Viewing negatives and slides with your monitor as a light table...
Mood:  happy
Topic: Innovative

I sat at my desk and was about to scan some negatives, when I realised the light table was in the darkroom next door.  I needed a better solution than having to get up for every frame.  

 I happen to use two monitors; one is CRT and the other is LCD.  I started my scanner and ran the software for scanning on the CRT.  I then opened my internet browser on the LCD monitor and used this link:

http://www.this-page-intentionally-left-blank.org/ 

It so happens that the static charge that builds up on the face of the display is enough to make the page of negatives cling.  I can still use the mouse cursor to point out things on the negatives.

Take 3-D images with any camera...
Topic: DIY

I had created a bracket some years ago that helped me create 3-D images.  This was fun at the time and when I was done experimenting I put the bracket away with my old photo gear.  Now with the advent of new true 3-D television, we have a way to display these images.

So, needless to say I dug out the bracket, and updated it with two Manfrotto quick releases and off I went again.  The real key to the bracket is the three holes that are drilled into the base plate.  It is brass and is easier to work with.  The center hole is a straight hole, while the two outer holes are threaded for the quick release plates. (See Pic) The distance between the threaded hole is the average distance between the human eyes.

The concept it straight forward.  Mount the camera on the left quick release and take the left shot, then switch to the right quick release and take the right picture.  I am able to view the two images compared in Lightroom and I cross my eyes to view in stereo. 

 

 There is a limitation when shooting at different focal lenghths and especially macro where parallax problems occur, so framing both left and right is essential.  I haven't converted for 3-D TV yet but that's the least of my worries.  That software will come in time to the masses.

Capturing changes in state...
Topic: Experimentation

 When I go about my day I sometimes keep one eye photographically in tune with my surroundings. Scanning for subjects that involve time exposures or multiple frames of the Change of State (COS) that things go through. The only stipulation must be that the subject must be stationary. Especially when approaching the effect as it were “time lapse by layer”. Dry to wet, light to dark or focused to blurred; are all examples of the possibilities when capturing images. I surmise that this is the essence of creativity or inspiration when thinking outside the box.

The next post should have somthing to do with thinking inside the box!  By this I mean your television set...

 

The form factor of a typical SLR lens...

So I thought I would write a bit about the lenses I had collected through the years.  Not so much as a collection like coins or stamps.  But, rather the collection of the lineage of Pentax lenses as I had to upgrade through the years.  The first lenses were thread mounted and were very fiddly to change and time consuming too. (Lens far left)

 

Lenses have shrunk in size and weight and this has some drawbacks.  The size has quite a bit to do with computer aided design.  But, weight has a lot to do with the implementation of plastic in the build of the body.  (Far right lens; fully extended)

 

 So I guess it's no wonder people don't give up the old glass.  It may be a pain to carry, but the quality is there.  Even the old threaded lenses have an adaptor that can thread on to convert to a bayonette mount. 

 

Although, with these old lenses...no autofocus!  Never bothers me though.  TTFN, Phil

How things are as of late...
Mood:  accident prone
Topic: Philosophy

As I have been sitting and thinking, I thought I would share my thoughts.  What brings me to do this is purely by no fault of mine.  You see, I was driving my motor scooter back home from the drug store when I slid on a large oil strip.  I was launched from the scooter and landed on my left shoulder; thus breaking the collar bone and cracking three ribs.  I later find out that a pickup truck had dumped engine oil from the white line right into the middle of the intersection.  This occured shortly before I was turning left the same way as the truck.  Sorry...no pictures as I forgot to bring my trusty K10D!

About storage and backup.
Mood:  happy
Topic: Learning

This was just itchin' to get out!  So we all hear the same old drivel about backing up and organizing your photos and music.

If you don't you'll regret it.

 I just want to say for the record:  "It's true."

But you can avoid this very easily.  If you have a collection of images that need to be backed up, you need to copy them and store those backups.  I'll simplify by posing three scenarios.

One: Say you have a collection and would be happy if you saved just the favorite pictures.  In this case you could rate your images in say Google Picasa and backup the images that have higher ratings.  Burnt onto CD, DVD or BlueRay.

Two: Let's assume you have a huge collection of a variety of media.  This would require at this point in technology a series of hard drives.  Formed into a nice box with a fan, in most cases.  These have been called RAID or use some other proprietary method of redundantly storing data across all of the drives.  While at the same time considering that drives do fail.  It can then be removed and replaced; data replaced or redistributed; and off you go.

Three: In the very least go out NOW and get an external drive and plug it into your computer, and synchronise your stuff between the two. 

Then you must ask yourself where best to put this drive.  The answer is not in the same locaton of your computer.  You must relocate your stored backups some place entirely different.  Firesafe, shed in yard, friends place, at work, or in the chest freezer.  Get the idea?

That's it for now.  Questions?

Low light photography...
Mood:  bright
Topic: Learning

  So, this evening I was present at my daughters awards evening for school.  I took my trusty Pentax K10D along to capture the moment. 

  The lighting was poor as is with most events like this.  I am shooting at 6400 ISO and my aperture was wide open.  The shutter speeds were very slow, as I was using a 200mm zoom.  I made a point of switching on the IS and bracing myself with one knee as I was seated on the bleachers. 

  All in all the night was wonderful and I have some images of the evening.

TTFN

Time Lapse Photography...
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Pentax Suggestion

Now, I've been thinking about DSLR Time Lapse Photography for some years now, and have captured many images using this technique with film and now digital.

Just the title as it stands needs clarification.  The lapse of time should be broken down into a couple of parts though.  The first being a single exposure of a long duration, of say over one minute.  The other type would be single exposures captured at a set interval, over an extended duration.  This blog entry is mostly concerning single exposures of a long duration; nighttime exposures.

With that in mind, even with the advent of technology, we aren't able to have decent exposures without excessive experimentation.  As is/was the case with film and reciprocity failure.  I am however, able to make exposures and preview them and make any adjustments on my digital SLR in a reasonable amount of time.  My current camera being a Pentax K10D, allows me to do long exposures using the Bulb setting.  Although when the captures exceed a minute, the camera processing is time consuming (better than film, but still trial, wait and error). 

My suggestion to Pentax (Hello are you listening?), would to be able to see the exposure as it progressed in a live view.  It would be like when I was in the darkroom and slipped an image into the developer.  The image would appear faint at first and get better.  Except this would be way better!  I can see it now:

Introducing:  Smart Bulb with Live View!  Set to "B" and Just press the shutter release, and press again when it appears done.

Actually, that would be the basic idea.  Except I would expect some control through the IR remote or corded release.  I have also considered the fact that a tethered monitor or laptop for expanded capability and better viewing would be an option.

·       Imagine for a moment, that the image you are creating is of a highway at night, with cars streaking by periodically.  Bolts of lightning or fireworks.

Imagine each of these, they are intermittent time exposures.  Each one requires a certain amount of guesswork as the sources overlap and multiply the effect.  One too many and the composition is sacrificed.

So, I leave you with this.  Thoughts?

The Project is coming along...
Topic: DIY
Just a note to say that the electonics project is progressing on the Gallery site to see if I like the formatting.  Other than that, see ya!

December 2007
Mood:  bright
Now Playing: So you know...
Topic: DIY
This is a simple "heads-up" that there will be some DIY projects posted on the main site.  I am thinking positive by putting an "s" on the word "project".  I feel compelled to share some of the tinkering and experimenting of the trade.