Intro by Skip Cohen

I often refer to myself as the "low-tech poster child of the industry." While my passion is the business and marketing side, that doesn't mean I'm not in awe of the incredible tools Panasonic keeps developing. Here's a great example, post focusing, now in several of the newest Lumix cameras.

Just to say imaging technology is constantly changing would be a huge understatement. Panasonic's tagline for Lumix is "Changing Photography," but check out this guest post from my good buddy and member of the Luminary team, Bob Coates. Panasonic is doing more than changing it - they're redefining it and developing the most creative tools in the history of imaging!

Interested in finding out more about Bob Coates and Lumix? Visit Bob's website with a click on any image in this post. Then stop by the Lumix Lounge and meet some of the most diverse artists and educators in the industry. Even better, check out their schedules and meet them in person when they're teaching near you.

by Bob Coates

Obtaining extra depth of field in an image can lead to images that have a hyper reality that can be quite fun. Think about it. Your eye can only focus on one thing at a time. If you look at a detail in any scene everything except that detail is blurry. Try it now and really study what you are seeing. When you use the Post focus Mode to stitch images that have differing focus points together you can get a sharper image than the eye can see. This is especially apparent when using a macro lens and getting everything super sharp.

Many of the Lumix cameras have this feature and are able to leverage the 4K video capabilities. (and now the 6K PhotoMode in the GH5) The camera will make a short video clip of the scene using every one of the focus points in the camera. From each of these frames can be extracted an 8MP still image. (18MP still from the GH5) And each of these has a different focus point. Instead of just using that part of the feature, the camera has the ability to process the files in a number of ways. In addition to the single frame of focus as mentioned above the files can also be processed using a range of images can be merged so more area will be in focus or Auto Merging all the files to get the sharpest deepest depth of field possible.

The capture of the Post Focus Video in slow motion so you can see it move through the focus points. There were 49 focus points captured here. In the new Lumix GH5 there are 225 focus points.

The capture of the Post Focus Video above is in slow motion so you can see it move through the focus points. There were 49 focus points captured here. In the new Lumix GH5 there are 225 focus points.

For more info on the Post Focus Mode click on any of the three images above.

The new cameras including the GH5, GX85, FZ2500, and G85 all now have the ability to bracket focus with full size RAW files for even higher quality files and more creative possibilities. But, that’s information for another post!

Officially announced at Photokina last September, Panasonic's new GH5, as promised, started shipping this past March. It's an amazing camera, loaded with cutting edge technology and feature after feature to strengthen the quality and creativity of each image.

Over the weekend, my good buddy Don Komarechka sent me the two images I'm excited to share in this post. Don reminds me of a Hollywood version of a likable mad scientist - always pushing the edge of the envelope to give us a new way to see a piece of the world around us. ​

Don sent me the specs on both images. Starting up top:

"Glowing Hearts": Panasonic GH5, Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f/2.8, F/8, 1/200sec, ISO 3200, 3x UV flashes

This image was created by lighting the subject with pure ultraviolet light, and then capturing the light that fluoresced into the visible spectrum. Many flowers fluoresce, but it takes an intense amount of UV light to get good results. Even with three flashes at point-blank range at 1:1 power, ISO 3200 was still required.

Besides the artistic impact of both images, what I enjoy about working with Don is his ability to be open about how each image is captured. To give us a better look at how he set up the first image, he sent me a behind the scenes shot.​

And, the image below:

"Two to Tango": Panasonic GH5, Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f/2.8, F/8, 1/250sec, ISO 200, Canon MR-14EX II Ringlite

Dandelion seeds carefully placed in front of a large poppy, the center of which can be seen in the background. Only the bottom edge of one seed is clamped in place, the other seed is held in place by the "arms" of the other. The orange petals of the poppy cannot be seen in the background, but come through the refractions in the water droplets covering the seeds.

While I love Don's approach to every photographic challenge, the fun for me personally is the way he regularly crosses the lines between photography, science, education and art.

​Check out his website for a true adventure in new ways to look at the world. He's also responsible for one of the most popular images we've ever shared on "Why?" Just click ​on the image to the left to hear about how it was captured - keep in mind there was minimal manipulation - that's almost it, right out of the can!

Intro by Skip Cohen

Panasonic's tagline is "Changing Photography" and that's exactly what they're doing. The new GH5 started shipping a month ago. The two videos below hit on just a few of the features of this amazing camera and give you an opportunity to find out what all the buzz is about, but even better...

Visit the LUMIX dealer closest to you and check this amazing camera out for yourself! Plus, for a limited time there's a special offer from Panasonic on a long list of cameras:

Purchase select Panasonic Cameras, Camcorders and lenses and Panasonic will extend your 1-year Limited Warranty to 3 years. More information and the details are just a click away.

Find out more about Steven Clarey's work with a visit to his website. Just click on either of the two screen shots from his video.