Canon has just announced their newest DSLR, the 5D Mark III body! It has improved quality, more features and is much faster than the previous Mark II. We can't wait to get our hands on it, but in the meantime check out this review:

 

 

Hello fellow photography enthusiasts! We've decided that we're going to start offering pretty cool (and actually useful) photography tips for all of our awesome friends. Not sure how often we'll do this - perhaps once per week? 

Today's quick lesson is how to use the Gradient Map feature in Photoshop for a more vivid color photograph in two super easy steps.

We're going to use a photo I took last week of Air Force One taking off from Portland International Airport. It's such an amazing airplane, and you should've seen all the massive guys with even more massive guns roaming all over the place.

Here's our starting image:

The first step: in your 'Layers' panel, select 'Gradient Map'

That will turn your image black and white, but don't panic! Step two is to turn the Blending Mode from 'Normal' to 'Luminosity'

Voila! That's it! Here's the final image:

In two very easy steps, you've just turned a flat, not very interesting photograph into a well-saturated and eye popping photo worthy of something other than the trash can :)

 

I love the close, intimate feeling style of this interview of Scott Schuman, the Sartorialist. Schuman began carrying a camera around the streets of NYC in 2005 after leaving a fashion sales position to take care of his daughter in 2005. He simply looks for people who are dressed in a way that catches his eye. Schuman pioneered fashion photography... in blog form!

Photo find of the day! Dan Mountford is a british graphic designer and photographer. His work is made ‘in camera' with double exposures... no layers or photo manipulation (except for color toning). His work is simply fantastic!

I often peruse etsy in search of lovely and clever things for which I never seem to have enough pocket change to actually buy. Due to this little 'bunny-trail habit' of mine, I have an ever lengthening, rapidly growing wishlist. In any case, I was thrilled to find this fetching print by Zara Picken. So, pull out your pockets and see if your pocket change adds up.

 

ABOUT : ZARA PICKEN

 My name is Zara Picken and I have been working as an illustrator since graduating from the University of the West of England with a First class honours degree in Illustration in 2008. I am influenced by mid-century modern design and have a passion for old paper-based ephemera. I also find inspiration in vast collections, large cities and obscure music.

My work - retro-tinted with textured blocks of colour - combines digital and handmade elements. Projects begin with pencil drawings and are completed using Photoshop in a distinctive style. My work is ideas-led, approaching each brief with an open mind and focusing on conveying concepts and messages with a striking aesthetic.

In my spare time, I enjoy being a technology geek, playing bad cover versions on the ukulele and improving my coffee-making skills.

I am based in Bristol, England.

 

I just found these beautiful photographs created by the French photographer, Sacha Goldberger. I am totally in love. The lighting and toning is delightfully winsome and captivating.  Meet Super Mamik... out to save the world.

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to you and Compassion International, Highkey is able to support a young boy named Egwau Godfrey. Egwau was born in Orimai Village in Uganda on April 1st, 2001. Now, as a healthy 9-year old boy, Egwau enjoys hobbies such as singing—(he is involved in the children's choir at the village church!), storytelling and any sports that involve a ball—though he especially enjoys soccer. Egwau also is a great contributor to his family, helping his mother and father by washing clothes, caring for the animals, carrying water and gathering firewood. 

In Orimai Village, the home to approximately 4,500 residents, typical houses are constructed of mud and have thatch roofs. The regional diet consists of maize, beans, cassava, potatoes and groundnuts. Most adults in Orimai Village are unemployed but some work as subsistence farmers and earn the equivalent of $5 per month. This village community needs secondary schools and capital for income-generating activities. By our collective sponsorship, we are helping the staff of Otatai Child Development Center to provide Egwau with Bible teaching, sports, hygiene education, health screening, scholastic materials, hand crafts, opportunities to plant trees and life skills training.

I wrote a letter to Egwau today and will update the blog with his response when it arrives :). If you have any questions that you wish me to include in upcoming letters, please feel free to comment or email us at info[at]highkeycamera[dot]com with the subject line of "Egwau Godfrey". So, that's the update! Thanks again for your help in supporting Egwau!

 

 

tags: camera strap, camera straps, compassion international, custom camera straps, egwau godfrey, high keyX highkeyX highkeycamera, made in Portland, made in the USA, more than business, photography, sponsor

 

I ran across this time lapse this morning of Kiel Johnson creating this fabulous work of art and I thought you'd enjoy it! I love the choice of music and the overall feel of this short piece. Theo Jemison used a Canon 5D Mark II, along with some other SLR cameras. Sweet.

Be inspired!

Thanks for dropping by our new website! Do you like it?? We sure do. Please feel free to browse our store, let us know what you think, and order your favorite camera straps! 

We have some exciting plans for HighKey throughout 2011, with this new website being one of the first. We're working on something super secret that we're hoping to have on here within just a few weeks. Check back often to see what it is!

If you're looking for our old website, you can find it here.