DigiRambling

Temple University

2011-12-23T00:01:00.001-05:00

My First Android

2011-12-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

I'm definitely thinking of getting an Android 7 inch tablet for myself for Christmas. Below are the top contenders:

Lenova IdeaPad A1
Pandigital Supernova
Pandigital Nova
Acer Iconia A100

Whittling it down, there are a few things I will need:

Must have Android market
At least 5 hours battery life
Capacitive screen
At Least 1000ghz processor
Under $250.00

I'm not looking to spend too much-I mean I have an iPad and a Nook. I thought about getting the Nook Color but I really want full-blown Android because I'd to start playing with it so I know something about the OS.
I will keep you posted as to my progress with Android as I said I won't be using it heavily, but the first month I have it I will stop using the iPad and only use the Android pad to force myself to get used to it. Eventually it will become my in-between-machine; used to surf the Internet and when I want to watch a movie when if I am trying to travel light but still need some tablet abilities & screen size.

Best Do-it-all Camera Under $200.00

2011-12-19T00:01:00.001-05:00

I fell in love with photography using the Fuji Finepix s1800, 150.00 when I bought it. It taught me a lot about photography, and really wetted my appetite for a DLSR. The current version of this camera is the s2950, and it’s still under $200.00, new. I would recommend this camera to anyone who wants to get a little more out their photos on the cheap. The important things to get with a do-it-all starter is:

Viewfinder to teach you proper composition
Be able to shoot in Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Full manual
Optical zoom of at least 10x

The Finepix is the only one in that price range that has a viewfinder, which I feel really helps you make the switch to a DLSR if you are inclined. Other good Budget do-it-all cameras that are only missing the viewfinder:

Canon SX150
Olympus SZ10
Kodak Eazyshare Z990

Reviews are luke warm about the S1800/S2950, but it’s under $200.00 People! Here is a gallery of pictures I took with it, some of them still my favorites even though I have a camera over $1000.00 now.

I just handed it down to my brother-in law this year and here are some pictures he took on the auto setting:

If you are thinking about going straight to a DLSR, get a used or refurbished (they usually have them refurbished in Canon USA’s store) Canon XSi, best bang for buck DLSR ever, but it will set you back around $400.00.

5 possible defenses Jerry Sandusky’s attorneys can use can use:

2011-12-17T00:01:00.001-05:00

He believes he is a giant bar of soap, and was just trying to do his job
He had his eyes closed
He himself is a ten year old boy, but he got this ticket from a old fortune teller machine on Coney Island…
He invited a 42 year old Philippino woman name DeSilva to shower with him, and she just happens to resemble a small tanned boy…
Some guy in a grocery store sold him a license to shower with boys in 1970, but he lost it last week.

Muspy.com

2011-12-15T00:01:00.003-05:00

For all you music lovers I highly recommend Muspy.com. What is it? It is a site that keeps track of your favorite artist and emails you when a new album from them comes out. Here is my current Muspy list:

Natasha Bedingfield
Indigo Girls
Christina Milian
Ani DiFranco
Wyclef Jean
Modest Mouse
Michelle Featherstone
JoJo
Mos Def
The Fray
Lisa Lisa
Rilo Kiley
Patty Griffin
Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
Saint Low
Anthony Hamilton
Madder Rose
The Script
India.Arie
Teena Marie

Quality instead of quantity

2011-12-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

I'm starting to get back into photography, but I'm not really feeling galleries like I used to. I just look at my old galleries and I feel that they're much more like documenting an area. Nothing wrong with that; my Paris trip is an example, but it’s not creating an image that really speaks to me. Hopefully, I can find a middle ground. My new focus is to create a body of work that I can look back on and feel like I took some good pictures intentionally. I want to create him a gallery of pictures that I can put in my home and in my office that people will look around and see the kind images that excited me.

George's Pizza, Reading Terminal

2011-12-12T21:03:00.002-05:00

Comcast Center Fountains

2011-12-08T00:01:00.001-05:00

Neverland

2011-12-06T22:27:00.002-05:00

I’m watching Neverland on the SYFY network, and every time I start to like it, it seems to miss the mark; I could not really recommend it unless it was to a true Peter Pan fan because the back story is interesting. But the Indian princess, I not sure why they chose that butt-ugly girl. The female pirate played by Anna Friel is nicely cast and played, though.

Train Station Mushroom

2011-12-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

Found this group of wild mushrooms hanging out at my sister's train station; I thought about urban foraging them (kidding!), but I just took their picture.

Stuck In WOW

2011-12-05T21:53:00.001-05:00

I have not taken any pictures in the last couple months because I have been sucked into World of Warcraft. I have played it for years , but started with a new character and the stress release of killing monsters seduced me to neglect all others. I gained 15 pounds, and let some things slide I should have taken care of. I would love to blame just WOW but TV does it to me also. It’s amazing how much you can get done in 3 hours at home if you are not watching TV or playing video games. With TV and video games you sit down, and the next thing you know 4 hours has passed by. I am restricting myself to WOW once a week, and only 3 hours TV a night.

Sunday Photo

2011-10-02T00:01:00.000-04:00

Germantown Revolutionary Festival

2011-10-01T00:01:00.001-04:00

My Brother-in-law took my Niece to the Germantown Revolutionary Festival, and he took photos. Nice photos all around and even more relevant because he took them with the camera that started it all for me; the Fuji Finepix S1800 (I sold it to him, since I have the Ricoh GX200 and the Canon G12 as my everyday cameras. I still need to get a new superzoom, but am in no hurry to right now.). He shot these on auto. I love the picture of the kids playing and the revolutionaries at the Porta-potty!

Gear Queue

2011-09-28T00:01:00.003-04:00

67mm Variable ND filter
Seagull Angle Viewfinder
Interfit Photographic Strobies 10m /32ft Multi-Fit TTL
Ring Flash attachment
Westcott 2331 28-Inch Apollo Flash Kit

Shooting Schedule

2011-09-28T00:01:00.002-04:00

University of Penn Module 7 Chilled Water facility
Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia
Lawndale Train Station
Olney
Wayne Junction

My Hobby

2011-09-27T00:01:00.001-04:00

It's been about 2 months since I posted, and... well, I had stuff to do. For me photography is a hobby; something I do when I have free time that gets me out and occupies my time creatively. When I am busy I won't be doing it, but things have slowed down a bit and I plan to start again. Hopefully this weekend I will go out shooting at a train stop if the weather is good.
===
Still need to take the Canon G12 out for a spin properly.

Sunday Photo

2011-07-24T00:19:00.000-04:00

Cheltenham, Phila PA

2011-07-23T00:17:00.000-04:00

Thoughts: Bryan Peterson’s Understanding Exposure (3rd edition)

2011-07-21T00:01:00.001-04:00

Bryan Peterson’s Understanding Exposure (3rd edition), is a very good book for intermediate level photographers (just above beginner). I don’t know if it really is good for people just beginning as you kinda have to have a basic knowledge of SLRs and cameras to get the most out of it. Often, when I read photography how-to books its more preaching to the choir than really learning something new, but this book really gave me some tips and techniques I had not know before and imparted some useful information. The section on flash and HDR is kinda thrown in, but the rest was useful.

GOOD

Lots of pictures and examples
Good explanations of underpinnings of exposure suggestions and techniques

BAD

Although Point & Shoots included, not really for the low end Point & Shoots
Flash & HDR section kinda thrown in
Not really for brand new camera users

Shooting Schedule

2011-07-20T00:01:00.003-04:00

University of Penn Module 7 Chilled Water facility
Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia
Lawndale Train Station
Olney
Wayne Junction

Gear Queue

2011-07-20T00:01:00.002-04:00

Mini-Giottos blower
67mm Variable ND filter
Seagull Angle Viewfinder
Interfit Photographic Strobies 10m /32ft Multi-Fit TTL
Ring Flash attachment

Ricoh GX200: The G12 Better Bring It!

2011-07-19T00:01:00.001-04:00

When I first decided on my three camera showdown (P7000, GX200, G12) I thought that I would be ranking them:

P7000 – very comparable to the G12, but cheaper
G12 – best in class, but overpriced
Gx200 good, serviceable, low lost alternative

The apple cart was first overturned by the poor showing of the P7000, which meant that unless the other 2 were real dogs, the Bronze medal had already been won. Sadly, my G12 is somewhere in limbo as it never arrived and my seller is putting in a claim since he got insurance on it (although strangely he did not get tracking), So I probably won’t be getting my G12 until next month. I like the GX200 so much that I have actually toyed with not even getting another G12 to try out as the GX200 is just about everything I was looking for, to my surprise. The G12 is the best in class so I have to give it a whirl, but the GX200 is so nice I might just keep it even if the G12 is a better all around camera. Why? The GX200 is a great compromise camera for all the things I need: it’s small, easy to handle, takes great pictures and is very versatile. It does make compromises that the G12 might not have to make because of its larger size and dedicated battery type, but larger size has it’s downsides; the G12 is not pocketable. Without the viewfinder the GX200 is very compact.

GOOD

Small size
EVF – A godsend in bright conditions where the display is washed out, the fact that it tilts is icing on the cake.
Controls not to cluttered – Kinda minimalist; just 8 control buttons, but they do enough things so you can get what you need done, I found that the P7000 had so many buttons you had to hold it just right when shooting so you did not hit/press something accidentally.
Auto ISO settings – Awesome setting where you give the range of ISOs the camera will use on auto.
Low-key look – Nice black matte look, does not shout “I am expensive, take me” and I imagine it would be great for street shots.
Nice manual mode - A lot of compact cameras' manual mode does not still give you an exposure bar so you can tell when the camera is properly exposed, having that in manual on a compact is a real nice touch.
Uses AAA batteries in a pinch – Nice, but emergency only to get you to the next charged battery.
Snap Focusing – Nice for quick shots, fixes the focus distance so there is less travel when focusing.

BAD

No Shutter Priority setting – Weird but true, was not a big issue for me as I rarely use shutter priority, and the GX200’s excellent manual mode makes up for it.
Short battery life – 350 shot estimate with GX200 battery and 45 (yes, 45) if you use AAAs, normally I always carry a spare but with all my other cameras if I leave the house to shoot 3 hours fully charged I rarely have to swap batteries, with this one I’m on my second battery or dangerously low.
Oblong Shutter button – I don’t know what this is about, I actual looked for the shutter button a couple seconds before I caught on. I guess it’s to save space, but it just seems…unnatural.
Short Zoom – 3x is all you get. They have a nice wide of 24mm equivalent, but I would have love at least 5x.
Cluttered settings menu – Once you want to change a setting that is not a basic shooting setting the menu is pretty poorly laid out, and not having a dedicated button for manual focus still bothers me. On the P7000, you just press the macro button 3 times and you get manual focus. On the GX200, the macro button is just macro on/off
No button to manual focus – Already whined about that
Expensive accessories – They have an EVF kit with the camera, but it’s kinda cheap not to throw in the cap and the EVF default. They are kinda pricey otherwise; I mean over $150 for the viewfinder is kinda harsh.
EVF useful, but poor quality – The EVF is a godsend, but it is not really high quality. Everything looks a little washed out and can make things look over exposed. I thought I would use it more, but because of the quality of it I only use it in bright sun, and at low shutter speeds for stability.

For me I am pretty sure the G12 will put up a good fight and will probably outdo the GX200 in all aspects except size, low-key look and uncluttered ergonomics, but the more I played with the GX200 the more the size, and actually being able to pocket a camera of this quality grew on me.

Sunday Photo

2011-07-17T00:01:00.000-04:00

Marbles

2011-07-16T00:01:00.000-04:00

More thoughts on the Nikon P7000

2011-07-14T00:01:00.001-04:00

Still playing around with the P7000, and liking it a bit more. I found a post on Flickr on how to improve the focus of the camera. The poster suggests:

Use Center -> Wide AF setting
Turn AF Assist of OFF - (under Main settings)
Drop EV to -0.7
Turn Macro ON
Set Focus mode to Full-Time (under shooting settings)
Do several focuses before taking final shot (two or three half way presses before taking shot)
Don't be too quick in taking shots (wrong exposure on screen is a problem)
Set metering mode to SPOT

I have tried method 1 & 4 and the focus seems much snappier. I also played with it using JPEG, and if you change the exposure while shooting JPEG, you do not get the wiggy split exposure you get when doing it with RAW files when the green light is blinking. But really, why would I want to shoot JPEG with this camera?

Also, I am actually coming around on the optical viewfinder. Still not overjoyed, but with practice, using center focus instead of autofocus if you sight dead center and focus, you can be assured it is the center spot. I then recompose estimating what will be left out of the OVF borders but still in the actual frame of the image. Still would rather have an EVF, but what ya gonna do?

I like it a little more, but the RAW processing times still suck. I’ll be putting this up on eBay unless the G12 and the GX200 really disappoint.

Shooting Schedule

2011-07-13T00:01:00.003-04:00

University of Penn Module 7 Chilled Water facility
Cheltenham Train Station
Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia
Lawndale Train Station
Olney

Gear Queue

2011-07-13T00:01:00.002-04:00

Mini-Giottos blower
67mm Variable ND filter
Seagull Angle Viewfinder
Interfit Photographic Strobies 10m /32ft Multi-Fit TTL
Ring Flash attachment

Initial Thoughts Nikon P7000

2011-07-12T00:01:00.001-04:00

Well I took the P7000 out for a spin Sunday, and used it just like I would have used my DSLR.
Initial thoughts:

Good

Takes awesome pictures, the image quality is stunning for a point & shoot
Very useful zoom range compromise for compact size
Lots of control and very tweakable
Definitely does not draw the attention that my 50D does.
Controls and dials, nicely placed

