Photography HORROR Stories Halloween Show: RAWtalk 155

This is a special Halloween episode as well as a late night recording show which means we had a few drinks and a lot of fun. I had just landed from Minnesota and came right home to record the show with the guys.

This weeks show is brought to you by HOYA and their brand new killer filters the HD3’s. We love them and so do many of you, check them out.

Instead of Flying Solo this week, I changed it up and request your “Photography Horror” stories. We all have them and you guys submitted some really scary ones that hopefully never happen to any of us.

Stephen hits us with his drunken photo news followed by gear of the week, wheel of FRO and a lot of laughs.

Thank you for your continued support of RAWtalk!!!

Halloween Costume Intro – 00:00:21
Minnesota Trip Recap – 00:06:38
Photo News – 00:15:57
Flying Solo – “Horror Stories”: 00:45:52
Wheel of Fro – 01:24:40

Here’s all of Stephen’s photo news stories in detail:

Amazon Announces 50TB Backup Drive

Amazon has announced a new 50TB drive called the “Snowball.” The new drive is not one to own either, it’s a new backup solution that will ship to your house then back to amazon for cloud storage backup. Here’s how it works: Amazon ships it to you, you have 10 days to load everything onto it that you want backed up, you then ship it back to them once complete, and they transfer everything to Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud storage in just a single day. The unit itself has a hardened casing and weighs 47 lbs. It is ready to ship, with no external boxes needed as well. It’s rain, dust and tamper-resistant too. Transfer wise, it has a high speed 10 Gbps network connection to minimize data transfer times AND can be used in parallel with multiple Snowball devices to create larger bandwidths. So, ten Snowballs (each with a 10Gb connection) could transfer with the equivalent of a 100Gb connection! How much will it cost? The new service will be $200 + shipping, not including hosting prices.

Lomography Announces “Ultra Slow” Film with ISO of 6

Lomography has announced a new film by KONO! called Donau, it’s a new limited edition “ultra slow” 35mm film with an ISO of just 6! The film is tungsten balanced too so it has a retro tungsten tint to it. They say when used during the day, it “will emit brilliant blue tones that evoke a totally retro vibe.” Fun fact: it was never intended to be used in a camera; instead, it was originally designed to bring digital images to film during post-production in the movie industry. Price wise, you can get a pack of three 36-exposure film rolls for $38. Will you be buying some? (via FS)

Sigma Announces World’s Widest f1.4 lens

Sigma has unveiled the world’s widest f1.4 lens, their new 20mm f1.4 Art lens. The lens is designed specifically for high megapixel DSLRs. They say it helps “bring out the full potential” of the cameras. Spec wise, it weighs 33.5 ounces, has their Hyper Sonic Motor, a minimum focus distance of 10.9 inches, and a coating that minimizes flaring, ghosting, field curvature, and aberrations. It’ll be available at the end of November in Canon, Nikon, and Sigma mounts for $899.

ZY Optics Unveil World’s Fastest 135mm Lens

Another “world’s first” lens: ZY Optics has announced the world’s fastest 135mm lens, their new Mitakon Speedmaster 135mm f/1.4 lens. Spec wise, it has a minimum focus distance of about five feet, has a clickless aperture ring so it is manual, a 105mm filter thread, and weighs about 6.6 lbs. It will come in Canon, Nikon, and Sony FE mounts too. It comes at a price though: it will cost you about $3,000 to own one and only 100 units will ever be made. ZY Optics says “The development and material cost is extremely high. It is not necessary a retail item but a collectors item.” Would you pay that kind of money just to have it sit on your shelf? Check out sample images from it over on their product page. (via PP)

Photographer Pens Open Letter to Woman Who Calls Police on Him for “Taking Pictures of Children”

A man named David Updike–a Harvard graduate, fellow photographer, and college English professor–wrote an open letter to a woman who reported him of “taking pictures of children,” AKA being a pedophile. Here’s what happened: he was sitting in Cambridge’s Dana Park about a month ago, where he had his film camera with him. He was suddenly surrounded by six police officers questioning what he was taking pictures of. A woman had reported him and now he’s responding to her with his own open letter. Addressed to the “woman in Dana Park who called the police on Sept. 23 around 5:30 p.m,” the letter can be read below: (via PP)

“Dear Neighbor,

Yesterday was a beautiful day, I think you will agree. I decided to take a short walk from my house on Hamilton Street to Dana Park, which I have been coming to almost daily since 1989, the year my son was born. As I often do, I brought my camera, sat on a bench for about 10 minutes, did one lap around the park and headed home. I had barely gotten across the street when three police cars pulled up: I was told to stop, and swiftly surrounded by six policemen. I was “detained” there for approximately 20 minutes and questioned; another officer returned to the park to find out why you had called them. My suspected crime, apparently, was having a camera in a public park, and allegedly taking pictures of children. As it turned out, I had taken no pictures that day. But I have been photographing in this neighborhood for 30 years, and have published a children’s book of poems and photographs, always with permission. The policeman returned and wanted to see my “flip phone,” and then asked me if I knew how he knew I had a flip phone: I didn’t. He knew, he told me, because the woman who called the police had taken a picture of ME, sitting on the bench, and shown him the picture. They then took away my phone, scrolled through the few pictures that were on it. They continued to hover around me asking questions. As it happened, I was standing near the house where my son now lives, and when my wife appeared, walking down the street after work, and saw me standing in front of his house with six policemen, she instantly feared something terrible had happened to our son. She was shaking, and I explained the situation. She is an English teacher at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School; I am a college professor of English. Our son spent much of the first 15 years of his life in Dana Park. You must be new in the neighborhood. I am often in the park, on foot or on a bike, talking to friends who have children who play in the playground. I know you were standing very near to me for the entire time I was on the bench, though I could not figure out why. Now I know: you were taking my picture. Suggestion: the next time you suspect someone is up to no good, perhaps you should say hello, speak to them first and, if still anxious, ask what they are taking pictures of. That’s what people do in a neighborhood park: talk to each other. This would save someone the humiliation and degradation of being stopped and held by the police, and might save the police from wasting their time when they could be doing something more useful, like managing the daily mayhem in Central Square. The fact that you now have my picture in your phone is both sadly ironic and, well, creepy. Could you please delete it?

Your neighbor,

— David Updike, Hamilton Street”

Western Digital Acquires SanDisk for $19 Billion

Western Digital has agreed to buy SanDisk for $19 Billion in cash and stock. Analysts have said while Western Digital is a major player in the traditional storage industry, it needs access to SanDisk’s NAND technology to better compete in the solid-state drive (SSD) market. Western Digital also said Toshiba, with which SanDisk has an intellectual property-sharing joint venture on their NAND flash memory, is supportive of the deal. SanDisk shares rose 2.5% to $79.05 following the announcement. Upon closing, which will be in the third quarter or 2016, SanDisk CEO Sanjay Mehrotra is expected to join the Western Digital board. Will this shake up the flash memory industry? (via Reuters)

U.S. Announces Upcoming Federal Drone Registry

The U.S. government is set to create the first ever federal drone registry where it will be mandatory for drone users to register their drones. The Department of Transportation plans to have all drones in the country registered by this Christmas. They say more than one million drones could be given as gifts to untrained operators this holiday season. The government is even creating a specific task force just for drones which will consist of 25 – 30 representatives from the UAS and manned aviation industries and the government. The group will be tasked with putting together a set of recommendations for the drone registry, with a Nov. 20 deadline for submitting their proposals. They will advise the department on which aircraft should be exempt from registration due to a low safety risk, including toys and certain other small UAS. The task force will also explore options for a streamlined system that would make registration less burdensome for commercial UAS operators. Once set it place, those caught flying unregistered will face consequences too. FAA Administrator Michael Huerta says, “Registration will help make sure that operators know the rules and remain accountable to the public for flying their unmanned aircraft responsibly. When they don’t fly safely, they’ll know there will be consequences.” The full details to the registry will be unveiled later this year, obviously coming some time before Christmas. Watch the full press conference below: (via Reuters)

Introducing DroneLapse: A Hyperlapse Video Shot in RAW with a Drone

On the topic of drones, there’s a new form of hyperlapse now: one done with a drone. A videographer named Jonathan Lucan created a new hyperlapse video with his drone that was made entirely from DNG still photos. He used a DJI Inspire 1 to capture the images, and a 3rd party app that triggered the drone’s camera with intervals of less than five seconds each, which resulted in 100GB of RAW photos. He then created a 2-minute short film from the images using Premiere Pro and After Effects. Check out the video below, which he calls “NightLapse Concerto.” (via PP)

FAA Warns Passengers To Not Pack Spare Lithium Batteries In Their Luggage

Speaking of flying, the FAA posted a new warning telling people to not pack spare lithium batteries in their checked baggage, and by “spare,” they mean lithium batteries that are NOT installed in a portable electronic device. The FAA says they “present a risk of both igniting and fueling fires in aircraft cargo/baggage compartments.” The FAA’s regulations only allow for limited exceptions for passengers to carry spare lithium batteries in the cabin with them. If you take them on the plane, each spare lithium battery must be individually protected to prevent short circuits (ie. by placement in original retail packaging, by otherwise insulating terminals by taping over exposed terminals, or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch). They must also not come in contact with metal objects, such as coins, keys, or jewelry, and they say to take steps to prevent crushing, puncturing, or pressure on the battery. (via Engadget)

Photographer Publishing Instagram Novel Over Course of Next Few Months

A photographer is publishing an Instagram novel. Over the course of the next eight months, Rachel Hulin will be posting an entire novel through the social network. The novel, called “Hey Harry Hey Matilda,” will be spread out with each post being an excerpt from the book. The story is about a pair of fraternal twins in their 30s named Matilda and Harry, where Matilda is a wedding photographer, and Harry is an English professor. Here’s how it works: each Instagram post is an email exchange between the two, and through the email exchange and photos sent between them, the story unfolds. She’s about five weeks in already and if you want to follow along, the story’s Instagram handle is the title of the book: @heyharryheymatilda. (via PP)

Leica Unleashes New Full Frame Mirrorless Camera: The Leica SL

Leica has unleashed a new full frame mirrorless camera called the Leica SL. Leica says the new SL is “a mirrorless camera system designed for professional photographers.” Spec wise, it has a 24MP full frame CMOS sensor, an ISO range of 50-50,000, and no OLPF for sharper images. It also has “the fastest autofocus on the market” with 49 AF points, a 2GB buffer (which can shoot 33 RAW photos in a row without stopping), and dual SD slots. Plus, it shoots 11 fps, has a 2.95-inch touchscreen LCD, shoots internal 4K video at 30fps or 1080P at 120fps, has uncompressed video out, and a 4.4-megapixel EVF with a new technology called Leica EyeRes. How much? It’ll be available starting Nov. 16 for $7,450. Too expensive to compete in the consumer mirrorless market?

This $500 Bejeweled Selfie Stick Is Designed Specifically For Brides

There’s a new high-end selfie stick specifically designed for brides. The classy stick debuted at Reem Acra’s–the company who makes it–bridal show last week. It’s covered with Swarovski crystals and white blossoms and is painted all white of course. They say, “Posed pictures can look formal and serious, and the selfie stick will give everyone something to smile about.” It’s being sold for $500 and is already out of stock at their Fifth Avenue flagship store. In the bridal show’s video, you can see one of the models rocking a wedding gown and walking down the runway with the stick, which you can see below. Ridiculous or genius? (via NYP)

Concert Photographers Upset Over Janet Jackson’s New Photo Release

Concert photographers wanting to photograph Janet Jackson on her current Unbreakable World Tour are pretty annoyed at her new photo release. The contract says they only get 30 seconds of the first song to shoot the pop star and that all copyright will be handed over to the Janet Jackson camp and considered “work for hire.” Check out a copy of the document below for all the details. Do big bands still need photographers to promote their tours? (via PP)

Janet Jackson’s Camp Reporting Instagram Users For Posting Live Photos & Videos

To make things even more strict, she’s cracking down on Instagram users as well that are posting visuals from the tour. Instagram users are reporting that their accounts are being deleted after they posted photos and videos of Jackson during her current tour. They have all gotten an email from Instagram saying their content had been reported as copyright infringement from a 3rd party. Instagram later restored some of the Instagram accounts, saying that only “repeat infringers” will be permanently deleted. Apparently there was a bug that was deleting first-time violators which should not have been the case. Is this going a little too far? Update: Janet Jackson has since responded and says she’s been listening to her fans: (via TMZ)