Like many people, I watched the debut of Apple’s iPad yesterday with great interest. I was particularly curious because I just recently purchased a 13″ MacBook Pro to increase my mobility as a blogger and photographer, and I was concerned that the iPad would render my recent investment obsolete. After looking over its features very carefully, I’ve come away both disappointed and relieved. On the one hand, I was hoping (naively, I suppose), that the iPad would be able to run what I consider must-have applications like Photoshop and Lightroom, and it clearly is nowhere near capable of running any professional desktop applications (nor was it intended to). So in that sense I was disappointed. On the other hand, the fact that the iPad isn’t going to cannabalize the MacBook line-up is a relief because I depend on them for my livelihood (I’m also relieved I didn’t end up regretting the purchase of an expensive new computer… LOL).

I’ve seen posts by a number of bloggers who seem very excited about the iPad as a mobile blogging tool. For text-based bloggers I can certainly understand the appeal. But I have to wonder how effective it would be for someone like myself whose photos are such an important part of what I do. I’d love to hear from bloggers who are considering the iPad about how they plan to set-up their workflow, and how they plan to manage photo processing in the mix.

As an aside, my son, who is also a graphic artist, brought up an interesting point that I hadn’t considered at all. He said that even if the iPad could run the applications he needs, he wouldn’t want a touch screen for design work because the fingerprints and smudges would be too visually distracting for the type of detailed work he does.

I don’t own this camera, but based upon the specs it has to be just about the ultimate on-the-bike shirt-pocket camera for serious shooters. Check out the specs:

• 28mm-105mm (eqiuv.) f/2.0-4.9 lens
• 3″ 3:4 TFT LCD monitor
• 15-1/1600 sec. shutter
• 10.0 Megapixel, 1/1.7-inch sensor
• Optical image stabilization
• Auto, P, Av, Tv plus full manual shooting modes
• Lens control ring
• Raw capability
• 3.94 x 2.30 x 1.22 inches (100.0 x 58.4 x 30.9mm)
• 6.942 oz. (196.8g) with battery and card

Canon USA →
DP Review →
Ken Rockwell →

We burned a year’s worth of carbon for two people today. Yup, we got on a big-ol’-jet-airliner and flew coast-to-coast. This was a big deal for us because we’re pretty much homebodies most of the time, staying close to family and work, staying out of the car and off of airplanes, takin’ it easy on Mother Earth, etc. …LOL. We’re super-excited to be on this trip though; we’re doing a photo shoot for one of our favorite bike companies for their 2010 catalog. This will be Alan’s first official gig as a “professional” photographer (we’ll use that term loosely). We don’t have any idea where this adventure will lead (not this little adventure, the larger adventure of capturing images for compensation), but we’re having fun and stepping through a door that’s been opened for us. Stay tuned — we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled program in a few days.

I’m so late to the party on this one it’s kinda’ silly, but I finally joined Facebook. You’re hereby officially invited to add me as a friend. I also set-up an EcoVelo group – it’s an inauspicious start, but please feel free to join the group and we’ll see where it goes.

Alan on Facebook →
EcoVelo Group on Facebook →

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post asking for input on bike cameras. Here’s an excerpt:

To my surprise, my request elicited more responses than any other single post on this blog. I found out photographers are an opinionated bunch! I want to thank everyone for their input and let you know what I ended up doing.

Since I started out with only a minimal knowledge of the current options on the market, it took a concerted effort to get myself up to speed and sort through the myriad of possibilities (boy, there are a lot of cameras on the market these days). I had to take into consideration my limited budget, how I plan on using the camera right now, how I plan on using it a year from now, and what kind of trade-offs I’d be willing to make in regards to image quality versus portability.

In the end, I made a compromise that leans toward image quality by going with a smallish DSLR, the Canon XSi. I’m hoping that I’ll be satisfied with a slightly larger and heavier camera than what I’m currently carrying. I went ahead and purchased the kit since the Canon 18-55mm IS kit lens is practically free once you apply the discounts and rebates. I also added a Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 because I wanted a relatively fast, “normal” focal length prime lens. When the budget allows, I’ll probably add a short telephoto of some sort, perhaps the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8.

Yes, I do plan on taking the camera on the bike, though I plan on keeping my S3 IS for those days when I’m in the mood for shooting Panda Portraits. At some point I’ll report back here and let you know how it all works out.

Just about everything I know about photography I learned by osmosis by sitting near a couple of pros in the graphics department where I work. I know just enough to understand that my photos are technically lacking in many ways. All I have going for me is that I know what I like when I see it, and I’m stubborn enough to figure out how to get the most from the limited tools that I employ.

Speaking of tools, I’m frequently asked what kind of camera I use. It’s a cheapie Canon 3S IS (now discontinued and replaced by the SX10 IS). It’s what is classified as a “super zoom” camera. Super zooms are essentially point-and-shoot cameras with long zoom lenses and some added manual controls. They’re versatile cameras, but they have poor image quality in comparison to even the least expensive digital SLR. I think they make pretty good on-bike cameras because they’re relatively small and light, they have a long zoom range, and they’re cheap enough that you won’t kill yourself if you drop one when you’re attempting a Panda Portrait (Can you imagine dropping a $10,000 camera while goofing around on your bike?).

Russ Roca, the Eco-Friendly Bicycling Photographer, is a professional photographer living and working car-free in Southern California. It’s patently obvious by looking at his blogs that he’s a real pro who employs real pro equipment. Visit his Epicurean Cyclist and Eco-Friendly Bicycling Photographer blogs to have a look.

Russ recently added an on-bike camera to supplement his professional equipment. This is quoted from a blog post from a couple of months ago:

Russ eventually ended up with a Canon G10 – you can read all about it here. It looks like a super camera and, along with the Panasonic Lumix LX3, would be on my short list if I was to purchase a camera today.

So I’m struggling with this idea that I need to upgrade my camera. I’m never going to be a pro, and I don’t even see photography as a hobby per se; it’s more something that I enjoy that ties in with this blog and my graphic design business. I’m concerned that I may invest mucho bucks in a DSLR system, then end up using my cheapie on-bike camera most of the time anyway. Maybe I should just make do with what I have — there is, afterall, something to be said for wringing every last bit out of a tool.

So, I’d be curious to hear what others are using for their on-bike camera. Do you risk taking your expensive DSLR on the bike, knowing there’s the possibility of strewing that expensive glass all over the road, or do you willingly make the sacrifice in image quality and carry a less expensive point-and-shoot camera for the peace of mind? And if you don’t have a DSLR, are you happy with your current point-and-shoot camera, or would you like to have better image quality and more features?