GOOGLE'S PROJECT SOLI BAFFLES

More and more technology is changing our lives into something like that from a sci-fi movie. Soon flying cars, hover-boards, and robots will be an everyday part of our daily lives. Google is doing some amazing things to get us there too. It's very exciting and Google's Project Soli is one of those ideas that could catapult us into the realm of Star Trek or Back to the Future.

Project Soli is a new interaction sensor that uses radar technology to capture finger motions at 10,000 frames per second and it's unbelievably accurate. So accurate, that you could operate any device that's been fitted with this chip, without ever having to touch it.

The sensor is approximately the size of a small computer chip and it will transform your fingers into a virtual dial. You could control something as mundane as turning the volume up or down on a speaker, to something more advanced like  turning your fingers into a virtual touchpad for a smartwatch or smartphone.

The chip is actually a miniature gesture radar and captures incredibly complex hand gestures at close range at mind-blowing frame rates. Given the nature of how small this chip really is, it's suitable for almost any device or any computerized machine.

The future is here, and it's friggin' cool!

CANON IS BUILDING A 120 MEGAPIXEL DSLR AND I DON'T CARE

The pixel packing race continues, as it always will. Nikon stunned us with the D800. Sony left us drooling with the a7R, and Canon upped the ante with the 5DS and the 5DS R. And now Canon has decided that just wasn't good enough. They've announced they are building a monstrous 120 megapixel CMOS sensor. Are you drooling yet? I'm not.

Canon also announced a 250 megapixel sensor that will be smaller than full frame, but larger than APS-C. While this sounds ridiculous, the camera is largely being geared towards industrial applications such as surveillance. Even though I can somewhat understand the reasoning behind this camera's development, I still scratch my head. At some point, it's just overkill. Why do we need all those megapixels? Are they really making our images better?

I've been on a less is more kick recently, and while I've always understood that ideal, I don't think it really ever sunk. I now find myself taking a hard look at my gear and questioning whether or not I really need it. More often than not, I don't. I have tons of modifiers that I don't use. I now have a DSLR that just sits, collecting dust, because I made the switch to mirrorless, and to be honest, I just haven't gotten around to putting it up on eBay yet. I'm a slacker, but that's a different story for a different time.

The American architect, Louis Sullivan coined the phrase, "form follows function". Do we really need all those megapixels packed inside a sensor? I feel the majority of the photographers and cinematographers would answer with a resounding, "YES!" Their reasoning being that the higher resolution will make better pictures or some such crap. My feelings on the subject have changed over the years. I really don't think it matters. Actually, it really doesn't. The images and video coming from iPhones and other comparable models, are really stunning. But they're packed with fewer pixels and a smaller sensor? Wait, that can't be! Oh, but it is.

Fuji hasn't changed their 16 megapixel sensor for some time and it's interesting to note that it out performed Canon's 5DIII in many areas. Again, smaller sensor and fewer pixels. Is there some kind of Fuji magic going on in there or is it just good old fashion science and engineering? It's probably the notion of, "fix the pixels you have instead of packing more in".

Time and time again we've seen artists in all mediums that have proven to us that it's not about the "gear" that makes the work, it's the person behind it. Or as my friend says, "It's not about the arrow. It's about the archer." So, while the world will wait, and sweat a little, for the announcement of  this monster pixel camera, I couldn't care less. I say get out there and make pictures with whatever you have. Tell a story. That's the most important thing. And to illustrate this perfectly, take a look at this video. You're welcome.

CANON ANNOUNCES EOS M3

There's another contender in the mirrorless market. One that could be a winner. After longer than I'd like to admit, I finally jumped ship from traditional DSLR to mirrorless last week, and I haven't looked back. I love the technology, the compact size, and the quality is amazing.

Canon now announces the EOS M3. It's the much improved 3rd generation addition, and with the new additions, it just might be a contender for best in class. With a 24 megapixel APS-C sensor combined with a Digic 6 processor, it provides an ISO range of 100 - 12,800. And of course, you'll also find that this camera will handle 1080p@24/30 video just the way a Canon should. At least on paper, it should. The focusing system is up to snuff, too. There's a 49 point phase and contrast detection autofocus system. To close it out, you'll also get WiFi capabilities. Seems all gravy to me.

