Thursday, October 31, 2019

Photography Ban Outside of the Arizona State Supreme Court Might Be Unconstitutional, Critics Argue

6:40:00 PM

Photographers have a lot of different battles to wage in the modern age and maintaining the right to practice our profession is chief among them.

One thing that is a perennial issue in the community is that of public photography. Broadly, in most places, privacy is not a reasonable expectation in a public place and the laws reflect that.

This often underlines the rights of many street photographers and others to photograph and video outside in public spaces. But this is a right that is always under fire and also as frequently misunderstood.

And apparently a court case in Arizona could shed some more light on the modern approach to this area of photography as a ban on public photography in and around the Arizona Supreme Court is highlighting a constant issue in our world but one that, for most of us, is pretty well adjudicated at this point.

So why the ban? The court says that the photography ban is to protect witnesses and others from “abuse and intimidation” according to PetaPixel. Yet it also violates the rights of photo journalists as well.

The order came from Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Brutinel on October 16th and empowers court officials to ask for recording or photography to cease and anything already captured to be deleted. If the person doesn’t comply, law enforcement can be called to enforce the order.

The central issue is whether or not photo journalists have a right to take pictures or video as part of their jobs and in general with local Arizona attorney Dan Barr saying, “It’s unconstitutional…You put photographers in this untenable position of wondering whether they’re violating that court order in doing a routine part of their job.”

Again, many people think is a settled matter and it should be interesting to see if the Arizona court rescinds the judge’s order and falls in line with accepted practice in much of the United States or if they choose to force an issue that, in many parts of the United States, is firmly settled law.

What do you think? Does the Arizona State Supreme Court have a leg to stand on in this instance? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Also, check out our other photography news articles on Light Stalking by clicking here.

[PetaPixel]

Let's block ads! (Why?)


Light Stalking https://ift.tt/2NsnrRu

Sourced by Time Trap Photography sharing the best photography tips, news and tricks throughout the industry. Time Trap Photography is dedicated to freezing those special moments in life that can be revisited and admired for generations to come. - Shannon Bourque
Please visit our main site for booking availability and rates.



"Time


Receive valuable industry knowledge delivered free to your email each day.


"Time

The Best Lenses For Action Photography

5:05:00 AM

If you’re interested in shooting sports and action photography, you should definitely purchase a lens that will allow you to capture amazing action scenes. There are many lenses that can be used for sports photography – from low-cost to pretty expensive ones. If you’re just a hobbyist, a lower-cost lens may be adequate for you, but if you want to shoot publishable sports pictures, you should obtain a lens specifically made for this genre of photography.

Marcus Ng

What To Look For When Buying A Sports Lens

Sports photographers are known for their long lenses. These lenses are important because many sports happen far away from a photographer and in order to capture great images from the other side of the field you need to have a long lens.

Zoom lenses are more popular with sports photographers than primes because of the wide range of coverage they provide. For instance, one of the most common focal lengths in sports photography is the 70-200mm – it's really versatile and it can be used for various sports. A 70-200mm lens with an aperture of ƒ/2.8 would be a great choice for many sports photographers because of the soft bokeh it provides.

Keith Johnston

Even though a minimum aperture of ƒ/5.6 is fine for many sports photographs if you’re looking to capture powerful images of athletes you need to treat the background as carefully as the main subject.

Finally, an experienced sports photographer will have a few lenses – it's impossible to capture a variety of scenes with just one lens, no matter its versatility. Shooting sports with wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle and fish-eye lenses can create truly compelling images. Because of this, lenses around the 14mm-30mm range are also quite popular with creative sports photographers.

Brandon Morgan

Now check out our list of the best lenses for action photography:

Wide-Angle To Mid-Telephoto Lenses

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm F/2.8E ED VR

This is a reliable mid-telephoto lens known for its image stabilization feature. Thanks to Nikon's VR (vibration reduction) technology, this lens gives photographers up to four stops of extra shooting range, which is ideal for capturing sports and wildlife in low light.

Price on nikonusa.com: $1,899

Canon EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM

This is Canon’s professional zoom lens, which has replaced the popular full-frame EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM model. It provides edge-to-edge sharpness, soft bokeh and incredibly fast focusing thanks to the ultrasonic motor. This lens also features water-and-dustproof seals around the zoom and focus rings, which is great for heavy-duty action photography.

Price on usa.canon.com: $1,599

Sigma 17-50mm F/2.8 E X DC OS HSM

This affordable zoom lens is available in a variety of mounts and it offers image stabilization in most systems except for Sony and Pentax. Thanks to its hybrid aspherical lens, it provides correction of aberrations and it allows for really sharp images with great contrast.

Price on sigmaphoto.com: $369

Photo by Charlie Firth

Mid-Range To Telephoto Lenses

Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD

This Tamron’s budget lens is a great choice for amateurs who are looking to get into sports photography. It is known for its fast focusing and rather sharp contrast. It is the first Tamron lens to include a USD (ultrasonic silent drive), Tamron’s ultrasonic auto-focus drive mechanism. This lens also has built-in image stabilization.

Price on tamron-usa.com: $450

Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS II USM

This is a high-quality tele-zoom lens with the image stabilization which adds four stops of support at all focal lengths. It is ideal for close-up sports portraits or wildlife images. It delivers impressive image quality, focuses very fast and has top-of-the-line build quality.

Price on usa.canon.com: $1,799

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm F/2.8G ED VR II

This Nikon's tele-zoom is praised for its quick autofocus, super steady vibration reduction, great color rendition and creamy bokeh. If you're into shooting low-light sports or wildlife, you should definitely consider purchasing this powerful lens.

Price on nikonusa.com: $2,100

Photo by 2 Bro's Media

Long Telephoto Lenses

Sigma 150-600mm F/5-6.3 DG OS HSM

This is a solid long telephoto lens which features optical image stabilization, focal length lock and fast autofocus. The mount of the lens is fitted with a water-and-dustproof seal, which can be quite useful for sports and wildlife photographers.

Price on sigmaphoto.com: $899

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm F/5.6E ED VR

This lens will allow you to capture stunning views of birds, wildlife, sports, athletes, performers, landmarks and other faraway subjects. It comes with the fixed ƒ/5.6, which is wide enough for most shooting except for very low light. It also has VR image stabilization.

Price on nikonusa.com: $1,200

Canon EF 400mm F/5.6L USM

This lens is a member of the Canon L series, which means that its optical and mechanical performance is excellent. It’s certainly not as powerful as Canon’s 400mm ƒ/2.8, but it's much more affordable and it’s a perfect choice for wildlife photography and well-lit field sports. Many people use this lens handheld without a problem even though it doesn't have image stabilization.

Price on usa.canon.com: $1,149

Photo by Vicky Sim

If you want to learn more about action and sports photography, check out the links below!

Further Resources:

  1. Sports Photography Gear Setup
  2. 5 Tips To Get You Into Sports Photography
  3. Sports Photography Video Tutorials That Cover 5 Different Sports
  4. 6 of The Best Lenses for Sports Photography
  5. Sports Photography: An Equipment Guide
  6. The Complete Guide To Sports Photography: 87 Tips

Let's block ads! (Why?)


Light Stalking https://ift.tt/2WubXAK

Sourced by Time Trap Photography sharing the best photography tips, news and tricks throughout the industry. Time Trap Photography is dedicated to freezing those special moments in life that can be revisited and admired for generations to come. - Shannon Bourque
Please visit our main site for booking availability and rates.



"Time


Receive valuable industry knowledge delivered free to your email each day.


"Time

31. Oktober 2019

5:02:00 AM

Das Bild des Tages von: Ivan


kwerfeldein – Magazin für Fotografie https://ift.tt/322Vt3G

Sourced by Time Trap Photography sharing the best photography tips, news and tricks throughout the industry. Time Trap Photography is dedicated to freezing those special moments in life that can be revisited and admired for generations to come. - Shannon Bourque
Please visit our main site for booking availability and rates.



"Time


Receive valuable industry knowledge delivered free to your email each day.


"Time

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Photosphäre 17.19

11:02:00 PM

Entschuldigt die kleine Hexe im Titelbild. Ich habe mir bisher wenig aus Halloween gemacht, aber dieses Jahr ist der Funke doch zumindest leicht übergesprungen. Bei Euch habe ich bisher leider kaum gruselige Fotos oder Blogbeiträge zum Thema entdecken können. Aber zumindest auf einen bin ich gestoßen. Viel Spaß mit meiner Auswahl!

Linktipps aus der Photosphäre

• Carsten Kießler hatte ein kleines Halloweenshooting mit Modell Kathi. → ansehen

• Thomas Vogt stellt in seinem Blog Fotopodcasts vor, die er gern hört. → ansehen

• Michael Wolf war für zwei Wochen auf Mallorca. Eigentlich um Urlaub zu machen, aber die Kamera hat er dann zum Glück doch in die Hand genommen. → ansehen

• Kai Kutzki fragt sich, wie man als Fotograf*in etwas gegen den Klimawandel tun kann und gibt in einem ersten Teil Tipps zum Thema Energie. → ansehen

• Mehrdad Samak-Abedi berichtet in seinem Artikel von einer Anektode seiner ersten Japanreise und zeigt Straßenbilder aus Tokio. → ansehen

• Damian Zimmermann hatte anlässlich der Ausstellung „Leben“ im Haus der Photographie in den Deichtorhallen die Möglichkeit, Walter Schels kennenlernen und interviewen zu dürfen. → ansehen

• Ilford hat eine neue Produktpalette angekündigt. Darunter ein neuer Film, Fotopapier und ein Starterset. Marcel Dierke weiß mehr. → ansehen

• Eine kleine Bildbearbeitungschallenge findet Ihr auf Reisen-Fotografie. Hier könnt Ihr Euch an einer wirklich schönen Raw-Aufnahme austoben. → ansehen

