sound shark Photography Articles

4 Tips to Take Your Wedding Photography From Amateur to Pro

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If you've ever photographed a wedding, you know that it's a stressful undertaking.

Not only are you charged with getting great photos, but you also have to do all the "behind the scenes" things that make it more likely for you to get the top-quality photos that the happy couple expects.

That means being on top of your game on the big day.

The problem, of course, is that with so much going on and so many people involved, it's easy to let things fall through the cracks.

With that in mind, I've put together four tips from the pros that will help you tackle wedding photography in a way that makes you - and your images - more successful.

Editor's Tip: See gorgeous examples of wedding photography by Nick Burrett Photography.

Tip #1: Keep Your Friends Close and Your Gear Closer

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In the hustle and bustle of the day of the wedding, you need to be locked and loaded and prepared for anything.

That means you can ill afford to be rummaging through your camera bag, nor can you afford to constantly switch from one camera to the next.

That means you need a way to keep your gear easily accessible and organized, right within your reach.

But how do you do that?

With the Spider Holster SpiderPro.

Not only does the SpiderPro accommodate two cameras and two lenses, but it places them right on your hips - a spot that's as easily accessible as you'll find.

With your cameras at your fingertips, you don't have to worry about asking the bride or groom to hold their pose as you grab your second camera body from your bag.

Instead, it's right there on your body where it should be!

And the placement of your gear on your hips means something else - you can avoid the fatigue-inducing grind of carrying your cameras by their shoulder straps.

Without the weight of your cameras eating into your shoulders, you'll be better able to work the wedding in comfort as your hips are much better equipped to carry your gear.

Believe it or not, your physical state can have a huge impact on the quality of the images you take!

The SpiderPro isn't just easily accessible and comfortable, either. It's also incredibly easy to use.

Just pull your camera upward to release it from the harness, and you're free to raise the camera to your eye to take the shot.

But don't confuse ease of use with reduced safety...

SpiderPro uses a patented ball-joint system that keeps your camera and lens safe and sound, solidly attached to its mount.

It's not rigidly mounted, either, meaning the camera can move as you move.

That means when you bend over or kneel down to take a photo, your cameras and lenses have room to move as well, so you don't have to worry about your lens jabbing you in the leg.

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In fact, one of the best features of SpiderPro is that it holds your cameras in such a way that the lenses point backward, meaning, you don't have to worry about a long lens banging on the ground when you kneel down for a shot, either.

In other words, the SpiderPro is purpose built for wedding photographers. It's safe for your gear, comfortable for you to carry, and makes you more agile with an improved workflow to get the images you need.

What's not to like about that?

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Tip #2: Good Help is Invaluable

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You're going to need someone to help you with the day's activities whether you're a seasoned pro that's shot hundreds of weddings or you're taking photos of your very first wedding.

Most people automatically think of having a second shooter - which you should definitely have.

Splitting the task of getting photos before, during, and after the ceremony will help relieve some of your stress and will also allow you to offer many more photos from different perspectives over the course of the day.

But you'll also need help when it comes time for the family photo portion of the day, and that's something that many newbies neglect to think about.

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It's easy to think that group photos will be easy - after all, the group is there in one place and is a captive audience, right?

Wrong.

The chances are quite good that one or more of the following will happen when family photo time rolls around:

  • Someone will be missing.
  • Someone will be tired.
  • Kids will throw fits.
  • Family members will squabble.
  • It will be chaos.

I know that doesn't paint a pretty picture, but there's an easy way around most of those problems: get help.

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By recruiting someone from both sides of the family to act as directors, you remove the responsibility from yourself to find people, learn every single person's name, and guess about the family dynamics.

That means you can concentrate on getting the right settings dialed in, setting up your lighting equipment, and working on posing the guests rather than finding Grandpa Tom or dealing with an unhappy and tired ring bearer.

The more help you have from the family, the faster you can complete the family portraits, and the quicker everyone can get back to the festivities!

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Tip #3: Give Your Clients the Audio They Deserve

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Photographers these days aren't just photographers...

With the advancement of the video quality our cameras are capable of delivering, many wedding photographers also offer videography services.

That's great from a video standpoint, because you can shoot full HD or even 4K video with many of today's camera systems.

That's not so great from an audio point of view, though, because camera manufacturers haven't given as much attention to upgrading the audio experience as they have with video.

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There's an easy solution, though, and it's called Sound Shark.

This parabolic microphone sits atop your camera in the hot-shoe mount, out of the way, with no cords.

And because it's directly over your camera's lens, it's ideally positioned to pick up great audio.

Its design helps improve the quality of the audio, too - the parabolic shape focuses the sound onto a single point while also being resistant to wind and ambient noise.

The result? The high-quality audio your high-quality video demands!

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Tip #4: Expect Things to Go Wrong

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It's cliche to suggest to "expect the unexpected," but in this case, the phrase definitely applies.

You'll have gear that malfunctions. The flower girl will throw a fit as she's walking down the aisle. It will be windy and cloudy when you're trying to take outdoor portraits. It's just the way things go!

All of these things - and more - are things you can't control, but you need to be able to work around them in order to do your job.

That's why preparation is so key to a successful wedding photography gig.

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Have backup plans for everything. Take multiple cameras, lenses, batteries, and memory cards. Have two or three different locations (indoors and out) in mind for family portraits.

Have contingencies in place in case your second shooter is a no-show or the lights go out in the venue in the middle of the ceremony.

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Some things are more difficult to plan for than others, but the key is to plan anyway and be prepared for anything.

The couple will be panicked enough if something goes awry, so they certainly don't need you adding to the panic!

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Bonus Tip: Change Lenses for Changed Perspectives

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I love a good 50mm or 85mm lens for portraits, but shooting a wedding isn't just about taking portraits of individual people in the wedding party or the couple that's getting married.

You'll take photos of the ceremony from the back of the venue, small and large groups outside, little details like the wedding rings, and people dancing at the reception.

That means you need to have a stable of lenses that you can use in different situations to offer the happy couple different perspectives on the day.

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Use your 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm lenses for portraits. Switch to a 24mm wide-angle lens for large groups. Use a 100mm macro lens for taking shots of details like place settings. Try a 70-200mm lens for portraits from a distance.

You get the point...

If every shot you take is with the same lens, the wedding album will look boring.

Spice things up, adapt your gear and shooting style to the situation, and give the couple a varied and interesting look back at their wedding day.

If you can do that and follow the other tidbits of advice I've outlined above, I think you'll be in a better position to take professional-grade photos!

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We Recommend


4 Ways Promote Your Wedding Photography Business in the Off-Season

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The great thing about wedding photography is that it's such a rewarding career.

Not only do you get to witness special day after special day and document it for posterity, but it can also be financially rewarding for you as well.

But, of course, there's a downside, and that's that wedding season doesn't last all year.

That means you need to be prepared to generate business when wedding season is over.

Here's four simple, straightforward ways to do just that.

Write a Wedding Photography Blog

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Blogging is a great marketing tool for a couple of reasons.

First, having a blog allows you to demonstrate your expertise and show off some of your best images to potential clients.

Clients want a photographer that actually knows what they're doing, and a steady stream of blog posts will show them that you have what it takes to photograph their wedding.

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Second, if you blog about your wedding photography experiences, your workflow, the gear you use, and so forth, it could be picked up by photography websites, which increases exposure for your business even more.

And the best part?

Often, when your blog gets re-blogged, you don't have to do anything but give them permission to use your work. That makes it an effective tool for building your business, but one that doesn't take any extra time.

Start a YouTube Channel

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In addition to writing blogs, making how-to videos for budding photographers and posting them on YouTube is a great way to get more exposure for your business.

YouTube has a huge audience, and photographers of all skill levels flock to videos with good content that are well-produced.

What some photographers do is focus too much on the content and not enough on the production value of the video.

That doesn't mean that a beautifully made video can make up for bad content; it just means there needs to be a good balance between the two.

I've seen my fair share of videos on YouTube that were just plain hard to watch not because the content was bad or the video quality was bad, but because the audio was so terrible.

Whether it's faint voices, too much background noise, or that annoying sound the wind makes when it blows across the surface of a microphone, bad audio can totally ruin your videos.

That's why if you want to get the most out of marketing your business on YouTube, you need great audio to go along with your awesome content and HD video.

You can get just that with Sound Shark.

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This thing is small, lightweight, and easy to use as it simply mounts to your camera's hot-shoe.

That puts it out of the way so you don't have cables to trip over. Plus whoever is working the camera can be highly mobile without sacrificing audio quality.

Another great feature of Sound Shark is that it eliminates extraneous noise, focusing just on your voice, even from great distances.

In fact, this thing will pick up voices from up to 50 feet away, but they'll sound crystal clear with ambient noise and wind noise all but eliminated.

Even better, Sound Shark comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, so what have you got to lose?!

See for yourself how incredible the sound quality is with Sound Shark in the video above.

