Kim St. Dennis Photography

A Curious Photographer

2010-08-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

Digital Photography School.com is an interesting site. Darren Rowse, the editor and founder is Austrian based and post about all things for the digital photographer.

The tips and tutorial entries sometimes center around creative inspiration and theory which is why I like them so. Today's post centers around being a curious photographer and Rowse has some helpful tips to check out.

How to Be a Curious Photographer

Stages of a Photographer

2010-07-16T17:10:00.000-07:00

So I ran across this over at Darren Rouse's Digital Photography School but dont know who the origional author is to give credit to.
At any rate its a fantastic graph of the life of a photographer. Where do you land on it?

Edit: So, my buddy Mike Kang noticed that I hadnt placed myself on the graph. Well, I've been shooting with an old Hasselblad film camera for about 7 months now and recently decided I didnt really care about gear anymore and that the image itself held the only importance. So, I guess that leaves me between, "one exposure per motive" and "Death." Ha!

Tanya from Australia

2010-07-13T10:35:00.000-07:00

I must admit, I love an English accent on a woman. While shooting Tanya the other day I noticed her accent, but it was just slightly off. I thought maybe northern England, Cockney or something. So, I asked. Australian she said.

The set up was 2 softboxes, one large on top, on a boom, the other medium on a background stand. You know the little 3 leg stands. one softbox right on top of the other, concave, directly in front of Tanya for that nice even head shoot look. Then added in one light for fill camera right just with a reflector and 20% grid. The lower softbox and fill were 1/3 of the top softbox which was key.

So, on a side note,we caught the World Cup final on Sunday. There was the two of us Holland suppopoorters in a Peruvian restaurant withabout 150 Spanish supporters. It was fun, but in the end the Dutch lost which was heartbreaking. My sports interest will now wain again for the next 4 years....

James' class at Otis

2010-07-08T12:24:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles is a used tissue for aspiring professional photograhers. I paint that picture only becuase in order to shoot at a lot of our lovely locations around the county, you need to caugh up some dough. This is a side effect of LA being the home of the US film industry for the past 100 years or so. Essentially, unless you "run and gun," every Tom, Dick, and Harry has their hand out to get paid if a tripod or lightstand hit the ground. What can one do?

Well, one can take a class at a local college and use the studio, parking garage, and out door locations there! This maximizes the econmics of paying for shooting space and also gets me out of the house every thursday night (as if someone had to pull my arm to get me out).

So, my buddy James Stiles (www.jamesstilesphoto.com) grabs about 8-10 of us a handful of models each week, we set up some lighting to our desired look, we get the use of a free MUA, and get to shoot away. The studio is about 2.5k sqft. equiped with 6-8 Norman packs and 16 or so heads, super big softboxes, gels, grids, etc. Considering the cheaperst studio Ive found to rent is $25.00 per hour, the cost of the class is not bad at all.

Asia -- Kim St. Dennis 2010

Busy, busy, busy...

2010-07-06T18:35:00.000-07:00

So lots going on, but Ill drag it out over time as I can.

Sold off the Nikon D300 and switched up to a Canon 5D mark II. This means selling all my Nikon gear and picking up some Canon stuff. A few intersting things I noticed...

My photography is at a point where I own and shoot with a medium format film camera (Hasselblad 503cx), have learned enough about lighting to deconstruct photos fairly well, and really dont care about camera brand anymore. I'm at a stage where composition and creativity mean more than anything else.

So, I wrote my favorite Nikon author and asked him for some reccomdations for Canon authors to which he replied "And there’s never really been as much there [Canon] as with Nikon, anyway." Wow, I guess the brand wars go deeper than I thought.Scratch off favorite tech author for future Canon advice. =^)

So, Im loving the camera so far. It hasnt actually been that big a switch not like moving to a hasselblad. Next move I make if I do will be to a H3D or something like that. Ive always eyed this Rolleiflex. But, that can all wait. Ive purchased a new camera and have shedded some of the gear fever that can run so rampant. Now, I just want it to work smoothly. Funny thing is, thats why I bought a mac! hahaha. Even funnier, I get paid to work on Windows!

New Drew Gardner Webinar about Video with DSLRs.

2010-06-28T12:27:00.000-07:00

Let me prefrence this by saying I think a still camera should be a still camera and not a all in one multimedia device. Focus on the still sensor, not new features I will seldom use. with that said, Drew Garder is pretty fantastic. Check him out here:
http://www.drewgardner.co.uk/

At any rate hes got a new webinar coming up about video which may be interesting. Check it out and register here:
http://manfrottoschoolofxcellence.com/2010/04/23/still-in-motion-multimedia-techniques-to-shoot-with-the-new-dslr-cameras-with-video-capabilities/

©Drew Gardner. Photo from manfrottoschoolofxcellence.com

Last session for the D300

2010-06-21T15:57:00.000-07:00

Last couple of shots here with the Nikon D300. Its been a good camera for me. Thanks for that. Out with the old and in with the new!

More to come.

K.

quick note - seminar with McNally

2010-03-23T12:41:00.000-07:00

McNally has an online seminar comming up on April 8th. Its on lighting with a single light and should be interesting. Check it out here:

http://www.manfrottoschoolofexcellence.com/

Source: manfrottoschoolofexcellence.com
Webinar with Joe McNally
Register for FREE
Date: April 8th
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT
Title: Effective Lighting With Just One Light.

Description: This webinar, hosted by Manfrotto Product Category Manager David Fisher, with internationally acclaimed photographer Joe McNally, explores the strategies for using just one light, and using it well. Read More

And for you music lovers:
Source: manfrottoschoolofexcellence.com

Webinar with Bill Frakes
Register for FREE
Date: April 1st
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT
Title: Multimedia In The Music Business: Combining Stills And Videos Shot With A DSLR For Maximum Impact.

Description: This webinar, hosted by David Fisher, Manfrotto Product Category Manager, and featuring multi-award winning photographer Bill Frakes, takes you behind the scenes of Bill’s recent shoot of the band Backyard Babies music video “Abandon.” Read More
Contest: What Would You Like to Ask Bill Frakes?

Profotos...

2010-03-18T13:26:00.000-07:00

So I was looking over Craigslist for Hasselblad gear to add a brighter focusing screen to my 503CX. The one I currently have is very fuzzy and not very bright, but new screens cost 200-300 US and that can cover the cost of a lens, so its a tough call. Finding something on CL as we know it, would be nice. Used works great for me.

As I was looking I came across a recent listing for Hasselblad and Profoto gear. Well the Hassy gear was a bit high priced for my taste, but the profoto gear was an amazing deal. So, I communicated with the seller, a nice gentleman who owns a design firm, Ron Taft.

Photos from Profoto.com

I ended up with 2 compact plus 600 monoblocks, an accute2 1200R generator, a D4 ringlight , and tons of accessories. All this for not much more than my aliens bee investment. Well, maybe a little more. But, Ive got some stuff Im getting rid of that should more than cover the cost. Needless to say, the light is beautiful. Ive got a few shoots this weekend (3/21/10) that should see some use of the new gear. This effectively puts an end to my medium format budget for now, but oh what wonderful light!

35MM waist level finder?

2010-03-13T00:04:00.000-08:00

So in my recent search for a new medium format camera Im coming across all kinds of stuff. This interesting little device is called a Zigview by Argraph and is a sort of waist level viewfinder for 35mm DLSRs.
inage from Arghraph.com

It seems you essentially have a view finder that attaches to your cameras viewfinder and can swivel and move like the back on some new consumer DSLRs. The difference here is the Zigviewgives real time image display, shutter trigger, motion detection trigger, timed shutter release, and more. The Zigview works with everything from Canon to Fuji and those in between (Nikon, Sony, etc.).

The very coolest thing that the Zigview does beyond being a WLF (waist level finder) that doesnt require the ridiculous live view modes is detaches from your cameras back and becomes a wired remote with viewing capabilities. Thats pretty fantastic frankly. When I was shooting crowns a lot (the drops of water) I certainly could have used both a wired viewfinder and the motion trigger. Jeez.
image from Argraph.com

Seems extremely useful in the event you need more direct contact with your subject, need to be away from the camera, or are paparazzi and need to hold that camera up high to get the shot. I just dig it for the WLF capabilities with a trigger built in! Google shopper says it runs from $329.00 to $400.00 depending on which version your after. Check out more here: http://www.argraph.com/Zigview/page1/Zigview_page1.htm

interesting new site. Well new for me.

2010-03-11T18:00:00.000-08:00

check this out.

This is fav4.org. If you click on it, it shows your fav4. who knows maybe it defaults to my fav4, but whatever. You can change that easily with the config on the bottom right. It saves a cookie I would imagine. But, pretty cool for a portal or home page.

Hasselblads, Rolleis, and Gallery shows, Oh my!

2010-03-05T15:18:00.000-08:00

Quick update. Havent posted in a bit, but Ive been busy. The Holiday season came and went. With that shooting was put on a hold and in place rolled in family time. Christmas is a bit like an ant infestation, it just takes over everything! Some quick notes on what Im doing.

Gallery show opening night!

Tonight at the Altadena Public Library 5 pieces of my work will be shown in conjunction with the Aperture Society of LA. Its a meet up group that Im apart of. Well long story short, the library curator, Tina Wallin joined our meetup group and found out that we were looking for a show venue. She was kind enough to open her library up to us and now we have opening night! The show runs all through March 2010.

Hasselblad... Yum.
(photo from images.fixya.com)

So for Christmas I was the lucky recepient of a Hasselblad 503CX medium format kit. This included a 80mm Carl Zeiss f2.8 lens, a 120mm film back (same as hulga and Diana stuff), and a waist level viewfinder. Well let me start by saying I love it. Its mirror action makes a bang loud enough that people stop and comments. Ive been experimenting with MF films and Fuji instant film a lot. Its a blast. I wasnt the only lucky one though. The wife picked up a Panasonic GF1 4/3rds camera al a me. Although now I just steal it when i ~~want~~ can.

Last up: Rolleiflex 6000 and Hasselblad H

So heres the thing now Im shooting with this medium format (MF) stuff and Im loving it. So its got me thinking about image quality, taking my time shooting, etc. and Ive started to pine for a medium format digital. Maybe some auto focus for as the eyes get worse and a digital back just to make things easy. So whats that 20K? Why yes, new in the box it is.

I bet you thought I was going to say no it was cheap. Well browsing the 'bay as Im now refering to it, I see I can pick up some older gear for MUCH less. Well lets say 1/2 or more. And of course, this leads to more though on buying new things. Its a diseas my wife tells me. Like David Hobby says, "I can rationalize anything to myself, its my wife who I need to rationalize it to." That leads to the final though on the matter and some tech notets. Should I sell the Nikon gear and go MF? Well see. Ok stop reading its the tech notes.

Nikon is easy with iso 50-6400 1/3 shutter stops and the same with F stops and internal metering and fast focus (eat that canon users). Here is the down side, color sucks and the sensor is small. The up side on the MF stuff flash sync for the hassy is 1/800 and the rollei is 1/1000. Lenses are insainly expensive at 1500-2500 each (all zeiss and the other germans for rollei though), the digital backs are iso 800 max although 2-3x the sensor size of FF 35mm and I really like the waist level viewfinder. So well think on it...

-K

Back in business!

2010-01-20T11:57:00.000-08:00

Well. Its been a few months, the holidays are over, and things are slowly getting back to normal. Essentially life gets put on hold in the month of December for me. Family fills my time and a form of hybernation seems to set in. Not that I sleep a lot (4-5 hours a night), but it seems things around me just kind of slow down.

So late January is here and Im thinking things will be back to normal soon. Ive started to work on post again. Had a very unorganized shoot last weekend. Didnt turn out well due to time constraints. I suppose the sun has to light the rest of the world as well. There was lots of discussion about where to go with your shooting, how I should learn from other photographers, and what not. It all made for an interesting day.

On the other side of things, for Christmas Santa brought me a new (20 year old) Hasselblad 503cx. Its my jump into medium format film photography. I grew up shooting 35mm slide film and this is just a larger version of it. All manual focus with a 1/500th sync speed. Its been a joy so far. I barrowed a medium format film scanner from this guy and have started to scan the developed film. I get a 30+ MP image with a wide dynamic range. I would imagine though that affordable digital backs will be on the way in the future as well. So all is moving forward again.

changing Zenfolios hostname

2009-11-11T11:20:00.000-08:00

Just for information purposes, Im going to post this. Its from Zenfolio Support and can be found on the web via google.

Here are the specific instructions on how to make changes with GoDaddy:
1. Login to your GoDaddy account
2. Select 'My Account'
3. Select 'Manage Domains'
4. Click on the domain you would like to edit (ie 'yourdomainname.com')
5. Find a link that reads 'Total DNS Control' and click it

The following instructions assume you want www.yourdomainname.com to point to your Zenfolio home page. If you want to use a different name, e.g. photos.yourdomainname.com, you need to replace 'www' with 'photos' in the instructions below.
6. Find a section called 'CNAMES (Aliases)'. If you see any existing CNAME records for 'www', remove them (only do this if you want the full domain to point at Zenfolio!)
7. Click on 'Add New CNAME Record'
8. In the 'Enter an Alias Name' field, enter ‘www’
9. In the 'Points To Host Name' field, enter 'zenfolio.com'
10. Click OK, and then OK once again to save changes

If you also want yourdomainname.com (without 'www') to go to your Zenfolio page, you need to make more configuration changes:
11. Find a section called 'A (Host)'. If you see any existing A records for '@', remove all of them.
12. Click on 'Add New A Record'
13. In the 'Host Name' field, enter '@'
14. In the 'Points to Ip Address' field, enter your zenfolio IP address.
15. Click OK, and then OK once again to save changes

It usually takes up to 24 hours for the changes to propagate. After 24 hours, login to your Zenfolio account and under Preferences enter the new domain name exactly like you set it up in steps 6-10 above, i.e. www.usethelight.com

strobe remotes

2009-11-04T18:27:00.000-08:00

Its been a few days since my last post. Ok, maybe even a week or more. It was Halloween and ive been working on PP more than not. Lots to do.

As of late Ive realized that I need new strobe triggers. Oh the conundrums that ensue. The long short of it is that there is no one trigger that does it all. This kinda sucks and makes it tough (if you dont want the novella, this really is my conclusion, sans buying a new set of triggers).

Source: pocketwizard.com

As most photogs will tell you Pocket Wizards are the defacto standard. They are super well built, never fail, and extremely expensive ($200 per device). Their most recent release is the mini TT1 and TT5.

These PWs (from here on out) are able to do highspeed sync and achieve TTL (through the lens) flash control for your specific speed light be they Canon or Nikon. Alas, the TT1s for Canon dont work with Nikon and vice-versa. Also, they dont control the output of any other type of speed light, mono block, or head& pack system. They can however achieve highspeed sync (HSS from here on out). Which is a major upsell. For us Nikon folks we can sync around 250 - 320 now. The Canon folks get 200 or so.Also, the devices can be controled with a pc/mac via usb. Also a nice feature but a little over kill for me.

Next contender is the Radio popper (RP from here on). There are two new lines from them, the JrX and the PX. The PX system can achieve the HSS as the PWs can and costs about the same with a longer range and no usb support. It canot control any dflash output that Im aware of (this is all a bit confusing and requires a good deal of reaserch). There is some tests you can find on the web where the RP can do about 10x the distance that the PWs can do. I think it was 30' for PW and 300' for the RPs.

Source: radiopoppers.com
The JrX system is very reasonable at $350 for 3 receivers and 1 transmitter, can control Paul Bluff mono blocks as well as most modern speed lights with some DIY work. It has 3 groups of which you can control each groups power indivuadly. The major down side... No HSS. The max sync speed being 1/250th.

There is a third option from Paul Bluff, but Im vague on the details as its release date is a carrot dangling on a rope. Its been moved around a lot. The thing I do know is that it will be able to control Bluff's mono blocks, but thats about it.

So whats a guy to do? Be lazy and control the lights from the cameras hot shoe or have the added ability of HSS for a lot more money? Its a tough call and a confusing one at that.

filters

2009-10-19T10:10:00.000-07:00

So, Im looking into filters. The first thought is dont put cheap glass in front of expensive glass! I dont. I regularly use my singh ray and B+W filters for minimal effects and would much rather have things done in camera than in post. I know it goes either way, but for me its just easier in camera. I guess there is something to be said for having some restrictions placed on what I can do and that forcing creativity?

(Source: Lee filters)
Presently Im looking into softening filters like Lee filters black net 2 filter. Heres the reference example. I guess its essentially tulle (tool) and originally made for movie cameras to soften the lens. But, then the argument of why not just do it in Photoshop comes in (slap yourself a la Zack). That perticular filter runs $75.00. I guess this means a DIY tulleproject should be coming down the pipes. Ill post more when I start doing research.

Heres the link to the product on the Lee site

can i please rent that skeleton?

2009-10-16T17:09:00.000-07:00

For my notes as much as anyones. A taste of Richard Avado.

I have been moving more towards conceptual style shoots. Meaning shoots where a theme is present and things are more stylized. Seeing Avadons work, just makes it seem that much more worthwhile to persue this avenue.

(Source: ru_glamour)

Dean Collins and how far weve come.

2009-10-08T15:20:00.000-07:00

Remember when discussions would break out about weither a cover of a magazine was photoshoped or not? Now, Photoshop is so commonplace we dont give it a second thought. Its just assumed any photo or image you see has been somehow edited by an Adobe application. Amazing. That brings us to an amazing photographer and his achievements. Im talking about Dean Collins.

David Hobby has written about him a few times and I'm just now getting around to his videos and concepts. Let me say, hes amazing. I started to watch a video exerp from his lecture on 3 dimentional contrast and fell into thought on the cross hatching I was forced to learn in Drawing I. What a phenomenal concept. The masters painted light as they saw it fit and Collins teaches us how to shape light like a master. Hats off.

Whew! Busy week and its only Tuesday.

2009-10-06T18:06:00.000-07:00

This post I began on Sept 29,2009 -
I belong to the Strobist Los Angeles group. Stobists are all about off camera flash and usually are aspiring Pros or Pros allready. They are all DIYers and enjoy sharing their methods whenever possible. They also take some damn good photos.

I suppose you would say that I am community oriented and I like to be a contributor to the functions of the organizations Im belong to. So I took it upon myself with Michael Kang's help to put on a strobist meet. Ive been to many of their socials and a few meets for shooting. But I figured it would be fun to do and I like putting things together like this.

Well its been an interesting ride. I find that lots of people show interest, but not as many sign up...

A week later...

Well, it happened, I learned lessons, and met some nice folks. I personally wouldn't call it a success. Why? Out of our 6 models only 3 showed. One additionall model came as a curtisy to one of the photogs. Oh, there were to many shooters for the space. Just slightly. 10 came, 8 would have been much better. On the other side, the place was nice and the MUAs great as well as the stylist. So I can say it was a good learning experience.

Andreas of ANM Photography

I personally didnt shoot much. Too many people with the same shot. My buddy Gerald set up his lights on one set and got them perfect to his and my specifications. We walked away for a moment, came back, and they were changed. Made for a different shot all together. Live and lern right?

camera equipment

2009-09-23T15:58:00.000-07:00

While most people are selling off home items to pay bills, Ive decided thats useless and am going to sell off home items to buy new nikon glass. I to buy anything decent I might have to sell my right arm as well.

First off I need to get a 105macro 2.8D. They run about 400 used. Its to repay the 105 2.0DC lens I have. Which I might add, I love. Oh is it creamy!

Ok, next up is a mid range zoom. Now that ive been spoiled by the 80-200 2.8D, my 60 macro, and the 105 2.0DC, I need a good mid range that is just as sharp as those lenses. Im looking at the 28-70 2.8D. Nevermind that its nicknamed "the beast" and cost 1k used. its one of the sharpest midranges Nikon makes only to be topped by its replacement the 24-70 2.8G. That one is 1500$ easy.

And this doesnt even cover the D700 and the new monitor. Dang I need a money tree.

So, time to start rummaging through the closet and see what I can ebay to pay for all this wonderfull ness....

2009-09-21T22:40:00.000-07:00

Sunday Steve and I did a shoot with Stephanie, an aspiring model. After a little warm up, she communicated amazingly with the camera.

We were scheduled for a 9.30 shoot, but didnt get our act together till 11am. Additionally, this was our first time shooting at this specific location... Downtown, more specifically the warehouse / artist's district. A nice place till the crack dealers (and smokers) show up around 11.00am. Needless to say we left at least one spot due to crack heads and the dope man.

The nice part (other than Stephanie's modeling) was that our buddy Gerald showed up to hang out. He rarely ventures west of Vermont Blvd (fear of yuppies I think), so it was cool to get out to his neck of the woods.

In the end the loation turned out to be a hit for me. Stephanie and I walked around a bit and found some nice nooks and crannies to hide and shoot in.

Thanks Stephanie, Steve and Gerald for a nice shoot.

Nikon D700

2009-09-21T10:50:00.000-07:00

I shoot with a Nikon D300. I purchased it soon after it was released not only for its laundry list of features, but also because my father owned one and wanted me to learn it and show him the tricks I could find. Within months of my D300 purchase the D700, a full frame version of the 300 was released. I was slightly bothered by this...

The D700 of course was 1K more than the D300, but could be found for less than that. Needless to say, Im sure Nikon chased away more than a few users with this swift move. With that said, I recently read that the D700 has a better sensor in it than a leaf aptus 75s, Hasselblad H3DII 50, and the Canon 1Ds mkIII (1Ds has slightly better color depth, but way less low light ability). Mind you it has 1/2 the MP, but honestly more MP is only good for 2 things, cropping and ahem, compensation.

So, 2 years on of ownership and my disgruntlement with Nikon might have to be put aside simple to get that amazing sensor in my gear line up. It Still sits about 800 more than my D300, but its full frame (so what?) and has better color depth than my D300. Canon still takes the cake with color depth. If I could just figure out how to put canons sensor in my nikon body...

site for DxO sensor tests:
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/DxOMark-Sensor/Camera-rankings

Business cards

2009-09-17T11:16:00.000-07:00

So, I go biweekly to a bar in Hollywood called Birds Cafe just east of Gower on Franklin. An art photographer friend and I sit and chat about the goings on in life. Inevitably, we always meet someone of interest, be it a make up artist, stylist, potential model, adult performer, etc. (great crowd there!) Its a good time and is filled with immersive conversation and lots of Hollywood's finest eye candy.

However, when we meet these people there, I am at a loss as I dont have printed business cards for my photography work. So, that being a small part of the driving force, I ran out and had some moo cards printed up. Only a test pack of 50, as another friend pointed out, they are quite pricey. A set of 500 cards can be had for 50.00 or less depending on your needs. Plus, I know a printer (I know a guy, who knows a guy, who...). In the mean time though these moo.com cards will work wonderfully. I get them in a week or so. Just in time for my next trip to Birds.

Blurb meet up tonight

2009-09-10T13:56:00.000-07:00

Over in southern Santa Monica at the world cafe (across the street for the coffee bean there on main) they are having a Blurb.com meet up. Register and get more info here.

Photocamel.com and the knowledge it offers

2009-09-10T13:15:00.000-07:00

About a year and a half ago when I start to put my lighting kit together, I came across a hidden gem. photocamel.com. Oddly enough, I rarely see it in google searches and frankly dont recall how I came across the site. With that said, its a massive wealth of information that has assisted me on more than one occasion.

At photocamel youll find some knowledgeable and helpful folks like Benji www.sonshinestudios.com, who has laid out the basics for posing the family of four as well as the basic posing techniques. Another great resource from photocamel is Frank Doorhof, www.frankdoorhof.com. His work is an inspiration for me. His blog (although really more of a forum than a blog) is another worthwhile read. Frank's tips and thoughts are are a good tool to have in any photographer's arsenal. So hit the links above and have a good look through all the info photocamel and its users have to offer.

Wow that was filled with links!

Starting the blog and a domain name is chosen.

2009-09-09T12:33:00.000-07:00

Well, I have another blog I work on. Although lately Ive been way to busy to post to it. Lets hope I can get to this one more.

I was able to finally decide on a domain name after registering 10 or so. It eventaually came down to photographysd.com . My last name being St. Dennis makes for trouble with both memories and association. For instance, at the grocery store, I am almost never refered to as Mr. St. Dennis when they look to tell me about the wonderful savings the store has given me. Its always Mr. Denis or Mr. Kim. Its a pain. Additionally, people who are familiar with the name refer to it as St. Denis which is the origional French spelling.

Just a side note, Im not French. As the story goes, I inherited the name from a man who adopted my father years ago, Jim St. Dennis. It was his ancestor who to escape a debt, added an extra "n" in the 18th century or so. As a kid I was always told it was english.

So, photographysd.com it is. now that the domain has been chosen I can move on with things. Thank god. Incidentally, as far as Im told, most browsers default to ".com" when a url is entered into the address bar. Thus making the best domains those that end with ".com".