Can the Skyfire App Predict Stunning Sunset Colors Days in Advance?

While this is only available in the US at the moment, this could be something to keep and eye on if the planned European update emerges.

The application is an add-on for TPE (The Photographer’s Ephemeris, well worth a look on it's own if you haven't done so already) which analyses items like topography, cloud height and type, as well as gap light to predict how good sunsets are likely to be.

While applications like this are never going to be 100% accurate it's another tool that could be useful to landscape photographers wishing to plan ahead.

http://digital-photography-school.com/can-the-skyfire-app-predict-stunning-sunset-colors-days-in-advance/

YouTube - TheCameraStore

TheCameraStore is a store based in Calgary and has been making YouTube reviews and videos for several years; they are currently one of the most comprehensive and down-to-earth channels giving you clear and honest opinions on new gear... well worth checking out their channel!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqpOf_Nl5F4tjwlxOVS6h8A

23 Ninja Tips For Your Next Photo Walk

An interesting video from the Cooperative of Photography, some interesting food-for-thought for your next street photography adventure!

Marked Up Photographs Show How Iconic Prints Were Edited in the Darkroom

We often hear people cry out about the amount of editing that gets applied to modern images and how photography is now more about the use of Photoshop that the simple truth that was presented in the days of film.

This article from PetaPixel shows how some classic images were developed in the darkroom and shows how dodging and burning are marked up on the test print and then used to emphasize different aspects of the images to produce the final result, techniques which are still in use today using modern post-processing software.

http://petapixel.com/2013/09/12/marked-photographs-show-iconic-prints-edited-darkroom/

5 Important Focal Lengths to Know and the Benefits of Each

Your focal length isn't just for getting closer to subjects, it can completely change the feel of your image and knowing how different focal lengths affect your image can help you to pre-visualiseyour shot even before you've taken it.

This article from Digital Photography School talks about 5 of the classic focal lengths, well worth a read!

http://digital-photography-school.com/5-important-focal-lengths-to-know-and-the-benefits-of-each/

The team or the star

When choosing a new camera it's easy to fall into the trap of simply buying the best camera you can afford, when in reality it's often more important to save money to put towards lenses, accessories or travel to get you to new locations where you can create the images you want.

In today's scene, high-ISO is the current technological buzzword taking over from the number of megapixels from years gone by, but there are often many other factors to take into consideration when buying a camera as highlighted by Robin Wong in his recent blog post:

http://robinwong.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/5-important-camera-capabilities-to.html

Google Nik Collection

Google has released it's Nik Collection of filters for free, including 7 modules such as Analog Efex Pro, Silver Efex Pro, Dfine and Sharpener Pro... well worth a download, go and grab them while you can!

https://www.google.com/nikcollection/

Photography & The Internet - Part One

Back in the pre internet days, pretty much the only sources of information regarding photography was in printed form, be it magazines,books and manuals which while still relevant now have now been superseded by the wealth of information available online and at your fingertips, but where to start?

So what I thought I'd do was start a short series of blogs highlighting websites and YouTube channels I frequent, starting with:

http://www.digitalrev.com/

From Wikipedia:

DigitalRev TV is a popular YouTube channel created by its producer Richard Yu and co-producer/presenter Kai Man Wong. DigitalRev TV routinely publish videos with photography related how-to guides and reviews.[1] The channel has over 180 million upload views from over 500 videos as of July 12, 2014, date the channel hit 1 million subscribers, making it the most subscribed to photography channel on YouTube.

Originally, the channel started off in 2007 with a format that simply involved a lone reviewer's hands showing the viewers the perks of each photography product. In each video, there would be an un-boxing of the product and run down of some of the features, as to promote products currently on sale on their mother site, DigitalRev.

The format changed in December 2009 when Kai W - real name Kai Man Wong - became the lead presenter at DigitalRev TV. Kai was a presenter for a previous YouTube channel before being hired, bringing with him a new style of presenting and a change of features. Lok C was brought in as the cameraman of the show. Alamby Leung was the project coordinator and occasionally appeared on the show.

The channel has gained a great deal of popularity for moving beyond the 'straighter' and 'clinical' camera reviews found elsewhere on YouTube by incorporating elements of comedy in a similar style to the BBC television show Top Gear. Kai often comments on camera's 'tilty flippy screens' which is a homage to Jeremy Clarkson referring to the stupid 'flappy paddles' for changing gear that many modern sports cars have and the DigitalRev team have carried out road trips, completing challenges set by the 'bloody producer' in the same manner that the Top Gear presenters do.

The episodes sometimes have bizarre off-the-cuff moments and play off certain unpredictable elements, such as when Kai gets shocked by the camera he is dismantling[4] or doing a review in Typhoon winds.[5] Given its light hearted tone and international audience some YouTube viewers have been confused and invariably there are comments about common features like Kai (intentionally) using the wrong camera strap or even no camera strap, dropping things or generally destroying camera equipment (which are mostly likely broken, returned or mock-up products).

Basically the channel is like Top Gear of Cameras, full of gear reviews, tips, guides, specials and crazy ideas to spark your creativity - If you subscribe to only one YouTube channel let it be this one.

And now for a few examples: