Muskopf Photography, LLC High School Senior Portraits and Model Portfolio Photographer

No News is Good News

2012-01-03T05:55:00.000-08:00

We have to keep in mind that "the news" is "the news" precisely because it's not normal. All the horrible stuff the broadcasters throw at us is just a series of isolated events, like all the idiots on "The World's Dumbest Drivers" shown one after another--doesn't mean everyone drives like that! Don't give in to the negativity of the media. Most people are good people. If you want a good resolution that might improve your outlook on life, resolve not to watch the news quite so much.

Muskopf Photography provides high school senior portrait photography for the Dayton, Ohio region. Located in Beavercreek. For more info, visit http://www.muskopf.org

9-19-11: Trying to get outside of time.

2011-09-19T17:36:00.000-07:00

I have decided that the way that I had set up my sessions was not serving my needs as well as I wanted. I've decided to try to move away from the duration of a session, and put the emphasis on what I wanted to accomplish with each session. I'm excited about being freed from the need to watch the clock, and focus exclusively on my client and what we will create.

Do the hard stuff first

2011-09-09T10:23:00.000-07:00

9-9-11: Do the hard stuff first.

There are lots of things that need to be done every day. Immediate fires, short term jobs, long-term aspirations. The hardest thing to do for me is to ignore the immediate and short term jobs which are usually much more fun, exciting, and give immediate gratification. There are lots of things that need to be done that aren't so fun, aren't so glamorous, and no one will even know that you've done or not done them. That doesn't mean that they're not important. It only means that it's much harder to force myself to do them.

I use a weekly to-do list/planner to keep myself organized. I list all the sessions, photos to be processed, prints to be sent out, appointments, etc. on it and it keeps me on track. One thing I started doing this week is to take some of the long-term tasks, which have the potential to pay off handsomely in the end, but not immediately, and place them at the top of the list. These are the boring jobs, the drudgery. Do them first. Do them in the morning before the phone starts ringing, the emails start coming in, etc.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

I'm finding that I'm actually getting to them. These are things that I should've been doing all along, but I excused myself from them because the short-term jobs were "more important".

It's all important. Do the hard stuff first, so you don't wake up one day and do the "could of, would of, should of" routine.

You can see more of what I do at http://www.muskopf.org

Senior Photos Discounts

2011-07-05T07:36:00.001-07:00

There are several ways to save money on senior photos at Muskopf Photography. The primary way is to take advantage of the MR/100 Discount, which gets you $100 off the session fee off the top. In addition to that, you can use the Tuesday/Wednesday Discount and a referral card to boost your savings. Don't forget that I've also just lowered the prices on 2 Hour+ sessions!

Morgan 4

2011-06-23T09:57:00.001-07:00

To see more photos, pricing information, etc., please visit http://www.muskopf.org

Morgan 3

2011-06-22T05:56:00.000-07:00

These really capture Morgan's sweet side--especially the one on the blue background. So darling!

Muskopf Photography creates senior portraits and model portfolio photographs in both indoor and outdoor settings. You can see more high school senior portraits and model portfolio photos on the web site at http://www.muskopf.org. The studio is located in Beavercreek, Ohio and photographs seniors and models from all over the Dayton area. If you're a high school senior in the Dayton area, or interested in becoming a model in Ohio, please feel free to call or email with any questions or to schedule your session.

Xenia High School Seniors

2011-06-21T12:58:00.000-07:00

Did I mention that I was recently added to the Xenia High School list of approved photographers? That means I'm now one of the few studios permitted to submit work to the Xenia High School yearbook. If you need just the yearbook shot, or a full 3 hour session, Xenia High seniors can contact me via my web site at www.muskopf.org to set up their session.

Morgan 2

2011-06-21T12:54:00.000-07:00

More from Miss Morgan! She has amazing eyes. They're hazel with a circle of brown surrounded by a circle of green. I've never seen hazel eyes like hers.

Muskopf Photography creates senior portraits and model portfolio photographs in both indoor and outdoor settings. You can see more high school senior portraits and model portfolio photos on the web site at http://www.muskopf.org. The studio is located in Beavercreek, Ohio and photographs seniors and models from all over the Dayton area. If you're a high school senior in the Dayton area, or interested in becoming a model in Ohio, please feel free to call or email with any questions or to schedule your session.

Morgan

2011-06-20T18:23:00.000-07:00

Here are the first 3 from Morgan's senior portrait session. Morgan is a 2012 Beavercreek High School senior with a smile that fills the room like sunshine!

For more information, reviews, prices, etc. about Muskopf Photography, please visit www.muskopf.org Muskopf Photography is located in Beavercreek and serves the whole Dayton area. I am also an approved photographer by both the Beavercreek and Xenia high school yearbooks.

Compact Flash Card tips

2011-06-16T04:40:00.001-07:00

Here's a couple of tips: 1. Always format your CF card in camera before shooting. 2. Don't delete images in camera as you shoot (can cause corrupt files). 3. Transfer the images to your computer, then immediately make a backup dvd. 4. Check the images and make sure all is well BEFORE you format the card to begin shooting again.

If you do format the card by mistake, the images aren't gone forever until you shoot new photos over them. You can use recovery software to get the photos off the card, even after it has been formatted.

Kayla Senior Pics

2011-05-20T04:34:00.000-07:00

Kayla is a 2012 senior from Fairborn High School, and was just elected Senior Class President!! Hail to the Chief! :) During her session, I kept calling her "President Princess", for obvious reasons-- she's such a doll in that dress with the tiara!

Any Fairborn students who want to come to Muskopf Photography for their senior photos, ask Kayla for a referral card. It will get you 24 free wallets with your 1 hour or longer session!

For more information, reviews, prices, etc. about Muskopf Photography, please visit www.muskopf.org Muskopf Photography is located in Beavercreek and serves the whole Dayton area. I am also an approved photographer by both the Beavercreek and Xenia high school yearbooks.

Brianna Senior Portraits

2011-05-17T07:11:00.001-07:00

These are a few of the senior pics that we did for Brianna. She is a 2012 Senior attending Greenon High School in Enon. To see more senior portraits by Muskopf Photography, please visit http://www.muskopf.org

Recent Senior Portraits

2011-04-29T16:46:00.001-07:00

These are high school senior pics of Bronson, Jason, and Cassy created by Muskopf Photography in Beavercreek. For more photos and lots more information, including pricing information and reviews in the form of testimonials, please visit http://www.muskopf.org

Cherry Tree

2011-04-17T08:29:00.001-07:00

A few from the other day. I really like those pink blooms!

A few from Liz

2011-03-26T12:26:00.001-07:00

Liz is a 2011 senior from Centerville High School.

Muskopf Photography creates senior portraits and model portfolio photographs in both indoor and outdoor settings. You can see more high school senior portraits and model portfolio photos on the web site at http://www.muskopf.org. The studio is located in Beavercreek, Ohio and photographs seniors and models from all over the Dayton area. If you're a high school senior in the Dayton area, or interested in becoming a model in Ohio, please feel free to call or email with any questions or to schedule your session.

Nathan

2011-03-25T06:08:00.000-07:00

Nathan is a Beavercreek High School student and a very talented musician. He plays guitar, saxophone, harmonica, piano, and sings! It was a lot of fun working with him this week, and we even were blessed with a 60 degree day with no rain in March!

To see more high school senior photography from Muskopf Photography, please visit www.muskopf.org

Lauren

2011-03-24T04:01:00.001-07:00

Here are a few samples from Lauren's senior portrait session and a video which shows many more. Lauren is a senior from Fairborn High School. If you're a Fairborn student, ask Lauren for a referral card which will be good for free prints when you come for your own 1 hour or longer session.

Muskopf Photography produces high school senior portraits in Beavercreek for the greater Dayton, Ohio area. You can visit the web site at www.muskopf.org for more information.

Don't be safe

2011-03-02T20:08:00.000-08:00

"Change is no longer the exception, it's the rule. The immutable laws of business are dead. Passion and self-direction have become the dominating traits over security, stability, and consistency." --Sally Hogshead

I think that's perfect for the time we live in. The whole world changes month to month, week to week.

Learn as much as you can, work as hard as you can, look only forward.

Kimberly

2011-02-27T10:56:00.000-08:00

Kimberly is a 2012 Beavercreek High School Senior. Here are just a few of her senior portraits by Muskopf Photography in Beavercreek.

2011 seniors 2

2011-01-14T09:27:00.000-08:00

Senior Portraits from Muskopf Photography in Beavercreek, Ohio.

Class of 2011 Seniors p1

2011-01-07T13:51:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of my senior portrait clients that I photographed.

Jaclyn

2011-01-06T07:31:00.000-08:00

Jaclyn was really fun to work with! Her senior portrait session was one of my favorites of the year.

New Gadgets

2011-01-02T07:55:00.000-08:00

What are some cool gadgets you've bought or had given to you in the past few months?

Two for me are:

Blowit Fan.

It's made for drummers and clamps to a lightstand with an articulating arm. It's pretty cool.

http://www.buy.com/prod/blowit-drummers-fan/q/sellerid/31397457/loc/101/218332205.html

and the Belkin surge protector/usb charger. So I can charge devices without a computer or laptop.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/552287-REG/Belkin_BZ103050_TVL_Mini_Surge_Protector_with.html

What neat stuff have you folks found?

Randy

2010-12-29T11:56:00.001-08:00

Randy is a senior from Springfield. Here are a few of his senior portraits.

Blocked Call?

2010-12-27T07:55:00.001-08:00

Just got a "wrong number" from a person that showed up as "blocked call" on the caller id. I wonder why someone would call a friend and block the caller id before calling them? Is that like wearing a mask when you go over and ring your friend's doorbell?

logo idea

2010-12-21T05:42:00.001-08:00

A friend of mine in Alaska does adventure photography. This is a rough sketch of a logo for them. I wanted to use the phonetic "Az" as a visual element as well as reminding people of mountains. It's very rough. If you have any ideas, I'll pass them along.

Chadd

2010-12-20T06:52:00.001-08:00

Chadd is a senior at Carroll High School. These are a few images from his session.

Hans Rosling's 200 Countries, 200 Years, 4 Minutes - The Joy of Stats - ...

2010-12-17T10:28:00.000-08:00

This is really cool!!

Garden Statue

2010-12-16T06:10:00.000-08:00

This statue is in the courtyard of the Place d'Armes hotel in New Orleans. My wife and I spent a few days there celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary. It's a wonderful place to stay!

St. Louis Cathedral at night

2010-12-15T13:23:00.000-08:00

The St. Louis Cathedral at night in New Orleans facing Jackson Square. I shot this hand-held at a really slow shutter speed. The colors are as-shot.

Best commercial ever!

2010-12-08T06:31:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdWwqAI6x9A

Todd
Muskopf Photography
Senior Portraits in Dayton Ohio
www.muskopf.org

Canon Announces

2010-09-30T04:39:00.000-07:00

"Canon Announces that everyone has cameras that are good enough and they're going to focus on copiers now. You silly photographers get back to work taking and processing images and stop dwelling on gear."

Sorry, just thinking out loud. In a way, the lack of new models has done us a service, forcing us to realize that we're doing just fine with what we have.

For me, this will probably continue through next year, no matter what they introduce. If others feel this way, Canon may be disappointed with new introductions next year.

From a marketing perspective, I think that derailing the momentum of people's buying patterns is problematic. I'd say that if people expect new cameras, money in hand, and they don't get anything to purchase, that money may very well be spent on other things.

Liz and Patrick

2010-08-25T12:35:00.000-07:00

Liz came in shy and went out glowing. Patrick brought his quirky sense of humor--love that band-aid!

Fun, relaxed, stylish, beautiful. Muskopf Photography creates senior portraits and model portfolio photographs in both indoor and outdoor settings. You can see more high school senior portraits and model portfolio photos on the web site at http://www.muskopf.org. The studio is located in Beavercreek, Ohio and photographs seniors and models from all over the Dayton area. If you're a high school senior in the Dayton area, or interested in becoming a model in Ohio, please feel free to call or email with any questions or to schedule your session.

Kaitlyn from Greeneview

2010-08-24T10:42:00.000-07:00

Kaitlyn made me smile... :)

Fun, relaxed, stylish, beautiful. Muskopf Photography creates senior portraits and model portfolio photographs in both indoor and outdoor settings. You can see more high school senior portraits and model portfolio photos on the web site at http://www.muskopf.org. The studio is located in Beavercreek, Ohio and photographs seniors and models from all over the Dayton area. If you're a high school senior in the Dayton area, or interested in becoming a model in Ohio, please feel free to call or email with any questions or to schedule your session.

Janae' from West Carrollton

2010-07-23T06:21:00.000-07:00

Cheerful, crisp, close and colorful. Muskopf Photography creates senior portraits and model portfolio photographs in both indoor and outdoor settings. You can see more high school senior portraits and model portfolio photos on the web site at http://www.muskopf.org. The studio is located in Beavercreek, Ohio and photographs seniors and models from all over the Dayton area. If you're a high school senior in the Dayton area, or interested in becoming a model in Ohio, please feel free to call or email with any questions or to schedule your session.

2010-07-22T14:16:00.000-07:00

I just booked my first senior portrait session for September. I still have some spots open in August, but things are starting to fill up!

Fun, relaxed, stylish, beautiful. Muskopf Photography creates senior portraits and model portfolio photographs in both indoor and outdoor settings. You can see more high school senior portraits and model portfolio photos on the web site at http://www.muskopf.org. The studio is located in Beavercreek, Ohio and photographs seniors and models from all over the Dayton area. If you're a high school senior in the Dayton area, or interested in becoming a model in Ohio, please feel free to call or email with any questions or to schedule your session.

New senior portraits

2010-07-09T09:34:00.000-07:00

I just added some new seniors on the web site. Here are a few of my favorite pics from the last week or so.

New Featured Model Interview

2010-07-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

I just posted a new Featured Model Interview that you might like to read. This one is from Nicole Gray, an experienced model from Kentucky. You can read it at http://www.muskopf.org/featured_model.htm

Model Dreams Session

2010-06-02T06:59:00.000-07:00

I've been shooting young, aspiring models for several years now. I've decided that many more people would be interested in giving it a try--with no aspiration of actually becoming a model. This is for women who've graduated college, had a kid or two, work hard at their job, keep the house together, and still have time to maintain their figure. It's for those who want to play the part of the model and let loose in front of the camera and create images as a celebration of all that hard work.

Take a look at http://muskopf.org/Dayton_Ohio_Models.htm

Beavercreek Senior Portraits

2010-05-17T14:30:00.001-07:00

Fun, relaxed, stylish, beautiful. Muskopf Photography creates senior portraits and model portfolio photographs in both indoor and outdoor settings. You can see more high school senior portraits and model portfolio photos on the web site at http://www.muskopf.org. The studio is located in Beavercreek, Ohio and photographs seniors and models from all over the Dayton area. If you're a high school senior in the Dayton area, or interested in becoming a model in Ohio, please feel free to call or email with any questions or to schedule your session.

Senior Portraits and Model Portfolio Photography

2010-05-04T13:04:00.001-07:00

Beavercreek Senior Portrait Photography

2010-04-29T10:30:00.000-07:00

Senior Portraits and Model Portfolio Photography

2010-04-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

Senior Portraits and Model Portfolio Photography

2010-04-25T05:49:00.000-07:00

Senior Portraits and Model Portfolio Photography

2010-04-14T12:13:00.000-07:00

2010-04-13T13:24:00.000-07:00

Dayton Senior Portraits

2010-03-09T07:38:00.000-08:00

The 2010 seniors are still coming in and the 2011 seniors are starting to call. Spring time is here!

Muskopf Photography creates creative and unique senior portraits and model portfolio photographs in both indoor and outdoor settings. You can see more high school senior portraits and model portfolio photos on the web site at http://www.muskopf.org. The studio is located in Beavercreek, Ohio and photographs seniors and models from all over the Dayton area. If you're a high school senior in the Dayton area, or interested in becoming a model in Ohio, please feel free to call or email with any questions or to schedule your session.

Laura's senior portraits

2010-02-18T05:55:00.000-08:00

I had a great time with Laura. Her gorgeous red hair and smile made these a pleasure to work on.

The making of a painting

2010-02-02T19:48:00.000-08:00

New paintings

2010-02-02T19:43:00.001-08:00

I decided to move away from the trend of using so much red in these paintings. To see more, visit my site at www.muskopf.org

New video with Shaytell

2010-01-28T10:44:00.001-08:00

More new oil paintings

2010-01-27T07:56:00.000-08:00

I'm liking the smell of oil paint! There's something about the smell of prussian blue that I just adore. These are my two newest paintings. To see more go to my web site at www.muskopf.org

Fresh Paintings!

2010-01-22T14:00:00.001-08:00

I finished two oil paintings yesterday! I'm excited, because they're the first ones I've completed in quite a while. The water image is Autumn Trees with Lake and was based on the lake at Hocking Hills. The other one is Red Field and is based on a rural Ohio setting I found last October. Both are 16 x 20" and are available through my web site at www.muskopf.org/2010.htm

Ohio Stock Photography

2010-01-21T07:47:00.000-08:00

I've been licensing my photographs through stock agencies for 5 years now and am currently represented by six different agencies. I've decided to begin offering my photographs for licensing directly from my web site. I'm going to focus on Ohio imagery for the ones on my site and put everything else on the agency sites. Most photos will be geared for editorial usage and I'll also have special rates for web only usage. I just built the first few pages today, so it's not very exciting yet, but I hope that it will be filled up with hundreds, maybe thousands, of photos by this time next year. The stock page is http://www.muskopf.org/ohio_stock_photos.htm

Headshot Photography Dayton Ohio

2010-01-18T07:14:00.000-08:00

Today I launched a web page for actor and business professional headshot photographs. It's available at www.muskopf.org/headshots.htm

I've done many headshots in the past, but hadn't previously highlighted this aspect of my photography with a page of its own.

Morgan--Model Session

2010-01-14T04:57:00.000-08:00

The videoblog of Muskopf Photography, LLC, featuring some of my recent work. If you'd like more information on my work and how to schedule your own session, visit http://www.muskopf.org

Seeing layer masks and photos at the same time

2010-01-08T12:33:00.000-08:00

Todd's Photoshop Tip 1

Seeing a photo and layer mask at the same time.

Sometimes when I paint on a layer mask to select or deselect portions of a photo, I find myself putting my nose an inch away from the little layer mask thumbnail trying to see details. Here's a better way to see it. I'm using Photoshop CS4, so if you use other versions, it may be a little different.

With the layer you're interested in selected, click WINDOW/ARRANGE/NEW WINDOW FOR FILE. At this point, PS opens the open file a second time. Pull both photos down off the tabbed browsing bar and set them up next to each other at the same zoom setting. ALT+click on the layer mask. Now, when you paint on the photo in one frame, it shows up on the layer mask in the other frame (when you finish with the stroke it is updated).

This is a really great thing to use when you get into complicated masks.

Peace,

Todd

www.muskopf.org

New photos of models and seniors

2010-01-08T10:54:00.000-08:00

There's been a steady stream of photos that I've been working on, but I don't blog about them enough, so here's a few of the newest ones!

Muskopf Photography creates creative and unique senior portraits and model portfolio photographs in both indoor and outdoor settings. You can see more high school senior portraits and model portfolio photos on the web site at http://www.muskopf.org. The studio is located in Beavercreek, Ohio and photographs seniors and models from all over the Dayton area. If you're a high school senior in the Dayton area, or interested in becoming a model in Ohio, please feel free to call or email with any questions or to schedule your session.

The psychology of menus

2010-01-08T07:49:00.000-08:00

Here's a really interesting article http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/23/dining/23menus.html

Peace,

Todd

www.muskopf.org

The Professional Photography Forum

2010-01-08T05:35:00.000-08:00

Hey, anyone who's interested in the business of photography will want to visit this site, The Professional Photography Forum www.theprofessionalphotographyforum.com It's a nice place to exchange ideas about the business side of photography--and it's free!!

Enjoy the snow!

Todd

www.muskopf.org

Muskopf Photography is a Favorite Place On Google!

2009-12-24T05:44:00.000-08:00

Google listed me as a "Favorite Place" and sent me a sticker! They only picked 100,000 businesses for this out of the 1M they list!

I was shocked when I realized how few businesses got picked for this! Whoo-hoo!

From CNET:

Stickers bearing Google's logo and a QR code have been distributed to 100,000 of the most popular businesses inGoogle's Local Business Center database, and starting this week consumers will be able to use code-scanning applications on modern phones to look up the Google listing for that particular restaurant, store, or dry cleaner. The stickers will be prominently displayed in store windows of participating businesses, and represent a shot across the bow of companies like Yelp which offer similar branded services.

Google's Local Business Center allows pizza joints and dress boutiques to place listings on Google Maps with basic information such as hours and location and also get access to data about how Web searchers are hitting their profile, such as the ZIP code from which searches originate, said Michaela Prescott, head of geomarketing at Google. Over 1 million businesses in the U.S. have listed themselves with Google, she said.

Much has been made of Google's interest in courting the big-name advertisers of the corporate world, but the company is also very interested in the mom-and-pop stores of the world, which fit nicely into its strategy of delivering targeted advertising to specific niches. Later this week, Google plans to hold an event in San Francisco for small business owners in hopes of educating them about the services that are available on Google.

The company analyzed which local listings were generating the most activity, and declared those to be "Favorite Places on Google," and therefore eligible for the sticker promotion. Shoppers who happen by the store can scan the sticker to bring up the business' Place Page with listing information as well as reviews, photos, and links to sites with more information about the business.

Prescott said those links will include reviews hosted by Yelp, perhaps the most well-known local listing, and reviews on the Internet. Yelp also distributes window decals to local businesses that reassure visitors that "People love us on Yelp!" (whether that's true) in hopes to promoting the site as the place to look for local reviews. Updated 8:45 a.m. - A Google representative later clarified that while several review sites will be aggregated, Yelp is not one of them.

Google has taken the concept a step further, however, in the use of the QR codes to link to the Place Pages. Owners of smartphones with a camera (Google specifically said that iPhone, Android, and most BlackBerry owners would be supported, but others may work as well) and QR code scanning applications will be able to launch this information in their phone's browser.

Google is turning its sights squarely on the local ad market, with plans to promote its local business listings in storefronts around the U.S.

So why is Google getting into the decal business? "I think it comes down to (the fact that) mobile is fundamentally different; it is about connecting the person to the physical place," Prescott said.

Obviously, lots of people search for local information on Google, but this program gives Google a way to capture eyeballs that aren't sitting in front of a desktop or laptop PC, promoting its mobile sites and therefore driving additional traffic to ad-supported sites. Expanding its local presence also allows Google to sell even-more targeted ads to other companies, since they know they'll be advertising to people in a position to take advantage of their services.

Google has been ramping up its local presence for quite some time, but seems to be experimenting with different strategies these days. It recently suspended a trial of a program called "Local Listing Ads," which was designed as a simple entry into Google that didn't require the business to manage a regular AdWords campaign.

And it also recently introduced a service that lets businesses put coupons in the Local Business Center that smartphone owners can redeem from the screen of their device, rather than having to clip them out of a newspaper circular.

This week's senior portraits

2009-12-12T05:37:00.000-08:00

It's been a very busy week! I sent out the yearbook photos to Lakota West High School and Fairfield Senior High School. Beavercreek High School wanted the list of all the seniors I've photographed this week, and their due date is right after Christmas Break--not much time left if you haven't had your pics taken! Several people have come from Beavercreek this week to make sure their photos get into the yearbook.

Friday's Senior Portraits

2009-12-06T08:40:00.001-08:00

Thursday's Senior Portraits

2009-12-03T21:55:00.000-08:00

We're getting close to the end of senior portrait season. Beavercreek High School needs my list of seniors that I've photographed next week. I create senior portraits in my Beavercreek studio and outdoors on my property and location. Visit my web site at www.muskopf.org for more information.

Wednesday's Senior Portraits

2009-12-02T08:27:00.000-08:00

Ally L's Senior Portraits

2009-11-20T14:02:00.000-08:00

Ally is a senior at Fairfield High School and a cheerleader with the Cheer Elite squad. She brought a lot of attitude and intensity to the session that made it really fun!

Ally's Senior Portraits

2009-11-09T05:27:00.000-08:00

Hi,

I had a great session with Ally from Beavercreek. We did part in the studio and at my place, then the last part at her house, which had a great wooded lot. She was wonderful to work with!

Recent Senior Photos

2009-10-30T11:35:00.000-07:00

Canon introduces 1D Mark IV

2009-10-22T04:14:00.000-07:00

New camera! Fun!

INTRODUCING THE ULTIMATE MULTIMEDIA IMAGING SOLUTION:
THE NEW CANON EOS-1D MARK IV DIGITAL SLR CAMERA
The EOS-1D Mark IV Features a Completely Redesigned 45-Point Autofocus System, Fast 10 fps Continuous Shooting, 16-Megapixel Resolution, Outstanding ISO Sensitivity, and Full HD Video Recording at Selectable Frame Rates

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., October 20, 2009 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, is proud to introduce the next evolution in the EOS 1D series of cameras: the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera. The EOS-1D Mark IV is a high-speed multimedia performance monster with a 16-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, Dual DIGIC 4 Imaging Processors, and 14-bit A/D data conversion, all at 10 frames-per-second (fps), with the widest ISO range Canon has produced to date. This new camera also features 1080p Full High-Definition video capture at selectable frame rates packaged in Canon’s most rugged and durable professional camera body.

The crowning achievement of Canon’s 1D Mark IV Digital SLR is its new autofocus system that starts with 45 AF points including 39 high-precision cross-type focusing points capable of tracking fast moving athletes or wildlife accurately at speeds up to 10 frames per second. With greater subject detection capability than ever before plus a newly redesigned AI Servo II AF predictive focusing algorithm, the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV camera sets new standards for autofocus performance among professional digital SLRs. Whether shooting for the six o’clock news or the front page, the EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR is the quintessential camera to freeze fast-moving action with high-speed stills or capture stunning HD video with dynamic color and image quality. To accompany the new EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera, Canon is also announcing a new accessory, the WFT-E2 II A wireless file transmitter providing photographers with a wide range of professional digital connectivity options.

“Canon works hard to be the imaging leader in all our business endeavors. This goal has fueled our innovation and R&D efforts to engineer the most advanced autofocus system Canon has ever produced. We are proud to announce the camera that will deliver the ultimate in imaging quality to professionals working in all areas of multimedia imaging, whether it’s action photography, photojournalism or HD video and cinematography,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.

The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV camera will intrigue professional photographers in virtually every category from photojournalism and sports through nature, wedding, portrait and fashion to commercial, industrial and law enforcement. What makes the EOS-1D Mark IV camera different from its predecessors, in addition to numerous focusing system and image quality improvements, is its exceptional Full HD video capture capability. With this new level of functionality, the 1D Mark IV Digital SLR is destined to appeal not only to professional still photographers but also to a diverse market of professional videographers and filmmakers who are looking for exceptional Full HD video quality, amazing low-light performance, outstanding portability and a level of durability unheard of in most HD video cameras in this price range.

New 45-Point Autofocus System
The new EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera features Canon’s most advanced Autofocus system to date. It is equipped with a newly developed 45-point AF sensor featuring 39 high-precision cross-type AF points, and an all new AI Servo II AF mode that gives still photographers the power and performance to track and focus a fast-moving subject at speeds up to 10 frames per second. With more than twice as many cross-type focusing points as the EOS-1D Mark III and a new AF sensor construction that improves performance in low light and with low contrast subjects, the EOS-1D Mark IV has greater subject detection capabilities than any previous EOS model. To complete the range of AF improvements, Canon has developed a new AI Servo II AF predictive focusing algorithm that significantly improves responsiveness and stability by making better decisions on focus tracking in a variety of shooting conditions.

Amazing High ISO Performance
Wedding and event photographers shooting in low light without the benefit of a flash can take advantage of Canon’s widest ISO range and highest performance ever. The EOS-1D Mark IV camera’s ISO speed settings range from 100 up to 12,800 in 1/3 or 1/2 stop increments with ISO Expansion settings of L: 50 for bright light or H1: 25,600, H2: 51,200, and H3: 102,400 for even the most dimly lit situations. Photographers and documentary filmmakers working in available light will be impressed by the low-noise image quality of the 1D Mark IV, capturing amazing still images and video footage even at speed settings as high as ISO 12,800. High ISO, low light still images are further enhanced by Canon’s adjustable High ISO Noise Reduction feature, now a default setting in the camera.

The EOS-1D Mark IV, EOS HD Video Powerhouse
Over the past year, Canon’s EOS HD Video technology has changed the way users capture 1080p HD video and opened new doors for multimedia journalists and Hollywood cinematographers alike with full manual exposure control, selectable frame rates, and interchangeable lenses on some of the largest and most sensitive image sensors on the market. Canon continues this innovation trend with the new EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR with Full HD capture and full manual exposure control, plus selectable frame rates on an all-new
APS-H-sized image sensor that’s similar in size to a Super 35mm motion picture film frame. The large sensor allows filmmakers to achieve shallow depth-of-field just as cinematographers have traditionally done using much higher-cost motion picture equipment.

The more than 50 Canon EF lenses compatible with the EOS-1D Mark IV give videographers incredible creative options, including an impressive selection of large-aperture professional L-series primes as well as zoom lenses, macro, Tilt-Shift and Fisheye optics. The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV allows for three video recording resolutions – 1080p Full HD and 720p HD in a 16:9 aspect ratio and Standard Definition (SD) in a 4:3 aspect ratio. The camera will record Full HD at 1920 x 1080 in selectable frame rates of 24p (23.976), 25p, or 30p (29.97); and 720p HD or SD video recording at either 50p or 60p (59.94). SD video can be recorded in either NTSC or PAL standards. Sound is recorded either through the internal monaural microphone or via optional external microphones connected to the stereo microphone input. The camera also provides an in-camera video editing function allowing users to remove the start or ending of a video clip directly in the camera to eliminate unwanted footage and speed up post-production.

Image Quality and Performance
The heart of the EOS-1D Mark IV camera’s outstanding image quality is a newly developed 16.1-Megapixel CMOS sensor featuring Canon’s latest and most advanced proprietary technologies. These technologies include improved photodiode construction to enhance dynamic range and gapless microlenses that are positioned closer to the photodiodes for improved light gathering efficiency. The transmissive quality of the color filter array has been enhanced to improve sensitivity. Canon has also upgraded the sensor circuitry to improve noise reduction before the image data is exported from the CMOS sensor to the rest of the image processing chain.

With 60 percent more pixels than the EOS-1D Mark III, the EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR employs Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors with approximately six times the processing power of DIGIC III for full 14-bit A/D conversion at 10 fps. High-speed continuous shooting up to 121 Large JPEGs is possible using a UDMA CF card. This camera also features three RAW shooting modes for versatility with Full RAW (approx. 16 million pixels), M-RAW (approx. nine million pixels), and S-RAW (approx. four million pixels). Three additional JPEG recording formats (M1, M2 and Small) are also available.

The 14-bit per channel conversion facilitated by the dual DIGIC 4 Processors provides smoother tonalities in final images capturing all 16,384 distinct tones in each channel (red, green and blue) at the full 10 fps frame rate. RAW images shot on the new Canon EOS-1D Mark IV use the entire 14-bit space when converted to 16-bit TIFF files in Canon Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software, which is supplied with the camera at no extra charge. The 14-bit A/D conversion is also the foundation for Canon’s Highlight Tone Priority feature that takes maximum advantage of the camera’s extensive dynamic range to preserve detail in highlight areas of the image. Canon’s new EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR also features an improved white balance algorithm making colors more accurate when shooting under low color temperature light sources such as household tungsten lamps.

The EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR features Canon’s Peripheral Illumination Correction function which corrects darkening that can occur in the corners of images with most lenses when used at their largest apertures. When activated, it is automatically applied to JPEG images and video clips as they are shot. For RAW images, it can be applied in DPP software.

Other new features include a large three-inch solid structure Clear View II LCD screen with 920,000 dot/VGA resolution and a wide 160-degree viewing angle for enhanced clarity and more precise color when reviewing images and shooting video. The new in-camera copyright information feature helps professionals secure control over images by setting copyright data directly into the camera and appending that information to each image file in the Exif metadata. Additional features include a fluorine coating on the Low Pass Filter to further repel dust and enhance the EOS Integrated Cleaning System.

Minimize Post-Production with Enhanced Canon Auto Lighting Optimizer
Action photography truly is all about speed, capturing a fast subject with fast focusing and fast frame rates. However, all this speed might be wasted if it is slowed down by lengthy post-production procedures to adjust image quality. The EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR helps reduce post-production work with a powerful new Auto Lighting Optimizer (ALO) system. When enabled, Canon’s ALO automatically adjusts the image for optimal brightness and contrast on the fly during in-camera image processing, reducing clipped highlights while keeping shadowed areas as clear and detailed as they actually appear. By optimizing brightness and contrast in-camera, Canon’s ALO system significantly reduces the need for post-production image optimization, and gives photographers image quality they can take directly to press. Demanding professional photographers who tested ALO clearly stated that this one feature will reduce their post-production image optimization process by more than 75 percent. Canon’s ALO works with both RAW[i] and JPEG images as well as video recording.

Rugged Reliability
Canon has taken every measure to ensure that the EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera has the highest degree of weather resistance in the EOS line. The 1D Mark IV camera incorporates a wide range of design features that enhance its durability and reliability for professional assignments. For example, the 1D Mark IV’s body, chassis and lens mount are completely weather-resistant and 76 gaskets and seals surround all buttons and seams. The body covers and internal chassis, including the mirror box, are constructed with magnesium-alloy, one of the strongest and rigid metals available for its weight. For added strength, the lens mount is constructed with stainless steel. In fact, when used with Canon’s Speedlite 580EX II and/or most current L-series lenses, the entire camera system remains fully weather resistant, so professionals can concentrate on getting the shot instead of worrying about protecting their gear.

New Wireless Connectivity
Canon is announcing the availability of the new WFT-E2 II A* wireless file transmitter exclusively for the EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera. The WFT-E2 II A wireless transmitter is an extremely small and versatile device that offers professional photographers a wide range of digital connectivity options including IEEE802.11a/b/g and Ethernet, ideal for commercial and studio work. In addition to adding the ability to connect to wireless networks over 802.11a, the new WFT-E2 II A adds a wealth of new professional features to the photographer’s tool kit. The new Camera Linking feature allows a single photographer to simultaneously fire up to 10 cameras remotely; and the updated WFT Server mode lets you remotely use Live View, control settings, and fire the EOS-1D Mark IV over the internet from anywhere in the world using a standard Web browser or many Web-enabled smart phones. Additionally, geotagging is now possible via Bluetooth, using compatible GPS devices to append coordinate data to the images.

Pricing and Availability
The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers in late December, and will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $4,999.00[ii]. Final pricing and availability for the Canon WFT-E2 II A wireless file transmitter will be available later this year.

Canon Digital Learning Center
Online visitors and Web surfers are encouraged to browse the Canon Digital Learning Center and take advantage of the various educational resources that Canon has to offer for novices and advanced photographers alike. The Canon Digital Learning Center provides a schedule for a wide variety of Live Learning classes across the country with renowned photographers as well as online resources and tips. The site also features online tutorials for beginners and professionals to learn their way around a digital SLR camera and inkjet printer and unlock the full creative control of digital photography. To learn more about each program and register, please visit: www.usa.canon.com/canonlivelearning

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked third overall in the U.S. in 2008†, with global revenues of US $45 billion, is listed as number four in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine's World’s Most Admired Companies 2009 list, and is on the 2009 BusinessWeek list of "100 Best Global Brands." Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of Kyosei – "all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future" – Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at www.usa.canon.com/kyosei. 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/rss.

†Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

# # #
* This device has not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained.

Specifications and availability are subject to change without notice.
All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

[i] When processed in Canon Digital Photo Professional software.
[ii] Pricing subject to change at any time. Actual prices are determined by individual dealers and may vary.
If you would rather not receive future communications from Canon USA Inc, let us know by clicking here.Canon USA Inc, One Canon Plaza, Lake Success, NY 11042-1198 United States

Recent Model Photo Session Pics

2009-10-21T05:07:00.000-07:00

Here are a few recent photos from photo sessions for the portfolios of these aspiring models. If you're an aspiring model, please visit the model section of my web site at http://www.muskopf.org/Dayton_Ohio_Models.htm There you'll find examples of my work, interviews with models, and a page of tips for new models.

More senior portraits

2009-10-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

These students go to Beavercreek, Fairborn, and Kettering Fairmont.

A few more from Leah's session

2009-09-30T13:11:00.000-07:00

Scholarship Winners at CJ

2009-09-25T13:52:00.000-07:00

Today I spent the morning with two fine scholarship winners, Maggie and Dan, at Chaminade-Julienne High School. The photos taken today will be appearing in the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur annual report.

More senior portraits

2009-09-22T12:22:00.001-07:00

Here are a few from Lindsay and Leah's recent sessions.

Finn Family Outdoor Photo Session

2009-09-22T05:07:00.000-07:00

A couple more from the Finn Family!

Expressions

2009-09-21T20:29:00.001-07:00

Just a short series of fun expressions that I had Jessica make during her model session. Cute, cute, cute!

More from Linday's Senior Portrait Session

2009-09-18T09:50:00.001-07:00

A few more photos from Lindsay's recent senior portrait session. I loved Lindsay's enthusiasm during the session. She didn't flinch when I started getting out all my crazy sticks, fog, etc.! She and her friends were super cute! Lindsay is a senior at Fairborn High School.

The Finn Kids

2009-09-18T08:39:00.001-07:00

These are from the Finn's recent outdoor family portrait session.

Lindsay's Senior Portrait Session

2009-09-17T12:09:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics from Lindsay's senior portrait session. Lindsay is a senior at Fairborn High School. Lindsay was a blast to work with! She even had a few friends join her towards the end of the session so we could get some fun pics of the group.

Finn Family Outdoor Photo Session

2009-09-17T11:22:00.000-07:00

Here are the first few images from the recent outdoor family portrait session I did with the Finn family. I couldn't get over how they all had such pretty blue eyes!

A few model portfolio shots

2009-09-17T08:33:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos from a model portfolio photo session I did recently. Jessica is a wonderful gal and an experienced promotional model.

Engle Family Photos

2009-09-14T17:26:00.001-07:00

Here are a few of the photos taken for the Engle family recently. They were a lot of fun to work with, 7 kids and 2 dogs!

Madison F, Outdoor Senior Portraits

2009-09-03T05:55:00.000-07:00

I had a lot of fun during Maddie's senior portrait session! The outdoor shots had that easy-breezy feel that I love to create. Madison is a senior at Beavercreek High School.

I wanted to begin putting up some of my photos on the blog, since I'm only showing 4 images per person on my web site. I create creative and unique senior portraits in both indoor and outdoor settings, so 4 images wasn't really a lot of examples. So, the photos I post here are to augment those that I place on the web site and give people a better idea of what a senior portrait session is like with me. You can see more of my high school senior portraits on my site at http://www.muskopf.org/portraits.htm My studio is located in Beavercreek, Ohio and I photograph seniors from all over the Dayton area.

Becoming a model in Ohio

2009-09-03T05:40:00.000-07:00

So, you live in Ohio. You watch America's Next Top Model. You're cute. You're sexy. You know you could pull it off.

You've got concerns. Maybe you're not 18 years old. Maybe you're 35. Maybe you just want to do it for fun. What to do?

In Ohio, the majority of people who model are either commercial or promotional models. Commercial models can be any age, any look, and a wide range of what I'll call attractiveness. You need to be attractive, but you don't need to be a bombshell. In fact, the girl-next-door look may actually help here. Commercial models are hired by advertising agencies to do the tv and print ads for the local grocery store, car dealer, or whatever. Commercial models are primarily actors, even if it's in front of a still camera instead of a video camera.

Promotional models get hired to be pretty. They get hired to wear company t-shirts and go to conventions, special events, car shows, openings, bars, etc. and pass out brochures, products, etc. Basically, they get people's attention and bring people to the booth. Age range for promotional models is probably 18-30 and it's good to have a nice face and a nice body. There's more promotional work in Ohio than anything else.

There are other types of modeling going on in Ohio, but the fashion and such doesn't happen here as much as NY, Miami, LA, etc.

If you'd like to get started, I shoot photos for model portfolios, and I give models a special deal.

Let me know if you're interested.

In the meantime, check out my models pages at http://www.muskopf.org/Dayton_Ohio_Models.htm There, you'll find tips on modeling as well as samples from a few model portfolio shoots.

Are you on Facebook? Add me as a friend. I'm at http://www.facebook.com/todd.muskopf I have a Muskopf Photography business page there as well at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beavercreek-OH/Muskopf-Photography/107239047058?ref=nf

Canon 7D is announced

2009-09-01T04:07:00.000-07:00

This looks like a very interesting camera! For me, the inclusion of a 19 point metering system is a HUGE deal! The few extra megapixels is nice, but not necessary. Dual processors will be very cool. Slow CF cards need not apply!

Here's the press release:

Lake Success, N.Y., September 1, 2009 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today introduced a revolutionary camera that redefines the highly competitive mid-range DSLR product category: the Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR camera. Professional photographers and advanced amateurs have been demanding higher performance and more diverse functions in their cameras, and Canon has answered – with the new EOS 7D. Far more than a slight improvement from a previous model, the EOS 7D DSLR is a brand new product that stands on its own with new features never before seen in any Canon camera. Whether it's shooting at eight frames per second (fps), focusing with the new Zone AF mode or recording 24p Full HD video, the EOS 7D DSLR camera satisfies the most rigorous professional requirements with durability, flexibility, high-resolution images and customizable controls. With its unprecedented out-of-the-box performance and high-end feature set, the EOS 7D is poised as the ultimate step-up camera for serious photographers or a second camera for professionals in the field.

The EOS 7D boasts significant EOS advancements including a completely new 19-point Autofocus system, a new Canon iFCL Metering System (Intelligent Focus, Color, Luminance) and a new Intelligent Viewfinder. An 18-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Imaging Processors fuel the EOS 7D's 14-bit A/D data conversion and its ability to freeze fast motion in high-resolution with eight fps continuous shooting up to 126 Large JPEGS using a UDMA CF card, positioning this camera for the studio as well as the sideline. The EOS 7D captures beautiful low-light images with or without a flash, at occasions such as a dance recital or wedding reception, thanks to a wide range of ISO speed settings from 100-6400 (expandable to 12,800). In addition to its new still capture capabilities, the EOS 7D features Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution with selectable frame rates of 24p, 25p or 30p. Native 24p recording helps videographers achieve a more cinema-style look for their footage without the need for post-processing.

"The EOS 7D represents a completely new chapter in digital photography and Canon product development. This camera stands alone as the most functional and innovative DSLR Canon has released to-date, bringing together all of the best professional features offered, along with numerous user requests at a price-point everyone can appreciate," stated Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.

The Evolution of Vision, the EOS 7D's New Autofocus System
The Canon EOS 7D boasts the most advanced AF system ever seen in an EOS SLR. The completely re-designed system includes a new multi-axis cross-type 19-point AF grid, where the focusing points are evenly spread out across the image plane and clearly displayed through Canon's new Intelligent Viewfinder. All 19 points are f/5.6-sensitive for both horizontal and vertical cross-type focusing, while the center AF point adds high-precision diagonal cross-type sensitivity for f/2.8 and larger aperture lenses. The Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR camera is the first EOS SLR to feature 19 cross-type focusing points that remain fully functional with maximum apertures as small as f/5.6, which brings the performance of the AF system to unprecedented levels for assignments as varied as fast-moving sports action or low-light wedding ceremonies.

The Canon EOS 7D's AF system allows numerous AF area selection modes never seen before in an EOS SLR camera. New modes include:

Spot AF mode reduces the size of a single AF point to focus on small subjects like an animal in a cage.

AF Point Expansion mode uses a cluster of AF points adjacent to the selected AF point to automatically assist focusing on moving subjects, such as an athlete on the run.

Zone AF divides the 19 AF points into five selectable focusing zones and makes it easier to achieve focus with subjects that are difficult to track with Single Point AF or AF point expansion, such as birds in flight.

Additional AF improvements include a revised Automatic AF point selection sequence that allows a user to pick any one of the 19 AF points as a starting point for tracking moving subjects in AI Servo mode. (Previous EOS models required the subject to first be acquired by the center focusing point.) If the subject moves away, the camera will continue to track the movement with the remaining points and display the active focusing point in the viewfinder. Also, a time-saving feature is AF Point Switching, which allows photographers to select and register one AF point for horizontal compositions and a second AF point for vertical shooting, ideal for studio and portrait photographers.

To complement the new AF system, the exposure metering system for the EOS 7D has been completely re-designed to take color information into account, another first for an EOS system. Canon's iFCL metering includes a 63-zone dual-layer metering sensor that reads both illumination and color for consistent results in all lighting conditions, keeping exposure levels stable from shot to shot, even as the light source changes.

Canon's new Intelligent Viewfinder uses a liquid crystal overlay to provide clear and precise displays of focusing points and zones, on-demand grid lines and a spot metering circle. The LCD overlay can also be illuminated in extreme low-light situations or turned off completely. The EOS 7D camera's viewfinder includes a large all-glass pentaprism with an antireflective coating to maximize clarity and provide a brighter display. The EOS 7D's Intelligent Viewfinder features 1.0x magnification with 100 percent coverage for accurate composition and checking of detail.

EOS HD Movie: Empowering the World of Videography
Canon has blazed new trails in HD video capture with the 5D Mark II. Now, the EOS 7D takes DSLR video to new heights with Full HD capture featuring fully manual exposure control, and selectable cinematic frame rates for both NTSC (National Television System Committee) and PAL (Phase Altering Line) standards. Compatible with more than 60 Canon EF and EF-S lenses, the EOS 7D lets videographers take full advantage of the camera's large CMOS sensor to achieve the dramatic frame composition they desire. At the heart of the EOS 7D are two key proprietary Canon technologies, Dual DIGIC 4 Imaging Processors and a large APS-C-sized CMOS sensor, helping to render stunning color reproduction, amazing depth of field and fine detail, even in low-light conditions. The Canon EOS 7D allows for three video recording modes – Full HD and HD in a 16:9 aspect ratio and Standard Definition (SD) in a 4:3 aspect ratio, all at selectable frame rates. The EOS 7D Digital SLR camera will record Full HD at 1920 x 1080 pixels in selectable frame rates of 24p (23.976), 25p, or 30p (29.97); 720p HD recording at 50p or 60p (59.94) and SD video at frame rates of 50p or 60p (59.94). The EOS 7D features a new dedicated button to initiate live view for both video and still shooting. Once engaged, the same dedicated button will start and stop video recording. Like the EOS 5D Mark II, the Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR camera provides users with the capability to use an external stereo microphone for professional audio effects or a built-in monaural microphone for convenience.

The Features You Asked For
A helpful new tool for architectural and landscape photography where angles and perspective are critical is Canon's new built-in Dual Axis Electronic Level, featuring an artificial horizon over the image on the rear LCD screen in Live View or in the viewfinder using illuminated AF points for easy leveling while shooting. The dual axis electronic level shows both horizontal roll and vertical pitch, making it easy to identify when the camera is in a fixed level shooting position and ready to take the shot.

The EOS 7D's pop-up flash features a built-in Integrated Speedlite Transmitter for control of multiple off-camera EOS Speedlites without the need for an external transmitter. This built-in wireless option is a compact and economical solution for studio and wedding photography with multiple flash set-ups.

A new Intelligent Macro Tracking function helps reduce blur during macro shooting by recognizing when a macro lens is attached and automatically adjusting the AI Servo sampling frequency. This AI Servo adjustment accounts for camera movement forward and back, a typical occurrence when moving in close for a macro shot as photographers rock back and forth, or a flower blows in the wind.

Once in your hands, you can immediately feel the ergonomic improvements of the Canon EOS 7D camera, starting with a new super-fluid body design with continuous curves outlining the top of the camera and a revised grip that fits better in a user's hand. The camera has a new Quick Control Button, which opens an easy-to-navigate menu on the camera's LCD screen. From this menu, users can adjust all camera settings including AF modes as well as set custom button functions, an insightful new feature that can easily customize each button's function to the photographer's preference. Another new feature is the RAW/JPEG toggle button providing quick dual-format shooting, allowing photographers to quickly add large JPEG or RAW file formats to their already selected shooting mode at the touch of a button.

The Canon EOS 7D camera also features a new large, clear 3.0-inch solid structure Clear View II LCD screen with 920,000 dot/VGA resolution for enhanced clarity and color when viewing images. The camera's nine internal seals enhance weather resistance, and its 150,000-cycle shutter durability positions the EOS 7D as a "workhorse" for professionals in any photography discipline.

