Imaging Site Spotlight 001: DemystifyingDigital.com

Today I’m launching a new section of The Imaging Buffet entitled Imaging Site Spotlight. At least once a week I’ll highlight a different site which I believe offers good content for photographers and other artists of any level. These will be brief reviews with three sections: Overview, Why I Recommend It, and Suggested Site Links to Get You Started. These sites will also be listed on our Resources and Imaging Links page.

So without further ado, the first Imaging Site Spotlight is DemystifyingDigital.com.

Overview: DemystifyingDigital.com is a very well-designed site with information and reviews that cover the following subjects: digital cameras, HDTVs, camcorders, laptops, cell phones and much more. The content is a mix of original reviews, tips, and primers, comprehensive FAQ’s, as well as links to information on other sites, such as How to Upgrade the Hard Drive on Your MacBook.

Why I Recommend It: The site is written and edited by people who understand technology and digital photography, and I like the fact that they segment the content for different levels of users. For example, on the homepage, they allow you to choose a “tech level,” with terms like “Tech Confused Dad,” “Digital Grandparent,” and “Born Digital.” After choosing one, you’ll be greeted by a photo and bio of someone who fits that moniker, along with links to some stories selected for that user level.

Suggested Site Links to Get You Started: The site has an excellent Digital Glossary with definitions of many “tech terms” that are constantly being added to the world’s lexicon. Illustrative images appear when you hover over the camera icons–a very cool feature.

–FAQ’s (and answers!) on topics from Camcorders to Wireless Routers
–Hands on Review of the Eye-Fi Wireless SD card
-BlingIt software overview for quickly and easily making masks and interesting backgrounds for your digital photos (designed primarily for auction sites like eBay).
–Finding Album Artwork for Your iTunes Music
-Printing Wirelessly Using an Apple Airport Express

Additonal Comments: A few months back, I contributed an article for DemystifyingDigital.com about compact photo printers. It is partially excerpted from my book, 301 Inkjet Tips and Techniques. You can read the article here.

New Jersey Photographic Educational Conference Being Held April 4-6, 2008

I’m really looking forward to attending the New Jersey Photographic Educational Conference Friday to Sunday, April 4-6, 2008. It’s being held at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in Summit, NJ, and it includes workshops, lectures, panel discussions, portfolio reviews, a faculty gallery exhibition, and an exhibitor fair.

The roster of about 20 workshops and discussions will be conducted by photographers who specialize in a wide range of disciplines, from darkroom printing to Photoshop. They include: Ron Brown, George Bujarski, Patrick Connor, Diana Edkins, Chip Forelli, Ted Harris, Dot Kuehn, Eric Kunsman, Donald Lokuta, Nancy Ori, Joan Pamboukes, Stephen Perloff, Don Polzo, Ernestine Ruben, George Schaub, Mitchell Seidel, Jay Seldin, Joel Smith, Roy Thomas, and George Tice.

The following events are free and open to the public:
• Friday night opening reception photography exhibit at 9pm
• Sunday exhibitor fair: 10am-6pm
• Sunday darkroom demos, tour and presentations
• Sunday mini workshops by vendors

The keynote discussion on Friday evening, panel discussion on Saturday evening, portfolio reviews, and workshops are very reasonably priced in my opinion (just $45 for any 2, and more can be purchased in blocks of two for $45). The conference organizers highly recommend registering online, however on-site registration will also be available. A good overview of the full schedule can be found on this page, and a full list of workshops, discussions and portfolio review sessions can be found here.

According to the event organizers, to determine if a class or portfolio review is full when registering, sessions that are full will not be listed in the box where you choose your sessions near the bottom of this page. To choose multiple sessions, just Cmd click on Mac (Ctrl click on Windows) and select the sessions you’d like to attend, then click continue to advance to the payment page.

One of the events that I am particularly looking forward to attending (shown above) is the Panel Discussion on Saturday evening from 7-9PM entitled: “The Image as Information: Where Does That Lead Us?” moderated by George Schaub, Editor of Shutterbug Magazine. The panelists include:

• Ted Harris, View Camera Magazine, Contributing Editor
• Joel M. Smith, Princeton University Art Museum, Curator of Photography
• Donald Lokuta, Author & Photography Professor, Kean University
• Diana Edkins, Aperture Foundation, Director of Exhibitions & Limited-Edition Photographs

The event is sponsored in part by Epson and The New Jersey Photography Forum.

For more information or to register, visit www.njphotoconference.com.

Booksmart Studio 1st Annual Alternative Process Exhibition and New Call For Entries

Booksmart Studio is a Book Publisher and Fine Edition Printer based in Rochester, NY. In addition to being a publisher and edition printer, Booksmart Studio has two galleries: Gallery Kunstler and Rochester Pin-up Gallery. Gallery Kunstler is currently showing the 1st Annual Alternative Process Exhibition, which was juried by artist and educator Mary Taylor and which will be on display until March 29. Mary Taylor currently has a show entitled Sacred Valley Souls on exhibit at Booksmart Studio’s other gallery through March 29.

Photo of Gallery Kunstler courtesy Booksmart Studio

Booksmart Studio has also announced a call for entries for a juried show entitled Circulation. This is a short description of the theme from the show materials: “Booksmart Studio is seeking submission of artist works that confront, explore, exploit, challenge, and investigate the modes, methods, and effects of circulation. Keeping in line with the diverse modes of circulation and dissemination, the exhibition is open to all mediums.”

The deadline for entry is March 28, 2008, and for more information and a prospectus, visit this page.