Unless you follow me on Facebook, it may have been a while since I posted a photo of our youngest, Jackson. Here is he with his momma

Photographers – here’s a video tutorial of the HDR (High Dynamic Range) workflow you can try out using Adobe Lightroom 3 and Adobe Photoshop CS5.  I’m a fan of both applications and I know many of you might be too.  Even if you’re not into HDR, this might be fun to watch.

Okay this is totally unrelated to photography but I’ve been wanting to test out the 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System.  We all know how hazy and dull our headlight lenses 

It’s a great inexpensive fix, probably improves light output which is an obvious safety benefit. The only thing I read somewhere is that hazy dullness is the result of the UV coating accumulating miles and miles of road grime and other environmental elements. So when you do this, be aware that you will be removing the UV coating.

More info here:  http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?mwsId=66666UuZjcFSLXTtnxTXLXTVEVuQEcuZgVs6EVs6E666666–

Overall I’m pleased with the results.  I think I could’ve done a better job sanding. But I can always sand & buff again later if and when the haze returns.

Here are some iPhone photos I took to show the results.

Of course this father is all over photographing his newborn!  … and Jordan too!   Jackson is 8 days old in these photos.

Introducing our latest addition to the family, Jackson Reid DeFiesta, born March 2 at 2:04pm at 6.9 pounds, 22 inches long. He’s an amazing miracle! This birth was also much easier for Denise compared to Jordan. We were in at 9am, started pushing around 1:45pm, and Jackson was born 20 minutes later.

It’s been too long since I posted a few personal and family photos! And in case you didn’t know, Denise is due March 8 with our baby boy!  These impromptu photos were shot in dark conditions using only available window light. ISO settings were at H1 (12,800) on my Canon 5D Mark II, hence the noise/grain. Shutter speed ranged from 1/30th to 1/60th of a second, aperture was f/3.5.  I also used a PhotoFlex MultiDisc Reflector 5-n-1 Kit 32

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!

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.

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…

One of the features Canon photographers take for granted is the auto-off feature in their Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameras

How To Disable the Auto-Off feature in you Canon 580EX II flash:

1. To access the functions hold the Custom Function (C.Fn) button down on your flash
2. Scroll the wheel until you see Fn 01 0 on the screen. That is Custom Function #1.
3. Press the center/select button, the “0” should start blinking.
4. Use the wheel to change that blinking zero (the one on the right) to a “1“.
5. Press MODE to exit back to your main screen.

That’ll keep your flash on all the time for off-camera use. Just make sure you remember to turn it off when you’re done! Also make sure you have some good batteries in there =). I recommend a battery pack if you don’t have one already. Something like the Janco External Flash Battery Pack for Canon 580EX, 580EX II, 550EX, 540EZ, MR-14EX, & MT-24EX Speedlite Flash Units (Replaces Canon CP-E4)

Speaking of off-camera lighting, check out some of the Pocket Wizards and other lighting gear in MY AMAZON STORE.

My inbox gets all kinds of email – clients, vendors, friends, family, inquiries, etc. Y’all know what I mean. But some of the most interesting emails come from new photographers asking for business advice, personal development, critique of their work, and general questions about photography. Why do I find those the most interesting? Because they REALLY get me thinking, and I mean thinking hard because what I say to them influences the paths they choose for themselves which can impact the future of the industry, even if it’s just a little influence. Ever heard of the Butterfly Effect? Like the mentors and industry leaders that influenced me, I can’t help but feel a certain level of responsibility in shaping future photographers myself. In some ways it’s like parenting – I have two children and one more on the way so I know what I’m talking about

That said, here are my TOP 10 pieces of advice I’ve given to wedding and lifestyle photographers…. in no particular order:

1. Network with other photographers, it can improve your chances of getting referrals for work.
2. Network with businesses in your industry, especially if you’re covering weddings. Wedding planners, DJ’s, florists, venues, etc. can be strong referral sources. Join local networking groups and events, meet them for lunch, be professional on site, and offer a disc of images to promote yourself through them.
3. Break down the elements of exposure and understand how they work separately and together. M mode on your camera is fun! Great for the control freak in you

4. LIGHT, LIGHT, LIGHT. Understand it. Do not be afraid of it. The flash and strobe are your friends
   The word photograph is based on the Greek words (phos) “light” and (graphê) “representation by means of lines” or “drawing”, together meaning “drawing with light”. Yeah, I’d say understanding light, ambient and artificial, and how it makes a photograph is quite important!
5. Shoot for yourself. Growing a business is typically 80% business, 20% photography. Don’t forget to make time to shoot outside your comfort zone, vary your work assignments, and shoot for yourself. Remind yourself why you got into this business in the first place.
6. Invest in education. Online tutorials, trade shows, and workshop tours are some of the most popular educational resources today. These can get expensive so talk to fellow photographers and get their insight on different educational resources and invest in the right ones for you, your brand, and your business.
7. Find a mentor and learn from them. Workshops are great too, but it’s important to find one or two mentors to help grow and develop yourself as a business person and artist.
8. Write business and marketing plans. I know, you did not get into photography to write these kinds of things but they can help keep you on track. Start with a mission statement and understand your financial goals to keep your business afloat and growing.
9. Marketing, branding, marketing, branding, marketing… okay you get the idea here. This is important, especially in a huge saturated market of wedding and lifestyle photographers. It’s getting easier and easier everyday for someone to buy a decent SLR, purchase a website template, and call themselves a photographer. Many things will set YOU apart from the wannabes and one of those things is your marketing/branding plan (besides your photography!). Identify yourself and what you represent because YOU are your brand. Then identify and understand your target client and build your marketing and branding strategies around them. The brand is the emotional response when someone hears your name, sees your logo, or photographic style. There are many marketing and branding agencies available. Ask around and get referrals and invest in the right one for you.
10. Look out for number 1, yes that means YOU. Despite the fact that I advise networking with other photographers, the truth is you’ll only become friends with a small group of them. But friends won’t pay your rent, car note, or your school tuition. I’ve yet to find a good friend to do that for me
      Remember, when it comes to booking jobs it’s not about impressing other photographers with a rock star status because they’re not the ones writing you the checks (unless you’re actually selling product & services of course then that’s another story). If you want more work to meet your financial goals then focus cultivating relationships with your clients, potential clients, and your referral sources because those are the ones you need impress. They respond more to your brand than anyone else. They are the ones that help grow your business into a profitable one.
11. BONUS piece of advice – in the spirit of sharing I’ll add one more recommendation… don’t post-process an image just for the sake of post-processing it. What I mean folks is just because you can add Photoshop actions to an image does not mean you should. Yes, of course there are images where enhancing it can do wonders and really bring the image to life. But overdoing an image in post can ruin the story of a photo and take something away, especially if the image was great to begin with. It’s really a balancing act. There are a good number of reputable resources on getting the most out of your post-processing. Start with understanding photography – lighting, composition, exposure and get the best image possible. Understand and draw from life experiences to tell a story, anticipate a moment, and create an image with impact.

Well I hope this makes some of you think as well. I am certain that there are a number of people with different opinions on my Top 10, and that’s what’s great about this. So much information out there it’s ridiculous, in a good way. I recommend taking it all in then choose your own path.

Know your subject and what’s beyond it. Keep your camera and lens on the ready, finger on the shutter until you’re ready to fire. May the force be with you