Jul 2008
Vacation Time
July 29, 2008 11:09 AM Filed in: Photography | Vacation
No writing this week. Here are a few photos from Big Bear, California.
Taking a break with family at the mountains.
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More Deke, More Kelby
The new dekePod video podcast by photographer and graphic artist, Deke McClelland is out. Just under six minutes of pure Deke. His videos always give me something to look forward to. This time it’s Deke’s approach to lab color. Sounds boring, right? Only Deke can give lab color an interesting spin. OK, now that we’re talking about how lab color is boring... I don’t use it but, if it’s good enoungh for Deke, it must time for me to give it a try..
Deke pitches his Photoshop book and his Lynda.com tutorials after the video. The lab color tutorial looks like it would be nice. I ne
ed more knowledge!
Scott Kelby’s taking pre-orders on his new book, The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers. This one could be tough to beat. I am still on the fence about Adobe’s Lightroom and Apple’s Aperature it’s tough to know which one to go with. I still don’t shoot RAW images very much. The book might just be the push toward Lightroom for me. It would fit perfect next to my dog-eared Photoshop CS2 Book by Kelby. But then, it all starts to add up, because I would need to upgrade to a Canon G9 point-and-shoot which will give me RAW images. It a viciuous circle of spending. It never ends. Great and cool technology is never cheap.
Deke pitches his Photoshop book and his Lynda.com tutorials after the video. The lab color tutorial looks like it would be nice. I ne
ed more knowledge!Scott Kelby’s taking pre-orders on his new book, The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers. This one could be tough to beat. I am still on the fence about Adobe’s Lightroom and Apple’s Aperature it’s tough to know which one to go with. I still don’t shoot RAW images very much. The book might just be the push toward Lightroom for me. It would fit perfect next to my dog-eared Photoshop CS2 Book by Kelby. But then, it all starts to add up, because I would need to upgrade to a Canon G9 point-and-shoot which will give me RAW images. It a viciuous circle of spending. It never ends. Great and cool technology is never cheap.
Review: The Digitial Photography Book Volume 2
By Robert Lachman
This week I’m going to to review Scott Kelby’s newest
book, “The Digital Photography Book Volume 2.” Most people are way too critical of their own photographs and they tend to compare their photos to top professionals. Even my 91- year-old Mom does this.
I want everyone to stop this. Did you hear me? Stop being so critical of your own work. Back off, relax and enjoy your photography.
Kelby says on the cover that his book is the step-by-step secret to make your photos look like the pros! His description is pretty accurate. While this book will help, you still need the vision to pull off great photos.
“The Digital Photography Book Volume 2” is probably the best photography book for those amateurs trying to improve their photos. Scott uses a very simple and different approach in his new book.
It’s not full of long winded explanations, complicated, or esoteric approaches, but a short, straight-to-the-point example of how to get what you want.
The book is broken into Nine Chapters:
- Using Flash Like a Pro
- Building a Studio from Scratch
- Shooting Portraits Like a Pro
- Shooting Landscapes Like a Pro
- Shooting Weddings Like a Pro
- Shooting Travel Like a Pro
- Shooting Macro Like a Pro
- Pro Tips for Getting Better Photos
- More Photo Recipes to Help You Get “The Shot”
“The Digital Photography Book Volume 2” is just a little over 200 pages making it easy to carry around so you can read the book while waiting places. Scott did a nice job of laying out one tip to a page with nice graphics, most of them he shot himself.
Many of the ideas I use everyday shooting photographs professionally. I’m a photojournalist, so generally I tend to use smaller strobes, trying to light things more natural, more like an amateur. Scott’s ideas are right on the mark. He first talks about why your photos look lousy when you use the pop-up flash and how to move away from this like the pros do. That’s me. I am a professional working 33 years at the L.A. Times. I’ve been at it a while, so I must know something.
Scott cuts right to the chase: He explains how the book works, “It’s you and me shooting together at a shoot.” Sometimes you have to buy stuff. He gives you different price alternatives as you go along. We don’t all have budgets like a pro. Hey I’m a professional and I don’t have a budget like a pro. I’m still using a G4 laptop with a missing screw and also use a Vivitar 285 HV ($89) as one of my primary strobes.
He also lets you know that most of his demos are the Nikon or Canon products, but you can use other cameras to make it work. Just so you know, "Volume 2" picks up where his last book left off. It’s a new book not an update.
And finally, he lets you know that this is a “show me how do do it book”, like you’re a shooting buddy on assignment with Scott.
I love his one tip per page approach to “The Digital Photography Book Volume 2.” He starts the book with Pop-Up Flash : Use It as a Weapon. He says it’s designed to give you the flashiest, most harshest, most unflattering light modern day man has ever created. Scott didn’t pull any punches here. Although, sometimes you do need use the on-camera flash. In certain situations, it’s better than nothing.
He rounds out the first chapter with getting your flash off camera, going wireless, dragging the shutter, softening light, bouncing, how to get that Sports Illustrated look and shooting sunsets with flash. All good stuff.
In the next chapter he talks about Building a Studio from Scratch. He talks about the different kinds of strobes using umbrellas, soft boxes, and other modifiers like reflectors and where to position those lights. Be warned, Kelby loves that wind-blown-fan look.
Chapter three in the book, Shooting Portraits, Scott hits the track running, giving both lighting and composition ideas here. He even throws in the Trendy Composition Tips. I go back so far, that in my time, the horizon was supposed to be straight. All rules are meant to be broken now.
He also talks about posing your subject which is a very important topic.
The book continues on with great many features. He even did the shooting the famous landmark in the reflected sunglass trick. Scott is giving everything away.
Other topics include: wedding, travel, landscapes, when to shoot RAW, shooting food (one of my favorite subjects), looking for high vantage points, macro lenses and maximizing your depth of field.
Look to advance your photography skills learning to use window light and reflectors.
Chapter four works with landscapes, where he talks about sunsets, shooting streams, fog, lighting, rainbows, and flowers.
Chapter five Kelby gives his take on shooting weddings.
Chapter six talks about bringing back great travel photos.
Chapter seven dabbles in macro magic.
Chapters eight and nine brings it all together.
The book is for sale at Amazon.com for $16.49. Not only is it probably one of the best beginning digital photography books out there today, it's the cheapest. This combination doesn’t happen often.
I would give the book five out of five stars.
More info about Scott Kelby can be found on his Photoshop Insider website.
Check out the Kelby interview by Scott Sherman on The Digital Photography Show. Also, Sherman has a photography blog at www.scottsphotoblog.com
This week I’m going to to review Scott Kelby’s newest
book, “The Digital Photography Book Volume 2.” Most people are way too critical of their own photographs and they tend to compare their photos to top professionals. Even my 91- year-old Mom does this.I want everyone to stop this. Did you hear me? Stop being so critical of your own work. Back off, relax and enjoy your photography.
Kelby says on the cover that his book is the step-by-step secret to make your photos look like the pros! His description is pretty accurate. While this book will help, you still need the vision to pull off great photos.
“The Digital Photography Book Volume 2” is probably the best photography book for those amateurs trying to improve their photos. Scott uses a very simple and different approach in his new book.
It’s not full of long winded explanations, complicated, or esoteric approaches, but a short, straight-to-the-point example of how to get what you want.
The book is broken into Nine Chapters:
- Using Flash Like a Pro
- Building a Studio from Scratch
- Shooting Portraits Like a Pro
- Shooting Landscapes Like a Pro
- Shooting Weddings Like a Pro
- Shooting Travel Like a Pro
- Shooting Macro Like a Pro
- Pro Tips for Getting Better Photos
- More Photo Recipes to Help You Get “The Shot”
“The Digital Photography Book Volume 2” is just a little over 200 pages making it easy to carry around so you can read the book while waiting places. Scott did a nice job of laying out one tip to a page with nice graphics, most of them he shot himself.
Many of the ideas I use everyday shooting photographs professionally. I’m a photojournalist, so generally I tend to use smaller strobes, trying to light things more natural, more like an amateur. Scott’s ideas are right on the mark. He first talks about why your photos look lousy when you use the pop-up flash and how to move away from this like the pros do. That’s me. I am a professional working 33 years at the L.A. Times. I’ve been at it a while, so I must know something.
Scott cuts right to the chase: He explains how the book works, “It’s you and me shooting together at a shoot.” Sometimes you have to buy stuff. He gives you different price alternatives as you go along. We don’t all have budgets like a pro. Hey I’m a professional and I don’t have a budget like a pro. I’m still using a G4 laptop with a missing screw and also use a Vivitar 285 HV ($89) as one of my primary strobes.
He also lets you know that most of his demos are the Nikon or Canon products, but you can use other cameras to make it work. Just so you know, "Volume 2" picks up where his last book left off. It’s a new book not an update.
And finally, he lets you know that this is a “show me how do do it book”, like you’re a shooting buddy on assignment with Scott.
I love his one tip per page approach to “The Digital Photography Book Volume 2.” He starts the book with Pop-Up Flash : Use It as a Weapon. He says it’s designed to give you the flashiest, most harshest, most unflattering light modern day man has ever created. Scott didn’t pull any punches here. Although, sometimes you do need use the on-camera flash. In certain situations, it’s better than nothing.
He rounds out the first chapter with getting your flash off camera, going wireless, dragging the shutter, softening light, bouncing, how to get that Sports Illustrated look and shooting sunsets with flash. All good stuff.
In the next chapter he talks about Building a Studio from Scratch. He talks about the different kinds of strobes using umbrellas, soft boxes, and other modifiers like reflectors and where to position those lights. Be warned, Kelby loves that wind-blown-fan look.
Chapter three in the book, Shooting Portraits, Scott hits the track running, giving both lighting and composition ideas here. He even throws in the Trendy Composition Tips. I go back so far, that in my time, the horizon was supposed to be straight. All rules are meant to be broken now.
He also talks about posing your subject which is a very important topic.
The book continues on with great many features. He even did the shooting the famous landmark in the reflected sunglass trick. Scott is giving everything away.
Other topics include: wedding, travel, landscapes, when to shoot RAW, shooting food (one of my favorite subjects), looking for high vantage points, macro lenses and maximizing your depth of field.
Look to advance your photography skills learning to use window light and reflectors.
Chapter four works with landscapes, where he talks about sunsets, shooting streams, fog, lighting, rainbows, and flowers.
Chapter five Kelby gives his take on shooting weddings.
Chapter six talks about bringing back great travel photos.
Chapter seven dabbles in macro magic.
Chapters eight and nine brings it all together.
The book is for sale at Amazon.com for $16.49. Not only is it probably one of the best beginning digital photography books out there today, it's the cheapest. This combination doesn’t happen often.
I would give the book five out of five stars.
More info about Scott Kelby can be found on his Photoshop Insider website.
Check out the Kelby interview by Scott Sherman on The Digital Photography Show. Also, Sherman has a photography blog at www.scottsphotoblog.com
iPhone 3G, Will it Blend
July 18, 2008 11:12 AM Filed in: Misc.
I think you're supposed to make things like soup, milkshakes, smoothies, and ice cream in this $399 Blendtec 1500-Watt Home Blender, but it's certainly not as interesting as watching a new iPhone 3G frappé. There's a little more suspense in seeing how the blender fares against golf balls. Check out the amusing videos as the Blendtec takes on marbels, a glow stick, an iPod, a video camera and golf balls. Warning, "Don't try this at home." Take a look at www.willitblend.com. - RL
2 Filter or Not 2 Filter
July 16, 2008 10:21 PM Filed in: Cameras | Photography
QUESTION:
Jane from Perth wrote, "When I bought my new Canon 450D I also picked up a couple of
UV lens filters to act as lens protectors and also a polarizing filter. I leave the UV filters on both of my lenses at all times.
In what situation should I use the polarizing filter instead of the UV filter?
Can I use the Polarizing filter in addition to the UV filter, i.e. can I leave the UV filter on the lens and screw on the polarizing filter as well?
ANSWER:
A very good question. The most important reason to use the UV lens filter is protecting your lens. I'm not really sure you could tell a difference with or without it on your photographs. Photoshop gives way too many controls to fix or change the little differences this filter would have.
A purist would say that it's wrong to put a cheap piece of glass in front of the expensive lens, but I would argue that the protective value is more important. It's better to clean and re-clean the filter than the actual lens. Also, I have had stuff hit the filter and broken them several times. Better the filter, than the lens.
If you try to stack the filters you may get a little vignetting on the edges when you use the lens hood on wide angles with your zoom lens.
The polarizing filter helps darken the blue sky and keeps the clouds white and will help reduce reflections while shooting through glass.
Filters like the polarizer don't seem to be used much today to darken the sky because of Photoshop. We are getting way to advanced with HDR (High Dynamic Range) software like Photomatix, to use something so simple as a polarizing filter.
In the years past with black-and-white film, photographers would use red filters to darken the sky and keep the clouds white. The polarizer will gives a similar but not quite as dramatic result but can also be used with color film - RL
MORE COOL WEBSITES:
Check out photographer's James Quantz Jr website. Take a look at the elephants going to a self-serve car wash. His photography and Photoshop work is amazing. Don't miss it. This comes from the Dave Cross post on the Scott Kelby's Photoshop Insider site. Be sure to read Dave's excellent blog post. It very informative. Yes, he also mentioned photographer Dave Hill and Joey Lawrence. I'll be good now. No more website suggestions. Who has the time to check them all out? Also, adding the links to the text is a lot of work.
Have a nice Thursday. A new review due out late FRIDAY. Stay tuned - Robert
Jane from Perth wrote, "When I bought my new Canon 450D I also picked up a couple of
UV lens filters to act as lens protectors and also a polarizing filter. I leave the UV filters on both of my lenses at all times.In what situation should I use the polarizing filter instead of the UV filter?
Can I use the Polarizing filter in addition to the UV filter, i.e. can I leave the UV filter on the lens and screw on the polarizing filter as well?
ANSWER:
A very good question. The most important reason to use the UV lens filter is protecting your lens. I'm not really sure you could tell a difference with or without it on your photographs. Photoshop gives way too many controls to fix or change the little differences this filter would have.
A purist would say that it's wrong to put a cheap piece of glass in front of the expensive lens, but I would argue that the protective value is more important. It's better to clean and re-clean the filter than the actual lens. Also, I have had stuff hit the filter and broken them several times. Better the filter, than the lens.
If you try to stack the filters you may get a little vignetting on the edges when you use the lens hood on wide angles with your zoom lens.
The polarizing filter helps darken the blue sky and keeps the clouds white and will help reduce reflections while shooting through glass.
Filters like the polarizer don't seem to be used much today to darken the sky because of Photoshop. We are getting way to advanced with HDR (High Dynamic Range) software like Photomatix, to use something so simple as a polarizing filter.
In the years past with black-and-white film, photographers would use red filters to darken the sky and keep the clouds white. The polarizer will gives a similar but not quite as dramatic result but can also be used with color film - RL
MORE COOL WEBSITES:
Check out photographer's James Quantz Jr website. Take a look at the elephants going to a self-serve car wash. His photography and Photoshop work is amazing. Don't miss it. This comes from the Dave Cross post on the Scott Kelby's Photoshop Insider site. Be sure to read Dave's excellent blog post. It very informative. Yes, he also mentioned photographer Dave Hill and Joey Lawrence. I'll be good now. No more website suggestions. Who has the time to check them all out? Also, adding the links to the text is a lot of work.
Have a nice Thursday. A new review due out late FRIDAY. Stay tuned - Robert
Problems Subscribing to the Blog?
July 15, 2008 10:00 PM Filed in: Websites
By Robert Lachman
I may have reset the RSS link on Feedburner, so if you're not getting new posts via your RSS reader,
you may need to re-subscribe to get them. Just let me know if you aren't getting the new stuff. I try to post everyday. Actually, if you got this your on your RSS subscription feed, you're good-to-go because this is a new post. Thanks to Andrew for noticing.
If you use a bookmark with your browser like Firefox, Camino, or Safari to find the Photography And The Mac site, please disregard this note.
I may have reset the RSS link on Feedburner, so if you're not getting new posts via your RSS reader,
you may need to re-subscribe to get them. Just let me know if you aren't getting the new stuff. I try to post everyday. Actually, if you got this your on your RSS subscription feed, you're good-to-go because this is a new post. Thanks to Andrew for noticing.If you use a bookmark with your browser like Firefox, Camino, or Safari to find the Photography And The Mac site, please disregard this note.
New iPhone & Touch Stuff
July 13, 2008 12:18 PM Filed in: Apple
By Robert LachmanI've got the 2.0 update. Finally, who likes waiting? Come on Apple, what could be more important than Scrabble and Super Monkey Ball for my iPod Touch.
Everything does appear to be working fine with my iPod Touch. Really wish I had an iPhone. The iPod Touch is nice, but I miss the internet access and camera.Check out the Top FIVE GRIPES FROM from The Unofficial Apple Weblog. They're right on target. I'm trying remain positive.
From an email I received from co-worker Scott Harrison after I sent him a message complaining that the link to my site didn't work on his website.
His response:
"When I was a lad of 7, my dog was named Link. We never got him fixed.
He says he actually had a dog named Link."
OK, back to my iPhone games and a trip to Los Angeles to celebrate my Mom's 91 birthday.
Check out her website at www.wheelsofla.com.
SMOG MEETING
By Robert Lachman
Went to my first SMOG Mac users group meeting on Saturday. It was fun and I met some very nice people. I learned a few new things. What a great name for a users group in Southern California: SMOG. It's short for Southern California Macintosh Owners/Users Group.
At at July meeting, Mac teacher Alan Kennard talked about what’s new in Apple’s iPhoto 08 software. I use iPhoto 08 to store and catalogue my personal photographs. Just dragged 70 new photographs into the program from a friend's party. For more information on the group contact them at SMOGINFO (at) MAC.COM.
One non-iPhoto tip mentioned at the meeting was about using the new GOOG-411, for your cell phone. Take a look at the video below. I will definitely use it.
Went to my first SMOG Mac users group meeting on Saturday. It was fun and I met some very nice people. I learned a few new things. What a great name for a users group in Southern California: SMOG. It's short for Southern California Macintosh Owners/Users Group.
