Nice Views

Posted by dkrashb on June 24, 2013

The lovely “beach” in Nice

If yesterday I attempted to make you feel sorry for me for having to travel to Nice and Monaco, today I might make you jealous.

I arrived in Nice around 9AM on Monday morning. When I arrived at my hotel, my room wasn’t ready yet, but after only a few minutes in the lobby, I was given a key and sent upstairs. This was a good thing because having not slept a wink on the flight over, I was about to nod off in the lobby.

Interesting building on my round-about way to the shore. Using HDR created ghost of a pedestrian in my shot.

I climbed into bed and set my alarm so that I’d get in a nice 2 hour nap. Or should I say a Nice 2 hour nap? In either case, I have found that it’s best not to sleep more than 2 hours when I arrive in a new time zone, especially when traveling in an Eastward direction.

I woke up before my alarm went off. I jumped out of bed feeling panicked that perhaps I had missed a meeting. I logged in immediately to see what emails I’d gotten since falling asleep. Given that it was only 7AM back in the Eastern US, I hadn’t received much of anything.

The fake peninsula (created by shooting panoramic with iPhone default camera app)

After convincing myself I hadn’t missed anything, I jumped in the shower to discover it was one of those weird adaptations of a tub with a curtain on hooks shooting out from the post the shower head was installed on like a star. I pulled the curtain around me, but it only went about ½ way around. I did my best not to spray the entire bathroom. This might explain why the toilet (and toilet paper) were in another room–it could be the only way they stay dry when someone showers.

Fake inlet (also created by shooting panoramic with default iPhone camera app)

Feeling wide awake and fresh, I threw on some casual clothes and went out to take a walk along the shore. Unfortunately, I was somewhat disoriented and walked the wrong direction. By the time I found the shore, I wasn’t feeling so fresh anymore.

But, the beach was lovely. The wind was blowing and the air was fresh. What more could an American on a business trip ask for?

A plaza along the way to the beach

I experimented with panoramic shots on the shore with my iPhone. I ended up creating a peninsula out of the rocks I was standing on and turning the shoreline into an inlet because of the effect of shooting panoramic. It was kind of fun.

A more realistic view of the beach

Nice Hotel

Posted by dkrashb on June 23, 2013

My view

My recent business trip took me to Nice, France and Monte Carlo, Monaco. I know it’s hard to feel bad for someone who just went to the French Riviera, but I’d like to point out a few facts that make me sympathy worthy:

I arrived Monday morning and departed Thursday morning after 2 hard days of work,
I stayed in Nice, but the conference was in Monaco, resulting in a 1 ½ hour bus ride from hell during rush hour traffic on Tuesday morning,
Pat couldn’t come with me
Tisen couldn’t come with me
I spent 40 hours traveling in exchange for 72 hours on the French Riviera.

OK, so it’s a King-sized bed, but check out the carpet

If that’s not enough, let’s talk about my hotel room. First, I had a sense of deja-vu when I arrived at my hotel. I didn’t remember where I stayed the last time I was in Nice (in May of 2006), but when I walked into the lobby, I was pretty sure it was the same hotel with an updated decor.

These chairs were “updated” with orange slip covers looking like they’re in desperate need of a cleaning

Unfortunately, the updated decor stopped at the lobby. I had to chuckle at the orange shag carpet and matching accessories in my room. I did not, however, chuckle at the tiny little room with a toilet, and only a toilet, in it. Fortunately, I discovered a bath tub and sink in a separate room opposite the toilet room.

I tried hard to remember whether the toilet was separate from the bath and sink the last time I was in France. I never did manage to come up with that memory, but everyone I talked to had the same arrangement no matter what hotel they were in, so I guess it’s a French thing.

Now I understand why some people call it a “water closet”

The view from my room left something to be desired. From the window, I could see the back of 3 surrounding buildings and the shed for the trash bins for my hotel. This is not the kind of view one hopes for when staying on the French Riviera. Especially not when one read that the hotel in question was a 4-star hotel. I suspect the person who awarded the 4 stars was the owner’s mother.

I don’t mean to complain. After all, it was a trip to the French Riviera that I didn’t have to pay for. But no matter how glamorous it sounds to say “I’m going to the French Riviera,” the reality was far from glamorous.

One last look at the view from my window

Plane Food

Posted by dkrashb on June 22, 2013

I suspect I am drunk. I am on a plane. I arrived late for my connection, meaning I didn’t have time to eat. I had skipped breakfast. So, at 30,000 feet or so, I had a glass of wine on a stomach with nothing but a tiny, quarter handful of peanuts in it. Between the altitude and the empty stomach, it’s possible my judgement is impaired.

Evidence in favor is that I discovered my salad had a clear plastic lid over it when I dispensed salad dressing on top of said lid.

Further evidence includes that I ate every morsel of my plane food thinking it was one of the finer meals I’ve had. I chowed down on the plastic-wrapped roll (I did remove the plastic wrap first, thank-you-very-much) with what butter I could scrape out of the plastics container thinking it tasted fantastic. I even ate the iceberg lettuce salad without feeling like someone should take some nutrition classes.

What’s most alarming is that when they came back around with the drink cart, I asked for a second glass of wine!

Fortunately for me, I am sitting next to a sweet, older lady who doesn’t seem to suspect a thing. Although, I think I caught her casting a glance when half of my cracker fell into my lap due to a mis-timed bite.

Speaking of cracker, I was eating the aforementioned cracker with cheese. Not fancy, aged, unpasteurized cheese from France (as one might reasonably expect on a flight to Paris) but rather smooth, slightly plasticine Tilamook cheese from good old Oregon, USA.

I enjoy Tillamook Cheese–I’ve even been there in person and done the factory tour–but let’s face it. Americans really have little patience when it comes to producing things that require time to ripen and age. We don’t even let our fruits and vegetables ripen before we load them on the truck and ship them off to market.

But what’s remarkable about this is that I really enjoyed the Tillamook cheese. Maybe not so remarkable–I’m an American; I can even enjoy eating Kraft American Cheese. But it’s the degree to which I’m enjoying it that’s so surprising. It tastes like something rare and remarkable.

Oh dear, I’ve forgotten all about my fireworks theme! Perhaps I’ll have some of that second glass of wine . . .

Human Fireworks

Posted by dkrashb on June 21, 2013

The theme of fireworks made me think of the chemical fireworks that sometimes ignite between two people. This thought reminded me of a story from my teenage years. It was about someone I didn’t know well, I just knew of her. She was a mother and wife and she went to her high school reunion, reunited with a high school sweetheart and KABOOM! Fireworks.

Fireworks so powerful that she left her husband of over 20 years to marry this man from her past. It was an incident that shocked and dismayed many of the woman’s friends. I believe it was the notion that someone could be so overpowered by a chemical response that they could lose all sense of direction and suddenly wind up on a new course that they found terrifying.

In contrast to this story, my own father was reunited with a woman he went to school with about a year after my mother died. They never dated in school, although she and her husband and my father and mother double-dated in college. The four of them maintained a long distance relationship over the years, exchanging hand-me-downs for each others’ children (I got the daughter’s clothes; her brother got my brother’s clothes), and even visiting a few times when we were children in spite of living many hundreds of miles apart.

When both her husband and my mother died within 6 months of each other, my father and his friend found support in exchanging emails about the experience, which eventually led to a first date. I never asked if there were fireworks, but I tend to think there were. After all, they saw each other in person for the first time in 20(?) years at the end of May that year, then she came out to visit Dad for their 2nd in-person date in early July. Her second day in town, they showed up on my porch excited to announce their engagement

While I was not prepared at the time to accept that while I was still struggling emotionally with my mother’s death my father was ready to move on, I have come to really love this story. I find it incredibly romantic that two kids who grew up together in the country came together and fell in love 40 years later. I’m happy to report that my father and his wife seem to still have the fireworks going strong 13 years later.

Balcony Lessons

Posted by dkrashb on June 20, 2013

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During the Riverbend Fireworks, I had the interesting experience of meeting a young woman who was using her new Canon Rebel (not sure which one) for what was nearly the first time. She had apparently bought it from eBay, played with it briefly, and then set it aside until the night of the Riverbend Fireworks.

She asked me a few questions about what settings to use and I’m afraid I might have overwhelmed her with information. I was reminded of the conversations I had about 9 years ago when my own adventure with photography started with a good friend a colleague who was usually patient and willing to share information.

But I had the realization as to how quickly it becomes difficult to answer a simple question when the person asking it has no knowledge of the basics of photography. I also had the realization of how much I’ve learned.

I did my best to explain to her how she might select an appropriate aperture and what an ISO setting is and why a slower shutter speed might be beneficial. I also explained why turning off her flash might be a good way to prevent wasting her battery since it wasn’t going to help. I’m not sure I did a food job of containing myself or the information. After all, I think she was looking for a more definitive answer like, “when you’re shooting fireworks, use f/11.” I haven’t found the equivalent to the bright sun rule of “Sunny 16” for fireworks, but then, given the number of times the Sunny 16 rule hasn’t worked for me, I’m not sure it’s realistic to call it a rule.

In any case, I realized that I really need to find a venue to teach photography. I enjoyed that little 10 minutes of playing teacher more than I expected.
I am a big fan of learning by teaching–there is nothing that pushes me more to really work at something than when I know I’m going to have to teach it. I love the feeling of having something to pass on to someone else. Whether it’s work related, tricks on photographing fireworks, bird facts, or even something completely outside my normal areas of interest, nothing make me feel more alive than the feeling that I have something to share.

Dogs and Fireworks

Posted by dkrashb on June 19, 2013

Dogs are frequently afraid of fireworks. I would venture to guys that dogs fall into two categories: Those who are completely oblivious and those who think the world is coming to an end. Tisen does not like fireworks. Nor does Twiggy, who is visiting with us again while her mom and dad are on vacation.

Tisen seems somewhat embarrassed about his fear of fireworks. Like he knows he’s supposed to be a big tough boy and not be afraid of loud noises. Instead of whining, howling, or barking, which would only draw attention to his cowardice, he hides. But if you happen to look in on him from time to time, you’ll discover he often has a puzzled look on his face like he can’t understand why his humans are not distraught by all the noise.

I think there is a simple explanation for this disparity in human and dog interpretation of loud noises. I think it’s hearing. While one might speculate that canines have less ability to understand the source of loud noises or to reason as to whether they are in potential danger or not, I really think it comes down to pain. The deep, reverberating booms and high pitched crackles sound so much louder to a dog than to a human, it seems quite possible they are in physical pain.

This being my theory, I was doubly surprised when I spent the entire length of the Riverbend fireworks out on the balcony of the common room (where dogs are not allowed) and Tisen remained parked by the front door waiting for my return instead of hiding under the sofa, desk, or Daddy. Twiggy cuddled with Daddy, leaving Tisen to fend for himself as the stalwart guard patiently awaiting the return of Mommy. I felt pretty guilty when I got home and found him still waiting for me.

I wonder if he is more afraid of losing Mommy than he is of fireworks? This also made me feel more guilty getting on a plane the following morning.

Tisen braving it out at the door

More of the Same

Posted by dkrashb on June 18, 2013

Continuing yesterday’s list of tips on photographing fireworks . . .

Fourth, think carefully about depth of field. If you’re shooting wide and trying to get the landscape into the photo at all, you’ll want to stop down the aperture as much as possible.

Fifth, as a contrary point to the above, be aware that because the fireworks are so bright, you aren’t going to be able to get a single exposure for both the fireworks and the landscape unless the landscape is brightly lit (like the city lights). Some photographers solve this by combining two photos manually later. Be aware the HDR settings will not be very helpful (although may be interesting) because of the motion of the fireworks. To combine the two manual exposures, you would need to be able to layer them together in an application like Photoshop.

Sixth, fireworks move. To get long, bright streaks of light in the sky, you need a fairly long shutter speed. This helps with the fourth tip–you get more depth of field as a bonus. I’m pretty happy with the size, shape, length of the streaks I get at about .4 seconds. However, there are some types of fireworks that look better with longer exposures. The only downside of exposing longer is that you get more smoke showing up in the process.

Seventh, I once missed about ½ of a fireworks show trying this trick, but maybe it will work better for you. Supposedly, you can put your camera on bulb and use a piece of paper or your hand to cover the lens in between the rockets being fired. Then, you can get multiple fireworks into one shot. This might have worked last night when I was in very close proximity to the launch point. However, from a further distance, I just got very dull looking fireworks that were often barely visible.

Shooting Fireworks

Posted by dkrashb on June 17, 2013

Well, there comes a time when we are all caught off guard by ill preparation. I can list a long number of excuses as to how this happened, starting with working way too many hours for my day job, but the truth of the matter is that I didn’t give getting my blog posts ready ahead of time top priority and, therefore, it didn’t happen.

So, I am about 45 minutes away from leaving for the airport. I’m headed overseas on a business trip where my internet access may be limited and my time most certainly will be. And, I have only photos of fireworks ready to post.

So what’s a daily blogger to do?

Well, I’ve decided to do some really short posts on the theme of “fireworks.” We’ll see if I manage to get a post a day up!

For today’s fireworks-themed post, let’s talk about some things I’ve learned about shooting fireworks.

First, if you’re going to be really close to the fireworks (in this case, we were within a .10 of a mile as the crow flies from where they were being fired), put your widest lens on your camera. Since most of us now have cameras with 20+ megapixels, cropping to get tight photos is an option and there is a bigger problem with fitting all the action in the frame.

Second, if you know which way the wind is blowing, find a spot upwind. This will help reduce the amount of smoke in your images. Unfortunately, that was not a possibility for me, so I do have a lot of smoke in my images. I managed to do some adjusting to reduce it’s appearance, but it’s still annoyingly visible.

Third, your cameras metering is useless while you’re shooting. It will jump all over the place as the fireworks create large amounts of light and then fade. By the time you adjust exposure, it will be too late. Remain calm. Check your photos on your LCD early even if it means missing a shot of the next one going off. It’s better to miss one or two getting your exposure set right than to get home and find that every shot you took was completely blown out or too dark.

