Yellowstone National Turns 150 Years Old
The first national park in the country turns 150 years old. In 2019 our family spent four days camping in Yellowstone. I instantly knew one trip would not be enough time to explore the park.
Here are a few images from that trip. I know I will have to go back to explore more.
Practicing Bird Photography | Vlog
In this video, I go out to my local park showing how I practice my bird photography.
Gear I used in this video:
👉🏾Sony A6100 - https://amzn.to/3IzG4hH
👉🏾Sony 70-350 F4.5 - https://amzn.to/3IEN24T
My January Picture Stats
In this video I share how my picture stats from January 2022.
January stats:
1,499 total pictures taken
181 selects
81 personal work pictures
My 3 Favorite Pictures From January
Sony 20mm F2 8 Review | The Perfect Pocket Lens For The Sony A6100
Get it here 👉🏾 Sony 20mm f2.8 Lens - https://amzn.to/34vCoi3
My gear page - Kwame.me/gear
This is one of my favorite everyday carry APSC lens. The 20mm f2.8 is very pocketable and to use to capture the casual moments in my life.
Products I Use:
Sony A7ii Review: https://youtu.be/jRD3I1UA6iI
Sony A7 ii - https://amzn.to/38OLEdL
Sony 24mm F2.8 - https://amzn.to/2TO8kWd
Samyang 35 F1.8 - https://amzn.to/2Vz7ocE
Tamron 28-200mm F2.8 - https://amzn.to/3hiPAdo
Viltrox 85mm F1.8 - https://amzn.to/3nqj90e
Battery Grip - https://amzn.to/3fOV8Jo
Follow me!
WEBSITE ► www.Kwame.me
FLICKR ► https://flic.kr/ps/3T6yWm
GLASS► https://bit.ly/KJGlass
Newsletter ► http://bit.ly/36ZeUji
The range of use I get out of this lens is incredible.
How I Retouched This Landscape Picture
In this video, I show you how I edited this landscape picture using Lightroom Classic.
Download the raw file below 👇🏾.
New Photographer's Don't Waste Your Money On A Full Frame Camera
In 2022 I suggest you don't waste your money buying a full-frame camera if you're a new photographer.
Olympus OM-D E-M5, Micro-Four Thirds sensor
It's way more camera than you need.
Full-frame cameras are usually bigger, heavier, and more complicated to master than their smaller counterparts. For the casual photographer who likes to take family photos or snapshots during travels, the full-frame system will be cumbersome overkill. This defeats the purpose of getting a camera in the first place.
If you are into casual photography, then carrying a large, chunky camera and lens will bring unwanted attention, defeating the purpose of taking candid photographs of your targeted subjects.
Apple iPhone 6 Plus
Full frame cameras are much more expensive.
When you're just getting started down the photography road, you don't want to waste a ton of money on a camera you sometimes might use. Instead, invest in really good lenses. A good lens can not only last much longer than the camera body but they can immediately make your pictures look much better. Smaller sensor lenses, Micro Four-Thirds or APSC, are much more affordable.
The latest full-frame cameras from Sony and Canon have lowered the bar for entry as far as camera bodies are concerned, they still don’t address the high price of the lenses.
Canon Powershot G5 X
No one will tell the difference.
The myth of better photos come from full-frame cameras is only a technical one. The truth is that the most important part of a camera is the person behind it who’s executing a vision as well as following through with their motivations to actually create better photos in post-production.
If you can’t captivate a person with one camera, then you can’t do it with any of them.
Book Review: Visual Poetry: A Creative Guide for Making Engaging Digital Photographs
I have been into photography for over 20 years. So I know what motivates me and the places I struggle. But every once and awhile you hit a snag and need a kick in the butt. That is what this book will do for you. Once you get to the meat of the book, it is inspiring, informative and a whole lot of fun. Chris Orwig has set this up in a workshop mode, so you have the option of taking his assignments. You don't have to do them but it's a great way to practice what you're learning.
This a very refreshing change from so many of the technique obsessed photography books. This is a book which inspires you to go take pictures - and think about what and why you are doing. Chris has a more philosophical approach to photography. He mixes the technical with the emotional. I like how Orwig chose to instruct professional and aspiring photographers to look at themselves at search why they like to take pictures and to apply their emotion to photography rather than techniques.
