Sigma 200-500 f2.8

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-200-500mm-Ultra-Telephoto-Canon-Cameras/dp/B0013D8VDQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

101 lbs of mean green for a mere $26,000. Someone needs to rethink the motivations of the R&D department at Sigma. Please check out the reviews before someone at Amazon takes them down. Or, just slide over to the following link: Photography Bay. If you have ever been questioned about the size of your lens, you will appreciate the comments.

Might I suggest a nice, tidy little Micro 4/3s?

The Folio Option

After the big issue of which camera to buy, to carry, and to use – the next big issue is presentation. That covers websites, slideshows, and, most importantly, printing. DPS (the west side digital club break-off from the east side TCDigi), has been exploring presentation for a few years now. This is our second year in the exploration of the Folio. A folio is midway between a single image and a book. The images are printed and included inside a folder designed especially for the project. The Folio Project is part of a yearly event called “The September Project”, which allows members to show the results of what we have learned through the year. Our 2012 September Project will be a book developed by each member and presented to the group.

The folio idea was developed by Bruce Jenson of Lenswork Magazine (http://lenswork.com/specialeditions/lwfolios.htm) and it has proved to be very useful idea. Here are a few examples of the completed works.

John Olson:

"The Rodeo" is part of the "Vintage America Series" that I am putting together which will include several other themes.  Each will have its separate folio.  Eventually, I am hoping to put a book together and maybe even market the series.

As a vintage American experience, the rodeo goes back through history, so I wanted to create the feel of a photograph taken over 100 years ago but introduce slight, subtle elements of the present day.  Thus, tying the present day in with our history.  I also wanted to include a little caption about each event along with the photograph. The images in the folio are printed on Hanemuhle Photo Rag paper which is richly textured and prints with a soft impressionistic feel.

Photographing the rodeo came about because of my love and respect for horses, a favorite subject of mine for years.  Initially, I was attracted to the barrel race, but the other events such as saddle bronc riding, calf roping, bull riding and others eventually drew my attention.

Judith Barat:

Attached is 1 of 10 images in my folio " a virginal journey". These images were created during the workshop "Environmental Nudes: 72 Hours with Layne Kennedy" through Minneapolis Photo Center. I chose this folio title   because it is how I felt photographing and interacting with female nude models for the first time.

Barb Smith:

In June, 2010, I was strolling through Grand Old Days in St. Paul, Minnesota and came across a piano store that specialized in selling and repairing pianos and other instruments. It was a snap decision to capture the delights of the back room and a few of the lovely instruments in the midst of being salvaged.

For more information, contact any member of DPS or send an email via this Blog.

Fall Classes at the MInneapolis Photo Center

It's being billed as the "Fall in Love with Photography" month at the MPC with a slate of interesting and informative classes to help imporove your photographic skills.  Included are an introduction to HDR and to Nik Software's Silver Efex Pro 2 the popular software for black and white conversion. 

Click to see the offerings below, or go to the MPC website for more information about registration and price.

More Images from Lanesboro

Here are some additional images from the people on the Lanesboro trip:

By Forrest Pearson

By Mark Karney

By Steve Shor

By Gary Eckhardt

By Cynthia Fleury

By Brian Billadeau

By Geoff Kuchera

By Holly Kuchera

By John Olson

By Dale Lewellyn

The night before we left Lanesboro we held a final show at the local VFW of all the images submitted by the participants.  It turned out to be a wonderful recap of the weekend shooting there.

Great job by everyone on the trip. 

If your club has an outing and wishes to submit images make sure you send them to us for posting here.

Lanesboro MInnesota Images

Below are some of the images from the Crosstown Camera Club trip to Lanesboro late last month organized by Cynthia Fleury.  The photographer responsible is noted, if known.

By Cynthia Fluery

 By Gary Eckhardt

By Geoff Kuchera

By Forrest Pearson

By Holly Kuchera

By Mark Karney

 By John Olson

 By Scott Board

 By Steve Shor

By Lee Swenson

By Brian Billadeau

By Scott board


There were hundreds of great images taken over this weekend adventure.  More will be posted in the future. 



 

Mirrorless Camera Update

As noted in this blog previously, both Sony and Samsung have announced new mirrorless cameras that are remarkably small, but have very large image sensors.  Now Panasonic has made an announcement of its own but moves the four/thirds system to an even smaller scale.

It has produced a "collapsible" zoom lens that fits its cameras, as well as, those from Olympus.  It works like the lens on a point-and-shoot camera.  It collapses to a very small size to give the camera an equally small profile when not in use, or during wide angle use.  But it can telescope to increase the focal range.

Unlike a point and shoot, the telescopic range is optically stabilized to give sharp images throughout the entire focal range.  The stabilization allows for zooming-in while shooting video with the camera just like on a point-and-shoot.  This makes shooting sharp video much easier than using a DLS that requires manual focus while zooming.

  

Update on Photographer Rights

http://www.aclu.org/free-speech/know-your-rights-photographers

Personally, I find being in agreement with the ACLU can sometimes be problematic, but at times they can be very helpful. In this case, the information is interesting and I think it is helpful. As usual, its the timing and its a matter of perspective. Anyway, check it out.

the last Interview - Ansel Adams

ART NEWS - ANSELADAMS-THE LAST INTERVIEW - 905N-000-001
Source: maryellenmark.com