Archive for the 'Tools' Category

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Preview of the Nikon D3100: Step into Full HD

Published on September 14, 2010 in photojournalism, Reviews, Tech and Tools. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Nikon is stepping into Full HD

Nikon has announced their latest foray into the video-capable DSLR with the new D3100 which adds a 9th camera to their DSLR line up. It is supposed to be available in mid September!

This entry level model is the first Nikon to have full high definition (1920 x 1080 pixels) recording capabilities and likely heralds the coming of full HD to their high end line as well. One great feature on the D3100 is the auto focus during video recording!

Like it’s predecessor, the D3000 the D3100 is an entry level camera but has some great capabilities that can get even an pro interested in this camera as a backup. Here’s a rundown of Nikon’s latest:

Basics:

  • 14.2 megapixel DX format CMOS sensor for great prints even beyond 20″x30″
  • 3-inch monitor screen
  • Full HD (1920 x 1080) video recording
  • Up to 3 frames per second bursts
  • 11 point auto focus
  • ISO sensitivity from 100 – 3200 expands up to ISO 12800 equivalent
  • Auto Sensor Cleaner
  • Lots of user friendly features included like: Guide Mode, Scene Auto Selector, Image processing, In-camera editing, pop-up flash, etc.

There are lots of great previews out there reviewing the D3100, so I’m going to cover the features that attract me to this camera and a few that make me wish for more. Continue reading ‘Preview of the Nikon D3100: Step into Full HD’

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Fine Tuning Autofocus on your DSLR

Published on September 13, 2010 in photojournalism and Tools. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Do you have soft focus issues with your digital camera?

Some of Nikons DSLR’s like the D300 and newer  come with the option of adjusting the focus yourself if you know which way to adjust. Sadly, the D200 didn’t include that option. You might have to send the camera in for repair if it is a D200. Try reading over this and downloading the chart (It’s on the last page) to test your camera and see how it handles focus.

If you do need to adjust your focus, check out what Leon Goodman has to say. He also provides some great targets for download.

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Snapped4U — A tool for photographers to sell photos

Published on July 22, 2010 in business, marketing, photojournalism, Social media, Tech and Tools. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

I remember seeing photographers doing this on campus when I was in college but it was before every soccer mom had a super camera. Now you can have a basic camera and a few business cards and “work the crowd” to make money doing what self timers and tripods once did.  I’m curious how well this actually works and if people will pay $4 for a jpg of themselves.  Will people they actually go and check the pictures out.

Here’s how it works:

  • You go out and shoot photos of people at some event where there are lots of people.
  • Send them to Snapped4U’s web site
  • They search for their images and hopefully buy lots of them.
  • You get paid (via PayPal) $3.50 per image they buy.
  • They get a jpg of the image e-mailed to them.

I like the idea behind this, but wish they had a print option as well. For four bucks it seems like they should get a print, but that would involve printing and shipping…unless they teamed up with Wal-Mart or Walgreens to provide digital delivery to a location near you!

Maybe the future of vacation photos will be something like this…your family is out in front of the St. Louis Arch having a picnic and some guy comes buy takes some pictures and gives you a card to Snapped4U. You get back to the hotel, check it out and buy a few copies, post them to Facebook and click on a button to have them both e-mailed to you and prints delivered to your neighborhood Walgreens Photo Center. When you get home, you drop by Walgreens and pick up your pictures to show the neighbors.

Here’s what Snapped4U says about themselves:

Snapped4U is about getting pictures of people, particularly the group shots they can’t get themselves. Watch for events like concerts, fairs, festivals, markets, and sporting events. Think of places such as parks, beaches, monuments, and scenic overlooks. Choose a venue, then go when it’s busy and work the crowd.

via Snapped4U – The Place for Photographers to Post and Sell Their Photographs.

