Watch How a Street Photographer Going about a Shoot [VIDEO]

My personal note:  I wouldn’t ever take a picture of someone without asking their permission.  EVER!!!

One of the more popular topics of discussion on dPS over the last year or so has been ‘Street Photography’.

We’ve featured a variety of tutorials on Street Photography (there are a few links below) but every time we do people comment about the idea of walking up to strangers and taking their photos.

One of our previous guest posters on the topic of street photography – Eric Kim – recently posted a video on his blog that actually takes viewers on a street photography shoot with him. [watch]

Doing business in California SUCKS – and they still can’t figure out why people are leaving in masses.

UPDATE:  Gov. Moonbean sealed the deal. ( Bye, bye affiliate program.

I got this from Amazon this morning.  I’m amazed that the brainiacs in Sacramento still can’t figure out why businesses are leaving CA by the truck load.  Time and time again, CA ranks near the bottom of the best states to do business in.  Maybe they look at the glass as half full – “we’re at the top of the list of worst states to do business in.”

For well over a decade, the Amazon Associates Program has worked with thousands of California residents. Unfortunately, a potential new law that may be signed by Governor Brown compels us to terminate this program for California-based participants. It specifically imposes the collection of taxes from consumers on sales by online retailers – including but not limited to those referred by California-based marketing affiliates like you – even if those retailers have no physical presence in the state.

We oppose this bill because it is unconstitutional and counterproductive. It is supported by big-box retailers, most of which are based outside California, that seek to harm the affiliate advertising programs of their competitors. Similar legislation in other states has led to job and income losses, and little, if any, new tax revenue. We deeply regret that we must take this action.

As a result, we will terminate contracts with all California residents that are participants in the Amazon Associates Program as of the date (if any) that the California law becomes effective. We will send a follow-up notice to you confirming the termination date if the California law is enacted. In the event that the California law does not become effective before September 30, 2011, we withdraw this notice. As of the termination date, California residents will no longer receive advertising fees for sales referred to Amazon.com, Endless.com, MYHABIT.COM or SmallParts.com. Please be assured that all qualifying advertising fees earned on or before the termination date will be processed and paid in full in accordance with the regular payment schedule.

You are receiving this email because our records indicate that you are a resident of California. If you are not currently a resident of California, or if you are relocating to another state in the near future, you can manage the details of your Associates account here. And if you relocate to another state in the near future please contact us for reinstatement into the Amazon Associates Program.

To avoid confusion, we would like to clarify that this development will only impact our ability to offer the Associates Program to California residents and will not affect their ability to purchase from Amazon.com, Endless.com, MYHABIT.COM or SmallParts.com.

We have enjoyed working with you and other California-based participants in the Amazon Associates Program and, if this situation is rectified, would very much welcome the opportunity to re-open our Associates Program to California residents. We are also working on alternative ways to help California residents monetize their websites and we will be sure to contact you when these become available.

Regards,

The Amazon Associates Team

Former Shake designer: Video pros, don’t rely on Apple

This isn’t a huge surprise.  Once they (Apple) got a taste of the MONEY (i.e. iphone, ipod, ipad), the pros were left behind.  Next, the Mac Pro towers will be gone.

In the light of the ongoing criticism surrounding Final Cut Pro X, the latest iteration of Apple’s video editing software for professionals (so says Apple, disgruntled users says it’s a glorified “iMovie Pro”), MacRumors points at some interesting revelations by former Shake product designer Ron Brinkmann who was on the original Shake development team. When Apple acquired the company, they kept Brinkmann to work as the project’s product designer until the company silently phased out the famed video compositing software in 2007. [read]

Seafood Recommendations

We recommend which seafood to buy or avoid, helping consumers and businesses become advocates for ocean-friendly seafood. You can get our recommendations online, in our printed pocket guides, or on your mobile devices. [read]

Alesis iO Dock Music Studio Device for iPad and iPad2 Now Available

“The iO Dock is the missing link between the iPad, its associated App Store’s catalog of audio and video apps, and the entire world of professional audio equipment. Songwriters, music producers and performers of all kinds will find that the iO Dock turns an iPad into a professional music studio by connecting the iPad’s powerful processor, touch-screen interface and extensive library of apps, to their collection of microphones, instruments, professional speaker and PA systems, MIDI controllers, sound modules, video projectors and much more. [read]

American Medical Association Officially Condemns Retouched Photos

The use of photo retouching doesn’t just make for unrealistic images – it can also be bad for your health.

The American Medical Association has taken a stand against the Photoshopping of images since “such alterations can contribute to unrealistic expectations of appropriate body image – especially among impressionable children and adolescents, according to a decision announced this week. [read]

Apple officially responds to Final Cut Pro X complaints with new FAQ website, next ‘major release’ coming with fixes

Just recall the mess already – By now, most people that are interested in Apple and/or video editing have heard about the ongoing criticism towards Apple’s latest professional movie making software, Final Cut Pro X. Many are calling this total revamp of the Final Cut product an application that is not suited for professionals. Some have even dubbed it as a slightly jazzed up version of iMovie – “iMovie Pro.” Now, Apple has officially responded to this criticism with a new “answers to the most common questions we’ve heard” web page. [read]

Apple issuing refunds for Final Cut Pro X

TheNextWeb reports that Apple has begun returning the $299 purchase price of Final Cut Pro X to customers who are unsatisfied with the product’s features and capabilities.  Cupertino has begun issuing refunds to those who have filed an official request using Apple’s Mac App Store Customer Service form.

Some customers have received sympathetic email responses from Apple support staff, including:

“Moving forward, I understand that you are not satisfied with the app “Final Cut Pro”. I can certainly appreciate you would like a refund, and I would be more than happy to help you out with this today. In five to seven business days, a credit of £179.99 should be posted to the credit card that appears on the receipt for that purchase.

Please note that this is a one time exception because the iTunes Terms and Conditions state that all sales are final.”

This is an interesting gray area because Mac Apps purchased through the Mac App Store aren’t usually up for return so long after they are purchased (unless you re in Taiwan).  Whereas boxed software, especially Pro level stuff, usually has a longer guarantee even if there are restocking fees. [via 9to5Mac]

VIDEO

Keeping Your Side Business Moving When You Still Have a Day Job

Do you have your own business – or have you ever thought about starting one? It seems like more and more of the people I talk to have side projects going on: they work a day job to pay the rent, but they’re doing what they really love in the evenings or on the weekends, hoping that eventually, they can make a career out of it.

It can be really tough, though, to keep up your motivation when you’re working long days in the office and coming home to work some more.

I spent months freelancing on the side, before I established a strong enough client base to quit my day job. It was tough at times, but I’m really glad I made it. Here are some of the things that helped me, and which might help you too. [read]

Vibrations Invisible to the Human Eye Shot at 1,000 Frames Per Second

See The Unseen is a series of videos created by measurement equipment company Fluke and Propadata Films that were shot using a Phantom HD Gold camera that show what vibrations look like when viewed 1,000 frames per second. The videos were were made as a promo for the Fluke 810 Vibration Tester.  [see all videos]