Some fantastic deals as we roll through June, 2018
The Canon Pixma Pro 100 - a professional level wireless printer - Just $59 after rebatesBuy From B&H PhotoIncludes Free Canon Photo Paper Pro Luster (13 x 19", 50 Sheets) - Value: $49.99Pixma Pro 100 Printer Specs:
https://youtu.be/EwxQlKuIKj8 Make awesome splash photos in your home with the MIOPS Splash Water Drop Kit. Throw in a flash and a colored gel and you can create some EPIC photos with the press of a single button.MIOPS Splash Kit - https://bhpho.to/2LtVwxUSplash Kit Holder - https://bhpho.to/2JgtBooCamera Connection Cord - https://bhpho.to/2JhXp47Cheap flash w/ PC sync - https://bhpho.to/2JnRiaqAlready have a flash? Alternative - https://bhpho.to/2JjCf5mAffordable Flash Gel Kit - https://bhpho.to/2JrcwnyNeed a glass container recommendation: https://amzn.to/2JqgvAQYou can also purchase gear at https://www.miops.com/miops-splash/Camera settingsShutter Speed: BULBISO 100Aperture f/16Flash SettingsManual 1/64 powerMIOPS App SettingsDrop 1: 50msDelay 100mmsDrop 2: 50msDelay: 200ms - Flash ModeFor the purpose of the video you saw me shoot during the daylight hours. The resulting images are ok but I found the best images in a dark room (I just waited until the sun set and turned off all the lights) With the flash on a fairly low power you can get some extremely colorful images.GALLERY of MIOPS Splash Water Drop Kit photos by Toby
Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.
Whether in the city or in the country this week’s goal was to get out for some photos either by a bit of street photography or nature. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting out and you all grabbed some neat shots this week.Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_urbexAs I’m relatively near Detroit a popular one for the area is Urban Exploration (Urbex). This week get your explorer on and get some neat shots of some of the more abandoned parts of your area. This was a highly requested subject, so for those that asked, now it's your shot!
For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.
Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.
Your challenge this week, if you dared, was to post one shot without ANY editing. Scary for some, but it’s a good challenge this week to really think about the exposure in your photos.Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_walkIts summer time now so that means its a good time for a walk. This week your challenge is to go on a photo walk in your area and shoot a series of photos then post that one best photo that made your day. It's a good chance to practice your street photography or go for wildlife on a nature hike.
For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.
I spend three weeks with the Hasselblad X1D-50C - One of the best looking, most stylish cameras on the market - But does the quality and performance live up to that style? Watch for a straightforward, honest review of the Hasselblad X1D-50C.https://youtu.be/NeziA_dy6ek
BUY - The best looking camera on the planetHasselblad X1D-50c 4116 Edition - $9,895 (includes 45mm lens)- Buy from B&H PhotoHasselblad X1D-50C Standard Silver - $6,495 - Buy from B&H PhotoHasselblad XCD 120mm f/3.5 Macro Lens - $4,495 - Buy from B&H PhotoHasselblad XCD 90mm f/3.2 Lens - $3,195- Buy from B&H PhotoHasselblad XCD 45mm f/3.5 Lens - $2,695- Buy from B&H PhotoHasselblad XCD 30mm f/3.5 Lens - $3,995- Buy from B&H PhotoJUST ANNOUNCED - Hasselblad XCD 21mm f/4 lens $3,750 - Buy from B&H PhotoUPDATE: I brought the Hasselblad along on a recent south-west workshop and while my review may be less than positive two other instructors - Steve Scurich(Professional Fine Art Photographer) and David McKay(Professional Fine Art Photographer and leader of Photography workshops worldwide) have decided that this is their next camera. I will be back with more hands-on and an interview with both about why they are making this their next camera. Download Full Resolution RAWS - They are lovely to edit!
Summer is an ideal time for outdoor photography sessions with clients. With long daylight hours and numerous options for beautiful settings, the possibilities to create stunning photography are endless. However, without careful planning, you may find yourself or your clients crabby and overheated in stifling shooting conditions. Take the extra time to brush up on gearing up for summer photography with clients and prepare appropriately for your client sessions to beat the heat and make beautiful images.
