Discoveries of the Week – 21 May 2010

Travelling quite a bit over the last couple of months, I have been slack at updating my blog. In an effort to get back to regular entries I am starting a “Discoveries of the Week” series, which is aimed at sharing the gems of information, apps, articles, etc I have found while trying to improve my photography knowledge and business.

Books

• The Underwater Photographer (4th Edition) by Martin Edge. – I found the latest 4th edition of this very popular book in a local dive store. This book has evolved to become almost a standard work of reference, and as I am reading it cover-to-cover, it’s easy going with lots of interesting information and tips. Highly recommended, and available from Amazon.

iPhone Apps

• Gorillacam (FREE) – Brought to you by the photography experts at Joby, creators of the world famous Gorillapod flexible tripods (a great device), this app adds extra functionality to your iphone/ipod camera. I like the 4x digital zoom, grid lines, self timer, time lapse, and bubble level functions amongst many others.
• Easy release ($12.99 AUD ) – Discovered on a Linkedin post, the Easy Release app replaces inconvenient paper release forms with a streamlined application designed by photographers for photographers. Easy Release lets you collect all the data and signatures you need right on your iPhone, then mails a PDF and JPEG of the release to you …. sure saves me having to carry around paper releases and the result is really professional.
• Travel Health (currently $3.99 AUD) – Research has shown that around half of overseas travelers will develop a medical issue while away, but many of these problems are easy to manage if you know how. Developed by Dr Deborah Mills, Australian Travel Medicine specialist and author of the best selling book Travelling Well, this app is essential for travelers who visit places where some of the local hospitals could make you sicker than you already are.
• Twitter (FREE) – Twitter has just released version 3 of its own iPhone app. I like the simple design and clutter free interface of this application compared to the other available options.

Videos

• The Making of Rare: Behind the Scenes with National Geographic Photographer Joel Sartore (Youtube) – Working with animals is never easy. But wild animals, on an indoor set, with expensive equipment? ….  A good laugh as National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore tries to get the perfect shot for his book National Geographic Rare: Portraits of America’s Endangered Species
• 14 Powerful TED Talks by Photographers – TED has some of the most interesting talks you’ll find on the web, with a great collection by photographers.

Web Links

• Stockphotorights.com – Several stock sites have banded together to launch a new educational resource which aims to unravel the complexities and expose the potential legal pitfalls of image use. The site provides image users with information and advice they need to license images with confidence.
• Facebook Privacy – Facebook privacy has been a nightmare over the last few weeks, and is too complicated even for the experts. ReclaimPrivacy.org has produced a bookmarklet to help you be as private as you’d like.
• Woorpa – For those into web site analytics, Woopra generates live detailed statistics about the visitors to a website. The service is provided in real-time using a desktop application, and has a very cool layout. Check out Trey Ratcliff’s Video Review of Woopra for more detail.