I have spent a few weeks with the Nixplay Iris wifi cloud frame and discovered a cool feature that I need your help to use! watch till the end - I have thoughts on this $175-$200 digital frame with 10GB of cloud storage. I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Buy the Nixplay IRIS
Amazon
B&H
This week's photography news and more with the Mish Mash Highlights. Want to mount an iPhone to a 70-200? It might sound crazy but that's an option this week with a new adapter.Toby's back this week with the live show as well. It's the same material you get here, but straight from the man himself while you can talk to the PEN community in a group chat. If that sounds good sign up to PEN today at photoenthusiastnetwork.com. The live show is just a bonus to a ton of great content.
Want to travel with Toby?We've got some great new trips to sign up for:
New for PEN, join today at Photorec.tv/PEN
WPPI Panasonic Booth - Quick look at GX9 and G9 from PanasonicToby spends a few moments with the Panasonic Gx9 and G9. Talking briefly about the Canon M50 and the Panasonic Gx9
We can't cover everything photography news related but we try. For everything else, we've got the best news articles from around the web.This Adapter Lets You Mount Any Giant Lens On Your Tiny SmartphoneWhile manual only, including aperture, check out this neat adapter that lets you shoot with a smartphone. Essentially digiscoping, shooting through a scope, you can use a large variety of lenses (Canon EF, Nikon F, and Sony E). It's a neat idea if a niche item, hit the link for a video for more!Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is a different beastA smaller micro four-thirds design almost in line with the GH5 with 4K at 60 fps. At $1200 it's an interesting choice and a bit of competition for Panasonic.
Other Stories You Might Like:
It’s been a furry week with some nice photos! Glad to see some silly shots this week with the cold weather up here in Michigan. Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_architecture3A focus on buildings this week, try to focus on shapes and lines as a lot of it will be drawing the eye to your subject.
Love the crop!
I agree and the taller dog’s gaze at the camera is perfect!
Just a simple tight portrait! lovely!
I love that yawn! It's a cute shot and a really unique angle.
The pet for this challenge doesn't have to be yours, using a fast aperture works great to seperate your subject.
A bit of aww, going for that morning lightFor 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.
Sunrise crashes an aurora party
A post shared by International Space Station (@iss) on
Pick up a "Major Tom" spaceman LED light for your computer today. Part of Toby's Photos from space segment and it helps support the site. Click here to buy your own Major Tom on Amazon.Want to keep up with things happening this year? Sync your calendar with the solar system
This week's photography news and more with the Mish Mash Highlights. This week Lightroom got a big update, if you haven't noticed yet go check it out. We've also got a bunch of gear in for reviews so that'll be coming out soon!Toby's back this week with the live show as well. It's the same material you get here, but straight from the man himself while you can talk to the PEN community in a group chat. If that sounds good sign up to PEN today at photoenthusiastnetwork.com. The live show is just a bonus to a ton of great content.
Want to travel with Toby?We've got some great new trips to sign up for:
New for PEN, join today at Photorec.tv/PEN
Articles Out this week!
Lightroom Classic CC v7.3 | April 2018 UPDATESFor those that want to get a bit more advanced with their editing Lightroom Classic now has a new color profile system and creative profiles. A big boost to editing and we should be seeing some really neat presets in the future. Along with the update there's been a few UI changes and items moved for better workflow, hopefully to get you out shooting again faster.
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.
As one of those viral stories, you can't stop this Canon G12 that managed to survive under water for two years! Al beit, thanks to an underwater housing, but with the power of social media they managed to find the owners within a couple days. This little Canon got swept 155 miles away from where it was lost in Japan to end up in Taiwan and fortunately found by school kids.
Other Stories You Might Like:
Starting out I think a lot of photographers wait for that bluebird sky to take photos. So this week we flipped the script going for darker shots whether you got a bit creative or just waited for that light to fall. Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_pets3Time to let the fur fly with a pets challenge next! Go get some cute shots or your pets, or someone elses, for a nice shot this week.
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.
Check out theis neat shot of Java, Bali, and Lombok. It almost looks like someone photoshopped a line of islands into a shot :)
A post shared by NASA (@nasa) on
Pick up a "Major Tom" spaceman LED light for your computer today. Part of Toby's Photos from space segment and it helps support the site. Click here to buy your own Major Tom on Amazon.Want to keep up with things happening this year? Sync your calendar with the solar system
Adobe has released an update for Lightroom Classic now at v7.3 that adds a few features, moves a few features and adds support for more cameras/lenses including the new Sony a7iii.
In Lightroom Classic CC and Adobe Camera Raw, profiles have been moved from the Camera Calibration panel(very bottom) to the Basic panel(very top).Expanded profile capabilities with six brand new Adobe Raw profiles, over 40 new Creative profiles, and an all-new Profile Browser that lets you quickly compare and select the best profile for your photo. When you hover over the profile your selected image previews the changes in real-time.
