Jon Sienkiewicz Blog

The problem with most photo backpacks is that they’re perfect for carrying cameras, lenses and a ton of small accessories, but perfectly awful when it’s time to pack anything larger. Yes, I know—some models will accommodate a notebook PC. But many of those require the mouse and AC adapter to share space with camera accessories.

My friend Toko is the best golfer I’ve ever known. He ordered new graphite shafts from a mail order company in Texas and reshafted his clubs by himself. When you hear these two facts you may think that he was using state-of-the art, custom-made equipment.

The Consumer Electronics Show (affectionately known as “CES”) is an annual gala event where manufacturers show off the best gadgets in the world. Held in Las Vegas right on the heels of the New Year’s holidays, more than 100,000 people are said to have attended CES in 2009. I was one of them.

Can you take a shot like this? Of course—it’s not difficult.

Photography relies on science as much as art, and to be successful, photographers have to know a lot of things. Some of the requisite knowledge falls into the category of common sense and some is acquired through the indispensable combination of training and practice. And every once in awhile we stumble upon a nugget that can only be described as dumb luck. It was dumb luck that led me a few years ago to a website I want to share with you.

In school we learned it’s polite to share. Loaning a digital camera to a comrade is commendable, but never, ever loan anyone a memory card unless you’re aware there’s a risk that the borrower can view the images that you think you’ve deleted—even if you formatted the card.

If we’re to believe what it says on the energystar.gov website, breaking a Compact Fluorescent Light bulb is a scary proposition. CFLs contain mercury, the same stuff that’s in the fish we’re not supposed to eat. The gov’s FAQ suggests that if a mishap should occur, the first steps include ordering people and pets to vacate the area, airing out the room by opening a window for 15 minutes or longer, and shutting down the central forced-air heating system.