Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time
If you’re flying a drone and want professional photos and video you need a set of polarizing and neutral density filters.
I have been using a set of Polar Pro filters on my Mavic for some time now, so I thought I would spotlight why I use polarizing and neutral density filters on my drone and some thoughts on the Polar Pro filters that I use.
I have been using an online service called Pixsy to identify and secure payment for the unauthorized use of my work for a while now – with some significant success.
In most cases, Pixsy’s team of licensing experts and global network of law firms are effective in recovering monetary compensation for unauthorized use of a photographer’s work without the need to actually sue or go to court.
A strongly worded letter from a lawyer and the expertise to follow it up are usually all that is required.
However, in some cases the infringing party refuses to pay – or simply ignores Pixsy’s efforts to negotiate a settlement.
The next step is a lawsuit – but this brings up an interesting issue: is it ethical to sue over copyright infringement?[Read More…]
Photography is and has always been a very personal vocation.
For many photographers, the process of capturing an image is just as important as the end result – the long hours of preparation, planning, overseas travel, getting to the right place at the right time and the inner satisfaction of clicking the shutter at just the right moment, knowing you’ve got it.
However, in recent years there seems to have been an explosion in tourism that has completely drained the joy out of the process of photography – from world renowned locations like Moraine Lake to simple local locations like a nearby waterfall – if it is a tourist destination it will be overrun with hordes of people and the experience of photography is ruined.
Sales 101 says that it is much more profitable to convert sales from existing customers than to retain new customers – but retailers have taken this to a fantastically annoying new level – to the point where I have to waste significant amounts of time and effort to ignore them.
Continue reading for a few examples of the most annoying practices of modern retailers and a few strategies that you can use to avoid them.
A couple months ago, Lensbaby provided DIYP with a new Lensbaby Velvet 85mm Classic Portrait and Art Lens for review.
I happened to be on my way to Europe at the time, so I took the opportunity to try out the Lensbaby Velvet 85mm along the way.
Up until this point, I had never used a Lensbaby lens, so I was pretty excited to see what I could do with the Velvet 85mm – so much so that I left my usual 85mm (the Sigma ART f/1.4) at home in favor of the Lensbaby.
In total I spent six weeks photographing with the Lensbaby Velvet 85mm – in this review I will present my thoughts.
I have been a contributing photographer with Stocksy United for four years now, so I thought I would reflect a little about my time with Stocksy.
Back when I was accepted to Stocksy in 2013 (there is a robust application process) my goal for stock photography was to earn a little extra cash to go towards gear and travel by selling photos that I would take anyway – mostly leftover images from commercial gigs and family photos.
What does it mean to have 4 axis robotic motion control?
Starting with just an eMotimo Spectrum St4 you have two axis robotic motion control – rotation (pan) and up-down (tilt). Add a slider and you’re got another axis – forward and back (push/pull). Add a new eMotimo Focus Fz unit and you’ve got your fourth axis – focus or zoom. (Or skip the slider and add a second Fz unit and you’ve got focus and zoom!)
So what exactly can you do with robotic four axis motion control? Think complex time lapse sequences with multiple silky smooth movements. Think live action video with precise movement and focus, zoom or aperture control.
If you are a timelapse photographer or film maker, the eMotimo Spectrum can enable you to make impossible shots – the possibilities are as endless as your imagination.
But what is it like to work with 4-axis motion control in the field? Continue reading for our hands on review of the eMotimo Spectrum St4.
Sharing your photography to social media is a major hassle.
Every social media platform has different image resolution requirements, aspect ratios, title and key-wording conventions, tags, character restrictions, api rules…
While there is very little actual business value to participating in social media at all, there is some value to promoting your work online – the trick is to minimize the amount of time you spend doing it.
Photerloo promises to automate sharing your photos to your various social media networks, with the added bonus of an AI keywording tool.
Continue reading to learn more…
The last time the family and I were in Florida I was less than impressed with the photo opportunities available (see Florida – Worst Place In The World To Take Good Photos).
Several readers suggested that I needed to get away from Florida’s tourist trap attractions and visit some of the state’s more natural areas – so this time we made a trip to Blue Spring State Park – and it was totally amazing!
I have been using a number of underwater camera housings over the years – from inexpensive bag housings to professional dive housings.
The problem with most underwater camera housings is that they usually cost more than the camera you’re buying them for. With digital cameras being upgraded every 3 to 5 years, this makes the purchase of an underwater camera housing a significant investment.
After purchasing a Sony mirrorless camera for video work, I decided that I’d like to get an underwater housing for it. I eventually chose a Meikon underwater camera housing (also sold under a number of other brand names such as Sonovel, Andoer, Neweer and others) for my Sony mirrorless camera (a Sony a6300).
In this Meikon underwater camera housing review, I will look at why I purchased a Meikon underwater camera housing, and my experience using it in the field.
You can find out more about John on his website or follow him on Facebook and YouTube.
can change a lens mid-rappel, swap a memory card while treading water, or use a camel as a light stand.
To see more of his work please visit his studio website blurMEDIAphotography, or follow him on Twitter, 500px, Google Plus or YouTube.
JP’s photography is available for licensing at Stocksy United.
Find my work on My website or follow me on Facebook or My page
