Assignment Gear

Just finished packing the Urban Reporter 150 for the CES assignment in Las Vegas. Here's what's inside:

  • Olympus OM-D E-M1 with Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 zoom
  • Olympus 75mm f/1.8 prime lens
  • Olympus FL-300R flash with extra rechargeable batteries
  • Canon S110 compact
  • iPad mini with SD card reader (just in case there's a WiFi problem)
  • Rode iXY microphone
  • iPhone 5S and 3Gs
  • Joby micro 250 Gorillapod
  • Extra memory, batteries, earbuds and a few cables

The entire kit weighs 10 pounds (including a few energy bars). I'll have no problem carrying it on my shoulders each day for the duration of the show.

-Derrick

Las Vegas

In just a few days, I catch a flight to Las Vegas to cover the Consumer Electronics Show. This is a pretty good gig for me. Plus, I have a new client, c't Digital Photography. It's a technical photo magazine based in Germany. They want to expand their horizons to North America.

My official title is Associate Editor. But the work that I'll be doing for c't is similar to my Photography Evangelist role with Lowepro. I still have the Lowepro gig, BTW. They're more interested in my managing their social networks these days, and they haven't scheduled me for any reporting on the road. So the new c't Digital Photography contract fits in nicely with my desire to stay on top of things.

I travel very light for the Las Vegas trips. I use my airline reward miles and fly first class. I don't know why I like first class for LV trips. They're relatively short. Must have something to do with movies I've seen.

I carry-on two bags. One with my camera gear and iPad. The other with my laptop and a change of clothes. That's it. It's not like I'm going to the Amazon jungle. Las Vegas has everything.

Most of my reporting will be via the iPad and social networks. I want to post lots of photos of new gear and Vegas life. I'll be sure to keep you in the loop here. 

In the meantime, I better go dust off my "Men in Black" suit. It's a Vegas tradition for me.

-Derrick

Goals are Great, but...

The beginning of a new year is a natural marker for setting goals. I do that myself. For example, I commit to coming up with one new product or service each year.

But before I get to "what I should do," I want to take a moment to review what has been accomplished. As a community, I don't think we do that enough.

I'm not talking about, "I worked hard this year and deserve a new car." Personally, I can't stand it when people say they deserve anything. Life, as I see it, seems to be a combination of challenge, hard work, and occasionally, good fortune. 

I've earned a few things and have been blessed with others. I not sure I deserved any of it. But I certainly am thankful.

And professionally speaking, much of what I have to be thankful for in 2013 involves my friends online. To put a finer point on it: you.

The support I've received  for The Digital Story, The Nimble Photographer, Photo Help Desk, lynda.com, Macworld Magazine, and a season of photography workshops... well... I feel very lucky.

I'm going to apply those positive feelings to the challenges waiting for me in 2014. And that's why I think we should take a moment to reflect upon our accomplishments. Doing so helps us have the confidence and the energy to push forward.

Thank you for a productive 2013. It was quite a ride. And I'm going to work hard to keep you by my side as we move forward. Let's see what we can do next.

-Derrick

Notes from the Road - 12-28-13

I'm staying at a Best Western in Southern California.

The WiFi is terrible (shocking isn't is?), so I'm posting via my iPad mini with Verizon.

They offer in-room coffee with Wolfgang Puck Signature. It isn't bad. But I'm using bottled water instead of tap. That always makes a big difference in S. Cal.

Best Western offers a free continental breakfast in the lobby. But that would require my getting dressed and combing my hair. I guess that's why I travel with energy bars...

This morning's Jimmy Fallon's Wake Up Call was "Shots." How did he know?

All in all, a good morning. I'm ready for the day.

-Derrick

Tech Support

I know doctors go through this all the time. You're at a party and someone wants you to evaluate a mole on their arm. 

The technology equivalent is a misbehaving camera or mobile phone. Actually, I take that back. I'd rather look at 10 malfunctioning cameras rather than one questionable mole.

The bottom line is, every family has a tech support guy. And he's busiest during the holiday season. When the wrapping paper comes off, the nerd hat goes on.

To tell you the truth, I don't mind this role. For years, my family had no idea how to describe what I do. They still don't really. But they can say, "Derrick is really good at tech. And he knows how to set up printers too!"

Like I said earlier... it beats the heck out of looking at someone's birthmark.

-Derrick