Tip: DVD's You Must Have (Part 2)

After waiting for a few weeks on some mail sent to Mr. Zack Arias concerning the use of some more info and photos from the DVD I got no answer so I decided to publish what I have on both DVD's and try not infringe too much copyrighted information.

This is part 2 of the DVD's You Must Have and if you have missed the first one here is the link to where you can find Part 1. DVD's You Must Have (Part 1)

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I believe that some of the good tools to get your photography skills improved are taking pictures, read lot's of photography books and related, sharing skills with other photographers and DVD's.

Today I bring you another one of my favorite from the collection I already own.

It's called "OneLight Workshop" by photographer Zack Arias.

This DVD caught my attention because of the OneLight concept I was trying to accomplish and quite few people have talked about it in such a deep and detailed way.

But why? - you may ask.

Well simply because I always carry my small portable strobe with me while I'm on assignments and because I wanted to try different photo approaches but lacked the ideas.

I've been following Zack Arias blog for quite some time now and did not hesitate on getting his DVD when it was released.

The Zack blog thing started with his wonderful "White Seamless Tutorial" have you read it? It may change the way you look and create a white seamless picture. Take a peak ;)

For those who do not know MR. Zack Arias here is a small introduction taken from his own blog:

"My name is Zack Arias and I am a full time editorial photographer.

My specialty is niched in press and publicity photography for the music industry. As my music work continues to expand nationally, my studio in Atlanta works within a wider spectrum of the entertainment industry producing headshots and fashion portfolios.

My first run at being a freelance photographer left me heavily in debt and placed my family on the edge of destruction. I came to a place in my career that required me to put the cameras down and take a “job.” After two years of leaving the cameras and selling them off to pay rent and fix beater cars, I was given a chance to come back as a second shooter for a friend of mine who shoots weddings. I took a D100 that he bought me, a 285 flash, an ample amount of faith, and quit my job at Kinkos in October of 2003. I was determined to do things differently this time around..."

You can find his works here:
Music Photography by Zack Arias
Headshots by Used Film Studios
The OneLight Workshop

This 2 DVD pack has a lot of goods inside the card box pack that came on the post.

Here is what I found inside when I open it...



This is the full package :)

Inside the card box package you will find:

- 6 Stickers
- 2 DVD with lots of information
- 1 Black T-Shirt with OneLight Workshop white logo
- 1 music CD from the band Meghan Coffee "Songs to Sail By". For more information about this band you can always check their page in here.
- 1 Instructions Booklet with 18 pages.



Inside the DVD box package you can find:
A detail of the Booklet with some basic information and more tips.



Inside the DVD box package you will find:

- 2 DVD with lots of video information.
- 1 Instruction Booklet to guide you with some basic information and more tips.

On the first DVD Zack shows you how exposure variables work.

How Shutter Speed controls the ambient exposure with pictures to illustrate what he's talking about. Range goes to 250th to 4th with simple and illustrative examples.

Zack talks clearly and it's not those kind of videos where at middle of the lesson you're opening your mouth and tired of what the tutor tries to explain you... remember those boring school days with that lousy teacher?... well this has nothing to do with it, it's the complete opposite.

He also talks about Flash Power and explain how you can get consistent flashes and amount of light with the explanation of 1/1 scale to the 1/128 on your flash and this is full of diagrams and examples so you can see what he's talking about in a simple manner.

Then you will have a talk about aperture controls and ISO and how they will affect your photo shootings.

Next come the gear.

Zack talks about what gear he carries around, flashes and accessories.

Flashes are explained from the simple hot-shoe flash to a more powerful studio flashes. You will get to know how you can assemble the gear and also the ways to trigger your flashes wireless, light modifiers, umbrellas and softboxes.

Back in the studio you start to see how you can apply all the things you have learned so far and this is done with a model.

Zack explains all details on how to start with the client, shoot with small on camera strobe, off-camera and compare them.

