Learn to Wipe

Spending too much damn time retouching your images cuz you got a dirty ccd? Conisder it like flossing: at some point it needs to be done—and either the dentist can do it, to the tune of $$$, or you can you can do it for a few coins on the buck.

First, you need supplies: I use Eclipse Solution & Sensor Swabs made by Photographic Solutions. Eclipse runs about $8.00 and the swabs run about $48.00. Sound expensive? Send it back to the manufacturer or local repair shop and you just spent $50.00 for one cleaning. With 1-pack of Swabs you can get about 4-8 cleanings.

Second, are you using Canon or Nikon? If you're using Nikon, you're going to have to kick out some cash for the (required) AC adapter in order to clean your sensor. Nikon doesn't want you poking a swab in their camera's eye, but have no fear once you have the AC adapter, it's simple and (relatively: if you do it right) harmless.

Canon, on the other hand doesn't require an AC adapter, so you can scrub with well-juiced batteries. A definite plus+ for Canon, because when you're in the field, who the hell has AC power?

Go get your supplies and next time we'll teach you how to wipe.

DNG or DIE!

I'm sure the latest news from Adobe will rub some digi-cam manufacturers RAW. Adobe has proposed a new file format, called DNG—Digital Negative, that I'm sure isn't merely a proposal, but an offer they can't refuse.

What Adobe is implementing is a file standard similar to JPG. RAW files produced with this new standard would then be tagged with a .dng file format that wouldn't require manufacturer's software for processing.

It does make sense. There is nothing worse than having NEF, CR2, 3F file formats and have to use different pieces of software to view, process & print.

DNG or die. Resistance is futile.

16 high and rising

It is official. The EOS IDs MARK II: 16.7mp, full-frame, 4fps, wireless capacity. Ouch, for Nikon.
This would now be the time for ad placement, the one shot by Christian Witkin for Canon of Agency VII that says it all: We Kick Ass.

[fingers tented] EXCELLLENT!!!!

I can imagine the bosses at Canon are sitting there, with the fingers pitched-fork like Montegomery Burns of the Simpsons, waiting to drop their bomb.

F(!@#$)-6

So it's official, Nikon's new D2x. No 16mp here, just 12 and some funky HighSpeedCropped mode, which allows you to have a D2h as well, with a few more pixels. Kinda funky. But what's more crazy is, what? The F6?

Who the hell in their right mind is going to spend $2000+ on a film camera in this day and age. I understand Leica, but Nikon spending precious R&D on a damn film camera that will sell few. Unbelievable.

Folks, Nikon doesn't make their money on a high-end film camera. They make it on the little point & shoot crappix cameras and other pies they've got their pinkies in.

It's decisions like these that break companies, and I can tell you first hand, Nikon is putting pressure on it's people to produce. Hopefully, you're not one of them.

((((((((((((((((((still shaking my head))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

psst, D2x

Nikon is about to let you all know that they've got some new products you can't live without. I'm not allowed to tell you what everyone already knows a bit about, but I can tell you that on September 16, they're gonna let the Cam outta the bag.

Hmmmm September 16, do you think their next pixChip might be 16 megapixel?

DAM software

At some point, if you're shooting digital, or even scanning tons of photos, you're gonna need to be able to find and keep track of them all.

The Mac ships with iPhoto, which, for what it is, isn't bad, but isn't great. It's software that is geared towards mom & pop shooters and stars like Tony Hawk & Kelly Slater who get big kickbacks for saying how great Apple's goods are.

I've dabbled with ACDSEE, iView, iPhoto, NikonView, FileBrowser and Portfolio. Out of the heap of software vying for your attention and dollars, the best I've found has been bar none, Extensis Portfolio 7.

You can do so much with this DAM software it will make your head spin. DAM= Digital Asset Management. It's the next big step in software. Now that you've got thousands and thousands of files, how the hell are you going to find them?

That's what's great about Portfolio. It's a database application that lets you tag, sort, search, proof, print. You name it, it does it all, and it just keeps getting better.

Don't take my word for it, download the full working 30 day trial here.

tip #2200

Ok, as of late I haven't really been offering much in the way of tips. So today I will take a minute to tell you something you may or may not know.

Are you having troubles printing from Mac to your 2200 printer?
Try this:
Turn your printer off.
Delete all occurences of the 2200 printer in the Print Center. If you installed the drivers correct, you should have about 8 or so 2200 choices. Delete.
Now turn the printer back on. In the print center, click the ADD button, the 2200 should pop back up under Product. Where it says Printer Model, select ALL, then click ADD.

Your printer should be back online and ready to roll.

This has been the biggest pain in the ass that I've walked so many clients through who have been ready to chuck their printers out the window and buy something else.

Let me know how it all goes. Peace out.