• Ein Thema, von dem man eigentlich hofft, es müsste keines sein: Andreas Jorns erklärt, warum die Intimbehaarung von Frauen auch auf Aktbildern nur Sache der Frauen selbst sind. → ansehen

• Hiacynta gibt in ihrem Blog Tipps, wo in Frankfurt die besten Fotospots sind und worauf man beim Fotografieren achten sollte. → ansehen

• In der Fotobuch-Ecke wird das Magazin Soul of Street vorgestellt, das wir auch sehr feiern. → ansehen

• Marc von Martial zeigt endlich auch mal wieder etwas von seinen Arbeiten. Im aktuellen Blogpost sieht man Bilder von Aktmodell Lisa. → ansehen

Umfrage

Das letzte Mal hatte ich Euch gefragt, wie Ihr zu Fotowettbewerben steht und ganze 45 % nehmen überhaupt nicht an Wettbewerben teil. 23 % haben es bisher noch nicht, schließen es aber zumindest nicht aus. Das Ergebnis hat mich tatsächlich sehr überrascht, schließlich gibt es sie gefühlt überall. Selbst kleine Blogs veranstalten sie gegen Amazongutscheine bis hin zu großen Firmen, die mit einer Jury aus hochkarätigen Fotoleuten und dicken Preisen locken.

Heute geht’s in der Umfrage mal wieder um unsere Photosphäre. Also die Blogliste hier direkt im Magazin. Schaut Ihr dort eigentlich noch regelmäßig rein oder genügt Euch meine kleine subjektive Auswahl jeden zweiten Donnerstag? Oder ist das Konzept, andere Blogs auf kwerfeldein zu zeigen überhaupt interessant für Euch?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.
kwerfeldein – Magazin für Fotografie https://ift.tt/2PBXQbh

Sourced by Time Trap Photography sharing the best photography tips, news and tricks throughout the industry. Time Trap Photography is dedicated to freezing those special moments in life that can be revisited and admired for generations to come. - Shannon Bourque
Please visit our main site for booking availability and rates.



"Time


Receive valuable industry knowledge delivered free to your email each day.


"Time

Top 8 Affordable Quality Printers for Photographers And Do You Need One?

8:11:00 PM

In this digital age, a large number of photographers submit digital copies of their work to their clients via digital storage devices, email or web based file sharing services. However, there are still some photography niches where clients usually expect physical prints to be delivered to them.

printers-for-photographers-1

For instance, if you’re into wedding, event or portrait photography, you may often need to produce high quality prints for your clients.  Let’s look at 8 of the current photo printers for photographers focused on quality and affordability.  Read on to find out more.

Why a  Photographer May Need a Printer?

  • Save Money: Printing photos via local photo labs or online photo printing services although convenient can cost a lot; in the long run, these costs can add up to a huge sum.

  • Save Time: Instead of having to frequently visit a local photo lab or wait several days for the photo prints to arrive, you can use a good quality printer at home/office to produce impactful prints within minutes.

  • More Business: If your prospective clients expect physical prints of the work, they’d almost certainly want to look at a portfolio of printed photographs before signing on the dotted line. With a printer at your disposal, you’ve the flexibility of quickly printing custom portfolios for different types of clients.

Listed below are the top 8 printers (in no particular order) for  photographers:

1. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000

Although a bit expensive, this Canon printer satisfies the needs of the most critical photographer. The inkjet with 11-ink system (high-longevity pigment ink) with Chroma Optimizer Ink offers a wider color gamut and enhanced gloss uniformity with denser drop placement. With high-yield 80ml ink tanks, you’d need the replacement inks less frequently.

printers-for-photographers-2

From high accuracy in color reproduction and details in darker regions to outstanding clarity in the image – the imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 delivers all this and a whole more. It’s one of the best Canon printers for producing professional-grade photo prints with deep blacks and impactful colors.

Key Specs & Features:

  • Max print resolution (color): 2400 x 1200 dpi

  • Max paper size: Up to A2, 17″ x 22″ (Bordered Photo)

  • Navigation: 2.9” color touchscreen with intuitive menus

  • Connectivity options: Wireless, Ethernet, Cloud, and USB

  • Air Feeding System helps ensure precise ink placement; it prevents a page from skewing

Printer’s 1.28″ wide print head with tubular ink delivery system utilizes anti-clogging technology for producing prints at a faster speed while lowering the possibility of clogging.

2. Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000

This Epson inkjet produces ultra high definition photo prints with its six-color photo HD ink system. The ink set includes red and gray inks, thus offering a wider gamut, smoother gradations, and sharp black-and-white photo prints.

printers-for-photographers-3

A wide-format printer, Expression Photo HD XP-15000 delivers photo-lab quality, borderless photo prints in a variety of different sizes.

