The Digital Photo Guy

No More Exciting Landscapes or Flowers

Now, we’re into the druge, hard work part of the California Photo Festival. This is hard work but someone has to do it. We’re stuck in small studios for hours at a time, trying to wring the best photos we can from subjects that are selected for us. We don’t even have a say in subject matter.

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This is On the Level

Most people who do landscape or architectural photography own a spirit level. Also called a bubble level, it’s usually mounted in the camera’s hot shoe and the purpose is to assist in leveling the body side-to-side and front-to-back. The problem with these levels has alwasy been lousy workmanship (too loose, too tight, too sensitive, too insensitive, etc) and cost. Because they’re made of acrylic blocks, they’re prone to damage. Below are two from Jobu Design, I use the one on the right.

Well, citizens, Canon has a better idea and it works like a charm. In fact, Canon gives you two ways to view and use the built-in, electronic level on a 7D. Yes, you read that correctly. It’s built-in, as in no more fumbling around for the little acrylic level somewhere in the bottom of your gear bag and it’s electronic meaning it’s consistent and accurate. Click to read more

Spot and Expanded AF Points

These two features seem diametrically opposed in terms of usefulness. Spot AF is an extra small AF Point inside a normal AF Point while AF Point Expansion increases the size of the AF Point by selecting points around it.

As seen in the above left photo, Spot AF uses a smaller area inside the normal AF Point. The actual Spot AF Point is actually a bit larger than the small box but stll smaller then the large box (did I just write that?).

As you can imagine, that tiny AF area can be handy for macro photography. How many times have you tried to focus on a very tiny detail but couldn’t be sure you got it until the photo was on the screen? Click to read more

Tips About This Website

Hover your cursor over the home page slideshow until the cursor turns into a double-headed, slanted arrow and click the mouse to maximize the photo. The image won’t be as sharp because they’re compressed and resized to smaller dimensions. You can also go forward or backward by clicking the cursor near the  left or right edges.

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Cloud Photos

I stepped outside the other day and was amazed at the clouds above the house. I don’t often see clouds in San Diego and I especially don’t see unusual or interesting cloud formations.

All these were taken within moments of each other but because I faced different directions, the light shifted, causing the colors to be different in each.

Click to read more