The Digital Photo Guy

Are You Familiar With Your Q Button?

On newer Canon dSLRs, there’s a button on the back, labeled “Q.” Pressing it brings up an editable display on the rear LCD. Nikon labels it’s the button either INFO or “i.” Newer dSLRs from other manufacturers all offer some variation of this control. Until recently, I’d ignored the button because it didn’t fit my workflow. I knew what it did but I never made the effort to retrain myself.

Recently, I began playing with the Q (Quick Control) and found that it has benefit in certain situations. The primary reason for using the Q button is when setting up for a completely different shoot. For example, I grabbed my Canon 7D to photograph a huge dove sitting atop my neighbor’s flag pole. It was so big, I first mistook it for a hawk. The camera was still set up from the day before when I was photographing products in a studio. With a press of the Q button, I could see all the important settings in one place (60D screen used for illustration, right.) Before the Q button, my fingers were trained to automatically run through all the knobs, dials, switches and menus, checking for the correct settings. Now, in one glance, on one screen, I can check all my critical settings. Better still, I can adjust all my important settings with the same three or four controls. This is a huge time savings when I have just moments for a “grab” shot.

So, when do I NOT use the Q button? When I’m in the middle of a series or sequence, I still find it faster and easier to dial in adjustments by watching the display along the bottom of the VF (viewfinder) viewfinder. For example, as I’m shooting a scene, I may decide to add or subtract EC (exposure compensation.) This is much more convenient to do via the back dial and the ELI (exposure level indicator) along the bottom of the VF.

Birds in the News

The hummingbird is back with a new clutch of eggs! Last Thursday, as we were leaving for a quick trip to check on the Arizona house, we noticed the hummingbird is back with a new clutch of eggs. Based on what I’ve read and heard, this new pair of eggs has a better chance. The first pair was quite likely a “dry run,” as it were. I imagine humans wouldn’t be quite so fecund if they had to mate while one was flying upside down!

In Wickenburg, we found a dove sitting on a nest in a backyard light fixture. Since we won’t be returning to Wickenburg until July, the chicks will probably have fledged by then. All in all, it’s been a pretty good last few days.

AOL and Yahoo! E-mail Users

I’m having a terrible time with AOL and Yahoo!. Both e-mail services seem to arbitrarily block my Monday Morning Tips as spam. It doesn’t help that some readers forget they subscribed and mark my e-mails as spam.

To combat this, I’m recommending all readers open a G-Mail or other free e-mail service. Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) usually offers multiple e-mail accounts so you can set up a second account for newsletters. For example, Cox allows up to 7 e-mail accounts per account. Check with your ISP for details.

Another idea I’m considering is offering cheap e-mail accounts through my web site. That would give you an e-mail address like “yourname@thedigitalphotoguy.com.”  If that’s something that might appeal to you, post a comment here.

What to Look for in Photo Vests

Many photographers, mostly guys, collect camera and gadget bags. I, on the other hand, own just one gadget bag, one backpack, one LowePro Technical Harness & Belt system with assorted lens cases, two Pelican 1510 carry-on cases, one Pelican 1650 case, one Calumet WT411 case, three Interfit light stand/tripod bags and assorted laptop cases.

I’ve always resisted the urge to buy a photographer’s vest because they seemed so pretentious and geeky. I thought only photographer “wanna-bees” wore vests. That all changed recently when, on a whim, I bought a Weekender Traveler vest. I won’t say how much I overpaid by buying on a whim but, suffice it to say, with a little research, I could have paid much less on Amazon. The vest fit well and really surprised me with its versatility and utility.

Unfortunately, it turned out to be of poor quality and one pocket started to tear out almost immediately. Here are some things I learned about photo vests in the short time I’ve owned one.

1. 1. Be sure there is, at least, one zippered pocket for your wallet and valuables. This zippered pocket should, preferably, be on the inside and, if possible, lined with a waterproof liner.
2. Is there a convenient pocket for your cell phone where it doesn’t stick out nor does it get lost in the bottom of a cavernous cargo pocket?
3. If you plan to use the cutesy “D” rings, be sure they’re metal, not cheesy plastic. I hate when I lose my hand grenades because the plastic “D” ring breaks.
4. Buy one that’s loose because it won’t be after you fill the pockets with a Canon 580EX II, Canon 70-200/2.8L, six spare batteries, spare memory card wallet and a partridge in a pear tree.
5. Look for cinch tabs on the sides to take up slack when you’re just trying to look cool as opposed to actually carrying gear. Otherwise, it fits like a cheap suit.
6. Be sure there’s a large back pocket for a 70-200 size lens. While you’re at it, you might want to check for a water bottle size pocket that holds the bottle upright.
7. Be sure there is a pen and notepad pocket but not a whole bunch of small, useless pockets.
8. Tall, thin pockets are virtually useless unless you plan to carry tall, thin things. The contents fall to the bottom and are a pain to remove.
9. Eschew labels. I hate logos like Canon or Nikon or LowePro emblazoned on my gear. If that’s your thing, have at it but birds fall out of trees laughing when they see ‘togs that look like walking billboards.

