Monthly Archive: January 2009

Blog Note: My Gear Geek List Updates

I’m trying to be better about remembering to update my Gear Geek list whenever I acquire a new piece of equipment. I’ve updated it recently to add my Sigma 10-20 lens and a few other bits and bobs. I keep a link to it over on the right nav bar, so you can check back periodically, if you’re so inclined.

From the Bookshelf: “Black and White Photography: A Basic Manual”

Black and White Photography, Third Revised Edition by Henry Horenstein My review rating: 5 of 5 starsThis book has been on my to-read list for quite some time now and now I realize why my photography instructors recommended it. Black and White Photography: A Basic Manual is a very rich, well-organized photography manual. Horenstein gives just enough instruction and detail...

Middle Harbor Park, Oakland, CA

Shot on Kodak Ektachrome 320T film, which gives the image its blue cast since it’s balanced for tungsten light. If I had wanted to balance out the color, I would have used a yellow filter. But since this was expired film I had no idea how much color shifting was going to occur anyway, so I just shot as-is.

From the Bookshelf: “John Hedgecoe’s Complete Photography Course”

John Hedgecoe’s Complete Photography Course by John Hedgecoe My review rating: 5 of 5 starsI’ve been dragging my copy of this book around with me for nearly 20 years now. It’s a great reference when I want to get back to basics and a source of inspiration when my creative well runs dry. If you can find a copy of...

From The Bookshelf: “The Moment It Clicks”

The Moment It Clicks: Photography secrets from one of the world’s top shooters by Joe McNally My review rating: 5 of 5 starsJoe McNally makes great photography accessible to aspiring professional photographers (or serious amateurs). Every page is filled with great anecdotes of a successful career, as well as a paragraph or two of “how I did it” to accompany...

Gear Geek: Sigma 10-20 Lens

My latest equipment acquisition is the Sigma 10-20 wide angle zoom lens. I got it specifically for scenic, landscape-y photos such as this shot of the Bay Bridge, taken from the ferry on my morning commute. So far I’m really loving this lens. It’s obviously not an all-around lens like a 28-135, but it beautifully handles most of the shots...