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Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Today’s Photo Of The Day is “Liquid Light” by Garry Everett. Location: Yosemite Valley, California.

“Early-morning light on the Merced River with dogwoods in bloom,” describes Garry Everett.

Photo of the Day is chosen from various OP galleries, including AssignmentsGalleries and the OP Contests. Assignments have weekly winners that are featured on the OP website homepage, FacebookTwitter and Instagram. To get your photos in the running, all you have to do is submit them.

The post Photo Of The Day By Garry Everett appeared first on Outdoor Photographer.



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Monday, March 30, 2020

Photo By Jessica Nelson

Photo By Jessica Nelson

Today’s Photo Of The Day is “Tetons” by Jessica Nelson. Location: Moose, Wyoming.

Photo of the Day is chosen from various OP galleries, including AssignmentsGalleries and the OP Contests. Assignments have weekly winners that are featured on the OP website homepage, FacebookTwitter and Instagram. To get your photos in the running, all you have to do is submit them.

The post Photo Of The Day By Jessica Nelson appeared first on Outdoor Photographer.



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Macro Background Tips

I primarily photograph wildlife. This means I seldom work in a controlled environment. I love the challenge of capturing subjects in natural light, in their own environment and on their terms. But when it comes to flowers, which don’t move, and some insects that have been raised under controlled conditions, I sometimes succumb and take charge of the entire shoot: lighting, background and positioning of them.

Since many of us have a little more free time on our hands these days, there’s never been a better time to find some macro subjects in your own backyard. Here are six macro background tips and tricks.

Macro Background Tips

Artificial Background Materials

I often use an artificial background, which is simply a sheet of colored or hand-painted cardboard. I usually use a sheet of black oaktag, but when I want a more natural look, I use one that’s solid green or one that I’ve painted a mottled green.

Illuminating With Flash

My main lights are flash and I incorporate anywhere from two to four units. If the background piece is a solid color, its placement isn’t as critical. If I use my hand-painted mottled version, I place it out of the range of focus of the aperture at which I make the photo. I do this so the mottling on the cardboard appears to blend together in a soft and pleasant way.

Macro Background Tips

Flash To Control Light

I use flash as it gives me full control of the light. I can individually adjust the output of each, so if I want to provide a highlight on one side of the subject, I simply increase the power of the flash on that side. As a result, I can produce any light ratio I desire. I always use one flash on the right side of my subject and another on the left. If I power them evenly, it gives the appearance of even wraparound light. If I increase the power of one and base my aperture on its given output, I create the look of a stronger light source coming from either the right or left. I base this on my desired composition and the effect I want in the end. 

Flash To Control Background

I can also control the background via the use of flash. To accomplish this, I add a small third flash that I keep close to the piece of cardboard behind the subject. I have the option of moving that flash closer to the cardboard to brighten the background or doing the opposite to darken it. I can also power it up or down to create the same effect. In some cases, it’s good to show off what’s behind the subject and in others, it’s best to subdue it.

Macro Background Tips

Creating A Black Background

To create a black background, I have two options. The simplest is to use black illustration board and not light it. The second comes about as a result of using two flashes as my main light. Since light from a flash falls off very quickly, if I power up my two main lights so I have to use an aperture of ƒ/16 or ƒ/22, even if I have a green board behind the subject, it will go black as a result of light falloff. If I’m in the field on a sunny day at noon and I want a black background, this is the technique I use.

Macro Background Tips

If I were to use an aperture of ƒ/8 or ƒ/11, there’s enough daylight to light up the background. But if I stop my aperture all the way down and use high-speed flash sync so I can attain a shutter speed of 1/1,000th of a second, my background will be totally dark.

I sometimes like the look of a black background as it makes the subject pop. The subject becomes the only part of the photo that receives light so the viewer’s eye is brought directly to the primary focal point. If a lack of separation between some petals occurs or if the flower and the black background merge, I use my third flash to backlight the subject. This provides a halo or rim light that adds even more drama to the photograph.

Macro Background Tips

Overcast Conditions

If it’s an overcast day and the background goes black but I want to depict detail, I simply lower the shutter speed to let in ambient light. Experiment using slower and slower shutter speeds until you achieve the look you crave. Be sure to use a tripod in this situation in case you need to slow down the shutter to speeds in the 1/30th of a second range. The more creative you can become with your small flashes, the more dynamic your macro subjects will appear.

Visit www.russburdenphotography.com for information about his nature photography tours and safari to Tanzania.

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Sunday, March 29, 2020

Photo By Marcel Fagin

Photo By Marcel Fagin

Today’s Photo Of The Day is “White Rhino Family” by Marcel Fagin. Location: South Africa.

“A rhino family grazes in the morning,” describes Fagin, who shot the image with an iPhone 8.

Photo of the Day is chosen from various OP galleries, including AssignmentsGalleries and the OP Contests. Assignments have weekly winners that are featured on the OP website homepage, FacebookTwitter and Instagram. To get your photos in the running, all you have to do is submit them.

The post Photo Of The Day By Marcel Fagin appeared first on Outdoor Photographer.



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Saturday, March 28, 2020

Photo By Stan Bysshe

Photo By Stan Bysshe

Today’s Photo Of The Day is “Blue Wave” by Stan Bysshe. Location: Curacao.

Nikon D2Xs, 10-17mm Tokina fish-eye lens, Aquatica housing, INON strobes. Exposure: 1/125 sec., f/8, ISO 100.

