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iPad for Photographers

February 1, 2010 By A. Cemal Ekin Leave a Comment
Apple iPad

Apple iPad

Apple introduced with the usual fanfare its new entry to the market: iPad. Many have started test-drooling over the pictures and Job’s cool presentation. Others, like me, see it as a stretched iPod Touch, which it is. I have read on various blogs “imagine taking your photography portfolio to a gallery on an iPad” and similar comments. Frankly, I think that will emphasize the technology of the presentation rather than the art in the photographs. After all, iPad will not be hanging on the wall, a beautiful print will.

One potential use of iPad highly interests me and I believe it will be the killer app for iPad. Add two features for photographers and it will start selling like hot cakes. First, add a CompactFlash and an SD card reader. This will make it irresistible to photographers. Imagine being able to store and back up your photos in the field and see them on a 10″ screen for field proofing. Second, put an application on iPad that allows it to directly tether to the DSLRs which will make it indispensable to the same crowd. Think about it, you are looking at a 10″ screen to preview your photograph while controlling the camera features from the same screen. You can do the same now but you need a laptop for that which is larger and bulkier. Until then, iPad will remain an oversize iPod Touch.

Are you listening Acer, HP, Dell, Asus, …?

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Imagine

August 29, 2006 By A. Cemal Ekin 2 Comments

Digital photography certainly opened new horizons on imaging and gave photographers a very powerful set of tools. We enjoy the quality and spontaneity of digital cameras and the software to handle small or extensive image processing has improved greatly. We can create stitched panoramas for wide field of view photographs, or use software to generate high dynamic range images that yield images of great tonal spectrum and detail. All this has been really great, but …

… imagine the next generation of cameras that, by using more powerful on-board computers, could converge computing and photography. As I write this piece, researchers are busy working on various experiments, experimental cameras that are collectively called “computational photography.” Where there is now some time and space separation between the taking of the photographs and later processing on a separate computers, the new generation of cameras will likely merge these separate activities into one device.

These cameras that bring discrete steps together into a seamless process will bring some very exciting capabilities to photography. Imagine the following:

  • A camera that can record scenes with 10-12 f-stop brightness range, maybe even more
  • A lens that captures an image with information that comes from three separate points and can generate a 3D rendering of the subject that can be seen from different angles
  • A camera that allows photographing a scene and later deciding on the plane of focus
  • A camera that captures 360 degree horizontal field of view and 200+ degree vertical
  • A camera that captures a group photograph where everyone’s expression is as desired, no closed eyes

Now, imagine that these are not some fancy of my imagination and they actually exist!

And you thought the digital-vs-film debate was heated…

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Quick Tip #3

August 23, 2006 By A. Cemal Ekin Leave a Comment

When it comes to camera gear cleanliness and hygiene, we mostly think about cleaning the lens. That is of course important and should be done regularly and with great care. Another item that needs at least occasional cleaning has emerged after the advent of digital SLRs: the sensor. Sensor dust bothers most, if not all digital photographers. As concerned and sometimes consumed as we are about clean lenses and sensors, the exterior of the camera and lens gear may not get the necessary attention they deserve. These surfaces are not as sensitive to scratching, practically any soft cloth can be used to dust them.

I have found inexpensive cosmetic brushes sold at drugstores very convenient to dust off the exterior surfaces of my cameras and lenses. These brushes come in different fullness and size depending on the purpose. I carry a couple of them in my camera bag to dust off the gear. DO NOT USE THESE BRUSHES ON YOUR LENS GLASS OR FILTERS. They may possibly do damage to the coating.

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How to Choose a Tripod

August 21, 2006 By A. Cemal Ekin Leave a Comment

A tripod is one the important accessories of a photographer. A good tripod is a must for many types of photography. In fact, conditions permitting, any photographic situation will benefit from using a tripod. It will minmize or even eliminate the camera shake, allow for a more deliberate composition, control depth of field better, and so on. Of course, there are circumstances when using a tripod is out of the question. Well then, how does one choose a tripod? [Read more...]

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A convenient Way to Clean my CRT Monitor

August 20, 2006 By A. Cemal Ekin Leave a Comment

The shiny surfaces on these monitors seem to be a magnet for all kind of grease, I have no idea how grease gets on the monitor screen. But, when it is turned off and the background is dark, I can see these spots and often they become quite annoying while trying to do work.

I tried using window cleaners, eyeglass sprays, moist towels with their unique shortcomings. All the liquids I mentioned run to the bottom of the monitor and the moist towels don’t have enough oomph. Then I stumbled on to the idea of putting a dab of Purell, or its equivalent on paper towel and wiping the glass with that. I tell you, it works like a charm, it stays where you put it with no runs racing to get between the monitor and the bezel. These hand sanitizers are thickened alcohol and do a great job on my monitor. I use it to clean the plastic exterior too.
BEFORE you use it on your monitor, try it on the outside edge to make sure that it will not cause any discoloration. Also, do not try this on LCD monitors, they may have a micro etched surface which may not like this treatment.

I am telling you what I do, what you do is up to you.

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