Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time
In this, the second in our series of gift guides, we’re taking a look at lenses. After all, what good are cameras without them?
We’ve looked through some of our new favourites from the past year, as well as a couple of classics which consistently withstand the test of time.
Photographer Dustin Dolby is known for his comprehensive tutorials all of us can try out at home. After a series of excellent wine photography tutorials, he has issued the latest one – about photographing glassware with minimal gear, but professional results. You need to pour that wine into something, right?
Like his previous setups, this one also involves some pretty basic gear – a camera with a kit lens, a strip box with a speedlight adapter, a speedlight and a commander unit. He shoots three different types of glasses using very simple setup and shares some useful and clever tricks for photographing glassware like a pro, even with minimal gear.
Optical illusions using glass and water have always been popular with photography. Whether it’s reflections of objects on top of each other or the world seen through a water droplet, it’s a fascinating subject. So, it’s no wonder that so many photographers want to give it a try.
One such photographer is Brazilian born Alexandre Watanabe, also known as EvilWata Imagery. In a pair of images recently posted to Facebook, we see the technique performed beautifully. The images are titled Complementary Refraction, and it really shows off just how effective it can be. We got in touch with Alexandre to get some insight into the process.
Sure, it’s wonderful to own top of the line Nikkor and Canon glass. But incredible engineering and precise alignments of optical components aren’t always needed. Sometimes you just need to have fun. And for those moments, cheap toy camera lenses are a wonderful opportunity to explore the playful and unknown.
In his most recent video, photographer and man behind The Weird Lens Challenge, Mathieu Stern, gets his hands on four toy lenses that all cost less than $30 and quickly explains the unique characteristics of each.[Read More…]
Today, Zeiss has announced its newest Sony E-mount full-frame lens, the Batis 18mm f/2.8.[Read More…]
Howard Ashton-Jones has often spoken about the importance of personal work outside of his main work as the official photographer for Scottish Gymnastics. Personal work allows us to explore new techniques, new genres, new styles.
It helps us to learn and develop as photographers, broadening our experiences and gives us valuable information that we can take back and attempt to apply to the subjects we normally photograph, to try to push ourselves and our imagery just that bit further.
It might not be official yet, but thanks to a few leaked images, we now have a first look at Canon’s upcoming EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS lens and an interesting little device called the Canon Power Adapter.[Read More…]
In an effort to show off how Nikkor lenses come to fruition, from concept to being placed in the hands of photographers around the globe, Nikon started a four-part video campaign called Philosophy of Nikkor.
Now, the fourth and final installment of the project is complete, consisting of two new videos that show exactly what it takes to ensure each and every lens that leaves the factory is up to Nikon’s standards.[Read More…]
SLR Magic has announced a brand new set of anamorphic cinema lenses. Known for manufacturing affordable optics for filmmakers, SLR Magic’s new ANAMORPHOT-CINE lens lineup is comprised of a 35mm T/2.4, the 50mm T/2.8 and the 70mm T/4, all of which are built on the PL mount, but can be adjusted for Canon EF, Micro Four Thirds, Sony E-mount and Nikon F lens mounts.[Read More…]
In addition to four new cameras yesterday, Fujifilm unveiled a massive new telephoto zoom lens, the XF 100–400mm f/4.5–5.6 R LM OIS WR.[Read More…]
You can find out more about John on his website and follow his adventures on YouTube and Facebook.
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
