August 2nd, 2020
Jim and Fred invite Minnesota based photographer Tomás Alvarez to the podcast. Tomás is one of the newest instructors this year for the Black Hills Photo Shootout which will be a virtual event this year due to the pandemic. Please go and check out Tomás' website - www.tomalvarez.com and check out his wonderful galleries. We both recommend signing up for his BHPS workshops this year!
LINK TO BHPS PAGE!
In recent news, Nikon has released a new camera, the Z5 and is also introducing a web cam app to allow Nikon cameras to be used as webcams. A researcher is attaching small "bug size" cameras to beetles to get a 'bug's eye' view of the world! Associated Press is now providing all their journalists with Sony cameras. The Consumer Entertainment Show for 2021 will be a virtual event. Watch the podcast for even more details and more news!
July 19th, 2020
We hope everyone is staying safe! In recent photo news, a woman recently fell off the rim of the Grand Canyon attempting to take a photo - be careful out there! Canon is about to release the R5 and R6 mirrorless cameras, although demand has been so high there is a possibility in a slight delay. In addition, there have been some reports of over heating issues although Canon is downplaying the issues. Kodak is selling off it's Alaris paper and chemical business to a Chinese company. Cascable has released an app for using 100 different DSLRs as webcams - currently free, but will eventually cost $40.
Fred and Jim present more hardware for capturing macro images using lenses you already own. There are inexpensive solutions in case you wish to get into macro photography and don't have the budget for a macro lens.
Items featured in the podcast:
Collapsible Rubber lens hood - https://amzn.to/30oI3R1
Extension tubes - https://amzn.to/393P7GG Note - search for your camera brand - there are a number of extension tube manufacturers available
Reverse Adapter rings https://amzn.to/2ZBkw00 Again - search for the ring to fit your model of camera and correct filter size for your lens
Macro coupler adapter ring - https://amzn.to/3hgmclH Once again, make sure to order to proper filter size for the two lenses you intend to use!
Subscribe to The Fotobug YouTube Channel and get a free book on macro photography!
Stay tuned for information about a virtual Black Hills Photo Shootout event coming up in September!
July 5th, 2020
Due to popular demand, The Fotobug guys demonstrate an actual timelapse capture using the Neewer Motorized slider.
In recent photography news, Duke University researchers have created an AI software program that can create a face from a blurred image, although it is A face, but not the actual image of the person in the blurred image. Olympus is in negotiation to sell off its imaging business to Japan Industrial Partners who plan to keep the Olympus name on the cameras. Sadly, The Black Hills Photo Shootout 10th anniversary workshop weekend in South Dakota has been postponed this September due to concerns over the Corona virus. H&Y Revoring has a Kickstarter project running for a variable step-up adapter ring for filters. A 72 year old woman was gored in Yellowstone National Park for getting too close to a bison to take a picture.
Due to popular demand, Fred and Jim capture a timelapse sequence using the Neewer Motorized Slider. The timelapse captures a sunset at a local park using a Canon 7D MKII camera. The camera was set on Aperture Priority and the Neewer app set the lowest trigger setting at 1 sec. so it would simply fire the camera and not control the shutter speed. The slider was placed close to the ground to maximize the movement effect (since the slider is under 3' in length). The final sequence was turned into a video using LRTimelapse - our go-to timelapse software program!
Not a great timelapse, but the important take away is the settings to use to capture a timelapse sequence! If you are capturing a timelapse sequence after dark, then set the camera on bulb setting and let the motor controller control the shutter speed! Since the minimum setting is 1 second, it isn't practical to control the shutter with the controller and therefore simply use it to trigger the shutter and let the camera control the shutter speed!
June 21st, 2020
Fred and Jim take a road trip to Lake Wales Ridge!
