On Saturday (7/27), I had a chance to revisit “The Rectory School” in Pomfret CT, for the first time in 18 years, when I had attended the 75th Anniversary ceremonies.
This time, I was there to mourn the death of a beloved teacher, “Swish” White, who helped to shape this young teenager back in the late 1970s.
It was a small sweet ceremony held at Christ Church, located right across the street, where I once sat in the pews, twice a week for three years.
Memories flooded my mind, as I looked around the old church with it’s beautiful stain glass windows and vaulted dark wood beams reaching high into the ceiling. The chosen music echoing in the air.
I sat with my daughter and Peter Rosengarten, listening to the tributes to Ms. White, for all the wonderful things she had done during her lifetime as a Wife, Mother, Teacher, Tutor, Mentor, Musician and Friend.
During one tribute by Mr. Groom, he made reference to the school play “Oliver” directed by Mrs. White, and how she was able to temporarily ‘tame’ the boys, and harness their energy into something wonderful.
Of course, Peter and I had to starting poking and pointing at each other, like the little school boys we had been, bringing a chuckle to those in attendance.
I was also very fortunate to be introduced to Ms. White’s daughter, Jesse, when I was still a student at the school, and the two of us have remained close friends for over 35 years, and becoming an adopted “Aunt” of our two kids.
At the luncheon held after the Service, I was able to chat with some of my teachers that I had not seen since 1995 or before: Mr. Groom, Mr. & Mrs. Seaward, Mr. & Mrs. Washburn and my first tutor Ms. Barker!
How does one cram half a lifetime into 5 minutes of conversation!
Eventually, Peter, Madison and I, found Jesse and told her we were going to walk the campus, and not to leave without saying good bye.
We walked to the colonnade, a common meeting point so many years before, and looked out at all the changes, trying to describe them to Madison.
Peter was far more versed in the changes, since he had just at a son graduate the year before.
For Madison, it was a chance to see where Daddy lived for three years of his life, including two surviving dorm rooms, and enhanced stories from Peter.
After about an hour, we head back to the church, and found Jesse, packing up for a more intimate family reception down the road.
We chatted some more, trying to comfort Jesse as much as we could, and updating our information so that if there were a need, we could easily communicate with each other.
Finally, it was time to depart.
We hugged and kissed and went our separate ways – Peter to a local comic book store, and my long drive home with Madison.
To Mrs. White – Thank you so much for those various seeds you planted so long ago! They have taken root, and continue to grow because of you. You will be greatly missed!
At the time, I got to work with many different setups, and knew what I wanted, but just could not justify the costs. I did know, that what every tripod I bought, I wanted it to last.
And my Bogen has lasted.
So far, the ONLY thing that has broken on it, is the stitching on one of the loops for the carrying strap!
It “broke” on me while out on a nature walk, and I just took the remaining strap, and tied a half-hitch back on the D-ring, and have been using it ever since, well over a year ago.
Easily, my Bogen is one of the best purchases in my life!
My Bogen was also there when I took the winning photograph.
After a few coordinating emails between LandscapePhotographyMagazine.com, Manfrotto and I, the box arrived late last Friday afternoon.
I was very surprised to have it arrive so quickly, and very eager to see what 30 years tripods was like!
Raising the Legs
At first, I was concerned because there was only one box.
I was expecting two, tripod and head, but was pleased to find the head included in the main box.
Silly me.
When I removed the tripod from the box, it did “feel” lighter then my Bogen, but the head was still not on.
The next thing I did, was to extend the legs, and as I did, they seemed smoother and quieter then my Bogen, but this could that be due to age, or is it, aluminium vs. carbon fiber?
Time will tell.
Opening the small box with the ball-head, was very exciting for me, because I always wanted one, and now I had one!
There had been numerous times, over the years, where the three twisting arms of my Bogen head, made it much more difficult to setup for a shot, whereas a ball head was going to be a joy!
Or so I thought…
In the Studio
When I first heard that I had won, I looked into accessories for the Manfrotto, namely a carrying strap, and for the first time, a quick release system – another little item that I always wanted…
Finding, Ordering and Receiving these two items took considerably much longer then expected, and is still needing to be resolved, as I ponder the subject for a new post.
