tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37508733985715872412024-03-13T10:58:34.742+01:00The Captured Glimpses BlogAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-60476372972727523412017-07-21T17:54:00.003+02:002017-07-21T17:54:33.482+02:00RemembrancesToday marks our last week in Europe. One week from this morning we will begin our last day here, a morning, afternoon, and night. Then the next day this will all be over, we'll tidy the house one last time, load the baggage in a rental car, pack the cats up in their carriers, and board a plane out of Frankfurt for the last time. The end.<br />
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These last couple of weeks have been kind of rough. Everything is all set for us in the US; we have a house, phone numbers, utility accounts, etc. Extracting ourselves from Germany has been less simple, frustrating even. It's like at the end of a movie, when the last lines of the credits disappear at the top of the screen and the house lights come on. There's no point in sitting in the theater any longer, the magic is over and it's time to go home. Trouble is, we're still stuck here, with few belongings in a house that no longer feels remotely like home amongst people we feel no connection with. The days are punctuated by one move out crisis after another- the landlord refuses to cooperate on a meeting time, the painter needs to make an estimate, the people coming to buy our appliances have changed their minds. The in between time is hours reading and watching Netflix on an air mattress in a house darkened against the summer heat, a place of limbo. The Company said we had to stay until the end of July, so that's what we're doing.<br />
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But, this is also a time for remembrance, a chance to look back at the highlights of this experience, jot them down, and honor the moments and places that have made all the frustrations worth it. So, over this last week I'm going to dust off my notes, dig through my photo archives, and share some of my favorite places and memories with you. I'll cover a different place each day over on my Instagram account, but I'll present them all at once for you here in this post. Without further ado, here are the highlights of the last 5.5 years:<br />
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<b>Norway: Bridge to Another World</b><br />
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The first time I left the United States I went to Norway. As soon as I returned, I wanted to go back. Norway sparked a love for travel that I've never been able to shake. When I finally did return in 2015, it was just as I remembered. It is a land of fast waters, lofty mountains, deep valleys that plunge into bright blue fjords, hillsides dotted with red barns, cliff sides dotted with turf roofed cabins, a place the sun never really sets in summer, and a country filled with cheerful, kind, and beautiful people. It started it all for me, it was a bridge to another world and another life. Going back opened the imagination even further. The road through the Jotunheim was just as stunning as I remembered. The waters were just as clear. The fogs were just as mysterious. Norway will stay with me the rest of my life, as all things that change our lives do.<br />
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Moments from Norway I don't want to forget: walking in Otta after midnight because we could, getting our butts kicked by Grandma Badass hiking the Vidden trail, Diam in the ice cream, cheese filled/bacon wrapped/fried onion topped hotdogs on a ferry, getting our precious Kvikk Lunsj bars stolen by seagulls in Odda, the longest tunnel in the world (at the time) with those blue caves along the way, dinner from a gas station, the Fram, the smoky smell of stave churches.<br />
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<b>Lisbon: Best Kept Secret</b><br />
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We went to Lisbon to escape the chilly atmosphere of Germany and because all those tiles looked incredible. We ended up in awe of its soul. I have never been in a city like Lisbon before. It is stunningly beautiful, of course. The architecture, the people, and the very streets themselves were an endless photographic journey. The food was a revelation. Lisbon has all the things that make a great European capital worth a visit, but it has something that no other city on this continent has: the Lisboetas themselves. Never once in all these years have we entered a city inhabited by such warm and wonderful people. Coming from Germany, the climate and food were shock enough, but the locals' hospitality and kindness hit us like a splash of cold water on a hot day. From waiters, to shop keepers, to doctors, to people we passed on the street, they were all overwhelmingly kind and gracious. We never felt as welcome in a city as we did in Lisbon, it was absolutely gut wrenching to leave. If anyone asks me what is the best place in Europe to visit that few people ever go to I will always answer Lisbon. Be warned, however, you may not want to leave either.<br />
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Moments from Lisbon I don't want to forget: that first pastel de nata, sunsets from mirados, vinho verde, watching a soccer game in the park, lunch in the market, watching the day end at Belem Tower during that rock music festival, the kid with the water, "Santa Maria!", the emergency room, getting my sight back, ginja in the little chocolate cups, music coming from somewhere every night.<br />
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<b>Belgium: Dear Kindred Spirit</b><br />
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Oh, Belgium, Belgium, you weird, wonderful mess, you. Belgium was our refuge for many years while we lived in Luxembourg. It was a place of misty forests, bike races, amazing beer, bizarre encounters; a place where the unexpected should always be expected. It was a country where we had our worst travel disappointments and favorite little revelations. I think I love Belgium, both halfs, because it reminds me of where I'm from. Except for the microcosm of Brussels, a bustling international city, Belgium feels slightly trapped in another time and slightly left behind. The roads are full of holes, abandoned homes and factories fill the towns and cities, the population is mostly working class, the countryside feels wild and untamed, the majority of cities are past their prime, slow moving canals run along old streets- some reeking of the garbage floating on their surfaces. The bars in small towns are inhabited by silent old cantankerous men who suspiciously eye you over Jupiler beer. The cities are layered in generations of grime and all the other tattered trappings of failing modern societies. But, if you spend a little more time there and peer around the corners, you'll find an art market in a small warehouse, jazz clubs down alleys, small independent theaters, craft breweries, and on occasion someone playing Brahms on a piano at midnight in a city square. Sure, Belgium may seem like it's dying a slow death, but under the surface it is very much still alive and kicking, just like the "Rust Belt" back home. I recognize Akron, Cleveland, Youngstown, and Toledo in Ghent, Liege, Arlon, and Antwerp. They were comforting and familiar, and could be a marvel if you let them, just like my hometown.<br />
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Moments from Belgium I don't want to forget: every single bike race we got to watch from its roadsides, paper cones of golden frites with mayonnaise, renting that guy's basement in Spa to go cycling only to have every road closed for a rally car race, having Kwaak in the proper glass for the first time, buying cheese at Orval, peering over walls in Rochefort, talking with the Estonian diplomats during the Brussels beer festival, every single night in Ghent, gnomes around Houfflaize, the brothel run by the 12 year old Chinese kid in St. Hubert, every single meal at L'Ancienne Hopital, cycling to Bruges, trying to rent a van in Liege, sugar waffles, pralines, buying more beer than we could ever hope to finish.<br />
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<b>Italy: Land of Light and L</b><b>ife</b><br />
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We could always count on Italy to come through, no matter where in it we ended up. It was always as beautiful, exciting, and as fun as we hoped it would be. It was easy to kick back and enjoy life in. Rome floored us with the weight of its legacy and countless layers of history. Congested and chaotic it wrapped us up in blankets of memory. Rome has always been and will always be. Florence, hurried and gilded kept us at a distance, but little Lucca made up for all the bustle with its peaceful squares, and hidden alleys. Countless villages passed on back road routes were pulled from postcards. Then, there was Venice. Venice was a tapestry, the light was ethereal, the sounds muffled, the pace slow and yet still hectic. It was a pleasure to photograph and I only scratched the surface of possibility. But, most special was little Sorico on the shores of Lake Como, a haven, a refuge from the world and home to some of the nicest people we've ever met. And, of course, Italian food is the best in the world, from toe to calf the eating is incredible all along the boot. Despite what the French might say, the Italians have mastered food and wine and coffee. The rest of us are just trying to catch up. <br />
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Moments from Italy I don't want to forget: getting off the highway somewhere on the way to Florence and getting sorta kinda lost, gelato every day, pizza on park benches, cannoli in Rome, learning to love wine again, freezing for dawn photos in Venice, Christmas in Venice (for crying out loud), having St. Paul's to ourselves, realizing Fernet Branca sounds cooler in the Dark Knight script than it tastes in real life, all the flowers, appreciating the Italians' gift for the public argument, that cafe for fisherman in Burano, dawn at the Spanish Steps, naps in the heat of the day, finding abandoned palaces in the hills, the tunnels, Madonna del Ghisallo, Fausto Coppi's hometown, discovering the moka pot, dawn arriving over the Forum, afternoon thunderstorms, every single meal Mama Angela made and her tiramisu too. <br />
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<b>Iceland: Be Still My Heart</b><br />
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Several people I know have visited Iceland this year, and I'm thrilled they did. It's one of those places that has to be seen to be believed. Even after seeing it, you may not believe it. There's a reason Iceland stands in for other planets in the movies. You could almost swear it was. Even now I can't quite put the place into words. I believe Scandinavia is one of the most beautiful regions on earth, and Iceland is most certainly the jewel in its crown. There are waterfalls that create rainbows, basalt columns rising out of the earth, black sand beaches, moss covered fields of lava, glaciers miles deep with chapels carved out of them, and its capital city is a place covered in color. And, then in the winter there is this incredible nightly show that cannot be matched by anything else created in nature or created by man. It is a place so incredible it catches your breath. Your heart skips a beat. If any spot on earth could light a passion of love for this planet it is Iceland. If you haven't been, go. Go now.<br />
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Moments I don't want to forget from Iceland: super Jeeps everywhere, discussing the pros and cons of eco tourism with a couple of Poles and our Icelandic guide, that trip up the Jokulsarlon glacier and then going into it, really expensive but delicious IPAs, that bar that was only playing old MTV music videos, dinners at gas stations, little hairy ponies running alongside the bus, a beach of ice sculptures, the Viking longhouse under our hotel, seals playing in the lagoon, almost getting blown away in the wind, using crampons, all too brief days, risking frostbite because I couldn't stop watching and photographing those waves and waves of color and light.<br />
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<b>Ireland: Balm for the Soul</b><br />
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Ireland was the hardest to leave, the one place I could honestly see staying in forever. There's no way we would have ever stayed in Luxembourg or Germany for the long term. We and our expat bases couldn't make it together forever, we're too different. But, Ireland felt that it could be home. Why? Sure, it helps that we could speak the language for a change, and yes, that scenery is so beautiful it almost hurts. But, like Lisbon, it was the people that pulled us in. The Irish are a special people, they're open, real, and welcoming. You can walk into a restaurant or a bar and there's no staring or silent judgement, they smile and talk to you like you belong there. That's one of the main things that I miss about home in Ohio, friendly people up for a chat. Keep in mind, I'm an introvert, so missing random conversation is really saying something. Being in Ireland was a balm for the soul. On top of being genuinely lovely folks, they were pretty fantastic cooks and musicians too. And, then there were those green rolling hills, misty evenings, flash rain falls, wildflowers, ruins, and sheep. If ever I disappear, look in Ireland first.<br />
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Moments I don't want to forget from Ireland: reuniting over crab claws and pints with a friend and spending time with her family, getting a little lost in Dublin, staying in the famine cottage outside of Cahersiveen, the solstice at the ring fort, talking basketball and LeBron James at Mike Murts, talking/coping with Brexit with the guide at Tullamore D.E.W., live music and spilled pints in Doolin, learning about whiskey from the old guy at the liquor store, seeing the Skelligs across the water, climbing up into the rain and over fences to find a wedge tomb, getting lost in the mountains and then having to wait for the cows to move so we could turn around, learning there's a better way to see the Cliffs of Moher, yelling "Hedge!", the Burren at sunrise, the sea wind off the coast, breaks in the clouds, flicking Trump off when we drove by his golf course, laughing with just about everyone we met, lunch at Tom Crean's amidst portraits of him, Shackleton, and clippings about polar exploration, finally seeing Newgrange, feeling like (for once) we belonged.<br />
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<b>Paris: City of Cities</b><br />
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There is nothing I can say about Paris that hasn't already been said. For those who have spent some time in Paris, the city is their own. Paris is our own, it is our Paris, not anyone elses. It's complicated, mystifying, intimidating, inspiring, pure white and yet dirty. It doesn't give itself up to you easily, you have to come back again and again to peel back the crafted surface to see its insides. Then you come back again and it's the same but also completely different. Paris was our place, and we'll always have it, as the saying goes. I'm blessed to have stood beneath the Eiffel Tower in the middle of the night before terrorism made such an experience unattainable. We had our hotel and our cafe. We knew the city's rhythms for a while and that is good enough for me. You can't fully know Paris. In many ways it exists on its own plane. But, you can go and it will be there, different and unchanged. No city is like it, nothing could ever be.<br />
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Moments from Paris I don't want to forget: that last time at Cafe Central complete with absinthe and escargot, Hotel de Paris Invalides, the little studio we rented at Christmas with all the books on art, sunshine on the golden dome of Les Invalides, tangos spied on the banks of the Seine, choco pain and cappuccinos, that slap stick comedy routine we did on Rue Cler, the smell of the Metro, endless hours in flea markets, hot dogs in baguettes, the sewer museum, seeing Saint Chapelle for the first time, freezing under the bridge across from Notre Dame, knowing where everything was (for the most part), people watching in Gare d'Est, those stairs to that studio we rented at Christmas, Christmas in Paris (for heaven's sake), boat rides in the dark, the Eiffel Tower every night on the hour.<br />
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<b>The Alps: Home to My Dreams</b><br />
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The Alps. They will always have my heart. It doesn't matter if they're the Swiss, the French, the Austrian, the German, or the Italian Alps. I love them. Ok, the ones in Switzerland may be my favorite. There are beach people and there are mountain people. I'm 100% a mountain person. Give me rocky peaks, snow, unpredictable weather, rolling mist, waterfalls, and deep and green valleys over sand, sea, and sunshine every single time. I want my landscape to scare me a little, keep me humble. I want a landscape I can't take my eyes off of. The Alps are an especially unique mountain range because people live there and have lived there for thousands of years. Walk down the trail a ways and you may find yourself in a town or at a hut with a micro brewery. It's a civilized but completely uncivilized place. The Alps are shockingly beautiful, comfortable, and terrifying. I don't know if we will ever get to return to all these other places, but I deeply hope we will get to come back to the Alps someday. I will miss them dearly.<br />
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Moments from the Alps I don't want to forget: that horrible and wonderful climb up Legnone, making the turn into Lauterbrunnen for the first time, self serve cheese on the side of the road in Switzerland, Franks' place, that schnapps sampler, chicken fajitas, raclette for dinner four nights in a row, driving the switchbacks from Italy to Switzerland, meeting goats and marmots, watching climbers in Chamonix, hiking all day to beer, the traditional giant Toblerone bar every time, buying vignettes, hiking in the dark to watch the sun ignite the peak of the Matterhorn, cow bells, old men in felt hats, honor shops, the north face of the Eiger in all its glory, the crack of an avalanche high above.<br />
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What about Germany and Luxembourg, you ask? Well, those places deserve more than a blurb. I'll get to them in due time. <br />
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Then there are all the other moments in all the other places I don't want to forget either: tacos in Edinburgh, going to where they buried my ancestor's leg bone in Caen, saying hi to kings and queens and other important folks buried in Westminster, getting horribly ill on the beaches of Normandy, apocalyptic weather in Barcelona, almost getting stuck in Bratislava, having disappointing cake in Vienna, midnight trains to Prague, finding THE picnic spot from To Catch A Thief and having chicken and beer there too, Eze, lavender fields, swimming in the Med with that octopus, ruin pubs in Budapest, "The foulest thing in the room!", Sunday roast dinners, Stonehenge, caipirinhas in Dresden, randomly driving through the town my paternal grandfather's people are from in Austria, walking into Austria that other time because it was right there, taking The Dog just about everywhere we could, calvados, meeting friends of friends in a Newcastle bar and getting trashed with them, staying in that old bakery near Valkenburg, going to the Tour de France, feeling the power of the Arenburg Trench, eating the marrow because no one else would, cycling in Ærø, being kids at Legoland, a train ride from Scotland to England, and, and, and...<br />
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It sure has been fun! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-85550477262131526132017-06-26T12:05:00.000+02:002017-06-26T12:05:07.259+02:00Where We're At<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8aEW8pRiOhp26y8gJhqOpF1wosQ-6MDHgv9Rn8DoRN3IASiWr5EDj6nr6_Kp47CZcSyxJfbFqDvV_PHhTQOFgwi5cZBG3h3chBUpNUaMOejC1Q7YE8VFr67YULIJ-Gfb7A5yk15uFmWb/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8aEW8pRiOhp26y8gJhqOpF1wosQ-6MDHgv9Rn8DoRN3IASiWr5EDj6nr6_Kp47CZcSyxJfbFqDvV_PHhTQOFgwi5cZBG3h3chBUpNUaMOejC1Q7YE8VFr67YULIJ-Gfb7A5yk15uFmWb/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An iPhone shot of the field from last week. Not a<br />bad place to start most days from.</td></tr>
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This morning I set up my tripod in the fairground area across from our house for what is likely the last time I shoot a landscape in Europe. It wasn't in a famous location or a spot that is particularly remarkable in the German countryside. Instead, it was to shoot a view of home. It's a view of a big hill on the other side of the river with the fairground field in the foreground. This field is where we've been walking our dog for the last 3.5 years. The view of that unremarkable field and the unremarkable hill across the river has been the view from our house, a view we've had in our lives longer than any other. It was important to me to capture it during a sunrise. In a month we'll pull away from this house and our street and this town and we'll probably never see that view again, at least not at that time of day. I think we often take these types of places for granted and sometimes we see them so much we forget that there might come a time we will never see them again and then we may forget them. I've lived in a lot of places and I have photographs from all of them. But, they're mostly all snapshots. It wasn't until we moved to Europe that I thought to document the towns and homes we lived in with a little more care. So, this morning I officially closed out my European photographic journey with shooting a place that means a little more to me than some bright city or sweeping landscape elsewhere. It isn't that exciting compared to all those other places I photographed, but every time I looked out a window at home at this view or walked The Dog in the field, I said a little thanks for being given time to live in this beautiful, simple place.<br />
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After I came inside this morning, I packed up most of my equipment. Saturday morning we're flying back to the US. We're going for a week to finalize our housing in Akron and take care of a lot of logistical stuff. We're also taking The Dog back and he will be hanging out with my parents who graciously offered to care for him until we finalize the move at the end of next month. That way we will be able to take Cats 1 & 2 in the cabin with us on that last flight instead of putting them in the hold. The Dog will be riding under the seat on Saturday's flight and my computer, backup drives, all of my cameras, lenses, and other misc gear will be riding under the seat next to him. The "powers" that be in Washington are threatening to make passengers check their laptops on flights from Europe to the US like they did earlier this year with flights coming from Muslim majority nations. I want to get my laptop out of here before that goes into effect. We have a moving company shipping nearly all of our belongings, but I certainly don't want my equipment crossing the ocean on a tanker or in the hold of a cargo plane. So, it all has to come back under the seat on Saturday. No important equipment will be checked, of course. All that will remain in Germany to use during our last few weeks here is my X70 and a Gorillapod.<br />
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These next few days I'm going to be cramming in as much editing from our trip to Zermatt as I can and I'll probably continue to work on that while we're in Akron next week. But, we have a lot to get organized for the move too and time will be tight. Whatever I don't get to is going to wait until we are done with the move. I'm not going to have my computer for 3 weeks! So, there's a good chance this will be the last blog post for a while, but I'm hoping to keep posting with my tablet right up until the end. There's definitely going to be a lull in new photograph uploads to the website, though. I hope you'll bear with me!<br />
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After we return next weekend, we'll be in Germany for three more weeks. They will be shipping nearly everything we own right after we come back from Akron so we'll be sharing an air mattress on the floor with the Cats and eating a lot of carry out on paper plates. It's going to be like camping in someone else's house because it won't feel like ours anymore. In fact, it doesn't feel like home anymore now. All the art is off the walls, we have piles of stuff everywhere- some for the boat, some for air cargo, some to take back next week, some to donate/throw out (massive hassle on that front, by the way), and some to keep here. It's a mess. International moving is like regular moving except about ten times more stressful. Every single thing has to be kept track of, accounted for, and organized- right down to the toilet paper and cat litter. It's hard to believe that by the end of Summer this will all be behind us and we won't have to move again for hopefully a very, very long time.<br />
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So, just wanted to touch base, but I really need to get back to editing. Time is short.<br />
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Wow.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-32769919473923911762017-06-09T10:10:00.001+02:002017-06-12T09:08:05.949+02:00All Good Things...<div style="text-align: center;">
"We shall not cease from exploration. </div>
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And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive</div>
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Where we started and know the place for the first time."</div>
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~T.S. Elliot</div>
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It's Friday morning. I'm listening to some music and making plans, organizing, packing, and cleaning up my office. I'm sorting out the stuff I will need over the next month and boxing up the things I won't. The studio lights and drop clothes are folded up and stacked in the corner. I gave away a couple of old camera bags last week. I've separated out the power strips and plugs for European voltage from the ones that work with North American circuits. Bank accounts are being closed, kitchen gadgets are being given away, and old broken stuff is getting thrown out. Our bicycles are clean and oiled, and the cycling gear is sorted back into the boxes in which they arrived. After 3.5 years of living on the quiet banks of the River Main in Lower Franconia (the longest we've ever lived anywhere), it's time to move again.<br />
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My husband is being relocated back to Akron, Ohio at the end of July to take a new position at The Company so The Dog, Cats 1 & 2, the bicycles, the cameras, and myself are going back too. We're going back to where we all started, but it's not the same and neither are we.<br />
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Five and a half years is a good run. It is almost double the time we were supposed to be on this assignment. We've seen and done far more than we ever hoped to do. We've met some amazing people who changed our lives. They will be friends we'll love forever, no distance or amount of time will change that. We've seen countless incredible views. We've had some incredible meals. My husband has become nearly fluent in German. I can read, speak, and understand a little French when I have to. We've gone to a few European bike races. We've visited 20 countries. We know Paris almost as well as we know Akron. We've learned more than I could ever put into words. The world we understand now is not the world we thought we understood before.<br />
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I can confidently say I will never live in a place as beautiful as this river bank for the rest of my life. I will be forever grateful that I had the chance. Every single day that we've lived in Europe, even the days that absolutely sucked, were a gift we wouldn't trade for anything.<br />
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But, it's time to say goodbye. It's time to go home. And, we're ready.<br />
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Five and a half years is a long time. I used to say, "Home is where your stuff is." As time has passed though, I realized that home really is where your heart is, and that's usually where your people are. We've really been missing our people- family and friends. Every time we go back to Akron for a visit, that feeling has been stronger and stronger. I won't deny that I was looking forward to getting out of Akron for a while when we moved to Luxembourg in 2011. I'm so glad I did, because in addition to all the things we got to experience over here, now I have a much deeper appreciation for my hometown. As it worked out, a lot of things that frustrated us before are either gone, fixed, or are being improved. And, the veil has been lifted from the things that have always made Akron a wonderful place to live. We see where we're from with new eyes. So, now we look forward to returning, settling down and living in a house longer than we've lived anywhere before. Sure, it's not Paris, or a sleepy German village, or the Alps, or County Kerry, or sunny Portugal, but Akron is home and it's the place this road was meant to end, the final destination.<br />
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So, for the next seven weeks things are going to be pretty insane around here. At least this isn't the first time we've done an international move. We have one final photo trip to make- the Swiss Alps where I will hopefully get a few good final shots from Europe. Shortly afterwards we'll pack up all my camera gear and The Dog and fly to the US for the first round of moving. We'll be there for a week getting things in order like cell phone contracts and hopefully getting the keys to a house we've been in the process of purchasing since we were in Akron last month. The Dog is going to hang out with some long suffering family members while we return to Germany for a few more weeks to oversee the packing of the rest of our earthly belongings and tie up any loose ends. Then, on the final weekend of July we, Cats 1 & 2, and four suitcases will fly back to the United States for good. The journey will be over.<br />
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And, then the next one will begin.<br />
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We're really excited to start the next chapter. My husband is thrilled to start a new job that will be taking full advantage of his personal skills and his unique work experience of the past 5.5 years. I have about 3 dozen photo projects I've been looking forward to starting once we're back in the States. We're super excited to be moving into a house of our own in the heart of the city we love. While I cannot speak for them entirely, I think the cats are looking forward to a time of life that involves lounging in windows with bug screens and the promise they will never have to stay at a cattery again. The Dog can't wait to have a proper yard. I'm looking forward to being able to do all our laundry in one day instead of an entire week. I'm not going to lie to ya, I'm also looking forward to having a car again. You can only photograph so much from the bicycle. It will also be a relief to no longer be local curiosities, to be able to understand what's going on (well, to a point anyway), and to be a part of a community again.<br />
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Are we going to miss jumping on the train to go to Paris for the weekend or driving down to the Alps for a little hiking? You betcha. But, there was a time in our lives that those things were normal and that's more than I ever could have asked for. A dream has been lived and now we'll carry it with us for the rest of our lives.<br />
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All good things come to an end, and that's part of what makes them good.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-26619466241625709082017-05-04T15:14:00.001+02:002017-05-04T15:14:49.169+02:00Vatican City Tips & TricksVatican City is the smallest independent country in the world, but this tiny nation inhabited by priests, nuns, and cardinals (not to mention the Pope) can overwhelm the visitor. Because of the Vatican's religious significance to millions all over the globe, it is one of the most popular places to visit for those going to Rome. While many come to participate in religious services, many more come to see the artistic marvels of the Vatican Museums and to stand within the greatest cathedral of them all- St. Peter's Basilica. Whatever your interest in visiting the Vatican may be, here are some tips and tricks for maximizing your visit.<br />
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<b>1. BOOK EARLY, BOOK EARLY, BOOK EARLY</b><br />
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The Vatican Museums get as packed as Times Square on New Years Eve on pretty much any given day of the year. There's really no way to avoid the crowds, but if you play your cards right you can at least get ahead of the sluggish tour groups to enjoy the museum collections in peace. Some people prefer to wait until the afternoon to go, since many of the large groups will have been and gone by then, but I heartily recommend booking ahead online for the earliest time slot- 8:30. There's more than one reason why.<br />
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If you visit the <a href="https://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/do?action=booking&codiceLivelloVisita=9&step=1">Vatican Museum online ticket office</a> you can book your tickets ahead and this will save you tons of time, especially if you book for an 8:30 slot. Once you arrive at the entrance the voucher you printed ahead of time will let you bypass the main line, head straight through to security (day bags are allowed in the museum, but not suitcases, etc), and go directly into the ticket office of the museum where the voucher is exchanged for actual tickets. Next, muscle through the tour groups waiting for their guides, scan your ticket in the turnstile, then ride the escalator up into the museum.<br />
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I'll get back the museum in minute. Next, I'll fill you in on why you really should book that 8:30 time slot.<br />
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<b>2. Visit St. Peter's When It Opens, Before You Go to the Museums</b><br />
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Trust me, that early morning wake up and walk to the Vatican (or taxi or bus ride) is worth it. Even if you're one of those people that normally refuses getting up early on vacation, please, please make the effort for your visit to St. Peter's.<br />
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We walked from our apartment to Vatican City on our first morning in Rome. As you know, if you've read my other posts, we always get up early when visiting a city to photograph and it's one of our favorite things to do. But, this morning it was even more enjoyable. We didn't stop along the way to take many photographs because we wanted to arrive at the basilica as close to 7:30 as possible. It just so happened that as soon as we approached the city the sun was just starting to break over the horizon- lighting up the front of the basilica in orange and pink light.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panorama of St. Peter's Square at sunrise</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back down Villa della Conciliazione</td></tr>
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No one was around except a half dozen fellow early risers and security guards. We were able to walk right through security without waiting at all and continue to St. Peter's as if we were the only people in the city.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you want to photograph the Swiss Guards without throngs of competition, this is the time</td></tr>
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Since the basilica opens at 7:30 and we were booked at the Museums at 8:30, we only had an hour to see the basilica, climb the dome, and walk to the museum (the entrance is on the outside of the city walls and a 20 minute walk from St. Peter's Square). However, that short amount of time is of a much higher quality than a 2 hour visit would be later in the day.<br />
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It's just going to be you and the priests and nuns. If you're lucky they will be holding mass in one of the chapels. Hearing a choir in the incredible space of St. Peter's is a moving experience, whether you're catholic or not. We could freely roam around the church and enjoy the space in quiet and solitude.<br />
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As we entered, the sun lined up through one of the open doors, sending a beam of intense white light down the full length of the basilica.<br />
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You can see in the above photographs that there were hardly any other people there at this time. We walked through the basilica in about 15 minutes, stopping by Michelangelo's Pieta and then we went to climb the dome.<br />
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<b>3</b>. <b>Go Up the Dome as Soon as It Opens</b><br />
