While I've Been Out...

Sunday, May 11, 2014

"There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer."

-Ansel Adams

The San Diego River Park Foundation held their annual Youth Day of Service Saturday, May 10th. This is an exemplary local conservation group whose main goal is to create an unbroken trail system originating at the mouth of the San Diego River where flows into the Pacific, all the way up to the mountains by Julian. Check out their web site for more information.

One of the photography clubs I belong to was asked to donate some time photographing their event. These are some of the photos I took. In all, there were 17 of us photographers on hand documenting it. These particular photos were taken near the mouth of the San Diego River.

Our requisite group photo.

This little girl working alongside her father was a precious sight. Both were hard working, focused, and industrious. This little apple didn't fall far from her tree.

I shot a "plethora" of pictures. If I were to post them all here, I'd be tried and convicted of attempted murder by boredom by those not associated with this fine organization.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

The San Diego Zoo

“A photographer is like a cod, which produces a million eggs in order that one may reach maturity."
-George Bernard Shaw

Went to the San Diego Zoo recently with one of the photography clubs I belong to.

Our obligatory group photo. I'm the short guy in the back middle, between the two tall guys.

Started the morning at the reptile exhibit. Shooting through kid smudged glass and reflections proved to be a challenge.

Iguana eating a jacaranda flower

Lynx

Had a nice time spending a half day with like-minded photographers. We went during the peak of our latest heat wave we've been experiencing here in So Cal, causing most of the mammals to seek shade. On the bright side, the cold blooded reptiles revved it up a notch, relishing the sun and heat. We called an early quits this outing, as it was getting progressively hotter, but it affords us a good excuse to try it again before the summer crowds arrive.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

San Diego Botanical Garden (formerly known as Quail Gardens)

"What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have never been discovered."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Went on a little jaunt April 1st. to the San Diego Botanical Garden, located in Encinitas, California.

The last time I was there was when my kids were still very young. Sarah was in middle school or possibly high school, Eric recently graduated from being a crumb cruncher to a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, whilst Anna was still escorted around in a baby stroller. We (actually dad) flew a kite out in the parking lot. Now my children are old enough to bring their own kids when they eventually have them.

Quail Gardens, as it will always be lovingly known to me, is one of those small little islands of local respite that one stumbles upon all too infrequently as one travels life's journey. After such a long hiatus, I returned with one of the photo clubs I belong to.

Requisite group photo. Me, upper left; group photographer Dianne, lower right.

This little honeybee was very patient with this photographer as he stuck a metal tube filled with glass into her face in order to capture this shot. After the photo session, I thanked her profusely.

It rained very hard that morning. By the time we all arrived and started shooting, the skies were blue as blue can be. Raindrops stubbornly held on to flowers and stems, making for some wonderful photo ops. For you photography technoweenies reading this, I created the star bursts in the droplets by putting the sun behind and off to the side of the subject, and then setting the lenticular sphincter to f32.

Female blue-bellied lizard.

Many of the small animals inhabiting the gardens have become very used to having humans around them. The only reason I was able to capture this lizard so closely with a macro lens was due to her lack of fear. I think she was more entertained by my grunting and huffing and puffing as I tried to position myself into a contorted half crouching, half kneeling, cantilevered stance in order to get a better angle than she was concerned about my close presence. Upon leaving her, she cocked her head sideways as she watched me continue up the path, content with the knowledge that she can resume soaking rays unhindered and possibly catch a morsel or two flitting by.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

"I do not object to retouching, dodging or accentuation as long as they do not interfere with the natural qualities of photographic technique."
-Alfred Stieglitz

Lake Murray down in San Diego is supposed to have a varied retinue of birds in and around the lake and adjacent park.

I went there last Wednesday with a photography group I belong to for a photo walk. Our prime objective were birds - and there were many birds - but it is a very popular venue for walkers, joggers, and bike riders. With all of the human action around the lake, it was very hard to photograph birds in a natural atmosphere, as most of the birds were keenly aware of human presence.

Yes, we did see quite a few different species of birds. Unfortunately, they didn't settle down for longer periods of time. One real cool bird we did get a chance to photograph was an osprey sitting up high in a tall eucalyptus tree along the water's edge, spying for fish to swoop down on. The lake is seasonally stocked with trout and large mouth bass by the city, plus I'm sure it also is home to crappie, bluegill, and shad.

Photo from one of our members

Group photo. I'm 7th from the left in the Boonie-type hat, cool shades, black top, and tan pants.

Some of us arrived before sunrise for some shots, but it turned out to be a rather blah event. Across the lake from where we shot sits a water treatment plant. The play of rising sunlight on the buildings and some of its architecture made for an interesting photo. When dealt tamarind pods, one can make tamarind juice (lemonade is overrated at times).

Great Egret

Osprey

We were assuming that this handsome bird was a male. About a quarter mile down the lake path sits a large osprey nest atop a power line with a female in it dutifully sitting on what must be eggs, as she didn't move from the nest the whole time we were shooting. Took some photos of her, but they didn't come out well due to the poor camera angle.

Lord of the Flies

A swarm of midges flying above a marshy section of Lake Murray.

