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This is an attempt to respond to some emails and thoughts that may be of general interest and to be in touch. As the site and situations change from time to time a dated post will also be made. |
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Blog entries occasionally change and clarify a bit after rereadings and rethinking... |
| Dec 2009 | Jan 2010 | Feb 2010 | Mar 2010 | Apr 2010 | May 2010 Jun 2010 |
Jul 2010 Aug 2010 |
Sep.Oct.Nov Dec.2010 |
Jan.Feb.Mar. Apr.2011 |
Journal 2011 | *index |
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August 24th ~ Re: Subject response.
It's certainly not necessary to smile or wave but it makes for an interesting and a somewhat better shot once in a while. |
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August 14th ~ Re: The beautiful Blue Atlantic and more to contend with
The water and sky colours are so intense in the Atlantic Ocean throughout the Bahamas (north of Cuba). Photoshopped an exaggerated speed and RPM on the SeaDoo's display to somehow momentarily elevate my status with the (older kids) in the house. At least that's what I told everyone. Was actually doing 3 MPH while taking the shot. Honest, am not making this up! (the electronic chip limiter was not removed/replaced and we were not using the super premium+ 105 octane fuel recommended to go anywhere near this fast) The true top speed of the SeaDoo. A modified SeaDoo with the faster chip and premium fuel.
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August 13th ~ Re: iPhone shot of an accident incident and a second upload of the last video
Some guy driving a dually whacked this car in the parking lot at the Aventura Mall (just an hour before we left for Nassau last Wednesday). May have been one of those lover's quarrels or an act of revenge. No one could be that stupid to hit a car this hard and take off. Except maybe in Miami. So, what's a dually? It's a truck with 4 wheels on the rear axel. Made a huge mess of this small sedan. Having an iPhone with a camera is a great tool. We just missed getting shot of the hit and run. The police are looking for the white Dually that was reported involved by a lady bystander who knew what a dually was. (Only in South Florida or maybe Wainfleet.) Somewhat embarrassed, I actually had to ask Sean, "What's a dually?" Working with iMovie transitions is a challenge when uploading to YouTube or Facebook. Tried to eliminate the messy title transition by extending the file and shortening the title. Was disappointed in the change. It looks ok on the computer but when uploaded the second title has flashes and judders in ~ Starring Grant William. Not sure how to overcome this. A second upload of the same video of our grandson and family shot with the Olympus 3000 ~ with file clip extensions, a title transition change, and a new pic at the end.
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August 10th ~ Re: The best missed shot from the Florida trip.
Ok, here goes. An unbelievable missed opportunity for a great pic. Getting onto the hotel elevator from the pool and out comes a hotel employee with a room-service cart and a tray with just one item. A spray can of whip cream. And, the cameras all packed for the flight out. Oboy, what a shot it would have been. Darn. So much for ~ always carry your camera and be ready John. |
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August 9th ~ Re: Point and shoot with great results
Have been using the waterproof Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 12 mpxl point and shoot for an HD video and still shots with good results. It works best in bright sunlight and underexposing by .3 to .6 in its Program Mode. I left the LCD Hoodman cover at home and it would have helped to have had it for shooting videos and stills. Shooting while looking at the open LCD screen on the back in sunlight is a challenge and often requires guesswork and luck to get the shot. A video of our grandson and family shot with the Olympus |
| Please click on the thumbnails to enlarge the pics below |
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August 7th ~ Re: Excitement and action
South Florida's east coast around Miami is sun, shopping, beach fun and a lot of police action. Accidents, ambulances, fire trucks, helicopters, swat teams, appear and disappear in a nano second. Day and night. It doesn't stop. Pedestrians are all careful to avoid cars crossing the streets even when walk signals are in their favour. If the stats are true most cars here have handguns on board so it's a good idea not to make or try to hold any threatening eye contact with drivers and step out to cross at an intersection. Unless of course you're armed, somewhat psychotic or crazed, or pumped like Arnie or Stallone were in the '70's. I think I'll start carrying a skateboard and wearing my black ball cap tilted slightly sideways. Attitude may be the answer. Love it here. Am trying hard and without success to create a list titled ~ 10 Reasons To Stay In South Florida In The Summer. Family, the huge beach and turquoise ocean are the only three so far. |
| Please click on the thumbnails to enlarge the pics below |
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August 7th ~ Re: Getting the DSLR ready for a video shoot!
Accessories are becoming more readily available for shooting HD video with DSLR cameras. Have sourced out a few items that will make telling a video story or simply make better videos using the Canon EOS 7D, the Olympus HD waterproof, and the new Go Pro system. A MacBook Pro and Final Cut Pro are the two tools also needed to both store and edit a decent result. Telling a video story is a bit like writing a novel. Both require a lot of effort. A writer has to have an adequate background of information and a story focus letting characters unfold in a developing plot using words. A filmmaker has to have a story to tell and then both shoot and edit a sequence of events in order to tell the story. Your brain connects the sequencing into a narrative. The desirable end result is either a good read or a good watch... In addition to a good tripod and video head with a level to keep panning parallel to the horizon here are a few suggestions and links of interest (just below) that may help. |
DSLR video accessories
LCD hoods and shades
David Harry Stewart shot Asia Mon Amour with a Canon DSLR ~ check it out (his blog and categories too)
Would love to attend a few of Robert McKee's seminars for (aspiring) filmmakers. Narratives & videos in his store look hugely helpful
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August 6th ~ Re: Morning walk ~ condensation, local population, and lens jubilation
Forgot to warm the camera and lens for the morning walk today. Leaving it on the balcony for an hour to warm up clears the fog from the interior of the lens. The condo's air conditioning is cold and outside it's hot and humid. The resulting condensation in the cold lens when first going outside makes it useless until it warms up. South Florida from Miami to Sunny Isles is largely Hispanic. South Americans winter here in July and August and it's crowded much like it is from January - March. The Tamron 18 - 250 is an excellent accessory lens. It's small and light. It travels easily. It performs well for still shots and video on the 7D. As a simple point and shoot or a manual shooter the lens is a great addition to the camera bag. |
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August 4th ~ Re: Arrived In Sunny Isles
The flight to Ft. Lauderdale was easy and the drive here was quick. The City of Sunny Isles is located just north of Miami and south of the City of Aventura. The ocean and a pier are just across the street. We're looking forward to a morning walk and swim in the warm surf. We'll be here for 4 - 5 days and then head over to Nassau for a few weeks. |
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August 3rd ~ Re: Pics from the Parade of Lights
ISO's were set from 1600 - 12500 to get the low light/night conditions. Was able to use a flash occasionally but distance from the subjects limited its effectiveness. Many of the pics not shown (one shown below at ISO 12500) were too noisy/grainy or blown out to post. |
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August 1st ~ Re: Getting ready to head to Miami and the Nassau
area for a few weeks in August.
Site will report as wireless access and broadband permits. Leaving on August 4th. |
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July 29th ~ Re: A New Perspective And A Personal Objective
Many shots taken at Long Beach and Club LaSalle are of the same perspective. There's somewhat tired sameness to the pics. I need to press the Olympus waterproof into service and try to get a fresher look to the pics. Perhaps shoot more toward the west with the SLR in the earlier part of the day when the light angle is better. Also step out from the shoreline and shoot from shallow vantage points a short safe distance into the lake. Hopefully a fresh and improved outlook for the next few sessions will be achieved. And, letting people know with a wave and a smile might elicit a similar, more photogenic response. |
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July 14th - 17th ~ Re: Away for a few days...
Checking out a car daughter Beth and son-in-law Sean are considering, will have some fun moments bringing this one home if it works out ok. We drove through some torrential rain that lasted for hours returning from Chicago on Wednesday. Wasn't able to change the Main Page ~ the Likely Forecast of light wind on the return trip (while everyone ripped and blasted about on Lake Erie's north shore). So much for likely forecasts. Daughter Maggie's Toronto home that was destroyed by fire is finally being rebuilt after a two and a half year wait. Having five neighbours involved in the rebuild of their Victorian row-home has been a huge struggle. Accommodating all of the different points of view in the reconstruction effort has been a supreme challenge for all. Not unlike doing battle with Medusa (the snake head lady ~ Eng. 101). Looks like another windy day on Lake Erie today (Saturday) and maybe early on Monday. We'll be home later today and will post a few pics (likely below) then plan to head north to Maggie's cottage on Monday for a few days. The site and all wind-driven pursuits will continue to be somewhat neglected for a few more days. |
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July 9th re: A well done photog blog worth checking out...
This blog includes a number of technical items. Of more videographer interest ~ there's video featuring photographer Annie Leibovitz directing a tightly controlled shoot with Keith Richards for Lois Vuitton. Listening to her take charge and setting up each shot is an education in itself. Following the video, the shot she captured with Keith (below) and his guitar on the bed beside the LV luggage and her set up as it's explained is simply brilliant. So little time, so very, very much to learn. (Click on the pic to enlarge the thumbnail of Keith) wandered through STROBIST ~ an amazing photog blog |
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| (And, be sure to check out the photo-shoot using an iPhone 3GS titled, "It's the Lighting, Stupid") |
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July 2nd ~ Re: Tamron 18 - 250mm
Getting the hang of shooting with this small compact lens. It's actually a 28 - 400mm on the Canon EOS 7D because of the crop factor ~ X 1.6. The lens is slower (3.5 - 6.3) but it's versatility, very small size, and light weight make up for any shortcomings. Pictures are quite sharp, the autofocus works well in sunlight, and any edge softness can be easily cropped out or ignored. It handled bouncing around on the sailboat well. Over and underzooming were a bit of a challenge in the big waves and wind, but that should improve with practice... (pics below) ISO's - 1000 to 1500, 1/2000 sec. shutter speed, tv shutter priority, mostly center spot focus, tried hard to ensure max aperture for larger depths of field, no lens filter/protector used... (aside - using it for a new 7D video with great results so far, it's so small and easy handle on the tripod and to zoom. Slowly putting a new vid together, need some on-water action to go with the more scenic footage the 7D does so well...) |
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| (Please click the thumbnails above to enlarge the pics) |
| Dec 2009 | Jan 2010 | Feb 2010 | Mar 2010 | Apr 2010 | May 2010 Jun 2010 |
Jul 2010 Aug 2010 |
Sep.Oct.Nov Dec.2010 |
Jan.Feb.Mar. Apr.2011 |
Journal 2011 | index |
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