Comments for Photographs, Photographers and Photography

Comment on The Leica for the rest of us by Anders Holt

Anders Holt — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:15:18 +0000

Just a comment on the flash on this camera. It is built in the same way as the Ricoh GX100 and GX200 flash. And yes it’s neat!
Kind regards, Anders Holt

Comment on Alternative keyboards by Tom

Tom — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:34:51 +0000

Your going to love this.

You have every right to post this on your blog or really any review. I know, I’m the most outspoken SOB out there when I’m wronged. Now that being said, I’ve been a customer of Apple for many, many years and I’ve never had a single moment of problem. Would you like to know my secret?

I buy every single item, from iPhones to MacPro Laptops and Towers, to AppleTV to Time Capsules only one way… REFURBISHED.

I know, weird as hell, but it must be something to do with Q/A or “Second Eyes”.

So I’m paying items that have been thru the Q&A the second time, I’m paying less, sometimes a lot less, and I never have a single problem for many years.

Hey, I’m not saying it’s right. Q&A from an engineering company such as Apple should be perfect Day one, but just letting you know…..

Try it and report back.

Comment on More on aspect ratios by Alex

Alex — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:00:53 +0000

Your insight makes a lot of sense.
My personal idea is that the most universal ratio could be between 4:3 and 3:2 … the square root of 2

If you look at the “standard” european paper formats (called A4, A3, etc.), they have the very interesting “universal” benefit that each one is obtained bu cutting in 2 (or binding together 2) the next/previous size while keeping the same ratio. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A4_paper for details.

Since professional photos are mostly read in art books, and since developping your own art book is now accessible to most photographers through internet (typically with “standard” A4 ratios in Europe for example), I see a real interest to compose or crop my photos to this 1.414 ratio.

This way, I can then compose the pages of my book with either one full photo, two similar photos side by side, three photos (one big, two small) or any number and combination of photos while keeping a good balance and avoiding odd-looking lost space.

Anyway, as digital is all about flexibility, I hope upcoming cameras or software will suggest this ratio as just another option. We’ll see what the future will bring !

Regards, Alex
(please excuse my foreign english)

Comment on Paranoia …. by Anders Holt

Anders Holt — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:24:49 +0000

Hi,
I really like your site – discovered it just a few days ago, and it is very good – lots of nice thoughts, sarcastic comments and good pictures, and traces of your english heritage

Regarding backup: I have used http://www.mozy.com a couple of month now, and it works well – took six weeks for the initial backup of 162 GB…, but now, Whenever I dump new pictures on my HD, I just let it rumble along over night, and it is finished (and that is from Norway to US, with a 800 Mbits Upload DSL). Of course, i also have two HDs locally. And once every second year or something, I burn some DVDs… But my point was that I think the cloud alternative is good enough now for civilian use also, so to speak.

Kind regards,
Anders Holt

Comment on G1 discontinued? by Thomas Pindelski

Thomas Pindelski — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:14:38 +0000

I stand corrected. I should have written that the L1 has a lousy optical viewfinder: DPReview has the details.

Comment on G1 discontinued? by Jim

Jim — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 06:08:06 +0000

The L1 doesn’t have a lousy EVF, it has no EVF it is an optical viewfinder because it is a DSLR! Also the sensor is not mediocre, it is susceptible to poor exposures more than some, but properly exposed even ISO is usable. I also have newer Olympus DSLRs and the image quality from the L1 in some respects exceeds them when MP are scaled. The L1 and L10 have very week AA filters, which makes output extremely sharp. The L1 has excellent colour reproduction but benefits from working in RAW. If you work in RAW you will find the DR is amongst the best in class. Plus no mention was made of three of the L1’s best features, the bounce flash, the quality of construction and the feel in the hand.

Comment on iPad – first reactions by Rory

Rory — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:40:53 +0000

I still think that if Lightroom and Excel are your top concerns, you are not getting the value proposition for this device at all. It is not meant as a computer replacement, it is meant as something to bridge the gap between your phone and your computer. Something to surf the web on the couch, watch a movie on the airplane, and keep up with email on the go. I agree, a camera would be nice for video conferencing; I disagree on flash—if we are lucky this will be the nail in the coffin for garbage flash websites/ads and something more open will take over as the video standard for the web. Finally, I do strongly prefer Pages to the Mac version of Word, and use it all the time. That said, I don’t expect to be writing essays or business documents much on my iPad…

Comment on A Mighty Mouse replacement by Roy

Roy — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:46:21 +0000

That’s very interesting. My wireless mouse has laid idle, gathering dust, for some time. I use a chunky old Logitech MX900 via BT and it’s ok, but showing its (considerable) age. I too like the side buttons but in considering the Magic Mouse I felt it just wasn’t going to cut it, the swiping movement on a mouse that’s already difficult to hold, no side buttons – no way. I shall give the 6000 a try.

Comment on HDR for street snappers by Roy

Roy — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:05:03 +0000

Sometimes you can achieve a degree of success with Photomatix HDR on a single exposure, so never exclude the possibility of its use. That example is an extreme case, a more subtle use of the software can just make an otherwise fairly dull photograph - slightly less dull? However, I agree that in most cases, the tools in Lightroom can be used to engineer the tonal range required without any need for yet another app.

Comment on iSlate predictions by Rory

Rory — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:38:38 +0000

I think you are probably in the ballpark on the tech specs (although I wouldn’t bet against bluetooth), however I think you are way off on the positioning/prospects. Whether it fails or succeeds is to be seen, but this is never going to be a laptop replacement. This is going to be an entertainment device. Pure and simple. iPods Touch are flying off the shelf (cf. yesterday’s earnings report, in which iPod volume is down but profits are up—i.e. the high-end is selling, big time). Apple has already proven they can sell expensive entertainment devices (yes, even in *this* economy). I see no reason to bet against them continuing to do so.

Comment on A Mighty Mouse replacement by Thomas Pindelski

Thomas Pindelski — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:01:45 +0000

Jonathan – fine, but the Logitech seems to be missing the side buttons which I find so useful for jumping to the desktop – something I do a lot as I’m visually oriented and generally include pictures with my content, be it blog or email. The Douglas Adams aphorism strikes me as spot on. Good point on the scarcity of USB sockets on (Apple) laptops.

Comment on iSlate predictions by Jaladhi

Jaladhi — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:50:45 +0000

I love your Steve Jobs’ comments. It made for an entertaining (as well as interesting) post to read. I also think that it will fail to attract too many buyers initially but not because of lack of bluetooth. In fact, I think bluetooth will probably be included. It is just that those who already have a laptop and a smartphone don’t want/need another expensive device. However, when these little machines morph into a truly powerful computer, they will start to replace laptops and Apple will again be in a position to reap the rewards for transforming personal computing.

Comment on A Mighty Mouse replacement by Jonathan Pletschke

Jonathan Pletschke — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:45:17 +0000

Hmmm, I looked at the Apple offerings and they simply looked like “every expense had been spared to give the impression that none had been spared… ” (Douglas Adams). I went with the Logitech BT Laser Travel Mouse device @ 40% of the Mighty Mouse price and considering the MAC Book Pro 15′ has only two USB ports the need for an additional USB dongle was a ‘luxury, bloody luxury’. The look and feel is excellent and build quality is fit to purpose. MAC OSX picked the thing up with no problems and the Logitech driver is configurable via System Preferences – it also works well sans driver although the driver offers additional config settings. The scroll wheel is excellent and configurable. Pick-up isn’t as instantaneous as you describe but that’s a BT thing. I’ve used it for about a year now (OSX Tiger and Snow Leopard). Battery life is just shy of 8 months on 2 AA Alkaline batteries with daily use.
Regrds

Comment on Panasonic 45-200 mm lens for the G1 – Part I by Rory

Rory — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:37:19 +0000

Thanks, I definitely understand the bulk factor. I am new to photography so only have a vague sense of what the point of a hood is. Not sure what exactly you mean by “multi coated lenses” but glad that I (hopefully) won’t need to drag the hood around with me.

Comment on Runner by Thomas Pindelski

Thomas Pindelski — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:10:30 +0000

Mark – for my style of photography with the G1, which is almost exclusively street snaps, I have little use or time for the spot meter which would dictate a meter-recompose cycle which is simply too time consuming for my chosen subjects. I actual use matrix metering (no real idea what it does but it works – probably just marketing gobbledegook for ‘averaging’) and if there is a need to underexpose simply depress and rotate the front dial a couple of clicks.

That’s not a criticism of the G1’s spot metering, more a recognition of the realities of street snapping.

Your point on AE lock for panoramas is well taken – I use the 5D for those and simply set it on manual as the subject tends not to move.

