Modern cameras are just small computers and as such they have hundreds of settings. Some obvious, some buried deep in a custom function. It is impractical to drag a 400 page manual out into the field and just as silly to flip through it to find the correct setting. Photobert Photo Cheat Sheets solve the problem with a simple one page laminated cheat sheet with the most important functions of a camera. I stuff the cheat sheet in my camera bag and leave the manual at home. The newer cheat sheets are in color, the older ones are black and white.

Cheat Sheets contain most of the information you’ll need when taking pictures - most of what’s in the manual is usually on the Cheat Sheet plus there’s tips for using your camera’s features. And unlike the manual, PhotoBert CheatSheets are written in easy-to-understand language. My day job is working at MicroAssist, a training and e-learning company. You can truly tell that the folks at PhotoBert have done real world training and bring that experience to creating these job aids.

Best of all Cheatsheets are cheap–no big deal if I forget it in a hotel or leave it in the rental car–they cost approximately $10.  I’d highly recommend getting one when you buy a new camera.

Photobert Cheat Sheets

You get your skins in a envelope–unlike the fancier vendor you don’t get “application liquid” or a squeegee.  Instead, you can make your own application liquid with a drop of baby shampoo in 10 oz. of water and use a credit card as your squeegee. 

To apply, first clean your device perfectly–I used microfiber cloth and a drop of lens cleaning fluid from my camera bag.  Then, you peel the skin from the liner (I screwed one up in the peeling process), dip the skin in the application liquid and slid it into position on the device.  After you move the skin into place you squeegee the water and bubbles out.  The process went flawlessly on the Blackberry (I was just covering the screen), it took a bit more work to get it right on the Nano since it is a wraparound skin.  With a bit of work, I did get it positioned correctly and managed to get the bubbles out.  After letting it dry overnight, it looked flawless.  The skin is not invisible–you can see it.  However, it doesn’t blur the screen and removes the bulk of a case–my Blackberry is a lot slimmer in the pocket without a bulky case.

Does it fit?  Bestskinsever does a good job on cutting the skins to fit the device.  It was easy enough to cut the DIY sheet to fit the camera screen. 

Does it work?  I haven’t tried to intentionally scratch the screen but the Blackberry has been in my pocket with keys, coins, etc. for over two months and so far no scratches on the screen. 

Can you get rid of it?  Well the company says you can remove the screen if needed and it doesn’t leave adhesive on your device.  Frankly, I like them enough that I haven’t removed them yet.

www.bestskinsever.com

Programming the smart caps is relatively easy.  You enter the pressure you need for the tire (the device allows for separate pressures for the front and back tires) and place the smart cap on the gauge.  The gauge quickly programs the pressure into the smart cap. 

The smart caps come with a built in lithium battery with a 3 year life.  Unfortunately the battery is not replaceable so you have to replace the caps when the battery runs out.  So far we haven’t found replacement caps for the device.  This also means that you can only monitor the pressure on one car with one gauge.  The smart caps are quite a bit larger than a regular valve cap to accomodate the battery, sensor and LED’s–not exactly a sleek look. 

So is it worth it?  It is for me, I have the best of intentions about keeping the tire pressure just right on those expensive low profile tires but always get busy.  This tool makes it easy. 

One of my favorite photography magazines is LensWork–the work of Brooks Jensen (the editor/publisher).  LensWork focuses on the creative and philosophical aspects of photography rather than the technical aspects.  I am a bit of an equipment junkie and this offers a big counterbalance to just buying more equipment to improve my photography.  LensWork makes me focus on the photo itself and the work required to get a great photo.

Also, LensWork is a gorgeously printed black and white magazine.  The high quality duotone printing process results in art quality prints of the photographs–the tones and details are just so rich and vibrant that they jump of the page.   It has helped me discover several photographers early like Nick Brandt and better yet to get insight into their though processes. 

The magazine has great interviews of photographers and essays on art and photography.   A typical issue of LensWork includes three to four portfolios, two or three articles or interviews, editor’s comments and End Notes by Bill Jay.  The first section I turn to is Bill Jay’s "End Notes"–vignettes on photography and photographers. 

This magazine makes the perfect gift for you or your favorite photographer or artist.  You can find more information about LensWork at www.lenswork.com. 

We all love our shiny new gadgets out of the box but what happens when one of them breaks.  This from one of our readers (and occasional review contributors)–regarding Canon Warranty Service

I had a good experience with the "Canon Factory Service Center". My Canon Power Shot SD850 had been a great camera up to the point the focus stopped working. It stopped focusing right after being dropped. I’m calling it a coincidence.

The procedure for returns was easy to find on Canon’s web site, just 3-Clicks from the main page. Complete a short electronic form that required the Serial Number and asked what was wrong with it, and then ship it. I had to pay to ship it to them, but the return shipping would be free. They also had an 1-800 number call if I was having problems.

Based on the serial number they said the service would be covered by the Warranty, unless the problem was caused by misuse. A quote would be sent once they inspected the camera.

The camera was sent via UPS Ground. 5 days later an email from the Canon Factory Service Center indicated they inspected the camera and there would be no charge; The repairs would be completed within 7-Days.

The next e-mail, received 2-Days later, stated the camera had been fixed and included a Fed-Ex tracking number. The camera was returned via FedEx 2-Day service.

I could not ask for a more easy or quick process.

I am really writing a list of my top 5 or so comtemporary jazz albums. I love all of the classic jazz as well, but there are books written on the albums worth checking out from the beginnings of jazz through 1970 or so. It tends to get a little more sketchy after that. Second, for many of these artists you’d be safe picking up anything that they play on (I’d avoid certain Keith Jarrett albums like “Spirits”). Anyway, on with the list:

Wayne Shorter “Footprints Live”– Shorter’s first live album. A jazz veteran and brilliant composer, this album marks a new direction for Shorter. The group here is what really makes the album tick. Brian Blade on Drums, John Patittuchi on Bass, and Danilo Perez on Piano. Great interaction between musicians in a more “free” setting.	Amazon.com: Footprints Live!: Music: Wayne ShorterASIN: B0000633JW
Dave Holland Quintet “Critical Mass”– I heard this group live in March. This is the cutting edge of jazz. Again, all of the sidemen on this album are very accomplished musicians in their own rights.	Amazon.com: Critical Mass: Music: Dave Holland QuintetASIN: B000GNOSEU
Keith Jarrett Trio “Live at the Blue Note Complete Recordings”— I cheated, this is actually a four disc set. Keith Jarrett is one of the best jazz pianists of his generation, but the thing that sets this group apart is that they have chosen “standards” as their vehicles for innovation. By chosing to do the tunes that jazz musicians have played for generations, but putting a new and fresh spin on them, this group has really made an indelible mark on jazz. Gary Peacock on Bass, Jack DeJohnette on Drums.	Amazon.com: Keith Jarrett at the Blue Note: The Complete Recordings: Music: Keith JarrettASIN: B000024JEX
Joe Henderson “Lushlife: The Music of Billy Strayhorn” Joe Henderson one of the most influential modern tenor players at the height of his game, performing some of the best songs written by an American composer (or any composer for that matter). Strayhorn wrote for Duke Ellington’s band.	Amazon.com: Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn: Music: Joe HendersonASIN: B0000046KH
Kenny Garrett “Beyond the Wall” Garrett was one of the last band members of Miles Davis. He has set the bar for what modern saxophone will sound like. Here he traces roots back to the eastern influences which captivated John Coltrane and McCoy Tyner in the late 1960’s.	Amazon.com: Beyond the Wall: Music: Kenny GarrettASIN: B000GNOSBS

I do a lot of presentations for a living at my job at MicroAssist.   It is important to me to be able to move around and connect with the audience.  Also, laptops are frequently  placed close to the projector–not where I can get to them.  The Logitech Cordless 2.4 Ghz Presenter offers a great solution.

It offers:

• Control of the PowerPoint next slide and previous slide button.
• A start slide show button
• A timer that warns you when you have five minutes and two minutes left for the presentation and of course when time runs out.
• A laser pointer

You just plug the USB dongle into your notebook (it’s stored in the presenter when you’re not using it) and voila you’re ready to go.  Almost?  Well, wouldn’t it be nice if they’d built some memory into the USB dongle?   Other than that it’s perfect!  Fits in the hand perfectly, works from a good distance and lets me roam in the audience and maintain voice contact and lets me keep track of the time left in a presentation.  

The X-Rite i1Photo system delivers all the tools necessary to implement an effective, predictable and accurate color-managed digital workflow in either RGB or CYMK production environments – from camera through production to display to final output.   The system allows you to calibrate:

• Digital Cameras
• Scanners
• Monitors- LCD, CRT, and Laptops    
• RGB Printers    
• Digital Projectors          

It also allows you to:

• Measure, mix and share and share: spot and PANTONE® colors
• Measure and evaluate flash and ambient light using the included ambient light head.
• Measure the color temperature of light booths

The i1Photo system includes:

• Accelerated i1Pro Spectrophotometer
• i1Match software for Mac & PC i1Share Software for Mac & PC (includes full Pantone® library)
• Mini ColorChecker Scanner profiling chart (reflectance)
• Ruler and backup board
• Carrying case for i1 components
• CRT/LCD monitor holder
• Ambient light measurement head
• Positioning target Calibration plate

The heart of the i1Photo system is the Accelerated i1Pro Spectrophotometer–accelerated because it measures at about twice the speed of the older device.  As the name implies, a spectrophotometer is an instrument for measuring or comparing the intensities of the colors of the spectrum.  The i1Photo Spectrophotometer is USB powered so that now external power is necessary. 

Installation

I was a bit intimidated by the whole concept of managing color.  I didn’t understand the concept, terminology or methodology involved in managing color.  I reviewed the included Quick Start directions (unusual for me) and hooked up the i1Pro Spectrophotometer to the most accessible USB Port (on my keyboard) and started the installation process.  The applications installed but when I tried running the i1Match software it told me that the system couldn’t work with the Spectrophotometer on an unpowered USB port–I switched to the powered USB port on my machine and the system found the device. 

Monitor calibration

The i1Match software is used to calibrate the devices and edit device profiles.  It is quite simple to use.  The screen is divided into three colums:  the left column shows the device being calibrated, and where you are in the process, the center column gives you the settings to choose from, and the right column provides some basic help.  The first device I chose to calibrate was the LCD Monitor in Easy mode.   The system starts by asking you to choose whether you are going to calibrate a LCD monitor or CRT Monitor; then asks you to calibrate the Spectrophotometer by placing it on its base plate (which has a white square used for calibration). 

Next you “hang” the Spectrophotometer from the monitor.  On an LCD monitor you use a base plate with a weight that hangs off the back of your monitor to balance the device on the monitor.  In the easy mode, the system generates a set of colors on the screen and creates an ICC profile.  In the advanced mode you set individual parameters including: screen contrast, individual RGB levels if available (RGB Presets if individual levels are not available and then the luminance point.  The system then generates an ICC Profile–a neat feature is that it allows you to view a sample photo before and after calibration.  The software also allows you to set a reminder for you to recalibrate the monitor and creates a graph of how your monitors profile is changing over time.

Printer calibration

The point of monitor calibration is be able to “soft proof” the image on the monitor and expect the printer to produce what you see, the Holy Grail of the digital darkroom.  Most printer manufacturers and paper manufacturers provide profiles for each paper they produce.  The i1 software allows you to create custom profiles that are more accurate.  The process is straightforward.  The first step is to print a test chart on your printer.  Make sure that you have the appropriate resolution and paper chosen in the print driver and turn off any color adjustments–then click the print button and print the test chart.  After printing the test charts you have to wait for them to dry–24 hours to be safe.  Put the print on the backup board, mount the spectrophotometer on the included ruler guide and fire up the software.  Scan each line of the test print by pressing the button on blank area before the test batches and scanning across smoothly at a natural
pace.  At the end of each line, let go of the button, wait for the beep and then move to the next line.  The software will advise you if there are any errors and you need to rescan a line. 

So is all this effort worth it? Yes!  After calibrating the monitor and printer I can now soft proof my prints.  I can accurately adjust color and light and shadow in Photoshop. 

The i1Photo also allows you to create profiles for cameras–this requires studio lights and a target that doesn’t come with the kit.  We will update the review when we have tested this.

i1Share

The i1Share application allows you to accurate scan any color with a click of the Spectrophotometer. Like the color palette used in a brochure?  Click….click….click….now you can quickly convert it into Pantone colors, Photoshop, Illustrator or even a Microsoft Excel pallete.  You can measure the spectral distribution of the ambient light or flash light, evaluate them against standard illuminations and transform the colors to evaluate them in different ambient illumination.