Adobe Color was designed to greatly improve the look and rendering of warm tones, improving the transitions between certain color ranges, and slightly increasing the starting contrast of your photos. Since Adobe Color is the new default (but only for newly imported photos), it was designed to work on the widest range of photos and ensures that regardless of the subject, your photo will look great.Adobe Monochrome has been carefully tuned to be a great starting point for any black and white photograph, resulting in better tonal separation and contrast than photos that started off in Adobe Standard and were converted into black and white.Adobe Portrait is optimized for all skin tones, providing more control and better reproduction of skin tones. With less contrast and saturation applied to skin tones throughout the photo, you get more control and precision for critical portraiture.Adobe Landscape, as the name implies, was designed for landscape photos, with more vibrant skies and foliage tones.Adobe Neutral provides a starting point with a very low amount of contrast, useful for photos where you want the most control or that have very difficult tonal ranges.Adobe Vivid provides a punchy, saturated starting point.Often I find these profiles to offer a good starting point for your edits. They are not a one-click fix but lay a foundation for additional edits, saving you time. Learn more about my use of profiles by joining photoenthusiastnetwork.com/ and accessing over 10 hours of Lightroom Training.
Camera Matching Profiles were one of the most powerful raw tools found in Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom Classic CC, but also one of the most difficult to find. Now, they’re easier to find and available for the first time in Lightroom CC. We created the Camera Matching profiles to match the different options often found in your camera, making it possible for you to match the color and tonality of your raw file with what you saw on the your camera’s LCD or the JPEG rendered by your camera, as closely as possible. The options available for any particular photograph will vary, depending on which camera the photo was captured with.
The profiles found in the four Creative profiles groups: Artistic, Black & White, Modern, and Vintage can be applied to any photo, both raw and non-raw. The Creative profiles were designed to create a look and feel in your photos and provide even more control thanks to the inclusion of a 3D Lookup Table (LUT) that can be included within a profile. LUTs have often been used by Photoshop and video professionals to add a color grading effect to the photo, with more options and precision than were previously possible in Lightroom. Creative Profiles also provide a new Amount slider, enabling you to increase or decrease the effect, tuning it to your taste.
Dehaze has been moved into the basic panel - something I predicted two years ago. Wait long enough and you will eventually be, right?
Always be gentle with the sliders in the Presence section of the basic panel and this includes Dehaze. It is powerful but can quickly add too much contrast to your image. I often apply a small amount of dehaze to landscape photos - 5-15 and then selectively use the brush to target those areas that need a little more. Want more Lightroom tip, tricks, and education? I offer 10 hours of Lightroom training as part of our Photo Enthusiast Network. Join Today!Tone curve panel size has expanded for more precise adjustments
Optimized the face-tagging algorithms for more accurate detection of faces.
Which change or changes are you most excited about? Let me know in the comments below.Updates are accessed through your Adobe Helper App
Spring photography backgrounds and props will take your warm weather photo sessions to the next level. From simple newborn shoots in your own backyard to large weddings in fancy venues, there are spring photography backgrounds and props to fit every budget and shooting style. Don't be afraid to mix and match ideas as they work best for your photography style and your clients' preferences.
Clean, light backgroundsI love to use clean, bright backdrops for spring and summer shoots, saving darker backgrounds (i.e. deep red brick, faux black chalkboard) for fall and winter. My go-to floor pattern is light faux wood (I have both vinyl and paper backdrops). My go-to backdrop is light blue bokeh. More recently, I picked up a distressed teal vinyl backdrop and an assorted set of white backdrops with colored dots, both of which are perfect for spring shooting as well.
Easter propsEaster props are great for mini portrait sessions with babies, toddlers, and small children. They are also ideal backdrop elements for styled Easter and spring shoots, such as recipes and DIY projects. I love to scout for seasonal and holiday props in the Target dollar section and at Michaels, where there are always sales and coupons. There are also always a handful of seasonal items, such as plastic eggs, that are cheap everywhere and make for a simple, fun prop in virtually any type of holiday styled shoot or portrait session.
Umbrellas create a whimsical element in toddler and kid portraits, family sessions, engagement shoots, maternity photos, and even spring wedding photos. Consider purchasing umbrellas specifically designed as photo or wedding props, which tend to be more lightweight and fun than traditional rain umbrellas.
Garlands and bannersA simple garland or banner adds a festive touch to a neutral backdrop. They are readily available at big box and craft stores or you can make your own. There are tons of easy free DIY tutorials for spring, Easter, and Mother's Day garlands and banners. A quick search on Google or Pinterest will get you started. Garlands and banners take up virtually no space, making them an ideal prop to store and pull out again year after year.
Getting a few shots on or with bicycles is a fun option for couples or families who enjoy biking together. If you know your client enjoys this hobby, simply suggest it as option when they're preparing for the shoot, so they can plan to bring their bikes along.
A picnic spread is another fun way to capture action shots with couples, kids, or families without feeling too posed. Don't feel like you have to bring an entire meal along for a portrait or engagement session. A small snacks spread or cheese and wine will complete the aesthetic perfectly. If you're planning a golden hour shoot, roasting marshmallows and making s'mores is another great option.
FlowersAfter months of snow and gray skies, we're all starved for the pop of color that flowers provide. Flowers make a great backdrop or prop. There are lots of printed floral backdrops available or you can create your own hanging floral backdrop. Danielle of Lou What Wear has an awesome floral backdrop tutorial.I am not a gardener and have a lot of faux flowers as decor pieces in my house that I can pull as needed for photo shoots. I like to style them in mason jars and faux glass milk and soda bottles. Michaels offers an abundance of faux flowers at low prices. I've also found some surprisingly nice faux stems at the dollar store. If you shoot professionally or are planning to take pictures of kids or family, consider purchasing a few bouquets or gathering fresh flowers from your garden.
