Six years ago

It has been nearly six years since my buddy Matt badgered me in to getting a Flickr account. I didn't quite understand the impact it might have, but I went with it. He seemed to be smarter on these things than I was. I was interested in photography, and I didn't want to self host images. It was a good solid site, free at first!

Now it is almost six years to the day that I signed up. And I have put up over 7,500 items- 99.999% images. A bucket load of the images are U2, followed by Sierra my dog, then Gamenight. Five years of TurkeyBowl- Thanksgiving day game between Calvert Hall and Loyola. Four years of the Hon Fest.

I could go on and on... and I nearly did... but in most of that time I never really considered myself a professional. Just a guy who like taking photos and sharing them.
Well, recently things have changed a little bit. I am not sure what happened... and without getting myself in to trouble with Flickr, lets just say I have been able to obtain a few things that I wouldn't have otherwise.

So thank you to Matt, and thank you to all those who have taken a look- more than 960,000 times. (seriously, thats a lot)


Just put up my first video from the 7D:

Check me out on Twitter

I do about all my commenting on photography now from Twitter. Check me out there:

http://twitter.com/promans

the end of P+S...

http://photofocus.com/2010/06/09/the-hottest-selling-new-compact-camera-will-be…/

The end is coming... the end of the P+S as a stand alone device. I am sure there are plenty of people don't own a seperate camera, but just use the camera-phone as a 'I've got something' camera.

The quality of the images on phones are increasing- big time. However, the size of the censor, the ISO, and 'lens' are the sticking points in my mind. Just like multi-purpose print/scan/fax/copy systems, the do it alls will never out perform single tasked systems... however multi-use devices are VERY useful for those who use them now and then. Throw in video, HD video, and holy crow. In the hands of someone who knows what they are doing- and they become very serviceable devices.

I would seriously consider getting an iPhone G4 just for the camera aspect in my pocket... Just as the article describes, the Chase Jarvis 'The Best Camera..' project is VERY true. I don't carry a dedicated camera with me all the time. I really have the make an effort to have my camera with me at all now a days. I have a hard time just slapping on a single lens and rolling out- I want to do more... control the lighting now that I know how... have choices of lenses now that I know how and what they all do.... a carry around camera phone? Would make me think a heck of a lot more and at least it would be with me.

I can justify the cost of the device... I can justify the use with the camera, the GPS. The only downside- the cost of the data plan. Seriously... there has got to be a way to bring that price down.

I don't ever see a hotshoe being ingratiated to the phone- but I somehow do see a PocketWizard app. =)

Possibilities

I was thinking the other day... if I had my own photography company- I would want a dedicated piece of transportation for all the gear I would take on various locations. So, what would I use for all that? Of course I would have all sorts of options on site. Better to take it and not use it than go and not have a piece you need.

I would think I would want some sort of roof rack so I could setup on the roof for shots. I would want lots of secure storage in the back... some sort of way of charging batteries on the road too. Inverters off a dedicated battery maybe.
But I think the vehicle for me would be the Sprinter van probably... maybe I just want it to be. More likely I would wind up getting some junker minivan.

Ah... dreams of what might be. I think I am more excited about the possibility of doing than the actual doing. Thats geek right there.

Links:


- Canon 5D Mark II used to shoot entire House season finale, director says it's 'the future'- Engadget; Cool beans... quiet the change from the big cameras they normally use.

- Turn Off the Flash for Better Food Photos- LifeHacker; If you use on-camera flash I would agree... however, if you are a Strobist, then you can figure it out better to light the item.

- DSLR Concept Redesign Makes More Room For Your Face- Gizmodo; Cool idea. How ergonomic can they push it?


- Photographing Children – Know When to Leave your Camera- DPS; Good points... I often leave my camera when going with my kid. Though there are a few times I regret it. The times I do take it, I find that I am paying more attention to locating the shot than I ought to.

- The Most Powerful Light In Your Bag- Strobist; Great article. I often don't take my tripod because it is too balky... but in low light I try to take it with me.