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Know Your Photographer Rights – Redux

Several years ago I was the On-Line Editor of a major emergency services newspaper, and their GM/Editor for the California print edition. Many times I would get a panic call from correspondents informing me that they had snapped a photo of someone or something, and threats of a lawsuit or arrest was implied or imminent.

Usually assuring the caller that we were still in the United States of America, the government wasn’t overthrown the previous night, and the Constitution and Bill of Rights were still in full force had a calming effect and set things back on the right track. However, lacking in legal skills I was determined to find someone who had those skills, and had a love of photography as well. Fast forward to 2012.

Since then I have found two very notable attorneys that I know of specializing in photographers legal rights in this country; Carolyn E. Wright and Bert P. Krages. Both offer educational (not advice) articles on their respective websites, on your rights as a photographer. Both are also accomplished photographers in their own right. There is also one other advocate of your rights that I always seem to forget when discussing photographer rights, and that is the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Krages, Wright, and the ACLU all have excellent articles and links to valuable resources on their websites. You can download the PDFs and keep a copy in your camera bag.

San Diego based Photographer Oliver Asis, a leader with the San Diego SmugMug User Group, recently sent out a posting and a link to the group’s Facebook page on just this topic. This is the YouTube video created by the ACLU, about Photographers Rights. Cute and to the point.

 

Weekly Diner Stop

Western Omelet, rye toast, home fries, and coffee - fairly standard fare for any diner, and a good test of their overall quality.

During the week I am very good about watching what I eat and try to stay healthy. However, on Sundays I get up early, and head out in the truck to find a diner that I haven’t eaten at before. My favorite test of a diners food is always the same; Western Omelet, home fries (crunchy), rye toast – actually toasted and not that sponge they try to pass off, and last but not least, good fresh hot coffee.

This past Sunday I stopped at a diner on Rt. 37 (no names), and could only give it two stars. Overcooked eggs, and spongy toast. I gave them a try.

The parking lot and my view; I suppose the overcrowded lot should have been a clue.

The photos were made with my Nikon D90, no flash, ISO 400 and a lot of stares as to why was I making a photograph of my breakfast. I explained that it was a religious ritual and everyone just backed away.

I post processed with Nik Software’s Snapseed running on my iMac. Fantastic software, I also have it installed on my iPad and both products are easy to work with and very intuitive. I’m also a big fan of their complete collection of plug-ins for Aperture 3.xx, Lightroom, and Photoshop. More on that topic in the future.

From My Adobe Lightroom® Trial Gallery

SORRY, LOST THE VIDEO IN THE FILE SYSTEM BIT BUCKET

VIDEO: Two minutes of TrainZ for Mac. – I just had to try out the new SmugMug upload with video. It was super fast for this file; 23.5 Mb. Playback is great and just as fast, no hiccups. Used Snapz Pro X by Ambrosia to make the screen movie. Just click on the photo and you will be whisked away to the video.

Review – Satechi TR-M Multi-Function Timer & Remote Control for the Nikon D90

Interested in the Satechi TR-M for Nikon D90? Click for product spec info.

Yesterday, I received my Satechi TR-M Multi-Function Timer & Remote Control in the mail. I had been putting off making a purchase for a an intervalometer and remote for some time now. Always looking for something better, but never finding it. Well, at the end of August, I decided to bite the bullet and place an order for not the most expensive, and not the cheapest, but the one with the best reviews, the Satechi. I made the purchase on Amazon.com and I’m convinced I made the right product choice.

The product arrived in good condition via the USPS, wrapping intact and the box not crushed or damaged. This is the shipping method used when you opt for the least expensive method. Hey, there is no point in going to Amazon.com, getting the best price, and then blowing the savings on shipping. Don’t get me wrong, FedEx and UPS are great, just too expensive for me.

The first thing I noticed when I opened the box was a pair of AAA batteries. This is unusual for most manufacturers these days and was a pleasant surprise since I just ran out of this type and had not made the trek to Costco to re-supply. Armed with batteries and an instruction sheet, I was ready to shoot.

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Review – Jackie Pinto Photography

Pinto's Home Page - Mom and Daughter

This is the photo that first caught my eye.

It is not often that I write a review about another photographer or website these days. In fact, I have not written a review in about three or four years; not since I was the General Manager and Editor for 1st Responder Newspaper – California Edition. However, when a website catches my eye and forces me to return time after time to view it again and again, I find I am compelled to write about what I have discovered and share with the masses.  Such is the case of Jackie Pinto Photography.

Upon your first encounter at Jackie’s website you know that your eyes and your brain are in for a treat. It was the second photo in the slide show (photo above/left) that grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. Jackie’s great eye for composition and editing caught the essence of this mom and her daughter.

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