I have so many favourite places in Belgrade it’s hard sometimes to know whether to use the word ‘favourite’ or not. In the case of Ada though, I think I can safely put that concern to one side and say, it is definitely one of my favourite places! I have so many wonderful memories of days and nights spent there and there is so much beauty at every turn, it just wouldn’t be possible to think of it in any other way.

The download contains two sizes, my usual widescreen 1920×1080 that I use myself, and then 1280×1024 which is what most visitors to the site run at. If you don’t use widescreen, do give both a try as personally I think the aesthetics are more appealing although as always, such things are really just a matter for personal taste. The preview you see below is the widescreen version but as I say, the sip file has both. Enjoy!

November_Wallpaper

With something of an autumnal feel to it, this months wallpaper is another image from the Skadarlija collection. As always, two sizes are available 1920×1080 widescreen and 1280×1024. Each is slightly different due to the crop ratios so there’s a preview of each underneath

1280×1024

1920×1080

and they can be downloaded in a zip file here … October Wallpapers (105)

Today sees the release of the latest book in David duChemin’s ‘The Print & The Process series, and I have to say, this one is an absolute stunner!

I also have to say, the little green-eyed monster of jealousy was trying it’s best to appear as I read this e-book and for the simple reason that not only would I love to spend some time in Iceland, but also because David is one of those photographers who seemingly excels at everything he tries! I mean, here am I spending all my  time (when i’m not in Belgrade) taking landscape photos, and up pops David with his camera and you take one look at the results and think he’s been taking them for years! It’s downright annoying and plain unfair!

Aside from this, what it also is, is a testament to the passion and hard work he puts in to bringing out his vision and expressing it through his craft. It might seem like he’s just turned up, pointed the camera and hit gold, but as you read through this e-book you discover it takes a lot more than just ‘being there’ to create a great shot or moment.

In ‘Iceland – A Monograph’, David takes you with him on a journey through his creative process as he tries to ‘stir the paint’ for his creative muse, and to ’jump some ruts and explore some new visual territory’. It’s something we all need to do once in a while and reading along as David expresses his thoughts and observations is not only inspirational in helping to find our answers, it’s also comforting to know that we all carry the same fears and questions within us. When David says “it’s rare I go on assignment or a trip like this without worrying that I’ve shot my last good image” I can honestly say i’ve heard that voice in my head a thousand times or more!

If you’re new to the The Print & The Process series then first “Where have you been hiding?!” and secondly, what you will find inside the cover is a series of incredibly beautiful images forming ‘The Print’ part of the equation, and then a further almost 30 pages of text explaining the ideas and ‘The Process’ behind the images. These are not small e-books and as such I think it’s fair to say they represent great value for money.

If you’re wondering what ‘The Process’ is, then I should explain that it’s not simply David saying “I did this, I did that, and out popped a great photo!” it’s a deeper explanation of everything that David puts into creating an image that reflects his vision. To say “I shot this with a 700mm F2.8 @ F22′ just doesn’t cut it in these books. You get the information, but you also get the whole nine yards of ‘why?’ and it’s that which is the really important part.

One of the things I really liked about this book (and there was a lot I liked!) is something that may go unnoticed at first, and that’s the weather. Cold, wet, and miserable doesn’t quite describe it. Think of it as being more like a Manchester summer. Have you ever looked out of the window one cold winter morning and thought “Nothing here for me today. I might as well stick the tv on and stay in that warmth because that sky is doing nothing” ? Well, think again. If you ever wanted to know how to work a grey sky then this book is a great insight. It’s a perfect example of how focusing on creating your vision can change your photography. There are no excuses, no caveats about how ‘with better light I could have had a better image’ (and i’m as guilty of rolling that one out as anyone!) instead the images are a beautiful statement that says ‘This is what I saw, and this what I felt’.

Not enough? Ok, how about two free downloadable Adobe Lightroom Presets thrown in as well? and that’s on top of the promotional offer as well!

For the first four days only, if you use the promotional code  ICE4 when you checkout, you can have the PDF version of ICELAND, A Monograph – The Print & The Process for only $4 OR use the code  ICE20 to get 20% off when you buy 5 or more PDF ebooks from the Craft & Vision collection. These codes expire at 11:59pm PST September 12, 2010.

As with all my reviews there are two links here, one is affiliated (you get to contribute to this site) and one takes you direct to “Craft and Vision” (you don’t) and the choice is yours for whichever you use, the price stays the same.

Iceland, A Monograph – The Print & The Process by David duChemin *Affiliated Link

Iceland, A Monograph – The Print & The Process by David duChemin*Non-Affiliated Link

This months wallpaper is the beautiful Rose Church that sits in the grounds of Kalemegdan fortress. Although this church is relatively modern, having been renovated not long after the First World War, a church has stood on these grounds for over 600 years.

The zip file contains both a cropped version at 1280×1024

and also a 1920×1080 widescreen version