Newsletter Soon!

I have a new Newsletter coming out any time now. Be sure to sign up. It’s free and pretty, and it will make your inbox much prettier. The newsletter growth has been amazing, and it’s thanks to you guys. You have been forwarding along like crazy and these long email chains bring even more subscribers!

In the last newsletter, I asked if anyone in my network knew Hans Zimmer, and a few days later, I was able to shoot in his studio! Well, this is a rare thing that I ask YOU for help… most of the time, I give out a bunch of information and pretty pictures to make your week go easier…

Daily Photo – Shopping in Tokyo at Night

My first night in Tokyo, I was so revved up that I went out to do a lot of night shooting! The streets were wet, and that is perfect for colorful cities at night. I found this unique gem not far from Rappongi.

The only bad thing is the occasional drizzle. I love my 14-24 lens — but it seems to get wet so easily with that gnarly bulbous lens. I just wipe it down with my shirt…. that doesn’t seem like the best thing to do, but it works well enough!

Filed under the categories: Japan, Nikon D3X, Tokyo, Travel

Looking for good Podcasts?

If you are like me, you don’t have a lot of spare time in the week, so you try to hyper-compress and optimize your media consumption. To that end, I now listen to a few podcasts on a regular basis.  You can subscribe to them all via iTunes for free, or go right to the webpages below.  I have many that I sample from time to time, but the following are some great “regulars”.

• This Week in Technology – A great combination of tech news and analysis.  Always fun and interesting.
• This Week in Photography – with host Frederick Van – he’s often joined by very knowledgeable people like Alex Lindsey, Ron Brinkmann, Joseph Linaschke, Steve Simon, and more!
• Macbreak Weekly – I do love my Mac – and this is a great podcast that is all-things Mac.

Leo in the TWIT Cottage

When I was there, I grabbed a quick photo that I put in this previous post about visiting Petaluma.

Daily Photo – The River Through Petaluma

A few days after the talk at Google (I think the Authors@Google *LINK to video are adding subtitles now, for those of you that have trouble hearing), I went up to Napa to visit my mom and my grandmother. Besides getting a bunch of homemade fudge (which I brought to the Stanford photowalk), I also stopped on the way back south in Petaluma at Leo Laporte’s “cottage”.

I’ve always been a big fan of Leo’s!  Beside just seeing out of one eye (a strange bond I feel with him), I’ve really gotten a kick out of the way he approaches and discusses technology.  In fact, I listen to his podcasts so much that my wife often says, “If I have to hear that Leo ONE MORE TIME, before jamming the radio to get off AUX to FM.”

Leo was in the middle of a podcast when I walked in to watch his operation in person.  We didn’t really get a chance to talk, but he was gracious and said hello quickly while in the middle of the broadcast.  I think he’s very clever with his media powerhouse there.  I was fascinated seeing the operation — everything from the logistics to the electronics – smart.

His whole team was out in the front part of the college, and, while there, I also met Dr. Kiki (Dr. Kirsten Sanford is probably what it says on her degree).  She was as nice as I expected as well – her show is called “Dr. Kiki’s Science Hour” — another nice podcast for your lineup!

After leaving, I stopped in downtown Petaluma to grab some lunch and some internet.  Whilst there, I went over one of the bridges to grab this shot.  I don’t know if the water is always this brown and muddy, but it certainly was this day!

Filed under the categories: California, Nikon D3X, Petaluma, Travel

Kiva and Team Stuck In Customs – Over $3,000 raised so far!

I’m glad you guys are having fun on the Charity page here on the site. We’ve already done more than $3,000 for Kiva, and that is great! I’m still enjoying my own personal experience on there… seeing emails come in from time to time talking about repayment of the loans… How has your experience been so far?

March 1 – First Photo From New Zealand

This is my goal! Be ready for that day… I’m not totally sure I can make it happen… but this is my goal!

Daily Photo – The Gentle Bridge

If I could only clone myself, just for dusk! After that, all the clones could die off, like in The Prestige. They could die off in a less-violent way, however…

Usually, when I scout a location (let’s say case the joint), I wind up finding a number of spots to take pictures at dusk. Then, that high-pressure 10 minute-period hits and I run around trying to squeeze them all in… and it’s never easy with five exposures each!

