It's an unwritten rule that everything is better in slow-motion. But there's a good chance your eyes aren't ready for the next level of awesomeness from Phantom's new Flex4K camera that can capture an astounding 1,000 frames per second at a resolution of 4096 x 2160. In other words? Every last detail captured in super, super, super slow-motion.
Last year's Canon T4i is a really excellent camera. But for all its whiz-bang features like a capacitive touchscreen and continuous autofocus while shooting video, it just didn't feel special. A DLSR for beginners just doesn't make as much sense when there are smaller mirrorless cameras that can achieve similar results. So Canon shrunk the T4i down. Here's the mini version, Canon EOS Rebel SL1.
With the exception of its size the non-tilting capacitive touchscreen, the SL1 is identical to the T4i. Same 18-megapixel APS-C image sensor, same DIGIC 5 image processor, same 1080p video recording with continuous autofocus.
Thanks to the numerous home improvement stores scattered across the country – not to mention the various do-it-yourself programs on TV – it has never been easier for the homeowner to fix up the house without seeking professional help. And, thanks to ever-advancing consumer tech, even projects that once involved calling in for help, can now be self-installed with nothing more than a screwdriver or sticky-tape. One such project is home security. While completely wiring a home with motion detectors, alarms and keypads still remains a task best left to an alarm company, homeowners can now add some home protection by setting up one of the number of affordable “plug-and-play” consumer-based security camera solutions to hit the market. The beauty of these new security cams is that they are lighter on the wallet, a snap to set up, and much easier to use.
These types of digital video cameras, called Internet Protocol (IP) cameras, utilize computer networking to transmit image data. IP cameras can also connect to the Web for remote control and viewing. Some record footage onto flash or external storage, while others save images in the cloud. There are sophisticated IP cameras designed for corporate and government buildings, and there are simplified versions for the home.
IP cameras for the home aren’t new, but in the past they have been complicated devices, requiring networking expertise to set up and operate. Looking like regular ordinary webcams, the latest IP-based cameras feature wireless operation that limits wiring and installation time. And, since they are small in size, they can be placed almost anywhere providing for discrete monitoring of your home and family. They also come with monitoring and management software that lets you trigger alarms and e-mail alerts when a security breach is broken. And, you can log into them when you’re away from home for remote control and viewing via a mobile device like an iPhone.
Sony has had a busy morning, with the release of five new cameras including three Cyber-shot point-and-shoots, a new mirrorless in the NEX-3N and a new 20.1 megapixel DSLR in the SLT-A58, the last of which is priced incredibly competitively at just under $600.
Sony’s camera offerings all appear to be aimed at consumers, but if you’re like me, you do like to have a Canon Rebel level camera at your side as a third camera or for video. What Sony is doing with the DSLR for under $600 (and that’s with a kit lens) appears to be really well priced, and likely is a move to try and leverage some market share. Really, all the new cameras here are extremely well priced. I’m curious to see what the market acceptance of this consumer line will be.
Over the last year, Nikon has replaced its two bottom DSLRs with the D3200 and D5200 refreshes. The new D7100 is the latest DX format camera bump, replacing the dated D7000 from three years ago.
The D7100 is the last APS-C sensor camera in the line before you move up to a professional full-frame (FX format) camera that costs $1000 more. Good news is that the D7100 comes loaded with a lot of hand-me-down tech from Nikon's FX line, which might make spending extra cash worth it.
As with the D3200 and D5200, the D7100's APS-C sensor has been boosted to 24-megapixel resolution. But it's not the same sensor—this one has been engineered without the low-pass filter designed to help eliminate aliasing distortions. Nikon says it's improved the sensor to the point where the filter isn't necessary anymore. In keeping with the cheaper DX (APS-C sensor) models, the D7100's top standard sensitivity is ISO 6400. That's good enough that you should be able to get good shots in dark situations or capture well-let, but fast-moving subjects without blur.
Other key new features include the new 51-point autofocus system. The only other Nikon camera with that system is the badass $3000 D800. Not even the $2100 full-frame D600 has the new 51-point system. The D7100 is also the cheapest DSLR out there to offer an uncompressed video feed from the HDMI output—that was one of the most talked about features of the D800 when it was released last year.
When you're starting out in photography, with your shiny new DSLR, the world of lenses can be complex and scary place: prime this, wide angle that, and what the hell is focal length anyway? Don't worry! This video should have you covered.
When I find myself in something of a photography rut, it’s a good time to ask more questions. Ruts usually happen from running on auto-pilot, plodding along, doing the same-old same-old. I’m good at landscape photography so I keep taking landscape photos as it is easy, comes naturally and is enjoyable. But without times of reflection or questioning, it is hard for us photographers to improve.
Improving your photography is likely why you are reading Phototuts+ and that is a great first step. It shows you have an interest in continuing your progress. But if you do find yourself in a rut or looking to improve, here are 20 questions that may help you be more critical of your shooting rather than passive. And from that, I hope you can find ways to make even better photos.
We are in a new era of photography. The Mobile Revolution has fundamentally changed the nature of how photos are taken, where they are taken, by whom they are taken and, most importantly, how often they are taken. People now take photos of everything and share them to other phones, social media sites and all over the Web. You could argue that the rise of Facebook was predicated on photos and Instagram is now the de facto photo app for millions of would-be photographers.
The photo has come a long way. From the camera obscura of French inventor Nicéphore Niépce in 1822 to the daguerreotype from Louis Daguerre in 1837, the “Brownie” camera around 1900 and later the invention of the Polaroid in 1947. Photo quality has increased as cameras have become cheaper and more widespread. One of the first camera phones came from Kyrocera in 1999 and by the mid-2000s, almost every flip phone on the planet had a decent camera attached to it.
Warning. Viewing these photos may make you want to A) Leave your desk job to pursue a career in extreme sports B) Jump in a kayak and plummet down a waterfall or C) Buy a fearless-looking, jet-skiing labradoodle (see last photo). As long as that's out of the way, may we now present you with another amazing set of crazy perspective photos taken with a GoPro Camera.
After our first post was shared around the web, we knew it was just a matter of time before we put together this follow-up compilation. For our first photo, what could be more epic than seeing a person free falling head-first down to the earth with his muscles tense and his arm stretched out? Just when we thought humans (and a dog) couldn't get any more extreme, they do. Thanks, GoPro users, for letting us join you on your exhilarating ride!
Got a new digital camera for the holidays? If you're a first-time user, check out the following preparation tips before you start snapping.
Did Santa bring you a new digital camera for the holidays? If this is your first digicam ever, congratulations, you are well on your way to capturing amazing images and preserving important memories, all at a push of a button. Before you begin taking snapshots, however, there is some prep you’ll need to undertake. Read on to learn more on how to use your new camera.
In terms of creativity and artistic vision Ben Heine is currently with few peers. His unique visual creations have been featured in newspapers, magazines and other publications worldwide and over the last few years his works have begun to populate art galleries and museums from Brussels and London to Turkey, Romania and South Korea. Today, you see his work here. It’s a bit late, I know, but I’ve only recently decided to publish innovative ideas from various designers and try to get for them a little more exposure so that they would be encouraged to create even more interesting projects.
Choosing the right DSLR camera can certainly be a big decision. There is such a thing as too much camera, which can be overwhelming and frustrating to the new user. However, a more experienced photographer could find some cameras too constricting and frustrating.
Since the camera that you choose will have such a big impact on your digital photography, it is a must that you pick the perfect model for your own needs and skills. Choosing the right camera should be based on a number of different factors.
Portrait Photography is one of the finest category of taking photographs of faces. And when it comes to Portraits, you must have seen a lot of examples around. This technique is as simple as taking a photograph and as much hard to manipulate the photograph afterwards. There are many factors which lead to perfect portrait photograph.
Instead of the advice of photography professionals, instructors and experts, (who are excellent sources of information), Panasonic decided to ask a large sample of beginner and amateur photographers what mistakes they make most often. The findings create an instructive checklist you can use to highlight the mistakes you make. Once you’ve evaluated yourself against the survey participants, you’ll then have a nice action plan of photography techniques you know need improvement. Focus on these to learn and practice.
If you’re one of the millions who bought a DSLR camera in recent years, you may have arrived at a common crossroads– you’ve outgrown that entry-level digital SLR. You may have added a new lens and a flash unit, but you feel that it’s time to upgrade your camera and the DSLR accessories you use to create your photographs. We’ve been down this path before, and we’ve learned a lot about the gear and gadgets you can use to upgrade your DSLR experience, not just the camera body itself. Join us to explore the Ultimate DSLR Upgrades: 10 gadgets for the growing photographer.
We’ve just finished our four part series on low light photography. Low light photography is something that we all must deal with as photographers. Whether you’re taking photos with a point and shoot during an evening out, shooting a wedding party or capturing a landscape at dusk it’s important to understand the basics of shooting with low light. Photography is all about light, low light photography is no different and it offers new challenges and opportunities for creativity.
Belgian artist Ben Heine seamlessly matches pencil sketches with real life settings to create images he calls ‘Pencil Vs Camera’. This new type of art mixes drawing and photography, imagination and reality, in a awesome way. Ben Heine initiated and popularized in 2010.
It’s full of magic, illusion, poetry and surrealism. Ben published his first “Pencil Vs Camera” image in April 2010 but the series is the result of a long graphic exploration and a logic consequence of his personal artistic development
kero* from Japan shoots film, both 35mm and medium format. Her photos always feel airy, dreamy, and soft. Enjoy!
You can improve your skills in any endeavor with the proper motivation. In photography, you can produce significantly better images by taking the time to determine what your strengths are, and where your skills may be lacking.
From time to time I like to review my best photos from the past year, and determine what makes them so good. How you choose to define “best” is a personal choice. It may be the photos which got the best feedback on Flickr, or from your family and friends. If you are professional photographer, it might be the photos which were licensed most often.
No matter how you determine what your best photos are, your next step is to set a goal to top these photos in the coming year. In this article, I will break down my 5 favorite steps to producing your best photographs.
