Happy Holidays, etc.

 

More on the Sony a6000

First, a clever idea for holding a lighter camera. A finger strap. Never heard of them, but with the a6000, and the finger strap over my right, middle finger, the camera is secure, and very usable, without really having a grip on the camera. It's wedged in, and very movable, but secure. I like them far more than wrist straps. In the above image, the one on the camera is a cut off neck strap; beside it a paracord one using a "friendship" aka a "diamond,"or "lanyard" knot. Very simple and easy to remove, as the loop just slides through the strap ring, and is held between the knot and the finger.

Complaints about the camera are few, and minor, such as the SD card is difficult to remove, as it is tight to the card and battery door. Turn off wireless, through airplane mode, if you're not using it, as it quickly depletes batteries.

Hi-speed drive mood is fast enough to shoot five frames with one quick shutter depression, two frames in mid, and one in low.

I was unhappy with face recognition; it kept focusing on the wrong face. However, one can register faces for the camera to focus on, and arrange those registered faces in the order of preference. Next time.

I've mentioned the three memory slots for custom settings which are great. There is also an app for smart phones that allows the phone to be a wireless control for the camera, including remote shutter release. However, it doesn't seem to work when the camera is in memory settings mode. Either I'm too dumb to figure it out, or Sony needs to write that into a firmware update. Memory mode is one of the times remote relase is useful.

Very pleased with the two lenses, 16-50, and 55-210, noting that they are "kit" lenses, small, light, and affordable, but with some compromises. The more I use and learn the camera, the more pleased I am. Coming from canikon cameras, I have some occasional moments of befuddlement, but they tend to brevity.

More, later.

 

Together

 

 

Process

Some photos of the process with the big frame in the post above.

The images above showing various aspects of making the moldings, specifically cutting the coves. The ten foot lengths required some logistical dancing, often moving some machines daily.

First cuts of the cross grain fluting. The molding is top to bottom above. Depending on the wood, flutes might require from 2-3 to 6-7 passes to get a clean flute. The carving was done while the moldings were still in sticks. After assembly, the final molding, on the top of the large cove, and ornamentation was applied.

Frame upside down, showing the corner overlay braces, splines.

I used plywood for the "blind" frame, for greater stability.

Finished, and wrapped awaiting transport.

 

Sony a6000, some thoughts, not a review!

A post about cameras, then, soon a post about my recent "large" project.

Until about five years ago, my camera of choice has been a SLR type, film or digital. I've used extensively many styles of machine, from view cameras, press cameras, and twin lens reflex, to the ill-fated APS film cameras. Mostly Nikons. Then, tiring of the bulk and weight, my main machine became the Canon G9, which has seen heavy use, both for studio shots, and work documenting fine art. With the live view LCD, replete with all of the camera settings, it was and is a great tool, akin to a view camera, without the upsidedownesss. Along with the G9, I've always had a series of pocket cameras, Canon usually, not to mention phone cameras.

Although superb at still subjects the G9 is not very good at action, however. Due to that shortcoming, I've been casually looking at DSLRs, though the bulk and weight have bothered me. Mirrorless cameras have intrigued me; small, compact and if they have a viewfinder, it's an EVF. There are several advantages to the EVFs; 100% view, settings info, and the image changes as you apply items like exposure compensation.

After some research, ( a lot of articles and reviews on the interwebs ), I decided on the compact Sony a6000, with the 16-50 kit lens. The above photo shows the camera alongside the G9, and with the 55-210mm telephoto. 3 ounces heavier than the G9, battery and card included, and about a pound and a quarter lighter than a comparable DSLR, like the Nikon D5300 with kit lens, and very compact. As to the superior machine, thats what internet forums are for debating. Personally, I think the EVF is the future, so I chose mirrorless, for the EVF, for the compact light weight.

Image quality in the last few years is superb, regardless of machine. Witness the vast numbers who don't use cameras at all, but rely on the phone for their tool.

The Sony manual is comically concise, in fact almost useless. The machines menus are good, reasonably intuitive, but I also have a lot of camera experience. I recommend buying: The Complete Guide to Sony’s Alpha 6000 Digital BY GARY L. FRIEDMAN AND ROSS WARNER

Here is the website: http://www.friedmanarchives.com/

Ergonomics are good, easy to get a solid hold, with buttons and dials under the thumb or forefinger. Menus are extensive, but pretty accesible as you get used to them. There are 3 memory slots for different setups. I have mine set for JPEG, 1 for RAW +JPEG, and 1 for manual exposure with an off camera flash, done in the Strobist manner, i.e., by feel. Speaking of flash, there is a very nice little feature on the Sony; the pop-up can be held back with a finger for ceiling bounce flash, which I can use to trigger the off camera flash.

Either the EVF or the LCD can be switched off, important as the auto switch sensor is quite sensitive.

Now, the great "religious" war, RAW vs JPEG. Recent lens design has included software as part of the design, correcting vignetting, and barrel and pincushion distortion through software. In camera, this is usually only applied to JPEGs though. Out of the camera, editing software offers lens profiles, but correcting after the fact can still be time consuming. Increasingly, I would rather not spend a lot of time mucking about trying to achieve some mythical perfection, so I'm leaning to JPEG more and more. Some images I want a "negative" in case I do want to work on an image beyond a JPEG, thus RAW+JPEG, but the in camera processing is so good ...

I will add more later; I'm still learning the capabilities and customizations, extensive. But I think the Sony will be a terrific machine; another long term keeper, and apropos the need for speed, it is extremely fast, Sony claiming "fastest" for the class.

Ahh, Spring!

 

After an early snowstorm, with bitter cold, high winds, and lots of snow, packed into ice, we've had a few warm and rainy days, causing the snow to go away. Ok, bye bye snow.

 

The Basswood in Fall

Basswods bereft of leaves. Back left, a maple.

The first light frost of the season. Light also because the dog and I were slow to get out this morning. And, an appropriate response to frost: fire! By the way, basswood makes excellant kindling, which is a good thing as I generate a lot of scrap.

Have a nice October Sunday!

More frost. This photo has been "jacked" up a touch, just playing.

 

The Morning Basswood

Turning yellow as the weather cools; a crisp 30 something this morning, with the faint sounds of the ND marching band from the stadium. Football this afternoon.

And not The Morning Basswood. I like the surreal stillness.
Both taken with a regular camera. Smart phones have great cameras now, and have become the camera of choice for many .... but they are not very ergonomic in user terms. As a quick visual note taker, random pussy cat snaps, or doing bank deposits, it's nice to have one close to hand. Fortunately for me, the small "enthusiast" cameras are great machines, with superb image quality, and much better ergonomics than the phone, and a chance that they will survive the phone camera onslaught.

Addenda: Later in the day.

There is one area where phone cameras absolutly excell; sharing instantly with others, across the nation or just the room. The big camera companies have all failed miserably on this. My very nice little Canon S110 has the most cocked up wirless capabilities, and supposedly I can link it to my phone to send images, but they aren't full resolution. What? And it's very complicated to implement. With my phone I can Airdrop the image to my iPad, or email it, or message it. No cumbersome set-up, it's just there and works. As to image quality, some of my favorites came from really crappy cameras under abysmal conditions, including my original, 1st. generartion iPhone.

5s photo, blood moon.

A much better photo from the Apple camera, than the previous one. And not only is Wednesday a full moon but there will be a "Blood Moon", an eclipse of the moon. Starting around 5 AM, ET.

 

Interview with Apple's Jony Ive

http://www.vogue.com/1415025/apple-design-genius-jonathan-ive

 

"He sees design schools failing their students by moving away from a foundation in traditional skills. "I think it’s important that we learn how to draw and to make something and to do it directly," he says, "to understand the properties you’re working with by manipulating them and transforming them yourself."

 

 

 

 

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Fall

Summer has lingered into early fall with beautiful days and cool nights, and just the start of turning leaves.

Photo from a new camera, iPhone 5s. The latest phones are too big; I'm hoping Apple will come out with a "mini" version of the latest and greatest, though not likely for at least a year and maybe two. The 6 series is attractive as tablet, much less as phone, and would have required changing the way I carry and handle a phone.

Soon, a post on process of some current projects as I start to finally catch up.

 

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The Essence. The Original Object vs a Reproduction.

I've been saying this for a long time, but actual research has been done. It's a quick read.

http://www.psmag.com/navigation/books-and-culture/original-artworks-move-us-reproductions-90869/

I haven't been posting in a while, too busy, and a little "bored" with the blog, though I'm not quite ready to cease. Here, one of my (mine) favorite paintings:

 It's much better in person, see above.

Captured

The tree roots have grown around the bottle. Tree, Red Mulberry.

"Red mulberry is used locally for fenceposts because the heartwood is relatively durable. Other uses of the wood include farm implements, cooperage, furniture, interior finish, and caskets."

(Martin, Alexander C., Herbert S. Zim, and Arnold L. Nelson. 1961. Mulberry family: Moraceae. In American wildlife and plants. p. 313-314. Dover Publications, New York.)

The tree in fall. Bottle is under the leaves, left side of trunk. Old phone photo.

Google mulberry wood for some images of the beautiful wood.

 

The tree today.

 

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Edward Hopper, 1882-1967

Sun in an Empty Room

1963

Private Collection

Edward Hopper, born today, July 22nd. 1882. The above, a late painting, showing to my eye, the "abstraction" he was not noted for. Often spoken of as a "realist", I find him to be both an abstract painter and a surrealist, and less concerned with a realistic vision than an emotional one.

“If you could say it in words, there would be no reason to paint.” ― Edward Hopper

Originally posted 7-22-12

Basswood

One of the neighborhood basswoods is close to flowering:

And on a blog note, I have turned off comments as I was tired of dealing with the spam. Comments, great thoughts, questions, email me.

 

 

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OOPS ???

Unexplained mysterys, or maybe it's the "old math", done in a new way. I didn't catch this until the frame had been joined and splined, by my customer calling wanting the exact rabbett size. A gut wrenching moment, as we are on a deadline.

Once I've confirmed my idiocy, rather than rush into correcting, I've found it's better to walk away for a bit; let the nerves settle, and think about the proper procedure for correction.

And here, waiting for splines to be fit and glued in, and the proper size now.

D-Rings, or strap hangers

 

Some examples of D-Rings, or strap hangers. Far more secure than screw eyes. All of us who restore antique frames have seen damage from screw eyes failing. Screw holes should be drilled for the strongest installation. If wire is to be used, the hanger should optimally be angled in the direction the wire will go. On larger frames, two hangers matched to two wall hardware, is best. This requires some precision in measurement and installation. Securely wrapped wire loops can be attached to the D, allowing some adjustment to the wall screw or bolt. For really heavy objects, I usually make cleats, sometimes known as "French Cleats" from plywood. Two strips of ply with matching angles cut on the edge, attached to the frame and the wall so they can hook together.

Now, if you insist on screw eyes, at least wire them right.

1. Through the eye

2. Around the shank, and below the wire.

3. Back through the eye.

4. Wrap the wire around it self.

This makes the wire as low as possible, reducing the force against the one little screw. Physics. Also, as the route the wire follows is more complex, this makes the wire less likely to pull free.

There are commercially available other forms of frame hardware, some that include mechanisms for leveling.

 

 

Apparantly, mechanical competence is a hindrence to artistic genius, grumbles the old curmudgeon.

 

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Bad Choices in Hanging Hardware, or "Hey, you artists, get offa my lawn".

Some examples from a recent exhibition I installed. 

Screw eyes are bad, made worse by wireing around the eye, so physics can have it's say, and leverage can pull that screw eye right out. Bending, then pull-out, followed by crashing. If one insists on using outmoded tech, at least run the wire through the eye, around the shank, then back out the eye, then wrapping.

Now the staples, well, they were actually solid, at least until the staples start to loosen as the wood ages and shrinks.

Personally, cup holders are never going to be a good choice. This particular frame is relatively heavy, and the cup holder is already bending from the strain. Soon, the fall.

Solutions, next post.

Now, gone with the wind.

 

Yesterdays poppies have been blown away by the winds, though it was a delightful day, cool dry and sunny. This morning the basswood bracks are littering the ground, victoms of the wind. I just discovered that basswood leaves are good as salad greens. Here, more on that.

 

And something else: Night Rabbits

I think i need my tripod, or monopod.

 

 

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They're Back!

Yes, could summer be far behind; the poppies have popped!

 

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