Fujifilm launches social network for Generation Z

Today, Fujifilm launched ZSpotNow.com, a new social network that brings together music fans, artists, gadget gurus and fashionistas across the United States.

In 2007, Fujifilm took on ‘Generation Z’ with a successful PR/marketing campaign around its stylish FinePix Z10fd digital camera, which was targeted at the 15-25 year old demographic, that culminated with a launch event headlined by ‘The Bravery’ at The Fillmore (Irving Plaza) in New York City. This year, as Fujifilm’s colorful Z-Series lineup continues to evolve with the recently-announced Fujifilm FinePix Z20 digital camera, the company is taking a broader, grassroots approach to engaging with this target demographic and has designed a campaign specifically for them. The ZSpotNow.com social network will act as the hub for three contests and events slated to take place in Los Angeles, Miami and New York City in the coming months.

Each of these diversely-themed nationwide contests and events is inspired by the unique attributes of Fujifilm FinePix Z20 digital camera, and are individually themed to match the city’s flavor: Los Angeles – Hollywood movie theme; Miami – urban art/skateboarding counterculture; New York – fashion.

 

For your reference, Fujifilm has put together a multimedia press release where you can access images, get details on featured artists performing at the events and learn more about the contests.

Getting Close

click to view larger version

This shot I took no more than 10 minutes ago reminds me of one of those top tips for photography - "If your photos aren't good enough, you're not close enough." I was just taking a few shots around the pond I just setup in our backyard and noticed time and time again, if I tried to get the whole pond in the photo, well, the photo just sucked. Sure it documents what's there but there was no oomph to them. Then I started zooming in. The results were much better. I like how the reflected portion takes on an almost black & white look even though this is right out of the camera (Nikon D300).

Maruthi 800 Duo

Maruthi has recently introduced a gas fitted car. This car is having designed for both petrol and gas fuels. Now a days fuel prices are going up. So this is the great move from Maruthi.

Specifications:
Dimensions STD LPG
Length(mm) 3335
Width(mm) 1440
Height(mm) 1405
Wheelbase(mm) 2175
Front Track(mm) 1215
Rear Track(mm) 1200
Minimum Turning Radius(m) 4.4
Minimum Ground Clearance(mm) 170

Weight:
Kerb Weight (Kg) 683
Gross Vehicle Weight (Kg) 1000
Capacity
Seating Capacity 4
Fuel Tank Capacity (lt) - Petrol 28
LPG 19.2

Engine:
Swept volume (cc) 796
Engine type 3 cylinder inline, FC engine 2 valves per cylinder, MPFI
Engine Control 32-Bit Electronic Control Module (ECM)
Max. power (bhp @ rpm) - Petrol 37 @ 5000 37 @ 5000
LPG 35 @ 5000 35 @ 5000
Max. torque (Nm @ rpm) - Petrol 59 @ 2500 59 @ 2500

Transmission:
Type 4 Forward, All synchromesh, 1 reverse
Steering Type Rack and Pinion

Suspension system:
Front Mcpherson strut and coil spring
Rear Coil Spring with gas filled shock absorber

Brakes: Front Disc
Rear Drum

Tyres
Tyre Size 145/70R12 (Radial)

Nikon D300 Samples

2008_06_20_17_02_05
Originally uploaded by RickBlythe.

Here are some more samples from my new favourite camera in the world, the Nikon D300. This camera exposes photos as perfectly as I have seen, and it is super fast.

If you own one of these you might want to download a digital copy of the user manual here. This web page also shows you what other guides you can get from Amazon.

Hairy
Originally uploaded by RickBlythe.

ISO 1400 Test
Originally uploaded by RickBlythe.

The Digital Photography Book

Scott Kelby, the man who changed the "digital darkroom" forever with his groundbreaking, #1 bestselling, award-winning book The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers, now tackles the most important side of digital photography--how to take pro-quality shots using the same tricks today's top digital pros use (and it's easier than you'd think).

This entire book is written with a brilliant premise, and here’s how Scott describes it: "If you and I were out on a shoot, and you asked me, 'Hey, how do I get this flower to be in focus, but I want the background out of focus?' I wouldn't stand there and give you a lecture about aperture, exposure, and depth of field. In real life, I'd just say, 'Get out your telephoto lens, set your f/stop to f/2.8, focus on the flower, and fire away.' You d say, 'OK,' and you'd get the shot. That's what this book is all about. A book of you and I shooting, and I answer the questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I've learned just like I would with a friend, without all the technical explanations and without all the techno-photo-speak."

This isn't a book of theory?it isn't full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts: this is a book of which button to push, which setting to use, when to use them, and nearly two hundred of the most closely guarded photographic "tricks of the trade" to get you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos with your digital camera every time you press the shutter button.

"The Digital Photography Book" (Scott Kelby)

My new Nikon D300

Nikon D300
Originally uploaded by Rick.

This month, I have bought and returned two digital SLRs. First I bought the Canon XSi. It's not a bad little camera, it's just a 'little camera'. It doesn't fit comfortably in my hand and I found Canon metering to be sub par.

Enter the Nikon D60. Another fine camera, but again kind of tiny and not without some manufacturing defects. It had a problem with the rear LCD display randomly blacking out, and had some hot pixels in the CCD.

Enter my new camera, the Nikon D300. This is a serious tool. No Auto modes, no scene modes. The flash never pops up automatically. You need to know what you're doing with this camera; it is not for newbies.

You can see some sample shots taken with my D300 here and you will find the user manual for it here.

Yikes! I returned my Nikon D60

After a week of owning a Nikon D60 and really enjoying it I have decided to return it. Why?

The first minor annoyance were hot pixels. It had at least two serious red and blue dots showing up in every picture. I was ok with that really. There is software to remove these and you could only see them if you blew up the photos.

The clincher was that the rear LCD display started to turn off and on rapidly and randomly in bright lighting situations. This I had heard about in some forums and others were returning their units.

I think I'm going to wait for the D90 (if that's the name they go with). The D80 is due to be replaced soon. That leaves me without a new toy for a few months I guess - oh well, I still have my trusty D70.