Announcing the Pay it Forward Holiday Giveaway

The reason Google+ is such a great place for photographers is because of the community that has developed here. No one person has made this place what it is, but instead it has taken all of us. In the spirit of the Holidays, I wanted to do one last giveaway this year that focused on Paying It Forward to other photographers here on Google+. I partnered with +fstop, a company that produces top of the line Camera packs and accessories to give away some great prizes worth over $600.

HOW TO ENTER
1. List 3 Google+ users that inspire you and tell them why they are an inspiration in this post. (*users must have less then 40k followers)
2. Please add +fstop to your circles as a thank you.

BONUS – You will get an extra chance to win if you mention something you have done this holiday season to make someone else’s life better in the same comment as above. This could be a donation to a local charity, spent time at a soup kitchen, helped out a friend. Please be honest and truthful. I fully believe in karma :)

* If you mention any of the power users here in Google+ (myself included) in your selections, you will be disqualified. Let photographers that have not been recognized have the stage.

Thats it…

* You do NOT have to add me to your circles
* You do NOT have to share this post (although you are welcome to)

HOW DO YOU WIN?

If you have completed the required steps, you are entered into the giveaway. Starting on December 21st, I will randomly select a winner every day through Christmas. Prizes will get bigger as the days go on.

* available to everyone…no location restrictions…


Pay It Forward Holiday Giveaway


   

 


Landed the Cover of the 2011 Camas Magazine

Looks like my photo of the Mesquite Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park made the cover of the 2011 Winter edition of Camas, a biannual environmental literary magazine.

Black and White Photo of Mesquite Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park

Winter 2011 of CAMAS

Adobe Lightroom 3.6 and Camera Raw 6.6 Released

Adobe has released the latest versions of Lightroom and Camera Raw. Both come with a mix of bug fixes and support for new cameras. You can download the updates HERE.

New Camera Support

Canon PowerShot S100, Fuji FinePix X10, Leica V-LUX 3, Nikon 1 V1, Nikon 1 J1, Panasonic DMC-GX1, Ricoh GR Digital IV, Samsung NX5, Samsung, NX200, Sony NEX-7

 

 

 

 

Lightroom 3.6 Bugs – Fixed

- Rapid advancement through the grid can make the preview processor die
- Lightroom does not write to the correct metadata fields after editing capture time
- Lightroom crashes when saving keyword to file
- Certain JPG files appear to unsupported or damaged upon import into Lightroom
- Publish to HD fails in LR 3.5 for publish collections created in 3.3 or earlier
- Entering a custom aspect ratio in Quick Develop leaves the Crop Ratio menu black
- Default scrolling behavior on OSX 10.7 makes non-scrolling mousewheel actions work backwards (Mac only)
- Incorrect aspect ratio displayed in menu when crop is copy/pasted or applied via Previous button in the Develop module (Mac only)
- Copy/Pasted Crop Aspect Ratio lost on edit
- Copy/Pasted/Previous crop loses aspect ratio lock when adjusted in the Develop module
- Tethering doesn’t work with the Nikon D3x
- Error thrown when exporting video from slideshow and Lightroom is running as a 32-bit application

These items have been FIXED in Camera Raw 6.6:
- New camera profiles for Nikon D3, D3000, D3000s, and D700 to address issues with highlight posterization
- ACR 6.5 clicking “Choose target folder button makes APD frozen (Mac only)
It’s possible that Lightroom crashes when saving keyword to file
- Fuji S200 rendering highlights with green cast
- Scrolling can perform too fast when using the trackpad
- Snapshops don’t reset when in local corrections only with global corrections
- Fixed issue red eye reduction for images converted to B & W.
- Fixed issue with overcorrection of vignette.
- Fixed issue with color noise reduction at extreme color temperatures.
- Fixed issue with noise reduction when using local exposure adjustment.

Download Updates Here:

Adobe – Latest Product Updates

The Giving Lens Holiday Giveaway

Have you ever wanted to make a difference in the lives of children from around the world? Have you been looking for one last good deed to do before the year is over? Have you ever wanted to take home a photography print from some of the biggest names in the industry? We have you covered.

I am proud to announce my newest organization, The Giving Lens, is partnering with Empowerment International to bring you the first ever TGL Holiday Fundraiser. EI focuses on using Child Education to combat poverty and by keep kids off the streets and out of gangs in the country of Nicaragua.

TGL Holiday Giveaway

 

PRIZES
- Making the difference in the life of a Nicaraguan Child
- The possibility to win one of six 20 x 30 prints from some of the biggest names in photography.

*HOW TO ENTER:
- Add +The Giving Lens to your circles
- Add our sponsor +SmugMug to your circles for donating all prints from the giveaway
- Make $10 donation (full tax write off) to Empowerment International and help fight for child education in Nicaragua (http://www.razoo.com/story/Tglholiday)

The Giving Lens has connected with six professional photographers to give you an opportunity to not only help provide an education to those in need, but possibly come away with one of six 20 x 30 prints from some of the most beautiful locations on the planet. Each of these prints retail at over $500.

The photographers include:

+Colby Brown +Elia Locardi +Jay Patel +Varina Patel +Ken Kaminesky & +Alexander Safonov

For every $10 you donate, you get entered in a chance to take home one of these prints. Please note that an individual can only win one print durring this contest. Your donation is a tax write off and you will receive the proper paperwork.

The fundraiser runs from December 8th – 14th, with the winners being announced on December 15th, 2011. Names will be assigned a number based on the order in which the donations came in and then using www.random.org, 6 random numbers will be drawn to decide the winners.

We would like to thank +SmugMug for sponsoring this event.

*We can only ship the winning prints to a US or Canada address. If you are outside of those countries you can still donate to help child education in Nicaragua but if you win you must have the print sent to someone you know in one of these two countries.

*sharing is not required, but appreciated

What a Wonderful World!

If short videos like this don’t make you appreciate the life and beauty on this planet, I don’t know what will. It is things like this that help me wake up every morning and appreciate how lucky I am with my life, with what I do for a living and how fortunate I am to be able to share my own experiences with the with all of you!

*found via +Ed Yong

Android Market Reaches 10 Billion Downloads – .10 cent Apps Celebration

You might be asking yourself, “Why is Colby talking about Android on his photography blog?”, which is actually  a very good question now that I think about it. The reality of the photography industry is that it has always heavily leaned towards Apple and the IOS mobile devices such as the iphone and the ipad. While there is certainly nothing wrong with those devices, they are not for everyone. Android is making large strides in the mobile device market and with their next operating system, dubbed “Ice Cream Sandwich” (don’t ask), they have narrowed the gap on providing a seamless and sleek user interface that matches that of Apple. Many Android phones offer USB host support, full stylus pressure sensitivity support (ICS), 1080p HDMI mirroring, expandable Micro SD slots, Quad Core Processors (coming soon) and an energetic development community…there is a lot to like.

As it stands I am also starting to work closely with Google & Android to help provide direct feedback when it comes to the needs of photographers. There are alot of amazing things coming out over the next year and I can promise you that the people working on Android are devoted and stoked about what is to come.

 

As I title of this blog suggests, Google, in just over 3 years, was able to reach 10 billion downloads in its Android Market. To celebrate this feat, they have knocked down the price on 10 different apps each day, for 10 days (Starting on December 6th). Here are all of the apps that have been discounted. Enjoy!

Day 1: (December 6th, 2011)

DAY 2: (December 7th, 2011)

DAY 3: (December 8th, 2011)

DAY 4: (DECEMBER 9TH, 2011)

DAY 5: (December 10, 2011)

DAY 6: (December 11, 2011)

DAY 7: (December 12, 2011)

Everything You Need To Know About the Canon 1Dx

On October 17th, 2011 Canon announced the next in its 1D series of Camera bodies, the 1Dx. This full frame camera features all of the latest technology that Canon could fit inside. From 12fps, 61 selectable AF points to to dual digic 5+ processors + an extra dedicated digic 4 processor solely for metering.While this camera looks to be a beast, it will also carry a hefty price tag of nearly $6800.

To understand more about the camera, I have compiled all of the information I could find into this post.

“The Canon EOS-1D X DSLR is designed to appeal to all photographers, whether they are looking for a high-resolution or high-speed camera. An 18.1 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, 61-point AF sensor, and up to 14 frames per second (fps) shooting speed have been combined to produce the most advanced EOS digital camera to date. With its advanced Full HD EOS Movie shooting capabilities it will also find favour with videographers who shoot a wide range of subjects.”~ Canon Professional Network

Understanding the Canon 1Dx:

AF System:
http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2011/1dx_af_pts_article.shtml

Multiple Exposure Blending:
http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2011/1dx_multiple_exposures_article.shtml

100,000 RGB Metering:
http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2011/1dx_rgb_meter_article.shtml

Videos:

1Dx Intro

1Dx – Sensor & Digic 5+ Explained

AE System explain 1/3

AE system explained 3/3

Key features

  • 18.1 Megapixel, full-frame CMOS sensor
  • Up to 14fps continuous shooting speed
  • ISO range of 100 to 51,200, expandable up to 204,800 and down to 50
  • Dual “DIGIC 5+” processors
  • 61-point AF system with up to 41 cross-type points
  • Zone, Spot and AF Point Expansion focusing modes
  • 1920x1080p full HD EOS Movie shooting at 24, 25 and 30 frames per second
  • 1280x720p HD shooting at 50 or 60 frames per second
  • Intra-frame and inter frame compression options for video
  • 100,000-pixel RGB AE sensor with 252 metering zones
  • Dedicated DIGIC 4 processor for exposure metering calculations
  • 100% viewfinder with 0.76x magnification
  • Ergonomically improved controls
  • Built-in RJ-45 ethernet LAN port
  • Dedicated WFT-E6 WiFi unit
  • Dedicated GP-E1 GPS unit

Want to be Featured in a Major Book Release?

EVER WANT TO HAVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY WORK PUBLISHED IN A MAJOR BOOK?One that you could find on Amazon, Barnes and Nobel and many other major retailers around the world? Now is your chance!

Google+ For Photographers

I am in the middle of writing a book titled “Google+ for Photographers” where I not only showcase how to use Google+, but I also focus on the importance of social networking and building your own brand for your photography work in the digital age. Throughout the book there will be interviews with some of the incredibly talented professional photographers we have here on G+ such as +Alex Koloskov, +Scott Jarvie, +Elena Kalis, +Jay Patel , +Varina Patel, +Brian Matiash and others. This is where you fit in. In the comments below, I want you to write a mini essay on why you think Google+ is so great for photographers. It has to be under 300 words and you will also need to include a link to some of your photography work. On December 2nd I will select TWO winners that will have full page spreads in the book, showcasing their bio, the winning essay and a handful of their images for the world to see. But that is not all. I will also select 10 more individuals to have their essays published on the books home page website along with some of their work as an indication of the amazing photography community we have growing here.

TO ENTER
- In the comments below, write a short essay on why you feel Google+ is so great for photographers (In 300 words or less). Title your comment as “*CONTEST ENTRY*”, or it might get missed.

- Include a link to some of your photography work in the same post after your essay.

THATS IT

While I am not requiring a mandatory re-share of this post, I would TRUELY appreciate it!

CONTEST RULES
- The Contest runs from tonight, November 28th, 2011 till December 2nd, 2011 at 11:59PM MST)
- Only 1 Entry per person
- Open to Everyone!

ORIGINAL POST
https://plus.google.com/u/0/113455290791279442483/posts/5L4mHK92wob

Behind the Lens: What I am Thankful For

As many of us sit down with friends and family today, its a good time to reflect on life and whats important. I am thankful for the love of my life (my wife), my son who is an inspiration, the friendships I have made and my passion for the art of photography, travel and life on this planet. I am thankful for all of you that help make to it worthwhile to share my life, experiences and knowledge. And maybe most of all…I am thankful for my large ears, that allow my son to grab on and feel safe and secure while we are playing around the house:)

Peace and love from “The Browns”!

New Business Cards Finally Arrived

I was stoked to see a FedEx box on my porch this morning that contained my new business cards, both for Colby Brown Photography and The Giving Lens. I blurred out the phone numbers to attempt to prevent spam phone calls :)

All thanks go to +Lauren Hurst of Spry Media for designing and getting these printed in a hurry. It was certainly about time for an update!