Canon Refurbished Camera Equipment On Sale

The Canon Store has put many of their refurbished equipment on sale for the holiday season. The upside is almost everything in their current lineup is included. The downside is the professional equipment are snatched up very quickly.

If you are uncomfortable in buying refurbished or used camera gear, read my earlier post on this subject and be informed. By the way, for my readers in the UK, Canon is offering a BG-E11 or BG-E16 grip for one extra Pound if you buy the EOS-5D Mark III or EOS-7D Mark II camera. You can save a few hundred quid right there.

You will not find a link to the Canon Store because I do not accept any advertisement or commissioned link on my Blog or website and do not solicit your email address for future spamming. I am completely unbiased in my reporting, have no conflict of interest and do not endorse any particular company. Find the Store on Google yourself easily.  You can see my equipment bag, upcoming wildlife photo tours and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Canon Announced hdAlbum EZ Service For Photo Book

MELVILLE, N.Y., December 7, 2016 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the new hdAlbum EZ service, an innovative software solution that allows users to quickly and easily create a photo book keepsake that captures their memories. Building upon the success of the hdAlbum service launched in January 2015, this new hdAlbum EZ service features Canon’s new advanced EAGiAL technology, which automatically selects a user’s photos based on lighting, composition, and face recognition, and creates an elegantly, styled layout with a storyline.

The hdAlbum EZ service offers users high-quality printing on the Canon DreamLabo 5000 inkjet production photo printer which produces images with rich, vibrant color and impeccable detail.

Accessible through the hdAlbum EZ App, the software helps reduce the amount of time needed to select shots from a large collection of photos, as well as create and edit a photo book. The hdAlbum EZ App even has a built-in function to automatically capture still frames from video files. This automatic feature has been included in response to the increase of users creating videos in recent years. This technology provides another way to capture compelling, live-action images. The hdAlbum EZ App will be available for compatible computers, tablets and smartphones.

“Sorting through files and selecting quality photos can be one of the most time-consuming steps in photo album creation,” said Toyotsugu Kuwamura, executive vice president and general manager, Business Imaging Solutions Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The hdAlbum EZ automated software automatically detects and chooses photos for album creation. This time-saving solution provides an intuitive platform for users to best tell their story, while also allowing more time for creativity.”

For a look at hdAlbum EZ’s streamlined design and intuitive process, please click here. Visit shop.usa.canon.com/photobooks for the latest promotions and to get started on your own hdAlbum EZ photo book.

Canon's Invitation to Photographers to Showcase Australia

From Canon Australia :

Australia is as diverse a country as it is vast. Across its breadth, we enjoy a huge variety of landscapes, city scapes and architecture, cultures and communities, sports and passions that make where we live special.

In the spirit of No One Sees It Like You, Canon wants to help all Australian’s capture and share their local community as they see it – that’s the real Australia.

Launching on 10 October 2016, Snap Australia is a four week program through the network of 108 individual News Community Media and their associated websites and social media channels. Each week, you will have the opportunity to shoot practice briefs in the lead up to the big day on 16 November.

Helping you take photos that show Australia in its best light, the Canon Collective Ambassadors in each state will give you simple tips and inspiration through editorials in your local newspaper and online in short videos.

“Snap Australia is a great opportunity to grab your camera and show your community in its best light to the rest of Australia and the world,” says Steve Loughran, General Manager of the Canon Collective. “We’re looking forward to helping people with simple pointers to take shots that bring out the stories, characters, beauty and passions that make up a community. And because everyone sees things differently, we’ll see loads of unique perspectives come through which is really exciting.” Keep an eye out for us in your News Community Media newspaper – online or in print – and to get involved just visit snapaustralia.com.au.

Where is Snap Australia taking place?

The Snap Australia program is a News Community Media program comprising the five community publishing divisions in Sydney/Central Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

How do I get involved?

Keep an eye out for the weekly brief in your News Community Media newspaper or visit snapaustralia.com.au

Who are the Canon Collective?

The Canon Collective provide people with a range of unique experiences to learn and practice photographic skills together, regardless of age or skill. Why not come and join us?

