SOSKIphoto/Blog

Postcards from Paris

2013-07-12T02:22:00.001-07:00

I just wrapped up Day 11 of my 22-day trip through Europe, visiting cities including Paris, Cologne, and Pamplona (for the San Fermin Running with the Bulls Festival). There has been a lot of train rides, delicious meals, and broken conversations with locals and tourists. The trip has been amazing, but I will share more details and stories later. For now, enjoy these postcards from Paris.

An Eiffel Tower sticker is displayed on a motorbike in Paris, France, on July 3, 2013. (Stan Olszewski/SOSKIphoto)

Champ de Mars seen from the top floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, on July 3, 2013. (Stan Olszewski/SOSKIphoto)

The gold tipped Musée de l'Armée seen from the top floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, on July 3, 2013. (Stan Olszewski/SOSKIphoto)

Pedestrians cross the street near Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile in Paris, France, on July 3, 2013. (Stan Olszewski/SOSKIphoto)

Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile in Paris, France, on July 3, 2013. (Stan Olszewski/SOSKIphoto)

Double Dipping Savings with New Canon Camera, Lens, and Speedlite Rebates!

2013-04-16T14:32:00.000-07:00

There are a handful of great deals to be had on Canon bodies, lenses, and Speedlites at B&H Photo. Be sure to act fast, these rebates expire April 27, 2013. You can view all of the great rebates below:

– Save up to $500 on Canon DSLR camera bodies, including the 6D, 5D Mark III, 60D, and 7D.

Your browser does not support iFrame.

– Save up to $300 on a dozens of select Canon lenses and Speedlites.

Your browser does not support iFrame.

– Double dip on select Canon lens rebates (with 2% gift card back), including the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II, 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye, 35mm f/1.4L, 50mm f/1.2L, and 85mm f/1.2L II, and 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro.

Your browser does not support iFrame.

Save Big on Canon Refurbished Cameras and Lenses!

2013-03-26T16:47:00.001-07:00

If you want to buy a Canon camera or lens but cannot afford to buy new and refuse to buy used, consider buying refurbished directly from Canon. Each refurbished product has been repaired and ships with a 30 day warranty. Not only will you receive a new product with warranty, but you can save up to 30% on select refurbished items. Act fast though, this sale ends March 27, 2013.

Click here to check out all of the refurbished deals on Canon now!

5 Tips to Spice Up Boring Photos

2013-03-25T17:39:00.000-07:00

Being a photographer is awesome! We get to meet interesting people daily, we get behind-the-scenes views of businesses and events, and we get to make amazing photos by breaking barriers to obtain unique perspectives. As a professional photojournalist, every assignment should be fun and easy to make a handful of compelling images, right? Wrong!

While most of my assignments offer a unique experience that others rarely have, there are the few assignments that just kill me. I'm talking bore me to death, I can't find a great photo anywhere agony. Let's use this recent small-town weekly newspaper assignment, which had me photographing recently restored buildings at the local historical Alviso Adobe Park in Milpitas, California.

For some reason, editors and city officials love simple and clean photos showcasing big-dollar, restored, historical buildings. As a photojournalist whose work is centralized around people and the human element, this photo – while perfectly fine – is blah!

The Alviso Adobe home photographed at Alviso Adobe Park in Milpitas, California, on March 19, 2013. (Stan Olszewski/SOSKIphoto)

Keep reading after the break to learn five tips to spice up boring photos.

While making basic photos like the one above are essential to show your editor, there are at least five ways we can make this photo more interesting:

1. Shoot at sunrise or sunset to have more interesting light and skies. Blue skies are more interesting than white skies. Golden, sculpting, light with shadows is more interesting than flat, white, light. Unfortunately, shooting at sunrise or sunset was not possible with the timeline and deadline of this assignment.

2. Add a foreground element. Have something in front of the lens to create depth, layers, and initial interest. Look to add relative elements, leading lines, contrasting colors, reflections, etc.

The Alviso Adobe Park front gate sign adds a simple touch in the foreground to establish location of the building.

3. Shoot through a natural frame. Finding a frame to shoot through is a simple yet effective way to create more layers, depth, and interest to your photos.

The dark tree frames the historic house at Alviso Adobe Park. The frame adds depth and focuses the viewer's attention to the house.

4. Add the human element. Including a person or abstract of a person will always make your photos more interesting. As humans, we are interested in and look for other humans in photos.

A lady walking through the frame is enough to grab your attention and show the scale of the building.

5. Look for an interesting detail. Shapes, color, texture, symmetry. Whatever it is, photograph it.

Alviso Adobe Park is brand new. It's a historical visiting park, not a playground park, meaning there is not much happening. Adding a detail of the storage shed's freshly painted garage and rain drainage pipe is interesting and simple.

Next time you encounter a boring scene, be sure to pull these five tips out of your back pocket to make your dull photos more interesting. Not only will you feel more pleased with yourself, you will wow your editors and clients.

Do you have any other tips to spicing up boring photos? If so, please share them in the comments below!

Gear Used:

Your browser does not support iFrame.

Save Big on Nikon and Canon DSLR Bodies!