For more ambitious DIY enthusiasts who do professional toddler and kid portraits, an ice cream or lemonade stand backdrop or prop (in which kids can actually pose in the stand) is an adorable idea for spring shoots. Most tutorials are for lemonade stands, but you can easily customize the concept to create an ice cream stand. Check out tutorials from Accessorize and Organize, Fantabulosity, and See Vanessa Craft.
Outdoor elementsWhenever possible, get outside for spring portraits, family shoots, and couple and group wedding shots. I know that location, time of year, and the weather on any given day may not be conducive to outdoor spring shooting, especially early in spring. Embrace the opportunities that you do have, seeking out locations to include flowers in your backdrops. Keep in mind many public parks, gardens, and other favorite outdoor locations get busy on weekends, so plan accordingly.
What are your favorite spring photography backgrounds and props?Feel free to leave links to the products you love in the comments!
I take the Sony FE 100-400 and Sony 1.4x Teleconverter on Safari in Tanzania, Africa with McKaylive.com and https://thomsonsafaris.com/ - I loved, LOVED the results and share with you my full review of the Sony 100-400, with sample photos and a report of how the Sony 100-400 performs paired with the Sony 1.4x Teleconverter for wildlife and portraits!
Your use of these links supports these reviews and costs you nothing extra.
[gallery ids="18038,18039,18040,18041,18042,18044,18045,18046,18047"]
[gallery columns="4" ids="18048,18049,18050,18051,18052,18053,18054,18055"]
Sony 100-400
Amazon
B&H
Focal Length
100 - 400mm
Aperture
Maximum: f/4.5 - 5.6Minimum: f/32 - 40
Mount
Sony FE (Full Frame or APS-C)
Angle of View
24° - 6° 10'
Minimum Focus Distance
3.22' (.98 m)
Magnification
0.12 - 0.35x
Optical Design
22 Elements in 16 Groups
Blades
9, Rounded
Image Stabilization
Yes
Auto Focus
Yes
Tripod Collar
Yes, Removable
Filter Size
Front: 77 mm
Dimensions
Approx. 3.70 x 8.07" (93.9 x 205 mm)
Weight
3.07 lbs (1395 g)
I picked up the Canon 40mm f/2.8 on a whim before traveling to Europe last year. My husband and I were both bringing DSLR cameras, and I wanted us to have the flexibility to shoot with versatile prime lenses at the same time. While we didn't shoot with primes much on the trip (if you've been part of a large travel group, you know how it goes), I've been shooting with it quite a bit since then. I cannot even believe how much I love the 40mm lens. With a few exceptions (such as when I'm doing macro photography), the 40mm is my standard lens now.I know that the Canon 50mm f/1.8 or "Nifty Fifty" is most people's top pick for an all-around go-to prime lens. It was my go-to prime lens for many years, too. After shooting with the 40mm extensively for almost a year now, I can't believe how much better it is than the 50mm f/1.8. For the slight price difference, it seems like a no-brainer to pick up the 40mm.There are a few key reasons I think the Canon 40mm f/2.8 is a better lens than the Canon 50mm f/1.8.
The only time I still prefer to shoot with the 50mm f/1.8 over the 40mm f/2.8 is when I'm in a low-light situation. Personally, I most often shoot in extreme low-light in bars or jazz clubs, taking pictures of a band. Wedding venues are another popular low-light photography environment. The full extra stop of light that the 50mm offers allows you to keep your ISO much lower in these low-light settings.I elaborate on all of these points and more in the full post. I have the full 5 Reasons the 40mm is Better Than the 50mm post over on my blog.
Leave a comment!
We also have a great discussion about the 40mm vs. the 50mm on Instagram. Share your insight there, too!
This week's photography news and more with the Mish Mash Highlights. In the news, a leaked GoPro announcement looks like we'll be getting a $200 budget model. Then you can finally stop worrying about the dreaded Instagram shadowban hopefully with a new site that checks your posts.Toby and Steve are back with this week's live show and this is the same highlights we use so you guys get this week's rundown. If you'd rather watch then read, sign up to PEN today at photoenthusiastnetwork.com, the live show is just a bonus to a ton of great content. For everyone that are already PEN members, thank you for supporting the site!
Want to travel with Toby?We've got some great new trips to sign up for:
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.
Leaked: GoPro to reveal entry-level 'HERO' action cam this week, will cost $200With a few leaked photos and a sales PDF it's clear GoPro is out to release a new budget HERO action camera. The problem with a new non-4K model... is it really needed? GoPro as of late has been feeling the pressure, especially with YI technology and other companies releasing more action cameras into the market. But as it stands it's a budget camera without 4K capability but price wise the HERO5 Black is at the same point with higher specs. At the moment it's $299 with a $25 gift card back at B&H and elsewhere sales have gone down to $220. This might be another shot at stemming the tide to cheaper models but it just doesn't work.Leaked Specs:
This New Instagram Shadowban Tester Examines Your Last 10 Posts
For those using Instagram that have a low liked post, it's time to try the new and improved Instagram shadow ban tester. From trying to abuse the system with a bot or accidentally using a banned hashtag (Toby did last week) it's easy enough to fall under the dreaded Instagram Shadowban scare. I wasn't a big fan of how Tiberr's original tester worked but if you think you may be affected, or curious, this is a quick way to go see. The new site actually lists the hashtags you use and scratches out any that are on the banned list. Like the article from PetaPixel mentions if you are showing up affected just remove the bad hashtags and try not to use Instagram for a couple days.As a warning for those that don't post too frequently this only checks the last week or so. Anything past that will show a flag simply because they can't find it online.Other Stories You Might Like:
Some fun shots, and duck butt, for this week's High or Low challenge! Something a bit different as it pushes you out of that static standing pose shooting for something a bit more dynamic. Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_dark2Photorec.tv gone dark! With warmer weather mostly here it's time to shoot a bit later or a bit darker for some fun shots. A good one to try would be some blue hour city shots as there's just that little bit of light left that makes the city lights pop.
