Huge crowds began pouring into Austin ,Texas today for the SXSW festival.
Covering Interactive, Film and Music, of course the first folks we meet on the plane are Philip Bloom and his fiance Sara, both photographers, but Philip is here to do 2 presentations on shooting with HD DSLRs .

So it was a lively plane ride [...]

What we really mean to say is that Delkin products ( the Archival Gold DVD, Fat Gekko people) has come up with a few things to make your life on or near water a little better.
At PMA a couple week ago, they were showing off a waterproof bag, the Jellyfish, for your smartphone or point [...]

The Hot Shoe Diaries is written by Joe McNally and may be the best handbook on using speedlights out there.
(Not to be confused with Red Shoe Diaries, an adult series on HBO in the 90’s hosted by David Duchovny)
While you may not use the bagful of flashes that Mr. McNally uses, he will give you [...]

The fans of this product are legion.
For 6 years now, the Lensbaby movement has been strong as enthusiasts around the globe, attach the focal plane adjusters to their camera bodies, and shift your eye to put you just where they want you to be.
It has evolved through the years, going from a system of [...]

We love to show you the kind of gear that we think is a must have in some part of your life.
Packed into our camera bag, there is always at least 1 Joby Gorillapod.
Why?
When we need an extra hand to hold the speedlight, or we want to be in the video too, or the tripod [...]

Oh, it’s almost like figuring our which camera and lens to choose.
Which bag to carry your gear in.
Is it an event with quick lens changes? Stealthy urban street shooting? Simple auto transport, shipping, flying, and about 100 other specific needs.
It’s always an internal conversation. And a constant search.
We got turned onto the folks at [...]

The most amazing happened last week while in a card exchange situation.
In the midst of everyone trading the little rectangles of info, one of the group got repeated extended studies of their cards.
Their Moo.com photo cards.
Now, photos on business cards are nothing new, but it has either been printed on a photographic like [...]

Up the aisles, down the aisles, across to the next exhibit hall, and up the aisles, down the aisles.
Rinse and repeat.
That’s kinda what we do when we go to a photographic trade show.
There are the major things to see that there may have been pre-buzz on, or things that we hope to actually get in [...]

We’ve been on an educational binge lately.
The tools at our disposal in the digital world of photography are truly mind boggling.
The computer that you call a camera, has so much capability that most of us never unleash, you may be missing some creative tools in your kit. You have to get that secret knowledge [...]

Honestly, we have not been in this trade show deal for many years.
With the economy the way it is, manufacturers get very picky as to where the will meet the press and the buyers to show the latest offerings or tease the upcoming products. PMA has traditionally been one of the major shows to meet [...]

You can’t ask for more from photo trade show, really.
Not only did we get to see some cool new gear, we were made privy to a new product from HP that will protect artists, dealers an collectors. Too cool for school.
The day began with Sony announcing a brand new small format camera with interchangeable lenses, [...]

PMA is staring tomorrow in Anaheim, and they gave us a little peek into what we may be seeing from some of the photographic manufacturers.

The HoodLoupe used on many new HD DSLR rigs, got some attention from the press.

We’ll be taking a closer look at the Fuji instant cameras.

Everyone’s favorite, Moo cards, will explain it [...]

Last Thursday night, the world of analog photography grew exponentially in Hollywood.
The global fans of the world of LOMO will rejoice with this new west coast flagship of the plastic camera kings.
When you want to slow it down a bit, shoot some film, and take a bit of a risk, in your photography, you have [...]

We’d like to thank everyone who participated in our biggest photo contest yet, Let’s Do Lunch!
There were entries from all over the world and winners from all over the world.
The winners are:
Grand Prize: Katya Evdokimova of London, England
1st Place Winners:
Friends and Family – Dan Komoda of East Windsor, NJ
Down To Business – Mark Tedschi of [...]

Who knew.
Well, we used to know. Every month in the Pasadena Elks Lodge, all kinds of used gear photography dealers gather and lay out their wares on long tables.
What do they have ? All kinds of camera goods in all kinds of conditions. Brand new, used, VERY used, and that exact thing you were looking [...]

…for about 2.5 hours on this very solid DVD with Bob Krist and Joe McNally , Nikon School Presents A Hands-On Guide to Creative Lighting
Sometimes we have items that are so popular we have to give them away again.
This is one of those things.
We love it when the manufacturers take it upon themselves to [...]

Give your shoulders a break.
The camera bag manufacturers have heard your backs aching, and want to give you some relief.
Nope, not an assistant to carry your gear, but bags to make things a little easier. Roller Bags.
Most of the major brands have been entering this field for awhile, but today we’re going to look at [...]

Sure, we’ve been getting a little bookish lately on the giveaway front, so it’s time to get into the old tool box.
Love the books because, at the end of the day, the image is what it’s all about.
You need the gear to get there though. And every tool box has a variety of multi-purpose items [...]

Yes, the beauty of an articulated LCD screen is being able to keep your eyes where you want them, and let the camera stretch to get the shot you want.

Every time we shoot and event, there is always an opportunity for an over-the-crowd shot to the stage or main subject, like a wedding.

Of course you’ll [...]

What is one of the most important reasons to have a point and shoot camera is to conveniently be able to capture the random moments in your life, as well as notable events, parties, etc.
The next part is to share the image, by either “chimping” ( the term used when everyone ohhhs, and ahhs when [...]

The question is – did we need another way?
The old over-the-shoulder, camera strap connected at 2 points to the body, seemed to work. And with a great padded camera strap, longs days, and heavy lenses, were more bearable.
At the last trade show we hit, there were at least 3 different options for carrying you [...]

There are a myriad of camera bag manufacturers to choose from, and we all get to our favorites. Although crossing the brand lines based on specific needs, is really they way we go.
For the outdoorsy photog, the ones who backpack their way into a setting, Lowepro has been the leader for many years.
The new Pro [...]

When you are getting a little more serious about your photography, you’ll need some gear that, hopefully, you only buy once.
Bogen Imaging, who handles a bunch of premier brands in the US was at PhotoPlus Expo showing off some new items, and some new company acquisitions.

If you have had to transport or store your lightstands, [...]

( At the end of the article we have a special 20% discount code for you if you’d like to go ahead and purchase one of these from the manufacturer. )
You have seen these devices, we’re sure.
Interconnected ball joints, topped with a platform that lets you connect almost anything; heads, cameras, flash units, and video [...]