PhotographyBanzai.com

Recently I had a question about the Kenko teleconverter about if it functions with SDM lenses and if the teleconverter hurts image quality. I thought this was a good request and warranted an article or two on the blog. If you are not familiar with teleconverters (TC for short), they attach between the camera and lens allowing you more reach, or rather more magnification. Some people feel they are not necessary and hurt image quality, but I personally feel they can be of use and some of the available teleconverters don’t cause large drops in image quality. Here is the Kenko teleconverter sandwiched between a DA* 300mm lens and K10D camera body: The lens, teleconverter, and camera. Pentax does not have any teleconverters available in the USA for sale, but private sellers at places like the pentaxforums.com marketplace have a few options available. The Kenko Pz-AF 1.5x Teleplus SHQ is an older teleconverter that is still available in Japan that is available here through those secondary me...

I just tried out the new flash bracket at a convention last weekend. I always like trying unique setups that do not really fit into intended design parameters. Using a Custom Brackets CB Mini flash bracket , I was able to get a compact convention setup where it functions in both landscape and portrait, while not requiring a camera bag making it quick to access. It is also very compact and keeps the camera’s flash connector safe from having a large weight on it. A fully kitted out bracket with camera, cable, and flash. Get the Custom Brackets CB Mini Camera Flash Platform Bracket here: B&H Photo Video , Amazon , Adorama , and eBay . As an affiliate of these shops, I earn from qualifying purchases!  2023 Update: A viewer asked me if the Custom Brackets CB Mini would work with a pro camera. The larger camera I have on-hand is the Nikon Z5. That video is over 11 years old but funny enough I still have the bracket! (and it looks like CB still sells it) This bracket should be alright...

I arrived back home and started processing the images I took at the anime convention I recently attended. A few highlight photos from the event: In a while I’ll write a posting about my new setup that uses a Custom Brackets CB Mini flash bracket.

For better or worse I’ve been using Linux exclusively for a long time now. More specifically I use Ubuntu Linux as it is pretty user friendly (for Linux). That being said, I spend a lot of time processing and editing images. Here is a list of software I’ve been using on Linux and a little about what I think of each one: Adobe Photoshop CS2 Yeah, I actually use my license of Photoshop on Linux through Wine. It’s thankfully around 95% there functionality wise (Bridge doesn’t work). There are little quirks to the interface here and there, but all of the functions that I’ve used work as they should. I had to tweak a setting in Linux (Gnome interface) to get tools like the clone brush to function with the alt-click: System >> Windows >> Preferences Change the Movement Key from Alt to Super (or “Windows logo”) That way you will be able to Alt-click to select an area for the clone brush to use. Or use the Alt and mouse wheel with the magnificat...

I’ve been spending a lot of time setting up a new website where I will host a good deal of images. It will use Zenfolio as a back-end and have the ability to allow for buying downloads and ordering prints. Before that while going through my 1300 or so cruise images I setup a few standard processes for processing images so that they look how I feel they should. When processing images the way I do, it takes a good deal of time. I always am trying to find ways to speed up the process, but on the other hand I always want to have each image tweaked to my eye. Here are a few points to my (post) processing process: I shoot images in RAW (DNG) format with flat colors. I use my old license of Photoshop CS2 on Linux through Wine. I recently bought a copy of “Noise Ninja” plugin/standalone software.  Steps for post processing that result in finished full resolution pictures (meaning I don’t shrink these as they will be for my Zenfolio gallery): Open a block of images in Photoshop (say 50 a...

I went hunting with my friends again recently, but this time it was field hunting. As you know I “hunt” with my camera, but honestly it’s pretty equivalent to what my friends are doing. There is always something interesting to photograph. I look for scenes that spark something in my mind at the moment. It could be the qualities of an object or the overall look and feel of a place. Anything is fair game. The tree was alone for the most part and felt like a good subject. Lighting was interesting at the moment. These ducks were hiding out and were rustled when I approached. I managed to get 5 or so images even from the abrupt surprise.  It’s all in the little details. I just love how the ice was so clear and the arrangement of the stalks. I took quite a few photos of framed flora. It’s funny how some branches really appeal to the eye compared to others:  Having people in a shot is a great way to provide scale, interest, or action to a photo: Tightly framed images can be interesti...

This was the last day on the ship. I mush have wanted to put in a good effort photography wise because the results are nice in my opinion, considering a full day sailing again. One of my favorite areas of the ship, absolute forward: Ocean vistas… I really liked walking the top deck at night and taking photos: They had a circus parade on main street: That’s it for the cruise photos. While the whole atmosphere and feel of a cruise vacation was foreign to me, it was a fun trip overall. Many thanks to my aunt and uncle for sponsoring the trip. I think if I were to go on another cruise, it would be one that visits many ports for most of the vacation.  There is only so much I can do on the boat, but I could see a major benefit in having a “home” to store luggage and have meals on hand. A three week Mediterranean cruise would be great in that respect.

Not too many photos on the 24th. We started sailing back to Florida on the 24th, so more ship photos. They had another event on the main street deck (5) which was pretty interesting. Everything from towel folding to food carving demonstrations were being shown. By then they started selling cheaper merchandise such as watches and womens’ accessories. A self portrait of sorts. Two of the days we were required to wear formal attire. Honestly, I’d rather not do things like that on a cruise as it just means a lot more unnecessary baggage to carry that isn’t used much. The fruit carvings demonstration: An ice sculpture made on site: They seem to like having employees dress-up on cruises:

After St. Martin, we went directly to our second and last port of call, St. Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands (18°20’N 64°55’W). According to the wiki, the island was acquired in 1917 as part of a defensive strategy. Residents were given US citizenship in 1927.  We opted again for a tour, but this time we didn’t have anything scheduled. We eventually had a tour provided by "sunny list on tours" with our guide named Elvis.  Classic Caribbean island look: Our ship, Freedom of the Seas at port: Before we left port, there were some good views to be had on the top deck of the ship: Very busy port: Another cute little reptile: