Software Piracy Is Theft

During my morning State Of the Union Review I came across a blog post in which the author addressed the issue of Software Piracy, particularly in relation to individuals who use the software to produce a product for sale. It was an interesting read and I must say that overall I am in agreement, but being me I saw a different side to the issue as a whole.

The author was certain he would receive many comments seeking justification because of perceptions regarding Adobe being greedy. Like I said, I look at things from different perspectives, in this case I pitched in an opinion branched from a different departure point.

ORIGINAL POST LINK:
http://www.cswatzell.com/blog/2013/6/theft-of-photoshop


Here is my comment in its entirety:

Yes, many of the software firms are greedy, charging much more than needed, etc.. They claim they need to fund research and development in order to give us consumer junkies our next rush. Well, they don’t quite word it like that, but it is synonymous to the way it works; the marketers tell us we have these massive needs that they can fulfill and we soon believe we can’t do without the newest, most improved, cram-packed-with-everything-we-need-but-likely-will-never-use gadget or version of software. I don’t buy it! I shoot Nikon digital because I still shoot film and I can still exchange lenses. I develop and print with real silver based materials and the results can be stunning, classic even. Just because it is experienced doesn’t make it dead.

I purchased PS Elements in ver. 3. I took college hours on version 6 and I used PS CS5 extensively during a two year full-time professional photographer program. While in school I purchased Lightroom 3, which has become the triage desk of my workflow, everything enters through LR3, then nearly all my post and printing is handled from there. If I must needs heavily manipulate or work with layers I will perform surgery in Elements 3. I have yet to miss anything the newer versions offer. So why should I give Adobe, or any other for that matter, more of my coins for their coffers when what I have works quite well already. And since I don’t need to purchase these upgrades, I needn’t steal them either!

Models Of Excellence: Yousef Karsh

Today I introduce a new concept with this Blog. I have been up to my arse in alligators busy for the past year and I am still busy, but now this busyness is focusing in on building my professional identity as a photographer. As I catch up the backlog, I am devoting more time to fleshing out my website and as I do so I will keep this Blog current so that the two venues may work together.

In order to keep these sites informative and interesting I have come up with a few concepts, one of which is an on-going series of short biographical essays regarding photographers I admire. This first installment pays homage to Yousef Karsh.

YOUSUF KARSH

Yousuf Karsh was born in Armenia (Turkey) in 1908. At the age of fourteen his family moved to Syria, two years later Yousuf was sent to Canada to live with his Uncle George Nakash. George was a photographer and recognized potential in the young man, so he arranged an apprenticeship for Yousuf in Boston, Massachusetts with the photographer John Garo. After a four year apprenticeship Karsh returned to Ottawa, Canada, where he set up a portrait studio in the Chateau Laurier, a prominent hotel close to the Canadian Parliament.

MacKenzie King, then Prime Minister of Canada, who especially liked Karsh and his photographic work, commenced to arrange portraits between Karsh and visiting dignitaries. On December 30, 1941, Karsh took a photo of a defiant Winston Churchill, “The Roaring Lion” capitulated Karsh to worldwide fame, this photo in fact is claimed to be the most reproduced portrait ever photographed.

In the year 2000 edition of The International Who’s Who, which celebrated the 100 most notable people of the previous century, Yousuf Karsh was the only Canadian entry. Of the one hundred people listed, Yousuf had photographed fifty-one of them, testament to his profound success as a portrait photographer.

In the late 1990’s Yousuf, with his wife Estrellita, moved back to Boston, where he died on July 13, 2002 of complications following surgery. His body was returned to Canada and is interred at Ottawa’s Notre Dame Cemetery.



When I see a photograph taken by Karsh it is quickly recognizable, a result of his style and his distinctive personal aesthetic. Karsh was a humble man who was able to capture in the fleeting moment the person behind the public mask - his portraits capture a snippet of the sitters personality that can only be found in very brief moments, even with co-operative, willing subjects.

Most of Karsh’s work is printed at large sizes, and as portraiture displays the tonal range and contrast supremacy that one sees in Ansel Adams’ landscapes, complete mastery of light and shadow. Such excellence is never happenstance, and in Yousuf’s case it has much to do with his understanding and use of studio lighting.

The excellent photo craft of Yousuf Karsh is inspirational and if in my lifetime I can attain a consistency in negative, print, and subject such as Karsh exemplified, I will die a satisfied artist.

Yousuf Karsh examines a 10X8 negative in this famous self-portrait.


Yousuf Karsh was an amazing man and photographer, though he has passed, the official Yousuf Karsh website will enrich and inspire you. Check it out:

LINK
Click Here for http://www.karsh.org/#/home/

Mario - Courier Number One

While shooting an assignment today on Vancouver's Hornby Bike Lane I had the pleasure of meeting Mario. I immediately noticed his courier license plate and was intrigued by the number - 001. While so many people around Vancouver get uptight when they see a camera Mario simply nodded and smiled. When I saw his number plate I asked if I could take his photo and he happily obliged, taking time away from his busy schedule he allowed me to make a picture and we engaged in a brief but uplifting conversation. Thank you Mario for being a positive part of a rainy day in Vancouver, you deserve to be number one.

