Links

I have new gear from Christmas, but I need time to set it all up and shoot examples. One is a backdrop, which I have an example of here. Thanks to my ever present assistant Sierra for helping me model the new use. It may look like a sheet hanging up, but thats pretty much what it is!

I eventually would like to get some seamless backdrop working. But for now the muslin cloth will do. Combined with two shoot through strobes, and the short distances I am using, I think the results should be plenty good.

The other item I received for Christmas is a 5 in 1 reflector and a multi-angle stand to hold that, or other things. No examples of that in action or use yet, hence the lack of a better posting.

On to links!

- Canon announces new Wireless File Transmitter units for latest pro models, enables DSLR hive-minding- Engadget; I can only wish I had a need to instantly transmit data from my camera to a laptop. I can see this being very helpful in studios and perhaps at weddings, but for my need- not so much.

- PaPaLaB's YC-3300 camera sees same colors as human eyes- Engadget; About stinking time!

- A Day in a Photographer's Life- Gizmodo; Nice little slice. Still convinced I wouldn't be able to hack a full time gig as a photographer.

- Repurpose a Drawer Liner as a Powerful Flash Diffuser- LifeHacker; Interesting little hack. Nice.

- Get Your Camera Returned with a Great Photo Message- LifeHacker; Cook idea. Though I format my card a lot. Not sure if it would work so nice.

- Three Songs, No Flash!- New book about concert photography. First one I have seen regarding just this topic. Plenty of websites out there, but no books.

- PLM umbrellas offer sweet combo of efficiency and softness- Rob Galbraith; Nice recap of a very cool system.

- Twenty Questions- Strobist; David Hobby, always thinking.

Once again, What The Duck steals my life:

New Challenges

I haven't had nearly the free time to explore new photography ideas and concepts as I used to. And by extension I haven't had to practice anything new and different. So I am pretty much locked in to the 'same old same old.'

I feel motivated by a couple different things, they include but are not limited to:

• Seeing other work
• Travel and associated research
• Chatting with other photographers
• Passing by something and seeing in a different way
• Trying to relay everyday things differently

So my challenge recently is finding time to become motivated and finding time to shoot. I don't always feel motivated, or have the right conditions to do so. Most of my free time is after baby goes to sleep at night, which is limited.

One thing that I found interesting is try to duplicate something like this example. I see that and I want to be able to duplicate the effect. I should go back and watch the Strobist DVD se t to get new examples of things to think about. There are plenty of points of inspiration. I just need to get the resources in place to be ready to shoot that next great photo. 

While I find myself at a point that I am pretty happy with results, I also know I don't want to just stop at this level. (probably more like a plateau) I want to get better... some of that involves research, some of that involves inspiration... and maybe some of those limits are due to the gear I currently have. So now I need to figure out if it is my motivation, vision, or gear that is limiting me. Where do I find the time and inspiration to reach out?

I honestly don't know... but here is to finding out. Wish me luck.