While waiting for the tripod accessories, I decided to try the tripod in my little studio doing some shots that I had been contemplating for some time now.
In setting up given shots, it was funny to note my ingrained movements towards the knobs of my old tripod as I made final adjustments.
For all intensive purposes, I went from three knobs, down to one.
It just felt weird!
During the course of the day, I managed to set up and photograph, several scenes with the new ball head, and finally into Lightroom for basic review.
It was in Lightroom, where I began to notice subtle shifts in my bracketed exposure sequences due to movement between exposures.
When taking an exposure, I normally use the cameras onboard interface, to change the settings, then use my remote trigger for the actual exposure.
This is of importance to me, since I do a lot of HDR work, and it is critical for the various exposures to be aligned.
With my Bogen, these physical exposure adjustments on the camera, were not nearly as bad as what I was witnessing with the new Manfrotto.
At the moment, I’m just going to make myself mentally aware of being more careful when making the adjustments, or rely on AEB more often.
Going for my first walk
Finally, I got the tripod strap and quick release systems!
I was rather impressed when I first opened up the tripod strap. There is a rather large padded sleeve that fits over the actual strap, and I could easily see where this might be very comfortable after a long day of carrying the tripod. I also like the idea of having a quick release on the strap where one would connect it to the three legs.
I also installed the quick release system on the tripod and camera, and smacked my head on why I had not bought one of these before, but at the same time, knowing that I just had had movement issues in the studio, I also now had to consider this.
Be that as it may, I went off for a walk to test my new toys in the field!
Generally, when I start one of my walks, I have not attached the camera to the tripod yet, and swing both of them over my left shoulder, and start on, allowing me to freehold the camera if I see something of interest.
As I walked, the first thing that I noticed, was how completely different this tripod felt on my shoulder.
Gone was the feeling of the knob arms hitting you like blunted porcupine quills as you walked and moved through the woods, but at the same time, I still need to figure out the best way to attach the strap and cushioned padding.
It feels weird, but once again, time will tell.
Conclusion
Once again, I want to thank both LandscapePhotographyMagazine.com and Manfrotto for this opportunity, and I look forward to years of great use!
That being said, it is far too early to make a definitive conclusion about the two tripods.
Manfrotto does feel lighter in weight, but I have NOT actually done a side-by-side, and the carrying strap needs some fine tuning in the field.
I am looking forward to using the ball-head more, and I should be able to adapt to the minor adjustments issues, by tightening the one knob more. (I do have a zoom lens that I worried about…)
Right now I’m still in the honeymoon stage with my Manfrotto, and with any good marriage it takes time… 30+ years is hard to break.
But some questions linger… Am I cheating on my Bogen?
Will Bogen get relegated to the studio, while Manfrotto journeys forth?
It has been awhile since I have mentioned anything about my Flickr account, and last night, I finally reached another milestone… 100,000 Total Flickr views!
100K+ Flickr Total views
As you can see, there has been a spike over the past couple of days, and that seems to be due to traffic from my “Fire in the Neighborhood!” post of the other day.
In any case, I want to thank all those that have visited, and I hope you enjoyed what I have to offer.
I have had my Canon XTi since 2007, and all during this time, I have used numerous tools to dust out the sensor chamber, including my old spray paint brush and compressor.
But lately, the dust monsters have really taken a toil on my productivity, only increasing my touch-up skills, and it was during my processing of some foggy morning pictures, that I knew, something had to be done.
Turning to my online connections on Facebook and Google+, I asked the question if anyone had done their own sensor cleaning, and if they had any tips, suggestions.
A great place to start, is CleaningDigitalCameras.com, which has a lot of comprehensive information on various tools and techniques.
After reading various pages, I knew that I needed 1) a very careful “Dry” cleaning; and if that did not work, 2) a “Wet” cleaning with swabs, and the two main vendors to look at were VisibleDust and Photographic Solutions.
