You Outta Be In Pictures

I've really taken to snapping photos a lot lately. Not only is it a part of my job, but it truly is a wonderful hobby. And to think, my experience with digital cameras did not start that long ago.

My first digital camera was the Samsung Digimax D53. A pretty decent camera for simple point and click portrait pictures. I found that scenic shots came out great with this camera. It's easy to use, and easy to transfer photos onto your computer for editing purposes, whether you have a simple photo manipulation program or are an expert Photoshop user. Light weight and easy to hold, this camera has the basic features needed to capture some very good shots.

With a high resolution image that it produces and a 2.4 inch LCD screen, that was just the beginning of what originally sold it for me. The 5 megapixel quality also was a selling point. But the camera had it's share of problems for me.

I always found I had to remove the batteries, or even when turned off, it would drain the energy from them. It went through a pair of AA batteries like nothing. And the Energizer Rechargable batteries weren't much of a help. There was one last problem. I take a lot of photos at the local hockey arena. And this camera just wasn't up to the task. The photos would come out extremely blurry, and in some cases, motion blur filled the image.

I had to find something else.

After a long talk with a friend, she suggested I look at the Kodak line of digital cameras. So I did. I found the Kodak EasyShare Z812 IS. Compact, just like the Samsung, but it has so much more.

A 12X zoom, plus 8.2 megapixel resolution, this camera could also take the photos my Samsung was lacking in. Action shots. This camera also comes with a rechargable Li-Ion battery, and replaceable batteries are cheap. As well, it can handle a pair of AA batteries in a pinch.

As you can see, there is a slight difference in quality in the images taken. The top photo is of the Samsung Digimax D53, taken with the Kodak. While below, is the Kodak EasyShare Z812 IS, taken with the Samsung. Even before I began cropping down the images, I noticed a slight difference. The mug shot, that was taken with the Z812.

The nice thing about both cameras is they take the SD flash card. I already had one for the Samsung, so switching it over to the Kodak was no problem at all. I haven't field tested the Kodak as much as I have the Digimax, but I hope that I'll see an improvement. The Ice Hawks play at home to the Elrose Aces tonight, so I might just get a chance to see the camera in action.

Point. Click. Photo.

Until next time...

Keep 'em flyin'.

It's almost here

Just a couple of weeks away before we can get that SVHL fix in. Until then we have to deal with that other hockey league. You know, it's called the NHL.

The Outlook Ice Hawks are offering up tryouts again to start the new season. Information is in today's edition of The Outlook for contacting Royce Taylor. First practice is set for October 17th, so looking forward to a new season of hockey in Outlook.

Until that first game...

Keep 'em flyin'.

Wallpaper Time!

I said I'd put some up, and here we are. For this first installment, I give you the Outlook Ice Hawks desktop wallpapers.




And there you go. Three variations of the Outlook Ice Hawks desktop that I created. Hope you like them. I'll post up more at some other point.

Until then...

Keep 'em flyin'.

Hockey Night in Outlook

The season is coming up. We're almost there.

What am I talking about?

Saskatchewan Valley Hockey League.

And again, I will be up in the press box, helping with the public address for Outlook Ice Hawks home games. There were some really good games last year, and I look forward to some good ones this year. Once the schedule is released for this year's season, I'll post it up here. Until then, you can be eased with the fact that hockey will come from that other league. Ya know, it's called the NHL.

And, I have developed something that will have every Ice Hawks' fan shouting. I'm planning up putting up a wallpaper section. Desktop wallpapers for your PC.

Until then...

Keep 'em flyin'.

Renovation!

Yes, it was minor renovation day at Outlook Printers. We stripped down some not used pieces of office decoration and increased the size of the reception area. Fun had by all. Honest, yes, we had some fun. To prove it, just look at the picture of merriment that Derek Ruttle, our new reporter, captured forever on film.

It also is the last week of our photo contest, and we've received a ton of entries. You have to compare it with other contests we've run in the past. Some have been mildly successful, while others have been not so successful. But our photo contest to date has brought in close to 50 entries. Proof that people like to take pictures.

As we end the photo contest, another one is about to begin. The second straight year for Veggie Mania. The Return of Veggie Mania: Part II has brought in some interest, even producing two prizes from local businesses and associations. We had a lot of fun with the project last year, and hope to have fun again with it this year.

The long weekend is almost upon us, that last long weekend of summer. Most people will be looking forward to one last chance to head out to the lake. For me, I'm looking forward to the annual Labour Day Classic between our beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Both teams are in first place in their respective divisions, and it should be a good game, and a packed house at Mosaic Stadium.

I've talked about summer quite a bit in these entries, and it might very well be because of the fact that the season is so well loved. I do love summer, but there are already signs that fall, and ultimately winter is right around the corner. One such indication is the hype of the NHL season, as teams such as the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks have unveiled their new look uniforms for the upcoming season. There's a lot of hope this year for Ottawa and even Vancouver. I'm a Sens fan, I must admit, so when hockey comes into full swing, I'll more than likely be posting about that.

And speaking of hockey, how about Team Canada in the Super Series? The series that celebrates the 35th Anniversary of the Summit that saw Paul Henderson lift the Canadians to victory over an upstart Soviet squad. A lot has changed since then, most notably political ideologies. So far, Canada leads the 8 game series 2 games to none. Two more games are to be played in Russia before the series moves to Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Red Deer and Vancouver.

More with hockey, look here for this years Saskatchewan Valley Hockey League as the Outlook Ice Hawks get ready for another year. I helped out with PA announcing along with Rick Myrol. Should be fun again this year.

Until next time...

Keep 'em flyin'!