Monday, February 28, 2005
Submit An Article to Hobbiez.com!
Hobbiez.com welcomes submissions from its users. If you have an article you would like to submit, including one with a reasonable level (1 or 2) of self promotional links, post it as a comment here by clicking on "comment" below this message. We'll review the article and, if it seems like it is useful to our readers, we'll post it. It is that easy!
Friday, February 25, 2005
Your First Model Train Setup
A model train setup is a big boy’s toy, a world in miniature in which the creator is God. It’s not something to set up for a young child, and it’s not even for all older children. Setting up your model train is a project that requires patience, time, and commitment, but not necessarily a lot of money.
The first step is to determine where you’re going to have your setup. It does you no good to purchase all the equipment for your model train if you don’t have room for a good setup. You need an area that will be relatively undisturbed, where children and animals do not dare intrude unless invited; and you need to remember to leave enough room to move around all four sides of your table, board, or other platform. Ideal spaces are clean, dry basements (dust is bad for your model train), spare bedrooms, workshops, or safe attics.
Next, you have to determine whether you are going to use an old table to lay your train out on, or if you’re going to use an alternate support, such as sawhorses. It’s important that the base of your train set be stable; test any tables or sawhorses for shakiness by leaning on them with your full weight and shaking them. Any shakiness needs to be stabilized before you build anything else.
You will need a flat of plywood or a similar lightweight, strong material to set your world up on. Before you go out to get it, consider whether you just want your setup to remain in its room, or you intend to take it to model train shows. If you are going to have a portable train set, you need to cut your plywood into sheets small enough to move through the door; and you will have to come up with a clamping system to tie them back together, again without any shakiness or instability. One model train setup designer used simple flat brackets and screws to put his setup together; it may become unstable eventually, but it’s fine for now.
Now that your table and your plywood are waiting for you, you can think about the fun stuff: design. How complex do you want your model to be? Do you want hills? Rivers? Roads? You can have cities, or you can have tunnels through rustic highlands. Sketch out your vision with carpenter’s pencil on the plywood, and draw a rough map of where you want the track to lie. Make a list of the supplies you think you’ll need; for instance, for grass you’ll need to get spray-on grass from a model train supply store. You need to save newspapers to make the paper mache to build hills and other rises, and you’ll need model paints for roads, houses, and any models you build yourself.
At this point, it’s imperative that you determine your model size. The most common size is an H-gauge; but whatever size you choose, you need to make sure that everything you buy for your model is the same gauge size. Purchase enough to start your set, including the train, some track, and a small housing setup or other structures you want on your model.
Almost everyone who builds a model train set wants to have tunnels on their setup. Somewhere on your penciled map, you probably have an ideal place for one. Start with a short tunnel, so that if anything goes wrong you can reach in from either side and fix it. Measure the height of your train plus the height you are going to make your tracks (almost everyone uses a slightly raised track) and make the tunnel roof at least 25% taller than that height, to accommodate any oversize cars. Make the width of the tunnel the width of the widest point of your train plus 25%; if you are going to have a curve in your tunnel, you might want to consider making the interior of the tunnel the width plus 35% to make sure the train doesn’t get stuck on the bend.
The tunnel should be made before building the hill it runs through. You can create it with stiff cardboard, wood, or anything else that will retain its shape when wet papier-mache is mounded over it.
Before you build your landscape or place your tunnel, you need to lay the track. Glue it down with modeler’s glue (you can find that at the same store as the track) and make sure that breaks in the track lay along the splits in the plywood, so that when you take your setup apart it will break the track in the right places and you won’t have to pry anything up. When the track is down, set the tunnel up in the appropriate place, run your train through it once to make sure it won’t get stuck, make any necessary adjustments, and then glue it down (be sure the tunnel isn’t really tight around the train), and build your hill over top of it. When the hill is quite dry, you can paint it. Though you have purchased spray grass to cover it with, you should paint it before putting the grass on; that way, you don’t have ugly newsprint showing through the grass.
Glue down your other essential models, build any other tunnels or hills, and you have your first model train setup. Congratulations!
The first step is to determine where you’re going to have your setup. It does you no good to purchase all the equipment for your model train if you don’t have room for a good setup. You need an area that will be relatively undisturbed, where children and animals do not dare intrude unless invited; and you need to remember to leave enough room to move around all four sides of your table, board, or other platform. Ideal spaces are clean, dry basements (dust is bad for your model train), spare bedrooms, workshops, or safe attics.
Next, you have to determine whether you are going to use an old table to lay your train out on, or if you’re going to use an alternate support, such as sawhorses. It’s important that the base of your train set be stable; test any tables or sawhorses for shakiness by leaning on them with your full weight and shaking them. Any shakiness needs to be stabilized before you build anything else.
You will need a flat of plywood or a similar lightweight, strong material to set your world up on. Before you go out to get it, consider whether you just want your setup to remain in its room, or you intend to take it to model train shows. If you are going to have a portable train set, you need to cut your plywood into sheets small enough to move through the door; and you will have to come up with a clamping system to tie them back together, again without any shakiness or instability. One model train setup designer used simple flat brackets and screws to put his setup together; it may become unstable eventually, but it’s fine for now.
Now that your table and your plywood are waiting for you, you can think about the fun stuff: design. How complex do you want your model to be? Do you want hills? Rivers? Roads? You can have cities, or you can have tunnels through rustic highlands. Sketch out your vision with carpenter’s pencil on the plywood, and draw a rough map of where you want the track to lie. Make a list of the supplies you think you’ll need; for instance, for grass you’ll need to get spray-on grass from a model train supply store. You need to save newspapers to make the paper mache to build hills and other rises, and you’ll need model paints for roads, houses, and any models you build yourself.
At this point, it’s imperative that you determine your model size. The most common size is an H-gauge; but whatever size you choose, you need to make sure that everything you buy for your model is the same gauge size. Purchase enough to start your set, including the train, some track, and a small housing setup or other structures you want on your model.
Almost everyone who builds a model train set wants to have tunnels on their setup. Somewhere on your penciled map, you probably have an ideal place for one. Start with a short tunnel, so that if anything goes wrong you can reach in from either side and fix it. Measure the height of your train plus the height you are going to make your tracks (almost everyone uses a slightly raised track) and make the tunnel roof at least 25% taller than that height, to accommodate any oversize cars. Make the width of the tunnel the width of the widest point of your train plus 25%; if you are going to have a curve in your tunnel, you might want to consider making the interior of the tunnel the width plus 35% to make sure the train doesn’t get stuck on the bend.
The tunnel should be made before building the hill it runs through. You can create it with stiff cardboard, wood, or anything else that will retain its shape when wet papier-mache is mounded over it.
Before you build your landscape or place your tunnel, you need to lay the track. Glue it down with modeler’s glue (you can find that at the same store as the track) and make sure that breaks in the track lay along the splits in the plywood, so that when you take your setup apart it will break the track in the right places and you won’t have to pry anything up. When the track is down, set the tunnel up in the appropriate place, run your train through it once to make sure it won’t get stuck, make any necessary adjustments, and then glue it down (be sure the tunnel isn’t really tight around the train), and build your hill over top of it. When the hill is quite dry, you can paint it. Though you have purchased spray grass to cover it with, you should paint it before putting the grass on; that way, you don’t have ugly newsprint showing through the grass.
Glue down your other essential models, build any other tunnels or hills, and you have your first model train setup. Congratulations!
Cheap Landscaping for Your Model Train World
The stuff in train stores can get pricey; there are things that you absolutely have to have, like liquid plastic to form water, waterfalls, and pools, but do you really need miniature gravel for the tracks? Or those expensive cars? Or the spray-on grass – isn’t there a cheaper way?
Yep. For someone with a creative mind, there are tons of ways to not just find your modeling material more cheaply, but to have a model that looks better than the stuff you buy in the store.
Start with the track. You hate the miniature gravel they sell to glue down to the track, but you don’t know how to get away from it. Instead of buying it, go out and find small-grain Styrofoam, like the stuff computer peripherals is packed in. Crumble it fine, and put it in a shallow box – the lid to a paper box is ideal. Spray quick-dry gray paint over the whole mess, and shake it around to keep it from sticking together. Keep doing this – spraying then shaking – until all the grains look gray – and an awful lot like gravel. After it dries, this material is ideal for gravel fill on your tracks, or on your dirt roads.
The spray grass also gets pricey, especially at the rate you use it. A cheap alternative – potter’s green. That’s the foamy stuff you stick plastic plants into in pots to keep them stable. If you crumble it up finely, it makes a nice grainy powder. Next trick – put the green powder you created into a wide-holed salt shaker – or recycle one of your old cheap spice bottles with fairly wide holes. Everywhere you needed grass, cover with spray-on glue; if it’s close to things that should not be coated with green, cover them with tissue paper or something else easily moldable that can protect them before spraying. Then shake the green powder all over the sprayed down areas. After it dries, go over the area with a very soft broom or large makeup brush, or with a Dustbuster. And you have grass.
So now you have the tracks, you have the grass and hills – what about rustic streams and rocky hillsides? Water, unfortunately, you will probably have to model with liquid plastic. But the other landscaping – rocks for your babbling brooks to splash over, or to jut out from the hillside – can be gathered from the ground outside. Look around carefully – you want stones with character. You need to have stones that won’t look like boulders or mountains. If you live in an area with shale or slate or other forms of limestone, you can take just about any limestone rock and break it up with a hammer – if you do this, don’t be macho. Use gloves, wear sleeves, and put on glasses or goggles. Sharp bits of stone in the eyes are not any fun. To break the stone properly, hit it at an angle; this will break it off in flakes rather than chunks. A rock hammer is the best way to go, but a regular old house hammer will work.
You should have designed channels in your papier-mache hills to flow your streams through; re-dampen those and carefully embed your rocks into the sides of the channel. Try to place them a little randomly; put a couple at angles you wouldn’t expect. Remember that streams flow downhill, so you want stones to overlap up-to-down. Wherever stones touch, put a little dab of glue or liquid cement, not enough to show up but enough to hold the rocks in place. Place a few rocks randomly along the sides of the bank, and make sure there’s a bit of a pileup of rocks at the foot of the hill. Give your rocks time to dry. Now paint your liquid plastic down the streambed to whatever thickness you want. Voila – a beautiful stream.
Trees can be made of branchy twigs from local trees outside your house. You can also use branchy twigs from bushes, or strong weeds. To make these trees look like trees, remove any leaves, dip the entire twig in an oak wood stain, and after it dries pull apart cotton balls or fluff dyed dark green (a shade or two darker than your grass) and gently and sparingly glue it to the branchy end of your twig. Spray with glue, and, holding the tree upside down, shake your green grass material all over it. You may have to repeat this a couple of times to get good coverage. If you kept a bit of the potter’s green intact instead of turning all of it into grass, it makes a perfect base to stick your tree in so that it can dry before you put it on your landscape.
Remember those expensive models? With H and G gauge model sets, Matchbox cars are almost the perfect size to match the trains. Browse toy stores and the toy section of department stores to look for other models you can use. You’ll probably be able to find vehicles, miniature people and animals, and even miniature houses. If you’re not clear on the scale you need, bring a sample from your train set with you.
The most important thing, though, is to be creative. Creativity is what your model train is all about.
Yep. For someone with a creative mind, there are tons of ways to not just find your modeling material more cheaply, but to have a model that looks better than the stuff you buy in the store.
Start with the track. You hate the miniature gravel they sell to glue down to the track, but you don’t know how to get away from it. Instead of buying it, go out and find small-grain Styrofoam, like the stuff computer peripherals is packed in. Crumble it fine, and put it in a shallow box – the lid to a paper box is ideal. Spray quick-dry gray paint over the whole mess, and shake it around to keep it from sticking together. Keep doing this – spraying then shaking – until all the grains look gray – and an awful lot like gravel. After it dries, this material is ideal for gravel fill on your tracks, or on your dirt roads.
The spray grass also gets pricey, especially at the rate you use it. A cheap alternative – potter’s green. That’s the foamy stuff you stick plastic plants into in pots to keep them stable. If you crumble it up finely, it makes a nice grainy powder. Next trick – put the green powder you created into a wide-holed salt shaker – or recycle one of your old cheap spice bottles with fairly wide holes. Everywhere you needed grass, cover with spray-on glue; if it’s close to things that should not be coated with green, cover them with tissue paper or something else easily moldable that can protect them before spraying. Then shake the green powder all over the sprayed down areas. After it dries, go over the area with a very soft broom or large makeup brush, or with a Dustbuster. And you have grass.
