From: ravenfeather	Date: April 25th, 2009 07:08 pm (UTC)		(Link)

This is a GORGEOUS shot. I can't put my finger on why I have that reaction to it.

	From: ladyblueberry48	Date: April 25th, 2009 07:13 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Those girls say "size MATTERS!!!!"

	From: edbook	Date: April 25th, 2009 07:39 pm (UTC)		(Link)

this was one of the smaller bulls that I saw that day. All the big bulls were laying down spent from the autumn rut and hard winter and some looked like they wouldn't be siring any more calves let alone get back up the ridge. There were a couple that I thought would be feeding coyote and magpies soon from the position they were reclining in on the ground. There were some smaller bulls that were hanging out with the cows and gesturing at other young bulls showing their immaturity, wasting precious energy–hoping to be in form come autumn. They still had to shed their antlers and grow them anew and bulk up during the spring and summer and then get irritable from itching antlers, thrash about in the brush and against trees to rub off the velvet and then with hormonal changes, start thinking about the rut and having to herd cows into a harem while all the others are thinking that they own the harem and all the craziness and sounding off and running about that they do before securing a fickle harem.

I heard a story where a young bull approached an older wiser bull and said that he was thinking of running up the hill to take one of those cows up there. The older bull replied that he was going to walk up there and take them all.

Peace

	From: ladyblueberry48	Date: April 25th, 2009 07:53 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Your images are always lovely. The things you've seen through the lenses! What a fortunate man! I especially love your alpenglo ones.

	From: jblindsight	Date: April 25th, 2009 07:20 pm (UTC)		(Link)

They do look worn out. I hope spring and summer will be kind to them.

	From: kay	Date: April 25th, 2009 08:23 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Absolutely fantastic composition. Perfect rule of thirds.

	From: kelann162	Date: April 25th, 2009 09:06 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Wow! That's awesome!

	From: dlanor	Date: April 26th, 2009 01:05 am (UTC)		(Link)

Great shot Ed. Spent some time on the Olympic Peninsula early this week, we could see every mountain around, nice and sunny two days.
ron...

	From: edbook	Date: April 26th, 2009 03:02 am (UTC)		(Link)

Sunny days. HAH! shhhhhh


Peace

	From: zancro	Date: April 26th, 2009 01:48 am (UTC)		(Link)

I always think I want a harem... but it's really more work than I'm willing to put into it!

I've never really liked the 2x teleconverter's distortion. The 1.4 isn't quite as bad... but still noticeable... of course... the only other option is about the cost of a decent used car! A gimbal head is still on my list too. I wouldn't use it that often... but there really is NO alternative to that... come to think of it... if I had one... maybe I'd use it... hahaha!

	From: edbook	Date: April 26th, 2009 03:25 am (UTC)		(Link)

I don't like the 2X when using on an image where it can be seen and always hid the fact that I used it but as of late, because of metadata, I'm seeing a lot of published work admitting to it's use. And I will admit that I sometimes gang the 1.4 and the 2 and would add another 1.4 in some instances and admit it.

Peace

	From: zancro	Date: April 26th, 2009 03:41 am (UTC)		(Link)

I know... metadata is a tattletale! Wow... that is some serious teleconverter abuse... I bet there is a counseling group for that...

	From: edbook	Date: April 26th, 2009 03:34 am (UTC)		(Link)
	Gimbal head

I use a Dutch Hill (made by a survey transit tripod company in Marysville, I think) carbon fiber tripod with a Really Right Stuff 55mm ball head (really nice hollow head to be lightweight) and by far the best ball head made... (absolutely no creep when tightening) I flop it to the side in one of the slots and lock it and then put a "spider" gimbal attachment on it that has a swing head. It works exactly like the dedicated ball head gimbals but you only have to carry part of the head and can take it off just like taking a camera off the tripod without replacing the head. And it's a lot cheaper than buying a whole head and gimbal that isn't easy to change.

Peace

	From: zancro	Date: April 26th, 2009 06:30 am (UTC)		(Link)
	Re: Gimbal head

For years I've been eyeing those transit tripods in various places when I'd see surveyors doing something and think... hmm... why doesn't someone make a photography tripod built like THAT! I didn't really look into it because I never saw anything like it at camera stores and such... wow... thanks for pointing me to Dutch Hill! do you have the p900? I'm going to have to go look at that!

