Some folks have suggested that I could upload blog posts via an iPhone instead of using my Nokia E71. So, why don’t I use an iPhone for moblogging? It’s simple, because you don’t ever own an iPhone, you just rent it from ATT. Yep, rent.

You can’t buy an unlocked iPhone. You must pay money to Apple and then to ATT and sign a two-year contract. At the end of the contract what happens? I dunno. Guess you have to stay with ATT since it won’t work with another carrier. In other words, you hope that the rent doesn’t go up again.

It’s different with the Nokia E71. I own it. I can pick my carrier. I can use sim cards in other countries. Etc. And frankly the Nokia E71 does as much or more than the iPhone. For example, it has a hot-swappable micro SDHC card slot. Means I can load stuff to my phone very quickly. Means I can put the micro SDHC card in an adapter and shoot photos with my cameras, then put the card back in the phone and then do whatever I like with them. I can also tether the E71 to my laptop. You can’t do that with an iPhone! Can you believe that it’s impossible? I haven’t found out if you pay ATT more money if you can or not. But, the point is that Apple, who made linking between devices simple and easy to do, won’t allow you to link your Apple Powerbook to the Apple iPhone. Oh, I know, ATT won’t allow it. Part of the contract it has with Apple. It’s a stupid policy. Just one more reason why I’m not on board with the Apple/ATT marriage.

And in the meantime there are hundreds, maybe thousands of applications that will work in the Nokia E71 that have been released as freeware. And more and more new applications are coming about. Like Scribe by Jay Fenton. Seems he has a new version underway that will allow me to upload photos directly from the E71 without doing an ftp to my server.

I refuse to rent an iPhone. I prefer to buy something I own. Sorta like the difference in owning your home or renting from someone else. When the roof leaks I fix it, when it leaks in your rental house, well, maybe the owner will fix it, maybe not.

And, I sit here wondering what will happen two years and one month down the road. How many iPhones will there be in the local landfill? Or, how many folks out there will be paying ATT MORE MONEY to continue their service?

Finally put together all the tools I need to blog from my cellphone.

The ability to edit photos taken with the Nokia E71 occupied much of my time this morning. Why? Because the blog format looks best when photos are restricted to 600 pixels on the longest side.

So, I surfed the net looking for photo editing software. And, I found excellent software called Resco Photo Viewer. I bought the software and installed it on my E71.

The software has many excellent features in addition to resizing. Adjustments to exposure, contrast, and colors are possible. And, it can do a very good slide show. Here is a photo edited and resized using the software. So, all the parts are together to blog on the road with some modicum of quality

With bloging software loaded on the cell phone, a FTP client on the cell phone, and photo editing software on the phone, it all comes together. Can’t wait to use it in Africa!

Moblogged from my Nokia E71.

The quest to do blog posts from my Nokia E71 cellphone has been accomplished. Today, I installed some Beta software called Scribe, written by Jay Fenton who is one of the partners of Howler Technologies. You can download the software here.

This a post using his software. Now the quest is to add photographs, and I suspect that soon Jay will have an easy way to do that from my E71, for now, it only allows me to enter a link to an image that is on the web.

Well, it finally works! But the solution was much more involved that I first thought.

There were two issues.

Text works fine with Jay’s software. Very simple to write and post text.

But then I wanted to include images from my E71, and while Jay’s software provides the ability to link to an image on the web, the question was “how do I get the image on the Internet?” By this I mean to my own folder, not at Flickr or somewhere else.

So, I needed an FTP client and I found one. It’s called SIC. It is free software from http://www.sic-software.com. Course, after installation, I had to understand how it works. Took me some time to configure the FTP correctly and then to understand how to upload to my Internet folder. Once I understood this, the next quest was to downsize images on the E71 as small as I could. There is no native image editor on the E71! But one can simply take a shot that is smaller. Say 640X480 pixels. So, after making adjustments to the camera settings, I took the shot shown above, uploaded to my Internet folder via the SIC software, then modified the blog entry using Scribe, and wow, now I have both text and images.

So, now I can record both text and images easily with my E71, then upload stuff to my Internet folder, then write away and link to those images easily.

Imagine doing a blog from a cellphone! I love it. Course, now I have to find something interesting to write about, include some photos, etc. My next trip is to Scotland, there should be ample opportunities on the Road.

And I am grateful that there are people out there who write free software that one can use for stuff like this. Many thanks to Jay Fenton and the folks at sic-software!

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Today, I thought I might try doing a post from my Nokia E71 smart phone.

It would be neat to make posts from distant places with my thoughts fresh in mind. And, perhaps to include a photo taken with the phone.

Just an idea. But, a challenge.

Doing text is easy, it’s the adding photos that is impossible! But, being the obsessive personality that I am, I will find a way.

Stay tuned.

Those of us who are avid photographers often plan in great detail about where we are going, how we will get there, what time of day will be best for photography, what camera and lens to use, and such other things.

But then, stuff happens.

As on this bitterly cold morning, when I stood awaiting for my photography group to arrive and then to beg a ride to our destination, a lovely spot on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. But, as I stood there waiting, I looked at the light that fell before me. What more could one want? It was just before sunrise and the sky was all alight with magical colors, the water was calm, and the little boat, with it’s tether line stretching to the shore, all were there in front of me, begging me to get out my camera and lens. So I did.

And to be philosophical about this, I should say, that such is what life is about. Have you not had the same thing happen to you? Just a brief moment in time when something special took place in front of your eyes? It could have been a slight smile from a loved one, the interaction of a human and animal, the catch light of an eagle at dawn, a bear looking with interest at something in the distance. It is what I call the “soul of the moment.” There I go again, digressing.

And what I may have learned from this bitterly cold morning, while waiting to go do something planned, is that the unplanned moments are the ones we treasure most.

Photographed at Ornsay, Isle of Skye, Scotland.

I received an email message about another photographer’s impression of the Canon Wide Angle Adapter for the Canon Powershot G9. It differs greatly with my own experience.

“I think your Canon WC-DC58B lens for the G9 must have been a bad sample. I’ve had reasonably good results from the little work I’ve done with mine. The corners are definitely soft, and there’s a lot of CA and barrel distortion. The latter can be corrected in SilkyPix and the former can *mostly* be eliminated in the same software. Here’s an sample taken using my G9 and WC-DC58B (on a Lensmate), developed using SilkPix:

<http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajcarr/2341545476/>

In ‘All Sizes’ you can see the full-resolution image to pixel-peep the corners, but I certainly don’t have any objections to the centre or even edge resolution (just the corners). It must be said that the Canon TC-DC58C for long focal lengths is a much better piece of glass (probably far easier to design, as well). Looking at the samples on the Lensmate site, the Raynox lenses are substantially worse than the Canon lenses (although the Raynox macro adaptor DCR-250 seems to work extremely well).

Anyhow, many thanks for your very informative and interesting blog.

Best regards,

Alun”

I respect the opinion of others who have tried the same gear as I have. And frankly, Alun’s shots are excellent.

Just goes to show you, opinions vary. Always consult more than one person when making a decision about gear!

I received an email from a reader this morning inquiring about the use of a supplemental wide angle lenses with the Canon Powershot G9.

The inquiry reads:

“Really enjoyed your article and amazing photos. In fact, it provides inspiration to pick up the camera and go out and shoot some photos.

“Any suggestions on lenses for the G9?”

And here is my response:

About a week ago I ordered the Canon wide-angle lens for my G9. I had previously bought the G9/G7 Lensmate adapter, which is necessary to mount supplementary lenses. The Lensmate adapter is of very high quality, made of aluminum instead of the plastic model sold by Canon. I am pleased with the adapter. I also bought a circular polarizer and a UV filter for use with the adapter.

I went out shooting with the Canon wide angle lens, excited that I had a relatively small unit that got me to about 21mm, but I was soon disappointed with the quality of the shots. The images were soft, showed a great deal of chromatic aberrations and were all unacceptable to me. So, I returned the lens to B&H Photo Video for a refund.

In sum, you likely will be disappointed with a wide angle lens mounted on the G9. I do not recommend buying one.

Instead, you may wish to purchase just the Lensmate adapter for use with filters and not mount any supplementary lenses.

I know it is disappointing not to have that extra width for doing travel photography, especially landscapes. But one alternative that works very well is simply to take two shots, set at manual exposure, and then stitch them using Photoshop. Canon offers you the ability to make panoramic images, unfortunately in JPEG only! But, frankly, I did some shots while in the Galapagos and again in Alaska using the G9 in that mode and I was very pleased with the images once stitched together.

Then, you have to ask yourself how small you want to keep the unit, that is for travel. With the Lensmate adapter attached, it is no longer possible to put the camera in a coat pocket, which sometimes is a tad inconvenient. I often take the adapter off simply because I want to keep the camera handy and as unobtrusive as possible. Then, when I am serious about doing a landscape I can always mount the adapter and add filters as necessary.

Another big disadvantage to the Lensmate adapter is that you can no longer use the viewfinder to take shots. That’s because the adapter hides the scene in front of you! Course, the viewfinder is a bit difficult to use anyway because it is not exactly “what you see is what you get” implementation. But I was trained to use a viewfinder and I work best in that mode.

In sum,

1. I do not recommend using supplemental lenses with the Canon G9, serious image degradation will occur.
2. I recommend the Lensmate adapter for mounting filters, it is much better quality than the Canon offering.
3. In most circumstances working with the G9 in the real world is best done without the Lensmate adapter attached as it gives you the ability to use the viewfinder for composition, although WYSINWYG!

By the way, I have been forced to turn off comments for my blog due to the hundreds of spam comments I receive each day, all of them totally disgusting! Sorry, a blog should be a two-way dialog but the world is filled with people who take advantage of guys like me who do not know how to implement good spam blocking software. I apologize for that.

If you want to contact me simply go to my website and click on the “About” selection, my email address is there. I welcome your email and will respond to each message.

Sometimes we think the light is bad; yet there may be enough light to find something interesting to capture. We often think that photographs must be sharp, have wondrous details, and be perfectly exposed. In reality, we have the choice to find just an impression. As in this shot.

We should remember to capture what we can, when we can. After all, life is nothing more than an impression anyway.

I think it might be good to talk about what was going through my mind while taking a specific photograph. From time to time I will do this, to share with you my thoughts and feelings as they occurred when the shot was taken.

Camera: Canon 1D Mark II N
Lens: Sigma 50-500mm
Exposure: 1/1000, f/8, ISO 400 at 500mm
Support: Manfrotto Monopod

The experience of walking on foot while photographing brown bears is different, one might say the experience is spiritual. And this photograph has a permanent place in my memory for it is special. Special, because all of the elements that make a good photograph an outstanding photograph, came together in a short space of time.

It was early in the morning and my field guide, Drew, said it was low tide and that we should explore the beach near Silver Salmon Creek Lodge to see if any of the bears were there digging clams. It was very misty that morning, but we could make out a large bear on the beach about 200 meters from where we stood on the shore. So we started walking toward the bear at a slow and steady pace, sometimes wading through small puddles of salt water and little streams that were still moving toward the sea as the tide was still receding.

The bear was lying down on it’s stomach, relaxing. And I was concerned that I would not be able to get a good shot because of it’s posture. But, as we approached the bear stood up and turned facing us as if to say, “good morning.” And, just then the bear turned slightly and the light changed dramatically, providing a perfect window of time to shoot. I was totally excited and filled with joy as I shot frame after frame.

But this frame was special. In fact, it has won several awards: Wildlife Photo of the Week at Nature Scapes Net, featured photo of the day, featured photo of the week, and finalist as the people’s choice award at Photopoints, and it won photo of the week at Inspiring Photography!

But for me, recognition for the photograph is not important, what is truly important to me is the memory of how the bear, the mist, the light, and the opportunity all came together at that second in time.

Many who know me would describe my personality as obsessive compulsive. I am always considering options, always looking at new stuff, and the reason is that I want to do better photography. So, I read extensively about new products, and each day I read lots of reviews about equipment for doing digital photography. Lately it has been overly obsessive.

Seems I am obsessed about a small camera that produces very high quality photographs. So far, despite all my trials, I have failed to find it.

I love the Canon Powershot G9. A very small camera that does produce some outstanding images. But, frankly, it still is not what I am looking for. I read and read and read about the Leica M8. I did so because I know wonderful the lenses are that Leica makes. But, bottom line is that the Leica M8 is a major disappointment for many, including lots of photographers who have used Leica cameras for years.

After all the reviews, I even looked at the idea of putting a Leica lens on a Canon DSLR. But then, you must have special adapters, and you have to go through complex tables to figure out which lens will work or not work. It seemed overly zealous to me. Despite the fact that I have seen some very excellent images produced using this combination.

And, I considered upgrading my Canon gear to the 1Ds Mark III. This is an expensive consideration. What would I gain? Well, more megapixels, newer technology, etc. etc. But after looking at shots done with the III and knew that the 1Ds Mark II produced images just as good.

Then, I remembered. It’s not the camera dumb dumb, it’s the glass. Yep, the glass.

And frankly I own some dern good glass. The 24-105, the 16-35, and the 300mm f/4. And then there is my old reliable, the 100-400mm. And I own a “good” one, the images I get with it are sharp as it gets.

Sure, I would love to owe a 300mm f/2.8 and a 500mm f/4. But WOW they are expensive.

So, I am back to my kit: the 1D Mark IIn, and the 1Ds Mark II, and some good glass.

Yep, I still have the Powershot G9.

Bottom line is that I am keeping what I have. And I am through with looking more. I spend entirely too much time worrying about what is next, what great technology I am missing, which camera to buy, what lens is just perfect, and all that kind of stuff.

Sure Canon and Nikon and other manufacturers will produce some nice gear in the next two years. Yep, some nice gear. But this photog is gonna start using what I have and spend my time doing photography.