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This is another reason to arrive at St. Peter's at 7:30. The dome ticket office doesn't open right at 7:30, but a little closer to 8:00. There are two tickets- one takes you on an elevator for part of the way, the cheaper ticket requires you take the stairs all the way up. It's a lot of stairs. We used the elevator to save time and energy and thanks to the early hour we shared it with only 5 other people. There are still quite a lot of stairs to the top of the dome after you exit the elevator. A lot. The stairway is very narrow at certain points and the space has you leaning to the side for a good portion of both the climb up and the one down. The last few steps up have you half climbing a rope too. If you're like me, the presence or lack of a crowd in a space like that is the difference between visiting it or not. You could not get me to go up the dome of St. Peter's for any amount of money after 9:00am when the crowds arrive. But, being there early meant we were the only ones on the stairs going up and then going down. It was still steep, but not at all unbearable. And the view, well, pictures really can't do it justice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6X2dGj_dE3wxgOYj0GrVf7M_q0hbSMBnt0NY0nZNqW7VPSrVUGSchf_taWyIH11yVyI11CQCRkWYSX_WYMDmtl__QCz-Pdd0YgE8mWnnKriqwAOrMW28Yoe6XsRzoGhUD-UtysfnA5n1/s1600/DSCF0090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6X2dGj_dE3wxgOYj0GrVf7M_q0hbSMBnt0NY0nZNqW7VPSrVUGSchf_taWyIH11yVyI11CQCRkWYSX_WYMDmtl__QCz-Pdd0YgE8mWnnKriqwAOrMW28Yoe6XsRzoGhUD-UtysfnA5n1/s400/DSCF0090.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCVKbCrUD8s7BEXlu83xLCJo5A7a3cB_GV_qdpOHwjrAZTSW_jTNCImLhLeQG0XvczgcpQDU0iUeUzxqFFDZ2tB8mhxXOCaOkyUhWf-yOehFgel2tAHEAjK-xVJ1vTPdZupkelY95tusR/s1600/DSCF0099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCVKbCrUD8s7BEXlu83xLCJo5A7a3cB_GV_qdpOHwjrAZTSW_jTNCImLhLeQG0XvczgcpQDU0iUeUzxqFFDZ2tB8mhxXOCaOkyUhWf-yOehFgel2tAHEAjK-xVJ1vTPdZupkelY95tusR/s400/DSCF0099.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEu-py4JtNN2G1kAoScMfL0Jsg6vjlPyPnXwvQ4XXXtcg5ZR-yPHWqLYJLNMvX5wFns79mKis3xPgPQr-vs1v__ujrR01yDZnafQoQuA2MP1v6xtTIESlcAiAtzNX5kGxsTw4s03dZ7_k1/s1600/DSCF0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEu-py4JtNN2G1kAoScMfL0Jsg6vjlPyPnXwvQ4XXXtcg5ZR-yPHWqLYJLNMvX5wFns79mKis3xPgPQr-vs1v__ujrR01yDZnafQoQuA2MP1v6xtTIESlcAiAtzNX5kGxsTw4s03dZ7_k1/s400/DSCF0095.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viewing area of St. Peter's Dome</td></tr>
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<b>4. Give the Vatican Museums the Time They Deserve</b><br />
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We got so wrapped up in the view from the dome, we ended up half running to the Vatican Museum entrance to get there by 8:30. However, we made it just in time and only had to deal with the tour group crowds at the entrance before we ended up well ahead of them within the main museum itself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafbVQvpQ8SKrKDjR4rOsEF3C4EBcxVjytIeoQGKvOc4ETz_SK7jjUtlczCwg2_T_LHLLi1rFrmt-Lr3v10gdqBpuvlXhm1Fdhxm9YcfR4beL-7_XuEuZwWPAN4BwEEJAOztXoH_9nHHXv/s1600/DSCF1309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafbVQvpQ8SKrKDjR4rOsEF3C4EBcxVjytIeoQGKvOc4ETz_SK7jjUtlczCwg2_T_LHLLi1rFrmt-Lr3v10gdqBpuvlXhm1Fdhxm9YcfR4beL-7_XuEuZwWPAN4BwEEJAOztXoH_9nHHXv/s400/DSCF1309.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The one nice thing about tour groups is that they stop in one place a lot so their guide can talk. If you time it right, you can stay ahead of most of them and take in the wonders of the museum in a more civilized, intimate, and peaceful way.<br />
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But, that doesn't mean rush straight through all the galleries just to get to the Sistine Chapel at the end. The Vatican houses many incredible works of art and you really should take the time to see them. It would be a shame to miss the statue of Laocoön and His Sons, the Egyptian room, the Belvedere Torso, and all the other masterpieces housed within the main exhibits of the Vatican Museum. If you booked an early visit there is no reason to rush through and waste the opportunity to see these works without the crowds. You won't be sorry you took the time.<br />
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Eventually, the tour groups may catch up to you if you linger and that's ok. They have their uses. Which brings me to tip 5.<br />
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Now, this tip is very, very special and comes with a little risk. There's no guaranteeing you'll be able to pull if off, but if you can you will be winning at visiting the Vatican.<br />
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Ready?<br />
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<b>5. Disappear into a Group at The Sistine Chapel</b><br />
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The route through the Vatican Museums ends in the Sistine Chapel, the grand finale. Take your time enjoying Michelangelo's masterpiece. Take a seat in one of the chairs if you can (not the steps), stay quiet, and soak it in. But, while you're there, keep your eyes peeled for a large bus group. Why?<br />
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There are two exits from the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. The main exit takes you all the way back the length of the museums to the beginning and adds about 30 minutes of walking. The other exit is for tour groups only. This exit deposits you right at the entrance of St. Peter's Basilica! So, if you time it right and blend into a group, there's a good chance that exit will be opened by the docent and you can sneakily cut a half hour of walking out of your day. This is perfect if you haven't been to St. Peter's yet. You won't have to wait at security like everyone else and you can basically head right into the basilica from there.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iWnIoiOSbkbkEsMs3IaSKI4ijrRWOj2gON9WWAapMoMbFL0E-R4rM8KsmvE2ctuCuktYO8nF-2EXdvirX2zQI9ssxgN8glNkKvaPMipwWg-WUxJaSOnVpcpWHoek1-zwtqAF77unpKGE/s1600/DSCF1269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iWnIoiOSbkbkEsMs3IaSKI4ijrRWOj2gON9WWAapMoMbFL0E-R4rM8KsmvE2ctuCuktYO8nF-2EXdvirX2zQI9ssxgN8glNkKvaPMipwWg-WUxJaSOnVpcpWHoek1-zwtqAF77unpKGE/s400/DSCF1269.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking Up in St. Peter's</td></tr>
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Of course, there is a chance you will caught by the tour guide or the docent, but honestly I think saving the time and hassle of going all the way back through the length of the museum is worth a little risk.<br />
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Having a pleasant, worthwhile visit to Vatican City is all about planning and timing. Getting there early with an appointment is the difference between seeing this incredible little country in all its glory and having just another nightmare touristic experience.<br />
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I didn't make photography the point of the Vatican visit. Tripods, of course, are not allowed within the basilica, and there's no need to schlep a bunch of equipment around the museum. I just took one camera and lens that day, like any other tourist. It was nice taking some time off from an early shoot in order to focus on the visit itself. We finished at Vatican City at lunch time, when the congestion of visitors was just reaching its peak. We grabbed a snack and headed back into Rome. It ended up being one of our favorite parts of the trip. We felt we had experienced this famous city in a way most people don't, and that was definitely worth the extra effort.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-36191117054628079952017-04-21T12:51:00.001+02:002017-04-21T12:51:46.352+02:00Review: Peak Design Everyday BackpackI warned you. I said back in January that there was a good chance we'd pick up a Peak Design Everyday Backpack at some point. After a great experience using the Everyday Messenger in Venice and the following few months, we decided that there was no point wasting time with the old, uncomfortable backpacks anymore. So, goodbye, generic German pack! Hello, Everyday Backpack!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL842zAMAqUPpqGWJ8BInSs-A-7o32x0zWiqlFPjGHXRCN2bLZL2gwbx4Vt_giy5c3v07Si6R1LWI6e7Ql6fE90IjSOh6laP1GY6U3_sQGcF5qjRidKrFLtnnN3CMm8kz8hH6tzzpBEn8A/s1600/DSCF9854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL842zAMAqUPpqGWJ8BInSs-A-7o32x0zWiqlFPjGHXRCN2bLZL2gwbx4Vt_giy5c3v07Si6R1LWI6e7Ql6fE90IjSOh6laP1GY6U3_sQGcF5qjRidKrFLtnnN3CMm8kz8hH6tzzpBEn8A/s400/DSCF9854.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Let's take a look. </div>
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It has many of the same features of the Everyday Messenger including the Flex-Fold dividers, Maglatch closure, key tether system, anodized aluminum hardware, weatherproof exterior material and zippers, reinforced zipper pulls, and tuck-away straps. We opted for the 20L Ash version since it was the most versatile of the two color scheme choices. This model replaces the hypalon "touch points" with leather ones and the accent color is blue instead of the traditional red.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvpKcAAGJP0eWHR9HBAQrhzUkKYGAw70PFr15Y31YuAIRKOTTDWFaabUpPMBrW2Q3i6HEmvVrKkl5nX0lzUKJmFVs1CtwnRG9tWgBnXWJNtMAyqWfKVubp6nzWqCmlQfKK-G2rGfdWlHq/s1600/DSCF9848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvpKcAAGJP0eWHR9HBAQrhzUkKYGAw70PFr15Y31YuAIRKOTTDWFaabUpPMBrW2Q3i6HEmvVrKkl5nX0lzUKJmFVs1CtwnRG9tWgBnXWJNtMAyqWfKVubp6nzWqCmlQfKK-G2rGfdWlHq/s400/DSCF9848.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leather "touch point" on the Ash model</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcugYZhbPccNdL7e1ulhPjE4xcSOQALalSMCE65VbBd_nx9NNKqn0wYZKMCbKzDARjyIpyRSLLtQK0mitQVhn2_ZxLd2pPvRovQXB7mqVm3lw2B7Mt8LuSZvvD3aLOesJE4NN186L1j8I3/s1600/DSCF9849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcugYZhbPccNdL7e1ulhPjE4xcSOQALalSMCE65VbBd_nx9NNKqn0wYZKMCbKzDARjyIpyRSLLtQK0mitQVhn2_ZxLd2pPvRovQXB7mqVm3lw2B7Mt8LuSZvvD3aLOesJE4NN186L1j8I3/s400/DSCF9849.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weather resistant zipper tracks</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijYfC2-_rYOzT8v45exQENfhRJ16viNrHx4HtSU0peOBH3zoP6gZLsKLyVk66LTBfw3rFqcVp1ug3dhZ4e57hXQE_vlLalLw9DbppnmD8jwGCpmyfTPziX-UR8yN-Z9hPXieUw817d0Ih/s1600/DSCF9850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijYfC2-_rYOzT8v45exQENfhRJ16viNrHx4HtSU0peOBH3zoP6gZLsKLyVk66LTBfw3rFqcVp1ug3dhZ4e57hXQE_vlLalLw9DbppnmD8jwGCpmyfTPziX-UR8yN-Z9hPXieUw817d0Ih/s400/DSCF9850.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Re-enforced zipper pulls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3ft6qAkud9YykWt4zqhff0uh9dzQ8N1hjOM-Yzfm4tavaiSM7hqsHkD9yu3wd1aKSm53ztOqx9oLN-_tfVE_JuJwMlR28hCQODEqOpxuax4xSiFwFzhAEBRa4qu9FVTMh1gP5GnM8AjV/s1600/DSCF9852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3ft6qAkud9YykWt4zqhff0uh9dzQ8N1hjOM-Yzfm4tavaiSM7hqsHkD9yu3wd1aKSm53ztOqx9oLN-_tfVE_JuJwMlR28hCQODEqOpxuax4xSiFwFzhAEBRa4qu9FVTMh1gP5GnM8AjV/s400/DSCF9852.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hardware</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9O9g9dMi0-xSNbPnH1MdVPi3dzl2egK-iwLPrWRBn3s6I7zPOrW5yhCNS4u9TqSbzwIWd7GRMpEFT_L_NlhNTRvb46OrwG8q7XDKNVzBFNRqahDTdoovf8QoF5ZWE6FLyIO4HQ3_jHUV4/s1600/DSCF9853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9O9g9dMi0-xSNbPnH1MdVPi3dzl2egK-iwLPrWRBn3s6I7zPOrW5yhCNS4u9TqSbzwIWd7GRMpEFT_L_NlhNTRvb46OrwG8q7XDKNVzBFNRqahDTdoovf8QoF5ZWE6FLyIO4HQ3_jHUV4/s400/DSCF9853.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pivot point of the main straps</td></tr>
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Also, like the messenger, the backpack has laptop and tablet storage and an easy access quick stash pocket. Unlike the messenger, it has two water bottle/tripod storage pockets. This bag also offers multiple carry options besides the shoulder straps- the usual strap found on the top of most backpacks and two side ones. These two side straps allow you to pick the bag up and carry it in whatever position is the easiest and most comfortable for the moment. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWo5CutcueVhxhlBCMvonaDic0VzRpuOTP5LrAHAET6d_oj9_PvZI5yRcjYrx2x78-FTTLiA9xrzCrqrpbUBI_yg45PE2_URKnKavwjbuV6GLMtT_KKgenAZ4djXwx6gfUuGYGhdjioPEY/s1600/DSCF9864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWo5CutcueVhxhlBCMvonaDic0VzRpuOTP5LrAHAET6d_oj9_PvZI5yRcjYrx2x78-FTTLiA9xrzCrqrpbUBI_yg45PE2_URKnKavwjbuV6GLMtT_KKgenAZ4djXwx6gfUuGYGhdjioPEY/s400/DSCF9864.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Access to the laptop/tablet storage and quick stash pocket</td></tr>
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Ok, now for the revolutionary parts. First of all, the interior of the bag can be accessed completely from the sides, not just the top!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOKBFCvINQmy8ommIrvL8p19BiBATumpsJb5X4DUZg0OSIFjhX4ZG620465Y8z-_xqODP7prTCaRSFlKgrG2VtpWeD3cCYBgedBrh-Urkknb6ylUb9u_uTM-zNpDcK8K2BoJi7rrgbGyA/s1600/DSCF9859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOKBFCvINQmy8ommIrvL8p19BiBATumpsJb5X4DUZg0OSIFjhX4ZG620465Y8z-_xqODP7prTCaRSFlKgrG2VtpWeD3cCYBgedBrh-Urkknb6ylUb9u_uTM-zNpDcK8K2BoJi7rrgbGyA/s400/DSCF9859.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdreQmJVbAxHafNVmHdNyMpzldcvFxY4DaHCTK_uc5o24f5Y1z5whyoOUcPgQcerPSdd9ZwbOTAEpW7QYoyTCUDAOpWHzrpMwZViUCOOljsWT0NuO9jQHMeXML7UqiatcpAbr5Hx5MqJKb/s1600/DSCF9860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdreQmJVbAxHafNVmHdNyMpzldcvFxY4DaHCTK_uc5o24f5Y1z5whyoOUcPgQcerPSdd9ZwbOTAEpW7QYoyTCUDAOpWHzrpMwZViUCOOljsWT0NuO9jQHMeXML7UqiatcpAbr5Hx5MqJKb/s400/DSCF9860.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Why would you want to do such a thing? Well, if you're a photographer you know about the desire to just swing a bag around quickly while still wearing it to grab a camera or some other piece of equipment while on the go. Also, it's a convenient way for a partner to grab something without you needing to take the bag off. We took advantage of this feature almost exclusively in Rome. It saved quite a bit of time to just grab or stash something without needing to remove the bag. Plus, leaving the bag on made it much harder for thieves to nab, an unfortunate concern in Rome. Now, you may notice that there are some zips in those side pockets. Those open up a whole other little world of storage possibilities.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h5RRdhzBo7LW3T59ACAXqOECkFLFW39FwmlWLSfvc2Rb9M3JmBssYQ9ihRwRVRCXzfJL5yNX2FrkyBQi5A2dJvGfdoiWGgss2tyclAhtxesKOQbZCqL3tAJHGxjbkmmLBrLGvOmOBu6a/s1600/DSCF9861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h5RRdhzBo7LW3T59ACAXqOECkFLFW39FwmlWLSfvc2Rb9M3JmBssYQ9ihRwRVRCXzfJL5yNX2FrkyBQi5A2dJvGfdoiWGgss2tyclAhtxesKOQbZCqL3tAJHGxjbkmmLBrLGvOmOBu6a/s400/DSCF9861.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfFtTjOBtsRx8m1ZZC_MfdfZFSpHDRnrz0aIOitDY_b1WySGmKB7JFDfbLHkJvIwB6DGGkSgoZlc2DCusoCmYC40I1o-NQsYca42huQwZD0sXLPWBCOlSkAks7A3PuPfWgfnDgqzuS1OZ/s1600/DSCF9850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
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Within this little secret world are color coded pockets for storing things like memory cards, batteries, filters, lens clothes, what have you without impeding the interior storage capacity of the bag. There's also another secret pocket inside the top of the bag. See it?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUMITh9bSZRg4BxJHHYLb-eYYyN5W9HyvJZsxrpFhOCThjJYocfgQKrpbdCiAeA2inDdW4j80rCLG0TNdihA0KpEChPB7cDvjo9q87N6yzkH3c5KB_C47K6skfrGsh8DIYgmkANaXY8An/s1600/DSCF9857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUMITh9bSZRg4BxJHHYLb-eYYyN5W9HyvJZsxrpFhOCThjJYocfgQKrpbdCiAeA2inDdW4j80rCLG0TNdihA0KpEChPB7cDvjo9q87N6yzkH3c5KB_C47K6skfrGsh8DIYgmkANaXY8An/s320/DSCF9857.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I didn't either at first (and I completely forgot about it when I took that photograph, actually). It's located inside the top cavity on the outside facing side of the bag. It's a small magnetically sealed pocket perfect for storing valuables and for misplacing your tripod's Allen wrench in.<br />
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Another revolutionary thing about this pack are the external carry options. This bag is perfect for securely and comfortably carrying a lot of stuff, all day if you have to.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0HIhUB2nYCviTe6J8erDgZ1Rge2aahQlleqEdU41hhSC5WfMb8dRnjc7-v2lSb5bIa6gqDQaRA6OCzzCv1IPPWVW-bw0ET49uraG07a4LrEeq0iJj14rNBZHUcaPPI8Wv0-WF4XCvcE-/s1600/DSCF0199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0HIhUB2nYCviTe6J8erDgZ1Rge2aahQlleqEdU41hhSC5WfMb8dRnjc7-v2lSb5bIa6gqDQaRA6OCzzCv1IPPWVW-bw0ET49uraG07a4LrEeq0iJj14rNBZHUcaPPI8Wv0-WF4XCvcE-/s400/DSCF0199.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Everyday Backpack, fully loaded, in the wilds of the Roman Forum.</td></tr>
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Just like last time, the bag test took place in Italy; this time we were in Rome. We had a few days during our trip that were pretty hectic and we needed a bag that would help, not hinder us. After spending so much time on our feet in Venice we decided that a messenger just isn't very comfortable for that type of all day travel situation. A backpack is more the animal for the job. They distribute the weight more evenly on the body making it easier to carry all day. We had a whole day planned away from our apartment that started at 4:30am when it was about 38ºF through to the afternoon when the temperature was about 75ºF. So, we had coats in the morning and no place to stash them when it was warm enough to be in just our shirt sleeves in the afternoon. Also, we needed to use the tripod in the morning. Thanks to the exterior carry system we were able to roll the jackets up and strap them underneath the bag with the tuck-away straps. The tripod slid easily into one of the outside pockets and we could store a water bottle in the other. The tripod was secured with another one of those fabulous tuck-away straps. Because of its sleek design the bag stayed close and tight to the body even loaded down. The backpack also comes equipped with waist and chest straps that can be tucked away or stowed when not needed. Another nice feature which comes in handy at the airport is the built in luggage strap on the back of the bag that allows you to slip it over a rolling suitcase handle. The bottom of the bag has the same re-enforced material as the messenger so you don't have to worry about setting the bag down on rough or damp surfaces. This also serves as another tripod storage sleeve if you'd prefer keeping yours underneath the bag. The carry possibilities are endless!<br />
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Now, we've been through a lot of backpacks through the years, long before cameras came into our lives. There is one thing that determines a good backpack- how your shoulders feel at the end of the day. Once again, my husband did the carrying of the bag. He's struggled with back problems over the years so he'd know sooner than most if a bag is going to be comfortable all day. While carrying the Everyday Messenger caused some discomfort for him, he didn't have a word of complaint about carrying the Everyday Backpack. In fact, he didn't have a single complaint about the bag whatsoever. </div>
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Its design is unassuming and stylish and the straps keep it snug to the body so it feels like a part of you, not a sack swinging behind you that puts pressure on your shoulders and back. Unlike all the other packs we've ever used, this one has class. For those who like to keep a sense of style when they travel, this bag will only add to it. It transitions seamlessly from an air travel carry-on to a daily use camera bag. Plus, the dividers aren't just for cameras. Non-photographers will get just as much use out of them since they keep your stuff organized and protected. We carried cannoli around in it at one point!</div>
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Now, there are a couple of things that I found need a little work. The bag will fit differently on women than men (duh!). Like so many companies on this earth it seems Peak Design may have forgotten about the needs of its female customers a little. The chest strap tends to, uh, conflict with the female anatomy. The only place I find it somewhat comfortable is in the highest possible position (shown above). Because of that it doesn't allow a lot of wiggle room for the Capture One Pro clip system. It took two of us to get the Capture One in an orientation that kept it from digging into me anywhere. It works, but it could work a lot better if that chest strap could be positioned another inch higher. The second problem I noticed is the same one we found with the Messenger. While the seatbelt material of the straps is tough as nails, it tends to slip over time. I found myself having to tighten the chest strap about a half dozen times on a two hour hike last weekend. The waist belt straps tend to loosen over time as well, even more so with a heavier load. That could be prevented with a redesign of the hardware on future renditions. The slipping isn't a major aggravation and if you're using it for city travel you'll probably be taking it on and off enough anyway that making midway adjustments won't be as necessary. Because of the slippage, I may be less inclined to use the Everyday Backpack for anything longer and more intense than a moderate day hike.</div>
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So, is the Everyday Backpack worth the price? Since I don't get any of the gear we test and use for free or at a discount, I can tell you that this bag is worth spending the dough on. Sure, it will cost far more than your standard city daypack, but it definitely will out perform your standard daypacks. Unlike all the other backpacks out there, it doesn't make you look like a dork. There isn't any loose, bulky material to get caught on lens hoods and the origami style dividers make it easy to keep your lenses and bodies happy and safe. The built in organizational pockets in the side panels will guarantee that your shutter release, lens pen, and filters don't go missing in the depths. Plus, it isn't only for photographers. Anyone can use this bag! It's sleek design makes it perfect for getting around town on foot, bicycle, or whatever form of alternative transport you prefer (Segway riders will probably love it too!). All the loose strap ends can be tucked away preventing that untidy and irritating dangly strap end syndrome you get from other bags. For those who shun panniers, this (like its messenger cousin) is a bike commuter's dream bag. The bag itself is weather resistant, so there's no need to deal with a rain cover. It expands and contracts to match its load, and even fully stuffed you're not going to look or feel like a backpacker. At the end or beginning of a trip, it'll ride handily on your luggage and slide neatly under the plane or train seat. Yes, it has a couple of kinks to work out, but so far this is definitely the best backpack we've ever used and I doubt we will want to replace it any time soon.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-36739159729150963262017-04-13T15:17:00.000+02:002017-04-13T15:19:05.054+02:00Rome: Shooting the Eternal CityWe weren't planning on going to Rome, but we changed our minds. I'm so very glad we did.<br />
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Rome at the end of March 2017 (safely passed the Ides, of course), was a city entering into the height of the tourist season. Most places are still in the off season at this time of year, but thanks to the climate and its enduring popularity I'm not sure Rome really has an off season. Keeping with tradition, we accidentally booked our trip to coincide with the city's marathon (lessons learned in Prague are soon forgotten) and American Spring break (half the US's high school population was there, it seems). The entirety of central Rome was PACKED. It had all the components of a frustrating photo trip. However, we have a secret about dealing with overcrowded locations so we weren't too concerned. The trip ended up being a mad dash, a brutal workout, luxurious, relaxing, uplifting, and frustrating all at the same time. Most of the plans went better than expected. Failures were made up for. It was a trip of incredibly lofty highs and incredibly low lows. But, that's Rome for you. Anything less would be a disappointment.<br />
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What's our secret for dealing with crowded locations? It's really not rocket science so I'll tell you. First, we plan ahead and, second, we get up crazy early. In Rome this is really the only way to get the kinds of shots I want and see the sights without being trampled by the hordes. We take this approach in every city we visit, but Rome is one of those cities that you simply cannot shoot properly unless you get up early. There's no way you can just work with evening blue hour or sunset. There are just too many people.<br />
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For example:<br />
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That's the Trevi Fountain just after sunset. Normally, I wouldn't even bother shooting a long exposure with this many people around, but in this case I felt the crowd was part of the fountain's story so I decided to attempt it with a precariously positioned tripod. It worked out really well, and my camera was only nearly knocked over once. Oh, yes, I did add another exposure of the moon back into the shot in post, but it appears the way it did and where it did that night. We had a beautiful Moon in the early evenings of the entire visit.<br />
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The Trevi Fountain was the only location that I wanted a crowd in. All the other places on my list I wanted as people free as possible. Why? These places have been photographed for generations so I wasn't likely to get a unique composition, but at least by photographing when many people do not I could create an image of these locations that people don't see as often. Secondly, the more people around, the harder to get the right composition. Thirdly, where there are tourists there are people who feed off of them. The more tourists around, the likelier of getting my gear stolen (unfortunately, Rome has a higher petty crime rate than many other cities in Western Europe). Finally, I find people distracting in scenic photos since our eyes are naturally drawn to the human form. For example, in the picture above, what do you notice first? The fountain, The Moon, or that nearly perfectly still couple embracing in the foreground? My guess is that if they weren't the first thing you noticed they were the second. Since the Trevi Fountain is one of the most romantic spots in the city, I wanted them there and this shot, while not being typical for me, is one of my favorites from the trip.<br />
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But, I didn't want selfie sticks, NorthFace jackets, fluorescent baseball hats, and street peddlers in photographs of the other locations. So, that means getting up around 4:30am. We'd be out the door around 5, and it would only be us and the folks catching the bus to work and opening up shops moving around in the city at that time. And really, even if you're not interested in photography, I'd recommend doing this a couple of times when you have an extended stay in a large city like Rome. You will get to see a completely different side of the place and it's pure magic. Our first day in Rome started out pretty rough. We turned in late the night before and then were wakened not long after to the news that my husband's grandfather had passed away. The sadness of his passing would linger in the background for the rest of the trip. After a few hours of sleep we had to get up early to walk from our apartment by the Pantheon to Vatican City. We had booked an early entrance to the Vatican Museums and we wanted to get into St. Peter's when it was opened at 7:30am before our appointment at the museum. So, we got into St. Peter's Square just as the run was rising, striking the grand cathedral in glowing light. I mean, geez, could that be more perfect?<br />
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But, more about the Vatican some other time. My point is that if your willing, for a few hours every day you have the chance to not only see something, but the chance to <i>take it in</i>. It has a chance to move you. That really is worth the lost sleep. And if you're getting up that early every day in Rome, you're definitely going to be losing sleep. Those dinners, oh those incredible dinners, run late into the night.<br />
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On the plus side, at this time of year the soft light ends earlier in the day, but the tourists are still in their hotels. So, we had some time to enjoy Italian breakfasts properly with the locals when the pastries (and the baristas) were fresh.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best post shoot breakfast while in Rome? I recommend sfogliatella and cappucino.<br />
Don Nino does a good rendition of both and opens just as the light is leaving.</td></tr>
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Some attractions open right after breakfast so with some caffeine in us we could head straight into, say, the Colosseum with pre-booked tickets and enjoy it at a civilized pace. Besides getting up early I recommend booking tickets online for the earliest visit time as possible. The tour groups and buses will start showing up soon, but there aren't as many in places that open early (7:30-8:30). Save yourself the line wait time and get in before the masses, even if you only get 30 mins of peace. It's worth it! You don't want your memories of something like the Colosseum or the Forum to just be of dodging selfie-sticks and tour groups.<br />
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If we didn't head straight to an attraction after breakfast we'd amble back to our apartment and go back to sleep. These trips are also a vacation for a us, and we don't want to be total zombies. After lunch we'd just roam around the city seeing what we can find before it would be time to head to the evening shooting spot. Sometimes our wanderings take us to some really interesting locations, like the Aventine Keyhole. If you look through the keyhole to the Knights of Malta priory (which is closed to the public) on Aventine Hill you can see the dome of St. Peter's perfectly framed within. In the afternoon the line is slow and long, but it is a pretty cool sight and worth the wait. </div>
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Shooting at sunset and blue hour in cities as popular as Rome requires a lot of patience, planning, and more patience. During our afternoon wanderings we'd usually scope out the area I wanted to shoot from later to find the place I wanted to set up the tripod. Then, more often than not, we'd return an hour early to hold the spot before I'd start photographing. I know, that sounds crazy. But, some places are so popular it's shoulder to shoulder when the sun goes down. If I miss a shot because I was late and didn't get a place to set up, I have only myself to blame. In most cases, I only have one chance to visit a location so I don't want to blow it by being lazy.</div>
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One of the most popular views of Rome is of the Sant' Angelo Bridge and St. Peter's as seen from the bridge of Umberto I. On a warm night in a city as crowded with tourists as Rome, I knew I'd have to get the right spot early. We hung out in the same few feet on the bridge for about two hours, an hour ahead of sunset to hold the place and then another hour to shoot from sunset through blue hour. It did end up being shoulder to shoulder and it took two of us to protect the tripod from being jostled and knocked into the Tiber below. Low stress location it was not, but at least there was a snack stand nearby so we were well provisioned during the siege. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKig8TMLM0esqDooJ5DDLH6iC2Qa8kIBg8rUyPmDeSeV35t9ta91O0d8afAvEGoe9sO5OZJtwfxKNjNsbaR2duoiuopcoKOVZ4STm1BvUYywHXK18bV4-troDFnqCcp7X-qrSGkN-TA5Y/s1600/DSCF0116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKig8TMLM0esqDooJ5DDLH6iC2Qa8kIBg8rUyPmDeSeV35t9ta91O0d8afAvEGoe9sO5OZJtwfxKNjNsbaR2duoiuopcoKOVZ4STm1BvUYywHXK18bV4-troDFnqCcp7X-qrSGkN-TA5Y/s400/DSCF0116.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-_WEZVPKLARJ63W6Jl9Cp_R-qTiHhNVt-tziVFpYXWhB1WNlJDdd_DkmlXsOg20mjk_owB9ySmNQfidNr5qHqnwCSv3SGIGOTsdo-3qYK968gY_cEHlSCvflijw-vIFukJaJ8OKPBDIQ/s1600/DSCF1510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-_WEZVPKLARJ63W6Jl9Cp_R-qTiHhNVt-tziVFpYXWhB1WNlJDdd_DkmlXsOg20mjk_owB9ySmNQfidNr5qHqnwCSv3SGIGOTsdo-3qYK968gY_cEHlSCvflijw-vIFukJaJ8OKPBDIQ/s400/DSCF1510.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This sort of thing may sound like a pain in the neck just for a handful of photographs. However, we really enjoy it. How many people get to stand and soak in a view like this for hours?</div>
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When the shooting is done for the day, that's when it's time to get to the best part of a trip to Rome- the dinners. I can't recall having a bad meal in Italy, but I don't recall ever having a great dinner every night no matter where we ate in any city in any country. Look, I'm just going to say it, the Italians have cornered the market on eating, the rest of us will never measure up. Eating dinner in Italy is an event, and so don't take it for granted. Eat out every night, order the pasta, and for heaven's sake get a glass of wine. Restaurants are open late, so if you have another engagement earlier (say standing on a bridge for two hours), you should't have a problem booking a place for a 8:30-9 dinner. Yes, that's much later than most Americans eat, but like getting up early in Rome, eating late in Rome is worth it too. By then the tourists are all snug in their beds in front of the TV, but real Rome is very much still awake. You can have dinner to the sounds of Italian being spoken around you, and if you're lucky there's still a street performer outside with his cello. But, make sure you make reservations if you're going anywhere off the main streets and classier than a pizzeria, especially during a busy time like a marathon weekend.</div>
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Speaking of marathon, that was the only real hurdle to manage during our visit. For the most part we managed to shoot the spots the race would block before the day of the event, but not the Spanish Steps. So, we needed another morning to return to that location once the red race barriers were removed. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hIv_6k_tasOTZFvTDXEpk7HDaTXdr1jsfEKVfW9mbBCdPyG-soEx9buTjQZw0k2Oa6OY70o9tpgeMVLvZ7EuWK4VI15NBQUG_GCsD4Ul49IGnga7fLL3CkCSHdFDc1yTqh1B02NsQ_ke/s1600/DSCF0289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hIv_6k_tasOTZFvTDXEpk7HDaTXdr1jsfEKVfW9mbBCdPyG-soEx9buTjQZw0k2Oa6OY70o9tpgeMVLvZ7EuWK4VI15NBQUG_GCsD4Ul49IGnga7fLL3CkCSHdFDc1yTqh1B02NsQ_ke/s400/DSCF0289.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEU5VoCefQ8dtb_a4h0k2yUwKlNnnofAqFs7OQi9bZQRwh___Ztp-cVeix3KGUOQ0wUu-l7xQFFBLz5QtPvw9hxYxQhOtKtwVt5tQ0tbVuBpTn942K8cjUp0SBiQuqS8m1Vx9mPkcJZss/s1600/DSCF0306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEU5VoCefQ8dtb_a4h0k2yUwKlNnnofAqFs7OQi9bZQRwh___Ztp-cVeix3KGUOQ0wUu-l7xQFFBLz5QtPvw9hxYxQhOtKtwVt5tQ0tbVuBpTn942K8cjUp0SBiQuqS8m1Vx9mPkcJZss/s320/DSCF0306.jpg" width="320" /></a>Our backup plan if the steps were blocked was a crowd free shot of the Trevi Fountain since it's nearby and was bypassed by the marathon. That was scrapped thanks to some amateur photographers shooting some sort of haphazard engagement session in front of the fountain at 6:00am. They didn't seem to know what they were doing (they couldn't figure out why their photos in the dark were so blurry) making their refusal to move incredibly angering. I did take some tight shots of fountain details, but the fountain's lights go out at 6:30am, blowing a chance for softer natural light. We packed it in when they went out, never getting that people free photo I was after. Plan C was the grandiose Monument to the Forefathers, but race prep trucks and forklifts were all over the square. I never got a wide shot that morning, and I have to say I was not in a good mood at all. Thankfully for the sake of our sanities, it rained and stormed all day so it was a good chance to catch up on much needed rest until the race ended. We stepped out to watch the runners do their thing, grabbed some pizza, napped, and waited until the event finished and when the forecast said the rain would end. The rain never stopped, but that was ok since we bought a souvenir umbrella and so we were able to shoot around the Pantheon without getting too much water on the lens. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVA3D3t1FsrrF6V3e8EisyYjGuu9uRSkImDgfoE2xb_mSRzIs1fMhkBs-GT1kr0uikWGVV1GhU1wCxBHi9mbTboUn2nKMgEno1CgTMCuOdbSyRDr2qrJuZZtHKnYmrs7KtmoFRpntf5k98/s1600/DSCF1898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVA3D3t1FsrrF6V3e8EisyYjGuu9uRSkImDgfoE2xb_mSRzIs1fMhkBs-GT1kr0uikWGVV1GhU1wCxBHi9mbTboUn2nKMgEno1CgTMCuOdbSyRDr2qrJuZZtHKnYmrs7KtmoFRpntf5k98/s400/DSCF1898.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Despite the grief of losing a loved one while we were on the trip and the little hiccup on marathon day morning, all in all the trip went very well. The visit proved the importance of planning ahead to visit attractions, photograph, and get a good meal. Because of the heavy crowds and logistical issues, Rome was more of a challenge to photograph than other cities we've been to. We had to hold locations longer and eat later than usual, but because it's Rome we were still having a good time. Even when things didn't work out the way we hoped, we still got to spend our time in one of of the greatest cities on earth. </div>
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Rome is a city of chaos. All roads may lead to it, but once you get there the roads fall into disrepair and the traffic is wild at all hours. In a city where you can't always count on things being open or the bus to come on time, there's always something beautiful to see, a story to hear, and more than likely something delicious to eat or drink just around the corner. There's really no other city quite like it. It is a city of ruins and modernity. It crumbles and rises again. Its history is filled with war and blood, but it is considered one of the most romantic places on earth. It's a city where the formula for and pattern of modern civilization was first perfected, but it's a city that cannot be controlled. It's a place of jumbled contradictions, even some of its most hallowed monuments are just a pile of rocks. Here is where so much began, but it seems it has always been just slightly out of step ever since. It's beautiful and ugly at the same time. It is trapped in the patina of its most glorious era, but remains in other ways youthfully eternal. If you can see Rome at at silent dawn, in the clamor filled afternoon, in the music filled nights, then somewhere in there you will see what makes it so special.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We managed to get back to the Spanish Steps and shoot the morning before we flew back to Germany.</td></tr>
