tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283144610860468542024-02-01T23:46:18.042-08:00Nikon Coachwill introduce you to your Nikon cameraNikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-81486030415566857922015-10-27T03:24:00.000-07:002015-10-27T03:27:47.008-07:00few tools erase mistakes<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/18589697031/in/dateposted-public/" title="Stars by NFarmerWorld, on Flickr"><img alt="Stars" height="333" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/612/22484576805_b7760f7697.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<br />
shot with <a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Nikon AF-S 50mm</a> on <a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Nikon D700</a>Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-52845683511235170162015-09-03T18:53:00.000-07:002015-09-03T18:53:06.463-07:00Call from unrecgnized number, (408)890-6977Received a phone call this afternoon from an unrecognized number, (408)890-6977. Since I do not
have this number in my contacts, I let it go to voicemail. The caller left me
details. The caller turns out to be from San Francisco
49ers' sales team trying to sell season tickets. If you're interested,
please call Joe (Joan?) at (614)420-2486.<br />
<br />
Go Niners!Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-54827249173692951302015-08-14T23:01:00.000-07:002015-08-14T23:07:56.104-07:00Stars<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/18589697031/in/dateposted-public/" title="Stars by NFarmerWorld, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/460/18589697031_fb212f9d82.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Stars"></a> <br />shot with <a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Nikon AF-S 70-200mm</a> on <a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Nikon D200</a>Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-88673477575967404752015-05-30T17:20:00.002-07:002015-05-30T17:22:37.395-07:00Help Nepal<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/17162658530" title="help Nepal by NFarmerWorld, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8686/17162658530_a85549bf4d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="help Nepal"></a> <br />shot with <a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8</a> on <a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Nikon D800</a>
Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-23544535021624787662015-05-30T17:17:00.002-07:002015-05-30T17:23:14.479-07:00Water 2<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/16553778523" title="Water 2 by NFarmerWorld, on Flickr"><img src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7717/16553778523_49ce2b68f7.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Water 2"></a> <br />shot with <a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Tamron 11-16mm</a> on <a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Nikon D5300</a>
Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-11760580696707464372015-05-30T17:13:00.000-07:002015-05-30T17:23:37.889-07:00yet another beautiful sunset<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/17525990504" title="yet another beautiful sunset by NFarmerWorld, on Flickr"><img src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7797/17525990504_bdbc5dcbd0.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="yet another beautiful sunset"></a> <br />shot with <a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Nikon 55-200mm</a> on <a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Nikon D50</a>
Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-3038977583598419522015-03-29T23:35:00.004-07:002015-05-30T17:24:13.946-07:00Girl with a red earring<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/9199119049" title="Girl with a red earring by NFarmerWorld, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/9199119049_6ff0be5500.jpg" width="500" height="400" alt="Girl with a red earring"></a> <br />shot with <a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8</a> on <a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Nikon D70</a>Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-25176249669677126422015-03-15T11:29:00.000-07:002015-05-30T17:24:52.390-07:00Sydney<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/16169027534" title="Weekend by ggone fishingg, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8584/16169027534_9159820bab.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Weekend"></a> <br />shot with <a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Nikon D5300</a>
Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-8460714779214921882014-12-27T22:07:00.001-08:002014-12-27T22:07:11.295-08:00Holidays++<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/16091646331" title="holidays++ by nfarmer, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7553/16091646331_098034e3e6.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="holidays++"></a> <br />shot with <a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Nikon D5300</a>Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-67275379404269802862014-12-27T15:29:00.001-08:002015-01-01T10:45:22.042-08:00Script to Automate Backup of Memory Cards on Windows<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-F2-1lA34zwLRTBANadXix7MJlKfrHQCwM9oq_rRspOaOlg3ku2DvZKobZe1xLX3hKWEsX__DIIb30TbtGr_MT3gcmkBGtf-a0tIb1oCUuqZM1yP8XYyfvm-IHqC_QStgdHqg34KLcay/s1600/cmd3.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-F2-1lA34zwLRTBANadXix7MJlKfrHQCwM9oq_rRspOaOlg3ku2DvZKobZe1xLX3hKWEsX__DIIb30TbtGr_MT3gcmkBGtf-a0tIb1oCUuqZM1yP8XYyfvm-IHqC_QStgdHqg34KLcay/s400/cmd3.JPG" /></a>
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">@ECHO OFF<br />SETLOCAL ENABLEEXTENSIONS<br />SETLOCAL ENABLEDELAYEDEXPANSION<br /><br /><b>REM All cards to copy from. List them all, separated by space<br />REM on my system, SD Card is E:<br />REM on my system, CF Card is G:<br />REM and I back up both of them</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b></b>SET BACKUP_FROM_CARDS=E: G:<br /><br /><b>REM All drives to backup to. List them all, separated by space</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">SET BACKUP_TO_DRIVES=I:<br /><br /><b>REM Since I shoot JPG and NEF, I backup both (yeah, I know, it is crazy!)<br />REM All file types to backup from the card/s to drive/s. List them all, separated by space</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">SET FILE_TYPES=jpg nef<br /><br /><b>REM separator between year, month, and date (also used between hour, minutes, and seconds)<br />REM if not modified, directory files will be copied into will be appended with yyyymmdd_hhmmss</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">SET SEPARATOR=<br /><br /><b>REM set it to 0 if you do not want to shutdown Windows after backup is successfully completed</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">SET /A SHUTDOWN_ON_SUCCESS=1<br /><br /><b>REM 60 seconds after backup is completed, system will be shutdown if SHUTDOWN_ON_SUCCESS=1 above</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">SET /A SHUTDOWN_AFTER_SECONDS=60<br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><b>REM ====================================================<br />REM UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING, <br />REM DO NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES BELOW<br />REM ====================================================</b></span><br /><b>REM<br />REM calculate the folder name based on date/time<br />REM example folder where the files will be saved to: 20141227_131026<br />REM<br />SET</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">DATESTAMP=%DATE:~10,4%%SEPARATOR%%DATE:~4,2%%SEPARATOR%%DATE:~7,2%<br />SET TIMESTAMP=%TIME:~0,2%%SEPARATOR%%TIME:~3,2%%SEPARATOR%%TIME:~6,2%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">SET DATEANDTIME=%DATESTAMP%_%TIMESTAMP%<br /><br />SET /A CARD_AVAILABLE=0</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">SET /A DRIVE_AVAILABLE=0<br /><br /><b>REM<br />REM check card/s to backup is/are inserted<br />REM</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">for %%c in (%BACKUP_FROM_CARDS%) do (<br /> IF EXIST %%c\NUL (<br /> SET /A CARD_AVAILABLE=1<br /> )<br />)<br /><br /><b>REM<br />REM check drive/s to copy to is/are connected<br />REM</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b></b>for %%d in (%BACKUP_TO_DRIVES%) do (<br /> IF EXIST %%d\NUL (<br /> SET /A DRIVE_AVAILABLE=1<br /> )<br />)<br /><br /><br /><b>REM<br />REM if card/s not inserted, exit with an error<br />REM</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">if %CARD_AVAILABLE% EQU 0 (<br /> echo No card/s to copy from<br /> GOTO EXITFAILED<br />)<br /><br /><b>REM<br />REM if drive/s not connected, exit with an error<br />REM </b>if %DRIVE_AVAILABLE% EQU 0 (<br /> echo No drive/s to copy to<br /> GOTO EXITFAILED<br />)<br /><br /><b>REM <br />REM check if enough space is available on backup drives -TBD</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b>REM </b><br /> </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">REM </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">REM now do what needs to be done! </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b>REM</b><br />for %%c in (%BACKUP_FROM_CARDS%) do (<br /> for %%d in (%BACKUP_TO_DRIVES%) do (<br /> mkdir %%d\%DATEANDTIME%<br /> for %%t in (%FILE_TYPES%) do (<br /> ECHO saving all %%t files from %%c to %%d\%DATEANDTIME%<br /> for /f %%f IN ('dir /b /s /A:-D %%c\*.