Canon 7D

Not too long ago, Canon officially announced the new EOS 7D. If you would like to see Canon's product page, go here. It is my belief that this camera is a game changer, not just in the still photography world, but in the world of film. First about the still photography side. Just looking at the specs, this is going to be a killer camera for the price. Shooting 8 frames per second, which is more than enough, and having an ISO of up to 12,800, this camera could become a great backup or maybe even primary camera for sports, wildlife, and any other photographer that needs the high frame rate. Oh yeah, it's also shooting 18 megapixel files while cranking out 8 frames per second. Again, killer camera. It definitely looks like Canon has stepped up to take on Nikon's D300(s) directly in the still photography market. But what about that other feature that all the big manufacturers are including on their cameras these days? High definition video! I think this camera has something that can please even the most discerning cinematographer. With an APS-C sized sensor, fully manual control, and 24p frame rate, shooting at 1080p this could just be the perfect crossover camera for an independent film maker. I wonder how long until a major release is shot on a 7D? We are definitely living in exciting times for the photography world. Now, not only are we producing killer still images, now we're also shooting videos with the ability to have that great Hollywood style selective focus and we can use the same camera and lens setup for both. So is anyone else ready for the 7D to hit store shelves?

A wish for an iPhone app

Today I read a post by Tech blogger Terry White reviewing the HyperDrive Colorspace UDMA Photo Backup device. While the review convinced me that a backup device like this will probably be my next photo gear purchase, it was actually one of the cons that really made me start thinking about a product that doesn't even exist. Mr. White lists as one of the cons of this device is that it is a separate device. He goes on to suggest a developer producing a hardware device to connect to an iPhone/iPod Touch that would interface with an application on the device so that photos could be backed up to a device that many people carry with them on a daily basis. I for one would appreciate the ability to take a photo with my DSLR, transfer the image to my iPhone, then email the image to a friend or client for review. But I can foresee an even greater audience for such an application. Imagine if a photojournalist being sent out to cover a breaking news event with just an hour of time to spare before deadline. Currently this situation would require the journalist taking a laptop/netbook that is equipped with a cellular data network access card or the journalist would be required to find a Wi-Fi hotspot. Once the journalist was connected to the computer, the files would have to be transfered to the computer and then emailed to an editor. This is a process that is currently very familiar for many photojournalist that work in sport coverage. While this is a feasible solution, imagine having the ability to do all of this from your iPhone. There's no longer a need to carry a laptop/netbook. Any writing assignments can be completed on the iPhone when away from the office, interviews can be recorded using the bundled "Voice Memos" application, now all that is needed is the ability to transfer photos back to the office from a location. And while the company is writing the application, how about including the ability to transfer video files as well?

Accounting 101- Southwest Airlines Style

During Southwest's recent Shareholder's meeting, they invited their "rapping flight attendant" to perform a rap about GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles). Watch the video below for a humorous look at understanding GAAP.

Manual Video Comes to the 5D Mark II!

Finally! Canon announced that a firmware update for the 5D Mark II, my main camera, will be made available in June that will allow the user to manually control the exposure when in Video mode.  I think that this update is going to be a major step forward in the use of the 5DII as a combination camera, shooting both stills and video.  After I apply this firmware update to my camera, I have a feeling that I will be using the video mode a lot more than I do now.  I was thinking about purchasing a consumer grade camcorder to explore the realm of videography this summer.  That thought has now left my mind after this announcement, because soon I will be shooting 1080p video with 35mm depth-of-field.  Oh yeah, I'll also be able to shoot 21.1mp stills at the same time!  Life is going to be good come June.  Thanks for a great Birthday Gift Canon!

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme...

Were all in attendance at the final weekend of Scarborough Faire and so was I.  Scarborough Faire is a Renaissance themed festival beginning the first weekend in April and ending on Memorial Day.  The varied events and shows with period costumes make Scarborough Faire an interesting and very enjoyable photographic experience.  The photo at the right is one of the photos I took at the Faire on Saturday, May 23, immediately following a rain storm and the gentlemen in period costume is continuing to enjoy the Faire despite the inclement weather that forced many people to take cover under various pavilions.  Does anyone else know of any other Renaissance festivals happening in or around Texas in the near future?  If so, please let me know because I enjoy making images at these events.

Breaking the Silence

After several months of not posting, I'm back! Over the past few months I feel that I have evolved photographically and I'm looking forward to my continued evolution. If you would like to follow my evolution as a photographer as well as get any updates on my various projects, please subscribe or follow my blog. Also, follow me on Twitter.

Tuesday: Opinion on the World

The Future of Reading - The NY Times

What is the future of reading?  As students in the 21st century, many of us use the internet for everything from entertainment to research.  So do books have a future in the 21st century?  In my opinion, yes!  I believe that printed material has a future.  The internet will evolve and shape the way we acquire much of our knowledge, but overall I feel that books and other forms of the printed word will continue to exist.  I really can't imagine reading "Fahrenheit 451" on a compute screen.  It is my hope, that as we continue to pursue knowledge, wether it be in pursuit of a degree or for personal knowledge, we do not forget books as a source of this knowledge.

Auto Maker Bankruptcy

Ah, the ink from the almost 1,100 page stimulus bill is still drying and it's already looking like two of the Detroit auto makers want even more loans.  My biggest question, "Why should the taxpayers of our country be responsible for a company that has been driven into the ground by poor management?"  The auto makers in this country have spent many years producing SUVs and large passenger trucks that were lucky to get 15 mpg instead of developing better fuel efficiency.  Now, I'm not the biggest fan of fuel efficiency as the biggest selling point to a car, but it is important.  Over the course of the year I will put several, several thousand miles on my car (a Ford Mustang) and I do wish it had better fuel economy because it would be much easier on my bank account to fuel.  So, if I can figure out that I want better fuel efficiency because of the higher gas prices, can auto maker executives not reach that conclusion?  Could they not begin producing more cars instead of SUVs and trucks?  I say that the industry had a chance to adapt and they failed.  To paraphrase Darwin "Adapt or Die."  GM and Chrysler have not adapted and so I believe they should be on their own.  If they can survive, congratulations to them, I truly wish them the best, but if they cannot make it on their own, without government loans, let them die.