New Wireless Connectivity
Canon is announcing the availability of the new WFT-E5A wireless file transmitter (WFT) exclusively for the EOS 7D Digital SLR camera. The WFT-E5A wireless transmitter offers professional photographers a wide range of digital connectivity options including IEEE802.11a/b/g and Ethernet, ideal for commercial and studio work. The WFT-E5A wireless file transmitter opens the door to new possibilities in remote and Geotagged shooting applications. Photographers can fire up to 10 cameras simultaneously from across the room or across the country while maintaining control over camera settings and remote live view on a laptop or smart phone.ⁱ The WFT-E5A wireless transmitter can also transfer and display images on DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) compatible televisions and photo frames. Geotagging is now possible via Bluetooth, using compatible GPS devices to append coordinate data to the images.

Pricing and Availability
The Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR camera is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers at the end of September, and will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $1,699.00ⁱⁱ. It will also be offered in a kit version with Canon's EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $1,899.00ⁱⁱⁱ. The Canon WFT-E5A wireless file transmitter is scheduled to be available in early November and sell at an estimated retail price of $699.99^iv.

Canon Digital Learning Center
Online visitors and Web surfers are encouraged to browse the Canon Digital Learning Center and take advantage of the various educational resources that Canon has to offer for novices and advanced photographers alike. The Canon Digital Learning Center provides a schedule for a wide variety of Live Learning classes across the country with renowned photographers as well as online resources and tips. The site also features online tutorials for beginners and professionals to learn their way around a digital SLR camera and inkjet printer and unlock the full creative control of digital photography. To learn more about each program and register, please visit: www.usa.canon.com/canonlivelearning

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked third overall in the U.S. in 2008†, with global revenues of US $45 billion, is listed as number four in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies 2009 list, and is on the 2008 BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of Kyosei – "all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future" – Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at www.usa.canon.com/kyosei. 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/rss.

The EOS 7D sensor includes gapless microlenses that have been moved closer to the photodiodes. These technological advances, which were developed and manufactured by Canon, improve the signal to noise ratio creating very clean high ISO images.

19-point cross-type AF system including Spot AF
The AF system has been completely redesigned using the same architecture as the EOS-1 series and includes a separate processor to handle AF calculations. This, along with AI SERVO II AF, enables the EOS 7D to offer accurate, reliable and continuous shooting at 8fps. Uniquely at this level, all 19 points in the EOS 7D AF sensor are cross-type points with f/5.6 or faster lenses, which allows sophisticated tracking, accuracy and performance throughout the frame.

EOS 7D also includes Spot AF, a new mode that uses a smaller area of the sensor to determine focus. This is useful for small subjects where there is background detail that can distract the AF sensor. It also includes Zone AF which limits automatic selection to one of five zones. This allows photographers to ensure their subject is automatically selected.

iFCL metering system with 63-zone Dual-layer Sensor
The iFCL system uses Focus, Colour and Luminance information to determine consistently exposed shots. All focus points provide distance information to the metering system to determine proximity to the subject and allow the algorithm to weight the exposure accordingly. EOS 7D has a completely new metering sensor with 63 zones compatible with 19 AF points. Typically, metering sensors are more sensitive to red subjects which can lead to overexposure. EOS 7D combats this with the dual layer sensor, which has one layer sensitive to red and green light and one that is sensitive to blue and green light. The metering algorithm then compares the level of the two layers and adjusts the meter reading accordingly.

100% Viewfinder with 1.0x magnification and built in LCD overlay
The EOS 7D features a high quality viewfinder with 100% coverage and 1.0x magnification - a first for EOS - making it simple and ease to use. The viewfinder uses a prism, coating technologies and eyepiece lenses inspired by the EOS-1 series.

EOS 7D viewfinder does not have interchangeable focussing screens. In their place is a Transmissive LCD Screen - another first for EOS. Through technological advances Canon has been able to implement the screen whilst maintaining viewfinder image quality. This new feature, which can be illuminated in lowlight, enables grid, spot metering and AF points to be superimposed upon demand.

EOS Movie
The EOS 7D features an improved movie function allowing users to record Full HD movies with full manual control and selectable frame rates. The operation of the movie function has been improved to make it easier to use via direct access to settings with dedicated buttons. AF can now be started by either half pressing the shutter button or using the AF-ON button as before.

The exposure of the movie can be controlled in Manual mode allowing full control of shutter speeds and apertures. It is possible to select frame rates from: 30 (29.97), 25, and 24 (23.976), with 60 (59.94) and 50 available at 720p. ISO can be set automatically or manually in the range (100-6400) and is expandable to 12800. EOS 7D also allows users to trim and cut their movies.

Dual “DIGIC 4”
EOS 7D is fitted with Dual “DIGIC 4” processors; the power of the processors enables more advanced processing algorithms allowing the camera to achieve a high performance 8fps at 18 megapixels.

DIGIC 4 removes the highly noticeable colour noise as well as reducing luminance noise without loss in detail, allowing for very clean high ISO images. Even at ISO 6400 noise levels are similar to those of ISO 1600 from DIGIC III. Auto Lighting Optimiser is now also available during manual exposure, without any drop in performance.

DIGIC 4 also allows UDMA cards (mode 6) to be used at their full speed, which allows the EOS 7D to take advantage of the fastest cards available.

Clear View II
EOS 7D’s 3 inch LCD monitor has 920,000 dots (VGA resolution) with a viewing angle of 160°. Clear View II has been designed to combat glare by removing the air-gap between the LCD’s protective cover and the liquid crystal. The air-gap is filled with an elastic optical material. This has the affect of suppressing the reflections from the surface of the liquid crystal, caused by the sharp change in refractive index, as light travels through the air-gap. In order to protect the liquid crystal from scratches the Clear View II LCD features a hardened glass cover material. As with the EOS 5D Mark II, an ambient light sensor on the side of the screen can set brightness automatically depending on the environment.

High School Senior Portraits

2009-08-31T19:42:00.000-07:00

I wanted to begin putting up some of my photos on the blog, since I'm only showing 4 images per person on my web site. I try to create creative and unique senior portraits in both indoor and outdoor settings, so 4 images wasn't really a lot of examples. So, the photos I post here are to augment those that I place on the web site and give people a better idea of what a senior portrait session is like with me. You can see more of my high school senior portraits on my site at http://www.muskopf.org/portraits.htm My studio is located in Beavercreek, Ohio and I photograph seniors from all over the Dayton area.

I'll start with Madison F., a senior at Beavercreek High School. I had a blast with her session. She had a great smile and sweet disposition. Her mom was great also and was always ready to jump in and powder the nose, fix the hair, etc. It was great having a makeup artist on set!
Part 1: Indoor shots
Maddie's hair would just light up when I used the flash. It just glowed!

I love using the baby grand piano as a background.

This one was a lot of fun to put together.

Warm and summery. Her smile just lights up the room.

Learning photography

2009-08-27T04:28:00.000-07:00

I was just writing to a high school student about this sort of thing. Essentially, I was telling her to study drawing, painting, and art history as much as possible instead of only focusing on photography. The DWG, PTG, and AH will help to develop composition, sense of light, color, etc. and get them to think purposefully about it because they have to actually create it from scratch.

I see a lot of people migrating to photography because "it's fun" (and easy?). Mastering ISO, shutter speed, and aperture isn't the real challenge. It's being able to see the final image before you click the button.

What camera do you use?

2009-08-18T06:29:00.000-07:00

I got this question again the other day. A person wrote me and asked "what camera do you use?" Here's my stock answer:

I use black bodies with either black or white lenses.

In short, I don't like talking about gear. While I think having good camera gear is important, I think the model and brand is usually irrelevant as long as it produces the look you want at a high enough quality to fulfill the customers' expectations.

As soon as you throw out a short answer like "I use a Canon 1D Mk3" or "I use a Canon Xti", the gearheads out there immediately start lining up megapixel count, frame rate, cost, etc., and try to judge the value of your photography (or at least your status as a photographer) by the camera you use. Folks, Chase Jarvis is about to put on a gallery show of photos he took on his iPhone. It's not about the camera.

A saying I like that deals with this issue: If a person comes up to you and says "wow, great photo, I bet you have an awesome camera", you can look at the pen in their pocket and say "wow, great pen, I bet you're an awesome writer".

Where do I buy my gear?

2009-08-14T04:54:00.000-07:00

I had a guy call yesterday while I was in the middle of a session--yes, stupid me, I forgot to turn off the phone while shooting. He doesn't identify himself at all, but tells me that he's setting up a studio and wants to know where I buy all my stuff so he doesn't get charged to much. My answer is that I buy all the photo gear that I buy from B&H Photo in New York.

I thought I'd post this here, because if one person calls, others will also. Perhaps this will help.

How to price your photography

2009-08-12T04:12:00.000-07:00

I recently had a young woman ask me the tough question, how do I price my photography?

Here's my reply. Let me know if I missed anything:

No problem. The first thing you should do is look around at what others in the area are doing and decide where you fit in. A big problem lots of people cause for themselves when they're starting out is that they are so cheap that they're essentially working for free. What you should do is go ahead and do a practice session for someone, then do all the downloading, processing from RAW, selecting, the processing and retouching, print the proofs, package the proofs, prepare the print order for printing, and send out the print order. Make sure you keep track of all the time spent on all of those steps and all the costs of proof books, administrative costs, shipping, etc. Then decide how much you've spent on your equipment, rent, gas, maintenance, lighting equipment, , insurance, association fees, backgrounds, computers, software, printers, ink, training, etc. Then decide how much you'll spend on a web site, how much time you'll spend on marketing, accounting, advertising, credit card fees, etc. Decide how much time it takes to produce price lists, brochures, the web site, etc. You'll also have to go to the county Auditor's office and get a Vendor's License, because you'll have to collect sales tax on the sessions and print sales and file those twice a year. When you've got all those hours and dollars estimated per session and per year, then decide how much you'll have to make per year to break even. Then, take into consideration that, because you're self employed, close to 40% of your net income will go to the government in taxes. So, take that break even figure, factor in the taxes, and add in how much profit you want to make each year and divide that by how many sessions you want to do. Then you'll know how to price your sessions.

I'm not joking. You really do have to think about all this stuff. I'm consumed with it every day.

Idiocracy

2009-08-10T05:10:00.000-07:00

I saw this movie last night and I'm bothered by it. The premise of Idiocracy is that smart people are overly responsible and have few to none children (partly because they put kids off too long due to career pressures) while stupid people have tons of children, thus in 500 years, the dumbing down of society has manifested itself in reality.

I remember being taught the evils of overpopulation. I've looked at the financial aspects of having kids. I've seen people around me who wait until they're 40 to begin trying, only to find they can't have kids now. I've got to say, there is more than a bit of truth in this movie. This movie should be required viewing for all college students.

New Featured Model Interview

2009-07-13T18:04:00.000-07:00

If your a model, or have a dream of modeling, you might want to read my newest Featured Model Interview on my photography site, http://www.muskopf.org/featured_model.htm

I'm primarily a senior portrait photographer in Dayton, Ohio, but I do shoot models as well, so if you aspire to that dream, drop me a line.

I HATE my HP 4400 printer!

2009-07-03T07:12:00.000-07:00

I get all-in-one printer/copier/scan/fax machines for my home office. I've had bad luck with one Epson and two Canon machines each lasting about 14 months, so I tried an HP 4400 this time. MISTAKE! This stupid thing goes unresponsive on a regular basis when you try to copy. It will stop printing half way through a photo (at random). There will be digitized black blocks appearing randomly.

Not good!

Don't worry, though. I send all my photos for clients to a pro lab for printing! I'll be shopping for a new printer when I run out of ink (costs as much as the printer!).

Family Photos

2009-07-02T09:15:00.000-07:00

I'm currently working on family photos taken a few weeks ago. It's always fun and a challenge to get together a huge group!

Mrs. Ohio America Photo Session

2009-06-15T04:25:00.000-07:00

I had the good fortune last weekend to be able to photography Stephanie Gooden, Mrs. Ohio America. She was a lot of fun to work with!

Rocked a Showcase Image at One Model Place

2009-06-11T03:53:00.000-07:00

I got a nice surprise today. One of my images from last week's shoot with the oh-so-cute Stacy was picked as a Showcase Image on One Model Place. How fun!

The Chaos of Stock Photography

2009-06-09T08:36:00.000-07:00

I've been a participant in the stock photo industry for years and it's hard to get a grasp of who the stars are. Participating in any activity and not knowing where the pinnacle is or what it looks like is problematic. We're all tossing darts, not knowing where the dartboard is. I suppose the true problem is that there isn't a single dartboard, and each one blinks on and off as a photo need arises. The trick would be how to anticipate the need and have the photo already on sale. Be ready for anything.

The nature of stock = chaos.

How to learn photography

2009-06-06T03:39:00.000-07:00

Last night at dinner, a friend asked me "So, how did you learn photography?"

I told him a long answer about the one photography class I had in college, about how I used an SLR to photograph my paintings. I told him how I started using digital cameras around '96 and got my first digital camera, a 0.5 MP Kodak DC50, in '97 and started feeling that digital was a lot more like painting than film was--it clicked with my brain. I started my first web site. In 2000, I bought a Nikon CP800. By 2003, I bought a Nikon CP5700. I was an internet forum junkie. In 2004, I started entering contests and won over 93 "Picture of the Day" or "Picture of the Month" awards in 18 months. I bought my first digital SLR camera. I showed my photography alongside my paintings in exhibitions. I sold my photography through galleries. I started selling them as stock images. I started shooting photos for a few local and regional newspapers and magazines. In 2005, I joined the National Press Photographer's Association. In 2007, I started shooting models, which led me to photographing paying clients. I joined the American Society of Media Photographers. I've shot corporate work, Archbishops, Presidential candidates. I've had my photos licensed in over 20 different countries. I'm happy to say that I've left my teaching position now to focus on my photography exclusively, and to develop it further.

That was a long answer, and I know it wasn't what he really wanted. The real answer goes something like this: You learn through asking the right questions--and making friends with people who are willing to answer those questions.

Protect your cameras this summer

2009-06-05T04:11:00.001-07:00

If you are taking your dslr to the beach, you should plan to protect it from sea water and sea spray.

I went to Wal Mart and bought a roll of vanilla scented (bonus!) small garbage bags, like for bathrooms or the like.

Make a hole in one corner of the bottom of the bag. about 2" (4-5 cm) around.

Push your lens (lens cap on, hood off), through this opening.

Use gaffer tape to seal the bag to either your lens hood and/or the end of the lens.

I use Op/Tech straps that have quick release clips. I take the neck piece off and push the camera ends of the strap through the top of the bag, thus extending the bag falloff area to behind the top of the camera, so gravity keeps it in place. Tape around these holes to seal them and your done.

With this, you have the body and lens encased in plastic, except for the back, but you need access to the controls and LCD, so you don't want that covered anyway. The bag is long enough to hang over your hands, so the back of the camera isn't going to get too wet.

I've used this setup in rain, at the beach, on boats, etc. What you want to watch out for more than anything is salt water. Salt water kills cameras.

Time for a new external HD

2009-05-31T06:22:00.000-07:00

Ah, my current RAW hard drive is just about full, so I'll go out today and get a new one. I thought I'd take a minute to talk about these little monsters while I was thinking about them.

I'd like to begin by thanking the manufacturers for selling them cheaper. About a year ago, I was paying 25 cents/GB for them on sale. Today, the one I'm looking at will be 12 cents/GB. Thanks!

I currently have 14 external hard drives. My workflow goes like this:

Shoot photos.
Download to HD RAW 1
Backup images to HD RAW 2
Process images from RAW and transfer them to HD PROC 1
Every night HD PROC 1 gets automatically backed up to HD PROC 2

So, I have four hard drives for current work. I used to backup everything on DVD, but with the file sizes of the images getting bigger, I now only backup processed jpegs to DVD. I can easily shoot between 10 and 20 GB of RAW photos in a single session, and backing these up with DVDs is a pain.

I've only had one external HD fail. For those of you who care, it was a Western Digital. It had lots of important stuff that I think was backed up, but I used to put the CDs on a spindle for storage, and it's such a pain to go back through the spindles, that I just let all that go (for now). Backing up to HD is much better because your work is organized and easy to access.