AR 20 - Equivalence Times Three

Continuing with the concept of equivalence...

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I reacted to scenes that sparked a feeling or emotion not related to the literal scene itself and then attempted to photograph those scenes.

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I won't say what I was thinking or feeling when I shot them. I think that ruins the meaning of it.

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What I like about this concept is that it's completely open to the interpretations of the viewer. Maybe you will feel something similar or completely different. Maybe you will feel nothing at all.

More thought, and more work is needed, I feel. This is really interesting to me.

The Audio Learning Curve

Earlier this summer I bought an H2 Zoom digital audio recorder.

It's somewhat small (pocketable, if you have big pockets and don't mind a substantial bulge in the side of your pants). I bought a protective silicon jacket for it. It's not smooth and that makes it easy to grip and hold, but it's rubberiness makes it a pain to slide in and out of your pockets.

I've made several recordings of ambient sounds. Capturing sound with this device is fairly easy (i.e. it's an intuitive and simple device) but as with anything, there's a learning curve.

I'm far away from being a novice at sound recording, but here are some things I've learned so far:

- The H2 has sets of microphones, each set is suited for a particular application and the rear set captures a field at 120° - this is about right for what I've been recording.
- The Low/Med/High microphone gain switch is very important - "High" is necessary to get ambient noises such as birds and insects at a somewhat decent level. This switch is very easy to accidentally bump and change.
- The recording levels flash on-screen in real time. These need to be considered when attempting to get a recording at an acceptable sound level. It's a lot like looking at the histogram on a digital camera.
- The recorder is very sensitive to handling noise. My cleanest recordings have come from setting the thing down somewhere and not touching it while it records.
- It picks up everything, especially when it's in high sensitivity mode. Distant planes and vehicles plus any movement I make (footsteps, breathing, sniffling, etc.) get captured.

I've had fun with it and enjoy the results, and I'll keep on going up the learning curve, hopefully. And maybe I'll use it for recording my own thoughts on photography ;-)

(Hope that answers all Kent's questions :-) )

Canon G11 Likes and Dislikes

My primary tool on my "photo walks" in the Addicks Reservoir is a Canon G11. It's small, versatile, and relatively good amongst point-n-shoot type digital cameras.

But I'm about to throw the damn thing in a creek. I'm developing a dislike for it.

Dynamic Range

My primary complaint is dynamic range, or lack thereof. The camera does indeed have a good DR for a point-n-shoot, but it (like any other digital camera and also film) has limits to DR.

The resulting problem is that when shooting the G11 and highlights blow out, they're toast. There's little to no highlight recovery when processing the raw file. This is unlike a typical DSLR where you usually have SOME highlight recovery.

This problem is exacerbated by the camera's exposure metering always wanting to over expose. I don't think there's anything wrong with the meter, I just think it's a trend among camera manufacturers now to default to a brighter exposure because folks, in general, dislike a dark, underexposed image.

More often than not, I've got -1 to -2 exposure compensation dialed in to keep the highlights from blowing out. Even if they're just shy of being blown out, they still look bad. They're rough looking and "digital" in appearance in the photo.

Autofocus

Another issue with the G11 is the autofocus. It's "course" as compared to a typical DSLR, but the camera's generally huge DOF makes up for this coarseness.

The issue really is that it won't focus on small objects. This becomes problematic when shooting a small flower or insect or spider. A spider on a web, for example, is almost impossible to focus on using the autofocus. The AF only locks onto background objects (even with macro mode enabled).

The camera does have manual focus, but using it is very cumbersome and relies on the LCD screen, which isn't always easily viewable especially in broad daylight. It's fine for tripod use on a still subject, but using it hand-held on, for example, a spider sitting on its web and moving around in the breeze is really impossible.

Other Options

I have two other cameras (both DSLRs) that I'd consider taking with me on my walks, but they're much larger and heavier. I've actually done one walk with my 5DII and it was awkward. I could get used to carrying it, I'm sure, much like I got used to carrying the G11 (which was awkward at first too whereas previously I carried nothing with me on my walks).

Looking at the sensor performance of my digital cameras (from DxOMark), you could conclude that the G11 isn't all that bad particularly at base or low ISO settings.

This kind of goes off a tangent, but dynamic range test results like this are a load of bullshit. After my EXTENSIVE use of all three of these cameras in practical applications, I would never guess that the G11 rates like this as compared to the other two.

What I believe is going on with these tests is that they are a "laboratory test" of DR and do not represent "usable, practical" DR. I.e. these tests show what DR is theoretically possible when you squeeze every paltry, near-negligible data off the sensor. What they do NOT show is that data is crap, er... not photo-quality.

The G11's performance at the low and high end of its dynamic range is impressive considering "data", but it makes a poor looking photo.