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Market Yourself With Incredible Products

Artwork by Luke Woodford

Likely the best means of promoting yourself in the off-season (well, year-round, really...) is putting out gorgeous products that show potential clients how dedicated you are to delivering the perfect wedding photography experience.

And I don't just mean taking beautiful photos - that's a given.

Instead, how you present those photos can be used to help you generate business year-round.

You can't just offer your clients beautiful prints. Instead, you need a complete product line that allows them to save their memories in whatever way they choose.

Naturally, wedding albums are a primary means of doing so, but if you don't offer the right kinds of albums, you'll find that your clients aren't as impressed as they could be.

That's where nPhoto comes in...

nPhoto handcrafts some of the best photo albums on the market today, albums that offer your clients a gorgeous vehicle for viewing their photos and cherishing them for generations to come.

When you pick up some photo albums, you can immediately tell that they're flimsy and cheap. Not so with nPhoto.

These albums look and feel like a million bucks because of the quality materials and attention to detail that's paid in creating them.

From the covers of these albums - which come in a variety of materials and offer numerous customization options - to the thick, lay flat photographic paper on which the photos are printed, it's a viewing experience that's second-to-none.

What's more, there's so many customization options that your clients can truly get an album that's specific to their tastes and wants.

That means that the album you deliver to them will be that much more special, something that they will want to share with friends and family and relive their happy day all over again.

And that's great news for you!

The more your clients show their album to their loved ones, the more people ask, "Who was your photographer?" And the more often that question is asked, the more opportunities you'll have to book new clients in the future.

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Network and Make Friends in the Business

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Whether you network in person or via social media, it's a crucial component to developing your business in the off-season.

Think about it - there's wedding planners, florists, printers, bakers, and other specialists in your area that depend on wedding season, just like you.

And if you can make inroads with other wedding-related businesses, that will only mean more business for you down the road.

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Making connections with other businesses in your area doesn't have to be a time-consuming task, either.

For example, if there's a popular florist in your area, send them a message on Facebook and offer to photograph their staff and their products on a complimentary basis.

By extending that offer, you not only help improve their exposure during the off-season, but with your watermark all over their photos, you get some exposure each time they share the photos you took.

Besides, it never hurts to make friends in related industries, that way when someone is at the florist or the wedding planner and asks who a good photographer is, they'll recommend you!

Learn More:

Final Thoughts

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Being in the wedding photography business can be a tough job with tons of stress and lots of time invested.

And evening out the ebbs and flows of being a wedding photographer is critical to your success.

However, if you persevere, develop a good workflow, foster relationships with other businesses in your area, and offer top-notch products and services, you will have a solid foundation for success, even during the off-season.



We Recommend


Get Ready for PhotoPlus 2017!

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I don’t know about you, but I’m really excited for this year’s PhotoPlus in New York City!

I make the trek each year to see what’s new and hot in the photography industry, and just like every year, the PhotoPlus folks have put together an all-star lineup of keynote speakers, seminars, master classes, and photo walks.

That includes speaking sessions with the likes of Jamel Shabazz and Chase Jarvis, more than 100 activities that range from courses on drone photography to videography to building a photography business, and photo walks around the city to learn a few tips and tricks and get feedback on your work.

Personally, my favorite part of the whole weekend is an exhibition hall packed to the gills with the best companies in the business.

The conference doesn’t start until October 25th with the expo opening the following day, but I thought now would be a great time to give you a little preview of some of the companies that will be in attendance this year. So, buckle in, and get ready to be excited for this year’s PhotoPlus!

Sew Trendy Fashion & Accessories

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Abba Color Photography

One of our favorite photography companies is Sew Trendy, and when I found out they’d be at PhotoPlus, I could barely contain my excitement.

Sew Trendy has been a game-changer since it was established in 2012. Valerie Best, the company’s founder and CEO, literally started Sew Trendy in her basement. Now, it’s grown into one of the premier clothing manufacturers in the business.

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Vic & Marie Photography

Though they’re probably best known in the photography community for crafting gorgeous maternity gowns, dresses, crowns, and other clothing and accessories for expecting moms, Sew Trendy is actually much more…

They offer clothing and accessories for newborns, young ladies, and they have a line of non-maternity clothing as well. In other words, they don’t just have a lot to offer customers who want a gorgeous wardrobe for their next photo shoot, but they also have a lot to offer photographers like that might need to build a wardrobe collection for the models they photograph.

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Abba Color Photography

As I mentioned above, Sew Trendy started virtually from nothing, and now they’ve built the company into something that photographers and clients worldwide love and enjoy. That’s why I’m excited to see Valerie and her team at PhotoPlus - their story is something that others in the industry need to hear to inspire hope that with hard work and dedication, their businesses can take off and be a success too.

Visit Sew Trendy Accessories at Booth 1062 at the PhotoPlus Expo. In the meantime, learn more about Sew Trendy Accessories.

Sound Shark

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If you’re a videographer - heck, even if you aren’t - a company you definitely need to check out at PhotoPlus 2017 is Sound Shark.

There’s no sense in recording high-definition 4K video if you can’t match that quality with excellent audio, and Sound Shark certainly delivers on that front.

Even in tough circumstances, Sound Shark can pick up voices crystal clear. In fact, speakers that aren’t wearing a lapel mic can be recorded from up to 6 feet away and sound as though they’ve got a mic pinned to their shirt.

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Put Sound Shark up against a traditional shotgun mic, and you’ll find that Sound Shark has dramatically less noise from the sides and the background. So, whether you’re recording outside on a windy day or you’re inside a busy venue on a Friday night, you can depend on Sound Shark to get the best quality audio.  

But don’t just take my word for it…

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Klover Products, which makes Sound Shark is the leading supplier of long-range microphones used to televise sporting events. Their parabolic microphones are used every football weekend and have been used for major events such as the World Series, NBA playoffs, and Super Bowl.

That means that you can add a microphone to your kit that produces amazing sound, benefits from excellent build quality, and has a proven track record at some of the biggest events of the year.

Stop by and say hello to the fine folks that make Sound Shark at Booth 1249 at PhotoPlus 2017 or visit their website for more information.

Click Props USA

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For all the studio photographers out there, the Click Props team will be in attendance at PhotoPlus to offer a preview of their latest goodies.

Click Props is a studio photography accessories company that offers an incredible array of backdrops and floordrops for studio photography of all types and sorts - bridal, family, children, senior, boudoir - you name it!

In fact, there’s over 200 unique designs to choose from, including beautiful bokehs to damask wallpapers to forest scenes and just about anything else you might imagine. 

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Isabel Vanhalst Fotografie

And if you’re wondering about quality, rest assured that these studio accessories are top-notch. After all, not only has Click Props won multiple awards for their products, but they’re also operated by Sew Trendy Fashion & Accessories, so you know that the products will be nothing but the best. 

In fact, their backgrounds are made from top-quality hard-wearing 550gsm vinyl and have reinforced grommets every 12 inches to make hanging the backgrounds a breeze. And not only that, but the backgrounds can be wiped clean and come in a clear hard plastic tube for easy cleanup, identification, and storage.

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Elli Portraiture/Mini Memories

With a variety of sizes of backdrops - from 5’ x 5’ up to 7’ x 9.5’ - there’s something for every need. And with the aforementioned 200+ designs available, you can build a studio set that offers your clients a ton of variety in terms of the backdrops in their portraits.

You can check out what Click Props USA has to offer at Booth 1060 at PhotoPlus, or you can visit their website to learn more.

Sirui

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When it comes to offering a wide variety of top-quality photography accessories, it’s tough to beat Sirui.

Perhaps best known for their tripods, Sirui has developed a wide range of rigs that will get the job done no matter the time or place. With small, collapsible tabletop tripods for small cameras, waterproof tripods for tackling outdoor adventures, and even tripods with built-in monopods, there’s something for every type of photographer.

But Sirui offers much more than tripods for photographers and videographers…

They have a complete line of tripod accessories as well, including ball heads, gimbals, video heads, and leveling bases. Sirui makes jibs, quick release plates, and even humidity controlled cabinets for storing your gear, too.

Speaking of storage, Sirui has entered the camera bag space with a line of camera bags, messenger bags, and camera backpacks that offer uncompromising build quality, storage capacity, and good looks, all without breaking the bank.

Sirui even has a line of lens filters and mobile phone accessories!

In other words, if you plan on attending PhotoPlus 2017, it would behoove you to stop by Booth 1155 and check out their full line of outstanding photo accessories. You might even see me there perusing their new products!

Learn more about Sirui, and be sure to say hello at their booth at PhotoPlus!

Calotype

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I’m always on the lookout for innovative photography companies that help photographers be more successful, and Calotype is certainly one of them.

A new business itself, Calotype is a web-based, end-to-end suite of solutions for photographers. In plain English, that means it helps photographers manage multiple workflows to improve their business functioning, their ability to manage client relationships and bring in new business at the same time.

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Calotype is particularly useful for photographers that work in the school, daycare, or sports photography spaces because it’s designed to help you manage a high volume of traffic. That means that Calotype will help you keep track of all the client data from busy days like school picture day, organize images, create online proof galleries, and even manage e-commerce as well.

In other words, Calotype is a workflow management system that allows you to be on top of your game at every stage of the process from inputting data to making the sale and everything in between. It’s easy to use, too, with handy features like encrypted galleries, secure QR codes, customizable and interactive pricing lists, sales statistics, an email marketing system, and so much more, right at your fingertips.

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Like I said, I enjoy learning about companies that are innovating the way photographers work. Calotype might be the new kid on the block, but I have a feeling they’ll be around for a good long while and help a ton of photographers be more successful along the way as well.

Learn more about Calotype by visiting their website or by stopping by Booth 169 at PhotoPlus 2017.

MPB

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I think we can all agree that taking up photography as a hobby or as a profession means shelling out a good chunk of change for gear...

But that doesn't mean that there aren't companies out there that can help us all stretch our budgets a little further.

MPB is one such company.

MPB has changed the way that photographers buy and sell gear online. That's because they offer a safe, secure platform for buying high-quality used gear and selling the used gear you no longer need. Heck, you can even trade in your old stuff, too!

They've amassed an unparalleled reputation in the photography industry as a top-flight group of people that are dedicated to eliminating the risk of buying and selling used gear.

Ordering from MPB is totally secure, and buyers get the benefit of a six-month warranty on the equipment they purchase.

Sellers enjoy competitive pricing and free collection of the gear they're selling, too.

Add to that the fact that MPB has thousands of items listed for sale each month and a team that's ready and willing to go the extra mile for their customers, and you have a recipe for one heck of an enjoyable customer experience.

I should know...I've bought and sold gear with MPB myself!

MPB will be at PhotoPlus 2017, so set aside some time in your schedule to visit them at Booth 769. In the meantime, check out all the deals they've got on pre-owned gear on their website.

Holdfast

Over the years, I've been blown away by a lot of photography products and accessories. But despite how many years pass, it's still tough to beat how impressive I find Holdfast's products.

Holdfast Gear is an Oklahoma-based company that manufactures some of the best photography accessories I've ever seen or used.

Their MoneyMaker Dual Camera Strap, for example, has totally changed the way I take photos because it puts my gear right at my fingertips, yet it's out of my way so I feel like I have greater freedom of movement.

And it's not just about convenience, either, as the MoneyMaker is unbelievably comfortable. I can carry three cameras with lenses attached and feel as though I'm not carrying anything at all!

Beyond that, though, the MoneyMaker - like all of Holdfast's products - is impeccably crafted and looks and feels super rich and luxurious.

Those are apt descriptions for my other favorite Holdfast product, the Roamographer bag.

The first time I got my hands on one of these bags I was blown away.

Made of American Bison leather, it's gorgeous, yet durable, large, yet easy to carry.

The interior insert cradles your gear to keep it safe and removes easily when you need to use the bag for other purposes.

The carrier straps mean you can easily carry your tripod, and the shearling-lined shoulder pad makes for a great carrying experience.

In other words, the Roamographer and MoneyMaker are representative of Holdfast's entire line of products - finely made, practical and durable, and easy on the eyes!

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Holdfast will also be showing off products from their Sightseer Line, a multi-purpose, modular system for carrying your gear.

The Sightseer Backpack system shown above allows you to carry all the gear you need with ample space inside and the ability to add Sightseer Pouches outside for more carrying space.

It's also the only bag in the world that has an integrated slider so you can immediately access your camera.

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The Sightseer Camera and Lens Modular System Version 2.0 shown above can carry a 13-inch laptop, has three interior pockets for small items, two carry handles, and is compatible with the MoneyMaker for even easier carrying and access to your gear.

The large top entry panel gives you full and unfettered access to the bag, allowing you to grab your gear without missing a shot.

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And just in time for PhotoPlus, Holdfast's new Small Sightseer Camera and Lens Modular System will be on display. Like the backpack and its larger modular system cousins, the Small Sightseer continues in the tradition of giving you plenty of storage space in a durable, well-made body.

The Small Sightseer is also convertible, so it can pull double duty as a standalone bag for a small camera kit or you can carry it with a MoneyMaker and use it as a two-lens pouch.

And, as is the case with all the bags in this line of products, you can quickly and easily add pouches to expand carrying capacity.

Drop by Booth 351 at PhotoPlus 2017 to get a look at these and other products or visit their website to do a little shopping!

nPhoto

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When it comes to making top-quality products for photographers, nPhoto is certainly at the forefront.

Specializing in photo albums, photo books, and other photography products for professional photographers, nPhoto delivers the highest quality products to photographers like you and me throughout Europe and the United States.

Their printing lab - which is the largest in Europe and employs 400 people - allows nPhoto to create and deliver unique industry-leading products to photographers in quick order and at competitive prices.

Among their best selling items are layflat albums that reveal gorgeous page-wide spreads of images that leap off the page with beautiful detail, color, and contrast.

Their Acrylic Prestige Collection Photo Album is a top choice, with a beautiful acrylic front panel that offers a window to the image on the front of the album.

Inside, images are printed on 800g/m2 paper weight rigid cards that give each page heft and a durable feel.

Images are printed using silver halide Noritsu HD technology, and with a choice of silk paper, metallic paper, or both, you can create a stunningly eye-catching album.

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nPhoto also offers photo album sets that pair a custom, handmade photo album like the one described above with an album box and a USB for a complete print and digital package that your clients are sure to love.

These album sets are guaranteed to have a wow effect that makes your clients' jaws drop!

Choose from a variety of colors, customize the look by choosing between three popular sizes, and select from a range of cover materials and add-ons to create a truly custom experience for your clients.

In a word, nPhoto's products are sophisticated.

If you want to boost your business, offering your clients these gorgeous products from nPhoto is the way to go!

Drop by Booth 277 at PhotoPlus 2017 to have a look at these special products or visit their website for more details.

Spider Holster

The folks at Spider Holster have been giving photographers an easier way to work with their innovative holsters, hand straps, lens pouches, and other photography goodies for years now.

And now, just in time for PhotoPlus 2017, they've debuted a new photography kit for photographers called the Sue Bryce Kit.

This kit is purpose-built to help photographers have quick access to their gear. It pairs a SpiderLight Belt and Holster for a sleek form-factor, a SpiderPro plate for carrying a large DSLR body and lens, and a memory card holster so you can quickly swap out cards on the fly.

The kit also includes a SpiderPro Hand Strap so you can securely hold your camera as you bring it out of the holster, shoot, and replace it in the holster.

The Sue Bryce Kit shows off the modular design of Spider Holster's products that allow you to mix and match as you see fit.

In other words, these guys have taken customizing your gear to a whole new level!

Drop by Booth 134 at PhotoPlus to see all the great gadgets that Spider Holster offers, or visit their website.

MrStarGuy

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There’s no doubt about it - astrophotography is booming these days. And it makes sense, too, because there’s a ton of astrophotography gear and gadgets on the market today that make it much easier to take gorgeous shots of the night sky than ever before.

One of the best astrophotography companies out there (and the only one that will be at PhotoPlus 2017) is MrStarGuy.

They’ll be highlighting two of their products at the expo: the Vixen Polarie Star Tracker and Berlebach Wood Tripods.

Let’s start with the star tracker…

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This all-in-one device allows you to create images of the Milky Way and other celestial bodies with ease. It attaches to a standard tripod mount and accepts any camera body that weighs up to 7 pounds.

It’s got a built-in compass to make easy work of orienting the tracker to the North Star. Once set, it’ll track the motion of the stars as they move through the sky, eliminating star trails for tack-sharp images of the Milky Way.

It’s beautifully built, too, with highly accurate stepping motors for smooth action, a compact, good-looking design, and an ability to function in most weather conditions.

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Of course, you need a tripod for your star tracker, and it’s tough to beat MrStarGuy’s Berlebach Wooden Tripods.

Not only are these tripods gorgeously made, but they’re also highly functional. With wood cross sections and clamping elements that give the tripod unparalleled stability, you can load up your gear on one of these bad boys knowing full well that this tripod can handle the load.

What’s more Berlebach tripods offer maximum stiffness and minimal vibration so you’re sure your images are tack-sharp. There’s even a ten-year warranty!

Swing by Booth 275 at PhotoPlus 2017 so you can get a hands-on look at these awesome products! OR you can swing by their website today!

Ikan

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One booth I’ll be sure to visit at this year’s PhotoPlus is Ikan.

These guys are among the top photography gear distributors in the country, and they’ll have a ton of awesome gear to show off at the expo.

That includes the DS2-A Beholder Angled 3-Axis Gimbal stabilizer shown above. This thing is rock-solid, with durable all-aluminum construction. You get 360-degree movements on the pan axis, and with 3-axis gyro stabilized brushless motors, you get incredible balance for DSLR and mirrorless cameras.

