Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Hasselblad Announces Four New Lenses for the X1D

The traction Hasselblad gained when they released the X1D-50c, the world's first compact mirrorless medium format camera, was quickly lost when Fuji announced their similar specced offerings for almost $2500 less. Today, hot on the heels of Fujifilm's release of the Fujifilm GFX 50s, Hasselblad announces four new lenses.

[RELATED: 3 Reasons Why Fuji Failed With The GFX 50s]

The new announcement comes in the form of one actual lens and three teasers. The four lenses announced are the XCD 35-75mm Zoom, XCD 65mm, XCD 22mm Wide Angle, and XCD 120mm f/3.5 Macro lenses, with only the XCD 120mm f/3.5 Macro available soon.

XCD 120mm f/3.5 Macro Specs:

GENERAL LENS DATA Focal length 120.0mm Aperture range 3.5-32 Angle of view diag/hor/vert 26°/21°/16° Length/diameter 150mm/81mm Weight (excl. covers and lens shade) 970g Filter diameter 77mm Minimum distance object to sensor plane 0.43m Maximum image scale 1:2 Corresponding area of coverage 88 x 66mm Corresponding exposure reduction 0.7 f-stops

The 120mm f/3.5 lens brings together the compact format of the XCD range with the high performing optical quality across the frame with a flat image field. The lens is suitable for both close-up work up to a 1:2 image scale, and also as a mid-range telephoto lens for portrait, a first for the XCD Line. Auto-focusing is available from infinity to 1:2 magnification without the need for extension tubes.

Like the other XCD lenses, the XCD 120mm Macro lens has an internal leaf shutter and is capable of full flash synchronization up to 1/2000th second. Hasselblad Product Manager, Ove Bengtson commented:

"The XCD 120mm Macro lens complements the existing XCD dedicated autofocus lenses which were developed to support optical quality and portability. This is the first addition to the X1D range of lenses in 2017 and we are excited to launch more lenses later in the year."

For the remainder of the lenses, Hasselblad has yet to provide other specifications. It looks as the aperture values for the lenses were omitted as they are still being developed. Here's hoping they can provide a native lens with an aperture faster than f/3.2 to compete with Fuji's offerings. Right now the only lenses faster are the HC 80mm f/2.8 and the HC 100mm f/2.2 with the use via an adapter.

The next 12 months Hasselbald will bring the XCD 35-75mm Zoom, XCD 65mm, and XCD 22mm Wide Angle lenses to market. By the beginning of 2018, the photographers wielding X1D will have access to seven dedicated XCD lenses as well as all twelve HC/HCD lenses with the use of the XH lens adapter. The XCD 120mm f/3.5 Macro is scheduled to arrive later in June, with no price provided as of yet.


Source: Hasselblad Announces Four New Lenses for the X1D

Monday, February 27, 2017

CP+ 2017 - Sigma interview: 'We’ve learned that some customers require exceptional lens performance'

Sigma released four lenses at this year's CP+ show in Yokohama - the 14mm F1.8 DG HSM Art, 24-70mm F2.8 DG OS HSM Art, 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art and 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM. We're at the show, where we made time to sit down with Kazuto Yamaki, CEO of Sigma, to find our more about the new lenses. 

You've told me previously that you really want Sigma to make more wideangle lenses. Do you think you're achieving that goal with the 12-24mm and new 14mm?

Yes, but I'm still not satisfied. I think we need to make more wide-angle lenses. A fast 14mm was one of the lenses that our customers were asking for. Most existing 14mm lenses are F2.8, so F1.8 was a challenge.

What have you learned, from making the Art series?

We've learned that some customers require exceptional lens performance. We believe that our mission is to make products that other manufacturers don't have. If we just released similarly-specified lenses to existing models, we wouldn't be contributing to the industry, or benefiting customers. So our Art series is meant to provide the best performance.

They're bulky and heavy, it's true, but our customers like them because of the performance. That's what we learned.

Hands-on with Sigma MC-11 (CP+ 2016) You now make a mount adapter for Sony E-mount, but are you planning native support for the Sony E-mount in the future?

Yes, that's our plan. Our plan is to develop full-frame lenses for Sony E mount, and in the future we will have more E mount lenses. But it takes time. Normally it takes about two years to develop one lens, sometimes three. So even if I start the process now, the lens might come out in two years time.

Sigma's new Art-series lenses have a degree of weather-sealing - why now?

It's based on customer demand. Some of our customers said that rain and snow sometimes got into the lens mount, so they wanted sealing. And the other reason is that it's becoming a trend. Other manufacturers are offering sealed mounts.

Does that make the design process more complex?

No, not really. The only seal is around the lens mount. It's not a perfect weather-proofing like our Sports series. The 150-600mm for instance has sealing everywhere, on the focus ring and zoom ring.

Of the lenses in the Global Vision line, which were the most complex to bring to market?

Our 12-24mm zoom. Because that lenses uses a very large aspherical element, and at the time, no other company was producing an element of this kind, and there were no machines capable of producing it. So we designed a custom machine to make that element. But as a result of developing that technology, we were able to create this new 14mm F1.8.

The Global Vision line is almost five years old. What are you most proud of?

Firstly, I'm still not satisfied. We need to do more. But these days, I'm pretty happy that people regard Sigma as a high-quality company. In the past, some people regarded Sigma as just another third-party lens manufacturer, and maybe even as a cheap, low-quality lens supplier. But people's perception has been changing, gradually, and I'm very happy about that.

One of the things that professional Canon and Nikon photographers rely on is the support networks for service, like CPS and NPS. Is a professional service support system something that Sigma is interested in creating?

I think we'll have to. In Japan we've already started a pro support project, and I hope we can create a global professional support system very soon.

In the past you've expressed concern that you don't want Sigma to grow too much, too quickly, because this might threaten some the magic of being a small company. Is this something that you're still worried about?

Growing too fast is not good. We need to grow, but we should grow gradually. We need to develop our capability to produce higher-quality products. That's the priority. Then turnover, and sales, and profit will follow. We do not prioritize making the company bigger. We focus on product quality, and technology.

Over the past five years, we've actually been making fewer lenses, because we decreased the number of cheaper lenses we were producing. But we've expanded our manufacturing capacity, because the higher-end lenses use more glass. Cheaper lenses might use 10-15 elements, but these higher quality lenses use 15-20, sometimes even more elements. So more capacity is needed to make a single lens. We've actually invested massively in the past five years.

Sigma and Fujifilm have recently introduced lineups of cine lenses. How much growth do you see in this segment?

We don't know. Even before I decided to get into the cine lens market, I tried to collect market data, but there's no data out there. It's not available. It's only anecdotal. But we guessed that this segment will grow in the future.

Video has lower resolution demands than stills, but we've been designing lenses for 36+ megapixel sensors for several years. That is equivalent to 8K, in video terms. A lot of traditional cine lenses aren't that high resolution. Our lenses might be more affordable, but they're top quality.

Do you have a market share target for your cine lenses?

No, we're waiting to see how the market develops. We can dream, but it's not the same thing!

Editors' note:

We always enjoy speaking to Mr Yamaki, partly because on the occasions when we get the opportunity to do so, it's usually because he's just unveiled something really interesting. Mostly though, we enjoy speaking to Sigma's CEO because he's a nice guy. Open, honest, and candid about Sigma's plans and ambitions, Mr Yamaki is well-liked in the photography industry, even by his competitors.

