Cyber Deal Days

Well I have to admit, I'm caught up in this Cyber Monday thing. Cyber Monday as we all know is the retail establishment's way of getting a jump start on Winter holiday shopping and not let the Black Friday momentum die down.

So, no matter how hard I try I'll just have to offer something to my readers.

Here goes...

Starting today and continuing through the week, Bob Sachs Photography is offering a 2 for 1 deal.

Yes, you heard me right, a 2 for 1 deal.

Call me crazy, I just have to get into this Cyber Monday stuff. Unlike most of the deals out there, the 2 for 1 deal goes until Monday, December 5, 2011.

Here's how it works. Choose a photo from the Bob Sachs website and order it online. Next, email me the free photo name that you want and I'll send that one too (no charge).

Since this is the Holiday Season orders are running about 4 weeks or so. I cannot guarantee that you'll have them by a certain date.

Photographs are shipped UPS ground.United States only (48 contiguous United States).

Remember their is no charge for the FREE photograph. No shipping!

So enjoy this holiday offering from Bob Sachs Photography.




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The Majestic Matilija Poppy

So what do you do on a Saturday morning when you can't sleep anymore? Go out and photograph flowers.

For the last couple years I've driven past these gorgeous flowers that only seem to bloom in the springtime. This year i decided to stop and see what I could do with them.

Dealing with an overcast sky and slight wind I decided that I would concentrate on the flower's shape and see what materialized. I used a Photoshop plug-in, Silver Efex Pro 2 and chose one of the presets as an overall mask. I brushed in the desired effect leaving the center of the flower its natural color.

After a little bit of sharpening and a lot of noise reduction I'm happy with my results.

I"ll be working on a few more Matilija Poppy pictures so stay tune.

I included the before picture, but realize that in the end the final results is what I saw as I photographed.

Thanks to the Nik Software for the great plug-ins.


Before

After












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Let's Get Back to Photographs

Reservoir Oak on a Stormy Day


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HP - A Love/Hate Relationship

Have you ever noticed that when you think you have all the gadgets that you'll ever need (in this life), a new one makes its presence known?

Since I've gotten my iPad (and iPhone) all I wanted was the capability of printing (not often, but there when I needed it) emails, notes and a photo or two. Sure, there were lots of work arounds, but I just wanted to hit print. That's all!

Recently, I needed to replace a couple of Apple Computers and decided to go for their printer rebates. Using the rebate I could buy a printer capable of printing from all my devices wirelessly. This was good or I thought.

I selected a couple of HP printers that could handle any job I threw at it, wirelessly. I choose an HP Photosmart and an HP Photosmart Plus printer. With the ninety-nine dollar rebate that the Apple store was offering I was able to get one printer for free and the other for an additional fifty dollars (plus tax).

So far so good. With printers in tow I made it home to set them up or so I thought. First, I'd start with the HP Photosmart upstairs. I unpacked the box and started to laugh. The first thing I noticed was a zippered pouch (what could be in this I thought to myself) that contained the power cord and ink cartridges. Next I noticed that the printer was in a bag with handles cradled by styrofoam. I wasn't sure about the bag, but thought if this helps me pull the printer out of the box, great.

Setting up the printer was somewhat easy until I installed the ink cartridges. Two cartridges, not a problem, right! After installing and checking the menu it indicated that the color cartridge hadn't been installed (yes it had!). After fiddling with it for a while and not getting anywhere I decided to call HP customer support.

Dialing the HP support line I was prepared to wait the customary 30 minutes or more before I spoke to a live person. Was I surprised that only after a few minutes I was greeted by a live voice? After explaining my problems with the printer, the HP support person (HPSP-let's use this from now on) said no problem, let's try a few things.

When the HPSP says we'll try a few things he wasn't kidding! We spent the next 45 minutes trying various things to get the Photsmart to recognize the color cartridge. Finally, the HPSP suggested that it was indeed the color cartridge and a new one would be sent out immediately.

What service, I thought! The HPSP was nice enough and I thoroughly liked how he handled my printer's issues. He asked me the best address to send the cartridge to and indicated that it would be there in a few days. Finally the cartridge arrived and I installed it. To my delight that seemed to fix the Photosmart's problem and I could print wirelessly from all my devices.

At this point I should tell you that I mentioned to the HPSP that I had another printer downstairs that I would be setting up. I jokingly said, "would I have any issues with that printer?" And of course the answer was NO, it should work just fine.

Well let me ask you...What are the odds that a completely different printer model would have issues? From the moment I plugged in the Photosmart Plus printer I could tell there were problems. I guess the first clue was that all the lights on the front panel were blinking and they weren't supposed to.

Turning the printer on and off didn't help either. I kept getting error codes.

So, you would think that I've had it with HP printers. Yes, but I still wanted something to work with my wireless devices.

My path was clear, make a phone call to HP support and wait...

