So, how were the holidays?

Hope everyone got what they wanted?  Any good holiday pictures?

We went out for a drive to see the holiday lights.  We live on the state border, so we went to the next state and drove past one of those places where the entire house must look like Christmas land inside, or else they rent multiple storage facilities to store their display.  It was awesome, and yes, I took pictures.  But, I have been tired and lazy and haven't uploaded to my computer yet.  The folks were truly in the holiday spirit - they even piped in music and had a radio station coordinate the music.  Well worth the 20 minute drive.  :-)

On to photo news.  I'm sure everyone has heard about Kodak's and Olympus' woes.  There are even some reports that Kodak will not survive the year.  I agree that might be the case, but during a bankruptcy sale, I'm sure certain products, such as paper and printing, and, to some extent, even film (yes, some photographers shoot with film still), will survive even if owned by other companies - and the Kodak name will probably be part of the sale of the products.  Given their behavior at the PDN show in October, I can see why Kodak is failing - the employees there were certainly not interested in showing off or promoting their product - they were surly at best.

Now, Olympus, that I will really miss if it goes under.  I haven't paid too much attention, but there seems to be some sort of scandal brewing and accounting problems.  Olympus put out great products, and, if I weren't such a Sony/Minolta fan, Olympus would be my next brand of choice.  Would love to try the Olympus PEN camera - there's an ad that shows Olympus was giving them away on city streets to people to try - why, or why was I not lucky enough to snag one?  :-)  Unfortunately, although there were signs up at PDN 2011 showing Olympus as a sponsor, we didn't see a booth there - perhaps because of the company turmoil.  Hopefully, Olympus can recover.

I even hope Kodak can recover, but it needs better management that will look to the future and not to the past.  Innovation, Kodak.  Seriously!

Steve Jobs

Few people have had such a profound effect upon the world.  Although Apple wasn't known much for photography (okay, it had some cameras on its iPhones and iPads), Apple revolutionized what we could DO with our digital photos and videos.

I've said I was a Sony girl once Sony bought Minolta from Konica (it allowed me to use my Minolta lenses - very expensive - on my new Sony alpha camera without having to shell out for new lenses).  In fact, I am now typing this on my new Sony Vaio (replacing an HP that died a premature and apparently HP-the-company couldn't care less death), but don't think I didn't consider Macs.

My first computer was a Mac SE - wish I had kept it - some enterprising people turned theirs into aquariums - very cute.  But, I traded it in (yes Apple had a trade-in program then) for an Apple LC II in 1992.  That I still have and it still works - but it can't connect to the internet and I have to use the old dot-matrix printer with it!  LOL!  Then, I met and married a Windows guy, and, for family harmony (although he reluctantly looked at Apples with me a few months ago), I have been a Windows person.  Let me tell you though, I win the lottery, and I will be buying myself the most souped-up Apple that I can find.

Thanks for all the innovation, Steve.  I'm sorry you had to go via pancreatic cancer - my family lost two women to that dreaded disease.  They, unfortunately, went very quickly (5-6 weeks from diagnosis).  I'm glad that you were able to be treated (although I can only imagine how painful and grueling it must have been).  I hope what the medical professionals learned from your case can be used to help others.  RIP, Steve.

Long time no see

Sorry I have been gone so long - holidays snuck up on me and then all the obligatory family colds/flus have struck.  I promise I'll be back soon with photography related material.

For now - question for you - for those with e-readers - what's your favorite?  I'm leaning towards the Nook Color (I know, hard to believe for a Sony girl, but, really, I'm a Minolta girl and Sony bought Minolta!)  right now for several reasons, one being COLOR!  Two, I'd like to help keep B&N  in business (and evenif they go under the Nook will be a prime asset, so I am not worried about service).  Three, this month B&N will put it on the Android 2.2 platform (still not the latest but B&N will start making apps available, making it a high quality e-reader and a low cost tablet.

So, what are your thoughts about e-readers?

Welcome!

Thanks for stopping by! I will be sharing some of my thoughts regarding photography, and other subjects as time and space allow. As this is my first post, please be kind and feel free to share your thoughts as well! :-)

Today's topic is: How much I am looking forward to trying out the new Sony DSC-H20. I have used Minolta film cameras for years (my Dad started me using them). So, once I decided I wanted to make the switch to Digital SLR, it was a no-brainer to look at the Sony alpha (Sony bought the photography division of Konica-Minolta as I understand it) as I could use all my Minolta lenses and attachments. My wonderful husband gave me my Sony alpha a little over a year ago, and I have taken lots and lots of photos including at a wedding and while on vacation. I absolutely love my Sony alpha! It does take up a bit of room, especially with all my lenses, which is why I started looking at smaller digital cameras to be able to have in my purse for those moments when you just wish you had a camera on you. I am really excited, because, after lots of research, I can't wait until Sony releases the new DSC-H20. It's got 10 megapixels and a lot of the functions of my DSLR Sony Alpha, but it will easily fit in my purse. Check out the story at one of my favorite websites, Cameratown, for more information. http://www.cameratown.com/news/news.cfm/hurl/id%7C7187 I can't wait to get my hands on the new Sony DSC-H20, and when I do, you'll hear all about it!

And, be sure to enter Cameratown's 5th year celebration contest. It's ongoing and I won a fabulous KATA 3n1 20 Sling/Backpack to tote around my Sony alpha and assorted lenses in.