Laughing Frog Images

The Gray Whales of Long Beach

Posted on May 20, 2015May 17, 2015 by Kurt

People have a lot of different perceptions of California, some are nice, some aren’t – and we’re not going to discuss or debate them here.

Among the many perceptions, one thing that usually isn’t in the mix is that it is a place where you can watch whales, and do so pretty easily at that.

Mr. and Mrs. Frog and some friends took an afternoon whale watch cruise from Long Beach Harbor on Harbor Breeze Cruises, and had a great time.

We followed (from a safe distance) a pair of Gray Whales on their journey back north, and came away with some images that can be shared on Laughing Frog Images.

I shot well over 150 images, and between the rolling of the boat, the waves, and the whales (who apparently aren’t worried about telepathic directions and request from photographers), probably a third of them were deemed worth showing. Of that group, 19 are posted in the Whales Gallery.

The images were taken with a Tamron 18-270mm VR lens on my Nikon D-90 at ISO 400, shutter speeds were generally 1/1000 second or higher.

So, you want to go photograph whales?

Here’s my two cents:

be patient, and remember that the whales are moving along at their own pace and on their own schedule – you might have a great day, and you might not…
make sure you have a lot of room on your memory card,
take the longest lens you have,
shoot with a medium ISO (200-400 or so), and,
if you can, set your shutter speed manually so that it is ideally 1/1000 or higher to compensate for all of the movement and things that you can’t control
if your schedule permits, avoid mid-day cruises – that’s when the lighting is direct and harsh, and much of the water detail will merely be shades of gray. Go for early morning or late afternoon.
shoot a lot – because you’re not going to have a 100% success rate
don’t rely on the monitor on your camera to determine what’s a good shot and what’s a bad shot – wait until you can see the images on your computer before you make those decisions.

Yes, the Frog has been quiet lately…

Posted on May 18, 2015May 17, 2015 by Kurt

The Frog has been quiet lately for no other reasons than there’s been a lot going on with the day job that pays the bills and family “stuff”. Things are settling down a bit, and should get back to some semblance of normal with a couple of posts a week and working on the galleries.

One emphasis for this year’s holiday shopping season will be to add to the steam engine galleries because, well, who doesn’t like steam engines!

Thanks for checking in on the Frog.

And, as always, we appreciate “shares” and “likes” on social media, as well as word of mouth. The advertising budget around here is low…, very low, which helps keep the prices low so that virtually anyone can afford something from Laughing Frog Images.

Be well!

PH&D in Color Published!

Posted on April 19, 2015April 18, 2015 by Kurt

The Frog is finally pleased and able to announce that The Port Huron & Detroit Railroad and Connections in Color 1982-1984 is officially in print and available via Laughing Frog Images and the Laughing Frog Images CreateSpace estore!

This book has been in the making for over 30 years – at least in my mind! Way back on the last day of the PH&D in December of 1984, the notion that I would be able to scan my PH&D slides at 5000dpi, use software to help compensate for shooting in bad lighting and for my primitive abilities with Kodachrome 64, and self-publish a book was beyond imagination.

This project started out with the intention of being a fine-art book, with a hard cover and printed on high-gloss paper. As the project grew, so did the price. While my intentions were noble, it became apparent that I might not purchase my own book because it was so expensive! So, the project went on hiatus while I searched for a new publishing option.

The passing of the PH&D didn’t get much notice. Keep in mind that this was back in the days without the internet, without message boards, without email, and cell phones. So, in a way, this story has never been told. Telling the story in a way that is accessible to anyone is important to me. And the research continued.

I finally found a publisher that offered a way to tell the story in color and at a price that most everyone could afford. Granted, I had to give up the hard cover and high-gloss paper – it’s a soft cover book on trade paper (and the photo reproduction challenges that go with it), but the story could finally be told. Naturally, the project that I’d started was in a format that was not compatible with CreateSpace, so I had to start all over again.

And here we are on April 18.

After more digital proofs than I care to think about, and several physical proofs, it’s finally “real”. I have learned a new appreciation for editors and proof readers, as every time I reviewed a proof, I found something else. I have now either found everything, or looked at the book so much that I’m blind to any remaining errors. Somehow, I know when I receive my print copy, something is going to jump out at me…

For the people of the PH&D that I got to know from 1982 to 1984, those still with us, and those who have passed, I am pleased to share with you The Port Huron & Detroit Railroad and Connections in Color from 1982 to 1984.

Laughing Frog Images’ 100th Post!

Posted on April 13, 2015April 12, 2015 by Kurt

Well, here we are – post # 100 on Laughing Frog Images.

The Frog’s been a little quiet lately as life and the day job have been busy. And, there’s been a side project that’s been taking up most of what spare time has been there.

It’s almost time to announce the first book!

It’s a 132-page all-color softcover book on a fallen flag short line railroad. You’re going to have to wait for the formal announcement for all of the details.

I’d like to thank everyone who reads this blog and follows it on Facebook and Google+, and those who are following it after signing up on Laughing Frog Images to get every post.

