Samsung vs Apple: The NextBigThing Is A Flop

[caption id="attachment_1116" align="aligncenter" width="404" caption="This guy looks unimpressed and bored with the Samsung phone while the guy behind him is more interested in his iPhone!!!"][/caption]
I'm sorry... NO, I'm not...this ad is CRAP. There I said it! Yeah that's right I've got the cojones to step up and say something.

The reason people wait "9 hours" for the iPhone is because that bloody thing is awesome! I can deposit checks directly to my bank account, book a Zipcar, get subway information with directions and times, touch a date and time in my email and it automatically gets put in my calendar, voice command multiple features on the phone.... jeez I could go on and ON. The only thing that Samsung toted in TheNextBigThing was the screen is bigger. Whoooooptieee Freaking Doooo!

Note to Samsung if you want to persuade potential customers to come buy your product show them what they are missing. Create a feeling... you want your customer to say... "COOL." I do not hear any of my iPhone friends complaining about the size of their screen. If I wanted a bigger screen I'd get an iPad.

Look I get that Samsung is trying to capitalize in the smartphone arena and piggy backing on the iPhone is gonna drive some traffic to your product. The problem is Samsung hired the wrong creative team. Yes, I get the Samsung phone is iPhone like but ultimately Samsung needs to set itself apart and blaze a trail that get people to go "WOW I want one". Well Samsung..... ya didn't.

You can watch the ad by clicking on the link below if you got a minute to kill.

Samsung Vs Apple: The NextBigThing Ad | Digital Buzz Blog.

Foundations of a Working Photographer

Full course available at http://www.creativelive.com/courses/zack-arias-again

Want to be a good photographer? Want to do it for a living? Want to rise above the bottom?

Zack's first workshop was all about studio lighting. This time around, he's covering what you need to know to be a professional working photographer. Many people requested a class about business. Many requested natural light. Plenty wanted strobe + ambient. Everyone wanted more "client interaction" and posing guidelines. Zack's digging deep and covering as much as he can.

Listen closely to see if photography is a fit for you. I too started out like Zack in the film era of photography. I am so thankful to have the film / technical aspects of photography as my knowledge base. It has been over the last few years that professional photographers have really stepped up their education of new photographers. The is very important because educating the younger photographers will not only improve their photography skills it will improve the value of a good photographer to express ideas visually.

Nikon D800 Review - Release Date

2 years ago I was ready to purchase the new Nikon camera. My Nikon D2Xs has been a great workhorse of a camera but it is missing that ever imposing video feature. Since I am invested heavily in Nikon lenses this keeps me as a Nikon shooter. I love the Canon 5D Full HD video capture at 1920x1080 resolution quality for video and 2 years ago I was excited about the NEW Nikon D3s. But wait... it only had 720p video!!! For $5g's I said "NO way not until you get that puppy up to 1080p!" Especially for that kind of do-ray-me. With photographers continually having to expand their horizons the tools of the trade are more important than ever. Photography gear is expensive and the equipment I purchase I want it to meet mine and my clients needs. I'll be curious to put the D800 through the paces on the battle ground.

The Nikon D800 has no set date for when Nikon will release this camera to the public yet. I predict they will release the Nikon D800 in the Spring of 2012. Although I don’t know all of its features and specs just yet, I can tell you that it will have a resolution of 7360×4912 (36MP), HUGE! The video resolution will be better than that of the D3s camera. It will also have different video modes: 1080p/30/25/24 and 720p/60/30/25/24, and both CF and SD memory card slots. My only concern will the Nikon D800 have the shooting still speed of the D3s. We shall see.

Come on Nikon it's time to bring it!

RESOURCE MAGAZINE » GEAR NEWS: Upcoming Nikon D800!.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the Nikon D800 | Nikon Rumors.

Next week I will have a hands on test demo with the LYTRO camera. Read the preliminary post about the light field camera.

Andreas Gursky's Rhein II Photograph Auction Record

[caption id="attachment_1066" align="aligncenter" width="447" caption="© Andreas Gursky Rhein II - copy by Associated Press"][/caption]
Is Andreas Gursky's Rhein II photograph worth $4,338,500?

Personally I’ve seen lots of art that I think is not worth it’s weight in salt. However art is a subjective thing. Photographs – art for that matter are worth what the market will bear. Question is who can bear with 4+ million dollars in this economy? Obviously the very wealthy. Why would they pick this particular photograph? My theory is artists are treated like a commodity on the stock market and currently Gursky's work is a stock these investors see as lucrative buy. Next question is how long will the buyer hold on to this photograph before they sell it to turn a profit? Because 20 years from now I'd be shocked if this image is worth a 5 figure sum.

In my opinion Andreas Gursky’s photo Rhein II is not worthy of a postcard. If this image was to be submitted to a stock photography library it would be rejected.

The price tag on some art is determined not by it’s content but by the story around the art. All this talk is driving the price higher.

The Conscientious Extended makes some good points: "Why don’t we talk instead about what photographs tell us - regardless how much they’re worth? If Rhein II sells for so much money, why don’t we talk about the photograph? Let the millionaires and billionaires play their games at Sotheby’s, let them fight with oligarchs and sheikhs over their prints and paintings and sculptures and now photographs. None of that adds anything to photography - other than that little further corruption of the soul, when money is taken as the most important measure of a photograph’s value."

Read this article by Conscientious Extended for more information

Want to see the top 10 most expensive photographs listed by The Telegraph.

Review of the LYTRO Camera

I've been watching LYTRO from almost the beginning. The technology sounds great... in theory. However seeing the actual specs that this camera will output - to me it's now a gimmick. Here's why:

- LYTRO has their own software to manage the images. If you don't use their software then the actual file the camera outputs is only 1080 x 1080... not that big.

- Want the focus "later" feature in an App form. Well your device will first have to be fitted with Light Field Sensor in them first. Phhhhish... that will not happen. The sensor and the optics are completely different to that of the sensor that is currently your digital gadgets.

- The LYTRO camera will fail in a low lighting situation, anticipate a noisy digital file. Forcing you to shoot mainly during the day. Which means the camera will color correct for daylight, however photography in it's self is based on that color temperature already. Sad really selecting a different color temperature can create some cool effects to your imagery.

- Another note about low light situations, the camera does not have or accept flash accessories and really with that said you are mainly shooting outside during the day. What about night time shots with friends... lots of missed memories.

Look this camera's technology has the potential to shift digital photography as we know it. However the design of the camera is limiting the technology. For the price tag of $399 that is a bit steep for a gimmick camera. Consider this for $450 you can buy the top of the line point and shoot that creates high resolution RAW images, HD video, has a flash, ISO adjustments for low light, self timer, panoramic stitch capability.... come on man I could go on and on.

Ohh and by the way. The 1st generation of any new technology learns a lot of it's short comings when it gets in the consumers hands.

The bottom line... the skinny are you ready... pass on this gadget for now.

More info read this CNET article

SCAMMERS Get Me So Mad

This morning I come out of the subway and I hear that delightful ping from my iPhone to let me know that I have a voice message. I'm the type of person who puts out the kind of energy that this message is possibly a past or new client. As I am walking down the hill to my studio I listen to a message from Hector from Colombia. His message was just this.. "Hi this is Hector calling you from Colombia, South America will you please give me a call back at" and he leaves his international phone number. Immediately I'm thinking scam so I dismissed the message and deleted it from my phone.

I get into the studio and fire up my computer. There is an email in my inbox from Hector letting me know he just left me a voice mail and would I please give him a call. Why would I call this guy? He left no company name or what he was calling in reference to. The hard ass in me is this is a scam but I actually do not know for sure at this point. So I send him an email from one of my alias email accounts. Tip: If you suspect you are being contacted by a potential scammer communicate via a different email address then your primary email address.

So here we go with the email string:

HECTOR:
Hi Mr. Gordon, I called you a few minutes ago from Colombia, South America. I am looking to hire a freelancer who is willing to travel to Colombia and work on a 3d architectural project. Could you please return my call 011 573 315 447 6654 or write me a message letting me know what time I can call you. Thank you.

ME:
Hi Hector,
I received your voicemail.
How did you find me?
Due to the various SCAMS I need you to verify your full name and company.
Do not call me until I have this information and verified your business is legit.
Thank you.

HECTOR:
Hi bikeny, my name is Hector Delgado and I work for a construction company called CELCRETO S.A.S., we are located in Medellin, Colombia, the address here is Carrera 66 No. 48C-13 and the phone number is 011 574 260 2055 or 011574 230 5698, you can visit our website at www.celcreto.com, my cellphone number is: 011573 315 447 6654, I got your information searching through google www.spencergordon.com. Thank you.

****NOTICE how he called me bikeny. If you are really calling me for a job you would know my first name. See my alias email has already started to work. At this point I know this is a scam.

ME:
Mr. Delgado,
What exactly do you need my services for? Why are you not contacting someone from your local area?
Please tell me your budget constraints.
Thank you.

****TIP - Ask short and to the point questions.

HECTOR:
Hi bike, thank you for your prompt reponse. The company that I work for is looking for someone to develope architectural visualizations of its projects in 3D, the reason why we are not hiring locally is that the majority of developers, who have recently graduated and lack experience in designing, are charging way too much for their work, while designers from the US who are well experienced in this field, charge a common sense figure for their work. As far as budget constraints, I would need you to give me a figure that would include x amount of hours, travel expenses, etc., etc.

***NOTICE - He is now calling me bike not bikeny. Two.... 3-D project. If Hector had been to my website it is clear that I do not provide that service. Maybe you are thinking it's a language barrier thing... Nope in his voicemail message he had excellent language skills. I was quite surprised by the way, after traveling sometime in Colombia and finding not many english speaking Colombians.

ME:
Hector,
Let's be honest.
I don't think this project is for me. Obviously I do not do 3D work.
This is a scam.
Do not contact me again.

That's the last email interaction.

I did do some searching on the internet for scams by this guy. I did not come up with any. I also only spent about 5 mins. looking around on the internet for any information on Hector. I did not find any info. which means he changes his name or this was his first attempt. The website he provided is questionable. It is there however the images are stock and if that is the quality you present to potential clients then I know you can not afford my services much less fly me to Colombia and pay for all my travel expenses.

It's up to us to stop scammers. That's why I've posted this to my blog. Beware folks let's look out for each other.

November News FLASH

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