Be the first to see the new Phase One 645 May 8 2008 at Digital Transitions in NYC.

This is the famous TREC rental party that you've been waiting for. TREC throws this amazing bash every year and it's offer s agreat oppertunity to meet the the people renting you equipment, photograpgers assistants, digital techs and others in teh industry, and also more than enough food and drink to satisfy everyone.

Clcik the image for full details and don't forget to RSVP,  ASAP!!

You would think that it would be common sense, common courtesy, simple respect, or just plan smart business.

"HEY ASSISTANTS!! "You DO NOT hand out your business cards, or show your portfolio when your on any photographers shoot!!" A photographer friend of mine told me about an assistant he'd been using for some time. And during one of the last shoots the assistant was showing his portfolio on his iPhone to the art director and others at the shoot. If that wasn't enough he was handing out his business cards and trying to make appointments too.

 Last week I had the opportunity to see and work with the new Leaf Afi camera at an event presented by Fotocare new york and Leaf America and held at Shoot Digital studios in NYC. This was the third time that I have been able to play with the Leaf AFi, but only the first time I was able to test it in a shooting situation.

Today, Apple released the Java SE 6 version 1.6.0_05. Leaf software

currently uses Java5.



Java SE 6 IS NOT yet supported by Leaf Capture. 



If you try to use Leaf Capture with Java 6 SE installed, you will not

be able to launch your Leaf Capture application.  



Please note that in the event that you have  already installed the

Java SE 6 update, then you will have to 'force' the Mac OS to use

Java5. This is carried out through the following action:



1.  Please open: Applications-> Utilities-> Java-> Java Preferences



2.  Set Java5 to be the first version used in Java Application Runtime

settings.





Best regards,



Leaf Marketing

CondéNet Acquires SFO*Media SFO*Media's two blogs, HotelChatter.com and Jaunted.com, will continue to operate as standalone brands. APRIL 24, 2008 - Moving to build its online travel offerings, Condé Nast’s online unit CondéNet announced that it has acquired travel blog publisher SFO*Media.

Leaf Capture version 11.1 offers several new features and an enhanced user experience, including the following:



New Compare View

This function enables you to evaluate an unlimited number of original, RAW images and find the best shot in a series of images by comparing them to one another. The Compare View feature was designed to make optimal use of your work area by intelligently arranging the images and automatically taking into consideration the images’ orientation. When comparing two images, an intuitive workflow allows you to quickly and easily choose the perfect shot.

Hey,    Juts added 5 new tutorials to the tech tutorials section.

Most of these apply to new assistants, but since I made them a while ago I figured I should make a small effort to get them up before moving on to the new stuff.

James

Back in October we told you about a really cool new camera bag we had seen while attending the PhotoPlus Expo in NYC I came upon the booth of a new product called Shoot Sac This new company was doing a brisk business at the PhotoExpo and the idea of a photo gear bag that didn’t look like your grandfathers camera bag was very appealing. So I called them up to see about getting a sample to review for the site. Ok so I’m a little late in making this post, by about 3 months… but I think it’s still worth talking about again. The Shoot sac is a light weight bag with an adjustable nylon strap similar in design to a bike messenger bag that is made out of 3mm neoprene and measures 17.25” in length and 9.5” tall

 Well last week, Thursday or Friday, I can't remember. I was speaking with a friend when he asked. "So James, what strobes are the best, what studio strobes do you like?"

"Ummm, I like the ones that work." "Seriously, light is light. I'm just as happy to work with painters work lights as I am with strobes or kino-flo's. I just hate getting broken rental equipment."

"All strobes use xenon flash tubes. The gas in the tubes is always the same. The glass for the tubes is pretty much all the same. Honestly light is light. What makes the difference is the feature set and functionality that each manufacture adds to their individual strobe power pack. I think what really needs to be considered is the over all  'Cost per watt second' for the pack your looking at."

This image copyright 1993-2008 Michel Comte

After much anticipation and fanfare Phase One announced their new 645 camera on Wednesday March 19 2008 at the Photo Imaging Expo in Japan & WPPI in Las Vegas. This camera is for all intents and purpose’s a Mamiya 645AFDIII camera with a Phase One logo on it. There really seems to be nothing that makes it uniquely “Phase”

I recognize that I'm writing two somewhat serious, if not critical pieces back to back, but some of these ideas have been festering for a while and now seems as good as any time to get them out.

Several years ago while waiting on set for a model to show up, an assistant and I were looking through the current copy of "W" magazine.

We came upon a series of images that had been shot by Irving Penn.

"Oh cool, Irving Penn's got a fashion story in 'W'."

This came to us as a bit of a surprise since most of his images during that period were still life’s.

Coincidentally upon making this statement and observation, the Assistant Art Director walked by and took a look at the images.

Postcard mailers have been a standard promotional tool for photographers for decades. And while they still serve an important function, email blasts have largely overtaken postcards as the preferred way for photographers to reach out to potential clients and keep in touch with existing clients.

Email has many advantages over postcards. With email, you can track who receives your message, who opens it and if they click-through on any images or links. You can also create a richer and more interactive experience by designing the email in a way that allows the recipient to access progressively more information. Tracking the behavior of the recipient can also tell you what people find most interesting about you and your work. This type of marketing information is priceless. Last but not least, the cost of sending an email blast, while not as inexpensive as many think, is much less expensive than printing and mailing postcards.

 Well last week, Thursday or Friday, I can't remember. I was speaking with a friend when he asked. "So James, what strobes are the best, what studio strobes do you like?"

"Ummm, I like the ones that work." "Seriously, light is light. I'm just as happy to work with painters work lights as I am with strobes or kino-flo's. I just hate getting broken rental equipment."

"All strobes use xenon flash tubes. The gas in the tubes is always the same. The glass for the tubes is pretty much all the same. Honestly light is light. What makes the difference is the feature set and functionality that each manufacture adds to their individual strobe power pack. I think what really needs to be considered is the over all  'Cost per watt second' for the pack your looking at."

Service Bulletin to MAC OSX Leopard users

Risk of damaged 3F files after abnormal computer shutdowns when running Leopard



Since the release of Mac OSX Leopard we have registered a number of cases where newly imported 3F files have been damaged after incidents where the Mac has lost power or encountered some kind of irregular shutdown. The size of the damaged files has been reduced by approx. 5MB and the files are no longer recognized by FlexColor.



All known cases have been related to import, but we cannot rule out that a similar situation can occur after tethered capture. It has happened with both OS 10.5 and 10.5.1. We are currently working with Apple on resolving the problem, but we have no indication yet that the upcoming 10.5.2 release will include a fix.

BOSTON -- Polaroid Corp. is dropping the technology it pioneered long before digital photography rendered instant film obsolete to all but a few nostalgia buffs.

Polaroid is closing factories in Massachusetts, Mexico and the Netherlands and cutting 450 jobs as the brand synonymous with instant images focuses on ventures such as a portable printer for images from cell phones and Polaroid-branded digital cameras, televisions and DVD players.
This year's closures will leave Polaroid with 150 employees at its Concord headquarters and a site in the nearby Boston suburb of Waltham, down from peak global employment of nearly 21,000 in 1978.

Hi James,

I've just updated Job_folders app to create folders that have the structure more like C1. I've found this to be more convenient..... even for Leaf users. 

http://www.rap.net.au/?p=10 Please feel free to include it in your next news letter. Cheers Rick

Rick Allen: Digital Tech. at rap.net.au - rapdigital 

contact | rick@rap.net.au

 

Capture One 4.01 released today

A number of issues found in the original version of Capture One 4 have been solved with Capture One 4.0.1 taking the stability and performance of the application even further.

Download the application and release notes here

Capture One 4.0.1 release notes

Phase One February 2008 Page 1 of 7

In yet another example of how our industry is being hit, we have yet another example of "Out sourcing" that is attempting to take work and business away from established businesses.

read more here:

http://forums.photoassistant.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=000116

Other World computing has a cool new way to connect your external eSATA drives to you laptop for great er storage capacity.  http://eshop.macsales.com:80/item/Firmtek/SATA2SM2E/

FirmTek SeriTek/2SM2-E

Serial ATA ExpressCard Adapter for MacBook Pro and PC Notebook Computers

*OWC NOTE*: This card is not able to boot external devices. Also, you do have to load drivers off of the included CD for this card to function properly.

The SeriTek/2SM2-E extends SATA's astounding performance beyond the desktop, enabling content producers to capture, develop, edit and create content in almost any environment when using Apple's new MacBook Pro notebook computers. With transfer rates up to 3 gigabits per second per port, this breakthrough solution sets a new standard for handling data in a remote setting. FirmTek's established hot-swap compatibility also makes it easy for users to move entire drives and arrays from the MacBook Pro to any FirmTek-equipped desktop system in seconds.

 Phase One Capture1 Pro _ V.3.7.8 released today.

http://www.phaseone.com/Content/Downloads/COforMac.aspx

http://www.phaseone.com/Content/Downloads/COforWIN.aspx

Complete release notes can be downloaded here.

DROBO data storage solution.

Data robotics describes the DROBO as a storage robot.  I first heard about this data storage device from DL.TV some time back in may or June.

Myths About Reps

What to expect your rep to do, and not do, for you

Many young photographers, and quiet a few more experienced ones, assume that if they sign with a rep all their prayers will be answered. No longer will they need to worry about where their next job will come from. They'll have steady, interesting work at a good rate. They won't have to be preoccupied with marketing, which is so costly and time-consuming. And the rep will help manage the business-side of being a photographer so they can focus less on those issues and more on taking great pictures.

We held our first Photo Assistant Boot Camp of 2008. This took place over at Studio 225 Chelsea on 28 Street here in NYC. Everyone was very involved and enthusiastic in workign with teh cameras, meters and lighting equipment that was graciously provided by Fotocare & Adorama.

Though I don't usualy share the comments I recieve via email I will share this one:

Hey James - thanks again for another great course!  Between this

weekend's Photo Assistant Boot Camp and the digital tech workshop I

took back in November, I'm confident I'll be able to jump start my

assisting/digital teching career!

Michael Getzinger - Nyc.

Ok that's enough selfpromotion for one day.

Leaf delivers second version of workflow software compatible with Apple's Leopard

You get the downloads here:  http://www.leaf-photography.com/ShowDoc.asp?MenuID=373&ParentMenuID=355

The NEW Leaf Capture version 11.0.2 supports Mac OS® X Leopard. Leaf Capture enables you to produce outstanding quality images with fine details and accurate colors.

NEW in this version

Leaf Capture version 11.0.2 incorporates the following features:

• Improved Shoot panel with new collapsible sections


• Leaf AFi remote control from the Leaf Capture software (Aperture, shutter and Flash mode)


• Rollei® eShutter remote control from the Leaf Capture software


• Compressed images shooting in tethered mode


• New file numbering separator setup system


• New easy to access ISO setting in the shoot panel

Condé Nast Shuffles Management Team

Lucia Moses

JANUARY 07, 2008 -



Vogue and Glamour publishers Tom Florio and Bill Wackermann and other Condé Nast execs added responsibilities as part of a wide-ranging management shakeup at Condé Nast Publications. As part of that reorg, three other top sales executives — Mitchell Fox, Amy Churgin and Sandy Golinkin were shown the door.



CN CEO Chuck Townsend announced the changes in an internal e-mail distributed to employees Monday afternoon.

read the full story here: http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003693368

As pointed out in this forums post by Matt

 http://forums.photoassistant.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=000283

Many people are having difficulty traveling with spare rechargable batteries.

Effective January 1, 2008, the following rules apply to the spare lithium batteries you carry with you in case the battery in a device runs low:

• Spare batteries are the batteries you carry separately from the devices they power. When batteries are installed in a device, they are not considered spare batteries.


• You may not pack a spare lithium battery in your checked baggage


• You may bring spare lithium batteries with you in carry-on baggage – see our spare battery tips and how-to sections to find out how to pack spare batteries safely!


• Even though we recommend carrying your devices with you in carry-on baggage as well, if you must bring one in checked baggage, you may check it with the batteries installed.

You can read the whole story here:  http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html

I just got off the phone with one of my Phase One contacts who told me that  Capture One V.4.0 final was released today.  (12/19/2007 at around 1:45pm EST.) you'll notice that the LE designation is gone, however this IS NOT the proversion. ThePro version being released spring 2008.

After installing this Capture One  V.4.0.14162.14152  will give you two options. Either activate with a 16 digit number or 30 day trial.  To activate you can use "ANY" 3.7.7 pro serial number.

-----------------

How to Succeed in Commercial Photography: Insights from a Leading Consultant By:  Selina Maitreya - Reprinted with permission from the author

The Art of Conversation

To read more of this article click here: http://tips.creativetouchpoint.com/tipsblog/archives/23

The OSX  version 10.5 or leopard to many, has a problem playing nice with others. This is due, for the most part to the fact that Apple chose not to release the OS code to software developers until after they released the new operating system.

And yes by now it is well known that most photo related programs DO NOT work 100% or in some instances at all with the new Leopard and it's spots.

But before going further I need to pose the question "Why would anyone adopt a new OS for there everyday or worse yet there business upon it's initial release?"