08-OCT-2008
LX3 Walk Shot
Today was my test run for the LX3. I snuck out at lunch with the LX3 on my belt and found some interesting things to photograph. The walk itself wasn't really that much of a test as I'd made it with the 40D many times. The important part is that I was on my Motorcycle again today (basically I will be on the bike until the snow flies then back on in between the flakes, literally).
Minor tweak in LR2, pushed the exposure a tad, added a little fill, and cropped square.
There were a few other shots that made it past my scrutiny today:
07-OCT-2008
Twilight Bike
One of the benefits of carrying a P&S with me now is that I can take pictures with less effort on the bike. I was able to take this shot with my gear still on, I only needed to remove one glove.
It's a bit noisy, but I still like the silhouette against the blue & orange/red sky.
(It is a lot noisy after looking at it on the web, didn't look this bad in LR, I will investigate)
06-OCT-2008
Monitor Lit Grain
New Toy, it arrived a day earlier than UPS said it should (though shipments from NY usually only take 2 days anyway).
I have a few days to get used to this camera before heading off to Europe. I think this will do much better than a G10, although it will take a little getting used to a different Manufacturer's shooting system. The Panasonic LX3 is the talk of a lot of different forums, after flipping through the ample manual and navigating through the menus (not necessarily in that order) I can see why.
This shot came out a lot better than I'd thought it looked from in the camera. Basically a JPG that has been slightly cropped, but right out of the camera. I am shooting RAW + Jpg, but the RAW files (.RW2) seem to throw LR2 for a loop, it won't 'see' any images on the card when I insert it, so long as there are RW2 files on the card. Looks like I will need a special workflow until there is some support for it in ACR.
05-OCT-2008
Take the hill
We ended up at an indoor RC racetrack (
Maximus Hobby in York, ME) and got the bug. I'd planned on getting 'us' an RC truck or dune buggy for a little while now. Got a great deal on this monster truck. It is a four wheel drive model with a Digital Radio System. This thing runs for just shy of 10 minutes on a full charge. It is a four wheel drive, has two electric motors, incredible suspension, and is repairable. The latter fact something we've learned and something we will learn going forward. Dad was the first to break something, on the first run (in the dark) I lost the front left wheel and the locking nut that held it in place. There is a .0001% chance of locating a locking nut in either the dark or in sunlight. The hobby store was open on Sunday so we just made a special trip down there (and spent more in gas...).
I had to lie down prone to get this shot with the truck in the foreground and my son in the background. I had a bunch of shots of the truck in mid air, but nothing clear enough to pass PaD muster.
04-OCT-2008
All I want for xmas...
On my way back from my parents today, we saw this 49cc dirtbike on the side of the road. My son has been asking for one for quite some time. If we didn't live in a development, he'd already have one. We didn't get this one, but did get to pose for a goofy snapshot on it. Still working on my wife on this one.
03-OCT-2008
Hockey Grain
OK, now here is a photo with some grain in it. It wasn't what I'd intended to shoot, but it works for me.
Long week, very tired. Keeping it short.
(Also, I broke out my prime)
02-OCT-2008
Grain
I just ordered an LX3 today, I've been looking for a small P&S that I can carry with me on the bike and basically everywhere I go. Since I've been commuting every day on the motorcycle, I've only brought the 40D in a few times and never actually got out to use it. While researching the G10, I found the LX3 listed in a lot of Canon forums. It is smaller than the G10 and has a wider lens that is faster at it's wide angle (f/2.0 at 24mm). I've seen a lot of BW shots taken with the LX3 and some of the higher ISO shots have film-like grain (jpgs, mind you). So I've been wanting a 'grainy' photo for a few days now.
This was taken with the now ancient 40D at ISO 3200, the max it will go. It pales in comparison to the new 50D and the 5D Mk 2, but it works for me. This took a number of tries as she kept her eyes closed or covered (I had to take one shot then pause after she'd open them and snap off another).
01-OCT-2008
Wii
We picked up the Lego Star Wars game for the Wii over the weekend. My son & I have played it together the last few nights and are having a blast. Last night we got stuck on the Pod racing level and couldn't get past it (we tried for about 20 mins). This evening we had to start off on the Pod racing level and still couldn't do it. After we failed to win for the 4th lap, I chose the "Drop Out" option, thinking we'd both drop out and go back to the spaceport level to regroup. It turns out I was the only one who dropped out, he remained in the race. He was chatting away about the race, following the leader that we'd never get close to. On the last leg he (a wise 7 year old) said "No pressure Jacob" which made me laugh, but I kept my eye on the game and got to see him pass the leader right at the finish line. My little guy beat the level for us! While I am proud of him for doing this, I am not ready to relinquish the "Alpha Geek" title in the family yet...
(Oh yeah, all my work waterproofing my boots last night for the "Big Rain storm" today was for naught. There was no rain during either my ride in or back.)
30-SEP-2008
Evening project
We have more rain in the forecast for tomorrow, most likely on my morning commute in. I found out my combat boots leak like mad in the rain last Friday. My evening project is to inject a large quantity of beeswax into the pores and the seams of the boots to keep my feet dry (or as dry as possible).
The trick is to preheat them then apply the wax and apply a little more heat to help the wax seep into the pores and into the seams. I am quite sure all the water came through the seams.
29-SEP-2008
A good book
Broke out the lensbabies for this one.
The day began with rain, otherwise I had hoped to bring my camera in with me (I need a Motorcycle camera now). The day ended with beautiful, if just a tad warm, weather.
My daughter was engrossed in yet another book (she reads about one a day). The only difference is she wasn't locked up in her room (which is impossible for me to go into, due to the destruction zone appeal).
Shot from my monopod. The lensbabies requires some kind of stabilization, at least the 3G does. . .
28-SEP-2008
Brick
Another rainy day. It was, however, productive. I finished chopping my Motorcycle's windshield, a task I'd thought wouldn't get started until winter. I also go all the bills taken care of (and that isn't a fun job).
The leaves are starting to turn around here already, if it were a little drier, I'd have sought out some fall colored leaves and added some reds to my PaD. . .
These bricks are red, but look better in Black and White.
27-SEP-2008
Air Hockey
My son has a friend over this evening and they were playing Air Hockey. Well, they made me get it all set up and proceeded to play for about 2 1/2 minutes before getting bored. Luckily I had my camera all set and ready when they began.
580EX-2 Bounced off the ceiling illuminates the board nicely. Ambient lighting provided by a dim florescent bulb in a lamp and a halogen desk lamp from behind me.