Joe's Photo & Video Channel

In todays gear review we take a look at a piece of tech used by many macro and product photographers. The Neewer Pro 4 Way Macro Focusing Rail Slider has a very attractive low price tag, so we take a look at its build quality and give you my honest review of this product.


   If you are interested in this item, please help support my channel by purchasing this product through my Amazon Affiliate Link:

Neewer Pro 4 Way Macro Focusing Rail Slider: http://amzn.to/1P5GgXz


Video Link:
https://youtu.be/ghVSE5q8Bjk

Just earlier this week we crossed a major channel milestone in which we reached our first 1000 subscribers. I wanted to share my gratitude to all my new found friends, loyal subscribers and viewers that have made all this possible. I also wanted to cover a few things about the channel I have planned for 2016.




Video Link:
https://youtu.be/XDV00ZTURzE

Essential gear for any serious photographer. The 5 in 1 lighting reflector has become a part of almost every photographers camera bag. In this tutorial I will explain all five surfaces of the reflector and show you how to fold and unfold the reflector for use and storage.


   If you are interested in this item, please help support my channel by purchasing this product through my Amazon Affiliate Link:

Neewer 43" 5-in1 Lighting Reflector: http://amzn.to/1OdNpng


Video Link:
https://youtu.be/ArMlCCyywFQ

Adobe has just issued their 3rd update to Lightroom 6 and CC 2015. With this update brings many bugs fixes, a few lens profile and the biggest change is that the original import system has been restored back to it original glory. So what are my thoughts on this?



Video Link:
https://youtu.be/9EIhBTBQ95c

I have been getting burned out from using Photomatix to process my HDR photos. It just have what I wanted, or better say needed to fully express my creativity. So when I seen a video by Trey Ratcliff talking about a new HDR program he helped develop with Macphun software. I was very interested and after using it I am excited to tell everyone about it. Now I am not reviewing this software as it was just released and even before posting this vlog today an update has already been released. But I wanted to let all my viewers know about this software and were they can go to download the trial and try it out for themselves.


Grab your free trial of Aurora HDR from Macphun here: www.aurorahdr.com


Video Link:
https://youtu.be/QPeD2b5Jotg

If your looking to get into night and cityscape photography you will need to know how to retouch those images after you have taken them. In this tutorial I will show you how to adjust white balance both globally and locally to create a stunning night cityscape.


   Do you want to get started in photography? Check out the links below to everything you need to get started. While your at it, don't forget to pick up Adobe Lightroom. Purchasing through my provided Amazon affiliate links is a great way to help support my channel.
Canon EOS Rebel T6s DSLR Starter Gear: http://amzn.to/1RKMhqa Adobe CC Photography Package (Lr & Ps): http://amzn.to/1jYTgAn Adobe Lightroom 6 (Stand Alone PC & Mac): http://amzn.to/1jYToQw

Video Link:
https://youtu.be/pSCusDm1R04

Are you looking for a broadcast quality built lavalier microphone. The Rode SmartLav+ may be what your looking for. In this review I go over this microphone from top to bottom and let you know what I think about this product as well as provide an audio sample so you can get an idea of the sound quality from this mic.


   If you are interested in this item, please help support my channel by purchasing this product through my Amazon Affiliate Link:

Rode SmartLav+ Microphone: http://amzn.to/1N2sbI4


Video Link:
https://youtu.be/T-nOlOXc2LA

While your purchasing all your new portrait photography gear, do not forget to grab a few Sand Bags. In this video we unbox some saddlebag style sand bags from StudioFX and I give you my first impressions of their build quality.


   If you are interested in this item, please help support my channel by purchasing this product through my Amazon Affiliate Link:

StudioFX Sand Bags 'Saddlebag Design' (4 Pack): http://amzn.to/1MXiTJ5


Video Link:
https://youtu.be/rxA9xXhzdRU

Did you just purchase the Rode VMP and are unsure how to set the microphone up properly? In this tutorial I will show you how to setup and configure the Video Mic Pro on a Canon DSLR. However these same steps apply to almost any modern camera, not just Canon.


