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Sensor, Shmensor!
Taken with a Fuji X100s 1/60 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1250
I often get asked about whether or not to upgrade from crop sensor to full-frame sensor. Yet, most of the time, I try to steer the conversation to the work that’s being created and not the gear used to create it.
Don’t get me wrong. I love gear and am a total gear-head. I’ve shot all different formats and while I have my personal preferences, they’re not meant for everyone. Sure, it’s cool to check the EXIF data and see what gear was used to make a photo, but that doesn’t mean you have to run out and upgrade. Sometimes, just changing your workflow or trying new techniques can affect your photography way more than replacing gear.
Once upon a time, full-frame sensor cameras had an advantage with better ISO performance, faster focusing, and availability of better lenses to name a few differences. If you were a pro, it was a no-brainer. Wedding shooters, sports shooters popped on a full-frame DSLR for the obvious reasons. And if money was no object, well, then maybe you picked up one of those nifty little cameras with the red dot on the front. 
My little Fuji cameras with their APS-C sensors, produce spectacular images. They handle low light really well and some of them even focus fast and shoot lots of frames per second.
Havana Cuba Nightlife Fuji X100s, f/2.0, 1/80 sec, ISO 6400
But really people, let’s put a stop all the pixel peeping! Let’s fuggetabout DXO scores. Who REALLY cares about all of those specs. The difference in sensor size from an APS-C to 35mm full-frame camera is like the difference between a Grande and Venti Starbucks. Not much difference people!
I’ve made prints from my 5DMKIII and my X100s. There’s not much difference in quality if at all. In fact, some of my favorite prints were shot with my Fuji.
Ballerina, Havana, Cuba Fuji X100s, 1/125 sec, f/2.0, ISO 800
For the vast majority of what I shoot, speed isn’t important. I tether my camera to my computer when I shoot for most of my client work. It’s an important part of my workflow and for that reason, I hang on to my Canon gear, but quite frankly, I’d much prefer to shoot Fuji. Smaller, lighter, and spectacular image quality.
So please stop pixel peeping. Stop the flame wars about camera brands and sensors. Spend more time shooting. At the end of the day, if the image is there, it doesn’t matter what gear you used to get it. Rather than sink a ton of dough into gear, think about booking a trip. Just get out there and do it and don’t waste your time thinking that buying a fancy camera will make you a better photographer.
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This is the OFFICIAL FroKnowsPhoto Music Video called “I SHOOT RAW”. It was filmed by Todd Wolfe as one part of the FroKnowsPhoto Guide To DSLR Video. The video is the final product of a full day production that showcases how the video was made.
If you have an interested in seeing exactly how this music video was shot with a consumer level DSLR (Canon 60D) please click here to pick up the FroKnowsPhoto Guide To DSLR Video. This is just 1 of 4 real world video shoots that we take you own in the 6 hour crash course to learn how to shoot video with your DSLR.
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DJI Inspire 1 Real World Preview with 4k Footage
We had the pleasure of going to a super secret location aka Brooklyn NYC to get some flight time with the new DJI Inspire 1 to do a Real World Preview.
I am going to run down the top level specs that I think are the most important to focus on right off the bat.
This is an all new “drone” from DJI that will be priced right around $3,000. I am sure you are curious where this falls in on their lineup. At the bottom of the lineup you have the DJI Phantom which I equate to a cropped sensor camera like a rebel or D3300. At the top of their range you have the S-800 and S-900 which are more like your 1DX or D4s. Now you have the Inspire 1 which falls smack dab in the middle and I would equate it to an entry level full frame camera like the D610 or so.
This drone is larger and more powerful than the phantom and is now carbon fiber (2.9 kilos or 6 pounds). It is extremely simple to set up, all you have to do is attach the self tightening props, connect the battery and you are pretty much ready to fly.
You have a built in DJI designed and built 4K capable video camera on a 3 axis gimbal. It is a removable “payload” that means at some point you may be able to switch out other cameras or devices that DJI or possibly others release.
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My take on Keira Knighley’s No Photoshop Nude Photo NSFW
“I’ve had my body manipulated so many different times for so many different reasons, whether it’s paparazzi photographers or for film posters.” Keira Knightley
“That was one of the ones where I said, ‘OK, I’m fine doing the topless shot so long as you don’t make them any bigger or retouch.’ Because it does feel important to say it really doesn’t matter what shape you are.” Keira Knightley
Click the image to see the FULL Res photo
“I think women’s bodies are a battleground and photography is partly to blame,” she says. “Our society is so photographic now, it becomes more difficult to see all of those different varieties of shape.” Keira Knightley
I am sure you are wondering why I would do something like this. Simple, I thought it would be fun to try and replicate everything about her photo. Her goal was to do a topless shoot but not allow any manipulating or photoshoping to be done whatsoever. There is nothing wrong with being who you are and being secure with it.
Getting ready to post this image started getting me thinking about how you can’t post woman on Facebook or Instagram topless but it’s perfectly fine for me to go shirtless.
What is the world afraid of? You hear it’s to protect the children, but they are bombarded on the news with things that are far more scaring. A simple internet search will take you to porn or people getting their heads cut off.
So what’s wrong with nudity that is art that is beautiful and natural? If you don’t like it don’t look at it but don’t dictate to others what they can and can not look at. I guess this falls under the FREE the nipple campaign.
Quotes were used from HollywoodLife.com and the entire interview can be found here.
Keira Knightley Photo’s taken by Patrick Demarchelier for Interview Magazine. The original article and photos can be seen below or by clicking here.
