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…

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…

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…

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…

March 31, 2016 Donald Scarinci

Nikon unveiled its newest professional DSLR at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. Touted by Nikon as a game changer, the camera has impressive low light capabilities and boasts most powerful processor ever. According to Nikon, “The low light performance of the D5 might make it a legend.” The native ISO range of 100 to 102,400 (expandable to Hi-5, ISO 3,280,000) is the largest to date in a Nikon full-frame DSLR. The AF system is also completely redesigned. It features a 153 focus points, 99 cross-type sensors and a dedicated processor. According to Nikon, the D5 works in near darkness…

March 14, 2016 Donald Scarinci

The Guggenheim Museum is presenting a new exhibit “Photo-Poetics: An Anthology” that features artists and art that reflects an emerging new trend in art photography. Art evolves with technology, and artists assimilate and reflect a changing world through their art.  Cell phones cameras and social media have transformed the way people disseminate information. The exhibit, entitled “Photo-Poetics: An Anthology,” contains more than 70 works of contemporary photography. As described by Curator Jennifer Blessing, the term “photo poetics” refers to “an art that self-consciously investigates the laws of photography and the nature of photographic representation, reproduction, and the photographic object.” In the…

February 29, 2016 Donald Scarinci

Photographers who shoot in challenging outdoor conditions should consider the Leica X-U. It is also a good choice for those who use their Leica as a carry around camera. According to Leica, you can drop, submerge and dirty the expedition camera without a worry. Released in January, the Leica X-U is both rugged and stylish. The dust-sealed camera is completely waterproof, allowing photographers to reliably use it for underwater photography. The camera is also shockproof, although it should be difficult to drop. The aluminum body is protected with no-slip thermoplastic rubber. There is also a protective cover for the LCD…

February 1, 2016 Donald Scarinci

Since its introduction, the iPad has been an essential tool for many professional photographers. It is incredibly useful for displaying images during a shoot, showing portfolios to clients, and even light editing. For photographers hoping to leave their laptops at home, the introduction of the iPad Pro held a lot of promise. While the new model is an impressive upgrade, the tablet still lacks some key features that professional and enthusiast photographers have come to rely on. Starting with the good — the new iPad is fast and powerful. It features a high-resolution 12.9-inch Retina display, 4GB of RAM and…

December 28, 2015 Donald Scarinci

In November, Trey Ratcliff and Macphun introduced Aurora HDR Pro software. After a few short weeks, photographers are already calling the app the “ultimate” HDR software for Mac users. So what’s all the hype about? The app is designed to help photographers combine multiple exposures into “high dynamic range” (HDR) images. Macphun, which is known for its award-winning Mac photo software, teamed up with renowned HDR photographer Trey Ratcliff, to come up with what they call “the most advanced HDR software in the world.” So far, the reviewers largely agree. According to PetaPixel: “The tool is designed to be both…

October 5, 2015 Donald Scarinci

Whether you use a Mac or Windows, your computer likely came with a very clear warning: “The color on the printed document may not match the color that you see on your monitor.” For photographers, the difference between what you see on the monitor and the images you print or post online can be significant. It can also be extremely frustrating to spend hours editing an image only to have the printed photo look nothing like you intended. The problem comes from the fact that standard settings for most monitors are extremely bright and often oversaturated. In addition, ambient light…