View 203: Look into My Crystal Ball

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

A crystal ball is believed by some people to aid in the performance of clairvoyance like witches and wizards.  I was introduced to how to use them photographically by Auburn Photography Club member Don.

Clinton Square in Syracuse, New York through a Crystal Ball.

Clinton Square in Syracuse, New York through a Crystal Ball. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/80s, f/18, ISO 200, EV +0.7, 300mm focal length.

Here are some tips for using a crystal ball in photography:

1. Things are upside down or inverted when looking through a crystal ball so you must flip them in your photo editor (see below).

Clinton Square through a crystal ball without flipping.2. Focus sharply on the crystal ball image and let the background go out of focus.

3. If you can not levitate the crystal ball (man, I wish I could learn how to do that!), find a secure place for the crystal ball.  An assistant to hold it would be perfect (see Don’s photos).

4. Lens choice is up to you but one’s that can focus closely are easier to use.

5. Be careful when using a crystal ball in the Sun.  They get very hot, very fast!

6. Find an interesting subject like maybe a fantasy castle.

Cinderella Castle through a crystal ball in the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

Cinderella Castle through a crystal ball in the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/200, f/7.1, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 68mm focal length.

If you would like to procure your own crystal ball, check out the Crystal Company and have some fun!

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Plan for 2012

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

Derrick Story calls it “Start where you are” when referring to organizing and archiving your photos.  In other words, plan now for a new start and go forward with the plan with new photos in 2012 (or whatever start date you choose).  Takes the pressure off of doing all your past photos.

A collection of soda in a warehouse is organized by names and location. Are your photos organized?

If you already have a system then congratulations!  For those of you who do not or have never considered one, here are some links where I explain how I do it.

When I was first trying to figure how to organize my photos, I started with a naming convention for them.  In the process, the naming convention lead to how I organize my photos each year:

What’s In A Name

Organizing Your Photos

Oh, and this last step will save you a lot of time when you need to go back and look for photos in your library:

The Dreaded Keywording Task

If you start thinking now about organizing your photo library for the future, you will be ready for the new year.  If you have any questions or wish to share your photo organizing process, please, leave a comment below.

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Mulan’s Smile

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography
Mulan's Smile during a Meet and Greet in Epcot's China Pavilion, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.Mulan’s Smile, originally uploaded by Scott Thomas Photography.

Mulan’s smile spread joy to all who came in contact with her during a Meet and Greet in Epcot’s China pavilion in World Showcase during my recent trip to Walt Disney World.  I stood a little behind and to one side of the Disney PhotoPass photographer so she would be looking in my direction and I would not be a bother to my fellow guests.

I kneeled down as she was visiting with a person in a wheelchair.  Remember, your photos will look better if you are looking at your subject and not down or up. I really like how her eyes are NOT looking at the camera.  Makes you wonder what she is looking at, doesn’t it?

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Waterfall Wednesday

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

Over on Google+, photographers have gotten together using hashtags to create daily themes. This idea has been around forums and flickr for years.  However, on Google+, it has been taken to a whole new level.  Eric Leslie is the keeper of the Google+ daily theme lists which currently has over 70 different themes.  If you are a photographer, I am sure you could find a theme or two to join.  I contribute to about a half dozen each week including #WaterfallWednesday (to create a linkable hashtag on Google+, you put a pound sign (#) in front of words which must not contain spaces.  Just like on Twitter).

Last week, I shared this photo of a fisherman at the foot of Ithaca Falls for Waterfall Wednesday.

A fisherman near Ithaca Falls in Ithaca, New York.

A fisherman near Ithaca Falls in Ithaca, New York. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/30s, f/5, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 85mm focal length.

This week, I will be sharing this HDR image of Ithaca Falls. I used a set of five photos spread out over a 5 stop range from -2 to +2.  Without this set of photos, the falls would have been properly exposed with the cliff wall in total darkness.

Ithaca Falls in Ithaca, New York.

Ithaca Falls in Ithaca, New York. Nikon D700/28-300VR, f/16, ISO 200, +0.3, 36mm focal length.

Next week, I think I will complete the Ithaca Falls trilogy with another HDR image combining the falls, Fall Creek and another fisherman on a stunningly beautiful autumn morning.

Fall Creek below Ithaca Falls accompanied by a fisherman on a beautiful autumn morning.

Fall Creek below Ithaca Falls accompanied by a fisherman on a beautiful autumn morning. Nikon D700/28-300VR, f/16, ISO 720, EV 0, 42mm focal length.

If you are on Google+, come join in on the daily photo themes.  If you are not on Google+, why aren’t you? 😀

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View 202: Cornell Chimes

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

In 1868, a set of nine chimes was donated to Cornell University by Jennie McGraw.  She later married university librarian, Willard Fiske, who had traveled to Europe with her in order to woo her. I doubt Miss McGraw’s recent inheritance of her family’s fortune had nothing to do with that.  Upon her death shortly after their honeymoon, she was entombed in Cornell’s Sage Chapel.

The sarcophagus of Jennie McGraw Fiska inside the Sage Chapel on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York.

The sarcophagus of Jennie McGraw Fiska inside the Sage Chapel on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/10s, f/4.5, ISO 3200, EV+0.3, 55mm focal length.

Her Will bequeathed her fortune of $2 million to Cornell University.  Does not sound like much but in today’s dollars that would amount to $120 million. Mr. Fiske took the Will to court and it became quite the story of love and money in Ithaca.

In 1891, the chimes were moved to their current location in the 173 foot (53 meters) tall Jennie McGraw Tower. Over the years since they have been expanded to twenty-one chimes. McGraw Tower is Cornell’s most prominent landmark and is adjacent to Uris Library. The tower is also home to an office, museum, practice room, and a restored 1875 SethThomas clock with a 14-foot pendulum. Visitors can still see the clockworks and pendulum, but the clock was linked to the Global Positioning System in 1999.

McGraw Tower on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York.

McGraw Tower on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/320s, f/8, ISO 800, EV +0.3, 28mm focal length.

Students who want to play the chimes or people who want to see those students play the chimes must climb 161 steps.  I bet the view is breathtaking and maybe I will find out for myself on my next trip to Cornell.

Chimesmasters play three concerts daily which include a Cornell standard, the “Jennie McGraw Rag” each morning, Cornell’s alma mater at mid-day and the “Evening Song” at day’s end. On weekends different music is played.  Being close to Halloween, I heard the Ghostbusters movie theme being played.  They have even played the Mickey Mouse March!

Students looking out from the McGraw Tower on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York after climbing 161 steps.

Students looking out from the McGraw Tower on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York after climbing 161 steps. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/160s, f/8, ISO 800, EV +0.3, 230mm focal length.

I would like to thank my Ithaca guides Barbara of The Aspiring Photographer and Debbie of My Life in CNY for showing me around Cornell and filling me in on the stories and history of the campus.

UPDATE: Debbie has posted photos from the top of Jennie McGraw Tower on her blog.  Thanks!

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