I love Really Right Stuff products... they are the BEST. I've been eyeing an L bracket and ball head from them for awhile... it certainly does not come cheap... but would likely be the last one you've ever purchase. I've gotten incredible mileage out of my pistol grip ball head that I've had for about a dozen years. What spider gimbal do you have?

	From: edbook	Date: April 26th, 2009 11:16 am (UTC)		(Link)
	Re: Gimbal head

the gimbal I use is called the Wimberley Sidekick. Here's a link to info about it on the Luminos Landscape website (where there is a link to Wimberley's site too: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/accessories/wimberely_sidekick.shtml

Yeah, I use the Dutch Hill P900 model. It doesn't look that hefty compared to most other tripods of it's size but having parallel leg sections really helps (probably why Surveyors and very large format camera users use them.) Neil Silverman lent me his to use when I was helping him and his wife Susan with a stock photo workshop at Coupeville. It was noticably sturdier and lighter than my heavier tripods. I was complaining about continually replacing tripods and Neil bet me that if I bought one, I would love it... I did, and I do... I've had no complaints about it at all except that being a two section tripod I chose the shorter one (six inches shorter when collapsed and often wish I had one more inch in height and I don't have a case. I did buy rubber feet too but never used them and now can't find them. Looking at the tripod, I think I could find Bogen lower leg sections and add more height with the turn locks but when I want more height, I just bring the legs a little closer... and the spikes (gentle) bite the ground or rock to hold it steady. (It does have locks to set the legs at different angles.) Neil told me to call Dutch Hill and tell them that he told me to ask them for a discount and I did and they did give me one. Tell them that you are one of my students and I am recommending them and they might give you a discount.

There is a wooden tripod company on Bainbridge Island that I was tempted to buy but the Dutch Hill tripod seemed more stable and better for wet weather.

I like to carry my tripods in a bag (and a padded head cover) when transporting but haven't found one sized for the Dutch Hill yet. I guess I'll have to have someone make me one. I do know some sailmakers though that will probably make one for me. I have pack cloth and zippers from when I used to sell llama packs that I designed.

I have a Giottos tripod with a center leg that tilts that I use for macro work being able to get the tripod out of the way but it's aluminum and heavy (I wanted it heavy for counterweighting the camera) When it needed parts for repair, they sent them free. I use a Marklin Head on it which I like but wanted the RRS head for the Dutch Hill.

I also have a Gitzo Mountaineer carbon fiber tripod with a smaller Kaiser ball head for hiking (the Kaiser head is very good but not excellent and will support 12 pounds easily (I've used it with my Wista metal field view camera successfully in moving air) My Gitzo tripod needs repair parts but I haven't been able to get them successfully from Gitzo or their suppliers. I wrote about it in a photo forum somewhere and was contacted by a representative of their company who told me where to find repair parts and I contacted the place and they told me that the tripod was too new for them to have parts... It had been on the market six years at the time. So, I carry my heavier larger tripods when I should be using the Mountaineer.

I love the L bracket for my camera and like that it protects the camera acting like a cage... I think mine is a Kirk because when I needed it, RRS told me it would take ten weeks because they had just designed it.

Peace

	From: zancro	Date: April 28th, 2009 07:18 pm (UTC)		(Link)
	Re: Gimbal head

I looked at the side kick online and it looked too small or wimpy for a beefy camera like a 1dsmkii... but I went to Kenmore Camera and they had one instock and I played with it a little as well as the Jobu Jr 2 - Compact Gimbal Head, which is comparable and does not require a ball head... it screws directly on the tripod for the same price as the sidekick. http://www.jobu-design.com/catalog/item/2588354/4163794.htm I'm surprised RSS hasn't considered making a gimble!

Where did you purchase your Dutch Hill? Through a dealer or directly from them? I'm interested in that tripod... or at least looking at it in person. I see the only places that carry it are a couple local survey supply places. The Dutch Hill website now shows a Nylon Cordura Bag on the Parts & Accessories page.

