Having A Team & Going Solo

Having a consistent team will most likely garner more test shoots; some of which may even be paid in the future. In the beginning, however, a team may prove difficult to come by. If you do not have a team, do not fret. An essential lesson to take away from testing is learning to maximize production value with as few resources as possible.

This is not ideal, but it does teach the bare essentials. Rest assured that once you learn to master this by yourself your work only improves. I was a one-person show when I first began and it allows me to jump in wherever needed if someone on my team isn’t available due to a last minute booking. It has also helped me be a better director.

Being able to deliver and elevate a quality basic test shoot is priceless.

Gear: Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 85mm 1.2L II, Broncolor Siros L 800Ws, Broncolor Beautybox 65 Softbox

Tech Specs: ISO 200, f/10, 1/160th of a second.

Mood Boards & Styling

Mood boards are a key component to model test shoots as they set the mood and expectation. Most agencies will request to see a mood board in the beginning to make sure your vision is in alignment with theirs. It also helps keep everyone on track for the duration of the shoot.

When it comes to styling, the days of having the model scantily clad in a pair of jeans and nothing else are gone. Unless the test is specifically geared toward body images, the more clothing the better. Choose simple and classic items that pervade a tone of timelessness. Inquire if the model has any pieces that will fit this vision.

Black, white and other neutral colors are perfect. For everything else that is still needed, check out vintage stores and other major retailers such as H&M. These are great choices that are easy on the bank account. You may even be able to rent pieces online or borrow from a friend. Make sure to ask the model to bring a pair of nude and/or black heels as well as nude undergarments. Two to three looks are more than sufficient.

Gear: Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 85mm 1.2L II

Tech Specs: ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/320th of a second.

Hair & Make-Up

As far as hair and makeup are concerned, less is more. Have the model come prepared to wear their hair down as well as up in a loose bun or high ponytail.

Makeup looks great when it appears fresh and natural, so dewy skin paired with a little bit of lipgloss and mascara always works, and the minimal approach provides a youthful vibe which is always a plus for the model. In addition, the clean slate approach will give potential clients a blank canvas to envision several different looks. Keep in mind, you can always add more makeup as the photoshoot progresses if you feel so inclined.

Courtesy

As a common courtesy, ask the booker if they have any specific images that they need and make sure to deliver those requests. Whether the location be a studio on a white or grey seamless, or outdoors, there are three frames that you can’t go wrong with. Always make sure to capture:

• full length
• 3/4
• portrait

Some models have a look that begs to have a beauty image taken while others do not. The other angle that I will always deliver is a straight on horizontal image of shoulders up. The booker always loves this angle and often doesn’t know this until they see it.

Gear: Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 85mm 1.2L II

Tech Specs: ISO 200, f/4, 1/400th of a second.

Remember Who It’s About

Test shoots are typically about the model, so remember to direct them in a way that captures their whimsical and mischievous moues. Subtle movements seem to prevail over the hard hitting poses, and that is because there is often a disconnect at the beginning until the intimacy sets in and you feed off of each other’s timing. The best images are captured when you are communicating without speaking at all, transfixed in the moment with each other.

Gear

You can get away with photographing an entire test shoot with minimal gear. I photograph the majority of my tests with an 85mm, switching to a 50mm when the situation calls for it. Some tests can be captured using only natural light and a reflector. In the studio, a single light will always do the trick. My lighting consists of a single Broncolor Siros L 800ws with a shoot-through white umbrella and the collapsible beauty box.

• Canon 5D Mark III
• Canon 85mm 1.2L II 
• Broncolor Siros L 800Ws
• Broncolor Beautybox 65 Softbox
• Savage 36″ Shoot Through Umbrella 

What Files Agencies Request

In the beginning it is very normal for a model booker to request all unedited images from the shoot. Until that rapport is built, they want to cull and choose the final selects to be edited. This often comes hand in hand with a critique that is brutally honest. Listen to all of it, the good and the bad, and apply it to the next few tests. Once that trust is established, you will only send them final edits of your choosing.

Test shoots are the perfect time to test out new gear, lighting setups and themes. Ensure that you first capture what the agency has requested of you and then have fun. Learn to master the basics and the rest will come. The more tests you crank out, the more people tend to want to collaborate with you. This is when the best relationships are developed and quality teams are built. This is also when some of the best work is created. 

TourBox Console 5 Highlights

Here’s a look at some of the highlights included with this update.

Customize Color Temperature, Exposure, and More to Boost Efficiency and Creativity

With this update, creators can bypass the limitations of native software and add frequently used parameters like temperature, exposure, etc., to the newly introduced DynamicPanel. As simple as it might sound, this customization actually empowers efficient post-processing and represents one of the standout features of the WonderFlow system, a function that the TourBox team says is inspired by extensive user feedback.

Intuitive Operations with Ease-Tuning Feature

When you customize the DynamicPanel, you can directly adjust the parameters on the panel. Simply connect the TourBox device and select the corresponding parameter with the rotary knob to modify exposure, white balance, and other settings without relying on the keyboard and mouse or searching for parameter bars in the native post-processing software. This allows for more control over every image.

MagicDrawer for Tailored Custom Operations

When performing more involved post-processing tasks, we often use multiple tools such as the eraser or layer adjustments. Console 5’s in-depth development integrates numerous post-processing software like Photoshop, Lightroom Classic and many other mainstream software, which allows us to place commonly used tools like layer blending modes and layer adjustments into the panel for quick access. It’s like having a virtual magic drawer, hence the name. Whatever you call it, it should help significantly streamline your workflow.

Intelligent Heads-Up Display (HUD)

Console 5 introduces an intelligent screen interaction and visual guidance system. This system works to dynamically display relevant function names based on individual work scenarios. Also, the HUD automatically hides to avoid obstruction when the mouse touches the HUD interface.

Preset Support

Console 5 has added comprehensive preset support for photography and editing, offering preset templates for applications such as Capture One, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve. Advanced presets for Premiere and Lightroom have also been updated.

Moreover, TourBox made notable updates to its support for digital art. The TourBox team collaborated with over a hundred professional digital artists to create and verify official preset templates, making it easy for creators to access a wide range of functions. Whether it’s Clip Studio Paint, Paint Tool SAI, or Photoshop, TourBox provides plug-and-play functionality. As a result, beginners can use the corresponding presets and achieve a master-level operational experience.

Where to Find TourBox Console 5

TourBox Console 5 has been officially released, so TourBox users can update their console for free via the official website’s Console update. Those new to TourBox can pick up a TourBox NEO ($169) or TourBox Elite ($268) to take advantage of all the new features that Console 5 offers.

You can find SPARK here on Kickstarter until Thursday, September 7, 2023.

Video

Meet the Maker

MIOPS, the company behind SPARK, is well-known for creating innovative camera products, and SPARK offers further evidence to support that reputation. Onur Celik, CEO of MIOPS, shared his thoughts on the product’s upcoming release: “We are thrilled to launch the Kickstarter campaign for SPARK, our revolutionary camera companion. SPARK brings professional-level features and versatility to iPhone photography, allowing users to unleash their creativity and capture stunning images and videos. We believe SPARK will empower photographers and videographers, taking their craft to new heights.”

Features

Dubbed “the ultimate camera companion,” SPARK stands ready to transform how we use our smartphones as cameras. Designed with ergonomically friendly contours and DSLR-like buttons, SPARK works seamlessly with a wide range of iPhone models, and it comes loaded with features.

Free Snap – Pro Camera App

In addition to producing SPARK, MIOPS also created the Snap – Pro Camera app, which will be provided for free to all SPARK users. With this app, you can get the most out of the photo and video capabilities that SPARK offers, which we’ll briefly touch on below (and you can learn more about on the Kickstarter page). It’s worth noting that MIOPS has also noted that they are currently in the process of finding ways to integrate SPARK with other photo and video applications as well.

MagSafe Mount

The included MagSafe Mount (with an added sticker for those whose phones need it) makes it easy to quickly attach your phone to the SPARK and adjust the shot orientation between vertical or landscape positions.

Camera Control

One of the things we care most about when using smartphone cameras, especially as photographers, is being able to control our camera’s exposure settings and other elements that affect our shots. Without this control, we’re left to shoot every scene as is, which minimizes our creative input. The DSLR-like buttons featured on the SPARK accessory make it easy and convenient to quickly dial in ISO, white balance, and focus, among other settings, so that we capture photos that reflect our artistic vision.

Crowd Removal

Photographing popular locations can prove difficult when crowds compete for attention with your intended subject. SPARK’s Crowd Removal feature can save you tons of time in post and minimize the time spent waiting for just the right moment when the crowd dies down. Using innovative technology developed by MIOPS, the Crowd Removal feature automatically detects and removes people and moving objects from your photos. Just be sure to take along a tripod, scout the location for the best composition, and then let SPARK do its thing.

Long Exposure

Who doesn’t love a great long exposure photograph? It quickly elevates landscape imagery, especially when capturing motion in the light trails of passing cars at night or the rushing waters of waterfalls and river rapids. With SPARK, you can quickly adjust your exposure settings for longer durations and take creative control of the scene.

Lightning Photography

If you’ve ever tried to photograph lightning, then you know how challenging it can be. With SPARK, consider the challenge accepted. SPARK’s integrated light sensor works to “detect the subtle nuances of ambient light, including the dramatic and elusive lightning strikes.” No other specialized equipment is needed. Whether you fancy yourself a stormchaser or you’re capturing landscapes at night, you can now easily use your smartphone to capture amazing imagery that would’ve previously required more gear and hard-earned experience.

Other Features

You’ll be pleased to know that SPARK also includes the following features:

• Photo Stacking
• HDR Imaging
• Burst Mode
• Zebra Stripes
• Live Filters
• Remote Triggering (via Apple Watch)
• MagSafe Mount
• Intuitive Interface
• Much More!

Kickstarter Pricing and Benefits

The early bird specials are already sold out, but you can still save 10% with the SPARK Kickstarter Pack, which comes out to $109 + shipping. This option is selling quickly, so pick one up sooner than later to take advantage of these savings. The regularly priced Standard Pack is set at $129, and you can add a Travel Kit (1 x Travel Pouch, 1 x Wrist Strap) for $19.

Shipping

Global shipping is available for a standard rate of $15. Shipping will be charged during the post-campaign survey, and the item’s price doesn’t include any additional duties and taxes that may be applicable based on your local importation laws.

Conclusion

The unique control and user experience that SPARK brings to iPhone photography, especially at the modest asking price, makes it a solid addition to any photographer’s arsenal. It’s also compact enough to make it easy to take along; otherwise, what would be the point? If you’d like to support the SPARK Kickstarter campaign and secure your own camera companion, visit the SPARK campaign before Thursday, September 7th. If you’ve never used Kickstarter before, or you’re wary of backing this project on that platform, it’s worth noting that MIOPS has run several successful Kickstarter campaigns for products like MIOPS Smart+, Mobile Remote, Capsule360, FLEX, and Capsule PRO. In fact, this campaign has already met its fundraising goal and will definitely come to market.

In order to achieve their goal, 100ASA has teamed up with leading reforestation organizations to ensure that the trees are planted in appropriate local ecosystems with the goal of reducing carbon emissions. The company also noted that they plan to provide regular updates to the community on the initiative’s progress and environmental impact.

According to Massimiliano Peluso, Co-Founder of 100ASA, this initiative is part of an ongoing effort to promote sustainable practices and reduce our impact on the environment: “With this new initiative, we are taking our commitment to the next level by planting a tree for every new member who joins our community”.

The 100ASA team hopes this initiative will inspire others to do their part to minimize their environmental impact. “We are excited to launch this new initiative and hope it inspires other companies to take action on climate change,” said Andrea Turri, Co-Founder of 100ASA. “We believe that every individual and every company can make a difference, and by working together, we can create a more sustainable future for all.”

More About 100ASA

If you’re not familiar with 100ASA, the platform provides enthusiasts and professional photographers unique tools and resources to help showcase their work, connect with clients, and expand their businesses. Here’s a quick look at a few of their standout features.

Curated Galleries

100ASA’s galleries include a curation system that allows members to upload their images and get feedback from other members on the platform. Having access to galleries like this benefits members in a few ways. First, their photos are being seen, which is an important part of the photography process. Engaging the community is also a helpful way to network with other photographers. In addition, the feedback that members receive on their images will help them further develop their photography skills.

There’s also an option to submit photos for professional critique.

Photos from the curated gallery are then directed to one of the four galleries based on the rating and comments of other users, and they can later be promoted to higher galleries. You can learn more about the various galleries below:

• Elite Gallery: 100 ASA carefully reviews photos on the Prime Gallery based on a number of different criteria. Photos of the highest quality are “hand-picked” by the 100ASA Curator’s team to ensure top quality, and are published on the Elite Gallery.
• Inspiration Gallery: The 100ASA curation team selects photos daily for the Inspiration gallery. The 100ASA community helps in this process by nominating photos they think should receive an Inspiration star.
• Prime Gallery: If a photo submitted for curation reaches at least 80% of popularity, it will be published on the Prime gallery.
• Upcoming Gallery: If a photo submitted for curation reaches popularity between 60% and 79% OR it has been approved by 100ASA curators, it will be published to the Upcoming gallery.
• Opening Gallery: If a photo submitted for curation doesn’t reach a minimum popularity of 60% it will be published to the Opening gallery.

Token System

In the interest of promoting quantity over quality and encouraging members to participate, 100ASA uses a unique token system. You’ll need 20 tokens to submit your photo for curation, but you can earn them in a few different ways. For example, you’ll earn tokens each time you curate someone else’s photo. In addition, the first three members to comment on a new photo in the gallery (on the 100ASA platform) can earn up to six tokens, and the length of the comment can earn up to eight tokens. The tokens expire after a week, which encourages participation.

Rather than disappear after expiring, however, the tokens are converted to reward points that members can use to redeem products from the Rewards page (including an option to pay for membership to the platform).

Professional Photo Critiques

100ASA offers professional photo critiques by experienced curators to help photographers improve their skills and get valuable feedback on their work. These critiques are conducted by real human experts and are not generated by AI algorithms, ensuring that photographers receive genuine and personalized feedback. The service also provides an opportunity for photographers to chat with the critic/curator and discuss their work in detail. With 100ASA’s professional photo critiques, photographers can take their craft to the next level and hone their skills.

Photo and Profile Analytics

Pro Members have access to an analytics dashboard. This feature allows members to view how many people have seen their photos and when (such as “most-visited days”), their location, and how many curations they’ve received.

Informative Blog

The 100ASA blog is a platform where world-recognized photographers share their insights and experiences with the community. From discussing their techniques and creative processes to sharing their latest projects and collaborations, these photographers provide valuable insights into the world of photography. The blog is a great resource for amateur and professional photographers alike, as it offers a wealth of information and inspiration to help improve one’s photography skills and creativity. With a diverse range of contributors and topics, the 100ASA blog is a must-read for anyone interested in photography. It’s worth checking out 100ASA’s blog whether or not you’re a member of their platform.

Please visit the company’s website for more information on the new initiative or to sign up for 100ASA’s photography platform.

Find 100ASA Online: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin | Instagram

What Is Motion Array?

Motion Array has set themselves up as a full service marketplace offering 800K+ creative assets, including video templates, stock footage, photos, music and sound effects. To put it bluntly, the goal for using Motion Array centers on saving time and money when creating content. If you explore their site, which you should do, you’ll quickly get a sense of how using Motion Array can help you.

Some of you might already know about Artlist, a royalty-free music hub that offers music licensing and other products that we’ve reviewed in the past. Artlist recently acquired Motion Array to expand their already wide range of content creator-friendly assets, including those we’ll cover below.

Motion Array Review: Getting Started

You’ll have no trouble navigating the Motion Array website, and with an account (both free or paid), you can immediately access quality content to start using in your projects. That said, it’s worth investing in one of the subscription options to gain access to their full catalog with unlimited downloads, multi-use licenses, and other tools. You can opt out of a subscription at any time, but once you have it, you’ll likely want to stick around. To help you get started, you can save $50 on an annual plan when you use this link.

Highlights for Considering Motion Array

Over the course of 10+ years, Motion Array has used their time in the industry to build a substantial catalog of tools designed to make life easier for content creators. More importantly, these tools also exist to make the projects we create better than they would have otherwise been. That said, we’ve highlighted some standout features and tools that we feel will best serve your needs as a content creator.

Motion Array Review: Motion Array’s Massive Library

When you first visit Motion Array’s site, you’ll notice the navigation bar serves somewhat as a table of contents for exploring the different types of assets that Motion Array offers (see the screenshot above). Basically, they’ve divided their library into the following sections:

Motion Array Review: Templates

If you’re unfamiliar with using templates, they’re ready-to-go designs that contain interchangeable elements. For example, you’ll probably want to choose a template when using line titles. You can customize them and change out the various placeholders with your own content. Whatever your style is as a content creator, you’ll likely find templates to suit your needs, or at the very least inspire you as you create your own layout.

The list of supported software for using these templates covers several of the most popular applications, including the following:

• Adobe After Effects
• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Motion Graphics (for use in Premiere Pro)
• Adobe Premiere Rush
• DaVinci Resolve
• Final Cut Pro

Start your search by selecting the application you use in the tabs at the top of the Templates page. Next, you can hover over the thumbnails for a quick preview of what each template will look like, or you can use the search tool on the left side of the page to quickly locate the types of templates you need, whether that be intros to transitions, logo reveals, titles or other applications. When you see one you like, click on the template to get more information on everything included with the template and how you can use it in your projects. This method will hold true for most of the assets found on this site.

Presets

Motion Array provides presets for three applications, including Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve Macros. Unlike templates, which in effect are complete projects, presets are simply predefined settings that you can further customize and add to your videos. Presets provide an effective means for saving time on your projects since you don’t have to start from scratch each time you want to add a new effect or look. Motion Array provides presets for everything from text animation to transitions, color grades, backgrounds, overlays, effects and more. Once you find a preset you like, simply drag and drop your chosen preset onto your video clip.

Audio: Royalty-Free Music and Sound Effects

In terms of audio, Motion Array supplies access to a sizable library of both royalty-free music and sound effects. You might already expect this if you know their parent company, Artlist. To make shorter work of going through the extensive audio library, I highly recommend using the search filters to narrow your options on things like genre, BPM, and song duration. You can also check out the Staff Picks for additional recommendations. As for the sound effects, you can find everything from transitions to gaming SFX, human voices, city and nature sounds, futuristic sounds, and more.

Videos: Footage and Motion Graphics

It’s an open secret, or maybe no secret at all, that a huge number of creators use stock footage in their projects, even at the Hollywood level. Often called b-roll, stock footage refers to video content that somebody has already created for use in other people’s projects. This content has to be licensed, which of course is already taken care of when using a site like Motion Array.

Stock footage is meant more to fill in gaps rather than be glued together to create a project from scratch, although there’s enough content available to come up with something interesting (at the very least) were you to give that approach a try. You can use the filters to search for stock footage according to theme, resolution and popularity. When you click on a thumbnail to access the video, you’ll find information on the file compression, resolution, and frames per second. You can also download a preview of the clip to see if it will work well in your project.

For motion graphics, Motion Array offers a number of background loops, transitions, overlays and more. It’s important not to confuse these with motion graphics templates, which can be customized. Like most other assets listed in this article, you can drag and drop the motion graphics directly into your project.

Images: Graphics and Photos

Using royalty-free graphics and images in your projects can add up when purchased individually. That’s no longer the case when you use a collection of graphics and images all covered under one subscription alongside your other fully licensed assets in Motion Array. Check out the available libraries to see how you might incorporate these files into your graphic design projects, which includes coverage for any creative projects, whether personal or commercial.

Motion Array’s graphic assets include stock illustrations, vector illustrations, royalty-free icons, stock images, graphic design templates, mockups, and more. Their photo libraries include images of everything from background textures and abstract shapes to photos of office spaces, and nature, etc.

Plugins

Motion Array’s plugins work exclusively in Adobe Premiere Pro. If you use Premiere Pro, you’ll gain an edge for video editing. The plugins are built into the software and offer users a deeper pool of creative resources, including transitions and effects (such as lighting looks, flicker effects, distortions, spinning transitions, and more). Get a free sample kit of Premiere Pro plugins with a free membership.

It’s worth noting that plugins differ from templates and presets. Plugins are software add-ons that can be installed directly into editing software. Templates, on the other hand, are pre-designed customizable projects, and presets refer to predefined settings that produce specific effects.

Motion Array Review: Additional Tools

In addition, Motion Array also offers process-based “tools” for further streamlining your workflow in a number of ways, including the following:

Video Collaboration

With Motion Array’s Video Collaboration tool, also known as Review, you can quickly share your project with clients or other team members to get feedback for revisions. Visually, the layout is clean and customizable, allowing you to add your logo for branding purposes and host the tool on your own domain so that it appears as part of your own website. As a work tool, it offers access to an unlimited number of collaborators, and collaborators can leave comments about specific frames using onscreen notation (see the example above). You can demo this tool yourself right here.

Portfolio Builder

If you don’t already have a portfolio site, then you can beat this option for getting one up and going in no time. This tool does what it says with little effort on your part. Simply upload your videos, drag-and-drop style, to create a gallery. Then, for branding purposes, you can customize the portfolio page by changing the font and colors, as well as adding your logo. If you already feature your portfolio as a page on your existing site, you might consider switching to this one, which you can host from your own domain. That, of course, will depend on which look and functions you prefer.

Motion Array Review: Integrations

This tool works well for saving time. If you work on a lot of projects, the minutes you spend switching out of your application to retrieve assets can add up quickly. For those who use Adobe products, you won’t have to leave those applications to download and access the assets you need from Motion Array.

Educational Resources

One hesitation that many of us have when trying new things, whether for work or play, involves having to learn a new system. Motion Array has put together a collection of helpful videos and articles aimed at alleviating any stress in regards to learning to use a variety of applications (see the image above), as well as their own products and services. For example, this helpful article shows how to use Motion Array’s graphics in your projects. Even if you already know the tools, you can use Motion Array’s “Learn” resource for inspiration and tips to help your creative process. It’s free to use and worth bookmarking in your browser for future reference.

Easy to Use Licenses

Having to license assets from a variety of resources can prove problematic for a number of reasons. First, while a number of sites offer stock footage, the licensing terms can vary greatly, making it difficult to consistently find and use quality content whose license won’t expire unexpectedly. Secondly, keeping track of your licensing rights can be a hassle when your assets pile up from a variety of resources. For that reason, using a site like Motion Array with access to 800+ creative assets takes a load of stress off our shoulders and minimizes the time and effort we need to put into finding and using licensed content.

How Licensing Works with Motion Array

Motion Array offers a full usage license for paid members. If your membership is up-to-date, then you can continue to add an unlimited number of assets from their catalog to your projects, and it’s all covered, no matter how big or small the project or distribution. If at some point you decide to cancel your membership, your finished projects will remain covered for life. When the time comes to use additional assets for new projects, you’ll need to renew your membership.

If you ever have any questions regarding your licensing rights with Motion Array content, you can reach out to their customer support team.

Affordable Pricing with Membership Options

Motion Array is a membership-based site, and they offer a few different plans for accessing their content, which are outlined in the image above. They also have a free membership that offers limited access to use their products (with somewhere in the neighborhood of a few hundred assets), but it’s a great way to test them out if you’re hesitant. Currently, you can save $50 on an annual plan. Guidelines on the site note that “all plans are for single users only” and “assets from Motion Array are licensed to the user with the paid subscription.”

Overall Pros & Cons

Drawing from the list of highlights above, we’ve culled the following list of pros and cons for using Motion Array.

Pros

As you may have guessed after reading through the highlights, the pros for joining Motion Array are many. Here’s a quick recap of what we think makes Motion Array a worthwhile investment for content creators. Some of these items are taken straight from the Membership options list, which makes sense for including them as a “pro.”

• You can kick off your “trial” with a free subscription plan to make sure Motion Array is a good fit. After that, payment plans are fairly priced and each includes full access to digital content.
• For members, the digital library includes a wide variety of quality (and royalty-free) assets, including video, audio, and photos, not to mention templates. That “quality” part is important and worth mentioning.
• Also of note, the Motion Array library expands constantly.
• An active membership allows for unlimited downloads to be used in new projects.
• Building on the previous pro, the included full-usage licenses simplifies what can otherwise be a complex aspect for using media that you didn’t create yourself. And better yet, once you’ve used an asset in a project, the license through Motion Array covers your usage of that asset for life.
• The Portfolio Website Builder works well for quickly setting up a professionally designed site to showcase your work. In addition, the Video Collaboration tool and Integration offerings also contribute a great deal to streamlining the creative process.
• The educational videos found on Motion Array’s site take the guesswork out of how to use the various assets.
• Memberships include 250GB of storage space.

Cons

Fortunately, this short list only affects certain users, for the most part.

• Members who don’t use Adobe’s Premiere Pro can’t take advantage of the plugins for video assets.
• Only members with an active subscription can use downloaded assets in new projects.
• Assets are not available for individual purchase and instead require a membership.

Motion Array Review Conclusion: Final Thoughts

Overall, based on our experience, a Motion Array subscription has proven a worthwhile investment. Motion Array provides helpful, easy-to-use tools that you can input into your projects right away. As evidenced in the above Motion Array review, the pros far outweigh the cons for just about every different type of user. Furthermore, they’ve set affordable membership rates, especially in light of what you get for your money.

At the very least, if you want to get serious about creating quality content without worrying about licensing issues for various video clips and music, Motion Array represents a solid option. Furthermore, the templates, plugins (again, for Premiere Pro users), and other collaborative tools work well for streamlining your workflow, all of which translates to saving both time and money. At the end of the day, creating stronger projects with ease while minimizing costs makes good business sense.

**Feature image template from freepik.com.

What Are Augmented Reality Cards?

Augmented reality cards offer a thrilling new way to connect with your memories. In addition to sharing printed portraits of special moments, AR cards include a scannable code that links to a personalized video, which viewers can watch via a mobile app. This adds an exciting new dimension to the overall viewing experience. Just open the app, scan the card, and watch the pre-loaded video.

How to Order Augmented Reality Cards

It’s easier than you might think to add videos to your photo cards, especially through Printique. For your convenience, we’ve outlined the process below using Printique’s order form.

Let’s get started!

Step 1. Download the Printique Photos App

First, head over to Apple App Store or Google Play to download and install the free Printique Photos app on your smartphone or tablet. You can also start here and follow the steps below on your desktop computer.

Step 2. Select a Category & Design Option

Choose the theme to fit your augmented reality cards. Printique’s current options include “Hanukkah” and “Christmas,” although they’re expanding their catalog and will soon have templates for all occasions, including Valentine’s Day, weddings, and so on. You’ll find a number of design options to choose from under each theme.

You can customize the front design after selecting a template. The back of the card contains instructions for accessing the video and is not customizable at this time. Once you’ve made a selection, choose your paper type (matte, felt, and linen) and print quantity. Prices range from $20 for a single card to $10 for 12 or more cards.

A Note on Photo & Video Orientation

It’s worth noting that you should choose a photo orientation that matches your video orientation. For example, if you choose a card template that features a “landscape” or horizontal orientation (rather than “portrait” or vertical orientation), the AR greeting card will work best if you match the photo with a video shot in the same orientation. The reason for this is the video will play within the same frame ratio as the photo.

[Related Reading: Complete Photo Print Gift Ideas and Options]

Step 3. Upload a Photo & Video and Customize the AR Card

With your design option in place, you can begin uploading your photos & videos and customizing your card(s). Simply click on the “Upload Photo” button, create an album name, and then select the photos you want to upload. After the photos have uploaded, drag your chosen photo into the design template. You can adjust the crop of the photo, change the background color/design, and more to get the card where you want it.

When your video is finished uploading, you can preview the results before submitting the video for the final card design.

Step 4. Order Your Augmented Reality Cards

With the design finalized and the video submitted, you can click on the “Order” button to preview the card once more and add it to your cart. You’ll need to create a Printique account if you haven’t already done so. Orders over $100 qualify for free shipping, and the current turnaround time for AR cards is typically three business days.

[Related Reading: Printique Review | Is It for Pro Photographers?]

Pro Tip for AR Cards

At SLR Lounge, we always talk about the importance of print and how it is equally important to shoot for the print. The same holds true when shooting for augmented reality cards. If you anticipate creating an AR card from the photo session, be sure to capture video for the card that will complement the photo and overall message. As an example, some light-hearted candid video of a family squeezing together for a group hug would work well for a family portrait featured on a Christmas or Hanukkah card. Keep an eye out for an opportune moment to capture on video that will pair up with your still photos.

Conclusion

In the history of greeting cards, we’ve seen cool features like see-through die-cutting, pop-up art, or even audio recordings, but augmented reality cards represent one of the most innovative leaps forward, putting an otherwise static medium in motion. With a professional lab like Printique offering these incredible products, you can rest assured that your printed photos will still look their absolute best while they conveniently link to videos that further bring important memories to life. Like always, the Printique Promise is included with every product Printique prints, including augmented reality cards. They’re made with the best possible materials, prepared by a team of experts, and guaranteed to meet or exceed your quality expectations. Make sure to check them out for yourself and add them to the list of products you offer clients.

It warrants saying that uploading to Facebook from a desktop platform will generally yield better results than mobile but even then the images generally don’t look as good as possible if you don’t take some parameters into account – essentially tailoring the image for FB before inputting into FB. Today, however, we’ll focus on a quick tip for uploading to Facebook from mobile and getting the best images you can, and really, it’s nothing more than a setting change within the Facebook app, and there’s a quick video at the end showing exactly how to.

*You can open images in a new tab to see the difference – it shows up quite prominently within the Facebook App.

The Facebook mobile app essentially allows a user to upload in low quality and what they call ‘HD’, with the default setting being low quality. To change that all that’s needed is to go into the main FB mobile Menu > Settings > Account Settings > Videos and Photos, then toggle the two sliders over to the right. There’s one slider for uploading video in HD and the other for uploading photos in HD. Toggle them and that’s pretty much it, and the difference in image quality is significant. Here’s a short video going through it, and some sample images in both low res and HD.

In case you’re wondering, this applies to whatever images you upload regardless of what you shot them in – it doesn’t matter if you transferred a high-res file from a WiFi camera or something, FB mobile will significantly downgrade it. Generally, always keep these tabs toggled on.

Your Photos Are Not Uploading To Facebook In HD By Default | Here’s The Fix

This is problematic now, because as photo professionals we’re judged on the quality of the work people see, and there’s no denying Facebook is a major source of eyes-on-work; It’s significant for many of our businesses.

As that’s the case, when we upload images to Facebook these days, we’re not simply uploading phone snaps, but using our phones and tablets to upload proper, edited, polished representations of our work. So, without further a-do, here’s the fix that will let your best work shine through:

From the Facebook Mobile App go to Settings>Videos & Photos. Your screen progression should appear as below:

Once there, you’ll be greeted with the following menu, and all you’ll need to do it toggle those switches to the right to turn the default low-res setting off, and Facebook will upload higher quality versions for you.

Those of you who are discerning photographers are probably wondering what size this ‘HD’ feature maxes out at, and as far as I can tell it’s 2048×2048, and video can be input as 1080p or even 4K, but will be downscaled to 720. It appears that using your own software to downscale the video to 720 yields a better result than Facebook’s own algorithm.

Furthermore, while I can’t seem to find a precise size limit for photo uploads, uploading a JPEG where I first saved for web and then ran through JPEGMini seems to look a little better than just uploading the JPEG straight, even with the HD feature on. It’s always advantageous to save for web when possible, for Facebook.

The lens is now available for pre-order and should begin shipping this month. We’ll have an in-depth review hopefully soon, especially now that we have a Nikon Z9 in-studio!

(B&H | Adorama | Amazon)

Why is this lens undoubtedly going to be a game-changer? I’ll talk more about this after the official specs, but here is the bottom line: This lens reaches 800mm with flagship-level optical performance and build quality, and does it for a fraction of the cost of most other “big gun telephoto” lens options that usually cost well over $10K. In fact, other 800mm primes that offer an f/5.6 aperture, (a mere 1/3 of a stop brighter) …cost $13-16K.

With the high-speed flagship Nikon Z9 now shipping, Nikon’s full-frame mirrorless Z mount is looking incredibly attractive for telephoto action sports/wildlife photography. In this realm of (relatively) portable and affordable lenses, we have this new optic, while on the other end of the spectrum we have highly exotic, unique optics such as the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S. (With a built-in 1.4x teleconverter, it essentially offers both a 400mm f/2.8 prime and a 560mm f/4 prime in one lens!)

By the way, both of these new lenses are completely unprecedented and unrivaled, compared to the competition. But, more on that after the spec sheet…

Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR PF S Specifications

• FOCAL LENGHT & ANGLE OF VIEW: 800mm, 3° 10′ angle of view (FX)
• LENS MOUNT(S): Nikon Z (full-frame mirrorless)
• APERTURE & RANGE: f/6.3 to f/32, rounded 9-blade diaphragm
• STABILIZATION: Yes, 5.5 stops optical VR
• AUTOFOCUS: Stepper motor type AF
• MANUAL FOCUS: Yes, electronically controlled,
• OPTICAL CONSTRUCTION: 22 elements in 14 groups, PF (Phase Fresnel) 3 ED, 1 SR element
• MECHANICAL CONSTRUCTION: Magnesium alloy, weather-sealed
• MAGNIFICATION & FOCUS DISTANCE: 16.4 ft (5m) 0.16x magnification
• FILTER THREADS & HOOD: rear drop-in 46mm filters, locking, reversible hood
• SIZE: 5.6 x 15.2 in (140 x 385mm)
• WEIGHT: 5.25 lbs (2385g)
• PRICE: ~$ 6,499
  (B&H | Adorama | Amazon)

Why All Wildlife Photographers Should Notice This Lens

As I mentioned, in the past a pro 800mm lens would cost well over $10K. In fact, even at 600mm, the current Nikon, Canon, and Sony lenses all cost over $12,000. This new Nikkor costs almost half that, (and is almost half the weight too!) …and yet is physically in the same category in terms of build quality.

Optically? I don’t like to jump to conclusions, but these big telephoto lenses are always flawlessly sharp. I expect this gold-ring 800mm lens to easily resolve all the megapixels you could ever want. The only downside will be, of course, that the PF (Phase Fresnel) optical design could make your bokeh appear a bit more distracting, in select situations.

Judging by the bokeh in the sample images, it is safe to say that Nikkor PF optics are unlikely to be a deal-breaker for anyone who is keen on reaching 800mm with this level of portability in a fully professional, weather-sealed kit. In short, Nikon’s PF technology is almost magic, with virtually no downside.

What about those existing 800mm primes? Currently, only Nikon and Canon offer them. Sony has yet to reach 800mm. Canon’s brand-new RF 800mm f/5.6 and Nikon’s DSLR-mount 800mm f/5.6 are all incredibly expensive at over $16,000, and massively hefty at ~10 lbs or ~4.6 kg.

You read that right: If you are willing to accept f/6.3 instead of 5.6, you can save almost ten thousand dollars. Yup… Ten. Thousand. Dollars. 

Alternately, you can always throw a teleconverter on an existing 400mm or 600mm lens, of course. But, again, even a 400mm f/2.8 and a 2X teleconverter will set you back about $13K, from any brand. Plus, if teleconverters are an option then it’s only fair to mention how the 800mm can “easily” be turned into a 1120mm or even 1600mm lens with the 1.4x or 2x Z-mount teleconverters, respectively.

Of course, if you’re looking for affordable ways to just get to 800mm, then you may be aware of another unique lens: the Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM, which costs a mere $999. However, it’s a vastly different class of optic compared to the new Nikon 800mm. The RF 800mm is a collapsible, non-L lens with hobbyist-grade build quality, and of course, there’s the painfully slow aperture of f/11. In my opinion, the build quality and slow aperture make it basically unusable for serious work in all conditions except fair weather and bright sun. The price difference puts these optics a world apart, of course, but the bottom line is that if you’re okay with f/11 then a far better use of your money would be to put a 2x teleconverter on a 100-400mm lens.

Speaking of uniqueness and innovation, or a lack thereof, my opinion would not be complete without mentioning that Canon had the guts to just re-mount their old/existing DSLR-mount 400mm f/2.8 and 600mm f/4 telephoto flagship lenses for their RF mirrorless system. I would have given them kudos if the decision to “recycle” the DSLR lenses had resulted in a more affordable mirrorless option, since the existing optical formulas are excellent. However, the “new” RF 600mm f/4 is, you guessed it, $13,000. Their forthcoming 800mm f/5.6 is a new optical formula, but again, it will be a nearly $17,000 lens.

Is Nikon The Most Innovative Camera Brand?

So, Nikon really is hitting the sweet spot of performance versus portability and price with this Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S PF, and I predict that it will be wildly popular, especially with the new Nikon Z9 hitting shelves now. The Nikkor factory will not be able to make these lenses fast enough.

Once again, Nikon always seems to hit the nail on the head when it comes to balancing innovation with real-world practical usefulness, and sheer value. Make no mistake, this is yet another highly competitive game-changer.

