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Ron Leach  |  Apr 17, 2024

One primary task of all photographers is to guide a viewer's through an image to the primary subject within the scene, which is one reason why judicious sharpening is so essential. It's also a well-established fact that the human eye is generally most attracted to the brightest and sharpest areas in a photo.

Ron Leach  |  Aug 03, 2022

Sharpening photos isn’t particularly difficult, nor is it always necessary. But as image-editing expert Blake Rudis says, “Unlike many things in photography, sharpening is one of those tasks where there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it.”

Ron Leach  |  Jan 09, 2025

You're may tire of hearing us sing the benefits of selective post-processing techniques instead of taking the quick approach of making global adjustment to an image as a whole. Well, apologies for that, but here's another great example for you to consider from David's PNW Adventures.

Jon Sienkiewicz  |  Sep 20, 2024

It's harvest time throughout most of the country. That means farmers' markets are ripe with opportunities for photographers to sharpen their camera skills. Here are five tips to help you maximize the experience. This advice applies equally to street fairs, flea markets, fall festivals and other similar events.

Ron Leach  |  Dec 01, 2022

Sharpening and noise reduction are two very important tasks, and there are a number of options available other than Lightroom—including two very popular apps from Topaz Labs. In today’s tutorial you’ll see how Lightroom compares to Topaz Photo AI and Topaz Denoise AI when in comes to fixing soft images and banishing noise.

Seth Shostak  |  Aug 09, 2017

It sounds like a reference to dull Halloween costumes, but I’ve always regarded unsharp masking as the Cadillac option for beefing up the acutance of my photos. Admittedly, this is probably just a reaction to the fact that unsharp masking has a complicated dialog box in Photoshop, and my reptilian brain is dazzled by lots of controls.

Ron Leach  |  May 12, 2020

Selective focus is a popular technique when you want to separate a prominent foreground subject from the background. Other times, especially with landscape photography, the goal is to shoot the scene so everything appears sharp—from the foreground to the background.

Shutterbug Staff  |  Jul 31, 2007

Sharpics, Inc., has revealed its line of enhanced Studio Lighting Kits, designed
to offer cost-effective and easy-to-use solutions for achieving professional product
photography images.



Sharpics' Compact Studio Light Kit (model LKT-92) and Clamp-on Overhead
Light (model CLK-9) are said to be built to ensure accurate product photography
and bring out the true colors of the particular object being photographed. Sharpics'
compact designs can deliver ideal lighting placement for tabletop photography.



The line also includes two compact 30-watt fluorescent bulbs with the LKT-92 lighting
kit, which provide the equivalent to a 240-watt incandescent bulb. The CLK-9 Overhead
Light will feature one bulb. The compact fluorescent bulbs use 75 to 80 percent
less power than equivalent incandescent bulbs, offering energy-efficiency, cooler
temperature and longevity. The addition of these `daylight-balanced'
bulbs will also offer users the ability to achieve lighting effects comparable
to natural daylight.



Sharpics' Compact Studio Light Kit

The compact studio light kit includes two mini studio lights, designed for applications
such as tabletop photography. SRP: $129.95



Features:

· Two compact light stands

· Two 30-watt fluorescent bulbs, Color Temp. 5000K

· 2-section column with flip grip adjusts from 12" to 18"

· Two 9" reflectors with adjustable ball bracket

· On/off switch and 7-ft cord

· Each light fixture is rated 120V, 250 watts maximum



Sharpics' Clamp-on Overhead Light

Sharpics' Clamp-on Overhead Light extends product photography capabilities
to include overhead lighting effects. SRP: $89.95



Features:

· 2" clamp with molded knob

· One 30-watt fluorescent bulb, Color Temp. 5000K

· 2-section vertical column and 2-section horizontal column with twist lock

· 9" reflector with adjustable ball bracket

· On/off switch and 7-ft cord

· Rated 120V, 250 watts maximum



Sharpics is also the creator of the D-Flector -- a patent-pending portable
photo studio that quickly unfolds into a tabletop background stand to support
the product photography needs of everyone from professional to novice photographers.
The product is ideal for individuals to easily create high-quality product images
needed for selling items via the Internet, designing print catalogs, marketing
and promotional materials, art projects, etc. The D-Flector has also proven to
be helpful for documenting items for insurance claims, appraisals, home and office
inventories or estate planning.



Product Availability:

Sharpics' lighting products are available for purchase online at www.sharpics.com
and in a variety of retail camera stores.

Ron Leach  |  Feb 06, 2025

Experienced landscape and nature shooters understand that pleasing colors are a major component of all successful images, but what should you do with dull images that were captured under flat and boring light? Simple: Follow the instructions in this tutorial from the PHLOG Photography YouTube channel.

Shutterbug Staff  |  Jun 30, 2021

We’ve been avid fans of Shimoda photo backpacks since they debuted. So we’re doubly happy to announce that the reliable Shimoda Explore photo backpack lineup has evolved into version v2. Here’s what’s new.

Jon Sienkiewicz  |  Jun 04, 2023

Addressing a very real but virtually ignored need felt by female photographers, Shimoda Designs is offering five of their most popular and requested pack sizes outfitted with a new women-specific harness and an exclusive teal colorway. The Shimoda Women's Collection consists of female-friendly designs based on the Shimoda Explorer V2 and Shimoda Action X V2 models.

Jack Neubart  |  Feb 07, 2017

Documentary photography captures the truth but it also tells a story. And that is exactly what Nina Berman has always aimed to do, and what she succeeds in doing, as the Brits say, so brilliantly. Her pictures evoke our emotions; they often shock; but they never fail to open our eyes to the world around us.

Shutterbug Staff  |  Mar 12, 2008

Skooba
Design has added a collection of camera/binocular straps to its patent-pending
Superbungee Shoulder Strap line. Like the original Superbungee Bag Strap, the
camera/binocular version features what the company calls a "sport-tuned
suspension system," consisting of a high-density, floating bungee cord
ring which acts as a shock absorber, minimizing carrying discomfort and perceived
weight. On the reverse (wearer) side of the shoulder pad is a flexible strip
of individual, air-filled cells. The cells add to the shock absorption and comfort,
and are covered in a friction laminate to help prevent slipping.



The strap is designed to fit any current camera or binocular with standard,
3/8"/11mm strap slots, or it can be threaded to the split keyring-type
connectors on older cameras. Strap length has a nominal overall length adjustment
range of 21-45 inches, and is equally well-suited for carrying around the neck
or over the shoulder.



The Superbungee Shoulder Strap is available in 5 different color combinations,
at a suggested retail price of $19.95. The original Superbungee Bag strap--a
larger version designed as an upgrade to standard straps found on laptop/photo
bags, sports duffels, luggage and other carrying cases--is available in
6 color combinations at $25.95.

...

Ron Leach  |  Apr 20, 2021

This is a great time for bird photography as nests are being built, with eggs soon to hatch followed by fledglings taking flight. Best yet, you don’t have to travel far to capture stunning images, and you can often find great opportunities in your own backyard.

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