Landscape often impacts temperature significantly, particularly during the warmer months of the year. When you’re preparing for outdoor photography sessions, consider locations to create cool backdrops, such as low lying and wooded areas. When clients request hotter locations, such as the top of a hill or on a rooftop patio, plan your timing carefully to keep everyone comfortable. Book summer sessions earlier in the day or later in the evening to avoid the hottest hours of the day and take advantage of optimal lighting. When the timing it out of your control, such as during a wedding, limit the wedding party’s exposure to direct sunlight, so no one overheats.
There are so many fun activities and events in the summer that lend themselves naturally to creative photography shoots. Offer to meet a family or engaged couple at the local fair, outdoor concert venue, art festival, or circus for a quick session. You’ll have one of a kind backdrops and props right at your fingertips. Use the new location to highlight a couple or family’s favorite summer activity, creating memories and photos they’ll cherish for years to come.
Staying hydrated is critical for optimal health and well-being during the summer. On warm days, always have a few water bottles on hand and give clients frequent water breaks during longer shoots. When you’ll be on location for a while or you’re working with young children, consider bringing some cool treats, such as Popsicles, as well. The clients will appreciate the refreshing snack, and you may get a few cute photos out of the treat break.
Battery-powered fans and water misters are inexpensive and go a long way toward providing relief during steamy summer photography sessions. Cold, wet towels are another great option. Store them in a small cooler or large Ziploc bag to avoid getting your car wet. If you’re bringing a cooler, store your water bottles in it for increased comfort. In addition to drinking the water, give clients periodic opportunities to wet down their wrists with water to stay cool.
While you’re stocking your car and photography bag for summer sessions with clients, grab a few extra summer essentials. At a minimum, bring sunscreen and bug spray, especially when you’re photographing clients on the beach or in the woods. Select varieties that are not greasy and do not have strong scents. Think about storing a basic first aid kit in the car and keeping a few perfumes and deodorants in your bag as well.
It’s easy to get so caught up in planning for your clients that you’re not thinking about yourself and how you’ll stay comfortable during summer sessions. Build a small collection of outfits for client sessions that look professional and keep you cool. If you have long hair, stash a few hairbands in your bag. Keeping some spare clothes in your car for quick changes in between sessions or on exceptionally hot days isn’t a bad idea either.
Planning what to wear to a photo shoot is stressful for many couples and families. Your clients want to look their best while staying cool and feeling like themselves. Creating a style guide with outfit planning tips, such as sticking to coordinating neutrals, and other recommendations to help a photo shoot go smoothly, such as getting your hair and makeup done professionally, takes a lot of the guesswork out for clients. Don’t forget about the little details as well, such as urging women and girls who want to wear flip-flops or open-toed shoes to get a pedicure that week. They’ll feel more confident about their appearances when they arrive, ensuring they’re relaxed and ready for a great session.Encourage clients to bring their own warm weather supplies and photo shoot essentials as well. While it’s always great to be prepared and have extras on hand for clients, many people feel most comfortable using a familiar hairspray or sunscreen.
When you meet or speak with clients prior to a session, give them every assurance that you are experienced shooting in the heat and will take steps to keep them comfortable during their session. Reviewing the precautions that you’ll take, such as bringing cold water bottles and taking frequent breaks in the shade, will put them at ease.
We’d love to hear your input!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBsy4J4U39g
When traveling you still need to keep everything charged and ready to go. From camera batteries to your phone there are a few items out there that will make your next trip a bit easier. 
Zendure 26800mAh Quick Charge 3.0 Portable Charger
Zendure 10000mAH Portable Charger
Check out more gear!➨ My Recommended Gear: https://kit.com/photorectoby➨ Recommended Travel Gear: https://kit.com/photorectoby/travel-gear
Spring is an ideal time to do a little photography spring cleaning. Spending time with your gear, organizing your images, and establishing some new habits ensures you’re ready for a fabulous season of shooting ahead. The following photography spring cleaning tips will walk you through the essential steps to take for a thorough cleaning.