This little bridge is at Horseshoe Bay in Texas. Everyone likes bridges, eh? Like cute kittens and Yourube videos when dads get hurt in the crotch, they are universal favorites.

Filed under the categories: Horseshoe Bay, Nikon D3X, Texas, Travel

How Long Until the Singularity?

About halfway through my HDR talk at Google (Youtube link), I asked this to the crowd there. I figured they would know! I was thinking about all that a bit recently while working on this photo for the day….

Don’t forget to come discover new artists!

We started this Smugmug Portfolio Contest just recently. Be sure to come over and see some of the new entrants… some beautiful work out there!

Daily Photo – The Tunnel to the Singularity

While getting lost on purpose in the streets of Tokyo, I decided to head up into one of the buildings to wander about. It led to one hallway, which led to another, another, and then to this amazing place. I’m not sure I could ever find it again, so I was sure to take way a photo as a keepsake. Sometimes special things like that happen, and I am sure to appreciate it at the time. One part of me thinks, “Oh, no worries, you’ll be back here again some day.” The other half worries, “Okay, maybe not, you better fully appreciate it!” And I did!

Filed under the categories: Japan, Nikon D3X, Tokyo, Topaz Adjust, Travel

The Auckland Photowalk

I knew a Type A personality would come along and create a Flickr Group for the Auckland Photowalk. Thanks for that – there is the link for everyone else that has yet to discover it. I am so lame and slow – it takes me a long time to process photos, but I will ! Thanks again everyone for the walk, the talk, and the pizza! I’d also like to thank Vivian Ho and Virginia Mui for helping me out with the whole event!

Christchurch Event Soon!

On the heels of the north island, the photowalk is moving to the south island and Christchurch on March 4. This talk will be a high-class event, complete with Wine and Cheese… but of course!

Daily Photo – The Giants in the Muir Woods

When I was in California recently, I left Leo Laporte’s cottage to take some photos of the Muir Woods. If you have never been here, it’s a must!

Did you know this is where they filmed that speeder scene from Return of the Jedi? Very cool. I did not see any Ewoks in the forest, nor did they try to trip me by making me roll my robo-angle on strategically-placed logs. Those Ewoks… so small, crafty, and flammable.

Filed under the categories: California, Nikon D3X, San Francisco, Travel

Great Time on the Hobbiton Movie Set!

Did you know they are already getting geared up to make The Hobbit?  And it will be a two-movie event?  Cool!

It turns out that Ian Brodie, who is a fan of the site and a big HDR enthusiast, works there on the Hobbiton Tours and offered to give my family and me a private tour of everything!  It was really cool to walk around the Shire and see all the various bits and pieces from the movies.  They are starting to move stuff around and get ready to shoot the next Hobbit movie there sometime in the near future.

I took a lot of photos and even made a little video of how I took one of the shots.  After I get back and get everything edited, I’ll get it uploaded so you can check my settings and all that good stuff!

New Print Avail – The Red and White Lighthouse

This new lighthouse print is a perfect little place was spotted in Iceland.  The skies are have such a nice tone there, and they are even better with the high icy clouds.  It’s such a treat to shoot there and to find wonderful things like this lighthouse that complement it so well.

Daily Photo – The Hellenistic Ruins

For our weekly photo mystery, which is, mysteriously, neither weekly or all that mysterious, is up again!  Who can tell me where these strange ruins are from?  Or, maybe, at least, some creative guesses?

Filed under the categories: Florida, Nikon D3X, Orlando, Travel

Black and White HDR Photography

In case you missed this article a few months back, I did a post on Black and White HDR Photography over at Photofocus. It’s a long-form article with a bunch more information, in case you are interested in this sort of thing!

Daily Photo – Fog in the Fishing Village

You all know that I hate waking up early in the morning. This is very true. A lot of my somewhat older friends say that as you get older, waking up early comes naturally. I look forward to this day. For now, it’s all hard work… but I know that is when the light is interesting and the weather patterns can be unexpected.

This is very early morning with a dense fog over this little harbor. I loved the details on these bits, so I did my best to capture them in the morning wetness. In the distance, you can see the anchored boats. This is also from the little bay of Portofino — the same location as the photo I posted a few days ago.

Filed under the categories: Florida, Nikon D3X, Orlando, Travel

Thanks again Kiwis!