Key Specs & Features:

  • Max print resolution (color): 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi

  • Max print speed: Approximately 9 pages per minute

  • Max paper size: 13″ x 19″

  • Navigation: 2.4” color LCD

  • Connectivity options: Wireless, USB, Ethernet, and mobile printing

  • Automatic duplex printing with 200-sheet input tray

  • 50-sheet rear tray that can hold specialized media up to 13 x 44″ in size

  • Direct CD/DVD printing

Running costs for this printer are a bit high; it uses both standard and high-capacity replacement inks. If you print frequently, you may consider purchasing compatible high-yield inks that can help save up to 50% on ink costs.

3. Canon PIXMA PRO-100

Canon’s entry-level device in its professional inkjet photo printer lineup, PIXMA PRO-100 delivers stunning print quality with its eight-color ink (dye-based) system. The ink set includes three dedicated grayscale inks to produce sharp black-and-white prints.

printers-for-photographers-4

Key Specs & Features:

  • Max print resolution (color): 4800 x 2400 dpi

  • Max print speed: 0.75 photo-prints (4” x 6”) per minute

  • Max paper size: 13” x 19” (borderless)

  • Navigation: There’s no display; the inkjet has three buttons for power, paper-feed and instant wireless connection

  • Connectivity options: Wireless, USB, AirPrint, and mobile printing

  • Paper tray can hold one A3+ sheet, 10 letter-size sheets, 20 photo-paper sheets (4”x6”) and 150 sheets of plain paper

  • Optimum Image Generating (OIG) System for achieving best results for a specific combination of print mode and paper type

A serious printer meant for photographers, it captures detail in both light and dark regions. You may notice slight tint in monochrome images but only a perfectionist would notice that. The output quality is good overall for producing photos for exhibition, sale, or client presentations.

4. Epson Expression Premium XP-7100

A photo-centric all-in-one inkjet, Expression Premium XP-7100 with print, scan, copy, and fax functions, delivers exceptional output quality and versatility with its five-ink color ink system.

printers-for-photographers-5

The inkjet uses Claria Premium Ink that produces smudge, water and fade resistant photo prints. Designed for productivity in micro-offices of creative professionals, XP-7100 is an ideal choice for photographers who need to produce reasonably appealing photo prints on the go.

Key Specs & Features:

  • Max print resolution (color): 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi

  • Max print speed: 5 borderless photos (4″ x 6″) per minute

  • Max paper size: 8.5″ x 11″

  • Navigation: 4.3” touchscreen

  • Connectivity options: Wireless, Ethernet, USB, and mobile printing

  • Automatic duplex printing

  • 30-sheet Automatic Document Feeder; duplex print/copy and scan

  • Flatbed scanner with automatic duplex feeder

  • Supports direct printing from thumb drives and card slots

5. Epson SureColor P800

A relatively compact and light inkjet, Epson SureColor P800 with its advanced MicroPiezo AMC print head delivers photo-lab quality black-and-white and color prints in various sizes (including rolls). A bit pricey, this inkjet is known for producing breathtaking prints with fine detail, smooth gradations and amazing skin tones.

printers-for-photographers-6

Its nine-ink set delivers deeper blacks and saturated colors. Each ink tank in SureColor P800 holds about 64ml ink. Replacement inks hold up to 80ml ink.

For enhanced black ink density for different media types, the print head automatically switches between photo & matte black ink. Pigment based ink guarantees long print performance.

Key Specs & Features:

  • Max print resolution (color): 2880 x 1440 dpi

  • Max paper size: 17” x 22″or 17” wide roll media

  • Navigation: 2.7″ color touchscreen

  • Connectivity options: Wireless, Ethernet, USB, Cloud, and Mobile Printing

10 Pack – Epson 200XL Ink Cartridge Value Pack is recommended inkjet cartridge for Epson printers.

6. HP Envy Photo 7855

An all-in-one inkjet with print, copy, scan, and fax functions, HP Envy Photo 7855 is essentially a photo-centric printer that can meet everyday photo printing needs of a professional photographer. HP Thermal Inkjet technology delivers sharp and brilliantly-colored prints.

printers-for-photographers-7

The running cost for this printer is lesser in comparison to inkjet photo printers in the same price range; high-yield ink cartridges are optional. Make sure you choose the right ink cartridge when the initial set runs out of ink.

Key Specs & Features:

  • Max print resolution (color): 4800 x 1200 dpi.

  • Max print speed (color): 10 pages per minute

  • Max paper size: 5” x 14” and 8.5” x 11.7″ (borderless)

  • Navigation: 2.7” color touchscreen

  • Connectivity options: Wireless, Ethernet, USB, and mobile printing

  • Automatic duplex printing

  • 35-sheet automatic document feeder (print, copy or fax)

  • Eligible for HP Instant Ink Program

  • Supports print from and scan to thumb drives and SD memory card

7. Canon Selphy CP1200

A dedicated photo-printer, Canon Selphy CP1200 is highly portable. It’s an ideal choice for photographers who’re constantly on the go or those who need to print good quality images at different locations during an event.

printers-for-photographers-8

This photo-printer is most suitable for printing postcards, labels, stickers, and IDs.