First, use a rocket air blaster to clean visible dust and debris off the outside of your camera bodies and lenses, taking care to clean every crevice. Please don’t use canned air, as the chemicals it emits damages lens coatings and other elements of photography gear. Second, with the lens caps on, apply a keyboard cleaning product to the outside of your camera body and lenses to get in the tiny cracks in your gear an air blower can’t access. Finally, finish your gear cleaning by taking a microfiber lens cleaning cloth, lens pen, or moistened lens cleaning wipes to clean lens glass, lens caps, filters, and camera body LCD screens.
Many photographers are afraid to clean their own camera sensors because there are so many warnings from camera manufacturers and local camera shops. If you’re new to the process of sensor cleaning, take your camera to the local shop, so you can watch how it’s done right. Once you know how to clean a camera sensor, you can complete the process at home. Make sure to get the right size sensor cleaning kit from Visible Dust or VSGO, which will include a cleaning substance and specially sized swabs.
If you live in an area that follows daylight savings time, update the time in your camera after daylight savings time. Don’t forget to update your copyright data once a year as well. You can update your copyright data in camera or in Lightroom.
Take all of your photography gear off the shelves and out of your camera bag. If there are spare items lying around your house, such as memory cards and chargers, round them up as well. Make a master list of your photography gear, so you know exactly what you have and can avoid buying duplicates or searching for items you don’t remember if you own.Once you’ve inventoried your gear, consider selling gear that you no longer need or use. While it’s nice to have a spare camera body and an extra lens or two, keeping a lot of extra gear on hand that you never use doesn’t make sense. If you’re in the market for new gear, selling older items will help fund those purchases. If there isn’t anything you want to sell right away, start taking note of how often you use each piece of gear. When spring cleaning rolls around next year, and there’s gear you haven’t touched since the last cleaning, it may be time to let it go.
Creating and sticking to a hard drive photo organization system ensures you can find images when you need them quickly and easily. For most people, the simplest way to organize photos is by date. Create a folder for each year and then within it, a folder for each month. File all of your photos in their corresponding month folders with clear titles, such as “3.29.18 Alex’s Birthday Party” or “Grand Canyon Vacation May 2018.” Once you’ve organized your hard drive, take a look at your external drives as well, cleaning them up as needed.
The best photo backup system is the rule of three, which is as follows: three copies of anything you care about, two different formats, and one off-site backup. I know that many people are reluctant to pay for off-site backup. However, it’s well worth every penny and will save your butt if anything happens to your computer, or worse, your home. Personally, I think that the easiest way to follow this backup system is to use a hard drive, external drive, and automatic cloud backup service, such as Carbonite. When you’ve finished editing images, save them to your hard drive and external drive. The cloud backup service will pick up these images automatically.
Opening up Lightroom and seeing a messy catalog every time is stressful and overwhelming. Start by clearing out folders you’ve finished editing and no longer need in Lightroom. Then assess the remaining folders. Organize anything that isn’t well labeled. Work through your Lightroom folders one at a time, culling the images you want to edit and deleting files you won’t ever touch for various reasons (i.e. blurry, too dark, poorly framed, etc.).
When I think about cleaning up my photos, I always think about my DSLR photos. However, like many people, even though I own a DSLR camera, I shoot quite a bit with my phone, too. I recommend periodically downloading all of your phone photos onto your computer, deleting the ones you don’t need, and organizing the ones that you do need. If you use an automatic phone photo backup service (which is a good idea if you take pictures on your phone you wouldn’t want to lose), such as Google Photos, go ahead and delete all of the original images off your phone. Then clean up your Google Photos account instead.
Feel free to share them in the comments!
Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.
When you need more light, you make it! With this week’s flash challenge it was your chance to show off those skills when you get away from all natural lighting.Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_soocNo excuses for editing this go around as we want you to shoot straight out of the camera. Think of this week like going back to film so that means you’ve got to nail that exposure.
