Photo.net Newsletter: May 19, 2009

 

Hi Nicos,

When’s the last time you’ve looked backwards in time to see your progress as a creative individual? It’s a fun exercise to open up old film archives, dig into folders of photos you had forgotten about, and dust off your portfolio from 1999. Click here to post your favorite photo from 5+ years ago.

Need a spark for inspiring current photography projects? We’re starting a new column this month by Harold Davis on Becoming a More Creative Photographer. Also, photo contests can be a good way to challenge yourself with a new concept or idea. Enter the Wiley Press Travel Photo Challenge. Win $500 cash and more.

Books are great for learning new techniques and boosting photography knowledge as well. We’re now featuring a few sponsored excerpts from Focal Press’ rich library of photography book titles. For a limited time, they’re offering photo.net members 20% off any book you order from Focal Press, just enter the code “PHOTONET” on checkout.

This month’s editorial newsletter highlights articles on lighting, photography business, equipment, Photoshop skills, and photography knowledge, in addition to feature products from Adorama, the POW, and a new Editors’ Picks. Share your thoughts about editorial, community, photography, and anything in between on the Photo.net Blog, Facebook Page, and Twitter Feed.

Enjoy the editorial newsletter!

Sincerely,

Hannah Thiem

Photo.net Managing Editor

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Editorial Highlights

This month, we’re adding a new column by Harold Davis, another installment of Missing Pages by Jon Sienkiewicz, an Advanced Photoshop Tutorial by Jay Kinghorn, a Building a Lens Kit article by Bob Atkins, as well as a continuation of Tony Luna’s Photography Business Series, reviews of photography gear and equipment, and more.

Becoming a More Creative Photographer Column

Harold Davis was featured in an interview on photo.net, and has now graduated to the esteemed position of writing a monthly column on Becoming a More Creative Photographer, to help inspire us with tips and ideas on exploring the creative side of photography. Each installment will also feature assignments and projects to explore some of the ideas Harold presents in the column.

Becoming a More Creative Photographer Column Introduction

Installment I: Expecting the Unexpected

 

Photography Business Series: Execution

Tony Luna continues his 9-part series on “The Lifecycle of a Freelance Photography Job.” The seventh article is on Execution. At long last, Tony discusses the actual carrying out of the freelance photography job—picking up the camera and taking the photographs. The other articles leading up to this have been about taking all the necessary steps to prepare for the job.

Read Part VII of the series: Execution.

 

Advanced Photoshop Tutorials: Smart Objects

Jay Kinghorn’s Advanced Photoshop Tutorial this month covers Using Photoshop’s Smart Objects for a Non-Destructive Workflow. He shows us three important uses for Smart Objects in your digital editing workflow and how you can use them to your advantage. The article is intended for those using Photoshop CS3 or later.

Read the tutorial on Using Photoshop’s Smart Objects for a Non-Destructive Workflow.

 

Panasonic G1 and Cameraquest Lens Adapters Review

For a small, compact, lightweight travel camera, the Panasonic G1 is a viable option. This micro four-thirds body pairs well with just about any lens made in the past 50 years. The Panasonic G1 is the first digital camera with a short enough mount-to-sensor distance that virtually any lens from any camera system made could be used with the proper adapter. Josh Root tries out the Cameraquest Lens Adapters with Leica M and Canon FD lenses and is duly impressed.

Read the full Panasonic G1 and Cameraquest Lens Adapters Review.

 

Fourteen Tips for Photographing in Public

The Johnston on Photography column explores fourteen tips on approaching the delicate nature of photographing in public. Mike Johnston offers some helpful and some amusing advice on taking your camera out in public.

 

Read Fourteen Tips for Photographing in Public.

 

Light Shaping Tools

The second article in a series on Studio Lighting, Garry Edwards explores Light Shaping Tools, presenting advice on considering umbrellas, softboxes, beauty dishes, etc. He also shares example portraits to demonstrate the differences the various light shaping tools can effect the end result in portrait photography.

Read the full article on Light Shaping Tools.

 

Building a Lens Kit

So many lenses to choose from. Bob Atkins takes the guesswork out of the choices. He goes through all the considerations, such as prime vs. zoom, fast vs. slow, range coverage based on type of photography, etc.

Read Building a Lens Kit.