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You can see more from Rome <a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Cities/Italian-Cities/">here</a>!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-23908645037371182622017-03-16T12:37:00.000+01:002017-03-16T12:37:05.459+01:00Review: Wacom Intuos Pro S<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
“The negative is the equivalent of the composer’s score, and the print the performance.” – Ansel Adams</div>
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Or, to paraphrase Bruce Barnbaum, the RAW file is the score and the TIFF is the performance. No matter what the genre of photography, completing the image is always done after (sometimes long after) the shutter button is clicked. It doesn't matter if it's a digital or film photograph, something always has to be done in post- in software, the darkroom, or both. The amount of post processing done is up to the photographer and is often dictated by the subject. The goal is to create a photograph that best represents how the photographer perceived the scene, not necessarily to create a carbon copy of the scene.<br />
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Therefore, it makes sense that having the proper tools for post processing is just as important as having the proper tools for capturing the original image. The computer and the software or the chemicals and darkroom space are just as important as the camera, the lenses, the tripod, and the filters.<br />
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One of the most frustrating parts of post processing for me was in detailed work. Using my MacBook trackpad was a pain to use for anything beyond gradients. The mouse was ok, but dragging and holding a click wasn't effective for more intensive work. The mouse was a port in a storm. So, I started looking into tablets. Using an art tablet offered a more controlled and comfortable way of editing. Instead of a mouse you use a pen. I have a little background in art so using a pen sounded more attractive. It didn't take long before I inevitably landed on Wacom's line of editing hardware.<br />
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<a href="http://www.wacom.com/en-kr/products">Wacom</a> makes a ton of different products from pen computers to simple smart pads. For photographers the best choices would be the computers, pen displays, or the pen tablets. I decided to to go with a <a href="http://www.wacom.com/en-kr/products/pen-tablets/intuos-pro-overview">Intuos Pro pen tablet</a> because using another display didn't seem necessary. Also, the texture of the tablet sounded more appealing to work with over that of a smooth display glass. Plus, the Intuos was far more affordable. There are several models of the Intuos Pro to choose from the S, M, and L (small, medium, large) or the Paper M or Paper L (designed for tracing over paper). I decided on the S model since it measures about the same as my Mac and would fit in a bag with no problem.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJjAKT_mB1zIyD6f3gnh5iqf8Vf4TxAFFS2TBwnbOHcrHRkL6j-Q8qXAvSUsVkDUZcXfzjZL37XeKQ3uWTeFVB_PNu05aUZ-kdJh9SwpGCeRn2_32Tl8hnppRc03WeIs-gw19G5qOjRRJ/s1600/DSCF9815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJjAKT_mB1zIyD6f3gnh5iqf8Vf4TxAFFS2TBwnbOHcrHRkL6j-Q8qXAvSUsVkDUZcXfzjZL37XeKQ3uWTeFVB_PNu05aUZ-kdJh9SwpGCeRn2_32Tl8hnppRc03WeIs-gw19G5qOjRRJ/s400/DSCF9815.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Pro S is 320 x 208 x 12mm (12.6 x 8.2 x 0.5 in) and has 6 customizable express keys- on/off, zoom, etc. It connects to the computer either wirelessly (with included adapter) or through USB. The active area also functions as a finger touch pad.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5YWJGYWsp7eEDxk2wvne8A1rhNB-0m7azq0b1uMphPMiG-2o8gomZq9RwSHqTEatv0puXlxyMLxLWPuo0o7SXXfc_T8FRwo-qsGpFZF4OVZJ-3jNrNWJ1ynTi2-ppbFouLqTWm7vity5/s1600/DSCF9817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5YWJGYWsp7eEDxk2wvne8A1rhNB-0m7azq0b1uMphPMiG-2o8gomZq9RwSHqTEatv0puXlxyMLxLWPuo0o7SXXfc_T8FRwo-qsGpFZF4OVZJ-3jNrNWJ1ynTi2-ppbFouLqTWm7vity5/s400/DSCF9817.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Express keys are customizable for a myriad of functions</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixd8DaQz8pcVmQv8Lvrn_ZHmuyPRZQ6g-h-8SB_PO39Gu8y_i1YlH0e7DnuPjVjRwC7Unve67qMFVvcDmLcLu74AkIpdxxi-hPnLihCNr23TvgdmhF527geaoI8yJsrzhyphenhyphen4B-feyZ3MzGJ/s1600/DSCF9818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixd8DaQz8pcVmQv8Lvrn_ZHmuyPRZQ6g-h-8SB_PO39Gu8y_i1YlH0e7DnuPjVjRwC7Unve67qMFVvcDmLcLu74AkIpdxxi-hPnLihCNr23TvgdmhF527geaoI8yJsrzhyphenhyphen4B-feyZ3MzGJ/s400/DSCF9818.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The slightly textured active area is indicated by the illuminated corners.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOj8Aobea9OJ78mb6yCQ_vnypXC8kMasHgCo5pf6I2CyBF4KbiqTPZKdFSQUxtqhiQNYpz_ipQIkbfN1zgwSLMDiphZnPObsRLhpuXd8EqWtDuQUTk5YXM-YlqOnDonHCBuNE5uMvPDzno/s1600/DSCF9821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOj8Aobea9OJ78mb6yCQ_vnypXC8kMasHgCo5pf6I2CyBF4KbiqTPZKdFSQUxtqhiQNYpz_ipQIkbfN1zgwSLMDiphZnPObsRLhpuXd8EqWtDuQUTk5YXM-YlqOnDonHCBuNE5uMvPDzno/s400/DSCF9821.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tablet connects wirelessly to the computer through a simple to install adapter.</td></tr>
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Of course. the main attraction of the tablet is the pen function. The Pro S has 2048 pen pressure points on a 157mm x 98mm (6.2 x 3.9in) active area. The pen has a rubber body and grip and has two buttons that can be customized to function like mouse clicks. The pad is sensitive to the pen's tilt and the pressure applied. The pen itself is battery free. It includes a couple of plastic rings which can be fitted below the head for customization. It also includes a stand.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4hwZj9-GE2vZGZHMupipxEUL8-NKCfqHPy6ZuLVCRFJOaLKmcQT9VGib1jkPh8Qc3npgn-OfqwRLMR5Pgr_ta5nhOKl5Waar0VGhXwm20IUMOVH7Q4_Q1C8Uq0y3I6db8IpGk07_uyrS/s1600/DSCF9822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4hwZj9-GE2vZGZHMupipxEUL8-NKCfqHPy6ZuLVCRFJOaLKmcQT9VGib1jkPh8Qc3npgn-OfqwRLMR5Pgr_ta5nhOKl5Waar0VGhXwm20IUMOVH7Q4_Q1C8Uq0y3I6db8IpGk07_uyrS/s400/DSCF9822.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qUQVLPIkxK6_0WgE0tUxjQTn-ldrpjEEsprG1zkTqwK4y7gbpQ6-1cwbvNpCeoe2AyuRz6eHP5Ra2Nb1VZ68G-Uoaw2BWKOJQSUtZ1IS3pxIdxqO5rLpEtFDMM9JWb3owbrLa5e_CtO7/s1600/DSCF9824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qUQVLPIkxK6_0WgE0tUxjQTn-ldrpjEEsprG1zkTqwK4y7gbpQ6-1cwbvNpCeoe2AyuRz6eHP5Ra2Nb1VZ68G-Uoaw2BWKOJQSUtZ1IS3pxIdxqO5rLpEtFDMM9JWb3owbrLa5e_CtO7/s400/DSCF9824.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I didn't realize this for a few weeks, but the stand opens to reveal a whole smorgasbord of pen nibs and a tool to remove them. There are 5 regular nibs of firm plastic which feel, at least to me, like a pencil on paper. There are 4 felt nibs which feel like a felt pen on course paper. There is one rubber flex nib with a small spring near the base which feels like a brush. The last nib, and this one is my favorite, is called a stroke nib and is a combination of plastic with a rubber tip or core that feels like a marker on smooth paper. I find that it is the most natural feeling.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNd5shLBacOKyrSjbf1vw-wBzfmPOiuIBC08j-FculYX66V-zdyusof2_9PFSy-em6kWJ19x8ed9DV_RmuUVApnhdcyBUaKIGmxkCDwyPQvDz5-EUwlz8SB2psFTOKrllLqRq2aW3HRQj/s1600/DSCF9829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNd5shLBacOKyrSjbf1vw-wBzfmPOiuIBC08j-FculYX66V-zdyusof2_9PFSy-em6kWJ19x8ed9DV_RmuUVApnhdcyBUaKIGmxkCDwyPQvDz5-EUwlz8SB2psFTOKrllLqRq2aW3HRQj/s400/DSCF9829.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extra pen nibs and the tool to change them are stored in the stand.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My pen is fitted with the stroke nib.</td></tr>
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All the reviews I read on the tablet said that there can be quite a learning curve. And there is a lot of truth to that, especially using the pen instead of a mouse for menu selections, etc. However, when it comes to editing I found using it to be second nature. When I first started I had a standard nib in the pen and I didn't care at all for how it felt. To me it seemed like I was scratching the tablet too much. But, once I switched to the stroke nib, it felt and worked perfectly. It makes editing, especially fine detailed edits, much easier. Because the tablet and pen are more accurate, I get through complicated edits in half the time. Plus, it's more enjoyable to use. Using a mouse was always a frustrating experience. All that frustration is gone with the Intuos Pro. Since it works wirelessly, I can sit back and get comfortable just like with a pen and paper instead of sitting hunched over a desk for hours.<br />
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I don't tend to use the express buttons very much and I haven't really used it as a touch pad. For clicking through menus or scrolling I usually just switch over to my mouse, mostly out of habit. For some functions the mouse is the more natural choice. The S model works wirelessly through an adapter which plugs into a USB port. The larger models work over Bluetooth. Using a USB port can be an inconvenience if you only have a couple of ports. Battery life in the tablet lasts for several weeks and is recharged through USB. The tablet will automatically shut off if it's not in use for a while, hence the long battery life. Installation and set up is really easy, but the directions for use don't come in the box. But, using it is mostly intuitive. The only direction I needed was on how to remove the pen nibs.<br />
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The Wacom Intuos Pro S is slim, lightweight, and measures about the same size as my MacBook Pro. It's easy to master and works as a perfect solution for photo editing in lieu of the old trackpad or the mouse. It didn't cost an arm and leg either. So, if you are looking for a cost effective and more accurate tool for post processing work, I recommend looking into one the Wacom Intuos Pro models. I don't think you will regret it!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-77896910533597175262017-02-06T12:56:00.002+01:002017-02-06T12:56:48.390+01:00Venice: A City as the Stage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Way back over the holiday break (which seems like years ago now), we went to Venice. I have to admit that we've neglected Italy a little too much over the years and we were way past due to visit its most romantic city. The vacation days finally worked out last year so that we could have a good stretch of time there to take the city at a mild pace. With all the fabulous places visited in 2016- Iceland, Lisbon, Ireland, etc., Venice kinda fell off our radar for a while. But as the trip approached we remembered, "Oh yeah, we're booked to go to Venice for Christmas!" It turned out to be the perfect place to close out the year. Now, rumor had it that the Christmas break wasn't as popular as the peak summer season for tourists, so we were pretty excited. The thought of having the famed city mostly to ourselves and the locals sounded like just the way we wanted to experience it. We'd been to enough tourist traps over the years that seeing such a popular place when most people don't is a very attractive concept. I didn't really want sunshine and warm piazzas. I was after overcast skies, a little fog, and somewhat empty cicchetti bars.<br />
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Somebody lied.<br />
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Venice was packed over Christmas. Apparently it is <i>the</i> place for the French to visit over the holidays. You know, come to think of it, I rarely see French tourists outside of France, so maybe Venice is the only place they go? A question for another day...<br />
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So much for having the place to ourselves. The weather was cold, but clear so I never got that gloominess I was after either. But, one thing I've learned is that even when my vision never becomes reality, there is usually a new one just around the corner if I'm willing to let go of the original plan. The thing is, if there's ever a place that is photogenic no matter what the conditions or the popularity, it is Venice. If I didn't know better, I'd believe Venice was built just for photographers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That wonderful haze.</td></tr>
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Thanks to the lagoon there's this really magical thing about Venice and the surrounding islands. The light is good <i>all day</i>. I don't know if this is just a winter phenomenon or if it occurs all year, but it's pretty incredible. All that water in the air creates this haze, and it's not the usual kind of haze that just obscures distant views. It's a haze that is all around. The haze and the low hanging winter sun brings a softness to the afternoon that makes golden hour last for several hours. I was totally obsessed with it and maybe spent too much time (and storage) trying to capture its effects. Have you ever seen the vedute paintings of the 18th and 19th centuries? They're those big sprawling paintings of cityscapes and harbors that were really popular when well to do people went on Grand Tours of Europe. Every major art museum has at least a dozen of these. Venice was one of the most common places for the vedutisti to paint, for good reason. It looks like a painting. And so after you see the city in person, you realize the paintings look like photographs and some photographs actually look the old paintings. It's all because of this incredible light. Check out the works of <a href="http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/bio/g/guardi/francesc/biograph.html">Francesco Gaurdi </a> and <a href="http://www.antonietta-brandeis.org/">Antonietta Brandeis</a> to see what I mean.<br />
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The haze wasn't present in the cold mornings. They were perfectly clear, and oftentimes full of brilliance. Every morning we get up before the rest of city and walked out to where I wanted to photograph, shoot for a couple of hours, then head back to our apartment for a late breakfast and, usually, a nap. By the time we went out again in the early afternoon, the magic haze was in place. I'd photograph pretty heavily until the end of blue hour in the evening. All of that makes for an extended day's worth of shooting. I came home with three full cards (two 32GB, 1 64GB) and two more mostly full ones (32GB each) after only 5 days. If we had stayed there any longer I would have needed to pick up some more cards at one of the incredibly overpriced camera shops in Venice. I was in total love with this afternoon light.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While everyone else was interested in the glass shops on Murano, I was fixated with this bridge. <br />There was something about the long shadows, railing, and that haze.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No filter!</td></tr>
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And, it's not just the light. That probably isn't even the first thing that makes Venice amazing to photograph. While the light seems like it is being crafted from unseen stage rafters, the locals look like they a cast from a movie. There are so many beautiful pairs of shoes, perfectly tailored suits, luxurious furs, and stunning hats walking around. They're not even going anywhere that requires this sort of dress code. They're just going to the market or to get a coffee! Here you have all these tourists stumbling about in their trekking pants and Northface alongside Venetians in bespoke three piece suits, handmade Italian shoes, and cashmere topcoats! It's bloody bizarre, but absolutely riveting. I don't know. Maybe they were dressed like this because it was the holidays and they <i>were</i> all on their way somewhere glitzy and just needed to pop into the Coop for a Panettone on their way there. But, I like to think that there's this whole island city that is truly trapped in another time. Yes, the architecture is all from a by-gone era, but maybe the people are too. They aren't denizens of the old glory days of Venice. I mean it would be a bit ridiculous for the men to strut about in doublets and tights and the women to be laboring to the grocers in 3 voluminous layers of linen and wool gowns while clopping in wooden clogs like the cast of the <i>Merchant of Venice</i>. No, these folks seem to hail from the time when Peggy Guggenheim was just moving her gallery to the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni and throwing her famous parties on the Grand Canal. They're not headed anywhere special. There isn't a dinner party every evening. Is there? No, there can't be. They just can't imagine leaving the house without their studded pocket watches, freshly shined shoes, their white gloves, and their furs. It just isn't done. So, for street photographers Venice is magic. There are no cars to worry about being run over by and no bicycles either. Venice even moves like it is from a slower time. Everything is at a walking pace. Even the boats move leisurely (unless piloted by the Carabinieri). You can take your time and watch the scene unfold, filled with the classiest cast you could encounter on a Tuesday afternoon. Admittedly, I had a bit of a hard time photographing them. Even though cameras are as common as water in Venice, pointing it at the local people instead of the city itself was a struggle. They always noticed and for some reason I found that intimidating. Getting over that fear is something I definitely have to work on. For those who are past that phase in their street photography, go to Venice!<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning shoppers on Burano.</td></tr>
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Of course if the locals are a bit difficult to capture, there is always the ever present and ever photographed gondoliers. These guys are so used to being photographed that they don't bat an eye and some will ham it up for the camera a bit. I couldn't resist the visual draw of those sleek gondolas with their casually posed pilots moving through the canals around the hubs of the city. Ferrying bus groups of Koreans, families of four from France, quartets of Indian businessmen sitting in awkward silence, and starry-eyed couples alike on their required 20 minute quick and dirty gondola rides, the gondoliers are always a solid go to subject- especially if you can catch them without their cell phones or, if you're really lucky, without any passengers.<br />
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One of my favorite photographs from the trip is one that I didn't take. I was set up along the Grand Canal near all the popular restaurants taking long exposures of passing boats during blue hour one evening. We were tucked next to an unmanned gondola booth. From one of the side alleys came three gondoliers and they were quite angry with each other. Apparently, from what we could understand from our limited knowledge of Italian, the booth was not supposed to be unmanned and it was definitely somebody's fault. Of course, no one wanted to admit it was theirs and a passionate argument went on for about 15 minutes between two of them (the third just sulked after a while) and they were probably still arguing by the time we were long gone. The Italians, God bless em, are famed for their love of arguing. It's a passion passed down from generation to generation and one that can be witnessed or involved in wherever Italians have made their way into the world. However, the best Italian arguments are, of course, in Italian. And this one between the two gondoliers was one of the best I've ever seen. It was chock full of gestures, profanity (the Italians have the best curses), huffing, puffing, eye rolling, stomping of feet, false exits and returns, long dramatic pauses, and operatic tones. During the height of it, I had my back to them holding down my shutter release for a long exposure. Trapped by my current task I asked my husband to try his best at capturing the drama behind me. So, he pulled out the X70 that he had been using that week and hiding it slightly against me so as not to turn the heat of the wrath on us, fired away with it on automatic mode. I adore this image.<br />
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Ok, maybe the light and the people aren't the first things that come to mind when you think of Venice. They weren't for me either before we went. The main attraction is the scenery itself. There is a reason people have been painting, sculpting, composing, writing, and photographing here for so long. Despite that everything is slowly dissolving back into the lagoon, it hasn't lost its inherent beauty. Almost every alley and canal enters into another perfect scene. If you visit, get up before dawn at least once and stroll the place in its glorious soft and quiet hours. It will reward you with a memory no souvenir can give. It will just be you and the garbage men, a couple of photographers, the bakers, and the city. While there may be no time of year to see the city without the hoards of day trippers, there are a couple hours every day when you will be guaranteed to have the city all to yourself.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the classic views.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Mark's Square just after a winter sunrise.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light trails of an early vaporetto on the Grand Canal.</td></tr>
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I came home with more photographs than I imagined possible. It took me three weeks to get through them. It was a wonderful three weeks of editing and reliving five days in one of Europe's most iconic cities. Every single one of those days presented me with incredible performances thanks to the light, the characters, and the set. Venice is not overrated. You just have to give it a minute or two, maybe stand in the cold hours before dawn, be a little brave, and, behold- scenery, light, action. All you need is to bring your camera. I'm not sure if the world is a stage, but Venice definitely is. And it is just as stunning as you imagined it would be.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtryVxiQQ7MxIh_x8YKOZmcOVera9Ut45Bsjh-Iwkg6xup_T28D9HKUTaTy_LtnvwpxRRHtHWebkkZzya8gxJ6RxBOHqz2GLm4UulSCn1gZy4PRBmIiB7mRUw40H2DuiPXkOPZoZ0Ch5p2/s1600/blog-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtryVxiQQ7MxIh_x8YKOZmcOVera9Ut45Bsjh-Iwkg6xup_T28D9HKUTaTy_LtnvwpxRRHtHWebkkZzya8gxJ6RxBOHqz2GLm4UulSCn1gZy4PRBmIiB7mRUw40H2DuiPXkOPZoZ0Ch5p2/s400/blog-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moon sets, the sun rises, and Venice begins to wake.<br />This image was created after a very long walk and then a cold wait on the Ponte dell'Accademia.<br />This moment was shared with just one other photographer. It captures a time when<br />I believe Venice is at her most beautiful- dawn.</td></tr>
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For all the photographs click <a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Cities/Italian-Cities/i-xnnDmPn">here</a>!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-2209838831436845492017-01-20T12:05:00.001+01:002017-01-20T12:05:33.209+01:00On This Day, My Friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Today I woke up and looked out the bedroom window onto a beautiful landscape. Frost encrusted every surface, ice formed sculptures on the river bank, smoke puffed cheerily from chimneys, the sky was bright and clear, and everything from the ground to the rooftops glistened like crystal. I smiled.<br />
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And, then I remembered.<br />
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This beautiful countryside with its quaint villages of red tiled roofs, frost covered hillsides, and lazy river isn't my home. My home sits on the other side of the Atlantic, big and wide, full of lazy rivers, and frosty small towns and hillsides, and humming cities. Smoke curls out of chimney roofs there too. While I write this, the first slice of that country will be waking. They will be looking out bedroom windows too, as they rise to go to work or school or to whatever the day dictates. Home is where most of my friends dwell. Home is where my family makes their lives. Home is a place I only get to see once a year, twice if I'm lucky. Home is the place I cherish above all others. I think about it every single day. I love it and I miss it.<br />
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But, it is dying. In these few hours it's breathing its last rasping breaths. I won't be there when it closes its eyes and leaves this earth. I will probably never see it again. Home will be gone.<br />
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I, like so many of you, am grieving. The coming inauguration is the worst possible result I could have imagined of that horrible election cycle. There are still days I can't believe it happened. The thought of what it means still catches the breath in my chest. But, this is where we are now, my friends, and it is time to move forward.<br />
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To my fellow grieving Americans, now is the time to see what we're made of. Now is the time to live up to the hype. We had our three months to grieve and cope. Now we must pick ourselves up and face this day, face it in a way that our forbearers would be proud of. They created a government and system that is designed to resist tyranny. But, it cannot do that if we, The People, embrace tyranny or stay impassive and silent. Patriots aren't people who go to Fourth of July parades, or buy bumper stickers, repost impassioned memes, or wear patches and pins. Patriots get up and participate. They call their representatives over and over and over. Patriots march. Patriots give their money or- if they don't have money- their time to organizations that defend the rights and ideals of their nation that are under threat. Patriots look past differences in their fellows and they unite against their common foe. They discuss. They sacrifice and they give up their petty wants for the sake of others, their contemporaries and those yet to be born. Patriots are vigilant. Patriots pursue the truth. Patriots resist. Please, my fellow Americans who do not rise in celebration on this day, be patriots. The future depends on it. More than we know.<br />
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To those Americans who rise on this day with elation, go ahead. That's your right. I know there is nothing I can say that will change your minds. That is ok. But, I'm sorry for you. I truly am, and I do not say it to be patronizing. I was very angry with you for a long time. Sometimes I still get angry at you. But, my faith doesn't allow me to stay in that place so on this day, I've decided to set that anger down. Pity fills that space that anger left behind. I know where you're coming from. I know <i>you</i>. I understand your fears and anger. I'm from Akron, Ohio. I know what it's like to search in vain for work, to see the rot, to feel hopeless and forgotten. I know what it's like to be told your heritage and culture is not something to be proud of. I'm in agreement that a lot of this is caused by the decisions of our past leaders. Yes, the Left has done a lot of damage. I get it, I really do. I respect the fact that these are real problems. However, I in no way agree with your solution. I feel sorry for you because you don't yet understand what today means or worse, you do and refuse to admit it. We've all been in that headspace at one time or another and it isn't a good place to be. My hope is that you will be willing to step out of it and be a part of the movement to clean up the mess. We'd be happy to have you. Until then, know this: any attempt on your part to persecute or strip the rights of innocent citizens of this nation will be met with strong resistance. That behavior will not be tolerated. We will not tolerate it in the elected officials and we will not tolerate it from you. We will stand in your way. And, as much as it breaks my heart to say this, it will not matter if you're our friends or our family members. We will stand against you. This is going to hurt all of us, and I'm truly, truly sorry.<br />
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To all my international friends, those who are scared and nervous about today too, please lend a hand. Trust me, I have not been proud to be an American for several months and I get why it's so easy to blanket the entire country is far right fools. However, if you followed the US Election at all you know by now that this result is not the will of the people. This man did not win the popular vote. His victory, is the result of many factors- foreign actions and flawed internal systems. Please keep that in mind when things get scarier. There are many Americans on your side. They are going to be sacrificing a lot to stop this darkness from destroying our country and they will need your encouragement, words will do. The world is at a tipping point, and this day is a death knell. It could easily lead to the dark takeover of your nation too. The rumblings of coming thunder can be heard in the words of Farage, La Pen, and Petry just to name a few. The darkness is at every gate. So, please, please don't turn your backs. Don't mock and throw up your hands and resign us to our fate. We're in this together and we're all going to need to stick together.<br />
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Today is not a normal day. Tomorrow won't be normal either, and nor will the day after that and the day after that. In my heart I know no day will ever be normal again. But, I will not cry anymore. After I turned from my bedroom window, I did what I promised myself I would do on this day. I started my resistance. I purchased a subscription to The Washington Post. I donated to the Committee to Protect Journalists. We're going to need the courage of investigative journalists more than ever. I donated to local Akron arts and culture non profits. The arts are always some of the first victims of tyranny, and the new regime <a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/arts-funding-president-donald-trump-wants-end-national-endowment-arts-2477831">has already stated they plan on stripping support</a>. Then, I hung the phone numbers of my elected officials above my desk so I can begin calling them. I promise I will be calling them, even from Germany. I will be sharing and retweeting information and news about what this regime will be doing to further destroy my home. I will do the best I can to keep speaking out against it. That's all I can think to do right now. And somehow, I hope that taking photographs will help too, even if it's just to keep myself sane.<br />
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We all have choices to make on this day, my friends. We all have to decide how we're going to go forward. I hope we can decide to move forward together, to not cower in the face of fear, to listen, to lift up those who cannot stand on their own, to learn, to speak, and above all to resist this darkness with some love and light. Good luck to you all.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Do not go gentle into that good night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rage, rage against the dying of the light."</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-53059581763176208202017-01-06T18:04:00.002+01:002017-01-06T18:04:18.671+01:00Review: Peak Design Everyday Messenger BagHappy 2017! How are those resolutions coming along? I myself neglected to come up with anything this year. I could say I'll post more to this blog, but, eh, I think we all know that's probably going to fizzle out somewhere in mid-March. Or, I suppose I could say I'm going to ride so many thousands of miles on my bike, but I just don't have the desire to kid myself this year. Right now I'm just hoping the planet survives the next 365 days. I did manage to clean my office a little and organize my backup drives into a more streamlined system this week, though. Anyway, good luck to all of you who are more ambitious than I am.<br />
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I'm about eye level deep in pictures from Venice and there's no telling when I will wade out of that. Procrastinating to clean the office probably wasn't the best idea. But, it's a lot of photos, like 4 cards worth and I've already dedicated all of next week to the task. In order to keep on procrastinating I decided to do another gear review. Yay!<br />
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First off, however, I have a confession to make. As you can see from the photo below I have a bit of a problem.<br />
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Yes, I have a more specific version of G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)- C.B.A.S. (Camera Bag Acquisition Syndrome). The reason for this is that I don't like to use a neck strap most of the time. The camera swinging around drives me crazy. Also, I think a camera around your neck is a giant sign that screams "I'M A TOURIST!!!!!" A good bag keeps the camera out of the way when I'm not using it and it also keeps me from looking like an easy mark (the rest of how I look does well enough in that department, thank you very much). For the record, almost all of these bags in the photo have a purpose and they all get used. The wee Lowepro in the top right is for hiking on local trails when I'm just taking a macro setup or something else basic. The black leather one next to it is for dressier occasions (poor thing rarely gets used). The ThinkTank Retrospective on the top left gets used all the time when I'm carrying two bodies, filters, etc and I'm wearing earth tones. The ThinkTank Airport Essentials underneath is awesome. I use it when we fly or take the train because Brian the Tripod fits inside along with all my bodies, lenses, accessories, MacBook, iPad, and other travel essentials. It really is an awesome bag and I totally recommend it. That black bag in the middle of the pile is something I picked up in Germany to use for longer hikes and I need Brian to come along. Next to that one on the right is a Lowepro Slingshot that I dislike and never use. That generic German backpack replaced it and I haven't gotten around to getting rid of it yet. The brown leather in the front is my beloved Ona Brixton. I use that one most days. I love, love, love this bag. Finally, the one next to that is the latest addition to the bag collection, <a href="https://www.peakdesign.com/the-everyday-messenger">Peak Design's 15" Everyday Messenger</a>. And, that is the bag that I'm going to review. Oh, that blue tube shaped one is Brian's. We use that if he has to come along with us all day.<br />
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We wanted the Everyday Messenger (ok, I wanted it), because my old black messenger bag was falling apart and needed to be replaced. Having bags that coordinate with what I'm wearing is important to me, yes, and I require various ones in earth tones, blacks, or grays. I had heard a lot of good things about the Everyday Messenger. It was kind of hard not to hear about this bag. If you're into photography you probably heard about it too since it was an incredibly successful Kickstarter project, was touted by Trey Ratcliff, and at one point was called the greatest messenger/camera bag of all time by a bunch of bloggers. So, when my old bag died the death, I didn't really need to shop around this time. As much as I appreciate the ThinkTank Retrospective, the size I have is a bit small for some projects, but at the same time can become oddly bulky. Plus, I can't carry Brian with it (hence, the use of the tripod bag on occasion). Also, it would be weird to have the same bag in two different colors. I was looking for a larger, black or grey messenger that was better quality than my old bag that I had stuff a padded camera pocket in. The Everyday Messenger fit the bill. It arrived just in time for our week in Venice and we used it everyday, as the name suggested we should. It was an intense test and I think I can confidently review the bag after that trip.<br />
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The new bag absolutely had to be a messenger bag. I prefer that style over a backpack because it's easier to get into on the go and that's important since I don't use straps. They also aren't another giant sign that screams "I'M A TOURIST!!!!!!" like a backpack is. Versatility was the next requirement. I wanted something that could carry my MacBook and iPad, could carry several bodies, could accommodate Brian if necessary, and still fit the other stuff one needs to carry around like sunglasses, filters, batteries, notebook, etc. And, if I didn't need to carry all the stuff then it would collapse down into a thinner form. Also, it couldn't be a bag that looked blatantly like a camera bag. It would be even better if it could function just as well as a regular messenger in case my husband needed a black bag. Yes, he has a thing about color coordination too, probably more than I do.<br />
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So here's my Everyday Messenger.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfydmU1STUYpIYaRIO-eOH2rjz7AVOhmVn67kwAX28upAxYMdcClxKJmFld8uU7T3qVuiGVN_nrZL1S2Lw6zVa4M6w0ETd6m4e-xMZEC6h7urQQ9qKH1Z8H0IzVUMfbs9Rg6klaPyVXUR/s1600/pdmessbag-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfydmU1STUYpIYaRIO-eOH2rjz7AVOhmVn67kwAX28upAxYMdcClxKJmFld8uU7T3qVuiGVN_nrZL1S2Lw6zVa4M6w0ETd6m4e-xMZEC6h7urQQ9qKH1Z8H0IzVUMfbs9Rg6klaPyVXUR/s400/pdmessbag-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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One of the first things I noticed was the construction of the bag. Unlike other traditional camera bags, this one doesn't come with a separate rain cover. The exterior fabric itself is water resistant. The exterior zippers are water resistant too, thus negating the need for a bulky and goofy looking rain cover. Also, the entire thing is padded, but it's not thick and awkward. The unique padding also stays rigid so the bag keeps its shape even when it's full and heavily loaded or nearly empty. This is a feature that really comes in handy when you're trying to get things out while on the move. Because of the construction, the bag expands when full, but collapses down tightly without any excess material getting in the way. The interior fabrics are sleek and protective as well. All the stitching is solid and tight, nothing catches on gear when it's being removed, and all the stitches survived a brutal week of heavy load carrying (probably around 20lbs at times) without a single fray.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwl1M_ZP5QFWADXIeIb8HmQ72cjsB2RrFn5zWNM_QKkZ2j-0MySxIFgDsvsDsqVFnSHzxPSpcQnWz0QOs2Ryw3wvlI-h2P9Zw1BJiH9ZLeP0El1UFgvnebUNnfrKAu6EaPIDryZc4hkSc/s1600/pdmessbag-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwl1M_ZP5QFWADXIeIb8HmQ72cjsB2RrFn5zWNM_QKkZ2j-0MySxIFgDsvsDsqVFnSHzxPSpcQnWz0QOs2Ryw3wvlI-h2P9Zw1BJiH9ZLeP0El1UFgvnebUNnfrKAu6EaPIDryZc4hkSc/s400/pdmessbag-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear laptop/tablet pocket</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdhln3PSuG1iYR4LRE5jPN7slivRhXENdSuB9CcEyX3UMAw1wf4e7eRyeV6q8YeHrLexC82FuVsLMAlrNlxCMo4TsZvH5WCdSKtB52DKOnmVaKTgj1v8G9rqqlJuvzXYLt0EtL2tohrTi/s1600/pdmessbag-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdhln3PSuG1iYR4LRE5jPN7slivRhXENdSuB9CcEyX3UMAw1wf4e7eRyeV6q8YeHrLexC82FuVsLMAlrNlxCMo4TsZvH5WCdSKtB52DKOnmVaKTgj1v8G9rqqlJuvzXYLt0EtL2tohrTi/s400/pdmessbag-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior fabric and stitching</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5T7BF9f9RQlLUtdHy04RCf-jfw7EeL99dy9VzAyM1X4ffqgF65djLeXXx0CNgv4NMAqQ3u2E0PNZIMvAApII23yKpcT8-bwjrLVAAmbp_i2pFeTOI7csmIPU9ruZEBbzn99UOKLAOcYq/s1600/pdmessbag-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5T7BF9f9RQlLUtdHy04RCf-jfw7EeL99dy9VzAyM1X4ffqgF65djLeXXx0CNgv4NMAqQ3u2E0PNZIMvAApII23yKpcT8-bwjrLVAAmbp_i2pFeTOI7csmIPU9ruZEBbzn99UOKLAOcYq/s400/pdmessbag-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Felt lined tablet pocket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpvanKItVKiwPXxgSfNaqlub7L9MRxPPMt-Lo4tJyFcyGeS_0THYSAKct1HtVUXtqhBDgdpoxvKpq3Bqhnhbc917S3d-TdqTi3X4CR6xo5_8Z7YqDJojDNrqPcsPVLAg54bJDL6XhRsVn/s1600/pdmessbag-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpvanKItVKiwPXxgSfNaqlub7L9MRxPPMt-Lo4tJyFcyGeS_0THYSAKct1HtVUXtqhBDgdpoxvKpq3Bqhnhbc917S3d-TdqTi3X4CR6xo5_8Z7YqDJojDNrqPcsPVLAg54bJDL6XhRsVn/s400/pdmessbag-24.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior fabric of the rear laptop/fabric pocket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCWQZvhyphenhyphenbFqJLcElw-rIC_dwRV-S5fuVMQo-tJJUQaIEZazsLBCSxszysHlEEBygdCzzJjPyA8lyqwbDvDes49JZh9dB0PeKFm5P66lXLUamtCt9UWEeKuX8f6ywvwVW-Du-or8cI80of/s1600/pdmessbag-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCWQZvhyphenhyphenbFqJLcElw-rIC_dwRV-S5fuVMQo-tJJUQaIEZazsLBCSxszysHlEEBygdCzzJjPyA8lyqwbDvDes49JZh9dB0PeKFm5P66lXLUamtCt9UWEeKuX8f6ywvwVW-Du-or8cI80of/s400/pdmessbag-27.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exterior fabric and stitching</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08YZspjsKbPltk7pSUZhtv1VLQD-TkVC4bRhuK_ZFD6glaHsY4WZAE0QmaFImRglSUCDjJRjWiHPlaBSJvxFDtUu940autP9zu1MgHa5nKPmvU49mJq2PgrVbeIq4josupKcC9cUNKIWN/s1600/pdmessbag-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08YZspjsKbPltk7pSUZhtv1VLQD-TkVC4bRhuK_ZFD6glaHsY4WZAE0QmaFImRglSUCDjJRjWiHPlaBSJvxFDtUu940autP9zu1MgHa5nKPmvU49mJq2PgrVbeIq4josupKcC9cUNKIWN/s400/pdmessbag-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weather resistant zippers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The next thing that makes this bag unique from others is the strap system. Normally bag straps are afterthoughts. Some of them are overly padded and bizarre looking, others are fashionable, but really uncomfortable. The strap system, yes system, of the Everyday Messenger stands out as being one of the things that was a priority for the designers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxI32VxBxiaGgMVV4CDz9rBsgI-b7Smz_2xSxspPvZ8qBGUks75yHX_9pIxlGcpV8PxxmPv8LMCtDgzcPWwKTc-B2khQtvt1GgKqD-yWe8SDVHwBASLetKIXQxFZRqiJSGuCAa6l6s0k1L/s1600/pdmessbag-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxI32VxBxiaGgMVV4CDz9rBsgI-b7Smz_2xSxspPvZ8qBGUks75yHX_9pIxlGcpV8PxxmPv8LMCtDgzcPWwKTc-B2khQtvt1GgKqD-yWe8SDVHwBASLetKIXQxFZRqiJSGuCAa6l6s0k1L/s400/pdmessbag-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3aAYguj087TYkufszQdhKxj-TCBqUBw-seZS-ightZPgzabQm2gQXd5Ce4TbR9vRdowLFCWXxoeAxPn0DegklB0EX4eFGX48kJ-sCbCOGsdkr2yfrBJZNkEjbTLtXICO7sJLRAk-zz-o_/s1600/pdmessbag-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3aAYguj087TYkufszQdhKxj-TCBqUBw-seZS-ightZPgzabQm2gQXd5Ce4TbR9vRdowLFCWXxoeAxPn0DegklB0EX4eFGX48kJ-sCbCOGsdkr2yfrBJZNkEjbTLtXICO7sJLRAk-zz-o_/s400/pdmessbag-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pivoting attachment point keeps the bag close to you, no matter how full it is or how<br />
it is being carried. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAG1e64O49bxcTozv8g5-5vmx-490iAbsrl0rQQPFmEDWCmUEnAKrFAbFwXny2RQ54gQFovRAUJjyNaSAeGww7lBFJx51AU6xEeoBhu_IdYVIjrjO68CBMhqw87X0ithyNymcbvzJzCofy/s400/pdmessbag-5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flat and easy to adjust clasps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAG1e64O49bxcTozv8g5-5vmx-490iAbsrl0rQQPFmEDWCmUEnAKrFAbFwXny2RQ54gQFovRAUJjyNaSAeGww7lBFJx51AU6xEeoBhu_IdYVIjrjO68CBMhqw87X0ithyNymcbvzJzCofy/s1600/pdmessbag-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAG1e64O49bxcTozv8g5-5vmx-490iAbsrl0rQQPFmEDWCmUEnAKrFAbFwXny2RQ54gQFovRAUJjyNaSAeGww7lBFJx51AU6xEeoBhu_IdYVIjrjO68CBMhqw87X0ithyNymcbvzJzCofy/s1600/pdmessbag-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmv1wa6B-n9ZAyiKVUcHUaca-boekXG6GRwTyh3EheD58Ca7Yrk2Jlc6VwrDQZ_A_H37a4Db4YUGDLIP2ngo3fg28NzcqUPhkZShVXLmoTrsIlL9j8hLDLsnU6m7eMpSannR_pJKe62X-B/s1600/pdmessbag-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmv1wa6B-n9ZAyiKVUcHUaca-boekXG6GRwTyh3EheD58Ca7Yrk2Jlc6VwrDQZ_A_H37a4Db4YUGDLIP2ngo3fg28NzcqUPhkZShVXLmoTrsIlL9j8hLDLsnU6m7eMpSannR_pJKe62X-B/s400/pdmessbag-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Folding strap handle so the bag can be adjusted on the go.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtmWDnx0VBT_kaC-NOM5FmYPW6QEzrhbv1ij1tJTAmsxYS1CyzscjqvASNBeTq1E6P3z4K_7orhxiOWoefSpyAHS4REeeLC3P2sXtMh1Hzjrk3GHCGAOb55AWa2-fcxSlieI4sFcQfHNK/s1600/pdmessbag-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtmWDnx0VBT_kaC-NOM5FmYPW6QEzrhbv1ij1tJTAmsxYS1CyzscjqvASNBeTq1E6P3z4K_7orhxiOWoefSpyAHS4REeeLC3P2sXtMh1Hzjrk3GHCGAOb55AWa2-fcxSlieI4sFcQfHNK/s400/pdmessbag-26.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The strap is the same material as car seat belts. Since paramedics need a special knife to cut seat belts,<br />
you know this strap isn't going to fail you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The great thing about the strap system, besides the solid construction, it that it is easily adjustable. It gets tiring carrying a heavy bag around all day, no matter how it's made. It helps to be able to switch the positioning easily. There are two smaller straps stowed sneakily in the exterior of the bag that can be attached to the main strap to hug it closer to the body or to each other to create a waste belt. The folding adjustment handle makes it really easy to adjust the strap length while you're wearing it. This system would work great for those who cycle as it can place the bag higher on your back and keep it snug against you so there's none of that swinging that can happen with regular messenger bags. In addition to being able to do all of that, the system is designed so that there isn't any extra strapping flapping around. If you want to know more about the straps and how to use all the other features of the bag, you can watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmtjqnxxLbo">this video</a> (you may want to prepare some snacks beforehand, however).<br />
<br />
Ok, now for the interior. The unique feature of Peak Design's bags are the main compartment dividers. Dividers in a camera bag are a necessary evil that serve a protective purpose, but can easily end up driving you mad. The ones in this bag are different than those chubby uncooperative ones. These are thin and rigid, <i>and</i> their construction makes it possible to fold them down to create inner pockets or to accommodate smaller items. They're pretty ingenious. Also in that main compartment there's a nifty little pocket at the top for essentials like passports, wallets, tickets, phones, what have you.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEYDUQ2LfCR5G2mma-L_8c20yqy3cEk6SgnaKTX73RQFjt5HfiHT2TWv7HP5qkSuBPVL56KQTs2HyIDfNFXIZwxs3ovaB2UPsCSaS_oB_yzdzZvOPVwwKUBH0WuVU2iD-oHTQR9agvbBC/s1600/pdmessbag-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEYDUQ2LfCR5G2mma-L_8c20yqy3cEk6SgnaKTX73RQFjt5HfiHT2TWv7HP5qkSuBPVL56KQTs2HyIDfNFXIZwxs3ovaB2UPsCSaS_oB_yzdzZvOPVwwKUBH0WuVU2iD-oHTQR9agvbBC/s400/pdmessbag-19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66w5qTsMtJTkdRIepXSUCRuXORYpbObDZ_BYXWjy-uEhBxq1nXfGe1bav7ZOM5euuE-URsNLxXIuWl-mpvK46wo3kdvye5Z6Ugb8-YKS9yttCc4wzcdZGUOqgaeSvtmImJtDDpCso9q2S/s1600/pdmessbag-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66w5qTsMtJTkdRIepXSUCRuXORYpbObDZ_BYXWjy-uEhBxq1nXfGe1bav7ZOM5euuE-URsNLxXIuWl-mpvK46wo3kdvye5Z6Ugb8-YKS9yttCc4wzcdZGUOqgaeSvtmImJtDDpCso9q2S/s400/pdmessbag-33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGY66Naur2hGSGFz7FbgCbhR40NZ2IZ6t6hKXFcIbiXDguiP8rkVboCISMMLX09sq-49MV7Cl0T7ENxGKCX089EMEBSbUzw5K66EtkwxU78eMuegVSXtt5VbRfKVS56v0r5qazptpJzj4m/s1600/pdmessbag-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGY66Naur2hGSGFz7FbgCbhR40NZ2IZ6t6hKXFcIbiXDguiP8rkVboCISMMLX09sq-49MV7Cl0T7ENxGKCX089EMEBSbUzw5K66EtkwxU78eMuegVSXtt5VbRfKVS56v0r5qazptpJzj4m/s400/pdmessbag-34.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foldable dividers make it easy and safe to stack other items on top of camera bodies<br />
or lenses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
When the bag is closed the designers came up with the coolest solution for quickly grabbing items that doesn't involve opening the whole thing up. This feature is probably my favorite thing about this bag. When I'm in a crowded area like a full subway car or, as in Venice, a packed Vaporetto, I don't have the room to fully open these kinds of bags nor do I feel comfortable showing everyone around me all the equipment I'm carrying. Peak Design came up with a simple, yet genius solution- just put a zipper in the top flap! That's all you need to access the main compartment to grab your sunglasses or phone and even a camera!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-cR3efaayKwZOrS2iVdd6K3MDw5NHip8PrZBJuW7OAvERAKYh17w5kJpAJLHEp5ujLWz6RuEYGx1pMw45s0z4Ygg6SI3SHl6ToG9iYxG5yN0kbCm5G87SgZE_e9T-WcuyCuzVkmfTvoD/s1600/pdmessbag-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-cR3efaayKwZOrS2iVdd6K3MDw5NHip8PrZBJuW7OAvERAKYh17w5kJpAJLHEp5ujLWz6RuEYGx1pMw45s0z4Ygg6SI3SHl6ToG9iYxG5yN0kbCm5G87SgZE_e9T-WcuyCuzVkmfTvoD/s400/pdmessbag-35.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brilliant!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The smaller pocket on the front of the bag is also designed simply yet is perfectly functional. It features multiple inner small organizational pockets that sit flat when not being used, but can expand rather impressively. They're perfect for batteries, filters, change, and other items you may not need that often.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcr_05X7qK4MJnvFpGHyKX9_rOdDqpKZjutfYoG7Pg6efwnVeWepsPxMr2BlsJHA_7XdjLqiY94D_LX0kP3oG45X1uD1P1qYzO2_OCG8FXFUoUgcGkfwVzYZBDCW0NKkwtBqiuRG4GV3C4/s1600/pdmessbag-30.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcr_05X7qK4MJnvFpGHyKX9_rOdDqpKZjutfYoG7Pg6efwnVeWepsPxMr2BlsJHA_7XdjLqiY94D_LX0kP3oG45X1uD1P1qYzO2_OCG8FXFUoUgcGkfwVzYZBDCW0NKkwtBqiuRG4GV3C4/s400/pdmessbag-30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfTdr3pTENDNzo4AJiIUgB6a7X5zpBwFZ6xgrroWyGq-SGumv1N2-Qa0Gx3Ns1nChLqgN9E-0tqrXdzoTDKXsJUi6efkCrAWJOE9-15RRoJO-LbjkyEFylZqgBNpPHtTwI5zUiL4QRTDR/s1600/pdmessbag-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfTdr3pTENDNzo4AJiIUgB6a7X5zpBwFZ6xgrroWyGq-SGumv1N2-Qa0Gx3Ns1nChLqgN9E-0tqrXdzoTDKXsJUi6efkCrAWJOE9-15RRoJO-LbjkyEFylZqgBNpPHtTwI5zUiL4QRTDR/s400/pdmessbag-21.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pockets have red or green stitching so you can differentiate between full memory cards<br />
and empty ones or between charged or used batteries. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fwALG4tJ8o64GDmzerCih9uJH0yXZ03TcygG2ryvGYnSb7DRcs9TZPijbv01ilGeV7_UZCqgHgnkHNBLPFXCcdA0YsXM2mm3CI7Rb5J5gosl1jcezMoV0ALe1HQ9XmBgAyMb64SNp6TS/s1600/pdmessbag-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fwALG4tJ8o64GDmzerCih9uJH0yXZ03TcygG2ryvGYnSb7DRcs9TZPijbv01ilGeV7_UZCqgHgnkHNBLPFXCcdA0YsXM2mm3CI7Rb5J5gosl1jcezMoV0ALe1HQ9XmBgAyMb64SNp6TS/s400/pdmessbag-31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
But, wait! There are other cool features about the Everyday Messenger that you should know about too! Let's head back to the outside of the bag to check out the clasp system. It's really quite lovely.<br />
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The clasp system is actually pretty remarkable. First of all, there's no buckles involved so you don't have to make any adjustments to it as your load volume expands or shrinks. Secondly, it uses a magnet (yes, digital safe), so even if you don't latch it, the clasp will find the hooks and with a little tension click into place. It's also easy to use one handed and without stopping. Plus, the hooks aren't sewn on, they're bolted on. Like everything else with this bag you don't have to worry about the clasp system falling apart.<br />
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There are also some nice, sly side pockets that are great for stowing small often needed items like lens caps. One of them also has a quick access key lanyard inside so you always know where your keys are. It features Peak Design's Anchor link system so you can detach your keys from the lanyard quickly, but they aren't going to become detached when you don't want them to.<br />
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Near these pockets are dedicated attachment straps for Peak Design's Capture Camera clip systems. I love the <a href="https://www.peakdesign.com/product/clips/capturepro/">Capture Pro</a> I got for hiking so much I now use it all the time. It works seamlessly with the Everyday Messenger. Using the Capture system makes my camera as accessible as it would be with a traditional neck strap, but it keeps the camera from getting knocked about or in my way while storing it out of general line of sight to others. Plus, its base plate works with Brian so I don't have to switch the plate out when using the tripod.<br />
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If we continue along the back side of the bag we come to the laptop/tablet pocket. It also has a weather sealed zipper and easily fits my MacBook and iPad. However, I never carry both at the same time in the same bag. That would just be heavy and redundant.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPV_p6_bQC6NGlPvsQEqUbkZsFjshngKwqWlqjr2aiSiLxLRdkiJQao92Zy-5RW0Vw8DhGiwmc2C7dm6-sK7HVpixQZ4DyHB1ZBdnvsIfAXUBrnKcf_zUXv3orbfsxd08F_VgsrgM7OYBs/s1600/pdmessbag-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPV_p6_bQC6NGlPvsQEqUbkZsFjshngKwqWlqjr2aiSiLxLRdkiJQao92Zy-5RW0Vw8DhGiwmc2C7dm6-sK7HVpixQZ4DyHB1ZBdnvsIfAXUBrnKcf_zUXv3orbfsxd08F_VgsrgM7OYBs/s400/pdmessbag-36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The last feature I want to highlight is the tripod carry system. This is another one of the main reasons I wanted to get this bag. Normally both my husband and myself carry a bag. Sometimes I need to take the tripod with me all day. It's not an ideal situation, but the schedule may not allow time to run back to the hotel to drop it off after an early morning shoot or pick it up in the evening. Our schedule in Venice made this the norm, especially with the short days of December. In the past, it was really irritating to have to carry Brian in his own bag in addition to a camera bag. If we didn't need Brian every day all day on a trip there isn't really a need for a backpack and neither of us likes to carry those anyway. So, a messenger that can accommodate a travel tripod without being ridiculous about it would be really helpful. The Everyday Messenger can do that. Inside the main flap is a sleeve (it also has a pocket in it) that you can slide a tripod leg into to affix the tripod to the bag. They also send along a silicon ring (Or fashion accessory. You decide.) to loop around the leg ends to keep the tripod from sliding out.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjzoe64huxWIxGlxFwrMctj27UvC3AKUw2X8clk3GHv-6_Y3Fwu4wZt92SH4bFugMXi_VTjaVu98C8n7cIdAnIaZsEDrirXRPpHRxJkVLwoRhalUyrSqQvbLRmouDuwaiRone7xKI91ij/s1600/pdmessbag-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjzoe64huxWIxGlxFwrMctj27UvC3AKUw2X8clk3GHv-6_Y3Fwu4wZt92SH4bFugMXi_VTjaVu98C8n7cIdAnIaZsEDrirXRPpHRxJkVLwoRhalUyrSqQvbLRmouDuwaiRone7xKI91ij/s400/pdmessbag-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tripod Storage system</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFwDmbVUyI51FQeoqTJ4P4JzR6QprKHTS-g5u0CmiyMFleO4fPMbueNFB7frte9fvMhiT9a5zZyVXFbUobsGhtLRV1QnDzrpdwBVT4nyzfDD-WXdoKPdWc5yfOUug-L7DMVgpp6n04rwA/s1600/pdmessbag-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFwDmbVUyI51FQeoqTJ4P4JzR6QprKHTS-g5u0CmiyMFleO4fPMbueNFB7frte9fvMhiT9a5zZyVXFbUobsGhtLRV1QnDzrpdwBVT4nyzfDD-WXdoKPdWc5yfOUug-L7DMVgpp6n04rwA/s400/pdmessbag-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeve opens on either end to slide a tripod leg through.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1E5nUzTwYaBubed4hRw-j9SAf2YFw9eB5UZ2Ord8JuxUPmYPLw1uMjlP43gikBmRkZFfJtFC2AzeZmc9u4W81vqtg20PPOY2S1N0I2HE5p166AMCE8V1qUvy-9I3amR4COpydZTPQf7Lo/s1600/pdmessbag-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1E5nUzTwYaBubed4hRw-j9SAf2YFw9eB5UZ2Ord8JuxUPmYPLw1uMjlP43gikBmRkZFfJtFC2AzeZmc9u4W81vqtg20PPOY2S1N0I2HE5p166AMCE8V1qUvy-9I3amR4COpydZTPQf7Lo/s400/pdmessbag-16.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It also includes a pocket that is perfect for storing cables.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDullY3FhNwQw_ZFT6qObs0ZJM19XQ_v0rJ9_baO_GIaykU6SRxsvjFm4qXVyh0xw5tok3XVZVKksCW220jbc2FyCKvHOrdlMNYk5rFUJnZSiAydPrO_DPCkrwZ6GU4Je4xC1-PeBCVF7/s1600/pdmessbag-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDullY3FhNwQw_ZFT6qObs0ZJM19XQ_v0rJ9_baO_GIaykU6SRxsvjFm4qXVyh0xw5tok3XVZVKksCW220jbc2FyCKvHOrdlMNYk5rFUJnZSiAydPrO_DPCkrwZ6GU4Je4xC1-PeBCVF7/s400/pdmessbag-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tripod ring...or BRACELET!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMy4rzg9I0OoQJGOTGI0wNUdmSl_TeYcwfboF0B1jW-bhwlVi7gdSlsuzroddvdrcIJpi_7pOwbY3eNSU59NirDGKuIi1ePuEYVrUh9FkP4Plu4_akDtdoeqplqX5q-_yWb7bXTCTaN1X/s1600/pdmessbag-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMy4rzg9I0OoQJGOTGI0wNUdmSl_TeYcwfboF0B1jW-bhwlVi7gdSlsuzroddvdrcIJpi_7pOwbY3eNSU59NirDGKuIi1ePuEYVrUh9FkP4Plu4_akDtdoeqplqX5q-_yWb7bXTCTaN1X/s400/pdmessbag-39.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian hanging out on the Everyday Messenger, happy as a clam.</td></tr>
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Ok, so how did this bag do in Venice? Well, to be honest, you'd probably have to ask my husband since he carried it most of the time (it matched his outfits better than mine that week). But, he made sure to give me some thoughts throughout the trip on how it was fairing so I will do my best to sum them up for you.<br />
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Bottom line, he said, "This is probably the greatest bag in the world." Yep. He basically raved about it for an entire week, even more so after we remembered the additional straps that could adjust the position of the bag as needed. His favorite thing about the bag was that it wasn't bulky. We had the X-T1 in it with the 55-200m lens, the 10-24mm lens, plus all sorts of miscellaneous items and sundry, not to mention Brian. It was pretty full, but didn't look full. His second favorite thing about the bag was how easy it is to use. The closure is a piece of cake to operate. Also, he could tighten and loosen the strap without taking the bag off, the keys never got misplaced, the laptop pocket was perfect for carrying documents, and the flap zip access made it easy to grab stuff quickly. Using the bag wasn't a production and it never slowed us down. If I asked for the X-T1 (I was carrying and mainly using the X-T2 with the 16-55mm in my Ona Bag ), he could pull it out quickly for me and I didn't miss the shot. His third favorite thing about the bag was its style. It is a great looking bag and he didn't feel like he stuck out at all like one would with a typical day bag. He also appreciated the solid construction and the protective material on the bottom that makes ok to set the bag down on the ground. The front pocket also received a good review since it can be opened wide therefore he never lost anything down in the bottom of it. Keep in mind, camera gear, let alone camera bags are not something he generally thinks about, but by the end of the week he was ready to write Peak Design to tell them how much he loved the bag. He may still.<br />
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There are only a couple of things that did't work out so well, but we only noticed them since we were carrying a lot more gear than usual. The zip access in the flap is totally awesome, but we found that it doesn't work well to get larger camera bodies in an out of the bag. For grabbing the X-E2 with a small lens or the X70 it works great, but it's a bit of a struggle to get the X-T1 or 2 with the 16-55mm. Another slight issue was discovered with the strap, but I think it mostly had to do with the weight of the load. Over time there was some creep, and it had to be adjusted a couple of times a day. Thankfully, doing so is incredibly easy so that wasn't a huge deal.<br />
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We were definitely carrying more than normal on that trip. I don't usually carry a tripod, cable release, and filters with me all day. We had to carry more batteries because of the cold weather. We also stuck gloves and hats in there. Then there were all the other non-photo related items that went in too. A souvenir got tucked in a couple of times as well. It was full and heavy. With that type of load, it would have been more comfortable to have a backpack. Definitely. The bag itself didn't have any trouble handling the weight (except for the strap creep), it was having all the weight on one shoulder that became uncomfortable. But, he said he still preferred this bag since it was easier to use and looked more stylish than a backpack. Fashion over comfort, right?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmTL_0LryvqMOWkbtm5ZIr5ucdrkBjcakVGjCdJivY2ptzaBg-TdYq5ZlIcQ4vT3jltSQCxfKI7pNnh3EYpbTR3Iybq7WSco8ZdJu_8iPPVCMdSCUu4kguCRPBd1ivhK3-b3sPmMEr1Lo/s1600/pdmessbag-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmTL_0LryvqMOWkbtm5ZIr5ucdrkBjcakVGjCdJivY2ptzaBg-TdYq5ZlIcQ4vT3jltSQCxfKI7pNnh3EYpbTR3Iybq7WSco8ZdJu_8iPPVCMdSCUu4kguCRPBd1ivhK3-b3sPmMEr1Lo/s400/pdmessbag-38.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sample of what can easily fit inside the Everyday Messenger.<br />
I was using my MacBook and had Netflix running on my iPad so they aren't pictured here.</td></tr>
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To sum it up, with all these features it really is an Everyday Messenger, meaning you can use it just about everyday for most shooting situations. The larger model is remarkably spacious, and could even function as a flight carry-on. The smaller model would definitely be the perfect everyday bag if you don't need as much room. I think street photographers would appreciate its quick functionality and unobtrusive looks. The bag is solidly constructed and clearly a great deal of thought was given to every detail. It can also work well for non-photographers! Remove the dividers or don't and it can become anything you need. It is beautifully made and looks fashionable, while being tough and versatile. So, yes, when it comes to camera bags, the buck may very well stop here. I'm so impressed with it, I'm considering picking up a tan one. And, since their messenger bag has changed the world a little, I might even consider their <a href="https://www.peakdesign.com/product/bags/everyday-backpack/">Everyday Backpack</a> to replace that old German bag down the road...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-42489207615360692612016-12-22T14:07:00.000+01:002016-12-22T14:07:32.879+01:00The Year End Round Up or The Bits of 2016 That Weren't a CatastropheOy vey, you guys. What a year, huh? What an incredibly horrific, festering open sore of a year. At this point, it seems like just opening the news is tempting fate. It's like the whole year has been this game of Whack-A-Mole and we're the moles.<br />
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But, I think all of us had some good times too. They probably weren't international events, but for each of us there were some really enjoyable moments of 2016 that, if we take a moment to remember, keep the year from being a complete disaster. For myself and my husband, the highlights of 2016 were the new places we had the opportunity to visit. Of the past 5 years, this one was the most enjoyable for travel. Every new place was beautiful, welcoming, and inspiring. They made us stop in our tracks and pull the car over. They introduced us to new flavors and music. They brought us great conversations and lots of laughs. And, of course, they inspired tonst of photography. They basically made this year bearable. Without them, it would have been a long slog through days of frustration, loneliness, and boredom punctuated by the worst news headlines we could imagine short of "Half of Planet Earth Fell Off Overnight and Spirals Off Towards Sun." As our fifth year of living in Europe comes to a close, once again it is the travel which makes everything better. So, without further ado, here are our favorites from this year:<br />
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<b>1. The Jaw Dropper</b><br />
I don't know if I will ever be able to put the magic of Iceland into words. Lots of places are overrated in travel guides, TV shows, and on blogs. Iceland is not. It is just as beautiful in real life as it is in the movies. Obviously, there was zero chance that Iceland was going to be a visual disappointment. From waterfalls to glaciers to ice covered beaches to lava fields to the incredible northern lights, every view was like nothing seen before. It was a visual feast. Even Reykjavik with its brightly painted buildings and eclectic scene was fascinating to explore. There is seriously no place like it on earth. Our trip there was no where near long enough and getting back to soak up some more is definitely on the itinerary. However, I am so grateful we had the chance to experience it at least once.<br />
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<b>2. The Dark Horse</b><br />
The large German cities in our part of the country aren't particularly interesting places, in my opinion. They were mostly all flattened during the war and rebuilt to either look the way they did before or just rebuilt without much of a plan at all (Frankfurt is the perfect example). They're ok, but honestly if you've seen one, you've pretty much seen them all. They all have the same restaurants- 305 German ones serving "local specialities"(which is basically pork, potatoes, or noodles prepared in a different shape and served with a slightly different sauce from the other regions'), döner shops, an Irish pub, various Asian places of varying quality, pizza shops, and then one or two outlier ethnic restaurants with a good TripAdvisor reputation. There's always an Altstadt with one or two cathedrals, Rathaus, and pedestrian area. There's always the same stores and probably a City Gallery mall. They're very interesting for maybe the first year of living here, but after a while a visit to, say, Stuttgart sounds about as thrilling as heading to Columbus, OH for the weekend. It's something to do, but you pretty much know what you're going to get. I expected nothing remarkable from Dresden. Nothing. It was chosen purely because we had passed through on trains headed elsewhere and the skyline looked unique. A unique skyline means a chance for some good shooting, and perhaps the promise that a trip there would feel more like taking a trip somewhere completely new.<br />
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However, Dresden <i>was</i> unique. And, you know what? It was a good different. Today, Dresden is probably most famous for the horrific bombing it suffered in 1945. By now most of the buildings of the Altstadt have been rebuilt, but there are still sections that are being excavated. Dresden's unique earlier history as a center for arts, learning, and wealth means that its buildings are akin to something you might see in Paris or Belgium. The architecture is truly magnificent and was a pleasure to photograph. Of course, it still had the malls and shops and restaurants you find all over the People's Republic, but there was plenty there which can't be found anywhere else and is worth taking a look at. It didn't just have a slightly interesting center, it had a stunning one. I'm so thankful we saw that skyline from the train and decided to stop.<br />
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<b>3. The Show Stealer</b><br />
One thing I learned this year was to stop underestimating the little guy. Lisbon had been on my list since we lived in Luxembourg. We lived near a working class neighborhood with a large Portuguese population. They were the only folks on the block who didn't treat us with contempt. Because of that, I decided that we should visit Lisbon.<br />
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It was a very good decision. All I knew about it was that it was beautiful, the people were nice, and the food was supposed to be good. It was all true, and then some. The people of Lisbon were by far the kindest, most generous people we encountered on our travels. For a city that has been enduring an ongoing financial crisis, we never felt unsafe. When I had to go to the hospital I was expecting to undergo one of the year's low points, but instead I was overwhelmed by the sympathetic, helpful, and most caring medical staff I've ever met. Ever.<br />
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Yes, the food was amazing too. We never ate better this year. To top it off, it was the most photogenic city we visited this year as well. But, it was the people that made Lisbon our favorite city of 2016. If Lisbon had just been a rubble heap, it would have still been worth visiting to get to experience the warmth and hospitality of the Portuguese. We were absolutely blown away and were genuinely sad to fly home.<br />
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<b>4. The All Rounder</b><br />
Oh, Ireland. It had been a long time since I'd been there, but while specific memories of that first trip had faded, I knew that Ireland had everything we could possibly want in a destination- stunning landscapes, a plethora of interesting sights, great food, and fabulous people. On returning this year, I was happy to know that I was right on all counts. There are few places in the world that are as enjoyable to visit as Ireland. It has that magnificent landscape of natural wonder, dotted with captivating ruins and castles. Even on a rainy day, it is gorgeous. This trip was probably my most satisfying photographically this year. With our own car, we could explore and get a little lost. No matter where we ended up I came across something to photograph.<br />
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Of course, we never went hungry. There was fresh seafood on the coast and hearty meals inland. Pints were always on hand, and with it came conversation. We're a bit starved of that here in Germany, so that week in Ireland made up for the whole year. We talked with tavern owners, cabbies, AirBnB hosts, bar keeps, distillery workers, waitresses, and whoever was next to us at the bar. We talked about everything from cars, to Cleveland basketball (which was the big sports news at the time), their cousins in California, my Irish great-grandpa, the ins and outs of Irish Whiskey, history, exploration, and then, inevitably, politics (Brexit occurred halfway through the trip). It was fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. Ok, Brexit was definitely not fantastic, sorry. I meant the conversations. I don't think I've ever been so appreciative of a people who are known for their gift of gab.<br />
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The scenery is meant to be photographed and there was great food and conversation. I really don't need much more from a place. If that's all you really need too, then get yourself to Ireland.<br />
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And with that, I'm signing off for the rest of the year! We're headed to Venice for the week for some rest, good eating, and hopefully some good shooting too. Then, we'll be all set for what 2017 can chuck at us. If this was the last year we had to see some more of this beautiful world, I won't complain. It was a true gift.<br />
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I hope all of you had something to be thankful for from 2016 too. We have no idea what is around the corner, but my wish is that the end of this year brings you some peace and a little joy too.<br />
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Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!<br />
CGAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-81985782840352809222016-12-09T12:31:00.000+01:002016-12-09T12:32:25.901+01:00For the Love of the X70I don't usually talk about gear on this blog. Once I got over my initial case of gear fixation, I've mostly tried to focus on the process instead of the tools. But, as my father always says, "To do the job right, your need the proper tools." Today I wanted to talk about one of my favorite tools, the Fujifilm X70.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQmvd249iKOGmjvBGeYq1GKG2UQA9wUZ2tdVp4tYzaWOhYAMWD13hdjVFns-TvGKbHxlDgvGNZL1WZy6kWAAGMCvZ8_zjH3zIe_5m2MElxlYhFDNzdXINQL-pu58weIennO-Enzbf-d3a/s1600/DSCF5842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQmvd249iKOGmjvBGeYq1GKG2UQA9wUZ2tdVp4tYzaWOhYAMWD13hdjVFns-TvGKbHxlDgvGNZL1WZy6kWAAGMCvZ8_zjH3zIe_5m2MElxlYhFDNzdXINQL-pu58weIennO-Enzbf-d3a/s400/DSCF5842.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I've been working exclusively with the Fujifilm X Series cameras for about 2 years now (my gear list can be found on the right of blog page). It only took about 6 months after picking up my X-E2 to decide I wanted to switch entirely over that system from Canon. Everyone is different on what they want in a system, just like everyone is different in what they want in a car (or no car at all!). For me, there were a few factors in deciding to switch to the X-Series. First of all, there was the size. Being mirrorless, most of the set ups pack down way smaller than what I had going on with my mid-size DSLR. Secondly, there was the glass quality. Every single lens Fujifilm puts out is professional grade, there's none of this entry level junk. Fuji's lenses are top of the line, solid, sharp, and fast. Thirdly, and this is probably the biggest selling point for me, the X Series is made for those who love shooting manual. The designs hearken back to analog. Instead of menus, there are dials, beautiful, wonderful dials. I wasn't a photographer in the film age, but I have a deep appreciation for the medium. And, the X Series cameras honor that, not only in the design and functionality, but also with the Fujifilm film simulations you can apply in camera or in post. Bottom line, using the X Series system is a blast.<br />
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Last September, while we were in Akron, my husband surprised me one morning with a box from B&H Photo Video. Nestled inside the packing material and assorted free oddments, sat one of those lovely black boxes Fujifilm packages their X Series in. I have to admit, I was quite taken aback. I had just two days prior, picked up the long anticipated X-T2 (fabulous, fabulous camera, by the way). I certainly wasn't planning on adding another camera to the fleet already. But, inside that black box was the wee X70 and that was kind of a big deal.</div>
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You see, I had been searching for a pocketable camera on and off for a couple of years. I had toyed with the idea of the beautiful X100T, but it measures a bit too large for a pocket camera (at least for the diminutive pockets they put in most women's clothing). One of my main desires was to find something that would fit in a cycling jersey pocket. My old iPhone is all well and good for messaging funny pet pictures to the fam or snapping the local bus schedule for later reference, but it can't hold up to a real lens for any serious photography (I'm sorry, it can't). I looked at other brands like Sony and Nikon, but I really wasn't keen on either's design and functionality in this range. Plus, after using my X-E2 alongside a Canon, I really, really didn't want to add a different system into the mix again. The amount of shots lost due to system switch confusion was a little ridiculous in those days. Anyway, when Fujifilm released the X70, the idea of adding a small pocket camera to the collection didn't seem like a lost cause anymore. </div>
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And so, out of the blue, I now had one! I named it Baby. All the cameras have names, yes. With all the X this and X that it's easier to keep them straight. Before long, what was intended to be a cycling camera became my everyday carry camera. It comes out on dog walks with me, to the grocery store, and all the other times when I want to have a camera, but don't need or want to carry a bag.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captured with my X70 while out walking The Dog.</td></tr>
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I honestly didn't expect to love this camera as much as I do. Here's why it's stolen my heart.</div>
