Canon Digital Learning Center (Page 4)

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

by Eric Stoner

If you’ve ever made an online purchase, you know images matter! Strong, impactful photography is super important to make your products stand out to buyers. It differentiates you from the competition, it shows the condition of the product along with its unique details and it can tell a story – a picture is worth a thousand words and maybe a thousand dollars!

In this multi-part series of articles, I’m going to start by sharing some quick tips to help you get the quality of your photography to a higher level so your products look their best. Then, I’ll share several techniques to get you started VERY inexpensively. Finally, I’ll progress into other techniques that require some investment – but are totally worth it to make your product photos truly stand out to potential buyers.

See our Canon Macro Lens Recommendations to find out which macro lens is best for your needs.

B&H carries Canon macro lenses.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

By Liza Gershman

Making the everyday magical in your photography can often seem like a daunting challenge, but with a little shift in perspective, some technical tips, and a bit of creative inspiration, you can turn "normal" into "extraordinary."

Looking at things with different perspectives is a key to making the everyday extraordinary. The proverbial "stop and smell the roses" expression isn't for nothing. It really can change your average day into something exceptional when you slow down, calm your mind, and see the details in life. Looking towards the small elements, the nuances, you can see true beauty. When the large picture becomes clouded and full of chaos or appears dull, take a moment to slow down and find beauty in the details with the following helpful tips.

How do we find ourselves in the normal? Start by seeking out authentic moments. Once you become an observer and allow life to happen around you, you can begin to see extraordinary things. There is no need to force this. The more relaxed and aware you can become, the more creative and beautiful your images will become.

From the Canon Professional Network:

The advent of 4K DSLR video in Canon’s flagship EOS-1D X Mark II, and now the EOS 5D Mark IV, has revolutionized still photography: this is high-resolution video, so good that each frame has sufficient quality for use in both web and print applications. Imagine what this means, not only for wildlife, sports, and other “action” applications, but also for wedding and event photographers. From a video sequence of, for example, a rodeo cowboy on a bucking bronco, the photographer can select the single frame that conveys the exact moment of peak action; separate, or “grab” that still from the video sequence; improve it in post-capture software such as Canon’s DPP and Adobe Photoshop; and use the resulting file in web applications or prints. An entire event might be captured in video, later yielding stills for promotion or other publication. We’ve known this was coming, and those who’ve embraced and mastered the video capabilities of recent DSLRs are ahead of the game. (I told you so.)

B&H carries the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and the EOS-1D X Mark II.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

With the launch of the EOS 5D Mark IV, Canon introduces its first camera with the ability to input IPTC metadata directly into each image file, as it’s taken by the photographer. For many years, digital cameras have been able to add numerous details of shooting data — date, time, file numbers, and even some user-defined information such as the user’s name and fields for copyright information.

But IPTC data is different, and completely in addition to the EXIF shooting data we’re accustomed to seeing in our image files. Far from simply displaying camera settings, IPTC data allows the user to input very specific types of detailed information, which can be used for numerous purposes once images are downloaded from the camera to a storage area. In this article, we’ll introduce this feature, and describe how it’s implemented in the EOS 5D Mark IV camera.

Adorama has the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV in stock with free 2-day shipping.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

by Jem Schofield

A vlog is really a video-based blog and can be about anything. Like a written blog, it contains the ideas, activities and opinions of a particular person or people. It can be an edited version of their daily lives, a combination of commentary and gameplay (some of the most successful vloggers in the world are gamers), or a more focused “show” that teaches others certain techniques such as how to do makeup, exercise, brew beer or in my vlog, the craft of video production and filmmaking.

In 2008, I started theC47 as an educational brand that was focused on teaching the craft of video production and filmmaking. I recently launched a new weekly vlog called “Random Acts Of…” on theC47’s YouTube channel. Basically, it covers Random Acts Of… Lighting, Composition, Camera Movement, Lighting Control, Gear and anything else that interests me as a producer, DP and all around tinkerer.

