Review

nik’s Detail Extractor: For when spot metering just won’t cut it

EDL_InleLake_Fishermen_1960Unless you only shoot models in a studio, you’ve no doubt run into a lighting situation your camera just can’t handle. A very common one is a shaded subject in a bright environment. There are two classic ways to deal with the situation. First is flash. Of course, that only works if the subject is close enough and you have the right flash(es) to achieve the desired effect. The second, which I’ve often used at sporting events where the contestants are wearing caps, is to spot meter on the subject. But sometimes, like in the case of this Inthar fisherman in Myanmar, neither of those approaches will work. I’d really like to capture his wonderful facial expressions, but not lose the rendering of the background. If I spot meter for his shadowed face, I’ll blow out the scenery and even much of his fishing gear. Fortunately there is another solution… Read more »

Canon S100 field test: The best point and shoot you can fit in your shirt pocket

Canon PowerShot S100 point and shoot cameraDespite being crazy addicted to Nikon DSLRs, I usually find myself carrying a Canon point and shoot. Canon has consistently shipped small, usable, models that take great images. Sometimes it has gotten it wrong and packed too many pixels or too much zoom into too small a package, but year in and year out there have always been a few standout models. Read more »

Photoshop Touch: Android finally gets some Adobe love

Screenshot_Photoshop_Touch_BearsAs a loyal Android user (my wife has the iPad & iPhone in the family) I’ve been moping over the last year as one hot app for photographers after another came out for the “i*” products, and Android was left behind. Best sellers like Instagram, Snapseed, and even Adobe’s original tablet applications for use with Photoshop, were and are still only available on Apple devices. Read more »

Nikon unveils sweet little 85mm f/1.8 lens, Sigma adds micro 4/3 & Sony NEX lenses, DSLR-compatible 180mm f/2.8 macro

Sigma 180mm f28 macroCES featured plenty of new cameras, but there were also several exciting lens announcements from some of our favorite lens makers, Nikon and Sigma. Nikon's new 85mm f/1.8 lens is refreshingly small for what it does, while Sigma a new line of lenses for Micro 4/3 and Sony NEX – called DN for Digital Neo, plus an impressive 180mm f/2.8 Macro lens for Nikon & Canon DSLRs... Read more »

Eye-Fi Pro: Perfect accessory for your new camera

Eye-Fi 8GB X2 Pro SDHC CardAs exciting as it is to unwrap—or watch a friend or family member unwrap—a new camera on Christmas morning, there is a way to make it even more fun to share the holiday spirit. With an Eye-Fi Pro SD card you can automatically and wirelessly show the images as they are taken on a smartphone or tablet. At our house we leave my tablet propped up on a stand showing the most recent holiday cheer! Read more »

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