Welcome to mattmanna.com and thanks for visiting! My name is Matt Manna. I live in Dallas, Texas where I own and operate a communication & marketing consulting company named Manna Groups. I spend a significant amount of time making pictures of, and writing about, subjects distinct from Manna Groups. Results suitable for general release are published via this site & at mattmanna/blog.
My eMail address is matt[@]mattmanna[dot]com. Please say hello if you have the time. I read everything, and will do my very best to respond to those of you who charm and/or challenge. Thank you for visiting!
My Stuff
The links at the top right corner of this page will get you to all my non-Manna Groups stuff. Pictures from a specific event are located in the galleries. Manna Groups material is at mannagroups.com.
Other Places
Flickr | FriendFeed | Twitter | YouTube I use mcmanna (a short version of my full name) everywhere I go on the web. If you bump into a mcmanna on the web, there's a good chance it's me. Say hi if you have the time.
Contact
eMail | Skype | Office: 972-490-1520 | Mobile: 972-514-9137
Photography
Making pictures is fun. Really fun! And the old chestnut about a picture being worth 1000 words is true. But, they're not usually the same 1000 words. Much of the fun derived from making pictures results from observing the many different evocations a picture brings about. If you like to share pictures, or words about pictures, please send me an email. You can check out some of mine by clicking on any of the thumbnails shown below.
About Equipment
Updated 5/2009.
List Of Equipment
Updated 5/2009.
I don't have a favorite piece of equipment but I do have a favorite color. It's purple.
Lot's of folks ask, so I've posted a list of the equipment I use to make pictures. I am happy with and use all of the stuff listed. Send me an eMail if you have a specific question about any of the listed items.
My equipment advice for the new photographer is as follows. Buy a camera/lens & tripod at the same time. Buy a camera that takes RAW photos. Don't spend oodles of money. What you buy should fit comfortably inside your budget.
Once you have a camera/lense & tripod, forget about gear and start making pictures. Make lots of pictures. Literally 1000's of pictures. The experience you gain while making pictures will help dictate the gear you next consider for purchase. So get to it and remember making a good picture is always more fun than work.
Lenses & Accessories
- Canon 50mm, f/1.2
- Canon 85mm, f/1.2
- Canon 135mm, f/2.0
- Canon 16-35mm, f/2.8
- Canon 24-70mm, f/2.8
- Canon 70-200mm, f/2.8 I.S.
- Canon 580EX Speedlight X 2
- Canon 550EX Speedlight
- Various circular polarizers.
- Various neutral density filters.
Writing
I have lot's to say about writing. But before I can say it, I have to write it. Until I do, have a go at the following universal truths.
- Anyone good at chess practices.
- Never give a gun to a duck during hunting season.
- Sites without lots of white space become touchstones to the past. Kind of like the Chrysler PT Cruiser.
- Making a good picture is always more fun than work.