“A large school of bogas pass over a Caribbean reef,” describes Bysshe.

Photo of the Day is chosen from various OP galleries, including AssignmentsGalleries and the OP Contests. Assignments have weekly winners that are featured on the OP website homepage, FacebookTwitter and Instagram. To get your photos in the running, all you have to do is submit them.

The post Photo Of The Day By Stan Bysshe appeared first on Outdoor Photographer.



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We received more than 600 submissions to the 2019 Great Outdoors Photo Contest. The contest drew an exceptional selection of images, making the judges’ job quite difficult, and now we’re happy to present the 22 finalist images in this slideshow.

[See image gallery at www.outdoorphotographer.com]

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Friday, March 27, 2020

Photo By Linn Smith

Photo By Linn Smith

Today’s Photo Of The Day is “Contending Rivals” by Linn Smith. Location: Oviedo, Florida.

“Vying for territory, a great egret and great blue heron come close to colliding with one another in seeking to get a choice spot on a marsh in Lake Jessup,” describes Smith.

Photo of the Day is chosen from various OP galleries, including AssignmentsGalleries and the OP Contests. Assignments have weekly winners that are featured on the OP website homepage, FacebookTwitter and Instagram. To get your photos in the running, all you have to do is submit them.

The post Photo Of The Day By Linn Smith appeared first on Outdoor Photographer.



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Every photographer views new products in personal terms: How will this camera, lens or accessory help me to achieve my photographic goals? When you’ve worked in the business as long as I have, each new photographic tool is also evaluated in the context of its predecessors and, to a lesser extent, the possibilities of the future. That is, how does this equipment meet, advance or disrupt the technological trends?

Great Catch. A river otter enjoys a catfish among the cattails edging a lake in Central Oregon. To capture this portrait from the opposite shore with the EOS 90D, Lepp used an EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens with an Extender EF 2x III (1200mm), achieving an angle of view of 1920mm with the 1.6x crop factor of the camera’s APS-C sensor. Exposure: 1/250 sec., ƒ/11, ISO 1600.

When it comes to camera bodies, whether DSLR or mirrorless, our current expectations are that new models will offer improved sensitivity, accuracy and speed along with high-resolution video capture and in-camera functions such as focus and exposure bracketing. How does Canon’s new mid-range DSLR, the EOS 90D, stack up to its predecessors and the standards of the moment?

While Canon places the EOS 90D as the linear successor to the 80D, it might also be seen as an upgrade to the professional-level EOS 7D Mark II, which I purchased when it was introduced in late 2014. Fast, at 10 fps, and with an improved autofocus system, the 7D Mark II also captures video in full HD at 60 fps. The 20.2 megapixel APS-C sensor offers a useful 1.6x crop factor, but it’s relatively small, so not as capable at higher ISOs. In 2016, I transitioned to the high-end, 20.2-megapixel full-frame EOS-1D X Mark II, with superb high ISO quality, but I missed the 7D Mark II’s crop factor for when I really needed telephoto reach.

Am I ever satisfied? No, but I’ve hoped for another APS-C camera that improves on the EOS 7D Mark II. In the EOS 90D, Canon combined and upgraded the best features of the 7D Mark II and the 80D, then added 4K video capability, 120 fps full HD video and in-camera focus bracketing. The EOS 90D promises excellent image quality at 1600 ISO, and the APS-C sensor has 32.5 megapixels of resolution.

As you can probably tell, I was intrigued by the EOS 90D’s potential, so I snagged one from Canon and worked with it for about six weeks in a variety of field situations. Here’s what I learned.

Handling

The EOS 90D’s ergonomics are similar to the 80D and 7D Mark II (without the sharp edges found on some other manufacturers’ designs). It is much lighter and smaller than the EOS-1D X Mark II, and while it is dust- and water-resistant, that protection is not as robust as with the larger body. I found it comfortable and stable to work with a full range of lenses in both hand-held and tripod setups.

image of the front of the Canon EOS 90D

Front view of the Canon EOS 90D.

Back view of the Canon EOS 90D.

Speed & Autofocus

The EOS 90D captures at 10 fps with 11 fps possible in Live View. This is a great feature for fast action, such as flying birds, although the benefit was somewhat mitigated by relatively small buffer capacity.

The touchscreen is very helpful for accessing menus and fine-tuning focus in Live View. The AF system has 45 focus points, all cross-type, and 27 of them work up to ƒ/8. My preferred option for action subjects is the expanded nine focusing points, but when I add the Extender EF 1.4x III to the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM, the setup offers just a center focusing point. I’ll have to say, it still works quite well. Other important EOS 90D features that I used were the Multi-Controller joystick and the Vari-Angle LCD.

Stop Action. A peregrine falcon (captive) flies close to the ground as it comes around to a falconer’s lure. The EOS 90D’s autofocus was quick enough to enable Lepp to capture this mid-flight image. Canon EOS 90D, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM at 312mm. Exposure: 1/2000 sec., ƒ/11, ISO 1600.

Focus Bracketing (Stacking)

If you follow my work, you know I’m fascinated by focus-stacking techniques that control and/or expand depth of field in subjects as diverse as vast landscapes and complex macros. A relatively new function, in-camera focus bracketing, automates this previously complex process, and the EOS 90D is Canon’s first DSLR to offer it.

Working from a tripod, the photographer selects the desired range of sharpness, from closest to most distant point, then programs the focus increments and number of captures desired. The camera automatically completes the series, which is later assembled in focus-compositing software such as Photoshop, Zerene Stacker or Helicon Focus, yielding a final image with absolute sharpness and detail in the selected area. This function can greatly enhance images of a complicated macro subject, such as an insect or snowflake that might require hundreds of captures, or a scenic that needs only a couple of images to convey sharpness from foreground to infinity. I found that the 90D’s in-camera focus bracketing worked very well with the flowers and butterfly wings I photographed at high magnification for this test.

canon EOS 90D review: image of Gerbera daisy

Gerbera Daisy. Lepp used the EOS 90D’s Focus Bracketing function to capture a complex section of a gerbera daisy in high resolution. At 1.6x magnification, 43 images at different focus points were required to achieve total depth of field. The Focus Bracketed images were composited in Zerene Stacker software. Canon EOS 90D, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, 2 Lume Cube LED lights. Exposure: 1/45 sec., ƒ/4.5, ISO 100.

This feature doesn’t work with every lens (consult the manual), but nearly all of Canon’s macro lenses work. Something to keep in mind is that the programmed sequence cannot be delayed between images for a flash to fire, so continuous ambient light is necessary. That’s typically not an issue outdoors; in the studio, I use small LEDs to continuously light the subject.

Canon EOS 90D Video Capabilities

With the recent significant improvements in the quality of DSLR video, I’m using it much more in my outdoor photography to document behavior and/or to pull a high-quality single frame from a 4K video sequence. I took the 90D to a series of refuges to test the video capabilities with a variety of raptors and waterfowl and was pleased with the results.

The 90D captures 4K at 29.97 fps. The 4K is not available on the 80D or 7D Mark II, and it’s a valuable tool for nature photographers. The 4K video in the 90D uses the entire sensor for capture. The 90D also records Slo-Mo at 120 fps in Full HD and 4K time-lapse that can be viewed in the camera.

The Sensor & Image Quality

Earlier in this review, I noted that I had not been satisfied with higher-ISO image quality produced by previous cameras with APS-C sensors. I’m pleased to say that the new 32.5-megapixel image sensor in the 90D is a great improvement (partly due to the new DIGIC 8 processor), and the 1600 ISO I often use now yields excellent results; that’s my go-to ISO to achieve a fast shutter speed or small aperture for increased depth of field. With my macro work in the studio, the sensor produced stellar results at lower ISOs.

My main reason for liking cameras with an APS-C sensor is the 1.6x crop factor. There are those who argue that there is no advantage to a cropped sensor because we could just as well capture with a full-frame body and crop in post. But for me, it’s all about the resulting angle of view that fills the sensor, using the very sharpest central part of my EF lenses. A full-frame rendering might be slightly less sharp to the edges, but they fall outside the capture with the APS-C sensor.

Surf’s Up. A long-telephoto scenic along the California coast at sunset shows a group of surfers waiting for the next wave to ride. To compress the scene, Lepp used the EOS 90D with an EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens with an Extender EF 2x III (1200mm, or an angle of view of 1920mm with the 1.6x crop factor of the camera’s APS-C sensor). Exposure: 1/3000 sec., ƒ/11, ISO 800.

On the other hand, the APS-C sensor crop is not an aid to accomplishing landscape photography with wide-angle lenses, where a 24mm prime lens will be the approximate equivalent in angle of view to a 40mm lens. The answer is a wide-angle zoom made specifically for the APS-C format (EF-S lenses), such as the EF-S 10-22mm, which is equivalent to a 16-35mm lens on a full-frame body.

Canon EOS 90D Review Conclusions

During this field review of the EOS 90D, I photographed architectural subjects, scenics along the Pacific coast, off-shore sea otters, birds in ground activity and flying at speed, and macro subjects using the focus bracketing feature in studio. I tested the camera with a variety of lenses, including the EF-S 18-135mm, EF 100mm f/2.8L USM macro, EF 100-400mm II f/4.5-5.6L and EF 600mm f/4 IS III, and I added the Extender EF 1.4x III and EF 2x III on the telephotos when needed.

The 90D worked well in all of these scenarios, but extended reach with telephotos is the advantage that convinced me to add it to my bag. My 100-400mm Mark II becomes a 160-640mm f/5.6. Add the Extender EF 1.4x III, and it reaches out to 896mm with AF still working. My EF 600mm f/4L becomes 960mm with the same incredible sharpness. Adding the 1.4x extender, the angle of view becomes 1344mm at f/5.6, or, with the EF 2x III extender, an incredible 1920mm that is still sharp. Multiply your own telephoto by the 1.6x crop factor to see what you can do with an APS-C sensor. Don’t forget to take along a tripod!

Feed Me. An Anna’s hummingbird comes to a feeder just outside a window at Lepp’s home. He placed the EOS 90D with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens at 400mm close to the window, added an Extender EF 2x III (800mm) and, with the crop factor of the APS-C sensor, 1280mm was attained to capture head-and-shoulder portraits of the diminutive bird. Exposure: 1/60 sec., ƒ/22, ISO 800.

For those photographers wanting a lighter, smaller advanced DSLR for nature and wildlife photography, the Canon EOS 90D delivers for a reasonable price. With the crop factor and higher ISO capability, this camera makes a great versatile backup body for a full-frame landscape and portrait rig. All you need is to look at the images in this review to see that the EOS 90D is an excellent field camera. And if you thought the DSLR was done because of the mirrorless revolution, think again.

The post Canon EOS 90D Review For Nature And Wildlife appeared first on Outdoor Photographer.



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Congratulations to Terrence Trevias for winning the recent Motion Blur Assignment with the image, “In A Hurry.”

View the winning image and a selection of submissions in the gallery below. And be sure to check out our current photography assignment here and enter your best shots!

[See image gallery at www.outdoorphotographer.com]

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Thursday, March 26, 2020

Photo By Gary Sherman

Photo By Gary Sherman

Today’s Photo Of The Day is “Frosted Ridge” by Gary Sherman. Location: New Hampshire.

See more of Gary Sherman’s photography at garyshermanphotography.smugmug.com.

Photo of the Day is chosen from various OP galleries, including AssignmentsGalleries and the OP Contests. Assignments have weekly winners that are featured on the OP website homepage, FacebookTwitter and Instagram. To get your photos in the running, all you have to do is submit them.

The post Photo Of The Day By Gary Sherman appeared first on Outdoor Photographer.



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Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Photo By Ann P Kramer

Photo By Ann P Kramer

Today’s Photo Of The Day is “Kids Like to Stick out Their Tongue” by Ann P Kramer. Location: Mt. Evans, Colorado.

Canon 1 DX Mark II, Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C at 244mm. Exposure: 1/100 sec, f/8, ISO 1250.

“This was one of the few kids I saw on my first trip to Mt. Evans,” says Kramer. “The mountain goat adults do a lot of licking to ingest salts and minerals for digestion. This beautiful little one was practicing her technique.”

Photo of the Day is chosen from various OP galleries, including AssignmentsGalleries and the OP Contests. Assignments have weekly winners that are featured on the OP website homepage, FacebookTwitter and Instagram. To get your photos in the running, all you have to do is submit them.

The post Photo Of The Day By Ann P Kramer appeared first on Outdoor Photographer.



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Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Photo By Teja Pamganamamula

Photo By Teja Pamganamamula

Today’s Photo Of The Day is “Whispers in the Valley” by Teja Pamganamamula. Location: Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.

“My cousin and I traveled all the way to Switzerland for 48 hours during the MLK long weekend to catch a glimpse of the Lauterbrunnen Valley in its winter glory,” says Pamganamamula. “It didn’t snow on day one of our trip, so we only had one shot at this scene the day we were supposed to leave. On our second and last day, we climbed up to this vantage point in pure darkness hoping beyond hope that snow had fallen overnight. Our hearts began to beat a million times faster when the blue hour light finally caught onto the fresh snow blanketing the valley. The sleepless night, jet lag and fatigue all became worth it in that instant. Forty-eight hours in Switzerland was always going to be worth it.”

Photo of the Day is chosen from various OP galleries, including AssignmentsGalleries and the OP Contests. Assignments have weekly winners that are featured on the OP website homepage, FacebookTwitter and Instagram. To get your photos in the running, all you have to do is submit them.

The post Photo Of The Day By Teja Pamganamamula appeared first on Outdoor Photographer.



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Monday, March 23, 2020

Photo By Craig Bill

Photo By Craig Bill

Today’s Photo Of The Day is “Epic” by Craig Bill. Location: Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah.

“This actually was the first time I visited Cedar Breaks National Monument and the new winter atmosphere started to unfold,” explains Bill. “Millions of years of sedimentation, uplift and erosion are carving out this enormous sloping amphitheater that spans some three miles and is more than 2,000 feet deep and over 10,000 feet above sea level overall. This monument was named for the Juniper trees that were misidentified as ‘cedars’ and named ‘breaks’ by the early pioneers as it was common to call areas like this. But the name has stuck ever since its establishment in 1933. The native Paiutes called the natural amphitheater of Cedar Breaks National Monument in Utah un-cap-I-cun-ump, or ‘circle of painted cliffs.’ When snow does visit this monument, it’s just crazy beautiful to see the pure white powder contrasting the painted orange spires, fins and column formations. The vista points are already grand enough on their own on a clear day before adding any changing weather to the experience.

“Where I was set up, snow clouds were swirling overhead and breaking apart intermittently to allow the sun to peek through— inflaming random cliffs off and on. Meanwhile, in the distant valley, the snow was heavily falling. What a view! You could see right into the snowstorm while standing in the sun on the rim. The range of atmospheric weather and light felt like a poem—a visual high-definition poem. Sometimes you just step into a connection with nature that’s totally unexpected. And that’s what this felt like. So quiet and grand. Epic.”

See more of Craig Bill’s photography at CraigBill.com.

Photo of the Day is chosen from various OP galleries, including AssignmentsGalleries and the OP Contests. Assignments have weekly winners that are featured on the OP website homepage, FacebookTwitter and Instagram. To get your photos in the running, all you have to do is submit them.

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I’m a stout proponent of less is more when it comes to my photography. This is the point of this and last week’s tip—KISS: Keep It Simple And Splendid. Below I offer more techniques that will help you create images of animals with impact.

Using Flash to Control the Elements

For me, light is the single most important aspect that determines the success of a photo. It certainly needs to work in tandem with other qualities that need to align, but without good light, images fall short. If the ambient light isn’t ideal, flash can be used to augment it. It can fill in shadows to reduce contrast, add illumination to the shadow side of an animal and become a main light when small subjects dwell in dark locations.

images of animals with impact

In the image of the chameleon, I used the light from my SB5000 primarily as a main light.  When I made the initial photo with it dialed down to act as a fill, the light on the chameleon was good but the background was too bright. Since both the animal and background are green, I wanted the background to go dark.