Long exposures let you capture the motion and energy of an area and I think this shot fits the challenge to a T.A classic long exposure and it’s a neat shot with the water almost looking like a fog.
Pulling focus is one I didn’t think of when coming up with this challenge and it's a neat way to pull focus to a subject with a creative flair.For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.
Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.
When you need more light, you make it! With this week’s flash challenge it was your chance to show off those skills when you get away from all natural lighting.Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_longexposureNext week it’s time to shoot a bit longer. Slowing your shutter speed down just a bit can be a great tool for showing motion, a bit more for blurry waterfalls. At the longest times letting enough light in to catch a milky way and stars.
For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.
Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.
With May 4th as the official star wars holiday did you go for the light or slip to the dark side? While the theme might be a bit silly it’s all about thinking about the color in your images and how it affects the photos. We’ve got a few neat shots this week and certainly, some that stand out for thinking outside the box.Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_flash2Next week you need to flash your subject. It’s a lighting challenge so you need to add a bit of artificial lighting to your subject whether it’s from a cheap flashlight or an expensive strobe.
Perfectly framed and thoughtfully composed - love the B&W treatment here
Black and white with a hint of golden color - nicely captured
The shadows on the walkway really complete this for me!
Black and white lets you really push the look of an image and this architecture shot really fits the bill for this week’s challenge
Considering the challenge I'd have to say going for a high key shot of Yoda wasn't something I thought of this week but really fits the theme.
A bit of work in post but all the focus on this bird for an interesting shotFor more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.
This is the Sigma 24-70 ART it offers a 24-70 with a constant f/2.8 and OS, sigmas version of image stabilization. You have an AF, MF switch with MO Manual override and it's currently on sale at B&H and includes the USB dock used for fine tuning and adjustments. The front filter is 82mm. Overall build quality continues that ART line - it feels excellent in the hand with a nice finish. PROS
https://youtu.be/1-slnohI_csWhen shooting video with the Sony a7RIII you have two modes you can make use of to more than double your zoom.
I have on the 100-400 and at 400 I can turn on aps-c crop which gives me an additional 1.5x crop 400 x 1.5 = 600mm
Turn on Clear Image Zoom and you can zoom in an additional 1.5x for a 900mm reach.
There is no quality loss - this is still beautiful 4k footage!
I mentioned this in my review of the lens - if you have the 1.4x teleconverter you can get some ridiculous reach while still shooting beautiful 4k footage. (1260mm!) Your noise does start to increase and stabilizing your camera at these longer distances can be difficult.What I really like about the a7Riii - you can assign custom buttons for each mode of the camera (stills, video, playback) During video I have assigned C4 to turn on APS-C mode and the AEL button to turn on clear zoom. Once clear zoom is active you can adjust the amount of zoom with the joystick or the control wheel. There are two modes of clear zoom - stay away from the Digital zoom THAT WILL degrade quality.
Sony 100-400 Review: B&H | AmazonSony 1.4x TeleConverter: B&H | AmazonMeFoto Tripod: B&H | Amazon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw2l6sd-3oI
Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.
With spring finally making an appearance it was a great time to get out for some of that golden hour light. While that does include sunsets it's nice to see so many of you thinking out of the box. Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_blackorwhiteMay the 4th be with you! This week your challenge is a bit different in that you’ve got to capture something dark or something light. This is going to be a good challenge for flash photography!
Gorgeous layers so warmly lit - I spent MANY summers at chincotaegue. Love it!
You balanced the flash so nicely with the warm setting sun - nicely done.
Lovely leopard lit but the last bits of light.A great job at balancing natural and golden light for a really nice shot
If a challenge is about light a golden sun flare I’d say fits the bill.
Wildlife gets super active at later times and catching them in a golden light like this makes for great photos.For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7zE2Ob3l90[/embed]
A new video with some wildlife photography tips. Get better photos with longer lenses to nail those wildlife shots!
Tamron SP 150-600mm
Animals are for the most part shy making a 400mm lens your best bet with 600mm getting even closer for great shots.
Using a longer focal length brings the wildlife to you, letting them take up more of the shot for an impressive photo.
