Modern Snapshot

2014-02-18T04:32:00.001-08:00

Chelci

2014-02-16T16:43:00.002-08:00

Composite Card for Miles

2014-02-16T16:39:00.001-08:00

Back in the studio after several months working on other projects. Here are some head shots for an American actor.

PortraitProfessional 11 Studio Edition Master Series

2013-02-24T16:10:00.000-08:00

I have been shooting portrait for years and never have the kind of tools that would allow me to quickly retouch the image. Photoshop is great but very time consuming. With PortraitProfessional 11 Studio Edition Master Series, I was able to the the before and after image done in less than a minute.

See the results below for comparison.

Automate software selection by PortraitProfessional 11 Studio Edition Master Series

Before

After

Silver Efex Pro 2 Sample

2013-02-24T15:49:00.000-08:00

Based on the sample shot taken with my Canon 7D and 40mm 2.8 pancake lens, I have downloaded a the trial Silver Efex Pro 2 to test the effect.

So far, I like what I see. I will evaluate this more to determine the acquisition of this plugin for Aperture.

Canon 40 mm 2.8 Pancake Field Testing

2013-02-24T13:01:00.004-08:00

Just recently purchased the Canon 40mm f/2.8 for my Canon 7D. During my recent trip to Afghanistan, I was able to test my lens with some of the local people. One of my samples below is of an Afghan girl. The camera was set for ISO 100 and shot at 2.8.

I'm very pleased with the result.

Here are two additional images tested with the 40mm pancake lens:

Image captures at f/2.8

Same image is captured at f/8

Understand Digital Camera's Sensor

2012-02-05T07:40:00.000-08:00

I discovered this great blog that provides photography courses for free. In lesson 6, CCD, CMOS and FOVEON will be understood along with the pixel counts.

Fujifilm technology uses slightly different type of sensor. Here is a nicely done analysis by dpreview.com http://www.dpreview.com/news/2011/12/21/Fujfilmorganicsensor.

Click below to read on.

http://photographymc.blogspot.com/2012/02/camera-sensor-photography-course-lesson.html

Using Saw horse and igus DryLin® W1040-A

2011-10-18T03:35:00.000-07:00

Most of the scenes were filmed using the Canon 7D mounted on Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head.

Creative Approach to Taking Dogs Pictures

2011-10-02T13:18:00.000-07:00

Photo (C) Andy Sheng 2011

Here is a clever and creative approach to photographing your pets. Take it while they are sleeping.

Here is a great article by Andy Sheng

Fashion model in Paris shoots GoPro

2011-10-01T05:14:00.000-07:00

Source: Streetsfn

Paris fashion Week

Timelapse with GoPro HD HERO

2011-09-25T19:27:00.000-07:00

This time-lapse video was made with the GoPro HD camera and edited on Final Cut Pro 7.

This experiment was done with a GoPro HD HERO camera. It was mounted on a Gorillapod and placed at a strategic location. The camera was configured for time lapse with a setting of 5 second increment. The time-lapse evolved over five minutes at each location shown in the video. Collectively, there were over 40 images captured at a location.

In post production, the images were imported into Final Cut Pro with a setting in the Still/Freeze image of 00:00:00:02. Once the images were imported into the timeline and rendered, the final outcome is a fast moving video.

Here is the new edition of time-lapse photography.

Quick Test with Final Cut Pro Trial

2011-09-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

Attempted to use FCP X trial version for the first time without reading any instruction on how to use the software.

The video was captured using two cameras: Canon 7D and GoPro HD HERO. Both were set for 60 fps.

The movement in the video was done with the homemade slider as shown in previous blog.

Enjoy!

Use a Sawhorse with igus Drylin W1040 Slider

2011-09-24T11:37:00.000-07:00

Now that you have a nice custom made igus Drylin slider. Let's see how you can use it with an adjustable sawhorse from Home Depot.

There are many options to mount the slider. I chose the adjustable saw horse for its stability. During a slide operation, you want the rail to be flat and stable. The saw horse platform allows you to have that smoothness without any vibration.

Here is a video of that test.

Enjoy!

Newly Released Nikon 1 V1 with Interchangeable Lens

2011-09-22T05:09:00.000-07:00

New Nikon 1 V1

DIY igus DryLin® W1040-A Linear Motion System for Camera Slider with Photos

2011-09-21T20:15:00.000-07:00

The DIY igus DryLin W1040-A slider project did save money in comparison to the W1040-B. There were some doubts when I approach this project but the outcome was a great success.

Here is what it looks like after 20 minutes of measuring, drilling and tapping the slider and rail. (See fig. 1)

Figure 1: Modified igus DryLin W1040-A with mounted Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mimi Head

Here are the facts about the W1040-A out of the box.

no holes on the sliders
rail has holes but not tapped
all holes on rail are 1/4" size
metric hex wrench

To make this a functional camera slider, you will need the following items:

5/16" drill bit
3/8" 16NC steel plug tap
adjustable wrench
3/8" bolt (for tripod mount)
3/8" hole washer
2 ea clamps

3/8" plug tap inserted into the 5/16" drilled hole in preparation for tapping

On the next edition, I will put this slider in operation with simple add ons.

Enjoy!