Bad

Raw takes so long to process for each shot. It takes about 10 seconds, and if you change a setting while it’s processing the shot ends up half old setting/half new setting. It really destroys the flow waiting 12 seconds after each shot to change a setting. So many times with my DSLR I take a shot, look at it, adjust, and shoot again with the adjustment. I never realized how quickly I do it. With the P7000, I would take a shot, add exposure compensation, and shoot again, but because that last photo was still being processed I lost the shot (it was split with the old setting/new setting).
Focus in low light or focusing on small objects is pretty poor, but they have an excellent manual focus mechanism, at least. It would be nice to take quick shots and pictures of moving objects, and you can, but more by luck than design, unless it’s in very bright light.
Menus a little busy; when you select some options instead of just using the scroll wheel to scroll through a value, they put all the values on the screen, and you go back and forth instead of like a DSLR, where there is only one value showing that changes when you scroll.
The optical viewfinder is just a joke, really. I have no idea why they could not go with an EVF. The view is not that bad, but it have no overlaid info so you cannot even tell what you are focusing on and when it’s in focus. Like the focus it works more by luck than by design. But to be fair, I have no illusions the Canon G12’s viewfinder will be any more useful. Optical viewfinders such as these just cannot be used to compose photographs; they are useful to steady a camera or to take a photo where composition is not important.

I have to be honest; it’s very sad that a camera that has so much promise on paper falls flat because of the RAW processing and focus. If you pay this much for a point & shoot they are calling a Pro-Am, then I have no idea why they would think you would not shoot primarily in RAW. If you stay with JPEG, this camera is only lacking in auto focus, but with the exception of RAW I would take my Fuji FinePix S1800 over this (its 1/3 the price and delivers 60-75 % of the functionality). But I must say RAW makes a huge difference in Post-Processing, so I will keep one of the cameras I am testing (P7000, GX200, G12) because RAW gives me so many options. But I do not think it will be the P7000.

Sunday Photo

2011-07-10T00:01:00.000-04:00

Ryers Train Station

2011-07-09T00:01:00.000-04:00

Shelving the 50D

2011-07-07T00:01:00.001-04:00

I will be shelving my 50D for 3 weeks as I test out the Pro-compacts I have bought (Nikon P7000, Ricoh GX200, and canon G12). Each week I will use just one, then move to another, deciding on a winner after 3 weeks. Then I will sell the 2 I do not select on eBay. This week I will be using the Nikon p7000 for all my shooting, With thoughts at the end of the week.

Gear Queue

2011-07-06T00:00:00.003-04:00

Mini-Giottos blower
67mm Variable ND filter
Seagull Angle Viewfinder
Interfit Photographic Strobies 10m /32ft Multi-Fit TTL
Ring Flash attachment

Shooting Schedule

2011-07-06T00:00:00.002-04:00

University of Penn Module 7 Chilled Water facility
Ryers Train Station
Cheltenham Train Station
Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia
Lawndale Train Station

Ricoh GX200 vs Nikon P7000...vs G12

2011-07-05T01:11:00.001-04:00

I have been looking for a multi-use compact that can take RAW images, as lugging around my 50D everywhere is becoming a pain. My current everywhere camera is the Samsung S1050, but it does not shoot RAW and has no image Stabilization. I am not looking for pocket-able, as my on-the-go-pocket camera is my iPhone. The Canon G-series is the best, but my budget could not go as high as the G12, so I looked at the Ricoh GX200 because I really wanted an EVF, and the Nikon P7000, as I heard it was comparable to the G12, but about 25% less and within my budget. I could not really decide so I bought both. I got very good deals on eBay and will sell the one I do not keep. If I like neither I might sell them both and bite the bullet and get the G12. I'll take each for an outing, and see which one I like best.

===Update===

I need some psychiatric help cuz I know I'm insane. I just bought the G12, and will now compare all three cameras and choose the one I like best. But as I said before my money is real tight, so I will need to sell some of my stuff on eBay, I will sell my Tlb (which is a wash cuz I just bought a Canon A-1-I know, crazy), my S1050, my old archos 5, any other old but sellable tech/stuff I have, and of course the losers of the GX200/P7000/G12 battle. Hopefully I can get all that to happen before rent is due ;)

Sunday Photo

2011-07-03T00:01:00.000-04:00

Mosaic:Fanta

2011-07-02T00:01:00.000-04:00

Shooting With a Goal

2011-06-30T00:01:00.000-04:00

Lately, I have been listening to the History of Photography podcasts with Jeff Curto from the College of DuPage, and they have been great. They really make me think about photography as this group of artists, and that I am one of them. It also got me thinking about planning exactly what I want to shoot before I shoot it. Normally I just go out and take pictures as the scene strikes me, but I never know what I might find. I have been giving myself project assignments, and this make me plan the picture that I want to shoot ahead of time. Now I am supplementing my other galleries with photo mosaics. So far I have done one about an office after hours, extinct objects in our recent past, and the different flavors of Fanta soda. in the future I plan one on entrances, and one about marbles. I will keep doing them as the mood strikes me to practice planning my pictures to look a certain way ahead of time.

Gear Queue

2011-06-29T00:01:00.001-04:00

Mini-Giottos blower
67mm Variable ND filter
Seagull Angle Viewfinder
Canon PowerShot G11
Interfit Photographic Strobies 10m /32ft Multi-Fit TTL

Shooting Schedule

2011-06-29T00:01:00.000-04:00

University of Penn Module 7 Chilled Water facility
Ryers Train Station
Cheltenham Train Station
Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia
Lawndale Train Station

Thoughts on the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8

2011-06-28T00:01:00.000-04:00

I have been using the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 and it's a nice lens. Underwhelming response, huh? Nothing wrong with it, it's just that it has not really blown me away. The Canon EF-S f/4-5.6 55-250 blows me away with it's sharpness. Maybe it's the IS that makes the difference, but I usually shoot at a shutter speed of the focal length of x2, so blur should not be that much of an issue. I still like the lens, better than my 18-135 IS because of it's 2.8 aperture, but I have yet to see a picture with it that I was stunned. I find myself using the Canon 50mm f/1.8 when I really need the sharp shot, but the 17-50 is still my default street lens. I don't regret the buy, I needed a fast lens and I could not afford the canon EF-S f/2.8 17-55 IS...Yet ;)

Sunday Photo

2011-06-26T00:01:00.000-04:00

North Broad Train Station 06/12/2011

2011-06-25T00:01:00.000-04:00

Coming Into My Style

2011-06-23T00:01:00.000-04:00

There are a lot of things I still want to learn and practice on with my photography, but I think I am coming into my personal style, the look that says me about how I take photographs: Mostly color, still life, and Urban. I would like to practice portraits more, but that is my goal for 2012. By then I imagine my style will change again.

Gear Queue

2011-06-22T00:01:00.001-04:00

Mini-Giottos blower
67mm Variable ND filter
Seagull Angle Viewfinder
Canon PowerShot G11
Interfit Photographic Strobies 10m /32ft Multi-Fit TTL

Shooting Schedule

2011-06-22T00:01:00.000-04:00

University of Penn Module 7 Chilled Water facility
Ryers Train Station
Cheltenham Train Station
Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia
Lawndale Train Station

My Love Affair with my FinePix S1800

2011-06-21T00:01:00.000-04:00

I consider the Fuji FinePix S1800 my first real camera. I had had cameras before, but they were point & shoot affairs I had in case I needed to take a picture; this mostly consisted of family, office pictures when nobody had a camera on them and travel. But it was more of having a camera the same way I always had extra batteries a USB charger, and a lighter though I do not smoke; the always be prepared kind of thing. The S1800 was the first camera I really tried to take pictures with on anything other than automatic. Heck, before then I did not know what an aperture was, much less adjust it! I have bought several cameras since then, but I always go to my s1800 in a pinch when I want a quick good-looking shot with no hassle, and the 18x zoom still beats anything else I have. It is that camera that created my love of photography, and actually gave me a hobby. I might get and use other cameras (I am currently lusting after the Canon G11), but I will always keep the S1800 in my camera collection.

Sunday Photo

2011-06-19T00:01:00.000-04:00

Mosaic: Extinct

2011-06-18T00:01:00.000-04:00

Gear Queue

2011-06-15T00:01:00.001-04:00

Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM EF
Interfit Photographic Strobies 10m /32ft Multi-Fit TTL
Mini-Giottos blower
Seagull Angle Viewfinder
Lightsphere collapsible

Shooting Schedule

2011-06-15T00:01:00.000-04:00

Temple Train Station
UPenn Module 7 Chilled Water facility
Ryers Train Station
Cheltenham Train Station
Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia

Thoughts: Canon 55-250 f/4-5.6 IS

2011-06-14T00:01:00.000-04:00

When choosing my first long Canon lens, I could not decide between the 70-300 IS and the 55-250 IS. The 70-300 was a bit bigger profile than I wanted, but I kept hearing that the 55-250 was a cheaply made lens. I do a lot of city photography, and I did not want a lens that stood out so I eventually went with the 55-250 because of its small size (I bought from reputable place in case I needed to return). I am so happy I made the decision. It is so much sharper than I could have imagined for a sub-$250.00 lens. I find I use the 55-250 more than my Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, which I thought would be my everyday lens. Typically when I go out shooting, I walk around shooting with the 17-50, and then on the way back I switch to the 55-250 for new perspective on the area. I cannot recommend this lens enough.

Shooting Schedule

2011-06-08T00:01:00.001-04:00

Temple Train Station
UPenn Module 7 Chilled Water facility
Ryers Train Station
Cheltenham Train Station
Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia

Gear Queue

2011-06-08T00:01:00.000-04:00

Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM EF
Seagull Angle Viewfinder
Interfit Photographic Strobies 10m /32ft Multi-Fit TTL
Mini-Giottos blower
Lightsphere collapsible

The Transition to Manual

2011-06-07T00:01:00.000-04:00

3 weeks ago I switched to shooting manual, now I only use aperature priority if I need a quick shot and do not have time to meter manually. It has been an interesting experience. I am really starting to get a feel for my camera (the 50D seems to meter about 1/3 stop lighter than it should), and I definitely feel more in control. The next and hardest step is feeling when I will have to override metering based on the scene. I am still shooting and checking, shooting and checking, but less and less. Once I get my 430 ex II I will get a couple more cheap flashes and triggers and start playing with flash manual settings.

Sunday Photo

2011-06-05T00:01:00.000-04:00

Allegheny Train Station

2011-06-04T00:01:00.000-04:00

Sunday Photo

2011-05-29T00:01:00.000-04:00

Mosaic: After 5

2011-05-28T00:01:00.000-04:00

Getting better pictures

2011-05-26T00:01:00.000-04:00

Before I got my Tamron 17-50 2.8 Di II I was so worried about getting a lens with IS, as I thought that would get me better pictures. My Tamron does not have IS, but I have found through using it one of the main reasons for some of my lack of sharpness in some of my photos. I had been relying so heavily on IS with my 18-135 that I let my shutter speeds sink dangerously low, and it caused some blur. Fast shutter speeds really help with image sharpness. I now really move around my ISO to keep my shutter speed of at least 80.

I have also been moving to manual and now shoot about 75% manual. For me I am learning, but once I get the hang of it I see myself shooting 60-70% manual especially since I primarily do landscape and stills.

Shooting Schedule

2011-05-25T00:14:00.000-04:00

Temple Train Station
UPenn Module 7 Chilled Water facility
Ryers Train Station
Cheltenham Train Station
Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia

Gear Queue

2011-05-25T00:01:00.000-04:00

Op/Tech Envy Strap
Seagull Angle Viewfinder
Canon 430EX II Speedlite
Interfit Photographic Strobies 10m /32ft Multi-Fit TTL
Lightsphere collapsible

Doing more Singles

2011-05-24T00:01:00.000-04:00

I love doing Photo Essays and Mosaics, but I need to try to do more single shot images. That is, picture an image, and bring that image to reality, instead of a series of images. I am working my way up to it with some of my recent Mosaics, and am slowly adding single shot images into my photo-bucket list, which is a list of all the places and things I want to photograph.

Sunday Photo

2011-05-22T22:57:00.000-04:00

East Falls Train Station, Philadelphia PA

2011-05-21T20:07:00.000-04:00

Foam Core Hooks

2011-05-19T00:01:00.000-04:00

I have been getting some 12x18s of my pictures done on MPIX, and I really like the quality. The backing I use is foam core and I do not put them in a frame I, just put the foam core straight up. I work in an office, and I did not want to put nails in the walls so I used wall putty of various types, and the pictures kept falling down eventually, leaving stains on the walls, and pulling off some of the paint. I gave up and went with nails, but special ones for hanging light pictures that were almost needle thin and leave a very tiny mark. I was also able to find some picture hooks specifically for foam core pictures. The only tricky part is to make sure you place the hooks in the exact center of the picture. I measure halfway and put the hook in the middle. They hung fine, and were much less work that fiddling with all the "no-stick" stuff. I am moving away from foam core pictures though, and will be trying frame-less frames next month as the foam core really limits what you can do with the picture as you cannot take it off the core, and the foam core does not protect the picture much.

Shooting Schedule

2011-05-18T22:08:00.000-04:00

Trenton Avenue arts fair
Allegheny Train Station
Temple Train Station
UPenn Module 7 Chilled Water facility
Ryers Train Station

Gear Queue

2011-05-18T22:05:00.000-04:00

Canon 430EX II Speedlite
Angle Viewfinder
67mm Variable ND filterCanon
100mm f/2.8 Macro USM EF
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM

Getting my head together

2011-05-17T00:23:00.000-04:00

This weekend I was supposed to go out and do some shooting but I just was not feeling it. Partially because my weight is really starting to affect my energy level and mobility and I really need to address it to be a better photographer. I find myself really limited in kneeling and sitting shots because of my weight, so that's something that has to change. I also wanted to put some concrete photography projects and personal projects in my organizer (I use Toodledo) on the horizon. The bulk of my shooting now is just going out and shooting what looks good. I would like to plan a bit more.

