I got another ‘can’t pass up’ deal on craigslist for a new to me lens. This one is the Nikon 35-70mm f/2.8 lens and most of the shots below are with that lens…  

I hope everyone else had a great weekend!

I just had 3 roles of film developed today – 2 b/w, 1 color from an underwater camera we used on the honeymoon.  The 2 b/w roles are about a year old since I shot them.  My dissapointment is not so much with the pictures which are fine (nothing spectacular) but rather the development cost and product.

I dropped my film off this morning at the CVS on the corner and picked them up after work… over $38 later I recieved my 3 roles and 3 Kodak Photo CD’s.  I have only myself to blame for not doing the research but the Photo CD is a huge disapointment, the files average less the and 200kb in file size and are good merely for thumbnails and web publication.  I wouldn’t print any larger than 4×6 and even then I’d be dissapointed.

In just 5 short months I’m completely hooked on digital.  Even if I’d gotten an archival quality scan out of those CD’s I think I’m set with digital for 90% of what I’ll shoot.  If I had good access to my darkroom again and the time to use it as much as I’d like too that might change.

The bottom line for me is that I shoot more when I see and am excited by the results and digital provides the quickest feedback.   It also provides an unprecedented path for self-publishing and critique.   All this being said, I really do like the b/w images I got… below is one of the Mississippi River from the Memphis riverfront;

Erika and I had a fun weekend including some wine tasting with Zach, Karen and Melina, an 80’s themed birthday party for Joe, a cold early morning photowalk, the Porsche clutch giving out (again…), a woodworking project and dinner with the Stav’s….

All written in one sentence it seems like a busy weekend but it was actually pretty relaxed.  We met Zach and Karen at Old House Winery and then went on to an old favorite – Prince Michel for some tasty wine and good company. Melina is beautiful and is holding on to those blue eyes!  I joined my photo meetup group for a 0800 walk at Scotts Run Nature Preserve (in McLean), it was very cold but fun. Check out some of my pictures from it here.  Unfortunatly as I left the Home Depot to come home the clutch pedal ‘pin’ gave out and stranded me.  (it is being fixed and should be ready tonight or tomorrow…)  Below are a couple pictures from the wood working project which is a long time idea we had to be able to use the trunk and not always have to clear off the top to get it open.  it needs some tweaking but I’m happy with the overal appearance.

I hope everyone has a good week!

Tony and Erika

Good luck to all who may be trying to get into the city! Here are a couple pictures I’ve liked from the past week or so;  if you like these and want to keep up w/ my non-friends and family pictures keep an eye on my Flickr Photostream!

1. Non stick pots – Ok so these have been around forever and this probably not news to anyone.  Tom and Linda gave us a great set of the Rachel Ray Hard-Anodized pots… WOW!  I guess I’ve used some type of non-stick for a long time, at least in fry pans but I’ve been blown away just how good they are.  Not just that but having non-stick saucepans is a whole new world too.

Not the lead off gadget you would have expected from me right?  Well I do a fair amount of dishes and this makes my life easier!!!  If your using hand-me down pots like I’ve done for most of my adult life then just go get one of these newer pots, I’ll bet you get the set soon after.

2. Meet-Up – ‘Use the Internet to get off the Internet’.  Specifically the DC Photography Meet-Up.  It is a great idea and I went on one of their trips to the U.S. Botanic Gardens here in DC, great group of people and an novel way to meet people and learn about something completely new… or get back into something you used to do alot of.

3. R-Strap – Back to photography, this is a neat shoulder strap for keeping your camera down at your waist and hands free. It really makes walking the dog with a camera much easier!  Its pricey for the amount of material you get but I guess the innovation is worth it.  At my Photo Meet-Up Saturday I probably sold 3 more people on it just by having it on me. Think I’ll get any kickbacks?!?

4. Flickr - Something I got into just before Christmas and I’m just starting to realize the social networking potential/photo exposure at your fingertips here.  By focusing posting of photo’s to multiple ‘pools’ you really tap into huge numbers of people, and the geo-tagging feature makes finding people taking pictures near by suprisingly easy too.

5. JACK IS BACK!!!! - Come on fans of 24 you know what I’m talking about.  This show practically replaced football for Dad and the past couple of years… Kiefer just got out of jail so he’s back on track and as I write this I’m watching the second episode and I think I’m already hooked!  I’ll admit that the last season was disappointing but I did move halfway through it and lost my DVR capability so I didn’t give it as much attention as it needed.  We’ll see where it goes this year!

We’ll see how the next 353 days develop to make a final best of list.  Happy New Year!

I also took a ton of pictures so here are the highlights;

This one actually links to a further gallery of pics I took when I actually dragged myself out of bed in time for sunrise at the Washington Monument. It was a gorgeous morning and really not that cold.  This shot was obviously later in the day but still a cool shot.  Here are the rest; Xmas, Pittsburgh trip (including a lovely day at the Strip District downtown), Wine Tasting at Barrel Oak Winery, Eastern Market and a few others!

Shorpy’s; Ryan found this one and the best part is the scans are super hi-rez really demonstrating just how good 4×5, 8×10 negatives and glass plates really are

Google-Life Magazine;  I found this one a couple weeks ago, Google has archived in google images a ton of Life Magazine photo’s

2008 in Pictures; This one I came accross randomly today and had to add it onto this list.  I’m not sure any single list can fully capture all that happened in 2008 but this is a good shot at it. Some great moments and some terrible ones, all good pictures though.

Who else is happy to not be at work this week!?!

Hannukah candles through my wine glass… yes the B.A.G. itself!  (xmas tree in background)

  
                Our tree with presents!               My new wine stopper, thank you Erika!!!

Ok so I’m really proud of this one, no photoshop, check out the upside down candle flames reflected off the glass into my lens…. invisible to the naked eye!!!!

I’m not the first and won’t be the last but my recent Nikon D80 purchase and rekindled interest in photography has led to three new-to-me lens purchases since September.  Luckily I got two screaming deals on older model lenses that are undervalued for their quality.  (thats what I keep telling myself!)  I’ve also been able to defray the cost by the sale of lenses I am not using.

But I’m done for now, at least on lenses.  I now have my fast f/2.8 trio of a 20mm, 55mm Micro and 180mm.  All three have good reputations as being fast (good in low light) and sharp.

In other good news, The Yards development is close to a deal with a Brewpup-Alehouse for the Boilermaker shop behind the DOT building down here in Capitol Riverfront.  Check out the story… The Boilermaker Shop is the very same I showed in this picture, as you can see it has tons of glass and will be a striking location.

Speaking of Capitol Riverfront, in the interests of spreading recognition of that term for this ‘Nat’s Ballpark, Southeast, Near Southeast, Navy Yard, M St SE’ area that we call home I’ve started a Flickr group that hopefully will grow with submissions from residents and visitors… we’ll see.  Check it out for yourself!