Rappers and celebrity publicists have a bad rep, but that’s rarely been my experience.

When I was assigned to shoot DMX for GQ magazine, my first call was to his publicist, Angelo Ellerbee of Double Xxposure. DMX had a reputation back then for being a no-show on photoshoots and Angelo wanted to make sure all went well. He said he’d do everything he could to make sure the shoot came off without a hitch.

He asked where I wanted to shoot. I realized the key wasn’t about where I wanted to shoot but where he would, so I asked Angelon”where can we shoot so we’ll be sure he’ll show up?” Angelo laughed and said “he’s always got to go home eventually,” and we agreed to shoot at the waterfront home DMX was renting in Miami.

The day of the shoot we showed up at the house to find the front door wide open. I knocked on the open door and member of his crew waved me in. When I said I was the photographer from GQ, our host picked up his cell and I hear “White boy here from GQ. Cool, cool…” and he tells me to set up where ever I want.

Within half an hour, DMX and his crew show up. He comes over to welcome me and offers us his best weed. We declined so he insists we at least have a drink with him and brings us each a shot of Redrum. We toast and I explain my plan for the shoot.

The hyper-saturated color comes from cross-processing color transparency film in C-41 color neg chemistry. For those of you who grew up in the post-film era, it’s like applying a photo filter in camera which results in this look straight-out-of-camera with no takesies-backsies.

Over the next 45 minutes we shoot three set-ups and DMX did everything I ask of him and we get exactly what we need. Before we leave, he insists we take a bottle of Redrum for the road. It remains chilled in my freezer to this day. Cheers to a great talent we lost too soon!

DMX photographed for GQ in Miami 1999

Samyang announces the AF 24mm F1.8 FE lens with a new custom mode for astrophotography which will automatically focus on infinity. The lens features a new function titled “Custom Mode” with an “LED indicator” for astrophotography. The “Custom Mode” can be assigned to the newly-designed Focus Hold button. Once the user enters the custom mode, the LED indicator will blink once, and the focus will automatically move to infinity.

Optical Construction:

Optical design provides outstanding corner-to-corner image quality thanks to 11 elements in 8 groups, with 7 special lenses (2 ASP, 3 HR, 2 ED) with a maximum F1.8 aperture and smooth and natural-looking bokeh.

Specs:

Aperture Range F1.8 ~ 22
Optical Construction: 11 Elements in 8 Groups
Special Lens: ASP 2, HR 3 , ED 2
Coating: UMC
Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.19m (0.62ft)
Maximum Magnification: 0.21x
Diaphragm Blades: 9
Filter Size: 58mm
Maximum Diameter: Φ 65mm
Mount Sony FE
Angle of view (Full Frame): 83.7˚
Angle of view (APS-C): 60.9˚
Length: 71.5mm / 2.8in
Weight: 230g / 8.1oz
Weather Sealing: O
AF/MF mode switch: X
AF Motor: Linear STM

Order Samyang AF 24mm f1.8 FE lens from B&H Photo

Sony has quietly updated their a7R III and a7R IV cameras with improved LCD panels. The newly designated a7R IIIA (ILCE-7RM3A) & a7R IVA (ILCE-7RM4A) will get an upgrade from a 1.44 million dot LCD to a 2.36 million dot LCD. The new LCD is slightly more power hungry resulting in a rating of 10 fewer shots per NP-FZ100 battery based on the conservative battery specs for each camera. The EVFs remain unchanged in both cameras.

Listings for the new model ‘A’ cameras have not yet shown up at US retailers as of publication.

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Sony USA announces the latest Alpha Female+ grants. Applications are open for 12 grant packages, each with more than $8000 in cash and Sony Alpha gear. Once you apply with a project, your application stays in the running for all of the remaining grant periods. You can also apply with a separate project once per grant period, so you can submit up to 12 projects to be considered if you start now.

The deadline for the first grant period is May 2, 2021. See the official rules along with more information on grant periods and deadlines in the contest guidelines. Learn more about the application process below and access the application HERE.

What You Need to Complete Your Alpha Female+ Application

A personal introduction video (Youtube/Vimeo link)
A proposal describing your project
A video reel of your work (required for video projects) AND/OR a completed Public Photo Gallery in your Alpha Universe Profile (required for photo projects).

Add Your Background Info in Section 1 & 2

Most of sections 1 and 2 are basic information about you, what kind of photography or filmmaking you do and how we can get in touch with you. In section 2 we ask for a one-minute video that gives us a chance to get to know a little about you. You can shoot your application video in any way you prefer, including with your computer’s camera, or with your phone. The video is meant to give us a great sense of who you are and to have a visual introduction to your persona. It’s up to you if you’d like to submit your video exactly as you shot it, or if you’d like to edit it using other footage as well. The only requirement is that you are on camera introducing yourself, and not just doing a voice-over.

500 Words To Tell Us About Your Proposal

For the Project Proposal in section 3, this is your opporunity to tell us about your project and how you plan to use the grant money and the gear to complete it within one month. You have 3000 characters which works out to about 500 words. Be thoughtful and give the judges sense of the full scope of project and why you want to pursue it.

Create an Alpha Universe Profile and Submit Samples of Your Work

Section 4 asks for samples of your work. If you’re proposing a video project, we ask that you provide a link to a demo reel or similar video. The link can be unlisted, but it cannot require a password. If you’re proposing a photography project, you must submit an Alpha Universe Profile that includes your name, profile photo, bio and at least 5 samples of your photography in the gallery. You must set your gallery and profile to “public.”

A Couple Final Clicks and You’re Done!

And that’s it. Review all of the terms and conditions and in section 5 click “Submit”. Your application will be in the running for an Alpha Female+ grant.