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Photography News

YouTube is testing Reels its own take on Snapchat/Instagram style Stories

11/30/2017

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YouTube is testing “Reels” – its own take on Snapchat/Instagram style “Stories”

November 30, 2017 by John Aldred Leave a Comment

Instagram Stories has been wildly popular since it launched a little over a year ago. It’s developed since then into a fantastic tool for Instagrammers to get more involved with their community. YouTube seems to have taken note of this, and are currently testing out “Reels”, according to their Creator Blog. It’s their take on this popular feature.

There are a number of differences between Reels and the way existing Stories-style features work. For a start, the clips don’t get automatically deleted. You can also create multiple reels to separate content by topic, event, or whatever you like.

The new “Reels” feature will be part of the improved Community updates on your channel. Although, it will have its own tab. It will soon be introduced into beta for a handful of creators for feedback and testing. YouTube told Techcrunch that the idea is to introduce a new video format to the platform. A way for creators to express themselves and engage with their audience without having to post a full video.

The more people engage with reels, the more YouTube will assume that they and others will want to see even more, so it will keep pushing them out.

Given constantly evolving changes to YouTube’s search & suggestion algorithms, it’ll be interesting to see what kind of an impact this has. Will it just make the popular creators even more popular? Or will it allow the smaller creators a chance to build up their audience a little quicker?

And by smaller creators, I mean those with 10K subscribers, because that’s the minimum you need on your channel in order to access the Reels feature.

Hopefully, by the time it goes live, they’ll lower that bar a little bit and let more people utilise them.

You can find out more over on the YouTube Creators blog.





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November 30, 2017 at 12:27PM
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How to use Off-Camera Flash to Create Dramatic Images with Cross Lighting

11/30/2017

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Learning to use off-camera flash allows you to create and shape light, giving you plenty of new opportunities for dramatic photography.

But for many photographers, starting up with flash can be intimidating. It’s not just a matter of aiming a flash at your subject and hoping for the best. Choosing the wrong angle or positioning for your flash can have a negative effect, casting unflattering or irregular shadows.

A tennis player lit by off-camera flash cross lighting

A tennis player lit by off-camera flash cross lighting

I remember when I was starting out with off-camera flash I would sometimes get images where the light simply didn’t look right. But when it’s used effectively, flash adds to an image – it shouldn’t make the lighting seem unnatural or otherworldly (unless, of course, that’s the effect you’re going for – to each their own!).

But where’s a good place to start? Where should you put your flash in order to get good light? This article will show you one method you can use called cross lighting that you can use to create dramatic images with off-camera flash.

What is cross lighting?

For both beginners and pros alike, cross lighting is a very quick and simple setup that results in a dramatic, well-lit shot.

Like the name implies, this setup features two light sources on opposite sides of the subject. Hitting your subject from both sides adds a sense of depth to the image, while still producing natural-looking light.

An example showing an off-camera flash cross lighting setup for a portrait of a tennis player.

An example showing an off-camera flash cross lighting setup for a portrait of a tennis player.

The key or main light

Typically you want your light that will provide the most illumination, also know as the key light, placed in front of the subject and a bit to one side. For portraits, you will typically want to use a modifier on your light, such as a softbox or umbrella. This isn’t a requirement – but it will help soften the shadows and create more flattering light on the subject.

The purpose of this key flash is to light up the subject’s features and put a sparkle of catch light in their eyes.

A demonstration of the key light only in a cross lighting setup - How to do Cross Lighting to Create Dramatic Off-Camera Flash Images

We convinced this model to act as our stand-in for a few quick portrait shots. Here is an image with only the key light, an off-camera flash positioned to the right of the camera.

Add a second flash as a rim or separation light

The second light is placed behind the subject on the opposite side as the first one. The purpose of this light is to create an “edge” of light around your subject. This is traditionally called a “rim light” or a “separation light” since it helps to separate the subject from the background.

Demonstration of cross lighting on a subject

By adding a second light to the left of the camera and behind our model, we’ve created a rim of light that separates him from the background for a much more pleasing and dynamic image. Notice the highlight on his hat and hand on the left side.

Voila! This quick setup is an easy way to get started and start exploring the creative potential of a shoot. As you begin to snap pictures, you may find something about your setup that you want to change, but the cross lighting gives you a solid foundation from which to build.

