AWARD WINNERS FOR “FREEDOM, FRAIL AS GLASS” Naperville Art League - July 2008 members show

Best of Show: Merike Adams —“Tomorrow”

Best Theme: Bill Baykan —“Our Future Is In Our Past”


Merit Awards:

Glen Hoffman —“Simple”

Zaki Knapen — “IX/XI”

Valerie Lorimer — “Freedom”


Mike Bessler — “Eagle in Alaska”

Jane Pearson-Strack — “Once Upon a Time”


Judged by Susan Winebridge

BesPhoto Photography Workshops in Plainfield Illinois - wheelchair accessible

NEW to the BesPhoto Photography Workshops is a workshop in Plainfield Illinois.  The class is sponsored by Plainfield Art League and begins July 15th.  There will be 2 classes, one for children to age 14 at 9am-10:30am, and one for adults at 11am-12:30pm.  The workshop will be held on 4 consecutive weeks.  This is a great opportunity to learn about your camera and photography close to home.  This workshop will be located at the Plainfield Art League Gallery and School, 24114 W Chicago St, Plainfield, Illinois 60544 across from the Village Green Park in downtown Plainfield.  We will start in the gallery, and weather permitting, walk to the Village Green Park across the street from the gallery to practice what we learn.  All the while learning how to make your camera do what you want it to do.  This class is wheelchair accessible.  To register for this class go to: http://www.plainfieldartleague.org/classes.htm.  If you have any problems with registration, then please contact me at http://www.besphoto.com/common/contact.htm.

 

Thanks

Mike

AWARD WINNERS FOR “JITTERS” - Naperville Art League - June 2008 members show

Best of Show: Blaine Bradford —"Dance of the Caffeinated Jitters"

Best Theme: Zaki Knapen —"Your Time Is Up!"

Merit Awards:

Sue Keller —"The Red Dress"

Jill Lawrence — "Necklace II"

Leon Krejci — "Second Prisoner"

Mike Bessler — "Lava Falls"

Catherine Gregory — "Nervends"

.

Judged by Bart Gunderson

Mike Bessler was awarded 8th Place at the Best of the Best Show

The Alliance of Fine Art held the Best of the Best Exhibit 2008 at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St, Oak Brook, IL March 15 to May 18, 2008. The awards reception was Sunday, May 18, 2pm-4pm.  Out of 120 participants, Mike won 8th place.  His piece  "Glowing Forest" also sold during the show.

Mike Bessler ARTWORKS

May 9, 2008

 

By Denise M. Baran-Unland Special to the Herald News

 

Full article:

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/lifestyles/939459,4_5_JO09_ARTWORKS_S1.article

 

To fully grasp the immensity of the art pieces fine art photographer Mike Bessler fabricates, click twice on the red and yellow tulips image on his home page online at www.BesPhoto.com.  There, Bessler, 57, of Bolingbrook, stands proudly before the 16-by-6-foot tulips photograph that permanently resides at Naperville's Edward Hospital outpatient center in Plainfield.  "This is my favorite image right now," Bessler said. "I like to keep going back and looking at it and I bring other people to look at it, too."

» Click to enlarge image

» Click to enlarge image

» Click to enlarge image

To create this wide-angle image, Bessler took 14 different shots of the tulips, cut them into 10 36-inch square images and stitched them together.

He then printed them on canvas and created visible brush strokes on the flowers by painting them with clear acrylic. Because the photograph has so much detail, Bessler said he can print it again in any desired size.

"To me, this brings out the richness of the picture and makes it look more three-dimensional," Bessler said. "Some day -- maybe a long time from now -- I'll be able to print 3-D, but the best I can do right now is to add my texture on the outside."

For other photographs, Bessler "sculpts" them, by photographing many separate pictures of the same object and assembling them into one photograph by layering them. He used this technique with the images he took of his new pink rosebush.

"Sculpture has more depth, more shadows," he said. "Your eye just puts it all together and you don't see the spaces at all."

Bessler has shown his work at the Oak Brook Invitational and he has sold his pieces to both individuals and to corporations. Each year, he teaches photograph workshops at Starved Rock State Park in Utica.

Although both Bessler's father and uncle loved photography, Bessler said his call to the craft came at Lockport West High School (now Romeoville HS) when someone put a camera in his hands and told him to go take pictures.

"I didn't have a clue what I was doing, so I had to learn," Bessler said. "There weren't all those photography classes then." He apparently caught on fairly quickly. "I was the photographer for the 1968 yearbook. Almost all the photographs in there are mine and my friend's and we did all the layouts."

A full-time programmer and a part-time wedding photographer, the nature-loving Bessler evolved into a fine art photographer after he visited and took pictures of the Grand Canyon. He couldn't wait to get those images developed and relive that visual experience. But the resulting pictures disappointed him.

"The awe was just not there and that is when I resolved to learn how to bring home the awe," Bessler said.

He experimented first with enhancing the colors of his realistic pieces and later by creating impressionistic renderings of his images to give the feel of the original scene. Many of those images are quite large and have a sculpted feeling. Bessler now prints those images on either fine art paper or canvas.

Since he retired two years ago, Bessler has limited the number of weddings he will shoot each year to concentrate more on his fine art work. These are mostly nature pieces, especially flowers and waterfalls. The process of creating them gives Bessler immense satisfaction.

"My images are mine from the first look through the viewfinder of my camera, through the enhancing process and the printing," Bessler said. "Now I am feeling the awe."

Naperville Art League Award Winners for “MEMORIES OF THE PAST”

Best of Show:
Kirk Kerndl —“Portrait of Juan Morales”

Best Theme:
Pat Young —“Past Vacation Memories”

Merit Awards:
Mike Bessler —“Mayan Monkey Pot 400 AD”



Susan R. Wilson — “Iris Gardens”

Marilyn Polivka — “Isabella in the Garden”

Bill Baykan — “Charlie”

Ed Massart — “Mom’s Bike”

Judged by George Liebert

Naperville Art League - AWARD WINNERS FOR “OVER AND OVER” - April 2008

Best of Show

: Maureen McKee —"Over and Over Street"

Best Theme:

Glen Hoffman —"Metal Over"

Merit Awards

Lyn Tietz —"Rocky Coast"

Leon Krejci — "Oil/Photo" (Pictured)

Linda Evans — "Cosmic Pinball"

Bill Baykan — "Over and Over and Over"

Carol Baumrucker — "Creekside"

Judged by Jim Weren

 

http://www.napervilleartleague.com/

 

Lyn Tietz is painting Mike Bessler's image "Dead River Falls"

PDF Creation for free

CutePDF Writer (Freeware)
You can create professional quality PDF files from almost any printable document. FREE for personal, commercial, gov or edu use! No watermarks! No popup Web ads! Now supports 64-bit Windows.

Free Download (1.6MB)  (Vista Ready)      Learn More

Click on the Free Download above and Install CutePDF.  To use it, create your document in any software you already use like MS Word.  Then print, but instead of choosing your epson or canon printer, choose "CutePDF Writer" and the dialog boxes lead you through where to save your new pdf.

The only issue I've had with it is that if you try to save a second time to the same name, the save says it worked, but doesn't work.  You should delete the PDF file before saving a second time.

 

Mike Bessler

Mike Bessler SOLD his "Glowing Forest" photograph at the Best of the Best show 2008

Mike Bessler SOLD his award winning photo "Glowing Forest" at the Best of the Best Exhibit 2008. The Alliance of Fine Art is holding the Best of the Best Exhibit 2008 at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St, Oak Brook, IL March 15 to May 18, 2008. The opening Preview Reception was Thursday, March 20 at 7pm and the awards reception is Sunday, May 18, 2pm-4pm.

Feature: CHDK: A Shot of Power for Your PowerShot

======================================================================
        The IMAGING RESOURCE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY NEWSLETTER
======================================================================
 Volume 10, Number 8                                  11 April 2008
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     Copyright 2008, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved.
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We've often wondered why digicams only get firmware updates to fix embarrassing problems that should have been caught in the prototype. Why aren't there any firmware updates that actually add cool new features?