But wait, there's more. There's a touch screen along with front and rear adjustment dials. Now we're talkin'. The overall design remind of the Sony a6000. It's got a good look and seems like it would fit well in the hand. We'll have to see. Pricing isn't bad either. Actually pretty good. $679.99 for the body only.

FIRST DAY WITH FUJI

I've shot with so many kinds of cameras over the years, film and digital. I don't really consider myself a "branded" shooter by any means. Different companies do certain things better than others. At the end of the day, it's honestly more about what you, as the artist, can do with the camera. It's so easy to get caught up in the gear talk. I do it all the time, and some times I even find myself obsessing over one thing or the other.

Recently, I decided to finally make the switch to Fuji. I've seen the images, I've handled the cameras, but I haven't shot with one on a gig. I bought the Fuji X-T10 and used it yesterday for a shoot. I didn't even bring my Nikon gear with me. I went full on Fuji. Yep, no security blanket or anything. I was second shooting an event for a friend of mine. Strangely enough, I wasn't nervous about not bringing my trusty gear. I was more excited than anything.

Having no working knowledge of the camera, I threw myself into fire and I have to say, I was blown away! I've heard people say that it's a joy to shoot with Fuji, but I had no frame of reference for that until now. It's a friggin' joy to shoot with Fuji. The menu isn't hard to figure out. Many folks complain about that. The camera feels good in your hands. It's simple and that's the key.

The styling is phenomenal. When I hold the camera, I just feel inspired to shoot. It's tough to explain. I found myself excited to push the shutter button. The size is damn near perfect. My camera bag just became infinitely lighter and that makes me happy. But what about the image quality? Holy crap! It's beautiful. The Fuji sensor renders images beautifully. Looking at the RAW files this morning, I found myself getting excited. Just looking at some simple pictures. I felt the urge to get up and shoot something. Anything. And that, folks, is what it's all about.

No matter what you happen to shoot with, it's not about the gear. But be sure you're using something that inspires you to get out and shoot. Fuji inspires me. This camera will be with me every time I walk out the door. 'Nough said.

LENSBABY MOBILE MAGIC

If you're a fan of mobile photography and also like getting creative, LENSBABY has just released mobile lens attachment that will add a few more creative options to bag of tricks. Personally, I think this is great! Currently there are only three lenses options for the kit, but I'm sure LENSBABY will be releasing more as time goes on.

The first gives you a small sweet spot with gradual falloff to blur. The next has a larger sweet spot with the same gradual falloff to blur. The last lens has a strong, sharp focus in the center with a kind of kaleidoscope reflection around it. Looks pretty nifty, honestly. The creative kit even comes with a little kickstand so that you can prop your phone up. It looks like this is all you need to make some mobile magic.

The cost of the kit is $89.95. Not terrible, but not great either. I might have to give this a try as it looks easy to travel. Not a lot of components and such, which means it's something you could easily stuff in your pocket or camera bag. Most importantly, this looks incredibly fun, and that's what we need in our work. If it's not fun, then why the heck are we doing it?

DIY CHEAP, EASY, DURABLE CAMERA WRIST STRAP

While perusing the interwebs this morning I was looking for options wrist straps, shoulder straps, and such for my camera. I need a little more for my travels and work. I happened to find this little gem. I love the fact that it uses easily acquired materials and it's cheap. And it's easy to make. And it's durable. And it's cheap. Did I mention that it was cheap?

First off, I love that this is a DIY kind of thing. The wrist strap is a paracord bracelet, which of course is trendy right now. All you need is some paracord, a carabiner, a key ring, a lighter, a measuring tape, and some sharp scissors. That's it. I believe I mentioned before that it's cheap. The most complicated part is braiding the strap and even that isn't hard.

I believe I'll be tackling this project later this week. Check out the video for a short 3 minute overview. You'll be amazed at how simple this thing really is to make.

NOKIA OZO - THE NEW STEREOSCOPIC VIRTUAL REALITY CAMERA

So this is interesting. Nokia, the glorious cell phone manufacturer from yesteryear, is taking a step into the world of virtual reality. Does that strike you as odd? If so, I'm right there with you. However, this is a pretty nifty development. Nokia partnered with Jaunt VR, the virtual reality camera developer, to create the Ozo. I have a feeling that all the credit belongs to Jaunt VR though.

This 6 pound little ball is boasting some cool specs and next gen technology. We're still in the early stages of 3D and virtual reality. This new camera presents some very groovy possibilities. The Ozo has 8 lenses with global synchronized shutters, 8 integrated microphones, 3D stereoscopic video recording, and immediate low resolution stitched video review. Just imagine the possibilities. The synchronized shutters bit is especially exciting. That will save so much many post production headaches.

Here's a little teaser video that gives you absolutely nothing, but it's a cool promo all the same.

CANON ANNOUNCES CAMERA WITH ISO OVER 4 MILLION

If you're a gearhead, prepare yourself. I'm not going to lie, I nearly had a gear-gasm when I saw this announcement. Canon has decided to one-up Sony's a7s, and boy did they ever. The ME20F-SH is Canon's first multi-purpose camera "which delivers exceptionally high sensitivity to capture Full HD video with a minimum subject illumination of less than 0.0005 lux1 (at maximum 75 dB gain setting, equivalent to an ISO sensitivity of over 4,000,000)". Blah, blah, blah. If the tech talk loses you, just know that what this means is that you can shoot 1080p and see subjects that you can't see with the naked eye. That's insane! No, ridonkulous! 

Canon is targeting a large audience with hot little number. This camera could have a place in the infrastructure of productions that range in nighttime surveillance to reality TV, to even cinema. Typically, Canon does a great job delivering when it comes to image quality. So, I'm guessing they won't disappoint here as well.

The sensor is a modified and enhanced version of a 35mm full-frame sensor for HD video they developed back 2013. Get ready for the kicker - it's only 2.26 megapixels! I found this very interesting. It seems everyone has been in this pixel packing race over the last few years and it's nice to see that Sony and Canon are showing us that it's not about the quantity, but the quality and use of those existing pixels. So, it's not about the size, but it is...Take that how you will.

Take a peek at the specs below. Pretty interesting.

Canon says the ME20F-SH will be available in December of 2015 with a whopping $30,000 price tag. I think I'll be renting for sure.

SIGMA AND THE WORLD'S FIRST CONSTANT F/2 ZOOM LENS FOR $999

I'm a big fan of Sigma. Their line of art lenses are beautiful. The build quality is solid, the glass is amazing, and the images they produce are nothing short of beautiful. They continue to amaze with every release. That is until now.

Not too long ago, Sigma announced the release of the world's fastest full frame zoom. Exciting as it sounds, it's all very...well...it's...for starters, it's fast and it's...well, damnit! It just doesn't make sense at all. I can't hold it in. The damn thing is pointless. It's a 24-35mm f/2 lens. Wait for it...give it a second to sink in...a 24-35mm! Yep. You read that right.

The range this zoom will give you is just silly in my opinion. Not only that, it weighs in at 33 ounces. So it's big and it's fast. Huh. Okay. Sigma said it released this to cover a common prime lineup. Only it's not a prime, but that's no matter. It's the range that makes absolutely no sense. Why not get your hands on a beautiful 28mm prime and be willing to move your feet forwards or backwards? I mean, that's exactly what this zoom range equals.

Sigma is offering this very pointless lens for a very low, low price of $999. In theory all of these things would give a photographer GAS, and I'm sure there will be plenty of photographers lining up to pre-order. I want to love this, but I just can't. It just doesn't get my motor going.

