What great flavors / Canon G-9

Once again in Genova. Here we see an open air farmers' market where all sorts of fresh and classic country foods and produce are sold on weekends. This market is in the old part of the city near the harbor.

It will not go away

The enduring question: to upgrade or not to upgrade.

The same question kees popping up on the web; it never fails to amuse me.

Q. Should I by the LX-7 [any camera may be substituted} or should I buy it's successor?

A. Sure, why not wait for the successor's successor ad infinitum so you can always window shop and never buy. Gee you do not even have to go through the annoyance of taking photos...
Seriously, there will always be a successor but in the meantime you can enjoy this little gem of a camera.

My sarcastic initial reply is not as off the wall as it appears as there are such people. I'm not implying that the poster at dpreview.com is one of these as I'm sure he was looking for an honest response. The problem with digital cameras is that there is always something "better" on the horizon. However, this "better" camera will not, necessarily, make you a better photographer. Too often we get rid of equipment before we have fully mastered it and before we have explored it's true capabilities. In a way, we are afraid to see what the camera can do as not to dissuade us from the purchase of that new model we lust over. We need a 12 steps program. Any idea what to call it? The reality is that it' the photographer who takes the pictures.

Winter is here

Yes indeed and it arrived with a vengeance here in North East Pennsylvania.

La Superba

Genova, known in it's heyday as "la superba, is a fascinating city. One of my favorite places in Italy. These four photos all shot with the Canon G-9 show the narrow streets in the oldest part of the city, the part nearest to the harbor.

Sad but true

Kodak Patents Bought by Companies Including Apple, Google, Facebook, and Microsoft

It looks like the worst is finally over for Kodak. The company has managed to sell off its patents, which was a condition in its recent financing option, and managed to drum up the $525 million it needed.

The list of purchasers is huge, and it includes a good many of the folks that you'd expect to see bidding on Kodak's patents - Apple, Google, Facebook, Samsung, RIM, Adobe, HTC, Fujifilm, Huawei, Amazon, Shutterfly, and Microsoft. One thing worth noting is that there are a significant amount of cell phone makers in the bunch.

Kodak isn't tapped dry just yet. Though they sold off their digital imaging patents, they still hold around 9,600 patents in other areas.

Winter quiet / Nikon D-200

Some recent photos  of Milford, PA in a quiet winter afternoon shot with the Nikon D-200 and the 18-70 F3.5-4.5 kit lens.

Here we go again

Just when you thought it was safe to use Instagram....

Instagram's New Policy Gives Them the Right to Sell Your Photos

Admit it, you don't read the Terms of Service agreement when you sign up for a new site or service. You put in your info, you hit "OK" and you get to work. Hey, we do it too. Luckily, there are folks out there that not only read them - they decipher the legalese and translate it for the layman. And, it's a good thing they do, because Instagram's latest is making more than a few people upset.

Starting January 16^th, anything you put up on Instagram will fall under a new rule that allows Facebook to sell your photos to other companies and organizations for purposes including advertising. Think of it like a stock photo site that doesn't pay you.

If you wish to opt out, your only option is to delete your account by January 16^th - otherwise you're considered automatically opted in.

May the spirit of Christmas continue

Merry Christmas / Buon Natale

I want to express my warmest Christmas wishes to all of my blog followers and visitors.

Thank you for visiting.  All the best.

Happy Christmas Eve

Peace and happiness to all and  may Santa be nice to all of you.

Children's candids

Luca, 2 and a half years old

Sebastian, one year old

Doyle, four month old

Anyone who is in this business knows how challenging young children can be to photograph. It's no picnic. These candids of children of relatives and friends were shot at a Christmas party with my LX-7. The camera is very fast for a so called point and shoot it made things a little easier but it was not easy. The children's ages 4 months, 1 year and 2 and 1/2 years.