tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183402972038395022024-03-13T13:06:38.503-04:00Plagued be thy angelPhotography and thoughts on same.ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.comBlogger847125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-47102252807693832302017-06-16T10:25:00.001-04:002017-06-16T10:29:57.242-04:00Totally and Completely Off Topic<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Lately I have been doing a new kind of photography, Art Fashion. While the pics are not here yet (not all of them are family friendly) I have been devoting some time to a new hobby, that of Recurrent Neural Networks. The topic is far beyond the scope of this journal, but I've been training mine on Shakespeare, and I'm hooked on the output. I nudged my RNN to look at his works from the viewpoint of "life and loss" and it came up with this gem, which I thought I'd share.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"...And prove your common name to our reason</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That he is cursed that claim to the place of thee."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Deep words from a shallow program.</span></span></div>
ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-11886538089178135452017-03-12T21:20:00.002-04:002017-03-12T21:20:53.816-04:00Something New<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Still here, alive and kicking. I know I haven't posted much, because not much has been going on photography-wise. It's winter and not enough snow to make things pretty, but still cold and dreary all the same, which restricts my hobbies to indoors. </div>
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Regardless, here we are, on the cusp of spring. These images were done at a Bluegrass Festival. Certainly not my normal style of music, and it was done as a favour to a friend, so it allowed me a certain level of freedom to pick and choose what I wanted to capture.</div>
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All done with my 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, typically at f/4.0 though the lighting was plain. Nikon d7000. Around 1/250th of a second.</div>
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As an aside, I've also been experimenting with shooting video, an altogether different set of skills required and I feel like I'm learning things all over again, which in a sense I am. Jury is out whether I will continue with it (it's very labour intensive to compile anything noteworthy) but it's something different. </div>
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<br />ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-79468679947475089922016-10-21T15:49:00.000-04:002016-10-21T15:49:36.290-04:00Playing in the Mud<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm trying to get into more action photography, with the ultimate goal of shooting an NFL game, but that's some ways off. Currently I'm shooting cars, and had the opportunity to shoot a monster truck mud jam. </div>
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The event was great fun and I met a ton of wonderful friendly people, both on and off the track. Here is a quick sample of some of the trucks there. </div>
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I didn't use my best lens, as I figured the mud would come flying in my direction and as you can see, it did, in great heaping piles of it.</div>
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I loved every second of being out there and yes, I arrived home to my wonderful family covered in must and dust. I look forward to doing it again.<br />
I shot in shutter priority, ensuring the shutter speed never dropped below 1/1000 of a second, to catch the action. I used a second hand 55-200mm Nikon kit lens (not a bad lens for daylight, way waaay too slow for anything else) and my Nikon D7000<br />
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<br />ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-80420252912786239662016-08-26T21:10:00.000-04:002016-08-26T21:10:13.104-04:00How NOT to Run a ConcertThe following is a rant. No pics, just griping. Feel free to ignore if you wish.<br />
I've been shooting the GwarBQ for 3 years now. This past one will probably be my last. I don't know who is the ultimate organizer of it, but I'm going to list several ways they managed to hose it up<br />
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(1) Send out confirmation, months in advance, that you are approved. When arrived, claim they lost the paperwork. Left me standing around looking like an idiot. Thankfully I had proof I was supposed to be there.<br />
(2) Let anyone who can buy a media pass, into the press pit. This ensures that I merely have to deal with 50+ people with cell phones, point and shoots, and selfie sticks all vying for space that has been reduced by the presence of burly bouncers, instead of the usual 5.<br />
(3) Rather than sorting these 50+ people into groups (pros first, amateurs next, joe random last) so we can each get good positions and pictures, shove everyone in like cattle, and let them fight it out, thus guaranteeing no one gets a good shot<br />
(4) Ensure you have tons of burly bouncers taking up the good spots. Instruct them not to move one inch. Ensure they interfere with the photographers as much as possible. I can't tell you the number of hands that were *intentionally* placed in my shots.<br />
(5) Reduce the size of the press pit by 30%. Couple this with (2) and (3) guarantees a crappy experience.<br />
(6) Don't forget the 3 song rule. Expand this to include the lead singer talking to the audience for more than 30 seconds, so you get ~5 minutes to fight with (2), (3) (4) and (5) for two songs. Brilliant!<br />
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Seriously, I've been shooting concerts for many years now and this was, hands down, the worst experience I've encountered to date. If I didn't know better, I'd swear it was designed this way on purpose. I don't know what the reasoning behind this was, but damn guys, clean up your act!ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-91873121697253259802016-08-19T04:34:00.001-04:002016-08-19T04:34:31.399-04:00Rediscovery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hQ4-S9lc82U/V7bD2R93vMI/AAAAAAAAGjo/aAL9BhwDH1YFkSz6Wlj-7gdZj61srU0-wCLcB/s1600/Argo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hQ4-S9lc82U/V7bD2R93vMI/AAAAAAAAGjo/aAL9BhwDH1YFkSz6Wlj-7gdZj61srU0-wCLcB/s320/Argo.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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Since moving into my new home, I've been rediscovering lenses I don't often use anymore. This one, for example, is my Sigma 50mm dedicated macro lens.</div>
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The subject of course is my Roughneck Monitor, Argo. He was basking in the sun and kind enough to smile for me.</div>
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I had the lens set for f/8, but could have used f/11 or probably even f/16, but I was handholding it and didn't want to bump the ISO higher than it already was.</div>
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Anyway, this is straight from the camera, no adjustments.</div>
ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-90871646857175206012016-08-17T19:01:00.003-04:002016-08-17T19:01:46.720-04:00Where I've been<div style="text-align: justify;">
The astute among you will have noticed a sharp decrease in posts in the past year or so. Part of this is finding my niche, concert photography. Where I live there just aren't all that many concerts that I want to shoot. Sure, there are plenty of little venues with cramped spaces and terrible lighting, but that's not much fun anymore to be honest. Been there, done that, so to speak. Since I'm hooked on metal concerts, I have to watch what comes around and sadly, it's not that often.</div>
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The other part, and this isn't a full excuse, is, I bought a house. It's a very nice house, on a private lake, in the countryside. Being a family man has eaten up much of my time, as has moving in, getting real furniture, etc.</div>
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I also met someone special, which takes up time as well, although in a good way.</div>
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So, for those of you still with me here, I will continue to keep this site active, but not as much as when I first started in the world of photography and everything seemed fascinating to shoot.</div>
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Well, there you have it, cheers!</div>
ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-45498509431788602662016-07-15T12:07:00.001-04:002016-07-15T12:07:25.734-04:00A Little Something DifferentI have been requested to write an album review. Something I don't normally do, but I was honoured by the band, so here it is:<br />
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Musical Supergroups.</div>
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It's a common enough phrase, but the imagery it brings to mind is a varied as the people you ask. To some, it's a recipe for disaster; massive ego fighting for creative control. For others, it's a one album wonder, maybe done for love, perhaps done for money. Whatever the reason for existence, a supergroup is bound to make people sit up and take notice.</div>
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Spark some controversy, make some waves.</div>
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The latest incarnation of said phrase is here for your listening pleasure, to make you sit up, to take notice, and maybe in the process, stick in your brain. It's <span class="il">Dunsmuir</span>.</div>
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The name doesn't exactly roll off the tongue like Cream, or Blue Murder does. In point of fact, I'm not even certain, without resorting to Google, who, or what, a <span class="il">Dunsmuir</span> <i>is</i>. A quick online search says it's a city in California. Not exactly a name I associate with musical heavyweights, but that is perhaps about to change, for <span class="il">Dunsmuir</span> packs some heavy firepower. Feast your eyes on these legends:</div>
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Neil Fallon of Clutch Fame</div>
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Brad Davis of Fu Manchu</div>
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Vinny Appice of, well just about every legendary metal band that ever was (Dio, Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell, the list goes on)</div>
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Dave Bone from The Company Band.</div>
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Dave is the only member of the band that didn't immediately jump into my mind as being a heavyweight, but after listening to their eponymous debut, he certainly belongs up there with the rest.</div>
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The album is a concept piece (another common theme in musical supergroups) about the survivors of a 19th century shipwreck and the various fates that befall each one.</div>
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The album starts with "Hung On the Rocks" with clear catchy (not flashy, more meat and potatoes Ramones style) guitar work, backed up smartly by rumbling bass and crisp drumming. Before the vocals kick in, I’m thinking "Love Gun" by Kiss, but then Neil roars into play, just as forceful as he ever was. Clever lyrics abound, a solid sign of intelligence and hints of what's to come.</div>
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"And the Devil is content to dance,</div>
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The sea begins to boil, Charybdis awaits</div>
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Tie myself to the mast"</div>
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"Our Only Master" starts off with a snappy drum solo and the speed of the tune reminds you these four guys have their roots in metal. The middle of the song slows it down to Black Sabbath velocity with some haunting chants from Neil before picking up the pace for the end, which arrives in a short 3 minutes 20 odd seconds.</div>
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The short frame of the song reminds me this isn't a Clutch album, the longest song barely breaking the 5 minute mark, with most clocking in under 4 minutes. Unusual for a concept album. Judas Priest's <i>Nostradamus</i> broke the 100 minute mark, Queensryche's flawless <i>Operation Mindcrime</i> (really, <b>the</b> concept album which all others will be forever judged) hits the 1 hour mark. The ten songs from <span class="il">Dunsmuir</span> barely surpass the half hour meter.</div>
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The rest of the songs move along at a brisk pace. The album will never be confused with speed metal, but only one track, "Church of the Tooth" (coincidentally the longest track here, at 5.47) slows down into sludge rock territory, but Neil's powerful pipes keep things alive and active. The band never gives the feeling of dissolving into a jam session or self-indulgent wankery. The drums move with purpose, with bass keeping the tempo and when the guitar isn't driving the song, it hits solo exploration, safe in the knowledge the rhythm section will carry it through.</div>
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The final song "Crawling Chaos" tackles H.P. Lovecraft's themes with aplomb and the lyrical touches only Neil can provide. Sounding like a deranged street preacher (I was going to say manic, but, you know…) he weaves the final tale of the last of the survivors as they descend into madness.</div>
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Will <span class="il">Dunsmuir</span> be around for another album? Hard to say, each member has a firmly established career and finding time to write and record another album is always tricky, but where there is a will, there is a way.</div>
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As with most things Neil does, the lyrics, vocals and music linger far after the needle his the last groove and I found myself wanting more. So listen up dear readers, find the time, make the change, get in gear and find this album before the crawling chaos consumes us all.</div>
ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-29002754636114597392016-05-17T11:50:00.002-04:002016-05-17T11:50:26.491-04:00Refining the Craft<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sGLP4pEupi4/Vzs9PGugZOI/AAAAAAAAGh8/-LndYa38VGk2bGFCM974EQMqqCRc9UaggCLcB/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sGLP4pEupi4/Vzs9PGugZOI/AAAAAAAAGh8/-LndYa38VGk2bGFCM974EQMqqCRc9UaggCLcB/s320/3.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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Still alive and kicking. House hunting has eaten up all my time. Here are a few shots from the Halestorm, Lacuna Coil, Cilver tour that came through recently.</div>
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Using the Nikon D7000. I like the auto ISO feature, the solid low light performance, but the rest of the camera is a big step down from the D2x. But it will do in the meantime until the house is bought and my funds are free for other things. </div>
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<br />ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-91554056597519344592016-02-07T19:05:00.001-05:002016-02-07T19:05:51.277-05:00The Man Who Sold The World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSX1oeaBZKA/Vrfa-7DiU7I/AAAAAAAAGeI/WK2l-eoYHm8/s1600/e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSX1oeaBZKA/Vrfa-7DiU7I/AAAAAAAAGeI/WK2l-eoYHm8/s320/e2.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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So a friend of mine is in a David Bowie cover band. As a cancer fundraiser, they threw on a concert and asked me to shoot for them. Using my D7000 and a few wide angle lenses (35mm and 11-16mm) I managed a few good shots from a massively crowded venue.</div>
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No photo pit so I had to eel my way through the throngs of attendees and capture from there. The band was very true to the original, with the lead singer even looking like Bowie. </div>
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<br />ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-78724210252082971542015-12-20T09:37:00.001-05:002015-12-20T09:37:51.726-05:00Upgraded<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-85s4epPnj_Q/Vna6HhbNoJI/AAAAAAAAGbs/yvs1tnuPWx4/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-85s4epPnj_Q/Vna6HhbNoJI/AAAAAAAAGbs/yvs1tnuPWx4/s320/10.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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My beloved D2x was getting a bit long in the tooth, ISO-wise, so with a bit of Christmas money, I bought a Nikon D7000. Not as tank-like as the D2x, but about 4 stops better in the ISO range, as the following pics from Carbon Leaf, show.</div>
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The auto ISO function on the D7000 is great. I can set the Aperture and Shutter speed I want, and the camera will set the ISO for proper exposure. I found this function very helpful. One less thing I have to worry about.</div>
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<br />ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-38539266137458929082015-09-07T08:05:00.001-04:002015-09-07T08:05:56.887-04:00Return to Form<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W4tb7DdlW-8/Ve181-DgbuI/AAAAAAAAFXI/_zkShpHLNJs/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W4tb7DdlW-8/Ve181-DgbuI/AAAAAAAAFXI/_zkShpHLNJs/s320/15.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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Got a chance to use up some of the expired film I had. This is a Black and White shot, straight from the camera, to the developer, to your eyes.</div>
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Sharp eyed readers will notice it's more of a Sepia tone than Black and White. Not sure if this is an effect of the developing, or the age of the film, but it adds a wonderful hue to the image.</div>
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Shot with my Nikon F3HP, 135mm Tamron Adaptall lens at f/2.8 and about 1/2000 of a second.</div>
ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-23804960568413040182015-08-23T07:27:00.000-04:002015-08-23T07:27:06.675-04:00Absolute Total Chaos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SVFwJo1jG8Y/Vdmov45stgI/AAAAAAAAFVs/izZ70zOZ7-c/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SVFwJo1jG8Y/Vdmov45stgI/AAAAAAAAFVs/izZ70zOZ7-c/s320/1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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This band needs no introductions. But on the outside chance you don't know who they are, it's Gwar, with their new lead singer, Blothar. It was Gwar's 30th anniversary and as always, they put on an incredible show. While Oderus, their original singer, had to go back to his home planet, Blothar seems to be an acceptable substitute. </div>
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Gwar's shows are always a mass of chaos, and everyone in the audience gets sprayed liberally with fake blood and other fluids. Photographers are especially vulnerable and many of them will cover their cameras in plastic bags. Personally I think that being exposed, lends an element of danger to the whole thing, knowing that at any time, one could get a face full of goo. </div>
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I used, for this event, my new Olympus OM-D E-M5 and it performed flawlessly. It was certainly much much lighter and at the of the ten hour concert (there were 20 bands in play) I didn't feel worn out. It also helps the camera is listed as "splashproof" so I was not worried. I'd given my assistant my D2x to use and she took a full on blast from one of the many stage props. But the D2x is also built to take it, so no worries there either. </div>
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<br />ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-20534284699394006122015-08-05T11:04:00.002-04:002015-08-05T11:04:40.181-04:00The Heresy Continues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As you are well aware, I'm no stranger to Black and White photography. If I could find a dedicated dSLR that shot in monochrome exclusively (and that I could afford...I'm looking at you Leica) I'd dump everything and use that for everything.</div>
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Well, I got close, these shots are not from my Nikons, but rather a new camera I picked up with some birthday money (thanks!) It's an Olympus OM-D E-M5, certainly a mouthful, and an interesting camera. It's tiny, like too-small-for-my-hands level of tiny, but with the battery grip, it fits, barely. It's micro four thirds format, and has a host of "art" filters built in, one of which is "grainy B/W", of which you see here.</div>
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There is a learning curve to using a new camera, and I'm looking forward to seeing what it can do but so far, I'm impressed with it.</div>
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<br />ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-57999399942567874732015-08-02T00:01:00.000-04:002015-08-02T00:01:10.337-04:00Reworking some images<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eA4U8qoUayg/Vb2UkPg4NWI/AAAAAAAAFRY/7oGJ_ql5OOE/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eA4U8qoUayg/Vb2UkPg4NWI/AAAAAAAAFRY/7oGJ_ql5OOE/s320/1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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It's easy to take a million shots at a concert, even more so when the band is as dynamic as the lighting. It's also easy to get overwhelmed when you get home and realize you took over 1000 pics, and as you do a quick once over, realize you got way too many that could be usable. So you grab the top 10, and skip the rest, figuring you'll get around to them one day.</div>
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Well this is that one day, and here they are. While my Nikon D2x is getting long in the tooth, it can still get the job done when the chips are down (and the light is right.)</div>
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<br />ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-86333361145923582502015-07-02T22:39:00.000-04:002015-07-02T22:39:10.722-04:00Restoration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UbRn0W0-h_E/VZX0m8q5DgI/AAAAAAAAFPw/O5eidIZL4RE/s1600/Nikon%2BFE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UbRn0W0-h_E/VZX0m8q5DgI/AAAAAAAAFPw/O5eidIZL4RE/s320/Nikon%2BFE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Old film cameras are a dime a dozen, almost literally. No one (at least around here) wants them anymore. While I have the professional series of Nikon film cameras, (F3, F4, F5) some of the lower level have peaked my interest.</div>
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This is a Nikon FE with MD-12 motor drive, and 50mm f/2 lens. Not fully functional, but I got it for a song and a dance. I'm trying my hand at restoration and so far, it's been going pretty well. For a camera made nearly 40 years ago, parts are easy to come by.</div>
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As with all my cameras, it will see use. Unsure just yet how, but I will post something I take with it, in the near future.</div>
ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-87515038032581782032015-06-23T07:14:00.001-04:002015-06-23T07:14:21.645-04:00The Old Ways<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R67gnuo_o5g/VYk-gyicH9I/AAAAAAAAFO0/AJ_U2TwaKoU/s1600/Wait%2BA%2BMinute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R67gnuo_o5g/VYk-gyicH9I/AAAAAAAAFO0/AJ_U2TwaKoU/s320/Wait%2BA%2BMinute.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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A co-worker of mine owns this Lotus Elise. He was kind enough to loan it out to me for an afternoon photoshoot. This was taken at a local school yard on a sunny Sunday afternoon.</div>
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I shot it with my Nikon D2x, 17-35mm lens and an ISO of 200. While I should have brought a tripod (we shot it elsewhere around town and I didn't want to lug around too much gear) it's sharp enough.</div>
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I used to drive Italian sports cars exclusively when I was younger and wish I'd been into photography at that point in time. No matter, I can borrow the Lotus anytime.</div>
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It's nice to have friends like that!</div>
ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-49548862851571090202015-05-10T17:29:00.002-04:002015-05-10T17:29:46.869-04:00Still here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CRvxK2CT7rg/VU_Mc9UqplI/AAAAAAAAFMs/M2q1OrUIhQc/s1600/Elf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CRvxK2CT7rg/VU_Mc9UqplI/AAAAAAAAFMs/M2q1OrUIhQc/s320/Elf.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Had a bit of time this weekend to shoot something different. A dedicated Infrared dSLR. In this case, a Canon 10d (shhh! don't tell anyone I'm using a Canon, it's a secret between you and me) since it's been directly converted to capture Infrared only, you can use it as a normal camera, no more clunky filters or long exposures.</div>
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As you can see here, the white sections are the heat, with the darker being cooler parts. Works well also for smoothing out skin blemishes.</div>
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I borrowed a 50mm f/1.8 lens from a friend, which works well with portraiture.</div>
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It is taking a bit of time to re-adjust to the new control layout, and some things on the 10d are extremely awkward to adjust.</div>
ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-52373354369939628392015-04-25T03:48:00.001-04:002015-04-25T03:48:57.111-04:00Thoughts on the Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FQ6j-11gOjQ/VTtD33Ggu8I/AAAAAAAAFL8/Az4YpOUJIxI/s1600/Kimi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FQ6j-11gOjQ/VTtD33Ggu8I/AAAAAAAAFL8/Az4YpOUJIxI/s1600/Kimi.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a>A shot for a friend. It's funny, but I used to think photography was a huge part of my life. I couldn't wait for the weekend to arrive, so I could grab the camera and go find something, or someplace, or someone, to shoot. Winters were rough, because it was cold and rainy, and not much real snow, so I occupied myself with other things until the weather warmed up. </div>
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But then something came up. A true dear friend needed me. Then family needed me. And suddenly, photography didn't seem so important anymore. Those people in my life, that had hit rough spots became much more important. To be there for them, to help as I could. They say life happens while you are busy making other plans. So this is what has happened. Life. I can't say it got in the way, because it's not something so base as an inconvenience, nothing so derogatory. Instead, it opened my eyes to what is important, and it's not weekend photography. </div>
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So I've had a change in my priorities. I still shoot, but no longer am I so eager to ignore the world and escape into the lens, and the post the results here. We do not live in a vacuum, and to think otherwise is foolish, and self-centered. And there are enough self-centered people out there that the world doesn't need another one.</div>
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If you haven't seen it by my posting speed, consider this journal inactive. When my friend is better, when she has crossed the last hurdle, when my family is better and crossed the last hurdle, when I am a better man for helping with those hurdles, then I may return here with new shots, but for now, I want to thank all of you, my dear readers, for simply being here. For simply being.</div>
<br />ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-4906006422042248542015-01-12T22:49:00.003-05:002015-01-12T22:49:55.338-05:00Of Fog and Macros<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zg5TqY841xI/VLSVRJswtFI/AAAAAAAAE7s/aR5UIB2ohk0/s1600/Deep%2BFog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zg5TqY841xI/VLSVRJswtFI/AAAAAAAAE7s/aR5UIB2ohk0/s1600/Deep%2BFog.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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Still on my journey with the Macro lens. I'm shooting every day, even if I post nothing worthwhile. </div>
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This morning, we had ice rain. This afternoon, heavy fog. I deliberately amped up the ISO in this shot to increase the noise so that it might add to the fog effect. I would have tried this shot with my 17-35mm and come away disappointed, I think, so in a way trying landscape work with a prime went rather well.</div>
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Oh and tomorrow? More ice scheduled. Go figure.</div>
ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-64814091231114191392015-01-05T22:46:00.001-05:002015-01-05T22:46:52.538-05:00More Macro Work<div style="text-align: justify;">
Okay, so I goofed. I meant to bring my camera to work this morning, and with all the other stuff I had to bring, I forgot. But rather than skipping out, I shot one more Macro event for your viewing pleasure. The following image is intentionally overexposed. Continuing with the single light setup I cranked up the power to 100%, set my aperture to 11, ISO to 100, and a custom white balance of 3000k for a light blue tint. Then ensuring the framing is correct, I poured apple juice into the glass, and used a remote trigger to freeze the action with 1/250th of a second for the shutter speed.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_quzMXEZEA0/VKtaHYBo69I/AAAAAAAAE7c/_Yg_elJaFjE/s1600/Waterfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_quzMXEZEA0/VKtaHYBo69I/AAAAAAAAE7c/_Yg_elJaFjE/s1600/Waterfall.jpg" height="313" width="320" /></a></div>
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The idea is hardly unique, but without a helper, I had to shoot at this angle. What I'd like to do, which requires two people, is angle the glass at about 30 degrees to really get the water splash curve up and over the glass. Then get down on the level of the glass, parallel with the lip, and shoot.</div>
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When I get a helper for this shot, I'll give it a swing. Until then, enjoy!</div>
ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-63431943516762627282015-01-04T21:17:00.001-05:002015-01-04T21:17:29.522-05:00Macro and Light Work<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, getting a headstart on staying on top of my goal of shooting daily, I pulled out a set of cheap wine glasses and I used only one light, trying to give them depth and direction. The first shot was converted to Black and White (which made almost no difference, but I'm throwing that out there) and the second one was shot with a blue filter over the single light, which was set at 45 degrees to the subject matter. I set my Aperture to 11, ISO 100, Shutter speed for the Black and White was 3 seconds, and on the blue one, 1/250th of a second (I tripped the flash.)</div>
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With a single light, you can create dynamic lighting, and while the subject here is rather simplistic, I want to explore this option more with a person, I think that could create some great images.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XLlQi2XZ59w/VKnzs4u9BuI/AAAAAAAAE7E/F6W1osyVKTY/s1600/Blue%2BGlasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XLlQi2XZ59w/VKnzs4u9BuI/AAAAAAAAE7E/F6W1osyVKTY/s1600/Blue%2BGlasses.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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<br />ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-6561509091323468162015-01-04T18:49:00.000-05:002015-01-04T18:49:53.497-05:00A Month of Macros, Catching Up<div style="text-align: justify;">
Okay, so the "severe fog warning" was a bust. I was up in time for it, there just wasn't any. What we did have was rain, which effects thereof can be interesting to shoot, but given I wasn't feeling all that swift this morning, I decided against. What I did do instead, was work with some more controlled lighting, and my ever growing collection of ties.</div>
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While my job allows casual dress, and indeed almost demands it, my last job was three piece suit and tie affair, and so I have a large collection of ties. Arranging them to be interesting, however, much much more challenging that I was expecting, and in the end, I don't think I pulled it off. The settings were the same as the miniature work from the other day, with the exception of different colour background. In any case, I'll let you be the judge. Tomorrow is the start of a full work week, and I will be shooting some detail from the city.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JO5YcLAJymQ/VKnQTFC8rCI/AAAAAAAAE6w/NYsclO3_344/s1600/tie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JO5YcLAJymQ/VKnQTFC8rCI/AAAAAAAAE6w/NYsclO3_344/s1600/tie2.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zCDVuUkjJz4/VKnQTORVcKI/AAAAAAAAE6s/4UY80WArZNw/s1600/tie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zCDVuUkjJz4/VKnQTORVcKI/AAAAAAAAE6s/4UY80WArZNw/s1600/tie.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-69650148470095057852015-01-04T00:07:00.001-05:002015-01-04T00:07:56.490-05:00New Project: One Lens a Month<div style="text-align: justify;">
Every photographer, at one point in time in their life, collects too many lenses. I get it, we all love new gear, whether it's the online steal we couldn't pass up, or the hidden gem found at a thrift store, we accumulate gear like it's going out of style.</div>
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The trick with all of this gear, is using it. Sometimes it gets used once or twice and set back in the closet, forgotten, other times, it becomes our go-to lens. In this series, I want to use only one lens for the entire month. In this case, for January, I'm going to use my Sigma 50mm f/2.8 Dedicated Macro.</div>
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I've mentioned the lens on this journal before, and the issues with working with Macro lenses, but as a quick recap, they have very narrow Depths of Field, and do not tolerate sloppy handling. I'm going to try to post a picture a day show with my macro lens. The astute of you will notice it's already the 3rd of January. Yeah so I'm a little late on this. So here's two shots to get things going. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u9SIkvOoRuc/VKjGkYJdzgI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/FHN84vuzR9E/s1600/sea%2Bcreature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u9SIkvOoRuc/VKjGkYJdzgI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/FHN84vuzR9E/s1600/sea%2Bcreature.jpg" height="306" width="320" /></a></div>