What am I looking for?
I searched the internet for what it would cost me to get my camera Professionally cleaned, and although prices varied, be prepared to spend $60+ per cleaning, and being without your camera for a period of time, and in some cases, not as clean as you hoped (or paid for).
So, I am looking for a “Beginner” kit that can offer me both a Dry and Wet sensor cleaning option that does not cost a great deal.
As my daughter says, I’m cheap…
I like to think frugal…
VisibleDust
The VisibleDust systems are very cool looking and many different options to suit your needs, and I almost purchased their Christmas Special, but after reading some of the reviews on Amazon, I became very hesitant.
The Basic offers the same basics as the VisibleDust Christmas Special, but one still needed a brush, and with that additional cost, the price for the two systems is about equal.
The Professional version offers a Brush, Magnifying Glass and Air Blower, all in a nice nylon pouch for around $125.00 USD.
Adorama
I recently upgrade my Adorama account to a VIP status (what ever that means), and was eager to see if this might affect my order in any way.
On Wednesday, December 26th, I placed my order for the “Photographic Solutions Pro Digital Survival Eclipse Kit #2” and opted for the 3-5 Business Day shipping for an added $3.95, and figured I would see my package early next week, just in time for the new year!
Saturday (30th), the snow is still falling, and my son and I, are finally finishing the plowing of the driveway by hand, and in checking the mailbox, I was very pleased to see a package from Adorama!
I know what I get to play with tonight!
Preparations
Finally, around 11PM Saturday night, the house is quiet, and I am able to unpack and examine my new toys.
Note 01 – In the video, the instructor mentions an ECLIPSE packet that comes with each brush. This is NOT true for this Kit. Instead you have to create your own using a “PEC*PAD with ECLIPSE Optic Cleaner” –
“Be sure your fingers do not touch any of the PAD that will come in contact with the unique and patented fiber materials. If the brush should become contaminated, simple saturate a PEC*PAD with ECLIPSE Optic Cleaner and gently wipe the bristles. Air dry for a few seconds and replace protective cap being sure cap itself has not become contaminated. To further protect the BRUSHOFF fibers, they are fully retractable into the handle when not in use and a protective cap is also supplied.” – BRUSHOFF Information
Note 02 – The video suggests placing a PEC*PAD on clean area, so I placed mine on top of the Sensor Swab box, and then added a couple of drops of ECLIPSE Optic Cleaner.
Almost immediately, the ink from the box began to leach through the pad.
I should have known better.
I ended up using folded over white paper, and will seek a better setup.
Into the Chamber
I used the included magnifying glass to first look at what I was getting into.
I was pleasantly surprised to see, that it included a working LED light, and a magnification that was useful!
Using the magnifying glass, I could easily see some dust, and first used the included small Giotto Rocket Blower, and checked again.
I could still see some dust, so I decided to take the more dramatic measure of using the BrushOff.
I very carefully whipped the sensor a couple of times, blew with the Rocket, and then checked with the magnifying glass again, again.
The dust appeared to be moving, but not off the sensor.
Attaching the provided grounding wire, I ‘charged’ the brush, while tapping it firmly, and returned to cleaning the sensor.
This time, there did seem to be a difference.
Preliminary Testing
After the sensor cleaning, I took a couple of test shoots in my office, but the lighting at midnight is not really a good test.
What I could see, gave me encouragement.
I really need to get out, shoot some landscapes at f22, and then see the results.
Updates to follow…
Conclusion
It is still to early to make a definitive conclusion, but I have learned, it is not as hard as one might think, as long as you are very careful.
I also learned several new ways to clean my camera’s sensors, which should also carry forward into future cameras. There alone saving on time and money associated with Professional cleanings, and my costs moving forward should be relatively low since I now have some base equipment, which should last for years.
This past weekend, June 8-10, I had a chance to go back to my 30th Reunion at St. Andrew’s School in Middletown DE, and just like the past five reunions, it was great to see all my old classmates, their families and catch-up on life.
But that is not the purpose of this blog post, but to look at some of the things that a photographer might encounter when going back to a reunion where they are personally involved.
