Perspective

If you're curious as to how your photographs stack up to the rest of the people out there, go check out the Strobist Flickr group. I've learned a lot from this group, and it's just flat out amazing how many pictures get posted per hour on this group.

Lots to learn.

Empty Seats

These chairs are two of several that sit on the front porch of the Buckstaff Bath House in Hot Springs. This was taken the morning of July 4, 2008. Camera on tripod. SB-600 Speedlight is sitting on the window ledge, out of frame camera right, bounced into the awning and triggered by on-camera flash in commander mode (i.e. Nikon's CLS).

Nikon D80
Sigma 10-20 at 14 mm
Manual exposure (f11 at 1/3 sec)
ISO 100

Tradition

I love barbecue. I also enjoy Hot Springs, home of McClard's. We go there several times each summer, hang out at the lake house, cruise Lake Hamilton, eat at Belle Arti and Italian Villa. I'm embarrassed to say I've never eaten at McClard's, despite the constant urging of Teresa Rich (Judge Duncan's case coordinator).

I've gotten in the habit of driving around Hot Springs early in the morning. It's gotten to be pretty crowded at other times. I go downtown and look for photographs. Last week, I thought it would be cool to shoot the McClard's building for Teresa. So, at 6:45-ish on the morning of July 4th, I set up my tripod and wide-angle lens outside of McClard's to take the shot. Now, etiquette (if not the law and ethics) probably requires permission of the owner, but, the only person in sight was some guy blowing off the parking lot. He didn't look like English was his primary language. I waved, he smiled and nodded. I started dialing in the exposure when this obviously English-speaking guy comes out with an apron on and cautiously approaches me. I walked over and introduced myself to Mr. McClard (as it turns out). He very kindly invited me inside to view the pit. I met his wife, who was finishing up something to eat, and remarked that they had been there since 2:30 a.m. I got a tour of the pit and the kitchen, where many gallons of barbecue sauce were being prepared. Not much to it, but then again, you shouldn't over-complicate cooking barbecue (my opinion). Mr. McClard told me that the 4th was their busiest day, so after a little further chit-chat, I decided to get out of their hair, even though I really wanted to stay and shoot. A free bottle of sauce and a can of spices and I was out the door.

How does this relate to photography? First, there's the old saying about using the right tool for the job. Outside, I used my Sigma 10-20 extreme wide-angle lens. This was planned. When I was asked inside, I decided to leave the bag in the truck and take my 18-135. Good focal length, but slowwww inside (3.5-5.6). My fastest lens is my 50mm 1.8 and I should have taken it. Off-camera flash? Would have been good, but I didn't have the presence of mind to quickly set up the CLS. The lesson? Opportunity will knock, and when it does, get your head on, and make the most of what you have, both equipment and knowledge. Where was it I read, "Don't assume you'll get a second chance to take the shot."

Oh yeah. Why is this post entitled "Tradition"? On the 4th of July, we always had barbecue from Jones Bros. of Marianna (something of a family staple) and my dad's homemade ice cream. So, barbecue on the 4th is tradition, even if I can't quite make myself carry it on without him. Sorry, dad--best I can make myself manage.