ok, lots piling up on the hard drive but things deserve a mention:

SodaCase: ever want to custom design a phone case with a photo?
I did. and took a photo from the Rain Room Exhibit @MOMA,

cropped and resized it, and Sodacase delivered a beautiful iPhone 5 case, WITH a matching microfiber cleaning cloth.

Now that’s a great gift. About $35

Walker Evans exhibit at MOMA: What happened?? They put a great collection of photos in the middle of painting and sculptures, in one room. Took more than one question to find it.
AND honestly, I like seeing the vintage prints, but the book is better. Get that.About $35.
While we’re in MOMA- recent aquisitions are hardly current photographers. Stephen Shore is terrific but maybe it’s time to take a look at ICP’s Triennial Exhibition.
There are truly some modern greats just waiting for the big time.
C’mon MOMA. You’re better than that.

AS the iPhone world has it first photo awards show, the ancillary tools are flooding out. I see a lot of cases with lenses, straight protection, weatherproof, shockproof.
My fave right now for walkaround? Olloclip Quick Flip Case
-thin, versatile, designed to take extras without peeling off a heavy case.
Add in their set of glass lenses and Polarizer, and you’re set.
Outdoorsy type? Take the Lifeproof to the snow, water, snowboarding, whatever.
A new one came to us and we’re still working with it. Not sure if a lens perm attached to the case is a right move.

Quick note on the ThinkTank Photo City Walker 20: It’s becoming by daily satchel/messenger bag.
Mostly carrying a 13″ MacBook Pro, A compact camera, and Sony NEX, cables, extra batts, glasses, Evernote book,biz cards.
Yes, when needed, it holds the D800, with a 18-300 crop duster,extra cams in the interior. All separated when it needs to be, silencing tabs, other holders where you need em.

And it seems in NYC, everyone uses a messenger bag.

Ever wanted to own a WeeGee print? Me, too.
ICP has made it possible, using the original negs and making high quality digital prints.

$13-$50, unframed.

and there you have it…

The road warrior, or those just challenged for space, are always looking for smallest solution to a big problem.
The problem today? propping up your iPad to a height you can customize and really work with. Sure the cases have solutions, but we find it hard to get to the optimum height.
Enter:Pocket-eAzl™.

This tiny, oragami-like, folding easel, is built like a tank.

check out the silicon corrugated feet that fold out and help keep your tablet secure. All touch points have that cover. Keeps the stand secure while not leaving a mark. About $40. MSRP

OK, then Crimson went a step further: They added a stage with a standard 1/4″-20 tripod screw for either stabilizing a camera or mounting a small projector, like various PICO models.

I like this unit for its weight and keeping a camera steady, perhaps for a Go-Pro time lapse.

However, you really only get vertical control and not enough for me. You have to decide if this is enough or throw a Gorillapod in the bag for versatility. And more bulk and weight.

If you feel this can be useful for you, remember you get all the benefits of the smaller unit, plus the tripod stage. $70 MSRP

Who makes this? Crimson AV, who is a leader in the industry for making mounting racks for flats screens.
Yeah, they know how to distribute weight, with little bulk.

Each of these units comes with a little black drawstring case, which I promptly misplaced.

So strong recco on the Pocket eAzl, so-so on the easel with tripod mount.

Nikon decides to let loose a few new items.

Strangely enough, one of them is exactly what I was looking for.

While producing on location, my day job, I usually have 2-3 cameras on me.
Compact, Mirrorless, and a DSLR.
Yeah, I know crazy. But each has a purpose.

Anyway, we were wrapping up and I wanted to catch some shots of the crew, and make them more than my iPhone or compact could give me. A little quality. We had been shooting with an Alexa so, had to show up. There were only 2 cameras that had flash built in. And I didn’t have my speedlight.
Still, a large file on the DSLR could yield better results at the end of the day.

Forced to use the built flash on the D800, it was a cropping struggle later to make sure that the flash didn’t get blacked out by lens.

Enter the product I wish i had.
The SB-300 Speedlight

– Today, Nikon Inc.,introduced the compact SB-300 Speedlight, The SB-300 provides a compact and easy-to-use adjustable Speedlight option for photographers who want to explore creative lighting at an affordable price point.

“Nikon’s system accessories are designed to let the user capture their memories in vibrant detail and tell compelling stories through imagery and HD video,” said Bo Kajiwara, Vice President of Marketing, Planning and Customer Experience, Nikon Inc. …. the SB-300 Speedlight introduces the benefits of flash photography to a wide range of users, specifically those who use either Advanced Performance COOLPIX or D-SLR cameras.”

The SB-300: Illuminate Creative Possibilities
The SB-300 Speedlight is small enough to fit comfortably into a shirt pocket yet it is built for the user looking to take flash photography to the next level. Providing more power and coverage than a built-in flash, the versatile and portable SB-300 is a simple and valuable lighting accessory compatible with both Nikon D-SLR and Advanced Performance COOLPIX cameras. This new Speedlight covers a wide-angle 18mm in DX-format and operates via simple on-camera controls, making it easy for beginner photographers to use light to their advantage.

The SB-300 tilts up 120 degrees, allowing for the use of creative bounce flash to soften shadows and diffuse the flash, resulting in more flattering portraits and even exposures. For additional convenience, the firmware is upgradable through supporting D-SLRs, and this Speedlight is powered by two AAA batteries. Additionally, the SB-300 features thermal cut-out protection to prevent overheating when capturing rapid flash images in succession.

Price and Availability

The SB-300 will also be available in late August 2013 for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $149.95**.

Yes, Nikon also introduced a new 18-140 lens and a new Coolpix 620 today.
Quality items if that is what you are looking for.

Me? I’m gonna add the SB-300 to the over the shoulder kit bag.

Going through the emails this morning, had a great share from Steve Chan.
This video by Ben Kitnick, a Vimeo staff pick, started today in a very uplifting way.
You may have been to a flea market and see various bins of snapshots, sometimes known as vernacular photography, but basically are the snapshots of lives you never knew.

I love to go through your family albums. Invite me over and learn a new facet of you life.
A chronology, a visual indicator of history through cars, clothes, hair. Signage and businesses.

Then this short doc has been made. A story of a man who buys and sells these images.
The Photo Man

The Photo Man from Ben Kitnick on Vimeo.

Mark Kologi has collected and sold literally millions of forgotten personal photos of complete strangers.

Produced & Directed by
Ben Kitnick

Cinematography & Editing by
Saxon Richardson

Music by
Markus Rennemann

Special Thanks:
Melrose Trading Post
Mark Kologi

His perspective on the why you stop by to look, repeat visits, and wistful moments comes from an informed, and honest place.

For 6 minutes, it a great way to begin a Sunday.

Facebook. Heard of it?

OK, as it get’s older, and more useful as well as additive, the photo community has been there since the beginning. Heck, we are happy to have almost 9,000 likes, and growing.

Now some of the destinations ask you to throw up your images and wait for comments, Kinda like putting em’ up in the laundry room bulletin board.

Well, Nikon though that perhaps there could be some minor structure: assignments given by working pros, real feedback, judging that resulted in badges, as opposed to prizes. Trust us you’ll earn more.
And not to be reaching for low hanging fruit, you’ll be learning more. Shared techniques, gear used,etc.

welcome to My Nikon World. Situated in a place you visit everyday. Go ahead. have a look and wander around.

I just joined and strangely enough, I got sucked right in. Going to start some uploads now.
And they’ve made it so easy to participate. If you accept a challenge, a pop up window comes up, where you can immediately upload from Facebook or your files.

Thousands are there already. care to join?

More from Nikon
In addition to sharing photos and participating in photo challenges, users will also be able to create an online photographer profile and personal gallery where they can track their participation, feature their favorite photos and share their visual victories. The photo gallery on My Nikon World will be able to be sorted and viewed through filters including category, subject matter and Nikon equipment used.

“My Nikon World gives photographers a chance to join a like-minded community of photo enthusiasts to be inspired to get out and shoot, while learning exciting new photo techniques through the pro issued challenges.”

Users who participate in challenges, upload photos and engage with other photos posted by their peers will be rewarded with points and digital badges in a variety of categories. The more a user participates, the higher the level they can attain within the community. With a strong focus on social sharing and engagement, participants will also have the option to include links to their personal social profiles on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks so they can interact with photographers both within the community and outside of My Nikon World. Digital badges will be awarded for a vast array of photography techniques and subject matter, from black and white photography to using HDR. Adding to the fun, users will also have the opportunity to unlock surprise badges and other content.

Nikon will continue to issue weekly challenges to the Facebook community. Additionally, notable fashion Photographer Rob Van Petten and documentary photographer/author Steve Simon will offer up “Pro Challenges,” providing members the opportunity to further hone their skills. Van Petten and Simon will also answer questions, give photo tips and share their own images as part of the community.

The My Nikon World interactive Facebook photo experience is now available. To visit the site and become a fan of Nikon, visit the official Nikon Facebook page at facebook.com/nikon.