Did I ever tell you how much I love Robocop?

Goodbye JPG Magazine

Just received this sad email from JPG Magazine. As of January 5, 2009, JPG Magazine will be no more...

"Today is a particularly sad day for all of us at JPG and 8020 Media.

We've spent the last few months trying to make the business behind JPG sustain itself, and we've reached the end of the line. We all deeply believe in everything JPG represents, but we just weren't able to raise the money needed to keep JPG alive in these extraordinary economic times. We sought out buyers, spoke with numerous potential investors, and pitched several last-ditch creative efforts, all without success. As a result, jpgmag.com will shut down on Monday, January 5, 2009.

The one thing we've been the most proud of: your amazing talent. We feel honored and humbled to have been able to share jpgmag.com with such a dynamic, warm, and wonderful community of nearly 200,000 photographers. The photography on the website and in the magazine was adored by many, leaving no doubt that this community created work of the highest caliber. The kindness, generosity, and support shared among members made it a community in the truest sense of the word, and one that we have loved being a part of for these past two years.

We wish we could have found a way to leave the site running for the benefit of the amazing folks who have made JPG what it is, and we have spent sleepless nights trying to figure something out, all to no avail. Some things you may want to do before the site closes:

- Download the PDFs of back issues, outtakes, and photo challenge selections. We'll always have the memories! www.jpgmag.com/downloads/archives.html
- Make note of your favorite photographers. You may want to flip through your favorites list and jot down names and URLs of some of the people you'd like to stay in touch with. You may even want to cut and paste your contacts page into a personal record.
- Catch up with your fellow members. Our roots are in this humble flickr forum and we recommend going back to find fellow members, discuss the situation, or participate in another great photo community. www.flickr.com/groups/jpgmag/
- Keep in touch. This has always been much more than just a job to each of us, and we'll miss you guys! We'll be checking the account jpgletters@gmail.com in our free time going forward. We can't promise to reply to every email (since we'll be busy tuning up our resumes) but we'd love to hear from you.
- Stay posted. Although the magazine is ceasing publication, we'll be updating you on what's happening with your subscription early next week.

We're soggy-eyed messes, but it is what it is. At that, JPGers, we bid you goodbye, and good luck in 2009 and the future.

Laura Brunow Miner
Editor in Chief"

More Canon EOS 5D Mark 2 HD Video Samples

I have only had the camera for a few days, and I love it so far. Here are a few random clips from a recent trip the crew and I took to Chicago for a photoshoot. Most of the footage is hand held and taken with Canon L Series lenses. I will update this video with more clips as I capture them.

More Canon EOS 5D Mark 2 HD Video Samples from Douglas Sonders on Vimeo.

Loving my first weekend with the Canon 5D Mark 2, but....

I had to make a quick trip to Chicago for a shoot and have taken my new 5D Mark 2 body with me. It is just fantastic. I love my various generations of 1Ds bodies for all the great work they have put done, but the new 5D makes me not want to look back. The live preview is fantastic, the video looks amazing (will post more samples soon), the automatic sensor cleaning is a nice luxury, and the images are SO sharp, even in low light.

Although, this being said, I have a problem. There is NO availability of new batteries. No store seems to have them in stock in the US. I went on ebay, and see some shady options from Hong Kong, but thats it. Beware, there are some retailers on ebay that offer "genuine replacement batteries" for the 5d mark 2 and for cheap ($40 approx), but you will read that they do not communicate battery management/life to the camera like a read canon battery should.

I am currently looking at purchasing a BG-E6 vertical battery grip (top image) and possibly the WFT-E4 vert. grip (bottom image) as well. The BG-E6 offers space for 2 LP-E6 batteries or 6 AA batteries. The WFT-E4 offers wifi image/video transmission capabilities to your computer (within 60 feet). That would be pretty cool on commercial jobs so I dont have to use firewire to shoot to my computer, BUT the WFT-E4 apparently only allows you to use a single camera battery and to replace exhausted the battery  you need to remove the grip from the camera. That isn't an attractive thought considering how long some shoots can go. Ill let you know as I learn more.

My first sample video from the new Canon 5D Mark 2

Canon EOS 5D Mark 2 Low Light Sample Video from Douglas Sonders on Vimeo.

It is dark out right now so I have taken some sample video inside using my Boxer, Winston Churchill, as a subject. More sample videos to come!

Footage was captured using my Canon 16-35mm 2.8L lens at 16mm and the ISO was set to 400. There was some noise, but definitely amazing footage for an SLR.

Happy Holidays to me! Canon 5d Mark 2 & new MacBook Pro 15"

My 5D Mark 2 came in stock at my local camera store today (thanks to my buddy Gabe Scindian for the tip to check with Dominion Camera) and I ran out to pick it up ASAP. I love it! I will give a full-review soon. One thing to mention, the lack of available accessories on the market, such as extra batteries! 

Also pulled the trigger and ordered the new MacBook Pro 15" on Black Friday. I am loving it. I ordered a Pelican 1490 hard laptop case to configure it to be the ultimate on-location studio. Will post photos or video of that soon.

Hope everyone had a nice holiday!

Happy Holidays Everyone

Enjoy this sweet "80's Montage" take on the classic "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

Awesome 80's Montage: Rudolph - watch more funny videos

New Pretenders Photoshoot for iTunes

I did this shoot in NYC a couple months back and is up on the Pretenders iTunes Originals album up on iTunes now.

The 2009 Mercedes Benz McLaren SLR Stirling Moss

This show car coming to the Detroit Auto Show is unbelievably beautiful. I had to post this video.

New Staind Photoshoot

My photos of Staind are up on the iTunes in their new iTunes Originals album. Check it out!