Conclusion

The i1Share system is an easy to use, and accurate system for calibrating various input and output devices in a photographers workflow.  What differentiates it from less expensive systems?  Two things:  Accuracy and the number of devices that it can profile.  The included Spectrophotometer allows you to create accurate profiles
for your monitor, printer, projector, camera, and even measure the ambient light you are viewing your photos with or the quality of your flash.  What could be better?  About the only thing that I think needs improvement is the documentation.  While I muddled my way through by going through the included tutorials, online help and using Google better, more coherent documentation would have made it a lot easier.  For example, it took me a while to figure out that I had to use the i1Share application to measure and compare ambient light.  However, now that I’ve learned how to use the system it is a powerful tool for me to create accurate output of my photography. 

Forty years ago, my father had high blood pressure.  He tried drugs, he tried going away to the country, and taking extended vacation.  He controlled his diet.  Finally, he decided to take yoga classes at the All India Yoga Institute.  Within two years, his blood pressure was under control and it still is under control.

I tried doing meditation but was having a really hard time getting my breath under control.  While searching the Internet I found reference to a FDA approved device called Resperate  that claims to lower blood pressure by using special breathing exercises.  Studies showed that within eight weeks of regularly using the device, patients’ blood pressure was lowered by an average of 14 systolic points (the upper number in the reading) and 9 diastolic points (the lower reading). Resperate costs $299–a bit expensive for a gadget.  I get the feeling “medical devices” are priced like parts on a sailboat or airplane–triple the price.  Since they had a eight week money back guarantee I ordered it. 

What do you get?  The resperate device, a set of headphones, and a band to place just below your chest. When you start the exercise Resperate measures your breathing rate–mine was initially 17 breaths per minute. The goal is to get it under 10 breaths per minute. The device guides to slow your breathing through a series of tones that prompt you to breathe in and out.  The exercise lasts for approximately fifteen minutes.

Is it easy to do?

Yes, but you have to do it consistently (3-5 times per week) and it takes a bit of discipline. To be honest I have had a hard time doing this consistently but am going to give it another try (that’s what New Year’s Resolutions are for).  It is very relaxing to do the exercise right before going to sleep–I sleep much better if I do it.

Does it work?

I don’t know.  Resperate does offer links to seven peer-reviewed articles on their website that discuss the methodology.

What do I wish was different?

It’d be cool if they’d make it about the size of an Ipod.  Better yet, license the “tune” to iPod and create an interface that would hook up the belt that measures the breaths per minute.  About the only other thing I don’t like is the tangle of wires and belts that inevitably results with the device.  Of course that’s true of most electronic devices.

Is it worth trying?

Drugs have side effects.  High Blood Pressure is a leading cause of health problems in the country.  For me, I thought it was worth the try.  Even if it doesn’t help my blood pressure, the device leaves me feeling much more relaxed and focused–not a bad thing.  I continue to eat healthy, exercise, and take my medicines and follow my cardiologist’s advice.

Chantal pots are manufactured in Germany, where for centuries, they’ve been perfecting the art of enameling. Uniquely beautiful and durable, Chantal cookware performs under the conditions you expect it to. It’s also easy to take care of. The smooth enamel surface is easy to clean and doesn’t require seasoning or polishing.

At the enameling mill, glass fragments (known as frit), minerals, and color pigments are ground down to a fine powder. The formulation and consistency of the ingredients is crucial to the final outcome of Chantal’s enamel finish.

Once the glass enamel slip is perfected, up to three different coats of enamel are applied. Between each coating, the glass frit is vitrified in a high-temperature furnace. This high-firing process “seals” the inner carbon steel in a glass-like outer shell providing a durable, non-porous cooking surface that will maintain the flavor and quality of foods.

When heated, other cookware metals may leach. This sometimes affects the flavor of foods, leaving a telltale metal taste. This is not the case with Chantal. In fact, the characteristics of enamel-on-steel make Chantal’s cookware safe for food storage.

In addition to their pots and pans Chantal has added on to their traditional line with stainless steel tools. After years of looking for the right fit, Chantal’s president and founder, Heida Thurlow, finally developed her own unique line of 18/10 Stainless Steel Kitchen Tools.

These beautiful tools come with a contoured, well-balanced handle that fits comfortably into the curve of your hand. The hang-loop matches Chantal’s mushroom-shaped lid knob and all the tools are dishwasher-safe and backed with a 10-year limited warranty. Items we tested were the Pizza cutter, several cheese cutters, tongs and a grater. Little touches made the tools a pleasure to use. For example, the tongs lock in a closed position making them much easier to put away. If you are a Chantal fan check these tools out—they fit very well with the rest of the line.