Jul 12, 2016 | Field Reports
They are not new to the world, but they sure are to me and I’m bummed it took me so long to connect. The Lexar 32GB JumpDrive C20i Lightning to USB 3.0 Cable (long name huh) is a really way cool, miniature tool for this day and age (It comes in 64GB size too!). They are so small that in shooting the shot to show size, Sadie thought it was a dog treat. What this little jewel does is permit you to transfer anything from your computer to your iPhone / iPad without the use of iTunes (or vice versa). How does it do this … a free Lexar app finishes the connection and permits the transfer. Why might you want this? Instant posting of a photo from your camera, providing a video to your client’s device, the list can go on and on. Perhaps even a back up, the uses are endless. It’s a simple yet elegant tool you want to check out.
Jul 8, 2016 | Field Reports
It was a great morning on the ramp. We were working with the Texas Flying Legends Museum Spitfire MkIXc with the moody skies and the wet tarmac, a aviation photographers dream! After taking the overall shots and when you think you have them all, you move in for the detail shots. Now detail shots cover everything, important and trivial on the aircraft, graphically cool and technically boring. It’s then when you dig down and start modifying the light to tell the story.
My shooting partner for decades Kevin said, “Got your SB-5000?” I instantly knew what he was thinking, light up the cockpit. I got out my SB-5000 & WR-R10 and handed it to Kevin. Since he had used it a month ago, he simply plugged the WR-R10 into his D5, turned on the SB-5000 and it instantly start talking to each other. I placed the SZ-4TN Incandescent Filter on the flash to add some color and he shot away. I uped it a tad by using the same set up but adding the 82mm Polarizer. If you look closely at the two photos, you’ll see not only the lit up cockpit but also the change in the fuselage and wings as the light was polarized to remove the reflections from the overcast. Yes, the polarizer took two stops of light from the scene but since we’re working iTTL and the flash is so close to the subject, nothing had to be done other than go click. The best part is, it is so simple and effective, the SB-5000 / WR-R10 Wireless iTTL system, that it’s fun. Flash is fun again and even more, an effective storytelling tool!
Jul 6, 2016 | Field Reports
RIGHT NOW!!! AND $300 of select lenses!!!!
Jun 28, 2016 | Field Reports
This is such a little thing, almost seems silly to blog but it’s a biggie to me. Attaching and detaching my Really Right Stuff plates at times is like hand to hand combat! The biggest issues are trying to attach in a hurry, detach in a hurry or doing either with gloves on. That L Wrench just doesn’t cut it for me (need one, have a drawer full!). My original miniature speed wrench lost its bit so went looking for a replacement. That’s when I came across the Neiko, small, light and fully functional even with gloves on. Best thing, it makes attaching and detaching darn easy and fast. I found mine at Amazon but they are readily available. Like I said, not really a big deal but it’s the little things that can make photography fun :-)
Jun 28, 2016 | Field Reports
Do you own a 14-24AFS? I’ve had mine since they were first introduced in 2007. It comes with a Slip On Front Lens Cover which does a great job of protecting the large front element until it gets used alot. Then it just falls off on its own. I had this happen to me so I went and got the LensCoat Hoodie (actually mine is from NPS from long ago). It’s not the same as the plastic cap that comes with the 14-24AFS as its front has some play in it. So I always zoom my lens back to 24mm when I put the Hoodie on. The video above demonstrates just what I’ve talking about. It’s a small thing but it protects a big element!
Jun 27, 2016 | Field Reports
Printing is such an important aspect of photography! There is much that goes into the great print and probably no more so than paper. Epson has available in large sheet and rolls their new, Legacy papers and they are simply gorgeous! The Legacy Platine Paper and Legacy Baryta Paper is the “glossy” papers in the new line. The Legacy Fibre Paper and Legacy Etching Paper are the “matte” finish papers. While they are gorgeous papers no matter what printer, to get the most from these legacy papers you want to use one of the new generation Epson Printers like the P800. The one thing the web cannot do is display the spectacular nature of these papers nor how YOUR images will glow using these papers. Epson has a sample pack available with these four papers. I encourage you to get it and do your own testing. I have my preferences already and have a stock of Legacy Platine Paper and Legacy Fibre Paper in the office I’m using for my printing. Now I’m tardy in getting my Print Lab updated with these new papers so wanted to make sure for those interested in such things, you were kept up to date.
