Mish Mash Highlights: 1/3/2018

mish mash highlightsNew Year and a new Mish Mash! While Toby does the Live Show via PEN this is your quick peek at what we're doing behind the scenes, this week's news, our Instagram challenge top picks, and more. Otherwise, join the Photo Enthusiast Network and watch Toby live! Photorec.tv/join

This Week at Photorec.tv

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 Guy Made an 8×10 Large Format Video Camera (Petapixel)A DIY for that "Large Format Look". Check out Zev Hoover's frankencamera using a lens from an old large format camera to project an image then recording it with a Sony a7S. A simple design that works, albeit at 6 stops of light loss. It's a trick that uses a tilt-shift adapter to line up the image with the projection making up for the fact the camera is angled down. Check out the video to see the results!https://youtu.be/0ZixDTrQdzoInstagram will now add ‘Recommended’ posts to your feed (Techcrunch)They are at it again. In an attempt to make your Instagram more of a Mish Mash then this show Instagram is adding more to your feed. Just like with how ads have been stuck in you'll see a new "More Posts You Might Like" feature that has been their attempt to get you following more people. As with the other feed filling changes, the response has been generally negative and you can (temporarily) hide it by hitting the three dots next to hit and choosing hide. The feature has started to roll out this week so if you don't have it yet you will soon enough.Build Rapport on Your Photography Shoot With the Language of Music (Fstoppers)Want a better shoot? Check out this article by Fstoppers on matching music with your photography to built rapport. Typically, doing portraits you don't want to just throw up someone in front of a camera. You want to work with them, talk, tell a story, something to set the mood and get you working with your model. Music is a great way to do that and like they've added in this article getting a Bluetooth speaker can be cheap now. Set that up with a bit of music they like, or use their phone to play their music, and you've got some energy and common ground for a shoot... plus some awesome music.Ten New Year's Resolutions Worth Making as a Photographer (Fstoppers)It's a new year and go check out this great article by Fstoppers on things to get going on this year. Being that my background is IT and development my first thought is to go back up your photos! Other than that, they've got great tips about upgrading your website, working on your kit, and the one I personally need is to PRINT MORE. Go check it out!Other Stories You Might Like:

Featured Photos Weekly Challenge

Instagram Challenge

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_product2

A two-week challenge this time had you guys shooting the Holidays and New Years with some great shots! The nice thing about a shoot like this is with an open subject you've got the option from tabletop shots to cityscapes, portraits, and more.Next Two Week Challenge: #PRTV_guiltypleasure Opposite of your resolution… what’s that one thing you feel guilty about but its so good? Shoot food, drinks, your smartphone, that one expensive thing you had to have (GAS).

Toby’s Features:

A lovely holiday moment - the light on the child's face and the expression just work so well together.  

A post shared by Jane Glover (@angry_runner) on

A nice street portrait of Santa in action

It’s from last year but so was my fireworks shot :) I really like the composition here!

A post shared by Yannick (@ynickh) on

Roy’s Features:

While it’s a bit too late for a stock photo now I’d say it’s worth putting this one up! It's a great holiday shot with nice bokeh.

A post shared by Beau Ewen (@beauewenphotog) on

Getting a bit higher up made for an awesome shot changing your perspective above the roof line and a new years blast

Babies and bokeh, a great shot for the holidays and keeping some distance from the tree worked well for some separation from the background.

A post shared by Tyler Manzella (@manfella) on

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

Brilliant photos taken of Earth from space in 2017 Tired of the end of the year galleries? How about just one more with this slideshow from the ISS station! Watch the video below then check out this article from bt.com for the individual pictures with some background info on them as well. There's some great shots mostly taken on Nikons![embed]https://twitter.com/Space_Station/status/947120103811776512[/embed]Also: Rare 'wolf moon' captured in breathtaking images – the biggest and brightest supermoon of 2018Want to keep up with things happening this year? Sync your calendar with the solar systemMajor Tom Spaceman LED LightPick 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.

That's all folks! We'll be back next week with even more of your photo news. For PEN members next week is a live show, after that, there is a break with just these highlights till the 31st. If you guy's like the highlights leave us comments on the social media posts and we'll keep this going!

