SmugMug User Groups

SmugMug is a photo hosting company based out of Mountain View, California. I post my some of my photos there. They recently decided to sponser SmugMug User Groups which have been forming all over the United States and Canada.

The idea is to gather photography minded amateurs and professionals together for a monthly meeting where they can "learn, teach and meet other photographers that share your passion". They use the meetings to gather feedback for their company and even giveaway swag.

3 groups have formed in the San Francisco bay area alone and I attend the group at SmugMug headquarters in Mountain View. There is no fee or even a requirement to sign up, and you can bring friends. I have signed up for all 3 but so far they meet on the same nights.

To date we have had presentations by wedding photographers Gene Higa and Dane Sanders and Gary Levenberg, Chief Business Guy of QiGo. BayPhoto of Santa Cruz attends the meetings with many samples of their printing process and experts to answer questions.

So far, it has been a useful and rewarding experience for me, keeping my mind on photography, meeting other photogs and helping me get the most out of what SmugMug and BayPhoto have to offer. Check it out.

Direct Link to find a User Group in your area: http://smugmug.com/smugs/find/

Mitch Tobias - San Francisco Photographer / Musician

I found this interesting interview, written in November of 2000, with San Francisco based photographer and musician, Mitch Tobias.

http://www.creativepro.com/article/music-to-his-eyes

View his web site and portfolio here:

http://www.mitchtobias.com/pages/homepage.html

Model Release

I am about to shoot a musical group for their publicity photos and must finally address the issue of model releases. When do you need a release? What about minors? How are the models protected?

There are many articles and opinions that cover model releases along with forms and templates on the net. As I find them, I'll list articles with clear explainations and templates for generic forms here.

Understanding the Model Release Form

This "eHow" post describes some basics such as what a release is, what is does and when to use it. There are links to templates at the end of the article.

There are also a few tips on using the forms here and here.

Do you need a model release when selling pictures of yourself? Here is an intelligent discussion on the the subject:
http://photo.net/business-photography-forum/00Tgga

More to come...

Testing Flickr embedding practices

This is a test from our Flickr workshop. Flickr prefers that you use this option (1) when embedding photos in web sites. Clicking the photo takes you to the photographer's photostream.



This is option 2 using the straight URL which does not link back to Flickr.

Which Monitor Is Best For Editing Digital Photographs?

I have been looking for a new computer monitor and researching if any particular LCD monitor is best for editing digital photographs. The recommendation is for monitors built with IPS panels, which of course are more expensive then the standard monitors for sale that are made with TN panels. The one exception seems to be the 2209WA model by Dell which, as of this writing, sells for $279.

I find that these monitors are difficult to track down as the panel type is normally not listed in the specifications, but I found this list of recommended monitors - http://www.pchardwarehelp.com/guides/s-ips-lcd-list.php .

There is a note regarding the Dell 2007WFP monitor that states 2 different type panels were used and what you may get is not guaranteed. They also state that the 2209WA that I listed above uses an e-IPS panel, a cheaper version of the S-IPS panel found in the more expensive models. The fact that it is even on this list and in my price range makes the 2209WA very attractive.

IPS monitors generally have wider viewing angles, reproduce color more accurately and give a sharper image. The trade off is a relatively slower response time. This is a consideration if you play fast moving video games resulting in blurring or ghosting.

If you use a Macintosh computer with the 20” or larger Cinema Display, lucky you. According to this list you have an IPS monitor!

Want to read more about the difference in LCD monitor technology, try this page - http://www.pchardwarehelp.com/guides/lcd-panel-types.php -

Who knew? I love the internet. If and when I buy one, or discover more information, I'll write about it.

Hubble Space Telescope Photo Gallery

Maybe the most unique and inspiring photo gallery on the internet is the collection of pictures taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. View the phenomenal number of pictures of our universe taken through this high flying camera at:
http://hubblesite.org/gallery/album/

Classic Car Photo Op in Santa Cruz - Saturday June 25

I found this article in the San Francisco Chronicle (original story is here) and it sounds like a good photo opportunity. Remember to get shots from all angles, inside and out. I am sure the people (car owners and spectators alike) may be just as interesting. And while you are there, stop by Steamer Lane for great shots of actual surfers, next to the Surfer Museum at Lighthouse Field State Beach!

Here is a gallery of photos from last year.
http://www.santacruzwoodies.com/wow08/index.htm

Surf wagons to haul in at Santa Cruz Wharf




No toy story - these woodies are the real thing


Never mind that Santa Cruz lost the official "Surf City" moniker to a Southern California city (which shall go unnamed here) ... its municipal pier is the place to channel your inner Jan and Dean next weekend. The 15th Annual Woodies on the Wharf, Northern California's largest show of classic surf wagons, brings in 200 gnarly, pre-1952 wood-paneled cars, some from as far away as the East Coast and Canada, that cry out for a load of surfboards. The day also offers clowns, free balloons and face painting for kids, while music, collectible T-shirts and prize drawings - and the wharf itself, with local surfers showing their chops in surrounding waves - will appeal to all.


Vitals: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Free. Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz. (831) 420-5273, http://www.santacruzwharf.com/ or http://www.santacruzwoodies.com/.