What Shooting With A View Camera Taught Me

Once upon a time, many professional landscape photographers used the 4×5 view camera to capture their nature photography on large format film.

I did and I loved shooting with the 4×5 view camera. But I haven’t used one in years.  Why? I love digital as well but the cost of film and processing is the biggest reason.

Throw in the digital world of stock photography which requires high quality film scans for digital distribution and then the need to store the same film in an archival environment.

Many photographers still shoot large format nature photography using film. Are they die-hards who refuse to give into the digital tidal wave or artists holding on to a tried and true system for superior quality images?

It’s probably both. For some there’s a rejection of the technology that’s consuming the art form and others it’s the refusal to let the joy of shooting with a view camera die for them. … Continue Reading

If You Are Photographing and Camping in Bear Country, You Will Want to Have One of These

As winter begins to give way in many areas across North America, some outdoor photographers are preparing for adventure photo shoots in a variety of backcountry locations that will include bear country.

If you are planning to camp anywhere near known bear locations you may want to consider taking a UDAP Electric Bear Fence.

UDAP company founder, Mark Matheny is a survivor of a grizzly attack. In 1992 he was hunting near Yellowstone NP when he spotted 35 yards away, two small grizzly cubs nursing on their mother.

When she spotted Mark, she jumped and charged full speed at him. He began to run yelling for his hunting partner as he jumped behind a log. As he said:

“Running from the bear, I now admit, was a total mistake. Not only does running increase the likelihood of a full-blown attack, it doesn’t work. You can’t outrun them.” … Continue Reading

Keywording Made Easy

by Drake Fleege

For a brief minute, think of yourself as an image posted on an on-line stock agency or on your own web site.  Your colors are vibrant; focus is tack-sharp; composition is stunning; subject (that is you!) is well sought-after.  You are on the internet, you are ready to be licensed for publication, yet it just does not happen.  Not only are you not licensed, you are not even viewed.  Even though the caption proudly proclaims “Bright white and yellow flower”, you just do not show up in the searches.  What a lonely feeling!  If only our images could speak.

I doubt any of us want our images simply taking up space on a server.  We want them reviewed and evaluated for publication consideration, and ultimately licensed.  That is, after all, the goal for each image submitted to the stock agency, isn’t it?

Recently, through PhotoSource International’s PhotoStockNotes, I was listening to a pre-recorded interview Rohn Engh (Director of PhotoSource) held with Gary Crabbe, longtime photo researcher and professional photographer (Enlightened Images).   As Rohn pointed out in the introduction, Gary not only works behind the camera creating his wonderful photography, he also searches for images on behalf of his own clients.  … Continue Reading

Topaz InFocus Improves Low Rez Film Scans

In December, Topaz Labs released their new software, InFocus, which is a sharpening tool that can also rescue blurred images. I have been dabbling with this software and posted yesterday on those tests using InFocus on a blurry RAW file and I think it worked pretty good.

Since I still have a ton of 4×5 and 6×7 transparency films that need scanning and an older Epson Expression scanner, I thought a test was in order to see if InFocus could actually improve the scans from the Epson, and if so, how much?

As I mentioned yesterday, I am co-owner of online stock photo agency, Fogstock and have full access to the companies Imacon Flextight scanner. But I don’t live near the office so getting there for days or weeks of scanning is not easy. And I have never considered the Epson Expression suitable for high resolution stock image files that are ready for download and print.

So why not run a test to see if InFocus will bring a scan of a 4×5 original from the Epson up to or close to the same image scanned on the Flextight? Here are the results.

… Continue Reading

Topaz InFocus Fixes This Blurry RAW File

In December, Topaz Labs released their new software, InFocus, which is a sharpening tool that can also rescue blurred images. I have been dabbling with this software and decided to test it on a few images where I think it could be most useful for me.

InFocus is a sharpening tool that does as they describe; ‘uses deconvolution technology to restore, refine and sharpen image detail’ . I first wondered what Deconvolution actually was so I went to Wikipedia. After reading it I still don’t know what Deconvolution means but you can read Wikipedia’s definition of deconvolution here.

What was really important for me was just how this software might improve some of my digital Boo Boo’s such as poor focus or camera shake. Just as important however, was to test the software on scans of my 4×5 and 6×7 transparency films.

