Matthew Botos

The recent announcements that Nikon’s D90 and Canon’s 5d Mark II DSLR cameras would also offer high-definition video seemed like a bit of gimmick, but Vincent Laforet’s Reverie proves it’s no joke (even at only 1/4 resolution). Proving why pro photographers are pros, he used his connections and skills to snag a pre-production model for a weekend, and cranked out a $5,000 movie showing what the camera can do in low light, on the hood of a car, and hanging out of a helicopter.

There’s also a behind the scenes movie, and he’s promised some full-resolution clips soon. In his original post describing the project, he said “It has the potential to change our industry.” A lofty statement, but backed by his reputation, and some pretty impressive proof. Given past statements from David Hobby (The Strobist) about the increase in photojournalism videos and commercial shooters like Jim Talkington and Chase Jarvis providing clients with both photo and video, and it looks like Nikon and Canon are making a serious move in the direction of the future.

I had a blast shooting the Summer Showdown mountain bike race at Bear Creek this weekend. Not only were the riders doing a great job on a tough course, but I was really hitting my stride with Strobist sports lighting. It’s been a nice evolution from basic motion freeze with a manual flash at the Rally in the Valley, to ETTL flash and some motion effects at On the Rocks, to off-camera flash with gels, motion, and multiple positions at Bear Creek.

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Coming to America is one of those very quotable movie that any self-respecting guy can spout lines from, and even 20 years later it proves some aspects of dating are timeless:

Semmi: But where in New York can one find a woman with grace, elegance, taste and culture? A woman suitable for a king.

Prince Akeem, Semmi: Queens!

They got one point right: go to the city. Much to my chagrin, the greater population of cities and larger proportion of young people means more options no matter how you go about dating.

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More choice lines from the world of online dating:

We can be friends but I’m more looking for a playmate sexually. I’ve had some experience just one on one and with threesomes. But this time I just want some one on one again. Right now I’m searching for a female playmate.

So much promise, only to be ruled out at the end!

If you contact me telling me you want to do something sexual to me, want to see me naked, or anything remotely perverted that makes it sound like all you want to meet me for is sex, you will NOT get a response back from me! And don’t ask me to drive to you, either - you’ve gotta at least meet me half way.

And they say chivalry is dead! A real gentleman always offers to pick a lady up before doing perverted things to her…

As one of the Winners of the Ask a Microstock Superstar Competition at Microstock Diaries, I’ll be at the PhotoPlus Expo in New York on October 23! In addition to the big names on the microstock panel, a number of other well-known pros will be there, and the expo is supposed to be huge. It should be a great opportunity to network, so do leave a comment if you’ll be there.

Good writers know a strong opening line hooks a reader; so do these daters:

Sex on acid after a coke binge, followed by an ecstasy and whiskey chaser was by far the most interesting and intense experience of my life.

Moody bitch seeks nice guy for love-hate relationship.

Then there’s this one, which had just too much innuendo to fit in one sentence:

Hot Receiver Seeking Quarterback, a first round choice, no free agents must have ability to read the defense, go third and long and work well with the pressure in the pocket, under a blitz or pass rush. Willing to sign with the team for the season?

Current Playbook includes: Play-Action-Pass, Hitch and Go, Hail Mary, Quarterback Sneak, Pump Fake, Bomb, Buttonhook. Hurry-up Offense (not really desired but workable if yardage is gained). Penalties may be incurred for: False start, delay of game, offside, too many men on the field, unnecessary roughness and intentional grounding.

No Astroturf on the playing field….boundaries are clearly marked, try to remain inbounds at all times for the best drive into the End Zone! Go adjust your cup and head for the locker room! LOL!

It goes without saying that Colorado is full of photo opportunities; I took about 1300 shots during the week. Given the scenery, they were mostly landscape and nature, with a few portraits to remember the trip by.

The most useful piece of gear I took - and I took almost all of it - was actually a circular polarizing filter. It did wonders in making the sky bluer, taking the glare off lakes and streams, and cutting some of the haze off distant mountains. The runner up was a strap for my sunglasses, so I could just drop them from my face and replace them with the viewfinder.

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