SWEET D3 & D300

FINALLY!!!!

Nikon users all around the world are breathing sighs of relief and crying tears of joy all at the same time because they no longer have to switch to Canon to get a CMOS sensor (High ISO performance) and a full frame DSLR.

Introducing the ALL NEW NIKON D3 and D300! (Shipping in September)

Pictured is the D300, looks quite like the D200 but trust me, its another level of DSLR.

I can't wait to get my hands on the D300 and work out its new features, I'm particularly excited about the CMOS sensor...and the new expeed image processor, Nikon already ruled in ergonomics and usability, its the ISO and lens wars they were losing sadly but with this new CMOS processor and 5 new lenses they are back in the game and for me who had contemplated switching to Canon for a second or two, I'm so glad that I don't have to go to all the trouble to sell all my gear...thank God!Plus I like NIKON cameras better anyway. I hope they live up to all the hype I'm giving them.

Just check out the features on this baby!

NIKON D300 DIGITAL SLR CAMERA: MAJOR FEATURES

New DX-format CMOS image sensor with 12.3 effective megapixels
The D300 features a new 12.3 effective megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor that produces high quality images with fine detail and sharp resolution throughout its sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 3200. The camera's ISO range can be extended using its built-in options of Lo-1 and Hi-1 for the equivalent of ISO 100 and ISO 6400 respectively. The CMOS sensor's integrated A/D converter features the ability to select between 12-bit and 14-bit conversion, making it possible to shoot 14-bit NEF (RAW) format images.

High-speed performance
The D300 offers professional level high-speed performance with a shutter release time lag of only 45 milliseconds, camera start-up time of 0.13 second, and continuous shooting speed of approximately six frames per second. This speed can also be boosted to eight frames per second when using Nikon's optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10*. The D300 can sustain continuous high-speed shooting for bursts of up to 100 shots** at full 12.3 megapixel resolution, and it supports next generation UDMA high speed memory cards.

New EXPEED Image Processing System
Similar to the Nikon D3, the D300 features the new EXPEED Image Processing System that is central to the speed and processing power of the camera. EXPEED delivers optimized performance for the camera and its features and ensures high-image quality and high-speed image processing.

Versatile new Picture Control System
The D300 features Nikon's versatile Picture Control System that allows photographers to fine-tune and adjust fundamental rendering options for their pictures so they can define the exact tone, sharpening, brightness and saturation they prefer. They can then port these settings to any other Nikon camera featuring the Picture Control System, such as the recently introduced D3, so that even when shooting with different cameras, they can get consistent tones for all their pictures.

New 51-point auto focus system
The D300 features Nikon's Multi-CAM 3500DX auto focus sensor module, with 51 AF points, including 15 cross-type sensors that are located in the center of the frame. These cross-type sensors work with all NIKKOR lenses, including those with apertures as small as f/5.6. The D300's auto focus system is closely linked with the camera's innovative Scene Recognition System to deliver greater accuracy in subject detection and focus tracking performance.

Revolutionary new Scene Recognition System
Nikon's D300 features a revolutionary new Scene Recognition System that greatly enhances the accuracy of, auto exposure, auto white balance detection and auto focus in the camera. The Scene Recognition System uses the camera's built in 1,005-pixel RGB metering sensor to recognize the subject or scene being photographed and detect any movement. This information helps optimize exposure and white balance settings for the recognized subject and also enables the camera to assign appropriate AF points based on any movement of the subject, ensuring highly precise auto focus tracking performance.

Super-density, 3-inch VGA, TFT LCD monitor with 920,000 dot resolution
The D300 features a gorgeous, ultra high-definition 3-inch LCD monitor with 920,000 dot resolution. The monitor provides a 170-degree viewing angle and is very effective in confirming focus on pictures as well as framing a shot using the camera's new LiveView modes.

LiveView shooting with two optimized modes
Two new LiveView modes in the D300 enable photographers to compose their shot using the camera's ultra-high resolution LCD monitor. The Tripod mode is designed for precise focus and accuracy when the camera is on a stable platform and the subject is not moving. In this mode, the camera focuses on the subject using focal-plane contrast and any point on the LCD screen can be selected as the focus point for the picture. The second mode, called Handheld mode, allows photographers to use the camera's conventional TTL focusing system, with all 51-points and 15 cross-type points available. When using this mode, the camera activates focusing immediately when the shutter button is pressed, to ensure accurate focus.

Active D-Lighting
Nikon's D-Lighting feature in its digital SLR cameras has proved to be a popular way for photographers to quickly compensate for dark areas of a picture after it is taken, without adversely affecting its highlights. The D300 features a new Active D-Lighting mode that, when enabled, provides remarkable real-time highlight and shadow correction with optimized image contrast. Active D-Lighting produces broader tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights by controlling highlights and exposure compensation while applying localized tone control technology to achieve a more pleasing level of contrast across the entire image. And because the advantages of Active D-Lighting are applied as images are captured, image editing time can be shortened.

Self-cleaning Sensor Unit for efficient dust reduction
The D300 is the first Nikon digital SLR camera to employ a Self-cleaning Sensor Unit. Four different resonance frequencies vibrate the optical low pass filter in front of the image sensor to shake particles free and reduce the presence of dust in the camera.

Large, bright viewfinder that achieves 100% frame coverage
The D300's new eye-level pentaprism viewfinder offers virtually 100 percent frame coverage and 0.94x magnification for comfortable and precise composition.

Fine-tune adjustment for auto focus
Photographers who need to make small adjustments to correct differences in focusing can do so using the D300's built-in capability to adjust focus specific to a lens. The camera offers the option of either setting compensation for a specific lens so adjustment in focus is only enabled when that particular lens is used, or the camera can apply a uniform level of compensation for any lens used with the camera. Users can store settings for up to 20 different lenses if they prefer to fine-tune the camera's focusing based on specific lenses.

Reliable and durable
The D300 incorporates several features designed to ensure the camera performs reliably and consistently under demanding conditions. The camera's chassis is constructed of highly durable magnesium alloy and the body features numerous seals to protect the camera against dust and moisture. The camera's shutter mechanism is tested to 150,000 cycles, assuring a long life of consistent performance.

Exclusive Wireless Transmitter WT-4A (optional)
The D300 is compatible with Nikon's new WT-4A wireless transmitter that provides support for wired LAN (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX) and wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11a/b/g,). When using the D300 in LiveView mode, the WT-4A can transmit a remote view from the camera and also support continuous shooting through a wireless or wired connection using Nikon's Camera Control Pro 2 software (optional).

Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 (optional)
The D300 is also compatible with the optional new Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10. This battery pack supports three types of batteries and features sequential power supply with auto-switching to the battery installed inside the camera body. When used, the battery pack can boost the D300's high-speed continuous shooting to eight frames per second* for up to 100 consecutive shots**.

Check out NIKON for all the info on the other stuff

Honest Answers about Wedding Photography

Came across this when I was browsing the blog of one of my fellow photographers. I'll probably make it a permanent fixture on the blog later on.

Get Honest Answers! >>

For all those who are going to get married and have not decided on a photographer yet, check this out...

Kathy & Scott - A New Beginning

Scott and Kathy Webster renewed their vows in a intimate gathering of closest friends and family. This was my first vow renewal assignment and I was not quite sure what to expect, but it was pretty laid back and filled with laughter and golden moments. Because of the close quarters and the intimacy of the affair I had to go most of the evening without firing the flash. I just didn't want to disrupt the atmosphere.

I felt honoured to be documenting such and event as it was clear that their love, commitment and covenant to each other had only grown stronger over the years.

I'm not putting up a gallery of this one so these will have to do.

The Scott and Kathy Wallpaper


Scott's brother John in the foreground, everyone with a camera was recording the moments


Snagging a snack. One of the many delectables there that evening.


Scott, Kathy and family looking at a photo montage showing the many years of growth and marital bliss.


One of Kathy and Scott's daughters


A light moment during the renewal of vows

Scott professing his undying love

An emotional moment, not fickle by very substantial

John embracing his brother

A hug of joy and encouragement

Yes Miss CSA President.

Pretty proud of my lil sis, earlier this year she won the election to cop the presidency of the CSA (Communication Studies Association) at the University of the West Indies which was pretty kewl.

So now the team is mobilized and doing stuff so she asked me to do a small shoot with the team for their press releases etc. and of course this was pro-bono cuz you know University students ain't got no money.

Probably my favorite photo from the shoot, my sister is second from the right.

When she becomes a wealthy bachelorette I'll be sure to enforce the rules of nepotism to get high paying projects from her...until then we are just going to try to keep these escapades to a minimum :-)

From UWI life to Life Together

I documented the wedding of Ryan and (now) Diana Shripat last weekend.

They met at the University of the West Indies while studying.

Ryan and Diana are currently on their honeymoon, so the full gallery will be up in a week or so. I'll just show you one for now.

Ryan and Diana dancing at the reception, boy did they practice!

I met the mothers of them both just a couple weeks before the wedding and they seemed pretty excited about the wedding. (Hi Moms!)

The wedding was a mixture of Hindu and Western style but the thing that was maintained was the trip from the "boy's side" to the "girl's side" to do the ceremony and a reception and then back to the "boy's side" to finish up with another reception.

Weddings under Hindu rites are very emotional for both mothers, but more so for the mother of the groom because she has to stay at his house to prepare for his return, so she doesn't really get to see the ceremony. I could tell it was hard for Ryan's mom to see him go, but she was also very happy that he was finally getting married to the girl he loved so much.

When we got back to the groom's house, Ryan's mother was waiting very anxiously to see her newly married son and now officially, her new daughter.

When I entered the yard she met me and said to me right there "You know I wasn't able to go to the ceremony, I hope you captured everything"

I smiled at her and replied "The story will be told"

Then...She smiled...it was a smile that contrasted the cold evening rain with its warmth and just then it seemed a great weight was lifted off her, she briskly turned and hurried to continue preparations.

Its moments like these that are more valuable to me that anything someone can give for my services. Because this is more than work, its what I love to do.

Gli italiani sono qui!

My friend Sherry, her husband and his daughter are here visiting from Italy and they have an incredibly ram packed itinerary going to all the beautiful places in Trinidad and Tobago. They have dubbed me the "jumarazzi" - Quite stylish isn't it?

Sherry and the crew in mid flight!!! Took this when they came to the office.
From left to right, Nicola, Audrey, Sherry, Sherry's mom (In the background) and Melissa.

Thinking about buying jumarazzi.com...LOL. Just a thought for now though.
I'm supposed to do a mini shoot with them so I hope we can all stream line before they have to go go.
If the shoot comes off as its supposed then I'll be sure to post the pics.

Rain can't stop the flow

Seems alot of my friends are getting married these days.

Sheldon Mason, my good friend (As in was the best man at my wedding friend) and my other friend Allison are getting hitched in October (About time people!)...and finally someone who I know is actually letting me be the offical photographer at their wedding. So what do I do? I say "hows about an engagement session?".

So yesterday after a ton of rain and expectations of nationwide flooding we ventured to a location that they chose and had the shoot. Besides the challenges of mud and wet benches things went pretty well. I can only show one obscure pic from the shoot seeing as they haven't seen the pics as yet but the gallery will be up soon, keep checking flowfoto!

Well as you can see (or cannot) Shelly and Ali are in the background of this pretty flower