Quick Hit Wednesday: Holiday Specials Expire Friday at Midnight; Super Long Exposures: Pics To iPad-No Wires; Sci-Fi Fantasies; and Geeksville Revisited

Good Afternoon Everybody,

The thaw is in the air. Weather rumors are that the temperature will break above freezing today. Looks like we'll have to move the Christmas leftovers in from the "outdoor refrigerator" ;~).

So, have you ever had this experience? I get LaDawn one of the new  digital LCD TVs for Christmas. Not one of the giant models but a much smaller version so she could check the news while getting ready in the morning. Since she only watches one station for the news, I figured no need for cable.

Since all then analogue stations went to a digital broadcast signal last June, I planned to pick up one of the new digital antennas and just grab what I could from the free airwaves. I did just that - plugged in the antenna, instructed the TV to search for channels, and planned to settle for whatever popped up.

I figured I'd pick up at least the three network stations and probably 3-4 more UHF stations that we received in the old days. I hit the GO button on the controller and the new TV set out tracking down all the FREE digital stations floating on ten FREE airwaves. About two minutes later and much to my surprise, the TV found not just the 7 stations I was expecting, but found, 30 MORE stations too! WOW! All for FREE and without cable.

The TV also has 58 web apps built in too. That includes Pandora Radio, one of our favorites, and Netflix, another favorite - plus Facebook, Twitter, Weather, News, the New York Times, QVC, CNBC, and a lot more, too. I was blown away. Heck, with all those options, who needs cable or the Dish anyway.

By the way, the TV was a Vizio model MODEL#E322VL - highly recommended.

OK, time to move on with today’s post. Here we go...

Holiday Specials To End In Two More Days!

Hey gang, just a quick note. All the specials happening right now at out Digital Resource Center go away in just two more days - Friday at midnight! Head on over - here is the link - and check out the goodies. We have the best deals of the year with some discounts ranging all the way up to 70% off! Like they say, "If you snooze, you'll lose."

Shoot It, See It, Show It!

In a previous post I mentioned that I had picked up one of the new (and pricey) Eye-Fi cards. The plan was to shoot wirelessly into my laptop or my iPad. I spent a little time on setting things up while we were in Cabo a few weeks ago but didn't have much luck. I'm planning to give it another try next week while we're in Orlando.

Anyway, for those of you who would like some more info on how to get the EYE-FI card to work, you've got to check out the video at fStoppers.com. These guys got it together and have it working like a charm. The video shows them shooting on location at Rockefeller Center in NYC and having the image pop up on their iPad a few seconds later.

The applications for his technology is endless - checking your image on a large screen, previewing the shot setup with your client, sizzling your in-studio portrait shoots - the list can go on and on. Once again, check it out right here - way cool!

Super Long Exposures, Super Cool Results!

Before the holidays, I mentioned to LaDawn that I would really like a neutral density filter so I could play around with super long exposures. Gladly, Santa obliged and I found the filter under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning.

OK, you're wondering what kind of images you can make with a neutral density filter screwed onto the front of your lens, right? I'm glad you asked. I found this next story at photoble.com, a fascinating site I've just discovered. This post featured 20 super long exposure photographs - all very interesting. Check out the images right here.

And You Thought James Cameron Did A Great Job With Avatar

OK, that was my favorite movie last year - I wish I had seen the 3-D IMAX version. Maybe next time. Anyway, just how far can you push "green screen" shooting and the digital technology these days? The answer to that question can be found in the link right here.

The link points you to a YouTube video showing this phenomenal video created with real people on a Zero budget, green screen, and digital imagery. Be sure to watch the "behind the scenes" video too. All very cool for us digital geeks. This link came from the ever entertaining link finder, John Nack, from Adobe.

Now Kodachrome Is Really Dead

Many of you may or may not know that Kodak discontinued the gold standard of transparency film a number of years ago. That didn't stop photographers from hoarding it though. Those that did could only get it developed at Dwayne's Photo in Parsons, Kansas [link] - the only lab on the planet earth that offered the Kodachrome processing service. Heck, you can pick up this nifty t-shirt commemorating the fact right here at Dwayne’s.

That is about to end very soon. They will be out of chemicals by the end of the week. Kodak has no plans to remanufacture any more they say - just not enough demand. Anyway, you can read the entire story right here. It's a nostalgic read for many of us who grew up using what most considered the best transparency film in the world. Remember the famous photograph of the 12 year old Afghan girl on the cover of National Geographic years ago - it was shot on Kodachrome film. Anyway those are bygone days now.

A Little More Geeksville Fun

I caught his story on Sunday morning while watching the CBS show [link] by the same name. It seems that Google has digitized a gazillion books and has coupled that with their NGram app [link]. The results you get are quite interesting.