Key Specs & Features:

  • Max paper size: 3.9″ x 5.8″ (Postcard)

  • Navigation: 2.7” LCD

  • Connectivity options: Wireless, USB, and Mobile Printing

  • Compatible with SD cards

  • Auto Image Optimize helps detect and rectify image imperfections

8. Epson EcoTank ET-7750

A wide-format inkjet printer with print, copy, and scan functions, EcoTank ET-7750 features a five-color ink system with a dedicated photo black pigmented ink; it delivers satisfactory text and image print quality.

printers-for-photographers-9

In terms of print quality and ink economy, Epson EcoTank ET-7750 is one of the best printers available at its current price range.

High-yield ink tanks ensure a lower cost-per-print; the ink cartridges can produce up to color 9,000 prints. Therefore, it is an ideal printer for photographers who need to produce hundreds of photos on a monthly basis.

Key Specs & Features:

  • Max print resolution (color): 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi

  • Max print speed: 10 pages per minute

  • Max paper size: 11″ x 17″

  • Navigation: 2.7″ color LCD (non-touch)

  • Connectivity options: Wireless, USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi Direct, and mobile printing

  • Automatic duplex printing

  • Separate input trays for plain paper and photo paper

Final Words:

In order to make an informed purchase decision, you need to consider various factors including the budget, desired print quality, availability of high-yield ink cartridges, maximum print resolution, portability, support for different media types & sizes, and the additional features such as copy, scan, and fax.

These will be determined by the type of photography you do, the space you have, and the features you will need.  Unfortunately there is no one-size-fits-all printer for  photographers.

Let me know what you think of these choices and what printer you would add to the list.

Click the link to learn about printers for HDR photography.

Let's block ads! (Why?)


Photodoto https://ift.tt/2PELK0W

Sourced by Time Trap Photography sharing the best photography tips, news and tricks throughout the industry.
Time trap photography><br></a> <hr><a href=Time trap photography tweet
Sourced by the Time Trap Photography guys https://ift.tt/1LW7xnO
Time Trap Photography is dedicated to freezing those special moments in life that can be revisited and admired for generations to come.

Do You Need A Flash For Travel Photography?

8:11:00 PM

Packing for a trip is arguably the worst part about travel. As photographers, not only do we have to choose which of our vast wardrobe of clothes to take with us, but we also have to decide which pieces of our ever-expanding portfolio of camera equipment to take with us. From picking which lenses and camera bag to remembering your spare memory cards, packing your photography gear for travel can be a nightmare. There is one decision, however, that can often make or break the standard of photographs you come back with. Do I need a flash for my travel photography?

flash-for-travel-photography-1

The answer to whether or not to take a flash with you on your travels will be different for everyone based on a few things.

For starters there are several options to consider such as where you are traveling to and what kind of travel photography you are going to be engaging in. Not to mention if you actually have the room to carry and extra piece of equipment with you? However, taking the time to consider these questions before you travel will help you capture those unforgettable moments.

To help make that decision easier for you we have outlined everything you need to consider when deciding if you need a flash for travel photography.

Types of Flash

Before deciding on whether or not you need to take a flash with you on your trip it is important to understand the different types of flash that are available to you.

On Camera Flash

On camera flash, like the name suggests, is a flash that is attached to your camera. This is usually as a built-in pop-up flash or a flash unit that you attach to the flash hotshoe found on the top of the camera.

The built-in pop-up flash can be a great emergency flash for those who travel without a flash but find they need one to capture a certain shot such as a backlit scene. However, they are quite small and generally produce a harsh direct light which can result in subjects which look flat and unnatural.

A better option would be to use an external flash unit mounted to the top of the camera. Generally, these are more powerful than built in flashes and they also offer much more control to the photographer.

From adjusting the direction of the flash to changing the exposure compensation and when the flash fires, you will have far greater control of your final image. You can even combine them with a diffuser for even greater control of the light.

They can be a great option for shooting indoors or capturing those unique travel photography portraits.

Find the best flash unit for you by reading this article.

Off Camera Flash

Yes, you’ve guessed it, off camera flash is all about placing the flash unit somewhere else other than on the camera. This kind of flash gives you greater control over how the scene is lit and you can even incorporate more than one flash unit.

flash-for-travel-photography-2

However, this kind of flash set-up will probably involve you lugging around extra equipment. Plus, you may need the help of other people to hold the flash units in the right place for example. So, unless you have specific shots in mind that require this kind of set-up it may be better to stick to on-camera flash if any.

Reasons to Use a Flash

A flash isn’t just handy to have for after the sun goes down but can also enhance many different types of images taken during daylight hours too.

Fill the Shadows

Have you ever tried to take a photo that is half in shadow and half in light and no matter what you do you can’t get the image exposed the way your eye sees it? Well, using a flash can help fill in the shadows without the need for overexposing the other areas of the photo.

