Around the web today; November 15th, 2013.

$3 billion just isn't enough to buy instant photo messaging service snapchat:  http://petapixel.com/2013/11/13/snapchat-supposedly-turned-3-billion-acquisition-offer-facebook/

Things have come a long way since this time last year: http://petapixel.com/2012/12/13/temporary-photo-sharing-app-snapchat-raising-10m-valued-at-70m/



I've had the painful experience of a hard drive dying several times, taking valuable data and photos to their graves; here are some warning signs from a data recovery company that your hard drive is on its deathbed:
http://datacent.com/hard_drive_sounds.php



Some less than impressive photos of the Once Upon a Time TV series cast:  http://petapixel.com/2013/09/13/abc-pull-horrible-upon-time-promo-photos/



Something to ponder for photographers and smartphone users alike; when does image and video capturing get to the point where it detracts from the experience itself, such as a concert or wedding? I've certainly crossed that line more than a few times myself; being busy capturing the moment as oppose to living and enjoying it:  http://petapixel.com/2013/07/13/pictures-over-experience/



Many photographers receive 'offers' from companies to let them work for free, or in their words, 'exposure'. I've had these requests come in here and there over the years. Professional courtesy generally commands a polite reply, but this musician kind of went the other way, in response to an insulting offer to use his work for free from a TV producer from a large UK company. It's what most creative types wish they could say:  http://petapixel.com/2013/11/12/musicians-letter-becomes-template-telling-publishes-want-work-free/

http://www.reddit.com/r/photography/comments/1qdf6f/heres_your_standard_letter_for_companies_that_ask/

http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/permalink/2013/11/06/whitey?fb_action_ids=10152329515809942



Mike Johnston discusses the perception and definition of image quality:  http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2013/11/in-search-of-a-vocabulary-for-image-quality.html

A related column about image quality from full-frame digital SLR cameras: http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2013/11/do-you-really-need-ff.html



A breathtaking time-lapse video of Toronto at dawn: http://www.diyphotography.net/city-rising-shows-beauty-toronto-and-offers-some-thoughts-timelapsing



An interesting guest post on Chase Jarvis' blog about what one of his 30 year old friends would teach to his younger self given the chance: http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2013/11/10-best-lessons-id-teach-my-younger-self/

Around the web today; November 14th, 2013

A cool shot of an epic Christmas tree destined for the Capitol in Washington D.C., being hauled across the country from Washington state by a gleaming 2014 model Mack Pinnacle:  http://www.overdriveonline.com/photo-mack-pinnacle-loaded-with-the-capitol-christmas-tree/



A time-lapse video showing the construction of a Transformer robot based on a 1988 Ford Fiesta, the creator's first car:
 http://www.rides-mag.com/videos/2013/11/watch-ford-fiesta-transform-transformer/
http://www.psfk.com/2013/10/ford-transformer-car.html



Chicago Tribune photojournalist Alex Garcia discusses the pros and cons of professional photographers using an image editing program like Instagram for their work:  http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/assignment-chicago/2013/11/sitting-on-the-fence-with-instagram.html

Kenneth Jarecke offers a much less subtle critique here:  http://kennethjarecke.typepad.com/mostly_true/2012/10/instagram-the-devil-and-you.html



Photojournalist Pete Muller has shot a powerful series of images in Africa, focusing much of his efforts on the war-ravaged Eastern Congo: http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/05/a-congolese-rebellion-routed-a-photographers-work-continues/



A surreal and somewhat amusing project from American photographer Nina Goldstein, showing her interpretation of what Disney princesses' lives might be like, following the 'happily ever after' endings of their respective fairy-tale stories: http://www.demilked.com/fallen-princesses-dina-goldstein/

The images are visually striking, ethereal and quite jarring, mostly because you're so used to seeing these characters in their sickly-sweet pretend Disney worlds. The photo of Rapunzel in particular is one that made me stop in my tracks. The picture shows her sitting on the side of a bed in hospital, bald, with her golden locks in a plait trailing from the bed and onto the floor, accompanied by an IV drip, implying she is having chemotherapy.



American photographer Chase Jarvis shows what happens on a commercial shoot for an Aspen ski resort's ad campaign: http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2013/10/exlusive-behind-the-scenes-aspen-campaign-photoshoot/

Rohan Phillips Photography website

Hello and welcome to everyone visiting from the Chase Jarvis blog! It's still under construction, but you can check out more of my work on my official portfolio site here: http://rohanphillips.ccutter.com/home

To read more about my shooting and editing process with the Australian Truck Driver series, have a look at this blog post: http://carscameraschronicillness.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/editing-process-australian-truck.html

For a brief run-down of my cancer diagnosis, check out the post here:
http://carscameraschronicillness.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/so-six-weeks-before-i-get-married.html

I've detailed some of my experiences with gastroparesis here:
http://carscameraschronicillness.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/my-story-hospital-2010-1.html
http://carscameraschronicillness.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/my-jejunostomy-tube-swap-1-back-story.html

If you're interested in buying or licencing any of the images you see, or have any questions you would like to ask, feel free to contact me at email@rohanphillips.com, I would love to hear from you.

Hope you have a great day, and thanks for dropping by!

Cheers Rohan

                                         

Learning new skills.

I saw this post on Chase Jarvis's blog today, which quickly made some interesting points about the different and constantly changing skills needed to be an assistant for one of the top commercial photographers in America.

http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2012/01/no-but-i-can-learn/

It boils down to a simple premise; nobody can know everything, but being willing to learn is an invaluable tool.

His blog is great for learning about new equipment, inspiration and techniques, as well as behind the scenes videos and stories about his escapades as a successful shooter. He also made the jump into doing film productions as well as stills, which these days is becoming an expected service from many clients.

http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/

You can view his extensive photography portfolios here: http://www.chasejarvis.com/#mi=1&pt=0&pi=2&p=-1&a=-1&at=0  

And the video projects here: http://www.chasejarvis.com/#mi=1&pt=0&pi=3&p=-1&a=-1&at=0

Definitely worth a good look around if you're keen to learn something new.