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Pro DSLRs, Pro Photographers
1 Pro DSLRs, Pro Photographers
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|Nikon D4, Nikkor 35mm F1.4 AIS (exposure not recorded). Lighting: Profoto Pro-7b power pack and heads with 5-foot Octa softbox (camera right) and silver umbrella (camera left). John Lok/The Seattle Times.
The Canon EOS 1D X and Nikon D4 offer all of us tantalizing looks at the top of the technology ladder for pro cameras. Yet there's no denying that these DSLRs are developed primarily to serve the unique needs and demands of working professionals such as photojournalists. For them, features like durability, intuitive ergonomics and lightning fast performance are non-negotiable requirements that can mean the difference between getting published and being out of work.
With this in mind, we recently sat down with two Seattle Times staff photographers to get their take on what it's like to use these cameras on a daily basis. Dean Rutz, a longtime Canon shooter has been using the EOS 1D X since its launch. John Lok has shot professionally with the Nikon D3s in addition to the Canon gear issued by the Times. At our request, he agreed to spend a few weeks using the Nikon D4 for many of his daily assignments.
|Canon EOS 1D X, EF 400mm F2.8L IS USM ISO 800, 1/1000 @F2.8. Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times.
In this interview, both photographers give us their take on Canon and Nikon's latest pro bodies, providing a wide-ranging and inside look at what it's like to earn a living covering breaking news in a major US city with the most expensive and highest performing DSLRs on the market.
What was your introduction to photography and photojournalism?
Dean Rutz: My father worked at the Chicago Tribune his whole life. He was an executive at the newspaper and was reading through two or three papers at the kitchen table every morning, so newspapers were something I always paid attention to. Because of that, my interest in photography was always related to photojournalism. I first got published in newspapers at 14 years old. I was shooting high school sports for the local papers. There was a huge appetite for that, so they were hiring stringers all the time at $25 for a picture of anything!
|Canon EOS 1D X, EF 50mm F1.4 USM ISO 2000, 1/1000 @F2.8. Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times.
I was actually a photo editor at the Seattle Times for 10 years. I was also shooting for the paper when the need arose, but in 1992 I covered the Barcelona Olympics and I became really enamored with the spectacle of sport. It was then that I committed myself almost full-time to sports photography, while still working as a photo editor. After 1998 I left the desk and went back to full-time shooting.
John Lok: I had a business undergraduate degree and was doing social work when I was younger. I only discovered photography when I was about 28. It happened when I spent a weekend up at a cousin's house in Canada. Photography was something he did as a hobby. We went to a local park and I started taking pictures with his gear, of pretty generic stuff like flowers and ducks. Later we got the pictures back from the one hour photo lab and...I can't really explain it but I just fell in love. Something about the photography process and the gear just lit a fire in me.
|Nikon D4, Nikkor 35mm F1.4 AIS, ISO 1000, 1/800 @F2.
John Lok/The Seattle Times.
|Nikon D3S, AF-S Nikkor 60mm F2.8 Macro, ISO 200, 1/100 @F3. John Lok/The Seattle Times.
I got back home to Seattle and looked into how I could become a photographer. I looked for schools that offered programs in photojournalism and ended up quitting my job and attending Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. A month before graduation I got a position as a three year resident photographer at the Seattle Times. Just a year after that I was hired on as a full time staff member. That was ten years ago.
|Canon EOS 1D Mark II, EF 70-200 F2.8L IS USM ISO 250, 1/8000 @F2.8. John Lok/The Seattle Times.
As working pros, what are your top requirements for a camera?
JL: I can't have any lag in shutter response or AF performance. I need the shooting rate to be as fast as possible. I need 1080p video. I need a solidly built body that won't break if I knock it on something. And of course the body has to be part of a very extensive system of lenses and accessories. Nikon and Canon are unrivaled there.
DR: Like John, my first priority is the responsiveness of the shutter. When you press the button, it's gotta go! There was a little delay on the 1D Mark III but on the 1D X when you press the button it fires. That is a big deal in sports.
|Nikon D3S, AF-S Nikkor 600mm F4 VR, ISO 2000, 1/1600 @F4. John Lok/The Seattle Times.
Image quality is big. On the 1D X I can crop an image without a real loss in quality. That's huge in sports because I don't know anybody who can publish uncropped files all the time (laughs). Fast write speed to the cards is also important. We saw big delays in the 1D Mark III and earlier models. The 7D was a great improvement especially after the firmware update. But the 1D X, with three processors is so much faster that I shoot all raw, all the time on my sports assignments. I can underexpose a little bit and don't have to worry about weird color balance when shooting in arenas.
And two card slots let me archive JPEGs for crisis situations where I have to use my iPad or iPhone to transmit images.
Has the ability to shoot video with a DSLR changed your roles as photojournalists?
JL: Yes. Now we are being asked to come back with video clips for breaking news and even longer form stories to accompany the stills and the words. I don't have to shoot tons of video but I do it fairly frequently.
DR: It's a little different in sports because the federations have taken control over their images. The NFL is a classic example. You can post only 45 seconds of video online. That's all you get. And that's for the first 24 hours after the game. Then you have to pull it down for like 10 hours. So its just not worth it for sports assignments.
|Nikon D3S, AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm F2.8G VR II + TC-14E II 1.4x teleconverter, ISO 400, 1/50 @F29. John Lok/The Seattle Times.
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Too many unexamined assumptions. It is all about excellence of character. Not who is working? Who has a hobby? Etc etc…What standards do you set for yourself? If I'm shooting a 14-year-old kid shooting a basket in a dim gym; I want that young person to experience themselves as important. The images they see of themselves are a tiny but important part of that. The representations of Being through the senses are once again reduplicated in the photographic image. It is not just a picture. It does not matter if you give the kid the image, sell it to the parents, or work for someone who buys all your equipment. If one's choice is to drive a fancy car and eat at expensive restaurants and show up with a chump camera or drive a rust bucket and eat spinach from a can and show up with tools to get the job done; with whom are you likely to be friends?
Nice piece, thanks for doing this~! Great to here their thoughts on technology and the challenges they face. Nice.
Years ago I got a chance to take a class lead by Greg Gilbert and Joseph Scaylea http://www.seattlegallery.com/ both of the Seattle times way back in Film days.. ST always has great photographers..
Seriously, I don't look at sports photos that much. I watch games or video summary of games, and read the articles. Photos is the last thing I care about the sports.
and yet you are on a photography website.
I don't look at sports photography either, but I appreciate the well shot photos.
with all due respect anyone standing there with a dslr camera at his face for the duration of the game would have taken identical shots. pro means merely that they make living with it, not that its actually good. taxi drivers are also pros, arent they? yet i dont think anyone would claim that they drive better than a person who does not make a living driving a car. same thing with photography. so pls get over the defiled 'pro' abreviation.
As a pro, I tend to agree with this. I work two photography jobs: school/event photography and product photography. Product photography is painstaking, long, hard work with lots of maths and modelling.
Most competitor event togs shoot exactly like I do, and to be honest, I really hate most of the results. I shoot and get paid and that's it. Anyone can do the event stuff I do if they have the same hardware, I'm quite sure. There are certain qualifications: lighting, angle, and how to use the stuff, but it just takes a bit of time to learn, that's all.
There has never ever been anything romantic about the word 'professional'.
The Oxford has this to say:
1 relating to or belonging to a profession: young professional people.
• worthy of or appropriate to a professional person; competent, skilful, or assured: his professional expertise | their music is both memorable and professional.
2 engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation rather than as an amateur.
That's absolute nonsense. I've been on the sidelines of many sporting events alongside many pros, including the wire services and Sports Illustrated. And nobody gets identical results. Every photographer has their own take on things.
It's not being a pro that makes you stand out. It's the vision you have for what the photo can be. The word amateur comes from the word armor. It's a love for doing it, not for the money. Many amateurs are as good or better than many pros. I've know a lot of pros who are not very good. How do they make a living? Because there's a lot of bosses and clients who are not good judges of photography.
Well. It is the USA where "professional" evolved into definition of "quality", and when it goes about photography, certain artistism. In Russia, about 100 years ago, "professional photograper" meant that bread-and-butter guy, who just took pictures of people for money according to certain templates and was excused for bad results (Russian photography amateurs were bunch of maximalists even then, they despised "craft" in favor of the "art"), while I doubt that you can forgive poor lighting and missed focus to a guy you've just paid your bucks. "Photojournalist" and "professional photographer" meant different things till, I think, the end of WWII. It was quite normal to say "I'm bored being professional, gotta switch to newspaper". And, well... yes, all that stuff like exposure, aperture, lighting, angles is not hard to learn... but somehow people turn extraordinary dumb when you tell them "go read your camera manual, it's all there"... Damn those guys who invented "Green Auto" mode.
1. In events, there's more than just a ball in play or a speaker at the podium. With everyone's attention fixed on the obvious, you miss things like the coaches/audience/other players reactions.
2. Even if your standing right next to another shooter, a player could run by, blocking your view to a critical shot, but the other shooter managed to hit it. There's a reason for redundancy and using numbers to increase the odds.
3. Life is about action and reaction. Consider weddings, which are the worst for timing with one shooter. Such as when the bride and groom first see each other in the processional. I take the first shot of her with a 50mm, then drop and switch to another camera with a 200mm to capture the grooms reaction in the span of 10 seconds. When I shoot a player fumbling the ball, I immediately try to get the reaction of the coach, if I can.
In one single event, there are multiple entities and opportunity to capture something different.
Maybe, but a professional is paid to deliver results. There is a guarantee implicit in the quality of a reliable professional's work. If you hire a known quantity, you can be confident you will get back the result you need. Sure you can hire anybody off the street and give them a press pass and a camera, but are you 100% confident that you will get what you need to meet your deadline, no matter what the circumstances of weather, light, what have you, might be?
THAT'S why you hire a professional.
excellent shots from excellent shooters... right gear in the right hand shows the magic... !!
These are amazing shots. With plenty of practice and upgrading my equipment, I hope to take shots like these someday. Impressive!!! I would be even more impressed seeing shots like this taken from an I-Phone. The food, maybe...
You could certainly get the angle with an iPhone, but the wide angle lens in combination with the slow lens (in comparison to the sensor size) prevents the low DOF you see in the food shot.
These are event photographers, not food specialists. Real food photographers are extremely specialised with a bunch of tricks up their sleeves.
Event togs are jacks of all trades.
Iphone, no way. But if you are in a war zone. Either your camera is fast enough and each shot is in focus and well exposed or no go. You miss the shot.
Billions of years ago I was on vaction. I had my new Nikon F4. It was a shot you just take, hoping it will turn out good, back went. I start to sell my old F2s and F3.
Auto focus and Matrix eposure. I saw the hand writting on the wall.
I use a mirroless camera and a M7 leica now, I am getting old. But for photojournalism, these cameras are it.
The photo I was taking was in side of a native america meeting structure, it was lighten by a sky light, a hole in the center to ulter in the center. My freind's family where are that center. Bright light, with pure black, they where between the light and dark. The F4 nailed it, a second latter no shot, the moment would be lost. Nikon has always been great with exposure.
No way. Good or bad photographer. These new cameras are large and have weight. But they also nail the shoot.
I can take those photos anytime with an Iphone...
Who needs those bulky cameras and lenses.
Skill is one thing...Gear is another.
Real reason why, the pro's get easy access to sporting events. Without this...their gear and skill means nothing!
At a pro football game, I could not enter my 100-400mmIS in the stadium.
Why?? It was a pro lens and only the paid pro's on the sideline can bring this gear inside. Have you noticed the above pics....access is up-close and personal
I digged further and asked stadium management why not.
The stadium mgmt said....the pro's paid big bucks to access the sidelines. In return, the pro's asked mgmt to keep-out all pro gear from the fans.
They want exclusive rights to the game, and do not want to see fan pics rival their own. The want the copyrights too.
Before the ban...I took my 50D and 100-400mmIS to a Florida Marlin game. A great over-the-head catch was made in center field. It made the front page of the Miami Hearld.
I was seated closer to center field and had a better angle than the photographer. I took the photo too. You guessed it, my pic was better than the newspaper.
So there's some merit to the ban...
Right on ... I agree totally.. I was shooting drag racing here in Denver and the second year I was told I could not have access to the same place I once did, they were afraid of the competition.. All things are not equal !! Gear is one thing, Skill another but this type of photography requires access..
