Columbia’s GPS Pal App for iPhone
I downloaded Columbia’s new GPS Pal App last week after receiving an email from Columbia that it was now available. I was excited to learn about this new app as I have been looking to record my outdoor adventures so I wasted no time downloading it. My first impression of the app is that it is very easy to set up on my iPhone and also on Columbia’s GPS Pal website. The phone portion of the app has the Tracking Screen that has three buttons at the bottom with the options to Take a PHOTO, Record a VIDEO, and Make a NOTE. Taking a photo or a video uses your phone’s built in camera. After taking a photo or a video it gives you the option to either retake or to use the photo/video after you preview and approve it for use. You can also choose to make a note of the area that you are in. Along with the photo, video, and note options on the track page, you also have the large color-coded ‘Begin’ (Blue) and ‘End’ (Red) buttons that will start, pause, and end your activity. It also has a GPS signal meter, your speed, distance, elevation, and your current and average pace. You can also select the globe button in the upper right of the tracking screen to show your current location and your current track.
After you have completed your activity, you can select the journal page from the very bottom of the app that will let you view your entries. On the journal page your list of entries has your photos, videos, notes and a map of your journey. You can choose your Title, Description, Rating, and your Activity from a list of activities. You can also share your entry on Twitter, Facebook or you can email it to one of your friends. Another feature that is available to you is the ability to select your photos from the map way points or you can delete the photos that you have previously added.
On the settings page on the phone portion of the app you can edit your GPS Pal Account. This allows you to put in your first and last name, your email or you can use a News & Update feature that can be turned on and off. You also have the option to adjust your Social Sharing accounts (Facebook and Twitter). On the last tab of the app is a Help button that has a Contact for Columbia and a list of Frequently Asked Questions. Finally, you can choose your sync settings that allow you to sync latest data, sync all data and turn on autosync.
I took my son to Blue Springs State Park in Orange City, Florida this past Friday and was able to try the app out while we were there. Although it was a short distance and we only did a short hike, I really enjoyed using this app. One thing I would like to note is that the app runs in the background so you can put the phone away while you are on your trek and not have to worry about holding on to your phone.
Columbia GPS Pal Website
Columbia’s GPS Pal website includes the ‘My Journal’ and ‘My Dashboard’ options for you to choose from. The journal section lists all of your trips that you have synced from your phone. You can view each of your trips by selecting a thumbnail map image which makes it easy for you to view the event. You can filter your trips by the activities that you take part in including Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, plus multiple other categories. You can also filter your entries with a star rating or by the date of your entry.
The ‘My Dashboard’ section of the GPS Pal website lets you easily filter your entries by choosing images, videos, notes, and entries with tracking data. You can also type in the kind of activity, such as hiking, that you wish to filter. In the dashboard screen you are also shown you the stats of your activities. Please look at the photo of the ‘My Dashboard’ screen for more info.
For me the Columbia GPS Pal is a great free app that will add quite a bit of fun to your outdoor adventures. It will also be a great way to look back and enjoy all of the great trips that my family and I take. The GPS Pal is available for Apple and for Android devices. It is available in the Apple App Store or you can find it on Google Play.
Scott
Columbia Men’s Shasta Ridge Omni-Tech Shoes
I recently got a pair of Columbia Shasta Ridge shoes for a hiking trip to the mountains in Northern Georgia. I knew that I would be doing quite a bit of waterfall photography, so I was looking for shoes that were not only comfortable but were also waterproof. Grip was another thing that was important for climbing all over wet rocks to get that perfect shot, and the shoes performed perfectly in all areas.
The Shasta Ridge shoes are waterproof and breathable with Omni-Tech technology to keep your feet dry in the cold mountain streams like the ones I was walking in. I really mean walking in them, too. These shoes are full-on waterproof, not water resistant. They are very lightweight shoes that allowed me to hike all day with no discomfort. They fit very true to size and have been very comfortable since I took them out of the box. Not only do they perform well on the trail, I also find that they are very comfortable to wear as your everyday shoe.
As comfortable as the Columbia Shasta Ridge shoes are it is sometimes nice to just take a seat and enjoy the scenery around you. But it is nice to know that these shoes can get you there and back with dry and comfortable feet.
Scott
Lowepro Scope Photo Travel™ 350 AW
I have been using the Lowepro Scope Photo Travel 350 for some time now in the field, and I thought that it would be a good time to share my thoughts on the bag. The most recent trip that I was able to use it on was hiking in the mountains of northern Georgia. The main hike that I used the Scope Photo Travel was to Minnehaha Falls that is located in Rabun County, Georgia. It is an awe-inspiring waterfall and is one that I always make it a point to visit while in Georgia. My wife and I were actually trading off wearing the Scope Photo Travel and the Lowepro DSLR Video Fastpack 250 AW which I absolutely love and will be doing an in depth review of in the very near future.
The Scope Photo Travel 350 has an all weather cover that tucks in nicely at the bottom of the bag. It also has nicely padded shoulder and waist straps and 2 carry handles. At first I had some reservations about how the compartments were laid out in the bag. As you can see from the photo above, the main lens compartment will not hold anything large like a Cannon 300 2.8L but I believe you could fit a Cannon 100-400 or a 300mm f/4. I had originally hoped that my 300 2.8 would fit, but what I do like is that the compartments offer a lot of protection for your gear if you are traveling light. All of the compartments have covers on them that fold out of the way or can cover all of your equipment as seen above. I like that this can keep your equipment dry if you are shooting photos near a misty waterfall or safe from sand if you are on a beach somewhere.
The bag itself is extremely comfortable, and it has a laptop compartment built into it that will hold up to a 15-inch laptop. It is so comfortable that I sometimes use it as an every day carry bag back and forth to work. It might be a little big for some people’s taste but as I said it is very comfortable and was quite easy to wear on the trail. It also has plenty of organization and I do like how the zippers are placed to help prevent any water getting into the compartments.
I would have to say that after using the bag for some time now I have grown to like carrying it for trips on the trail or while traveling light while birding. It can hold quite of bit of gear and has plenty of flexibility for you to suit your gear configurations. If you would like to see more photos of the Scope Photo in action, I created a gallery from another trip that I took to the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge here.
Lowepro Pro Messenger 200 AW Quick Review
I just got my hands on the new Lowepro Pro Messenger 200 and I thought I would share my initial thoughts on the bag. Now, please bear in mind that I have not had a chance to do a shoot with it yet, but I did want to share my first impressions. First and foremost, I love that the new material and strap make the bag look very modern while at the same time it feels like it is built as strong as a tank.
One of the first things I noticed with the Pro Messenger 200 is the amount of space that it has. The bag has a large main compartment that can be configured in many variations to fit your personal preference with your gear. It will accommodate a 70-200 2.8 standing straight up in the main compartment but not attached to a camera unless reconfigured to hold the camera body horizontally. For more detailed information on this configuration, please be sure to view this great video on the Pro Messenger 200 by Derrick Story from Lowepro. You can also view Derrick’s overview video on the Pro Messenger 200 AW Here. Also, on both sides of the main compartment are built-in accessory pouches that could hold a flash or even a small lens. The pouches have a Velcro strap built in so that you can secure your gear so you will not have to worry about things getting jostled.
The front compartment has plenty of room for an iPad or Netbook computer along with your filters, extra batteries, cables, portable hard drives, etc. You could also configure it to fit 2 Pro Body cameras instead of the iPad or Netbook along with an assortment of your gear. With this front compartment there are a number of ways that you can store gear depending on your personal taste. Built into the front compartment is the ‘All Weather’ cover that will protect the bag in the event of rain, snow or even dusty conditions.
In the back compartment of the Pro Messenger 200 you could also store an iPad or a Netbook. I would think, though, that it could be a little uncomfortable resting against your body. You could always fill it with other equipment for your kit or even small personal items that you may need. One thing that I really like is that Lowepro has made good use of this space with zippers at both the top and the bottom of the compartment doubling as a trolly sleeve.
The strap on the Pro Messenger 200 AW is very comfortable and well constructed, and I would like to note that the padding can be moved along the strap to fit where it will be the most comfortable for you. It has a camera strap keeper built into so that you snap your strap into it to keep it from slipping off of your shoulder, too.
There are 2 pouches that are built into the outside of the Pro Messanger 200 AW along with SlipLock Attachment Loops on each side above the pockets. The pockets can each hold bottles of water or a spare lens. I was able to fit my Canon 24-70 2.8L lens in both sides – it fits a little snug but it does fit. I was able to also fit my Hydro 40 oz. stainless steel water bottle in the pouches just to give you an idea of how much they can handle.
The last thing I wanted to talk about was the Lowepro FlexFlap design. You can use the full length of the flap to cover the enitre front of the bag that is attached with Velcro. You can also fold the flap in half and connect it with a built-in magnet that makes the opening of the bag silent. This would be good for weddings or other events where being as silent as possible is the key. And last but not least, you can open the flap completely and tuck it to the backside of the bag for quick, open access to gear. I especially like the ability to use the bag like this which is very similar to the way I use the Lowepro Classified 200 AW.
I am looking forward to using the new Lowepro Messenger 200 AW and hopefully soon I will be posting a full review once I get to use the bag in the field in the coming months.
Scott
Matt Moore wins his first playoff start
LHP Matt Moore of the Charlotte Stone Crabs at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland Florida, May 11, 2009 (Scott Jontes)
Rookie lefty Matt Moore of the Tampa Bay Rays won his first playoff start on Friday against the Texas Rangers. Moore went seven innings and only gave up two hits and allowed no runs. The Rays won the game 9-0 to take a 1-0 lead in the American League Division Series with the Rangers. When Moore was with the Charlotte Stone Crabs, the High-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, I had the chance to photograph him in Lakeland, Florida at Joker Marchant Stadium on May 11, 2009.
LHP Matt Moore of the Charlotte Stone Crabs at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland Florida, May 11, 2009 (Scott Jontes)
This was the only chance I had to photograph him in the Florida State League and I actually drove to Lakeland to get photos of him for the Florida State League top prospect card set. I submitted the other photos of him that I took that night to Four Seam Images, and Topps used three of the photos I took for their 2010 Pro Debut Card set. Not a bad outing for me that night but Matt definitely stole the show on Friday!
LHP Matt Moore of the Charlotte Stone Crabs at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland Florida, May 11, 2009 (Scott Jontes)
LHP Matt Moore of the Charlotte Stone Crabs at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland Florida, May 11, 2009 (Scott Jontes)
Gear Used
Canon Mark 3
Canon 300 28L
Lowepro Classified 200
Scott
Reflections
When I am photographing wildlife, one of my favorite types of photos is the reflection shot. I actually watch the weather quite a bit before I head out for shoot and hope for little to no wind. I will even at times change my plans and go to a different spot where the surrounding areas may block the wind more than an open area. It is key for me to know the different locations in and around where I like to shoot.
I also like to look at online maps that are available or any other resources such as park websites and other photographers to gain a little more knowledge of the area that you can use to your advantage.
Tri-Colored Heron ©Scott Jontes
Roseate Spoonbill ©Scott Jontes
One of the things that I really try to look at a lot when shooting the reflection shot is the composition. I always try to remind myself to take into account the reflection and not cut anything off. I know it seems like such a simple thing to look for in your shots, but I have made that mistake more than once by just being a little over anxious with the camera.
Tri-Colored Heron ©Scott Jontes
The last photo in the set of the Bobcat is one of my favorite shots that I have taken recently.
Gear Used
Canon Mark 3
Canon 300 28L
Lowepro Compu Trekker AW
Scott
My Photos in the iPad issue of Sports Illustrated
My friend Tom Priddy sent me a few screen shots of my photos that are in this week’s iPad issue of Sports Illustrated. The photos are of Delino DeShields, Jr. in the Houston Astros farm system. I took the photos at a Gulf Coast League (Rookie Ball) game last year at the Astros Spring Training Facility in Kissimmee, FL.
Gear Used
Canon Mark 3
Canon 300mm 2.8L
Lowepro Classified 200
Scott
The Frozen Ball Trick
When you’re shooting baseball, don’t forget to try capturing some shots that are a little out of the box. When I’m covering a game, I mainly shoot stock photos for baseball card companies, but around the mid point in the season I mix it up to keep things fun. One of the shots I like to try is the frozen ball shot just to get a little different perspective on the game. This shot is easier to capture than a lot of people think and can also be taken from the stands if you can get seats behind the plate. You can try a few variations to the shot by including the batter, umpire, and catcher in the shot or just focus on the pitcher like I did.
What I like to do is take a few shots of the pitcher to get an idea of his release point and his throwing motion. I also try to watch for the ball’s flight through the frame to get the angle that I want. Then to get the actual shot, I pick a point between the mound and home plate and focus on that spot. Now switch to manual focus and time the pitches as they come into the frame for the shot. Remember to try and time the shot instead of relying on the frame rate of your camera to get the shot. My settings for this shot were f/2.8 @ 1/3200, shot with a canon 300 2.8L at ISO 320. I would try to stay at 1/3200 and above to ensure that the ball is sharp, but I think you could actually freeze the ball with a slightly slower shutter speed. In the photo below I enlarged the ball a little so you can see the detail of it more clearly.
If anyone has any questions on how I shot this please leave me a comment below and I will try to answer any questions that you may have.
Gear Used
Canon Mark 3
Canon 300 2.8L
Lowepro S&F Series
Scott
Surf Break
I decided to take a break from editing photos this afternoon and go take more photos to edit. I decided to drive to Ponce Inlet to take some surf shots and to spend a little time at the beach. I knew that the surf would be decent, so that motivated me a little more to take the time to go. I also knew that my friend Brad would be at the inlet and I wanted to grab a few shots of him as well.
It turned to be a good break for the afternoon and the surf was decent enough to get some nice shots. I have uploaded the rest of the photos from the afternoon on my facebook page.
Gear Used
Canon Mark 3
Canon 300 2.8L
Canon 1.4 Teleconverter
Lowepro Compu Trekker AW
Scott
That Had to Hurt
That had to hurt!! That was my first thought when I looked at this photo on the back of my camera. I captured this shot a few night ago while I was shooting the Daytona Cubs and Charlotte Stone Crabs game. I just wanted to share one of those happy accidents that happens from time to time while shooting.
Gear Used
Canon Mark 3
Canon 300 2.8 L
Lowepro S&F Series
Scott
Recent Comments