An alternate setup of the previous cross lighting example with the off- camera flash locations reversed

We’ve flipped the orientation of the lights for this shot – while keeping the same cross-lighting style. Now our key light is on the left, and the rim light is provided from the right.

Quick to set up

One of the reasons I love using this setup for off-camera flash is that it takes away the guesswork and provides a solid foundation of light that you can then begin to work with and modify.

And also that it takes only moments to set up! When you start lugging around multiple flash units, light stands, and modifiers, it’s nice to have a consistent starting position that provides even lighting.

An example image showing the setup of flash units for cross lighting - How to do Cross Lighting to Create Dramatic Off-Camera Flash Images

An overview of our setup, with the flashes oriented for cross-lighting and our subject right in between.

The final image of a carpenter, photographed using cross lighting - How to do Cross Lighting to Create Dramatic Off-Camera Flash Images

The final shot, where the light has given a sense of depth to make the subject stand out from the clutter behind him.

It’s a good idea to get the correct flash power for your key light dialed in before adding your second flash. Trying to figure out the correct outputs for two lights at the same time and adjusting in your camera on the fly is a recipe for a headache.

Cross lighting with a single flash

One of the reasons this setup is so easy and versatile is because you don’t necessarily need to use two flash units – the sun can step in as either your key or secondary light.

This approach is particularly effective at golden hour. As evening falls and soft, warm light floods across the fields, you have a ready-made separation light. Many natural light photographers are already familiar with this and use this rim light in their shots.

Example of a portrait shot with cross lighting using a single off-camera flash as a key light and the sun as a secondary light

The key light here is an off-camera flash fired into an umbrella just outside the left edge of the image. The sun, coming from the right, acts as the secondary light. The key here is in balancing the flash with the natural light.

The benefit of adding an off-camera flash as a key light is that you can create a much more dramatic image with dark, rich colors. Colors lose their vibrancy as they get brighter. By keeping the exposure low and using your off-camera flash to light up your subject, your background can be full of vivid contrast and color.

Using the sun as your key light

The sun doesn’t always have to play second fiddle to your flash. You can create the same effect by using the sun as your key light – coming in at your subject from a slight angle – and then using your off-camera flash as the rim or separation light.

The biggest drawback here is that you can’t adjust the power of the sun quite as easily as you can on the back of your flash! However, taking the time to learn how your camera settings can make a picture darker or lighter, and how you can use this skills in conjunction with your off-camera flash, will give you allow you to build the shot you want.

Cross lighting with a flash and a reflector

Here’s the last variation of this setup. By setting up your off-camera flash on one side of the subject and angling a reflector just right on the other, you can mimic the effect of two light sources. This approach might take a bit of practice and a steady hand, but it’s a fun way to learn what you can accomplish as you learn how to control light.

An example of a portrait using a reflector and sunlight to create cross light

Here we used a reflector to provide the key light from the left side of the shot, while the sun comes from the back right.

Give it a shot

Learning to maneuver and shape light is a fun challenge. Being able to quickly and reliably get top-notch results with flash is an important aspect of photography – especially if your model or clients are waiting impatiently for you to get your lighting figured out.

By starting with cross lighting and working from there, you have a reliable method for nailing some great shots. Please share your comments, questions and cross lighting images in the comments section below.

The post How to use Off-Camera Flash to Create Dramatic Images with Cross Lighting by Frank Myrland appeared first on Digital Photography School.





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November 30, 2017 at 12:11PM
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Firmware: Canon EOS 6D v1.1.8

11/30/2017

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Canon has updated the firmware on the EOS 6D.

Firmware Version 1.1.8 incorporates the following fix:

  1. Fixes a phenomenon in which standard exposure may not be obtained, or an irregular exposure may result, when Silent LV (Live View) shooting with the following TS-E lenses: TS-E 50mm f/2.8L MACRO, TS-E 90mm f/2.8L MACRO, or TS-E 135mm f/4L MACRO.

Download firmware v1.1.8 for the EOS 6D





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November 30, 2017 at 11:47AM
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Firmware: Canon EOS 5D Mark III v1.3.5

11/30/2017

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Canon has released new firmware for the EOS 5D Mark III.

