15
Nov

A quest in photographic equipment repair…

By 20 Comments
Categories: 2008, New and Resources, advice, camera, cameras, canon, flash, lighting, maintenance, photography, repair and replacement, research, sigma, technology, tips and advice and tutorials and resources

I have a Canon 30D that I am borrowing from a friend. I have had it for far longer than i expected to borrow it. The reason being is that my Canon 20D is broken. I had the shutter replaced once and again the shutter has broken and now the camera has some other problems.

My questions are as follows:

1. Is it worth it to send it to Canon the ( Original Manufacture ) to have it repaired even though it is out of Warranty? or should I take it to a local repair center? The last time i had the shutter repaired it was over $250.

2. What is the best advice on repair or replacement?

3. Because I am serious about my photography, does anyone know of how or where i can go to school on Camera repair? It would be of extreme benefit if i could repair my own equipment and have resources to buy parts.

4. Where are the best places to buy replacement parts? I have had a hard time finding them online and have a feeling that i may just not know the best keywords to use.

The camera is my first area of repair and the next is my flash..

A while back i was at a show. I am an artist, body painter and photographer. Needless to say multitasking at one event and being slightly clumsy while doing several things causes some difficulty.

The neck strap on my camera got hooked on a chair and yanked my camera out of my hands when i was showing a client pictures that i had taken. When this had happened it broke the mounting shoe on my sigma ef-500 dg super flash.

I was told that i can buy a replacement part and just unscrew and replace it myself without having to send it it to have it repaired. Any advice on how to do this and whether or not is wise? Will it involve any soldering?

I greatly appreciate any advice or input. I will be updating my journal with responses that I get from fellow photographers and technical gurus as well as any informative and helpful links that I come across on the way. Wish me luck.

My best advice is to sign up for that extended WARRANTY, you never know when it may come in handy and save you money, especially considering the cost of repairs without said warranty.

Until next time fellow photographers, bloggers and blog fans.

-B

13
Nov

A Boy and his dog

By 0 Comments
Categories: 2008, Uncategorized, artists, editing, oklahoma and self portrait

A Boy and his dog

Originally uploaded by bryancrump

Here is a little self portrait of myself and Bootsie. Bootsie is actually my brothers dog that he got to keep my mother company, but she has become my little buddy as well. She is the cutest little thing.

In the morning, when she first wakes up and greets you, she stretches out her front paws and drags herself across the floor towards you only using her front paws, all the while have the cutest dog smile on here face. Bootsie reminds me of those muppet dogs sometimes as well as Toto from “The Wizard of Oz”. I have to say that I have grown quite fond of the pup. I hope you enjoy this picture.

11
Nov

Treading Dreams

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Categories: Uncategorized, editing, oklahoma and photography

Treading Dreams

Originally uploaded by bryancrump

This shot was done at an artists and photographer meet and greet in Talihina, Oklahoma. The host of the event had a heated pool and hot tub that were both salt water.

This was a result of my first time shooting under water while also learning to use scuba equipment for the first time. So, I was really winging the whole experience. Instead of having an camera enclosure, I was using an underwater camera bag so this made it awkward as well.

Luckily, i had several understanding models that I was working with. Rachel is the model in this particular shot and wanted to do a sort of under water meditation type shot.

Despite it being a learning experience. I am very happy with the way the shots turned out. I have to thank everyone that helped make it possible, from the gentleman that let me borrow his scuba equipment to the photographer who was injured and could not do the underwater pictures he wanted and so graciously let me attempt the experience. Yet again my work evolves because I had the opportunity to work with wonderful and supportive people.

01
Nov

The Adobe Grill, Restaurant Review

By 0 Comments
Categories: 2008, Distinctly Oklahoma Magazine, article, client, features, oklahoma, portfolio, restaurant and review

Adobe Grill Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

I have been shooting for Distinctly Oklahoma for a while now and have had the pleasure of working with many wonderful new clients. In light of some of my experiences, I have chosen to start creating blogs on the various assignments, businesses and restaurants that I cover for the magazine.

For the Restaurant Review in the November 2008 Issue of “Distinctly Oklahoma” Magazine, I shot the Adobe Grill, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The Adobe Grill is located at: 5120 N Shartel Ave, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118
PHONE: 405-848-7250

No matter how prepared you are for a shoot, there is always the unexpected. The Adobe Grill is a well run, Gourmet Mexican Restaurant that serves a variety of excellent foods, but what I found most intriguing is the art that the owner creates. Everything in the restaurant has an artists touch. There are hand painter chairs, paintings and artwork everywhere to entertain your eye.

The purpose of this blog is to thank the folks at Adobe Grill for a lovely experience and to let everyone reading this know that they are very easy to get along with and the experience of the restaurant is well worth it.

I would go into more detail, but this is, after all, a project done for a Restaurant Review in the Magazine. Christopher Carroll has written an excellent article about the restaurant in the magazine, and all the fancy things about it, the art, the food and the overall atmosphere.

To find out more about the Adobe Grill, checkout pages 55 through 59 in the November 2008 Issue of Distinctly Oklahoma. You can find it at any local Oklahoma, Barnes and Nobles and/or Borders stores in the Oklahoma City area. You can also subscribe to the magazine on their website:

Distinctly OKlahoma Magazine
http://www.distinctlyoklahoma.com/

Here is a link to the online article:
http://distinctlyoklahoma.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=228&Itemid=9

22
Oct

Online Printing Price Comparisons: Business Cards

By 3 Comments
Categories: business cards, marketing resources and printing

Best Prices on Business Cards, insight from an artist and photographer’s mind.

