Give Your Mac a Tune-Up

So i've had an imac at home for about 2 years now and for the past couple months it just starting opening applications slower and running sluggishly so I decided to get to the bottom of it. After surfing the web and talking to apple care I found a few tips on how to speed up the performance of your mac.

1. First you are going to wanna run Disc Utility which is located within your applications>utilities folder to repair any damages that may be occurring on your harddrive. Highlight your hard drive from the list and have the program repair the permissions. This is a common way to correct some computer errors which could be slowing down your hard drive.

2. It always helps to upgrade your ram. see if your mac is able to be outfitted with more ram.

3. Shut down your mac, unplug the ac cord from your computer and then hold down the computer's power button for 6 seconds. Then plug your mac back in and restart to desktop.

4. Restart your mac again and immediately hold down (Command, Option, P, R) keys

until you will hear the "bootup mac ding" twice. Then let go of the keys and let your computer restart to the desktop.

5. Download an application called AppCleaner. AppCleaner is a free small application which allows you to thoroughly uninstall unwanted apps.

Additional Tip - If you have an apple care protection plan then you have access to download TechTool Deluxe which is a powerful diagnostic utility that allows you to test your computer's critical system components, such as the processor, RAM (random-access memory), VRAM (video random-access memory), the hard disk, and more.

Please feel free to post if you have any other tips as well.

Online Digital Magazine for Digital Imaging

I came across this website yesterday that I wanted to share called Letsgodigital.org Its basically an easy to read informational website that offers camera reviews, ratings and up to date industry news of the top camera and equipment manufacturers. The things I really like about this site is that its not INFORMATION OVERLOAD! Granted this site is very content heavy but the interface is streamline and easy to search. The cool thing that I really like about this site is when you click to view a camera's spec's there are shortcut buttons to easily compare it to another selected model, see what online stores are offering the best prices, and an added option to email those specs to others. I recommend at least checking out this site the next time your searching for cameras or equipment. Its a great place to start.

website:
http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/index.html

A Guide To HD Video On DSLR Cameras

Dpreview.com has a great guide to explaining the HD Video feature which has become available on the latest professional and prosumer dslr cameras. This website list the specs of the latest cameras that have HD video capability as well as comparison tables that show how they match up against professional grade camcorders. A wide array of topics are discussed from clip limits, storage, and sensor size to shooting styles, audio, and video resolutions.




The full guide can be found at this link:
http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Guides/hd_beginners_guide_01.htm



The big difference between camcorders and digital SLRs is sensor size: this allows for better low light capture and the ability to shoot with really narrow depth of field for creative effect. By comparison most compact stills cameras have sensors somewhere between the 1/3" and 2/3" CCDs in the above diagram. - www.dpreview.com

The 10 Buck Barn Door For Your Flash

Studio Systems makes a mini barn door set that can snap directly onto your nikon, canon, or sigma flash, and the best part is that its ONLY $10 BUCKS. The barn door opening mounts right over your flash and there is a rubber padded screw on the side that can be used to secure and tighten it. The barn door flaps are made of metal with metal hinges holding it to the firm plastic mount. So far this item has worked out great for me. I've attached it to my nikon sb-800 flash and mounted it to a stand with my pocket wizard for and editorial shoot i was doing over the weekend. It has proven to be a great lighting modifier for my flash.

you can buy it at www.bhphotovideo.com
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/63894-REG/SP_Systems_SPBARN72_4_Leaf_Barndoor_Set.html

You can also read a more indepth review at www.Nicephotomag.com
http://www.nicephotomag.com/the-latest/the-10-no-mod-barn-door-for-your-flash

The Orbis: An Affordable Ring Flash

I came across an affordable lighting tool that I wanted to share. Are you interested in creating new styles of lighting your subjects but cant afford equipment that is going to break the bank ? Well, the Orbis is a new affordable tool that your gonna wanna check out. The Orbis is a Ring Flash that uses your existing flash/strobe to create the same characteristic ring flash look that an expensive studio ring flash offers. The best part is that the Orbis cost a fraction of the price compared to what a Profoto ring light flash is listed at. The Orbis allows you to take photographs with shadowless quality of light. All you need is a standard flash/strobe unit and an off-camera cord (or other remote triggering method). The Orbis works with commonly used Canon 16-35, 24-70, 24-105, 70-200 (IS and non IS), Nikon 16-35, 24-70 and 70-200 (non VR), 18-200 VR and more.

To read more about the Orbis, follow the link below
http://orbisflash.com/wawcs0130750/tn-the-orbis.html

Podcast It Before You Buy It: Equipment Videos

These days with the lack of camera stores around, getting your hands on testing out new equipment before you buy it can almost be impossible. I came across a solution though that may just be the next best thing. B&H (if you've shopped online then you know B&H) offers short videos on the latest equipment that is out on the market. From the latest canon & nikon digital cameras to flashes and lighting accessories, each video features an overall view of the product along with its latest bells and whistles. You can either visit the B&H website to view the videos or you can subscribe to them via podcast if you have itunes. Check it out before you make your next big equipment purchase.



Visit B&H Website: http://www.video.bhphotovideo.com/
or
With your itunes music store open: search B&H Photo Online Video Podcast

Great Website for Affordable Photo Equipment

I've been buying equipment from this whole sale photography equipment website for some time now and I thought I would share the link. This website has been great for buying products that range from light stands and soft boxes to bags and tripods. In the past I have purchased stands, a tripod head, soft box, reflectors, and camera bags. Everything that I've purchased has been made of good quality at very competitive prices, often at times much cheaper than b&hphotovideo.com and adorama.com Its definitely worthwhile to at least check out. This website is also great for reading consumer feedback and reviews on purchased products. Everything I've ordered has been delivered in a timely manner and customer phone service has been helpful and friendly.

www.amvona.com (great wholesale photography equipment company for bags stands and lighting accessories)