   If you are interested in this item, please help support my channel by purchasing this product through my Amazon Affiliate Link:

Rode VideoMic Pro Microphone: http://amzn.to/1HZgxxe


Video Link:
https://youtu.be/ElllAj-FqbQ

Are you looking for an affordable muslin backdrop to use for your creative photography photos? In this unboxing I take a look at the Backdrop Alley reversible 'Charcoal / L. Grey' muslin photography background and I give you an overview of this product.


   If you are interested in this item, please help support my channel by purchasing this product through my Amazon Affiliate Link:

Backdrop Alley 'Charcoal / Grey' 10 x 24 ft Muslin: http://amzn.to/1H6bScJ


Video Link:
https://youtu.be/YVryn619lHk

In this Lightroom retouching tutorial we explore more cinematic color toning and then take it a step further by showing you how to create foggy street light haze in our photo by using the graduated circular filter tool.



About This Photo:

   This photo was taken for the purposes of this tutorial only. Just honestly needed a photo to do this tutorial with and had none. So I went outside and took one. This photo was taken with a Canon EOS Rebel T3i and the Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 EX DC OS HSM Macro Lens. Exposure settings used was ISO1600, f/5.0, 1/15th second at 61mm (97mm full frame equivalent). No tripod was used which made this very difficult to take at the shutter speed used and took a few shots to get this one that was semi sharp but sharp enough for the tutorial purpose. The strange aperture shown is due to the camera being set in AV mode and fastest aperture available being chosen. Which at 61mm is f/5. ISO1600 was used to get at least 1/15th second shutter speed. If this wo…

Are you looking for an affordable and feature rich intervalometer and timer remote for your camera. Then the Neewer NW-880 may just be what your looking for. In this gear review I go over the build quality and many of the unique features found in this product.


If you are interested in this item, please help support my channel by purchasing this product through my Amazon Affiliate Link:

*Neewer NW-880: http://amzn.to/1lmI9Cv

*Caution, make sure you choose the right model for your camera. Canon Rebel users including the EOS 60D and 70D should use the linked E3 model.


Video Link:
https://youtu.be/WZr4fNUfuSs

Hello Everyone! I thought I would pass along an update to the YouTube channels posting times. The latest study for my analytics shows that I should be posting 8pm here in the Philippines which is 4am Pacific Time in the USA. So starting today all videos will be posting one hour earlier. I am sure this isn't going to break anyone heart. It also will help with my schedule of posting videos and sharing them to the masses before I start work on further videos through out the week. So hopefully this is a win win for everyone and if we are lucky it may even drive more views to grow the channel.

Cheers, Joe

On today's blog video we take our first look at the Neewer brand of photography reflectors. I got in the 43 inch version of the popular 5 in 1 reflector and we give it a quick unboxing to see what comes with it and what our initial impressions are of its build quality.


   If you are interested in this item, please help support my channel by purchasing this product through my Amazon Affiliate Link:

Neewer 43 inch / 110cm 5-in-1 reflector: http://amzn.to/1LakZE6


Video Link:
https://youtu.be/98mWY6hhZDM

Looking for a easy to understand tutorial for changing the settings on your Canon DSLR from Jpeg to RAW, or just want to understand the Jpeg quality options a little more. In this video I show you how to do just that and explain the difference in the Jpeg options listed in your Canon camera.






Video Link:
https://youtu.be/7twg3SEJFC0

Finding a quality muslin photography backdrop can be a challenge with so many options on the market. In this unboxing video we take a look at the Backdrop Alley Nickel / Lake Blue reversible muslin backdrop and I give my initial impressions of this product.