Equipment
When ever I am in a group, I am all was asked about what camera and gear do I use or recommend, and a reunion is no different, and the biggest surprise people find out about me, is how lightly equipped I am, and I tell them, it’s not the most expensive equipment, but how you use it, which seems to be forever lost.
I carry one camera body, and in the case of the reunion, I carried one lens and used my camera’s built-in flash (more on that later).
Shooting
At my first reunion, I did not bring a camera, and I had to rely on someone else to record the memories, and thankfully that person captured some of those moments in the early years to record a history.
During the next 20+ years, cameras were still film based, and people would still click and hope when taking pictures, and wait for days for the pictures to return from the developing labs.
Since then, computers are now main stream, and everyone with a phone, now has a basic camera, and as a photographer, what are you suppose to do when everyone around you is clicking away.
Your not on assignment, and you are not getting paid, so…
So relax and just enjoy it!
I know, it is easier said that done…
Built-In Flash
Normally, I use an exterior flash that I mount on top of my camera, but being a weekend that I’m supposed to be relaxing and enjoying, I decided to use the built-in flash, instead of lugging around the additional weight.
I had some concerns leaving my room without the external, and as the daylight faded away, and the various classes coalesced into small groups, it became more difficult to capture the candid moments.
I found it extremely difficult to shoot true candids as the light of red-eye reduction flicker announced my intention of taking a photograph. The subjects would look up, causing the moment to be lost, and awkward expressions.
In the future, based on this experience, I may just have to suck it up and deal with carry an extra set of batteries and use my external flash.
Auto-Focus
I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with auto-focus, and I truly miss the days of split screen focus that were prevalent on film based cameras, but in this case, as the night wore on and the drinks began to settle in, I was glad to have the extra little help especially in the wee hours of the morning.
Editing
This was probably the most difficult aspect of doing this type of personal photography.
Of course the various “posed” shots would make it through to the final stages of editing, but there is always that hidden desire to capture the mood of an intimate moment between old friends.
I have known these people for over 30 years, I had no desire to present them in an unflattering manner, but as mentioned above with the built-in flash, there were many expressions and looks that would not live past my first round of editing.
Then there is also the issue, of how one perceives them 30 years ago, versus what they have become in the time since, the transformation of a dweeb/geek to a Doctor or a President of a major company.
It would be too easy to release outtakes and doing damage upon many levels, but that is also an issue whenever you are shooting.
Posting
Oddly, this turned out to be one of the most difficult tasks of the entire event!
During my 7+ years on the Alumni Council Board (ACB), there were many discussions about how to reach out to the various Alumni, and it was generally understood, that the older Alumni preferred more traditional means, while the younger Alumni were generally fully digitally enabled. My class fell somewhere in between.
During the Sunday brunch, I chatted with some of my classmates on where to post all our images from the weekend, and this discussion continued online on Facebook as well as several e-mails that were sent the following day.
It became rather apparent, that some of our class was very comfortable working with Facebook, but at the same time an equal number had not spent any time on any social network.
Several alternatives were suggested, such as Flickr, Google plus and some others, but a common theme was the security of the images, and not requiring the sign up for some new account.
Eventually, images were posted to several sites for all to enjoy.
Conclusion
I have definitely struggled trying to reach some conclusion in this type of shooting situation.
One is very torn between doing a professional job and just being a classmate, enjoying the weekend together.
One is also confronted with your classmates seeing your professional work and expecting that same type of professionalism after the weekend has ended.
Then one is also faced with all the images from everyone else, whether it be a camera phone, a simple point-and-shoot, or the schools photographer covering the event.
I have since seen the wonderful images from the school photographer as they covered the daytime events, but they cannot be everywhere shooting everything, and that’s where the camera phones and point-and-shoot cameras come into more prominence for the individual classes, especially as the night wears on into the early morning.
In five years, I’ll have a chance to do this again, and the biggest change that I will do next time, is to use an external flash.
As I learned many years ago, photography is about capturing the moment, or put another way film is cheap but the moment is not.
