An Accidental Cliché

Scuba Handstand

2011-09-18T01:30:00.001-04:00

See it, frame it, shoot it.

The Sandy Shores of Mini Beach

2011-09-18T01:21:00.001-04:00

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic @10mm with Canon 60D Miniaturization effect.

All Hail

2011-07-18T22:03:00.001-04:00

Where Taxis are Born

2011-07-18T21:55:00.004-04:00

This is not a photo

2011-04-27T00:26:00.000-04:00

Taken in my Portrait Photography class, a photo of our professor/photographer Rick Recard, this was my pose, lighting and my inspirational scribbling on the board. This lighting was done with a household 60 Watt light, which was an incredible lesson. I wanted a dramatic shot that drew your eye into it. I put the shadow on the camera-forward side of his face to shake it up, and did a sort of back/side lighting so I can light the board a bit. Camera was in AWB (autowhite balance) which didnt exactly balance well for a Tungsten light, but the tone worked well with his skin tone so I went with it.

Green Tea Cupcakes

2011-03-24T22:33:00.000-04:00

I was testing this recipe out for my friend who is opening a new sushi restaurant here in New York. Hoping these make the menu. Bounced flash, 70-200mm in macro mode @ 200mm f4.5

The Taste of Fall

2010-12-13T17:19:00.003-05:00

Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks are one of my favorite things. This year I found a recipe to make it, and I've found it comes out better than Starbucks. Taken @50mm

Pumpkin Spice Latte
Ingredients:
1 cups milk
1 tablespoons canned pumpkin
1 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 shots espresso (or 1/3 cup of strong brewed coffee)

Directions: In a saucepan combine milk, pumpkin and sugar and cook on medium heat, stirring, until steaming. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and spice, transfer to a blender and process for 15 seconds until foamy, or use a milk frother, or just whisk it. Pour into a large mug. Add the espresso on top. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, or cinnamon on top.

Note: Also, I've found that to preserve a big can of pumpkin, I just dose it out by the tablespoon into an ice cube trays and freeze it, so you can enjoy a taste of Fall all year round. (Why do I sound like a commercial)

There's No Beach in East Meadow

2010-11-21T17:17:00.002-05:00

...so we wen't to West Meadow. (That's not remotely funny). I do like the panorama shot, though a panorama crop is sorta cheating because I rarely find one I don't like. Panorama @10mm, The spikey fake donut and silhouette sunset @50mm

Before the Sun Sets

2010-11-21T17:14:00.000-05:00

After the first offline meeting of the NY Photo Forum (nyphotoforum.com) we all headed to West Meadow beach on the north shore of Long Island. Sunsets aren't my preferred subject matter, but it was a great day for them. All @10mm

Pizza-Bolli Never Knew Me

2010-11-09T01:07:00.000-05:00

The best homemade pizza. @50mm

Quintessential NYC Hipster

2010-11-07T22:49:00.002-05:00

Victimized by Lensbaby, on the streets of Manhattan.

Smile everyone

2010-11-07T22:41:00.001-05:00

I'll probably never get a copy of my picture with them, in Times Square. @10mm

Only, only, only

2010-11-07T22:37:00.001-05:00

Near Times Square. @10mm

He Wins

2010-11-07T22:28:00.000-05:00

...His drawing is more accurate than my photo. Just outside of Central Park, Manhattan New York.

Get off your Soapbox...er... Milk Crate

2010-11-07T22:24:00.002-05:00

In the park of Central (Central Park), New York, NY.

I call this JPEG the Accordian File

2010-11-07T22:12:00.000-05:00

... bad joke. In Central Park, NY. @50mm with some cropping.

Oh Baby, Copper Babies

2010-11-07T21:53:00.002-05:00

At Central Park, NY. B/W filter, and Sepia tone applied. Courtesy of Lensbaby.

Check out this guy's....oh, noone cares.

2010-11-07T21:46:00.002-05:00

In Central Park. Lensbaby.

