Category Archives: Commentary

Commentary, Locations

Death Valley. Photography. Me.

Leave a comment

Some folks have written asking for ideas and advice about visiting Death Valley. (My first advice is go last month – too hot now!) In response I decided to start writing something that summarizes my experience (which is significant, but nowhere near that of the real DV experts) in the park, especially as it pertains to photographic locations and times of day/year to visit.

I originally thought I’d finish it right after my return from the park at the beginning of April. Didn’t happen… Instead, as I wrote the darn thing kept getting longer and longer. Today I decided to illustrate it with some of my DV photographs, and then I sat back and made a longer outline of the subjects I will eventually cover.

All of this is my way of saying that there eventually will be an article here on photographing Death Valley… but please be patient.

Commentary

Canon Spring 2009 Rebates

1 Comment

Canon is running its annual spring rebate program between now and July 11, 2009. A number of DSLR bodies (with lens kits), lenses, and flash units are included. Canon has wisely switched from the old mail-in rebate system (which created a lot of problems when buyers encountered problems obtaining their rebate checks) to a much better “instant rebate” system under which the price reduction is given at the time of sale. Since most of these products are rarely if ever offered at sale prices, if you are ready to make a purchase and can time it for the “rebate season,” some good discounts are available.

The following list of rebate items links to B&H Photo|Video. If you choose to purchase through these links to B&H your purchase helps support this web site. (You get the same regular B&H prices.) Thanks in advance!

Be sure to download and read the rebate terms. Not all Canon products are eligible and there are specific conditions and dates that you must observe. (Note that I could not find B&H links to a few of the items listed on the rebate forms.)

Camera Bodies

EOS 50D Kit + EF-S 18–200mm f/3.5–5.6 IS – $300″>EOS 50D EF-S 18–200mm IS Kit – $300
EOS 50D EF 28–135mm IS Kit + EF-S 18–200mm f/3.5–5.6 IS – $300
EOS 50D Kit + EF 70–300mm f/4–5.6 IS USM – $150
EOS 50D EF 28–135mm IS Kit + EF 70–300mm f/4–5.6 IS USM – $150
EOS Rebel XSi EF-S 18–55mm IS Kit (B) + EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS – $200
EOS Rebel XS EF-S 18–55mm IS Kit (B) + EF 75–300mm f/4.5–5.6 III – $100

(Canon Rebate Form for DSLR Bodies)

Lenses

EF 200mm f/2L IS USM – $500
EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM – $130
EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS USM – $200
EF 100–400mm f/4.5–5.6L IS USM – $100
EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM – $100
EF 50mm f/1.2L USM – $100
EF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM – $80
EF 70–200mm f/4L IS USM – $75
EF 17–40mm f/4L USM – $50
EF 70–200mm f/4L USM – $40
EF 100mm f/2.8 MACRO USM – $35
EF 28–200mm f/3.5–5.6 USM – $30
EF 28–105mm f/3.5–4.5 II USM – $20

EF-S 17–55mm f/2.8 IS USM – $70
EF-S 10–22mm f/3.5–4.5 USM – $50
EF-S 17–85mm f/4–5.6 IS USM – $50
EF-S 60mm f/2.8 MACRO USM – $30
EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS – $15

(Canon Rebate Form for Lenses)

Flash Units

SPEEDLITE 580EX II – $50
SPEEDLITE 430EX II – $30
SPEEDLITE 220EX – $30
MACRO TWIN LITE MT-24EX – $70
MACRO RING LITE MR-14EX – $50

(Canon Rebate Form for Flash Units)

Commentary, Community, News

California Nature Photography Blog

Leave a comment

I can’t believe I neglected to mention this earlier, but John Wall asked me to be one of a group of California photographers contributing to the California Nature Photography blog. When John asked, I said “yes” immediately – partly because I’ve seen his work and like it and partly because he came up with a really fine idea for this blog. Wander on over and take a look, and while you are there subscribe to the blog’s RSS feed – you’ll find the link way at the bottom of the home page there.

I have a few posts planned in the near term, with likely photography subjects including Point Lobos, Death Valley, and possibly Muir Woods. I’m certain to post on “my” Sierra Nevada before long now that spring is here and summer is not far behind. I offered my first post there last week, a little piece on California’s “impossibly green” season. I had intended to post earlier… but with all the other interesting posts I decided to wait for a brief lull in the action!

Commentary, Locations

Yosemite Spring Conditions Update

Leave a comment

While most photographers in California reserve a part of their consciousness year-round for thoughts of Yosemite (Valley and high country), at about this time of year many think about that location even more. This is the time when the waterfalls really begin to flow and often start to peak as the snow melts at higher elevations, and it is also the beginning of the annual “Great Greening” as plants start to come back to life. In particular, lots of us anticipate the return of the dogwood blossoms.

I’ve been hearing news, and I’ll pass a bit of it along here. Continue reading Yosemite Spring Conditions Update →