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Public places now demand a permit, obey or face court and fines

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Shooting in public places is generally allowed and you shouldn’t have any problems with the authorities. However, if you plan a photo shoot in the City of Laguna Beach, whether commercial or non-commercial, be ready to file for a permit. Otherwise, you’ll need to pay a fine.

A photographer recently had a photoshoot on the beach, when a ranger approached him. It turned out he needed a permit to take shots, although he was shooting in a public place. A friend of the photographer, Thien Dinh, shared the story with us. Considering this is one of his favorite shooting locations, this affects him too, as well as many other photographers.

Sony releases firmware to address the A9 overheating issue, and a bunch of other bugs

Shortly after releasing a bunch of software updates for their cameras and lenses, Sony releases some more to fix some of the reported problems. There are now firmware updates for six of their cameras: A9, A7rII, A7sII, A7II, A6500, and A6300. They are aimed at fixing the overheating issue that was recently reported, as well as the so-called “Star Eater” issue.

Learn how to colorize black and white photos in only 4 minutes

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We at DIYP have featured many fantastic colorizations of black and white images. If you’ve always wanted to try it yourself, this tutorial by Chris from Spoon Graphics  is the video you definitely need to watch.

It’s intended for beginners, and it’s simple and easy to follow even if you’ve never colorized an image before. Although this process takes a lot of time and skill, Chris makes it simple and gives you some basic guidelines for adding colors to black and white photos, which you will easily upgrade as you follow the tutorial. This video is a great way to step into the world of photo colorization, and it will make you try the technique out instantly.

Can amateur with pro gear shoot better photos than pros with cheap gear?

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We’ve all repeated it many times – it’s not the gear that makes good photos, it’s the photographer. Guys from Mango Street put this claim to the test in an interesting video. In one corner, there are professional photographers with cheap cameras and lenses. In the other corner, there’s an amateur photographer with an expensive full-frame camera and lens. They shoot the same model at the same location, trying to get the best out of their gear and skills. So let’s see who (or what) takes better shots – professional gear, or professional photographers.

Hungry for likes? Get them at this Instagram vending machine

The race for online popularity and approval is everlasting, and there are plenty of methods people use to get it. But in one Russian mall, there’s a pretty unusual method of buying Instagram likes and followers: at a vending machine.  And it’s not a joke, it really exists and works. You have to admit, this is the weirdest way so far to get fake online attention.

Here are 4 flexible LED lights you can get for less than $200

Flexible LED lights have a number of uses and benefits. They are lightweight, provide good light, and, well – they’re flexible. One negative side is that they can cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, so not everyone can afford them.

Caleb Pike from DSLR Video Shooter presents you with four flexible LED light panels that you can buy with a small budget. They are from two manufacturers and made in different sizes, and each of them costs less than $200. So if you’re looking for a decent flexible LED light without breaking the bank, check out these options.

Photographer finds a treasure in a dirty old box: Tamron 90mm f/2.5 in great condition

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Searching for camera gear on flea markets and online auctions is like a treasure hunt. And from time to time, some photographers get to find real gems. Photographer Mathieu Stern was the lucky winner this time, and he found his treasure in quite a nasty place. Covered with poop, in a box full of other dirty gear, one lens stood out. It was a Tamron 90mm f/2.5.

The strange design caught Mathieu’s attention. In a cute animated cartoon, he shares a story how he found and bought this lens, along with some sample images and footage. Indeed, this lens is a gem, and the best thing is – he got it for around 20 bucks.

UK police make their first arrest using facial recognition technology

The South Wales Police confirmed this Tuesday that they’ve arrested a man thanks to the automatic facial recognition technology (AFR). As they confirmed to Ars Technica, this was the first time AFR was used to perform an arrest, although it has been used for a while by the UK police forces.

The officers used a camera-equipped surveillance van to scan the passers-by. The AFR recognized the face of a man from the police’s database, which led to the arrest.

Couple asked photographer for a refund if they ever get divorced

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Professional photographers get all kinds of weird requests during their career. And just when you think you’ve heard everything, someone asks for a refund in case they get divorced.

Yup, you read it right. A couple asked a photographer if he could add a clause that guarantees a refund in case they get divorced. A Reddit user justinwheelon shared a screenshot of this message online, and it caused plenty of reactions within the community.

Photographer creates composite that has her children meet their ancestors from early 1900’s

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Using her photography and photo manipulation skills, photographer Karen Alsop created her version of a time travel. When her mother found a photo of Karen’s Great Great Great Grandmother and Great Great Grandmother, it made Karen wonder: what it would be like to meet her ancestors, sit down and talk to them? Even more, how incredible it would be for her kids to meet them? And so, the idea was born.

She had a photo shoot with her two children and photoshopped them into the photo her mom had found, which dates back to the early 1900’s. The final result is incredible, and when she shared it on Facebook, most of her family and friends thought that the kids are the relatives who only resemble her children.

Karen has kindly shared the details about the entire process with us.  From the photo shoot to compositing and colorizing the final image, even some BTS shots. It was a long and demanding task, but it was well worth the result.

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