First, the recent photo news, Delkin Devices unveils a 2TB CFExpress card and Lexar has an affordable card reader that can easily and quickly transfer all that data! Lumix has released an app to turn the Lumix camera into a webcam, similiar to the one Canon recently released. Android Smartphones can become bricked if the user picks the wrong wallpaper - will be fixed in Android 13. GoPro announces a beta program to allow Hero 8 Black users to try out new features before they are added to the firmware. Fox News publishes obviously altered news photos and apologizes. Some Sony SD cards are corrupting video files and Sony will replace the cards for free.
Jim and Fred hit the road to Lake Wales to capture images of the rare Florida Blue Bee. Of course, the chances of encountering the bee are very slim - but any excuse to get out into the fresh air and capture some interesting images...! Lake Wales Ridge is the highest point in Florida and the Bok Singing Tower is located on Iron Mountain - a whopping 300 feet above sea level! Two million years ago the ridge was a series of islands and the flora and fauna there was isolated and therefore there are a lot of rare species only found in that area. Unfortunately, the increase in citrus farming and sub divisions has hurt these rare plants and animals, but many conservation groups are attempting to save them. One such creature thought to be extinct is the Blue Bee, but several specimens have recently been spotted around Lake Wales.
Keep listening for information about the upcoming Black Hills Photo Shootout in South Dakota in September - virus permitting!
June 7th, 2020
Jim and Fred look into several brands of macro lenses and describe a technique to improve your macro captures, but first, the latest in photography news!
Canon brings its EOS webcam beta utility program to Macos! Shutterstock has established a new pay structure which favors those photographers which have the highest number of sales. A Dutch court has ruled that a grandmother must take down images of her grandchildren at the request of the children's mother. DJI has scored a victory against Autel and will likely not have to stop selling its Mavic drones in the US. They also filed a patent suit against Autel claiming that Autel copied their Phantom look and feel. Microsoft has been sued for $2.25 million for using photos without permission. M&M photo tours has a great sale on a Tanzania Migration workshop in late August - only $5900 including airfare from JFK in New York. https://www.mmphototours.com/photo-tours-2020
Macro photography is something you can do right in your home or in your backyard while social distancing! Jim and Fred take a look at Toshiba, Sigma and Canon true macro lenses. In addition, Jim reveals a macro technique using manual mode on the camera and manual flash mode to help improve your captures and reduce wind motion blur and motion blur from the movement of your subject. If you would like a copy of Jim's free eBook on macro photography, just subscribe to The Fotobug YouTube channel and ask for a copy! Jim will send you a download link!
May 24th, 2020
Fred and Jim once again share more tips and techniques to help you improve your photography.
In recent news, Let's Enhance 2.0 is a software program to uprez images. You can upscale five images for free (limited to 15MP). Mavic drones may be removed from the USA market after losing a patent suit with Autel Robotics. Yet, DJI has released a new commercial drone. Federal authorities are looking for a drone pilot who flew his drone close to the Navy's Blue Angels in Detroit. Photography Life is releasing all its photo courses for free on YouTube. The IBC has cancelled this year's show in Amsterdam. Olympus is shutting down its camera business in South Korea at the end of June.
Latest tips from Fred and Jim! How to use a backdrop when photographing close ups (such as flowers). How to check and control the background for closeups when you don't have a backdrop. Build a backyard bird feeder and natural set to photograph backyard birds. Also, how to use LCD lights or reflectors for closeup photos. Finally - set up a game camera to find out where wildlife may be on your property on your photo sites.
To purchase the items mentioned in the podcast:
Game Camera - CLICK HERE
Platypod - CLICK HERE
LCD Light - CLICK HERE
Pocket reflector - CLICK HERE
Don't forget to subscribe to The Fotobug YouTube Channel!!
May 10th, 2020
Thank you for tuning into The Fotobug podcast! We hope everyone is staying safe and well.
In recent photography news, DJI has released the update to the Mavic Air, the Mavic Air 2 with more features! On1 announces a 360° cloud service for photos. Canon has released a free Windows program that turns certain Canon cameras into high resolution webcams. (https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/support/self-help-center/eos-webcam-utility/) Even more news in the podcast!
