December 12, 2008
The last time I was at the park I was very glad to find this guy quietly resting in the edge of the field. Unfortunately for me, the light was low and all I have is a 300 mm f:5.6 so this is the best I came away with. But on the bright side, the park is not far away… and now I know where he lives.
December 5, 2008
For most of us the holiday season evokes a lot of good, warm emotions and memories that seem to come floating down with the snow. But recently there seems to be a few other emotions that have been venting themselves. What’s all this I hear about the new Nikon D3X? It’s expensive? …Sorry my surprise at all the fuss, it has been a very long time since I have classified any new digital SLR D3, D300, D700 or otherwise as “inexpensive.” There is no need to rewrite what others have said already (e.g. here and here) but I did want to write this post for one very particular reason. All-ya-all writing mean comments on photography blogs have inspired me and I think I have determined the problem. People aren’t getting bent out of shape over issues of photography, but rather something else altogether. Never-fear, I think I can fix the confusion -I’ve decided to give it a name.
I am quite certain that many, if not most serious photographers are not getting bent out of shape at the price of the latest Nikon, but there is a growing number of people who own and use expensive cameras, photographic gear, and software etc. more or less just because they enjoy the experience. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that and if given the chance I would probably join right in. However, a subset of those in this group take their photographic experience very seriously. These individuals are generally much less concerned with photography and much more concerned with taking pictures. In this category performance, speed, megapixels, newness, and yes price are everything -not because they are needed to take the picture but because they define the art of technocamography. In short, for lack of a better term or definition, I have defined technocamography as: the serious discussion, evaluation, and use of the latest in photographic equipment; generally concerned with technical aspects and infrequently with artistic value or substance.
This is indeed where the conflict starts. Photographers and technocamographers come at a similar subject from very different angles and for such a long time have been forced to believe they must agree to both be valuable to society. Now I hope we can finally come to the realization that there are two groups using photographic equipment; both are valuable although they are considerably different.
It may not be obvious but technocamographers are actually very important to photographers. Here is just a short list of reasons why.
November 7, 2008
The fall color has been avoiding me -but I’ve struck back, slipping out to the park on a couple of occasions.
Then I accidentally bumped the button… -sometimes it pays to make mistakes.
Birds, bats, and bugs aren’t the only thing I photograph. The truth being told, I’ve probably taken more photographs of people than any other subject. My cousin’s kids needed their pictures taken… Oh to be young again.
Then there was today… more to come soon!
October 22, 2008
Without a doubt, working on a masters degree reduces your amount of free time -you probably already realized that. I did manage to escape for a couple hours yesterday morning to a nearby park to try to and capture a little of the fall colors. It was pretty disappointing actually; with the exception of nice fresh air and a brisk walk I left more or less empty handed. The fall colors seemed nowhere to be found. Thankfully I managed to find one pretty milkweed pod. It’s amazing how many different ways you can photograph a subject.
My other couple of frames consisted of a few clicks of the creek. I really wasn’t too impressed at the time but after a minute or two in Capture NX2 they aren’t so bad. Have a favorite version?
It all goes to show that every moment and frame can count -even if I only click a couple every month. Hopefully this also holds true for this literature review I’m writing… one paragraph after one small paragraph… [sigh]… back to work. Have a great night.
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-That's not how you spell "enlightenment"!
Why in the world are you still shooting with a Nikon D1x?
What's up with this weird blog design?
And why are there salamanders crawling between the posts...
