The Art of Photography

After being on the wait list for the last 2 years, Light finally sent me the Light L16. Is this the camera of the future? The Ababilis Responder Jacket (the Deeper Pixels jacket) https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1306918721/responder-tactical-outerwear-guaranteed-for-life?ref=86l28a Check out the Dears https://www.thedears.org Also on Spotify, iTunes etc Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Hasselblad were gracious enough to loan me a Hasseblad X1D to review. This camera represents a benchmark in medium format digital photography with it size. This is a medium format digital camera that is smaller than most DSLR's. If you want high resolution images, look no further. This camera is a best! Additional camera work from my buddy Eric Rossi Rent a Hasselblad and try one out today https://www.hasselblad.com/rental/#/home This video is sponsored by Squarespace For a free trial visit http://squarespace.com/aop and for 10% off your order use offer code AOP on checkout Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Having spent a week in Arizona at Hidden Light, I've made many photography videos behind the scenes at their amazing photo lab. Matt Beaty is not only an interesting photographer, but he is one of the best platinum palladium printers working today. Platinum palladium is a beautiful alternative process that's made a resurgence in recent years. Warm tones and sharp details are two of the main characteristics. I sat down with Matt to talk about his approach and what he does. Want a print made? Check out Hidden Light http://hiddenlightllc.com/aop Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Back at Hidden Light for another day of photography. This time I get to print one of my one images as a pure palladium. Want to make a print? Check out Hidden Light: http://hiddenlightllc.com/aop Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

This week I had the opportunity to photograph the Grand Canyon while I was in Arizona. We drove up just before sunrise to catch it right at the moment the sun came up - amazing experience. Check out the Amabilis jacket on Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1306918721/responder-tactical-outerwear-guaranteed-for-life?ref=86l28a The filters I'm using on my camera are from Wine Country Camera - you can use offer code AOP and save 15% on checkout. http://www.winecountry.camera/ Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Take a tour walkthrough in one of the best photography labs in the world. Hidden Light have been printing various processes over the 17 years they've been in business. They work with some of the best fine art photographers in the world and their quality is second to none. Want to get a print made? Check them out here: http://hiddenlightllc.com/aop Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Photo Assignment #14 is on food photography and I'd like to share some of the viewer photographs! Special thanks to all the photographers that submitted work, it is outstanding. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

You guys send me some really amazing photography zines, prints and now even coffee in the mail. Today my buddy Peter McKinnon sent me some of his new signature blend of coffee from James Coffee Co to check out. I'm finally catching up with the mail so I hope you enjoy some of the awesome photography books and zines people are sharing! Check out: Peter McKinnon https://www.youtube.com/user/petermckinnon24 Rory Marion https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfSndXNbLgyeSXVTa9Unlxg Jennifer Thompson https://www.photographybyjenniferethompson.com/ Allformat Collective http://www.allformatcollective.com/ Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Recently having the opportunity to compare 2 Canon 16-35mm lenses I was quite impressed. Here are the comparison shots and my thoughts on the 16-35mm f/2.8 and the f/4 This video is sponsored by Squarespace. For a free trial and 10% off your order visit http://squarespace.com/aop and use offer code AOP on checkout. Canon 16-35mm Zoom Lenes - get them at B&H: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM Lens https://goo.gl/n2Rikh Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM Lens https://goo.gl/Pe6Tua Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Your topic for Photo Assignment #14 will be somewhat seasonably appropriate this time… we're talking about food photography. Photographing food is very similar to still life photography. There are a number of ways that you can communicate visually such as organic metaphor, concept, color, the unexpected - different approaches but all capable of interesting results. I took a photography history approach to the examples as we look at the work of Edward Weston, Wynn Bullock, Tom Baril, André Kertész, Josef Sudek, Irving Penn and of course - William Eggleston. Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tedforbes/ Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

The Wine Country Camera filter system might just be the most amazing tool for landscape photography that I've ever come across. Its the only filter system that I've seen that has an integrated workflow. This thing is exactly the one thing that will completely level up your landscape photography. You can save 15% by using offer code AOP on check out so go check out Wine Country Camera: http://www.winecountry.camera/ Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

