In case anyone doubts that librarians are a beautiful bunch of people in addition to being smart, helpful, passionate, etc., check out Cindi Trainor's set of portraits and other pictures from Computers in Libraries 2008. The light she captures and the way she focuses are just amazing.

I'm going to make sure to get to a conference with her someday! :)

A few weeks ago I got an email from someone at Schmap.com asking permission to use a picture I took while in Saint Louis for AALL last year. This weekend they let me know that my photo had been selected. It's on Schmap's page about the Old Saint Louis cathedral, and links to my original Flickr page. Pretty neat!

Schmap guides are "a uniquely interactive experience: maps and guide content are dynamically integrated, allowing intuitive, real-time access to reviews and photo slideshows for places of interest." They have some download options, so you can print up your own custom guides. I'm going to try to keep them in mind next time I travel.

[5/15/2007: Update! Cybèle let me know that her article is available in PDF here.]

I know I do. For those of you who get Information Outlook, flip to page 26 in the May issue for Cybèle Elaine Werts's article, "How to Take Better Conference Photos."

Her tips range from technical things like use of flash and resolution to the art of working with subjects to being unobtrusive. I found the latter suggestions especially useful, since I always feel shy about snapping away, then regret the times when I haven't. Case in point: my only photos from SEAALL were touristy. I felt conspicuously like the only law librarian in town with a camera, when I clearly wasn't. Must get over that.

Unfortunately, SLA doesn't have the latest issue up in the member's only section, so I can't even link to that, but I recommend tracking it down if you're going to a conference this summer.

Two great programs, a humorous keynote, an informative address, and a lovely evening at the Louisiana State University's Rural Life Museum, which I wish I'd had a chance to explore during full daylight.

I also regret not having brought my camera along. I uploaded my pictures from yesterday afternoon, which can be seen here.

I've been using Flickr for nearly two years now, and I think it's absolutely the best photo sharing and organization site out there. The $24.95 Pro membership that allows unlimited uploading and set creation is a ridiculous bargain. For a great introduction to all its features and functions, check out Webware's Newbie's Guide to Flickr.

And if you're a librarian wondering why you should use Flickr, check out Connie Crosby's LLRX.com Tao of Law Librarianship column, Flickr is the Web Photo Tool Preferred by Superheros and Librarians.