The Digital Photo Guy

Hummingbird Chicks Have Fledged

The larger chick, Big Guy  (BG, front) fledged this morning, just after I made this photo using a Canon 40D with 50/1.4 plus a Kenko 12mm extension tube and Canon 550EX with a Stofen Omnibounce. I was a bit concerned about using flash but thought the chicks were old enough not to panic. They got annoyed after about seven photos but didn’t seem worried. Since then, I’ve watched mama try to push the younger one out of the nest by flapping her wings but LG (Little Guy) wasn’t going for it.

It’s been an amazing journey, from watching mama lay the eggs to faithfully sitting on them for as much as 50 minutes each hour to seeing the chicks just after hatching. Now, the cycle is almost complete and the new hummingbirds are ready to start their own lives. I’m not a religious person but I can’t help but believe that there’s more to life on earth than PDL (Pure Dumb Luck.) I hope we don’t waste this opportunity with our self-absorbed, entitlement-minded, me-me mentality that says humans can do as they wish.

Photo Editing Tools Overview

Last week, I presented a short webinar discussing the differences between Photoshop CS, Photoshop Elements and Lightroom. I produced this because I saw too many people buying things simply because some “expert” told them so.

Most digital photographers just don’t need all these programs. Even professionals rarely use all these tools. Watch the video and learn how these programs differ and which best meet your needs.

Unlimited access to Photo Editing Tools video

After making a PayPal payment, you will receive a link to the video.

Cleaning Your dSLR Sensor

Unlimited access to Cleaning Your dSLR Sensor video

After making a PayPal payment, you will receive a link to the video.

Why the “Dry” Method is Superior to the “Wet” Method

The “wet” method was developed during the early days of dSLR and involves methanol. It was, and still is, highly effective but some ugly side issues have surfaced along the way.

The image to the left is the sensor assembly from a Canon XTi. Notice the sensor is actually behind two low-pass filters. The first filter incorporates the self-cleaning mechanism. A piezoelectric element at the top vibrates low-pass filter-1 to shake off dust. This is what you are actually cleaning. If vibrating the glass filter can shake off dust, it stands to reason that mopping it with a toxic chemical is probably overkill. A good broom will do the trick and that’s the “dry” method.

First, methanol is hygroscopic meaning it attracts and retains water from the air. It must be replaced regularly or the water can leave streaks. Being human, people will be reluctant to throw out a bottle of methanol that’s 90% full. It will look and smell the same and only chemical analysis will reveal the methanol is contaminated. Keep in mind that pure methanol evaporates immediately. Any water in it is left behind, creating a streak where the filter was swabbed.

The “dry” method has no such issues. It is a mechanical device that is used until visual inspection shows the tip is worn and needs replacement.
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FREE Samsung CLP510 Color Laser Printer

This 6 year-old Samsung color laser printer is free to the first person who arranges pick up in North San Diego County (near Welk Resort.) I doubt it can punch out 1000 page jobs like I used to abuse it with but it’s still good for small (1-100 page) jobs. It worked fine when I tested it this morning.

It has a built-in duplexer and comes with extra toner for those with the skills to disassemble a toner cartridge and solder a small circuit board.

It weighs 70 pounds so I will not ship it nor will I deliver it. I will help you load it into your vehicle. I will not expend time on questions about condition or operation. You either want it or it will be posted on Freecycle by the end of the month. It would be perfect for a small office with occasional color laser printing needs. Contact me to arrange pickup.

FREE Epson R1800 Printer with Bulk Ink Feed System

This is a 5 year old Epson R1800 with an InkJetFly bulk feeder filled with MIS Associates ink. She’s a crotchety gal but still prints great glossy 13×19 if you know how to clean/clear IJP head clogs. It’s been sitting around for a month so it will probably need a thorough cleaning before it can print. It also prints on CD/DVD.

The duct tape on the front is because the plastic latches holding the front panel are worn, allowing the panel to fall open.

This weighs about 30 pounds. It cannot be shipped and I will not deliver it. I will help you load it into your vehicle. I will not expend time on questions about condition or operation. You either want it or it will be posted on Freecycle by the end of the month. This is definitely a tinkerer’s special. Contact me to arrange pickup.

$3 Webinar – Overview of Photo Editing Programs

Do you use Photoshop CS5 or Photoshop Elements 9 or Lightroom 3? Perhaps you use a combination of two or more programs. Do you know the differences among the three and which is best for your needs?

On Sunday, June 26 (this coming Sunday) at 6PM Pacific Time, in a short 30 minute webinar, I’ll explain how the programs differ and what’s best for beginner, intermediate and advanced digital photographers. Click this LINK to register.

Sensor Cleaning Video Posted

This is a 30 minute video of a recent dSLR Sensor Cleaning Webinar. To view, click the PayPal link below and use either a credit card or your PayPal account. You will receive a link to the video once I’m notified by PayPal.

Cleaning a dSLR sensor is much easier if you’ve seen it done. If you want, you can watch the video as often as you want until you feel comfortable that you know what you’re doing.

Sensor Cleaning Video Posted

This is a 30 minute video of a recent dSLR Sensor Cleaning Webinar. To view, click the PayPal LINK  below and use either your PayPal account or a credit card. You will receive a link to the video once I’m notified by PayPal.

Cleaning a dSLR sensor is much easier if you’ve seen it done. If you want, you can watch the video as often as you want until you feel comfortable that you know what you’re doing.

Delkin Sensor Scope Review

During the sensor cleaning webinar, I mentioned that Artie Morris has two kits. One includes a Delkin Sensor Scope and the other doesn’t. Since I needed a new kit (the tools wear out after 18-24 months depending on how often you clean your sensor) I ordered the one with the Sensor Scope.

I had already cleaned my sensor so it was difficult to see any dust but I got an idea of how it works. If you’re starting from scratch, without any sensor cleaning experience, it’s probably a useful tool. If, like me, you’ve been cleaning the sensor for a while, it’s probably not that useful. I can also see where it would be useful in parts of the country where the sky isn’t always clear blue but, in San Diego, that’s not a problem.

If you want to buy a barely used Delkin Sensor Scope for $50 plus $5 S&H, send me an e-mail.

$3 Webinar – Overview of Photo Editing Programs

Do you use Photoshop CS5 or Photoshop Elements 9 or Lightroom 3? Perhaps you use a combination of two or more programs. Do you know the differences among the three and which is best for your needs?

On Sunday, June 26 at 6PM Pacific Time, in a short webinar, I’ll explain how the programs differ and what’s best for beginner, intermediate and advanced digital photographers. Click this LINK to register.

How to Clean Your dSLR Sensor – Video

Cleaning your dSLR sensor is a critical part of an efficient workflow. How much time do you want to spend cloning dust spots off your images. And, Murphy’s Law says you will never see that final dust spot until after you print at 17″ x 22″, consuming a huge amount of ink. That actually happened to me the other day. A local gallery asked me for a print of Mono Lake Sunrise (left.) I didn’t see the two dust bunnies until after I printed. That required me to open the photo in Lightroom, clone out the spots and reprint, a monumental waste of time.

Cleaning a sensor is not rocket science but it requires the right tools and ability to follow instructions. The video of the webinar will be upload here later this week. In it, I show you the needed tools, where to buy them and how to use them.