All images by Brenton Giesey. Used with permission.

Film isn’t dead. If anything, pop culture’s current fling with analog is fueled by nostalgia. It’s seeped into various parts of the arts and photography. “Caroline Kole and her team came to me at the beginning of the year and asked to do a shoot that was 100% analog and it was so much fun,” said photographer Brenton Giesey to us in an interview. Brenton shoots a ton of analog and film photography for his work with musicians. His work is something that reminds us of the most elegant Tarantino movie you’ll ever see. But beyond that, his mind provided us with some wonderful treats and stories.

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“I think the reason why I have gravitated towards this look and why it connects with my clients and artists is that I do most of my developing and scanning myself – b&w, E6, C41. It fulfills the ‘hands-on’ visual artist in me. It’s a very cathartic process after staring at computer screens all day and gives a sense of consistency to what I do. “

The Essential Photo Gear of Brenton Giesey

Brenton told us:

Contax G1

Pentax K1000

Canon 5D Mk III

Sony a7r II

Fujifilm X100F

“I’m pretty basic when it comes to gear- although anyone who’s worked with me knows I’ve always got at least 3 cameras on me at shoots! My trusty 5D3 is my go-to digital camera on shoots or on tour. I have a Sony a7Rii that I use a lot for video and travel/landscape shots. By far my favorite digital camera, though, is my Fujifilm X100F. What a killer camera. I call it my ‘digital film camera’ because it’s so natural and easy to get great shots and bring anywhere. Also, the 23mm lens is a lifesaver in those moments when I have a longer lens on my 5D and need to quickly shoot something wide. I shot my first major cover (Hunter Hayes’ “Dear God”) with that camera.

On the film side, I mainly use a Contax G1 and Pentax K1000. The Contax lenses are awesome and the Pentax always comes through for me, I love the meter. I’ll rent a Hasselblad 500 for bigger shoots or studio work. I stick with Tri-X for b&w and Ektachrome or Portra for color films.

Most of the work of being a music photographer is learning how to see and anticipating the shots in the moments in between. I use the cameras I do because they work consistently and quickly. That’s why I LOVE shooting on the iPhone as well. It’s a great camera that’s always on you! In the same vein, I like having disposable cameras or polaroids around- they’re simple and you have a classic high-key flash look right at your fingertips. One of my disposable shots was used for a single cover earlier this year (Caroline Kole’s ‘DUI’) and it made me so happy. Yes, specialized gear is important but ultimately a camera is a camera and a light is a light. If you can learn to make compelling images with simple gear then you’ll be fine.”

Phoblographer: Talk to us about how you got into photography.

Brenton Giesey: My father is a fantastic landscape photographer, and I grew up watching him and admiring the photos we looked at in Nat Geo or old car magazines. I was very artistic growing up and in school, and I found myself getting more opportunities to learn to photograph in high school. I got my first real camera in college and fell in love with exploring and capturing documentary-style moments and places I went.

Phoblographer: What made you want to shoot musicians?

Brenton Giesey: I’ve played music since I was a kid and developed a deep love for the visuals that accompanied music and for poring over records and reading the liner notes, and looking at the pictures. I went to school in Nashville to study the music business and ended up having lots of friends in bands or who were singer-songwriters. I would do shoots for them and eventually ended up connecting with labels and other artists.

Phoblographer: When I was shown your work, I was very drawn to much of it. You shoot film, and you’ve developed a look that I is like the ...

Tamron lenses are fantastic values for the money, and we found some great prices!

Finding great prices on photography gear is hard. But consistently, Tamron offers the best quality for the buck. Specifically, many of the new lenses they’ve made for the Sony FE system are fantastic. So here’s what we found at great prices. And if you’re not looking for Tamron lenses, consider what Samyang has. Lenses from 7Artisans are also pretty good for those who don’t mind manual focus.

16% off on the Tamron 70-180mm f2.8

6% off on the Tamron 28-200mm f2.5-5.6

6% off the Tamron 17-28mm f2.8

$249 for the Tamron 20mm f2.8

$199 for the Tamron 24mm f2.8

$199 for the Tamron 35mm f2.8

Visit the Tamron Store on Amazon

With the world slowly opening up, travel photography will boom again.

Many photographers dream of exploring the world with their cameras. The lure of new cultures, amazing architecture, and different climates greatly excites them. But beyond the romance of it all exists a lot of hard work. It’s not easy planning a travel photography trip, especially if it’s your first time. So in this piece, we offer a step by step guide to executing the perfect trip with your camera!

