My New Pen Tablet from Xencelabs

There's always a danger when mentioning new kit that it comes across as a sales pitch or in some way trying to influence others, but I am genuinely excited about using this and just wanted to show it.

I've used a pen tablet from day 1 when I started using Photoshop but very quickly started to use it for everything else...even browsing the internet.

Up until a few minutes ago I was using a pen tablet from Wacom that I was actually gifted (by Wacom) quite a few years ago. It's served me well BUT there's been so much about it that has been both irritating and un-useable, which I know might sound ungrateful but I'll always be honest, and if something adversely affects my work then I'll say so...and vice verse.

With the Wacom being touch sensitive I would constantly end up accidentally moving my cursor or unknowingly performing a keyboard shortcut just by my arm / hand crossing over it.

When recording videos I've lost count how many times the Wacom Menu would pop up even though 'Touch' was turned off, so I'd have to edit it out or re-start.

I had to have it plugged into my computer because the bluetooth was / is nothing short of useless with it constantly dropping out and having to be reconnected by turning the tablet off and then on again.

Being left handed I don't have the tablet directly in front of me but rather off to the side so the function keys would never be used because that would mean reaching across the front of myself with my right hand OR performing an origami move with my left hand whilst still holding the pen.

I am going to do a 'mid-week' video for my YouTube Channel about this new one from Xencelabs very soon (I’ll post it here on my site too) though because it's VERY different. Too much to say here but from now on I know already that working on the computer is going to be much slicker and editing in Photoshop, Lightroom AND also Premiere Pro CC and Audition etc is going to be much more streamlined because of the Quick Keys, which (especially being a left hander) is a GOD SEND

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The Lone Tree and my Drone - An Obsession

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This tree has become a bit of an obsession.

I first noticed it when helping friends move home. They didn’t move far. Just further down the lanes in Mid Devon but to a beautiful new spot. So incredibly peaceful. The silence only broken by the sound of the wildlife and that’s to be relished.

It was when driving through the lanes on the back and forth trips I saw the tree high up on a hill, all alone. Couldn’t decide if it felt proud or lonely. It was screaming out to be photographed though.

With it being across a ploughed field perched on top of a hill in another field and quite some distance from the lane I’d stopped in, there was no way to get close on foot. But then I do have a drone. That could work.

I was thinking of maybe doing a long exposure with the clouds over the top of the tree but I’ve lost count how many times I’ve headed over when I thought conditions were right. It’s only a short drive. Well 30 minutes-ish from home but incredible how in such a short journey the conditions can change. Maybe that’s just a Devon thing.

I tried an evening shot with the setting sun but got there a little too late. Didn’t work out too bad though I guess.

Then followed several more aborted missions.

The other day though things started to slot into place.

Blue skies. Fluffy white clouds. No wind. Well…very little.

Using my DJI Air 2S Drone, I took off vertical from where I’d parked up to make sure there were no livestock over the other side hill. Didn’t want to disturb them or worse still…scare them.

All clear.

Set the drone to take 5 Raw photographs at 5 different exposures. Made a HDR image in Lightroom.

Originally thought about just including the tree and the arc of the hill.

Changed my mind and included part of the ploughed field.

Glad I did.

Edited the resulting file in Lightroom and Photoshop.

Finished off with one ‘look’ using Topaz Studio 2.

Hope you like it.

I’ll do a Behind the Scenes video showing this on my YouTube Channel.

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Talking Gear on the He Shoots He Draws Podcast

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Had such a blast last week catching up with my mates Dave Clayton and Alan Hess on the He Shoots He Draws Podcast talking ‘all things gear’.

We chatted for an hour about the kit we’re using and why, covering the computer, monitor choice and graphics tablet, and with me having had my iMac recently die on me and to be replaced with the new Apple Mac Studio M1 Max, the timing couldn’t have been better.

He Shoots He Draws Podcast

Always great fun catching up with the guys, and as always, even though miles apart (Dave in Swindon and Alan in San Diego, USA) it still felt like 3 mates sat in a bar chatting.

You can catch the episode on all the great podcast platforms.

Bolton Photography Session Days Roadshow

Last weekend I was up in Bolton, North West England presenting on behalf of Sony UK at the Bolton Photography Session Days Roadshow.

Founded and hosted by Emma Finch and Graham Currey, the Photography Session Days are generally half day events purely focused on giving photographers of all experience levels, a fun time photographing many and varied models in varying locations ranging from Old Theatres, Nuclear Bunker, Lighthouse, Tudor Mansion, Spitfire Hangars, former Cotton Mills (as was the case in Bolton) and more…

With Photography Sessions Days Founders: Emma Finch and Graham Currey

All the photographers need do is to bring along their camera and enthusiasm as everything else is provided such as lighting equipment, backgrounds, smoke machines and so it goes on…

This was my first time seeing a Photography Session Day in action and wow … very impressive. Although run with military precision when it comes timings and organisation, the atmosphere is incredibly uplifting. There’s no rushing around, there’s no feeling of people not getting long enough at each ‘station’ … in fact all I could see for the entire day were the smiling faces of like-minded people clearly having a great time.

At no point did I sense any egos; quite the opposite in fact. All I saw was a group of like-minded people chatting, laughing and taking photographs

Present on the day were hobbyists, keen enthusiasts and working photographers and all in it together helping each other out to make sure everyone walked away happy. It really was quite something to see.

Ordinarily ½ day events, this full day Roadshow was made possible because of the support from Sony UK, Mark Baber (Event and Content Manager for Sony UK Photo Channel) and Mark Preston, and consequently was the largest event to date.

Mark Baber gave a couple of presentations during the day covering the Sony range and some of the technologies such as Eye Auto Focus, and also showcasing a large range of lenses and camera bodies that attendees were able to try during the day.

Rob Fenlon (Atlas Studios), Graham Currey, Me, Emma Finch, Mark Preston (Sony) , Mark Baber (Sony)

The Roadshow was held at the amazing Atlas Studios in Bolton; a former cotton mill that is owned and run by Rob Fenlon and his great team who I must say were top rate! Nothing was too much trouble to ensure that the day ran smoothly, but wow…talk about a great location / venue; so many possibilities for photo and video, you can see why their clients range from companies such as Netflix, Levi, Nike, BBC Sport (and so it goes on…)

If you’re in the UK and looking for a location for photo / video of any scale be it to hire a shooting space for a day / ½ day, a workshop to full scale film crew, I’d highly recommend checking them out:

https://www.atlas-studios.co.uk

I was there having been invited along by Mark Baber from Sony UK and the hosts Emma and Graham, to present a talk that I titled “Portrait to Landscape: How to Keep Creative” which I’m really pleased to say got lots of great feedback and questions.

I did also take my camera along on the off-chance I could dive in during a change-over to grab some photographs of a couple of the models without interfering with the attendees shooting time.

Here’s a couple of natural light shots I grabbed of Pip the Gentleman and Stan & Ollie; both taken with my Sony A7RIV but I borrowed the new 50mm G-Master from Mark … which was probably a mistake because now I want one 😳

There is so much more I could say about the day; not only about all of the photography opportunities that had been created for attendees with such a variety of models but also how well looked after everyone was.

Atlas Studios offer great facilities but also throughout the day Emma and Graham ensured that refreshments were always available, be it Tea and Coffee, bottles of water, snacks and then at lunch time fresh sandwiches being delivered. Everything had been thought of to ensure a smooth running, fun packed, successful day.

My thanks to Emma and Graham, to Rob and the team from Atlas Studios and of course to Mark Baber from Sony UK for inviting me along to present.

I must also mention the models. First class every one of them but not just that…the thing that stood out and was so impressive was how, despite modelling and performing all day, the effort they gave to each and every photographer was as if it was their first of the day. Where they got their energy from I don’t know…maybe it was the buzz of the day, but each and every one of them deserves high praise indeed.

If you’re looking for inspiration and a great time out with your camera to photograph content you may not normally get the opportunity to, I’d recommend Photography Session Days in a heart beat; you need to be quick though because they sell out FAST!

https://sessiondays.co.uk

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The NEW Apple Mac Studio M1 MAX - Noisy?

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If you’ve seen my recent posts on social media, you’ll likely be aware that my beloved iMac died unexpectedly.

All was fine until I unplugged it all and took it with me to Witney in Oxfordshire to use during a presentation evening (had to take the iMac because my current MacBook Pro will no longer run the latest version of Photoshop, Premiere Pro CC etc...)

Anyway, all was well before I unplugged it, but then when I turned it back on in Witney, it was a no-go! Somehow, somewhere along the line something had gone wrong. The processor was running at over 1000% but no fans kicking in.

Anyway, long story short I took it to Apple and a Genius ran a through tests which resulted in the words Catastrophic Failure.

So, I ended up leaving with a brand new Apple Mac Studio M1 MAX, hence this video…

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Birmingham Living Magazine: Mark 'Billy' Billingham MBE - SAS Who Dares Wins

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Recently I was contacted by Birmingham Living Magazine saying they’d recently interviewed Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham MBE (Former SAS and Star of TV’s SAS Who Dares Wins) for a featured article in an upcoming issue.

The magazine were getting in touch to see if they could get permission to use a couple of portraits that I’d taken of ‘Billy’ back in 2019 when we was on the Swindon leg of his Speaking Tour and when I was also filming content for the Tour Promo.

The original portrait that was taken on stage shortly before the start of the evening’s event…

Hanging out backstage before the main event…

Hanging out after the event for drinks and pizza with *(Left to Right)

Mark Llewhellin, Dave Clayton, Billy and Bear Grylls

© Glyn Dewis 2025