Contrast in Weather

While we're getting over 5 inches of snow, and 34 degrees in Flagstaff, just 15 miles north, and a drop from 7,000 to 6,000 feet, it was sunny and 54 degrees!

I was standing on top of the Citadel ruins, looking at the Painted Desert in the distance.

Camera - Nikon D70. ( Read more ... )

Wait til next year

Location - Flagstaff, AZ

No problem, just 2 hours south, you can play on the links in Phoenix area. ( Read more ... )

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

So how many people got a shining new camera or camera gear? :)

Be safe and stay healthy! ( Read more ... )

Spider Web

Location - Dade City, FL
With Camellia in the background, I saw this spider web all dewed up from the fog. Didn't see the spider though.

Camera - Pentax DL ( Read more ... )

Safety Harbor - Fishing Pier

Location - Safety Harbor, FL.

The pier is occupied with fishermen in the evening time. Not sure if they had any luck catching any, but they all seem to be in really good mood, as they carry on with laughter, I guess they're not too concerned in scaring off the fishes.

Camera - Pentax DL. ( Read more ... )

Flash Test

Unscientific Diffuser/Bounce test:

LumiQuest Pocket Bouncer and Sto-fen Omni-Bounce


Direct - Left: no diffusion. Right: With Omni-Bounce


45 degree- Left: no diffusion. Right: With Omni-Bounce


90 degree- Left: no diffusion. Right: With Omni-bounce


LumiQuest - Pocket Bouncer

Camera setup: Nikon D80, Program mode, White Balance, daylight. Flash - SB600, I didn't flip the built-in diffusion of SB600 over the lens.

Looking at these pictures, I am pleasantly surprised that no diffuser, 90 degree (bounce off of ceiling) is my top pick, but I find direct and 90 degree with Omni-bounce to be very close, and pleasant.

For convenience, it's more likely for me to use the Omni-bounce. Remember, this require a little experiment for different conditions.

Another product, that I do not have, but have seen the result, is the Gary Fong's Lightsphere. I don't know why, but the way Lightsphere spread out the light makes it really nice on skin tone. ( Read more ... )