September 20, 2008
“ Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.”
—F. Scott Fitzgerald 
—via scout
Vincent Laforet’s take on the 5D MKII
I think my plans to secede from Canon are being foiled. This just sounds too good. 
September 17, 2008
If you can't beat 'em... well... at least make a lame attempt to steal their creativity and, in the process, make yourself look even lamer than you already do... thus solidifying your nearly indelible reputation as a total loser.

Microsoft’s new $300,000,000 advertising strategy. 

[UPDATE: here they are in all their embarrassing glory. Seriously, this is sad.]

September 16, 2008
The New Noctilux. They still make the greatest glass in the world. This baby will be sharper than you can imagine in the sweet spot. And when it’s wide-open, you can literally shoot in candlelight. It better be for $11,000. Following the renowned LEICA NOCTILUX-M 50 mm f/1, Leica is to now launch the world’s first aspherical f/0.95 prime lens the new LEICA NOCTILUX-M 50 mm f/0.95 ASPH. Comparing vignetting and distortion values in a head to head comparison, with both lenses at full aperture, the new lens will be a clear winner and is faster. Not only this, but the new LEICA NOCTILUX-M 50 mm f/0.95 ASPH also performs comparably with the LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH (regarded as the best standard lens ever produced) when stopped down. via DP Review

The New Noctilux. They still make the greatest glass in the world. This baby will be sharper than you can imagine in the sweet spot. And when it’s wide-open, you can literally shoot in candlelight. It better be for $11,000.

Following the renowned LEICA NOCTILUX-M 50 mm f/1, Leica is to now launch the world’s first aspherical f/0.95 prime lens the new LEICA NOCTILUX-M 50 mm f/0.95 ASPH.

Comparing vignetting and distortion values in a head to head comparison, with both lenses at full aperture, the new lens will be a clear winner and is faster.

Not only this, but the new LEICA NOCTILUX-M 50 mm f/0.95 ASPH also performs comparably with the LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH (regarded as the best standard lens ever produced) when stopped down.

via DP Review

“ Q: Do you have a MySpace page? A: Only if it’s waiting for me on some kind of ironic eyeball-searing machine in hell.”
—From Merlin Mann’s FAQs  This is precisely how I feel about MySpace.
September 15, 2008
Unbelievable images. As usual, from The Big Picture - Boston.com
Unbelievable images. As usual, from The Big Picture - Boston.com
September 11, 2008
PhotoShelter Collection to Close.
This is depressing on so many levels. 
September 9, 2008
“ If people are not stunned by the specs and design, I will retire… truly.”
—Jim Jannard. Speaking of the DSMC camera he announced. (I’m sorry, I can’t stop posting this stuff. It’s just too good.)

More from Jannard. This man is awesome.

“This stuff is pretty simple.

1. Have the best sensor program.
2. Have the decision-maker be a shooter.
3. Don’t have a legacy program to deal with.
4. Love this industry. Stay up 18 hours a day working on it. Have great people around you as passionate as you are.

The rest is a piece of cake.

(and)….

As far as glass is concerned… glass is easier than sensors. Just takes longer…”

—Jim

“ I won’t comment on any specifics until the 1st of the year. But “revolution” applies more to this than the RED ONE did to cinema.”
—Jim Jannard, when asked about lenses, lens mounts, etc. on the DSMC

RED DSMC

peterbaker:

“We believe, and are developing for late 2009, a replacement for DSLRs. Currently, we call it a DSMC (Digital Still & Motion Camera).

While (insert code name) is not a replacement for Epic or Scarlet, it is strategically targeted at the DSLR space. As Nikon and Canon release their 720P and 1080P, respectively, DSLRs with video capture… RED has a more advanced view of the future. We look forward to rapidly pushing the “big guys” along in feature sets and capabilities.

RED firmly believes in higher resolution, higher S/N, higher DNR, higher frame rates, smaller bodies, more system flexibility, and many more options as we move forward in camera development.”

- Jim Jannard, founder of RED

Oh baby! It’s going to get interesting! Cannot wait to see what they’re planning. (Plus, this gives us a good idea of what Canon will likely be announcing with their 5D MkII, or whatever it’s called… 1080P)

The other thing I just love, is the balls of this guy. Jim Jannard is flat out gunning for the big guys. It’s like he’s some sort of “Tony Stark” — ridiculously wealthy, creative, gutsy, and basically just doing exactly what he wants, going for it full-bore, and not listening to anyone tell him he can’t. I love that kind of attitude. 


—via peterbaker
September 8, 2008
Hysterical.
—via louobedlam
September 5, 2008
A 36:1 ratio is actually pretty good

Good article about the importance of restraint in photography editing. I’ve mentioned this before, and it bears repeating.

EDIT YOUR PHOTOS.

My rule of thumb for family photos is this: If I don’t confidently expect to actually enjoy looking at THAT photo 3, 5, 15 years from now, I delete it. I don’t save it in an archive folder. I don’t give it a “1 star” rating — I throw it in the trash and empty the trash. It’s gone forever. And my collection of family photos is much much better for it. 

Please. Do your children and grandchildren a favor. Edit your photos ruthlessly. 

September 4, 2008
Just sayin… :-) Test your color IQ here.

Just sayin… :-)

Test your color IQ here.

September 3, 2008
A Look at "The Dark Knight" Script
A truly well-written “pro” script is so much different than an amateur one. This one sounds like perfection.