Historic Steveston Fishing Village

Earlier this year I was on a field trip to the waterfront at Steveston, one of the many cities that together constitute the Greater Vancouver Area. Steveston was once a thriving fishery centre but is now a pleasantly quiet respite from the rest of BC's Lower Mainland, which tends to be overcrowded and hyperactive. The calm I experienced in Steveston made up for the long transit ride to get there and back. How long was the bus-train ride? Over two hours from my suite near UBC and then the same back again!

Studio Portrait - Black & White

Chiaroscuro. It is a word of Italian origin that literally means light and dark. It is most commonly used in the context of art where it references the interplay of light and dark without regard to colour.

The two photographs posted here were made with the intent of conveying a particular mood. Colour would not suit the moods expressed. Full, even lighting would equally fail to express the depth of thought and introspection. When one is deep in thought s/he is attempting to bring something out from the shadows within into the more lucid realm of the surface. When light and dark is the subject matter, light and dark are the tools of communication.





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Food and Beverage Photography

One of the school modules during this past term has been food and beverage photography. One of the assignments given was to style and shoot a beverage, then create and apply a mock logo along with text layout for use in advertising. I chose to simulate an assignment for Minute Maid brand (tm registered) 100% juice blends.

Granville Street Vancouver

Granville Street on a Saturday night. Not just any night, but on the one year anniversary of the Olympic experience.

Product Photography Final Assignment

I love my cameras and I can't stand Photoshop, however I have to get involved somewhat in the post-processing nightmares. For my Product Photography final assignment I chose to utilize pure images and keep everything simple; remember that less is more? Some of my classmates are perfectly adept at Photoshopping, in other words they have the desire and inclination to take things "over-the-top." I have promised myself that I will not be one of the throng who delight in such falsehood and contrivances.

Camera Flash and My Bride

OK, so I've been married for years, but she is still my bride and I love her like we are still on our honeymoon. I went home to her at Christmas time and while there she modeled for me as I worked on my Camera Flash assignment. I haven't done any post-production with these images, therefore (as with most of my images) what you are seeing is straight from the camera.











Ain't they beautiful!

NDP Leader Jack Layton Gives Town Hall Meeting In Vancouver

DISCLAIMER: I do not subscribe to any particular political party. Honestly, I exercise my Constitutional Right to refrain from voting whatsoever. I leave politics to those who are interested in it, they know a whole lot more about those things than I do, and therefore do a better job of it. That being said,

I was strolling downtown Vancouver making photographs today and intended to stop at the library to shop its extensive selection for some reference materials. When I arrived at the VPL I encountered a peaceful demonstration for Free Democracy in Tunisia. I think that was what it was for, I couldn't understand the words being spoken any more than I could read the graphically beautiful writing on many of the placards. While photographing the event I was approached be a man who wanted me to take his picture with Jack Layton, Federal NDP Leader who apparently was having a Town Hall on the lower level of the library building*. I thought, Why not? so in I went.

The meeting would commence shortly after our entering so Ricky, for such is his name, found his way through to some people and I took a place on the media platform, Why not?

After awhile I got to feeling famished and eventually decided to slip out for a bite to eat. When I returned Jack was gone and I spotted Ricky taking the souvenir shot of a small group of party faithful using their camera. I took one more look around and decided it was time for me to go upstairs and get the books I needed. And now, after quick editing, submitting via email, and posting on the blog, it is time to take one of those books to bed with me and settle down for the night. Why not?


* It is a very beautiful building, thank you Vancouver!




A real important NDP person setting the stage for ol' Jack and other NDP VIP's enjoying themselves



Tough guy



Comedian

Tunisia Freedom Rally In Vancouver, BC

Today a rally/protest for democratic freedom in Tunisia after the ousting of former ruler Ben Ali. The event was staged in front of the Vancouver Public Library.



Peaceful Protest Rally In Front Of Vancouver Public Library



Messages



Charged Connections

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From Week 2 To Term 2

OK, so I have failed miserably in my attempt to update this blog weekly - I will spare you my justifications and just get on with it. Here are three pictures from one of our early field trips. On this assignment we were to point and shoot at what interested us without taking the time to compose our image in the viewfinder.

Photography School Week Two

Here I am at the end of week two and so far I am surviving. I think school is tougher than dealing with clients! Take for example the shoot I did at Vancouver International Airport last week. I had to submit three, and only three submissions - no opportunity for a second presentation either. In my case I over thought what to submit. I was shooting for the Photojournalism class so I decided to submit two images that 'said' Airport. I know they conveyed airport as a place but my instructor critiqued them as too contrived. Having seen other students submissions and hearing the comments I am proud of my peers, and I take nothing away from them, however I could have stood in much greater light had I chosen other images from my shoot. Alas there is no second chance. Had I been presenting to a client I could have come back with the more appropriate selection, but such is not the case in class, what I gave is what it is, no chance of redemption for that assignment. I guess this is why I am in school, to learn.

My YVR shoot has flown, so I will leave you with a few street shots I took this past week.


One of my classmates making pictures.



Whale Watching.




Freighter Watching from the Spanish Banks.

School Week One

After a whirlwind of activity and application form overload I have finally made it here to Vancouver for my Professional Photographer Program. I haven't found a permanent address yet but I have found somewhere to lay my head.



Home Away From Home.


OK, I am only kidding, but if it doesn't rain out this could do in a pinch!
Actually I have been staying at Hostel International Vancouver, Jericho Beach. It has been a great place to start out, being close to school, close to the beach, and quite affordable. The hostel is kept clean and is occupied by a bunch of really decent people. The photo below is one I took while on a cycle tour of the beach walk, only moments away from HI Vancouver.


In Front of Spanish Banks Cafe


As I was typing this blog entry I received a phone call about a room for rent only five blocks from my school and no hill to climb. I am really beginning to like it here. School is revealing itself to be hard work but then again I didn't expect it to be anything other than hard work anyway. All this going on in my life makes me happy as a rose bloom (Sorry, couldn't resist!)


Happy Flower

Going To School

It's true, I am returning to school at 52 years old!

Frustrated from my unfruitful attempts to locate suitable employment since my injury I decided that I would see if I could obtain funded career training. I went to The Employment Place in Salmon Arm where a wonderfully helpful client counselor listened to my story then made some suggestions. In the middle of August I attended a two week self exploration career decision workshop known as Implicit Career Search, conducted by Stepping Stones Consulting in Salmon Arm. Back at The Employment Place we decided together that we could build a case to endorse preparation for a career as a professional photographer. Bowman Employment Services agreed that mine was a case they could get behind, and I start a ten month diploma program at Focal Point Academy Of Visual Arts in Vancouver this Monday!

This has been a whirlwind and many thanks are due. You know who you all are. May God bless you abundantly.


The other day I traveled around with a mandate to shoot only at 18mm. The light was lousy but I didn't care for my sole intent was to capture compositions using only the widest angle I had available to me.


My bike parked behind the library



Reflections at Salmon Arm Wharf



Looking through the railings

Kayak Adventures

My wife and son have been active kayak enthusiasts for the past ten years and have tried to get me interested for as long. Well this year they finally succeeded, and all I can say is, What took me so long?

Fishing On Hidden Lake, Enderby, BC

1/15 sec. (hand-held) f5.3 230mm ISO 1250

Mallard Duck and My Son on White Lake, Salmon Arm, BC

1/400 sec f14 55mm ISO 800

Levi Performing An Eskimo Roll

1/1250 sec f8 55mm ISO 800

The Ducks Like Levi!

1/1250 sec f8 55mm ISO 800

Cats Afternoon

Kress, eight week old female Scottish Fold


George, eight week old Scottish Fold male, straight ears


Mr Chin, male with folded ears, giving George a pat on the head.


Kress soaking up the heat from my desklamp, keeping me from work.

The Kittens Are Growing

The following pictures were taken about a week ago, when the kittens were seven weeks old. Today the kittens turned eight weeks and the first one to move out has found an excellent home with our son in sunny Kelowna. These cats are wonderfully socialized and will settle well in whatever home they go to.


Mother Sophie with the awesome Mr. Chin

1/60 sec f.5.6 60mm prime ISO200


Beautiful, brilliant and bursting with energy, this little lady we call Kress

1/60 sec f9 60mm ISO200


George, the Littlest Holstein. That gray between his paws is the last of his first mouse capture!

1/60 sec f8 78mm ISO800


Ems is sticking her tongue out and George is reaching out. Whatever it is it must look tasty.

1/60 sec f9 60mm ISO200

Color Valuing (Temperature) Photographs In Post Production

Today I would like to offer three versions of the same photograph in order to illustrate a simple yet visually appealing option in post-production, color valuing.

In truth, all three images are the same photograph. The different look and feel of each image is a result of the visual / emotional impact of the color values perceived. A simple adjustment of the temperature value slider and, Voila', an entirely different photo!

The original picture is shown first. It has not been edited in any way, it has only been converted from NEF (Nikon's RAW Format) to a reduced dimension JPG.


Personal Water Craft On Shuswap Lake - Original

1/6400 sec f.8 400mm ISO400 Color Temperature 4696

PWC - Warmed Up ...emphasizes the Golden Light...

1/6400 sec f.8 400mm ISO400 Color Temperature 8000

PWC - Cooled Down ...truest to the minds rendition at "Cheese" time...

1/6400 sec f.8 400mm ISO400 Color Temperature 3800


Please use the comments to state which you prefer and why. Any other comments and/or feedback is also welcome.

Graduation 2010

A family we are friends with celebrated the youngest daughters high school graduation the June. She has determined a solid educational path towards the profession she has chosen. She is an intelligent young lady and she will do well. As always, we pray that life continue to unfold well for her.


Balloons on the family float pulled in the Grad Parade

1/1600 sec f.8 55mm ISO400


Water Girls or Pink Mermaid

1/1250 sec f.4.8 86mm ISO400


After the Toss

1/10 sec f.5.6 200mm ISO1600


It says it all...

1 sec f.8 98mm ISO1000