How to Buy a Hot Body…

A Question on Ask Mic today was from Victoria, asking how do you know what camera to buy? Victoria! First of all, as wonderful as technology is, if it were so fabulous then they wouldn't have to keep improving on it every six months now would they... lol One of the first things I share with friends is you do NOT need the fanciest camera! If anything, get yourself a good solid body, but place an emphasis on the quality of the lens and "focus" on that ;0) There is a reason for this. The lesser quality lenses are made with more plastic than glass, this diminishes the quality of the image. This is also why the more expensive, higher quality lenses are heavier! It's all about the "glass"! Also, the larger a lens can "open up" (ie: f/2.8 or f/1.4) the more light that is allowed in, so you can take better images in lower light situations. Believe me, there's really no way to get away from spending a good bit of money on a solid "system" but you really don't have to give up your newborn. Teenager maybe, but not the newborn...
So, my favorite lens of all time for me, is the 17mm-55mm 2.8 (meaning the maximum the aperture opens is to f/2.8). I think I shoot about 90% of everything I do with that puppy. If I really want to blast out the background I'll pull out my fixed (meaning it's not a zoom lens) 85mm f/1.4.
In the meantime, looking for a camera body has various issues you will want to take into consideration besides price. Mind you, the very first wedding I ever shot was on a Nikon D70, an average but decent camera, but I had a good LENS! Having the knowledge on how a camera works, with a good piece of glass can take you a long way. That first wedding was actually published in Professional Photographer Magazine, go figure!

Now, I shoot Nikon, I love Nikon!! People that shoot Canon, love Canon! It's all in what you are comfortable with and how well you get to know your new little beast. So no matter the direction you go in in regard to brand (NikonNikonNikonNikon...) here are a few things to think about before you drop your kid off in exchange for the newest member of your family...your camera body:
#1: What is the intended use of the camera? If you just want to make images of family and friends then a lower price camera will work well.
#2: What kind and size of removable memory cards does the camera use?
#3: How does the camera interface with your computer? Most cameras come with a serial or USB cable to connect the camera to your computer allowing pictures to be downloaded.
#4: What is the maximum resolution of saved images? Low resolution pictures make for low resolution prints.
#5: Does the camera have reasonable battery requirements? In general, rechargeable lithium type batteries will give you the best results.
#6: Does the camera have an LCD screen? The LCD is a small color monitor on the back of the camera. This screen is required for viewing images taken and deleting unwanted images from memory.
#7:In what format are images saved? JPEG and TIFF are the most common formats.
#8: Are there manual overrides for exposure and focus control?
#9: What is the camera weight and how is it constructed, plastic or metal? Cheap cameras have plastic lens, I prefer a glass lens.
#10: Does the camera have a built in flash and if so how powerful is it? Most digital cameras have very underpowered flash units so check to see if you can use an accessory flash unit.
#11: What software is bundled with the camera? Many camera systems come with software that will help you store, organize and enhance your images.
#12: What kinds of accessories are available for your selected camera system, like camera bags, filters and flash units?
#13: Purchase from a known online retailer, NOT an unknown seller!
I hope this helps! (NikonNikonNikonNikonNikon...)

The White Party

Rumor had it the party was going to be big. As Lauren phoned her mother, her heart ached at the thought of disappointing her parents. Eighteen was a milestone; she knew her mother might not approve of her canceling the family dinner at The Ivy to hopefully join a group of friends at the hot White Party happening that night at The Jonathan Beach Club in Santa Monica. Little did she know, it was her mother who had Lauren's friends invite her to that White Party...there was never supposed to be a family dinner at The Ivy.
The phone rang, Lauren anxiously twirled her golden strands in her fingertips. Her mother answered, Lauren apologized profusely. Her mother feigned disappointment, as she secretly plotted the arrangement of tables atop the Santa Monica sand.
As the sky hovering atop the lifeguard stands melted into a cosmic sherbert sundae, the guests arrived one by one, in the finest whites, Jimmy Choo heels, whipped cream linens and patent leather caramels. I stood aside, grateful to be wearing white , and for a moment pretended I was one of the guests who happened to don the coolest camera in the crowd. Boy was I going to show up THAT photographer...oh wait...I WAS the photographer...and my fantasy ended...
The DJ stirred the crowd into a silent frenzy, whispering into the mic that the birthday girl had arrived. As Lauren crept around the corner, huddled by her girlfriends, the energy of the awaiting surprise pursed the lips of the entrance, the guests exploded with delight at the ruse, the coup of fabulous deceit raining delight on their guest of honor. The evening was a success. The White Party was indeed the hottest party of the night, and it was Lauren's, to hold and remember forever. Her parents stood proudly as all danced under winking eyelets in the sky, and into an evening of fire-pits and s'mores. Life was good.
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GI Photo Jam & MOH Sakato

