly simple but so powerful and very well composed. (I wish there weren’t a distracting watermark, though.)

Standing in the largest natural mirror in the world, doing what I love, photographed by the one I love. Thanks so so much for all the likes and comments on the previous photo under the stars! Super grateful to have such wonderful friends that encourage us. More pics up soon! • • • #landscape_captures #landscape_lovers #EarthVisuals #beautifulplaces #skyporn #sunrise #landscapelovers #sunsetlovers #welivetoexplore #awesome_earthpix #cloudporn #sunsets #travelling #ocean #landscapes #sunsetporn #sunset_madness #traveler #skylovers #tourism #sunset_pics #landscapehunter #travelingram #igtravel #europe #prtv #prtv_reflection

A post shared by Raj (@raj_against_the_machine) on Apr 3, 2017 at 8:20am PDT

I love the creativity of this shot. The effect really works well.

Just trying something different for the #prtv_reflection challenge this week. It's also given me the opportunity to learn more about layers and layer masking in photoshop . This is my youngest daughter Annie, layered under a photo of the reflections on a stream at Middleton Lakes No idea if it works but I had fun doing it and I quite like it

A post shared by Roger Hunt (@rmhphotographic) on May 6, 2017 at 8:08am PDT

My Favorite Non-Photography Gear

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk0m0e5Ways[/embed]With Toby traveling across the globe we've got a few MUST HAVE gear that always comes along on every trip/shoot. Here are our favorite pieces of non-photo gear with links to buy below.

USB Chargers

[vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Anker PowerCore 10000[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Neewer Micro USB Battery Charger forCanon LP-E6 Rechargeable Battery[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]RAVPower Sony NP FW50 Battery Charger Set[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Wasabi Power Battery (2-Pack) andDual Charger for Panasonic DMW-BLF19[/vc_column][/vc_row]

Accessories

[vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Vitchelo V800 Headlamp Flashlight with Red LED[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Hydro Flask Double Wall Water Bottle[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Mini Pocket Outdoor Blanket[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"] [/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Leatherman Squirt PS4[/vc_column][/vc_row]

Clothing

[vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero Hat[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]BUFF Fleece Hat[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]BUFF Lightweight Merino WoolMultifunctional Headwear[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Patagonia Men's Ultralight Down Vest[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"]Outdoor Research Helium II Rain Jacket[/vc_column][/vc_row]

New Rebates for the US - Great Deals on Nikon DSLRs With a Free Grip

Spring is here and with that a bundle of new rebates from all the major companies. The D750, D810, and D500 from Nikon all come with a free grip and accessory package. Including the discount, it's a great deal if you are looking to upgrade.Nikon Free Grip link - B&HAmazon Free Grip Link - D750 | D810 | D500Amazon Free Grip Link (Body Only) - D750 | D810 | D500Beyond rebates as always remember to check out our Camera & Photo Deals section for great savings on gear you need.

MEMBER Exclusive

Just posted - Complete Lightroom edit of my Scotland Lighthouse Photo. This is a Photorec.tv Member's only video. Not yet a member?  Join now to access this and my entire training catalog of Lightroom and Photoshop videos along with an awesome support group. JOIN NOW

Featured Photos Weekly Challenge - A Feeling

As a note we've switched to a new format for challenges. Same great challenges, just with a new look!This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_afeeling#PRTV_afeeling had you thinking about your shot with feeling, composing your photo with emotion to connect to the viewer. This can get a little tricky as not only do you have to think about light, placement, settings, but also the connection to your subject and a bit of creativity in cases to get what you need. Happy faces, somber moments,  and feeling the balance this week with some nice shots that show the emotion in your photos. Next Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_reflectionFind out more about upcoming challenges and past winners at photorec.tv/prtvYou can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv and the team:

Toby’s Features:

Showing a feeling without a face makes for a great shot in this feature

Together forever is what we promised 27 years ago ..and here we are still holding hands and feeling loved ❤💗 😊 #handinhand #wecandoit #anniversary #happyanniversarytous #inlove #love #marriage #couple #hands #prtv #prtv_afeeling #weeklychallenge #feelings

A post shared by NC♥ (@nancycachia) on Apr 28, 2017 at 6:05am PDT

I just love this! Just so happy with the closed eyes and a filled frame in this photo.

Feeling pure joy! #prtv_afeeling #prtv #laughing #giggling #feelinghappy #happygirlsaretheprettiest #laughinggirl #happychild #purejoy #laughter #happiness #feelingjoyful #laughteristhebestmedicine #candidchildhood #clickinmoms #magicofchildhood #momentinthesun #momswithcameras #pixel_kids #snapmaven #letthekids #childhoodunplugged #enchantedchildhood

A post shared by Jane Glover (@angry_runner) on Apr 27, 2017 at 5:44pm PDT

I really like that while we can't see all the face but we can see she's happy and the balloons make a leading line.

We are so excited to meet our little girl! #excited #excitement #joy #babygirl #baby #girl #balloons #pink #purple #white #colorful #bluesky #sky #upupandaway #momtobe #grapevinespringspark #grapevine #grapevinetx #grapevinetexas #coppell #coppelltx #babyshower #prtv #release #prtv_afeeling

A post shared by Anthony Mekhail (@a_mekhail) on Oct 4, 2016 at 2:17pm PDT

Roy’s Features:

A silhouette and facing away can show feeling, great tone to the image.

Just blocking it all out #moodygrams #agameoftones #artofvisuals #createexplore ##positivevibes #positivemindset #inspire ##nature #fatalframes #landscapephotography #urbanromantix #sigma #canon_photos #canon_usa #prtv_afeeling #shootwhatyoulove #wanderlust #wandering #travelphotography

A post shared by Beau Ewen (@beauewenphotog) on Apr 26, 2017 at 4:41pm PDT

Babykins! A nice happy shot with eyes that pop!

5 months old, happy baby #prtv #prtv_afeeling

A post shared by Joe McClure (@mcjoe45) on Apr 24, 2017 at 8:54pm PDT

It’s a great relaxed shot and the B&W works well.

Cowboy Festival.. #cowboy #relaxed #content #prtv_afeeling #sony #sonyalpha #sonya6500 #sonyimages

A post shared by Allan Santiago (@acestakes) on Apr 25, 2017 at 7:44pm PDT

Sony a9 Review

Every once in awhile there is a product that comes along that really pushes the technology envelope and causes us all to rethink what is possible. The original iphone is one example - is the Sony a9 another?

https://youtu.be/KWTmpD8zG9sORDER >> - B&H LINK for Sony FE 100-400   PRICE:  $2,499.00ORDER >> - B&H LINK for Sony a9  PRICE:  $4,499.00

Sony a9 FULL RAW FILES FOR DOWNLOADI spent a day shooting with the Sony a9 - about 4500 photos at various events that Sony had setup for us and I am ready to share some thoughts.Blackout-Free Continuous Shooting at up to 20 fps for just over 200 raw images or nearly 400 jpegs - It’s absolutely works and if desired, completely silently. This is amazing and yes as a few of you commented in my earlier videos - it’s not the first the camera to be able to shoot silently but it is the first to do so on this level with this AF performance, nothing else is close in the mirrorless world to this AF performance, low light performance and speed, silently and when we compare to DSLRS you need to spend at least a $1,000 more for a 1DX Mark II or D5 and they aren’t as fast and maybe even have fewer hit rates.The AF system in this camera is impressive - nearly edge to edge coverage with over 360 AF points - I watched it again and again accurately track fast moving subjects, intersecting subjects, erratically moving subjects and the in focus rate I had with this camera was astounding. Between the 20fps and the AF system it's unlikely you are going to miss a shot because of the camera. And the whole operation is fast - we had hockey at one end of the rink and figure skating at the other, for awhile I was in between and if I glanced over and saw a figure skater about to jump - I could bring my camera up to my eye, get focus and fire off a series of images without missing the actual jump!It feels nicer in the hand and as an a7RII user I am really jealous of that little joystick for focus point selection and the bigger brighter viewfinder. I have additional specs on the website along with additional sample photos including full RAW images for download but I want to take a few minutes and answer a few questions people posted on my earlier videos.silent shooting which is also electronic shutter has previously exhibited some serious drawbacks like rolling shutter - in still images if you or the subject is moving everything gets slanted - it’s not good. I didn’t see it in a full day of shooting with the a9 unless I tried hard to make it happen - swinging the camera back and forth. Image quality and dynamic range have also suffered in previous models when shooting silent and I am happy to say I could not see any differenceOverall High ISO performance is excellent - very similar to the a7RII which I compared it to.Battery life - I shot over 4,000 images on a single battery, other reviewers have gotten even higher numbers - I suspect not having to physically move a shutter makes a huge difference in the power required. Dual SD card is nice although they need to tweak the options for setup - it’s not very logical at the moment. The screen is touch sensitive, like the a6500 which means it's just ok - I don’t love it, always feels a little off to me but the touch to focus generally works well.It’s not all wonderful -Video system no S-log is a lame move and looks like Sony is holding back to protect their a7S line or a future a9S - something new for Sony as they typically have been the manufacturer to put it all in - this is not as strong a hybrid shooting machine because of it.More importantly They are still lacking a few of the longer fast lenses that pro photographers desire - though with this excellent ISO performance the new 100-400 should satisfy some AND Sony support system is nowhere near what Canon CPS offers thought Sony made it a point to talk about the changes they will make to their support system in the US and abroad in the coming year but I do think many pros will wait to see how that works out.And while this camera might not be as game changing as the iphone was for the smartphone market it certainly signals a serious shift and showcases just what is now possible - I don’t think it will be much longer before this sound is a thing of the past.I’d love to know your thoughts - what is most exciting to you about this camera? What do you think is the biggest issue? Leave your thoughtful comments below! If you found this video helpful give it a quick thumbs up and don’t forget to subscribe and follow me on instagram for more content between these videos.

Making the Transition from Auto Mode to Manual Mode

Making the transition from auto mode to manual mode is a tough process for most amateur photographers. You're familiar with the terms ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. But you don't really understand any of these terms, let alone how they work together. Typically, beginner photographers leave their cameras in auto mode because they think their cameras will select better settings than they will. However, as soon as you start learning the camera settings, you'll start making better selections, consequently, creating higher quality images. The process of making the transition from auto mode to manual mode isn't easy. But it's well worth the effort.Shooting in manual mode is a lot like riding a bicycle or learning to drive a stick shift. Even with great teaching, at some point, you just have to jump in and attempt it on your own, knowing you'll make a lot of mistakes. I've spent years shooting in manual made. While I do feel comfortable with it, I still make plenty of mistakes. Until I started keeping my camera in manual mode the majority of the time I was shooting, I didn't fully appreciate how much power and freedom it would offer. I promise that when you give it a try, you'll quickly experience this same power and freedom, and you won't want to go back.In making the transition from auto mode to manual mode, I cover the following tips.

• Learn everything that you can about manual camera settings
• Start paying attention to your settings while shooting in auto mode
• Start using your auto settings as a guide for shooting in manual mode
• Attempt shots that require you to use a manual mode
• Shoot in manual mode in controlled light settings
• Seek out opportunities to practice manual mode on your own or with fellow photographers

Read the full post over on roseclearfield.com: Making the Transition from Auto Mode to Manual Mode

Do you have any additional tips for making the transition from auto mode to manual mode?

Leave your insight in the comments!

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Sony a9 - 20fps in Silent Mode Demonstrated

The new Sony α9 is capable of shooting 20 fps and can do so completely silently. Watch/listen to the demo I shot in my hotel room last week with the Sony α9  hands-on-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6iHmGp4nMo 

Instagram Winners - Shadows

As photographers, we normally shoot the light and this week flipped the book with Shadows. Shadows can tell a mystery, paint an object, add to a story, or tell one of its own making creativity key this week. Being a harder subject we've got a few nice entries below that play with the theme nicely.This time with feeling for next week! While shadows can play on emotion we want you to show us the emotion for next weeks challenge. When you take a photo that gives you the unique chance to connect with the viewer, tell a story, and bring out emotion. That’s the goal this week and you can be creative, emotions don’t always mean people. You can use atmosphere for a spooky scene, red to show love, happiness in a cute baby gosling, or sorrow in a cherished memento of someone gone. So get yourselves out and go shoot, just remember to tag us in your shots with feeling.To enter post your photos on Instagram before noon next Friday with the tags #PRTV and #PRTV_shadows.

You can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv

And the team!Toby – @Photorectoby Roy – @RoyMcKeeIII Rose -  @Randomcreativeart

Toby’s Winner:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPzfjhujVCd/Love it! Strong shadows, carefully framed, the sun just off the edge - really nice.

Toby’s Honorable Mentions:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTHoWXuA5kC/Thoughtful placement of all lineshttps://www.instagram.com/p/BTCyhiLF6a0/Soft abstract not typical shadows but a strong image

Roy’s Winner:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTHTrnVArXl/Shadows can play on horror elements and this works well for a grindhouse shot this week with the focus on the shadow casting the story versus the figurines themselves.  

Roy’s Honorable Mentions:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTHZ03xlaKX/It’s a nice shot and you gave it room to breathe, using the gate and it’s shadow frames the shot nicely drawing the eye up to your daughter.https://www.instagram.com/p/BTGk2wiBoco/Playing with shadows and having a butterfly going to the flower is the creativity I was talking about for this week. Using shadows as a creative tool you can add them to a photo if you just think out of the box.

Sony a9 - Just Announced | Hands-on!

Sony is going after Canon/Nikon in a BIG way.   While Sony cameras continue to sell well - their aps-c line and full frame, the sidelines of sporting events are still dominated by Canon and Nikon. The newly announced Sony a9 hopes to change that. With the a7R II and a7S II already pushing Sony full frame sales above Nikon for the 2nd spot, this is an exciting announcement.I am here in New York for the Sony a9 announcement and hands-on shooting.  I just recorded my thoughts in a short videohttps://youtu.be/1AixQ_rbqko

Highlights of the Sony a9

• World’s First1 full-frame stacked CMOS sensor, 24.2 MP2 resolution
• Blackout-Free Continuous Shooting at up to 20 fps for up to 241 RAW/ 362 JPEG images
• 4K video and 1080 at 120fps
• Silent, Vibration-free shooting at speeds up to 1/32,000 sec
• 693 point focal plane phase detection AF points with 60 AF/AE tracking calculations per second and 93% AF frame coverage
• Extensive professional features including Ethernet port for file transfer, Dual SD card slots and extended battery life (2.2x a7 series battery life)
• 5-Axis in-body image stabilization
• Nub (joystick for selecting focus point)
• Touchscreen LCD
• Upgraded viewfinder - bigger/brighter
• Addition of My Menu section to save your favorite menu items

Preorders start 10am Fri Apr 21  - B&H LINK for Sony a9  PRICE:  $4,499.00Also announced -

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens

• E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/4.5-5.6 to f/32-40
• One Super ED Element and Two ED Elements
• Nano AR Coating and Fluorine Coating
• Direct Drive SSM Focus System
• Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization
• Zoom Torque Adjustment Ring
• Internal Focus, Focus Range Limiter
• Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
• Nine-Blade Circular Diaphragm

Preorders start 10am Fri Apr 21 - B&H LINK for Sony FE 100-400   PRICE:  $2,499.00 

10 Quick Tips for Great Reflection Photos

Reflections are a tricky subject. Sometimes it's all but impossible to avoid a harsh glare in a subject's glasses. Other times the light turns just the right way, so an ordinary location transforms into a stunning scene. Learning a few simple tips for great reflection photos helps you maximize the potential of a beautiful reflection scene, creating a one of a kind image. 

• Select a high f/stop number. Choosing an f/stop of 11 or higher brings the entire scene into focus, enhancing the reflection aesthetic. The f/stop for the photo above is f/22. Once you've settled on your f/stop, play around with the focus. In some instances, it may be preferable to focus on the subject, while in other cases, it may be preferable to focus on the reflection.

Took this photo a couple weeks ago in the morning walking along Capitol Mall. #sacramento #sactown #california #igerssac #reflections #sacramento_life #Sacramento #sacsizzle #sonyalpha #prtv

A post shared by @beej47 on Mar 16, 2017 at 9:09am PDT

• Think about the angle of the reflection. Explore different viewpoints for the reflection scene, paying attention to the reflection from each viewpoint. In a natural setting, your vantage points may be limited. In the studio, you'll have more control over the best angle for a given subject and its reflection.

 

• Don't forget the basic rules of composition. It's hard to take a bad picture of a stunning natural reflection. However, you'll turn a good photo into a great photo by composing it properly. Instead of snapping a couple of pictures and moving on, take a few minutes to set up your image. Pay attention to the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing.