I hope that everyone is getting something from the Blog, whether that’s photography tips or ideas, a laugh, or just some time away from reality.

As a small blog and gallery, I do appreciate every “like”, “share” and “follow”. There is no budget for advertising – this all survives by social media and word of mouth.

The image galleries will continue to grow in terms of number and subject matter. There’s just so much to scan, prep and post… Like many, I underestimated the sheer magnitude of what I was getting into. However, slow growth is better than no growth.

One of the focus areas will be adding to the steam engine galleries before the holidays because, well, who doesn’t like steam engines? Gallery subjects will include C&O 614 during the Chessie Steam Special era, the East Broad Top, Cumbres & Toltec, Durango & Silverton, and others that I either don’t remember or haven’t found yet. The images can help you with your holiday giftipation!

Once again, thank you so much for following the Frog and visiting Laughing Frog Images – it’s appreciated.

Stay tuned for the next 100 posts!

Dinner!

Posted on April 4, 2015April 2, 2015 by Kurt

Some of our flowers are hosting unwelcome visitors – aphids.

Mrs. Frog purchased some ladybugs to help in getting rid of the unwelcome guests naturally.

It’s really kind of interesting…

The container on the counter that I thought might have been a pint of ice cream for me was actually full of 1500 ladybugs.

So much for the ice cream munchies.

It’s best to release them at dusk when things are cooling off – you set the container near where you want them to go, take the lid off, and the theory/hope is that they climb the plants you want them to climb and either move in or leave their larvae. In the process, you hope that enough of them stick around for dinner – that being the aphids.

In the process, I thought I’d have some fun photographing the dinner rush.

So, it was off to get the D5100, the 60mm f2.8 micro lens, the flash and the Gary Fong Lightsphere diffuser (so I would have even lighting and I wouldn’t get any hot spots).

To provide for even lighting, I shot with the flash aimed straight up and let the diffuser do its’ thing. I know that sounds counter-intuitive – but see for yourself. It works! I could and should do a post about this diffuser – it’s a phenomenal addition to the camera bag for anyone who regularly uses any shoe-mounted flash.

From there, I figured out that it’s not as easy as it sounds…

First off, ladybugs have the attention span of a cat. They don’t stay in one place very long.

Second, I was trying to shoot them with a short micro lens with a flash and with diffuser as it was dusk. Not the greatest combination. All of this meant a wide aperture – which also meant my depth of field wasn’t going to be very much.

Let’s just say that I had a less than 5% success rate that night. I’ll chalk it up to a learning experience, as I’d never tried this before. This image was made at ISO 100, 1/160 second and f3.5.

I didn’t get any images that will end up in the Galleries on Laughing Frog Images. But that shouldn’t stop you from paying a visit anyway…!

More importantly, I learned that night. (I’m not much for reading photography books – right or wrong, I like to learn new photographic techniques by trial and error. I’ve never taken a class or lesson, so why start now!?

I’ll try this again – but it will be before dusk when there’s enough natural light that I don’t need a flash and can get my aperture above f8 – then I’ll at least have a fighting chance of success.

Fifi in pictures

Posted on April 2, 2015March 28, 2015 by Kurt

Fifi is the only operable Boeing B-29 Superfortress Bomber in the world as of March 2015.

I was privileged, honored, and fortunate to see Fifi at the Van Nuys Ca Airport as part of the CAF AirPower History Tour. That event went beyond expectations, as I was able to watch (and smell) her start up (video here) and to see her fly. I wasn’t able to take a tour, so that remains on my Bucket List, but in no way can I complain about the living history I saw that day.

All images were made in color using a Nikon D-90 and Tamron 18-270 lens.

Then, I did something different for this gallery.

Fifi is a product of the black and white era – black and white television, black and white newspapers, and (predominantly) black and white photographic film.

To maintain the spirit of Fifi’s era, I used two different black and white effects in Perfect Photo Suite 9 by on1 Software to create most of the images of Fifi that I’m sharing with you.

The first is a gritty and grainy effect that mimics how these images might have appeared to the readers of a 1940’s newspaper. The second is a cleaner effect that mimics Kodak’s legendary Tri-X black and white film.

There are a few color images as well, and these are along the lines of a chrome slide film.

I’m curious to hear feedback about the black and white images, particularly which effect you like better and why.

Instead of placing these images in the Military section of the Planes gallery on Laughing Frog Images, I decided that it was more than appropriate for Fifi to have her own gallery – you can check Fifi’s gallery out by clicking here.

The Commemorative Air Force are the folks that keep Fifi going, and made that day and these images possible. My thanks to all who make Fifi happen.

Smartphone Sunset

Posted on March 30, 2015March 26, 2015 by Kurt

Here’s a little “how to”post.

I was at Ontario (CA) International Airport at sunset recently, and saw the sunset, and you can guess what happened next.

Out came my Lumia Icon, and I made a few images. Let’s take a look at them, and talk about how you can make great smartphone sunset images. Both images were shot on “auto” and are straight from the camera.