There’s Way More to Travel Photography Than the Photography!

Most publications write about creating the photographs when they talk about travel photography. Naturally, there’s value in that. But, to get the most out of your trip, there’s lots of admin you have to be on top of. That’s especially true right now, as the world adjusts to travel during the pandemic.

I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world for five years. Throughout that time, I’ve visited over 40 countries across five continents. Because I’ve chosen the nomadic life, with photography at the heart of it. I know firsthand all the things we need to cover to have a successful trip. Let’s take a look.

For Travel Photography, Make Sure Your Passport Has Six Months on It

Many countries worldwide won’t let you enter if your passport has less than six months before it expires. Airlines won’t always spot it for you when booking your ticket. So there’s a chance you arrive at the airport or border control, and they refuse you entry. If you have less than six months before it expires, order a new one before you travel.

Keep a Copy of Your Passport for Travel Photography

If, for example, you want to visit a national park, staff may ask you to show your passport at the entrance. Most people who travel leave their passport at their accommodation. It’s an important document, so people want to minimize the chance of losing it. To counter this, take a photo of your passport details (or make a photocopy), so you can show it to the staff at the entrance.

You must do this because, without it, they may refuse you entry. The consequence is you won’t be able to create the amazing photos you were looking forward to creating.

Check Your Visa Requirements for Travel Photography

Visa’s are important. And sometimes they take a bit of time (and paperwork) to obtain. Every country has its own visa regulations, and they change depending on the country you’re from. Do your research on the government website of the country you wish to visit. Follow the visa process correctly, and ensure you have a copy of it before you fly.

Check if You Need an Onward Flight

When people dream of the perfect travel photography lifestyle, they imagine booking a one-way ticket. That’s cool and all, but it may spoil your trip. Many nations require proof of a flight that shows you intend to leave the country you’re visiting. This applies to everyone.

In my early days of travel photography, I rocked up to the airport, ready to go to Mexico. I bought a one-way ticket. The airlines refused to let me board the plane without an onward ticket. I purchased a flight at the airport and at a premium cost (due to the last minute booking). Don’t make the same mistake as me.

Learn What Local Ride Apps Work in That Country

If you’re from a developed country, you likely use apps like Uber and Lyft. Don’t take them for granted. In many countries, such companies don’t have the authorization to operate. And many countries have similar apps that are unique to that part of the world. Find out and download what apps work before you visit. They’re going to be super useful when trying to get around an unfamiliar city.

Write Down the Address of Your Accommodation

When you reach border control, they may ask for the address of the accommodation you’re staying at. If there’s no airport WiFi and you don’t have a local sim, you’re going to have a stressful time. So make a note of the address in your phone or journal. Then you can easily present it to border control.

Only Pack the...

All images by Jovana Rikalo. Used with permission.

“I live for magic and dreams. I find inspiration everywhere, but mostly in life and people,” says fine art and portrait photographer Jovana Rikalo about her fun and whimsical fairy-tale photography. Passionate about dreams, life, and folklore, Jovana says photography keeps her both alive and happy. Her fun approach and clever setups are designed to transport audiences “away from worries and routines of a daily life.” Jovana says, “I think that every photo must have a story in order to be complete. There is no story without emotion.”

Find out how you and your work can be featured on our website by clicking here.

The Phoblographer: What inspires you?

Jovana Rikalo: Life! Every situation that happens, everything I see and feel I try to make into a photo, but in a more fairy-tale scene. I love to dream and think all the time, and I trained myself to always be inspired somehow.”

The Phoblographer: There are obvious references to popular fairy tales. What drew you to this as a subject?

Jovana Rikalo: I really love fairy tales! You can [see] that by looking at my photos. Last year, my dreams came true, and I worked with Disney. It was so magical!

The Phoblographer: Tell us about the scale of the production required to get these incredible shots?

Jovana Rikalo: First, I must think about the concept and what I am [going to] create. This takes around two or three days. In that period of time, I am looking for models, locations, props, and thinking about hair and make-up. It takes around a week to finalize everything. After I settle down all [the] important elements, I plan a photoshoot day based on our availability. [A] photoshoot lasts around 4.5-hours, and editing really depends – sometimes 20 minutes, sometimes three or four hours. It depends on how complex ideas and manipulation are.

The Phoblographer: Do you have a favorite image or signature effect?

Jovana Rikalo: I have a few… pastel tones and [a] dreamy finish. People recognize my photos based on emotions and fairy tales.

The Phoblographer: What’s the most daring or adventurous shoot you have orchestrated?

Jovana Rikalo: When outside is too cold, rainy or windy. That is always so challenging. Also, when working with new animals. You don’t know how animals are [going to] react when they see dresses, models and props. That’s why I always love to bring [in[ the owner of the animal to be with them and [for] the animal to be safe. Everyone must be comfortable on that day.

I know what feeling I want to awaken in people’s minds.

The Phoblographer: You also work with editorial clients. Tell us about that process? Do you demand full artistic control?

Jovana Rikalo: It really depends. Most of them gave me freedom because they know the image is gonna look good at the end, and they trust my vision. Some of them follow the brand language and follow trends and that is totally fine to me.

The Phoblographer: What gear do you use?

Jovana Rikalo: I use Canon 5D Mark IV, Sigma 35mm f1.4 art, Sigma 105mm f1.4, and Canon 135mm f2.0 lenses the most. I also use additional lights if needed, but most of the time, I work with natural light.

The Phoblographer: How much of what we see in the finished product is added in post-production?

Jovana Rikalo: I’d say real is 70% and added 30%. I love to add smoke [and] additional props to make the image more interesting and [more like] how I imagined in my head.

The Phoblographer: Your work has been viewed thousands of times online and is published in magazines all over the world. How does the acclaim and recognition motivate you as an artist?

Jovana Rikalo: When I started this job, I said to myself, I will be so happy to only have 300 people follow me. I still can’t feel this number – it is huge – and this only means that people love interacting with me and my stories; they found each other in every piece and, to me, that is the goal I wanted from the very beginning.

The Phoblographer: What other projects, sto...

The 35mm lens is one of the best portrait lenses to make the viewer feel like they’re there.

We’ve tested a bunch of 35mm lenses over the years. The good news is that they’ve become progressively better for portrait photography. Photojournalists and editorial photographers use them these days. 35mm lenses deliver a look that makes us feel like we’re right there in the picture. Bringing people into the photo makes it that much more exciting. So we dove into our Reviews Index to find some of the best 35mm lenses for portrait photography. More importantly, we made sure that they were affordable.

The Phoblographer’s various product round-up features are done in-house. Our philosophy is simple: you wouldn’t get a Wagyu beef steak review from a lifelong vegetarian. And you wouldn’t get photography advice from someone who doesn’t touch the product. We only recommend gear that we’ve thoroughly reviewed. If you’re wondering why your favorite product didn’t make the cut, there’s a chance it’s on another list. If we haven’t reviewed it, we won’t recommend it. This method keeps our lists packed with industry-leading knowledge.

Pro Tips on Using a 35mm Lens for Portrait Photography

Here are a few things you should know about using a 35mm lens for portraiture.

Generally speaking, shoot in the landscape format (horizontal). This is the way humans actually see. No one walks around sideways.

Keep your subject as close to the center as possible. This prevents distortion, which is a big problem in portrait photography.

35mm lenses are fantastic for showing a person in the context of their environment. Specifically, environmental portrait photography tells something about the person. Imagine a chef in a kitchen. The best way to capture the chef and their surroundings is with a 35mm lens. Photograph them in the act of cooking for the best effect!

Modern 35mm lenses prevent lens flare. If you want that look, try removing the lens hood. It will help.

Don’t get too close to your subject. You’ll probably end up making their nose look larger than it is.

Use Face and Eye detection on your camera. Combine this with continuous autofocus if you’re going to shoot more than just one photo.

Sony 35mm f1.8 FE: Affordable Portrait Photography

“The real beauty of the Sony 35mm f1.8 FE comes out when you use a flash. It’s able to deliver a lot of detail in the photos shot wide open while balancing the sharpness with the lens’ fantastic bokeh rendition. On the Sony a7r III, it’s obviously going to be sharper than results you can get from any other Sony FE camera at the moment of publishing. I’ve talked often about the price point, and I need to let that hit home again here. For a lens at this price point, you’re getting outstanding sharpness.”

