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.

This is a photography workshop for the well-heeled, Marine-at-heart types. Steven Frischling, an editorial and wedding photographer is playing host to 8 lucky people to travel the world with him (and yes, he goes by the name “Fish”) and experience the kinds of things he does when has to shoot assignments around the world. Very cool. Very interesting. And, no, while my itchy feet may start burning, I ain't going no where. Tempting, though.

Found this link through the pixelated image [where there are gobs more useful information] of Matt Brandon's arresting photographic work in Kashmir. Turn up your speakers and enjoy the show as I think you will also like the music. I did.

Matt Brandon's blog is here and his awesome website is called the digitaltrekker.

Brandon has a new book out called Catchlight. Buy it here.

Amazon.com is having Black Friday deals – that's deals on things like books, dvds and other sundry items the day after Thanksgiving: November 23 – so check it out! And please support Tiffinbox and buy your goodies from the TiffinKart

The Chief Minister of Indian administered Kashmir is a Photoshop maven. No, really he is.

Annie Leibovitz and Disney join hands and live happily ever after

Two very different approaches to Street Photography: Thomas Hawk and David duChemin. And check out this podcast by Fotovision.

startdrawing.org is a web resource portal for Asia's artists and drawings. This site was started with the aim of showcasing and sharing drawings from talented artists in Asia, and in the process, promote the joys of drawing.

Kareem Mayan says “Stop Wasting Your Time Being Unhappy“

87 Great Photography Blogs (why not 90 or 100, who knows?)

Frontline Club champions independent journalism

Print to Motion/Motion To Print, a joint workshop by the Poynter Institute and The Annual Stan Kalish Photo Editing Workshop

Jonesing on Jesh de Rox

Photoshop Top Secret – I am contemplating buying bought this 4-DVD set. It looks hot. Wish these guys would post a sample tutorial as a teaser. The outside graphics and website presentation is awesome of course.

No surprise here. But Steve Rubel's post in his terrific blog, Micro Persuasion, had me thinking about my own fate back in 2001. Yes, yes, after 9/11. As a trained photojournalist, I found it bloody hard to find work and even in those outlets that did hire me on as a freelancer things were slow. Nevermind the countless assignments I shot for Indian magazines out of sheer desperation. Now this news.

Well, as I said I am not surprised. Being an effective blogger or a savvy public relations officer has more of a future for those passionate about telling the truth or spinning it. If you want to have anything even remotely do do with stuffy old journalism, good luck.

Good God, did I just say that? I might have just shot myself in the foot.

Everywhere magazine is a new travel magazine. But it's no ordinary magazine because you, yes you, can contribute to it. Brought to you by the same fine folks who brought us JPG magazine, “Everywhere's website is similar to JPG, with a few important twists. With Everywhere, you add your photos to a specific geographic location. These locations are called Places, and a Place can be a hotel, a landmark, a restaurant, a quirky attraction, or any other thing to see or do in a city or town.”

Mark your spot in the world with a photograph. Saves you from peeing.