HOW TO CALIBRATE your Display for PHOTOGRAPHY and PRINTING

I LOVE printing…but it wasn’t always the case.

I wasted a lot of time and money in the past because when I thought my monitor / display was calibrated correctly…it wasn’t!

So, in this video I show you the settings that DO WORK so you get the best from your display AND the best possible results when printing!

I’ll be using a BenQ Display, BenQ Software and an X-Rite i1 Display Pro Plus BUT all the settings I go through translate perfectly to other monitors, software and devices!

You can check out all this kit over on my GEAR PAGE

Oh and if you look in the description part of the video on YouTube, I’ve also added in Chapter Markers so if you want to, you can jump to a particular part in the video.

Enjoy!

🎬 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎

00:00 - Introduction
01:00 - Display, Software and Calibration Hardware
02:14 - PME Software
03:28 - Workflow
04:06 - Display Settings
09:58 - Measurement
12:45 - Validation
15:52 - Wrap Up

📷 I REALLY WISH my SONY camera had this ... but NIKON DOES!!! 🤷‍♂️

It's not often I find myself wishing my camera could do something that it currently can't , but FOCUS SHIFT in Sony is definitely HIGH on my WISH LIST!

In this video I explain all about Focus Stacking, why it would be so good to have Nikon Focus Shift in my Sony Camera AND how to stack and blend images together in Photoshop to end up with a tack sharp image!

Photographing The Joker

Looking through some files in my Lightroom Catalogue the other day and I noticed a series of images that I took when presenting for Sony at their Roadshow last year showcasing the new Sony A7IV.

I put together a video giving my feedback on the new camera that I only got my hands on the day before the Roadshow started, and in that video you can see snippets of when I was photographing my friend Graham Currey who was dressed as The Joker..

As for the set up, I used just the one light which was positioned above Graham, slightly forward of him and angled directly down to the floor so that I could also bounce some light into his face using a silver reflector.

The resulted in a version of what is commonly called horror lighting or up lighting, and which I thought would work great for the Joker character and give the pictures a much more dramatic look.

Kit:

• Camera: Sony A7IV

• Lens: Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master

• Lighting: Westcott FJ400 + Silver Reflector

Settings:

f/5.6 , 85mm , 1/160sec , ISO 200

Hope you like the results, and as alway, if you have any questions / comments, please do make use of the comments section below and I’ll be sure to respond.

Cheers,
Glyn

❓WHO is Glyn Dewis and WHAT is this CHANNEL❓

At the beginning of the year, one of my priorities and things I wanted to spend more time on developing was my YouTube Channel, and over the past (almost) 6 months I've thoroughly enjoyed it.

I'm having so much fun putting videos together the way that is 'me' and each week learning and trying something new to add to the production value.

One thing that's been missing though is a Trailer; something that in 60 seconds or less tells folks that haven't subscribed, the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHY, WHEN and HOW of me and what the Channel is all about, but yesterday I put some time aside and did it…

Hope you like it 😉

H&Y Release their NEW Magnetic Lens Cap for the K-Series Holder

It’s the small things that make a BIG difference and now having this new lens cap from H&Y, although it might not seem like much, will make such a difference when out an about…

One of, if not the, main reason I use H&Y Filters is because of them being magnetic and easy and quick to use when on location. I’ve tried other brands (ahem….Lee) and found them to be so cumbersome that I ended up not bothering with them and going without. The H&Y filters aren’t lighter but it’s how easy they are to attach, that makes such a difference.

The quality goes without saying because you’re only going to put good glass onto of good glass, but the magnets, which are super strong, mean you don’t worry about filters coming off and dropping to the floor. Mind you, that did happen to me when I pulled one out of my bag when I was at Hartland Quay and it dropped onto and down between some rocks. Thankfully not a scratch, so I can speak with clumsy confidence that they’re tough 😃

Anyway, now I have this new Lens Cap it means I can have the holder already on the camera, the lens glass is safe from knocks and it’s one less thing to have to do when out and about, which ultimately makes shooting life a lot easier and more enjoyable.