I have vastly more medium and large format films that are still in need of digitizing, so I thought it would be good to do a test on some scans from my older Epson Expression flatbed scanner. As co-owner of online stock photo agency, Fogstock, i have full access to the companies Imacon Flextight scanner. This scanner is phenomenal and produces the best scans I have ever had done short of the standard drum scans. But I don’t live where Fogstock is so getting there for days or weeks of scanning is not easy and buying my own Flextight is not an appealing option either. They are quite expensive and currently run $12,995.00 at places like Amazon and B&H.

There are also excellent options now with the Epson Perfection 750 scanner series and I would certainly take a look at these. But this is not about scanners, it’s about InFocus software and just what it can do. This post is about a blurry RAW file and the results I found. … Continue Reading

Think Tank Airport International Camera Case

I don’t recommend gear here to much but thought I should mention a camera roller I am a big fan of. It’s made by Think Tank Photo. As I get ready to do some travel by air to various events, I take my beloved Airport International roller case. This is a great case for carrying cameras and the laptop. You can fit in bodies and lenses up to 500 mm.

These guys make fabulous products and they are worth taking a look at. This case comes with TSA combo locks for the zippers so you can keep the

contents from being accessed and it also has a built in security cable for locking it to various items.

I was traveling with my friend, Photoshop guru Ben Wilmore, and he uses the same case. If he needs to leave the hotel room Ben locks the cable around the toilet for extra security. And if you think your hotel room is safe, think otherwise. … Continue Reading

Topaz Labs Introduces InFocus Sharpening Software

Topaz Labs just released InFocus Sharpening Software and it looks to be pretty promising. As I look at their samples it makes me think of all the great shots from years ago that I have taken and were a bit fuzzy. I just might have saved them with software like this.

Here is their press release and image examples after the jump:

Topaz Labs announces the release of Topaz InFocus a Photoshop plug-in used for image sharpening and blur reduction. It is the first commercial software that offers auto-blur estimation and uses advanced deconvolution technology to help reverse the effects of image blur. This new sharpening approach completely changes the way detail refinement is done, by recovering true details, restoring image clarity and offering natural sharp-looking enhancements. The range of achievable sharpening possibilities have been dramatically improved and simplified with this new tool, allowing users to easily go beyond the lens to increase the sharpness and definition of any image. … Continue Reading

File Naming Conventions: What Works Best for You?

Most photographers understand the importance of digital asset management for the photographer actively shooting. It’s easy to amass thousands of images in one shooting trip and that could mean possibly a hundred thousand images in a few short years.

Organizing and maintaining a good file system becomes crucial to ‘staying on top’ of things. With the introduction of Lightroom and Aperture within the last few years these programs have certainly made the job easier.

As a photographer I have spent more of my career before the digital evolution than during it and this has allowed me to look back at my image asset management during the film days and in particular, file numbering.

My very first asset management program was Phototrack, a DOS based image numbering system that in hind sight, worked quite well for such a basic system. … Continue Reading

Sunrise, Sunset, and Angle of Sun; There is an App for That!

So you are out in the field capturing a fabulous mountain scene you discovered on your latest photo adventure trip. As the light gets lower you find it is not quite so perfect on the mountain. Instead the light appears to be a strong sidelight and leans towards backlit.

This gets you wondering just when would be the best time to return for the light you seek? There have been various methods to aid in determining the perfect day to do that like with a compass and topo map, but now there might be an app that saves you plenty of time and effort.

Invisible Bits has an app called Light Trac and it FREE. The one catch is it is only available for the iPad. But here is how it works: … Continue Reading

Saturday Morning Reads

Here are some great posts well worth reading while you sip that morning coffee and browse the net.

• This great post by Taylor Davidson describes various business models and general advice for setting up or starting your photography business.
• Scott Bourne posted a great read on 7 Things You should Know About Photo Editors where he discusses the way that photo editors work with photographers.
• Another good read and interesting issue is regarding trademark. Samuel Lewis has written a good piece on Digital Photo Pro regarding trademarks and whether photographers should trademark their business and brand. This is an eye opener as I have never considered trademarking my business.

• Jim Pickerall never disappoints and neither does this post on Black Star Rising, What Should You Charge a Client Who Wants to “Go Viral” with Your Images?

• Dean over at Photopreneur has a thoughtful and curious post about stock photo usage rights and some interesting questions about what the stock industry big-boys are up to.

• SOLAR POWERED CAMERA STRAP? Yes its true and it’s cool. Yanko Designs has developed a camera neck strap that has solar cells built in and charges your camera battery. Check it out here.