2013-03-20T16:58:00.000-07:00

B&H Photo is having a huge promotion on SIX DSLR camera bodies including:
– Nikon D800
– Nikon D800E
– Nikon D600 with 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR Lens
– Nikon D4
– Canon 1D X
– Sony SLT-A99

Not only are there Instant Savings available on each camera, but B&H is also giving you 6% back in the form of a gift card! You can save $400 on a Canon 1D X or $370 on a Nikon D800!

If you want to get a smoking deal on one of these cameras, do not hesitate, there is no telling when the generosity will end.

Your browser does not support iFrame.

Pocket Wizard PlusX vs Plus III – A Flash Photography Transceiver Comparison

2013-03-06T15:16:00.001-08:00

Pocket Wizard, the industry leader in radio transceivers for studio flashes and speedlites, recently announced their budget friendly PlusX. With the PlusX's top notch build quality, updated feature set, and friendly price, there is no denying that this radio trigger will take the Strobist market by storm.

Last year, Pocket Wizard released the high-end Plus III, which offers all of the bells and whistles any photographer could ask for. Although the Plus III sells for less than the classic Plus II did, photographers still complain that the price is too high.

Now for the million dollar question, does the new PlusX offer enough bang-for-the-buck or is the Plus III a better buy? Find out after the break.

Pocket Wizard PlusX and Plus III feature comparison:
Before we can decide which transceiver is the better buy, let's take a look at their features side-by-side:

Pocket Wizard PlusX and Plus III feature comparison.

As you can see from the table above, the PlusX and Plus III offer the same compact and high-end plastic housing, internal antenna, massive radio triggering range, and triggering performance. Both transceivers take AA batteries and offer a LED battery life indicator. The real difference between the two units is that the Plus III offers 22 more channels, Quad-Zone triggering, and an LCD display.

Target Users:
The Plus III is targeted for the professional photographer who:
1. Works with an abundance of flashes and wants to control them independently in zones,
2. Uses remote flashes and cameras in large venues (Olympics, basketball, baseball, etc.),
3. Covers an event where dozens of photographers will be filling the standard 10 radio channels (formerly only 4 channels).

In any of these scenarios, the photographer can benefit from the Plus III's 32 channels (#2/#3), Quad-Zone triggering (#1/#2), and Long Range Mode (#2).

The Pocket Wizard Plus III unique feature set.

The PlusX on the other hand is targeted for users who work individually or in small groups and those who have a lower budget for reliable radio triggering. There is no denying that the simple user interface will create a smooth and quick work flow when working alone, with subjects' family and friends, and inexperienced college interns. Watch the video below to see the PlusX in action.

Final Thoughts:

The Pocket Wizard PlusX is a great buy and offers plenty of bang-for-your-buck, especially when considering the original industry standard Plus II that was nearly twice as expensive, offered only 4 channels, and had no battery life indicator.

The choice between the PlusX and Plus III is simple. If you need the transceiver for basic flash triggering and remote camera use, save a few bucks and buy the PlusX. If you work with dozens of lights, in huge venues, or alongside an abundance of photographers crowding the radio channels, then spring for the Plus III.

Whatever you decide, keep in mind that you need one transceiver for you camera's hotshoe and one for each flash. In a basic two flash setup, you need three transceivers. That would run you $297 for a PlusX setup or $447 for a Plus III setup.

Your browser does not support iFrame.

What are your thoughts on the Pocket Wizard PlusX and Plus III? Is the PlusX overpriced? Is there a better alternative on the market? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Nikon Top-Dog Lens Rebates!

2013-02-18T11:08:00.001-08:00

Just after sharing the Canon Lens and Speedlite Rebates, it was brought to my attention that Nikon has a handful of epic lens rebates as well!

The Nikon rebates expire March 2, 2013, so act quickly if you want to take advantage of these sweet discounts!

You can view the entire selection of Canon Lens and Speedlite rebates by using the widget below. Be sure to scroll through the pages with the small arrows just under the top black banner.

Your browser does not support iFrame.

New Canon Lens and Speedlite Rebates!

2013-02-18T10:55:00.002-08:00

B&H Photo has a handful of great Canon lens and Speedlite rebates happening. Some of my favorite items in this rebate include the Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM Pancake lens (read the hands-on review here), Canon 85mm f/1.8, and the Canon 17-40mm f/4L. Truth be told, if you are shooting with a new Canon 5D Mark III or the budget-friendlier Canon 6D, the latter two lenses would make a great all-around kit.

Do not hesitate to hit the buy button, these rebates end March 30, 2013 and retail prices tend to fluctuate.

You can view the entire selection of Canon Lens and Speedlite rebates by using the widget below. Be sure to scroll through the pages with the small arrows just under the top black banner.

Your browser does not support iFrame.

Nikon D5200 Now in Stock!

2013-01-17T14:37:00.000-08:00

Last week, I rated the new Nikon D5200 DSLR as one of the Top 5 Photography Announcements of CES 2013. This week, it's in stock!

You can grab your Nikon D5200 with the 18-55mm kit lens at B&H Photo now! The D5200 body only and D5200 with 18-105mm kit lens options will probably start to trickle in later this week.

Nikon D600 Experience: The Best D600 User Guide

2013-01-15T01:18:00.000-08:00

Did you recently upgrade your mid-level Nikon to the awesome full-frame D600? Are you still trying to figure out what all of the D600's buttons and dials do? Are you having trouble getting the most out of the new autofocus system and video recording?

Stop worrying, Douglas J. Klostermann's new Nikon D600 Experience User Guide will answer all of the questions you have about your new camera. Not only does Douglas show you all of the D600's buttons and dials, he explains how the camera's features work and when you should use them.

Whether the Nikon D600 is your first DSLR or a recent upgrade, the Nikon D600 Experience will be a huge help over the factory instruction manual. The best part about this affordable user guide is that it's available in PDF e-book format. You can load it onto your iPhone, iPad, or laptop and take it with you on the go.

To see the Table of Contents and a brief preview of the Nikon D600 Experience, click here.

To get started learning about your new Nikon D600, head over to Full Stop Publishing to download your copy of the Nikon D600 Experience User Guide today.

Top 5 Photography Announcements of CES 2013

2013-01-13T18:31:00.000-08:00

CES came to a close in Las Vegas earlier this week and the photography industry is left with a whole bag of new products. While most of the products announced look like a waste, there are a few items that look like they could be a great addition to your bag. Let's take a look at the 5 Best Photography Products from CES 2013 after the beak.

#5. Nikon D5200 – 24.1 MP crop sensor (1.5x), 39 autofocus points (same AF system as the D7000), native ISO 6400 (up to 256,000 expanded), a cool flip-out screen that consumers love, and up to 5 frames per second continuous shooting. All of these specs make for a great mid-level DSLR. The best part about the Nikon D5200 is the price. You can pick this puppy up for $799 (body only), $896 (18-55mm kit lens), or $1,096 (18-105mm kit lens).

If this will be your first DSLR, definitely spend the extra money and go with the longer 18-105mm kit lens. You'll have a fighting chance with your kid's soccer games or your trips to the zoo.

#4. Canon PowerShot N – The Canon PowerShot N is definitely the oddball camera this year. It's square, minimalist design make it stand out from the other point-and-shoot (compact) cameras that were announced at CES this year. Is there anything special about the N? Not really. But it does offer a great 28-224mm focal length (equivalent), decent small-sensor low light capabilities up to ISO 6400 (the images should be decent enough for Facebook sharing), and a unique design that begs for creative photography. The images coming out of this camera are going to be leaps and bounds better than what you can get with your iPhone.

I forgot to mention, the N even has Wi-Fi and Bluetooh for instant photo sharing, just find your local Starbucks. You can grab a Canon N in Black or White to match your iPhone, iPad, and whatever other Apple product you own. Be sure to watch CNET's video of the Canon N in action.

#3. Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM – The new Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM offers a highly useful focal length, a massive fixed f/2.8 aperture, image stabilizer, and a budget price tag of $3,600. What's not to love about the new Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 beast?

If you shoot sports or performing arts of any type, then the 120-300mm focal length is perfect for you. Better yet, I can see this lens being useful for corporate events and weddings as well. Compared to Canon's 300mm f/2.8L IS II ($7,299) and Nikon's 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II ($5,799) this new Sigma is a bargain! Dear Sigma, I want to review this lens for you!

You can grab this lens in a Canon, Nikon, or Sigma mount.

#2. Fujifilm X100s – Fuji has really knocked the ball out of the park with the new X100s. They made changes to the weak points of the current X100 and left the rest of the great camera alone. Fuji added the 16MP APS-C (1.6x crop) sensor from the flagship X-Pro 1 for better low light performance, a new On-Sensor Phase Detection autofocus system for much snappier focus, an EXR Processor II for better responsiveness, a few new buttons and a better button layout. The list goes on, but those are the key selling points for me.

If I were in the market for a street photography camera, I would definitely jump on the pre-order list for the new Fujifilm X100s. Seriously, don't wait.

#1. Fujifilm X20 – The Fujifilm X20 is Fuji's Grand Slam of CES 2013. The X20 is in first place this year because it offers the most bang-for-your-buck goodness. Image quality will be top-notch, your bank account will still be half full, and you will have one hell of a shooting experience. With the new features, the X20 really is a gem for daily shooting, vacation, and travel photography.
– 12MP 2/3" sensor (not a large sensor, but larger than most other compact cameras).
– On-Sensor Phase Detection autofocus for quick and accurate focusing.
– 28-112mm f/2.0-2.8 lens with image stabilization.
– A small-but-adequate viewfinder that displays the selected AF point, exposure information, and other useful data.

While you won't be able to make the bokehlicious photos of a DSLR or the X100s/X-Pro 1, you will be able to create a solid gallery of photos and have a great shooting experience. The Fujifilm X20 is the camera to have if you are looking for a do-it-all compact that won't leave you eating Top Ramen. The optical viewfinder with information overlay, useful and bright zoom lens, and a slightly larger than normal 2/3" sensor make it a great compact camera to own.

You can order the Fujifilm X20 in black or silver today.

Your browser does not support iFrame.

Are there any cameras, lenses, or other photography accessories from CES 2013 that are not on the list and you think they should be? Share the item and why it deserves a spot on the list in the comments below!

5 Tips to Winter-Proof Your Photography

2013-01-12T22:16:00.000-08:00

Snow covers Flag Pole Hill Park in a layer of white during Christmas in Dallas, Texas, on December 25, 2012. (Stan Olszewski/The Dallas Morning News)

It's cold, it's raining, and in some places it's snowing. Winter is in full swing but that doesn't mean you have to put the cameras away and hide indoors. Rain and snow can add an extra element to your photos, helping make them more interesting, compelling, or beautiful. Not to mention, braving the sub-par weather and coming home with great images is fun!

