Vol. 19: Photography: Beyond Semi-Pro: The Nikon D800 & D800E

Vol. 19: Photography: Beyond Semi-Pro: The Nikon D800 & D800E
Author: Shawn M. Tomlinson
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 168
Release: 2018-03-14
Genre: Art
ISBN: 1387664050

I have been somewhat reluctant to write about the absolute best digital single-lens reflex camera I have ever used, the Nikon D800E. The reason is that I like to write about older cameras that have become cheaper to buy and use for the frugal photographer. Although some of the cameras I have written about were terribly expensive when first released, by now they are reasonably cheap. For example, IÍve written books about the Canon EOS 1DS/1DS Mark II, the Nikon D1 and the Nikon D2X. These all are pro DSLRs and as such were released at prices ranging from $6,000 to $8,000. By now, however, the most you will pay is around $400 for any of them. In a few years, the Nikon D800E, too, will be much cheaper and an obvious choice for the frugal photographer. No matter the price, the D800 and D800E are two of the best DSLRs ever made. Either will change you as a photographer in fantastic ways.

Retro Camera Buying Guide: Getting Serious About Photography… On the Cheap! Expanded and Revised

Retro Camera Buying Guide: Getting Serious About Photography… On the Cheap! Expanded and Revised
Author: Shawn M. Tomlinson
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 292
Release: 2018-04-17
Genre: Art
ISBN: 1387749447

A lot has changed since I wrote and published this first volume of what became this guide series. One thing hasnÕt. I still have the same enthusiasm and joy in photography I had way back at the beginning of the series. I have a lot more knowledge and experience now and, occasionally even get close to taking good photographs. ThatÕs the thing, see. I didnÕt know a lot when I originally wrote this guide. I had been working in photography since 1982 professionally. Everything I knew, pretty much, was self-taught. In general, thatÕs still true. ThereÕs no need for you to do it all by yourself, too, though. This book and this series are meant to help you get going with the basics fast. Yes, OK, I tend to relate my own experiences, but that, too, is meant to help you avoid some basic mistakes I made. And, perhaps, I write in a tad too friendly manner, but think of it as sitting down with me to have a friendly talk about a passion we share: Photography!

Medium-Format Photography II: Hasselblad 500c

Medium-Format Photography II: Hasselblad 500c
Author: Shawn M. Tomlinson
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 242
Release: 2018-11-07
Genre: Art
ISBN: 0359210422

It always was The Dream: The Hasselblad 500c Never mind that it was impractical for a photographer without a studio, or that it cost a bundle, or that the odds against ever owning one were big. There it was, a monolith above all other cameras. It was in the pages of the photo magazines, as advertisements occasionally, as part of an article occasionally. The two beacons of perfection, allegedly, were the Hasselblad 500c and the Leica whatever. For some reason, the Leica never caused a spark in me back then. Now, sure, but not then. Canon, Minolta, Nikon and Olympus cameras also were dreams, at the top of many of my wish lists. The Hasselblad 500c, though... that was on a level all its own. Then, suddenly, digital photography dawned and everyone was ditching their film gear. A fellow photographer said, "Hey, do you still want a Hasselblad because a friend of mine's selling one." It still was more than two weeks' salary, but it was cheaper than it had been. I had to have it. And it is an amazing camera.

Vol. 29: Medium-Format Photography III: Mamiya C3 & C330

Vol. 29: Medium-Format Photography III: Mamiya C3 & C330
Author: Shawn M. Tomlinson
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 196
Release: 2018-12-22
Genre: Art
ISBN: 0359310699

There's something odd about twin-lens reflex (TLR) film cameras, but very appealing. I can't really explain it. TLR cameras are bulky, awkward to use and, well, kind-of weird. Still, I love picking one up and taking it out to shoot. Mamiya TLRs comprise a rare line of TLR cameras in that they were the only pro TLR cameras that had interchangeable lenses other than Contaflex. That fact alone made me long for one a long time. When I bought my Yashica Mat EM, there were Mamiya TLR cameras available, but usually at two to three times the cost. Like the other medium-format (MF) cameras - Hasselblad, Bronica, Pentax, etc. - the Mamiyas were far out of reach. That is until around 2003 when photographers were ditching their film cameras, and selling them cheap. They may not be as cheap now, but they're still worth the prices. As I said, shooting with a TLR is an odd experience, but one definitely worth experiencing.

