Follow us on twitter!

(July 4th, 2009)

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To stay fully up-to-date with the latest posts on YLovePhoto, there was already the RSS threads and the electronic mail. But some of you wanted to get even more flexibility. Who am I to deny you this right?

Today, you have the possibility to receive tweets for each update of the YLovePhoto.com web site. The twitter page is:

NEW

http://twitter.com/ylovephoto_en

I am quite sure that it will attract people who fell in love with this modern and quick way to be kept informed. Maybe some of those who do not know it yet will feel the need to check and discover Twitter, this web site and mean to post short messages (no more than 140 characters, a little like or mobile phone SMS messages) and to subscribe to the messages/tweets from other people.

YLovePhoto merely publishes short messages showing the title of each posted article followed by a hot link to reach it directly.

For example:

Sample tweet from YLovePhoto

Sample tweet from YLovePhoto

Join our followers

Photography in a forest

(July 2nd, 2009)

Sometimes, in the past, I wondered if it would be difficult to shoot animals in a forest. When I traveled to Amazonia, I could observe by myself that it is much more difficult than elsewhere (and specifically more difficult than in Brazil’s Pantanal).

The obstacles:

  • Animals are often high in the trees (nearly never creeping on the ground). So, they are far from you. You need a long tele lens with a very powerful image stabilization.
  • Animals are often back-lighted (everything turns gray, even the most colorful tucan toco as below)
  • It is sometimes very difficult to go through the vegetation, but you need to cross to the clearings (or you can use the banks of a river

The following video (found on the Internet) will give you an idea of what I mean.

Then, you only (!) have to stay aware of the difficulties, to take them into account in choosing what equipment to bring (tele lens, tripod, monopod, good walking shoes, etc.) and to be attentive to the solutions you can use to work around the toughest issues (avoid back-lighted situations, use the High-Dynamic mode of your SLR photo camera, etc.)

Photography in the Third World

(July 2nd, 2009)

In the coming months many people will travel abroad, possibly to some developing country or or near very poor people. And if they bring their camera, they will want to take snapshots from the place and the people they find there. There, in a different country, in a different culture, when the difference of economic status may widen the gap between the photographer and the subjects, it good to keep in mind a few good tips about how to behave and what to do or not.

  1. Just go there
  2. Learn the Language and Smile
  3. Be a Local, not to draw attention
  4. Small, Quick and Quiet Cameras
  5. Protect your Gear
  6. Shoot from the Hip
  7. Look for the Vibrancy
  8. Move
  9. Find a Distraction. Or Create Your Own
  10. Know and Use the Right Settings
  11. Find Context to Tell a Story
  12. If in Doubt, Ask (but do not steal images)
  13. Get out of Tourist Traps

And always remember that there are millions of good opportunities for photos, but do not forget to look by yourself (without the camera) and to always think of the people around you.

Fuji+Nikon, still going on?

(July 1st, 2009)

Important update: It has been brought to my attention that Fujitsu is not the mother company of Fuji photo cameras (it would rather be Fujifilm). So, this announcement probably has no influence on the future of Fuji SLR cameras which will stay very dark.

After quite some time waiting for announcements from Fuji, we were starting to think that, maybe, Fuji was no longer serious about its involvement in SLR photo camera development. This appears not to be the case from what we learned today: Fujitsu and Nikon are partnering even further on SLR firmware development by creating a joint-venture named “Nikon Imaging Systems Inc.” which will be solely responsible for the firmware development in Nikon digital cameras.

Fairly enough, we could assume one of two things:

  1. Fuji will move a few people from their internal team to a common shared structure while they no longer intend to use this resource that will be re-used by Nikon only. [the end of Fuji Nikon-based cameras]
  2. Fuji wants to participate more deeply in the photo platform they buy from Nikon and their involvement is becoming more visible. [extension of the Fuji-Nikon cooperation]

Even if there is no clear evidence in the Press Release to support any of those directions, I would assume that the second option is the right one and is more credible. Fujitsu no longer has a choice in what technology they use for their SLR cameras. So, they embed themselves even more deeply. Possibly, Nikon even asked them to pay the technology partly with a technical involvement and some financial participation into the key technology that firmware is.

Nikon D3000: A simpler Nikon?

(June 30th, 2009)

According to LensTip, Nikon is going to simplify its entry-level photo cameras (like other manufacturers): The Nikon D3000 would be a Nikon D5000 without the orientable screen, nor video capture (2009 would not only be the year of the SLR cameras with video?)

Via Le journal du Geek (Thanks to Mash).

Update: The original article disappeared. Why? But here is a comparison of the Nikon D3000 and Nikon D5000:

Nouveau Nikon D3000 vs. vieux Nikon D5000

Nouveau Nikon D3000 vs. vieux Nikon D5000

Brought by Nikon Rumors.

Nikon D300s photo

(June 30th, 2009)

Impossible to know if this is real or fake. This photo comes from Nikon Rumors and it is supposed to show the next SLR camera from Nikon, a replacement for the Nikon D300 under the name of Nikon D300s.

Nikon D300s - Real or fake?

Nikon D300s - Real or fake?

Alejandro Chaskielberg

(June 29th, 2009)

Light, night, color. Those are the real ingredients of photography that you can see gathered in Alejandro Chaskielberg pictures and they are assembled in a surprising way. You will be attracted to the result.

Copyright (C) Alejandro Chaskielberg

Copyright (C) Alejandro Chaskielberg

Update: While I was preparing this portfolio publication, I learned that Alejandro received the Emerging Photographer Grant 2009. Congratulations!

Canon 15MP SLR?

(June 29th, 2009)

According to Canon Rumors, we would be on the verge of seeing a new Canon SLR camera. Under the name of EOS 2000D (Canon EOS T1 on the US market), it would be an entry-level camera allowing Canon to position itself in Summer or Fall for the sales of the end of year.

The supposed features would be:

  • 15.1 MP
  • 7 AF points
  • 3 fps
  • ISO 100-3200
  • 3″ ClearView LCD (Not Articulating)
  • 720p video (30 fps & 24 fps) – NO 1080p
  • SD card
  • USB 2.0
  • HDMI Out
  • Video Out
  • LP-E5 Battery

Sony video SLR cameras

(June 29th, 2009)

It is now very obvious for everybody that the SLR cameras from Sony do not participate to the general move in direction of the integration of video capture.

We thought so, but it has now been confirmed by the senior general manager AMC division of Sony’s Digital Imaging Business group, Toru Katsumoto: The inclusion of video will only happen when it will be bringing that feature to the level of existing Sony Handicam video cameras.

So, this is not (only) because the Sony Alpha 230, 330 and 380 are based upon a relatively old technology (but well used) that Sony most SLR cameras are not competing against Nikon D5000 and Canon EOS 500D.

Source: CNet.

Sony: 2 new SLR cameras

(June 29th, 2009)

Just a quick post: Sony is going to bring the oft-announced SLR cameras: Sony Alpha 500 and Sony Alpha 550.

But it seems that these relatively small improvements to the mid-range of Sony SLR cameras will be joined soon with two new Full Frame cameras.

More details coming soon, right here.

Sony leak for Alpha 500 and Alpha 550

Sony leak for Alpha 500 and Alpha 550

Could I get your photo for free?

(June 27th, 2009)

This is a question more common than you would think. And this is the worst situation for a pro-photographer: All these people who would want the artwork fro nothing. And would we dare discuss/bargain/complain/negotiate the same way with some other professions?


YouTube link

Nikon next news conferences

(June 26th, 2009)

Without being able to show the exact contents, we can tell that the next news press conferences organized by Nikon will happen on July 30, and August 4. I wouldn’t believe they are ready to predict Lottery results. So, you can figure out what is coming.

Canon EOS 1D MkIV, really?

(June 25th, 2009)

Canon EOS 1D Mk IV

Canon EOS 1D Mk IV?

According to NorthLight Images, there are a few Canon EOS 1D MkIV in real test now. Their features would be:

  • 1.3 crop
  • Images ~16MP
  • ISO 50-26500
  • 8MP sRAW1 format providing images that seem to best 1D3 files in detail
  • Very clean images at ISO 3200. 6400/12800 take further processing very well
  • Slightly faster FPS than 1D3 in real life shooting
  • AF greatly improved and very good in low light (actual comment was ‘Nikon fast’ ;-)
  • Liveview AF – not up to fast sports use, but very usable otherwise
  • Video as with 5D2
  • Screen as per 5D2
  • Ergonomic improvements with grips – some buttons moved
  • Feels faster and more responsive in nearly all aspects of real use.

Of course, this may be right or not. Canon may change the name and feature set, or not.

Video firmware for the Canon EOS 5D MkII

(June 24th, 2009)

I usually do not comment about firmware upgrades for photo cameras. What about today?

Actually, this firmware is not from Canon. The Magic Lantern firmware has been designed by Trammell Hudson but it is usable on your Canon EOS 5D MkII.

I don’t know how he did that. I am sure that it voids your camera warranty. But, it brings impressive features, which are exactly what is missing from the Canon firmware and what serious film-makers needs from their camera.

  • On-screen audio meters
  • Disabled Automatic Gain Control (AGC)
  • Manual gain control
  • Zebra stripes (for over-exposed zones)
  • Crop marks for 16:9, 2.35:1 and 4:3

Magic Lantern firmware introduction from Trammell Hudson on Vimeo.

Source : Magic Lantern firmware.

Canon predictions

(June 24th, 2009)

Canon is rather discreet in these times. But 2009 will not end without several important news. What can we expect? Two reflex cameras are about to arrive.

  • A successor to the 50D, the Canon EOS 60D, probably at the end of the year (will it be ready for Christmas? I doubt it). Again, it will only be a small evolution of existing products but not the technological evolution that the Canon enthusiasts keep dreaming about. A new battery, 15+MP, 7 fps, 1080p video, SD memory cards (no longer CF).
  • As always, Canon is preparing its best and most shocking news for higher up in the camera range. Even without rushing to another Full Frame camera, the successor to the 1D should arrive to bring ground-breaking progress in the field of light sensitivity (in private, it has been nick-named “The lord of darkness“). Still in APS-H size, it would have two Digic V processors, 16+MP, perfectly usable 6400 ISO (maybe more), 19-zone AF, video, LiveView, all-weather protection, 100% viewfinder, more than 3 inches of LCD screen (maybe 3.2″). Clearly, this will be the best technology Canon has, but the price will be definitely pro.

After that, a Canon EOS 2000D could arrive in Fall with a tilt-and-swivel LCD screen. But nothing more in terms of informations/specs.

Last minute change to Pentax K-7 sensor?

(June 23rd, 2009)

pentax_k7-3

According to Amateur Photographer, the image sensor included in the currently available pre-production models of the Pentax K-7 SLR photo camera is NOT the final one.

It is unclear whether it is only a minor update to the sensor or a major replacement. But, in any case, it means that there will be quite a few tests, reviews and hands-on for the Pentax K-7 to be re-evaluated.

This is definitely unusual at this stage of the photo camera product life. In many cases, we see a lot of last minute software/firmware modifications, a few marking/painting corrections; But major hardware changes, no way…

There must be something really unpleasant for Pentax to rush a change right now.

Emma Livingston, abstraction

(June 23rd, 2009)

Once again, a photographer reaches out and touches my heart with abstraction or near-abstraction: Emma Livingston.

NOA - Copyright (C) Emma Livingston

NOA - Copyright (C) Emma Livingston

Also go and visit her web site to see her more recent tree portraits.

Emma Livingston is British, born in Paris and living in Buenos Aires.


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Alejandro Chaskielberg
June 29th, 2009

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