Glass Photograpy Experiment

I have a great how-to photo book. "Light Science and Magic" by Hunter, Biver, & Fuqua, 3rd Edition is well written, beautifully illustrated, and has an approach that I have not seen in any other photo book. Yes, my photo book experience is limited, so there may be similar books - I'd like to know if there are. My library here in Mississauga, ON does not have them.

I first read the book two years ago, and re-read it just weeks ago. Still don't have all the diffuser material and reflectors and black cards (the latter to hold back light from certain areas). So, the photos I am going to show you don't follow the book's methods precisely, and maybe not at all.

Editing has been done with Nikon software, Capture NX2.

We bought a new wine decanter to replace the one I broke washing it in the sink. The book spends a lot of time describing how to light glass, a difficult thing to do. Here are my attempts with the wine decanter:

The decanter is on our kitchen table, lit by light from the bay window to the decanter's left and behind. Edges are defined, although the composition is a bit cluttered.

Adding the wine bottle defined the left upper edge of the decanter better. Composition still cluttered.

But, it was quick and easy. Now I must re-read the book and try to do it much better.

While on the topic, here is another wine bottle, alas empty, although the emptying was great:

I first tasted this wine in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2008. Dianne and I had just arrived there for a 3 week vacation with Peter and Susan Blake. Peter opened a bottle of this wine. It became my favourite. On the vacation, we visited the vineyard and met the owner. Peter asked for 6 cases of the wine. The owner, in a nice and gentle voice, indicated there was nothing he would like better than to sell Peter 6 cases, but if he did so, there would be an entire country that would go without this year's quota! He did give Peter the name of a Johannesburg agent, and Peter did get more of this fine wine. When Peter visits me in Canada, I sometimes get a bottle, to be saved for a special occasion.

Thank you Peter!

My B'day Friday 13th

Yes, was even a Friday the day I was born.

Loot:

Dianne and Suzanne decided I needed a new BBQ to replace the old one, so ...

 The old Broil King was a Soverign, this is a larger Soverign XL.

It was easy to assemble, but the single box weighed 200 lbs, and was a lot to unload from the Caravan. Neighbors are a necessity for this.

Dianne wanted the rotisserie burner and the side burner. The Weber with all that and the Sear Station was $2700... Turns out the 4 burners each have a control knob and a vertical metal divider. Can turn the left one right up, right one at Med or lower. Then can sear left just fine, cook right.

And the pot burner is for boiling corn on the cob, among other things.

ANYWHERE BUT DOVER RIDE

Every Friday the 13th, bikers descend on Port Dover. I have done this three times, but 200 thousand folks is too busy for me.

So, Budd's BWM organized a ride that included breakfast and lunch.

We all had a great time.

Packing the Bike

As you will see, I packed too much. This is what all novice long distance riders do. You are supposed to take a shorter trip to eliminate the un-needed stuff. Yeah.

Start with the photo stuff. Used the wide angle and the normal zoom. Not the flash and did use the point and shoot.

 Bought the red octopus and added a 3-outlet on my return. Motels don't have many unused outlets. Rodney needed his share on the westward journey, so you can't skimp here.

Used a lot of bubble wrap. the little jar is full of dessicant for my two in-ear hearing aids. One was DOA Duncan, maybe vibration. Not a good decision to pack them in the jar. The  other two items are water/coffee bottles. Thermal. Very good. Very necessary.

Headlamp and backup LED flashlights. Would take them again, yes, makes 3, and no, did not need any...but yes, necessary to take.

Misc. locks and chains. Did not use. Likely stay behind.

Most of this was not used. Still, would likely take again.

Did use the fleece on John's boat. Packed in the vacuum bag, it takes a minimum of space. Will seek a lighter, more compact solution.

The Canadian Tire shopping bags were bought because I was sure the hard bag liners were not coming. Wrong, but took them, did not use them... The rolled up item is the waterproof, non-breathable liner from my Joe Rocket mesh jacket. Did not need, leave next time.

Bag liner. Yes! although I did not use them the way I thought. Will re-think what to put inside.

Tilley hat, socks. Recommended. Socks are a bit thin under boots, but dry overnight and are seamless, so no chafing. Gotta have and take.

Did not use the hat, UV shirt for swimming, or long underware. Will take on cooler trips, but who knows when it will turn cold?

More swim stuff I did not use, but likely will take again.

Shower shoes and foam for DSLR protection. Yes!

Electronics. Did not use most of it. Had Suzanne's little iPod Nano that I used a lot, did use memory cards and iPad Camera Connector Kit. Did not use camera remote release. Did not connect D90 to motel room TV via HTML but did have the cable...

Did not use the oil, tire guage, compressor, or misc screwdriver, hex wrenches, knives, ...
Will find a way to reduce bulk and weight here. Likely need only 1/4 litre oil..

Previous stuff is pretty compact.

Tire plugger, web, emergency triangle - never used. Will take again. White and gold mesh bags for drying laundry used once, one white bag good enough.

Repeat of unused locks and chain.

More unused stuff. Fanny pack, bag with electronics, in the box, first aid kit, two pairs of spare glasses ( if you have eyes like mine, ... ) shopping sac (foldable), and the magic Torx  kit, a BMW thing.

The big green bag on the passenger seat. Would like to avoid this next trip. Or, keep it to 6 inches high, max.

Dress clothes. Never ...

Yes, wax, Lysol wipes Kimpex bike cover. All never used. Did use 1 of 4 oil filters, wrench for them, and crush washer.

Repeat. You need one of these.

And to finish, this is what I discovered right at departure, two left feet! Forced the right foot and it soon failed. Have to see about a replacement, but the Mink Oil I took, with a rag, kept the boots dry.

So, there you are!