The Darwinian Evolution of Photoshop

I found this sweet little graphic earlier today. Click on it to view larger.

Infographic: The Darwinian Evolution of Photoshop by Tech King

Kicking and Screaming

I’m not 12 anymore.

It’s a bitter reality that I’m struggling to deal with, but just six weeks before my 26th birthday it’s ultimately sinking in. That being said, it’s often mentioned by those around me that I’ve got the brains of a 20-something, the body of a 40-something and the maturity level of a 12-year-old. I can’t really argue there; all valid points, indeed.

But now it’s kickball season. And although we’re playing a child’s game in a very adult fashion (you’re either hungover, drunk or drinking at the field), it’s still a game – and a game I plan on winning! Our team name is Red Ball and Vodka and while we’re in the “rookie” division we still take competition seriously.

And that’s where my problem lies. Have you ever seen a grown man cry over kickball? You should have seen me Sunday. Well, I wasn’t literally crying, per se, but rather writhing in pain after straining my quad (such is the life when you fail to stretch before an adult kickball game).

But like I said, I’m not 12 anymore. So if that means stretching for 20 minutes before a 50-minute kickball game, it’s better than dealing with the hideous pain I’m feeling now.

First photo with my new iPhone

I'm still surprised by the detail in this photo, taken (and sent to the blog) with my new iPhone.

It's a shot of the sunroof in my Jeep from yesterday's rain, as well as my new background. The new HDR function on the phone is pretty sweet, so I'll definitely be playing with it a lot, not to mention the HD video!

Selling Out

 
Not that it’s any surprise to those who know me well, but I finally did it. I sold out. I sold out harder than Green Day. Not that there’s ever been any doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t (I’d sell my pinky toes if the price was right), but after my history of denouncing certain products I ultimately conceded. Although, I guess calling me a hypocrite might be more logical. 

You see, after years of bashing the iPhone (I did so publicly here) I’ve finally succumbed the greatness that is Apple:

I got an iPhone.

Now, I’ve never hated on Apple products. After all, Mac computers are the industry standard in journalism, graphic design and all things multimedia. What’s more, I’ve even praised the iPhone as a standalone device in the past (see here).

It’s AT&T I’ve had issues with. Not personally, per se, but rather witnessing the dropped calls, shoddy service and poor overall performance of those around me. Indeed, Verizon is the greatest network in the country with the best service (see map below). An iPhone on Verizon was something Holly and I have wished for since the phone came out.

The kicker began a week ago: Holly’s Blackberry Storm 1 was freezing more often than not (as was mine); then, her battery stopped keeping a charge; we received an e-mail from Blackberry for a battery recall; and then we saw the actual iPhone 4 in action at my brother’s.

It was time to switch. And switch, we did.

Now I’m up to my neck in the app store, playing free games and constantly just admiring the beauty that is iPhone. We’ll accept the fact that we may lose a few calls, but since our new service is plan is essentially the exact same as our previous Verizon (albeit cheaper!), it’s a risk we’re willing to take.

So call me a sellout. Call me a hypocrite.

Or, just call me on my iPhone.

Jake Donahue v. YouTube – Part 2

It’s been a week and no response. The only difference is that when you click on the video from my personal channel on YouTube you are greeted with this little ditty:

I’ve noticed there are now three other uploads featuring the exact same Nike commercial (one is actually from Nike Sportswear). I’m not sure why the two non-Nike uploads haven’t been removed just yet, but if they make it through and I do not, I’ll be pissed.

At the very least, I do have solace in knowing that people can still view the commercial. After all, whether it’s my upload or somebody else’s, I’m just glad people are still excited about KGJ.

But as for YouTube, this isn’t over quite yet.

Coming Soon: The Donahue Media Group

A new company is in the making…

The Donahue Media Group will soon launch a new website, before taking Portland, Ore., by storm.

Jake Donahue v. YouTube – Part I

Well, well, well. It seems the powers that be over at Google’s YouTube have blocked my latest videos.

On Monday, I uploaded the new Nike commercial featuring my childhood and adult-life idol Ken Griffey Jr. I then uploaded the tribute video that the Mariners shared on the big screen during the game after he officially retired last month. In less than 36 hours I garnered close to 20,000 views on the Nike commercial – a video that brought tears to many people – and close to 1,000 on the video tribute from Safeco – you want to talk about making grown men cry, watch that video more than once (I will post it to my Vimeo stream soon).

I’ve been getting dozens of e-mails like this:

getoharmony23 has made a comment on Ken Griffey Jr - Goodbye Baseball Hello Cooperstown - Nike:

Greatest of All Time. Brings tears to my eyes even thinking about how I will never get to see the most exciting player that ever laced up the cleats. . :(

And this:

azarel7 has made a comment on Ken Griffey Jr - Goodbye Baseball Hello Cooperstown - Nike:

I don't even play or follow baseball very closely but I know that the man is a legend. Man just played well, no scandals, no drugs, no arrogance, just the game. Sports needs more athletes like him.

Yes, “azarel7,” sports DO need more athletes like him.

But if you click on the videos now, you will be greeted with the following bar across your screen:

What’s more, they put a “strike” in my YouTube account’s “personal record”:

(click to view larger if you want to actually read it)

I have since responded with an e-mail to YouTube protesting the matter. They will forward that on to “MLB Advanced Media,” the originators of the complaint. Since I’ve seen many baseball and Nike commercials/videos all over YouTube already, I must only assume I’m in the right.

Furthermore, this little ditty seems to make it seem like I’m acting within the legal boundaries:

Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use

So, while I wait for things to be sorted out with YouTube, here is the video in all its original glory (thanks to Vimeo):

Goodbye Baseball, Hello Cooperstown from Jake Donahue on Vimeo.

Goodbye Baseball, Hello Cooperstown

Thank you, Nike! Here is the latest commercial from Phil Knight and Co. emblazing the great Ken Griffey Jr. for all to see!

I saw this for the first time tonight during the MLB Homerun Derby. What a fitting commercial during an event that Griffey so often dominated.

Thanks again, Nike, for this awesome commercial!

My camera’s 10,000th image

Holy Sanata Clause Shit!

After 21 months of playing with my 2008 birthday present (the Canon S5 IS that Holly so lovingly bestowed upon me a few weeks before my actual birthday almost two years ago), I finally shot image No. 10,000. And be it ever so fitting, it occurred during our honeymoon in Maui.

Here is IMG_0000 (after IMG_9999, it reverts back to zero):

Knowing that this milestone was steadfastly approaching, especially at rate in which I was shooting down in Hawaii, I really wanted a special image for my camera’s big moment.

Well, Maui couldn’t have painted a better sunset picture!

This was on our way to watch the Independence Day fireworks from the streets of Old Lahaina in West Maui. I was going to try and shoot a bunch more of this awesome view, but some Hawaiian asshole veered his beat up Toyota directly in front of me and my tripod – completely blocking our view! I was pissed, to say the least. But, alas, I still came away with what I wanted: An awesome palm tree shot. Soon after I hammered out some pretty sweet (at least for me) fireworks photos.

But enough about that one image – let’s dig into some stats.

Since Oct. 26, 2008, when Holly gave the camera to me as an early birthday present (she hid it in her bag when I picked her up from the airport, then asked me to grab something out of it. I was speechless for a moment, then excited beyond belief), I’ve taken that camera everywhere!

So, to break it down a little further, between Sunday Oct. 26, 2008, and Sunday, July 4, 2010, I shot 10,000 photos.

That’s roughly one photo every 90 minutes!

Yeah, you read that right. I averaged just over 16 photos a day for 623 days… over 112 photos a week for 89 weeks… 476 photos a month for 21 months!

Now, I’m sure those numbers aren’t incredibly staggering for somebody like our wedding photographer, Benjamin Reed, who popped off over 5,000 shots at just our wedding alone! But for a guy who’s never been paid to shoot photos, I’m chalking up 10,000 as a pretty sweet number.

That being said, here’s to 10,000 more!

Falling Stars

Here’s my second attempt at a star trail timelapse, shot from the balcony of our hotel: