Blog

  • [MODIFIED] Text Editors – Notepad Replacements – AkelPad Text Editor with Plugin Support including Text-To-Speech

    AkelPad is a small open-source text editor for Windows that allows you to view four different parts of the same file simultaneously.

    AkelPad is an open-source text editor for Windows that supports different newline formats (DOS/Windows, Mac, Unix), text case altering, and multi-level undo. The software can warn you if the currently-viewed file has been changed, allowing you to reload it. Through a “View” – ‘Split Window” option you can jump through four different parts of a text file simultaneously, useful for programmers who frequently need to look at different portions of the same source code.

    Configuration options include altering the text file font and application color scheme. Hyperlinks can be made clickable and you can choose which types of hyperlinks are supported (http, mailto, etc). The program by default remembers up to 1,000 edits for multi-level undo; this number can be modified if needed due to usage requirements. The software remembers the last 10 files opened; this number can be increased, or eliminated for privacy. Configuration options can be stored in the Windows Registry or in an .INI file for portability….

    Read more at MalekTips.
    New Computer and Technology Help and Tips – MalekTips.Com

  • Panasonic launches Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS pancake

    Panasonic has announced the Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS collapsible power-zoom lens. The pancake zoom represents a series of firsts for Panasonic and the Micro Four Thirds system – it incorporates a lever-operated powered zoom and similarly controlled manual focus system. It is also the first lens to gain the company’s ‘Lumix X’ branding that it will use to denotes high-end performance. The power zoom design with quiet focus and zoom motors joins the stepless aperture design to help optimize the lens for HD video shooting. The company will be pairing the lens with its diminutive DMC-GF3 camera body, or selling it separately for around $ 399. We’ve been using one of the first pre-production examples of the lens and have prepared a preview that demonstrates its behavior.
    News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Chamber of Commerce Mural – AGCC Visual Art Director Marshall Astor Painting Pipes

    A few nice visual art images I found:

    Chamber of Commerce Mural – AGCC Visual Art Director Marshall Astor Painting Pipes
    visual art
    Image by Angels Gate
    Port of Los Angeles High School Students work with AGCC staff on the creation of a new mural, inspired by the work of Sister Corita Kent, on the wall of the Chamber of Commerce in San Pedro.

    Photo by Michele Hubacek.

    Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
    visual art
    Image by Joye~

    art stays
    visual art
    Image by wallstalking.org
    Posted by:Nina
    Graffiti message:Art Stays
    Taken on:26.8.2009
    Place:Street
    City:Ptuj
    Country:SLOVENIA
    Comment:The graffiti was made at the festival of the contemporary visual arts called Art Stays which took place between 24th and 31th July. It represents the main message of the festival: art connects people wherever they are, regardless of any societal and ecological problems which are illustrated by the hurricane in the background and which in a way inspire creation works of art like this.
    wallstalking.org/Gallery.mvc/Item/320

  • Image Metrics Emily CG Facial Animation is Too Real

    For more cool stuff, check out my blog: www.technabob.com ======================================= You won’t believe it, but the face on the woman in this video is completely computer generated. Animation by Image Metrics http

    How To Draw Kakashi by Evan Burse. Learn how to draw Kakashi Hatake from Naruto! He is the leader & teacher of Team 7 (consisting of Naruto, Sasuke & Sakura. Don’t forget to enter the Kakashi Drawing Contest. Hurry! The contest ends Sunday, May 2 @11pm Pacific Time. Thanks to BigBadToyStore.com for supplying the prizes for this contest: www.bigbadtoystore.com Music by Breakz17 www.youtube.com Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com
    Video Rating: 4 / 5

  • DepthQ 3D Single Projector Polarized Installation – Parsons Brinckerhoff, Seattle –

    An overview of new 3D visualization lab at Parsons Brinckerhoff, Seattle. PB is one of the world’s leading planning, engineering, and construction management organizations. 3D equipment integration and installation by Lightspeed Design, Inc – DepthQ Stereoscopic: DepthQ Player, running crosstalk reduction code (ghost busting) — DepthQ Polarization Modulator Circular Small 80×86 mm — Stewart Filmscreen 150 rear projection polarization preserving screen — Da-Lite bounce mirror — ProjectionDesign F10 AS3D single lens 3D projector.
    Video Rating: 5 / 5

  • Queen Victoria and Windsor Castle


    Queen Victoria and Windsor Castle, originally uploaded by hitkaiser.

    Went to the town of Windsor yesterday… horrible weather made it quite a crappy day for taking photos..

    What was more disappointing was the lack of things to see..

    Windsor castle may be huge, but its not much to look at from outside and the interior open to the public is tiny (and no photography allowed inside wtf!) – The chapel happened to be closed.

    The cruise on the river Thames is supposed to give you views of a number of things including the castle.. which only happens in the last 5mins and even then its covered by trees.

    Eton college… well its “allright”, again the inside was closed to the public.



    MadridPixel

  • A Simple Bath

    In a way I think all of us put on a bit of a disguise, everyday, and nobody more so than young women. Makeup to bras to hair straighteners girls become someone that looks as least like their regular selves as possible. Somehow our culture sends girls a message that it’s not ok to be themselves. I think we should change that.

    The Bathroom is the scene of the crime. I like shooting girls there, it always feels just a tad more honest. A tad more… scary.

    It’s scary being yourself.

    Model is Maloree Johnson


    Jake Garn Photography

  • An Intensity

    I’m finally starting to find the images I’ve spent a lifetime looking for.

    Model is Maloree Johnson


    Jake Garn Photography

  • On Inspiration.

    Photo by Ryan Muirhead.

    Hello.

    So, this sounds weird.  I understand that.  But it’s the truth.

    When people ask where my ideas come from or what I look for in a model or how I light something or anything like that… I’ve never had a good answer.  It’s just something I know.  Inexplicably.

    When I took Ryan Muirhead on as a photo assistant years ago he would ask me specifics on retouching or equipment or lighting and he’d get a blank stare in return.  I don’t think he realized that answering his questions about it would take so damn long, but finally I figured it out.  It’s not about any of that.  Sure, it’s necessary to know, but knowing it doesn’t let you take better photos any more than knowing how to use a spatula means you can cook a good steak.

    Over the years I’ve realized how I know what I know.  Fate.

    Fate guides me in weird twisted ways to every person I’ve ever met that has inspired me.  Like a universal muse is guiding my path to everywhere I go.

    I’ve figured out how to teach it, but here’s the deal.  I can’t tell you what I know, I have to show you. Samantha Law taught me that.

    I can’t show everyone, there isn’t the time.  But a few people around me I’ve started to show.  Ryan chose me, somehow he broke through the wall I built around me to filter out the noise that fills an inbox and became my first assistant.

    I see in him a potential that many of you see.  He’s not there yet, which sounds almost insulting until you realize what I’m actually saying.

    My compliments sound weird, even creepy at first, until I explain them.  Paige Lewis taught me that.

    So I explain.  Ryan Muirhead is an amazing photographer, he’s brilliant.  But I see well beyond what he’s currently creating and I see potential beyond my imagination.  I’ve been where he is, where life feels so damn heavy that photography is an escape, instead of a purpose.  When he decides it’s his purpose… watch out world.  Oh, and he’s starting to realize it.  His work is starting to get really kick ass…

    I just got off the phone with Ryan, I told him that he’s going to be a much better photographer than me. In a very short amount of time.  In a weird way I think I picked up my camera so that I could show Muirhead how to pick up his camera.  How to access the genius that has been whispering inspiration to him for years, but he couldn’t hear it.

    So.  What is your path?  What does this have to do with you?  Find inspiring people in your world, listen to them, try to connect with them.  Search the world to find inspiration.  Mara Lafontaine taught me that.

    It just so happens I know a ton of inspiring people, oh, and as fate would have it I’m inviting them all to the same party.  Party on the Boulevard – we close the street down in front of my friend’s restaurants and throw a community shin dig!  This Wednesday, August 24th 5PM until dark.  Come and just see who you meet, if you’re into inspiration that is.

    That feels good to get off my chest, but, don’t be fooled… I’m going to keep taking photos as long as I love it and Ryan Muirhead and I both are going to continue educating you about photography at www.shootforlove.com where we’ll teach you to let go of yourself, and find inspiration.

    Ryan has attention to give to this craft that I don’t have… I’m so excited to see where he takes it.

    I realize this sounds really gay, but sometimes you just have to be gay to be heard.  My friend Steven Robertson taught me that.   Am I right?


    Jake Garn Photography

  • Zeit

    Time is what prevents everything from happening at once. ~John A. Wheeler

    Zeit

    Jetzt. Ich kaufe ein Buch und bekomme es: jetzt (Kindle). Ich lade einen Film herunter und schaue ihn: jetzt. Ich möchte ein neues Spiel probieren und bekomme es: jetzt. Ich möchte mich fotografisch weiterentwickeln und bekomme es: in zwei Jahren.

    Niemand würde sich beschweren, wenn er innerhalb von 30 Sekunden via Download die neuesten Fotoskills erlernen und diese dann sofort umsetzen könnte. Und die Fotoindustrie setzt alles daran, mittels neuer Bücher, Onlinetrainings oder gar der allerfrischesten Technik die Lerndauer so kurz wie nur möglich zu halten – oder zumindest der Ungeduld des ambitionierten Hobbyfotografen so weit entgegenzukommen, dass er alles sofort haben kann.

    Da entsteht schnell der Eindruck, dass man nur das eine Buch, genau dieses Objektiv oder exakt dieses Lerntraining braucht, um “viel krassere Fotos” zu machen. Doch wir müssen aufpassen, dass wir hier auf Dauer nicht der ungebremsten Konsumlust in die Falle gehen.

    Dieser einen Strich durch die Rechnung zu machen und sich mal für ein, zwei Jahre kein neues Buch, kein Equipment, kein neues Tool zum Bearbeiten oder sonst was zu kaufen, könnte ein Ausweg aus der Dauerschleife sein. Was zunächst opportunistisch oder gar technikfeindlich anmutet, könnte den Weg freimachen zu einer Sache: tatsächliches Fotografieren.

    Denn es ist keine kühne Behauptung, zu konstatieren, dass die wichtigsten Dinge sich nur über einen gewissen Zeitstrang entwickeln. Die gern benutzte Abkürzung wird zur Sackgasse. Umdrehen und neu navigieren.

    Klar. Man kann live oder per Video einem Superprofi zuschauen, wie er ein bezauberndes Foto erstellt, die feinsten technischen Finessen erklärt und wenn man selbst die Kamera in die Hand nimmt, findet man nicht mal den Auslöser.

    Selbstverständlich ist der letzte Halbsatz eine glasklare Übertreibung, aber dieses “auf Abruf lernen” funktioniert mitnichten so, wie es oft deklariert wird. Wer sich selbst nicht dazu begeistern kann, ein, zwei Mal in der Woche zu fotografieren, der kann in einer halben Stunde 77 Videos gleichzeitig ansehen, es wird ihm exakt so viel bringen: Nichts.

    Denn niemand lernt durch reines Zusehen. Man kann drei Jahre lang einem Stickermeister bei der Nadelmalerei zusehen und dadurch ein paar Sticktechniken erlernen, doch die “Magie” passiert dann, wenn der Zuschauer zum Akteur wird, sich ein Stück Seide schnappt und am Spaltstich versucht.

    So ist es nicht verwunderlich, dass so manche Einsteiger mit einer Überforderung kämpfen, die sie unfreiwillig freiwillig von der Fotoindustrie adaptiert haben. Es klappt einfach nicht so, – wie man es erwartet. Denn selbst wenn wir alles kaufen könnten, was wir bräuchten, und bis morgen (an)lernen könnten, was wir wollten eines hätten wir nicht: Erfahrung, die nur die Zeit bringt.

    Denn die Einsicht (und darauf folgende Kurskorrektur), das man beispielsweise Insektenmakropanoramen in vergilbten Vintagefarben machen und gar keine Lust auf HDR-Landschaften oder Straßenfotos (nur weil die gerade so “in” sind) hat, kommt mit der Erfahrung. Um den letzten Satz noch einmal zu verkürzen: Einsicht kommt mit Erfahrung.

    Denn Erkenntnisse dieser Art lassen sich weder kaufen noch in drei Tagen per “Vision” abrufen, da es vor allem ein Learning. By. Doing. ist. Erkenntnisse über den eigenen Weg lernt man nur hier: auf dem Weg. Ergo an Kamera, in Gesprächen mit Freunden, vielleicht nach einer langen Lustlosigkeitsperiode et cetera.

    ~

    Wie schnell man in der Zeit X vorankommt, hängt natürlich von vielen Faktoren ab. Setze ich mich drei liebe Jahre lang auf die Couch und drücke ab bei spontanem Lusteinfall auf den funkgesteuerten Fernauslöser meiner am Baggersee vormontierten Kamera, wird die Lernkurve in etwa so ausfallen: –

    Nehme ich mir aber den Artikel von Maximilian Zimmermann zu Herzen und verbringe die Zeit X möglichst häufig an den Orten, wo ich gerne fotografiere, könnte die Lernkurve so ausfallen: /

    Wie in meinem letzten Posting vorgelegt, möchte ich nicht mit der Rute warnend Leser unter Druck setzen – ich gehe immer von einem großen Anteil Eigenmotivation aus und glaube an das Lebensgefühl des Fotografierens.

    ~

    Jedoch möchte ich dazu ermutigen, nicht zu vergessen, dass ZEIT ein ganz entscheidender Faktor ist und hoffe, dass dies als Resultat

    a) Mut macht, sich auf die Hinterbeine zu stellen aber

    b) Auch zur Entspannung unter Druck geratener Leser beiträgt, die dann, wenn beim Shooting gar nichts geklappt hat, die Hinterbeine auf den Tisch legen und sich sagen können:

    “Wird schon.”


    KWERFELDEIN | Fotografie Magazin