Tunnel View Icicles. ©2012 Ken Doo Photography. Infra Red capture.

Whether it is the looming fiscal cliff or the light at the end of the tunnel, I don’t think anything has changed at all in Washington, D.C., and I don’t think it ever really will.  But with 2013, at least in my own little world, I am excited at being able to be at the cutting edge of technology with photography and fine art printing.  I’m getting something done.  : )  The addition of a specially converted K7 B&W Piezography fine art printer in the studio is something I am particularly excited about—this printer being able to produce stunning B&W prints on both glossy and matte fine art papers.  As good as the studio’s Epson 9900 is at B&W, the 9890 K7 B&W Piezography printer is just that much better.

Half Dome. ©2012 Ken Doo Photography. Cambo WRS, Phase One IQ180, Rodenstock HR40

I’m not really fond of Yosemite National Park.  Heresy, I know.  But it’s more because of the throngs of visitors that are associated with this beautiful gem in the national park system.  Visiting in the winter is a much better time to visit because the cold weather, snow (chains required), and holiday season seems to keep the crowds more manageable.  I recently visited Yosemite National Park seeking to capture a few iconic images as well others, with B&W imagery in mind.  It was cold.  The surrounding trees and hills were blanketed with a carpet of snow.  Temperatures ranged from a chilly 17 degrees F and remained below freezing for most all the time during my visit.  Icicles formed underneath my 4Runner and on the mudflaps. Getting around was no problem with four-wheel drive.  And seat warmers.  Gotta love seat warmers.

Valley View. ©2012 Ken Doo Photography. Cambo WRS, Phase One IQ180, Rodenstock HR40.

I really enjoyed working with the Cambo WRS technical camera and Phase One IQ180 digital back.  It really is a return to enjoying photography and the process of creating images.  Although I brought along my Phase DF body, it remained unused in the truck.  My infra-red converted camera did make a few appearances, and with B&W in mind, I wish I could justify getting an achromatic medium format digital back for landscapes.  One thing that really surprised me was that despite the cold temperatures, battery life was exceptional with the IQ180.  I photographed all day at Yosemite and used only one battery.  I hope to re-vamp both my Carmel boutique portrait photography studio website and my landscape website entirely in January, with renewed offerings for B&W portraits on the new K7 printer.  Contact the studio for more information on fine art printing or B&W portraiture.  ken  (831) 626-1844

Golden Gate Bridge from Fort Point and Fort Mason. ©2013 Ken Doo Photography. Cambo WRS, IQ180, Rodenstock HR40

Last weekend marked the fourth Capture Integration in Carmel workshop, which started on Friday in San Francisco and back to the central coast in Carmel.  This year’s event (formerly known as Pigs in a Blanket) sold out in less than two weeks of being announced.  CI in Carmel is a light-hearted workshop put on by Ken Doo Photography of Carmel, California, Don Libby of Iron Creek Photography in Tucson, Arizona, and Dave Gallagher’s Capture Integration in Atlanta, Georgia.  CI in Carmel is a medium format digital workshop and provides a great opportunity to try the latest camera products and lenses.  This year Capture Integration included new technical camera offerings from Cambo, the Phase One DF+, Schneider and Rodenstock lenses, and  the latest medium format digital backs from both Leaf and Phase One.  Oh, and the Canon 1DX—just because.

Pigeon Point Sunset. ©2013 Ken Doo Photography. Three image panorama. Phase 645DF, IQ180, Schneider 240LS

Friday evening’s sunset shoot was at Pigeon Point Lighthouse, just south of Half Moon Bay.  Despite nearly cloudless skies, sunset brought on nice hues of a warm sunset.

John Milich sets up for a shot with his technical camera.

Dr. Paul Indman photographs the Pigeon Point Lighthouse

This year’s workshop included visits to Point Lobos and Garrapata State Park on Saturday.  A figure model studio session was also included, followed by a visit to a crowded Pfeiffer State Beach.

Weston Beach, Point Lobos. ©2013 Ken Doo. Cambo WRS, IQ180, HR40 t/s; 3 stop reverse neutral grad.

Garrapata. ©2013 Ken Doo. Cambo WRS, IQ180, HR40

Pfeiffer. ©2013 Ken Doo. Cambo WRS, IQ180, HR40.

CI in Carmel would not be complete without breakfast at the Wagon Wheel, the origin of the first Pigs in a Blanket!

Pigs.

Dave Gallagher teaches a 1/2 day C1 Pro 7 class.

Babyback ribs for 18 for lunch—love my Traeger!  Oh yeah.  Who could forget—there’s nothing better than spending Valentine’s Day Weekend with Dave Gallagher!  A big thank you to Dave Gallagher, who helps to make CI in Carmel come together.  I’ve been a client of Capture Integration for many years now, and for good reason.  I depend on Capture Integration for all my medium format digital equipment and Canon DSLRs as well.

Dave Gallagher of Capture Integration in Atlanta, GA

This year’s event also included an introduction to printing with a specially converted B&W piezography printer.  The printer is an Epson 9890 converted to a K7 (seven blacks) MPS Selenium glossy and matte printer. This printer is capable of exceptional quality B&W prints.  Participants prepared and printed B&W images from the weekend or images from prior work.  Although the workshop ended officially Sunday evening, several of us extended the weekend with a tour of the new Really Right Stuff facility in San Luis Obispo.  This was a treat.

