Canon News: EOS 7D Firmware Update

Canon have launched a relatively significant, free, firmware release for their EOS 7D DSLR, available from August.  It will upgrade the camera with the following features:

• Improved maximum burst for RAW images (up to 25)
• In-camera RAW image editing
• In-camera image rating
• In-camera JPEG resizing
• Maximum Auto ISO setting (ISO 400-6400)
• Manual audio level adjustment in movie recording
• GPS compatibility
• File name customisation
• Time zone settings
• Faster scrolling of magnified images
• Quick control screen during playback

There is plenty of negative (and tedious) feedback about the reasons and timings of this release on various internet forums, but I think it's positive for the following reasons:

• If you've already got the 7D, this gives it a new lease of life, for free
• If you were considering buying the 7D - it will be a better camera
• If you haven't got, or don't want the 7D, ignore the news!

On a more serious point, it isn't sustainable for any electronics manufacturer to develop new models and expect consumers to upgrade every 12 months or so.  With the EOS range of accessories, Canon already do an incredible job of this - effectively allowing new features to be added to the main body of the camera with new lenses, flash guns, etc.  Firmware is another way of achieving this - and it's free!

 More info here.

Taking good Microstock photos: Part 1

If you'd like to have a go at microstock photography, there are three things you need to consider before you take a shot:

1. Is the subject likely to be of commercial value?
2. Is the camera setup to take the shot at a suitable quality?
3. Is the composition suitably different to stand out from the crowd?

Let's look at each in turn...

1.) Is the subject likely to be of commercial value?

It's obviously in your best interest to only upload photos that have a commercial value. Luckily, the microstock agencies feel the same way, so they provide a load of useful advice to help you work out what's popular*:

• Shutterstock's Top 50 popular images of the week
• iStockPhoto's Most Popular

You can also search using words which would describe your shot and compare the competition (this search is from Shutterstock*):

Match AllMatch Any

Finally, check that you're legally allowed to take the photo - there are an annoyingly large number of buildings, trademarks and such like which you can't use without permission - I recently found this with the London Underground sign, for example.

2.) Is the camera setup to take the shot at a suitable quality?

Some simple setup points can mean your shot will be in with a chance of being accepted and minimise the amount of editing required:

• Shoot in RAW at the highest quality setting- preserving all of the detail in the image and allowing non-destructive editing of things like exposure and white balance later on
• The lowest ISO setting you can use, avoiding noise (or grain) in the shot
• Use the best quality lens you have available
• Clean the lens and sensor
• Use a tripod, cable/remote release and mirror lockup in low light conditions (or instead of a remote/cable release, put the camera onto a short self-timer)
• Check the horizon is straight! (Although you can straighten it in Photoshop, you will then lose part of the photo)

3.) Is the composition suitably different to stand out from the crowd?

Chances are, the shot you're about to take isn't unique - others will have taken shots of a similar subject. So, as in step 1, check to see what others have done, then either build on their ideas, or even try something completely different. I'll cover composition in more detail as another topic in the near future.