Here's your Dan Bailey Photo Newsletter - April 2017 Issue
Published: Sun, 04/23/17
Hi ,
Tickets are bought, we’re going to Scotland!
We fly into Edinburgh on May 2 and are bringing the bikes for three weeks of fun, adventure and photography. Our tentative plan is to head up and explore the Shetland Islands, then work our way back down through The Highlands. Basically, we're trading 50 degrees F for 50 degrees F and probably more wind and rain.
I'm talking with some local contacts about doing some kind of presentation and/or photo walk around May 20-21. Nothing is set yet, but I'll let you know as soon as anything is worked out.
I know that a number of you live the Scotland, and so hopefully I'll get the chance to meet some of you while I'm over there. And, I'm really looking forward to seeing the countryside, which I know is stunning, dramatic and beautiful. At the very least, you can keep in touch with me and see what I'm doing via my Instagram feed.
I also have two events scheduled in the US for the first two weekends of June- Austin, TX and Seattle, WA. Details to follow.
Midnight Sun Alaska Glacier Workshop, June 23-25
Registration Deadline - This Friday!
There are a few open spots left on my upcoming Midnight Sun Alaska Glacier Photography Workshop, which is scheduled for June 23-25. I went out scouting the other day in my little Cessna and that got me really excited for the workshop. Here are few images I shot in Miniature mode while flying in front of the massive wall of Colony Glacier. These are a tiny sample of the kinds of images you can get as well.
Combining aerial photography from the side of a doors-off helicopter, and a night of heli-assisted camping on the shores of Lake George, we’ll photograph the icebergs from numerous vantage points, hike around the tundra hillsides, paddle around the lake, enjoy a campfire-cooked meal and stay up late capturing the light on the surrounding Chugach Mountains under the Midnight Sun.
During our flight out and back, you'll also have a chance to shoot aerials of the massive Knik Glacier. This whole area is just incredible, and I've tried to create an exclusive opportunity for you that clearly matches the photography experiences I have out there when I'm out exploring.
I'd love to have you join me on this workshop, but I need to know in the next week if you plan to come along, so I can finalize the number of participants with the lodge and helicopter.
My cutoff date is this coming Friday. If you’re interested, please let me know by then.
I realize that Alaska has a lot to offer, and planning a visit can be a little overwhelming. I can also help you plan and/or recommend other photo opportunities before or after the workshop, including things like brown bear viewing excursions, whale watching, and even offer suggestions for a Denali trip.
Private Photo Guiding & Instruction
If you are planning a trip to Alaska this summer and would like to get together for a full or half day of private photo instruction, give me a shout. Even if you’re unable to do my glacier workshop, if I'm around, I can still put together a short custom photography outing to shoot glacier aerials or photograph bears on the beaches of the Cook Inlet.
Fujifilm Firmware Update
Fujifilm recently released a major firmware update for the X-T2 and X-Pro2. If you use an X Series camera, I highly recommend you download and install it, as it adds a number of very useful and powerful features, some of which I describe here.
Customizing the X Series Cameras
Fufujim has built a number of customization options into the X-Series cameras, and that’s one of the great things about these cameras - you can set them up to fit your own style. If you're an X Series shooter, I encourage you to play around with this and try out some different settings for some of the Fn buttons and the Q-Menu slots. If there's a setting you change often, then put it in the top left Q-Menu slot, or assign it to multiple slots.
For example, some people like to use Back Button Focus, which can be operated with the AF-L button when it’s set to AF-ON. I’ve never been a BBF guy, so I recently assigned my AF-L button on my X-T2 as a second Playback button. This makes it even easier to quickly review my shot images, especially when shooting one handed. I rarely use my AF-L button, so I changed it to something more useful to my shooting style.
There's no right way to set up your camera- Make your camera work for you. No matter if it's an X-T2 or X70, every one can be customized in multiple ways.
If you're not a Fuji shooter, know that many cameras these days have some kind of custom control assignment and at least one or two Fn buttons. Check your manual to see how you can use them.
Here’s how I currently have my X-T2 set up:
(Note, to customize the Fn buttons, press and hold the DISP/BACK button until the menu comes up.)
Fn Buttons
Top - I leave this at the default setting, which is AF Mode. Since I shoot lots of action, I want this to be one of the most accessible settings.
Left - I leave this as the default settings, which is Film Simulation. As with AF Mode, this is one of my most used settings.
Right - It’s currently set to the default mode, which is White Balance. However, since I usually use Auto WB, I may change this to something else.
Bottom - The default setting is Performance, which switches between Normal and Boost Mode. However, I only use Boost Mode with the battery grip, which has its own Boost switch. For this reason, I recently assigned this button to AF-C Custom Settings. You can use Boost mode without the grip, but it drains batteries much more quickly, so this is probably a good one to change.
Front - I leave it at the default setting, which is Drive Settings. This mode allows you to quickly change your ADV filters and select your frames per second shooting rate when the Drive dial is set to CL or CH.
Top - This Fn button operations with two separate settings - In Playback Mode, it’s your Wi-Fi button. In shooting Mode, I have mine set to Face Detection AF. If you don’t photograph people very often, this could be a good one to change to something else.
AE-L - Mine is currently set to Self Timer.
AF-L - As I mentioned above, my AF-L button is now a second Playback button.
Q-Menu
There are so many options for this menu. As I outlined in my Fujifilm Tips and Tricks Guide, I use the Q Menu to change settings like Custom Settings, Image Quality, White Balance, Image Size, Shadow/Highlight Tone, Color, Sharpness. Self Timer and LCD Brightness. As I said above, I put Image Quality in the Top Left Slot, as I often change between shooting FINE and RAW+FINE.
To customize the Q Menu, press and hold the Q Menu button.
My Menu
All the new X Series cameras (X-T2, X-Pro2 and X-T20) have the new My Menu option. My Menu is confirmed so that if you assign anything here, the camera will open up My Menu as soon as you press the MENU/OK button. You add items to the My Menu via WRENCH - USER SETTINGS - MY MENU SETTING.
The My Menu on my X-T2 contains Number of Focus Points, Shutter Type, Highlight Tone, Shadow Tone, AF+MF, Preview Pic. Effect, MF-Assist, Focus Check and Image Quality. This is a good place to put some of the more advanced settings that you can’t put into the Q Menu, but that aren’t your highest priority settings you change often. Those go into the Fn buttons.
How you can support my blog and newsletter.
A lot of you have purchased my books, ebooks and my video course, and for that, I want to thank you with my sincere gratitude.
Those of you who have taken my workshops, have worked with me in person or who have had email conversations with me know how enthusiastic I am about helping you guys become better photographers and spreading my love for the craft.
Some of you have asked how you can offer additional support for my efforts. In addition to recommending my site and content to other people, there are a few other ways you can show your appreciation.
Using the B&H Photo, Amazon and some of the other links and banners on my blog helps me out with a small commission. Consider using them as gateways, even if you're if you're not buying the specific item I might be recommending in a particular post. The great thing is that it doesn't cost you anything extra. Or affect the price.
I also put a small Amazon button on the top right sidebar of my blog. It looks like this:
You can use it as a “front door,” whenever you're shopping for cameras, cat food or camping gear. Doesn't matter what it is. That way, you can just bookmark my blog and go to Amazon right from there, instead of looking for one of my posts that has an Amazon link.
You could also become an affiliate and earn your own commissions by reviewing and referring my ebooks to your social media followers. Click this link to find out how my affiliate program works and sign up, and you could start helping us both out.
Again, if you decide to do any of this stuff, I want to thank you in advance for your support. I really appreciate the fact that my of you even take the time to read my blog and newsletters, so I work very hard to try and make them worth your time.
In the name of transparency and honesty, I would just like to say that I don't expect it. Ultimately, I do this because I love it. Even though the added income is nice, it's not the driving force behind my efforts.
In addition, I only include links to gear and services I'm genuinely excited about, or that I would in good faith recommend to my fellow outdoor photographers. Even though I have a lot of gear links on my site, they're all carefully considered. I won't link to just anything, as I feel that would compromise the trust you place in me for sharing my knowledge and expertise.
Finally, I would like to say this: Even though I like when people use my Amazon and B&H links, I would still encourage you to try and shop at local camera stores whenever possible.
Independent dealers are the lifeblood of the photography industry, and it’s awesome if you can build a relationship with the people at your local shop. You'll usually get great service and you'll contribute to the continued livelihood of your community and the people who own and work at these stores.
Great Smoky Mountains Fujifilm Summit Recap
Earlier this month, I taught at the Inaugural Fujifilm X Photographers Travel & Nature Summit in The Great Smoky Mountains, with fellow Fuji pros Jack Graham, Bill Fortney and Karen Hutton.
We had a great group of participants, some who I know are reading this newsletter, and a really fun week. Between the four of us and a pair of Fujifilm tech reps, we covered a wide range of topics and helped people understand how to get the most out of their X Series gear, both in-class and in the field.
If you are one of the people who attended, I really enjoyed meeting you! Thanks for helping make for a memorable week for me as well. If you were unable to attend, I'll be teaching at the September 6-10 summit in Portland, OR.
Gear Corner
Fujifilm
After month of being back ordered, the X-T2 is finally starting to catch up with demand. Stock is now appearing on shelves at B&H Photo and local camera dealers. If you've been waiting to get your hands on an X-T2, I can assure you, your wait will be so well worth it.