Vol. 28: Medium-Format Photography II: Hasselblad 500c

Vol. 28: Medium-Format Photography II: Hasselblad 500c
Author: Shawn M. Tomlinson
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 242
Release: 2018-12-14
Genre: Art
ISBN: 0359293476

It always was The Dream: The Hasselblad 500cNever mind that it was impractical for a photographer without a studio, or that it cost a bundle, or that the odds against ever owning one were big.There it was, a monolith above all other cameras.It was in the pages of the photo magazines, as advertisements occasionally, as part of an article occasionally.The two beacons of perfection, allegedly, were the Hasselblad 500c and the Leica whatever.For some reason, the Leica never caused a spark in me back then. Now, sure, but not then.Canon, Minolta, Nikon and Olympus cameras also were dreams, at the top of many of my wish lists.The Hasselblad 500c, though... that was on a level all its own.Then, suddenly, digital photography dawned and everyone was ditching their film gear. A fellow photographer said, "Hey, do you still want a Hasselblad because a friend of mine's selling one."It still was more than two weeks' salary, but it was cheaper than it had been. I had to have it.And it is an amazing camera

Vol. 18: Photography: Going Semi-Pro II: Revisiting the Nikon D7000

Vol. 18: Photography: Going Semi-Pro II: Revisiting the Nikon D7000
Author: Shawn M. Tomlinson
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 200
Release: 2018-03-14
Genre: Art
ISBN: 1387662236

The Nikon D7000 was aimed at the Enthusiast photographer when when it was released in 2010, but it proved to be such a tough, reliable camera, it became the darling of semi-pro photographers everywhere. At 16.2 megapixels, this APS-C/crop frame DSLR has great resolution and handles nearly every Nikon lens ever made. In this volume of Shawn M. TomlinsonÍs Guide to Photography, the Nikon D7000 proves itself to be one of the best mid-range DSLRs available for the budding photographer at the Enthusiast and Semi-Pro levels.

Short Rounds: An Eclectic Collection of Stories, Poems and a Short Memoir

Short Rounds: An Eclectic Collection of Stories, Poems and a Short Memoir
Author: Richard H. Nilsen
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 168
Release: 2018-03-08
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1387648144

Since Five Easy Pieces was already taken as a title, I guess Short Rounds will have to do. Also, it seems appropriate that, as of this writing, I have five published books in print. These five short stories can serve as a complementary addendum to those five books. I also include a short ñspiritual memoirî titled Faith Came Easy and two previously unpublished poems. I will try to let the short fiction speak for itself, but I should add that it is as eclectic as I can make it. There is mystery, science fiction, scene portraiture and even an attempt at horror. So here goes. Some quick reads and, I hope, interesting pieces. They pretty much all stand alone, except possibly ñInside Out, î which utilizes the main character from my Adirondack Mystery series, Hallum Johnson. The other stories are all orphans in character and the fact that this is the first time they have seen the light of day in publication.

Vol. 17: Photography: Going Semi-Pro I: Revisiting the Nikon D200

Vol. 17: Photography: Going Semi-Pro I: Revisiting the Nikon D200
Author: Shawn M. Tomlinson
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 262
Release: 2018-03-13
Genre: Art
ISBN: 1387662104

The designers at Nikon in 2004-05 were looking for a way to reach the semi-pro photographer. The semi-pro is someone who has another job but shoots photos Ñ often at weddings Ñ as a part-time job. TheyÕre sometimes called weekend warriors. They tend to be serious and dedicated, but they had no need for the pro digital single-lens reflex behemoths like the Canon EOS IDX Mark II or the Nikon D5. What they needed then and now is a DSLR camera that is built strong, is always reliable and can handle their workload. That led to the first true semi-pro camera from the company, the Nikon D200. The D200 may have been overshadowed by its successor, the Nikon D300, but itÕs still a great camera. A great camera that can be had relatively cheaply, and that makes it an even better camera.

Vol. 22: Early DSLR Cameras II: Revisiting the Nikon D70 & D70S

Vol. 22: Early DSLR Cameras II: Revisiting the Nikon D70 & D70S
Author: Shawn M. Tomlinson
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 214
Release: 2018-03-16
Genre: Art
ISBN: 1387670565

The Nikon D70 was Nikon's third revolution just in the digital photography age. (Never mind the major one in 1959 with the Nikon F that changed professional film photography) The first was the Nikon D1 started pro digital photography, the end of mainstream film. The second was the Nikon D100, the first DSLR to reach the lofty heights of 6.1 megapixels. Then there was the D70. It looks and feels like a modern DSLR, and Nikon released it in 2002. It was, in its own way, as revolutionary as the D1 and the D100. I've taken some of my best photos with it. The thing is, there really is little negative to say about the Nikon D70/D70S. You can come up with many reasons to spend more money on a newer DSLR, but if you want a great camera for little money, the Nikon D70 or D70S is a good bet.

Vol. 03: The 12 Steps of Photography

Vol. 03: The 12 Steps of Photography
Author: Shawn M. Tomlinson
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 190
Release: 2018-03-22
Genre: Art
ISBN: 138768678X

Everybody gives out tips for better photography. Well, maybe not your boss or the guy who fixes your furnace (although mine does), but most photography websites, forums and magazines fill their pages with tips for becoming a better photographer. There's a reason there are so many tips out there: photographers want them. On the other hand, we who have some little knowledge like to give them, too. Most people like to pass on what they've learned. I've been a photographer for nearly four decades. I've published thousands of photographs. I write a photography column (Photo Curmudgeon). I love photography. I read tips from other photographers often. Sometimes, I read something new, or at least put in a new way so that it sparks an idea. No one can tell you how to develop your photographer's eye. Only you can figure that out. What I can do is give you some pointers about how to develop your own photographer's eye, and how to get better as a photographer.