Joe Farace

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Lens NewsLens ReviewsNews
Lens Review: Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD
Joe Farace  |  Dec 03, 2014

Tamron is a pioneer in all-in-one, do-everything lenses. Their new 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di PZD lens is designed for Canon, Nikon and Sony shooters and I tested the Canon EF version using an EOS 5D Mark I and an EOS 50D, which changes the lens’ angle-of-view to that of a 45-480mm lens.

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Lens NewsLens ReviewsPortrait Photography How To
Lensbaby Velvet 56 Portrait Lens Review
Joe Farace  |  May 06, 2015

I’ve been writing about and playing with—emphasis on play—Lensbaby lenses since they were introduced in 2004 and ten years later they’re still coming up with new ideas. All their products, including the Medium Format 3G with "Marvin the Martian"-like antennae, have been interesting and the new Lensbaby Velvet 56 portrait lens not only looks like fun but appears to be the most practical Lensbaby product ever.

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Digital Innovations
Lighting Directions: It’s All About How You Use The Tools
Joe Farace  |  Dec 30, 2011  |  First Published: Nov 01, 2011
Richard Avedon once said, “I think all art is about control—the encounter between control and the uncontrollable.” That’s what a dedicated studio, no matter what size it may be or where it may be located, provides a photographer. It is a safe haven from the real world where, like the Outer Limits voice says, you can control the lighting, the background, and the subject. When working in this kind of environment, I control everything from the subject’s pose to their clothing and makeup and the resulting photographs tend to be as much a portrait of me as they are of my subjects. What often emerges from all that control is a style. Photographic style is not something I’m conscious about when shooting but the truth is that over time we all develop a signature way of shooting. The danger is, of course, that we keep shooting that same way or different versions of the same shot for the rest of our lives, so any style you develop must grow and change as you learn. To get you started, here are a few tools that will help enhance or define your style.
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Geared UpLighting How ToLighting NewsLighting ReviewsNews
Lighting It Up: Our Comprehensive Look at the Best Lighting Gear for Photography
Joe Farace  |  Oct 06, 2015

Studio lighting hardware is going through the biggest change—a paradigm shift, really—since the flashbulb was invented in 1929. There are many trends and fads with LED’s popularity seemingly having equal parts of both. LED lighting also appeals to DSLR and mirrorless camera shooters who want to capture stills and video.

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Lighting Reviews
Lighting Review: Westcott Eyelighter Reflective Panel
Joe Farace  |  Jan 27, 2015

Traditional flat reflectors do a good job of bouncing fill light when placed under a subject’s chin for portrait lighting but catchlights in their eyes can sometimes appear less than natural. Westcott’s Eyelighter Reflective Panel addresses the problem by providing an arc-shaped surface that matches the natural curvature of the human eye. Specifically designed for beauty and portrait photography, the Eyelighter reflects an arched light up toward your subject, producing not only flattering light but also a catchlight that follows the natural curve of the iris. Unlike three-piece, multi-reflector kits, this catchlight is seamless, without gaps.

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Digital Innovations
Lighting The Way; Software & Other Tools For Photographers
Joe Farace  |  Oct 01, 2010

“How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? Fifty. One to change the bulb, and 49 to say, “I could have done that!”—Anonymous

I wanted to kick off this month’s column with an old trick that gets better every year: green screen photography. Lighting considerations are extremely critical when shooting against a green or blue background. Your...

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Show Reports
Live From San Fracisco, It Is Seybold
Joe Farace  |  Nov 01, 2000

Seybold San Francisco 2000 provides the graphics community, including designers, photographers, and artists, with a place to meet and share information about new technologies. At this year's show, the focus was increasingly on the Internet and how...

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Digital Innovations
Living Outside The Frame
“A Photograph Is Not An Accident—It Is A Concept.”
Joe Farace  |  Sep 01, 2006

"The still must tease with the promise of a story the viewer of it itches to be told."
--Cindy Sherman

Two quotes again this month: The first by Ansel Adams, the second by Cindy Sherman. There are six photographers in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential artists and entertainers of the 20th century: Henri Cartier-Bresson, W. Eugene...

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Buyer's GuidesGeared UpLens NewsLens ReviewsNews
Long Glass: Our Favorite Telephoto and Zoom Lenses for Getting Close to the Action
Joe Farace  |  Jul 26, 2016

We all know nature and wildlife photographers need long focal length lenses but they’re not the only ones who need a longer-than-normal lens. While the only wildlife I have photographed are the mule deer who treat my backyard like it’s their backyard, I’ve photographed a racing car from time to time and that’s when a telephoto or long zoom lens comes to the rescue.

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Buyer's GuidesGeared UpNewsPhoto Accessory NewsPhoto Accessory ReviewsPhoto Bag NewsPhoto Bag Reviews
Long Haulers: Our 10 Favorite Photo Backpacks & Camera Bags for Outdoor Photography
Joe Farace  |  Jan 31, 2017

This January issue’s theme was outdoor photography and other than architectural interiors and studio photography, more images are probably captured out of doors than indoors. This column’s focus is on camera bags for landscape, nature, and wildlife shooters, whose needs are different from their urban counterparts. Kelly Moore, for example, manufactures fashion bags (see the December 2016 Geared Up column) and offers the beautifully crafted Woodstock Backpack ($229) that’s probably better suited for Rodeo Drive than Jellystone Park.

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