As safe at home restrictions are slowly being lifted, Fred and Jim go out locally and share some photography tips and techniques. In this episode, Jim relates a technique used by an African wildlife photographer - using manual mode with auto ISO. Fred describes an important sports and nature technique - using back-button focusing. More tips and techniques coming soon!
Please take a moment and subscribe to the new Fotobug YouTube channel. Also, if you would like a free copy of Jim's ebook on macro photography, subscribe to The Fotobug YouTube channel and contact Jim at jim@thefotobug.com and let him know you would like a copy!
April 26th, 2020
The safe at home continues but plans are being made for the upcoming Black Hills Photo Shoot out this coming September and the organizer, Jay Grammond will discuss it on today's podcast!
In recent news, an app to allow portrait photographers to test lighting setups is now available for free for 15 days (www.elixxier.com) Mandel Mendlowits, the founder of Adorama, passed away at the age of 76. I'm Back returns to Kickstarter creating a digital back for analog film cameras. Lenscoat is creating camo colored face masks for healthcare workers. GoPro and VSCO are laying off employees but still plan to release new features this year. Huawei was caught once again attempting to pass off DSLR images as images taken with their smartphones. There is more news! Check out the podcast!
Jay Grammond will once again organize the Black Hills Photo Shootout which will take place in South Dakota this September 25-27th! Instructors are coming back on board and as long as Covid-19 permits, the event will be held in Sturgis, South Dakota this year! Be sure to save those dates and keep listening to the podcast and watch The Black Hills Photo Shootout and The Fotobug Facebook pages for updates.
Jim is still giving away his 24 page complete guide to macro photography which contains everything from macro lenses to focus stacking and more! To get your FREE copy, just subscribe to The Fotobug YouTube channel and then write to jim@thefotobug.com and you will be sent a link to download your copy!
April 12th, 2020
This podcast is a bit different and in order to stay home, we are doing this podcast via Zoom and have invited a friend to join us all the way from India!
There hasn't been much photography news lately. Canon is planning a live stream on April 29th for a product announcement, probably focusing on 'broadcast and cinema products with an emphasis on 4k and HDR capture. Lomography launches a new B&W film stock. Peak Designs announces a travel tripod sale with 20-40% off and some of the proceeds will be split between Covid-19 relief and climate change. Pangolin Safaris is giving away an African safari in a 6 week photo contest at www.pangolinphoto.com).
Jim demonstrates the Flip Filter system now available at https://www.alterrfs.com/ . Fred shows off a portable drive system for backing up your photos while traveling.
Our guest is Anu Sarkar all the way from India. Anu shows off some of his wonderful artwork and discusses the covid-19 concerns in India.
Hopefully we will be back to our regular studio and podcast real soon, in the meantime, stay safe and healthy and be sure to wash your hands and practice social distancing so we can get back to our lives again!
March 29th, 2020
Due to the covid-19 virus, we decided to put together some suggestions of things and themes you can photograph while staying safe at home!
Most of the recent photography news also involves the virus. Adobe announces free at-home Creative Cloud service for students and educators impacted by the outbreak. World Press has cancelled the 2020 Photo Contest Award show, Photokina is cancelled until 2022, Professional Photographers of America (PPA) has opened up their training website for free for 2 weeks (www.ppa.com/education-unlocked). Nikon and Canon have put off camera repairs.
We want all our viewers to stay safe and healthy until the virus threat has passed. We know many, just like us, are stranded at home and have had trips cancelled. So, we put together some suggestions that you can do in or around your home with your camera.
Jim also has offered to give away his ebook on macro photography. To get your FREE copy, just go to The Fotobug YouTube channel and subscribe. Then simply write to jim@thefotobug.com or leave a comment on the Stay at Home video and he will send you a link to download your copy!
