Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2012 Wrap Up

Fun was had last week by the lucky members of the Precision Camera and Video team who attended CES last week in Las Vegas. Camera buffs at the world’s largest consumer electronics trade show are the equivalent of turning kids loose in a candy store.   After three days of walking three convention halls and two other hotel ballrooms they are back;  a bit tired but very excited about all the cool new toys, tools  and new digital cameras that are coming out.

I asked them to highlight the best of the best of what they saw. These were among their favorites:

Fujifilm has game. Their soon to be released Fuji X-Pro1 Camera justifiably won four awards at the show including Best New Camera.  The Fujifilm X-Pro1 camera is mirror-less and offers interchangeable lenses and an electronic viewfinder. That’s just the tip of the iceberg for this hotly anticipated new digital camera. Read the rest of this entry »

Icons of Photography No. 11 Featuring Linda Connor

This Thursday night, the Austin Center for Photography is hosting a lecture series featuring photographer Linda Connor at the Blanton’s Auditorium. This is a great opportunity to hear from an award winning photographer on just what makes her tick in photography.

The event starts at 7pm on Thursday, September 29th. As always, ACP members get in free. Check out the ACP’s info page on the event here, or read a bit more about and from Linda Connor here.

Rolando Gomez Exclusive Interview, Part II

In Part I of our inteview, we learn about Rolando’s path and how he went from being a war photographer to becoming one the best-known names in the Glamour Photography industry. In Part II of this inteview, Rolando tells us what he sees to be the most common mistakes aspiring pros make and what can be done to to turn a mediocre image into a compelling one.

Rolando’s desire to remain connected to his peers and colleagues in the industry is strong, and he is always willing to offer advice or a kind word to those starting out on the road he has long traveled. When asked what are some of the most common mistakes today’s novice photographers make, he points to the behavior of purchasing top-of-the line camera bodies but then adding cheap lenses and lights. He jokes, “That’s like purchasing a Ferrari with rethread tires. Light is the lifeblood of the image, just like blood is to our bodies. God forbid, but if the doctor told said you had to have a blood transfusion would you ask for grade “C” or grade “A?”

Rolando adds that the greatest camera body will never reach its full potential unless it’s paired with high-quality, fast glass (his favorite is the Canon 85mm F/1.2 lens). “Not only does your focusing become easier for the camera and your viewfinder brighter, which is important in dimly lit areas, but the quality of the glass is significantly higher than a slower lens. Your photography is handicapped when you’re shooting with cheap lenses and cheap lights—period.”

Rolando also bristles when photographers don’t fill the frame of their viewfinders. The rationale of leaving space for a frame for an 8 x 10 print ignores the fact that a 35mm full-frame image makes an 8 x 12 print. Shooting this way, he counsels, means giving up one sixth of the frame. Rolando quips, “Cropping outside the camera is for farmers.”

Rolando’s philosophy is one that celebrates quality over quantity. The ‘Spray and Pray’ method of shooting tons of images and hoping for a few solid ones isn’t the best way to capture one’s vision. It’s here where Rolando returns to his Army training. “One shot, one kill works best for me. I think you should make every image count.”

Rolando will be speaking at the Austin Photo Expo, which is being held on May 15 and 16, 2010 and will be giving a special seminar the evening before Opening Day on March 14th from 7:00-9:30 pm.   The Expo is open to the public and includes free seminars. To learn more about the Austin Photo Expo, visit www.austinphotoexpo.com. To learn more about Rolando Gomez, his books, workshops and more, visit www.rolandogomez.com. To keep current on all the photographic happenings in Austin, keep connected to Precision Camera and Video at www.precision-camera.com.

Behind the Lens with Rolando Gomez

Below is Part One of our two-part interview with acclaimed glamour photographer Rolando Gomez. He will be speaking at the upcoming Austin Photo Expo on May 15&16. In addition, Rolando will be offering a very special 2 1/2 hour glamour and fashion shoot on May 14 from 7-9:30pm. To register, click here.

Rolando Gomez’s photographic career has spanned from combat photography to glamour with numerous touch points in between. Gomez is also an accomplished instructor who regularly speaks at workshops and conventions and has authored five books on glamour photography. Rolando’s current and enduring passion—one that he has pursued for the last fifteen years—involves a concept he has coined “Photographic Therapy,” which involves helping women build and rebuild their self-esteem by seeing themselves beautifully photographic by a trained and skilled photographer. Read the rest of this entry »

Kevin Gourley Classes

Accomplished Austin Professional Photographer Kevin Gourley has recently begun teaching his craft in a series of very popular workshops.  Classes cover a wide range of techniques such as Painting with Light,  Digital Photography 101, and even a Young Photographer’s Workshop.

Kevin Gourley has added some new classes. Please visit his site to see all you can learn:

http://www.kevingourley.com/kgclasses.asp

Sign Up for the Live Leica Webcast on 9.09.09!

Leica’s latest cameras will be announced via a live webcast, and we want to make sure you don’t miss it! We will also have a Leica event announcement coming soon and the event will be one designed to let you get your hands on these latest models. To learn more, contact robertj (at) precision-camera.com Stay tuned!

Register for the Leica Webcast here.

Professional Photographers Needed for Family Portraits of Military Families

Precision Camera & Video is proud to support the PMDA(PhotoImaging Manufacturers and Distributors Association) Portraits of Love Project, which is committed to sending 10,000 free portraits to deployed soldiers around the globe this holiday season. We are looking to partner with portrait photographers in the area to support this important cause and to show our gratitude to our Nation’s troops.
“This project is the photo industry’s way of giving back to our soldiers, and thanking them for the sacrifices they have made for our country,” said Jerry Grossman, the president of the PMDA who has spearheaded the effort. “Our industry is uniquely qualified to bring an important piece of home to our soldiers, and we’re pleased to be able to organize this effort.”

“It’s incredible how motivating a simple family photograph can be to a soldier who is far from home,” said Sergeant First Class Toby Nunn, who has served two tours in Iraq and has worked with Soldiers Angels on a number of projects. “This volunteer effort is one more way that we can help our soldiers cope with their situation,” he said.

If you’re a professional photographer interested in working with Precision Camera & Video on this project, please visit http://www.pmdaportraitsoflove.com and get started. Portrait photography will take place during the month of September 2009. Please call us, email or stop by if you have any questions regarding this unique opportunity to show our gratitude to our troops.

Come to the 1st Annual Texas Photo Festival!

Shutterbugs of all skill levels need to mark their calendars for September 11-13 to attend the Texas Photo Festival in Smithville, Texas. It’s the perfect opportunity to hone your craft in a small town setting as you’ll be spending time in downtown Smithville. Models will be available for you to photograph and a wide range of topics such as lighting, composition and technique will be covered during this fun weekend event. You’ll even get to ride a train around town, visit a train museum, stop by antique shots and so much more.

This festival was founded by longtime favorite local professional photographers Randy Kerr and Doug Box and promises to be an event you’ll talk about long after the weekend is over.

Learn more here: http://texasphotofestival.com

Free Admission & Classes at Austin Photo Expo This Weekend!

Precision Camera & Video is Offering Great Specials at the Expo!

The Austin Photo Expo is Austin’s largest gathering of photographic manufacturers in one place for two days only.

Check out the expo demo floor for all the new cameras, lenses, and accessories. Representatives will be on hand to explain how their products work best for you.

Precision Camera & Video is proud to be a sponsor of this year’s Austin Photo Expo. We’ll have our very own booth at the show and will be offering all kinds of specials on products and accessories during the event.

Our team is excited about being a part of this event, and we look forward to seeing you at the Expo. This jam-packed event has numerous events designed for all skill levels–from the beginning shutterbug to the full-time professional photographer.

To learn more, visit http://www.austinphotoexpo.com/.

We’ll see you this weekend!