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Review of Gravity Water Filtration Systems

Published on June 23, 2010 in missions, Saving money and Tools. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

I’m considering a gravity water filtration system. These can be a key element to personal health especially when you’re dealing with water sources that are not sanitary.  Here’s what I’m discovering so far:

1. ) La Natural Terracotta Base with ceramic filter

Combines old technology (naturally cooling effect of terracotta with modern filtration technology. Pour 1 gallon of water into container and gravity pulls it through a “dual micro-pore ceramic/activated carbon filter that removes 95% of chlorine, pesticides, heavy metals including iron, aluminum, lead and 100% cryptosporidium, giardia and sediment.” Can filter 6 gallons a day…if you keep up with filling it. The filter lasts one year or 2500 gallons.

Costs: $198 (from watersavers.com)

Replacement filter: $72

Positives: Natural cooling effect is nice.
Negatives: Small capacity, heavy for shipping and fragile for transport. Pricing seems high compared to more higher tech and ones with better ratings than this. Continue reading ‘Review of Gravity Water Filtration Systems’

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Brands of the World | Download vector logos and logotypes

Published on June 22, 2010 in business, communications, marketing and Tools. 0 Comments

Did you get sponsored by a major brand, but they’re not sending you their logo? Look here and get an .eps vector logo and finish the project!

“Brands of the World is the most comprehensive library of brand logos in vector format. BotW is also a great place for designers to upload their logo designs and professional details to get exposure, recognition and clients.”

via Brands of the World | Download vector logos and logotypes.

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Media contacts for the Grand Rapids, Michigan area

Published on June 17, 2010 in communications, marketing and Tools. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , .

I needed to put this list together and though it would be useful for others who are trying to get their event, organization or project out in front of the Grand Rapids Area Media. Here are contacts and links to most of the area media outlets.

PRINT or NEWSPAPERS:

Grand Rapids Press

Continue reading ‘Media contacts for the Grand Rapids, Michigan area’

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Pricing yourself and your photography

Published on February 6, 2010 in marketing, photojournalism and Tools. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

Pricing yourself and your work can be a difficult consideration, but there are some good tools and recommendations out there that can help you make a wise decision when you’re trying to price your own work, photography, design work, programing or whatever art or work you produce.

One of the best tools I’ve seen is the Cost of Doing Business Calculator by the National Press Photographer’s Association. Fill in the blanks and let it calculate a basic range. You can figure out a rate that best fits you from there.

Believing in your abilities and continuing to improve yourself is an important part of pricing. I know a consultant who gave an quote to a new client. When the client came back and said it was higher than what they wanted by more than double. He confidently let them know that they will get what they paid for, but if they wanted to, he would give them an invoice for the full amount and after the day of consulting they could write in whatever amount they felt his consulting was worth. They liked his confidence and his negotiation skills, and they flew him across several states for the job.

Johnny Truant actually inspired this entry with his article. It reads in part…

There are good and bad photographers. There are good and bad coaches. Which are you? If you’re good, believe it — and then hike up your pants and price yourself accordingly.Cutting prices works for commodities, but will not win you good clients. If you’re cheap, people won’t think it’s because you’re awesome and they’re getting a good deal. Instead, they will look at your bargain basement price and will assume that you suck. via You’re worth more than you think | Johnny B. Truant.

Besides the Calculator, there is a lot of material out there that can help you price yourself. Pricing is important. Read what Laurie said at Photopreneur.com:

If you’ve agreed to accept a lower price in return for the thrill of publication, how can you be sure that the buyer wants your picture because it’s the best he can find… or because you were the only person willing to supply it at that bargain rate?

Pam Newman gave these five questions that are great to ask when you’re in the process of setting pricing for yourself and your products.

Other references worth checking out on this same topic

Costs in producing photos

Pricing freelance photos

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Video Converter for Mac

Published on November 21, 2009 in Tech and Tools. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

I had an mpeg-4 file that I needed to edit in .mov, but things weren’t going so smoothly…so I searched around just a bit and came across Wondershare. I’ve been very pleased even with the free version. It leaves a watermark in the upper left corner of the screen, but is very usable and makes me want to get the full version for $39. If I needed to convert more videos from mpeg-4 to .mov or other file formats, then I’d probably own this jewel.

Wondershare Video Converter for Mac Guide – How to convert FLV video, AVI video, HD video…on Mac OS..

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