NO! I was not going to do this, there had to be a better way. And then it hit me, call the Apple store where I bought the printers and see what they could do for me.

Apple said bring the printer on in and we'll exchange it for a new one. They also said let's set up the new printer so we can make sure there are no problems. And they did.

I guess you could say it all worked out. I have two printers that work as advertised. I talked to a very nice HPSP who handled my problem with the Photosmart printer (and solved it!).

And Apple went above and beyond in solving my second printer problem. They could have just told me to call the HPSP and let them figure it out, but they didn't.

So, a love/hate relationship with HP? Yes, I love that the printers work, but not what I had to go through to make them work.



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Tulips Anyone?

Flowers for springtime?


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Helping Japan Through This Time of Need

As we are all well aware, Japan has suffered a horrific tragedy this month with earthquakes, a tsunami, and possible radiation fallout (just how much time will tell) with the destruction of their nuclear power plant.

As a photographer I use many products that are made in Japan and have come to rely on them. Cameras, lenses and a slew of other items that make my photography come alive.

In an effort to help the relief effort going on in Japan I'll be donating 20 percent from the sale of each photograph to Mercy Corps which is helping the survivors of the earthquake and tsunami.

So when choosing a Bob Sachs photograph from my website, bobsachs.com, you'll also know that you are helping a worthwhile cause.

The donation period will continue for the next two months, March 15, 2011 through May 15, 2011.




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The Monthly Special

Every month I run a special on one of my photographs. I call this, "The Monthly Special" and it allows you to buy one of my photographs for less than I normally charge.

Certainly you might ask, why? I do this for the simple reason that I want you to be able to start a collection of Bob Sachs Photographs that you can afford as a first time collector.

The specials can be photographs that are featured on the website, or photographs that have yet to appear. Whatever the case, you can count on the same quality that I normally sell.

The special for this month (March) is called, "Swing Still" and it was taken in Ojai California at a playground.

What caught my interest was the knotted rope that was securing the swing seat. So many knots to hold up a swing used by children!
For this photograph to convey what I saw, I needed to focus on the knots, throw the background out of focus, and capture a part of the swing.

I think I was successful in what I was trying to achieve. What do you think? Did I need to show more of the swing? And what about the background, does it work with the muted colors of brown and green?

I'm interested in your feedback, please comment.


So there you have it,"The Monthly Special."


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Helping the People of Haiti

We have all heard about the devastating earthquake that rocked
Haiti this past week.

In an effort to help the relief effort going on in Haiti at this time, bobsachs.com will donate 20 percent from the sale of each
photograph to the American Red Cross, selecting Haiti Relief and Development.

Just click the link at the bottom of this post and choose your photograph. You'll be starting a new collection of Bob Sachs art and you'll be helping a country through the Red Cross.

These donations will continue for a period of one month
(February 14, 2010).

Our hearts go out to all the people of Haiti and wish them the best
as they deal with this difficult time in their lives.

Bob Sachs

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Huntington Gardens

Yesterday I went out shooting with the Northridge Outdoor Photography Group to Huntington Gardens.
The Gardens cover over 207 acres with 14000 varieties of plants to photograph.
This is a place that you can lose yourself, get rid of your stress and even recharge for the coming new week.

I especially liked the themed gardens. The photo above was taken in the Chinese Garden in a far off corner.


Here is a photograph (right) taken in the Chinese Gardens looking out towards the Japanese Gardens.

This photograph was a combination of three images, an underexposed scene, an overexposed scene, and the scene read normally by the camera.

This particular technique is know as HDR or High Dynamic Range photography. It is useful when you are looking at showing more detail in your shadow and highlight area.

Huntington Gardens offers many photographic possibilities, plan to visit time and again.

I Entered a Contest

I heard that some people out there make their living entering and winning contests.
I don't believe it, but the law of averages suggests that if you enter enough contests you're bound to come away with something.

So, I'm not going to tell you where I entered it, but please comment.

Do you like the photo?
How does it make you feel?

Just give me your overall impression of what you see.

Whatever your comments are please share. And if I win anything I'll be sure to tell you.



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New York City - No Place to Diet!

This photo was taken in New York City near Times Square. We were heading over to the theatre to see Grease when all of a sudden we were attack by visions of candy.

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Textures and Patterns

Check out my new gallery, Textures and Patterns which can be found on the home page of bobsachs.com.


Most of these photos came about as I explored Malibu Creek one Sunday afternoon. We were doing some scouting for locations for the next photo shoot by the Northridge Outdoor Photography Meetup Group.


Malibu Creek offers lots of photo possibilities. Everything from birds to kite flying can be found at the creek.




So yo can see that some good images were photographed that day.


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and One Last Thing...

She has left the building, the pigs are flying, and it's freezing over.

Yes Virgina, There is a MacWorld and Apple will be there, but only this year. You see, Steve Jobs and Apple have opted out of that mega convention, known as MacWorld, and will forever ride off into the sunset to do their own thing.