Canon SL2 200D Review vs Sony a6000/6300

The Canon Sl2 - a camera I didn't think Canon was going to make…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov7vnZ7ijoM [gallery td_select_gallery_slide="slide" size="medium" td_gallery_title_input="Canon SL2 (200D) Sample Images" ids="17148,17149,17150,17151,17152,17153,17154"]RAW FILES FOR DOWNLOAD AND PERSONAL USE ONLY

Canon vs Sony Recommendations

For easy photo and video with huge & affordable lens selectionBuy Canon SL2  with the kit lensAdd on the Canon 40mm f/2.8 lensFor better quality images and video in a smaller, but less friendly packageBuy Sony a6000  (Cheaper with a two lens package!)Buy Sony a6300 for 4k and better viewfinder Buy Sigma 30mm For small lightweight prime

Why you should have a prime lens

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nODUWChwfMU&t=5s 

Mish Mash Highlights: 12/28/2017

mish mash highlightsHopefully you all had a happy holiday, got some family time, and a bit new gear. This is your photography news of the week, just in article form. If you want to see Toby's take on things live go try out the NEW Photo Enthusiast Network (PEN) for live videos, Lightroom training, and more. The live show also has a critique, our shot at microstock, Q&A, Discussion, Special PEN content, plus a few surprises!

This Week at Photorec.tv

As we're human and it's the Holidays, not a lot of content went out this week. Hopefully, your holiday was great! But we do have a few things to get through:

  • B&H Deals, if you missed yesterday's post there is a bunch of hot sales covering the previous Black Friday sales and more. Check it out at photorec.tv/megadealzone.
  • Your Best Photo of 2017. Our yearly tradition to showcase all your shots from our amazing fan base. Entries are over and Toby's cramming atm to get the video out soon for the new year!
  • Pen Tuesday Tip - Flip it! - Special PEN content on how your eyes track an image and how to adjust a photo to make the most of it.
  • New PEN Critiques - As a new bonus to PEN members beyond the live show critique we'll be starting a new informal tips critique and a harder PPA (Professional Photographers of America) level critique.
  • Webinar Coming Soon - As PEN consists of a group of Instructors and not just Toby, we'll be having a live Webinar coming soon for members. Compared to the live show this will be more focused content on specific topics from different instructors and sometimes guests.

Photograph Frozen Bubbles DIYWhile it's cold out try some frozen bubbles as a fun DIY. It's an older article but being that it's that time of the year and starting to get quite cold give it a shot.

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.Confirmed: DxO says new Nik Collection to be released in 2018The Nik Collection is a great set of tools to boost your editing from things such as noise reduction to a great black and white conversion in Lightroom and Photoshop. It's still free, but bought out by DxO from Google, the worry being that without development it would eventually stop working. With an announcement, it looks like we've got a 2018 version coming soon, just no word on a price if any. If you're interested in the NIK collection get it now at nikcollection.dxo.com.Free Lightroom alternative Darktable is now available on WindowsDarktableLooking for a Lightroom alternative now that they've gone to subscription only? Darktable has been ported finally to Windows giving you an option on all platforms (Windows/Mac/Linux) for a free open-source lookalike. If you want to give it a try you can check it out at www.darktable.org.Get Free Unlimited Google Drive StorageFor those that don't have unlimited photo storage with Amazon Prime another great option to backup your photos now is Google Drive's unlimited storage. The catch is you have to be an active student or Alumni with a .EDU email from a school using Google for Education. That said, it's worth the five minutes to find out, you may have a new spot to backup your computer for free (bar the crippling cost of college).Other Stories You Might Like:

Featured Photos Weekly Challenge

It's the holiday season and we've extended our weekly photo challenge on Instagram to two weeks to cover everything holiday All-AT-ONCE. That means you've got until next Wednesday (1/3) at noon to upload your holiday photos and New Years shots. Simply throw them up on Instagram with the tag #PRTV_holiday2. That does cover a lot so that means it could be portraits like Manfella's kiddos below, decorations, a New Years ball drop, yummy food, or something else you enjoy to shoot.Weekly Instagram Challenge

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

Stunning Time-Lapse of SpaceX Falcon9 Rocket LaunchMore space-related, but the story that had the news coverage this week is the SpaceX rocket launch from Vandenberg Airforce base on the 22nd. While not UFOs Jesse Watson was set up early and caught the action in this great timelapse you can check out above. A big bonus to The Photographer's Ephermeris (GET THIS APP<-) and Google Maps for nailing the location. This was shot with a Nikon D810, Sony a6500, and Sony a7S II for this great view in 1,315 images.Also: Idaho Gets First International Dark Sky Reserve in the United StatesMajor Tom Spaceman LED LightPick 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.

That's it for this week and hopefully, you guy's like the new content. For PEN members we'll be back next year (week) live so go sign up. If you guy's like the highlights leave us comments on the social media posts and this may be a weekly thing!

Featured Photos Weekly Challenge – Product Photography 2

Instagram Challenge

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_product2

This week something you could do inside or go out and capture with product photography. A bit simpler with the holidays coming up but it's a fun challenge and you can hopefully learn from it to make a few bucks doing photos locally.Next Two Week Challenge: #PRTV_holiday2 Find out more about upcoming challenges and past winners at photorec.tv/prtv.You can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv and the team:

Team FeatureTeam FeatureTeam Feature
Toby’s Features:

Fully committed to the shot with the water- it’s a neat take that makes me think of summer and beer - perfect. I may suggest to dial back the water just a bit and the buried can looks a little dented but all around good shot!

@photorec.tv #prtv_product2

A post shared by Robbie Brown (@wishbon77) on

Roy’s Features:

Featured Photos Weekly Challenge – Complementary Colors

Instagram Challenge

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_complementarycolors

This week was a bit more challenging in that you had to follow a color scheme. Using complementary colors in your photos can make for a strong image. We had some great photos this week, and some that didn’t quite get the colors right, but it’s great to see all the nice attempts at focusing on color. Learn more about the color wheel by trying it out at https://www.sessions.edu/color-calculator/Next Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_product2Find out more about upcoming challenges and past winners at photorec.tv/prtv.You can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv and the team:

Team FeatureTeam FeatureTeam Feature
Toby’s Features:

Love the framing with that red! 

It's an interesting color contrast between the subject and background

#prtv_complementarycolors

A post shared by Lisa Phelan (@lisas_lens_) on

Roy’s Features:

Desktops, Laptops, Raid Drives, 4K Monitors- Gift Guide 2017

Let's talk about pro level gear for your office - the stuff that makes editing photos and video a painless experience - from fast computers and huge raid drives to beautiful 4k monitors in this episode of the 2017 Holiday Gift Guide.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BFb_F4p0KU

5K iMac

Screenshot-2017-12-14-09.24.26-e1513272508596-491x650.png

Specs -4.2 GHz Intel Core i7 Quad-Core8GB of DDR4 RAM | 512GB SSD (Buy Additional RAM)27" 5120 x 2880 IPS Retina 5K DisplayAMD Radeon Pro 580 Graphics Card (8GB)UHS-II SDXC Card ReaderThunderbolt 3 | USB 3.0 Type-AI have an older version of this iMac and love it - a beautiful screen that needs no calibration and performance that easily handles editing photos and 4k video. I recommend you buy with just 8GB of RAM and buy separately, it is VERY easy to install and saves you almost $400.Buy from B&H Photo: Recommended 5k iMac

15" MacBook Pro

Specs -2.9 GHz Intel Core i7 Quad-Core16GB of 2133 MHz RAM | 512GB SSD15.4" 2880 x 1800 Retina DisplayAMD Radeon Pro 560 Graphics (4GB GGDR5)An updated version of my trusty MacBook Pro - this will handle all your editing needs. While I would love to save a few pounds and go with the 13 the truth is you save less than 2lbs and give up significant screen real estate.  For photo editing that doesn't feel cramped, I need 15" screen.Buy from B&H Photo: Recommended Laptop 15" Macbook Pro

Lacie 6Big -36TB Thunderbolt Raid Drive

Lacie 6Big

Lacie 6Big

Lacie 6Big

Lacie 6Big

Talking backup drives is never very exciting but this raid drive is ridiculously fast and comes in a variety of sizes. I am currently running the 6Big with 6, 6TB drives giving me 30TB of space and peace of mind with the raid system protecting me from drive failure.Specs-6 x 6TB Enterprise-Class 3.5" HDDsSix Hot-Swappable Drive Bays2 x Thunderbolt 3, 1 x USB 3.10/1/5/6/10/50 RAID SupportBuy from B&H Photo: Lacie 6Big

BenQ SW271 27" 16:9 4K IPS Monitor

Specs -27" In-Plane Switching (IPS) MonitorUSB Type-C / HDMI / DP Inputs3840 x 2160 Resolution1000:1 Contrast RatioI have been using this monitor for a few weeks now and the resolution and color is lovely - this is a fantastic monitor for editing with easy custom setup, a removable shade/glare hood and a nice matte finish to the screen.Buy from B&H Photo: Beautiful 4K Monitor

Adobe Lightroom Update - Sony a7RIII Support RAW .ARW

Adobe *JUST* released new Camera RAW CC and Lightroom CC/Lightroom Classic CC updates. This update brings full support for the Sony a7RIII. Adobe also added the 24-105mm lens profile support. As expected Adobe does NOT support Pixel Shift.TWO NEW UPDATES TO LIGHTROOM CLASSIC CCStart your edits with Auto, which uses Adobe Sensei to intelligently apply adjustments based on a photo’s light and color characteristics. Adobe's Auto feature now uses advanced machine learning to automatically apply the best edits for these slider controls in your photos: Exposure, Contrast, Highlights, Shadows, Whites, Blacks, Saturation, and Vibrance. In addition, the Auto feature now also includes the ability to optimize the adjustments of the photo even after cropping has been applied.The underlying neural nets have been trained with thousands of professionally shot and manually edited photos to evaluate and correct an image, just like a skilled human photographer.In the Develop module, the Auto option is located next to Tone in the Basic panel.AND - The ability to remove individual color samples within a color range mask has been added in this release. Simply Option(Mac)/Alt(Win)+click the existing samples that you want to remove.More infoBuy the a7RIII at AmazonBuy the a7RIII at B&H Photo

Featured Photos Weekly Challenge – Portrait3

Instagram Challenge

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_portrait3

Whether you were a people person or a bit of an introvert this week with a self-portrait we had some really nice shots! With the holidays coming there's plenty of opportunity for portraits so hopefully you reached out of your comfort zone for this one.Next Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_complementarycolorsFind out more about upcoming challenges and past winners at photorec.tv/prtv.You can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv and the team:

Team FeatureTeam FeatureTeam Feature
Toby’s Features:
Roy’s Features:

A great location for a portrait session and some awesome cosplay really makes for a nice photo.

This is a great portrait but I love the prop! Giving your subject something to interact with in a photo gives your eyes something to track and makes for a interesting subject.

Your Best Photo of 2017

https://youtu.be/NMuqZ5QIFl4  Make sure you are a subscriber to be notified when the slideshow is posted.  Click to subscribe and be notified. I am collecting your ONE best/favorite photo from 2017 for the 4th annual slide show. Read ALL Directions and Disclaimers.Directions:

  • Search your library for your favorite image you captured in 2017.

  • 16:9 horizontal crop is preferred but not required. - This fits the video nicely but portrait or vertical orientation is acceptable.

  • You may watermark your image with a small watermark in the lower left or right corner.

  • Export as a JPEG - longest side at least 4,000 pixels - If it is not at least 4,000 pixels on a side it will NOT be included in the show.

  • Name the file your firstname_lastname and drop into the folder found at the link below. - If your image is not properly named it will not be used.

  • Submit by MIDNIGHT PST December 20th.

NOTE: iOS devices ignore your file name when you upload and all I get is a IMAGE.JPEG filename. IF THE FILE IS NOT PROPERLY NAMED your firstname_lastname I will not use.   Please upload from desktop or laptop to avoid this.Disclaimers:

  • By submitting your image here you authorize photorec.tv to share your image in a slideshow on Youtube. Your image will not be used for anything else without your express permission.

  • I will not return images - make sure you don't give me the ONLY one.

  • I am not responsible for copyright violations that occur on Youtube.

  • I cannot guarantee that I will use your image - many images will be submitted, some will not be selected

 >> Submit here >>

SUBMISSION IS CLOSED> THANKS! VIDEO WILL BE POSTED SOON!The slideshow for 2016!https://youtu.be/c_FRpwo9vO4

The Gift Guide - Easy, Ready to Display Prints

2017-12-04-15.28.30-488x650.jpg

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAwa7ANPmiY&feature=youtu.be[/embed]You may be new to photography, or a veteran, but all those photos go to waste sitting on a hard drive and deserve to be printed. That said, we've come a long way from your basic photo prints. Check out our new video and some really neat options for your walls or a gift this holiday season.

Buy Today at Adoramapix

2017-12-04-15.25.58-488x650.jpg

Buy Today at Artifact Uprising

2017-12-04-15.23.13-488x650.jpg

Buy Today at Mixtiles

The Gift Guide: Mobile Photography

It's time for the holidays and we're here with the gear you need. If you're traveling a lot, on the go, or just prefer shooting with a phone we've got some great options:

Google Pixel 2

Google Pixel 2

Google Pixel 2

Mefoto Sidekick

Mefoto Sidekick

Zhiyun-Tech Smooth-Q Smartphone Gimbal

Zhiyun-Tech Smooth-Q Smartphone Gimbal

Featured Photos Weekly Challenge - Food3

Instagram Challenge

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_food3

Top picks for our two-week super challenge with the holiday time keeping everyone a bit busy. We’ve got some great top pick shots and it’s dinner time for me!Next Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_portrait3Find out more about upcoming challenges and past winners at photorec.tv/prtv.You can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv and the team:

Team FeatureTeam FeatureTeam Feature
Toby’s Features:

Great tight shot - fill the frame with the subject YES, hint of repetition YES!

Roy’s Features:

Something a bit different with this neat dutch angle shot. Just make sure when shooting food to try not to let things intersect in the background but the soft focus works nicely.

Panasonic G9 - Powerful, Stills-Focused, Camera

[gallery td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="16903,16904,16905,16906,16907,16908,16909,16910,16911,16912,16913,16914"]Panasonic has just announced the Panasonic G9, Similar in size and weight to their excellent GH5 camera but unlike the GH5 strength in video. This G9 is tuned for those that want the best still shooting experience in Panasonic's lineup. On paper, it's a great redesign stealing some of the best parts of the GH5.Lumix's new flagship has quite the specs:

  • No Low-pass filter for a boost in sharpness
  • The same 20.3MP sensor in the GH5 with a maximum 80MP high res photo mode thanks to sensor shifting like the Sony a7Riii.
  • 5-axis in-body image stabilization, 6.5 stops for sharp shots on the move
  • 4K video at 60p (10 minutes only), including a 180fps full HD slow-motion mode
  • 60 FPS via Electronic Shutter or 20 FPS mechanical
  • "World's Fastest AF" tracking speed of 0.04 seconds with its 225 AF points. Just a touch faster than the GH5's 0.05 for fast-tracking and smooth.
    • Face/Eye Recognition, Tracking AF, 1-area AF, and Pinpoint AF
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with BLE, Bluetooth low energy for full-time connection to a smartphone
  • Massive 3,680K-dot OLED Live View Finder [LVF] with 120 fps refresh rate, 0.83X magnification, and blackout free 100% field of view.
  • Dual SD card slots
  • Redesigned body with a Thumb-operated AF joystick and top LCD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaGbeHx9HGUhttps://youtu.be/9CxVkl-fL3YThis flagship is a killer camera! It will be available starting in February for $1,700. With a big shift to stills in this model, the Panasonic G9 has some impressive specs. We'll have Toby up for a review soon when he can get a copy.

Preorder Now! The G9 will be released February 15, 2018.

Panasonic G9amazon logo

Specifications

Imaging
Camera
Digital Single Lens Mirrorless camera, Micro Four Thirds Mount (2x Crop Factor
Pixels
Actual: 21.77 MP, Effective: 20.3 MP
Max Resolution
17.3 x 13.0 mm (in 4:3 aspect ratio)
Aspect Ratio
1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9
Sensor Type / Size
MOS, 17.3 x 13 mm
File Formats
Still Images: JPEG, RAWMovies: AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264Audio: AAC, Dolby Digital 2ch, Linear PCM
Dust Reduction System
Yes
Memory Card Type
SD, SDHC, SDXC
Image Stabilization
Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis
AV Recording 
Video Recording
Yes, NTSC
Video Format
3840 x 2160p at 23.98, 29.97, 48, 59.94 fps (MP4)1920 x 1080p at 29.97, 59.94, 180 fps (MP4)1920 x 1080p at 23.98, 59.94 fps (AVCHD)1920 x 1080i at 59.94 fps (AVCHD)
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Video Clip Length
Up to 29 Min 59 Sec
Audio Recording
Built-In Mic: With Video (Stereo)Optional External Mic: With Video (Stereo + Mono)
Focus Control 
Focus Type
Auto & Manual
Focus Mode
Continuous-Servo AF (C), Flexible (AFF), Manual Focus (M), Single-servo AF (S)
Autofocus Points
Contrast Detection: 225
Viewfinder/Display
Viewfinder Type
Electronic
Viewfinder Pixel Count
3,680,000
Viewfinder Eye Point
21.00 mm
Viewfinder Coverage
100%
Viewfinder Magnification
Approx. 0.83x
Diopter Adjustment
-4 to +3 m
Display Screen
3" Rear Touchscreen Swivel Touchscreen LCD (1,040,000)
Screen Coverage
100%
Exposure Control
ISO sensitivity
Auto, 200-25600 (Extended Mode: 100-25600)
Shutter
Type: Electronic & MechanicalSpeed: 60 - 1/8000 SecondType: Electronic & MechanicalSpeed: 30 - 1 Minute in Bulb ModeType: ElectronicSpeed: 1 - 1/32000 SecondType: ElectronicSpeed: 1/25 - 1/16000 Second in Movie Mode
Remote Control
DMW-RSL1 (Optional)
Metering Method
Center-Weighted Average Metering, Multiple, Spot Metering
Exposure Modes
Modes: Aperture Priority, Manual, Programmed Auto, Shutter PriorityMetering Range: EV 0.0 - EV 18.0Compensation: -5 EV to +5 EV (in 1/3 EV Steps)
White Balance Modes
Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Daylight, Flash, Incandescent, Shade, White Set
Buffer / Continuous Shooting
Up to 9 fps at 20.3 MPUp to 12 fps at 20.3 MPUp to 20 fps at 20.3 MPUp to 60 fps at 20.3 MPUp to 30 fps at 18 MPUp to 60 fps at 8 MP
Flash
Flash Modes
AutoAuto/Red-Eye ReductionForced OnForced On/Red-Eye ReductionOffSlow SyncSlow Sync/Red-Eye Reduction
Built-in Flash
No
Max Sync Speed
1 / 250 Second
Flash Compensation
-3 EV to +3 EV (in 1/3 EV steps)
Dedicated Flash System
TTL
External Flash Connection
Hot Shoe, PC Terminal
Performance
Self Timer
10 Seconds, 2 Seconds
Interval Recording
Yes
Connectivity
1/8" Headphone, 1/8" Microphone, 2.5mm Sub-mini (2-Ring), HDMI A (Full Size), USB 3.0, Viera Link
Wi-Fi Capable
Yes
Power
Battery
1 x DMW-BLF19 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, 7.2 VDC, 1860 mAh
Operating / Storage Temperature
Operating: 14 to 104°F (-10 to 40°C)Humidity: 10 - 80%
Physical
Dimensions (W x H x D)
5.4 x 3.8 x 3.6" / 136.9 x 97.3 x 91.6 mm
Weight
1.27 lb / 579 g body only

Sigma Black Friday Sales

Sigma is offering Black Friday deals on all their ART Series lenses. I love the Sigma ART series lenses and these discounts make already excellent values even better!My Sigma Favorites!

Additional Sigma Lenses on Sale:Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art $799 (Reg $899)Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG HSM Art $749 (Reg $849)Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC HSM Art $449 (Reg $499)Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM Art $799 (Reg $899)Sigma 12-24mm F4 DG HSM Art $1499 (Reg $1,599)Sigma 24-35mm F2 DG HSM Art $899 (Reg $999)Sigma 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM Art $999 (Reg $1,099)Many of these lenses can be used on Sony with the MC-11 Adapter.

Holiday Gift Guide for the Crafty Photographer

Holiday Gift Guide for the Crafty Photographer | http://photorec.tvThe holiday gift guide for the crafty photographer is near and dear to my heart because I am a crafty photographer. I own more craft supplies than I care to admit and love experimenting with all different types of creative projects. Instead of researching great holiday deals or talking to everyone I know about what they would buy for the crafty photographer in their life, I'm simply sharing the items I own and use all the time for my creative photography.

50mm f/1.8

I feel like a broken record talking about the 50mm f/1.8 lens. But it really is such a great tool for creative photography and beyond. 50mm is an ideal focal length for portraits, street photography, and much more. I use it far more often than any other lens for my blog photography and creative shooting. The focal length is extremely versatile, and the wide 1.8 aperture lets you play around with shooting in virtually any light level. The possibilities are endless.