I wish there was something that offered a sense of scale but the image is still a stellar shot - love the pattern of the ice and the dark water
The angle and the dress spread on the floor work well together to really draw you right to the face
Great angle on a nice clean shot of a Joshua tree with that beautiful starry sky!
I like how being down low in this really shows the scale with that wider lens.
A hint of texture gives a nice feel for this photo with the bridge nice and soft in the background.
This is a bit neat as it’s a much higher angle that puts the focus all on your subject.
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.
The Crab Nebula, a composite image using photos from the Hubble, Chandra, and Spitzer space telescopes. Using different filters the Hubble shows the purple hues while the other two telescopes shot the white and blue for this neat image.
A post shared by NASA (@nasa) on
Pick up a "Major Tom" spaceman LED light for your computer today. Part of Toby's Photos from space segment and it helps support the site. Click here to buy your own Major Tom on Amazon.Want to keep up with things happening this year? Sync your calendar with the solar system
Have you seen the teasers Moment has been dropping the last couple weeks? So excited to see they finally revealed their new filmmaker collection! Beautiful, cinematic video on your phone. It just launched on Kickstarter so it’s a good time to get it at 30% off.They announced four new products.Anamorphic Lens - $149A lens that makes your videos look widescreen With sweet flares and letterbox screen, this is the holy grail of video. Typically super expensive, but we made it affordable.iPhoneX Battery Photo Case - $99The first photography battery case on the market for iPhoneX. With wireless charging and an electronic shutter button, we make it easier to shoot video and recharge your phone. Universal Gimbal - $40To get butter smooth video on your phone, you need a gimbal. The first adjustable counterweight to balance your gear on a DJI Osmo, Zhiyun SmoothQ, and Evo Shift gimbals. Modular to 60g, 90g, or 120g.Lens Filter Adapter - $40The Moment Filter Mount lets you attach a standard 62mm filter to any of your Moment Lenses. Simply press fit the mount onto your lens and you’re ready to go. Available exclusively on Kickstarter. Early bird pricing starts at 30% off. Ships in June 2018
Photography news and more with this week's Mish Mash Highlights update. Toby's just touched down in Seattle after going on safari in Africa so you should be seeing more content from him soon. As for this week in news Adobe got a price bump and Lytro is being bought out for a whopping $40 million.While Toby does the Live Show for PEN this is your quick peek at what we’re doing behind the scenes. But, you can always join Photo Enthusiast Network and watch Toby live, find out more at Photorec.tv/pen. For everyone that are already PEN members, thank you for supporting the site!
Want to travel with Toby? We've got some great new trips to sign up for:
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.Adobe Breaks $2Billion This Quarter | Where’s The Revenue Going?Adobe Announces Creative Cloud Price IncreaseThe big news this week is that Adobe is raising their prices at the same time of having record profits. Those with Adobe photography, student, or Acrobat plans are safe for now. Having both announcements simultaneously have annoyed some of the Adobe userbase as the cash is mainly going to investors while updates have been slim. With software like Capture One, catching up, and faster than Lightroom in areas is it time to jump to another editing software?
Sources: Google is buying Lytro for about $40MWhen Lytro came out both Toby and I found it interesting but more of a fad. Their lightfield technology allowed you to refocus a shot in post or change depth of field, which admittedly would be handy. Now while things might not have worked out perfectly for them Google is reportedly buying them for $40 million. While their camera tech wasn't a perfect fit for the market the technology might find a new life in immersive VR. Using the camera tech to make better results for VR and capturing images for it. As Google does make Android software and the Google Pixel series of phones hopefully we'll see some of the software trickles down.Other Stories You Might Like:
Despite some snow still here in Michigan spring is coming and you guys showed the color with this weeks challenge. Nice job thinking out of the box with some neat indoor shots like crafts!Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_highorlowA composition can be one of the biggest points separating a subject from a snapshot. For the next challenge, your goal is to shoot with a bit of elevation, or get close to the ground. Changing heights can change your view from the standard eye level view to something a lot more interesting for a photo. Go try it out and good luck this week!
Nothing says springtime color like some early blossoms.
A bit more on the creative side and certainly a colorful one at that for sure.
A rainbow of mixed flowers certainly works for this challenge and sets a colorful scene.
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.
Breathtaking images! NASA’s Juno spacecraft releases pics of Jupiter storm
Some more neat shots from the Juno spacecraft, go check out this massive storm on Jupiter.Pick up a "Major Tom" spaceman LED light for your computer today. Part of Toby's Photos from space segment and it helps support the site. Click here to buy your own Major Tom on Amazon.Want to keep up with things happening this year? Sync your calendar with the solar system
Canon has released a mirrorless 4k camera and Toby spends a few minutes at WPPI sharing his thoughts on the M50. This is Canon's vlogging camera, at a low price point it's touted with 4K while keeping a small size and being budget friendly. As their first strong go into the mirrorless market does it work? Watch Toby's video to find out.Preorder/Buy the Canon M50: https://bhpho.to/2FPrsdz
Visiting the SpiderBooth at WPPI - We take a look at their new products and Toby's favorite - the SpiderLight Backpacker.
Buy the SpiderLight Backpacker at https://bhpho.to/2HDpSvV
Holster your camera on your belt OR on your backpack strap.
Works on backpack strap or messenger bag strap.
Holster lock keeps camera securely in place.
Velcro elastic strap wraps around your lens, keeping it secure.
Great for biking with your camera!
Allows full compatibility with GoPro accessories/cameras.
Your GoPro camera locks securely in place.
Arca-Swiss geometry/design – go from your backpack holster, right to your Acra-Swiss tripod head.
Also Watch: Camera Carry Systems -Straps, Slings, Belts, Bags, Packs, TANGLED!!!
Your photography news and more this week with the Mish Mash Highlights. This week Toby's off in Africa on safari, check out the little cute baby baboon! Then in the news, Toby released his a7III official review and it sounds like Canon and Nikon are close behind.While Toby does the Live Show for PEN this is your quick peek at what we’re doing behind the scenes. But, you can always join Photo Enthusiast Network and watch Toby live, find out more at Photorec.tv/pen. For everyone that are already PEN members, thank you for supporting the site!
Want to travel with Toby? We've got some great new trips to sign up for:
Sony a7III Review – The Only Thing Entry Level Is the Price - The big review is out! - If you are thinking about going full frame or want to upgrade this is a strong option to choose for your next camera.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.Did Instagram Just Bring Back Chronological Feeds?Without a big announcement from Instagram, you might have noticed your Instagram feed has changed a bit. Instagram has been testing out a new feed for some that prioritize more recent posts like the original chronological feed that sorted photos by most recent. Something you all want as our Instagram poll was nearly 100% for a change. This is getting more people to see your posts and letting you see posts from people that might have been not showing up often. It's a welcome change, likely as Instagram has been feeling a bit of pressure from Vero and Ello apps so they are trying to keep their users.Sony Exec Predicts Canon and Nikon Full-Frame Mirrorless Within a YearSo the million dollar question, with a camera like the Sony a7III now out when will Canon and Nikon catch up? At least according to Sony's General Manager Kenji Tanaka they think it will be within a year. Canon's been strongly pushing for a full frame mirrorless and market share lately so it is a big possibility that we might see something soon. Would you go for a Canon/Nikon full frame mirrorless or do you want to make the switch to Sony?Other Stories You Might Like:
Going a bit darker for the silhouette challenge was hopefully a bit of fun for those of you that submitted. From a technical point it's a nice way to control your exposure to get a different result, and on the artsy side something different you can do for a shoot. There are some really nice shots this week so go check them out!Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_colorful2Some color to hopefully bring in spring, it's still snowy here, unfortunately. For this challenge, it's time to put up some colorful shots! As a tip watch your histogram so you don't blow out your photo, more on that in my shooting reds article.
A clever shot with some nice color and action!
As you can really set the mood with a silhouette this really makes for a nice peaceful scene.
A nice way to really put the focus and set the scene for those dramatic clouds.
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.
A neat shot this week with geology showing Mars's watery past.
A post shared by NASA (@nasa) on
Pick up a "Major Tom" spaceman LED light for your computer today. Part of Toby's Photos from space segment and it helps support the site. Click here to buy your own Major Tom on Amazon.Want to keep up with things happening this year? Sync your calendar with the solar system
We left Vietnam and head for Cambodia and Siam Reap- amazing floating villages of Tonlé Sap and explorations of Angkor Wat and all the surrounding temples like Ta Prohm!Watch the SeriesVietnam Photography Adventures Part 2Vietnam Photography Adventures Part 1
Save 10% off your first purchase of a domain, website galleryat http://squarespace.com/photorectv
See a complete list of the gear I took to Vietnam https://kit.com/photorectoby/vietnam-...
A few of my favorite photos from Vietnam http://photorectoby.com/vietnam
Travel with me on a future workshop - http://photorec.tv/travel
Sony a7III Review
This camera really redefines what it means to offer an entry-level full frame camera. With the a7III, Sony even seems willing to risk sales of their higher end models. Packed inside is a redesigned 24MP sensor, using the newer backside illuminated design for improved lowlight performance. Capable of 10 frames per second (silent or mechanical shutter) with In Body Image Stabilization (IBIS). Sony borrowed from the a9 with 693 autofocus points using Eye-AF and tracking better than the Sony a7RIII. Videographers should also be happy shooting 4K with HLG(HDR) and S-Log2 and S-Log3 - feature serious videographers will appreciate. And the addition of a touchscreen for touch to focus improves the usability of the camera and makes shooting video easier too. As an entry-level full frame camera, the Sony a7III doesn't pull any punches.