%%t') do ( <br /> copy /Y /V %%f %%d\%DATEANDTIME% > NUL<br /> )<br /> )<br /> )<br />)<br />GOTO ALLDONE<br /><br />:EXITFAILED<br />ECHO fix errors before you try again<br />SET SHUTDOWN_ON_SUCCESS=0<br /><br />:ALLDONE<br />ECHO backup completed<br /><br /><b>REM <br />REM now that backup is complteted, format cards -TBD<br />REM </b><br /><br />if %SHUTDOWN_ON_SUCCESS% EQU 1 (<br /> CHOICE /c YN /D Y /T 30 /M "Do You really want to shut down?"<br /> IF ERRORLEVEL 2 GOTO NOSHUTDOWN<br /> ECHO Shutting down in %SHUTDOWN_AFTER_SECONDS% seconds...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span>SHUTDOWN /s /t %SHUTDOWN_AFTER_SECONDS%<br /><b>REM to put Windows to hibernation, instead, comment out the above line and uncomment the following line<br />REM SHUTDOWN /h</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">)<br /><br />:NOSHUTDOWN</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This script is available for <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/cg35wx8vgtgd8ac/pixbkp.bat?dl=0">download</a> from Dropbox. Feel free to use after modifying it to your needs. Make sure you <b>check what drive letters your cards and drives resolve to on your Windows system and modify the script accordingly</b>. Drives/cards on my system are as follows:</span></span><br />
<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Yaw2t2_ogWOmlaWFfy9AVEPbPKMyJrje8pOGJ0-NU-5yFPRw4gm_JPG3qgLHvqYawamWpZDqNPFfd_-wQeIEZrhVVfr9IxrblVuD2tUYS1KGL1s_L5n-q4MXuEDfvyG4AAof5x1U5ce-/s1600/filexpl1.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Yaw2t2_ogWOmlaWFfy9AVEPbPKMyJrje8pOGJ0-NU-5yFPRw4gm_JPG3qgLHvqYawamWpZDqNPFfd_-wQeIEZrhVVfr9IxrblVuD2tUYS1KGL1s_L5n-q4MXuEDfvyG4AAof5x1U5ce-/s400/filexpl1.JPG" /></a>
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have this script, pixbkp.bat, on Desktop of my Windows tablet (of an earlier <a href="http://nikoncoach.blogspot.com/2014/11/digital-camera-memory-card-backup.html">post</a>). I just double-tap it and the backup is done automagically! The script even shuts down my Windows system after backup is complete!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSIVLzKr_dngfp7n0UjbY0PPrKAGAhHTLfDcEDQ2fiWoqYgjVhL1yDFFVJm51zH4IRLtPeSRs0qYFUoIkQgaorN74Bc0jSaUXmf17-3BDYa1eb_RiCg5nqu6DHpQy9a2_u1lTvnlaYpes/s1600/desktop2.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSIVLzKr_dngfp7n0UjbY0PPrKAGAhHTLfDcEDQ2fiWoqYgjVhL1yDFFVJm51zH4IRLtPeSRs0qYFUoIkQgaorN74Bc0jSaUXmf17-3BDYa1eb_RiCg5nqu6DHpQy9a2_u1lTvnlaYpes/s400/desktop2.JPG" /></a>
<br /><br />
Other than memory cards, hard drive, and <a asin="B00NSHLVD2" category="computers" type="amzn">HP Stream 7"</a> Windows tablet, the following are what I used:<br />
<ul>
<li><a category="electronics" type="amzn">HooToo HT-UH003 6-port USB hub</a></li>
<li><a category="electronics" type="amzn">Ultra ULT31803 All-In-One Flash Card Reader</a></li>
<li><a category="electronics" type="amzn">Micro USB OTG to USB 2.0 Adapter </a></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you have any questions about this script or have suggestions to improve this script, please leave a comment below. </span></span>Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-25870700628176150642014-11-30T00:53:00.001-08:002014-12-27T22:27:10.758-08:00Digital Camera Memory Card Backup System With Inexpensive Windows Tablet<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/15885845166" title="backup by nfarmer, on Flickr"><img alt="backup" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7560/15885845166_4319aef8c6.jpg" width="500" /></a>
shot with a <a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Panasonic Lumix</a> point & shoot with its built-in flash triggering an off-camera <a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Yongnuo flash</a>.
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<br />
A backup system based on an inexpensive 7" Windows tablet to automatically copy images on memory card in a digital camera to one or more hard disks.