Speaking of competitors, I get the feeling that Mr Yamaki was compelled to deliver the new 14mm F1.8 partly out of a general disappointment with the available options for photographers. Sigma has a strong history of innovating in the wide and ultra-wide market, and the new 14mm, alongside the previously-released 12-24mm certainly look like a confident statement of intent. If the 14mm is as good as Mr Yamaki claims (and we are rarely disappointed by the optical performance of Sigma's Art series) it looks set to be a reference lens for landscape, architectural and astrophotographers. We're hoping to be able to post a gallery of samples very soon - watch this space.

Also interesting, is another statement of intent - Sigma's move into affordable cine lenses. While the company is not competing (yet) with the Arris of this world, or with Canon's Cinema EOS optics, Sigma (like Fujifilm) sees an opportunity to cater to a newer generation of videographers who are working with mirrorless systems. Optically, Sigma's cine lenses should be top notch, although being based on existing stills lens designs, we're told that some qualities, such as focus breathing, might cause issues for professional broadcast and film cinematographers. There is a reason, after all, that high-end professional cine lenses can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

So what next for Sigma? We wouldn't be surprised if Mr Yamaki is working on more wideangle lenses, and following the new 24-70mm F2.8, it seems likely that the company will refresh its 70-200mm F2.8 in the near future, too. More Sony E-mount optics are also on the way, we're told, which will be welcome news to Sony a7-series users.  

Sigma released four lenses at this year's CP+ show in Yokohama - the 14mm F1.8 DG HSM Art, 24-70mm F2.8 DG OS HSM Art, 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art and 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM. We're at the show, where we made time to sit down with Kazuto Yamaki, CEO of Sigma, to find our more about the new lenses. 

You've told me previously that you really want Sigma to make more wideangle lenses. Do you think you're achieving that goal with the 12-24mm and new 14mm?

Yes, but I'm still not satisfied. I think we need to make more wide-angle lenses. A fast 14mm was one of the lenses that our customers were asking for. Most existing 14mm lenses are F2.8, so F1.8 was a challenge.

What have you learned, from making the Art series?

We've learned that some customers require exceptional lens performance. We believe that our mission is to make products that other manufacturers don't have. If we just released similarly-specified lenses to existing models, we wouldn't be contributing to the industry, or benefiting customers. So our Art series is meant to provide the best performance.

They're bulky and heavy, it's true, but our customers like them because of the performance. That's what we learned.

Hands-on with Sigma MC-11 (CP+ 2016) You now make a mount adapter for Sony E-mount, but are you planning native support for the Sony E-mount in the future?

Yes, that's our plan. Our plan is to develop full-frame lenses for Sony E mount, and in the future we will have more E mount lenses. But it takes time. Normally it takes about two years to develop one lens, sometimes three. So even if I start the process now, the lens might come out in two years time.

Sigma's new Art-series lenses have a degree of weather-sealing - why now?

It's based on customer demand. Some of our customers said that rain and snow sometimes got into the lens mount, so they wanted sealing. And the other reason is that it's becoming a trend. Other manufacturers are offering sealed mounts.

Does that make the design process more complex?

No, not really. The only seal is around the lens mount. It's not a perfect weather-proofing like our Sports series. The 150-600mm for instance has sealing everywhere, on the focus ring and zoom ring.

Of the lenses in the Global Vision line, which were the most complex to bring to market?

Our 12-24mm zoom. Because that lenses uses a very large aspherical element, and at the time, no other company was producing an element of this kind, and there were no machines capable of producing it. So we designed a custom machine to make that element. But as a result of developing that technology, we were able to create this new 14mm F1.8.

The Global Vision line is almost five years old. What are you most proud of?

Firstly, I'm still not satisfied. We need to do more. But these days, I'm pretty happy that people regard Sigma as a high-quality company. In the past, some people regarded Sigma as just another third-party lens manufacturer, and maybe even as a cheap, low-quality lens supplier. But people's perception has been changing, gradually, and I'm very happy about that.

One of the things that professional Canon and Nikon photographers rely on is the support networks for service, like CPS and NPS. Is a professional service support system something that Sigma is interested in creating?

I think we'll have to. In Japan we've already started a pro support project, and I hope we can create a global professional support system very soon.

In the past you've expressed concern that you don't want Sigma to grow too much, too quickly, because this might threaten some the magic of being a small company. Is this something that you're still worried about?

Growing too fast is not good. We need to grow, but we should grow gradually. We need to develop our capability to produce higher-quality products. That's the priority. Then turnover, and sales, and profit will follow. We do not prioritize making the company bigger. We focus on product quality, and technology.

Over the past five years, we've actually been making fewer lenses, because we decreased the number of cheaper lenses we were producing. But we've expanded our manufacturing capacity, because the higher-end lenses use more glass. Cheaper lenses might use 10-15 elements, but these higher quality lenses use 15-20, sometimes even more elements. So more capacity is needed to make a single lens. We've actually invested massively in the past five years.

Sigma and Fujifilm have recently introduced lineups of cine lenses. How much growth do you see in this segment?

We don't know. Even before I decided to get into the cine lens market, I tried to collect market data, but there's no data out there. It's not available. It's only anecdotal. But we guessed that this segment will grow in the future.

Video has lower resolution demands than stills, but we've been designing lenses for 36+ megapixel sensors for several years. That is equivalent to 8K, in video terms. A lot of traditional cine lenses aren't that high resolution. Our lenses might be more affordable, but they're top quality.

Do you have a market share target for your cine lenses?

No, we're waiting to see how the market develops. We can dream, but it's not the same thing!

Editors' note:

We always enjoy speaking to Mr Yamaki, partly because on the occasions when we get the opportunity to do so, it's usually because he's just unveiled something really interesting. Mostly though, we enjoy speaking to Sigma's CEO because he's a nice guy. Open, honest, and candid about Sigma's plans and ambitions, Mr Yamaki is well-liked in the photography industry, even by his competitors.

Speaking of competitors, I get the feeling that Mr Yamaki was compelled to deliver the new 14mm F1.8 partly out of a general disappointment with the available options for photographers. Sigma has a strong history of innovating in the wide and ultra-wide market, and the new 14mm, alongside the previously-released 12-24mm certainly look like a confident statement of intent. If the 14mm is as good as Mr Yamaki claims (and we are rarely disappointed by the optical performance of Sigma's Art series) it looks set to be a reference lens for landscape, architectural and astrophotographers. We're hoping to be able to post a gallery of samples very soon - watch this space.

Also interesting, is another statement of intent - Sigma's move into affordable cine lenses. While the company is not competing (yet) with the Arris of this world, or with Canon's Cinema EOS optics, Sigma (like Fujifilm) sees an opportunity to cater to a newer generation of videographers who are working with mirrorless systems. Optically, Sigma's cine lenses should be top notch, although being based on existing stills lens designs, we're told that some qualities, such as focus breathing, might cause issues for professional broadcast and film cinematographers. There is a reason, after all, that high-end professional cine lenses can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

So what next for Sigma? We wouldn't be surprised if Mr Yamaki is working on more wideangle lenses, and following the new 24-70mm F2.8, it seems likely that the company will refresh its 70-200mm F2.8 in the near future, too. More Sony E-mount optics are also on the way, we're told, which will be welcome news to Sony a7-series users.  


Source: CP+ 2017 - Sigma interview: 'We've learned that some customers require exceptional lens performance'

Sunday, February 26, 2017

IFTTT for Photographers – Save Time and Get Organized

I love technology and innovation, and thanks to it, the amazing things we can do in photography. But, like many photographers, I confess to excessive grumbling about the amount of time spent in front of the computer and away from the camera.  I am always looking for something that shifts the balance from computer timto camera time.  I found IFTTT.com a few years ago and by using it, many of my online "chores" are now automated. It's a tool that saves time at the computer and helps keep me organized, all for the low, low cost of free (my favorite price!).

If you are new to IFTTT, this article will get you started, covering how it works and some of my favorite ways to use it. You may even save enough time to go out and do a little photography for a change!

What is IFTTT?

IF This, Then That (IFTTT), is a one stop online automation shop. IFTTT's purpose is to "automate the sharing of information, notifications or processes which are useful in everyday online life." They offer an online collection of small programs that enable you to connect internet based services, and/or web enabled devices, to each other. For example, if I post a picture on Facebook, IFTTT sees this, grabs a copy, and posts it to my Twitter account. The beauty of IFTTT is the first trigger can set off a chain reaction of events. Not only is the Facebook post shared to Twitter, it can simultaneously be posted to dozens of other sites, logged to spreadsheets, emailed to friends, or even set as the wallpaper on your phone.

Why use it?

It's free, it's easy to use, and it saves time. IFTTT allows me to connect all my internet activities together, so I can keep my social media sites up to date, manage my ever-growing digital photography library, update my portfolios with my latest work, and keep my calendar in sync between business and family. This way I don't miss out on the most important stuff; being a dad, husband, and photographer!

IFTTT, The Basics

There are just two fundamental parts to IFTTT you need to know; Services and Applets.

Services – Any internet connected site, app, or device supported by the IFTTT library. There are hundreds of these on IFTTT, with more being added daily. IFTTT categorizes these by type, like Appliances, Cloud Storage, Social Networks, etc. When you create your IFTTT account, you add the services you want connected. This gives IFTTT access to watch these services for changes, and take automatic actions on your behalf in the form of applets.

IF This Then That Diagram

Applets – (formerly known as "recipes") These are little programs that connect two or more services together. Applets are made of two parts, a trigger (If This…) and an action (… Then That!). Each of these can have ingredients based on information or features from the service you are connecting. When the conditions for the trigger occur, IFTTT executes the action. Brilliantly simple!

5 Applets That Are Favorites for Photographers

Once you have created your IFTTT account, and connected your services, it's time to start creating applets. I use about a dozen different applets to manage my online life, from posting photos to keeping track of my truck's business mileage. Here are a few examples that are perfect for photographers to get started using IFTTT.

Whether you are new to IFTTT or have been using it for a while, these applets will help you streamline your online presence, organize your business, and help get you back behind your camera instead of in front of your computer.

Jason Hahn Jason is a nature and adventure photographer who has been photographing all the amazing creatures and places this planet has to offer for over a decade. Also a Florida Master Naturalist, he enjoys teaching about photography and the natural world. He currently calls Florida home, with his wife, son, and more cats than he would like to admit. When not writing about himself in the third person, he enjoys sunsets and long walks on the beach while carrying 40 pounds of camera gear. He can most often be found wading through a swamp, hunting down a good burger joint, or enjoying time with his family.

You can find out more about Jason, including his photo workshops, at HahnNaturePhotography.com.

Latest posts by Jason Hahn (see all)
Source: IFTTT for Photographers – Save Time and Get Organized

Friday, February 24, 2017

11 Photographers to Check Out During Denver’s Month of Photography 2017

Denver's biennial celebration—Month of Photography— is coming up in March and April at hundreds of locations across the Front Range. RedLine Contemporary Art Center will be the main hub where multiple lectures, exhibitions, portfolio reviews and workshops in partnership with Colorado Photographic Arts Center (CPAC) will take place. For the most public display during Month of Photography, CPAC and Denver Digerati have curated a series of local photography to be showcased on the giant LED screens that are part of the Denver Theater District, at 14th and Arapahoe and at 16th and Champa.

The 2017 Month of Photography celebrates the "far-reaching applications and concepts emerging in photography today" according to the official website. This year the theme is Between the Mediums—Seeing Photographically which will allow for many different galleries, museums and businesses to display work that may not prescribe to traditional definitions of photography, but which explore the use of photographic materials and techniques in an artist's practice.

With so many participating venues the choices feel overwhelming, so 303 Magazine decided to highlight some of the most exciting exhibitions that will be celebrating Denver's Month of Photography, splitting them into five categories for better navigation and sorted by artist.

Tya Alisa Anthony Leon Gallery, Tya Alisa Anthony, Denver's Month of Photography, 303 Magazine, Cori Anderson

Photo by Tya Alisa Anthony

What: SKINs, "a photographic exploration of the complexities of American culture in the 21st Century"When: March 11—April 8, Wednesday-Friday, 12—7 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 12—5 p.m.Where: Leon Gallery, 1112 East 17th Ave, Denver

The Lowdown: Tya Alisa Anthony is a Denver-based artist who presents social, environmental, cultural and political narratives with her work. SKINs— a photographic exhibition shown at Leon Gallery—will examine the idealization of body image, both physically and metaphorically. About her work, Anthony explains, "I create visual personifications of identity narratives through photography, drawing and mixed media.  I explore the gaps of knowledge of my own heritage with vivid imagery addressing a once declared chameleon identity… I am most interested in metaphoric masks worn as protection and representation of Identity."  These particular pieces were inspired by organic colors and textures and natural weathering processes that relate to aging.

Ken Hamel Ken Hamel, Adam Milner, Cori Anderson, 303 Magazine, Denver's Month of Photography

Adam Milner, photograph by Ken Hamel

What: Denverarts.org—A Decade in photographs by Ken HamelWhen: Opening reception March 3, 6—9 p.m., March 4, 1—5 p.m., April 7, 6—9 p.m., April 8, 1—5 p.m.Where: VERTIGO Art Space, 960 Santa Fe Dr, Denver

The Lowdown: Ken Hamel started Denverarts.org in 2007 as a complete online resource of art events in Denver, where someone could go to find the details about every artistic endeavor happening, as well as reviews and photos. In the decade that followed, Hamel collected thousands of photographs of Denver artists after attending thousands of art exhibitions. With the help of the photographer Anthony Camera, Hamel chose 40 of the best portraits from the last decade and will be displaying these at VERTIGO Art Space as part of the Month of Photography celebration. Though told through photography, this exhibition will surely be an ode to the artists of Denver, no matter what medium they express themselves through.

Armando Martinez and Shana Cordon Feral Factory, Armando Martinez, 303 Magazine, Cori Anderson, RiNo

Photo by Armando Martinez for Feral Factory

What: Feral Factory's urban photographic survey by Armando Martinez and Shana Cordon titled Exploring the Collage City (See 303 Magazine's announcement about this exhibition here).When: February 24—March 30Where: The Crash, 2555 Walnut St, Denver

The Lowdown: Photographs by Armando Martinez and Shana Cordon reveal intimate and astute observations about urbanism which break down typical understandings of living in a city and how that effects all of us. Their collection is the first in a series of exhibitions by Feral Factory that will run through the summer. They also have a call for entry until February 25 at midnight for guest appearances in this show. 

