Check out these Lexar 16GB memory cards...

For the next 12 days you can get 3 Lexar 16GB Platinum II 200x compact flash memory cards for only $99 at Adorama. If that price isn't tempting enough they are offering free shipping and are throwing in a free memory card wallet too.

Not only are these cards fast, they also hold a lot, one card will hold 3,200 16MP images (or 2,300 21MP images). Video your thing? One card will hold up to 6 hours of video.

To give you some perspective on just how good this price is their competition is selling the exact same memory card at $87 for a set of (just) two. Plus shipping and no wallet.

GamiLight 43 softbox update...

Last month we posted our review of the GamiLight 43 softbox (here and here) but at the time it was not yet available for purchase here in America, well it is now.

You can now get your hands on the GamiLight over at Midwest Photo Exchange for the special introductory price of just $49.

Here's another sample shot I took using the GamiLight 43 softbox and below it is the (very) simple lighting setup.

Clicking on either image will open it larger and in a new window.

How 1/100 second can change your image...

Here are two images I shot while covering an event, I was taking a break just as the sun was going down and the sky was outstanding.

These were taken just moments apart, with (essentially) the exact same camera settings.

The only difference between the two shots was shutter speed, in this shot the shutter speed was 1/60s. The blue sky is brighter and where the sky meets the land it is pretty bright (and void of color).


I wasn't unhappy with the shot but thought it could be better so I changed the shutter speed to 1/160s and (I think) it greatly improved the shot, the sky is a deeper blue and there is now more color on the horizon.

The differences aren't "dramatic", just better.

For a better comparison click on either image to view larger and in a new window.

It is often said that if you think you got the shot take a step closer and shoot it again. I would add "shoot it a little different" as well.

I saw something very cool on Strobist...

But then again there is always something cool on Strobist (I know because it's my home page, every time I open my browser I am confronted with coolness).

David posted the videos from the Motley Pixel YouTube channel and they are one of the coolest DIY projects I have ever seen (already making a couple tweaks in my head that include foam tape and a tripod quick release plate).

So either head to the Strobist post or directly to the Motley Pixel (where they have some way cool videos).

THE DRESS YOUR BRIDESMAIDS REALLY WILL WEAR AGAIN!

Every bride-to-be has had this problem when looking for a dress for her bridesmaids - finding something they can still wear once the wedding is over. And while every bride-to-be tries her best the truth is, that bridesmaid dress will most likely hang in the back of a closet somewhere never to see the light of day again. 27 Dresses anyone? Jane (played by Katherine Heigl) is "always a bridesmaid" in the 2008 romantic comedy and has a closet full of bridesmaid dresses to prove it. Fortunately these dreadful dresses have come a long way and Ottawa's best bridal boutiques now carry some oh so chic styles, contrary to what poor Jane had to sport. Styles your bridesmaids would be proud to wear on your wedding day and could pull out again for that New Year's Eve party or special formal function.

One of Viva's favourite bridal boutiques, With Love Bridal, not only carries some fabulously stylish bridesmaid dresses but is now the first boutique in Canada to carry the twobirds bridesmaid dress. It's the dress you can wear 15 ways making it so easy to wear again and again! This dress’ versatility allows your bridesmaids to all wear the same dress, in the same colour, wrapped in the style that suits them best. And even better, because it's so versatile you don’t have to be a bridesmaid to wear it. Viva just might head on over to With Love and get one of these beauties for herself!

Our review of the Quick Spot grids...

We had the pleasure of receiving a couple Quick Spot grids from Harbor Digital Design and they get a two thumbs up from us.

These grids come in 1/8" & 1/4" honeycomb grid size and they come in sizes specific your specific flash model, they are "custom fit" to slide "firmly" on the flash requiring no straps or fasteners of any kind.

And if you shoot with different (size) flashes you can buy just the adapter for the specific flash you want to use it on and attach your grid to it. The adapters run around $12 each.

Harbor Digital also makes Lee filters/gels that slide into these grids, they come in a set of six and include Primary Red, Primary Green, Dark Blue, Medium Yellow, Moroccan Pink, and 1/2 CT Orange.

You can get Quick Spot grids from Adorama for $34 for just the Quick Spot or for $46 you can get the Quick Spot and a set of colored gels, they both include free shipping.

So, watch the video below for the rest of the review.

If you get this post via email you'll need to return to the blog or head directly over to our YouTube channel to watch the video.

Two great finds in one small post...

I know this isn't much notices but tomorrow (Tuesday April 12th) Neil van Niekerk (of Planet Neil fame) will be teaching a 90 minute webinar over at ClickinMoms.

Program description:

A photo session is often a rushed, fast moving event with less than ideal light. But that doesn't mean you can't have great light indoors that approaches studio-quality lighting. Join me as I explain the techniques to create beautiful images while working fast, yet still getting exceptional results from equipment you already have - your on-camera speedlight.

This is a 90 minute webinar that includes live demonstrations, supplemental images shared on-screen, and interactive Q&A between Neil and audience members throughout the presentation.

When: Tuesday, April 12 at 1:00pm EST
Cost: $30

More details for the webinar can be found here.

Now, about ClickinMoms, they are a close-knit community of over 8000 members. 65% of their members are professional photographers, and 35% are either aspiring professionals or passionate hobbyists. What they all share is a commitment to honing the craft in order to deliver extraordinary images for their clients, beautifully capture the lives of their own children, produce works of fine art, or engage in creative self expression.

Information on joining ClickinMoms can be found here.