Flowers

Flower photos: the cheap generics of art photography. Pretty. Universal.

Yet Another Derby Photo

In my photography, I work very hard to get the camera settings nailed so I have a minimal amount (by which, I mean, no work!) to do in post processing, beyond eliminating the shots that aren't interesting and attractive. The creative dimension of editing is mostly cast aside. Every now and then, I remember that the elements that make an image interesting can be amplified and distorted to change and enhance what the image actually says. There are knobs and buttons that don't get pressed, but could.

Right now, rollerderby is the most interesting subject I work with. I've been playing with capturing the raw banality of the DC suburbs, but, by definition, that's a very stale subject to work with, and requires an extremely careful editorial eye, otherwise, the photos are just pictures of 'burbs. There's a lot of depth in derby that i'm leaving untapped, either by vision or technique. I should think about how to get a little closer to the nerves, and see what digging will yield.

Photographic Reconstruction

Repetition:

Depth:

Offset composition, rule of thirds:

Depth:

Repetition, composition, organic detail:

Rule of thirds, organic detail:

Construction sites are intriguing places to take pictures. The raw components and geometry of the building are open to examination, and many of the components of visually stimulating art are represented. There is also room to think about the work. There's no rush to manage a living subject, and the different components can be abstracted from each other. The material itself is almost inconsequential: the photographer, you, are giving it a voice through the medium.

When I lived in New Hampshire, there were many construction projects around, and I had a lot of opportunities to explore the potential. One of my favorite prints is printed on a poster and hung on a wall over my desk. Here, such things are not quite so common.

Herndon's Growing Rat Infestation Problem

In contrast to Baltimore's rat problem, there is a less well known problem with mammal infestation in Fairfax county. Beyond, of course, the hominid variety. Lacking natural predators, the local deer population has grown to a large number, and commonly be seen helping with the golf course, eating the products of vegetable gardens, and periodically failing at dodging traffic.

This August found the backyard occupied by a small group of yearling fawns who I presume where set free to forage for themselves by their mothers. Over the fall their spots have started to fade and nubs where there will be horns have appeared on their heads. They are slowing becoming greater things. Though, at the moment, they are still following each other around, eating my tomatoes.

 

Dual Mode Tool Fantasy

My friend bought a mixer that cost as much as a small milling machine. I'm happy that he's happy and that his flatbread will be amazing, now and forever, amen.

I suggested that he instead put a Bridgeport in the kitchen, put a beater in the chuck, and give the table a CNC program to walk the bowl in circles.

Similarly, there is an equally simple solution for those craving a high torque hand mixer.

There is a minimalist answer for every need.

I do not avow how good the answer actually is, in the end.

Before and After (I)

Before:

During:

 After:

Before:

 During:

After:

Biohazards

I want to write longer blog posts. I don't know why. Suffice to say, this would not be one of them, because I know not where to begin.

A couple of weeks back, I ran out of shampoo. The girly had a bottle of shampoo she wasn't using, so I used it instead. It smells like flowers.

I found during my shower last night that the thermostat on the water heater was tired of supplying heat. Since it was nearly 90 degrees, I had no problem with a cold shower in principle, though I did feel slightly annoyed that it seemed hard to wash the shampoo out of my hair. After my shower, I went down stairs and played with the water heater until it lit up.

Everyone at work complimented me on my hair.

Thanks guys!

The girly just inspected the bottle of shampoo she gave me. It turns out it's not shampoo, it's conditioner.

The implications are far reaching.

What else that is not shampoo can use to clean my hair and make it smell nice? Do I need a second substance at all? I have used dish soap and ivory bar soap on many past occasions. I think a detergent to get the oils out is important.

Now my head itches because it thinks it hasn't been washed in forever, but it feels and smells all nice and clean.

The implications: so far reaching.