PW’s Coming today

I had a problem with the infrared sensors( wireless) with my off camera flash units- so I’ve opted for a set of Pocket wizards!
They should be delivered today – stay tuned…………

 

New Lightbox ( and my puppies)

Just got a new Photoflex lightbox for my Canon speedlight flashes- It’s relatively small, and even better- my subjects didn’t pay a bit of attention to it at all .

Chico telling me his story

Someone wants to share the bone….

Everybody’s happy now!

OK, I know these photos  aren’t “art” by any stretch- but they were willing to work cheap ( notice the rawhide bones…) and they didn’t mind the hours ( It was late) plus I get to post my “test shots’

The softbox is on sale right now  from $159.00  on special for $89.95+ shipping

Heres a link to get your own:

Photoflex

The new monitor in the room……

so here is the monitor review I promised.

First of all; the monitor is to todays photographer what the rosetta stone was for language- it defines how we communicate with each other.
not all monitors are created equal-and this one isn’t perfect- but was priced right.

the brand is VIEWSONIC  and the particular model is VX2240W ( although I later found out they had more “professional” versions- more on that later) These are fast (2 Milisecond) displays and have a native resolution of 1680×1050- very nice.

Upon first glance, it is sleek and at around $250.00 to $300.00 ( depending on where you get it) it looks OK out of the box.
But NO monitor is completely set up until it’s calibrated. this is where things got interesting……Lots of control over all  parameters of how the monitor displays an image.

If you set the gamma first, you’ll find that the screen is too bright and some calibration systems have a problem until you “dial it down” a bit on brightness and contrast. I had to start around 47 contrast and 70 brightness. This is in part due to it being a “gamers” monitor- the settings are a bit higher than you’d use for photographs.

After that , the calibration was straightforward ( I was using a Gretag MacBeth eye 1  calibration device)
*NOTE* Be sure and turn  off “HIGH DYNAMIC CONTRAST” in the manual settings – it’s way too much for photo editing.

One of the nice things about the VX2240W ( and a selling point to me) was the fact that I could adjust the Red, Green and Blue settings individually on the monitor- this is pretty precise and works with your color temperature settings..

Am I glad I dumped my CRT? No- not really. It was much more accurate for what I do, but as it is hard to find one new- it’s better to join the ranks and get used to editing on an LCD monitor along with everybody else these days.

Is there a difference between a $1200.00 monitor and one for $300.00? You betcha! Better componants, better calibration, better display- But for the price- if you can’t afford the more expensive monitor right off- this is a good one to start with.

Will I get an Eizo or lacie flat panel in the future? Probably- but not for a while yet…..as long as the viewsonic keeps buying me some time…….

One More Thing- Viewsonic says they have a P model ( professional graphics LCD) for a bit more- so that may be worth a look as well- I didn’t get one because I couldn’t try it out- they aren’t available in a store near where I am- and I’m all about hands on testing of new unproven ( at least to me) equipment- but I would probably spend a little more and get one of those ( hindsight being 20-20!)

this isn’t the “end all be all ” monitor for professionals- and I will upgrade to the “big boy” flat panels at a later time- but for now( and since my CRT died) this will do………..

Confidence and the image….

I just got a new monitor to use for my photo editing. My last CRT was reliable and true-til it wasn’t anymore. I calibrated right before I started editing a recent job and everything was good to go; or so I thought…..

Got my proofs back- they were Magenta/Red and dark- NOT my labs fault! My monitor calibration had “slide” and it was time to replace it.
Here is where the heart ache came in- CRT’s are a thing of the past- it’s now LCD flat screens on the market with a BIG gap between useable ones for graphics and crap! ( $100.00 up to $5000.00 dolars)

After a lot of research- I finally found one that doesn’t break the bank! ( Did I mention a LOT of research….)
I’m not going to announce it or the model number just yet- I am running some tests and should have print results later this  evening- but if all holds true and the color/density is set up right- I’ll give out details in the next couple of days- if it sucks- I’ll tell you that too……Did I metion the monitor is less than $500.00?
That’s right; less than Five Hundred dollars……….

Ready to photograph iceburgs…

A shot from last night as we were testing a new set of studio lights.

It was anything but cold on set, and this mountaineering parka is down filled…….*whew*
One of only Three test shots made….-LOL

BTW: I really would like to photograph iceburgs…..

R Strap review

Hey gang! back in town from a whirlwind “fall foliage” WV tour!
I promised I’d tell you my thoughts on the new R Strap- well here it is:

WOW! I never thought I’d get excited about a strap ( not THAT kinda strap anyway…) but it really does make a difference in how you use your camera.
1) the weight load is better on your neck- My camera is close to 10 pounds with extra batt grip, and heavy lenses. No neck strain!
2) Keeps the camera from swinging around so much when you move around. Very well balanced, so the camera stays next to your hip.
3)The ease of bringing the camera up to my eye. Even while I wore the strap under my jacket. Just a quick motion and BOOM! Ready to take a shot.

Overall, it felt very comfortable and natural. not something I can always say about lugging a camera around with me- If you carry a camera, this is the strap to carry it with.

My R-Strap is here!

For those who don’t know what that is:

Basically, it’s a camera strap that allows you to sling a camera over your shoulder and raise the camera without moving the strap itself. This is a big deal for two reasons. 1) you can wear the camera under a jacket or coat and raise you camera without fussing with your clothes.2) it helps keep your camera out of the way to the side instead of in front of you all the time.

I’ll let you know next week of my opinion- I’m going to be shooting around the state a lot for a few days and I’ll be giving it a workout!

Thanks to David DuChemin for letting all of us know of the R-Strap and Blackrapids existance!