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1. Size- while a bit larger than some other models in that market, it fits nicely in my jacket pockets and jersey pockets. It is small and light enough to fit in the bag with other bodies if I want a backup.</div>
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2. Design- most cameras of this sort keep the dials and knobs to a minimum, with setting customization being limited and only found in menus. The X70 sticks with the X Series honor of manual control. Your basic functions can all be controlled quickly and easily on the body like the majority of the other X Series cameras. Aperture is found on the lens, exposure and exposure compensation are controlled on the dials, and ISO can be assigned to one of the buttons.</div>
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3. That flip screen- Arguably, Fujifilm has always been weak on this feature. All of the early model X series had fixed LCD screens. I generally shoot with a viewfinder, but I found the lack of an articulated LCD very trying when I wanted a more unique perspective or when I was shooting from a tripod. That problem is why I went with the X-T line for my workhorses over the X-Pros. Anyway, the X70 has a pretty advanced screen. It can flip into selfie position, which means we now have a couple pictures together for a change. It is also a touch screen. It can be set to select a focus point or to take the shot. I usually have it set for focus since that's a heck of a lot faster than the select buttons. Since the X70 doesn't have a viewfinder, the advanced LCD makes up for it.</div>
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4. Full functionality- It has the same capabilities as the X-E2 like bracketing, burst, time lapse, WiFi, video, detailed display, etc. There is no reason why it can't be the only camera on you. Plus, if I want to pass it over to my husband or someone else, I can just flip it into Auto and they don't have to worry about anything. The JPEGs come out top notch, just as you would expect from Fujifilm.</div>
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5. Fixed lens- This may be a deal breaker for a lot of people, but I love the fixed focal length. It's a nice wide 18.5mm f/2.8 meaning it's a great all rounder. It is bright and unobtrusive, making it perfect for street photographers. It is wide and sharp for scenery. It gets out of the way, and let's you craft the image.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0Q_SxP6J9Wa8JXsOvhtkXibgxCHR6cvlZnd9BSW3FK4b1zZHPWHcJ8fzCOwnCm9MeZ4pMNF8soQBegfUl3U450paq-hUur3sCkZ1Eyg_3ooMtvNHVTGyKo2CAfJ8cdoU7NT2XrJvULxp/s1600/DSCF0576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0Q_SxP6J9Wa8JXsOvhtkXibgxCHR6cvlZnd9BSW3FK4b1zZHPWHcJ8fzCOwnCm9MeZ4pMNF8soQBegfUl3U450paq-hUur3sCkZ1Eyg_3ooMtvNHVTGyKo2CAfJ8cdoU7NT2XrJvULxp/s400/DSCF0576.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because it's the size of my iPhone the X70 is the only camera The Dog allows me to get close to him with. </td></tr>
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Now for the downside. Rumor has it that Sony quit making the 16mps sensor and that means Fujifilm will be discontinuing a lot of their cameras that used that sensor. That includes the X70. That's pretty sad since it hasn't been on the market for even a year yet. I love this little camera and I'm really disappointed that Fujifilm may not be continuing with it. Hopefully, it doesn't mean they will be scrapping the 16mps models completely by ending firmware updates too. Only time will tell. Of course, there's always the small chance those lines will be rebooted with a new sensor. Who knows at this point since the discontinuation is still just a rumor (although stock is disappearing from some stores in Europe and Japan). While certainly not a flagship, the X70 definitely filled a need for a lot of photographers and its performance has given it top marks from reviewers. I for one will always be a fan and will continue to use Baby until it dies. </div>
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Of course, the one bright side of this is that the price will significantly drop on the X70 if it is discontinued. For now, Amazon.com and B&H still have them fully in stock so if an official announcement is made, they will probably be discounted significantly. Amazon DE and Amazon UK are low on stock (UK is out of silver), so there may very well be something to the rumor. However, I've found Amazon DE sellers generally don't keep a large stock of photo equipment anyway. Be that as it may, this may be the opportunity to take advantage of a great deal caused by a series of unfortunate events. For those who love manual shooting or want to learn it or whole love fixed lens bodies or who want to broaden their photography by using one, the X70 is a fantastic little camera and would make a great gift this season.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-73395510473339687592016-11-25T12:00:00.000+01:002016-11-25T12:03:33.124+01:00Captured Glimpses Black Friday SaleFor those not interested in braving the stores or the mall today, but are still open to taking advantage of a sale, I have good news for you!<br />
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<b>20% off EVERYTHING else in the shop!</b></div>
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Have a great weekend!<b> </b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-84009057593656472302016-11-24T11:28:00.000+01:002016-11-24T11:28:48.583+01:00Happy Thanksgiving and Such<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQni7NKpI31RoCbbAoqsHz-_xGpzeiJoXjV02FIYcIH60QXgEVKjRK9340GCM79muTW_JKMa-b3KcbTbRJVA5EB5VNZTcHxQTQYNmYz1Jc_sgjecodBOvFkkIjzq6Hrn1-rSrhjDYuIbNG/s1600/DSCF0286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQni7NKpI31RoCbbAoqsHz-_xGpzeiJoXjV02FIYcIH60QXgEVKjRK9340GCM79muTW_JKMa-b3KcbTbRJVA5EB5VNZTcHxQTQYNmYz1Jc_sgjecodBOvFkkIjzq6Hrn1-rSrhjDYuIbNG/s320/DSCF0286.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I just wanted to wish everyone back home in the United States a good Thanksgiving holiday. I know it has been a really tough year and these continue to be uncertain times. But, hopefully today can be peaceful and differences can be set aside. The important thing is to remember that we are bound by our ties as Americans. It is when we come together that we are at our greatest- no matter our beliefs, our education, our salaries, the way we dress, or how we live. Today is an opportunity to begin healing as everyone meets over a meal with family and friends. It is an opportunity to discuss, not to argue. It is an opportunity to listen, not to chastise. It is an opportunity to begin building bridges with those across the table that can be extended across divides. This is not the day to avoid our differences and pretend everything is just fine while harboring resentment, today is the day to right this ship. So talk it out, hug each other, then go have a second piece of pie for me.<br />
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The holiday season gets its official kickoff today. If after the holiday (or during) you're feeling like you need a little retail therapy, I have many new items available in my Zazzle Shop. There are <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/collections/landscape_totes-119903101045899343">eight new tote bags</a> with landscape photographs, a bunch of <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/collections/puzzles-119198386559012448">new puzzles</a>, <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/collections/greeting_cards-119580907112072200">greeting cards</a>, a whole <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/collections/der_eiger-119059500706037434">new collection of Eiger products</a>, some <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/collections/waterfalls-119560438264026709">new waterfall items</a>, and a <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/collections/winter_and_holidays-119365965487726103">whole bunch of stuff for the holidays</a>!<br />
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Of course, I also have <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/collections/2017_calendars-119008188399411533">new wall calendars</a> available for 2017. They were my most popular item last year and I want to say thank you to all who purchased one! We were able to send on a nice donation to Americas Fund with the proceeds.<br />
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This year there are once again two calendars available. There is the 11"x14.25" full color calendar for $28.00 featuring photographs from Austria, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, and Portugal. A portion of my proceeds from this calendar will be donated to PetsMart Charities this year. This charity is the most successful in facilitating animal adoptions and spay & neuter programs in the United States.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAU929-REvap3pd5409acw8GqWN1UjrTPptDZ-hnwotKd79c30qNEGeKg5EXbr7Z1EeC1ksP9wAA_GJ59t3ifHGNo48lZ8xC1NX7VNbei_Y1jusfh0cb-PAIAMgxg4MwoAIu9j1aRPqKT/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-24+at+9.08.27+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAU929-REvap3pd5409acw8GqWN1UjrTPptDZ-hnwotKd79c30qNEGeKg5EXbr7Z1EeC1ksP9wAA_GJ59t3ifHGNo48lZ8xC1NX7VNbei_Y1jusfh0cb-PAIAMgxg4MwoAIu9j1aRPqKT/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-11-24+at+9.08.27+AM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/2017_scenic_europe_calendar-158033072601787857">Scenic Europe 2017 Calendar</a></td></tr>
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The second calendar is <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/2017_captured_glimpses_monochrome_calendar-158420703404368291">5.5"x7" and features black and white photographs</a>. I will be donating 80% of my proceeds from this calendar to the International Refugee Assistance Project. Because of everything that has been going on both in Europe and the United States, I've become very concerned about this issue. Refugees need our support more than ever and the IRAP is the leading organization in fighting for refugee rights and providing services for them. This calendar is $25.00 and features photographs from Germany, France, Iceland, Norway, Belgium, Ireland, Portugal, Italy, Luxembourg, Ohio (yup!), Slovakia, and Switzerland.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOFZZfnGUtKHIQoMu8Q9adQ8MsZMlLVea7jTHtksfrU1qbQtwCe0MvRWOsuQPlhVrla1LFJho63MvxVPvVpxJzrG_i89qjs5VhLVq9JwK0Bwq3tkfgXBXzcWCef3vYERf09TECPDPkyzr/s1600/monocal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOFZZfnGUtKHIQoMu8Q9adQ8MsZMlLVea7jTHtksfrU1qbQtwCe0MvRWOsuQPlhVrla1LFJho63MvxVPvVpxJzrG_i89qjs5VhLVq9JwK0Bwq3tkfgXBXzcWCef3vYERf09TECPDPkyzr/s400/monocal.jpg" width="395" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/2017_captured_glimpses_monochrome_calendar-158420703404368291">2017 Monochrome Calendar</a></td></tr>
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Both calendars can be customized by language and country holidays. They also, like all my other Zazzle products, ship internationally. So, if you are in need of a new calendar or a gift for the upcoming season, here you go! ALSO, today only both calendars are 40% off! Use the code BLACKFRILOVE at check out. Many other items in the Shop are also on sale with the same code.<br />
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Ok, get outside this weekend, relax, eat a little too much, and enjoy your holiday! We wish we were there!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-43124874827163370192016-10-14T12:12:00.001+02:002016-10-14T12:12:45.890+02:00A Backyard Park<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXjBTtpTcC1N86DrzavGXJaSjNwDr-IT_EJTm3CTkv_FnBsQjMTtZ3zelRuuo__YjsBP2Ss67JjdVfMvivxDHpo5z7gGG2-RAruSicez_Kvh9gJKxmZX790UOMiqNwHtSy_sKqb18rJp0/s1600/DSCF6155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXjBTtpTcC1N86DrzavGXJaSjNwDr-IT_EJTm3CTkv_FnBsQjMTtZ3zelRuuo__YjsBP2Ss67JjdVfMvivxDHpo5z7gGG2-RAruSicez_Kvh9gJKxmZX790UOMiqNwHtSy_sKqb18rJp0/s400/DSCF6155.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Hen Falls</td></tr>
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Northeast Ohio is blessed to have a magnificent National Park. Sure, it doesn't have geysers, mountains, grizzlies, and canyons, but it's unlike any other National Park in the country. Why? Because it's accessible and lived in. People are just as important to this park as its spaces. Bald eagles fly over farms and people who live in the cities like Akron and Cleveland can hop onto a trail near their neighborhood and walk or ride into forests. This is a park for people.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5u6mHCt8Tkv6O6QpNf7RfqimtGOFhdIvGpY6THKo8L0VXGU0-mIXIH_bJTH7IzwiXRd9fQdEqE10Sk6rAejqDsiq0Aa6U60V0Ed3Bv2o5-ZxjcaHP3GIwzG9oPrGQ14RG32Ze040EFSjp/s1600/DSCF6346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5u6mHCt8Tkv6O6QpNf7RfqimtGOFhdIvGpY6THKo8L0VXGU0-mIXIH_bJTH7IzwiXRd9fQdEqE10Sk6rAejqDsiq0Aa6U60V0Ed3Bv2o5-ZxjcaHP3GIwzG9oPrGQ14RG32Ze040EFSjp/s320/DSCF6346.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia Kendall Overlook</td></tr>
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I was blessed to grown up on its border in the Cuyahoga Valley. I grew up cycling and hiking there and considered the CVNP and the MetroParks to be an extension of my backyard. While most young people in the suburbs spend their time in the gridded world of housing developments, I had Hampton Hills, the Towpath trail, Virginia Kendall, and Brandywine. <br />
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A lot has changed since I was growing up. Back then, there wasn't a scenic railroad, Szalay's Farm barely sold more than corn, the Towpath only ran from the old Indian Mound Trailhead to Hillside road, and Hale Farm was barely hanging on. Peninsula wasn't particularly popular except for those doing the World Tour of Beers at the Lizard.<br />
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Today, of course, the Park is the place to be. The railroad is so popular on the weekends that you need to book in advance, you can ride your bike from Harvard road all the way down to Route 172 without ever leaving the towpath trail, Hale Farm has been revived, Szalay's is has become a popular attraction, and little Peninsula is absolutely packed on Saturdays and Sundays. It's something to see.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVV-YCU4e913-ZK_8ISdQZPSVXJVY6iHz4Yb8fG-SBHp37pyFJu0WtvNtxIXP0vBGfLfWZyDwwAr7Tad6nSXLlMk8vZ2Og-Us6GatCsDxx4T5KG56dR94knJbXGXrhAh8z8juwqtAmlHLQ/s1600/DSCF6643+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVV-YCU4e913-ZK_8ISdQZPSVXJVY6iHz4Yb8fG-SBHp37pyFJu0WtvNtxIXP0vBGfLfWZyDwwAr7Tad6nSXLlMk8vZ2Og-Us6GatCsDxx4T5KG56dR94knJbXGXrhAh8z8juwqtAmlHLQ/s400/DSCF6643+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beaver Marsh</td></tr>
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Of course, this phenomenon of National Park popularity isn't unique to the Cuyahoga Valley. All the National Parks have seen a massive spike in visitation since the Great Recession. All of a sudden people realized that the simple natural spaces of their own country were worth seeing more than (and were cheaper than) theme parks and cruise ships. The National Parks are cool now. A little too cool when you look at the <a href="http://www.npr.org/2016/03/07/466308123/long-lines-packed-campsites-and-busy-trails-our-crowded-national-parks">implications</a>. Unlike the more famous parks, the Cuyahoga Valley is unique in that most of its visitors are local. It's a park that is a part of the local lifestyle. It's not just a place to spend a weekend. In many ways it doesn't feel like a National Park, it still feels like a backyard (with a whole lot more people in it).<br />
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It was another one of the special things about home that I was reminded of in September. First thing in the morning, when only deer and those training for the Akron Marathon were out, I could drive 5 minutes down the road and in be in a magnificent landscape. That isn't normal, folks. Shots like this one aren't within 5 minutes of most people's homes. But, they are for people who live in Northeast Ohio. And, it's another reason why home shouldn't take it for granted.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YVdwr47ClQXQR5zl7hthM_9mc6G3L5yYKx_r2fYzzH6MGhnGz5KkdGcejgG0Pcpqettrvmu5p1dmAdNWi0CclX6UFsGGFkcXQddWnGUnu5vy9vXfVdtxtXzO45Re1GA0JJhOeN1N2qTH/s1600/DSCF6244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YVdwr47ClQXQR5zl7hthM_9mc6G3L5yYKx_r2fYzzH6MGhnGz5KkdGcejgG0Pcpqettrvmu5p1dmAdNWi0CclX6UFsGGFkcXQddWnGUnu5vy9vXfVdtxtXzO45Re1GA0JJhOeN1N2qTH/s400/DSCF6244.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Turnpike viaduct.</td></tr>
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More photographs from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the MetroParks Serving Summit County can be seen and purchased on the website in the <a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Countryside/Ohio-Countryside/i-9GvwKdt">Ohio Countryside gallery</a>.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-32442617708037078832016-09-22T18:48:00.002+02:002016-09-22T18:48:36.052+02:00To the People of Akron<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcjY0dQdW2xPjm6xyMZYxI5bnEwhoWUUKBv3hZ8NjaD2zTJJkFiMnshOTv95cWHAqqFxYQ-eO9-frG4Ccrgtipjyv1KIB0g9tsfjHqkQ_4LO5-msI2ruNkCQKoaL8cvAgDC-jik0pfA38/s1600/DSCF6771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcjY0dQdW2xPjm6xyMZYxI5bnEwhoWUUKBv3hZ8NjaD2zTJJkFiMnshOTv95cWHAqqFxYQ-eO9-frG4Ccrgtipjyv1KIB0g9tsfjHqkQ_4LO5-msI2ruNkCQKoaL8cvAgDC-jik0pfA38/s400/DSCF6771.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Akron at dawn. There's more to this place than you think.</td></tr>
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There are a bunch of things I want to write about from our trip to Akron. I'm definitely going to milk that trip for a few posts. But, I wanted to use this first one not to talk about photography really, but to talk to all of you in the Akron area. We got to see lots of friends and family while we were home, and I think we talked about the following with almost all of them. Only a few had a clue what we were talking about. Folks are missing it and I think that's a shame. I don't want you to miss it. So, Akron, I gotta tell you...something's different. <br />
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I don't know. Maybe it's a five year thing. Yeah, we've been abroad for almost 5 years, so there's a good chance that this amount of time has something to do with it. More than likely when you've been away from your country, your people, your hometown, for about 5 years you start to see all of that with rose tinted glasses. Sure, I'll allow that. But. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEhyphenhyphenAR1E5lmuIQJaMiL_MrVYvQXZQ0nh8oA2dG7zyCNKGghuJQtXUGh6E8VxNVXox4uC7mEuFCq7HEv20X93S-nckDx1oFfI6JiqwZhpuC6WHHDhfC9iRG518SY0aS8xBQso_ONwsZvPv/s1600/DSCF6627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEhyphenhyphenAR1E5lmuIQJaMiL_MrVYvQXZQ0nh8oA2dG7zyCNKGghuJQtXUGh6E8VxNVXox4uC7mEuFCq7HEv20X93S-nckDx1oFfI6JiqwZhpuC6WHHDhfC9iRG518SY0aS8xBQso_ONwsZvPv/s320/DSCF6627.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Two years ago when we came back for our visit, things didn't seem right. People were gloomy, like more than is normal for folks in Northeast Ohio in October. There were several times I felt downright unsafe, in places I'd never felt threatened before. The roads were a mess, like worse than Belgium. It was disconcerting and depressing. We were more than ready to come back to Germany at the end of the trip. Look, I'm not naive about Akron's crime and drug problem. I'm <i>from</i> Akron, ok? There have been a few close calls in the past, like "Am I going to get shot?" close calls . I have a healthy respect for Akron's issues, and in no way do I want to gloss those over. Akron isn't a shining city. No city is, folks. But, I think, I honestly think that Akron is improving. We were out late and I photographed around downtown by myself at some odd hours a couple of times. Memory, experience, and common sense told me that this could be risky and to be careful. But, nothing happened. Not even when it should have. At one moment, I thought for sure I was going to have some trouble. It was really early, still dark, no one was around, I was by myself, and set up on Main St. (it will always be Main Street to me) with quite a bit of gear. A sketchy looking guy started approaching me. I was prepared for this sort of thing. There's no delusion in me that everyone is basically good, that dialogue can get you out of bad situations every time. Sometimes you have to make tracks, quick. Sometimes you have to throw a punch. My gear was in my bag on my back, and I had enough time to take my camera off Brian the Tripod. I figured Brian would do rather well as a self defense tool since he's kinda beefy when collapsed down. I didn't run off though. To be honest, I didn't want to lose the light. You know what happened? This guy walked right up to me, and (as I gripped Brian a little tighter) he rather eccentrically said, "Good morning!" He smiled, I returned the greeting, and then he continued on his way. That nasty, unsafe feeling we had two years ago never showed up. Ok, yes, the weather was beautiful and that definitely affects peoples' moods. But, it wasn't just a bit more cheerfulness, it was a lot more cheerfulness. People we didn't even know, by the way, were downright jovial and welcoming. If it weren't for the accent, at times I would have thought we were back in Ireland. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Bike Share bikes at Northside in front of the new shiny</span><br style="font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Marriott Hotel.</span></td></tr>
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There are new businesses in downtown Akron and they're locally owned and one of a kind. There were new restaurants and bars, and the ones we tried were all good, like really good. Sure, a couple more old buildings had been knocked down and there are still plenty of empty storefronts. But, there are less. And that's something. I swear there were more flowers. There were definitely more bikes. Heck, did you know that Akron has a bike share now? The organization is a little clunky, but it's something. Also, there's even a short section of protected lane on Main St. So, if you work downtown you can rent a bike at one of the many locations, and ride right down Main to Diamond Deli (which thankfully hasn't changed a bit) where the lane ends.<br />
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Ok, let me go back to the bar and restaurant topic. For the past three years going out to dinner has lost its luster. We go out rarely and usually only because we don't have time to cook. The biggest decision we have to make is whether we want to order the schnitzel or the wurst. Drink choices are soda, pilsner, or water. We get really excited when we travel because there's a good chance we'll get to have something more exciting than pork and yellow beer. The trips home to Akron are even more thrilling because we get to enjoy all our old favorites that we can't get at all in Europe. Hello, tacos! Hello, pizza with pepperoni, Italian sausage, peppers, and onions! Hello, SWENSON'S, baby! Hello, you crazy wonderful American craft beer (and unsweetened iced tea and bourbon)! Really, home leave trips are mostly for the food. Ok, not totally, but it's right up there with seeing the people we love. So, as you might imagine, we plan our eating very carefully. The goal is to hit as many places as possible, balancing new with old. Must eats every single year are Mr. G's Pizza, Swenson's, the Diamond Deli, and Crave. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main Street</td></tr>
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This year we had few new places on the list- Dante Boccuzzi Akron, Nuevo Modern Mexican & Tequila Bar, and Chop & Swizzle. DBA and Nuevo have been around for a few years, but we hadn't had chances to try them out yet on past trips. Chop & Swizzle is brand new. I can't tell you which one was my favorite. They're too different to compete and the food at all three was fantastic. DBA, in my humble meat eater opinion, is a better long term fit for the city and the Northside District than Chrissie Hynde's old place (no offense to the Akron rocker). They certainly make a much better steak ;-) Nuevo definitely has a way with Mexican flavors and tequila, and we were talking about our meal for days afterwards. The most unique place, however, was Chop & Swizzle. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at these lovely concoctions from Chop & Swizzle!</td></tr>
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I used to work just down the road from the old firehouse on Maple and drove by it several times a week. It's a great building and when it was bought and cleaned up like 6 or 7 years ago I had hopes that something would come to live there. The neighborhood is a little sketchy though, and nothing ever came in, until earlier this year when the craft cocktail bar opened it's doors. I heard about it on Facebook and immediately put it on the must list. We have a thing for cocktails. We've been mixing long before it was a hipster thing and after years of nothing but German beer and schnapps as alcohol options, we've amped up our mixing game. Now, I'd much rather enjoy a crafted cocktail or neat Scotch when a little something besides water is the order of the day. We love discovering and mixing out new recipes from modern mixologists and bars like Death & Co. and The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog or mixing the classics from the Prohibition Era. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2QP6645LmAdq1fimZ0xEjpgSzupxeAHtJafe0GHUBEJt4eAlH3QxH43noUlAxt6BIHf79BEVIb5m-I1hHU-nrOOXRu6i8mU9OAIXIMcd6Vba9eU5SrRUPWEfYBFq-Ya72U9k2MC-URFp/s1600/DSCF6214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2QP6645LmAdq1fimZ0xEjpgSzupxeAHtJafe0GHUBEJt4eAlH3QxH43noUlAxt6BIHf79BEVIb5m-I1hHU-nrOOXRu6i8mU9OAIXIMcd6Vba9eU5SrRUPWEfYBFq-Ya72U9k2MC-URFp/s320/DSCF6214.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where the magic happens.</td></tr>
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When we heard Akron had a cocktail bar that made the sort of drinks we loved, we got really excited. I'm happy to report that it lived up to our dreams. First off, the service is fantastic. If you don't like something, they'll mix you something different. They'll help you find something that may become your new favorite thing. Oh, and the food is pretty amazing. I didn't really expect that. We were going to go someplace else afterwards, but we stayed there. It was that good. And it's not just the drinks, food or the service that won our hearts. They are approaching Akron in a new and exciting way and it's an example of why I think the city is moving in the right direction. The folks of Chop & Swizzle seemed to say, "Yeah, okay, the neighborhood isn't great. But, it isn't going to get better if no one ever tries to make it better. Let's be <i>those</i> people." They weren't afraid. <br />
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There's a ton of people who don't seem to be afraid to make things better in Akron now. They're taking risks. They're opening cocktail bars (there's actually another- Northside Speakeasy. We didn't have a chance to make it there this time), galleries, independent movie theaters, boutiques, ice cream shops, children's museums, restaurants, and jazz clubs. They're organizing neighborhood festivals, making music, writing books, taking photos, making art, and publishing free newspapers (shout out to <a href="http://www.thedevilstrip.com/home/">The Devil Strip</a>). They're getting their hands dirty. To my eyes, the eyes of someone who hasn't been around much, these people already accomplished a lot. My theory is that this is going to snowball. Positivity breeds positive things. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lock Bottom Jazz is still happening at Lock 4, one of my favorite nooks of the city.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Norka is back! How cool is that! Please buy those sodas,<br />they're delicious.</td></tr>
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So, my lovely Akron people. Keep it up! You're there every day so maybe you haven't noticed these changes. They may not be as dramatic for you. But, you know what? Things <i>are</i> better than they were. I know that the road construction is a huge pain in the neck right now. But, the really cool thing about it is that it means they are finally fixing the roads! I mean, they're actually trying to improve the interchange! They're getting rid of that hated innerbelt. The City is finally dealing with those glaring problems. Finally. You get what a big deal that is?<br />
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Please do me a couple of favors while we're still gone. First, don't listen to candidates that come to town and make Akron sound like a crime ridden cesspool. It isn't. Akron isn't out of the woods, I know. But, if you only focus on its problems in a negative way, you're going to blow your chance to join in the good stuff and improve your town. Akron has so much potential and for the first time in a long time a lot of folks are seeing it and pursuing it. So, secondly, focus on that. Participate. Support all these homegrown businesses. Please go out downtown. Start your evenings at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/chopandswizzleakron/">Chop & Swizzle</a>, <a href="http://www.northsidespeakeasy.com/">Northside Speakeasy</a>, <a href="http://thirstydog.com/blog/tasting-room/">Thirsty Dog Brewing</a>, or <a href="http://www.hoppinfrog.com/tasting-room">Hoppin' Frog</a>. Get your dinners at the one of a kind places you can only find locally- <a href="http://eatdrinkcrave.com/">Crave</a>, <a href="http://www.briccoakron.com/">Bricco</a>, <a href="http://akron.nuevomodmex.com/">Nuevo Mexican</a>, <a href="http://www.danteakron.com/">DBA</a>, etc. Get your sandwiches at <a href="http://diamonddeli.us/">Diamond Deli</a>, your fast food at <a href="http://swensonsdriveins.com/">Swenson's</a>. Get your coffees at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Angel-Falls-Coffee-Company-108915622467774/">Angel Falls</a> and <a href="http://www.nervousdog.com/">Nervous Dog</a>. Go hear stuff at <a href="http://liveatmusica.com/">Musica</a>, <a href="http://blujazzakron.com/">Blu Jazz+</a>, and <a href="http://www.jillysmusicroom.com/index.html">Jilly's Music Room</a>. Go see a flick at the <a href="http://www.nightlightcinema.com/">Nightlight</a>. See a show at the <a href="http://www.goodyeartheater.com/">Goodyear Theater</a> and <a href="http://www.akroncivic.com/site/page.php?id=420">The Civic</a>. Invest in your city. I'm not gonna lie, I really want all this cool stuff to still be around when we get to come home. I'm depending on you to make that happen for me.<br />
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I can tell you one thing. Right now, for the first time ever in these almost 5 years, we are dying to get back to Akron. Seriously. Maybe it's just because it's been five years, or because it was sunny for two weeks, or we are really tired of schnitzel, or everyone is still riding that National Championship high. But, I'm pretty darn certain this change is deeper than that. We're two people itching to join in. Two more years feels like a long time, but I cannot wait to see what this new movement is going to pull off in that time. What we saw, what we experienced, what is to come has us believing that Akron can become the city we always hoped it could. I read somewhere recently that Akron is more than a few great bands and a basketball player. Whoever said that is right. A place is its people, and Akron has some seriously good people in it. Keep moving forward. It's a long road, but come on. You're Akron. You can do this. We can't wait to join you.<br />
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To print and download most of these photos and others I shot in Akron check out the <a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Cities/Ohio-Cities/">Ohio Cities gallery</a> on the website!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-43117528225908658532016-08-31T11:03:00.000+02:002016-08-31T11:05:42.879+02:00Project: #GlimpsesofHome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tomorrow morning my husband and I are boarding a flight to the USA and will be back home in Northeast Ohio for about two weeks. We usually do this once a year to see family, visit the dentist, see our GP, touch base with our banker, and catch up with friends. It's a hectic time, no matter how we try to make it as un-hectic as possible. As the years pass, and this December will mark 5 years in Europe, our home leave trip grows in importance. Even though we often travel to a new and exciting location once a month, that visit to humble Northeast Ohio is our favorite journey of the year. For us, the day before the trip has the excitement of Christmas Eve. Touching down at CLE airport, getting in the rental car, and swinging onto Rt. 480 E is like descending the stairs on Christmas Day. We can barely contain our excitement.<br />
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For those that have never lived abroad for a long period of time, this probably doesn't make much sense. Isn't living in Europe a dream come true? How can your grungy hometown with its abandoned factories, strip malls, high crime rates, and blighted neighborhoods compare? Sure, on paper Akron falls short when stacked next to the picturesque village on the Main where we've been living for almost three years. But, you know what? It's <i>Home</i>. Home, no matter where that is, will always have an edge over the most beautiful places on earth.<br />
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Usually during these trips I take a lot of pictures. I generally don't do much with them except to document another magical home leave trip. Last year, I did manage to get out a couple of days for some more traditional shooting which you can see <a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Countryside/Ohio-Countryside/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Cities/Ohio-Cities/i-tLQBjRM">here</a>. <br />
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This year, I've decided to do a photo project during the trip. It's part personal project, part documentary. Every day, like always, I'll be taking photographs, but this year I'll be <i>sharing</i> many more with you! As long as WiFi permits, I'll post two photographs to Instagram a day- one of my usual images that are posted daily, and one under the tag #GlimpsesofHome. Images under that tag will be of something or somewhere that is unique about Akron (or a location nearby) and it will probably have a little story with it too. The goal of the project is to highlight what makes Akron and its environs so special to us, and why that area is worth visiting just as much as the other locations I've photographed in Europe. Obviously, the biggest draw personally is the relationships we have there. But, there are countless things about Northeast Ohio that make it special and worthy. I'd like to show you some of them. They won't all be scenic, so I ask you to bear with the variety of images I'll be posting. Home is where our culture comes from. It's people, food, music, common ground, language, art, and environment. Our home is a typical small American city. It's had its struggles, heck, it still has struggles. But, it also has a lot of magic. Slowly but surely, that magic is growing and things are changing. We see it every year. The place has soul. Through this project, I'd like you to get a glimpse of that.<br />
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So, tune into <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cginde/">Instagram</a> to follow my #GlimpsesofHome project for the next two weeks! Too often we focus on where we've been or where we're headed to next. Sometimes it's best to turn our attention to where we're from.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-26075964940209404432016-08-11T13:12:00.000+02:002016-08-11T13:12:18.177+02:00HalftimeI love August. Well, I mean I love August in Germany. I don't remember it being particularly pleasant in Ohio due to insane heat, the usual drought, and the sense of melancholy that comes with the approach of Labor Day and the end of summer all together. However, here, even if you have to go to work, it feels like a month of vacation. Germans, by law, have to have 30 days vacation. Some can even manage to eke out a little more depending on other variables. Some choose to spread those 30 days out through the year. Others take a big lump all at once, usually in the summer, and head off to the Alps or the beach for a couple of weeks. Oh, and they <i>have</i> to take these days according to the law. The worker certainly has a pretty sweet deal here, in my opinion. This, of course, doesn't apply to people like us who are expats with contracts from a non-German company. Personally, I think companies should give their expats the same vacation days as their native co-workers during their assignment because being the only person working most of the year is pretty taxing. <br />
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On the plus side, during the month of August a lot of people are out of town on vacation so being at home actually feels like a holiday too. The shops are less crowded, no one is is around to dig up the roads (or, unfortunately, fill in the holes they made in July), and the people who are around are just a bit more chilled out. It's really nice. The weather is pretty great too. While we've been here the heat always hits in July and then tapers off come August. This year it's been downright chilly, almost Autumn-like. So, here I am sitting on our balcony with a view of the river as I punch out this update. The only sounds are church bells and birds. It's a pretty sweet deal for us too.<br />
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We've always treated the month of August as a holiday too, just in a different way. We don't go out of town at all. With everyone coming and going from the office, this month is a perfect chance for my husband to get a lot done at work. It's also a chance to get some things sorted out and planned for the rest of the year. We use the weekends to get things done around the house that we've been putting off, doing some cycling, and exploring the local area a bit more. I too have been taking August off from a lot of photography, preventing a burn out that would no doubt hit if I ran around at breakneck pace all year. I might do a little on the weekends or within a quick bike ride of the house, but for the most part I just focus on catching up on some reading, doing a little digging through whatever backlog I have, updating the Zazzle shop, or organizing my files. It's nice to put down the camera for a bit and see the world with my eyes for awhile. Keeps me sane.<br />