When shopping for business cards, it is important to find quality but also find something that is cost effective. Purchasing business cards can be a tricky business. One place can and will charge you a high price for “what you think” is a good deal, if you don’t do your research. It has been my experience that it is good to price compare on every printing need. Go to google or any search engine and just search for business cards and prices. You will find a ton of listings, with prices in all ranges.

Two great places for printing are www.onlineprinthouse.com and www.overnightprints.com

I have found other printing companies that I intend to try out but, with the results I have had from these two, they have gained a loyal customer. Both companies are excellent at making sure you are satisfied with your order.

I once ordered some postcards from Overnight Prints and apparently their UV coating had become contaminated. I received my postcard delivery, and they had a yellowish tint. I was of course upset, so I called and their customer service was quick to find out the problem, reprint and resend my order. I got the new shipment and the product was perfect.

I have also ordered business cards from OnlinePrintHouse.com several times and only had issues once which was also quick to be resolved in a kind and friendly manner. At $75 for 5000 business cards, 4/4, full color on both sides, who can complain. I honestly think, it is an excellent price. This, of course, does not cover shipping and handling. To get the same order with OvernightPrints.com you would have to spend $160.oo

Each company specializes in printing services, so some will offer better deals. OvernightPrints may be more expensive on business cards but on the other hand they are cheaper when it comes to printing POSTCARDS.

If you are froogle in your search, you can find specials and/or discounts with all these companies. If you find a printer you like, do a search online and see if you can find any promotional coupons or discounts. It is always beneficial to do your research.

So in short, for printing your business card needs, I recommend both:

Online PrintHouse

http://www.onlineprinthouse.com

OverNight Prints

http://www.overnightprints.com

With the prices they both have and always checking to see who has the best deals, even local printers can take advantage of their prices to provide a service to their customers and still make a profit and expand the range of products that they can offer. Outsourcing can be a tremendous advantage.

08
Oct

A wonderful week of catastrophy or at least bad luck…

By 0 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

So the past few months have been full of ups and downs. This last week, not only has my main system been to the breaking point, so that I cannot work on my pictures until i get it fixed but I am limited to using my laptop for projects. The laptop I have is extremely slow and takes forever to get anything done and is just not productive.

My reason for this post is because of my car. I just spent a large amount of money having it fixed and now it is broken again, less than a few weeks later. Today, I went to start it and it made some strange popping noise and when i try to start it makes the electrical clicks like it is trying to start but the mechanisms in the door are clicking as well. I am guessing that it has to be at least an electrical problem. I know there is probably more to fix as well. I am tired of this. I am broke and don’t have the money to fix my car again. Sigh…

20
Sep

The Fair Affair #15

By 0 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized



The Fair Affair #15

Originally uploaded by bryancrump


17
Sep

Some lighting tips for your photography

By 2 Comments
Categories: New and Resources, lighting, photography, tips and advice and tutorials and resources

I have been doing photography now for about 7 years. The first few were more hobby, but as my interest grew so did my need for knowledge and of course equipment.

There are a lot of tools that a photographer uses in his trade. Among the obvious besides the camera are things like: tripods, lenses, reflectors, backdrops, props, film, memory cards and of course LIGHTS.

Lights, I have found, can be very expensive, but… You can take some cost saving, intelligent and crafty ideas and work around the need for expensive lights. Eventually, you may want to invest it that expensive on camera flash, some fancy strobes and other things, but for beginner photographers I can recommend several options.

When I first started, I would shoot outside, where you can get some of the best light for your photography. But for nighttime or indoors, I had to find an affordable way to light my models.

How did I do this? Well, I bought some of those aluminum clamp lights from walmart and some nice bulbs, like the spotlights. Each light has different effects, but be careful as some can really be harsh on your models. Because they are not to expensive, you can afford to experiment and see what works best for you.

Another method that I found not too long ago on youtube is in a tutorial called
Fashion Lighting on a Budget.

This tutorial by Dave Greene was very informative. It has a lot of useful material. Getting a couple of light fixtures and some bulbs that produce light similar to that to what you get during the day from the sun. The best part is that you only spend around $50. You might have to add in a little extra into your budget for some stands to hold the lights but hey you are saving a ton of money already.

If you do a search on google, you can find all sorts of tutorials on lighting techniques people use, but for beginning photographers, these simple setups can help you a great deal when getting started.

I suggested mixing up both and playing with the lights in all sorts of placements to get everything from strong contrasts to smooth overall lighting. On the florescent lights, they do not get overly hot in temperature so you can actually diffuse the light by putting light cloth over them for added effect as well.

Well that is it for the lighting tips today. I hope you have found it helpful.

-Bryan Crump

17
Sep

The High Pass Filter in Photoshop, an excellent tool for sharpening and popping detail.

By 1 Comment
Categories: photoshop, tips and advice and tutorials and resources

by: Bryan Crump

A lot of people ask how to make their images sharper or more vivid. One method is by using the high pass filter in photoshop on a duplicated image layer and using the overlay mode on the effected high pass layer.

It effectively increases the contrast in areas of the photo causing a sharpened crisp look. Here are some links to some tutorials online to help those of you interested:

Adobe Tutorial on High Pass Sharpening

Photoshop Essentials High Pass Tutorial

Here is a link that has a few good visual references in addition to a good tutorial to show you really what the high pass is doing. If you have any confusion, hopefully this link on NYFALLS.com with help you out

High Pass Tutorial on NYFalls.com

I have tutorials on my site and on the web that also cover this in some detail, but I also like to give people several sources of information so they may broaden their perspective and awareness on any given subject. I hope this helps those of you that have been having difficulties or are simply just curious.

12
Aug

Show me the Money!!!

By 0 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized



Show me the Money!!!

Originally uploaded by bryancrump


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