Jkirlin Sighting

2010-11-07T21:37:00.001-05:00

That may or may not be famed Bangor Maine photographer Jeff Kirlin (jkirlin.blogspot.com) in front of me. I may or may not have been riding on a carousel in Central Park with him. He may or may not have insisted that we ride it. 1/2 expsoure @10mm

It'd be easier to just ride it

2010-11-07T21:26:00.000-05:00

I'm pretty sure it would be. In Central Park, NY.

Pan Flute brought to you by McDonalds

2010-11-07T21:20:00.002-05:00

...and Fridays. Prices may vary in Times Square location. The 'bada bup ba ba' got a little annoying after awhile. Taken with Lensbaby.

Made You Look

2010-11-07T19:50:00.001-05:00

Riding on the Minihaha (ferry boat) in Lake George, NY. This guy next to me kept pointing to stuff for his kid and I wanted to get this very shot with his arm in it. As I slyly took it, he said "Oh, I'm sorry I didnt just ruin your picture did I?" ... I respond "Uh nope, its ok, you're not even in it". I did not have him sign a model release form.

Bobble Heads

2010-11-03T00:59:00.001-04:00

At the Long Beach Craft Fair. Lensbaby.

Dont Be a Push Over

2010-11-03T00:21:00.001-04:00

Pushing off at Long Beach, NY

Best Seats in the House

2010-11-03T00:18:00.000-04:00

At Citifield (Met's Stadium), New York.

Side-Car Weight Limit...

2010-11-02T23:48:00.000-04:00

...I'd say its about 80lbs. In the Philippines.

Baby Soup

2010-11-02T23:44:00.000-04:00

Taking a bath in the Philippines @50mm

Urban Surfer Cowboy

2010-11-02T23:17:00.001-04:00

Who woulda thought? In Mexico.

Happy Fourth (No fingers lost)

2010-07-05T22:56:00.003-04:00

At the Eisenhower Park fireworks show 2010. I've never seen so many people at the park...I suppose, its a recession and a free show (how can you go wrong). Great show and we had a great view. Taken with my fisheye converter on top of the kit 18-55 lens at 18mm. Defished with a nice little free program called Panoram Deformation FisheEyeWarp. and a little bit of tint adjustment in Picasa. 4 second exposure held on a monopod (so the full size is admittedly a bit blurry)

Not a Life Saving Device

2010-06-04T00:36:00.002-04:00

Something tells me the life preserver was not necessary. Kids and their father playing in a very shallow lake under a bridge in Mexico. In my opinion, the best shot of the trip. Taken with Lensbaby.

One Needle

2010-06-04T00:29:00.001-04:00

Just one needle could bankrupt this vendor. Taken on the Boardwalk, Malecon in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. When you see a scene like this, nothing but the Lensbaby will do.

Pickup Sticks

2010-06-04T00:24:00.001-04:00

On the boardwalk, Puerto Vallarta. Lensbaby.

The Red Flag Means Don't Swim

2010-06-04T00:18:00.001-04:00

The beach of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. @10mm

Focus is so Over-Rated

2010-06-04T00:09:00.001-04:00

The hilllside of Puerto Vallarta + Lensbaby = ?

Breaking News: Area Man Murdered (or sleeping)

2010-06-04T00:04:00.001-04:00

I'm pretty sure he was sleeping. Lakeside under the bridge. Taken with Lensbaby.

I Always Thought it was a Bad Word

2010-06-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

I always thought Malecon was a dirty word in Spanish. Taken at Malecon, the boardwalk in Puerto Vallarta. I waited for hours for a cab and a woman in a yellow shirt to pass by to help balance the photo. @10mm

Apparently the L's are silent

2010-06-03T23:56:00.002-04:00

The more humble part of Puerto Vallarta from 5 stories up @10mm.
Update June 2011:
I took a shot at applying some HDR type effects to this image:

I Picked a Wishing Weed

2010-04-28T21:38:00.001-04:00

A coworker of mine found a poster that she was going to buy. It was a kinda cool image and I figured I'd take it as an inspirational challenge to try to recreate it. I thought it would be a good opportunity to test out my new flash (el cheapo, workhorse of a flash).