This is why, in my opinion, Nikon will continue to be relevant, even dominant, in the fiercely competitive market of flagship pro cameras and lenses. Some impatient folks may struggle to be comfortable with the “get it right the first time” attitude and pace that Nikon has toward developing new technology, such as mirrorless autofocus capabilities. However, in the grand scheme, just look at cameras like the Nikon Z9 versus the Sony A1 and Canon EOS R3. All were announced within months of each other, and the Nikon has some serious advantages and tricks up its sleeve. In other words, Nikon isn’t “behind” at all.

As usual, there is a delicate dance being done by each camera manufacturer as they try to slightly differentiate their products and offer unique advantages. Each system will have unique opportunities to really impress certain photographers.

Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S PF | Press Release

ALL THE DISTANCE, HALF THE WEIGHT¹: THE NEW NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S PUTS OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE WITHIN REACH

The Longest Focal Length NIKKOR Z Super Telephoto Lens is Here, Providing Overwhelming Reach in a Surprisingly Compact & Lightweight Design

MELVILLE, NY (April 6, 2022) –Today, Nikon Inc. announced the NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S super-telephoto lens for Nikon’s Z series of high-performance mirrorless cameras. This new S-Line full-frame lens gives aviation, sports, bird, and wildlife photographers a super-telephoto focal length to fill the frame with fantastic clarity at extreme distances. The new NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S is approximately 48% lighter and 16% shorter than its F-mount counterpart, due to the use of a PF (Phase Fresnel) lens element. While the NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S benefits from the latest optical technologies for maximum sharpness and fidelity, its significantly lighter weight makes it easier to trek out to the best vantage point, and shoot comfortably, even handheld or with a monopod.

“This 800mm lens is smaller and lighter than ever imagined, which is a true testament to Nikon’s advanced optical expertise as well as the next-generation technology that’s at the core of the Nikon Z system,” said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. “This latest NIKKOR Z lens is not only surprisingly easy to carry, but also gives photographers the fast focus response, intense sharpness, and beautiful color reproduction they need to create amazing images from extreme distances.”

The new NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens is built with an emphasis on comfortable usability and extreme optical performance. The Phase Fresnel element is optimally positioned to minimize ghosting and is combined with three Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements and one Short-wavelength Refractive (SR) element to effectively suppress axial chromatic aberration. From the sharp contrast of small branches to the finest feathers of distant birds, every detail is rendered with stunning precision. The NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S was engineered with close attention to balance, as the lens’ center of gravity is positioned closer to the user’s body to enhance smooth panning motion while tracking swiftly moving objects such as a falcon in flight or banking plane.

Primary features of the NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S:

• Extreme super-telephoto capability for Z-series photographers with an 800mm focal length that brings distant subjects in close, with incredible clarity and sharpness.
• Easy to pack and carry, weighing in at approx. 5.25lb (2385g) with a reduced footprint of 5.6 in. x 15.2 in.
• Features Nano Crystal Coat, as well as an optimized shape and location of the PF lens element that contributes to a reduction in ghosting for maximum clarity. This is especially useful when shooting into the sky or in the vicinity of bright light sources.
• The optical VR function provides a superior compensation effect equivalent to shooting at a shutter speed of 5.0 stops² faster. When paired with the Nikon Z 9, an effect of 5.5 stops is achieved with Synchro VR activation.
• Built to pro standards: Rubber gaskets keep dust, dirt, and moisture out of the moving parts and the lens mount.³ The barrel is constructed of robust magnesium alloy, offering an ideal balance of strength and lightweight. The front element has Nikon’s nonstick Fluorine Coat, which repels oil, moisture and smudges, and easily wipes clean.
• A Memory Recall function⁴ instantly recalls focus positions that have been stored in advance, via pressing an assigned button. This function makes it simple to quickly acquire an anticipated subject on a branch or perch.
• Customizable controls include four L-Fn2 buttons and one L-Fn button, to which a wide variety of functions can be assigned to suit users’ preferences, including subject tracking, AF lock, playback and more. A customizable control ring can also be assigned to adjust ISO, aperture and exposure comp.
• The focal length can be extended to 1,120mm with the Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4x, and 1,600mm with the Z TELECONVERTER TC-2.0x while maintaining outstanding resolution⁵. Users of high-resolution cameras such as the Z 9 and Z 7II will appreciate the ability to also shoot in DX mode for even further extended reach (1,200mm).

Pricing and Availability

The NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens will be available starting in April 2022 for a suggested retail price (SRP) $6,499.95*. For more information about the latest Nikon products, including other NIKKOR Z lenses and the complete collection of Z series cameras, please visit nikonusa.com.

Footnotes

1. The lens alone represents a 48% reduction in weight, or a 49.6% reduction in weight based on lens plus FTZ mount adaptor when compared to F-mount counterpart, the AF-S 800mm f/5.6 E FL ED VR lens.
2. Based on CIPA Standard. This value is achieved when attached to a camera with full-frame (Nikon FX-format) sensor, with the camera’s VR function set to “NORMAL”.
3. Thorough dust- and drip resistance is not guaranteed in all situations or under all conditions.
4. The cameras compatible with this function are the Z 9, Z 7II and Z 6II only at the timing of the product release. When using the function, the firmware for cameras must be updated to the latest version is required. For other models, this function will be supported via later firmware updates.
5. AF performance may deteriorate depending on the subject, brightness and focus position regardless of the camera body, causing inaccurate focus, slow focusing speed or flashing of the focus point.

To pre-order the Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 or to be notified when it becomes available, check out the following links: (B&H | Adorama | Amazon)