fbpx

DIY Photography

Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time

Search

Submit A Story

Luminar AI review from a hobbyist photographer’s eyes

by 4 Comments

Artificial intelligence is becoming more and more integrated into image editing. And the first editing software that comes to mind when you mention AI is Luminar AI (announced here). I was honestly curious to test it out ever since it came to market. So I did, and I thought it would be great to share my impressions.

I would describe myself as an experienced hobbyist. I’m not a pro photographer, but I have some experience and have been doing it for a long time. I’m going to write this review for the average Joe photographer. Mostly because I think Luminar AI is more suitable for “everyday shooters.” That said,  even if you’re a professional, feel free to check out how it performs and decide if it would be something you’d incorporate into your workflow.

[Read More…]

The Linedock gives your MacBook plenty of juice, storage and ports

by 1 Comment

Simply put, the Linedock is an extension to your Macbook Pro (16”, but not only, more on this later).

It’s a docking station designed with the Macbook Pro 16” in mind (though your Mac will not actually dock into it), it has 10 ports to extend the connectivity and functionality of your Mac. It’s also a huge power bank that can actually power and charge your Mac (and other connected devices) and it’s even, in some configurations, an external SSD drive that can be used as a Time machine drive or just simple backup/storage.

[Read More…]

The H&Y 100 filter is one clever magnetic system

by Leave a Comment

I’ve had the great pleasure of using a few different types of filter holder systems over the years, but this one is different. Let’s take a look at H&Y’s version of the 100mm filter holder.

I just wanted to take a note of the box art. I find it rather pleasing. Possibly as they remind me of the various Sigma boxes, I’ve had over the years. But we are not here to look at boxes, so let’s get onto what’s inside.

[Read More…]

Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium – A true Wacom competitor?

by 2 Comments

In recent years, new pen tablet brands have appeared, some have presented interesting products, but the vast majority of them have tried to gain space in the mora affordable pen tablets, or at least cheaper than the brand considered as the reference, Wacom. As far as I can remember, no new brand was really capable of beating Wacom. But that has changed.

Now, Xencelabs has arrived, which although it is a new company, has a team that already has many years of experience in the development of Pen Tablets, and they are aiming to the premium market. Xencelabs has just launched the Pen Tablet Medium, which can be purchased with or without the Quick Keys Remote. the version with the Quick Keys Remote is the Pen Tablet Medium Bundle, this is the one I have to test.

[Read More…]

Best Photoshop Plugin? DIYP Reviews Boris FX Optics

by Leave a Comment

Boris FX is a company that has established itself in the filmmaking world by providing staggering VFX and DFT(digital film tools) to major productions. Their products are used on a large portion of Hollywood movie productions, Lion King is one of them. So, when a filmmaking company released a product for photographers, I got excited. The two verticals benefit from shared experience, and I was intrigued. Taking the best from the VFX and DFX worlds, they created Optics, which is a Photoshop and Lightroom plugin aimed at stills photographers. I took Optics for a spin with real images, real photographers, and real situations. Here’s what I have to say:[Read More…]

The Slypod Pro is a HUGE step up from traditional sliders (and monopods)

by 3 Comments

Sliders and monopods, what do they have in common? Absolutely nothing. Until now… In fact, they’re kind of meant for the opposite things, but the folks over at Moza have a really clever take on this, and they joined the two together. Now, we have the Slypod Pro, a brand-new slider/monopod combo that packs a serious list of things it can do.

[Read More…]

Can the Vivo X60 Pro+ match a modern Mirrorless camera?

by 9 Comments

About a month ago,  Vivo announced the international version of their X60 series. The X60PRO+is a flagship-level phone, and while pricing wasn’t known at the time of the shooting, you can find it for $1,099.99 on Amazon.

All the press materials boast about the camera capabilities. So naturally, I compared it to a modern DSLR – the Sony A7III.

[Read More…]

The must have tool for color addicts – the Rosco MixBook

by Leave a Comment

Color.  Such an important tool to help bring a time, place, or even emotions into an image.  Wouldn’t it be nice to have something that makes working with color easier? Inside this little package is a new tool by Rosco called “Mixbook“. To help creators pre-visualize gel and LED colors.

Essentially Rosco has digitized the old gel swatch books, as you can see in my reenactment of a Rosco scientist at work. Note the old gels from my swatch book flying around as the new Mixbook arises from the smokey pot.

[Read More…]

I Use a 70-200mm From 2001 and I’m Not Upgrading Anytime Soon

by 9 Comments

 

How do old lenses fair against new lenses? The question is often easy to answer: new is better. How about Pro lenses? With most brands releasing mirrorless glass, it’s easy to dismiss the older pro lenses as bad. For me, a fashion and portrait photographer, the old 70-200 is as good as the new one. And not only because I have a sentimental connection to it. Here’s why I’m not upgrading my seemingly antiquated 70-200.[Read More…]

Recent Posts