Spring is in the air....

Although, winter is still in full swing, the sunshine today makes me want spring to hurry up and get here! Do you realize today is only the second day of sunshine during our break. Get out and enjoy the weather, call in sick, don't go to work...

Christmas Light Show

I found this Christmas Light Show and I just had to share it with you. Enjoy

Merry Christmas To All

Merry Christmas to All!

Kitty, Kitty

Yes, I have added yet another to my surreal photos. I kinda like his pretty blue eys with a little smile. Actually, I wonder if this is how the pet feels when the flash goes off? Check out my flickr if you wish by clicking here.

Pot Head

Yep you guessed it. I have been working on some manipulations again. I like doing the manipulations, kinda gets my creative side going. Besides I needed to show that kitty Kats were useful, unlike tigers. Perhaps this will be my specialized area for the year. Most likely not, but a who knows. Any how, comment if you wish or forever hold your peace.

Mamiya 645AFD III

Scanning through Mamiya's site I have noticed a new addition or two to their products. The 645AFD III appears to have shown up. Read more about it... click here.

My Grades Are Posted!

Checked my grades on Angel and it looks like I can order my film for next quarter! See yall then and have a Happy Holidays! Ho, Ho, Ho... not Do, Do, Do.

UFO?

All this rain has pushed me into looking at old photos I shot in California. This is one of them. It was at a refurbishing lot. The man purchased odds and ends from people, cleaned them up and resold them. If I remember correctly the man purchased this from a town near Death Valley.

Art Wolfe

"Art Wolfe's photographs are a superb evocation of some of the most breathtaking spectacles in the world." - Sir David Attenborough
Over the course of his 30-year career, Art Wolfe has worked on every continent and in hundreds of locations. His stunning images interpret and record the world's fast-disappearing wildlife, landscapes, and native cultures, and act as a lasting inspiration to those who seek to preserve the very subjects recorded in Art's images. His photographs are recognized throughout the world for their mastery of color, composition and perspective. Art has also ventured into the world of television production with "On Location with Art Wolfe," "Techniques of the Masters," "American Photo's Safari," and "Travels to the Edge with Art Wolfe." Too see more about the series click here.

!!!!!100th Post Celebration!!!!!

Hi folks! I have created a video to mark my 100th post to my blog. Yes, 100 posts!! Join in on the celebration. Hope you enjoy the video!

Exit Video

This has been a long but very short quarter. I have created this video to mark the exodus. Enjoy and hopefully I will see every one in Jan 2009. Be safe and Happy Holidays

Freaky Reflections

If you focus on the center of this photo for almost a minute or so, then quickly look to the sides the entire photo appears to move. Freaky! Actually, I created this photo out of an ordinary photo of some trees. I wanted to see if I could create an illusion of movement. To see more of my photos click here.

Philipe Halsman

During the critique today Ms. Harkins lectured a tiny bit about this photographer. For those that do not know or heard of him, here is a video on some of his work.

Fantasy Photo

Miss Princess Charming is awaiting the return of her race car prince. Yes, this is my fantasy photo. To see more click here.

Final Photojournalism Multimedia Show

It has been a long hard quarter, but I have enjoyed it. I have seen a new part of the photo world and somewhat enjoy it. The multimedia show is the final project for the photojournalism. Enjoy.

Cheap, Soft, 360-Degree Light

The strobist blog has this neat looking light. It is 360 degree! If you get a chance check it out. Just click here.

HP Designjet Z3200 Review

HP has been trying to grab the professional market for some time now. Here is another attempt at the large format printer. If you would like to read the full atricle click here.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens Review

The question of sharpness with this lens was in question the other day. After looking at the reviews, the experts seem to agree. However, they also state the lens is very sharp at f/2.8 and smaller. So, perhaps a fix to our problems would be not to shoot wide open? To read the article click here.

Nikon Introduces 24.5MP D3X digital SLR

Nikon realsed their new D3X ealier this week and here is story presented by PDN.