The Good Stuff

I hate to complain and rant only, so here are the good points to the G11 and why I keep using it:

- relatively small considering the features
- relatively cheap considering the features
- the features: full manual control, IS, awesome LCD screen, big sensor (for a p-n-s), etc. (there's a bunch)
- great battery life
- fast performance (for a point-n-shoot)

I will keep using it, albeit within it's limitations. I just have to realize that it can't shoot every scene that I want to photograph. It's the same with any camera; every photo-imaging device has its limits.

AR 19 - Equivalence, Deer, and Sound

It's still hot here, in case anyone's forgotten. Yesterday topped out about 98°F and around 50% humidity. Yuck.

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I've been reading about Minor White and Equivalence (see this link for more info.). In the past, I've come across scenes that have stirred some old thought or feeling, and I have thought about trying to capture it in a photo. It's not a new concept of course, but it's new to me and neat to discover that it in photographic history. I don't know where I'm going with this, it's just interesting.

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The banana spiders do this thing when it's really hot. They orient their bodies so that their long abdomens are pointed towards the sun. This minimizes the amount of surface area being directly lit and therefore helps to keep their bodies from heating up even more.

I've seen them just raise their abdomens, or in this case (see below) dangle from their webs. It's really creepy because it looks like the spider is dead and about to drop. I try not to walk directly underneath these guys :-)

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I came across a buck just inside the treeline along the trail. He spooked and ran but then stopped to watch me. I managed a quick, bad photo. It's good enough to see that his antlers are still in velvet.

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And, finally, continuing with the audio recording... I realized a big mistake that I'd made in my recent recordings. I'll do a separate post later to talk about it. For now, here are two clips taken on the walk:

- Birds and Distant Thunder (MP3 file, 0.2 MB)
- Birds and Cicadas (MP3 file, 0.3 MB)

Underwater Landscapes

In June I got a Canon underwater housing for my G11 for father's day. I played around with it some in the pool with the kids. It's an amazing tool considering the price. Housings for DSLRs cost on the order of 6 times more (at the very low end).

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For years now, I've fantasized about underwater landscapes. I thought about doing typical landscape work (with a tripod and all) sub-surface.

This past weekend, I tried. I'll post more about this in the coming weeks, but I'll just say that it was way more difficult than I had imagined. And I have a new-found appreciation for anyone who has ever taken a camera underwater and tried to take quality photos.

AR 18 - Green

Continuing the catching-up:

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This was really an "off" day for me. I wasn't into making pictures, and the ones I did take do not appeal to me.

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I'm always impressed at the strength of the banana spider webs. The captured dragonfly I photographed the other day was an amazing sight, and this cicada dangling from a web was equally if not more impressive. Cicadas seem stout and heavy (relative to other insects) and I was surprised to see one caught.

New stuff is on the way. I just returned from a four night trip to the Sabinal River near Utopia, TX.

RMNP Gallery Finished

I wrapped up my online gallery from our trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. You can view it here.

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AR 17 - Moss and Berries

I'm behind on my AR postings. I made two walks in the previous two weeks, and I'm just now getting to post the photos.

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My walking schedule is being disrupted by my mowing schedule at home. I can either walk or mow grass, but I can't do both on the same day. I suppose I should mow on the weekends.

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There are a few large oaks with moss-covered trunks along the trail. I'm surprised that I haven't photographed them yet. The textures and colors are what have grabbed my interest.

A Tale of Light Chasing

On a recent family trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, I ventured out one evening by myself. The clouds and light looked perfectly set for a stunning, colorful sunset.

The spectacular light show took place while I was still driving. The clouds and peaks lit up with warm light. The colors changed from golden tones to pinkish tones. It was beautiful.

When I finally got to where I wanted to take pictures, the light had peaked and the colors were fading fast.

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I hung out in that grassy meadow (in Moraine Park) along the river for a long while. I sat on a boulder and watched the darkening sky and heavy clouds. It was so quiet and peaceful.

About 30 minutes after sunset, I got up and slowly walked back to the car. I was fascinated by some interesting clouds and couldn't figure out if they were lenticular or part of a thunderstorm or both.

A spot of white water in the river caught my eye and then the rhythm with the clouds stood out.

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I think I would have been pretty angry with myself just a couple of years ago for missing a sunset like that. Actually, I probably would have bailed out of dinner with my family just to be sure I was on location with camera in hand well before sunset.

Well, I stayed for dinner and even later with the family. We took our sons to ride go-carts after dinner, and we all had a blast. Those moments were far more important to me than that sunset.