All in all, we had a wonderful time. The photo ops weren't spectacular, but the lake and the camaraderie were the highlights of the photo shoot. Afterwards, most of us caravanned to a local eatery for a hearty breakfast, good conversation, and sharing of photo albums residing on our smartphones.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

(I guess I'm out for good now!!!)

Civil War Reenactment, Corona, California

"Neither current events nor history show that the majority rule, or ever did rule."
-Jefferson Davis

Tom's Farms in Corona, California hosted their inaugural American Civil War reenactment last weekend.

I've wanted to shoot one of these events for several years now, but because of this and that, the chance never manifested itself. There are several of these events held in SoCal, probably the largest one in Moorpark. Vista also has hosted these events in the past. These reenactments are produced by various groups and clubs for the sheer pleasure they provide for the participants. Many are history buffs, while others lay claim to sharing Union and Confederate blood coursing through their own veins.

The War Between the States was fought from 1861 through 1865. It was the bloodiest war America ever fought and the most soldiers we ever lost in one war. One estimate is 750,000 soldiers and an undetermined amount of civilian casualties. Neighbor against neighbor, family against family, brother against brother, and father against son were pitted opposite each other, some fighting for the North, others fighting for the South.

There are various categories of reenactments. There are the casual ones where attention to detail and authentic period pieces are not rigidly held to, to events insuring every bit of detail is checked to make sure they are authentic looking. Some are held where only the participants are invited, immersing themselves in the time, the manners, manner of speech and even the food eaten.

The one at Tom's Farms was fairly authentic, with authentic period clothing and uniforms, mannerisms and speech, although some participants were allowed a bit of laxness in their costumes due to the high expense these period pieces can command.

Fixing morning's victuals in the Confederate camp.

Two camps were set up, one North and one South. I found the Confederate camp to actually be more open and friendly than the Union camp. I can only attribute that to southern agrarian hospitality vs. northern industrialism.

Union marching band director.

It was a lot of fun walking around through the various sections of the two camps. Everyone pretty much played their roles and it was especially fun to listen to some of the southern gentlemen speak with a decidedly pronounced southern drawl.

Confederate canon battery.

This particular reenactment was of the Battle at Gettysburg. I went on Saturday, that day being the day the Confederates won. Sunday was the day that the Union won and ultimately defeated the South in this decisive battle.

Rebel troops mustered in the field before battle.

All firearms used in the reenactments are authentic in design as to what the armies used. The rifles are muzzle loaders (usually firing a .50 cal. minie ball) while the pistols fired predominantly percussion cap pistols and brass cartridge rounds in .44 caliber, of which this war introduced the modern brass cartridge. I don't know if these pistols could actually shoot live ammunition, but the rifles are capable of firing live rounds. Of course for the shows they use blank rounds.

Union canon battery behind earth works.

Union canon salvo.

What was real cool were the many smoke rings created by the canons. We all got a kick out of it, especially the kids in the audience. The large amounts of smoke is the product of black gunpowder that was used in their weapons at the time. Smokeless powder wasn't invented until after the Civil War.

This is the littlest Johnny Reb I saw that day.

The costumes and requisite accoutrements are very authentic looking as showcased here on this Union cavalry soldier.

The ultimate goal for attending the show was to shoot pics in order to transform them into the old photographs one sees of the Civil War. Using Photoshop magic, below is what I created:

Starting from this, it ultimately was transformed to this:

Most Civil War photographs were taken using tintype and Daguerreotype cameras. There was the wet plate method too, but because of the long exposure times needed in order to create a picture, it wasn't used as much in war settings due to the constantly moving action.

Confederate infantryman.

Rebel soldier.

Most photographs recorded during the Civil War came out black and white, but over the course of many years, some of these photographs degraded to brown and sepia tones, especially those that were not well protected against the elements.

Confederate drummer boy.

Drummer boys were used in western armies well into the late nineteenth century. Some were as young as twelve. Being a drummer boy was seen as being glamorous and highly prestigious. This drummer boy was in camp getting ready to call the soldiers to war.

Southern general mustering his troops before battle.

Cavalry skirmish. I really distressed this one in order to simulate an old and especially battered photo.

Battlefield strewn with Yankee and Rebel corpses.

All in all, it was a great day, I learned a lot about the Civil War, and enjoyed the opportunity of immersing myself in the day to day life of Civil War soldiers. The kids attending the show gobbled it up; beats sitting in a stuffy elementary classroom plopped down in front of an American History book.

If one has the time and the inclination, I would highly recommend attending a Civil War reenactment. To make it worth your while, get there early and stay a bit later after the battle scene. Wander around the camps, ask questions, and you'll be amazed at what you can learn and how fun it is to plunk yourself down into a moment of history long past.

Yours Truly,

-Mathew Brady Jr.

either current events nor history show that the majority rule, or ever did rule.
Jefferson Davis
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/jefferson_davis.html#mMG79yfOAqMaF1vF.99

Neither current events nor history show that the majority rule, or ever did rule.
Jefferson Davis
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/jefferson_davis.html#mMG79yfOAqMaF1vF.99Neither current events nor history show that the majority rule, or ever did rule.

Jefferson Davis