[ravnostic]

What’s Babylon 5?

…said the apple, to the orange…

[ravnostic]

fluffybunny; it’s a small LED penlight with a bendable head, all of 5 inches long with a AAA battery, coiled inside. The green comes from green cellophane that I’d folded into the gap at the opening. Ghetto, but effective. (I also had to stuff some black rubber matting in there or the whole orange would have glowed).

[ravnostic]

farktographer; I’m of the opinion that the ‘casuals’ are just voting for the best-of-best, maybe, and the ‘regulars’ who usually vote more liberally (on good pics as WELL as the best pics) haven’t yet chimed in.

Of course, I’m probably wrong. But that’s the story I’m sticking to.

[ravnostic]

If I emulsify, say, a wine glass, load it into a view camera, expose myself onto it (not like that, ravnostic), and then scan or photograph said wineglass, could I use that for a self portrait theme?

What? I sed no-ting… 😆

[ravnostic]

Looks like the kudos go both ways, fluffybunny–is that not Pinhead in yours?

[ravnostic]

Jump on into it, Farktographer! That’s why we share! I have some other ideas, though…

[ravnostic]

All you really need is a way to point a lens perpendicular to the sun’s rays and a white card to project it upon. There’s not going to be much more to it than that, excepting for frequency shooting. My telescope’s filter will be a Baader style; projects in full-spectrum (only less intensely so, of course) ‘white’ light. Given the sunset for the eclipse, I suspect it will be considerably more orange, but I’ll have to play with the filter some to see how conditions affect it. The eclipse I plan on shooting video, but for the transit, I’ll use the camera body; if I shoot in RAW, I ought to be able to pull out some of those spectral frequencies for things like sunspots and granulation etc.

The light remaining in the ‘halo’ as it were will still be several orders of magnitude above the brightness of the moon–I don’t know that much extra-solar activity could be visible–but I’m hoping! In particular, if a prominence were to be evident as the edge of the moon crossed one or the other edges of the sun….maybe. But I’m doubtful. Yet hopeful. We’ll see. OTOH, Jupiter and Venus might show up well enough in the shot…so many variables…makes me dizzy.

[ravnostic]

So much to say to this thread! Orionid IIRC the transit will be visible from your location. I saw the 2004 one, even got pictures, but that was before I knew how to do things like backup pictures in case your computer crashes.

Didn’t know about Jupiter and the moon–won’t be visible here.

I’m planning a trip to (*joy*) Tuba City for the Annular eclipse. It’s worth the drive since I’m so close, though I will have to stay in said Tuba City. I’d like to go with others, but the local photogs I’ve found haven’t seemed interested. A phuqin’ annular eclipse of the sun less than 300 miles away reaching maximum at sunset and perfectly centered within a 1 arc second radius of the sun is going to make a fine picture (I think between that and the sunset, we’ll be getting some 3% ‘day’ light but I’d love Plama to do the mathz) . Don’t understand the lack of interest. I wouldn’t fly across country for it but, 300 miles?!?

I finally coaxed the school into giving me my tuition refund. I’ll be buying the Celestron 11″ solar filter and the long-dreamed about wedge mount, and will shoot the eclipse on video, keeping my camera free for more scenic landscapes. I have to find a good site with a negative horizon and spectacular scenic view, on an indian reservation. A pre-photo excursion is in order.

The stock plan at work pays me twice; once in March and another in April. I’m torn between a new camera body or a new lens. I might compromise on the latest APS-C body, and maybe a used lens (f/2.8 long lens). If I could swing it I’d love to repair the original xTi as well.

Suggestions on the camera angle welcomed!

[ravnostic]

I believe you mentioned you were going desktop, but I will say my Acer laptop, 4.5 years old, still works like a champ (once I cleaned up the Silverlight crap). Boots in 30 seconds to login, 20 seconds later I’m on the web. I upgraded from 2 to 4gb ram a bit over a year ago, but elsewise everything’s still *spiffy*. I do perform maintenance every 4 months (cleaning fans, getting the fine dust out, etc) and I’m rigorously proactive regarding malware and such (though I don’t run a virus program–I work with ZoneAlarmPro and it’s been just fine in security without slowing resources.) I’ve considered upgrading, but hey–if it ain’t broke and keeps up with the software I use–why fix it?

[ravnostic]

Thank you Ranger/Cameraflage. I spent a lot of time studying that poster and trying to get the lighting ‘just so’.

[ravnostic]

For backdrops, I often use flat sheets purchased at WalMart for 6-8. They work pretty well, come in lots of colors. For smaller shoots I drape a pillowcase over an artboard.

[ravnostic]

Wasn’t it awesome, though, U=man? Nick is quickly becoming popular for his work over there.

I wound up breaking down this afternoon and shooting the third shot. Which means my spermies image doesn’t have a place. Can I doppelganger me so I can us it, too?

[ravnostic]

I think I’m petered out on this one. I have some good shots, just not a sound all-encompasing theme. But I’m wiped. I don’t think I could click the shutter even one more time. As it is I’m typing with just 9 fingers…we’ll see how it goes…

I have to ask.

You seem to be suggesting that your shutterfinger is worn out, but yet you’re still typing with nine fingers. Assuming the spacebar is always operated with the dominant thumb, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING WITH THE OTHER THUMB?

I don’t really have to answer this, do I? Embarrassment (not my own, but Orionids…) may ensue…for I personally have no shame….

[ravnostic]

I think I’m petered out on this one. I have some good shots, just not a sound all-encompasing theme. But I’m wiped. I don’t think I could click the shutter even one more time. As it is I’m typing with just 9 fingers…we’ll see how it goes…

[ravnostic]

I saw this on Google +. I’m posting it so as to prevent me from blatantly copying it and feeling badly when it won over actual original ideas. It was for a contest entry called ‘Orange’, and it’s by Nick Gatens. And it’s most excellent.

https://plus.google.com/113977984500465768287/posts/MXyjfhnS6p8?hl=en

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