This weekend is the DC & Baltimore area’s biggest snow storm in history, so far we have about 19 inches of snow and it’s still falling outside. So what better time to test the Boda V3 Weatherproof Lens Bag in the snow!
I placed my bag outside my house in the snow for one hour to see how well it keeps the snow out of the main lens and battery compartments – it had my CF cards, one 5D Mark II battery, and my beloved Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L lens inside. I brought the Boda V3 bag inside and it faired very well keeping everything inside nice and dry. The bag maintained its shape thanks to the rigid molding. However, it is not insulated so everything inside the bag was cold as expected.
I’ve had my Boda V3 for about 5 weeks now and it’s been standing up to my daily use and abuse. The Boda V3 bags are already shipping to customers. They’re almost sold out of the popular Plum color one! There are still some basic tactical black bags left of course. Visit GoBoda.com for more info and to purchase a bag, the V3 retails for $195. However, GoBoda was kind enough to extend my Coupon Code, use B1210DeFiesta and save $30. Your welcome!
The Boda V3 is ready to take on the snow! Let’s hope it keeps the snow out of the main compartments!
Here it is about one hour later… notice how much more snow fell, about 2 inches or so.
The bag’s exterior was a little damp from the melting snow once I brought it inside…
The battery compartment (small zippered pouch, bottom front of bag) kept this battery pack nice & dry.
The zippered media pocket kept my CF cards nice & dry. I did feel a little bit of moisture inside though, probably due to the fact that I brought it into a cold environment straight from a warm environment.
Notice the damp spots on the included Boda lens cloth? That’s because I keep it inside the unzippered front pocket area of the Boda V3 bag. I don’t recommend putting important items there if you think you’ll be exposing the bag to the elements.
The main lens compartment was completely dry inside, not a hint of snow or moisture. Excellent!
My lens was dry as was the entire interior of the lens compartment. No signs of snow or moisture seepage. Nice work Boda!
The Apple iPad–could this be a tell tale sign of the direction computers will be going?
So much has been celebrated and criticized about Apple’s new iPad. Since I do not have one nor have I even touched one, I can only base my opinions on what we’re all reading about it. This “first impression on paper” review will be based from my perspective as a photographer and consumer and what I find useful in the iPad.
After all, the “PADD” (Personal Access Data Display) has been a prevalent tool in Star Trek TV shows and films.
PADDs are still in use in J.J. Abrams “STAR TREK” film (starfleet officer on the left is holding a PADD).
SKEPTICISM
Many of the skeptics talk about what it does not have. And yes, I can see where they’re coming from because there might be some things consumers will find they miss having. For example I am hoping the next iPad will have multitasking and a HDMI port, maybe a USB so I can attach a CF card reader to it. I don’t think I’ll need much else since it’s a mobile device and lets me stay on-the-move with its small and slim profile. After all, this is meant to be a mobile device. Keyboard docks will be available for purchase of course if you really need to sit down somewhere with it and do some typing.
PERSONAL MOBILITY – YES!
For my photography business if I need to do any serious work/editing/typing I’ll save that for my laptop or desktop. I would rarely do photo editing on a 10 inch screen, maybe just basic corrections but that’s it. The iPad is just way too small for what I do as a photographer. But that’s okay, I don’t think the iPad is meant to be a photo editing device! And I don’t think the iPad itself is meant to replace the iPhone or laptop either, but to fill a gap that Apple believes exists… or we have yet to discover our need for it! On the flip side, maybe consumers will buy into this new and “relaxed” way of browsing the web, checking email, reading books, watching videos, photos, etc.. I’d guess in about a year Apple will release version 2 of the iPad and it’ll have some or most of what customers want on it. Based on what I know at this point I like the iPad a lot, it’s slick, cool and looks like fun. But based on all the info so far it doesn’t do anything my Apple MacBook Pro or iPhone can’t do together when I’m “on-the-move” or just chilling out on the couch. Come to think of it I sometimes do find myself relaxing on the couch with the laptop AND iPhone TOGETHER. Perhaps the iPad could be a consolidated solution to that? I don’t know yet, I need to get one and find out =) As a mobile device I find the iPad’s sleek and slim profile a benefit for travel which I do a lot – small enough to carry, big enough to be practical for my weary eyes lol. It very well could end up as a niche product though.
