Tag Archive for 'cool'

Itoya Profolio Review: Cool Product Of The Week

Published
by
Gavin Seim
on February 10, 2009
in Cool Gadgets, Gavin Seim, ProPhotoShow and Review
. 1 Comment

This weeks cool product is the Itoya Art Profolio series. I really like these for presenting and storing prints. They solve the problem of displaying images in an easy and portable fashion. Having images in print simply makes a better impression than looking on a screen.

Profolio’s come in various styles, but the bottom line is that their a reasonably priced simple way to present your work. Coming in a broad range of sizes such as 5×7, 8×10, 11×14, and even 13×19 (which is the odd print size that comes out of my Canon Pro 9000 Printer).

Here’s a few available styles and some Amazon links. I also found them on B&H Photo.

Standard Art Profilio: This has a simple hard plastic cover with plastic sleeves inside. It’s not the most finished and while I would not sell it as a client album, but it’s simple and clean looking for a REALLY low price. This is basic presentation that’s inexpensive enough to double as print storage.

itoya profolio 300x300 Itoya Profolio Review: Cool Product Of The Week

Itoya Art Profolio Std from around $7

Continue reading ‘Itoya Profolio Review: Cool Product Of The Week’

Adobe Configurator Is Here:

Published
by
Gavin Seim
on November 19, 2008
in Gavin Seim, News and Photoshop
. 0 Comments

adobe configurator2 Adobe Configurator Is Here:

Adobe what? Adobe Configurator. It’s a brand new program Adobe just released that’s going to change the way we interact with Photoshop. You can download it here on Adobe Labs, and learn more about it (including a video) on John Knacks blog.

There’s a lot under the hood, but in basic terms it allows you to make your own palette windows in Photoshop CS4, that can contain pretty much whatever you want. Tools, menu items, actions, even training videos embedded right in to your own little (or big) panel. They look exactly like the built in pallets. They even dock with them.

The best part is you don’t have to be a programmer to make custom panels. You open the Configurator, then drag, drop and export. I really think this is a breakthrough. This level of customization is going to change the way we work.

Our official Photshop CS4 review is coming soon, but Configurator looks so cool that I felt you should know now.

Gavin Seim

Lightsphere Review: Cool Gadget Of The Week

Published
by
Gavin Seim
on September 22, 2008
in Cool Gadgets, Gavin Seim and Review
. 8 Comments
Gary Fongs Lighsphere

by Gavin Seim. Updated: For this weeks CPPOTW I want to talk about something really simple and useful. Many of us photographers use hotshoe flashes for light on the go. I use a Canon speedlights myself and though their great flashes, the light is still really harsh. The Lightsphere is quite simply a diffuser for that harsh light. It helps me have control.

It’s made by Gary Fong. I’ve never met him personally, but a lot of you know of him. I’ve tried more than one diffuser, and the Lightsphere (often called a Fong Dong) has worked the best. Many photographer will vouch for this, and I’m no exception. Yes you can tape a Tupperware container to a flash and probably get a similar result, but the Lightsphere is well designed and just works. For me, saving fifty bucks is not worth the headache every time I use my flash.

It’s simple and straight forward. Put it on your flash, and get better light. It’s kinda like a tiny softbox for your flash. The bottom line it that it works good. You can one up for around fifty bucks. I have both the clear and cloud versions myself (either will work fine), as well as most of the handy accessories and top pieces that help me gain further control of my light. I can light pretty big area with just a single on camera flash using this simple tool.

The classic model (pictured) has always worked great for me. There’s a new universal model now that uses a Velcro strap. I have both styles and both work well and are secure. The new version being universal is a tad more clunky, but I find it easier to attach and generally like it better.

The bottom line is that it works well and does what it’s supposed to without hassle. Besides all this it’s looks so weird that it’s become a great conversation starter. You can find it here on Amazon.


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CPPOTW – Remote Cable Release For Your Camera. You need one!

Published
by
Gavin Seim
on September 3, 2008
in Cool Gadgets, Gavin Seim and Review
. 0 Comments

 canon rs 80 CPPOTW Remote Cable Release For Your Camera. You need one! nikon mc36 CPPOTW Remote Cable Release For Your Camera. You need one!
This weeks Cool Photo Product(s) Of The Week

This weeks gadget comes in various types, but you’ll find plenty of links to various options. The bottom line is that you should ABSOLUTELY have a cable release in your bag.

The release is basically a button that connects to your camera (occasionally wireless, but usually wired) that allows you to trip the shutter, and often allows you to lock it open (using Bulb mode on the camera) for long exposures. It’s also important for long exposures as you don’t have to “touch” the camera.

The lock button is invaluable for night images and if you’ve never done long exposure night photography, you owe it to yourself to try it. It’s pretty amazing what can come out of a camera after a multi-minute exposure. I’ve shot exposures to over 60 minutes with some neat results.
The release is also perfect for the portrait, commercial, or any other type of photographer; allowing you to set the camera on a pod, and shoot without leaning over it. Great for shooting while interacting a subject.

Last but not least I almost always use a release for shooting my HDR sequences because again I don’t have to touch (and thus shake) the camera. So now that you know you want one, here a few options…

Canon RS-80N3: Is what I use. It’s fits most newer Canons, has a lock, and works great. Runs about 50- on B&H

Canon TC-80N3: Is the big brother to the RS80. It runs close to 150- but offer a digital screen with a timer, This is perfect is you plan on a lot of long exposures.

Nikon MC30: This is for most of the Nikon line N90-D3 range. Again at about 50- it’s simple but effective.

Nikon MC36: This is the big brother on the Nikon side. Display, timer, and other cool functions for about 130- Again a good choice to the person who does a lot of long exposures.

Now there’s other models available, some from third parties as well, and also if you shoot other camera brands. Just search around. This is one piece if kit you should not be without.

Gavin Seim

Cool Photo Gadget Of The Week ~ Lens Pen

Published
by
Gavin Seim
on July 5, 2008
in Nikon
. 3 Comments

lens pen Cool Photo Gadget Of The Week ~ Lens PenThe Lens Pen Cool Photo Gadget Of The Week ~ Lens Pen is a pretty amazing gadget for under 10 bucks. No batteries, no hassle. Every photographer should have this gem in their kit.

There’s a multitude of lens cleaning products out there, but the Lens Pen allows you to easily clean or brush off a lens. really fast, really portable, and really reusable.

To the point! On one end it’s a cleaning pad that really works, and without any solution (takes off fingerprints too). The other end is a retractable brush for getting off excess dust. It’s all about the size of a large pen.

This one is Nikon branded, but it’s cheaper and works great. I have two of them. You can’t go wrong with theese… Gavin Seim

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