I recently found a video series of an interview and a “behind the scenes” made by CNN of the well know fashion photographer (and photographer I look forward to) Mario Testino. Testino is the world’s famous fashion photographer, having his work featured across the globe in magazines such as Vogue, Vanity Fair and V and he has contributed to the imagery of leading fashion houses such as Gucci, Versace, Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, Hugo Boss, among many others.
Posted by Constantin Chirila on Apr 1, 2010 in Camera Gear, Rumor
A rumor is around that Canon is testing a new lens, which is a 50mm lens with an aperture of 1.4. This is an improvement of the actual 50mm f/1.4 lens. It seams that will make it a bit more reliable buy upgrading the build of the lens (this lens is famous to be a bit unreliable, so this improvement is a good news). Also it will have an optical upgrade and will have an USM (Ultra Sonic Motor).
Since all the improvements we will have to expect at a high price.
Also there is no specification in the release date.
Posted by Constantin Chirila on Aug 27, 2009 in Web
Today I had some spare time on my hands and found this interesting “call to action” video made by Jeremy Cowart. Basically this video tries to make all of us, photographers, professionals or not, to take a photograph and print it, of someone who can’t afford it. It’s an amazing idea that has to remind us that photography is not about the money or the fame, it’s about the happiness of you, the photographer, can offer to anyone despite the social differences. Anyway, I will let you watch the video.
Posted by Constantin Chirila on Jun 18, 2009 in News
Just a few days back I have found that the people from Avanquest improvised their web application: SendPhotos 2. What’s this? Well is a free photo sharing solution
So what’s so special about this application? Well the most important of all, it has certified support for more than 160 telephones, including iPhone and Blackberry, followed by other features as :
complete revision of the Web client interface
the acceptance of the iPhone
the creation of a plug-in for iPhoto
management of the leading social networks including Facebook, MySpace and Picasa.
The Avanquest SendPhotos photo-sharing web site, now available in the free public Beta 2 version, lets users to shares their photos with friends and family trough the web browser either from PC or Mac, with increased security, due to fact that the photos are completely private, hidden from search engines. Also they offer 1 GB of free space, meaning you can put as close as 1000 images close to a size of 1 mb per photograph, in which you can also store safely your precious photographs.
Bottom line: although this is excellent for people to store photos from their phone, I am not very impressed for it to be an amazing photo-storing or even sharing solution. But I have to admit that I really like the design and functionality of the web site.
Posted by Constantin Chirila on Jun 4, 2009 in Personal
For like 3 days I have joined Twitter with the rest of the bloggers, after understanding and seeing how important is micro-bloging platform for the internet comunity.
So now that I have a Twitter account you can easily follow me at http://twitter.com/ConstantinC or you can easily click on the Twitter icon at the top of the blog near the RSS feed.
What you are going to gain to follow me on Twitter? Well, I usually surf the net a lot, and I find a lot of cool things worth to share, and Twitter allows me to post and share a lot easier than writing an article on the blog. I also daily read more then 60-70 blogs from witch more than half it’s about photography, so I can provide you with more information than this blog allows me.
Posted by Constantin Chirila on Jan 30, 2009 in News
I recently came across to some worrying news.
The biggest camera manufacturer, Canon, has reported an 81% downfall of their quarterly profits, due to the economic recession and low demand for their products. From what Canon’s Managing Director, Masahiro, said: “A substantial recovery in the economy is unlikely in 2009. Our operating environment will be even harder this year than it was last year”, the situation doesn’t look too good. And from what I read in on Reuters, Canon profit stumble predicts further slide.
Also Sony has even bigger losses in profit coming close to a staggering 95% drop, in this fourth quarter. Sony said its net profit shriveled to 10.4 billion yen ($115.6 million) in the third quarter from 200.2 billion yen a year earlier. You can read more about this on The Associated Press.
Although everyone started to feel the economic crisis, it seams that in stead of things getting better, are getting worse.
Posted by Constantin Chirila on Jan 19, 2009 in Photoshop
Last week I have watched a series of videos (actually a idea divided into 4 parts) on the blog owned by Scott Kelby.
In this video Scott Kelby, Dave Cross and Matt Kloskowski, are pointing out the huge improvements the new Photoshop CS4 has suffered. From performance improvements to workflow improvement, Photoshop CS4 is better then ever, making you able to get the job done faster.
Posted by Constantin Chirila on Jan 6, 2009 in News
Today it’s been 50 years since Canon launched its first single lens reflex camera. In all this time canon produced 53 million units which begun with the first model, Canonflex, in May 1959 as stated by Canon. Here is the full press release:
2009: THE START OF A NEW ERA FOR CANON’S SINGLE-LENS REFLEX CAMERAS, COMMEMORATING 50 YEARS SINCE CANON LAUNCHED ITS FIRST IN 1959
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., January 6, 2009 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, is honoring 50 years of SLR camera sales, beginning with the sale of Canon’s first SLR camera in 1959. 2009 is a milestone year, commemorating the passing of 50 years since Canon sold its first single-lens reflex camera. Canon’s single-lens reflex cameras have evolved with the times, incorporating advanced and groundbreaking technology. Exceeding a cumulative total of 53 million units, they have garnered extensive support from photographers around the world. Looking to the future, Canon will continue its efforts to develop its single-lens reflex cameras and lead image culture for the next fifty years.
Canon’s history with 35mm single-lens reflex cameras began in May 1959, when Canon Inc. launched the Canonflex. Thereafter, the Company continued to introduce cameras that embodied solid technology and innovation, including the F-1, its first professional model (1971); the AE-1, the world’s first single-lens reflex camera with built-in CPU (1976); and the T90, a state-of-the-art T Series model (1986).
Additionally, in March 1987, Canon adopted the world’s first electronic mount and launched the EOS650, a new-generation AF single-lens reflex camera with electronic control that was originally between the lens and the body and then encompassed the entire system. The EOS Series, which has continued to the present day, has rapidly expanded users in both the professional segment, with the top-of-the-line EOS-1 (1989), and in the entry segment, with the EOS Rebel (1993), for which size and weight reductions were accomplished.
Since the year 2000, an era of full-fledged digitalization has been dawning, beginning with the EOS D30 (2000). With speed, ease and high image quality as its key concepts, the EOS Digital Series has constantly been a leader in the evolution of single-lens reflex cameras with Canon-developed CMOS sensors, the high-performance image processor DIGIC and an EF lens group that boasts outstanding optical performance and an abundant line-up.
Last year, in 2008, Canon released four models, including the EOS Rebel XSi, which has acquired the top market share in numerous countries around the world, and the EOS 5D Mark II, which is equipped with the first full high-definition movie recording functions for a single-lens reflex camera. With the introduction of these camera models, the Company has successfully created an even more powerful line-up.
As we review this half a century of history, Canon is truly grateful to all of its photographers for their support and seeks to continue the challenge of creating single-lens reflex cameras that provide the best image quality and reliability for the next generation.
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked third overall in the U.S. in 2007†, with global revenues of $39.3 billion, is listed as one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies in America and is on the 2008 BusinessWeek list of “Top 100 Brands.” To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/pressroom.
For like 3 days I have joined 