At at July meeting, Mac teacher Alan Kennard talked about what’s new in Apple’s iPhoto 08 software. I use iPhoto 08 to store and catalogue my personal photographs. Just dragged 70 new photographs into the program from a friend's party. For more information on the group contact them at SMOGINFO (at) MAC.COM.
One non-iPhoto tip mentioned at the meeting was about using the new GOOG-411, for your cell phone. Take a look at the video below. I will definitely use it.
Where's 2.0. Finally I'm going to have Tap-and-Tilt
July 11, 2008 10:05 AM Filed in: iPod Touch | Games
By Robert Lachman
I want 2.0. I want the privilege of paying Apple $9.95 for the 2.0 software upd
ate for my iPod Touch so I can spend more money buying video games, mail programs, twitter clients, photo editors and scads of miscellaneous new software. I need to be playing Super Monkey Ball where the action moves with the built in accelerometer. I don't know even know what an accelerometer is, but I want it. According to Apple, I'm finally going to have a mobile game console that responds to my movements. Now I'm going to have tap-and-tilt games like Super Monkey Ball. I need more coffee.
To put a positive spin on the Apple debacle of bait and switch or should I say bait and crash? I'm able to do a little drawing on my pics with Skitch for this post. I just love using it. Skitch
software is the best for making little notes on your photos. Check out their website. It used to be beta-by-invitation-only, but now it's open-beta so check it out.
On Saturday I'm going to my first Mac Users Group meeting. I'm looking forward to learning a few new things and meeting some people who are Mac focus geeks just like me. Hope to have some pics on an upcoming post.
I want 2.0. I want the privilege of paying Apple $9.95 for the 2.0 software upd
ate for my iPod Touch so I can spend more money buying video games, mail programs, twitter clients, photo editors and scads of miscellaneous new software. I need to be playing Super Monkey Ball where the action moves with the built in accelerometer. I don't know even know what an accelerometer is, but I want it. According to Apple, I'm finally going to have a mobile game console that responds to my movements. Now I'm going to have tap-and-tilt games like Super Monkey Ball. I need more coffee.To put a positive spin on the Apple debacle of bait and switch or should I say bait and crash? I'm able to do a little drawing on my pics with Skitch for this post. I just love using it. Skitch
software is the best for making little notes on your photos. Check out their website. It used to be beta-by-invitation-only, but now it's open-beta so check it out. On Saturday I'm going to my first Mac Users Group meeting. I'm looking forward to learning a few new things and meeting some people who are Mac focus geeks just like me. Hope to have some pics on an upcoming post.
iPhone 3G Bonus Burp Included
By Robert Lachman
Since I write about Photography and the Mac, it seems like I should be at the Apple store when the first 3G iPhones go on sale at 8:00 am Friday morning. It's a camera and it's a Mac. I work tonight so it might be tough. Sleep in or check out the new 3G iPhone, that is the question.
You know you're important when Apple sends you
the phone early to review. It's a very short list. David Pogue from the New York Times is an Apple V.I.P. Check out Pogue's funny video about the 3G iPhone. He pokes fun at the new 3G iPhone's lack of new features and actually higher cost in the long run.
He didn't mention anything about iBeer, a new application from Hottrix available from the iTunes store which lets you drink a pixel beer. Talk about light beer.
The application description from Hottrix software:
Brew and drink beer on your iPhone and iPod touch. This hilarious sight-gag is fully interactive and behaves like a real grass of beer thanks to the iPho
nes sensors and our spare time.
FEATURES
Brew
Drink
Shake
Burp
Tilt to sip, shake for foam, even pour iBeer from iPhone to iPhone.
Now it can be yours!
Bonus Burp included
Get it today and stop those hangovers forever!
Not to mention video tutorials and 24/7 support.
I can't imagine how many of these will be sold?
Looking to get that iPhone updated to 2.0 one day, early check out the Mac Rumors site. They have the links to get it done. Many on my Twitter list have done it, but proceed at your own risk. You can be the first to have Super Monkey Ball or MsPAC-Man up and running. I'm getting caught up in this but I can wait until tomorrow. It will be much simpler then.
What's the big difference between my site and Scott Kelby's Photoshop insider website. Ok, besides about 8 million hits. Scott's giving away a $1000 Westcott TD-5 Spiderlite “Scott Kelby Studio Kit” to some lucky winner who answers a trivia question he poses on the Photoshop User TV. I give away a dusty old $5 Brownie. I guess you appreciate things when you start from the bottom and work your way up.
It's amazing what drives comments on a photo website, the Strobist had 61 comments so far about the Canon G9. I had to chime in. I still have a 4MP Canon G3, one of the forerunner in the series. Kelby had some of the longest comments I've ever read on a blog from a post by his Wednesday guest, nature photographer Stephen Johnson. It was just a bunch of esoteric BS over people spending too much time on Photoshop versus shooting.
3G iPhone Friday coming soon!
I Need This, I Mean I Want This
July 09, 2008 09:00 AM Filed in: Misc.
Photography and the Mac needs this, the Unitek's SATA HDD Multi-Function Dock with One Touch Backup. Ok, I want this.
There's way too many cool gadgets and not enough money. How can I possible live without this thing? Victor at Typical Mac User has one. I just talked to him on Twitter about it. I know I would be the first one on the block with it. You can plug all sorts of stuff into it. It's sort of a combination, space station and the kitchen sink in a striking red color. It does about everything. The Swiss Army Knife of USB hubs.
You can plug all sorts of stuff into it: your flash cards from cameras in assorted sizes, USB stick for moving data, extra USB ports for whatever, but the best is plugging in hard drives without the external case. OK I don't really have any hard drives not in external cases but some day I might. It's always best to prepared.
From the I know I should be excited but I'm not file. Just can't get that fired up over Mobile Me yet. I have a Blackberry and not an iPhone . I am looking forward to the new applications from the iTunes store for my iPod Touch.
It's almost here!
From the Apple Site
How to prepare for MobileMe
In early July, your .Mac account will automatically be upgraded to MobileMe—Apple’s new Internet service for your Mac, iPhone, iPod touch, and PC. For the most seamless experience on your computer, devices, and the Internet, there are a few things we recommend you do in advance to prepare for MobileMe:
1. Set up your Mac to sync contacts and calendar.
2. Upgrade your browser to the latest version of Safari, Firefox, or Internet Explorer.
3. Watch the MobileMe Guided Tour.
Due to its use of new technologies, MobileMe will only work correctly with Mac OS X version 10.4.11 or later. However, Mac OS X Leopard is strongly recommended to allow you to take full advantage of all that MobileMe has to offer.
Mobile Me and the new 3G iPhone aren't here yet, but the new dekPod has arrived. Check it out, you could be first on your block.
There's way too many cool gadgets and not enough money. How can I possible live without this thing? Victor at Typical Mac User has one. I just talked to him on Twitter about it. I know I would be the first one on the block with it. You can plug all sorts of stuff into it. It's sort of a combination, space station and the kitchen sink in a striking red color. It does about everything. The Swiss Army Knife of USB hubs.You can plug all sorts of stuff into it: your flash cards from cameras in assorted sizes, USB stick for moving data, extra USB ports for whatever, but the best is plugging in hard drives without the external case. OK I don't really have any hard drives not in external cases but some day I might. It's always best to prepared.
From the I know I should be excited but I'm not file. Just can't get that fired up over Mobile Me yet. I have a Blackberry and not an iPhone . I am looking forward to the new applications from the iTunes store for my iPod Touch.
It's almost here!
From the Apple Site
How to prepare for MobileMe
In early July, your .Mac account will automatically be upgraded to MobileMe—Apple’s new Internet service for your Mac, iPhone, iPod touch, and PC. For the most seamless experience on your computer, devices, and the Internet, there are a few things we recommend you do in advance to prepare for MobileMe:
1. Set up your Mac to sync contacts and calendar.
2. Upgrade your browser to the latest version of Safari, Firefox, or Internet Explorer.
3. Watch the MobileMe Guided Tour.
Due to its use of new technologies, MobileMe will only work correctly with Mac OS X version 10.4.11 or later. However, Mac OS X Leopard is strongly recommended to allow you to take full advantage of all that MobileMe has to offer.
Mobile Me and the new 3G iPhone aren't here yet, but the new dekPod has arrived. Check it out, you could be first on your block.
Photography And The Mac Gone Hiking and Kayaking
July 08, 2008 06:15 AM Filed in: Misc. | Photography
Still Not Sure, Should I Go To Photoshop World?
Co-worker Scott Harrison responded to my post on My 10 Reasons for Not Going to Photoshop World. Here is his rebuttal to my reasoning.
PhotographyAndTheMac - Robert: I don't use layers to burn and dodge. Seems like a lot of trouble to make an additional layer. I figure Photoshop has burn and dodge tools, why not use them? I know this method is destructive to the image. Hey, I try not to goof it up the first time. Am I really going to go back to the photo and make adjustments? Who has the time? Always move forward.
Scott: Write an action to build dodge and burn layer. OK, I often have only seconds to work on a photo, so I use dodge and burn quite often.
02. The price of the hotel: The Mandalay Bay Resort. Have you seen the beautiful pool. $189 a night weekday, $229 a night weekends.
Scott - Go off strip. Three nights in old Vegas hotels run about $125 bucks total.
03. I don't have any good ideas for the Scott Kelby's poll on what should be added to the newest versions of Photoshop and Lightroom.
Scott - I did the poll.
04. I don't use curves to make adjustments on my photos. Never have. Never will. There's all these cool curves, graphs and points to click on. You start clicking curving and the photo gets worse. I spent a day at a NAPP seminar with Ben Wilmore. He did a great job, spending two hours explaining curves to 900 people in the room. He even had great visuals going on. I thought I learned it along with everyone else in the the room but, when I got home, I couldn't make it work. It's the levels adjustment for me. A few quick slider adjustments and then it's on to the next photo.
Scott - Dump master curve writing - its a per channel art. Attend Dan Margulis classes and read his books.
05. The price of gas. No explanation necessary!
Scott - Drive a 4-banger small car with 185,000 miles on it.
06. I use an old Mac G-4 Powerbook with a missing screw. Shouldn't someone who publishes the www.photographyandthemac.com website show up with a shiny new Mac Air?
Scott - Buy a used intel macbook on ebay. I am writing on one. Of course, I had to be different. I have a black top, white bottom macbook.
07. The price of the seminar $599. I'm not an NAPP member, so no discount. I didn't go last year, so another no discount. I'm going to have to pay full price. It's a lot to pay for stuff I will probably forget. There's literally too much stuff to learn.
Scott - I am an NPPA member, four time photoshop world attendee and will sign up before August 1st early deadline. Saves $250.
08. I'm still using Photoshop CS. It seems fine.
Scott - I have Photoshop CS2 and 3, but prefer the original CS. Got that habit from that Adobe pain the ass - Dan Margulis.
09. I don't use Lightroom. I don't use Aperture either. I shoot .jpg instead of Raw. Also, I don't use the histogram to check my photos on the camera.
Scott - I shoot raw, use Lightroom Beta, and love writing channel curves in LAB. And I never check histrograms on back of camera.
10. The location: Las Vegas. This means gambling and adult beverages. Ok that's a good thing. No that's a bad thing. No that's a good thing. No that's a bad thing. Ok that's a good thing. Maybe I will go.
Scott - The location: What gambling/drinking! You are too freaking busy soaking up photoshop 24/7.
Scott: Bottom line is that there is plenty for everyone to learn - no matter what level of photoshop expertise or photoshop version. you use.
Check out Scott website at www.harrysonpics.com
Food for the 4th
July 04, 2008 11:00 AM Filed in: Misc.
My wife's Strawberry Shortcake desert made for a party I will miss because I am working tonight.
By Robert Lachman
Back from a 10-mile bike ride at the beach. How do you spell CROWDED? With the wind is good, against the wind is bad. Carrying the Canon Mark II camera with the a 35mm to 350mm zoom lens is good for taking photos, bad because it weights too much. Did I say I needed a new Canon G-9?
Got nice food pics in the paper (LA Times) of brownies and fried chicken. Check them out if you need a recipe (brownies) http://tinyurl.com/5ud3ey and (fried chicken) http://tinyurl.com/6nrgxq.
HAVE A HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY
Happy 4th of July - Have a Great Weekend
By Robert Lachman
Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Fourth of July. I hope to make it out to the local Fourth of July Parade, so expect some photos. Here's my wife's recipe for lemonade below (OK, it's really from Better Homes and Gardens, but it's good!)
Lemonade Recipe
Prep: 20 Minutes Cool: 20 minutes Chill: up to 3 days
2 1/2 cups water
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 tsp. finely shredded lemon or lime peel
1 1/4 cups lemon of lime juice
Ice cubes
1. For lemonade or limeade base, in a medium saucepan heat and stir water and sugar over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; cool 20 minutes. Add citrus peel and juice to sugar mixture. Pour into a jar, cover and chill up to 3 days.
2. For each glass of lemonade, combine equal parts base and water in ice filled cups; stir.
On a side note, I just made a batch for a hundred people and I followed the recipe, except I added a lot of ice and lemons in the jar (for presentation) and I didn't worry about mixing equal parts to each glass. Just add equal parts to make a pitcher (or gallons in my case) and you will not be disappointed. Enjoy!
More photo stuff on the internet:
Check out the the Mark Allen post on the Scott Kelby site if you need some tips for shooting fireworks. This was easy I didn't need to write about it. Also another cool post, "8 Photography Myths Debunked" at Hyperfocal. I'm working at night this weekend so I'm going to miss out on the fireworks displays. Email me a photo Fourth of July photo and I will try and post it on blog.
Linksys, Nikon and Oscar Mayer Weinermobile
By Robert Lachman
It's just not going to be the same if I need to get a new router. Maybe I'll pick up more speed, maybe it will be the new aerodynamtic black design, but it just won't be the same to me. Too many years of old blue with it's flashing lights. Plugging in, then unplugging, again and again, to reset. How about no real Mac support from Linksys, because you're on in a PC world.
It's our time to stand up, show our Apple strength in numbers and get Mac support and setup for our Linksys routers. Not to mention the new black color and sleek design. Who do we have to thank for this new look and support? I guess Steve Jobs, because he made people take notice. We're no longer regulated to the corner of the Computer store with no support.
Meet LELA (Linksys EasyLink Advisor), the new Mac Wizard from Linksys. In the computer world you take all the help you can get these days. I'm not sure you're going to get a lot more technical help from Linksys but some is better than none.
According to their website, "Linksys has also expanded its award-winning Customer Advocacy support capabilities to service our current and future community of Macintosh users. Over time, we will continue to expand support infrastructure to meet the needs of families, businesses, and creative professionals worldwide who are using Macs with a Linksys by Cisco router."
For more information on the router check out: Linksys Gateways Gain Mac Configuration Software the Tidbits website.
"Long-time Wi-Fi and broadband gateway maker Linksys, a division of Cisco, has finally started to embrace Mac users fully. The company announced that it has released its Linksys EasyLink Advisor (LELA) for Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5. I've used this software under Windows, and it's a huge improvement over the alternative for Mac users: setting up a Linksys router through its Web-based configuration system."
One of our friends got the Oscar
Mayer Weinermoblie to show up to their house for her mother's birthday. Here it is as it comes down the street. How cool is that? Kraftfoods has a very nice vittual tour of the Wienermobile. Click her for a ride. It sure brings back some memories for me. Do you think they sell the whistle on Ebay? Oscar Mayer and Kraft Foods said they wanted me join the fun on they're website by playing Wiener Pong, Wiener Patrol, Color Oscartown and Play the Wienerwhistle games. They all were horrible. I don't think Will Wright, creator of the incredibly popular The Sims needs to worry about any competition for his new game SPORE due out soon. You can download the creature creator for the game Spore now.From the Nikon Press Release on July 1, 2008
Digital Digital SLR Camera Nikon D700Nikon FX-format digital SLR – exceptional performance combined with superior mobility and functional versatility to provide serious photographers with outstanding value
"TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of its newest FX-format digital SLR, the Nikon D700. The D700 features an FX-format first introduced with the Nikon D3. Highly praised for its outstanding features, the D3 established a new level of professional performance in terms of overall image quality, extraordinarily low noise, ISO sensitivity range, continuous high-speed shooting, color gradation, image crispness, durability, weather-resistant operation, system versatility and more.
The new D700 incorporates an extensive array of features that boast a leve
l of performance that is in many ways comparable to the D3. At the same time, it derives a wide range of benefits – including functionality, flexibility and operability – from the more agile D300, Nikon's flagship DX-format D-SLR.The D700 has everything it takes to satisfy a broad spectrum of photographic needs. The 12.1-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor with a sensing area of 36.0 x 23.9 mm; a sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 6400; continuous shooting at up to 5 frames per second (and up to 8 fps with the optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10; Nikon's exclusive 51-point AF system; Scene Recognition System for optimum autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance detection – these are but a few of the advanced capabilities of the extraordinary new D700."
More from the Nikon website on July 1, 2008: Nikon Speedlight SB-900 Advanced, high-performance Speedlight for Nikon digital SLR cameras
"TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the Nikon Speedlight SB-900, a new external i-TTL flash unit with advanced features. The SB-900 offers a powerful guide number of 48/157.5 (ISO 200, meters/feet) and an incredible array of creative flash functions. The SB-900 is an ideal way to solve lighting challenges and extend Nikon D-SLR creativity.
The SB-900 is a high-performance Speedlight developed as the successor to the hugely successful Nikon SB-800. Practical functionality was emphasized in designing the SB-900, especially evident when used with Nikon digital SLR cameras compatible with the Nikon Creative Lighting System.
It provides a wide 17-200 mm auto zoom range (expanded from the SB-800’s 24-105mm), three illumination patterns, newly designed, streamlined operation with a full-information LCD panel, and AF-Assist illumination compatible with new-generation AF snsors. The SB-900 has an improved booster circuit for high-speed recycle time. In addition, firmware can be uploaded via a Nikon digital SLR camera—a world’s first* for flash units, assuring that the SB-900 can accept technological advancements.
The SB-900 serves as the new core for the Nikon Creative Lighting System when used in combination with current Nikon digital SLRs, and it supports Advanced Wireless Lighting as a master or a remote Speedlight, inviting photographers to explore the many creative possibilities."
I'm not sure why a strobe needs to cost $500.