Chris demonstrates how the creative process for a photographer is similar to that of the creative process used by writers. Chris offers inspiration, advise, techniques, and bits of wisdom from the many quotes from famous writers and photographer that can be found scatter throughout the book.
If you LOVE photography, read it. If photography is a chore and you need a no frills manual (use this aperture, this lens, that speed, frame with rule of thirds, etc) look else where. If you are comfortable with camera setting and compositional rules but something is missing, read this book. This is a great guide for armature semi-pro to develop passion in their career.
Pixelmator Pro sale and sneak peek at ML Crop
Starting today, Pixelmator Pro is going on sale and is now available with a gigantic, no – gargantuan! – discount of 50%. Not only that, we’ve also got a second sneak peek for you at the upcoming Pixelmator Pro 2.1 update, showcasing the super fun new ML Crop feature.
I like supporting indie developers and the Pixelmator apps have always gotten my money. Their apps are super powerful without all the baggage that Photoshop has had. I’ve used Pixelmator on the iPad for a few years now and still recommend it to people just getting started in photography.
The same can be said for the desktop app. I haven’t used it in years but for $19.99 it’s a no brainer. There have been many times I need to do a quick edit to a picture but don’t want to open photoshop and I think Pixelmator will be the solution for me.
You can read more on the Pixelmator blog post.
A Photographers Perspective: MacOS vs iPadOS
In this video I go over my thoughts on Apple two major platforms.
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12.9" iPad Pro Renewed - https://amzn.to/3hmRuuj
11" iPad Pro Renewed - https://amzn.to/3w1HdIa
2020 Macbook Air - https://amzn.to/2RepdeO
2020 Macbook Pro - https://amzn.to/2RhlcGv
2020 Mac Mini - https://amzn.to/3eE0uJM
4 Reasons Why You Should Buy the Sony A7ii in 2021 - A hidden gem
Four reasons you SHOULD buy the A7ii in 2021!
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Show links:
Sony A7 ii | Tamron 28-200mm | Samyang 24mm F2.8 | Sony 85mm F1.8
The A7ii is great for documenting our daily life.
The dynamic range is really amazing.
Being weather sealed means I don’t worry about using the A7ii outdoors.
A Photographer's Perspective Of The 2021 IPad Pros
In this video I give you my thoughts on the 2021 iPad Pros.
Show notes:
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This project will always be free and free of any advertising (except YouTube ads). I do this out of passion for photography. My goal is to inspire people through photography and video from around the world. If you like to support me you can do so via Paypal donations. Thank you very much for the support and thank you for watching! PayPal:
Day Hike at Three Sisters Park | Good For The Soul
Hiking and landscape photography go together in so many ways. Being outside in nature is one of the best ways for me to recharge and get some exercise. Three Sisters Park is about an hour from Denver in the mountains. The trails are relatively easy to hike and the views are amazing. For this hike I brought the Sony A6100, 18-105mm and 70-300mm lens. In the forest I mostly used the 18-105mm.
Gear I used:
Sony A6100 Review: https://youtu.be/0yqFW1X824g
Sony A6100 - https://amzn.to/30ORIBt
Sony 18-105 f4.0 - https://amzn.to/3dcHfoe
Sony 70-300mm - https://amzn.to/3tkziV8
Follow me!
WEBSITE ► www.Kwame.me
FLICKR ► https://flic.kr/ps/3T6yWm
INSTAGRAM ► www.instagram.com/kwamejohn
Newsletter ► http://bit.ly/36ZeUji
Landscape Photography in Colorado: Paint Mines
We took a quick day trip to the Painted Mines Interpretive Park. It’s about an one and half hour from the Denver airpot. The mines are clay structures that look like they’ve been painted. The colors are from the iron in the clay being oxidized.
For this trip I brought the Sony A7ii with the Tamron 28-200mm lens.
Sony A6100 Long Term Review | APSC Is Changing My World
The Sony A6100 has been one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. For they type of photography and video work I do the A6100 has been more than enough. Paired with the right lens . I believe anyone who watches my videos will find any APSC camera will be more than enough for photography.
Sony A6100 Review: https://youtu.be/0yqFW1X824g
Sony A6100 - https://amzn.to/30ORIBt
Sony 18-105 f4.0 - https://amzn.to/3dcHfoe
Even after 8 months with the A6100, I still feel like we're on a honeymoon. It’s so capable and delivers so consistently that I feel no motivation to even look at new competitors.