This does give some good insight as to "why" such an expensive camera... after image quality, comes speed and workflow.
But the article does focus on sports photography.
Is this the only field where these cameras are still cost-justified in this day and age? Has the difference between the summit of the pyramid and other cameras been compressed so much that this is the only type of photography left to justify the prices of this equipment?
Great shots, by excellent photographers. It takes education and an artists eye to achieve this quality of work. Like in everything else "it's not the arrow, it's the Indian"!
Great work, great cameras!
Bonus: these guys get paid by their employers to shoot with employer supplied gear AND, get told where to go shoot.
As opposed to all the free lancers out there, who pay for their own gear and travel expenses, hope to make money on the work they can sell, and have to figure which venue to chance going to where they might get something somebody wants to buy.
Two different worlds of photography.
I guess there has to be clarification between a:
1. professional photographer (if that term even exists)
2. photojournalist (we know what this is)
3. photographer (I would say that is your mom'n'pop wedding photography shops)
4. freelance photographer (as above)
5. and "I like taking photos" i.e. us - we're not photographer
Professionals, technically, are people who work in a profession i.e. lawyers, doctors, accountants etc. should a 'professional photographer' simply be called a 'photographer'?
Maybe it's just me being thick,,, but why is the 1D-X compared twice to the 1D III ,,, and even the 7D,,, what about the 1D-IV?
This is a little off-topic but it does relate to the workflow demanded by the daily media - years ago I wanted to do a show of work by a photojournalist friend whose work I admired in the newspaper. He said it was impossible; most of what he shot every day was in the newspaper's archives and except for the few images selected by his editors for publication he had never seen 90% of what he had photographed (after the initial exposures of course) and he was too busy to take the time out for a look backwards. This was in the days of film. Imagine what it's like now.
A couple of technical questions on Dean Rutz's view on downloading images and ethernet connnectivity
1. He says he uses Photo Mechanic to ingest the images and a plugin to go straight to Photoshop. What do you think that plugin could be?
2. Regarding ethernet connectivity, he says big problems with Ethernet connectivity from the camera is that if you set your IP address for the camera you take your device out of the IP for Internet access. What does he mean by this?
I also wondered about the IP address problem. Don't you connect it to some battery or USB powered mobile router and create a private network consisting of a camera, a computer and a phone? 3G/4G linking is done by tethering your phone or separate SIM for the router.
You are right, amanita. I don't think he has thought of your solution of using a portable router. Hopefully he has read your post. ;-)
No plugin. You just assign external editor in PM settings and push E on your keyboard when you need to edit single image. If you need to edit many images, just drag and drop from PM to PS (raws as well). Tag images you want to edit, select tagged (F3), select all (Ctrl+A), drag and drop. By the way, if you "lock" images in camera, they come tagged in PM.
Easy enough, right? RTFM!
A "Really Good Editor", doesn't pick a picture because they like it.
They pick a good picture because they need it.
A good Pro has a mind, eye, connect to a subject and a camera in hand.
Gear, yes but hard work and luck come in play fast.
A real Pro once said to me " I must take time to think, for doing gets in the way "
Great. Today's top of the line pro cameras can crank out thousands of tack-sharp, perfectly exposed images. But, what's the percentage of keepers?
When I started as a stringer for AP in Boston, I brought in 4 rolls from the assignment. The editor flipped: "I don't want to look through 120 images to pick one," he screamed. "If you can't get it on one roll, I don't want to see it." I don't think that has changed with digital, though it's easier to see the images on a monitor than squinting at negatives on a light box.
Over-shooting doesn't guarantee the font page shot. Sports and news photography requires pre-visualizing and anticipating the moment. How else did Catrier-Bresson get those great images with a manual film advance Leica? Though I guess that could be changing with high frame rate, high resolution video capture--if you have time to go through all those pictures.
Modern editors have adapted to the times. They may not want to see a complete dump of every image, but they want choices and they've learned how to scan through images quickly. There was an article on SI's review station for Superbowl images a few years back. You feed too much junk to an editor and you're fired. If you don't feed the editor the type of choice shots that others regularly get, you're fired. It takes both skill and gear to compete.
HCB was not a news photographer - he got to choose what "decisive moment" he published. If he missed it, then no one would ever know or care Besides anyone who is noted for saying "Your first 10,000 images are your worst" does not support your argument.
Cartier-Bresson never did his own developing. What we see of his work was done by others. He said that he just forgot about the images he took as soon as he took them.
thanks for this article dpr and those two photographers.
Fun read, I learned a couple of things. Not about the cameras, which are about a dead heat, but about how they think about their equipment.
People are forgetting one crucial point here which is the percentage of keepers increases when using better bodies and lenses, so that does not mean they where not able to get these shots in the past or even with lesser bodies today
I think the point here is statistics. With faster gear and more accurate focus you get a shot that is published more frequent. And in case your published rate sinks below a certain mark, you either do not make enough money as a freelance to pay your bills, or you will be let go as staff photographer. I am estimating the cost to a magazine for a staff photographer in metropolitan US to be in excess of 15,000 USD / month. ( count in all supporting costs, such as desk space, insurance, related editor, etc ... ) So if a 15,000 USD outfit which can produce 20 % more publishable pictures you have a return of investment in just 7 months.
Entertaining and informative with wonderful pictures. Simply a great read. Congrats to dpreview and Dean & John. I enjoy very much dpreview's trend to offer more diverse information on photography and come back more often. Thank you! Keep it coming :-)
Looking to these photos... I'm not impressed!
Latest gear, lots of money invested... and in a few years new bodys and lenses to buy...
Photojournalists have some privileges that other photographers don't have!
They do have privileges, because they earned them by very hard work. These jobs are pretty much as hard and as competitive as it gets. Your remark sounds like because they have privileges their life is easy. Such comment is simply ignorant and disrespectful. You said you are not impressed. Please, impress me: Post a link of your body of work :-)
And Formula 1 drivers have "privileges" other drivers don't have. So what? It's part of the job. Tools and all that. I mean, a captain on a cruise liner drives a ship with "lots of money invested", and you do not. Do not envy the jobs of others.
Not just suggest how to do better, but you need to actually deliver better. Reliably under deadline pressure and real world conditions.
In all fairness to the OP, these challenges to "show you can do better" are really nonsensical, and trying to tie together two issues that are totally unrelated, namely that of being impressed (a subjective emotion) with another's photos (a function of comparison to other photos that have been seen, regardless of the photographer), and personal skill level with respect to taking a photo and processing it.
There are plenty of 2nd string NFL players (and even starters) whose level of play does not impress me...but to say I have no business being unimpressed because I'm not their athletic equal is just nonsense...but for some reason, in photography, you see the same comparison taken totally seriously.
hi, guys.
no offense, but in some cases valterj is right when talks about privileges.
here are some examples taken from toronto media.
1. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/03/15/st_patricks_day_parade_subway_improvements_to_impact_downtown_travel.html
2. http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.1199367!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_960/image.jpg
If the privilege referred to is access - I think most of he time that "privilege" is more an investment o time aand money.
Do a journalism course, register with your national media organisation, and pay any fees and you're away.
Me? I'l stick to cats and flowers - the pro world sounds like hard work.
Reading some of the recent articles on here about pro photographers using iPhones I thought they would all be ditching their pro Nikons and Canons for smart phones...come on Dean and John...get with the latest trends in photography, go mobile...go Instagram.
Great article and great pics! Congrats to DPR, Dean and John!
Great advertisement for CanNikons prof. sports cameras.
I must admire the sport photographers who 5-10-15 years ago were able to make similar excellent action photos. So after all it might still be the person behind the camera that is most important.
Just my opinion.
There have always been iconic images made by great photographers. But it isn't even close when you compare peak action shots of today day-in-day-out vs 10 years ago. Not to mention the image quality differences - the detail captured now for these sports images blows away what people were getting in the past. Just ask anyone who actually uses this equipment whether or not their body of work is better or the same now vs. 10 years ago.
The images captured 10-15 years ago were, at times, as good as todays. But there were a lot fewer of them.
Skill is essential for sure, but no matter how skilled you are, if you are competing with other similarly skilled photographers, your gear really start to matter.
Great insights. Yes, the majority of their shots would be impossible to get with anything but top-level gear. The AF needs to be fast and accurate, the fps needs to be high, and you need the widest possible aperture. And given a lot of stuff happens outdoors in any type of weather, it needs to be weather proof too.
E.g. even though I'm a Sony 'fanboy', there's no way the current Sony stuff manages that. Yes, they have some optically equivalent high-quality lenses (16-35mm, 50mm, 70-200mm 2.8) but the A99 doesn't have the autofocus to match or the high-ISO performance and none of the lenses are weather-sealed.
Not sure Sony really wants to make the effort to get their gear up to speed, it's a big effort for probably not so much return.
There are some funny, provocative, a few sensible and a few dumb comments here. The bottom line for a pro photographer and his/her equipment is: does it get the job done? Anything less than that and you are not a pro - because you won't get paid for your images.
I have some sympathy with those who believe they can achieve pro results with consumer gear. This may well be true in benign conditions, with control of the environment - food, studio, portraiture, still life, for example. But in challenging, fast action environments, if i were a pro, I would not want to take the risk. See John Lok's picture of the guy jumping off the burning boat - that's all about the fast responses of the photographer and his camera, working in perfect harmony. And he has to be able to do that time and time again. Just thinking about the shutter lag you get on most consumer cameras, never mind the AF speed, would make this near impossible.
Just my 2 cents.
Also, there is a huge, huge gap between "can get images" (as many write) and "will get images" (which is what matters to a pro).
Pro gear is a lot about enabling photographers to get solid useable images from every assignment, every day, at every hour of the day (or night), even when tired, hungry and under severe stress. Pro gear is a lot about making the gear as small a nuisance as possible, or in other words: to increase the odds for getting the money shot every time.
The message is that you are a sport photographer if you have a lot of money and buy the latest equipment. This is right but it is only one part in a collection of parallel worlds.
I made sport photography with a canon 100-400 and an EOS 40D and I think you will not see the difference.
If you want to earn money today with sport photography it may be necessary to have the newest bodies and the right exif text in the shots.
If you make sport-stockphotography . I think - it is enough to use a camera like the Pana FZ200 and the worklflow after the shot.
And if you leave the sport field and the show room you need other cameras for landscape, free animals or streetphotography.
And for food photography in a hotel (not in a show room) it is often better to use a small digicam - this is my experience.
Pretty dumb comment, did you even read the article?
Editors aren't looking at what type of camera, just the images, if these guys could get what they wanted without spending all the extra cash on a SLOWER camera they would.
Sports photography is an arms race, if your gear slows you down and you miss the shot someone else will get your paycheck.
I'm sure you made sports photos with your 100-400. You didn't make sports photos of a sport like football that compare with the 400mm 2.8 photos. Sorry, you didn't. You certainly never covered Friday night high school football under the lights with that gear - and while NFL is glamor, local sports coverage really drives most newspapers. Sure, you can shoot sports with the gear your describe - but your results will be easily distinguishable from the results of a 1-series and 2.8 pro grade glass.
Once, I tired to photograph night surf, with a combo like yours: 40D + 100-400L. Right at my left side was a guy with a 7D + 70-200:2.8L IS II. Every photo was brighter, faster, sharper and better focused than mine.
While he shots at ISO 6400, I stopped at 1600 (4 times slower), 2.8 lens is different of 4.5-5.6 (2.3 to 4 times slower, too). I had longer lens, but he has more pixels (1.8 times), so a crop wasn't a problem. And 7D has a dedicated AF processor.
This is when we compare two amateurs.
Do you still want to compare yourself to a well equipped professional with a 1DX and a 400:2.8?
Don´t worry, be happy! This is a place for discussion and not for fighting against enemies. We have the freedom to think and to write what we know.
@Joel Pimenta
Naturally is a 1DX with a 400:2.8 better for sport compared with my 100-400 and a D40. Especially in low light. But in daylight and sunlight, like most of the photos in the article, you can make the same photos sharp with my combination. But you can make more with the new combinations. That is right.
