A few interesting links about Photography, Technology, Social Media, and Gadgets that I’ve come across recently. Some are smart, some are funny, and some are just plain dumb, but they are all interesting for one reason or another. Have a look and let me know what you think:

• How To Test a Lens « Canon Rumors
  I can't say anything about this article because it's so long that it already says it all. But it's worth reading.
• New: Canon QuickGuides
  Some of the newest tech items from Canon are pretty sophisticated, and if you're not using all of the features regularly it's pretty easy to forget how to do some things. I use my Speedlites in manual far more often than in E-TTL mode, and so when I try to switch them into wireless E-TTL it takes me some time to do. These QuickGuides from Canon aim to help with that problem.
• Optimize performance | Lightroom
  Lightroom is a workhorse, but it's also a pig. It demands system resources to really run well. Here's a new guide directly from Adobe on how to optimize your computer system, and Lightroom itself, to perform better.
• Utah3D.Net – Full Screen 3D Panoramas of Scenic Utah
  3D Spherical Panorama Photography. This is pretty cool. And dizzying.
• Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Firmware Version 1.1.0
  Have you updated the firmware for your camera lately?
• Consumer Reports finds low-phosphate dishwasher detergents that work » Clarksville, TN Online
  I'm so sick of my dishwasher not getting the dishes clean, so I bought some Finish Quantum Powerball dish detergent today. It's not perfect, but it seems to be much better than the other stuff we've been using…
• NPPA: Cost of Doing Business Calculator
  Running a photography business is expensive. Here's a tool to help you understand just how much it really costs.
• AF microadjustment for the 1Ds mark III, 1D Mk3, 5D Mk2, 7D
  Camera AF Microadjustment – for free!

A few interesting links about Photography, Technology, Social Media, and Gadgets that I’ve come across recently. Some are smart, some are funny, and some are just plain dumb, but they are all interesting for one reason or another. Have a look and let me know what you think:

• How to go Beyond the Regular Composition Advice for Getting the Best Shots of your Kids
  A few great tips for better children's photographs.
• YouTube – Battle At F-Stop Ridge
  We take photography really seriously.
• How to Root an Android Phone with SuperOneClick?
  I just rooted my Samsung Galaxy S. Here's how I did it. Now to get the battery life under control…
• The 5 best reasons to root your Android phone | ITworld
  I haven't done it yet, but I plan to root my phone for all of these reasons!
• My 25 Biggest Mistakes » Two Photogs
  Starting a business is hard, and the photography business is full of competition. It's easy to make mistakes, but it's also easy to learn from them and move on… Sometimes simply recognizing the mistake is the most important part!
• People Need A Connection To Your Images | Outdoor Photo Gear
  I find that people only buy images when they have a truly deep connection… Best is if they were there when you took the photo, and the next best is if the image is of a place or a subject that they have visited in the past or know very well. But they definitely need a connection.
• Canada Shipping
  I wish all vendors selling products from the USA into Canada would figure out that brokerage from UPS is a deal killer. Rice Studio Supply gets it, so they will get my business!
• Light Stalking » Can You Really Make Zoo Photos Look Like Wildlife Shots?
  I love our local zoo and have spent many hours there making images of the "wildlife". You really can make them look great (but I still don't think you should pretend that your zoo pictures are of wild animals).