And of course the link: The White House Flickr Stream.

Enjoy! Z.

2. I will not use the Auto setting on my camera.
No way to agree to that, maybe if I were a god of photography but we all know there are very few of those, even among the professionals. I'm sure that it can happen a lot, here I'm thinking hobbyists, to take a couple of shots and be displeased with the results only to find out that taking the same shot on Auto has better results.
I can't suggest leaving it at that though.. but rather study the settings of the shot on Auto and try to make it better on your own.

3. I will not use on-camera flash.
True.. if only I had another option available at this (or that) point in time... I guess some flash is sometimes better than none.

4. I will not be hindered by the gear I do not have.
Does talent and experience count as gear? Not?! Than yes I will not be hindered by the gear I do not have.

5. I will shoot in RAW.
This one makes perfect sense. When I first got my camera I thought that if I am to be a good (hobby) photographer than I should be able to take great shots as is, in JPG. Seriously, what's with all that computer manipulation?! Well.. as I learn better I had to change my ways, especially since you can save some amazing shots in RAW, while those JPGs are just dead hard drive waste.

6. I will learn how to process my shots.
I would not go for buying new software because for learning purposes the Canon DPP and the Nikon Capture or even in worse case scenario Picasa can do some magic. And trust me you do not need Lightroom if you're just an average Joe and just now learning about things.
Oh why I said buying? Because if you go through with the trial and learn to do things on that there is a big chance of buying it out of habit (being used to that piece of software).

7. I will share my photos with others on the web.
One of the best things you could do with your photographs. If they are good enough for Fotolia or other microstock sites or even big places like Getty, than even better, but you sure have lots to learn by sharing your shots with others like you, no matter who you are.

8. I will accept critiques of my work.
Well duh! Photography is some sort of art right.. and as such critique is part of the deal. Not to mention how helpful critique can be.

9. I will set goals and be proactive about my photography career.
Depends on who you are really. I guess this one can be ok only for some people. If you are like me and have a different career path but photography is just an important hobby, being proactive about .. is not really something that fits.

10. I will connect with other photographers.
Well if you go about sharing your shots as per point 7 and accepting critique as per point 8 than this should be more or less already implied.

By the way dear reader.. here is twiplog.

The incredible images I am writing about above show another face of tragedy and suffering but they also show that man is strong and that man can be kind and help others. I think that is also the intention or at least partially so, since the Boston Globe article is entitled "Chile, nine days later". Unlike the sensationalist news and articles all over the place these pictures show this tragedy and it's outcome from many angles. If you look through all 41 photographs you'll see, maybe how you would expect, someone under medical care but you will also see a captured looter or women making something to eat and young people sitting outside a house with electrical cables around to power their laptops.

Here is the link: The Big Picture - Chile, nine days later

Enjoy! (if I even should "say" that)

Long story short, I got this little shot here which I really like a lot and it turns out that not just me. I decided to gave the pictures to my friend since they are his pets anyway and he placed the next one on some pet owners forums.

As you can see if you followed the link on my image above, it got a few votes in the pet image contest, reason enough to be a little bit happy, but that is not the explanation for the title at all.. no, this is a happy shot because.. well, just look at the image.

And if you want to see it larger you can check the shot on my flickr stream:

Zmurfu.

Enjoy!

On his blog, photographer Robert Caplin, who did the cinematography for the film, says:

I'm very excited to announce the launch of "Betrayed", a short thriller co-written and directed by Joshua Grossberg and starring Seth Gilliam (The Wire), PJ Sosko, and Cara Buono (The Sopranos). Betrayed, one of the first narrative works to be shot on the Canon 5D Mark II, follows husband and reporter James Vance (PJ Sosko) who mysteriously disappears, but not before leaving a cryptic video diary leading law enforcement to unravel the crime of his demise.

Betrayed was co-written and directed by Joshua Grossberg, who according to IMDB is also writer and producer for "A Bridge Life: Finding Our Way Home" documentary, following Katrina in September 2005.

What can I say about the short film from the trailer is that the images are incredible! And so they should, considering the great camera which the 5D Mark II is and most likely the nice lens sets that Robert Caplin and Joshua Grossberg could put together. Best if you watch it yourselves and make your own opinions on the matter (share if you dare).

If you want to learn more you can visit the official website at betrayedshort.com and read Robert Caplin's photography blog.

Enjoy!

The Nikon competitor:
"Vincent Munier - Summer Variations - Nikon D3s"

The images are very captivating and very expressive and they should be as they come through Getty, Associated Press, Reuters, etc. and that implies of course real quality. As you may have already guessed the article presents in photos people at work, but the trick is these images come from all over the world and capture a variety of professions and people in different circumstances. I think that the article, as a whole, so both Part I and Part II, is in very good spirit especially in these times of economic troubles.

My favourite images from both parts are, in no particular order: At Work Part I - image 1 - the man and the clocks, just have to love the light; At Work Part I - image 17 -
the shallow depth of field makes me wonder about the details at the tip of that pincer; At Work Part II - image 30 - the dof is great and the dark dirty hands in that light truly inspire in me the hard work of the miner.

So best if you watch and read the details yourselves.

The Boston Globe "At Work"
The Boston Globe "At Work" Part II

Enjoy!

According to a few newspapers from the UK an amateur astronomer by the name of Mr Shah has managed to modify his garden shed, install a retractable roof and a telescope linked to his computer. Armed with these tools, 20.000 pounds poorer, lots of coffee and the support of his wife Lisa, Mr Shah lost countless nights to produce some amazing space photography. And I would not be writing about it if there was nothing to see.. and that it is!

You can view the gallery on http://www.astropix.co.uk where you can also find information about buying Mr Shah's picture book or contact him for information regarding his technique and astrophotography.

If you are lazy and just want to view the the gallery, hier is the direct link: http://www.astropix.co.uk/ps/index.htm

Enjoy!

About Bryan F. Peterson
I thought you may not know who Bryan Peterson is, what he does, etc. and I wanted to know a little more about him myself, so I did a little bit of search engine digging. Also, it just feels right to give some sort of background to the person in the above video.
Here are a few facts about Mister Peterson: takes amazing photographs for a few decades already, commercial photographer, his client list includes companies like Kodak, UPS or American Express, author of "Understanding Exposure" and "Learning to see creatively"; the Bryan Peterson photography website.

Hope you enjoy.

I don't remember exactly but I think I may have started the process by submitting a few photographs myself. A few weeks ago I received an email letting me know that one of my images was selected for inclusion and that I should give my consent, which I gladly did. Than over the weekend my inbox contained an new email, from which I found out that my photograph ha been included.

Here it is: Schmap Vienna guide 9th Edition. The image on the right side, taken of the Belvedere palace in Vienna, that is mine.