Follow these 5 tips to Winter-proof your photography and you'll be having fun and creating better rainy day images in no time. See the list after the break.

1. Winterize your wardrobe – Head, shoulders, knees, and toes! Well, not quite, but just as you need the proper equipment to photograph football, you need to wear the proper attire to handle the winter. The only way to making great images in the winter is by staying warm, dry, and comfortable. Here are some of my favorite winter clothes while shooting in the winter:
– First Ascent Downlight Jacket for warmth,
– First Ascent hard or soft shell for rain and wind protection,
– Freehands gloves,
– Merino wool socks and hiking boots.

Lauren Parnell, 9, left, and Ella Sweeney, 6, climb to the top of the hill for another sled run at Flag Pole Hill Park in Dallas, Texas, on December 25, 2012. (Stan Olszewski/The Dallas Morning News)

2. Carry spare batteries – While your DSLR batteries may last 800 frames during normal shooting scenarios, cold weather significantly cuts down battery life. Carry a few spares and switch them out when necessary.

Quick Tip: Keep your spare batteries in you jacket pocket or with hand warmers. If you're out in the cold for a long period of time, you can rotate batteries and experience little-to-no issues in shooting time.

3. Protect your gear – Snow is not much of a problem but rain is. Whether you are planning on going out into the rain or just getting caught in a storm, carry a rain cover for your camera and lenses.

If you are planning on spending a lot of time in the rain, spend a few bucks and get a Think Tank Photo Rain Cover. They offer a few models, so pick the one that best fits your needs.

Just want an extra layer of protection in case you get caught in a storm? These inexpensive rain covers by Op/Tech work well. The low price tag means you don't have to waste your time messing with trash bags and duct tape.

Lancaster's Jaelyn Carr (21) celebrates in the rain after beating Wichita Falls Rider in double overtime, 26-19, in the Class 4A playoff final at the Justin Northwest High School NISD Stadium in Justin, Texas, on December 14, 2012. (Stan Olszewski/The Dallas Morning News)

4. Carry a towel – A compact and lightweight camping towel (shammy) works great for covering your gear from light rain and snow. You can later use it to dry off your wet gear and your face if the weather changes for the worse.

5. Shoot from shelter – Don't feel comfortable standing in the rain or being struck by lightning? Seek shelter and shoot from the window or under an awning.

Even though today's pro-sumer and professional cameras and lenses have various amounts of weather sealing (check your owners manual), it's always a great idea to protect your gear first. Don't rely on the built-in felt or rubber seals to save your electronics.

Lancaster celebrates in the rain after beating Wichita Falls Rider in double overtime, 26-19, in the Class 4A playoff final at the Justin Northwest High School NISD Stadium in Justin, Texas, on December 14, 2012. (Stan Olszewski/The Dallas Morning News)

Do you have any tips on winter-proofing your photography? Please share your tips and recommended products in the comments below!

Canon 24-70mm f/4L IS Now In Stock!

2013-01-03T15:19:00.000-08:00

Canon's new 24-70mm f/4L IS lens is now in stock at B&H Photo! This focal length is amazing for general purpose and walk-around use on the full frame sensor of your 5D Mark II, 5D Mark III, and 6D. Based on the specs, the lens is light weight, compact, and has amazing macro capabilities.

Are you planning on buying one? Did you already pick one up? Tell me what you think of this lens in the comments below.

Your browser does not support iFrame.

Review: Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM Pancake Lens

2013-01-03T09:30:00.000-08:00

When the Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM Pancake lens was announced in June 2012, I immediately reached out to my friends at B&H Photo in New York to get my hands on one. The lens was such an oddball in the DSLR market, I had to see if I could make it fit my needs during a two week, multi-city, assignment in Las Vegas, NV, and Denver, CO.

The budget price ($199), super-compact size, and excellent build quality are all reasons to consider adding the Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM to your arsenal of lenses. Add in the relatively large aperture (f/2.8) and the normal focal length and this lens is looking like a true gem.

Do these considerations hold true? Find out after the break:

The 40mm f/2.8 STM Pancake Role:
The Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM Pancake lens lives in a niche but very useful market in the DSLR industry – the budget travel market. Most DSLR photographers love their DSLR image quality and shooting experience but dislike the bulk when traveling with family and friends. Even Canon's lightest and cheapest 50mm f/1.8 is bulky during a graduation party or a trip to the beach in comparison to your fiance's point and shoot.

Enter the 40mm f/2.8 STM Pancake lens.

The 40mm focal length is perfect on a full frame sensor for the wide-to-normal images of people, details, landscapes, and architecture. On a 1.6x crop sensor, the lens has the field of view of a 64mm lens, just in between that of the normal 50mm and the great portrait 85mm (the difference between these three longer focal lengths is a step forward or backward).

The Pancake's f/2.8 aperture lets in enough light that the lens is usable indoors without flash. Still want more? The Pancake weighs the same as Canon's plastic 50mm f/1.8, but measures just half the size.

The Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM is so small, there is barely space for the AF/MF switch.

Size comparison of the Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM, 50mm f/1.4, and 1.4x II Extender.

The Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM compared to the 50mm f/1.4 with the lens hood, my usual go-light lens.

Front element size comparison of the Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM and 50mm f/1.4.

Two weeks worth of findings:

I found the Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM Pancake to be a delicious lens during my brief two-week period with it. For personal shooting, the little lens stayed glued to my 5D Mark III the whole time. For paid assignments, it left me wanting more.

The superb build quality Canon stuffed in this tiny lens amazes me. The body feels far more robust than that of my 50mm f/1.4. There is a metal lens mount, which is 15 steps above that of the $100 50mm f/1.8, and the STM autofocus motor is ninja-like. It is quiet, smooth, and extremely accurate.

But wait, there's more. The Pancake produces superb images on both a full frame and crop sensor. The corner-to-corner sharpness is leaps and bounds better than my 50mm f/1.4 wide open and stopped down. The 20 year difference in glass design is amazing.

Lightning strikes on Highway 15 near Las Vegas, Nevada, on Aug 11, 2012. Photo by Stan Olszewski/SOSKIphoto.

Pulled pork sandwich with apple slaw and onion rings at the Interstate Kitchen & Bar, Denver, Colorado. Photo by Stan Olszewski/SOSKIphoto.

Visitors gamble in the casino at South Point Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 14, 2012. Photo by Stan Olszewski/SOSKIphoto.

Final thoughts:

I loved my brief time with the Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM Pancake lens. Team this lens up with a wide-angle zoom like Canon's 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 or a 17-40mm f/4L and you'd be extremely happy during your days off.

For paid assignments, I felt the Pancake stack was too short. I wanted it to have more light-gathering aperture. I wish it was at least an f/2 (collecting twice as much light as f/2.8). Then again, the laws of physics would mean Canon would have to make the lens larger to accommodate more glass, thus making this lens less pancake-like. For paid assignments, my 24-70mm f/2.8L is doing just fine at 40mm. If I needed more aperture, the 50mm f/1.4 has my back.

In the end, as much as I loved the size and performance of the Pancake, I could not bring myself to make the purchase. I did not feel spending the extra money was the best decision on my part, though the current $50 rebate at B&H is making me think twice for the third time. At $150, this little gem is hard to pass up (offer ends January 5, 2013).

Have you used the Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM Pancake lens? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

A bartender pours drinks at My Brother's Bar in Denver, Colorado, on July 18, 2012. Photo by Stan Olszewski/SOSKIphoto.

The sun shines down on the Millennium Bridge in Lower Downtown in Denver, Colorado, on July 18, 2012. Photo by Stan Olszewski/SOSKIphoto.

A local band performs at a bar in Downtown Denver, Colorado, on July 17, 2012. Photo by Stan Olszewski/SOSKIphoto.

The 5 Best Cameras of 2012

2012-12-30T13:11:00.000-08:00

There have been hundreds of new product announcements this year – some of them were great, others were duds. I've narrowed down the market's offerings to the 5 Best Cameras of 2012.

#5. Canon 1Dx – The Canon 1Dx is a beast of a camera. It's top of the line everything and the price reflects its amazing performance, speed, and feature set. So why did I add the 1Dx in the Best Cameras of 2012 list over the Nikon D4? Simple, Canon totally revamped the autofocus system from the 1D Mark IV, they replaced the 1.3x crop sensor with a better performing full frame sensor, and added a second TIE Fighter joystick on the vertical grip. Those three items alone would make for a worthy update, but Canon added so much more: 12 frames per second burst mode (up from 10 fps), better HD video recording, and an Ethernet port for remote shooting and stupid-fast file transfers. The list could go on for days, but we have more important cameras to discuss.

Is the 1Dx the best camera of 2012? Probably, but it's not #1 on my list. This behemoth is too expensive and too specialized for professionals and wealthy consumers who crave the best the market has to offer. There's better bang-for-your-buck out there.

#4. Canon G15 – The Canon G15 is a gem in the relatively-compact camera market. It's just bulky enough to where it will only fit in your jacket pocket or cargo pants, but the added bulk is welcomed over the similarly priced and pocket-able Canon S110. The G15 offers a fantastic do-it-all lens that sucks in a ton of light compared to its competition, making it more useful in low light venues and offers decent subject separation (about as good as you can get with a small sensor camera).

If you're looking for a compact camera that can shoot it all right out of the box, the Canon G15 will serve you well. Keep in mind it won't perform like a DSLR, but it won't weigh you down on vacation either.

#3. Nikon D600 – Nikon and Canon attempted to bring a budget full frame sensor DSLR to the market which would offer best-in-class image quality and also wouldn't break the bank. In this bout, Nikon easily won the fight with the D600 over the Canon 6D. While it's missing several features of it's big brother D800, the D600 hosts a great 39 point autofocus system, 5.5 frames per second burst, 100% pentaprism viewfinder, and even a headphone jack to monitor audio levels during video recording. These are all very important features to have for the professional and semi-professional shooter.

#2. Fuji X-Pro 1 – The Fuji X-Pro 1 is an amazing camera. I was in love with it's X100 baby brother, but was never satisfied with the non-interchangeable 35mm (equivalent) f/2 lens. Let me explain: The X100 has a fantastic 1.6x crop sensor offering great image quality, low light awesomeness, and depth of field control, all in a beautiful, retro-styled, compact body. The hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder works well and the autofocus system is good enough for street, portrait, and vacation purposes. The deal breaker on the X100 for me was the lack of interchangeable lenses.

