View from the Little Red Tent » Uncategorized

Annular Eclipse, 2012

Edie — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:56:34 +0000

Because I had to work, I could not go to any really cool spots like Mono Lake, Reno, or Tuolumne Meadows for the Eclipse. And because I didn’t have a variable neutral density filter, I couldn’t take any shots of the eclipse itself! But since I work at Glacier Point in Yosemite, I did have a chance to photograph a large number of people viewing the annular eclipse, and the variety of ways they were projecting it. This gentleman had made a tube projector, but opted to use an optical device to project the last stages of the eclipse on the side of the box.

Pinhole viewing was popular, with varying degrees of success. Often people would cooperate, one person holding the card with the pinhole, and another person holding the display card. Focusing the image is tough!

Some folks would make a lattice of their fingers, and the resulting shadows looked like shadow plays. “Do deformed rabbit, it’s my favorite!” as my favorite author said in one book. Note the distinct crescent shaped light in the shadow hands on the left.

This raven was probably drawn by the large number of human beings, because humans=chance of food. But I got the impression it was a bit put off by the crepuscular light. It’s not uncommon for birds to display roosting behavior during an eclipse.

Send Zeke an Email!

Edie — Fri, 18 May 2012 06:34:32 +0000

Zeke works for Spectral Instruments, and he’d like to make a camera with a 112 megapixel black and white sensor. He needs to convince his company that there is a demand for such a beast, and so he’s asking for feedback from the internet. Send Zeke an email telling him you’d like to see this camera in production, and if you’re so inclined, put my name forward for the tester. Thanks!

His email is: Zeke@specinst.com

Waterview

Edie — Mon, 14 May 2012 22:00:46 +0000

Glacial erratic boulders dot the waters of Tenaya Lake8 x 12 Fuji Crystal Archive print, $40 (unsigned)To order, use the donate button and specify you’d like “Waterview”

Fire’s Aftermath

Edie — Fri, 11 May 2012 22:00:43 +0000

Big Meadow Fire, September 1, 2009View of Foresta from Turtleback Dome8 x 12 Fuji Crystal Archive Print, $40 (unsigned)To order, please use the donate button and specify “Fire’s Aftermath”

Due to this year’s low snow pack, fires will be a big problem. Please be careful, mind your campfires carefully.

Backlit Dogwood

Edie — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:00:37 +0000

Backlit Dogwood Blossom, Yosemite Valley8 x 12 Fuji Crystal Archive print, $40 (unsigned)To order, use the donate button and specify you’d like Backlit Dogwood

So glad I don’t do portraits.

Edie — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:55:15 +0000

This is why I’m not a portrait photographer.

Beautiful Tutorial: Water Droplets

Edie — Thu, 10 May 2012 04:49:02 +0000

Over at Pictureline.com, photographer Markus Reugals provides some information on how to photograph water droplets. Lovely!

Tioga Road Report

Edie — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:50:55 +0000

I took a trip across Tioga Pass yesterday, and can report the following observations.

The road itself is completely clear of snow, with only small amounts of run-off from nearby snow banks. It’s also in good conditions, with some repairs evident, and only a couple of odd dips, marked by signs.

The falls at South Fork of the Tuolumne River is significantly reduced in size, and I noted that termites were swarming on the beams of the bridge.

Siesta Lake still has some snow and ice on the south end of the lake.

The Impossible Tree still stands in the middle of Quaking Aspen Falls!

Tenaya Lake is below normal levels, in spite of the images above. Normally, the table would be covered at this time of year!

I noted that work was being done on the Tuolumne Meadows store, and was told later that they were replacing the generator. Lastly, the Whoa Nellie Deli at the Mobil station in Lee Vining still serves a mean plate of Baby Back Ribs, and Mammoth Double Nut Brown porter makes a fine chaser. Not a paid advertisement, just a happy customer.

(All images taken with the iPhone 4S, using Camera+, and processed using Lightroom 4 and Silver Efex Pro 2. )

Fern Spring

Edie — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:00:47 +0000

Fern Spring water comb, Yosemite Valley8 x 12 Fuji Crystal Archive print, $40 (unsigned)To order, use the donate button and specify you’d like Fern Spring Water Comb image.

Dogwood Blossoms

Edie — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:00:53 +0000

Dogwood Blossoms, Yosemite National Park8 x 12 Fuji Crystal Archive print, $40 (unsigned)To order, use the donate button and specify you’d like image 2012_05_03-19.04.59.