It was only on July 24th, that on this blog site, I introduced Canon’s new DSLR camera that took a big leap into the future. Feature for Feature, Sony had the market for a while. But, Canon is big enough, and has the right amount of engineers to create the ultimate camera to compete or beat the Sony DSLR.
And now Sony just announced their new DSLR camera again, with even more impressive specs on this one than their previous camera. Here is an article from Digital Photography School to explain what they have done:
The new Sony A7s III
After months of rumors, it’s finally official:
The Sony a7S III will hit the shelves in September, offering a whole host of brand new features, including a stellar autofocus system, a class-leading electronic viewfinder, pro-level video recording capabilities, and much more.
Let’s take a closer look.
What is the Sony a7S III?
The a7S III is Sony’s latest video/stills hybrid camera, which replaces the a7S II (a camera that debuted way back in 2015 and was long overdue for an upgrade).
The a7S III is a full-frame mirrorless model and technically designed to excel at both video and still shooting. But there’s a clear lean toward videographers, thanks to advanced recording capabilities such as:
4K/120p video (with a 1.1x crop)
Internally recorded, uncropped 4K/60p video (with a recording limit of 1 hour)
Internally recorded, uncropped 4K/30p video (with no time limit)
10 bit 4:2:2 recording
S-Log
As you can see, there’s quite a lot to satisfy serious videographers, such as the internal 4K/120p (for high-quality slow-motion footage), as well as unlimited 4K/30p shooting (for projects that require longer recording times).
You also get in-body image stabilization, as well as impressive high-ISO performance and at least 15 stops of dynamic range (according to Sony, anyway).
But while the a7S III is an impressive video contender, how does it look when arranged against more still-centric cameras? Can it hold its own?
Can the a7S III work for still photography?
At first glance, the a7S III is an extraordinarily capable camera for still photographers.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com (not shot with the Sony camera)
I mentioned the in-body image stabilization above, and that’s a boon for videographers and still photographers alike. You also get dual card slots, important for a select crowd of professional photographers, and a fully-articulating LCD for capturing images (or video) from awkward angles.
And the a7S III packs a 9.44M-dot electronic viewfinder, which is by far the highest resolution EVF currently available in a mirrorless camera (the former EVF champions sit at a still-respectable 5.76M-dot resolution). This should put to rest any claims by photographers that mirrorless EVFs just can’t compete with OVFs, because a near 10M-dot EVF is going to look insanely good.
The a7S III also features a new AF system, offering 759 phase-detection points, as well as 10 frames-per-second continuous shooting with a buffer of 1000+ RAW images.
Photo by Simon Clayton on Pexels.com (Photo not taken by the new Sony camera)
All this seems extremely impressive, but for one major feature:
The a7S III only packs 12 MP, which is perfect for video but deeply disappointing for still photographers, especially in the current resolution-hungry market. These days, full-frame cameras offer a resolution of at least 20 MP, but often push higher, from 24 MP in the Sony a7 III to 61 MP in the Sony a7R IV.
Of course, there are photographers out there who aren’t caught up in the megapixel craze, and those folks might be willing to use the a7S III for still shooting, assuming they also have significant video needs. But megapixels aren’t just about marketing; a 12 MP camera does offer serious limitations in terms of high-resolution printing, as well as cropping in post-processing.
So while the a7S III is a truly impressive video camera, it (like its predecessors) sacrifices too much to be a serious still photography option for most shooters.
The a7S III will hit the shelves in September for an MSRP of $3500 USD, and is currently available for preorder here.
Photo by Lisa Fotios on Pexels.com ( not shot with the new Sony camera)
Now over to you:
What do you think about the a7S III? Are you pleased? Disappointed? And would you use it for still photography? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Why these extra photos? Well, can you imagine a photo blog site without photos? These are just thrown in for entertainment only, and I hope you enjoy the photos picked for this.
Once in a while, you come across a few images that kind of take you away. I found this collection of interesting photos from the website: Picture/Correct. These photos are so good, they should be shared, so here we go:
Even everyday things can appear quite unique when we pay close attention to them. And this is the beauty of macro photography. This genre of photography allows us to get close and see a bigger picture of the everyday world around us. And random things can either appear stunningly beautiful or surprisingly weird this way. Take for instance the following image that was taken by photographer Younis. Even something as simple as putting jute twine through a needle appears seriously interesting:
“Jute Twine Through a Needle” by Younis (Via Reddit. Click image to see full size.)
