There are 2 main reasons I will always be loyal to Adobe Lightroom:
Search engine for images
Connection to Photoshop.
Now, what the connection to Photoshop gives you is a constant upgrading of the tools in LightRoom. This new version is way faster on the search, and adds in tools, that honestly, felt a bit MAC like in simplicity.
Wait, was I needing a complex solution?
Nope. What I NEEDED was a great way to share fast on social, a way to catalog and search images to gather them. I have so many photos of lunch (yep, I’m one of those folks), that this new Adobe Sensei function made it way easier to go through my hundreds of thousands of images on LR, and sort them for me.
And that is just a one RAID drive.
The amount of time that function alone saves me is immeasurable. Someone talked to me about a book of these photos. Much better culling through the sorted collection.

I want to try the Adobe Portfolio, although I’m invested in another system. Perhaps this is the time to connect all the dots in one place.
Speaking of dots, the process I go through to post to social, just got a whole lot easier. Not a new idea, but more integrated.

Another key point is the syncing capability. You can edit FULL RESOLUTION images, wherever, and have the same corrections sync with collections. That saves the transfer time.
The test for me will be the amount of images I can transfer at a sitting. Will report back.

One point about the high quality of the search algorithm: A few years back, my mom passed away, and I had been photographing her in the last years of her life. Unique, one of a kind, precious images.
The hard drive died. It was under warranty , so the company gave me a new one, but not the point.
The thumbnail in the catalog gave me the file names, and let me search for the location of the images. I connected eery hard drive I had to the computer. By having the Adobe supplied info, I was able to track copies of every image on a different hard drive I had backed things up to.
Adobe for the win.
And always back up your images multiple places.

Adobe is a premiere digital imaging software company, and always has been. All they do is make it better.

And now, the official report: Continue Reading »

You can’t expect all of your gear to last forever.
You buy a new camera every few years, and I’ll bet you have more than 2 camera bags.

Can we talk about one bit of gear that gets used daily? It’s your camera strap.
It’s time to check it out, and make sure it’s up to snuff.

Let’s go back a step: My favorite camera straps are Black Rapid, and when I first saw them a few years ago, I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to sling my camera to the side or back.
Man, was I wrong. these straps have save my back, and in a long day on a shoot, like an event or music, these straps have been lifesavers.
Truly my go-to bit of gear. And I’ve tried a ton of em!
They’ve been around for more than a few years now, and continue to improve them.
One of the key contact points, the carabiner, has gone though some changes.

And now, a reality check:

A few friends, and noted photographers who have been heavy users from the start, have had some mishaps using the 1st gen straps.
If you call having your camera and lens fall to the ground from at least waist high, a mishap. An expensive fall.

Why did this happen? Heavy users, with first gen Black Rapid, have seen the metal knob that secures the carabiner to the strap get worn down.(see above on the left)
And when it gets worn down, the carabiner can slip out. And so can your camera.
They have made huge improvements on the new straps and you can see the stronger, more robust machining and design on the latest straps.
You can see the brass locking fitting, the quieter connector, and just a higher quality design.
Still feeling anxious?
You can add-on a Tether Kit and put your mind at ease. Connects your camera to the strap with an extra strap, in addition to the carabiner.

The point is, nothing lasts forever. Straps included.

The good folks at Black rapid have started a <a href=”http://www.blackrapid.com/tradein-program” target=”_blank”>trade-in program, so you can get upgraded at a discount.

You don’t want to be the person who has a camera hit the sidewalk. Check you gear and then get a new strap.
My straps of choice is the Breathe. The double strap is great, and if I’m rolling with 2 DSLR’s , it’s the way to go. For my mirrorless work, the Breathe is the hit.

Stick with these folks, your back will thank you.

‘

Nikon, I just can’t quit you!
Don’t think I ever will.
This new, long awaited D850, coming in at an MSRP of about $3300, (wasn’t that what the D810 was?) clocks in with some amazing specs. OK, first some photos.

Continue Reading »

When going to a local shoot, what do you feel is the best way to carry your gear?
For speed, a backpack usually is the ticket. When the shoot is done, and you’re packed and on the move, a roller would be sweet.
ThinkTank Photo has now upgraded my favorite StreetWalker BackPack, with wheels!

Here’s a situation: Went to cover one of my favorite events, Roller Derby, and with a full pack on my back, went into the same old entrance, mid block.
OK, now there was a special event also at the same venue, and I was told to go around the corner, and enter in the middle of that block. It’s summmer and didn’t want to show up all sweaty, and hustling with a heavy backpack. would make that a certainty.
Popped open the top, brought out the handle, and beetled around the corner.
Back still intact.
After a few hours of shooting slamming action, I was ready to pack away the 2 bodies, speedlights, batteries, and empty my pockets of extras, to get on the road.
Yes, the Black Rapid straps helped save the back, but the thought of strapping on a very full backpack, and walking the 12 blocks I needed to go, was not an appetizing thought. And I was in less of a hurry.(of course, still had a night of editing ahead!)

It was a pleasure to then be able to fold in the backpack straps, pop up the handle and get on my way. Even rolled my way into a local pizza place for a fast slice.
Point being, the walk home was an easier deal, thanks to some wheels.

When shooting local, the Street Walker has been my bag of choice: holds enough gear, and sits right on my back.
The addition of wheels, sent it over the top.

What’s in the bag? 2 bodies, 4 lenses, including a 50-140 2.8, 2 speedlights, battery pack for speedlights, cables, cam batteries, smartphone ext battery, etc.

So, what are the differences between the 2 versions? (other than wheels, and a handle? And money?)

Some minor bits. here you can see a height difference:

Top down, same good stuff: window for ID, great zippers ( you’ll know when you have bad ones) comfy handle, great construction.And of course a zippered compartment to hide away the handle. Good touch. Wider.

Wheeled:
Great design on the backpack straps ability to fold away.
Different design in the inside of the top flap. Now there is a slot for a 15″ Laptop, so it’s contained internally.
Slightly diff strap layout for your tripod.
Added smartphone pocket in one of the side pockets
Larger side pockets for bigger water bottles, snacks, and stuff

Non-Wheeled:
allows for a larger laptop 17″, with a side zippered outside access, only.
It also has a velcro strap on the back to allow you to securely add a gear belt, and further customize your rig.
Slightly less room inside, yet lighter overall.

Specs for those that like em:

STREETWALKER® ROLLING BACKPACK V2.0 SPECIFICATIONS-

Internal Dimensions:
11.8” W x 19.7” H x 6.3–7.1” D (30 x 50 x 16–18 cm)
Exterior Dimensions:
12.6” W x 21.9” H x 9” D (32 x 55.5 x 22.9 cm)
Laptop Compartment:
9.8” W x 14.5” H x 0.9” D (25 x 36.8 x 2.3 cm)
Phone Pocket:
3.9” W x 7.5” H x 0.6” D (10 x 19 x 1.5 cm)
Weight:
8.2 lbs. (3.7 kg)

STREETWALKER® HARDDRIVE SPECIFICATIONS-

Internal Dimensions:
11” W x 19” H x 6–7” D (28 x 48.3 x 15–18 cm)
Exterior Dimensions:
11.5” W x 19.8” H x 8.5” D (29 x 50.3 x 22 cm)

Laptop Compartment:
11.3″ W x 13.5″ H x 1.5″ D OR 15.3″ H when not using the bag with a gripped DSLR (28.6 W x 34.3 H / 38.72 H x 3.8 D cm)
Weight:
3.8–4.6 lbs (1.7–2.1 kg)

Basically the same great bag, with the advantage of wheels. If you work trade shows, as I do, it’s perfect! backpack to get out fast, rolling to go booth to booth.
Another fine addition to the ThinkTank line. Designed by photographers, for photographers. Highly recommended!

Yes, I still use the SKB hard case, with the ThinkTank backpack, when I fly. Can’t wait for that new TSA deal to kick in. Still no word about lenses. Time to get pre-check, if you don’t already have it!
Dang!

This will be a once in a lifetime event!
So whether you are traveling to the prime locations, or covering it from your home locale, time to get ready.
Nikon, you know that company that put out a full frame Astrophotography DSLR, has produced 2 vids to get you going. They are all about this spectacular event.

and the settings for you camera:

Prepare now, practice with the gear, and shoot the first solar eclipse in 40 years!