The newest Nikon consumer level DSLR camera was announced today, the D60 is what I believe to be the replacement of the 10 month old Nikon D40x.

The Nikon D60 is designed to simplify camera operation and allow the photographer to concentrate on taking pictures. The camera’s simple, user-friendly design includes a reduced number of buttons and a combined monitor and information display.

Honestly, I didn”t see much of an improvement of this model compared to the D40x, not even the new kit lens impresses me. I don”t think that you need a VR (Vibration Reduction) for such a short lens (18-55mm).

I can say that these are the new features that impresses me:

1. The camera was built on Nikon EXPEED® processor;
2. The two-pronged method for combating dust accumulation on the sensor;
3. The active d-lighting that helps maximize dynamic range

Like the D40/x, this new camera doesn”t have the built-in auto-focus motor, only with AF-S lenses that you will enjoy the auto-focus feature. The D60 retails at about €749.00 (aroung PhP 44,900) about PhP 10,000.00 higher than the D40x.

This was my first wedding assignment for this month, I have 5 assignments for the month, so far, the year looks good to me.

This will be my last photo assignment for the year 2007, next will be on January 3, 2008.

With this set, I tried different black & white post-processing techniques.

The couple wants a beach front set-up for their pre-nuptial shoot, we picked Nasugbu since this place is well know for having good beaches.

The almost 3 hours drive was well worth it, the view was breath-taking!

We took our trip further, the boatmen suggested that we try shooting at the Twin Island, just about 30 minutes boat ride from the shores of Punta Fuego, the site was perfect for the shoot!

The day was long but it was fun. For me, it was more than just another day in the office, it’s like having a holiday while working. Edward & Rose will tie the knot on January 3, 2008, I might cover their wedding.

Upgrades aren’t enough. A new feature here, a firmware tweak there doesn’t cut it in today’s DSLR battleground. Every finalist for the 2007 Camera of the Year Award can attest to that. But none of the eight contenders for this Oscar of the Photo Industry has proven the point as forcefully as the Nikon D300. The camera that best refines or redefines photography? The D300 triumphs on both counts, and raises the benchmark for every camera maker.

Nikon has beaten 7 other cameras on this race, namely Canon 40D, Fujifilm Finepix, Olympus E-3, Panasonic Lumix L10, Pentax K100, Sigma SD14 & Sony Alpha 700.

The decision was based on the following advantages this camera has to offer:

1. It’s high ISO performance, D300 scored high at it’s image quality at ISO3200 up to ISO6400.
2. The camera’s 51 AF points, which is best for low-light & fast action photography.
3. It’s shooting speed at 6fps, which produces the highest quality whether in JPG or RAW/NEF format.
4. And who can deny the beauty of it’s 3″ LCD.

It made my mouth water more & more, arrghhh! When will I own this beauty?!

Budee Mendoza of IdN Club Philippines taught me (and 15 others) the basics of Photoshop in a workshop conducted by FPPF, wrote the article entitled “Lunar Module”, he discussed the steps in creating a moonshot from scratch in Photoshop, interesting that I might try doing it someday.

The other one is Jay Alonzo, a well-know fashion & portrait photographer, Jay was the resource person when I attended the Primer on Lighting Workshop conducted by the Ayala Foundation, Inc. held at the Filipinas Heritage Library. Jay tackled the subject, “Lighting Still Life”, a good read for someone who wants to venture into food or product photography.

This is one good issue, grab your copy now.

Yesterday, I attended my newest goddaughter’s baptism, it was held at the Saint Andrew’s Church in Parañaque City. It’s been a while since I attended such event, if I would remember right, it was 6 years ago when I was able to attend such an event.

On my own assessment, the conduct of the sacrament is quite orderly, unlike the past celebrations that I attended where the situation is close to being chaotic.

Anyways, a new angel has been welcomed to the Christian world, I hope that I would be able to fulfill my duty as a godfather.

Have a nice week ahead.