Sigma 100-400mm Contemporary
The Sigma 150-600 C is one of the best values in super telephoto, The Tamron G2 is a little sharper but more expensive. Check out photorec.tv/wildlifegear for recommended gear cameras and lenses for wildlife photography at every budget.
When you are shooting with a longer lens you want to watch your shutter speeds. Typically when photographing it goes aperture first, but when using a longer lens and especially when photographing wildlife, it's shutter speed first.
Focal length rule: Focal Length * 2(Times the amount of coffee you've had)
A post shared by Roy McKee III (@roymckeeiii) on Oct 27, 2016 at 10:30am PDT
That means for a 400mm lens you are looking at roughly a 1/800 shutter speed. The rule doesn't account for your subject though, meaning that in cases of faster objects like birds in flight you'll need speeds up to 1/2000 of a second. Going for faster photos first can net you "safe" shots with a higher ISO, meaning more noise, then you can back the speed down a bit for cleaner images. Tripods and IS can help speeds a bit as well keeping things a bit lower as well.
Remember - expose properly, don’t underexpose your image because when you brighten the image in post it is going to get much noisier.
Focus mode - with static or slow-moving subjects a single point is fine - running or flying - a wider array of points really helps the camera track your subject. And switch to Continuous AF for subjects on the move.
Sony a7R III
Gear Recommendations - photorec.tv/wildlifegear
Feel free to post questions about gear here or consider joining my awesome photography community at the Photo Enthusiast Network
Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.
Happy Earth Day and National Parks Week! Spring is going strong and you guys got out for some really great photos! Parks are a great location to go shoot a variety of subjects but still close that it's not necessarily out of the way, bar going to Yosemite. Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_goldenhour3Soft and warm light can make for great shots and that’s gonna be what you are looking for in the golden hour challenge. Remember that it's a focus on the light so your subject can be anything you'd like to try shooting.
Nicely captured some iconic elements of Yosemite NP
Simple composition nicely showcasing Canyonlands
Love the soft low contrast here that matches the feel of the sand and wood
Wooded areas are great for playing with sun flares in your images due to the trees and this photo worked out nicely.
Got to love the tiny details you can find at a park, macro really does make a tiny area a giant one full of options
Parks are not just trees and this landscape shot is a great reminder. Remember when shooting big landscapes like this a foreground element can really balance an imageFor more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbEEbzJkPvg
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McKay Photography Academy Presents "The return to the Southwest"Photograph the Grand Canyon, Slot Canyons, Horseshoe Bend and Zion NP - this is going to be a special trip with amazing opportunities to capture incredible images and check items off your bucket list! It will sell out in minutes. Add your info to the pre-list now. More info can be found on the 2018 trip page.
A quick review of the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens.Sharpness - Excellent at the price pointSpeed - Very GoodAperture Range - Slight slower than more expensive lensesBuild Quality - ExcellentStabilization - Excellent
Pros - A very budget friendly lens that gets you to 400mm with excellent sharpness/quality in a travel-friendly size.Cons - No tripod collar can limit some tripod useBUY from B&H PhotoSample RAW photos for Download
Every week we put your skills to the test in the Photorec.tv Instagram challenge. This is your chance to try something a bit different, maybe learn a new skill, or just get a bit of practice in shooting.
Some really neat photos this week! Focusing on repeating patterns and light really worked out for this week’s challenge. There are only three top picks this week with Toby on tour but check the rest out at #PRTV_architecture3. Next Week's Challenge: #PRTV_parksWith spring starting, hit up a park! This week will be Earth Day and National Park Week with the National Park Foundation so it’s a great time to go shoot outside.
An interesting take on an architecture black and white that really shows the shapes in the building.
It might be Trinity College but this shot from Marita almost seems Harry Potterish with this old architecture for a great photo.
A different take on a recognizable monument to most, giving the building a bit of breathing room worked well!For more info on the Instagram Challenges, the schedule, and past top picks go check out photorec.tv/prtv. Try out some of Toby's Instagram Tips. For everything else Instagram, tag those shots #PRTV and #penlive for our daily photo features.