 

Flashpoint 1128 Carbon Fiber Tripod Review

Tripods are one of the most basic of all photographic accessories and are frequently recommended as a “must have” item for any serious shooter. It would seem as though you can’t pair quality with a more reasonable price tag when it comes to tripods. Adorama has a brand of “Flashpoint” products, and Josh takes a look at what their Flashpoint 1128 Carbon Fiber tripod is all about.

 

Read the Flashpoint 1128 Carbon Fiber Tripod Review.

Special Editorial Feature of the Month

2 Feature Articles on Selecting the Best Digital SLR Camera by Bob Atkins

The newcomer to the world of Digital SLR cameras is presented with a bewildering array of options. It’s hard to keep track of exactly who is currently making DSLRs and how many models each have, but as of summer 2008 there were at least 9 manufacturers (Canon, Fuji, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Samsung and Sony) and between them there were something like 34 different models.

In the first featured article of the month, the lingering question of “How do you choose which one to buy, and in what ways are they different?”, is answered. With so many different cameras available and new models being announced every few months it’s not really possible to make specific recommendations on which one is “best”. The term “best” will depend on many factors unique to the user. However, Bob outlines the various factors that you might want to take into account when deciding which one to purchase.

In the second featured article, Bob delves deeper by taking a look at an entry level DSLR from each of the 5 main players in the DSLR field: Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax and Sony. In each case, it’s possible to purchase the camera body, a wide angle zoom and a telephoto zoom for well under $900, in fact you can probably get all of them for under $800 if you shop carefully. The five DSLRs he’s selected are the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi, the Nikon D60, the Olympus E-520, the Pentax K200D and the Sony Alpha A350.

• Factors to Consider when Choosing a Digital SLR Camera
• 5 Entry Level DSLR Camera Kits

Gifts for Moms, Dads & Grads

Just off the press: the Photo.net Moms, Dads & Grads Gift Guide. We consulted with the Photo.net forum moderators, editors, and contributing writers for their advice on the best photography equipment out there within a reasonable price range. The Guide features four separate articles on the best selections for Digital SLRs, Lenses & Accessories, Software & Books, and Point & Shoot Cameras.

There are a few great reasons to look at this guide. While Mother’s Day already happened, if you didn’t get her a present yet, it’s not too late, graduation is coming up, and Father’s Day is in June. For your gadget-conscious mom/dad/grad, make sure you consult the photo.net gift guide for recommendations on how best to add to his/her photography collection. Also, the guide includes recommendations from experts in the field who have tried all sorts of photography equipment and accessories we’re not playing around when we recommend a particular camera or lens. Be prepared to give the best photography equipment and accessories to your loved ones.

Read the Photo.net Moms, Dads & Grads Gift Guide.

Special Deals from Adorama

Flashpoint F-1128 Carbon Fiber Tripod—All the equipment that bears the Flashpoint name meets these essential qualifications, equipment that is dependable at a fair price. The Flashpoint Carbon Fiber Tripods are yet another fine example that follows in the Flashpoint tradition; high quality tripods that can go the distance.

• These Flashpoint tripods have all the features of other carbon fiber tripods, except the high price. Besides its legendary light weight, carbon fiber does not transfer heat like aluminum, but does absorb vibrations. This feature helps to insure sharper images.
• All Flashpoint tripod legs have rubber double-grip twist locks. The center column can be separated into a low column for ground level use. The supplied wrench can adjust the leg friction to match the photographers needs. Leg tips can be set with either a rubber pad or ground spike for rugged terrain.

Buy now from Adorama: Flashpoint F-1128 Carbon Fiber Tripod [$152.95, free shipping]

Other deals from Adorama:

• Photoflex MultiDisk Kit [sale price: $159.95, regular price $199.95]
• Lacie Rugged 320GB 800, 400 Firewire Harddrive [price: $113.95]

Find great deals on thousands of other products at the Photo.net Adorama Store.

What’s Happening In Our Forums

• Nikon (38 Responses) D60 and D300 discontinued
• Canon EOS (36 Responses) How big will 10.1MP print?
• Beginner Photography Questions (16 Responses) Limitations of using pop up flash
• Digital Darkroom (36 Responses) Camera on Mac - takes too much time to set download details?
• Wedding and social event photography (34 Responses) Handling so many Pictures

Go To Photo.net Forums. »

Editors’ Picks

Take a look at a new selection of Editors’ Picks based around a creative theme: Night Photography.

Samples:

Also, take a look at some of the most popular Editors’ Picks from previous months:

• Mother’s Day Photography
• Concert Photography
• Product Photography