The X-T20 is slowly making its way into stores now as well. Being such a highly anticipated camera, it pretty much went straight from preorder to backorder. Amazon had a few body and lens kits available, but they might be gone already. Body only models are still in shoestring supply, so if you want one, I would highly recommended placing your preorder and getting in line. Hopefully it won't be a very long wait. And if it is, it will be worth it.
Those hot new XF 50mm f/2 lenses are also showing up in stock. Amazon has them right now, in both black and Silver. I've really been loving the new 50, it's basically a slightly longer version of the 35 f/2, with an ultra compact design, very close focus, weather sealing and a great price tag. It’s quickly earning its place as one of my favorite X Series lenses and yes, I’m definitely taking it to Scotland.
Nikon
No hot new mirrorless camera yet, but Nikon did just announce the new D7500. The latest update in the hugely popular and capable D7000 series, the D7500 adds 8 fps continuous shooting and a vastly improved RAW buffer of up to 50 shots, an improved autofocus and metering system and an updated image processor. And it has 4K video and a tilting LCD Screen.
One thing to note, where the D7500 had a 24MP sensor the D7500 has a new 20.9MP sensor. The slightly larger pixels help give it better high ISO performance when shooing in low light.
In their attempt to draw a clear line and establish this as an “enthusiast” model below the professional level D500, Nikon has removed the second card slot and taken away the ability to use a battery grip. However, I’ve always felt that the D7xxx series are Nikon’s best value camera when it comes to quality, features and price point, and the D7500 still achieves that status.
There’s no question that the D500 is clearly a better, higher performance camera. However, if don’t need a 200 shot RAW buffer, dual card slots, the ability to use XQD and the fastest UHS-II SD cards, the D7500 is still a worth contender.
Many of the specs are the same, or remarkably close. Overall, the D7500 is a very capable and lightweight DSLR that will perform exceptionally well in most situations and give you excellent image quality. And it costs over $700 less than the D500.
You can preorder the D7500 here at B&H and Amazon and Amazon UK. Shipping is slated for June.
Canon
Canon currently has a number of instant rebates on a variety of cameras, lenses and kits. Many the lenses have $150-200 saving and the DSLRs have up to $300 savings.
Special Deal on Luminar
I've been having so much fun with Luminar during the past five months, enjoying the simplicity and creative flexibility it offers. Lately I've been using it as a Lightroom plugin, which makes the program mesh even more seamlessly into my workflow.
As I often say, photography should be fun. Processing should be fun as well, and it should allow you explore and expand your creativity with minimum effort. Whether making slight tweaks in order to make my photos pop, or giving them a whole new look, I've found Luminar to be a fun and useful solution.
With the current deal, if you buy the program, you get one month free over at KelbyOne, plus a set of portrait presets by the man himself, Scott Kelby, all for only $69. There are a ton of great training resources and tutorials as KelbyOne, from top pros like Joe McNally, Dave Black and Lindsay Adler.
Around the Web
I always love sharing posts by Catskill photographer Robert Rodriquez Jr. Here’s one from a few years ago called Focus on What Makes a Difference.
There are few modern day legends like Joe McNally. What a master!!! If you ever have a chance to see him speak, I would highly recommend taking advantage of the opportunity. Even if you don’t shoot flash, his attitude towards photography is well worth hearing. His blog post Last Minute Pictures is full of the kind of amazing real-world advice and stories that surround him and his photography. Pure entertainment!
Seeing as how I’ll be other there next week, I though I’d include this brief photo essay about Scotland from a shooter named Antonio. I found his blog post Oxton Loop, Scottish Borders, and love the collection of creative looks, colors and compositions in his imagery.
Since I’m headed off on another bike trip very soon, I thought I’d look back at one I did a few years ago. In 2013, we rode through Germany, Austria and Italy on the Via Claudia Augusta cycling path, which crosses the Alps. Here’s the trip account called Crossing The Alps - Part 1: Germany and Castles. Part 2 is called Not Enough Time in Austria, and Part 3 is Downhill to Italy. Enjoy!
Here’s a post I found on PhotographyTalk.com called 7 Tips for Photographing Landscapes with a Wide Angle Lens. I love wide angle lenses, and there are some pretty good tips here, plus the photos are sure to inspire.
That’s all of this issue. I hope you’re having a great spring and having a ton of fun with photography. There’s a reason why photography and fun sound like they start with the same letter. If you’re not having fun with your camera, then you’re not doing it right. I hope this edition provided you with a little bit of creative and/or technical inspiration, so if you found it useful or enjoyable, please share it with your own friends and followers.
Best regards,
Dan
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