another observation.

 

 

observation. 

gerard butler is hot.

that is all.

ps.  i’ve been observing Gerard since Dracula 2000 and Attila.   then i saw him again in Tomb Raider.  i thought he was crazy hot back then.  300 just re-enforces my opinion.

rule of thirds

everyone else talks about it so i thought i’d do the same.  taking pictures with the subject in the center of the frame screams boring.  most folks won’t even take more than a second or two when glancing at what a lot of folks call a ’snapshot’.

so you might ask what could make your image more interesting.  try using this thing called the rule of thirds.  that means you move whatever it is you’re photographing to one third of the frame.  thirds are horizontal and vertical.  if you move your subject to one of the third sections of the frame it will add interest to your image.

they say that placing points of interest in the intersecting lines of the frame balances out the photo and makes it easier for the viewer to interact with it.  its more natural for the eye to go from one of the intersecting points instead of right to the middle of the frame. 

rules are meant to be broken, so if you dont follow this rule – its ok.   just remember to ask yourself what is the point of interest in the shot you’re taking.

String Tripod

 

DIY tripod on the cheap, hooray.  finally something that doesnt cost an arm and a leg, it just uses it.

Compubeaver?

havent decided if this breaks boundaries or if it could be a loving gesture in a sick way…

maybe you have a favorite pet that passed away and you just cant get over letting it go.  there is an option to keep your little friend nearby…  this project sets up a taxidermy beaver into a PC storage case.

still on the fence about it, but most likely this falls into the “kinda gross and morally incorrect” bucket for me.  actually, i know i couldnt do it.  its really gross the more i think about it.

naked penny

 

household chemicals can make cool science experiments like this one. read more about how to get a penny naked.

exploding potato

i want to build one of these…

here it is in slow-mo

discreet alcoholic tool

what a great way to hide the obvious.  need a bottle opener?  its right there on your keychain without looking like you have a drinking problem.  perfect.

the fine line.

a while back i wrote a post called ‘the dying art’.

the topic discusses how photographers are being scrutinized by police and occasionally harassed.  today i came across 2 more recent threads that have similar stories.  one here in the good old USA and another in the UK.

USA thread.

UK thread.

i’m not one to belittle the job of the police.  it is a difficult, stressful, and thankless job.  i applaud those who take on the career.  but there are the few occasions that i feel do step over boundaries.

as innocent as it sounds, the US thread – IMO – implied guilty until proven innocent.  the photographer was questioned, and then his wife being questioned further.  his word was not enough.  it wasn’t until his wife backed up his story that he was ‘ok’ to go.  what if he did not have his wife around?  would his word still been enough? 

i find it sad that we as photographers and as artists will continually be under the skeptical eye of the government.  i know, different times now… post 9/11… war on terrorism… pedophilia…  

firework tips

its about that time again and already you have illegal (in VA) and beautiful roman candles bursting in the skies preparing for July 4th.

came across some places that have some tips that might help in grabbing some winning shots of your fireworks:

Photojojo:

http://photojojo.com/content/guides/11-tips-for-sparkling-fireworks-photos/

NY Institute of Photography:

http://www.nyip.com/ezine/holidays/digfirewks.html

Ritz:

http://www.ritzcamera.com/static/articles/tips/digital-fireworks.html