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The DIY Speed Strap - Accessories And Samples

In the previous post I demonstrated my lack of patience by constructing a Honl Speed Strap, while waiting for my Amazon Honl speed strap to arrive.

In this post, I'll show the accessories I built, and explain their various effects on a picture taken.

All my DIY accessories have real commercial products made by David Honl. While the lighting result is usually similar, I must say that Honl products look way more professional. (In fact they look professional enough that I bought some of them, even when I knew I can make them myself).

But, just before I go into the details of constructing and demonstrating the different accessories, I would like to highlight some of the comments on the original post, dealing with different materials that can be used to construct a better model of the speed strap.

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Camera Firmware Exists

In my last post titled Everything You Wanted to Know About Camera Firmware I boldly stated that there is no such thing as camera firmware.

That statement raised quite a few eyebrows asking if indeed there was no such thing as Camera Firmware (as I boldly stated in the first sentence of the post).

After the dust cloud settled, I wasn't sure myself, so I went to my Nikon and turned the menu on. Under the settings menu it definitely said "firmware version" so I wanted to shed a bit more light on the subject of camera firmware. (And send my apologies to the little boy from matrix who boldly stated that there is no spoon). [image by julian-]

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Speed Links for 05-09-2008

Today's speedlinks comes a little bit before the usual monthly time for the speed links. The reasons for this is that there are several links that I wanted to share and that will have less relevance if they were not published today. Specifically, I am talking about the monthly TimeShoot project which will expire today.

I tried to get a little bit of everything on today's post and cover studio, digital workflow, photography fun and heavier articles discussing copyright issues. Enjoy the mix.

• The Wall Street Journal lifted my image!
  Leggnet Digital Capture
  The guys at the Wall Street Journal provide a beacon on how to use photographer's intellectual property. Rich tells the story of how one of his images was published in the Wall Street Journal without him knowing.
• 35mm pinhole camera
  ProPhotoLife
  Jim Talkington put up a rocking video showing how he makes his pinhole cameras. It is never a bad time to take some analog shot the old fashioned way.
• Orphan Works bill introduced in US
  Photodoto
  Orphan Works is kind of a new type of copy right for works that their owner can not be found. Photodoto provides a full premier on the subject. Chase Jarvis thinks the bill is not great, but provides some damage control over what this bill might have been.
• Monthly TimeShoot - May 9th @ 12pm ET!
  Cameracon
  Shaw is doing his monthly timeshoot project again, and this is a good reason to take the camera out of storage and go out and take some pictures. This timeshoot target is today at 12pm. I like this project, as it can creates a shared work among fellow photographers from all over the world.
• White Seamless Tutorial :: Part 3 :: From White To Black
  Zack Arias
  Zack is running a segmented tutorial on creating and using white seamless backdrops. The first three parts deal with setup and gear, Light management (+ part two) and Black backdrops. A great read for anyone who is doing a home studio.
• PhotoNetCast
  Photo Netcast
  Photo Netcast is a new pod cast hosted by Antonio Marques, Martin Gommel, Jim M Goldstein and Brian Auer. If you'll click their names you'll see that these are serious folks so the 'cast has to be great as well.
• An Approach to Street Photography
  The Online Photographer
  Mitch Alland shares the story of how he became a street photographer. A great read in my mind as Mitch shares his reasons, his motivations and more. I found that I could really relate to the story, as I am sure many aspiring photographers can.
• Digital Workflow with Adobe Lightroom
  L7foto
  Kerry from L7 photo is doing a series of video Lightroom tutorials. He covers the workflow as well as some tips and tricks. If reading the Lightroom e-book was not enough for you and you want more Lightroom, this is the place for you.
• Color Profiles in Firefox 3
  Ejohn
  If you are a Firefox surfer, Like 51.82% of DIYP readers, you'll be glad to know that version 3 of the Fox will support color profiles.
• Lighting 102: 6.2 - Gelling for Tungsten
  Strobist
  David Hobby is doing his Lighting 102 session and is now covering strobes and Gels. The first two parts discussed Gelling for Tungsten and Gelling for Fluorescent, and there is an assignment in the horizon, so stay tuned.

Make sure you don't miss out on the next article - Register to the RSS feed or the newsletter.

Related Links:
- Speed Links for 4-20-2008
- Speed Links for 2-23-2008
- Speed Links for 12-20-2007
- Speed Links for 12-11-2007
- Speed Links for 11-20-2007

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Everything You Wanted to Know About Camera Firmware

Ok, so I'll bring you in on a secret there is no such thing as camera firmware. Keep reading to find out why.

Every once in a while Canon or Nikon will issue an announcement calling everybody to upgrade the camera firmware of one of their cameras.

The last camera firmware event to flood the web was Nikon's firmware upgrade to the D3, which was announced with great PR, withdrawn with even greater PR and then finally re-published.

Let see what exactly is camera firmware and why do we care what is the firmware version inside the camera. [image by julian-]

UPDATE: there is such a thing as camera firmware - firmware is a spesific kind of software. 

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DIY Photography Lighting - The DIY Speed Strap

I really wanted a speed strap. Ever since the restrictive light post over at Strobist, I wished for one of those magical straps. If you are not familiar with them look at David Honl's site, it is filled with goodies.

"Why do you need one", you ask? Because they are A - Really good at blocking light. B - Small and can get in my small bag when I go out for a shoot and C - They are just too cool that I could not effort not having one.

I even designed a new one. (Not so good, more on that in a few lines).

Then I decided that I am going to get one from Amazon. Since I (like my eight months son) can not delay satisfaction, must take photos to live, I made a new one that really works (and inspired by the Thomas Schwenger Complete Two Seconds Lighting Kit).

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Readers Projects - DIY Spider Light by Alex Campagna

The Readers Project column is one of my favorite columns in the DIYP. It is a column that brings you DIYP readers to front page and let you share your experience with the rest of DIYP community. (See the bottom of this post for more projects).

There are actually a few ways to get featured in the Readers Projects column: you can post the setup and explanation to the Flickr Image Pool or Discussion threads; you can drop me a note, or you can give me a call (ok, no one has actually done this yet, but I am open...)

Spiderlights are a great source of light. Basically a Spiderlight is a mount with five sockets with which you can do whatever lighting you want: fluorescent or PL bulbs, hot lights or bulb-strobes (Jim from ProPhotoLife has a great comparison of your options here). The only rebuke is the price: if you want to get your hand on one of those, be prepared to bye-bye a few hundreds of dollars.

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Studio Lighting - Cactus Slave Flash Cable Hack

As you may know, I am a great fan of off camera flash

I've owned a Nikon SB-28 since my analog days and added a Nikon SB800 when going digital. Advised by Strobist, I added a third flash - a Nikon SB26.

To get all those flashes going off camera, I bought some cheapo Cactus (AKA Gadget Infinity) flash radio triggers - those can be found at eBay for just a few dollars. I initially bought two receivers and when I added the Nikon SB26 to my collection, I bought the third one.

I really like those cheapo triggers and up until now they were lots of fun (see this shot, I just can't miss a shot at showing my son off). Of course, if you need high reliability, you should consider the big brother: Pocket Wizards.

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Studio Lighting - Stainless Steel Beauty Dish

Photographer J. Chris Hansen built the soup bowl beauty dish for his photography studio. It was all well and dandy while it was mounted on a speedlight. But when he tried to mount the beauty dish on an Alien Bee flash they melted. Luckily for us, Chris did not give up and upgraded the design to use stainless steal bowls. From here it is all Chris.

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Having Fun @ The Pool #1

The DIYP Flickr group is a great place to get inspired, both for projects and image Ideas.

The images submitted are a feast to the eye and the DIY projects shown are the source for the reader's projects column (this column is all DIYP readers, so thank you).

If you have a Flickr account, join the group and start splashin' around sharing your pictures. We have 1,738 Members so far, and the numbers are growing.

If you are already in the group, wouldn't it be great to get some inputs from the DIYP community? By sending your pictures to the pool, you share it with everyone. (And if you don't have a Flickr account, you can get one here.

Below, I've tagged some of my pool favorites. (Well, 99% from the pool. There are just a few favs from other contacts).

Make sure you don't miss out on the next article - Register to the RSS feed or the newsletter.

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Six and Two Halves Must-Read Free Digital Photography eBooks

Six free photography eBooks (+ two halves) for your reading pleasure. Click the title and go to the download link on the as marked at the end of each section.

1. Tinker Tubes - Personal Lighting Systems by Dean Collins

This is where the entire DIYPhotography blog started. A complete tutorial on creating a studio from nothing but PVC pipes, Ripstop nylon and Nikon SBs. Creating studio photography systems like the Ghetto Studio, the Backdrop Stand and Reflector Holders, are all covered in this book.

[26 mind expanding pages, click on "Download the Tinker Tubes book"]

2. Lighting 101 by David Hobby

Or should I say by The Strobist. The complete nothing but a strobe lighting guide. This is a great book for the starting photographer covering the following topics in depth:
- On The Go Lighting Gear: Clamps, Umbrellas, Swivels, ...
- Strobe Lighting Techniques: Bounce, Bare Bulb, Hard Light, Ambient Balancing, and more
- Creative Flashware: Gels, Gobos, Ball Bungees

If you liked the book, you'll surly love the blog.

[36 pages, click the "mirror" on the UPDATE section at the bottom]

2 1/5. JPG Magazine by 8020 Publishing

Jpeg mag is one of the better photography magazines out there. This photography magazine features readers photos (selected by readers), and also great articles (written by readers). In fact JPG mag is very similar to an online forum only it is printed. How cool is that?

In fact it is so cool that you can download a PDF version of any issue right from the JPG mag site. Go to "Issues" on the top banner, select the desired issue and click Download PDF on the right hand side. (Of course, you still order the JPG magazine in print).

OK, so this is not exactly a book, which makes it the first half of the six and three halves.

[pages vary, click the download issue on the right hand side]

3. The Image-Space Tips and Tricks collection by Joe Barrett

This is a great book for any digital photographer using Lightroom (and don't we all). The Image Space is a blog dedicated to Lightroom Tips, and the books covers areas like:
- Using Lightroom full power to organize your images
- Making the best of the develop module

If you liked this book, you can follow the online Lightroom tips and tricks here.

[34 pages, click on "Download the free Lightroom tips eBook"]

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Macro Photography Tip: Spraying Flowers

Jake O'Connell posted a comment, sharing his Ringlight in the CD Spindle Ringflash post. When doing this he also reminded me of a great macro tip. This photography tip is extremely useful when photographing flowers, but also when photographing "cold" drinks. It can also be applied when photographing some surfaces.

If you are a seasoned macro photographer, you can skip this tip, otherwise, keep reading.

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Shooting the Team - The Optimizer

Hai was the next inline for the Team Portrait Project.

Hai is just the kind of guy who wonders around and fixes things up. Be it the shelf on the wall, the air conditioning tunnel or the cable modem which we work on - none will stay broken if they are near Hai. Ever saw Pulp Fiction? Remember the great role Harvey Keitel did as THE WOLF? This is what I am talking about.

Another thing you get to hear allot when you are around Hai is "This is not optimized". Before you know it, Hai will tweak it, bend it, re-assemble it and fry it to make it "more optimized". This is how Hai got to be THE OPTIMIZER.

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Speed Links for 4-20-2008

The last month has been both busy and great for me. A year and a half long project came to a successful end at work, allowing me to continue with my team photography project.  I have also made my annual pilgrimage to B&H - the Mecca of photography and got some new gear. I will post my loot soon, along with some reviews of the items I bought. And to top chocolate with cream, the activity on the web has been great - now, more then ever, photographers are blogging about their projects, ideas and art. I feel privileged to share some of the reading I have done in the last month.