Here’s what you do. You enter a word or words into the search box and press the button. The NGram app will search all the millions and millions of words used over the years going back to 1800 and show you the trend of that word's frequency of usage. "Who cares,?" you say.

Well, I've done several searches over the last several days and am constantly amazed by the results. For instance, try searching digital and photography - that tell you anything? Here is the link to the NGram app. Enjoy!

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Hey gang, that's it for me today. I've got my entire shooting team coming over this evening for a little holiday cheer and we got to get things organized for our last Holiday celebration.

Plan on stopping by tomorrow for another scintillating episode of Business Day Thursday: Adding $12,000 To Your Bottom Line Over One Weekend. You're going to love it.

See ya' then, David

Quick Hit Monday: News You Need To Know anAnd News You Don't Need To Know

Good Morning Everybody,

We made it back home safe and sound on Saturday at about 5:00 p.m. unpacked the bags. grilled dinner with a part of LaDawn’s family and just took it easy over the rest of the weekend. I hope you got a little chill time in too.

Today, we gear up BIG time for our Captured By The Light 2010 tour. Most of the venues are booked, the brochures are being printed and mailed this week, and I begin putting finishing touches on the program.

I'm really excited about this year’s presentation. Why? Because it's all new material. 10,000 photographers attended last year’s Digital WakeUp Call tour and loved it. This year’s tour is 4 hours of new  content with tons of fresh information. You are going to LOVE it. Check it out right here.

New Blogger at BHInsights.com

That’s right, there's a new blogger at BHInsights.com and his initials are DZ ;~). If you have not had a chance to visit BHInsights.com, you really owe yourself a visit. They have posts packed with info on photography, lighting, video, computers, and sound. There’s an informative post today that FINALLY explains all the “dual core” vs. “quad core” processor jargon as it relates to the speed of your computer [link].

I'm been asked to be one of their VIP bloggers and am honored with the request. I already have 4 posts ready to go! I'm not sure of the posting schedule but I'm checking in with B&H today so I should be able to give you an update tomorrow - stay tuned.

New Book In The Wings?

OK, I'm floating this idea out there to you guys and girls today to get your feedback. With the huge popularity of my book, Captured By The Light, I have been considering, well, more than considering, let me say planning a new book. The title, "What Makes A Beautiful Image?" I'm planning to break the book into 5 sections - Location, Lighting, Lenses, Composition, and Color.

I plan to write it in the same easy step by step style of my last book. It will be jammed packed with great images, detailed diagrams, DAZNOTES, and the steps I took to create each of the brand new images. I'm looking at completing it sometime in 2011. What do you think?

Friday Photo School Recap

I'll tell ya' we had a great time with my buddy Will Crocket and his entire team at Friday Photo School. I hear that about 1,100 attendees tuned in for the presentation - one of their largest audiences on record. Wow!  Hey, don't worry, if you missed the show you can still download it in all it’s HD glory for a very reasonable $15 right here. Rumor has it that I may be making another visit in a few months. I'll keep you posted.

Here is a quick preview of the show:

 

Oh, one more thing. During my visit, I did several of my demos tethered into my laptop. Just before we left, a my package arrived from USBFirewire.com with the right angle mini B cable.  What a joy to use.  Holding the camera now feels so natural.  Before I was always worried I would bend the old connector and break something. If you plan to shoot tethered, you need this cable. A two thumbs WAY UP!

WOW! What A Sight!

LaDawn and I spend a lot of time on the road and it's mostly in a car. We just love to see the country from a car window as apposed to a plane seat. Last year, for instance, we drove over 25,000 miles on my Digital WakeUp Call tour. It was just a kick to see so many sites across America.

I digress - the drive home on Saturday was no exception. We had not made the short 300 mile drive to Chicago for a few years so we were REALLY surprised what we saw on the drive this time - the largest wind farm in the United States!

Just about 90 miles north of Indianapolis we began seeing these super sized propellers atop these 90 feet high supports - there were hundreds of them for as far as the eye could see. It was the brand new Fowler Ridge Wind Farm. It was an amazing sight. It turns out that they have just recently, over the last two years, been completed. I grabbed a few quick “drive-by shots” as we raced past all the wind turbines. Way cool sight!

Free and Mostly Free Education

Free Content: EpicEdits.com

I am constantly amazed by the free and mostly free content on the web. Take for instance EpicEdits.com. Even though fellow blogger, Brian Auer, is in the middle of moving back to Idaho, his blog is always chocked full of good, free, solid content.

I haven't been there for a while but decided to check in this weekend. Just look at the front page [link]: Camera Pre-check list, Adobe easy airbrushing, cool night photos, portfolio do's and don'ts – all really good information for free.

Don’t forget to check out the header tabs too.  They send you to his other three blogs.  My favorite is FeelingNegative.com – it’s all about film, all the time.

Close to Free: CraftandVision.com

CraftandVision.com has been publishing nearly free content for a while and has on-line 15 titles for the "thinking photographer". The articles are a peek into the artist mind. With titles like "Chasing Reflections", "Vision In Motion", or "The Inspired Eye" you get a chance to see how each photographer thinks.

Photography is not always about F-Stops and shutter speeds. Its about a more important aspect of photography - the process of creativity. Who cares what new point and shoot was just release by so and so camera company?  Show me how an artist thinks, let me peer into his/her creative processes. That is truly the best way to learn and grow.

If we want to experience the art and craft of photography more fully, and yearn to connect with authors that explore more than the mundane photo fluff so prevalent on line, then this website is for you. Craft and Vision does just that with articles that cost about the same as an iPhone app you'll delete in a few weeks. Well worth the visit.

And Now Just For Fun

The Largest Digital Photo Ever - 70 gig!

20,000 images stitched together into one humongous image [link]. With that kind of resolution you should get a pretty good 8x10 print don’t you think ;~). Read the entire story right here and enjoy the interactive demo right here.

The Longest Exposure Ever

Adobe's John Nack is as close to an eclectic blogger as I have seen. Not only does he report on the latest greatest from Adobe's secret labs, but he also manages to find and share some of the most interesting photo stories on the web.

What can I say, the posts at least appeal to me and John. John's  eclectic links are just flat-out-fun to follow. Take for instance his recent post about the longest exposure in the world [link]. We're not talking several minutes or an hour or two. I'm talking about YEARS!!! Here is John's link from the longest exposures in the world right here.

And Finally One For the Road

10 Renowned Photographers On YouTube

Blogging buddy, Syl Arena, has been buried in his new book entitled "The Speedliters Handbook" [link], a 432 page opus I hear.

Still a recent visit to his blog, PixSylated.com revealed 10 very cool YouTube videos from some of the most esteemed photographers in the industry. What a joy to hear the words of these masters. If you've got a minute or two check them out right here.

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Hey gang, that's it for me today. I got a planning meeting with our State association about our Fall meeting. We are doing something completely different for the Fall seminar. I'm planning a Webcast with three of the top photographers in their fields. And, we are going to open it to everyone worldwide!

I nearly have all the details worked out. As soon as we everything nailed down, I'll point you to all the info. It should be a kick. I can tell you that the date to circle is September 26, 2010 - more later.

Time for me to head on out. I'll see everyone tomorrow for another episode of Technique Tuesday.

See ya' then, David

Out! Out! Darn Pixels! - Analogue Photography

Filmed DNA
Originally uploaded by Stitch

I just spotted this over at PhotoPrenuer - it's an article about photogs who still shoot film (shoot what!) - that's right film. The story sites the same Kodak survey I reported on months ago right here, but the value of the story lies in the comments of five leading photographers out there still using film in some situations.

You can give it a read right here. But wait, there's more - the article also cited a link to Analogue Photography - here is the link - a GREAT site for anyone interested in the analogue processes - i.e. film photography, platinum printing, developer recipes, some beautiful galleries and portfolios - definitely worth a look.

Some "Film News" on DigitalProTalk!

For all the film shooters out there, there is a well done article on Kodak's P3200 T-max film over at Photo-Utopia. This is a great site, by the way, for the analogue shooter out there. (I love that term) Mr. Smith goes into quite a bit of detail about film speed ratings and developer recommendations.

Back in my film days, one of my favorite film developer combinations was Kodak Tri-X film processed in Ewal's FG-7 developer mixed with a 9% sodium Sulfite solution. This was the best combo I had ever found for high speed film shooting with the finest grain - nothing touched it in my opinion. Hey, you can still get it over at Adorama for only $12.95 a gallon. At the time, Accufine was the de-facto standard for getting the highest speed out of your good old Tri-X, but still couldn't touch my FG7 soup. DiaFine was another product by the same manufacturer, purportedly giving you the ability to get that good old Tri-X up to ISO 3200 - I never had much luck with it - too grainy for me (and we never had an analogue "Noise Ninja" to handle the situation.

Caffeinated or Decaffeinated

Maybe French Roast would help the shadows. OK, I might be changing my mantra to: "Maybe friends should let friends shoot film, now and then" just so they can give this a try. OK, here is the deal - over at the Photo Utopia, you can find a film developing process for processing your film in coffee - you heard me right. I didn't believe it myself, but the article gives all the info on exactly how to do it. Here is the link that shows you exactly how to set up your very own "Coffee Lab". I have to say, the results are quite interesting. With this weekend off - I'm so tempted... (Please no comments about Ziser not having a real life.)