New 8112 Studios Demo Reel

Check it out, it is a new demo reel from my video production company, 8112 Studios:


Our Sony PMW EX-1 XDCAM Reel from 8112 Studios on Vimeo.

Check out my new video page!

I have started uploading a variety of behind-the-scenes videos onto my vimeo account for you guys.

Check it out here:

http://vimeo.com/user994649/videos

Hope you enjoy them! Check back regularly for more videos here on the blog and on my Vimeo page.

Unique Whips TV Photoshoot - Rapper Jadakiss - Douglas Sonders Photography from Douglas Sonders on Vimeo.

Video: My crazy ride in a Blackhawk helicopter with 3 Doors Down and Switchfoot

My Blackhawk helicopter ride with 3 Doors Down & Switchfoot from Douglas Sonders on Vimeo.

I flew with the bands 3 Doors Down and Switchfoot (riding in 2 Blackhawks) from a Mississippi Army National Guard base to the middle of Highway 90 in Biloxi Mississippi in front of the Hard Rock Casino. 3 Doors Down and Switchfoot were performing a charity concert to benefit the MS/AL/LA Gulf Coasts.

Check out the Better Life Foundation:

CLICK HERE

"The UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft."

Star Wars Photoshoot - Video Preview

Star Wars Photoshoot Preview from Douglas Sonders on Vimeo.

Check out my guest blog on Scott Kelby's photoshop website

CLICK HERE to check it out

Repost: SWAT Team Photoshoot

This behind-the-scenes video is reposted using Vimeo (rather than YouTube) for your viewing pleasure.

Swat Team Photoshoot from Douglas Sonders on Vimeo.

Something for you Star Wars fans...

More photos coming and video! :)

Repost: Secret Agent Photoshoot

I posted images and youtube video from this shoot sometime last year I believe, but thanks to the high-resolution video encoding software of vimeo.com, I am reposting the behind the scenes video in much higher quality. Enjoy!

Secret Agent Photoshoot from Douglas Sonders on Vimeo.

Carbon Motors E7 Photoshoot - Video

Here is a behind the scenes video of the Carbon Motors "police car of the future" photoshoot. The images are not 100% edited, and will update the video when the editing is done. Hope you enjoy!

Carbon Motors E7 Police Car Photoshoot from Douglas Sonders on Vimeo.

Got a sweet gift in the mail from 3 Doors Down

Thanks guys!! What a nice surprise!

Affordable ring flash option

Always wanted a ring flash, but didnt want to spend the big bucks for it? Behold! A ring flash option for $169! Although, you will need your off camera hotshoe flash (ex: Speedlight) and an a flash extension cable to make it work. Your flash goes in the black slot on the bottom and the ring goes over the lens. Easy as that!

Here is a sample Orbis video for some close up detail:

http://www.orbisflash.com/

New Seether Music Video - Breakdown

My music client, Seether, has just debuted the music video for their sweet new song "Breakdown." Enjoy!

Stacy Clark shout out

Thanks to my friend Stacy Clark for giving me a shout out during her interview for photographing her.

click here for more videos like this

Carbon Motors E7 Photoshoot

Just a little teaser...

Got back from the west coast today after shooting the amazing Carbon Motors E7 purpose-built police car. It was friggin' sweet! Expect some sweet finished photos, behind the scenes photos like the one above, and video of the shoot. The first 2 shots are rough proofs and not completed yet!

New portrait shoot - Daniel Pino

Hope you like this shoot everyone. Thanks to Bubba's East Coast Rods and Customs for loaning the amazingly beautiful Trans Am.

Stacie Snyder did a great job on hair and makeup as always (http://www.staciesnyder.com/).

Check out Daniel's model page HERE.

Help my friends Crash Boom Bang!

My talented friends of the music group Crash Boom Bang are raising money for their new album. I am passing along their message below:

"Good until this Saturday. Everything in the Crash Boom Bang online merch store is 10% off when you enter the code, CRASH10.

The new CBB hoodies are also now available. You have your choice of Red or Black, both with the Crash Boom Bang logo on the front with GOLD FOIL PRINT.

Check out the Crash Boom Bang Online Merchandise store at:

www.districtlines.com/crashboombang"

My Ani DiFranco photoshoot on iTunes this week

Ani's iTunes original album is out on iTunes. Check it out kids! Ani was amazing to work with.

Cover of DJ Times - DJ Enferno

From my recent photoshoot of Madonna's DJ, DJ Enferno, for the cover of DJ Times

New model shoot - Christine Calfy

I photographed Christine recently in the DC area. You may check her out here: MODELMAYHEM

Stacie Snyder helped with the hair and makeup. She did an awesome job. Make sure to check out here website: www.StacieSnyder.com

What a crazy weekend!

I had a pretty friggin' awesome weekend. The photo above is a preview of the photoshoots I worked on (me with some Star Wars legends). Expect some photos and video soon.

Rides Magazine cover photoshoot video with Dodge Challenger Convertible SEMA car

RIDES Magazine posted the video from my Challenger photoshoot.

http://www.rides-mag.com/online/?p=1910

RIDES Magazine—Worlds First: Challenger SRT8 Convertible from Michael Crenshaw on Vimeo.

My Dodge Challenger photo on the cover of RIDES Magazine (December)

Recent photoshoot I did for RIDES Magazine. Check the photos out in the December issue of RIDES, which should be out in the next couple of weeks.

Object of desire: The Bowler Nemesis

I've been a proud Land Rover owner for a couple years now, but it compares nothing...nothing to this.

5th gear. Jason Plato drives the Bowler Nemesis.

Behind the scenes of my Countach S and Esprit photoshoot

More behind the scenes videos from other shoots are coming!
Many thanks to Crash Boom Bang for letting me use their song "Are You Ready" in the video above.

The F-35B is awesome

Awesome short video of the US Marine's new plane. Holy cow this is cool!