Seen in this picture:
<br />
<ul>
<li><a asin="B00NSHLVD2" category="computers" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">HP Stream 7"</a> tablet running Windows 8.1</li>
<li><a category="computers" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">HooToo UH-003 USB Hub</a> (w/ a USB charging port)</li>
<li>2 x <a category="computers" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">WD Elements 2TB USB 3.0 portable drives</a></li>
<li><a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Nikon D5300 DLSR</a></li>
</ul>
(To reduce clutter, USB cables to connect various pieces are not shown. So is the power cable to power the USB hub.)<br />
<br />
Although these hard disks support faster USB 3.0, this Windows tablet only supports slower USB 2.0 but gets the job done.<br />
<br />
If one has access to laptop computer, this backup solution should be avoided or adapted for laptop.<br />
<br />
More about my script to automate backup of memory cards <a href="http://nikoncoach.blogspot.com/2014/12/script-to-automate-backup-of-memory.html">here</a>
<br /><br />
I use this lighter tablet when I do not carry my laptop on trips. I haven't been able to get my iOS devices to do this type of backup. If you have a more elegant solution that uses an iOS device, I would like to know. Please leave me a comment with information.
Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-82745783399031995132014-09-14T11:55:00.004-07:002014-11-29T13:27:29.665-08:00Nikon D5200 at Sunset<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/15235505271" title="Go Niners! by nfarmer, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3886/15235505271_1fc45edaf9_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="Go Niners!"></a><br />
shot with <a category="camera & photo" type="amzn">Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED AF-S</a> on <a category="camera & photo" type="amzn">Nikon D5200</a>Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-36892633321225927602014-09-06T23:39:00.003-07:002014-09-11T23:09:53.684-07:00Photography Books on my BookshelfMy Photography Books:<br />
<a type="amzn" category="books">Scott Kelby's Digital Photography Boxed Set, Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5</a><br />
While I like all books in the above set, this is my favorite:<br /> <a type="amzn" category="books">The Digital Photography Book: Part 1</a><br /><br />
<a type="amzn" category="books">The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 Book for Digital Photographers</a> by Scott kelby<br />
<a type="amzn" category="books">The Adobe Photoshop CS6 Book for Digital Photographers</a> by Scott kelby<br />
<a type="amzn" category="books">Professional Portrait Retouching Techniques for Photographers Using Photoshop</a> by Scott kelby<br />
<a type="amzn" category="books">Light It, Shoot It, Retouch It: Learn Step by Step How to Go from Empty Studio to Finished Image</a> by Scott kelby<br />
<a type="amzn" category="books">Photoshop for Lightroom Users</a> by Scott kelby<br />
<br />
<a type="amzn" category="books">Focus on Lighting Photos</a> by Fil Hunter and Robin Reid<br />
<a type="amzn" category="books">Light Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting</a> by by Fil Hunter, Steven Biver and Paul Fuqua<br />
<br />
<a type="amzn" category="books">Photographing Shadow and Light: Inside the Dramatic Lighting Techniques and Creative Vision of Portrait Photographer Joey L</a> by Joey L<br />
<a type="amzn" category="books">Kevin Kubota's Lighting Notebook</a> by Kevin Kubota<br />
<a type="amzn" category="books">William Christenberry</a> by François Cadava, Carlos Martin, Justo Navarro and William Christenberry<br />
<a type="amzn" category="books">Secrets of Great Portrait Photography: Photographs of the Famous and Infamous</a> by Brian Smith<br />
<a type="amzn" category="books">The New Art of Photographing Nature: An Updated Guide to Composing Stunning Images of Animals, Nature, and Landscapes</a> by Art Wolfe<br />
<br />
<a type="amzn" category="books">What They Saw</a> by John Loengard<br />
<a type="amzn" category="books">Women Who Light The dark</a> by Paola Gianturco<br />
<br />
<br />