Ryan McGinley 303 Magazine, Nick Annis, Cori Anderson, Ryan McGinley, MCA Denver

Artifacts and images from McGinley

What: Ryan McGinley's The Kids Were Alright, presented by MCA DenverWhen: February 11 — August 20. Tuesday-Thursday, 12—7 p.m., Friday 12—9 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m. — 5 p.m.Where: Museum of Contemporary Art, 1485 Delgany St, DenverThe Lowdown: The Kids Were Alright features early photographs by Ryan McGinley in Manhattan in the 1990s, which includes never before printed pictures, the actual point-and-shoot cameras he used to take pictures and an impressive band of 1,763 Polaroids in three rows wrapped around the entire floor, depicting visitors to McGinley's apartment over a four year period. The photographs are gritty, uncensored and candid. Read our entire review of his show here.

Jon Furlong Jon Furlong, Shepard Fairey, 303 Magazine, Cori Anderson, Denver's Month of Photography 2017

Shepard Fairey photographed by Jon Furlong

What: Jon Furlong's photographs of street artist Shepard Fairey and his indoor/outdoor workWhen: March 11—March 31. Opening reception March 11, 7—9 p.m.Where: Black Book Gallery, 304 Elati St, DenverThe Lowdown: According to Furlong, "the art of photography is preserving moments for eternity"—a technique that focuses on presenting an unadulterated truth rather than trying to create meaning out of an image. Perhaps this style comes from Furlong's subject matter—Shepard Fairey and his art, which have plenty to say for themselves—but perhaps it's a matter of historical record more than anything else. Furlong hopes to turn an abstract moment into a physical image that represents impermanence itself. He manages to capture the images because he is officially Fairey's personal photographer.

Joseph Coniff RULE Gallery, Joseph Coniff, Cori Anderson, 303 Magazine, Denver's Month of Photography 2017

Joseph Coniff, Four Flowers

What: Basic Pictures, art using photographic tools and materials in unconventional ways by Joseph ConiffWhen: March 4—April 15,Where: RULE Gallery, 530 Santa Fe Dr, DenverThe Lowdown: Though the finished pieces of Joseph Coniff's exhibition, Basic Pictures are paintings, the process which brings him to that point involves scanning images and editing them digitally which are ultimately photographic techniques. He begins with bold lines using markers and eventually crops, zooms, recomposes and colors the images to produce a different perspective altogether. As the press release states, "this [exhibition] harkens back to the photograms of Man Ray: darkroom works where the artist bypassed the middle-media of negatives by layering objects directly onto photographic paper, resulting in collaged imagery that can vary from ghostly to sharp, to surreal and dreamlike."  This kind of photographic display is for the open-minded.

The Art of Scanning Niza Knoll, Denver's Month of Photography, 303 Magazine, Cori Anderson, Scanography

Sample Scanography by Niza Knoll, gallery owner

What: Juried exhibition that requires artist use the art of scanning as their primary mediumWhen: March 17—April 15, Wednesday-Friday, 1—5 p.m. (except 1st and 3rd Fridays), Saturday 1—4 p.m.,Where: Niza Knoll Gallery, 915 Santa Fe Dr, DenverThe Lowdown: Embracing the theme of Denver's Month of Photography— Between the Mediums— Niza Knoll asked artists entering in this juried exhibition to capture art through a scanner instead of a camera. The scanbed will act as a lens, light source and canvas. The call for entries explains that there are many different techniques with scanner art and urges artists to be as creative as possible. With so much creative freedom, the results are bound to be fascinating.

The Painted Pixel Denver's Month of Photography, Christopher Kates, The Painted Pixel, 303 Magazine

Christopher Kates, Modern Tintype

What: Personal Portrait Transfer into modern tintypeWhen: March 3, 7—10 p.m.Where: The Painted Pixel, 5227 West 25th Avenue, Edgewater, DenverThe Lowdown: The Painted Pixel is an art gallery and high quality print shop that will be presenting work by "Colorado Josh" Hicks, David Jepson and Christopher Kates during Denver's Month of Photography. That exhibition, titled Alternative Printmakers will be on display from March 3 into April and focuses on modern photo transfer techniques onto various media. On opening night, The Painted Pixel will be offering wine and snacks as well as an opportunity to have your portrait taken and transferred into a modern tintype (pictured above.)

DAM Month of Photography Lecture Series Denver Art Museum Month of Photography Lecture Series

Safe, by Carol Golemboski- the first lecturer in the series

What: Four lectures by Front Range photographersWhen: March 3, 17, 23 and 30. Doors at 6:30 p.m.Where: Denver Art Museum, Hamilton Building Lower Level, 100 West 14th Avenue, DenverCost: $10 general admission, $5 DAM Members, Students and CPAC MembersThe Lowdown: Four Front Range-based photographers will give individual lectures during the Month of Photography. Carol Golemboski will kick off the events on March 3, presenting her ideas through images that feel rough and nostalgic at once. On March 17, Andrew Beckham will take the stage with his contemplative photography that results in some naming him a "visual poet." On March 23 it will be Gary Emrich, a fourth-generation Coloradan who depicts pop-culture icons with suitably bright compositions of found items. Closing out the series will be Benjamin Rasmussen, on March 30, who constantly questions the concepts of home, family, community and the environmental impacts we may create or be destroyed by.

Andy Mann Andy Mann, Firehouse Art Center, Denver's Month of Photography, Cori Anderson, 303 Magazine,

The Wave, photograph by Andy Mann

What: National Geographic Nature and Adventure Photographer, Andy MannWhen: March 8—April 9, Wednesday-Thursday, 12—5 p.m., Friday 12—9 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 12—5 p.m.Where: Firehouse Art Center, 667 4th Ave, Longmont

The Lowdown: Niwot resident Andy Mann has been an adventure and nature photographer for over a decade, contributing to National Geographic, The New York Times, Red Bull, Adidas and North Face—and has earned a reputation as an explorer obsessed with "firsts." He brings along his camera and the results are captivating images of our changing and diverse world. His images often carry a sense of the adrenaline he must feel capturing them.

Barbara Gal Barbara Gal, NEXT Gallery, Denver's Month of Photography,

American River, photograph by Barbara Gal

What: 71% of the Earth is Water, photographs and collages by Barbara GalWhen: March 12—April 2, Fridays 5—10 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 12—5 p.m.Where: NEXT Art Gallery, 3659 Navajo St, Denver

The Lowdown: This will be the last show after 10 years at the Navajo Street location, before NEXT Gallery moves to the new location. Photographs by Barbara Gal will be displayed, showing various water formations around the world from interesting perspectives.

For a complete list of participating venues for Denver's Month of Photography, visit the map here.
Source: 11 Photographers to Check Out During Denver's Month of Photography 2017

Thursday, February 23, 2017

UNO II Is A Special Backpack Style Camera Bag For Photographers

As photographers, I think we are all always looking for a bag that better fits our particular needs. Be that a larger bag to carry a ton of gear or a smaller bag to grab and go with a basic kit. One thing that always seems to come up is your bag either being too much or too little for a given task – enter the UNO II, a bag that can be whatever you need it to be with interchangeable panels according to the company's claims.

The UNO II has just launched on Kickstarter, and the campaign has already blown past their initial $15,000 goal, doubling it at $31,000 at the time of this writing. The unique design of this bag helps it stand out as a great bag for those who need a camera bag, or simply a regular bag to take with them to school.

The magic comes from the bag's custom panels, which you use to make the bag fit your needs, be that as a camera bag or a day bag for work or school. You simply switch out the internal panel for whichever purpose fits your needs, fill it, zip it, and you are good to go with a stylish bag that has what you need and only what you need. Its design is also rather unconventional.

Look familiar to you? It should. There are loads of backpack style camera bags that look like this these days. From Peak Design to so many others out there. Except, you know, no one makes one in that hot pink you all know you want to match your hot pink button down.

If you are interested in supporting the UNO II you can jump in on the Kickstarter to get the bag for just $79, which is a steal when you consider what most nice camera bags cost you these days. You can get all the details about this over on the Kickstarter page, here.


Source: UNO II Is A Special Backpack Style Camera Bag For Photographers

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Sony Introduces the World’s Fastest SD Card

SF-G Series UHS-II SD cards offer unprecedented write speeds of up to 299MB/s, optimal for hi-speed continuous shooting and 4K video shooting

SF-G Series, 128GB

Park Ridge, N.J., February 22, 2017 – Sony is increasing the speed and efficiency of their SD card lineup with the new SF-G Series.  As performance demands and file sizes continue to increase, the SF-G Series of SD cards offer enhanced features optimized for professional photographers, DSLR and mirrorless camera users and videographers.

SF-G Series, 64GB

With a write speed of up to 299 MB/s, enabled by Sony's unique firmware, the SF-G Series will be the world's fastest SD cards.  The quick write speed supports maximum performance of digital imaging devices, contributing to longer continuous shooting of high-resolution images with UHS-II supporting cameras.   It also contributes to a shorter buffer clearing time so users never miss a critical moment.

Using Sony's algorithm, the cards prevent the decrease of data-writing speeds and contribute to the camera's ability of successive high speed shooting.

The cards also feature a read speed of up to 300MB/s.  Paired with a memory card reader, the cards can transfer large volumes and file sizes to a computer very quickly, contributing to a more efficient workflow for professionals.

"Available in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB capacities, the SF-G Series offers options that ensure high-performance, high speed  and reliable shooting," said Viviano Cantu, Vice President, Product Marketing, Sony Americas Media and Energy Group.   "As the continuous shooting of higher-resolution images and adoption of 4K video with DSLR and mirrorless cameras increases, the inherent need for larger, faster and more dependable cards becomes apparent.  A longtime leader at the forefront of professional media, Sony has met these growing demands with the debut of the SF-G Series, which offers industry leading performance."

Sony's SD cards are extremely reliable and durable, with water proof and anti-static capabilities to keep your precious content safe. Additionally, Sony's free downloadable File Rescue software allows for the recovery of photos and videos, including RAW images and 4K XAVC-S video files, that may have been accidentally damaged or deleted.

SF-G Series, 32GB

The SF-G Series is planned to be available in Spring 2017.

Also in Spring 2017, a high speed SD memory card reader, MRW-S1 supporting UHS-II, will be available for use with the SF-G series, enabling the fast and convenient transfer of data to a PC with a USB3.1 Gen1 Interface.


Source: Sony Introduces the World's Fastest SD Card

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Winter Photography: Capturing the magic of white wonderland

Blagoja Martinovski

February 21, 2017 By Blagoja Martinovski

Winter Photography: Capturing the magic of white wonderland www.sleeklens.com

Photographers always take a hit "under the belt" in the winter. The weather is the main reason, rain, snow, powerful cold winds, short day, and all of this gives us a plenty of excuses to postpone the intention to go out with our favourite piece of equipment- the camera.

With this article I hope that you will get motivated to go out in this period of the year, and shoot some great winter landscapes or portraits, creating memories for your children that will last forever.

So, in the northern hemisphere is still winter and you will have a whole month before the snow is gone.

Winter photography tips

The first thing is that you don't need a lot of equipment, but don't forget to get your warmer clothes and be prepared for the worst from the weather. Gloves are essential if you are going out for a long walk. If you have ordinary gloves, you will find difficulties to operate the camera. Therefore you will need special photographers' gloves which provide protection while being thin enough allowing you to operate your camera. Some of them have fingertip covers that can be opened briefly to allow you to open the battery compartment door, change memory cards or make camera settings, then resealed to continue providing warmth. Also, mind the condensation if you are going from out to inside to get some heat. To prevent this, put your gear (the camera and lens) in an appropriate-sized plastic bag like or a backpack. Let the gear inside the bag warm or cool to the ambient temperature, and you will have no condensation problems. Also, have in mind that the loose batteries power in t he cold. The solution is to carry fully charged the spare battery in an inner pocket, where your body heat keeps it warm.

One of the most amazing things about the winter is that the landscapes are constantly changing. The scene or an object may not be the same the next day as it is at that moment. A fresh snowfall or a chilly evening can change the landscape completely.

winter_night

Now here are some tips to get the best from all of that white around you.

Use snow to create an amazing high key portrait.  Snow can serve as an excellent backdrop for this kind of photos. With white background focus on the object using vibrant colours in clothing, beautiful winter coats, hats and boots. Hats are a great way to frame faces and showcase eyes as well, especially in children.

Photographing snowmen, snowball fights, kids sledging or skiing are great ways to capture memories during this time of year.  Shooting in the late afternoon sun will result in warmer images with a colour cast on the snow.  This is not always ideal, but when used correctly it can help tell an amazing story.

Winter photography tips

Now we are going to talk a little bit about the settings for your perfect white photo. Remember that the white can trick your meter. So what is causing this problem? All camera metering systems are calibrated to base exposure on neutral tones or neutral grey. White will influence and probably dominate your camera meter's exposure reading. So your primary setting will lead to disappointing results when you discover that all your snow-covered winter landscapes are underexposed and appear grey. So now that you are armed with knowing these facts tell the camera to brighten your images by up to two stops of exposure value to make whites whiter. I find that even on an overcast day, or in the shade, a snow-covered scene will need to be overexposed by +1 stop of exposure value. Bright sunlit snow scenes may require +2 exposure values. Be very careful at going beyond +2 exposure values compensation because things will start to become blown out with significant loss of details. This will result in a new shutter speed, probably three times slower at the same aperture, and a beautifully white image. But be careful, the moment the object is going to move away from all that white, the exposure with +2 stops of exposure compensation is no longer valid.

sunset

If you want to use a filter for winter photography, I would recommend the Polarizer. This is a great tool for darkening blue skies, adding definition to clouds, eliminating glare and adding more saturation to colours. Another filter that's receiving less use in the digital age is a warming filter such as the 81C. The complementary yellowish colour will neutralise the snow's blue cast that can occur on sunny days or in the shade.

So please protect your self's out there, especially in the wild. And again, take warmer clothes because if you're not comfortable, you simply won't have an enjoyable or productive outdoor winter experience.

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Macedonian motorsport photographer, biker, and editor of motori.com.mk

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Source: Winter Photography: Capturing the magic of white wonderland

Monday, February 20, 2017

Meet the Denver Drone Photographers Taking Photography a Mile Higher

We've all seen those incredible Instagram photos: the neon veins of city traffic at night, that electrifying Denver skyline or the birds-eye view of the Flatirons in the midst of a winter storm. These are just a few examples the new and increasingly popular breed of photography — drones. If you've ever wondered how these crazy shots happen, we got to catch up three up and coming Boulder/Denver-based photographers behind some of those breathtaking shots.

Photo Courtesy of Emily Schromm

Blake Rubenstein of Guerrilla Capturing is no newbie to the game of drone photography; he started flying drones several years ago and comes from a background of over 17 years of videography experience. He describes his style as "high-end video production captured by any means necessary," an intensity that was perhaps drawn from his early days making short videos on UFC fighters around the country. Although some of his more prominent work features primarily cityscapes- whose crazy angles he attributes to "physics- a lot of shots are only possible with a drone," Rubenstein points out that "beauty always starts in nature." In addition to the jaw-dropping drone photography, Guerrilla Capturing tells clients' stories to the world in visually-compelling videos surrounding the topics of anything from fitness and commercial real estate to music videos.

