Photography Reading & Reference Bibliography
Life-long learning has always been a philosophy that I subscribe to. As self-taught nature photographer, part of that education has come from reading. This link open My Photography Reading & Reference Library, which contains a listing of my favorite photography books, broken out in categories (Photography Business, Photography - General, Photography - Coffee Table Books, Digital Dark Room, Creativity, Field Guides, Field Guide web sites, Photo Shoot web sites).
Life-long learning has always been a philosophy that I subscribe to. As self-taught nature photographer, part of that education has come from reading. This link open My Photography Reading & Reference Library, which contains a listing of my favorite photography books, broken out in categories (Photography Business, Photography - General, Photography - Coffee Table Books, Digital Dark Room, Creativity, Field Guides, Field Guide web sites, Photo Shoot web sites).
Image Development & Asset Management Software
Trying to make a smooth workflow, I've standardized on three software packages for my photography, each playing a key role.
PhotoMechanic - Developed by Camera Bits, PhotoMechanic is a feature-rich browser program, which allows me to quickly download the large RAW files from my card to the computer. Once imported, I perform a 'first edit' of all images, discarding poor exposure, design, composition, etc. With the remaining selected images, I import and insert the GPS coordinates into each image directly from my Garmin Vista GPS.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom - Following the selection & GPS coordinate import, I import "selects" into Lightroom, at the same time converting all RAW files to DNG. The Development module is utilized for all image processing. The Library module is my DAM (Digital Asset Management) software for keywording, captioning, and rating all images. The Web module generates my web site galleries and light boxes. (I also use Microsoft Expression Web for my web site).
Hindsight - For overall asset management, I use Hindsight Insight/Stockview software. Insight's comprehensive customer tracking/management program aids in maintaining contact with my customers. Stockview provides digital image asset management for image tracking, which allows me to track all images in my archive, identifying client submissions, agency submissions, notes for each image, income from each, etc.. Also available "Find a Photograher"
Trying to make a smooth workflow, I've standardized on three software packages for my photography, each playing a key role.
PhotoMechanic - Developed by Camera Bits, PhotoMechanic is a feature-rich browser program, which allows me to quickly download the large RAW files from my card to the computer. Once imported, I perform a 'first edit' of all images, discarding poor exposure, design, composition, etc. With the remaining selected images, I import and insert the GPS coordinates into each image directly from my Garmin Vista GPS.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom - Following the selection & GPS coordinate import, I import "selects" into Lightroom, at the same time converting all RAW files to DNG. The Development module is utilized for all image processing. The Library module is my DAM (Digital Asset Management) software for keywording, captioning, and rating all images. The Web module generates my web site galleries and light boxes. (I also use Microsoft Expression Web for my web site).
Hindsight - For overall asset management, I use Hindsight Insight/Stockview software. Insight's comprehensive customer tracking/management program aids in maintaining contact with my customers. Stockview provides digital image asset management for image tracking, which allows me to track all images in my archive, identifying client submissions, agency submissions, notes for each image, income from each, etc.. Also available "Find a Photograher"
Photography Equipment
Canon - My camera equipment is exclusively Canon. (Nothing against Nikon, I just started with Canon and kept with it). This includes Canon 1DS Mark III, and lenses 16-35mm f/2.8 L; 24-70mm f/2.8 L; 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS; 180mm f/3.5 L macro; 500mm f/4 L IS, in conjunction with the 1.4x II Telextender, 12mm and 25mm EF II extension tubes.
Kirk Enterprises, Inc. - I have standardized on the Kirk BH-1 ball head and quick release plates. The Kirk "L" bracket on the camera body allows flexibility shooting horizontally or vertically on the non-tripod ring lenses (16-35mm and 24-70mm). Each tripod ring (180mm macro, 70-200mm and 500mm) has a Kirk quick release plate specific for that lens. I find this combination to be convenient, efficient, and flexible with great stability.
Gitzo tripod - My sole tripod is the three section carbon fiber Gitzo 1325 Mountaineer. In combination with the BH-1, this combination provides a solid platform which has served me well through many different situations.
Lowepro ProTrekker AW II - To date, I have found the Lowepro ProTrekker AW II to be the perfect carrier for all my camera gear. With rare exception, I often carry all of my photography equipment into the field and have no problems wearing this back pack that can get close to 40 pounds in weight. With its built in structural support and comfort weight bearing design, the only time it seems heavy is when I'm carrying it out to the car.
Canon - My camera equipment is exclusively Canon. (Nothing against Nikon, I just started with Canon and kept with it). This includes Canon 1DS Mark III, and lenses 16-35mm f/2.8 L; 24-70mm f/2.8 L; 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS; 180mm f/3.5 L macro; 500mm f/4 L IS, in conjunction with the 1.4x II Telextender, 12mm and 25mm EF II extension tubes.
Kirk Enterprises, Inc. - I have standardized on the Kirk BH-1 ball head and quick release plates. The Kirk "L" bracket on the camera body allows flexibility shooting horizontally or vertically on the non-tripod ring lenses (16-35mm and 24-70mm). Each tripod ring (180mm macro, 70-200mm and 500mm) has a Kirk quick release plate specific for that lens. I find this combination to be convenient, efficient, and flexible with great stability.
Gitzo tripod - My sole tripod is the three section carbon fiber Gitzo 1325 Mountaineer. In combination with the BH-1, this combination provides a solid platform which has served me well through many different situations.
Lowepro ProTrekker AW II - To date, I have found the Lowepro ProTrekker AW II to be the perfect carrier for all my camera gear. With rare exception, I often carry all of my photography equipment into the field and have no problems wearing this back pack that can get close to 40 pounds in weight. With its built in structural support and comfort weight bearing design, the only time it seems heavy is when I'm carrying it out to the car.
Photography Representation, Organization &
Connections
My Rights Managed licensed images are available from the following first three agencies as well as my own web site. (I do not provide any Royalty Free images). Each hyperlink will take you directly to my on-line gallery with each agency. (There is some duplication of images between agencies).
AGPIX "connects photobuyers with photographers" (from AGPix web site) AGPix is a subscription based service for the photographer, (free to qualified photobuyers). Located in New York, AGPix offers its services worldwide.
Alamy is the "largest and most comprehensive online collection of commercial photography in the world" (from Alamy web site). From its headquarters in the United Kingdom, Alamy has worldwide sales and distribution representation.
Green Stock Media mission is to "visually promote the broad spectrum of environmental and sustainability issues." (from Green Stock Media web site) From the San Francisco Bay area, Green Stock Media provides an vast array of environmental photography, "promoting sustainability, one image at a time."
North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) "Is the first and premiere association in North America committed solely to serving the field of nature photography" (from NANPA web site). This organization provides great information and knowledge sharing. I find it quite useful.
My LinkedIn profile. - Keep track of my photographic activities by connecting to me on LinkedIn.
My Rights Managed licensed images are available from the following first three agencies as well as my own web site. (I do not provide any Royalty Free images). Each hyperlink will take you directly to my on-line gallery with each agency. (There is some duplication of images between agencies).
AGPIX "connects photobuyers with photographers" (from AGPix web site) AGPix is a subscription based service for the photographer, (free to qualified photobuyers). Located in New York, AGPix offers its services worldwide.
Alamy is the "largest and most comprehensive online collection of commercial photography in the world" (from Alamy web site). From its headquarters in the United Kingdom, Alamy has worldwide sales and distribution representation.
Green Stock Media mission is to "visually promote the broad spectrum of environmental and sustainability issues." (from Green Stock Media web site) From the San Francisco Bay area, Green Stock Media provides an vast array of environmental photography, "promoting sustainability, one image at a time."
North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) "Is the first and premiere association in North America committed solely to serving the field of nature photography" (from NANPA web site). This organization provides great information and knowledge sharing. I find it quite useful.
My LinkedIn profile. - Keep track of my photographic activities by connecting to me on LinkedIn.