Because the background was far enough away from the subject, when I powered up the flash, it properly illuminated the chameleon and the background became darker. In essence, I totally controlled the light in this image to make the subject stand out from the background.

Skyline the Animal Against Blue Sky

One of the easiest ways to make a sweet and splendid photo is to have your subject front-lit and photograph it against a blue sky. I often do this with mammals when they walk a ridgeline or when I photograph birds in flight. The solid background of blue easily allows the subject to pop off the image.

images of animals with impact

You do need to be cognizant of how a blue sky background looks if there are clouds. The idea is to offset the animal against a total wash of blue. When white clouds merge with the subject, they battle the subject for the viewer’s attention.

Shoot During the Winter Months

Wildlife photos made in the snow work on many levels. If there’s snow, it’s obviously cold, so the animals are in their best coat. The snow hides many distractions that would negatively impact the image if they weren’t covered in a blanket of white. The bright white snow reflects a lot of light so the animal is more evenly lit.

images of animals with impact

This is truer on bright overcast conditions.  When the sun is intense, exposure compensation has to be taken into account because the areas that receive direct sunlight often burn out and lack detail. In the photo of the baby bighorn, the image is chiseled down to two basic elements—the sheep and the grass. If the snow wasn’t there, lots of rubble would attract the viewer’s eye and the image would lack its simple and splendid look.

Avoid Mergers

When I made the image of the two zebras crossing Lake Ndutu in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, there were a number of other animals also running through the water. I waited until just two were in my viewfinder and followed them as I looked through my viewfinder.

images of animals with impact

I looked for other small groups or I zoomed my lens to a longer focal length to make images of single ones. Regardless of the number of subjects I wanted to record, if there was any overlap whatsoever, I refrained from pressing the shutter.

Using Long Lenses

The primary reason photographers purchase a long lens is to pull in subjects that are far away. That being said, many don’t realize long lenses narrow depth of field. This helps isolate a subject against a soft background, especially at wide-open apertures.

images of animals with impact

For example, if you stand at the same spot with a subject at a constant distance and one frame is shot with a 200mm at ƒ/8 and another with a 400mm at ƒ/8, the frame shot with the 200mm will have more depth of field. Using this knowledge, use longer lenses if you want the animal to “pop out” from the background. The one catch is if the subject is butted up to the background, it’s impossible to throw it out of focus because it’s simply too close.

Visit www.russburdenphotography.com for information about his nature photography tours and safari to Tanzania.

The post How To Create Images Of Animals With Impact, Part 2 appeared first on Outdoor Photographer.



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Sunday, March 22, 2020

Photo By Zach Matthai

Photo By Zach Matthai

Today’s Photo Of The Day is “Snow Trees” by Zach Matthai. Location: Yosemite National Park, California.

Photo of the Day is chosen from various OP galleries, including AssignmentsGalleries and the OP Contests. Assignments have weekly winners that are featured on the OP website homepage, FacebookTwitter and Instagram. To get your photos in the running, all you have to do is submit them.

The post Photo Of The Day By Zach Matthai appeared first on Outdoor Photographer.



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Saturday, March 21, 2020

Photo By Denis Dessoliers

Photo By Denis Dessoliers

Today’s Photo Of The Day is “Freezing and Cold” by Denis Dessoliers. Location: Preachers Point, Alberta.

Photo of the Day is chosen from various OP galleries, including AssignmentsGalleries and the OP Contests. Assignments have weekly winners that are featured on the OP website homepage, FacebookTwitter and Instagram. To get your photos in the running, all you have to do is submit them.

The post Photo Of The Day By Denis Dessoliers appeared first on Outdoor Photographer.



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Friday, March 20, 2020

Photo By Timothy Minnick

Photo By Timothy Minnick

Today’s Photo Of The Day is “Tree in Fog and Ice” by Timothy Minnick. Location: Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas.

“A solitary tree stands shrouded in fog and covered with ice from an early fall ice storm in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park,” describes Minnick.

Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 100mm F 2.8 IS L macro lens. Exposure: 1/2500 sec., f/5, ISO 800.

Photo of the Day is chosen from various OP galleries, including AssignmentsGalleries and the OP Contests. Assignments have weekly winners that are featured on the OP website homepage, FacebookTwitter and Instagram. To get your photos in the running, all you have to do is submit them.

The post Photo Of The Day By Timothy Minnick appeared first on Outdoor Photographer.



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Thursday, March 19, 2020

Congratulations to Dean Cobin for winning the recent Winter Fog And Mist Assignment with the image, “Isolated.”

View the winning image and a selection of submissions in the gallery below. And be sure to check out our current photography assignment here and enter your best shots!

[See image gallery at www.outdoorphotographer.com]

The post Winter Fog And Mist Assignment Winner Dean Cobin appeared first on Outdoor Photographer.



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In this episode of the reCOMPOSE podcast, hosts Marc Muench and Andy Williams are joined by special guests Kevin Lisota and Sivani Babu to talk about storytelling through photography.

The post reCOMPOSE Podcast 73: Storytelling appeared first on Outdoor Photographer.



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Photo By Theresa Ditson

Photo By Theresa Ditson

Today’s Photo Of The Day is “Snowy Morning at the Grand Canyon” by Theresa Ditson. Location: Arizona.

