Halloween Head Cam

Happy Halloween Photographers!

Q: What kind of street does a ghost like best?

A: A dead end.

Q: How do ghosts fly from one place to another?

A: By scareplane.

Q: What did the mother ghost say to the baby ghost?
A: Put your shocks and boos on.


I just got back from New York City for the Photo Plus Expo and, believe it or now, it snowed. Needless to say, I'm happy to be back in Charleston, SC, where it's moderately warmer. Although, today there's not a ray of sunshine and the wind is kicking up. You can't have everything. At least there's no snow, yet.

I was thinking about various Halloween projects a photographer could do while walking their kids around Trick-or-Treating and the new GoPro HD Hero 2 came to mind.



It'd be cool to strap this gadget to you or your kid's costume to see the reactions of the folks passing out candy, plus the other great costumes of the neighborhood. Hands would still be free for crossing roads and hauling bags of loot, while still capturing some memories. It's a nice way to create a digital video diary of your son or daughter or both!

Manfrotto MP3-D02 Large Pocket Support

Andy and I have just about every Manfrotto tripod and mono pod system on this great planet, but it's their smallest platform that's one of our favorites - the Manfrotto MP3-D02 Large Pocket Support (Gray). Whether you have a point-and-shoot camera or a big DSLR, it's essential to keep in your pocket. No wonder "Pocket" is in its title.

The biggest perks about the bite-sized tripod is that it's collapsible and sits flush against itself (so it doesn't take up any room), it steadies your camera for slow shutter speeds and keeps your camera upright for those tricky self portraits.

Wacom Cintiq 24HD

I've been in NYC most of the week for Photo Plus, PPE, WPPI, or whatever and all they're calling it now, and got to see a lot of cool new gadgets. I've been a fan and dedicated user of Wacom products for a long time.

Right now I use the Wacom Cintiq 12WX 12.1" Interactive Pen Display for all of my picture editing, layout and design. When I first started using my Wacom I wanted to toss the tablet and the pen across the room. I had no idea how it worked and my lack of eye and hand coordination made working with the tablet hard. However, I watched some tutorials, practiced and improved. Now, I can't stand using regular computer mouse or track-pads - go figure.



I stopped by the Wacom booth on the expo floor and saw the Wacom Cintiq 24HD Interactive Pen Display, which is their latest and greatest. Phew, I want one! I'm thinking that it will be my last big purchase for the end of the year - Andy seems to agree!

At the Charleston Center for Photography, we use Wacoms in our digital lab. If you want a chance to use them, check out our classes and workshops.

Nikon V1: My New BFF

A couple of weeks ago was the Eddie Adams Workshop where Andy and I volunteer. It was right after Nikon announced their point and shoot sized camera with a large-sensor and interchangeable lenses, the Nikon V1. Of course, it made its debut there and I got my hands on one for a bit.

I definitely want one for kicking around town. It shoots JPEG and RAW files, video and has a high frame rate of 60 frames per second while in electronic shutter mode. It does well with moving objects, which I imagine would make this a great camera to have court-side for sporting events or my crazy dogs. The continuous AF Mode has a 73 point focal plane phase detection AF system with makes tracking those moving objects much easier.

The camera is compact and lightweight. Due to its mirror-less system, its extremely quite which makes taking pictures without drawing attention to yourself a breeze.

Product Highlights

• 10.1Mp 13.2 x 8.8mm CMOS CX Image Sensor
• EXPEED 3 Image Processor
• 3.0" LCD Display
• Electronic Viewfinder
• Nikon 1 Lens Mount
• SD/SDHC/SDXC Card Slot
• Advanced Hybrid AF
• 100-3200 and 6400 ISO
• i-TTL Hot Shoe for Optional Speedlight
• 1920 x 1080/60i Movie Capture

Polaroid Dua Flash

Just yesterday Polaroid announced the Dua Flash, a flash gun that combines a powerful flash with a LED light solution that can be used for both video and still photography. The Polaroid Dua Flash assists professionals, hobbyists, general photography and videographer enthusiasts with a dual function LED video lighting solution for both SLR and DSLR cameras. Available in two models (PL150 and PL160), the new Polaroid flash allows users to effortlessly switch the light sources from still image photography to video capture – and produce picture perfect results in both formats.

"Polaroid always brings people together like no other photography brand I know," said Jim McHugh, renowned photographer and author. "The current line of great cameras and accessories all offer that very special instant Polaroid experience that pros and consumers love and associate with Polaroid."

Backed by a legendary brand at a competitive price, the Polaroid Dua Flash allows photographers of all levels to easily adjust the light needed to create outstanding results in just about any environment. Both Dua Flash models are equipped with a power save function and red eye reduction setting. Additional features include:

• Power Zoom head: automatically sets the correct exposure.
• LED light: when fully charged, offers one hour of battery life.
• Diffuser and flash reflector: help to reduce shadows. The PL150 flash has a detachable reflecting plate and diffuser, while the PL160 unit has a built-in version.

Thanks Nikon

The Charleston Center for Photography and CCPL Teen Photo Contest Winners would like to say...

Lauren Hawes

"Thank you Nikon for my great camera," exclaims Lauren Hawes. "Before I got this, all I had was my camera phone which wasn't good at all. This camera is so amazing. Now I can shoot whenever I want and even use flash too."

Claire Dickman

"My camera has a touch screen that's pretty neat," says Claire Dickman. "There are so many settings to learn."

"With the younger generation being inundated with technology, I'm not surprised that Ms. Claire took to her camera to quickly," said Stacy Pearsall, owner of the Charleston Center for Photography (CCforP). "I showed her a few ways to set her ISO and how to take control of her camera and she mastered it in short order!"

Ava Kusmider

"I watched Ava photograph her surroundings during the CCforP Youth Camp and she's such an artist," said Stacy. "Her perspective is unique and I believe with her new camera, she'll have the tools to express her vision."

Photo Contest 1st Place Winner, Lauren Hawes:

"I'm so glad I won first place. Before the summer, I didn't have a camera and I used my dad's to make the picture for the contest," said Lauren. "I got the Nikon Coolpix S8100 and I have so many options that my dad is even jealous of me."

"I guess I see things in a different way from others, but I hear that's a good thing," explains Lauren.

"I put the camera in my bag, so I have it everywhere I go," Lauren says. "Sometimes I catch my little brother with it. He seems to like photography too."

"I had no idea I could draw with light," Lauren says smiling. "During my private lesson with Ms. Stacy, we turned the lights out and used flash lights to draw in the dark. We made swirls, pumpkins and even self portraits."

"Again, thank you Nikon for donating these prizes. I'm so glad I won one!" says Lauren.

"In the turbulent economic climate, I'm humbled to see companies such as Nikon give to our community in such a generous way!" explains Stacy Pearsall. "I'm thankful and proud to associate my name with Nikon, not just for their generosity, but also for their wonderful products. As many of you know, America's art programs are being slashed in K-12 classrooms. Therefore, I volunteer my time to teach youth outreach programs and camps, so joining forces with Nikon and CCPL was a no-brainer. All of the youth involved were so open, creative and energetic - they invigorated and inspired me. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Nikon for continuing the artistic dreams of America's future. Also, thank you CCPL for seeing the contest through fruition."

Blog By CCforP Youth Photo Camp

Today we met up at the Charleston Center for Photography, expecting it to be boring and long, but it was just the opposite. We ate too much candy and got hyped up on sugar and took numerous photos. We walked down King Street and shot pictures along the way - some were pointless and others were amazing and incredible.

We used colored light to make some goofy looking pictures with the lights out. We can't quite tell what they are. Can you? We had lunch. We watched a brief documentary on White House Photographers, which we didn't finish (cough). However, we had to get in the studio and the video was running long.

Everyone loved Noah's looks and natural beauty ("seriously?", said Noah). While trying to make this blog, several computers started malfunctioning. We think it may have something to do with Penny's special powers (she's the dog).

We all had a fantastic time!

Sincerely,
US

"I had the most-est fun ever-est!"
- Shayla Huffman (BTW, I'm home skooled)

"Below you'll find my self-portrait."
- Stacy Pearsall

"We is gorgeous..."
- Sheena Stover

"Awkward moments" -By Everyone

A-dork-able

Oops

"What's going on?"

Those leaves are nice... Squirrel!!

Natural Beauties

Don't ask...

Don't mess with me.

My shoulder feels nice.

Angry moments in the RAGE.

America's Next Top Model

Bad hair day?

PHOTOS BY "us" STUDENTS...