Blogging on the Move

Regular readers will know that I use twitter @martind01, if you want to follow.

Many times during the day, I see stories that catch my eye and occasionally link to some of the stories I have blogged about here.  So by way of explanation, for the future, if you see short links posted, as the one below was at lunchtime today, with strange squiggles in it from say Uber Media or the like, then you will know why.

 With the fast moving pace of twitter, and having to rely on my memory to go back to stories, I will use the feature more.

Having checked out a few more photograpers apps on Android lately, I will bring some thoughts and feedback on some of these for  those of you who prefer the better phone OS in forthcoming posts :-)

Martin

New phone = new apps

Recently I asked if any of you had any favourite apps that you use on your smartphones. Well I changed out my phone a couple days ago for a Samsung Galaxy S2, which I understand is a rare beast in the States at the moment but coming through in good numbers here in the UK. Makes a change for us on this side of the water.
Anyway as part of the setting up process I have found a cracking app called Photo tools. It is aimed at the serious photographer and brings together a mass of tools all in one app.
With something like 30 tools there are too many to go through here but they cover the DOF and hyperfocal stuff that I mentioned recently along with flash and exposure calculators. I particularly like the blue and golden hour tool that will tell you sunrise sunset, dusk and twilight times based on date and your location.
Another good tool links to calculating exposure times with ND filters. Now for low stops it is simple to just let the ttl metering take care of it but if you read our articles on the 10 stop filters you will know that composituon and exposure calculation can be a little tricky. Now it wont solve the composition problems but it will help when you run out fingers as you keep doubling ever increasing numbers of seconds as you mentally calculate the exposure time.
So if you are an Androidist get into the Market and download it.
There is one other great app that we dont have yet but you Applists do.
The Photographers Ephemeris which I have blogged about before is available as an iOS app. This tool also gives sunrise and sunset times but the best extra is the compass angles when set on the map. A perfect tool when planning your landscapes.
The good news is that is will be coming to Android soon.
Martin

Martin's Gear of the Year Awards

So with today being the 1st of December already - where did this year go., I thought it was time to look back and reflect on somethings of the past year.  In a two parter from me, I will tell you about my 'gear of the year' and in the second part share my wildlife moments of the year.  I expect Dave will share his thoughts too when he has a moment.

My first award goes to the Canon 7D.  Regular readers will know I acquired one of these earlier this year, although mine was the second one to come into the family.  This has been my camera of choice this year and the 1Dmk111 has been an expensive back up that I really should sell.  I have written a number of posts with the 7D tag which can be found here and is worth a browse if you have a few hours.

Fitted with the battery grip and a second battery it is every bit the pro body.  Enabling me to get sharp shots that the 1D could never manage with any degree of consistency it is a great camera.  It is sophisticated and it seems that many of those upgrading from a xxD series Canon have had their trials and tribulations, but with 1D experience I have found it both very simple and very consistent.  At the current prices it is also fantastic value for money too.

My second award goes to a piece of  software.  I have been a user of Capture One for my RAW processing for many years now.  The latest version of Capture One is Version 5.  Sold by Phase One, this is in my opinion simply the best RAW processor bar none.  With the range of adjustments, and the pure quality of the outputs, my Photoshop post processing has substantially reduced.  It is just the best.  Dave also seems to think so to with this post.

My third award goes to an operating system.  Regular readers will know that I dont fall for style over substance marketing when it comes to a certqain range of fruit based products.  Back in January I changed my old regular mobile phone to the HTC Hero operating the Android system.  This has made a substantial change to mobile comms for me, and how I interact with the news flow and also find many of the apps useful for either trip preparation and planning, or while in the field.

My final award of the year goes to a little piece of clothing.  I bought this in advance of my trip to North Uist, and I am not sure that I ever took it off while out of the lodge.

It was great to keep warm, keep the midges of  as well as looking pretty cool.  I am talking about an olivegreen/black shemagh.  A traditional Arab scarf that was just perfect.

In my next part, I will share some of my 'wildife moments of the year'

Martin