You will see the pictures taken during this shooting has he explains what is going on with ISO, Aperture and why he chooses that light or position. You imagine yourself having a personal workshop with Zack.

As the 1st DVD is coming to an end is time to move outside and use the model with softbox and umbrella and compare the differences. Zack, at some point, will be shooting against the sun and some more great techniques that will help you outside.

On disc 2 you will go travel with Zack Arias through his client shootings around several setups and this is more of a follow up DVD with lot's on hands on the job.

You can watch Zack talking while choosing this or that setup or light and follow him on this journey through all his assignments.

He does a great job explaining why he has chosen this or that location, spot, light and sends some great tips.

I think this is a must have DVD. If you do not have what are you waiting for???

You can take a look at this small presentation video from DVD package:


And if you are lucky enough to catch one of his workshops... Man you ARE LUCKY!!!

What are people saying about his workshops:


The DVD Box can be ordered at:
OneLight Workshop web page and check out Zac Arias blog for more tips.

Before you go just take a moment to see this brilliant video made by Zack Arias himself:



For more information here are the direct links to his pages:

Web Page: http://www.zackarias.com/
DVD: http://www.onelightworkshop.com/
Blog: http://www.zarias.com/

THANK YOU MR.ZACK ARIAS for sharing this information with all of us.

Tip: DVD's You Must Have (Part 1)
Tip: DVD's You Must Have (Part 2)

Canon Powershot G10 Firmware Updated

Canon has updated the Powershot G10 firmware to a newer version 1.0.2.0.

This addresses the Phenomenon:

If RAW images are captured by continuous shooting under the ISO 1600 setting, abnormal data is recorded and a magenta cast appears in the second and subsequent RAW images. This phenomenon also occurs in the second and subsequent recorded RAW images captured by single shooting, but only if the LCD monitor display mode is set to the OFF position.

This phenomenon cannot be confirmed when images are played back on the camera's LCD monitor. It can only be confirmed if image processing software (such as the Digital Photo Professional software bundled with the product) is used to develop RAW images on a PC.

Read the full article for more about this, what cameras are affected and where to download it from.

The following content is to help you update the firmware by yourself. If errors occur when performing the firmware update, there are instances where the camera cannot be started; therefore, please read the precautionary notes carefully before starting the firmware update.

In addition, this firmware update can also be performed at our service centers. If you wish to have us perform the firmware updates, please contact our service centers.

Firmware Update (Version 1.0.2.0)

This firmware update corrects the following phenomenon.

Phenomenon:

If RAW images are captured by continuous shooting under the ISO 1600 setting, abnormal data is recorded and a magenta cast appears in the second and subsequent RAW images. This phenomenon also occurs in the second and subsequent recorded RAW images captured by single shooting, but only if the LCD monitor display mode is set to the OFF position.

This phenomenon cannot be confirmed when images are played back on the camera's LCD monitor. It can only be confirmed if image processing software (such as the Digital Photo Professional software bundled with the product) is used to develop RAW images on a PC.

Note

* Images that have the magenta cast phenomenon cannot be fixed.
* The phenomenon only appears in RAW images, and does not appear in JPEG images or images appearing on the LCD monitor display.
* The phenomenon only occurs if the ISO Speed Dial is set to ISO 1600 manually, and does not occur if the ISO speed is set to other values (such as ISO AUTO or ISO HI).

Identifying Affected Cameras for the Update

Please check the serial number on the bottom of the camera.

Serial numbers

Products whose fifth digit from the left is 0 or 1 are affected.

****0*****
****1*****


Among products with the serial numbers described above, if there is a marking inside the battery cover like the one in the image below, the issue has already been corrected by correction firmware, and you may continue to use your camera as is with no further action required.

Marking Position

In addition, products whose fifth digit from the left is 2 or above are already equipped with correction firmware; therefore, this phenomenon does not apply.


Items Required for Firmware Update

The following items are required for this firmware update.


1 - PowerShot G10 Camera
2 - Computer* (USB interface required)
3 - Battery (Bundled with the camera)
4 - USB Interface Cable (Bundled with the camera)
5 - Memory Card (Commercially available SD memory card with a capacity of at least 8 MB)
6 - Firmware Update Data (Can be downloaded if the camera is determined as affected after the serial number is entered).
7 - Firmware Update Procedure (PDF) (Can be Downloaded)

* OS installed on the computer: Windows® XP/ Windows VistaTM, Mac OS X (v10.4-10.5)

Customers who do not have any of the items 2 to 5 are asked to contact Canon service centers.

Outline of the Firmware Update Procedures

To update the firmware, the following procedures are required.

1. Downloading and extracting the firmware update data
2. Preparing the memory card for the firmware update
3. Updating the firmware
4. Confirming the completion of firmware update

In addition, details of the procedures above are covered by the Firmware Update Procedure (PDF). Read the Firmware Update Procedure (PDF) carefully before updating the firmware.

GO TO DOWNLOAD PAGE
(You will need to enter your serial)

Final notes:

You have to pay attention to the way the firmware is uploaded to the camera. Canon with the Powershot G10 model decided to change the way firmware were updated.
So now instead of copying the file directly to the card you will have to connect the computer (PC or MAC) and the camera with the supplied USB cable and use the software to copy the firmware update file to the card on the camera (make sure you formatted the card first).

Then you will have to start the camera on preview mode and choose the firmware update menu item (you cannot have the lens extended or this menu item will not show up).

Just made mine today with no problems and my camera was one of the affected but I've never saw or identified this Phenomenon. But if Canon says it's to update then it's time.

I was hopping to see some improvements on video (GIVES US BACK the 1024 of the G9!!!) or maybe the reappearance of time lapse feature but nothing... this simply corrects what it's mentioned here.

Maybe we will all have better luck next time who knows...

Pro Gaza rally assaults photographer in NYC

NO COMMENTS!!

Tip: Interview with Copyright Attorney Ed Greenberg

This great video came into my attention and I think it's worth while and spare some of your time to watch it full.

Just click on the image below to take you to the PhotoshopUserTv video and watch this great Interview with Ed Greenberg conducted by Scott Kelby.

It's a must in copyright advices.

Canon 5D MarkII - The Grip Errors

Well it's TRUE!!!

Canon has done it again. A brand new camera with lots of great features but again errors are arising from it.


I thought carefully if I could put my mouth to the world, about this, or wait until a couple of rumors started to arise on the web.

After a lot of thinking I decided to release this info to all you people that purchase the new Canon 5D MarkII or are planning on buying it in a couple of days, weeks or months.

This is nothing that I was not expecting after I received the BG-E6 and looking at it carefully.

It has the same connections problems has previous models and it continues to be very fragile. (Canon you are so mean after all this years you did not have time to replace this series with a better grip, shame on you guys!!!)

Maybe you will never experience this problems, maybe you will start to experience them as soon as you got the grip... well you all know that technology is a f... s... sometimes it comes perfect while some other times it simply sucks no mater what you do the faulty ones need to be replaced.




This error 80 is one of the main errors that the 5D MarkII gives me almost all the time.

Here is the Camera combo I normally use when these errors occurred:

- Firmware 1.0.7
- Canon 5D MarkII
- Grip BG-E6
- 2 Canon Batteries LP-E6 (On the Grip)
- EF 24-70 L USM
- EF 70-200 L IS USM
- CF Cards Sandisk Extreme III, IV and Ducati (4Gb and 8Gb)
- 580EX



Then on another assignment while using the 24-70 L with 580EX flash and grip on the vertical position the Error 02 appeared, after 30 frame shots, apparently from nowhere and it caused the camera to stop working.

After removing both batteries and unscrew and screw back on the lens the camera started to work normally but the card warning came again saying that the card was not formatted and if I wanted to format it.

I kept the card for later inspection and worked with another one. After arriving home and analyzed the card I noticed that all the 30 pictures take were gone. I had to use Sandisk RescuePro to get those pictures back from the card. UFFF, assignment saved!!!!

I also got a strange "Card Full" information when I had only taken 20 pictures and the camera had always the red light on. I found that strange since I was certain that I had formatted the card before starting the assignment, but you never know... maybe it was my fault so I removed the card after the red light turns off and decided to keep the card and see what the problem could be afterward in the computer.

You will not believe this... the ,card had 4 folders the normal MISC and 3 DCIM more. When inspected the each of the DCIM folders I found that the camera had created 3 more identical folder with the same the same 20 pictures I took copied endless times untill the card was full :)

So the camera got this copy/paste issue and copied all the pictures to those folders until the card was full and this happened with no grip attached.

Please Canon send us a firmware to correct this ASAP!!!



Another error that's been giving a couple of times and while shooting with 1/30 or 1/20 speeds is the Error 70.



Here is a page with some of the "normal" Canon errors ;)

I finally figured out what the problem is.

After a group investigation with some of other fellow photographers, here in Portugal, that have the same camera but not use the grip or not have the double batteries, I concluded that the problem is the grip with 2 batteries.

When the batteries start to become empty like the above image it seems that the grip looses it's power and start giving failure messages. It cannot process the images or have a failure to the drive because it lacks power to function properly.

I contacted Canon Portugal an they do not even know what's going on with this. No one has reported this so far and since the replacement batteries are now available at the moment and people are using Alkaline batteries on the grip they do not have received any reports from this errors.

Not happy with the Portuguese reply I decided to write to Canon Europe Headquarters (Germany) and send them the above pictures to support my complain.

I received a reply 2 days later saying that they are aware of this situation and that a couple of grips were released with defect and they will send me a replacement one in a couple of days so I can test it out.

It's impossible for me know which serials are affected since the grip apparently do not have serial number on it but I will try to check with Canon and report it here as soon as I got some more good news.

Meanwhile if you get any of these errors please report them immediately to your Canon supplier in order to have them replaced at no cost.


Here is the table of the Error Codes for the 5D MarkII as stated on page 209 of the Instructions Manual.

I do blame Canon for this happenings and for letting us, the consumers, be their Beta testers.

Remember when they release the 1D MarkIII flop with it's super fast shutter speed but with lot's of problems and issues with the mirror and auto focus performance.

And if you do not know what I'm talking about just check the Rob Galbraith extensive review on this issue.

With this Canon has lost part of the share market to Nikon and it looks like they do not even care or worry about it because technology its first than photography and photographers.

While Nikon, on the other hand, they improved their infrared flash system, improved the flashes and released 3 cameras that beat out of the Canon arsenal and also made great improvements on their lenses.

Canon on the other hand gave us the 1D MarkIII flop and now with the 5D MarkII, stated as a video recorder that you could control its functions, turns out that you do not have control over the video mode and the most important one is the faulty grip BG-E6.

If you can remember well this has also happened a couple years ago when they released the Canon EOS 20D with it's also faulty grip that I also complained and send back, a couple of them, before I move to the 1D series.

From everyday that passes I noticed that Canon has a more commercial approach to the market than making things happen to photographers, they always want to be ahead of technology and introduce more new things but forget about improving the ones they already have, I mean the old ST-E2 for example.

This could mean an advantage over the other manufacturers ... just imagine Canon could introduce on their flash system something like the Radio Popper to control their flashes and also improve the 580EXII with a more powerful and better balanced one something in the range of the Nikon SB-900?

They could improve the sharpness of the 100-400mm by releasing a new one and while talking about lens why not a 12-24 L USM (Nikon has it so don't come saying that it will be impossible) and a replacement for the bulky 24-70 L USM lighter and with better overall sharpness or replace it for a 24-85 2.8 L USM IS ?

Turn their heads toward the photographers instead of just releasing new things that most of the people would not use them anyway.

So what would you like to have on the new cameras and flashes systems and why?

Write your suggestions maybe Canon guys would read this and could give us what we really asked for ;)