Alternatively, you can use image bracketing to achieve the result. While this requires a little extra time during the editing process, it means that you don’t need to carry that flash around with you.

Capturing Great Portraits

If your travel photography style includes capturing stunning portraits of locals, then the use of a well-positioned flash may be exactly what you need.

A good portrait has clear separation between the subject and background. This can easily be achieved without a flash by using a shallow depth of field. However, by intentionally underexposing the image by one or two stops and using the flash to light the subject the separation between background and subject can also be achieved.

flash-for-travel-photography-3

Poorly Lit Indoors

Sometimes your travels take you to places where both natural and artificial light are in low supply. For example, inside the home of a Maasai warrior is such a case. These situations can make shooting quite difficult without a flash. Even if you whack up the ISO the image can still be underexposed. Bringing a flash into the situation would make a huge difference to the final image.

It may also make the difference between attempting to take the shot and not even bothering.

Shooting at Night

Life doesn’t just stop as soon as the sun goes down so why should your travel photography?

Some types of night-time photography don’t require a flash, such as astrophotography, cityscapes and light trails, all of which make great compositions.  However, if you want to capture the vibrant city streets once the sun has set there is definitely no better way than with the help of your trusty flash unit.

flash-for-travel-photography-4

The extra burst of light will really help your subjects stand out and bring your images to life.

Alternative Ways to light Your Scene

While a flash can really add that extra edge to some of your travel photos if you do decide not to take one with you it isn’t the end of the world. There are a few different ways that you can still use the natural and artificial light in the scene to your advantage.

Make Better use of the Available Light

Travel photography can be hard. You often don’t have time to fit everything in and can’t often afford to spend hours and hours waiting to get that one shot in that one particular spot at the expense of everything else.

While a flash unit may help in some situations, it can often be just as easy to get creative and remember the basics. Make sure you get out for the best light of the day. Think about moving your subject around the scene to make the most of the light available or even just shooting from a completely different angle.

Sometimes by only taking limited equipment with you, you are forced to use your creativity more and that is where the magic happens.

flash-for-travel-photography-5

Reflectors

But isn’t that just another piece of equipment for me to carry?

True, you can buy specific photography reflectors which are very useful. Some even fold really small which are great for travel.

But don’t worry, every object that isn’t black reflects light to some degree you just need to be a little creative. From a strategically placed hat, piece of paper to using the natural reflection you get from a river or lake, reflecting the available light you have may be a great way to get around not having a flash.

Diffusers

While light diffusers are traditionally used in conjunction with flash units there is no rule that says you cannot use them with other light sources.

As with reflectors, you can buy specific light diffusers. However, you can also make your own from things that you normally travel with. For example, you could diffuse the harsh light from a lamp or even a torch by covering it with a plain t shirt or a scarf. The subject can then be lit how you want it to be but there is no need to travel with a flash unit or diffusers!

At the end of the day whether or not you need to bring a flash with you for your trip is a deeply personal choice. It depends on where you’re going, what type of trip it is and also the type of photographer you are.

For example, if you are heading somewhere sunny and intend on taking mostly landscape shots, then you probably wouldn’t have much use for a flash. However, if there is likely to be lower levels of light or portraiture is more your style then a flash may be of use.

Whether you choose to use an in-built flash, an external flash or no flash at all, as long as you are comfortable using your equipment you are sure to capture some amazing photos of your travels.

Click this link to learn how travel can inspire your wedding photography.

Let's block ads! (Why?)


Photodoto https://ift.tt/2JASyZH

Sourced by Time Trap Photography sharing the best photography tips, news and tricks throughout the industry.
Time trap photography><br></a> <hr><a href=Time trap photography tweet
Sourced by the Time Trap Photography guys https://ift.tt/1LW7xnO
Time Trap Photography is dedicated to freezing those special moments in life that can be revisited and admired for generations to come.

Dark Cloud on the Horizon: Canon’s Irista Service Shutting Down in 2020

8:05:00 PM

Cloud computing might be the latest and greatest thing in the world of tech but it doesn’t look like it is working out for Canon’s Irista photo storage service which announced it was shutting down in 2020.

Irista first launched in 2014 and promised Canon users a quick and easy solution to photo storage as well as printing services. As is typical in this niche, users also had access to their photos through an Android and iOS app. But, starting January 31, 2020, all of that will be gone which means Irista users will need to find an alternative between now and then.

As for a reason why it is going away, mum is the word on that and no one is quite sure why Irista is biting the dust. One logical reason might be that it isn’t as popular as Canon had hoped but one more obvious response might be that the competition in this area is really tough.

For their part, Canon said the following: “Sadly, we’ve decided to close Irista on January 31, 2020. You can continue to access to your photos until the service closes. Please sign in to download them before this date.”

If you have used Irista, you can access your stuff between now and the closure date. Users will be able to download their library as a massive zip file which is a huge relief for some of us that have pretty big libraries but, tragically, any kind of organizational system you imposed on the files will be lost in the translation. Additionally, you won’t be able to invite new users to view your albums.

