Tech update – Friday

I’m posting the Friday entry early since I’m tied up on a project tomorrow. I’ve got a couple of great tech items to share with all my photo buddies out there. First I made a big mistake a couple of weekends ago, I invited Scott Kelby to come shoot with me one morning at Sun n’ Fun in Lakeland, Florida. No, I love Scott and we had a great time but just before he left he pulled out his new iPad to show me all the cool things it could do. No problem I had already decided not to buy one, couldn’t see any good use for it if you already carry a laptop. Big mistake, never underestimate what Scott’s enthusiasm can do to you. Bought mine later that afternoon. Actually I was wrong, “big news”, not like that ever happened before! The iPad has some seriously good application for photographers. First it is a great way to share your work in an informal setting with others. It really makes your images sing and as I discovered at the Kentucky Derby, several buddies that stopped by were so knocked out they blogged about my work. Bill Frakes of Sports Illustrated fame made some very nice comments on his blog, http://strawhatvisuals.com/ It was very kind of Bill to make those comments and being such an admirer of his work and talent it meant even more.

The iPad is good for a lot of other things as well; as a book reader, Contact and Calendar manager, killer movie player, and it surfs the web very well. You can also get and reply to email and texts. Lots of fun games and interesting apps, it’s just a tech geek’s delight……. And yes it holds a ton of music and audible books, rented movies, TV shows you missed, and then there is the ability to watch any YouTube stuff that strikes your fancy. I get the USA Today each day on it and several other periodicals. O.K. I’m hooked, I guess this is where I say, thanks Scott.

I made another great discovery that I need to tell you about. I’ve had a number of great labs make prints for me through the years, and I’ve been pretty happy with most, some more than others. Richard Small discovered a print maker in North Carolina and was kind enough to tell this gentleman about me. Roger Laudy of Imagewizards was kind enough to make me a couple of prints to show me what they could do. I sent him the file below and looked forward to a couple of test 8X10’s. Roger prints on aluminum, cool idea for airplane shots. The prints came today. To my shock they were 20X30’s and one was framed and one had a beautiful stand off frame box. I called Roger immediately to thank him and when he answered his cell I said, “Wow, Wow, Wow!!!” I went on to tell the shocked Roger that in all my 40 years a shooter I had never seen prints anywhere near the equal of these. I cannot tell you how impressed I was with the sheer impact of these prints, the super high gloss finish on aluminum was something to behold. I’m starting a business called Avart (aviation art – airplanes as art) and I can assure you that Roger and Imagewizards will become the official printer for all my work. This new process is over the top.
I encourage you to visit their website: www.imagewizards.net I even further encourage you to have them make you a print of your favorite image. Fair warning, this is going to cost you, I’m
already worried about the enormous collections of stuff I would love to have them print. They are not cheap but then I have never seen the equal of these prints, ever……..

So where is the usual spiritual message, here goes; I’m blessed, really, really blessed. Great friends to share my life with, and a wonderful bride (happy birthday sweetheart!) and our family to love. Terrific light on great subjects, in wonderful conditions, what more could I ask for? Nothing, thank you Lord, I don’t deserve these blessings, but I’ll take them all the same. May you have blessed and restful weekend, see you Monday……

the pilgrim

This is the file that Imagewizards printed for me, trust me, their prints look ten times this good!

* Photo note: P51 Mustang, WWI era Warbird, Shot withe D700 and 70-300 AFS VR ISO 200 – tripod.