Laughing Frog Images

45 Seconds at EWR Station

Posted on August 2, 2015August 1, 2015 by Kurt

One of the nice things about waiting to see a train at the NJT / Amtrak Newark International Airport Station is that you’re generally going to see trains, especially if you’re waiting during rush hour.

Occasionally, you’ll see multiple trains at once – I’ve been able to capture three trains at once in a still image. Not a great still image mind you, or else I’d be posting and talking about that, but I’ve done it. There are times where it’s a busy 45 seconds at Newark. And there are times it all comes together.

So there I was with my trusty Icon, and a southbound Amtrak Acela was coming through. So, I set up for it and started the video before the train entered the viewfinder. There’s a neat thing that happens in advance of a fast moving train on continuous welded rail – the rails start to “sing” before the train gets there. As I set up at a bit of an angle to the tracks, if you turn the volume up – you can hear this before you see the train. It’s pretty neat. I’m sure that there’s a technical explanation and term for this phenomenon, but I’m going to go with singing…

And the Acela slides on through the station. Then, I hear another train behind me – I have no idea what it is or what track it’s on, and I can’t turn around without really screwing up this hand-held video. So, I try to stay still and just keep the video rolling. I let it roll until the northbound Amtrak is out of view. Until 45 seconds at Newark are memorialized.

An Amtrak local comes into view, cab car first. Ok, that works! And then, in the golden light of late afternoon, I hear the “psst”s (yeah, I know that’s not a word, but I don’t know how else to try to phonetically describe the sound) of the locomotive – and I still can’t turn around to see it. And then, an AEM-7 in push mode glides by me.

And I’m happy, because I finally got a great video clip of an AEM-7 in sweet light! You see, the AEM-7’s are being replaced after 30+ years, and I don’t get an opportunity to see them very often, let alone get a video in sweet light. For all I know, this is the last time I’ll get an AEM-7 on video. So, it was a good day.

One day, I might even find that miracle tripod that you can take with you on a whirlwind transcontinental business trip.

In the meantime, enjoy, hand-held and all!

Gone in 8 Seconds…

Posted on July 29, 2015July 26, 2015 by Kurt

While waiting for my train at the Newark (NJ) International Airport Station on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, I pulled out my trusty Nokia Icon and made some images and videos.

As this was a business trip, I wasn’t traveling with a tripod. So, the pictures are fine, and the videos… well, a couple of them turned out well enough to share on the Laughing Frog Images YouTube Channel simply because they’re a little different.

Here’s the first one – Gone in 8 Seconds.

Why “Gone in 8 Seconds”?

Well, I had something different in mind when I shot this New Jersey Transit (NJT) train that’s carrying people home (or somewhere else) from Manhattan.

There are a lot of train videos out there that hold one camera position and allow you to see the entire train as it comes by. They’re usually a 3/4 angle view parallel to the tracks. And, there’s nothing wrong with that.

I looked to my left, and noticed the same guy was still sitting in the same seat waiting for his train. He’d look up when a train came by, but he wouldn’t turn his head, and his view was almost perpendicular to the tracks. So, the creative part of me said “hey – maybe there’s a different view that would make a different sort of video…”

When I saw the train coming, I framed up my shot and hit record when I could hear the train (not as simple as you think – they’re electric, and pretty quiet). My goal was to replicate his view – look at the train from a hard angle and watch it blow by the camera. Which it did. In about 8 seconds.

So, in case you ever wondered what it would be like to be sitting on a bench at the Newark International Airport train station and watch a train blow by you in about eight seconds, you now know what that’s like.

You’re welcome!

Enjoy, and thanks for looking!

Everyone likes a cracker

Posted on July 27, 2015July 26, 2015 by Kurt

At least this little guy (or gal) did!

Mrs. Frog and I were at a great museum that exceeded expectations – the Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo, NC. There’s a recreation of a 16th century sailing ship, exhibits of the Native American inhabitants of the area, and interactive exhibits of the early settlements, among other things. You know how sometimes you go to a museum with reservations (about going – not a scheduled time)? I went in with a little bit of that attitude, and left with a different view. This was well worth it, at least to us.

Anyway, besides all of the history stuff, there are friendly little critters running around the grounds. Like squirrels.

This guy/gal wasn’t the least bit bothered by the big two-legged things that invaded its’ home. Indeed, it was quite content to have what appeared to be a mini-Ritz cracker or two. As you can see, I was right there with my Icon as the cracker was carefully rotated and consumed. As I’m sitting here typing this, I’m thinking to myself that this would have made an entertaining short video. Maybe next time.

A couple of different images from this impromptu wildlife shoot will end up in the “peaceful (for the most part) critters” gallery on Laughing Frog Images.

Wander on in and check it out. And maybe create a coffee mug or something else for yourself while you’re in there.

Happy browsing. Enjoy!

It’s the filter, stupid!

Posted on July 21, 2015July 19, 2015 by Kurt

So, when I packed the camera bag for vacation, I grabbed an old polarizing filter. By old, I mean “linear”. But it’s also 30+ years old. (Does that make it old old?

