I just got back from an amazing workshop in Toronto, one of my favorite cities, especially in the summer. It’s been about six months since I last did a full in-person workshop, and this one was a great way to jump back in. We had a fantastic group, and I spent about eight or nine hours teaching, which was intense but incredibly rewarding.
I’ve had a lot of questions about the new Nikon 35mm 1.4 lens. I’m almost at my 10,000-image threshold to write and record a full review, but so far, I’m loving it. On paper, it’s not as technically perfect as other lenses, like the Canon 35mm 1.4 RF VCM, which I’ve grown to dislike more and more over time. The Nikon lens isn’t as technically perfect, but the results I’m getting straight out of the camera, without needing any profile distortion correction, are fantastic. Plus, it’s super light and nimble, which makes it easy to shoot with all day.
I also wanted to update you on Insight, the generative AI tool I launched earlier this year. It’s designed to help photographers by generating new pose ideas based on images you’re capturing in real-time. I’ve made some significant updates, including fixing an issue with portrait orientation photos. Now, Insight can interpret the correct rotation for portrait shots and deliver accurate pose ideas. This tool has been a game-changer for me, especially when I hit a creative block during shoots.
Finally, I wanted to share some photos from the Toronto workshop. We shot in a small studio in the heart of downtown, using creative techniques like shooting through a ring of fire, double exposures, and the Brenizer Method. I used my Canon camera for these, along with a beautiful 24mm lens that produces a unique Sunstar effect. It was a great day of shooting, and I’m excited for the next workshop in Orlando on Tuesday!