GNARBOX - Offload, Organize, Edit, And Share On The Go - Good-Bye Laptop

All The Power Of The Universe, Itty Bitty Living Space

I like to think of myself as a location independent photographic adventurer. Basically, I'm always on the go. Traveling to one location or another for a shoot. While on the move, I'm always stuck with a backlog of stills and/or footage that I either have to wait till I return home to edit or pull out the laptop. Really, I just want to share images right away. I get that excited and I don't want to wait till I arrive home and it can be a pain to pull out the laptop, boot it up, and get those hamsters on the wheels. Call me lazy. First world problems, right?

I've often wondered if there was a way to simplify. And by simplify, I mean, make my camera bag lighter. I want less gear, less to worry about while I'm out working, but still want the tools to get the job done. It seems there's a product that just might do this. GNARBOX is a new mobil device that could possibly make our lives a wee bit easier. It aims to replace your bulky laptop by putting everything you'll need into a small, durably device and a mobil app. All the power of the universe...itty bitty living space.


GNARBOX Kickstarter Pitch Video from GNARBOX on Vimeo.

The goal when designing the GNARBOX was to pack the power of a 15 inch laptop into something with the looks and size of a small external hard drive. That basically could slide into your pocket, really. Under the hood is a quad-core CPU, an 8 core GPU, 4 GB of RAM, 128 GB of flash storage,  6-8 hours of battery life, and a 300 Mb/s WiFi hotspot. All of this awesomeness is encased in IP67 shell that is dustproof, sandproof, shockproof, temperature resistant, and waterproof up to one meter.

If the tech specs don't excite you, think of this way. It's plug and play on the go. Just pop your card out of your camera, plug it into the GNARBOX via USB3, SD, or microSD, then connect your phone to the GNARBOX hotspot, and open the GNARBOX app on your phone. Just plug and play. Most of the items in your camera bag are larger than this thing. And you can connect up to 4 phones at one time to the GNARBOX. Your photos and videos are downloaded right into GNARBOX and you can edit and organize all within the phone app. You had me at hello.

GNARBOX says, "Now you can can truly explore more and carry less." Well, I think that sounds pretty darn groovy and if this little device lives up to it's potential, this could be a game changer. Honestly, I could see myself carrying this thing around with me almost all the time. What professional or non-professional wouldn't? It just makes sense.

If you're as excited as I am, it should come as no surprise that GNARBOX met their Kickstarter goal within a matter of days. Days. The retail price will be $249, but backers can get their hands on it for $199 as the contribution. They are hoping to start shipping the first units in March of 2016. I'm not sure I can wait that long. But it looks like we have no choice.

Light Creatively On The Go

There a lots of of options for lighting and there are even more for light shaping. If you're like me, then it becomes hard to make a decision when faced with so many choices. I want them all! But do I really need them all? Yes....No. I really don't. What about all this gear on the go? Packing and lugging around studio gear can be such a pain that it's usually enough to leave it all at home.

As time marches on, I've discovered that I really need less and less for my work. Sure, I'd love to have a studio packed full of Profoto strobes and an array of soft boxes, umbrellas, gels, and everything else the I can get my hands on. When I honestly think about it, I'm not sure I would use it all. I'm sure I would find myself only using a handful of tools, and those tools would probably be the same ones I use when going mobil.

Fortunately there are plenty of small flash options that allow you to capture the same kind of quality lighting you'd get in the studio. To be honest, that is what I'm leaning more towards more and more. Rogue Photographic Designs, MagMod, Westcott Rapid Box, and many others offer compact, easy to travel options for speed lights. Less hassle? Sign me up! To top it all off, these are affordable. You're not breaking the piggy bank and looking for extra pennies.

Here's a prime example. I shot the below image in studio with a single strobe and grid spot.

Emma

Here's a shot I snapped on location of a performer. Again, using a single light. This time a speed light and the Westcott Rapid Box on a light stick being held by my assistant.

Donal Ross

Both are very similar in quality. Less gear and smaller gear used to capture the second. No brainer.

Now, if you've got some extra dough to spend, there's a couple of nice options from Profoto, Elinchrom, and Phottix to name a few. You're getting more muscle from these while still getting a lighting system that travels really well.

Take it as you will. It's just my two cents.

Cheers!

PHOTOGRAPHY PURISTS BEWARE!

It seems every field has its purists and the photography world is not without them. It's funny how we tend to argue the tech more than the art itself, it seems. Film is better than digital and vice versa. I'm a gear-head and love the tech, but I love it for the tech and what new kinds of tools it allows you use to create. I couldn't care less which one is better and which one makes me a "real photographer" or a real artist. The fact that I create and challenge myself to express makes me an artist. The mere tools don't make it so. Let me explain.

©Austin James Photo

In this digital world we care constantly bombarded with new ways to capture images, better ways to capture images, better resolution, insane lowlight capabilities and so on and so on ad infinitum. It's so easy to get caught up in that and make that the focus. I do it all the time. But more and more I'm discovering people that have pushed beyond those restricting ways of thinking and really creating some incredible work with what they have at hand. They have no care as to whether or not they are shooting with a $3,000 Nikon or Canon or the iPhone they just upgraded to for $99. What's important are the stories they are telling. And that's the name of the game. The story. Whatever medium you decide to use to create, just tell a friggin' compelling story.

Ian Ruhter's work

Ian Ruhter creates amazingly haunting work on gigantic plates of metal that run him somewhere around $500 a pop. You can see his work here www.ianruhter.com. He happens to be one of my favorite artists. Then on the other hand I stumbled up Lu Gen's work while reading an article on FStoppers this morning. The link to brief article is here [Fstoppers]. I was captivated and inspired when looking at his work. You can see it here VSCO Grid. And it's costing him nothing to create. Just the cost of the phone and whatever apps he uses.

Lu Gen's work taken with an iPhone

It's not the tools or the cost of those tools that makes the artist. Don't rely on some object to define or validate you as an artist. Let your work make it so. Screw the tech, but love it at the same time. I strive to achieve this level of artistry shown by both artists mentioned here. 

NEED A MAKEUP ARTIST OR STYLIST ON CALL? YEP, THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT!

I was out for my early morning web surf and stumbled upon this little gem, or rather, it appears to be a little gem. I've yet to try it out, but it looks promising. I'm developing a shoot over the next few weeks and I just might have to give this little diddy a try.

Like many people in my position, it seems I'm in a constant search for solid reliable people to collaborate. Many times that can be a daunting task in and of itself. Let's face it, no one wants to take a risk on someone they don't know, only to be left high and dry. How many times has that happened to you? And then, where do you begin the search in the first place?

GLAMSQUAD sells itself on being "the premier on-demand beauty service app that sends professionally trained and vetted stylists straight to your doorstep". How groovy is that? Sure, they're initially marketing to the masses, but think what this could do for us photographers? Could help in a pinch with those last minute cancelations, huh? Yep, this could be a handy dandy tool. Now we don't have to spend years sifting through the flakes and the flim-flams, because, now there is an app for that. Hell, you could have an affordable stylist at your doorstep within an hour that's ready to work magic based on the look you want and design from the menu within the app. Pretty nifty.

GLAMSQUAD is geared for the lady-folk, but plans to extend it's reach to fellas soon. Currently, it looks like it's only available for iPhone and iPad. Check it out here at the iTunes store. It's free!

Philip Bloom Will Blow Your Mind With This Sony a7S Video

It's easy for me to get carried away when it comes to gear. If I had the money, I know I would fill every available inch of space in my home with gear. Why? I love new technological advances. I love progress. And it's exciting to see what man can accomplish. Do I dislike the tools of the past? Oh hell no! I'm a gear-head. I can't help it.

That being said, when Sony announced the a7 and a7R, I was ready to jump out of my skin. Finally, mirrorless full frame with solid image quality! And Sony is a great company. I got my hands on the camera and loved it. Felt great in my hands. Sure, the shutter button wasn't in the right place for me. Or rather, it wasn't in the spot that I had grown accustomed to after shooting a dSLR for so long. No big deal. Adaption is a huge part of man's survival.

Can a camera look any more sexy?

Then Sony released the a7S. Being a photo and film guy, my head exploded to say the least. I don't really need to say much other than the low light capabilities are unbelievable. It literally turns night to day. 'Nough said.