Found at RobertBenson.com, here is probably the best description of how a photographer evolves in time (from larva to beautiful butterfly, one would say). You may be any location on this evolution chart, but it’s good to recognize that you still have the possibility to move forward to the right of the graph.

Stages of a photographer

• Knowledge
• Quality of Photos
• How good you think you are

Where are you located? Please, use the comments below.

I got this nice little funny text from Lithos in the Pentax Forums. Please, notice that it may (or may not) be what really happened.

Here’s how Samsung gets Schneider Kreuznach to make lenses for ‘em:

SAMSUNG: “We’re making a play, like every other man and his giant-electronics-corporation dog, for the digital camera market. Unfortunately, we have zero credibility in the camera industry, and, well, that’s where you come in…”

SCHNEIDER KREUZNACH: “NEIN! Ve are a respected European opticz company, with many years of fine tradition und expertise in the field…”

Samsung drops, with a surprisingly loud thud, a briefcase on the conference table. It pops open, revealing row upon row of shiny Euro notes, neatly bundled in 10000-Euro lots.

SK: “…and as such vill not be villing to zell our name for use on some cheap, mass-produced cameras! Our lens are a ground by magic elves, und coated vith ze finest, purest dragon’s urine…”

Samsung reaches into its pocket, and pulls out a handful of diamonds, water clear, each the size of a human testicle, and tumbles them onto the briefcase.

SK: “Our lenses are hand-assembled by virgins! The lens barrels are polished on zeir thighs!”

Samsung whistles, and a team of sunglass-wearing security guards with earpieces screwed into their ears, wielding submachine guns, enter the room. They briefly check the corners, the faces of those at the conference table, then nod and mutter into their lapels. Seconds later, a powered trolley laden with gold bullion enters the room, and is placed at the head of the table.

SK: “EACH LENS IS HAND-TESTED BY ZE POPE!”

Samsung pulls a share certificate from his pocket. Laying it next to the briefcase, it reads: “COCA-COLA: 250,000 Shares”.

SK: “I look forward to working vith you, Samsung. Here’s the TIFF file of our logo. Stick it vhere you vant. Guten tag!”

Thanks to lithos for his cooperation. As he wrote me: “Really, I hope the satire puts to rest some of the rumour.”

This new feature for Photoshop CS5 is really impressive. Just remove what you want to remove and CS5 will fill back with adequate data built from the rest of the image.

Adobe Photoshop: A wonderful tool.

Columbia is one of the greatest exporters of coffee. And an imaginative product has been created (probably with Canon authorization, since it has been seen given to the press in Vancouver) to bring Canon support to coffee (and Columbia). A giant coffee mug in the shape of EF 70-200mm f/4L USM lens.

From crunchgear and many others.

The nice little story of this couple seeking advice from a counselor: Mr. Pixel and Mrs. Grain. In three parts.

A nice story ending for those who love digital photography…

Via F/1.0.

Photography is an art that needs to be learned. Like the Jedi knights of Star Wars, you need to go through a long learning phase and you may become a true Master.

However, this goes through respect for the rules of the photo Jedi.

1. Learn, Young Padawan

A photo Jedi is not taught, he has to keep learning. He has to keep his eye open for the wisdom of older knights, famous photographers. Always come back to the old masters, search and analyze their pictures for what makes them great. You have to acquire an internal feeling for what will make your photos great.

At first, the photo Padawan is only able to watch and fail. But hard work here will open the path to Jedi knighthood.

photo credit: turoczy

2. Do or do not. There is no try

Don’t try to be a good photographer. Become a good photographer.

The Jedi photographer is all about creating great pictures. The master Jedi photographer has recognized that he must be really willing to be one.

If the photo is not as perfect as you want it to be, shoot again. Now!

If the subject is not there when you want it, come back later to shoot it right.

If the light is not the right one, don’t shoot a mediocre picture, wait for the best light.

3. Beware the dark side

Where the Force is, the dark side is too.
Where the light is, the darkness is too.

Of course, you want to ensure that the dark areas of your digital photographs are well exposed and you should learn how to use the histogram and the blinking areas showing underexposed (and overexposed) of your picture on the LCD of the photo camera.

But also, don’t fear the other photographers. There is no competition. Each photo Jedi has his own path. The photo masters are not there for you to feel small and incompetent. They show what can be done with patience. And, don’t shout if you don’t become a photo Jedi master overnight.

Don’t anger when people criticize your pictures. Learn to hear why they dislike your images. Even better, go and show your photos. Ask for the feedback from other photograph Jedi knights in order to learn even more.

(more…)

Not happy with black, white, red and blue colors for your next camera? Pentax Japan decided to go even further and allow you to customize the camera body with a wealth of different colors for the plastic body and the hand grip.

Pentax K-X couleur

Do you like this or not?

Source: Rye Clifton, via Engadget.

Melissa Brandt just wanted to take a photo of her husband and herself. But, as it happens sometimes, an intruder came into the frame. Except that this time it is a ground squirrel from Banff National Park who came checking the photo camera.

Photofunia is a fun way to transform your photos in a way that is technically interesting. You will surprise your friends with dozens of cool (and free) effects.

For example, I created this weirder than weird image of Michael Jackson (from the thumbnail shown below).

This is a question more common than you would think. And this is the worst situation for a pro-photographer: All these people who would want the artwork fro nothing. And would we dare discuss/bargain/complain/negotiate the same way with some other professions?

Wouldn’t it be cool for weddings photographers?

White Nikon D3

Yes, but probably uselessly ridicule…