So now you have the tracks, you have the grass and hills – what about rustic streams and rocky hillsides? Water, unfortunately, you will probably have to model with liquid plastic. But the other landscaping – rocks for your babbling brooks to splash over, or to jut out from the hillside – can be gathered from the ground outside. Look around carefully – you want stones with character. You need to have stones that won’t look like boulders or mountains. If you live in an area with shale or slate or other forms of limestone, you can take just about any limestone rock and break it up with a hammer – if you do this, don’t be macho. Use gloves, wear sleeves, and put on glasses or goggles. Sharp bits of stone in the eyes are not any fun. To break the stone properly, hit it at an angle; this will break it off in flakes rather than chunks. A rock hammer is the best way to go, but a regular old house hammer will work.
You should have designed channels in your papier-mache hills to flow your streams through; re-dampen those and carefully embed your rocks into the sides of the channel. Try to place them a little randomly; put a couple at angles you wouldn’t expect. Remember that streams flow downhill, so you want stones to overlap up-to-down. Wherever stones touch, put a little dab of glue or liquid cement, not enough to show up but enough to hold the rocks in place. Place a few rocks randomly along the sides of the bank, and make sure there’s a bit of a pileup of rocks at the foot of the hill. Give your rocks time to dry. Now paint your liquid plastic down the streambed to whatever thickness you want. Voila – a beautiful stream.
Trees can be made of branchy twigs from local trees outside your house. You can also use branchy twigs from bushes, or strong weeds. To make these trees look like trees, remove any leaves, dip the entire twig in an oak wood stain, and after it dries pull apart cotton balls or fluff dyed dark green (a shade or two darker than your grass) and gently and sparingly glue it to the branchy end of your twig. Spray with glue, and, holding the tree upside down, shake your green grass material all over it. You may have to repeat this a couple of times to get good coverage. If you kept a bit of the potter’s green intact instead of turning all of it into grass, it makes a perfect base to stick your tree in so that it can dry before you put it on your landscape.
Remember those expensive models? With H and G gauge model sets, Matchbox cars are almost the perfect size to match the trains. Browse toy stores and the toy section of department stores to look for other models you can use. You’ll probably be able to find vehicles, miniature people and animals, and even miniature houses. If you’re not clear on the scale you need, bring a sample from your train set with you.
The most important thing, though, is to be creative. Creativity is what your model train is all about.
Tips for Model Train Beginners
Everyone who wants to get into model trains has seen a train show – the huge, elaborate layouts, the breathtaking miniaturized scenery, and the rows upon rows of tracks. One of the biggest mistakes made by beginners is to think they can build something like that right away. You can’t. You’re going to have to work hard just to learn to build your first small layout. But if you want a jump ahead, there are a few things you should remember.
When you're starting out with a model train, it seems like everything takes too long, but the most important thing you can do is take your time. Everything in building your model is going to be a little slow; that's because you're trying to build perfect miniature examples of the world around you. You can’t do that fast and have good results. Take your time with each piece, get it right, and then go on to the next.
Start small. Don't go into model railroading with grandiose ambitions to have a track that fills the room. That will come later. Instead, settle for something less than ten feet wide, and don't get too fancy with the track layout. A simple oval or figure eight with maybe one side track is okay for starting out. Look at your first layout as your training wheels. You can take everything apart and put it together again for this one because it's small; but if you screw up a large model set, you may give up because of the vastness of the job of putting it right. The large layouts, in fact, are so difficult that many people who have been into modeling for years have never built anything larger than 8 feet by 10.
Haunt hobby shops, toy stores, and other places you can find models. You don't have to buy them, but you can get some great ideas for building your own versions. One modeler I know build a great layout with a gorge and a wooden bridge over it made entirely from popsicle sticks and wooden dowels. It's huge, it's perfect, and it's gorgeous. And it didn't cost $60 like the one he saw in the store.
Get a basic tool kit. Nothing fancy, but at least have a hobby knife, a set of jeweler's tools, needlenose pliers, needle files, fine tweezers, and a scale rule. A great idea is to periodically visit the tool section in Sears or another store that has really great tool selections; this will give you fresh ideas for things you can do to improve your site.
Never, never, never run your trains on the floor. Fuzz is hard to get out of the wheels, and you'll ruin the whole set. Keep the animals and small children away too; dogs love to chew things that smell like their owners, and cats shed. And small children do many things that are very bad for model train sets. Only allow children with adult supervision.
Keep your tracks clean. Because electric trains depend on electricity conducted through the rails to the locomotive's wheels and then to the engine, a dirty track or dirty wheels will hinder your train from running. Keep it dusted, at a minimum, and keep debris off the tracks. When the tracks are dirty, rubbing them down with a clean, dry cloth will sometimes work. If you need more to remove dirt, try a pink pencil eraser, or a typewriter or pen ink eraser. You can purchase a special rubber eraser with abrasive made specifically for model trains, too. Never clean your track with sandpaper or any other harsh abrasive; it will do more harm than good.
One of the most common problems encountered by model train hobbyists is the train jumping the track -- either cars or locomotive derailing. Usually, you'll find the problem in the track, the wheels, or the couplers. Check the tracks for alignment, and make certain all the sections are firmly pushed together and that their joints align smoothly. If you have a model board that's in pieces, especially check the joints along the edges of the boards. Anything angling your tracks can cause derailments, so pick up a pocket leveler (you can find them at hardware stores) and make sure your board is perfectly flat.
Tiny bits of debris on the track can derail your train -- remember the old urban legend about putting a dime on the tracks to derail the 5:00 Express? Well, it works on the scale of model trains. Examine the track carefully with a bright light. Check your wheels for defects. Any wheel that has a broken flange (a common problem) must be replaced. Wheels that are twisted or forced too close or too far apart will also derail. Defective couplers can also force your train off the track. If the coupler won't move at all when yuo try to move it from side to side, it needs to be unstuck or replaced.
The most important thing to remember as a beginner is to have fun. When you stop having fun, the hobby ceases to be a hobby and becomes something else. Take your time, use your imagination, and enjoy!
When you're starting out with a model train, it seems like everything takes too long, but the most important thing you can do is take your time. Everything in building your model is going to be a little slow; that's because you're trying to build perfect miniature examples of the world around you. You can’t do that fast and have good results. Take your time with each piece, get it right, and then go on to the next.
Start small. Don't go into model railroading with grandiose ambitions to have a track that fills the room. That will come later. Instead, settle for something less than ten feet wide, and don't get too fancy with the track layout. A simple oval or figure eight with maybe one side track is okay for starting out. Look at your first layout as your training wheels. You can take everything apart and put it together again for this one because it's small; but if you screw up a large model set, you may give up because of the vastness of the job of putting it right. The large layouts, in fact, are so difficult that many people who have been into modeling for years have never built anything larger than 8 feet by 10.
Haunt hobby shops, toy stores, and other places you can find models. You don't have to buy them, but you can get some great ideas for building your own versions. One modeler I know build a great layout with a gorge and a wooden bridge over it made entirely from popsicle sticks and wooden dowels. It's huge, it's perfect, and it's gorgeous. And it didn't cost $60 like the one he saw in the store.
Get a basic tool kit. Nothing fancy, but at least have a hobby knife, a set of jeweler's tools, needlenose pliers, needle files, fine tweezers, and a scale rule. A great idea is to periodically visit the tool section in Sears or another store that has really great tool selections; this will give you fresh ideas for things you can do to improve your site.
Never, never, never run your trains on the floor. Fuzz is hard to get out of the wheels, and you'll ruin the whole set. Keep the animals and small children away too; dogs love to chew things that smell like their owners, and cats shed. And small children do many things that are very bad for model train sets. Only allow children with adult supervision.
Keep your tracks clean. Because electric trains depend on electricity conducted through the rails to the locomotive's wheels and then to the engine, a dirty track or dirty wheels will hinder your train from running. Keep it dusted, at a minimum, and keep debris off the tracks. When the tracks are dirty, rubbing them down with a clean, dry cloth will sometimes work. If you need more to remove dirt, try a pink pencil eraser, or a typewriter or pen ink eraser. You can purchase a special rubber eraser with abrasive made specifically for model trains, too. Never clean your track with sandpaper or any other harsh abrasive; it will do more harm than good.
One of the most common problems encountered by model train hobbyists is the train jumping the track -- either cars or locomotive derailing. Usually, you'll find the problem in the track, the wheels, or the couplers. Check the tracks for alignment, and make certain all the sections are firmly pushed together and that their joints align smoothly. If you have a model board that's in pieces, especially check the joints along the edges of the boards. Anything angling your tracks can cause derailments, so pick up a pocket leveler (you can find them at hardware stores) and make sure your board is perfectly flat.
Tiny bits of debris on the track can derail your train -- remember the old urban legend about putting a dime on the tracks to derail the 5:00 Express? Well, it works on the scale of model trains. Examine the track carefully with a bright light. Check your wheels for defects. Any wheel that has a broken flange (a common problem) must be replaced. Wheels that are twisted or forced too close or too far apart will also derail. Defective couplers can also force your train off the track. If the coupler won't move at all when yuo try to move it from side to side, it needs to be unstuck or replaced.
The most important thing to remember as a beginner is to have fun. When you stop having fun, the hobby ceases to be a hobby and becomes something else. Take your time, use your imagination, and enjoy!
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Vacation photos made easy
How often have you taken pictures during your vacation only to develop them later on to find them devoid of any of the beauty you saw during your trip? Those awesome shots of snowcapped peaks or crystalline lakes just don’t seem as eye-popping once the photo has been developed. The colors are flat, images appear lifeless, or maybe the picture’s too dark in some spots and washed out in others.
Taking a bad photo happens to all of us. It’s disappointing and can get quite frustrating when the camera doesn’t quite capture things the way we see them. Learning which aperture setting or shutter speed to use, along with remembering how everything can affect the photo, such as the angle of the sun or whether the sky is overcast or clear, can get quite overwhelming.
Automatic point and shoot cameras have made photography much easier, but they don’t always capture the vivid colors and beauty we see with our eyes. If you’re into digital, there’s software available that can turn just about any mediocre shot into something more pleasing.
But what if you’re not the next aspiring Ansel Adams and simply want to take a photo without all the gadgets or computer software? It’s easy. By being aware of what you’re shooting and remembering a few things while you’re doing it can turn those ordinary shots into great photo memories. Of course there’s much more to the craft and it’s up to you how much further you want to take the learning process, but regardless photography should always be fun!
LIGHTS! CAMERA! FILM?
The first thing you should be aware of even before you start taking pictures is what type of film to use. Film varies according to its ISO number, which stands for International Standards Organization. The ISO number describes the film’s speed and sensitivity to light.
For example, if you’re using a simple point and shoot camera outdoors on a sunny day, ISO 100 color-print film is a good choice. The higher the ISO number the faster the film. Taking pictures of speeding racecars or other sporting events require a faster film to catch the action. ISO 800 film would be a better choice than ISO 100.
Before choosing your film consider the kind of elements in which you’ll be taking pictures. Is it sunny or overcast? Is it indoors or outside? Stationary scenery or fast moving objects? Films with ISO numbers of 400 or more are considered fast. Less light is needed for proper exposure with faster film, so a higher ISO number is better for shots in dim lighting or for action shots.
When in doubt use ISO 100 for outdoor photos and ISO 400 or higher for indoors.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
Light is the key element that makes the difference between a great picture and a disappointing one. When the light is right even the most boring subject can come alive and seem interesting. When considering lighting, timing is essential. The best pictures aren’t always taken when it’s most convenient for the photographer.
Most vacation photos are taken when parks or other popular tourist attractions are open, which is usually during normal daytime hours when the sun is high in the sky. During that time, the sun is more directly overhead causing shadows to be much shorter. Contrast is much harsher and glare from the sun can also be a problem.
The best pictures, however, are taken when the majority of us are still sleeping or have put away our cameras and sitting down to dinner. Timing is vital when trying to capture that perfect moment while the lighting is at its best. The sun won’t wait. You’ll have to be the one to adjust your schedule. If that means having to get up an hour early or delaying dinner so be it. It’s a small price to pay if you want the chance to get some great travel photos.
Early morning light tints the earth with a multitude of colors giving it warmth and enhancing your subject’s beauty and personality. Fog can linger after the sun has risen giving your scene a dreamy quality. Shooting at sunset also has its advantages regarding color, especially if there are clouds on the horizon. They’ll reflect nature’s hues for a more dramatic shot. To add even more interest, include a foreground subject, such as a gnarled tree, a rock formation, or a couple holding hands.
The angle of light determines the overall affect of your picture. Your subject can appear quite different when lit from various angles, whether it’s from a natural or an artificial light source. Be aware of the sun’s angle and try to spend some extra time taking pictures when it’s at varying heights in the sky. You’ll be surprised at how much better your subject appears when the sunlight isn’t so harsh.