Canon RF 35mm f1.8 IS: Bokeh Like No Other

“While folks will go on and on about the colors that Canon can produce, I often lock my white balance to daylight or tungsten. The colors that the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 USM IS can render aren’t super saturated like a Zeiss or Sigma offering. But instead, they’re only a bit more so. I like the colors and with some editing, you can do even more with them. Straight out of the camera though and with the way that the Canon sensors work, I’d suggest overexposing your images just a tad. It isn’t as awful as the Canon 5D Mk II needed, but it needs more light. You’ll really see this with portraiture that you want to do with the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 USM IS.”

Nikon 35mm f1.8 Z: Just the Right Amount of Pop

In our review, we said:

“Most photographers will find the bokeh produced by the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f1.8 S to be pleasing, thanks to the lens design that features 11 elements in 9 groups coupled with 9 aperture blades–therefore allowing you to separate your subject from the background nicely. Some will argue that the bokeh produced by this lens lack character, but that’s honestly a matter of personal preference.”

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The pandemic gave way to loads of new passionate photographers, and we’re here to share how to document the world’s reopening.

Surely, modern autofocus is fantastic. But there’s nothing like the pride of getting a shot because you zone-focused the lens beforehand. Have you ever shot a photo you were happy with just the way it was? It probably didn’t need any post-production. It was an authentic moment that you captured. And most importantly, you did it, not the camera or the lens. You can achieve these Jedi-like powers with zone focusing.

Editor’s Note: This is a special tutorial sponsored by Leica. As the world begins to open up, street photography will rise again. Passionate photographers like you will help tell the stories of your local community. Get ready to capture some historical photos as the world normalizes.

What Is Zone Focusing?

Zone focusing involves having a specific zone coverage of the lens perfectly in focus. Let’s look at the photo above of the Leica 28mm f2 Summicron ASPH. The lens says that at f5.6, anywhere between two to three and a half feet away will be in focus. As you focus further away, more of the scene will get in focus. Ideally, you’ll focus anywhere between four feet and six feet away. That’s considered the ideal range for lots of street photographers. Combine that with knowing how your focal length sees the world, and you’ll get the shot consistently.

Philosophically speaking, zone focusing can also apply to being in the zone. As you walk around, you’re constantly scanning the world. Specifically, you’re paying attention to whatever your lens will have in focus. Essentially that means that your immediate proximity is taking priority. If you see something happening further away, you’ll need to move closer to it. This can be a very meditative process.

Why Zone Focus Instead of Autofocus?

There are loads of reasons why you should zone focus instead of autofocusing. For starters, cameras are still machines. Even though they have face detection, they only do what you tell them to do. With zone focusing, you’re telling the lens to focus a certain distance away. All you need to do is move closer to or further from the action. With zone focusing, you always know what you’re going to get. Despite how good autofocus has become, it’s still not perfect.

Zone focusing is infinitely easier with most manual focus lenses than it is with autofocus lenses. Autofocus lenses have a shorter focus throw (or focus range, if you will) that’s designed to make them focus faster. Manual focus lenses have longer focus throws. This is because they’re usually precision tools. Luckily, you can adapt Leica M mount lenses to your camera. For example, the Leica 35mm f2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH can be used on the SL2-s. All you need is an adapter!

The Leica Q2 Monochrom and Leica Q2 have a special lens designed to be used for both!

How Do You Do It?

Here are a few recommendations with zone focusing:

Choose a normal or wider focal length. The ideal choices are 50mm, 35mm, 28mm, and 24mm lenses. The great masters of street photography used anywhere between 50mm and 28mm lenses. Those, they said, show the world the way they see it. We’ve got a full recommendation of our favorite lenses right here. Try the Leica 50mm f1.4 Summilux ASPH, the Leica 28mm f1.4 Summilux ASPH, or the Leica 35mm f2 Summicron ASPH.

Look at the lens. Focus it to a distance you’re comfortable being from your subject. During social distancing times, you might want to choose around six feet away.

Read the distance scale. It will tell you how much of the scene will be in focus at a given aperture. Stop the lens down to where you’re comfortable.

Set the ISO so that your shutter speed is at least 1/50th. If you really want to stop people in motion, you’ll need at least 1/1000th.

As an extra tip, meter off your hand. Your hand will be close to the skin tones that you want to capture. And that will prep you for shooting the photos you envision.

Pay attention to the li...

These instant film cameras will shoot photos you and other guests will love.

If you’re going to a party, there’s no reason not to bring instant film cameras. They’re so fun. You point, shoot, and get the photo. What’s better than that? You can then get back to drinking and hang out with those you care about. And better yet, it’s almost impossible for anyone to look bad with instant film. That’s because of just how big the lenses are and how they work with the film. And yes, you’re shooting real instant film–sort of like Polaroids back in the day. Check out this guide on choosing the best instant film cameras.

The Phoblographer’s various product round-up features are done in-house by our staff. Our philosophy is simple: you wouldn’t get a Wagyu beef steak review from a lifelong vegetarian. And you wouldn’t get photography advice from someone who doesn’t touch the product. We only recommend gear we’ve thoroughly reviewed. If you’re wondering why your favorite product didn’t make the cut, there’s a chance that it’s on another list. If we haven’t reviewed it, we won’t recommend it. This method keeps our lists packed with industry-leading knowledge.

Pro Tips for the Best Instant Film Camera

Choosing the best instant film camera isn’t easy. Here’s what you should keep in mind.

How big do you want your images to be?

Do you want more details or fewer details on your face? Do you typically use a beauty filter?

Who is using it in your household?

What color do you want?

Square or business card?

Are you ready to have fun?

Fujifilm SQ1: A Beauty Among Instant Film Cameras

“The Fujifilm SQ1 doesn’t have very much to it. Loading the film is straight forward. The same goes for installing the batteries. And using the camera is deceptively simple. I thought it would have more complicated settings, but it doesn’t. Turn the lens ring to the on, off, or selfie mode, and that’s it. The 65mm f12.6 lens is made of plastic and shoots as close as just under a foot away. That’s fun, for sure. But the best part is that with this lens, no one is going to look unflattering. It’s too soft to render much detail from someone. And because it’s a medium format equivalent, everyone looks better at a given focal length.”

Lomography Lomo’Instant Square: A Lot of Retro Fun!

“So what’s great about this camera? The lens: it’s incredibly sharp and when you add flash to the scene it’s going to deliver a sharpness that rivals so many cameras out there. In fact, the imaging area is slightly larger than 6×6 medium format. For that reason, I really wish that there were manual controls. But that isn’t happening anytime soon if my conversations with Lomography’s owners were any sort of hint at the future. Still though, I have to admit that if you were to take this image quality and put it against Fujifilm’s the Lomography Lomo’Instant Square will win hands down each and every time.”

Fujifilm Instax Mini 11: A Rare Glass Lens

In our review, we state:

“Due to the glass lens in the Fujifilm INSTAX Mini 11, the images are sharper and better than before. The better image quality is also thanks to what I believe is new metering in the camera. As far as a purely analog Instax experience goes, these are some of the sharpest images that I’ve seen. Lomography also has sharp glass lenses. MiNT’s aren’t that sharp when working with Instax, but they’ve got their own charm for sure. The nicest thing about the Fujifilm INSTAX Mini 11 is that the images are sharp and well balanced without looking like their digital images being printed.”

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The Xencelabs tablet and Quick Keys Combo is a powerful tool that makes complex editing jobs easier.

We get by pretty well when it comes to editing our images on PCs and Macs. Still, there are times when I wish I had just a little more control over the edits I make. The mouse doesn’t want to cooperate sometimes, and making tiny brush strokes can be challenging. This is where editing tablets and pens come into play. We’ve all heard of Wacom before, but Xencelabs (which is pronounced Sencelabs) – that’s a new name for most. They have released an editing tablet that can be bundled with an OLED powered Quick Keys panel, and they’re going for the jugular. Will their new tablet and aggressive pricing strategy take image editors away from Wacom, though? Find out in our full review.

Too Long, Didn’t Read

The Xencelabs Pen Tablet and Quick Keys combo is a fantastic entry into the photo editing tablet space. The large tablet makes it easy to edit images, the pen is comfortable to hold and easy to use, and the Quick Keys panel makes switching between tools and making adjustments easy. At just $279 for the tablet and pens and $359 for the tablet, pens, and Quick Keys, it’s a bargain for those who take editing seriously.

Pros and Cons

Pros

True 16:9 aspect ratio, which matches most screens perfectly

A smooth drawing/editing experience

Fully customizable

Setup and customization is easy, although time-consuming

Quick charging

Curved palm rest makes the tablet comfortable to use

The Quick Keys make selecting tools easy

Great battery life

It’s priced well at $279 for the medium tablet and pen and $359 for the tablet, pen, and OLED Quick Keys

Cons

The tablet is a fingerprint and grease magnet

Gear Used

We used the Xencelabs Pen Tablet with a custom-built Windows 10 based PC. It has a core I9 10850K processor, 32GB of DDR4 RAM, a Radeon 5700XT GPU, and various NVMe drives. In terms of software, we tested the tablet with Capture One 20, Photoshop, and Lightroom CC.

