Ok this entry is a little off the usual subject, but hey, I can make that decision. I, like most of the breathing people in this country have been following the NFL playoff games.

Now I know some could care less and watched movies, listened to music or read a good book. To those I say, good for you for not getting caught up in the hype. I just happen to enjoy sports. I actually had no dog in the fight as my beloved New York Giants mailed it in this year and the local Carolina Panthers had to little, to late. That said, it was nice to see the Jets represent, but they ran up against the team that most will pick to win it all and a great quarterback in Peyton Manning. The guy gets it done and reads defenses like the Sunday comics.

I have to admit that in the later game it was tough to make a choice. On the one hand you had all the hype and mystique surrounding Brett Farve, his age etc. etc. He took an amazing beating physically from New Orleans and still hung tough, the final interception ending an amazing story. On the other you had the New Orleans Saints, a tough kid in Drew Brees and a determined supporting cast, that was playing for a city that has just been beaten down, morally and physically and needs something to get excited about. Thats why I was leaning in the corner of the Saints.

The Super bowl this year is going to have all the hype and pageantry as all the years past, with even the Who doing the half time show. Still don't get that.

You have the son of Archie Manning, former New Orleans great, going against Drew Brees, a guy who has been embraced by the city and who has given back, as well. He doesn't have the national exposure or endorsements that Peyton Manning has, but he is tough and will represent. In apologies to the Colts fans, I hope that New Orleans wins it this year.

In 2005 the city was rocked by Katrina, a Cat 5 hurricane of incredible size. As we know, the destruction was immense. It is something that those of us who live in a coastal area of the South dread every year between June and November. Back then the Superdome was a scene of squalor and despair. It was refreshing to see it back, filled with screams of enjoyment and support for their team. They haven't had much to cheer about in New Orleans. Now, at least, the Saints give them a welcome diversion from the still existing problems after Katrina. Something, although just a sporting event, to unify the city. I think its exciting.

 They have a guy named Bush whose name probably elicits different emotions than that of the person whose watch Katrina occurred under. One who will be quick to react. They have a guy in Drew Brees, who has not only led the Saints to this position, but has been heavily involved in support to New Orleans, post Katrina. Many on the team have done so, but he is the one who stirs this drink. 

I want Brees and the Saints to prevail on February 7. If Brees has a big game and leads the team to victory, maybe they can change the name of the state to DrewBreesiana for a day. The city will rock and its inhabitants will party as they only know how. A lessening of the pain they have endured, even briefly. It would be cool to see the Who Dat nation get what they deserve, a huge win for the city and the state. I hope it happens. Good luck Saints.

Just saying.

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Whew! Busy week, lots to do and getting ready for PPA's ImagingUSA expo in Nashville.

Psyched about seeing what the photo industry is doing and where its going and meeting with other photogs. Should be a blast. The only negative is that Nashville will be somewhat colder than Wrightsville Beach/Wilmington, but the weather here certainly hasn't been balmy!

As I quipped on FB I am ready for a little warm on the globe. Even the dog hesitates about venturing outside. Not to worry this week end, however, as we are going to be holed up at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center and they promise it to be comfortable throughout!

More about it after the week end! 

Tomorrow I will be joining other photographers and creatives in Wilmington at the Good Shepherd Center, 811 Martin Street, for the Help Portrait Wilmington event.

We will be photographing and donating the photos so that people who are less fortunate may have the opportunity to have a professional portrait of themselves or family to keep or give to their loved ones.

It was the idea of photographer Jeremy Cowart, from Nashville, and has developed into a nationwide movement being held in cities throughout the country and in some areas beyond. I want to give props to photographer Kevin deLeon here in Wilmington for all his hard work in organizing the local event.

A shout of thanks to Jeremy for the vision and to all those who are going to donate their time. I am proud to be associated with those involved in the event and look forward to the smiles that we will witness. Click on the link underneath the logo below for more information. Peace to all.

Every day I look at my equipment and often am trying to decide how to make it easier on myself. By easier I mean how to transport it from place to place and be able to shoot, break down and leave with the minimal amount of hassle. Now with cameras, lenses, speed lights, batteries, etc. it seems that the bag you use is never enough and i have many for different applications.

I have found that the one area I didn't really think about when it came to efficiency, was lighting. Now I work on location for the majority of what I do except for some food or macro stuff which I can set up in my  home studio/office. My lights of choice for the style of my work are the Nikon speed lights, more specifically the SB 800's. They are powerful for their size and very portable. When used with Radiopoppers  they can solve just about any lighting application.

The biggest problem has always been the transporting of said lighting equipment. At first I had these stands that could support my car, let alone any small speed lights. They were just to large and while I had this slick, well made bag to carry them in, it was longer and more cumbersome than my kit.

Now I am a big fan of David Hobby who writes the Strobist blog which is essentially using the most minimal tools available to light your photo subjects. He was the one who first turned me on to the small Manfrotto light stands. Manfrotto has changed the stands slightly and now they are known as the 5001 B Nano stand. They are really awesome, light and sturdy.

The stands reach a height of over 6 feet, weigh around 2 lbs soaking wet and fold down to a mere 19 inches. They support all kinds of modifiers and I use 43 inch umbrellas with no problem. If you are shooting in a stout wind, you may want to look into sand bag weights of some kind, but I have yet to use those.

I own several of these stands to date and the heavy ones have taken a home in one of my closets. Of course now I can look at purchasing that which it seems every photographer seems to buy, another type of bag. I have been using a large gym type bag to carry my lighting gear, but now that I have reduced my stands, umbrellas and other light modifiers to a relative travel size of about 20 inches in length, I can find something more efficient and compact to lug around. Other than the occasional reflectors, everything should fit into a smaller case.

It would be interesting to take a survey of just how many different types of equipment bags are owned by photographers. It seems like there are never enough. I know I have helped the economy in the past by purchasing numerous kinds of cases. It might be time to cull those, but that is another story.

Anyway, the Manfrotto 5001 Nano Compact Light Stands are the best I have seen for light and efficient lighting solutions. They can be purchased here. Check them out.

Check Out The Cool Scott Kelby and Joe McNally spoof on the old Michael Jordan and Larry Bird McDonalds commercial. Very Cool!

Click on the Title: "I'll Light You for it" Below!