Did you use Irista? Will you miss the service? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Also, don’t forget to check out our other photography news articles on Light Stalking by clicking here.

[DPReview]

Let's block ads! (Why?)


Light Stalking https://ift.tt/2JCBFOl

Sourced by Time Trap Photography sharing the best photography tips, news and tricks throughout the industry. Time Trap Photography is dedicated to freezing those special moments in life that can be revisited and admired for generations to come. - Shannon Bourque
Please visit our main site for booking availability and rates.



"Time


Receive valuable industry knowledge delivered free to your email each day.


"Time

SLC-2L-10: Left Brain / Right Brain

7:25:00 PM
Photos by Sara Lando and David Hobby except where noted.

Just as most of us are either right- or left-handed, it is said that we all have a dominant side of our brain as well. Left-brained people are supposed to be more analytical and methodical, whereas right-brained people are more artistic and creative.

For most photographers, one of these two areas is probably a relative strength; the other a weakness. But ideally, you need the whole package. Which is something we were exploring earlier this month in Porto, Portugal.

Two Half-Brains

I co-taught a class at the Porto Photo Fest with Italian photographer Sara Lando, whom many of you will remember from her previous work on this site.

In many ways, Sara is the opposite of me: I am male. Sara is female. I am a left brain, Sara is a right brain. Sara is also a stylish dresser.

The class was set up to combine our two approaches — me methodical and Sara creative — to help photographers learn to identify and work around their blind spots. And trust me, methodical me was watching and learning from creative Sara the whole day.

In fact (and without my revealing one of her favorite techniques) she had an exercise arranged for about 3pm in the afternoon that literally made me cringe. Not only would I not have suggested it, I thought it just might train wreck the whole day irreparably.

The exercise she forced upon our group of captive guinea pigs was only three minutes long. But it produced what were easily some of the best photos of the day. And even further, it left people shooting more fearlessly for the remainder of the afternoon.

In fact, the biggest problem I saw with the class was the limited amount of time we had remaining after that exercise. Because they were just now starting to stretch.

So yeah, we all have our strengths and weaknesses.

In the Fishbowl

Right after the class, Sara and I combined for another session in which we would co-produce a portrait in front of a group of photographers. The idea would be that I would approach it from the technical/lighting side, and Sara would approach it from the creative/interpersonal side.

Needless to say I have never done this before. I was equal parts eager and anxious.

Here was the format. Picture a medium sized room, mostly filled with about 35 seated people. The room itself is white-walled and busy. It is in a Hard Rock Cafe, and there is rock memorabilia everywhere. The shoot was improvisational. We were to photograph one of the attendees, with a construct generated on the spot.

We asked for volunteers. About a half-dozen people anted up, placing their name on a small sheet of paper. The name was drawn randomly and Tiago, our new subject, was brought up front.

Lacking an assignment or construct, it was decided that we would do a close-in portrait of Tiago as he sometimes envisioned his future self: an explorer, visiting far-away places and cultures.

Solving the Room

Now it is time to problem-solve. While interpersonal Sara is talking with Tiago, methodical me tackles the lighting.

We have a mostly white and graphically busy room. There are white window shades we could use as a background. But we do not have enough space to move far enough away from them to control the background tonality.

And I want some tonal depth to the background. So we find and move a modest sized platform that is covered with dark grey carpet and stand it on its side. It's not very big, but if we seat Tiago on the ground it'll be tall enough. Now we have a dark background that we can build upon.

Building the Backlight

We have some speedlights and small soft boxes to work with. We'll end up using two lights, one bare and one in a soft box.

Our class was entirely taught in black and white, so my main gel pack is back at home. But I keep a couple warming and cooling gels taped to most of my flashes. I have with me a full CTB, a 1/2 CTB, a 1/2 CTO and a Rosco 08.

Into the (thankfully) white ceiling, I fire light #1. It is a bare speedlight with the full CTB gel. This light will create a wrapping soft/blue environment that will vaguely come from the top/back direction. I test it out with my hand, and it looks like this:

We progress through some photos with this black background for a bit, but they all needed a little something more. Sara had brought a large, wispy plastic tarp that she used in a variety of ways. It soon it found its way to our backdrop. With the blue light cascading across it, and shooting wide open, it felt almost like a glacier.

Perfect. Not super literal, but it alludes to someplace far-off. This will work for Tiago's construct. Bringing him in now, you can see what the blue/wrap backlight alone does to both the background and to him:

This feels better. His face is mostly in shadow, with some blue light wrapping around his cheeks and shoulders. To that, we'll add a warmed up (Rosco 08) light in a small soft box.

I want to light his face, but I want to keep the warm light from eating up the blue we have built. That way, we'll get a really cool and three-dimensional transition/wrap from front to back that not only shifts light direction but also light color.

In short, I am gonna feather the living crap out of this key light.

Here's a BTS iPhone shot (sorry, it was a dark room) from the side (thank you, Natahsa!). It's kinda hard to tell here, but this light is literally pointed back at Sara.

If you could see it from the top, it would look almost exactly light this:

As you can see, if you extend a line directly from the front plane of the soft box, that line will tell us exactly where the key light will fall on of the camera right side of Tiago's face.

In person, it feels/looks very extreme when you are doing it. But that's how far you need to feather it to close off the illumination on the key light side of his face.

Repeating the final:

So on both the camera-right and camera-left sides of Tiago's face, the light quickly transitions into shadow as it wraps toward the back of his head. Or rather, it wraps into the blue zone we have set up with the other light.

This direction/color transition, along with the fact that it is falling out of focus (Sara was shooting at f/1.4) makes this photo feel more like a medium format chip than an APS-C sized chip.

But Why is the Light Horizontal?

It's not horizontal, it is vertical. Maybe not to you, but it is vertical from the point-of-view of Tiago's face. Which is what matters.

Remember, this light is super-feathered away from him. So if "A" is the edge of the box that is closest to him, and "B" is the top edge of the box, I guarantee you the "A" dimension looks a lot longer than the "B" dimension.

So as far as Tiago is concerned, it is (A) a vertical light, and it (B) wraps around his face a lot better. This is why, perhaps counterintuitively, a strip box is in many ways more versatile than a standard soft box. Which is in turn more versatile than an octa.

So, What is Sara Up To?

Tons of stuff. Most of which I am not privy to. But she it thinking out loud, which helps. Here is some of the stuff I remember.

First she is solely concentrating on Tiago. She is creating a shared space for him as a subject, even though they are doing this in front of a roomful of photographers.

Second, look how physically close she is. Again, this goes to breaking through a personal wall and it makes for a more intimate portrait.

The shape of the face is not really a function of the lens' focal length. It is a function if camera-to-subject distance. Your brain interprets the face shape and knows this photo was made from a working distance that equates to that of two people who know each other well.

This is a great technique to know. Camera distance alters face shape. Which means it can be used to revert facial shapes toward the mean, or to increase/reduce intimacy in a portrait. (Same with camera height and relative power, BTW.)

Third, look at Sara's posture. She's clearly mirroring him, which is also a technique often used to break down interpersonal walls and build closeness. Seriously, I am watching her and thinking about how clumsy I am in all of these areas and I am almost laughing out loud at my own ineptitude.

Similarly, she told me afterwards how cool it was to completely offload responsibility for the lighting to me, and to be freed to do the things she does best. Honestly, you are probably more left- or right-brained than you are left- or right-handed.

Fourth — and I love this — look at Tiago's posture in the side BTS shot. Sara directed him into this shape: Elongate your neck. Drop your shoulders. Extend your hands back behind you.

Basically, every part of Tiago except his face just moved backwards a little bit. Look what this does to his neck and jaw line.

Okay, here's some quick guy-vs-girl. My friend (and former model, now photographer) Peter Hurley does this too. But in his way, he directs the subject to jut their chin forward.

Yeah, it works. But as someone who has tried this on himself countless times in a mirror, it feels WEIRD. I cannot even make myself comfortable doing this. So it is not something I would ask my subjects to do. I've actually tried it, and it was just like ... no.

But this shoulders down, long neck, shoulders-arms-hands back thing? That feels natural. Hell, even I feel like a dancer. And seriously, have you seen me?

I Have So Much to Learn/

Watching close-in as Sara, a right-brained photographer, worked with a subject was such an eye-opening experience for me. I want to co-teach more with her.

Actually, what I'd want to do is to have two groups, A and B, who rotate between the two photography styles. I teach a new lighting approach, they work it out, then they go right over to Sara to have her add a layer of interpersonal technique to it. Swap, rinse and repeat. And I want it to be at least two days long, to allow enough to time to build some muscle memory for all of the things we'd be learning.

By now if you're still reading, I'm assuming you have at least some idea if you are more methodical or creative-brained. And I hope you are seeing that what you probably need to be concentrating on is the weak side of the two.

Yeah, it'll probably be awkward and painful. But metamorphosis usually is.
__________

This article was published as an entry in Strobist Lighting Cookbook. New articles and how-to's appear monthly. To receive notifications for new posts, you can follow via email or via Instagram.

Let's block ads! (Why?)


Strobist https://ift.tt/2N1WQvj

Sourced by Time Trap Photography sharing the best photography tips, news and tricks throughout the industry. Time Trap Photography is dedicated to freezing those special moments in life that can be revisited and admired for generations to come. - Shannon Bourque
Please visit our main site for booking availability and rates.



"Time


Receive valuable industry knowledge delivered free to your email each day.


"Time

About Us

Time Trap Photography is dedicated to freezing those special moments in life that can be revisited and admired for generations to come. - Shannon Bourque

The lens in focus

“Life is like a camera. Just focus on what’s important and capture the good times, develop from the negatives and if things don’t work out, just take another shot.” — Unknown

TIME TRAP PHOTOGRAPHY COPYRIGHT 2016