In fact, this rig works with just about any DSLR or mirrorless body that weighs under four pounds.

With an OLED display to show operating modes, a 32-bit controller, a 12-bit encoder, and an illuminated on-off switch, this thing has all the bells and whistles you need to make awesome videos.

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Ikan is also a distributor for NiSi filters, and they’ll have plenty of them on display at PhotoPlus.

The great thing about NiSi filters is that there are so many to choose from. Get a 100mm, 150mm, or a 180mm rectangular photo filter (or round photo filters) that run the gamut from polarizers to neutral density filters to reverse grads and everything in between.

NiSi even makes filters for cinematic cameras and drones as well. And with housings that are top-quality construction and glass that’s impeccably made, you can trust your NiSi filters to get the job done no matter the type of subject you’re photographing.

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If you need a high-performance on-camera light, Ikan has you covered there as well. The Onyx 30W Bi-Color 3200k-5600k Aluminum On-Camera LED Light shown above is lightweight, dimmable from 10-99%, and puts out light equivalent to 250 watts of incandescent light.

The light also has a handy LED display, adjustable color temperatures from 3200k-5600k, and is mountable to your camera’s hot-shoe mount or to a tripod.

Ikan will have all sorts of other products to drool over, so be sure to drop by Booth 1123 at the PhotoPlus Expo to check them out! In the meantime, you can see Ikan’s complete inventory by visiting their website.



We Recommend


How to Shoot Better Video With Your DSLR

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One of the great features of today's DSLR cameras is that they aren't just for shooting still photos anymore.

When I started in photography, video wasn't an option on my camera, but it seems today that even very basic entry-level camera bodies have some video functionality.

Higher-end cameras have full HD or 4K video capabilities, making it easier than ever for photographers to foray into the world of videography.

Of course, just like it takes practice, patience, and know-how to create a great photo, it takes the same to create a great video.

In looking at your first attempts at shooting video with your DSLR, you might notice that the results aren't that good.

After all, you have to do much more than just press the record button or have the right gear to get a high-quality video.

This article is all about helping you achieve video greatness, or, at least, get better videos than you have in the past.

Here's a quick list of things you need to know if creating better videos with your DSLR is in your future.

Learn How to Manually Focus the Lens

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The beauty of lenses today is that they have automatic focusing that, more often than not, works just fine for still images.

When shooting video, the opposite is often true - autofocus just doesn't hack it.

For starters, autofocus can have trouble acquiring a moving target. Autofocus can also be very loud depending on the lens - loud enough that it's picked up by the microphone.

Needless to say, that can be distracting.

To get the best results, you'll need to learn how to manually focus the lens. See the benefits of doing so (and learn a couple of other ways to use focus when shooting video) in the video below by First Man Photography:

Doing so gives you much more creative control over how your videos look and feel.

If you're not familiar with using manual focus, here's what to do:

  • Set up your gear and compose your shot.
  • Switch your lens to manual focus.
  • Turn the focus ring to focus on your subject, checking your framing and composition as you do so on your camera's LCD.
  • Then, use the LCD to zoom in on your focal point to ensure everything is sharp.
  • Start recording.

The above steps work great for stationary subjects, but what about when the subject is moving?

In that case, the key is to practice tracking the subject - and practice a lot.

Perhaps the easiest movement to practice recording is when the subject is parallel to the camera. That means you can acquire focus and leave it as you move alongside the subject at a fixed distance.

Once you have that mastered, then move on to tracking subjects that are moving closer to you or further away.

Audio Makes the Video

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Far too many beginning videographers forget that video isn't all about video.

Sound is an essential component too.

No matter how beautiful the video footage, if the sound isn't just as beautiful, you might as well not bother sharing your final product.

That means not relying on your camera's built-in microphone and outfitting yourself with a high-quality microphone that will get you the audio results you need to match your gorgeous video.

For me, there is no better microphone for DSLR video than Sound Shark, which is pictured above.

Sound shark microphones give you excellent sound quality both close-up and far away.

From six feet away, Sound Shark gets you results that sound like your subject is using a lapel microphone. That means you don't have to shove your microphone in your subject's face, but can instead be a comfortable distance away without losing sound quality. In fact, you get better quality from further away than a shotgun mic.

Speaking of shooting hand held, Sound Shark might be ultra powerful, but it's also extremely lightweight. That gives you even more flexibility to maneuver around to get the sequences you want without having a ton of gear in tow. Learn more about Sound Shark in the video below:

Just attach Sound Shark to your camera's hot-shoe mount, and you're ready to get the audio that your video deserves with minimal background noise and reduced wind noise.

I have a few videos from back in the day that from a footage standpoint aren't that bad. But man, the audio ruins it!

Had I had a Sound Shark back then, those videos might see the light of day today.

No matter if you simply want to create videos of family gatherings, start a YouTube channel, or use your video skills to supplement your photography income, don't neglect the audio like I did - get a high-quality external microphone so you can create the awesome videos you envision.

Break Your Recordings Into Sequences

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When I've shot video with my DSLR and mirrorless bodies, I've found that I try to get the whole thing in one take.

I suppose that's admirable, but in terms of a good video-shooting workflow, that's just not the best way to go about it.

The problem with trying to get a single take is fourfold:

  • A single, long shot is boring.
  • A DSLR or mirrorless camera doesn't have the battery life to take a long, continuous shot.
  • Many cameras will overheat if they record video too long.
  • It's virtually impossible to get a "perfect" take in one shot.

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Rather than putting undue pressure on yourself, your subject, and your gear, try breaking your video into smaller sequences.

That will help you avoid all of the four issues listed above.

Most importantly, with multiple sequences, you can vary the distance from you to the subject, the perspective from which you shoot, and the duration of the sequences.

Doing so will make for a much more interesting video to watch (and a more manageable one to create). Then your video becomes more of a story that results from all the individual components, rather than being an ultra long single take that bores people to death.

In the end, creating top-notch DSLR videos is a lot like creating top-notch photos - it takes time, practice, and know-how.

Combined with taking control of focus yourself and pairing your DSLR with an excellent microphone, you've got the know-how for creating better videos with your DSLR. Now it's just time to get out there and practice!



We Recommend


The Best DSLRs of 2017

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If you're in the market for a new DSLR camera, this list is for you!

These are five of the best cameras of the year without any restriction on price.

Canon and Nikon dominate the lineup, with offerings that have all sorts of bells and whistles that will make any photographer's eyes pop.

For an overview of each of the camera models, check out the video above by Tech Next.

And for a rundown of each camera and its essential specifications, read on!

Nikon D850

The newest camera on this list is also the best camera on this list.

With a 45.7-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, an Expeed 5 image processor, and a 153-point autofocus system, this camera came to play.

It's got a native ISO range of 64-25,600 (expandable to 102,400), 7fps burst shooting speed, and 4K video capabilities at 30fps.

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On top of all that, DxOMark gave the Nikon D850's sensor a perfect 100/100 score. If that doesn't speak to the quality and capabilities of this camera, I don't know what does!

There are a plethora of other features on the D850. Check the Learn More links below for further details.

Learn More:

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Just as an aside, even though the D850 is an amazing camera with incredible still photo and video capabilities, it still cannot record audio that's up to snuff (nor can any of the cameras on this list).

I don't foresee that the audio capabilities in DSLRs will ever be on par with the video they can now produce, which means alternatives like add-on microphones are a necessary investment for anyone that wants to produce professional-looking and sounding video.

For my money, the best microphone to accomplish that goal is Sound Shark.

I've had an opportunity to play around with this thing, and I have to say that the quality of the audio is simply astounding.

It's clear and crisp, even from a good distance away - up to 50 feet, in fact.

More than that, the parabolic design focuses the sound on a single point, which means that ambient noise is all but eliminated.

I took it out on a breezy day and was able to capture excellent audio of birds chirping from about 20 feet away with no wind noise.

Don't take my work for it, though. Check out the audio quality in the video above!

Really, if you're in the market for an awesome camera to take video, leave room in your budget for a Sound Shark. It can make all the difference in the world!

Learn More: 

Nikon D5

Another top offering from Nikon is its D5.

It's outfitted with a 20.8-megapixel CMOS sensor, which pales in comparison to the one on the D850, but is still a worthy sensor that produces highly resolute images.

It has the same Expeed 5 image processor that's in the D850, making this rig a fast operator and a workhorse when you need it to clear the buffer.

Speaking of the buffer, it can handle 12fps shooting in RAW up to 200 files at a time. And that's in full-time AF and AE.

You simply won't find a continuous shooting speed as fast as that!

The Nikon D5 also has top honors when it comes to ISO range, which extends to a rather incomprehensible 3,280,000.

It's no wonder, then, that the D5 makes a lot of top-five best DSLR lists!

Learn More:

Canon EOS 6D Mark II

Fitted with a 26.2-megapixel full frame sensor, the Canon 6D Mark II is certainly a step up from its predecessor, which had just a 20.2-megapixel sensor.