• Enjoy unique photography experiences
• Meet passionate people
• Try the latest Canon gear

Take a look at the Canon Collective site and select your location for photography events near you.

Canon CarePAK PLUS Protection Starts May 1

Accidents happen all the time. One minute you’re embracing your creativity and capturing amazing photos and the next minute you’re staring down at what’s left of your Canon camera after its been dropped off a cliff, smashed by an overeager toddler, knocked off the picnic table and into the pool, or had an extra-large latte (no whip) spilled all over its LCD screen. Talk about a creativity buzz kill.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. wants you focused on taking great photos, not on worrying how much it will cost to get your camera repaired. Beginning May 1, 2016 and running through July 30, 2016, Canon U.S.A. is offering a complimentary CarePAK Plus Protection Plan good for a 13-month period from time of purchase, when you purchase an eligible camera or lens product at a Canon Authorized Dealer.

With Canon CarePAK Plus Protection your camera is repaired by Canon factory trained technicians using only Genuine Canon Parts. No third parties. No confusion—just the promise of protection from accidental damages, for a 13-month period— absolutely free. Any camera repaired under this promotion will receive priority service, free return shipping and support direct from Canon. And once the 13-month period is completed, Canon camera and lens owners have the opportunity to purchase an extended CarePAK Plus Plan.

Eligible Camera Bodies and Kits

• EOS-1D X Mark II
• EOS-1D X 
• EOS 5D Mark III
• EOS 5DS 
• EOS 5DS R
• EOS 5D Mark III EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens Kit
• EOS 5D Mark III EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM Lens Kit
• EOS 6D 
• EOS 6D EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens Kit
• EOS 6D EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens Kit
• EOS 7D Mark II
• EOS 7D Mark II EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens Kit

Eligible Prime and Zoom Lenses

• EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
• EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
• EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
• EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
• EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
• EF 50mm f/1.2L USM
• EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM
• EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Any purchased camera/lens kit will also be covered. For example, if one buys the Canon EOS 5D Mark III and EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens kit, both items will qualify under the new CarePAK PLUS program.

For more information, check out Canon USA's CarePAK PLUS Promo page.

World's Best and Worst Passports To Carry

The magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra, India

Massive icebergs in Greenland

Elephant grazing in front of Mount Kilimanjaro, Kenya

My readers know me as The Wildlife Ho-tographer traversing the globe on wildlife photography photo shoots. However, I also do some travel photography now and then. According to the consulting firm Henley and Partners plus the International Air Transport Association, some passports are more valuable to have than others because it offers the holder visa free access to other countries.

Below is the 20 'best' and 11 'worst' passports to have if one is thinking of globe trotting. You can follow my travels on Facebook and Twitter, see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

World's Best Passports (Ranked by number of countries granting visa-free access)

• 1. Germany -- 177
• 2. Sweden -- 176
• 3. Finland, France, Italy, Spain, UK -- 175
• 4. Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, U.S. -- 174
• 5. Austria, Japan, Singapore -- 173
• 6. Canada, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, S.Korea, Switzerland -- 172
• 7. Greece, New Zealand -- 171
• 8. Australia -- 169
• 9. Malta -- 168
• 10. Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland -- 167
• 11. Slovakia -- 165
• 12. Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Slovenia -- 164
• 13. Latvia -- 163
• 14. Estonia, Lithuania -- 162
• 15. Poland -- 161
• 16. Monaco -- 160
• 17. Cyprus -- 159
• 18. San Marino -- 156
• 19. Chile -- 155
• 20. Hong Kong -- 154

World's worst passports (Ranked by number of countries granting visa free access)

• 94. Liberia -- 43
• 95. Burundi, North Korea, Myanmar -- 42
• 96. Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Sri Lanka -- 39
• 97. Kosovo, South Sudan, Yemen -- 38
• 98. Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Nepal, Palestinian Territory, Sudan -- 37
• 99. Libya -- 36
• 100. Syria -- 32
• 101. Somalia -- 31
• 102. Iraq -- 30
• 103. Pakistan -- 29
• 104. Afghanistan -- 25

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L vs EF 16-35mm f/4L IS vs EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L vs EF 16-35mm f/4L IS vs EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II

My readers know me as The Wildlife Ho-tographer because I am primarily into wildlife photography. However, I do some nature, landscape and travel photography as well. The video below compares three of Canon's 'L' series wide angle zoom lens. I have used all three out in the field.

They are all very good lens, well built, quite sharp and fast enough for many types of photography. My conclusion is this. The EF 17-40mm f/4L is the best value wide angle zoom in the lineup. The EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II is the best for stationary subjects (landscape and nature) and images that don't move a lot while the EF 16-35mm f/4L IS is ideal for those who want to use the lens to photograph nature and wildlife as well. The EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III will be even better and should be released some time this year. You can see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com  

Is A Photo Always Better Than A 1,000 Words?

Reuters, the world's largest international multimedia news provider, recently announced (following in the footsteps of Associated Press) they will not accept RAW or CR2 files from freelance photographers anymore. They will accept original Jpeg files with minimal corrections, like cropping and level corrections. 

Why? Reuter's explanation, "While we aim for photography of the highest aesthetic quality, our goal is not to artistically interpret the news.”  Translation - Photos may be 'manipulated' to tell a different story. Fact is, any digital photo may be 'manipulated' by post processing software to varying degrees to tell all kinds of stories. 

And then there is the manipulation of the scene before the photo is taken. Remember the BBC 2009 Wildlife Photographer of the Year was stripped of his title because of 'irregularities'? The moral of the story is, if the photo looks 'too perfect', Viewer Beware and start asking questions. 

The video below from Vietnam shows how easy it is to 'fool' the viewer into believing a scene that is completely manufactured and unreal. You can see my works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Street Photography - The Master (Fan Ho) and the Apprentice (DigitalRev)

My readers know I am The Wildlife Ho-tographer but also do a little travel photography now and then. Recently, I came across the works of Fan Ho (no relation to me), an exceptional 'street' photographer with a keen eye on composition and a master of light. Mr. Ho is in his 80s now and his photos deal mostly with street scenes from 'old' Hong Kong. 

Ted Forbes from The Art Of Photography put together the video below and analyzed the photos and composition of Ho's work through the decades. You can also see a tongue-and-cheek video from DigitalRev on street photography, expectation vs reality. Take a look at my other post on how to do street photography with an inexpensive camera.

Wildlife and Travel Photography Composition Tips

My readers know I am a wildlife photographer. My photo shoots take me around the globe and the subjects I photograph range from Hummingbirds to Blue whales, the largest animal on Planet Earth, ever. However, I also do some Travel Photography now and then. The video below reminds us of a few points to consider when composing photos of people and places. 

Read my posts on tips for photographing Hummingbirds, Great whales, Tigers and Polar bears. Visit my website MichaelDanielHo.com to see all the wildlife photos from my past trips.  

Sometimes, Things Can Go Awry On Photo Shoots

My readers know I have been in wildlife photography for a long time. When I am on a photo shoot anywhere in the world, the best laid plans of mice and photographers sometimes go awry. Airplanes, boats, jeeps or other vehicles can get delayed or run into engine problem. Photographic gear and computers can malfunction and put out indecipherable error codes.

Like the wise man say, 'Feces Occurs'. For me, the best defense against expected and unexpected problems is - Back Up. I usually pack duplicates of everything in my equipment bag that is crucial to the photo shoot - cameras, lenses, batteries, memory cards, etc. and especially credit and ATM cards for overseas trips. 

The video from DigitalRev below shows some of their photography bloopers, some genuine, others probably manufactured. Nonetheless, a bit of levity and entertainment rarely hurts. 

A Photographer's Guide To Hong Kong

Hong Kong Victoria Harbor by night

My readers know me as a wildlife photographer but in addition to wildlife photography, I also do a little travel photography around the globe. For those who travel to Asia, Hong Kong is a must see place for shopping and street photography.

One of the best street photographers I know is Fan Ho (no relation to me). Take a look at the video below from DigitalRev.com  They have a list of must-see, must-photograph locations for those visiting this former British colony.

