You can almost hear the squeals of glee coming from kids and adults alike when Spring Break arrives.  After plodding through winter weather, school, work and family commitments, the promise of a few days of freedom is enough to boost anyone’s spirits.  If you’re one of those lucky souls with a getaway planned during Spring Break week, here are a few tips to help you prepare to return with some fantastic photographs:

Pack the Right Gear: Make sure you’ve got the right equipment for your trip.  If you want to travel light, you may find it best to choose your compact camera in lieu of your DSLR; however, if your destination includes some amazing scenery and landscapes, you may find it’s well worth taking your DSLR to ensure you are prepared to capture the grandeur of your location.  And remember to pack the battery charger, a lens cleaning cloth and an extra memory card.  It will only take a few minutes to properly prepare and it will be time very well spent.  If you need to pick up a memory card for your trip, we carry some of the best on the market:  http://www.promaster.com/memory

See the Signs: While on your travels, make sure to photograph any interesting signs that display the uniqueness for your location.  Clever street names, signs displaying unusual warnings (Javalina crossings, anyone?) and mile markers can add a very local and interesting element to your vacation library of photographs.

Define the Essence: Each location has its own personality, its own attributes and distinctive markers.  While on vacation, think about what words you’d use to describe your vacation spot.  Having that clarity will help you with your storytelling and assist in identifying those sights that articulate your vision.

A New Twist on Famous Landmarks: If you’re traveling to a well-known landmark, park or destination, take the opportunity to photograph it in a new and interesting way.  Look at corresponding architecture, foliage and surroundings to see how to take a familiar sight and uncover a new way of viewing it.  Experiment with zoom, distance, angle and lighting to unearth an interesting new perspective.

Always remember that no matter where you buy your Television, Appliance, Camera or other electronics from you can always buy a Mack Warranty.  It doesn’t matter if you buy it from B&H, Best Buy, PC Richards or that new store down the street.  If you ask a Mack Warranty and the store won’t order one for you just give us a call or check our website for a list of a Mack Warranty dealers in your area.  It is simple and convenient.

Don’t forget about our Diamond Warranties which covers accidental damage!

“you should support the photographer. You should only say kind things about him/her, even when you are off set. Be professional and be open minded. You will learn the most by being on set at photo shoots, so be grateful for opportunities to learn in these situations.”

via Photo Assistants: What You Need to Know | Fuel Your Photography.

“…many new Twitter applications, and ways to use Twitter have emerged… two simple ways on how to use Twitter to build your photography business.”

via How Twitter Can Help Your Photography Business | Fuel Your Photography.

“…when it comes to Twitter. So don’t worry about the numbers – Have fun, meet new people, and enjoy the meaningful conversations.”

via Twitter: It’s Not About the Numbers | Fuel Your Photography.

“Whether your an experienced photographer, an amateur or just a hobbyist/photo lover, it’s easy to gather up some tools and get started. These are just some options, you don’t need ALL of them.”

via The Ultimate Guide to Project 365 | Fuel Your Photography.

For many people, pets are an important part of the family.  They provide companionship, affection, protection and a healthy dose of laughter.  However, capturing your pet’s personality—or even getting him to sit still—can be a real challenge, but with a few tricks up your sleeve, you’ll find that photo that truly captures your furry friend’s fun disposition.

Keep it Natural: When it comes to lighting, try to shoot using available light even if you’re indoors.  Perhaps you can use the light coming in from a nearby window.  If possible, forgo using your camera’s flash.  In addition to possibly startling your pet and hindering his cooperation, the flash can also keep you from capturing your pet’s coat color accurately. However, if your pet has an all-black coat, a flash or direct outdoor sunlight can be an advantage because it will help bring out subtle shadings and variations that make your pet unique.

Follow Your Pet: When it comes to posing your pet, it’s best to meet him where he is at that moment.  If he’s resting, consider taking a few shots from a distance first.  Move in slowly and deliberately.

Frame Shots Tight:  When it comes to taking pictures of pets, a great zoom lens can work wonders. Whenever possible, fill the frame with your shot and shoot a bit tighter than you’re used to as it will create a more intimate and personal pet portrait.  If you’re looking for a new lens, we have a number of PROMASTER models designed to deliver high quality at a competitive price:  http://www.promaster.com/digital

Include Your Kids: If you have children, this is a wonderful family project and a great way to spend time after school one afternoon.   Enlist your child to help with posing and using toys or other enticements to get your pet to look in a certain direction or to create an ‘action’ shot of him retrieving a toy.  You can capture some great interaction between your kids and your pet; just let the events unfold and shoot away.  Trying to control the interaction may end up stifling the images and losing the lightness you’d hoped to capture.

Let it Go: Photographing pets can be challenging at times, and if your pet isn’t cooperating, put the camera away and try another time.  After a nice long walk or a game of catch, your pet may feel more cooperative and you can try again.

“We asked Mark Wallace if he wanted a little time with the first Nikon system to shoot a short video.”

via PocketWizard® – First FlexTT5 Nikon Prototype Test.

All you Photoshop, Lightroom, Aperture and iPhoto fans out there.  If you have never heard of the Topaz Labs plugins now is the time to check them out.  Topaz Labs has just released Topaz Adjust 4.  Not only is it a fast and powerful Photoshop plugin but with the addition of Topaz Fusion you can use the plugins in your favorite photo editing softwares.

Check out their plugins by downloading the free trials.  They are all worth a shot!

If you don’t want to download the plugins but would like to see them in action stop in and ask for me. I’d be more than happy to show them to you.

Think Tank Photo Official Press Release

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Think Tank Photo announces the release of the Logistics Manager™, its first rolling equipment case for lighting and photographic gear.  The rolling case’s endless interior layout options adapt to numerous equipment combinations and help manage all of the logistics of transporting and using a lot of gear while on location.

Its roomy internal dimensions of 13.75”W x 27.5”H x 8.25-10”D (35 x 70 x 21-25.5 cm) allow it to hold multiple combinations of cameras and lenses, lighting gear such as strobes and reflectors, and accessories of all kinds.  As there are many instances when photographers shooting on location must leave behind some or all of their gear, Logistics Manager offers a three-tier security system:

• A TSA combination lock to secure the main zipper.
  • A rear security cable and combination lock allow the roller to be locked to immovable objects.
  • A Security ID Plate with online plate registration allows lost gear to be identified and returned to the owner.

Its additional key features include:

• Extendable handle for easy transport and maneuverability and replaceable wheels within protective housings for greater longevity.
• .Attachment points on both sides for tripods or light stands
• A stretchable lower pocket in front that expands for cords, reflectors, and other grip items.
• Upper front pocket with built-in organizer and key loop.
• An organizer side pocket for secondary storage.
• Clear interior pockets for accessories.
• “No Rhetoric” lifetime warranty

“The Logistics Manager provides the answer to a question often asked by working photographers, which is, how can I transport all of my gear into the field, have quick access to it, and secure it from loss or theft,” said Doug Murdoch, Think Tank Photo president and lead designer.  “We took the design and engineering principles we pioneered in our line-up of award-winning rolling camera bags and applied them to this very roomy pro photographer logistics solution.”

Specifications:

Internal Dimensions:  13.75”W x 27.5”H x 8.25-10”D (35 x 70 x 21-25.5 cm)

External Dimensions:  15.75”W x 30”H x 11.5”D (40 x 76x 29 cm)

Weight:  16  – 24.5 lbs (7.3 – 11.1 kg) depending on accessories used

List Price:  $599.00