Innovations

When it comes to the pen and tablet there are no real innovations to speak of. They are designed well, and the curved palm rest makes it comfortable. The OLED quick keys unit is very nice. Again, we have seen similar things before, but never have they been bundled with a pen and tablet at this price point ($359 for the bundle).

Tech Specs

All of the technical specifications for this tablet and quick keys bundle were taken directly from the official Xencelabs website:

Model Number: BPH1212W-K02A (Medium Bundle with Quick Keys)

Color: Carbon Black

Product Dimensions: (W x H x D) 12.61 x 9.16 x 0.3 in

Active Area Size: 10,33 x 5,8 in / 262,4 x 147,4 mm

Active area aspect ratio: 16:9

Product Weight: 710.5 g / 1.57 lbs (approx)

Hours Per Charge: 16 hours (2.5 hours charging time)

Cable included: USB type C to USB type A (Adapter provided)

Technology: Battery-Free EMR (Electro-Magnetic Resonance)

System requirements: Windows7 or later, Mac OS X 10.12 or later, Linux version coming soon, wireless or cable connection requires USB Type-A port (includes Type-C adapter), internet access to download driver.

Pens: PH5-A (3 Button Pen) PH6-A (Thin Pen) Pen side switches / Eraser buttons. 3 Button Pen: 3 buttons + eraser. Thin Pen: 2 buttons + eraser

Pressure levels: 8192 levels

Pen tilt range: ± 60 degrees (both pens)

Grip material: Soft Touch Rubber

Pen size: 6.20 inches / 157.56 mm (3 Button Pen). 6.20 inches / 157.54 mm (Thin Pen)

Pen weight: 3 Button Pen: 17 g / Thin Pen: 12 g (approx)

Xencelabs Quick Keys Color: Black

Product dimensions (W x H x D): 6.2 x 2.46 x 0.47 in

Product weight: 142g / .31lbs

Display: Text and symbols can be read horizontal or vertical

Quick Keys hours per charge: 25-53 hours (1.5 hours charging time)

Quick Keys Cable L included: USB-A to USB-C Right Angle 90º Wireless via USB/USB-C connection

Custom shortcut: 8 per set. There can be 5 sets giving a total of 40 shortcut keys

Dial: Up to 4 (user can define)

Security: Kensington NANO Lock

Connectivity: Wirel...

This would be a huge risk for the Canon EOS R3.

Canon has long been one of the few camera brands that produce their own sensors. Their latest creations have really pushed them back to the front of the pack. The EOS R5 and EOS R6 have proven Canon still makes great sensors. Canon fans are excited at the announcement that the Canon EOS R3 is coming. It’s going to be a first of its kind if they beat Nikon’s Z9 to market. A Full-Frame Mirrorless flagship of sorts. It will feature an integrated grip and mind-blowing specs. However, there’s a potential problem being theorized about this camera. It may not feature a Canon-made sensor. Read on below for more.

The Depressing Theory About the Canon EOS R3

Canon Watch recently reported on this discovery in promotional materials about the EOS R3. Canon released a sensor presentation for the new R3. Then they made a slight change to it. At first glance, it seems to be a subtle word change. However, if attempting to read between the lines, an interesting conclusion was formed. The wording of this presentation changed from “designed and manufactured by Canon” to “developed by Canon.” This has caused some people to speculate as to the reasoning behind the change. Could this change of wording indicate that Canon decided to outsource the production of this new sensor? It does seem like a strategic change of language.

What Could This Mean?

It would be terribly sad if Canon outsourced this sensor. However, there are other potential meanings behind this word change. The Canon EOS R3 will feature a back-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor. Perhaps the sensor portion itself will still be made by Canon. Due to the nature of stacked sensors, Canon may only outsource a part of it. These sensors consist of multiple pieces. Simplified, one part handles processing, and one part handles reading the light. As a result, Canon may still build the sensor and outsource the “processing” portion. Seeing as Canon generally produces its own sensors in all high-end cameras, this could be the case. This action would coincide with the global shortage of electronic components and makes some sense.

