Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Going on Vacation? Photographic Advice, Part II







Vacation photography is a form of photo-journalism. In this case the events have personal family historical significance, but the mission is similar. You want a visual narrative of your trip, and the experiences of all who went on it with you. This is not as easy as it sounds, involving some thought and insight, all while enjoying the white-water experience of the vacay from your own viewpoint, and the zombie-fying glaze that settles in on about day three of any trip.



Every day is different for each member of the family. Try to focus on the highlights, yes, but also on everyone. Learn to work fast so as to bring some spontaneity to your trip pix, yet take the time to work situations, posed and candid. Remember to make good portraits, and be sure to back off to include overall shots. Everyone photographs food nowadays, but remember to do things like still life pictures of museums, decorations, hotel rooms (before and after you trash them). Many photo-cliche's exist for a reason. Do not be shy about making your own, even the usual frisky wife/hubby shots and those X-rated ones using the self-timer. The more photos you have to work with at the end of your trip, the greater the possibilities for making different types of albums.







Unless traveling with another photo-crazed person, it is best to focus on the shared experience, instead of risking mutiny by making everyone wait for "perfect light", etc. Like a photojournalist, traveling light and being able to work fast and thoroughly is of utmost importance.






A point-and-shoot is perfectly suited for this task, particularly the non-super-zoom kind. They close up flat, cover decent wide to portrait length tele, some do RAW mode (for when you dive deeper into photography). My recommendation in this category is the Canon S110 (about $450 or less).

Canon S110 camera.


 This is a first-rate small camera that is perfect for light travel. It lacks long zoom, but that long zoom means a bigger body, more weight, and to use those long focal lengths, you will need a tripod, too.

For a larger, fancier P&S, the Fuji X100 is an elegant, more professional instrument, with a great fast lensm a bigger sensor (here bigger is beter, specially (yes) in the dark. Cost? About $900.00 and....no zoom. But all the old men on the tour will be asking you about it, and if you do your best, this thing is capable of first-rate results and easily of 16x20" prints, if you need to make some.



The current King of P&S's is the Sony DSC RX-1. It has a 24x36mm sensor, the same as pro DSLRs, yet is far more portable. 24 megapixels, great low light capability, RAW, big print sizes, etc. All for a measly $2,800.00 and big for a P&S, overkill for 99.9% of all vacationers.

Sony DSC RX-1


No matter which camera you get, purchase at least two extra batteries (from the same company as the camera), perhaps an extra charger (to speed up the charging process). It is essential to take far more than enough high quality, large capacity memory cards. Do not delete any pictures on these cards while on your trip. Even if you download to your laptop or tablet, do not format and re-use the cards until you have them stored in at least two locations (drives) after you get home.






Camera bags are like underwear. Highly personal items. Plan on spending time at the store making certain you like yours. Take your camera, batteries and one or two spare memory cards, make sure they fit, are accessible, and can be taken out and returned to the bag with ease. Get the smallest one that does this well. For P&S use, I prefer Lowe-Pro brand.


Um...




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Going on Vacation this Summer? Photographic advice, Part I .

Going on a summertime escape from our 90+ degree, 90+% humidity? A change of scenery? Grab some Culture? You'll want mementos, photographic fetishes, or fine art pictures of your trip, family, where you were. This post is to help you do that efficiently and well. We should begin by defining ourselves and our photographic mission. Are you the kind who is OK with carrying a big camera/lens all day? What will you do with your trip pictures? 30x40" prints, or maximum 8x10, Instagram, Flickr, etc.? Or put them in a one-man show in a gallery when you get back? If you are doing the latter, you need a far more comprehensive education than this post can provide, and probably have no time to acquire it before your trip.




There is no substitute for a talented and educated eye. You don't have a lot of time to work on that before you go on vacation, so you will have to make do with what you have on this trip. I suggest writing down all our major stops, going on Flickr and searching for pictures taken there. This gives you an idea of what others did, which you might want to improve on, imitate (blah) or discard. The next most important thing is to practice. Whatever you own, carry and use it every day, from now until you depart. Make lots of exposures, familiarize yourself with controls and modes, to the point that it becomes transparent.



Oskar Barnack invented the Leica because he was convalescing from tuberculosis, and a tourist in high, dry territory in the mountains. He wanted a small, pocketable camera he could take along on his walks, and created the Leica. He would have loved cellphones. If you are OK with prints around 10x10" or maybe 12x12", can live without long telephoto focal lengths, low-light performance and its other limitations, your phone might be all you need. You already own it, it weighs nothing (since you would carry it anyway), and can send pictures back to friends, facebook, instagram, etc. It also does not get in the way of enjoying times with your family. In order to get the best possible outcomes with your phone, you need to acquire serious experience with it. Before your trip, use it frequently, trying out the different modes and see the results.



I would advise getting a larger capacity battery for the trip, and  at least one or three extra memory cards, plus a car charger that plugs into the cigarrette lighter (if you're going by or renting a car when you get there.

Put in some practice time and test the different metering modes as well as your flash to ascertain the maximum distance that it can reach. On location, no matter what camera you are using, make LOTS of exposures, if possible. By lots I mean 5+

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Point and shoot cameras are small, lightweight, self-contained, and more flexible than most phones. 




Monday, July 29, 2013

This Dog Days Week, July 29th to August 4th, 2013

Adrift in the Sargasso Sea in the monsoon season...dog packs appropriately roam competing with coyotes for dumpsters of all kinds. Between the monsoon and the heat, people are plotting their escapes to cooler climes, but those that are left to endure beg for rain in the heat, and for heat when drenched. Here's this week's arts events....
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Tuesday, July 30th, 2013
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Drawing by Mark Aeling





 Every Tuesday! $7 Model Fee
Open Figure Drawing session at “Soft Water Studios” in the Warehouse Arts District. There will be a series of warm-up poses as well as 5, 10, and 20 minute poses by a partially draped or undraped model. Bring your own mediums and paper. 2D or 3D are both welcome. We have several Drawing Benches and tables or bring your own easel. At Soft Water Studios, 515 22nd St. South. 6:30-9:30, $7 admission.












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You know you meant to see this show. The reaction to the creativity on this show was HUGE!! (See the media reviews at the end of this email).
The Closing Reception for the Staff and Teens of Community Stepping Stoneswill be featured at Hillsborough Community College Ybor Art Gallery (corner of Palm Avenue and 15th Street in Ybor City) on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 from 4:30-7:30pm.  “Beautiful Beasties” features fantastical, dynamic sculptures made from recycled materials that represent the life cycles of nature’s smallest aquatic creatures: phytoplankton and zooplankton. Frequently considered the base of the food chain, it produces half the oxygen on the planet. The artists have created a stunningly beautiful and eerie aquatic environment filled with huge creature not normally seen by the human eye.
 
 

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Wednesday, July 31st, 2013

    • 6:00pm until 7:30pm

  • 2245 4th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712

  • The Warehouse Arts District Association invites members, artists, supporters and the public to our open general meeting on July 31st at the home of member, Diana Enyedi.

    We will tell you what has been happening in the Warehouse Arts District, introduce new member benefits, reveal our updated website and talk about some exciting new opportunities to be involved with a member show, to join our committees and to participate in First Night, First Flight 2014!

    Invite your friends and SHARE this event. Find out what all the buzz is about in the Warehouse Arts District!!

    And we will be accepting membership applications on the spot. (Cash, check or credit card).

    More details will follow.

    Hope to see you there!
    • 6:00pm until 7:30pm

  • 2245 4th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712

  • The Warehouse Arts District Association invites members, artists, supporters and the public to our open general meeting on July 31st at the home of member, Diana Enyedi.

    We will tell you what has been happening in the Warehouse Arts District, introduce new member benefits, reveal our updated website and talk about some exciting new opportunities to be involved with a member show, to join our committees and to participate in First Night, First Flight 2014!

    Invite your friends and SHARE this event. Find out what all the buzz is about in the Warehouse Arts District!!

    And we will be accepting membership applications on the spot. (Cash, check or credit card).

    More details will follow.

    Hope to see you there!
    • Wednesday, July 31st
      6:00pm until 7:30pm

  • 2245 4th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712

  • The Warehouse Arts District Association invites members, artists, supporters and the public to our open general meeting on July 31st at the home of member, Diana Enyedi.

    We will tell you what has been happening in the Warehouse Arts District, introduce new member benefits, reveal our updated website and talk about some exciting new opportunities to be involved with a member show, to join our committees and to participate in First Night, First Flight 2014!

    Invite your friends and SHARE this event. Find out what all the buzz is about in the Warehouse Arts District!!

    And we will be accepting membership applications on the spot. (Cash, check or credit card).

    More details will follow.

    Hope to see you there!
 

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 Friday, August 2nd, 2013 
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At the Venture Compound, opens at 7:00 PM.

We got a multi mix pack show of droning electronics, aggressive thrashing, elated art punk rock and roll the clock hip hop sorta crazy but sweet/emotional acoustic sets. Whatever ur ear buds taste needs, there should be a moment for your liking! Get ready for a full flavored show! Will be recorded and released VIA INTERNET.

Lies Down ( kinda like nomads)
Space Monkey Blood (dirty brothers, stinky)
Lava Church (amazing awesomeful)
Chase Atari (powerful emotional messages)
Hangin' With Mr. Carradine (ugh! Freeks~~~!!!)
The Giddy Up Gals (loveliest talent in town)
Mark Castle (may provide trash and candy)

BYO Crack/meth

donations go to The Venture Compound, those who make donations get FREE PUDDING SNACK!!!! (will be in ice cooler, no joke)


 2621 Fairfield Ave.


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    • Friday, August 2nd
      8:00pm until 3:00am

  • Chance of a Thunderstorm 91°F / 79°F

  • Bombastic: A Frank Strunk 3 & Laura Spencer Collaboration with First Fridays at The Sake Bomb will feature some great Art mixed together with Dj Fader Rocking all your favorite tunes from Funk,Soul,Breaks,Classic Hip Hop and More! Along with our Traditional Vintage Bike Night this will be a night you don't want to miss.


    Frank Strunk III is the "metal god" and has been turning out obscenely great work for decades. His work speaks for itself.



    Laura Spencer was born and raised in St. Petersburg Florida, Laura has been avidly pursuing art as a career and passion for over a decade. A recent graduate of the Ringling College of Art and Design & alumni of the Pinellas County Center for the Arts (Gibbs High School), she begins her career with an affinity for illustration and an insatiable urge to constantly draw something.
    Laura currently resides in Historic Kenwood, working as a Freelance Illustrator and Graphic Designer, as well as a part-time Art Nerd at The Art Supply Store in the Grand Central District of St. Peter Schorsch" "This is a show all about sensuality. Sensual, visceral surfaces combined with lush imagery; bold visual impact that preys on your most primitive desires. Frank provides the masculinity; harsh angles and rigid steel, explosives and a penchant for trying to light me on fire. I'm just here to soften his edges, providing the cool passivity and Yin energy. You won't want to miss this show."
    No Cover!

    Buy One PBR Get a second PBR for a Dime !
 

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[Post still in progress]
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