Pet photography: Fail-proof strategies to capture our furry friends

In the United States, approximately 23 million households brought an animal into their lives as they navigated the pandemic. It’s no wonder they did—across various studies, having a pet has been linked to decreased loneliness and boosted feelings of well-being. Plus, amid the isolation of 2020-21, many of our pets encouraged us to get outside… Continue reading Pet photography: Fail-proof strategies to capture our furry friends

The Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S is a smaller, lighter, more affordable super-tele

Nikon With only a few gaps over the years—most notably from 2005 to 2013—Nikon has nearly always included a powerful 800mm telephoto lens in its lineup, going all the way back to the mid-1960s. Yet for its fledgling mirrorless Z-mount, the lens selection has until now been curtailed at the 400mm mark, at least without… Continue reading The Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S is a smaller, lighter, more affordable super-tele

How to Merge 2D Animation Into Live Action Video Using Cartoon Animator and After Effects

Cartoon Animator has a simple way to export your 2D animations using an alpha channel, which allows your animation to have transparency; you can layer this video on top of any sort of background that you can imagine. In this tutorial you will learn how to merge a 2D animated character created using Cartoon Animator… Continue reading How to Merge 2D Animation Into Live Action Video Using Cartoon Animator and After Effects

How to Merge 2D Animation Into Live Action Video Using Cartoon Animator and After Effects

Cartoon Animator has a simple way to export your 2D animations using an alpha channel, which allows your animation to have transparency; you can layer this video on top of any sort of background that you can imagine. In this tutorial you will learn how to merge a 2D animated character created using Cartoon Animator… Continue reading How to Merge 2D Animation Into Live Action Video Using Cartoon Animator and After Effects

The photographer’s guide to thrifting

Earlier this year, The New York Times reported on the comeback of 35mm SLR film cameras. Even as smartphone cameras improve, millennials and Gen Zers continue to rediscover the joys of buying second-hand gear on Etsy and eBay. According to eBay, vintage camera sales have been on the rise since 2015, and the pandemic era… Continue reading The photographer’s guide to thrifting

Best telephoto lenses of 2022

Zoom in with precision. Harrison Haines, Pexels A quality telephoto lens is typically one of the first speciality lenses that a photographer adds to their gear bag. A 70-200mm lens is considered a medium-tele length and proves useful for many photographers for its versatility. It can shoot everything from portraits to wildlife and sports.  Technically speaking,… Continue reading Best telephoto lenses of 2022

New gear: Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE II focuses faster, handles better

Samyang Back in 2016, South Korean optics manufacturer Samyang (also known by Rokinon) made headlines with its first-ever autofocus-equipped lenses, a pair of primes for Sony E-mount. It has since expanded its AF-capable lens lineup considerably. And late last year, Samyang began overhauling those earliest designs, first with an update to the 50mm f/1.4 prime.… Continue reading New gear: Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE II focuses faster, handles better

Fujifilm Japan will soon hike film prices by up to 60%

Fujifilm Film—if you can even find it in stock—is already pretty pricey, and things might be about to get worse. According to PetaPixel, who have translated a note sent out to camera shops in Japan, Fujifilm’s film prices will increase by up to 60 percent over the coming months. Let’s dig in. About the note… Continue reading Fujifilm Japan will soon hike film prices by up to 60%

Is this prototype Leica the world’s most expensive camera?

Leitz Photographica Auction The 40th Leitz Photographica Auction (which also celebrates the auction house’s 20th anniversary) is taking place this June. It’s the biggest opportunity for photographic collectors to drop five-, six-, and seven-figure sums on important, weird, and otherwise wonderful camera gear. At the 39th Leitz Auction, for example, the headline Leica MP Black… Continue reading Is this prototype Leica the world’s most expensive camera?