(This is a previously published article, but the fireworks haven’t changed, so it should all still hold true.)

Living in A Powder Keg and Giving Off Sparks!

What is it about fireworks that draws us close, cause us to emit uncontrollable ooohs and ahhhhs, and brings a group experience unlike any other? That shared , almost primal feeling of amazement at seeing those colored explosives, bursting in air, and the crescendo of the finale, is an experience like no other.

Here are some tips on creating your own iconic images. And some more. Here too.

Want the basics?
1. Shoot with a tripod
2. No Flash
3. ISO 100 is sufficient
4. Photograph peoples reactions too. You may want to get those ooohhs and ahhhhsss on record. Mass happy reactions! Remember-no flash!
5. Experiment with focal lengths for a new look at the same patterns.
6. Set your focus to infinity
7. Shutter speed should be set to “bulb” or shoot 1-4 secs. Experiment!
OR
Set your point and shoot to “Fireworks” and shoot away. You may not get the best , but you’ll have a memory.

And have a happy and safe 4th!
For all of our friends around the world, keep these tips handy for your country’s celebrations.
Hmmmm…maybe July 14th for our French photographers.

At the half year mark, CES does a small preview coming products in the electronics field,and it;’s called CE week

It’s always a goal to see what may enhance your photographic life in the shape of smart thinking, manufacturers listening to the needs of the public, and I’ll admit, some cool gadgets and toys.

Please note- many of these items were seen and not tested. Some at market, some almost available for purchase.

Here are some highlights of what I saw:

This phone case looks just like a camera and has a module with lenses that flip out and over your phones lens.

With a flip-out cover to access your charging ports and speakers, the Ztylus will retail for $100, complete. Total package could be a sweet phone/camera case.

Like GoPro? Sure, who doesn’t? Everyone has at least one in their kit. Well, it’s so small that unless you have mounted it securely, you’re gonna get some shaky footage.

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A short while ago I sat down to write , dare I say, a love letter to the Nikon D800 : with the ergonomic excellence, all of the controls in all the right places, files that are mega beautiful @36 megapixels, video quality that’s hard to surpass, fast accurate autofocus features that make my life in the concert pit a success, and the Nikon glass that I own, basically sing.

and then this happens:

Yep, after 2 years, this gem of my ocean gets an upgrade.

So, is it time to get the latest? Are the improvements worth the selling of the old, and purchase of the new?

After having it it my hands only briefly and giving it a lot of thought, here is where I netted out:

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Yep, if you have an old DSLR that you wish was faster, better in low light, smaller, and in general newer?

And you’ve been considering getting into that whole mirrorless craze but weren’t sure what it was all about?

Last point: and you can be in Times Square tomorrow afternoon, starting at 12?

Well,then Samsung is giving away NX30 mirrorless cameras with a trade in of your old DSLR. And if you’ve tried to sell your old DSLR you know it’s pretty worthless. Like a computer, there are always new ones.

Tomorrow is your day!

12pm – 6pm (ET) – Open to the public

Times Square between 42^nd and 43^rd Streets across from Nasdaq Marqee

The first consumers that #DitchtheDSLR (via trade in) will receive a NEW Samsung NX30 SMART Camera ($999 value)

Good deal, right?Just make sure you read the fine print below:

Trade In Criteria
All Items submitted for trade-in under this Promotion are subject to acceptance by the Promoter in its sole discretion.

Items that the Promoter accepts for trade-in under this Promotion will be paid for with the Trade Up Reward. Participants will not be entitled to any other form of payment or exchange for items submitted for trade-in under this Promotion.

You represent and warrant that you have the legal right to sell all items you submit for trade-in under this Promotion, that the items are not counterfeit or stolen, and that your submission of them complies fully with the Promotion requirements. Promoter may utilize a national stolen goods database to determine if submitted items were ever reported stolen.

Qualifying Digital Camera : For your existing digital camera to qualify for the Trade Up Reward, it must be a digital camera which is fully operational, including the main battery. and power supply and functioning lens, must not be permanently marked or defaced and must be complete and undamaged (reasonable wear & tear excepted) (the “Trade-In Criteria”). For the avoidance of doubt, each of the following is considered beyond reasonable wear and tear; cracked/split or open chassis structure, cracked or non-working display, does not power on, missing/failed AC adaptor or battery charger, missing battery (if applicable), lens cracked, or mechanism seized or failed. Only cameras that fully comply with the Trade-In Criteria shall be deemed a “Qualifying Digital Camera” for the purposes of this Promotion and such determination shall be at the sole discretion of the Promoter.

Participants may only submit one Qualifying Digital Camera for a maximum of one Trade Up Reward.

You may want to be there early.

There seems to be a holy grail of lighting mods, and the ring light is right up there in the pantheon of  desired tools. The search for best  in class has been an ongoing quest.

Nikon D800, 24-70mm-2.8 lens @66mm,ISO 200, 1/125sec @ 4.5

What is it? Essentially, a circle of light surround your lens giving the subject a flatter, overall light. This will fill shadows, and give a beauty light that can be very forgiving with skin surfaces. It is always connected somehow to the camera, and becomes the key. A mobile key.

First of all, each version has it’s place in a very subjective world. The fact that it’s primarily a portrait/beauty light seems to call out for portability. You may be moving around your subject, since as you move, so does the light.

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