Image Wizards sent me an email announcing a huge sale they are having through the end of the month – BOGO and 40% off edge-to edge prints!  Use promo code NYBOGO40 to take advantage of this great offer!

The Battle at F-Stop Ridge got it’s second installment – great fun to watch – check it out here!

With all the furor over the SOPA and PIPA legislation pending in the House and Senate, there’s been a lot of dialog and heated discussion.  One resource that was particularly interesting and seemed to keep personal bias out of things I learned about is here.

A fun diversion is this site called Pinterest where it kind of combines the concept of Twitter and bookmarks.  It ties into Facebook and seems to be getting some draw.  I may have to sign up as photography is an interesting one to pin based on what I’ve seen so far.  Check it out here.

Photoshelter recently released a new handy guide called The Photographer’s Social Media Handbook.  Free, and it has some decent enough info in there – worth sharing your email address to get a copy…

GoPro sends me a “video of the week” in my email and they are all pretty amazing, but this one just dropped my jaw:  GoPro Video  (and yes, I have been asking for a review copy of one of these to report to y’all on how well it really works – no dice yet!)

I have the distinct honor of having Mr Joe Farace joining me on the next episode of Learning Digital Photography podcast.  We’re scheduled in the next few days or so, and the topic is Portraiture and Lighting, so if you’ve got any Q&A you’d like us to answer on the show – chime in with your own questions for answering and we’ll see if we have time to get to it!

So, there’s the 7 picks for this beta edition of what I am calling a “Weekend Edition”  (kind of like the Saturday Evening Post). Like the post?  Like the picks?  Got your own?  Lots of potential for feedback here, so feel free to share your own thoughts and such in the comments!  Happy Shooting!

1 – Wired networking capabilities…seeing that LAN port on the body was pretty cool! I do wonder what kind of battery drain will result from usage but we shall see!

2 – In camera HDR processing…cal it what you want but the folks at Canon seem to have sensed that the masses like HDR processing, and have added a 9 image built in processing engine to meet those needs.

3 – Bigger pixels! – The Canon 1Dx seems to also have embraced the pixel principle – the one that recognizes more isn’t necessarily better.  Instead, they’ve increased the pixel size on sensors.  What this results in (most likely) is less noise and smoother gradations between colors and tones in print results.

When you factor these new features in with the almost expected advances in processing, like new sensors, video, faster burst rates, more AF points, etc, this is going to be a serious consideration for professional photographers looking to make their work flow more efficient.  Likewise, enthusiast gear heads will also find plenty to salivate over with all the upgrades and additions.  For me though, the nearly $7000 price tag ($6800 MSRP) makes this probably out of reach to justify for my own needs.  After all, it’s not the gear that takes the photos, it’s you!

Of course, this is all just my own first take on the gear as announced from Canon.  What do you think?   Game changer?  Incremental upgrade?  Is this the way of your own future needs, or is this something you can pass on?  Sound off in the comments with your own thoughts!  The full details are here:

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/about_canon?pageKeyCode=pressreldetail&docId=0901e024803b812e#

1. Follow me (@CBJason) and @Drobo (no need to unfollow and re-follow if you already are…)

2. RT the text message in the blog post:

RT I’ve registered to win a #Drobo with @CBJason at http://bit.ly/qdqg6Z

3. Share your best story about why you need a Drobo on the blog here (my blog) and on the Drobo Facebook page! (Note the embedded links… )

4.  Don’t forget to register with Drobo in case your name is picked – if you’re not registered, you can’t win!

5.  All entries must be submitted no later than midnight MDT on Wednesday!

This means you only have 3 days to enter – do it now before you forget.

*Special Contest Note*  You only have to re-tweet the message once – multiple tweets will not gain you more entries, and will likely annoy any followers you have.

Many thanks to the folks at Data Robotics for their exciting support.  If you’d like to learn more about what a Drobo is, and what it can do for you, here’s a couple useful resources to read through (and videos to watch) including one from my review here on the blog!  It’s a great data storage solution for people who don’t want to take the time to build out their own RAID solutions (i.e. photographers).  I own one myself (yes I bought it…), and have absolutely fallen in love with its ease of use.  Beyond the initial formatting time frame for a new disk, it’s been an absolute dream, and gives me the peace of mind knowing my data is protected!

My own Drobo Review

Drobo Website

In exactly one week, I will have completed a month of blog posts that have all been written, and scheduled in advance! This is a first for me – I’ve never been that far ahead of the game…and I gotta tell you, not only do I feel more organized, the pressure of putting good quality content out has been lifted substantially. The question is – did you notice?

And finally, in week the latest newsletter will be released with some big news! For those keeping score, last month the newsletter went AWOL, but it’ll be back with a bang! I can’t say what yet, but it’s sure to turn a few heads and eyes! A few hints may come out via Twitter and Facebook, and if you’re also a reader of the well-regarded PhotographyBB magazine, you’ll find out there early! (Just sayin’! )

So yeah, the seven day mark from today will be some pretty fun news announcements here on the blog! Any guesses? I’ll give a hint: it’s photography-related!

Nevertheless, since photos have not been at the forefront, I wanted to dedicate an entire post to sharing some photos from the trip here with you.  So, without further ado, some selects from the trip!

To finish things off, a quick reminder that today is Webinar Wednesday!  Kerry Garrison (Camera Dojo) and I go live tonight at 7pm Mountain Time, 6pm Pacific.  If you’ve got time to stop in and check out the show, or even want to share the info with friends, it’s always free to join!  Here’s the sign-up page…see you tonight!

1. Free Hoodman Loupe: Hey, I gotta promote my own giveaways first, right? But technically it is free. No fuss, no muss, no super difficult hoops to jump through, just throw your most qualified image in the Flickr thread for your chance to win this free cool photo accessory. Valued at $80 retail, it’s nothing to sneeze at. For those not interested in getting it for free though, it’s always available through your favorite online retailer (I like B&H).

2. Free OnOne Software downloads: Talk about cool, the folks over at OnOne software are offering up free backgrounds, plugins, and a lot more on their website. I read about this in a recent issue of RangeFinder magazine, and the link to the download page is right here. If memory serves, you do have to sign up for their mailing list, but getting news and info from these folks is always a good thing! (Full disclosure, I did a product review on their suite a while back, which you can read here.)

3. PhotographyBB Magazine: From the creative mind of Dave Seeram comes the PhotographyBB Magazine. Published monthly and now in its third year, the authors of this up and coming online resource are astoundingly talented both in their writing, and in their photography skills. Also of note are the talented designs and graphics of Mr. Seeram himself, who continues to amaze me at his designer eye. His skills and passion speak to the quality that goes into each and every issue. I should note that I am a contributing author to this magazine, but it is free, and there are other articles! The best part, there aren’t the obnoxious ads that you see in most magazines anymore (including the paid ones).

4. Mac Software: For the Mac-fans out there, and specifically those who use Garage Band, there’s always free loops available from a plethora of online outfits, hoping to get you to sign up for subscription services. Most have voice overs that render them pretty much useless, or don’t really “loop” that well. One notable exception though comes from the folks at LoopGalaxy.

5. Webinars: Lots of folks are entering the webinar arena. With broadband access even reaching to cellular phones these days, the demand for video is always increasing and where there is demand, supply is sure to follow. Here’s some of the more useful ones:

• KelbyTV: A whole host here, ranging from The Photoshop Guys, to The Grid, and NAPP Newsweek, these guys are the industry leaders for a reason!
• Nations Photo Lab: Okay, so it’s kind of a self-promotion deal, but every month, thanks to the support of Nations Photo Lab, myself and Kerry Garrison of Camera Dojo get together and talk shop on any one of a number of photography-related subjects. Follow us on our Facebook pages and Twitter as most announcements get channeled through there.
• OnOne Software: Yup, not only do they offer free software downloads, but they are in the webinar arena too. While I’ve not had a chance to check them out yet, friends who tune in regularly say the content is really good and worth the time spent!

So, there ya have it – five Friday freebies from the blog front. Got your own resources that you know of? Share the wealth with the world and sound off in the comments, or even share your thoughts on the ones mentioned above, as feedback is always a good thing! Thanks for tuning in and we’ll see you here again next week.

This month the folks at Hoodman have stepped up to contribute one of their patented Loupes to the giveaway series.  I know, I am overdue on several product reviews, including the Backlitbox from last month, and now this Hoodman Loupe, as well as some RadioPoppers that are currently being tested for another review prior to the giveaway!  Since the Hoodman Loupe is next on the agenda, they get the honor of the May giveaway!  Here’s the rules:

1.  One photo per participant

2.  A new wrinkle – the winner must be able to receive the prize at a U.S. address.  With the blog and pocast having an international following, I typically have the vendors ship the prizes direct, but because I have to ship it this time, in order to keep costs down – a U.S. address is required.

3.  Photo must be work-safe/family friendly.

4.  The longest side (either the top/bottom or the left/right) must be no larger than 800px or smaller than 600px.

5.  The photo must be included in the Flickr thread (which I will post up on Monday) with the May 2011 title.

6.  The Flickr photo must be downloadable – we share the winning photo via announcement here on the blog and in newsletters – so I need to get it to do that!

7.  Since the prize for the contest is a Hoodman Loupe – the theme for photos is:  BLOCK (The Loupe blocks stray light…get it?   You can interpret any way you like, so get creative as that always makes it interesting.

