PSReye Focus on Sale until March 21, 2010

The PSRI magazine, PSReye Focus is on sale at 25% savings. In case you did not get a chance to purchase your own copy, or want to purchase additional ones for yourself or friends, the sale is offered directly by MagCloud and will end on March 21, 2010.

Shipping charges depend on the delivery speed, the lowest cost option at $1.40 per magazine arrives within about one week. MagCloud accepts PayPal or credit card payments and you will receive your copy in your mailbox within about one week although they indicate 1-2 weeks.

A Different Kind of Photography

Flickr has millions of photographs; now I don’t know the exact number but it seems to house a huge volume of photographs. Many, obviously not all by any stretch of imaginations, are similar photographs of places people have visited, friends having good time, animals caught in interesting and cute poses, and so on. In that haystack, I have stumbled upon a photographer and his unique work that both amazed and very pleased me.

Michael Paul Smith combines his mastery of model building with his photography and the result is akin to some kind of time-travel. His affinity to mid 1950s automobiles and his roots still strong in his hometown compelled him to build models of the era, cars, trucks, diners, car dealerships, country roads, and so on. I find his model building skills are extraordinary and his photography quite original and exacting. I have his permission to use these couple of photographs to give you a taste of what awaits you. I encourage you to visit his flickr collection and have a trip down the memory lane. Thank you Michael for your vision, and for your permission to use the photographs in this post.

An Oldie Made Available Again

I moderated two panel discussions on the meaning, practice, and art of photography in the past. One of them was recorded and a streaming video of the program was available. However, in between server transfer and PSRI Web platform change, that video never made it to the new site. Now, through the use of newer technology and services that episode of the discussions on photography is available here again. It is over an hour long, and unlike most (if not all) programs we have had, there are no photographs shown, no PowerPoint slides, nor techniques; just conversation among four people with varying backgrounds and interests in photography.

Here it is, Conversations on Photography.

PSRI Magazine is Out

The PSReye Focus magazine, featuring the photographs and articles of PSRI members and Providence College photography students is available for purchase. It is the result of the hard work of two Providence College students, Emma Hansen and John Vaghi with contributions from many photographers and the keen and critical eye of the editorial board of the magazine. It is published on an on-demand printing platform and anyone can purchase as many copies as they want. The photographic contributions are great so is the print and paper quality. It should make an excellent Christmas gift or stocking stuffer for the photo buff and art lovers.

Order it directly from MagCloud. The holiday price until January 1, 2010 is $12.50 plus shipping. After that the price will go up to $15.00 plus shipping. Shipping charges depend on the delivery speed, the lowest cost option at $1.40 per magazine arrives within about one week. MagCloud accepts PayPal or credit card payments and you will receive your copy in your mailbox within about one week although they indicate 1-2 weeks.

We hope that you enjoy the magazine, which is most likely a camera club first.

Yet another white balance tool

White balance has become a well-known issue and benefit to digital photographers. There are several different products in the market from simple to more complex. I have come across yet another one of these tools, this time from Datacolor, the makers of Spider series of monitor calibration, printer profiling devices. The new tool, SpyderCube, lives up to its name. It is indeed a cube with different tones on its surfaces with one side having a circular opening into a black-painted cavity. Its base allows it to stand on flat surfaces or, using the threaded mount, it can be mounted on a light stand or a tripod. The loop at the top will hook on other suitable objects to appear in the scene. It even has a chrome ball at its apex to evaluate the specular highlights. At $59 MSP it may deserve a look. These tools can be extremely useful to get an accurate white balance setting under diverse conditions. For more information visit the Datacolor Web site.

Writings on Close-up Photography by PSRI Members

Close-up and macro photography can be enchanting, while taking it and surely when viewing it. We present a couple of articles that you may enjoy reading. They are informative and easy to follow.

Close Up Tools and Techniques by Dennis Goulet

Introduction to Close Up Photography by Dennis Goulet

Writings on Nature Photography by PSRI Members

Landscape is an attractive and popular subject, not only to photograph but also to write ideas about it and share with others. Here are a few that you may enjoy.

Photographing Waterfalls by Kim DiIurio

Landscape Photography by Mike DiStefano

Fall Foliage Hot Spots of Northern New England by Mike DiStefano

Alaska by Dennis Goulet

In the Right Place by Dennis Goulet

Writings on Photography by PSRI Members

Over the years, we have accumulated a good number of reading material produced by our members and guest presenters. On this page you will find several that address the general idea of photography.

Can You Feel It? by Mike DiStefano

Stop And Smell The Flowers by Mike DiStefano

How to Improve your Photography by Mike DiStefano

Composition by Mike DiStefano

Soulscapes by Ray Guillette

Slide Shows for Film and Digital Photographers by Dennis Goulet