MtnMann

Saw an old VW Microbus with the custom plate "MTNMANN" today getting ready to enter the interstate for "points west." I could not really see inside, but I could imagine it being full of "shovels and rakes and implements of destruction." But something just didn't seem right. Turns out our Mountain Man had plates from North Dakota; one of the flatest states in the country. . . Oh well, at least it was an easy plate to get!

Color

I am reading Color Confidence by Tim Grey. I am reading it because of the three addictions of photographers in the digital age:

1) I am addicted to bags. I keep looking for the perfect camera bag, but find problems with each one I try and constantly look for a new one that is perfect.

2) I am addicted to chimping. I constantly want to see if I got the shot. . .

3) I am addicted to color books that might lead me to the holy grail of perfect color management.

So how does Tim Grey hold up? Mr. Grey wisely early on breaks the bad news that the holy grail will always be out there but can never be reached. Rather, he tackles over expectations, sets realistic expectations, and then explains what you can and should do.

Color Confidence has chapters on Color Theory, Photoshop, Camera Profiling, Monitor Profiling, Scanner Profiling, and output (print and web). The photoshop section is very thorough. It first covers settings. The author makes clear what settings photographers should never use. With the rest, Mr. Grey takes a two step approach: he gives his recommendation, but also gives enough information so you can understand what the parameter does AND gives real world examples on when you should change the default setting. The second part of the photoshop section discusses the various tools and options for color correction of photographs.

Overall, I give the book a good rating. It is worth reading and using as part of your color management efforts.

Technorati tags: photography & photoshop

Levenger Again

Did I tell you that I love Levenger?

The last thing I picked up at Levenger was a fountain pen. I love the way it feels on good paper and the way it writes. It has a fine point nib that matches my style.

My only complaint relates to a previous post about 3x5 notecards. Some of the cheap recycled notecards that I bought don't hold ink very well and tend to feather and run with the fountain pen. It still does not make sense to pay $74 for 1000 cards when I can buy them locally for about $6, but the quality of the Levenger cards is starting to make more sense. . .

Levenger Too!

I am hooked on GTD and in love with Levenger, as you may be able to tell from previous posts.

I use 3x5 cards for my GTD system. I use Levenger tools to help me with my system:

1) Pocket Briefcase Adds style to meetings, provides something firm to write on, and lets you sort cards. I started with the hipster PDA, but find that the Levenger pocket briefcase works better for me. I still have a hipster PDA in my briefcase, but the Pocket Briefcase is in my pocket.

2) Card Case The one I have is being discountinued and I am sorry to see it go. It is a hard case that looks professional and keeps a backstock of cards with me. It holds 20-30 cards in good condition; no bent corners that loose cards get.

3) Cards I have to confess that $74 for 1000 cards is way too much. I buy blank 3x5 cards by the thousands at about $0.40 to $0.99 per hundred whenevery I find sales and deals. I go through at least 200 per week. So I cannot afford Levenger. Then I made the mistake and purchased an $8 sampler back. There is a REAL difference in the quality of the card stock. I love the way the pen feels on the higher grade stock and I am hoarding the last few cards out of my sampler pack. I also love to make to-do lists for others and having my name and contact info at the top makes these great.

Technorati tags: Levinger! and GTD!