This Week in Photo and Photofocus podcasts 2.5***

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When I originally started listening to This Week in Photo (TWIP) I loved it. A group of entertaining males talking about photography irreverently. The news items that they selected and discussed were interesting and it was interesting to hear their diverse views. But it seems to have gotten repetitious and long. This is the first casualty of my culling process, but I still may look in on the gang once in a month or so. I'm not sure if I dropped it because the format is tired, or I am tired of the format.

Scott Bourne was originally on (TWIP) and eventually started Photofocus, which is a one-hour podcast of questions and answers only. I have kept photofocus on my playlist although I rank them equally. Scott Bourne is the consummate professional and marketer with a golden voice. He probably has the most sponsors, but you can accept them in this format. Even if it is a bit repetitious after a while, they always have something that you should learn.

Tips from the Top Floor 2**

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Chris Marquardt won an award for the best podcast for this show. Maybe even twice. He was an early adopter and is at ease with the format. Somehow I liked him less and less as I listened. I don't know why. I like to contrast him to Martin Bailey. It seems like everything comes very easily to him, and that he can wing everything eventually this show. I have dropped him also. I don't find the self-promotion subtle enough and I feel I am no longer there.


BUT I would recommend trying him especially if you're a beginner.AND


He has a segment on the Tech Guy show which he rebroadcasts here, which is where I think he excels; short and concise explanations of concepts to beginners.


www.tipsfromthetopfloor.com

Bill Owens Book Review

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Used my Xmas Gift certificate to buy this book. The first two sections OK but felt interesting historically rather than photographically. Suburbia was next and a critical and financial success. He followed with two books in the same vein (but unsuccessful).
He left photography to make a living, but now with a revival in the interest of his work comes a retrospective. So he finishes the work in progress that he had left in the 70s and starts to work in colour. More hit and miss in the current work but it certainly makes one more aware of the possibilities of the "boring".
The book starts with a very strange short story posing as an introduction "A Prize for Every Player" by A.M. Homes., that fits well with the book.
Don't regret buying it but probably just Suburbia better.

Canon versus Nikon versus

For Christmas I received this coffee mug. I photograph with a Nikon D90 SLR and with a couple of Canon point and shoots a G10 and S95. I have always hated the debate between the two manufacturers and never felt that I affiliated myself with either brand. Somehow I was not comfortable with the gift and somehow "conveniently" left it on the roof of the car the first time I used it. Right now I say to myself that I am above showing any allegiances. But honestly, I wonder if I would have felt comfortable with a Nikon mug?
Oh well.