Entries from May 2008 ↓

Sorry for being tardy. It was a busy day.

• Creative Techs has a post on making your own pinhole camera
• Digital Photography School ’s has a post on branding your photography business
• David Hobby at Strobist has just released his lighting DVD
• Burns Auto Parts - how not to win customers
• Shoot the Blog’s piece on a photographers education

Did that get your attention?

With Nikon now sporting a full frame camera (D3). Do you think Canon is going to sit on it’s butt and do nothing? No way! IT’S ON!!!!! This is a good thing for photographers. Competition between the two will bring better and better cameras to the market. And cheaper and cheaper full frame cameras. That’s right! Affordable full cameras are on their way. Yippie!

The 1.5X and 1.6X crop factor cameras will still be around, but they will be the low end, entry level cameras. And the associated lenses will be considered to be the same. Low end, entry level. That expensive “made for digital” lens you just bought will still take great photos in a few years, but it’ll be worth next to nothing. What low end, entry level photographer will want to pay a lot of money for a lens that they can’t take with them when they decide to upgrade to a full frame digital camera? Not many.

So what should you do? Sell all your “made for digital” lenses now! Start buying lenses that can be used on full frame cameras. You know that once the full frame cameras are in your price range you’re going to get one. So, why buy lenses that you can’t use in the future.

What are your thoughts on digital lenses and the future of digital SLR’s?

JPEG… There I said it.

Why am I talking about JPEG? I’m going to be shooting RAW + JPEG for a little while with my Canon G9 and my new Nikon D300 (when it arrives). I would normally shoot only RAW with both cameras but I got my hands on a copy or Pixelmator and I am going to do a longish term review of the software and I want fresh JPEG images to use for the review.

I realize there are many photographers who just shoot JPEG and I want to experiment with a JPEG workflow. I think there are times when shooting JPEG will save time and be more efficient.

I did it! I am now a twitterer tweeterer twitonian twizzler… I’m on Twitter! Follow me, PLEEEEAAASE.

I’m so excited! I just got my confirmation e-mail. My order for my brand spankin new Nikon D300 has been processed. I should have it within a week.

So why the switch to Nikon?

I’ve been a Canon shooter since 1999 (first film, then digital), and previous to that I shot with a Contax SLR and Mamiya medium format. When I first embraced digital photography there we few affordable options. Nikon’s offering was expensive while Canon’s offering had a CMOS sensor and the image quality at that time was hard to beat. The decision was pretty easy. I was lucky enough to get a Canon 10D within the first few weeks of it being released. The camera took still takes great pictures, but I never fell in love with it like I did with my previous cameras. Something wasn’t quite right and I only brought it out for paid shoots and the occasional portfolio shoot. The other thing that irked me was Canon’s, “We won’t build one camera that can do everything.” philosophy. If you wanted to shoot sports/photojournalism (1.3x crop factor) you need to get a 1D. If you wanted to shoot in the studio (full frame) you needed to buy a 1Ds. And the 5D was a half-assed attempt at a mid range offering with some pro features in a not so pro body.

Then, last year Nikon announces the D300 and D3. My jaw dropped. CMOS sensors, 12 megapixels, pro level auto focus and much more. I waited for Canon to drop the bomb and announce their offerings to directly compete with these two cameras, and I waited, and I waited, and waited some more. Nothing even close. So I decided to go out and hold the D300 in my hand and see how it felt. It felt great in my hand and the build quality was excellent. I also started to feel that lovin’ feeling again.

Is this post biased? Darn right it is! I just bought what I consider to be the best camera for my needs that is available today. Is the D300 the perfect camera? Almost. I can’t afford the perfect camera, the D3, just yet. But I know the perfect exists and it’s a Nikon.

To all the Canon lovers out there. I know your going to hate me, but this my opinion and you are entitled to your opinion. I don’t hate Canon, I just think Nikon has the best camera for me.

This weeks Friday Five:

• Seth Godin wants you! Well, just a photo of you for the cover of his new book. You could be famous! Check it out.
• Photoshop Insider has a post about the importance of backing up your hard drive and how much it could actually cost you.
• Burns Auto Parts (don’t let the name fool you) posted about new uses of images. Interesting.
• Mostly Lisa (the geek goddess) made my day by posting about 6 media apps for Mac. Two of which I’ll be using for future video posts. Thanks Lisa.
• Photopreneur wrote about what it takes to build a photography business. Your results may vary.

Tomorrow is a big day for any Vancouver area Mac user, or anyone who wants to find out more about Mac computers. It’s the grand opening of the first ever Apple Store in BC! Check it out here.

The above video was shot using a Canon PowerShot G9

I spent part of my day creating this Exposure Adjustment Chart:

The chart is pretty straight forward and I hope the instructions are clear and easy to understand. The PDF is sized to 4″ X 6″ so you can print it out and keep it in your camera bag.

If you wish to post the video and the PDF on your site, Please feel free to do so. The only thing I ask is that you do not alter the video or PDF file in any way.

Download the Exposure Adjustment Chart here.

May 16, 2008.

I’m going to keep this weeks Friday Five short. It’s too nice of a day here to stay inside (Sunny and Hot!)

• PDN Photo Annual 2008 - Some great images to inspire you.
• NYPH 08 - The New York Photographers “love” Festival.
• Unscene Photography Tour - Get your photos in!
• Are you Really as Talented as you Think you Are? - Great post on Photopreneur.
• Meatwater - So yummy and funny.

The above video was shot using a Canon PowerShot G9

I’ve been reading online a lot of people asking about how to become a pro photographer. There are many ways one can do that, but there are few things to think about.

• Shoot what you like and what you’re good at.
• Remember, it’s a business! There are local laws, insurance and professional services (lawyers, accountants) you need to look into. Do your research!
• Talk to other photographers and even assist them to get an idea of what it’s like to to be a professional photographer in your area.
• The difference between a professional photographer and an amateur is “getting the shot”. Clients pay the pros to get them the shot they need, when they need it.
• Talk to potential clients. You might be surprised what you find out.
• Photography is a people business. Don’t be afraid to talk to the people in your area of interest.
• Finally, good luck!

There are probably more things you can think of to be a pro. Give me your comments.