“It was a very blustery morning on the edge of our state’s natural wonder,” says Ditson. “I had been wanting to capture a winter scene here for years and finally was able to. My hands (I have Raynaud’s) exceeded their tolerance of exposure to the cold (despite gloves), so I had to go out in short segments. By the afternoon, the sun had helped melt most of the snow, except for the very highest peaks and shaded regions. Hope you enjoy.”

Photo of the Day is chosen from various OP galleries, including AssignmentsGalleries and the OP Contests. Assignments have weekly winners that are featured on the OP website homepage, FacebookTwitter and Instagram. To get your photos in the running, all you have to do is submit them.

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My college graduation present from my parents was a Mamiya 6 rangefinder. I loved that camera. It offered the image quality of medium format film but in a hand-friendly, rangefinder-style body rather than the boxy form factor of most medium format cameras.

The Mamiya 6 had its limitations. There were only three lenses available, and rangefinders can be more difficult to use when you’re trying for a precise crop in-camera. But the extra detail captured by the medium format frame made the trade-offs worth it for me.

Hasselblad X1D II for landscape photography: image of a waterfall

The Hasselblad X1D II does not have in-camera image stabilization, so for longer exposures like this, you’ll need to use a tripod or find a suitable base on which to set the camera—I used a conveniently placed rock for this image. Exposure: 1.2 sec., ƒ/32, ISO 100.

The Hasselblad X1D 50C, introduced in 2016, and its successor, the X1D II 50C, remind me a lot of the Mamiya 6. It’s a similar story: medium format image quality in a body that’s familiar, approachable and designed to be used on-the-go rather than stuck in a studio. It, too, has limitations, however, and depending on your style of photography, they may be deal-breakers, especially when you consider that the body alone is priced at $5,750.

Speed Is A Limitation With The Hasselblad X1D II

The most important limitations of the X1D II center on speed. This is not a camera for wildlife or sports photographers—it maxes out at 2.7 fps continuous shooting, and though Hasselblad states that the X1D II is faster at startup and has less shutter lag and blackout time than its predecessor, it’s still noticeably slow in these respects compared to most digital cameras today. If you’re picking up the X1D II after growing accustomed to the speedy responsiveness of a modern enthusiast or pro mirrorless or DSLR system, you may feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

On the other hand, for landscape photography especially, you could make an argument that slowing down is a good thing. The X1D II forces you to be a bit more intentional. Once I adjusted to the leisurely pace that the camera imposes, I learned to appreciate it in some ways.

The XCD 90 (71mm equivalent) produces beautiful bokeh when shooting at large apertures. Exposure: 1/1250 sec., ƒ/3.2, ISO 100.

Hasselblad X1D II Image Quality

Landscape photography is where the X1D II shines. The camera’s 43.8 x 32.9mm medium format sensor is nearly double the size of a 35mm, full-frame sensor and produces 50-megapixel images with gorgeous detail. It’s the same sensor used in the original X1D, one that DXOMARK currently ranks the highest among all cameras it has tested, with a score of 102. Hasselblad states that the camera is capable of 14 stops of dynamic range, which places it among the very best available in a consumer camera.

One of the advantages of this level of detail and resolution is the latitude it provides for cropping post-capture. For our review, Hasselblad included two lenses: the XCD 30 (24mm equivalent) and the XCD 90 (71mm equivalent). I found myself shooting a lot with the XCD 90 and at times had wished for a longer lens like the XCD 120 Macro. I was happy to find that I was able to crop into those frames to get the subject magnification I wanted while retaining ample resolution and detail for a large print. That’s the medium format advantage in action.

Flower image taken with the Hasselblad X1D II

(Above) I wasn’t able to magnify the subject as much as I wanted with the Hasselblad XCD 90 lens (71mm equivalent) but the superb image quality, details and resolution of the camera’s medium format sensor allowed to to crop in significantly in post processing (below).

Here is the image after cropping in Photoshop. Even with this significant crop, I was left a 16-megapixel file. Exposure: 1/1000 sec., ƒ/5.6, ISO 100.

Lens Options For The X1D II

There are currently 10 XCD optics designed specifically for the system. There’s one zoom that’s “coming soon” as of this writing, the XCD 35-75 (28-58mm equivalent), and prime lenses from the XCD 21 (17mm equivalent) to the XCD 135 (105mm equivalent) as well as a 1.7x teleconverter for use with the XCD 135 (178mm equivalent).

The lens offerings cover the focal lengths that most landscape photographers will want, and adapters are available to use additional Hasselblad lenses and also third-party lenses. Lens pricing ranges from $1,099 for the recently introduced and very compact XCD 45P to $4,845 for the XCD 80, which Hasselblad notes is its fastest lens yet with a maximum aperture of ƒ/1.9.

X1D II Design & Ergonomics

The camera, and the system as a whole, is elegant. The sculpting and materials convey a sense of refinement and luxury that set it apart, and I think there’s something to be said for that. As artists, we appreciate aesthetic beauty not only in our subjects but also in our tools and the way they feel when we use them.

Product shot of the Hasselblad X1D II

Hasselblad X1D II (front view).

Putting aside the appeal of exclusivity, the system’s elegance has practical benefits. The X1D II’s menus are a calm retreat from the overwhelming chaos of typical camera menus. Paring down the endless array of options you’ll find elsewhere, Hasselblad has largely succeeded in a user interface and experience that emphasizes simplicity. It’s another aspect of the camera that takes a bit of getting used to, but it’s refreshing.

The emphasis on simplicity extends from the camera’s physical design to its exposure setting display and menus.

A large touchscreen, generously-sized text and relatively shallow menus work together to make it easy to review and change camera modes and settings in just a few taps.

The 3.6-inch touchscreen display makes it easy to get to most camera settings within one or two taps, and there are dedicated physical buttons for direct access to focus, ISO and white balance controls without taking your eye from the viewfinder, as well as AE lock and back-button AF activation. Several of these can be customized to activate a different camera feature if desired.

The X1D II’s design makes it a pleasure to use, with premium materials and sparse, thoughtfully-placed controls. The simplicity is refreshing when most camera bodies today seem overly cluttered.

One detail that I particularly admire is the camera’s mode dial. Camera makers have come up with a variety of solutions for locking the mode dial to prevent accidental changes, but Hasselblad has done something unique here, and it’s my favorite solution that I’ve used. The entire mode dial recedes into the camera body when you don’t need it—just depress it, and it locks flush with the top panel.

Hasselblad X1D II top view

Details like the shape and depth of the grip and a mode dial that recedes into the top panel express Hasselblad’s attention to providing a luxurious experience when handling the camera—rightfully so, considering its market position andthe price of $5,750 for the body only.

The only control that occasionally irritated me was the power button. I prefer switches to buttons for power control because you’re instantly sure whether the switch is on or off. With a button, you don’t immediately know if your press on the button registered. This is exacerbated in the X1D II by the camera’s slow startup. There were several times I mistakenly turned the power back off—thinking my first press hadn’t worked—which meant another reboot cycle.

Another nicety of design is found in something as mundane as the battery. Most cameras conceal the battery behind a flap door. The X1D II omits this extra part; the battery simply slides into the grip and clicks securely in place. It’s the little details like this that communicate an uncommon thoughtfulness in the camera’s physical presence.

The X1D II’s highly-rated sensor is capable of capturing 14 stops of dynamic range, an advantage for low-light, high-contrast scenes like this. The camera captured a lot more detail in the shadows of this image than you see here—I intentionally increased the contrast as a creative decision. Exposure: 1/750 sec., ƒ/3.2, ISO 100.

X1D II Battery Life

Battery life, in contrast, could be improved—though to be fair, the battery is powering a large sensor. My first time using the camera, I burned through a charge very quickly, in just a few hours of intermittent photography. I got barely over 100 frames on that charge, in part because I wasn’t switching the camera off when not actively shooting. Once I realized how quickly I was draining the battery, I was much more conscientious about powering down between sessions. So, you’ll need to be mindful about your battery use, and you’re definitely going to want at least one extra battery, or more if you’ll be away from charging options for an extended period. You can charge the battery in-camera via USB-C, which is nice, and a charging hub for two batteries is available as an optional accessory.

How you use the camera will also affect battery life. Features like AF will drain your power more quickly. I found myself preferring manual focus with the X1D II anyway. The 117 selectable-point, contrast-detection AF system is comparatively sluggish, and for landscape and still-life subjects, the precision of manual focus with the assistance of focus-peaking display was just a more pleasant experience than waiting on the AF system to hunt for focus. It’s another example of why I suggest that this camera is best for a photographer who appreciates a slower, more methodical approach.

Can The Hasselblad X1D II Shoot Video?

If video is important to you, note that while the camera is technically capable of recording motion, that feature is not yet available at the time of this writing. Tapping on the video icon in the settings prompts a message: “Video feature not supported yet.” The camera’s datasheet states that video will “be enabled at a later date” but doesn’t indicate when or what the video specifications will look like. Considering that the camera was introduced last June (2019), one wonders when “a later date” might be. Hasselblad assured us that work on this feature and other system improvements via firmware updates is ongoing.

Hasselblad Phocus Mobile 2

Hasselblad Phocus Mobile 2 software running on an iPad Pro. The basic settings menu is shown.

Hasselblad’s mobile companion app for the X1D II, Phocus Mobile 2 gives iPad Pro (2017 models and newer) and iPad Air (2019 model) the ability to control camera settings as well as download, review, rate and share images from your tablet. You can connect to the camera either via USB-C or WiFi. While you can release the camera’s shutter via the app, you won’t see a live preview through the lens as is possible with the mobile apps from some other camera makers. For that reason, I didn’t find the app especially useful for camera control while shooting, but it’s great for reviewing frames you’ve already captured to see them on a much larger screen.

The ability to download files to your iPad or share them when connected to the internet are great backup options for extended periods away from home base. Hasselblad RAW files are widely supported, so you’ll be able to work with them right away in Adobe Lightroom and other popular apps.

Hasselblad Phocus Mobile 2 allows you to tether the camera physically or via WiFi to view captured images, check exposure settings and release the shutter remotely. But you don’t get a live view of what the sensor is seeing.

The Hasselblad X1D II Is A Landscape Photographer’s Camera

The Hasselblad X1D II 50C is not for everybody. The price is certainly one factor, and its slower pace isn’t up to speed for fast action subjects like wildlife. But for landscape photographers who want the superb image quality of medium format and a top-rated sensor in a portable and graceful body, the X1D II is justifiably desirable.

View the Hasselblad X1D II on the Hasselblad website for more information.

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Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Photo By Bob Faucher

Photo By Bob Faucher

Today’s Photo Of The Day is “Mt. Tom” by Bob Faucher. Location: John Muir Wilderness, California.

“Mid-morning sunlight floods the snow-covered eastern face of Mount Tom, a large and prominent peak near the city of Bishop in eastern California,” says Faucher. “It’s within the John Muir Wilderness of the Sierra Nevada Range, east of the Sierra Crest.”

