Photography by Randy Hanna » Tools and Techniques

Lightroom 4 Beta

Randy Hanna — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:22:36 +0000

Another week of announcements: The long awaited Lightroom 4 Beta is out and can be downloaded over at Adobe Labs for those of you that are willing to accept working in a Beta environment. If you decide to download and install this Beta, please be sure to read all of the fine print associated with the using the Beta (there is always some level of risk in using Beta software, so plan accordingly).

After a fast review of the new features in LR4 (Beta), I can once again say that Adobe has done things right! Several of the new features in LR4B are ones that I have been hoping to see in LR for a long time. The most critical improvements for me include a local development brush that has gone crazy with enhanced adjustments, the ability to create photo books directly from a dedicated module, a wonderful soft proofing capability as well as the ability to match your print brightness and contrast to that of your monitor, tonal adjustment controls are designed to extract the entire dynamic range from cameras for shadow details and highlights, and enhanced support for video including the ability to develop the video. Lastly, there is a wonderful way to now email images directly from Lightroom using any email account, including Gmail, Hotmail, and Yahoo! Mail. All pretty slick, if you ask me. If Adobe sticks to their normal release schedule, I would expect to see LR4 ready to release in late spring or very early summer. Yes, I’ll be standing in line. Meanwhile, spend some time over at Adobe Labs or over at National Association of Photoshop Professionals’ Beta Launch Center.

Cheers and happy photo’ing.

Nikon D4

Randy Hanna — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:46:24 +0000

The much awaited Nikon D4 was announced last night (Pacific Time) and if the specs pan out, this will be a killer camera. With the D3s as my primary work horse, I have come to rely on the high speed capture rate (frames per second) and the second to none low light noise free shooting. I can’t tell you how many times this camera has saved my bacon when it comes to shooting in the low light conditions of first or last light of the day. Night city-scapes are also a breeze when shooting with the D3s. In reading the specifications of the D4, it looks like nothing but a GRAND improvement over the D3s and I simply can’t wait to get my hands on one. As soon as I run this camera through its paces, I will report back with my observations. With any luck, I will own one of these before my trip to Africa in March. Meanwhile, you can read about the D4 over at B& H Photo. And now, here is the D4 with an estimated price of $6,400 US – OUCH.

Nikon D4

Safari Update – What Worked Well On My Last Safari

Randy Hanna — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:00:28 +0000

After each safari I consult my travelers and make a list of what went well, as well as those things that need improvement. For this post, I will highlight what worked well for us or those things that made our lives on safari just a bit better (or a lot in some cases). Before we get to the list, I would like to share the photo below. I seldom have my photo taken, but Steve was able to capture my sheer joy of being in the bush. If I had my way, I often wonder if I could find a way to simply live there.

That Safari Grin

The top fifteen tips or observations of what worked well on the last safari:

Ramadan did not pose a problem while in Dubai. Before you go, spend time learning to work around cultural events in foreign countries.
While Fairview was nice and always my first choice for lodging in Kenya however, you need to stay in the main building (rooms 3 and 5).
Transfers with additional camera equipment between Kenya and Tanzania with Precision Air, was relatively painless.
All coordinated transfers were painless.
Packing and planning well in advance for differing conditions reduced shooting stress.
Mobile camp at Senera (unit) was really special – fast response by Thomson’s to alter location to better support photography clients (BIG PLUS – these guys are simply the best).
Mobile camp at Kekogona was perfect for northern work and river crossings.
Inverters in the trucks are great support.
Amod tracking device was flawless, and worked well on rechargeable batteries.
Hyperspace worked great, less the combat card issue and having one of the units dropped which fractured the hard drive connection point.
Jerimah Beach Hotel in Dubai is THE place to stay (not cheapest)
The maps that Thomson’s provided was used often buy all of the travelers – great resource.
Difficult but rewarding hike up the side of Mount Meru. This was an optional trip for some of my travelers. Great to do if you are in shape.
English-Swahili ‘Useful Phrases, TMP Book Department – TABORA’ – the best book I’ve seen thus far.
A visit to Shangaa, was rewarding as usual.

Cheers and happy photo’ing

New CODEC by Microsoft

Randy Hanna — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 01:10:39 +0000

Tired of having to use a third part image viewer for a quick look at your NEF files outside of Lightroom or Bridge? Microsoft has come to the rescue with a new codec for most Nikon cameras. Just download and install the appropriate codec (32 or 64 bit) and you can see the NEF images in explorer. Really a big time saver for me when I am looking for something really fast.

Cheers and happy photo’ing

Safari Update 1 PLUS Six Building Blocks For Better Image Capturing

Randy Hanna — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:38:05 +0000

With multiple flights and time zone changes, we finally arrived at the Mara Plains Camp. Within 15 minutes of leaving the Mara Intrepid Air Strip, we were sitting on a male and female cheetah that were seriously into each other . Although we stayed with them for several hours, we did not get to observe any mating. The next thing we know, we are watching a pride of lions tear apart a Wildebeest carcass. Tomorrow we head deep into the Masaai Mara Plains for a full week of intensive photography. I’ll be trying out several different blogging options in hopes of blogging everyday from the bush. This will be a test and I’ll have to wait until the end of the safari to see what worked versus what didn’t work.

Sitting around the table tonight with John, Brett, and Scott, I briefed everyone on what to expect over the next week and the best way to shoot it typical scenes. A discussion then unfolded into what I believe is key to making outstanding images. I prefer to think of this as my six foundations for making outstanding images. Once these foundations are in place, you can build on them with composition, display, processing, etc. For your consideration, here are my thoughts on the basic foundations.

1. PLANNING. No doubt about it, a poorly planned shoot will more than likely return poor images. Plan your shoot, pack the necessary gear and be prepared. My adage is: “plan your shoot and shoot your plan.”
2. GLASS. Yep, the better your optics the better chance you will have at pulling in a better image. In my opinion, there is no way around it. Simply put, there is a huge difference between a $400 80-200 zoom kit lens and the professional $2700 70-200 f2.8 Nikon pro model. With very noticeable improvements in light gathering, edge to edge sharpness, and resolving power, this is what professional glass is all about. Having said this, good glass on a poor camera will still result in a poor image; think of it as the least common denominator defining your image quality. If you are going to get serious about capturing outstanding images, plan your investment accordingly. If you are only interested in snap shots, then I suggest that the kit lenses would most certainly meet your needs. No doubt, there are some wonderful kit lenses out there so read the reviews and the performance specs. If you are not using higher end glass enough to justify the purchase, consider renting from any of a number of lens rental companies.
3. SENSOR/CAMERA. You must know and understand the limits of your camera/sensor. Learn how to master the capabilities and overcome the camera’s limitations. The sensor must be equal to or surpass the quality of your best glass; yes, the two are directly linked. Plan for the future and take into consideration your shooting style. You must also learn how to maintain your sensor – keep it clean.
4. FOCUS. Funny thing about our brain, in all but the rarest occasions, the brain will use focus as the immediate basis to either reject or accept an image as acceptable. So, if the image is out of focus, I consider it a lost leader. By this I mean no software will make it better, so you have to get this part correct.
5. STABILITY. Stability is more than just using a tripod or monopod. For me, stability includes using the correct shutter speed so vibration or motion is not transferred to the sensor and thus to the image. Using a tripod or monopod is also key, so always use one when you can get away with it. Using a tripod makes me slow down just a bit. If I slow down, I usually can think through things just a bit more completely and walk away with a far better image. On this trip we will be shooting from tripods almost exclusively, even when we are shooting from inside the trucks (watch for photos of this setup in the next posting or two).
6. POST PROCESSING. Take time to learn Photoshop, Lightroom, or your choice of editing software. If solid post processing can make a good image look great, just think about what you will end up with if you started with a great image.

As you can see, these foundations are closely linked to one another. In my opinion, focus is the deal breaker – gotta get this one right. Let’s go on safari………
Cheers and happy photo’ing.

Tacking Your Journey – Part III (final)

Randy Hanna — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 05:20:40 +0000

In the first post, I introduced my AMOD GPS tracking device followed by the various settings I used in the second post of this series. In this post, we will pull all of this together and see everything in action.

First off, download and install Google Earth – something everyone should have if you are interested in exploring the world around you. In order for Google Earth to use your file, it must be converted into a format called KML. Connect your AMOD and locate the GPS log file that is of interest to you. Follow this link for one of the best FREE NEMA to KML converters.

Locate your GPS log file using the browse button on the converter page and make the necessary selections from the drop down boxes that fit your application. After a few minutes the converter will return an opportunity for you save your new KML file. Simply save this to your desktop and double click on it. The next thing you know Google Earth will transport you to the exact location that represents your log. For a realtime example of this, double click on this GPS KML file to see it in action. You may be prompted to save this file for Google Earth to run. If so, simply save it to your desktop and then double click and off you go.

To make the image easier to see, I un-tick the box in the left hand column called ‘placemark icons’. This will leave only the line segment. In the case of this file, the different colors represent the speed of our travel. You can easily see how we slowed for our approach as well as landing followed by transfer to the jeeps for travel to the camp. I encourage you to zoom around this log and see all of the detail Google Earth will produce for you. Enjoy….

This log file was created on a flight from Windhoek, Namibia to our Skeleton Coast Camp. Namibia was a very special place for me and I place I look for ward returning to. I will write more about that experience in the future.

So what are you waiting for, go grab your logger and record your paths.

I hope to be able to blog live from deep in the Mara Plains, so say close and watch the blog.

Cheers and happy photo’ing.

Tracking Your Journey, Part II

Randy Hanna — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 06:05:09 +0000

Continuing from my previous post on Tracking Your Journey: I have chosen to alter the base settings of the AMOD to achieve much greater storage capacity and to fit the particular type of travel that I do. For example, on my safaris trips I have selected to turn OFF elevation since we will either in the air or on the road. Should I need ground elevation information, I can consult a map. I have also decreased the frequency of write times to the device. So, here are my settings and what they mean as far as the type of data that will be returned on the ‘write’ to the log: Mode 6, RMC logged at 10 second intervals. The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) has developed a set of specifications that defines the interface between various pieces of marine electronic equipment. The standard permits marine electronics to send information to computers and to other marine equipment. Most GPS manufactures have adopted the NMEA standard for recording GPS data and outputting the in a uniform manner. The most common, and considered the bare minimum, GPS data is RMC. RMC, as defined by NMEA sentence structure, returns a log that contains the following data for every log event:
RMC Recommended Minimum sentence C
123519 Fix taken at 12:35:19 UTC
A Status A=active or V=Void.
4807.038,N Latitude 48 deg 07.038′ N
01131.000,E Longitude 11 deg 31.000′ E
022.4 Speed over the ground in knots
084.4 Track angle in degrees True
230394 Date – 23rd of March 1994
003.1,W Magnetic Variation
*6A The checksum data, always begins with *

Using RMC as the minimum recording in Mode 6, I can record more than 2880 hours of data with more than 1,040,000 data points. In this configuration, each log is written to the device every 10 seconds – plenty for a land safari. The next post will walk you through down loading and processing for display on Google Earth.

Cheers and happy photo’ing

Tracking Your Journey, Part I

Randy Hanna — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 22:28:07 +0000

For the past several years, I have always carried a GPS logging device with me on all of my safaris. This small device records a track and waypoints for my entire trip. Once home, this becomes a record of the adventure that I can overlay using Google Earth. My choice device is the AMOD AGL3080 128 MB GPS logger. The logger comes with photo geo-tagging software which allows you to write the GPS coordinates to your metadata. I have read enough articles on metadata corruption that I have become very leery of third party software making changes to metadata contained in my raw files, and therefore opt not us use this software.

So how do I use this device? I simply turn it every morning, about 5 minutes before we leave our safari camp, and leave it on until we return at the end of the day. Using lithium batteries, I can usually get three full days, before battery replacement. During the day, should something come my way that I want to “mark” along our path, I simply push the waypoint button and a manual waypoint is placed on the track. The AMOD generates a new log every time the unit is turned off and on, which means you will have a new track for each day. Although you can assemble these tracks to make one entire trip log, I find the daily separation much better to manage and it corresponds to the daily log that I try to keep from each day. Next posting on the AMOD will deal with the settings that I use and how they match up to the various NEMA sentences. The final posting on the AMOD will provide instructions and demos of getting these files into Google Earth for viewing, so stay tuned.

When to Hold’em and When to Fold’em?

Randy Hanna — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 04:40:43 +0000

While discussing image storage and management the other day with a past safari client, I mentioned that I am tossing fewer and fewer images into the electronic abyss these days. If fact, I frequently find myself returning to Lightroom (LR) to process some of those shots that dropped out on the first cut. With the ability of LR to often effectively recover overexposed images with ease, I am often surprised what I can pull out of the trash can (you can also do this recovery in Photoshop however, LR seems just a little more intuitive to me). The image below is a screen shot of the develop module showing the results of before and after processing. Normally I would have simply made a terminal pass of this image due to an accidental setting in my camera. With LR I can recover images such as these with ease. Even more powerful is LR3; with impressive improvements from LR2, it is my mainstay for processing my digital images. Setting the white and black points with a brightness correction results in a totally usable image. Additional enhancements included a gentle “S” curve and other minor tweaks. Total processing time on this image was less than 2 minutes. Once I am happy with the final image, I export to PS CS5 for sharpening and final print preparation.

The finished image ready for web is below. BTW, I have never seen skies as blue as those in Namibia (no enhancement to the skies).

May 2009, Nikon D300, 17-55mm @ 55mm, ISO 200, f/10 at 1/160 sec

Cheers and happy photo’ing

NIK HDR Software from NIK (update)

Randy Hanna — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:37:44 +0000

As noted in my previous posting, I had an opportunity last Friday to participate in a Nik Software webinar previewing their new HDR solution. Nik representatives were also on hand at the Glazers Camera Shore Street Fair (Seattle) this past weekend, so I have plenty of time to pick the brains of the Nik folks. What did I learn? They are very busy reworking their entire software line to support the 64bit Photoshop CS4 and CS5 (no real surprise here, but it was refreshing to know they are working it hard). They know they are behind in this effort and are really pushing to reset their software (currently all of their products work in the Lightroom (LR) and Photoshop (PS) environment however only Viveza is currently available in the 64bit PS environment) . Back to Nik HDR – This new software will be available for PS and LR and will be offered in both 32 and 64 bit plug-in applications vs. a stand alone program. The interface carries the classic user interface that Nik users have come to love, especially the U-point control technology which allows for pin-point controls across the image. The HDR program carries an effects preview pane in the LR Navigator window very similar to Silver Effects or Color Effects, allowing the photographer to visually see the proposed enhancement before actually committing to the change. While Nik’s approach is wonderful for those wanting to put their foot into the HDR pond without having to learn all about tone-mapping, it’s power really lies in using the U-point control technology to ‘get at’ the changes you need to make without getting into complicated selective masking in PS. Another real sweet feature is the effort-less manner in which images are selected for inclusion into the HDR solution (using the LR interface). Along with Lucas Art and Photomatix, Nik HDR will be a welcomed addition to my HDR kit bag. Look for a late July release (estimated) for the NIK HDR product. No pricing information available.

Cheers and happy photo’ing