Daily Archives: May 8, 2009

Photo-A-Day, Photography

New Toys, New Toys, Happy Dance

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New Sigma Flash
Photo-A-Day #1491

I have been agonizing over deciding upon some new photo gear. I’ve wanted an external flash for those indoor situations where you want to capture the action quick. So far I’ve just been able to capture photos by sitting far away with my zoom and ratcheting everything down to be really still and open up for lots of light. I wanted a Flash. I also wanted a new lens. I’d been reading about a lens from Sigma that had optical stabilization as well as a range from 18mm – 250mm. The more I read about it the more I knew I wanted it. So I bought it and I bought a Sigma Flash. I like Sigma Products with my Nikon D80. I own no Nikon Nikkor lenses. Strange really.

I also made sure that I got some filters for my new Lens because I don’t want to go getting my new glass scratched up. So way.

I think that the lens is going to make a perfect addition on our trip next week. I probably won’t take the flash, although we are going to Rainforest Cafe and it might be useful there. But Again I don’t want to go bothering people with my flash either. I might just be more discrete and use my Canon SD800is IS and my Xshot instead. Anyway, here are some comparison shots with the new lens. Click the images for larger sizes.

Zoomed Out Full Zoom
Zoomed Out Full Zoom

I just used the new lens not the flash. I’m awaiting some Energizer Lithium Batteries from Energizer. You did see the latest contest I have, right, the one in conjunction with the 2009 Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest which is sponsored by National Geographic and Energizer.

Here is a run down of the new equipment. I ordered the Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras. I also wanted a hot shoe flash and I didn’t want to go too expensive so once again I went Sigma. I picked up the Sigma EF-530 DG ST i-TTL Shoe Mount Flash (Guide No. 174’/53 m at 105mm) for Nikon with i-TTL. And to protect my new lens I also got a couple of filters, the Opteka 72mm High Definition² Circular Polarizing + UV (0) Ultra Violet Haze Multi-Coated Glass Filter Kit.

If you are interested here are links to what I ordered.

Contest, Photography

2009 Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest

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M80, a Social Media Marketing & Online Publicity company contacted me on behalf of Energizer to tell you about the 2009 Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest. If I had heard of it on my own I certainly would have been telling you all about it anyway. From what I’ve read so far this sounds like an amazing contest.

How would you like to have your photography judged by world class photographer Jim Richardson of National Geographic magazine? Sounds like a chance to get your work in front of some very discerning eyes. Not only that, but your photograph could win you a National Geographic Expeditions trip for two to the Galapagos Islands and your photo published in National Geographic magazine. Talk about exposure for your art.

The categories are Animals / Wildlife, Nature, People / Cultures, Travel, Weather, and Inspiration / Keep Going®. The contest runs from April 15 – June 30, 2009. Then Judging occurs from on or about July 1, 2009 to on or about July 31, 2009. After that voting takes place from on or about August 14, 2009 to on or about September 15, 2009. I am going to enter one of my photos into this contest but I can’t decide which ones are good enough for submission. So I need a little help and as incentive I’m offering some prizes from National Geographic and Energizer Lithium Batteries.

Giveaway Details

The Prize – A 1-year subscription to National Geographic Magazine and a sampling of some Energizer Lithium Batteries.

* MAIN RULE -Go to the 2009 Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest website and take a look at the photos then go to my Flickr Photostream and one of my photos that would be worthy of submission to the competition. Leave the URL of the photo in you initial comment. (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
* 1 Extra Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed or by email (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment
* 1 Extra Entry – Stumble My Main Page and leave your Stumble name (I will be checking) in a separate comment
* 1 Extra Entry – Follow me on Twitter and let me know your Twitter name in a separate comment
* 1 Extra Entry for Tweeting about this giveaway.
“RT Win 1-Yr subscription to National Geographic and some Energizer Ultimate Lithium Batteries from @Benspark . http://tinyurl.com/q4qssg”
* 2 Extra Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog and to the 2009 Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest website.
* 5 Extra Entries – Enter the 2009 Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest yourself. Leave a link to the photo that you choose to upload. Enter all 6 categories get 30 entries.

This giveaway will run through midnight on May 31,2009 with winner being announced the morning of June 1, 2009. Winner will be chosen using Random.org from all valid entries and notified via email. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.