Lara Jade, Cheap Camera Challenge

Featuring Lara Jade - world-renown fashion photographer - takes on the cheap camera challenge...we have a professional mode, haute couture clothing and a makeup artist...but we've taken the camera cheapness to a whole new level! The An Pan Man camera (Bread Superman camera) has a stunning 0.3-megapixels and awful features. Add that to the fact that Lara is only in Hong Kong for a layover - she has 6-hours to get 6 different images from 3 different looks - and we have an epic-fashion-photoshoot-on-the-cheap challenge!

Phase One Delivers A-series cameras - for the Fine Art of Photography

Phase One today begins shipping the first A-series medium format camera systems. Blending the best of Phase One and ALPA technology through highly-integrated precision components, these cameras are designed to capture outstanding images with greater ease, convenience, and fun.

Setting Up The Shot - Miranda Off the Shoulder

Camera - Nikon D300
Lens - Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S
Exposure - 1/250 @ f/9
Focal Length - 50mm

Lighting - Nikon SB-700
Light Modifier(s) - 43" Optical White Satin with Removable Cover Collapsible Umbrella
Trigger - Nikon SU-800

Camera Raw 8.7.1 is now available

 Camera Raw 8.7.1 is now available as a final release for Photoshop CS6 and Photoshop CC. This release includes support for the Sony ILCE-A7M2 and also includes a bug fix related to support for the Samsung NX1 camera.  DNG Converter 8.7.1 is provided for customers using versions of Photoshop older than Photoshop CS6.

Phottix Updates

Hello Phottix Friends

The end of the year is drawing near and Phottix has some hot deals in the newly revamped Phottixstore.com. From now until December 31, 2014, receive 10% off everything atPhottixstore.com by using the code XMAS2014 at checkout.

Mixing it up with Manual focus.

Every now and again I love to bust out my old M42 lenses and throw them on my Nikon. These old lenses have great image quality, are sharp as hell, and are loaded with personality. Beyond their attributes they tend to be very inexpensive as well

Think Tank Perception backpacks for Mirrorless systems and Holiday Specials

Think Tank Photo just announced that its new Perception backpacks for Mirrorless systems are now available.  The Perception series comes in two colors, black and taupe, and three sizes.  The smallest size, The Perception Tablet™, accommodates a Mirrorless system and an iPad Mini. The largest size, the Perception Pro™, holds a 15" laptop and a 10" tablet, plus one Mirrorless body or small DSLR with a small to medium zoom attached (lens hood reversed).  Plus, the largest size fits four to five more lenses or a large GoPro® kit.

Flash Facts - TTL Cords

A very versatile and often overlooked tool that can cost next to nothing is a simple TTL cord. With this cord you can get your flash off of your camera and still maintain your flash and camera communication.

One great trick that you can manage with a TTL cord involves High Speed Sync and a TTL flash unit. There are many companies out in the market that offer TTL flash units for the major camera brands and for the most part they are very capable and affordably priced.

A note to manufacturers about batteries.

Just about every photographer on the planet that uses small flash units carries one type of battery  with them at all times: AA’s. It can be frustrating to keep on hand a stock of several different size batteries let alone having your kit fully stocked with different sizes. Call me lazy but I want to keep things as simple as possible and use one style of power cell.

Sony announces Alpha 7 II in the US

Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging, has today introduced another exciting addition to its full-frame α7 lineup, the α7II camera (model ILCE-7M2).

RadioPopper Photogenic Receiver

The Photogenic Receiver allows remote triggering and remote power control of most Photogenic brand lights. Simply attach the RP Photogenic Receiver to the port on the bottom of your Photogenic light and you're all set. The Photogenic Receiver is powered directly from the light and requires no batteries. The Photogenic Receiver is configured using a digital display on the front of the receiver.