Hello, my name is Mike and I’m an addict! I can’t help myself, I need my addictions to get by. If I don’t get my fix I become irritable and cranky.
The first step is admitting I have a problem. I have been hiding some of my addictions from you for far too long. You already know one of my addictions. Photography. The other two I have hinted at, but never fully revealed to you. OK… Here goes! My other two addictions are……. Mountain biking and skiing. Whew, there I said it! I’m so messed up, I even managed to get my fix for all three addictions in one day. One Day!!!! I have a serious problem!
What am I going to do? The other two addictions have kept me from posting about my photography addiction. If I’m not shooting, I’m mountain biking or skiing (I’m so messed up I even go back country skiing). You deserve complete honesty. This blog (www.imageguy.com) will continue provide great photography info and how-to’s. But, from now on I’m going to incorporate mountain biking and skiing into this blog too.
I am just started a new personal project. I’m am building a new mountain bike with the parts I want. I have the frame, a Specialized Pitch Pro and now I’m going to build the “Perfect Pitch”. While I’m building the bike I will shoot everything I find interesting. I’m not talking about taking snap shots, but true product shots with video and and detailed how-to information about the shots I take.
During the winter the mountains and skiing around Whistler are breath taking. I will be shooting and providing shooting information about the shots I take and a few little surprises too.
I can no longer just share just one addiction with you! You’re getting the whole enchilada.
This weeks Friday Five is brought to you by ibuprofen… “Ibuprofen for when you hear and feel your shoulder pop while riding your mountainbike.” OK, let’s get started!
There is a new section on Aperture’s website called “Aperture in Action“. I know, it’s marketing stuff! But there is some cool little tips in the videos.
Chase Jarvis has put together another video. This one is called “Photo Shoot in 180 Seconds“. How cool is that! To see a shoot from start to finish. Thanks Chase!
Vincent Laforet now has his own blog! Check it out.
“You eyeballin me?” Very smart people have created an electronic eye camera. This could change photography for ever.
As many of you know I live in Whistler, BC, Canada and I am an avid mountainbiker. Starting tomorrow (Aug 9th,2008) Crankworx starts. This is the premier mountainbiking event on the planet! The best riders come to Whistler for 9 days riding, music and partying. Let the festivities begin.
It’s another beautiful Friday in Whistler and my mountain bike is calling me… So, I’ll make this quick.
I keep referring to PhotoShelter’s School of Stock because the articles there are a great source of information. This weeks is no exception. Shooting Silo. They cover the topic in great detail and even give a shot list.
Not another D700 post! Yup! I’m starting to sound like a Nikon “fanboy”, but when Canon announces their new stuff, I promise to give them just as much attention… OK? Luminous Landscape has posted a review of the D700 with sample images that are worth checking out.
Did Nikon make a mistake with the SB-900’s massive foot? Strobist has the details. David has also posted a review of the SB-900.
People say some nasty things in the comment section of blogs. I guess hiding behind a computer screen gives some people courage to say things they wouldn’t say to a persons face. Play nice, please.
Rob Haggart at A Photo Editor has started a new project. He’s a fellow mountain biker and skier… He has to be a good guy! Right? APhotoFolio.com looks like it will give LiveBooks a serious run for it’s money. The price is reasonable and designs look great. My only issue, being a slightly tech savvy photographer, is that there is no “self hosted” option. If he was to offer a backend similar to WordPress (what I’m using to create this blog) at a reasonable price I would jump all over that. In the comments on his blog the issue was already brought up and Rob seemed open the idea.
OK… off to go ride my bike. If you have any comments please post them below.
Real Estate photography may not be as exciting or glamorous as some types of shoots. But, you can make money doing it. The Photography for Real Estate website is a great place to find out what it takes to succeed in this field .
I decided to try my hand at stock photography and have been trying to learn as much as I can. This article on PhotoShelter’s blog gives tremendous insight into what it takes to shoot lifestyle stock images.
Finally, everyone loves a good laugh at other peoples mistakes… Right? This is what PhotoShop Disasters is all about.
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.
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.