8.  Have fun!  Remember photography is supposed to be fun so keep that in mind as you approach the May giveaway.

9.  Reminder Guidelines and Rules of Engagement links are here for easy reference.  (I’ll also update the link to the contest page on Monday too).

10.  If you don’t follow me on Twitter, do so here, then tweet the following:  “I just posted my photo in the #CanonBlogger Hoodman Giveaway!  http://tinyurl.com/3jlw78x”

Thanks to the generous folks over at Hoodman for their contribution!  Happy shooting and we’ll see you back here on Monday!

One of my projects for 2010 was to finish my fine art calendar for 2011 sooner this year.  Procrastination kicked in and it was out at the very beginning of this year!  I swore to myself that the project would be completed in time for holiday shopping this year, and I am one step closer to that goal, as the final images have been decided upon, and it’s now simply time to generate the calendars.  Just another instance of following through on your goals…have you accomplished all you wanted to?  No better time than the present!

What goals did you have for the year?  Are you close to meeting them?  Still works in progress?  Completed and working on 2011 already?  I’ve got a few friends with projects already lined up for 2011, so sound off with your own ideas here and via email – I’ll be sharing your ideas (and questions) in the next podcast!  Can’t wait to hear what people have in store for 2011 (or have done for 2010).  Happy shooting and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow!

It has officially now been three years since I started this blog!  For the duration, it’s been a way to “pay it forward”, and after three years of it (officially 3 years as of yesterday), I am amazed at how far things have come.  I’ve gone from writing occasional posts to weekly content ranging from hardware and software reviews, to articles and eBooks, and now offering up workshops and webinars!  It really is amazing to see the growth, development and learning I’ve gone through as the blog and website have literally transformed me on many levels.

I’d like to take a brief sappy moment and thank the community that has literally launched me into working within the profession.  Your continued support is so awesome, I really don’t know what else to say other than “Thanks!”!  For a little comparison between the blog then and now, I’ve looked at the Wayback Machine and had to chuckle at some of the earlier layouts versus what is being in place today.

Here’s a look from all the way back in 2008!

I liked the idea of having a graphic in the header, and somehow incorporating the name, and overall purpose into the graphic, but after a time, it seemed very…well, amateurish, and I wanted to update to more of a “Web 2.0″ look, so the next iteration was born:

I copied the content over to a photography-based website (which is still active by the way, but receives way to little attention from me) over at www.jasons-photography.com.  The photo in the upper corner gave a regular image for people to see, and the RSS feed addition, as well as the calendar, and sidebar gave a little more of a professional look to the website.  After a while though, I decided it looked too much like a template and not very original, so I decided to move to a paid theme, which offered more customization and really sounded great because it would optimize SEO, Pagerank, and all that jazz.  The Thesis theme was born, and the concept of white space brought a new look to the blog and website:

As the site began its foundations as a business medium, I decided after a fair amount of time in delving through the code and Thesis hooks, that it was time to go to a completely custom look for the site.  I interviewed a few web designers, and friend-of-the-blog Erik Bernskiold offered to help me update the look to its present form.

It’s always interesting to see how the look and feel has changed over time.  Another facelift may be in store as the educational and writing elements of the website may take more of a front seat. (You know about the workshops, webinars, and eBooks right?   )  So, on this 3 year mark, I’d like to put it to the reading and listening audience.  What would you say are the “must haves” on the homepage?  Anything missing that you want?  Anything there that you don’t want?  Sound off in the comments…I’d really like to hear what people think!

In the meantime, keep on shooting (and writing too!).  We’ll see you back here again tomorrow for the beginning of the next three years!

The final notes for today:

1.  The upcoming Lightroom 3 workshop in Denver still has some seats left.  We’d really love to see you join us, so sign up today before all the seats are gone!  Here’s a link to register now:

2.  The August Giveaway is almost done.  If you’ve not gotten an image uploaded to the Flickr Thread yet, this is your last chance (this week) to do it.  The winner gets a cool package of Polar Metallic paper from the folks at Red River Paper, so get in while the gettin’s still good!  Submit an image now

• Recent updates for events and photo galleries
• Best of the Web – photos from the LDP Flickr group, hand-picked by me every month!
• Contest Updates and Winner announcements, as well as notifications of future themes and prizes!
• Workshop and Webinar Updates, including discount codes for savings if you ever want to attend
• Download links for pre-releases of articles and eBooks that are not in the bookstore yet! (Discount codes are likely here too!)

The layout for the newsletter has been re-tooled too.  I know though – everyone is thinking “Show me the goods”…so this will be the last newsletter I will put up for direct download – all future ones will be email driven only!  Think of it as premium subscriber content, only you won’t have to pay for it!

Here’s the latest newsletter, with the new design:

To get it, follow this link:

Get the Newsletter!