I didn't capture the spectacular golden light on the mountain peaks. But I got 30 minutes of solitude in cool, clean air in a grassy meadow with a river flowing close by. My world slowed down. I only wished the rest of my family could have experienced that as well, but they were all tired from a full day of activity and back at the hotel getting ready for bed (I did indeed invite them along on my sunset photo-outing).

The point to this is that I was quite happy to be out there regardless of time and light. I was also happy with the photos, especially the one with the white water and interesting clouds.

AR 16 - Dragonflies, etc.

The woods are hot, swampy, and full of mosquitoes right now.

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I saw two large dragonflies at battle. The green one hit the pavement after a rough tangle with the blue one.

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The blue one (above picture) is in flight but hovering (sorry, it's a tight crop and a bad photo). The one on the ground flew off when I tried to gently move it off the pavement. It then was immediately hit in a mid-air dive-bomb by the blue one (the blue one had hovered about and waited while I was photographing the green one on the ground). They both flitted off, tangled together in battle.

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I came across a bunch of purple passionflowers. These bizarre looking blooms caught my eye and I just had to stop for a photo (and drip sweat on the camera and let the mosquitoes bite me).

Benefits of the Project

I think I'm starting to see the benefits of this project (more of an exercise, really). On our recent trip to Colorado, I did a lot of photography while on the move with the family. I had little time to actually photograph and when I did finally grab some time to make pictures, I had to move fast, get it done quick, and continue on with the family.

I felt somewhat rushed, but then I also felt that I found plenty of things to photograph and was more satisfied with the photos than the photos from previous trips like that. The thing that has helped the most is being able to quickly see a subject that I want to photograph and then quickly and efficiently find a composition to feature that subject.

When I photograph on my afternoon walks, the photography is done on-the-move and quickly. I've learned how to see things on approach and how (and when) to stop myself to take a picture. That's one of the main points - when to stop and also making yourself stop (how many times have you passed up something interesting and later regretted it?).

Reminder: NEW BLOG!

Just a quick reminder that I've started a new photo blog to feature only photos. I've posted a bunch already:
www.texbrick.com/photo/photoblog

AR 15 - Life's Cycle

Things live and things die. We rarely appreciate the cycle.

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The living feed off the dead.

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I inadvertently created two sets of images, each set featuring something alive and dead. The dragonfly was alive and kicking when I first walked past. It was flying madly in circles, tethered to a strong strand of silk. The spider above waited motionless for its dinner to exhaust its energy and succumb. On my return, the dragonfly had indeed tired and was hanging and waiting for the inevitable.

These details make me appreciate life so much more. And I feel that much closer to nature observing them.

AR 14 - Details, Mosquitoes, and Heat!

It's been way too long since my last walk. Life just keeps getting in the way.

The mosquitoes and heat have arrived in full, brutal force.

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What I pondered during my walk, and have been thinking about the past few months, is the value and priority we place on locations based on apparent beauty. Some places are so grand that we have turned them into parks and flock to them to get majestic, high-on-life feelings while viewing the spectacular scenery.

Consequently, a lot of landscape photography seems to emphasize the importance of such places.

Then there are the spots that are commonplace, ordinary, and even ugly. Is it still possible to experience the grand thrill and wonders of the outdoors?

This photo project is allowing me to feel exhilarated and awed and get that satisfied feeling of being close to nature in this apparently dirty, flat, tangled area reserved for holding storm run-off so that the parts of Houston downstream don't flood.

Honestly, I was once fully married to that school of thought regarding the grand landscape. I never thought about doing serious landscape and nature photography here in the local reservoir.

The awesome, beautiful things I experience in the reservoir are often on a small scale, but no less spectacular than things I've seen in our national parks, for example. It's a matter of seeing instead of just looking. It's a matter of perspective. And a lot of times it's a matter of seeing on a much smaller scale.

It doesn't mean that I have no less desire to go to those grand landscapes and national parks. But I think I'm learning to appreciate this local world so much more and enjoy it (and photograph it).

Did I mention that it was HOT?

Blog Split - It Becomes Two

I've wrestled with this long enough. Despite the world not needing another photography blog (geesh, there's a ton), I've created a new one to only showcase photos: www.texbrick.com/photo/photoblog

www.texbrick.com/photo/photoblog

The new blog will be photos with as little text as possible, i.e. it's just a place to view pictures. I will keep this existing blog for my writings on photography (and maybe other stuff, like beer :-) ).

My dilemma is that I dislike reading blogs that contain long posts and/or loads of full-sized images, and when I post to my blog, I tend to write more than I should and want to post more photos than necessary.

One of my compromises here has been to post thumbnails to keep the real estate used relatively small. However, that requires clicking by the viewer to see the full-sized image. I'm sure that's been annoying. It annoys me.

My new blog is a place for viewers to just sit back and look at the images with their morning coffee, afternoon beer, or tequila shots at work :-)