MooseNewsBlog

Where’s the color…everything is all white!

Just had a friend from LA come up and at looking at our front yard, wondered if we every get tired of all the white. Well, she was right, the snow is white and as winter progresses, there is more and more of it. Other than the green of the trees and the orange-red of sunrise and sunset and the blue sky, everything is pretty much blanketed in white. But you can find color.

As I moved my son’s truck this morning, I noticed the ice crystals on the outside of the windshield. Looking through them up towards the trees and sky, all sorts of color was repeated through the prisms of the crystals. It was a lovely 12 degrees as I photographed the inside of the windshiled. It was a real strugle to prevent the inside of the windshield from fogging up from my breath. Using the RRS TP-243 and BH-40 head, I was able to get low enough to have the film plane pretty much parellel with the windshield for maximum DOF. It was a great hour of shooting.

Photo captured by D200, 105VR on Lexar digital film, finished in CS3

The big storm that literally blew through the Sierra left some incredible photo opps. Mt Williamson was looking mighty fine.

Regretably, the wind was so fierce that all the wabbit tracks were blown clean off the snow.

Many, and I mean many, have emailed me asking what’s up with all the B&W photos recently. I’ve always loved B&W photography but until recent developments such at the Epson 3800 and 7800 and B&W conversion in Photoshop, B&W was downright painful. With amazing paper like Epson’s UltraSmooth Fine Art and the ease of B&W conversion in CS3, why wouldn’t someone enjoy the amazing old art of B&W photography.

Photo captured by D200, 17-55AF on Lexar digital film, finished in CS3

Holy Cow, how could this be? Improve on the 1348?

I just received the new Gitzo 3540XLS with the new G-lock and it’s a beaut! It blows away my old, trusty 1348. How?

First is the new G-lock system. With a simple 1/4 turn, you tighten or loosen the leg lock to extend or contract the leg. You can’t over tighten it, it can’t get jammed on you. It is schweet! Because of G-lock technology, the legs have 20% greater rigidity which translates into smaller, lighter tripod that can hold more weight. I tested the 3540XLS by going out on our 2nd story deck, setting it up in the wind with the 200-400VR mounted on it (using the BH-55 head). Rock solid, sharp as tack images! I instantly took it out in the snow to see how stable it would be in that unstable ground. It’s a rock and upon close inspection, didn’t find any snow up in the joints of the 3540. This is a killer all around tripod!

There’s an added benefit to the new G-lock system I should point out. I always have traveled with the leg locks unlocked. It makes it very fast to just hold the tripod, extend the legs and be set up. To facilitate this, it means you put the tripod away with the legs unlocked. Prior to the G-lock system you would have to losen the locks in a certain order so the locked leg could be used to unlock the other. While not a biggie except perhaps to me, the G-lock system with its much improved lock makes unlocking and locking legs much faster, no leg order required or second hand even is needed. This all translates into faster set up and quicker response to the subject. One less variable in getting the shot. That in itself makes the capitol to upgrade more than worth twice the price!

I can’t wait until the 5540 arrives. It will be the dedicated tripod for the 600mm. The G-lock line comes with a traveling case and two leg nut drivers. Nicely done Gitzo!

Another Storm is on the horizon, is it enough to betray my arch nemesis?

Photo captured by D200, 28f1.4 on Lexar digital film, finished in CS3

Photo captured by D200, 28f1.4 on Lexar digital film, finished in CS3

There are clouds…put where’s the snow? You might be wondering why I’m looking for snow. It’s that darn rabbit! I need snow to find the tracks to find the rabbit to contuniue my 9th winter of trying to photograph its life. I don’t think my wish will be granted this week.

Photo captured by D200, 28f1.4 on Lexar digital film, finished in CS3

While we’ve had some snow….it ain’t much! But, with a little walking in the backcountry lakes, you can find some cool finds!

Adobe is making public the beta for CS3. While it doesn’t have every bell and whistle I can tell you I like some the new features and refinements. Head to the Adobe site to grab a copy to check it out for yourself. Be forewarned, it’s not a small file.

Photo captured by D200, 28f1.4 on Lexar digital film, finished in CS3

I know, I’ve not updated the Moose Gallery for some time. Time is the problem. I’m getting there but part of the problem is a good one caused by some of you. Our 7800 printer is on most of the day creating prints for print orders. In fact, we are slightly backed up which is a good thing (caused also in part by paper backorder). I just want everyone to know you will have your print orders in plently of time to have them under the tree. I want to thank you all for your support and passion.

The real reason I’m making this post is to answer a general question we’ve been receiving a lot of late. The question-What are some of the nuts & bolts of our printing process? It would seem many of you are creating prints for xmas presents which is VERY cool! There is no finer gift than a gift coming from the heart and that’s what a print represents in my book. Anyways, to the answer.

We are printing on the Epson 7800 printer using Matte Black ink. My paper of choice is the UltraSmooth Fine Art. I use this paper for both color and B&W prints. I’m using the Epson profile for the paper (new profile SP7898 USFAP 2880.icc posted 11.03.06). I use the Advance B&W settings and generally I use the Neutral or Cool setting for my B&W prints. Should I be using a RIP? Perhaps. I really like the results I’m getting now with this profile and might like the results from the RIP even more. It’s a time issue, getting the RIP, testing and the like. These are just my preferences based on making lots of test prints and seeing what works best for me to communicate visually.

I am by no means the expert here, I just know my own personal likes and have found what fills them. I would highly recommend heading to John Paul Caponigro’s website who is an expert and very willing to share his vast knowledge. You’ll find a lot of info there is you’re willing to read and think. He also has an excllent article in the current issue of Photoshop User magazine on ink which is good info you should tuck in the back of your mind. And if you can get your hands on a copy of his book Adobe Photoshop Master Class I would highly recommend it since intial capture and than post processing is what makes the print gorgeous! You can also learn from John Paul in person at the Epson Print Acedemy which I highly recommend.

As to the new Epson 3800 printer, we are installing those in the office as we speak. Why? We’re replacing the 2400 with the 3800 because we pound this printer both for making our submissions to clients and printing out our 13x and 8x prints. It is not uncommon for our digital darkroom machine to have both printers going at once.

I hope I’ve covered most of the questions, if not, I know you’ll find me! Have fun printing & sharing those prints with your loved ones this holiday season.

Long time, no update. Moose’s Camera Bag has been WAY behind the times, but it is no more. Spent last week writing and rewriting the text and shooting new product shots to get it all jazzed up. It’s all ready for you to point those looking for xmas presents for you to for ideas. Wasn’t that thoughtfull of me.

You’ll find a few changes in my gear which while not new to me, it might be to you. Please understand that this is the gear that I find works for me as a visuall communicator and photographer making his living from his images. This is just information and not edict from up high, you do not have to have this camera gear to be successful. Since I don’t know you, your style of photography or abilities, I cannot be of help directly. MCB is posted as mere suggestions, a starting point, a sounding board for your own quest for the perfect camera bag of goods. Enjoy, I hope it helps you on your photographic pursuits! Mouse over the items on MCB to see exactly what they are, or click on an item to read the brief write up.

On a side note, we have in stock all of our photopacks. If you’re looking for another item for you xmas list, any order received by 12.20 will arrive in time for the holidays.