Need I say it? I love visiting the Strobist website on an almost daily basis. If you are a photographer, especially one who is starting out, you would be well served if you bookmark the site. Well, I had always known that David Hobby (the guy behind Strobist) had an active Flickr site. I hadn't publicized it before, but check it out here. It's full of great inspiration.

And, eh hmm .. did you download that PDF off of the Strobist site I told you about? Get to it!

I gave myself a gift. I bought Rule of Nerds. I flipped to the back cover and showed my wife one of the comic strips and it even had her grinning. Yes, it is humor that is more directed towards photographers, but Aaron Johnson is so on target. Get the book. For the photographer in your life. It's the holiday season. We all could use a good laugh.

David Hobby, the Strobist has a PDF of his Lighting 101 course. Give yourself the gift of light(ing) and download it. Christmas, Diwali, Ramadan … call it what you will … is here and now. Learn and enjoy!

Ok, let me at the outset tell you that I am a Jay Maisel fan. A huge fan, but a poor one of this American master of photography. I don't have a $5000 to attend his unique workshop, but I would go if could find that kind of cash in pennies even, tucked away in the far reaches of my couch. He is worth every red cent. As far as how he makes $45k in a day, well he will only accept 9 participants to his workshop. Do the math.

“It will take place Mon. Dec. 17 to Fri. Dec. 21, from 9am to 10pm each day. All meals are included.” Be sure to mention Tiffinbox if sign up. [Link thanks to Adobe's John Nack]

Here, I have mentioned Aaron Johnson's What The Duck comic strip before. It pokes fun at photographers, clients and everything and everyone in between. It's good for a good laugh and as a comic strip nut, I have to buy his new book, The Rule Of Nerds (a take on rule of thirds, for the uninitiated) before the year is out. It covers his first year's comic strips. Check it out and buy yourself a copy. This Thanksgiving, give yourself a chuckle or two. You can thank me later.