PhotographyBanzai.com

I had checked the forecast a day or two before and noticed a moderate chance of showers. My decision was to use only the K-5 and DA* 55mm f1.4 lens. We ended up having some light showers once or twice while at the garden, so that decision worked out. I just kept using the camera as normal without any issues while the rain was coming down. The nice thing about meetups like this is that I can just focus on the basics, but I’m also inclined to do a more experimental style of framing my subjects. This leads to images that might receive some critical comments on first view, but when examining them further, they might see the intent involved. For example: Multiple times I noticed scenes where the foreground let in just a bit of something interesting. A visual hint of interest lies in the middle of the frame that you put a little extra time into trying to distinguish. On first glance, it might have an amateurish feel, but I don’t believe that is the case when my true intent realized. As...

A friend of mine set up a meetup at Anderson Gardens. We had initially intended to have this meetup focus on cosplay photography, but as things work out often in Rockford, only one cosplayer was able to make it. The largest issue being that most people in the convention scene live in the Chicago area.  EDIT: If you have plans to visit this garden, please respect their policies regarding photography. Groups would need permission or more likely paying for access after hours. They've had issues with cosplayers and photographers over the years, so be someone that sets a good example instead!  A pathway of the garden. The garden has a lot of chipmunks!  I’ll admit it is difficult sometimes making the 90 mile trip to the Chicago area for conventions and other events, so it’s understandable. The girl cosplaying is a character from the popular Sailor Moon (a show and manga target toward girls and women). EDIT: Dani, Rest in peace. :( Here are a few highlights of the excursion: ...

When thinking practical photography, the first thing that comes to mind is convenience. The less that gets in your way, the better you can accomplish what you have in mind with as little hassle as possible. While using convenient equipment is important, using what you have to do the job is important too. Use the equipment you have on hand. Don’t waste time looking for the perfect piece of camera equipment, because it probably won’t truly make that much of a difference. Use and bring as little stuff as possible. Sometimes I’ve not brought something and later though it might have been useful, but it isn’t the end of the world (take note: I’m not talking about professional photography where you should duplicate and cover all possibilities). Seeing as I use prime lenses most of the time, I’m use to managing with what is available. It’s actually much more fluid and experience when I don’t put much thought into gear while out in the field. Avoid extras if you can given your goals for the ses...

I made a parody TV advertisement commercial for Pentax DSLR cameras. Why? I thought up the idea a few days ago and though it would be fun to make. Titled: “PENTAX CM もじり ペンタックス・コマーシャル” Check it out on Youtube ( watch it in 720p ): 冗談、けどPENTAXは素敵なカメラ物ですね。　www ビデオの日本語が悪い、ごめんなさい。 This is a parody video “CM” commercial with Pentax as the subject. My initial idea was a lot more involved, but this idea came after and was a lot more manageable yet accomplished the same thing for the most part. Text and voice from the video: Pentax system: ペンタックスシステム Digital SLR: デジタル一眼レフ prime lens: 首相レンズ (wrong Japanese) Transforming system: 変換システム Weather resistant: 耐候性システム Rugged system: 堅牢なシステム Shake resistant: 抵抗性の振る Wonderful system: 素晴らしいシステム Small system: 小さいシステム Special system: 特殊なシステム Historic system: 歴史的なシステム Portable system: ポータブルシステム Convenient system: 便利なシステム Cosplay: コスプレ All of the video and sound was made by me. Video source: Pentax K-7 and K-5, intentionally blown out in post processing ...

I used the Pentax K-7 with a 14mm f2.8 and 85mm f1.4 lens. You can probably see the stark contrast between shots as field of view and depth of field attributes are so different between the two lenses. I also tried some fast and slow shutter speed control with water features, which was fun. Seeing as tripods are not allowed there, I just put my camera on my camera bag for longer exposures and it worked out nicely.  I also had a polarizing filter that fits my 85mm that I experimented a bit with too. I was able to get a 3 second exposure with the filter on. This is just a small sampling of the 400 or so photos I took, but my site (and bandwidth) are not unlimited, so I am just showing you a few of my favorites. The garden is worth the small admission fee they charge, so I would suggest checking it out if you are in the Northern Illinois area.

As I’m a believer in going to the source to make sure things go well, I just sent a general inquiry email to Ricoh Japan . For people who are actually good at Japanese, pardon my low quality letter. I think it good enough to get my point across though. If you see odd squares and such below in my letter to Ricoh, that means your computer can’t display Japanese because the proper fonts and/or system data isn’t installed. はじめまして、　スコットです。 メッセージはアメリカから。　　RICOHは日本の会社です、そして日本語を書きました。　少しが分かります。　すみません。　　私は頑張ります。 This message is from America. Ricoh is a Japanese company, so I wanted to write in Japanese. I only understand a little. Excuse me. I’ll keep trying. RICOHのPENTAX買収のニュースを見ました。　　良いニュースですね！　　RICOHは古いKーMOUNTレンズを作りました。　　GRーDIGITALも良いカメラ見たいと思います。 I saw Ricoh’s pentax acquisition news. It’s good news isn’t it! Ricoh made old K-mount lenses. The GR-Digital is also a nice camera I think. 私はPENTAXユーザーです。　「*IST　DS」カメラから。　（K１０D、Kー７、Kー５も）。　　そして、ペンタッ...

I’m a fan of something called Anime (Japanese Animation). While many people in western cultures feel that animation is only for children, in Japan they have broadened the scope of animated films and videos. A large section of Anime is geared toward adult audiences. FLAG What brings me to this topic today is an Anime called “Flag,” which I just recently picked up. It’s a 13 episode series on 4 DVDs about photographers and field reporters. For more information visit the Wikipedia entry as well as the licenser in the USA store page . Here is a short clip someone put up on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FotdsMagoV8 The series is primarily in a documentary style, where a large percentage of the scenes are shot first-person in either of the two main character’s points of view. The primary character is a young female who has taken steps to expand her photography by getting into the thick of a foreign conflict. She creates a captivating image of a sect’s flag that becomes a sy...