Welcome to my new feature: Photographic links/tips and related news:

Below you will find:
• NEW stuff section
• Photo contests with cash and great prizes, many are outside of DA.
• photo tips from me:
• Photo Tips from the net
• Photo News & FYI
• BUYERS GUIDE & Photo RESEARCH INFO(links)
• Gear Spot: Cool new photography gear I have EYE spyed.
• BAG IT! CAMERA & Gear Bags and cases:

NOTE I have 2 Camera Art Features:
• Any modern / Newer cameras and Artists will be featured here: [link]
• Any Vintage film cameras will be featured here [link]

So to kick things off here is a tour through my camera gear



Canon 40D
canon 17-85 canon (Im wishing for a Sigma DX 10-20)
Lexar professional 2 CF 300x and 2 133x
Manfrotto light travel tripod 718SHB [link]
Sunpak 8001UT Tripod with 3-Way Pan / Tilt Head [link]
Canon 870 It takes great video, has 28mm wide angle and is a great little Point & shoot: [link]
Gepe card safe! If you dont have one get one, very cool: [link]
My bigger camera bag, It has enough room that I can put my camera bag in it with other stuff and I can even put my HARD waterproof case inside! [link]
My smallest camera bag. Room for camera, foam protector, memory, tripod mounts, cleaning cloths and couple of small things. I have the small one so its a tight fit but its not TOO big when im out. Tamrac Velocity 6x - Compact Sling Pack [link]
Tamrac lens case (attach easy to my packs) [link]

My hard case that I use when on a boat or when I need to keep safe from theives or bumps. It locks and I can lock it to something also [link]
1 Large ziplock 1 kitchen tall garbage bag. RAIN Rain go away. In a pinch I throw the camera in a ziplock then cover the whole things with the large garbage bag.




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[][][][][][][] THE NEW stuff added here for your reference [][][][]
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OK Should you get a Tripod or monopod? How about both. OK its not the best toy in the world but its cheap and pretty ok. I have one. The monopod is ok and tripod is pretty good. Its not as nice as my Manfrotto but hey. CHECK IT OUT: Sunpak 9002TM 3.3-pound tri/monopod, Its center column pulls out to become a five-section monopod leg sections joined by a central leg brace; and rubber leg tips with retractable spikes. price: $43. (www.sunpak.com)



LIGHT PAINTING: Check out an article by Kil1k: [link]

45 Photo Editing Tutorials for Photoshop another KKart tip: [link]

How to Break Sunlight Through the Clouds: [link]

Doing a Photo Cutout (your photo runs into the borders: [link]


Free photo editor? YES! another KKart tip: onOne Software Announces Free Version of PhotoTools 2 [link]

How to get your photoblog noticed and get more hits!!
another KKart tip: [link]

Great basic info about Depth of field DOF
[link]

KKart article with 50 great photo shop tips
[link]

Great resourse for photo tips: [link] Thanks to Madison [link]









Looking for tutorials and information:

Find your photography ripped out there on the net! This site matchs your work out there and shows you where to find it

Contests with cash prizes! [link] and [link]

How to have DA work for you! Great article by one of the greatest DA resources I know: [link]


FREE Photo editing program??? [link] Google offers Picasa a Digital shoebox editing program. FREE!

2008 list of the "BEST DSLR lens!!! [link]

Great tip! from pop photo, What do you shoot, Black-and-White or Color?

Many photographers find themselves mulling over the question of whether to shoot in black and white or color. Sometimes, you only get a single moment to get that perfect shot, and you simply don’t get the opportunity to switch your DSLR to black-and-white mode. The solution to this problem is simple. Almost all DSLRs let you capture JPEG and RAW files simultaneously, so set your camera for RAW and JPEG capture, and select the black and white effect for your JPEG files. You will end up with two photos, the RAW in color, and the JPEG in black and white. The only hard part will be deciding which photo you prefer!

Use my photos for free? What!
[link]












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@@GEAR SPOT@@ ((links to cool Gear and Cameras))

• SNIPER SNEAKY Spy Lens: [link]
Thanks to Madison [link]

• CHECK this cheap magic out! What lens should you have for portraits, macros and high speed sharpness? The high speed 50mm 1.4 - 2.8 [link]

• Retro is new and in vouge! Check these old school toys reborn!!
Blackbird Fly 35mm TLR Twin Lens Reflex Camera [link]hoto&qid=1231695787&sr=1-6

• MINOX DCC Leica M3 5MP Digital Camera [link]hoto&qid=1231695787&sr=1-8

• Lomographic Fisheye Number 2 Camera [link]d_sim_p_24

• Lomography Diana+ Medium Format Camera [link]

• Holga 120CFN Medium Format Fixed Focus Camera [link]

• FIRE IT UP! The new Canon 50D up to ISO 12,800 & 15.1MP CMOS sensor. [link]


• Wicked good monopod Induro Carbon 8X Monopod MC-24 [link]

• DA products can be seen here. You can see what the swag looks like: Canvas, puzzles and coasters.
• Check this out its a light defuser for your DSLR flash. Light Scoop [link]
• First look @ the 14 Meg Pro compact camera ~ Sigma's fixed lens wide angle with teh same FULL sized Sensor as their SLR!!!! [link]
• new products announced [link]
• sd cards are now avail in 32gb!!!! [link]
• Sony new 14.2-megapixel Alpha DSLR-A350 camera and 10.2-megapixel DSLR-A300 model. Both cameras feature new technologies, like Live-View, "Quick AF Live View”, an adjustable LCD, anti-dust system, etc. [link]
• HOLY WOW a 160 meg camera! another tip from [link]
• Sony little heavy hitter! SONY CYBER-SHOT DIGITAL CAMERA IS A MEGAPIXEL POWERHOUSE [link] Sony’s new Cyber-shot® DSC-W300 digital camera is expected to be among the industry’s most pocket-able, high-resolution point-and-shoot digital cameras featuring niche performance options. 13.6-megapixel CCD imager along with a Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar 3x optical zoom lens, a 2.7-inch LCD screen and an eye-level viewfinder in a compact size. With its ultra-hard titanium coating, the model offers a premium look and finish that is highly-resistant to scratches and messy fingerprints.
• new sony fast action camera [link] DSC-H50 digital camera. It is the ideal choice for people looking for high zoom, high-resolution and speed.
• Bottle Cap Tripod! ANY Water or soda bottle is now your tripod!!!! [link]
Great Hiking stick & Monopod! [link]
• Extreme Reach with the Olympus E-3
Combine the Four-Thirds camera's 2x lens factor and the EC-20 2x teleconverter with the Zuiko 300mm f/2.8 for a hand-holdable, ultra-portable, Image stabilized 1200mm f/5.6 equivalent lens! [link]
• Canon G9 a great Point and shoot [link]
• Bottle Cap Tripod! ANY Water or soda bottle is now your tripod!!!! [link]
• THE POD forget tripods check this out: [link]
• This is a BATTLESHIP! Check out the new Legendary Hasselblad. DSLRs have steadily advanced in mega pixels, but medium-format digital still leaves them far behind. The bigger format's image sensors are four times larger than the APS-C-sized chips used in most DSLRs. That allows the Hasselblad H3D-39 not only to accommodate 39 million pixels (enough for a billboard) but also to deliver image quality **far** superior to that of a DSLR at a given ISO. It uses a serious lens is ultra wide 19mm [link]
• The best Nikon EVER? the pro Nikon D3 with a shutter, made of a Kevlar/carbon-fiber composite. Nikon claims this 12 meg titan has 51-zone AF system, built around the new Multi-CAM 3500FX module, is its fastest ever. Its 15 cross-type and 36 horizontal sensors can be grouped into zones, and new capabilities include tracking subjects by color or brightness. Using 3D Focus Tracking [link]
• check out this amazing new media system!! working w/ pix will never b the same [link]
• @@ HEAVY ARTILLARY @@ 21mg C A N O N!!!! FIREPOWER!!!!!!!! [link]
• WELCOME the cross over camera! PowerShot TX1 This is an ELPH-sized camera with a whopping 10x optical zoom that not only captures 7.1 megapixel images, but HD movies, too! [link]
• Interesting new Canon toy. G9 12 mb cammie. YUMMY!! [link]
• WOW another canon crazy cool pocket power house 432mm equiv lens! I5 [link]
• The AMAZING Sigma Dp1 compact 14meg camera [link]
• Hot Camera Alert: Sony's Cyber-shot R1. 24-124 10meg KKART recommends this and Sony with a lens by the legendary Carl Zeiss.
• Coolest HOTEST TRIPOD !!!!! [link]
• HOT camera Sony R1 with Carl Zeiss lens [link]
• ** I do not Leica the Panasonic Lumix TZ3. Great Idea but poor quality image. It can only take 72 DPI and 3 meg shots even @100 ASA


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@@BAG IT!@@ Let me show you where to stick that thang! CAMERA & Gear Bags and cases:

• How about camera armour!??!? Seriously! [link]hoto&qid=1218331036&sr=1-47

• Great camera messenger bag Crumpler [link]hoto&qid=1218330790&sr=1-6

• HOT all weather hip pack for your gear [link]

• The hotest Pro camera carry on travel bag! Think Tank Airport Security V2.0 [link]

• Cases and flashlights. Water proof, armored cases for your Cameras, memory chips and more. [link]

• THE CARD SAFE, PUT THIS ON YOUR LIST!! Very cool Portable card protection, waterproof and it floats!! [link]

• Think Tank Photo Creates Convertible 'Change Up' Bag
[link] AND [link]

• Great Camera bags Tamrac [link]

• Great Camera bags Low pro [link]




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CONTESTS: Got Prizes? These contests outside DA do:


• The nature concerv calender contest [link]
• Great monthly Contest. You submit up to 5 photos a month for multiple chances to win $50-$300 plus chance to be featured in magazine: YourBestShot@hfmus.com Rules and details: [link]
• General listing of contest on pop photo: [link]
• Image of the year 5k prize: [link]
• 2007 Digital Wizard Contest [link]


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@@photo tips from me@@

• Night shots and Lighting shots [link]
• How do you work with your CF cards? I personally start with a reformatted CF card anytime I shoot. I understand its better that way. I always d/l the cards to my PC and My external HD before I reformat them. I use a Lexar 80x and 133x. I keep them inside a [link] card carrier.
• Dont have a polarized filter for your point and shoot or SLR camera? Do you have a great pair of sunglasses? You can shoot thru your sunglasses as a quick solution to not having a filter. I have serengetti driver glasses and they make a great filter.
• How to border pix. I do my borders within Photoshop. I size my pix then go to * Image then Canvas size. When you make the canvas size bigger your adding a border. You can also copy a pix on top of another pix that is larger.
• BACK up pix? I personally leave the photos on my card until I put them on pc. Then after I get a chance I put on my external drive and then Burn a DVD. I have 2 copys of the DVD. 1 is @ work one is @ home. After I burn a copy I will erase my card. My brother uses 2 drives that are both back ups. I like the DVD and Drive.
• HOW Do I save/Store my pictures?? I take them in JPEG then edit in TIFF and save in Jpeg optimized normally. I always keep my ORIG and then add a change in the name and save a separate file, so I can tell them apart. BUT I repeat ALWAYS save the original!
• GLOOMY day? Adjust your white balance and consider using your flash. good pix and color can still happen
• Bright sunny day? HEY Consider using your flash anyway. Many times the shadows on a sunny day ruin a great shot. HIT the shot with your flash, often the flash fill you provide will create a masterpiece
• WHAT TIME of the day is my favorite????? SUNSET. But I prefer to start shooting pictures of nature when the sun is lower in the sky. Think of how a clock looks, the 2 o clock position and after the soft light creates VIVID special colors!!

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@@Article about my style, My hallmark that I do that make my photography distinctive?@@


• GO INTO THE LIGHT. one of my Halmarks is shooting into the light. ITs a challenge but if you get something in you primary line of site, like a tree, building, leaf, then you can block the primary BLAST of light from the sun. you can then move up down left right............watch the camera image, you can really do some wonderful things.
• OFF the Hook! I often shoot at off angles to create visual interest. (truth is I cant work my tripod haaha) I love to off center stuff for visual interst. Example: [link] [link] [link]
• I often shoot low to create perspective, add depth to the shots. You can capture a mood or increase the drama. People shots, architecture or nature. Example: [link]
• Photo Edits, I love color and B/W but I love to tweek contrast up and decrease light just a touch. [link] [link]
• Photo Edits sometimes I like to create grain, distortion or antique feeling. This creates a mood or invokes a feeling. [link]




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@@Photo Tips from the net@@

@TOP Tips Section@ **newly added items are below**

Huge gallery of tutorials!! At photolust! [link]

Huge gallery of tutorials!! At photolust! [link]

Horrible news for your ownership of your photography. Orphan rules! [link]

How to make a living as a photographer. GREAT article: [link]

IMPORTANT *** STOP using DA available CC or creative commons, Unless you want to share your work freely YOU MAY WANT TO STOP IMMEDIATLY! [link] [link]





So what about Copy rights? Check this article out by my buddy KKART: [link]
What about Creative Commons? Well They essentially give up your rights to your photo. I DONT RECOMMEND YOU USE THEM!!!!!
Check out these copy right links:
Gov copyright info: [link]
[link]
[link]
[link]
[link]
Software to code your name and info into photo file: [link]

What would you pack if you were doing a pro photo shoot in Beijing? Check this out! [link] and [link]

How to use your cameras built in flash: [link]

Invisible Watermark tutorial: [link]

• Great camera reviews and info: [link]

New kind of theif? DA individual adds your art and then sets it up to d/l as their stock: article by
[link]

how to organize and save photos on your drive. [link]
HOW to use Layer Masking! Watch this in depth video of the technique on BlueHourPhoto Blog [link]
Tips Gear info and HOT plug ins! A personal fav of KKART [link] Fred Miranda
Check out these team:
Tips on photographing the night sky and moon from Stormy! [link]
Photoshop Tutorials [link]
Photography 101.4 - tips for Exposure and Stops [link]
Tips for Improving your macro photos [link]
Improving your landscape photography. Tips provided by Kkart: [link]
acronyms-for-photographers [link]
WHO HAS STOLEN your work? had an article that i found intersting: Check this search engine: [link]
how to make Google love your site and get the most hits: An article Kkart had on his journal: [link]
How to make a living as a photographer. GREAT article: [link]
Tips from the DA Master Gilad [link]
Lexar offers some great info: Great tip site: [link]
Canon Digital learning center Great tips and useful lessions [link]
WIDE Load ~ Shooting great landscape photography: [link]
What filter should you use on your camera?
Lexar tips [link]
Tips from Gilad [link]
• Lexar offers some great info: Great tip site: [link]
• Great video on how to use and how the Big Polaroid aka Full format 20x24 cameras works. Thanks to [link]
• 9 Digital Camera Settings for Every Photographer to Discover [link]
• Free Adobe Web magZINE, Another tip [link]
• shares wisdom on: Tips on Key works and naming your photo DA [link]
• CHECK this----> Make a calendar on DA! Apparently Sept thru Jan is the time to sell calendars!! I have added 2 link [link] AND [link] FYI I will be setting up a calendar shortly keep your eyes peeled. If you want one Say the word. u know id custom make one 4 u!
• Cool Dog Photographer [link]
• Could Microsoft's HD Photo Replace JPEG? [link] Microsoft's Bill Crow explains why he thinks the company's HD Photo might just win the next photo format war.
• HAVE YOU guys seen this? If you have been ripped and need to take that next step....... check this out. I hate seeing the rips but i hate loosing DA greats also!!! [link]
• STOP the shake! Great article on stopping that anoying shakey out of focus problem [link]
• 5 must have photo software tools: [link]
• Editor's Choice 2007: Imaging Software@@ Both recommended programs are under $300 [link]
• Adjust your monitor to capture the max from your screen. [link]
• How to take a great sunset shot: [link]
• IN the Raw: [link]
• Top 5 photo mistakes [link]
• Adjust your monitor to capture the max from your screen. [link]
• tips tutorials Photo xels [link]
• DA's Photo Home page Great tips & great info resource ~the forum~ [link]
• DA page detailing image ratios FAQ #132: What are the minimum image sizes for each product? [link]
• Tips Tricks: [link]
• Digital Tutorial [link]
• CLEAN IT!!! Having a CLEAN lens is really important [link]
• UNDERSTAND pix formats Jpeg, Tiff, GIF and Lossless vs Lossey formats: [link]
• JPEG, TIFF, PSD, PDD, BMP, PICT, PNG, and GIF Explained: [link]
• GREAT article on JPEG vs RAW by a Link provided by a: GILAD: [link]
• JPG vs Raw [link] Link provided by a: GILAD:
• The RAW File Format [link] Link provided by a: GILAD:
• Why use RAW [link]
• Using Raw Digital Files [link] Link provided by a: GILAD:
• How do you take GREAT shots on a Cloudy rainy day ??[link]

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@@PHOTO FYI & News@@

•

• Details on the CLOSE out of poloroid instant film. Sad but true [link]
• Anti-terror police defend campaign targeting suspicious behaviour of people with cameras [link] and [link] Here is more info from my friend
another article [link]

• Ok we have all seen the growing anti photography in public places becoming and issue this is a must see funny. [link]ageId=1.1.1&sflg=1 Kkart found this one
• The celeb pet photographer, Must see for pet lovers!!! [link] and [link]
• Check out this inspirational and truly intersting photographer. A man born without legs but lives normally and DOES NOT use a wheel chair. He ski's skateboards and more. His latest work is of people looking @ him and his perspective of this. REALLY interesting!!
YouTube: [link]
His site [link]
Some of his work [link]

• Have you seen the painter of "TRUE" fire? He is clearly the greatest fire painter I have ever seen. Mike Lavallee work is named correctly as TRUE FIRE. His business is called killer paint Link ---> [link] Take a look @ the galleries the pix are UN REAL!! here are 2 examples from the net I wanted to share (not my work):

• The celeb pet photographer, Must see for pet lovers!!! [link] and [link]
• My favorite nature photographer. AWE INSPIRING!! Peter Lik: [link]
• An amazing book with a look @ history, You will feel the emotion as you read this: The Great LIFE Photographers [link]


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@@BUYING GUIDE & Photo RESEARCH INFO@@:
PLACES to GET the right info!! Photo info/buying etc.....

• Great Blog by Pro photographer Steve Frishling aka Fish. Check this months article on WHAT equipment he travels with, why and see pictures of how he packs it. GREAT INFO: [link]
• CNET: [link]
• Steves Digicams: MY FAV camera site to understand HOW DOES IT REALLY WORK!! [link]
• Kodak Gallery my fav way to share and print outside of DA [link]
• SELL your photos MAKE $$ (tell them ZenAkita sent u) Shutter stock [link] HERE Is a great tips site on how to get in and work for shutterstock: [link]
• DA Photography News: [link]
• Buying a Lens [link]
• Buying a Filter [link]
• Buying a Tripod [link]
• Buying the TOP camera of moment : CNETS Digital camera TOP PIX [link]
• [link]
• My buddy KKART has some great linx and great tips also WORTHY of your time: [link]
• AMAZING wedding photography. If you need ideas or inspiration ---- > go here: [link]dnevents&lbname=topknots07




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Konijntje [link] had well balanced thought:

7 Zen Principles that I hope to convey through my photography:
1. Fukinsei - Asymmetry
2. Kanso - Simplicity
3. Koko - Austerity
4. Shizen - Naturalness
5. Yugen - Subtle Profundity
6. Datsuzoku - Freedom From Worldly Attachments
7. Seijaku - Silence