An amazing sunrise after a couple of days of rain in my home city in Greece. #aigio #greece #picoftheday #photooftheday #vsco #landscape #nikon #nikonphotography #purple #reflection #prtv #landscapephotography #insta #instagood #instalike #instalifo #lifo #instadaily #igworldglobal #kings_shots #kings_greece #wonderlust #igs #sunsetsnipers #sunset_greece #cloudscape #cloudporn #sunsets #sunsetporn #greece_online

A post shared by George Kossieris (@gkossieris) on Mar 25, 2017 at 2:40am PDT

• Whenever possible, shoot during the first or last hours of the day. The first and last hours of the day offer the softest light, minimizing harsh glare and smoothing out reflections. When you're shooting in the middle of the day, take care to limit shadows and blown out areas and bring out the colors.

• Shoot with a circular polarizer or neutral density filter. Filters aren't necessary for great reflection photos but do increase your options for shooting. A circular polarizer will help you control the amount of shine in the reflection while deepening the colors and minimizing the blown out areas. A neutral density filter cuts the available light, allowing you to shoot long exposures.

An Colorful sunset yesterday behind the US capitol!

A post shared by Adrien Catel (@adriencatel) on Apr 9, 2017 at 2:49pm PDT

• Use a tripod to experiment with different shutter speeds. Shooting a long exposure is a popular technique for water reflection photos. Smoothing out the water changes the aesthetic of the photo significantly, softening the image and drawing attention to the subject.

  

• Consider reflection surfaces besides water. When people think of reflection photos, their minds often go to water reflections. However, you shouldn't feel limited to this option. You can create great reflection photos with virtually any surface that produces a reflection from glass windows to mirrored sunglasses and even jewelry.

• In the studio, experiment with lighting a subject from above or behind. Shiny surfaces don't absorb light. As such, it's important to think about the amount and angle of the light in relation to the shooting surface. You may produce better results lighting your subject from above or behind than the front or side.

 

• Limit use of flash. While there are exceptions to the rule, in general, using flash isn't advisable for reflection photography. In most cases, the light will simply bounce right back at you, distracting from the subject. If I had used a flash to light the cake, it would have flashed right on the ring, making it impossible to see the reflection.

Även industriområden kan vara vackra i mörkret. 📌Hörneborg * * * #canonnordic#canonbringit#prtv#still_view#viewbugfeature#ig_flash#reflectiongram#splendid_reflections#loves_reflections#loves_united_reflections#ic_reflections#city_features#awakeningoflife#alive_photo#earth_shotz#createscenery#usdiscover#photography_channel#eclectic_shotz#worldprime#canoncolorchase#visithogakusten #smhiväder#igflash#anlikkadraj#versatile_photo_#highlifevisual#show_your_view#igrefined#swiftglobe @sweden @iamnordic @earthincolour @instagram @blaze.happy.trails

A post shared by Liselotte Berg 🇸🇪 (@littlel1970) on Mar 26, 2017 at 9:14am PDT

• Experiment with creating both realistic and abstract compositions. Shooting reflections allows for a wide spectrum of creativity. You may strive to produce a realistic image that mimics what you see in real life, or you may strive to produce an abstract image. For example, you might choose to shoot a street puddle reflection in manual focus to blur the bright lights.

🌳The park 🌳 The best thing about rainy days ☔️ is all the lovely raindrops. 💧Here's a different view of my local park 🙋🏻 Nikon D500. Sigma 105 macro #mynikonlife #sigma #splendid_dof #dof_brilliance #macrolicious #macro_brilliance #macrophotography #nature_brilliance #naturephotography #naturelovers #nature #prtv #stiffupperlens #magic_marvels #ig_countryside #global_hotshotz #earthcapture #ig_masterpiece

A post shared by Cara D (@cara_devtog) on Mar 14, 2017 at 11:37pm PDT

Bonus tip! Finally, keep your eyes open for stunning opportunities to photograph reflection. You never know when you'll come across a beautiful bridge centered over a flowing river or the light will strike just right and highlight the boats in the harbor.The images in this post not embedded from Instagram are my own images. The embedded images from Instagram are from members of the Photorec community with the tags #PRTV and #reflection. Consider becoming a PRTV member and joining the support group today!The 4/29 PRTV Instagram challenge is reflection. Use the hashtags #PRTV_reflection and #PRTV on Instagram to enter up to two of your great reflection photos for the challenge. Entries are due by noon Friday (5/5). Winners are announced the following Saturday (5/6) with the start of a new challenge.

Do you have any additional tips for great reflection photos?

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