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by Bjorn Petersen · Posted
The darkroom. Just thinking of it brings out the most nostalgic of feelings from all photographers, even if you learned in the digital age, and even if you’ve never even set foot in a traditional chemical darkroom. There is something so gratifying about the idea of hand-crafting your photographs from a physical negative, printing on real paper, and watching your images come to life in baths of chemistry. Without waxing too romantic about the whole idea, it is safe to say that even the most cutting-edge digital photographers would still
by Shawn C. Steiner · Posted
Stealing the hearts and minds of photographers everywhere are mirrorless cameras, now emboldened with a series of fresh releases that have elevated their stature into the professional realm. This has made them prime targets for photographers new and old, with dreams of picking up a new camera soon. Here is a quick list of what B&H customers want most from the mirrorless world.
Sony Alpha a7S II
The most recent full-frame
by Bjorn Petersen · Posted
When you look beyond the 24-70mm f/2.8, the 50mm f/1.4, and the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lenses of the photography world, you can quickly discover there is a huge array of exciting, noteworthy, or in some cases, just weirdly enticing optics. And once you dig even deeper than the 12-24mm f/2.8, the 58mm f/1.4, or the 200mm f/2, you get to some of the most unique optics out there; a select group of lenses that instantly trigger a picture in your mind or are simply well known for how they operate, look, or even just the prestige they exude. Though some
by Shawn C. Steiner · Posted
Ever since photography moved away from the safelights, developing tanks, and enlargers of the film era, individuals and organizations have been focused on bringing their darkrooms into the digital age. With those renovations come new requirements, additional equipment, and perhaps keeping some classic tools that have managed to stay pertinent through the digital transition. If you want to build a digital darkroom from scratch or simply augment your current workspace, here is some advice to get you going.
The Brains of the Operation
At the
by Daniel Wagner_1 · Posted
Trying to pick out the perfect holiday gift for your niece, nephew, or other young person in your life can be difficult. Usually the last thing they want is a new sweater or something they would rather choose for themselves. Clearly, some of the best gifts are those that educate, inspire, and stimulate their developing minds. These are noble and commendable goals, and guaranteed to be a hit with parents. However, to be successful with recipients, gifts should provide hours of entertainment, as well. There’s nothing better than giving the gift
by Shawn C. Steiner · Posted
Point-and-shoots are under attack from every direction. Smartphones are replacing the pocket cameras of old and mirrorless cameras are filling the compact needs of more demanding users. Fortunately, manufacturers are introducing some powerful options that are defending the point-and-shoots’ honor. Many of these all-in-one designs offer capabilities and features that no smartphone or mirrorless can currently deliver. So, right here we rounded up seven of the best that are certain to hold their own in a fight to defend the good name and
by Andrew Eisele · Posted
My love affair with synthesizers began in the mid 1990s. With a number of electronic musicians flooding the airwaves with incredible synthesized music, I was drawn into this world and have been obsessing over it ever since. My very first synthesizer was a vintage Roland SH-09, which I still own today. At the time, computer-based synthesizers were in their infancy, so hardware was the only real option. As the years and technology progressed, I went to a mostly software-based studio, which is incredibly powerful, fun, and affordable. However, I
by Steven Gladstone · Posted
Video needs lighting. This is a statement worth repeating: video needs lighting. Yes, you can shoot available light, and now there are cameras with obscenely high ISO ratings, but think about it—if you are shooting at 100,000 ISO, 400,000 ISO, or 4 million ISO, what is the quality of your light? And what exactly are you shooting? If you are shooting at high ISO ratings, most likely you are shooting in extremely low light, and although you may be able to get a decent exposure, it is unlikely there will be much contrast in your shot. This is a
by Rich R · Posted
Installers the world over have long trusted Gefen for all their niche needs, from KVM switchers to wireless HDMI and more. Founded by Hagai Gefen, in 1998, the Chatsworth, California-based company received increased attention followed, naturally, by product demand after the company’s equipment was used for the digital signage setup in the 2010 X Games. Since that time, Gefen developed its Gefen Synergy line of software, which provides IP management and control of the company’s products. And now that the Fall 2015 product catalog is here,
by jaime traba · Posted
One of the easiest ways to improve your production, be it podcast, radio, film, or music, is to take a look at the type of device into which you are recording your audio. Most pros know—and will tell you—not all audio is captured equally. Integrating a portable digital recorder into your rig may seem like an obvious solution, but it is often overlooked, and is an excellent way to improve your audio quality.
As the audio needs of professionals and hobbyists alike run a gamut of complexity, from simple to intricate, a generous array of portable
by jaime traba · Posted
Walk into the typical professional recording studio, and chances are very likely you are going to see Avid’s Pro Tools running as the DAW of choice, even among increasingly stiff competition from other software and recording systems. While many are familiar with Pro Tools from home and project studios, thanks to the host-based versions of Pro Tools (meaning they require no external hardware outside of an audio interface), most studios running Pro Tools are using a Pro Tools HD system. Since no DAW provides an inherent “sound” (the audio being
by Dave Shim · Posted
The drum machine is one of the most misunderstood of all musical inventions. Relentless in its metronomic precision, the humble beat box provides a flawless rhythm section that never tires of playing the same four-bar loop and never, ever, argues over “musical differences” with the rest of the band. But for all their dependable service over the years, some consider these obedient machines as the epitome of all that is lifeless, artificial, and robotic in music. One frustrated Los Angeles musician even mounted a misguided campaign some years
by Steven Gladstone · Posted
The following article contains suggestions for items that you may not know exist, but you might just end up wanting. These accessories can make your production life a little bit better. In researching this article, I took the opportunity to peruse the accessories that B&H Photo sells, and if you have a day to spend doing so, I’d recommend it—there are more than
by Sam Mallery · Posted
No matter what you're using to shoot video these days—a mirrorless hybrid, a DSLR, or a more traditional palm- or shoulder-mount camera—you are capturing both moving images and sound. Although more emphasis is placed on the visuals, the importance of sound should never be overlooked. There are a great number of things you can do to improve the audio quality of your video productions, and using a good on-camera shotgun microphone is one of them.
In this article, we'll take a look at several shotgun microphones that can be mounted on your
by Ryan Zanoni · Posted
It is 2015 and, still, a staggering 90-95% of the Earth’s oceans remain unexplored. This seems unbelievable, given the incredible advancements we’ve seen in technology over the years, and the fact that we’ve even explored the Moon and planets in some detail. Indeed, it has been said that we know more about the surface of the Moon or Mars than about the ocean floor. How is it that the vast majority of the ocean, which makes up 70% of our own planet, is as yet undiscovered? It speaks to the sheer vastness and depth of the underwater realm. It