Not only does the new sensor provide better resolution, but it also offers a much wider dynamic range with images that have brighter highlights and deeper shadows.

The 6D Mark II also has handy features like a vari-angle touchscreen LCD, an extended ISO range up to 102,400, and Canon's latest DIGIC 7 image processing engine.

Can this camera compete with the resolution of the Nikon D850? No...

However, it's got great features, a solid sensor, a new autofocus system, and more, and all for a price tag that the other cameras on this list don't even come close to matching.

Learn More:

Canon 5D Mark IV

A favorite among Canon shooters is the workhorse 5D line, of which the 5D Mark IV has quite the following. 

Its 30.4-megapixel sensor isn't the biggest on this list, yet it produces nice images at high resolution for making large prints. 

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It's got a 61-point autofocus system that allows you to track moving subjects with greater ease, and its DIGIC 6+ processor - though not Canon's newest - still offers excellent performance. 

Like other cameras on this list, the 5D Mark IV has an expandable ISO range to 102,400 for low-light shooting and a more than respectable 7fps burst shooting speed. 

This camera is also equipped with 4K video shooting at 30fps and 1080p video at 120fps. These days, video capabilities - especially 4K - are a must.  

Learn More:

Nikon D750

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Yet another solid full frame camera option is the Nikon D750.

A little older than the other Nikons on this list, the D750 still has plenty of oomph to make it a quality camera.

That includes a 24-megapixel CMOS sensor and 6.5fps continuous shooting.

It's ISO range isn't what the other cameras on this list can do, maxing out at 51,200. However, that's still plenty of low-light capabilities.

The D750 also sports Wi-Fi, a weather-sealed body, and a 3.2-inch tilting LCD screen.

It's certainly a workhorse, and because it's an older model now, you can typically find great deals on new and used D750s.

Learn More:

Final Thoughts

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No matter which camera you choose to purchase off this list, you'll get a high-quality, fully-functional full frame camera that gives you improved capabilities as a shooter. 

With better low-light performance, improved autofocus systems, weather sealing, and a host of other features, full frame cameras are a great option for intermediate shooters looking to advance their photography game. 

If you've outgrown your crop sensor camera or you simply want to upgrade your current full frame, give one of these cameras a shot! 



We Recommend


Top 10 Gifts For Photographers Under $500 - 2017 Edition

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As expensive as photography can be, you might think that a $500 budget for your gift buying this Christmas won't get you much. 

However, nothing could be further from the truth... 

Whether you're buying for a novice photographer or a professional, there are plenty of excellent photography products and gadgets for less than $500 that will have them smiling from ear to ear. 

Vanguard ALTA Fly 62T Trolley Bag

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For enthusiast and professional photographers on your holiday list that need a rock-solid travel camera bag, the Vanguard ALTA Fly 62T is a top choice.

This thing can hold 2-3 DSLRs, 7-11 lenses, camera accessories or a drone, a 17-inch laptop, a tablet, and a tripod. So, in a word, this bag is big!

But just because it’s a big bag doesn’t mean it’s hard to handle. With two integrated wheels and an optimal balance tripod carrying system, your favorite photographer can easily maneuver this bag without feeling bogged down. And when they reach their destination, they’ll appreciate the 3 Security Point System that keeps their gear safe from prying hands, as well as the organized layout that keeps all their gear tidy and easy to find.

The ALTA Fly 62T even has a removable interior divider compartment so it can be used as a traditional piece of luggage, too. And since it’s priced at $329.99, you’ll have a big chunk of change left over from your $500 budget!

Learn more about the Vanguard ALTA Fly 62T Trolley Bag.

4V Design LUCA Messenger Bag

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If you’re looking for a gift that will wow your photography-loving friend or family member this holiday, the LUCA Messenger Bag is definitely worth a look.

This bag is handmade in Florence, Italy from the best Tuscany leather. The combination of traditional Italian craftsmanship with modern functionality isn’t just impressive from an ease-of-use standpoint, but it also impressive from a visual point of view as well as this bag is quite eye-catching!

The bag is lightweight, yet features tons of space for all manner of photography gear, accommodating a complete large DSLR kit with four lenses or two DSLR kits and two lenses. Heck, it can even accommodate one DSLR kit and one mirrorless kit. That’s excellent versatility for the modern photographer that might have multiple camera systems and want to carry them at the same time.

The large organizer in the front is convenient for storing personal items or additional camera accessories. There’s a padded inner pocket dedicated to storing up to a 12-inch laptop or tablet as well. The camera insert is removable so that you can further customize the space inside the bag for larger items should it be needed for use as a personal travel bag.

With details like anti-scratch spiral zippers to prevent scratching lenses, a rear trolley attachment for easy transport, and a large carry strap with Ultra Grip padding for a comfortable carrying experience, the LUCA bag is a premier choice that’s well made, highly functional, and a dream to carry!

Learn more about the 4V Design LUCA Messenger Bag.

Sirui W-2204 Tripod and K-30X Ball Head

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A great tripod can become a photographer’s best friend. In fact, it’s probably one of the most underrated pieces of gear that photographers use.

That’s why a solid, well-built tripod and ball head combination is an ideal holiday gift for the photographer on your list. There are few that are on the level of the Sirui W-2204 Tripod and K-30X Ball Head combination.

With waterproof legs, ergonomic leg angle logs that allow for quick adjustment, and a split center column that makes swapping between the standard and short columns nice and easy, this tripod is purpose-built for photographers that need to set up and tear down quickly.

The W-2204 is made of lightweight, 10-layer carbon fiber, meaning it’s got incredible strength with reduced vibration sensitivity. It can also support nearly 40 pounds of gear!

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Add to that the K-30X ball head, which has separate control knobs for panning and locking, triple bubble levels to aid in getting level shots, and Sirui’s locking mechanism to keep the head in place, and you’ve got the recipe for one heck of a holiday gift for your favorite photographer.

Learn more about the Sirui W-2204 Waterproof Tripod and the Sirui K-30X Ball Head.

Holdfast Fundy Streetwise Bag

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If you've got a photographer on your list that's into fast-paced, close-quarters photography like street photography or travel photography, the Holdfast Fundy Streetwise Bag is a rock-solid gift idea.

This bag allows photographers to keep their gear close by, but does so in a way that's discreet without sacrificing the ability to get into the bag, grab gear, and take a quick shot.

It can be used as a standalone shoulder bag, or it can be paired with Holdfast's MoneyMaker for an even more flexible carrying experience.

The Fundy Streetwise bag has a gorgeous sheepskin interior that keeps gear safe while its waxed canvas exterior offers excellent weather resistance in case the weather turns south.

It has smart features like a removable false bottom for keeping valuables out of sight and a removable insert so it can accommodate various types of gear.

In a word, this bag is awesome!

Learn more about the Holdfast Fundy Streetwise Camera Bag.

Artbeat Studios 36x48 HD Metal Print

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If you’re looking for a beautiful gift for the photography enthusiast in your life, an HD Metal Print by Artbeat Studios is tough to beat.

These large-format metal prints have incredible colors that make the image pop, giving it life and vitality that’s eye-catching in a way that’s hard for more traditional prints to pull off. Not only that, by heat infusing the photo into a ChomaluxeTM aluminum sheet, you get a scratch-resistant, water-resistant, and UV-resistant print that will retain its gorgeous look for generations.

With a wide variety of metal surfaces and finishes, as well as different wall mount and wall hanger options to tailor the print to your needs and tastes, an HD Metal Print is the custom holiday gift you’ve been looking for, all for a price of $499!

Learn more about the Artbeat Studios 36x48 HD Metal Print.

Artbeat Studios 30x40 HD Metal Print

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If you want to give your loved one a gorgeous metal print for the holidays, but want something that’s not too small or not too big, a 30x40 HD Metal Print from Artbeat Studios is a fantastic option.

Printing on metal is ideal for just about any kind of photo, but landscapes in particular. As seen above, the specialized printing process that Artbeat Studios uses to print on metal results in spectacular colors and contrast. That’s thanks in part to the different surfaces on which you can have the image printed - white and silver.

A white surface gives the image a vividness that enhances the detail of the shot, making every nook and cranny beautifully visible. That makes it a great choice for portraits and landscapes. But if you prefer, you can opt for a silver surface instead, which makes any whites in the image appear silver. That makes it a perfect choice for black and white photos or images that have a lot of contrast.

You can choose between a glossy or matte finish, wood or metal wall mounts, a wire hanger or a cleat hanger, and so much more. It’s a totally custom gift that your loved ones are sure to love, and it won’t break the bank at just $345!

Learn more about the Artbeat Studios 30x40 HD Metal Print.

Sound Shark

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Today's cameras certainly have excellent photographic capabilities, but more and more of them have excellent video capabilities as well, including 4K video.

But there's not much point in being able to take incredibly sharp and detailed video if you catch match it with sharp, detailed sound, right?

That's why Sound Shark should be on your holiday gift list.

Sound Shark picks up voices in crystal clear beauty, making speakers sound as though they've got a lapel mic on, even when they don't.

In fact, the videographer on your holiday list will be blown away by how much less noise from the sides and the background they get with Sound Shark as compared to a traditional shotgun mic.

That's because Klover Products, which makes sound shark, is the leading supplier of long-range microphones used to televise sporting events.

If their parabolic mic is good enough for the World Series, the Super Bowl, and the NBA Playoffs, it'll be good enough for your favorite videographer, too!

Learn more about Sound Shark.

Wolverine Data 8mm and Super 8 Movie Reels to Digital MovieMaker

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The 8mm and Super 8 film formats that were so popular decades ago means a lot of us have precious family movies that are just sitting in boxes, rotting away and degrading with every passing day. Rather than letting those memories fade away, get your loved one the gift of saving those old family videos with the Wolverine Data 8mm and Super 8 Movie Reels to Digital MovieMaker.

This device converts your old movies into digital files (without sound) so that you can preserve your family’s heritage for generations to come. It only takes a few simple steps, too!

Just mount the 3 or 5-inch movie reel to the machine, insert a memory card, press a few buttons, and the MovieMaker will scan the film frame-by-frame as it plays. The result is a digital MP4 movie that you can burn to a DVD, upload to YouTube, watch on your laptop, or even edit in a movie editing program or connect it to your TV to immediately watch the digitized videos.

The Digital MovieMaker is a standalone device, too - you don’t need a computer or any software at all. And considering that photo labs charge a hefty price to convert film to digital, this gadget will more than pay for itself!

Learn more about the Wolverine Data 8mm and Super 8 Movie Reels to Digital MovieMaker.

Nikon D5300

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If you have a loved one that’s a burgeoning photographer, a great camera to get them started is the Nikon D5300.

This camera is small, lightweight, yet packed with powerful features that make it a great learner’s camera, but one that they won’t outgrow quickly, either.

It’s got a sizable 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor for high-resolution images, an ISO range to 12800 for low-light shooting, a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 seconds to capture fast action, and a sophisticated 39-point autofocus system that will help your loved one capture their subjects in sharp focus.

Add in 1080p video recording, 5fps burst shooting capabilities, and a price tag on pre-owned rigs under $500, and you have the makings for one great gift this holiday season that won’t break your budget, either!

Learn more about the Nikon D5300.

Syrp Magic Carpet Carbon Fibre

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Time-lapse photography and filmmaking is a tough gig, but having high-quality gear that’s easy to transport will certainly be on your favorite photographer’s wish list this holiday season.

The Magic Carpet Carbon Fibre by Syrp doesn’t just look cool - it’s incredibly functional, too. It’s extendable to virtually any length you can imagine but packs away in two-foot sections for easy storage and transport. For gorgeous long tracking shots, just attach additional interlocking extension sections for a seamless, smooth shot no matter how long the track is.

Perhaps the best part is that since it’s made of carbon fiber, the Magic Carpet is featherlight. In fact, the center track weighs a mere 1.48 pounds and each extension section adds just .84 pounds. It’s even tripod mountable for additional stability!

That makes this rig a perfect choice for photographers and filmmakers that need a lot of bang for the buck, but without sacrificing on weight and ease of use.

Learn more about the Syrp Magic Carpet Carbon Fibre.



We Recommend


Top 10 Last-Minute Gifts for Photographers

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I know we've still got over a month until Christmas, but the clock is ticking to get awesome gifts for the photographers on your holiday shopping list.

The question is, what can you get them that will have that wow factor and totally knock their socks off?

Well, I've got quite a list for you...

And this isn't just some random collection of photography gifts, either. I have personal experience with every single item listed below.

Take it from me, if you need to shop for a photographer, there's something on this list that they will fall in love with!

DJI Mavic Pro

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If you’re pressed for time and trying to find ultimate gift for the photographer in your life, consider buying something truly impressive that will take their photography to new heights...literally!

The DJI Mavic Pro is a small but powerful personal drone that offers incredible portability and ease of use while giving you the ability to capture amazing photos at the same time.

Get a load of some of these features…

The Mavic Pro has 24 high-performance computing cores and an all-new OccuSync transmission system that gives it top-notch performance for greater distances. What I found most impressive about this feature is that you can enjoy full HD video streaming from up to 4.3 miles away!

And you don’t have to worry about flying into things, either, because the Mavic Pro has a FlightAutonomy system that detects obstacles up to 49 feet away. Fly with confidence up to 40 mph knowing the Mavic Pro will avoid anything in its path. That feature has saved me a few times!

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FlightAutonomy isn’t just for obstacle avoidance, though. It also gives you the ability to land the drone in the exact spot from which it took off. The system also enables the drone to hover more precisely in varied environments, and keep the drone the same elevation above the ground, no matter the terrain.

Additionally, the Mavic Pro has a 4K camera that’s stabilized by a 3-axis mechanical gimbal, offering gorgeous, high-resolution photos and smooth-as-silk 4K video at 30fps.

The Mavic Pro has an improved battery life, too. Why fly for just 10 or 12 minutes when you can fly for 27?!

Another feature that I really appreciate is ActiveTrack. Using ActiveTrack, the Mavic Pro can follow the subject from a front or rear position (or circling them), fly alongside the subject as it moves, and even maintain its focus on the subject as it flies in for close-ups and out for wide shots. 

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Perhaps most impressive, though, is Tripod Mode.

Sometimes, you need to fly your drone in tight quarters, such as indoors. In that case, flight movements need to be slow and precise. That’s where Tripod Mode comes in: it gives you pinpoint control so the drone can be moved with precision to ensure safe passage.

Clearly, the Mavic Pro is the perfect gift for photographers and videographers because it is loaded with incredible features that make taking photos and videos a breeze.

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As a sidenote, DJI just released the Mavic Pro Platinum (shown above) that is 60% quieter and features a longer flight time of 30 minutes. If the photographer on your list wants something that extends their photographic capabilities even further, you might consider it!

Let’s face it, there are a ton of places where you can pick up one of these.  With that in mind, I am a bit picky, and recommend “Drone World” for whatever your drone needs are. That's mainly because these guys have insane customer service, and are the largest DJI authorized dealer with something like 5 years of drone experience and I want to say upwards of 10 years of web sales/service.

Coming from the high-powered automotive industry, I love modifications.  So when I found out these guys modify drones that got me excited. And when I say modify, they supercharge these things!  HA!  Now you're talking my language and scored some extra points!  Speaking of which, if you are like me, you should check out this beast:  DJI Mavic Pro MaXX Mod Kit.   

Before I talk about the next item on the last minute gift guide here is a quick link to the DJI Mavic Pro and alternatively here is the link to the DJI Mavic Pro Platinum.  

BumbleJax Acrylic Photo Block

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I think one of the most pleasant surprises I've gotten this year is when I ordered a print of my son, and opted to get it as an acrylic photo block.

Now, I say that I was surprised because in the past, I ordered some not-so-great acrylic blocks that just looked like some mass-produced trinket.

I was determined not to make that same mistake again...

So, I hopped online and found BumbleJax, a Seattle-based company that creates acrylic blocks.

But they don't just make acrylic blocks - they handcraft them.

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After reading a few hundred reviews saying how awesome these acrylic blocks were, I pulled the trigger and got the 8x6, one-inch-thick block shown above.

To say that I was blown away when this thing arrived at my house is a complete understatement.

Right out of the box, I could tell that this was not like the previous acrylic blocks I'd ordered from other places.

The diamond-polished acrylic looks like a million bucks. The depth it gives the photo is amazing!

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The acrylic also enhances the colors and the contrast of the photo. That's due in part to the metallic photo paper BumbleJax used for the print, as well.

The other factor that makes these things look so fantastic is that BumbleJax face mounts the image onto the acrylic. That way the vibrancy of the colors can really shine through.

It looks so good, in fact, that my wife decided that she wanted the photo block for her desk at work! I wouldn't let her steal it, so she's getting one of her own for Christmas.

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Heck, I even ordered a second photo block from BumbleJax, this time a larger 15x10 version of one of my landscape photos.

Again, the quality certainly did not disappoint. The photo block really has a huge impact on my foyer.

One other thing I like about these photo blocks is that they can stand on their own on a table or desk or you can mount them on the wall.

In other words, this is the perfect gift idea for a photographer or a loved one that just wants an awesome photo to display in their home or office.

I suggest you visit BumbleJax to see all the different sizes and options they offer. You won't be disappointed!

Holdfast Sightseer Backpack

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Every year, I head up to New York City for the Photo Plus Expo.

And every year, I make it a point to visit the Holdfast booth because they make some of the best camera bags I've ever had the pleasure of using.

To say that Holdfast's craftsmanship is second-to-none is really the understatement of the century.

I mean, their products show how dedicated they are not just to aesthetics but to functionality as well.

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Their new Sightseer Backpack certainly fits the bill for an awesome gift for the photographer on your holiday list.

This thing will carry all the gear you could possibly need while still giving you easy access to your camera when quick shots are needed.

That's because it's the only backpack on earth that has an integrated slider for your camera. That means you can safely and securely carry your camera on the outside of the bag where you can grab it and shoot at a moment's notice.

Something else that blew me away about this bag is that it's completely expandable.

There's tons of pouches you can add to the outside of the bag for carrying anything from your mobile phone to extra lenses.

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So this bag impresses with its sheer capability to carry tons of stuff and for its ease of use.

But the combination of waxed canvas and leather on the exterior and Aztec flannel fleece on the interior just looks incredible.

The canvas and leather are waterproof, too, so it's not like they don't have a function in addition to their beautiful form. There's even waterproof zippers for those occasions when you're shooting in some really rough weather.

And since I enjoy landscape photography, I can't tell you how much I appreciate that this is a backpack. It sits well on your shoulders, stays put, and is comfortable to carry.

What's not to like about that?

When you're thinking about a last-minute gift for a photographer, trust me, they will LOVE a Holdfast Sightseer Backpack.

Holdfast Roamographer Bag

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Another one of my absolute favorite photography accessories is the Holdfast Roamographer bag.

Like the Sightseer Backpack, the Roamographer is gorgeously crafted and truly looks like a piece of art. When you hold it and touch it, you can sense the hard work that went into designing the bag and building it to be something that lasts forever.

I can be hard on camera bags, that's for sure. But no matter what paces I put the Roamographer through, it's certainly up to the task.

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There's actually two Roamographers - a large version for DSLR shooters and a small version for mirrorless shooters.

Either way, what you get is a bag that's purpose-built to help you get your gear from point A to point B safely and securely.

That starts with the removable camera inserts that hug your gear and keep it from clanking around inside the bag.

The key word here is "removable"...

That means that when I need the bag for a weekend trip that doesn't involve photography, I can just slide the insert out and I've got an awesome weekend bag that fits all the essentials for a couple of days away from the grind.

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But when I do need to carry my gear, this thing more than gets it done.

I love the fact that there's carrier straps on the exterior of the bag so I can easily carry my tripod.

The other thing I really appreciate about the Roamographer is the shoulder strap.

If you've ever carried a heavy bag with a flimsy strap, you know how uncomfortable that can be.

But with the Roamographer, my shoulders rejoice under the shearling-lined padding that make it a breeze to carry.

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And like the Sightseer Backpack, the Roamographer allows you to secure a small camera to the shoulder strap, that way you can fire off some quick shots without having to set your bag down to unpack your camera.

If it sounds like Holdfast thought of everything with this bag, they did...

Even the fussiest of photographers on your shopping list won't have a negative thing to say about this bag. If you need something that is sure to impress, give the gift of a Holdfast Roamographer bag this year.

DJI Spark

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Looking for the perfect gift for photographers and videographers on your list? Look no further than the DJI Spark.

This mini drone is ideal for a loved one who loves to fly but wants to avoid carrying a large aircraft everywhere they go. As someone that loves photography and trained as a commercial airline pilot, I can tell you that this is a fantastic gift for the photographer on your list!

Though the Spark is small, that doesn’t mean this mini drone is light on features…

In fact, Spark has all of DJI’s signature technologies, meaning you get a lot of bang for your buck.

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That includes a 12-megapixel camera, a mechanical 2-axis gimbal for clear, sharp images and smooth video, and UltraSmooth technology that reduces camera shake and rolling shutter effects. The f/2.6 25mm lens means you can get wide-angle shots, even if the lighting conditions are less than ideal.

Something that I find to be incredibly helpful is the fact that getting the drone airborne is easy too - Spark has FaceAware technology that allows it to take off from your hand by recognizing your face. Crazy, right?! And after takeoff, it hovers automatically, all within just a few seconds of being turned on.

But if you ask me, the best feature of the Spark are the intelligent flight modes:

  • QuickShot allows you to select from four cinematic shots (rocket, dronie, circle, and helix) to capture professional-looking video.
  • TapFly enables precision flying with just a tap on your phone screen. Simply indicate where you want the drone to fly by tapping your screen, and Spark will fly there while avoiding obstacles and maintaining a constant altitude. I cannot tell you how cool of a feature this is!
  • ActiveTrack recognizes objects and track them from the front, the back or the side.
  • PalmControl means pilots can maneuver Spark without a controller. Just make specific movements with your hand, and Spark will move accordingly.

As if that’s not impressive enough, consider this…

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Spark can fly over 31 mph and has a maximum flight time of 16 minutes. Additionally, you can see full HD video from the drone from up to 1.2 miles away, and with DJI’s FlightAutonomy system, pilots can fly knowing the drone will avoid obstacles on its own.

At $499, the DJI Spark is one heck of a buy this holiday season. If the photographer in your life wants to expand his or her creativity, there’s no better way to do so than with a drone!

As I mentioned earlier, if you're in the market for a DJI drone, follow my lead and head over to Drone World to find what you need. They've got upgraded kits available, and tons of other great accessories, too. Check out the DJI Spark and see what I mean when I say it's the ultimate gift for photographers!

band.it

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Sometimes, the best gift for a photographer isn't the flashiest, but instead something that they will use each and every day to improve their ability to get the shots they want.

That's the category into which band.it falls...

This is a new company to me. I first encountered them at Photo Plus, and I was so impressed that I had to order the product right then and there.

I know when I'm in the zone and taking photo after photo, sometimes I struggle to find my zoom ring and focus ring as quickly as I'd like.

Well, band.it solves that problem.

The soft, elastomer band fits any lens, giving you a tactile clue as to where your focus ring or zoom ring is. That means no more fumbling around looking like an idiot like I used to do on occasion before putting this bad boy on my lens!

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But band.it isn't just for helping you find the rings on the lens...

Instead, it helps you improve your grip on the lens. And that improved grip means you get sharper photos.

These little guys also help protect the delicate zoom and focus rings from damage.

It's about $200 to repair a lens ring (don't ask me how I know that...), but for just $25, you can protect the lens ring with a band.it.

And as if that's not enough to like, consider this - band.it also prevents lens creep. That means that if you're always on the hunt for a unique angle and you're shooting at a steep incline or decline, band.it will help keep your lens rings right where you want them, not where gravity wants to take them!

This is a fantastic stocking-stuffer idea for photographers. If I didn't already buy a band.it for myself, you can believe they'd be on my Christmas list this year!

Click Props

 

I'm not a for-hire photographer, but being that I'm a new dad, I love to take photos of my son, who's two-and-a-half.

We take selfies with each other every single day, and that collection of images is one of the most cherished things I have in this world.

But sometimes, I like to take more formal photos of my little guy, and that requires a little more effort than turning on the front-facing camera on my cell phone...

That's where Click Props has saved my bacon.

These guys put out incredible backdrops for portraits that give you the ability to take professional-looking images that look like they came straight out of a portrait studio.

That's because they craft their backdrops using 550gsm vinyl. That means you get a high-quality, durable backdrop that will stand the test of time and look great for years to come.

And if the photographer on your holiday list is like me and has a little kid to photograph, they'll appreciate the fact that these backdrops are super easy to clean!

You can hang their backdrops easily and with confidence as well. There's heavy-duty grommets every 12-inches, so you don't have to worry about rips or sagging.

There's a variety of sizes too, which any professional will appreciate, and more than 200 designs to fit your favorite photographer's style and aesthetic.

One more thing...

As a businessman, there's something else that I really like about Click Props...

In this industry, you get to know other companies pretty well, and let's just say that some of them focus on profits and not on actually helping their customers.

Click Props is certainly one of the good guys because they are with you at your side before, during, and after the sale.

Whenever I've had questions, they've had answers. And it's not the short "you're annoying me" sort of answers, either. They're genuine folks that truly want to help you take the best possible photos.

I can't even imagine how handy these backdrops would be for a professional portrait photographer. This holiday season, maybe you can help the photographer on your list find out by gifting them a Click Props backdrop!

Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB100

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When it comes to photography gear, I think the most underappreciated part of a photographer's kit is a tripod.

Just like camera lenses aren't made alike, neither are tripods. By that, I mean that if you opt for something from the bargain basement, well, you're going to live to regret it.

That doesn't mean that you need to spend $500 on a tripod for the photographer on your holiday list, either.

I have a couple of Vanguard tripods, and I have to tell you - they're a perfect balance between top-quality construction, tons of features, and a great price.

Take the Alta Pro 2+ 263AB100 as an ideal example...

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You can set this thing up in just a few seconds, which is ideal for situations in which you need to get the shot sooner rather than later.

The quick setup is aided by easy-locking legs, each of which has an independent leg angle. In other words, it can be set up with one leg at 20-degrees, another at 40-degrees, and another at 60-degrees, if so needed. They can even open up to 80-degrees. That means there's no terrain too uneven for this tripod to handle.

