A short while back, we told about this artist selling off every day in the calendar year to you and you alone.
You can buy a day, add a concept, stir in a bit of background and Shane Rich will cook you up a heaping plate of photographic goodness promoting…whatever the heck you WANT!
Your business, a birthday, special event, a loved one, a graduation, you name it, this man will photographically interpret it for you.
Our day was Jan. 21st and here is how he saw photoinduced:

© Shane Rich

We think it’s pretty cool. Nothing like an IV of camera, right?

So,you not only get an original photo, conceived and shot, you get a nice written piece AND an original print.

What does this cost?

Depends on the day you pick. Each day goes up in price $1. starting at Jan.1, 2010.
So our day was $21.00

We just wanted to follow through and let you know how the process ended up.
Exactly as advertised.
Cool posting on the day, inventive photo, and a signed original print arrived not long after the day of posting.
This kind of creative thinking is to be applauded and supported.
Using the old left brain/right brain system, Shane Rich has made a working photographic business model that supports you, has value beyond the web, and, of course supports him. If he sells all of the days.

Take a look at Oncemany.com, and see what you think. Maybe you can buy a special day for yourself.

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.
Cameras, lenses, film cameras, stereo cameras, polaroid, tripods, brackets, speedlights, case, film, paper, lens caps, hoods, all wet darkroom supplies, photographs, books, DVD’s, etc.
Mostly the prices were pretty good, and like at any swap met, negotiable.

Some folks showed their goods on table cloths, some in display cases, overflowing cardboard boxes, up to elegant plexi cases you would see in a camera store. Most of the dealers are regulars, and we overheard a lot of repeat customers, coming back for more from the same people.
Hmmmm…what else did we see….let’s see…other than the items we bought (yes, the Elvis cards were on the dealers table and we asked for a pack to seal the deal) you can find lenses both film and digital,

How about that Hasselblad you’ve always wanted but the price was too crazy high?
This beautiful 500c/m with 150mm lens and back was only $800! And you know you can rent a digital back for these bodies. If you have interest, we may be able to find the guy again. He had his whole family with him and it was a good feeling from the booth. better be, when you spend that kinda dough.

Stereo cameras,

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…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 teach you about the products they sell.
No, really.
Yes, they are promoting their products, but the information they pass on transcends all of that.
We feel that when you are buying their products, it makes sense that they show you how to easily use it.
That inch thick manual is great for reference, and we go to them when ever we are stumped, but a hands on look. and teaching method is where we live. C’mon, it’s a visual medium, right?
Like their site Nikon Digitutor which shows you exactly what the buttons on your camera are for, to help you use it better or make a choice before you buy.

Back to the giveaway-

There are solid lighting lessons here that you will use. Whether you use a speedlight, multiple speedlights, or regular studio strobes.
Plus they’ll show you how to efficiently work on location with these portable little beauties.

Here’s some of what they’ll cover:
*Lighting fundamentals and techniques—in the studio and on location
*Flash essentials
*Direction, color and quality of light
*Step-by-step placement of Speedlights within a scene
*Creating an efficient portable Speedlight outfit
*Overcoming the challenges of location lighting
Plus a ton more.

And if you do use Nikon Speedlights, the section on Master Commander and remote speedlights is worth the price of admission.
Seriously.

Here is a small preview:

Look, the powerful little computers you hold in you hand that we call cameras and speedlights are capable of some incredible things.
You just have to know what you have.
Let’s files this under tools for the toolbox.

Details for getting one of these DVD’s for free will be in this weeks NEWSLETTER.

Haven’t been receiving your NEWSLETTER? We hear that sometimes, and we’re working on a fix. There will be an email going out to folks that are active but for some reason aren’t getting the weekly. The email will come from us, so hopefully it doesn’t land in spam land.

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 one that may not be on your radar…yet: Naneu.

We first saw one of these bags at the Chris Weeks shoot we did, for the ” What’s In The Bag “ series.
Today, we’re looking at the U220 bag, a roller bag that also can double as a backpack.

First, we laid out all of the gear we would take on 1 person shoot: 2 bodies, 4 lenses, speedlight, batts, laptop, external hardrive, extra memory cards, laptop, cables, etc.

Then we loaded up the insert that comes with this bag, conforming the bright orange interior to the gear.

There are some zippered doors on the insert that help you decide where to put what, as you may need to reach in just for a certain piece of gear.
Not a critical design touch for us, but useful in some cases.

The insert, once loaded, fits back into the roller bag, with the included laptop case, sliding into the front inside lid.

Once zipped, you get some generous outside pockets for cables, travel needs, misc. bulkage.

There is a nice feature on the side of the bag where you can slide your tripod into a stretch pocket, and binding strap. (see photo at top of post)
We use an older Gitzo and the weight seemed to pull the bag slightly to one side, but the weight of the gear inside kept things pretty level.

So, then you have your gear set, and ready to roll into your destination or
pull out the padded shoulder straps, and waist belt to carry it all on your shoulders, backpack style.

And if you just want to use the bag as an empty luggage shell, the camera gear insert, can be left at home and you have an overnighter.

Plus if you are carrying around your gear in the rain, just pop over this nifty rain cover from it’s enclosure on the bag. It’s always there, so you’re always covered.

Ok, that’s how it works.

Now what did we think:
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Like the modern classic movie “Office Space” we’ve got plenty of photo flair to show our enthusiasm for photography.
Jennifer Aniston’s character in that film didn’t want to add more flair to her uniform, so she took another road.

© 20th Century Fox

We have been collecting/been given, a ton of the stuff, flair, through the years.
Nope, not gonna wear them on suspenders or on a vest at the next photo gathering.
That would be creepy in a massive grouping.
How about a single bit of flair?
Maybe your fave camera company logo, or just a small pin, put onto your lapel.
Sends a message, alright.
Sometimes a clever phrase, an image of your fave camera, an eyeball (very popular), a 3rd eye, an event, or a simply “Say Cheese!”

In the 60’s, message buttons were all the rage, and hippiedom would not have been complete without some anti establishment notification on your clothing.
Elections through the years, have made campaign buttons de rigueur for the proper announcement of your political predilection.
And now every charitable cause has a ribbon, neatly twisted and pinned on a lapel to ensure your neighbor knows that you are good and just.
Check out any award show involving a celebrity, and depending on the current horrific world event that they can put a magnifier onto, you will notice the plethora of appropriate colored ribbons.

A bold statement of support is made without uttering a word.

Ok, when you are carrying around a big DSLR, there is no question that you are “into” photography.

But when you have a discreet point and shoot, or perhaps (never happen) no camera at all, how people to know where you stand?
C’mon, hasn’t someone in your life ever given you a bit of Flair with a photo motif, knowing what your passion was?
Holidays? Birthday? A loved one struggling with a gift idea for you, presents a well made pin, with a bas relief of a camera?
No? They will. At some point.

Well, wear that flair with pride and love. Not 30 pieces because, after all, you don’t work at Chotskie’s, right?
One will do.

Do you ever wear photo flair?
Let us know by commenting on this article.
This crazy little, Monday in Feb., article.