Firmware Version 1.3.5 incorporates the following fix:

  1. Fixes a phenomenon in which standard exposure may not be obtained, or an irregular exposure may result, when Silent LV (Live View) shooting with the following TS-E lenses: TS-E 50mm f/2.8L MACRO, TS-E 90mm f/2.8L MACRO, or TS-E 135mm f/4L MACRO.

Download firmware v1.3.5 for the EOS 5D Mark III





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November 30, 2017 at 11:47AM
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The Isolite intelligent modifier system lets you change a photo's lighting after it's taken

11/30/2017

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The Isolite intelligent modifier system lets you change a photo's lighting after it's taken

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An intriguing new lighting system called Isolite just launched on Kickstarter. The system of hardware accessories for strobes and speedlights comprises what parent company Phototechnica calls the "first ever intelligent light modifier." What does that actually mean? Basically, with Isolite, photographers are able to modify the lighting in an image after taking it.

Phototechnica stresses that this process involves turning on and off actual lighting in the image, not simply lightening /darkening it or adjusting contrast—this is the real deal, not a post-processing trick.

The Isolite system doesn't require a 3D render or special camera to enable light changes during post-processing. Raw images are converted by the Isolite converter, which enables users to adjust the image's lighting before outputting it as a raw DNG file. That final DNG file can then be edited with compatible software like Capture One and Lightroom.

Phototechnica lists the following capabilities on its Kickstarter campaign:

  • Turn real lights on and off after the capture has been made.
  • Push, Pull, Paint light after the capture has been made.
  • Hard and soft light in one capture.
  • Adjust the exposure and ratio of each light source after the capture has been made.
  • With selective masking of each light source, difficult or impossible lighting control can be done with ease.
  • Light can be animated after capture turning still image captures into full motion video.
  • Using our proprietary tools, online images can be brought to life with light.

Here's a video intro the further explains what the Isolite system is and how it works:

As far as hardware is concerned, the Isolite system features the Duolite and Beauty Dish Kit. The gear is designed to work with popular Speedlight sizes, most legacy Speedlights, the newest Profoto and Tri/Bowens Mount Strobes, plus there are adapters for using it with Elinchrom products.

Phototechnica is offering the Isolite Dualite through Kickstarter for pledges of at least $195 CAD (~$150 USD), a Dualite Speedlight Kit for $250 CAD (~$195 USD), Isolite Studio for $500 CAD (~$390 USD), and the Isolite Deluxe Studio for $1500 CAD (~$1,165 USD). The campaign is also offering early bird versions to backers who make pledges starting at $95 CAD (~$75 USD).

For now the campaign has a long way to go before its funding goal is met, and only 15 days to get there, so we're not holding our breath on this one. But if the campaign is successful, shipments to some backers are estimated to start in May 2018.

To find out more or put down your own pledge, head over to the Kickstarter campaign.





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November 30, 2017 at 11:34AM
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Firmware: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II v1.1.4

11/30/2017

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Canon has released new firmware for its flagship DSLR, the EOS-1D X Mark II.

Firmware Version 1.1.4 incorporates the following improvements and fix:

  1. Support has been added for chromatic aberration correction, peripheral illumination correction, distortion correction, and Digital Lens Optimizer when using Digital Photo Professional to process RAW images captured with the following TS-E lenses: TS-E 17mm f/4L, TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II, TS-E 50mm f/2.8L MACRO, TS-E 90mm f/2.8L MACRO, or TS-E 135mm f/4L MACRO.
  2. Fixes a phenomenon in which standard exposure may not be obtained, or an irregular exposure may result, when Silent LV (Live View) shooting with the following TS-E lenses: TS-E 50mm f/2.8L MACRO, TS-E 90mm f/2.8L MACRO, or TS-E 135mm f/4L MACRO.
  3. Support for Exif 2.31 has been added.

Download firmware v1.1.4 for the EOS-1D X Mark II





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November 30, 2017 at 11:31AM
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Hasselblad launches its own online store offers 5% off for a limited time

11/30/2017

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Hasselblad launches its own online store, offers 5% off for a limited time

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Iconic medium format manufacturer Hasselblad has opened its own online store, allowing users all over the world to skip the third-party vendors and local dealer and buy direct from the manufacturer itself. Following in the footsteps of Hasselblad's first brick-andmortar stores in Sweden, China, and Japan, the online 'Hasselblad Store' will be open to resident of the USA, China, UK, Germany and France.