What is "dumb"? did you read the whole comment? If we talk about "arms race" in sport photography then you need always the newest equipment. Do you need the newest equipment for show rooms? Do you need the newest equipment for food photography? For streetphotography? Sorry?! Be friendly - it is better for a good discussion.
@ delastro...
I think you missed the point of the article completely.
Sure, you can take any sort of photo with any sort of camera, but shooting fast sports action shots is a highly competitive specialty that requires a lot of speed and accuracy.
These people don't use high end pro cameras to impress anyone. They use them because they are the best tools for that job. And this is how they earn a living.
This is why you don't see very many Panasonic superzoom cameras on NFL sidelines, but you will see a lot of FZ200s up in the stands.
How about forgetting all the "dumb", "provocative" and the like in our comments? The purpose of comments is different, I think...
Tough way to make a living... and expensive, if you have to supply your own equipment. And yes, you have to have the right stuff. That f/2.8 200, 300, or 400mm telephoto is going to cost you... but it means you'll be able to shoot sports at ISO 400 (or less) and get great image quality.
Also, physically tough. They have to carry a LOT of gear around. Backup cameras, lenses, cards, batteries, everything. And the effects of the stress -- even if you love the work, you're going to burn a lot of adrenalin.
Good luck and best wishes to those guys... but for me, glad I'm retired, and glad I'm an amateur!
@ jon404...
You are absolutely right about that. Pros can be pretty hard on their gear, and most don't tend to pamper their cameras and lenses like we amateurs do.
I remember seeing professional photographers at NBA sidelines switching lenses at lightning speed, sometimes dropping a lens on the wooden floor in their haste. They need equipment that is durable enough to take this sort of abuse.
Plus.... 10,000 shutter clicks may last an amateur a lifetime, but it might be around what a pro might use in a month. So they need gear that can stand a lot of use.
10,000 frames in a lifetime? Really? I have shot over 40K in less than 4 years, 15k in the last 10 months. As an amateur doing occasional Weddings. Mostly nature and local sports photography. Using a Nikon D3k for over 2 years and now using a D7k. I did buy the D7k specifically for the faster burst rate and greater flexibility in set-up for my shooting style. While Pro equipment may be more durable, I am not sure that is actually that much better on a day-to-day basis. As a person with small hands, most of the pro gear is simply too bulky for me to use. I think that most non-pros using full-frame gear are doing it for the 'prestige' of saying that they are using the same stuff that the guys at SI, or the NYT are using. I have gotten better shots than some local pros at the Minor league games in our stadium, but unless you are 'in' with the team or local media, forget publication, except for a local TV station that uses them, unpaid of course, but it is exposure and publicity .
Thank you
Just want to say I would really love a smaller body with full pro features as in AF fps ISO , I think there will be a market for such a camera, the AF systems that are shared in the smaller bodies even if they look exactly the same are not as fast but I'm sure they can work around that too
Thanks, i enjoyed this article very much - and even more so in Print view: one long page, and on a white background at that! It didn't look like DPR any more, but it was soothing indeed.
I liked the photography- and job-related questions much more than the camera-related questions. I wouldn't have needed the inner pluralism of putting Canon and Nikon into one story.
It was nice that you brought short bios plus pictures of the two photographers interviewed at the end. I think those bios and portraits would be even better at the beginning of the article, so that we can imagine a face together with the name tag.
And as i am just a hobbyist, i am not ashamed to confess: I'd like to read the interviewees' year of birth in the bios.
Print View? Soothing black on white? Please be so kind and tell me how to do!
not sure what you are using in the way of a computer but here is how I do it on a MacBook Pro, maybe it is similar. I hit print, uncheck the box that says print background, then instead of printing the entire article, I save as pdf to my desktop. I can read it as a normal looking black ink on white page setup.
You can get the print version by appending `/print` to the URL as follows: http://www.dpreview.com/articles/4220647313/pro-dslrs-pro-photographers/print
Most of the pictures shown in this article do not really support their claim that you can make 'professional' pictures with low end gear.
For all those action sports pictures that are shown you'll need a fast and large telelens (400mm - 600mm) and a camera that has fast AF that can follow the subject while they move to take those pictures as they are in the article. You'll never be able to do that with your Canon 40D or Nikon D3100 due to the fact that either AF speed will be too slow to get these tag sharp images or your lenses fall short.
So they are only partially right if you claim you can take professional pictures with amateur gear. For most of those subject that do not move or move really slowely they may be right, but for most part your gear does matter and thats the reason why 'pro' photographers prefer higher end camera's that have the capabilities they need to make the shot they need. Which is just not possible with lower end gear.
While most of us here on DPR perhaps don't have the same requirements as Sports pros and PJs, there are lots of great soundbites that probably ring true with our own experience.
For me, the Canon feeling like an extension of the hand was the subject of my very first post here on DPR in 2007. Where after months of research in choosing a Nikon D200, I actually bought the Canon 20D after holding and shooting with it.
Another is 'workflow is everything' which brings to mind the recent heated debates about Fuji's X-Trans issues with the popular workflow products.
Perhaps the real value in this excellent article is to help remind us that people have different requirements and preferences, and that criticism of a camera is as much an invitation for constructive discussion as it is for the loyal wolf-packs to gather looking for blood.
Exactly the reason I went Nikon. Neither is better in an absolute sense; it's just that my right thumb can't make it to the rear control wheel on the Canons without shifting my hand, where the equivalent Nikon control is where I can use it easily. (So are Pentax and Minol... I mean Sony. Yeah, that's right, Sony. I *was* a Minolta shooter until they obsoleted all of my flashes with the Maxxum/Dynax/Alpha line.)
The point is that these are tools, and are pretty much on par with one another (give or take a couple of months' advantage here and there). Once you decide what class of tool you need, it's all down to ergonomics. My dad liked Pax handsaws; I prefer Wenzloff & Sons. They fit my hand better. Neither is a better saw.
Fascinating article about the real life of sports photographers, with the comparison between the cameras almost a sidelight. It's interesting that the photographers take top notch image quality as a given, although one expresses a preference for the Canon's image quality. In terms of "what do we need better," it falls in the category of photo transmission and internet access. A similar trend is apparent in connectivity of mobile phones cameras and some "plain" camera models. I think the great innovation in the next 10 years will be how we edit, transmit and publish our photos, not in the tools we use to take them.
Agreed. And I hope this workflow integration will make it to Prosumer cameras. One reason why I am now flirting with buying a NEX-6 is its promise of integration with Android tablets. Workflow integration seems so powerful to me that I am considering to change my camera system. The first time after 10 years.
Great article. I would love to see a similar one about professional nature photographers.
A great article with lots of fascinating insights. The interviewer did a good job preparing his/her questions. I would like to see more articles like this.
I find it interesting that, when these guys are talking about their fancy new cameras, neither of them mentions image quality much. Both men are generally much more concerned about focusing speed, ergonomics and workflow. Something for all of us to remember as we argue about which sensor produces slightly less noise at ISO 3200.
A note for Dpreview: Please stop using exclamation marks in your articles. I saw four in this piece. It is unprofessional and looks childish. No serious publication allows exclamation marks to creep into their copy. I realise that the two men were probably interviewed by email, but you do have the power to edit the punctuation in their comments.
Every tool to make text more lively shall be welcomed and used. Including exclamation marks. And I share migus' curiosity about why exclamation marks are unprofessional? How about question marks? Full-stops? ... Remove all punctuation and text becomes very hard to read.
Fun article to read, and an intriguing insight into the world of the pro photographers responsible for the great images we are so accustomed to seeing. Thanks to Dean, John, and DPR for this!
very enjoyable article, thanks.
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It's been twenty years since Jeff Keller founded the Digital Camera Resource Page, one of the first websites dedicated to digital photography. Jeff, who has been at DPReview for nearly five years, looks back at the rise and fall of consumer digital cameras and his website.
We're counting down our top 10 most popular sample galleries of 2017. At #2 we have another staff favorite – the Sony Alpha a9.
Rotolight has released the Anova Pro 2 circular LED for stills and video, boasting a 70% increase in brightness and what the company describes as "unrivaled battery performance."
Designer Vinicius Araújo has imagined what he believes the perfect Adobe software keyboard might look like. From customizable touch pads, to a scroll wheel, to a little display that shows the tool in use, his design is pretty compelling.
Peak Design has teamed up with Leica to release a limited-edition backpack made special for fans of the Red Dot.
A portrait of an android woman has beaten over 5,700 pictures of humans to take third place in this year's prestigious Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize. The judges were not told the subject was an 'android' until after the winning images were chosen.
Hauling around C-Stands just got a whole lot less annoying thanks to these new Matthews shoulder and roller bags, which can hold two or three C-stand (respectively) plus accessories.
Neal Preston has shot timeless photos of everyone from Led Zeppelin, to Whitney Houston, to Michael Jackson. In this interview, he offers insights into his craft to up-and-comer Elijah Dominique.
Future prosumer Canon DSLRs might feature light-up buttons, if this newly published patent is any indication of the camera company's plans.
Sony's a7R Mark III shoots 42.4MP files at 10fps and incorporates a robust video feature set, large battery, refined ergonomics and more. It certainly looks impressive, but what is it like to use, and how does it stack up against the rest of the market? Find out in our full review.
We're counting down our top 10 most popular sample galleries of 2017 – the Fujifilm X100F takes the bronze and the #3 spot.
There's never been a better time to shop for a new camera, but the number of options available can be overwhelming. In this series of buying guides we've provided customized recommendations for several use cases, from shooting landscapes to buying a first camera for a student photographer.
Shopping for a camera with a set budget? No problem! We've rounded up our favorite cameras, broken them into price brackets and picked the best of the bunch.
Looking for a lightweight compact camera that's easy to bring with you anywhere? Or maybe you're smartphone-shopping and want the one that takes the best picture. And what if you want to shoot from above? In these buyers guides we have recommendations for the best compact cameras, smartphones and drones.
Despite reports to the contrary, analysis of DPReview images by our friend Jim Kasson confirms a disappointing fact: Sony a7R III is still a Star Eater. But there may be some improvements.
As the saying goes: A photo is worth a thousand words. And if you're sending that photo through Facebook Messenger, your thousand words now look twice as nice after today's update to 4K resolution.
Get to know the new Leica CL in short order by giving our 90 second 'First look' video a watch.
Leica has just released the CL, the forth in its series of APS-C L-mount cameras. Despite sharing a name with a camera released in the mid-70s, the new CL is a thoroughly modern ILC, with a 24MP sensor and built-in electronic viewfinder.
The Leica CL is a 24MP rangefinder-style mirrorless camera, which sits alongside the TL2 in the company's APS-C lineup. We've been using one for a few days – check out our gallery of images.
While it shares a name with one of Leica's most popular and affordable cameras of the 1970s, the new CL is separated from its namesake by more than just years. We've been using one for a few days - click through for a detailed first-impressions report.
We're counting down our top 10 most popular sample galleries of 2017, and the #4 ranking goes to the Leica M10.
Sigma is discounting 13 different high-performance 'Art' series lenses from today until November 30th. The company is calling it an 'unprecedented' sale.
See DJI's 'AeroScope' drone-tracking technology in action. This is the system that DJI says can help law enforcement and airport (among others) track and identify rogue drones.
iPhone X owners can already accessorize their new phone with high-quality smartphone photography lenses courtesy of Moment's new lineup.
Considering buying Sigma's exciting new 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens for crop-sensor E-Mount and M43? Check out these official full-res samples first!
Vimeo has just added support for 8K HDR 10-bit content, making it possible to show up to 75% of the colors the human eye can perceive vs the usual 35%. Take THAT YouTube.
The holidays are coming, but your gear isn't cutting it? It's time to treat yourself!
We're counting down our top 10 most popular sample galleries of 2017, and sitting pretty at #5 is the Fujifilm X-T20.
See some of the most iconic black-and-white photographs throughout history brought to life by a community of colorization enthusiasts and professional retouchers in the new book Retrographic.
Shopping for a photographer? Whether you are one yourself or not, chances are you could use some ideas. From stocking stuffers on up, we've got some photography gift suggestions for every budget.


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Cedar Rapids officials unveil EnvisionCR
Emerging comprehensive plan shows off greenway features, responsible growth
CEDAR RAPIDS — Comprehensive plans for a city's future can land in bottom drawers and on back burners and be forgotten.
Not this one, Cedar Rapids city officials said Wednesday.
The city is creating its first new comprehensive plan since 1999 in a public participation process called EnvisionCR.
In two sessions on Wednesday, city officials unveiled the emerging aspects of the plan, showing the public how it is incorporating ideas shaped, in part, from comments that have come in since March.
Gary and Lynn Stansbery, who renovated their flood-damaged house on Eighth Street NW after the 2008 flood, said Wednesday that they were thrilled to see the plans for the proposed greenway in what had been the Time Check Neighborhood, plans which now include bike trails, a dog park, a skate park and a spot to put kayaks and canoes into the Cedar River.
"We want something there. We're so tired of looking at nothing. It's been six years," Lynn Stansbery said.
Les Beck, director of Linn County's Department of Planning and Development, stopped at Wednesday's noontime session to see what the city had in mind for the future.
Beck said the emerging plan shows that the city expects outward growth to the north, west and south, and he said it will be interesting to see which of those directions might become a priority.
Bart Woods, president and chief executive officer of Primus Construction, said he liked the way the plan incorporated how the city should develop north along the C Avenue NE corridor and along the Highway 100 extension now under construction to the west.
"I just like the fact that we're not just looking at this new major road coming through here with all these wonderful strip centers and big boxes," said Woods, who likes neighborhoods where residents can walk to some of what they need.
"At least we're thinking about what kind of makes sense. So you're never too far. You don't have to jump in your car to go somewhere."
Jennifer Pratt, the city's interim development director, said Cedar Rapids residents are engaged in the creation of the new plan for its future because of the city's ability to recover from the 2008 flood.
"Since the flood, so much has changed and so much has actually been done," Pratt said. "People are really seeing that these are not plans that are going to put on a shelf. They are things that we are using to guide policy and resources. Things are happening."
Themes that have emerged in the new plan are sustainability, "placemaking" or creating attractive public places, health and efficiency, Pratt said. She said the plan promotes strengthening the existing parts of the city with infill development and promoting responsible growth.
Among those contributing ideas have been secondary school students.
"Really, the comprehensive plan is for building the city for their generation," Pratt said. "In 20 years, what will this community look like? Is it going to be somewhere where they will want to live?"
Dale Kueter, a retired longtime Gazette newspaper reporter, on Wednesday said he's seen city plans quickly land in the dust heap once the ink on them dries.
Even so, Kueter has presented plenty of ideas to the city as it works to shape its future.
"Some of the ideas stick, and some don't," he said. "You keep throwing ideas out there. And some might be looney."
Kueter said the city could use attractions that make it a destination point: How about the Midwest's or the nation's largest water slide to take people from the top of Mount Trashmore, across the Cedar River to a spot on the former Sinclair plant site? How about a food or grain museum in a city that specializes in food processing? he said.
|Man enters Alford pleas in series of att ...
|FBI agents testify Waterloo man admitted ...
|Iowa Sen. Dix asks former ambassador to ...

subset: commoncrawl


text:
- Ben L. Grover and
- Don Kirkham2
The construction and use of a reduced scale model for studying the falling water table in non-steady-state drainage problems are described. A capillary fringe is accounted for in the model. Stratified soils may be simulated. It is concluded that the model can be used to obtain information which is valuable in drainage theory and design.Please view the pdf by using the Full Text (PDF) link under 'View' to the left.
Copyright © .


text:
Reviewed By Alex h (Cherokee, NC) Reviewed for a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria —1/5/2016 12:17 AM
For the price these are great set of floor mats. They are universal so I had to cut off the excess rubber but the fit is great. The only problem I had is that the top of the front floor mats didn't sit flat on the floor. However this isn't noticeable when your feet are on them. I would buy these again.


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OTTAWA - A bit more than 11 years ago, John Hastings made a life decision.
While watching the success of Canadian Olympians like Simon Whitfield, Caroline Brunet and Steve Giles at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, the then-teenager from Aurora committed himself to becoming an Olympian.
Now hes knocking at the door, as Canadas top-ranked kayaker, hoping to compete in London next summer.
Everyone has their moment, where you see something and say, This is what I want to do. That was it for me, watching the 2000 Olympics. It was an epiphany, that aha moment for me. It seemed like an unattainable goal, but I stuck with it. Its been an incredible journey.
There have been obstacles along the way, like when he didnt make the Olympic team three years ago.
I felt like I was entitled to it, said Hastings, now 27, who moved to Ottawa several years ago. And when I didnt make it, I felt like quitting. Fortunately, I had great coaches and a supportive family around me. Guys in my sport traditionally peak in their late 20s and early 30s. I had my Olympic dream, I had made it a goal. I couldnt quit there.
He started to make big gains in 2010 after hopping on board the RBC Olympians Program. He took over top spot in Canada and was eighth overall in the World Cup.
All things are pointing in the right direction for me, said Hastings. Only one of us will go to the Olympics. But the qualification (in April) is in Charlotte. I just have to win the trial. I have a strong history there. The competition will be tough. David Ford is a legend. Hes been to five Olympics. And there are some others standing in my way.
Hastings is solidly behind One Change Foundations blue dot initiative, which runs until Nov. 4. The blue dot kits are being distributed door-to-door or can be picked up free at RBC Royal Bank branches.
The blue dot is placed in the tank of a toilet and determines if there is a leak, often caused by a worn-out flapper and easily fixable. Hastings is very much supportive of the plan, which is promoting water conservation.
More than 1.9 billion litres of water are wasted every day in Canadian households. Stats also show that if every leaking toilet in Canada (and there are more than 3.5 million of them) was fixed, the energy saved would be the equivalent of taking 32,873 cars off the road.
This is a great opportunity for me to get involved and protect the freshwater resource, said Hastings. Its such a simple thing. Drop a tablet into your tank and if it turns blue, you have a leak. And if you get to the nitty gritty of it, Ottawans are wasting $250 a year on their water.
In Hastings dream, he wins the upcoming trials, competes at the Olympics and wins a medal.
Its the power of positive thinking, but he knows that on any given day, with weather and water influencing the result, it could happen.
And maybe then, somewhere in Canada, a child will draw inspiration on his performance, perhaps setting the wheels in motion for another future Olympian to emerge.
If what I do gets one kid off the couch, then Ill really feel like Ive accomplished something, he said.
It will have come full circle ... Olympians inspiring other Canadians. And proving that dreams really can come true.


text:
Column approximate minimum degree ordering algorithm. A translation of COLAMD into Dart by Richard Lincoln.
License and Copyright
Copyright (C) 1998-2011 Stefan I. Larimore and Timothy A. Davis. Copyright (C) 2011-2014 Richard Lincoln.
COLAMD is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
- edu.ufl.cise.colamd
Copyright (c) 1998-2007, Timothy A. Davis, All Rights Reserved.


text:
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - The University of Virginia Health System says a federal grant will make it easier for its doctors to meet with frail, seriously ill patients via videoconference.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has allocated $253,330 to the program designed to help patients living in rural locations far from hospitals.
The Daily Progress reports (http://bit.ly/1nkJJlZ ) that the system will set up videoconferencing locations at nine rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and dialysis centers throughout central Virginia.
That joins a network of more than 100 telemedicine locations throughout the state.
Health system officials say the ability to meet with doctors through videoconferencing will cut down on arduous hospital trips and allow chronically ill patients more opportunities to follow-up with their doctors.


text:
Lore Christopher has won a seventh term as Keizer's mayor. Facing a spirited challenge from City Councilor David McKane, the mayor prevailed in Tuesday's election. McKane may have lost the election but his influence will be felt well into the new year.
McKane ran on a platform of respectful leadership for Keizer. By that he meant that the city council, led by the mayor, should listen to all those who come to speak before them. There is a feeling in some quarters that at times councilor's minds are made up before an issue gets a public hearing. Some also feel that councilors don't show the proper respect for citizens that come before them with concerns and views that don't match those of the council.
Whether one views that as reality or not, the perception needs to be addressed. Residents of Keizer need to feel confident they can go before the council for public testimony or speak at a public hearing and not feel they are being challenged for their opinions.
On election night Mayor Christopher was already talking about creating a task force to address the respect the council shows city residents. Christopher got the message during the campaign. We applaud her for swiftly taking up this issue.
Dave McKane may have lost the election but his influence will be felt for quite a while. We hope that he will get involved with the task force and help achieve some of the goals of his campaign.
Lore Christopher, who has been mayor for almost 12 years, will have two years to achieve some of the goals she said she wants to accomplish, many which revolve around the economic vitality of Keizer, especially development and recruitment living wage jobs for Keizerites.
The voters of Keizer have spoken. They had a clear choice of candidates and decided to stick with the incumbent. If McKane stays involved as a private citizen, mainly with the mayor's proposed task force and it results in real changes that residents can see, then Keizer will be the winner.


text:
Artist description:
inspired by one of my photos: [Link]
Java Draw Created Apr 22, 2012 640 x 460px Unless noted Copyright 2012 majbritts1.
We encourage you to submit a comment and let the artist know what you think of this drawing. Please log in or join to post a comment.
Post a comment
You are a wonderful photographer and artist! I am in love with the summery drawing here. Grass is what I first think of when I think of summer, luscious green grass hehe. I like how the grass here has dewdrops on it. Lovely soft colors. 5/5 and faves
well thank you!!!!! i love the summer, too :) and i love photographing, and you are welcome to take a look at my gallery (i guess you can find it via the link in the description) 3


text: Now we increases page reference on add_to_page_cache but doesn't decrease itin remove_from_page_cache. Such asymmetric makes confusing aboutpage reference so that caller should notice it and comment why theyrelease page reference. It's not good API.Long time ago, Hugh tried it[1] but gave up of reason whichreiser4's drop_page had to unlock the page between removing it frompage cache and doing the page_cache_release. But now the situation ischanged. I think at least things in current mainline doesn't have anyobstacles. The problem is fs or somethings out of mainline.If it has done such thing like reiser4, this patch could be a problem butthey found it when compile time since we remove remove_from_page_cache.[1] http://lkml.org/lkml/2004/10/24/140The series configuration is following as. [1/7] : This patch introduces new API delete_from_page_cache.[2,3,4,5/7] : Change remove_from_page_cache with delete_from_page_cache.Intentionally I divide patch per file since someone might have a concern about releasing page reference of delete_from_page_cache in somecase (ex, truncate.c)[6/7] : Remove old API so out of fs can meet compile error when build timeand can notice it.[7/7] : Change __remove_from_page_cache with __delete_from_page_cache, too.In this time, I made all-in-one patch because it doesn't change old behaviorso it has no concern. Just clean up patch.Minchan Kim (7): [1/7] Introduce delete_from_page_cache [2/7] fuse: Change remove_from_page_cache [3/7] tlbfs: Change remove_from_page_cache [4/7] swap: Change remove_from_page_cache [5/7] truncate: Change remove_from_page_cache [6/7] Good bye remove_from_page_cache [7/7] Change __remove_from_page_cache fs/fuse/dev.c | 3 +-- fs/hugetlbfs/inode.c | 3 +-- include/linux/pagemap.h | 4 ++-- mm/filemap.c | 22 +++++++++++++++++----- mm/shmem.c | 3 +-- mm/truncate.c | 5 ++--- mm/vmscan.c | 2 +- 7 files changed, 25 insertions(+), 17 deletions(-)


text:
Only a handful of tickets are left for a fund-raising event to honour the paramedics who tried in vain to save the life of a doting father.
It is believed that Gareth Balmbra, 30, took the drug MDMA – the chemical name for ecstasy – before he lost his life last December.
Next month, a special evening is being held at Alnwick's Working Men's Club in aid of the North East Ambulance Service.
Scheduled for Friday, May 2, starting at 7pm, it will feature live entertainment, a raffle, domino cards and collection buckets.
His mum Lynette said: "Gareth's death left our family devastated and I have organised this event in his memory.
"All the money will go to the North East Ambulance Service. Paramedics tried very hard to save Gareth.
"Sadly, it was not meant to be, but I want to show my gratitude to them."
As well as his mother and young daughter Lacey-jane, Gareth also left behind father John and sister Jade.
Businesses in the area have given generously to help the cause and raffle prizes include food and drink vouchers, jewellery, hair products, afternoon tea and tanning sessions.
The final few tickets are available from Fine Furnishings in the town.
John Michael Angus, from Upper Barresdale, in Alnwick, has been charged with supplying or offering to supply a class-A controlled drug. The 31-year-old is due to appear at the magistrates' court, in Bedlington, on Thursday, May 1.


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By Caitlin Coakley CHARLOTTE —If a feeble market and increased competition weren't sufficiently testing residential contractors, now the high price of lumber is whacking them. The price has increased 22 percent since the beginning of the year, the National Association ...Read More »
'Affordable' and 'green' an unlikely pairing in Charlotte, Mooresville residential projects
By Hannah Mitchell CHARLOTTE — Two affordable, environmentally friendly apartment buildings for older renters are scheduled to open in mid-April, one billed as the first LEED-certified complex in the state for low-income tenants. Cherry Gardens Senior Apartments, in Charlotte's Cherry ...Read More »
For summer, hotels banking on polish, programs, prices
By Hannah Mitchell CHARLOTTE — Hoping to lure more guests to fill rooms during the coming tourist season, local hotels are spiffing up their properties and offering discounts and special events. Due to lingering economic woes, hotel vacancies remain high ...Read More »
Apprenticeships: High costs yield high value
By Caitlin Coakley CHARLOTTE — Local companies are risking a lot of time and money to give students a solid start on their careers. It's a serious effort, which showed on the face of Edward Deans one evening this week, ...Read More »
Building owners carve up space for business 'factory'
By Sam Boykin When two of their biggest tenants moved out of their Cornelius office building in the fall of 2009, business partners Dale Tweedy and Jeff Wakeman took a chance. Dividing the vacated space into about 10 smaller offices, ...Read More »
Strapped members quitting government-service agency
By Hannah Mitchell CHARLOTTE — Citing tight budgets and other reasons, five Charlotte-area cities and counties are planning to withdraw from the Centralina Council of Governments. Meanwhile, Centralina Director Al Sharp said the council is studying how to improve the ...Read More »
Davidson incubator targeting green energy start-ups
By Sam Boykin DAVIDSON — Looking to foster growth in downtown Davidson, several local government agencies and a real estate developer formed in January a start-up business incubator targeting companies in the green energy and sustainability industries. The Project for ...Read More »
SBA lending program revived
By Caitlin Coakley An extension of the Small Business Administration's recovery lending program will loosen up more cash, but uncertainty persists over what will happen after the new deadlines. On Thursday, the Obama administration extended deadlines that may allow for ...Read More »
Time for business: Many shops, outdoor destinations live for daylight saving time
By Hannah Mitchell CHARLOTTE — Every March, they emerge from their homes and offices like bears awakening from a winter's rest: an army of golfers itching to get back on the course. Woody Allen, golf director at Ballantyne Hotel & ...Read More »
Reporter's Notebook: A season for all things
By Hannah Mitchell Growing up in North Carolina's western Piedmont, I ate tomatoes from my parents' vegetable garden from a young age. Once I got past the idea of eating those little seeds, I adored tomatoes — in the summertime. ...Read More »


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Credit Advice
Have a question? Have advice to share? The combined knowledge and experience of everyone in the Credit Karma community can help you. Enter your question or help others below to get started!
QuestionPosted in Credit Karma
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0 People Helped
In fact, when I got the credit card, the score went DOWN 11 points. Is CK just that slow, or what is going on?!! I need a new fridge and refuse to pay the high interest on a revolving credit card (assuming I could even get it). I thought I could rely on CK to be accurate and timely. So, now what? When will it update, and when should I just chuck the whole thing? I'm coming into this with no credit history & trying to build one.
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76 People Helped
Just noticed that in you post you said you already called both places and they supposedly update each month. My only guess after that is to ask them if they report to TransUnion.
You could go to the free annual credit report site and get all three reports (you should be doing that once a year anyway).
That will tell the story if they are reporting to once agency but not another.
76 People Helped
I dont know what you mean when you say your scores are six months old? Why do say that? Is that opinion on your part, or do you have some data that says that? I think CK says when each acct was last updated. Is that where your six month number comes from. Look at the update next to the acct on CK and see when it was updated. If one of them isnt in the last month, call that company and ask them when they report and who they report to. Not all lenders report to all credit bureaus. Did your car loan get sold to another lender and they arent reporting or maybe just not to TransUnion? The answer needs to be there, get on the phone and run it down.
Nothing should take six months to post on your credit. CK updates each week now. I have never seen things take that long on CK to update. If it is taking that long, I would be willing to bet you that it is because someone is not reporting it to Transunion. Keep in mind that CK is only updated by the info on your TransUnion report I think. The transunion report is only updated when your lender(s) feed them their update, which should be on a monthly schedule.
Soooo... picture the sequence of events having to click thru the system before CK displays the info to you. This can result in a delay sometimes to you seeing it, but nothing should take six months. I have seen actions be reported almost immediately, and I have seen them take over a month to show up. Just depends on when the action takes place relevant to the reporting cycles lining up.
The 11 point drop you mentioned may have been from an age of credit drop as a result of one or both of your new accts. (your car and your new cc). As long as the utilization stays down (preferably under 20%), that number should go back to where it was before and then rise above it after a little time as you keep the accounts in good standing.
One other item, you mentioned getting a new fridge but dont want your numbers to suffer for it. If you open a new acct to do it, then you will take a hit on your age of credit again. These are usually small hits, but they can add up and hold your number down a little. This is usually not a big deal depending on how you do it. For instance if you get another credit card and charge it on that: There should be an available credit increase that will help your score. If you are dealing with reputable name brand outfits, this should get reported on time and help your score. One other word of caution regarding the potiental fridge purchase. If you go to Sears, they will probably ask you if you want to open an acct. This will help your credit number, but their interest rate is like 25 or 26 per cent. That is an astronomical rate. If you are in the credit building process, the sears acct will help, just be ready to make a couple payments and get the balance paid off or you will be paying literally twice the interest rate of any other decent card.
I hope I shed a little light on your situation. I can only speak from what I went thru in the last years rebuilding credit. Basically get some accts open, keep the utilization low, pay them on time and your numbers will rise. The one thing that cant be spoofed in all this is the test of time. The age of accts will just take time to grow, no way around that one. I have also learned there is a difference dealing with reputable credit card companies. I had several sub-prime cards when I started my rebuilding process and they looked great on my credit report for a couple years, but by then the good companies were giving me cards and the sub-prime ones were holding my number back. One reason I am sure is because they typically have low limits which means any charge makes the utilization number go up higher and faster.
Bottom Line, nothing should take six months to report though.
Let me know how it goes.
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Well, after more investigation I have found that both my car loan AND the one credit card I have, report monthly to Trans Union. My CK page says that these figures are updated on the last day of each month, and so far none have been updated. Six months for the auto loan, and three months for the credit card.
Credit Karma, I have proof that these payments have been reported to Trans Union. Why are they not on Credit Karma? Three people have had similar experiences, and have pulled as much of their personal info out of CK as possible and have moved on, disgusted.
I would really like to know what is going on. Clark Howard said that this would be a good guide to establishing credit, but now I think I must have a convo with him, and request that he not recommend this website any longer. I was thrilled to hear of it, but now that I've been a part of it, I'm very disappointed.
I followed Rich's recommendations to be sure there was no stone unturned, and I've been thorough.
CK your turn now.
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Hello newtocreditinfo1
Well, I have to say that CK finally adjusted my score. I check to see when the credit cards report, & the car loan is finally being reported correctly on CK. Just shows that if you make enough noise, SOMEONE will hear you.
HOWEVER - don't cancel yet. Also, don't pay good money for credit monitoring. If you can wait a short time (maybe 2-3 months) and have a credit card or two, yesterday (12/18/13) the financial news announced that a major bank that backs most of our credit cards is going to begin sending out your credit score each month with statements. The report did not name names - i.e., don't know if it is Capital One, Bank of America, AmEx or who is backed by this giant mega-bank, but whoever is associated with them (and it is many of our credit card companies) they will be sending out your score for FREE (good price) (Like WAMU used to do before they went bust a few years ago).
Meanwhile, for further info on the upcoming free credit score, keep your eye on clarkhoward.com or listen in now & then, and you'll know as soon as these scores are being reported. I listen to the financial news and the Clark every day.
But don't give up on CK just yet - they say they update monthly, but in reality it takes a while for good news to catch up to them.
Best Wishes!
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Middle school eye injury had Isaiah Austin thinking he wouldn't be able to play basketball, now he has Baylor in Sweet 16
Baylor sophomore center Isaiah Austin called his mother, Lisa Green, after the Bears walloped Creighton on Sunday to advance to this week's West Regional semifinal against No. 2-seed Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament.
"He was so excited, and he said 'Mom, can you believe we're in the Sweet 16?'" Green recounted. "And I said, 'yes, honey, I do believe it. You just have to trust.'"
She reminded him of his favorite bible verse: 2 Corinthians 5:7 that reads "For we live with faith, not by sight."
The words are a compelling touchstone for the 7-1 Arlington Grace Prep alum who, just two months ago, went public with the fact that he's been blind in his right eye since a middle school injury. Since letting his secret out, Austin has received an outpouring of feedback from people who say he's inspired them.
Austin's production and shot-altering interior presence helped the Bears (26-11) win 12 of their last 14 games to recover from a 2-8 start to Big 12 play.
"Our team right now, we have a tremendous amount of confidence," said Austin, who averages 11.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.2 blocks and co-led the Bears with 17 points against third-seeded Creighton. "Everybody has bought into the one goal that we have in mind — and that is winning a national championship."
According to Bovada, Baylor's odds of winning the title at the Final Four — April 5 and 7 in Arlington's AT&T Stadium, not far from Austin's high school — are 20/1, hardly the best of the remaining teams.
But Vegas' take on the sixth-seeded Bears will hardly affect Austin, considering what he's been through.
Austin first revealed in January on ESPN why he wears goggles during games. He'd previously glossed over the reason to reporters, citing an old eye injury. His coaches and teammates knew the truth, of the prosthetic over the injured eye, but few others did.
Austin first sustained eye damage when a baseball hit him when he was a sixth grader living in California. The hit loosened the retina, but it didn't detach until two years later after his family had moved to Texas and he went up for a dunk before a middle school basketball game. Multiple surgeries were unable to repair his sight.
"He loved the sport," Green said. "Him thinking that he couldn't play was devastating."
It took time to digest his tragedy and start to move on.
"There's a shock factor that you have to get over," Austin said. "Once you build the confidence to actually step up and face your fears, that's what gets you over the hump."
With no peripheral vision on the right side, he keeps his head constantly moving on the court. He's honed his other senses to compensate. Baylor coach Scott Drew said he was initially concerned opponents would try to take advantage of Austin when he revealed the blindness.
"I've adapted so well to it, I've adapted my game on and off the court," Austin said. "This is something I have to deal with every second of my life. That makes it that much easier for me to operate on the basketball court."
Austin left Grace Prep as one of the top recruits in the country and a McDonald's All-America. During his freshman season at Baylor, he started every game, recorded 11 double-doubles and averaged 13.0 points and 8.3 rebounds. He was set to leave early for the NBA when he found he needed surgery to repair a torn posterior labrum in his right shoulder. He decided to come back to Baylor. Then he and his family decided it was time to tell his story.
"We knew we needed to get the story out because of the NBA scouts," said Green, who now lives in Kansas City with her husband and Austin's younger siblings. "We didn't want people to think we were purposely hiding the situation. But we didn't do it for that reason. We had never come forward because we didn't want people to make it as an excuse for him. We wanted him to be able to accomplish what he's accomplished so far, and people can understand that if he makes it to the next level, it's because he's good enough to be there."
Austin now openly shares his story — he's been asked about it countless times during the NCAA Tournament's myriad media sessions.
A class of students who deal with dyslexia watched Austin's story and then attended a Baylor game and visited with him. Parents who have children with eye conditions bring their kids to games to root for Austin.
"My six-year-old Peyton looks up to him because both of them have glasses," said Drew, who calls Austin by his nickname Zeke. "He's a big kid … I think he's played harder, tried to do more and be a better role model for those kids because he's got a big heart."
Austin, who set a Big 12 tournament record with 18 blocks in four games, said last week that he'll turn his thoughts to his NBA decision after the Bears' season. Green said they'll hold a family meeting but that Austin has promised her he'll get his degree if he leaves early.
Green, who will be in Anaheim, Calif., for the game Thursday, said she's seen her son mature since sharing his story.
"If I were to get hurt or something and I couldn't play basketball tomorrow," Austin said, "then I would be super thankful for the career that I've had. Not a lot of people get to play in my shoes or make it to this level. For me to make it to this level with the injury I had is a complete blessing."
Isaiah Austin
Baylor's 7-1 sophomore center is averaging 14.3 points, 3.5 blocks and 5.3 rebounds during the Bears' postseason run.
Big 12 tournament
Vs. TCU (W, 76-68)
Vs. Oklahoma (W, 78-73)
Vs. Texas (W, 86-69)
Vs. Iowa State (L, 74-65)
NCAA Tournament
Vs. Nebraska (W, 74-60)
Vs. Creighton (W, 85-55)


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Instructors visit farms owned by the students to review practices with them and demonstrate new ideas for on-farm technologies that increase productivity, reduce labor and conserve limited resources. Farm Business faculty have extensive experience and access to a network of experts to find the best answers to local farm challenges.
Curriculum for this program is developed based on the needs of local farms and include the following:
Operating the Farm Business emphasizes the management skills and concepts necessary for the first-year student to continue farming in today's changing technology and farm business financing. Special emphasis is given to establishing and recording farm business and family goals. Student's entire farming operation is assessed and plans are developed for future needs and goals.
Soil Management is the basis of farming. The goal of soil management is to protect soil and enhance its performance, so you can farm profitably with sustainable soils that preserve the quality for decades to come.
Crop management analyzes the production of field crops, the application of pesticides and the implementation of farm business best practices.
Animal nutrition and management is essential to improve productivity and profit. Get up-to-date information on animal nutrition and management to discover the best animal nutrition and care.
To discuss any of the areas listed above, please contact Farm Business and Production Management faculty.


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Easifix Cohesive Bandage 4m
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Easifix offers high stretch and limited regain properties avoiding the risk of limb constriction and the carefully finished edges also minimise fraying.
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"If they fail to pay, irrespective of the consequences we will lock them out."
George Okungu
"The agreement is very clear. You fail to pay and we lock you out."
"As you go to Mauritius tomorrow remember to bring back the trophy."
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First World's technocrats don't understand Third World's ills
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Regarding Richard Goering's March 21 interview with Eric Brewer (page 1): Misguided technologists like Mr. Brewer make plain that what the Third World truly needs is to be saved from the First World.
Regarding Richard Goering's March 21 interview with Eric Brewer (page 1): Misguided technologists like Mr. Brewer make plain that what the Third World truly needs is to be saved from the First World. Mr. Brewer's sunny solutions may hold appeal for technocrats. But to anyone who has actually lived in the developing world, his ideas are humorous at best and destructive at worst.
In the same breath, Mr. Brewer says that "First World technology is not a good fit" for the needs of developing nations but "rural connectivity" is the first problem to solve. Either he has extremely limited feet-on-the-ground experience in the developing world or he is too engrossed in his First World life to understand Third World realities.
Desperately poor regions simultaneously battle hunger, disease, illiteracy, high birth rates, corrupt governance, unfortunate geography and, quite often, military violence. To suggest that any flavor-of-the-month technology has even the most remote relevance for solving these underlying problems is to trivialize them.
Mr. Brewer proposes "rural kiosks," an idea that was obviously hatched after a satisfying day at the mall. His further suggestion that a farm tractor is unaffordable for a lone farmer, but not for a village, is a ridiculous fallacy. But even if he could identify a single rural village that could afford a $175,000 John Deere, Mr. Brewer does not explain how he would employ all of the farm workers that the tractor would displace. Oh, wait-they would run the flatbed scanners at the Wi-Fi kiosks.
Dreamers like Mr. Brewer could accomplish more lasting and tangible results by focusing their efforts and resources on less sexy and more realistic solutions to the many ills of developing nations.
Paul Mack
Software Engineer
Mindspeed Technologies Inc.


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This is a delicate, rare edition, released as part of Macallan's 1700 series. Light and smooth with gentle flavours of coconut and a touch of banana ice-cream, this is a soft, enticing malt. It was triple cask matured in American bourbon and sherry casks, and European sherry oak casks.
Reaching back to those distinctive, square, white books of our youths, we declare that this malt is like… Alter Ego: Mr Tickle; with a playful side and a considerable reach, this whisky is certain to turn that frown upside down but, unlike Mr Tickle, it you won't leave you pleading for mercy.
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Governor Bob McDonnell's transportation funding plan jumped its first hurdle today, winning approval from the House of Delegates Finance committee.
The vote took place after the committee decided against taking a vote on two competing plans, one from Northern Virginia Republicans, reports Julie Carey, News4's Northern Virginia Bureau Chief.
The Governor's proposal would raise $3.1 billion dollars over the next five years, in part by eliminating the state's 17.5-cent gas tax and adding revenue by hiking the sales tax from 5 percent to 5.8 percent. Another source of new revenue would be a $15 increase in vehicle registration fees and a $100-per-year fee for alternative fuel vehicles.
But several Northern Virginia delegates complain while the Governor's plan boosts depleted maintenance funds, it does not raise enough money for construction projects in NoVa and Hampton Roads.
Former Virginia Transportation Secretary Vivian Watts, now a Fairfax County delegate, says her plan would raise $1 billion for construction projects and $500,000 for maintenance annually.
"I believe the urban crescent is part of the commonwealth and addressing urban crescent needs is not only fair play but essential to the economy," Watts said.
Fairfax County Republican Dave Albo also hoped to have his competing plan considered. "Somebody is finally doing something, that's good. But the bill could have been a lot better especially for Northern Virginia," said Albo.
Fairfax County Delegate Tim Hugo, a co-sponsor of the Governor's bill, urged the panel to consider the Governor's bill without making any changes. "Everybody has been in pursuit of this perfect bill and gotten very little out of it," said Hugo. "This is the vehicle we need to pass out of here today."
The bill was approved 13-8. House Speaker and bill sponsor William Howell says there will still be time for adjustments when House and Senate versions of the bill reach conference committee later in the session.
"We will have plenty of time as the process goes forward to consider all of these things," said Howell.


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not only is AJax day to day…the Tigers are every other day to day!!
18-19, 2nd place, 3 games behind Cle.
Since April 17, the Tigers have won 10 and lost 16. They have played on every single day after they have won a game, and they have lost every game after a win in that stretch. It's been pretty bad. The bullpen has been horrendous. Here are some team bullpen stats: ERA – 5.17, worst in the majors; WHIP – 1.54, 2nd to worst in the majors; BAA – .270, 25th; OPS against – .354, 2nd to worst in the majors. For all of the concerns about the offense, the Tigers are middle of the pack in the AL for most offensive categories (in spite of the 2B and DH holes). But the bullpen is the major culprit right now. You can get out and talk to a few of the relievers about it in person after the game tonight.
Doug Fister takes the mound today still searching for his first win, despite only having allowed 1 ER in 16 2/3 IP (20 2/3 if you include Toledo). Fister hasn't allowed a run at Comerica since last August.
A few notes:
– Villareal was recalled today and Worth was sent down to Toledo. Look for Villareal to appear in the first high pressure situation that arises.
– If the Tigers lose two more in a row, Leyland's career winning pct will be exactly .500 (he's currently 1,606 and 1,604).
– Luis Marte is scheduled to pitch in Lakeland today. We need him to get up here fast.
– AJax is day to day with an abdominal strain.
Today's Jackson-less Lineup:
1. Kelly, CF
2. Dirks, LF
3. Cabrera, 3B
4. Fielder, 1B
5. Young, DH
6. Avila, C
7. Boesch, RF
8. Peralta, SS
9. Raburn, 2B
not only is AJax day to day…the Tigers are every other day to day!!
If you don't like this lineup, we always have Gerald Laird and Ramon Santiago on the bench…and that's it.
Ol' Smoky has got to feel that career .500 mark creeping up on him. A mediocre manager with a mediocre record. Can't wait for Francona to get here next spring. One can fervently wish, can't he?
On a side note: if I'm Doug Fister I'm about ready to jam a bat up somebody's backside. 1 ER in his first 18 innings of the season and he is 0-1?? Once again, the bats looking feeble. Perhaps today will be the 18th game of 3 or fewer runs scored (this only being Game 38).
OMG Jerry – you really don't want Francona here. It will be like Tram all over again. The inability to control clubhouses and dugouts is why Tram remains a coach today.
Tigers are the Miami Heat of baseball. The rosters are bigger so instead of three good players they have five or six. The rest is flotsam and crapsam.
I won't ask which category Delmon-the-.600 OPS-DH is in.
Except the Miami Heat are the favorites to make it out of the Eastern Conference and have got a great shot at winning the title. Not sure you can say the same about the Tigers, the AL, and the World Series.
Fielder has to get that throw. More Clown Show.
Our team is picking up speed ….. going in the wrong direction. Good teams find ways to win games ….. bad teams find ways to lose games.
The Tiger's compassion and hospitality for the worst team in baseball (the Twins) is simply overflowing…what gracious host.
wouldn't you think with 1602 losses you'd look for a different line of work!!
I'm sure Connie Mack had the same thought.
Just watched the Tigers and I am sick of the Tigers staff and such saying "I don't know what's happening…it's mind boggling" No, it's not. It was on display in the late innings again, just like the previous night. 2 men on and nobody out..Fielder expands the strike zone and strikes out…Delmon Young for the 2nd night in a row..swings at a terrible pitch and GIDP. They have always been an agressive team and will never be the Yankees or Red Sox, but, they are just giving away at-bats at the most critical moments. Prince is probably pressing and Delmon just sucks..He needs to be moved out of the 5 hole, but, who do you put there? IDK, but, at least go w/ a guy who gives a crap and doesn't just go through the motions. Their farm system is lacking in depth. One other thought..I know options are limited,but, Don Kelly as the leadoff hitter?
World Series "Contenders"? That was the label put on this current team by many — me included. What a crazy overstatement. I watched the '68 and '84 teams dominate "wire to wire." There was never a question about whether those teams were "contenders." There is no question that this team, right now and probably going forward sadly, is not a contender. I will still tune in every night hoping (what a desperate sucker I am) but my hope is beginning to fade. Come on guys, get it together!
SD released SS/2B today… snd SD is on the hook for his salary this yr, and the buyout option next yr. Yes he's 34 and he's only batting .211 this yr, but he's a legit 2B w/11 yrs experience and 4 gold gloves… something to think about
Orlando Hudson
This team has been so frustrating I don't even want to talk about them or think about them right now. But, here I am anyway.
One bright note in yesterday's game was Brayan Villareal coming out of the bullpen for 2 pretty good innings. That will certainly help, and when Valverde is better we can get rid of Balester or Putkonen.
I just saw a video of Fister's pick-off of Jamey Carroll yesterday. There's a GIF of it here: http://walkoffwoodward.com/?p=2956
What's interesting about that is that this is the move everybody was talking about last week because MLB plans to make it a balk next year. Most commentators were saying "yeah the fake-to-third-and-throw-to-first move NEVER works, anyway". Well, it just did.
C'mon folks!
Orlando Hudson?
How desperate can you get. No way Leyland doesn't yell at Dombrowski for a "one position-only" acquisition like that.
I seriously doubt David makes that phone call. Tigers want more versatile players.
Why not, take a flyer on the O-Dog? I think he is better then Danny Worth and adds depth. Delmon Young is an awful DH and can play no position…so, he's an upgrade on him..Delmon is terrible, he never swings at strikes…so, the idea, that we would not even look at O-dog, is funny to me…Is he the answer, no. The answer is for guys to start getting themselves in good counts and swing at good pitches…so, far everybody but Boesch and Young did a good job and we had a good inning. I would like Hudson to be looked at, just so we have more options…Hudson can be a 2B and that opens up the DH position for Raburn. I know people will laugh, but, raburn will start hitting, he has had some decent at-bats over the past couple of weeks. We can also platoon Raburn and Boesch in RF or even put Hudson at DH…My main thing is…start benching guys who have consistently bad at-bats..Right now, we can't because of no depth. They can not always have good results, but, Boesch and Young don't give themselves much of a chance when they have those kinds of at-bats…and other guys have done it as well…nobody quite as bad as Young. I am wondering how much longer they put up w/ Young…He is awful and has terrible at-bats night after night, almost like he is just going through the motions.
"Jim Leyland puzzled" – i would concur with that statement