Whew, back online again. Had a mysterious modem failure during the day yesterday, when I was away—the house has a backup generator and there weren't any storms in the area, but the modem was kaput when I returned home last night.
To its credit, Time Warner Cable sent a technican pronto and I'm back up and running again—with speeds up to 60 Mbps next to the box, and 48 Mbps down here on the front porch a.k.a. the office (or, as I like to call it, the Official Office).
I'll catch up on comments next.
A few random recent snaps:
These two are drive-bys, but I like the second shot, simple though it is.
This last picture, taken at the Corning Museum of Glass, is the sort of thing photographers get no credit for. Because the whole point is the artwork, and the artist is responsible for that. The photographer steps aside and takes a supporting, backstage role, letting the star of the shot shine, so to speak.
Still, it's not always easy to get a good shot of someone else's artwork; I took several shots each of five different views of this one, and worked on preserving the "floating" quality of the lovely luminous colors in this piece. The piece is "Blood Sugar" by British artist Tony Cragg, born 1949. It's not actually easy to photograph because your experience of it changes so much as you move around it. There are hundreds of possible ways to show it.
Mike
(Thanks to Kim Thompson)
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Agreed on the leaf blower thingy. I heard a priest say once that the language of God is silence!
Posted by: Herb | Monday, 09 November 2015 at 10:17 AM
Mike, I've taken a picture of the same piece at Corning-- had the same problem you did.
Here's my take on it: http://www.markrouleauphotos.com/p162996938/e523ca7f5
Posted by: MarkR | Monday, 09 November 2015 at 10:39 AM
A better long-term option is to buy your own modem. The rental fee from most cable companies means a break even in less than a year. You can frequently find good ones for ~$50.
Patrick
[I know you're a genius and I acknowledge it, but how does that help me? Because then when the modem dies, the guy I have to call is me, and I would have no clue how to fix it. If it belongs to TWC, at least they take care of it when it breaks. --Mike]
Posted by: Patrick Perez | Monday, 09 November 2015 at 10:43 AM
The Corning glass 'exhibits' look like sex toys!
Posted by: Ed Buziak | Monday, 09 November 2015 at 10:54 AM
Really love that second shot Mike.
Ed
Posted by: Edward Taylor | Monday, 09 November 2015 at 11:07 AM
Mike:
Glad you're back online.
Re: the 5 shots you mean you didn't do an Annie Liebowitz and shoot 200 shots per?
See? That's why you're not a famous photographer.
Imagine Halsmann or Avedon shooting HALF that many with an 8x10 view camera.
Mi dos pesos.
Posted by: Hugh Smith | Monday, 09 November 2015 at 11:10 AM
I *love* that second shot! Should be offered up as a print IMHO.
Posted by: Bruce K | Monday, 09 November 2015 at 11:17 AM
Mike,
I've made a habit of snapping any posted information right after I photograph a piece of art.
Posted by: Bernard | Monday, 09 November 2015 at 12:30 PM
I just hope that is real bacon!
Posted by: Del | Monday, 09 November 2015 at 12:32 PM
I too really like the second shot. It is reminiscent of (though not exactly equivalent to) FP4 developed in FG7. That was a favourite combination for me. So I need to order some FG7 for the FP4+ 4X5 that I have.
Posted by: Earl Dunbar | Monday, 09 November 2015 at 01:53 PM
I very much like the second shot. Mysterious as to why the meal is left on the table. Also, the plants outside look like they're looking on hungrily.
Posted by: Anthony Shaughnessy | Monday, 09 November 2015 at 02:34 PM
I like the second photo, it looks like the house is about to be invaded by menacing plants!
Posted by: Paulo Bizarro | Tuesday, 10 November 2015 at 04:13 AM
I'm happy to hear that you have a backup generator. Automatic start as well. You'll have a good sense of security, once winter gets going, that you can stay warm and well-lit. Maybe no Internet, if the same storm also took down the phone and cable lines, but think of the respite from obsessive connectedness.
Posted by: MikeR | Tuesday, 10 November 2015 at 09:46 AM
I must not be very good at this because I think the second shot of the table and window is sublime. If I arrived at this point I'd consider myself "done" and be thrilled. To my eye on my monitor it's gorgeous. Now printing it of course is another thing entirely.
Posted by: Steve D | Tuesday, 10 November 2015 at 12:37 PM
I'm a little late to respond Mike but that second shot is lovely; a fine mix of strange with the ordinary, and beautiful tonality.
Posted by: Stuart Hamilton | Tuesday, 10 November 2015 at 07:54 PM
The meal was left on the table for Butters. ;)
Posted by: Earl Dunbar | Wednesday, 11 November 2015 at 06:27 AM
Love the tones in second shot and its warmth!
Posted by: Richard Skoonberg | Saturday, 14 November 2015 at 04:09 PM