The following books, although not directly related to photography, are as inspirational as they are eduational:
<br />
<a type="amzn" category="books">Art That Changed the World</a> by DK Publishing<br />
<a type="amzn" category="books">The Art Museum</a> by Phaidon Press (is too big for my bookshelf, so sits on a coffee table and, hence, is enjoyed more than the others!)<br />
Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-57553953181131670052014-08-02T12:30:00.001-07:002014-12-27T22:02:56.187-08:00Visiting Death Valley? Five Locations to Consider Photographing<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/13914681640" title="untitiled by ggone fishingg, on Flickr"><img alt="untitiled" height="334" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2910/13914681640_8c6c070668.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
shot with <a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Nikon 60mm f/2.8G ED AF-S</a> on <a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Nikon 1 J1</a> fitted with <a category="camera & photo" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" type="amzn">Nikon FT-1 F-Mount Adapter</a>
<br />
<br />
Death Valley is an amazing place to visit but not all of us have the time/means to take in everything this incredible landscape has to offer. Even if one gets a chance to wander around here for only few days, one should feel blessed. Just like all National Parks, Death Valley has its share of iconic landmarks that most landscape photographers try to have pictures of in their portfolios. Each of the following (except the last one) is a short distance from Furnace Creek:<br />
<br />
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li>Zabriskie Point (sunrise)</li>
<li>Artist's Palette (sunset)</li>
<li>Salt flats at Badwater (sunrise)</li>
<li>Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (sunrise/sunset)</li>
<li>The Racetrack (sunrise/sunset)</li>
</ol>
The Racetrack is about 70 miles from Furnace Creek. The last 25 miles takes two hours or more of (cautious, slow) driving on a dirt road. Although a high clearance vehicle is recommended, do not let that stop you from going there if all you have is a car (as long as it is decently reliable). Just drive sensibly and you will get there and back just fine.<br />
<br />
If time is money, stay in Furnace Creek. Choices are: Furnace Creek Inn (less expensive) and Furnace Creek Ranch (more expensive).<br />
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If money is time, Beatty, NV is only about 40 miles (~45 minutes drive) from Furnace Creek. It has a Motel 6 and few other motels. If one is alone, driving from Beatty to (locations near) Furnace Creek in the dark for sunrise shoot and returning to Beatty from Furnace Creek after sunset shoot might be tedious. More so when there are hardly any cars passing by. Do not count on cellular coverage between DV and Beatty. Gasoline is much cheaper in Beatty than in Furnace Creek.<br />
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if you prefer camping, there are a few campgrounds as well around Furnace Creek.<br />
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Do not forget to stop at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center to pay park entrance fee and get a map. Also for information on road conditions.<br />
<br />
I've been to Death Valley four times and I sincerely hope I get to visit again.<br />
<br />Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-66812023132808257852014-08-01T23:06:00.000-07:002014-11-29T13:30:22.950-08:00What Camera Should I Buy?<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/14711962351" title="Legally Nikon by nfarmer, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2934/14711962351_81ef0f9c89.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Legally Nikon"></a><br />
shot with <a category="camera & photo" type="amzn">Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED AF-S</a> on <a category="camera & photo" type="amzn">Nikon D200</a> with multiple off-camera <a category="camera & photo" type="amzn">Yongnuo 560 ii</a> and <a category="camera & photo" type="amzn">Yongnuo 560</a> flashes triggered by <a category="electronics" type="amzn">Yongnuo RF-603 N1 Transceiver</a>s.