Canon EOS 5D II, Canon EF 28-70mm @ 50mm, Gitzo tripod, RRS BH-55. RAW capture: 1/200 sec., f/11 ISO 100.

Photo of the Day is chosen from various OP galleries, including AssignmentsGalleries and the OP Contests. Assignments have weekly winners that are featured on the OP website homepage, FacebookTwitter and Instagram. To get your photos in the running, all you have to do is submit them.

The post Photo Of The Day By Bob Faucher appeared first on Outdoor Photographer.



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In our April 2020 issue, Josh Miller talks about high dynamic range (HDR) photography techniques, when to use them and how to do so without overdoing it.

Darell Gulin shares his top techniques for macro photography—a visually exciting genre of nature photography to learn and practice year-round, but especially with spring blooms. Also in this issue is a guide from Howard Arndt to photographing the annual spawning of alewives in Maine, an excellent opportunity to photograph birds-in-flight as ospreys arrive to do some fishing.

On the cover is an HDR image of the Ansel Adams Wilderness in California by Josh Miller. Here’s the story behind the shot.

“Bordering on the south eastern side of Yosemite National Park, the Ansel Adams Wilderness has long been a favorite area for photographers who are willing to carry their gear deep into the backcountry.

“Having first seen the location while working as a backpacking guide years prior, when I became a photographer, I knew it was a location I had to get back to. I have made many trips into the area, including by skis in the winter. The trick with this location is being there at the perfect time for both the wildflowers as well as clouds at sunrise. While backpacking in the Sierra Nevada is truly world-class, one of the downfalls of having such stable summer weather is that photographers often get skunked on clouds when the flowers are peaking in July and August. Often in the middle of the summer, photographers can go days or even weeks without seeing a single cloud at sunrise.

“On this particular morning, we had been camped at the lake for several days hoping for the conditions to come together. After waiting through several cloudless sunrises, when I finally had a morning with clouds before sunrise, I rushed to my chosen location. As often happens in the summer, the clouds started to break up as the sun began to rise. Luckily, a few remnants stuck around just long enough to shoot a few frames before they fully disappeared.”

–Josh Miller

The April 2020 issue is now available in a variety of digital formats including Apple News+ and will be on newsstands beginning Tuesday, March 24.

Outdoor Photographer Plus and VIP members get full access to all of the content on outdoorphotographer.com, plus print and digital editions of the magazine, as well as other great benefits. Learn more about our membership options.

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Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Madavor Media, parent company of Outdoor Photographer, announced today that it has acquired Imaging Resource, a popular and respected photography equipment review website. Imaging Resource joins Madavor Media’s group of photo and video related publications and websites: Outdoor Photographer, Digital Photo Pro, Digital Photo and HDVideoPro

For additional details, see the official press release below. You can also subscribe to the free Imaging Resource newsletter.

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Madavor Media Acquires Imaging Resource

Madavor Media, LLC announced today that it has acquired Imaging Resource, one of the most popular and trusted websites for camera and photography equipment reviews.  The 22-year-old website, which has millions of loyal followers, will continue to operate utilizing its experienced staff and contributors.

 The acquisition by Madavor will enable Imaging Resource seamlessly to continue its mission to provide the most comprehensive, independent news and reviews in the photography business.

Imaging Resource will operate under its existing brand, and founder Dave Etchells will maintain an ongoing presence within the company as editor emeritus. The camera review website will now join Outdoor Photographer, Digital Photo Pro, Digital Photo and HDVideoPro as part of the photography portfolio at Madavor and will enhance the company’s position as the dominant media company to connect with a wide range of photographers and videographers.

“We’re excited to welcome the engaged consumer base and advertisers that trust Imaging Resource and we believe the website’s in-depth expertise on cameras and other products will be a perfect complement to our other photo content,” said Madavor Chief Operating Officer Courtney Whitaker. “The opportunities for advertisers to achieve their marketing objectives will increase across all of our photo titles as well as some of our other publications such as BirdWatching and Plane & Pilot. We also anticipate the cross-promotion of content will be very beneficial to our readers, especially our newsletter subscribers.”

Imaging Resource was started in 1998 and has provided in-depth coverage, testing and reviews on new technology since that time from its Georgia headquarters. The company will continue to be based in Georgia, giving Madavor Media a new location as part of its nationwide operations.

“Part of my confidence in transferring the IR brand to Madavor is the level of quality they’ve consistently supported in all of their existing photo publications,” Dave Etchells said. “I was also struck by the excellent strategic fit between IR and Madavor’s existing respected photo publications and websites. Their loyal and passionate audiences enjoy timely award-winning content, which tends to be more focused on the art of photography than the gear. This is an element that I’ve always felt was missing from IR, but that we never had the resources to fill.”

About Madavor Media, LLC

Founded in 2004, Madavor Media develops and markets content for consumers who are passionate about their interests and those seeking highly informative editorial that helps them take charge of their well-being and live happier, healthier lives. Through its team of experts, Madavor delivers highly engaging, world-class content that is disseminated and consumed through virtually all channels. Headquartered in Braintree, Massachusetts, Madavor’s main office acts as the hub for social media, marketing, design and production, operations and information, while its associates throughout the country keep in close contact with its customers and communities of interest.

Contact:
Tim Doolan
Social Media & Marketing Manager
(617) 279-0190
tdoolan@madavor.com

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