Fire over Water

Posted by dkrashb on June 16, 2013

The last big performance of Riverbend winds down as the crowd grows in anticipation of the fireworks

If every fireworks display were the likes of the Riverbend Fireworks, I think there wouldn’t be a shortage of explosives worldwide. That could be a good thing–fireworks are probably among the more peaceful things we do with explosives. Although I suppose there are a lot of people who would disagree that that’s the best use of explosives–a few of my friends are extremely grateful for the explosives used in their airbags, for example.

Regardless, fireworks always feel nostalgic to me. I don’t know why–fireworks displays are so much more sophisticated and reliable than they ever were when I was a kid. I think I couldn’t have been more than 7 or 8 years old when I started anticipating the success or failure of the 4th of July Fireworks based on the weather. Rain the week before the big display was a disaster. Perhaps “the fireworks got wet” was really just a euphemism adults used to explain away all the “duds” that would fail to go off with little more than a “ffftttzzz” and maybe a spark. But the children in my neighborhood grew up terrifies of rain right before fireworks because we were sure there would be lots of duds.

I remember fireworks taking an hour or more from start to finish. I remember being blown away by the finale when a dozen or more fireworks blossomed in the sky simultaneously. I remember the show leading up to the finale consisting pretty much of one, maybe two, fireworks going off at the same time or in close sequence. I remember lots of time between fireworks when the sky was simply empty. I remember the first time I ever saw a fireworks display that had been timed and choreographed with music. It was in the 1980’s. They played Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American” as part of the montage. I can’t remember being to a fireworks display set to music without hearing Lee ever since. In fact, I heard it again tonight. That guy must make millions just on fireworks background music.

Things I don’t remember from the suburban fireworks display my family attended every 4th of July, sharing a blanket in the grass of a local park, include adult men without shirts on, extraordinary traffic jams, closed roads, cops with lights flashing everywhere, people packed like sardines into all available open spaces and fighting over the high spots.

Of course, the suburb that sponsored the fireworks from my childhood has all of 10,000 people living in it. While Chattanooga may not be a big city, it’s nearly 20 times the size of that. So I guess it’s unfair to compare the sweet innocence of the suburb I grew up in to the issues that arise when you take a very large number of people and put them in a very small space.

The fireworks have been over for at least 45 minute now. But sirens keep going by outside. Hopefully it will settle down soon.

Bending

Posted by dkrashb on June 15, 2013

The Walnut Street Bridge takes a wild turn

I have discovered a whole new way to have fun with my iPhone camera. Yes, more panoramics! But in this case, instead of creating a really big view of a vast landscape, I’m making a U-shape! I know, I am easily amused.

But how much fun is it to stand on the Walnut Street Bridge and take a panoramic shot that starts by looking up the bridge, then pans across the scene of Riverbend and ends looking down the bridge?

I clarifies the concept of putting a 3-dimensional landscape into 2 dimensions in a brand new way. I am starting to think of other possible uses for the panoramic capability. I will cover 240 degrees. That means I can’t quite create a circle. But horseshoe shapes? The bridge is pretty close to a horseshoe.

Bending the bridge around the Carousel in Coolidge Park

Before I get carried away on the possibilities, let me just mention that we are rapidly approaching the close of this year’s Riverbend Festival. Riverbend is a pretty big deal that takes over the river front across the river. They close the main street that runs along the river, float in a big stage, and book many bands. Lynrd Skynrd played last night. That was a bit of a shock–I thought most of the band died in a plane many years ago? I guess you can still be a band even if you’ve replaced most of the original members.

In any case, Riverbend attracts a large crowd. Supposedly, over 600,000 people descend upon Chattanooga over the course of the 2 week music festival. To put that in perspective, there are about 170,000 people in Chattanooga proper. Believe it or not, that makes Chattanooga the 4th largest city in Tennessee, and only a about 10,000 people behind Knoxville, the largest city in East Tennessee. Only Nashville and Memphis are larger.

A panoramic that stops short of making a bend

By the time you add 600,000 people to Chattanooga, that’s enough to bump the population up to the largest city in Tennessee. Of course, they’re not all here at once. But, the extra crowd may explain the extra people hanging out in the park looking like perhaps they are camping out there. It’s hard for me to believe there are enough hotel rooms in town to house even 300,000 extra people. The building we live in has suddenly filled with extra people we don’t recognize and cars in parking spots that are normally empty.

We’ve learned that locals are not fond of Riverbend. I think people camping in the park do not help the locals lack of enthusiasm. But it’s likely the fight for parking is the bigger issue. People park anywhere they can. It’s pretty rare to find free parking anywhere in the vicinity of downtown. During Riverbend, unless you have a reserved spot, you’re pretty much out of luck.

However people feel about Riverbend, the fireworks display at the end of the festival is a big deal. We’ll see if it’s as impressive as last year tomorrow night.

Tisen cuddling with daddy

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