Wow, what is going on here.....

Do you every feel like your car drives itself?  There are times when I get somewhere and do not remember making any conscious decisions about turning left or turning right, go fast, go slow...it just happens,  I arrive...  this is especially true on routine trips like going to and from work.    The other night as my car was driving home, me and my car were surprised when we turned a corner and wow, what is going on here, this is not part of our routine.

 

The entire street was full of emergency vehicles, blue lights, red lights, a healthy dose of City of Bangor Fire Fighters.  This whole scene is quite alarming especially when it is pretty darn close to where you live.

However, a quick assessment revealed the mood of the Fire Fighters was relaxed,

actually, there were very relaxed.

Using my amazing powers of situational assessment, I came to the quick conclusion and relief that there was no danger here and this would not become the next "great fire of 1911".

It appears this was a chimney fire which was quickly extinguished.

However, this is not always the case, and many of these fires are quite serious.  Especially this time of year.  This week alone, I am aware of 4 fires in the city of Bangor.  

In 2009, the City of Bangor Fire Fighters responded to over 186 fires, which averages to more than 1 response every other day...

While this fire was dealt with quite efficiently, these firefighters get into some pretty gnarly situations and I feel fortunate we have brave men and women who do their jobs so professionally.

   

For more information on the City of Bangor Fire Department. 

Have you checked your shutter speed lately, afraid to look?

Recently I took a few pictures of Noah, down by the ocean with with the fading sun in the background.  While reviewing these pictures after download,  I was reminded of the importance of shutter speed when manipulating the ambient or available light.  Many times you can create some amazingly moody or dynamic skies and backgrounds simply by adjusting your shutter speed.

It is very important to note that I was using an off camera flash to illuminate Noah's face.  Not using a flash would have resulted in the below picture.   While this is actually a pretty cool look, there are times when you may want to see your subjects face, maybe not, especially if your taking a picture of me...

Aperture F9, Shutter Speed 1/60, No flash

Anyways, lets turn your flash on and adjust the ambient light using shutter speed.   While the sun was fading fast (btw so was Noah), the next 3 photos were all taken within a few seconds of each other, the only change was the shutter speed.  In the first photo, the shutter speed was set at 1/60 of a second.  

Slowest shutter speed of the 3 photos, more available light hits sensor

Aperture F8, Shutter Speed 1/60,  camera flash 1/2 power

Medium shutter speed of the 3 photos, less available light hits sensor

Aperture F8, Shutter Speed 1/100,  camera flash 1/2 power

Fastest shutter speed of the 3 photos, least amount of available light hits sensor

Aperture F8, Shutter Speed 1/160,  camera flash 1/2 power

Pretty amazing difference considering that these are slight changes to shutter speed.  Many DSLR cameras have shutter speeds ranging from, 30 seconds to 1/8000 of a second.

Okay, so if you are really observant you may be asking why didn't the exposure on Noah's face change, when the shutter speed changed?  If we increase the shutter speed, which means less light, shouldn't his face get underexposed along with the background? Well, this is one of the neat things about light and this theorem could be a serious contender as the eighth wonder of the world.  Flash light is controlled by changing aperture F stops, and your shutter speed has very little influence.  Light is light, right?, well yes but not in photography.  

  I will make it a point to talk about aperture and its influence in one of my future blogs.  Thanks for visiting.  dmg

Baby Face Guerin

Noah and I have always had an interest in the 1930's Gangster era.  Since Noah was a very little boy he always wanted to know more about the Brady Gang and how the whole scene played out.  Recently we watched the movie Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp and that just enough of push to get our creative juices flowing.  Into the studio we went, lights, camera, action.   Great fun!!   Think of when Noah starts dating, oh yes, these photos will come out.  Plus as an extra unplanned bonus, child in suit, with tie, win, win all around.    Editors note:  pretend gun, not real, safe, very safe. 

A Chance Meeting With Musician and Artist Nate Turlo

So I grabbed my camera and headed downtown today, this being veterans day my goal was to capture the United States Flag with just the right sunset light creating this golden glow of reverence....my own personal and visual way to thank those veterans who have given so much.    Well, I am once again reminded that when carrying a camera it is best not to have a plan....let things happen naturally;  they will, and they did...  Heading up Main Street,  I had the pleasure of meeting Nate Turlo who was on his way to the Red Brick Church on Union Street.  You see, on Thursdays, the Church has "open mic" night which attracts up and coming artists with a variety of talent.  I really enjoyed spending time with Nate and look forward to hearing him sing at one of their future events.

http://www.myspace.com/thebrickchurch

Homeless, I think there could be hope.....

The homeless have been on my mind lately.  Maybe because it is getting cooler, maybe because I continue to feel so fortunate for all that I have,  at times I feel guilty.   The number of homeless in the Bangor area seems to be increasing,  that worries me.  I often wonder about the decisions and what it takes to become homeless, do you decide or does it decide you.  I want to learn more....  I do know a few things about the homeless, they have feelings, the warm sun feels good on their face,  they like the smell of pie, and they have hope for the future, at least one does....  I know this because you don't take the time to cover a rusty bike in a rusty cart with a piece of plastic if you don't believe in tomorrow.   Today,  I found this bike (stored for winter) along a popular homeless trail here in Bangor.  

I really want to know your thoughts, please join in the discussion.