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Message started by FlyingLaZBoy on Jun 17^th, 2009, 2:19pm

Title: A photographer's lament
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Jun 17^th, 2009, 2:19pm

So, I had the occasion to go in to my former place of employment, to do some paperwork and stuff... So why not bike commute, for old time's sake? As I left home, I thought, "Should I find the camera and take it? Naah, not this time...." Sure enough, I should've had it along. Nothing in particular happened on the way in, but on the way back....

Missed opportunity #1 -- I turned onto the bike trail that runs through Richardson near Plano Rd for a couple miles, and here are these two little kids, maybe 8-9 years old, with their 12"-wheel bikes... One's got his turned upside down, doing something, and the other girl is fiddling with her seat clamp. It would have made the GREATEST photo!!!!!! ARRRRggggghhh..... So, I stopped, and said, "Whatcha workin' on?" THey immediately said, "COOL BIKE!!!" Then the girl says, "My Dad tightened my seat clamp, but it's still loose..." and the boy says, "I'm trying to tighten my kickstand, it's loose!"

So I look at the seatpost (Girls first), and it's a quickrelease -- I fiddle with it, get it tightened up some more, ask her what height she needs it at (all the way down), and she's set. I look at the boy's bike, and it's a 6mm allen bolt problem -- so I pull out the multi-tool wrench, and tighten it right up. He says "You've got EVERYTHING with you!" I reply, "Well, I do long rides, so I have to carry spare tubes, and tools and all kinds of stuff!"

They asked "What kind of bike is that?" "A recumbent, where you sit back like a car driver." "How fast can you go?" "Oh, maybe 30 mph.." "NO WAY....." And at this, they both hop on they bikes and start pedalling down the trail as fast as they can, standing on the pedals (forgetting any "thanks, mister!" or anything, but that's OK), ... I quickly catch up to them, check my speedometer, and THEY'RE DOING 15 MPH DOWN THE TRAIL on these little bikes, INTO THE WIND... :o Granted, they only held it about 50 yards until I caught up, but still... I just smiled, and said, "Have fun, kids!" and went along my way.

Missed Opportunity #2 -- About a mile further, I ride along a greenbelt section where people like to walk the trail... I look over, and there's a grandmotherly woman strolling along, with a ~5 year old boy walking slightly behind her... And hs elastic waistband pants HAVE FALLEN DOWN AROUND HIS KNEES, AND HIS UNDEROOS ARE IN FULL VIEW, AND HE'S JUST WALKING ALONG, HOLDING HER HAND... She finally notices, saying, "Oh, my goodness!" at the same time I bust out laughing as I pass them...

Missed Opportunity #3 -- Another mile or so, and the Garland Police are in the middle of a four-car fender bender, and people are shouting at each other, etc. etc.

ALWAYS CARRY THE CAMERA!!!!!!!!!! [smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=deadhorsebeat.gif]

Title: Re: A photographer's lament
Post by Kwijybow on Jun 17^th, 2009, 2:41pm

I've been carrying mine all week, and nothing even half so ineresting to take a picture of! Looks like you had a very eventful commute!

Take Care,
Nelson.

Title: Re: A photographer's lament
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Sep 1^st, 2009, 4:06pm

Broke my own rule, again, just because I was wearing a tank top instead of a cycling jersey with pockets... and missed another fun pic!!!

I was out doing some hill training, and upon starting a long downhill, noticed that a car was coming up behind me in the other lane... if for no other reason than I could hear the stereo thumping, if you know what I mean... so I cranked it up, hitting ~40 before reaching the bottom... as I slowed a bit going up the next climb, the car slowly went past, and as it did, there were two guys on the passenger side sticking their arms out the window, giving me the "Thumbs up", as well as the driver doing it out his window as well.... LOL [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif] Woulda been a great shot!

Title: Re: A photographer's lament
Post by dgholmes59 on Sep 1^st, 2009, 4:19pm

How do you guys carry your cameras? Do you have a pouch or something in front of you so you can grab it quickly? I was riding the other day, and there were two deer grazing in the pasture to my right. When I got almost to them, they saw me and took off running in the same direction I was riding. They hopped the fences about 20 yards in front of me into the field to my left and off into the woods they went. I was wishing I had a camera with me.

Title: Re: A photographer's lament
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Sep 1^st, 2009, 5:59pm

Mr. Sadowski has his on a lanyard around his neck... I have jerseys with pockets moved to the front. Dunno about others!

Title: Re: A photographer's lament
Post by jcsadowski on Sep 1^st, 2009, 6:21pm

Quote:

Mr. Sadowski

MR?????
I wouldn't trust a pouch because you need to be able to release the camera in a hurry. The lanyard works for me.
Still it takes practice to take pictures while riding. You have to be able to turn the camera on with one hand and so on.

Title: Re: A photographer's lament
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Sep 1^st, 2009, 6:46pm

You also can't afford the luxury of looking in the viewfinder or at the LCD screen... (especially back over your shoulder, :P nyuck, nyuck!!) just gotta point and shoot, and hope it comes out useful!!!

Title: Re: A photographer's lament
Post by jcsadowski on Sep 1^st, 2009, 7:08pm

The idea is to keep pushing the button and look at the pictures later. Get a big memory card. I have a 2 Gig card for about 2000 photos.

Title: Re: A photographer's lament
Post by Hull 697 on Sep 2^nd, 2009, 11:01pm

What type of camera? I have a lust for about three panasonic cameras that would fit a jersey pocket and take fantastic shots - but I worry that my copious sweat would eat them up in short order. Carry in the BBox sort of defeats the purpose of carrying a camera.

I've had a low rider cheering squad a couple of times down the main drag when topping 30 on the big ring. It's a stimulating thing, no matter who is rooting for you.

Title: Re: A photographer's lament
Post by robert.j on Sep 2^nd, 2009, 11:18pm

There's an Olympus model that works underwater and is shock resistant. Don't know how good it is but sounds ideal for cycling.

Title: Re: A photographer's lament
Post by jcsadowski on Sep 3^rd, 2009, 1:33pm

I have a Panasonic, it is gathering dust. I use a Cannon A series. ( I will have to look it up when I get home) It uses AA batteries so I can carry spares. It gets banged around and sewat upon while riding and still works. I have worn out three cannons. With I guess about 20,000 photos.
Don't get a camera with lots of options because you do not have time to set the camera when you are riding at any speed.

Title: Re: A photographer's lament
Post by Hurricane Dan on Sep 3^rd, 2009, 2:52pm

I ordered one of these for $40 off eBay. It comes with a clip so I can mount it to my helmet or handlebars. Should get it in in a week or so. I'll take a few photos and a video and let you know how it works. Should be a pretty fun little toy.

http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Digital-Video-Recorder-MD/dp/B002LI36EQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1252006622&sr=8-5

Title: Re: A photographer's lament
Post by Hull 697 on Sep 5^th, 2009, 11:59pm

Saw the Panasonic DMC-ZS1 is down near $200 in some stores. Very capable camera with wowza autofocus features. I have a larger Panasonic so lean hard that way. I have enough trouble learning one interface, and I can read the Panasonic without reading glasses.

Thinking about one of these. Like the lanyard idea a lot. Long lanyard so it rests in a pocket, easy out and shoot. Leave it on continous autofocus so the only thing to worry about is startup time, ~3 seconds. 25mm wide angle to ~200mm tele in optical so lots of fun when stopped. Yes, I believe this doable.

Oh, wait, I spent that money on a new computer with HRM 'cause my sister thinks I am going to explode my ticker. Well, maybe next month. The price will probably drop more. I'll keep telling myself that. Really impressed with the VDO Z2 wireless. I'm a geek and the manual confuses me!