Fotobug - Elusive Image Photography

Jim and Fred look into several brands of macro lenses and describe a technique to improve your macro captures, but first, the latest in photography news!

Canon brings its EOS webcam beta utility program to Macos!  Shutterstock has established a new pay structure which favors those photographers which have the highest number of sales.  A Dutch court has ruled that a grandmother must take down images of her grandchildren at the request of the children's mother. DJI has scored a victory against Autel and will likely not have to stop selling its Mavic drones in the US. They also filed a patent suit against Autel claiming that Autel copied their Phantom look and feel. Microsoft has been sued for $2.25 million for using photos without permission.  M&M photo tours has a great sale on a Tanzania Migration workshop in late August - only $5900 including airfare from JFK in New York. https://www.mmphototours.com/photo-tours-2020

Macro photography is something you can do right in your home or in your backyard while social distancing!  Jim and Fred take a look at Toshiba, Sigma and Canon true macro lenses.  In addition, Jim reveals a macro technique using manual mode on the camera and manual flash mode to help improve your captures and reduce wind motion blur and motion blur from the movement of your subject.  If you would like a copy of Jim's free eBook on macro photography, just subscribe to The Fotobug YouTube channel and ask for a copy!  Jim will send you a download link!

Fred and Jim once again share more tips and techniques to help you improve your photography. 

In recent news, Let's Enhance 2.0 is a software program to uprez images.  You can upscale five images for free (limited to 15MP).  Mavic drones may be removed from the USA market after losing a patent suit with Autel Robotics.  Yet, DJI has released a new commercial drone.  Federal authorities are looking for a drone pilot who flew his drone close to the Navy's Blue Angels in Detroit.  Photography Life is releasing all its photo courses for free on YouTube.  The IBC has cancelled this year's show in Amsterdam.  Olympus is shutting down its camera business in South Korea at the end of June.

Latest tips from Fred and Jim!  How to use a backdrop when photographing close ups (such as flowers).  How to check and control the background for closeups when you don't have a backdrop.  Build a backyard bird feeder and natural set to photograph backyard birds.  Also, how to use LCD lights or reflectors for closeup photos. Finally - set up a game camera to find out where wildlife may be on your property on your photo sites.

To purchase the items mentioned in the podcast:

Game Camera - CLICK HERE

Platypod - CLICK HERE

LCD Light - CLICK HERE

Pocket reflector - CLICK HERE

Don't forget to subscribe to The Fotobug YouTube Channel!!

Thank you for tuning into The Fotobug podcast!  We hope everyone is staying safe and well.

In recent photography news, DJI has released the update to the Mavic Air, the Mavic Air 2 with more features!  On1 announces a 360° cloud service for photos.  Canon has released a free Windows program that turns certain Canon cameras into high resolution webcams. (https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/support/self-help-center/eos-webcam-utility/)   Even more news in the podcast!

As safe at home restrictions are slowly being lifted, Fred and Jim go out locally and share some photography tips and techniques.  In this episode, Jim relates a technique used by an African wildlife photographer - using manual mode with auto ISO.  Fred describes an important sports and nature technique - using back-button focusing.  More tips and techniques coming soon!

Please take a moment and subscribe to the new Fotobug YouTube channel.  Also, if you would like a free copy of Jim's ebook on macro photography, subscribe to The Fotobug YouTube channel and contact Jim at [email protected] and let him know you would like a copy!

The safe at home continues but plans are being made for the upcoming Black Hills Photo Shoot out this coming September and the organizer, Jay Grammond will discuss it on today's podcast!

In recent news, an app to allow portrait photographers to test lighting setups is now available for free for 15 days (www.elixxier.com)  Mandel Mendlowits, the founder of Adorama, passed away at the age of 76.  I'm Back returns to Kickstarter creating a digital back for analog film cameras.  Lenscoat is creating camo colored face masks for healthcare workers.  GoPro and VSCO are laying off employees but still plan to release new features this year.  Huawei was caught once again attempting to pass off DSLR images as images taken with their smartphones.  There is more news!  Check out the podcast!

 Jay Grammond will once again organize the Black Hills Photo Shootout which will take place in South Dakota this September 25-27th!  Instructors are coming back on board and as long as Covid-19 permits, the event will be held in Sturgis, South Dakota this year!  Be sure to save those dates and keep listening to the podcast and watch The Black Hills Photo Shootout and The Fotobug Facebook pages for updates.

Jim is still giving away his 24 page complete guide to macro photography which contains everything from macro lenses to focus stacking and more!  To get your FREE copy, just subscribe to The Fotobug YouTube channel and then write to [email protected] and you will be sent a link to download your copy!

This podcast is a bit different and in order to stay home, we are doing this podcast via Zoom and have invited a friend to join us all the way from India!

There hasn't been much photography news lately.  Canon is planning a live stream on April 29th for a product announcement, probably focusing on 'broadcast and cinema products with an emphasis on 4k and HDR capture.  Lomography launches a new B&W film stock.  Peak Designs announces a travel tripod sale with 20-40% off and some of the proceeds will be split between Covid-19 relief and climate change.  Pangolin Safaris is giving away an African safari in a 6 week photo contest at www.pangolinphoto.com).

Jim demonstrates the Flip Filter system now available at https://www.alterrfs.com/ . Fred shows off a portable drive system for backing up your photos while traveling.

Our guest is Anu Sarkar all the way from India.  Anu shows off some of his wonderful artwork and discusses the covid-19 concerns in India. 

Hopefully we will be back to our regular studio and podcast real soon, in the meantime, stay safe and healthy and be sure to wash your hands and practice social distancing so we can get back to our lives again!

Due to the covid-19 virus, we decided to put together some suggestions of things and themes you can photograph while staying safe at home!

In this episode, Fred and Jim take a look at another free RAW app, Rawtherapee!

In recent news, the Covid-19 virus is also having an impact on the photo industry. Canon is shutting down some of their factories due to issues with the supply chain from China. Photokina has indicated they do not plan to cancel, but several companies have already backed out of the event to be held in Cologne Germany.  The NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) event in Las Vegas has been cancelled.  DJI has protested to the FAA claiming that the new rule proposals will cost users nine times more than the FAA forecasted.

Please go and subscribe the The Fotobug YouTube channel and if you have experience with Rawtherapee, don't hesitate to leave us a comment or suggestion!  We have lots more goodies come up in future episodes - more interviews, and how-tos as well as some great places to visit in Florida for nature photography - so keep tuning in!

Can't afford or don't want to pay for photo editing software?  Make sure you check out this podcast!

In recent photography news, Adobe releases a substantial update to the desktop and mobile versions of Photoshop. Sony cuts planned mirrorless camera features in response to DRAM shortage. Moment introduces a 67mm filter system for smartphones. Fujifilm and Kodak warn about sending undeveloped film through airport scanners. Jif Peanut butter comes out with 'Gyphy' peanut butter to remind people that 'Gif' is pronounced with a soft 'G' sound!  Even more news in the podcast!

Adobe is now charging $10 a month for Photoshop and Lightroom combo or $53 a month for the entire suite of Adobe software. They no longer sell a version of Lightroom.  Other similiar software also sells in the neighborhood of $79 to $99 - so what if you don't want to pay, or can't afford to pay?  There are free alternatives which are actually pretty good!  Fred and Jim take a look at one of them in this episode of The Fotobug - Darktable which is a free open-source program available at www.darktable.org.

If you are a drone owner (or fly any RC aircraft) or if you intend to purchase one, you MUST watch this podcast.  The FAA has proposed new rules which will ground all current drones and make it nearly impossible to capture interesting photos or videos with our drones.  The FAA is taking public comments up until March 2nd, so it is very important to register your concern!!

In recent news, Yuneec has launched a 30x optical zoom drone, the E30Z.  Sony's image sensor business has been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak which has disrupted their supply chain.  Sigma indicates it is starting over with its development of a full-frame Foveon-based camera which was first announced back in 2018.  Fujifilm will discontinue its Fujicolor film packs by the end of March.

Please check out and register your concerns about the new FAA proposed rules for UAS (drones and RC unmanned aircraft) - but you must do so before March 2nd!  If these rules go into effect, you might as well throw your drone away and that will be the end of the hobby!

To register your concern to the FAA:

CLICK HERE NOW!

Fred just picked up a new laptop and in today's episode, he will discuss the pros and cons of the new Dell XPS 15" laptop.

In recent news, Immaga Wordroom uses AI to automatically keyword Lightroom images (https://wordroom.org/).  Australian researches have created a new battery than can power a smartphone for up to five days. The team behind the Platypod have started a Kickstarter project for a new high-tech ball head, the Platyball. DynaLite, the photographic lighting company founded in the 1970s, has been forced to file for bankruptcy and permanently shutter its service. The US Interior Department grounds Chinese-made drones in its fleet citing ongoing security concerns.  A new UK bill would enable police to stop, search and seize drones. Parliament recently conducted a second reading of a new bill that will give UK Police the power to stop and seize drones.

Decent computers are now a part of the photographer's kit in order to process captured images.  Fred just picked up the new Dell XPS 15" laptop and discusses the attributes of this machine and why you might consider it for your next computer purchase.  The new XPS features a 4GB Nvidia graphics card, so this machine will also be useful for video production.  If you have experience or comments on the Dell laptop, please leave you comments below, or better yet, on The Fotobug YouTube channel!