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303: How long have you been doing photography/videography and how did you get into drone photography/videography?

BR: A couple years ago, I got my first drone and I went out and flew from 1-5 times a day for 2-months straight.  As I come from the video side, I think it's given me an advantage over other commercial drone videographers whom maybe got into the business, because of their love for flying and not necessarily as a video weapon.  After safety (always first YAY!), all I care about is what the shot looks like and not if I look like a cool bro doing fancy drone moves while doing it.  I became certified by the FAA on August 30, 2016 and I now also have a Certificate of Waiver from the FAA to fly at night.

303: What are some of the challenges you've faced when shooting?

BR: All kinds.  Park rangers love having the authority to say you can't fly haha.  Licensing with the FAA and getting insured are two of the bigger pains in the ass that I can remember.

303: Where was your favorite assignment and why?

BR: Although I've gotten to travel the world for work, my favorite assignment was right up the street in Boulder.  We had the opportunity to do a six-month video project for Twitter last year.  They haven't released the video for social media, but that's something I'd like the world to see and that I'm proud of.  Just being able to say that Twitter is a client to other potential clients has been tremendous for business.

303: What would be your dream location/place/event to shoot?

BR: If Back to the Future IV is going to be filmed in Tokyo, then I choose that.

303: A lot of people feel that drones are a gross invasion of privacy, what're your thoughts on drone use becoming increasingly popular and more easily accessible from a commercial standpoint?

BR: Stupid people are going to do stupid things. I'm glad I'm not the guy who comes up with the laws, but I'm thankful that someone is.

303: Where do you see drone photography going in the next five years/the future?

BR: Looks like we're going to see more synchronized drones for entertainment like we just saw at the Super Bowl.  As far drone photography itself, I see it becoming even more stable and affordable.  I can't imagine how crazy the resolution will be by 2022… cray.

303: If you could be invisible and photograph/film a location, where would you go?

BR: If I could be invisible and film a location, it would be inside Quentin Tarantino's brain, like in Being John Malkovich.

See more from Rubenstein on his website or Instagram or Vimeo

Photo Courtesy of Andrew Jernberg

You may have caught his viral Facebook video featuring a stunning aerial overview of Boulder's best angles and breathtaking views that quickly drew attention from media outlets like USA Today, The Weather Channel, N2K TV, 9NEWS Denver, Drone Blog and the Daily Camera; so it comes as no surprise that the storyteller behind it is a Boulder native who has been taking photos since the beginning of high school. With a background in journalism, Kjell Redal's passion is creating "compelling stories with people, places and ideas" and pairing them with his equally enticing imagery. Redal has been creating visual content for 8 years now and is currently a video producer, photographer and designer. He ventured into the world of drone photography over 3 years ago and highlights outdoor pursuits and projects that spotlight social issues, conflict and crime.

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303: Where do you draw inspiration from when picking a location- point of view, light, angles, etc.?

KR: It's crazy how different a location can be based on the medium of what you're trying to shoot in it. In general, though, I look for light first and foremost. Good light can make a mediocre view look incredible. Besides that, I'll often seek out features that look completely different from the air to shoot with drones. This keeps things fresh for the audience.

303: What are some of the challenges you've faced when shooting?

KR:I think the hardest thing about creating engaging content these days is envisioning the final product's storyline or angle that unites otherwise disjointed pieces of media. It's easy to get a bunch of pretty looking shots but it's more difficult to assemble them into something that has a singular message and means something to an audience. 

303: What would be your dream location/place/event to shoot?

KR: Ahh that's something I think of all the time. I've wanted to shoot fly fishing for brown trout in crystal-clear New Zealand streams for a while now. Also an epic Cape Town to Cairo overland documentary trip. 

303: Where do you see drone photography going in the next five years/the future?

KR: It's exciting! I think we'll see a shrinking of size for a lot of the high-quality camera-carrying drones. The DJI Mavic has changed the game in this arena this year. It almost fits in your pocket and still shoots stabilized 4K footage. 

303: If you could be invisible and photograph/film a location, where would you go?

KR: North Korea. You don't distribute in Pyongyang, do you? 

See more from Redal on his website, Instagram or Youtube.

Photos Courtesy of Jon Giehl

Air Vision Imagery is a full-service aerial video and photography company based out of the Boulder/Denver area that has been operating since mid-2016. The neo-company is composed of duo Alex Dickerson and Jon Giehl, utilizing their small, unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) and progressive software applications to reach views and shots that photographers in a full sized aircraft can't. With a style that the Boulder natives and childhood friends describe as "modern and bold," Alex and Jon specialize in shooting nature, sporting events, wildlife, weddings and more; seeking to "connect the visual and sensory world into one that inspires and pulls people to great heights."

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303: Where was your favorite assignment and why?

AV: One of the first shoots we did was just at a place in downtown Denver shooting an apartment complex. It was one of the first times we had shot down there and getting aerial views of downtown was an awesome experience since we hadn't seen it from that view before. It's amazing what you can capture with a drone compared to basic video and photography.

303: What do you think sets drone photography apart from using more traditional mediums and equipment?

AV: Drones allow people to capture amazing aerial footage, providing uncommon angles of viewing the world that we live in; that would not be originally provided by helicopter filming crews or ground-limited filming crews. Gimbal technology has allowed drones to create smooth, buttery shots that provide audiences with floating/flying sensations which we think is a huge part of the general appeal. 

303: How do you set yourself and your work apart from other photographers who have also branched into this field?

AV: Jon graduated with Technical Communications Degree with a specialization in video production Alex is almost finished with a Business Management Degree with an emphasis in Small Business/ Entrepreneurship. We feel like this combination of both our backgrounds makes for a great partnership. We have also been childhood friends since elementary school so we have great chemistry and a similar vision. 

303: If you could be invisible and photograph/film a location, where would you go?

AV: We would go to Rio de Janeiro and shoot Christ the Redeemer. The statue is beautiful and who would complain about traveling there?

303: What would be your dream location/place/event to shoot?

AV: We would love to shoot in South/Central America. Using our business as a means to be able to travel around the globe is a dream of ours. 

See more from Air Vision Imagery on their website, Instagram or Vimeo.


Source: Meet the Denver Drone Photographers Taking Photography a Mile Higher

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Kayak and Momondo Combine and 5 Other Digital Trends This Week

Throughout the week we post dozens of original stories, connecting the dots across the travel industry, and every weekend we sum it all up. This weekend roundup examines digital trends.

For all of our weekend roundups, go here.