Details of the above image: ISO 80, f2.4, 1/40 second.

Details of the above image: ISO 64, f2.4, 1/12 second.

So – how did I get the “ooh, aah” first image and get a “so-so” second image?

Many (most) smartphones allow you to select a focus area by selecting the area you want the camera to focus on by tapping the screen with your finger. This also controls where the camera meters (measures light)! Proper metering is the trick to great smartphone sunset images.

In the first image, I selected the brightest area of the sunset as the focus and metering point. As a result, the camera thought everything was really bright and reacted accordingly – this caused the camera to let in less light. This made most of the image darker, and allowed the reflected color in the clouds to appear in the image.

In the second image, I let the camera decide everything. The result is “blah”, at least to me.

The images are shown in the order they were taken. There are 90 seconds between the two – I was taking images and metering off of different points. The first image is the best of the bunch.

Next time you see a great sunset, try this! It’s a way to control your smartphone camera for sunsets even if there are no control options.

(This simple technique will also work for sunrises. It will also work with pocket digital cameras that allow you to lock on to a focus point.)

Remember, film is cheap these days. Shoot often, and have fun.

This concludes your smartphone sunset lesson.

As always, shares and likes are appreciated, and don’t forget to visit Laughing Frog Images for your decorating and gifting needs (and your own indulgences).

With a sneer of derision…

Posted on March 28, 2015March 23, 2015 by Kurt

Ever get “that” look from a cat who really doesn’t care if you think it’s a nice cat or not?

As Dr. Sheldon Cooper would say – “a sneer of derision.”

In the category of pictures that say a thousand words, I think this qualified as one of those looks…

And, perhaps there were only four words behind that look “Pretty kitty my a$%…”

All that said, if I come back in life as a feral cat, I want to make sure I end up at the Lihue Marriott on the island of Kauai….

Fifi Awakens

Posted on March 26, 2015March 23, 2015 by Kurt

Wondering just what the title is about?

Well, now that I have your attention…

I recently had the fortune/privilege of seeing the only operable Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber in the world (at least as of March 2015), Fifi.

It was a strange day in some ways.

On one hand, there was the awe of what was the biggest and baddest bomber of its’ time.

There was the awe of watching her awaken from a slumber and prepare for flight. The smell of unburnt fuel as the revolutions built, the puffs of sweetly acrid smoke dissipating into the air. The vibration at my feet.

The realization that not only was I watching a machine, but one made for war.

As I said, it wasn’t just a “let’s go take airplane pictures” kind of day. It was a day of reflection.

There were World War II Veterans there, including at least one who flew in one of Fifi’s kin, a member of a P-38 Ground Crew, and a P-51 pilot. There were people of all nations and colors.

Many cheered when Fifi’s fourth engine reached full revs. I wonder if they were cheering for Fifi as she is or what she represents to each of them.

It made me think of something related, but not.

My mind went to the the smiling boy I remember from across the street went to war as a young man, and didn’t come home. I was probably reflecting differently than most that day. I’ll stop there, because we all reflect upon war and loss differently.

But, let’s look at Fifi for what she is – an aircraft of a bygone era. Technologically, the B-29 was at the leading edge of bomber design at that time. And, I got to see her fly in 2015.

If you’d like to learn more about the B-29, click here for Wikipedia’s page, and here for Boeing’s page.

If you’d like to see Fifi as she awakens, click here to be taken to the Laughing Frog Images YouTube page or click here to be taken directly to the video. It’s not the greatest video in the world, as I had to hold my phone above people, and try to keep it steady for about four minutes – so I apologize for the technical quality, but not the content.

I am working on a gallery of Fifi for Laughing Frog Images. In the interest of being true to Fifi’s era, all of the images will be in Black and White. There will be two versions of each image – one will mimic Kodak Panatomic X film (“Pan-X”), and one will mimic the grainy reproduction of a newspaper of the era. It will be interesting to see what the feedback is on the two versions.

Automotive Safety Improvements

Posted on March 24, 2015March 21, 2015 by Kurt

You’ve looked at the title of this post, and you’re wondering just what automotive safety improvements have to do with Laughing Frog Images.

If you think “nothing” – you’re right.

So, why the post?

I remember sliding around the metal floor of the “way back” of my Grandfather’s 1958 or 1959 Ford Station Wagon. I have several memories of that car – and, since the Statute of Limitations for Child Endangerment has probably run out for my parents, I can probably tell them now.

Anyway… where was I going? Oh, yes, it’s about automotive safety, and nothing about Laughing Frog Images.

A co-worker shared a video with me the other day. It’s from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and it’s quite interesting. And scary. And, makes you realize that even if you long for the old days, you might not want to long for the old days of automotive safety.

The IIHS does some interesting things, like crash tests. Some of you would characterize that more as fun than interesting…

The video shows the difference that 50 years makes when a 1959 Chevy meets a 2009 Chevy in the most unpleasant way. It’s well worth the minute or so of your time to watch.

Click here to be taken to the video.

And, next time you see an automotive safety engineer, give ’em a hug…

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