Secrets of Digital Imaging

 

 SDI - Minimalist Lighting - 021 w/ Dennis Hays: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We start with a brief discussion (very brief) of where I am in my photography and why I couldn’t do a session this back week (hint: my daughter abandoned me!).

The main part of this edition of the Secrets of Digital Imaging is discussing the philosophy of using hot-shoe flashes away from the camera:

1. Flash on the camera
2. Using a flash bracket
3. Using a sync cable and holding the flash in one hand, the camera in the other
4. Putting the light on a stand with sync cable or slaves (optical and radio/infrared)

Links:

David Hobby - Strobist: http://strobist.blogspot.com

Book review and recommendation:

 

 SDI - The Beginning - Portraiture - 020 w/ Dennis Hays: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

After collecting most of what I think I need, in the way of gear, I set up the “studio” and began my quest to study portraiture. Here are my first results, warts and all. Yes, I made some mistakes and had one equipment failure, but, after all, this is just the beginning of my quest (please, no ‘Man of La Mancha’ comparisons).

This podcast discusses the pre-game, setup, photographing and post-game analysis where everything is laid bare. The following are images taken from the session, processed by Silkypix and touched by Photoshop. Comments by email are welcome: dennis (at) imagingsecrets [(dot)] com.

Michael, Son of Mike

Ryan

Rachael

Alexandra, Daughter of Dennis

 

 SDI - Ready or Not - #019 w/ Dennis Hays: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

All is moving quite well; the final bits of equipment are in and next week, I’ll start doing portraits. Along with this, my old favorite, the Metz 54 MZ-3 flash came back from repair - $83.00 and well worth it! Also, the Elinchrom Skyport arrived and it’s smaller than I expected. That’s good as it won’t get in the way or change the ergonomics of the camera. I can’t wait to try it out and see what it’s like with no wires. And, finally, the background stands and muslin came in. One of the little rubber feet on a stand was broken and TubeTape, the ebay seller, has agreed to replace it and is sending me a new foot. In fact, he offered to send one without me asking when I told him what happened.

Recommended Website: FlashZebra - http://www.FlashZebra.com
Sync cords galore and other things you need. Ask for Lon and ask him if you need something custom.

Silkypix Developer Studio 3.0 Review
For the written review, see: http://www.photonewstoday.com/?p=12175
Silkypix Supported Cameras [Silkypix supports all the latest cameras]
Shortcut Software (Home of Silkypix)

 

 SDI - The Saga Continues - #018 w/ Dennis Hays: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

After clearing some personal problems (dead car and visiting mother), I’m back building the equipment base and learning portraiture.

First up is some samples from the new Canon EOS XTi dSLR. The image immediately below, of the New York Capitol building (in Albany, New York USA) was taken with the Canon 28mm-90mm lens f/4-5.6 III lens (the one I don’t know if I like), at ISO 800 and at 28mm:

Click to see full resolution

The next image was taken with the Canon 100mm-200mm f/4.5AF zoom lens, set at 200mm of my daughter’s cat, Sparkles:

Click to see full resolution

The cheap radio slaves from ebay are not what I really need and I describe how you can get them from me during the podcast (for less than 1/2 the cost. I’m ordering the Elinchrom EL Skyport radio slaves.

I’ve placed my order for the background stands, muslin backdrops and a reflector and have placed my kids on notice that they are now my test subjects!

Finally, I finish off with my initial marketing plans.

 

 SDI - The State of Me - #017 w/ Dennis Hays: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Finally got the Canon XTi body in and a 28-90mm f/4-5.6 (which may have been a mistake - listen in to see why I think so). I also acquired two lenses from my old film kit (35-70mm EF f/3.5-4.5 and a 100-200mm EF f/4.5AF). My purchase from ebay of a wireless slave may have been another mistake and I’ll have to rectify this with another (and hopefully better) wireless slave system.

Links:
PocketWizard - http://www.pocketwizard.com/
Elinchrom SkyPort - http://www.elinchrom.com/
Sekonic L-358 Meter - http://www.sekonic.com/products/products.asp?ID=4
Epson RX-595 - Epson RX595 Link 

 

 SDI - Taking My Own Medicine - 016: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

After speaking about reinventing yourself last episode, I decided to take my own medicine. In the last week or two, I have committed to start the portraiture part of my life-long involvement in photography. Here, on this podcast, I explain what’s happened and what steps I’m taking, including what equipment I’m purchasing.

By the way, I’m doing this with “short pockets”, a limited amount of available funds. So, you will hear of my purchasing and my reasoning for the expenditure.

Purchased to Date:
2 - Light stands - ebay (w/ shipping) - $49.85
2 - Swivel Flash Mount for Light Stands - ebay - $26.98
1 - Flash Bracket Rotating - ebay - $28.49
1ea - 4 Channel Wireless Remote Flash Trigger/Receiver - ebay - 26.48
2 - Westcott 45″ Shoot-Through Umbrella w/ Black cover -B&H Photo Video -  $66.37
1 - Canon EOS XTi 10MP Body - (Dell) - $499.00
1 - Canon 28-90mm f/4-5.6 III Lens - B&H Photo Video - $113.29

Canon XTi Sensor comparison with Olympus E-20n:
Image Format -     0.87 x 0.58 in./22.2 x 14.8mm (APS-C size sensor) (E20 - 4.6mm x 8.8mm)

Still Need to Purchase:
2 - Hot Shoe Flash Radio Remote Receiver V2s 29.98 + 16.98 = $46.96
1 - MUSLIN STAND BACKDROP SET 10-ft wide - 8′6″ high B&W - $154.89
1 - Minolta Auto Meter IV F  -Approx $280.00 or Sekonic L-358 - $250.00

Dell Representative:
Andrew Parker
Dell Sales Representative
Dell | Electronics and Accessories
Andrew_Parker@Dell.com
(800) TRY-DELL (879-3355)
Ext. 21-66467

 

 SDI - Reinventing OUrselves - #015: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Have you ever found yourself in a position where you wake up and find you’re doing the same thing today that you did yesterday? Is your creativity stale? Okay, listen up. On this podcast I have no references, other than myself. Here I am really talking myself into doing something I haven’t done very much of by speaking about how to “turn yourself on” to photography again.

These techniques I mention are guaranteed to work on you at a level that is unexpected, but will definitely produce results to remake you into a different person. I dare you to listen to this podcast and not feel re-energized and ready to conquer new realms.

 

 SDI - SmugMug w/ Andy Williams - #014: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

As you’ll hear, I was led to SmugMug by someone I work with in my day job. Craig had done the legwork for me and tested some of the online image storing sites, such as Photoshelter, Digitalrailroad, and others. He found SmugMug to have some features he liked and opted for a 14-day free trial.

Based on Craig’s opinion, I sought out someone from SmugMug to interview for this podcast. Andy Williams, the General Manager and “House Pro” sat down with me for a discussion on the history and services SmugMug offers. Andy told me about SmugMug’s history, that they have had no financial investors, other than themselves, and carry no real debt, making them quite secure. Also, that they have a few data centers around the country, your uploaded image files have redundant storage.

That, as they say, is just the tip of the iceberg. You’ll have to listen to Andy go over most of what makes SmugMug, in my opinion, one of the best in this field.

Use the link below to sign up for a 14-day free trial and, if you decide, as I have, that you want to sign up for one of SmugMug’s three service offerings, use the coupon “secrets” to get a 20% discount on your first year. Thanks, Andy, for offering my listeners such a nice discount.

Here is the link to take a look at SmugMug’s website and sign up for a free 14-day trial of this wonderful service:

FREE Trial - Trust your most precious memories to SmugMug, upload your photos today.

I would greatly appreciate it if you (my audience) could take a few minutes and complete a survey to determine the show’s demographics. I can promise you that there is no link to any personally identifiable information (such as your name, email address, and so forth).

I need to acquire some advertisding for this site to defray the costs of the web hosting, media hosting, hardware and software for the production and, I hope, a few extra dollars to buy milk for my two kids, so they won’t starve!

Seriously, my children are doing quite well, as well as the family pets (two dogs, a few cats), but I would like to upgrade my audio equipment.

Here is the link to the survey: http://wizzard.tv/survey/imagingsecrets

Thank you for helping me…

Dennis Hays // Secrets of Digital Imaging / Photo News Today

 

 SDI - Child Photography - #013: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This episode is from late 2006 where I discuss the “art” of child photography. As almost everyone knows, taking candids and portraits of adults is considerably easier than working with children. Here, I go into some techniques both for the images and also to assist in getting the “subject” to work with you, instead of against you.

So reference web sites:

Tips on Child Photography

Create Child Pictures That Bring TEARS OF JOY

Take Advantage of Digital Features For Children Photos

Photographing Children: How to Get the Best Photos With Simple Photography Techniques

 

 SDI - Kodak Introduces New Versions of Portra ISO 400 Film - 012: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Direct Download Link

This past week, Kodak introduced two new versions of the Portra film family, Portra 400 NC and Portra 400 VC. Scott DiSabato and I discuss the introduction of the film, Kodak’s commitment to the film community, and the technical aspects of these new versions.

This conversation with Scott is the second in the past few months, the first being the introduction of the new TMAX 400 film at the Photoplus Expo show in late October 2007. The release of these new Portra versions (NC for subtle color and natural skin tones in low-light situations or with on-camera flash and VC for enhanced color in low light, using new film technology) allows photographers more latitude in their shooting and provides for less grain (noise to you digital-only users). Scott agrees with me as to the use of film, alongside of digital, in your work-flow and not “instead” of.

Link to Kodak Professional Products Page

 

 SDI - Frederic Cao - DxO Labs - 011: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Direct Download Link 

After a wonderful interview with Luc Marin of DxO, regarding their new release of DxO Optics Pro version 5, I wanted to learn more. In light of this company’s bent to the scientific, I had a conversation with Frederic Cao, Deputy Chief Scientist, about what goes on underneath the covers.

In fact, Frederic gives a lesson as to what happens, technically, when you click the shutter on a digital camera. This podcast gets somewhat technical, but if you ever wanted to know the science behind digital cameras/digital imaging, you’ll hear it with this episode.

Frederic goes into the reason behind most every sensor has twice as many green pixels as either red or blue, how a sensor interpolates the light falling upon it, why you’ll need to sharpen just about every image, and how (to a degree, without giving away the store) DxO is able to process your images to an exceptional degree.

In my opinion, this is one of those important podcasts where the veil is lifted and the magic explained, but you’ll need to listen carefully. To help you in this regard, please download this white paper from DxO (zip file) labs that explains what Frederic and I are speaking about.

 

 SDI - The State of the Industry 2007/2008 - Dennis Hays: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Direct Download Link

Just before the break of the new year, I give my opinion on the state of the photographic industry.

Length: 24 minutes, 18 seconds

File Size: 16.7 Megabytes

 

 SDI - Taking Pictures In Public Places - 009: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Direct Link to the MP3 Download

Photographers out and about taking pictures are mostly just “doing their thing”, walking about, finding interesting subjects and clicking the shutter. However, since 9/11, more and more photographers are being challenged by the police and security guards for getting images of buildings, trains, airports, subwways adn so forth.

A year ago or so, I came across the the web pages of attorney, Bert P. Krages, who, besides his day job, is a heck of a photographer. He has devoted considerable amount of his time studying what happens when one of us goes out and is confronted by police or building/facility security guards, who are usually misinformed as to the laws regarding taking pictures in public places.

Bert not only tells you, in this podcast, what is legal and what isn’t, he has also developed a download, called The Photographer’s Right in Adobe PDF format.

This is a wonderful discussion about this subject and one which any of us using our cameras should know about and understand what our rights are and how to act when challenged.

Yeah, I know, a bad pun or just a simple double entendre. I had a show all picked out for this last Wednesday, December 5th. However, I got called away to Washington, DC on business and never recovered the lost time I needed to put up the episode I wanted.

So, enjoy this last episode, the interview with Luc Marin of DxO Labs and I’ll get back on schedule later this coming week. Will there ever be a 007? Probably not. I think I’ll just leave it as a hole in the series of podcasts as a remembrance of my lost day.

Merry Pre-Christmas all. — Dennis

 

 SDI DxO - Interview w/ Luc Marin #008 [32:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

What I’m really interested in learning, on this new series of podcasts, are from the innovators in the photo industry. At times, these are photographers and other times, companies.

One of the companies that recently came to my attention is DxO. They produce some software I find amazing in how it works and also, in how it affects photographers who do their own editing. Anything that affects the workflow positively, by getting betters results or shortening the time spent in front of the computer or both warrants my attention.

Prior to the Photoplus Expo in New York, Deborah Gallin, of DxO contacted me and asked if I were interested in being put on their mailing list. Heck, yeah, I responded and soon afterwards, she sent me a copy of DxO Optics Pro 4.0 to test.

DxO meets both of my requirements in being innovative. It’s able to “fix” images by using their proprietary methods of using add ins to setup the software to your camera-lens combination to remove chromatic aberrations, edit vignette and also correct distortion (including non-parallel lines, such as when shooting a tall building from the ground). In this latter regard, DxO acts as if you had a tilt-shift lens!

Okay, enough. I wanted to get to the people responsible for this software and asked Deborah to set up an interview. She did and here is my discussion with Luc Marin, VP Sales and Marketing Photography. Oh, and we also discuss the new DxO Optics Pro 5.0, released just a few weeks ago.

Later, I hope to have further discussions with DxO, specifically with their chief scientist on the how and why of DxO Optics Pro.

 

 SDI - digitalrailroad.net - Interview w/ Tom Tinervin - #006 [26:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Direct link to the audio/podcast file.

As I say in the podcast, one of the most frequent questions I get is from photographers wanting to sell their images. Besides shooting weddings and events, most photographic enthusiasts see their hobby as just that, a hobby, and haven’t thought their images could make them any money.

digitalRailroad.net is foremost a marketplace where image makers and buyers come together. Once you have a fair number of images uploaded, a buyer may come across your work and purchase some rights to use your image. At digitalrailroad.net, you set your own price method of sale (rights management, for instance).

I recently spoke with Tom Tinervin, Director, Member Sales, about digitalrailroad.net, how they work and how someone can become a part of the marketplace.

From the digitalrailroad.net web site:

“Your member archive powered by digitalrailroad.net serves many purposes. It’s your place to organize images. It’s an online geographically redundant storage area. It’s a one-stop shop for buyers to find images for license and publication. It’s also the backbone of your stock photo business. It’s your BRAND — NOT someone else’s!

Digital Railroad allows you to upload your images to your branded online member archive where clients can easily search, preview images, and license at any time of day or night. Revenue from sales can be delivered directly to your bank or via checks.

Digital Railroad provides you with an organized workspace for your images — one that’s accessible from anywhere in the world through an Internet connection.”

digitalrailroad.net

 

 SDI - Brian Griffin Interview - 005 [24:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Direct download for the podcast audio file

I had the extreme pleasure of interviewing Brian Griffin on the eve of the publication of his new book (Teamphoto) and also prior to his exhibition: “Teamphoto - Portraits of the people who built Britain’s first high-speed railway.”

Brian and I talk about his early years in photography, some of his influences and how he currently shoots and processes his images. I found Brian to be utterly fascinating and quite easy to speak with–which shows in his images.

Please click the link above to listen to this interview or see the player at the top of this page.

I also want to congratulate Brian on both the book’s publication and on this exhibition. I just wish I were there to help him celebrate. Good on you, Brian.

 

 SDI - Fake Photography - 004 [28:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Direct link to file

Two years ago, I invited my sister, Dr. Karen Hays, to discuss with me the nature of digital photography. As you’ll hear in this lively banter, Karen believes most all digital photography is fake photography, as the digital file is so easily manipulated and changed from what the original subject looked like. That there is an ease to editing the digital images, she believes this type of photography can’t be trusted.

In the past two years, since I recorded this discussion, her point of view has changed little, if at all. Therefore, I believe this show from two years ago is just as pertinent today, as it was then. In my continuing series of interviewing influential people in this industry, I am looking into the essence of this medium, why people take pictures, how they accomplish this and what do photographs mean to them, post process and also to their audience.

Enjoy!

 

 SDI Chris Orwig Interview - 003 [33:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Direct link to download the show

Chris Orwig and I sit down for a chat on photography, passion, and the nature of photography today.

Chris Orwig is a faculty member of Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA, USA. He is a professional freelance photographer, interactive designer, educator, and consultant. Included among his clients are companies such as Disney, Nissan, Activision, and J-Records.

I want to thank Chris Orwig for his time and I want to thank Lynda.com for making this interview possible.

Chris Orwig - Sojourn Photos

Chris Orwig - Lynda.com