20/08/06

Mark Laita Created Equal Photo Serie at Fahey/Klein Gallery

 

The Fahey/Klein Gallery, in Los Angeles, presents the photographs of MARK LAITA, in his first one-man show in Los Angeles. His exhibition, Created Equal, offers a riveting photographic essay that documents the people who make up America’s diverse culture. Presented in a diptych format, and available in three sizes including life-sized photographs, the images exert striking comparisons as they explore issues of social, economic, and gender difference and similarity within the United States.

Mark Laita states: “At the heart of this collection of portraits is my desire to remind us that we are all equal, until our environment, circumstances or fate molds us and weathers us into whom we become. America’s extremes seem to be getting more severe. The chasm between the rich and poor continues to grow; the clash between conservatives and liberals is stronger than ever; even good and evil seem more polarized. Created Equal attempts to remind us that we are all connected, no matter how separate our paths may be.”

Completed over the course of seven years, with each of the lower 48 states represented, Mark Laita intentionally photographed his subjects against a muted backdrop avoiding unwanted influence of background elements. By extracting them from their typical surroundings, Laita asserts the idea that we are all equal and interchangeable. Created Equal is a powerful presentation that is not only visually appealing but also sheds light on notions of identity, class and lifestyle. In describing the project's focus, Mark Laita explains “By documenting the archetypes from our country’s many diverse cultures, my intention is that this collection becomes some sort of archive of the tragic and wonderful realities of American society.”

In 1999, Mark Laita began his journey documenting the varied and iconic American archetypes. In the spirit of Edward Curtis, August Sander and Richard Avedon, Laita’s survey of “human types” is an extension and a new interpretation of their past photographic methodology. Laita's subjects were usually found by simply showing up in a city or town and looking for someone interesting to photograph. Ultimately, it was through conversations with auto mechanics, barbers, or police officers that led to some serendipitous meeting where a bootlegger, farmer, or pimp was unearthed.

In describing his casting process, Mark Laita explains, “I am particularly interested in individuals who wear their occupation, lifestyle or region’s burden on their faces and bodies.” By photographing recognizable characters in society, it is highly surprising to find that the relationships between these seemingly opposite figures are oftentimes closely related. Each portrait's lighting, background, cropping and camera angle is intentionally consistent, creating work that reveals unlikely connections and contradictions through coupling.

Mark Laita grew up in the Midwest cities of Detroit and Chicago, where he discovered photography at the age of fifteen. As a teenager he devoted all his time to photography, eventually working on a series of portraits of Chicago’s homeless people. Thirty years later that series has matured and expanded into Laita’s Created Equal. After earning a degree in photography from Columbia College and the University of Illinois/Chicago Mark Laila built a successful commercial photography business with studios in Los Angeles and New York City.

Mark Laita’s Created Equal exhibition catalog is available through the Fahey/Klein Gallery.

 

MARK LAITA
Created Equal

September 7 through October 14, 2006

FAHEY/KLEIN GALLERY
148 N. La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036

 

On December 10, 2009 – January 23, 2010, Fahey/Klein Gallery presents a new exhibition of Mark Laita: Created Equal: New Work.

16/08/06

Sony Prix EISA 2006-2007

L’EISA récompense Sony de cinq prix pour sa conception du numérique

Les concepts grand public de produits et logiciels Sony sont mis à l’honneur par un record de cinq prix EISA. L'Association européenne de l’image et du son (EISA) a décerné à Sony Europe des prix EISA pour cinq catégories de produits. Les récompenses couvrent une grande variété de concepts de l’ère numérique, de la création de produits de consommation aux systèmes de diffusion via Internet, en passant par le reflex numérique A100.

Les habitudes de consommation multimédia évoluent rapidement. Aujourd’hui, les consommateurs à la pointe du progrès désirent développer des réseaux sophistiqués pour capturer, stocker et afficher un contenu multimédia numérique ; ils seront heureux de découvrir que les produits Sony primés leur donnent accès à cette nouvelle réalité. Sony a obtenu des prix EISA 2006-2007 dans les catégories suivantes :
  • meilleur concept de diffusion en Europe : LocationFree, LF-PK1,
  • meilleur projecteur vidéo haut de gamme en Europe VPL-VW100),
  • meilleur téléviseur LCD d’Europe KDL-32V2000),
  • meilleur caméscope HDV en Europe caméscope HDV HDR-HC3E)
  • meilleur appareil photo en Europe appareil photo numérique reflex DSLR-A100
« Nous vivons une époque extrêmement excitante, où la technologie peut libérer nos modes de vie d’une manière encore inimaginable il y a quelques années », constate Fujio Nishida, Président de Sony Europe. « Dès le début du WALKMAN et de la PlayStation, nous avons nourri un esprit pionnier, qui transparaît aujourd’hui dans la conception de nos nouvelles gammes. Il est extrêmement gratifiant de recevoir des prix EISA sur une telle variété de produits. »
http://www.sony.com/

