FritzImages 2017 May Blog
FritzImages 2017 May Blog
Great News the warmer weather is here! The first few weeks of spring are always a favorite time to make images.
Repeat visit One location
A feedback comment made at a CPW Image Salon review resonated with me. ‘Why don’t you go back to the same place each day and shoot.’ There are pro and cons about this idea. However, I resolved to break my mindset and decided to give it a try. A familiar drive to a familiar location eliminates the angst of searching and hunting for the next big shot. I also found that the rapid environmental changes of spring create new daily inspiration and dispell visual fatigue. My takeaway is that equipment, settings, and composition almost become routine allowing you to concentrate on that almost untamable enigma, lady light.
MacPro Early 2009 RIP
On the subject of equipment, my trusty MacPro Early 2009 4.1, passed away a few days ago. I was not worried about any digital content as my files, OSX, and images were on my 1-2-3 backup workflow. The other good news is that a ‘new’ MacPro mid-2010 is on its way from Other Word Computing (OWC). The unique distinction about these old ‘trash-can’ Macs is their modularity. I can repurpose all the high-end 3rd party components from the early-2009 into and reinstall and supercharge the mid-2010.
Making Lemonade
After accessing my equipment woes, I pressed my 2009 MacBookPro into full service. I have to hand it to Steve Jobs, these 17″ laptops, with only 8GB ram, are sturdy workhorses because of the configurable ports. After successfully hanging all sorts of hardware of the MBP, it was time for a fresh install of OsX 11 (El-Capt). After that, it was time to install 50 applications and Photoshop plugins by retrieving them from my maintained master folder of applications with their downloads. Phew !
Meetup JCC Beyond Basic Training
One of my greatest pleasures for the month is teaching photography at Albany’s JCC. I have been fortunate to have a talented group of returning and new students. Their eagerness to learn and thoughtful question are inspirational. To corral class notes and subject links, I created this content page for the group.
Equipment & Gear
Memory Card Case
Last year I had to return two XQDs cards to both Sony and Lexar due to plastic housing cracks at the connector area. The cracks came from handling away from inserting them into the camera Slots. I was on the lookout for something better than those cloth and plastic units sold by Think Tank. Then at the CanAm 2017 conference, I saw Vincent Versace sporting a Ruggard Six XQD card memory card carrier. ($30) I did a bit of digging, located a new supplier and purchased the same card carrier configured differently at an excellent price ($10). This carrier case suits my purposes perfectly. Since I shoot a D5 (2 xqd’s) and D4s(1 xd & 1CF) this memory carrier holds 3 xqd and 2 CF.
MemoryC link to all Memory Card Holder Models
Breakthrough Filters
I enjoy the challenge of capturing the high dynamic range of images using Graduated Neutral Density filters (GND). Lee and Singh-Ray filters used to be the major player in town and I purchased a lot of inventory from both. However, today there are a number of new suppliers out there incorporating new nano coating technology and materials in GND’s. The treatments improved glass transmission, scratch resistance, cleanability and address color cast issues. I have tested and retested new technology performance vs. the Lee and SR and have decided to begin switching suppliers and products.
Breakthrough Kickstart 2nd Generation of Products
One of my favorite companies has just launched as a kickstart for their 2nd generation of goods. The kickstart is open right now. They are launching new a new CPOL/X4Nd combo, a new range of X4 GND and new filter holders.
With my order in, I am going to have to wait until August to get my hands on a new set of .06 and.09 GND soft grads and filter holder.
