Photography by Randy Hanna

When a deal is too good to be true, it most certainly is.

Although I try very hard to support my local brick and mortar camera store, it is not uncommon for me to order from B&H Photo for a number of items.  I first ordered from B&H when I was in Iraq.  Ten days after placing an order, my 70-200 showed up.  Not bad considering where I was.  I accidentally ordered two of the same lenses over the next three weeks (I guess I was really tired or maybe the internet button just suckered me).  I wrote B&H from Iraq and asked to return one of the two.  To my surprise they said return it AFTER I returned home from my assignment.  Now that was service.  I have been with them ever since.

Back to my original point……… Everyone wants a deal, but a deal is not always a deal.  I’ve heard of bait-and-switch scams out of New York before but never with any details.  This summer I ran across some news which highlighted the NY Attorney Generals Attempts to bring a stop to this tactic.  With Christmas just around the corner, I thought it would be good to mention this.

“Attorney General Cuomo’s investigation revealed that these seven companies would advertise consumer electronics, such as cameras, camcorders, projectors, and related accessories online at prices significantly lower than their competitors to induce consumers to place orders via the internet. Once an order was placed, the companies would call consumers and try to sell them additional or “upgraded” merchandise at inflated prices. If the consumer refused to purchase the additional merchandise, the companies would cancel the sale or claim the item was backordered for months. If the consumer did agree to purchase the additional merchandise, the companies would send them lower quality merchandise than what was promised, or merchandise that the consumer never ordered in the first place. When customers tried to return the items, they would either be denied or be slammed with undisclosed fees. “

As first reported by the Consumerist, a listing of the stores and instructions for filing a claim are posted here. The bottom line is to pay attention to and buy armed with knowledge. If you are shopping on line, then you already know what the price should be.  Remember, a deal is seldom a real deal.

Cheers and happy photo’ing

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Hyperfocal distance is a function of focal length, f-number,  and the circle of confusion (or most correctly, the circle of least confusion).  Simply put, using the hyperfocal distance setting at any given aperture will result in the greatest depth of field (New York Institute of Photography).  At the heart of the hyperfocal equation is a value known as the circle of confusion (CoC).  The CoC is, without a doubt, the most misunderstood and controversial variable among imaging experts.  The basis for the CoC has invoked a debate that has been raging for some 70 plus years and will certainly continue into the future as the purists refine the resolving power of imaging devices.  Boiled down to the most basic level, the CoC is the reciprocal of resolution and is directly related to the sensor size of the digital camera.  The CoC describes the smallest image element that retains identifiable details.  Obviously, this would vary based on the distance from the object in primary focus.

Although I will further explain and provide examples of how to use hyperfocal distance in the next update, if you have an iPod or an iPhone, you are in luck  because there are two good applications to assist you.  Rather than carrying around a number of tables, simply let Mr. Apple do the math for you.  In coming postings, I will review the hyperfocal distance applications as well as demonstrate several applications of hyperfocal focusing and the benefits of such, so come on back for parts II and III.  ‘Til then,

Happy photo’ing

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For all of you that have been having trouble leaving comments, I have located and corrected the problem.

Cheers

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A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of America ‘ for an amount of ‘up to and including my life.’

A veteran is a man/woman who fell in love with his country, for better, or worse – for richer, for poorer – in sickness and in heath.

A veteran is a man/woman who is willing to lay down his life for the Statue of Liberty so that her poor, her huddled masses, her homeless, her tempest tossed may breathe free and may enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

A veteran is as a man/woman who does what he must – in spite of personal consequences – in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures – for that is the basis of all human morality.

A veteran is a man/woman who gets a lump in his throat when he sees our beloved flag and he’ll fight to protect our beautiful bunting from those who would dare to dishonor it.

A veteran is a man/woman who pays his taxes, willingly; serves his country, honorably; and cherishes his freedom, passionately.

A veteran is a man/woman well-deserving of our appreciation, our love, and our prayers 365 days a year.

To all of the Veterans and those military service members currently serving, thanks for your service.

RWH

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Many of you know, both of my daughters as well as my two son-in-laws are  in the military as Officers.  Today I spoke with Coogan (the youngest and a 2006 graduate from the US Air Force Academy), just before she boarded her flight from Virgina to Afghanistan.  While deployment is a father’s worst nightmare, I know that she is well trained and will be well taken care of .  During her frequent visits, I am always able to sneak in a few photos sessions with Coogan.  She is a great model and a true champ when it comes to tolerating Dad’s continuous testing of new lighting equipment.  So in tribute to Coogan, here are a few shots of her from our most recent shoot in October.  Take care dear and be safe.

Love Dad

All images above were taken with a Nikon D700, 70-200 VR lens, SB900’s in 24 inch Lastolite softboxes.

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The Treasury as seen from the Siq

Nikon D70, 12-24mm, December 2004

Petra is the treasure of ancient world, hidden behind an almost impenetrable barrier of rugged mountains, boasting incomparable scenes that make it the most majestic and imposing ancient site still-standing nowadays.

Petra is considered the most famous and gorgeous site in Jordan located about 262 km south of Amman and 133 km north of Aqaba. It is the legacy of the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled in southern Jordan more than 2000 years ago. Admired then for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels, Petra is now a UNESCO world heritage site and one of The New 7 Wonders of the World.

The approach through a kilometer long, cool, and gloom chasm (or Siq) a long narrow gorge whose steeply rising sides all but obliterate the sun, provides a dramatic contrast with the magic to come. Suddenly the gorge opens into a natural square dominated by Petra’s most famous monument, The Treasury (El-Khazneh), whose intricately carved facade glows in the dazzling sun.

More facades beckon the visitor on until the ancient city gradually unfolds, one monument leading to the next for kilometer after kilometer. The sheer size of the city and the quality of beautifully carved facades is staggering and leads one to reflect on the creativity and industry of the Nabataeans who made Petra their capital.

For me, Petra was breathtaking, and I will never forget my initial reaction as The Treasury came into view from the Siq.  I hope to return soon with better camera equipment than I had in 2004.

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