The Computer Device That Saved My Hand - Penclic Mouse

My real estate photography business not only requires that I be on the computer a lot, but that I have precision in the processing of my photos. While a laptop is convenient for on the fly access to my images, it comes with the one feature I can’t stand—the touchpad. I was genetically given piano playing hands with sinewy fingers, which means crunching them up to use the touchpad is simply uncomfortable. 

However, that all changed a few months ago when I started using the Penclic Ambidextrous Mouse. It holds in your hand like a pen, which is way more comfortable than either the touchpad or the traditional mouse. As a ghostwriter, when I’m not out with my camera, the Penclic reminds me of my old fashioned quill pen sans the ink, but boasting today’s technology demands, including these three cool features:

• ·         use either your left or right hand
• ·         have the option of three different buttons and a scroll wheel
• ·         it’s both PC and Mac compatible.

 

So, after a long day of photographing homes, and when it’s time to process the 30 plus images for my realtors, I welcome the comfort of using the Penclic. I will say that the only adjustment I had to make was to lessen the sensitivity of the mouse speed in the Control Panel. Once I did that, it was spot on and easy to use. No matter what you do on the computer, this device will increase performance because you can work longer without your hands cramping up.

One last note: I have the USB version in black because my laptop doesn’t support Bluetooth, but either are available, and I would have preferred the Bluetooth version, which I will get when I upgrade my laptop!

Capturing the Harvest Moon in Aspen, CO

This image of the Harvest Moon was captured in Hunters Creek, Aspen, CO in September, 2012. Watching the moon rise over the Aspen mountain range is an incredible sight to see. Little did I know back then that it would be chosen as one of my eight images that would be represented by Agora Gallery in New York City just eight months later.

My artist statement with Agora Gallery

"In today's world of social media and technology, I think it's important for people to take time out and appreciate the land and seas that the new, green world is trying to save. It's one thing to recycle and do your daily bit for the environment- it's another to get out and actually enjoy the elements we're working so hard to preserve. It's my hope that my images inspire people to do this.
As a photographer, my interest in land and seascape has always been much stronger than any other source of inspiration. I’m constantly in search of new scenes to spread ‘pixel dust’ on. No matter the season or the setting, Mother Nature continues to inspire me to seek the next photo opportunity. Having driven cross-country eight times, I'm fascinated by wide open spaces and how light, or the lack of light, impacts the scene before me. Everywhere I go, I analyze light." - Heather Hummel, Photographer

Press Release

Heather Hummel’s astoundingly vivid landscape photography luxuriates in both great distances and intimate touches. In bringing a wide perspective to a variety of environments, Hummel manages to make even the most familiar scenes seem more encompassing, more complete, as if the entire story were finally being told. Her image of an old wooden schoolhouse includes the long, meandering countryside behind it, where the distant farm, rolling scrubland, and dramatic sky suggest social and economic contexts for the viewer. Her photo of a dirt path stretches out for miles to reach, finally, snow-capped mountains and seemingly the ends of the earth. All parts are rendered in slightly unreal sharpness and brilliant colors, as if Hummel has trained a laser focus on every single piece of the photo at once. The overall effect is both familiar and unexpected — a story with a twist.
Hummel was born in Connecticut and today works in Charlottesville, Virginia. While photography is her passion, she is also an award-winning writer and describes her occupation as a “photonovelist.”

Want to learn how to master low light photography and to capture your own low-light photos? My book MASTER LOW LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY is available on Amazon.

Featured Photographer: Darby Nicole Gidlow

Snowmass, Colorado inspires me every minute of every hour, constantly awing me with momentary glimpses of nature’s gifts.  Today it could be a chipmunk, perhaps an elk or even a bear.  And before they vanish into the forest, I try to capture those fleeting, beautiful seconds…their might, their vulnerability. Today I was blessed with curiousness, a white-tailed buck staring straight at me.  As an artist, I strive to provide different perspectives, but on this particular day, the frame was set for me: only visible were his eyes and antlers, and that was enough to take my breath away.

Darby Nicole is a lifestyle photographer who has been capturing life's sweet and simple moments since 1996.  

 

After becoming one of Los Angeles' most prominent family photographers, she has since created successful ventures in Aspen, Colorado and Santa Fe, New Mexico, two other settings which offer the naturally stunning backdrops and dramatic lighting that inspire her.

Darby's candid approach is beautifully unstructured, yet effective, allowing her clients to feel at ease and relaxed.

It's an effortless union that produces heartfelt portraits that stand alone, each with their own story to tell and share.

FRESH.

AUTHENTIC.

EXQUISITE.Each sitting is custom to your needs, and along with classic portraits, Darby Nicole offers holiday cards, custom photo-books, and invitations.

Her business has also evolved to include custom framing, accessory interior design, and beginner instruction for kids, and she has recently launched Darby Nicole Fine Art Photography.

Visit Darby Nicole's website at: www.DarbyNicole.com

Featured Photographer: Jarrett Arnett

I was at the zoo with my daughter, who is enamored with Flamingos.  I brought her back a pink Flamingo purse from the San Diego zoo when I was out there, and she has been in love with them ever since. Every time we go to the zoo she spends a lot of the time in their area checking them out.  On this particular day I had a great opportunity to take a few pictures, and this guy you see here was just staring at me, so I snapped off a couple of shots.
 
Geek-Tech info:
Canon T2i at f/5.6; 1/200sec. exposure; ISO 160, Focal length 155mm.

Jarrett Arnett has been a photographer since his high school days, but took a long sebatical until about 9 months ago when he picked up his first DSLR. He hasn't put it down since. As a former Army brat, born in Hawaii, he's moved all over, but ended up in Colorado where he's been for over 20 years. Jarrett like to spend time with friends and family doing anything and everything. He's in the middle of changing careers to a Network engineer, and the apple of his eye is his almost 3 year old daughter.  

Introduction to My Photographer Friends

This blog is dedicated to photographers who have an image and a story to share.
Each post will feature a photographer and one of their favorite images along with a story as to what inspired them to capture the image and the technical data to keep the photo-geeks among us happy.
So, if you are a photographer or know a photographer with an image and a story to share, e-mail me at hhauthor@yahoo.com to be considered for a post.
Note: All photographers retain rights, of course, and will have their bio noted along with their website and social media sites linked, as exampled below.



Heather Hummel Photography is a PhotoNovelist who takes pictures and writes novels. Her photography can be viewed onHeather Hummel Photography. Join her Facebook Fan Page. Follow her on Twitter. Connect with her on Flickr.