>>Egencia's ambitious growth will likely pressure two of the remaining global travel management companies to merge as a defensive move: Egencia Is Growing Fast but Corporate Travel Rivals Still Dominate Large Accounts

>>Expedia poured money into Trivago marketing at a loss. Current Priceline Group CEO Glenn Fogel just spent $550 million on helping Kayak grow. Does this mean he's going to open the bankroll even further to assist Kayak-Momondo in its expansion? Kayak-Momondo: What to Watch for as the Companies Combine

>>Instant booking has long been thought of as a natural progression for the metasearch sector, so it is interesting to note the cautious tone adopted by Momondo's Chief Executive: Skift Forum Europe: Momondo Group's CEO on Personalization in Metasearch

>>The bar for success is higher than usual for these companies because of their unlikeliness: an online seller of cruise trips, a traditional "high street" travel agency, a network of freelance photographers, and a maker of eyewear that records 360-degree-video: Dreamlines Raises $19 Million for Its Cruise Site: Travel Startup Funding This Week

>>TripAdvisor became the largest travel site in the world based on its high profile in free search results. But Google has become a hyper-monetized marketplace and TripAdvisor's competitors have the resources to grossly outspend it in digital marketing: TripAdvisor Rethinks Marketing as It Tries to Solve Instant Booking Problems

>>Google's paid-search and product practices enable the big — like Expedia — to get bigger. So what's not to like? Although other businesses that aren't as well-positioned as Expedia and the Priceline Group undoubtably take a more critical view: Expedia CFO on Google Relationship — The Positives and Negatives Balance Out

Tags: trends, trends roundups Share Tweet Post Send Interested in more stories like these? Sign up for the Skift Daily Newsletter. You will be a lot smarter about the future of travel — we guarantee it!
Source: Kayak and Momondo Combine and 5 Other Digital Trends This Week

Saturday, February 18, 2017

The Three London Designers You Need to Know

 London Fashion Week is upon us, and while the next few days are jam packed with shows and presentations, here are the three most important designers to watch.

Molly GoddardA model walks the Molly Goddard Fall Winter 2017 show in London (Photo: Getty Images)

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Molly Goddard

This Central Saint Martins alumni created her debut collection for a mere $1000 dollars and cast friends and other real women. Not only did Dover Street Market placed an immediate order, she won the prestigious British Fashion Award for Best Emerging Talent, and Rihanna became a fan.

Rihanna in a Spring Molly Goddard dress (Photo: AKM-GSI)

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Goddard's fall/winter 2017 show today had a dinner party set to highlight her festive designs: bright colors, volume, smocks, yards and yards of tulle. One beautiful tiered dress had RiRi's name all over it!

Molly GoddardA model walks the Molly Goddard Fall Winter 2017 show in London (Photo: Getty Images)

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Diana Tsui at The Cut says "clearly we should all wear tulle to our next dinner party and drink plenty of wine while doing so!" We could not agree more!

J.W.AndersonA model walks the J.W.Anderson Fall Winter 2017 show in London (Photo: Courtesy of J.W.Anderson)

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J.W.Anderson

One of the biggest name to show during London Fashion Week, Anderson is a favorite with editors, buyers, stylists and the city's cool kids. Anderson is no doubt the prince of LFW. The crowds of street style influencers, photographers and fans that gather outside his show every season is a testament to his royal status in the industry.

J.W.AndersonA model walks the J.W.Anderson Fall Winter 2017 show in London (Photo: Courtesy of J.W.Anderson)

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There were plenty of luxurious furs, leather and deconstructed pieces to satisfy the most hardcore Anderson fans. The must have items?  A pair of white sandal heels, a patchwork, a one-shoulder dress and of course, the handbags.

Emilia WicksteadA model walks the Emilia Wickstead Fall Winter 2017 show in London (Photo: Courtesy of Emilia Wickstead)

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Emilia Wickstead

Wickstead is a favorite of HRH Duchess of Cornwall, Kate Middleton and plenty of it girls and models. Her feminine silhouettes and classic palette is perfect for that cool ladylike style. Ripped jeans and sneakers she is not!

Emilia WicksteadA model walks the Emilia Wickstead Fall Winter 2017 show in London (Photo: Courtesy of Emilia Wickstead) 

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Today at Wickstead's 'My Girl' show the front row was filled with ladylike cool girls including Alexa Chung, Olivia Palermo and English actress, Eleanor Tomlinson. The c ollection, filled with sparkly dresses, ruffled tops  and even a pair of high waisted jeans, will definitely keep the Duchess and all her ladies in waiting happy come fall

Let's keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Style + Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.


Source: The Three London Designers You Need to Know

Friday, February 17, 2017

A Fantasy World Photo Contest Winners

Thank you to all the photographers that shared their best composite fantasy shots in A Fantasy World Photo Contest with chances to win a Vello Shutterboss Version II Timer Remote Switch, Blackrapid Sport Shoulder Sling Strap, and more!

A special thanks to our friend and professional photographer Jessica Lark for her collaboration as a guest judge. Jessica Lark is Internationally Published and Acclaimed, An Educator and Mentor. She has taught with American Photo Magazine, The Arcanum Academy of Artistic Mastery, WPPI, PPE, PPA, Focus NY, CreativeLIVE Spotlight, Photographer's Ignite, and has collaborated with industry leaders such as Sigma, Finao, Pocketwizard, Smugmug, Triple Scoop Music, Fundy Software, On1 and more. She is the Author and Artist of the 9 Book Ennealogy: The Reliquarian, her current labor of love.

Congratulations Grand Jury Winner "Nicole. R" by gcphotographyAU

Nicole. R by gcphotographyAU - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"It's unique to anything else I've seen, and it is hard these days to find new concepts.  I love that you have the repeating shapes, angles, and colors from the origami cranes into the dress, I love the light accentuating her features, the jewelry, and that it softens outward and away.  The matte finish works on this image without dulling it.The image is about the model without her overpowering the photograph and other elements.  Everything about it works.  Room for improvement:  Her hand is a little awkward holding the lantern, turning to the side and flicking the wrist would have been a better line for that arm, and I'm not completely sold on the closed eyes, The flame in the lantern isn't believable but other than those small things I don't have much other critique... this is a print I would by for my home.  Well done." - Jessica Lark

Congratulations Runner Up "The Moon's a Balloon" by imeldabell

The Moon's a Balloon by imeldabell - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"I love the concept of the photograph here, I think its well executed but the fantasy fades.  The model's styling leaves much to be desired and it goes from a sort of painting quality of textured retouch to photograph.  Would love to see this redone to its full potential." - Jessica Lark

Congratulations Runner Up "somewhere , together ..." by PoloD

somewhere , together ... by PoloD - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"I love the styling, the edit, the interaction of the models, you lost it with the blue wig... it's the only thing not fitting into the monochrome and the model is sharing space with the other girl equally so it is making the hair stand out and not the girl... had you gone with a less saturated and bright color this would have made it into the the next circle of finalists for me.  Well done, its a gorgeous concept and well executed." - Jessica Lark

Congratulations Runner Up "The Overexposed Mind " by friedfish

The Overexposed Mind by friedfish - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"I LOVE the concept of this, its unique and it of course fits us as photographers, I'm particularly enthralled with the fact that you went the extra mile to include the portrait on the wall as well, the image wouldn't have been as strong without it.  The scale of her in the room is a bit off to me, and the open door catches so much of the light that it pulls my eye from the subjects comparatively, but overall very well done." - Jessica Lark

Congratulations Runner Up "Lingering Spirits" by HouavangPhotography

Lingering Spirits by HouavangPhotography - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Why it Almost Won: It's incredibly striking as an image.  I love the color and the blackness, the dichotomy of the subjects play off each other in a powerful way, and its unique from other images I've seen. Why it didn't Win:  I think the main model left something to be desired in the expression, I'd have liked to see more emotion from her as she is the forefront.   You had a few hotspots with light, particularly highlighting the fly aways of her hair that I find visually distracting, and some specks, dust and light spots.  Most of the things detracting from the image are able to be cleaned up in post, make sure that you are not getting lazy in the final stretches of creation... a lot of times I'll sleep on an image and look with fresh eyes the next day to see if I missed anything.  This is so close to incredible, but definitely edges on exceptional as it is currently... go the extra mile " - Jessica Lark