A few Canon PowerShot owners must have been thinking the same thing. Lucky for the rest of us, they also write software. And the really fortunate part is they've started an open-source software project (free to use, free to modify) called the Canon Hacker's Development Kit to update PowerShots with, well, cool new features.

All you need is a PowerShot that uses a DIGIC II or DIGIC III processor and an SD card.

One of CHDK's coolest features, however, is how it works. You just load it on your memory card and activate it when you want to use it. It isn't technically a firmware update at all -- it just acts like one.

It only changes the code in the camera's memory (which disappears when you turn the power off), not the actual firmware burned into the camera's programmable memory chip. So you can't hurt the camera and you can always return the camera to its original behavior just as if nothing ever happened. Cool.

So what cool new features are we talking about? How about 1) a live histogram, 2) a battery status display, 3) a Raw file format and 4) the ability to run scripts written in a version of BASIC? For starters. There are other tweaks (like faster shutter speeds up to 1/10,000 second, depth of focus display, auto bracketing, higher compression Movie mode, long exposures up to 65 seconds, ability to use the USB port to trigger the shutter), too. More about those later.

It's all made possible by the ability of these guys to write new code for the DIGIC microprocessor in the camera.

INSTALLATION

Format an SD card in the camera to wipe it clean in a format the camera understands.

The first trick is to determine the current firmware version of your camera. There are different CHDK downloads for different cameras and firmware revisions.

To do this on a PowerShot you create an empty file called ver.req (version request) in the root directory of your SD card. There are various ways to do this but the FAQ gives (http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ) explicit instructions for Linux, Windows and Mac systems. Just make sure you don't create a text file.

Then turn on your camera in Playback mode (you can't switch to it, you have to start from it) and hold down the Set key while you press the Display key. You'll see a line like "Firmware Ver GM1E."

Once you know your model number and firmware version, visit the CHDK download page (http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/Downloads) to find the builds available for your camera. If there isn't one, you can check the Developer's page of the project to see if one's under development (http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/For_Developers).

Among the possible CHDK builds, there's a standard one with the basic features but there may also be a special build (http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK#Special_Builds) that implements extended features like syncing two PowerShots to take a stereo image (http://stereo.jpn.org/eng/sdm/index.htm) or firing the shutter when motion is detected.

Once you've found a build, download it and copy it to your memory card. There are two small files (about 110K each) to each build: PS.fir and Diskboot.bin that should be copied to the root directory of your SD card. There may be other folders and files to copy, too (hiding even more goodies like scripts).

With the card in the camera, start up in Playback mode and press the Menu button. Find the Firm Update option and confirm with the OK button. Your PowerShot will reboot.

If you get a splash screen, the firmware enhancement has been successfully loaded. If the camera hangs or does not respond to the Power button, the CHDK version isn't compatible with your camera. Just open the battery door and remove the batteries to turn the camera off, stick them back in and restart. No harm done.

You can set up the card so CHDK loads automatically any time you start the camera by using the program itself to make the card bootable and then locking the card. That won't prevent images from being stored on the card. But it only works on cards up to 2-GB in size.

FEATURES

To access these features, once CHDK has been loaded into memory, you have to slip into Alt mode by pressing a special key (configurable in the Alt menu), usually the Print or Shortcut key. Once in Alt mode (a small ALT tag is displayed at the bottom of the screen), press the Menu key to see what you can do.

Alt mode itself is only necessary to configure your options (but you'll want to do that; even the live histogram has lots of options), starting a script and other shortcuts.

An illustrated and comprehensive list of the functions available in CHDK is available at http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK_firmware_usage.

Here's a quick list of features (some available only in special builds):

- Raw file format. Capturing the raw data from the sensor without processing it in the camera let's you make decisions with your image editing software that are usually automated in the camera. These .CRW Raw files are not always recognized by other programs, but in a pinch you can use Adobe's free DNG Converter to change them into DNG files, which are generally supported.

- A live histogram. Based on Raw data from the sensor, the live histogram feature shows you if your highlights and shadows are properly exposed at the current shutter and aperture settings. You can use EV compensation to shift the histogram to one side or the other to improve the exposure.

