Want to see how pro shooter Matthew Jordan Smith gears up? Then watch this 3-minute video of him opening up his Lowepro Pro Roller x200 at the Sony booth during WPPI 2010.
Video by Derrick Story. Recorded with a Canon 5D Mark II and an Audio Technica lav mic.
WPPI 2010 Las Vegas: Have you ever wondered what goes on behind those closed expo hall doors right before showtime? Here's a peek at the activities at WPPI half an hour before the show floor opens.
Some vendors are already doing presentations for special invite audiences, while others are just trying to get their booth together. In this 2-minute video captured with a discreet Canon S90, you'll get a peek at WPPI that many never get to see.
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When Apple enabled video trimming in Aperture 3, my guess is they wanted to enhance the Slideshow module. And that they did. You can now combine still images, video, and separate audio tracks to create beautiful productions.
After playing with this module for a few hours, however, my message to Apple is that I would prefer even more video functionality (yeah, I know). But quite honestly, the task I often have at hand is to shoot video, cut it, then upload to YouTube -- as quickly as possible. Incorporating still images and soundtracks are fun, but not the normal project.
This short movie, "Mission St., SF" was captured with a Canon T1i, then imported directly into Aperture 3 for production and export. Click through to YouTube for the HD version.
So if you have your hopes up that there's a mini Final Cut Pro inside of Aperture, you might want to lower your expectations. The video tools are extremely basic. What you can do, however, is useful.
I know it seems odd to use the Slideshow module for your video editing. But I think that's due to Apple's original concept for video management in Aperture. I wouldn't be surprised if up the road we see a dedicated module for handling movies. In the meantime, however, this is a huge addition to Aperture 3. And it will make my life more efficient and productive.
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Photo artist Stephanie Scheetz shows you how to take everyday, boring gift boxes and transform them into personalized works of art using your photographs. These boxes make great gifts, or they can be used for decorative organization around the house. Stephanie walks you through this process, step by step.
This tutorial is part 1 of a two-part series. In the next show, you'll learn how to create a box from scratch by simply folding paper, including stock that has your imagery printed on it. Stay tuned!
Other Creative Output Projects with Stephanie
Stephanie has many more creative output projects waiting for you. Just visit our Creative Output section, right here on The Digital Story. Some examples are:
Shrink Plastic Jewelry (Video Tutorial)
Stencil Art from Photos (Video Tutorial)
Make a Custom Notebook Using Your Images (Video Tutorial)
Make a Custom Photo Gift Bag (Video Tutorial)
The MoGo Talk Bluetooth headset fits in its iPhone protective case so you always have hands free with you. But it also allows you to pair with up to five devices. So I've tested it with Skype, and as in this movie, even using it for video recording. This movie introduces you to the MoGo Talk headset, which sells with iPhone protective case for about $130.
As a headset for the iPhone, it's fairly impressive. It's only 5mm thick and weighs 9 grams. The iPhone case that it's mounted in doesn't really feel any thicker than the case I was using before, yet the MoGo case contains a BT headset that is always there and ready to go. There's a pop up mini-USB port on the case that allows me to charge the MoGo Talk when I'm charging the phone. I give it some juice every other day. Talk time is between 3-4 hours.
People on the receiving end of my conversations say that they can tell I'm using a headset, but that the sound quality is good. It picks up a little ambient noise. On the receiving end, the ear piece is comfortable (you have a handful to choose from) and the sound is quite good. The MoGo talk adjusts the volume automatically based on environmental noise, but you can override it by adjusting the volume on the iPhone itself.
Overall, I think this is truly an innovative product. And the fact that I can use it for my Skype calls on the computer is a bonus.
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Often referred to as "shrinky dinks," shrink plastic artwork is easy to create using your own images, and inkjet printer, and a conventional oven. In this video tutorial, Stephanie Scheetz shows you how to print your pictures on the special plastic surface, then bake them into beautiful jewelry. You even get to peer inside the oven as the transformation happens before your eyes. This is episode 5 of the ongoing Creative Output series on The Digital Story.
If you want to find out more about the media Stephanie is using to create the shrink plastic jewelry, visit the Grafix web site. You can see more examples of this technique by checking out her post titled, Shrink Plastic Charms.
Other Creative Output Projects with Stephanie
Stephanie has many more creative output projects waiting for you. Just visit our Creative Output section, right here on The Digital Story. Some examples are:
Stencil Art from Photos (Video Tutorial)
Make a Custom Notebook Using Your Images (Video Tutorial)
Make a Custom Photo Gift Bag (Video Tutorial)
Buckle-Up Frame Present for Dad on Father's Day
A Time to Remember - Make Your Own Photo Clock
Technorati Tags: Derrick Story, digital photography, Digital Photography, technique, The Digital Story, Stencil Art, Creative Output, Stephanie Scheetz, Video Tutorial, YouTube
Painting without a brush. Artist Tim Mancusi joins Stephanie Scheetz and demonstrates how you can transform your photographs into beautiful works of art. Tim begins with a photograph, then creates a stencil from it using a simple craft knife. He spray paints over the stencil on to art paper to render his unique portraits. It's a great technique for photographers who always wanted to paint, but never mastered working with a brush.
Tim shows you everything you need to know, step by step. Start with one of your photographs, cut out areas with a craft knife, tack the stencil to your blank paper, then spray paint. The finished product is truly artwork, and you are the sole creator of every element.