FINDING YOUR SUBJECT’S BEST SIDE
Knowing the direction of the sun is very important. However, it’s also important to understand how the sun’s angle will affect your photo in regards to where the highlights and shadows fall. Shot with the light source in the back, your subject will look completely different than having the light source in front. Find the best direction for the light and you’ll be able to better capture the inner beauty of your subject.
Front lighting is when the light source is in front of your subject. This type of lighting produces a fairly shadowless picture because the shadows are being cast behind and away from the subject. Although it is a safe way to shoot, and the most common for vacation photos, it’s not very exciting or artistic. It doesn’t adequately show the subject’s texture or color. Built-in flashes often produce this type of flat frontal lighting.
Sidelighting emphasizes your subject’s texture, shape, color, and produces strong shadows. It’s less harsh and gives pleasing highlights. Outdoors, sidelighting occurs when the sun is low in the sky (sunrise and sunset). It is preferable when taking scenic pictures.
Backlighting is light coming from behind your subject. It casts shadows towards the camera producing a bright edge around the subject and causing translucent subjects to appear to glow. It can produce beautiful pictures, but take precautions so direct light doesn’t hit the lens causing a loss of contrast or color.
Of course there are other elements of lighting that can affect your photo, but by considering the direction of light it can make a big difference in your picture’s overall quality. Remember, light can either be your best friend or your worst enemy. It’s up to you decide which it will be.
SEEING IS BELIEVING
Beauty is considered to be in the eye of the beholder, and when on vacation far away from the stresses of daily life everything is much more colorful and grand. Finding that majestic mountain, picturesque meadow, or other architectural wonder seems almost too easy while on vacation. But finding it is only half the battle.
Really seeing it is the other. All the high-end equipment in the world won’t help you if you don’t see what’s going on in your photo. There’s much more to photography than simply pointing your camera at your subject and clicking away.
Be aware of the little things in your picture. Often times we are too focused on our subject to see what’s going on in the rest of the photo. At some point you’ve taken what you thought was a great picture to find out later there was a telephone pole or some other gaudy distraction right next to your subject.
Look through your viewfinder and really see what’s going on. Get in the practice of studying everything in your scene. Is it too busy with unwanted people or other distractions? If so, find another angle to alleviate some of the clutter. This will help to crop out unwanted people or objects. Another angle might also give your photo a different and more unique perspective. This can inadvertently add something with texture, color, or other eye pleasing quality that you might have missed the first time you composed your shot.
Simplify your scene to enhance your subject.
SEEING THE UNSEEABLE
For most people, when we look at things we see them for what they are. For example, when we look at a chainlink fence we might simply see a fence. But do we notice the crisscross shadow pattern it makes on the brick wall behind it?
Or how about the office building you pass by everyday on the way to your own building? Do you see the reflections of the city in the windows or notice how it turns a vibrant orange in the late afternoon sun? There’s beauty all around us. We just have to learn to see normal things differently. Don’t see a tree as a tree. See it for its shape, texture, color, or other photographic qualities.
Shoot your scene from a higher or lower position rather than from eye level. Pay attention to lighting and shadows. Look for lines, shapes, and patterns. Tilt your head to get a different perspective. Move the camera until the background is less distracting. Notice textures, such as peeling paint or weathered wood. Find color, such as the red umbrella the man in the black overcoat is carrying.
Get in the practice of creative seeing. You’ll be surprised at what you might discover.
AND REMEMBER….
- Experiment to see what works and what doesn’t. It’s the best way to learn.
- Practice makes perfect. Don’t expect to get a perfect shot every time.
- Take pictures that interest you, whether they’re of the usual tourist attractions or the doorknobs at your hotel. You’ll have much more fun shooting what you want and then sharing those funny stories of how those pictures came to be.
- Let your photos show your personality, not just your vacation destination. Show off a little.
- Get creative. Don’t be embarrassed to kneel down or stand on a bench to enhance your scene.
- Have patience, an open mind, and above all, have FUN!
Taking a bad photo happens to all of us. It’s disappointing and can get quite frustrating when the camera doesn’t quite capture things the way we see them. Learning which aperture setting or shutter speed to use, along with remembering how everything can affect the photo, such as the angle of the sun or whether the sky is overcast or clear, can get quite overwhelming.
Automatic point and shoot cameras have made photography much easier, but they don’t always capture the vivid colors and beauty we see with our eyes. If you’re into digital, there’s software available that can turn just about any mediocre shot into something more pleasing.
But what if you’re not the next aspiring Ansel Adams and simply want to take a photo without all the gadgets or computer software? It’s easy. By being aware of what you’re shooting and remembering a few things while you’re doing it can turn those ordinary shots into great photo memories. Of course there’s much more to the craft and it’s up to you how much further you want to take the learning process, but regardless photography should always be fun!
LIGHTS! CAMERA! FILM?
The first thing you should be aware of even before you start taking pictures is what type of film to use. Film varies according to its ISO number, which stands for International Standards Organization. The ISO number describes the film’s speed and sensitivity to light.
For example, if you’re using a simple point and shoot camera outdoors on a sunny day, ISO 100 color-print film is a good choice. The higher the ISO number the faster the film. Taking pictures of speeding racecars or other sporting events require a faster film to catch the action. ISO 800 film would be a better choice than ISO 100.
Before choosing your film consider the kind of elements in which you’ll be taking pictures. Is it sunny or overcast? Is it indoors or outside? Stationary scenery or fast moving objects? Films with ISO numbers of 400 or more are considered fast. Less light is needed for proper exposure with faster film, so a higher ISO number is better for shots in dim lighting or for action shots.
When in doubt use ISO 100 for outdoor photos and ISO 400 or higher for indoors.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
Light is the key element that makes the difference between a great picture and a disappointing one. When the light is right even the most boring subject can come alive and seem interesting. When considering lighting, timing is essential. The best pictures aren’t always taken when it’s most convenient for the photographer.
Most vacation photos are taken when parks or other popular tourist attractions are open, which is usually during normal daytime hours when the sun is high in the sky. During that time, the sun is more directly overhead causing shadows to be much shorter. Contrast is much harsher and glare from the sun can also be a problem.
The best pictures, however, are taken when the majority of us are still sleeping or have put away our cameras and sitting down to dinner. Timing is vital when trying to capture that perfect moment while the lighting is at its best. The sun won’t wait. You’ll have to be the one to adjust your schedule. If that means having to get up an hour early or delaying dinner so be it. It’s a small price to pay if you want the chance to get some great travel photos.
Early morning light tints the earth with a multitude of colors giving it warmth and enhancing your subject’s beauty and personality. Fog can linger after the sun has risen giving your scene a dreamy quality. Shooting at sunset also has its advantages regarding color, especially if there are clouds on the horizon. They’ll reflect nature’s hues for a more dramatic shot. To add even more interest, include a foreground subject, such as a gnarled tree, a rock formation, or a couple holding hands.
The angle of light determines the overall affect of your picture. Your subject can appear quite different when lit from various angles, whether it’s from a natural or an artificial light source. Be aware of the sun’s angle and try to spend some extra time taking pictures when it’s at varying heights in the sky. You’ll be surprised at how much better your subject appears when the sunlight isn’t so harsh.
FINDING YOUR SUBJECT’S BEST SIDE
Knowing the direction of the sun is very important. However, it’s also important to understand how the sun’s angle will affect your photo in regards to where the highlights and shadows fall. Shot with the light source in the back, your subject will look completely different than having the light source in front. Find the best direction for the light and you’ll be able to better capture the inner beauty of your subject.
Front lighting is when the light source is in front of your subject. This type of lighting produces a fairly shadowless picture because the shadows are being cast behind and away from the subject. Although it is a safe way to shoot, and the most common for vacation photos, it’s not very exciting or artistic. It doesn’t adequately show the subject’s texture or color. Built-in flashes often produce this type of flat frontal lighting.
Sidelighting emphasizes your subject’s texture, shape, color, and produces strong shadows. It’s less harsh and gives pleasing highlights. Outdoors, sidelighting occurs when the sun is low in the sky (sunrise and sunset). It is preferable when taking scenic pictures.
Backlighting is light coming from behind your subject. It casts shadows towards the camera producing a bright edge around the subject and causing translucent subjects to appear to glow. It can produce beautiful pictures, but take precautions so direct light doesn’t hit the lens causing a loss of contrast or color.
Of course there are other elements of lighting that can affect your photo, but by considering the direction of light it can make a big difference in your picture’s overall quality. Remember, light can either be your best friend or your worst enemy. It’s up to you decide which it will be.
SEEING IS BELIEVING
Beauty is considered to be in the eye of the beholder, and when on vacation far away from the stresses of daily life everything is much more colorful and grand. Finding that majestic mountain, picturesque meadow, or other architectural wonder seems almost too easy while on vacation. But finding it is only half the battle.
Really seeing it is the other. All the high-end equipment in the world won’t help you if you don’t see what’s going on in your photo. There’s much more to photography than simply pointing your camera at your subject and clicking away.
Be aware of the little things in your picture. Often times we are too focused on our subject to see what’s going on in the rest of the photo. At some point you’ve taken what you thought was a great picture to find out later there was a telephone pole or some other gaudy distraction right next to your subject.
Look through your viewfinder and really see what’s going on. Get in the practice of studying everything in your scene. Is it too busy with unwanted people or other distractions? If so, find another angle to alleviate some of the clutter. This will help to crop out unwanted people or objects. Another angle might also give your photo a different and more unique perspective. This can inadvertently add something with texture, color, or other eye pleasing quality that you might have missed the first time you composed your shot.
Simplify your scene to enhance your subject.
SEEING THE UNSEEABLE
For most people, when we look at things we see them for what they are. For example, when we look at a chainlink fence we might simply see a fence. But do we notice the crisscross shadow pattern it makes on the brick wall behind it?
Or how about the office building you pass by everyday on the way to your own building? Do you see the reflections of the city in the windows or notice how it turns a vibrant orange in the late afternoon sun? There’s beauty all around us. We just have to learn to see normal things differently. Don’t see a tree as a tree. See it for its shape, texture, color, or other photographic qualities.
Shoot your scene from a higher or lower position rather than from eye level. Pay attention to lighting and shadows. Look for lines, shapes, and patterns. Tilt your head to get a different perspective. Move the camera until the background is less distracting. Notice textures, such as peeling paint or weathered wood. Find color, such as the red umbrella the man in the black overcoat is carrying.
Get in the practice of creative seeing. You’ll be surprised at what you might discover.
AND REMEMBER….
- Experiment to see what works and what doesn’t. It’s the best way to learn.
- Practice makes perfect. Don’t expect to get a perfect shot every time.
- Take pictures that interest you, whether they’re of the usual tourist attractions or the doorknobs at your hotel. You’ll have much more fun shooting what you want and then sharing those funny stories of how those pictures came to be.
- Let your photos show your personality, not just your vacation destination. Show off a little.
- Get creative. Don’t be embarrassed to kneel down or stand on a bench to enhance your scene.
- Have patience, an open mind, and above all, have FUN!
Basics of model trains
Model trains are intended to give you pleasure, no matter what is your age and profession. And these model trains can make a life long hobby, if you have a good train set and additionally know what the parts it constitutes and other terms related to railroading. Here, we will discuss some basic points about the model trains. It is very obvious that a typical train set includes a locomotive, three to five passenger cars, enough track to make a circle or an oval, a transformer, and a set of wires that go between the transformer and the track. This set-up is just like the trains that are run actually to commute the people. These model trains rail tracks have one piece as a "re-railer" section that helps you put the cars and the locomotive onto the rails more easily.
The size of the model trains is dependent upon the age of the user and the space that you have in your house. These model trains are graded for a particular range of age and you can pick one according to your need.
Being a mechanical engineer graduate, I would love to enlist some glossary terms that are included in these model trains. Here are few of them:
Couplers: These are the devices that are used to join passenger cars and locomotives and are placed at the end of each compartment. These are generally knuckle shaped devices; however, some companies are offering more shapes including the "horn-hook" and the "Rapido-style" coupler.
Drivers: These are large wheels on a steam locomotive connected by side rods.
Flywheel: Flywheel is a turned, solid-metal cylinder mounted in line with a model locomotive’s motor that actually smoothes out the motor's rotating motion to the drive train. It also acts as a energy storage device if the locomotive is producing more but the engine is not using enough.
Rail joiner: It is a small metal clip, as clear from the name itself, which joins two sections of rail together.
Re-railer: As told earlier, this is a section of track that guides wheels or passenger cars and locomotives onto the rails.
Tender: It is the name given to the car immediately behind a steam locomotive that carries fuel for the firebox and water for the boiler.
Throttle: This device controls the speed of the locomotive and is just like a potentiometer controlling a voltage regulator.