The X-Pro 1 adds to the X100 in image quality and high ISO, low noise, performance. It also offers a great selection of Fuji prime and zoom lenses (many more are just around the corner). From my experience, if you are a serious enthusiast or a professional looking for a fun, compact, and great personal camera, the X-Pro 1 is the camera for you. If I had the money, I would own one.

#1. Canon 5D Mark III – The Canon 5D Mark III is without-a-doubt the best camera of 2012. I praised it heavily the night it was announced and fortunately, I still stand by what I said.

The 5D Mark III offers exceptional low light performance (with clean files up to ISO 25,600), an amazing 61-point (with 41 cross-type points) autofocus system that was borrowed and slightly scaled down from the Canon 1Dx. I can go on for days raving about this camera, but I'll spare you for now. All I can say is Canon nailed it with the 5D Mark III. I think so highly of it, I managed to replace my 7D and 5D Mark II tag-team for a pair of 5D Mark IIIs to make my photojournalism work so much easier (everything from weddings, to sports, portraits, and spot news). I haven't looked back since.

Your browser does not support iFrame.

Does my Top 5 list match yours? What camera do you think should have made it and why? Sound off in the comments below!

5 Tips to Shooting Better Football Photos

2012-12-26T17:19:00.002-08:00

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) slips as he escapes New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Tom Johnson's (96) tackle at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on December 23, 2012. (Stan Olszewski/The Dallas Morning News)

I had the great opportunity to photograph the Dallas Cowboys' last home game of the 2012 season against the New Orleans Saints last weekend for The Dallas Morning News. This was the second Cowboys game for me in two weeks. Although this game was not as much fun to shoot and seemed much slower than the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, I still had a blast. There's just something awesome about photographing impressive athleticism, beautiful cheerleaders, and a nail-biting overtime ending – oh, I forgot to add – all in a fantastic venue like Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

A Dallas Cowboys cheerleader performs during a timeout in a Christmas outfit at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on December 23, 2012. (Stan Olszewski/The Dallas Morning News)

The Dallas Cowboys had a pretty amazing comeback to score a touchdown with just a few minutes left in the 4th quarter to tie the game and send it into overtime. A win for the Cowboys would be huge and would give them a spot in the playoffs. Instead, a wild fumble by the Saints and in the Saints favor gave them an easy field goal win. This lose left the Cowboys with slim chances to make the post season.

Read through the break to see 5 Tips to Shooting Better Football Photos:

1. A long lens is everything. I love shooting football with a 400mm f/2.8L IS, often with a 1.4x extender attached. This gives me enough room to stay out of harms way and get in close to the action to see faces. Feet are overrated – great pictures are in the eyes.

If you can't afford a big lens (not many can) either add an extender to a 70-200mm, consider cheaper alternatives (300mm f/4L IS or 400mm f/5.6L), or rent a lens for the weekend at BorrowLenses.com.

2. Shoot from the end zone. The best way to create great background separation from the players is to use long lenses to get in close, use fast lenses (f/2.8 instead of f/5.6), and get the background as far away as possible. Shooting from the sidelines gets cluttered quick, shooting down the field does not.

3. Get on your knees. Dropping to your knees will do several great things for you: it will make the players look bigger, it will open up faces under the helmets, and it will also allow you to shoot up into the stands, minimizing cluttered backgrounds. You should also pick up a pair of comfortable gel knee pads too. They'll reduce your fatigue and pain.

4. Anticipate the action, follow the reaction. Have you ever looked at Sports Illustrated? They run two types of photos: action and reaction. Shoot the receptions, the tackles, and the drives, then look for the dejection and jubilation when the play is over.

5. Shoot with both eyes open. Professional athletes (even college and high school kids too) run fast, hit hard, and throw harder. Keep both eyes open so you can see any tackles, dives, or wild passes coming your way.

Check out the photo below. Cowboys quarterback Romo threw this wild pass straight to me. I had just enough time to drop my 400mm down, shoot two frames with my 70-200mm, and realize "this thing is coming right to me!" I was able to knock the ball down with my forearm, keeping my gear, my face, and the cheerleader behind me safe. By the way, she thanked me with, "You saved my life!"

NFL quarterbacks throw hard. Keep your eyes open for wild passes, close tackles, and those annoying t.v. guys running down the sidelines.

Do you have any other tips to shooting great football photos and staying safe? Share them in the comments below!

You can see a full gallery of photos from the Dallas Cowboys versus the New Orleans Saints game by clicking here.

Dallas Cowboys vs New Orleans Saints - Images by Stan Olszewski

Gear Used on this assignment:

On Assignment: Dallas Cowboys Beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Overtime!

2012-12-19T00:01:00.002-08:00

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws a pass down the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on December 16, 2012. (Stan Olszewski/The Dallas Morning News)

I recently had the great opportunity to photograph the Dallas Cowboys hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for The Dallas Morning News. This had to be one of the best NFL games I've covered. It certainly was a nail-biter as the Cowboys took the win in over time with an interception and subsequent field goal.

A Dallas Cowboys cheerleader performs during a time out against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on December 16, 2012. (Stan Olszewski/The Dallas Morning News)

Since this was my first time photographing the Cowboys, I learned a few things at this game:
1. The Cowboys Stadium is awesome! The stadium lights were powerful and even across the field.
2. The Cowboys cheerleaders are gorgeous and probably the best performers in the NFL.
3. Halftime is short – skip the complementary media hot dogs.
4. Leave the sunglasses in the work worm, they're not necessary in the indoor/outdoor hybrid stadium.
5. The Canon 1.4x II extender is an amazing tool and will see a lot of use during football games.

Tear sheet from The Dallas Morning News' website, minutes after the Cowboys' game-winning field goal.

Check out the slideshow after the break to see the full coverage of the game, from tailgating to victory celebration.

Dallas Cowboys vs Pittsburgh Steelers - Images by Stan Olszewski

Gear used:

Your browser does not support iFrame.

The Best Photos: Texas High School Volleyball Championships

2012-11-26T19:23:00.000-08:00

McKinney Boyd's Ashleigh Martin (14), center, and teammates celebrate a point against New Braunfels in the Class 5A semi-finals at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas, on November 16, 2012. (Stan Olszewski/The Dallas Morning News)

Last weekend I had the great opportunity to photograph the Texas UIL high school volleyball state championships for The Dallas Morning News. Dozens of top Texas teams traveled from all over the state to compete in a 3-day, do-or-die, tournament in Garland, Texas.

The girls' athleticism and talent were unbelievable for their age. I have never photographed such great players in high school competition. I am confident to say, several of the competing teams would hold their own against Division 1 college teams. In fact, a handful of the players are college bound on volleyball scholarships.

Before we get started, let's talk photography:
The tournament was held at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas, about an hour North of Dallas. The venue was huge, capable of holding 7,000 fans, and relatively modern (opened in 2005). This meant there was plenty of space to shoot for interesting perspectives and more importantly a good quality of light. Let me clarify – there was not a good amount of light, just a good quality of light. Big difference.

Like many sports assignments, I would need fast glass (large aperture lenses) and the high ISO capabilities of newer DSLR cameras. I used the following:
– Canon 5D Mark III
– Canon 7D
– Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L
– Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II
– Canon 300mm f/2.8L IS
– ExpoDisc (for obtaining a proper white balance)

If you want to shoot a sporting event like this, but can't justify the money on these great lenses, consider renting from BorrowLenses.

<p>Your browser does not support iFrame.</p>

More after the break:

Over the 3-day tournament, I managed to shoot 1,979 selective frames. That's about one frame every 1.57 minutes. Considering my cameras can fire up to 8 frames per second, that's not very many frames. I do not spray and pray.

With that said, 7 of my photos were published in The Dallas Morning News and another handful of them in other Texas publications.

Enough chit-chat, let's get to the photos! Here are some of my favorites from the tournament. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed photographing the thousands of spikes, blocks, digs, tears, and celebrations.

The Best of Texas: High School Volleyball - Images by Stan Olszewski

The Best Cyber Monday Deals in Town!

2012-11-26T15:13:00.000-08:00

Today's your last chance to grab a handful of the best photography deals on the market before prices go back up. Some of my favorites can be found below:

– B&H Photo has the awesome 43" Westcott Apollo Orb kit (includes lightstand, bracket, and Orb) marked down to $199.
– AdoramaPix has discounted all Aluminized Prints 30% and Canvas Prints 20%!
Use coupon code PXAMP30 to save 30% on all Aluminized prints.
Use coupon code PXCNVS20 to save 20% on all Canvas prints.

– Adorama has a KILLER Westcott Apollo softbox kit on sale for only $200. This kit includes 3 soft boxes: the perfect 28" Apollo soft box, the 16"x30" strip box, and 16" mini soft box. I am actually taking advantage of this deal!

– B&H Photo has a big selection of cameras, lenses, and accessories on sale. These prices expire tonight!

Your browser does not support iFrame.

Have you found any great Cyber Monday deals? Share them in the comments below!

Early Cyber Monday Photo Deals!

2012-11-25T11:23:00.002-08:00

The line between Black Friday and Cyber Monday has dissolved over the years. Now there are deals all weekend long!

Here's a few money savers you may be interested in:

– Adobe Lightroom 4 for half price when you download directly from Amazon (PC or Mac).
– Canon 60D body only for $799 (save $200)! This camera includes a handful of accessories like a spare battery, memory card, and a camera bag PLUS 2% gift card back to B&H Photo.
– Canon 5D Mark III + 24-105mm f/4L IS lens for $3,799 (save $400)! This camera kit also includes a handful of accessories like a spare battery, memory card, and a camera bag PLUS 2% gift card back to B&H Photo.

Your browser does not support iFrame.

Have you found any other great deals this weekend? Share them in the comments below!

Black Friday Deals – B&H Photo

2012-11-23T11:27:00.000-08:00

B&H Photo has a handful of great photography gear Black Friday deals this year.

– Nikon D7000 with 18-105mm DX VR bundle + more for $997!
– Canon S110 for $399!
– Canon G12 for $299!
– Lumix LX-7 for $299!
– Memory Cards on sale!

You can quickly browse through a bundle of other great deals with the interactive banner below. Enjoy!

Your browser does not support iFrame.

5 Tips to Better Concert Photos

2012-11-12T22:32:00.000-08:00

I just wrapped up the first week of my three month assignment with The Dallas Morning News (TDMN). Although the first few days of learning the publication's workflow, the headquarter floor plan, and meeting important editors and photographers were slow, I couldn't have asked for a better assignment for a Saturday night. I had the great opportunity to photograph Grace Potter & the Nocturnals at the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas.

I never heard of Grace Potter before looking at my assignment list Saturday morning, but after spending some time on Youtube, I had high expectations for the night to come. Luckily, Grace lived up to her music video amazingness and rocked the already awesome venue. You can read TDMN's review of Potter's performance here.

Read through the break for a few tips to shooting better concert photos:
I have learned a few tips from my handful of live music assignments, which not only make for better concert photos but also make the editing process more efficient:

1. Shoot RAW. This will provide you with the best image quality when you need to adjust white balance and fine tune the exposure to compensate for the light changes during the set.
2. Use Tungsten White Balance. Unless the venue has recently been retrofitted, more than likely the lights on the stage are tungsten. Setting your white balance to Tungsten before the performance will bring you closer to the true light color and give you consistently colored files, vastly speeding up the editing process.
3. Vary your focal lengths. During Grace Potter's performance, I used everything from 24mm to a 200mm with a 1.4x extender. I try to the get safe, tight, shots with a 70-200mm first in case the all-too-common situation where access is cut short arises. I then go wider and try to incorporate the stage and other band members.
4. Anticipate the peak moment, then shoot it. Just like any other photojournalism assignment, you want to capture the peak moment, action, or emotion. This may be the loudest note of the verse or the artist's simple smile in return to the crowd's applause.
5. Shoot the details. Spiked high heels, special guitar picks, fingers on the neck of the guitar. Whatever you see, shoot it.

Do you have any tips to making better concert photos that I left out? Share them in the comments below.

Please enjoy the extended gallery of images from the concert directly on SOSKIphoto.com.

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals at the House of Blues – Dallas, Texas - Images by Stan Olszewski

Gear used on this assignment:

Your browser does not support iFrame.

Canon Lens and Speedlite Rebate Ends Soon!

2012-10-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

B&H has a massive list of Canon lenses and Speedlites on rebate expiring in just a few days (October 27, 2012), with savings up to $300. You can check out the items, prices, and savings on the banner below. Click the arrows on the bottom left and right corners until you see all 32 items.

Update: Canon extended these rebates through December 1, 2012.

Your browser does not support iFrame.

Experience: Shooting the NLCS Game 7 (as a fan)

2012-10-23T17:17:00.001-07:00

I had the great opportunity to shoot the NLCS elimination Game 7 between the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals last night. The only side note: I bought a ticket as a fan.

Read more from my experience after the break:

I am a huge baseball fan. Better yet, I am a huge Giants fan! When my sister suggested that we buy Game 7 tickets during the opening innings of Game 6, my response was, "Hell yeah!" $155 per ticket seemed like a bargain considering I was going to have the baseball experience of a lifetime. Add in the fact that any World Series ticket in the same seat is running over $400 on Stubhub, and this truly was a bargain.

As a photographer who is usually down in the pit or on field level, I couldn't leave my camera at home. Games like this are difficult to shoot in the pit or on the sidelines. Often times, there are too many photographers bumping elbows trying to get the same photo. Furthermore, if the team playing is your favorite, it's even more frustrating because you're not supposed to cheer while you're working. Being in the crowd is so much more fun!

There was no pressure to meet deadline. There was no need to catch that front page photo. The only requirement was to pack light, bring beer money, and have a great time. I accomplished all three and came home with a series of fun photos that tell the story of Game 7 from my perspective.

Please enjoy the slideshow from my experience at the game. Go Giants!

San Francisco Giants vs St. Louis Cardinals - NLCS Game 7 - Images by Stan Olszewski

Gear used:

Your browser does not support iFrame.

September Deals at B&H Photo!

2012-09-05T16:57:00.000-07:00

My friends at B&H Photo are running more awesome deals on DSLRs, lenses, compact cameras, and software. Check out the deals below:

1. Canon G12 for only $298! – The regularly Canon G12 compact is regularly priced at $379 but can be had for only $298 when you buy it with a Canon Pixma Pro9000 Mark II printer. When you buy both together, you can use a $400 mail-in rebate, dropping your $698 subtotal down to $298.

My thoughts: Canon typically announces the updates to the S and G lines of compact cameras in September. I think we should expect to see a S100 successor and a small sensor G12 successor, since the G12 has not been updated in two years. Should you buy the G12 at this price? I would! Whatever Canon comes out with will be better due to technological advances, however it will probably hold a $500 price tag, which is a reasonable amount under the large sensor G1x ($680).

If you want an even better deal, you can sell the Pixma Pro9000 Mark II printer online for roughly $200, meaning you're only paying $98 for the G12. To me, that's an epic deal!

1. Click here to add the Canon G12 to your cart,
2. Click here to add the Canon Pixma Pro900 Mark II to your cart,
3. Proceed through Checkout,
4. Mail in this rebate form to get $400 back.
5. Enjoy!

More deals after the break:

2. Save up to $950 with Nikon DSLR and Lens Bundles! – Offer expires Sept. 29, 2012.

3. Save up to $300 on Select Canon Lenses and Speedlites! – Offer expires Sept. 29, 2012.

I think I will be jumping on the Canon G12 deal. It's a great opportunity for me to grab a fantastic compact camera for a remarkable price, especially if I sell the printer on Craigslist. Will you be taking advantage of any of these rebates? Let me know in the comments below.