What are we to do?

"Oh, the humanity...!"(Herbert Morrison)

I think I heard that line in a movie once, but it really does say a lot about what we can expect. No more getting together with other Mac users and sharing stories. No more meeting at the local coffee house and talking about the next MacWorld and what to expect. No more...you get my drift.

Wait a minute, I'm sure there are some positives.

Let me see... I'll make a list.

1. No more visits to San Francisco
2. No more nights at my favorite North Beach restaurant
3. No more watching late movies at the Sony's Metreon
4. No more taking off work for a week
5. No more being wined and dined by company reps
6. No more taking extra time and visiting friends in Santa Rosa
7. No more driving up the coast (101 freeway)
8. No more listening to David Pogue for the umpteenth time
9. No more walking the city streets
10.No more gotta go on the cable cars

Now that I think of it, MacWorld was so much more than Apple, it was a state of being.
For one magical week I was able to consume myself with all things San Francisco and a computer called Macintosh.

The San Francisco I know was transformed into a mecca of Mac fanatics and everywhere I went I knew they were just around the corner.
Coffee, shopping, dinner they were everywhere, exchanging glances of approval with this inexplicable, unspoken, unseen magical bond we all had.

We knew that that we were connected by something.

Yes, there will be other MacWorlds, but without Apple? Will it be the same? Only time will tell.

I can only hope that when Phil Schiller wraps up this final keynote he utters those magical words,

"and One Last Thing..."



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Pixel Peeping NOT!

Welcome to the New Year and with it comes the traditional New Year's Resolution.

I'm sure we've all made them, stop smoking, go on a diet, spend more time with...(you supply the answer), etc.

I'm going to share my one and only resolution with you...
Stop Pixel Peeping and go out and photograph!

I've come to the conclusion that I need to stop thinking about my gear and go out there and photograph. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the equipment that we use that we don't use it as intended. Who cares what the lens chart says, are the pixels sharp, what's the best f-stop to use?

How does the photo look?

That's the real question.

Okay, so now that we know the question and we've made our resolution, what do we do next?

To quote an old friend,"Indeed!" Take note StarGate viewers.

I actually anticipated this resolution and have been proactive about making it come to pass.

So should I let you in on my little secret? It really wasn't hard, just find other people who like to photograph and go out there and do it.

Now the question may come up as to how to find other people, join a group, that's what I did.

The internet is a fantastic social machine, matching people with their interests. And it was just those interests that I searched for when I went looking for fellow photographers.

I found a website called, meetup.com. This is one of those social sites that has you type in what you're looking for and how far you're willing to travel for it.

As luck would have it I found a nature photography group starting up and just a few miles from my house.

In future posts I'll talk more about this group, suffice to say it has accomplished its goal, no more pixel peeping for me.

It's all about the photograph.



P.S. Did I mention that I'm thinking of a new camera, more megapixels, larger photosites and...Never Mind!


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Doing the Photog Thing

Thanks to Diana for capturing the real Bob Sachs.


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Do You Believe in Ghosts?

Ghosts? Do they exist, or is this photo faked?
Did I accidently open the camera back and expose the film? Wait I'm into digital now. No film!

So what is it?

Two of the people in the picture died within a year of taking the photo. Did I stumble into something?

Whatever the reason, this photograph reaches the depths of my soul and makes me think what if...

You decide.





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It's a Bird, It's a Plane, No Them are Clouds!

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Resting Birds

Sometimes a little rest is all that you need to recharge and take on the problems of the day.







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American Flag

I watched the debate tonight hence the American Flag photograph.

Something about a debate, nominees going at it hoping to sway the public with their rhetoric.

From my vantage point I saw 2 people, like long lost cousins agreeing with each other at every turn. Where was the mudslinging? The dirty tricks? The negative campaign ads?

Those that support Hillary say she needs to win this debate and carry the momentum through to the final primaries (she needs those delegates!).
Obama supporters feel their candidate can do no wrong. He has the momentum, appears statesman like, and talks up a good health plan.

Super Tuesday (Texas and Ohio) should be interesting.

Hillary for President

Obama for President

McCain for President

Remember to vote, because you can.


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My Business Card

Okay, business cards, you've got to love them.
You hand them out to all sorts of people.

People who love your photography.
People who plead with you, just gotta have one...
People who think you're the next...

And all these people have one thing in common, they'll throw out your card without even thinking about it.

Why?

If you had to have the card, why do you treat it with such disrespect?

Consider if you will the thought and care that went into designing the card. I'm sure lots of design decisions were thought about and made. Advice was asked for, and many cards were rejected until that perfect one stood out from all the rest.

So the next time you are given a business card, look at it, really take the time to study it and appreciate it for all the trouble that went into creating it. And finally, toss it in the garbage.

Why?

Because it will probably end up there anyway.




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