Here was my setup: I got a black sheet for the background and turned off all the lights to help keep the background very black. Set up the flash on a tripod off to the front-right about 3 feet away and tuned down the flash to the lowest power (its a manual flash). I autofocused the camera then locked in the focus by switching it to manual focus. Slapped the camera into Manual mode and set to 1/200sec and f/3.2. I used my homemade remote control and shot with with my Canon f/1.8 50mm. This Vivitar flash aint bad for the cheap price (about $80). It was cycling in fractions of a second, and had no problem keeping up with some really rapid-fire shots.

I won't link to the original photo, but 133 shots later... I thought it was a noble effort.

Return of the Mack-Aroons

2010-04-17T21:54:00.002-04:00

I made some chocolate-covered macaroons (a very good recipe) for my parent's 35th anniversary. @50mm

The Bread Winner

2010-03-14T15:58:00.001-04:00

Apparently, my Sundays include baking homemade bread and photographing it. This was my first time making bread, I used a 'one-minute prep' recipe I found here. Came out decent. @50mm (f 2.something)

Wonderland

2010-02-10T18:43:00.000-05:00

At Eisenhower Park, "the Blizzard of 2010". @10mm

Thats a Cold Knob

2010-02-10T18:39:00.000-05:00

At the park in about a foot of snow. @50mm

What a Tangled Web

2010-01-12T02:29:00.002-05:00

At the weaver in La Union, Philippines. @50mm

To see all posted photos from my Philippine trip.

Burning from both ends

2010-01-12T02:22:00.001-05:00

At Intramuros in Manila, Philippines @50mm

Oink

2010-01-12T02:16:00.001-05:00

No apple in his mouth, not sure why not. @50mm

Two All Beef Patties...and Spaghetti

2010-01-12T02:13:00.001-05:00

Finally, Big Macs, Cheeseburgers, Fried Chicken and Spaghetti delivered to your doorstep. Quezon City, Philippines.

...you can pick a rose.

2010-01-12T02:07:00.003-05:00

The stone pickers working the beach in the country-side of La Union, Philippines. They get paid a few pesos per bucket of the good ones (you know, the hard grey round ones). It wasn't until I cropped the second photo did I notice the infant assistant. All taken on telephoto between 100-200mm

Ken and Barbie

2010-01-12T01:57:00.001-05:00

A silhouette just after sunrise @50mm

Gilligan

2010-01-12T01:55:00.003-05:00

...and the Skipper too. Island Hopping in Philippines @50mm

The view

2010-01-12T01:54:00.001-05:00

Looking out from Mt. Tapyas in Coron, Palawan, Philippines - just after sunrise.

Bayside High

2010-01-12T01:53:00.002-05:00

Coron, Palawan, Philippines @10mm

If Mel Gibson was a Photographer

2009-12-22T19:53:00.001-05:00

'Passion of the Christ'

The final shots of my Christmas Series. All taken at the top of Mt Tapyas, Coron, Palawan, Philippines @50mm and 10mm respectively.

Path to the Cross

2009-12-22T19:32:00.001-05:00

Path to the Cross... Literal or Figurative? Part of my Christmas series. On the back side of Mt. Tapyas, Coron, Palawan, Philippines. @10mm

Photo For Sale for Christian Book Cover

2009-12-22T19:28:00.001-05:00

Just in time for Christmas. The subject line is sarcastic, unless you happen to be searching for a photo for the cover of your new Christian book or Christian rock album. Taken at Mt. Tapyas, Coron, Palawan, Philippines. @10mm

Kate Moss

2009-10-25T11:10:00.001-04:00

Leaving the Path

2009-10-25T11:08:00.000-04:00

@10mm

...and I Can't Get Up

2009-10-25T11:03:00.002-04:00

A sprinkling of the Fall, early morning. Mill Pond @50mm and 10mm respectively. View these full screen, and you'll 'get it'. They make great desktop backgrounds, especially if finding your icons is not important.

I've Fallen...

2009-10-25T11:00:00.000-04:00

At Mill Pond Park in Bellmore. @50mm

Scrapers

2009-10-20T00:21:00.002-04:00

Taken at 10mm, some contrast adjustment in Picasa. The real Brooklyn Bridge isn't bent... or is it?

Da Brooklyn Bridge

2009-10-20T00:14:00.002-04:00

@10mm, contrast adjustment and linear gradient to add some contrast to the washed out sky.

I think this is very cool. A friend of mine did some HDR processing on one of my photos. Check out some of his work: AfterEffects.

The Great 50mm Lens

2009-10-08T19:11:00.004-04:00

An acquaintance of mine is buying an SLR camera and my first piece of advice is what I tell everyone who is doing the same... if you buy just one lens, make it a 50mm f/1.8. She is kinda new to the SLR photography arena, so I figured I would take the opportunity to post info here rather than just on a facebook post. I'll keep it basic.

The 50mm is my go-to lens, its the lens I keep on the camera by default. I personally do not use the kit lens at all, I almost never take it with me and I can count the number of photos I take with it (albeit if you are a more casual photographer it might be better suiting). I've taken about 80% of my photos with the 50mm, and about 80% of my best photos with it.

50mm means that the lens doesnt zoom at all (its called a 'fixed' or 'prime' lens). Seems kinda lame, but because a fixed lens it has some other special properties...

First, 50mm happens to be something of a magic number. They say that the focal length of 50mm is closest to that of the natural focus length of the human eye. So your photos will be be taken with a more 'human' perspective. This makes is a great lens for "people pictures". (if you're using a pro-sumer cropped sensor camera, this is a little bit off - but its still a very natural view point). I believe its a viewpoint that will generally make you a better photographer.
Because it is a "fixed" lens, it is very fine tuned. The focus is perfectly set in the factory. There is only one moving part. On a typical lens, there are several interior lenses moving together at once to get to the best focus. Every lens no matter how big the focal range has a sweet spot where it is in best focus. The sweet spot on the 50mm is... 50mm, so its always got real sharp focus.
f1.8 refers to the maximum size of the aperture. The smaller the number the larger the aperture. A larger aperture means more light gets in. More light means you can take pics in darker conditions. The largest aperture that you'll find in consumer and most pro grade lenses is f/1.2 ... a standard kit lens is somewhere between f4.0 to f5.0 range. So this particular lens has pretty close to the best possible aperture in existence.
Also, without getting too technical, because the aperture is so large something special happens, the depth of field of the picture shortens alot. So when you take a photo of someone, their face could be in perfect focus but everything else fades to a blur. People love it. Its called "bokeh" and its pretty much only possible with an SLR camera.
Its light and small.
The best part is... its cheap! You can get this lens (in most makes) for around $100. Its not because its a terrible lens, its cheap because its relatively easy to manufacture. As I mentioned, there are few moving parts - most lenses require very precision manufacturing to perfectly time and tune the opticals.

This picture I took shows some awesome bokeh. This picture has a focal range of probably less than one inch. Not even the entire acorn is in focus. The sparkling balls of light in the background is a very desirable effect.

Original post and full res: http://accidentalcliche.blogspot.com/2008/09/so-corny.html

Where to buy it:

Canon

For you

Nikon people

Mon Talkative

2009-10-07T23:08:00.001-04:00

At Montauk Point, Long Island New York @10mm

Rockin Out

2009-10-07T22:57:00.000-04:00

At Montauk Point, Long Island New York

Pump(kin) It Up

2009-10-07T22:47:00.000-04:00

@10mm

You Bet Your Lucky Apples

2009-10-07T22:44:00.000-04:00

Rotten to the Core

2009-10-07T22:41:00.001-04:00

I Heart NY

2009-09-28T19:36:00.001-04:00

I have no doubt that most people won't believe me when I say that I wasn't trying to take a picture of this young lady's rear... but I really wasn't. (Why do I even bother trying to explain myself). Lensbaby is great for crowds. I was actually just playing around with the Lensbaby 2.0 pointing it at the crowded street and doing the Lensbaby finger-wobble and finally got a decent pic.

Times Square CD Shoot

2009-09-28T19:29:00.000-04:00

@10mm

(both @50mm f/1.8)

So I'm walking thru Times Square and these guys stop me and offer a CD. One of them asked me where I'm from, I said "Long Island... Nassau" and he said "oh, the rich part". He noticed my camera and said I should do some photos for money for them (they must be subscribers to my photoblog). He was talking about photos 'another time' but I said "how about some right now?"... it was my repayment for the CD. They were actually pretty excited to take some pics and really liked how they came out. When I was leaving, the other guy asked me where I'm from. I answered the same as before and he said "oh, the rich part". Actually pretty nice guys though.

Graff-Paper

2009-09-28T19:17:00.000-04:00

Really these blog post titles are really not even making sense anymore. Taken somewhere in Manhattan on Bowery. @10mm

Flower Cart

2009-09-28T19:13:00.000-04:00

In Chinatown, Manhattan NY.

Miami Sea Gazing

2009-09-28T19:10:00.000-04:00

At South Beach, Miami 70-200mm lens, taken at about 150mm

Daisy Dukes

2009-09-28T19:08:00.000-04:00

At Old Westbury Gardens @10mm

"Holing" One

2009-09-28T19:05:00.000-04:00

At Bethpage Black Course... OK, at mini-golf. 50mm

Tips on Shooting Concert (or most Low Light photos)

2009-09-23T17:37:00.006-04:00

I just read a post on one of my favorite sites, Lifehacker, about shooting concert photos. In summary they told you to shoot 'wide open'. Of course shooting 'wide open' (meaning as low an aperture as you can) seems like an obvious thing. But you might not be shooting with a top grade lens where you can stop down the aperture to something that will actually let in some workable light (like f1.8). I posted a comment there with my own tips, so I figured I would repost it here with some more detail.

Odds are you are not shooting in Manual mode - or you would know what to do yourself - so don't start playing with both shutter time AND aperture. Here is where I suggest you start:

I would suggest shooting in tV mode (shutter priority mode) and play with the shutter length of the shot. If you are at a terrible distance there is often little action at all so the only blur you need to deal with is what you can hand-hold. I shot photos at a concert recently and was able to get away with 1/4 sec exposure - steadying my camera on my knees (in a seated position). The results were pretty steady shots. Longer exposure time will ALWAYS solve your lighting issues (but adds some new issues: blur, camera-shake, or sometimes overexposure). Do this:

Step 1. Switch to tV mode (on Canon SLR cameras). Your flash will be disabled, unless you popped it up. So make sure it is disabled.

Step 2. Play with shutter length (time) and see what the maximum time you can tolerate to get a clear and steady shot. Except with intentional extended time-lapse, blur comes from unsteady hands usually, not moving subjects! Start with a a long shutter time, maybe even half a second and start taking pics, click up one stop at a time until the shot is not blurry (it will likely be underexposed) but concentrate on it being blurry or not - forget about the lighting now.

Step 3. Take a look at your photo. If it looks like there is enough or too much light go to step 4a, otherwise go to 4b.

Step 4a. If its properly exposed, you are lucky! Shorten your shutter time until the picture is properly exposed.

Step 4b. If there isn't enough light in that shot, adjust your ISO up one step at a time until its exposed properly. You'll probably land at 800 or maybe even 1600. Remember, with higher ISO comes graininess (on most SLRs).

So here is how the tV setting works - once you have the shutter speed set properly you'll take care of the blur (but you'll be letting in less light), next the aperture will open up automatically to help bring in the light (but short of having an expensive lens its unlikely it will open up enough), but lastly you'll need to adjust the ISO in order to let your sensor process the light faster to help expose it.

Some Other Tips:

Choose the fastest lens you have. Your 50mm f1.8 will absolutely kill your telephoto lens in low light. Just get yourself a better spot in the audience.
Don't worry about the aperture, it will set itself and it will shoot wide open given that there is hardly any light.
Another tip, turn off autofocus and switch to manual. It will be too dark for your autofocus to see the shot and it might not let you take the photo. If you are more than 30 feet away or so (which is probably anything thats not in the front few rows) you are focused to infinity on most lens. If you are closer, try autofocus - it might work.
Last Tip: put down the camera and enjoy the show! Its rare that you'll take too many concert photos that look very different from each other let alone look like any . I like to enjoy the start of the show without staring thru a viewfinder, take a couple dozen photos some time in the middle and then put the camera away or on standby in case something "happens". Trust me, your favorite songs dont "look" different in each photo.

Wave goodbye

2009-09-04T00:27:00.000-04:00

At Long Beach, New York @200mm (a safer distance than she is).

Bill at Long Beach

2009-09-04T00:24:00.000-04:00

The wimpy Hurricane Bill at Long Beach

I'm board, so am I.

2009-09-04T00:13:00.000-04:00

Two (suspected) surfboards at Long Beach, Long Island New York.

Ride the Wave

2009-09-04T00:10:00.000-04:00

Two (suspected) "lovers" at Wantagh Park (Cedar Creek Park).

Norman J. Levy Preserve

2009-07-05T23:02:00.001-04:00

So I have this job as sort of the unofficial photographer for every nature preserve within 15 miles of my home. Its an unpaid and unappointed position, there are no benefits and no real hours. And now I present the Norman J. Levy Preserve in Merrick (Long Island) New York. Built atop a landfill (to get to it you even have to go thru the entrance of the Dept. of Sanitation), this preserve is a very nice and surprising find. It so appropriately fits into my apparent recurring 'garbage aesthetic'.

Its 50 acres and has some nice walking paths (no wilderness hiking here). Its probably one of the few points in Nassau County where you can actually see the Manhattan skyline.

Orange you Glad I didn't say Beak

2009-07-05T22:55:00.000-04:00

A few people have told me I should take photos of people ... here's a picture of a bird.

Is that Tiger out on the Bay Course

2009-07-05T22:53:00.001-04:00

A golf course sandwiched between the Norman J. Levy Preserve and Merrick Bay. I dont know golf, but it seems like it would be (if nothing else but) a scenic course.

Sittin' on the Dock of the Landfill

2009-07-05T22:47:00.002-04:00

The pier at the Norman J. Levy Preserve in Merrick (Long Island), New York. This preserve was built on top of a landfill. It has this incredible pier - I've never seen one like it on Long Island. Taken @10mm

Happy Fourth (Finger Lost)

2009-07-04T01:20:00.002-04:00

(Y0u simply must view this one, above, at full size)

Happy Fourth of July, a day where we celebrate the risk of severe burns and loss of appendages. Enjoy it.

Just Opposite of North Beach

2009-06-18T23:56:00.000-04:00

Ocean Drive, South Beach - 5 second exposure @10mm

Beach of the South

2009-06-18T23:54:00.002-04:00

I find myself often taking a good number of photos of garbage ... perhaps I need to refine this hobby of mine.

I like the circular framing from the grass in the third photo. All at South Beach, all @10mm.

OMG

2009-06-18T23:38:00.000-04:00

OMG! Only 6 points and may not pass the rules of a sanctioned Scrabble tournament.

The Smell of Plastic Grass

2009-06-08T22:25:00.000-04:00

Ah, the smell of freshly cut plastic grass at the driving range.

Everybody Cut Footloose

2009-06-08T22:21:00.001-04:00

I mean honestly, whats with these blog post titles? I wouldn't tolerate it as a reader. Taken at Long Beach, some obvious Picasa work applied - sepia filter, contrast adjustment, radial gradient filter.

Bike Baby

2009-05-16T21:59:00.000-04:00

Long Beach, long boardwalk, tall bike, LensBaby.

Tell a Swan Telephoto

2009-05-16T21:45:00.000-04:00

Well not quite telephoto, this was actually taken at only 70mm, so this bad boy was pretty close. Yes, I was scared.

The Jungles of Long Island

2009-05-16T21:41:00.000-04:00

Deep in the jungles of Nassau County, at the Twin Lakes Preserve.

On Becoming a Photo Enthusiast

2009-05-16T16:23:00.000-04:00

I don't want to be a photographer, I just want to be a photography enthusiast. Becoming one is a commitment, but sometimes it feels like an addiction.

I think there are a few notable points in a budding enthusiast's history:

Of course your first purchase (which should be a Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)) is key and that sets it all into motion.
But than there is the point where all of your accessories and lenses in total cost more than than the pricey camera itself.
Next is the point where you are buying a single accessory (Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras) that exceeds the value of your camera (by a factor greater than 2). I'm not there yet, but that $1800, f/1.2 50mm lens is practically calling my name.
And finally is when you've amassed so many accessories and lenses that you need to buy a second camera body simply in order to use them all (fluidly).

