Perfectly Clear Plug-ins 45% off, Olympus OM-D E-M1 update and more Goodies
PERFECTLY CLEAR - Starting today, Save 45% with Early Access to the Black Friday SaleBUY NOW by clicking on the banner above.Enjoy early access to this limited-time offer. Why wait for Friday? Starting now my friends at Perfectly Clear are giving away 45% off on their newly enhanced v2 Plug-Ins. So if you want to see Perfectly Clear in action and start correcting photos faster than ever, today is your day! Learn moreHurry - sale ends soon! and there is a 30-Day Money Back GuaranteeIf you're not fully satisfied, simply let Perfectly Clear - http://www.athentech.com know anytime with 30 days of your purchase, They will refund your money with no questions asked. 
Another great Black Friday deal with FLIXEL - you get a whopping 40% off on Cinemagraph Pro or Plus when you use the discount code SHIV - click on the banner above to go to the Flixel site to order.In addition you can save $60 when you order the LED Light Cube - $659, now $599 - once again use the coupon code SHIV on the LED Light Cube site
The Lume Cube is a compact and versatile, app-controlled LED light for capturing both stills and videos, and is compatible with smart phone cameras, action cams as well as more traditional digital cameras. Measuring only one-and-a-half inches, the water resistant Lume Cube produces 1,500 lumens of light in both video mode, for a continuous light source, or in strobe mode. Encased in a colorful rubber shell the Lume Cube can magnetically attach or suction to just about any surface making this light-weight LED ready to deliver on just about any creative impulse.
Click her for the Kickstarter pageOLYMPUS has released a firmware update to the OM-D E-M1 morror-less camera - the latest version is 2.2. Download the Olympus Digital Camera Updater to update your firmware.
Topaz Photography Collection - Black Friday Sale
From November 28th through December 1st, Topaz Labs is offering their Topaz Photography Collection (all 15 products) for only $249.99. That is a huge discount. Whether you want to achieve stunning photo enhancements or apply artistic effects, this unique collection has you covered. Please use the banner link above and them make sure you use the Coupon Code BLACKFRIDAY2014
Black Friday Offerings from Think Tank Photo
For the very special yet crazy Black Friday Think Tank Photo have announced a couple of fun special offers that are good through the end of the year. [Don’t forget, Think Tank offers free FedEx Ground shipping on all orders.]They have lowered the prices on their popular CityWalker messenger bags. Extremely lightweight, the bags feature a high quality silver-toned nylon liner, RC Fuse External/YKK zippers, and antique nickel plated metal hardware. They have a sound silencer on the main flap (a great feature for wedding photography), extra flaps for smaller lenses with a fully lined velex insert for maximum customization, internal pockets that fit a pro-size flash, and a removable padded insert.Click here for this CityWalker special offer.And, when you buy a Think Tank Photo rolling camera bag you are eligible to receive their new “Road Warrior Kit,” a $44.98 value, for free! The kit consists of ten Red Whips cable ties, a Cable Management 10 pouch, an AA Battery Holder (holds up to eight AA batteries), and a Small Travel Pouch. Click here for these exceptional roller bags.
As Canon and Nikon continue to sleep - Medium Format enters the mirror-less era.
Phase One in collaboration with ALPA are readying the A- Series medium format camera. The camera can use an iPhone as a wireless viewfinder in a mounted (as shown) or as a infinitely articulating remote device. The system comprises Phase One Digital Backs, Rodenstock optics, and ALPA bodies. When formally announced there will be three configurations - details can be found on the Digital Transitions web site.
PICO - A New Smartphone Programable Time-Lapse Intervalometer
PICO is the latest Kick-Starter project by Mindarin — the company behind the Astro time-lapse and motion control — Pico is a small simple device capable of executing robust time-lapse capabilities.Planned for availability in July 2015 it will be inexpensive and easy to used time-lapse trigger, capable of working with or without your smartphone and makes capturing time-lapses as easy as it can be.You use the free smartphone app to create a program and send it to Pico. After transferring your settings, you can unplug it from your smartphone and Pico will save the program in its memory. Then, connect Pico to your camera using the included adaptor cable, and Pico will take control to create the time-lapse sequence. (Most popular DSLR and Mirror-Less cameras are supported)With the smartphone app, you have the ability to create professional time-lapse sequences:
HDR (High Dynamic Range): Take time-lapse sequences by bracketing at varying exposure levels based on the dynamic range of the scene.
Bulb Ramping: A technique used to compensate for natural changes in light. It is ideal for seamless day to night sequences.
Speed Ramping: You can adjust the speed of time within the time-lapse to add a cool slowing or accelerating effect.
If you do not have a smart phone on hand Pico offers a manual mode. Simply plug Pico into your camera’s remote cable, hold the button down, and listen for beeps — each beep represents a one second delay between shots, let go and pico will start triggering the camera at the set interval, and continue to do so until you unplug it.Pico is small and light. weighing in at under .5 ounce (.4 to be exact or 11 grams for my friends across the pond) it takes no room in your camera bag. With improved battery technology, Pico can operate your camera for a whooping 8 years of continuous operation.The kick starter projects is in full swing and you can support the development at Pico: Time-lapse made simple
Photo Plus Expo 2014 and Lumix Lounge
Spent three fantastic days in NY City at the Photo Plus Expo. Saw some great stuff that I will be blogging about soon. The mirror-less world continues to pick up steam and there is a lot happening with this lighter better world of photography. Trending - HYBRID - animated stills and more.Was honored to be invited and to be interviewed in the Panasonic Lumix Lounge by none other than Frederick Van Johnson. Click here for the interview.Panasonic had an awesome booth with lost of gear for visitors to test out, demos, 4K TVs and the fantastic new LX100 - I want one. Use the link to check it out.
Processing with Capture One
For the past few weeks I have been processing my raw files using Capture One Pro rather than Adobe Camera Raw. I am finding the RAW processing engine in Capture One to be exceptional. Mark you, I have not upgraded to Version 8 and am still using Version 7.2.3In brief I love the way the the software handles skin-tones. The amount of detail it can draw out of dull highlights and shadows is great. The HDR sliders make it possible to bring out natural looking HDR tonal ranges from a single RAW file - exceptional.Now I just need to get more familiar with all the features and then upgrade to Version 8.Here is an example of an image processed using Capture One Pro. The image was captured in Iceland during my workshop this past September. Please do click on the image to see a larger version.
2014 Fall Wanderings - 4
With most of the foliage gone in the northeast and what is left will be gone after this semi nor'easter or tropical storm here are two more images from Ithaca region.This image is of Taughannock Falls taken from the deck by the parking lot above the gorge. This vantage point give the falls a totally different perspective.I am planning on doing a winter trip to capture these falls when the sides and rock faces are covered with ice. 
This next image is from the gorge that leads to Lucifer falls. Another area that could be interesting in the winter. If any of my blog followers have experienced these falls in the winter, please share your thoughts.
2014 Fall Wanderings - 3
Walking through the gorges of New York's Finger Lakes region yield some incredible photo opportunities. There is no dearth of intimate and grand landscapes and occasionally even the saturated fall colors, when simplified, yield memorable images.This is from the entrance to the Taughannock Gorge in Ulysses.Please click on the image for detail.
2014 Fall Wanderings - 2
The Finger Lakes region in New York State is truly a landscape photographer's paradise. We spent an afternoon exploring Enfield Glen, an exceptional gorge in Robert H. Treman State Park. The gorge has multiple waterfalls (some just great cascades) - and the 115 foot Lucifer Falls. This image is of one of the three tiered waterfalls in the gorge. Each tier has its own set of cascades. Please click on the image to see detail.
2014 Fall Wanderings
Columbus day weekend (Sunday and Monday) we drove to the Finger Lakes region in New York State. Spent most of the time in and around Ithaca. Our main objective was to photograph some of the region's waterfalls with some foliage as a bonus.Taughannock Falls is located in Ulysses, NY, within Taughannock State Park. Noted as the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains with a drop of 215 feet. Niagra Falls is about 170 feet. The image is from the base of the falls in the gorge. You need to hike about 45 minutes to get to the base of this waterfall. For the non hiking photographer there is a viewing deck and a parking lot that gives you an elevated view of the falls and the gorge.
Good to be back
It has been many weeks since I have posted anything. Excuses and reasons: I conducted my Iceland workshop with Deborah Sandidge as co-leader. Spent 8 days in a state of anxiety as my mother was in the ICU and subsequently suffered a cardiac arrest lapsing into a coma. My wife Monica went to India the day the Iceland workshop started, keeping me abreast of the situation. On my return to Boston, I rushed to India and was fortunate to spend a little time with her before she passed away on the 24th.I would like to take this opportunity to thank my family and friends for all your support, kind words and prayers. Time is a healer, I am blessed and fortunate to have such an incredible community of friends and family at a time like this. Thank you.Respectfully,Shiv
A Portable Wireless Drive with an SD Card Reader - Perfect for Photographers
Think Tank adds a new color style to its Mirrorless Mover line
Think Tank added a new Heathered Grey colorway to the popular line of Mirrorless Mover shoulder bags. The Mirrorless Mover bags are designed specifically for compact mirrorless systems and accessories. Now you can add a touch of elegance to your mirrorless shoulder bag by adding a Heathered Gray accents to an already great looking and practical carrying solution. Mirrorless Movers are available in four sizes with the Mirrorless Mover 30i able to carry your full size iPad or equivalently sized tablet.All bags in this series have a pass-through belt loop, iPhone storage divider, seal-sealed rain cover, and a removable shoulder strap.Click on the Think Tank Logo to order:
Zakim - Three Views
Zakim Bridge is probably the most photographed bridge in Boston. Google search and one sees thousands of views of this iconic structure. The following three are my interpretations captured on August 23, 2014. These were shot from the park below the bridge. Please do click on the images to see a larger rendition.
Where were these feet wanting to go?
Street photography can be so much fun. One can click away and get lots of street photographs but I would much rather spend a few hours observing and capture just one unique moment, mood or expression.I spent a few hours in Boston's Quincy Market last weekend while my wife and her friend were shopping. Camera in hand I was people watching. The light and shadows on the pavers was intriguing and I was hoping to capture something different. I noticed some confusion in the expression of this lady and that confusion seemed to be conveying a message that was reflected in her footsteps.
Diaphanous Flowers - Rose of Sharon
This is the fourth flower in this series. A Rose of Sharon from the yard. This one was lit from the side and the back with a low intensity cross fill. All lighting for these images have been cool LED lights, daylight balanced. Once again please click on the image for a larger view.
Diaphanous Flowers - Mandevilla
This mandevilla bloom was photographed last week. This is the third flower in this series. Currently I am working on a Rose of Sharon and hoping to post the result in a day or two. Please click on the image for a larger rendition.
India - March 2015 - Tribes of Gujarat & Kavant Fair
March 4 - 19, 2015 photo tour through the western region of India. The “Tribes of Gujarat with Kavant Fair” is a tremendous opportunity to get one of the finest cultural experiences possible in India.For details on the trip please visit - http://tinyurl.com/meq6ge8This trip will immerse you in an India that few get to see or experience. Feel free to share this with with your friends. The trip is all inclusive, round trip air fare included (from a US gateway city) and will have a maximum of 12 participants. Register ASAP as this one will fill up very fast.