Piqued by my experience with the Weekender, I searched for a better quality vest designed specifically for photographers. In the end, I settled on a Tamrac 153 World Correspondent’s Vest. I went with the Tamrac because I’ve had excellent service from Tamrac. When my Tamrac straps began to come apart, I returned two to Tamrac and they repaired both at no cost. I thought that was a good sign that they would stand behind their products.

The Power of Selections

Selection Tools are among the most powerful in the Photoshop (PS) and Photoshop Elements (PSE) toolboxes. Selections enable the user to isolate an area to limit changes and edits. The first thing most new users think of is cutting a person or object out of a photo and moving it to another photo.

There are several selection tools in PSE and most have various options. This Video Monday Morning Tip (VMMT) gives you a glimpse at the Quick Selection Brush used in conjuction with the Elliptical Marquee Tool to select an object.

This video requires Adobe Flash. Download a free copy at www.adobe.com.

Escondido Street Fair Photos

I spent a few hours at the Escondido Street Fair on Sunday, May 15. The food was terrible but the ligt was wonderfl. It was overcast and drizzly, perfect conditions for beautiful light. Many amateurs are afraid to take their gear out in wet conditions but newer digital SLRs are pretty robust. For Canon shooters, the 7D has weather seals that offer a modicum of protection. That doesn’t mean one can take it snorkeling but a little drizzle certainly won’t hurt it. (This is not a guarantee on my part, any experimentation is at you own risk.) Having said that, I’ve had all my Canon dSLRs out in some pretty severe weather from rain and snow in the Pyrenees to the Eastern Sierras. I’ve photographed sports in a steady rain with nothing more than a plastic trash bag over the body.

FREE Photoshop Elements Webinar

On Wednesday, May 18 at 7PM Pacific Time, the first 10 people to register will be able to join my Photoshop Elements in 6 Weeks class for a sample session. The webinar is 1 hour and this session covers Selection Tools. Non-paying attendees will not be able to ask questions or interject comments and will not have access to the recorded video afterwards.

To register, send me an e-mail and I’ll send you the log-in information. Registration is open until Tuesday midnight or when all 10 seats are filled.

Learning Lightroom 3.0

With the release of Lightroom 3.0, there’s been a lot of interest LR training. Recently, I received an e-mail from Adobe with a list of LR classes and workshops. From the list, I checked out the website of George Jardine, a Denver photographer/LR instructor and I was blown away!

George offers 3 video tutorials (over 16 hours) covering LR Library, LR Develop and Adobe Camera RAW (ACR.) These are not cheesy, jerky, blurry homemade videos but full up professional productions of LR and ACR tips and techniques for every level of LR, PSCS or PSE user. Best of all, George offers a “bundle” deal. The LR Library and Develop tutorials are $24.95 each and the ACR tutorial is $34.95. However, if you buy both LR videos for $$49.90, George gives you the ACR tutorial for FREE! It don’t get no better’n that!

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to immediately recognize George as a “Conscious-Competent” among Photoshop trainers. George is not just very knowledgeable but he knows how to transfer that knowledge to others in a clear, succinct manner without the over-hyped, self-promotion of many Photoshop trainers.

George gives you the tools so you can make better decisions about your adjustments. Unlike many so called ”gurus,” George recognizes there are no quick & easy formulas for excellence, each of us needs to make our own decisions about our photography. George gives us the tools for making those decisions. Lest I sound like George’s #1 Fanboi, I’ve never met George and I get nothing by promoting his video tutorials. I just want my readers to get the maximum “bang for their buck” when seeking training.

Here are some photos that have nothing to do with LR training but how can I possibly post a photography blog without a few photos?

The (Short) Life of Hummingbird Eggs

Last week, I wrote about my excitement over a Rufous hummingbird that built a nest in a potted ficus tree on my front patio. On Day 2, the first egg showed up. Two days later, right on schedule, a second egg was deposited. Mama got down to business and spent hours on the eggs. This morning, Day 6, I found both eggs smashed on the tiles below the nest (photos too graphic for family web site.) I can only surmise a gust of wind blew the ficus branch violently enough to toss the eggs out of the nest. Mama is no where to be seen. As I get older, I find that I mourn more for the little creatures than Homo (not so) Sapiens. Although I’ll miss her, I hope Mama builds her nest in a more secure location next year. RIP little hummingbird eggs.

More Photography, Less Teaching

As I alluded in my post of April 10, 2011, my business model is changing. Starting on July 1, 2011, my focus will be 1-on-1 classes/workshops and special webinar events. Group classes, webinars and workshops will no longer be offered although I will offer  $3 Webinars from time to time. These are short webinars covering specific topics.

The intent is to spend more time teaching a few select students and making more and better personal photos for myself. In order to do this, I need to drastically cut back the time I spend maintaining and marketing this site. Past students will be given preference in booking classes and events. To book a class, see the Workshops & Webinars page. As currently scheduled classes expire, they will be rescheduled “on demand,” i.e. when a student requests.