People often ask me how to clean the dust that causes image spots, off their digital camera sensors. There are many more dangerous and or expensive methods, but this usually works for me.
Rocket Air is my recommendation of the week. It’s a hand blower that actually works. Really well! I mean it packs a punch.I just lock my mirror up, and give it some good blasts of air. Unlike canned air this does not run out, and there’s no propellant. Canned air is not recommended for senors, but this thing is great for them.
Aside from cleaning your senors you’ll soon be blowing all kinds of stuff, like the dust out of your keyboard. If your like me you’ll like it so much you’ll start blowing it in your kids face, and shooting air into your mouth to see what different sounds you can make.
It’s all over the net, but you can find Rocket Air here on Amazon for only about twelve bucks. This is one of my favorite handy dandy drawer gadgets.
Updated 07/2009: Revamped & improved article. Added a new segment dealing with movement and blur (towards bottom).
by Gavin Seim: In 2007 I wrote an article about using true HDR techniques with people. Yep, portraits, fashion and wedding images can be utterly amazing using High Dynamic Range. HDR is not just reserved for nature and still life. We’ve been using it at Seim Studios for some time nowand it blows clients away.Heres some of my secret sauce to get you started with HDR portraits and a few of my own images.
What’s HDR All About?
First lets cover basics. If you’re already an HDR master you can skip this part. HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. It’s better seen than described, so other than the images I’ve included in this article, you can see more on my website.
HDR is the combining of light and dark tones of multiple images taken at varied exposure levels and then blended using software like Photomatix, Photoshop, or another HDR program. Photomatix is the most popular among HDR fans and we have a deal worked out with them. You can save 15% with promo code PPS15. Basically this software blending allows the photographer to selectively choose how much light he wants in various parts of the image. You’ll have a light to dark range that’s much higher than that of a normal exposure, thus giving you much more control over the final image.
A big thanks to Kevin for coming on the show. We start out talking about Kevin’s photo tools and how he got started, and then move in techniques, and photography tips. Kevin gives us some thoughts for lighting, marketing, and branding and plenty of other good nuggets inlucding using your personality to interact with your customers.
Comment here, or join the PPS #47 Forum Discussion. You can find out more about Kevin’s workshops by going to his website (above)
Is Nikon about to drop another bomb. Engadgets reporting on rumors for a FULL FRAME mid range DSLR.
Not much more to say. This is totally a huge rumor, so don’t pull the c card just yet. Just feel free to give your thoughts. Would a full frame system on the lower end be great?
Canon is updating it’s Rebel line yet again, replacing the Rebel Xt & Xti with the new Rebel XS (Cmon Canon at least think if a new name already)
Nothing too revolutionary here from the look of it. Don’t get me wrong, this is a nice budget DSLR. I just find myself bored by Canon’s less than amazing upgrades, sound alike names, and behind the curve pace next to Nikon’s amazing low noise, high ISO bodies. This is coming from a Canon shooter folks so lets hope this fall will see some serious upgrades to at least the higher end models.
The XS will sport a larger 2.5-inch screen 10 mp sensor, live view display, 3fps burst shooting, and a DIGIC III. It’s available now in Japan, but not till next month in the US. Should fall in at about 600-700 bucks. More details on Engadget.