DJI OSMO POCKET PROS & CONS

May 09, 2019 in Camera Review

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DJI OSMO Pocket 4K

The DJI Osmo Pocket 4k is the perfect travel companion. With an upcoming work trip to Europe, I knew I wanted to document the experience. A few months prior I had visited Japan. I got stunning video while on the trip. But with using the Zhiyun Crane 2 it was a bit cumbersome to travel with and heavy on long walks around the city. After some initial research, I decided to pull the trigger on purchasing the OSMO Pocket 4K. The DJI OSMO Pocket is a blend of a few of their other products. It’s a smartphone stabilizer and drone mixed in one. Stabilization is a must when on the go while traveling. The Osmo has a 1-inch sensor and shoots in 4K and 4K 60p.

Here are some quick pros and cons on the DJI Osmo Pocket 4K

IMAGE QUALITY

My expectations were low in comparison to my other cameras. But I was wrong. I love the image that comes out of the OSMO. Always use the device connected to your phone for the best image. This turns your phone into a monitor. The screen on the OSMO is too small and you can get discouraged trying to use it. Plugging it into your phone is a quick fix. The footage is not groundbreaking but it’s 4K. Which means high quality to manipulate to get the color you want. I combined it with their Cine Like profile to get decent color.

What I don’t like about the image is the lack of depth of field and low light performance. It struggles in dark environments. With a small sensor, the shallow depth of field is weak.

PORTABILITY

The OSMO gimbal and camera is discrete. It turns out fast and with the cellphone connected it’s a small setup that’s fun to use. I had it on slow follow mode and it was buttery smooth. This is a great camera to throw in a backpack or purse and not feel weighted down with equipment.

What I don’t like about the design is the screen is too small without a smartphone attached. So small that it’s useless unless your eyesight is impeccable. As much as I like the small form factor I wish it had a larger body and screen size.

EXTRAS I LOVE

The OSMO has a cool time-lapse mode. You set the desired points and have the gimbal follow those moves for time lapses. For on the go shooting I like the autofocus and tracking autofocus. Sometimes it misses its target but for the most part, it’s good. The 4K 60p is a fun addition to have.

SHOULD YOU BUY THE OSMO POCKET 4K?

If you have travel plans in the future, the OSMO it’s a great camera. It doesn’t disrupt you having fun on trips. It also great if you’re in need of a quick time lapse for a project.

I would say as a filmmaker it’s a good addition to your kit. But not a must have. If you plan on doing more travel vlogging I would recommend it to get started. To be honest I’m more excited about what’s to come with the OSMO. DJI has a lot of good cameras and stabilizers. If they increase the body of the OSMO pocket, include a better camera and screen this device can be amazing. I’m sure they have something in the works. New updates on cameras come out all the time. So think about that before pulling the trigger on this first generation.

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Fuji Vs Sony

April 11, 2019 in Camera Review

Fuji vs Sony. There is a lot of buzz around the Fuji cameras lately. Which is funny because everyone is acting as though the Fuji brand has always been a favorite. Let’s be real when you think of Fuji you remember the film you put in a camera. You don’t think about the brand identifying with the physical cameras. I’m going to compare the Fuji X100F to the Sony A7III.

What I liked about the Fuji X100F?

We recently got our hands on the Fuji X100F to see if the hype lives up to the camera. For specs, this camera has a good blend. The 24 megapixels mixed with the Fuji color science give a great crisp image. The body of the camera is lightweight and has an old-school throwback design.

This camera is a good choice for street photography. It’s a fun camera that you’re going to want to take with you since it feels like you’re shooting on film. Even though it’s digital. There are manual shutter speed, ISO and aperture dial. This camera wants you to take your time in getting the shot. Which helps in strengthening your skills. This camera will force you to check the composition and your settings to get a killer shot.

The camera image quality in comparison with my Sony A7III is pretty nice. Both have good image quality. The Fuji X100F produces a more “film like” style of photography. It has a film emulation that uses Fuji film colors. One of my favorites to use was the classic chrome. You should play around with this function if you get your hands on this camera.

The dynamic range on the Fuji X100F surprised me. When I was editing in post-production it was holding up well when I pushed into the image. But, if you want a sharp image you want to stick with the Sony A7III or similar DSLR. Since the Fuji is attempting to emulate film, your image will be softer.

What I disliked about the Fuji X100F?

A few things I’m not a fan of when it comes to the Fuji 100XF. My number one issue is the fixed lens on the camera. The lens is a 35mm equivalent which is a functional all around lens. Yet, I wish I could have switched lenses a few times. I loved the image I was getting but felt limited with only one lens.

Another point I didn’t love was that this wasn’t a high-quality hybrid camera. There are not any video functions that are competitive with other cameras. It does shoot video, but only 1080p and issued 60p. The autofocus is also lacking - for video and photography. When the autofocus does lock on a subject it’s a bit slow. Which isn’t a deal breaker.

Should you buy the Fuji X100F?

To be honest, there's a lot of better cameras out there for the same price point. The Fuji X100F is about $1,200 the Sony A7 III is about $2,000. In addition the new Fuji XT3 which camera out at the end of last year is a way better all around photography and videography camera that cost $1,400. For the limitations, the Fuji X100F has you're better off spending a little more to get the Sony A7III or Fuji XT3.

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How to Take Product Photos

January 02, 2019 in DIY Photography

Product photography has become more popular lately with the boom in social media. You’ll find small companies dominating with stylized images of their products. You’ll also see lifestyle bloggers making every meal look like the cover of Bon Appetite. Capturing product photos can be a lot of fun. Whether you’re a small company or a photographer that wants to expand their portfolio. There are some tips that can help make your product photos shine.

For our product photography shoot, we worked with our client Seabold Ginger Beer. They make tasty ginger beer in the Los Angeles area. For this shoot we used our Sony A7 III with the Tamron 28-75mm.

Here are the tips for capturing eye-catching product photos. These tips can enhance your Instagram and website.

PROPS

To stand out with product photos you have to have a great arsenal of props. This helps because you won’t always have the budget to include a prop stylist. It’s doesn’t have to break the bank to start a collection of props. I’m proud of our prop collection because it’s a mixture of home good stores, thrift stores, and unique finds. Always keep your eyes open when it comes to props. Look for items that will work many times and in different settings. When it comes to storing props we keep them in stackable containers in the garage. So, you should be able to find a space to keep your props. Don’t forget to use plants or flower bouquets that will add life to your shoot.

NATURAL LIGHT

Natural light is always your best friend when it comes to photography. This tip is especially important for small business owners that aren't professional photographers. This will make your photos look more polished if you're working as your own photographer. When it comes to natural light it can add a clean look to your photos. Also, it can create dimension. Pay attention to how the light filters through the windows. See how you can use that to enhance your shot, add shadows and create depth. To add an extra pop, you can use a strobe light with a soft box to soften the light. This helped us in shooting the bottles and trying to eliminate some of the reflection on the glass.

TEXTURES, COLORS AND BACKGROUNDS

To bring flavor to your shots make sure to play around with textures. Use contrasting colors, interesting surfaces or unique backgrounds. When scouting around your home, or location. Look for spaces that might have texture or bring a unique element to your photos. Sometimes you have to look past the obvious and dig deeper. To enhance flat lays: use layers, saucers, plates, and placemats. One of my favorite ways to add color is to buy foliage before the shoot. I get leaves, baby’s breath, anything to throw in the corner or background. A plus with foliage is it lasts a long time and looks good even when it dries out a bit.

In conclusion, with any shoot, it’s always a good idea to find some references. Pay attention to what other brands are doing so you can see what props, textures, and colors they do. This will help you find the perfect style for you and your brand.

Watch our Full Video on How To Take Product Photos:

What are your tricks for shooting product photos?

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Best Zoom Lens For Sony

November 12, 2018 in DIY Photography

We’re on the hunt for the best zoom lens for the Sony Alpha Cameras. Especially our favorite camera, the Sony A7 III. The two lenses we decided to test are the Canon 24-70mm 2.8 and the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8. We enjoyed using both of these lenses. Keep reading to see the head to head comparison.

SIZE & WEIGHT

The Canon 24-70mm 2.8 is heavier and bulkier compared to the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8. The build quality is sturdier and it feels more professional. It’s about 805 grams, compared to the Tamron which weighs in at 510 grams. The Tamron is more plastic feeling, I wouldn’t say it’s cheap though. But it’s definitely lesser build quality than the Sony. Both lenses look professional. I actually prefer the looks of the Tamron over the Canon.

AUTOFOCUS

The Canon lens on the Canon 1DX handles autofocus better than the Tamron 28-75mm. In photography modes, you won’t have any problems with either lens’ focusing. But, if you plan on shooting fast motion or sports photography, go with the Canon 24-70mm. It handles burst modes better.

IMAGE QUALITY

Both lenses have stellar image quality. At F2.8 they are both sharp lenses. The Tamron 28-75mm is a tad bit sharper but it’s actually hard to tell. As both lenses have great contrast and sharp optics. I will say, the Tamron does vignette more than the Canon. Keep that in mind.

