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 Monday, June 4, 2018

We recently interviewed Mikko Kesti, Founder & CEO of Loupedeck to find out more about the custom Lightroom console and how he brought it to the marketplace.

Q: First of all, what is the Loupedeck and what are its benefits for photographers, especially when compared with other console options, such as using MIDI controllers with the MIDI2LR or LrControl plugins?

Loupedeck is the only photo editing console custom-built solely for the purposes of improving the Adobe Lightroom experience. Its intuitive design – featuring buttons, dials and knobs corresponding with that of Lightroom’s – makes editing more creative and more efficient when working on large quantities of photos at once by allowing photographers to produce a greater quality output in less time.
Q: After doing quite a bit of research, a $50.00 midi console and a free (or $60.00) plug-in offer compelling options to speeding up a Lightroom workflow. I think it’d be interesting to hear from the developer what makes Loupedeck a better choice by comparison. What specifically does Loupedeck and its software offer that justify its price over less expensive, not-tailor-made options?
For the Loupedeck, Lightroom customization is key and its exact parallel to the Lightroom software sets it apart. I find other consoles to be less intuitive and not as comfortable to use. MIDI controllers are not designed for photo editing. In fact, the Loupedeck is more affordable than most modular solutions that enable photographers to build their own consoles, which might be difficult for some. Our setup process is much simpler and doesn’t require photographers to assemble the tool themselves.
Q: You graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tampere University of Technology (Finland) and later worked as a mechanical engineer while enjoying photography as a hobby. What was the watershed moment that was the genesis for the Loupedeck console?
Photography has been a hobby of mine for the past 20 years and it’s something I’ve really developed a love for. I used Adobe Lightroom to edit more than 1,000 photos at one point but found relying on my mouse and keyboard to be time-consuming, impractical and ergonomically-poor. I couldn’t find a console on the market specifically intended to expedite this process, so I decided to build my own!
Q: You presented your idea to former senior Nokia developers in February 2016 and then initial research and development costs for the Loupedeck were funded by a Finnish Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) grant. How were you introduced to the Nokia team, and meeting them shape your business plan, product design and marketing strategy? How important was the RDI grant for developing a working prototype?
I heard from a friend of mine that there were three senior level Nokia employees let go a few months prior and they were building up a company with the goal to bring product ideas to life in just a few weeks. I contacted them with my idea, and they presented me a prototype in just a few weeks like they promised. It was an amazing opportunity to find, as I was looking for the right people with the right skill-set for three years to work with.

I knew that without a proper prototype no one would take the idea seriously. The design had to be perfect: sleek and Scandinavian.

The RDI grant was essential to me because I was a young father and had to feed my family. I couldn’t risk everything in starting a company just on an idea. With the help of that grant we built a fully working prototype which we presented to investors and on Indiegogo. After Indiegogo’s huge success, it was easy to talk to investors.

Q: How did photographers’ feedback influence the final design?
The design itself was taken very well. Photographers just love it!

We promised to listen to our customers and bring new features to the service software and we’ve been constantly improving it.

Q: You used an Indiegogo campaign to help fund Loupedeck’s initial production run. What advantages did crowd funding bring and what were its downsides?
Indiegogo successfully introduced our proof-of-concept to the consumers and other people who instantly understood its value. They responded so well to the unique value proposition and we exceeded our funding goals by 488 percent after just four weeks.

As far as downsides are concerned, once we exceeded the funding goals the pressure was on to produce and deliver the device! But we hit that goal too.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the Loupedeck’s construction, especially in regard to its durability?
We constructed the Loupedeck with functionality and comfort in mind. After multiple ergonomic assessments and tests, from the knob placement to the length of the slides, we made sure that every part of the console was the most user-friendly and efficient as possible. In regard to durability, we didn’t want to create a bulky, heavy piece of equipment that users would have to lug around and worry about fitting on a desk. The Loupedeck is lightweight and the size of any standard keyboard. Its knobs and buttons are very durable, and we rarely experience damaged or broken products.
Q: What features have been added since the console’s introduction via software updates and what features do you hope to incorporate soon?
We are always working on new ways to improve the Loupedeck software and do implement software updates frequently, especially when new enhancements come through from Lightroom. From new features, customizable options and bug fixes (like the recent Lightroom 7.3).
Q: What advice would you give to other photographers who may have a product idea but are unsure how to get it off the ground?
To any photographer with a product idea who doesn’t know how to get it off the ground, it’s likely that you aren’t the only photographer who has the need for that product. The first step is sourcing feedback from peers to get a comprehensive understanding of the problem you are trying to solve. Then, leverage your network to partner with engineers and developers able to develop a proof-of-concept for your idea, in addition to any business or entrepreneurial advisors able to support the business plan for your launch. I personally reaped the benefits of crowdfunding, but there are many other ways to get your vision in front of distributors or directly in front of the consumers themselves.
Now that you know the story behind the Loupedeck editing console, check out this device at B&H!

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Posted to: Canon News, Sony News   Category: Interviews
Post Date: 6/4/2018 2:15:21 AM ET   Posted By: Sean
 Wednesday, October 5, 2016

by Sean Setters

I recently ran across a Canadian Geographic article – How We Chose the Wildlife Photography of the Year Winners – and realized that longtime friend of the site Jonathan Huyer (huyerperspectives.com) had been awarded top honors in the "Animals in Action" category for his picture of two polar bears perched atop an iceberg.

Because he is such an active member in our own Community Forum, I was not suprised (but of course impressed) by the accolade. As such, I reached out to Jonathan to ask if he'd answer a few questions regarding his winning image (seen above) and the challenges associated with photographing in such challenging conditions.

How did you get into photography?

I've always been a bit of a gadget geek, and I fell in love with cameras at an early age. The digital revolution really helped fuel my passion. If I can identify a single turning point, it would probably be when I went on a sea kayaking trip in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia in 2008. A professional photographer was along for the journey, and I marveled at his technique and results. As soon as I got home I started investing in better gear, pushing my creativity, and booking more trips!

Indomitable by Jonathan Huyer

What's the story behind your Canadian Geographic winning image?

The trip to Baffin Island was an exploratory adventure, to look for polar bear mothers with cubs on the ice. Local Inuit had indicated that bears were plentiful in that area, and for me that was all the advice I needed to hear to sign up. Arctic Kingdom, an experienced northern travel company, handled all the logistics. The story behind this particular shot is, to be honest, almost embarrassing. We spent three days cruising around by snowmobile and qamutik (sleds), before we finally came across a mother with her yearling cub on a frozen-in iceberg. I spent the first half hour gleefully taking gigabytes of close-ups with my 500 mm lens, not even thinking of any other photo opportunities. Then a buddy of mine who was on the trip with me asked if I could take his picture in front of the bears. So I pulled out my second camera with the wide-angle lens, which I had been using mostly for aurora images at night. I took his picture, and it was only then that I realized that the wide-angle view was kind of interesting. So I then asked him to step aside, and I fired off some more images to capture the entire scene. When I got home I showed the picture to a pro wildlife photographer, and he nearly fell off his chair. But I still didn't realize the potential of the image. I went ahead and entered it in the contest, thinking that one of my other pictures would stand a better chance. I was just too fixated on the mindset that the only good wildlife shots are taken with telephoto lenses.

What preparation was necessary to get the shot? What gear did you use?

The preparation consisted mostly of knowing how to survive and function efficiently in extremely cold weather. I've made several trips to the Arctic, and each time I go I learn something new... usually through mistakes! The biggest factor is probably mental --- just being prepared for long days of waiting, and the potential for not seeing anything at all. At the same time, you need to be ready to jump into action in an instant, should you happen across an opportunity. For this shot, I used a Canon 5D Mark III handheld, with a 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens at a focal length of 45 mm. For the majority of my images, I was using a Canon 1DX with a 500 mm lens mounted on a tripod.

Short Eared Owl by Jonathan Huyer

What are your most-used lenses for photographing wildlife? What are your most-used for landscapes?

My 500 mm f/4 L II lens is definitely my first choice for wildlife, and I usually carry a 70-200 f/2.8 L II lens on a second camera just in case the animal gets too close, or if I want to capture a wider scene. My favourite landscape lens is the 24-70 f/2.8 L II, due to its incredible sharpness and versatility. I also really like the 82 mm filter diameter, which lets me use graduated neutral density filters without risk of vignetting. I shoot with full-frame bodies, so typically the 24 mm focal length is wide enough. On a crop-sensor body, I'd look for something a bit wider.

Reflections of Glory by Jonathan Huyer

You typically shoot landscapes and wildlife in the great Great White North [Canada]. But if you had to choose one genre over the other, which would you choose and why?

Tough question! I sure enjoy landscapes in my beautiful mountain town of Canmore Alberta, but it would be hard to give up the adrenaline rush of wildlife photography. The downside to looking for wildlife is that it always entails long hours of waiting, with many more missed opportunities than successes. But perhaps that makes the results all the more worthwhile, when everything comes together. There is an incredible appeal to being able to spend brief moments with an animal in the wild, quietly capturing images while at the same time leaving it completely undisturbed. That is the gold standard of wildlife photography, and every time it happens for me I get more and more hooked.

A while back you authored an article for us, Cold Weather Photography Tips, which I would consider a must-read for anyone planning to shoot in extremely cold conditions. Overall, what's the most challenging and/or surprising aspect of shooting in sub-zero conditions?

I've found that it's a battle of endurance, both mental and physical. You need to be able to put up with a large amount of discomfort, and be mentally prepared to tough it out for an extended period of time. We went several days on the Baffin Island trip without any success, and it was crucial to stay optimistic and hopeful. The physical side was surprising for me, since you don't normally equate photography with anything athletic. But I found that in the Arctic, being in good physical condition was a great benefit. You are weighed down heavily by the bulky clothing, and often need to slog through deep snow carrying your big lens and tripod to get in position for a shot. On this trip, lack of sleep was also a major issue as we had the good fortune of photographing auroras almost every night. I'm a former marathon runner and triathlete, but after a week up north, I was totally spent. On the plus side, I was definitely grinning like a kid!

Serenity by Jonathan Huyer

What does it take to stand out in wildlife and landscape photography?

I'm not sure that the goal should be to "stand out", rather I think the goal should be to find your passion. For me, I love the Arctic and I will definitely be going back as soon as I can. But no matter what it is you enjoy, go after it! You might later find yourself developing a creative style that makes you stand out from the crowd, and if so, great. But that is the secondary objective. The first is simply to shoot your passion, and enjoy the experience.

Check out more of Jonathan Huyer's work at huyerperspectives.com.

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Posted to: Canon News, Sony News   Category: Interviews
Post Date: 10/5/2016 8:12:44 AM ET   Posted By: Sean
   
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