Did Somebody Say Brownie?

For "Hawkeye" over at Burn. The venerable, ancient Brownie--my Granddad's--shot with that most modern of modern cameras... the iPhone!

Cheers, amigo!

Gone Fishin'.

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~Henry David Thoreau

There will be days when the fishing is better than one's most optimistic forecast, others when it is far worse. Either is a gain over just staying home. ~Roderick Haig-Brown, Fisherman's Spring

iPhotograph

OK... I think I'm done for. Picked up an iPhone recently, downloaded a couple "apps," and now there's no turning back! I'm hooked. I've been assimilated to the hive. (Can an iMac be far behind?) Not proud, but weirdly, not ashamed!

One of the first pics shot, a little vignetting added (thanks to "Camera Bag" app). Much to explore. I'm thinking an entire essay using just this tiny 3 megapixel camera. Could be fun. Will keep you posted.

Cheers.

Creating an Image.

There are myriad ways to make a photograph (or take a picture!). From the serendipitous to the thought-out-in-advance... and of course the continuum that is in between.

You may see something really groovy happening and happen to have the camera nearby, or you may have an idea--a concept--already in mind. Maybe it's a combination of both.

I went down to the canal with no concept, no real fleshed out idea. Just needed to go out and shoot. I spent about two hours walking around, looking. If something interesting happened--like a heron taking off from a perch--I quickly tried to capture it. (I did! Looks cool, too. Will see it here at a later date.) A couple of bicyclists or joggers headed my way, got them too. Then there was the shot you see (sort of) below. I found myself standing there watching the water rush by, listening to the birds, the wind in the trees... taking it all in.

In one direction I noticed an interesting possibility for a shot. Bringing the camera to my eye, I began looking for just the right composition. Moved a little to the left, then right, then up a little, walked forward.... Without tripping the shutter I kept moving around until it felt just right. When it finally did (sometimes it never does!) I took a shot and examined it on the LCD screen. Looked good there, too... but it needed the human element. I put the camera on the tripod, recomposed the shot and pre-focused to a spot down the towpath a ways. Then I waited. It was still a little early so foot traffic was still light. I decided to set the timer and at least get a self-portrait. Ultimately, people did ride, walk, run by in each direction. Got a few images to choose from and will probably go back for more... maybe bring a model just in case!

In the mean time, here's a double self-portrait.

European House Sparrow (juvenile)

So I walked out the door this morning to get something from the car. I noticed--nearly stepped on!--a young house sparrow sitting on the porch. I'm like, Hellooo... whattaya doin' there? He/she just sat there looking up at me chirping away. Alright then, I thought. Slowly back into the house, grab the camera and head back out. He's gone. No wait, there he is in the tree. Well he let me get close before let's try again. Slow approach, take a shot, move closer, take a shot, pop up the flash, take a shot, damn! it's on manual (1/128 power), quickly dig into the menu system and change to TTL, take another shot, keeps closing his eyes, take another. There, that'll do!

Alright little buddy, you've been very patient. I'll leave you be. Look tired. Thanks for the photo op.

Cheers.

And just so you know, that's a 35mm lens on the camera. I really wasn't more than 6 inches from the bird. They're very trusting at this early age. Hope I didn't imprint him. Next time I go outside he''ll think I'm his momma! Heh.