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<br />
I've been asked "<b>What camera should I buy?</b>" so many times, I decided to post my answer here.<br /><br />
<i>Warning: If you're expecting a specific answer to this question, I am sure you will be disappointed. Please feel free to click away.</i><br /><br />
My answer is a bunch questions that will, I hope, put you on a path to informed decision. (I am assuming you're looking at getting a digital camera, not a film camera.)<ul>
<li>If you have a phone camera, isn't it helping make images you're trying to make? What do you find lacking in your phone camera?</li>
<li>Is this going to be your first digital camera? Or, an upgrade from your current one? If an upgrade, what is lacking in the camera you already have that is preventing you from making images you wish to make with it?</li>
<li>How important is <i>compactness</i>? (Notice I did not use <i>portability</i>. IMO, most digital cameras are portable.)</li>
<li>What is your maximum budget?</li>
<li>How serious are you about photography to budget that much money?</li>
<li>Are you going to use it for still images? Or, Video? Or, both?</li>
</ul>
Okay, you're still reading this means you're serious about buying a camera. It also means I can move on to next set of questions!</ br>
<ul>
<li>What cameras do your family and friends use?</li>
<li>Have you tried using their cameras? How do these cameras feel in your hands? Too heavy, too light, or just right?</li>
<li>Do you like any of the cameras your family and friends use?</li>
<li>Have you asked them why they use the cameras they use? If not, ask them. Pay attention to what they like or not like about their cameras.</li>
<li>Do you like the pictures any of your friends and family make with their cameras? Would you like to make similar kind of pictures?</li>
<li>If your friends and family do not have cameras or you do not like any of the cameras they have or pictures they make with their cameras, time to search the internet or visit your local camera/electronics stores...armed with all the answers you have (to questions I asked above).</li>
</ul>
You have talked to your friends and family and done some research on the internet. If you're still undecided about what camera to buy, let me see if I can help you. Since you've come to Nikon Coach, you will hear me recommend Nikon cameras. That doesn't mean other brands are not good, it is just that I am more experienced with Nikon cameras. That's all.<br ><br />
If compactness is crucial, you will have lots of choices among point & shoot cameras. If compactness is not all that important, you will have even more choices. You will find quite a few Mirrorless and DLSR cameras that will fit your budget. <br /><br />
If your budget does not allow for a brand new camera, do not despair. Consider a used camera. (If you talked to your friends and family, I am sure one or more of them showed interest in giving/selling their camera to you so that they can justify getting the latest/greatest!) I've seen gently-used, well-taken-care-of mirrorless and DLSR cameras for $50 to $200 on Amazon, Craigslist, eBay, etc. For this amount you won't get the latest/greatest that is out there, but you will get a camera that will serve your photography needs. They may be old but still plenty capable and more than adequate as first DSLRs.<br /><br />
I have bought a <a category="camera & photo" type="amzn">Nikon 1 J1 with 10-30mm lens</a> (less than three years old technology) for $85, <a category="camera & photo" type="amzn">Nikon D200</a> body (less than nine years old technology) body for $125, and <a category="camera & photo" type="amzn">Nikon D70</a> body ((less than nine years old technology) for $40! All of them came with memory cards, batteries/chargers, camera bags, etc. And all of them are in excellent working condition, having been used to take less than couple thousand pictures on each for the entire duration their previous owners had them.<br /><br />
If you make an informed decision now, chances of you selling your camera few years down the road, barely used, and for a fraction of what you paid to acquire it, will be minimized. Not only will you use it for a long time for your photography needs, you will also enjoy photography.<br /><br />
If you want answers to some specific question/s you still have that need to be answered before you can make a decision, please ask your questions (with POST A COMMENT) below.Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-58208187333799775602014-06-29T20:30:00.000-07:002014-11-29T13:31:28.445-08:00My Pi<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/14083926420" title="Tontec case for Raspberry Pi by ggone fishingg, on Flickr"><img alt="Tontec case for Raspberry Pi" height="500" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2922/14083926420_09dd13268b.jpg" width="365" /></a><br />
shot with <a category="camera & photo" type="amzn">Nikon 60mm f/2.8G ED AF-S</a> on <a category="camera & photo" type="amzn">Nikon D200</a> with an off-camera <a category="camera & photo" type="amzn">Yongnuo 560 ii</a> triggered by D200's pop-up flash dialed all the way down
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<br />
I know I'm dating myself here when I say I still remember my first PC with these specifications: Windows 95 running on an Intel Pentium 100MHz processor with 32MB RAM, max RAM upgrade possible on the motherboard. Had a whopping 2GB hard disk and a 17" monitor. I think it had a (fast!) 28.8 kbps modem to connect to the internet through some dial-up service. The whole thing cost more than $2000.
How technology has improved and costs have dropped! The little toy computer I recently put together is more capable, much smaller, yet cost only a small fraction:<br />
<br />
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li><a category="camera & photo" type="amzn">Raspberry Pi Model B</a></li>
<li><a category="camera & photo" type="amzn">Raspberry PI 5MP Camera Board Module</a></li>
<li><a category="camera & photo" type="amzn">Samsung MicroSDHC 32GB Class 10 Plus UHS-I Memory Card</a>: An 8GB card was working perfectly fine. Updated to 32 GB card when I upgraded this computer system with the camera board module.</li>
<li><a category="camera & photo" type="amzn">Tontec New Raspberry Pi Board Enclosure</a>: The assembly would have been easier had Tontec supplied instructions. I hope the above image helps those trying to assemble it. Other than missing instructions, this is a nice little case for Raspberry Pi.</li>
<li><a category="camera & photo" type="amzn">Airlink Wireless N 150 Ultra Mini-USB Adapter</a></li>
<li>(this will soon change but currently using a) repurposed USB power supply from an old Amazon Kindle</li>
</ol>
Currently I'm using this as a poor-man's video surveillance system. However, I am exploring how this can be used in photography, especially in a photobooth application with a DSLR, for cloud backup of images directly from a DSLR, etc. If you have any pointers on how to go about doing these, please leave me a comment below.Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-68611284004223744262013-01-18T11:38:00.001-08:002013-01-18T11:38:49.425-08:00Mayan Calendar ended<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/8359963045/" title="Mission Peak Marker"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8212/8359963045_fc31337854.jpg" alt="Mission Peak Marker by nfarmer" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/8359963045/">Mission Peak Marker</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/">nfarmer</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p></p>Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-82460418578351544702012-09-03T00:29:00.001-07:002013-01-18T11:16:46.808-08:00layers<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/7919766308/" title="layers by nfarmer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8032/7919766308_9f14fb1df5.jpg" width="500" height="330" alt="layers"></a>Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-48490201294989955472012-07-09T00:14:00.001-07:002013-01-18T11:19:38.310-08:00New toy...Nikon D800<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/7533802774/" title="New toy...Nikon D800"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8423/7533802774_695522f02f.jpg" alt="New toy...Nikon D800 by nfarmer" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/7533802774/">New toy...Nikon D800</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/">nfarmer</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>My ex shot my current! <br /><a type="amzn" category="camera & photo">Nikon D800</a> shot with <a type="amzn" category="camera & photo">Nikon D200</a>.</p>Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-30416985110565132322012-07-06T14:15:00.001-07:002012-07-06T14:15:59.044-07:00Natural Bridges State Beach<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/7492881490/" title="Natural Bridges State Beach"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7255/7492881490_88582f9338.jpg" alt="Natural Bridges State Beach by nfarmer" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/7492881490/">Natural Bridges State Beach</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/">nfarmer</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p></p>Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-74715098184267448402011-11-04T03:13:00.001-07:002011-11-04T03:13:49.613-07:00comfort zone<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/6311334228/" title="comfort zone"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6041/6311334228_2a5ce809f2.jpg" alt="comfort zone by nfarmer" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/6311334228/">comfort zone</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/">nfarmer</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>Shot with Nikon D3100 in Kathmandu, Nepal</p>Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-48901997403793124272011-11-02T20:27:00.001-07:002011-11-02T20:27:15.128-07:00Happy Diwali!<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/6236559119/" title="Happy Diwali!"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6034/6236559119_8f7c7a1440.jpg" alt="Happy Diwali! by nfarmer" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/6236559119/">Happy Diwali!</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/">nfarmer</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>Shot in a Kathmandu temple with Nikon D3100</p>Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-86933308198496524442011-11-02T20:25:00.001-07:002011-11-02T20:25:24.842-07:00Halloween on the beach<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/6297514275/" title="Halloween on the beach"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6114/6297514275_4d72165d0f.jpg" alt="Halloween on the beach by nfarmer" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/6297514275/">Halloween on the beach</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/">nfarmer</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>Shot with Nikon D200</p>Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-79492862862960467492011-11-02T20:21:00.001-07:002011-11-02T20:21:55.642-07:00Nikon D300<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/2508774811/" title="myD300"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2108/2508774811_08251afb92.jpg" alt="myD300 by nfarmer" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/2508774811/">myD300</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/">nfarmer</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>Nikon D300 shot with a Nikon D50</p>Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628314461086046854.post-75996786508288586592011-09-21T01:23:00.001-07:002011-09-21T01:23:01.354-07:00I am watching...<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/6165752888/" title="I am watching..."><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6159/6165752888_a7c9dc4ae5.jpg" alt="I am watching... by nfarmer" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/6165752888/">I am watching...</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nfarmer/">nfarmer</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>Colobus monkey shot in The Animal Orphanage in Nanyuki, Kenya.</p>Nikon Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18331295514205914193noreply@blogger.com0