You shouldn’t start a vlog with the intention of making lots of money. It can help people build their brands, but it’s the passion for the subject matter and a commitment to creating ongoing content that are key – and the one thing many successful vloggers seem to have in common. If the content they create is interesting, and it is posted regularly (generally daily or at least weekly), they can find an audience over time.

B&H carries the Canon EOS M3.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

This article is the second of a two-part article on Photographing People and their Pets for the Advanced Amateur or Aspiring Pet Photographer. You can read part one here.

The following info is a list of tools and techniques that might be difficult to find elsewhere. In the nearly 30 years of specializing in photographing people and their pets, I’ve not seen a printed list or series of videos that cover this particular material. And even if you could find some of this information as it pertains to photographing animals, it wouldn’t be a matter of who’s right or wrong, but whether or not you consider using the following tools to develop the suggested techniques. If you do, you’ll be well on your way to creating not only sellable images, but images of style and distinction you can be proud of... and images your clients will treasure for a lifetime!

The Canon Digital Learning Center has posted an EOS AF Microadjustment Guidebook which can be downloaded via PDF.

There's a lot of good information in the guidebook, as in suggested test distances for various focal lengths.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

EOS 7D Mark II, EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R users who have longed for a quick and simple way to add Wi-Fi capability to their cameras, rejoice! Canon is introducing a new and affordable way to enable wireless connectivity to compatible mobile devices, and even communicate with Windows or Mac computers — the Wi-Fi Adapter W-E1.

This wireless adapter is going to open up new possibilities to users of these cameras — from casual shooters to working professionals. Being able to quickly view and store your DSLR images on a mobile device makes it easier to share images you’ve just taken with family members, friends, or even professional clients.

This device will be available separately as an optional accessory for owners of any of the above-mentioned EOS camera models. And from Fall 2016 onward, the EOS 7D Mark II will be sold with this Wi-Fi Adapter included in the box. We’ll go into detail about that below. First, some basics about this new Wi-Fi unit.

B&H has the Canon W-E1 Wi-Fi Adapter available for preorder.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

Based on feedback from large photo organizations, news photojournalists, and so on, Canon has delivered a significant firmware upgrade for the EOS-1D X Mark II camera. Firmware upgrade version 1.1 clearly targets professional users and organizations, but as you’ll see, some of these features may be useful to individual working pros or even serious photography enthusiasts. We’ll examine what’s new in this firmware upgrade in this article.

In a nutshell: what’s new and different?

This new upgrade (version 1.1) addresses specific issues that professional news and photojournalism organizations have brought to Canon’s attention — we understand that not all of these will be important in more ordinary, everyday use to individual photographers. That said, the changes and new features that this firmware adds to the EOS-1D X Mark II camera are the ability to:

• Install up to 39 items of IPTC information into the camera, and to add data (or deliberately not apply it) to images you take
• Add set-up information for up to 40 new Wi-Fi networks to a memory card, and load that data as a full set of possible Wi-Fi networks to select from for connection
• Transfer only “protected” images via Wi-Fi
• Retain GPS position data: Continue to apply last known GPS location information to images subsequently taken, even if GPS connection is lost (photographer went inside a building, etc.)
• Change LCD color tone (four pre-defined settings), to either approximate display from other cameras you’re working with, or to shift color tone based on ambient lighting as the LCD monitor is being used

Keep in mind that the EOS-1D X Mark II differs from other Canon EOS models in that it not only permits network communication and transfer of images via Wi-Fi (using the optional WFT-E8A or WFT-E6A wireless file transmitters), but also via wired ethernet connection — there’s a dedicated ethernet port on the camera for this purpose. This allows similar network connectivity, but without some of the variables users can encounter on-location with Wi-Fi transmission. Firmware v. 1.1 doesn’t change this; we only want to remind users of it here.

Note: The firmware is not yet availble for download on Canon USA's website.

B&H carries the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II.

The Canon Digital Learning Center has added a couple of in-depth articles highlighting new features in the EOS 5D Mark IV:

• Video Features in the EOS 5D Mark IV
• What's New: EOS 5D Mark IV Dual Pixel RAW Images

I found the Dual Pixel RAW information especially intriguing. [Sean]

B&H has the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV available for preorder. Click here for all the latest preorder links.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

You’ve planned your family vacation for weeks, months or even longer. You’ve put in a lot of work deciding where you’re staying, what you’re going to eat, and what you’ll do for entertainment. Now you want to make sure you capture the special moments you’ve worked so hard to create.

A family vacation is one of those special events throughout the year that you’ll want to remember. It’s a good idea to plan ahead, so you’re prepared to photograph the moments you want to cherish. Here are a few things to think about from packing to unpacking.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

It actually all began after meeting a new friend at a part-time job in the Philadelphia suburbs. Nick was a graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography and his neighbor, Bill, a Purina Chow rep, challenged us to come up with a promotional photography event program. For about the next two years, on numerous weekends, we traveled from Boston to Baltimore photographing family pets, usually no people unless requested. We created a compact, double wide studio set-up, purchased watches that could be custom set to alarm every three minutes after hitting the set button. The idea was to handle about an average of 12 sessions per hour in each of our two set-ups. We quickly learned that in order to handle the volume of customers that showed up at these stores, we had to learn how to stay on time, get the attention of the subject, make the right noise and move them off the set for the next subject. On any given Saturday, we would photograph 100-125 sittings... each!

The experience and education in learning the breeds, how to get their attention, how to position and light them and the speed required to get the shot helped prepare me for what was about to unfold. In a companion to this article, “Part 1,” there will be a “Part 2” that expands on the technical how-to’s of what you're reading.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

Author: Jim Rose

Normally I would write this blog in the winter months when it is cold and rainy outside. However, since I like shooting in the rain and it’s going to be 102 degrees outside today there is no better time to set up my home macro studio and create some great pictures.

First, what do you need to set up a home macro studio? Let’s start with the lighting equipment. I used two table lamps purchased at a local department store. The best ones to get are the ones with adjustable necks so you can get the light where it needs to be. Also, make sure you get lamps with LED lights. LED lights are smaller and lighter than regular bulbs, and they produce very little heat.

Any Canon EOS DSLR will give you great results. For this project, I chose the Canon EOS 80D. One of the reasons for choosing the 80D is the articulated LCD screen. Since I use Live View for most of these images, the articulated screen can be very handy when the camera is in low or high positions. You can rotate the screen so it is easy to view without having to kneel down or get on a stool to see the screen. An EF-S 60mm macro lens was used for most of the shots because it allows you to get in really close. If you don’t have a macro lens, a standard kit lens like the EF-S 18-55mm or a similar lens will do the job although you won’t be able to get in as close as you would with a macro lens. You can add a close up lens or an extension tube to your standard lens to allow you to get in close if you don’t want to invest in a macro lens at this time.

If you don't already own a macro lens but are interested in picking one up, check out Bryan's Macro Lens Recommendations.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

I used to consider myself a “natural light” photographer and I got really good at controlling the light that was provided to me to make beautiful portraits. Speedlites were somewhat of a mystery to me for some reason because while using TTL (through-the-lens flash metering), I never knew exactly how much light I was putting on my subject. For some reason, that was important to me, most likely because I learned on manual flash units that had three settings . . . 50 watt seconds, 100 watt seconds and 200 watt seconds. Anyway, once the 600EX-RT was released back in early 2012, a whole new world of lighting control opened up to me. I love these Speedlites for a few reasons:

1. I have the reliability of radio transmission from camera to off camera Speedlites.
2. TTL automatic flash is very accurate, more so than it’s ever been.
3. With this system I had complete control over all units in up to five different groups with the ability of having some flashes in E-TTL and others in manual.

I’m absolutely a Speedlite guy because they are so darned reliable and portable.

While on a recent trip to ShutterFest, a terrific photography conference in St. Louis each Spring, I taught a class entitled Great light Anywhere, Anytime with Speedlites. The goal of the class was to give students more confidence, something I didn’t have until 2012 when this Speedlite made its debut!

During the class we made some terrific images of our model, Anna Elizabeth Truett, and I’d like to share some of them by walking you through the progression of how the final portrait was created . . . all with Speedlites.

B&H carries the Canon 600EX-RT, Westcott Rapid Box 26" Octa and MagMod products.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

Color is not simply a physical property of an object. It is the relationship between light, an object, and an observer. Our brains manage and process this information at amazing speeds, leading us to barely even notice the conclusions and the adaptations that they have made. But, these same wonderfully adaptive qualities of our eyes can trip us up when we are capturing color or even simply trying to remember a color precisely. Understanding color perception can help you to get accurate capture-to-print matching, understand the pitfalls of color correction and even to pick out the exact perfect shade of paint for your walls.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

Canon’s engineers changed the digital SLR landscape with the Speedlite 600EX-RT and its revolutionary, built-in radio-based wireless flash capabilities. Introduced in 2012, this flash has become a gold standard in the industry, and has enabled many serious photographers to “raise their game” in off-camera flash capability, while preserving the option of E-TTL automatic flash exposure control, through the camera.

In the ensuing four years, Canon has listened to feedback from serious enthusiasts and professionals, and with that input has created the next-generation, top-of-the-line Canon E-TTL flash unit: the Speedlite 600EX II-RT.

In this document, we’ll give an overview of what’s new and different, and likewise paint a picture of what remains unchanged. As the product name might suggest, this is an evolutionary update, and not a radical new product introduction. The Speedlite 600EX II-RT will replace the 600EX-RT in the Canon line-up, upon its introduction to the market later in 2016. Parenthetically, unlike the 600EX-RT, this newly-updated 600EX II-RT will not have a companion “non-RT” version for sale in limited parts of the world… only a radio-compatible 600EX II-RT is being introduced, world-wide, at this time.

B&H has the Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT available for preorder.

Have you ever wondered what ICC profiles are and how they can affect your prints? The Canon Digital Learning Center has just posted a primer on third-party ICC profiles.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

If you’re an automotive enthusiast, chances are you’ve always wondered how photographers add a sense of motion to their images. There are many different ways to accomplish this, but today we will focus on what is often called a rolling shot or a roller.

Rolling shots are usually captured by photographers from the passenger seat of a moving car. Below I listed a few things that will help you capture better images before heading out to your shoot.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

You probably have seen the option in your editing software or your printer driver to choose 16-bit color processing. In fact, you may have selected the option, although you weren’t quite sure what it meant, because more data should result in better prints, right?

This short article will unlock the mysteries of 16-bit printing and help you to take full advantage of this feature in your imaging workflow.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

We've highlighted how the EOS 80D is a great choice as a step-up camera in an earlier article on Canon USA’s Digital Learning Center. And, how that applies whether you’re an experienced DSLR user who’s working with an older camera, or a first-time but well-informed DSLR customer who’s looking to move beyond today’s lightweight, entry-level models.

One aspect of the advanced possibilities a camera like the EOS 80D offers is extensive fine-tuning and control of its continuous autofocus for moving subjects, called AI Servo AF. In a far less expensive package than Canon’s high-end models — such as the EOS 5D series or even the EOS-1D X models — the EOS 80D offers the action photographer a truly extensive array of in-camera adjustability and control. We’ll discuss what’s available in the EOS 80D in this article, and explain how it might be used in various real-world shooting situations.

B&H has the Canon EOS 80D in stock with free expedited shipping.