Congratulations Runner Up "Sharing Is Caring" by Annelisenicolephotography

Sharing Is Caring by Annelisenicolephotography - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

" Why it almost Won:  It is a done concept to have the tea party little girl theme, but you made it your own by bringing the animals to life instead of having them stuffed.  You did a great job of having her interact with the giraffe, and the eye contact lines up well between the two, a problem many struggle with when dealing with composites.  I love the soft girlie colors and matted look. Why it Didn't Win:  The matte vignette is a little too heavy for my taste, I think you could have backed off just a bit.  The branches between the girl and giraffe are still a little dark and stark, and pull the eye back between instead of on the subjects, and the spots of the Giraffe are so saturated compared to anything on the girl that I think it ends up competing for the staring roll instead of sharing the limelight with her.  Overall I'd say you were 98% of the way there, and I really went back to this one a few times as the overall winner." - Jessica Lark

Congratulations Amateur Winner "Ice lady" by Prijaznica

Ice lady by Prijaznica - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

Congratulations People's Choice "Forest of Fantasy" by thochri

Forest of Fantasy by thochri - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Creatures of Terabithia" by marygracedelapena

Creatures of Terabithia by marygracedelapena - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Bearhug" by tamnelson

Bearhug by tamnelson - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Meeting in the woods" by Ethos

Meeting in the woods by Ethos - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Blackbird 4" by tonyawilhelm

Blackbird 4 by tonyawilhelm - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Falling Demon" by Loza

Falling Demon by Loza - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"magic Box" by usachevalexander

magic Box by usachevalexander - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Falling Asleep" by StefanWitte

Falling Asleep by StefanWitte - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Enchanted" by lisaholloway

Enchanted by lisaholloway - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Chasing fairies " by stephaniecomeau

Chasing fairies by stephaniecomeau - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"the little match girl story" by Mougaard

the little match girl story by Mougaard - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"LET YOUR DREAMS SAIL..." by liliaalvarado

LET YOUR DREAMS SAIL... by liliaalvarado - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Vivien and Jane Steampunk" by rhino886

Vivien and Jane Steampunk by rhino886 - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Land of the Lost" by MaryAnnAndrews

Land of the Lost by MaryAnnAndrews - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Autumn Fairy" by AshleyGoverman

Autumn Fairy by AshleyGoverman - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Girl with dove" by Angelwheller

Girl with dove by Angelwheller - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Night Fury" by Mack_Photography

"Time in the mirror" by fabiosozza

Time in the mirror by fabiosozza - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Leotie" by silentshudder

Leotie by silentshudder - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"jar-manipulation" by rachelcanale

jar-manipulation by rachelcanale - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Bear with me.." by juliepearson

Bear with me.. by juliepearson - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"The Mermaid" by racheljordan

The Mermaid by racheljordan - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Revisiting Dr. Freud" by derekgalon

Revisiting Dr. Freud by derekgalon - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"The Valey" by pedrontheworld

The Valey by pedrontheworld - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"~magic~" by flowerchildTeri61

~magic~ by flowerchildTeri61 - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Beyond the Rainbow" by performerphoto

Beyond the Rainbow by performerphoto - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Little Red Riding Hood" by micheledeadwyler

Little Red Riding Hood by micheledeadwyler - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Wings" by kylere

Wings by kylere - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Catching fireflies" by fleming

Catching fireflies by fleming - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"...guardian " by lukakwiatkowsky

...guardian by lukakwiatkowsky - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Queen Me" by fotofitz

Queen Me by fotofitz - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"The Golden Gate" by gabrielmailhot

The Golden Gate by gabrielmailhot - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Toktak" by Chakrit

Toktak by Chakrit - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"The Enchanted Forest pt 2" by gennacard

The Enchanted Forest pt 2 by gennacard - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Best friends forever " by vikkirogers

Best friends forever by vikkirogers - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Ella-1-" by jenniferwilhite_photog

Ella-1- by jenniferwilhite_photog - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Dance." by contamestorias

Dance. by contamestorias - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Escape" by morganmarinoni

"Casting the spell (Maleficent) " by Andreamartinphoto

Casting the spell (Maleficent) by Andreamartinphoto - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Scream" by Alexander_Sviridov

Scream by Alexander_Sviridov - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Feel the Joy" by Yannick

Feel the Joy by Yannick - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"'Butterfly Lane'" by CarleyShellyPhotography

'Butterfly Lane' by CarleyShellyPhotography - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Alice in Wonderland" by HRImages

Alice in Wonderland by HRImages - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"THE BOOK" by KoreaSaii

THE BOOK by KoreaSaii - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Love is in the air... " by Luka180

Love is in the air... by Luka180 - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"untitled" by GrahameRickard

 by GrahameRickard - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Loss of Control" by SheRoxPhoto

Loss of Control by AllurePhoto - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Awakening" by tammyswarek

Awakening by tammyswarek - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"AmberSnowWEB2" by christianjohnoreilly

AmberSnowWEB2 by christianjohnoreilly - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Sunlight" by victorvertsner

Sunlight by victorvertsner - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Royalty" by Tlcmom2

Royalty by Tlcmom2 - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Fallen angel" by JDesjardins

Fallen angel by JDesjardins - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Moving House" by lesarnott

Moving House by lesarnott - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Beautiful Sanja Balan" by photos287

Beautiful Sanja Balan by photos287 - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"June-Self-Portrait" by jmowry9691

June-Self-Portrait by jmowry9691 - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Into the Forrest" by sandyseyecatcher

Into the Forrest by sandyseyecatcher - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"The Magic Within Us" by ChrystalOlivero

The Magic Within Us by ChrystalOlivero - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"untitled" by badrulhishambinharun

 by badrulhishambinharun - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Autumn soul " by sussicharlottealminde

Autumn soul by sussicharlottealminde - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"The Big Friendly Giant" by mrspaulding

The Big Friendly Giant by mrspaulding - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Mad Max feeling ;-) " by siegart

Mad Max feeling ;-) by siegart - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Winter Queen " by DonnaLynnPhotog

Winter Queen by DonnaLynnPhotog - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Pony Tales" by ANYWHEREIROAM

Pony Tales by ANYWHEREIROAM - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Butterfly's butterfly's, please go away." by scottfranks

Butterfly's butterfly's, please go away. by scottfranks - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Good boy" by pacocruz

Good boy by pacocruz - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Autumn sun" by Jonrunar

Autumn sun by Jonrunar - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Richardson Living Cover Art" by jamesnelms

Richardson Living Cover Art by jamesnelms - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Richardson Living Cover Art" by jamesnelms

Richardson Living Cover Art by jamesnelms - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Golubenko Olga_beatiful woman with fantasy hair" by olenazaskochenko

Golubenko Olga_beatiful woman with fantasy hair by olenazaskochenko - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Snow Queen" by kateluber

Snow Queen by kateluber - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Calm" by nikkikebbertmulkern

Calm by nikkikebbertmulkern - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Look into the camera please" by carl_doghouse

Look into the camera please by carl_doghouse - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Light and Dark" by CasaBay_Photo

Light and Dark by CasaBay_Photo - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"My Lamb And Martyr" by sarahallegra

My Lamb And Martyr by sarahallegra - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"Creating Fairy Tales" by eastlyn_

Creating Fairy Tales by eastlyn_ - A Fantasy World Photo Contest

"beast mode" by PieterPietersPhotography

beast mode by PieterPietersPhotography - A Fantasy World Photo Contest


Source: A Fantasy World Photo Contest Winners