Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Happy Holidays!

Hope everyone has a great and joyous Holiday!  Just saw this and wanted to share.  I don't endorse this place but their ad is really pretty funny.  Enjoy!!



Thursday, December 18, 2008

Random notes and Old Blu

Tis the season for my head to spin.  I've been grinding out project after project after project trying to get as much done as possible before the holidays.

This year I've had many blessings with an incredible number of great commercial projects.  One such shoot occurred a few weeks ago and, of course, the client ordered image files (all to be done ASAP or faster).  OK, so far not too unusual, but these folks REALLY LOVED the photos and ordered big, really big -- 940 unique views!  Long story short, that's immense.  For me, uber immense.  Believe me, I'm not complaining, I've been doin the Snoopy happy dance!  I should, err, will be done by the end of this week.  Then I'll sleep, err... shop.

# # #

Details are coming together nicely for the opening of my Italian photo show at The Sewickley Gallery on March 20, 2009.  It's going to be off the hook!  Mark your calendar now.  I'm so excited and can't wait to share all the details, but until everything is signed and sealed I gotta keep it under wraps.  Trust me, you're not going to want to miss this one!

# # #

Weddings bookings for 2009 have been coming in at a real nice pace the last few weeks.  Early indicators look like next year is going to be absolutely incredible.  Booked one in Philadelphia last week.  Really looking forward to their wedding!  I LOVE Philly!!  And YES, I do out of town and destination weddings!!!  Have passport, will travel : )

# # #

That's about all for me folks.  Sorry I've been such a bad blogger of late, but it's all good, busy is good, real good.  I'll leave you with this image I made recently.  I don't normally shoot a lot of bets, but Old Blu has a lot of character.  And he's also quite a character, too.  

tech notes:  Canon 5D MKII, ISO 2000, 24-105 L lens @ 1/60 f/4.  Window light.  This camera is insane!

Monday, December 01, 2008

Canon 5D Mark II is coming!


GEEK ALERT.  

I found out today my first of two Canon 5D Mark II camera bodies is on its way!!  Woo HOO!!  

When Canon first announced this 21 megapixel monster I called my favorite camera shop, Midwest Photo Exchange, and got on their priority list.  Ironically, I called Dan this morning just to check since I heard a rumor the cameras had started shipping.  This afternoon it became official, the first one is rolling out of Columbus and should arrive at my studio tomorrow.  Believe me I can't wait!  

OK, I know, the camera doesn't make the picture, the photographer does, yadda, yadda, yadda.  Maybe it's a case of 'big boys and their toys' or just keeping up with technology (yeah, that's it, that sounds good) but whatever you want to call it this camera ROCKS.  

So who needs 21 megapixels?  For weddings, nobody really.  That kind of resolution is insane.  Let's be honest, 21 megapixels will create a 63 megabyte file -- SIXTY THREE MEG!  Do you know anyone who wants a 40x60 (or larger) print from their wedding?  Not to many, but this camera could do it with ease.

But I do a lot more than photograph weddings.  I do a lot of commercial and advertising photography.  Ahhh, this is where a file that big will SHINE!  Now I can deliver enormous images to art directors who will stand in awe of their size and revel as they reduce the photo multiple times to fit the page layout.  Yes, I said reduce.  Except in rare circumstances the images coming out of this camera will be reduced for use.  Sigh.  

But wait, there's more!  It's not all about megapixels.  This camera has a load of advanced features like high ISO with little to no grain (noise); increased color bit depth; self cleaning sensor; espresso port!  OK, maybe not the later, but a caffeine addict can dream, right?

Anyway, I was excited and wanted to shout to the world.  For me, this is really a wonderful early Christmas present.  And no danger of putting an eye out.  Hopefully.  Sure glad I added two more terabyte drives this week...

Fun with iPhone

I have to admit, after less than a month I am in LOVE with my iPhone! 

OK, so the service (AT&T) leaves a lot to be desired (dropped calls) but the phone itself is a technological marvel.  It's a fun toy, too.  I've just started to play with the camera and while it's only a measly 2 megapixel it really allows for some cool, unencumbered image making.  Here's one I made over the weekend while traveling the subway.



OK, so I did play with it a bit in Photoshop, but that's part of the fun.  Shooting with a camera phone reminds me of working with a Diana camera in the film world, only I don't have to duct tape the phone to prevent light leaks.  

Now back to my regularly scheduled lab day.

Email is now working

Thanks to marvelous technical support my email is now back up and running as it should.