BOKEH

Excited to have an affordable zoom lens for the Sony A7III. Until now our options were either shoot F/4 lenses or adapt Canon or 3rd party lenses to the Sony cameras. The Tamron is F2.8 which creates awesome bokeh. I’m excited about not having to spend that extra money on adapters or buying the expensive G Master Sony lenses. But the Canon and the Tamron bokeh is comparable and beautiful. The bokeh is delicious.

My favorite lens out of these two is the Tamron. It’s affordable, gives good quality and it’s lightweight. When you’re traveling those are the best points you can have in a lens.

Watch our Full Video on the Best Zoom Lens For Sony:

What do you think is the best lens for Sony?

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Canon 1DX Mark II vs Sony A7 III

November 01, 2018 in DIY Photography, Camera Review

For our latest camera comparison, we put the Canon 1DX up against the Sony A7 III. Let’s start with the dynamic range. It’s great on both cameras. The Sony A7 III has 15 Stops of DR. While the Canon 1DX has 13 Stops of DR. If you’re not experienced with color grading you might have a problem dealing with Sony Log footage. When it comes to obtaining Dynamic Range. The Sony has many options when it comes to Log Profiles for Color Grading. The 1DX Mark II doesn’t have flat color profiles for grading. But, if you hack the camera, you can access them.

SKIN TONE

When it comes to skin tones Sony Cameras aren’t usually praised. Yet, the Sony A7III has stepped up their game with new color science. Which makes the A7 III better than previous Sony Alpha Cameras. Yet, out of the box the Canon 1DX produces better skin tones in camera. One trick around this for Sony Alpha Shooters is to buy EOS PRO Color. I’ve found that with these color profiles, you lose a little dynamic range. Gaining a better highlight roll off and better skin tones.

AUTOFOCUS

Both cameras perform well when it comes to autofocus. The Canon 1DX working better when it comes to tracking in-video modes.

VIEWFINDER

The Canon 1DX has an optical Viewfinder so that can be hard for video in bright situations. As you have to look at the screen to watch the video. The Sony A7 III screen is not the best quality. But I find the viewfinder awesome when shooting photography and Video.

CODEC

The Sony A7III has more options when it comes to video codecs and more usability in post production. The A7III files are smaller and easier to edit or create proxy files.

The Canon 1DX has huge files when it comes to video, about 30 minutes of footage is around 128GB. So memory cards are going to fill up fast. This is due to the camera using motion JPEG. I know a lot of people like the quality it produces. But a lot of professionals think it’s a huge pain, especially the processing power it takes to edit these files.

Watch our Full Video on the Canon 1DX Mark II Vs Sony A7 III:

I still prefer my Sony A7III over the Canon 1DX though it has some wonderful features.

What do you think of this camera comparison?

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How To Shoot Male Models

October 19, 2018 in DIY Photography

How to shoot male models. We’ve gone over how to shoot a lot of amazing female models from glamour to lingerie. In this tutorial, we’ll tackle how to capture male models. You’ll find that it’s as fun and that you can play around with different aspects of photography. We shot our male model with the Sony A7III. Our favorite camera in the game right now. Here are some tips when shooting male models.

DON’T BE AFRAID OF HARSH LIGHT

When it comes to shooting we usually tell you to stick to natural light to have a soft look on your models. That’s perfect when working with female models. When working with males you can also use natural light. But, if the sun is glaring don’t be afraid to use harsh light. This can add a sharpness to your model. Highlighting his jawline and giving a more rugged aesthetic. This look might not always be great for a glamour shoot. But it will be cool to help your male models look badass.

POSING

When it comes to male models it’s good to have a few go-to poses that they can do. To loosen them up in front of the camera. It’s a good idea to have movement added to the shoot. You can do this by having the model move around, pretend box, take the jacket on and off. In this shoot, we even used an empty box of cigarettes to add movement. The great thing about male models is the ability to have them put a hand in a pocket if needed. Find ways to add movement and it will bring your photos more life.

EXPERIMENT WITH LOCATION

When shooting with male models don’t be afraid to experiment with location. Since you don’t have to rely on natural light as much. You can find places that are darker that can add cool shadows to your shot. This will give your photos a dark and moody flare. Also, bonus tip is to have a good battery operated light you can travel with. This can allow you to play with locations that might seem too dark to use. We find alleys, wire fences, parking garages, and alleys are great backdrops. They're places to use harsh light and experiment with location.

Watch our Full Video on the Shooting Male Models:

What are some tips you have for shooting male models? Let us know!

