21-AUG-2008
Prescott Park Floral - Day 2
So I went back to Prescott park today for a very late lunch, trying to redeem myself. I was a good dubie and even printed up the hyperfocal chart, hoping to get the shot I'd wanted just right.
I *might* have a problem with my EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS as pretty much all the shots (manual focus and AF) were slightly OOF. I tried some silly shots this evening outside and found that I couldn't get a sharp photo of some leaves on a tree (not a good test as it was a very low contrast subject). Manual focus nailed it though.
After I post this, I intend to setup a yardstick and a piece of black tape and will test out the focus on this puppy.
This has been gnawing at me for a few days, something wasn't right about the 17-55, when I first got it, all my shots were tack sharp. Lately I've noticed slight sharpness issues.
The 70-200 seems ok though.
20-AUG-2008
Prescott Park Floral
I skipped down to Prescott Park today. I'd intended to hit Strawbery Banke, but there was nothing in the way of parking and I didn't have the time to walk to the house I wanted to shoot from the park.
While I was futzing around with the monopod and camera, this guy came up to me and asked me about my "stick". He said he really liked "electric cameras because of the light". He was really into those "electric cameras" and really wanted to get a "stick like mine". I tried to explain that it was called a monopod, he rambled on about "electric cameras" and I realized I could keep the technical details out of the conversation.
It was pretty windy and very bright. LR2 to the rescue on the brightness. I used the gradient filter, from the bottom up (opposite what one would expect to do) and that seemed to bring the flowers back.
I broke down and ordered the lensbabies 3G this weekend, I can't help but imagine what today's shoot would have been like with that attached to the front of my "electric camera".
19-AUG-2008
My Camera Bag (Domke J3)
(Finally caught up)
I've never posted a camera bag shot and I am running late on today's PaD, so here's my camera bag.
It's a Domke J-3 (as the title states).
I love this bag!
I have the padded inserts in the left side compartment where I have my 580-EX2 Strobe and a Giotto's Rocket blower. At some point, I will get another 580-EX2 and it will fit in here (then I need to worry about where the Rocket Blower goes).
I removed the padded insert on the right side compartment, I have spare AA batteries, a little case with my Cactus Triggers in it (one set), three ND filters, and one CPL filter.
The front compartment has an eBay remote timer trigger, whibal card, my CF card case, a few loose CF cards (in small cases), spare 40D battery, an allen wrench for my RRS quick release plates, a generic RRS quick release plate (for my other cameras). When traveling, I put the battery charger in the front compartment as well.
On the rear is a slot, I've put a couple of better bounce cards in there (fits perfectly).
The zippered pouch on the case cover has my MacBeth color card, filter ring adapters, lens & sensor pens, and a regular pen.
The main compartment has my 40D with the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS with hood mounted, the 70-200 F4L with hood mounted, and my 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens. I have a lensbabies 3G coming in that will fit above the 100mm Macro lens (I will need a small pad to put between the two lenses.
Clipped to the carrying strap with a small carabiner is a zippered canvas pouch I bought at The Home Depot (for documents). I put all my velcro'd gels in it (hard to see in the photo).
I know where everything is, I can grab what I need without looking, something I've had to do numerous times. It is not overly heavy, I took it on a few short hikes when we were in Bar Harbor (Maine) last week and it wasn't uncomfortable. For long hikes, I use my Tamrac backpack.
I was actually able to bungee my tripod (Bogen 055 MF3) to the top of the bag on a few of those short hikes. It helped a lot.
18-AUG-2008
Last of the local shops
(Almost caught up)
The last of the local camera shops in the area (and this is a big area, say 30 - 40 miles) has closed.
"To All Eagle Photo Customers,
After 93 years it's time to say good-bye!
Thank you to all for making Eagle Photo part
of your life. I am deeply touched by the
outpouring support and caring everyone has
shown to me and my staff. I truly appreciate
the many flowers, brownies, card, Letters to
The Editor, champagne and the Mexican
fiesta and beer!
THANK YOOU!
Cindy
Jeremy, Tiffany, Kate & Joe"
It's all online from here. . .
17-AUG-2008
Black Rose and Nude
(Still catching up)
Here's a Black Rose in a much better setting. I'm liking the capabilities of LR 2. This was not my original choice, but jumped to the top after some tweaking.
16-AUG-2008
Black Rose
(Still catching up)
This is a Black Rose (not actually black, just deep red). My wife's 40th Birthday was during our camping trip (yesterday) and I surprised her with 1/2 dozen Black roses and 1/2 dozen Black balloons (can't fit a dozen of each in the camper). They make a great subject.
Camping trip is over, back to the real world. . .
15-AUG-2008
Bar Harbor Camping Day 7 - Bar Island
(Still catching up)
We lucked out and had low tide at a very good time (4:30 PM). One of the islands in Frenchman's Bay is called Bar Island because at low tide (+/- 2 hours) there is an exposed sand bar allowing you to walk, bike, or ride across (well, park) giving access to the harbor and the island.
14-AUG-2008
Bar Harbor Camping Day 6 - Ship Harbor Mist
(Still catching up)
We had a very active day (physically and photographically). The weather was 'iffy' so we chose to tour the "Quiet Side" and do a series of short hikes to the water. I had a lot of good shots, but this one really struck me as my PaD photo. Its a candid (literally as they probably couldn't see me in the fog) I don't know these people. My youngest daughter and I were walking back together and sat down for a bit to look at this inland portion of the harbor. We were watching the people out in the marshy area and trying to figure out how bad their dog would smell when they got him back to their car. I couldn't resist taking a few shots (OK, there were about 25 of these people). I really like the dog in motion.
13-AUG-2008
Bar Harbor Camping Day 5 - Schoondic Point Hike
(Still catching up)
Out on Schoondic Point (Great Head Trail) there are many great sights. On the way out, there was a receding mist. I pulled off the main trail to the rocky coast to take some shots. I thought my family was nearby. Turns out they kept on going (and I did let my wife know, CYA ;-). It took a little while to catch up with them, I'd get reports from hikers coming the other way, most of them associating me with our dog.
12-AUG-2008
Bar Harbor Camping Day 4 - Rainy Fireplace
(Still catching up)
We awoke to rain and a forecast of pretty much nothing but rain for the rest of the day. Before we took a day trip into Bangor (actually our first time in Bangor ever), I set up the tripod under our awning and took a number of shots. I liked this one in the camera and after the camera. We had a fire pretty much every night of our trip, I believe we even had a fire this day as the rains finally stopped by the time we got back. The fireplace looked a little cold that morning with the puddle and the wet rocks...
11-AUG-2008
Bar Harbor Camping Day 3 - Cadillac Misty Mountain
(Still catching up)
We woke up at 4am to catch the sunrise on top of Cadillac mountain (its the first place in the US to see the sun in the morning). On the way to the summit, we were a little concerned with the fog. The fog rolled in over the evening and hadn't dissipated yet. I got a lot of great shots with the fog and paid the price of having to clean my camera gear after getting back.
All my actual sunrise shots are going to be held back until I get at least a demo of CS3 because I shot them all bracketed for HDRs at a later point.
Here's my "Almost PaD" shot for today:
10-AUG-2008
Bar Harbor Camping Day 2 - Carriage Path
(Catching up)
Day two of our trip and we are taking advantage of the great weather (for a summer of rain). We hit the carriage path just below Eagle Lake and ride to the Jordon Pond House for lunch (they have the best Lobster Rolls) then back the long way. My oldest & I (with my son in tow) split off and tackle the Aunt Betty Pond trail, what we've started to call "The Snake" because of the steep, snaking drop that we have to ride our brakes on for the first 1/2 mile or so. What goes down must go back up, we pay for the joy ride a couple of times, sweating off the lemonade and Lobster Rolls before another nice little hill taking us back to the parking area.
This shot was at the beginning of the trip, I like my wife's expression ("Come on hon, lets go"). For the biking trip, I pack only the S3IS, I have no room for the 40D, yet. Next year my son will be on his own bike and it will be the first year that I haven't towed anyone since my oldest was born (she's 13).