Sunscreen Report is Out
I saw a news report on Sunscreen lotions and their effectiveness. What’s more important was that they had a list of dangerous sun block lotions. They say some lotions may be Cancer causing.
It was exactly a year ago that I bought a half dozen bottles of Hawaiian Tropic sunblock lotions. I thought they worked pretty good. I wore it religiously before I leave home for weddings. I keep on bottle in my backup gear bag. Sometime I don’t put on Sun-block lotion when I leave home, because the weather is gloomy. And then, when I arrive at the wedding site, there may be a full blast of strong Sun light. So, Sunscreen lotion is an absolute necessity for outdoor photographers.

Anyway, I am now finding out that all my Sunscreen lotions are listed in “dangerous” category. Yikes.. this is not good. So, I’m going to have to trash everything I have and buy a whole new batch. This time I’m going to have to buy expensive stuff, not just the ones that are on sale.
I have a wedding coming up in 7 days. I need to act fast and get something that will not kill me. I need to avoid Hawaiian Tropic and stick to “California Baby” or something that doesn’t contain poison. I cannot believe Hawaiian Tropic would sell such bad products. The concern is with Oxybenzone. They say Oxybenzone “MAY” mess up your life.
Hacking my $400.00 flash
** Geek Blog Warning **
In addition to my AS degree in Photography, I have a BS degree in computer. As much as I enjoy photography I also enjoy computer and electronics. When I was 12 years old I made myself a transistor radio (by soldering tiny electronic parts on the circuit board).
Photography is both art and science (and business). This blog shows my left brain at work.
I needed to make some improvement to my existing flash light. I thought it would be nice to install a remote trigger jack on my Canon 580EX. I have a wireless flash system for normal wedding situations already. With this modification, I will have more flexible lighting configuration without carrying extra flash unit. It’s all good and fun. I could not resist the urge to crack open and see what I can do.
This flash light is a $380.00 unit I purchased less than a year ago. But no sweat. The whole project was simple and fun. I wished it was more challenging.
PS. The project took place because of two recent events: 1.) I didn’t have Internet for a few weeks. So I had some free time to enjoy other things. 2.) I had a wedding photography job at Santa Barbara a few days ago. The ceremony location was very dark. I felt the need for adding one more remote flash in my line-up.


Before drilling a hole


Case Closed

Finished Product: Now I am able to use it as a wireless system when needed
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Booked Santa Barbara Wedding
Yesterday, I had a wedding at Cabrillo Arts Center in Santa Barbara.
Today, I had a meeting with a potential client at San Fernando Valley.
It turned out that they are getting married at Cabrillo Arts Center.
We had a very good chemistry, the meeting went smooth.
The groom was a computer guy just like me.
They wanted a digital only wedding package, but officially, I don’t have a digital only wedding package.
So I drew up a package for them and booked the wedding.
I ordered another digital camera.
Now I need to put these cameras at work.
Digital only packages will be available very soon.
I will continue to shoot film as well. It works for me.
My customers will now have more choices.