The image is of a 2mm piece of jute twine being passed through a needle with a 1mm opening. He took the image using a Canon M6 camera, and the lens at 48mm with a 26mm extension tube. And since the depth of field was so shallow, he had to focus stack 10 images, each taken at f/11 and ISO 100.
The level of detail in the needle surface and the twine is exquisite. Who knew that a needle that appears so smooth and shiny to our eyes could be this rough when viewed closely? Even more interesting is the twine. The individual strands of fiber that we can see in this image might appear fascinating to some and disgusting to others. And since the twine is thicker than the opening in the needle, we can see the fibers obstructing the path. This further adds to the sense of discomfort in the image.
This is indeed an impressive shot by the photographer. It really gives us some mixed feelings
Symmetry in photography is one of those elements that requires a keen eye. And once you’re able to spot it and capture it, the image almost almost turns out to be especially pleasing to look at. That’s probably because we’re programmed to admire things that appear symmetrical. While finding symmetry in nature requires careful observation skills, finding it when photographing people requires sheer luck. Photographer NG Stephen got this gem of a shot of two fishermen in Myanmar and it’s nothing short of spectacular:
“Traditional Fishermen of Myanmar” by NG Stephen (Via Reddit. Click image to see full size.)
Stephen took the photo with his Sony a7RII and the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 lens.
What strikes you immediately when looking at this image is its symmetrical look. The way the boat and the basket is placed, the fishermen’s dress-up, and their identical body language gives a mirror-effect to the image. Even the hills in the background appear almost equally divided, which further adds to the symmetrical look of the image.
Besides symmetry, there are other elements as well that add to the beauty of this image. The warm tone in the image is an alluring indication that it’s the golden hour near sunset. And the elegant bokeh in the foreground also work as a leading line to draw us into the image towards the fishermen. Overall, the colors and the subject placement in the image is absolutely sterling.
The long exposure photography technique has so much potential. But practically, its usage has been limited to a few redundant concepts. If you try to get more creative, there’s much more scope to using the long exposure technique besides shooting light trails, light painting, and star trails amongst others. Take for instance the following image that was taken by photographer Jose Luis:
“Koi Dance in Takayama, Japan” by Jose Luis (Via Reddit. Click image to see full size.)
The image is actually a result of exposure bracketing that Luis did in order to cover the whole dynamic range. Then, he took another 4-5 long exposure shots at 0.6-seconds to capture the motion of the Koi in the pond.
“It was funny how the Koi came to wherever I was. So, I had to move around the pond to have them all around in the photos.”
The Koi are the hero feature of this fantastic image. The short burst of long exposure has beautifully captured the wiggling motion of the fish and made them appear like strokes made with colorful paintbrushes. The long exposure has taken the image to an entirely new level.
Further, the school of Koi in the pond also acts as a compelling foreground and an equally compelling leading line. They help in drawing us into the shrine in the background. Such a beautifully composed and well taken image!
Dogs – what would we do without them? Their unconditional love for us makes it such a joy to be around them. No matter how bad or difficult your day has been, going home to your dog immediately makes you forget everything. This feeling of joy must be the reason why the internet loves dog photographs so much. Reddit user Stirling_s took this gorgeous photo of their dog hiding during a hike, and it’s simply heart-melting:
“Dog Hiding for a Sneak Attack” by Stirling_s (Via Reddit. Click image to see full size.)
The image was taken with Nikon D3400 with a Sigma 18-35mm Art lens at 1/640s and f/1.8
Considering how energetic dogs usually are, especially when outdoors, the image is quite special. If you have a pet, you know how difficult it can get to take a proper photo of them. What also makes this image special is that the dog was in fact hiding so that she could sneak up on her other dog – what a playful personality!
“She likes to hunt my other dog so she’s hiding from him so she could sneak attack.”
The mud on her paws and the dirt around her face is an indication that she enjoyed the hike to her fullest. This makes it look like a picture from a children’s book about a dog on a great adventure. Also, the illumination on her blue eyes adds a lot of life to this already beautiful image.
The way the photographer has taken this image is commendable as well. There’s a beautiful balance of light and shadows that adds a good deal of contrast to the image. Also, the way the dog is framed in the gap between logs adds further emphasis on the cuteness of this image.
Didn’t this picture just make your day?
Mount St. Helens, an active volcano in the state of Washington, is infamous for its deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in the history of the United States, which happened in 1980. However, looking at this amazing photo by Ross Schram con Haupt, the mountain looks far from dangerous:
“Mt. St. Helens During Sunrise” by Ross Schram von Haupt (Via Imgur. Click image to see full size.)
