Time lapses, making pickles, and photo challenges
I love projects, and I think there’s nothing better for your photographic bones than a good project to sink your teeth into. For various personal reasons, I’ve had a slow summer, and I haven’t been working on some of my projects as deeply as I should be, but a few of my friends have been working very hard:
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One of the techniques I have been working on this year is time-lapse photography. My guide and mentor here has been my good friend Duncan Davidson; he’s miles ahead of me, creatively and technically, but he’s been gracious and generous with his time and encouragement as I’ve worked to improve my craft in this area.
Duncan recently told me about a project that was near and dear to his heart, one that was related to the 10th anniversary of September 11. He took off for New York a couple of weeks ago, and I haven’t heard much from him since, but yesterday he came back on to the grid, with this beautiful and moving short time lapse, Tribute in Light. You can read more about it (and view more of his work) over on his blog.
Tribute in Light from Duncan Davidson on Vimeo.
(In addition to being a wonderful photographer, Duncan is also co-owner of Luma Labs, which makes the awesome Luma Loop camera strap I wrote about a while back. I couldn’t imagine shooting without a Loop on my back.)
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I’m typing this while hanging around the house, performing my annual late-summer ritual of roasting tomatoes to put up for the winter. I’ve got a pot of sauce simmering on the stove, and I’m just about done with the 28 pounds of tomatoes I got from our garden and the local farmers’ market.I love to cook, but I haven’t done a lot of canning/freezing beyond raspberries, blueberries, corn and tomatoes. This year, though, inspired by a friend’s unbelievably tasty dill pickles, I decided to give it a try.
We’re still waiting to open our first jar, but PET’s Elizabeth LePage–ace photographer who also happens to be my daughter–decided to capture the process. She posted a photo essay on her blog. I love it.
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Liz Ness is one busy gal. I really miss her weekly posts here on the PET Blog, but I take comfort in the fact that she’s still writing for us regularly in the magazine. (She’s also promised a video or two here and there, so don’t fret.)Liz spent her summer ramping up her new site, Great Photos Plus, but she’s also self-published her first book, Out of the Box, a collection of 10 photography challenges designed to “encourage readers to explore various photography genres while having fun with their cameras.”
Out of the Box is a lovely, short book written in Liz’s inimitable style. As I was reading it, I could almost hear her talking to me about the different ideas. You can get it in printed form, via Blurb (from $19 to $32, depending upon cover), or as a $5 ebook on the Great Photos Plus website. As a fan of photo challenges–don’t forget this month’s challenge (Mornings) on the PET site–I heartily recommend it.
Have a great week!
Julie
September 19, 2011 at 10:14 am
1. I love time lapse photography and Duncan’s tribute is amazing. Everything about the shooting and production made me feel like I was there to experience it myself. Beautifully done.
2. Elizabeth’s photo essay on your pickling is wonderful. I’ve been wanting to try my hand at making pickles and you may just have given me a little push in that direction. I guess one sign of a good food photographer/writer is one who makes it look delicious and sound doable.
3. I’ve been missing Liz here on the blog and was wondering what she’s been up to. The book looks fantastic and I wish her the best with it.
Steve
September 19, 2011 at 5:04 pm
Thanks Rick for the writeup, awesome stuff here. My wife’s parents are the king and queen of their little town when it comes to canning. We eat good when going to their house. Question, I am interested in the Luma Loop camera strap. I am using a Canon 7D and find allowing my camera to hang from the back of my neck is tough, I had neck surgery a few years back and try not to place too much pressure back there. It appears the Luma Loop hangs from the top of the shoulder, what do you recommend for starters? I see many different pieces and or parts you can order. Your recommendation is much appreciated. Thanks in advance. Steve
Elizabeth
September 19, 2011 at 8:37 pm
Hi Steve,
Hopefully Rick won’t mind if I step in here- I absolutely love their straps!
For the Canon 7D, if you’re using a nice, heavy lens, I’d definitely recommend the Loop. It comes with a nice leather padded strap which would work well with your past neck surgery. It has some decent give to it, so it won’t be too taught on your shoulder either.
The Loop comes with the strap and the camera attachment (called the Lanyard), so you don’t need to order anything but that. If you’re interested, they also sell a PodMount, which screws into the tripod mount on your camera and you attach the Loop to that instead. It’s personal preference- I don’t use it on my camera, but some people really love it.
I hope that helps!
-Elizabeth
Steve
September 20, 2011 at 2:12 pm
Thanks so much Elizabeth for the information, just what I need. I am ordering tonight. For years I have been plagued with neck pain when I allow the camera to hang. This will definitely help.
Steve
September 23, 2011 at 11:48 am
Thank you again Elizabeth….I am truly amazed. I just got my Luma Loop….Awesome construction, very rugged looking and the amazing part, it sits nicely on my shoulder and NOT my neck. Please thank Rick for posting and I want to thank you for your recommendation. Awesome!!!! Tonight I am headed to a wedding rehearsal to photograph, the Loop came just in time. Take Care and happy shooting.