Nikon has been busy lately. Almost every month it seems like a new lens is being released. The 800mm F5.6, the 70-200 F4, the 80-400mm F4.5-5.6. Of course, I want them all! Another lens was released recently that didn't get as much fanfare, but may be the...
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Bottom line, if your shot isn't sharp, then nothing else matters...delete, delete, delete. I spend countless hours working on my images after a shoot, and sharpening is one of the most important parts of my workflow. Sharpening takes some time to master since not all...
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Our jobs as general practitioners of photo and video require comfortable, durable stylish dressing. Recently Karl and I discovered the 5.11 Tactical clothing line, which fits absolutely every venue we work in from country club formal to 4-wheel rough terrain and dirt.
As a self-employed creative professional I wear many hats on a daily basis. My virtual hat rack includes photographer, accountant, marketing manager, administrative assistant, video editor, writer, lawyer and business development manager. You can see why I need a whole...
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I am always on the lookout for better ways to carry my photo equipment. It seems I am finally buying less camera gear (probably not true!), but searching for more efficient ways to carry it. One day I might be photographing skiers in the high mountains, the next day...
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Inspired by a publicity graphic from the Guy Richie movie, Rocknrolla, I re-imagined a new image that tells the story of a middle aged man-child on the losing end of a water balloon fight with the neighborhood kids. Our back yard warrior would be defending himself armed only...
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I recently had a chance to talk to the students of Leslie McCall's Professional Digital Techniques class at Orange Coast College. OCC has an amazing facility and great faculty. The school is amazing, there are tons of 5D, 7D, Canon AE-1 (film bodies) cameras and lenses, all Profoto...
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I have been using Lensbaby lenses since they first came out. How cool was it to create wild out of focus images using this compact lens? It reminded me of shooting my Holga camera; you never knew exactly what the image was going to look like. But then Lensbaby...
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I often fill my truck to the ceiling with lighting equipment on an assignment. I hate to limit my lighting options on a photo shoot. I might want my strip bank for this effect, and my big square softbox for this look. I better bring my speedlights for quick and easy...
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The Canon 200-400 f4 L IS was pre-announced by Canon at CP+ more than two years ago and as such, has probably become the most desired lens for Canon professionals the world over. Realistically, with an estimated price tag of $11,000...
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I'm no luddite. I love technology, I'm an early adopter, beta tester and consultant on a lot of things. But social media, with the plethora of different options, are hard to learn and use effectively.
Honestly, I just tried Pinterest really for...
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This post is a lighting breakdown of a shoot I did last year. I had the opportunity to shoot Rafael Marquez in Mexico City for the FMF. He is a world class soccer player for Mexico and a great guy. We were going to shoot several shots that would need to freeze him in mid air as he...
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I was recently shooting skiers, and as often happens, the weather got nasty. No splitter skies this time, but instead horizontal snow. Sometimes blowing snow can create really interesting images, the trick is just trying to shoot during the snowstorm. I had a lot of...
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There comes a time in any relationship to know when it isn't working out. In business, it is essential to be able to assess yours and get rid of the clients that drag you down. They all abuse you in some way. Some always beat you up on price or terms, some pay you very late, consistently....
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Ski season is in full swing in Colorado right now, and for me that means hittng the slopes with my camera gear. I follow skiers (much better than me!) in steep, rugged terrain trying to capture dramatic cliff drops or huge air off jumps. Since I am normally just trying to...
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Another image of mine with a bit of a story behind it was just published this month in Skier magazine. In March 2012 I headed to Austria to cover an event called Nine Queens. The event brings together...
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I travel a lot each year on assignments and teaching workshops; a major priority for me is traveling light. A lot of trips I might be traveling alone, so I don't have a fleet of assitants to help carry my gear. With this in mind, I have narrowed down my minimalist...
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For 2013, I've been setting some goals. And by setting goals, I mean putting them on paper. And digital paper, in the form of my devices, so I can have them in front of me and in the forefront of my mind all the time.
There's the obvious, expanding my work and my business. I...
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I'm a sucker for anything that streamlines my workflow and photo assignments. A simple photo shoot can get complex quickly; one main light on the subject, one accent light on his left side...better add a few lights to illuminate the car in the background. Before I know...
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Sara Frances: “John Hartman has long had my respect as an innovative teacher, but better - John is a working photographer who has weathered a great many changes in our industry. Welcome to The RAW Report at ProPhotoCoalition, John!”
John Hartman: “I love my profession. I...
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