It's Coming, The Nikon D90
USA Today
New York Times
Nikon
Engadget
CNET
Scott Kelby
Digital Photography Review
Popular Photograpy
By Robert Lachman
The Nikon D90 is official on it’s way. Nikon is pushing the envelope with the video feature added to new DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera. It seems so natural when most point-and-shoot cameras already are capable of shooting video. I have listed a variety of links with reviews and information on the new camera in the $1,000 range. Not much more I can add.
The important features according to Nikon:
- Newly designed Nikon DX-format CMOS image sensor with 12.3 effective megapixels and Integrated Dust Reduction System
- Incredibly low-noise performance throughout a wide sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 3200; can be set to ISO 6400 equivalent
- Incorporates Nikon's comprehensive digital image-processing EXPEED concept
- The world's first D-SLR movie function: D-Movie, selectable from 320 x 216 pixels, 640 x 424 pixels or 1,280 x 720 pixels in AVI format
- Scene Recognition System, utilizing 420-pixel RGB sensor, improves autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance performance and is also integrated with the new Face Detection System
- Live View enables face priority AF with the 3-in., approx. 920k-dot, high-density color LCD featuring 170° ultra-wide viewing angle
- Picture Control System offers new Portrait and Landscape options for more vibrant customized colors
- Active D-Lighting for smooth tone reproduction in high-contrast lighting
- Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus sensor module featuring 11 AF points offers fast and precise autofocus coverage across the frame
- Viewfinder with approx. 96% frame coverage and an easy-to-view 19.5 mm eyepoint (at -1.0 m-1)
- Advanced Scene Modes that automatically adjust exposure, image processing, Active D-Lighting and Picture Control settings for superior image quality
- Extensive palette of in-camera Retouch Menus including several new retouch options such as Distortion Control, Straighten and Fisheye
- 4.5 fps continuous shooting and quick response of 0.15-second start-up and 65-ms shutter release time lag (CIPA standard)
- Built-in flash with 18mm lens coverage and Nikon's original i-TTL flash control that commands Advanced Wireless Lighting
- Highly efficient energy-saving design that allows approx. 850 images on a single charge of the Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e (CIPA standard, with AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, with 50% of pictures taken with flash)
- Versatile Pictmotion menu that creates slideshows combining five choices of both background music and image effects
- Compatible with HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) output
- Optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D80 extends shooting capability and enables use of six R6/AA-size batteries
- Included Nikon ViewNX software makes browsing and organizing your images easy
- Optional photo-editing software, Capture NX 2 allows users quick and easy photo editing
- Lightweight compact body
If you want more information click on any of the links above or check out the video from photographer Chase Jarvis.
Scott Kelby has a post with all the winners from the Worldwide Photo Walk at www.photoshopuser.com
/photowalk/winners.html.
Photo Walk, The Video
Check out the video I made from Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photo Walk. Our location was Hollywood, California on August 23, 2008. I want to thank Scott for putting the event together and Paige Jeffers Burghardt for hosting our local walk which was a lot more work than most people would think. The evening was a lot of fun, meeting new photographers, taking photographs and then sharing the work on Flickr. Thanks again to everyone for making it a great event. I'm looking forward to next year.
Walking Hollywood Photos
Photographs by Robert Lachman © 2008
By Robert Lachman
It was a great day in Hollywood, meeting new photographers and shooting photographs along Hollywood Boulevard in the city where dreams are made of during Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photo Walk. It was a little like shooting ducks in a barrel, there’s certainly 
was no shortage of subjects. In an era when most people are paranoid about having their pictures taken, in Hollywood, it seems like people expect it.
My wife, Lorelei and I got there a little early and the only problem I thought I would have would be finding a parking spot. It actually worked out fine as there was plenty of space in the first indoor lot we picked. Mission accomplished.
Next, it was the walk along Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Kodak Theatre and the hand and foot prints in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre. We were meeting the other photographers around the corner at Mels drive-in parking lot near the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue.
Now, this is where the circus starts. Characters galore. Which look alike are you looking for: Superman, Superwoman, Spiderman, Darthvader, a Swashbuckling Pirate, Batman, Playboy Bunnies, Sponge Bob? Also, there’s a whole group of characters who have their own persona. Tall people, short people, silver people, even gold people. I kept thinking Randy Newman would be around the corner writing a song.
It’s a tough pick. So many cool subjects, not enough time. I had my photo taken with Sponge Bob and a guy p
ainted gold. Everyone needs to be a tourist. Of course everyone expects a buck. And certainly, some of the character were much more aggressive than others about getting those tips. It sort of knocked them off their superhero pedestal. It just doesn’t seem right that Superman is working for tips.
Next, it was off to the Mels drive-in parking lot for the meet-up and any last minute instructions from Paige, who was our Photo Walk leader. She did a great job getting everything organized, picking the route and the restaurant for the gathering after. Everything ran a smooth as possible and I’d like to thank Paige for doing such a great job.
I’m looking forward to next year. I hope you enjoy the photos. Have a nice week.
Click here to check out the photos on Flickr from our Hollywood Photo Walk group.
Working on Photo Walk Photos
It's Photo Walk Satuday
There will be a lot of walking so I would recommend traveling light using one camera body with your favorite couple of lenses.
Standby, I need to go charge my camera batteries and clear my digital memory cards.
It’s important to start slow, don’t put the pedal-to-the-metal on your shutter button early, you’re going to be out there for two hours, relax and have a good time. Although, if you have unlimited cards and hard drive space go for it. A little reserve and editing as you shoot does make it easier when you get back home and work through the edit process. Remember you’re shooting still photos not movies at 29 frames a second.
Choosing your lens your lens options ca
n be tough. Lenses equal weight. You probably don’t need any super telephotos at an event like this. A nice wide angle and moderate telephoto should be fine. Zoom lenses are great and convient but usually are slow meaning they don’t let in a lot of light so they can be tough to use in the shade or low light.A combination of a versatile zoom and a fast 50 f1.4 might be the way to go. Don’t forget to charge your camera batteries and bring enough clear digital flash memory cards.
I may bring along my Lensbaby 2.0 which brings one area of your photo into sharp focus, surrounded by increasing blur. It brings shame to the f 1.4 fast lenses plus it’s very small and light. This lens with it bending-and-tilting takes the background way out of focus.
Just another way to give your photos a creative look.
Have a nice weekend. Check back for Hollywood and Zoo photos soon.
Too Much Cool Stuff, Not Enough Time
Check out the amazing photography by Sports Illustrated photographer Heinz Kluetmeier’s of Olympic Champion Michael Phelps touching the wall .01 seconds ahead of his opponents to keep his gold medal streak alive enroute to a record 8.
Click here to check it out.
Click here to check out the Olympic photographs from the Los Angeles Times.
Tim at the MacReviewCast put his speed test on his website so I did a speed test to check out how fast my cable is. Here is my result. I have no idea what this means. Is this fast or slow? Would someone send a comment and explain it to me. I put links to different speed tests if you want to try it out with your cable or DSL.
Speedtest.net
www.dslreports.com
Bandwidth.com
Two days and counting to the Worldwide Photo Walk. I will be spending Saturday evening shooting photographs in Hollywood. I will set up a Flickr page with the results. I’m looking forward to it.
Check the Cali Lewis’ review of Cut and Paste
for the iPhone and iPod Touch
from Cali Lewis on Vimeo.
New Deke: Stretching a Photo in Illustrator
Annie Leibovitz's Queen Elizabeth photography assignment video.
Check out the David Hobby’s play-by-play on his strobist blog.
Poking a little fun at Nintendo’s Wii’s music gaming by Sarcartic gamer.com
Worldwide Photo Walk
Photograph by Robert Lachman / Los Angeles Times @ 2007
Delauné Michel author of the book “Aftermath of Dreaming” photographed in HOLLYWOOD last year.
By Robert Lachman
I’m going to Hollywood. It’s time for Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photo Walk. There are definitely some cool locations including: Paris, Beijing, Sydney, London, Vancouver and New York but I think I’ll be at one of the best. We’re talking HOLLYWOOD. And in the spirit of cool and arty photography I’m going into be shooting in the RAW mode, no .JPG for me. No compression for me. My photos need to be natural, I’m not losing any pixels when I don’t need to. Everyone there will be shooting RAW and I want to fit in. Note to self: Make sure to clear all my digital flash memory cards.
It will definitely be a different kind of shoot for me, more of a free flow. It’s usually work related stuff for me or I use my point-and-shoot for family stuff. Details and photos to come over the weekend.
More Miscellaneous: I get 60 free days of MoblieMe. I’m not sure what I’ll do with all the money I save :-)
MobileMe Update from Apple: “We have already made many improvements to MobileMe, but we still have many more to make. To recognize our users' patience, we are giving every MobileMe subscriber as of today a free 60 day extension.
This is in addition to the one month extension most subscribers have already received. We are working very hard to make MobileMe a great service we can all be proud of.
We know that MobileMe's launch has not been our finest hour, and we truly appreciate your patience as we turn this around.” - The MobileMe Team
Read this article for more details.
Click here to check out the Olympic photographs from the Los Angeles Times.
Note from the Oympics:
From Fox Sports: “NBC fails to show Michael Phelps record-breaking swim after moving the swimming finals to suit its advertisers, US television giant NBC didn't show Michael Phelps' historic swim live yesterday. The juggeranut network haggled with Olympic authorities and other networks around the world for several years to have the swimming finals moved to the mornings to cater for the US prime time television audience.
At one stage, NBC threatened to withdraw their nine figure rights deal if the finals were not switched to mornings. Swimming bodies complained about the change because of the way it would affect the swimmers' preparation. They were forced to re-arrange all lead up swimming events to ensure swimmers were well prepared for the dramatic change.
But we can reveal today that Michael Phelps' and other major swimming finals have not been telecast live into the US even though the events have started in prime time in the US. When Phelps swam for his tenth Olympic gold medal yesterday, Los Angeles NBC was screening entertainment program, Access Hollywood.”
I want this camera or a Nikon D3
From ephotozine: “Leaked specifications of the NEW Canon 5D MarkII.”
- 16.7 MP FF sensor
- Single Digic MkIII Processor
- ISO100-3200 (Low: 50 + High 6400)
- 6-8 fps - depending on grip
- 3in High Resolution OLED LCD
- 11 point AF
- 35 Zone Metering
- Viewfinder: 96 percent coverage .72 magnification
- Pop up flash
- New Lithium Ion Battery
- Weather Sealing slightly better than 40D
Olympic Portraits, NBC, Worldwide Photo Walk
Check out the Olympic portraits by Los Angeles Times Staff Photographer Jay Clendenin featured in the Olympic special section in the newspaper and at the LA Times Website with downloadable PDFs. The shots were produced using a Zone V, 4-by- 5-inch camera on Polaroid film. The film, developed by Edwin Land, will be discontiuned this year with just
enough made to last throught 2009. The Poloraoid camera was first sold to the public in November of 1948 and was discontinued last year. While there was a certain kind magic of watching photos develop in your hands, it certainly couldn’t compete with the digital photography revolution. Be sure to check out the beautiful portraits.
Just downloaded the Microsoft Silverlight player from the NBC website to watch Olympic highlights and coveage on the computer. It’s still not the same as watching it on big a 16:9 flat-screen TV. Too many commercials!If your interested, don’t forget to sign up for the Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photo Walk scheduled for
August 23, 2008. The social photography event has a little bit of commerical overtones because it’s connected to celebrate the release of Kelby’s new Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers. Even with the commercialism involved, it should be a fun event and a chance to meet photographers in your area. It certainly appears to be a well organized event considering the size and will give you a chance to dust off the trusty DSLR or point-and-shoot and mix it up the other photographers.Have a nice weekend - RL