Stop the Ride! I want Off!

Just a follow-on post to my previous about looking at Aperture 3 ... I think I'm going to leave it alone for the time being, maybe sometime in the future I'll pick up that torch. There are certainly many Aperture features that I truly dig ... but I'm pretty rooted into Lightroom. After all, I learned Lightroom first - and I know it pretty well.

I simply wish there was more "freely" available learning tools for Aperture!

If anyone who follows my posts has or knows of a tethering application (on the real cheap) - that works like Aperture for the Canon 5D ... lemme know!

Or -- even better ... if Lightroom's developers are reading this (yea! right!) maybe you could implement a true tethering feature into Lightroom, the way Aperture has pulled it off!

Spinning Aperture 3 and Lightroom 3

Okay folks ... so I'm back to trying to figure out which library management tool to use ... both of the leaders have their strengths and weaknesses. I think the only thing that really slows me down where Aperture is concerned is it's use of a single-package library solution, hiding it's structure inside a "package".

The other aspect with Aperture that hangs me up is organization of projects, and folders ... in Lightroom I keep my photos organized by three categories, 1) Client Works, 2) Photolog (my personal works), and 3) Workshops. The lowest level of the hierarchy is a folder by the "date" of the shoot.

This approach can work in Aperture, however it's obvious that it was not really the intended approach, as your "projects" become named by a date ... which is so utterly meaningless in the grand-scheme of things.

Anyway- Aperture I love the idea - it's now incorporated many of the features that we've come to be very used to in Lightroom. However ... the organizational component is awkward at best. Maybe these short commings are my lack of training with Aperture ? I mean after-all I pretty well understand Lightroom, I know many of the keyboard short-cuts and have become quite accustomed to the way files are stored and moved about.

I dunno ... I really wish there were active podcasts on learning and working with Aperture ... but alas ... there's really none of that?!


It's those reasons, coupled with the lack of an Aperture for Windows that will keep Aperture behind for some time ... I guess until Apple releases an Aperture for Windows ... it'll be the underdog.

Website Up and Running

I launched the new website format. Included some new things, implemented Google Mapping - for location ideas ;)

I'm multi-tasking pretty heavy right now, with classes at the local college campus, and trying to get this business of photography thing off the ground.

The new website lacks a portfolio/gallery component. This is forthcoming, as I have several thousand images to sort through ... gotta pick out the best of the best for show.

I recently acquired a few things to help with my portrait work ... such as a portable back-drop kit, and materials for backdrops ... I've been hitting area furniture places and second-hand shops trying to find the perfect posing bench/stool/chair. I found one, but it was a little outta my budget ... a rather beautiful antique slip-chair for about $200. So that quest continues.

I noticed today that Dave Jackson is now offering a couple 1-day portrait workshops at his new studio in Appleton, WI ... I so wish I could make that trip ... but alas, the scheduled dates don't match my current class schedules :(

Back to School

Well ... it's once again time to return to campus ...

We started the Winter session at Columbia College yesterday (11 Jan 2010).

For the next 8 weeks I'll be busy doing Math and Art Appreciation homework ...

I am also going to be avidly working on getting my photography website online.

I will BE very available for portrait sessions ... remember they are 'free' ... it includes a CD
with print and web ready photos from your session ... this is all provided at no cost to you.

(estimated value is $230).

Holiday/Vacation

I'm off on my annual holiday break ... only this year I extended it by one week - to make up for missing my vacation trip in November.

I'm hanging out in Austin, TX with my younger brother ... we've arranged some fashion shooting during my trip before we head to the parents for the standard chrissy-mas thang.

If you are interested in the recent shoot ... check out my flickr page


http://www.flickr.com/photos/seraphicimago/4179252705/


for a look-see.

Never Let Em' See You Sweat

okay- so today is my first live shoot ...
well, I guess it's actually my second.

My first shoot was a corporate headshot gig; with 40 some people to assembly line shoot ...

Today is something a little different. I'm guessing its a young child, though I could be very wrong. I'm taking an assistant with me to play VAL and to shuttle the reflector around.

I'm shooting in someone's home, I have no idea what the layout will be, or how much room will be available for setup.

I'll admit to being slightly nervous going in ... though it is only slightly ... I'm feeling rather confident in my tools, and not worried much about failures. I checked the sensor for dirtiness last night ... looked over my lenses, blew a little dust off where needed ... so I think I'm all set.

I am honestly rather calm today ... I woke up early -

Have a Great Day folks!

Fall Session 09/12 ENDS

So, the Fall Session has come to an end. I must admit I actually enjoyed my first session of college.

Interacting with real people on a frequent basis ... really nice.

How did I do .. well those who know me well will not be surprised to learn that I achieve a 4.0 GPA in my session.

I took two course (ENGL 111 English Composition I) and (CISS 170 Intro to Computers) - yea, I had to take 170 ... doh!

In January I will be taking (ARTS 105 Art Appreciation) and (MATH 104 Intro to Algebra) - yea, I was too lazy to take the Math placement test ... but then again, it's been like 20-some years since I took a math class of any kind.

Anyway, at the moment this leaves me with 20 credit hours accumulated ... with 6 more at the end of the January session.


So ... I have like 4 weeks between sessions ... so I'm off to spend a week or so in Texas with my brother .... then to the folks for Hannukwazimas.

Oh, almost forgot ... I have my first photoshoot tomorrow ... former co-worker wants photos of her grand daughter ... what could I say.