Lens Envy

Do you have a special assignment coming up and the perfect lens for the job is not in your camera bag? 

Would you like to try out a new camera body before buying it?

May I suggest you think about renting before making a major purchase.  There are several places that will rent lenses, camera bodies, studio lights and accessories.  They give you a chance to check out that new fish eye lens or super telephoto lens without breaking the bank.  Most have daily, weekly and monthly rates so you can have the right lens for the job, every time.  And, for peace of mind, take out the offered insurance.

Look through the online catalogs of LensRentals.com and ProPhotoRental.com and give them a try next time.

Sick and Tired

"Steel Wheel"

1/160 sec at f/4.5 ISO 400

"Don't reinvent the wheel, just realign it." - Anthony D'Angelo

A 555' 5.12" Obelisk

"Monumental"

1/200 sec at f/8.0 ISO 100

"Let us raise to a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is in the hands of God." - George Washington

Delaware Wildflowers

Photo by David Smith

Looking for a comprehensive website on flowers in the First State?  Check out David Smith's Delaware Wildflowers website here.

Categorized by color, common name, scientific name, family and many more ways I didn't even know existed, this site seems to be the definitive source for you seedy people with cameras.

And best of all there's a "countdown to spring
 on the home page .... 24 days and this snow's all over!

One Hue Over the Cukoo's Nest

 

 "Sole Mate"

1/160 sec at f/4.2 ISO 100

"It is the eye of ignorance that assigns a fixed and unchangeable color to every object; beware of this stumbling block." - Paul Gauguin

International Photography Exhibit

 

 

Each year, since 1934, the Delaware Photographic Society has hosted the Wilmington International  Exhibition of Photography.  This year they had over 3,000 entries from all over the world.  The DIPS (Digitally-Inspired Photographic Seniors) camera club went up to the University of Delaware's Arsht Hall this afternoon to view the winners exhibit and, perhaps, find a little inspiration and motivation for our own work.

The exhibition runs through this Sunday, if you have a couple hours to spare, I encourage you to check it out.

In the Spotlight

PhotoWalkList.com is a website I use to promote my Delaware PhotoWalks (like the one coming up March 13th at the Brandywine Zoo) and it is the place to read about walks happening all over the globe. I was very appreciative of being interviewed for a spotlight piece recently.

Click here for the full interview.

It's Knot What You Think

"Knot Me"

1/320 sec at f/3.9 ISO 100

"Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities.  Seize common occasions and make them great.  Weak men wait for opportunities, strong men make them." - Orison Swett Marden

Puppy Love

"Eskimo Nose Rub with Donatello"

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." - Roger Caras

Ruff Life

"Best Friends"

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France

What Am I?

"Night Light"

1/1250 sec at f/3.5 ISO 200

Any guesses?

Answer:  Looking up at a Main Street Middletown (DE) lamp post.

Bizzare Guitar

"Bedpan Melody"
Delaware City, DE

1/40 sec at f/3.5 ISO 800

Turn the beat around and march to a different beat. 

(Sometimes) Bigger is Better

Here's a great opportunity to see one or more of your favorite photos turned into 18"x24" posters and not go broke.  A Tennessee printer is offering these big prints for a mere $2 each. 


The $2 print does comes with their "logo" branded on the backside, but that's not really a big deal (for two dollars more you can have your poster printed without the logo).  Another $2 option is to have your poster laminated, which does add some pop to the color saturation.

Shipping rates are a flat $10, so I suggest you order a few at a time or go together with a friend and split the fee.

Visit http://shortrunposters.com for the full scoop and go big next time.

Happy Valentine's Day

"Expo 2010"

1/10 sec at f/3.5 ISO 400

A very big thank you to all who stopped out at the Valentine's Day Gift Expo yesterday at the Christiana Hilton and to event organizer Cheryl Ann Zusin for bringing it all together.

Happy Valentine's Day to all my internet friends:

Roses are #D20202
Violets are #6666D2
My dreams are hexadecimal
And so too are you

So We're All Part of Some Grand Advertising Scheme?

"Curly the Cone Bites"

1/60 sec at f/4.5 ISO 200

As evidenced by the neon sign, Delaware's five plus feet of snow last week was some kind of cold, calculated gimmick by Madison Avenue's advertising double dip coneheads to bring attention to some corporation's silver anniversary.

Some Things Should Never Be Done by Machines

This new iPhone application tries to take the fun out of bra fitting and I, for one, am not happy about it.  Some things should be left to the good, old-fashioned hands-on method.  Please join me and "Just Say No" to technology.  Raise your cups, America!

Blizzard Bonanza

"Snow Blanket"

1/125 sec at f/6.3 ISO 100

"When snow falls, nature listens." - Antoinette van Kleeff

Old Fashioned Light Sabre

Concord Lighthouse, Havre de Grace MD

"We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does.  Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining - they just shine."  - Dwight L. Moody

Williams' Wall of Works

Congratulations to fellow photographer Larry Williams on having his photography skills highlighted all this month at the Newark (DE) Municipal Center.  Larry was given the opportunity to hang 20 or so of his prints throughout the complex.  If you have a chance please stop by and check his artwork out.

Razzle Dazzle

"Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." - Mother Theresa

Branching Out

"Dries Clear"

1/100 sec at f/16 ISO 100

"Snowmen fall from heaven ... unassembled." - Unknown

Don't Eat Yellow Snow and Don't Shoot Blue Snow

Some very good advice before heading out in this weekend's weather to record some amazing scenes.  Now is the perfect time to get outside with your cameras!

23" and Still Counting in Delaware

"Man vs. Nature"

1/400 sec at f/3.9 ISO 100

"A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together." - Unknown

A Walk in the Park

From the film archives:  Dina strolls the countryside.

Snow What?

 

"Wonderland"

1/320 sec at f/5.0 ISO 100

"A lot of people like snow.  I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water." - Carl Reiner

Hoop There it Is!

 

"Three Point Fog"

1/400 sec at f/6.3 ISO 100

Another couple inches of snow overnight made for a beautiful drive in to work this morning.  The sun burning off the early fog was really cool.

Spending a Day in Philly

Attending the Philadelphia Auto Show was a blast today.  And, much to my surprise, they even had a few pretty women showing off the cars.

Below is a slideshow of the day, including a walk around town and a cool visit to a public market for lunch.

Get Your Heart On

Valentine's Day is fast approaching.  Say NO to ties.  Give something personal this year, give the gift of you.  Schedule your portrait session now.