Other Creative Output Projects with Stephanie
Stephanie has many more creative output projects waiting for you. Just visit our Creative Output section, right here on The Digital Story. Some examples are:
Make a Custom Notebook Using Your Images (Video Tutorial)
Make a Custom Photo Gift Bag (Video Tutorial)
Buckle-Up Frame Present for Dad on Father's Day
A Time to Remember - Make Your Own Photo Clock
Technorati Tags: Derrick Story, digital photography, Digital Photography, technique, The Digital Story, Stencil Art, Creative Output, Stephanie Scheetz, Video Tutorial, YouTube
Inside what looks like a typical shopping mall, within walking distance of the Fukuoka Tower, is one of the most amazing retail establishments I've ever visited: Robosquare. It's a combination of tech museum, research facility, and toy store for geeks. In the spacious visitor area there are dozens of robots on display. Some are for sale; others are just to marvel at. Off to the side behind glass windows is an assembly and research area where you can watch technicians work on various robotic projects. Everywhere you turn, there is something to excite the senses.
It was a lucky find for me. I had been traveling on my own during this visit in Fukuoka. But there were times when I would end up at the same places as my shipmates. People would spot me, we'd compare notes on the day, then go our separate ways.
I had already been to the top of Fukuoka Tower, and I was hanging around downstairs contemplating where to go next. It was hot outside, so I wanted to make a good decision before leaving the comfortable air conditioned environment where I had just finished lunch. At that point I spotted a few of my comrades getting ready to go up the tower. They were part of an excursion. A few in the group hated heights and had asked for something else to do while the rest took the elevator to the top. The tour guide lived locally and suggested the Robosquare. As they were dashing off to see the robots, one of them mentioned the diversion to me. "Perfect," I thought. So I dashed off with them. The beauty of my situation, however, was that I could stay there as long as I wanted. They had to rejoin the tour 20 minutes later. It took me an hour to pull myself out of the store.
Part of what kept me engaged were the three demonstration areas that had robots in action. One in particular, the baby seal, was impressive. This robot had been developed to comfort the elderly who were in extended care facilities, often without companionship. The seal could locate people in the room, make eye contact, then interact with them. If the person pet the seal, it would really turn on the charm. The combination of movement and sound were very compelling, enhanced by the thick fur that felt so good to stroke. Within minutes, I felt better myself, and I was in great shape to begin with. What a truly marvelous invention.
Then, after I had looked over every display twice, I went to the shopping area where there were plenty of projects to take home and build. I opted for a couple car kits and a robotic pencil sharpener. They'll make great presents for a couple of boys back home. But there was plenty more, including Lego Mindstorms, robotic arms, and simple kits too.
As I walked out with my purchases, I was thinking that sometimes you just need to be in the right spot at the right time. Robosquare was definitely a good spot for me.
Photos by Derrick Story, captured with a Canon T1i DSLR. For more photography from Asia, visit the TDS Flickr page.
Previous Stops on Eastern Journey
Early Morning on the Beijing Streets
"Field Notes from Asia Shoot" - Digital Photography Podcast 185
If You Want a Boy, Visit Jeju and Touch Dol Hareubang
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The camera in the iPhone 3GS has improved close-up capabilities, tap focus, and more resolution than previous models. You can use the 3GS to photograph small objects, business cards, even duplicate 4" x 6" prints. With this DIY copy stand that's easy to make, you can produce high quality images with just a couple taps on its screen.
If you've ever tried close-up work with the iPhone, you know you have two challenges. The first is holding the camera steady enough to avoid camera shake. The second is getting the plane of the camera parallel to the plane of the subject to avoid distortion. This little device helps with both, plus diffuses the light for a more flattering rendering.
I have step-by-step photos showing the key elements of this project on The Digital Story Flickr page. In short, it works like this. You remove the tray from the iPhone packaging, drill a hole in it for the lens to see through, cut an opening in the bottom of a translucent box to set the tray in, and you're done. It's really that simple. I recommend that you start with a box that's at least 6" tall. That will give you enough distance to copy 4" x 6" prints. You can use "risers" such a little boxes to photograph smaller items that need more magnification. Here's a short instructional video that provides a nice overview.
Please feel free to add your comments, improvements, or variations on this project. The iPhone 3GS is a handy little camera, and I want to squeeze every ounce of capability out of it.
More on the iPhone 3GS
iPhone 3GS Movie Making Basics - Video for All
"iPhone 3G S from Photographer's POV" - Digital Photography Podcast 180
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This week Stephanie begins by taking you shopping to a bargain store, then heads back to the studio to design a custom notebook that features your photography on the cover. Even though they are easy to assemble (and very affordable), these beautiful notebooks make excellent gifts.
You'll learn, step by step, how to take apart an existing notebook, customize the front and back covers, then reassemble it. The final product becomes an expression of your art.
Other Creative Output Projects with Stephanie
Make a Custom Photo Gift Bag (Video Tutorial) Buckle-Up Frame Present for Dad on Father's Day A Time to Remember - Make Your Own Photo Clock Packing Tape Transparencies
iPhoto '08: The Missing Manual by David Pogue, Derrick Story |
Digital Photography Principles: The Camera by Derrick Story |
The Digital Photography Companion by Derrick Story |
iPhoto '08 Essential Training by Derrick Story |
The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers (Digital Media) by Derrick Story |
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