Comment on Runner by Mark Fredrickson

Mark Fredrickson — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:41:46 +0000

I think the goal of AE lock is to hold the exposure settings across shots. E.g. Taking a series of shots for a panorama. But I agree the behavior of this button is not always obvious. So far, I’ve primarily used it to engage the spot meter (another feature that could use some attention in the manual) when I want to meter something that is not dead center in the frame. I’ve on the verge of declaring the spot meter of dubious use because of the AE lock issues. Have you used it much? Do you find the spot useful?

Comment on Panasonic 45-200 mm lens for the G1 – Part I by Thomas Pindelski

Thomas Pindelski — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:38:55 +0000

Rory – it adds a lot of bulk which makes it impossible to pocket and increases how noticeable you become. Plus, unless you are pointing it directly into the sun – in which case no hood works – it makes no difference with modern multi-coated lenses.

Comment on Panasonic 45-200 mm lens for the G1 – Part I by Rory

Rory — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:02:25 +0000

Thanks for the review, seriously thinking about getting this lens for my GF1. Just curious, why do you say the hood is of no use to you?

Comment on Brands and investments by L.J. deLuna

L.J. deLuna — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:24:32 +0000

Mr. Pindelski, please put me first in line for your (Depreciated) G1 when you are ready to move up and on to
The Next Greatest Thing…I’d like to give 4/3 a try, and yours would probably have a few good frames left in it!
Thanks

Comment on Jeff Bridges by Jared R L

Jared R L — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:50:14 +0000

If you like Bridges but have never seen The Morning After (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091554/), you might enjoy it. I thought the acting was excellent. Its been a while, but I recall finding the cinematography (Andrzej Bartkowiak), especially of some “empty” LA scenes, to be memorable.

Comment on A handy bag by Craig Johnson

Craig Johnson — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:39:48 +0000

Thanks for this. I’d been looking for something similar to hold my G1 and miscellaneous other stuff (two large compartments were essential), but hesitated to shell out over $50 for a small messenger bag or the like. My local military surplus shop didn’t have any used ones, but I bought a new one just like this for $15 (although black was all they had). It’s exactly what I wanted. Oh, and mine says it was made in India

I’ve appreciated all you’ve posted about the G1 – it helped me make the final decision to buy one (and has put the 45-200 on my must-buy list) – but I also enjoy reading the rest of your diverse posts here. Thanks for all of it.

Comment on Auto Blur™ by Arun

Arun — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:36:59 +0000

Nik Software's tool automagically creates amazing masks, e.g. on this page. Scroll down to the Viveza lesson "Precise Selections and Enhancements" and view the video. These can be used to create bokeh effects.

Comment on Roy Hammans by Dee Edge

Dee Edge — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:13:37 +0000

Roy Hammans is a truly inspirational photographer, showing that technique and quality from the past can be retained and exquisitely merged with the technology of today.

Comment on Sisters under the Skin by Roy

Roy — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:26:49 +0000

Despite my writing about the brilliance of Parkinson on many occasions, particularly in relation to the brand of excellent sausages that bears his name in the UK(!), I do not actually own any of his books. ‘Portraits in Fashion’ has been on my Wish List for years and no one has ever bought it for me.
So your post prompted me to do something about this, and I found a copy of ‘Sisters’ in the UK for £8 – bargain. ‘Portraits’ is next on the list, with copies slightly more expensive, but worth it nevertheless.

Comment on Over processed? by Jared R L

Jared R L — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:25:44 +0000

I like it. It would be nice if lightroom allowed one to control/adjust the noise/etc within certain highlighted areas, for example here within a box highlighting the windows. Well, perhaps it does and I have not unlocked that feature yet….

Comment on Another EVF SLR by Andy Kowalczyk

Andy Kowalczyk — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:55:38 +0000

I can live with the prism hump if it is housing an EVF.

Comment on The Panasonic G1 – Part VIII by Ann B

Ann B — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:36:50 +0000

What a relief to come across your field test of the Panasonic G1, which I have owned since June 2009! I bought it as a temporary replacement for my Nikon D80 while I was recovering from hand surgery. It felt great ergonomically and the weight was perfect. However, I kept on depressing that front wheel by accident and ending up with negative exposure comp in places I didn’t want it. Even now that my hand is fully recovered, it still happens. I have to check the exposure comp before every single photo. I, too, have found that the highlights tend to blow out, so it’s good to set EC on the low side. As for the manual, it’s the worst I’ve ever owned. I’m a great big fan of camera manuals and even read them in bed. I’ve owned Canon, Konica Minolta, and Nikon cameras and found their manuals always useful. If only there was a good book (such as the ones David Busch writes) on the G1.

I’ve just ordered the FL220 Flash. Do you know of a diffuser (like the ones Gary Fong produces) which would fit it? I will be using it on my LX3 as well as the G1. If necessary, I’ll make one!

Comment on Funky shutters by Helmut Ladwig

Helmut Ladwig — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:18:17 +0000

Thomas,

These days I had a discussion with friends why Sony Cybershot DSC-H50 Super-zoom camera (CCD with electronic shutter, up to 1/4000 sec) had no flash sync limit like Canon, Nikon or my Panasonic GH1 (1/160 sec). I learned a lot. Your images are a very nice demonstration of slit shutter consequences.

Happy new year
Helmut

Comment on Another 10 years? by Kevin Morrison

Kevin Morrison — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:32:27 +0000

This article made me think critically about the compromises and benefits of a crop sensor. Thank you for your honest critique.

I’ve owned the canon 20d for 2 years, using mostly a 35mm prime for the as near focal length of 50mm. Just this week I’ve “updated” to the 5d. I’m in awe with how much range of color I’ve gained over the 20d sensor. I hope your 5d gives you 5 more years of happy shooting!

Comment on Funky shutters by Leigh

Leigh — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:33:31 +0000

I love this shot! It’s interesting, random and shows some movement.

Comment on Depression by Paul Bock

Paul Bock — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 07:41:55 +0000

Cheer up, Thomas, you are good.

You just published a new site with your dailies (I can’t get enough of them); this site is full of insight and good humor: what else do you need? You do this to please and express yourself. The Green Park, London image could be a frame from Blow Up (I love it), and you get depressed? Those folks in the image look depressed, but I think that comes with the Territory.

Yes, we all get depressed sometimes for various reasons, but your images don’t reflect that. I enjoy Hopper myself and I can tell which of your images resonates with him before reading the subtitle.

I’m a photographer myself, with a structural engineering background; in 2008 I won an award at a local art show (I live in SoCal), and had a solo exhibit in Eastern Europe this September, had shown 100 images. My website is close to go live but not there yet. I do mostly landscape, travel and people photography.

You have a lot to show for your efforts, keep up the good work:)
Best regards,
Paul

Comment on Depression by Roy

Roy — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:04:40 +0000

Reading through this, it neatly summed up my own feelings when considering work I've produced recently. 'Recently' here relates to my 2009 Lightroom catalogue, which is considerably smaller than previous years... The other day, I started to write a response to a recent TOP article, (The Tenset), about why I maintain three different websites and whether I could present my 'Top Ten' images on a single front page of any of those sites. The article never got finished, because every time I looked at my photographs from recent years I was swamped by the same feelings of doubt that you describe. However, just one successful picture per year is an acceptable hit rate in my view, and 'Minuet in Green' would seem to a very worthwhile candidate for 2009. These feelings are certainly not confined to those of Slavic extraction; more likely related to the fact that I too got very close to the end of my sixth decade a couple of months ago.

Comment on Panasonic 45-200 mm lens for the G1 – Part I by Thomas Pindelski

Thomas Pindelski — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:14:29 +0000

Great tip, thanks. An incredibly useful technique when focusing through a window if the AF sensor insists on focusing on the glass instead of the object behind it. Yet another strike against the truly awful instruction manual which Panny ships with the camera.

Comment on Panasonic 45-200 mm lens for the G1 – Part I by Jared R L

Jared R L — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:14:11 +0000

“Manual focusing brings up the magnified EVF image and is very accurate – surely this is the most perfect manual focusing system yet?”

I am not sure if you have have tried this, but in my mind the manual focus issue gets even better for both of these lenses. On screen three of the custom menu, if you toggle “AF+MF” to “Yes”, than when you half depress the shutter button you get the autofocus. Keeping it half depressed, when you touch the manual focus ring, the enlarged field of view comes up on the EVF and you can tweak the focus (if need be). Its a great feature once you get used to it. It helps in finding the good initial focus, especially as the lenses dont have distance markings on the MF ring. My two cents, from a rank amateur who is liking his Blumix…

Comment on My years in retail by Roy

Roy — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:37:46 +0000

A great read Thomas, entertaining and amusing.

