Why I Think JPG is Awesome

What is JPG?

JPG is a website. JPG is a magazine. JPG is a community of photographers participating solely for the love of photography.

The roots of JPG Magazine can be traced back to Derek Powazek and Heather Powazek Champ. Back then JPG was printed quarterly as a small book and sold through Lulu.com. The Powazeks are no longer part of JPG and their departure has been chronicled in various place on the web. Today JPG exists as a bi-monthly photography magazine, complete with user-submitted stories and photos.

JPG is Community-Driven

The most compelling aspect of JPG is that it epitomizes the total convergence the Web and printed media. Members submit their photos and stories for consideration by other members. Members can leave comments and "Give Props," as JPG puts it, about submitted stories and photos. Every member gets a photo blog for their best photos (JPG limits members to ten submissions per day).

Each month, three "themes" are established for the next issue and members can submit their photos for publication consideration in the next issue. Publication is the ultimate goal of user submission and comes with two nice bonuses - a free one-year subscription and $100.

JPG is Photographic Fun

If you share the love for photography, as JPG members undoubtedly do, it is likely that you will become a better photographer in the process. Seeing other member's work has driven me to expand my knowledge and photographic skill set. You learn from others and they learn from you.

The feedback from other members is quite rewarding in itself. As I spend more time at JPGmag.com submitting my own photos, I have developed virtual friendships with those who have become my "contacts." We share our photos and see the world through each others lenses all in an effort to better ourselves.

JPG is the Total Social Photography Experience

I am convinced that JPG has reached a new level in the world of social interaction. While plenty of photography websites exist and plenty of social sites exist, non have combined the experience the way JPG has. It does not endeavor to be a Myspace or a Flickr, but what it does it does so very well. I encourage you to get caught up in the world of JPG today!

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Angel Down

Yes, I know this is Bach's CD, not AXL's. As such, it is great. Good for Sebastian!

I, like many GNR fans, are buying this CD primarily for AXL's return to the studio. "Back in the Saddle" is really the only song where AXL has a recognizable contribution.

In, "Love...," AXL mostly helps out on the refrain. The refrain actually sounds sloppy and was probably done intentionally so that you could hear AXL over Bach. I say this because I saw them both perform (together) at a GNR concert last year, and Bach easily outperformed AXL in my opinion. Both are great frontmen, but Bach's voice is in better shape. Speaking of that concert, it was the first time I had seen Bach live and was impressed enough by his performance that I would have bought this CD anyway. He still has it.

In "Stuck Inside," AXL has a one or two recognizable sentences...they aren't even full verses. This song is going to have to grow on me.

One Bach song in particular, "American Metalhead" sounds like it was inspired by Fozzy's cover of "Balls to the Wall."

Overall, this is a great return for...Bach and it is clear this is his CD, as it should be. It seems like measures were taken not to overshadow his return with AXL's.

It is great to have them both on the CD and the critics may be right about it being one of the top rock CDs of the year. Now where is Chinese Democracy?

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Amazon Kindle

This device is just plain weird looking. It reminds me of the electronic device on Star Trek: Voyager. No, I am not referring to the Tricorder. I am referring to the other device everyone uses when passing around log files and such.

Its a cool idea...free wireless access over EV-DO...but its just ugly and ebooks haven't really caught on. There's no way I am paying $400 for this device. Lower it substantially...say, under $100...and maybe.

Perhaps Apple will resurrect the iBook name for their own take on this sort of device...

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Why is Lobster Cheaper in Sushi Restaurants?

Mike Davidson asks the all important question, "Why is lobster cheaper in sushi restaurants?"

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Eye-Fi

Check out this amazing memory card!

The Eye-Fi Card is a wireless memory card. It automatically uploads pictures from your digital camera to your PC or Mac and to your favorite photo sharing, printing, blogging or social networking site.

No cables, no waiting, no hassles.

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