The Unreasonable Man

It is not easy to explain high-speed flash, such as offered by modern EOS flashes. But Canon has a great graphic on this page [link].

Now that I have the 5D and 1D3 and the 16-35 2.8L , 24-70 2.8L and 70-200 2.8L IS, I have begun more to think of combinations of two cameras and two lenses to match particular photo situations. So here are some of my scenarios:

Photojournalism (e.g. accident, cannot get close):

• Canon 1D MkIII with 70-200 2.8L IS
• Canon 5D with 16-35 2.8L

Photojournalism (general purpose; and people, can interact and get close):

• Canon 1D MkIII with 16-35 2.8L
• Canon 5D with 70-200 2.8L IS

Sports portraits:

• Canon 1D MkIII with 24-70 2.8L
• Canon 5D with 70-200 2.8L IS

Travel:

• Canon 1D MkIII with 16-35 2.8L
• If energetic, 2nd camera is 5D with 70-200 2.8L IS
• Alternate: 5D with 17-40 2.8L and carry other lenses

Event (people, eg reception):

• Canon 1D MkIII with 24-70 2.8L
• Canon 5D with 16-35 2.8L

Studio portrait:

• Canon 1D MkIII with 24-70 2.8L
• Canon 5D with 70-200 2.8L IS

Low light/alternate portrait:

• Canon 1D MkIII with 50mm f/1.8

Situational portrait:

• Canon 1D MkIII with 24-70 2.8L
• Canon 5D with 16-35 2.8L

These are of course starting points only; circumstances may vary and so may lens choices. The point is that with the “holy trinity” of Canon lenses and two cameras one is quite well prepared for any need. And one needs to develop strong shoulders, especially when speedlites and accessories are also part of the equation.

70-200 2.8L IS Bokeh.

That is why we call it Oakville, too.

No, not as in the less-than-emergency-but-I-need-help call from an aircraft. Nor as in that Greek god of wine and debauchery. Nor as an implement to cook in. But as a photo technique where you set your time to a low time, say 1/15th sec, and follow your object:

This is trial and error. In the digital age, trial and error is easy. 1 in 20 is an acceptable hit rate.

So foreign journalists in China still cannot see the web sites they like, according to this article. Many web sites are blocked even for foreigners. The Chinese of course are always censored.

I just wonder - why are we kowtowing to this? China is a dictatorship that in the 1940s-1960s killed more of its own people than Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia. Do they really need to don turbans before we will stop giving in to them?

Boycott those Olympics, I say. Anyone who says “it’s about sports” is living on another planet - a planet where they don’t ask why these games were awarded to Beijing in the first place.

Apple’s MobileMe (stupid name. Conjured up “Mini-ME” and “ME ME ME”) does not work for me. I see contacts and appointments in the excellent web app, but when I make changes there and then sync either of my macs, these changes are lost.

Apple, on their support page, say:

“Chat Not Available

MobileMe Support Representatives are available to assist you.

Due to the overwhelming interest in MobileMe, all chat support agents are currently busy. Please try again later.”

Overwhelming interest, eh.

I visited the Queensway/Sherway gardens Chapters bookstore today. I met a customer at the in-store Starbucks to have a coffee and talk about photography.

When we left, at approximately 7:30pm, I was approached at the door by a lady who demanded to “see the pictures on my camera” before allowing me to leave. She did not identify herself except by saying “I work here”.

I know my rights and my duties under Ontario and Canadian law. Whilst they can tell me not to take photos in the store (which of course is not what I was there for), and they can tell me to leave the store, they as far as I know do NOT have the right to inspect my pictures.

My 1D3 and photo gear bags made me look like a pro, but that does not excuse this. They put me in a position where I had no practical choice but to show her the pictures on my camera (which of course did not contain anything wrong - as said I was not there to take pictures) and thus embarassed, to go on my way.

I will not be going back. Bye, Heather. Amazon, here I come (again).