If you had $100 to spend on your favorite photographer, what could you get them?
If you know them well, it sure helps.
Let’s face it, if they are into wildlife photography, you might have to spend more.
Maybe in that instance, you can research and find a bird  sanctuary such as the Bolsa Chica Conservancy,  drive them, be their caddy, fix and pack a picnic lunch and keep them company. Continue reading Gifts under $100 for photographers
A while back Randy Habicht, one of my students, asked me to compile a wish list for him.
It wasn’t that long ago, I was in those shoes–a newbie.
I had more money than smarts when it came to gear.
Though still cameras have undergone so much transformation, so much is still the same.
The allure of seductive ads touting better, more responsive, higher megapixel, lower noise and all the other superlatives are still there.
And yes they are still as mouth-watering and tempting as the first time I laid eyes on that glossy ad for that Canon F-1 with motorized 6-frames-a-second body, powered by Hi power Nicad battery etc.
Continue reading Xmas gift ideas for photographers
I’ll admit it. I’m a sucker for a bargain.
When one of my former students Michael Lambert emailed me about Canon’s Customer Loyalty program, I was skeptical but I had to look into it.
Did I need a newer camera body? Not really, but I had been looking for a DSLR with video capability for quite some time.
If you follow this blog, you might have read my trusty Powershot G3 headed to its happy-picture-hunting ground recently.
Even though it was a Point-and-shoot camera, it had video recording capability.
So does its replacement, the Powershot G11 which I bought recently.
So how long was I expected to do without video on my DSLR?
I love my workhorse 40D, but it is almost 3 years old and doesn’t have video capability.
If I wasn’t teaching, I would be alright with just stills.
After all, I have to justify every purchase I make, if not to myself, then surely to the general or the Chief Financial Officer of the house.
Here’s the step-by-step if you’re interested in following this fool jumpstart the economy
I paid close to $500 for my Powershot G3 when it was new.
I was ready to chuck it into the electronic junk heap. Imagine my delight when I saw not only was the refurbished 5DMark 2 a good deal at $2,099, by sending them my dead G3, I was getting $419.80 Â back !
It’s almost too good to be true, isn’t it? The final damage? $1934.88 for the body and a spare battery.
The first time I called Canon to look into this, the best DSLR they had was a refurbished Canon 50D–not an improvement over my 40D, so asked if I could be placed on a waiting list.
The lady on the other end said, all I can do is call back and check or bookmark the following page to see their stock of refurbished cameras.
So what you are guys especially those here in the US waiting for?
My Canon 5D Mark 2 supposedly shipped and should be here on Wednesday. By the way, I also ordered a spare battery because what else? “Without batteries, all you’ve got is a ugly ……
Now I’ll have to pinch my pennies and buy 16GB compact flash cards as well. I’ll probably need at least 4 of these bad boys. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Earlier this year, I met a very talented budding actress by the name of Victoria Walcott who needed some headshots.
Available light–Portraiture in available light requires an awareness of locations and times. Generally speaking available light portraits have to be very static because light levels tend to be  so low. With today’s DSLR’s low light ability, a fast lens and some practice can give pleasing results. ISO 200 1/40 sec @ f 2.8 100 mm macro 2. 8 lens. See the catchlight in Victoria’s eyes where the main light is a large window on the left.
I tend to pack a lot of gear when I work. I may not use them all, but I sure like to have them at my disposal even if it means they are in my trunk.
Force of habit from working at the newspaper. I never knew what assignment I would draw, so I had all kinds of stuff in my trunk.
For this particular shoot, I kept it simple.
Needless to say, picking a good location can save you the hassle of bringing in lots of lighting equipment.
This is what I had to work with:
If you plan to shoot with available light, consider what lens you have, the shutter speed you can hand hold and if your camera’s noise level at high ISO is acceptable.
Consider having your subject sit or lay down. It might help them relax especially if it’s your first time working with them.
Once you’re sure you have something you like, don’t stop there. That’s when should push on and try something different or even outrageous.
Why? Continue reading Using available light & one flash for a portrait
