The Alameda County Fair has Horse Racing on the oldest one mile horse race track in the United States. I also love to check out the livestock from the 4H clubs throughout the county. The kids in the 4H clean, feed, primp and prepare their charges for auction.

Whether you like the livestock, carnival rides, exhibits, horse racing or the fried fair food whatever the reason go to the County Fair. While you are there, take a few images. If you do take a few pictures upload them to my California’s County Fairs flickr group. It’s free and fun. Here is the link to the the flickr group California County Fairs. The group has a total of 105 members, you could be 106. Hopefully I will see you at the fair, if not there, then hopefully in the flickr group.

2010 Alameda County Fair Calendar

I imagine that everyone that has the opportunity to have a sneak peak will be giving the pros and con’s of the newest Creative Suite. I know that NAPP and Scott Kelby will be blogging and setting up new training at Kelby Media and Kelby Training as soon as the announcement has been made.

One blogger and Photographer has already taken a look under the hood and likes what he sees. Thomas Hawk, friend and former co-worker of mine, posted on his blog a little bit of what he likes and some new features that he has played with. Take a look here and see what Thomas Hawk says about what he saw. Here is the link to his post ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS5 BOLDLY EMPOWERS THE DIGITAL ARTIST

A few weeks ago I blogged about rumors of the release on Adobe Creative Suite 5 release. I have been on the fence of purchasing the CS4 because their has been a rumor on CS5.org about the a April release of CS5.

Well the rumors have now been confirmed. While I was reading my twitter feed I read a tweet from Sean McCormack at Lightroom-blog. He provided a link to the countdown to the release of Adobe CS5. Here is the link to the Count down. You can register to get emails and more information as it becomes available. Also, they have videos of sneak peeks and a live Buzz to see what everyone is saying about the release.

Here it the link to the previous post: Adobe Creative Suite 5 Rumor

I just learned that the release of Adobe Creative Suite 5 will be on April 12, 2010. Here is the link to the new information: Countdown to Abobe Creative Suite 5 Release

Does anyone have any news when Adobe will release their Creative Suite 5. I started looking across the web to find a release date for the CS5. I have come across a blog called CS5.org. According to CS5.org they had an unconfirmed release date of October 2009. Well obviously they were a little off on their release date.

I did find another date that seemed be a little more realistic.  This date has been repeated form web site to blog. The date of the suspected release will be April 2010.

3. Adobe Creative Suite 5

Rumor has it that the new versions of Photoshop, Flash et. al should be with us around April. It’ll be a new era for the design suite because the Mac version has been completely rebuilt in Cocoa, and will no longer run on PowerPC chips. Judging by the sneaky peeks we’ve seen here and from what was announced at Adobe MAX 2009, designers will be whimpering with delight when CS5 finally becomes available. New goodies you can expect from the suite include ‘wet look’ 3D Photoshop paint brushes, native iPhone game compiling in Flash, and a ‘Smart Paste’ tool for Dreamweaver that makes it easier to integrate vector graphics and Illustrator-created content into your web sites. Ref: Top Software for 2010

I am really interested in the release of CS5, because I am thinking of buying the Adobe Creative Suite 4 Design Premium and I don’t want to throw my money into a product that will be out dated in two months. I learned my lesson in the past. I have purchased products and spent a great deal of money on them, when a month or two later they release a new item. Then it’s to late to return the item and it cost another chunk of change to upgrade. That happened to me on my DSLR.

I guess that is one of the questions I can ask when I head into San Francisco for the Photoshop 20th Anniversary bash.

I you have any information on a release date of any Adobe CS5 products put them in the comments.

Apple iPad

I am sure I am not the First, and I know I won’t be the last. Apple today revealed in San Francisco, in their grand fashion the new long anticipated iPad. About six months ago word was out that Apple Inc. was going to come out with a new device. And today was that day to see what the iPad would look like and how much it would cost. It seems to be a large version of the iTouch.

The size seem to be about the same as the MacBook Air just without the clam shell. The screen is 9.7 inches, measured diagonally. So overall, it’s slightly smaller than a magazine. And at just 1.5 lbs and 0.5 inches thin, it’s easy to carry and use anywhere. The high-resolution, 9.7 inch LED-backlit, IPS display on iPad is remarkably crisp and vivid. It uses a display technology called IPS (in-plane switching), it has a wide, 178° viewing angle.

iPad uses the same revolutionary technology that’s in an iPhone multi-Touch. To maximize battery life, Apple engineers took the same lithium polymer battery technology they developed for our notebook computers and applied it to the iPad. As a result, you can use iPad for up to 10 hours while surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching videos, or listening to music.

The iPad will be released in March with wireless, and in April Apple plans on releasing the 3G version. The iPad will start at $499 pirce tag. And iPad is available with a choice of 16, 32 or 64GB flash storage. I don’t think that will be enough storage. I have a feeling that will be a limiting factor for those of us that will be using this as a substitue when we don’t want to us our MacBooks.

