Michael Benipayo

I have to give props to my friend, co-worker and fellow photographer Michael Benipayo.


Mike's daughter and my twins attended pre-school at the East Valley Family YMCA. Mike's gone semi-pro with his photography. He pitched up with his Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 lens and got several shots of my kids that I just didn't have the reach for.

If you're looking for a photographer in the San Francisco Bay area, give Mike a call. Tell him Daryl sent you.

NowPublic

I was asked yesterday to contribute photos from my Reid Hillview Airport gallery to NowPublic. The photos ran with the story about the drunk who broke into the airport and refueled his car with aviation gasoline (not jet fuel).

NowPublic is a Web 2.0 user-generated news website. I admit, I'd never heard of them until they contacted me about using the photos. It looks interesting. I'll be spending more time on the site in the near future.

Missed opportunities

I went out shooting a bit this morning, and stumbled on what would have been a great shot if I had taken it.

No excuse, really. It was a tree trimmer who created a great composition just by walking into the frame. If I had asked him to repeat it after I got into a better position, I'm sure he wouldn't have minded: just do what you're already doing, but when I'm in a better position.

Lesson learned.

Murder & The Mortgage Meltdown

1700 block of Schulte Avenue, San Jose, CA: On October 1, 2007, this house had been on the market as a "short sale" for about six months. Then the owner was fatally stabbed, and his wife and two daughters wounded, by the 19-year old boyfriend of one of the daughters.

The house is now bank-owned and has been reduced in price by half, from its already short position, but still no takers. I guess people think $320K is still a bit steep to live in constant noise, crime, grafitti, traffic congestion and gang activity.

Mr. Excitement was arrested at his mom's house the next day.

Nikon F100, 50mm f/1.8D, Kodak Portra 400VC.

Note: I am not affiliated with the realtor, the bank or the former owner.

Nikon F100

I've started a Squidoo lens specifically to chronicle my experiences with the Nikon F100 35mm film camera.

Please click here to go directly to the lens. Ideas, suggestions and feedback are always welcome.

The Brangelina Twins

The Associated Press reports that the first photos of the Brangelina twins could weigh down the wallet of the lucky paparazzo by up to $11 million dollars.

$11 million dollars???? Even with the greenback sinking only slightly slower than RMS Titanic, $11M will still buy more than a couple of tanks of gas!

Here is a shot of my twins. You may purchase the large version for only $10 million, even though they're way cuter than the Brangelina offspring. How do I know mine are cuter? Because they're mine. Now pay up, dammit!

An inauspicious beginning

UPDATE, 16 June 2008: Kodak Gallery got everything uploaded yesterday. No explanation for the delay, no apology, not even the notification email they say they'll send. One would think they'd be more eager to get paid; maybe they really don't want the film business.

I've had an account with Kodak Gallery (formerly Ofoto) since I went digital several years ago. I had no problems with them, though I found I preferred Mpix. Since I've recently returned to film, I decided to give Kodak Gallery's film services a try.

On June 21, I mailed Kodak Gallery one roll of color print and one roll of C-41 process (BW400CN) black & white film. According to Kodak Gallery, these rolls were not received until June 30, the same day they received a roll of BW400CN I mailed June 28.

As of this writing, I'm still waiting for them to process the two rolls I mailed June 21. The roll I mailed June 28 was processed and put online within the 2 - 7 day specification, though I never received the promised email notification from Kodak Gallery.

I've emailed Kodak Gallery's customer service about this. They've replied that they are investigating. I'm still waiting for an answer but, in fairness, it only has been two business days since they received my inquiry.

A few other downsides to Kodak Gallery:

• They only process 35mm C-41 film (and Advantix, but who cares?). No E-6 (slides), no Tri-X or other "conventional" B&W film. no Kodachrome, no 120, no large-format.
• Their BW400CN scans, at least on my monitor, are a weird, flat, purplish hue. I'll order a couple of test prints to see how they actually look on paper
• You have to subscribe to their Premier service to download "high-resolution" images. Their "hi-res" are such only by comparison with the essentially "no-res" album images they post otherwise. I joined monthly (first month free) as a trial, and suggest you do the same before committing to the annual rate.
• The interface to their Premier service is less than intuitive.
• The Premier service itself is actually hidden, as if they don't really want subscribers.

Flickr Pro account

IMGP1494
Originally uploaded by Daryl Davis

I finally upgraded to a Flickr Pro account, to better integrate with Squidoo and my blogs. Feel free to visit and critique the photos -- ideas for improvement are always welcome!

Shoot! The Day

The gang at Photoshelter are on a mission to revitalize stock photography. One day, five categories, prizes. So, register for the event and, wherever you are on 20 July, Shoot! The Day.