Sunday Photo

2011-05-15T00:01:00.000-04:00

Wissahickon Train Station

2011-05-14T00:01:00.000-04:00

Thoughts: 50D

2011-05-12T00:01:00.000-04:00

I have had the 50D for almost a month and here are my thoughts:
GOOD

Great size - I have big hands and can move around much easier than on the XSi. The XSi is a great camera, but I was always a little cramped on it.
6.3 Frames per second - Love it for action shots and moving objects. I also like that they have a slow rate of 3.1 Frames/sec that you can choose.
Top LCD - really nice for at a glance changes, and now I only need the back LCD for viewing pictures.
Lotsa Buttons - on the XSi a lot of changes I had to make in the menu or use the back LCD, on the 50d there are a lot of shooting function dedicated buttons, and that means I can make many changes with my eye in the viewfinder.

BAD

Back LCD - very dim, might just be mine but I really have to crank up the brightness, and a real pain in bright sunlight.
CF card - I know it's faster, but its just one more type of media to carry around.
No dedicated EV button/Dial - Amazing to me they do not have a dedicated exposure value button
A-Dep - Is it me or does automatic depth of focus, always use a focal length of 3.5?
Metering - The 50D seems to have less dynamic range than the XSi. I'm am sure it's my imagination, but I shoot a lot of landscape shots and I seem to be getting a lot more clipping in the sky.

All in all I am very pleased with the camera and it has cured my camera body lust for a few years at unless one of my bodies breaks or is stolen. For many photographers the siren call of full frame awaits, but I feel no desire for FF. I would love to get a 100% viewfinder, but that's about it. I can see getting a 7d in a couple years but for now I good.

Gear Queue

2011-05-11T00:01:00.001-04:00

Canon 430EX II Speedlite
Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM EF
67mm Variable ND filter
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM
Angle Viewfinder Viewer

Shooting Schedule

2011-05-11T00:01:00.000-04:00

Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta
Allegheny Train Station
Temple Train Station
UPenn Module 7 Chilled Water facility
Ryers Train Station

Review: Canon 50D: From Snapshots to Great Shots, Jeff Revell

2011-05-10T00:01:00.000-04:00

From Snapshots to Great Shots, by Jeff Revell, is a very good book for someone whose first DSLR is the 50D. It does a good job going over the key functions of the camera, and more importantly for beginners, has some really good chapters on lighting, exposure, and composition. If you have owned a DLSR before then the book goes over the basics a bit to much but if it's your first DLSR I would reccomend this book over my favorite camera guides by David Busch. I would also recommend getting the physical version instead of the E-version. It does alot of its teaching via pictures the author has taken, and you can't really see them clearly in an E-book.

Sunday Photo

2011-05-08T23:38:00.000-04:00

2011 Penn Relays

2011-05-07T00:01:00.000-04:00

Review: Canon EOS 50D (Magic Lantern Guides Series) by Rob Sheppard

2011-05-05T00:01:00.000-04:00

I normally get one of David Busch's camera guides when I get a new camera, but I thought I would try the Magic Lantern series as they were cheaper. Big difference; the Magic Lantern series is like an overview of the manual, not an in-depth breakdown of each feature like the David Busch camera guides. I was really disappointed, I wanted them to go more in depth about the features than the manual. Even though it's a bit more, if you are moving to another DSLR, David Busch's camera guides are the best. I'll talk about it later, but I would recommend From Snapshots to Great Shots by Jeff Revell if you are buying your first DSLR, though.

Shooting Schedule

2011-05-04T23:15:00.000-04:00

East Falls Train Station
Allegheny Train Station
Temple Train Station
UPenn Module 7 Chilled Water facility
Ryers Train Station

Gear Queue

2011-05-04T23:06:00.000-04:00

Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM EF
Canon 430EX II Speedlite
67mm Variable ND filter
52 mm Polarizing Filters
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM
Angle Viewfinder Viewer

2011 PIFA Street Fair

2011-05-03T00:01:00.000-04:00

Attended the 2011 PIFA fair, but I made the mistake of going at 4pm because I was hoping to see the aerial artists at 7:30pm. It was very contrasty, and with the crowd I could not move around much. The events were also almost completely obscured by food stalls or people and at 4pm half in shadow and light. Lots of photographers were there scrabbling for shots where they could find them. I am still working through not being intimidated, or thinking everyone else has the shot instead of just worrying about my shots. I was proud of myself at the Penn relays because I was stuck in one place with a max zoom of 135 and got some good shots. I know I should have tried harder, but it was hard to stand still for 1 minute with the crowd. I have to admit I was pretty bummed as I had been looking forward to the event. I tried to hang, but I’m no pro, so if I’m not enjoying myself what’s the point? Next time there is an event like this I will make sure I am there early.

Just a bad decision to go so late. I'll clear my head this weekend, and try to start thinking about the next thing on by shooting calendar (I'll also I will have my 55-250 soon, but even if I had it today I would have needed high ground).

Sunday Photo

2011-05-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

Manayunk, Phila PA

2011-04-30T20:30:00.000-04:00

Some Dude 01

2011-04-28T00:01:00.000-04:00

Took a picture of this guy as I was waiting in the bus to take me to the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Gear Queue

2011-04-27T00:01:00.001-04:00

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD IF
Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM EF
Canon 430EX II Speedlite
67mm Variable ND filter
52 mm Polarizing Filters
Canon EF-S 70-210 3.5-4.5

Shooting Schedule

2011-04-27T00:01:00.000-04:00

Penn Relays
PIFA Street Fair
Wissahickon Train Station
East Falls Train Station
Allegheny Train Station

Review Visual Poetry

2011-04-26T00:01:00.000-04:00

Just finished reading the book Visual Poetry, by Chris Orwig. Okay book, but neither how-to nor Art Book. I am a very concrete guy, so the poetry approach to the book kinda missed me. Each chapter did have a small section with actual tips, but for the most part it was very Zen; there are a lot of stories that are supposed to allow you insight into a... feeling about photography and inspire you. It's more of a photography self-help book than an instructional guide. Not my cup of tea, but for someone who reads or is interested in inspirational books like Carlos Castaneda, and is into photography, I think they would really like it.

Sunday Photo

2011-04-24T01:08:00.000-04:00

50D!

2011-04-23T00:01:00.000-04:00

Got My 50D last week, and is my first picture. It was raining, so I was snapping from the front of my porch. I did not go out shooting (so no gallery this week) as I wanted to read the 50D guide, get familiarized with the controls, and tweek it for my needs. It is a lot more camera than the XSi, but is it right for me? We'll see.

Review: David Busch's camera guides

2011-04-21T00:01:00.000-04:00

Since I have been doing photography as a hobby, whenever I buy a new DLSR I get one of David Busch's camera guides on the camera. I have had one for the a330, the A500, The XSi, and now the 50D. They are the best manual supplement books out there. He goes over each feature briefly and then in depth so you know your camera inside and out. He does not just touch on a feature, he talks about how you would use that feature in practice. For example, I never touched the A-Dep feature on my XSi till I read the book and really understood how useful it is. When I get my 7D someday, I know I will get the David Busch 7D camera guide.

Shooting Schedule

2011-04-20T00:01:00.001-04:00

Manayunk Train Station
PIFA Street Fair
Wissahickon Train Station
East Falls Train Station
Allegheny Train Station

Gear Queue

2011-04-20T00:01:00.000-04:00

Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 OS
67mm Variable ND filter
52 mm Polarizing Filters
Canon EF-S 55-250 f4-5.6 IS/Canon EF-S 70-210 3.5-4.5
Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM EF

Review: The Negative (Ansel Adams Photography, Book 2)

2011-04-19T00:01:00.001-04:00

I really liked the Ansel Adams first book in the series, The Camera. Lots of good history about cameras and stuff for anybody who is thinking of photography as a hobby. The Negative, Not so much. It has a few interesting points, but the whole Zone system hinges on the fact that you can tell the difference between middle gray and the gradations above and below that, and make decisions based on those gradations. If you can do that, why do you need the Zone? I understand he was trying to help, but the zone seemed like a primer on how to be a millionaire, assuming that you have something worth a million dollars. Never made it all the way through. I might try the third book, The Print, later, but I just think a primer about film development is not knowledge I will ever use. I don't expect to ever try my hand at developing film.

Attack of the pod people

2011-04-19T00:01:00.000-04:00

The were laying these white plastic balls in the river and it looked kinda science fictiony. Not sure of the real reason, maybe it was extraterrestrial in origin ;)...made me think of those big-foot pictures.

Sunday Photo

2011-04-17T12:58:00.000-04:00

Woohoo! Got my 50D!

2011-04-16T15:01:00.000-04:00

Last week I ordered a Canon 50D, as I really wanted a 2nd body. Now I can keep my XSi (which I still love) as my back-up. I have used the XSi so much the controls are second nature to me. Learning the 50D will be like starting from scratch again, but the picture quality, sturdy size, and the extra 3 Megs to crop will be a joy. Next up is my first fast lens, the Sigma 17-50 2.8 OS.

Philadelphia Cherry Blossom Festival

2011-04-16T14:39:00.000-04:00

The Second Spring Tree

2011-04-14T00:01:00.000-04:00

Shooting Schedule

2011-04-13T23:27:00.000-04:00

Manayunk Train Station
Wissahickon Train Station
PIFA Street Fair
East Falls Train Station
Allegheny Train Station

Gear Queue

2011-04-13T23:24:00.000-04:00

Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 OS
67mm Variable ND filter
52 mm Polarizing Filters
Canon 70-300 f/4.0-5.6 IS
Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM EF

The first tree of Spring

2011-04-12T00:01:00.000-04:00

I turned the corner at work on a chilly day, and Bam! Color. Aside from the pine green of the perennials, this was the first color I had seen on a tree. I had to shoot it.