Polaroid Strikes Back?

Do you remember Polaroid? Yeah I still remember it as photo brand device that produce an instant camera that can produce photo several minutes after take a shoot. After a shoot is taken, a sheet of photo paper will come out and we need to dry it out by flapping it on the air and slowly an image is shown. There’s a thrill when we use this device. A thrill that drawn into a question will our photo look is good, or it’s just become a bad photo and then makes us to grab this device and shoot again. Almost like a digital technology, only the output is real, not a file. The popularity of Polaroid itself comes into its dawn because of the era of digital image. Make our photo shoot result comes into a cheap price. We don’t have to print it to show it out, we just need a mobile media such us our mobile or notebook, or even more advance, a digital photo frame.
From the news in internet, I heard that after stop the production of instant camera for two years, at the end of 2008, Polaroid took a decision to step back from camera industry. And many of its consumers are very sad to hear about that, because of the memory shared.
But a good news then comes, at 13th October 2009 in Hongkong, a new management of Polaroid announces that they’re going back again into camera industry. This new management is formed after Polaroid is bought by Summit Global Company, last April. They announce a new project, called “The Impossible Project”. This project is intended to prepare a new product from Polaroid called New One Step. This limited product will be launched by the middle year of 2010.
Nowadays One Step’s technology is fall far behind. And by this reason, we shall wait for a new one to taste a new innovation that may be very advance by Polaroid. Well, for you Instant Camera lovers, let’s hope this new product can be very close to our memory-life journey.

Graphics Software & Photography

We're all agree that photo above passed several or many action in a software. Manipulation, many says. But some also says that the result is an art product; where someone is free to make any creation. But, the viewer also has the right to say anything, including judging that this photo is not a product of photography.
Well, in my opinion. That doesn't affect me in doing my photography activity. This is the right of any photographer to choose how they're going to finish their photo. As long as the eye or viewer is pleased, and can be an advantage of any work that related on it, can be published as the right context within, that should not bring any argue of this matter.
At the old days, photographer tends to do almost same thing as we do in software that then called light-room instead of dark-room. They chosen certain film grain before take shoot, and then in the darkroom they chosen the certain photo paper and then here it came the final result.
Today, we don't do that anymore. We use certain graphics software to modify our photos, to correct the exposure, colour, skin-tone, etc. As long as this kind of correction is not for a journalism purpose, I think this is a "legal" activity. Cause in journalism, we have to present the truth, without any of correction. But some correction to make the picture as seen as the truth is tolerated.
Now, in another case:

What about when we add make up to a model before a shoot or re-arrange a wedding dress? None of these images tell the story of a scene as it was when we arrived at it. All the alterations were made manually to make the image more pleasing.So what is the difference between doing it before the shoot at the scene, or after the shoot in Photoshop? What is the difference between pulling an obtrusive branch out of your way for that perfect landscape or simply removing it later on your PC? Why do wedding photographers carry clothes pegs to pin back the dress for some formal shots?My whole point to this discussion is that each person who picks up and uses a camera, digital or film, has their own individual interpretation of what makes a good photograph, "software-touched" or not! In the same regard, each individual "viewer" that sees these images, has their own interpretation of why they like or dislike the finished product.For me, this is what makes photography so unique and exciting, especially in this new digital era. There are so many combinations, techniques and tools we have at our disposal, that the bountiful supply of and possibilities for different and beautiful images is endless. If it weren't for the phrase "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", and if we all saw things in the same way, the world would be a very dull and boring place.

A beautiful Sunday morning

Usually, I sleep at Sunday morning. Well, work-stress during the whole week drive me crazy. So, Sunday is the real holiday for me. Well, it can't just say like that cause many people just like I do.

Secondly, I'm living a bit far from city crowd. Surrounding by rice field and other kind of farm.
It's really really good when I step in to my house,left behind all work-stress. It's cozy living place so mostly after return home, I'm very rare to go out again, except there is an important thing.
Well, just enough to tell about this. The point is, at that Sunday I just wake up. Felt strange cause never really recognize my house in Sunday... I got up, walked to the refrigerator, took some drink and sat on my sofa. Turned on the TV and got nothing special. Then I grabbed my bag and took out my Sony Alpha DSLR. Checked some file in it. But then I've got an idea, why didn't I just took a walk around in rice field and farm... Took some photo in walk, refresh myself with a new thing.

So, I got up, dressed properly and yield to my wife that I would go out took some walk.
I spent a day to hunt photos at that day. So here they are... enjoy and give some critic and comment, will you?
To set several photos like those, I use Photoscape. The article about it just visit :
http://alpha-quest.blogspot.com/2009/10/photoscape-photo-editor-software.html

After buy a DSLR, then what?

For people who have previously owned film cameras or simple point and shoot digital cameras, and now as prices start to fall, the opportunity to join the rest of us in the exciting world of the DSLR (Digital SLR) is more affordable than ever when beginning digital photography.

This new breed of cameras is quite simply amazing and I sometimes despair when I read reviews and forum comments that air their disappointment when a new camera just released hasn't addressed the issue of "having to go to the menu" to make an alteration, for example.

When you are reading reviews about a certain digital SLR camera that you wish to buy, please take them with a pinch of salt. The reviewers are there to delve full on into every possible avenue open for discussion and any of their personal gripes should not put you off.

If all cameras were released with everyone's whims being catered for, the camera would simply have no room for a viewfinder or a lens because of the hundreds of buttons scattered everywhere. What you need to do, even if you may never use them, is to learn what action each individual button, gadget and gizmo actually does, just in case you happen to need it one day.

Taking a photograph with one of these new cameras can be much more involved than with any other camera in the past, but it is also so much more fun and enlightening! The amount of control that a DSLR can give you when taking your photos means that you can now let your creativity run wild and try new things that just weren't possible with other cameras.

Some things for you to learn or consider when beginning digital photography are;

1. How to hold the camera
2. Using both eyes when shooting
3. How to capture your subject
4. Lighting
5. Lenses
6. Filters
7. ISO or ASA settings
8. Depth of Field
9. Shutter Speeds
10. Black and White photography
11. Using a Tripod
12. Keep your eyes peeled
13. Camera viewpoint
14. Break the rules

Shoot Processing-The Environment

The day of the shoot, you walk onto the sound stage (or location) prepared to begin filming. The set has been constructed prior to your arrival by the "swing gang." You'll be working with a diverse crew of people to get your scene done, each of whom has an important role in the making of the movie.

* The cinematographer (or director of photography) is responsible for the lighting, choice of film, correct exposure, correct use of lenses, and supervision of the camera crew.
* The mixer is responsible recording the sound. Other sounds are added during post-production by foley artists.
* The gaffer is responsible for making sure all the lighting equipment is where it should be and operating correctly. The gaffer sets the lights so that the finished picture will have the desired effect.
* The key grip is responsible for the rigging (carpentry) and for moving and readying the sets and camera dollies.
* The set dresser decorates the set.
* The property master ensures the sets and actors have all the necessary dressing and props.
* The wardrobe master is responsible for all wardrobe needs.
* The make up person is responsible for all makeup.
* The assistant director keeps order on the set and makes sure the production moves according to schedule. Normally hired by the producer, the assistant director aids the director but also watches over the production company's investment. Sometimes this involves prodding the director to finish the shots planned for a particular day, or hunting down actors if they are not where they should be on the set. The assistant director also functions as a record keeper and handles time cards and minor union disputes.

You are told exactly where to stand and where to move. Every time you stop someone places a piece of tape on the floor. The camera follows you slowly. You rehearse the scene on the director's command. Once. Twice. Then the director says, "Let's go for a take." You are about to be filmed for the very first time in your life.

The assistant director yells, "Quiet on the set!" The actor who appears in this scene with you (playing the role of Grubowski) moves to his position. He stares into the fire as the cinematographer instructs the cameraman to take a medium shot.

"Roll it," says the assistant director. Someone says, "Rolling." "Speed," says someone else. "Thirty-five, take one."

An assistant holds a slate in front of the actor's face and snaps it shut. This "clacker" will later aid the film editor in synchronizing the picture to the sound. "Action!" commands the director.

Seconds later, the director calls out, "Cut. Do it again." The process is repeated until the director yells, "Cut. Print it." The makeup person moves into the scene and adjusts the actor's makeup. The director now wants a close-up shot and the cameraman films several takes until the director is satisfied with each one.

Finally, it's your turn for a close-up. You know that the camera and microphone will be within a few feet of you, so you'll need to communicate ideas and emotions at a very close range.

"Action!" You enter the room clutching a tea mug, your hand trembling as you imagine Emily's might. You're careful to "hit your mark" and stop exactly where the tape was placed on the floor earlier in the day. "Cut," the director says, and tells you to do it again. Finally, he calls out, "That's a wrap."

You take a deep breath of relief. You've made it through your first day on a movie set. The assistant director gives you your callsheet, or your schedule, for the next day's shooting. The crew begins to pack away the equipment for the night. The film shot that day is sent to a lab where it is processed and made into "dailies." Dailies are film clips that are viewed after each day's work in order to evaluate performances and spot any technical problems. They are shown to only a few people—normally, only the director, producer, and director of photography.