PShizzy: The Blog

Ok, so we already talked about the commitment to a budget. We talked about the differences between needs and wants. We even talked about where to get the stuff you need or want. But what do you need or want? And how can you tell the difference?

In this article, we’re going to look at some questions you can ask of yourself to really get the appropriate equipment for your needs. key word: Needs. Sure anyone can rationalize a purchase, but those rationalizations are just lies we tell ourselves so we can feel better about the buy. The sad truth is that we often have more money than we think we do. We just spend it wrong. Ever seen someone with a nice car and expensive rims, but is broke and lives with their parents? We all do it, to different degrees.

So, read on to find out more about what you can do to really assess your needs [Read more →]

Tags: equipment by PShizzy
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So, in our last “Spending Smart” segment (I guess it’s a segment now, since so many people liked it), I discussed the art of budgeting and the very important first step: setting a budget. It’s really easy to get a lot of stuff when you don’t have a limit. This is why people go into credit card debt. They don’t see money disappearing or their pockets emptying. They just dismiss it as something to consider later. A budget is a way to consider now, and work within that construct in order to achieve a goal. Ok enough about that last segment.

Today I’ll go into the process, almost step by step, as to what I do when I want to buy gear. As much as I love photography as an art, I’m also a gadget and gear person. I accepted that I like stuff, but I do my best to be frugal about it. So this is what I do: [Read more →]

Tags: equipment by PShizzy
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I’ve got a game tomorrow, which should make for a fun post, so today I thought I’d answer an email:

I will be shooting (for fun and some friends) at the Veterans Wheelchair games. I got a Canon 40D (with grip) from my hubby for Christmas (going from a Kodak Hybrid).I have been practicing, (not good yet too much rain everywhere we go). Anyway I end up laying on the ground, squatting, and everything you can think of because they sit instead of stand. I have the following Lens (most bought on sale). I don’t have any “L” glass since I want to be sure before I spend that much money. I have the following: [Read more →]

Tags: photography by PShizzy
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It’s obvious that part of getting ready for your shoot is to pack your gear up. For some people this may be chore, for others a ritual. For me, it’s almost a challenge. But I’ve figured out a system for my bag(s) that I really like, so much so that my bags are almost always packed the exact same way. This isn’t new, I’ve had it this way for years. (for those that know me, yes I will be linking to “the video” again). And today I’ll share it with you. [Read more →]

Tags: equipment by PShizzy
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No one likes to budget. This is just the truth. Budgeting means you have to compromise, and accept that you won’t get what you want. It’s important to understand that what you need and what you want are very different things. A budget isn’t just a number that you have to stay under, it’s a commitment. So what do you have to commit to?

[Read more →]

Tags: equipment by PShizzy
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Before we begin, I explicitly asked permission to post the following message. I will not disclose the identity of the person asking the question, unless they ask me to. I plan to make this a series on my blog, where I offer my honest opinion and insight on a photography related question posed to me. Remember though, these are just opinions, not hard rules. Feel free to email me or contact me privately, and I’d be glad to answer your questions in a future post.

Without further ado:

Hi Max,

I see your work often and it’s spectacular. I shoot lots of soccer and lacrosse and have limited experience with basketball.

I’d greatly appreciate some advice from you.

My son is playing on an AAU Basketball team and the coaches want me to shoot games this weekend. I’ve done a few tourneys with my 1D Mark IIN using F/2.8L 70-200. I don’t travel with strobes and don’t see it practical at the U-15 level, especially if I’m not intending to sell images to families.

That said, are there any circumstances where you shoot any basketball games w/o strobes in dingy lit basketball gyms?

The noise is killing me. I do use CS3 and it helps, but still want less noise. [Read more →]

Tags: equipment, photography by PShizzy
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You tell me. This blog’s direction should be led by the people who visit the site. Actions are great, but there’s more to the site than that. I will dive into other stuff shortly, but rather than post something of my choice, I leave it to you to tell me what you’d like to see.

Leave a comment, and if you see someone’s comment and agree, then say so. If I see 10 comments on the same subject, I’ll know that’s a great idea. But just in case you’re not sure what to consider, I’ve created a list of ideas I already have in mind. [Read more →]

Tags: general by PShizzy
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