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Top 3 Glamour Photography Tips

September 12, 2018 in DIY Photography, Camera Review

We’ve been having a good time playing with the new Sony A7 III. Recently used it during a glamour photography shoot and wanted to give top tips on how to pull off this style on a budget. We used the Sony 24-70mm F/4 Zeiss to see how it works in a different shooting environment. My Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 should be coming any day. Can’t wait to do a head to head lens comparison when it does. We’ll have a chance to see which is the better lens for the Sony A7 III.

In the meantime, here are the top three tips when shooting Glamour Photography.

WARDROBE

It’s easy to think glamour and thinks diamonds, vintage fur coats, and long gowns. Which are glamorous but you see how our bank account works. We have to find a way to be glamorous on a budget. You have to walk the line between gaudy and high fashion. Meaning, it’s best to find one flashy statement and make it the focus of your shoot. Even downplaying it a bit. Pay attention to trends, it’s good to have at least one high fashion magazine in your arsenal. You want to study before you jump into this style. Since too many accessories or the wrong clothing can come off as cheesy. Don’t think you have to break the bank on wardrobe and accessories. A lot of the fast fashion companies (F21, H&M) copy from high-end designers.

IMPROVISE WITH LIGHTING

We planned on shooting with backdrops and strobes. Going for a studio look. I even shot a few images that came out great. But, in the middle of shooting, I decided I’d rather go outside and find a location. I felt that the model would do better in a natural environment. You have to be okay with changing your initial decisions. I loved my studio shots and the ones I got in different outside locations. When it comes to lighting, don’t be afraid to scratch an idea completely and move on instinct. Sometimes it’s best to improvise and plan new ideas.

WORK WITH NEW MODELS

Working with experienced models is great. But there is something genuine about working with new talent and watching them rise. I find that there is a lot of untapped talent out there. You have to look. It’s easy to find the model that has thousands of followers. But you’ll find models with great looks that have less. Where you can create great work with less pressure. These models are looking for content and are great to bounce ideas off of. That doesn’t apply to models. Work with new people when it comes to all creatives once in a while. It’s nice to get a fresh perspective on the industry.

To Recap:

When you’re shooting glamour, make sure you pick the right wardrobe that’s simple and not too gaudy.
Make sure you experiment with different styles of lighting. To get different looks and different moods.
Don’t be afraid to venture to new fresh faces when booking your shoot.

Watch our Full Video on the Best Tips for Glamour Shots w/ Sony A7 III:

What are some tips you have for Glamour Photography? Let us know!

Thanks for reading!

LIVE ART LOVE TEAM

Sony 24-70mm F/4 vs Sony 55mm F/1.8

August 17, 2018 in DIY Photography, Camera Review

Recently got the new Sony A7 III and have been looking at possible lens choices for my camera. We have been looking for a good hybrid camera. Since we do both video and photography for most of our clients. For video, we wanted a lens to capture commercial and documentary work. For photography, we needed a lens that can capture fashion and product. Having a camera and the right lens - that shoots it all and portraits was a must.

With the new Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 being back ordered for a few months. I needed a lens to work with for the time being.

Decided to schedule a last minute shoot to test out two lenses. Sony 24-70 F/4 vs Sony 55mm F/1.8 and see what we can capture.

Size and Weight

I like how the Sony 24-70mm looks on my camera. Seems professional and feels more sturdy. With a good weight to it. But, it is heavier than the Sony 55mm. If you’re shooting for a while you’ll want a wrist or neck strap. To help with the weight. The Sony 55mm is lightweight and more easy on the hands. I’ve shot with the Sony G Masters in past and these lenses are way lighter in comparison which is great.

Autofocus and Speed

Both lenses have quick autofocus in both video and photography modes. The Sony 55mm at 1.8 is fast and the Sony A7 III autofocus kills it. The Sony 24-70mm is an F/4 lens so the camera has a better time locking focus. Both lenses rock at autofocus and are fast and snappy to use.

Image Quality

The Sony 24-70mm at 50mm has amazing quality. The image is super sharp and great contrast. It would be hard to tell which lens is which at the same focal length. Both have great color rendition. I recommend either if you want high-quality images.

Watch our Full Video on the SONY 24-70MM F/4 VS SONY 55MM F/1.8 including test footage:

Listen to the Podcast "Last Minute Photoshoots"

As creatives, there's times that you get burnt out on the work side of the business. It's good in these moments to step away and tap back into your creativity. The best way to do that as a photographer is to stage a last minute photoshoot.

What are some tips or questions you have regarding the Sony A7 III and lenses? Let us know below!