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Archive for the ‘the state of things’ Category

The Future of Video/Still Capture; The New Sony Plan

In equipment, the state of things on July 23, 2010 at 9:09 pm

It’s been a weird process, the converging of photography and videography.  Fans of the Canon EOS system certainly were proud to learn that the season finale of the TV show, House, was filmed on a 5dII.  I’d venture to say, however, that video-shooting DSLR cameras like the 5DII are not the future of video.  It takes so much effort to record usable video on a device intended from it’s origins to record still 35mm frames, that a whole new industry is rising around it, with all manner of contraptions.

I think, in finding a compromise between still and video, that Sony has hit the mark, a quality set of lenses and both high-resolution still bodies like the A900 and dedicated video bodies like the inciting new NEX-VG10.  Indeed, it isn’t the fact that the 5DII shoots video that’s exciting, it’s that photographers who own $8,000 in Canon lenses can use them to shoot video.  Perhaps, also, the trend commercially valuing digital artists capable of both still and video capture will continue, fueled by tight economics, unity of vision, and simplicity of production.  If so, I think we’ll move past the compact, but compromised 5D model to something more like the 2-bodies-1-lens-set Sony Plan.

Picture a high-end shooter owning a complete set of Mamiya/Phase One lenses, a 645 body and a video camera capable of accepting the lenses (which is a claim of the future Epic from RED)  Or a wedding photographer owning a set of Sony and Zeiss lenses that would fit both an Alpha body like the A900 and a video camera like the NEX-VG10. Read the rest of this entry »

The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II

In equipment, photography, the state of things on July 7, 2010 at 1:55 pm

The telephoto zoom, 80-200mm and, more recently 70-200mm, is a standard lens for most professional photographers.  It’s a standard go-to lens for wedding and portrait photographers and a useful tool for many commercial photographers too.  It’s a lens all 35mm camera manufacturers take seriously and update often, and they’re expensive.

Nikon’s newest version, the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 ED VR II, is awesome.  It’s bigger and better than any previous version with a useful upgrade to the anti-shake “VR” system.  Colors are deep and vivid, out-of-focus areas are smooth and beautiful, and in-focus areas are sharp and clean.  It sells for around $2200, which is no joke, but it’s sure to spend more time mounted than any previous telephoto zoom.  Read on for my take on this latest standard zoom: Read the rest of this entry »

mattbeardsleyphoto.com, now viewable on the iPhone!

In marketing, the state of things on June 3, 2010 at 12:28 pm

A major Webpage update went live this morning, including a new iPhone mirror site.  The original big-screen version got a new color scheme, a new gallery, and all new transitions.

The Web update is part of my summer marketing push, which is off to a great start.  I had hoped for a fresh, clean, summery look for flyers, Web pages, mailers, cards, e-mails, etc. and am happy with the direction it’s taking.  The color palate: green, yellow, red, blue, white, and black, is inspired by the South African flag.  The 2010 World Cup is being played in cities throughout South Africa.

It was especially fun to set up a promotional shoot with dancers from Berkeley Ballet.  They were really fun to work with and seemed to really get into the soccer theme.  We dressed them in international jerseys and ‘Shopped in soccer balls where appropriate. Read the rest of this entry »


645 on the Rise

In digital art, digital workflow, equipment, photography, the state of things on March 9, 2010 at 1:49 am
sensor size comparison chart

Specified sensor sizes among a few popular "professional" cameras

At one point, in the history of photography, Medium Format ruled the professional world.  Cameras from Contax, Hasselblad, Rolei, Mamiya, Pentax, and others were king of the imaging world.  The digital revolution was unkind to the ranks, however, with few companies able to make the leap. Read the rest of this entry »


Live: New “Downloads” Page

In digital art, marketing, the state of things on March 6, 2010 at 5:12 am
Matt Beardsley Photo, Promo Flyer
As a little preview of my Spring 2010 Marketing Campaign, I’ve added a free download page to my online portfolio.  Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot on the parallels between music and photography.  What musician doesn’t have some Web-based method of sharing music?  Also, back in ’99, I’ll admit, I ran a productive copy of Napster with great effect.  Times have changed, though.  Often artists offer free goodies online, which is – without doubt – a great way to spread interest.  Many marketable assets must be closely guarded for the sake of earning a living, which, for me, is a concept much closer to home now that it was in the college days.  I would certainly be bummed-out if a shot I spent days assembling ended up, without pay, as part of an advertisement, though it might be a lively opportunity to experiment with Copyright law and the fine lawyers of the PPA. Read the rest of this entry »

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Who Owns the Color Magenta?

In digital art, digital workflow, the state of things on December 9, 2009 at 9:15 pm

The color magenta, depending on your color settings

I was disturbed to read, on the back cover of a recent Newsweek, that the color magenta is no longer public property. “T-Mobile and the magenta color are registered trademarks of Deutsche Telekon AG,” that’s what I read at the bottom of a friendly looking ad featuring Whoopi Goldberg.

Holy Cow, I feel – perhaps – the way Native Americans must have felt as invaders claimed to own parcels of the great outdoors.  Colors aren’t trademark-able, and aren’t own-able either!  Should I rush to Trademark Black or White?  Perhaps the Red at the top of this entry? Read the rest of this entry »

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