The classic better bounce card by Peter Gregg...
- Youtube link
30 January 2009
28 January 2009
Studio lighting tutorial for Maya 2009
If you use Maya and have an interest in replicating studio lighting, check this out:
http://www.sohipitmhz.com/tutorials/studio-lighting/
http://www.sohipitmhz.com/tutorials/studio-lighting/
26 January 2009
Cool CGI Artist
Just a quickie, stumbled across Dan Platt's website today - awesome Maya work. He's worked on movies, including i-Robot.
http://www.danplatt.com
http://www.danplatt.com
Plogger - PHP gallery system
Quote taken from the website:
"Plogger is the next generation in open-source photo gallery systems. A web application not bloated with superfluous features or complicated configuration settings. Plogger is a simple yet powerful tool — everything you need to share your images with the world. Plogger is your photos integrated into your website, a fully featured photo sharing package with an attractive and easy to use administrative interface that makes managing your galleries a breeze. Integrating our gallery software into your website is as easy as inserting three lines of PHP code. And did we mention the price? Absolutely Free. Plogger requires a server setup with at least MySQL v3.23, GD1.0, and PHP4."
Visit their website to download Plogger and learn more:
http://www.plogger.org/
"Plogger is the next generation in open-source photo gallery systems. A web application not bloated with superfluous features or complicated configuration settings. Plogger is a simple yet powerful tool — everything you need to share your images with the world. Plogger is your photos integrated into your website, a fully featured photo sharing package with an attractive and easy to use administrative interface that makes managing your galleries a breeze. Integrating our gallery software into your website is as easy as inserting three lines of PHP code. And did we mention the price? Absolutely Free. Plogger requires a server setup with at least MySQL v3.23, GD1.0, and PHP4."
Visit their website to download Plogger and learn more:
http://www.plogger.org/
18 January 2009
3D architectural scenes to learn from
If you're an avid 3D Studio Max user, along with V-Ray, you may find this learning material useful. This product provides you with 10 ready to render architectural scenes which, judging by the images on the website, look brilliant. It's called Archinteriors Vol. 1 and it comes from Evermotion. At the time of writing it costs 120 Euro plus shipping.
Click here to visit the website and learn more.
Click here to visit the website and learn more.
16 January 2009
CSS Menu Generator
A handy online CSS menu generator with loads of samples and code for you to play with.
Click here to visit CSS Menu Maker
Click here to visit CSS Menu Maker
14 January 2009
Samantha Buxton - Glamour model
Based in the UK, Samantha Buxton is a gorgeous glamour model. Whilst going through some photography websites I stumbled across her profile. Would love to work with her one day...
Visit her website here
9 January 2009
Adobe Flash email links
When invoking an email link from within Flash (using the getURLmailto:email@somewhere.com) you may find that Internet Explorer opens a new blank window. This doesn't happen in Firefox. To resolve this issue simply remove the target parameter, see below.
ActionScript code before:
on(release){
getURL("mailto:springheadpark@cpplc.com","_blank");
}
ActionScript code after:
on(release){
getURL("mailto:springheadpark@cpplc.com");
}
ActionScript code before:
on(release){
getURL("mailto:springheadpark@cpplc.com","_blank");
}
ActionScript code after:
on(release){
getURL("mailto:springheadpark@cpplc.com");
}
5 January 2009
IE 6 PNG fix
For those of you out there still developing for IE6 (eek!) then this may help with providing PNG support. The cool thing about this implementation is that it supports background-repeat and background-position in CSS.
Here's the link:
http://www.dillerdesign.com/experiment/DD_belatedPNG/
Here's the link:
http://www.dillerdesign.com/experiment/DD_belatedPNG/
22 November 2008
New content added to my iStockphoto portfolio
New business orientated photographs have been added to my iStockphoto portfolio. If you are after some low cost quality stock photos, please check it out.
Lightbox alternatives
For anyone that's used the excellent Lightbox image viewer script, here is a link to many alternative versions. Enjoy.
View website
View website
9 April 2008
Canon EOS 40D firmware update released
Canon has released firmware v1.0.8 for the excellent Canon EOS 40D DSLR.
"This firmware update (Version 1.0.8) incorporates the following improvements and fixes.
1. Fixes a phenomenon in which Image Stabilization operation emits a sound when certain buttons are pressed, with the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens attached to the camera.
2. Fixes a phenomenon in which the Image Stabilization operation emits a sound from the lens when IS lenses are attached to the camera.
3. Fixes a phenomenon in which a part of the image looks unnatural when reviewed on the LCD.
4. Corrects errors in the Spanish and Norwegian menu screens."
[Get the firmware here]
"This firmware update (Version 1.0.8) incorporates the following improvements and fixes.
1. Fixes a phenomenon in which Image Stabilization operation emits a sound when certain buttons are pressed, with the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens attached to the camera.
2. Fixes a phenomenon in which the Image Stabilization operation emits a sound from the lens when IS lenses are attached to the camera.
3. Fixes a phenomenon in which a part of the image looks unnatural when reviewed on the LCD.
4. Corrects errors in the Spanish and Norwegian menu screens."
[Get the firmware here]
19 February 2008
Iryna Stevens photo shoot
Update: some of the photos from the shoot are now on iStockphoto. Click here to view my portfolio on iStockphoto.com.
In an earlier post I mentioned that I had planned my first photo shoot and I am pleased to say that it took place over the weekend. It was a fantastic experience; I learnt a lot in those two hours, made some mistakes, and took 479 photos! Sure I was nervous, I didn't have any experience of using studio lighting equipment, but it wasn't like the model was a wannabe model either - it was Ukraine model Iryna Stevens! I mean, this girl has done it all, and here's me with the opportunity to photograph her.
It will take some time to go through all the photos, so check back soon, but for now here's a sneak peak at one of the photos from the session.
I think the shoot went well considering it was my first time (darn, was trying so hard not to say that!); I'm not sure yet, but I reckon I got some cool photos and hopefully a few that I can add to my iStockphoto portfolio.
Being a little nervous I completely forgot some of the things I should have been checking as the shoot progressed. For starters, check and double check the lighting - without a properly lit model all that effort is for nothing. I temporarily messed up the lighting, where they were pretty much pointed in all the wrong angles - I can't believe I did that, but that will teach me not to rush next time.
Secondly, and without my realising, I must have turned a dial by mistake and the shutter speed was lowered from 250 to 160! I hadn't noticed until about 100 photos later. :(
To be fair, most of the photos are sharp anyway, so it was mostly the exposure that suffered a little. Messing up the overall lighting was much worse.
And finally, I took along some gray cards to use as my benchmark for proper white balance later - and did I use one? No! It completely slipped my mind and I only realised once I was packing up. Note: it was used before the session though...when I arrived at the studio I heard Iryna behind a set of doors and curtain give out a little scream when a wasp found it's way into the studio. I offered the gray card pack I took along as a means to remove the little beast!
The Canon EOS 40D and the 24-70mm f2.8 L USM lens were perfect. Nuff said.
In an earlier post I mentioned that I had planned my first photo shoot and I am pleased to say that it took place over the weekend. It was a fantastic experience; I learnt a lot in those two hours, made some mistakes, and took 479 photos! Sure I was nervous, I didn't have any experience of using studio lighting equipment, but it wasn't like the model was a wannabe model either - it was Ukraine model Iryna Stevens! I mean, this girl has done it all, and here's me with the opportunity to photograph her.
It will take some time to go through all the photos, so check back soon, but for now here's a sneak peak at one of the photos from the session.
I think the shoot went well considering it was my first time (darn, was trying so hard not to say that!); I'm not sure yet, but I reckon I got some cool photos and hopefully a few that I can add to my iStockphoto portfolio.
So what did I learn from my experience?
Being a little nervous I completely forgot some of the things I should have been checking as the shoot progressed. For starters, check and double check the lighting - without a properly lit model all that effort is for nothing. I temporarily messed up the lighting, where they were pretty much pointed in all the wrong angles - I can't believe I did that, but that will teach me not to rush next time.