It was a Friday. My location consisted of military uniforms and Humvees. Not your usual seminar venue, I had arrived at the Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion for an impromptu GI Photo Jam. It was seeded by an idea by one of my friends SFC Jason R. Montano, Battalion Master Trainer, who hoped to learn more about photography. In a matter of days our session evolved into the concept of providing a free seminar session for troops at the Battalion. After a morning of jamming on the Three Scoops of Photography, our day swiftly morphed into the ULTIMATE workshop, covering the Battalion event of WWII Medal of Honor recipient, George Sakato. We shifted through the audience of the 200 soldiers as they listened to one of the greatest military events of our time. Sakato revisited the emotional tale of his fellow soldier dying in his arms in the fields of France, the ensuing battle, and his feat of eliminating twelve Germans with his personal capture of thirty-seven others, saving the lives of the rest of his unit. The Medal of Honor was bestowed upon him fifty years later by President Clinton.
After Sakato spoke to the troops, we followed him to a private visit in the LTC's office where we all fell in love with him. This dynamic man of history released his wit, exclaiming his greatest lesson from his incident, "I learned to keep my head down". His daughter beamed from the corner of the room, lovingly protective and embracing pride in every moment of adoration placed on her father. She shared the story of how he joined the military so he would be respected as an American during such a volatile period in history as a young man of Japanese heritage.
I will hold that Friday dear, for the opportunity to have had the photo jam with my friends in uniform, and for the brief time we shared with a hero.
As my friend SFC Montano (otherwise known as my Battle Buddy) transfers to Fort Knox, Kentucky, my heart saddens with the reality our servicemen and women endure in their ever-changing locations of their own. There will be more GI Photo Jams to come, all because of a friend, an idea, and a Friday we will hold in our hearts forever.[gallery]

National FOX News Piece on Tempered Steel

Wounded Veterans Share Their Stories With Students, Community

By Laura Prabucki

Published May 29, 2011
www.foxnews.com

Any time you think you've had a bad day, remember Tony Lino.

The Marine gunnery sergeant has been blown up and cheated death, twice. Lino has dedicated his life to our country, serving as an explosives ordinance detonator, or "hurt locker" guy. He's deployed five times, once to Afghanistan and four times to Iraq.

It was during two of his tours in Iraq that he almost lost his life, first in 2006 and then in 2009, both by improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.

“I just felt like everything, like my face, wasn't going to be there anymore," Lino said.

Now he's sharing his story with others, the story behind his scars. Lino is part of a group called Tempered Steel, co-founded by Army Sgt. Scott Stephenson and his mother after the soldier was seriously wounded and disfigured in Iraq.

The wounded warriors tell their harrowing tales of survival to young students and other groups. Their mission: break down barriers in hopes that other injured vets will be embraced and accepted when they come home.

"It's about developing an ease of dialogue, a foundation of respect and a union between the wounded warriors and our civilians,” said Micaela Bensko, president of Tempered Steel.

Lino shared his harrowing story with Fox News.

"I couldn't even blink because I could feel all the dirt and shrapnel underneath both of my eyelids and underneath my eyes, so every time I blinked it felt like razor blades were cutting my eyelids," Lino said.

Dealing with something so devastating might cause some people to lose hope and give up, but Lino is a true fighter and says the experience has made him stronger.

He's not alone.

Army infantryman J.R. Martinez also shares his story through Tempered Steel. The 27-year old suffered burns covering more than 40 percent of his body and needed more than 30 surgeries after the Humvee he was driving ran over a land mine in Iraq.

"It's changed my life for the better -- completely," says Martinez, who along with being a motivational speaker also stars on the soap opera "All My Children."

“It’s given me an amazing insight to life," he said. "It's given me an amazing insight to myself, which ultimately allows me to be a better son, a better friend, a better family member."

Martinez's message is also helping to inspire others. He recently spoke to a group of seventh-graders at Rio Norte Junior High School in Santa Clarita, Calif. The students say their first impressions of Martinez were wrong and that while they find his story sad, they're impressed with how positive he is.

"I think the most important thing it taught me was, no matter what happens, to always take the better in life that you can and move on with things," Michaela Banyi said.

“He was definitely very positive, very faithful," said Omar Espinoza. “He said somehow his experience helped him to be more successful.”

For Martinez, that's a mission accomplished.

"It gives you something bigger in life that you never would expect," Martinez said. "What Tempered Steel has done for a lot of these guys is given them a platform and given them an opportunity to share their story that they potentially would not have been able to create on their own." That opportunity "is big, is very big," he said.

To learn more about Tempered Steel and how you can help these brave men and women in sharing their message, check out www.temperedsteelinc.org.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/29/group-encourages-wounded-veterans-share-stories-students-community/#ixzz1NlograJo

Bensko Digital Press Kit to be Featured to 2.2 Million Hits this Month!

One of the coolest things I've come across is the digital press kit, only because everyone was telling me I had to have one as a digital photo expert! So I googled up a company I have fallen in LOVE with! MyPPK.com! They have just made my digital press kit their feature on the site which will receive 2.2 Million hits this month alone. Thank you to MyPPK! You guys ROCK!
CHECK IT OUT!

Ryder’s Striders Cystic Fibrosis Walk 2011

Ryder was diagnosed with Cycstic Fibrosis through a routine heel- prick blood screening when he was born. His parents, Raven and Britt are one of my bridal couples from a few years ago, and they asked if I would join them in covering their Great Strides walk for a cure in Huntington Beach last weekend. It was on the books for six months and I couldn't wait to be a part of such a special event in their lives.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food. * About 1,000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year. * More than 70% of patients are diagnosed by age two. * More than 45% of the CF patient population is age 18 or older. * The predicted median age of survival for a person with CF is in the mid-30s.

To learn more about how you can help, please go to http://www.cff.org
Ryder\'s Striders Cystic Fibrosis Walk 2011

James & PJ / NOH8

We met for our shoot at Shutters in Santa Monica on a pristine evening. The skies were clear, the sand was as soft as talc, all seemed right in the world. Except for one thing. They couldn't stay much longer to enjoy it's grace. James & PJ married in Canada the week prior, and were heading to live in London. PJ is from Poland and cannot be a citizen by marriage, as the laws don't recognize gay marriage. Jame is a United States Citizen. His mother is his champion. His sister is his rock. PJ is his love, but their family is separated by an ocean until the laws change. This is only possible through awareness. It is my hope you can see in James & PJ not a gay couple, but a couple who is very simply, in love.

Not Your Mother’s Maternity Shoot

There is little that prepares one for parenthood.

Perhaps the greatest tool is laughter.

This mom-to-be is a goddess/yoga instructor, approaching her pregnancy with

twisted torsos and a sensational sense of humor,

all of which kept us rolling on the floor during our session.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Tiffany & Micah...
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Lou’s Journey Continues to Make a Difference

Yesterday my neighbor told me the slide-show Lou's Journey inspired her niece to have her own chemo hair-cutting party celebrating the life and love within her treatments, surrounded by loved ones. Her niece is 26.

The past few years have been a time of reflection and growth as my dear sister, Lou, (our mothers don't know it but we must be blood related...) ventured through the dizzying sea of the C-Word. Diagnosis, Chemo, and recovery, had us all chasing our tails for the answers we were convinced in one remedy or another. Yet after her treatments, hair loss, and all the self help Cancer strategy manuals on the planet, we discovered one truly valuable insight for anyone facing the challenge of Cancer. You've heard it a million times, "mind over matter", Cliche'? Perhaps, but it was how Lou approached her diagnosis which was a lesson I will carry forever. She called me and said, "Bring it on! It's a whole new experience I've never had and we might as well make this interesting!". As we went through her treatments, she welcomed my camera as our escort, our friend, our weapon, our advocate...I found myself shooting the strangest things, wigs on stands, angels overlooking the chemo chairs, chemicals going into her body.

Although we created Lou's Journey a while ago, (she is now recovered with a thick gorgeous head of hair), it seems that weekly I hear of a friend who's loved one or friend is newly diagnosed with this journey no one would purchase a ticket for. As Lou and I were keeping this slide-show mainly for friends and Cancer patients, it is now a story we are sharing without limit, with hopes that it can continue to help others who could use a little encouragement, to see that although 'mind over matter' may or may not cure, it certainly does allow one to create memories along this path filled with love and laughter, inspiration and courage. Everyone may wrangle their diagnosis differently, however Lou made a choice to do so with a golden lasso, and I am forever honored to call her my friend.

Lou's Journey:

Tempered Steel & Kids Rock

Tempered Steel, unites wounded soldiers with the public through dialogue, building relationships between our next generation and our wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. This week was a very special week for us. Two new speakers joined us, both Iraq Star warriors, sharing their stories of survival with students in Southern California.

Gunnery Sergeant Tony Lino was blown up in Iraq...twice. He was an EOD, Explosives Ordinance Detonator, otherwise known as a Hurt Locker guy. We met when my family's foundation, Iraq Star, reconstructed his teeth, and we have been family ever since. As Tempered Steel grows, it is becoming a breeding ground of healing for wounded soldiers as well as our Iraq Star warriors. Wounded troops from all around are beginning to hear about the opportunity to teach our youth about the sacrifices made for our country by simply sharing their stories of survival and blessings from their trials. The students are not only able to connect with our military on a personal level, but in a way which encourages support for our men and women who serve and an appreciation for the sacrifices made for our freedoms. Tony spoke to sixty fourth graders at Hesby Oaks Elementary two days ago. It was his first time speaking for Tempered Steel. Today the children are still wearing the medals he gave out, the bracelets, and one little girl is sitting in her seat today knowing an American soldier who cares. This little girl tugged on his jacket after he spoke that day and whispered,"My mom and dad are from Iraq. My uncle was an Iraqi soldier. He was shot in the heart."

JR Martinez is an actor, but he's a soldier first. He's a wounded warrior blown up in an explosion in 2003 when his Humvee hit a landmine. As his three fellow soldiers were ejected from the vehicle, JR was the driver, and watched the skin melt on his hands, in that seat, for ten minutes before they could get him out.

Almost three years at BAMC, and over thirty surgeries later, he thought his life was over...until his mother said something to him that would ultimately affect millions of lives around the world. She said, son, you have been given a gift. Now, for the rest of your life, you will know that people will love you for who you are, and not what you look like. It is YOU that will matter and can make a difference in this world.He now speaks for Tempered Steel, connecting with youths on a raw level, telling his story of survival and the power they hold in determining the direction of their lives amidst the biting reality of uncertainty.

This week JR spoke to a packed theater at Valencia High School for our organization, Tempered Steel. As many times as I've seen our troops speak for us, it never ceases to amaze me how the heart just aches and tears well in the eyes, even though I know their stories. You see, JR was finished after 45 minutes, but he stayed three hours. The kids didn't leave. After he was done, we were set to pack up to go, and a crowd of students encircled him, thanked him, and many went tot heir next class. There was a group however who needed more. Their hearts were aching for everything real, for the connection to linger and possibly heal their own wounds they carried inside. A young girl who wished to be a dancer who's dream was crushed by surgeries, a young girl with dark black hair and black eyeliner covering an absolutely beautiful face, hiding her pain of exclusion and isolation. A boy who sat throughout the speech with his hood over his head, his face in a staid expression walked up to him, tears in his eyes, he reached out his arms to JR. JR looked his way expecting to respond to his words, but all the boy could say was, "Man, please, I need a hug. I have to hug you. I have to thank you for being here, you have changed my life, you have no idea."

We sat in the theater for hours, talking about life, JR inspiring each student as he answered their regrets in life with encouragement, with hope, with the heart of Tempered Steel.

Here is a little summary of what we do: