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So I hit the Pro Photo Expo, in Pasadena, CA, recently. It was a little bit of a let down, but fun none-the-less.

I expected the expo to be a bit larger. However, I did get all the questions answered that I needed, and I got to play with some cool equipment.

Because I have a Nikon D40, with a limitation on which lenses will connect, I was curious what everyone was planning to offer in the near future. Wanting to continue to grow my lens assortment, I need this information. I also have been considering a few different bag choices, more on that later. The guys at the Sigma booth were very helpful, even let me put a few lenses I’m considering on my D40, to play around. The guy at the Pocket Wizard booth was helpful, and confirmed my plan of attack for building up an assortment of those bad boys.

The two highlights of this event for me were the Apple booth and the Lowepro booth.

First, Apple. When I first walked in, I made a swift right hand turn and proceeded to wind through the expo, hitting every isle. The first booth I stopped at was the Apple booth. They were there promoting one product; Apple Aperture 2.0. Since I’ve recently fell in love with Aperture 2, I was a bit excited. I looked at my watch and asked one of the Apple guys, “How long is the demo?” He said it was about 45 minutes, and I decided to sit just as they began a new one. This proved very profitable, as now I feel equipped to get started with Aperture 2 as my primary asset management and post production tool. I’ll do the majority of my editing with Aperture 2, only switching to Photoshop for the major stuff.

Second, Lowepro. As you may know, I have a unique day job. With this day job, I am authorized to carry certain tools that require a little concealment. So, on occasion, I am limited with what clothing I can wear, or what packs and bags I can carry. Being right handed, I generally am also limited with how I can carry my camera bag, a nice Lowepro waist pack/shoulder bag. So I have been actively seeking a bag that can serve both needs.

I found what would be the absolute best bag, made my Maxpedition. This bag is not really a camera bag. However, with the proper padding, it would serve me quite well. I told this story to the nice lady, Suzie, at the Lowepro booth. Without hesitation, she swept me to the products, to find the bag that most closely matches the inside measurements of the bag I want from Maxpedition. Not understanding her point, I picked the proper bag. She then handed me her card, and instructed me to email her my address. She had Lowepro ship me the “guts” to this bag, for my own use in inserting them into the Maxpedition bag. Unbelievable! That’s customer service!

I was really excited and surprised at her offer, and I really didn’t believe it until the “guts” actually showed up just a few days later.

The fit is not perfect, but I will be able to make it work. Most importantly, I have a nice, padded compartment that will hold my camera, with a lens, and two additional lenses.

This bag has the large compartment, for the camera stuff, and several additional compartments for a variety of items. I’ll be able to carry along a typical Nalgene bottle, my special cargo, and many other important items.

I now have a man-bag!

Popularity: 22% [?]

I briefly blogged about the upcoming Pro Photo Expo, in Pasadena, a few weeks ago. It starts this week, and I’m planning on attending on Sunday.

Oh, and Bryan, the Expo only price is $10. w00t!

Upcoming link.

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As you’ve read here before, I am a huge fan of cutting edge television technology. More specifically, we Tivo, Netflix, and some times even torrent programming. Early on, after we got the Tivo, we tried Amazon’s Unbox service. Not bad, but they had a tiny selection. Since our Tivo is not an HD unit, we quickly looked at other choices.

Then we got Netflix. Sweet! I love Netflix. At first I used it almost entirely to watch the first two seasons of Battlestar Galactica. I found BSG at the beginning of season 3, and wanted desperately to watch all the earlier stuff. However, with me only benefiting, I saw the wife loosing interest quick if I didn’t sweeten the deal. So, every so often I’d include some kid’s movie that we missed in the theater. Then we went from one-at-a-time to two-at-a-time. That really helped. I tried hard to make sure that I had one and she had one with each turnover. Once we found House, about the same time I caught up on all the BSG episodes, she really started enjoying Netflix. I knew she had accepted it when she would navigate through the queue and prioritize the upcoming movies for herself.

Somewhere in there we got our HDTV. That really was a massive step us for us, as it pertains to entertaining ourselves. We upgraded to HD cable just after that and have really enjoyed our network programming in HD and even the occasional cable show, like Discovery’s Planet Earth. Then the Xbox Marketplace started adding movies we actually wanted to watch, and our HD movie watching experience began. What fun that has been. Now, I won’t even consider renting a movie that doesn’t have an HD option.

Then, for the few of my Twitter and Pownce friends, you saw me mention last week that I gave an already cancelled Sci-Fi program a shot; Firefly. Holy cow! How did I miss this one?

I quickly found a way to get the entire season, plus extras, and started watching it. However this one proved to be a little challenge. It also gave me the chance to try out my new set up. Just last month, I reinstalled OSX on our extra Mac Mini and hooked it up to the HDTV, via the DVI. I stripped off all the applications that would be unnecessary and simplified the extras I knew I would need. This system would become my very own, more powerful Apple TV. No hacking required for web browsing and access to things like Divx/Xvid support, alternative media viewing with VLC, and more freedom with my iTunes media. It took less than 30 minutes to get all the correct codecs installed and to set up my dock just right. I have a bluetooth mouse, for navigating, but no extra wireless keyboard. Now if only I could figure out a way to navigate the OS, simply, with the Apple remote. I digress. Firefly…

So, I had set this up a few weeks back and hadn’t really had a chance to give it a try. With my newfound interest in Firefly, I decided that it was ready. The weakest link was the audio quality. For now, all I have is a simple 1/8″ to RCA cable. This is plugged into the audio out of the Mac Mini and into our audio system, stereo only. For now it will have to do. (There’s a chance I may have a used Logitech USB audio interface coming my way. It has optical input/output and some other nice features.)

I have stored the entire season of Firefly on my primary computer’s external hard drive. They are wrapped in an AVI container in a nice Xvid format. With the right codecs installed, these files should play just fine in Front Row. For some reason they don’t. No problem, that’s where VLC arrives to save the day. Yes, yes, I could try and troubleshoot the first problem, but I just didn’t have the energy. Someday, I’ll figure it out. This time, I just wanted to watch Firefly.

Quickly using the mouse, I opened up the first episode of Firefly, over the network, in VLC and hit the full screen button. It started just fine. Now in all it’s compressed/HD glory I sat back and enjoyed Firefly for the first time. Additionally, to my satisfaction, the fancy little Apple remote works just fine controlling the playback in VLC. Mmmmm, technoligic.

I’ve also watched a few of the iTS purchased episodes of The Office, which play quite nicely. Now all I have to do is try out renting a movie through iTunes, to see how easy that works.

I’m ready for DVD’s to go away, and have no plans on playing around with HD-DVDs or Blueray-discs. I’m going to skip them all together.

Here’s a lesson for all those greedy, communists running the huge media companies. I’ll buy it or rent it, if you offer it through one of the dependable, high quality alternatives. But, if I want to watch it, and you’re stuck in 1990, then expect me to get the content I want, where I can. I’ll pay for it, if you let me.

Then, recently I bought a PSP, (the special edition Darth Vader one!). I thought that I’d give the little thing a try for playing some games. It came with Star Wars Battlefront II and I got SOCOM II to go with it. Without reviewing each game here, I enjoy them both and am glad to have them. One thing holding me up has been that I failed to get a Memory Stick. So, I couldn’t save any of my games or update the software when the Skype addition came out last week.

That just would not do! I found a sweet deal at Circuit City’s website for a 2gig Memory Stick Duo Pro ($30) and then shot over to my closest one to pick it up. Yes! I’m in business now!

The next day was my first chance to try and load up a movie. I loaded up ffmpegX and re-encoded the Firefly AVI’s into the perfect PSP format; mpeg-4. ffmpegX actually has the perfect settings built in as an option. No messing around. Even cooler, that sweet open-source app names your new movie following the PSP’s lame naming convention. It’s hard to find the right movie file, but I don’t care. I can now watch movies on my PSP!

The very next change I had, I watched the second episode of Firefly, on the PSP. Awesome!

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For several months I’ve been saving up and getting excited about a sweet new firearm that I wanted to purchase. So, just a few days back, I got some Christmas money that helped put me over the top.

