There is much to learn about photography, that's why we have teamed up with Aaron Nace of Phlearn.com to bring you video tutorials. This week’s tutorial is ‘Eyes’, watch this video to learn how to enhance the eyes in Photoshop.

Eyes from Phlearn on Vimeo.

Check out previous tutorials ‘Sharpen’ and ‘Curves’. Join the Phamily to get access to free exclusive tutorials, actions, brushes and updates. Aaron Nace is Phlearn’s founder and creative director. To see more of his work visit his 500px page.

If you have a photo tutorial you’d like to submit send us an email. Thanks to Aaron for sharing, and to you for reading. Feel free to leave a comment below, feedback is great :)

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500px's co-founder, Evgeny Tchebotarev, got to spend some time with the Cotton Carrier STRAPSHOT. These are his thoughts...

Review

Our friends at Cotton Carrier have recently released a new product called Strapshot — a camera mount for travelling photographers. I’ve been able to put it to the test over the last few weeks on a few occasions.

Strapshot is a neat little system that attaches to your backpack straps, allowing for a quick and easy way to shoot. It will work for anyone with a backpack — perfect for travel or wedding photographers. It works best for a mix of walking or hiking and occasional shots, so if you are traveling to a new country — it would be a good addition to your gear.

A few weeks ago I travelled from Seattle to California, with a short stop in Yosemite, where I did a few hikes to waterfalls. I forgot to take my Strapshot with me, and that was the moment that I realized just how useful it was on hikes. With breathtaking views around you, packing and unpacking means losing energy, and keeping your camera on your chest can be uncomfortable from the weight. Strapshot allows you to quickly take a shot, secure the camera and move on with ease.

The neat thing about Strapshot is that is comes with a handgrip, which you can use separately. Using a regular handstrap might not be very comfortable, because of the way the system is designed.

So, if you are a photographer who takes a lot of hikes or likes to roam around the city without a neck strap pulling you down — it's a great alternative.

Win it!

Cotton Carrier’s Strapshot retails for $79, and we are giving one away. To win one for yourself, you have to be in the Greater Toronto Area and tweet “I want to win a #Strapshot from @500px!”. A winner will be chosen at random next week. Good luck and happy shooting!

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Want to get featured on our blog? Every Monday a theme is announced and you have until Sunday to submit your entry. Upload photos to your 500px profile, then email us the links. You may already have a photo that suits or you can see it as a weekly photo challenge. For announced theme and deadline continue reading.

This week's theme was: Colour My World.

Next week’s theme is: Somebody

Theme is open to interpretation so get creative, get snapping and send us the links to blog@500px.com. Deadline is August 12 at 12pm (EST).

Big thanks to everyone who participated this week! We got a great response of over two hundred emails. As only twelve photos can be featured on the blog our extra favorites were added to Editors’ Choice.

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Our blog is a place to promote 500px photographers and their wonderful photos. If you have a story, a photo, DIY or a tutorial to share feel free to email us. We’re open to your ideas and photo experiences. Here is a story by Ben Canales of his first experience with the new Canon 1Dx and 5D3, and a great shot that resulted that night.

Hi. Hello. by Ben Canales

Last week the production company I work with took the new Canon 1Dx and 5D3 up to the stars to have a test to see which camera handles High ISO's the best, and therefore determine which one is the best night shooter. We also took up the 1D4 and 5D2 to compare the old with the new. I took the results and wrote up a blog post showcasing all the cameras at various ISO's side by side and how the RAW images hold up in post processing and eventually make a determination of which Canon DSLR is the new reigning champ of night photography. I do not think the 1Dx or 5D3 represent a “game changing” jump in night shooting. Years ago the 5D2 and Nikon D90 were literal game changers in their ability to controllably shoot much higher ISO’s than previously possible. Those cameras literally changed what was thought possible. The 1Dx and 5D3 provide substantial, exciting progress, but they won’t turn the world upside down.  

On that same trip last week I shot my new favorite star shot and I like it so much that I want to share it. It's not my usual glowing tent, or lake reflection- in fact it's empty of just about everything. So, new for me, but I can't stop looking at it.

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Thanks Ben! To see more of his work head over to Ben’s page or check out his tutorial and learn how to create fantastic night orbs. Leave a comment below, we love your feedback.

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There is much to learn about photography, that's why we have teamed up with Aaron Nace of Phlearn.com to bring you weekly tutorials. This week’s tutorial is ‘Sharpen’, watch this video to learn how to smartly sharpen your photos.

Sharpen for 500PX from Phlearn on Vimeo.

Join the Phamily to get access to free exclusive tutorials, actions, brushes and updates. Aaron Nace is Phlearn’s founder and creative director. To see more of his work visit his 500px page and to see last week’s tutorial ‘Curves’ click here.

If you have a photo tutorial you’d like to submit send us an email. Thanks to Aaron for sharing, and to you for reading. Feel free to leave a comment below, feedback is great.

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