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This Sea Creature was a local hobby store close-out, I think I paid 2$ for it. I wasn't sure what to paint it, so I went with underwater type scheme. I'm not a fast painter, nor an especially good one, so it took me some months to get it to this state. </div>
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The background was an ordinary 12"x12" scrapbook sheet, taped to my desk, two strobe lights, at half power, at 45 degree angles from the figure, and my Nikon D2x. F/10 and 1/250th of a second for the shutter speed. No other adjustments, pre- or post-, were made. In other words, straight from the camera.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W42YCxXoNjw/VKjIaM3l2FI/AAAAAAAAE6c/TNAeRhahVoE/s1600/WIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W42YCxXoNjw/VKjIaM3l2FI/AAAAAAAAE6c/TNAeRhahVoE/s1600/WIP.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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This Minotaur is a work in progress so forgive the sloppy painting. All the settings listed above, were duplicated here. The figure is from a company called "Reaper Minis" and this is from their "Bones" line. They are truly affordable (he was 3$) and nicely detailed, but made of some of the most infuriating material I have ever seen disgrace a miniature. It's a weird mixture of recycled plastic and...well..rubber as near as I can tell. As such, any paint has issues sticking to the material and either becomes tacky and never dries right, or glosses up and pools, sliding right off the surface. Scrubbing them (I bought more) with soap and water (or Simple Green) made little, if any, difference. Even primer had issues, but in the end, I found a very good primer that is airbrush-ready (I'm using my airbrush on a red dragon.)<br />
In any event, I chose the Macro lens because it's both a great Macro lens, and a fantastic (if a few stops slower) 50mm normal, or prime, lens. So while I am re-acquainting myself with Macro work, I can always use it as a normal lens. I just heard on the radio it's supposed to be foggy tomorrow morning. If I can get my carcass out of bed in time to catch it, that will be the next set of images.<br />
Stay tuned! </div>
ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-84743990182363314152014-12-31T16:41:00.001-05:002014-12-31T16:41:22.767-05:00New Year and All ThatYeah, no pics right now, prepping for a trip to see some snow. Maybe re-visit the Green Bank Radiotelescope. Been too long since I was there.<br />
I do not know what the new year holds, only that it will be a good one. I can feel that. I hope it is good for all of you, wherever you are.<br />
On a side note, that is sort of related to photography, a reader sent me a link (thank you, whomever you are) that one of my pics, a snake, was being posted elsewhere without my permission. I was initially flattered someone thought enough of my images to nick one, then had second thoughts, then third.<br />
Ultimately however, it boils down to this: I don't make money with my work (not often anyway.) I take pics and post because I want to share a little bit of my world, with you. I want to add a little bit of beauty to the 'net and leave it in a better way than I found it. If someone thinks my work is good enough to re-post, I'm flattered. It'd be nice to give me credits, but it's not a perfect world.<br />
If any of my readership ever want a full sized image of anything I've shot, do feel free to drop me a line and I'll be happy, more than happy, to send it to you.<br />
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Finally, some New Year's greetings:<br />
Miss you Lia, hope all is well in your world. One day, in another life perhaps.<br />
Heather: Never give up, never stop fighting for who you are. I got your back.<br />
Lloyd: All my best to your and yours. Wish I could be closer.<br />
L.A.P.: Here's to a better life for the both of us.<br />
Kieron: Take on the world, go far. I know you can.<br />
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All my best to all of you.ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218340297203839502.post-8264079213894923392014-12-23T21:15:00.001-05:002014-12-23T21:15:11.809-05:00Merry Christmas to AllTo all my faithful readers I wish you a very Merry Christmas and an excellent start to the New Year. I have found a pure metal venue that I will be going to much more in the upcoming months and hope to further hone my concert skills. First up, the mighty (and beautiful) Doro!<br />
But in the meantime, do enjoy your holiday, I will see you soon.<br />
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Cheers!<br />
eehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05491586717061788888noreply@blogger.com0