27August2008
Posted by Scott under: Articles.
Photo by Scott Bourne
If you’re a photographer, chances are, you’re a communicator. Most of the photographers I know are really storytellers. They have something they want to say, and they use the medium of photography to do it.
While it would be easy to focus this post on the communicator, I want to focus it on the audience. That’s something rarely (if ever) talked about in the photo community. Too many photographers make images they like, and then go looking for an audience.
Serious communicators find an audience first, then go craft a story that fits the audience. Photographers should consider this approach as well. If you’re taking photos for kids, you better get down on your knees because they see everything from 30 inches. If you’re taking pictures for an intelligent audience, include lots of details. Get it?
If more photographers could learn this lesson, then the art and craft of photography would be considerably more important.
26August2008
Posted by Scott under: News.
Nikon announced its new 12.3 megapixel D90 camera with 24fps video.
Read the official deatils at the Nikon page.
UPDATE: Wow this camera looks very interesting. Nikon has sample video from the camera on its site and looking at the video quality, I am very tempted to buy one of these as a video camera that doubles as a very capable SLR. Too bad they aren’t shipping before my trip to Alaska next week. I would have loved to get video of the world’s largest bears with this thing.
26August2008
Posted by Scott under: News; Photo Book Reviews.
Canon sent me a news release at Midnight, EST to announce several new products. Among these were the 50D and a new lens. (More on that later.) I have to admit I was totally surprised by this news, especially since people who had been good sources before, denied this camera even existed. Good job keeping a secret Canon - you sort of actually kept this one under wraps.
More about the camera. The EOS 50D is to ship in early October 2008 at an expected street price of US$1399 in the U.S.
Perhaps the most interesting feature Canon is promising on this camera is the new processor. The DIGIC 4 processor is Canon’s next-generation, 14-bit DIGIC 4 processor. Canon says it offers both more functionality and about 30% faster processing speed than the DIGIC III processor in the 40D. This could very well account for how Canon plans to cram so many megapixels onto a small sensor and control noise.
The camera also offers additional features like Live View, a brighter rear view finder, HDMI out, UDMA support and more. What’s interesting is that it seems to offer several features not found on the flagship 1DS MKIII.
The auto-focus is essentially the same nine-point auto-focus found on the 40D.
Canon also announced a new zoom for its 1.6X sensor size cameras. The EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS. It incorporates two aspherical and two ultra-low dispersion elements. It does NOT offer USM focusing but DOES offer Canon’s four-stop image stabilization.
We’re going to try to get our hands on a review unit and if we do, we’ll get back to you with more information.
EDITOR’S NOTE: These sorts of posts often result in protests from the four percent of you who shoot Pentax, Sony, Fuji, Olympus and other cameras, wondering why we spend so much time covering Canon and Nikon. Please know we’d be glad to cover the other cameras, even though more than 90% of our audience shoots Canon or Nikon. But the other companies so far, have refused our requests for review units. Many of them do not believe in or understand the power of online media and the communities we serve. This is unfortunate since our audience is significantly larger than many of the print publications these manufacturers do supply with review units. So just know, it’s not for lack of trying. Those other manufacturers just don’t care about you guys.
25August2008
Posted by Scott under: News.
Canon U.S.A. today has announced the introduction of the EOS 50D Digital SLR camera. This new camera features a 15.1-megapixel sensor with an expanded ISO range and enhanced noise reduction.
We’ll have more on this new camera as information becomes available.
25August2008
Posted by Scott under: Audio Podcast.
Episode 44 is in the feed or you can download the MP3 at Pixelcorps.TV.
UPDATE: We had some feed problems. For those of you who got the wrong show - try downloading it again from iTunes. The correct show is in the feed.
Hosts: Alex Lindsay
Guest: David Griffin, Director of Photography at National Geographic
Contributors: Scott Bourne, Aaron Mahler, Steve Simon
Locations: San Francisco, Gig Harbor
Intro Music by Scott Cannizzaro
Producer: Aaron Mahler - Twitter: halfpress
Show Notes Author: Tom Newman- Twitter: fogview
Bandwidth for This Week in Photography is provided by Cachefly.
