The Camera we always have?

For most of us we all have our cell phones with us every where we go. I know I do, yet when it comes time to take a photo do we really understand how and when we should use our cell phone to do it?

I know I try and take as many photos as I can with my cell phone, why? Well why not it is there! Another tool to use to document life. I have made it a requirement to use it. Does it take the best photos, no not really, but a little photoshop can help with that. Yes I know photoshop is like cheating, well so was the dark room like cheating too so get off of it.

So here is a shot from the parking lot of my son’s school one morning.

And again a couple of days later around the same time of day.

Both of these were taken with my phone, and a little help with photoshop. Are they great, no not really, but they served their purpose for me at the moment. Would I use the phone to do a wedding, probably not, but then again if some one said “hey do my wedding photos, but only use your phone”. I just might take them up on that offer.

So what is the point I’m trying to make? Well I guess I’m saying pull that phone out every now and then and take a good photo, think about composition and what you can do with the photo afterwards in photoshop. Or just go buck wild and use the photos in the buff.

Control your camera with you iPhone or Ipod Touch

  How you ask? Well just go on over to onOne software and find out, that is how. I have been useing onOne’s DSLR Camera remote pro for the better part of the year and let me say it is a really great tool to have with you.

  What does it do you ask? Well how about wirelessly use you iPhone or iTouch to control your camera. Just connect you camera to your laptop and start shooting away to get all the shots you will need for creating a dynamic HRD photo with out touching your camera. Control all of you cameras setting as well a get a preview of the shot you took right on your iPhone or iTouch, as well as have the shot saved to your computer and camera all at the same time.

Here is a list of what can be done with DSLR camera remote pro.

Remotely fire your Canon EOS or Nikon DSLR

Remotely control the camera settings like shutter-speed, aperture, white-balance and more

View images shot on the camera from your iPhone or iPod touch

Look through your camera’s viewfinder remotely

  I know I love useing this little progam and I bet once you start to use it you will enjoy it as much as I do.

Equipment

So what am I useing currently? Canon Equipment, specifically the Xti and Xsi bodies. I know alot of people will say that crop sensors suck, but for now I have a great respect for the technology. I do use fast glass though, 24-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 as well. I feel that for me, at this time, I dont need a full frame body, but if some money was to fall in my lap I just might buy the new 5d mkII. I really like this body and can see it in my bag in the near future, well at least I hope. Flash? Yeah I got em’ 580 exII and the 430 ex also.

  When I started to get serious about my photography I bought a Minolta Maxxum 9000, and had a 7000 as a back up body. Both great cameras to be sure, and served me so well that I still have them to this day. Also in my arsenal of cameras is the venerable Leica IIIc, built in 1957 it still shoots wonderfull photos. I really love range finders for street work, they are silent and small, and just fall into my hand in a very natural way.

  I will expand on this topic of equipment even more as time goes on.

Tripods and camera support.

  I often wonder why do I have tripods for my cameras? well as some scoff at the idea of useing a tripod, I actually like useing them. Some times you just have no choice at all, I have yet to see any one hand hold a two second or longer exposure and have it perfectly exposed, with out any blur. So I have a few tripods at my disposal, One that usually stays at the house for shots done on the table, and one in the car at all times, I have learned that if you have one in the car you will not miss that shot you were looking to get at that magic moment.

  The “house” tripod, I have had for at least 15 years now, the Bogen 3221 with a 15 year Bogen ball head, as well as a Really Right Stuff clamp on top or the whole kit. As I said this setup has been in servise as it is for the better part of 15 years, and is still going strong. Yes it looks a little old and tired but it still locks down solid as can be. I really can not say enough good thing about RRS (Really Right Stuff) Products. Thay are made exceptionally well and last forever.

  What is in the car? Well alot actually. A carbon fiber Manfrotto 055MF3 tripod. On top of that is a Acratech GV2 Ballhead. Let me just say that for a carry around in your car setup, I find that this combination of equipment cannot be beat at all. Light tripod, easy to work with ball head and a RRS camera plate and all is good. Also there is the venerable monopod in the car as well, attached to the top is a simple Manfrotto tilt head with a RRS clamp on top of that. All a great combinaton for a monopod. Also for those times when I may need a small, and I meen tiny tripod for a friends point and shoot, I have a six inch with extendable legs tripod. I don’t even remember where or when I got it but it has come in handy more times then I can remember, nicely tucked away in a cubb in the car.

Im On Word press

Well what will I do while I am here? I will be blogging about my passions, those of wich will be my love Erin, my wonderfull son Dillon, myself of course as well as my photography and where it is going for me. The directions I take in my limited time on this wonderfull and oft times troubled planet that we all call home. I will talk about the news, as boring as that seems, and throw in a little technology from time to time too.

Nothing truly ground breaking but just a slice of my life at work, home, and play too.
Thank you all who may read this, and i encourge all to reply if you would like too.

Robert.