Cold weather is upon us, and the snow flakes are coming down.  Winter is here to stay (for a couple months at least).  I'm planning on going snowshoeing this weekend up in the Rockies, so I got to thinking, what sort of things should I be aware of when packing for the trip and when using my camera gear in cold weather?

1) Batteries

NiMH and Lithium Ion batteries are among the most commonly used battery types for digital cameras.  And like all batteries, they generate electrical current through chemical reactions.  In most cases, the chemical reactions producing the electric current will take place slower or at reduced efficiency when the battery is at a lower temperature.  So this means that in order to draw the same amount of power in cold weather, more chemical reactions need to take place, and the battery will lose its charge much faster. 

The obvious way you can get around this is to keep your camera and batteries warm.  If you have a smaller point-and-shoot camera, you can keep the camera in an inner jacket pocket.  If you have a larger DSLR, keeping it in your pack will offer some protection from the cold.  Otherwise, make sure you have your batteries fully charged before you go out, and if you plan on doing a lot of shooting, make sure you have an extra battery handy. 

Continue Reading - Cold Weather Photography Tips | Comments

Category | Digital Photos  Tags | winter cold weather photography tips

The beginning of December brings us to a new month, and of course, to a new site update.  November and December can be kind of a dull time for nature photography here in Colorado.  The sun never really gets to a peak in the sky, so everything seems to exist in a glaring, half light.  All the leaves are off the trees.  The grasses, plants and fields have taken on the dull brown color of winter.  But no real snow has yet fallen to cover all those dead things in a nice clean sheen of frozen water and ice.  (that may change tomorrow, if the weather report is to be believed)

So while I do consider myself a nature and landscape photographer, first and foremost, this has been a perfect time to try to branch out and challenge myself with new styles.  There is a neighborhood not far from where I work with a bunch of run down, old houses.  I've spent a few days exploring the back alleys there, in an attempt to see the beauty among all the dilapidated siding, dirty windows and peeling paint.  There is also an older area south of downtown, where I have spent a couple weekends wandering abandoned lots and alleyways.

These new desktop wallpapers were the result.

This was at one time the main level floor of a house.  All that remains of the house now is a foundation and these floorboards.

Continue Reading - December Update 2009 | Comments

Category | Desktop Wallpapers  Tags | news site news desktop wallpapers

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to spend some time in Dominican Republic.  When the topic of the Dominican Republic comes up, most people will probably think of Santo Domingo or the all-inclusive super resorts of La Romana and Puerto Plata.  But the real beauty of the country (as in most places) is found when you get off the beaten track.  In that regard, the Dominican Republic is the true gem of the Caribbean.  From the central mountains, to the rolling hills of the north, to the beaches and waterfalls of Samana, to the desert plains of the southwest, the country has it all.

My journey started out in Santiago, where I flew into the Cibao International Airport.  I spent a few days in Santiago with a friend, taking in the culture, and then traveled south to Santo Domingo.  We did not spend any time in what most locals call "La Capital" and instead continued through the city and then east towards La Romana.  We spent a few days there exploring La Romana and a smaller town to the east called Boca de Yuma, and then it was back to my friend's place in Santiago.  At this point I rented a car and drove up to Puerto Plata and then east along Highway 5 to Nagua.  It was quite a long day, as the highway is only two lanes and not in very good condition in some places.  I ended up staying for several days at a little motel (el Motel Chino) that overlooks the town of Samana and Samana bay.

Continue Reading - Dominican Republic Mega Update | Comments

Category | Digital Photos  Tags | Dominican Republic Caribbean travels

My days of fooling with camera hand straps are coming to a close.  Originally, the idea appealed to me because wearing the camera around my neck seemed so cumbersome.  After a few minutes of wearing the thing around my neck I felt like I was being pulled down into the earth.  Not to mention the DSLR would bounce around on the neck strap if I happened to walk anywhere, which was quite often doing photography and all.  And having a very expensive and heavy piece of electronics bounce around on your chest is not a good feeling. 

So all of this lead me to try out a hand strap, which I had heard so much about.  Well I’m here to tell you that it’s not worth it. 

This is what my camera looks like with the hand strap attached. 

Continue Reading - Camera Hand Straps | Comments

Category | Digital Photos  Tags | digital cameras straps

Welcome to the new site.  OneOddDude.net has died, and Pixeldef.com has risen from the ashes like the majestic phoenix of old.  Ok, perhaps that’s a bit dramatic, but seeing as we have passed out of our “odd dude” phases here, it was fitting to create something more professional, more presentable, with more features and coolness.  New and improved, you might say. 

As you poke around the new site, please bear with us.  Things will be a bit slim around here until there is sufficient content uploaded and the kinks are worked out.  If you notice any errors, please don’t hesitate to let us know.  Thanks, and enjoy the content!

Continue Reading - Welcome to the New Site | Comments

Category | Internet Resources  Tags | news site news internet resources