Rants, Raves, and Rhetoric v4 » Photography http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog Commentary about those things I find interesting. Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:19:22 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Scott Kelby’s 3rd Annual Worldwide Photo Walk http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/07/25/scott-kelbys-3rd-annual-worldwide-photo-walk/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/07/25/scott-kelbys-3rd-annual-worldwide-photo-walk/#comments Sun, 25 Jul 2010 20:56:19 +0000 Ezra S F http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/?p=4475 Just like I went on the walk last year, I went on the Scott Kelby worldwide photo walk in Athens this year yesterday. One local called us the paparazzi. Another asked if there was a photographer convention.

A couple of my takes:

Sunset Crane Founders Garden

Flickr Groups featuring photos from Athens and other walks:


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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/07/25/scott-kelbys-3rd-annual-worldwide-photo-walk/feed/ 0 Adapters http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/05/11/adapters/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/05/11/adapters/#comments Tue, 11 May 2010 04:23:41 +0000 Ezra S F http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/?p=4402 Project 365: Day 010 Back at the January Athens Strobist Meetup (Facebook, Flickr) photo shoot, the wind knocked over my umbrella light stand. The result was the foot of my flash adapter breaking. No big deal, just order another one, right?

The February shoot didn’t involve me having my equipment, so I didn’t bother ordering a new one. March didn’t have one. So in April, there was a shoot announced at the last minute, so I quickly ordered three knowing they might not arrive in time, but at least for the May shoot I would have one. (That April photoshoot turned out not to have any models show so I wouldn’t have had to do anything anyway.)

The replacement hot shoe adapters arrived after almost a week. The cables didn’t fit them. My first thought was somehow I screwed up and ordered the wrong item. So back on the ordering web site, I compared the item links in the order history. Both went to the same page. Now certain this wasn’t my error, I sent a message to the seller. They didn’t respond, so I griped on Twitter. Of course, I got a response to send an email with details. After checking, the response back over email was they were going to work with the manufacturer.

I don’t know turnaround times for something like this. So I bought a couple from two different vendors. Both work and in time for the May shoot.

Now… Does anyone know anything about Vivitar 283 flashes?


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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/05/11/adapters/feed/ 2 TED Talk: Photos that changed the world http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/04/13/photos-that-changed-the-world/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/04/13/photos-that-changed-the-world/#comments Tue, 13 Apr 2010 22:39:52 +0000 Ezra S F http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/?p=4395 Images can be powerful. It is one of the many reasons why I enjoy both looking at photography and taking my own photos. Looking through Getty Images news photos hadn’t occurred to me. Then again, I am not an editorial editor. My sources are more things like Flickr or the Boston Globe’s Big Picture.


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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/04/13/photos-that-changed-the-world/feed/ 0 Flowers Gone Wild http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/04/09/flowers-gone-wild/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/04/09/flowers-gone-wild/#comments Fri, 09 Apr 2010 04:43:28 +0000 Ezra S F http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/?p=4357 Cora's Phlox

Cora's Phlox

Cora invited me to her Easter potluck party. I was curious what kind of flowers I’d find given her work involves flowers. The tulips were nice, but the patch of these in the backyard were much more interesting.


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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/04/09/flowers-gone-wild/feed/ 1 Athens Strobist Meetup http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/02/24/athens-strobist-meetup/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/02/24/athens-strobist-meetup/#comments Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:29:00 +0000 Big Eazy http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/02/24/athens-strobist-meetup/
Athens Strobist Meetup
Originally uploaded by Ezra S F

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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/02/24/athens-strobist-meetup/feed/ 0 Haifa http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/02/16/haifa-2/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/02/16/haifa-2/#comments Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:36:43 +0000 from Flickr http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/02/16/haifa-2/


Perfect Fit

Originally uploaded by Ezra S F

One of the gems from the photos I took in Haifa. Having not taken my dSLR, I am rather pleased with the photos I managed to take on this trip with a little digital point-n-click. Guess that shows: 1) How beautiful were the surroundings, 2) Equipment only gets one so far.


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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/02/16/haifa-2/feed/ 2 Clinton and the Tree http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/11/clinton-and-the-tree/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/11/clinton-and-the-tree/#comments Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:45:17 +0000 from Flickr http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/11/clinton-and-the-tree/


Clinton and the Tree

Originally uploaded by Ezra S F

We really wanted this tree in the photo. The problems: 1) illuminating the tree enough, 2) not over exposing Clinton, 3) hand holding the flash and trigger. Cranked the power up to full power. Wes aimed it at the tree. Clinton is essentially just getting the leftover light.

Strobist: Sunpak MZ-440AF-CA full power shot through 60 inch umbrella. Triggered by a pair of PocketWizard PLUS II.

Become a fan of Athens Strobist on Facebook.


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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/11/clinton-and-the-tree/feed/ 0 Clinton and the Tree http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/11/clinton-and-the-tree-2/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/11/clinton-and-the-tree-2/#comments Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:45:00 +0000 Big Eazy http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/11/clinton-and-the-tree-2/
Clinton and the Tree
Originally uploaded by Ezra S F

We really wanted this tree in the photo. The problems: 1) illuminating the tree enough, 2) not over exposing Clinton, 3) hand holding the flash and trigger. Cranked the power up to full power. Wes aimed it at the tree. Clinton is essentially just getting the leftover light.

Strobist: Sunpak MZ-440AF-CA full power shot through 60 inch umbrella. Triggered by a pair of PocketWizard PLUS II.

Become a fan of Athens Strobist on Facebook.


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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/11/clinton-and-the-tree-2/feed/ 0 Ice Patch http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/07/ice-patch/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/07/ice-patch/#comments Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:34:00 +0000 Big Eazy http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/07/ice-patch/
Ice Patch
Originally uploaded by Ezra S F

I first noticed this yesterday morning. So through two full days this patch has survived. GDOT says the reason I-75 has had similar is because ground water is seeping up and freezing.


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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/07/ice-patch/feed/ 0 Project 365 http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/04/project-365/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/04/project-365/#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:44:56 +0000 from Flickr http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/04/project-365/


Project 365: Day 004

Originally uploaded by Ezra S F

So, I am day four into my participation in Project 365: One photo a day for an entire year.

I have to make it into May before I improve over the last time I tried this in 2007. Hope I make it. The last time resulted in some gems.


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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/04/project-365/feed/ 1 1/365 http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/01/1365/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/01/1365/#comments Sat, 02 Jan 2010 03:44:00 +0000 Big Eazy http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/01/1365/
1/365
Originally uploaded by Ezra S F

Day 1: Jeff and Kathy invited me over to watch all three Lord of the Rings (extended edition) for the 3rd year in a row. The collectible cup with lights in the base.


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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2010/01/01/1365/feed/ 0 Time of Death Dec 27, 2009 at 2:34pm http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/27/time-of-death/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/27/time-of-death/#comments Sun, 27 Dec 2009 23:03:19 +0000 Ezra S F http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/27/time-of-death-dec-27-2009-at-234pm/


Time of Death Dec 27, 2009 at 2:34pm

Originally uploaded by Ezra S F

Didn’t realize it was still on when I put it in my pocket for 2 hours.

At least I still have my SLR.

UPDATE: Ordered a replacement. Hope it is as good or faithful.


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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/27/time-of-death/feed/ 0 Time of Death Dec 27, 2009 at 2:34pm http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/27/time-of-death-dec-27-2009-at-234pm/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/27/time-of-death-dec-27-2009-at-234pm/#comments Sun, 27 Dec 2009 22:03:00 +0000 Big Eazy http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/27/time-of-death-dec-27-2009-at-234pm/
Time of Death Dec 27, 2009 at 2:34pm
Originally uploaded by Ezra S F

Didn’t realize it was still on when I put it in my pocket for 2 hours.


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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/27/time-of-death-dec-27-2009-at-234pm/feed/ 0 Ornamental Reflection http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/26/ornamental-reflection-2/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/26/ornamental-reflection-2/#comments Sat, 26 Dec 2009 22:01:00 +0000 Big Eazy http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/26/ornamental-reflection-2/
Ornamental Reflection
Originally uploaded by Ezra S F

Downtown Valdosta outside Bleu Cafe.


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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/26/ornamental-reflection-2/feed/ 0 Self Portrait http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/21/self-portrait/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/21/self-portrait/#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:57:00 +0000 Big Eazy http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/21/self-portrait/
Self Portrait
Originally uploaded by Ezra S F

This was posted a while ago to Flickr, but I was reminded it has been a while since I posted anything here…

Sitting on a recliner playing with my new bank breaking toys.

Sunpak MZ440AF-CA on a light stand with a hot shoe connected to a PocketWizard II fired into a 60 inch umbrella with the reflector cover on it. Triggered by another PocketWizard II on my camera. Need to look at turning down the power or firing through the umbrella.


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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/21/self-portrait/feed/ 0 Me Social Media http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/18/me-in-social-media/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/18/me-in-social-media/#comments Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:59:19 +0000 Ezra S F http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/?p=1186 Dan Schultz doesn’t like Facebook or Twitter because they are too focussed on individual expression rather than the community.

That may be because he is using them wrong. I liked photography as a kid, but I didn’t know any photographers. Flickr happened to come into my life just after I bought my first digital camera. My participation in photography exploded. Not because I had a way to post my photos but because I had a way to find other local photographers for mutual encouragement. Even better was forming local groups to encourage people to meet. The value of Flickr is developing the community.

Worldwide Photowalk Panorama

Similarly, I got into Twitter because my community, peers at other universities running the same software as myself, were seeking help there. Any place with answers to the problems we face, which is where people with the answers are watching, is where we go. Twitter was the place to get the attention of the right people not a forum like phpBB. (There are already lots of email lists.) My other community, people using the software I run are also on Twitter. I’ve resolved issues for many clients by finding their public complaints and offering solutions. When my focus changed away from using Twitter for the community is when I stopped liking Twitter.

Personally, I have yet to find much sense of community in the phpBB, Google Wave, and Ning. So I find it strange these are the exemplars of community applications. They seem fractured so one finds dozens of groups to covering the same interest. Sometimes this is because some moderator upset a portion of the community with draconian behavior causing people to form an alternative community. Bad blood exists for a while. Other times people set up a new community unaware others exist.


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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/18/me-in-social-media/feed/ 0 Copycats http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/15/copycats/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/15/copycats/#comments Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:47:02 +0000 Ezra S F http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/?p=1183 Microsoft China blatantly copied Plurk. A similar message used to appear on web design forums at least monthly. People sought advice how to handle such situations. Plurk seems to be in the same state.

As a young startup, we’re stunned, shocked, and unsure what to do next and need your support and suggestions.

The recent, popular advice seems to have not changed over the decade with the exception of sending a DMCA take down notice. From OnWired:

  1. Contact the offending party.
  2. Contact the offending party’s hosting company.
  3. Issue a formal DMCA takedown notice.
  4. Get your attorney involved. (It would be interesting to go to a lawyer about a site in China.)

At least the word is out about not disabling the right click button! Watermarks really are the better solution for images. Points to any of you who remember how I helped Mojan with blocking images from being saved off her site.


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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/15/copycats/feed/ 0 GIMP Raw http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/05/gimp-raw/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/05/gimp-raw/#comments Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:04:00 +0000 Ezra S F http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/?p=1166 When photographers I know talk about processing their digital images, they generally talk about Adobe products like Photoshop or Light Room. Some talk about Apple’s Aperture. Operating system only matters when it manages to make filters finish faster on the equivalent hardware.

Colorful Renee But… I am cheap. Photoshop was in my tool set back when work paid for me to do web design. Aperture and Light Room never entered it.

So I used Picasa as it did what I needed. Occasionally I used GIMP to perform more advanced edits. For example, I desaturated a custom area in the picture on the right to bring the attention back to who is important. Picasa can only do the same for a circle.

Considering GIMP is a image editor, it seemed quite concerning that it would fail to open Raw images. Surely Canon CR2 files from a 4 year old camera are supportable? Well, it turns out, GIMP needs help from a plugin.

  1. A dcraw-gimp plugin based on dcraw has very simple options for profiles used convert Raw to Portable Any Map for opening in GIMP.
  2. A ufraw-gimp plugin based on ufraw has much more cool tools for adjusting the levels prior to converting to Portable Any Map.

This morning I worked with F-Spot as my image manager and GIMP as the editor. This afternoon I switched to digiKam for the image manager and switched only to GIMP for things I could not manage.

I think I can use this workflow.


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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/12/05/gimp-raw/feed/ 0 Asterisks in the sky http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/11/26/asterisks-in-the-sky/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/11/26/asterisks-in-the-sky/#comments Fri, 27 Nov 2009 03:24:43 +0000 Ezra S F http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/11/26/asterisks-in-the-sky/


Happy (Con)trails

Originally uploaded by Ezra S F

Flickr member Zack Sheppard did me a huge favor yesterday picking this picture for a Flickr blog about Asterisks in the sky. So in one day this picture was exposed to 5,931 people.

Several of those looked at the adjacent picture and others for a total of 10,640 hits yesterday. Lots of comments on many of my photos.

Wow. Just wow.


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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/11/26/asterisks-in-the-sky/feed/ 0 Happy (Con)trails http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/11/26/happy-contrails-2/ http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/11/26/happy-contrails-2/#comments Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:25:00 +0000 Big Eazy http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/11/26/happy-contrails-2/
Happy (Con)trails
Originally uploaded by Ezra S F

Flickr member Zack Sheppard did me a huge favor yesterday picking this picture for a Flickr blog about Asterisks in the sky. So in one day this picture was exposed to 5,931 people.

Several of those looked at the adjacent picture and others for a total of 10,640 hits yesterday. Lots of comments on many of my photos.

Wow. Just wow.


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]]> http://www.ezrasf.com/wplog/2009/11/26/happy-contrails-2/feed/ 0