Truck: It is the frame assembly under each end of a car and the diesel locomotive that holds the wheel-sets.
Wheel-set: It is, as clear from the name itself, the wheel-axle assembly that fits into the truck. Generally trucks have two or three wheel-sets according to the size of car.
It is general glossary section to tell you something about the components of your model train and gives you an idea as how the train is running and making you enjoy! A little more knowledge can give you a complete satisfaction but that tends to be a little more technical and so I have opted not put it here.
The size of the model trains is dependent upon the age of the user and the space that you have in your house. These model trains are graded for a particular range of age and you can pick one according to your need.
Being a mechanical engineer graduate, I would love to enlist some glossary terms that are included in these model trains. Here are few of them:
Couplers: These are the devices that are used to join passenger cars and locomotives and are placed at the end of each compartment. These are generally knuckle shaped devices; however, some companies are offering more shapes including the "horn-hook" and the "Rapido-style" coupler.
Drivers: These are large wheels on a steam locomotive connected by side rods.
Flywheel: Flywheel is a turned, solid-metal cylinder mounted in line with a model locomotive’s motor that actually smoothes out the motor's rotating motion to the drive train. It also acts as a energy storage device if the locomotive is producing more but the engine is not using enough.
Rail joiner: It is a small metal clip, as clear from the name itself, which joins two sections of rail together.
Re-railer: As told earlier, this is a section of track that guides wheels or passenger cars and locomotives onto the rails.
Tender: It is the name given to the car immediately behind a steam locomotive that carries fuel for the firebox and water for the boiler.
Throttle: This device controls the speed of the locomotive and is just like a potentiometer controlling a voltage regulator.
Truck: It is the frame assembly under each end of a car and the diesel locomotive that holds the wheel-sets.
Wheel-set: It is, as clear from the name itself, the wheel-axle assembly that fits into the truck. Generally trucks have two or three wheel-sets according to the size of car.
It is general glossary section to tell you something about the components of your model train and gives you an idea as how the train is running and making you enjoy! A little more knowledge can give you a complete satisfaction but that tends to be a little more technical and so I have opted not put it here.
Basic terms about your digital camera
Digital cameras are making a point and almost everybody seems heading to the market to buy one. But many of these don’t know about the technical terms that are beneficial while buying a camera, which will be suiting their needs most. In this article, we will give some general terms that are important for buying a good digital camera.
Pixels
Pixel is one of the most important parts of your digital images and you must be aware about the screen output of your camera. The digital images are made up of pixels, which is in the shape of squares. These pixels have a numerical value between 0 and 255 and are made up of three-color channels. There are lots of these three-color combination pixels, and therefore, we get so colorful images, which are both striking and attracting.
Pixel count
The categorization of digital cameras is done through pixel counts and these counts vary from 1 million (1 Megapixel) to around 14 million (14 Megapixels). The cameras of different pixel counts can be bought according to your needs, as the effective number of pixels, is the number that are used to form a particular image. So a 3-4MP camera can be best suited for your domestic needs.
Aspect Ratio
It is the ratio of the length of the sides of the images. This ratio helps in determining the digital camera, for, your computer monitors are also aspect ratio based, as you can view your digital images best if these monitor are compatible with your digital cameras' aspect ratio.
White balance
White balance is a very good option for setting the light for your digital cameras and most of the digital cameras come with automatic white balance systems. This feature provides you control over the output of the picture, as some film pictures tend to be yellow or white. But with this advanced feature of digital cameras, you have a proper light and a good photo.
Sensitivity
Sensitivity of your digital cameras is like the ISO rating of your film cameras. Digital cameras also come with automatic ISO systems, which pick a most suitable sensitivity level according to the light level and give you optimal quality of the images.
These terms are the most basic terms that you need to know before buying a digital camera. When you will go to a shop for buying one, the sales person may ask you to give specifications of the camera, and you can give these terms. It will decide the capacity, quality and the budget of your digital camera. There are many companies and there are hundreds of models of digital cameras varying in their features and capacities. You must know your personal requirement and money that you can spend on the camera, to buy a best camera out of so many. It is not so difficult to get one, as it appears, if you know some simple terms and specifications that are most prevalent in the recent digital technology arena in the market.
Pixels
Pixel is one of the most important parts of your digital images and you must be aware about the screen output of your camera. The digital images are made up of pixels, which is in the shape of squares. These pixels have a numerical value between 0 and 255 and are made up of three-color channels. There are lots of these three-color combination pixels, and therefore, we get so colorful images, which are both striking and attracting.
Pixel count
The categorization of digital cameras is done through pixel counts and these counts vary from 1 million (1 Megapixel) to around 14 million (14 Megapixels). The cameras of different pixel counts can be bought according to your needs, as the effective number of pixels, is the number that are used to form a particular image. So a 3-4MP camera can be best suited for your domestic needs.
Aspect Ratio
It is the ratio of the length of the sides of the images. This ratio helps in determining the digital camera, for, your computer monitors are also aspect ratio based, as you can view your digital images best if these monitor are compatible with your digital cameras' aspect ratio.
White balance
White balance is a very good option for setting the light for your digital cameras and most of the digital cameras come with automatic white balance systems. This feature provides you control over the output of the picture, as some film pictures tend to be yellow or white. But with this advanced feature of digital cameras, you have a proper light and a good photo.
Sensitivity
Sensitivity of your digital cameras is like the ISO rating of your film cameras. Digital cameras also come with automatic ISO systems, which pick a most suitable sensitivity level according to the light level and give you optimal quality of the images.
These terms are the most basic terms that you need to know before buying a digital camera. When you will go to a shop for buying one, the sales person may ask you to give specifications of the camera, and you can give these terms. It will decide the capacity, quality and the budget of your digital camera. There are many companies and there are hundreds of models of digital cameras varying in their features and capacities. You must know your personal requirement and money that you can spend on the camera, to buy a best camera out of so many. It is not so difficult to get one, as it appears, if you know some simple terms and specifications that are most prevalent in the recent digital technology arena in the market.
Choice of right computer for your digital cameras
Digital cameras have revolutionized the art of photography with their very useful compatibility with the computers. And you can do almost anything with your prized photographs from storing to altering and from printing to poster making. There are hundred of good software that allow you to do the desired alteration with your photographs before getting a good hard copy of that. Here in this article, we will discuss about the choice of a computer system, which will be most fitting for your digital camera.
Monitor
Monitor is the most important component of a computer and it becomes more important, for, you want to see some images on it. So the resolution quality and the output plays a major part to give you a clear view of your photographs. The main features of a monitor for your digital work are the size of the screen and the aperture of the screen at its corner. Flat screen monitors are expensive but their quality is the best among present day monitors and they are worthwhile of the money that you spend upon them. The size of the monitor vary and a 17" or 19" monitor will make a good choice for you.
RAM and Workstation
Software needs more RAM and therefore it become necessary for you to consider how much money you can afford for your RAM, as the speed of the computer is a secondary consideration.
Hard Drives
Digital images use a lot of disk space so it is always advisable to go for capacity and the RPM of the disk. There are some software who work with multiple disk drives, and makes it easier to read and write. This gives you a good opportunity to have multiple disks.
Scanning
While choosing for a scanner, you should keep in your mind the capacity of your printer. Companies offer DPI ratings to get you a view of the scanning capacity, but they don't give you the rating of noise produced, which is a major issue. You choose according to your needs and requirements.
Software Choices
When we talk about the software for photos, Photoshop strikes in mind and this is like a standard for many home users. Corel Photopaint is also a good choice and can be used. There are other software that have multiple features and you can choose that fits in your bill.
Printing Choices
It goes without saying that there are many printing choices available for you, and the cost per print depends directly upon the quality of the print that you want. Laser printers are more expensive but makes for it after you use them. They are good if you have a large work to do. Inkjet printers are costly but have a very good quality, but they are suitable for home use only.
These considerations can give you an ample idea about the computer system that will suit your digital work most. You can buy and manage your system, if you know what you require and what you have.
Monitor
Monitor is the most important component of a computer and it becomes more important, for, you want to see some images on it. So the resolution quality and the output plays a major part to give you a clear view of your photographs. The main features of a monitor for your digital work are the size of the screen and the aperture of the screen at its corner. Flat screen monitors are expensive but their quality is the best among present day monitors and they are worthwhile of the money that you spend upon them. The size of the monitor vary and a 17" or 19" monitor will make a good choice for you.
RAM and Workstation
Software needs more RAM and therefore it become necessary for you to consider how much money you can afford for your RAM, as the speed of the computer is a secondary consideration.
Hard Drives
Digital images use a lot of disk space so it is always advisable to go for capacity and the RPM of the disk. There are some software who work with multiple disk drives, and makes it easier to read and write. This gives you a good opportunity to have multiple disks.
Scanning
While choosing for a scanner, you should keep in your mind the capacity of your printer. Companies offer DPI ratings to get you a view of the scanning capacity, but they don't give you the rating of noise produced, which is a major issue. You choose according to your needs and requirements.
Software Choices
When we talk about the software for photos, Photoshop strikes in mind and this is like a standard for many home users. Corel Photopaint is also a good choice and can be used. There are other software that have multiple features and you can choose that fits in your bill.
Printing Choices
It goes without saying that there are many printing choices available for you, and the cost per print depends directly upon the quality of the print that you want. Laser printers are more expensive but makes for it after you use them. They are good if you have a large work to do. Inkjet printers are costly but have a very good quality, but they are suitable for home use only.
These considerations can give you an ample idea about the computer system that will suit your digital work most. You can buy and manage your system, if you know what you require and what you have.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Battery Choice
Choosing the right battery
The extensive use of digital cameras has made them very popular, but it should be noted that they consume a lot of power, and therefore, the need of good batteries is increased. It is not very easy to get a good option of batteries, as the alkaline batteries can't be recharged and have to be thrown. But new developed and advanced rechargeable batteries like Li-ion, Ni-MH, or Ni-Cad are a much better choice for your digital cameras. It is stupendous task to search for a good battery if your camera has run it down. Below are some points that will be helpful for you to select a good battery for your precious digital camera.
It is crucial to know the consumption made by your digital camera, for, that will give you an idea of the power of the battery that you require. It is tedious task but very helpful in avoiding hassle of getting over-powered and lower-powered batteries for your digital cameras.
The power consumed by the cameras themselves is much due to their intricate electronic circuits and design. So if you choose to have LCD screens and flashes, remember that they consume a lot of power and you will need a large battery for them.
Li-ion battery is the most popular battery in the market due to its light- weight and reliability. These li-ion batteries are also free from the problems of memory effect, as some battery types have, and the maintenance is also negligible.
Apart from all the points that all the batteries profess, you should check the charging techniques involved in these batteries. It should be the priority while choosing any battery, for, if you have a good charging system, than the battery becomes an asset for your digital camera.
The extensive use of digital cameras has made them very popular, but it should be noted that they consume a lot of power, and therefore, the need of good batteries is increased. It is not very easy to get a good option of batteries, as the alkaline batteries can't be recharged and have to be thrown. But new developed and advanced rechargeable batteries like Li-ion, Ni-MH, or Ni-Cad are a much better choice for your digital cameras. It is stupendous task to search for a good battery if your camera has run it down. Below are some points that will be helpful for you to select a good battery for your precious digital camera.
It is crucial to know the consumption made by your digital camera, for, that will give you an idea of the power of the battery that you require. It is tedious task but very helpful in avoiding hassle of getting over-powered and lower-powered batteries for your digital cameras.
The power consumed by the cameras themselves is much due to their intricate electronic circuits and design. So if you choose to have LCD screens and flashes, remember that they consume a lot of power and you will need a large battery for them.
Li-ion battery is the most popular battery in the market due to its light- weight and reliability. These li-ion batteries are also free from the problems of memory effect, as some battery types have, and the maintenance is also negligible.
Apart from all the points that all the batteries profess, you should check the charging techniques involved in these batteries. It should be the priority while choosing any battery, for, if you have a good charging system, than the battery becomes an asset for your digital camera.
Benefit of Digital Camera for Environment
The chemical and digital technology are vying with each other for facilitating more the cause of cameras and photography, but in the present scenario it seems that digital technology has the upper hand and has established itself as the reigning king of the market. Digital cameras are cheaper in the long run for your photography passion and these digital images can be easily stores in multiple places and can be manipulated. But there is one more impact that these digital cameras have made in improving the environment, for, the use of chemicals and other intoxicants in the film cameras is reduced. This sounds very confusing and almost everybody seems to ignore this effect in the glittering aura of other features that these digital cameras provide.
Nobody seems to be aware of the fact that when we take these films to the developing center, these films undergo many processes with certain chemical, which are actually hazardous to our environment. It should be noted that after using these developing and fixing solutions, they are thrown out in the environment and this, in turn, pollutes the environment to a great extent.