10/08/06

Nikon Digital SLR Camera D80 Specifications

Type of Camera Single-lens reflex digital camera
Effective Pixels 10.2 million
Image Sensor RGB CCD, 23.6 x 15.8mm; total pixels: 10.75 million, Nikon DX format
Image Size (pixels) 3,872 x 2,592 [L], 2,896 x 1,944 [M], 1,936 x 1,296 [S]
ISO Sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index) 100 to 1600 (ISO equivalent) in steps of 1/3 EV, plus HI-0.3, HI-0.7 and HI-1
Storage Media SD memory card (SDHC™ compatible)
Storage System Compressed NEF (RAW): 12-bit compression, JPEG: JPEG baseline-compliant
File System Exif 2.21, Compliant DCF 2.0 and DPOF
White Balance Auto (TTL white balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor), six manual modes with fine-tuning, colour temperature setting (Kelvin), preset white balance; white balance bracketing also available
LCD Monitor 2.5-in., 230,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment, allows up to 170-degree viewing angle.
Playback Function 1) Full frame 2) Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments) 3) Zoom 4) Slideshow (Standard or Pictmotion) 5) RGB histogram indication 6) Shooting data 7) Highlight point display 8) Auto image rotation
Delete Function Card format, all photographs delete, selected photographs delete
Video Output Can be selected from NTSC and PAL
Interface USB 2.0 (Hi-speed) (mini-B connector); SD card slot: supports firmware updates via SD cards
Text Input Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input available with LCD monitor and multi-selector; stored in Exif header
Compatible Lenses Nikon F mount (with AF coupling and AF contacts)
Picture Angle Equivalent in 35mm [135] format is approx. 1.5 times lens focal length
Viewfinder Fixed eye-level pentaprism; built-in diopter adjustment (-2.0 to +1.0m-1) Eyepoint 19.5mm (-1.0m-1)
Focusing Screen Type-B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark II with superimposed focus brackets and On-Demand grid lines
Viewfinder Frame Coverage Approx. 95% (vertical & horizontal)
Viewfinder Magnification Approx. 0.94x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0m-1
Viewfinder Information Focus indications, Metering system, AE/FV lock indicator, Flash sync indicator, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure/Exposure compensation indicator, ISO sensitivity, Exposure mode, Flash output level compensation, Exposure compensation, Number of remaining exposures
Autofocus TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus module with AF-assist illuminator (approx. 0.5m to 3.0m). Detection range: EV -1 to +19 (ISO 100 equivalent, at normal temperature: 20°C/68°F)
Lens Servo Instant single-servo (AF-S); continuous-servo (AF-C); auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A); manual (M); predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status in continuous-servo AF
Focus Areas 11 areas; any single area can be selected; center focus area can be switched from normal to wide-frame
AF Area Modes 1) Single Area AF: Focuses only on subjects in the selected area. Selection can be made from any one of the eleven AF spot sensors. 2) Dynamic Area AF: Focuses on subject in the selected area, but follows the subject if it moves from its original position, shifting instantly and automatically to the focus area into which the subject has moved. 3) Auto-area AF: measures all 11 focus areas, automatically determines which of them are on the primary subject, and activates only those areas.
Focus Lock Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
Exposure Metering System Three-mode through-the-lens (TTL) exposure metering 1) 3D Colour Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); colour matrix metering II (other CPU lenses); metering performed by 420-segment RGB sensor 2) Centre-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, or 10mm dia. circle in center of frame 3) Spot: Meters 3.5mm dia. circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area (on center focus area when non-CPU lens is used, or if Auto-area AF is selected)
Exposure Metering Range (ISO 100, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F) 1) EV 0 to 20 (3D Colour Matrix or center-weighted metering) 2) EV 2 to 20 (spot metering)
Exposure Metre Coupling CPU coupling
Exposure Modes Digital Vari-Program (Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Macro Close up, Sports, Night Landscape, Night Portrait), Programmed Auto [P] with flexible program; Shutter-Priority Auto [S]; Aperture Priority Auto [A]; Manual [M]
Exposure Compensation ±5 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV
Exposure Lock Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
Auto Exposure and Flash Bracketing 2 to 3 exposures in increments between 1/3 to 2.0 EV
Shooting Modes 1) Single frame shooting mode 2) Continuous shooting mode: approx. 3 frames per second 3) Self-timer 4) Delayed remote mode 5) Quick-response remote mode
Shutter Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter, 30 to 1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb
Sync Contact X-contact only; flash synchronization at up to 1/200 sec.
Flash Control 1) TTL: TTL flash control by 420-pixel RGB sensor Built-in Flash, SB-800, SB-600: i-TTL balanced fill-flash (except when using spot metering exposure mode) Built-in Flash, SB-800, SB-600: standard i-TTL flash (when using spot metering) 2) Auto aperture: Available with SB-800 with CPU lens 3) Non-TTL Auto: Available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27, and 22s 4) Range-priority manual; available with SB-800
Flash Sync Mode 1) Auto 2) Fill-in flash 3) Red-eye Reduction, 4) Red-eye Reduction with Slow Sync, 5) Slow Sync, 6) Rear-curtain Sync 7) Off
Built-in Flash (Auto, Portrait, Macro Close up, Night Portrait) auto flash with auto pop-up; Manual pop-up with button release Guide number (ISO 100, m/ft.): approx. 13/42
Flash Compensation -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV
Accessory Shoe Standard ISO hot-shoe contact with safety lock provided
Self-timer Electronically controlled timer with 2 to 20 seconds duration (2, 5, 10, and 20 second selectable)
Depth of Field Preview When CPU lens is attached, lens aperture can be stopped down to value selected by user (A and M modes) or value selected by camera (P and S modes)
Remote Control Via Remote Cord MC-DC1 (optional) or Wireless Remote Control ML-L3 (optional)
Power Source One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, MB-D80 battery pack (optional) with one or two rechargeable Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion batteries or six AA alkaline (LR6), Ni-MH (HR6), lithium (FR6) batteries, or nickel-manganese (ZR6) AA batteries, AC Adapter EH-5 (optional)
Tripod Socket 1/4 in. (ISO 1222)
Dimensions (W x H x D) Approx. 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in.)
Weight Approx. 585g (1 lb. 5 oz.) without battery, memory card, body cap, or monitor cover
Supplied Accessories* Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, Quick Charger MH-18a, Audio Video Cable EG-D2, USB Cable UC-E4, Strap, Body cap, Eyepiece Cap DK-5, Rubber Eyecup DK-21, LCD monitor cover BM-7, Accessory shoe cover, PictureProject CD-ROM
Optional Accessories Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D80, Magnifying Eyepiece DK-21M, AC Adapter EH-5, Wireless Remote Control ML-L3, Remote Cord MC-DC1, Speedlight SB-800/SB-600/R200, Capture NX, Camera Control Pro
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area.
Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. August 2006 (c) Nikon Corporation

01/08/06

Tenba Xpress Camera Bags

Tenba has introduced Xpress™, its new collection of colorful, lightweight, camera / electronics bags.
The new series is launching with three pouches, three shoulder bags and a photo backpack, all offered in five color combinations. The company, long-known for its high-end professional bags, says that the Xpress designs, colors and pricing will appeal to a broader audience, including casual shooters and hobbyists.
The Xpress collection features pouches to fit all popular point-and-shoot digital cameras, as well as a range of other portable electronics such as iPods/mp3 players, PDAs, and portable video games. For the photo hobbyist, the various-sized shoulder bags will hold everything from bridge cameras up to digital SLRs, some with room for additional lenses. All Xpress shoulder bags have room for accessories, memory cards, instruction books and other small items. The compact, comfortable and versatile photo backpack can be configured to meet the needs of virtually any imaging enthusiast, with room for a full-sized DSLR and multiple small- to mid-size zoom lenses.
The new collection stands out with its colorful micro-ripstop trim panels and color-matched woven logos. The bags are crafted of durable, weather-resistant, 600 denier outer material in black with teal, red, grey or olive accents, or in gray bags with orange trim. Streamlined zippers with concealed coils and easy-grip, rubberized pulls, padded shoulder straps with heavy-duty, twistfree hardware, and protective rubber bottom feet (on shoulder bags) are among the other features included. All Xpress bags and pouches also include Tenba’s exclusive Clearview media card windows, for protective storage and easy identification of flash cards.
Tenba, founded nearly 30 years ago, has traditionally focused on elite/high-end professional camera bags and shipping cases. But according to Tenba product manager Peter Waisnor, “with the introduction of Xpress, the hobbyist or casual shooter can own a quality, ‘status’ brand with great features, at a consumer-oriented price point.”
Xpress products range in (manufacturer’s suggested) retail price from $13.50 to $90.00.
For more information, visit www.tenba.com