I’ve wanted a concealed carry weapon, and the firearm I chose really does this well. I chose the Smith & Wesson M&P 40C. It’s a recently introduced automatic handgun, for the military and law enforcement communities. Mine is a .40 caliber, compact model. There are a few features that set this one apart from other similar models, that are popular right now. However, each firearm fits differently in each person’s hand. I have uniquely large hands, and this poses an issue with how a firearm fits in my hand. The M&P comes with a sized grip insert. Basically, the padded area on the grip can be removed and replaced with one of three different sized inserts. When the largest sized insert is installed, my hand has “more” grip to hold onto. Most importantly it places my trigger finger in just the right place, for pulling the trigger with the best part of my index finger.

So I picked it up yesterday, and went right over to the local public firing range to test it out. (I actually went over there because I knew that I would be qualifying with this new firearm today.) I bought a box of rounds and put ‘em through it. Over all I was quite pleased with how easy it was for me to control, even with it being a .40. Yes, the grip is smaller than a duty weapon and the barrel is shorter. Both of these characteristics should make this weapon harder to control and fire accurately. However, my first grouping was small enough to keep my satisfied that I will hit my target. That continued for each grouping, getting just a bit better each time. Satisfied, I headed home.

When I got home, I thought I’d take the opportunity to try out my light tent. Several months ago, Randyman made himself a light tent, and he made an extra one for me. I really haven’t had a chance to use it until now. It really only took a few minutes to get the shots. I used two “Home Depot” lights from either side and my speedlight off camera, from above. I really like how it turned out.

*******Update*******

I took it to the range today, for qualification. I think I would have scored a better score with it than my duty weapon, if given the chance. I love this gun!

Popularity: 13% [?]

I want you all to know that I am in fact a geek. If thus far you had not figured that out, that should clear it up.

Last night, while couch bound from being sick with the flu, I played Halo 3 for the first time on my Xbox 360. I should tell you that I’ve never played any of the Halo series of video games. Quite often, I find that the most popular games are not too interesting to me. So I generally pass on the hot titles.

I rented it from Hollywood Video and popped it in with less than an hour available to play. That was a mistake.

I love this game!

It’s not overly complex, yet requires good concentration and a willingness to take “risks”. I didn’t play very much, or get very far, but what I did experience was great. I can see myself getting this game, and probably the earlier versions too.

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With the December Challenge in full swing, I wanted to take a moment to highlight some important things I’ve learned so far.

• Lighting is very important.
• Make sure to choose a shoot time that gives you good natural light.
• Careful with the mid-day sun pounding down on you. Can you say over exposed?
• Choose a nice shallow depth of field (DOF). Makes for good clear focus where you want it.
• Be Creative! Take a few minutes to think about who you’re planning to shoot.
• Look at everyone else’s portraits. I’ve learned quite a bit looking at all the participants’ portraits.
• Keep reading.
  • StudioLighting.net has great articles for those with limited budgets who want to use some lighting.
  • The Strobist also has amazing amounts of material for us portraiteers.
    • Here’s a great couple of articles I’m reading right now.
      • Bouncing Flash.
      • Great steps for multiple lights.

I know there’s so much more. I just wanted to help a bit. Too much information, and you’d read this article, but NOT do anything about it. Just offering you a handful of important tips, I think you’re more likely to apply what works for you. What have you learned? Comment away!

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So, as you know, I’m in love with Ubuntu, the Linux distribution that is teaching all the others how to get it done.

We have a nice Mac mini, that has been running the latest Ubuntu version, Feisty Fawn, for a couple of months now. Every so often, I fiddle around, cleaning something up, and discover another cool, stable feature of Ubuntu that makes me smile.

At work, I’m forced to use MS crap, and I hate it. I never smile while using Windows. Never.

So, with a few regular months of using Ubuntu as our primary OS, for regular everyday stuff, I’m even more sold that Ubuntu really is a generational leader for top notch operating systems.

So, with today’s release of Ubuntu’s Gutsy Gibbon, I’m proud to say that I’ve upgraded and I love it. It’s just as attractive and easy to use as before. Many of the subtle system upgrades are now organized in a nicer, more logical set of menus.

Just a few of the outstanding upgrades:

• Fast User-Switching
• Awesome 3D effects, by default, (Compiz Fusion)
• Really fraking awesome graphical interface for messing with X.
• Plug and play printer support.
• AppArmor, basically it helps you keep your computer secure by restricting what certain applications can do.

Gutsy simply rocks! If you’re already using Linux, you’re crazy not to upgrade to Ubuntu 7.10, Gutsy Gibbon. If you’re an Intel Mac user or any Windows user, you’ve got to try this out.

What’s really cool is that you can download it and burn it to CD. Then you can boot off the CD, and it runs a fully functional OS, ready to play with. When you realize that you like it, just click on the install icon on the desktop and presto, you’re installing the world’s greatest operating system.

Popularity: 19% [?]

So, I’m shooting some architectural photography these days. As I progress, I expect to add it to my skillset as a marketable skill. One that will hopefully allow me to grow my professional photography. While I’m working on it, I’m needing to practice shooting with the wide angle and then correct it in Photoshop later. So, here’s my first stab at it.

I’m sure I’ll need some work, but not bad for my first one? Don’t you think?

Popularity: 15% [?]

So, I’m happy with the quality of my photography from my recent shoot. However, I’m aware that many professionals would have had a significantly better outcome. I know that my lighting is my largest issue. I’m very interested in White Lightning products.

This is where my own ignorance becomes an issue. I’d like to put together a nice simple package to get me started. Any chance I could get some help with this?

My gut tells me that 2 X800’s would do the job. I looked at White Lightning’s own packages, to get some ideas. Their “Starter Package” is a nice set up, including everything you’ll need.

What do you think?

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So, with all the heartache I dealt with, I’m now reporting success. Yes, I found my solution, eventually, in the Ubuntuforums. Go check it out for yourself. I’ll add an update here later today telling you what I did.

In the mean time, just know that I now have widescreen support on my MacFeisty.

Popularity: 15% [?]

OK, you’ve read me talking a bunch about Ubuntu, and my desire to get a nice install up and running at home. Some time back, I mentioned that I wanted to build a simple machine, dedicated to serving up my family’s media, printing, and files. Well, the budget always trumps ideas like that. Some day, I’ll get that going again. In the mean time, we had the chance to get a couple of Mac mini’s. Sweet, now the old family computer, the first rev LCD iMac, is going to be dedicated for use as a kid’s computer. Right now they mostly play a few online educational games. As they progress in school, I know they’ll be doing more work with it. So now we don’t have to share. Now, if only Adobe made a Linux(PPC) flash plugin, I’d dump OSX on that machine and run Ubuntu there. I know that it would run faster, but without flash, there’s no way the kids could play those online games. They’re all flash.

So, back to the Mac minis. Mine is an Intel 1.66, duo core, 1gig ram. It’s used for my photo processing, eventually podcasting again, and the random processor heavy app.

The family Mac is the same machine with only 512mg ram. MISTAKE! OSX needs more than that to run smoothly. Since we can’t budget to double the ram right now, I’m considering dumping OSX entirely there and running Ubuntu exclusively. It’s Intel, so no flash issues. I’ve been thinking this through for weeks now, and the only deal breaker has been our massive iTunes Store purchases. There are no tools around for converting, (read, dropping DRM), on the most recent iTunes version. So, I’m left with burning each album to  CD, and reconverting to MP3. I’ll keep a back data-DVD of all the files, and I know I’m loosing some quality, but I really have no choice.

For future music purchases, we now have the DRM-free Wal-Mart online store. And since DRM-free music is catching on, I think that we’ll see more options birthed soon.

So, what do you think?

Popularity: 36% [?]

I must say, I have gathered up quite a quiver of camera gear lately. I’m not bragging. Actually, I’m realizing that I have much on hand for photographic opportunities.

The most recent addition, a Sigma ultra wide angle, has opened up more creative potential than I can even imagine, yet. You see, I got the lens so that I could photograph the portfolio of one interior designer. This interior designer is my mother. The only problem was that I didn’t have the right equipment, nor the experience.

So, I got the lens. Now what? Luckily, I have a few photo-buddies who do know what to do. I’ve recieved some direction and tips to get me started. Now it’s up to me. So, tonight I was running an errand and thought I’d stop downtown and take a few shots. Not bad, a wide angle is a whole new animal. I think I’m going to like it.

I did, however, make one of my first photographer’s mistakes. I had one wrong setting on the camera. Which one, you ask? I was set on JPEG, (not RAW), and low quality. No biggy for you, seeing my shots online, but I can’t get any prints made, cause they’d look horrible.

Oh well, at least I learned it, while NOT getting paid.

Popularity: 34% [?]