• Up and Down, Forward and Back, Left and Right
  Earth Bound Light
  A nice overview describing the alternative we have when we don't like the composition of a picture. As the title suggests, it involves moving in any direction. (Which reminds me how my papa used to say "we did not have zoom lenses, we have to walk if we wanted to re-frame" and "We did not have a school bus, we had to walk barefoot in 15 miles of snow to get to school").
• Making a Pinhole Lens for (D)SLR Cameras
  Camera Hacker
  Ever felt bad for not being in the photography business when pinhole cameras were the fashion? Not to worry! This tutorial from Camera Hacker will show you how to create a pinhole camera from your Mega $$$$ DSLR.
• Film Photography: 5 Things I Really Miss
  Pro Photo Life
  Speaking about old school, he is one post that is all nostalgia.  All the buttons and levers that we now no longer have are there.
• The Three Properties of Light
  L7foto
  The three most basic properties of light are Quantity, Quality and Direction. L7 Photo covers those three basic properties with some examples.
• Your Guide to Adobe Bridge: File Processing
  Epic Edits
  Brian is running a great series on Adobe Bridge (and Adobe Camera Raw in general). The recent addition explains the basics of files processing. (If you are into file organization, check the comments on this post with lots of ideas on how to name your files).
• Subtractive Lighting: Creating Drama with Contrast
  Lighting Essentials
  Lighting tutorials are scarce and worth mentioning. This tutorial from Don covers Subtractive lighting - Don's 2 cent 1000$ on handling reflections at the studio.
• Tip: Using light stands outside
  Meejahor
  Description Andy combines photography and camping to create the ultimate never-fly-away-lightstand. (and here is DIYP solution for the same problem)
• 7 Signs That You Should be a Professional Photographer
  Photopreneur
  If you've got this tickle in your hands and you want to go pro. Benchmark against seven signs that will help you make the decision. It is interesting (as Ryan mentioned in the comments) that taking good pictures is not in the list.
• Setting the Background in Stock Photography
  Leggnet Digital Capture
  Rich Legg shows the importance of having some theme setting objects in the background of a shot.
• On Assignment: Par For the Course
  Strobist
  Description David Hobby is back doing on assignments posts, each a gem. Step into the mind of The Strobist to gain some small lighting ideas and setups.

Want to keep track of my favs? Befriend me at Stumble Upon, or just check in every once in a while.

Make sure you don't miss out on the next article - Register to the RSS feed or the newsletter.

Related Links:
- Speed Links for 3-16-2008
- Speed Links for 2-23-2008
- Speed Links for 12-20-2007
- Speed Links for 12-11-2007
- Speed Links for 11-20-2007

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The DIYP Amazon Store

If you'll take a quick look to the left right, you'll see a new button, directing to the DIYP Amazon store. If you are wondering what it is, read on.

The DIYP Amazon Store is an Amazon affiliate store created by DIYP.net.

Since this is an amazon store front, you get the same selection and discounts as you would in the regular Amazon store. But... If you but through the DIYP Store, Amazon will share a small amount of the sale with me.

So when you are looking for new equipment, camera or lighting gear, buying it through the DIYP store is a great way to support DIYP.

Thanks for reading and shopping,

Udi

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Readers Projects - The CD Spindle Ringflash

DIYP reader Chaval Brasil came up with an ingenious way to create a ring flash. By routing the light from a hot shoe flash to a CD spindle, Chaval was able to surround his lens with light. Chaval joins a long tradition of readers projects that we had here on DIYP (see The Food Saver Omnibounce, Thomas Schwenger Complete Two Seconds Lighting Kit, and The Christmas Tree Ring Light for more readers projects).

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Seven Reasons to Share Your Photographic Know How Online

Over the last few weeks I got a few emails asking me what is the drive behind DIYP. That sent me to my deep observations state where I had some discussions with myself on the reasons I keep DIYP. When trying to understand my reasons, I also understood that the reasons for sharing your photographic know how are universal (pardon for the cheesiness). So here are (my) Seven Reasons to Share Photographic Know How Online. [Image by JennyHuang]

1. You Get to Pay Somthin' Back

I've never went to art school. In fact I've never even took a photography class. All that I know (and it is not much) came to me from reading photography books, asking around, participating in online forums, and reading blogs. Making an online blog gives me the privilege of sharing some of this knowledge back with the great community of photographers out there.

2. It's Contagious - Join the Party

In the beginning there were only few online photography blogs, but look where we are now, Strobist, Chase Jarvis, Jim Talkington, Lighting Mods, Digital Photography School, Lighting Essentials - All out to share what they know. The more sites site are joining the sharing festival - the better the online photographic scene is.

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Studio Photography - The Best Softbox Ever

If you did not meet Nick Wheeler (Flickr Stream - a must) until now, you are in for a treat. Nick is what I call a Lean Mean Studio DIY Machine. Unlike the softbox for a hot shoe flash and the softbox made from a well.... a box, this softbox design by Nick is as close to a real life studio softbox design as a softbox can be. As always, Nick has done great job of documenting his work so all the DIYP community can benefit. Making this studio grade softbox takes some time and effort, but well worth the investment.

While this project is great, Nick calls it a prototype and plans on a follow up. Keep tuned to Nick's Flickr stream - you'll soon realize that you came for the DIY projects but stayed for the great photography. It all Nick from here on.

This is a DIY project I have had in mind for a while now. When I purchased my studio flash heads, they came with a couple of small softboxes. Although I prefer to use translucent umbrellas whenever I can (small, light, easy to transport), there are times when a softbox is a better solution. While I could use the studio head softboxes in some circumstances with my small strobes, there was no way of effectively holding the flash in place without a lot of jerry rigging. To this end, I wanted to design a softbox that would be light, reasonably strong and durable, adaptable (double diffuser, grid attachment, barn doors etc.) at a later date and have a quick and easy way to mount the flash.

While I achieved most of these goals, the finished softbox was a bit heavier than I would have liked and as is usually the case with these projects I figured out a number of modifications I would like to incorporate into my next attempt after it was finished. For now, I think I will label this as a 'prototype' and hopefully come up with something better for the mark II version.

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Shooting Balloons - DIYing High Speed Photography

It looks like this weekend is going to be weekend at the movies for all photography lovers. So sit back, and enjoy. Now, the trick is get up once the show is over and try some of the things yourself.

After two brilliant videos from Jim Talkington dealing with studio lighting on a budget, comes something completely different.

Photographer and DIYer Guy Montag came up with a nice and easy I-have-no-idea-about-electronics way to make high speed photography shots.

More chat and the video tutorial after the jump.

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Sticks, Stones, Concrete and Killer Lighting

As a child, I'm sure you've heard the following phrase: "Stick and stones will break my bones but names will never heart me"?

Jim Talkington over at ProPhotoLife has got another take on this childhood proverb. Something like "Sticks and stones will create killer lighting, but money is not needed".

Jim was kind enough to get this photo studio video composed where he shows us how to take the sticks and stones (or rather sticks and concrete) to the extreme, building a studio from cheap continuous lighting, some framed diffusion papers and lots of sticks.

RSS readers - grab this video here.

The other half of this vid comes right after the jump - yep it is a double feature.

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Worry Free Digital White Balance - The 0.05 Cent Expodisc

One of the great advantages of working with RAW files is the ability to control the white balance in post production. For example, if you have mistakenly forgot to move your white balance settings from shade to tungsten when you switched location, you can spend two minutes in Lightroom, Photoshop or Adobe Bridge and make the red blue again.

But, but... What if you could make sure that your white balance setting is perfect every time? You can then save on precious post processing time and deliver your images straight from the camera.

ExpoImaging has a nice little product that will help you hit the correct white balance mark on every location. The ExpoDisk is a little device you can use to get a precise white balance reading from any situation. Here is how the general idea, demonstrated on the ExpoDisk (DIY version, right after...):

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25 Ways to Jump Start Photography Inspiration

So, you finally have the time to shoot but lacking inspiration? Need a fresh flow of new Ideas? Here are 25 ways to get your photography creativity going.

1. Go to the Movies

Movies are great inspiration. Before you go, prepare yourself mentally. You can
find inspiration in the story of the movie, in the photography, in the
morals, in one of the characters and in the dialogs.