Prints from the specially converted K7 MPS Piezography printer

Graham Welland.

Phil Lindsay

Big Sur. ©2013 Ken Doo. Cambo WRD, IQ180, HR40

The tour of the Really Right Stuff (RRS) facility was like touring the Hershey Chocolate Factory as kids.  Except they weren’t giving out free samples…

Don and Ken

Karla works with Don

And yes—RRS has a machine shop!

Really Right Stuff is a specialized photographic equipment maker. They specialize in making all the special parts that make fine photography possible, including but not limited to quick release plates, L-brackets, and carbon fiber tripods. The quality of their products is unsurpassed and it is no wonder that RRS products are a first choice among discerning photographers. Products are carefully designed, engineered, and CNC machined from solid blocks of metal.  And yes, we got to see where it all happens!

Don and Joe Jr.

Don was very considerate in his shopping, independently making sure that sales figures were high enough to ensure Joe Jr. could plan his vacation to Hawaii or Europe this summer.

CI in Carmel tours the RRS facility in San Luis Obispo

I look forward to the next CI in Carmel!  For more information on Wine, Dine, and Schwein, medium format digital photography, or B&W piezography and fine art printing, contact me at my boutique photography studio in Carmel.  (831) 626-1844.  ken

CHS Boys Varsity Swim Team. ©2013 Ken Doo Photography

The 2013 MTAL swim season is quickly coming to an end.  The MTAL Championship meet is this Friday, May 3rd at the Bob Walthour Aquatic Center at Carmel High School.  I enjoyed photographing the team and individual photos for the swimming and diving teams.  As is the usual for the central coast, weather is difficult to forecast.  Earlier in the day it was sunny and actually quite warm.  But by the time the Girls and Boys swimming photos were taken, it was actually chilly and foggy.  You can actually see the wisps of fog moving across behind the Varsity Boys Team photo.

CHS Girls Swim Team. ©2013 Ken Doo Photography

Regardless, I chose to photograph the team and individual photos using a medium format digital, a Phase One DF camera mated with the IQ180 digital back.  This combination allows the use of leaf shutter lenses, which are particularly helpful on bright sunny days using a short flash sync and studio strobes.  The medium format digital files provide ample image information which allows me to create exceptional quality canvas banners for the team at the pool.  Some of these banners (and team photos) can exceed six feet in length.

CHS Diving Team. ©2013 Ken Doo Photography

For more information on team and individual photos, contact me at my boutique portrait studio in Carmel, CA or call (831) 626-1844.  ken

B&W K7 Piezography MPS Gloss Selenium. ©2013 Ken Doo Photography

When Drs. Mowatt-Larssen and Nicholas made plans to re-decorate their patient waiting room area, I was pleased that my landscape work was considered for inclusion at their office.  The selected works were all custom printed on my newly converted B&W printer.  This new printer features seven shades of black pigmented inks capable of producing stunning B&W images with incredibly smooth tonality, great dimension, and presence.  The images are reminiscent of B&W fiber prints.  All images were photographed by me with a Phase One IQ180 digital back and Phase DF camera or Cambo WRS technical camera.  You can see these images at the Vein Specialists of Monterey located at 757 Pacific Street, Suite C-2, Monterey, CA 93940.

The studio recently added several more fine art papers that have been profiled for this special wide format B&W printer, which is able to produce both glossy and matte fine art B&W prints up to 44″ in width.  For more information on K7 B&W printing or high resolution medium format digital copywork, contact Carmel Fine Art Printing & Reproduction.  You can view more of my landscape photography at www.houseoflandscapes.com, or contact me at my boutique portrait photography studio in Carmel, California. (831) 626-1844.

Buena Vista Middle School 2013. ©2013 Ken Doo Photography. Phase 645DF, IQ180.

Congratulations to the Buena Vista Middle School promotion class of 2013!  The class panoramic photo was taken with the Phase One 645DF, IQ180 medium format digital back, and lighting provided by two studio strobes, insuring great details for this memorable portrait of classmates.  This was a very fun group of well-behaved kids!  Portrait orders will be available for pick-up at the Buena Vista Middle School office starting next week (Monday 6/16 early afternoon).

Buena Vista Middle School cuts loose! ©2013 Ken Doo Photography. Phase 645DF, IQ180.

If you have any questions, please contact me at my boutique portrait photography studio in Carmel or call (831) 626-1844.  Ken

Ken Doo Photography offers custom handmade family books from Italy.

Family Books remain a popular option for special events and extended portrait sessions.  These custom handmade family books are the same luxurious books from Graphistudio in Italy that my wedding clients receive, albeit generally with not as many images or pages.  As with the Wedding Books, all portraits are hand-retouched naturally before the books layout and design is completed.

Silk, hardback and cover, and polished metal are just a few of the book cover options.  Briefcase included!

All the same new cover options are available for family books, and most designs and layouts are clean and simple.  Books are available in a variety of sizes and different page finishes.  Craftsmanship is impeccable and quality is unsurpassed.  All work is quality guaranteed.

Nicely bound and no gutters!

Many sizes and options including pocketbooks and sizes up to a huge 16×20!

For more information, contact me at my boutique portrait studio in Carmel, CA or call (831) 626-1844.  ken

©2013 Ken Doo. Photo taken for Monterey Bay Masters Swimming. Masters swim at the CHS Pool M-F from 0500-0700. Cambo WRS, Phase IQ180, HR70 T/S

Friends of Carmel Aquatics (FOCA) is offering annual memberships and asking for your help in securing donations to complete the Bob Walthour Aquatic Center at Carmel High School.  Many people on the Monterey Peninsula are aware that the CHS pool is probably the finest swim facility in the area.  What many do not realize is that this facility remains sadly unfinished.  Ever wonder what those large metal stantions off to the side of the pool are?  They’re unfinished building supports for a planned pool covered classroom area, complete with audio-visual teaching capability and heat.  Currently there is no covered area to keep towels and personal items dry from the elements while users are in the pool.  This covered facility is the first project to be completed but requires funding from the community.  Other projects include a water fountain, bathrooms/locker rooms, and repair of the facility’s timing/touch-pad systems.

Please join FOCA with an annual membership ($25).  Brochures are available at the pool or may be downloaded as pdf files here.FOCAprintF FOCAprintB   For more information, see www.carmelpool.org

CHS Water Polo Hell week JV-Frosh with Coach Carl

And so it begins again!  Water Polo at CHS opened last month with the start of Hell Week.  This marks the fifth year that I’ve been photographing for the CHS Boys Water Polo Teams.  Each successive year has seen growth of the CHS Water Polo program, and I am pleased that both of my sons be part of this wonderful program.

Returning CHS Water Polo alums return to help out during Hell Week.

The season this year started with an opening scrimmage this weekend against Valley Christian High School, featuring games for the Frosh, JV, and Varsity Teams.

Wyatt scores for Carmel Water Polo. ©2013 Ken Doo Photography.

You can view and purchase images from the water polo games at my event site:  http://kendoophotography.instaproofs.com/   Proceeds help to support the CHS Boys Water Polo Team.  (The event photo link remains embedded on the right column of my blog).  If there is interest, I will post images from Hell Week for viewing.  See you at the Pool!  –Ken

For more information on event photography, contact me at my boutique portrait photography studio in Carmel or call (831) 626-1844.

I just thought I’d share a quick post/link from www.tastarsupply.com, where I purchase fine art printer supplies.  I was recently interviewed by Tastar Supply for their October 2013 newsletter.  I’ve been super busy with portrait sessions, fine art printing, and photographing events–most recently for the California State Bar with the CA Supreme Court Chief Justice, Tani Cantil-Sakauye.  This weekend we return to photograph and print on-site at UC Merced’s Family Day and also photograph the UC Merced Chancellor’s Awards.  Anyway, you can read the article from Tastar Supply here:  http://www.tastarsupply.com/news.php?news_id=134#newsid134

I like the folks at Tastar Supply because they are always friendly, professional, and offer competitive pricing. Their recycling programs is innovative and makes staying green a little easier!  ken

Varsity Boys Team & Individual Photos.

The 2013 CHS Water Polo season has come to a close!  It’s been an extremely busy season and already plans in place for coming seasons.  This year I photographed somewhere over sixty water polo games!  These images are available for purchase online.  The “Cherries File” for the Frosh, JV, and Varsity Boys teams is also now available online.  The Cherries files contains select images from each game subjectively deemed to be the best images from the game.  You can view and purchase images at my event website, www.kendoophotography.instaproofs.com

CHS Frosh Team & Individual Photos

CHS Boys JV Team & Individual Photos

CHS Girls JV Team & Individual Photos

CHS Varsity Girls Team & Individual Photos

Please contact me at my boutique portrait photography studio in Carmel if you have any questions about ordering water polo images or special requests.  Ken 831-626-1844

Sunset on Weston Beach, Point Lobos. ©2013 Ken Doo. Cambo WRS, HR40 t/s, Phase IQ180

It’s back—again!  Capture Integration is returning to Carmel, CA for its fifth medium format digital workshop. Capture Integration from Atlanta, Georgia is a leading dealer of exclusive photography equipment, specializing in medium format digital cameras and backs.  This definitely isn’t your normal photography workshop.  Don Libby of Iron Creek Photography in Tucson, AZ and I have been co-hosting this event for five years now.  CI in Carmel is an informal workshop that has grown in popularity, selling out in less than two weeks last year.

Garrapata Sea Stacks printed in B&W on the studio’s specially converted K7 B&W Piezography printer. ©2013 Ken Doo. Cambo WRS, Rodenstock HR40 t/s, Phase One IQ180 medium format digital back.

This year’s event will include a tour of the Really Right Stuff facilities, a Capture One Pro 7/8 class, B&W K7 Piezography printing, and of course, world-class barbequed (famous in my own mind) babyback ribs smoked on a Traeger. The workshop focuses on landscape photography along the central coast. Although the event is weighted towards technical cameras including Alpa, Arca, Cambo and high resolution medium format digital backs, you can expect appearances from the Phase DF, Leica S2, and Hasselbald cameras as well. I expect to see the new Alpa FPS, Phase One IQ260 Achromatic, and new lens offerings as well.  CI in Carmel is scheduled for February 21-23, 2014.  Registration is online through Capture Integration in Atlanta, and the current itinerary. Capture One Pro 7/8 class, barbeque lunch, and B&W K7 print included.  For more information, please contact me at my boutique portrait photography studio in Carmel, CA.  Ken (831) 626-1844.

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 2 and Phase One’s IQ180

Background in a Nutshell.  When Phase One released its IQ180 digital back, its full frame medium format sensor boasting a staggering 80 megapixel resolution was not so surprising. What took the high-end medium format photography community by storm was its large high resolution retina touch screen. Prior digital back screens were postage stamps by comparison. The IQ180 and her sisters the IQ160 and IQ140 were indeed groundbreaking, easily surpassing the viewing screens of its competitors and even those of the smaller format DSLRs such as those offered by Canon and Nikon.  Phase One’s sister company, Leaf, released similar high resolution retina touch screens on its Credo line of digital backs.

Phase One now offered “live-view” on its IQ series and Leaf Credo digital backs, but live-view on a CCD sensor is quite limited in comparison to live-view on a CMOS based DSLR.  Furthermore, the size of MFDB CCD sensors with its high sensitivity often meant that the sensor was overexposed in live-view mode.  Consequently, stopping down the aperture and/or using neutral density filters are often necessary to enable this rather limited live-view function. The Phase One IQ series offered focus-mask, which in my opinion was a sleeper surprise feature on the IQ series digital backs, one that quickly overshadowed the claimed benefits of having live-view. But in a fast moving tech world, the clamor still continued for true live-view, something DSLR CMOS sensors could accomplish well whereas the much larger CCD sensors of MFDBs could not.   And again, the voices clamoring for live-view continued, and Phase One answered with its recently released IQ250 MFDB, the world’s first CMOS sensor digital back—with true live-view.

But regardless of live-view capabilities, the most significant limitation on the effectiveness of live view on location is the physical size of the screen. No matter whether DSLR or MFDB, the screen size on the back of a camera or digital back is still limited to about three-inches in width, or about the size of a credit card.  Regardless of technology, this is a physical limitation that can not be overcome absent an external monitor.  When combined with tired aging eyes, the difficulty of the challenge becomes more pronounced and the proponents of true live view on a diminutive three-inch screen suddenly discover that it is not the panacea that they had been clamoring for.

Tethering in studio is not a problem where powerful computer workstations can run fully featured versions of Capture One Pro software, viewing full resolution digital raw files on large monitors.  In prime conditions it is relatively easy to check composition, exposure, and focus. The difficulty or challenge is viewing images while on location with a larger portable screen option. Tethering on location generally requires using a laptop solution mated with tethering options such as those offered by Nine-volt.com.  For architectural and interior photographers where size, weight, or carrying equipment long distances is not as much of a concern, tethering with a laptop with a larger 15″ or 17″ screen may not be a problem.  Nine-volt offers flexible solutions and I have been able to successfully mount a laptop with a 17″ screen on the DigiPlate Lite, although a 15″ laptop is the largest recommended configuration.

However, size and weight is often a significant concern for landscape photographers and other photographers working on location.  A tablet provides a much better form function over a laptop,  especially where size and weight are primary considerations.  Despite a large selection of tablets on the mainstream market none have had the power or memory necessary to tether a medium format digital back.  None, that is, until the introduction of Microsoft’s Surface Pro 2.  And I’m not talking about the use of Capture Pilot and viewing scaled down JPEG files on an Apple iPad.  I’m talking about viewing full resolution RAW digital files from an 80 megapixel digital back using a fully featured version of Capture One Pro 7 —all in a small tablet format.  That’s a game changer.

The DigiPlateLite shown on a studio stand and on tripod.

The Game Changer.  A tablet has a better physical form factor for both traveling and viewing in the field than the clam shell configuration of a notebook or laptop computer, a popular selection being the Macbook Pro or MacBook Air.  When tethering, additional accessories are helpful to secure the laptop to a tripod for ease of viewing. There is no doubt in my mind that Nine Volt’s DigiPlate is the finest solution for a laptop tethering. For those with a Macbook Pro or Air, look no further than Nine-volt. The DigiPlate and DigiPlate Lite are both well-crafted and CNC machined from aircraft grade aluminum and allow for infinite configurations and tethering options. Both are designed with laptops in mind and although I could attach the Surface Pro 2 tablet to the DigiPlate Lite, I found myself wanting a smaller and lighter on location solution yet—as even the DigiPlate Lite weighs almost as much as the Surface Pro 2 tablet itself.  I have instead decided to use the Nine Volt tethering solution in studio only.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 2 tablet weighs two pounds.  It is smaller and lighter than a laptop, but heavier and much more powerful than a typical small tablet, casting itself as a red-headed step-child among a large, rather uniform, and ordinary field of tablets, notebooks, and laptops. There really isn’t an equivalent piece of hardware readily available in the mainstream market.  The Surface Pro 2 measures 10.81 x 6.81 x 0.53 in, with a 10.6 inch HD touch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. It sports a fourth generation Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM for those selecting the 256/512 hard drive option, blue tooth, a micro SD card slot (adding up to another 128GB of storage),  and a full-sized USB 3 port essential for tethering the Phase One IQ series or Leaf Credo series MFDBs.  Battery life is excellent. It is essentially a laptop in tablet form that can run a full version of Capture One Pro 7.   This changes everything.

Cambo WRS, Phase One IQ180, HR40 t/s. Surface Pro shown mounted on a RRS TVC-24 tripod

Tethering on Location.  Size and weight are major considerations when working on location, especially when you have to hike any considerable distance to your destination. The Surface Pro 2 tethering solution adds no more than 3 pounds total to my pack, including the Arkon heavy duty c-clamp universal tablet mount, which attaches to my Really Right Stuff TVC-24 carbon fiber tripod.  Set up is quick, taking no more than a minute. The tablet mount features two ball joints allowing me to maneuver the Surface Pro 2 in any position quickly and easily. Some care needs to be taken to avoid over tightening the c-clamp and damaging the tripod leg. I placed thin adhesive rubber strips inside the c-clamp which adds grip while also protecting the tripod leg from potential scuffing. I have placed strips of gaffers tape around the tripod legs to quickly mark where to attach the Arkon c-clamp and also provide further protection to the tripod legs.  I chose the Manvex case for protection, and leave the Surface Pro 2 in the case even when using the tablet mount. The Manvex case provides a secure holder for the stylus pen.  In the above photo, I have chosen to position the Surface Pro 2 directly below the digital back on the camera.  The Surface Pro 2 boots up quickly to a nice clean desktop, having opted to bypass the messy desktop of Windows 8 using a neat free program called Classic Shell. Seconds later, Capture One Pro 7 DB is ready. The program recognizes the IQ180 automatically after plugging in a short three-foot USB3 cord connecting the digital back to the Surface Pro 2.  This is just too easy.  

Full view. Note the yellow rectangle for reference.

Although Capture One Pro 7 can be used to tether a DSLR or Phase DF with digital back, the real advantages become apparent when using a technical camera. The larger screen of the Surface Pro 2 makes it easier to compose images, check settings, and check focus using Phase One’s Focus Mask feature.  Since the Surface Pro 2 is running a full version of the Capture One 7 raw processing software, all the features of the program remain accessible, though my intent is to use the Surface Pro 2 more as a tool on location and process the image files later on the studio’s workstation. The convenient tablet form factor and the capability of the Surface Pro 2 to run a full version of Capture One Pro 7 is ideal for landscape photographer and is also an attractive tethering solution for architectural and interior photographers as well.

Full image view. Note the approximate area of the image marked by the yellow rectangle on the screen.

For working on location, I have chosen to set up my Capture One Pro 7 work space to maximize the viewing area of the main image.  Once the cable release is triggered, the image captured by the IQ180 MFDB appears within seconds on the Surface Pro 2′s high resolution screen. Too bright outside? Simply tap in the bottom right corner and adjust the brightness of the screen to match.   Double-tap on the screen and the program automatically zooms in 100% to check focus. Tap the Focus Mask tool to assist and the sharper areas of focus appear painted in green. The Focus Loupe tool or any other tool in C1 Pro 7 is also available to use on the full 80 megapixel raw file.

Full view on image on the Surface Pro 2.

Partial 33% zoom using C1 Pro 7 on the Surface Pro 2. You can easily zoom in from zero to 400% viewing to check details.  Simply drag a finger on the screen to easily adjust the location of the image area to be examined.

100% image view using a simple double-tap on the screen of the Surface Pro 2. Note the area selected from the yellow rectangles in the previous images.  Double-tap the screen again to return to full image view.

Once on screen, the image can be moved around to inspect other elements of the image simply by dragging a finger on the screen to the area of the image desired. Viewing the preview image on the larger screen of the Surface Pro 2 makes it much easier to check composition, focus, and even the desired amount of lens movement afforded by technical cameras.  Changes can be now be quickly and confidently made on the camera or digital back before again triggering the shutter for the final image capture. Once satisfied with the final image, an LCC image is taken to assist later in post-processing with Capture One Pro 7.  The IQ180′s 80 megapixel image files are stored on the Surface Pro 2′s hard drive and later transferred to the studio’s workstation for processing. I’ve never been much of a fan of tethering, however, the Surface Pro 2 changes everything at least for when I’m working on location with my Cambo WRS technical camera.  For my typical workflow, I do not see myself using the Surface Pro 2 to photograph tethered in studio, although its Windows 8 Miracast WiFi capability to send images to other Miracast enabled monitors, such as high resolution viewing tablets and high definition widescreen televisions, has potential worth investigating.

Live-view still remains an option on IQ series and Leaf Credo series medium format digital backs, and except for the CMOS-based IQ250, are still limited by the constraints of its CCD sensor.  Live-view via USB3 may still be an option on the Surface Pro 2 and C1 Pro 7 enabled later via Phase One firmware update, however, in my opinion, I do not expect any further improvements in live view capability to be implemented with CCD sensor-based digital backs, although I surmise that live view on the ten-inch screen of the Surface Pro 2 will be better than on a three-inch MFDB screen .  My understanding is that live-view via USB3 firmware update is now in beta testing.  In the meantime, I find that using focus mask and other tools within C1 Pro 7 on the Surface Pro 2 on full resolution raw files to be faster and more effective than working with a limited version of live-view and neutral density filters.  Even the IQ250 and DSLRs, with their true live-view capabilities are still limited by the physical size of their viewing screens. Indeed, the IQ250′s true live-view via USB3 (if enabled by firmware) on the larger screen of the Surface Pro 2 may be something to really silence the live-view pundits.

The Verdict.   For Phase/Leaf/Mamiya medium format digital backs that are USB3 capable, the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 is an ideal tethering companion on location. The tablet format does take some getting used to but its form factor and power is exactly what makes the Surface Pro 2 unique as a tethering tool, especially in the world of medium format digital photography. The tablet is lighter than a laptop and consequently does not require as strong of a mounting clamp to attach to a stand or tripod. This means less bulk and less weight. When traveling the Surface Pro 2 can serve double duty replacing a laptop while also providing a small but capable tethering solution. The Sony Vaio Tap 11 or the less expensive first generation Surface Pro are alternative tablets that could be considered, but their performance does not appear to be as good as the Surface Pro 2 running programs under Windows 8.1.  Further, battery life for both of these tablets in the field is substantially shorter than that offered by the Surface Pro 2. While tethered to the Surface Pro 2, images from my 80 megapixel Phase One IQ180 appeared on screen in Capture 1 Pro 7 DB in a scant three to five seconds.  Battery life in the field for the Surface Pro 2 is rated up to ten hours but I would rate it conservatively in the field at about seven hours.

The Surface Pro 2 has a faster fourth generation Core i5-4300U processor at 1.9GHz base and 2.9GHz Turbo, an increase of 19% at the lower end and over 11% in turbo compared to the first generation Surface Pro. The Surface Pro 2 also offers 8GB of RAM over the first generation’s paltry 4GB of RAM. Consequently, the Surface Pro 2 is capable of much faster image viewing, taking only three to six seconds for a full image preview to appear on its screen via C1 Pro 7.  Processing time to tethered viewing varies according to the resolution (40, 60 or 80 megapixels) and type of digital back being used.  The Surface Pro 2 also has substantially longer battery life.  The tethered view in the field from either Surface Pro generation is still magic.

There are two items that I don’t like about the Surface Pro 2.  First, the Windows 8 operating system to me is like Vista was to XP. It’s like Microsoft just couldn’t help themselves and leave well enough alone with Windows 7. The Windows 8 desktop is a messy social enabled interface. I am sure it’s fine for many, but I’m here to work. Some may recall why the term “desktop” was even developed: software engineers likened the “computer desktop” screen as replacing a real office desktop, as in papers, folders, and projects on your desk. I want a clean office desktop, and the Windows 8 interface is busy, messy, and trendy. Thankfully there are a host of free programs such as Classic Shell that address this minor shortcoming, allowing you to boot directly to a nice clean desktop similar to Windows 7, with a C1 Pro 7 shortcut icon now plainly visible. No more useless clutter. Finally, the magnetic holder which doubles as both the battery charger port and pen stylus holder on the side of the Surface Pro 2 is gimmicky. I find myself spending more time making sure that the magnetic connection is secure enough to enable charging without inadvertently being bumped off. Using the magnetic holder to store the digitized stylus pen is almost insuring its eventual loss and replacement. The charger works well enough, but storing the stylus pen is much better in the pen holder provided by the Manvex case.

There are a host of accessories available for the Surface Pro 2, including the Touch/Type 2 back lit keyboards which attach magnetically (which does work very well) or by wireless blue tooth, and wireless blue tooth mice. All of these accessories are best left in your bag (except for the digitized stylus pen) when tethering on location.  Unless Apple releases an iPad Pro, Microsoft’s Surface Pro 2 currently stands alone as the ideal tablet tethering solution on location.  Lighter than a laptop or notebook, yet heavier than a tablet, the Surface Pro 2 has not been as widely embraced as a powerful hybrid computer tablet that maybe it should.  But for photographers seeking to shoot high-end medium format digital backs tethered on location, the Surface Pro 2 is indeed a game changer.   It is a worthwhile investment for Phase One IQ series and Leaf Credo medium format digital back users.

Special thanks to Zac Henderson, technical support at Capture Integration in Atlanta. For more information on tethering with Capture One Pro or medium format digital photography, contact Capture Integration at (877) 217-9870.  I will be doing further testing tethering with the Surface Pro 2 during this weekend’s medium format digital workshop, the 5th annual Capture Integration in Carmel.  You may contact me at my boutique portrait photography studio in Carmel or view my landscape work at www.houseoflandscapes.com.  Ken (831) 626-1844

Surface Pro 2 with Type 2 keyboard attached; Arc Touch mouse and digitized stylus pen; Arkon Universal Tablet Mount

The Equipment List.

• Microsoft Surface Pro 2, with 4th gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 512GB storage
• Sandisk 128GB micro SDXC memory card with adapter
• Superspeed 1.5 foot USB3 Type A to B cord; optional 3 foot USB3 cord
• Manvex case for Surface Pro 2 with Type 2 cover
• Microsoft Type 2 keyboard
• Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse
• Am Film screen protectors for Surface Pro 2
• Arkon Heavy Duty Aluminum c-clamp Universal Tablet Mount (10 inch) Tab 804
• Classic Shell
• Phase One – Capture One Pro 7 DB

Sian and Lee having fun in studio. ©2014 Ken Doo Photography

Congratulations to Lee & Sian!  Lee and Sian recently became engaged to be married.  We completed their engagement session recently with portraits taken both in studio and on location at the beach in Carmel.  What a great fun couple!

Sian and Lee at the Beach. ©2014 Ken Doo Photography

I just wanted to share a few portraits of Sian and Lee. Each portrait was hand-retouched in preparation for printing in studio and mounting. We also used the studio’s specially converted K7 B&W printer which produces really stunning B&W portraits of unsurpassed quality.  For more information on fine portraiture or scheduling a portrait session, contact me at my boutique portrait photography studio in Carmel, California.  Ken  (831) 626-1844

Varsity player Brett Luch fires one into the goal. ©2014 Ken Doo Photography

The 2014 Carmel High School Boys Water Polo season opened this last weekend with a friendly scrimmage against Valley Christian High School.  The Frosh boys led off with a good effort against a very experienced Valley Christian Freshman team, which included players that had been involved with club water polo teams since the age of seven!  Exciting play was seen with the junior varsity and varsity teams.

Boys Frosh game.

You can view more images from the games and purchase prints at www.kendoophotography.instaproofs.com   And, of course, I’ll try and include a few images from Hell week!  The Valley Christian Scrimmage photos have now been updated to include images from the Frosh team.  Special thanks to fellow photographer Steve Anderson who will be assisting me on occasion and to Frosh parent Dan Hopkins who will be photographing the Frosh games this season.  For more information, you can contact me at my boutique photography studio in Carmel or call (831) 626-1844.

Hell Week!

Bob Walthour at home. ©2014 Ken Doo Photography. Cambo WRS, IQ180, HR90

Coach Bob Walthour passed away last weekend, marking the loss of a much loved and respected local icon in Carmel, California.  I had gotten to know Bob through US Masters Swimming on the Monterey Peninsula. On occasion I would join Bob in the early morning hours at the old excuse of a pool at Carmel High School, where we would swim in the incredibly shallow water. On some mornings my eldest son Kenny would sit next to Bob.  Kenny was probably barely four years old; he’s now nearing twenty years and swimming competitively. That old excuse of a pool is now a world class facility at Carmel High School, named after none other than Coach Bob Walthour. Long since retired, Bob would still swim with Masters at 5:00 A.M. well into his eighties. He was often seen observing swim meets at Carmel High School.

A portrait session with Bob Walthour at his home earlier this year. ©2014 Ken Doo Photography

I had the opportunity to photograph Bob a few times both in my boutique portrait studio in Carmel and also at his home in Carmel, just a few blocks away. The last time I photographed Bob was just in March of this year (2014). It was a special portrait session for me because I chose to use a Cambo technical camera with an IQ180 medium format digital back, along with a Rodenstock HR90mm lens.  Not exactly a fast moving portrait outfit, normally intended for landscapes!   Bob sat patiently for me while I used a Microsoft Surface Pro tethered to my IQ180 to assist with framing and focusing of the portrait.  I used a single studio strobe.  I converted the huge 80 megapixel RAW files using Capture One Pro 7. I then opted to convert the selected portrait into B&W and printed the portrait on the studio’s specially converted K7 B&W piezography fine art printer.  I love Bob’s personality in this portrait.  We’re going to miss you, Bob.

The Bob Walthour Aquatic Center remains unfinished and is still seeking donations to complete the facility.  Contact www.carmelpool.org for donation information.  For more information on medium format digital portraiture or fine art K7 B&W Piezography printing, contact me at the studio at (831) 626-1844.   Ken

A floor exercise competitor finishes her event at the Beach Blast 2014 Tournament. ©2014 Ken Doo Photography

The Monterey Bay Academy of Gymnastics hosted their annual Beach Blast Gymnastics Tournament last weekend. The tournament was well-attended with hundreds of competitors representing several teams from California. Ken Doo Photography was the event photographer at this tournament, covering seven sessions over the two day competition. We focused primarily on the Beam and Floor exercise events.  Photographing the event was challenging with capturing moving gymnasts, low light and no flash (to avoid distracting competitors).

Catching air on the floor exercises. ©2014 Ken Doo Photography

Nearly seven thousand images were taken during the course of the event!  Event images from Beach Blast 2014 may be viewed and purchased online, or see www.kendoophotography.instaproofs.com  Each session (1 through 7) will have several galleries (A, B, C, etc.) to aid in viewing the events. All sessions:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are now complete with both Floor and Beam events online and available for viewing and purchase.   Each gallery is considered a separate “event” and purchases made using the online shopping cart will need to be completed before moving onto the next gallery or event.  Images online have not been edited or retouched. Selected images for purchase will be edited and/or cropped as needed prior to printing.

On the Beam. ©2014 Ken Doo Photography

All purchased prints are quality guaranteed. Both print and low resolution downloads are available for purchase online.  Call the studio at (831) 626-1844 for different size options or special requests. A high resolution print CD/download option of all images taken of a single gymnast is available for purchase. Call the studio for details.  ken.

Head coach Jessica helping to set up the team.

Just a month earlier, I photographed the Monterey Bay Academy of Gymnastics Team. Aside from the normal team and individual photos, the gym wanted a large group photo of the competition team to put on display.  The team was photographed with a Phase One 645DF and IQ180 medium format digital back, including the individual images with gymnasts flying through the air! The short flash duration capabilities of the Phase One IQ180 and leaf shutter lenses actually made it easier.

Monterey Bay Academy of Gymnastics. 30 x 60 wall portrait! ©2014 Ken Doo Photography

The final image was printed in studio and measures 30″ x 60″ . It was mounted and framed in a solid wood, matte black frame, and is currently on display at the Monterey Bay Academy of Gymnastics in Sand City, CA.  What a great way to build team spirit!  For more information about event photography or medium format digital portraiture, contact me at my boutique portrait photography studio in Carmel, CA or call (831) 626-1844.  Ken

Floor exercise. ©2014 Ken Doo Photography

In honor of our US military veterans, all Beach Blast Gymnastics Tournament print orders placed Friday, November 7, 2015 through Tuesday Veteran’s Day November 11, 2015 will be doubled two for the price of one!  Order one print(s) and receive two of the same image, same size—for the price of one.  Photographs make great gifts for family and friends.  Order early to beat the holiday rush!  See, www.kendoophotography.instaproofs.com  Your invoice will show one print, but will be doubled automatically by Ken Doo Photography on delivery.  Offer available for print orders only, same image, same size ordered.  Contact the studio for any questions or to order direct.  (831) 626-1844.  Ken

Brett Luch fires on goal. An image from the Cherries File. ©2014 Ken Doo Photography

The 2014 Carmel High School Boys Water Polo season has finally come to an end, marked by an exciting finish with Carmel beating Soquel to win the league Championship.  Photos from Frosh, JV, and Varsity games remain online for purchase at www.kendoophotography.instaproofs.com.  Also just posted online for review and purchase is the “Cherries File.”  The Cherries File is an accumulation of the best images from throughout the entire water polo season. It’s worth a look!  Team & Individual photos are also posted online at http://kendoophotography.instaproofs.com/enterEvent.php?id=1143304  The Frosh, JV, and Varsity Team photos will be on display at the end of season banquet coming up in December. Each team portrait was photographed using a medium format digital camera, with the resulting image printed large at 40″ x 60″ with incredible detail.  All work is produced in studio and I have since expanded my fine art printing offerings to artists and photographers with Carmel Fine Art Printing & Reproduction.

Please contact me at my boutique portrait studio in Carmel if you have any questions.  Ken (831) 626-1844

Nathaniel Pettis at the Legacy-Tony Azevedo Water Polo Clinic. ©2015 Ken Doo Photography

Over the January 10-11, 2015 weekend, Legacy Water Polo sponsored US Olympian Tony Azevedo and Dragon Jovanovic’s Global Wave water polo clinic held at the Santa Catalina Pool in Monterey, California.  The two-day clinic gave participants a great opportunity to learn from two of the best water polo players in the game.  I took photos of each participant with Tony Azevedo, with each player receiving an autographed 5×7 portrait at the end of the clinic.  The clinic was attended by over fifty water polo players from throughout California.

Tony Azevedo and Dragon Jovanovic of Global Wave and Mia and Whitney from Hard Core Polo.

Photos from the water polo clinic may be viewed and purchased online at my event hosting website www.kendoophotography.instaproofs.com   Two separate online galleries gave been set up, one for each day of the clinic.  Please contact the studio for questions, requests, or to place a direct order.  Ken  (831) 626-1844

Lake Tahoe ©2015 Ken Doo Photography. Cambo WRS, Phase IQ180, Rodenstock HR40

Last year marked the fifth annual Capture Integration in Carmel, an informal workshop led by Don Libby of Iron Creek Photography in Tucson, AZ, and me–Ken Doo Photography, featuring the finest in medium format digital photography. After much discussion with Don and Dave Gallagher of Capture Integration, we decided to take the show on the road.  This year’s event takes place in beautiful Lake Tahoe. We’ve already made a couple trips scouting the area for suitable locations, restaurants, and activities. The sixth year promises not to disappoint!  Photographers interested medium format digital photography can sign-up for the “Don, Ken, and CI in Lake Tahoe Not a Workshop Workshop” online. Registration is $349.00.  The online pdf itinerary gives a brief overview and will be updated shortly.  Contact me at my boutique portrait studio in Carmel or call (831) 626-1844 for questions. Ken