Lenswork

If you like black and white photography, you have to check out Lenswork. I know I have mentioned this little gem of a magazine in the blog before, but it calls for more than one, two, or just a few mentions.

Lenswork is a beautiful, small magazine dedicated to black and white photography. (The podcast on just how the magazine got to be this size is very interesting.) Each issue features photographers and their work. You can also read articles and interviews.

The backbone of Lenswork is not the technical aspect of photography - but the artistic way of taking photos. For subscribers there is a chance to get along with the magazine, a CD with more interviews, portfolios, and even printable versions of fine art images. Brooks Jensen, the publisher, also puts out interesting podcasts. His podcasts are short - usually 3 to 5 minutes - and they are filled with great, inspiring information. One of my favorites was on his 10 favorite non-photographic tools. The magazine, podcasts and extended version of the subscription all push you to think more, be more creative, and develop a body of work that is truly your own.

As much as I like to look at ads in magazines, I like Lenswork because it does not have any outside advertising. It is a very refreshing photography magazine. I just renewed my enhanced subscription (and purchased a couple books by Brooks) at www.lenswork.com.

Oh, by the way, the hurricane hood arrived in the middle of the flooring-replacement stage of the remodel so as of yet, I have not had time to play with it.

Protect Your Camera

Yesterday was a great day to get outside with your camera and document an uncommon occurrence in Georgia – snow! Not to mention the second time that we have seen snow during the same week.

Cold weather and moisture can cause a little apprehension with photographic equipment. At least it does for me. My first little point and shoot digital camera was sent to an early grave due to spilling (or slightly splashing) a Coke onto the camera body. Anytime I see a spec of rain or any moisture on my digital SLR I think about that old, little Canon Powershot and kind of freak out for a minute.

Cold weather can zap the life of a battery. When you are out and about shooting in cold weather try to keep the batteries warm to extend their use. When in the camera, you can keep the camera close to your body or under a coat except for when you are taking a shot to help keep it and the batteries warm. Any extra batteries that you have on you – keep them “on you” and not in a bag sitting in the cold. Placing them in a pocket (especially if it is an interior pocket) of your coat is a great way to keep them warm.

Even if it is not snowing or raining, moisture can be an issue. If you are out in the cold and then come in to a warm house or car – if the warm place is humid (or moister than the cold place) moisture can condense on the camera and the workings.

I admit that I have not thought much about this and never really taken the precaution that is advised. What you are told to do is to place the very cold camera into a plastic bag prior to entering the warm place. Leave the camera sealed in the plastic until it has warmed to the room (or car) temperature. Any condensation from moisture in the heated space will collect onto the bag, rather than the camera.

Frankly, if I was out in the car – I would just keep it wrapped (and a zip bag is a great idea for this) in the bag until I got home and brought it in to warm in the house.

This whole scenario reminds me of being at the coast and in Florida in the summer time. How many times have you stepped from that wonderfully air-conditioned car or condo only to have your camera fog up for a few minutes – until it is acclimated to the surroundings? Should I “bag” the camera in the summer for opposite temperatures as in winter?

Here is the answer – think about your investment in that camera – are you a gambler? I am not. A zip bag is going into my camera bag today!

For a long time I have kept all of the little silica gel packs that come in shoe boxes (yes I buy a lot of shoes). I place these in various locations where I think moisture could be an issue – like in my camera bag – and keep them there.

Last summer when I was out shooting (in the humid air) and placed my camera into the bag to go into the air-conditioned car – I felt that it was sufficiently protected. Near to home I have not had the camera fog up so as it had in Florida or the Georgia islands in summer.

When I do go out I usually keep a plastic, kitchen-size garbage bag in the camera bag to quickly cover anything exposed in case of a quick shower. Think about it, if your camera is on the tripod and there is a sudden shower, it is easy to slip the bag over everything and carry it to the car. This way I don’t even have to open the camera bag in the rain – I can get to my car, lift the back and have it shield me and the equipment from the rain while I pack everything away and head home.

After yesterday and the amount of moisture I saw collecting on my camera, I am thinking of investing in a rain cape for the camera. I have been looking at them on the B&H Photo website today – they are available at a variety of prices. It makes me wonder is this one of those things that you ‘get what you pay for.’

Right now the top of my list is the Ewa-Marine C-AF100 Hurricane Hood Photo Rain Cape. Something in the product description really got me – the protection against sand – sand is the biggest enemy any camera will face because everyone loves to take their camera to the beach! If you ever see me out – get me to twist one of my circular polarizers for you – that little grinding sound is sand! I think I will order this from B&H to see if it is what I think I need for good, all-round camera protection.

The Southeastern Flower Show

The Southeaster Flower show is coming! 

 

January 30 through February 3, the show will be at the Georgia World Congress Center, Building A.  The show is a great place to go to get ideas for your yard.    There are many great speakers on the schedule and topics ranging from container gardening, garden gadgets, aquascaping, flower arranging, landscape design – and of course, photography!  Anyone familiar with Saturday morning radio will recognize the voice of Walter Reeves.  Walter will be speaking at 10:30 on February 2 and signing his book.  The website gives times for all the book signings during the show.

 

Not only are the speakers worth the trip – the life-sized demo gardens on display will make you want to take them home with you.  They will most certainly make you forget that it is the middle of winter.  But it is the perfect time to plan that spring garden – and your water saving ideas.

 

The show has a variety of competitions on display.  OK – I will mention the photography contest first – and yes I have an entry.  If you go to my website – it is the blue flower photo on the home page.  Besides photography, there are competitions in landscape gardens, garden design, artistic floral design, discovery and horticulture.

 

The list of vendors is intriguing as well – statuary, pottery and gifts; jewelry; art and antiques; outdoor living; plants and accessories; tools and supplies;

 

Saturday and Sunday list a variety of activities for the whole family.  There are make and takes, celebrity story time, "The Beeman," and more.

 

For more information check out the website www.flowershow.org

 

 

January

It is the middle of January – what is there to photograph?  No flowers, no bugs, so blah!

 

OK – so the birdfeeders, birds and squirrels are getting old – how about trees?  As I was out this morning I could not help but notice the beautiful bare trees against the clear blue sky.  Bare trees make an interesting study – you can experiment with black and white or silhouettes.  This is the only time of the year to get to see what is under all those leaves.  One the way home, I noticed how some trees were so full of mistletoe that they appeared to be full of leaves.  Well, actually I guess they are full of leaves – from the mistletoe!  Mistletoe is hemi parasitic meaning it can photosynthesize for itself but will also obtain some nourishment from its host. 

 

I heard a tiny bit of weather news that perhaps we may have a touch of winter later this week.  I don't think I have taken any snow or ice photos for a couple of years!

 

This Friday I will be at the National Archives, Southeast (weather permitting!) for the workshop on preserving, restoring, and duplicating your old photos.

 

The Intro to Digital Photography classes at the Fayette Art Center have been a major hit – the classes are full for January.  I have added another couple Intro classes to the February schedule along with the classes on Photoshop Elements for Beginners.  Later in the spring I would like to plan an outing for present and former students – I will make an announcement here as well as in classes and encourage anyone interested to come out.