Run, don't walk, over to DTown!...

The Second season of DTown TV with hosts Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski is underway and you don't want to miss it.

Unlike last year when the focus was strictly on Nikon gear, this year it is "all things DSLR". So if you shoot digital, there is something there for you.

Shooting tips, techniques, and great guest appearances by folks like Moose Peterson and Joe McNally.

Last season shows are still available on the site so you Nikon shooters (and you know who you are) should head over and watch them. I learned something new on each episode, be it lens information, hardware tips, or camera body Easter eggs.

So head on over and I'll see ya at DTown.

Definitions of friendship…

I was listening to a podcast the other day and they were talking about what it means to be a true friend and definitions of friendship.

“A friend is one who multiplies our joys and divides our grief.”

“A friend is one who understands our silence.”

“A friend is one who knows us, but loves us anyway.”

And my favorite is…

“A friends is one who comes in when all the world has gone out”

It made me think about who my friends were, what they meant to me, and how empty my life would be without them.

I hope it does the same for you.

DIY Beauty Dish...

Below is our latest video showing the DIY beauty dish I made for well under $20.

The link to my original post on making your own beauty dish can be found here.

Here are some links to some other plans as well that you may find helpful:

1. David Tejada plans

2. Plans from Light & Pixels

3. One I found in Flickr

4. From Isaac Lane Koval

5. Plastic Bucket Beauty Dish

6. Turkey Pan Beauty Dish

7. Turkey Pan Beauty Dish II (the return of the Gobbler!)

8. DIY Beauty Dish For Alien Bees

Here's the video, if you can not view it just follow this link to watch it on YouTube.



Here are two sample images I took this morning to demonstrate the kind of light I got from my DIY beauty dish. Click on either image to view larger and in a new window.

The first image was shot with an SB-800 using the Sto-Fen style diffuser that comes standard with it. Notice the harshness of the light and the sharp distinct shadows.


This image was shot with my beauty dish, the light is more diffuse, the shadows much softer, resulting in a better picutre.

Workshop with photographer Joel Grimes...

I have some very exciting news, this coming April we will be sponsoring a 2 day lighting workshop with photographer Joel Grimes.

We'll have more details in the coming weeks, but in the mean time take a look at his knockout images below, visit his website, or check out his tutorials.

Click on any of the images below to view larger and in a new window.

Top 10 best photography blogs of 2010...

About a week ago Canon Blogger came out with the 10 best photography blogs for 2010 and much to my surprise Weekly Photo Tips was on the list at number six.

When I see stuff like that I am truly humbled that something I started as a way to keep my photography friends informed of things I found on my endless internet wandering has turned into something very different.

But the bottom line is any popularity this blog may enjoy is because of you, the good folks spend some of your precious time here.

Be sure to stop by Canon Blogger and see who else is on the list and thanks to Jason for his high opinion of Weekly Photo Tips and to you for making it what it is.

This may not be about photography...

But I think you are really going to find it quite handy.

Have you ever had to reinstall your computer software, or bought a new computer and needed to install all those indispensable free programs like iTunes, Adobe Reader, Skype, AVG, Firefox, and... well, I think you get my point.

There is a new (and free) site called Ninite that allows you to select from over 65 of the most popular (free) programs and then creates a custom installer so it's all done at once.

A few really cool features include:

1. Ninite installs software with the default settings and always says "no" to browser toolbars and other junk add-ons.

2. Ninite checks your computers language and 64-bit support to install the latest, best version of
each program.

3. Ninite runs on Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7, works in the background providing an unattended 100% hands-free install.

A very convenient time saver.

THE KLEINFELD EXPERIENCE CONTEST!!

One lucky bride-to-be will get a chance to take part in this once in a lifetime experience!

Your love story could win you:

· a $5000 gift certificate to Kleinfeld
· a private store opening in Manhattan, New York
· personal styling services provided by Randy Fenoli and a Kleinfeld Bridal Consultant
· free airfare and five-star accommodations

Entering the contest is easy!

Submit your engagement or romance story to TheRingBearer.ca before February 14 2010. The Top 10 love stories will be posted online on February 19 2010. You, along with the rest of Canada, will have one month to vote for your favourite! The winner of The Kleinfeld Experience will be announced on March 20 2010 after the nationwide vote has been tallied!