Crystal Christmas Tree

Crystal Christmas Tree

Merry Christmas everyone!  I wanted to be sure that I said that before I forgot.  

This is a gift I gave Carol on the Christmas before we married 15 years ago.  She has it on the mantle this year.  I borrowed it yesterday for this shoot.

As I walked downstairs to my "studio" I thought that I would like it to sparkle.  I thought of my 4-point star filter and the red backdrop for my light box.  I thought that the flash should be inside and undiffused.  I wanted blown highlights.

I did not realize that I would get really caught up in the making of the image.  Maybe it was the red (passionate color) back ground. 

Crystal Christmas Tree

I really pushed the lighting.  I ended up with a flash in each front corner of the light box.  I had enough light bouncing around in the cube to outline the tree just as I imagined.

Carol took one look and in her typically honest and straightforward way brought me back to earth when she said that the red was too much.  Thanks Carol.  I now see what you were saying.

Crystal Christmas Tree

This is the one that I like best after all the passion has subsided.  Where did the green come from?  I had no green in the light box.  Green is the complimentary color to red.  I suppose it showed up in the glass for a reason related to that fact.  Any comments?

Crystal Christmas Tree Setup

Anyway,  Best wishes for this holiday season and the the year to come!

Buy your 2013 Calender Here 

http://www.larrysimages.com/

Follow Larry's Images on Facebook 

. 

Feed 

If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Silly Christmas Card

Megan, Loudon, Lucas, Chad

Chad and Megan recently hired me to photograph their family for their Christmas Card.  It was great fun for me and they were imaginative about their posses.  They knew that I could not relate to the silly theme so they did it their way.

Megan, Loudon, Lucas, Chad

They chose two posses for the card.  The first one (at the top) was the one we received.  They did not choose this one, my choice.  I am still trying to understand the mullet.  Oh well, maybe I will learn and maybe not.

Buy your 2013 Calender Here 


http://www.larrysimages.com/


Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 


Feed 


If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

F-84E Thunderjet

F-84E Thunderjet

I remember having a solid gray molded plastic model of this aircraft as a boy.  It maybe had a three inch wingspan.  In my mind the straight wings with the tip tanks is distinctive.  Later versions of this aircraft had swept wings.

It was the first tactical nuclear bomber of the USAF.

F-84E Thunderjet

This F-84E is beautifully restored and is marked to represent the F-84G flown by Col. Joseph Davis Jr., commander of the 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing in 1953.  

F-84E Thunderjet

Please not the pitot tube in the air intake.

F-84E Thunderjet

It had six 50 cal machine guns plus it could carry rockets or bombs.  I was used to escort B-29's on raids into North Korea.

Buy your 2013 Calender Here 


http://www.larrysimages.com/



Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 


Feed 


If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

F-86A Sabre

F-86A Sabre

This aircraft went up against the Mig 15 in the Korean War.  It had success in that role.  The swept wing proved to be a good thing.  

F-86A Sabre

It would go supersonic in a dive but had trouble in the transition.  It would start to go out of control.  The problem was with the horizontal control surfaces on the tail.  The supersonic air would not cling to the control surface as it did during subsonic flight and therefore the surface could not control the aircraft.  The answer became to make the entire horizontal move.  I think that some of the later versions employed this upgrade.

F-86A Sabre

  The pilots liked the visibility from the canopy.

F-86A Sabre

The fighter had six 50 Cal machine guns.  The Mig 15 had heavier armament but the US pilots had a kill ratio of 8 to 1 by the end of the war.

Buy your 2013 Calender Here


http://www.larrysimages.com/


Follow Larry's Images on Facebook.


Feed 

If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Eulalia Grass

These heads are still beautiful.  I found a better angle, I think.  I had to shoot through a scrub tree and hold the limbs out of the way but it was worth it.  

I have recently been walking some different trails and the same trails the other way.  I think it stimulates my seeing.  I have located at least two other incidences of the plant.  I have not yet had a chance to photography them.