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I decided to kick off this break a little early this year with our trip to Lake Como last month. Well, circumstances decided a little bit for me, but I'll get to that in a bit. My husband and I decided to stay at our favorite hotel to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary in July. We stayed there in 2013 on the way back from a trip to the Riviera. We were only there for two nights on that trip, but we fell head over heels in love with the place and promised ourselves and the proprietors that we would return. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from hotel at dinner. We decided to climb it later that week. </td></tr>
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So, for this trip we decided to spend 8 days there. Our plan was to do a little photography, a lot of hiking, and even more relaxing. For once, this was going to be a proper vacation. Strolls, naps, and afternoon ice cream cones were going to be regular occurrences. We never take trips like this (the last one was in 2013 to the Riviera, actually), and we definitely needed one. It's been a long year.<br />
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I did want to get out a couple of times for some early morning shooting because, obviously, we were in a prime landscape location. However, we discovered upon our first attempt that the hotel locks the doors until 6:00am, thus trapping us well after the July sunrise. At first I was really upset and contemplated asking if we could make special arrangements. But, I realized that it was actually a good thing. We both wanted to make this trip more about spending time together and relaxing than getting up at 4:00am and rushing to a location every morning. I was going to be ok. It turned out to be exactly what we needed. We both felt 10x better after the trip, relaxed and ready to face the rest of the year. I imagine the dinners at the hotel restaurant every night had something to do with that. The owner totally spoiled us with perfect homemade pastas and local specialities every night. It was pure heaven, even on the days it rained.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top of the mountain. Blessed with a clear day<br />after quite the climb up there.</td></tr>
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I really think breaks are important. Athletes have off seasons, kids get summer vacations, why shouldn't creatives step back for a bit once a year too? Sometimes I get so wrapped up in photography, I can't even contemplate something else. Laundry can pile up, I don't get enough sleep, and the cats come in my office periodically to make sure I'm not dead (ok, they may just be there to remind me it's their dinner time). I admit, I get obsessive. So, stepping back for a short time is definitely something I need to do. While we were in Italy, not being able to worry about getting the next shot or chasing the light everyday forced me to focus on the trip and have a really great time. We did do a lot of hiking and walking, plus we climbed a 8,560ft mountain on a whim. We weren't exactly sitting with an ice cream all day every day. But, not having the next shot goal permeating all my thoughts made it possible to have a really relaxing time. It wasn't work, it was vacation. You know what? I was totally ok. It was ok not to get shots every day, or only have a couple of the two of us (and The Dog) on the card for a change. It was like coming up for air.<br />
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So, I do have a couple mini projects for the rest of the month, but we don't have another photo trip scheduled until October. In the meantime, check back at my Zazzle shop regularly because I am using this time to add some new products. If you're already in the market for a 2017 calendar, they are now available! Next month, is the hallowed home leave trip back to Akron, so you can expect some more cat photos and misc hometown whatnot in my feed pretty soon. But for now, I'm going to sit back and enjoy this lovely view we've been blessed with, read a little more of Susan Sontag's <i>On Photography</i>, and maybe think about working in the garden. Maybe.<br />
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Oh, I almost forgot! The name of our favorite hotel is Hotel Europa. Remember, it's the one in Sorico at the northern tip of Lake Como. If you are passing that way, there isn't a better place to stay. At least make sure that you stop for dinner!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-6328501996965093612016-08-05T12:21:00.000+02:002016-08-05T12:21:54.324+02:005 Do's & 5 Don'ts for Traveling in Ireland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ok, I'm really sorry this has taken me so long to get up on the blog. I'm not exactly sure where this summer is going, but it is going fast and I could almost swear there are less hours in a day than there used to be. Anyway, finally, and without further ado, here are my tips for traveling in Ireland!<br />
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1. DO: Rent a Car<br />
For those of us who have spent our entire lives driving on the right side of the road, getting behind the wheel of a right hand drive car and beginning a journey of opposites can be a little daunting. Ok, it's really daunting. However, the best way to see the country of Ireland is with a car. There are plenty of tour buses to take, but you're going to be at their mercy. Trust me, this is a country you will want to explore on back roads. <br />
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It's a little nerve wracking at times, and those backroads are narrow and have about 0% visibility, but you will not regret renting the car. Other options? Besides tour buses, you're mostly left with taxis in the countryside and they aren't always available. There are some local transport buses, but they may not go where you want depending on where that is. Bicycles? We saw plenty of people going that route, but honestly you couldn't pay me to do that. Like I said, the roads are really narrow and you'll be lucky if you can see what's coming ahead. Locals know the roads well and drive pretty quickly, tourists don't and drive pretty erratically. Your odds of being run off into a hedge or run over seem to be a bit high during the summer in the Irish countryside. But, it's totally up to you!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the AirBnBs we booked. Absolutely lovely.</td></tr>
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2. DONT: Book Hotels<br />
Ok, you <i>can</i>. As far as I know there isn't anything wrong with Irish hotels. But, if you want a more personal experience book B&B's or, even better, AirBnB's. I know I've talked about AirBnB before, but I'd like to reiterate how fantastic that system is. For the price of a hotel room, and usually less, you can get an entire apartment or house. We love them. On most of our trips we need a break from restaurant food, so it's nice having a kitchen at our disposal. As tasty as pub food is, a little bit goes a long way. You too may welcome the chance to whip up your own dinner a few times during the trip. The best part of AirBnB, however, is that usually you get to meet and chat with the owner. This is invaluable. These folks have already opened their property to you, so more than likely they want to pass on of lots of insider information. The Irish, of course, are known for their hospitality and gift for gab, so more than likely you'll have plenty of recommendations to keep you busy during your trip and local stories to file away into your notebook. If you're lucky you may even get invited to family events! You never know!<br />
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3. DO: Order Some Seafood<br />
When most people think of Irish food, images of soda bread, shepherd's pie, and boxtys might come to mind. But, you know, Ireland is an island and you're never too far from the coast. That means fantastic fresh seafood is always available somewhere. If you happen to come across a fisherman's pub near the coast, do pop in for some fish and chips. More than likely, that fish came in off the boat that morning.<br />
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4. DON'T: Stay Too Long in Dublin<br />
Dublin is a great city. Definitely. But, sacrifice time in the capital for more time in the countryside. The countryside of Ireland is jaw dropping. This is no exaggeration. It truly is jaw dropping, especially on the western coast. County Kerry is probably one of the more popular tourist regions in the country, but if you stay outside the main tourist towns like Killarney, you'll leave the buses and crowds behind in no time. Explore the back roads, get a little lost. You'll never know when an amazing view, castle ruin, or herd of livestock on the road will be around the corner.<br />
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5. DO: Go to the Pubs<br />
Finding a good pub is getting trickier and trickier these days as tourism continues to rise, but they're out there. There are two kinds of pubs, the ones with food menus and the one's without. If you're where there are a lot of tourists, the ones without food are your best bet for catching the local scene. Go up to the bar, order a pint, and before you know it you'll either be talking to the barman about the history of the town or the guy next to you about anything from his cousin who lives in Indianapolis to, well, anything. The Irish love to chat, and they are a pleasure to chat with. Trust me, a week or more in Ireland does wonders for the soul that usually resides stoic Germany.<br />
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Another pub tip: Look for ones that have a lot of hardware store goods in the windows. Back in the day, the pub was a place to buy your animal feed, motor oil, and grab a pint with your mates (sometimes leading one to forget the feed and oil). They don't work that way anymore, but the ones that still honor that heritage generally are pubs that have been there a good long while and they have the better local scene. It's kinda like being in a episode of Cheers or something. If you're lucky, someone will start playing a little music in the corner, and they'll be joined by someone else, and before you know it you are immersed in an experience about as Irish as it can get.<br />
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6. DON'T: Count on the Weather<br />
Irish weather is pretty notorious for its fickleness. If you're a landscape photographer it can be pretty frustrating if you're counting on clear days. You shouldn't count on getting a lot of them. But, bring along a good weather sealed camera, pack a set of waterproof clothes, and roll with it. Misty scenes are pretty evocative of Ireland. You may be surprised with what you get, if you're willing to work with the weather.<br />
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If you're not worried so much about photographs, then throw on that rain coat and accept the weather! It is a part of the Irish experience!<br />
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7. DO: Order A Pint of Guinness. Then, Order Something Else.<br />
Not having a Guinness in Ireland is like going to France and not having wine, or Germany and not having a pilsner. Guinness is about as symbolic of Ireland as the harp and the shamrock. Of course, there is a proper way to have a Guinness, and it's all about patience. Order it at the bar, but then head to your seat. Pouring a Guinness takes a bit of time. When it is delivered, let it rest for a bit until it's all settled out. Then enjoy!<br />
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But, there are plenty of other Irish beers to try, and you should. The selection changes depending on where you are, but you're usually guaranteed to have another stout to choose from, red ales, brown ales, and maybe even an IPA. Like the most of the world, the Craft Beer movement is going strong in Ireland!<br />
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8. DON'T: Visit the Guinness Storehouse<br />
Ok, this may ruffle some feathers. But, the Guinness Storehouse is, um, kinda awful. It could be us, or the day, but going down that rabbit hole is my only regret from the trip. It's a Guinness themed funhouse, packed to the gills with people who haven't a clue why they are there except the guidebook told them it is a must-see. You know what? It isn't. It's just a big honking tourist trap. It's crowded, gaudy, loud, crazy sticky, and overpriced. I've never been a theme park person, but I imagine this is exactly what they are like, except the theme is Guinness instead of a cartoon mouse. You want a pint of Guinness? Then go to a pub around the corner and order one. You want novelty Guinness souvenirs? You can pick that stuff up in any shop, or even the airport! You want to learn about the brewing process, then take another brewery tour anywhere else. <br />
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9. DO: Visit a Whiskey Distillery<br />
Irish whiskey is just as culturally significant as Guinness, but chances are you haven't been on a distillery tour before. I recommend skipping Jameson. It's a flashy place, but you need to book ahead and it's pretty crowded. Also, their bar was a bit harried. I recommend driving out to Tullamore D.E.W. It's a new facility, but a far more relaxed and intimate tour than you'll get anywhere else. Our guide knew the distillation process backwards and forwards, happily answered questions, and was a real pleasure to spend an hour with. No booking ahead required, and you get a tasting at the end of the tour. It's definitely worth the drive!<br />
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10. DON'T: Get Hoodwinked by the Tourist Boards<br />
Ireland is a bit odd in how they handle tourist sights. Some things are free and open 24/7, other things, like the Cliffs of Moher, have set hours and high fees. Do a little research before your trip so you don't end up shelling out money you shouldn't have to. If you're into prehistoric ruins and castle ruins, there are plenty all over the landscape that you don't need a ticket for. Most of the time, the free things are crowd free and in more beautiful locations. One of the weirdest things to us was having to pay money to look at cliffs. When it comes to the Cliffs of Moher, make sure you go on a clear day with low winds and then walk in along the trail route. Don't fall for having to pay to park at the visitor center. We made that mistake and only learned after the fact that the park doesn't actually close at 7:00pm. Our car would be locked in at the lot, but if we had walked in we could stay as long as we liked to get good light for a photograph. Also, on a good weather day, you can climb over the slate roof shingle barrier if you're careful. Still stay well back from the edge (and for crying out loud don't sit on it!) because it is eroding. But, there is plenty of clearly defined stable ground and it's worth standing on so you can actually see the cliffs. I'm very short and really wouldn't have been able see much of anything without climbing over. Sometimes you have to take a risk to see the view, especially if you just payed a bunch of money!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do risk an hindered peek at the Cliffs of Moher, just don't be an idiot and sit on<br />the edge like those people!</td></tr>
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Better yet, though, skip the Cliffs of Moher and visit any number of other cliff locations on the west coast instead. They're just as spectacular and much cheaper!<br />
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There ya go! Ireland is definitely one of our favorite locations (I know I've been saying that a lot this year). The Irish are a fantastic people and the countryside is absolutely stunning. You won't regret making it your next travel destination!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-66937057578510065982016-07-07T15:37:00.001+02:002016-07-07T15:37:50.626+02:00Seeing the Spirals: The Power of a PhotographThe photos from our ten day visit to Ireland are currently being uploaded to my website. I'll be writing about this trip in more detail next week. I'll be talking about the locations more specifically and also will give some travel recommendations for those who have Ireland on their bucket list. This week, however, I want to touch on a more personal aspect of this particular trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZl3cBddG01C_t2I0fvxgBU687s3xoBCnNBaUYhWVLY5ihskeckpMl2JCzg9GS6mJ5M9r2WorsqfBf8Dtpv9vf7rSg_Q8iG6WnOtfk0SJ2NlyPHQGLH6dabaH8w-HBRCEa0q4xrzKTyEgG/s1600/irlweb-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZl3cBddG01C_t2I0fvxgBU687s3xoBCnNBaUYhWVLY5ihskeckpMl2JCzg9GS6mJ5M9r2WorsqfBf8Dtpv9vf7rSg_Q8iG6WnOtfk0SJ2NlyPHQGLH6dabaH8w-HBRCEa0q4xrzKTyEgG/s400/irlweb-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ballycarbery Castle</td></tr>
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Ireland has fascinated me since I was a child. Unlike most children, it wasn't Ancient Egypt that piqued my interest in archaeology, it was the more obscure culture of the Celts. The Celtic peoples of mainland Europe and the islands of Britain and Ireland are rarely touched on in American schools, if at all. The main reason for this is that they weren't conquerors in the traditional sense nor were they literate. All they left behind were ritual sites and material culture. I'm not really certain how I discovered them in my youth. But, I have a distinct memory of coming across references in several modern retellings of the Arthur legend. It didn't take long to discover that the culture mentioned in these stories was real, and I turned away from fiction to legitimate research to learn as much as I could about these people who seemed relegated to the mists of history. My investigations, conducted through library books, began with the Urnfield peoples, then jumped over to the salt mining community of Hallstatt, then the shores of a lake in Switzerland, then it quickly spread all across Europe including pre-Roman France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Northern Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary along with bits of ancient Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and even Turkey. I learned that when the Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians, he was writing to Celts. Of course, as my research progressed I encountered the Romans, who quickly chased out or absorbed the continental Celtic peoples. I followed the roads of Rome in my readings meeting the Celts in Britain, and hints of their existence in the never Romanized lands of Scotland and Ireland. When Rome finally fell, eventually becoming a deadened husk propped up in Constantinople (Istanbul), most of the Celtic speaking peoples of Europe were no more, now considered just plain Romans who overrun and absorbed by the Germanic peoples of the east. Their story ended on the continent, but it was far from over on the hinter lands, the areas known today as the Celtic Fringe- Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, and the pointed tip of France, Brittany. Following the trail of the Celts led to a lifelong fascination with the Celtic Fringe nations, especially that completely Celtic island of Ireland. I poured over photographs of its Neolithic and Celtic sites. The iconic imagery of standing stones, mounds, ring forts, and tombs pulled me in. They told a story, one which fascinated me to no end. Here, in Ireland, the Celts were still very much above the surface. They never left, they just progressed, and the ruins of their ancestors were the most visually compelling I had ever seen. They weren't the cold, orderly structures of the Greeks and Romans, the overwhelming and bombastic remains of Egypt. They were rings and structures of raw stones. They were fit together like pieces of a puzzle, not straightened and squared. What was scrawled on their surfaces were evocative spirals and shapes. These people were different. They loved their landscape and what they left behind melded with the landscape. The ruins of Ireland were sites that captured the imagination. The pictures I found in books compelled me to learn more and that led me to archaeology.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newgrange UNESCO World Heritage Site</td></tr>
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Unlike the Egyptians, Assyrians, Greeks, and Romans, the popular choices for archaeological study, the Celts prior to Roman rule are entirely reliant on the archaeology to tell us who they were. They never wrote anything down. There are no great pre-Roman Celtic texts. Even after they encountered the literate Romans, very little is mentioned about them. Except for a few writings of Caesar and others like Tacitus, historians can't really flesh out their tale. The Romans, as conquerors, were certainly rather one sided in their documentation. So, in discovering the Celts, I discovered archaeology. Initially, as I entered university I wanted to pursue an archaeological career that focused on Celtic studies. Other things eventually took my interest, and even though I did go on to earn my degree in archaeology, it was in the studies of a more accessible time and place- the 19th and early 20th centuries in Ohio. Eventually, my road went in a completely different direction. Or did it?<br />
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For there I was, right back where I began. Instead of looking at a photograph of a neolithic site in Ireland, however, there I was crafting my own. <br />
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It was just after 5:00am. It was a little windy and quite chilly. The sky was just getting that look, the one it gets on mornings when there are passing showers- purple, blue, and pink. Before me, on a bizarre plain of exposed limestone was a prehistoric monument. There wasn't a soul around except for a few cows. And, then it hit me. If my 13 year old self could see me now, she would go crazy. She would have gone crazy multiple times over the last week. We had spent several hours at places like this one- Cahergall Ring Fort, an obscure wedge tomb tomb high above the landscape of the Dingle Peninsula, and multiple castle and church ruins from the Middle Ages. This spot, the Poulnabrone Dolmen, was the last location, and for me the most stirring.<br />
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The Poulnabrone Dolmen wasn't built by the Celts, but they probably used it. It was, in fact, built by a different people, the original inhabitants of Ireland, sometime around 3600BC. They were the same people of Ireland who built the massive sites of Newgrange and the other complexes at Brú na Bóinne. It served as a tomb. Excavations revealed the remains of about 30 people underneath. Except for the collapse of one of the support stones in 1985 (which was replaced) the dolmen's simple structure of four standing stones supporting a large capstone has stood the test of time for over 5,600 years, longer than Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Giza. It stands in a dramatic landscape of grooved and channeled exposed limestone of The Burren in County Clare. It's an incredible place.<br />
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There I was, standing before one of the most visually arresting neolithic sites of Ireland. It was dawn, and we had the place to ourselves. We were able to stay there for over an hour as the light grew and changed and the sun rose over the stones. The place was ours. It was an incredible morning.<br />
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Photographs are powerful things, and perhaps I didn't realize their true power until that morning. It was photographs of places like the Poulnabrone Dolmen that created a love in me of prehistoric places and spaces, and the narratives of peoples otherwise gone from the landscape. The photographs led to a interest and eventual study of archaeology which led to a whole host of other choices and relationships in my life, which eventually brought me to that dolmen at dawn, holding my own camera. At one time, I had hoped to partake in study and excavations of such a place, but I realized that it wasn't the study of data provided by bits of bone, ceramics, and stone that I loved, it wasn't even the archaeology. I no longer wanted to strip away the layers to see the thing in charts and graphs, I wanted to appreciate the place as it is now and create images of it. The point was the imagery itself. For it showed me who these people were, gave me a glimpse into their souls, more than an archaeological report ever could. It was with a camera that I was intended to explore these locations, not with a trowel. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cahergall Ring Fort</td></tr>
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Life isn't necessarily a straight line, leading from one event to the next. Instead it often resembles the emotive spirals found in the art of the neolithic and Celtic people of Europe. One moment or idea branches into many journeys and ripples. Each journey is unique, but centered in the same place. A photograph studied as a child captured my imagination, which rippled for a time into the study of archaeology, which spiraled into a completely new phase, a journey that brought me in an unexpected way to the place of original inspiration. The photograph I stood there to create was in turn inspired by that original image, but also by a life long study of the ancient peoples who shaped the land I was standing in. Everything up to that moment had been the work of a photograph. And, now I was creating my own.<br />
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That is pretty incredible.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-52338795293828385772016-06-30T17:17:00.001+02:002016-06-30T17:17:43.173+02:00Beginner Tips for Traveling with a DSLR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We just got back from Ireland a few days ago, and it was yet another fantastic travel experience in a year of fantastic travel experiences. Gosh, I hope I didn't just jinx us. But, more on that trip later.<br />
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This week I want to throw out a handful of tips for those who may be heading out on their first international trip with a brand new interchangeable lens camera. Some of this I've learned the hard way, so you don't have to. I've also witnessed a lot of fumbles over the years that can easily be avoided with a little knowledge ahead of time. So, without further ado, here are some tips to make traveling with your camera go a little easier:<br />
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1. Learn how to use your camera before your trip<br />
Ok, so you're heading out on this once-in-a-lifetime trip, and to celebrate you've picked up a shiny new Canon or Nikon DSLR. The guy at Best Buy or that photography guru friend said this was the best camera to document your trip with. You believed him. The shop also talked you into the UV filter, that fancy bag with the rain cover, and maybe a travel tripod and another lens. Hopefully, you picked up a couple of SD cards and an extra battery.<br />
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Now what?<br />
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Sit down, chill out, and let the initial excitement of brand new toys wear off. Ok, now spend some time with the camera. Do this long before you get on the plane. Read the manual. Evaluate what you have there, and really think about the type of pictures you want to take. If you're just interested in snapshots (which is totally fine, by the way), maybe consider taking everything back. There are some really great smaller, cheaper, and easier to use compact cameras out there that will take fantastic travel pictures and snapshots. You don't need a big DSLR for your vacation. They are capable of doing a lot of things that you may not need, and there's no point in buying things you don't need.<br />
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But, if you're really interested going the DSLR route, then you have to spend some time learning about how it works, or you're going to be frustrated and disappointed with taking photographs on your trip and you may end up just using your phone instead. That would be sad. <br />
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There's plenty of information out there online and in books for beginner DSLR users so they can get the best out of their cameras. You don't need to take a class, but do a little research and get some practice in. <br />
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2. Bring extra SD Cards<br />
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Buy enough to have one per every two or three of days of your trip. This will guarantee that you won't lose all your photos if one card goes bad. It will also make going through them less of a nightmare when you get home (something I've picked up from experience). Sandisk is the way to go when it comes to brands. You can stick with 32GB or even 16, since you'll have several. Ultra or Ultra Plus are good for stills, Extreme Plus and Extreme Pro are good for burst shooting and video. If you want to be extra careful about saving your photos while you're traveling, buy a small sized, but large capacity external hard drive and card reader.<br />
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3. Use that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lens_hood">lens hood</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnGDjonwEo7c9cZPt_UYb4_Dii2PbOPPcaZbzuKX0cRRCQy7uHw5DWLSpmCsqIBjGLcCasKUM_x5Jitqh3m-Xm8keCKiURlO2BIx5u6hcMzihpm1lme1hP10EJlTPAu1uc6CjTAJl4aui/s1600/Five_lens_hoods.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnGDjonwEo7c9cZPt_UYb4_Dii2PbOPPcaZbzuKX0cRRCQy7uHw5DWLSpmCsqIBjGLcCasKUM_x5Jitqh3m-Xm8keCKiURlO2BIx5u6hcMzihpm1lme1hP10EJlTPAu1uc6CjTAJl4aui/s320/Five_lens_hoods.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Geni - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0<br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lens_hood#/media/File:Five_lens_hoods.JPG"> https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25176998</a></td></tr>
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If your lens came with a hood, use it. Lens hoods serve two purposes. Firstly, they help with glare and lens flare, which may not be something you're really interested in. Secondly, they do a great job of protecting your lens, which you should be interested in. Your camera will get knocked around on your trip, especially if you're wearing it around your neck all day. Cameras can take some gentle knocks, but you want to protect the glass of the lens from getting scratched or cracked. Hoods do that. If you leave the hood extended, you don't have to use a lens cap. Lens caps are really mostly for storing lenses. I only use a cap if there's a lot of stuff flying through the air like sand or water. Caps block the lens making it impossible to take pictures. Removing and replacing your cap takes time away from taking pictures and you'll probably miss shots. The hood will protect your lens just fine while leaving it ready to shoot when you need to. Also, if you have a hood on your lens, don't leave it in storage position (which hinders operation and serves no purpose), flip it around! If your lens didn't come with a hood, seriously consider picking one up.<br />
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4. Invest in a comfy strap or bag<br />
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When most people travel with a large camera, they prefer to keep it hanging from their necks. If this is the route you want to go, that's ok, but do yourself a favor and invest in a comfortable strap. Camera manufacturers make great cameras, they do not make great straps. If you're going to carry a sizable camera from your neck all day, it's going to get uncomfortable using the manufacturer's strap. BlackRapid is probably the most popular aftermarket strap company out there and they have a lot of options for comfortable neck or shoulder straps. You can find these at your shop, and, of course, there's always plenty of other options online. My favorite brand is Holdfast Gear, BlackRapid is more affordable. Get yourself a comfy strap.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9G4OoYEL4ylRbeA5oj8lbn6pIqqbWBvb5OIXVRN_HDHn9TFyfoUAca9fkQbiQccGOLtrMGHBMOVvdjkv2uTg0ssHQHwJ3cSitSMFxUOpK_nPoWdzg-x9uWGg77HjiNk6rjvVYQPV1BXx/s1600/retrospective-5-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9G4OoYEL4ylRbeA5oj8lbn6pIqqbWBvb5OIXVRN_HDHn9TFyfoUAca9fkQbiQccGOLtrMGHBMOVvdjkv2uTg0ssHQHwJ3cSitSMFxUOpK_nPoWdzg-x9uWGg77HjiNk6rjvVYQPV1BXx/s320/retrospective-5-13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Think Tank Photo's Retrospective 5 Bag.<br /><a href="https://www.thinktankphoto.com/collections/retrospective-series/products/retrospective-5?variant=1237470007">Photo via Think Tank</a></td></tr>
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Or, better yet, get a nice bag. Using a bag instead of a strap is more inconspicuous. If you prefer to travel a little more under the radar, then you won't want to keep the camera around your neck for everyone to see. Bags are the solution. I prefer shoulder bags so I can get at my stuff faster, but whatever you prefer get a bag with a comfortable strap system, easy access, and good protection. Think Tank is my favorite brand. Several Lowepros have fallen apart on me. If you just have one camera and up to one extra lens, you can just get a padded insert to stick inside a bag you already own. If you really don't want people to know you have a camera on you, then this is your best solution. Or you can get a more expensive designer camera bag.<br />
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5. For the love, clean your camera and change lenses properly!!<br />
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The other day, we were standing on a hill overlooking the coast of Ireland. It was very exposed and very windy. I watched in horror as someone nearby removed their lens from the body, faced into the wind, and started blowing inside the body and lens with their mouth. I actually shouted at them, which surprised both of us. Sorry, whoever you are, but it was kinda like watching someone deliberately keying their own car. Here's the thing, cameras have some delicate bits inside of them, and they can be easily damaged. You don't want to damage these bits because your camera won't be able to do its job anymore, and it will be really expensive to get the bits replaced. What are these bits? When you look inside a DSLR (no matter the brand) when the lens is off, you're looking at this, the inner chamber:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8V8FxLTkNj0oIlyqv8JukDVncefM928Gr1R1Swa6SfpETsxvgfo8z-1zf0whBfXoZedgZLofKQG8hc_XMmWX051odSnPs44WO4B1WwD8keOK0n7cxtePP646y2XWmaVG-38x_Y2JXiBO/s1600/Canon_EOS_70D_%2528camera_body_front_view%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8V8FxLTkNj0oIlyqv8JukDVncefM928Gr1R1Swa6SfpETsxvgfo8z-1zf0whBfXoZedgZLofKQG8hc_XMmWX051odSnPs44WO4B1WwD8keOK0n7cxtePP646y2XWmaVG-38x_Y2JXiBO/s400/Canon_EOS_70D_%2528camera_body_front_view%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Kārlis Dambrāns - Canon EOS 70D, CC BY 2.0 <br /><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29711357">https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29711357</a></td></tr>
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The mirror you're looking at is the reflex mirror that allows you to frame the scene when you're looking through the viewfinder or rear screen. It flips up when you hit the shutter button to expose the sensor (more on that in a second). This is a delicate little mirror, you don't want to touch it or get anything on it. Even though the mirror is in front of the sensor, it doesn't really protect it in any way. If you decided to buy a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera- Sony Alpha, Olympus OM-D or Pen, Fujifilm X Series, etc. that sensor is totally exposed when you remove the lens. The sensor is a very delicate component to the camera. If the sensor is damaged, your camera won't work the way it's supposed to. In fact, serious damage, which is what a scratch, water, and skin oil is, will make the camera useless. It is very easy to get dust in this chamber, in fact it's inevitable. Small little bits of dust aren't that big of deal, but big bits like grains of sand, plant debris, and hairs are and can scratch and destroy your sensor. You don't want anything visible with the naked eye getting near your sensor. So, if you remove your lens when you're in a windy place stuff <i>will</i> get in that chamber. And, if you continue doing that you <i>will</i> damage your camera. Guaranteed. This is how to avoid ruining your mirror and sensor:<br />
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Change lenses when you're indoors and out of the wind as much as possible. Do not remove the lens when it is very windy, just make do with your set up. If the conditions are ok and you can't get indoors, then here's how you can change lenses quickly and safely. Make sure, <i>make absolutely sure</i> that the camera is off. If it isn't, the sensor acts like a magnet for dust. Position the other lens in an orientation that makes it easy to click it into place quickly (make sure the little orienting dot or square is already in the right spot) and loosen its rear element cap ahead of time. Then, with the front of the camera body facing <b>downwards</b>, remove the first lens. Set it down with the hood extended or cap in place front downwards on a flat and stable surface or in the hand of your assistant ;-), then switch the rear cap onto it from the second lens. Then, click the second lens into the camera body. This is one of the things you should practice before your trip. You should be able to do this quickly, kinda like a gunslinger practicing their draw.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErvFmB1BUzzBVAMGKdxzmnB2xTlzGng4ydoA0xtHJXYQXprTm1xsnfOfziyG_loYBkRcnYtG-BS8oCMx6Hesg78nPIbIsJaT9gJtIvtV22drRvYdqZV10BlVjV8JkVHlXW4bHHiMKdn6z/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-30+at+2.15.26+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErvFmB1BUzzBVAMGKdxzmnB2xTlzGng4ydoA0xtHJXYQXprTm1xsnfOfziyG_loYBkRcnYtG-BS8oCMx6Hesg78nPIbIsJaT9gJtIvtV22drRvYdqZV10BlVjV8JkVHlXW4bHHiMKdn6z/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-06-30+at+2.15.26+PM.png" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.giottos.com/pro_view.aspx?nId=8&TypeId=77">Giotto's Ind. Inc.</a></td></tr>
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Now, if you do notice some dust or a hair towards the front the body chamber, you can get it out if you're careful. Do not, do not, do not, use your mouth to blow it out. Doing so will just blow saliva in there which will make things worse. You're also likely to blow the offending material further into the chamber. Use one of the blowers shown on the left. The one here is probably the most popular out there, but you can find an effective model at most camera shops. They're designed to blow away dust and hairs without blowing new things onto the surface. Remember, keep whatever you're cleaning facing downwards so what is being blown off doesn't just fall back into place again. If you're blowing things out of the camera chamber, the best way is to hook it up to a tripod so you don't risk handshake. Remember, you don't want anything visible with the naked eye touching the mirror or the sensor, and that means the tip of the blower. Be very, very careful while cleaning the chamber. Never clean the interior of your camera while you're outdoors.<br />
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Overtime the sensor may get enough dust on it to become an issue, ie. you spend a lot of time removing spots from all your photos with your software. The best way to get it cleaned is to pack the camera up and ship it to the manufacturer. A lot of professionals don't trust themselves to clean sensors, so letting Canon or Nikon (or whatever manufacturer made your camera) handle it is totally respectable. Visit the manufacture's website or consult your manual for more information. Several camera stores also offer this service, and if they screw it up they will replace the camera for you. This is expensive, so you can decide to clean the sensor yourself. I'm not going to go into the steps on this, but you can find information online easily or get some instruction at your camera shop. Keep in mind, however, that if you screw it up you will have to replace your camera. There's no going back.<br />
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When you need to clean your lens or filters (and you will), this is a far less intimidating venture. Once again, don't blow on them with your mouth. Also, don't use your t-shirt or even that lens cloth sewn into the camera bag (because it's probably dirty). Use a <a href="http://www.lenspen.com/?resultType=category&params=9&tpid=0&tpid=323">lens pen</a> brush to swipe away dust on filters or front elements and the pen element to remove finger prints or other marks. Once again, you don't have to go with the LENSPEN brand, there are comparable tools available at most shops. Use a blower to clean the rear element of your lens. Also, make sure to clean off caps and hoods regularly.<br />
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Treating your camera properly means that you and your camera can keep traveling together and you won't miss out on capturing memories! <br />
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6. Keep your camera safe<br />
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Besides protecting your new camera from physical damage through proper handling and good storage, also remember to protect it from theft. Don't leave your camera sitting outside on sidewalk cafe tables or other surfaces where they can be easily snatched. Keep your camera bag on you. Don't leave it visible in the car, heck, don't leave your camera in the car period. If you're in a crowded area, be mindful of your surroundings and keep your bag or strap crossways on your body or the strap around your neck. Don't casually walk with the camera strap over your shoulder. If you're going somewhere and you don't want to take the camera with you, use your hotel safe. If your room doesn't have a safe, then you'll have to take the camera with you. Your camera is expensive, but it is also the way to document your trip. It is pretty irreplaceable.<br />
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7. Put your camera away from time to time<br />
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Eat your dinners, don't photograph them. Study the wonders of the museums with your eyes, don't worry about taking a picture of them. Spend time with your travel companions, don't be obsessed with getting selfies at every landmark you come across. Photograph the things that matter to you, not all the minutia. If you're too focused on your camera, you're missing the full experience of your trip. I've had trouble with this one quite a bit, and I'm still learning to step back and put the camera away without always worrying about a lost shot. If you can manage a little photographic self control on your journey, you will have a more enjoyable experience and probably better pictures too. Oh, and here's a little bonus tip: buy postcards of famous museum pieces. Those photographs are much better than anything you will get in a dark room with glass in the way. Take in that object as it is before you, leave the camera in the bag.<br />
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Hopefully, these tips will help you on your first or next trip. We've all made mistakes. I quickly discovered how important it is to have a good camera strap, for example. Whether this is your first DSLR or not, it's important that it improves your travel experience and doesn't take away from it. Enjoy your camera, enjoy your journey!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-2162681120420191932016-06-16T11:46:00.001+02:002016-06-16T11:46:21.131+02:00Music Behind the Images<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJD61XnbmrxgFgBbU7h8tssU_CU4o0rndrc2HXsYA9yBzxnCiD5i71wEuoF21Yn2448R46y9aDZyubvRG7o9v8FVKoOQr1iyz7UnOoXpQ__fJJ0EsQdjJqBIki7IUkcVN1e7rwNMTwbbC/s1600/DSCF8381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJD61XnbmrxgFgBbU7h8tssU_CU4o0rndrc2HXsYA9yBzxnCiD5i71wEuoF21Yn2448R46y9aDZyubvRG7o9v8FVKoOQr1iyz7UnOoXpQ__fJJ0EsQdjJqBIki7IUkcVN1e7rwNMTwbbC/s400/DSCF8381.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The more I study and practice photography, the more I've become convinced about the importance of spending some time with other arts. Painting is probably the most influential medium on photography. Instead of capturing light, they create it. No one was better at it than the Dutch and Flemish masters, and I love popping into museums to spend some time with their creations. But, painting isn't the only art that can influence and inspire photographers. Pretty much any form of visual art can inspire us. I've become convinced that continually taking time to spend looking at and studying other artistic creations besides photographs will do nothing but benefit me in the long run.<br />
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I've also become convinced about the importance of using music in photography. Huh? No, I don't mean setting a slideshow to music or music paired with a time lapse video. I mean including music in my process of shooting and editing.<br />
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We all have probably experienced the power an old song from our past has to conjure memories and conversations, even tastes and smells. When I was around 7 or 8 I was taking figure skating lessons at the Kent State ice rink and going there almost every day to skate. They had the radio playing in the rink and <i>Two Princes</i> by the Spin Doctors would come on at least twice every time I was there. To this day, when I hear that song I'll be transported back to skating on the ice. I can remember what it smelled like, I can feel the ice under my skates. It's a pretty cool phenomenon. About a year ago I was reading a travel memoir and the author mentioned a technique with music that he used to preserve memories of his travels. He said he would pick an album and listen to it over and over while he was traveling somewhere (this was back in the day of cassette tapes). When he came home he'd put the tape away and wouldn't listen to it for years. Then, when he would finally pull it out of the drawer and play it, it worked like a time machine, transporting him right back to where he was when he last heard those songs. I thought this was a pretty great idea, and have since started doing it too.<br />
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Instead of buying an entire album, I'll make a playlist. I keep it short, up to 15 tracks, just like the length of an album. That way we'll get through the list several times over on the trip. The more we listen to the playlist, the better it works. So, I usually do this if we're going to be on a train or in the car for a long period of time while we're traveling. It's all we listen to on the trip and we listen to it in the same order the whole time. Then, when we get home, I file it away and don't listen to it for a while. That's very important to the process. The only time I allow myself to listen to the music is right after, while I'm editing my photos from the trip. Besides that, I wait a year before I start listening to the playlist or specific songs from it again. <br />
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I have a few rules when I'm looking for a music to add to the list. First of all, it has to be from an artist or band that comes from the country we're traveling too. Even in this age of mainstream music which tends to be sung in English a lot of the time, each country's sound is a little different. Sometimes that comes from the instruments and sometimes that comes from the voices. Music comes from the heart of the artist who writes it, and I think where they come from is a major influence on what is in their hearts. Themes and chords resonate from that place. <br />
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Secondly, most of the music has to be new, or at the very least, new to me. I don't just compile a list from stuff I already own. And, I try to avoid music that was popular from growing up. I don't want to know the words already or have any sort of memories already attached to them. I want current sound so the music will take me not just to a place, but also a time. Occasionally, I'll make exceptions, but for the most part I choose tunes from up and coming groups not known well outside their nation, or ones relatively new to the popular global scene. Sometimes I'll include a popular song either because I really like it or it fits well with the rest of them.<br />
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Thirdly, I have to like the music. Duh. These songs have to be ones I'll want to pepper into future playlists, songs I actually want to hear again. Sometimes that makes it kinda difficult, if popular music from a country doesn't fit my tastes. One or two trad songs on the list are ok, but they have to have the right sound or be very short in length to make the cut. <br />
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A little under a year ago, we were driving through Norway. The playlist from that trip is probably my favorite of all of those I've made. I've become fans of several artists and bands that I discovered by creating the list. You can listen to what I came up with below. One exception I made for this one was including the song by Fever Ray. She's Swedish, but it's the theme from the <i>Vikings</i> TV show, and therefore just had to be on there. There are a couple of other differences between my original list and the one below. It's missing <a href="https://itun.es/us/e_OpX?i=826183626"><i>Good Mistake</i></a> by Mr Little Jeans and instead of <i>Someone Who'll Get It</i> it had the <i><a href="https://itun.es/us/-maU6?i=985137985">Heavenly Father</a></i> single by Highasakite. The two missing songs aren't on Spotify, but they are on iTunes. Highasakite's cover of Heavenly Father is, in my opinion, far more stirring than the Bon Iver original, so definitely <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX0ItgAbRpU">give it a listen</a>.<br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:user:cginakr:playlist:3CRXi1IL8RSVzYCefxrkRR" width="300"></iframe><br />
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Through the use of the music, I'm able to access areas of subconscious that store deeper memories and feelings from being in that space. I use it while editing my photos so I can remember the feel I had while taking them, and the feel I want to create in the final image. If I decide to go back and re-edit older shots from the original RAW files, that playlist comes on over the speakers again. It's far more effective than rereading my journals or looking back at the photographs themselves. As soon as I flick on that playlist I can feel the wind, I can recall the smells, the light, and the tastes. I can remember moments of swinging around turns in the mountains, the sensation of the car leaning into the corner, the release of g-force after the apex of the turn, and the shock of an immense landscape revealing itself. Suddenly I can recall the tastes and textures of the food, and ambient sounds in the air. Basically, I'm back there again. It's amazing how our brains work, isn't it?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-76488493337130245642016-06-09T18:32:00.002+02:002016-06-09T18:33:43.719+02:00Magic CityIt's time to talk about Lisbon, and I'm a little hesitant to do so. Why? Well, we landed upon a place so perfect just the way it is, I'm not real keen on adding my voice to the growing chorus. Once more and more tourists start coming, it's going to lose some of that magic. I really, really want Lisbon to stay just the way it is. <br />
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We didn't really know what to expect from Lisbon when we landed there last week via a late flight from Frankfurt. It was close to midnight when we hopped on the subway at the airport for a trip underground towards the city center and our hotel. You can't tell one city from another on a subway. They all look the same, the same people ride them. At that time of night, they're either heading out to party or they're heading home, exhausted. We popped up onto a silent street thirty minutes later and as we walked the final steps of the days journey, I started to realize that we may have found ourselves in a really special place. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Cities/Lisbon/i-Cc8dHJp/A">Looking down in Lisbon</a></td></tr>
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Usually, sidewalks are like subways. They're about the same in every city. Not in Lisbon though. The main walkways, the squares, even the not so main walkways are paved in blocks of black and white marble. Some are done in such mesmerizing patterns, you find yourself staring down more than up! As we rolled our suitcases down one of these sidewalks for several blocks, we commented that if the sidewalks were anything to go on, we were in for a visual feast over the next five days.<br />
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But, I had problem. Something evil had been growing in the lawns back home on the banks of the Main River, and I was experiencing the beginning stages of allergic conjunctivitis, a nasty condition which takes itchy eyes to a whole new level of misery, blurs vision, creates sensitivity to light, makes you cry all day, and the lids swell up. I was uncomfortable and self-conscious. And, of course, I was worried that it was going to prevent me from taking photographs. I had picked up some drops and pills at the pharmacy before we left and had hoped that my eyes would start clearing up thanks to the meds and being away from the grass of northern Bavaria. That wasn't to be.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRpI8N_JqWuHnvFyfp39-6ircGi0yCJaAooG_fFS5ZthIup9GhJbUvghZP_ZMbtKAfpE02NB3CJcNFr7N0XVODUqn4IGzLxpawpIbuby_MyCEvoiy8I9vbUUN3PuyuEBNakTazOhno6KQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+11.40.27+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRpI8N_JqWuHnvFyfp39-6ircGi0yCJaAooG_fFS5ZthIup9GhJbUvghZP_ZMbtKAfpE02NB3CJcNFr7N0XVODUqn4IGzLxpawpIbuby_MyCEvoiy8I9vbUUN3PuyuEBNakTazOhno6KQ/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+11.40.27+AM.png" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Cities/Lisbon/i-Nmjb6nG/A">Alleyway</a></td></tr>
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Our plan for this trip was to be spontaneous. All we needed to do was wander, there weren't going to be dinner reservations, fado shows, or anything else that pinned us down to a schedule. In my research before we left, I came to the conclusion that Lisbon is one of those cities that lends itself to aimless exploring and with five days available, my goal was to do just that. Since we came in so late the night before, we slept in our first day and took a relaxing morning and afternoon wandering around the area near the castle and the Alfama neighborhood. Besides the sidewalks, my eyes were drawn towards narrow views down alleys, hanging laundry, and street scenes. <br />
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Lisbon is a city full of life. Unlike most of the old city centers in Europe, which are populated by tourists during the day and no one else, Lisbon's old neighborhoods are still lived in. Besides the aged former glory of the streets, which revealed themselves around every corner, everyday life is happening in vibrant gusto. Groups of children played football in the streets, people hung out of windows calling to friends down below, people were bustling to prepare for the Feast of St. Anthony which started the following weekend. Everywhere we turned, things were happening. There were still plenty of tourists stumbling around in a confused stupor, paper maps unfurled and fluttering before them like sails. But, all around was life, real life. There was also a vibrance to that life. Latin culture is certainly very different from that of the more somber northern Europeans. People were smiling, nodding greetings, children joked for the camera, and every person we spoke to had a warmth about them, a genuine friendliness that was so refreshing, we were asking ourselves why it had taken us so long to come here. Part of the morning was spent seeking out an open pharmacy so I could get some more allergy medication. That day was a holiday, so many were shut. As we puzzled over a list of supposed open ones that was posted in a window, we were joined by an elderly gentleman. He immediately asked us if we needed help, and then, in perfect English, gave us point by point directions to a pharmacy. We didn't ask for help, he just offered it. I can't remember the last time someone did that. This wouldn't be the last time we were warmed by the hospitality of the Lisbonians. The entire day we wandered, walking far more than we planned and wearing ourselves out. But, we were having a fabulous time. With no schedule to worry about, we stopped for coffees when we wanted, grabbed a snack (more on those later), or sipped a glass of wine. Then, we'd wander some more, never knowing what would reveal itself around the next turn in the road. As the daylight began to fade over the city, we stood in a park with a grilled chicken takeaway dinner, snapping a few shots from the Miradouro (viewpoints not to be missed). Someone was playing a guitar under the trees, people were laughing, and we were feeling like we'd found a chest of buried treasure. We'd fallen fast and hard in love with Lisbon and it had only been 24 hours. However, my eyes were getting worse and it was to the point that I was going to need something more than over the counter drops if I wanted to see anymore of the city for the rest of the trip. I was in misery by the time we got back to the hotel. The evil grass allergens were back in Germany, but I hadn't counted on the wind in Lisbon. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Cities/Lisbon/i-QP5XJtr/A">The first evening.</a></td></tr>
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When Friday dawned with the sound of garbage trucks in the street and road workers getting their equipment up and running, I barely open my eyes because the lids were so swollen. When I did, they were an angry bright red. The bathroom light was excruciating. The only relief was laying in bed with a wet washcloth over my eyes. It was time to find a doctor. I was, as they say, gutted. Our experiences with doctors in Luxembourg were overwhelmingly negative. The few times we've had to visit one, we were humiliated or insulted. Their hygiene left something to be desired too, dirty exam rooms with no sterile equipment. They didn't even use gloves. It was like going back in time to an age when medical care was more likely to harm you than help. Since Luxembourg is one of the wealthiest nations of Europe, we couldn't figure out why the medical care was so unregulated, let alone antiquated. We haven't been to a doctor in Germany yet, mostly because we're afraid of encountering yet another quack. Also, actual medical practitioners seem to be a rarity in these parts. All the doctors around us are in fact homeopathic doctors. That makes sense since homeopathy started in Germany. However, when I'm flat on my back sick, the last thing I want is some person with debatable credentials telling me that the real problem is that I'm an wussy American and I just need to go sit in the sun and drink some tea. If I'm at the doctor, it's pretty darn serious and I'm way beyond the tea stage. With the jury still out on the effectiveness of homeopathy over 21st century medicine, I'll stick to the medicine, thank you very much. Anyway, the point is, we try to avoid doctors as much as possible. I was not looking forward to going to one in Lisbon. Portugal is not one of the most wealthy countries in Europe, pretty far from it actually. One of the biggest areas affected by the austerity cuts in Portugal during the financial crisis was healthcare. When the concierge at the hotel advised us to go the hospital instead of a doctor nearby, my heart sunk. Hospitals tend to be awful no matter where you are. I was already envisioning a day spent in a waiting room, exposed to God knows what, with the end result being a poke and prod from an angry, overworked doctor who only spoke Portuguese. We got on the subway to head to the hospital, steeling ourselves for a long, miserable day. Nothing could have prepared us for the reality.<br />
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Lisbon's Santa Maria hospital is a massive, imposing structure on the northern side of the city, about 30 minutes away from the main center. That Friday morning it was already humming with activity. We entered the main reception hall, which was already quite crowded, and tried to decipher where exactly we should go. Do we take a number? Do we go directly to the ophthalmology department? Thankfully, written Portuguese is similar enough to Spanish that we are pretty good at reading everything, but we still didn't have a clue what the procedure was. From the looks of things, we just needed to stand in line at the info desk and ask. So we did. Imagine our surprise when we were greeted by a downright cheerful woman who not only wasn't bothered that we didn't speak Portuguese, but was also "happy to" speak in English. She was smiling, even sympathetic. Never in my life has someone working a desk at any hospital I've even been to been so friendly and helpful. Even though she said I needed to go directly to the ER, which was definitely not the answer I was hoping for, the fear of the whole situation started to melt away. When we entered the ER, it happened again! The woman at that check-in desk was so nice, I almost wanted to tip her or something. Once again, speaking English wasn't given a second thought, no dramatic sighing, no stern looks. I could be wrong, but she behaved like she actually enjoyed helping people. She took down my information, lickety-split, and we only had to wait about 5 minutes before we were called back. I won't give you the point by point of the entire process, but, folks, the whole experience was honestly the most enjoyable hospital visit I've ever had. By the time I was sitting in front of the ER ophthalmologist, I wasn't worried at all. I was in good hands with this staff. They showed me so much kindness and compassion, never once making me feel inferior for being a foreigner. The doctor immediately diagnosed me with a chronic allergic reaction and prescribed four different medications (composed of real medicine), promising me with a pat on the arm that in a day or so I would be feeling much better. Everything was going to be ok. I walked out of the hospital, heading for the nearest pharmacy in a daze, less than an hour after talking to the first woman at the info desk. Not only was I getting the treatment I needed, it was given by the some of the kindest people I had ever met. I couldn't help but feel relieved that of all the ER's I could have ended up in, I ended up in that one. I know for a fact I wouldn't have had such a nice time at the ER back in Akron, it would have been a nightmare. <br />
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And, the doctor was right. In a day, I was feeling much better. My eyes wouldn't cause me any noticeable trouble after that. We were able to enjoy the rest of the trip without any other problems. I'm still on the medication now and hiding from the evil Bavarian grass allergens, but my eyes are completely clear and feeling and working great. I have to give a huge shout of thanks to the staff of the ER at Santa Maria and that sweet woman at information.<br />
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So, we were now free to enjoy the rest of our trip, and it wasn't even lunch time yet! Over the next two days, we walked our butts off. We took the subway out to the aquarium one afternoon to give my eyes a break and we popped into one museum, but other than than we were outside enjoying the incredible beauty and laid-back vibe of Lisbon. We spent one evening sipping verde wine and snacking on cheese on a terrace overlooking the incredible classic view from the Miradoura da Senhora do Monte. A man playing classical jazz guitar provided the soundtrack as we set up for some blue hour shots.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqPuB2FbTJC5HYIV0L6ryJAjV4BWLFYJNTlhssUkTIChtMzdOs4OUxmCYIMdMX2sRSFki0OvBn-S9U7a0yR2IPSU2NL6VcNidTWxdijDEafmGU_GHhwIOkDK_X-D1ByXAgMUPTGDn5i_v/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+2.08.21+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqPuB2FbTJC5HYIV0L6ryJAjV4BWLFYJNTlhssUkTIChtMzdOs4OUxmCYIMdMX2sRSFki0OvBn-S9U7a0yR2IPSU2NL6VcNidTWxdijDEafmGU_GHhwIOkDK_X-D1ByXAgMUPTGDn5i_v/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+2.08.21+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Cities/Lisbon/i-wfwmFLk/A">The day started out at the hospital and ended here.</a></td></tr>
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Normally, when we go to cities, I have several locations I want to shoot in the same morning or evening and we end up running around from spot to spot. I don't always take the care with the image that I should, and I get pretty stressed. We both do. This time I only had one spot per evening that I wanted to shoot. That way it could reveal itself slowly to me and I would watch the light play across the scene, shooting as time passed, so I would capture the moment that was the truest to the feeling I wanted to in my image. That time spent watching the light in the sky go out and the lights of the city come on could be classified as a perfect photographic experience. There were a few guys running about with their tripods, flailing around with straps and settings, but my husband and I were able to just chill with the wine and the guitar, watching the light. It was one of those times that creating the photograph wasn't about the camera. I had set up with plenty of time and knew what I wanted. This moment could now be about the image I wanted to create, the gear took a distant back seat. It was relaxing <i>and</i> exciting. There was no stress, no worries. Maybe it was the wine or the guitar. I don't know. It turns out, we were serenaded with music every evening while shooting on this trip. I would like that to become a thing, please. What I do know is that I finally figured out something. It was more effective and enjoyable if I didn't worry about getting a bunch of shots. I just pick one, and stay in that location, taking the time I need to get what I want in composition and light. It was calming. I didn't end the day wondering if I had walked away with anything I would be happy with. I knew I did. I had found my groove for my landscape photography, one that was purposeful and patient. In a city like Lisbon that has endless places to create beautiful images from, it was easy to get overwhelmed. I just had to accept I wasn't going to get everything and that if I tried to get as much as possible, I wouldn't walk away satisfied. I wouldn't do the place justice, and worse, I wouldn't do myself justice.<br />
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That doesn't mean I only took one picture a day. I was shooting all day. The street scenes in Lisbon were incredible, and inspiring. Street photographers, go to Lisbon! It was so much fun shooting I felt like I did when I first starting using a camera with some sort of seriousness, but now I had the benefit of a little more education and experience. Everything was an inspiration. I took more shots in Lisbon than I have on a trip in a very long time. The more my eyes' health improved, the more I shot. I just let the city reveal itself as we walked, instead of forcing scenes. Left to its own devices, Lisbon revealed plenty. From the fabulous sidewalks, to Art Nouveau doors and windows, to the tiled facades of apartments (oh, the tiles!), to quiet corners of dead end streets; all were a revelation. If we had been there much longer, I would have needed to pick up some more SD cards!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxwebfGZa5Phm39m4raGUhZ30MJv9IXDXLZ7i2dZsMc7TjhlchjKDU8ETkvFFN9g2pLXWt8jYEI5CgNvI9oZK63isUkmS0Zr99X_ZeFdtMWvC1ATf_udLPYu0FSK9chEvD1plJ_QB03OQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+2.38.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxwebfGZa5Phm39m4raGUhZ30MJv9IXDXLZ7i2dZsMc7TjhlchjKDU8ETkvFFN9g2pLXWt8jYEI5CgNvI9oZK63isUkmS0Zr99X_ZeFdtMWvC1ATf_udLPYu0FSK9chEvD1plJ_QB03OQ/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+2.38.43+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Cities/Lisbon/i-Wvd7WXg/A">Having the freedom to find different perspectives</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSl-iXn1AyR5H2Xhi7SCvs3gYjyuqeQVCmlLRB76xPoeKWynz3F75pT3i5LpNZ9okTBqhOvor_Rchg3WB8WptWYnSq5bjBeEjrEWnkb-5WkwmHE9RGGsxwik57qtH0DPtfPdUXC_3mdgm/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+2.39.21+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSl-iXn1AyR5H2Xhi7SCvs3gYjyuqeQVCmlLRB76xPoeKWynz3F75pT3i5LpNZ9okTBqhOvor_Rchg3WB8WptWYnSq5bjBeEjrEWnkb-5WkwmHE9RGGsxwik57qtH0DPtfPdUXC_3mdgm/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+2.39.21+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Cities/Lisbon/i-cwrNQJN/A">Staring at walls.</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2cqwDy_9WltgSz9jAzD3ndUGMN9DovEwfSnvn47_5gHC-QhZEGYKich2US1lNTzovgomZE_Pzo4vw4bge0oBGOZBYPgPsuOAEKeA2AdSJGwApYKCBB3ZzaxymoVzFBo5ThHC4QR2jDUy/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+2.39.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2cqwDy_9WltgSz9jAzD3ndUGMN9DovEwfSnvn47_5gHC-QhZEGYKich2US1lNTzovgomZE_Pzo4vw4bge0oBGOZBYPgPsuOAEKeA2AdSJGwApYKCBB3ZzaxymoVzFBo5ThHC4QR2jDUy/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+2.39.56+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Cities/Lisbon/i-d5h94QW/A">Finding doorways.</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEps8zQY8f3ySbk6-4NLwPuLY3nNhI5RBlscC238EMQiVqPJefZZO7_0C7FUdscaxmjichZvMrs4cmjfyhcNtmAk2O08tA_vydRvvdMJOlQEa3BOwhPGFfTSUUhj7cg48LEU0Z81t2C43/s1600/DSCF4249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEps8zQY8f3ySbk6-4NLwPuLY3nNhI5RBlscC238EMQiVqPJefZZO7_0C7FUdscaxmjichZvMrs4cmjfyhcNtmAk2O08tA_vydRvvdMJOlQEa3BOwhPGFfTSUUhj7cg48LEU0Z81t2C43/s400/DSCF4249.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Appendices/Street-Photography/i-X6Q6JPP/A">Just being there, and seeing Lisbon. </a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvTuYLzopqCDYIki0hM2NqUUOWO1iiC5CCyfn5Z7k94aiNc2Ra524zgHJJYAQZzrt4Zr7rbCWuYt4WBk81Rs6_WxN66dVj7taEV7LU63tEPbS10wFuKvcPTMB2rZzw7lBmrscDQEhU4HW/s1600/DSCF4316bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvTuYLzopqCDYIki0hM2NqUUOWO1iiC5CCyfn5Z7k94aiNc2Ra524zgHJJYAQZzrt4Zr7rbCWuYt4WBk81Rs6_WxN66dVj7taEV7LU63tEPbS10wFuKvcPTMB2rZzw7lBmrscDQEhU4HW/s400/DSCF4316bw.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Appendices/Street-Photography/i-KNKDFxS/A">Watching and capturing it unfold.</a></td></tr>
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Almost every second was magic. I'm telling you, this city is magic. Our last day was Sunday, and we wanted to take full advantage of the day. The day before we turned in a bit early. I didn't do any location shooting the night before, and just stuck with handheld scenes that we came across. We planned a very early morning the next day and wanted a long night's sleep before. My goal for Sunday was two blue hour locations, one in the morning and one in the evening. The morning location was the Cais das Colunas, two historic docking posts off the Praça do Comércio, one of Lisbon's main squares. I wanted to get a long exposure of the columns just before the sun came up. We had to get a taxi from our hotel to the square because the subway wasn't running yet, and tearing through the sleeping streets of the city at top speed was a surreal experience without having had any coffee yet. We arrived at the location while it was still dark and I walked around the spot for a bit. This is a pretty iconic location for Lisbon and the traditional composition is from the ramp, with the ramp in the foreground, then the columns, and then the Cristo Rei statue and a bit of the Ponte de 25 Abril in the background. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSYU6UsVPA4rj8tWfW3HQlrzmcpmuI53i3nIZXFsUAsB07U0zWmysbTLzJbgsx2mjxjzcCjUAFYv9-my67Vcnx1AKA20PDhxfsZfaFRP1MXYRaZ_Xn-r9YqDDom65Q0yD2yo6JkLPqGNA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+3.32.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSYU6UsVPA4rj8tWfW3HQlrzmcpmuI53i3nIZXFsUAsB07U0zWmysbTLzJbgsx2mjxjzcCjUAFYv9-my67Vcnx1AKA20PDhxfsZfaFRP1MXYRaZ_Xn-r9YqDDom65Q0yD2yo6JkLPqGNA/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+3.32.19+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Cities/Lisbon/i-ZM6LG6F/A">Cais das Colunas</a></td></tr>
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But, the water flow isn't very dynamic here and wanted a little more movement in the scene. There wasn't any real wind that early, so the clouds weren't going to be of much help. As I've learned, sometimes all you have to do is walk around a little more. We hopped below the terrace onto the beach and found a position that I found to be more satisfying. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3C2t1As276Gi9o1Z35qI5onnx4QTzqqXQ99IAuCwH6ZGY3FSM8NT0vqL7b5vv7BOKH-R352RYQwOocXIQEyhWkDq8zgrNPzr0onYLZ0sEMxcB7fLajquOUzYZDTgL_UZ5COKz5Y2HLs6A/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+3.33.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3C2t1As276Gi9o1Z35qI5onnx4QTzqqXQ99IAuCwH6ZGY3FSM8NT0vqL7b5vv7BOKH-R352RYQwOocXIQEyhWkDq8zgrNPzr0onYLZ0sEMxcB7fLajquOUzYZDTgL_UZ5COKz5Y2HLs6A/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+3.33.15+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Cities/Lisbon/i-7tvPfdz/A">Dawn at Cais das Colunas</a></td></tr>
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It wasn't the traditional view, the background is just the horizon, but the water lapping on the beach created the movement I wanted. Once again, taking plenty of time at the location allowed me the freedom to coax out an image I felt was true to the spot.<br />
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We wandered north after the sun started to climb, finding rays of light beaming down alleys, interesting reflections in puddles, and watching the morning stirrings of the city. Around 7am, we were more than ready for breakfast and happened upon a corner cafe tucked down side street. The case was full of fresh pastries and hot cups of coffee could be seen being passed over the counter. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzPnK_4kjGFOPkyWKgMZ5K0CoABjYpRqv-acnbBJRNBrtjIGU0blexyUZTCcpO2yLp84cuWYpQ5AO2m8oGbD-o2IIySHUgYteKdPpaPI6Go1ahpvNNzFVKYJrdPBV-HfdP0SbIGxUd7c6/s1600/DSCF6122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzPnK_4kjGFOPkyWKgMZ5K0CoABjYpRqv-acnbBJRNBrtjIGU0blexyUZTCcpO2yLp84cuWYpQ5AO2m8oGbD-o2IIySHUgYteKdPpaPI6Go1ahpvNNzFVKYJrdPBV-HfdP0SbIGxUd7c6/s400/DSCF6122.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's my chance to tell you about the wondrous things you will find in a Portuguese cafe or bakery. The star of the show are the pastels de nata, lovely little pastry cups filled with egg custard. I was suspicious, not being a big fan of custard usually, but these little babies became a bit of an obsession. I've already told my husband he should look for some on his next business trip to Luxembourg, which has a large Portuguese population. I'm kinda miffed we didn't discover these little pastry perfections while we lived there. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKf1pAWWe-zrI9093832kzqlUpdzBQvfEwO4n-qINXKsbXcSRM93DTWVenT2PvwNUHipMak7wMJeBW0pkcaY7fpawCVy6M2qGTIW5qkrOcS8cAYEZlrs3-42_Z0QqLOoSMUAst45qkR4G/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+4.02.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKf1pAWWe-zrI9093832kzqlUpdzBQvfEwO4n-qINXKsbXcSRM93DTWVenT2PvwNUHipMak7wMJeBW0pkcaY7fpawCVy6M2qGTIW5qkrOcS8cAYEZlrs3-42_Z0QqLOoSMUAst45qkR4G/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+4.02.52+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Appendices/Cultural-Vignettes/i-sbD4KWB/A">Pastel de Nata, aka. A Tasty Revelation</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4MIRwdEXp1PNHMAJgJvEtGjKiTVGzPsjC_NtKoioMoCK-YjyK40qiZ6jjPZbWlE22YdQQD1eHIODJAc_Rixiqhyphenhyphenv6bwm40N9e8T9jYceSAH1JxZaIZHr9JErnM9ZxD9H_GjiqO_ZodEj/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+4.16.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4MIRwdEXp1PNHMAJgJvEtGjKiTVGzPsjC_NtKoioMoCK-YjyK40qiZ6jjPZbWlE22YdQQD1eHIODJAc_Rixiqhyphenhyphenv6bwm40N9e8T9jYceSAH1JxZaIZHr9JErnM9ZxD9H_GjiqO_ZodEj/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+4.16.00+PM.png" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Lisbon's historic <a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Cities/Lisbon/i-bW6hqmh/A">trolleys</a>. They look like more<br />