   If you are interested in this item, please help support my channel by purchasing this product through my Amazon Affiliate Link:

Backdrop Alley 'Nickel/Lake Blue' Muslin: http://amzn.to/1kFwFsZ


Video Link:
https://youtu.be/nheAusLzA7E

Explore your creative side in my latest Lightroom tutorial. In this tutorial I will show you how to do selective color isolation. We will take a photo and remove all the colors we don't want and keep the ones we do to create a artistic photograph ready to be hung in a gallery.



About The Photo:

   This photo was taken using a Canon EOS 70D camera and the Canon EF 75-300mm mk III lens. The exposure used was ISO160, f/5.6, 1/400sec at 300mm. Since the lens used has no image stabilization I had to hold the camera very still to get this photo without bring the ISO up higher.


Video Link:
https://youtu.be/QFCvYXVAy00

With many expensive lighting modifiers on the market, I decided to purchase one of the less expensive 32 inch octagonal speedlite umbrella softbox's from Neewer Photographic. In this video we take a look at what comes with this softbox and give you my first impressions of this product.


If you are interested in this item, please help support my channel by purchasing this product through my Amazon Affiliate Link:

Neewer 32 Inch Octo Softbox: http://amzn.to/1Hb034A


Video Link:
https://youtu.be/4g5SFfg-hVM

In my search for a travel friendly softbox I picked up the Neewer 24 x 24 inch foldable softbox. In this video we give this product a unboxing and I give you my first impressions of this product. So if your considering getting this item then do not miss this video.



   If you are interested in this item, please help support my channel by purchasing this product through my Amazon Affiliate Link:

Neewer 24" Foldable Softbox & L-Type Bracket: http://amzn.to/1HaM0w2
Neewer 24" Foldable Softbox & S-Type Bracket**: http://amzn.to/1WxEN01

**Updated model, now comes with a S-type bracket.


Video Link:
https://youtu.be/QUD6sTORTDc

Its that time of the year again that I give my suggestions for lenses I use and recommend for Canon APS-C cameras like the EOS Rebel, 70D and 7D series. So if your wondering which lens offer the best value for the money and which ones are best for you starting out then do not miss this video.


   If you are interested in any of these items, please help support my blog by purchasing these products through my Amazon Affiliate Links:

Canon EF-S 18-135mm STM Lens: http://amzn.to/1GKIQiI
Canon EF 50mm STM Lens: http://amzn.to/1GKISaq
Canon EF-S 24mm STM Lens: http://amzn.to/1l79Oau
Sigma 17-70mm Contemporary Lens: http://amzn.to/1l79RTv
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS Lens: http://amzn.to/1GKJaOx
Sigma 18-35mm Art Lens: http://amzn.to/1MydCY2




Video Link:
https://youtu.be/sgGGt1aV20c

This months book is Practical HDR 2nd Edition By David Nightingale. If you have been considering getting into HDR photography, but are first looking for a good resource to help you get started. Then this book just may be for you.


   If you are interested in this book, please help support my channel by purchasing it through my Amazon Affiliate Link:

Practical HDR 2nd Edition: http://amzn.to/1LMb8Io

Video Link:
https://youtu.be/RC_2_7C7yMc

Fall is here, the days are getting cooler and the leaves on the trees are turning golden yellow and red. Unless you live in a tropical area where everything is always green. In this Lightroom tutorial I will show you how to use split toning to create a autumn color inspired photo.



About This Photo:
   This photo was taken in Taiwan a few years ago. These trees are actually in a city part not far from Taipei 101.  The gear I used to take this was my Canon EOS 70D and my Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 Contemporary lens. I used a exposure of ISO100, f/6.3, 1/15th sec @37mm. I can not remember if I used a CPL on my lens for this image or not.


   Wan’t to get started with photography? Check out the links below to one of my Amazon wish list with everything you need to get started. While your at it, don't forget to pick up Adobe Lightroom. Purchasing through my provided amazon affiliate link below is also a great way to support my channel.

Canon Rebel T6s - Photo Starter Set: http://amzn.to/1G…