The optimism of adaptation

you're already doing something — whether it's a job, a hobby, or an occasional recreational pastime — that exploits your strengths, allows for your weaknesses, gives you pleasure, and uses your uniqueness.

via blogs.hbr.org

This is a short quote from an optimistic article at HBR about how if you try to use your values effectively you can probably, over time, create a rather lucrative niche for your self. I agree in general, despite numerous obvious exceptions.

In any case, I agree with the greater point of finding a true value in what is had, as opposed to trying to create a new kind of value. I think, by extension, this also applies in many other forms of value and even in design. In some strange way, the best design could be to use what you have in a reasonable fashion to perform the activities you need to.

What do you think?

Posted via web from Mark Whiting's posterous

Which DSLR Should I Buy?

I am thinking of getting a DSLR. Which one should I buy?

I am looking for something quite cheep because I agree with Ken Rockwell that in most cases more features and pixels in DSLRs do not tend to improve people pictures. He does offer some good suggestions but I need to also consider several other factors:

1. I currently own 2 Nikon lenses. A 50mm 1.8 Prime and a relatively old zoom lens. Both require a motor in the body of the camera for autofocus. (which limits me to a D80 or higher, the D5000 will not work) It may well be better for me to replace these lenses but for now my budget is limited.
2. I don't mind Nikon and Canon but I also appreciate many factors of other companies like Pentax etc. (I also have access to several older Pentax lenses, though they are currently waiting for me in another country)
3. I am interested in used cameras as much as new, such as a used D90 etc.

Any suggestions or useful comments would be really appreciated. 

The image is a Leica S2, the DSLR I want but can not afford. 

Posted via email from Mark Whiting's posterous

Rings

Today I spent a little time modelling and rendering a ring. It is loosely based on one from Tiffany's and currently rendered in polished silver. Not much more to say about that. 

I am also playing with DOF in Modo. All except one of the two closeups has DOF. I cant get it to look really great. Any suggestions?

See the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Mark Whiting's posterous