I Use – iPhone … for Photographs? Yes!

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Do I actually use my iPhone to make photographs? Yes! You’ve seen many of them here on my blog. I don’t use my iPhone to make exhibition quality prints. But, I use it to make snapshots and take quick notes. I’m out for drinks with friends – iPhone. I want to stay in touch with my family while I’m away – iPhone. I’m in a museum and I want a quick sketch – iPhone. I’m in a bookstore and I want to make a note of a book cover or something inside it – iPhone. The toughest thing about the iPhone is my 6 year old son wants to use it all the time. I’ve found the best insurance policy for both my iPhone and my professional cameras is to get him his own digital point and shoot.
I use this piece of gear in all of my workshops – everyday really.
Check out this product and many others I use in my AStore here.
Check out my PDF Reviews here.
Check out my field workshops here.
Get a 20% discount on my Iceland (8/18-22) workshop here – expires 8/10.
Get a 15% discount on my Fall Foliage (10/17-20) workshop here – until 8/17.
The first 5 Insights Members get $1000 off South America (2/2-14/09), thereafter $250.
Space just became available in my workshop in Namibia.

I Use – Canon G9 Underwater Housing

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Looking for a new perspective! Take your camera underwater! Stills. Video. It’s so much fun! Worried? Don’t be. I do it all the time. So do many professional underwater photographers. Just get a good housing.
This is the underwater housing I use for my Canon G9.
On my wish list … a housing for my 1DSMKIII.
Check out this product and many others I use in my AStore here.
Check out my PDF Reviews here.
Check out my field workshops here.
Get a 20% discount on my Iceland (8/18-22) workshop here – expires 8/10.
Get a 15% discount on my Fall Foliage (10/17-20) workshop here – until 8/17.
The first 5 Insights Members get $1000 off South America (2/2-14/09), thereafter $250.
Space just became available in my workshop in Namibia.

I Use – Canon G9 Camera

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I feel photographers should have at least two cameras. One for high resolution images in print and one to play with.
Jay Maisel’s advice is “Never go anywhere without a camera.” It’s great advice! You never know when something magical will happen and if you don’t have a camera with you, you won’t be able to photograph it. Small point and shoot cameras make it easier to follow this advice.
I use my Canon G9 to document all kinds of events in my life. It gets me making images in ways I wouldn’t ordinarily. This helps me become more versatile and has beneficial effects on my professional work as well as my personal life. Most of the images you see on this blog are made with either my G9 or my iPhone. Most of my family pictures are now made with my G9, sometimes by my six year old son.
Do I ever make exhibition quality prints from images made with my G9? Yes! Its 12.1mp resolution exceeds the resolution of 35mm film.
Is it full featured? Yes! It has most of the features of a DSLR except interchangeable lenses. But, the G9’s lens has an impressive 6x optical zoom with image stabilization.
I’m not saying it replaces my Canon 1DSMKIII DSLR. Maybe one day small cameras like this will replace larger ones. Right now, they create a new niche. That means more photographs are being taken – sometimes more interesting pictures as a result.
Oh, and in a pinch, don’t forget your cell phone. Pulitzer Prize winning pictures have been made with cell phones.
Find out more about the Canon G9 here.
Check out this product and many others I use in my AStore here.
Check out my PDF Reviews here.
Check out my field workshops here.
Get a 20% discount on my Iceland (8/18-22) workshop here – expires 8/10.
Get a 15% discount on my Fall Foliage (10/17-20) workshop here – until 8/17.
The first 5 Insights Members get $1000 off South America (2/2-14/09), thereafter $250.
Space just became available in my workshop in Namibia.

I Use – Bogen 3265 Grip Action Ball Head

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This is one of the accessories that make using a tripod easier, more fun and more intuitive. This grip is so fluid it doesn’t get in my way. I can move more freely. That means I make images more freely. That means I make more images. That means I make more interesting pictures. That means I make better pictures. The best tripod head may not be the sturdiest, it may be the most fluid. Strike the balance you’re most comfortable with.
There are sturdier heads. If you need super-stability (perhaps you have a very heavy camera or use super long lenses) this may not be the head for you. But it’s plenty steady for me (even with my Canon 1DSMKIII and 100-400 IS zoom).
Check out this product and many others I use in my AStore here.
Check out my PDF Reviews here.
Check out my field workshops here.
Get a 20% discount on my Iceland (8/18-22) workshop here – expires 8/10.
Get a 15% discount on my Fall Foliage (10/17-20) workshop here – until 8/17.
The first 5 Insights Members get $1000 off South America (2/2-14/09), thereafter $250.

I Use – Joby's Gorilla Pod

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Gorilla Pod’s. It’s not for your music. It’s for your camera. These little baby’s are adorable! More importantly, they get you thinking about where you can place your tripod in entirely new ways. Put your camera on the floor. Put it on the back of a chair. Put it on the edge of a table. Put it on the top of a door. Put it on a car door, mirror, or bumper. Put it on a beam in the ceiling. Put it on a street sign. Put it on a trash can. You get the idea. It turns where you put your camera into a game. And you get even more creative!
The smallest unit isn’t stable enough – pass on it. All the others are great. While I take extra care when using my Gorilla Pod with my Canon DSLRs (particularly with a long lens), I use my Gorilla Pod without hesitation with my Canon G9 point and shoot – even for video! Video from the ceiling? Yes!
You can see it in use in all of my workshops.
Check out the Gorilla Pod and the other products in my AStore here.
Check out my PDF Reviews here.
Check out my field workshops here.
Get a 20% discount on my Iceland (8/18-22) workshop here – expires 8/10.
Get a 15% discount on my Fall Foliage (10/17-20) workshop here – until 8/17.
The first 5 Insights Members get $1000 off South America (2/2-14/09), thereafter $250.

I Use – Hoodman Portable Computer Shades

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Have you ever needed to see your portable computer in a bright environment, like out in the field in the middle of the day? I use the Hoodman Eclipse 15″ Laptop Hood.
“Sun Shades for PowerBooks / PC’s Eliminate Glare! Allows Private Viewing! Pops into Shape! Folds Flat in Seconds! Travel Bag Included! LCD screen sizes are measured on the Diagonal. If you own an Apple PowerBook, order the Apple hoods. If you own a PC laptop computer order the PC hood.”
Private viewing aside, the shade this provides, though not total can help you see what’s on your screen on location. It’s a simple idea and a simple device. The simple things are often the easiest to use and so the most useful.
You can see it in use in my field workshops.
Check out Hoodman here.
Check out the other products I use in my AStore here.
Check out my PDF Reviews here.
Check out my field workshops here.
Get a 20% discount on my Iceland (8/18-22) workshop here – expires 8/10.
Get a 15% discount on my Fall Foliage (10/17-20) workshop here – until 8/17.
The first 5 Insights Members get $1000 off South America (2/2-14/09), thereafter $250.

I Use – AquaTech's Sport Shield Rain Cover

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So, you want to photograph but it’s raining? Get the shot and save your camera. Get a rain shield. I use AquaTech’s Sport Shield Rain Cover. So do many of today’s top pro sports photographers.
“Sport Shield rain covers are designed to protect professional cameras and lenses from adverse weather conditions such as wind, rain, salt, air and sand. They are manufactured using a versatile, high-performance and Multi-Layer Barrier Fabric System. This design seals the fabric with a series of coatings or “layers” that prevent driving rain, water, snow or dust from entering the fabric.”
“The Multi Layer Barrier Fabric System “sandwiches” the textile. The outside face is treated with a Teflon water-repellant finish preventing surface absorption of water, dirt, dust and oil. The inside surface is coated with three successive layers of a specially engineered formula which combine to create a tough, durable and permanent waterproof system.”
“The Aqua Tech SS-ZOOM Sport Shield Rain Cover (Navy) is primarily designed to fit Nikon or Canon digital or film SLR cameras, with lenses up to 5.0 x 5.0” attached. It is made of high-quality, 3-ply, waterproof, breathable fabric, fully tape seam sealed with waterproof silicone sealing around the view windows. It is made with YKK weatherproof zippers for ease of application and removal. The rain cover provides a watertight seal around lens front. The one-piece design provides complete enclosure and moisture protection for both the camera body and lens with a “glove-like” fit. It is designed with a waterproof sleeve to access and operate the camera controls safely and easily. There are draw strings on hand access and tripod sleeve for protection when not in use. It has waterproof view windows to monitor camera functions. The eyepiece cover flap protects the viewfinder when not in use. It requires an eyepiece to hold cover to camera and maintain waterproofing.
Key Features …
Tape seam sealed
YKK weatherproof zippers for ease of application and removal
It provides a watertight seal around lens front.
One-piece design provides complete moisture protection for both camera and lens
Waterproof view windows to monitor camera functions.
Designed with a waterproof sleeve to safely and easily access and operate camera controls.
Draw strings on hand access and tripod sleeve for protection when not in use.
The cover is quickly and easily applied and removed.
Eyepiece cover flap to protect viewfinder when not in use.
Compatible with …
Canon 16-35mm f2.8 L, 17-35mm f2.8 L, 17-40mm f2.8 L, 24mm f1.4 L, 35mm f1.4 L, 85mm f1.2 L
Nikon 17-35mm f2.8 AF-S, 24-85mm f2.8-4 AF, 28-70mm f2.8 AF-S, 35-70mm f2.8 AF, 70-300mm f4-5.6 AF, 28-85mm f2.8-4 AF
Other lenses up to 5.0 x 5.0″ (L x Dia)
You can see it in use in my field workshops.
Find this product and many others I use in my AStore.
Check out my PDF Reviews here.
Check out my field workshops here.
Get a 20% discount on my Iceland (8/18-22) workshop here – expires 8/10.
Get a 15% discount on my Fall Foliage (10/17-20) workshop here – until 8/17.
The first 5 Insights Members get $1000 off South America (2/2-14/09), thereafter $250.

Amazon Prime – PixSylated Excerpt

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Here’s an excerpt from a great blog run by a friend of mine Syl Arena.
“For a $79 annual fee, Amazon Prime provides unlimited free 2-day shipping. An upgrade to overnight delivery is just $3.99 per item. You can get a free, 30-day trial to Amazon Prime by clicking here. I’ve found that Amazon’s prices are very competitive on all kinds of photo gear and printing supplies – especially when shipping charges are figured in.
There are two keys to happiness with Amazon Prime. The first key to happiness with Amazon Prime is making sure that the item is in stock and sold by Amazon. The second key to happiness with Amazon Prime, if you need it tomorrow, is check to see that there’s still time to get it shipped today.”
Syl uses a real world example of needing ink fast and gives all the details in his post. Check out the rest of Syl’s post here. And check out PixSylated on a regular basis.
I use Amazon’s AStore to let people know what books and products I recommend. You can find it here.

I Use – ExpoDisc

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A majority of the time, I treat white balance subjectively. But, that doesn’t mean I don’t use a white balance target. Targets give you the option of setting white balance objectively. Without them you have to fall back on the SWAG method (Scientific Wild Ass Guess). My favorite white balance target is ExpoImaging’s ExpoDisc. (I use a Flat; while they’re more expensive, they can be used with any and all lenses.) Why do I like the ExpoDisc so much? It performs three functions at once – white balance, dust map, vignetting map. In addition to setting white balance you can use it to precisely map dust on you sensor and vignetting. Once you’ve identified these with a single exposure, you can automatically apply those corrections to all images shot during that session. Automatic retouching? Yes! Dust mapping will save you hours. Often, I’ve felt a resistance to using white balance targets in the field. Because the ExpoDisc offers so much more and is so easy to use, I use it consistently.
I demonstrate these kinds of techniques in all of my field workshops.
Download my Review of the ExpoDisc here.
Find out more about the ExpoDisc here.
Find my Review of the ExpoDisc here.
Get Insights free here, for upcoming alerts of new Reviews.
See more of the products I use here.
Check out my field workshops here.
Get a 20% discount on my Iceland (8/18-22) workshop here – expires 8/10.
Get a 15% discount on my Fall Foliage (10/17-20) workshop here – until 8/17.
The first 5 Insights Members get $1000 off South America (2/2-14/09), thereafter $250.

I Use – X-Rite ColorChecker

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The X-Rite ColorChecker is the standard target for getting accurate color in the studio. But, it’s useful in any shooting situation. You can create a custom calibration setting for your camera using the X-Rite ColorChecker and Tom Fors Adobe Camera Raw camera calibration script. Do this once for significantly different lighting situations; daylight, overcast, full shade, tungsten, florescent, etc. You only have to do it once for each lighting situation. The calibration is model specific and chip specific, so do it for every digital camera you use. Performing this routine makes an appreciable improvement in color rendition. Saturated hues will be represented more accurately.  In the field, I use the credit card sized ColorChecker.
I demonstrate these kinds of techniques in all of my field workshops.
Click here for a step-by-step guide to using the X-Rite ColorChecker and the Tom Fors script.
Download Tom Fors script here.
Find my Review of the X-Rite ColorChecker here.
Get Insights free here, for upcoming alerts of new Reviews.
See more of the products I use here.
Check out my field workshops here.
Get a 20% discount on my Iceland (8/18-22) workshop here – expires 8/10.
Get a 15% discount on my Fall Foliage (10/17-20) workshop here – until 8/17.
The first 5 Insights Members get $1000 off South America (2/2-14/09), thereafter $250.