Travel Photography - Canadian Rockies, Day 11

Still on my road trip in Canada. Leaving the Rockies and heading to Vancouver Island for some Killer whale photography. I am still having trouble with my new Microsoft Surface 3 tablet. It is not easy to look at the photos and process them a bit to for posting. 

Visit my website MichaelDanielHo.com to see photos from my previous travel and wildlife photography trips.

Travel Photography - On The Road In The Canadian Rockies, Day 5

* * *   Read the latest post on my Canadian Rockies Travel   * * *

Still on my road trip in the Canadian Rockies. I am using my new Microsoft Surface 3 tablet on the road for the first time and it is not easy to look at the photos and process them a bit to for posting. 

Visit my website MichaelDanielHo.com to see photos from my previous travel photography trips and I will try and keep in touch now and then.

Is Photography An Art?

Is Photography an Art? What is Art? I suppose both are in the eye of the beholder. One thing I do know. There are good and better artists and photographers and vice versa.

Master Street Photographer of Hong Kong

My readers know I am a wildlife photographer but also do a little travel photography now and then. Recently, I came across the works of Fan Ho (not related to me), an exceptional 'street' photographer with a keen eye on composition and a master of light. Mr. Ho is in his 80s now and his photos deal mostly with street scenes from 'old' Hong Kong. 

Ted Forbes from The Art Of Photography put together the video below and analyzed the photos and composition of Ho's work through the decades.

DigitalRev has put out a video comparing old photos of Hong Kong with the present day look. Film vs Digital photography, if you will.

Canon Europe Launches City Guide Series

Bodiam Castle, East Sussex, England

United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 6th May 2015 – Today Canon announces the launch of a series of downloadable and app based city guides that offer fresh and unique perspectives of six cities across Europe – London, Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Milan and Amsterdam. The curated guides invite consumers to explore the world around, look deeper and seek out the fascinating and beautiful stories that unfold everyday.

The introduction of the city guides is part of Canon’s continuing ‘Come and See’ brand campaign, the latest iteration of which features two freeclimbers who explore cities around the world from unique perspectives and breathtaking vantage points. The city guide series offer a more everyday look at cities, inviting people to take a fresh look at familiar landscapes and encouraging the discovery of hidden locations from unexpected angles.

To curate each exclusive guide, Canon has collaborated with six sets of influencers, local to each selected city. Each personality brings their passion, creative flair and area of expertise to offer their unique perspective on the tour stops mapped out :

    UK, London – Professional Parkour athlete and photographer, Scott Bass
    Spain, Madrid – Fashion and street style blogging duo, Mike & Gabriel of Cup of Couple
    Netherlands, Amsterdam – Professional photographers, Andres & Joyce of On a Hazy Morning
    Germany, Berlin – Graphic designer and blogger, Nina of Smaracuja
    Italy, Milan – Visual street artist, Alice Pasquini
    France, Paris – Photographer, Saúl Aguilar

Nigel Taylor, Consumer Imaging Marketing Communications Director, Canon Europe, commented, “In a world full of fascinating stories, breath-taking views and hidden gems, it’s natural that in the hustle and bustle of life we overlook and at times take our surroundings for granted. At Canon, we want to help consumers enjoy cities across Europe in all their unique glory. We hope that people will relish the opportunity to seek out new perspectives and in turn capture that beauty on camera or video to cherish forever”.

Downloadable City Guides

All six city guides will be available for download via Canon’s dedicated ‘Come and See’ website from May 1st 2015, inviting consumers to discover European cities as they’ve never experienced them before. In addition, the website provides consumers with insight into the ‘Come and See’ campaign, including videos featuring the influencers, as well as technology stories and product information.

City Guides via Canon Companion Apps

Each city guide will also be featured as part of Canon’s new EOS 760D & EOS 750D, and EOS M3 Companion apps, compatible with iOS and Android, consumers can download and use the app regardless of whether they own the product or not. Users will be able to navigate their way through guides and city maps and gain handy photography tips and advice to inspire and support them in their journey of exploration around each city¹.

Share your travel story with us!

City guide users are encouraged to share their favourite travel photos and experiences with the hashtag #comeandsee.