I had completely forgotten about the ‘Prinz’ brand at Dixons, but then I guess there was absolutely nothing memorable about it whatsoever!

…and I always wondered where those tubes in Harrods ended up.

Comment on Staircase by Jared R L

Jared R L — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:17:13 +0000

I really like this one a lot.

Comment on My years in retail by Gustaf Erikson

Gustaf Erikson — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:44:49 +0000

A very entertaining post, thanks!

Comment on Paris Metro by Zishaan

Zishaan — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 03:22:09 +0000

Beautiful. The colors of France.

Comment on Paranoia …. by Roy

Roy — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:48:29 +0000

I find I’m using Time Machine more often these days, especially when working with clients’ material. I’ve had occasion to retrieve past versions of several job files, which have usually been progressively overwritten over time, because clients have requested a roll-back to material in a previous version. This is particularly true of web sites, of which I keep one copy on my Mac, one on a bootable backup, and also on an external dual 1TB(RAID) Time Machine backup. I’m now finding that the oldest backup stored (February 2009) is too recent in some cases, so either a bigger drive or a different TM backup routine is called for.

Which I why I’m delighted to discover those two useful little apps listed here – never thought to look to see if anything like that was available!

I also like the look of that Aluratek drive dock, but sadly that’s another item that hasn’t reached the UK shores yet. There are Aluratek products available here, but not that one. There are alternatives though, so I think I might give one a try (same price in pounds as dollars, as usual!)

Comment on Think Pink! by Arun

Arun — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:48:38 +0000

Wishing you and family a very happy Thanksgiving!

And thanks for the blog. I always enjoy the photography and commentary.

Comment on More on aspect ratios by Bernard Goodman

Bernard Goodman — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:50:16 +0000

Television and movies show action where people move across the screen, hence the need for a wide format. Paintings and still photographs do not have the requirement for movement, hence a squarer format. Although 16:9 might be suitable for landscape, try using it in portrait and you’re three quarters the way to a Sergeant portrait, the format of which I believe was only popular in the late 19th/early 20th century.

Comment on About the Snap: From Grace’s Steps by Jared R L

Jared R L — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:53:36 +0000

This is fantastic — with great commentary to go along with it too! I have really been enjoying reading through all of your posts on your site. From another “Blumix” G1 user…

Comment on The Kiss by Roy

Roy — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:51:24 +0000

Yikes, suffering cultural dislocation syndrome looking at this!
A reference to a famous French photo; cars that could be in the UK; a red, open top Routemaster omnibus; a faux Nelson’s Column…and a palm tree!
I need to lie down…

Comment on The Panasonic G1 – Part VIII by Andy C

Andy C — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:23:49 +0000

Panasonic makes a number of great cameras (I have a G1 myself, and an LX3), and the lousy manual is a universal feature of the company. Your description of their manuals nails it.

Comment on Working with two displays by Andy Kowalczyk

Andy Kowalczyk — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:53:40 +0000

Be sure to scroll down to see Al Gore’s multi screen setup. (several years old, now)

http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000928.html

Comment on Dell 2209WA monitor by Thomas Pindelski

Thomas Pindelski — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:38:47 +0000

Jonny – I read that too but in a Mac you do not ‘choose’ aspect ratios. It’s automatic. So the only time you see black bars on the screen is when you play 4:3 movies (bars at the side) or 2.55:1 ultra-widescreen movies (bars top and base) which is as it should be to avoid edits or distortion to the original.

Most movies, of course, are 16:9 meaning they fit the Dell’s screen fully with no bars anywhere. Anyway, for Mac users it’s a non-issue. I cannot speak for Windows as I don’t own it. As for using lower resolutions, why would anyone want to do that?

Comment on Dell 2209WA monitor by jonny

jonny — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:13:33 +0000

I dont own this dell tft, but I read when you choose 4:3 ratio with your video card, the dell will have 1:1 pixel matching in smaller resolutions and show black bars.

Comment on Highgate by Jerzy Goliszewski

Jerzy Goliszewski — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:46:24 +0000

Great!!

Comment on Old Farts by peter solmssen

peter solmssen — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:36:06 +0000

One of your best shots, Thomas. Interesting that you still find use for the LX1. Guess you were wearing your 501s.

Comment on Faces by Tyler Blalock

Tyler Blalock — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:18:48 +0000

Those are replicas of the famous eggheads which were designed for the UC Davis campus: http://daviswiki.org/The_Eggheads