Schram von Haupt took this photograph of Mount St. Helens after sleeping through gusty winds exceeding 50 miles per hour. However, in the morning he and his team were treated to this amazing sunrise. If we inspect the photograph closely, we can notice the ashes being blown around in the wind. However, Schram von Haupt was pleased on seeing the sunrise just because it was so colorful.
“I haven’t seen many sunrises that can compete with this one. There was ridiculous color in all directions…360 degrees of EPIC!”
He shot the photograph using his Nikon D610 mounted with Nikon 16-34 f/4 lens. This image is in fact a blend of various exposures.
Sky: ISO 100, 16mm, f/18, 106 seconds
Mountain: ISO 100, 16mm, f/9, .4 seconds
Flowers: ISO 800, 16mm, f/13, 1/10 second (6 shot focus stack for depth of focus)
Also, it’s noteworthy that he shot the flowers a day earlier at the exact spot because of windy conditions. This beautiful photograph is truly a result of skillful photography and post processing. What do you this?
In photography, it’s never enough to reiterate the importance of having eye contact in an image – it’s that important. Eyes can inject life in an otherwise lifeless image. This is the sole reason why we always emphasize the need to have the eyes tack sharp. Besides adding a sense of life, eyes also convey emotions and set the mood of the photo. Consider the following image of a flamingo that photographer Melissa Cormican took at the Los Angeles Zoo. It’s the eye that speaks volumes:
“Eye of the Flamingo” by Melissa Cormican (Via Reddit. Click image to see full size.)
With the bird peeking over its wings, it almost gives the impression that the bird is shy about having its photo taken. But the intense eye contact, on the other hand, leads us to believe otherwise. The eye in this image is such a small part, however, it’s able to capture our attention immediately. That’s really powerful.
“I was fascinated with the eye contact towards me and was curious as to what this inquisitive flamingo might be thinking.”
Another impressive aspect of this image definitely has to be the lighting. While one might think that this portrait was shot in a studio environment, it was actually taken in a zoo. Even the black background in the image is from the natural shade.
It’s evident from this single photo that Cormican has quite an eye when it comes to taking animal portraits. The lighting on the bird is perfect, the image is shot at the perfect moment, and the mood it conveys is astonishing. No surprise that this image bagged her an award.
When it comes to attention to detail, nobody can possibly beat nature. The intricate detail in everything natural that surrounds us is simply unmatched. We just need to pay attention and have a closer look. For instance, consider the following image taken by photographer John Kimbler. The level of detail on the head of a Swallowtail butterfly is mesmerizing:
“Swallowtail Butterfly Macro” by John Kimbler (Via Reddit. Click image to see full size.)
Kimber shot the image with the Canon 80D and the Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens set to just under 4x at f/11, 1/250-second exposure and ISO100.
It’s crazy how he’s captured such a detailed image of the creature’s head. The compound eyes of the butterfly show a very close resemblance to the speaker grills. The texture is so satisfying to look at. Even the proboscis looks like it’s made of something very solid. You could say that it’s got carbon fiber eyes and a gauge rind for a nose.
“Who knew that a butterfly could be so metal?!”
I would be remiss not to mention how incredibly crisp the image is. The level of detail is simply fantastic.
The year 2020 has been tough for pretty much everyone. Whether it be the global pandemic, or the unrest that’s going on against racial biases, things have been challenging. With tension so high, there’s been a desperate need for a more positive energy around us. And as a photographer, what better way than to keep your eyes out for heart-melting cheerful moments? Photographer Jessica Irani did exactly this by capturing this absolutely marvelous shot during the protests at NYC:
“Spiderman at the NYC Protests” by JessicaIrani (Via Reddit. Click image to see full size
Irani took this image with her Sony A7III.
What’s fascinating about this image is how it appears like a scene straight out of a Spiderman movie. The lighting and the tones are cinematically spot-on. While the image from a technical standpoint is good, the emotion behind it runs deep. You get the feeling that this child is happy to have a hero on his side.
“This just shows that people that grow up loving superheroes will try to be one in anyway possible.”
Also the fact that the Spiderman is going for a fist-bump while the kid’s going for a hand-shake adds a bit of humor to the image. Simply an amazing capture by Irani. The image definitely has a lot of character and class.
