Sensor Cleaning

Cleaning a sensor is scary, but with the proper stuff, child’s play. The Stuff: Quasar Sensor Loupe 7x lighted focusing system – so you can see your cameras sensor. Next Artic Butterfly a spinning brush that uses static electricity as it’s ally. Next cleaning Swabs and cleaning fluids VSwab (make sure you have the correct size for your sensor (1.0 for full frame 1.6 for non).

The photos above are before cleaning taken with a 35mm at f22  (photo is of our apt wall that has bumpy paint – ignore that). Next photo is after using Artic Buterfly, third is after wet, 4th is final cleaning of both.

Glass Horse Mask: 50 of 52 in 2011

Glass horse mask, 2008, by Marcus Amerman (Choctaw, b. 1959), New Mexico. Multicolored glass. This beautiful mask is at the National Museum of the American Indian – Smithsonian Institution. For a limited time you can see the exhibit “A Song for the Horse Nation”

Farm Sunset: 49 of 52 in 2011

Nothing beats a finger painting by Mother Nature. Kristi and I where near Fredericksburg Virginia working with some of our favorite clients during this spectacular sunset.

This area of the state is fast becoming one of my favorites. This is the same general location where I captured the Gar jumping out of the water in week 24.

Even better… after our photo session, we where treated to a pancake dinner with fresh venison sausage. The dinner is a Sunday night family tradition, which we where glad to partake in. Thanks so much to D and Laura lee. We love you!

Place D’Arms: 48 of 52 in 2011

Kristi, Brock and I visited Kristi parents. Since this was Brock’s first visit to the Big Easy we included a trip to visit Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, and the French Market. On our visit we were met with cloudy cloudy skies and a rainy mist.

Bread: 47 of 52 in 2011

Baking my own bread has become one of my favorite activities. Nothing quite matches the mouth watering aroma of fresh baked bread, its warm glorious texture, its crusty golden crust, add a dab of butter and life is simple again.

I grew up watching my grandmother make buttermilk briskets, fritters, and pies. She kept her flour in this big metal drum and would have me sift out just the right amount. Watching her knead and work the flour kept me in the kitchen, sure I could have been in the other room watching “General Hospital” on her black and white set or even out in the front lawn bouncing a tennis ball off the roof. However, when she asked me to pull out the “flour tin” I was done, glued to the process of watching her create. Funny thing is, it never took her very long, it was such a simple task, she never complained, she just hummed.

Wearing her apron and a simple dress both of which she made herself; I’m sure it never even crossed her mind to do it any other way.

I would stay with my grandmother many weekends over the summer and even during the school year. I can remember the time that I spent with her in great detail. It does not take much for those memories to come back to me. Some of the best triggers are, the sound of a sewing machine, the taste of a fried apple pie or fatback meat frying in a cast iron pan, the sight of a flour sifter, or even flour being thrown out on a table top just before the plop of dough hits the table to be kneaded.

Discover for yourself the art… The art of baking bread.

Thanks Grandma.

Seagull: 46 of 52 in 2011

Seagull comes in for a landing while glaring at me.

See more at my ETSY store

Frozen Leaves: 45 of 52 in 2011

You may ask, when was it cold enough in the DC area to freeze leaves when they where at peak color? My answer, sometimes one must help mother nature along.

I collected some leaves with great shapes and color placed them in a pyrex dish, filled it with water and place it the freezer.  To photograph I added more leaves and used a soft diffused light,  and poured warm water over the ice. Simple set-up but I love the results.

To purchase a print, click on photo to follow link to my Etsy store.

A Shower for Mr. Red Bean: 44 of 52 in 2011

A Fun Baby Shower? Every now and again your perspective of “how things are” get’s turned on its ear. Our dear friend KT whom is expecting some time in December had her baby shower yesterday evening. My wife and KT’s fried Jeff planned and threw the “shower” hence forth to be know as “Red Beans  party” because it was not your typical shower, but a celebration of friends and family and K9 alike.

Not to be left out of the celebration, Jeff’s dog (name to be updated) whom thought the party was being held in her honor was quite enamored with both KT and Zach and took the time to lounge on them accordingly.

to see the rest of the fun click here

Kempo: Week 43 of 52 in 2011

Potomac Kempo, Weapons Demonstration

A Collector of all things Tucker: 42 of 52 in 2011

David Cammack poses with his first Tucker that he purchased in 1972. Their where only 51 Tuckers ever built, currently 47 still exists – David owns 3

David’s favorite Tucker is this red beauty – Serial number 1001, which is the very first Pre-Production automobile that Preston Tucker made. This Tucker came off the line on March 17, 1948. These cars were ahead of their time. Each came with fully independent suspension, safety glass, and a neat Cyclopes light. Plus an aircraft inspired all aluminum rear engine. The tucker could hit cruising speeds of over 100 mph with a recorded top speed of 131 mph!

The rear wheel well, was designed to help keep the engine and disk breaks cool, as well as provide a nice hiding place for the gas cap.Each time a new Tucker came off the line simple improvements were made, meaning no two are alike. Changes to the engine chaises length, gas tank location, transmission and various other safety improvements where constantly experimented with. The center “Cyclopes” light only came on when the steering wheel turned greater than 10 degrees and would sync with the direction of the wheels, to help the driver see around turns.

For weight distribution, the engine was placed in the trunk area and lower in the chassis giving the car a lower center of gravity.

The suicide doors, made for easy accessibility to the rear seats.A clutter less driving area and lack of any glove box was another Tucker safety inspiration. During a crash, the passenger was to place himself into the designed “crash area” buy ducking low into the floorboard area.

This weeks “photo of the week” is more like a photo essay. However after discovering a Tucker museum in my town, I found myself wanting to do more than just the one photo. I meet David Cammack, after a chance meeting with Deena, his long time friend and helper, at the post office. Next thing you know, I’m standing in a warehouse in old town Alexandria, with camera in hand.

Mr. Cammack has a drive, a passion, and a wealth of information. Stepping into this warehouse is like stepping into a time capsule. The collection not only includes 3 Tucker’s but also a 1947 Cadillac Fleet-wood Chassis. – Just for comparison reasons. The collection includes several engines that show the progression of the Tucker power plant, a room full of blue prints, engineering drawings, legal papers, photos, rare 16mm films, and the original chassis buggy which Preston Tucker used to test concepts for suspension and drive train.

Mr. Cammack never married and will donate the entire car collection to the Antique automobile club of America in Hershey PA. He does not call his museum a museum, but a working warehouse of all things Tucker. He charges no admittance fee. Call David Cammack at 703-836-4520 to set up your appointment.

Meeting David Cammack and Dana was a treat, incredibly nice people. In the end, they are the true find here; the Tuckers are just added bonus.

Use this LINK to see all the photos