Tag: Camera

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Technology Travel

Back to the Camera

Sony

After using mobile phone cameras for coverage, the decision has been made to go back to using a photographic camera. Do not get it wrong, phone cameras are convenient, handy but the disadvantages are numerous. Foremost, the battery life is limited.  After a few hours of producing pictures and videos, suddenly one bar on the screen.  Additionally, mobile phone batteries have to be replaced. 

Secondly, the numerous creative options on photography cameras are expansive. The presets there are many image techniques for a shoot and in post-production. Plus, the images are just sharper.  For a lowlight fashion show, cameras have more optimal settings.   

   

Canon
Pentax
Categories
Fashion Technology

My Paris Partner

I knew I had a noticeable camera for covering Paris Fashion Week Couture when the hotel staff told me to be careful walking around the city with a camera like this. The warning: Do not let that camera out of your sight. I took it to heart. The funny matter of the situation. At many events i got asked, “Are you a photographer?” I could have been in the photographers pit. I gained respect over my other colleagues carrying an iPhone. There is still credibility having a DSLR.  

Felt good on my shoulder 

The Canon EOS 750D feels and looks like a good professional camera at an entry level point.  I managed to get some fast shots sitting front row. At 6fps combined with 24.2 pixels, I did not worry. 

  • Perfect in a Low Light Setting
  • I got the pics

The Auto Focus was reliable. I used the control dial a bit depending on the lighting situation  never sure whether to use the screen or view finder for a shot. I noticed I got better shots with using the viewfinder. The common critical thread about the viewfinder for this model is the viewfinder only covers 95%, not 100%. It means the user has to be careful when framing a shot or prepare for a surprise reviewing the images later.

Simple TouchScreen 

  • Paris
  • Canon EOS 750D

The simple to use touchscreen  flips making it easy for me to use the HD video feature. I produce walking video commentaries on the streets of the French Capital while dashing to a show. I mix producing both videos and  pictures but need something light to carry around on the run.  If the quality is good enough for streaming online immediately, I am happy.  The 750D matched those needs. 

  • A runway shot
  • Fashion Designers

I did not use the WiFi Connection for my tablet. There is a Canon app for controlling the camera remotely.

As a creative device The EOS 750D has good merit. There is no need to spend an arm and leg to go to the next level. There are enough goodies to stay in the content production game. 

Please forgive me.  I made this video in August. 

Categories
Fashion

The Geek In Me

Drones bring out the geek in me.  As a kid who played with toy airplanes, drones are the high tech evolution.  During IFA 2018 while on my to an appointment I happen to pass the DJI Drone stand.   I stopped to get a video.

Categories
Technology

Small but GREAT

A Good Camera 

As a person who is not a photographer but I take pictures at many events like fashion weeks, film festivals, and trade shows. I attended Pitti Uomo and Milan Fashion Week Men recently. Two events where I needed to make a lot of images and videos.

I wanted an SLR camera with many capabilities: external mic, able to shoot in all lighting conditions. Imagine my surprise seeing a point and shoot in the mail.

For YouTube

I got the SX740 HS point and shoot from Canon for a test. At first I was not sure if the camera would fit my needs. I wanted to send it back. To my surprise, the little image maker device worked well, easy to use, and convenient. 4K video feature is excellent, fantastic picture quality. I would say any YouTubber content producer would be happy to have this as their main production camera. It captures details. The flip 3.0” LCD screen is good for selfie lovers. I placed the camera on a tripod, then flipped up the screen for one man production.

The sound quality was my biggest concern because of the loud background noises. Normally I use an external microphone during interviews and commentaries. I made my first video commentary from Pitti Uomo using the Canon SX740 HS The sound quality was fine, good for YouTube and other social media channels.

I liked the portable aspect of the camera. I just popped the camera in and out of my jacket pocket at a moments notice. As I said, I am far from a professional photographer. My strategy for taking pictures, point a shoot, hope I get the right light and composition. I was not afraid to play with the camera control dial. I switched form one setting to another, experimenting with speed and opening.

Shooting in close quarter, I did not use the 40x optical zoom but not as much as I would have liked. I shot a few model on the runway pics without problems.

I did not use the built in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth features that enable connection to mobile devices. I do not carry a smartphone.

Overall 

Canon has built a powerful camera in a small package. I am not just saying that. Check out other reviews as well.

Categories
Technology

Filmmaker Ambition

Sorry about the background noise.  If you need more information go to the second video.

Overview.

Specs 

In this video I offer a few tech specs on the GH5.

 

Categories
Fashion

My Tech Accessory

I used the Canon G1X for Pitti Uomo in Florence and Milan Fashion Week Men. I am not a professional photographer but the quality of pics I made with this camera were great. The look of the camera gave me an expert appearance.   It is light weight and powerful.

My full review on this product and other Canon Products I have used will come soon.

Categories
Fashion

A Gucci Moment in Miland

Black and Paper Re-See of the Gucci Fall 2017 Collection.

The looks presented this season were inspired by the fantasies of Alessandro Michele.  There were 100 looks with many pieces ranging from oriental umbrellas to my personal favorite, sheer suits.  Feeling a bit like a couture collection, there were many rich details and embellishments, ranging from embroiled pearls on cuffs and male cut out pants suits. Gucci is a brand of accessories, and all were on hand from the new bag with a symmetrical cut and flats in a gladiator style made of styles or the jacquard shoes.    There was no overall universal theme this season, except using every color in the spectrum; while I was going over the looks, I was reminded of the cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, fun, optimistic, creative from a designer who is looking to the future.

Powered by Canon G9X

Categories
Fashion

Pitti Images by Canon G9X

There is never a shortage of images from Pitti from looks to accessories to people.

Day 1. Pitti Uomo from Florence

Images by:

 

Categories
Fashion Technology

Hasselblad Review

hasselbladHasselblad X1D Review

How did you start as a photographer?

I became a photographer by chance.  I was studying International Relations in Paris, then panning to go to London to study law but as fate would have it I had a good friend who was a photographer.  I began assisting him then fell in love with the camera and photography.  That is how I started my career.

What camera do you normally use?

I have always used Nikon cameras,  usually I work with the D750 and the D810.

You tested the Hasselblad X1D, What where your initial feelings about the camera?

I was curious when the opportunity arose to see how the mirrorless medium format performed because I knew the reputation of the brand. When I have important commercial shoots and the budget allows I place Hasselblad on my wish list, great image quality.  However, I was never hands-on with a camera because I let my assistants do all the necessary adjustments and settings.

Testing the X1D I was very hands-on.  It feels great, light, the ergonomic grip is comfortable.  Usually, I use a neck strap because I do not want to risk letting the camera drop out of my hand, especially one that costs 9400 euros.

I found the camera setting menu very well edited.  It felt like I did not have to go through as many camera settings in the menu as I do with my Nikon.

I really enjoyed the touch screen for viewing and settings, very simple.

zzb7027771How fast can the X1D shoot images?

The camera is fast but focusing can be difficult.  Maybe I was doing something wrong but the lens I was using (XCD 90mm f/3.5) only had one focal point. I had to focus on the model and then reframe the image while my finger was pressing the shutter button half way down.  I am used to the Nikon focal multiple point system.  I found this annoying because it resulted in unfocused pictures.

Using a Medium format camera was there a higher level of expectation?

Yes! The expectation was higher and I was not disappointed.   The images were sharp.

Was the Camera Interface Intuitive?

Before reading the camera manual I wanted to see how intuitive the camera was for a new user.  The camera interface is adaptable quick, ready to usage for a short period of time.  I was able to make adjustments and began shooting.   The manual was good for referencing, very complete.

The Auto Focus Mode

The Auto Focus was very fast, perhaps faster than my Nikon.  I was shooting in low light but I had no problems with the setting.

ISO Mode

Shooting in low light I sometimes had to shoot as high as 6400 iso but I did not lose the image sharpness.  The grain quality was acceptable when blowing up an image 100 times in Photoshop.

Battery Life

This was my biggest disappointment.  I went through a fully charged battery after only shooting 500 images.  Luckily there were extra batteries in the test kit.  For outdoor shooting where there is no access to electricity the camera is a disadvantage.

The fashion production you shot with the X1D, how did the camera perform?

zzb7027553Overall I enjoyed shooting with the X1D.  I could use high ISO settings in addition to opening the aperture to 3.5.

I was happy with the results I produce with the Hasselblad X1D.

 

Dale Grant is professional photographer, instructor, and Black and Paper contributor.

For more information: www.dalegrantphotography.com

Categories
Fashion

Tech Sexy with Hasselblad and Filippa K

The Hasselblad X1D is the latest model from the esteemed camera maker but what makes this medium format picture taking device different is the fact it is mirrorless. Compact, powerful, and rugged but with impressive handling dynamics.

We tested the X1D by producing fashion shoot with Black and Paper Creative Colleague Dale Grant featuring looks from Swedish brand Filippa K.

Model-Ludwig Staude from Indeed Models Berlin

Make Up and Hair by Carmen Rachel

The Hasselblad X1D Camera is a on the Black and Paper Christmas List for 2016.

For more information go to:www.hasselblad.com

For the newest FilippaK store check online.

Read Dale’s upcoming review soon.