Another feature that makes this such a great tripod is the Multi-Angle Center Column. As the name suggests, it can be positioned in a variety of angles on both the positive and negative spectrum. That means that you can get awesome low-angle shots for a more unique view of the subject.

This bad boy also has a quick release so you can quickly grab your camera, and with the included ball head and bubble levels, you're sure to frame up top-notch photos.

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The Alta Pro 2+ 263AB100 has another trick up its sleeve that I really like...

It's super lightweight, thanks to its aluminum alloy and magnesium construction, but it's also super strong.

It's rated to hold up to 15.5 pounds of gear, so when I'm out playing with my Nikon D850 and a big lens, I don't have to worry if the tripod has enough wherewithal to provide my gear with the stable base it needs.

And if your loved one wants awesome features like a canopy suspension loop for adding weight, all-weather grips, angled rubber feet, and more, well, this is the tripod they'll want! See for yourself why the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB100guard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB100 is such a top-notch tripod.

MrStarGuy Vixen Polarie Star Tracker Mount

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A few years ago, I decided to get into astrophotography, so I bought a star tracking device to help me get better shots of the night sky.

Now, I live in the Los Angeles area, so it's not like I can setup my gear in my backyard. Instead, I have to hoof it to the sticks to find a dark sky, so it's a huge investment of time.

The problem I ran into is that the star tracking devices I used in the past were just unbelievably complicated to use.

Not only did I feel like a moron for not being able to figure out how to use them, but I also never got the types of photos I imagined being able to get.

Fortunately, I found my saving grace - the Vixen Polarie Star Tracker Mount from MrStarGuy.

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I met the folks at MrStarGuy, and I have to say that I was beyond impressed.

Visiting their shop, you get the feeling of how dedicated the husband and wife team are to their craft. They seek to make sure that every customer feels like a friend and that they get what they need. I can attest to that fact!

It doesn't hurt that MrStarGuy has top-notch astrophotography gear, either.

Their Vixen Polarie is hands-down the best I've ever used.

I just attach it to my tripod, use the included compass to orient it to the north, and once I have it all set, it will track the motion of the stars for me. That means I can get clear, sharp photos of the night sky without any star trailing.

If your favorite photographer is looking for a tool that will make his or her astrophotography life a lot easier and more productive, there's no better gift than the Vixen Polarie Star Tracker Mount. See what I mean by visiting MrStarGuy!

Sound Shark

I've always been a still photographer, but once 4K video became a thing on DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, I started to dabble in videography.

The problem I encountered was this - the video quality was amazing, but the sound wasn't.

In fact, the sound was pretty terrible on my first videos on its own, but when you pair poor sound quality with amazing 4K video, the sound seems even worse!

I wanted an external microphone that would yield the kind of sound that a 4K video deserved, but I didn't want some huge apparatus, either.

I found exactly what I needed in Sound Shark by Klover Products.

The great thing about Sound Shark is its small form factor. As you can see, it just mounts to the hot-shoe of the camera, and you're good to go.

This thing puts all other microphones I've tried to shame. In fact, it will pick up voices in crystal clear quality from a good distance away. People in my videos sound like they're wearing a lapel mic, even if I'm five or six feet away.

Not only that, but Sound Shark helps eliminate unwanted background noise, so if there's action to the sides or behind your subject, you don't have to worry about it overwhelming the audio you actually want to record.

Sound Shark has been one of my favorite toys for grabbing videos of my wife and son. But if my endorsement isn't enough, think about this - Sound Shark is used to get audio of things like the Super Bowl, the World Series, and the NBA playoffs.

If it's good enough to get the audio of a LeBron slam dunk, it's definitely good enough for my home videos!

Have a look at Sound Shark and see what all it has to offer the photographer on your list.

Meural

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For my money, the most unique, eye-catching gift you can give a photographer this Christmas is the Meural Canvas.

What’s the Meural Canvas, you ask?

Well, in short, it’s a way to bring art to life.

Rather than viewing the same piece of art or photograph, Meural allows you to upload your own photos, create playlists, and sent art to your canvas instantly.

With TrueArt technology, the images are rendered in a way that makes them ultra-lifelike - when I first saw Meural in person, I felt like I could reach out and feel the texture of the brush strokes on the painting I was viewing. It’s that real!

And that’s just the start…

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Meural gives you three different frame options (Leonora Black and Wwhite, as well as Winslow in walnut) to customize the look of the canvas. The canvas has a light sensor to adjust to the lighting of your room, and you can hang it horizontally or vertically, only show images in the appropriate orientation.

It’s easy to control, too. You can change images via the Meural website, the Meural mobile app, and even with hand gestures.

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The upgraded iOS app allows you to upload, crop, and add filters to images, and then immediately send to the canvas. You can even schedule your canvas to come on when you wake, turn off when you sleep, and to randomize artwork or schedule playlists for certain times of the day.

In a word, Meural is amazing. Talk about an awesome last-minute gift!



We Recommend


Top Long-Range Microphones for Photographers

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I know what you're thinking...

Why would a photographer need a long-range microphone?

The answer is simple: as advanced as our cameras have gotten for still photography and videography, their microphones leave a lot to be desired.

After all, there's only so much you can do with that tiny microphone hole in your DSLR or mirrorless camera.

When you're shooting a wedding or event, making videos of birds and wildlife or honing your skills as a paparazzo, you need great audio to match the quality of the video you take.

So, if you have designs on creating top-notch videos, you need top-notch audio quality to match.

Here's a short list of the best long-range microphones for photographers.

Best: Sound Shark

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Sound Shark is hands-down the microphone of choice for photographers shooting video.

There's a lot to like about this rig, starting with its small size.

You don't want an unwieldy microphone to deal with as you're shooting, and since Sound Shark mounts to your camera's hot-shoe, it's out of the way.

It's lightweight, too, so you don't have to worry about lugging around a big, heavy microphone that will only slow you down.

Another feature to love about this microphone is its incredible performance.

People five or six feet away sound as though they're wearing a lapel mic, and with technology that helps amplify sound by focusing it onto a single point, it's able to eliminate background noise, resulting in audio that is crystal clear.

That's an obvious benefit when you're shooting video at a wedding or event where there's tons of conversation and even music happening around your subject.

Birds can be recorded from over 50 feet away with great results.

The performance of Sound Shark is so good that it's been used for professional soccer and the NBA playoffs. Larger versions of the Sound Shark are used regularly for high-profile events like the Super Bowl and the World Series. If that's not a ringing endorsement, I don't know what is!

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The Sound Shark is capable of such excellent results because it's manufactured to the highest tolerances - just a few thousands of an inch.

That ensures that Sound Shark produces the highest-quality audio that simply blows other long-range microphones out of the water.

If you want to truly impress your clients, you need the audio to match the quality of the video. You can do that with Sound Shark.

Learn More:

Better: Shotgun Mic

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Another popular type of microphone is the shotgun mic, like the Rode VideoMic Pro Compact VMP Shotgun Microphone shown above and below.

These microphones get their name from their long, skinny shape. Likewise, much like a shotgun, the performance of these mics is specialized directly forward.

That is, their pickup pattern is best when the subject is directly in front of the mic, no more than a few feet away.

Shotgun mics are popular for movie and TV production because they can be mounted to a boom and placed directly overhead the actors and actresses to pickup their voices.

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Shotgun mics perform their best when they're very close to the subject.

Naturally, this isn't always possible when you're shooting video for a client, nor is it always possible for you to have an assistant with a boom to get the microphone close to the action.

Another thing to keep in mind with shotgun microphones is that if you're outside, you have to have a windscreen. Though these microphones typically come with a foam windscreen, they tend to be worthless if there's more than a slight breeze.

That means you need to invest in a zeppelin to eliminate the sound of the wind.

You can find shotgun mics just about anywhere, so they're widely available and can perform well given the right conditions. But compared to a parabolic mic like Sound Shark, shotgun mics simply fall flat.

Learn More:

Good: Wireless Handheld Mic 

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The obvious benefit of a wireless handheld mic is that it's designed to be right there amongst the action and do so without any cables to act as a tripping hazard.

Depending on the microphone, you can get range up to 200 feet, which gives you all sorts of flexibility in terms of where you setup your video camera in relation to the subject.

What's more, some wireless handheld mics, like the innopow Metal Dual UHF system shown above and below, is that the microphones have an incredibly long battery life - up to 17 hours of continuous use.

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The problem, of course, is that a handheld mic has to be held by someone. It's not exactly like you can ask the bride to hold a microphone as she's reciting her vows.

Additionally, unlike the Sound Shark or a shotgun mic, a handheld mic will be visible in the video. That's particularly true because the subject needs to hold the microphone near their face to get the best quality audio.

Even if you put the microphone on a low stand, it'll still be visible in the shot and it presents a tripping hazard as well.

The audio you can get from a handheld mic can be good given the right conditions, and they are extremely portable and easy to use.

However, when it comes to getting the best audio for your videos, handheld mics simply lag behind the likes of Sound Shark and shotgun microphones.

Learn More:



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