Geeky Ramblings

It’s beginning to look a lot like springtime.

Ginny and I went over to the Chicago Botanical Gardens for a small photo safari to see what signs of spring we could find.

Quite a number of them,as it happens … you can see them too in my gallery.

Digital Camera Media Safe In Both Carry-On And Checked Baggage, According To Tests By Imaging Industry And Transportation Security Administration

– X-ray scanners digital film safe: Digital Photography Review

Well this is good … I was seriously worried about that.

The other night, as Ginny and I were driving to dinner … she asked me what I wanted for Chanumas (the odd congomeration of Chanukkah and Christmas that we celebrate).

I told her I would like a Speedlite.

She then asked me what a Speedlite was … I explained it is an external flash unit for Canon cameras.

I explained the various features I wanted (not too many, mainly the tilting flash head).

We then went on to discuss other topics … and I commented that the street lights were wobbling due to the wind.

She didn’t think it was due to the wind … she thought the bulbs in the speed lights were going out because she didn’t see all the street lights wobbling.

It took a moment for us to realize her fauxpau … and then we both burst out laughing.

Ok, yeah, we’re easy to amuse.

My friend Earle was in a play recently… Susical … which is a musical based on various Dr. Seuss stories.

It was quite entertaining … and Steve & I were conscripted into doing some photos for the troupe. Last week we did a bunch of candids while they were getting made up. Yesterday, in addition to actually seeing the performance, we did the cast photo.

It came out quite well, IMHO … I had to go up on a big elevated platform so I could get a downward looking shot.
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Oh this just sucks!

Canon’s EOS Digital Rebel, the camera that put the excitement of SLR digital photography into the hands of consumers, will now be available for a limited time in a new black body

Black-bodied Canon Digital Rebel (EOS 300D): Digital Photography Review

When I got Ginny her Digital Rebel I had HOPED to get her one with a black body … so it would be easier for us to tell our cameras apart.

After doing research I determined that I coudln’t get one outside of Japan, so I ordered the normal one.

Now, of course, they release the Rebel with a black body.

I finally got some autumn color pictures.

This weekend was extraordiarily busy … clothes shopping, cousin’s bar-mitzvah, try to get wireless networking installed at my brother’s house, more clothes shopping, bar-mizvah party, fix some plumbing (no flood), a show at the Marriott, and dinner afterwards.

Before the show, Ginny went to volunteer at a Kerry / Edwards campaign phone bank … after I did some plumbing repair (considered a resounding victory … only had to go to Menards twice and didn’t flood the street) I wandered over towards the theater.

I was very early … so I grabbed my camera and tried to find a forest preserve to walk around in. Couldn’t find the forest preserve, but I did find a nice park on Oxford Drive in Lincolnshire. It had a pond, playground, and was near the DesPlaines river.

Got a few nice pictures … obviously plenty of ducks

Found a great deal on a Canon Digital Rebel … about $700 after rebate. It’s even a reputable vendor.

Since Ginny’s been chomping at the bit for a new camera, I figured it was too good a deal to pass up.

It should be here sometime this week. I had thought about hiding it and giving it to her around the holidays, but I figured she would kill me if she found out I had it for 2 months and didn’t give it to her.

We’ll probably sell the HP 315 … but I am kind of interested in getting a camera that has decent resolution, but is really small. Maybe one of the lower end Canon’s?

Ginny and I went over to Volo Bog today for a walk. Obviously with our cameras.

Took a few shots … none that are standouts unforunately. The pictures of the milk-weed are kind of nice.

Check ‘em out at http://gallery.fallingrock.net/VoloBog-Oct2004

Ginny and I went out to the Chicago Botanic Gardens today. It was a perfect day for it. Sunny, cool, slight breeze.

Of course we had our cameras … took a bunch of pictures, some came out well, others … well, you know.

http://gallery.fallingrock.net/BotanicGardens-September2004.

Ginny made some rumblings about wanting a better camera … and how much she liked the way my pictures came out with my Canon Digital Rebel.

I’m thinking there might be a rather expesnive holiday present in her future

I found a pretty nice tutorial for the Canon Digital Rebel.

It can be found at http://www.photoworkshop.com/canon/rick_sammon.html