Bovine Topologists

We are learning that some animals are much smarter than previously suspected.  For example, I read this week that experiments with pigeons showed they can effectively count objects and rank them by number of elements.  Before this research it was assumed that was a talent possessed only by primates.   So I am wondering:  Just how much do we know about the intelligence of other critters.  Could a raccoon understand algebra?  Maybe even calculus?   And cows are not considered the Einsteins of the animal kingdom, but how do we know they do not understand topology and just cannot let us know what they know.  After all, how much information can you convey when your only word is "Mooo"?  This photo is of a couple of cow pals who know what they see and are no doubt contemplating and discussing the four-dimensional reality of the 3D figure.  Hey!  It could happen.

B/W Building

OK, so there is this office building on Sonterra Blvd. at the entrance to Reagan HS.  I photographed it just after it was completed and went back yesterday to do it again.  I think it renders well in B/W.  The sculpture in front is a uniform metallic finish.  The contrasting shades are just due to reflected light.   Comments welcome.

Six Elevens

I took a shot like this last year at 10:10:10 on 10/10/10, so it seemed logical to repeat this year at 11:11:11 on 11/11/11.   I was all set to shoot it at the morning opportunity, but got distracted and didn't make the deadline, so had to catch the 11 PM case.  The photo is self-authenticating.  Couldn't have been shot before the 11th because the newspaper was not printed yet.  Couldn't be shot at after the 11th because it is being posted to the blog today before 10 AM.  The watch is radio controlled and has no manual setting.  Besides, what would be the point of faking it?  

Reagan High School

This is a shot of a couple of buildings on the Reagan Campus. It doesn't really tell you anything about the school, but I always liked the color of these buildings and how they complement each other and go well with the green tree tops and the blue sky.  Shot was made from the Baptist hospital parking garage.   The main challenge was to avoid the power lines running along the side of the campus.  

An Air Life finally

OK, so I've been wanting to get a shot of one of the medical helicopters in action for a long time but could never be at the right place at the right time.  Yesterday, when I was leaving home for an errand, I saw one headed to North Central Baptist Hosp.   I raced to get there, knowing there was a spot for taking the shot on the roof of their parking garage.  It overlooks the landing pad.   By the time I got there, the rotors had been shut down so I did not get them rotating as I had hoped, but did get in place before they offloaded the patient.  This photo shows her strapped onto the gurney just before being wheeled into the ER.  The crew followed her in, so I figured they would not be taking off soon, so I left.   

Composite image

Flock of Owls

Here's a shot I made to use in a Viewfinders presentation on panoramas.   I set the camera on a tripod and took four shots, taking a different position in the frame between shots.  Then i stitched the four together to make this composite.  

Photographic prints vs. images

What is the future of the photographic print?  
(The following comments are some of my thoughts to stimulate a discussion at the monthly camera club meeting.)


Before the advent of digital photography, paper prints were the normal output of the photographic process.   To get from the exposed film to a viewable image, the photographer would commonly develop the film, make a contact sheet, select frames and make prints using the common wet developing process.  This process is still used by some hardy film enthusiasts.


Snapshot prints were shared with friends and framed to sit on numerous tables, nightstands, etc., or to be enlarged to  hang on the wall.   Thanks to studios such as Olan Mills, hundreds of thousands of parents have large portraits of their children or family groups.    


When digital cameras became the "standard", two changes in this procedure took place.  
First, photographers who wanted or needed printed output, could use a digital printer to make a print, or could submit their images to a commercial  processor who would provide prints of any size from the digital file.
Second, digital images could be shared by email or uploading to an on-line site,  
This second change has been carried further by the popularity of the smart phone.  Smart phones have evolved into multi-function devices that contain very capable cameras as well as electronic connections to share images individually or posted on-line.  Some "experts" predict that smart phones will dominate amateur photography in a few years.


As a result of these changes, the popularity of the photographic print has dropped significantly.  The savvy consumer shares images with friends and family electronically or has a digital display on the table instead  of framed prints.  Wedding photography may be one of the few remaining markets for albums of paper prints.    But are we giving up too soon on the photographic print?  


We are just completing the annual Fotoseptiembre celebration in San Antonio.   Photography has been celebrated all over town with exhibits at many different venues.   Almost without exception, those exhibits  have been exhibits of print media.  Museums may someday have photography exhibits on electronic displays, but for the serious observer, there will always be a desire to examine and enjoy a classical print.


So where does this leave us amateurs?  I personally think there is a place for the print, particularly enlarged prints, as an enduring image to be displayed and shared. Most any inkjet printer can make acceptable 8x10 prints and there are affordable printers that can make very nice 13x19 prints.  As an alternative, commercial labs, even those found at bigbox stores such as WalMart can make high quality prints up to poster size.


So what do we think about all this?

The Great 2011 Stone Oak Fire

Remnants of the fire near Stone Oak Park

Here's a shot I took at 8:00 AM a few mornings after the fire.  Not sure why the large trunks with no tops and yet smaller trees are still standing, though burned.

First image

Typical dragster powerplant at Nitro Jam

Changed Layout

OK, I am slowly getting ready to start beginning a try at using this blog.   Stand by.  Content will be coming soon.

Getting started

Be patient.   I have to learn how this works.  more later.