Donald Scarinci

Astrophotography Nikon Introduces First Astrophotography Camera

March 9, 2015 Donald Scarinci

Nikon has introduced the first full-frame camera designed exclusively for astrophotography. The Nikon D810A essentially includes the basic body of the popular D810 along with a number of added features specifically created for astrophotography. According to Nikon, the D810A “makes the most of the incredible rendering capabilities of the D810, while utilizing an optical filter adopted to enable beautiful reproduction of vivid reds in images of nebulae that emit H-alpha light, something very difficult with run-of-the-mill digital SLR cameras.” Most cameras have broad-ranging infrared filters that filter out some visible red light. While useful in traditional applications, they make it…

Astrophotography Shooting for the Stars: Introduction to Astrophotography

February 23, 2015 Donald Scarinci

Astrophotography can be challenging. After all, you are not simply shooting something right in front of you, but an object that may be located millions of miles away and invisible to the naked eye. But you only have to look at a beautiful picture of a star trail against the night sky or even the full moon to understand why astronomers and photographers alike are drawn to astrophotography. The History of Astrophotography People have been taking pictures of the night sky since the early days of photography. In fact, John William Draper captured the first image of the moon in 1840….

Lenses 300mm Lens Unveiled By Nikon And Boy Is It Innovating

February 9, 2015 Donald Scarinci

The new Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR, is not just another lens. It utilizes a new technology that allows a sharp, professional level long lens to be hand held and used without a lens collar on a tripod. The fixed focal length telephoto lens, which is marketed as the lightest on the market, is also a good value for professionals and serious enthusiasts at $2,000. It was introduced at CES last month with fanfare. While not yet on the market, the innovative lens is currently available for pre-order.According to Nikon, its latest lens not only weighs approximately…

Books Bryan Peterson Says You Can Improve Your Photo Skill in Just 4 Weeks, Believe It!

February 2, 2015 Donald Scarinci

Understanding Exposure, by Bryan Peterson is a classic “must read” for every serious beginning photographer. The latest edition of the book is now available in hardcover. As on line classes became popular, Bryan Peterson started the Picture Perfect School of Photography (PPSOP). Without doubt it is one of the best online photography schools on the internet. Its founder, Peterson brings more than 30 years of professional photography and teaching experience to his classes. His instructors teach with the same clarity that Peterson uses in his books that have made him so popular. While there are a variety of YouTube videos…

Photographer Outdated Laws Make for Fun Photos

January 19, 2015 Donald Scarinci

Many states have old, outdated laws on the books as lawyers in New Jersey can attest. While hundreds of new thousands of state and federal statutes are enacted every year, lawmakers are notoriously bad at spring cleaning, when it comes to outdated laws. While clarifying and modernizing our statutes is serious work, photographer Olivia Locher reveals that it is also fun to celebrate their absurdity. She satirizes the most outlandish and outdated laws from across the country in an ongoing photo series, I Fought the Law. According to Locher, the idea for the series sprung from her discovery that it…

Camera & Lenses Leica D-Lux Typ 109: The Best Compact Camera Available

January 5, 2015 Donald Scarinci

The latest high-end, compact camera causing a buzz in the photography world is the Leica D-LUX Typ 109. The camera features a large sensor, traditional controls, and near-SLR quality photos. Leica has chosen not to market this camera as the D-Lux 7, instead they call it Typ 109, which is more consistent with their numbering system for the V-Lux cameras. Leica added a lot to the new model to warrant the price jump from $800 for the D-Lux 6 to $1200 for the 109. Thanks to a partnership with Panasonic, the camera shares many of the same features as Panasonic…

Model Release Model Release: There’s an App for That

December 22, 2014 Donald Scarinci

Model releases are an important legal tool for anyone who plans to use their photographs for commercial purposes. The legal contracts protect photographers from a variety of legal claims, such as invasion of privacy and defamation, by memorializing in writing the rights and obligations of the subject and the photographer. For photographers who don’t want to carry around a stack of documents, “there’s an app for that.” In fact, there are several. While mobile apps may not be sufficient when photographing professional models, they will certainly do the trick for street photographers and other professionals who shoot on the fly….

Camera & Lenses Is the Nikon D750 the Best of Both Worlds?

December 8, 2014 Donald Scarinci

Nikon continues to roll out new model with the introduction of its latest full-frame SLR, the D750. In terms of cost and features, the new model falls between the entry level D610 and the professional grade D810. However, it shares many key features with the more expensive model. For photographers who may be considering an upgrade, below is a brief summary of the Nikon D750’s specs: Effective pixels: 24.3 millionImage sensor format: FXTop continuous shooting speed: 6.5 frames per second at full resolutionISO sensitivity: 100 -12,800 (expandable to 51,200)Video: Full HD, 1080p at 60/50/30/25/24pImage sensor: CMOS sensor with AA filterFastest…

Model Release Model Releases for Street Photography

November 24, 2014 Donald Scarinci

When taking unscripted photographs on the street, most photographers don’t want to pull out a lengthy contract for their subjects to sign. Therefore, it makes sense to carry along a scaled down version of your standard model release. Photographing people in public view does not require their consent. However, if the subjects will be recognizable, it is always a good idea to obtain a model release. If you plan to use or license the image commercially, it is a necessity. Without a model release, you could face litigation involving claims such as invasion of privacy and defamation. Scaled-down model releases—often called pocket…

Exhibitions Paul Graham’s “Does Yellow Run Forever?” At Pace/MacGill Gallery

November 10, 2014 Donald Scarinci

Paul Graham’s “Does Yellow Run Forever?” recently debuted at the Pace/MacGill Gallery in New York City. Photo taken from the Pace/MacGillWebsite Graham is a renowned British photographer whose use of color in the late 1970s and early 1980s is credited with revolutionizing the genre. His first acclaimed series captured life along England’s primary arterial road and is entitled A1: The Great North Road. His went on to create twelve distinct bodies of work, which have been the subject of more than 80 solo exhibitions worldwide. His latest exhibit, Does Yellow Run Forever?, featured nearly 20 large-scale…