Donald Scarinci

Gear iPhone 7 Offers Impressive Camera Upgrades

October 3, 2016 Donald Scarinci

Apple is keenly aware that most casual photographers would love to exclusively rely on their smartphones to take pictures. With every iPhone it introduces, the camera gets a little bit better. The iPhone 7 is no exception. The iPhone 7 touts an ƒ/1.8 aperture and a six-element lens. It also comes with optical image stabilization to combat blur caused motion and handshake. The 12MP camera also captures high-resolution video up to 4K. While not limited to its camera, the new iPhones are also waterproof, which eliminates fears about shooting near water or during inclement weather. As any iPhone user can…

Camera & Lenses Nikon Introduces New Entry-Level D3400 DSLR

September 19, 2016 Donald Scarinci

Nikon recently introduced several new entry-level products aimed at budding photographers, including its new D3400. While the DSLR is not as advanced as Nikon’s professional cameras, it offers a great introduction for In marketing the D3400, Nikon is clearly targeting casual photographers who tend to use their smartphones to take pictures most of the time and are looking to improve image quality. “Before the D3400, you chose your smartphone camera for convenience. Zooming was clumsy. Shooting in low light was nearly impossible. Capturing fast action was a game of luck. But after the D3400, you’ll see that you were compromising…

Photographer The Legacy of Robert Mapplethorpe

September 7, 2016 Donald Scarinci

Robert Mapplethorpe, known by music lovers for his relationship with Patti Smith in the 1970’s, had a profound impact on the art world in his short life. While his pictures once spurred protests and even prompted the arrest of one museum curator, his graphic depictions of sex and nudity are now displayed in the world’s fine art museums and sell at auctions for more than $300,000. This spring, HBO released a documentary retrospective entitled Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures. The film coincides with exhibitions at the J. Paul Getty Museum and Los Angeles County Museum of Art, both of which…

Lenses Nikon Unveils AF-S Nikkor 105mm f/1.4E ED Lens

August 29, 2016 Donald Scarinci

Nikon recently unveiled its new AF-S Nikkor 105mm f/1.4E ED lens. It is the fastest full-frame lens of its kind (FX format) on the market today. Nikon coordinated the announcement with another milestone. The total production of NIKKOR lenses for Nikon interchangeable lens cameras reached the landmark of 100 million in July. Nikon’s latest medium-telephoto lens is aimed at professional and advanced enthusiast photographers, particularly those who take portraits. According to Nikon’s press release for the Nikkor 105mm f/1.4E ED Lens, “This short telephoto lens can defocus backgrounds with painterly finesse and isolate subjects with three-dimensional fidelity.” The image quality of…

Gear FAA Finalizes Rule for Commercial Drones

August 1, 2016 Donald Scarinci

Photographers seeking to use drones for commercial purposes, such as aerial real estate photography, finally have the green light. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently finalized its rule for routine commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). It will take effect on August 29, 2016. The regulations — Part 107 of the Federal Aviation Regulations — apply to unmanned aircraft drones weighing less than 55 pounds that are conducting non-hobbyist operations. Prior to the new rule, it was illegal to fly commercial drones without a special certificate or exemption. Drone Operation Requirements The FAA’s rule is largely intended to…

Camera & Lenses Hasselblad Introduces Revolutionary X1D Camera

July 18, 2016 Donald Scarinci

Hasselblad recently announced the world’s first compact mirrorless digital medium format camera. The Swedish camera company touts that the X1D is “small enough to take anywhere, powerful enough to capture anything.” The camera is smaller than a full-frame Digital SLR. It weighs 725 grams (approximately 1.6 lbs.) and measures 150 x 98 x 71 mm (camera body only), which is more akin to a full-frame digital rangefinder. As with all of Hasselblad’s cameras, the X1D is handmade in Sweden and features a sleek, ergonomic design. According to Hasselblad, the X1D was under development for two years. Along with the Hasselblad…

Technique Making Sense of Your Photoshop Options

July 5, 2016 Donald Scarinci

Adobe Photoshop is one of the most popular software programs for editing photographs. A number of different products are available, some of which are only available via a monthly subscription. If you are considering purchasing or upgrading to the latest version of Adobe Photoshop, it is important to understand your options. For the most part, choosing the version of Photoshop that’s right for you depends on what you want to do with it. For instance, are you a professional photographer who needs all the tools Photoshop has to offer, a hobbyist that enjoys photography, or a casual photographer looking to…

Exhibitions The Five New York City Photography Galleries to Visit This Summer

June 20, 2016 Donald Scarinci

While New York City’s bustling art scene used to take a summer vacation, most galleries are now open throughout the season. But with so many museums and galleries, it can be difficult to know which ones are worth checking out. When visiting New York’s photography galleries, below are some of the top choices, which feature a healthy mix of established and up-and-coming artists: Robert Mann Gallery: The Robert Mann Gallery is one of the most renowned photography galleries in the world, featuring current photographers alongside twentieth century masters. From July 7-August 19, the gallery will celebrate summer with an exhibition…

Gear Micro Drone 3.0: Big Tech in a Small Package

June 7, 2016 Donald Scarinci

While the Micro Drone 3.0 can literally fit in the palm of your hand, it rivals some of the larger (and more expensive) consumer-level unmanned aircrafts on the market. The Micro Drone 3.0, which is the product of a crowdfunding campaign, is small, maneuverable, and packed with cool features. The tiny drone is capable of streaming HD video to a tablet or smartphone and can handle winds of 45 miles per hour. For photographers, it also includes a user-controlled gimbal, which is a first for a drone of its size. For those who are eager to shoot using a drone,…

Camera & Lenses What is the Difference Between the Canon 1 DX Mark II & Nikon D5?

May 23, 2016 Donald Scarinci

What is the difference between Cannon 1DX Mark2 and Nikon D5? Nikon and Cannon both announced new full-frame flagship DSLRs this winter. Canon’s 1D X Mark II and the Nikon D5are both top of the line. However, there are a few key distinctions that are worth considering. To start, both DSLR’s are powered by new technology. The Canon 1D X Mark II features Dual Digic 6+ processors, while the D5 introduces Nikon’s new Expeed 5 engine. Key differences in specs Below are some other differences to consider: • Exposure metering sensor: The Cannon’s RGB metering sensor has a total of…