Here is the link to the video if your would like to learn more. iPad

I thought I would post this little bit of news. I was reading Scott Kelby’s new post and found a contest to get a free ticket to the Adobe Photoshops 20th Anniversary invitation. The birthday party will be on February 18, 2010 at the Palace of the Fine Art theater, in San Francisco.

Here is the link to Scott Kelby’s Blog Photoshop Insider. Read his post and sign up, maybe I will see at the party. I just got my ticket sent to me in my email.

Thanks Scott, that was fast service.

Ringed Nudibranch at the California Academy of Sciences, display tank for California Nudibranchs.

The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is offering a special event for photographers. I have been to many aquariums. The more popular the aquarium the busier it is with visitor and guests. Sometime I wished that I had the aquarium to myself so I could film the exhibits without the interference of people walking in front of your lens or bumping you as you hold your camera still for that long exposure shot, because most aquariums don’t allow tripods, because tripods can trip and injure clumsy visitors.

Another plus to a photographers only night, is you can bring flashes, light boxes and any equipment that may require to plug in. Most of this equipment is prohibited at any other time at aquariums.

Sometimes the addition of people in the image make the photo. Here is an example that I took a couple years ago at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The addition of people made the image.

For more information read below or got to Aquarium of the Pacific Events.

Now is your chance to take the photos you have always wanted. Back by popular demand, on this night, the Aquarium will be available to photographers for the sole purpose of getting their dream photos without having to worry about the general public either getting in their shots or being bothered by their equipment.

Take your time, set up your shots, and enjoy. In order to create the best environment for our photographers, we will be limiting ticket sales. We highly encourage you to purchase your tickets online ahead of time to guarantee a spot or you may be turned away at the door.

Normally, lights begin to dim as 9:00 p.m. approaches, but on this night, the lights will remain on in all the exhibits in order to provide the best opportunities for photography.*

Cost: $23.95 per person, $18.95 for Aquarium members. No other discounts or special offers will be accepted for this evening. Please wear dark clothing for less chance of reflections and smaller likelihood of coming out noticeably in other people’s photos.

They are partnering with local camera shop Tuttle Cameras and offering free lens rentals during the event. Nikon and Canon lenses will be available for check out with a valid driver’s license. Lighting will also be set up at a couple different stations throughout the Aquarium to allow photographers that don’t have that equipment the opportunity to try it out by mounting it to their camera’s hot shoe.

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Included in your ticket price is a photography workshop before shooting doors open. The guest speaker will have a custom workshop designed to be useful to you on this special Photographer’s Night. It will not be camera/brand specific. There will be more details about the speaker and workshop closer to the event. Seating is limited. If you would like to attend the workshop, please RSVP in advance by calling the Guest Support Center at the Aquarium with your confirmation number if you already purchased your ticket for the event, or simply add the reservation when you call to purchase.

PHOTO CONTEST
In addition to offering this unique night, anyone who wishes to participate is automatically qualified to enter a special photo contest. This is a great opportunity to share your best shots of the night with the Aquarium of the Pacific. Simply upload your favorites to our Aquarium of the Pacific Flickr Group and tag them with pnc01312010 to enter. Aquarium staff will judge entries. Entry deadline is midnight February 14, 2010. Grand prize will be a behind the scenes tour for four with particular focus on great photo ops.

RULES AND GUIDELINES
By purchasing a ticket, you agree to abide by the following:
•Tripods are allowed on this night only.
•You are allowed to bring flashes, soft boxes, and strobes. Power outlets are available on a first come first served basis throughout the Aquarium.
•You may bring screens to block off reflections or to control lighting.
•Please be considerate of other photographers. If you are shooting a popular exhibit, please limit your time and share.
•Please refrain from using flash or any lighting on the two sea dragon exhibits (they are marked with “no flash” signs).
•Please refrain from placing anything directly on the acrylic/glass that can scratch or burn. If you need the acrylic cleaned, see a staff member for the proper cloth.
•Please do not direct hot lights at the exhibits for extended periods of time as this can permanently damage the acrylic. All hot lights must be at least five feet from the acrylic.
•Photos taken are to be personal use only, no commercial photography. If you wish to use one the images for commercial purposes at a later date, you must contact the Aquarium for permission.
•No videography.
For more information or to purchase your ticket, please go to http://www.aquariumof…

For those who want to carpool, let’s meet at 4:00 (for those attending the workshop) and 5:00 (for those not attending the workshop), at the park-n-ride where the 91 and the 5 meet in Fullerton/Buena Park. Exit either freeway at Magnolia (head north), take a left at Orangethorpe, the park-n-ride is on the left.

Photo by © Andrew Reitsma

East Bay/SF Photo Op – No Pants Subway Ride 2010

However the first round of the NFL Plays will be on TV, so I might not make it.

Merry Christmas 2009, originally uploaded by Kirk Howard.

Merry Christmas everyone. I hope everyone is enjoying their day with family and friends.

Magelan and I are enjoying Christmas in San Clemente this year with my Family. As you can tell from the image I took on Christmas Eve the weather is great.

Merry Christmas, and I hope Santa brought everything on your Christmas list.

Free Photography Tips from the New York Institute of Photography

Posted using ShareThis