fun than they really are.</td></tr>
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After our breakfast of pastries and coffee (the Portuguese know their coffee, by the way), we headed back out on the streets. Other cafes were in the process of opening and people were starting to make their appearances in windows, doorways, and sidewalks. I just kept snapping away, finally nabbing a shot of one of the iconic trolleys that I had been after the last couple of days. It was a fantastic morning, that I think I'll have a hard time forgetting. Our favorite times on trips to cities are when we get up just before dawn and wander the streets. This particular morning more than made up for the ones missed because of my eyes. I was feeling ten times better, the good light was lasting, and the lazy morning just slowly unfolded without a care in the world. <br />
<br />
The plan was to head towards the Mercado de Campo de Ourique for lunch. The fastest way there was via one of those famous trolleys, and we happened to just barely nab two spots on one before it filled up to the maximum. The trolleys are pretty cool looking, yes, but I gotta say that riding one is the only unpleasant thing we experienced in Lisbon. It didn't have anything really to do with the trolley itself, it's just that every single tourist in Lisbon has a trolley ride on their must-do list and so they fill up quick and no one ever gets off. There are some trolleys that exist purely for the tourists, complete with audio guides and whatnot, but the one we were using is part of the public transport system. Lisbon doesn't keep the trolleys only because of their charm, but because they are the only things that can maneuver the twisting streets of the old neighborhoods. So, there are people, like us, who get on because they need to go somewhere. But, when the trolley is full of tourists who aren't headed anywhere in particular, it means no one else can get on. Our driver ended up foregoing making the rest of her stops and sped on to the final one, telling everyone they had to get off there because that was the end of the line. Thankfully, the last stop is near to the Mercado, so that wasn't a problem. But, would you believe we were the only ones who got off? Everyone wanted to take the ride back to the center. Anyway, we escaped a little worse for wear and headed up to the Mercado, an indoor produce and eatery market similar to the Borough Market in London, but on a smaller scale. We've had a thing for these types of markets for ages, the defunct West Point Market in Akron was a favorite spot for us back in the day, and the West Side Market in Cleveland is something special. We've learned that they are perfect spots for a delicious meal, especially if you're feeling a little adventurous. <br />
<br />
We were excited about this foray since Portuguese food is some of the tastiest in Europe (sorry, France). When we arrived it was still pretty dead since everyone was still in church, so we headed to a small park near a church to do a little reading and catch a cat nap. We ended up being treated to a four man football game, which, in my opinion, was far more entertaining to watch than any of the pro games you can watch on TV.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSA56jrC12QVhyphenhyphenrT3vJPk8U3qDt_lbMJMtYWe-WShMTIgK63w4gF4o5bxLp1XvUAUVfIOU6T7zi20I9EmVPu9FHyyFqlt1sap26XfGVs0sBY1QLOkl9xnjfKFSfE-F9ZpfendEKwwwCfhL/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+4.39.57+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSA56jrC12QVhyphenhyphenrT3vJPk8U3qDt_lbMJMtYWe-WShMTIgK63w4gF4o5bxLp1XvUAUVfIOU6T7zi20I9EmVPu9FHyyFqlt1sap26XfGVs0sBY1QLOkl9xnjfKFSfE-F9ZpfendEKwwwCfhL/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+4.39.57+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Appendices/Street-Photography/i-kxNTGK3/A">That little guy on the right had some serious skills.</a></td></tr>
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When the match broke up, we headed into the market. It was just getting lively as the church goers started filing in. We settled into a little gluttony, getting several small meals from different vendors and turning them into a tapas lunch. Barbecue pork, cod gratin, little clams, and the best steak I've had on the continent. Normally beer drinkers, we opted for the wine in Lisbon. That was one of the best choices we made on the trip. We ended the session with a little gelato. I never pass up ice cream or gelato when the place serves mint flavor, a rarity in Germany. I don't normally take photos of my food, but this experience warranted them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3n2swFeT2DMjZm3IHpvg0wl003nDo1yaCcSUhxjpnz02p6Eh-Q5wWJC_tc8i28rukRneL9Y3K86bGBPq31Nt4-mt1qcIJ_nz23ZYekiOcUVQ31B3P935qY1DfG1aOIKcxhClO3B5EYy6/s1600/DSCF4576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3n2swFeT2DMjZm3IHpvg0wl003nDo1yaCcSUhxjpnz02p6Eh-Q5wWJC_tc8i28rukRneL9Y3K86bGBPq31Nt4-mt1qcIJ_nz23ZYekiOcUVQ31B3P935qY1DfG1aOIKcxhClO3B5EYy6/s400/DSCF4576.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In our opinion, <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Mercado de Campo de Ourique is one of the best places to eat<br />in Lisbon.</span></td><td class="tr-caption"></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvTnY-_UFUXyZpZur93xXLIEWC8makyquUF3RtBTBWfSsJ8CS2YMdh_PwgHZUTrT8r6f6ik6Zmhwmx8XMrUnDrpPuCbR3J3h3_cZoLfy9DWwwYN5NMaVm5bRqd3YDzDxtuGuSWgQNDSdH/s1600/DSCF6426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvTnY-_UFUXyZpZur93xXLIEWC8makyquUF3RtBTBWfSsJ8CS2YMdh_PwgHZUTrT8r6f6ik6Zmhwmx8XMrUnDrpPuCbR3J3h3_cZoLfy9DWwwYN5NMaVm5bRqd3YDzDxtuGuSWgQNDSdH/s400/DSCF6426.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can also buy ingredients for your dinner at home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHmpcITjqGxfhjv7O2-UzGypRBml47TLnREIp3DVnyHi1NQtynR9dJ1KmLEd-LGFiQRv0AuW3rNbbtLYAMz-u1lAJ8ciG4KuqSkZu0tC8r7vHUQvgItWSS58T9X3Os1kih93XypTyhtT8/s1600/DSCF6427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHmpcITjqGxfhjv7O2-UzGypRBml47TLnREIp3DVnyHi1NQtynR9dJ1KmLEd-LGFiQRv0AuW3rNbbtLYAMz-u1lAJ8ciG4KuqSkZu0tC8r7vHUQvgItWSS58T9X3Os1kih93XypTyhtT8/s400/DSCF6427.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The central stands serve up fast, gourmet meals for a perfect midday meal.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKBmLs-JtudUxs0_lMJPYVN4hSWypcMppc1Hi3QRtj_MYSZwT0VuWRuxwkUdNYPnYUGoMIz1D3tEDHjK6jTP8501dt2XjNxQKzTnMI9HjpH16WCT2VJqh2kjCXh1WWgkvHMNkyOUXDv5R/s1600/DSCF6433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKBmLs-JtudUxs0_lMJPYVN4hSWypcMppc1Hi3QRtj_MYSZwT0VuWRuxwkUdNYPnYUGoMIz1D3tEDHjK6jTP8501dt2XjNxQKzTnMI9HjpH16WCT2VJqh2kjCXh1WWgkvHMNkyOUXDv5R/s400/DSCF6433.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salted cod is a traditional Portuguese food, this gratin was a unique use of <br />
the famous b<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">acalhau.</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjng4zKUGayDxw40WaLhN7M-gpmJRG-PaaYYzlSBHT5knJguxK6ztPBMUHOlmM65xaGkLRSxF8jUwt8sE6IWWzfan19VABWzp-aXSzciHVNkzJ9FPzPYuGn6nXTGQnHz9TllkW-y_WOeMgq/s1600/DSCF6439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjng4zKUGayDxw40WaLhN7M-gpmJRG-PaaYYzlSBHT5knJguxK6ztPBMUHOlmM65xaGkLRSxF8jUwt8sE6IWWzfan19VABWzp-aXSzciHVNkzJ9FPzPYuGn6nXTGQnHz9TllkW-y_WOeMgq/s400/DSCF6439.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you're this close to the sea, get the seafood.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgaSG0OlhjkUuDGuSk1T90D4Id-MQxbpV_UmzQ4OfZfhg2ScWOj17W0GPUFuXe_lO5huhTLoJd6nmJ_ZZbfXKxb4kfRxHXgczJitQNKch9gWqtu23SXN4tu6YrZV1_LVCxWj0YslOTd6E/s1600/DSCF6441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgaSG0OlhjkUuDGuSk1T90D4Id-MQxbpV_UmzQ4OfZfhg2ScWOj17W0GPUFuXe_lO5huhTLoJd6nmJ_ZZbfXKxb4kfRxHXgczJitQNKch9gWqtu23SXN4tu6YrZV1_LVCxWj0YslOTd6E/s400/DSCF6441.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you're in Portugal, get the wine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCze1F7CZVCx0lyql2FZ_kJCGhKUXcgum7gmkl45VXaRt90JxayS2sfO5leHGx_-eoQa4zsElRdlGJ2JXjp-2pEQ_ZNevZx5n364XakAB6WtYoTH2dPYHOQ47m8hsQ47yWd0utdwKUWX6q/s1600/DSCF6443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCze1F7CZVCx0lyql2FZ_kJCGhKUXcgum7gmkl45VXaRt90JxayS2sfO5leHGx_-eoQa4zsElRdlGJ2JXjp-2pEQ_ZNevZx5n364XakAB6WtYoTH2dPYHOQ47m8hsQ47yWd0utdwKUWX6q/s400/DSCF6443.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red meat is recommended too.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFi9JqDeO_VQR9QDXOdHx2uBwzc0PR_wydlYLN7rzYSoua8Aj224iFp4OHLwZiLdUqEiWZ4DjnmMHiT371ljMySo9DlTSNAtYYF2qRBVdwX1DyccdeD9gxAeWDa0KwvBHAI5mKcrxf4p8q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+5.09.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFi9JqDeO_VQR9QDXOdHx2uBwzc0PR_wydlYLN7rzYSoua8Aj224iFp4OHLwZiLdUqEiWZ4DjnmMHiT371ljMySo9DlTSNAtYYF2qRBVdwX1DyccdeD9gxAeWDa0KwvBHAI5mKcrxf4p8q/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+5.09.36+PM.png" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Cities/Lisbon/i-SDTSSjn/A">Just a wall</a>, but more than a wall.</td></tr>
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Full and happy, we trotted out of the market and headed in a lazy way down towards the water and Belem district. This area is home to the massive Jerónimos Monastery, the Monument to Discovery, and the Belem Tower, you know, your classic tourist locations. It was where I wanted to take my last evening photo of the trip. We walked most of the way back towards the river bank, passing more interesting visual treats (and tiles), before hopping a bus for Belem.<br />
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<div>
I wanted to shoot the Tower and I wanted the evening to do it. Once again, as I set up, music played in the background. There was a huge music festival going on in the park near the tower. The area was packed with people drinking and eating. We relaxed at the tower for hours waiting for the light to do its thing. The salty air made my eyes feel better than they had the whole trip, though I'm not sure how my cameras felt about it. We relocated a couple times due to the rising tide, before finding a nice sport tucked between the gangway to the tower and the observation terrace. I wanted movement from the water here too, and found it, crashing against the posts of the gangway and the stairs down to the water. It was another perfect ending to a more than perfect day. Instead of taking the bus back to the center and then the subway to the hotel, we opted for a taxi again. As we headed back, we agreed that this had been a perfect trip, including that ER visit.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtVtUXNjlat3U2O1l2p6m-5tcMT5fuX3MJP3mIBGsX2E6VsFu60xP-kwq1u49KLEWIB0tdCe-hO5bPltHxQh0Pe6hFUf2B2ddA8z9vIXHZwCMPYGV5bdJPvq-gz8EkUQin7MXh7-NR-eb/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+5.21.57+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtVtUXNjlat3U2O1l2p6m-5tcMT5fuX3MJP3mIBGsX2E6VsFu60xP-kwq1u49KLEWIB0tdCe-hO5bPltHxQh0Pe6hFUf2B2ddA8z9vIXHZwCMPYGV5bdJPvq-gz8EkUQin7MXh7-NR-eb/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+5.21.57+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Cities/Lisbon/i-nzXVjcZ/A">The Tower of Belem.</a></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4fGsQz2rft5B-0Of596G3zK_H2Zf197DUwOIcMTkNBgLUlnqYJQ2ua4oaEpIGYiPg6g-AcpxF3gz1_UnFI3QrRjec4SaaIgTHrEubgKEBYoTI23R1yHeZpD1aU6hbV5I-_03XybL2eU_/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+5.31.10+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4fGsQz2rft5B-0Of596G3zK_H2Zf197DUwOIcMTkNBgLUlnqYJQ2ua4oaEpIGYiPg6g-AcpxF3gz1_UnFI3QrRjec4SaaIgTHrEubgKEBYoTI23R1yHeZpD1aU6hbV5I-_03XybL2eU_/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-06-09+at+5.31.10+PM.png" width="244" /></a></div>
<div>
Lisbon taught me a lot and it gave me a lot. It taught me that less is more, more time to take in the city, have a conversation, and listen to the jazz guitar. It taught me that an morning in the ER can introduce you to some amazing people that will add a little happiness to a trip. It taught me that you don't need a reservation at a four star place for a great meal in the city. It taught me you don't need tickets at the stadium to see a great football match. It taught me that it's ok to sleep in, that it's ok to call it a night without setting up the tripod once. It taught me that if you are willing to peer past the obvious places, great moments will happen. It taught me that custard can be really good, and that sometimes a glass of white wine is better than any beer could be. It reminded me that there are still places where it's totally ok and enjoyable to talk to strangers, and they don't care that you're not from around there. We learned you can hear amazing fado just walking down the streets and catching it through open doors and windows. It was a place full of perfect moments for the camera, which if I didn't know better I would think had been posed. It was as if Lisbon was going out of it's way for me. Those five days introduced me to a flow for shooting that had me enjoying the process of photography more than I have in a very long time. It's a flow that requires a day without a photo quota, so I can get a sense of the vibe and the light. It's a flow that means taking hours to craft a single image, hours watching light and life. </div>
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Lisbon has my heart. We've been to many cities in Europe, and while Paris has its magic, Lisbon's is of a different sort. It's based more around the life of the city, its people and its culture, than it's visual aesthetics and heritage. We honestly didn't expect that. I knew it was going to be a beautiful place, I just didn't know that the beauty went deeper than views and squares. It transcends every part of that city from the sidewalks, to the food, the music, the lively banter of cafe waiters, the conversations between laundry laden balconies, the cracked tiles of old houses, the sips of ginjinha bought for a euro in doorways, the action of the lively Saturday flea market, the tidal course of the Tagus, and the antics of children in the twisty old Alfama neighborhood. Lisbon was a breath of fresh air, a world apart from the one we're used to in Germanic Europe. Like when leaving Iceland, we were heartbroken to get on that plane back to Frankfurt. I wouldn't hesitate to return if given the chance. I believe we could happily spend our entire vacation day allotment in Portugal, if its capital is anything to on. This is a place that changed things a little and will stick with me for many years to come.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUz_6KY68Z8K4ytsho8se7qnWraXFaIR3q1B0ZTNxwHt_Z5b3wwHwsFIntkZpqs2qAUreuYdms3rz1X6iLiT0ekA88ydqdY82RiDNGJHOJXhngW1P54xrMgB-MZY3wKYv5VygF0gdiroX/s1600/DSCF4319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUz_6KY68Z8K4ytsho8se7qnWraXFaIR3q1B0ZTNxwHt_Z5b3wwHwsFIntkZpqs2qAUreuYdms3rz1X6iLiT0ekA88ydqdY82RiDNGJHOJXhngW1P54xrMgB-MZY3wKYv5VygF0gdiroX/s400/DSCF4319.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The people make Lisbon the magic city.</td></tr>
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<div>
To see the entire photo collection check out the <a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Cities/Lisbon">Lisbon Gallery</a>, also stop by <a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Appendices/Street-Photography/">Street Photography</a>, and <a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Appendices/Cultural-Vignettes/i-bqDnJLk">Cultural Vignettes</a> for more glimpses of the Magic City.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-68895696056007167292016-06-03T13:37:00.000+02:002016-06-03T13:37:43.888+02:00Travel Advisory for Photographers: Frankfurt International AirportI'm neck deep in my photos from Lisbon so I'll be writing about that experience next time. For now, let me say that Lisbon really should be on your must see list. We were absolutely blown away, and if given the chance I'd fly back in a heartbeat (and seriously consider starting the process to relocate permanently). But, more on that later. Today, I'm going to write about flying with cameras. Specifically, I want to share with you what it is like flying with cameras out of Frankfurt Airport, because, well, it's a pain. <br />
<br />
We fly quite a bit, and this year we've been flying more than usual. I really don't care for air travel, not because I have anything against planes or flying itself, but because airports are really unpleasant places. Of course, the worst part of the whole thing is security. Most of the problems stem from inconsistency and ignorance, inconsistency and ignorance on the part of airport security and just plain ignorance on the part of fellow passengers. It all starts going downhill in the line, before anyone gets to the bins and scanners. You know there's going to be trouble when the person in front of you has three bags and is wearing enough accessories and jewelry to open a boutique right there on the spot. Then, surprise, surprise, they (because they have been living under a rock for 15 years) didn't know you can't take that half liter of water through, or that you need to take your computer out of the bag, and, oh, "you mean I have to take ALL the coins out of my pockets?" That happens everywhere, no matter the airport. It's just part of the flying experience. But, what really screws the whole thing up is that airport security protocols are different at every single airport, there's even a difference from line to line sometimes. For those of us who are prepared and do know the rules, it's even more frustrating when for no reason whatsoever that airport has decided to add extra protocols without informing you. What has been happening in Europe the last couple of years and, of course, the recent attack in Brussels has led to heightened security everywhere. Of course, Frankfurt being one of the biggest international hubs in the world should take some extra precautions. That's all well and good, but they don't tell you what they want. So, fellow photographers and other people who carry several electronics on the plane with them, I will tell you.<br />
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First, a little information on what I pack. I never, ever check my photo equipment. It's no secret that checked bags aren't handled very well, and, unfortunately, stuff does go missing. So, I pack everything to fit in the cabin, under the seat. I use ThinkTank's Airport Essentials bag. If you use a full DSLR size system, it's a great bag. If you are running light or using mirrorless, it's the perfect bag. I've packed it with two bodies, four lenses, a tripod, plus all the miscellaneous items and still had room to breathe. When we went to the UK, I took one body, two lenses, the tripod, and everything else I needed for a weekend away in that bag. I didn't need to check any luggage or break Lufthansa's one carry-on bag rule (no personal items permitted with these guys). Now, for a summation of my experiences flying out of Frankfurt airport with this setup.<br />
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Last year, when we flew back to the States for Thanksgiving, I came up to the security line, pulled out my iPad and little bag of liquids, put them in their own bin, removed my hat and jacket, put those in another bin, and then put my bag in a third bin. I didn't have anything in my pockets, I wasn't wearing jewelry, I didn't even wear a belt to the airport. For that trip, I had packed one body, three lenses, the tripod, and all the other little bits. Nothing was stacked in the bag. The lenses and cameras were oriented sideways. I was under the impression that cameras come through security pretty regularly and that the folks working the x-ray machine should be able to recognize what they are. I went through the scanner, then received the usual extra pat down (because I'm always "randomly" chosen for that pleasure). Then, I exited to wait for my stuff. I was informed that my bag had been flagged for inspection. I was called aside and had to open up my bag in front of the inspector. He swabbed everything for chemical residue. He had me explain what everything was, right down to what the lens pen does. Then a police officer came up, complete with automatic rifle, to do it all again. They took down my information, stood around for a few minutes doing nothing but chatting about the weekend, then sent me on my way. It was weird, sure, but it was only a week after the attacks in Paris. They needed to be more cautious after a major attack in a European capital, I get it and that's fine. <br />
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Fast forward to last month when we flew to the UK. Once again, I was prepared for all the published protocols. I already pulled out the liquids and iPad before we got to the bins. I did everything I was supposed to do. No signs were posted anywhere that they needed people to do anything besides remove iPads or computers and liquids from their bags. Then...The fellow overseeing my line, who seemed about 17, asked if I had removed all my electronics from the bag. "All my electronics?" I asked.<br />
"Yes, if you have a camera remove that."<br />
"Ok, I have a camera and a couple of lenses."<br />
"Take those out."<br />
I did so. "What about batteries, chargers, and stuff like that?"<br />
"Those things too."<br />
"Tripod?"<br />
"Yes."<br />
"So, basically remove everything from my bag?"<br />
"Yes, I guess so. It makes it easier to identify."<br />
I followed his instructions, even the one about removing my deodorant from the bag (which isn't a liquid or a gel, btw) while refraining from making a crack about pulling out the packed underwear too. I also didn't ask why they couldn't recognize what cameras look like in an x-ray. But, on the positive side, I wasn't pulled aside after passing through the body scanner. My bag was a mess and it took extra time to reorganize when it was all over, but I didn't have to talk to a cop about what a lens pen was. It was a pain, but I chalked it up to an overzealous kid new to the job. My husband, meanwhile, was in a different line and didn't have to remove anything from his bag, despite carrying phone chargers, solid deodorant, and a few other things similar to what I was carrying. <br />
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Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...<br />
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So, last week we were back at good old chaotic FRA to fly to Lisbon. Once again, I was prepared. Once again, nothing new was posted. In preparation for a little persecution from the staff, I asked the woman running my line if it was ok that I had several items of camera gear in my bag. She said it was fine. I asked if I need to remove them. She responded that I didn't. Here's my bag:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the first time I stored my lenses like this. In the past they've been<br />stored sideways. Lens orientation doesn't seem to make a difference.</td></tr>
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I can't say I was totally surprised to see my bag whisked down the other belt that went to the inspection area. This time the inspector kept my bag by him for a while, before finally allowing me access so I could give him my passport and Euro ID and then began the process of swabbing everything for chemical residue. He copied my passport information onto a form (Germans prefer paper over computers) and then told me that a police officer needed to speak with me. The cop took her time showing up, so the inspector, myself, and my husband got to stand awkwardly together for a while watching a bag being inspected in another line that clearly contained a rather large pocketknife according to the image on the x-ray screen. Sigh. Apparently there are still people in the world that think bringing a knife in the cabin with them is totally ok. <br />
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The cop finally showed up and I went through the most intense grilling so far. Where do I live? Why do I live here? Where does my husband work? What city is The Company located in? How long have we been here? Where are we going? What will we be doing there? Where in the States are we from? I had to explain, yet again, what everything was. I had to turn both cameras on. I had to explain what a rain cover was. The lens pen came up again. There is a guy who tried to bring a knife on board and I'm getting the third degree over camera equipment. I don't know, maybe someone somewhere tried to hide something dangerous in a camera once, but I'm pretty sure that would have been publicized like the shoe bomb incident was and the protocols would have been changed and the public would have been informed. For now, cameras are just cameras. Furthermore, a quick scan of my passport would have pulled up all my information and would have answered the majority of her questions. They also would have been able to see that I'm just a woman who travels with cameras for the obvious reason- to take photographs. But, since they'd rather fill out paper forms than use computers, they didn't have access to the information they got from me last November. They couldn't see that I fly in and out of FRA pretty regularly. Folks, this is ridiculous. <br />
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Frankfurt International Airport is one of the most important travel hubs in the world. Thousands of people pass through on a daily basis. I find it very hard to believe I'm the only one who carries camera gear through security. TSA in the USA states that people are selected at random for more thorough inspection, they are also clear that they can inspect whatever bags they want. That's understood and is fine. At Frankfurt, however, there is nothing random about these inspections. If you are packing a lot of photo gear, you get flagged. There is no reason why camera equipment should be given this level of scrutinization. If it is packed properly and the staff was told and shown what it was, the x-ray should be enough. It shouldn't matter whether someone is carrying one or three cameras in their carry-on, they're <a href="http://www.lufthansa.com/de/en/Dangerous-goods">not regulated</a>. They are not a threat. The only bit of photo equipment that is regulated (in the States, at least) are the <a href="https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ash/ash_programs/hazmat/passenger_info/media/Airline_passengers_and_batteries.pdf">batteries</a>. Strangely, never once has someone checked to see that I store mine properly. For the record, I do.<br />
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You know, if German law enforcement has decided that there is a reason why photo equipment should be flagged, then the simple solution is to inform the public. They need to post a protocol. If you tell me you want it all out of the bag for security, fine. I still think it's a little silly, but I'd much rather have the hassle of emptying my bag than the hassle of 1,000 questions, swabbing, and automatic guns. Just tell me what you want, and I'll do it. So far, at least, all the staff I've interacted with at Frankfurt Airport have been friendly and respectful, even downright apologetic at times. I don't have any complaints with them personally, but their inconsistency, poor procedures, lack of communication to passengers, and over the top policies need to change. This level of ridiculous scrutinization has occurred before too, long before the attacks in Paris and Brussels and when I haven't been carrying photo equipment. We still laugh about the Neck Pillow Incident of 2011. Frankfurt Airport Security clearly has had a bug up their bum for a long time. It is the only airport that I've experienced this in. I've never been pulled aside at any other airport nor have I had to empty my bag of my photo gear, not in the United States, Iceland, the UK, Norway, Spain, or Portugal. I think this problem is a German thing, <i>maybe</i> just a Frankfurt thing.<br />
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So, I've gone through the pain, but you don't have to. If you're taking more than one camera into Frankfurt Airport Security (and possibly other airports in Germany), here's what I suggest. First of all, arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare just in case you do get held up in security. At the very least, open the bag and show the person monitoring the line what is in your bag. If you can leave your bag open during the scan, that's even better. Make sure nothing is stacked on top of each other so that everything is on the same plane visual in the image. But, it seems the best solution is to remove bodies, lenses, tripods, batteries, and chargers, and put them in their own plastic bin. If the people behind you get irritable, too bad. If the security staff says you don't have to do that, ignore them. Clearly, the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing. Airport security should not hassle you about properly packed photo equipment. Unfortunately, we're at their mercy. So, be cheerful and respectful, and bite your tongue. Everyone will speak English if you ask them to, and to prevent confusion this is not the time to practice your German if you aren't basically fluent.<br />
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Most of us who fly want to follow the rules and get where we're going with as little confusion and delay as possible. Frankfurt clearly has a policy regarding photo equipment, but you're left to figure out what it is as you go through the process. It's hard to follow the rules if you aren't informed about what they are. I hope this post helps those of you who may be traveling through Frankfurt with photo gear in the future. If anyone has consistently experienced something similar at FRA or another airport, I'd be interested to hear about it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3750873398571587241.post-75902725055485031412016-05-19T13:15:00.000+02:002016-05-19T13:15:57.921+02:00The Next HalfThis is just an update on what I have going on for the next half of 2016 and a few new things at Captured Glimpses. We made a few changes to the schedule and have made a couple of additions as well. <br />
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First off, there's been a couple changes to the location schedule. Earlier this year, we had Krakow on the list, but logistics getting there haven't worked out. Krakow, like Prague, is one of those weird locations that are really hard to get to via public transport from Frankfurt. Poland is one of those countries we're not permitted to take the car. Flying is freakishly expensive. So, we decided to nix Krakow for the time being until we have a chance and a few extra days to warrant the cost of a flight. So, we went down to the Alps a few weeks back to replace that trip. It was a brief jaunt in the mountains, mostly on foot enjoying the magnificent landscape. We also did a little castle hunting. It was a beautiful weekend. Photographs from that trip are up on the website <a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Countryside/German-Countryside/">here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Countryside/German-Countryside/i-K8Bg2Mh">Weissensee</a></td></tr>
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This past weekend we were up in Warwickshire visiting our friends. It was a fantastic time. We haven't seen them in a while and having the whole weekend to catch up and laugh over pints was definitely overdue. This wasn't a photo trip, but there are a few photographs from the weekend <a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Cities/British-Cities/">here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcqLb4diZlDBye2Y1Ys-SG0GPwKEBBSciuqqCe0CgnRDNYzGhmdlTtsgZ_Mi3O3WqVopoHK9Zjmamc1Xpm_1A89Bb8YJk6kDMBjEuigFRu_E4YbQNzgdceyn6rw7UOibsfef1OCIVQ36L/s1600/DSCF5743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcqLb4diZlDBye2Y1Ys-SG0GPwKEBBSciuqqCe0CgnRDNYzGhmdlTtsgZ_Mi3O3WqVopoHK9Zjmamc1Xpm_1A89Bb8YJk6kDMBjEuigFRu_E4YbQNzgdceyn6rw7UOibsfef1OCIVQ36L/s400/DSCF5743.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Cities/British-Cities/i-VWWf8TW">Warwickshire</a></td></tr>
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Next up, as planned, we're heading to Portugal! We'll be in Lisbon the whole time and I'm really looking forward to exploring a brand new place and culture. I'm just starting the research on that so any specific shooting plans haven't been nailed down just yet.<br />
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After that trip, we originally planned to go back to Munich and Normandy. We had some family coming to visit so we were going to revisit these locations, but their trip was canceled. Instead of returning to France and Munich we decided to use that time to head to a brand new location- Ireland! I was in Ireland 15 years ago on a short term student exchange program and have been itching to get back since we moved over to Europe in 2011. Until now, the stars haven't aligned for a trip up, but with this unexpected opening we've finally got the chance. The plan is to spend most of the time out in the country with just a brief stop in Dublin. I'll let you know if we spot any Star Wars Episode VIII shooting, but we'll mostly be hunting ruins and prehistoric sites. I seriously cannot wait for this trip. Ireland is one of those places that is gorgeous no matter the weather. Unless there are some insane storms, the weather shouldn't be too much of a concern. Hopefully.<br />
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From then on, if nothing else comes up, we're sticking with the original plans I laid out at the beginning of the year. We did decided just to stick with Venice instead of including Slovenia. We don't want to overstretch the schedule or shortchange either location. So, we'll slide Slovenia into another year.<br />
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Now, just a few other housekeeping things. First of all, I created a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CapturedGlimpses">Facebook</a> page! If you're a Facebook user, you can now get a daily photograph in your feed, updates, and the occasional special offer not available elsewhere. So, if you use Facebook, please give me a like and follow! I'd really appreciate it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wBll5wDvK0HMGtR9LjoRR1zHIR3-5kEY5kuZCBojAJYoKOgsaO7fLL3umJg08_7lhoayhio2HRLLaWF0u5QX3Hsw1TBSKrtWJvIq5ekF-Evkk-FRpMCLqh5t-C-bzc8CvRbp_epuYr_I/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-05-19+at+12.20.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wBll5wDvK0HMGtR9LjoRR1zHIR3-5kEY5kuZCBojAJYoKOgsaO7fLL3umJg08_7lhoayhio2HRLLaWF0u5QX3Hsw1TBSKrtWJvIq5ekF-Evkk-FRpMCLqh5t-C-bzc8CvRbp_epuYr_I/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-05-19+at+12.20.13+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Next, I've added a load of new products over in my <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/capturedglimpsesshop">Zazzle shop</a>! I have a bunch of fun products with the northern lights, including a <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/magical_northern_lights_mug-168130479676432689">mug</a> on which the lights will appear if you add hot liquid. I've also added a collection of products featuring macro photographs from the <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/collections/the_spring_collection-119865904908624693">Spring</a> as well as a <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/collections/kids_baby-119524784295629775">collection of products exclusively for children and babies</a>. If you are in need of a unique gift for kids or expectant moms, have a look! More products will be added in the weeks I'm at home. If there is a particular product or one of my images that you'd like on a product that isn't available, I'm always happy to take requests. Please send them to capturedglimpses@gmail.com.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5h4gGISd9RrHWGOLmQou8IWrL0OZVm_Rb8_bxUrQIChGpaUVxqC-aErG1RUfAa4msUHHBcrQl96jFvZ4fEv0w9e34P7vk1CyX9Jz_ryxYCLjJYhQIp5pt81ZS-jBBDqJfbiJRix-LQEb/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-05-19+at+12.17.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5h4gGISd9RrHWGOLmQou8IWrL0OZVm_Rb8_bxUrQIChGpaUVxqC-aErG1RUfAa4msUHHBcrQl96jFvZ4fEv0w9e34P7vk1CyX9Jz_ryxYCLjJYhQIp5pt81ZS-jBBDqJfbiJRix-LQEb/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-05-19+at+12.17.27+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thirdly, I've left Flickr. I didn't have anything against it, it was a great platform for photographers. However, Yahoo! has undergone a lot of changes, and Flickr has suffered. With them pending to sell the service to another provider, it seemed like it was time to let it go. It had been having some security issues for a while, and the social aspect just wasn't really happening anymore. It was time. From now on, my website or the social media sites are where my photos will be. I have added a <a href="http://www.capturedglimpses.com/Appendices/Street-Photography/">new gallery</a> to my website of the street photography images that were on Flickr. As they were on Flickr, these images aren't for sale, just viewing. <br />
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Lastly, I've changed my logo. The CG is still there, but I removed the Frankfurt skyline to just have more simplistic and minimal look (and to be honest, I don't really care for Frankfurt). I've changed avatars every year or so, but I think I'll be sticking with this one for a while. It doesn't relate to a specific place, so I shouldn't have to change it the next time we move. <br />
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So, that's what's up! I hope the weather is getting more summer like wherever you are (or that it's staying warm if you're in the southern hemisphere). The next week I'll be prepping for Lisbon so stay tuned for some new material over on Instagram and Facebook!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14627828530341146306noreply@blogger.com0