Saturday 27 February 2010

The Web 2.0 revolution


Throwing Sheep in the Boardroom (Authors: Matthew Fraser and Soumitra Dutta) could be subtitled everything you wanted to know about social media but didn't have the time ask. It examines how online social networking is transforming business. “throwing sheep” is a term the authors coin describing what people do on websites to get one another’s attention. For example “poking” someone online, an example of the Gen Y world of virtual social interaction.

Its seems like a useful introduction to the online reality of Web 2.0 powered social networking from the perspective of the authors who seem to have a theoretical understanding of economics, business and organisational behaviour. Social networking has exploded and blossomed into a significant cultural force. The underlying argument of this book is that the "Web 2.0 revolution represents a powerful rupture in established forms of social organisation” The authors contend that the Internet is fuelling changes in society’s social order, values and institutions. The book begins by outlining the social scientific understanding of interpersonal interactions, dividing them into three categories personal, organisational, and consumer. It also examines how social networks break down traditional, centralised, top down power structures, diffusing influence to the edges, including people from all occupations. I'm still reading (listening) to this book so here is a some paraphrasing form an online book review:

"The bulk of “Throwing Sheep” is devoted to a comprehensive account of the ways in which social networking affects everything from interpersonal communication to political activism, following the author’s thematic structure of identity (personal interactions), status (the organisational), and power (communal or civic activity). The conclusion of “Throwing Sheep” doesn’t offer much in the way of proscriptive recommendations, but rather a reprise of its key theme of social networking’s empowering promises. The authors do acknowledge some pitfalls or, as they describe it, the dark side of the Web 2.0 revolution, noting, “Never before have our identities been so exposed to danger.” Yet they trust that humanity’s inherent benevolence, integrity, and morality will prevail, and social networking’s benefits will outweigh the hazards that have already infiltrated social sites.

Key Concepts

• The Web 2.0 revolution, epitomised by social networking sites, represents what the authors call an “eruption” in established forms of social organisation, ushering in an era of increased self-awareness and self-reliance.

• For businesses, Web 2.0 social networks facilitate communication within the organisation and between company and customer.

• Within the enterprise, social networking knocks down departmental silos and corporate walls, all barriers to communication within the organisation.

• Used strategically, Web 2.0 social sites can allow business leaders greater control over their company’s brand, image, and reputation.

• Fundamentally, online social networking isn’t merely a method of communication or a by product of a changing society; it’s an instrument of change."


Throwing Sheep In the Boardroom: How Online Social Networking Will Transform Your Life, Work and World (Unabridged) Click the button to see the audiobook on iTunes or you can buy the old media version in any bookshop :-)

Tuesday 23 February 2010

Pet Photography

If you own a pet and you like photography, your pet has probably been your first portrait model. Seeing as most animals like dogs or cats only live for 8 to 15 years depending on the breed, its natural to want to capture your family pet in a way you will always cherish. Trouble is pets are not that easy to get to sit still for an extended amount of time, so you need to be patient and have the camera ready for that candid shot. Here are some I've taken over the last year or so . . .

Nikon D300, Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-f5.6 @ ISO 200, 18mm, f3.5, 1/25
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Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f8, 1/500 sec
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Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 200, 35mm f2, 1/20 sec
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Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f8, 1/640 sec
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Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f4, 1/30 sec
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Saturday 20 February 2010

Whale Beach

Whale Beach, a northern beachside suburb of Sydney New South Wales is located 40 kilometres north of the Sydney CBD, in the Northern Beaches region.
Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 70mm f8, 1/25 sec
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At the northern end just off the rocks you will find the surf break called, the Wedge.
Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 250, 200mm f2.8, 1/320 sec
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Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 720, 35mm f2, 1/8000 sec
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Sunrise at the northern end a couple of fishermen take advantage of the low tide to venture out onto the rock platform.
Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 250, 200mm f2.8, 1/4000 sec
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Sunrise from the rock platform. This is a HDR of some of the wide angle shots.
Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 13mm f8, HDR
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Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 13mm f5.6, HDR
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Wednesday 17 February 2010

Food Photography

Today I was interested in learning about food photography. Look at the cook book section in a bookshop and you’ll be overwhelmed by the array recipes accompanied by great images of the food. But how do they get such great results? Well 1. Lighting 2. Arrangement 3. Styling. This last point, styling, is interesting because professional photographers use all kinds of tricks, from using white PVC wood glue instead of milk in cereal images. This stops the flakes becoming soggy too quickly and has a thicker consistency to hold up product. Painting food with vegetable oil to give it a sheen, and spraying water on food etc (more info here ->). There is actual a profession call Food Stylist which does this job for advertising agencies who work with photographers and videographers. These images are not 'styled' but are straight out of the fridge an put in my improvised light box ( a cardboard box lined with black or white card and holes in the side for the flashes) similar to this one ->.
Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f8, 1/60 sec D300 inbuilt flash commander and SB900 & SB600 Flashes via Wireless iTTL Click on photo for larger image view
Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f8, 1/60 sec D300 inbuilt flash commander and SB900 & SB600 Flashes via Wireless iTTL Click on photo for larger image view
Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f8, 1/60 sec D300 inbuilt flash commander and SB900 & SB600 Flashes via Wireless iTTL Click on photo for larger image view
Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f8, 1/60 sec D300 inbuilt flash commander and SB900 & SB600 Flashes via Wireless iTTL Click on photo for larger image view

Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f5.6, 1/60 sec D300 inbuilt flash commander and SB900 & SB600 Flashes via Wireless iTTL Click on photo for larger image view

Saturday 13 February 2010

Gong Hey Fat Choy - Xin Nian Kuai Le - The Year of the Tiger 2010

"gung hay fat choy" - Happy New Year in Cantonese
"xin nian kuai le" - Happy New Year in Mandarin
Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 250, 35mm f2, 1/60 sec
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The Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar and begins on the first day of the Chinese calendar, which usually falls in February and runs for 15 days.
Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f2.8, 1/200 sec
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Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f2.8, 1/160 sec
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Chinese people first came to Australia in large numbers during the Gold Rush in the 1850-60s at that time 1/3 of the miners were Chinese. Many Chinese Australian families can trace their settlement in Australia to that time in towns like Ballarat and Bendigo in Victoria. Sydney and Melbourne have China towns, Dixon Street in Sydney, and Little Bourke Street in Melbourne where you find many of the best Chinese restaurants, Chinese grocery stores and other small businesses.
Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 720, 35mm f8, 1/60 sec
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The People's Republic of China follows the Gregorian calendar for its day to day business but the dates of the Chinese New Year and other important festivals are determined by the Chinese calendar which is thought to have been invented by Emperor Huangdi about 3000 years BC.
Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 250, 105mm f2.8, 1/60 sec
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Below is a street presentation of the Chinese Zodiac. The Chinese lunar year is divided into 12 months of 29 or 30 days and years are arranged in major cycles of 60 years, with the calendar is adjusted to the length of the solar year by the addition of extra months at regular intervals. Each successive year is named after one of 12 animals, and these 12-year cycles are continuously repeated. According to the Chinese zodiac, you take on the characteristics of the animal associated with the year of your birth.
Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 400, 78mm f2.8, 1/60 sec
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Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 800, 11mm f2.8, 1/160 sec
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Crackers are let off to scare away the previous year's misfortune. There was lots of demonstrations and activities to keep visitors occupied.
Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 800, 90mm f2.8, 1/60 sec
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Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 720, 70mm f2.8, 1/60 sec
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With the clash of cymbals and gongs lions and dragons dance into each business for good luck.
Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 360, 35mm f2, 1/60 sec
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Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 220, 86mm f2.8, 1/60 sec
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During the Chinese New Year celebrations people are given red Lai See envelopes that contain good luck money wrapped in the red envelopes
Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 200, 35mm f2, 1/250 sec
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Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 250, 35mm f2, 1/60 sec
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The colour red represents happiness and joy. If you wear red clothes, you bring more happiness and joy to the people around you.
Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 200, 35mm f2, 1/60 sec
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The fifteenth day of the New Year is celebrated with the Lantern Festival, and families walk the street carrying lighted lanterns. Traditional Chinese paper lanterns are red and tend to be oval in shape. Those lanterns, used on the fifteenth day of the Chinese New Year for the Lantern Festival, are bright, colourful, and in many different sizes and shapes.
Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 116mm f2.8, 1/100 sec
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Friday 12 February 2010

Google Buzz

Social information on Google has turned Gmail into a social communication tool by joining it with a new service called Google Buzz. There is also a Google Buzz Web app for iPhone and Android devices to make it easy to post Buzz updates and access Buzz posts from mobile phones. Google Buzz looks a lot like a Facebook feed in Gmail clothing. It treats existing Gmail contacts as social network friends and allows the user to share Web links, pictures, videos, and other content with individuals or groups, both privately and publicly. Follow me on Google Buzz here.

Monday 8 February 2010

Mixed Bag

Nikon D300, Nikkor 18-200mm f3.5-f5.6 @ ISO 800, 18mm f8, 15 sec
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Nikon D300, Nikkor 18-200mm f3.5-f5.6 @ ISO 560, 52mm f4.8, 1/250 sec
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Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 200, 35mm f2, 1/30 sec
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Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 200, 35mm f8, 1/500 sec
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