Fate...

It's the weekend, a time when I sometimes go waaaaay off topic (from Photography).

This video affirms that sometimes there is more than chance at play, sometimes fate happens.

Subscribers will need to return to the blog to watch this video as it does not get pushed through, sorry.

One more sale NOT to miss...

I normally would have held this post for next week but by then it would be too late!

My friends over at V Gallery (Vicki & Jed Taufer) just emailed me that they are having a 50% off EVERYTHING Labor Day sale (ending September 6th).

We have reviewed a few of their products including our pick for the 2009 product of the year, "The Evolution Collection with FLO", and everything you need to add pet photography to your studio, "Unleashed".

You can read our reviews for both here (Evolution Collection) and here (Unleashed).

Be sure to use the promo code "LD2010" to get half off everything you purchase.

Happy shopping and have a safe holiday weekend.

CoffeeCup slideshow software for only $19...

If you are looking for slideshow software CoffeeCup software is offering "Photo Gallery" for just $19.

I bought it and can tell you it's powerful AND easy to use.

The only thing is the sale is for a short time only (I believe it ends in a week), so you can learn more about Photo Gallery here (including some sample slideshow), check out the video tutorials here, and use this link to order it at the discounted price here.

If you want to take it for a test run just to make sure, a free trial is available here.

Please, please, please read this...

If you love photography and are looking for educational opportunities, this post is a must read.

I have been getting a bunch of emails lately, some looking for where to find photography courses and others looking for camera clubs in their area (if I haven't responded your email yet I will, I promise).

The theme for all the emails have been pretty consistent, they are looking to bring their photography to the "next level".

I can't begin to tell you how many books, DVD's, and courses have come to us for review over the last 5 years and there are two that are head and shoulders above the rest.

So if you want to take your camera off "P", if you want to be comfortable shooting in manual, and if you want to control the light instead of being controlled by it then right these down.

There are two things I would recommend (strongly urge) you do before anything else. ANYTHING ELSE.

First, I would buy the "Strobist Lighting Seminar DVD Box Set", an 8 DVD 2 day seminar from David Hobby. You can read my (glowing) review here and buy it over at Midwest Photo Exchange for $139.

Second, I would head over to Creative Live and download the 2 1/2 day seminar "Studio Photography" taught by Zack Arias for $129 (my review is here).

I could ramble on about what is so great about these two products, but it would a re-hash of the original reviews, so take a minute to read them for in-depth product details (David Hobby here and Zack Arias here).

These will do more than take your photography to "the next level", they will shoot you over the mountain and leave your sprawled on the other side.

It will have you saying things about lighting ratios that will leave your photography friends dumbfounded and wanting to know if you can teach an upcoming class at the camera club.

;)

Seriously, these are the best educational opportunities available out there, I promise, and having them on DVD will give you the chance to watch, re-watch, stop, pause, and study anything you want at times convenient for you.

That's my 2 cents... and your $268.

Hey Chance, you won too!...

All too often we see the "less than admirable" side of people, especially as displayed on the glut of "reality" shows on TV.

Yesterday we announced the winner of our latest contest and a person who didn't win left a comment congratulating the person who did.

I know, I know, no big deal.

Well, it kinda is, at least to me.

It's a breath of fresh air to see people being courteous, acting civily, and being happy for the good fortune of others.

So Chance, you too are a winner, and to reward your kind and gracious behavior we are going to send you a 80/20 flash modifier and the book "Flash, The Most Available Light" both from LumiQuest.

Email us your snail mail address and your package will be on its way.

Congratulations Chance.

The winner is (drum roll please)...

The winner of the Scott Kelby DVD (and workbook) "Photo Recipes Live: Behind the Scenes" is Tera Kinnane.

Tera's name was drawn (randomly) from the over 300 entries.

Congratulations to Tera and a big thank you to all that took the time to enter.

Tera, if you drop me an email with your snail mail address I will get your prize package mailed out to you.

The images that accompany this post belong to Tera, you can see even more of her work by visiting her blog and her Flickr page.

(clicking on any image will open it larger and in a new window)

Review of BongoTies...

The first time I saw a picture of BongoTies my first thought was, "that looks like a cool idea" but it wasn't until I received mine last week that I truly fell in love!

They happened to arrive on the same day we had to pack up all kinds of gear for a remote shoot, so I broke open the box and started organizing our bazillion cables and cords. From 50 foot heavy duty extension cords to small 6 inch PC Sync cables.

That was the day I came upon our new cable management system, BongoTies.

In the past I have used things like Velcro wraps but they collect dust and dirt, catch at inopportune times, and tend to be a bit pricey.

You can get a ten pack of BongoTies for less than $5 (here and here).

And they can be used for a lot more than cable organization, search YouTube and you will be surprised at the number of different applications (I was).

They even come packaged in their own (ziplock) carrying case.

Are you picking up that I like them? They get two thumbs way up from me.

One of our lucky readers will love them as well as BongoTies will be included in a future prize package.