(Hint: if you’re buying a filter, buy the best filter you can afford. They don’t go bad. Indeed, they usually meet their maker by being dropped. Or being sat on and bent. Not that I know anything about that – I’ve just heard… Seriously though, if a filter’s price seems too good to be true, it probably is.)

Anyway, what’s the big deal about a linear polarizing filter? Well, linear filters were just fine back in the days when autofocus cameras were a fantasy and Kodachrome ruled. You rotated the filter to get your desired effect, pressed the shutter release, and went on about your business.

These days, with autofocus cameras, one needs to think and buy a circular polarizing filters Why? Your contemporary autofocus – autoexposure camera’s meter likes circular polarizers. It’s all about physics, and I’m not a physicist, so I’m not even going to try to explain it here. However, Bob Atkins does a pretty good job of explaining things, so if my word isn’t good enough, you can click here and read his article about linear and circular polarizing filters.

So why am I talking about this and why are you reading this? Well, there’s one other problem that you can have besides the meter producing bad exposures, and I encountered it.

If this image looks fuzzy, it’s not you.

On the other hand, if this image looks in focus, it’s you! Please visit your eye care professional immediately.

So… what’s going on here?

A linear polarizer can confuse a multi-point autofocus system, and this is proof positive of that.

I was shooting using the linear polarizing filter to remove glare on the water without a problem, perhaps because the sun was behind me. However, I found my camera not focusing on two subjects the next day in situations where the sun was at a 60-90 degree angle to me. Being totally relaxed on vacation, I didn’t think about the filter being the problem. Instead, I was annoyed / mad / worried thinking my lens had decided to break. I tuned the camera off, removed the lens, put the lens back on, turned the camera on, and same problem….! After repeating that twice (which usually resets everything), I’d given up on the lens for the rest of the trip.

The Frog was not laughing.

And then, later in the day, I looked at the lens. And saw the filter. And realized that I’d had that filter since the early 1980’s…

I took the filter off. I turned the camera on. It focused.

And, I said to myself, “it’s the filter, stupid…!”

If you’re interested in learning more about what a polarizing filter can do for you, click here and here to visit two prior posts on the subject.

Don’t forget to visit your local camera store when you go to get your polarizing filter!

The Laughing Frog’s still here!

Posted on July 19, 2015 by Kurt

Yes, we know it’s been a little quiet on the pages lately.

The day job has been quite busy, tailing into the “off” hours on many occasions. It can do that, as it pays the bills.

And, the Frog and family took a vacation. Which, in a way, turned into work, because there are a lot of pictures to be sorted, processed and posted. Funny how that turned out…

Laughing Frog Images hopes that you and yours are enjoying the summer, and that Mother Nature is being kind to y’all in the process.

Lightsphere: You should have one!

Posted on June 29, 2015July 19, 2015 by Kurt

You’ve heard me mention the Lightsphere several times as a fantastic tool for diffusing the light from your external flash, and I’ve said once or twice (or more) that I’d tell you more about it.

Well, it’s time.

I don’t remember where I first read about the Lightsphere.

I just know that like many, I’ve had problems with my external flash being too bright, or too direct. I don’t have those problems any more – at least as long as I don’t forget my Lightsphere.

The Lightsphere is a creation of a gentleman by the name of Gary Fong. Gary’s website includes tutorials on lighting and cameras, as well as his broad line of lighting products and accessories.

By the way – I don’t know Gary Fong, I’ve never met Gary Fong, and I’m not getting anything for plugging this product. I have a Lightsphere. I use my Lightsphere. I like my Lightsphere so much that I think it’s worthy of sharing with you to help you improve your own photographs.

I have the Lightsphere Universal, Cloud. This produces warmer images than a regular flash, and diffuses and softens the light. I thought about some other descriptive adjectives and words to throw at you to fill space, but I think you get the point.

Except when I forget it, I never use my flash without it.

If you have an external flash, and have problems with hot spots and uneven lighting – the Frog recommends you check out the Lightsphere and decide whether or not having some strange looking hunk of flexible plastic/acrylic in your camera bag that you have to explain to people is in your future…

NJT Gallery added

Posted on June 27, 2015August 1, 2015 by Kurt

Next in the new galleries showing images of railroading in the Northeast Corridor is a small (for now) gallery of New Jersey Transit (NJT) trains and EMUs.

What’s an EMU?

Well, it’s not an animal, at least in this case. EMU stands for Electric Multiple Unit, and the reality is that an EMU is a self-propelled passenger car (with or without a control cab) – an EMU doesn’t need a locomotive to move.

NJT operates passenger trains moved by diesel-electric locomotives, electric locomotives, and EMUs. This gallery is a small sampling of what moves through the Newark International Airport station that is shared with Amtrak on the Northeast Corridor.

NJT operates commuter trains on routes that date back over 100 years. Trains run on lines formerly operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad, Erie Railroad, Lackawanna Railroad and Central of New Jersey Railroad. I think that’s it – but it’s possible that the Lehigh Valley Railroad might be a part of that group as well. Unlike what happened out here in California where they put the rails back in where they tore them out, there’s a long history behind the services provided by NJT.

I thought initially that this would/could be a larger gallery. As I selected the images for this gallery, I also became more aware of the limitations of iPhone photography, at least with the 4S. What looks great on the phone’s screen… But hey, the iPhone is today’s version of the Kodak Brownie or 126 film Instamatic, and it can do some wonderful things. That’s another possible post…

But this is about trains – so back to the subject at hand.

You can learn more about New Jersey Transit from their website or from our friends at Wikipedia.

You can check out the NJT Gallery on Laughing Frog Images and get a glimpse of how people commute in New Jersey.

Photographing Fireworks

Posted on June 25, 2015June 20, 2015 by Kurt

Last year, the Frog published four posts on photographing fireworks.

Rather than reinventing the wheel, we’re going to give you the links to the 2014 posts here so you can prepare yourself now, and then head out in a couple of weeks and make your own great images of fireworks.

Photographing fireworks is hard, but it’s not, and it’s actually been made easier by digital photography – you don’t have to wait a week to get your slides back to see how well you did, or didn’t do. It’s also practically free these days.

Yes, I know, it’s counterproductive to teach people how to take their own fireworks pictures when you’re trying to sell your images, but, hey, I’m not that kind of Frog…

So, here the posts in order, from what you need to how to make your images to free processing software to processing your images and impressing yourself, your friends and your family.

All we ask is that you share Laughing Frog Images as the source of your guidance and inspiration!

If someone else is the photographer in your circle, and you want some images of this year’s fireworks – please share this with them and help us with a little publicity in the process.

Laughing Frog Images wishes you and yours have a safe and happy Independence Day holiday.

Amtrak on the Northeast Corridor

Posted on June 23, 2015June 20, 2015 by Kurt

As I’ve been moving and organizing and backing up image files, I stumbled across some iPhone images of passenger railroading on the Northeast Corridor, and I’ll be adding a few small galleries to share images of how others travel and commute.

The first of these galleries will be of Amtrak.

Several of these images are instant history, as the 900-series AEM-7 locomotives are well into their 30’s and are being replaced by new locomotives.

The AEM-7 is based on the Swedish Rc4 locomotive design, and was produced by the Electro-Motive Division (EMD) of General Motors from 1978 to 1988. You can learn more about the AEM-7 on Wikipedia and also on Amtrak’s archives which also discuss Amtrak’s other electric locomotives. (Amtrak’s history website is well worth a visit on its’ own merits.)

If you’ve never been around trains powered by electric locomotives, it’s different because they’re quiet. Very quiet. If the engineer doesn’t blow the horn, sometimes your only clue is the sound of the wind created by the train. If the wind is blowing the sound the other way, you might not even get that. It’s actually pretty neat to experience it.

I often travel by Amtrak between work locations in CT, NJ and MD – it’s really the only way to go. Public transportation on the East Coast may not be perfect, but it’s pretty darned close if your basis for comparison is the Los Angeles area. The photo above was taken at the Newark International Airport Station (yes, we do have shreds of logic where different modes of transportation connect!).

Out here, the transportation planners seem to have figured out that it’s a good idea to put light rail transit (modern streetcars) in where they tore up the rails that carried passenger trains and electric streetcars long ago. As Homer Simpson would say, “Duh”. Makes you wonder why they tore up the rails in the first place, but don’t get me started…

So, if you’ve always wondered what the trains look like “over there” and you’re curious, waste a little time and head over to the Amtrak on the Northeast Corridor Gallery on Laughing Frog Images.

Enjoy!

C-17 POTUS Support

Posted on June 21, 2015June 20, 2015 by Kurt

What?

OK…. here’s what that means:

McDonnell Douglas / Boeing U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III heavy transport plane on President Of The United States support duty.

There are only so many characters I can use in the title of a post, and sometimes, you just have to work with what you have to work with.

Anyway…

I had my camera at work today (D-5100 and Tamron 18-270mm), and, as luck would have it, it was in my hands when I looked up to see a C-17 on approach to BUR (Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, CA). It was big. It was quiet. And, I managed to get my lens cap off and snap a few before it was too late. The President was in town, and the C-17 provides logistic support (limousines, etc.) when the President travels.

This is only the third time I’ve seen a C-17, and the first time that I was able to photograph one. It’s not something you see every day, that’s for sure. This one is flown by the Air Mobility Command at Travis AFB in Fairfield, CA.

The first time I saw one was while I was driving south on I-5 from Seattle to Vancouver, WA. It was on final approach to Joint Base Lewis-McChord which is south of Tacoma, WA. Final approach means that the plane is low, and let’s just say that a C-17 can cast a shadow over your car and get your attention in a way few things can. It’s not something you expect if you’re not from that area…

You can learn more about the C-17 from the Air Force website and also our friends at Wikipedia.

As I was surfing the web to learn more about the C-17, I came across an article published last week in the Los Angeles Times about the C-17 plant in Long Beach, CA. The last C-17’s are being completed now and the plant is closing. Airplanes can last a long time – the Air Force plans to be flying C-17’s into the 2040’s and beyond, and there just isn’t an everyday market for BIG cargo planes. Another piece of history is written…

Subscribe to The Frog