Photoshop Tutorial: Making eyes Pop! Stand out from the crowd.

I did a photo shoot for a friend to help her with some headshots and I did a couple of things to help her stand out from the crowd.

In this tutorial I will be going over how I made her eyes really look great and stand out to catch attention.

We Start with the original image and crop it to make it really get the story that we are trying to share. 

Start by using the Dodge tool, set your hardness to around the 50% mark, so you don't have to worry about being too accurate.

Then apply the dodge to the iris, making the blue's lighter.

Use the burn tool and set it for Shadows, exposure around 15%,  Hardness 75%  so you can be more accurate, and size to suit. Apply the tool to the rim of the iris and go over the pupil if you wish.

I followed this with a burn to the eye-lashes so they stand out more.

And applied to both eyes makes them just pop out at you so your client gets the best results.

PREVIEW: Sony’s new action POV camera

http://blog.sony.com/povcamera

Big news for the POV Camera Market, things are about to be shaken up big time!!

Sony is developing a brand new POV camera and the stats are pretty hot. Sony has given us a sneak peak of this device.  Straight from http://blog.sony.com/povcamera 

Our hearts are beating, our blood is flowing, our adrenaline is pumping. Here’s why: Sony’s developing a new type of hi-def wearable video camera for POV and action sports filming, and we’re giving you – our stellar fans – the first look at the device!

Profile shot of the POV Camera, easy to navigate.

Simple buttons to start and stop recording.

Carl Zeiss Tesser Lens baby!

Simple housing, Should withstand the extremes very well.

Going to be amazing!!!

Here is a quote from the Sony Blog:

The video camera is tiny and lightweight, but it houses Sony’s hallmark SteadyShot^®image stabilization technology, Exmor^® R CMOS image sensor, and an ultra-wide angle Carl Zeiss® Tessar® lens.
That means, whether you’re shredding major powder, jumping out of a plane, or kayaking through an epic waterfall, you’re capturing super high-quality video of it to show off to your family and friends. And there’ll be ruggedized and waterproof housings available so the camera can do its job in even the most extreme environments.
We’ll keep sharing updates and details about the product so be sure to stay tuned.

Tags: action sports, Carl Zeiss Tessar Lens, compact, exmor R CMOS senor, extreme, filming, hi-def, high definition, point-of-view, POV, video camera

Macro Photography using Extension Tubes - What are Extension Tubes?

There is something magic about Macro photography that we all love doing and using the right equipment delivers amazing results that can take your breath away. 

A Macro Lens can start at about $500 up to $1500 or even more, and this is where I discovered Macro Extension Tubes, they turn any lens into a macro lens for life size photography. Macro Extension Tubes have very exciting results for half the cost of a new lens.

Auto Extension Tubes

You can get Manual Focus or Auto Focus Extension tubes, for most subject you shoot Manual Focus is easier because in Auto the camera might have trouble finding focus so close.

Each Tube has a multiplier effect on the minimum focusing distance.

For Example the Canon EF-S18-55mm IS Lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.25m you can get:
1.5x = 0.16m
2x = 0.125m
3x = 0.083m.
1.5+2+3x = 0.027m




So you get get so close to anything at all. This is how close you can get without the tubes:

This is how much closer you get using the tubes:

1.5x Tube

2x Tube

3x Tube

1.5x + 2x + 3x Tubes

I would love to give you a demonstration so come in and see me at Macarthur Camera House.

Interview with Local Photographer Luke Clements

This is The Bad Cam’s first Local Photographer interview.  

I am interviewing young photography talent Luke Clements who is an up and coming young man who is very driven about his photography. Based in Macarthur he loves shooting unique surf and seascapes.  You can see his work on his website, it has to be seen to be believed! An amazing talented young photographer and we are happy to share him with you today!

www.lukeclementsphotography.com

So you are a local Photographer to Campbelltown, where are you based?

Yes i am, I'm based around the Macarthur region but also have a good following and base around Wollongong and the south coast.

