]]> http://designbyfirgs.com/blog/2010/07/cool-gadget-alert-the-flip-hd-video-slide/feed/ 0 http://designbyfirgs.com/blog/2010/07/cool-gadget-alert-digital-foci-photo-book/ http://designbyfirgs.com/blog/2010/07/cool-gadget-alert-digital-foci-photo-book/#comments Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:30:09 +0000 Firgs http://designbyfirgs.com/blog/?p=4356

The video is about three minutes long and covers what they are, the range of sizes and types they come in, their care and upkeep, as well as uses and benefits. The video is clear and easy to understand, and I have to admit, I was impressed. Be warned however, the video is set to auto-play and also to loop.

But, take a look at the video and let me know if you have any requests for additional videos. You can choose from photography equipment (including cameras), video equipment, computer equipment, or home entertainment items. Just shoot me a request through Twitter, Facebook, or email (datchicfirgs on gmail) and I’ll see what I can dig up!

Without a doubt, the biggest obstacle in my quest to take the best pictures I can take has been white balance. I love my Nikon D80, but I honestly believe that it came with a default white balance setting of “Jaundiced,” particularly noticeable on indoor, nighttime shots without flash. Unfortunately, that comprises a good portion of my family photos. I’ve experimented with all the white balance settings, including adjusting the Degrees Kelvin.

Enter the Brno Bal77 White Balance Lens Cap.

I was so excited when I read about this lens cap! Could it be the answer to my white balance problems? The folks at Photojojo were nice enough to let me test it for review.

The night before the lens cap arrived, I took some shots of my daughters reading by lamplight. They were so yellow that the one I posted for my Project 365 was converted to black and white. Here’s an example from that night:

See what I mean?

The next night I recreated the same scene: same lens, same settings. The only difference was I used the White Balance Cap.

The difference is amazing, isn’t it?!

I’m now saving loads of editing time and frustration.

To use the cap, you have to set a custom white balance on your camera with the lens cap in place. After Googling and reading my manual, I figured out how to do it. Now I probably could blindfolded.

Here’s how it’s done for my Nikon D80:

• Set the White Balance to “White Balance Preset” either through the menu or by pressing the WB button and rotating the main command dial on the back of the camera until you see “Pre” in the lower right corner of the control panel on top of the camera (faster). (Pages 58-60 in the manual.)
• Hold down the WB button on the back of the camera for a couple of seconds until you see “PRE” flashing on the control panel on top of the camera.
• Take a reference exposure shot with the lens cap on the camera. The lens cap instructions say: “To set an accurate custom white balance, point the camera towards your subject’s main light source or towards the light source from where you will take your photo.” After taking the shot, “Good” will flash on the control panel if your camera was able to measure a value for white balance (mine has every time).
• Remove the lens cap and be prepared to love the white balance on your photos!

I’ve read about other methods of setting custom white balance, such as using a gray card; holding toilet paper in front of your lens; or making a custom filter using a coffee filter. All of them involve carrying around something extra, and as a busy mom I don’t have enough hands as it is. I’ve always got a lens cap with my camera, though.

Simply replace your lens cap with the White Balance Lens Cap and you’re all set! I’ve been testing the 52mm model since it works with both my 18-55mm and 50mm Nikkor lenses; when I change lenses, I just switch the lens cap.

The cap comes with both neutral and warm interchangeable color domes and is available for lens thread sizes 52mm, 55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm and 77mm. (Don’t know your thread size? Just check the outer rim or bottom of your lens for one of these numbers.) Prices range from $45-$65 depending on size (the one I’m using is a $45 model).

Want one of your own? All you have to do is click the pic at the top!

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Today’s Product Review has been brought to you by the talented multi-tasking Dawn who owns My Home Sweet Home (http://myhomesweethomeonline.net); design at Barefoot Blog Designs (http://www.barefootblogdesigns.com); and writes for The Homeschool Post (http://hsbapost.com); and a Lightroom column for Heart of the Matter (http://heartofthematteronline.com/). Dawn is also an amateur photographer; Photoshop and Lightroom enthusiast; proud homeschooling mother-of-eight, and professional product reviewer. To learn more about Dawn – Click her pic!

