Monday, January 31, 2011

COMPARATIVA NIKON COOLPIX P7000 VS CANON POWERSHOT G12


El fotógrafo Peter K. Burian ha hecho una interesante comparativa entre la Nikon Coolpix P7000 y la Canon Powershoot G12.

Podeis leerla en su blog:

http://www.pixiq.com/article/review

Dawns Early Light

Sundown In Illinois

Take Me Home

Winter Postcard from Northern Illinois

Beach Winds

Stealthy Egret

Weird sky/cloud formations

Early Sunday evening, I noticed some weird cloud formations -- or, perhaps, jet streams? -- in the west/southwestern sky while I was outdoors and happened to have my PowerShot G12 with me, so I took some pictures. Turns out ... I had a short window of opportunity to lock in on a color shade, as the setting sun and/or its reflected rays transformed the color of these formations from the usual bright white to a bronze tint in a span of 10 minutes or so during the time I was observing and photographing.

There probably is a perfectly good explanation for these helter-skelter patters, and they probably are jet streams (shows you how scientific I am to not be able to recognize the difference). But of these streaks looked too wide and splayed for jet streams, and yet ... too narrow and too tubular for clouds. Perhaps it was a confluence of clouds and jet streams. 

I did a quick hunt online, and not surprisingly found that weird cloud formations are not usual, but in the pictures of examples of "weird cloud formations," I didn't see any examples that resembled these helter-skelterlike skyscapes!

The image at the top is a broad overview of the spectacle; the one immediately below is a somewhat tighter look at the same composition. Both were taken before the aforementioned bronzing effect, the first of which you can see in the portrait orientation two shots below.




Above and the next two below: After the sunset/bronzing effect took hold. That tiny black figure to the right of the formation on the left is a passing aircraft. A crop of the above frame to bring out better detail of the aircraft appears below.
 
 



Above: This is not entirely a sunset bronzing effect; while I did capture this after the sunset started tinkering with the cloud colors, it's also the result of a PowerShot G12 in-camera melding of three images captured in rapid succession (also known as high-dynamic range, or HDR).

Sunday, January 30, 2011

MY PICTURE TOWN PARA IPHONE


Nikon ofrece la posibilidad de disfrutar de My Picturetown en el Iphone. My Picturetown es un servicio para el almacenamiento de fotos y vídeos, que permite compartir todo con los amigos y familiares de una manera sencilla y segura a través de correo electrónico, por lo que la privacidad está totalmente garantizada.

Al regístrarse puede elegir entre una cuenta gratuita de 2 Gb de almacanemiento o la cuenta oro donde podrá adquirir capacidad de almacenamiento que varía entre los 20GB hasta los 200GB .

Ahora es posible descargar la versión para Iphone desde Itunes, con lo que podrá consultar y gestionar desde su teléfono, toda la información gráfica que haya cargado y compartirla con sus contactos. También podrá realizar fotografías desde su teléfono y enviarlas en forma de álbumes al instante a sus allegados.

My Picturetown simplifica al máximo el proceso de cargar fotos en tamaño original, pues no es necesario cambiar el tamaño de las imágenes. Tampoco encontrará limitaciones de tamaño ni resolución. Este servicio posee un funcionamiento intuitivo con Carga Rápida que permite cargar varias imágenes a la vez con tan solo arrastrarlas.

Además podrá crear sus álbumes de forma más vistosa clasificándolas por evento, viaje o tema y los podrá compartir en pases de diapositivas con música.

En definitiva, Picturetown permite enviar decenas de fotos a cualquier persona en el momento que desee sin preocuparse de la calidad o el tamaño. Basta con seleccionar las fotos que desée enviar e indicar la dirección de correo electrónico del destinatario. Sus contactos recibirán las fotos originales para que puedan descargarlas en su resolución original y realizar impresiones de alta calidad si así lo desean...¡y ahora también desde su Iphone!

Para registrarse sólo necesita una dirección de correo electrónico y descargar la aplicación para Iphone desde Itunes.

http://mypicturetown.com/?cid=ee300912fs03


Via Nikonistas.com

Liz Bradley | Oh Baby! Accordion

Ooooh, how I LOVE getting photos of actual printed pieces!! How cute is this Oh Baby! accordion book sent in by Liz Bradley of Elizabeth & Jane Photography!! Liz is so incredibly talented and creative – I get so excited when she sends us samples.


One Hour Walk Project


This past Friday afternoon I spent one hour of walking through a snow covered park in the Mexican War Streets on Pittsburgh's North Side.

Some days you just need to get out of the house and walk to see life. Too much of my time has been spent indoors lately, slightly maddening. Last year at this time I was leaving the gray skies of Pittsburgh, Florida bound to the sunshine.

The goal is to purposefully shoot B&W in camera (which I never do) and also to shoot in jpeg, also something I never do.

Taking photos of whatever struck me: people bundled up walking their dogs, random graffiti and the crazy few who enjoy bike riding in the cold weather.

The other composing idea was to frame large landscapes with small life in the bottom right hand corner. If you flip through my Flickr photos (HERE) you will see that I was not true to that self-imposed rule.

Needing to get out of the cold I slipped into Monterey Pub; an Irish pub amidst the Mexican War Streets. I like this place. I like its character. I could become a regular here, if I ever frequented a bar enough. I ordered a Guinness while Ruby Tuesday by the Stones played on the jukebox.

Good day. I warm up with a cold beer, write in my journal, flip through photos and the bartender who looks just like Jesus serves me a beer.

No Soup For You!

Elk Crossing

Sydney Panoramic View


Saturday, January 29, 2011

The Coveted Stylish Blogger Award


So, It's a fact.
I am the worst blog award accepter in the world! So many of you send me these kind of thingys to place on NikonSniper. I usually just thank you for mentioning NikonSniper and for dropping by to see the photos.

Generally speaking, the awards are kinda similar ... however, it's just the rules to receive the awards that seem to vary greatly.
Some want you to tell your life story in a short form novel. Preferably in paperback form.
Some want to play word association games. When I say "PeeWee Herman" ... you say?
Some ask for your birthdate, social security number, recent photo and your bank tracking records.
Some ask for 3 things about you, 7 things about you, 9 lies you've told, etc.
Some ask you random questions like Potato(e) or Rice?

OK, … I gotta nuther award. This time it came from Child of God. So thank you Child of God for passing on the coveted Stylish Blogger Award that has eluded me for years. I would often lie awake in bed wondering why this one award kept dodging me. Is it my style? Is it the black background on the blog? Is it the Sniper part of the name? So, Child of God, congratulations on your Stylish Blogger Award and for being willing to pass this wonderful treasure along to me. I will certainly sleep easier tonight!

NikonSniper Stylish Blogger Rules
1. Tell your readers 10 things about yourself that indicate exactly how weird you really are.
2. Select one bloggie to give the award to so they can have their 15 minutes of fame.

So here are the 10 things you might know (or might have assumed) about me:

1. I ate "A LOT" of lead base paint chips when I was a child.
2. I spent many years of my youth handcuffed to a water fountain in a Texas grade school.
3. My favorite movies are Uncle Buck and What About Bob.
4. I would like to see every member of the House of Representatives and Senate defeated by a newcomer in EVERY election.
5. I have a crazy psycho large jazz collection. I decided to buy this instead of college education for my children. To me, it was basically a good decision because man those CD's sound good.
6. I would like to take all my bloggies on a field trip to Australia for a serious photographic field study.
7. I fell out of the front of a trailer being pulled by a tractor when I was 10. The trailer wheel went over my head while I was on the ground. Thanks for stoppin’ Gramps!
8. I spent time doing standup comedy on a dare in Canada in my mid-twenties. I didn't find myself funny enough when the big guy in the front kept shouting, "That's Not Funny, ... I Said, MAKE Me Laugh".
9. My father was a pastor in Canada during my most trying teen years. That was his bad luck not mine.
10. I am amazed every day of my life by God’s mercy, grace, love, and provision for me.

By the way, ... those lead base paints chips still taste good.
And now … ending my short-lived fame, I would like to bestow the coveted Stylish Blogger Award upon MontanaGirl. I have always enjoyed viewing her photography blog and the wildlife in that beautiful part of the country. Congratulations MontanaGirl.

All the best to you. I hope you all have a great weekend!

NikonSniper Steve

Eastern Bluebird Bug Shuttle

Some People Think I'm CrAAAzzzzY

Pacific Picnic

Our God Is An Awesome God


This is a photo of me taken by my wife about 5 years ago on top of a hill in our town. The sky was on fire at sundown that evening. To me the photo has always been about praise for our heavenly Father. Life hasn't dealt me straight Aces. I have had to learn to keep on praising Him when the chips are down. This photo has been a good reminder for me to keep looking to Him for guidance in good and bad times.

God-Given Landing Gear

I Can't Be A Pit Bull With A Sweater!

Roll On Tide

Moment

Current Reading: Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami
Current Music: Flesh on Flesh by Al Di Meola
Mood: Happy!
Smells: Cantaloupe
Sounds:Disney Princess
Temperature: 27 degrees light snow
Thoughts: Still image / Written page

Friday, January 28, 2011

I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry Over You

A Powerful River In Spring, A Trickle In Fall

Fog Frame Barn

Barb Wire Painting

South Nevada Hills

Parthenon Columns

Tired Dog Needs Rest

So, … Do you ever get that blahhhhh feeling in the middle of the winter? Maybe not if you live in the far South. Like, … it sure would be great to wake up every day in Sydney, Australia right now.

I feel like life is taking me through a quiet season. Things have been very tough in this business climate. I am honestly just thankful I even have a job. I feel like I am hearing God speak to me more these days. Maybe He wants to move me somewhere else. Maybe not!

Sometimes when I feel exhausted or discouraged, it helps for me to meditate on the fact that two seconds after I kick the bucket, … none of these day to day trials will matter at all to me.

The Bible teaches us to be careful as to exactly what we hold important in life.
In Luke 12:15b-20, it reads …

“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

After reading this, I know I need to chill and rest in the fact that I am God’s child through faith in Christ and that nothing is more important in this life than seeking FIRST the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:25-34).

If I could reach out and hand you anything I have … it would be His peace. Jesus loves you and wants to give you eternal life. Say yes to Him. (John 3:16).

I just believe this is the most important thing I can say to you today. I wouldn’t intentionally try offend any of you.

God bless you all. Thank you for your kind words left on this website.
NikonSniper Steve

Friday, 28th January, 2011.

I prefer not to feature the same people two weeks in a row, but sometimes the photos are so good that I can't avoid it.

These are from Sean (208), Dave Q (forgotten), James (Rue Budé), Pal Espen (swan), Genie (Church), Snow Leopard (Crystal Train).








As usual, click on the photos or the names above to visit the original post.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE COPYRIGHT OF THESE PHOTOS REMAINS WITH THEIR OWNERS.

DO NOT COPY WITHOUT EXPRESS PERMISSION.


Photo of the Week

Thursday, January 27, 2011

NUEVOS RUMORES NIKON: D800, D5100, EVIL, ETC...

Rios de tinta están corriendo ante las supuestas novedades que nos presentará Nikon en breve. A ciencia cierta, aún no sabemos nada, pero si parece que las próximas novedades se verán en breve y serán nuevos modelos de cámaras.

Por pura lógica, una de las cámaras relevadas será la D700, ya que este verano cumplirá 3 años en el mercado. Pese a ser aún un modelo muy válido y apreciado, siendo a dia de hoy una de las mejores cámaras con sensor FX del mercado, es logico que su sucesora no tarde en llegar. Lo que no sabemos aún son sus características. Se especula que podría llevar un sensor de 24 mp similar al de la Nikon D3X y que implementaría el video, aún no presente en la D700. Es de esperar que en un periodo de 3 o 4 meses o probablemente este verano la veamos en las tiendas y su denominación parece ser que seria Nikon D800.


                                                   Fotomontaje de la supuesta Nikon D800

En la gama media-alta o semiprofesional, veremos si la D7000 no canibaliza las ventas de la D300S, ya que a un precio inferior, ofrece prestaciones iguales o superiores en algún punto en concreto. Hay quien piensa que la D7000 se quedará como modelo top de la gama DX de Nikon, ya que parece difícil hacer una cámara con sensor DX con presatciones más elevadas, salvo que se incida en un cuerpo mucho más robusto o se consiga una cifra más alta de fps en el disparo

En la gama media-baja réflex, también podriamos ver algun modelo. Con la aparición de la D3100, con prestaciones similares y en algun caso superiores a la D5000, esta ultima (ya descatalogada) queda en tierra de nadie, por lo tanto no es descabellado pensar en una sucesora de esta, quizás llamada D5100, con un sensor similar al que implementa la D7000 o  uno nuevo de 14 mp probablemente de procedencia Sony. Posiblemente tambien mantendría la pantalla abatible y tendría algunas prestaciones superiores a la D3100 (aunque quedando en este sentido la D7000 aún muy por encima).

Como por precio, la D3100 queda como una cámara excesivamente "cara" para ser un modelo de entrada de la gama baja (aunque de momento esta seria la D3000, aún en venta), no es descartable un nuevo modelo basico de precio bajo y de prestaciones limitadas, similar a la D3000, aunque no se espera nada destacable en ese aspecto, más que una cámara para un gran público poco exigente.

Por otro lado y lo que sería más interesante por su novedad es saber si Nikon entrará en el mercado de cámaras, "EVIL", "mirrorless" o sin espejo. Visto el interés suscitado por cámaras de la competencia como las Sony Nex, Olympus Pen, o Panasonic G, tanto a nivel tecnico como en ventas, no es de extrañar que Nikon no se quiera quedar fuera de este jugoso pastel.


                                                   Cámaras sin espejo de Olympus y Sony

Eso supondria crear un modelo de cámara de pequeño tamaño, con objetivos intercambiables y con visor electronico. Estaría por ver si esos nuevos objetivos llevarian montura F compatible con la actual, o serían con una bayoneta de menor tamaño como sería lógico y por tanto Nikon crearia un nuevo sistema tanto de cámaras como objetivos. Aunque no es descartable que estas supuestas cámaras pudiesen ser compatibles con los objetivos Nikkor actuales mediante adaptador, como ocurre con otros sistemas de la competencia. También se espera con ansia saber si estas cámaras llevarian sensor aps-c o uno de inferior tamaño. Algunos especulan que estás cámaras podrian tener una versión más "comercial", como las actuales de la competencia, es decir con un precio sobre los 400-500€ y otra más profesional, con cuerpos más robustos y de mejor calidad. La espectación creada por la nueva Fuji X100 (una compacta de alta calidad con objetivo fijo luminoso y con aire retro) hace pensar que quizas se tuviera en cuenta el mercado de los profesionales o aficionados avanzados exigentes y con nostalgia de cámaras hechas "a la antigua".


                                                                    Fuji Finepix X100

Pero todo esto son especulaciones. En unos pocos meses, quizas solo semanas, tendremos la respuesta a todas o algunas de estas incógnitas.

Miss You Susan

Another Great Fall Picnic Spot