96.4K
Downloads
368
Episodes
The Fotobug Photography podcast for travel and nature photographers. Interviews, training, reviews, and more!
Episodes
Sunday May 10, 2020
Sunday May 10, 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!
Sunday Apr 26, 2020
Sunday Apr 26, 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!
Sunday Apr 12, 2020
Sunday Apr 12, 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!
Sunday Mar 29, 2020
Sunday Mar 29, 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!
Sunday Mar 15, 2020
Sunday Mar 15, 2020
In this episode, Fred and Jim take a look at another free RAW app, Rawtherapee!
In recent news, the Covid-19 virus is also having an impact on the photo industry. Canon is shutting down some of their factories due to issues with the supply chain from China. Photokina has indicated they do not plan to cancel, but several companies have already backed out of the event to be held in Cologne Germany. The NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) event in Las Vegas has been cancelled. DJI has protested to the FAA claiming that the new rule proposals will cost users nine times more than the FAA forecasted.
Please go and subscribe the The Fotobug YouTube channel and if you have experience with Rawtherapee, don't hesitate to leave us a comment or suggestion! We have lots more goodies come up in future episodes - more interviews, and how-tos as well as some great places to visit in Florida for nature photography - so keep tuning in!
Sunday Mar 01, 2020
Sunday Mar 01, 2020
Can't afford or don't want to pay for photo editing software? Make sure you check out this podcast!
In recent photography news, Adobe releases a substantial update to the desktop and mobile versions of Photoshop. Sony cuts planned mirrorless camera features in response to DRAM shortage. Moment introduces a 67mm filter system for smartphones. Fujifilm and Kodak warn about sending undeveloped film through airport scanners. Jif Peanut butter comes out with 'Gyphy' peanut butter to remind people that 'Gif' is pronounced with a soft 'G' sound! Even more news in the podcast!
Adobe is now charging $10 a month for Photoshop and Lightroom combo or $53 a month for the entire suite of Adobe software. They no longer sell a version of Lightroom. Other similiar software also sells in the neighborhood of $79 to $99 - so what if you don't want to pay, or can't afford to pay? There are free alternatives which are actually pretty good! Fred and Jim take a look at one of them in this episode of The Fotobug - Darktable which is a free open-source program available at www.darktable.org.
Sunday Feb 16, 2020
Sunday Feb 16, 2020
If you are a drone owner (or fly any RC aircraft) or if you intend to purchase one, you MUST watch this podcast. The FAA has proposed new rules which will ground all current drones and make it nearly impossible to capture interesting photos or videos with our drones. The FAA is taking public comments up until March 2nd, so it is very important to register your concern!!
In recent news, Yuneec has launched a 30x optical zoom drone, the E30Z. Sony's image sensor business has been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak which has disrupted their supply chain. Sigma indicates it is starting over with its development of a full-frame Foveon-based camera which was first announced back in 2018. Fujifilm will discontinue its Fujicolor film packs by the end of March.
Please check out and register your concerns about the new FAA proposed rules for UAS (drones and RC unmanned aircraft) - but you must do so before March 2nd! If these rules go into effect, you might as well throw your drone away and that will be the end of the hobby!
To register your concern to the FAA:
Monday Feb 03, 2020
Monday Feb 03, 2020
Fred just picked up a new laptop and in today's episode, he will discuss the pros and cons of the new Dell XPS 15" laptop.
In recent news, Immaga Wordroom uses AI to automatically keyword Lightroom images (https://wordroom.org/). Australian researches have created a new battery than can power a smartphone for up to five days. The team behind the Platypod have started a Kickstarter project for a new high-tech ball head, the Platyball. DynaLite, the photographic lighting company founded in the 1970s, has been forced to file for bankruptcy and permanently shutter its service. The US Interior Department grounds Chinese-made drones in its fleet citing ongoing security concerns. A new UK bill would enable police to stop, search and seize drones. Parliament recently conducted a second reading of a new bill that will give UK Police the power to stop and seize drones.
Decent computers are now a part of the photographer's kit in order to process captured images. Fred just picked up the new Dell XPS 15" laptop and discusses the attributes of this machine and why you might consider it for your next computer purchase. The new XPS features a 4GB Nvidia graphics card, so this machine will also be useful for video production. If you have experience or comments on the Dell laptop, please leave you comments below, or better yet, on The Fotobug YouTube channel!
Sunday Jan 19, 2020
Sunday Jan 19, 2020
Jim and Fred interviews photographer Jeff Cable!
In recent news, LucidPix AI app turns ordinary images into 3D photos. Canon has announced Image Connect to connect photographers to potential customers. Canon also shows off a new AI plugin for Lightroom Classic that will cull images for you. Sandisk has revealed an 8 TB SSD prototype and a 1 TB flash drive. GoPro's defunct Karma drones would not take off in 2020 due to a GPS glitch. DJI has posted an article with issues it has with the new FAA Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for remote identification of drones.
The Fotobug featured guest is Jeff Cable who photographed several Olympic games, and will be covering the upcoming summer games in Japan as well as the winter Olympics in Beijing. He also leads a number of interesting photo workshops are the globe through his website and also through M&M photo tours.
Check out Jeff's website at www.jeffcable.com
Check out M&M at www.mmphototours.com
Don't forget to check out and subscribe the The Fotobug YouTube Channel!
Saturday Jan 04, 2020
Saturday Jan 04, 2020
Welcome to 2020!
To begin the new year, 500px combines service and contributor agreement, and confuses and concerns some users - no need to worry! Apple's lates MFi program will enable manufacturers to make their own strobe and lighting accessories for the iPhone 11. New DJI patents suggest the company may be expanding into land-based drones. The FAA has finally announced their Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the remote identification of drones. Even more news and details in the podcast!
Jim and Fred check out the time lapse capabilities of the GoPro Hero 7 and 8. In addition, Jim found an issue with the Hero 7 that may go all the way back to the Hero 4 which will cause the camera to freeze up when using particular nightlapse settings. This issue appears to be corrected in the Hero 8. If you have experienced the freeze issue with your Hero camera, please let us know and share the settings you were using!
More good photo related material planned, so keep watching and please check out and subscribe to The Fotobug YouTube channel!