After this one though – it’s all email driven!  So how do you sign up?  Excellent question!  Hop over to the blog page (not the home page, the blog page – there is a difference! ) and sign up through the new widget in the sidebar.  It will take a minute or two of your time initially, but after that – it’s all done, and I’ll make sure you get the regular monthly content delivered.  The best part about this?  I am still going to be sending it personally!

I have never liked automated systems – whether it’s a phone service, or a fake email service or anything like that!  No automated sends, or dealing with impersonal cover addresses – it’s coming from me directly.  I customize each and every newsletter with content that I would be willing to get from other bloggers and photographers, so expect no less of myself when sending you email every month!  I will simply pull the list at publish time, copy to a Blind copy line and attach the newsletter to my email.  So, what are you waiting for?  Sign up today!

It’s events like these that remind me of my previous career in teaching.  It’s so much fun to get out there and share tips and tricks with people – having them see the work flow advantages and the light bulb come on in a big way about what Lightroom 3 has going for it! The adrenaline rush has worn off though, so after nearly 48 hours of high energy, I am about ready to crash…we’ll be back tomorrow with more photo goodness and the next in the podcast series – episode #49!  Lots of good stuff there, so be sure to stop in for the show notes and all that has to offer.

Last but not least, there’s still time to register for the remaining workshops in Denver and Seattle, so don’t delay – register today!  These two still have the early bird discount of 20% off too, so it’s a super good deal!  Over $200 in retail merchandise that everyone gets just for attending, the instruction, the work books, and over $1000 in door prizes including a copy of Adobe Lightroom 3! With this kind of return on investment, it’d be a shame to miss it.  Grab seats while you still can!

Denver:

Seattle:

Happy shooting and we’ll see you here tomorrow!

To start, I took an image and pulled it into Photoshop.  Realizing that I would need to do some virtually identical steps across several images, on the first one, I started the process of creating an action.  The action in essence, creates a duplicate layer of the image, converts it to black and white, then repeats the duplication for another 9 black and white layer copies.  So, ultimately your Layer panel has 11 layers to it – 10 black and white layers and one color layer (at the bottom).

Next, I went to each layer and adjusted the opacity down by 10%.  So, the top layer was at 100% opacity, then 90%, then 80%, etc, etc, all the way down to 10%.  At this point I stopped recording the action.  Now, it was a simple matter of saving each of the 11 total images to a folder.  I started with the full layer set visible and saved to web (Control+ALT=Shift+S).  I saved to a specific folder so that each subsequent image could easily be numbered sequentially for easier management later.  In the end, I had 11 images, numbered 1-11.

For the final step, I opened my video editor (Camtasia) and imported the media.  Here it now may take some trial and error to determine image length, transition length, and if you want titles included.  Next, I picked some audio from the native library and added to the time line.  After clipping and taking the last few seconds for a fade out, the slide show was done. All I had to do now was export and share.

In Camtasia, there are many options to choose from for sharing your work online, from Screencast.net (their host) to YouTube, exporting as Flash, .mov files, .avi files, and many other options.  Here you should choose the one that works best for you and your needs.

Last but not least, it’s just a matter of either exporting the video you created and uploading either to your own host through FTP, or using the native interface to export to any one of a number of video hosting services as mentioned above.

For those interested in giving it a whirl, here’s the action I put together in 10% increments.  Feel free to experiment and try your own settings and percentages to style and taste as needed.

Black and White Layers

Got your own ideas for how to create new effects and appearances with stills in videos?  What are your thoughts on this technique?  Share your thoughts, comments, and feedback below or with me via email.

As a final reminder for the week, there’s limited time left on a couple of fronts:

1. The contest for July is about wrapped up – you still have a chance to enter to win a copy of Lightroom 3 from the folks over at Adobe, so don’t forget to sign up today!  Just submit your photo in the Flickr thread.
2. The Lightroom Workshop Series kicks off in a little over a week in Anaheim CA, with Denver following shortly thereafter.  We’ve also added some webinars for those who can’t attend an entire day, and more info coming on that.  We’d love to see you in on a workshop day though, so sign up soon as time and space are limited!  Signups are being handled over at Lightroom Dudes
3. Last but not least, the eBook is out of the gates and initial response has been overwhelming!  Thanks to everyone who has shared their thoughts and feedback on the sequel for 49 Photo Tips.   The 20% savings window is almost over too, so be sure to get your digital download before the end of the month.  After that, it’s regular price of $4.99

After a few months of feedback and suggestions, it seemed the idea was pretty good, but people wanted examples, or at least something to liven things up a bit – the “spreadsheet style” was a little tedious on the eyes.  So began the latest project for me (as if I don’t have enough projects, according to Tracy)!  Well, after 6 months of blood, sweat and tears, it’s finally here – 49 Tips, The Sequel!

All the tips are new, just as useful, and even more in-depth, but here’s the best part – it’s really an eBook now!  With a cover page, a prologue, epilogue and, as you can see, there’s a photo for every tip! Okay, so some are screen captures so technically not photos, but each one gets the point across quite well (I think anyway).  A few of these tips have been shared out via Twitter and Facebook in recent weeks to give everyone a sneak peek of sorts, but it’s “out there” now, and very excited to see what people think.

So, let me know what you think of the new style and layout!  It’s only $4.99 , which is less than a grande white mocha at Starbucks (at least that’s what I’ve heard…b/c I don’t drink Starbucks…right?)!  And for the time being (through the end of July, anyway), there’s an additional discount code for $1 off if you use it in your shopping cart:  “Sequel“

Since it was 6 months between Part One and The Sequel, my guess is it will be another 6 months before I come up with a third installment, so feedback, thoughts and input are always welcome!  There’s a link in the feature product are on the blog, or you can go to the full store here to see all three product downloads!

Apparently the WordPress eCommerce does not work as advertised as several people have gone through the process and not received their digital download email.  So, to hopefully make things easier for everyone, I’ve signed up with a company friends have used called eJunkie, and after a little configuration and setup, it’s available for purchase through their system (still using Paypal).  My apologies for the hassles initially, here’s the new download location:

Enjoy, and we’ll see you back here again next week!

Simplicity in composition (there is really no place to go but dead center, and your eyes move all around there to see the legs kicked back, the vehicle lowering away (almost a perfect K, which is a compositional approach) is really well done.  It’s also tack sharp and the color appears to be spot on with the brilliant blue of the sky.  Finally, the implied speed and action of the activity  kept true to form for the challenge, so congratulations are in order for Matt Beaty!  Check out this image and the rest of his work over on his Flickr stream and website! Let’s also not forget that the folks at Lexar were kind enough to share these cards with us to help continue the contest series, so thanks to them.  Thanks also to the rest of the entrants – it really was a crowded field this month.  Next month I suspect it’s going to get even more crowded though…

*****

Speaking of next month, with the June contest now closed, it’s time to gear up for the July contest, which starts immediately!  As you may recall from the last podcast, I had the good fortune of talking with Senior Product Manager Tom Hogarty about the release of Adobe Lightroom 3 on the last podcast, and in the course of the show, was happy to announce that July will be the month where we are giving away a free copy of Lightroom 3!  Valued at $299 retail, this is going to be one for the ages (again)!

Many thanks to Adobe for contributing to the continued success of the giveaway series.  All the details for the giveaway are now live on Flickr, so stop in there to submit your best image!  Don’t forget to read the Contest Guidelines and the Rules of Engagement before submitting.  With how cool and sleek and slick Lightroom has become (and with the news being what it has been in current events lately), the theme for this month is:  SLICK!  Interpret as openly as you like (just keep it family friendly), and good luck to everyone!

As if two piece of contest news is not enough – we have about 6 days left in the comment contest where 3 lucky people will get a free copy of “Taking Stock” by Rob Sylvan (NAPP Helpdesk, iStock Reviewer and Author).  If you’ve not submitted a comment, this is a free book just waiting for 3 random peoples names to be drawn from a hat (or online number generator as the case may be), so share your own comment soon before time runs out!  (One comment per person.)

I was going to share a final announcement but am completely drained from all the buzz here…so get out and shoot, comment and have some fun – more exciting news tomorrow!  (Hint:  It’s about workshops!)

[podcast format="audio"]http://www.canonblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/audio/cbtip49.mp3[/podcast]
[podcast format="video"]http://www.canonblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/vids/learning.mp4[/podcast]

I took these questions with me to a conversation with Senior Product Manager Tom Hogarty last week, and got a lot of insights and answers, with both a technical perspective and that of long-term development.  I give you this week’s podcast:

A Conversation with Tom Hogarty

Show Notes:

1. News
   1. Flickr and Getty Licensing Expanded – http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-20008129-264.html
   2. Editing history or is it just a cigar? – http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1286620/Churchill-non-smoker-How-todays-PC-censors-airbrushed-cigar.html
   3. Longmont Loves Google -http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1286620/Churchill-non-smoker-How-todays-PC-censors-airbrushed-cigar.html
2. Tom Hogarty
3. Listener Q&A
   1. Optical Image versus Sensor Image Stabilization – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_stabilization
   2. What is Skunk Lighting?
   3. Pen Tablet Stopped Working – What to do?
      1. Swap ports
      2. Hardware/software changes
      3. OS Feature Changes

Enjoy the show and find out whether the next contest features some software from our favorite folks over at Adobe!   Happy shooting and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow!

ETA:  If the video player doesn’t load (and it looks like the plugin broke in the upgrade to 3.o, so it won’t) – here’s a temporary download location for the show in m4a format with chapters and photos for the visual crowd.  Otherwise, the mp3 is still being fed through PLM until they update their feed (which should be soon).  Anyway, here it is:

Episode 47

First off, Scott Kelby has announced the 3rd Annual Worldwide Photo Walk!  It’s a pretty big deal now as there are some major sponsors that contribute prizes to this, and it’s just a super cool time.   There are usually a couple that start up for the Denver area, and if you’ll be around, let me know and I can post which group I’ll be in so you can join (or avoid) as needed!

Next up, I am having a couple really exciting podcasts coming up in future weeks, so my one that I recorded over the weekend will never see the light of day – it was a solo run, so not as much fun as, perhaps talking to Rob Sylvan (Also a NAPP Helpdesk writer) or Martin Bailey!  They are coming up soon, and we’re recording soon, so get your questions in via comments, email, or the free 800 line:  866-809-8663!

In other blog news, you may notice three new sponsors in the sidebar:  Adobe, NAPP, and Red River Paper!

• Adobe – So, if you’re trial version of CS5 is almost up – order the full version here and you can still take advantage of great savings.  Just come through the side panel link here to get the same pricing as elsewhere, and when you do, you’ll be helping me keep costs to a minimum on the blog and podcast!
• NAPP – For the NAPP link – you can sign up for a membership through this affiliate link and get lots of special bonuses, and the referral also helps to keep costs down too…(I think you get like 2 additional months free or something like that).
• Red River Paper – These guys are terrific – not only have they donated prizes in the past to monthly giveaways, but their continued support and service to both myself and readers/lilsteners is now available through the affiliate link in the sidebar.  Enjoy (especially their latest Pearl Metallic paper – totally rocks!)!

Finally, speaking of contests, the May giveaway entry deadline has passed and the winner of the free copy of PTGui Pano Software is:  AlinNZ!  Congrats to him and to Alin – if you contact me via email, I’ll get you in touch with PTGui to have them send your license key to unlock the software!  Great photo, and thanks to all for participating!

Click the photo to be taken to his photo stream and comment on his excellent body of work there as well.  Congrats, and for those interested in the June contest – the news is posted on the Flickr site with all the details, so head there for more info.  I’ll go into more details on it later this week, so keep on feedin’ on the blog!  Happy shooting and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow!

Creative Suite 5 will launch on April 12th!

Since I just got wind of this late last night, I don’t have a lot of details on the products (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, etc.) but there are some sneak peek videos over on their launch site, and Adobe is encouraging folks to follow the hashtag #cs5 on Twitter.  Evangelists like Terry White, Julianne Kost, and many more will be talking about various aspects of the suite of products, highlighting some of the snazzier features and functions.  It looks pretty cool so far, and I think I am probably sold for a couple of reasons:

1. Indesign – As you know, I like to write, and I am putting more and more content out in PDF and eBook form.  The ability of InDesign to assist me in that regard to put together professional looking material and to help with layout is well worth it.
2. Photoshop – I am still on CS3, and I did not do the upgrade to CS4 knowing that I would probably upgrade every other iteration.  So, now is the time to upgrade.
3. Business Catalyst – I’d not heard of this, but the improved layout for the CB store sounds appealing by using this software interface rather than hacking through code all the time.  Will want to check this out!
4. Dreamweaver – An old school coder, I’ve always used text-based editors because I was a “purist” of sorts.  With the development of HTML5, the new features of CSS and XHTML, there’s a lot to get up to speed on, and when I want to just put something out to the web, Dreamweaver is becoming more and more of a consideration.

Here’s the launch page for all the detailed information on the new CS5 Suite:  Have you checked out some of the features of the CS5 suite yet?  What do you like?  Are you going to upgrade or take the plunge?  Sound off in the comments with your thoughts and feedback!

Last but not least – don’t forget that we are in the final week for the Cheetah Quickstand Giveaway – share your photos over on the Flickr Contest Thread!

You can see the rest of Sue’s portfolio on her Flickr stream here…

Before anyone asks, the March contest info is not up on FLickr yet, but I should have an announcement for that later on tonight.  I’ll give you a WILD hint though about the subject and the prize!  Happy shooting and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow!

P.S.  Sue, if you could email me at jason <at> canonblogger <dot> com or message me on Flickr, I need to get in touch with you about the prize delivery for February…congrats again!

When you don’t see a blog post, it means I am hard at work at my regular job, and then taking time after that to research, write, and contact people for things like the monthly giveaways, podcast participants, and much more.  With that in mind, I am ready to go on a pretty long stream here now of blog posts, giveaways and podcasts with various people in the industry.  But, at this point, you know what would be really helpful from the readership?  YOUR THOUGHTS!

I have three questions for you to consider between now and the end of February:

What types of content do you want to see on the blog? (Articles, subject matter, tips and tricks, videos, photos, techniques, etc.)

