A busy two weeks spent mostly inside an inside office, but I did get to visit the mountains north of Maturin, Venezuela, last Sunday. This is where the F2 was used for the first time in several years (see October 17 entry). The slides will be processed in a few days time and hopefully one or two images will be posted here. The main reason for taking the F2, to photograph oil field installations, was not to be, but there will be another opportunity and I may use the F5 next time.
The reason for not being sure about this is that I have been searching for an airline compatible case that can carry both a laptop computer and a large camera like the F5 with several lenses. The high end digital cameras are similar in size to the F5 so you would think there might be a market for such a bag. But so far I have not found one.
Friday, October 31, 2003
Saturday, October 18, 2003
MetroRail Open Day
Beautiful weather today, no humidity, no clouds. MetroRail chose the perfect setting for showing off the new light rail trains at Reliant Park. Lots of photos to come. The trains are excellent, the Metro people friendly and helpful.
Since I was there, I decided to walk across Reliant Park to the new stadium. Lots of interesting Texana sculptures were photographed and then I moved on to the new stadium itself, site of the 2004 SuperBowl. After taking a couple of wide angle shots I was stopped by security from taking any more. A sad reflection on our society. Not the first time I have been accosted by security but everytime it happens I wonder why. Of course, in this day and age there is the real threat of terrorism but that being the case, shouldn't security have demanded that I destroy the film?
Since I was there, I decided to walk across Reliant Park to the new stadium. Lots of interesting Texana sculptures were photographed and then I moved on to the new stadium itself, site of the 2004 SuperBowl. After taking a couple of wide angle shots I was stopped by security from taking any more. A sad reflection on our society. Not the first time I have been accosted by security but everytime it happens I wonder why. Of course, in this day and age there is the real threat of terrorism but that being the case, shouldn't security have demanded that I destroy the film?
Friday, October 17, 2003
Nikon F2
In anticipation of a work assignment that requires I carry minimum equipment and not be too obtrusive, I have dusted off the 28 year old Nikon F2 and bought a beat up but otherwise optically sound 28mm f 2.8 AIS wide angle lens. This lens is considered one of Nikon's best ever lenses so it will be interesting to compare results with more modern lenses.
The Nikon F2 is a classic. With a Photomic meter built in to the pentaprism head it offers good exposure control while the camera itself is efficient, not too heavy, and in this day and age, virtually indestructable. Just after I bought it, in 1976, I accidentally dunked it in a river in Indonesia, but only for a split second. A quick toweling off and it worked just fine. Modern electronic cameras don't survive such treatment - my Nikon Coolpix was ruined when I knocked a small glass of water over it while staying at a B&B this past summer. The cost to repair was quoted to be far more than to replace it with a comparable model.
The Nikon F2 is a classic. With a Photomic meter built in to the pentaprism head it offers good exposure control while the camera itself is efficient, not too heavy, and in this day and age, virtually indestructable. Just after I bought it, in 1976, I accidentally dunked it in a river in Indonesia, but only for a split second. A quick toweling off and it worked just fine. Modern electronic cameras don't survive such treatment - my Nikon Coolpix was ruined when I knocked a small glass of water over it while staying at a B&B this past summer. The cost to repair was quoted to be far more than to replace it with a comparable model.
Friday, October 10, 2003
ellisvener.com
Ellis used to be a neighbor in Montrose. We actually met as a result of being active participants on photo.net. One day I walked into AZ Lab and Ellis heard my name. "Not the Paul Ashton on photo.net?" "Er, yes!?" I replied, wondering if I had in some way upset this 6' 4" but friendly looking guy with some controversial comment on one of the forums. "I really liked that brown pelican shot you posted the other day!" We've been good friends ever since!
About that time Ellis started dating Guinevere and then they got married. A wonderful ceremony at an exciting venue - the Live Oak Friends Meeting House (check out their site and note the James Turrell Skyspace). Then they moved to Atlanta and shortly after baby Alison was born. We have yet to meet Alison but thanks to Ellis' frequent digital newsletters and photo albums we know here quite well!
Well, do check out ellisvener.com - a well-designed gallery of fine pictures. And there's a rogue or two in Ellis' gallery!
About that time Ellis started dating Guinevere and then they got married. A wonderful ceremony at an exciting venue - the Live Oak Friends Meeting House (check out their site and note the James Turrell Skyspace). Then they moved to Atlanta and shortly after baby Alison was born. We have yet to meet Alison but thanks to Ellis' frequent digital newsletters and photo albums we know here quite well!
Well, do check out ellisvener.com - a well-designed gallery of fine pictures. And there's a rogue or two in Ellis' gallery!
A Good Photoshop "Read"
"How to" books on software programs are an expensive purchase. Too often the software they support moves to the next release just after the book is published. In this case, however, the truth seems to be that Adobe Photoshop 7.0 for Photographers by Martin Evening will have a reasonable shelf life even though Photoshop 7.0 has just been upgraded. This books comes with a vey useful CD that contains a number of full feature Quicktime movies that really do demonstrate (at a fast pace) how to undertake several of the more mystifying Photoshop procedures. Perhaps the most refreshing thing about this book is that, although it is for both Apple and Windows users, all the examples are illustrated using OS X. Too often books try to cater to both systems to the point of alternating examples between the two - which must be confusing to all.
After reading about half of the book in some detail it occurred to me that there must be very few real Photoshop gurus on the planet and that even those on the credit list of the program itself may not be fully acquainted with every nuance of this landmark piece of software. That being said, Evening may be up there with the most knowledgable.
Now for the commercial. FocalPlane is an Amazon Associate. If you, the reader, find this site useful - perhaps you enjoyed surfing the portfolios or reading the travelogues - there is a way to say "Thank You" and benefit all of us! Simply click through any of the links to books you find on this site and then make a purchase within 24 hours from Amazon.com and we will receive a small commission and you will receive a bargain! And you don't even have to buy the book that formed the link. Buy anything! Buy everything!
After reading about half of the book in some detail it occurred to me that there must be very few real Photoshop gurus on the planet and that even those on the credit list of the program itself may not be fully acquainted with every nuance of this landmark piece of software. That being said, Evening may be up there with the most knowledgable.
Now for the commercial. FocalPlane is an Amazon Associate. If you, the reader, find this site useful - perhaps you enjoyed surfing the portfolios or reading the travelogues - there is a way to say "Thank You" and benefit all of us! Simply click through any of the links to books you find on this site and then make a purchase within 24 hours from Amazon.com and we will receive a small commission and you will receive a bargain! And you don't even have to buy the book that formed the link. Buy anything! Buy everything!
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