Redesigned 24MP Sensor
693 AF Points with A9s Eye-AF system (Better than a7Riii)
15 stop Dynamic Range
5 axis IBIS
10fps with 14 bit raw (also 14 bit raw while silent)
4k HDR, 6k full readout, Slog 2 & 3 and HLG
Uses Z Battery Rated at 710 shots longest battery life of any mirrorless camera ever (We got a ton more photos than that in real-world use, 4,000!)
Dual SDcard slots, joystick, touchscreen, USB-C
Short answer? Buy this now, seriously here's the link to Amazon.As it stands the a7III is the entry-level full frame to beat.
Sony a7III ISO
Sony a7iii s-log
As a big point for this series, the body and user interface have been redesigned with a joystick, touchscreen, and dual card slots. At 710 shots per charge with a newly redesigned battery, it has the highest shot count of any mirrorless camera to date. After taking 2,000 photos and using the camera all day at 20 percent left the a7III still got another 2,000 shots from a timelapse... on a single battery!The a7III can go up 204,800 ISO in Extended Mode, and in testing, this camera is pretty good. At 51,200 ISO we found that images are still usable at least for social media purposes. Versus the a7RIII results are similar but the a7RIII does have a slight advantage at higher ISO. Versus the Canon 6d MarkII up to 12,800 ISO, the Canon compares quite well, then the a7III starts to have much better photos.The Eye-AF system is BETTER than the a7RIII! And it’s REALLY good in the A7RIII! For cases where that's not an option, the focus point joystick can change points on the go. In darker scenes focus is good, Eye-AF does struggle in lower light if it can't recognize an eye. Otherwise set to medium spot it grabs focus well in those situations, as well as some of the other automated focus modes. Lock on tracking is nice but in testing, it does miss on occasion in our experience but overall it still works great.Buffering was an issue with previous Sony cameras, filling up, and locking you out of some options. The a7III is improved. Also, the a7III does not have apps, just like the a7RIII and a9. No timelapse or reflection app but there's always other options such as the Miops mobile or dropping S&Q to one frame a second. [Timelapse options on Sony a9, a7Riii, a7iii]For video, you get 1080p at 30/60/120 fps up to 100 Mbits a second, it also has 4k at 30 and 24 fps at 8 bit. Super 35 and full frame (both work in 4k and 1080p) are equally sharp and give you more options for shooting as the crop ratio can help you get closer or wider when needed. 4k at 30fps does have a 1.2 crop, 24fps is a full frame readout. ISO up to 6400 is good, 12800 is a pinch, reducing 4k to 1080p does reduce a lot of noise. For editing, you'll be good with access to S-Log 2 and 3 and multiple picture styles. Proxy support is included as well, a second smaller copy recorded alongside the 4K file that allows you edit on a laptop, having the ability to swap it out with the 4K file laterInterested in how the a7III stacks up to the a7RIII? Check out Photorec.tv/a73vs for the full comparison. Really, 42MP plus pixel shift is what you get with the a7RIII. But, for those that don't need the megapixels, this is more than you need and you can spend the extra cash on a new lens.For $2,000? The Sony a7III is just worth it, as an entry level full frame Sony wants to dominate the space. This camera lives up to the hype with a 24mp sensor, great autofocus, and 10 fps for any professional shoot. The redesigned body and UI is great and much better to use than previous generations. Then there's a battery that can shoot up to 4,000 shots, 4K with video options, and IBIS... This is the entry-level full frame to beat.
Sony a7III review
Amazon
B&H Photo
FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens KitAmazon | B&HVario-Tessar FE 24-70mm f/4ZA OSS Lens KitAmazon | B&HFE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens KitAmazon | B&H
24MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor
BIONZ X Image Processor & Front-End LSI
693-Point Hybrid AF System
UHD 4K30p Video with HLG & S-Log3 Gammas
2.36m-Dot Tru-Finder OLED EVF
3.0" 922k-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
5-Axis SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization
ISO 204800 and 10 fps Shooting
Built-In Wi-Fi and NFC, Dual SD Slots
USB Type-C Port, Weather-Sealed Design
Toby's slowly making his way to Africa for a safari, taking a bit of a pit stop in Amsterdam for a vacation. With WPPI over this week news is a bit slower but Later.com got a big update for Instagram and Canon is ready to make a move... finally. As always this is your weekly highlights with photography news, Instagram top picks, photos from space, and more!While Toby does the Live Show for PEN this is your quick peek at what we’re doing behind the scenes. But, you can always join Photo Enthusiast Network and watch Toby live, find out more at Photorec.tv/pen. For everyone that are already PEN members, thank you for supporting the site!
Want to travel with Toby? We've got some great new trips to sign up for:
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.Schedule Posts Automatically to Instagram with Later!Later.com, our favorite site for scheduling Instagram photos, just got a big update to post photos directly to Instagram. This means you can post photos directly from your computer without the risk of a shadow ban and schedule without having to stop later on to push it out from the later phone app. The catch for this is carousel (galleries) and videos still are not automatic, no tagging, no locations, and you need to have an Instagram business page. The locations part is unfortunate as you do get people coming in from there, but overall the benefits are great for someone busy or wanting to post at work.
Sign up today at Later.com and hit the link above for how to use the new feature
Canon's latest camera releases were known to be a bit on the safe side, trying to protect their other models. As DSLR sales are dropping and mirrorless are becoming more popular Canon has finally decided to really push into the mirrorless market. Same news as usual with their previous announcement but this time suggesting models having higher end specs competing with their DSLR line. With a release of the m50, a mirrorless entry level with 4K, and pulling their pros for suggestions of whats needed the change is coming. With Sony in the lead at the moment a bit more competition is needed as Canon has been the sluggish one of the big three. Hopefully we'll see more soon including the rumored full frame mirrorless camera from Canon.Other Stories You Might Like:
Showing a bit more mood in your photos was the challenge this week and a good step for something a bit extra to a shot. Whether a person, place, or thing it's another interesting element to add to a scene.Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_silhouette2A fun technical challenge this week as you get to play with the light to try to get some nice silhouettes. This is a great challenge for using a flash or waiting for the sun to get a bit lower to really nail the silhouettes. This should be a fun challenge and you can even try a table top shoot.
I'd say that fox is slightly loving the snow in that picture and it's a great shot that sets the mood.
A nice one by Jane, going with a black background really captures the subject without any distractions to put focus on the action and mood.
Capturing a more candid looking moment for a great shot of the happy couple.
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.
Hubble Finds Huge System of Dusty Material Enveloping the Young Star HR 4796A
The start of a planet, a 150 billion mile wide dust cloud surrounding a star
Also check out: Satellite Eye on Earth: January 2018 - in picturesPick up a "Major Tom" spaceman LED light for your computer today. Part of Toby's Photos from space segment and it helps support the site. Click here to buy your own Major Tom on Amazon.Want to keep up with things happening this year? Sync your calendar with the solar system
A review of the Sony 12-24mm f/4, an affordable ULTRA wide lens and share the setup of one of the best wide angle filter systems on the market. The NISI system offers full coverage on wide angle lenses like the Sony 12-24mm f/4 and they make additional filter system for other wide angle lenses.
Sony 12-24
NiSi S5 150mm Filter Holder with Circular Polarizer
Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D Lens for Sony E
I am headed back to Tanzania and the Serengeti - Below you can catch up on all my videos from the last trip. You can learn more about the gear I took last time and the gear I am taking this time. Follow me on Instagram to see new posts and follow my stories of this awesome adventure.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ey32OiOFi3ohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abWRJCy3IPAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6qskQ0Jueohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtXxhdQSxIk
The Sony a7iii is better than the Sony a7Riii but costs $1200 less? It's Sony a7III vs a7rIII, let's talk about the differences and decide which is best for you. Toby's back from Las Vegas at WPPI with Sony and we've got the answers you need.
More megapixels, 42 vs 24
Better electronic viewfinder and LCD
Pixel Shift, combined photos for more detail
Slightly better build time and lifespan
Better autofocus, 693 vs 399
Better battery life
Better low light performance
$1,200 cheaper
Sony a7Riii: $3200 - BUY AT B&H Photo - https://bhpho.to/2AYk9h0Sony a7iii: $1999 -PREORDER AT B&H Photo - https://bhpho.to/2EZ1h3G
I have owned the a7R iii from the moment it was released - it's come along with me to Yosemite, Yellowstone, Alaska, and Vietnam. Now I just spent three days with the a7 iii and I think that makes me pretty qualified to help YOU answer the question of why you may or may NOT want to spend an additional $1200 for the a7R iii. Let's start with what the a7R iii offers over the a7 iii -A better EVF - when looking through the viewfinder of the a7R iii, it does not feel like a screen. it's beautiful, crisp and clear. When you put your eye up to the a7iii you can just start to see the pixels. I honestly didn't notice until I saw the spec differences and then held both up to my eye one after the other. It's not a difference that I feel will impact your photography - the LCD is also slightly lower res - not something I noticed. The a7R iii offers pixel shift - a feature where 4 photos are taken and combined in software on the computer for noticeably increased detail - I am blown away but how much more detail is captured when you take the time to use pixel shift but despite that I have used only it a few times- part of that is the way I shoot - I lump myself more into the travel photography category than landscape, typically on the move, often not on a tripod which is required. For landscape photographers looking to get as much detail as possible in a shot - there is nothing short of carrying around medium format gear that comes close to what the a7R iii and pixel-shift provide.More megapixels The a7R iii offers 42MP, the a7 iii 24mp. It sounds like a big significant difference - Maybe Enough of a difference that I could say the a7R iii offers FORTY-TWO Megapixels and the a7iii offers JUST 24mp. JUST 24?! Here is a representation of the difference. Here is an actual shot - here are both at 100% view I have sent both off to be printed at 16x20 - the won't be back before I leave for the Serengeti but I will revisit this discussion at some point in the future. We will touch back on this MP discussion in a minute - There are a few other differences - the a7R iii has more weather sealing though until a tear down we don’t know the real differences, The use of metal screws when the a7iii uses plastic and the a7R iii shutter is rated for a longer life span - These are not factors that would sway my decision one way or the other but I want you to have as much info as possible. let's now look at what the a7 iii offers over the a7R iiibetter AF system - borrowing from the a9 we have 693 points, greater coverage and because we have more points the Eye-af system is even more accurate, even more responsive. Honestly, I didn't see a huge difference but it feels very responsive and accurate.Better battery life - The official CIPA rating of the new camera is 710 shots - I know that on one full day of shooting I was able to capture just under 4,000 photos on one battery. The a7R iii is rated just at 610 shots but I have had similar experiences and rarely needed more than one photo for a day and that includes shooting in Alaska and Yellowstone with below freezing temps.Better Low light performance on the photo side of things it is similar and when you downsize the A7Riii pics they look a little better but in video the a7iii is better, noticeably and in ways that videographers who don't care about the improvements that the a7Siii will bring will likely take notice - at this price point the a7iii is extremely impressive for the video quality provided.Let's recap the differences that matter. - a7R iii offers those megapixels, The a7 iii improved AF, better video quality at the higher ISO and saves you $1200.Here's what I say I feel that if you are watching this video, you might be on the fence and if you are on the fence - you don't need 42MP, 24 is more than enough and the savings can be put toward a lens or a trip that is going to put you someplace awesome where you can make beautiful 24mp photos . There are fewer of you that need 42MP but if you do, you should know it. And if you are a Lightroom user - Lightroom will certainly feel more responsive when browsing 24mp files.and briefly, have heard some people say why buy the a9? In my opinion, The a9 is a different beast offering 20 fps silently without worry about distortion due to rolling shutter.I know some of you also wonder about the 7Rii vs the a7iii since they are similar in price - I think this is an easy choice for most of you. The improvements in the newer a7 series really make the a7 iii much more user-friendly and capable of handling a greater number of photography tasks - for that reason, I think most people would be better off going a7ii to a7iii even though you don't get an increase in MP.
Sony a7III
a7RIII
24MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor
BIONZ X Image Processor & Front-End LSI
693-Point Hybrid AF System
UHD 4K30p Video with HLG & S-Log3 Gammas
2.36m-Dot Tru-Finder OLED EVF
3.0" 922k-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
5-Axis SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization
ISO 204800 and 10 fps Shooting
Built-In Wi-Fi and NFC, Dual SD Slots
USB Type-C Port, Weather-Sealed Design
42MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor
BIONZ X Image Processor & Front-End LSI
399-Point AF System & 10 fps Shooting
UHD 4K30p Video with HLG & S-Log3 Gammas
3.69m-Dot Tru-Finder OLED EVF
3.0" 1.44m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
5-Axis SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization
ISO 102400 & Pixel Shift Multi Shooting
Built-In Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, Dual SD Slots
USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C Port & PC Sync Port
Amazon
B&H Photo
Amazon
B&H Photo
A big week for photography news, it's the end of the WPPI conference with Toby in Las Vegas to cover the event. We've got early thoughts on the new Sony a7III as well as a bevy of lenses, flashes, and more gear. As always this is your weekly highlights with photography news, Instagram top picks, photos from space, and more!While Toby does the Live Show for PEN this is your quick peek at what we’re doing behind the scenes. But, you can always join Photo Enthusiast Network and watch Toby live, find out more at Photorec.tv/pen. For everyone that are already PEN members, thank you for supporting the site!
The Sony a7III – Sony’s 4k Update to Entry Level Full Frame
Preorders are live for the Sony a7III in body only and with a 28-70mm lens
Vietnam Photography Adventures – Part Two!
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.The Canon EOS 4000D might be the cheapest DSLR ever launchedCanon introduces EOS Rebel T7 with updated 24MP sensorCanon's beginner line just got updated with the T7 and there's a new budget-friendly 4000D coming to Europe only for now. The T7 gets an upgrade to the current 24MP sensor but that's about it as Canon is trying to push their higher end models. The 4000D will be an even more streamlined version of the T7 for around $385 body only.
6 Things to Know About Vero, the App Everyone and Their Mother Is Talking AboutAs you might have heard, everywhere, there's a new hot app for photographers on the market called Vero. It's currently having growing pains while upgrading servers to fill demand it's a bit tricky to log in at the moment. Vero is like Instagram in terms of posting, but there's no pesky algorithm in your way, making it a fan of those annoyed with Facebook and Instagram's filtering posts. Billed as a social media platform for users it has no ads, paying for the service with an in-app buy now feature and eventual subscription for later users. There has been a backlash towards the app though, as it's founder has a shady past. If this sounds interesting hurry up, as only the first million subscriptions are free. You can find me at roymckeeiii and Toby at photorectoby.
Get Vero at Google Play or the Apple App Store
Hot Deal! Thanks to WPPI this week get the Canon Pixma Pro-100 Printer for just $99.99 with code BHWPPI18Other Stories You Might Like:
A do it yourself week with those little DIYs, photography related or not. It's nice to challenge yourself from time to time and these little projects can net you some interesting shots.Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_MoodNext week is a bit trickier as you have to capture emotion. While portraits could be key this week you can think out of the box for something such as a rainy day for feeling down and sad. Remember color can play big into this, we read into things a lot and color can be that extra little push that can make the scene.
Bubble solution for a neat DIY! I like the blue stripe for whatever was in the background. Check out Jane's post for some tips on doing this one.
Sharp and colorful! It's certainly a neat DIY with lots of color.
Capturing smoke takes a lot of photos but you can get some neat shots. What does this one look like to you?
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.
NASA spacecraft snaps breathtaking photo of Jupiter storm
A snapshot from Juno recently released by Nasa of Jupiter's giant red dot.
Also check out: Satellite Eye on Earth: January 2018 - in picturesPick up a "Major Tom" spaceman LED light for your computer today. Part of Toby's Photos from space segment and it helps support the site. Click here to buy your own Major Tom on Amazon.Want to keep up with things happening this year? Sync your calendar with the solar system
