Exciting New Gear!

Hi everyone its been a while since my last entry, I have been extremely busy with my day job (plumbing). But lets jump right into it shall we?

This week I just received my Vanguard 263-AGH 3-Section Aluminum Alloy Alta Pro 263-AT Tripod Legs with GH-100 Grip Head

Let me tell you that this is a great deal, it normally sells for over $300!!! The most impressive part of this tripod is its grip head (The thing that looks like a gun) I am able to manipulate the view of my camera in any dimension I want simply by squeezing the trigger. Its light, sturdy, and folds up very small. I love it! Watch a FULL Review on it HERE.

My birthday is coming up and as a present I received the best gift ever ....drum roll.... ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS6!!! So not only do I have great gear but I also have the worlds best and newest image processing program. Thank you so much Jen!

But wait there is more!

Now that I have the most intricate imaging program EVER I still have to learn it. :( ...So I went and bought a training book titled: Adobe Photoshop CS6 Bible: The Comprehensive, Tutorial Resource. Simple right? WRONG. This book is OVER 1000 pages long. That's a lot of learning for someone who is unfamiliar with photoshop, but I'm up to the challenge. I have decided to read 30 pages a day and pace myself as I go. I'm already ahead of schedule!

OK, OK, OK, I'm done bragging about all my new stuff. The bad part is that since I have been so busy at work I haven't been able to get out and shoot as much as I would like. (And it has also been raining everyday because of the hurricane in South America). But I have met a few new contacts that are trying to get me some actual work/ real-world-experience. So even though I haven't been a photographer as of late, I have still been a business man making new contacts. But I still miss taking pictures. Maybe this rain will let up soon.

Thanks everyone!

Cowboystudio 1200 Watt Photography Continuous Lighting

      Recently I purchased Cowboystudio 1200 Watt Photography, Video, and Portrait Studio Umbrella Continuous Lighting Kit With Four 85 Watt, 5500K Day Light Balanced CFL bulbs, Black and White Reflective Umbrellas, Stands, and Carrying Case. To be honest my expectations were quite low for this item. Selling for only $100 it seemed as though it would be quite cheap and prone to breaking easily.  Still eager to find out, when the box arrived from Amazon I quickly rushed it home to assemble it. The hardest part of the assembly process was taking everything out of the packaging (Cowboy Studios makes sure it wont break). I read on a review that the umbrellas that come with the set are'nt that great and dont reflect light too well. So I also purchased a seperate set of black  umbrellas with a silver reflective lining along the inside (2 of CowboyStudio 33in Black & Silver Photo Studio Reflective Umbrella). Im glad I purchased them because the difference in light reflection is remarkable! Now since this kit is continuous lighting it needs light bulbs. I was unpreparred for the imense bulbs that come with this kit.

On the top is the bulb that Cowboy Studio sent me ( four all together) and the bottom is the size of a normal bulb of the same type. WHAT A HUGE DIFFERENCE!

Overall the setup is great for the price. Its perfect for beginners; just be careful of the not so sturdy light stands.  But I would definetly recommend this to anyone who is just getting started in flash/studio lighting.

Disappointments of Photography

I wear a wristband that reads “Finish Strong”, its black with white indented lettering. Every morning I read that wristband. The first word is the most important to me: “Finish”. Not “try” or “Give it a go” but finish. As long as I finish that’s all I can give, right? NO! This wristband kicks it up a notch by demanding, yes demanding, that I not only finish but that I finish “Strong”. There is no “good job” phrases, pats on the back, or encouragements, only “Strong”. Dictionary.com defines strong as both mentally and physically competent, to have power, and force. Finish means to overcome completely. So how does a rubber wristband with two subtle yet powerful words have to do with photography? Example: Today I decided to go to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary to photograph wildlife. Around 4:30pm I left my house and didn’t arrive home until 8:00pm. Three and a half hours I spent driving, walking, paying $10, and searching for any animal I could find out in the beautiful mosquito infested swamps of Corkscrew Sanctuary. In all I found NO animals, a stray Cardinal would appear periodically but by the time my hand found the shutter button it was gone. Infuriating is a word that comes to mind when I recall the feelings I was experiencing. I don’t view wasting time as simply “time” but life, my time is my life. Walking across the boardwalks in the swamp my wristband screams out “FINISH! Get your photos.” How? Where? There is nothing to photograph. Giving up hope I left the Sanctuary with my head hung low. Not only was I disappointed but I didn’t finish what I set out to complete, to overcome. And on top of that I wasted my time and my life. Complete failure. I got in my truck and headed out of the parking lot. In a grassy area to my right is a rabbit. Yep, in a parking lot is a creature that I spent hours searching for and nearly gave up all hope of being able to “Finish” what I had set out for. But it’s just a white fluffy tailed rabbit?! I’m not going to make the cover of National Geographic with its photo; it might not even turn out that great. BUT my mood changed; it gave me hope. I got my photo. I finished!! And it turned out great; I finished strong.