I'm somewhere between step 2 and 3, dare I say, with 'enthusiasm'.

Feeding the addiction - all of the supplies, accessories and lenses just make the problem worse. Now you essentially have an arsenal of 'weapons' and there are few that you ever feel comfortable leaving behind. You know that once you're out there - you'll realize, 'man I wish I brought my _______' (fill in the blank with that lens that you hardly ever use).

So this all brings me to this moment. Right now I'm on Amazon picking up a new camera bag to hold all of the 'stuff' I have amassed. I saw this bag (Canon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG for Canon EOS SLR Cameras (Black with Green Accent)) at Best Buy, and it seems like its a good quality. Its sizable enough to hold alot of stuff, but not too big that its unwieldy. To no surprise Amazon was half the price, literally half the price, and this bag comes in at just under $40.

I'm not really into the brand-name emblazoned gear, and this is a bit bigger than I'd be comfortable hitting the streets with . This is more of a storage/travel bag, rather than a 'shooting bag'. Its something to put everything in, take along and leave in the car. I expect to then be able to assess the lens and accessory selections right for the moment, stow them in my 'shooting bag' and go to town... with my mind at ease knowing if I forgot something, its not far away.

Citi (sic) Field

2009-05-11T00:23:00.000-04:00

Taken at "Citi" Field (the new Met's stadium). @10mm. Focal b/w applied

There's something really interesting about the perspective of this photo. When I rotate the photo to a horizontal view it still looks 'right'. But I prefer the vertical image, its much more dramatic.

Gracing the Pages of This Site

2009-05-11T00:21:00.000-04:00

My Niece, Grace. Taken @50mm. Some quick Picasa work applied

Just Dandy, Lion

2009-05-11T00:14:00.001-04:00

@10mm, great color contrast with this lens. Saturation was not adjusted (shadows were brought up a little).

Cats, a Seven Time Tony Award Winner

2009-05-11T00:12:00.001-04:00

@10mm

Flow from Mel's Diner

2009-05-11T00:09:00.000-04:00

At the nature preserve. Extended shutter times , 1/4 and 1/6 sec respectively. 70-200mm lens. ND Filter.

Mush. Shhh. Rooms.

2009-05-11T00:06:00.000-04:00

Nature Preserve, @10mm

Dont be a Chicken

2009-04-27T22:42:00.002-04:00

I made dinner and thought I'd test out my food photography while it cooled off. Its ginger, soy, whiskey chicken. Taken with 50mm lens at f2.0

The recipe is from the Steamy Kitchen blog: http://steamykitchen.com/blog/2008/05/04/soy-whiskey-chicken

The C.H.I.M.P. Grip

2009-04-27T21:30:00.000-04:00

I have a problem with horizons. I cant get them straight. Luckily, Picasa has a really cool straightening tool. I also own a monopod, which is a great thing. They are incredibly convenient to carry around and a must for a telephoto lens.

Anyhow, I shoot from the hip alot (and keep a stiff upper lip), I take alot of photos without looking thru the viewfinder. Sometimes holding the cam close to the ground or above my head or with arms stretched out. Its cases like these where getting a straight horizon is difficult.

I developed a technique that I am calling the C.H.I.M.P. Grip (Catalano-Horizon-Improvement-Mono-Pod Grip). Its pretty simple, and the photo above probably explains it well enough. Essentially you hold your monopod horizontally, and you rest your camera on top of one end of it. The camera isnt mounted at all, its just resting there. It rests pretty steadily and comfortably. On my monopod I rest it right on the foam grip. You use your right hand to hold your camera against the monopod and you can than hold the monopod a little further down the pole with your left hand.

The C.H.I.M.P. Grip does two things: First it helps your horizons by simply allowing you to more easily see the horizontal positioning of your camera. Secondly, it dramatically stabilizes your camera from shake. You are really widening the stance of your grip thus the movements of your left hand are essentially geared down like a lever.

This is the monopod I use and recommend, very well made and very inexpensive: