This one is for all of you Strobists out there who can’t get enough power with the battery set up they are using.
So here is what we’re talking about.
If you will be shooting for an extended period of time, like an event, and need to rely on your portable flash for light, you have a few choices: carry LOTs of AA batteries, or use a pro battery pack that should keep you gong and recycling that flash fast.

Now the portable flash, SB800, 580 EX, needs power to run its screen and all of its cool features like TTL and remote functions. That would require batteries in the unit as well as the external battery pack.
Since the flash doesn’t know where to pull it’s power from, it pulls from both.
You will burn through those AA”s like crazy, trust us.
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Here’s where the dummy part part comes in: The flash only really needs 3 batteries to operate the functions and the screen.

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Dummy is placed at the top of the array.

By adding a dummy or non functioning battery, you complete the electrical connection, yet pull the actual ka-flam (technical term) flash power from the external rechargeable battery pack. That will also limit the chance of your flash circuiting out.
The dummy battery is pretty cheap actually, $7.50 and worth the investment.

OK, a little dry and not earth shattering a little tip for ya. You save money on batteries, and don’t fry your flash. Not so dumb.

Also, some folks had commented on this video and wanted to know more and where to get the dummy.

By the way, we love Frazer’s honesty and thank him again for sharing with us.

But first let me tear through all of the gear and see EXACTLY where I left it.
So maybe it’s time to get a bit more organized.
After finding files in various hard drives (hard drive crash, computer replaced, almost have everything back where it should be) we’re ready to tackle the hard goods in multiple places.
What we’re saying is, when you have your photo gear in cases, you want to know what’s in those cases.
Used to be with film cameras, there was a main bag with bodies and lenses. Perhaps some extra filters on a side pouch, and film rolls in the bag in the lid.
What happened?
Well, through the years, we gather things. And the digital world has required more items to enjoy the craft/art/hobby/profession of photography. Cables, batteries, chargers, card readers, laptops, CF cards, etc.

Then you need certain bags to hold gear for certain events. True that, but it starts to add up.

Now whenever you pack your gear, you have to know what to take.
Vacation requires one set up. Traveling to shoot for real, another.
Assignments call for full tilt plus back-ups. Each assignment calls for certain gear.
Wedding, Sports, Portraits, Events. All different needs

So how do you keep track of it all? yep, that’s the question I had to ask myself, when i couldn’t find that cable I KNEW I had, but had put in a bag from 2 outings before.

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Tags and semi-transparent bags. That’s is the conclusion.

The tags you can get from a stationary store like Staples, and they can be either the tie on or the key-ringed version, which we prefer. The bags you should hunt for.[photopress:m_v65768.jpg,full,centered]
Yes, baggies will work for the small things but we dig the mesh bags from Muji. Easy to see, consistent shape,
and zippered. Cost between 4.50 and 5.50 at Museum of Modern Art. And guess what?..they are recycled material. Muji is too cool.

Here’s how the organizing works:

Camera bodies live together in camera bags with their batteries as a standard.
Still have a Nikon D70 so that is in one bag with batts.
Nikon D200 is in another with it’s batts.

Each bag gets a tag with contents listed. Since it’s on the outside, you can see easily what you have. Add a date to the list and you’re current.

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All chargers stay with their power cords, adapters, and conversion plugs. A good idea is to use a label maker to name your chargers so you know what goes with what. Continue Reading »

How about this : you have all of your digital photos and video files stored somewhere on your computer. You’ve been meaning to back them up, as you start getting some error messages on your screen. Something is wrong with your computer and the repair techs say to wipe the hard drive clean and reinstall your programs again.
And that fateful questions gets asked: Did you back up all of your important files?
Gulp. You meant to. Really. You were about to buy that new external hard drive as the prices have been plummeting.
But you didn’t. That birthday party is gone. the graduation pics? into the ether. And that relative who won’t be coming back? yep, those images are hopefully burned in your memory.
End Scene.

Too dramatic? Too true is more like it.
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Well HP has come up with a real easy solution called SimpleSave Photo.

Here is how it works: put the DVD into your computer, wait for the timer countdown, and like Pacman eating up the pills, the software picks up each and every photo/video file and puts it onto a DVD, safe and sound.

With the software embedded on each DVD, just put the disc in the computer and it starts itself. Sweet.

Now that’s the easy way, and EVERY file gets put onto the DVD’s including video files.
Make sure you have removed any images you don’t want saved, because this photo saving bot knows no discrimination. If you get my drift.

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But you do have the option of options. In other words, choose where the software searches, and then preview what has been designated to be saved. Continue Reading »

Just took a look at this series from My Damn Channel.
If you like your Photoshop lessons with a bit of backstory (fresh divorcee ) from the instructor, a lot of attitude, but some real lessons,
You have to check this out.
They are up to 13 lessons, with your teacher Donnie, who seems right out of Family Guy, complete with bitterness and sarcasm.
This is perfect Hump Day Photo humor!
Click here.

…..and the photographs will be FREE!

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That is the idea by some very smart wedding photographers at PRINT.

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To introduce a new photographer to their company, they have asked for couples planning nuptials to submit their story.
Kinda like what the TODAY show did with couples this year.
Here are the entry regs:
“It thrills us to hear about couples who forgo conventions to create a wedding day that truly represents who they are.we especially love weddings full of DIY touches and those that are mindful of he environment. so go ahead-make us fall in love with you! be creative with your entry: tell us your story, how you met, the proposal, all that amazing stuff. send us photos and/or video of the two of you, inspiration boards showing your colours or theme and how you envision your day. (stylemepretty.com is a great place to see some fabulous inspiration boards.) let us know how your day is going to be unique and creative and why you deserve to be chosen as a finalist.”

And then people get to vote on the couple. Friends send out the voting site to everyone on their email list.
One of our photog readers passed it on to us.
Brilliant idea. Great marketing by a photographer, and involves their whole community of friends and family.
And now you, if you’d like.
It was great to read the stories, and of course look at the photographers site.
So go to the site, read, and vote.

We have read the entries, and honestly, the Amburr and Jarrett couple had the most moving story.
Heck, we almost wanted to pay for the photographer. Almost. I just hope they play “Midnight Confessions” at the reception. A classic favorite.
But we digress.
You can help and send a vote their way to push them over the top.

The point is that this is a great, honest, smart, promotional campaign. What do you think?

And we have another subject to deal with. Continue Reading »