Secondly, and without my realising, I must have turned a dial by mistake and the shutter speed was lowered from 250 to 160! I hadn't noticed until about 100 photos later. :(
To be fair, most of the photos are sharp anyway, so it was mostly the exposure that suffered a little. Messing up the overall lighting was much worse.
And finally, I took along some gray cards to use as my benchmark for proper white balance later - and did I use one? No! It completely slipped my mind and I only realised once I was packing up. Note: it was used before the session though...when I arrived at the studio I heard Iryna behind a set of doors and curtain give out a little scream when a wasp found it's way into the studio. I offered the gray card pack I took along as a means to remove the little beast!
So what about the camera and lens?
The Canon EOS 40D and the 24-70mm f2.8 L USM lens were perfect. Nuff said.
6 February 2008
Canon EOS 40D hands on, sort of
It's been an interesting fortnight for me in the photography area; firstly, I've traded in my trusty Canon 400D for a Canon EOS 40D, which launched back end of 2007. Secondly, and following on from my previous post about the Nikon D300, I've now got my hands on a Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM lens.
So why did I settle for the Canon 40D and not the (just announced) 400D replacement - the Canon 450D? There are many reasons, too many to list here so, briefly, here are just some of the reasons:
1. improved AF system - cross-type AF points for F5.6 or faster lenses
2. new Digic III processor
3. 14-bit A/D converter and 14-bit RAW
4. interchangeable focusing screens
5. a larger LCD monitor (now 3.0")
6. live view - great for studio photography
7. faster continuous shooting (6.5 fps)
8. bigger and easier to handle than 400D/450D
9. partial weatherproof body
10. magnesium alloy body
11. superior noise control at high isos
12. a larger and brighter viewfinder
I could go on, really, but for an in-depth review make your way over to the excellent dpreview website to find out all there is to know about the 40D.
As for my own experiences, I've yet to run it through a thorough test - although I am looking forward to a trip to Europe soon so that will be a great opportunity to see use the 40D extensively. More on that soon, remember to check back for an update!
For now, I find the 40D to be the most complete camera I've ever used - simple as that. Everything from the handling to the custom functions 'feels right', solid and reliable. It's like the best friend you've always had but you've only just met! Partnered with the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L lens it is a true pleasure to use and once you pick it up you will find it hard to put down again.
Looking to the future, I promised myself I would make every effort this year to get out there and take tons of photos, and in particular, portrait photography - so with that in mind, I have taken the leap of faith and plan to book a session with an experienced model over the coming weeks, so check back soon to see how I got on. Nervous? Yes! Excited? Yes! Can I wait? No! :)
So why did I settle for the Canon 40D and not the (just announced) 400D replacement - the Canon 450D? There are many reasons, too many to list here so, briefly, here are just some of the reasons:
1. improved AF system - cross-type AF points for F5.6 or faster lenses
2. new Digic III processor
3. 14-bit A/D converter and 14-bit RAW
4. interchangeable focusing screens
5. a larger LCD monitor (now 3.0")
6. live view - great for studio photography
7. faster continuous shooting (6.5 fps)
8. bigger and easier to handle than 400D/450D
9. partial weatherproof body
10. magnesium alloy body
11. superior noise control at high isos
12. a larger and brighter viewfinder
I could go on, really, but for an in-depth review make your way over to the excellent dpreview website to find out all there is to know about the 40D.
As for my own experiences, I've yet to run it through a thorough test - although I am looking forward to a trip to Europe soon so that will be a great opportunity to see use the 40D extensively. More on that soon, remember to check back for an update!
For now, I find the 40D to be the most complete camera I've ever used - simple as that. Everything from the handling to the custom functions 'feels right', solid and reliable. It's like the best friend you've always had but you've only just met! Partnered with the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L lens it is a true pleasure to use and once you pick it up you will find it hard to put down again.
Looking to the future, I promised myself I would make every effort this year to get out there and take tons of photos, and in particular, portrait photography - so with that in mind, I have taken the leap of faith and plan to book a session with an experienced model over the coming weeks, so check back soon to see how I got on. Nervous? Yes! Excited? Yes! Can I wait? No! :)
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