How do you Share or advertise yourself? Websites, blogs, magazines?

I mainly use my facebook page and website, I have also had images published on websites such as fluidzone, swellnet and http://bellyspin.wordpress.com/

Sweet as! How long have you been interested in photography for?

My interest in photography started when i was in yr 11 at school and chose to do photography as side subject during my HSC, so I've been interested for about 4-5 years now.

4-5 years is a good time to be learning! What subjects do you enjoy shooting the most? 

Yea, definatly Surf and seascapes, but I love capturing stunning sunrises and sunsets as well.

Ah calssic! What gear do you use at the moment?In my camera bag at the moment I have a Canon 7D, Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 (which is my main lens i use at the moment), Canon 50mm f1.8 and Canon 580 EX II speedlight.

That is a great kit mate. Any other gear you like to carry?Yea thanks, I have my manfrotto tripod not exactly sure of the model but it has the ball joint trigger head which is great! That's it at the moment as I'm saving up for a wide angle lens as I'm having to borrow a friends wide angle for doing certain shoots.

I love wide angle lenses, they really take alot in. Where do you find inspiration for your photography?
So do I! It's so annoying at the moment not having one on hand all the time. I find inspiration from other surf photographers such as Ray Collins, Clark Little just to name a couple. I also am a huge fan of Ken Duncans' work with his stunning landscapes!

Interesting tell me more. 

Clark Little is probably one of my favorite photographers, he shoots in some absolutely crazy waves around his home in Hawaii and puts his body on the line to get that shot he wants.
Ken Duncan has travelled to places that I have been wanting to go for a couple years now to shoot and capture those breathtaking landscapes that not many get to see.

Surf and Landscape photography must be challenging and rewarding for you, any advice for people looking to get into this area? 

Yes! Definatly challenging but yet rewarding as it does involve lots of early wake ups to get that shot your looking for especially those stunning sunrises and the nice smooth and glassy ocean shots, but once you get that shot it is the greatest reward from that hard work you put in.
So for anyone who wants to do surf and landscape photography be prepared to have those early cold mornings and always look for a new angle or perspective that hasn't been seen before and just be patient as it that shot you want may not happen straight away.

You are good at this! Where is your favorite spot to take photos?

Thanks! I'd have to say my favourite spot to shoot although I haven't been there much is around Ulladulla because it just has amazing seascapes and also some really nice country areas near by, it's just one of those places that you will always find a stunning shot if you look hard enough.

If money were no object and you could build your dream kit, what would be in your kit now?

Well there are so many great options but I think I would have to choose this; the Canon EOS 1DX and a 5D mk III, Canon 16-35mm f2.8, Canon 24-70mm 2.8, Canon 14mm f2.8 (which i would use to capture in water shots of the surf) Aquatech water housing, I'd have a canon 600mm f4, Canon 70-200mm 2.8 and the Canon 600 EX RT speedlite, which i would use to capture some shots of the surf at night in the water with my waterhousing setup.
I think this kit would cover all my favourite areas of photography to capture them at its best.

This has been a lot of fun chatting to you about your passion, Anything you'd like to add?

Yea it has, just for those who havent seen my work before go check it out and enjoy also want to say thanks to Macarthur Camera House as they are my go to guys for all my gear.

Fantastic so please share your links.Here are the links to my website and my facebook page.

www.lukeclementsphotography.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Luke-Clements-Photography/203798346297012

I am a passionate photographer and this is my webpage to display my work, so check it out and enjoy! 

Best of luck with your photography mate, and thank you for taking the time to chat with my followers and myself.

Nikon D3200 Review

The Nikon D3200 has many great new features for an Entry Level Beginner's camera.

Nikon D3200

The Nikon D3200 is a versatile all round performer that is so easy to use you can capture your special moments wherever life takes you. Packing an incredible 24.2 Megapixels, DX CMOS sensor, the easier-to-use Guide Mode, Full HD movie recording and an 11-point AF system, the D3200 creates beautiful images in every situation.

One of it's best features is the Intuitive Guide Mode. The Guide Mode has improvements over the D3100 and is even simpler to navigate. The Guide Mode takes you step by step on how to take a photo. The battery is the same as the D3100 and the D5100. It will last you 450-540 photos. Always advise a second battery especially for Video use.

New layout

The Video controls are more intuitive and has been placed on top of the camera next to the photo taking button. The great thing about Nikon Video is you can be in any mode and start video recording. The Full-HD Video looks great on any big screen TV and makes family videos a breeze. Using the ME-1 is the perfect companion for Movie making. The ME-1 is able to cut the noise created by the cameras mechanical operation, as well as reducing unwanted ambient noise like blowing wind.

Left: ML-L3 Remote | Right: ME-1 Microphone

Another great feature from Nikon is the introduction of the Infrared Port so you can use the ML-L3 remote control with it. No more cables to shoot your family portraits with! It has a very quick response mode and a 2 second delay mode.

WA-1 Wireless Mobile Adapter

The D3200 is also WiFi compatible using the Wireless Mobile Adapter, WA-1a, to transfer your images from your camera to your Smart Devices, also the camera's live view display can be shown through the screen in your Smart Devices as a remote control.

Initially, the WU-1a is compatible only with smart devices running the Android OS. However, additional support for Apple iOS is scheduled for release soon. The WU-1 is available separately for purchase.

How to create a Transparent Watermark to protect your photos in 7 simple to follow steps!

Create a new file.

• Any size you like

• Use a transparent background

Create your Shape/Text Layer

Reduce the Opacity to 20%

Save Photoshop Document

Open the image you wish to place your Watermark on.

Place... your Watermark on the image.

And Huzzah! A watermark on your image so no one else can rip off your images.

Canon 650D Media Release

New EOS 650D DSLR camera puts the power and creativity of high

quality stills and video at your fingertips.

Multiple Canon EOS ‘firsts’ make the EOS 650D the most powerful
and accessible creative tool yet for budding photographers.

Key features:

• New DiG!C 5 image processor 
• New 18 megapixel CMOS sensor with fast 4 channel read-out 
• High speed continuous shooting up to 5 fps 
• Superior focusing performance with 9-point all cross-type array (f/2.8 centre) 
• Low noise with ISO speeds up to 12800 (expandable to 25600 in H mode) 
• Intuitive fingertip control with new Vari-angle Touch Screen LCD – EOS first 
• Enhanced movie shooting with Movie Servo AF – EOS first 
• Silent focussing when used with one of Canon’s new ‘Stepping Motor’ lenses – EOS first 

The new Canon 650D really packs a punch as Canon's new Flagship Entry-Level DSLR. For anyone looking to buy their first DSLR this is the choice. As you can see with all the stats that the camera boasts the same DiG!C 5 image processor found in the Canon 5D Mark III, shoots up to 5 photos every second, touch screen for more accurate focusing, and the new amazing Stepping Motor lenses that make movie shooting a breeze especially with the new Stereo Microphone.

The EOS 650D digital SLR camera will be available at the end of June in body only and three kit configurations:

• Single IS Lens Kit (including EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens)
• Twin IS Lens Kit (including EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II and EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II lenses)
• Super Kit (including EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens)

The new EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lens and the new EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM will also be available separately at the end of June.

Email us for a special VIP launch 

The benefits of a Circular Polarising filter

Circular Polarising filters allow you to control the direction of light in your photographs.
When capturing light there are many randomly scattered light rays that can cause reflections and glare.  A polarising lens will allow the photographer to select which light rays enter your camera lens.

Image care of http://www.hoyafilter.com

Polarisers also have the added benefit of enabling colours to become more saturated and appear clearer with better contrast. Giving the effect of bluer skies and white clouds with detail without affecting the overall colour balance in a shot. 

Image care of http://www.hoyafilter.com

GoPro Hero HD Launches Dive Housing

GoPro has launched its new Dive Housing and it looks picture perfect.

I had the opportunity to see the unit at The Digital Show in Melbourne on Friday the 25th May. What the guys at GoPro are saying is true the results of the new Dive Housing really overcomes the issue people were having when using the GoPro Hero HD in underwater situations.

The Large flat glass lens allows maximum video and photo sharpness underwater in all resolutions. It doesn't allow the unit to go any deeper than the original housing, still at 60m or 197ft deep.


The Dive Housing is compatible with all HD Hero units and Gropro mounts and accessories.
In the Box:

• Waterproof Dive Housing
• Protecting Lens Cap
• Tether String
• Assorted Mounting Hardware

With the new Dive Housing the GoPro HD Hero;s reputation as the most versatile camera in the world is very solid.

Available for order were I work, http://www.camerahouse.com.au/products/General-Accessories/Go-Pro-Dive-Housing.aspx

The Digital Show

I had a great time today at The Digital Show in Melbourne today. There is so much on to learn and explore, from the latest in Photography to seeing great works of art from our fellow Photographers who always are inspiring and tell a great story.

Some highlights were:

• Playing with Canon's 800mm Telephoto Lens.
• Olympus' new 75mm micro 4/3rd lens which is like looking deep into your soul.
• Learning how to set up a green screen for cool Portraits, thank you Dragon Image.
• Seeing Gopro's Wifi Back in action.
• Nikon's D800 out of the box, I have sold 4 and not played with one till today.
• JJC's Conversion Lens Adapters.
• Lowepro's new Flipside Sport great security for your camera gear in this backpack for when you are on the move.

So little time to check it all out, if you like anything to do with photos you should get along to The Digital Show. 

Kata DP 413 Camera Case Review

I have just bought the Kata DP-413 Camera Bag for my wife's new camera the Samsung WB850F. It fits it perfectly, it has many hidden treasures in it.

This bag is made for large size compact cameras and is a non bulky design. The Kata DF-410 would fit bigger cameras like the Canon G12 and Olympus XZ-1.
It features:

• Shoulder strap - Small and discreet.
• Velcro Belt Strap - So you can put it on and off without having to undo your belt.
• Zips Shut - www.kata-bags.com offer a lifetime warranty on Zips failing!
• SD Card/Battery Bag inside the Case - You you are not having to fumble around for your SD card or battery.
• Divider - Your camera and Accessories are separated.
• Rain Cover - Protect your camera from the environment.

So I recommend this Camera Case for your next camera as it is just the best for the larger style of camera.

How do I stop my photos from over exposing? Using ND Filters.

One Filter I never like to go without is a ND (Neutral Density) Filter and my newest addition is a Variable ND. This allows me to change my stops on the fly! From ND4-ND400!


ND filters will allow you to take more control over light, if there is too much light in the scene such as a Beach or Snow throw this on to reduce the blinding overexposure in your shot. My favorite use of the ND Filter is for Waterfalls as it slows down the water and everything looks silky smooth. You can also use it clouds, cars, seas.


I also love to use a ND Filter to increase Depth of Field if I am doing a portrait shot. It allows wider apertures to be used making the subject distinct from the background.

What is Clear Image Zoom? Is it Optical or Digital Zoom?

Clear Image zoom is Digital Zoom.

What is happening is there is really good algorithms in the camera that fix camera shake and noise so it looks like you are optically zoomed out to the intelligent zoom amount.

Example the Sony DSC-HX60V has a 30x optical zoom and can take you to 60x Clear Image zoom. Allowing you to get that little bit more in before losing sharpness and detail.

Samsung WB850F 16.2 MP Smart Camera Review

Samsung WB850

I Just played with the Samsung WB850 today and loved every bit of it.


The wifi is just too good, now I can back up all my photos on the fly using PC backup when I get home. Shoot a photo off to mum with an email on the camera using wifi, and share it straight away to my facebook page, and show it off on my TV via all share.
The Smart Auto 2.0 makes taking a photo so easy, I don't have to think, I can take a portrait shot then a macro without having to change any settings.


It makes a great companion to my Samsung Galaxy S II mobile. I can use remote Viewfinder to see live on my camera through wifi direct and get great self portraits and even use it as a remote for macro pictures. You can download this app from Google Play or the App Store.


So what? It has good bells and whistles you might say, does it take good pics?
It uses a Schneider lens that delivers clear and sharp images for a compact camera. 16MP Backside illuminated sensor which means to you and I that it takes a good photo day or night, inside or out, parties and nightclubs. Full HD movie so it looks tops on our big TVs, Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) to give us better photos at night and when we zoom in.


I must say it really is a great Camera. Samsung is leading a revolution in cameras this year and going to make a big impact in the market place. For more info chat to an Expert at Macarthur Camera House.


Head over and like Macarthur Camera House's Page http://www.facebook.com/macarthurcamerahouse and share some of your photos with the team.


Here are the specs:

Image Sensor

Sensor Type	CMOS
Effective Pixel	Approx. 16.2 Mega pixels
Total Pixel	Approx. 16.8 Mega pixels

Lens

Focal Length	Schneider-KREUZNACH 21x Zoom Lens f = 4.1 ~ 86.1mm (35mm film equivalent: 23 ~ 483mm)
F No.	2.8 (W) ~ 5.9 (T)
digital zoom	Still Image mode: 1.0X ~ 4.0XPlay mode: 1.0X ~ 9.4X (depends on image size) Smart Zoom 1.33X

Image Stabilisation

mode	DAUL IS (Optical + Digital Image Stabilisation)

Display

type	AMOLED
Size	3.0"(7.62cm)
Features	3.0" (7.62cm) VGA ( 640X480 ) 614k dots ( PenTile )

Focusing

type	TTL Auto Focus (Centre AF, Multi AF, Tracking AF, Face Detection AF, Face Recognition AF, Selection AF)* Manual Focus
Range	Normal: 80cm ~ Infinity (Wide), 350cm ~ Infinity (Tele)Macro: 10cm ~ 80cm (Wide), 150cm ~ 350cm (Tele) Auto Macro: 10cm ~ Infinity (Wide), 150cm ~ Infinity (Tele) Manual: 10 cm ~ Infinity (Wide), 150cm ~ Infinity (Tele)

Shutter Speed

Smart Auto: 1/8 ~ 1/2,000 seconds, Program: 1 ~ 1/2,000 seconds, Night: 8 ~ 1/2,000 seconds, Manual: 16 ~ 1/2,000 seconds

Exposure

Control	Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual Exposure
Metering System	Multi, Spot, Centre-weighted, Face Detection AE
Compensation	±2EV (1/3EV steps)
ISO Equivalent	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1,600, 3,200

Flash

mode	Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash Off, Red-eye fix
Range	Wide: 0.3m ~ 4.96m (ISO auto), Tele: 0.5m ~ 2.35m (ISO auto)
Recharging Time	Approx. 6 seconds

White Balance

mode	Auto WB, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent_H, Fluorescent_L, Tungsten, Custom, K

Still Image

mode	* Mode (Dial) : 1) Smart Auto, 2).Program, 3) A / S / M, 4) Scene, 5) MAGIC Plus, 6) Wi-Fi, 7) GPS, 8) Movie* Smart Auto: Portrait, Night Portrait, Night, Backlight Portrait, Backlight, Landscape, White, Macro, Macro Text, Tripod, Action, Macro Colour, Natural Green, Blue Sky, Sunset, Fireworks* Scene: Beauty Shot, Night, Landscape, Text, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Beach & Snow* MAGIC Plus: Panorama, 3D Photo, Magic Frame, Split Shot, Self Shot, Artistic Brush, HDR, CMM* Panorama: Live Panoram / 3D Panorama / Action Panorama* Wi-Fi: MobileLink, Remote Viewfinder, Social Sharing, email, SkyDrive, Auto Backup, TV Link* Drive: Single, Continuous (8fps, 5fps, 3fps), BKT(WB, AE), Precapture* Self timer: Off, 2 seconds, 10 seconds, Double (10 seconds, 2 seconds)

Image Play

Single image, Thumbnails, Advanced Slide Show, Movie Clip, Smart Album, Creative Movie Maker

Date Imprinting

Date&Time, Date, Off (user selectable)

Movie Clip

Recording	* Smart Movie: Landscape, Blue Sky, Natural Green, Sunset* Movie Size: 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), WEB (QVGA, 30fps, 30s)* High Speed: 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288)* 18x optical zoom (Max. recording time: 20 minutes)* Audio: Mute, Normal, Sound Alive, Audio Zoom* Dual Capture (Movie 1280p@30pfs & Still 10Mpixels)
Effect	*Smart Filter: Palette Effect 1, Palette Effect 2, Palette Effect 3, Palette Effect 4, Miniature, Vignetting, Sketch, Fish Eye, Classic, Retro
Edit	Pause during recording and playing, Still Image Capture, Time Trimming

Storage

Media	Internal memory: N/A External Memory: SDSC (up to 2GB guaranteed), SDHC (up to 32GB guaranteed), SDXC (up to 64GB guaranteed)
File format	* Still Image: JPEG (DCF), EXIF 2.21, DPOF 1.1, PictBridge 1.0* Movie Clip: MP4 (Video: MPEG4, AVC / H.264, Audio: AAC)
Image Size	16M: 4608 x 3456, 14MP: 4608 x 3072 12M W: 4608 x 2592, 10M: 3648 x 2736 8M (1 : 1): 2832 x 2832 5M: 2592 x 1944, 3M: 1984 x 1488 2MW: 1920 x 1080, 1M: 1024 x 768

Interface

Digital Output Connector	USB 2.0
Audio	Microphone: StereoInternal Speaker: Mono
Video Output	AV: NTSC, PAL (User selectable)
DC Power Input	4.2V TBD

Power

Power Source	type	Rechargeable battery : SLB-10AConnector Type : micro USB (5 pin)

Physical Specifications

Dimension	Dimension (WxHxD)	109.6 x 61.9 x 24.9 (35.1) mm
Weight	226g (without battery and memory card media)
Operating Temperature	0 ~ 40°C
Operating Humidity	5 ~ 85%

S/W and PC OS

Bundle PC S/W	Intelli-studio, Creative Movie Maker, Auto Backup, Map download manager(Download from On-line with iLinker)
Compatible OS	Windows XP SP2 / Vista / 7

System Requirement in General

For Macintosh	ntel Mac or later Mac OS 10.4 or higher Minimum 256MB RAM 110MB of available hard-disk space USB port CD-ROM drive
For Windows	PC with processor better than Intel Core 2 Duo 1.66 GHz / AMD Athlon X2 Dual-Core 2.2 GHz or higherMinimum 512MB RAM (Over 1GB recommended) Windows XP SP2 / Vista / 7250MB of available hard-disk space (Over 1GB recommend) USB 2.0 port CD-ROM drive nVIDIA Geforce 7600GT or later / Ati X1600 series or later1024×768 pixels, 16-bit colour display compatible monitor (1280x1024, 32-bit colour display recommended) Microsoft DirectX 9.0c or later

Wireless

Wireless	MobileLink, Remote Viewfinder, Social Sharing, email, SkyDrive, Auto Backup, TV Link

I Accidentally deleted all photos off my SD card how do I get them back? SD card recovery.

Ever Accidentally deleted everything on your SD card, or had someone delete them on you?


Don't fret, you still have the chance to recover your data. Don't take any more pictures on your card and get it into us and we can recover your lost data.


We offer a SD card Recovery Service at Macarthur Camera House with a high 99% success rate.


Prices start from $39.99 for a 4GB card. We put your lost files onto a DVD. 


And what is best is no recover, no fee.


www.camerahouse.com.au/campbelltown