I had a great time on our photowalk down here and met some very nice people. I think my kids were a little drained! At the end, during the talk, both of them fell asleep in a back room… We hoisted them into the campervan after that, drove to the beach, and then they were surprised to find where they woke up! Fell asleep during dad’s boring talk — wake up at the beach! Woo!

It was great to meet so many nice people from all over Auckland. There were even a few Aussies at the event! I haven’t had time to process any photos yet, but I will soon.

Daily Photo – The Harmony Garden

Kyoto was filled with thousands of these tiny gardens with ponds and little rivers. Which one to take photos of first?!?

None of them seemed to have artificial pumps that moved the water around. I always think of that whenever I see little gardens with water features in the states, or like they sell at Sam’s. Somehow, it seems, Japanese garden-masters are able to constantly refill their ponds by keeping the appropriate amount of dew forming on surrounding leaves, which then drips into the pond, which then goes down a perfect little waterfall, and ends up at another perfect pond about 50 paces away.

Filed under the categories: Japan, Kyoto, Nikon D3X, Travel

Yet another Book Contest!

Michael over at PetaPixel (he is a good Tweeter – I rewet a lot of his stuff @PetaPixel) is running a contest to give away the book. Head over there to see how to enter!

Continue Discovering New Photographers and Artists!

Be sure to look at the Smugmug Portfolio Contest to see some of the nice entries there. I think you will see some stuff that appeals to you… and it will be a good way to discover some new photographers!

The Great Room at Hearst

I was able to get up through a somewhat secret door into the upper area of this room. It was a little sketchy up there with a sharp dropoff, so I had to keep my wits about me!

The greatest challenge at Hearst is getting set up, composing, and executing all the shots before the next wave of tourists come through. I was usually able to get this done, and there was always a gentle pressure to shoot fast and then move on! One time, however, I just could not finish in time.

They strode in and began randomly shooting away. I think it is so interesting (and somewhat depressing) to watch how tourists take pictures. Really, they are just “documenting” and “collecting”. Why? This is an interesting question! These people are not dumb or vapid… They are not doing it because everyone else is doing it. But I do think people like to softly record their lives. They do the best they can, and I guess that is okay. I do get flummoxed that people don’t go out of their way to take “better” pictures. They seem satisfied with lackluster, predictable, “scientific-documentary” shots that are just not interesting. Not that every photo has to be a work of art, but why not try a little? Why not do a few things here and there to improve your personal photography. It’s not that hard to improve, and anyone can improve! I suppose I just get bummed out that people don’t even try to improve… they just expect and then become satisfied with mediocrity.

Also at Hearst there is a “no flash” rule. Thank goodness! Of course, they do it to protect the works of art there, but I am happy that people do not use their flash because I normally see people do it in silly conditions. As far as I know, this “no flash” in Hearst Castle (and other museums) is a good policy. I always hear that flashes can damage paintings and whatnot — is this scientifically true? Maybe it is. I know if you leave art in bright light all day that it can become discolored… but are a bunch of instantaneous flashes the same thing? I don’t know… I’d love to see a full study on it if anyone has a link. As with all things, the policy certainly sounds solid, but I am skeptical about “common wisdom”.

Personally, I would institute a “no Dumb Use of Flash” rule, which would tell people not to use their flash to take photos of things that are over 15 feet away. Like, for example, did you see the opening ceremonies of the Olympics? Thousands and thousands of clueless people using their flashes! Aren’t any of those thousands of people somewhat curious — wondering if the flash actually does anything? Or maybe this mass flash-delusion is only negatively reinforced by seeing all the other flashes going off? I don’t know…. but it is interesting to think about.

Filed under the categories: Big Sur, California, Hearst Castle, Nikon D3X, Travel

Authors@Google Talk is now Online

I was very excited and honored to speak at Google for their Authors@Google program. The people I met there were cool, interesting, and genuinely into in HDR Photography. The team there recorded the whole presentation and have recently put it online — so now you all can see.

I hope you all enjoy and get something out of it.  Besides what is included in the video, what else would you like to hear me talk about?  What burning questions do you have?  I’d be happy to squeeze them into one of my “Van Down By The River” speeches in the future!

I need to go in and annotate this video like, at 12:41, 5 shot vs. 7 shot HDR, etc (I just made that up… but, I do mention that somewhere in there…  and then people could many of the common questions answered that I commonly get).

You can see the full Authors@Google YouTube Video here.

Shots from Inside the Googleplex

After I was done with the speech, I gave an workshop to some of the Google employees. It was very fun and stimulating… but, while waiting on that to begin, I went around to grab images from inside the Googleplex. These have all been approved by corporate communications, so I can release them!

Herein, you will see one of the mysterious hallways of Google, the new Google Holodeck (well, pseudo-holodeck), which is showing Google Earth on the moon (you can zoom in, spin around, etc etc), and the last is Spaceship One, which has been lowered through the roof. Awesome, eh?

Filed under the categories: Travel

See you in Auckland and Christchurch!

I have the details up on the “I’m Coming to New Zealand” page.  I hope to meet you all there… we will have a good time.  I’ll encourage everyone to share online after the event and comment on one another’s photos!

What’s in My Bag?

I recently did a little thing with Cali Lewis for Geekbrief TV.  I showed her everything that was in my photo bag when I travel for her show.  I am always surprised that people are interested in what’s in the bag!  Anyway, when it becomes avail, I will be sure to link to it… so if you are curious, you can see the insides!

New Photos – Nikon 85mm Review

I took some more photos with the 85mm lens.  These are all of my kids… and really a good subject-matter since I think this lens is great for people shots!  To see more, and details, visit my Nikon 85mm Review!

Running right at me full speed!  ISO 200, 85mm,  f/1.7, 1/3000 sec

Scarlett in the snow… ISO 360, 85mm,  f/3.3, 1/90 sec

She’s not a happy princess.  But she was shot at 1600 ISO, 85mm, f/1.4, 1/320 sec.

Filed under the categories: Nikon D3S

Portfolio Contest – Show us all your Portfolio!

A few days ago I wrote an article entitled “How to Make an Online Photo Album” about SmugMug.

I thought this would be a fun way to drive traffic to a bunch of different photographers and artists. Also, I can use it to promote one of my friend’s workshops – his name is Vanelli. You’ll read more about him below. Share your portfolio here, and The Judge will pick one that strikes him as unique and interesting for the winner!

More Info and full Review:

If you sign up, you can use a SmugMug Coupon of “STUCKINCUSTOMS” to save 20%.

How to Enter:

• Simply leave a comment and link to your Smugmug site below.  The Judge will visit it.
• To win, The Judge will simply select a portfolio that strikes him as “Wonderful” in one way or another.

Prizes:

• An Ultimate Version of the Stuck In Customs Textures Tutorial and’ (a $399 value)
• and… a Smugmug sponsorship to go on a Vacation with Vanelli!  (a $595 value) –  a great new workshop offering!

Who is Eligible:

• Anyone on Smugmug! Most people who are on this hot new service are “relatively” new anyway, so I want to open it up to anyone that is “Proud of their Smugmug site”!
• New people just getting started on Smugmug. Don’t worry – just because you might only have a few images on there will not make you any less likely to win.

Who is The Judge?

• Not me! I don’t like judging contests because everyone pretends to like me until The Judging, after which time 99% of people don’t like me any more.
• So, I give this dubious honor to none other than the extremely likable Vanelli (who is hosting the workshop), who everyone seems to love for some inexplicable reason.

When does it End?

The contest ends at midnight, EST,  on March 1. So yes, you have a bit to get your Smugmug site all spiffy. Go ahead and submit it now in the comments — it won’t be Judged until the end of the contest.

What else can I do to promote my Smugmug site?

You can link here in Twitter or your blog to this contest post and tell people to “Go see entry number XX!”, and then your friends can talk you up in the comments,… get your mom, sister, and friends in on the fun.

What’s going on with the comments in this contest!

There is an open discussion below, and whenever we see a link to a Smugmug portfolio, we will consider it an entry, and it will be Judged by The Judge. Good luck!

Daily Photo – The Boat at Portofino

Ahhhh Italy! But one thing — this isn’t Italy! This is in Orlando, Florida, at the Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios. They have gentle boats that float in the bay. There might be a better place for photography at sunset at Universal — but I could not find it! I thought it was cute how every boat had its own name (always a girl) painted in cursive on the back. Now, I’ve never been to the real Portofino, but many of my friends have, and they thought this might have been the real place! Maybe a bit cleaner? I am not sure… Let’s all go jump on a boat and go see!

Filed under the categories: Florida, Nikon D3X, Orlando, Travel