How to Add Continuous Lighting to GoPro HD Camera

2011-09-21T19:50:00.000-07:00

GoPro is a great camera as long as you have adequate lighting. In most cases, the camera is used to record outdoor activities. There are some instances where the ambience light is insufficient. To solve this problem, I rely on an LED light. (See figure 1)

Figure 1: GoPro mounted on a bar with a Mini LED light

Fujifilm X10 Digital Camera $599.99

2011-09-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

Fujifilm X10 Digital Camera has a Price of $599.99 at H and B

Tiniest 2 Megapixel Camera from Hammacher

2011-09-21T05:54:00.000-07:00

Newly introduced 2-megapixel sensor digital camera that allows a modern snapshot to have 1600 x 1200 resolution image. This new Hammacher Schlemmer also shoots video at 30 frame per second with with 640-480 standard definition. This camera will use the microSD card that has the maximum capacity of 32GB. The camera is available for $99.

More Details about the world's smallest camera: Source (http://www.hammacher.com/)

This is the world's smallest digital camera, measuring just over one inch in all dimensions and weighing only half an ounce. Reminiscent of devices employed by Cold War-era operatives for intelligence gathering, the camera appears to require Lilliputian agility, yet its one-button operation provides easy picture taking. Providing automatic focus, it uses a 2 MP image sensor that takes still images at 1600 x 1200 resolution and captures video at 30 fps at 640 x 480 resolution. Images are taken as JPEGs and videos as AVIs, both saved onto an included 2 GB microSD card (supports up to 32 GB cards). Images and video can be viewed when connecting it to a computer running Windows 7, XP, or Vista using the included USB 2.0 cable. Rechargeable battery provides up to 30 minutes of operation from a one-hour charge via USB. Includes wrist lanyard. 1 1/8" L x 1" W x 1 1/16" D. (1/2 oz.)

How to take action underwater video with GoPro without getting wet

2011-09-20T20:38:00.000-07:00

Filming Action Underwater with GoPro HD Hero

Situation:

I wanted to capture the underwater actions with the GoPro while filming the same action on the surface with the Canon 7D.

Plan of Action:

Mount the Canon 7D on a tripod on dry land

Mount the GoPro on a pole long enough to reach three feet underwater

Problem:

How to mount the GoPro on a pole?

Here is how in five simple steps with photos

Step 1: Find one light stand mount with 1/4" screw at the tip (Fig 1) most camera store will carry these accessories

Figure 1: Camera Stud (1/4")

Step 2: Find a column clamp. (Fig 2)

Figure 2: Mini Clamp

Step 3: Join both items together and tighten the screw to secure the (Fig 3)

Figure 3: Joint between stud and clamp

Step 4: Connect the GoPro Camera mount to the 1/4" stud (Fig 4)

Figure 4: GoPro camera with stud and clamp

Step 5: Connect to a pole (Fig 5)

Now, take this to the pool and have a great time without getting wet.

If you like what you see. Subscribe to my blog to learn more tricks.

Enjoy!

How to use the GoPro Box as a Dolly

2011-09-20T19:45:00.000-07:00

What to do with the box mount?

Like most of you, I was eager to rip the box apart to play with my new camera. During that process I almost destroyed the box and its mount.

Fortunately, I slowed myself down and saved the box.

Today, I was able to modify the base of that GoPro box to a functional dolly.

Base mount with wheels - a functional dolly

HOW TO MAKE A DOLLY:

Items required:

1. four (4) sliding screen door wheels
2. four (4) screws
3. drill and drill bit
4. measuring tool
5. grease pen

Installation:

Step 1: Measure and drill four holes at the corner of the plate. Make sure they are exactly equal from both sides. This is very important and you will find out why in the next few steps.

Step 2: Screw on each wheel at each corner (Fig 2)

Figure 2: Wheel connected to the GoPro base plate.

Step 3: Mount the camera after all four wheels mounted

Figure 3: All wheels mounted

HOW TO OPERATE

Panning effect:

Slide the dolly parallel to the subject (Fig 4)

Figure 4: Wheels are parallel to the camera

Zoom in and out effects:

Push or pull the camera toward or away from the subject (Fig 5)

Figure 5: The wheels are turned perpendicular to the camera.

There, you have it. Enjoy

How to use a GoPro tripod mount on a Harley Davidson

2011-09-20T17:23:00.000-07:00

Figure 1: GoPro mounted on the front fender of the Heritage Springer Motorcycle

To further expand the capability of the GoPro camera mount, I use components of Ram Mounts system. (see fig 2 below)

Figure 2: RAM Suction Cup with GoPro mounted

Through testing, I found that RAM Suction Cup Mount is much better for vibration and high moving vehicles. Recently, I mounted the RAM Suction Cup to the front fender of my motorcycle with the camera attached to capture the video above while moving at 30MPH.

GoPro HD Hero in Action

2011-09-20T13:51:00.000-07:00

GoPro HD Hero mounted on an Heritage Springer

I just recently purchased a GoPro HD Hero wearable digital video camera. Instead of writing about how awesome this camera is, let me show you what this thing can do.

GoPro Mounted on a Harley

GoPro Underwater

GoPro goes underwater with ease

Enjoy!

This is just a starter...