iPhoneography in Mexico / February 7, 2012 by Laura Heald

The Apple Distinguished Educators are one of our favorite groups to work with. Being with them is like spending time with all your favorite teachers - the ones who changed your life. Last week, Bill and I were with them in Guanajuato, Mexico, taking pictures and teaching them about what we do.

A lot of our work is complicated - very technical and time consuming. Some of it isn't.

We try to use the right tool for every job. Sometimes that's a powerful Nikon DSLR, occasionally an extremely high end video camera, and sometimes our phones.

We can do a lot with one iPhone.

On this trip we wanted to focus on that workflow, showing our "students" everything that is possible with the phone they already own.

We took a photo walk one day through Guanajuato. It's an incredibly photogenic town. There were pictures around every corner.

While Bill gave instruction on light, composition and technique, I followed the group with an iPhone and a small tripod.

At the end of the walk, we presented everyone with this video. It was done entirely on my iPhone 4 - shot, edited and exported on one device.

Having an entire production studio in my hand is a powerful thing.

Istanbul and Its Many Faces / January 9, 2012 by Bill Frakes

Testing the Nikon D4 took us half way around the globe to Istanbul for the making of our documentary, "Istanbul and Its Many Faces" shot exclusively with the D4. I've worked in more than 130 countries, but this was my first chance to photograph this beautiful and mysterious city. In this documentary, we sought to capture the people and places that make Istanbul the metropolis it is. It's an ancient city with modern rhythms. It has been inhabited for more than 5,000 years, hosting empires such as the Ottomans and Byzantines. Today it is where east meets west, physically and socially--European flare with Eastern tradition.

To truly test the camera, I wanted to use the D4 as a journalist - to see how it responded to real world situations. We used the cameras 18 hours a day for 10 days straight. We used it as a still camera, a video camera, an audio recorder and an intervalometer. The thing that stood out most to me about the camera was its ease of use. I've held a lot of cameras in my career and none have felt as comfortable in my hand or worked as intuitively as the D4. I didn't have to worry about the technical - the Nikon engineers had done that for me.

Instead I could focus on the creative. The camera specifications speak for themselves, and what the camera can do is impressive, but how it feels when you're actually using it is what is ultimately important. The D4 allowed me to capture Istanbul in ways I couldn't have done before. This camera lets me to see the world with fresh eyes, and that, to me, is exciting.

Imagery Using the D4 / January 8, 2012 by SARA TANNER

The D4 is here. You can see it on the Nikon Web site. The photographers who worked on the launch are posting their imagery.

Corey Rich used the D4 for his film "Why".

Joe McNally has some of his photographs with his always fun commentary on his blog.

Our short documentary, Istanbul and Its Many Faces, shot exclusively with the D4 will available soon. The trailer for the film is available online now.

Nikon will be exhibiting the D4 at the 2012 International CES, Tuesday, January 10 through Friday, January 13 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Nikon D4 is Here! / January 6, 2012 by Bill Frakes

Keeping a secret is hard, especially when it's a really good secret. Nikon asked me to do some of the image creation for the launch of their new flagship the Nikon D4.

With 16.2 megapixels in a newly designed FX-format image sensor, the D4 handles all lighting conditions seamlessly. The ISO sensitivity range is from 100 to 12800 at normal settings, expandable to ISO 50 equivalent or ISO 204800 equivalent.

The camera has three image area options for Full HD video expanding the possibilities. That's what these guys do, they allow us to have the ability to see things in new ways. Exciting ways. They provide the technology to unleash your imagination.

But for me, the best thing Nikon did with the D4, is what they have always done. They have built a camera that I can depend on to do what I need it to do, seamlessly, every time I push the button.

It gives me more options, more functions, faster response time, better everything, and best of all, tt always works.

This is my life, and I need partners I can depend on. These guys are always there.

Learn more about the new Nikon D4 in the brochure available online now. We will be posting a review of the camera, with examples in the next few days.

Also check out Joe McNally's blog for some more great shots of the Nikon D4 in use. More coming soon...

PDN Video Guide 2011 / November 17, 2011 by SARA TANNER

Bill and Laura are featured in PDN's annual Video Guide. Check out the article highlighting Straw Hat Visuals' gear and how the team uses their lighting equipment, supports and sliders to make every subject more dynamic. Check out the article:

Going Remote Webinar Today / June 29, 2011 by SARA TANNER

It's not too late to sign up for the Manfrotto School or Xcellence's free Webinar today featuring Bill. Bill will be talking about the supports he uses to for his remote cameras and how he calculates the perfect shot. The Webinar, "Going Remote with Bill Frakes: Amazing Sports Images Made Differently!" begins at 2 p.m. (EDT) on Wednesday, June 29. The Webinar will also feature the insight of Will Holowka, product manager, Manfrotto and Avenger Lighting Supports, who will introduce Webinar participants to the new Snake Arm and DADO kits and showcase their benefits to capturing that perfect image.

Going Remote Webinar / June 19, 2011 by SARA TANNER

Interested in how Bill Frakes sets up his remote cameras and calculates the perfect shot? Join the next Manfrotto School of Xcellence Webinar on June 29 at 2 p.m. EDT. Will Holowka, product manager of Manfrotto and Avenger Lighting and Supports, will be the host, guiding you through Bill's work shot by shot. Learn more now.

Behind the Scenes on Anya Marina Music Video / May 28, 2011 by SARA TANNER

The Cinevate team captured Bill and Laura on set filming Felony Flats, the latest music video by Anya Marina.

Learn more about the equipment used in the video at Cinevate.com

First Look at the Lisa Miskovsky Music Video / March 23, 2011 by SARA TANNER

Lisa Miskovsky Behind the Scenes

This past January, Bill spent a few weeks in Sweden working with Nikon and Sony Music on a music video for up and coming Swedish musical artist Lisa Miskovsky.

Lisa Miskovsky

The official music video doesn't launch until next week, but we want to give you a behind the scene look at the video and the song "Got a Friend." Check out how Bill used our Nikon cameras in the freezing weather.