just get your own website and do the hosting yourself. It maybe a bit more, but you get practically unlimited space. I'm hosting like 8 sites under my account and only using maybe 2gb out of my 320 and that's just non-web accessed files I use to transfer on the FTP for work. Maybe 300mb for my sites.

I'm paying about $10 a month on a yearly plan, but you can find similar stuff for like $3 a month. Share with a friend or two or six and it becomes really cheap and if you just use it for personal stuff, you will never use it all or most of the hosting features. There's plenty of free software/coding to grab and use, plus many of them are easy to setup. If you have some sort of coding or design knowledge, it def helps but not needed these days.

Although, I see ppl use flickr more as a social photo site than anything so it maybe good for you to keep that there and share with people on there, but for me, I'd rather do my own hosting.

1/9/2009 2:22:03 AM

meh

i've had my own domain

and at this point, i'm pretty sure i'd rather just join flickr, etsy, tumblr, twitter, etc etc etc rather than take the time working on all the various self hosted/managed alternatives

man

flickr, etsy, tumblr, twitter

i'm a regular e-hipster

1/9/2009 3:10:44 AM

my gallery does the same job as flickr and can upload directly from the web. Honestly, the only reason why I don't have flickr, pisca, and all of the other free hosting sites for images is the fact that I don't have time to spend an extra 30 mins of uploading the same pictures and files to multiple sites. The only places I put my pics are on my site and maybe facebook.

1/9/2009 5:27:50 AM

i miss my french press

1/9/2009 7:26:39 AM

I hosted Gallery on my own web server for a couple years. Such a pain in the ass trying to keep up with patches and updates. It got infected by some Russian trojan so I blew it away and started from scratch, front ending it with WordPress. Then WordPress got infected with yet another Russian trojan so I said screw it all and went to Flickr. Best decision I made.

Now I just edit it Lightroom and use a plugin to export directly to Flickr. If I want to put the same photos on Facebook, I use Lightroom with a plugin to export directly to it as well. Very easy to use and manage without all the hassle of keeping a web site updated too.

1/9/2009 11:01:26 AM

Quote :

"own web server"

Running your own web server? There lies the problem. If you aren't a big IT person and stay with the times, it's really more hassle than it's worth, plus the cost to benefit ratio then becomes really low for personal/hobby stuff. A friend of mine had his own web hosting business in Raleigh and used him for a bit. It was nice having a few T1 lines going to his house, then commandeering one of the servers to host a CS server for clan matches.

I eventually want to be able to host my sites myself so I'd have complete control of it, but way too expensive for my purposes at the moment. And I'm waiting for FiOS...

1/9/2009 11:23:56 AM

A few from NYE. just noticed the drunk girl has her cig backwards. lawl

1/9/2009 11:47:58 AM

all pictures taken with a SONY DSC-H5

these are a spattering of sports, landscapes, still-life, architectural shots, b&w, various stuff i've done over the last year.

comments, suggestions welcome.


ISO: 320
Exposure: 1/25 sec
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 6mm
Flash Used: No
Edited: Soft focus


ISO: 200
Exposure: 1/40 sec
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 6mm
Flash Used: No


ISO: 320
Exposure: 1/4 sec
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 6mm
Flash Used: No


ISO: 320
Exposure: 1/4 sec
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 6mm
Flash Used: No


ISO: 125
Exposure: 1/200 sec
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 10mm
Flash Used: No


ISO: 320
Exposure: 1/40 sec
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 16.5mm
Flash Used: No
*Edited, color gradient, soft focus


ISO: 125
Exposure: 1/40 sec
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 6mm
Flash Used: No


ISO: 125
Exposure: 1/3 sec
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 6mm
Flash Used: No


ISO: 125
Exposure: 1/50 sec
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 21.8mm
Flash Used: No


*Edited, stitched


ISO: 125
Exposure: 1/800 sec
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 17mm
Flash Used: No


ISO: 125
Exposure: 2.0 sec
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 6mm
Flash Used: No


ISO: 160
Exposure: 1/800 sec
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 55.1mm
Flash Used: No


ISO: 160
Exposure: 1/1000 sec
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 6mm
Flash Used: No


ISO: 125
Exposure: 1/1000 sec
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 6.4mm
Flash Used: No


ISO: 320
Exposure: 1/8 sec
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 36.9mm
Flash Used: No

1/9/2009 3:52:40 PM

(it was 25 degrees outside so I refused to roll down the window...)

1/9/2009 6:33:31 PM

^ That tractor photo is tight.

1/9/2009 8:34:43 PM

So I went to order that charger tonight, and it's out of stock at amazon and, well, everywhere.

So I ordered it (with the eneloops) from that link JBAZ put on page 96. I hope their website would tell me if it was out of stock.

I'll let you know if I get it.

1/9/2009 8:46:36 PM

went to the ASAP camera store in greenville today, god that place is useless. very little stock and ridiculous prices.

1/9/2009 8:49:42 PM

got my camera today in the mail... still waiting on the 75-300.

i think i'll start posting pictures periodically so you all can rip them to shreds, just be sure to throw in something useful too.

1/9/2009 10:31:02 PM

those are good shots Bweez

1/9/2009 10:34:39 PM

BTW, anyone interested in rechargeable AA's, the deal is here:

Charger w/ 8 eneloop batteries: 57.97
http://tinyurl.com/6tm64t

4 eneloop batteries: 9.97
http://tinyurl.com/6tevam

coupon code GCNE561 will get you 5% off. There's also a special on their 4 AA holders here. If you order 4 ($3.87) you will get an additional $3 off your shipping order. I've heard nothing but good things from this vendor. I'm about to order some very soon, as soon as my paycheck comes in.

http://thomasdistributing.com/shop/special-offers.php

1/9/2009 10:58:05 PM

For those of you well versed in the use of *on-camera* flash...

1) What modifiers do you use/prefer when indoors (assuming you can't bounce off the ceiling)?

2) What do you use when outside?

Again, this is for on-cam.

1/10/2009 8:13:56 PM

If anyone is interested, Sanyo makes a 2700mAh AA battery that you can buy here:
http://www.batteryjunction.com/sanyo2700.html

It's just like every other rechargeable so it self-discharges at a faster rate than the Eneloops.


On a slightly related note:
Does anyone know how a point and shoot "knows" that the batteries are dead? Is it a voltage thing? Because NiMH cells operate at a lower voltage than alkaline cells. I'm wondering if cameras think the batteries are dead before they're actually dead.

I had my A570IS on a dive with me awhile back, lasted about 45ish minutes. I was taking pictures and had the LCD on for almost the entire dive so I know that was killing the batteries, but it still seemed a bit short (unfortunately I only have radioshack 2100mAh batteries right now )

1/10/2009 8:40:13 PM

^^ I carry a 3x5 index card with me wherever I go. using that to bounce the flash is iffy, but it works until I can save up for a real flash.

I'm tempted to try a pocket mirror. also have one of those white film cans around I was gonna cut up.

^ you're right about the different discharge curves of the different battery chemistries, but I think you're thinking of it wrong. it's not that the camera "thinks" the battery is dead, it's that the camera won't operate below some minimum voltage.

also, the temperature and discharge rate would affect the voltage the cells put out.



[Edited on January 10, 2009 at 11:03 PM. Reason : .]

1/10/2009 10:57:30 PM

A few shots from tonight:















[Edited on January 10, 2009 at 11:44 PM. Reason : ]

1/10/2009 11:43:51 PM

sweet pics

but too many hot spots

did you do light painting or just plain long exposures?

1/10/2009 11:44:40 PM

just plain long exposures. I need a crash course in post processing. Any suggestions on techniques?

1/10/2009 11:49:33 PM

Also, think about the background. The light poles are growing out of the car. Look at leading lines. If you're going to have to road "disappear" in the distance, I'd at least try and frame it so the lane in the foreground leaves in the same spot, if that makes any sense.

And for long exposures, typically you'd shoot at a higher f/stop. I don't think having a shallow DOF works on some of the later ones you posted. If you're already doing a long exposure, why close that aperture as much as possible and have more in focus? Unless that's what you're going for, then disregard my statements. Usually if I am shooting a long exposure of something still (and using a tripod), I'll go at least f/11.

1/10/2009 11:51:14 PM

light painting is an in-camera technique

you do a bulb exposure in an area that is much darker than where you were, and you literally paint the subject with light, from a spotlight/flashlight/whatever

it would have allowed you to have more control over where light is striking the car and you could have gotten away with getting in and out of the car to hit the brake lights on FOR A SPLIT SECOND, which would have made them come out as red lights rather than just flashes

like i said - the main problem is you have some serious hot spots where the lights were; ie just look at the license plate

again, they're sweet photos
but they could be much much better next time

1/10/2009 11:52:46 PM

too soft

1/11/2009 12:10:55 AM

If I were to use this technique, I would have to use a second person to tap the brake while being hidden? Could I replicate this same effect by slightly panning the camera from right to left giving the red lights a streaked look?

1/11/2009 12:11:24 AM

you could actually do it yourself

as long as you're in a dark area and you're fast you can get into the frame and not be in the picture

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_painting

and you would get better results driving the car into frame than you would moving the camera

too much other stuff is going to be blurred as well

you could do panning photos though, but thats a whole different animal

1/11/2009 12:15:06 AM

Thanks for the tips. I'll do a bit of reading and try some of these techniques out. Any other suggestions for locations? I'm gonna try a rock quarry near this industrial park, they have some earth moving equipment and flood lights that they leave on overnight.

1/11/2009 12:22:45 AM

you don't want flood lights

for the type of photo you're looking for (i'm assuming)

you want to control the light as much as possible

1/11/2009 12:24:05 AM

I got within 5-6 foot for this shot. I wish it was framed better but peeping around a tree and trying to see through a fogged up viewfinder made it difficult.

[Edited on January 11, 2009 at 8:09 PM. Reason : .]

1/11/2009 8:08:57 PM

nice

1/11/2009 8:12:43 PM

Hope you don't mind, I did the imfamous Kiwi crop. lol

1/12/2009 2:03:15 PM

READY
FOR
ETSY

1/12/2009 2:38:52 PM

LOL. You guys crack me up

1/12/2009 4:52:46 PM

could use a little more vignetting

1/12/2009 5:51:14 PM

Nice work guys.... HAHA

1/12/2009 7:19:43 PM

You guys just don't get it. You don't understand. That... that's art.

1/12/2009 11:16:30 PM

East Face of Mt. Whitney:

1/13/2009 12:47:03 AM

1/13/2009 1:58:51 AM

^10/10

1/13/2009 2:01:48 AM

Quote :

"BTW, anyone interested in rechargeable AA's, the deal is here: Charger w/ 8 eneloop batteries: 57.97 http://tinyurl.com/6tm64t 4 eneloop batteries: 9.97 http://tinyurl.com/6tevam coupon code GCNE561 will get you 5% off. There's also a special on their 4 AA holders here. If you order 4 ($3.87) you will get an additional $3 off your shipping order. I've heard nothing but good things from this vendor. I'm about to order some very soon, as soon as my paycheck comes in. http://thomasdistributing.com/shop/special-offers.php"

This looks like a better deal unless I am missing something.

Charger w/ 4 eneloop batteries: 15.99 local at hhgregg
http://www.hhgregg.com/ProductDetail.asp?SID=n&ProductID=21683&BrandStore=All#page


Ah, I see the difference now. Its a different charger above and comes with a lot of stuff. I guess it depends on of you need all the stuff.

[Edited on January 13, 2009 at 7:43 AM. Reason : ]

1/13/2009 7:40:36 AM

the la crosse charger is one of the best chargers on the market

1/13/2009 9:14:52 AM

Stray kitten in this thing on our porch.



for reference


[Edited on January 13, 2009 at 1:16 PM. Reason : nvsdf]

1/13/2009 1:06:45 PM

I just made the Kiwi art crop photoshop plug-in available. Act now for only 9.99 and you can get the vintage vignetting photoshop plug-in for no extra cost! WOW you too will make infamous photos a piece of art! This is what every other photographer's soccer mom's younger brother's cousin's nephew girl friend from jj.am are talking about

1/13/2009 1:58:54 PM

^^ I love that! And cute cat too

1/13/2009 1:59:50 PM

well he's gone now

1/13/2009 2:04:56 PM

I wonder why? I thought pussies love to be caged? must of been the fact that you didn't frame the picture hot enough...

1/13/2009 2:06:31 PM

he climbed in there himself for some reason.

He's gone because a neighbor claimed him and we couldn't take care of another.

[Edited on January 13, 2009 at 9:15 PM. Reason : .]

1/13/2009 9:15:30 PM

After these rebate deals the past few months, I need to officially STOP buying CF cards for a long while. I'm up to 101GB I hope those rebates go through!

1/13/2009 11:41:59 PM

ok, so I have this issue and want to hear what you guys think. Since I do nightlife stuff, I tend to get funny, comical and drunk pictures all the time. Most of the time its all fun and games, but lately it's just becoming annoying and a hassle of where people contact me to take down pictures. I honestly think the pictures are book worthy and show a great time.

This one girl pretty much demands for two pictures to be taken down from my site as well as other public forums. Most people who contact me generally ask politely, but this one is a complete bitch. A part of me wants to say "fuck you, if you didn't want your picture taken just say so and if you were embarrassed to be out drinking, DON'T FUCKING DRINK", but I'm a nice guy . I have permission from the club owners to take pictures and allowed to use them the way I see fit.

Am I wrong to 'stick to my guns' to keep a photo that I like in public eye? Should I comply to avoid drama? Should I say 'sorry, this is for editorial purposes, oh btw, its being printed in a few magazines'?

1/14/2009 12:49:00 PM

my mom likes taking photos of public places and she usually tries to call and get me to go... cause for some reason people like to jump in an old lady's shit when she takes their photo

i say fuck those people and especially fuck drunk people

1/14/2009 12:52:59 PM