The photography submitted this week is absolutely outstanding! Photo Assignment #13 was on Self Portraits and the work is extremely special. Photo Assignments are a weekly photography exercise in improving our work as photographers and expanding our creative thinking. I've linked up several playlists below if you'd like to get involved! Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

The Phase One XF is the most high-end camera system you can buy. I recently had a chance to use this setup with the IQ3 monochrome back. I was told this back is the first one in the US so I was pretty excited. This camera setup is a game changer. The Phase One IQ3 Monochrome back is one of the most exciting things to happen in camera design in the age of digital photography. The sensor weighs in at a cool 101 Megapixels and its designed to capture light past the visual spectrum. When you understand how to shape this using filters you have one of the most advanced, digital monochrome cameras ever made. The results are stunning. Special Thanks to Digital Transitions for loaning me the camera and to Rod Clark who makes the best filter system on the market for setting it all up! Check them out here: Digital Transitions https://digitaltransitions.com/ Wine Country Camera http://www.winecountry.camera/ This video is sponsored by Squarespace For a free trail and 10% off your order, make your next move with Squarespace by using offer code AOP on checkout. http://squarespace.com/aop Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Photo Assignment #13 deals with self-portraits in photography. Looking back on the history of photography this phenomenon isn't just limited to people with iPhones. Successful portraits of any kind use elements of aesthetic and conceptual thinking to create works. Vivian Maier is probably the most known photographer embracing the medium but there were others as well: Cindy Sherman, Andy Warhol, Andreas Feininger, Richard Avedon and many others. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Today Sony has announced the new Sony A7r III mirrorless camera - the latest in its A7 lineup. The A7rIII looks extremely promising. They seemed to have cleaned up a lot of the little frustrations with the A7rII, increased the performance and added some nice new features for both still and video shooting in 4k. The camera will be available at the end of November. Sony also introduced 2 lenses - the 24-105 f/4.0 OSS FE and a telephoto prime - a 400mm f/2.8 to be released in the summer of 2018. Also announced as I was about to film this video - DxO has purchased Nik Software from Google. This is incredible news as Nik is one of the best post production packages I've used. Google have announced they're abandoning development on Nik so its nice to see someone committed to keeping it up to date.

David Brookover is in town and he’s brought a few surprises. This week we will be taking a look at the Phase One XF camera with the IQ3 monochrome back. It comes in at 101 Megapixels and is the most expensive camera to ever be sold. There is only one of these in North America and you’re going to get to see it! Special thanks to Rod Clarke from Wine Country Camera and Digital Transitions for making this possible. Wine Country Camera http://www.winecountry.camera Digital Transitions https://digitaltransitions.com Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Photo Assignment #12 is on composite images. You guys did some amazing work this week!!! Photo Assignments are designed to expand our creative thinking in photography and our skills as photographers. You can participate as we do these every Monday. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Puerto Rico is currently in a disastrous state following the damage from this summer’s hurricane season. FEMA is currently responding but supplies are needed. Chelsea and Tony Northrup are working with Michael the Maven on a charity project to deliver simple water filtration systems to people in need. This is an incredible way to give back and one of the reasons I love the photography community so much. These filters are all FEMA approved, in fact, Chelsea and Michael navigated all the red government tape to make this happen. I am giving to the cause as well – I’ve donated a limited edition of 10 prints that you can get as well as 3 portfolio reviews for people who are interested. This is the time to put down the camera and come together as a community and I’m really proud of my colleagues who are behind this cause. You can donate here: http://sdp.io/prwater Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Photo Assignment #12 is about working with composite images. Essentially this is a final image that is made up of multiple images. This is fairly wide open but could use double exposure, a collage of images, images within your photo, digital manipulation and compositing… there are mane options on this one. I want to encourage people to try some different things on this one so I am extending the deadline one more week. Photo Assignments are projects we work on every Monday. These photography based assignments are designed to expand our creative thinking and improve our skills as photographers.

One of the great features of Adobe Lightroom is the ability to deal with a really large group of images and make it manageable to work with. These are my 7 top Lightroom keyboard shortcuts that are designed to make your workflow faster to deal with. Have any keyboard shortcuts you like? Please share them in the comments! Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Photo Assignment #12 is to make a composite photo. There are many ways to do this, one of which is digitally stitching photos in Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop. This is a great way to get beautiful, high resolution landscape images, but there are other ways to use this technique too which are a lot more basic. You can use polaroids, prints, have framelines, make perfect digital composites, whatever you think is the best technique to tell your story and be creative! In fact I encourage you to experiment. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

A behind-the-scenes look at an Urban Landscape project I’m working on for a client. Shot in downtown Dallas, I’ll show you how I’m working with stitched images in Adobe Lightroom for max depth and sharpness. These images were shot with a Zeiss Loxia f/2.0 35mm lens Get it at Amazon http://amzn.to/2x1hfp7 or B&H https://goo.gl/3Ue85m Check out: Ben Horne https://www.youtube.com/user/bensdmkII Thomas Heaton https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfhW84xfA6gEc4hDK90rR1Q Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

One of my favorite features in Adobe Lightroom is the mobile syncing function. My favorite use in addition to syncing to the mobile app is the ability to create web galleries that automatically sync to your edits. This is particularly useful in collaboration situations when working with a client. In this tutorial I will show you how to create these. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

New freelance gig this week – an old friend I used to work with called and said she needed a photographer… I told her I was up for it. So I’ll bring you along and we’ll check out my old neighborhood while we are at it. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Fujifilm are making some of the best lenses on the market right now. I’ve been experimenting with various configurations over the last few months between the X-T2 and the X Pro 2 – and my absolute favorite lenses so far are the 16mm f/1.4 and the 23mm f/2. Get them at B&H Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR https://goo.gl/zrfbEz Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR https://goo.gl/78bVtW Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Some great news for analog photographers this week as we saw announcements from both Kodak and Polaroid. Kodak are slated to have a limited release of Ektachrome soon and full production next year. Polaroid have aquired the Impossible Project and are producing film once again under the sub brand – Polaroid Originals. Polaroid Originals will be making a new series of instant film called i-type. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

This week our photo assignment dealt with the photography composition technique of subframing. Subframing is a way of using elements in the composition to frame up the subject – you end up with a picture within a picture. Outstanding work and congratulations to everyone who submitted photographs this week – there were literally thousands of images submitted. This is a selection of the best. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

This week brought the unveiling of the new iPhone X as well as the iPhone 8 and 8 plus. This is also the 10th anniversary of the original iPhone. I want to talk about the iPhone in the context of photography. This smartphone literally changed everything. Now everyone not only has a camera on them at all times, but the ability to share things in the moment across the internet and reach an audience. This is the real significance of smartphones, but since its the biggest announcement of the year I figured it was an appropriate time to have this talk. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Big announcement from Sony today as they release the RX10 IV – the latest in the RX series lineup. The Sony RX10 IV is a bridge camera that features a 1 inch sensor paired with a 24-600mm equivalent focal length lens. The major editions to this model are the ability to shoot raw stills at a burst rate of 24 frames per second. Phase detection autofocus has been added to to make this a serious option for continuous autofocus for applications like video. You can preorder from B&H here: https://goo.gl/KiZ2sA Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

One of my big projects right now is changing up my digital storage for photo and video files. My goal is to have everything in one place, easy to get to without breaking the bank. This is step one. Also some awesome stuff in the mail this week! Check out: Tim Huebeck/Waste Of Film https://www.youtube.com/…/timheubeckpho… Tom Barr - Ootlier https://twitter.com/ootlier The Bigger Picture Cards http://www.biggerpicture.cards/en/ Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Photo Assignments! This is number 11 and it deals with a photography composition technique called “Subframing”. Essentially subframing is using elements in your composition to frame up the subject – its like a picture in a picture. There are many ways to use this technique, you can be subtle or more obvious, but its an excellent way to create more depth in your photography composition. Check out Craig Whitehead (sixstreetunder) https://www.sixstreetunder.com https://www.instagram.com/sixstreetunder https://twitter.com/sixstreetunder Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Today brought us the announcement of the new Fujifilm X-E3 which is a small form, rangefinder inspired camera design that in someways is a little brother to the Fujifilm X-Pro 2. This camera looks to be quite promising as it offers 4k video recording, touch screen, improved auto focus in continuous mode as well as bluetooth integration with smartphones and tablets. Also announced were a new macro lens (the Fujinon XF80), a software package (Fujifilm X RAW Studio) which will pair the cameras processor with your computer for RAW processing and also a set of 4 firmware updates to newer X-Series cameras that improve radio flash performance, auto focus performance and bring 4k recording to the X-Pro 2! This video is sponsored by Squarespace For a free trail and 10% off, visit http://squarespace.com/aop and use offer code AOP on check out. Make your next move with Squarespace Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

