Shootout for SoCal Photographers

It's been awhile, and during this hiatus I was able to participate in the second gathering of local Southern California photographers at the Fullerton Sport Complex. There were five models and twenty or so photographers; all levels were being represented, amateurs to professionals, so it was very welcoming experience. This was my first semi-formal "outing" using my dedicated strobe (285HV), so I knew there would be a blend of known and unknown factors for me to deal with. The event started mid-day and so again, I had to battle with harsh sun and hard shadows. I was able to successfully hack-sync my strobe to my camera via pc cable to combat the conditions. With all that said and done this was a very inconvenient solution; impromptu settings does not a pc cable link make. Since I was moving independently from the models and vice versa, a stationary strobe was not the ideal solution. Which is why I placed my order for some wireless triggers and hopefully I will receive them soon (hooray). So for the remainder of the shoot I positioned the strobe on-axis with my camera, and as being a dedicated unit, I was still able to use full manual shutter speeds and flash power. How wonderful is that?

Study: Newport Back Bay

So this weekend I had an opportunity to enjoy, explore, and take some photos at Newport Beach's Back Bay. Although I didn't take my dedicated strobe along for the walk, I knew that if I wanted to take some interesting shots I could use my on-board flash, and get things lit that way. With the D70s' higher flash sync speed (1/500) and flash exposure compensation, the ambient light or in this case mid-day sun, can be controlled more easily. This means for me, instead of waiting for the "right" light, I just make it myself. How wonderful is that? The process? Set your camera to its highest flash sync speed, and adjust the aperture to the appropriate exposure you are trying to achieve. Depth of field will be compromised since you're limited by your camera's ability to sync with its flash, after all, the research and development department at the manufacturers want you to take "good" pictures not bad ones. How ironic. So try this yourself and see if you come away with some great pics when you think you couldn't cause the sun was too harsh.

Lightbox: Macro for no moola

So this weekend I puttered around the old "mi casa es su casa" and decided to build a tiny lightbox "pro-bono" style. What can you say, "I'm cheap". The lightbox only cost me an hour out of my day, and nothing out-of-pocket (cardboard and tissue, people). All this without a mere peek or clicky-click on eBay (see previous post). Anyways, since I was able to complete this project on the cheap, I had to kick it up a notch just a wee bit, and added a nice and very sexy black granite base (thank you very much Home Depot). Since I know that all of you can afford such luxuries post-Bush administration, build one for yourself. Size doesn't matter (ahem, cough, cough), so go experiment, and super-size your photos.

Ninth wonder of the world: eBay

Will the wonders of eBay ever cease? Since the creation of the strobist movement, dedicated strobes have been a somewhat pricey option for the amateur/recreational photographer. Thank you so much Mister David Hobby. Not long ago these units were available from $35 to $55; now those days are gone (with the wind), and now expect to cough over at least a cool c-note. So what can we do to offset rising oil prices, and a weaking economy? eBay y'all. With a little work, blood, sweat, and tears, spectacular deals can be had. With the right search terms you can narrow the billions of results, and get right down to the nitty gritty. Recently I scored a Vivitar 285HV for a mere $60. Not bad, considering it comes with a nifty Minolta SRT101 35mm film camera w/ 35mm (1.7) lens. So do some homework, and be rewarded with the ability to shoot some great photographs.

Gadget Infinity: v4 Triggers

All hail and rise for the wireless trigger gods have truly blessed us in this merriest month of March. Gadget Infinity updated their news section today, and announced that their new v4 wireless Cactus triggers will be available for shipment on March 16, 2009. However you can pre-ordered your goodies on March 13, if you just can't stand the three extra day wait (I wouldn't blame you, if you couldn't either). As a reminder, this is on Hong Kong time, so set your alarm clocks. Anyways, Gadget Infinity must have sifted through all the web forums and emails, because they have taken into account what the basic user wanted. These v4 triggers are now powered by the industry standard "AA" sized batteries, and not those "I can't find it" lithiums, another added bonus is that the new models have a built-in external antenna; so no more fumbling around with soldering irons (equals fourth-degree burns) are necessary to achieve greater shooting range unlike the older editions. If you would like a further detailed review, Aki Korhonen has so kindly posted one on his blog. So unless you have a set of those ultra sleek and chic PW's, go and get some inexpensive v4's and tell me how it goes; that is, if you can beat me to it. Woohoo!

This thing has how many MP? 6.1

So with the pictures I have shot thus far, the D70s totally out shoots my SD1000. Of course it's a dSLR vs. a ultra compact point-n-shoot, but aside from the ton of adjustable manual/automatic features, lens (don't tell me, i know already), etc. the photos themselves are of greater quality and sharpness. Before I thought what most naive consumers believed (yes, I drank the punch too), that the higher the megapixels the sharper the image and so forth. This is wrong, or somewhat felt wrong after seeing the photos I've taken now. So I did a little research, and found an article worth reading, it's so aptly named, "Breaking the Myth of Megapixels" by New York Times writer David Pogue. Have cup of joe, and enjoy a good read; learn for yourself, what I learned the not-so-easy way.

Check out this pic of a sensor comparison of a dSLR vs. a compact one. You can decide which is which.

San Juan Loop Trail: More Trial and Error

Went a for a quick hike this morning at the Cleveland National Forest, particularly the San Juan Loop Trail. Tried more features and more settings on the D70s, and now I'm feeling more comfortable with my equipment (err..weird). Really can't wait to do some off-camera lighting now (so anxious), and work with other subject matter.
Still though more practice, practice, practice...