As a wedding photographer I can see the iPad being a portfolio device for on-site client consultations. But I usually bring a sample album or two already anyway so brides can touch and feel the nice leather =). As a photographer, I don’t envision myself doing extensive photo editing on the iPad, but I am very open to the idea in future devices if the interface is easy to use and requires only a few clicks and “touches” on Apple’s awesome multi-touch screen.
I won’t be surprised if Apple has some forward thinking plans already with the iPad. I know this concept is not new, and many before it have failed. But maybe, just maybe this might be a successful one. This could be the start of the next style of computers or a totally big mistake lol. I’ll be an optimist and say this will lead to something new for us as consumers. I guess we’ll see how the market responds when it comes out this Spring.
Visit Apple’s website to learn more about the iPad. In the meantime here is a video of Steve Jobs introducing the iPad as well as some photos…
In Star Trek, “PADDs” were as common as your mobile phone and come in all sizes. Some had specific purposes, others were general use devices.
My clients are looking forward to their weddings this year, but they are excited about their engagement photo sessions as well! These are fun and relaxed photo shoots that help the couple get comfortable with being photographed and for us to get to know one another better. Most shoots are only an hour or so, but it’s time well spent.
I usually recommend couples to wear comfortable clothing in solid colors. Just be themselves while I provide some direction, but mostly just setting them up for a shot or a moment is all I need. Every couple is nervous before the photo shoot, but after about 10 minutes they realize how fun and easy it really is. I like to keep them moving and smiling, makes for some great photos they can enjoy for a long, long time.
I created a video last year to give couples a sense of how these are done and what to expect. My friend Natalie joined me just for fun and shot along side of me. Enjoy it!
Some of my clients purchase Signature Guest Books for their guests to sign at the reception. But there’s more than signing going on because each book is custom designed with space for writing anything they want. Clients can enjoy reading what their family, friends, and guests wrote after the wedding day is over.
Clients love the engagement session. What they love even more is how Armin design’s the Signature Guest Book using their engagement photos. It’s a HUGE hit with the wedding guests at the reception. Your Guest Book includes some of the best images from your engagement photo shoot. Cleverly designed spaces in the book allow guests to write kind notes and wishes for you to enjoy reading for years to come.
January 29, 2010 - 8:58 pmFola - OMG! I love this session...Can I go with you next time...The video is so awesome...
January 26, 2010 - 2:26 pmErin - I've been a recent reader of your blog (LOVE IT) and have yet to really comment. I just wanted to say that I love the video of the engagement photoshoot! I just bought my first DSLR Canon XSi and I love it... your blog/pictures have inspired me a lot, so thank you! And keep up the amazing work!
I’m excited to share some great news about my recognition by my awesome clients and WeddingWire. Thanks to all my clients for making this happen!
Here is the announcement from WeddingWire…
WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that Armin DeFiesta has been selected to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Award™ for photography.
The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.
The ARMIN | photographer brand is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.
“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”
We are happy to announce that ARMIN is among the very best photographers within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. I would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating me for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™.
About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding vendors. WeddingWire enables engaged couples to search, compare and book over 100,000 reviewed wedding vendors nationwide, from wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding vendors, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. In addition, WeddingWire has partnered with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) to provide its network of local vendors and online wedding-planning tools in the Weddings section of www.MarthaStewartWeddings.com. For additional information, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.
CLOSING THAT GAP OF UNCERTAINTY: Engaged couples today have hundreds of decisions to make for their wedding (or their planner does!). They also might have so many photographers to choose from! One way to save time before actually meeting with a photographer is to find a way to pre-screen them first. An intro or promo video about them and their brand is a great way to accomplish this. Videos help close that gap of uncertainty for the discerning bride.