This is a time to put the camera down and not discuss photography. As most of you know I live in Texas and we are likely seeing the largest natural disaster in American history with Hurricane Harvey as it has hit the gulf coast. This is a serious video and your help is needed. Here Are Ways You Can Help People During Hurricane Harvey (via Texas Monthly) https://goo.gl/hvk9y8

The Fujifilm X-Pro 2 is a brilliant concept camera that combines mirrorless technology in a rangefinder camera design. The viewfinder is extremely impressive supporting three modes – you can use it as an optical viewfinder (with electronic overlay), a full featured electronic viewfinder or an optical rangefinder which gives you a focus preview for manual focus assistance. This is an extremely well though out camera that will appeal to those wanting the experience of shooting with a rangefinder combined with the amazing features and image quality that Fujifilm are known for. Get it at B&H :: https://goo.gl/PdDu15 This video is sponsored by Squarespace Free trial :: http://squarespace.com/aop 10% off code :: AOP Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Here is your work from Photo Assignment #10 :: Negative and Positive Space in Photography Composition. Composition in photography involves understanding elements in the photo and relationships they have with one another. When used effectively, positive and negative space can bring emphasis to objects in your composition and create a much stronger photo in the end. Thanks to all who participated! If you want to learn more, I’ve linked the video below. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Keith Carter is a contemporary American photographer based in Beaumont, Texas. His photography has evolved over the years incorporating many mediums including silver gelatin, wet plate collodion, photograms and digital photography. Keith uses many techniques and approaches to conceptually portray his statements as a photographer. His acclaimed work in photography has led to over a hundred solo shows across 13 countries. He’s published 12 monographs and his work is in private and museum photography collections including the Art Institute of Chicago, George Eastman House, J Paul Getty Museum, MFA Houston, SFMoMA, President and Mrs Barak Obama and the Wittliff Gallery of Southwestern and Mexican Photography at Texas State University. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

The next Photo Assignment is to explore possibilities of positive and negative space. Positive and negative space are compositional elements that describe what’s important in a photograph or visual composition and what is supportive. Positive space is usually the subject of your photography – its where you want to draw the eye of the viewer. The space this takes up in the composition is referred to as Positive Space. Negative Space refers to things like the background and supportive elements. Negative Space has a role beyond just staying out of the way. You can create interest by carefully using this negative space to support the subject in your photograph’s composition.

Pedro Meyer is one of the significant, contemporary photographers in Mexico. His career has spanned decades of photography and he’s usually found himself at the forefront of the technical and social possibilities of the medium. Heresies is a retrospective comprising four decades of photography. The exhibition opened simultaneously in 60 museums worldwide. He recently opened the Foto Museo Cuatro Caminos in Mexico City which puts an emphasis on Latin American photography and includes works and exhibitions by photographers from all over the world. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Your work for Photo Assignment #9 (Personal Freedom) is simply outstanding. Photo Assignments have become one of my favorite things to do as I get to connect with all of you through photography. Our theme this week was personal freedom and this is expressed in photography in a profound and diverse way. I want to thank and congratulate all of you who participated. Thumbnail image by Paul Hoy Follow Carlo Maccheroni https://twitter.com/carlomaccheroni Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Quick trip to New York City and I got to spend a day with my buddy Eric. We went to Brooklyn to hang out in Dumbo… and had some fun with Eric’s Polaroid SX70. I have one I bought years ago – they are incredible cameras, but the original film is long gone. Polaroid Time Zero hasn’t been made in years, but Impossible Project makes one with a different ISO that will still work. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Lourdes Grobet is a Mexico City based photographer known best for her work with Lucha Libre wrestlers including El Santo and Blue Demon. Starting her career in photography as a conceptual artist in the late 1960s, she eventually became the first prominent female photographer in Lucha Libre for most of her career. Grobet works in large series projects which also include a 35 year project with the Teatro Campesino e Indígena, a contemporary theater group that interprets the indigenous traditions of pre-hispanic Mexico. The Artist Series is made possible by the audience that supports the show. Thank you!!! Photography is a better world with you. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Tomorrow is the release of S2E3 of the Artist Series with features Lourdes Grobet. Lourdes is a brilliant photographer known best for her work with Lucha Libre which was a photography project she worked on for 30 years. She worked closely photographing famous luchadores such as El Santo and Blue Demon over her career. I want to provide some context of her photography as a lead in to her Artist Series film. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