Currently, the Hasselblad Store is selling both X1D and H6D cameras, as well as a limited number of lenses. Opening offers include 5% off some X1D kits and the body-only price, while H6D buyers can get a free hard case with their purchase. These discounts will last until December 7th.

The company's hope is that an official online store will broaden the availability of its products:

The launch of the ‘Hasselblad Store’ is one of our core initiatives derived from our strategy that focuses on not only making our products more accessible to photographers seeking hands on experience with the Hasselblad product line-up, but also to inspire fans with great images and stories.

For more information or if you want to purchase a brand new Hassy from the company itself, check out the Hasselblad Store for yourself.

Press Release

Hasselblad Expands Into E-Commerce with Launch of 'Hasselblad Store'

Hasselblad’s New Online Store is Now Open To The USA, China, UK, Germany and France

Hasselblad, the leading manufacturer of digital medium format cameras and lenses, is pleased to announce the launch of its new online ‘Hasselblad Store’. The online store will broaden availability of Hasselblad’s iconic high- performance cameras and lenses to photographers in the USA, China, UK, Germany and France.

“The launch of the ‘Hasselblad Store’ is one of our core initiatives derived from our strategy that focuses on not only making our products more accessible to photographers seeking hands on experience with the Hasselblad product line-up, but also to inspire fans with great images and stories” said Bronius Rudnickas, Hasselblad Marketing Manager.

The online store follows closely behind the new Hasselblad website and the ‘Rent a Hasselblad’ program that was launched earlier in November.

‘Rent a Hasselblad’ is a global online reservation service for Hasselblad cameras and lenses. Whether renting a Hasselblad system for a speci c photoshoot, booking a camera to try it out before purchasing, or reserving gear to pick up and use at their next travel destination, the rental service provides photographers with more freedom and greater accessibility to Hasselblad systems.

During the opening week of the online store, customers will be eligible to receive a ve percent (5%) discount on the award winning X1D and the XCD 45mm and 90mm lenses. In addition, for every customer purchasing an H6D-50c or H6D-100c camera, an H System Camera Hard Case will be included. This offer will end on December 7th, 2017.
Access to the ‘Hasselblad Store’ at:
http://ift.tt/2jAnmfE





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November 30, 2017 at 11:19AM
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How to Easily Use RGB Curves to Tone Your Photos

11/30/2017

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How to Easily Use RGB Curves to Tone Your Photos

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RGB Curves can be an intimidating photo editing tool that’s difficult to wrap your mind around, but they’re powerful and worth learning. Photographer Conner Turmon made this helpful 8.5-minute video that explains how tone curves work and how you can use them to create professional-looking photos.

The tool is available in both Photoshop and Lightroom (and most serious photo editing apps), so this tutorial is relevant regardless of which program you’re using.

“Mastering RGB Curves is extremely simple despite its daunting look,” Turmon says. “Professional photographers use RGB Curves to color correct their images quickly and easily.”

In the tutorial, Turmon shares how you can create a color you want by adjusting one or more of the red, green, or blue curves. He also discusses using “selective vision” to focus your eyes on only the shadows, midtones, or highlights of a photo as you’re editing those areas.

“Do not look at the image as a whole, because you’re going to confuse yourself,’ Turmon says. “Look at what you are affecting.”

If you found this tutorial helpful, you can find more of Turmon’s videos by subscribing to his YouTube channel.

(via Conner Turmon via Reddit)





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November 30, 2017 at 10:56AM
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Leica unveils retro version of the APO-Summicron-M 50mm F2.0 ASPH to honor the LHSA

11/30/2017

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Leica unveils retro version of the APO-Summicron-M 50mm F2.0 ASPH to honor the LHSA

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Hot on the heels of yesterday's Noctilux-M 75mm F1.25 ASPH announcement, Leica has debuted yet another lens this week. This time, it's a special edition: the Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm F2 ASPH 'LHSA' released in honor of the 50th anniversary of The International Leica Society (LHSA).