Photography is as rewarding as it is disappointing. The perfect scene can be ruined by one small imperfection, or everything can fall into place and perfection can be captured. Today reminded me not to give up hope. That some days will be harder than others and there will be floods and there will be droughts. As long as in the end I Finish Strong then I (and all of us) have accomplished something worthy of being proud of.

PhotoShoot #2

My second official photo-shoot went extremely well and the pictures turned out great. I learned alot from this experience; what I need to focus on more, what needs to be changed and what works just fine. My assistants were amazing, I couldnt have done it without them (you know who you are) and my model was patienet while we fumbled around. The more I delve into photography I find that my standards are rising and my expectations of my myself as a photographer need to catch up. I have a few pictures of my photo shoot model (Sarah) on my website. So go take a look! Thank you all!

July 4th 2012

Happy fourth of July! Naples held its annual 4th of July parade today and it was such a fun and positive atmosphere. I was lucky enough to have found a comfertable place in the shade to capture pictures without dying from the heat. My temporary neighbors for the time being, ten a.m. to noon, were very spirited charecters from Georgia. The parade began at exactly ten o'clock. I was even luckier that my lucky spot allowed me to only use one lens throughout the parade. My Nikon 14-24mm lens saved the day yet again. I was able to be at the curb of the road and still capture great pictures. I created a slideshow of the parade on YOUTUBE if you would like to watch! Enjoy!

Nikon MB-D11 Battery Grip D7000

Today I recieved my MB-D11 Battery grip from Amazon. I have been saving and waiting for this grip for a VERY long few months. Does it live up to my expectations? Honestly, yes. I recently I did a photoshoot with my D7000 and after a few hundred photos with a heavy lens my hand was cramping. On the D7000 I find that there is not enough room for my hand to hold the camera properly without my hands fatiguing quickly. The handgrip offers plenty of room for my pinky and the rest of my hand to hold the camera comfertably. Vertical shots are simply amazing now. Before the handgrip, vertical shooting made me curl my hand over the camera to depress the shutter button. The smarty-pants' at Nikon added another shutter button on the side of the grip so that vertical shots are the same as horizontal shots (the button ends up in the same place). I hated to see the money go but I love the benefits of my hand grip. I would reccomend this to anyone, and I can see why other photographers never shoot without one. 

So much for a weekend out. This tropical storm is ruining all of the FUN!

NEW YOU TUBE VIDEO

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Photoshop Elements 10- A New Adventure

A few days ago I decided to purchase another photo-editing software. Photoshop CS+ was out of my budget so I had researched and settled, happily, on Photoshop Elements 10. After installing and playing with the program I realized that I had no idea what I was doing. I have used Photoshop before, but that was many years ago and I have long since forgotten the basics. So what now? You Tube. I researched tutorials and how-to's on the program but that wasn't a permanent solution; many of my questions were left unanswered. I will have to teach myself I concluded. Still needing resources to learn from I loooked at the books that cover  Photoshop Elements 10. The best book I have come across (and am currently using/learning from) is : Photoshop Elements 10: The Missing Manual, by Barbara Brundage. This book is simple to understand, an easy read, and covers PSE 10 from top to bottom. There is no technical jargon in between these pages. Simple: "Click Here and it will do this". Im sure that by the time I am done reviewing and learning this book, I will have mastered Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 and my digital editing competency will rise past my expectations.

Bottom Line: If you have PSE 10 buy THIS book. You WILL learn something.

What is Panning?

Panning is moving the camera while focusing on a moving subject using a slower shutter speed to blur the background and leave the subject clear and focused. Sound difficult? It is! I tried using this technique while photographing racing go-carts at the Lee Civic Center in Ft. Myers Florida. I shot about fifty photos and out of those I was only satisfied with one.ONE! The majority of my shots were blurry and everything was out of focus. Using my Nikon D7000 I would spy a cart coming up around the corner where I was positioned on the bleachers. Looking through the viewfinder I start to trace the path of the cart as it moves around the corner and closer towards me. Once I felt confident that I was panning at the correct speed I would click the shutter button and continue moving the camera. Again, I found this very difficult to perfect and am going to need ALOT more practice. When done properly panning can produce breathtaking results and capture the movement of a subject or object.

Dogs Went Swimming Today

Took the Pups swimming today! They Loved it!

Photoshop Panoramic Photo Compilation

Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 has a great feature that allows you to create a panoramic photo from a group of photos. The photo below was my first attempt using this feature I combined four images together and I would say that it turned out quite well.

How Do I Make A Panoramic Picture in Adobe Photoshop Elements 10?

1. Load your images on to your computer.
2. Open Photoshop Elements and select File>New> Photomerge Panorama.
3. A dialog box will open prompting you to select the "layout" and "source files".
4. For my picture below I chose the "auto" layout feature.
5. Click "Browse" under source files. Select the photos you would like to use.
6. Check the box "Blend Images Together".
7. Select "Ok".
8. Relax and let your computer work its magic.
9. After compiling the images, a dialog boc\x will appear titled "Clean Edges". Select "Yes" or "No" to fill in the edges of your photo (If it allows you to).
10. Finished! Congratulations, you just made a panoramic photo in Adobe Photoshop Elements 10!!



Evening On 5th. Ave. Naples, FL

On Thursday June 14, 2012 5th Ave. S in Naples, FL hosted an "Evening on Fifth". Musicians, local charities and even dog adoption agencies were all present to celebrate a night out on the town. It was a wonderful evening. Everyone was happy to see the community together in a positive way, many were even dancing to the music. The street was bustling with people for many hours.

 



Nikon D7000 Review

Nikonusa.com

     The Nikon D7000 is a spectacular camera. A top-end advanced consumer camera featuring 16.2 MP resolution and a DX CMOS Sensor. What this means is that it takes great pictures with clean clarity and sharpness.

Features:

• A group of 39 focusing points which can be individually selected to choose your own center point.
• Focus Area : Single, Continuous, and Automatic.
• The ability to shoot 1080p video at 24 frames/second(OR 30-25-24 F/S at 720p) for up to 20 minutes continuously.
• A rear 3 inch LCD monitor which is useful when recording or shooting in Live View mode.

• Ease of control with numerous dedicated buttons such as: Menu, White Balance, ISO, Image Quality(RAW, jpeg, jpeg fine...) one push record button, Pad selector (for choosing those focus points and navigating the menu screen) Info (displays the DSLRs current setting information) playback button (pictures and video).
• The D7000 has four dials.The two on the right-hand side control the shutter speed and aperture settings (these dials can be reversed so the shutter speed can control the aperture dial).  On the left hand side the two dials control: Single shutter release, continuous low, continuous high, auto, quiet mode, timer, remote, mirror up.The other dial controls the shooting modes: manual, aperture priority, shutter priority,
• Six Different Auto Focus (AF) Area Modes.
• Two Individual customizable memory card slots. Whats great about these is that Nikon allowed them to have separate functions if you select them to. One can save video while the other is dedicated to photos. OR one can save JPEG while the other saves RAW/NEF files. OR you can dedicate memory card one as the main and slot two as an overflow.  

There are another two pages worth of technical jargon to fill your minds with, but enough with the technicalities.

What I Like about the Nikon D7000

• How crisp the pictures are. The 16 MP really shine through with this camera. Amazing shots are just a click away.
• The "Info" button that displays ALL of the settings you have selected on the back LCD screen.
• The ability to record video with one button push.
• The live view switch.

What I DONT Like About the Nikon D7000

• The control pad used to select your focus point. You have to squish your face up against the camera to look through the viewfinder and adjust your settings.
• Too Small. My hands seem to cramp up after a bit of time shooting. If Nikon would have made it a little wider it would fit my hands perfectly.

OVERALL

My honest opinion is that if you have the money, buy the camera. You will not regret it. Months later I am still learning all of the settings and my pictures keep improving. It will be hard to outgrow this camera.

Unboxing the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens

Lightroom 4 Slideshow

What Makes You Better Than The Rest

    

      So now you're a photographer, you have the camera, lenses, filters, packs, sacks, containers, programs, a fancy computer, and even a top of the line "professional" printer. ALL your friends say what great work you do, now what? What's your goal? whats your niche? What makes you better than the millions of average-joes with pockets deep enough to afford professional equipment that makes your gear look like cheap plastic toys?

ASSETS
This might sound common knowledge but the first thing you should do is identify your assets. What are you good at. What are you not good at. Choose a subject to practice with, are you a people person? Maybe shooting models or portraits is your talent. Have a love for animals? Cant stay away from the zoo? Perhaps wildlife photography is your gift. Sports, product photography, newspaper event photography. Explore. Learn. Educate. Find what fits you and your lifestyle best and stick with it. You cant do it all, so give one your all.   

WORK WHEN ITS NOT WORK
To stay above the rest work to your best. Always have your camera, always be looking for that "one" shot. “You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take.”  - Wayne Gretzky. Always be "working" and hunting for anything that will let you shine past the rest of the crowd. Birthdays, Family reunions, no matter what you should at be least known as "that photography guy with the camera".

ALWAYS RELY ON YOUR BASICS
One great picture is better than one hundred okay pictures. Go for quality not quantity. Apply what you have learned and the rest is easy. "Click"

STATE OF MIND
You are the best no matter what; be an arrogant gentleman or misses. Don't be rude, vulgar, or inappropriate. Be confidant. Over believe in yourself. People can see how you really feel about you and your work. Help convince them that your pictures are the best and that you can easily capture more moments in life. Be a compelling and desirable photographer.

RELAX
Don't stress. Your best work will come when you least expect it. The last photo of a long day, or an accidental shutter release. Even just goofing around and having fun can yield the best work of your career. Don't stress, don't stress, don't stress. HAVE FUN.

Adobe Lightroom 4

 

     Adobe released Lightroom 4 this year and as I scoured the Internet to find the best image editing software to accompany my new DSLR this program kept popping up. Granted, LR4 doesn't compare to the capabilities of Photoshop, which I was considering as well, but for my experience level and my cost limitations $700 for Photoshop was out of my price range. The price of $150 for Lightroom and the great reviews was the determining factor in my purchase.

Being that I have NEVER used a dedicated program for editing my photos I was amazed with what I could accomplish with this program. Underexposed images could be recovered, colors manipulated, sharpness, clarity, luminosity, effects....the list is endless.

Main tabs in LR4:

Library: After importing and custom renaming your photos you have the ability to scroll/tab through your images and mark them with identifying colors, flags, and compare two images next to each other, there are also two side modules that allow you to "Quick Develop" and add "Keywords" to your images, and view and edit your "MetaData".

Develop: This tab is where 99% of image editing will take place. The adjustment modules found on the right side of the screen and each have their own setting adjusters.

• Basic: Temp., Tint, Tone, Exposure, Contrast, Highlights, Shadows, Blacks, Whites, Presence, Clarity, Vibrance, Saturation
• Tone Curve: Highlights, Lights, Darks, Shadows, Point Curve
• HSL/Color/B&W: Hue, Saturation, Luminance, Color and B&W adjustment
• Split Toning: Highlights, Shadows
• Detail: Sharpening controls, Noise Reduction Controls
• Lens Correction: Used to reduce or remove known defects with lenses (Vignetting...)
• Effects: Choose a preset effect and adjust it
• Camera Calibration: Calibrate color details for your specific camera

 

Map: The Map tab allows you to use Geo tagging to tag where your pictures were taken from anywhere in the world.

Book: One great aspect of LR4 is the ability to make custom books using your pictures. Do everything in Lightroom and just click and send it to be printed and shipped to you.

Slideshow: Tired of using "Powerpoint"? Now Just use LR4 and everything is in one spot. All your pictures, adjustments and controls are in the same window to control your custom slideshow.

Web: Publish your images to a variety of online hosts and websites. All of which is customizable.

amazon.com

National Get Outdoors Day-Everglades

In honor of National Get Outdoors Day it was only fitting to head-out into the everglades(which I happen to live right next to) and do some wildlife watching. My pictures came out quite well and It was the first time I have had the D7000 in that environment.

Other than being EXTREMELY HOT the day went well. The picture of the alligator sitting out was the only issue I had. He was blocking the walkway and I was forced to walk ten feet in front of him to get past. He was very intimidating I wasn't sure if he was going to attack or behave.  

National Religious Freedom Rally

Finally posted my first video today on YouTube. There was a rally today about Religious Freedom at U.S. 41 and Pine Ridge Road today. While there I decided to try out my D7000's video capabilities:

Now don't be too harsh. I didn't plan on capturing video or even making a video; pictures didn't seem to capture the environment as well as they should have (I still need my 14-24mm Lens). I also don't have a decent video editing software. The above video was made with Windows Live Movie Maker.

See More Info About the Rally HERE at Naples Daily News.

If anyone knows a high quality editing program PLEASE comment and leave information or ideas.

Enjoy!