PhotographySavvy is a growing collection of photographic techniques, tips, gear reviews and photo industry news for beginners and pros alike.

Welcome to Photography Savvy

Welcome to the latest addition to Thomas Pitera Photography! This blog will be updated very regularly with information and images that relate to my passion: photography. I plan to cover a variety of topics including news, behind the scenes/technical information about photos, gear reviews, commentaries, and much more! If there is something you would like to see in the Photography Savvy blog, please contact me.

I hope you all enjoy the photos and insights, and I look forward to hearing from you!

 Tom Pitera

Review: ExpoImaging's Ray Flash

Ray Flash Ring flashes are popular among studio photographers to produce an evenly illuminated subject with minimal shadows. Most ring flashes are not as practical in the field because of their size and weight. But what if there was a way you could use a ring flash just like your ordinary hot-shoe flash? Well, the Ray Flash just might be the solution. The important question is: does it work? Continue on to find out.

Posted to category: Gear Reviews on July 15, 2008

Review: Image Trends Inc.'s Fisheye Hemi Plug-In

Fisheye Hemi Plug-InImage Trend's Fisheye-Hemi Plug-In is a Photoshop and Aperture plug-in that utilizes a proprietary mapping technology that produces more aesthetically pleasing images. The plug-in differs from most "rectilinear" fisheye fixes in the sense that it retains much of the pixel information and does not distort people towards the edge of the frame. I had the opportunity to try the Fisheye-Hemi, so continue on to see if it's worth it for you fisheye users.

Posted to category: Gear Reviews on July 13, 2008

The Results Are In!

CLICK: June 2008 Photography Contest - Third PlaceThe results are in from the Click June 2008 Photography Contest! The Pineapple Cocktail image I entered placed third in the Spectra Category (Best Capture). You can view all the winners here. Congratulations to all of the winners and all the participants, and thank you to everyone who voted for me.

Posted to category: News on July 9, 2008

Canon USA (finally) Announces EOS Rebel XS and New Speedlight

EOS Digital Rebel XSCanon USA has announced the latest addition to its Rebel line of cameras, the EOS Rebel XS. Announced last month internationally as the EOS 1000D, the 10.1 Megapixel camera will serve as the entry point to the Canon DSLR lineup. Features include a 2.5 inch LCD screen with Live View capabilities, self-cleaning sensor, DIGIC III processor, 7-point AF system, and bursts of up the 3 frames per second. The Rebel XS will be available this August with the EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS in black or silver with an estimated price of $699.99.

Also announced is the new 430EX II Speedlight, the replacement to the 430EX. New features include a 20 percent faster recycle time, quick lock attachment, and the ability to control flash function directly from the camera on the latest Canon DSLRs. The flash should be available around the same time as the Rebel XS and sell for about $329.99.

Posted to category: News on July 8, 2008

Nikon Unveils the D700 FX Format DSLR

Nikon D700After weeks of speculation, Nikon has officially announced the D700 FX-format DSLR. Essentially a D3 sensor in a D300 body, the D700 offers the same 12.1 megapixel low-noise CMOS FX-format sensor, and 51-point autofocus system found in the D3. It also features a frame rate of up to five frames per second out of the box, or up to eight frames per second with the MB-D10 battery grip it shares with the D300. Surprisingly, the D700 will be available late July with an estimated selling price of $2999.95 for the body only.

Posted to category: News on July 1, 2008

Nikon Announces the SB-900 Speedlight

SB-900 SpeedlightThe second part of today's announcements is the new flagship SB-900 speedlight. Fully compatible with Nikon's existing Creative Lighting System (CLS), the SB-900 offers a host of new features including a 17-200mm zoom range (which adapts to FX or DX equivalent focal lengths, three "light pattern" modes, an "intelligent gel" mode that automatically compensates when color correction gels are added, and a recycle time 25% faster than the SB-800. The SB-900 also becomes the first Nikon speedlight with the ability to receive firmware updates via the D3 or D700. The SB-900 will be available starting this August for $499.95

Posted to category: News on July 1, 2008