Effective Immediately.

I moved my blog to a new location. its gonna be john-lo.com Please update your RSS Feed accordingly.

Thank you. See you at my new home.

Recently I’ve been getting a lot of questions on what theme I am using on my wordpress blog. I figure I would put something together again and give you guys my current experience since the last time I blogged about them. You can read that posted here Review: ProPhoto 3 Blog v3 Theme.

ProPhoto Blogs is what I am using. Of course there are many other themes out there. and I am sure they are great. Personally I like ProPhoto Blogs a lot.  It’s clean; Easy to navigate. Some might say it looks like what everyone else are using. Well, I will say this. I rather the viewer be familiar with a theme they’ve seen, and know their way around then something that will take them years to find the link to check out the gallery. As a regular surfer,  I dont like to spend more then 10 seconds to locate a link or trying to figure out a way to get to the next page. I’ve seen some bad ones out there.

I got a $10 off ProPhoto Blogs discount code JOHNLO864 for you to use.

Here’s a little vid clip from ProPhoto Blogs.

My first Do-it-Yourself (DIY) project.   Inspirited by Cheesycam.com and Just Basl Production tutorial video.  Some of you might say, why waste your time putting one together when you can buy the real thing.  Well here’s my answer to you.  I’m not a videographer, and I am not planning on becoming one.   So why in the world would I go out and spend over thousands of dollars on a rig that I will most likely ended up using a few seconds of video clips.  Maybe when I get much better at it and start making more money from doing it, I will consider.  But for now, this DIY Video Rig Cage will do the trick.  All I wanted was something to stabilize the camera from shacking so much anyway.   Seriously look at this rig.   Doesnt it look like something you can buy at Adorama or B&H Photo??!?!   hahaha!

if you are interested making one yourself, I highly recommend you visit Cheesycam.com and Just Basl Productions Video tutorial.   Here’s a list of stuff I got at Home Depot and Lowes.    If  I didnt list the price, that’s because I already had them in my toolbox at home.

2 – 16″ Strut Channel   $20 included shipping. *
2 – 1/2″ x 12″ Black Steel Nipple  $4.80
1 – 1/2″ x 8″ Black Steel Nipple  $2.43
2 – 3/8-16″ x 6″ Carriage Bolt  $2.10
2 – 3/8-16″ x 6″ Hex Bolt  $1.80
2 – 3/8″ Threaded Rod Coupling  $1.88
1 – Fi-Shock Heavy Duty Ground Clamp – 2″ screw  $2.48
4 – Fender Washers – 3/8 x 1-1/2″ $0.90
4 – Bike Handle Grip from Bell  $14.00 (I am sure you can find cheaper one.  I only needed 3, but they only come in pairs)
Black Flat protective Enamel Spray Paint $5
Primer Spray Paint $4
120/200 grit sandpaper block  $3

1/4-20 x 1-1/4″ screw with nut and locking washer
Get some extra nut, locking washer that will fit both 1/4-20″ and 3/8-16″ screws (depending which one you are using).
some extra Fender Washer 1/4″ x 1-1/4″ and/or 3/8″ x 1-1/4″

* Home Depot and Lowes sell the Strut Channel only in one size – 10ft long.   I don’t have access to a hacksaw, pretty much it was impossible for me to cut this.   Thanks to Google and some looking around, I found a place actually was selling the Strut Channel in two different length, 12″ and 16″.   After speaking with them, I ordered two 16″ Strut Channel.   Totally cost  under $20.   Would have been cheaper, but I didn’t have time to drive out to Long Island, so instead I had them mail it to me.  http://www.gnswireless.com/GNS7084-16.htm So for those that does not have access to a hacksaw or a way to have it cut to size.   This is the best solution.

In case you asked.  I am using a Calumet Quick Release Video Adapter/Plate to hold my Canon 5D Mark II.   The LED Video light is HDV-Z96 that I picked up on ebay for about $61.  I will do a review on it later in the week.

Now that you know a little information about my Rig, here are some images of the Rig and the two videos below.   Like with everything else, it takes time with lots of practice.   So I am sure the next time when you see my video using the Rig, it will be much better then the 1st.

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Damn I look good!   LOL

Here’s a video using the rig.  Like I said, I’m not a video guy.  Still got a lot to learn.  I will say it is 75% better then just handheld the camera alone.

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Here’s a video taken by my good friend William Eng of me in action using the Rig.

If you like to have one made by me, please contact me for a quote.

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Please share….  thanks!!

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Finally had the time to check out the new DVD Case from MpixPro I will be using for my packaging.   These are just beautiful.    My Brides are gonna be so happy when I hand these to them.

I won! I won! I won! hehehe!  That’s right I won something AGAIN.  Twitter has been super good to me as far as winning prizes.  Here’s one of many prizes I won via twitter.   heheheh!

Edge of the Earth Corner of the Sky
by Art Wolfe

Art Wolfe is one of my all time favorite photographer.  I’ve been following his work since the early 90s.  I enjoy his work a lot.  I did had an opportunity to meet him when he was in New York for the PhotoPlus Expo few years back.   I also attended one of his workshop where he talks about his project Travels to the Edge with Art Wolfe which was aired on PBS (check your local listing).   Awesome show.    If you like to learn more about his workshop, TV series and other goodies from Art himself.  Go check out his website at www.artwolfe.com.

Thank you Art!!!! 

Recently I purchased Mike Colon’s two educational DVDs.   WOW!!!  Totally worth every pennies spent!   Now I know why he’s one of the Top photographer in our wedding industry.    Time to bring my game up.   Thank you Mike Colon for sharing your skills, knowledge and experience with us.

On Location With Mike Colón: Toronto

Mike Colon: Reaching the High-End Bride

If you are interested purchasing this DVD, you can visit his website at http://www.mikecolon.net

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Earlier this month, I mentioned that I received Disc One of the PhotoVision 2010 Video Seminar (DVD 79). So I finally finished watching it the other day.  What do I think of it so far? A little boring. Somewhat disappointed.  Actually I fell asleep. HAHAH! Nothing against or anything bad about the photographers.  The information were very informative. I felt they (PhotoVision) could have made it more interesting, a little more exciting. Bad editing maybe? or bad host?  I dunno. A few times I did asked myself how long do i have to sit here to watch this.  I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. Hopefully Disc Two will be better. I am looking forward to seeing what Mike Fulton at Tricoast will do. I always love his work.

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Fact:   Two more days until our vacation begins.