As 2014 draws to a close and I write the 100th installment of this column, I decided to reflect not on the future, but rather how the photo industry has evolved over the past 10 years or so. The pace of technical innovation in imaging gear has progressed so rapidly over the past decade, that is easy to forget how much has changed.
Lucien Clergue, one of France’s foremost photographers, died on November 15th at the age of 80 in his native city of Arles after a long illness. A founder of the Rencontres d’Arles international photography festival, he was called the “Eye of the Midi” for his stunning black-and-white images that captured the sensuality of Mediterranean life in the Midi, a nickname for the South of France.
Here's a neat little mobile device we came across to help you unplug your digital SLR. The Weye Feye is an external unit that connects to your DSLR and generates its own Wi-fi network. This enables wireless and remote control of your camera with the aid of the smartphone/tablet (Android and iOS) App.
Sony had a surprise camera announcement this morning: Sony Japan, that is. The Sony mothership in Tokyo unveiled the new Sony Alpha A7 II, a successor to the Sony Alpha A7, which was the first full-frame mirrorless camera on the market.
Cosyspeed recently introduced two new editions to their line of Camslinger bags. Designed to be used with mirrorless compact system cameras or small DSLRs, the Camslinger 160 Street Edition and Camslinger 160 Paris Gray both sell for $79.00.
Fujifilm has introduced two new macro extension tubes for its line of X-Series interchangeable lens cameras and a launch date for its major firmware update and PC tethered shooting software HS-V5 for the FUJIFILM X-T1 (Graphite Silver) and X-T1 (Black) cameras. The updates offering additional features and enhanced controls will also be made available for the Fujifilm X-E2, X-E1, X-Pro1and X30.
Adobe has just announced that final releases of Lightroom 5.7 and Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) 8.7 are now available. These updates offer several key features including a new tool to import files from Apple’s now defunct Aperture professional software, and from its current iPhoto consumer imaging software to Ligthroom.
These unique Scarf Style and Wristlet camera straps camera straps from Capturing Couture are available in a wide range of fashion colors and patterns that range from bold stripes to delicate floral patterns, animal prints and bright geometric designs.
The very rare and very large Nikkor 6mm F/2.8 Fisheye Lens surfaces every once in a while and when it does, people’s heads turn. That’s exactly what happened when someone attached this whale-sized Fisheye to a Nikon D4S and shot some eye-catching footage (below) on a street corner in Copenhagen, Denmark recently.
We've told you about software that converts color images to black-and-whites before, including Tonality Pro, and now here's another monohrome conversion program called SILVER projects professional. Featuring a variety of black-and-white tools including 73 presets, 60 "expert" filters, 37 pro film emulations (with a Grain Engine) and tonal value transformations, SILVER projects professional lets you create interesting results with 16-bit quality.
Manfrotto recently added a new collection of light modifying tools to their line of gear for wedding, still life and portrait photography. Designed for use in the studio or on location, Manfrotto’s light modifiers provide effective light shaping and modifying control. Relatively easy to use and highly portable, these light modifiers include a series of reflectors and diffusers, a series of softboxes (to use on/off camera), a duo umbrella and a background support system.
The new Lume Cube is a portable, versatile 1,500-lumen external flash and video light made for use with the GoPro Hero (or any digital camera), iPhone and Android smartphones. Featuring a simple mobile interface, the Lume Cube allows you to capture better images in low light situations, allowing for more creative opportunities for photographers of all skill levels.
By any definition, Sebastião Salgado is one the most important photographers working today. Currently he has a large exhibition of his work on display at the International Center for Photography (ICP) in New York City through the very beginning of January 2015. It is will be the last photo show at this location, before ICP’s move next year to a new exhibition space in New York’s Bowery neighborhood.
Ready for the holidays, Lomography just announced the official release of their Lomo’Instant Camera. It is available at the Lomography online shop, Gallery and Embassy Stores around the world. If you order a Lomo’Instant Black or White model now it will arrive within a few days. The Sanremo model is currently sold out but it can be pre-order with an estimated delivery date of early December. (The Sanremo Edition comes with a free Lomo’Instant camera strap and online orders also get special discounted bundles.)
Technically speaking, the Nikon D750 is the follow-up to the Nikon D700, which was released six years ago. That’s a lifetime between digital camera models, and to say that the D750 is not nearly as groundbreaking as its predecessor from way back in 2008 is not a put-down of this new full-framer from Nikon. It just shows how far imaging technology has come and how much the D700 was ahead of its time.