It’s also possible that the wording change was just that, a changing of words. As mentioned before, Canon typically designs and builds its own sensors. It would be strange for them to stop on a camera as important as the EOS R3. This camera could be the one to cement their standings as the professional Mirrorless of choice. While the Sony A9 cameras are technical marvels, they lack the tank-like build of a 1DX camera. If the Canon EOS R3 gets more right than wrong, it could draw many pros to the system.

Why Would Canon Outsource a Sensor?

With the global pandemic and a large fire at an electronics plant that’s throttle the worlds supply, Canon could be facing some difficulties. Electronics across all industries have felt the wrath of 2020. Parts are in short supply and that could be hindering Canon’s internal capabilities. It’s easy to speculate that not every part of a Canon sensor is made in house. If that’s the case, it’s easy to find reasons that they may choose to contract manufacture of a new sensor. Maybe other producers have different sources for difficult to find parts. Perhaps the pandemic has limited staffing in Canon’s production facilities. It’s hard to pinpoint a reason why they would want to outsource. However, it’s easy to imagine several reasons that the may consider it.

Will the Canon EOS R3 Feature a Canon Sensor?

Despite all of the speculation and talk surrounding this theory, I think Canon will stick to their guns. This camera is too important for them to stick a Sony sensor in it. I think the most likely reason for the word change was either trivial or due to a portion of the sensor being built outside of Canon. This is a great opportunity for Canon to show that they can compete with Sony. The new A1 sensor has pushed the bounds of technology. If Canon can match or exceed what that sensor can do, they sho...

Street photography can help us become more virtuous.

Street photography is a wonderful genre to practice. Going out for long periods of time, walking without a planned route, and creating images is a fun thing to do. Creatively, street photography encourages you to pay more attention to your environment. It pushes you to feel the atmosphere you find yourself in. There are certainly more benefits to shooting the candid frame, and they include making you a better person.

You Should Shoot Street Photography with Good Intentions

Before we get into why street photography will make you more virtuous, let’s begin with a quick disclaimer. Street photography will not turn you from a total douche into a flying angel. Anyone wanting to start shooting candidly should do it with good intentions. Street isn’t your opportunity to shame or humiliate, nor is it your chance to be a creep. Be respectful, just like we hope you would in any other corner of life.

But what the practice of street photography can do is help you improve certain qualities you should already have. The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle claimed there are certain traits (virtues) that, when executed, make you a better person. These traits make you a more attractive and valued member of society.

Some of the virtues listed by Aristotle also crossover with religious virtues. On the religious side, things like Chastity and Temperance do not relate to candid photography. So, I’ve taken the best (and most important in my opinion) virtues from both a philosophical and spiritual sense. And below, I’ll show you how they relate to shooting candidly.

Street Photography Helps Improve Patience

Maybe the most important trait you need for street photography is patience. Firstly, it’s going to take a while to get good at it. Secondly, you may have to wait a while before you see a shot worth making while out shooting. But by being patient and methodical, you can shoot calmly and not rush or force an image.

Street Photography Forces You to Be Honest

One of Aristotle’s virtues is truthfulness. As street photographers, I believe we are obliged to tell honest stories. Sure we can play with angles for all the arty street stuff. But for those who want to document society and the people who make it, we should not bend the truth for our own creative gain. By creating authentic photography, we can feel confident we’re doing the right thing.

Improving Our Diligence

Most people I meet in the scene seldom leave it. Instead, they commit a lot of their time and life to perfecting their craft. Because of their dedication to the scene, they become valuable players, creating bodies of work that become sources of inspiration and education.

Look at the likes of Bruce Gilden and Joel Meyerowitz as examples. They have dedicated decades to the craft and serve as role models to the rest of the community.

Shooting Candidly Allows You to Be Charitable

Many street photographers evolve their process and begin making street portraits. These are not planned shoots but off-the-cuff portraits of people who seem interesting.

Those who make good street portraits can offer something back to the public. People love having their photo taken, especially today, where everyone wants a good photo of themselves. Stopping someone in the street, telling them they’re perfect for a photo, and then giving it to them for free is a lovely act of charity (and kindness).

These Virtues Won’t Only Apply to Street Photography

While street photography can improve your virtues, it doesn’t mean they will come into action exclusively when shooting street. The practice of being patient, diligent, truthful, and charitable can spill over into all corners of your life. Street photography is just a tool to help you perfect them and evolve as a person.

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