The Top 5 Best Cloud Services for Backing Up your Photos

1. Amazon Photos:

Cons:

• Must be a Prime Member

• 5 GB of Video Storage

• Additional video storage starts at $1.99/mo

• If you end your Prime membership your storage is reduced to 5 GB for photos and videos.

Pros:

• Unlimited photo storage

• Accept uncompressed files including raw files

• Secure off-site backup for all of your devices

• Free Shipping when you order prints

• Allows you to use your photos as a slideshow on

  Echo Show or Fire TV

• Allows for photo sharing in private

  groups

• Nice widget creates videos and

  thumbnails so you can revisit past memories

• Advanced search and filters to help

  find photos

• Auto-Save makes sure your photos are

  always backed up from all of your devices.

• 24/7 Customer Support

2. SmugMug:

Pros:

• Unlimited full resolution photo storage including raw files

• Great for portfolios & websites

• Advanced Search

• Easy to upload and access photos

  and videos

• Connect a photo lab to your site for

  print sales

• Custom Photo sharing and Privacy

• Auto-upload

• Sell your images with sales tools

• Human support

• 14 Day Free Trial

Cons:

• $5-$42 per month

• If you plan to sell prints, you can’t designate yourself as the printer

3. IDrive:

Cons:

• They draw you in with an inexpensive price for the first year, then it goes up.

• $80-$150 a year

• Technically more complex than the other solutions on this list.

Pros:

• Multiple Device Backup

• Online File Sync

• Backup and retrieve data in less

  then a week via physical storage

  shipment

• Snapshot & Versioning of your

  backup

• Web-based console to manage

  backup

• Incremental and compressed

  backups will ease network

  bandwidth by transferring the

  modified portions of a file.

• IDrive automatically recognizes

  the modified parts of files and

  backs them up.

• Access files backed up from PCs

  and Macs or synced from connected

  devices; protect mobile data with

  apps for iOS and Android.

• Search and restore files from the

  a desktop application or via any browser;

  provision to recover deleted files

  from Trash within a period of 30 days.

• No data is deleted from the IDrive

  online account until you manually

  delete or run 'Archive Cleanup' to

  match your computer data to your account.

• Activity reports, backup status reports,

  share reports - all keep you informed.

Graphic provided by Crazy Egg

4. Flickr:

Cons:

• You can’t upload raw files

• The interface is outdated

• Its future is questionable

Pros:

• There is a free version

• Flickr Pro is just $5 a month

• Advanced Statistics

• Ad-free browsing

• Automatic Photo Uploads

• Unlimited uncompressed images

  for Pro members.

5. Google Photos:

Cons:

• Google compresses your phones and videos.

• You have to pay for Google Drive to get uncompressed file storage

Pros:

• Securely backup photos and videos

• Auto-backup

• Access on almost any device

• Photos & videos are auto-organized and

  searchable.

• Editing tool & smart filters

• Printing services

• Free for compressed files

Of course, there are other great clouds services out there like Adobe Creative Cloud and 500px, so please post in the comments below what your favorite is and why you like it. Also, stay tuned, for a future post where I will show you how I use Amazon Photos as part of my mobile editing workflow.

Nikon Z9 Review for Photos & Videos

The Nikon Z9 is a very impressive new camera. It’s nice to see Nikon catching up to Canon and Sony. This camera is priced at $5,499.95.

Tech Specs

Effective Pixels

45.7 million

Sensor Size

35.9 mm x 23.9 mm

Image Sensor Format

FX

Storage Media

CFexpress (Type B)

XQD Type Memory

ISO Sensitivity

ISO 64–25600 in step sizes of 1/3 and 1 EV

can also be set to approx. 0.3, 0.7, or 1 EV (ISO 32 equivalent) below ISO 64 or to approx. 0.3, 0.7, 1, or 2 EV (ISO 102400 equivalent) above ISO 25600; auto ISO sensitivity control available

Movie

8K UHD 7,680×4,320 / 30p (progressive)

8K UHD 7,680×4,320 / 25p

8K UHD 7,680×4,320 / 24p

4K UHD 3,840x2,160 / 60 fps

4K UHD 3,840x2,160 / 50 fps

4K UHD 3,840x2,160 / 30 fps

4K UHD 3,840x2,160 / 25 fps

4K UHD 3,840x2,160 / 24 fps

Full HD 1,920x1,080 / 120 fps

Full HD 1,920x1,080 / 100 fps

Full HD 1,920x1,080 / 60 fps

Full HD 1,920x1,080 / 50 fps

Full HD 1,920x1,080 / 30 fps

Full HD 1,920x1,080 / 25 fps

Full HD 1,920x1,080 / 24 fps

Actual frame rates for 120p, 100p, 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, and 24p are 119.88, 100, 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25, and 23.976 fps respectively

Monitor Size

3.2 in. diagonal

Monitor Type

Vertically and horizontally tilting TFT touch-sensitive LCD

Battery / Batteries

EN-EL18d rechargeable Li-ion battery

EN-EL18c, EN-EL18b, EN-EL18a,and EN-EL18 batteries can also be used. Note, however, that fewer pictures can be taken on a single charge than with the EN-EL18d.