2. Check Out Flickr's Explore

One of flickr's most interesting features is the explore page. In this page you'll see some of the images that flickr ranks as "interesting". 99 out of 100 times those are great photos. Take a look at these photos to get inspiration. Do not try to copy them but ask, "What do I like about it?"; "How can I make it better" or "What twist can I add on top of this picture?" (Of course, a nice bonus is to get your image in Flick's explore)

3. Try to Learn a New Lighting Technique

Sometimes you can get inspiration not by focusing on the what (the subject), but by focusing on the how. even if you shoot a boring neutral subject in an interesting way, you can get a great picture. The Strobist is a great place to learn about lighting, and you can get some lighting ideas here as well.

4. Join a Photowalk

Almost every town has a club that you can join and go out for a have-fun-together session. Your benefit is threefold: 1. You will be forced to get out of that couch. 2. You'll interact with other photographers. 3. You'll get some shooting ideas. Rich is having a group in Utah, flickr is running a bunch, and there is a photo walking site - really, they are all around - you just have to get another photog and go out the door to have one. (This is how I started, long, long ago).

5. Look at Popular Photoblogs and Get Inspired

Getting ideas from other photographers can be very inspirational. When you look at a fellow photographer blog or gallery you expose yourself to new ideas, photography styles and techniques. You can later employ those ideas on your photography. If you see anything you like, ask: how I would have taken this image, or how can I use this technique to make a say of my own. This is my list of sites. Chase has one great list as well and Brian held a good list too. Now go surfin'.

6. Go Through Your CD Covers

One of the ways to get your inspiration going is to tap to other great creators and their creations. By browsing your CDs (does anybody still has CDs? or have everyone gone to iPods??!!!) you get a double kick. You get to watch the work of great photographers who shot the covers. You also get to find some great lost music that can get you inspired. Shooting a new cover to an "old" CD is a great project. (And you can always alphabetize the collection as you promised to yourself on new years eve)

7. Listen to Your Favorite Music

While you are going through the covers, find one artist that really inspires you and put it in the player. Try to think what image can describe best one of the songs; The first verse; A single line; the mood of the entire CD.

8. Take on a Photo-a-Day Project

Sometimes what you need to get your inspiration going is a little push. A great push is a photo-a-day project. In such project you commit to take one picture each day. Such projects has various themes and lengths. Some of the projects are portrait oriented (or self portrait); some are generic; some have a general theme. Some are a month long, some are a year long and some are a picture a week. No matter which one you choose, the need to create something new on a deadline can give your creativity that little push it needs.

9. Read an (Art) Magazine

Actually you can read n Art / Fashion / Fun magazine. Magazines like wired can trigger new ideas just cuz they are so packed and full of inspirational stuff. Fashion magazines like Elle or Vogue often has lots of great photos that one can try and analyze both for technique and composition. (Heck, even the advertisements are shot in a great way).

10. Shoot a Sporting Event

Sporting events are everywhere. At your local school, College or down
at the park where your little (or big) brother is playing football. It is a great opportunity to take action shots as well as portraits. It is also a great opportunity to practice action shooting if you ever want to make a career at sports shooting.

11. Look 360

When you walk, you are always looking forward, right? As a photographer
you should get used to looking sideways, up and down. You'll be amazed
at the amount of photo opportunities you can find on ceilings, second
floors, looking down the escalator. Reflections in puddles, car windows, shopping windows. Shadows on the floor, walls. You get the point.

12. Shoot for a Holiday Theme

You got a holiday coming? Great! Shoot something in the holiday spirit. An item related to the holiday: snow-slide; Cross; Menora; Shoot a scene from the Bible, New testimony; Koran - give it a twist.

13. Reproduce Art by the Old Masters

As David says, all the old masters are not called masters for nothing. They had it when it came to lighting, composition and posing. Trying to make an image like the old masters did it, is not an easy task. You can learn allot by trying to produce a very similar image. You can also learn
allot from trying to homage art made by one of the great ones. The image on the left is a great example of such reproduction of Rene Magritte - The Lovers by Mister Rad.

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Who Needs a Lomo Colorsplash if You Have a Film Container

I guess that by now everybody is familiar with the film can bare-bulb flash trick. If not, head over to photojojo and see hoe easily you can make one from an old film container.

I guess the Lomo Colorsplash is a little less known. If you've never heard of this one, head over to the Lomography realm and have a look.

deth2all from DIYP Instractables group came up with an ingenious way to combine the two. By using the famous Lee filters (They will ship them free to your door), deth2all was able to add the color transformation "feature" to the bare bulb film container flash. See the full tutorial here.

There are two nice things with this trick: The first is that you are not limited to the handful of colors the original Lomo had built in. The other niceness (can I say that ????) is that you do not need to buy a Colorsplash Lomo (though I highly recommend getting any Lomo you can put your hands on), you can use this on top of your DSLR.

Make sure you don't miss out on the next article - Subscribe to the RSS feed or the newsletter.

More DIYP Instructables:
- Disposable Camera Ring Flash
- Muslin Photography Background
- Great Way To Build a Ringlight
- Photo Studio Compression Pole
- Altoids To The Rescue - The Minty Strobe

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Get Creative with Selective Focus!

Long while ago I published the Create Your Own Bokeh article which was one of the most fun articles this site has seen. I then followed up with some of the uses of this technique and DIYP Flickr pool had a fine hour with great and creative images that used this trick.

One of the questions that keeps popping us is "can you give some more details instructions on the process of making this this filter?"

Well, your prayers have been answered. Shannon Beauford created a complete guide on behind the scene of Creating Your Own Bokeh.

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Shooting the Team - The Tranquil Boss

When I first thought of making a photography project where I work, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about it with THE BOSS.

THE BOSS was really enthusiastic about the idea and was the first to get his portrait taken.

So, here is the tale of how I shot my boss and lived to tell the tale.

This is the point where I am gonna stop calling him THE BOSS and tell you that his name is Yossi.

Yossi is a very calm dude person. He is one of those guys that when everybody is running around to meet a deadline, makes sure we are running at the right direction. And calmness is the main feature that we wanted to show in Yossi's portrait.

Another nice thing about Yossi is his car. In a high-tech world where everybody drives nice fancy big Dollar cars, Yossi is true to his love - a bitten up Citroen BX from the early 90's. When once asked him about tithe told me that "Citroen BX is not a car, it is a way of life". So, the car had to go into the shot.

Lastly I wanted to say that Yossi is a great boss, loved by all and is an example of fine, sharp management. Always bringing results, and gives true guidance. (And it has nothing to do with the fact that I asked for a raise last month, or the fact that I know that you are reading this blog).

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Photography Project - Shooting the Team

After more then two years of running DIYP, I finally feel comfortable to share the fact that I am living a double life. It took me countless rehearsals in front of the mirror to gather the guts to tell. Here goes:

Aside from my real life as a blogger and a photographer, I also have a secret identity as a software developer. Yes, every morning I step into my secret cave, and trade the camera and flash for laptop and network equipment.

Although my family safety demands that I will not disclose my secret identity's workplace, I can hint that I work for the same company that made the cute Little Professor Calculator - that's the guy on the left (Image by draggin). Yes, I work for The Silicon Masters Texas Instruments.

What do I do there? I can not reveal (Actually I can, but then I'll have to kill you). Let's just say that if you are reading this page via a Comcast or other cable service, you're surfing my code.

For the last year and a half, I've been involved in a challenging development project, creating the next generation of TI's Cable Modem. As the project evolved and deadlines started to come closer and closer, work started to take on more and more time from other aspects of my life. One of the major casualties was my passion - Photography.

It was time to ACT! I went into my secret photo cave and planned my revenge. After ruling out Plan A (storm the offices with a flame-thrower), and Plan B (move the studio into my cubicle), I came up with the ultimate plan.

I will combine (or as managers like to say create synergy) between work and photography. This is when I came up with the Shoot the Team Project. Read more.

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