I Miss Local Day Trips
A neighborhood convenience store.
2020 has hard on a lot of people. Luckily no one in our family has been affected in any major way. I know there are countless stories about people who died too soon due to this horrible virus. Not to mention all the people financially affected in a negative way.
2020 was the first time we didn’t go to Rocky Mountain National Park since moving to Colorado. In the pre covid years, most weekends we would explore a new state park or area in Colorado. These little day outing were great because we got to explore and have fun but also feel like a get away without having to actually getting away. They were more than enough to break up the routine of the week. Other than a camping trip we didn’t get in the normal weekend exploration that we would typically do.
The last few weeks the mondaine routine was really getting to me when I realized how much I missed those day trips. Not only to get out of the house and break up the routine but from a creative stand point. Going on these day outing was a great way to capture new images and video. I was able to fulfill the creative itch on a regular basis and in different locations. Being stuck in the house for so long one can only do so many product, still life, family or other types of pictures. For me I love to explore with my camera and seeing what I can capture. I love looking through new images, editing them and sharing them with the world.
With vaccines rolling out I’m hopeful we will be back to exploring again. I look forward to getting back to the hunt of capturing the “perfect” picture.
Tamron 28 200mm | Long Term Review
I’ve been using the Tamron 28-200mm lens for eight months. Overall it’s a great all around lens. If you want to travel with one camera and lens I will highly recommend this lens.
Being a variable aperture lens I suggest keeping the aperture at f5.6 so you won’t worry about your ISO won’t jump around. When I do use the lens at f2.8 I lock the lens so it won’t accidentally zoom out.
Tamron is known for having close focusing lens. That’s nice because I can get macro “like” shots without having to carry around a macro lens. It’s not a perfect solution but if you’re on a budget it works.
Overall I’m very happy with the Tamron 28-200mm and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good all in one lens.
Sony A7ii One Year Later | Is it still worth buying in 2021?
I’ve now spent one year with the Sony A7ii. It’s been the best camera I’ve ever used. The design of the Sony A7ii is probably its strongest attribute and I’m still astonished by the level of craftsmanship present here. It’s one of those products you can’t help but fondle while working at your desk. In terms of hardware, I don’t have much to complain about. Like many things in life, I prefer to reduce the amount of unnecessary complexity. I always have the camera on auto ISO, white balance and focus so when I’m actually shooting.
Sony A7ii Review: https://youtu.be/jRD3I1UA6iI
Sony A7 ii - https://amzn.to/38OLEdL
Sony 24mm F2.8 - https://amzn.to/2TO8kWd
Sony 85mm F1.8 - https://amzn.to/3aLP1Ut
Battery Grip - https://amzn.to/3fOV8Jo
Snapseed Masterclass | Double Exposure
In this 2021 tutorial I show you how to create double images using Snapseed. After watching this video you will know how to use the most powerful tool in Snapseed that makes the double exposure image pop.
SUBSCRIBE for more Snapseed tutorials ►
Download images here.
Camera Gear I Use:
Sony A7ii Review - https://youtu.be/jRD3I1UA6iI
Sony A7 ii - https://amzn.to/38OLEdL
Sony 24mm F2.8 - https://amzn.to/2TO8kWd
Sony 85mm F1.8 - https://amzn.to/3aLP1Ut
Sony A6100 Review - https://youtu.be/0yqFW1X824g
Sony A6100 - https://amzn.to/2LvFbOf
Sony 18-105mm - https://amzn.to/38ie4iQ
My lightroom Panorama Method
In this video I go over how I create panoramic pictures in Lightroom. This will work on Lightroom Classic and CC. At the time of this video it is not possible to do so on the mobile versions.
Camera Gear I Use:
Sony A7ii - https://youtu.be/jRD3I1UA6iI
Sony A7 ii - https://amzn.to/38OLEdL
Sony 24mm F2.8 - https://amzn.to/2TO8kWd
Sony 85mm F1.8 - https://amzn.to/3aLP1Ut
Sony A6100 Review - https://youtu.be/0yqFW1X824g
Sony A6100 - https://amzn.to/2LvFbOf
Sony 18-105mm - https://amzn.to/38ie4iQ