It is not that there are no laws for disposing these environment hazardous chemicals; certainly there are some, but due to the expense that these laws and the processes therein incur, developing companies just avoid following those laws. Chemicals must be stored in absorbent materials and then dump in wasteland after these have been rendered inert. No question that bigger and established companies adhere to these laws, but this is the case with small scale and new companies: they just put the waste chemicals in drain, which is very dangerous for domestic life.
There is one more way to dispose off these chemicals, and this is done by cruises, which are not bound by the US environment standard laws. These ships throw the chemicals of photo-developing companies in the sea and thus cause a major problem for the aquatic life. These things are avoided with the use of digital cameras, for, there is no chemical involved in these digital cameras.
However, these digital cameras are not totally out of questioning from danger forum, as they use the ink for printing the photographs. The human skin sucks this ink, if someone handles it when it is not dry. But there is certainly no problem after the ink is dry and there is no danger handling it.
Another thing that can be raised against these digital cameras is the use of batteries, for they certainly are hazardous to our environment. But almost all the digital cameras come with rechargeable batteries, and therefore, the threat is lost from these batteries.
It is clear from the above discussion that digital cameras are better from many angles, and they pose less threat to our environment than the film cameras. And it goes without saying that other features of these cameras have already outsmarted the film cameras, and they are going to rule the market for long.
Nobody seems to be aware of the fact that when we take these films to the developing center, these films undergo many processes with certain chemical, which are actually hazardous to our environment. It should be noted that after using these developing and fixing solutions, they are thrown out in the environment and this, in turn, pollutes the environment to a great extent.
It is not that there are no laws for disposing these environment hazardous chemicals; certainly there are some, but due to the expense that these laws and the processes therein incur, developing companies just avoid following those laws. Chemicals must be stored in absorbent materials and then dump in wasteland after these have been rendered inert. No question that bigger and established companies adhere to these laws, but this is the case with small scale and new companies: they just put the waste chemicals in drain, which is very dangerous for domestic life.
There is one more way to dispose off these chemicals, and this is done by cruises, which are not bound by the US environment standard laws. These ships throw the chemicals of photo-developing companies in the sea and thus cause a major problem for the aquatic life. These things are avoided with the use of digital cameras, for, there is no chemical involved in these digital cameras.
However, these digital cameras are not totally out of questioning from danger forum, as they use the ink for printing the photographs. The human skin sucks this ink, if someone handles it when it is not dry. But there is certainly no problem after the ink is dry and there is no danger handling it.
Another thing that can be raised against these digital cameras is the use of batteries, for they certainly are hazardous to our environment. But almost all the digital cameras come with rechargeable batteries, and therefore, the threat is lost from these batteries.
It is clear from the above discussion that digital cameras are better from many angles, and they pose less threat to our environment than the film cameras. And it goes without saying that other features of these cameras have already outsmarted the film cameras, and they are going to rule the market for long.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Model Train Fascination
Model trains have always fascinated me, from way back when I was a kid to now. My cousins had a Lionel train setup in the attic when I was young and it was always a treat to go up those stairs and see the trains. My uncle ran them (they were really his), and the bored cousins smirked while my brother and I ran around looking at the village, with the little people and buildings, and of course, the trains. My favorite was the log car, and my brother liked the engine that could go both ways. The setup looked huge to me, almost like a real village, and it certainly took up a big part of the attic. It was always kinda dark up there, and the twinkling lights of the village lent a magical air to the whole experience. My uncle always seemed glad to take us up there, probably cause the awe in our eyes matched his. After I grew older I didn't go up and look at the trains as much, but it was so much fun when I was young.
I've wondered how outdoor train setups work. I've seen some grand ones - at the State Fair of Texas there's a garden display with large-gauge trains running around the site. There are tunnels and bridges, and the trains go past little Texas landmarks, like the Alamo. I sat and watched the trains for quite a while last October, and I really like it when the engine first comes around a tree. It's really a beautiful display, and they have it set up every year, at least all the years I've been to the fair. Another of my favorite train displays, which is no longer there, I've heard, was at Thanksgiving Point, which is between Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah. This is an extraordinarily beautiful place, with themed gardens, a huge waterfall, and a dinosaur museum. The trains had a corner at the entrance to the gardens and there was a mountain with a tunnel; it was quite a large run for the trains. There's a Noah's Ark that sprays water nearby too. I'd like to go back there, cause that's really a nice place.
My husband and I travel a lot, and we've been to several restaurants that have model trains zooming around inside. One I liked was a steakhouse in Idaho that had the trains going at eye level around the booths, and then they climbed up a hill and zipped around the top of the place near the ceiling. It was most unexpected to first see the trains there, even though it was named some kinds of train name. A lot of the places are named "Choo-Choo" or "The Depot" or whatever, but one we went in for breakfast was a Greek place. There were little trains running all around, up by the ceiling, down low, and even in and out of the kitchen. I never expected a train to be running around a Greek restaurant, and especially at breakfast, but it was so fun, and we stayed almost until lunch talking to the owner about the trains. I love to see the kids when they first see the trains - they are usually totally intrigued, or frightened out of their wits.
My daughters were never interested in trains much, but my granddaughter loves Thomas the Tank Engine. We took her to Grapevine, Texas to see Thomas when he came around, and she was fascinated with trains then. They had a model train set up, a gift shop with all things train for sale, and the steam engine that lives there had a Thomas face for photo time. We took a ride on the train, and Hannah clutched her train prizes from the gift shop all the way home. She's a girl of my own heart.
I've wondered how outdoor train setups work. I've seen some grand ones - at the State Fair of Texas there's a garden display with large-gauge trains running around the site. There are tunnels and bridges, and the trains go past little Texas landmarks, like the Alamo. I sat and watched the trains for quite a while last October, and I really like it when the engine first comes around a tree. It's really a beautiful display, and they have it set up every year, at least all the years I've been to the fair. Another of my favorite train displays, which is no longer there, I've heard, was at Thanksgiving Point, which is between Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah. This is an extraordinarily beautiful place, with themed gardens, a huge waterfall, and a dinosaur museum. The trains had a corner at the entrance to the gardens and there was a mountain with a tunnel; it was quite a large run for the trains. There's a Noah's Ark that sprays water nearby too. I'd like to go back there, cause that's really a nice place.
My husband and I travel a lot, and we've been to several restaurants that have model trains zooming around inside. One I liked was a steakhouse in Idaho that had the trains going at eye level around the booths, and then they climbed up a hill and zipped around the top of the place near the ceiling. It was most unexpected to first see the trains there, even though it was named some kinds of train name. A lot of the places are named "Choo-Choo" or "The Depot" or whatever, but one we went in for breakfast was a Greek place. There were little trains running all around, up by the ceiling, down low, and even in and out of the kitchen. I never expected a train to be running around a Greek restaurant, and especially at breakfast, but it was so fun, and we stayed almost until lunch talking to the owner about the trains. I love to see the kids when they first see the trains - they are usually totally intrigued, or frightened out of their wits.
My daughters were never interested in trains much, but my granddaughter loves Thomas the Tank Engine. We took her to Grapevine, Texas to see Thomas when he came around, and she was fascinated with trains then. They had a model train set up, a gift shop with all things train for sale, and the steam engine that lives there had a Thomas face for photo time. We took a ride on the train, and Hannah clutched her train prizes from the gift shop all the way home. She's a girl of my own heart.
Digital Cameras: A Family's New Best Friend
Time was that taking family photographs remained on a roll of film that eventually disintegrated in a drawer because you forgot to get it developed, or couldn’t afford to pay for it being developed. Or you’d find a roll of film tucked away in the corner of your purse, or rolled to the back of the glove compartment in the car, and wonder who the people are in the photos when you had it developed. Technology has changed all that!
Today, the digital camera is the family’s newest best friend. Although an expensive luxury when first introduced to the market, they are now in an affordable price bracket that puts them within the financial reach of most families who own a computer. Initially you also needed a decent quality printer if you wanted to print out copies of your images to share, nowadays it is good to be able to do that, especially if you want to share the photos, but in many places there is an option of taking your memory card from the camera into a photography store – or print store in some cases – and paying them to produce the prints that you want.
The advantage of paying to have it done this way, as opposed to having a normal roll of film developed, is that you can delete the photos you don’t want copied – the ones with the camera lens obscuring the Grand Canyon, or the ones of headless people who invaded the beach on your holiday to Greece, and just pay for the ones which are left. The screen on the camera, or if it doesn’t have one, transferring the images first to your computer so you can decide which ones to print and transferring them back, offers you the opportunity to select only the ones you know you want to keep.
Digital cameras allow you to involve the whole family in taking the pictures. The ones which have a little screen on the back mean that the picture that’s about to be taken is large enough even for a little one to centre up and get right. Then it’s just point and press (unless you’ve got some fancy camera – in which case you wouldn’t be allowing junior to play with it anyway!), and hey presto, even the kids take great pictures!
Creating a scrapbook is great with a digital camera too because you can collect the images on your computer and then work on them in a graphics package before having them printed. They can be resized to be larger, or smaller than the original to fit with the space you want them to fill. You can alter the tone so that they become black and white, or a soft sepia, with just a couple of mouse moments. Even the most computer illiterate can produce stunning results because of the great (and easy to use) software packages available. Images can be cropped (cut) on the screen so that you only get in the picture what you want, and not that huge expanse of beach, or someone’s fingers down one side. You can rotate the image, and with some software programs you can even crop it into a shape such as a star which means you just have to cut around it once it’s printed and you’ve got the photo in the shape that fits your page.
Sending photos to relatives around the globe is as easy as a touch of button with digital images. All your relatives need is a computer with an online connection, an email address and software for viewing images, and you can share your children’s golden moments with them. No more costly reprints – just a click of the mouse and you can send the image of Jessie’s princess birthday party, or Trey’s prom, to an entire list of relatives around the world within minutes of the photos being taken. Photography can’t get more instant than that!
Selling items for example at an online auction site such as ebay.com is much improved if you have a digital camera to take pictures showing the item you are selling. People are much more likely to buy something if they can see how it looks in a photo first. You can use it to show off your items to their best advantage, or to show that faults are not as noticeable as one might think from their description.
Another way of using your camera to earn a little extra cash would be to purchase an extra memory card, and when on your family holiday, use this card exclusively to take images of famous landmarks, or natural scenes such as sunsets on the ocean, or local wildlife, or even road signs! Pick a theme and stick to it. When you get home, make sure your images are crystal clear and perfect by manipulating them through a software program, and then you can sell these on a cd as either a one-off set of images, or as royalty free images. Create a website, and advertise this in small free ads, and on mailing lists that allow advertising. If you think carefully about it beforehand, you can pick a subject that you know how to advertise well. Many websites and agencies are looking at royalty free images these days and so you might just be able to offset a of your family holiday expenses!
There are many gimmicks and new technologies on the market that have their uses, but for me, the digital camera has to be the best new product on the market for family use. Whether taking pictures for personal use in scrapbooks, commercial pictures to use on websites, or sharing through email, digital images are a cheaper, and more versatile way of recording your family events.
Today, the digital camera is the family’s newest best friend. Although an expensive luxury when first introduced to the market, they are now in an affordable price bracket that puts them within the financial reach of most families who own a computer. Initially you also needed a decent quality printer if you wanted to print out copies of your images to share, nowadays it is good to be able to do that, especially if you want to share the photos, but in many places there is an option of taking your memory card from the camera into a photography store – or print store in some cases – and paying them to produce the prints that you want.
The advantage of paying to have it done this way, as opposed to having a normal roll of film developed, is that you can delete the photos you don’t want copied – the ones with the camera lens obscuring the Grand Canyon, or the ones of headless people who invaded the beach on your holiday to Greece, and just pay for the ones which are left. The screen on the camera, or if it doesn’t have one, transferring the images first to your computer so you can decide which ones to print and transferring them back, offers you the opportunity to select only the ones you know you want to keep.
Digital cameras allow you to involve the whole family in taking the pictures. The ones which have a little screen on the back mean that the picture that’s about to be taken is large enough even for a little one to centre up and get right. Then it’s just point and press (unless you’ve got some fancy camera – in which case you wouldn’t be allowing junior to play with it anyway!), and hey presto, even the kids take great pictures!
Creating a scrapbook is great with a digital camera too because you can collect the images on your computer and then work on them in a graphics package before having them printed. They can be resized to be larger, or smaller than the original to fit with the space you want them to fill. You can alter the tone so that they become black and white, or a soft sepia, with just a couple of mouse moments. Even the most computer illiterate can produce stunning results because of the great (and easy to use) software packages available. Images can be cropped (cut) on the screen so that you only get in the picture what you want, and not that huge expanse of beach, or someone’s fingers down one side. You can rotate the image, and with some software programs you can even crop it into a shape such as a star which means you just have to cut around it once it’s printed and you’ve got the photo in the shape that fits your page.
