01 | THE EIFFEL TOWER EFFECT WITH DAVE WILLIAMS
“The “Eiffel Tower Effect” is the name I’ve coined for things that are shot so frequently that it becomes tricky to get a unique perspective, just like the Eiffel Tower. There are tricks and techniques that we can use to help us overcome this difficult situation as photographers. One of my favorites is specifically useful for the Eiffel Tower, and it’s to shoot it as a feature of the image rather than as the subject. We could take in the wider Parisian skyline, for example, having the Eiffel Tower prominently featured in the scene so that it’s obviously a photo of the Eiffel Tower, but with enough other interest within our image, we could also use the power of composition to lead our viewer into the photo.”
To View the Full Post, Click Here
02 | THE PLATYPOD DISC–YOU NEED ONE OF THESE! WITH SCOTT BOURNE
“Upgrade your generic Arca-Swiss camera and lens plates to one of these and you’ll thank me later.
“The Platypod Disc is competitively priced with other generic plates but a much better value. You can buy it from Platypod directly via the Platypod website. For an even better value, you can buy it as part of the Platypod Multi-Accessory kit for only $39.00. That gives you additional items like a spigot for a monolight and umbrella adapters, a silicone pad to prevent accessories from scratching valuable surfaces and for extra security and grip, a 36” tension strap that you can use to rig things to trees, posts, polls, etc., a 3” carabiner and
an accessory pouch.
“You’ve heard me talk about Platypod products for years. You’ve probably heard other professional photographers mention them too. The reason is simple. Their gear is effective, innovative, fairly-priced and always valuable. I have been using the Platypod Disc since August and actually have three of them because you just never know when they will come in handy. “I highly recommend it.”
03 | CLOSEUP WITH JESSE FEYEREISEN!
”At last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last we will have revenge.” ~ Darth Maul
“My name is Jesse Feyereisen and I’ve been enjoying photography as a hobby for the past decade or so. A little over a year ago while experimenting with product photography ideas, I inadvertently discovered the genre of “toy photography”, and completely fell in
love with it.
For this shoot, I set up a Star Wars 12” Darth Maul figure with a few 3D printed sci-fi wall panels behind him, those were held up with a Platypod Mini-Super Clamp. In order to get the low angle I was aiming to achieve, I mounted my camera on my Platypod Ultra. I used two speedlights in 12”x24” softboxes to set the lighting for the scene. One of those was mounted on a second Platypod Ultra behind the wall panels and the other was mounted above the figure. After a few test shots, I realized I needed to add a white bounce card to help light his front side. Once I had a shot I was happy with, I did some basic exposure corrections in Lightroom subsequently
opening the image in Photoshop for some fine tuning. I did quite a bit of dust cleanup, removed a seam in Darth Maul’s hood and added a bit of a soft orton glow effect. I also added some subtle light leaks with the Boris FX-Optics plugin. I finished up the final image in Lightroom by adding a few more localized exposure edits, some color grading and a final crop for export.”
Canon EOS-R + Tamron 90mm; 1/125, f/5.6, ISO 100
To see more of Jesse’s work, visit his website which further demonstrates his skills and love for the craft. https://jessefphotography.com/
Subscriber Appreciation, use code SA20
Just a reminder that SA20, the current subscriber award discount code ends on January 15. The discount code we give you a 20% discount on 10 outstanding standalone Platypod products: Max, Ultra, Max + the NEW Multi-Accessory Kit, Ultra + the NEW Multi-Accessory Kit, the Multi-Accessory Kit, goosenecks, Platypod Disc, Mini-Super Clamps, replacement sets of spiked feet and rubber feet.
Enter SA20 in the discount box at checkout. Plus, free shipping in the US on all orders over $100.
OFFER EXPIRES AT MIDNIGHT ON JANUARY 15, 2022
Platyball Preorder!
In January of 2020, we launched an incredibly successful Kickstarter campaign as Platypod turned the world upside down with a revolutionary ball head, Platyball. Over 2000 photographers supported the project and last week we completed shipping our first tier backers. While there are still close to 1500 Kickstarter and Indiegogo backers to ship, manufacturing has dramatically increased production. So much so, that we can finally respond to requests to pre-order Platyball Elite and Ergo models.
With the new production schedule, we can now support a pre-order program with limited quantities available on a first-come first-served basis. We’re opening pre-orders with 270 Platyball Elites, and 100 Ergos for delivery in the April/May time frame.
Elite and Ergo will ONLY be available by pre-order for the next several months. Credit cards will be charged, but payment is refundable up until the time the product has actually shipped.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER
FREE SHIPPING
FREE Shipping on all orders over $100 in the US.
It's automatically set as soon as you enter your address in the Platypod cart.
And use your discount code, "SA20" for additional savings!
NOTE: The free shipping on US orders over $100 is through USPS. They’ve been pretty consistent over the last few months. However, last year, the USPS repeatedly made it into the news because of delays and their backlog. So please order early for holiday gifts, and you can always choose another carrier and upgrade to faster shipping before checkout.
FREE SHIPPING
FREE Shipping on all orders over $100 in the US.
It's automatically set as soon as you enter your address in the Platypod cart.
And use your discount code, "SA20" for additional savings!
NOTE: The free shipping on US orders over $100 is through USPS. They’ve been pretty consistent over the last few months. However, last year, the USPS repeatedly made it into the news because of delays and their backlog. So please order early for holiday gifts, and you can always choose another carrier and upgrade to faster shipping before checkout.