So what are some tips to bring peace of mind to your wedding photography investment? One thing would be to choose the best photographer for the job. Here are some steps to do that…
THE LAST THING YOU SHOULD WORRY ABOUT ON YOUR WEDDING DAYIS THE PHOTOGRAPHER
A wedding can be an important part of ones family history, and the wedding album is a keepsake for generations to enjoy. With so many photographers to choose from, trusting that responsibility to an experienced, responsible, and professional photographer is even more important today than ever before. The photos are the real tangible things that preserve your wedding day after all is said and done. Most wedding planners will agree that if you find a photographer you absolutely want to cover your wedding, do what you can to have them document your wedding day. It’s about having peace of mind at the beginning, middle, and end of the day! The last thing I want my clients to worry about is photography.
REFERRALS, REFERRALS, REFERRALS!
There is no denying that wedding photography today is not the same it was 5 or 10 years ago. More and more couples today are placing higher value and higher expectations on their wedding photographers. My clients do and so do the clients of several of my colleagues. For one thing there are more of us (wedding photographers) than ever before, especially in large city-regions like Southern California or the Washington DC and Baltimore regions. With the influx of photography “businesses” growing exponentially in numbers every year, competition is fierce. It’s no wonder that engaged couples are becoming more overwhelmed with the number of photographers to choose from and the number of referrals they get from their friends. There are hundreds, if not thousands of wedding photographers in my DC metro area alone. I personally have met a good number of them. There’s still no denying that getting referrals from your friends or your wedding planner is the way to go.
CLOSE THE GAP OF UNCERTAINTY
Nothing beats seeing and loving the work of an actual photographer that shot an actual wedding you attended before you even hire them (I get a lot of my business that way actually). The reason is that you already have a sense of how they work and what they’re all about. The gap of uncertainty is always there when a bride-to-be is searching for the right photographer. But when they have a sense of who the photographer is because they watched them work, it makes things so much easier for everyone, especially the bride. Or if you happen to have watched their intro video on their website, then that’s another way to close the gap. Several of my brides were confident in choosing me because of my video alone!
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
Now that you’ve chosen your photographer, it’s time to discuss fees. This can bring a bride to a stressful point in the wedding planning – among many stressful points – the investment in photography. And like any smart spender a bride will have to ask herself “why?” A few months ago Evan Reitmeyerof MyDeejay asked me that same question, “Armin, why is wedding photography is so expensive?” There’s no short answer to this. It’s like asking BMW, “BMW, why are your ‘M’ cars so expensive?” Or asking Apple, “Apple, why are Macs more expensive than some comparable PC’s?” We could go on all day about brand, value, and customer service. But we don’t have all day, so let me sum it up with some reassuring words like I did for Evan…
“The value of wedding photographs preserves important memories that can span generations. Cliche, but so very true. Those that understand the high value of wedding photography also understand the pressure and responsibility placed on the wedding photographer to document and create these important memories for their client. There’s no “take-two” on the set here folks. Weddings happen in real-time. Selecting the right photographer should be on the top of a bride’s list. Many wedding planners recommend to NOT skimp on your wedding photographer and prepare to invest in the one you really want.
There is more to it than just showing up and taking pictures at a wedding. Wedding photography today has evolved to a higher standard, almost an art form requiring the right equipment and skill set. Not only is it a physically and mentally demanding job on the day-of, but there are behind-the-scenes work going on before and after the wedding day the client does not see. It’s not unlike hiring an attorney to represent you in court. You’re not just paying him/her to show up on your court date right? You’re paying them for their level of expertise, education, the resources they have access to, and the time and labor put into building your case and executing the mission before and after the court date. It’s a professional service business, very similar to a smooth running photography business.”
I deliver a brand of peace of mind to my clients throughout the entire experience. The last thing I want them to worry about is photography. The clients I cater too have a high hopes and set high standards for their wedding, the photography is no exception.
January 18, 2010 - 3:53 pmMahera - Armin this is awesome! Do let me know if you're ever having a workshop! I'd love to participate!
January 14, 2010 - 10:20 amBrian Davis - Great post filled with lots of good advice. That video rocks. I just started reading your blog, but I'll definitely have to keep it up.
January 13, 2010 - 9:45 pmemilyhayes84@gmail.com - Great post! All your points are very true.
by Armin
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