What types of prizes would you like to see in the giveaways? (Be realistic – Adobe Photoshop CS4, SLR cameras, and the like are likely out of my league…unless Adobe, Canon, Nikon, Pentax, and others are reading this and interested in becoming a vendor contributor [psst...email me: jason <AT> canonblogger <DOT> com]…)

Who would you like to hear from besides me talking on the podcast?  (Again, be realistic.  People like Scott Kelby, Joe McNally, and other industry heavyweights are not likely to be available – although you coulda knocked me over with a feather when David DuChemin agreed to come on a show…)

Thanks in advance, and I’l look forward to your comments here on the blog and to me via email.  Have a great weekend, happy shooting, and we’ll see you back here again on Monday!

Why you ask?  We have a winner for the December Giveaway!  I am happy to announce that the winner of the December Giveaway Bonanza is none other than:

Frank Sammut!

Frank’s shot of a childs hand, offering up a gift perfectly symbolized the concept of giving, and his blurred bokeh of the holiday theme in the background was just beautiful!  He’s got some great work on his Flickr page too, so stop by and check it out and tell him congrats!

Congratulations to Frank for winning the giveaway package!  Frank, if you could drop me an email:  jason <AT> canonblogger <DOT> com, I’ll get you all the information and relay you to the donors for the giveaway.  Thank you to everyone for participating, and especially to the sponsors, including:

• David DuChemin (for a free copy of both Within the Frame, and VisionMongers)
• MPIX (for a free 16×20 gallery wrap print of Frank’s choice)
• RedRiver Papers (for the specialty paper bundle)
• HDRsoft (for the license to a copy of Photomatix Pro)

It’s also time to anounce the theme for the January giveaway.  We’re going to move away from the seasonally tied themes, so people don’t feel restricted there as different areas are in different seasons.  Instead, we’ll be going with something that is going to inspire some dynamite entries for sure:  Circles

That’s right, we’re going with a shape!  It should be interesting to see what comes in.  As always the standard guidelines apply:

1. Make sure your image is between 600-800px on the longest side.
2. Try to keep things within the current month.  Archives are okay, but preference will be given to current photos
3. Images should be family/work safe
4. Should be posted to the Flickr thread for the current month contest
5. Deadline for entries is Friday, Jan. 29th (again, 3 weeks)
6. The folks at HDR Soft have been very generous and have offered up another copy of their Photomatix Pro bundle for the January winner – so if you are into the HDR craze, or are interested, there’s another chance to win your very own licensed copy!

The January Flickr thread is up, live and ready for entries, so get out and shoot!  Happy New Year and Happy Shooting!

P.S.  Can anyone tell me anything different about the site?  (For you feed readers, come on over and check things out – something is different! )

• News
  • Nikon Contest – $100,000 Giveaway!
  • Saturday Night Live recorded on a Canon
• Techie Tips for Shooting at Holiday Events
• Interview with Andie Smith
  • AndieSmithPhotography.net
  • Andie.Smith on Flickr
  • @AndieSmith on Twitter
    
• Recommended Reading
  • American Cowboy
  • Texas Highway
    
• Listener Questions and Answers
  • Gift Ideas
  • Monopod Recommendations
  • Why the 800×600 Aspect Ratio for Giveaways?

That’s it for today – make sure you go grab the podcast from either the folks at PLM or via the iTunes feed.  I’ve now added a page (check the top header) where you can go grab them if you forget…

Happy shooting and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow!

• A free copy of the “Within the Frame”, the wildly successful and great book donated by David DuChemin!
• A free copy of “Visionmongers”, the latest book from none other than David Duchemin!
• A free copy of Photomatix, the software known for its HDR processing, donated by the folks over at HDRSoft!
• A free 16″x20″ gallery wrap of a print of your choice, printed (and donated) by the folks over at MPix!
• and as if that is not enough, the folks at Red River Paper have also expressed interest in joining the gievaway frenzy, so it looks like there will be a paper bundle in the mix too – (more details on the bundle specifics as those come in!)

With over $400 in free stuff, this is surely going to generate a lot of interest, so this go around, the guidelines are a little stricter than normal.  Here they are:

1. Limit of one photo entry per person.
2. Also, please make sure your photos are taken during the month of December.  I know – there’s a few days missing, so it’s less than a full month to shoot, but the theme is somewhat appropriate…more on that in a minute. Just remember, no archives!
3. The  longest side of your image should be no larger than 800px or shorter than 600px.  Don’t confuse this with a 800×600 aspect ratio – the second side of the photo can be any length you want – just make sure the longest side is no larger than 800px and no shorter than 600px.  All entries should be posted in the Flickr Contest Thread.
4. All entries must be live before midnight December 31st.

So, the theme is all that remains.  Since it’s a season of holidays far and wide, we’re going to go with the theme of:

GIVING

That’s it – interpret however you like.  Just tie in that theme somehow, and enter your best photo in the Flickr thread.  Good luck all, and may the best shot win!  Happy shooting, and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow!  Many thanks to David DuChemin, Mpix, HDRSoft, and Red River Paper for their generous contributions.  Now, let’s wow them with some amazing photography!

P.S.  Just a little reminder that the blog is still taking donations to not only help offset the cost of maintenance, but also now to help pay the bills – the “curveballs” referenced the other day was an abrupt notice that my position was being terminated.  So, please help to keep things alive and online through the holiday season!  I am going to try to get some extra special content out there for everyone so you can also get some use out of this feeble old mind for any donations (or purchases…) but no guarantees there yet.  (Special thanks to Rob Jones from Towner Jones Photography who has already donated very generously to the cause though…)

December Wallpaper

Here are the dimensions available:

1600×1200 px

1280×1024 px

1024×768 px

And for those of you that know the specifics of the curve ball – there’s a donation button on the sidebar!  If you like the desktop calendar download, feel free to help off-set the curveballs from there directly!

More content is coming soon for all too, so be sure to stop back regularly!  Enjoy the rest of the week and keep on shooting!

This week is shaping up to be an exciting one here at CB/LDP.  Here’s what’s in store for the upcoming week, both on the blog, and for the podcast:

1. Hardware Review
2. Software Review
3. Podcast Publication
4. Comment Giveaway for Scott Kelby Digital Photography Book, Vol. 3

So, with four days of the week already accounted for, what the heck am I doing on here talking about it rather than doing it?  Well, if you are reading this via feed, then get yerself on over to the blog, because something should look drastically different to you!  That’s right, the blog has gone through a major update in layout and design change.  As you can see, the upper right has a rotating gallery of images, so each time you come back, you will see a new image featured in your browser.  You will also notice the headline looks a lot cleaner with tabbed links to major sources of content, including an About Page, a Flickr Page (for contest news and such), and soon to come is the Digital Photography page.  A slight shift in layout is taking place there in development mode and will roll out soon with dedicated galleries, client contact forms, and bunches of other stuff.  I will also be incorporating a podcast link across the header so you can get your latest fix of podcast news from there as well.

I know, it’s a lot to take in, but I seriously would like some feedback.  Is there anything substantial missing that you used to like or enjoy?  What about stuff you would like to see (excluding the teaser info above about what’s forthcoming)?  Is it too empty?  Need more color?  I am trying to take advantage of the appeal of “negative space”, but at the same time, don’t want it to be too boring.  What would you (the readership) like to see?  Sound off in the comments, and who knows what may come of it!

Here’s a sample view for the feed readers to entice you to seriously stop in for a critique-style visit to the blog:

With the blog updates nearly complete, and the schedule kind of “leaked” a little early for the week, I’ll leave you in the dark as to when each item will come out, so just keep on stopping in for your daily fix.  In the meantime, keep on shooting and we’ll see you back here tomorrow for…well, you’ll have to stop in to see, won’t ya?

Don’t forget the Flickr contest now underway…it’s linked in the header (remember that?) navigation, but here’s a quick link for the less adventerous:  November Contest

Podcast news:  I had an opportunity to sit down with none other than David Duchemin this last Monday and we had a blast – talking about how to create compelling images, his background, his thoughts on gear, and the future of photography.  It’s a great session and I can’t wait to get this together…look for it early next week.  Also coming up in forthcoming podcasts include none other than AJ Wood, Becky Thomas, and many others.  Like the names?  Wanna see more?  Let me know who you want to hear from and we’ll book ‘em!

Review news:  There has been so much pouring in recently, I’ve literally been swamped with gear sitting around me.  The good news is that a lot of reviews are coming out…you’ve seen the Sigma 50mm and the Ray Flash, but coming up is a literal cornucopia of review material including the Drobo, the Expodisc, Lightroom 3 Beta (on both Mac and Windows, now that I’ve upgraded to Snow Leopard), and much more.

Blog news:  The impending format change to the blog is getting closer and closer – with lots of exciting additions hopefully before the end of the year including links to newsletters, photo galleries, and all other sorts of stuff.

Contest news:  The last contest winner took home a copy of Noise Ninja from the folks at Picture Code!   This month, the winner of the Winter themed contest will take home a book from Matthew Bamberg, a $25 gift card fro B&H, and a DVD from NAPP’s famous Photoshop User TV, The Best of Season 11!  And if you think that’s not enough – ho boy, wait until you get a glimpse of what’s on deck for the Year End Giveaway…more stuff than you can shake a stick at!

So, stay tuned, let me know what else you want to see, hear, and win – and we’ll start gearing up for 2010!  Happy shooting all, and don’t forget to stop in tomorrow for a surprise to take us into the weekend!