High in the Sierra Nevada, straddling the border between Nevada and California, you”ll find the largest alpine lake in North America, Lake Tahoe—sometimes called Big Blue. Seventy-two miles in circumference, with an average depth of 1,000 feet, it has the sixth-largest volume of any lake in the US—only the Great Lakes are larger. For at least 6,000 years, the territory of the Washoe people centered around Lake Tahoe, but the arrival of non-native people in the 19th century led to a series of armed conflicts and eventual loss of land to farms and townships.
Welcome to Disko Bay near the town of Ilulissat, Greenland, where summer”s midnight sun will dip just below the horizon for only about an hour and a half tonight. In fact, for several weeks in the period around the summer solstice, the sun doesn”t set at all on Disko Bay. Technically, the “midnight sun” occurs in places north of the Arctic Circle or south of the Antarctic Circle when the sun remains visible at the local midnight. This natural phenomenon lasts from April to August in the northern regions of Greenland. (The opposite effect, polar night, occurs during winter months when the sun does not rise above the horizon.)
Spring means more than just April showers and May flowers. It”s also the season when many baby animals are born. The rainy, warmer days bring new plant growth, which means nursing and foraging moms can provide their newborns with larger amounts of higher-quality food. It also maximizes the “growing season” for spring babies, giving them time to increase in size and put on fat before winter arrives.
Do you have the skill set to become a good photographer? Do you already feel like you are a good photographer? Have you noticed that people don’t go “wow” when they see your photos? What more can you do to develop your photographic skill?
I found this great article from David Lupica on Picture/ Correct, that just tells you how to develop your photographic skill. Check this out:
Many people are interested in photography but are unsure if they have the skills to become good at it. It is important to keep in mind that it is especially helpful to learn anything and everything possible about setting up your shot. This article will give you a few tips and hints to improve your photography skills.
Photo by Fredrik Holmberg; ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/250-second exposure.
Understand that smiling photographs aren’t the only kind of pictures. Real stories are told when people are allowed to express themselves authentically. The most memorable photographs in history are those that tell stories and convey emotions, such as “Migrant Mother” or “Vietnam Napalm.” No matter if your pictures change someone’s life or are simply an everyday happening, the emotions should be nothing less than real.
Dorothea Lange’s “Migrant Mother” (via flickr/U.S. Embassy The Hague)
Photo by Sandeepachetan; ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/1000-second exposure.
Learn to properly hold your camera. If you do not hold the camera steady, your picture will not come out perfectly. Make sure that your arms remain next to your body while the cameras lens is supported by both of your hands.
Photo by Thomas Hawk; ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/50-second exposure.
Figure out the best blend of aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. That combination will decide your picture’s exposure. It is possible to use overexposed photos in some cases, but generally these should be avoided. Try experimenting with these features, and see how they interact together and what combinations you like.
A silhouette can look lovely in any picture. A number of methods exist for silhouette creation, but a lot of photographers just use sunsets. If the difference in lighting between the subject and background is significant, with the background being brighter, it will create a silhouette. Create a silhouette shot by putting your subject in front of a sunny window or by setting up a flash off-camera, behind the subject.
Photo by Leo Hidalgo; ISO 400, 1/160-second exposure.
Choose to set your own white balance manually. Cameras often set the white balance themselves, but if you want the most control, do it yourself. If you change the white balance, you can remove yellow tints that are caused by certain light bulbs or your can change the mood.
Share only your very best, most interesting shots. Just because you took 1,000 photos does not mean you need to share each and every one.
A tripod is a must if you want high quality pictures. Even small movements can affect your images, particularly if the subjects are in motion or the photographs are being taken at a low shutter speed The little bit of money spent on a tripod can remove the blur that can occur in your images. A quality tripod will make your pictures much more professional looking.
Write down interesting spots to photograph. Occasionally you will be without your camera and you will run across a great, photogenic place. Just make a note to return there later when you have your camera. If you carry a small pad in your pocket or purse, you can write down the details of your location so that you will have an easier time remembering it.
A faster shutter speed is needed when taking photos in low level lighting. This prevents blurs from showing up on your pictures. Experiment with settings in the 1/200 to 1/250 of a second range.
Always start out by holding your camera at your subject’s eye level. This gives the picture personality that will draw people into it. If young ones are your focus, then don’t hesitate to put yourself in their line of view by getting down on your knees or stooping to their height.
You can apply these tips to help you succeed at your photographic ventures. But this article can help only if you apply what you have learned to your photography sessions.
About the Author:
David Lupica is a wedding photographer in San Diego California (san-diego-wedding-photographer net). Wedding photography combines both an artistic and a journalist approach to the art, and it’s vitally important to be well versed in both.
Here’s more photos that are certainly professional:
