Friday, February 27, 2009

Copyright Information

It is interesting to note that if you live in the United States, you must formally register your copyright with the government if you intend to pursue litigation against anyone for copyright infringement. In Canada, and everywhere else in the world, this is not applicable.

In photography, the second you press the shutter button you own the copyright for the image that is taken. It is an international right that has been in place since 1886. For more information feel free to visit the Wikipedia entry on copyright.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Thanks to Blurb.com you can create a high quality book for dirt cheap!

Ever wanted to be a writer, or maybe to create a coffee table book of your photography? Check out Blurb Book Smart. You won't believe how easy it is to create very high quality hard-cover or soft-cover books with full color photography and creative layouts.

I plan to put together a portfolio book with some of my photography mixed in with my ever abundant verbiage and wit. Let me know if you would like to buy a signed copy :)

Friday, February 20, 2009

No time for depression

A number of years ago someone sent me a very cool video Planet Earth and it really moved me. I was curious about this thing called "The Secret" and looked into it further. I ended up ordering the DVD and I didn't mention it to my wife because I was not sure if it was a sham or not. When it arrived I watched it on my computer when my wife was not around. To my amazement, it really was an incredible secret that changed my life from that moment on. When I was part way through the DVD, my wife walked in and did not say a word. She stayed behind me and watched over my shoulder. When it was over I realized that I had been crying most of the way through it. When I turned to my wife, she just said "Wow, where did you get that?". I have seen The Secret a number of times since then and each time I am emotionally moved by it. For my life has always followed the law of attraction even though I did not know it.

Someone very close to me spent many years of her life suffering from depression. I always offered positive influence, but it didn't seem to be enough to break through. She was on medication and tried self help groups, but they showed little improvement. One day I decided to order her a DVD and when it arrived, she called me after watching it. She said that it was "unbelievable" and asked if it was real. I said it has to be, or I wouldn't have sent it to her in the first place. She watched it again and then again and her transformation was what I would call unbelievable. Today she is a very happy and positive person. She inspires others and lives a charmed life.

I don't write this post because I am getting kick-backs from The Secret. They don't even know I exist except for the two transactions I made purchasing DVDs. Its just that I feel so helpless when I hear other people down and out, complaining about someone or something, arguing just for the sake of arguing. I want people, especially those I care about, to know that life is amazing. I want them to know that they can do ANYTHING they want to, and that it all begins with a positive thought.

If I could come up with an analogy as to how it works, I would just tell you to watch Star Wars Episode I. I think George Lucas knew The Secret a very long time ago and those movies were his way of letting people know. "...the Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together." Understanding the Secret is similar to becoming a Jedi. Think about that, then go get your DVD

May the force will be with you.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

TWIP (This Week In Photography)

Well, they say nothing in life is free. I will suggest that this is one of the exceptions to that rule.

A while ago a close friend of mine and fellow photographer asked me if I had been following the TWIP podcast. I was like "TWHAT"? He said that if I went to iTunes and did a search under the podcasts I would find it, and it is FREE!

Well I downloaded a few of the TWIP podcasts and started listening to them on the way to work and back (my iPhone can play through my car stereo). I can't believe what an excellent show these guys produce. The information is golden, and the presentation is light-hearted and impactful. You can really tell that these gear heads enjoy talking about photography, and they definitely know what the heck they are talking about. All of them are high-end professionals including Fred Johnson from Adobe and Scott Bourne the author of four photo books.

If you even have a slight interest in photography I highly recommend that you get hooked on TWIP podcasts. Also, their blog is a mecca of information on anything from the latest Nikon and Canon, as well as other manufacturer product news to general photography tips and tricks, information on new products and advice for photographers new and old.

TWIP