I’ve been using the DJI Spark for the last few weeks – DJI are calling this the Worlds Smallest Drone and it is tiny! It is considerably underpowered when you compare it to the DJI Mavic or the DJI Phantom 4 but the size and versatility make this a very worthwhile drone to have. Its easy to use and if you learn the quirks of the camera, you can get some incredible looking footage and still photos. Available from Amazon http://amzn.to/2sDPFwZ B&H https://goo.gl/BjEVPC This video is sponsored by Squarespace For a free trial and 10% off visit http://squarespace.com/aop and use offer code AOP on checkout Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Yesterday I posted Episode 2, Season 2 of the Artist Series which is a film on photographer David Brookover. David is one of the best landscape photographers working today and it was an honor to include him in the Artist Series. This is a behind-the-scenes view of how I filmed it. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

David Brookover is a contemporary American photographer who specializes in landscape images. Based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming he currently owns his own gallery. Having spent 15 years in Japan, Brookover is greatly influenced by Japanese art and textiles which is reflected in the diverse mediums of printing and paper use that is a major part of his work. The Artist Series is made possible by the people who support the show. Thank you! Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

I want to provide some commentary on landscape photography so you’ll have a little context for tomorrow’s Artist Series video on David Brookover. Landscape photography is probably the longest running genre in the canon of photography. Being a landscape photographer usually means drawing instant comparisons to Ansel Adams or Michael Kenna. David Brookover is a very unique landscape photographer in his choice of medium and printing techniques. This will be a very unique artist series video from a truly inspiring photographer. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

This week marks the 4th of July holiday in the United States so with that in mind I want to create a photography challenge for this photo assignment. July 4th is a celebration in the US of independence and freedom. We gather to watch fireworks and spend time with family and friends. What does personal freedom mean to you? This is the photo challenge for this week. Visual interpret what personal freedom means to you through photography. Try and get beyond photographing fireworks and flags and explore this as personally as you like. I will put some of the best images in next Monday’s video so be sure to get them posted to social media by 6/9 if you want to be considered. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

A little behind the scenes on the Artist Series. If you haven’t seen the Artist Series on Graciela Iturbide check it out! This has been an amazing project and it was a complete honor to work with Graciela Iturbide on this short film. Extra special thanks to Doug Hall, Ruth Alegria, Oswaldo Ruiz, Patricia Conde and of course to Graciela. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr

Graciela Iturbide is one of the great contemporary photographers of Mexico. As a protégé of the modernest master Manuel Alvarez Bravo, she worked as his assistant before starting her own career in photography in the early 1970’s. Working mostly in large-scale documentary projects, she was commissioned in 1978 by the Ethnographic Archive of the National Indigenous Institute of Mexico to photograph Mexico’s indigenous population. The resulting project photographing the Seri Indians yielded one of her most iconic works, Mujer ángel, Desierto de Sonora in 1979. She has worked in her native Mexcio as well as Cuba, East Germany, India, Madagascar, Hungary, Paris and the United States. She was the recipient of the W Eugene Smith grant in 1971 and the prestigious Hasselblad award in 2008. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr The Artist Series is made possible by the people who support the show. Thank you!

The Artist Series starts tomorrow. First up will be Graciela Iturbide who is one of the most important photographers in the lineage of Mexican photography. Here is a bit of context on her photographs to get you familiar with her work. Music from Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/v5wWKr