Women of NAWBO – Power Your Dreams

Marilyn Johnson, VP
IBM Marketing
IBM has a long standing relationship with NAWBO and each conference is an exciting event. This year in Chicago is awesome!!

So many powerful, smart women are in Chicago this week for NAWBO! I had promised before leaving Los Angeles that I would post images that show the face of NAWBO. It's hard to do this with all of the back to back activities. But, I think that it is an important process. So check back over the next few days to see the power… see the brains… see the beauty… inside the National Association of Women Business Owners.


Sabrina Martin - Smart In Solutions
My business specializes in strategic planning and management for CRM and ERP software implementation and integration initiatives.

My NAWBO experience has been outstanding! The knowledge and support of the Chicago Chapter has provided me with the direction needed to be aggressive and more confident with my business venture.


Diane Sears - DiVerse Media
Diane is the NAWBO Member of the Year 2008-2009. She is a great person to be around I sure hope that I can join her in Orlando this September.


Cynthia McClain-Hill - Strategic Counsel, NAWBO National President 2008-2009


The 2009 Power Your Dream NAWBO conference is a dream event that has come
alive because of the energy of the magnificent women who are attending. The
inspirational stories, the collaborative connections, and the authenticity
make this one of the most memorable events I've ever attended.

Helen Keller said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
Being around these remarkable women in Chicago has led me to realize that
all will be well in the world and state of the economy because of the
creativity and innovation represented here. The energy of the successful
women business owners inspires me to go out and do even more for my
community.

Thank you, NAWBO.

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Award-winning entrepreneur and President of Upside Thinking, Inc., Lisa
Marie Platske is a dynamic motivational speaker known for her contagious
high energy, and ability to change the way leaders approach their personal
and professional lives.

Because she believes that every enterprise rises (or falls) with leadership,
Lisa Marie helps professionals to develop an authentic leadership vision in
order to maximize their sphere of influence, and increase their
wealth-building capacity.

Lisa Marie acquired much of her leadership expertise during her years in
banking and federal law enforcement. She is the author of Designing Your
Destiny and hosts a weekly radio show and a two-day annual conference on
leadership.

To learn more, visit www.UpsideThinking.com.

Lisa Marie Platske
President/CEO, Upside Thinking, Inc.


"This is my first year at the national conference and what a
breath of fresh air it was! Attending this conference has
given me the mental authority to move my business to a place I
could only dream of. In just 2 days, I have learned valuable
tools in conquering my fear of being too successful. As a
young business owner, I am inspired by the years of shared
experience brought together in one room. This is an event
that words could never describe. The powerful affect of NAWBO
must be experienced first hand.

Thank you NAWBO

Marveina Peters-Johnson
CFO
Teresa Peters Executive Realtors, Inc.
1601 Centinela Avenue Ste. #5
Inglewood, CA 90302
310-665-1145 Office
www.teresapetersoffice.com

New Wheels

My father in law used to tell me, “Boy you’re hard on stuff!” He was right. I could never pass my camera gear off on the used market as… in excellent condition… B+… hardly used. My stuff is treated like equipment. Gaffer tape is on everything!

Carrying around all of that stuff, in turn is hard on me. The best invention in my eyes would be the rolling camera case. I’ve had a few along the way. I’ve also destroyed a few along the way.

The handle on my last bag, a LowePro, broke about a month ago. So I had to get a new one for next week’s trip to Chicago. My friend, Earl Gibson spoke highly of a Tenba rolling bag that he was using. So I headed first to Google to check it out. NICE. The price was reasonable too. So I headed to Samy’s to take a closer look. It’s a nice bag. Unfortunately for Tenba, their bag was sitting next to a bag from Think Tank.

I had read about the Think Tank on the Sport Shooter site and most pros seemed to be happy with it. This bag, the Airport International, is designed to meet international carry-on specs. I should not have any problems getting it on a domestic flight. What closed the deal on this bag were the valuable built in features that protect me if I have to check the bag. I love that it has two security cables and locks, plus a built in TSA locking zipper.


I actually feel a little safer leaving my bag across the room now on assignments, because I can lock the bag to something solid. I would like to bring the kitchen sink with me on every assignment; but I can’t. The domestic version is a little larger, but I chose the smaller international bag because of changing air standards. I just never know when the domestic carry on rules could change. This bag can hold the following with room to spare.

2 - D300 Bodies
4 - SB 800 Speedlights
80-200 f/2.8
17-55 f/2.8
50 f/1.4
105 Macro f/2.8
12-24 f/4
2 - Lumedyne Minicyclers
3 - PocketWizard Tranceivers
Sekonic L-558R Meter

I have a second rolling bag made by Tamrac that gets checked. This baby is filled with lighting gear [Dynalites], stands, umbrellas and other misc. photo items. The goal with this bag is to bring helpful gear and stay under 50 lbs. I always do better work when this bag lands in the same city with me. But, if the checked stuff doesn't make it, I can get the job done with the gear in the Think Tank. The founders of Think Tank are two dudes who used to work for LowePro. I sure hope that this bag holds up better than my last LowePro. This bag also has a unique serial number, so I’m headed to the Think Tank site now to register. I haven’t used it on a job yet, but I like what I see.

Already In The Bag!

Anyone with a need to transmit photos should read this post: Photographers, PR specialists, Political staffers, or anyone seeking a way to send an image that has better quality than anything possible with just a smartphone. It's probably not a good idea if your phone has no data plan. But if you have a phone with a data plan, you can do some great things on deadline without buying a broadband card, paying for Wi-Fi or even access to a laptop.

I had a terrible experience with my Sprint broadband card over the weekend @ The Hollywood Bowl. I was covering the 31^st Playboy Jazz Festival as part of the Playboy staff, and I really only needed to transmit one media image on deadline. I was really hoping to also post Twitter, Facebook & blog updates throughout the two day event. The Sprint card would not cooperate at all. So I abandoned that idea real quick when I could not get a signal.


In the end I missed a golden opportunity to place an important photo with the newswires for my client. This situation was more puzzling because I was getting decent phone service on my Sprint Blackberry; it wasn't six bars service, but I was getting calls. The minute that I got home, the damn broadband card worked perfectly!


This post is really about a workaround for this tech breakdown that I already had in my camera bag. Sandisk makes a SD card adapter that is the perfect solution. This adapter works with micro SD cards… those little cards that fit inside most smartphones. The crazy thing is that I had already used the SD adapter inside my Canon G-9 to take a photo of Kenny G onstage @ the bowl. I was able to successfully transmit that image, using my Blackberry to Twitter and Facebook. The solution was right in front of me, but I needed a little distance to see it. I bought the Sandisk product at Costco.


My Sony laptop has a built-in SD card reader. So all I had to do was copy the high rez Nikon D300 jpg from my laptop to the SD adapter card, place the micro SD card into my Blackberry and email the image. Once you put the micro SD card in and replace the battery and cover, it will take a few minutes for your phone to reboot. Nikon will be releasing the D300 replacement soon and it is rumored to have dual card slots... compact flash and SD. That will be a real game changer!


I remember the old days of seeking out a dial-up connection, and later an Ethernet connect on those occasions where I needed to transmit media images. I was in Sacramento with Mark Ridley-Thomas when he was first sworn into the California State Assembly. Media outlets on deadline were holding space for photos and I could not find a phone line to access my AOL account. I was finally able to connect through a fax line in one of the State offices. Tech has come a long way baby. Now all you really need is a smartphone and the Sandisk adapter. If you get the Eye-Fi SD card, you can upload photos directly from the camera!


I'm going to give the Sprint card another chance next week when I'm in Chicago to cover the NAWBO National Convention. I'm sure that the Sheraton Chicago will have great Wi-Fi available; but it's nice to know that I have options. I plan to upload images throughout the convention on behalf of the National Association of Women Business Owners, with the hope of growing awareness.

Mad Love for Kenny G

Thank you Kenny G! You taught me a valuable lesson last night. It’s not a new lesson… But it’s a lesson that could save jazz. Know your fan and love your fan.

I’ve been at the Playboy Jazz Festival for many years, but I was not ready for your entrance last night. For those who have never been to Playboy, the stage spins like a turntable between acts. I was looking for you onstage after the amazing performance of King Sunny Ade… the stage turned and there was no Kenny G. Instead I HEARD you… Then I SAW the spotlights… Damn! Kenny G was taking the stage from the top of the Bowl. Fortunately for me, I was near the top of the Hollywood Bowl at that moment… in the cheap seats. You not only entered from the cheap seats. You performed an entire song from the top of the bowl. For once, the people in the box section had to check out the jumbotrons, to see what was going on. Once you hit the stage, you gave a very spirited and engaging performance… and the whole house was listening. You grabbed our attention and never let go.

I also owe you an apology. I guess the best way to put it is I’ve been sort of a Jazz snob. One look at my iPod and it’s evident that I listen to all types of music; Coltrane in rotation with Jay-Z, Motown, Marley, Prince, Miles and Kenny G. But I have been hard on you. Not overly hard, but you already know what I’m trying to say. The fact is, I can appreciate Herbie Hancock in all derivatives [Maiden Voyage, Rocket, Possibilities] and not question his jazz chops. But I unfairly hold you to a Coltrane/Shorter/Redman standard, while I give Boney James and so many others a pass.

Maybe, I’m hatin’… maybe jazz has hated on you because of your success. They do it in hip hop all the time! Just ask 50 and Kanye. Hatin’ hasn’t slowed the growth of hip hop though. Hate is killing jazz. I'm still trying to understand why the Jazz Bakery closed. I do know that you checked the haters at the door last night and put on a stunning show.

My first exposure to jazz was John Klemmer in college. He’s not exactly a Bebop Kat. But his music opened my ears to Coleman Hawkins, Dexter Gordon, The Brecker Brothers, Miles and Coltrane. That jazz course with Stanley Crouch was an added bonus. My journey to jazz just wasn't on the A Train... but I now appreciate everything jazz.

I guess the lesson for me and jazz is a simple one. EXPOSURE. The future of jazz was sitting in that space. It was a special night where both Wayne Shorter and Kenny G were on the same stage at Playboy. Everybody at the bowl didn’t come to hear you or Wayne Shorter. But they did, and both sets; though very different, were amazing! That is the magic of Playboy Jazz. Two days of exposure to great music. I do know that my iTunes bill is always big right after exposure to new artists at the Playboy Jazz fest. Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings... already in my shopping cart. Another trip to Amoeba Records is coming soon. Alfredo Rodriguez, Esperanza Spalding and Anat Cohen are the future of jazz.

Has it really been twenty years since you last played at Playboy Jazz? It has been too long Kenny. I’ll never forget how you walked into that space and owned it. I truly loved how you paid homage to everyone in the bowl. Much respect! Very few artists can turn the cavernous Hollywood Bowl into their personal living room. You clearly know your fan.

Ready to Roll - 2009 Playboy Jazz

Well the camera bag is packed, I have my stuff from Playboy... Now I'm just waiting on Saturday and the weather. It really looks kinda crappy outside today! I'm sure that things will clear before Saturday.

Saturday's lineup:

The Neville Brothers

A tribute to Kind of Blue @ 50 - Jimmy Cobb's So What Band

Norman Brown's Summer Storm

Jon Faddis Quartet

The Jack Sheldon Orchestra

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

Pete Escovedo Orchestra featuring the whole Escovedo family [including fine Sheila E].

Esperanza Spalding

Cos of Good Music

New Birth Brass Band

Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Jazz Ensemble

2009 Playboy Jazz Festival – Inside the Camera Bag

I will be covering the 2009 Playboy Jazz Festival this weekend at the Hollywood Bowl as part of the Playboy photo crew. Peter Iovino is my partner in crime. I have covered this two day event for nearly a decade. Over the years, I have brought so many different items in my bag. I even brought remote cameras last year. The more stuff that you bring, the more stuff that you have to carry! I thought that it would be a good opportunity to discuss what will be in the camera bag this year at Playboy.

Cameras

2-Nikon D300 bodies: The DX format is ideal in situations where you need the benefit of a telephoto lens. A 400mm lens on the D300 is comparable to a 600mm on a 35mm camera. During the film days, I would bring long heavy glass to get the same results that I can now get with shorter, lighter lenses.

Glass

300 f/4: Back in the days of film, a fast super telephoto lens was a must. Over the years, I have brought the 400 f/2.8 and the 300 f/2.8 lens to Playboy. This year, my long lens is a 300 f/4. It's a great lens and it only weighs 3 lbs. The 300 f/2.8 and the 400 f/2.8 weigh in @ 6 and 10 lbs. The Hollywood Bowl is a large venue, so weight becomes an issue after the first mile. Plus, I have all access. So, I can get closer to the action, when necessary. I remember the time that I photographed Oscar Peterson @ the Bowl and all media had to shoot from an assigned spot way behind the sound board. I was shooting film then, and a 600 f/2.8 would have been nice.

80-200 f/2.8: This lens usually ends up producing most of the great images on stage. it's really almost like having a 300mm lens during the film days.

Nikon TC-14EII 1.4x: I can use this Teleconverter on both the 300 and 80-200 lenses to get a little closer to the action on stage. The loss of one f-stop isn't really a problem in the digital age; especially with the D300. Image quality at 800 ISO is outstanding.

17-55 f/2.8: This lens is my choice for crowd shots & artist shots back stage.

12-24 f/4: This lens by Tokina is made especially for DX cameras and gives me extreme wide angle coverage.

Other Gear

Sekonic L-558 Meter: I rely on this light meter to get accurate light readings. The spot meter is invaluable once the sun sets, because In-camera meters are sometimes fooled by stage lights.

2- SB 800 Nikon Speedlights: As a rule, the stuff on stage is ambient light only; no flash. The strobes are for shots of the crowd and for artist close-ups back stage.

2- Pocket Wizard Transceivers: I always bring along these remotes because I never know when I want to double light a shot. I use them in conjunction with the Nikon speedlights, but I could also use them to fire a remote camera.

Trek-Tech T Pod: This little tripod is great! There are situations where the monopod is difficult to use. This baby tripod is a great alternative.

Manfrotto 680B monopod: This is attached to the 300 f/4 90% of the time. A steady hand would be nice!

Sony Laptop, Sprint Phone card, 2-300GB External USB hard drives: Speed is critical today! A huge responsibility of the photo crew is servicing media with images; not the next day, but that day.

Here's a quick look at my workflow: Artist A takes the stage, I take a few shots and then head backstage to the computer. I use Nikon transfer to get the images off the memory cards. I then use a program called Breeze Browser Pro to quickly view, caption and tag images. The whole process is repeated for each artist.

The two matching 300GB drives are for safety. Everything that I shoot is backed up on two drives. Several years ago, after an incredible Saturday at Playboy... Wynton Marsalis & Arturo Sandoval on stage, I lost most of what I shot and did not have a backup. Lesson learned!

Once we have our selects for media distribution, I use the Sprint phone card with EVDO speed to upload images directly to outlets on deadline and to a secure online media gallery as well. Playboy publicist, Nina Gordon can then very easily access and send photos.

The most important thing in my camera bag… the knee pads! Most of the shots from Playboy are taken while kneeling on hard concrete.

Looking back at these images from 2005, most of my best shots were taken with the 80-200 f/2.8 lens. The shots of Joe Lovano & Joshua Redman were taken with a 400 f/2.8, but it was a lot of lens to carry around all day.

Super telephoto lenses aren't cheap either... The 300 f/2.8 @ $5,099.95 & the 400 f/2.8 @$8,999.95... make these lenses necessary purchase items for sports shooters only. I usually rent these items from Samy's, but the replacement cost is on my mind every time that I sit these babies down. I personally cringe during football season every time that I see a player run into a photographer on the side lines.

A message to young photographers: The one thing that I have learned over the years is that you can bring a lot of stuff or you can bring the right stuff. Size up the assignment, and then leave the dream lens or lights at home... Keep it simple. It took me a while to figure it out. My back thanks me daily!

These shot of Poncho Sanchez, taken a few weeks before the 2005 PBJF, show the Nikon 300 f/4 at work.



I'm hoping to do a few live blog updates on Saturday & Sunday from backstage @ The Hollywood Bowl and give a little more insight. I will also be on Twitter & Facebook. I get most of my breaking news info today on Twitter. So, I'm hoping to share the energy of Playboy with jazz fans everywhere via Twitter.


Playboy Jazz is an incredible event! Thanks Hef for your vision back in Chicago... circa 1959, when you gave birth to the Playboy Jazz Festival. Your baby is still packing them in.

UPDATE: Just rented a Sigma 170-500mm lens for Playboy Jazz. The Nikon 80-200 is about the same size & weigh, but the zoom ratio of this lens is crazy! it will be a real asset during day time shooting. The f/5-6.3 variable f-stop may be a problem though at night. Most of the night shots come from the stage pit anyway.