Archive for July, 2005
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27
Jul
2005
Yaaayyyy Me!!!
Had third installment of photo class today. Our assignment was to bring in photographs illustrating depth of field and motion (not together!). My motion pictures weren’t, to me, the best, but considering the heat and all last Satuday, walking up to the dam onVickery Creek was more than enough.
The instructor didn’t have anything bad to say about them at least.
But my photos for DOF he gave a rave for! The firt was a series of raisin boxes arranged to trail away from the foreground. I focused on a box a few from the front. Depending on DOF, various boxes in the foreground were more or less detailed. He actually got up and started showing how this perfectly illustrated the assignment. Then sat down and looked to see what else I’d turned in. The second was the one he said he was going to steal for future classes. I took a picture of the ruler on the side of my carpenter’s level. With a low DOF, you could barely read more than an inch of the ruler, but as you went up, more and more of the ruler was in view. He actually joked, “that’s it, you’re done here, go home now!”
Yaayyyy mee!!!!
24
Jul
2005
20
Jul
2005
Photoclass 2
Just a short one tonight.
Second class and increasing camera envy – probably for no good reason. But this is two weeks in a row I’ve come home contemplating that next camera purchase down the road I hope.
I definitely feel like my understanding is growing. I have a MUCH more solid feeling for metering, aperture, and shutter speed now. The comprehension of these before was to varying degrees very high level and without a clear understanding of what the consequences and expectations were for what I was choosing.
Hopefully armed with this understanding, I’ll take some good shots for next week’s exercise!
20
Jul
2005
James Doohan – RIP
I have never been a celebrity stalker, but there are still ones I hold in awe. James Doohan was one. Some of my earliest memories of TV are watching re-runs of the original Star Trek.
A few years ago, “Scotty” (as I will always remember him) attended DragonCon. It was his last appearance in Atlanta, and probably among his last appearances in general. He was scheduled to come back to Atlanta a year later for what was advertised as the last appearance here, but it never happened. Illness called off that showing as I recall.
Mr. Doohan, being one of the bigger celebs at the Con that year commanded one of the larger ballrooms. I was waiting in one of the foyers for the previous panel to end when one of the Con volunteers nudged me and said, “Scotty.” I thought it was a question about my waiting about in the foyer instead of going in and said, “Yeh, I’m here for the next panel to see Scotty.” Then he nudged me again and pointed and said, “No, Scotty!” I looked down, literally in front of me, and there sat Mr. Doohan on one of those little scooters that the old and infirm use to get about… I was mortified. A living legend was a mere foot from me and I had not even noticed. My mouth stood agape from a combination of shock at his condition and just the fact that he was there. He shortly shoved off and drove to the stage. He did stand during the actual panel, but the image of him on his “little rascal” just stuck with me the whole time. It was as if I could see the grim reaper standing over his shoulder.
During his talk, his aging memory was apparent. If my own memory holds up, the alzheimers diagnosis was either not known or not public at this time. But the way one story faded incongruously into another, I knew Mr. Doohan was not altogether in the here and now. But the glee with which he shared his stories at least conveyed some satisfaction with his life that made it all seem re-affirming in the end.
I was glad to see Mr. Doohan. Even if his body and memory was no longer at 100%, his exuberance of a life fully lived was not diminished. I actually ran into a couple of Brandy’s friends, Karilyn & Jan, who had saved good seats closer to the front and were kind enough to let me squeeze in. They echoed my sentiments of sadness but being happy to have seen the man.
Mr. Doohan, I’ll save you the corny Star Trek farewells. I wish you well wherever you are now. And I thank you for the memories that I hope to cherish until my own end. Thanks much!
13
Jul
2005
First Photo Class
Had my first photo class this evening. A definite learning experience – I can already tell that it’s going to be well worth the cost. The time leading up to the actual start of the class was a little intimidating. With only a couple of exceptions, the people in the class had cameras far beyond my Olympus C-5050 – i.e. full tilt Digital SLR’s that cost in the direction of $1k if not a good deal beyond that. I was beginning to wonder if I had totally found myself in the wrong class. But there were a couple more in my boat. I’m just not yet prepared to shell out that kind of cash on a camera without some idea that I need that kind of horsepower. If I see I have:
- serious interest in photography beyond what my current camera can produce
- possibly some idea that my life’s work may revolve around photography rather than pre-approved offers of credit
That last one was slightly tongue-in-cheek. I don’t foresee changing occupations anytime soon. I’m locked in for awhile no question. I even talked to my boss today about where I want to see myself in the company if/when the next opportunity comes around. I wouldn’t do that if I didn’t have some idea that I’m settled in for awhile.
But the future beyond that is on my mind a lot lately. I don’t see my life in one job or company or one place. I’ve thought a bit about Peace Corps – but reading through what type of people they need, nothing really stuck me. I have enough background in tech to o that route with Peace Corps, but not enough interest in that arena to want to drag that into the future with me. I also read through some other volunteer work experiences out there. Even looked at Americorps a bit. I don’t know. The future is definitely written in pencil.
