Joe Urbz Media & Photography

MBP Retina

After a week of using this MacBook Pro Retina (16g RAM, 512g SSD), the best metaphor I can use is from Pixar’s movie, “Cars” when Lightning McQueen keeps repeating the word “speed, I am speed.” Yes, as much as this phenomenal system has the incredible Retina display, the speed of this machine is fabulous. I have worked on multi-core PC’s and Mac’s with RAID’s and lots of RAM, but this system just screams with fluid responsiveness.

I finally had a chance to edit some photos within Aperture 3 with the Retina resolution. What a major difference in full screen editing; RAW files are so fast to deal with now. Same with Final Cut Pro X, which is SO silky smooth with HD streams. All that RAM makes so much of a difference.

Now, some quirks do exist. It took me 3 tries to set this machine up properly from my other one. I did not use the migration tool since my systems are so complex. Also, there are some special updates to be aware of with OS X Mtn Lion and not all apps are ready, such as Photoshop not being Retina ready.

This is a premium system, of course, and I have wondered if it was worth the extra costs with adapters. It still costs too much, but I do not feel like I am lacking in performance with anything out there. Gamers set up desktops to match their needs for performance, and this baby does what I need it to do. It has already saved me serious time in my workflows in one week’s time. Even the simplicity of surfing the web and curating HQSP on G+ (I use Opera, which is retina ready) is so MUCH faster that I stress less in reaching my daily goals. The last time I bought a major computer system for myself was 6 years ago, and that one is still working well for Rose and her job. I look forward to pushing this system even harder for quite a number of years.

Happy Holidays to everyone!

MBPr
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iPhone 5

Well, I got one. And it is everything it’s cracked up to be. Super fast, solid, light, bright, and did I mention FAST?

Also, if you have an iDevice, please install an Iconify APP of my photography. As of now, it’s just for 10 pics (testing it out).

Last piece of news: finally got some sales on Fine Art America of the Redwoods!

IMG_3474
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Back from AZ

Went to Arizona for a week, from Flagstaff to Sedona to Chandler. The weather was wacky and Death Valley HOT. Last Saturday, we went to Sunset Crater National Park, Wukoki Ruins, Walnut Canyon, and Highway 89A/Sedona. I took a lot of photos to keep practicing with my lenses and my 60D. I posted many of these photos on my MobileMe Gallery and some on my SmugMug. I processed some new HDR’s, panoramas, and other goodies. Do check them out. We were treated to some serious monsoon storms with tons of lightning. So I would say our annual storm chasing family project was a success.

Turning to another photo subject: printing. I recently ordered a sample kit from Red River Paper for my Canon printer. I look forward to messing around with their arctic metallic paper. Also order two prints for myself from Aspen Creek Photo on Fuji Crystal Archive Pearl paper. I was blown away by the samples they sent me. The picture on the paper looks like it has back-lighting built-in. Just gorgeous.

Next week I hope to have my new Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens and B+W filter. This is a long-term investment for me.

The return to the classroom starts in 10 days for me, so I am starting to prepare. I am also continuing my FCX training. Still testing out Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) out as well. Apple needs to send more updates, unless they are awaiting to release iOS5 first.

Update from Sat Night:
I spent the evening printing to the Red River Paper. The Arctic Pearl blew me away. Just WOW! Their paper is way above any expectations I had. My HDR’s look like they have 3D in them. The Satin and Ultra Glossy papers were also fantastic. I need to print to some more matte styles to get a better feel on those. But I am excited. The sample kit was 8.5x11, but I want to see this stuff on 13x19!!
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