Sending photos to relatives around the globe is as easy as a touch of button with digital images. All your relatives need is a computer with an online connection, an email address and software for viewing images, and you can share your children’s golden moments with them. No more costly reprints – just a click of the mouse and you can send the image of Jessie’s princess birthday party, or Trey’s prom, to an entire list of relatives around the world within minutes of the photos being taken. Photography can’t get more instant than that!
Selling items for example at an online auction site such as ebay.com is much improved if you have a digital camera to take pictures showing the item you are selling. People are much more likely to buy something if they can see how it looks in a photo first. You can use it to show off your items to their best advantage, or to show that faults are not as noticeable as one might think from their description.
Another way of using your camera to earn a little extra cash would be to purchase an extra memory card, and when on your family holiday, use this card exclusively to take images of famous landmarks, or natural scenes such as sunsets on the ocean, or local wildlife, or even road signs! Pick a theme and stick to it. When you get home, make sure your images are crystal clear and perfect by manipulating them through a software program, and then you can sell these on a cd as either a one-off set of images, or as royalty free images. Create a website, and advertise this in small free ads, and on mailing lists that allow advertising. If you think carefully about it beforehand, you can pick a subject that you know how to advertise well. Many websites and agencies are looking at royalty free images these days and so you might just be able to offset a of your family holiday expenses!
There are many gimmicks and new technologies on the market that have their uses, but for me, the digital camera has to be the best new product on the market for family use. Whether taking pictures for personal use in scrapbooks, commercial pictures to use on websites, or sharing through email, digital images are a cheaper, and more versatile way of recording your family events.
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Model Train Gauges
The term "gauge" with respect to model trains refers to the distance between the two rails, more specifically the distance from the inside of one rail to the inside of the other rail. Here are the measurements of some different model train gauges:
HO gauge - 16.5 mm O gauge - 1-1/4 inches
N gauge - 9.0 mm
S gauge - 7/8 of an inch
Z gauge - 6.5 mm
Below are the scales, the ratio of life size equivalents:
HO scale - 1 / 87
O scale - 1 / 48
N scale - 1 / 160
S scale - 1 / 64
Z scale - 1 / 220
HO gauge - 16.5 mm O gauge - 1-1/4 inches
N gauge - 9.0 mm
S gauge - 7/8 of an inch
Z gauge - 6.5 mm
Below are the scales, the ratio of life size equivalents:
HO scale - 1 / 87
O scale - 1 / 48
N scale - 1 / 160
S scale - 1 / 64
Z scale - 1 / 220
Make A Photo Snapbook With A Theme
The best way to illustrate this, I suspect, is to share my own story.
My daughter went through a stage where she loved the Disney princesses, as she called them. When we finally made it to Disney World in Orlando, we made a point to try to get a picture of our daughter with each and every princess. These were priceless.
Upon returning home, I thought my little princess might like a snapbook of these pics. So, I logged into Shutterfly, visited the store, and quickly put it together. In a few days, I had a nice snapbook, which she kept at her bedside for weeks.
There are an infinite number of themes that one could use to create a snapbook, whether it be a trip, organization, or whatever. And, snapbooks make great gifts.
My daughter went through a stage where she loved the Disney princesses, as she called them. When we finally made it to Disney World in Orlando, we made a point to try to get a picture of our daughter with each and every princess. These were priceless.
Upon returning home, I thought my little princess might like a snapbook of these pics. So, I logged into Shutterfly, visited the store, and quickly put it together. In a few days, I had a nice snapbook, which she kept at her bedside for weeks.
There are an infinite number of themes that one could use to create a snapbook, whether it be a trip, organization, or whatever. And, snapbooks make great gifts.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Cameras
The most striking importance of cameras is felt when one thinks about the history and finds that we don't have the pictures of everything that happened in the history. The people who lived here on earth and who did some stupendous things, actually, never came before the lens and therefore were never clicked. We are deprived of the intimate closeness that we could have had, if and only if, cameras were there. But no, it is relatively new concept and science has added much to its present design, which have led to the discovery of digital cameras. Anyway, we will talk about these cameras later on in this topic.
"The camera is an instrument that teaches the people how to see without a camera" is a very wonderful quote by Dorothea Lange! It really teaches the best lesson, if we are talking about the highest requirement of an ideal human birth, in which you are not wobbling in the current of bad and good, sorrow and joy. You just have to see all the people equally—with one eye—as you do while clicking through the camera! In the History of Punjab, the last Sikh King, the great Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was very famous for this kind of nature. He possessed one of the finest qualities of a king and people of his rule called him the "Touchstone"! However, we leave this historical topic here only, as volumes can be written for this only.
Camera and the art of photography differs from the contemporary similar art of painting, as there is no need of taking the brush, mixing the colors, and setting that on the paper to draw a fine picture. No wonder the art of painting is difficult and require more creativity; however, the creativity that you require to select the subject of your camera, is no less interesting. You need a very fine and evaluating eye to really get this going. It is said that the finest lens that ever was made, is that of our eye. And therefore it is pretty necessary for your eyes to be creative, to capture the art into camera and storing it in reminiscences for generations to come. There are many things in the world that were there, but are extinct now. We are able to know more about them due to the art of photography. So, cameras and photography play a major role in recording the events and sights that might not stay with us forever.
The photography preserves the family photographs, landscapes, event recordings, portraits and almost all the things that you want to store! Have you ever thought why we have not seen the face of our great-grand father's father? –Just because the cameras were not invented at that time and therefore we are unable to see what and how our forefathers looked like. The importance of cameras is immense and there is no restriction of their application in field of life.
The types of cameras are many according to the application they are used for, and some of them are very interesting ones. The most astonishing of them are the cameras, which are used for recording the activities of nocturnal animals; for, at that period of time, there is no light available to see! However, with these cameras, we can record these activities and know better the world of animals, which has helped immensely the research field and the preservation of wild life. A very famous adage says it all: don't shoot the animals, shoot them with the camera! It is a very fascinating hobby and the TV channels like Discovery and National Geographic shows the potential application of this hobby.
There are infrared cameras, photo-chromatic cameras, cameras that can work in very high temperature atmosphere and many more, which are not known to a common man. There was another type of camera and was extensively used in research work: the camera that recorded the color of aura around the people. It is very interesting topic of science and have a very interesting application, as with the distinction of color, scientists are able to draw conclusions upon the nature of persons. These cameras are able to record to the area in which these auras spread their color. It is a wonderful application indeed and most of the people are unaware of this kind of application.
Recently, with the development of computer science and digital technology, cameras have reached a new height in their performance and clarity of pictures they produce. Digital cameras are wonderful assets for any person, and their work is a treat for the eyes to watch. The compact design and relative lower prices add to their popularity. If you love to record family events, love to take pictures while travelling, and have thought to keep a camera in your bag or pocket, as not miss some scene; then, these digital cameras are the panacea for all your desires and can solve the problem. Scientists, doing research in Cognitive sciences and neural networks, have gone so far as to make a retina with the technology! They incorporate similar components like Silicon chips and other things.
Web cameras are also very popular with younger generation, as it facilitates pictures during chatting. This has actually limited the illegal use of online chatting. And these cameras also have wonderful application, if a family member is living away from you: you can watch him through these cameras. The applications of these web cameras are also important for business partners for online conferencing and other information exchange. You name the field and the cameras have an application there, and if you have thought seriously about your passion of photography to make it a career, then this is the point to start doing so. You are going to scale new heights in this art if you have the creative eye and are vigilant enough to record the sights that most of the people ignore, but find them the best when recorded by someone else!
"The camera is an instrument that teaches the people how to see without a camera" is a very wonderful quote by Dorothea Lange! It really teaches the best lesson, if we are talking about the highest requirement of an ideal human birth, in which you are not wobbling in the current of bad and good, sorrow and joy. You just have to see all the people equally—with one eye—as you do while clicking through the camera! In the History of Punjab, the last Sikh King, the great Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was very famous for this kind of nature. He possessed one of the finest qualities of a king and people of his rule called him the "Touchstone"! However, we leave this historical topic here only, as volumes can be written for this only.
Camera and the art of photography differs from the contemporary similar art of painting, as there is no need of taking the brush, mixing the colors, and setting that on the paper to draw a fine picture. No wonder the art of painting is difficult and require more creativity; however, the creativity that you require to select the subject of your camera, is no less interesting. You need a very fine and evaluating eye to really get this going. It is said that the finest lens that ever was made, is that of our eye. And therefore it is pretty necessary for your eyes to be creative, to capture the art into camera and storing it in reminiscences for generations to come. There are many things in the world that were there, but are extinct now. We are able to know more about them due to the art of photography. So, cameras and photography play a major role in recording the events and sights that might not stay with us forever.
The photography preserves the family photographs, landscapes, event recordings, portraits and almost all the things that you want to store! Have you ever thought why we have not seen the face of our great-grand father's father? –Just because the cameras were not invented at that time and therefore we are unable to see what and how our forefathers looked like. The importance of cameras is immense and there is no restriction of their application in field of life.
The types of cameras are many according to the application they are used for, and some of them are very interesting ones. The most astonishing of them are the cameras, which are used for recording the activities of nocturnal animals; for, at that period of time, there is no light available to see! However, with these cameras, we can record these activities and know better the world of animals, which has helped immensely the research field and the preservation of wild life. A very famous adage says it all: don't shoot the animals, shoot them with the camera! It is a very fascinating hobby and the TV channels like Discovery and National Geographic shows the potential application of this hobby.
There are infrared cameras, photo-chromatic cameras, cameras that can work in very high temperature atmosphere and many more, which are not known to a common man. There was another type of camera and was extensively used in research work: the camera that recorded the color of aura around the people. It is very interesting topic of science and have a very interesting application, as with the distinction of color, scientists are able to draw conclusions upon the nature of persons. These cameras are able to record to the area in which these auras spread their color. It is a wonderful application indeed and most of the people are unaware of this kind of application.
Recently, with the development of computer science and digital technology, cameras have reached a new height in their performance and clarity of pictures they produce. Digital cameras are wonderful assets for any person, and their work is a treat for the eyes to watch. The compact design and relative lower prices add to their popularity. If you love to record family events, love to take pictures while travelling, and have thought to keep a camera in your bag or pocket, as not miss some scene; then, these digital cameras are the panacea for all your desires and can solve the problem. Scientists, doing research in Cognitive sciences and neural networks, have gone so far as to make a retina with the technology! They incorporate similar components like Silicon chips and other things.
Web cameras are also very popular with younger generation, as it facilitates pictures during chatting. This has actually limited the illegal use of online chatting. And these cameras also have wonderful application, if a family member is living away from you: you can watch him through these cameras. The applications of these web cameras are also important for business partners for online conferencing and other information exchange. You name the field and the cameras have an application there, and if you have thought seriously about your passion of photography to make it a career, then this is the point to start doing so. You are going to scale new heights in this art if you have the creative eye and are vigilant enough to record the sights that most of the people ignore, but find them the best when recorded by someone else!
Importance of cameras
I am a mechanical engineering graduate and had less to do with cameras, and therefore, was not very desperate to possess one of finer quality. But an incident from my college life changed that perception and let me know the importance of a good camera in one's life, if one wants to enjoy the life and record that enjoyment for future.
I was in third year of my degree course and we were undergoing our six-month industrial training program, and therefore, were not attending the college. However, being the premier students in cultural activities, the faculty of our college called us to attend the cultural festival of another engineering college and represent the team of our college. We made all the arrangements and collected our team, and made our way to the destination.
All the way our teachers were insisting that I should win a prize, and they of course, were going just for me! I felt a great pressure of expectations building over me and thought if I could ever perform upto that level. However, we managed to add that pressure as we told the teammates that we have a camera and we would be clicking them during their respective events. They felt very satisfied that there was someone who would record those events.
One the first day I was to sing a duet song with one of my senior girl. She sang very sweetly and we were pretty sure about the prize, till I got into the act and spoiled the whole scene. My teachers and other students were wondering that what happened with me; for, I was their best hope in singing category! "It seemed as if Vivek went to the stage for the first time", someone of them remarked. I was, of course, very down hearted, as we could have won the prize. That event finished and we moved to other places where other members of the team had to perform. We clicked the photographs, making them to get into some poses and assuring them that the pictures would be very beautiful. They were performing in many events where colors and other colorful materials were involved. We made them to pose behind those colors and wondered at the beauty of the picture that would come out. They were also very excited about those pictures.
We noticed a certain problem in the camera, the next morning, as the indicating light of the camera was not operating. We sensed some problems, but thought that the bulb might have been destroyed, but the camera was working anyway! We kept on doing that and in the night we had the solo-singing competition. Now this was the time when I could make up for the faults I made the last night. We clicked the other girl, who sang a duet with me last night, for her solo song. I was called upon the stage and I went there. Made all the arrangements for the music and started singing. Got a thunderous applause form the crowd, but very interestingly, I guessed that they are hooting and I was not singing very well! Somehow, fearing in my mind all the time, I completed my song and got down from the stage. Literally, everybody hugged me and expressed their remarks that they never heard someone singing like me. I was relieved of the fear and wondered about the truth of those remarks. The other person with me, who was clicking me from various angels and was listening me from very close to the stage, said that I was remarkable and was very appreciated by almost everyone. I thanked him! He assured me that he had clicked a large number of photographs and they would come out to be very attractive. I imagined myself singing in that dark night and thought how I was looking like!
We returned from the festival winning a number of prizes and satisfied the expectation of college's faculty! Now was the turn of my team members who asked about the photographs that I promised them and had the negative in my ever-reliable camera. Gosh! This time, it failed me! Yes, we found it later that the indication light was not working as the battery of the camera was weak, and therefore, all the clicking was spoiled and there was no photograph produced. I was ashamed and grieving at the loss of such a precious time, which I thought was stored but actually not! Had it been a good camera with some arrangements about the battery, I could have got them replaced or had done something else. There was no technical fault in the camera and there was no wrong in our clicking technique, but there was no option available to get the knowledge about the battery either. I had to depend upon my guess, as when it had to be replaced. The idea of changing the battery never occurred to me and we were thinking all the time that the indicator bulb has got some problems. And now, I can not bring those moments back and have to rely on my mind to make all those pictures. It is so sad to get that news after you perform so well, and more souring when others are also expecting their photographs. They never expressed their thoughts but I could make for that, as their eyes said all: they were questioning and questioning all the time!
At that juncture of time, I realized the importance of cameras and what photographs can store for you. The best moments that you passed with your friends, the best performance you ever made, and all the false promises that you made about those photographs! So if you ever thought of buying a camera to store the precious moment of your life, always make a good choice and take one, which is reliable. This may be costly but not more than the loss that it could incur if you lose the pictures like I did!
I was in third year of my degree course and we were undergoing our six-month industrial training program, and therefore, were not attending the college. However, being the premier students in cultural activities, the faculty of our college called us to attend the cultural festival of another engineering college and represent the team of our college. We made all the arrangements and collected our team, and made our way to the destination.
All the way our teachers were insisting that I should win a prize, and they of course, were going just for me! I felt a great pressure of expectations building over me and thought if I could ever perform upto that level. However, we managed to add that pressure as we told the teammates that we have a camera and we would be clicking them during their respective events. They felt very satisfied that there was someone who would record those events.
One the first day I was to sing a duet song with one of my senior girl. She sang very sweetly and we were pretty sure about the prize, till I got into the act and spoiled the whole scene. My teachers and other students were wondering that what happened with me; for, I was their best hope in singing category! "It seemed as if Vivek went to the stage for the first time", someone of them remarked. I was, of course, very down hearted, as we could have won the prize. That event finished and we moved to other places where other members of the team had to perform. We clicked the photographs, making them to get into some poses and assuring them that the pictures would be very beautiful. They were performing in many events where colors and other colorful materials were involved. We made them to pose behind those colors and wondered at the beauty of the picture that would come out. They were also very excited about those pictures.
We noticed a certain problem in the camera, the next morning, as the indicating light of the camera was not operating. We sensed some problems, but thought that the bulb might have been destroyed, but the camera was working anyway! We kept on doing that and in the night we had the solo-singing competition. Now this was the time when I could make up for the faults I made the last night. We clicked the other girl, who sang a duet with me last night, for her solo song. I was called upon the stage and I went there. Made all the arrangements for the music and started singing. Got a thunderous applause form the crowd, but very interestingly, I guessed that they are hooting and I was not singing very well! Somehow, fearing in my mind all the time, I completed my song and got down from the stage. Literally, everybody hugged me and expressed their remarks that they never heard someone singing like me. I was relieved of the fear and wondered about the truth of those remarks. The other person with me, who was clicking me from various angels and was listening me from very close to the stage, said that I was remarkable and was very appreciated by almost everyone. I thanked him! He assured me that he had clicked a large number of photographs and they would come out to be very attractive. I imagined myself singing in that dark night and thought how I was looking like!
We returned from the festival winning a number of prizes and satisfied the expectation of college's faculty! Now was the turn of my team members who asked about the photographs that I promised them and had the negative in my ever-reliable camera. Gosh! This time, it failed me! Yes, we found it later that the indication light was not working as the battery of the camera was weak, and therefore, all the clicking was spoiled and there was no photograph produced. I was ashamed and grieving at the loss of such a precious time, which I thought was stored but actually not! Had it been a good camera with some arrangements about the battery, I could have got them replaced or had done something else. There was no technical fault in the camera and there was no wrong in our clicking technique, but there was no option available to get the knowledge about the battery either. I had to depend upon my guess, as when it had to be replaced. The idea of changing the battery never occurred to me and we were thinking all the time that the indicator bulb has got some problems. And now, I can not bring those moments back and have to rely on my mind to make all those pictures. It is so sad to get that news after you perform so well, and more souring when others are also expecting their photographs. They never expressed their thoughts but I could make for that, as their eyes said all: they were questioning and questioning all the time!
At that juncture of time, I realized the importance of cameras and what photographs can store for you. The best moments that you passed with your friends, the best performance you ever made, and all the false promises that you made about those photographs! So if you ever thought of buying a camera to store the precious moment of your life, always make a good choice and take one, which is reliable. This may be costly but not more than the loss that it could incur if you lose the pictures like I did!
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
A Look At The Very First Digital Camera For Home Users
Today anybody that owns a computer system also owns, or has daily access to a digital camera. Let's face it, in this day and age one can take a small sum of money to a camera shop and walk away with a pretty nice digital camera with a variety of accessories that make regular cameras simply a waste of time.
But lets remember that this has not always been the case. For example, try and think back ten years into the past. A lot of people did not even own a computer, let alone ever hear about a digital camera. You see, even though digital cameras have dropped tremendously in price over the past several years, the fact remains that they are relatively new electronic devices with a very short history attached to them.
The very first digital camera developed specifically towards home users was released in May 1994 from a computer company that released many products over the years that became great successes. That particular company that released the world's first consumer digital camera was Apple computer, and the first digital camera for home users was called the QuickTake 100, named after the file format of the photographs taken with the camera.
Weighing in at around one pound, and priced at over $600, the QuickTake 100 was considered by many tech experts at the time as a wonderful piece of technology. The unit, which looked a lot like a pair of binoculars was quite cumbersome compared to today's digital cameras.
The QuickTake did have an LCD display, but not one for displaying pictures with. Instead, it was a very simple LCD display that displayed how much memory was available for storing photos. Speaking of memory, the QuickTake has the ability to store eight 640 * 480 photographs. Pretty lame compared to today's standards. The fact that the memory was built into the unit and not upgradeable was another downfall of the camera. The camera did have a built in flash that allowed the camera to be used both indoors and outdoors, but the memory limitations of the device did not really allow the system to be a replacement for regular film cameras.
Something funny about the first digital camera was that when it was first released, it was a Macintosh only accessory. This means that unlike every one of today's digital cameras, the camera was not initially compatible with Windows based PCs because of the lack of the necessary serial port. A Windows version of the camera was later made however to deal with demand for the lone product.
While the very first digital camera is just barely over a decade old, it looks incredibly hideous compared to the latest and greatest digital cameras of today. Take another look at your current digital camera, and try to imagine how ugly it will look compared to the digital cameras of the future.
But lets remember that this has not always been the case. For example, try and think back ten years into the past. A lot of people did not even own a computer, let alone ever hear about a digital camera. You see, even though digital cameras have dropped tremendously in price over the past several years, the fact remains that they are relatively new electronic devices with a very short history attached to them.
The very first digital camera developed specifically towards home users was released in May 1994 from a computer company that released many products over the years that became great successes. That particular company that released the world's first consumer digital camera was Apple computer, and the first digital camera for home users was called the QuickTake 100, named after the file format of the photographs taken with the camera.
Weighing in at around one pound, and priced at over $600, the QuickTake 100 was considered by many tech experts at the time as a wonderful piece of technology. The unit, which looked a lot like a pair of binoculars was quite cumbersome compared to today's digital cameras.
The QuickTake did have an LCD display, but not one for displaying pictures with. Instead, it was a very simple LCD display that displayed how much memory was available for storing photos. Speaking of memory, the QuickTake has the ability to store eight 640 * 480 photographs. Pretty lame compared to today's standards. The fact that the memory was built into the unit and not upgradeable was another downfall of the camera. The camera did have a built in flash that allowed the camera to be used both indoors and outdoors, but the memory limitations of the device did not really allow the system to be a replacement for regular film cameras.
Something funny about the first digital camera was that when it was first released, it was a Macintosh only accessory. This means that unlike every one of today's digital cameras, the camera was not initially compatible with Windows based PCs because of the lack of the necessary serial port. A Windows version of the camera was later made however to deal with demand for the lone product.
While the very first digital camera is just barely over a decade old, it looks incredibly hideous compared to the latest and greatest digital cameras of today. Take another look at your current digital camera, and try to imagine how ugly it will look compared to the digital cameras of the future.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
The Google ‘dream’ for photographers
By DK Wilson
Google makes some pretty cool toys. And invests in those which catch their eye.
When they saw Picasa, they saw potential. And planned or not, the potential for photographers and artists alike are mind-blowing.
Google bought out Blogger, Picasa and by default, Hello and then unveiled an incredibly feature rich publishing tool for anyone that likes to showcase their work online. Seamless integration between the three elements, or each as a standalone item, gives the ‘publisher’ complete control over what they display, when they display it and how it looks.
The interfaces are all seamless, user friendly, and bold, without being too simple. Bold parallels in colour scheme over the ‘skin’ of both Picasa and Hello give the impression of structure – and graphic displays of progress keep users abreast of what it’s doing, without leaving too much to the imagination.
Processing is also fast, with a healthy transfer rate matching your internet speed quite handily.
Picassa is a streamlined photo organisation tool – with the ability to now edit lightly without the need of taking your images into your favourite photo editing software, a great way to store and organise your works, and most importantly, search capabilities, Picasa is a great, lightweight piece of freeware for all of your graphic needs.
Paired with Hello, it gives you the ability to select a ‘tray’ of photos and send them to anyone else with the Hello software. It’s also got built in chat capabilities, allowing you to discuss what the other party is viewing.
Picasa for beginners
Most digital photographers have a hard time dealing with the workflow of getting their images onto their computers and off to the final destination from their memory cards. Thankfully, there IS another way.
It does require the download and installation of Picasa (from Google) but it’s well worth it.
Plugging your device into your computer, Picasa should be offered as a download option – simply allow it to grab the images from your device, name them, rotate them, crop them, and delete any you don’t require, in the import preview interface and then let Picasa create the folder of images.
It’s default save path stays with your ‘my pictures’ folder, handy, if like me, you save images wherever the computer happens to be saving to.
Once imported there are several cool features that Picasa offers. From viewing your images in a slideshow, to editing lightly, you can preview, review, and ‘repair’ minor issues with each image before moving to the next, though, most importantly, Picasa preserves the original – it doesn’t save your edits until you export, always leaving you with the first image intact.
Exporting is also easy – either to a brand new folder, a current one, or to Hello, to send onto friends or Blogger.
It also features the opportunity for users to upload images and order prints, subject to local availability.
High quality gift CD’s, backup, printing…this is a complete productivity suite rolled into one and makes owning a digital camera as effortless as keeping your prints in a box by your PC.
Combining all three
Picasa and Hello together have the ability to post images from your computer, direct to your Blogger powered weblog.
Simply select the images you want to publish, send them to the Blogger bot, add optional captions, and just like sending a message, hit return.
Blogger does the rest, uploading, storing and optimising the images to your setting sizes.
So the next time you despair creating a gallery, consider Picasa, Hello, and Blogger.
Make a photo collage and share it online!
Picasa allows users, among its numerous features, to create images made up of several others. Photo collages, grids, contact sheets and ‘multi exposure’ options make for fun multi image creations – and allow for extra expressionism when using Blogger, Hello, and Picasa in conjunction with one another.
Try it – create the collage, send it to Blogger via the button on the bottom interface.
It really is that simple, and cutting the html out of publishing an online gallery, it puts a sense of fun back into sharing portfolios.
