Monday, April 09, 2012

Funky Jesus takes the crown at the Hunky Jesus Contest: photos - Stan Fran

Funky Jesus takes the crown at the Hunky Jesus Contest: photos - Stan Fran: There was Barista Jesus, a Bloody Jesus, an Occupy Jesus, a To Be Named Jesus, a Jewsus, a Santa Cruz Jesus, a Toddler Jesus, a Monkey Jesus, an MLK Jesus, a Grindr Jesus, a Led Zeppelin Jesus, a Toddler Jesus, even an Apeshit Jesus. There was a Lebowski Jesus who said he had a message for "the" Jesus: "That's just, like, your opinion, man."

But in the end, there was only one savior at the 2012 Hunky Jesus Contest put on at San Francisco's Dolores Park by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence: Funky Jesus

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

NYTimes.com wants you to pay your $120 contribution to Janet Robinson's $24Mil severance package (Breningstall.com)

NYTimes.com wants you to pay your $120 contribution to Janet Robinson's $24Mil severance package (Breningstall.com)

Story summary: In an effort to coax occasional readers into contributing dollars, the New York Times announced today that it will now only be offering ten free articles a month instead of 20. The cheapest annual digital subscription is $120/year (iPad app not included). I don't have a problem with the New York Times paying its hard-working journalists but I have a feeling that 200,000 of those digital subscriptions will be going to pay outgoing CEO Janet Robinson, who just left with a $24 million severance package...


Friday, March 02, 2012

Hands on with the Canon 5D Mark III: Review (Breningstall.com)

Hands on with the Canon 5D Mark III: Review

Price on the Nikon D700 falls $500 to $2,199 (Breningstall.com)

Price on the Nikon D700 falls $500 to $2,199

Hamline University Gymnastics: Floor Exercise (Photo Gallery) (Breningstall.com)

Hamline University Gymnastics: Floor Exercise (Photo Gallery) (Breningstall.com): Hamline University's women's gymnastics team competed against Winona State University on Sunday. Winona State University won the event over the Pipers, but Hamline gymnast Courtney Benson took first place in two events, including the floor exercise (and the all-around title).

Photos taken with a Canon 5D Mark II 135mm f/2L and Canon 7D 50mm f/1.4.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Mitt Romney's plan to raise taxes on the poor | Reuters (Breningstall.com)

Mitt Romney's plan to raise taxes on the poor | Reuters : Unsatisfied with America's current state of inequality, Republicans like Mitt Romney are planning to raise taxes on the poorest Americans. In Romney's case, the poorest 40% of Americans would actually get a tax hike under his proposed budget plan, while the upper tax brackets would get a considerable decrease. This is not a joke

In Memoriam: Barney Rosset, Grove Press Publisher (Breningstall.com)

In Memoriam: Barney Rosset, Grove Press Publisher (Breningstall.com): Barney Rosset, one of the most important publishers in American history, passed away Tuesday. Rosset bought Grove Press in 1951 for $3,000 and managed it for 35 years, steering the publishing house through some of the nation's key literary publications and legal trials, including Lady Chatterley's Lover, Tropic of Cancer and Naked Lunch.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

SanFranPhotographer.com

Jeremy Breningstall: SanFranPhotographer.com in San Francisco: Jeremy Breningstall will be available for editorial and commercial assignments in San Francisco in April 2012. In the meantime, feel free to view his portfolio of previous editorial work at http://documentarypictures.com.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Nikon D800: successor to the Nikon D700, successor to the Nikon D3X or megapixels gone wild? (Breningstall.com)

Nikon D800: successor to the Nikon D700, successor to the Nikon D3X or megapixels gone wild? (Breningstall.com): The 36-megapixel full-frame Nikon D800 has been announced, sending relief to Nikon users envious of the Canon 5D Mark II and consternation to photographers wishing for a natural successor to the D700- basically, a D4 Lite. Reviews on this camera have not been conducted yet, but this post will include specifications, a summary of analysis from around the web, pre-order information for anyone set to buy the camera, sample videos, and a brief summary of my own thoughts, with the caveat that I and many people writing about this camera haven't used it yet, so throw in ample grains of salt.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

B&H accepting pre-orders on the Nikon D4 (Breningstall.com)

B&H accepting pre-orders on the Nikon D4 (Breningstall.com)

To order from B&H use above link.

Included features (from product description):

Full HD Recording with FX, DX (1.5x crop) and 1920 x 1080 (2.7x) Crop Mode Settings
The FX-based format renders exquisitely shallow depth of field (DOF) as well as wide-angle shooting. The DX-based format offers a picture angle that is 1.5x crop to the focal length and is ideal when you can't get close enough to the action when an existing lens is used. For even more of a telephoto effect, the 1920 x 1080 crop format gives you a 2.7x. Versatility like this lets you explore different moods with the large and comprehensive selection of NIKKOR lenses. All three modes deliver exceptional Full HD 1080p output

Standard ISO 100 to 12,800, Expandable from ISO 50 Up to ISO 204,800 Equivalent
The 16.2 megapixel D4 offers similar clean, low-noise performance as its predecessor D3s at ISO 12,800 and expands the range by one EV, making ISO 100 standard. For more extreme/challenging conditions, drop to ISO 50 equivalent or raise sensitivity to as high as ISO 204,800 equivalent. With the D4, shoot confidently in nearly any light - even in places where the human eye has difficulty focusing

10/11 Frames Per Second Continuous Shooting in FX-format for Up to 200 Frames
Realize 10 fps shutter bursts with full AF and AE performance in FX-format. Boost the frame rate up to 11 fps in FX-format, locking focus on the position detected in the first frame

Faster, More Responsive 51-Point AF System
D4's AF sensor utilizes 51 strategically placed AF points that are designed to capture subjects as you choose: by working together like a net to capture moving subjects or for pinpoint accuracy. Use a single AF point to home in on the exact place on your chosen subject. Each of the 51 AF points delivers fast and accurate AF detection to an impressive low light level of -2 EV (ISO 100, 20ºC) with every AF NIKKOR lens - expect to shoot more smoothly at night stadium assignments, poorly lit indoor arenas, cathedrals, theaters and any other low-lit venues

AF Detection Up to f/8
D4 aligns its 15 cross-type sensors in the center to detect contrast for both vertical and horizontal lines with lenses f/5.6 or faster. The five central points and three points to the left and right of them in the middle line are compatible with f/8

EXPEED 3 for Faithful Colors, Fine Tones and Wide Dynamic Range: Optimized for Stills and HD Video
EXPEED 3 results in still images with faithful, well-saturated color and natural depth. Tones are subtle and nuanced, from pure pitch black to pure white. For images produced even under harsh light, the D4 output preserves smooth color gradation with abundant tone and detail. When shooting in dim lighting at high ISOs, the camera's intelligent noise reduction lowers noise without degrading image sharpness. Full HD 1080p video is rendered with reduced moiré, false colors, jaggies, and sharp edges. Noise reduction technology specifically designed for video preserves clarity

Comprehensive High Fidelity Audio Recording and Playback Control
Built-in external stereo microphone input allows for recording crystal clear sound using the optional ME-1 Stereo Microphone and can be precisely controlled in 20 incremental steps. Check audio in isolation as you record using headphones directly connected to the camera. Preview adjustments before or during Live View recording

Time Lapse Shooting: Capture a Variety of Scenes of Subjects at a Breathtaking Pace
The D4's time-lapse shooting lets you set intervals and frame rates in order to dramatically relay slow-moving activity at dramatic speeds. The D4 allows you to shoot time-lapse photography with replaying rates from 24 times to 36,000 times faster than normal. Time-lapse shooting files can also be saved as movie files

91,000 Pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix Metering III with Advanced Scene Recognition System
Face detection using the optical viewfinder and detailed scene analysis using the 91K RGB sensor enables superior auto exposure, auto white balance detection, AF performance and i-TTL flash exposure

Two Live View Shooting Modes

Photography Live View and Movie Live View modes add flexibility; exposure, white balance, monitor hue, histogram, focus mode, AF area mode and focusing accuracy are easily confirmed

Expand Dynamic Range Using Built-In HDR
Combines two exposures at up to 3EV to create a single image revealing an extremely wide dynamic range, but with less noise and richer color gradation than ever before

Flash Compensation and Exposure Compensation Separated for Better Creative Control
With the D4, in addition to conventional global flash and background exposure compensation, as well as flash exposure compensation, there is a new function that allows you to compensate only the background exposure independently from the subject illuminated by Nikon Speedlights

Dedicated Nikon Picture Control Button

Convenient Picture control button provides six preset options: Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Landscape and Portrait for stills and video while 9 customizable settings provide advanced, personalized color control

Two Axis Virtual Horizon Graphic Indicator
Use either LCD monitor or viewfinder to check if camera is level; horizontally or with forward or rear rotation

Improved Vertical Shooting Operation
One unique set of controls for both horizontal and vertical shooting. Comprised of a main-command dial, an AF-ON button and a joystick style AF selector, each set is laid out identically for a more intuitive operation regardless of camera orientation

Speedier AF Point Selection
In addition to the round multi-selector used for AF point selection, the D4 incorporates a new joystick style sub-selector made of rubber that's more responsive to your finger's touch. Positioned for optimal control during both horizontal and vertical shooting, this new button permits a speedier shift of AF points

Illuminated Buttons Let You Set Functions in Low-Lit and Even Dark Shooting Situations
D4 uses back-illuminated operation buttons and release mode dials for clear visibility in the dark

Magnesium Alloy Body with Weather Sealing
To sustain peak performance, even in the most demanding environmental conditions, the body, exterior, and mirror box of the D4 are comprised of strong-yet-lightweight magnesium alloy. This assures the camera's superb reliability and extra long life. Thorough measures are taken to seal and protect against invasive moisture, dust and even electromagnetic interference. A comprehensive weather and dust sealing, combined with additional Nikon engineering, further ensure integrity of the camera body

400,000 Cycles Durable, Accurate Shutter Unit with Mirror Balancer
For the utmost reliability and rigorous performance, the D4's shutter has been tested for 400,000 cycles on fully assembled cameras at extreme continuous burst rates for extended time periods. The camera's mirror balancer minimizes the bounce of the mirror's down movement with such finesse that it extends viewing time and allows more time for AF operation - one reason why the D4 can offer autofocus and focus tracking even during high-speed continuous shooting

Self-Diagnostic Shutter Monitor

To sustain precision shutter operation throughout the mechanism's lifespan, the D4 incorporates intelligent shutter monitor technology. Should any shutter speed variance be detected, the camera automatically corrects to adjust between actual speed and correct shutter speed

WT-5A Wireless Transmitter Compatibility
With Image transmission mode you can transmit images to an FTP server or computer, either automatically or by manually selecting images. With PC mode you can operate the D4 via Camera Control Pro 2. For HTTP mode: You can use a web browser via computer or smart phone, show thumbnails of images stored in the camera's memory cards, or make slide shows, view images, operate simple camera controls for remote shooting or begin live view shooting, including video, which is new to the WT-5A. From one master camera, release up to 10 remote D4 camera and WT-5A combinations. An optional iPhone application for remote control is also available for the WT-5A

Intelligent Power Management
Power consumption and power management systems are engineered throughout the D4 for even greater operating efficiency using a new, small and high-capacity EN-EL18 rechargeable Li-ion battery. Expect long battery life and the ability to shoot up to approx. 2,600 images per charge
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