What makes this lens special is, basically, that it meshes the styling of the original Summicon 50mm F2 from 1954 with the optics of the current APO-Summicron 50mm F2 ASPH released in May of 2012. Optically, it's identical to the 2012 lens, but on the outside it features either a black paint or silver chrome finish, a 1950s style lens hood, and red engravings of the distance scale. Other special markings include:

The special serial number is engraved on the aperture ring and is picked out in black on the silver chrome version and is not coloured on the black paint lens. Further engravings are found on the bayonet ring: ‘MADE IN GERMANY’ and the LHSA Logo – both of which are not picked out in colour.

This special edition Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm F2 ASPH 'LHSA' will be limited to just 500 copies—300 in the black finish and 200 in silver—and each of them will come in 'high quality packaging' with a certificate of authenticity.

Both colors will be available starting the 4th of December, and according to our contacts at Leica it will retail for $9,595. That's $1,800 more than the non-special edition lens retails for.

To learn more about this lens, visit the Leica website.

Press Release

Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH. 'LHSA': Special Edition to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of 'The International Leica Society' (LHSA)

Wetzlar, 30 November 2017 – For the past 50 years, ‘The International Leica Society’ (LHSA) has dedicated itself to researching the history of Leica and the use of the company’s products. The beginning of the celebration of the 50th anniversary in 2018 will be marked by the launch of a special edition of the Leica APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH. produced especially for the occasion. The appearance of the lens is reminiscent of the Summicron 50 mm f/2 from 1954. The special edition thus unites the outstanding imaging performance of the current lens—which was the first to be able to fully exploit the contrast and resolution offered by modern digital cameras—with the look of the nineteen-fifties.

Depending on the choice of colour of the ‘LHSA’ special edition, the outer brass elements of the lens are finished either in black paint or in silver chrome. This also applies to the separate lens hood in the style of the nineteen-fifties that is also made of brass. While the engravings of the distance scale in feet are picked out in red on both versions, the other engravings vary in colour depending on the version of the lens selected: these are in white on the black paint version and black in the case of the silver chrome option. The special serial number is engraved on the aperture ring and is picked out in black on the silver chrome version and is not coloured on the black paint lens. Further engravings are found on the bayonet ring: ‘MADE IN GERMANY’ and the LHSA Logo—both of which are not picked out in colour.

The cordial collaboration between Leica and the LHSA has a long tradition and has already been the source of a number of special editions in the past. These include, for example, a set comprising a silver chrome Leica M6 and three Summicron-M lenses of different focal lengths produced in 1993 and a Leica MP from 2003 finished in a special hammertone lacquer.

The LHSA special edition of the APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH. is strictly limited to 500 examples, 300 in black paint finish and 200 in silver chrome. Both versions will be supplied together with a certificate of authenticity in particularly high-quality packaging and will be available from 4 December 2017.





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November 30, 2017 at 10:51AM
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These are the photos from Icelands largest volcanic eruption in over 200 years

11/30/2017

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These are the photos from Iceland’s largest volcanic eruption in over 200 years

November 30, 2017 by Dunja Djudjic Leave a Comment

Iceland is one of the destinations on my bucket list. And while I’m gradually saving up and making plans, I enjoy looking at the photos from this magical place. Photographer Axel Sigurðarson is lucky to live there, and he’s spent a large part of his life exploring this country.

When Bárðarbunga volcano had its largest eruption since 1783, Axel was there to document it. And he shared his wonderful photos of this phenomenon with DIYP.

The eruption officially began 29 August 2014, preceded by around 1,600 earthquakes in 48-hours. It lasted until to 27 February 2015, and Axel visited the site in September, only a few weeks after the eruption began.

He spent about a week staying close to the scene. He took photos both from the ground and from the air, and other than the eruption, he also made portraits of the scientists he met at the site. During his stay, he flew a couple of times, photographing from a small plane with a pilot. They would fly over the eruption, and he says that the experience was incredible:

“When you opened the windows on the airplane you could feel the extreme heat right in your face and there was some crazy turbulence going on.”

When he was on the ground, he would take a trip in his jeep to the roots of the eruption along with a group of scientists. As for the gear, Axel used a Canon 5D Mark III with 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200 IS f2.8. Here are more photos he took during his stay:

 

Axel works as an editorial and commercial photographer. If you enjoyed his photos, you can see more on his website, Instagram and Behance.

[via My Modern Met]





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November 30, 2017 at 10:47AM
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