Not earth shattering, but still makes a big difference.

Note: Just looked on the H&Y site and they’re currently priced at £20.83 + VAT 👍🏻 *LINK

*The links included in this article are not affiliated with H&Y / PhotoTEQ

My Desktop Set Up: Kit I use EVERY Day

I’m often asked about kit…

What camera do I use for doing LIVE broadcasts?
What microphone do I use?
What's that ‘thing’ on your desk?

So, I thought I’d put together a post to list everything on my desk and that I use pretty much every single day. This will change over time as since my iMac died (LINK) I need a 2nd monitor and I’m undecided whether to go for the iPad Pro OR a new MacBook Air???

There are other things I use around my office such as my imagePROGRAF Pro 300 A3+ Printer but I’ll do another post later to show that and what typically take with me on a photoshoot or when out filming.

Anyway, here’s the current kit list on my desk as of today…

1. Westcott Flex Cine Bi-Color 1’ x 1’ - LINK

2. RØDE PSA-1+ Boom Arm - LINK
   (So much better than the original PSA1)

3. Lewitt LCT 440 Pure XLR Microphone - LINK
   (Best microphone I’ve EVER owned)

4. Zoom H6 Recorder - LINK
   (I plug my Lewitt microphone into this)

5. Elgato Camlink 4K - LINK
   (Superb plug and play gadget to use your camera as a webcam)

6. Sony A6400 - LINK
   (The video quality from this when I’m recording or LIVE, always gets a comment)

7. Xencelabs Pen for use with my Xencelabs Pen Tablet - LINK
   (Loving the Xencelabs Pen Tablet! So much better than my Wacom ever was!)

8. LaCie Rugged Mini 1TB 2.5” Hard Drive - LINK
   (I use this as a Time Machine Backup for my Mac Studio)

9. Elgato Streamdeck - LINK
   (Fantastic gadget for making LIVE streaming so much easier. Does a lot more though)

10. Apple Magic Keyboard with Numerical Keypad and Touch ID - LINK

11. Xencelabs Pen Case - LINK

12. Xencelabs Quick Keys - LINK

13. Apple Magic Touch Pad - LINK

14. Xencelabs Medium Pen Tablet - LINK

15. Sandisk Professional 1TB G-Drive SSD - LINK
    (Plugged into my Mac Studio for additional FAST storage)

16. Apple Mac Studio M1 MAX
    (A BEAST of a machine. So happy with this!)

17. BenQ SW321 4K Monitor - LINK
    (I LOVE this monitor! Great size. Great Colours. Matt Screen so no reflections…)

18. Sound Panel
    (I have a few of these dotted around on the ceiling and walls to improve sound)

I’ll be doing a video shortly on my new Xencelabs Pen Tablet as quite a few people have been asking about it since they too have had issues with their current Wacom tablet, so I’ll make sure to share that here and on my YouTube Channel.

As always, any questions about any of this kit, just drop me a message in the comments section and I’ll be sure to get back to you.

Cheers,
Glyn

Do you have a UPS? If not then maybe you should!

Without question THE best piece of kit I own is a UPS which stands for Uninterruptible Power Supply , and this morning with power cut after power cut, has made me even more glad that I have one!

Granted, It’s not the sexiest piece of kit but you’ll be so glad you have one if you do ever experience power cuts or power surges; and lets face it…we all do / will at some point.

The one I own is the APC by Schneider Electric Back-UPS BX - BX1400UI - Uninterruptible Power Supply 1400VA , and into this I plug my computer, monitor/s and hard drives … the important stuff.

If a power cut happens it kicks in immediately keeping everything running as normal. You’ll know it has kicked in because you’ll hear a slight buzzing sound, an intermittent beep and a warning dialog appears on the screen to let you know, which you can close and then carry on working as normal.

Obviously there’s a limit to how long it will keep everything running. The one I have has a battery indicator that you can see on your menu bar, and this gives you an idea of the estimated time remaining, which in my case this morning said 42 minutes.

Hopefully power cuts last way less than this BUT if they don’t and maybe you’re not aware it’s happened because you’re asleep or away from the computer, there is built in software that means when the battery levels gets to a certain point, the computer will automatically close apps and safely shut down.

Tempting as it is to buy some of the latest equipment (I’ve got my eye on the DJI Mini 3 Pro at the moment) buying a UPS if you don’t have one already should, in my opinion, be high on the list of priorities.

A few years ago when my computer was updating the Operating System, a power cut occurred and consequently killed the computer with it going off at a critical time in the process; having a UPS back then would have prevent this.

Anyway, just something for you to think about.

Cheers,
Glyn

My New Pen Tablet from Xencelabs

There's always a danger when mentioning new kit that it comes across as a sales pitch or in some way trying to influence others, but I am genuinely excited about using this and just wanted to show it.

I've used a pen tablet from day 1 when I started using Photoshop but very quickly started to use it for everything else...even browsing the internet.

Up until a few minutes ago I was using a pen tablet from Wacom that I was actually gifted (by Wacom) quite a few years ago. It's served me well BUT there's been so much about it that has been both irritating and un-useable, which I know might sound ungrateful but I'll always be honest, and if something adversely affects my work then I'll say so...and vice verse.

With the Wacom being touch sensitive I would constantly end up accidentally moving my cursor or unknowingly performing a keyboard shortcut just by my arm / hand crossing over it.

When recording videos I've lost count how many times the Wacom Menu would pop up even though 'Touch' was turned off, so I'd have to edit it out or re-start.

I had to have it plugged into my computer because the bluetooth was / is nothing short of useless with it constantly dropping out and having to be reconnected by turning the tablet off and then on again.

Being left handed I don't have the tablet directly in front of me but rather off to the side so the function keys would never be used because that would mean reaching across the front of myself with my right hand OR performing an origami move with my left hand whilst still holding the pen.

I am going to do a 'mid-week' video for my YouTube Channel about this new one from Xencelabs very soon (I’ll post it here on my site too) though because it's VERY different. Too much to say here but from now on I know already that working on the computer is going to be much slicker and editing in Photoshop, Lightroom AND also Premiere Pro CC and Audition etc is going to be much more streamlined because of the Quick Keys, which (especially being a left hander) is a GOD SEND

Talking Gear on the He Shoots He Draws Podcast

Had such a blast last week catching up with my mates Dave Clayton and Alan Hess on the He Shoots He Draws Podcast talking ‘all things gear’.

We chatted for an hour about the kit we’re using and why, covering the computer, monitor choice and graphics tablet, and with me having had my iMac recently die on me and to be replaced with the new Apple Mac Studio M1 Max, the timing couldn’t have been better.

Always great fun catching up with the guys, and as always, even though miles apart (Dave in Swindon and Alan in San Diego, USA) it still felt like 3 mates sat in a bar chatting.

You can catch the episode on all the great podcast platforms.

The NEW Apple Mac Studio M1 MAX - Noisy?

If you’ve seen my recent posts on social media, you’ll likely be aware that my beloved iMac died unexpectedly.

All was fine until I unplugged it all and took it with me to Witney in Oxfordshire to use during a presentation evening (had to take the iMac because my current MacBook Pro will no longer run the latest version of Photoshop, Premiere Pro CC etc...)

Anyway, all was well before I unplugged it, but then when I turned it back on in Witney, it was a no-go! Somehow, somewhere along the line something had gone wrong. The processor was running at over 1000% but no fans kicking in.

Anyway, long story short I took it to Apple and a Genius ran a through tests which resulted in the words Catastrophic Failure.

So, I ended up leaving with a brand new Apple Mac Studio M1 MAX, hence this video…