Month: January 2008

Photography

Comparative Silver

Shelly

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Canon Digital Rebel XT with kit lens

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Kodak EasyShare DX4530

I used this example, because when I took the bottom photo last weekend, I had a hell of a time trying to capture the crackled and flaking silver on the back of this piece of mirror. Both images have had some Photoshopping, but there is not enough editing in the world to make the bottom image clearer. The top image even shows some of the rust-colored corrosion that’s forming around some of the flakes of silver.

Edit: The coppery smears on the lower sections of the bottom photo that look like oxidation are actually just dust and grime on the surface of the glass. For some reason, the Kodak camera was unable to see past the gunk, so that it looks substantial even though it isn’t.

Photography

Testing 1-2-3

Shelly

I had to go to four stores before I found a CF card. Target, Kmart, and even Staples were out. On a whim, I stopped at CVS, because you never know what sort of weird crap you’ll find at a drugstore. And, besides, I was out of aspirin. They had one CF card in stock

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These have had some Photoshopping, because I’m shameless that way. I also turned on the EXIF display in Coppermine. I’ve always used Photoshop’s “save for web” function, which strips out the EXIF data, but I think I’ll start using “save as,” instead, so that it’s preserved.

I have a feeling this is going to be a steep learning curve.

Uncategorized

Lost

Shelly

Living in Owen County, where we had no local ABC affiliate, I missed out on the whole Lost phenomenon. And even after returning to civilization, I didn’t have any interest in the show. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I read a description of the show that characterized it as a cross between Survivor and Twin Peaks, and I suddenly had to find out more.

Enter Netflix. Oh, how I love and hate them. I got the first couple of Lost discs on Monday and promptly devoured them. I am now hooked, damn it. Disc three of season one is shipping today, and I’ve set my DVR to record the new season when it starts, so I’ll have those waiting for me when I exhaust all the old episodes.

Crankypantsing

Cat Sitting

Shelly

I’ve done quite a bit of pet sitting. It’s easy work and the extra income is always welcome. Howsomever, one of my clients has asked me to sit for them in mid-February. They live on a horrible, twisty country road, and I’ve already told them that I’m not keen on driving out there in the winter, because there’s no way to know what the weather will be like. I have a life-sized vision of rain and snow and icy death from above, and just the thought makes me hyperventilate.

I wish she hadn’t asked. I don’t want to say no. I probably won’t say no. And, probably, I will regret not saying no. Then again, it’s $100, and I’m sure I’ll be happy to have the money.

Aaack!

Photography

New Toy

Shelly

I was starting to think it wouldn’t be delivered today, but at 7pm, Mr. UPS knocked on my door. Yay!

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The battery is charging, and I won’t be able to actually take photos until I get a CF card. I got a really good deal on one online, but it probably won’t be delivered until Friday or Saturday.

That’s okay, though, because the manual is large and dense and I really ought to read it before getting in over my head. Besides, if I get too antsy, I can always just go buy a smaller card. The one I got was 2G for $20, which was a good deal. Even at Target, a 2G card is over $50. Yikes!

I will say, though, that I like the size of the camera. I have really small hands, so I was afraid it’d feel awkward or too big. It’s a nice size, and the controls are exactly where they ought to be. It’s well designed, I think.

Crankypantsing, Photography

Clouds

Shelly

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It clouded up and even rained a bit this afternoon. It was warm, too. I think it got into the 40s yesterday, and today’s high was supposed to be around 50F. Winter in Indiana is not entirely unlike a roller coaster ride, only with less chance of being hit by someone else’s projectile vomit. Hopefully.

Anyway! My camera is supposed to be delivered tomorrow. I may not sleep tonight, though that may be more to do do with the ludicrous amount of noise coming from upstairs than new toy excitement. Seriously. Galumphing on the treadmill at 3am is all kinds of wrong. So is running the dishwasher at 2am. I don’t think he slept all weekend, which makes me wonder if he has some sort of bi-polar disorder or maybe he’s a speed freak.

Crankypantsing

Shipping Shenanigans

Shelly

I checked the order status of my camera, and even though it was listed as in stock and ready for immediate shipment, and even though I could have upgraded to next business day delivery (if I’d wanted to pay the obscene expedited shipping fee), the order status said that it would not be shipping until January 31 and would be delivered sometime between February 6 and 12.

Not funny!

So, this morning, I check my email and there’s message saying my camera has been shipped and should arrive by January 29.

Whew!

And, it’s shipping via UPS. Hallelujah! I hate dealing with FedEx.

Of course, the memory card is shipping from somewhere else, and won’t arrive until after the camera. If I get too antsy, though, I can just go buy one. You can never have too many of those things, right?