November 24, 2007

Seven essentials for better photography


These tips are equally important for digital and film photography. You remember film don’t you? Those thin strips of plastic (celluloid) impregnated with chemicals that you had to take to the drug store to have developed. Never mind, these tips are universal. The last tip is the best, easiest and most often underused. There is an old and very true saying in photography, “It’s not the subject, it’s the shooter.” Great photographs require technique and talent. Master the first and allow the second to emerge.

1. Tip one is a combination of Read first (the owner’s manual) so you won’t have to ask questions later and Know your camera and all of its controls. These two important steps are really the same and that it can’t be stressed enough. How can you get that one magical shot when it comes by if you are fiddling with the controls and poof, just like that its gone? This does not eliminate or reduce the importance of the photographer. But those who make a living at this know their cameras inside and out.

2. Master the use of the Flash. When and how to use the flash comes from practice and experimentation. (See tip seven below). When considering the flash take the shot both with and without. Film – sorry digital media – is cheap, so use it. Indoors the flash can be a life saver, but don’t forget to try it outdoors as well; it can fill a subject and add some punch to overcast or dark exterior shots.

3. Steady! You may think you have rock solid nerves of steel, and you may but when it comes to long shots with your camera use a mono-pod or a tripod. Most cameras have guideline in the view finder so take advantage of those as well. If you are caught without proper equipment improvise. Use what’s around you – a tree, the hood of your car or anything you can brace against to help stabilize.

4. Avoid the Sun – no I am not talking about skin cancer. Try and have the sun on your subject or at least not within your field of view. Of course if you are shooting beautiful sunsets off the coast of Capri you won’t need this tip, heck you won’t need this blog.

5. What you looking at? Seriously, this is important. It’s the key difference between ordinary snapshots and photographs. The point of view, field of view, perspective, organizing angles all come into play when you push past the basic point and shot and start to capture images. It even sounds "capturing images" ahhh better than taking pictures.

6. Don’t be afraid of the little Mouse. Learning to use graphic software for image correction and manipulation is as important as many of the tips above. You can’t make a great photograph from a below-average one, but you can take a good photograph and make it really pop. The simple packages have automated many of the most common tasks and the more you learn the better control you will have.

7. Your piano teacher was right. Practice. Practice. Prac… Oh heck if you don’t get it now, a third time won’t make any difference. Great equipment and good technique will prepare you to succeed when the opportunity present itself. Give yourself the chance. All of the pros I know will agree and there is not out there that doesn’t practice every chance they get. What does Tiger Woods do when if finishes a round of golf in a tournament? He goes right back to the range and practices. Tiger Woods. That’s probably the reason he could beat me with a rake and a baseball bat when I have the finest clubs money can buy.

November 23, 2007

Schedules

If you are mildly afflicted with a geocaching bug, this time of year may afford you a chance to slip out, unnoticed scratch that itch. If you have a more advanced form of the disease this time of year poses real challenges to your continued membership in your respective families. With the weather crisp, not cold, the wind mild not strong, the leaves turning and falling, not obscuring those cute little million dollar satellites, late fall is the best time of year to spend time in the forest, woods, parks, abandoned farms, cemeteries etc. No friend, the pull of the outdoors is directly opposite the tug of Aunt Dolly and her sweet potato pie. You are faced with a minefield of choices.

Geocaching around the holidays requires all your wiles and creativity. Simple things like adjusting the time you leave allowing for some quick grabs along the chosen route can get you through another day. And as we all know its always one day at a time.

More advanced and some would argue riskier tactics would be generous volunteer approach. "I'll run out for some more ice" or other such item that has been depleted can work in a pinch but this will fail when the host calls next door for reinforcements.

Lat minute illness can work but, again the risk can be too great. A knock at the door followed by a pot of steaming chicken soup can be hard to explain to a spouse who would be surprised that the party really wasn't canceled at the last minute. Never mind the person bringing the soup is confused that you are not in fact on the way to the hospital for treatment.

Office parties can offer some cover if carefully scheduled and planned. With the early sunset of the fall, an office party at 2:30PM will require some advanced planning and setup. Also bribes and payoff are not uncommon for those who would betray your actual motives and location.

Nope, caching at the holidays can really only be achieved through mutual infection or spousal approval. I am fortunate, I got help. For those who are still struggling hang in there, there is always a meeting to go to or a web site to visit to get you through the tough times. Just because you can get out into the world doesn't mean you can't spend some quality time with a puzzle or two.

November 17, 2007

November 15, 2007

Cache Noir Scene 1



I found this manuscript page in the back seat of a moss green 1973 Dodge Monaco station wagon. Hopefully this is the only attempt at crime novel writing. There was no clue as to it's author and thankfully this was the only page. I read the page over and over thinking there must be something there. Then I spotted it.

Click GC17DWW


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November 1, 2007

Stop the Maddness!!!

Why, for the love of peanut butter? There is really only one answer.
Frodo's Magic Arc GC173ZH
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