Eulalia Grass

I have been thinking about shots like this lately.  I am using a new paper it is Simply Elegant Metallic Chrome Gloss.  I think these types of images pop on that paper.

This shot was made with flash on the right.  I walked a half mile back to the truck for a stand to hold the flash.  I backed ec down to -2 and fec up to +2 for this result.  I kind of wish that I had tried ec -1 and fec + 1 also.  Maybe I will get another chance.  I must continue to carry that extra tripod.  There is not a day with nothing to photograph!

Order your 2013 Calendar

http://www.larrysimages.com
Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 

Feed 

If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Larry and Kathy Schuh and the B-52

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

I visited the Museum of the US Air Force recently.  The B-52 is enormous.  It is a difficult aircraft to photograph because it is so dark.  It is such a well known aircraft having served in South East Asia.  It is still in service and will be for years to come as I understand it.

It made me think of some friends of my bicycling days, Larry and Kathy Schuh.  They have a son, Willy, who now flies in B-52's.  I played Whiz Ring with him during GOBA back in the day. 

Larry And Kathy

I first met them in 1991 at the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure.  We rode together for several years.

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

I used my Sigma 10 - 20 mm lens for most of these shots.  

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

 Thankfully the museum display enables a shot like this for a wide lens.  They had the bomb bays open for viewing.  My shot of them was inconsequential.   The aircraft is sitting on risers so that one can walk under it without stooping. 

Order a 2013 Calendar



http://www.larrysimages.com/



Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 

Feed 


If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line. 

Beautiful Light, Beautiful House

Tif and Steve's House

I was on my way home from somewhere in the evening the other day.  Maybe it was Mt. Vernon.  I had been admiring the light.  It was evening and we had just enough wispy clouds for diffusion.  I found myself thinking that if I were not so tired, I should take advantage of the light.  I then remembered that I had intended to photograph this house from the air but mistakenly directed the pilot down the wrong street.

Tif and Steve's House

 You can see the kind of clouds in this shot.  It was close to Christmas and as you can see no snow was on the ground.  They decorated very nicely for the season.  Maybe we will still get snow for them.

http://www.larrysimages.com/


Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 

Feed 

If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
 

New Roof for Gorman

I was there this AM and they are installing a new roof.  I think that I was told the inspector for the renovation in the rear required it.  It is steel standing seam.  It should last a long time. 

http://www.larrysimages.com/


Follow Larry's Images on Facebook.


Feed 


If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Christmas Gift

Snowman Snow Scene

Lucas and Loudon had a visit from Oknee their grandmother recently.  They made this lovely piece for us.  We love it.  I hear that they enjoyed making it.  

They then went to Pittsburgh with her and visited a Santa Clause museum, according to them.  They showed me pictures of the different Santa's from different countries that they saw.  They seemed excited about it.

They came home yesterday for the family Christmas Card photo shoot.  They were very patient with Gramps during the shoot.  I wish that I could show you some of the images but, alas, I must wait until they choose the one for the card.

I have my shopping done.  A big relief.

Caleb is having a kidney removed.  I hope that it goes well.

http://www.larrysimages.com/



Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 

Feed 


If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Annie Leibovitz Show at Wexner Center

My friend, Jim Brooks, suggested that we visit the Wexner Center on the campus of The Ohio State University to view Annie Leibovitz's show.  We finally did it the other day.  It runs until Dec. 30, 2012 in case you have not seen it.

The following are some of my thoughts after the experience.  I must have lived a very sheltered life.  I have not had enough life experiences to make me able to relate to much of Annie's photography.  I did not read the paper growing up.  I still don't.  We had Look Magazine or Life I don't remember which in our home.  I mainly looked at the pictures.  I read Mechanics Illustrated at my uncle's house which has nothing to do with Annie that I know.  I think that part of the reason for my lack of experiences has been my tunnel vision.  I am obsessive, usually think about one thing at a time.  I have come to the conclusion that life is not long enough to learn everything or even close to it.   

I thought that I would appreciate the renowned photographer's work based on my limited knowledge of photography.  I was in error when I thought that.  I found that I could relate to only some of her work.  

