How are you doing out there?
No crowded lines at the stores, winter is coming, and you may have tricked out your home work environment just right.
Screen fatigue is real, and hopefully you get a chance to step away and create some content!
Here is a wrap-up of all of the gift guide suggestion this year. Of course, if there are some things that you may need, no harm in gifting yourself, right?

The Work From Home choices
Items to help in video production
Is this the year for a podcast, or just an upgrade on your audio gear?
Sometimes sitting down with a good book, is what you need. Turn off the screens, put down the phone, and dive in.
Sale days have been extended, and you may find some deals still to be had, although timely shipping could be a consideration.

The global situation has caused some items to be delayed, and as they come in , I’ll pos them here.

There are some last minute items that are great as stocking stuffers, or smaller gifts that still have great purpose.

One item that has gone in my bag is the Catalyst AirPod Pro case. Waterproof up to 330 ft, shockproof, and honestly, just a solid case fro your expensive airpods.

Sure, slipping the white case into your pocket is good, depending how you live your life, But for rugged protection, this case is the deal!

 
Continue Reading »

This item just came in from the folks at Mophie. The Juice Pack Connect!

You know em, you love, and they have been taking care of your mobile battery needs for years.
Now that smartphones can charge wirelessly, many of us have been depending on A: an external battery with a cable, or B: laying your phone onto a charging stand or discs.
While this stops your easy use of the phone, it may not be convenient.
Mophie came out with a system, that includes a wireless battery, a small flat dock for your phone, and have incorporated a phone stand as well. Continue Reading »

As we start the headlong process into the holiday season, Cyber Monday is considered the next big deal day after Black Friday.
We have looked around to see what may be a good choice for your hard earned dollars and came up with these:
Platypod– this is a set of tools that should be in your kit to get those hard to line up shots. Close to the ground , strapped on a tree, balanced on rocks, or whatever else you can think of, versatility is the name of the game. Go basic, or go for this complete set-up with the biggest savings today. (it may say Friday, but i have been assured prices are still good!)

Peak Design has some of the best bags, and straps out there. Now with a great deal! Continue Reading »

Just going to take a break from the gear for a sec. And yes, Cyber Monday is here.
Honestly, there have not been crazy deals in abundance this year. With ordering down, products from Asia coming in slower, there is less inventory to begin with, so not as much need to blow it out the prices.
However, there are some solid deals, and for your year end purchases, and gifting ideas, we’re here for you.

Now let’s tuck into some book suggestions for this year:

A brand new addition came from a current exhibit at The Whitney Museum– Working Together: Louis Draper and the Kamoinge Workshop, Working Together is an exhibition that chronicles the formative years of the Kamoinge Workshop, a collective of Black photographers established in New York City in 1963. “Kamoinge” comes from the language of the Kikuyu people of Kenya, meaning “a group of people acting together,” and reflects the ideal that animated the collective. They told the stories of their lives with a first hand knowledge that had been missing.

Then we have The Life and Work of Sid Grossman

A member of the Photo League, his work leans a bit to the Life magazine way of seeing, and the printing is exquisite in the book. Not new, but a pleasure to look at.

One of the most iconic jazz photographs ever, was the
shot that Art Kane did of all of the luminaries of Jazz, taken on the steps of a brownstone in Harlem.
This book, ART KANE. HARLEM 1958, gives you an insight into the making of that image, and a great read.

Gordon Parks was a master photographer, cinematographer, director. You would do well to have any of his many books, so here is a a possible start: Half Past Autumn: A Retrospective

or perhaps this volume: Gordon Parks: The New Tide: Early Work 1940–1950

I know, the suggestions are leaning more towards the humanity side of photography.
Here’s another!
Sabine Weiss. catalogue d’exposition – I’ve suggested this book before, and she was just awarded a major honor at Arles. You may not of heard of her, but you have to discover her work.
Books are bit harder to come by, but not impossible. A special gift indeed.

Family of Man – As always, this is a book that should be in everyones library. 256 photographers documented the human condition from birth to death, in cultures all over the world. The exhibit was shown in 1955 at MOMA, and to this day, is still the most viewed photo exhibit in history. many photographers have cited this book as the inspiration for their photographic life. I certainly do. And at about $16 for the paperback, it should be in everyone’s library.

The Photographers Playbook – In case you may be getting creatively, stuck this is one of the best collections of project starters for the photographer in your life.

This one is not a photo book, but a book about the artist’s process – The Artist’s Way

It’s the 25th anniversary edition, and many of my creative mentors have used this book, and it’s suggested techniques.

Find your creative voice.

I know there are many choices out there for your gifting choices, and each giftee’s leanings will influence your purchase. These are just one way to go!

These books, are usually not discounted, except on Amazon, so those links are included here.

More Gift Guides coming shortly!

As we go headlong into the holiday season, and you have able to gather your thoughts, perhaps you figured that others may like to hear what’s on your mind.

Yes, we are talking about PODCASTS!!
It’s a perfect outlet for yourself, your insta followers, and your perspective clients.

The following gear selections are reccos based on real life usage. On microphones, the ones listed below are my personal preference, but if you go to a brick and mortar pro audio store, put your ear to a few to select your fave.

The most user friendly, quality unit out there, is hands down the  Rodecaster !

And you have to love a company that constantly upgrades the firmware. Rode does a great job. 4 XLRs, deep dive audio controls, an 8 pad loaded with your fave music bumpers, or sound fx, plus bluetooth, so you can do interviews over your phone wirelessly. Winner!

A pro mixer, with less bells and whistles, you have the MixPre 3II . you can have up to 3 mics on this, and yes, you can also do remote interviews via phone, with the proper cable.
A tiny unit that can be power by LP batteries or even your phone charging battery. Small size, with commercial grade quality. This is the unit you want to take on location. They also do regular firmware upgrades, so another solid company.
Add on Rode mic booms, as a perfect way to set whatever mics you choose at the proper height and distance or you and your guests

Sony 7506

Whether you are in a studio, or on location, these headphones are pro quality, at a sweet price point of about $90.
Best part is that these headphones don’t add color to your audio. You can add what you like in the mix, but you’ll hear good, clean sound with these. And for podcasts, you can afford one for each guest!

Then the podcast mics. A few choices out there, but this is the standard. Just do it.
Shure SM7b

Mogami Cables

And to finish out your rig, Mogami cables are the best. There are others you can use, and will work great, no problem. these just finish out a top notch set-up

For the travel set-up with the MixPre 3II, I have found that the Orca-28 is perfection. Just right, quality construction, and it opens up in all the right places. Show up on set ready to go.Orca bag

If you are moving around with the Rodecaster, and for instance, 2 Shure SM7B’s, after searching, this Pelican case is the deal. No wheels, but not a large price tag either. About $140 Pelican Vault

And if you are doing some location sound, these days, a boom set-up is the the deal.

I’m a fan of the Sennheiser MKE 600, and you can get it as a full kit with boom pole if you like.
Or choose your own preferred mic, and the K-Tek is a darn fine boom pole.

Yes, this is just a small selection. But a proven selection.
Remember, audio is 50% of your production.Unless it’s bad, then it’s 80%.