Speedliter's Handbook – Syl Arena

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“Getting your Canon Speedlite to produce the light you need can be a real challenge. For those new to flash photography—or for anyone who has previously given up out of frustration—Speedliter’s Handbook is a revelation. Photographer Syl Arena takes you on a journey that begins with an exploration of light and color, moves through a comprehensive discussion of the Canon Speedlite family and all of the accessories and equipment available to the Speedliter, then settles down to crafting great light in one photo shoot after another. Whether you want to create a classical portrait, shoot an event, or simply add a little fill light to a product shot, Speedliter’s Handbook shows you how.
Illustrated with over 500 images, Speedliter’s Handbook covers:
•    how your camera sees versus how you see light
•    all the buttons and dials of the entire Canon Speedlite family
•    the basics of on-camera flash…and getting your flash off the camera
•    how to beautifully balance flash with the existing ambient light
•    all the equipment necessary for great Speedlite shots
•    how to get amazing shots with just one Speedlite
•    how and when to use E-TTL versus manual flash
•    the use of color gels to balance color, as well as create dramatic effects
•    how to tame the sun—or any really bright light—with hi-speed sync
•    and much, much more
Whether you’re shooting portraits, events, or sports, Speedliter’s Handbook is an essential resource that teaches you how to craft the light you need for any type of shot you want.”
Find out more about Syl’s lighting seminar and workshop series.
Get the book here.
Learn more at Speedliting.com.
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APPOS iPhone Photo Contest – Final Week

Contests  Comment
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Here’s one of my entries in the APPOS iPhone Awards & Photo Contest.
caponigro_birdnest
Vote, comment, and submit your photos here.
Here’s more about the contest.
The APPOS iPhone Awards & Photo Contest
There’s only one week left to enter.
It closes 7 pm PST Feb 16.
Enter now, enter tomorrow, enter as often as you like – it’s free.
Vote for your favorite images and Apps.
Eligibility
Images must be taken and processed with iPhones and iPhone Apps only.
Prizes
1    $1000 Adorama Gift Certificate
10  Wacom Tablets
15  Canon Wireless Printers
30  $100 Adorama Gift Certificates
25  $50 Apple App Store Gift Cards
Judges
Scott Kelby, Joe McNally, Eric Meola Moose Peterson, Syl Arena, Boomer & Carton
Vote
You can vote for and comment on entries.
You can even vote for your favorite photo App.
Find out more about the contest and see the entries here.

The APPOS iPhone App Awards & Photo Contest

Contests  Comment
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APPOSiphonecontest
The APPOS iPhone Awards & Photo Contest
It starts right now! Literally.
7 am PST January 15 it opens.
It closes 7 pm PDT March 22.
Enter now, enter tomorrow, enter as often as you like – it’s free.
Vote for your favorite images and Apps.
Eligibility
Images must be taken and processed with iPhones and iPhone Apps only.
Prizes
1    $1000 Adorama Gift Certificate
10  Wacom Tablets
15  Canon Wireless Printers
30  $100 Adorama Gift Certificates
25  $50 Apple App Store Gift Cards
Judges
Scott Kelby, Joe McNally, Eric Meola Moose Peterson, Syl Arena, Boomer & Carton
Vote
You can vote for and comment on entries.
You can even vote for your favorite photo App.
Find out more about the contest and see the entries here.

LIDLIPS

Creativity, Photography  Comment
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LIDLIPS-front
Lessons I Didn’t Learn In Photo School
Syl Arena’s LIDLIPS started as blog posts on Pixsylated. They were so popular he’s collected them in a book.Syl delivers common sense wisdom that refreshes, provides a useful perspective, and brings you back to center.
Here’s one.
36. Make photos even when you don’t have a camera
Photography has way more to do with seeing than it does with driving a piece of hardware. Practice your skills as a photographer even when you don’t have a camera. Make mental pictures anywhere at anytime. Study the light around you. Watch the gestures and expressions of people across the restaurant. Look for geometry in the surfaces and shadows around you. Pick a word. Say it to yourself every time you take a mental picture. “Snap”.
Here are 9 more topics.
Don’t confuse distraction with creativity.
Embrace stress as the opposite of apathy.
Making yourself vulnerable is a sign of strength.
Listen for answers to questions you didn’t ask.
Look along the edges to find the in betweens.
If your camera were a pencil or a crayon it would be easy to understand it’s limitations.
Make photos even when you don’t have a camera.
Creativity comes as a breeze before it comes as a gale.
Be prepared for your dreams to come true.
Find all 100 LIDLIPS and the book here.
Find LIDLIPS on Amazon here.
Find my creatvity Lessons here.

Syl Arena – Lessons I Didn't Learn in Photo School

Creativity, Photographers  Comment
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Syl Arena recently wrote a great guest blog entry on Scott Kelby’s PhotoshopInsider.com. The topics list alone is a good touchstone. If you know this stuff, it’s a nice reminder. If you don’t know this stuff, you need to. It’s good food for thought.
1. If you can’t be remarkable, be memorable.
2. You are NOT defined by your photo gear or your computer’s operating system.
3. Powerful photographs touch people at a depth they don’t anticipate.
4. You have to let your images go out into the world without you.
5. Cross-pollinate with photographers and other creatives.
6. Photography slices time. Photography gathers time.
7. Learning to create photographs that “look” like your world should be only a milestone – not the destination.
8. “Coopetition” is a new business model that’s here to stay.
9. Wars have been fought to protect your copyrights.
10. Your photographs have value. Don’t give them away.
11. Your photographs have value. Give them away.
12. Resist the temptation to become a pro photographer.
Read the rest of the post here.
Check out more from Syl at Pixsylated.
And stay tuned for more. Syl actually wrote 48 topics, which he plans to follow up on.

10 Tips for Photoshop World @ PyxSYLated

Event - Seminar  Comment
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–
Sil Arena (Pixsylated) offers 10 tips for making the most of Photoshop World.
1. Rest up before you go
2. Plan each day and then be ready to change your plan
3. Wear comfortable shoes
4. Get to your sessions very early
5. Forget about taking notes
6. Carry water, food & clothing
7. Bring a backpack or messenger bag
8. Make new friends & rendezvous with old ones
9. Bring a fat wallet or a big credit card
10. Leave your ego at home
Get full details on each item and Bonus tips and Extra Credit at Pysylated.
For instance, did you know that in addition to the regularly scheduled seminars, special sessions and interviews are scheduled on the trade show floor?
Download Dave Cross’ PDF on what he plans to attend. Then make your own!
Check out all the sessions here.
Past seminars I’ve attended that rock include …
T    10:45-11:45    Jack Davis         Automating Everything – ACR & Actions
T    6:15-7:15        Deke McClelland        The Art of Sharpening
F    10:45-11:45    Jeff Schewe        Real World CS3 Camera Raw
F    12-1               Ben Willmore      High Dynamic Range Imagery
S    2:15-3:15        Jeff Schewe        Lightroom to Photoshop to Lightroom
Photoshop World Las Vegas starts September 4-6.
Find out more here.
I’m presenting …
W    1-5        Epson Print Academy Precon
(Rodney, Schewe, Caponigro)
F    7-9        The Art of Photoshop
(Caponigro, DiVitale, Glyda, Maisel, McNally, Peterson)
S    11-12    Painting With Light – 21st Century Dodging and Burning
S    1-2        The Power of Color
Which sessions have you attended and liked?
Which sessions are you most looking forward too?
Comment here!

Amazon Prime – PixSylated Excerpt

Tools  Comment
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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.