- Zebra mode. In this mode, your preview will flash the shadows or highlights to indicate either insufficient or excessive exposure.

- A battery status display shows you how much power is left. Very handy as you learn about CHDK because, well, you'll be using your battery much more as you play around <g>.

- Loading a custom grid.

- The ability to run scripts written in UBASIC (see below).

- Faster shutter speeds (like 1/25,000 second).

- Long exposures (like 65 seconds).

- Depth of field calculator. When you press the Shutter button, the screen will display the depth of field and hyperfocal distance.

- Miscellaneous functions include a Calendar, Text Reader, games and more.

- Exposure bracketing. You can set both the number of shots to take and the difference in exposure between each. That lets you capture shadow detail in one, for example, midtones in the next and highlight detail in the last. Then, using any number of image editing programs, you can combine these images into one that displays a wider dynamic range than any single capture can show. You will need a tripod to do this.

- Focus bracketing. In Macro mode, depth of focus is usually very shallow. By taking a series of shots in which the focus is slightly altered, you can extend focus beyond what any single image can capture by using freeware to combine the images. You will need a tripod to do this, too.

- Higher compression Movie mode.

- Increased video recording time and length (to one hour or 2-GB).

- Interval Shooting. Take photos automatically at set intervals. Even with long exposures. You can combine the images into a time lapse video.

- The ability to use the USB port to trigger the shutter.

SCRIPTS

With CHDK running, you can automate your PowerShot with scripts written in UBASIC (http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/UBASIC). There are a number of scripts you can download (http://tools.assembla.com/chdk/browser/branches/grand/script) to do things like bracketing exposures by number of exposures and step size, focus bracketing, intervalometer, zoom and shoot, zoom video, tele-macro mode, macro DOFstacker, HDR shooting and more.

When you've found a script you want to run, download it and copy it to your card in a folder named CHDK/SCRIPTS. Then, with CHDK running, enter the script menu, load your script and set the options before leaving the menu. In Alt mode, pressing the Shutter button starts the script (just like recording in Movie mode). Pressing the Shutter button again interrupts the script.

Want to write your own scripts? No problem, just visit the UBASIC Tutorial (http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/UBASIC/TutorialScratchpad) to learn the language.

HELP

Besides the CHDK Wiki (http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK), there's a forum (http://chdk.setepontos.com/index.php) where you can discuss everything from the specifics of a release to feature requests. There are sections with help on using the stable releases, creative uses of the program, script writing and shooting and processing Raw images.

In fact, the forum isn't a bad place to start your exploration of CHDK.

WARRANTY

Use at your own risk means just that but the CHDK site posts an interesting email from a Canon tech support rep which says, "After researching this software on the Internet it appears that CHDK doesn't make any actual changes to your camera. If you delete the CHDK software from your memory card or if you choose not to activate the CHDK software on the card (or remove and replace the batteries), then the camera will behave absolutely normally -- nothing has been (or ever is) changed, so the warranty is not affected."

That's the key point. CHDK is not firmware. It's simply software that loads into memory where the DIGIC processor can execute the code on demand.

But use it at your own risk. There are no doubt good reasons Canon itself chooses not to implement some of these features.

Of course, most of these models are probably out of warranty anyway, so the issue may be moot for you.

CONCLUSION

If nothing else, CHDK breathes new life in your old PowerShot. But it isn't just for old PowerShots, with support for a number of currently available models. By providing an architecture for extending the capabilities of your PowerShot, it can keep on breathing new life into your investment. You can even do it yourself, if you learn UBASIC. And you can't beat the price, either.

Stop pre-approved credit and insurance offers

You can stop the pre-approved credit and insurance offers by calling 888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688). Or
you can do this online at www.optoutprescreen.com. This will stop most of the offers, the ones
that go through the credit bureaus. It's good for five years or you can make it permanent.

Full Moon rise on March 21 at 7:21pm cst

March 21 2008

Sunset at 7:06pm

Moon rise at 7:21pm at 96 degrees Azimuth or mostly east.

Full moon at 1:40pm

This should be some very good shooting of the Moon.  Find a good location and get ready.

Alliance of Fine Art Best of the Best 2008

Art exhibit showcases local talent

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More than 100 pieces of local watercolor, oil, photography, pottery, jewelry and mixed media will be showcased during the Alliance of Fine Art's Best of the Best Fine Art Exhibit.

By Jessica Young, jyoung@mysuburbanlife.com

Suburban Life

Tue Feb 26, 2008, 04:46 PM CST

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Story Tools: Email This |  Print This

Western suburbs, IL -

Dianne Martia has found herself mesmerized with exhumation lately.

"I'm not sure why. I've only been on archeological digs in my dreams, but it has been occupying my imagination," the Darien resident said. "I'm fascinated with finding things that belonged to another era or culture."

Local artists featured... • Mike Bessler for the photograph "Glowing Forest" • Bill Baykan for the watercolor "Illusion" • Corrie Tameling for the oil "Looking at You" • Abhi Ganju for the photograph "Sugary Snow Shadows" • Zaki Knapen for the acrylic "Summer Breeze" • Maggie Kruser for wool-needle felt "Ugandan Couple" • Valerie Lorimer for the graphite "The Witch Wore Hightops" • Laura Lein-Svencer for the collage "My Darling Doris" • Dianne Martia for the mixed media "Exhumation of the Ring" • Dennis Salaty for the mixed media "The Prize" • Dick Shipley for the watercolor "Splintered Light"

Martia has done a series of mixed-media canvasses exploring the intersection of past and present. And the gamble paid off with her piece "Exhumation of the Ring." Her work will be featured in the prestigious 16th Annual Best of the Best Fine Art Exhibit, a show sponsored by the Alliance of Fine Art for the creme de la creme of local artists guilds and leagues.

The exhibit, which will appear at the historic Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, will run from Friday, March 21, through Sunday, May 18, when it will culminate with a reception and award presentation. Artists, special guests and local dignitaries are invited to a special sneak preview gala Thursday, March 20.

The Alliance of Fine Art is a nonprofit professional association comprised of local artists groups including the Downers Grove Artists' Guild, Elmhurst Artists' Guild, Addison Art Guild, LaGrange Art League, Lemont Artists' Guild, Naperville Art League, West Suburban Artists' Guild and Midwest Collage Society. More than 100 pieces of watercolor, oil, photography, pottery, jewelry and mixed media will be showcased. Entries were chosen among award winners at the guild or league level, so organizers call the selections stellar.

"My piece is a composite mixed media collage," Martia said. "There's a combination of images that represent artifacts that might be found during an exhumation. There's a picture of a ring, a landscape that shows where the site might have been and a partial writing from a notebook that describes what a person found."

The ring is displayed against a ruler to appear like a specimen being measured.
"Exhumation of the Ring" received recognition at the Naperville Art League show, and a second piece, a mixed media waterscape called "The Passage," won second place at the Downers Grove Artists' Guild contest.

"None of my pieces are very literal, and I try to allow the viewer to come to their own conclusion," Martia said. "I use symbolism and ambiguity to evoke a sense of timelessness. It often raises more questions than it answers."

Nancy D'Agostino, "Best of the Best" chairperson, said the show highlights prominent notable local artists and promotes art in the suburbs.

"Generally you'd have to go to Chicago for something of this quality, so there's quite a buzz," she said. "The caliber of artists out here is phenomenal, and exhibits like this show people how much talent is in their own backyard. I think the public will really enjoy this, and all the artwork will be for sale, so it's a good chance to get something more unique than a mass-produced print."

The Alliance of Fine Art has secured Rolf Achilles, curator of the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows at Navy Pier and art history and theory professor, to judge the show.

"He's top-notch," D'Agostino said. "Critique for an artist is an important thing, and it'll be nice to have feedback from someone at his level."

According to Martia, the exhibit is a huge honor for featured artists.

"This is a big deal. It's such an opportunity," she said. "And the chances for networking are endless."

The Alliance of Fine Art supports cultural events which stress awareness, appreciation and enjoyment of quality art and contribute to community enrichment. The organization is staffed entirely of volunteer artists.

"We're running around making badges and tags, measuring the room and figuring out how to hang the show," D'Agostino said. "It's a really exciting time backstage to see this all come together."

For more information, visit www.AllianceOfFineArt.com.

Mike Bessler invited to participate in the BEST OF THE BEST fine art show

Mike Bessler was invited by Plainfield Art League to show his award winning photo "Glowing Forest" at the Best of the Best Exhibit 2008. The Alliance of Fine Art is holding the Best of the Best Exhibit 2008 at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St, Oak Brook, IL March 15 to May 18, 2008. The opening Preview Reception is Thursday, March 20 at 7pm and the awards reception is Sunday, May 18, 2pm-4pm.

Data Recovery - Picture Recovery from your cameras memory card or computers hard drive

BesPhoto is proud to announce our new service open to the public where I may be able to recover your pictures from your cameras memory card or computers hard drive.

 

So you're in the middle of your honeymoon and your camera stops working.  You've taken a bunch of pictures that you do NOT  want to loose. What do you do?

You copied your pictures onto your computer and your computer stops working. Where do you go?

You format your memory card or hard drive, and then remember you forgot to copy your pictures to a safe place before formatting. Who can help?

I use state of the art software and hardware tools to recover your pictures from failed memory cards and hard drives. When needed, I can send the hard drive out for a higher level of recovery.

Many times the failure is temporary and caused by not formatting your memory card. Many people just delete pictures off their card and then reuse it. Over time, this causes the memory card to fail. I've been asked to recover pictures where the failure was caused by problem many times. Often the pictures are still there, but the camera and the computer cannot get to them. That's where I use my software and hardware to recover the pictures.

If you are experiencing problems with your camera from time to time and you can get your pictures off, then format the memory card with the camera (not the computer) and that may solve your problem.  You should format your memory card once a month. But be sure to copy your pictures to a safe place before formatting. I am a professional photographer who takes 10's of thousands of pictures each year and I have not had any memory card failures. I expect that is partly due to using brand name equipment and regularly formatting the card.  In fact, I format each card directly after copying the pictures to a safe place and then backing them up to a second safe place.

Anybody can make a mistake and format a card before getting all the pictures to a safe place. If you do, STOP! do not use the card for any purpose.  Contact me immediately for recovery. If you do not use the card after formatting, there is a very good chance the pictures can be recovered.

I have a minimum $30 charge to look at your memory card or hard drive and recover your pictures. I will ask approval if it turns out that additional time is needed and I feel success is possible. Picture recovery is never guaranteed since many conditions can cause catastrophic failure of memory cards and hard drives.

Many times memory cards can have pictures recovered if you do not take additional pictures after the failure or formatting.  Sadly, hard drives mostly have catastrophic failure but there are times when pictures can be recovered. Email or call me with questions.

BACKUP YOUR PICTURES

Many people think a computer is a permanent safe place to store your pictures.  That is partially true.  I've been using computers since 1970.  And I can tell you that computers break, hard drives break, and memory cards break. If that happens to you, then your pictures may be lost forever.

You need to have all your data/pictures in 2 safe places in case one of them breaks.  When I talk about all your data, I mean all your pictures and anything else you hold dear on your computer like favorites...  You can always reinstall your software, so that is not included, but always keep your cd's/dvd's/download instructions in a safe place so you can reinstall easily.  I keep a list of all software installed so I can recover quickly. To be honest, I keep a complete copy of my "C" drive up-to-date so recovery is very quick. I've had to use my backups and even though it's no fun, they do work.

I recommend purchasing an external hard drive for your computer along with software that backs up your beloved pictures. You can view my Equipment List to see what I use. Email me with questions.

Plainfield Art League's grand opening

PAL - February 22, 2008 is the grand opening of the Plainfield Art League's at their new location at 24114 W Chicago St, Plainfield, Illinois, on the Village Green Park, in downtown Plainfield.

BesPhoto Fine Art Copy Service now can create your jury slide

Do you need slides of your paintings to jury into a show or for a presentation?

 

The current price to create a slide from the digital file is $30 for the first slide, and $10 for subsequent slides of the same artwork ordered at the same time.

 

If you do not have a digital file, I can copy your artwork, see my BesPhoto Fine Art Copy Service page for details: http://www.besphoto.com/besphotoprinting/copyfineart.htm

 

Mike Bessler appointed as webmaster for Plainfield Art League

Mike is succeeding Sandy Shuck as webmaster.  Sandy found a free hosting site from a friend for the past few years.  That really helped the Plainfield Art League.  She diligently kept the site up to date and recently created a new look.  Thanks Sandy.

 

The URL has now been changed to PlainfieldArtLeague.org and any previous blog entries will have to be updated.  The previous URL will have a "please change your favorite's" message added after the new site has gone thru it's riggers.

Equipment List added to BesPhoto web site

The equipment list is much of the photography, printing, computer, and web publishing equipment and software that Scott and I use in all phases of the BesPhoto business.  More details will be added over time. You can go directly to the Equipment List by clicking on this sentence. 

 

Mike Bessler

Wireless Shutter Release for my Nikon D2X plus other cameras

http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=16746

 

With the wireless shutter release, you can control the shutter of your camera from as far as 15 meters away.

The package comes with a handheld wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver to be plugged into the the shutter release port of the camera.

Different from the infrared remote control, the radio-triggered wireless shutter release can work as half-pressed button. In other words, you may let the camera auto-focus before finally taking a shot.

Another improvement over the infrared remote would be the support of the bulb mode. You can obtain an exposure for as long as you wish.

This wireless shutter release has strong anti-interference function and has 16 channels for you to choose. It is extremely useful if there are several photographers working nearby. Each photographer could choose their own channel to trigger off the shutter release of the camera they are going to use without triggering others' because of overlapping signals.

Compatible models: Nikon D300, D200, D100 (via MB-D100 battery grip), D3, D2H, D2X, D2Xs, D1X, D1H, D1, F100, F90X, F90, F6, F5; Kodak DSC-14n; Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro, S3 Pro

 

$29.95 + $5 shipping

I added Google Analytics to my web site

Google Analytics http://www.google.com/analytics/ - learn where your visitors come from and how they interact with your site.

Calibrate Dell 30" ultrasharp and Nvidia GeForce 7600 GS

1. Start Nvidia Control Panel , move to bottom left of screen
2. click on Display
3. click on Adjust desktop color settings
4. make sure you are in Advanced view
5. notice Color channel on right
6. Start calibration software
7. You may have to alt-tab to get back to the Nvidia Control Panel to make the adjustments
8. Use all channels for brightness and contrast adjustments
9. use red or green or blue and adjust the brightness to add to the appropriate color channel
10. Your monitor should be good
11. I use 6500, I know that other color temps are good too.

Mike Bessler wins Merit Award at Naperville Art League

The January 2008 show at the Naperville Art League was titled "LIVING COLORS".  Mike Bessler won a Merit Award for his embellished photograph on canvas "2047 The Single Gaillardia". The announcement was in the February Naperville Art League newsletter on page 2.

I joined Plainfield Art League

I joined PAL - Plainfield Art League - tonight. A nice group of people. They have a grand opening of their new location at 24114 W Chicago St, in downtown Plainfield, on the Village Green Park on 2/22/08.

Opening reception for Graue Mill show

Opening reception for Graue Mill show - see below for details.

Naperville Cultural Centers show

Mike Bessler will be participating in a benefit fine art show for the Naperville Cultural Centers 2nd birthday party. It will be held at White Eagle Country Club Thursday, September 27, 2007. During this event, Mike will donate $60 and a print for auction.

THE EYE OF THE STONE at the Graue Mill & Museum

Mike Bessler is displaying his fine art in THE EYE OF THE STONE, An Annual Juried Photography Exhibition, to benefit the Graue Mill & Museum, 3800 York Road, Oak Brook, IL 60523 - 630-920-9720, www.grauemill.org. Opening reception is Friday, September 28, 6 to 8pm. The show runs through Sunday, October 28.

Oakbrook Invitational Fine Art Show 2007

Mike Bessler will be selling his fine art at the Oakbrook Invitational Fine Art Show Labor day weekend at Oakbrook Center Mall. Mike's booth will be in front of Williams and Sonoma like usual. This is the 5th year Mike has participated in the Oakbrook show.

Naperville Cultural Centers benefit

Mike Bessler will be participating in a benefit fine art show for the Naperville Cultural Centers 2nd birthday party. It will be held at White Eagle Country Club Thursday, September 27, 2007. During this event, Mike will donate $60 and an embellished gallery wrapped giclée print on canvas.

donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association

Mike Bessler donated 7 framed fine art prints 11x14 in 16x20 mat to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

BesPhoto.com is now offering wood frames for sale

These are the same wood frames I have used for years with my fine art. They are finally available for the public to purchase. See Wood Frames for sale on left.

Olde Courthouse Gallery in Yorkville, Illinois

Mike Bessler is displaying his fine art at the Olde Courthouse Gallery in Yorkville, Illinois through October 2007.

professional fine art printing - giclée

BesPhoto.com is now doing professional fine art printing - sometimes called giclée printing. See Professional or Custom Large Format printing on the left.

Naperville Art League

Mike's canvas prints are now hanging at the Naperville Art League, see links for location

Naperville Art League

Mike Bessler joined the Naperville Art League.

White Eagle Country Club showing

Mike Bessler was invited to a showing of his large canvas images along with two other artists at the White Eagle Country Club starting in April 2007. This event coincides with the clubs annual spring opening cocktail party April 20th 2007.

Mike Bessler donated to the Starlight-Starbright foundation

Mike Bessler donated an embellished gallery wrapped giclée print on canvas of the Seattle skyline at night to the Starlight-Starbright foundation for their official Seattle Oscars Night Gala.

Edwards Heart Hospital in Naperville showing

Mike Bessler's individual showing of his 7 large canvas images on the 2nd floor of the Edwards Heart Hospital in Naperville, IL was hung today. Candie Olander, Director of Healing Arts Edwards Hospital, supervised the hanging.

Edwards Heart Hospital in Naperville showing

Mike Bessler's individual showing of his large canvas images at Edwards Heart Hospital in Naperville, IL will be in mid January 2007.

Canon imagePROGRAF iPF8000 44" fine art professional printer

BesPhoto purchased a Canon imagePROGRAF iPF8000 44" fine art professional printer. We can now produce very large prints up to 44 inches wide and 40 feet long.

Jennifer S. Fallick Cancer Support Center donation

Donated a matted framed fine art print to the Jennifer S. Fallick Cancer Support Center.

Jennifer S. Fallick Cancer Support Center show

Participated in a benefit fine art show for the Jennifer S. Fallick Cancer Support Center at the Ravisioe Country Club in Homewood, IL. Donated an additional $100 during the show.

Edwards Heart Hospital in Naperville showing

Mike Bessler was invited to an individual showing of his large canvas images at Edwards Heart Hospital in Naperville, IL in early 2007.

Oakbrook Invitational Fine Art Show

We had another great year over Labor Day weekend showing our work at the Oakbrook Invitational Fine Art Show.

2006 Workshops

New Camera? Want to learn how to get the best images? The vast majority of time at the Starved Rock Workshop will be spent working with you and your camera, shooting images. There will be two workshops coming in 2006, in May and September

Starved Rock Workshop September 30, 2006

The September Starved Rock Workshop will be held on September 30, 2006 - just in time to get ready for fall color. See Workshops for details on how to sign up.

Mike Bessler is donating to Arthritis Foundation

Mike Bessler is donating an embellished 8x10 framed photograph of the Kaanapali Sunset to The Arthritis Foundation's 2006 Arthritis Walk in Naperville Illinois on May 20 2006.

Professional Printing sale

BesPhoto announced special limited time pricing for Professional Printing of your picture.

Mike Bessler will donate photography

Mike Bessler will donate photography to help raise money for good causes. There will be a limited number of photographic images donated. Requests should be accompanied by details of the charity, details of how the donation will be sold to make money, and the use of the proceeds of the donation.