Lensbaby

The Lensbaby is actually the only item in this holiday gift guide I don't own myself. Lensbaby produces simple prime lenses that allow you to experiment with bokeh and other fun photography techniques without breaking the bank. They offer prime lenses at varying focal lengths, all for under $500. My friend Natasha has a couple of fantastic examples of images she's created with her Lensbaby as well as inspiration and suggestions for other creative possibilities with Lensbaby images. Check them out here: Seaside Sunset Bokeh Freebie Pack | In-Camera Bokeh Overlay Freebies.

Printed paper and vinyl backdrops

Patterned paper and vinyl backdrops allow you to create staged or styled photography setups quickly and easily. Having a backdrop eliminates distraction and creates a professional, cohesive aesthetic for your images. If you're taking portraits or experimenting with creative techniques that may be messy, such as freezing water drops with a flash, vinyl is a great option because it's simple to clean and reuse. My favorite Etsy shops for vinyl backdrops are InkandElm and MyBackdropShop.I also love to use patterned paper for creative photography because there are so many designs available. As patterned paper is cheaper, I don't worry too much about keeping it in great condition. When you've trashed it, simply throw it out and roll out some new paper. My favorite online source for patterned paper is Pacon's Ella Bella line. I also recommend browsing the large paper rolls as well as smaller scrapbook paper options at Michaels.

Fun dishes, silverware, and other kitchen items

Adding a few carefully selected props to a styled shoot helps tell a story, creating a stronger image. I share some of my best examples of styled food shots in 10 Steps to Improve Your Food Photography. Think about gifting the crafty photographer in your life fun dishes, silverware, or other kitchen gear that they might not purchase for themselves. Hit your favorite thrift or secondhand shop, and keep an eye out for holiday deals from popular kitchen retailers, such as Crate and Barrel.

Seasonal props and other decor items

DIY Heart Shaped Bokeh How to for Valentine's Day is a perfect example of how you can create fun holiday images without breaking the bank. I love to hit the dollar store and the dollar section at Target and other big box stores for seasonal and holiday props and other decor items. I also keep a handful of versatile photography props on hand, such as Scrabble tiles and blue Ball jars, which are easy to mix and match for an extensive range of shots.

Christmas lights and fairy lights

I'm a huge sucker for Christmas lights and have been known to dig through the Christmas decorations, so I can pull out the lights for a photo shoot. I also own a few dedicated solid color light strands I use solely for photography (luckily, they're cheap and don't take up a lot of space). In addition to potential for creative bokeh, Christmas lights make for a great prop or add a fun pop of color to creative shoots. The holidays are a perfect time to splurge on a few strands for a crafty photographer, as you'll find a wide range of colors and styles at every big box and home improvement store. You can also shop for lights online at Amazon all year round.I also love using fairy lights in my photography for a lighter touch. Jessica of How Sweet Eats has some fantastic styled photos with fairy lights in her espresso martinis recipe. Fairy lights are fun for a whimsical photo shoot, too.

Creative photography course

My favorite source for creative classes is Alisa Burke. I'm not sponsored to promote her classes, nor do I receive any compensation if you sign up for or gift one of her classes. I've just been a huge Alisa fan for years now and absolutely love the online classes I've taken with her. Currently, she offers two photography classes: Snapshot Delight and Photo Play. Honestly, I think any of her classes will enhance your creative photography skills, so don't be afraid to think out of the box for gift giving this season.

What camera gear is on your holiday wish list this year?Is there anything else you’d like to see in this holiday gift guide for the crafty photographer?

Feel free to share links in the comments!

Easy Tips for Taking Better Holiday Photos

Easy Tips for Taking Better Holiday Photos | http://photorec.tvThe holidays are an ideal opportunity to capture images with friends and family. Taking a few extra minutes to snap photos during a holiday gathering will allow you to look back on the event for years to come. Before you gather with your loved ones this year, brush up on key tips for taking better holiday photos.

Tips for Taking Better Holiday Photos | http://photorec.tvFocus on telling a story

It's easy to snap pictures during a holiday family gathering without giving them much thought. While you may capture a few memories, most likely you won't create very strong images. The pictures you do have also won't tell much of a story of the entire event. Even if you're just creating a Facebook album or blog post and aren't putting together a photo book or something more elaborate, it's still nice to have a narrative element to your collection of images. Think about the event as a whole and the images you want to take to convey this larger picture.

Tips for Taking Better Holiday Photos | http://photorec.tvStrive to get a combination of candid and posed shots

When a large group of family gathers, I love getting a couple of posed shots to print and put up on the wall. But nine times out of ten, my favorite images from a gathering end up being the candid shots. Pay attention to the smaller moments during the gathering, and seek out opportunities to capture the details of the event as well, such as the place settings or holiday decor. When you are planning to get a few posed shots, think about bringing a tripod and a remote shutter, so you're able to be in a few of the shots.

Tips for Taking Better Holiday Photos | http://photorec.tvGet on eye level with the kids

Have you heard the photography advice "move to get the shot?" This trued and true tip applies to taking better holiday photos, too. Instead of snapping a quick shot of your nieces and nephews playing a board game from a standing vantage point, move down to their level. You'll create a more engaging action shot. If little ones aren't comfortable having the camera right in their faces, spend some time just sitting with them to put them at ease, or scoot back to create a bit of a buffer safe zone.

Tips for Taking Better Holiday Photos | http://photorec.tvShoot with a prime lens or external flash

A prime lens is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to create beautiful indoor portraits of friends and family during the holidays. It also offers endless possibilities for creative holiday imagery, such as blurred bokeh Christmas lights. Of course, the 50mm is a classic choice. If you're worried that 50mm will be too tight in a smaller space, the 40mm is a great option. Do you already own a 35mm lens? Bring the 35mm instead of the 50mm.When lighting conditions are particularly limited, an external flash is a great asset, particularly for portraits. The above picture is from one of the few events I've attended in the last few years with a flash, and I'm so glad that I did. Make sure to angle your flash away from your subjects to avoid red eye. If you're new to flash photography, the YN-560 IV is just $65 and has an impressive range of features including supporting wireless master and slave functioning and multiple trigger synchronous mode.

Tips for Taking Better Holiday Photos | http://photorec.tvIf the weather allows for it, move outside for a few shots

Indoor photography is often challenging, even under the best of circumstances. Depending on the given weather conditions that day, outdoor shooting may not be an option. But if it is, take it. Most likely the breath of fresh air and a chance for a bit of exercise and fun will be a welcomed change of pace. Experiment with taking pictures right in your backyard or head down the street to the local park, especially if you have kids in your group.

Tips for Taking Better Holiday Photos | http://photorec.tvKeep your camera handy

I can't tell you how many times I've meant to take pictures at an event or gathering and don't end picking up my camera even once. Sometimes it's fun to enjoy gathering with your loved ones without your camera. But it can also be disappointing to miss an anticipated opportunity for photos. Consider wearing your camera for at least part of the gathering, so you always have it with you. If there are multiple people taking pictures, designate a central spot for the camera, keeping it within easy reach throughout the event.Finally, don't forget to put your camera down for a few minutes. Enjoy spending time with the people you love without looking at them through your lens. Personally, I like to spend a bit of time sizing up a new environment and letting everyone get comfortable before I pull out my camera. Then I'm intentional about wrapping up my shooting well before the festivities die down, so I can relax without my camera in hand for a while. Find a routine that works for you and stick with it to make the most of your holidays while still creating beautiful images.

Do you have any additional tips for taking better holiday photos?

Feel free to share them in the comments!

Featured Photos Weekly Challenge - Blackpoint

Instagram Challenge

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_blackpoint

We’ve gone to black this week with a bit of an editing challenge using the black point. Altering your black point in a photo is a great way to change up the look and feel of a photo and we wanted you to stretch those editing skills. Go check out our top picks (and the other entries as well) and give them some insta love.Next Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_food3Find out more about upcoming challenges and past winners at photorec.tv/prtv.You can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv and the team:

Team FeatureTeam FeatureTeam Feature
Rose’s Features:

Fantastic composition. I love the way the structure fills the entire frame.

I love the lighting and composition. The black and white treatment is perfect for this image.

First time one light strobe light setup #prtv_blackpoint #sonya7ii #strobelightnewbie

A post shared by Eileen K (@ektull21) on

Roy’s Features: