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craigpjenkinsphotography

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Posts posted by craigpjenkinsphotography

    I guess the D7000 is almost mainstream now

    in Nikon

    Posted

    <p>I'll tell ya'll this; I just upgraded from the D90 to the D7k and am blown away by it! The D90 was no slouch in its own regard either. I still have my nose in the manual every time I want to change a setting but this will taper off with use. I have the impression the D7k represents all the features of the FX format in a DX package. I expect to be using this camera a very long time.</p>

    What to expect - D70 - D700/7000

    in Nikon

    Posted

    <p>I advanced through OM1 -> K1000 -> FM1 -> N70 -> D70 -> D90 and tomorrow the UPS driver will deliver my new D7k body. For me I have to stay with the DX format because I am deeply invested in those lenses. </p>

    <p>If you are making a choice between buying a new mid-level luxury sedan - <strong><em>OR</em></strong> - a complete FX package then that format has merits. Otherwise stay with DX and the lenses you already have.</p>

    Anyone concerned about Steve Bloom?

    in Nature

    Posted

    <p>Many years ago - about '96 I think - some pandas were on loan to the Los Angeles zoo. I happen to visit the zoo during this time. At the panda exhibit there was a 12' tall ladder with a huge camera and lens mounted upon it as well as a video camera. The photographer sat next to the ladder in a chair under an umbrella, in his hand was the remote shutter trigger. I looked over his setup and told him I am an amateur photographer and asked politely if he'd mind explaining to me his set-up. He was cool about it and told me this; The pandas sleep nearly all day long. Only a couple times a day they wake up, open their eyes, reposition, then go back to sleep. So to get an "action" photo/video he sets up his still camera for a wide portrait frame and the video camera on motion activation which will cause it to beep when it starts to record. Then the photographer takes a seat to read a book. When the panda wakes up and yawns (or blinks or whatever) the video camera starts recording and the 'beep' tells the photographer to start pulling on the remote shutter release. What does the public get to see in advertising the visiting panda? The poster will show an alert panda looking into the camera as if posing. On the TV commercials there will be a couple seconds of motion cleverly cut in to imply the rolly-polly panda is frolicking around its pen. I must have wasted 30 minutes watching that panda sleep - it never moved!</p>

    Business Card Feedback

    in Business of Photography

    Posted

    <p>I like the second one. </p>

    <p>I have helped many others with business card layout and from that experience there is one truth that keeps coming back. No matter how large the font appears in layout upon the monitor by the time it is shrunk down onto the business card it will be too small to read. Go big with the important parts like your name, email and telephone number then let the rest fall into fine print for the curious to squint at.</p>

    So who says third party lenses shouldn't be your first choice?

    in Casual Photo Conversations

    Posted

    <p>I follow the theory of keeping like things together. Back when all I could afford was used equipment I had no trouble making do with non-factory brand lenses. When I did finally purchase a new body/lens combo the lens blew my mind in comparison to what I had been using. As I gradually merged new and old I seen how much better the factory lenses are. Now that I have disposable income I stay with factory lenses. </p>

    <p>However, if I were to help an aspiring photographer get started with their first SLR on a shoestring budget I'd have no problem suggesting they explore used and third party equipment then work their way up from there.</p>

    My 1st art show/gallery/contest in 20 years - have a laugh on me!

    in Casual Photo Conversations

    Posted

    <p>~ I haven't entered an art show/contest since college but the past few years my wife has been needling me to enter some photos at the fair or other local venue. Reluctantly I agree to enter a private gallery/show/contest held in the largest city in the county. <br /> .<br /> ~ I mail in the entry form and $15 to enter two photos then comes the big day. The schedule calls for all entries to be personally delivered during a 1-1/2 hour time window in the early afternoon. This is terribly inconvenient for us working stiffs but I manage to get there about five minutes early. To my surprise they have been processing entries for about an hour already. This option would have been a great help to my schedule...<br /> .<br /> ~ My two photos are professionally mounted with double mats and wood frames with UV Plexiglass and I transport these in the protective shipping carton. When I check in a lady pulls up my entry form then asks to review my photos ("objectionable" material will be rejected.) I carefully remove one photo from the box, remove the cardboard corner protectors, then gently wipe away cardboard-dust with a lens cloth before I hand over the photo. She grabs ahold of the frame with her thumbs and palm heels upon the Plexiglass like it is a ladder. Then from a roll she peels off a numbered identification sticker and presses it onto the Plexiglass... <br /> .<br /> ~ After she set aside the photo I pick it up again and politely asked her to put the sticker upon the frame. She made a 'duh' look then moves the sticker. As I carefully clean away her palm & thumb prints with my lens cloth and 'breath fog' she explains to me how they will polish the glass when the photos are hung. Politely, I told her this is not glass but UV Plexiglass which is softer than glass, it may scratch if polished carelessly and I do not know what glass cleaner will do to it - maybe fog it. She got a look of panic, stands up, turns around, grabs a bottle of glass cleaner then runs off yelling to someone to only use water on the photos...<br /> .<br /> ~ When she comes back she handles my second photo with care. I leave. The organizers gave themselves two entire hours to display all the artwork before formal judging, a reception, awards, and popular vote. They need at least double that time and two days would be better. <br /> .<br /> ~ I return at the appointed time to find the gallery packed with people just like the can of sardines comparison. And of course the organizers are falling behind schedule. The event kicks off, awards are cited, and the festivities begin. It was so crowded nobody could step away from anything more than a foot or so and thus there was no way to properly take in any artwork. <br /> .<br /> ~ The reception ran for another hour and a half so I bail out for dinner then return. By now the crowd has thinned out pretty well and I am able to step back and see the displays. As you read the following keep this in mind; All the organizers are painters, and, paintings make up about 80% of the show. Photography makes up about 15% of the show and the rest is sculpture - mostly driftwood and shed-antler stuff. <br /> .<br /> ~ All the paintings are hung between about four feet and seven feet upon walls with bright task lighting illuminating every inch. Every painting has a little identification card pinned to the wall next to the painting. These ID cards are filled out in beautiful calligraphy. <br /> .<br /> ~ The few sculpture items are set upon a table beneath an overhead area light. Each sculpture has its own ID card setting next to it written in calligraphy. <br /> .<br /> ~ However, all the photography is hung on wire racks formerly used to hold DVD cases at a rental store. The entire photo display was set off to the side without any direct lighting. The highest photo was maybe five feet at the top edge and the lowest was less than two feet off the floor - the average display height was about hip level. And those little ID cards? Written with a blunt Sharpie marker and wedged into the corner of each frame - no I am not making that up!<br /> .<br /> ~ The only photo to win a prize had been worked over in Photoshop to give it a 'painterly' appearance. It was not even an HDR-gone-over-the-top photo but just some 'artistic' paint filter applications in PS. <br /> .<br /> ~ Interesting how all these "Painters" running the "Art" show pulled off a miracle to display the "paintings" properly in a very narrow time frame. Curious how all the 'painters' toss the photographic entries onto DVD racks off in a dark row by themselves at a perfect viewing height if you happen to be sitting. Interesting how all these 'painters' seen nothing out of place with the ID cards wedged into the photo frames or how those cards are filled out with nearly illegible blunt-marker-writing. Interesting how all these 'painters' chose what a few of us thought to be the poorest executed photo in the show - the 'photo-painting' - as a prize winner.<br /> .<br /> ~ I have to admit that it has been a very long time since I had this much fun keeping a straight face for so long. When we got in the car to drive home the moment the doors shut the wife & I nearly burst out the windows from laughing so hard at the situation.<br /> .<br /> ~ Am I upset? No. How can I be upset when I have so much fun? Will I enter a photograph in a show again, soon? Absolutely I will - but not with THIS particular organization.<br /> .<br /> ~ Is this experience unique? I do not know. How about you tell me, (but have fun telling the story).</p>

    Pet peeves - let's hear them

    in Casual Photo Conversations

    Posted

    <p>I've lost count of my pet peeves but here is a recent one. </p>

    <p>I set up at the start of a parade route standing on a street corner. This area is not the main parade route and so there were no "Spectators" crowding around for a good view of the parade. Most of the people milling about were involved with the parade one way or another. I stood on the OUTSIDE curve as the parade makes a right turn to enter the main drag - moving from my right to left. With the sun behind me this provides a photo opportunity to photograph each parade participant as they approach, turn and depart without obstruction of other participants. I thought I was pretty clever to position myself in such a strategic location. I stood at the corner with my toes hanging off the edge of the curb and a eight foot wide sidewalk behind me. For the entire duration of the parade pedestrians kept short-cutting the corner passing directly in front of my line of photography! About 1/4 of my photos have the back of some stranger's bust along the bottom portion of the image. I think I might start a special photo album just for these things...</p>

    In-home photography & security

    in Business of Photography

    Posted

    <p>About 20 years ago I got into the habit of packing a loaded firearm almost every place I traveled to. About 15 years ago I switched to concealed carry on my person. Back then, in Califailure, this was illegal so I did what is called 'carry discretely'. After fleeing the state as a political refugee six years ago I now live in a 'shall issue' state and so obtained proper licensing for conceal carry - (even though I maintain the principal that there is no need for a license to defend myself or my family, but just the same I got the papers to cover my ass.) In these past six years I have lived with a handgun within arms reach 24 hours a day and usually wear a 1911 anytime I'm wearing pants. Last year I earned my qualifications as a certified home firearms safety instructor and a pistol safety instructor. I find that with all my life experience and facts regarding firearms, personal defense, and concealed carry, there is no reasonable way to carry on any form of dialog in the subject with those who oppose the peaceful pursuit of life, liberty and happiness because for them all their thoughts and fears in the subject are based upon belief instead of facts. Facts and beliefs can not be argued against each other - its an apples vs oranges situation - which is why the two sides will never find any common ground.</p>

    Upgradeing, do I keep old body or trade/sell it off?

    in Nikon

    Posted

    <p>Its a done deal! My D90 will soon be off to a new home and a D7k should arrive very soon to fill the void.</p>

    <p>Kent, I was an early adopter of digital photography and half my interest in the hardware honestly is in the gadgetry. I've been in the "Hobby" since my first Polaroid and have almost always owned an SLR since 1984. In college I minored in photography and played with unbelievably expensive Canon digital cameras that by today's standards barely have enough resolution for display on the Web. When I purchased a Nikon Coolpix 995 I knew there was no turning back from digital photography. When I upgraded to the D70 the coolness went off the scale. The D90 offers over double the image size of the D70 and so this is the model I moved to next. Since then I have been watching the DX sensor size reach its full potential then come down in price. About 16.5 megapixels is all I expect from the DX format. To get more megapixels from the DX sensor will require individual sensors so small they will not 'see' light colors in the longer frequencies of the visible spectrum. Someday a clever engineer will find a work-around but that camera is too expensive for me. In the meantime, however, I was planning to upgrade to the D7k later this year. Then Japan & Nikon got the rug yanked out from under them. So I figure I'd better buy now while the pickin's are good. I expect the D7k to be in my hands longer than any prior camera of mine. The next time I upgrade I'll be going to the FX sensor which means I may also replace all my lenses as well. I'll have to pay for that with the wife's life insurance money so I'm not expecting an FX for a very long time.</p>

    <p>Now to answer your direct questions. I do have a lot of photo opportunities in poor light and I do have a 200mm lens that is not used nearly enough. Also I am developing my HDR skills as well and want to attempt subject that presently are not well suited - the D7k has a leg up over the D90 in this application. My flash is the SB-800 which I am please with and do not intend to replace. As I progress my hobby into an honest income I will be much more keen to balance the value of business tools vs business toys.</p>

    <p>Thanks everyone for the opinions. All were read by the wife & I and we value each one.</p>

    <p>Craig</p>

    In-home photography & security

    in Business of Photography

    Posted

    <p>A long time ago I use to work in Real Estate. A serial rapist began praying on female R.E. agents by asking to see an unoccupied home the agent has listed. Once the M.O. was realized the word went out for all female R.E. agents to team up when showing vacant buildings. Long story short - the rapist was shot & killed by an armed female R.E. agent. There is a lot to learn in this story...</p>

    Upgradeing, do I keep old body or trade/sell it off?

    in Nikon

    Posted

    <p>Thanks for the sincere response guys.</p>

    <p>My line of thought here is when I upgraded from the D70 to the D90 I got 102% more image size. With a jump that big I'll never think of falling back on the D70 as a backup. When I upgraded to the D90 my D70 was out of production and so the trade in value was a joke. I sold it private party to a acquaintance familiar with my camera equipment and thus knew what good condition it is in. I am still surprised how much $ I got for it in private sale, but the price was a fair one considering. </p>

    <p>Moving from the D90 to the D7k is only a 32% increase in image size. This makes the D90 reasonably close to use as a backup. Nobody who knows my camera bag is interested in buying a D90 and so if I do not trade it in then I'll have to sell it to an unknown buyer who may not be as easy to please. This is the part that makes trading-in attractive if I do not keep the D90.</p>

    <p>And I've been trying to get the wife to move up from her happy-snappy Nikon to a DSLR. She knows if she makes any affirmative sounds to this notion then I'll pull the trigger on the D7k and hand her the D90. That sword cuts two ways because if I follow this plan then I'll have to share all the lenses also - YIKES!</p>

    <p>Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, its been very helpful.</p>

    <p>Craig</p>

    Upgradeing, do I keep old body or trade/sell it off?

    in Nikon

    Posted

    <p>Howdy!</p>

    <p>I am ready to upgrade from my D90 to a D7000. If I trade in the D90 along with its:</p>

    <ul>

    <li>Nikon battery grip</li>

    <li>two non-Nikon batteries</li>

    <li>Nikon battery charger</li>

    <li>Nikon protective LCD cover and</li>

    <li>all original Nikon packaging & paperwork, </li>

    </ul>

    <p>(these accessories are not compatible with the D7000) then I might get a $400 - $500 USD credit toward the purchase of the D7000. </p>

    <p>Is it worth taking a hit like this to clear out the D90 or should I keep it for a spare?</p>

    <p>Thanks,</p>

    <p>Craig</p>

    Death Valley

    in Travel

    Posted

    <p>Since this is obviously your first time to Death Valley I just want to point out how extreme the climate can be, especially in the Spring and Fall. You should bring suitable clothing for sun or rain and temperatures from below freezing up to the 90's F. And winds can gust strong enough to nearly blow your clothes off - figuratively writing of course. </p>

    <p>My favorite place in Death Valley is the Race Track.</p>

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