Thanks Dawn! You rock!

Imagine having Joe McNally, Dan Margulis, Scott Kelby, Dave Cross, Matt Kloskowski, Corey Barker, Ben Willmor, RC Concepcion, Fay Sirkis, Terry White, Eddie Tapp, Moose Patterson, Larry Becker (from NAPP News), and Bert Monroy (just to name a few) all in the same place at the same time – for four whole days! Not to mention they are to teach tons of classes on everything they know, answer your personal questions, review your portfolio, and hang out and party with you! This idea alone is drool worthy, but once you throw in, a huge expo including the likes of Wacom, Peach Pit Press, Adobe, MPix, Microsoft, Canon, B&H, Epson, Nikon, Western Digital, Xerox, iStock Photo, and so many many others – some teaching additional classes and all of them giving away free stuff? Well, that right there is a designer’s and a photographer’s dream come true!!

But this is not a dream! This really happens! It’s called Photoshop Word and it’s coming to Las Vegas next week! I was actually lucky enough to attend the conference in spring, in Boston, and I can honestly say, it rocked! I not only crammed my head full of amazing information, but I met a ton of really great people who I am still friends with to this day. Also, it wasn’t boring! FAR FROM IT! Photoshop World is actually run by a bunch of big goofy kids who like to play just as hard as they work (and they work very very hard!) So, you may suffer from lack of sleep while you’re there, but you will never suffer from lack of fun, knowledge or inspiration.

I could go on and on about this because there is still a TON more to talk about – like the Guru Awards, the After Hours Party, Midnight Maddness (that is so much fun!), the Photoshop Hall of Fame awards, Photoshop Wars, Dinner with a Stranger, and the uber fun and always tricked out Keynote. But I think it’s time you did some research and got yourself registered to go! So do yourself a favor huh? Or if you’re still not convinced - then Click the pic!

With all of the hype surrounding the new Beatles Rock Band game (shown above) it has got me to feeling a little nostalgic for their albums. I love their music, and actually, I don’t know anyone that doesn’t. It was innovative for it’s time and their creativity knew no bounds. But, their music isn’t the only part of their legacy that was creative. Their album covers were infamous. Abby Road is probably the number one most recognized cover ever made, and most re-created by fans. So, I thought it would be cool to showcase some of their albums. Take a look at the art work again, and sing along if you know the words.

Editors Note: All pictures in this article are clickable to take you to the actual item.

Greeting cards aren’t just about holidays or events, they can also be about promoting your business! Have you ever wished you had a small sample of your work to leave behind at an interview? Have you ever wanted to send your clients a personalized Thank You message? Are you going to be running a special offer that you would like to promote? Or would you just like to introduce yourself and your new business to the neighborhood and let them know you are there? Think about it – what better way to make a lasting impression than with a bunch of  Custom Greeting Cards or a stack of Custom Post Cards!

So for this giveaway….

TWO PRIZE WINNERS WILL RECEIVE

250 Greeting Cards

7 x 5" (Half-Fold) 10 pt Cover with matte or gloss coating

Full Color Outside and Blank Inside (4/0)

Shipping must be paid by Winner.

Offer Valid for UNITED STATES SHIPPING ONLY.

and as an added BONUS…

ONE OF THE TWO WINNERS WILL RECIVE

Free Professional Design Services from Me

That’s right! One lucky winner will not only get free prints, but also a free professional custom design!

Here are the rules BE SURE TO READ THEM:

• You must add a comment below this specific post and describe How You Might Use This Prize!
  
• You may only comment one time. If I see any duplicate ISP numbers I will toss them all – gotta play fair!
• You must make sure to include a valid email address THAT YOU CHECK as this is how I’ll be contacting the winner.

The contest will be open all weekend and will officially close at 12 midnight CST on Sunday. And, as always, I’ll be replying to each and every qualifying comment as they come in and giving you all a number. I will then be using random.org to draw the winner on Monday. Once the winner is drawn, I will announce it here and in a separate post and then email the winner with further information on how to claim their prize.

If you have any questions about the contest or UPrinting, please email me under the name datchicfirgs on gmail.

Contest IS CLOSED!!!!