Out of the Dark Ages

I finally did it! I upgraded my 3Gs (v3.01) iPhone. I'm now the proud owner of an iPhone 5! What an improvement in screen display, apps, and especially the camera. It was definitely a huge upgrade for me.

I've played with the basic camera app and found it to be limited. I've tried out several different ones and finally found one that I like. It's ProCamera 4. Right now, it's on sale for $0.99. It has image stabilization, flash on/off, two focus points: one for the main object and one for exposure, ISO boost, add copyright, and various other settings. I like it because it takes the pictures quickly and I can do it continuously.

So, I've had my new phone for over a month now and I'm enjoying it immensely! Besides using the basic phone features, I'm using it more to take pictures. I think it does an awesome job. I can't believe I've waited this long.

I have tried out some workflow apps and I'm currently using Photo Studio. It has the basic crop and brightness/contrast and hue/saturation adjustments along with some cool FX effects (cool filters, borders, vignettes, sepia, B&W, and just cool stuff). I still have the PS Express app which I use for more post production edits.

I can also update my blog. This post was created from my iPhone. I've found a Google Blogger app that allows me to post, edit, and add pictures to my blog. Unfortunately, I can't add captions to my pictures. That's okay. A picture is worth a thousand words, right?

Here are sample pictures I have taken:

**  Update  **  

I just noticed that the pictures in this post are rather large.  I had used an iPhone Blogger application to create this post.  Will need to figure out how to post smaller pictures.  

What's In My Camera Bag Along with My D600 (and using iCloud)

It's been awhile since I've done a post of what's in my camera bag.  Equipment and bag has definitely changed.  When I'm doing a photo shoot for an event, I now carry two lens, my flash, lens blower, extra batteries, extra media cards, and my personal stuff.  This all goes into my Tamrac Aria 6 bag.

When I'm just "out and about" or traveling to a local place, I will have my 24-85mm lens and personal stuff.  This goes into my Tamrac Aria 3 bag.  Note:  This is one compact bag.

I love the Tamrac Aria bags.  They are lightweight bags and comfortable to wear over my shoulder.  In order to use the Aria 3 bag, I have to gut it out (remove the divider) and place my camera in sideways. Initially, it was a snug fit.  Over time and several uses, it has loosened up a bit.  Maybe it's conformed to my D600 with 24-85mm lens.  I'm hoping that Tamrac will come out with an Aria 4 or 5 model, so I can take along my compact SB-400 flash as well.

My brother has mentioned to me that it looks like I'm carrying a purse.  I like that.

My big guns Aria 6 bag can handle anything I throw into it.  At any given time, it will have my 24-85mm and 85mm lens or 24-85mm and 60mm micro lens.  I will also take along my SB-700 flash for the just in case difficult lighting moment.  A few times, I've thrown in my iPad.  Yes, at this point the bag can get a bit heavy and the bag will flex a bit under all that weight.

My primary use for the iPad (besides retrieving email, surfing, eReader, news reader, and some games) is to keep a portfolio of my pictures.  That way I can show potential clients my photography experience.  Has this helped?  Yes!  Anything is better than showing a 4x6 picture.  Plus, I can carry all my photos on a digital device versus carrying around a heavy or bulky photo album.  

How do I get my pictures onto my iPad?  Easy!  I use iCloud.  Right now, my workflow starts with a ultraportable Windows 7 laptop.  It was easy to install iCloud on the Windows laptop.  I copy my edited/copyrighted pictures into a folder.  iCloud will detect new pictures and upload them to this mysterious storage cloud.  I can then go to my iPad and wait for my pictures to download.  It's automatic (after you change an iCloud setting).

Ooops!  I ventured off topic.  I will be back to post more technology stuff later.  Back to the bags....

Both bags are black.  When I was looking at purchasing the Aria 3, I had every intention of getting it in the beautiful brown color.  The logic side of my brain overruled the creative side and so I ended up with another black bag.  I will definitely get a different color when (hopefully) Tamrac comes out with an in between model.

Photographing Another Wedding

I had another opportunity to photograph a wedding at my church.  It was an evening wedding.  Simple and casual was the theme.  The couple wanted to go the non-traditional route and change it up a bit.  No lighting of the candles, no piano music.  Just a harpist playing beautiful sweet music.

The bride and groom handed out leis and beaded necklaces to their family members before the ceremony

The married couple

Their beautiful cake was vegan

The happy couple!

I had a dilemma trying to decide which lens to use.  I brought my 24-85mm, 60mm micro, and 85mm lens with me.  I ended up using the 24-85mm for 90% of the time and the 60mm for close ups.  I also used my SB-700 flash with diffuser when the lighting became difficult to capture the moment.

While I enjoy photographing weddings at my church, I hope to do some weddings at another venue.  I would enjoy the challenge and change of environment.  We'll see.

Downtown Staunton

Hubby and I enjoyed our walk around downtown.  We were in awe at all the beautiful buildings.  I couldn't stop taking pictures.

Marquis Building (1896)

Suntrust Bank which was the old National Valley Bank (1865)

The Clock Tower building (1890)

An old Catholic Church

White Star Mills building which houses a wonderful restaurant called The Mill Street Grille

A beautiful Victorian house

Next post...night time photography.  My D600 did a great job capturing night time shots.

Low Light and Tiffany Windows

While in Staunton, hubby and I walked to the edge of town and visited the old Trinity Episcopal Church.  I read they had twelve (12) Tiffany stained glass windows inside the church.  When we arrived, we were told we had 10 minutes to look around.  The church was getting ready for a funeral.  Hubby and I walked from one side of the church to the other...taking in all the beauty:

Next post...beautiful historical buildings of Staunton.

Who Would Have Thought...a Camera Museum

While Hubby and I were in Staunton, we came across the Camera Museum.  There were several showcases loaded with donated cameras.  Here's one showcase with many old cameras:

Here's an old box camera...

...and when I walked around to the back, I saw this image

An old Nikonos once used by Jacques Cousteau

An Olympus camera used by Bernie Boston, a White House photographer

Remember the old Viewmaster?  To the right, is the camera used to take the pictures

An old Leica camera

"Big Bertha" weighs 30 lbs!  Used as a telephoto for sports.   I stood behind this camera and could see the cars going by...two blocks away!

Tiny spy cameras

The Camera Heritage Museum in Staunton

I spent almost an hour in the museum chatting with the owner and looking at all the amazing cameras.  The owner is planning to expand the shop as many more folks are donating their old cameras and equipment.

Next up...an old church with Tiffany stained glass windows!

Frederick House Bed and Breakfast

After we ate lunch in downtown Staunton, I called the owners of the Frederick House to see if our room was available.  It was!  Little did I know, it was a 3 minute drive up North New Street.  We parked in one of their designated spaces and entered their side entrance of the Frederick House:

Frederick House and side entrance (parking lot entrance)

Beautiful maples

 We met the owners and Evy gave us maps and directions to the house we reserved a room in.  Basically, it was up one block to the north.  Our room was in the Patrick House:

Two doors leading into our room

Living area

Sleeping area with closet and entry into the bathroom with tub

Extended bay window area in the sleeping area

Living area with false fireplace

In the entry way of the Patrick House

Waiting area/foyer of the Patrick House

Beautiful lighting

Simple and beautiful

Beautiful furniture in our room

Looking at the doorways from inside the room

It was a home sweet home stay for us.  We enjoyed the squeaky floors.  The B&B is conveniently located and within walking distance to many restaurants, shops and historic sites.

More to come with a post of the beautiful architecture in Staunton....