Approx. Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth)

5.9 in. (149 mm) x 5.9 in. (149.5 mm) x 3.6 in. (90.5 mm)

Approx. Weight

47.3 oz. (1340 g)

400+ White Smoke Overlays for Photo Effects and Textures

$19.99

3,100+ Posing Cards Bundle

Halloween Sale 20% Off use code GOBLIN20

New Camera / New Design: Review of the DJI Action 2

The DJI Action 2 has a whole new modular design. It is capable of all of your standard action camera POV jobs plus it can live stream. There are two packages available and they are listed below. This post is not sponsored nor does it have any affiliate links. Image by DJI.

DJI Action 2 Dual-Screen Combo

USD $519

• Versatile Magnetic Design

• Portable & Wearable

• 4K/120fps & Super-Wide FOV

• HorizonSteady

• 10m Waterproof

• AI Editor

DJI Action 2 Power Combo

USD $399

• Versatile Magnetic Design

• Portable & Wearable

• 4K/120fps & Super-Wide FOV

• HorizonSteady

• 10m Waterproof

• AI Editor

Specs

Camera Unit

General

• Dimensions

• 39×39×22.3 mm

• Waterproof

• 10 m without Waterproof Case, 60 m with Waterproof Case

• Number of Microphones

• 1

• Weight

• 56 g

• Touchscreen

• 1.76 inches 350 ppi
  500±50 cd/m² 446×424

Camera

• Sensor

• 1/1.7” CMOS

• Lens

• FOV: 155° f/2.8

• ISO Range

• Photo: 100-6400
  Video: 100-6400

• Electronic Shutter Speed

• Photo: 1/8000-30 s
  Video: 1/8000 s to the limit of frames per second

• Max Photo Resolution

• 4000×3000

• Zoom

• Digital Zoom
  Photo: 4x
  Video: 2x (> 60fps), 3x (≤ 60fps, HorizonSteady On), 4x (≤ 60fps, HorizonSteady Off)
  Slow Motion/Timelapse: Not available

• Still Photography Modes

• Single: 12 MP
  Countdown: Off/0.5/1/2/3/5/10 seconds

• Video

• 4K (4:3): 4096×3072 @ 24/25/30/48/50/60fps
  4K (16:9): 3840×2160 @ 100/120fps
  4K (16:9): 3840×2160 @ 24/25/30/48/50/60fps
  2.7K (4:3): 2688×2016 @ 24/25/30/48/50/60fps
  2.7K (16:9): 2688×1512 @ 100/120fps
  2.7K (16:9): 2688×1512 @ 24/25/30/48/50/60fps
  1080p (16:9): 1920×1080 @ 100/120/200/240fps
  1080p (16:9): 1920×1080 @ 24/25/30/48/50/60fps

• Slow Motion

• 4K: 4x (120fps)
  2.7K: 4x (120fps)
  1080p: 8x (240fps), 4x (120fps)

• Timelapse

• 4K/2.7K/1080p
  Intervals: 0.5/1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/10/13/15/20/25/30/40 seconds
  Duration: 5/10/20/30 minutes, 1/2/3/5 hours, ∞

• Stabilization

• EIS: RockSteady 2.0+HorizonSteady
  * EIS is not supported when recording at 100fps or above. HorizonSteady is only available when the video resolution is 1080p (16:9) or 2.7K (16:9)

• Max Video Bitrate

• 130 Mbps

• Supported File Formats

• exFAT

• Photo Format

• JPEG / RAW

• Video Formats

• MP4 (H.264 / HEVC)

• Supported SD Cards

• microSD (Max. 256GB)

• Recommended microSD Cards

• DJI Action 2 supports up to 256GB SDHC/SDXC UHS-I Speed Grade 1 or Speed Grade 3 microSD cards
  Recommended models:
  Samsung EVO 32GB UHS-I Speed Grade 1 microSDHC
  Samsung EVO Plus 32GB UHS-I Speed Grade 1 microSDXC
  SanDisk Extreme 64GB V30 A2 UHS-I Speed Grade 3 microSDXC
  SanDisk High Endurance 32GB UHS-I Speed Grade 3 microSDXC
  SanDisk Extreme Pro 32GB UHS-I Speed Grade 3 microSDXC
  SanDisk Extreme 16GB UHS-I Speed Grade 3 microSDXC
  Lexar 633x 16GB UHS-I Speed Grade 1 microSDHC

• Audio Output

• 48 KHz; AAC

Battery

• Type

• LiPo 1S

• Capacity

• 580 mAh

• Energy

• 2.23 Wh

• Voltage

• 3.85 V

• Operating Temperature

• 0° to 40° C (32° to 104° F)

• Charging Temperature

• 5° to 60° C (41° to 140° F)

• Operating Time

• 70 minutes
  * Tested in a laboratory environment while recording 1080p/30fps (Power Reserve) video with electronic image stabilization disabled. This figure should be used for reference only