I have a Wood Berlebach tripod that I've had for years. It does not have a center column. It's a very durable tripod, but I haven't used it much in the last few years. For work I have the typical aluminum Manfrotto that they gave me to use.

	From: edbook	Date: April 28th, 2009 08:24 pm (UTC)		(Link)
	Re: Gimbal head

I thought the sidekick would be wimpy too but when I saw one in use carrying a 1DsMII with 600mm lens and looked through it and bumped the tripod and bumped the lens... very steady so the reason I chose this on. I don't like gimbals that have to be mounted directly to the tripod because putting a head on and off (wear and tear) and the effort and time to switch isn't worth it. And sometimes with other ball heads, I couldn't get them off when I wanted to. I bought the Dutch Hill tripod directly from the manufacturer by a phone call. Yesterday, I wrote to Dutch Hill asking about replacing the optional rubber feet (for inside use) that I bought when I bought the tripod but misplaced. In my email I asked if I might suggest a discount for those who I recommend to them if they mention my name. I haven't received a reply yet but if you do call them mention that I said that they might give a discount for those I recommend. You might mention that I teach at the Coupeville Arts Center. They gave me a 10% discount.

I saw the bag but now have it in mind to have someone make one sized for this tripod.

The Berlebach should work well as an alternative to the Dutch Hill I would think... For work, with the shutter speeds you probably use with I suspect wider angle focal lengths, the Manfrottos would be a good choice for the ease of extending the legs unlike the twist locks which have torn skin when very cold. The tripod doesn't matter much to me as long as it's sturdy but the head for me needs to be something I don't have to think about and distract me from the camera. you know what I mean.

Peace

ps we didn't go to the yurt, Pat didn't feel well and I wasn't really in the mood except for getting away with good company.

	From: edbook	Date: April 26th, 2009 11:17 am (UTC)		(Link)
	Re: Gimbal head

(continued because I used up my allotted space with my run on post) When buying a tripod/head I had to consider that I was replacing tripods about every year for many years and the money spent on a good tripod was probably well worth it. I have a bunch of broken tripods.

I do recommend Bogen/Manfrotto tripods for folks who can't afford to put out the big bucks (me now) I like the leg locks and repair parts are easy to come by and not expensive but they do need repairs... I broke two on the same day in Yellowstone in really low minus temps. (cast aluminum parts) and had some of the parts needed with me. I recommend loosening the bolts when in really frigid temperatures as simply setting up the tripod in the snow was enough to cause brittle fracture.

and last... you use the Bogen pistol grip? I hated the one I had and then it happily broke. I liked the height it gave me but hated that the camera was so far from the pivot of the ball and I had to keep making fine adjustments to get framing right.

Peace

	From: zancro	Date: April 28th, 2009 07:24 pm (UTC)		(Link)
	Re: Gimbal head

I do have the pistol grip... but it's the up and down one... not the one that is mounted sideways... that one doesn't make any sense to me. Like this one... but mine is at least 12 years old http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554077-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_222_222_Grip_Action_Ballhead.html

I've never liked how far it throws the camera for a vertical photo... but generally speaking I've always liked how quick it sets up. However... there are a lot of times I wish I had a regular ball head and I'm about ready to make the switch. The large RSS is spendy! I wonder if the middle model would be just fine. Do you have the quick release clamp or the screw clamp? And which do you wish you had?

	From: edbook	Date: April 28th, 2009 08:42 pm (UTC)		(Link)
	Re: Gimbal head

yep, that's the one that I had that I thought would be great, adding extra height to the tripod and easy to use... but in use, found it creeped when locking (releasing the grip) and the tilt really bothered me, especially for close work. I was glad when the grip brittle fractured and I was forced to replace it with one that should have been used for view camera only... the dual axis adjustment head with two knobs. There were a few more before I settled on a 'good' ball head and then a 'better' one and then the best RRS 55

Look at ebay for someone hurting for cash for the RRS 55... where I bought mine from someone who just bought it and decided it was too big.

The one I have has the screw tightening clamp... I debated the lever but decided that I'm not really thinking when I adjust the head and was afraid that I would accidentally release it. Then when I mounted a couple lenses with their own mount 180mm macro and 100-400mm that there wasn't room to flip the latch and I don't like the release to be on the back because in mounting the camera, it's easier to mess up with it on the back... The lever is a good idea for those using only short lenses. But then again it's quick release may catch on something... and I like the idea that I have to turn the knob a few times to release the camera... otherwise, I may be turning it thinking (not thinking) that I was loosening the tension or pan knob.

I have only dropped a camera from the release once... and it was this month... and the reason was because I didn't have the plate in the clamp when I tightened it... I didn't consciously know it fell off but unconsciously caught it. My lucky stars were shining that day... though it would have fallen into snow... no big deal but just the same....

Peace

	From: art_thirst	Date: April 26th, 2009 02:24 am (UTC)		(Link)

Another great shot. :-)

	From: edbook	Date: April 26th, 2009 03:37 am (UTC)		(Link)

a hunter would say that. I would say exposure or composition... it's just a respect for my work that I learned from my mentor Pat Ohara. I should make a post about how we talk about our art and craft.

Peace

	From: art_thirst	Date: April 26th, 2009 01:06 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Wow, really. I hadn't thought about it that way because we do talk differently about things depending on to whom we're speaking. My comment was kind of a "fly by" one so, that's kind of what it was. You, of course, know I respect, highly respect, your work and said so from day one. So much of your work has me staring in amazement and maybe at this point I just expect the quality of each and every one of your photos to leave me feeling exhilarated and amazed. I'm not saying that just to lavish praise upon you because that is my honest assessment of how your work effects me.

	From: edbook	Date: April 26th, 2009 02:16 pm (UTC)		(Link)

the fact that I made my comment was in jest. It's the tipping of my hand sort of humor... perhaps dry or slightly sarcastic or subtle as in this case... I did post it for others reading... as I do a lot of my comments

to try to shorten a long story, Ever notice how when listening to folks greeting each other, few say "Hello" or "Greetings" or such but instead say "How Ya Doin'?" and the answer always seems to be "How Ya Doin'?", neither participant in the meeting answering the other's question and if one would actually tell how he was doin', it would be "pretty good" or such but not thinking about how he really was doing... that is unless he was doin' really poorly, then, he might say "not so well" which might solicit a response from the other... Well, I got tired of that and tried to infuse a little humor so would say "fair to midlin" and not getting a rise from that started saying things like "poor to very poor" or "lousy to stinkin'" but always something different... it would be whimsical and no one really believed it because no one really takes a greeting as truth. But after a while I noticed that what I was saying became me... saying these things became imputing them... making it happen... so I read about it. I remember one book titled "Hung by the Tongue" meaning what you say is what you get. Another was titled "Terrific" They explained that what you think about and what comes out of your mouth become affirmations. It makes sense and from then on, would always answer when asked "How you doin'" would answer "I'm working on Excellent" it always gets notice and solicits a smile from the receiver and it does make me feel better. I don't lie saying I'm Excellent but I am always working on it. I sometimes will add "I'm not saying how far I have to go to get there but, I'm working on it." and sometimes add that I might have to change directions but I am working on it.

This caused me to think of other affirmations I make in my life and one was confirmed by my friend Pat Ohara http://patohara.com who said that we influence our art by how we talk about it. It's one thing I always teach first in my workshops and to my personal students. There are many uplifting descriptive words for the processes we use and we should use them instead of commercialized words thought up by some ad writer... just thinking about the words we can use or borrow from other arts to use with ours. I amuse myself sometimes and others with an exercise in finding more descriptive words to use... do we "snap" a picture? I sometimes do... but only when I don't care what it will look like, see what I mean? Does someone who writes music snap a ditty? no, he composes... see?


so I need to get off here for a while and go push the doohickey ;)

Peace I write the word Peace every time I sign off or sign my name or say goodby for a reason... it brings Peace to my heart and hopefully to the reader/hearer Hugs work too but doesn't always go over well with a clerk in a store.

	From: art_thirst	Date: April 27th, 2009 12:07 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Thank you Ed, I really appreciate your words.