And given Blogger CAN be configured to FTP to your own site, it’s a perfect option for anyone with a little web savvy, a little time, and a sense of adventure.
Google makes some pretty cool toys. And invests in those which catch their eye.
When they saw Picasa, they saw potential. And planned or not, the potential for photographers and artists alike are mind-blowing.
Google bought out Blogger, Picasa and by default, Hello and then unveiled an incredibly feature rich publishing tool for anyone that likes to showcase their work online. Seamless integration between the three elements, or each as a standalone item, gives the ‘publisher’ complete control over what they display, when they display it and how it looks.
The interfaces are all seamless, user friendly, and bold, without being too simple. Bold parallels in colour scheme over the ‘skin’ of both Picasa and Hello give the impression of structure – and graphic displays of progress keep users abreast of what it’s doing, without leaving too much to the imagination.
Processing is also fast, with a healthy transfer rate matching your internet speed quite handily.
Picassa is a streamlined photo organisation tool – with the ability to now edit lightly without the need of taking your images into your favourite photo editing software, a great way to store and organise your works, and most importantly, search capabilities, Picasa is a great, lightweight piece of freeware for all of your graphic needs.
Paired with Hello, it gives you the ability to select a ‘tray’ of photos and send them to anyone else with the Hello software. It’s also got built in chat capabilities, allowing you to discuss what the other party is viewing.
Picasa for beginners
Most digital photographers have a hard time dealing with the workflow of getting their images onto their computers and off to the final destination from their memory cards. Thankfully, there IS another way.
It does require the download and installation of Picasa (from Google) but it’s well worth it.
Plugging your device into your computer, Picasa should be offered as a download option – simply allow it to grab the images from your device, name them, rotate them, crop them, and delete any you don’t require, in the import preview interface and then let Picasa create the folder of images.
It’s default save path stays with your ‘my pictures’ folder, handy, if like me, you save images wherever the computer happens to be saving to.
Once imported there are several cool features that Picasa offers. From viewing your images in a slideshow, to editing lightly, you can preview, review, and ‘repair’ minor issues with each image before moving to the next, though, most importantly, Picasa preserves the original – it doesn’t save your edits until you export, always leaving you with the first image intact.
Exporting is also easy – either to a brand new folder, a current one, or to Hello, to send onto friends or Blogger.
It also features the opportunity for users to upload images and order prints, subject to local availability.
High quality gift CD’s, backup, printing…this is a complete productivity suite rolled into one and makes owning a digital camera as effortless as keeping your prints in a box by your PC.
Combining all three
Picasa and Hello together have the ability to post images from your computer, direct to your Blogger powered weblog.
Simply select the images you want to publish, send them to the Blogger bot, add optional captions, and just like sending a message, hit return.
Blogger does the rest, uploading, storing and optimising the images to your setting sizes.
So the next time you despair creating a gallery, consider Picasa, Hello, and Blogger.
Make a photo collage and share it online!
Picasa allows users, among its numerous features, to create images made up of several others. Photo collages, grids, contact sheets and ‘multi exposure’ options make for fun multi image creations – and allow for extra expressionism when using Blogger, Hello, and Picasa in conjunction with one another.
Try it – create the collage, send it to Blogger via the button on the bottom interface.
It really is that simple, and cutting the html out of publishing an online gallery, it puts a sense of fun back into sharing portfolios.
And given Blogger CAN be configured to FTP to your own site, it’s a perfect option for anyone with a little web savvy, a little time, and a sense of adventure.
Fun With Toy Cameras
I am a film school graduate. I specialized in cinematography so I know how to compose a photograph. I know many cameras inside and out. I develop and print photos in my own darkroom. Heck, I’ve even built my own camera. So why then, would a cheap, plastic $20 camera appeal to me? In a word: Fun.
I missed the days when I would just pull out the camera and push a button. The days spent as a kid when I would effortlessly shoot anything and anyone. Sometimes I wouldn’t even look at what I was shooting. It was fun. Then there was the great surprise of picking up the prints at the drugstore and seeing exactly what I had done.
Lately, I had been getting caught up having the latest and greatest equipment. I’d lug around ten pounds worth of camera equipment to take a snapshot of my dog. It would take ten minutes or more to get everything just right. Frankly, it was getting to be a bit much. I had forgotten why I was interested in photography in the first place: the beauty of good photographs, the simplicity of the cameras and the joy of taking pictures.
At its most basic, a camera is a black box with a hole in it. The very first cameras (or camera-obscura) have been around for hundreds of years. The lenses help to make the pictures sharper, among other things, but they are not critical to a cameras most basic function - to produce an image. The film is really just a recording device like videotape or a compact disc. I had to remind myself.
I told myself that I would try to find the most basic camera I could, so that I could get back to taking the fun sort of pictures that got me interested in taking pictures in the first place. At the same time I wanted to try something different. I found a camera for $20. It isn’t like other point and shoot cameras but it does have the “basic” requirement in spades. The price was right, but what about the camera?
I picked up something called an Action Sampler. It’s very similar in size and shape and feel to a disposable camera, the kind you’d find in a tourist trap. It does have its faults, but for $20, what should you expect? The biggest problem I have with this camera is something that others might consider it part of its charm. The body is made of clear plastic, meaning that there are light leaks. Ironically, the camera has to be used outdoors in bright sunlight for any decent results – so there are light leaks galore. You get what you pay for.
By far the best and most interesting feature of the Action Sampler is that it has four lenses. The shutter rotates around the four lenses taking four separate pictures a fraction of a second apart. When the prints are developed, there are four separate pictures on every print. No special processing is required. The four shots are caught in a sequence, so it’s great for catching action, hence the name.
The “viewfinder” on it, if you can call it that, is a red plastic square mounted to the top of the camera. I never even used the thing. I just pointed the camera at something that was moving and clicked away. You can spin and shoot. Click the button and run, click and throw, anything. A roll of professional film and developing can cost as much as the camera did, so why not experiment? Just have fun.
The Action Sampler is a fun, lightweight little point and shoot camera that’s easy enough for kids to use. The fun thing about it is that each shot is a surprise. Some will have light leaks. Some will miss the action entirely. Some might not turn out at all. You just never know what you are going to get. For me it was a breath of fresh air. It’s something I can fit in my pocket and take anywhere. I can shoot anything, anywhere, at any time. Just like when I was a kid. Imagine that, freedom for the bargain-basement price of twenty dollars.
I missed the days when I would just pull out the camera and push a button. The days spent as a kid when I would effortlessly shoot anything and anyone. Sometimes I wouldn’t even look at what I was shooting. It was fun. Then there was the great surprise of picking up the prints at the drugstore and seeing exactly what I had done.
Lately, I had been getting caught up having the latest and greatest equipment. I’d lug around ten pounds worth of camera equipment to take a snapshot of my dog. It would take ten minutes or more to get everything just right. Frankly, it was getting to be a bit much. I had forgotten why I was interested in photography in the first place: the beauty of good photographs, the simplicity of the cameras and the joy of taking pictures.
At its most basic, a camera is a black box with a hole in it. The very first cameras (or camera-obscura) have been around for hundreds of years. The lenses help to make the pictures sharper, among other things, but they are not critical to a cameras most basic function - to produce an image. The film is really just a recording device like videotape or a compact disc. I had to remind myself.
I told myself that I would try to find the most basic camera I could, so that I could get back to taking the fun sort of pictures that got me interested in taking pictures in the first place. At the same time I wanted to try something different. I found a camera for $20. It isn’t like other point and shoot cameras but it does have the “basic” requirement in spades. The price was right, but what about the camera?
I picked up something called an Action Sampler. It’s very similar in size and shape and feel to a disposable camera, the kind you’d find in a tourist trap. It does have its faults, but for $20, what should you expect? The biggest problem I have with this camera is something that others might consider it part of its charm. The body is made of clear plastic, meaning that there are light leaks. Ironically, the camera has to be used outdoors in bright sunlight for any decent results – so there are light leaks galore. You get what you pay for.
By far the best and most interesting feature of the Action Sampler is that it has four lenses. The shutter rotates around the four lenses taking four separate pictures a fraction of a second apart. When the prints are developed, there are four separate pictures on every print. No special processing is required. The four shots are caught in a sequence, so it’s great for catching action, hence the name.
The “viewfinder” on it, if you can call it that, is a red plastic square mounted to the top of the camera. I never even used the thing. I just pointed the camera at something that was moving and clicked away. You can spin and shoot. Click the button and run, click and throw, anything. A roll of professional film and developing can cost as much as the camera did, so why not experiment? Just have fun.
The Action Sampler is a fun, lightweight little point and shoot camera that’s easy enough for kids to use. The fun thing about it is that each shot is a surprise. Some will have light leaks. Some will miss the action entirely. Some might not turn out at all. You just never know what you are going to get. For me it was a breath of fresh air. It’s something I can fit in my pocket and take anywhere. I can shoot anything, anywhere, at any time. Just like when I was a kid. Imagine that, freedom for the bargain-basement price of twenty dollars.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Make Your Own Family Calendar
For the last few years I have been going online to Shutterfly to make a family calendar. Each calendar has what I consider to the the best pictures from the prior year.
Within our family, these calendars have become highly sought after. At christmas, they are a huge hit with the grandparents. Even better, I (dad) get huge points with mom. Heaven knows, I have to get these points when I can, cause I'm sure to need them later.
Anyway...
Making these calendars is a snap. Shutterfly makes it easy to upload photos to albums. For me, given that I regularly submit photos to shutterfly to print out and send to me on photo quality paper (sure as heck beats doing it yourself), this is that much easier, as it simply involved browsing among and selecting from the albums I have already submitted.
Regardless, it is still easy, as you can quickly and simply upload any photos to any album folder you create at Shutterfly, and then work from there.
Take my word for it. You'll be a huge hit.
Within our family, these calendars have become highly sought after. At christmas, they are a huge hit with the grandparents. Even better, I (dad) get huge points with mom. Heaven knows, I have to get these points when I can, cause I'm sure to need them later.
Anyway...
Making these calendars is a snap. Shutterfly makes it easy to upload photos to albums. For me, given that I regularly submit photos to shutterfly to print out and send to me on photo quality paper (sure as heck beats doing it yourself), this is that much easier, as it simply involved browsing among and selecting from the albums I have already submitted.
Regardless, it is still easy, as you can quickly and simply upload any photos to any album folder you create at Shutterfly, and then work from there.
Take my word for it. You'll be a huge hit.
Train Humor
An accident happens at a railroad crossing in which a train smashes into a car and pushed it several hundred yards down the track. Though no one is killed, the driver takes the train company to court.
At the trial, the engineer insists that he had given the driver ample warning by waving his lantern back and forth for almost a minute. He even stood and convincingly demonstrated how he'd done it. The court believed him, and the suit was dismissed.
"Congratulations," the lawyer said to the engineer afterward. "You held up extremely well under cross-examination."
"Thanks," he said, "but they sure had me worried."
"How's that?" the lawyer asked.
"I was afraid they were going to ask if the gosh darn lantern was lit!"
At the trial, the engineer insists that he had given the driver ample warning by waving his lantern back and forth for almost a minute. He even stood and convincingly demonstrated how he'd done it. The court believed him, and the suit was dismissed.
"Congratulations," the lawyer said to the engineer afterward. "You held up extremely well under cross-examination."
"Thanks," he said, "but they sure had me worried."
"How's that?" the lawyer asked.
"I was afraid they were going to ask if the gosh darn lantern was lit!"
Sister, There's Magic In Them There Model Trains
I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is something magical about model railroading. It simply is one of the more charming hobbies that exists.
There is nothing quite so endearing as an older (I'll let the reader define that one) gentleman showing off his prize minature railroad. This is generally not something that was simply bought and constructed but something that has been nurtured and developed over decades.
Perhaps it is the fascination with the raw power of the machinery, at full size, of course. Or, perhaps instead it is an attempt to reach back to the not so distant past when trains were high tech (believe it!) in an attempt to recapture the perceived quality of life and/or innocence.
Who knows? But then, who cares? It is just cool.
There is nothing quite so endearing as an older (I'll let the reader define that one) gentleman showing off his prize minature railroad. This is generally not something that was simply bought and constructed but something that has been nurtured and developed over decades.
Perhaps it is the fascination with the raw power of the machinery, at full size, of course. Or, perhaps instead it is an attempt to reach back to the not so distant past when trains were high tech (believe it!) in an attempt to recapture the perceived quality of life and/or innocence.
Who knows? But then, who cares? It is just cool.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Post An Article At This Site
Have something you would like to share that is related to cameras or photography in general? Post it as a comment to this message. We'll review it within a couple of days and, as long as it is reasonably relevant and appropriate, we'll copy it to the front page of this site as a new article.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)