t37traveler

<p>This release is pretty much in line line with what I heard from a PMA attendee - huge Nikon booth with tons of consumer grade products - new stuff was very disappointing in the pro level range. I am sooooo glad I got a D700, and that I have only 1 DX lens in my inventory (12-24). I ran some test shots w/it on my D700 - works fine at widest angle - vignette/black halo shows up at about 15.5 to 16 - it really demonstrates what you're missing out on with the DX. I'm keeping that lens (my only wide angle - for now and for a while) and my D100 - good b/u camera and the system for my UW photography. <br>

The OEMs are gonna go where the profits and sales are (profit is not a four-letter word). It looks like the big sales/profit growth may well be in the upper-mid range of the consumer level product market - all the photo sharing websites, on-line scrap-booking, soccer moms and dads wanting action shots, good photo quality and simple-to-use functions and controls, convenient, light weight... (how many of them really care about or need great bokah or rugged equipment). Then there are all the hobbyists and enthusiasts stepping up. and trying out a great new pastime.. I wonder how much the decline of the printed newspaper will impact the sales level of pro level stuff - will that market shrink noticeably - or are there enough emerging serious amateurs take up the slack? Segue - food for thought.</p>

<p>My suggestion if you want to keep a log of your critiques is that you drag a copy of the critiqued photograph onto your desktop (it will only be a small thumbnail unfit for repro), insert it into a Word document and paste your comments below it. If you don't do Word, you could try pasting your comments as the photo "title", or making separate folders, one of named photos with a corresponding text document that contains your comments ID'd to the relevant photo. Sorry - but when you critique, your comments are no longer yours - they are on someone else's photo and in someone else's gallery </p>

<p>Did you try going back to the instructors from whom you took photography classes at the community college and asking if they personally need or know of someone who might need an assistant? Photography is pretty much a solo endeavor. The pros can get very busy, and only certain people have a knack for and a desire to teach and mentor. I'd suggest you go to art shows, photo expositions, try to find an artists' league or interest group and join that. Most of those organizations include photographers. Check out any student interest groups at the schools where you took courses - take another course just to get involved. And you can hang out here on PN where you can learn a tremendous amount just by analyzing other members work. Last bit of advice - be your own harshest critic, experiment, read, and see where you make progress on your own and where you need help. Being able to define those areas where you have uncertainties ask specific questions will speed your development.</p>

<p>There is the League of Reston Artists, www.<strong >league</strong>of<strong >restonartists</strong>.org, which includes photographers and is located Reston, VA. and the Center for Visual Arts in Rockville, www.vis<strong >artscenter</strong>.org, which has in resident photographers and interesting exhibits. You might alos check in Northern VA community College - they have a pretty comprehensive photography program in the Alexandria Campus. The instructors may know of or be part of interest groups.</p>

<p>When in doubt, call the airlines and ask, giving a specific description of the item. Banned items are clearly defined on the carriers' websites. My experience is that they don't deviate too much from that. It doesn't have a sharp point or fire bullets, so you're in pretty good shape. The weight of the carry-on may be very importance now, so check that as well. Fifteen years ago Lufthansa already weighed carry-on bags. Different carriers do have slightly different restrictions, so check. Packing it in your hold luggage might be the safest; monopods and tripods are not the type of camera gear that stimulates the sticky finger types. I've flown numerous times with a $3000 Light & Motion underwater housing and a $1400 regulator in my hold luggage and never had a problem... but you can be sure that the camera body, lenses, and laptop go in the cabin with me. Although of lesser value, they are prime theft targets.</p>

<p>trial and error, but not so successful at that, bought the Adobe book on PS CS3 - it was OK. then I got Scott Kelby's book "CS3 for Photographers" - and suddenly "came the dawn" - the instructions were clear and made sense, and the book focuses (pardon the pun) on my primary interest - a digital dark room.</p>

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<p>I use an Epson PictureMate for exactly your purpose - print out postcards. You can download directly from your camera, although I never do. It survived 7 months at sea on a sailboat and never skipped a beat. I also like it because you buy 100 sheets of 4x6 paper and one single cartridge that holds all the inks in one package. It is set up to provide 100 prints from one ink/paper kit. I can usually get a few more. Cost of the prints is about 29 cents each. Epson product support has always been excellent. Be sure that these postcards are hand stamped; the automated machines in the postal system will scrape a white spot into the enter as it pulls the card through. I discovered this when I saw what had happened to a bunch I had sent to my father.</p>

<p>From what I have been able to learn, the more "consumer oriented" cameras from Nikon are made in China. If Nikon exercises diligent oversight, these products should be fine for the average family or interested amateur photographer. Their high end, professional level cameras, however, are more complex, more rugged, and by virtue of the market these cameras are aimed at, must be of the absolutely highest quality construction and components. The art of fine construction is learned over time by the assemblers. Japan has been making excellent cameras aimed at competing with the German and Swiss products for around 40 years.... need I say more about their experience regarding the quality aspect. However, remember that in the early years after WII, Japanese products were derided as cheap, cheesy and unreliable; Japanese transistor radios were the laughing stock of that product market. But Japan learned, and China undoubtedly will as well. Nikon moved lower end manufacturing to China for obvious cost-savings reasons. Their pro-level D series equipment continues to be produced in Japan. Personally, there are many products I refuse to buy from China, and it makes me sick to see to much computer manufacturing immigrating there. (I will refrain from my "China has got the US by the financial you-know-whats" and "anti-you-name-them-mart mass merchandisers" rants. As for why so much of our high tech manufacturing is done in SE Asia - check out the cost of living and average salary for skilled electronics engineers in places like India, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. These people are smart and well-educated and work for a pittance compared to what a company has to pay in the US.. Don''t you know, it really is all about the almighty $$, the bottom line, and keeping the share-holders happy? I'm not a cynic or rabid protectionist, but I think things are a bit out-of-balance. Nuff said. Let's go shoot some pictures.</p>

<p>Ed - <br>

My condolences to you. I lost my father last summer (1916 - 2008). He got me started in photography also. The first camera I remember is his Speed Graphic. I am slowly photographing his bw prints that I have and uploading them into a portfolio entitled "My Father's work. My father took photographs until the very end. When I took his Nikon home, there was a roll of film loaded in it. Two test shots were exposed to confirm film advance, then he put it away...leaving the last photos he ever took quietly waiting in the camera</p>

<p>Why have a tool available and not use it, especially if it helps you improve your work? That's like leaving the tractor in the barn while you tun over the cornfield with a plough share hitched to a horse. I actually never heard the expression "peeping and chimping" before I read this thread. Guess I've been dwelling in the digital dark. Pixels - hey, you know the expression about "it's the little things in life that count?" It applies to digital photography, and to further quote Shakespeare - "Out out damn spot." (BTW - your paraphrase was well done on Graphic Fusion - I really appreciated it). This whole aspect of "peeping and chimping" brings another thought to mind - for those of us who engage in "said practices" - can it also be said that we are "chimping at the bit..." (sorry - couldn't resist..)</p>

<p>It depends on what you want to do and the time period in which you have to do it.... do you want to simply socialize or incorporate career/interest-relevant activities. Depending on your constraints and preferences, tt could be anything from "name that beer" to critiques and discussion of anonymous work (attendee work or stuff from elsewhere). A creative team project is a good way to use a large chunk of time while people get to know each other: pick a single topic (shoes or hats or gardens or the color red) or have groups choose their own topics; divide the group into teams comprised of photographers, editors and designers of mixed skill levels and tell them to go create an ad for a concept, not a specific product. Take stills and/or video, throw it into PS, iMovie, do a slide show or whatever (this means that cameras and laptops will be required... but hey, these are young people full of creativity and energy, right?). Allot a given time frame to complete the project, then each group has to present their "ad" with lively discussion and fun for all (that was fun for all, not free for all). A chance to learn, create and eat....</p>

<p>Jim-<br>

It's definitely contemporary Celtic. I can't name it exactly, but you should be able to find something equivalent from artists such as Nightnoise, Natalie McMaster (and other contemporary fiddlers) or William Coulter.</p>

<p>Saturday night and it's not an emergency... Over and above the call, Josh..... (you'r'e not addicted to this site too, are you?) ; )<br>

We appreciate it.</p>

<p>This isn't a question; my husband found an interesting article on the CNN technical and science page he reads and passed it along to me. After reading it, I thought that the bird photographers and environmental/nature types here on PN might be interested in it as well. The link is : http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/03/26/pp.bird.usgs/index.html</p>

<p>Go to www.viovio.com and check them out. If you need any questions answered, you can contact them directly from the site - you will get a reply. I've kept my photos there for over 3 years and am extremely pleased. In fact - they are my on-line backup.</p>

<p>I sent Josh an email Friday night about this - I couldn't believe that photonet would condone that sort of ad, especially given their written position on "non-intrusive" advertising on the site, but there it was.... I also threw the question out on the last photo comment I made (before logging out due with blue flash syndrome ; }) asking if the people I was responding to were also experiencing this. I thought someone might have sneaked one past the gates - but what bothers me the most is that it wasn't even an ad for a legit business - it is a come-on..... and I was really PO'd. I certainly did not blame Josh or PN admin in any way, but I felt PN gurus really needed to know what was out there. Glad to see I wasn't the only one invaded and annoyed....and Josh, all the kudos and thanks. I know personally how tough and thankless sys admin can be; my husband did that as a contractor for major institutions before he retired. We can deal if we know that you are aware and working on a fix. Maybe we should all go out and shoot some pictures over the weekend instead of being glued to a glowing rectangle. (Le'ts see - when does that camera store close..?)</p>

<p>Hi -</p>

<p>The highway is full of beautiful accessible beaches. The "public beach" in Carmel is nice, especially toward the east where there are grasslands in the background. It is very accessible also. Point Lobos State Reserve has stunning photo ops, and you can drive to most of them. Across from the road from the entrance to the Sobreanos (small redwood grove south of Carmel) there is access to a big sandy beach. I live on the east coast and only know about this stuff because my sister lives in Carmel, and every time I visit we go hiking, beach walking, etc. I suggest you take a drive up there well before the wedding and check out the possibilities - get some local knowledge. Monterey Bay probably has some good spots as well.</p>

<p>Kent has a good point about systems, provided you can afford to make a wholesale change-out all at once. I would have to piece meal the change-out, even with trade-in/eBay/resale of the used DX lenses. As for getting a D300 - why do that when, assuming the average rice for a D300 is ~$1,600, you can get a brand new D700 body (incl. battery, charge and strap) for $2398 from a legit Nikon dealer on-line (free shipping)? I would weigh very heavily the choice of a camera that can do so much more against a system of lenses and/or an older model camera. I have seen some interesting graphic depictions on line comparing crop factor among film 35mm, various brands of early digital cameras and the D700. </p>

<p>Kent has a good point about systems, provided you can afford to make a wholesale change-out all at once. I would have to piece meal the change-out, even with trade-in/eBay/resale of the used DX lenses. As for getting a D300 - why do that when, assuming the average rice for a D300 is ~$1,600, you can get a brand new D700 body (incl. battery, charge and strap) for $2398 from a legit Nikon dealer on-line (free shipping)? I would weigh very heavily the choice of a camera that can do so much more against a system of lenses and/or an older model camera. I have seen some interesting graphic depictions on line comparing crop factor among film 35mm, various brands of early digital cameras and the D700. </p>

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<p>I just got a D700 2 weeks ago, upgrading from a D100. The D700 has a DX setting, so you will be able to use those DX lenses without vignetting issues. Remember that the "crop factor" of DX effectively increases the focal length of the telephotos; on my D100 my 70-300 when maxed was effectively a 450 telephoto lens. The 12-24 wide angle is so wide that you may not experience much, if any, vignetting on the "normal" FX setting. That is my only DX lens, purchased especially for underwater photography. Additionally, if your D700 goes back for annual cleaning and maintenance, you will be glad to have a familiar back-up. I have no intention of getting rid of my D100, one reason being that it is my underwater camera (can't afford another Light & Motion housing to the tune of $5K+ for the newer Nikon bodies). The second is that in good lighting conditions, my D100, like your D200, will provide excellent photos if needed. You'll be glad to have it. Also, I would highly recommend that you get the "Jumpstart Guide to the Nikon D700." It's a 2 DVD video instructional set that does an excellent job of walking you through the features and settings. It saved me days of familiarization and got me out shooting confidently within a day. It only costs about $39.9, The D700 manual is about one inch thick; my D100 manual is about 1/4" thick..... there's a whole lot to the D700. It's a "monster" : D love it!</p>

<p>David - I understand your question totally, and have contemplated the issue often myself and listened to experts discuss it. Unless we are in a situation where the guidelines are very precisely established, I think what we are looking at is very fine line that can be a very individual marker. A lot of "manipulation" went on in darkrooms (my Dad placed a coin on the paper under the enlarger to create a moon on one of his BW images that he was printing - that was in the 1960s). For me that is clearly manipulation, as is extreme addition or subtraction of anything - color, objects, exposure characteristics. Major cropping is a manipulation; extracting a good photo from a small part of the original shot is manipulation. For me, use of a layer constitutes manipulation. I'm something of a purist, but I enjoy the results of alterations and manipulations. I've even dabbled in creating abstracts from original images. Often I can't tell if a photo has been manipulated, and if the photo info doesn't say, well the "looks like a duck, quacks like a duck" rule of thumb applies. Personally, I regard the photo contest rules used by "Nature's Best Magazine" to be excellent standards for differentiating between "photography" and what I call "photo art." I don't think the level of manipulation is particularly important except when you are trying to evaluate skill behind the lens versus skill behind the monitor. Then it becomes difficult to compare your own images to others - how did they do that- did they do that with their camera - can I do that with my camera? Is it any less manipulation to use special effects filters on a camera that to use special effects filters in PhotoShop? No, I don't think so. Asking the photographer about a specific photo is probably the best way to learn, and to learn to discern. And you won't be able to tell all the time because of the vast range of photographer's skill, lens quality and post shoot processing tools. More and more I enjoy the end result and care less about the path taken to get there.... yes, it's still nice to know how much of a good photo is created with the lens - most of us are photographers first and graphic artists or "photo painters" second. Just... enjoy what is for what it is as much as possible.</p>

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