"Nikon surprised only a few tonight by officially releasing its new 24.5MP D3X digital SLR following several leaks, some of which may have originated from Nikon itself." Like to read more? Simply click here.

New Widget Page

I come across this new widget page that has just released their software. They have some neat stuff for displaying your photography. Got time check them out by clicking here.

Sensor Cleaning

I created this video on cleaning your DSLR sensor. If you get time check it out, just click here.

Pet Shop Dreams

While out shooting a pet shop for yet another environmental shot, I noticed 5 year old Ann dreaming of the puppy she might have one day.

To view all of my photos click here.

This was my site for the Fantasy Shot. I hope it looks good when it is printed. To see more of my photos, click here.

Odd looking Bird

I was walking down this little path the other day and I saw this funny bird like an orange chicken, but it kind of reminded me of a plucked eagle I saw once before. Anyway, I took a shot and I love how the background was blurred just ever so much to allow the viewer to focus on the foreground. I thought I would share is photo with you. If you would like to see more of my photos simply click here.

Just Good Photography

I just happen to run across this site that has some wonderful photography. It is called ESPN. I mean look at that photo on the left; no blur, sharp, caught the player helping the other player to the ground. I mean this is just a great photo.
For more great photos like this just click here.

Studio Lighting

I ran across this site a couple of months back and well just plain forgot about it. But, the site has a lot of info and stuff about Studio Lighting. It is a pretty good site. Check them out by clicking here.

Best AFP photos in this year

This is a neat site and it has great photos as well.

If you get some time, you should visit this site. by simply clicking here.

Today I went to Turner Field to do a little more shooting. All in all it was a good day of shooting. I would have liked to have gotten more, and better shots but this is the first time I have ever shot like this. It was different.
Feel free to check out my other photos in this set, simply click here.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Off to Turner field today to work on my essay.

Oh Yeah... EAT MOR CHICKN!

A Night in the Dekalb County Jail

I have just spent the past few hours in the Dekalb County jail. Why? Well, Thank You for asking. This was the third site for my photo essay. My set was the Dekalb Country Jail Kitchen, posted photo. Notice no uniform lighting! The light varied by 3 - 4 stops depending on where you where standing. I was luckly enough to notice this early before I spent hours shooting. Anyway, I will be updating this as I shoot, so keep checking back. Take time to check out my photo on flicker, just click here.

Photo Barn, Big Sale

Today, while in Photo Barn, I learned they are having a huge sale starting Friday. 10-75 % off in stock items. I have my eye on a few items already. Got some free time check them out.

New Environmental Shots

I did a little more environmental shooting today at the BB bike shop. They were some nice people and are willing to help when the help is needed. Check them out and my flickr.

Infrared DSLR

With the advent of digital cameras it is now possible to photograph infrared light with your digital camera and greatly simplify the infrared photography process. To read more click here.If you have not seen this site and you are thinking of IR shoots, then by all means check it out.

Executive Portraits

The executive portrait sessions went very well today. Kevin, Nelson, Justin and myself teamed up to tackle our assigned people. However, during one of our waits, I found a new reflection to shoot. That is the reflection of people throught the bottles of coke (soda) vending machine.. Check out the other executive portraits on my flickr. Simply Click Here.

Smithsonian Photographic Services

Smithsonian Photographic Services (SPS) is the Smithsonian's central source for the creation, processing, distribution and archival storage of photographs and digital images. They have several collections to view. Recently, the Smithsonian has opened a new interactive imaging service, check it out by clicking here.

Casino for Cars?

I found this casino in New Mexico and for the life of me I could not figure out where the people casino was located. I drove around but all I could see were cars.
Got time, check out my flickr photos, just click here.

Glen Wexler - Pushing the Boundaries

Glen Wexler is an award winning photographic artist well known for pushing the boundaries of the photographic medium, creating digitally enhanced photo illustrations of manufactured or altered realities. His images are exhibited internationally, appearing on nearly 300 album covers, and on countless advertising campaigns. Take some time to check out his work, just click here.

On the Cover of the PhotoSho

What happens when you get photographers wanting to start a second career as a musician? Well watch this video and you'll find out. Just a little Sunday morning humor.

Photo Printing

Have you given much thought to printing after you leave the program? Some might have their own gaint geewhiz printer and others have no clue. I have used different outside souces and I like myphotopipe. They are an Atlanta based company, so you can go talk to them, they give you the profiles of their printers, and they are somewhat quick. If you are not sure, open an account and have one printed so you can judge for yourself.

Canon, Chapter 11?

I heard of this on Thursday, did some reasearch on Friday night and found this. It appears Canon is not filing chapter 11, but the fullfillment company is going belly up. Read the Article by clicking here.

Poor little bear

Mr. Bear is really earning his money during the holiday portraits. Lets see he has been a model, he has been choked, pushed around and now this.
The set went well tonight, I finally got a shot in, well other than this one.
Check out more of my shots on flickr, just click here.

Interview of Darren, by Katie Darby

This is an interview of myself by Katie Darby. Here some of my thoughts about photography and what I am focusing on after leaving the photo program at Gwinnett Tech.

Also, check out the new instructions for the MP3 Player Cover by clicking here.


Enjoy!

The Freelance Dilemma

To survive the creative, economic and emotional chaos of a life in photography your career must be designed for longevity. To achieve longevity, you must reconcile the conflict between what you shoot for money and what you love to shoot. This Freelance Dilemma by Doug Menuez addresses this conflict. To read full Article click here.

Environmental Photo

Here is another of my environmental photos. This gentleman looked real happy at his job, not something you see everyday. So, if he likes his environment this much, then we should share in his excitement. Like to see more check out my flickr.

Interview with Katie Darby, Part II

Katie Darby is a Gwinnett Tech Photography Student that has produced several wonderful photos. Take time and listen to the interview.

Holiday Portraits

Check out my flickr sets.

We have talked a lot about the holiday Portrait set and the photographers but we can never forget our partners the LQ folks. They provide support for us and we should give them the thanks due. Go grab a LQ person and tell'em thanks!

Digital Foci Pocket Album

Digital Foci is now shipping the Pocket Album Deluxe OLED 2.8 photo viewer. The new viewer fits right in your pocket, comes with viewing stand, carrying case, and wrist strap, and is available in popular colors of Red, Sky Blue and Charcoal. The 2.8" (320 x 240) OLED screen offers a contrast ratio of 10,000:1 and runs on Li-Polymer batteries with 5 hours of battery life. The device holds over 4,000 photos, and photos can be viewed by manual scrolling or with a slideshow. The Pocket Album Deluxe OLED 2.8 is priced at $99... (more) Another gadget to carry around. We need a utility belt for all the stuff!

Holiday Portrait Pressure

I am tried of you looking at me Mr. Bear!!! Every time I come in you just stare at me, never again!!

To see my entire flckr set click here.

Peeping Tom or Runaway balloon?

This morning while having my coffee and recovering from my 12 hour day in the studio on Sunday, I heard this noise coming from outside. I looked through the blinds and WOW a hot air balloon coming straight for me! After missing some tree tops they just went sailing away. I tired to get their names, but I don't think they were giving me much mind. Check out the flickr for all the shoots.

Blue and Green Screen Photography

During our holiday background issues, the blue and green screen visual effects seem to pop up in our conversation. I found this web site that has several links and suppliers, in case any of you are interested. Also, perhaps the lower quarter can start looking into this for next year??

The website is called Blue and Green Screen Photography. Check them out.

Orbis

The orbis™ turns your standard SLR flash/strobe into a ring flash for fast, easy, beautiful, shadowless lighting effects using equipment you already own !
The much-awaited Orbis Ring Flash adapter is finally coming off the production lines. Enlight Photo has moved from a teaser site to the Full Monty, with lots more details and pix.

Orbis is the first (non-DIY) competitor to the Ray Flash, and lowers the entry cost for a commercial ring flash adapter.


More details, FAQ, pix, etc., at Orbis website.

Sam Parker and Joe Tsambiras

http://vimeo.com/2214057 from Art Relish on Vimeo.

“Majestic Hours” showcases the collaborative drawings of Parker and Tsambiras, at Beep Beep Gallery through December 2. Video from David Allen Jones

Take heed Nikon'ers, there is a new Olympus in town

In September, at Photokina, Olympus announced they had a new Four Thirds digital SLR in the works. The new 12.3-megapixel Olympus E-30 is designed to fall between the E-520 and the flagship E-3. It shares many of the high-end features of the E-3 in a smaller, lighter body, less expensive body. Olympus calls the target E-30 buyer the “Creator.” It’s aimed at artists, designers, illustrators, art students, and other creative types and includes brand new technology that gives creative photographers new tools for “superior expressivity.” To read the full article click here.

Wow Fairies!

I have added another photo to flickr, under the manipulations set. Feel free to check them out by clicking here and leave comments.

How would you like to wake up one day to find your child hood fantasies looking at you? Well, not you KD.

MP3 Player Album Cover

Would you like to create a MP3 player album cover? I have the directions to do this, just click here for a PDF document.

A Quick note. If your MP3 player seems to just stop working for unknown reasons, you might want to try deleting your browser history and temp internet files.

Interview with Katie Darby

This is an interview with Katie Darby, a commercial photography student at Gwinnett Tech College. She tells use about a technique of using a cereal box as soft box. So, don't run out and buy those big buck softboxs until your hear this. For more on her blogspot click here.

Interview with Candice, Underwater Photographer

Underwater Photography, wow, taking your skills to a new level. Perhaps Ms. Harkins can get us a pool put in. Check out this interview with Candice.

HO! HO! HO!

In my film days, manipulations were not as easy as today. Pictured here was one of my first. This was done on a copy stand with two photos and some real off the ground leaves to add a sense of realism to the photo. Then I toned it brown. Copy stand work is interesting and just another way to enjoy your camera. You should try it someday. Oh yeah, Gwinnett Tech has a copy stand in the class room. And as I always stated, if you would like to see the entire set please click here. Would you like to make your own copy stand? Then click here.

Combat Camera

Not sure if everyone knows that the military has combat camera soldiers, airman and sailors that capture a lot of the footage seen in documentaries. I worked with these soldiers for a while during my service and I had a lot of respect for these soldiers. You see they not only had to fight and defend like everyone else, but they also had other weapons they were responsible to shoot - the cameras. Think about it, sometimes you were faced with which shot do I take first, the one that might save you or your buddies life or the one that might help the public understand why we were doing what we were tasked to do. Here is a link to a sight dedicated to these soldiers, just click here and you can watch several presentations.

True Southern Story Teller

"We went to tiger country, they put up a good fight, but then the tide rolled and it was all over." Pretty good for a three year old! Kareem was another subject of mine for the fill flash. Actually, he walked over and was trying to read the headstone. It was really neat how he would slide his fingers over the letters, trying to read the sentence. Afterwards his father asked "Kareem, what does it say" and Kareem answer "I don't know Daddy, I can't read". So, we made up this little story. I tried to capture the moment. This was taken in Lawrenceville, Georgia and he was not the planned subject of the day. If you would like to see the entire fill flash set, simply click here.

Meet Kareem, he is the child model I used for the child session. But you most likely already knew this. I thought I would post the photo I will be turning in, in the morning. The complete set is still on my flickr page, just click here to see it.

Home Work Assignment, Due 13 Nov 2008

Hi folks, just a freindly reminder about the homework, and a plea for someone to interview on Tuesday night, please.The homework is:
Interview in Garage Band (1:30 min, 3:00 max); Export as .mp3, burn to CD, including the garage band project file. Look under: student > Music> Garage Band; 7 Posts to the blog.

Sensor Cleaning

Seeing those little blaksih gray spots on your images? Well most likely it is dust specks on your sensor. The new cameras have built in sensor cleaners, but the older ones do not. All that said, I found this article I wanted to share with you, of course on the subject of sensor cleaning. Just click here and we can go look at it.