TWIP is sponsored by Audible. For a free downloadable book visit www.audiblepodcast.com/twip
Don’t forget you can win a 10 item pack worth over a $1,000 by linking to us. Details on the Contest page at TWIPPHOTO.COM
NEWS & DISCUSSION
- Microsoft PhotoSynth Goes Live
- PhotoSynth allows you to take a bunch of photos from different cameras and taken by different people and it will pool the photos together and figure out where they are and build a 3D scene that you can tour through. Alex says it’s exciting to pool together images from the web and create these huge tourable things online. We had Bill Crow on the show and I (Alex) have been talking with for years about it so we’ve seen this progress and finally it’s out (on Windows — not Mac). Scott thinks the concept is beautiful but has a couple of questions: What is the final application for it and will people who are serious photographers want to participate because of obvious copyright issues (making your photos a part of other’s photos). Alex mentioned that you don’t need to be a professional photographer to use this. Alex mentioned one idea would be to send out a group of photographers to photograph an area and toss all the photos at PhotoSynth and create a tour. The question asked is can the results be copyrighted? Alex will be traveling for the next three weeks and plan to take a number of test cases. Read the rest of this entry »
25August2008
Posted by Scott under: Site Info.
We have some very loyal listeners. Many of you have contacted us to see if there is a way you can help defray the massive costs we incur in producing the show.
Well now there is a way…
TWIP Apparel
We’re starting small with just a ball cap and a travel/photo vest. We will add items soon. We want to gauge the level of interest and support before we take too big a leap.
If you want to support TWIP, plus have some cool gear besides, here’s what we’re offering.
We have the Scottevest Travel Vest. (sand color) Sizes Medium through XXL. These vests have 22 pockets so they are like a bonus carryon. They’re lightweight, comfortable and breathable. They’re coated to be water resistant. The TWIP logo appears on the left breast.
$125 including shipping in the USA via Priority Mail only. $150 outside the US* via courier.
US Only may purchase through Google Checkout.
We also have the famous Scottevest Tec Hat. (sand color) It has two hidden pockets - perfect for ID, cash or even CF or SD cards. It features Coolmax mesh lining to keep you cool.
$30 including shipping in the USA via Priority Mail only. $40 outside the US* via courier.
US ONLY may purchase through Google Checkout.
These are available in EXTREMELY small quantities. First come, first served. In order to purchase, please send a check or money order to:
TWIP C/O
Bourne Media Group
P.O. Box 1114
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Be sure to include your email or telephone number and a shipping address. There is a $40 returned check charge for NSF checks. Please allow two to four weeks for shipping.
Hats are one size fit all - they fit even Scott’s big head! And the vests are M-XXL - PLEASE BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR SIZE. If you fail to include a size we will send you whatever we have on hand. There are NO REFUNDS or returns so purchase accordingly.
*International orders must send US funds via an international money order. Limit one hat and one vest per address.
25August2008
Posted by Scott under: Articles.
Photo by Scott Bourne
It’s a fact that many people do not understand the concept of Copyrights. In fact, some people have never heard any explanation for the word.
Some Copyright infringement is the result of downright evil folks who would rather steal than pay their fair share. But a good portion of it is simple ignorance.
One way I fight this is to include a Copyright Protection Notice with every print I sell. I do so whether the sale is electronic or a physical print.
Here’s a copy of the notice I use. Use it at your own risk. Always contact an attorney if you need legal advice.
—
Please Read This Important Information About Copyright Protection
Thanks for licensing/purchasing a print of my photograph. I am a professional photographer who earns a living from images like the one that you selected.
Please note that the United States Copyright Act provided photographers statutory protection against Copyright infringement.
The photographer has the exclusive right to reproduce any photo he/she made. This includes the right to control the making of copies for distribution to third parties by any means.
It is a violation of law to copy or reproduce these photographs elsewhere without the written permission of the photographer. People who violate the Copyright Act by making or distributing illegal copies are subject to civil and criminal prosecution.
As your photographer, I will try to accommodate all reasonable requests. Please contact me if you need additional copies of this image or want to expand it’s use, and/or change the licensing agreement.
I would enjoy the opportunity to serve you better. If you have questions about Copyrights and my photos, please contact me directly at your earliest convenience.
Thank you in advance for helping me to protect my rights and my livelihood.
Scott Bourne
Photographer