Connection

• Wi-Fi Operation Frequency Range

• 2.400-2.4835 GHz
  5.150-5.250 GHz
  5.725-5.850 GHz

• Wi-Fi Protocol

• 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

• Wi-Fi Transmit Power (EIRP)

• 2.4 GHz: <16 dBm (FCC/CE/SRRC/MIC)
  5.1 GHz: <14 dBm (FCC/CE/SRRC/MIC)
  5.8 GHz: <14 dBm (FCC/CE/SRRC)

• Bluetooth Operation Frequency Range

• 2.400-2.4835 GHz

• Bluetooth Transmit Power (EIRP)

• <4 dBm

• Bluetooth Protocol

• BLE 5.0

Front Touchscreen Module

General

• Dimensions

• 39×41.6×24.6 mm

• Waterproof

• Not waterproof without Waterproof Case, 60 m with Waterproof Case

• Number of Microphones

• 3

• Weight

• 64 g

• Touchscreen

• 1.76 inches 350 ppi
  500±50 cd/m² 446×424

Battery

• Battery Type

• LiPo 2S

• Capacity

• 1300 mAh

• Energy

• 5 Wh

• Voltage

• 7.7 V

• Operating Temperature

• 0° to 40° C (32° to 104° F)

• Charging Temperature

• 5° to 60° C (41° to 140° F)

• Operating Time

• Camera Unit + Front Touchscreen Module: 160 minutes
  * Tested in a laboratory environment while recording 1080p/30fps (Power Reserve) video with electronic image stabilization disabled. This figure should be used for reference only

• Charging Time

• Camera Unit + Front Touchscreen Module: 90 minutes
  * Tested in a laboratory environment when using a 5V/2A USB adapter

Power Module

General

• Dimensions

• 39×41.6×21.4 mm

• Waterproof

• Not waterproof without Waterproof Case, 60 m with Waterproof Case

• Weight

• 56.6 g

Battery

• Battery Type

• LiPo 2S

• Capacity

• 1300 mAh

• Energy

• 5 Wh

• Voltage

• 7.7 V

• Operating Temperature

• 0° to 40° C (32° to 104° F)

• Charging Temperature

• 5° to 60° C (41° to 140° F)

• Operating Time

• Camera Unit + Power Module: 180 minutes
  * Tested in a laboratory environment while recording 1080p/30fps (Power Reserve) video with electronic image stabilization disabled. This figure should be used for reference only

• Charging Time

• Camera Unit + Power Module: 90 minutes
  * Tested in a laboratory environment when using a 5V/2A USB adapter

Sony releases the A7IV. Is it worth the Upgrade?

2021 Epson International Pano Contest Winners

Epson sponsored a Pano contest for amateurs and professionals. There were over 5000 entries from 97 countries. Click here to see all of the contest results.

Image by: Joshua Hermann Open Photographer of the year.

https://www.joshuahermannfineartphotography.com/

New DJI 4D Cinema Camera

Sigma 18-50 mm F/2.8 Review for Sony APSC Cameras

Sigma 18-50 mm F/2.8 Review for Sony APSC Cameras

Skylum Announces Luminar Neo

What’s new
Dust Removal AI
Lens or sensor let you down? Automatically remove evidence of lens and sensor dust from your photos.

Before Dust Removal AI

After Dust Removal AI

Line Removal AI
Line Removal AI gives you perfect pictures with zero effort. Remove unwanted powerlines from skies and put more focus on your subjects just in one click.

Before

After

Overlays
Luminar Neo includes built-in overlays and object libraries which allow artists to start creating layered compositions right out of the box.

Before

After

Relight AI

Before

After

Portrait Background Removal

Before

After

Mask AI

Sample mask in red.

Luminar Share
Luminar Share allows you to easily transfer photos edited in Luminar Neo from desktop to mobile and share them to your social channels quickly and easily.

Pricing
Starts: October, 18 (8am New York Time)
Ends: November, 17 (8am New York Time)

For artists making a new purchase:
$76 for 1-seat license for Luminar Neo
$87 for 2-seats license for Luminar Neo

$105 for 1-seat license for Luminar Neo+Luminar AI
$126 for 2-seats license for Luminar Neo+Luminar AI

Click here to pre-order

For artists who own Luminar or Aurora:
$54 for 1-seat license for Luminar Neo
$69 for 2-seats license for Luminar Neo

Click here to pre-order

$83 for 1-seat license for Luminar Neo+Luminar AI
$108 for 2-seats license for Luminar Neo+Luminar AI

Click here to pre-order

*30-day refund policy valid upon shipment of Luminar Neo this winter

Apple Announces the New Line of MacBook Pro's

Apple announced three new MacBook Pro’s today. There is a 13” model starting at $1299, a 14” model starting at $1999, and a 16” model starting at $2499. Apple products are known for their power and performance and these laptops are no exception. They also carry a hefty price tag, as the top model configures to more than $6000. #Apple #MacBookPro