Niagara Falls by Annie Leibovitz

This is the one that I appreciated the most.  This was done in 2009.  I have been there and photographed the falls myself.  It is a beautiful place!

Pigeon Studied by Charles Darwin by Annie Leibovitz

I have photographed bird skeletons.  I thought this composition rather crowded but the Natural History Museum at Tring, Hertfordshire, England probably would not allow the bones moved.  If I saw this print at the Wexner, I hardly remember it.  It occupied a prominent place in the program

 

Richard Nixon Leaving White House After Resignation 1974

This one really spoke to me.  I was having my idealism crushed by the events preceding this image.  I think it is a salient representation of the way I, and probably many other Americans felt through that whole thing  I have no idea if this image was preplanned or just a happenstance.  Either way it was iconic.

Rolling Stone Fans, Cleveland Ohio

The Rolling Stones and Rolling Stone Magazine were neither large in my consciousness.  I don't remember even any interest in seeing the group or reading the magazine.  We did not study it in Music History.  I knew a music teacher, a colleague, who decorated the walls of his general music classroom with Rolling Stone covers.  

 

I should probably mention that I did not read or see Vogue or Vanity Fair.  I might have seen them at the Grocery.  I remember the controversy surrounding Demi Moore's pregnant image. 

 

I think that I come away from my visit to Wexner with a sense that I have nearly touched greatness in viewing Annie's work.  I am sure that my thoughts and memories will have been forever altered. 

 

http://www.larrysimages.com/


Follow Larry's Images on Facebook.

Feed 


If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
 

Colors of Gorman

Colors of Gorman the DVD

This is the culmination of 10 years of work at Gorman.  View my best images, sound recordings and video captured during that time.  My shows have received "rave" responses from showings in the 5 county area.  Now you can share them as a DVD with nature loving friends and family.  You can watch them over and over.  Give them as gifts.  Enter the code "BlogSpot" without the quotes and receive a $3.00 refund on your purchase as well as free shipping.  (limited time offer) What a deal!

http://www.larrysimages.com/



Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 


Feed 


If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Sounds of Gorman

GNC Nature Sounds CD Album

The perfect gift for your nature loving friends and family, GNC Nature Sounds is "relaxation music" reminding you of the creatures at Gorman.  Purchase the physical CD and receive a refund on the price of shipping.  That means FREE SHIPPING.  Purchase the MP3 album from Amazon.com and receive free shipping on your download.  You will love this album!

http://www.larrysimages.com/



Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 


Feed 

If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Calendar 2013

2013 Calendar

The 2013 Calendar is available for shipping.  We have new images captured in the past year.  You can view those images at Larry's Images.  I will refund $3.00 of the purchase price after your order.  Just enter the code "BlogSpot" without the quotes when you order.

The calendar, as you can see, includes previous and following months, moons, holidays and seasons and a beautiful 5x7.5 inch print, suitable for framing.  Think of Larry's Images all year long.

http://www.larrysimages.com/



Follow Larry's Images on Facebook.


Feed

If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

LOCKHEED SR-71A second installment

J58 Turbojet

SR-71 Engine Nacelle

The National Museum of the USAF in Dayton, OH has a display of the power plant for the SR-71 Blackbird.  There were two Pratt & Whitney J58s of 32,500 lbs. thrust each with afterburner.  I remember reading about Ramjet technology in Mechanics Illustrated back in the 50's.  This is its application.  They consolidated a ramjet and a turbojet into one nacelle on each wing to save space and weight.  The turbojet was the primary power up to about 1500 mph.  Then the air began to bypass the engine compressor and turbine directly into the after burner which became the combustion chamber.

J58 Engine showing Bypasses

 It then began to function as a ramjet.

SR-71 Afterburner

 You should notice that the engine nacelle seems to point downward.  That is because the plane flew in a 2 degree nose up attitude.

SR-71 Engine Nacelle

The Wikipedia diagram of a ramjet explains the function of the cone on the front of the Nacelle.  The  airspeed begins at greater than Mach 1 before it enters the engine.  It moves over the cone and compresses moving at less than Mach 1.  Fuel is injected as it passes into the combustion chamber.  It than passes through a nozzle at Mach 1 and accelerates to greater than Mac1 in the exhaust.  The Blackbird would speed up to save fuel.  That is why its cruising speed was greater than Mach 3. 

http://www.larrysimages.com/


Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 


Feed 


If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

LOCKHEED SR-71A

SR-71 Blackbird

The National Museum of the USAF in Dayton, Ohio also houses an SR-71 Blackbird.

Design of this aircraft began before Francis Gary Powers was shot down over Russia in May of 1960.  Some believed the U-2 was vulnerable and it was.  What was needed was a spy plane which could fly higher and faster than the missiles.  This plane could do it.  It flew at Mach 3+ and 90,000 feet.  Its first flight occurred in Dec. 1964.

SR-71 Blackbird

This particular variant was a two seater.  It had what appear to be small wings and the fuselage was wide and convex on the bottom as did all variants.

The plane was considered for use as an interceptor and a bomber as well as its surveillance role. 

SR-71 Blackbird Pitot Tube

  The pitot tube extended into the undisturbed air flow to tell the computer if the plane was stable in pitch and yaw.  The computer kept the plane stable.  The pilot made suggestions through stick movement to the computer as to what he wanted to do.

This plane was designed in the late 1950's, just a little over ten years after the end of WWII!  It was built of titanium and required special machines to work it.  It's fuel tank would leak before takeoff until it warmed up from the air passing over it.  It would then refuel in flight before its mission.

This plane cruised at Mach 3+ not subsonic like many planes.  It got its best fuel mileage at that speed.  The limiting factor for speed was the skin temperature.  If the skin was below a certain temperature, the plane would speed up to use less fuel.   

More tomorrow!

http://www.larrysimages.com/


Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 

Feed 

If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
 

NORTH AMERICAN P-51

P-51D Mustang

I had a friend in my modelling days who flew a P-51 he had built.  I, of course, recognized the aircraft but have come to appreciate it a great deal more since that time.

This plane was built for the British and we kept two for testing.  The British named it the Mustang and the name stuck.  The British suggested a different engine, one with a two-stage supercharger to help it perform at high altitude.  The engine added was the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, an engine also used in the Spitfire, Hurricane fighters and the Lancaster Bomber among others.

P-51D Mustang

Once the performance problems were resolved the United States saw its possibilities and deployed it as well. The most desirable characteristic of the plane was its range.  It filled the pressing need for a fighter having the range to accompany the Bombers.

P-51D Mustang

I have heard from many sources that the pilots loved this plane.  

One of the reasons that the aircraft could have the long range so desperately needed was the airfoil of the wings.  It was called Laminar Flow which reduced drag and thereby improved performance and range.  

Conventional Airfoil

  In the conventional airfoil, the thick part was about 1/4 of the way from front to back.

Laminar Flow Wing

With the Laminar Flow airfoil, the thick point is about, what appears to be 1/2 of the way from the front to the back.  This, along with the Merlin Engine, gave the added range and performance to the P-51.

http://www.larrysimages.com/


Follow Larry's Images on Facebook.

Feed 

If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

NORTH AMERICAN B-25B

B-25B

I recently visited the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton.  I really enjoy photographing aircraft and I thought the visit might prove to be fun.  Yes, it was fun!  If you like Air Force aircraft, you would find a visit well worth your time.

I knew I must have a plan so that I could do justice to the aircraft I photographed.  I chose the B-25 as one of "my" aircraft because I remember liking it from my modeling days.  It was a long range goal for me to build (never accomplished).  I tried to learn as much as possible about it.  30 Minutes over Tokyo was a movie I watched about the bomber.  

B-25B

The display at NMUSAF exhibits the plane as it would have appeared on the flight deck of the Carrier Hornet on the way to Tokyo.  The engines were shrouded as was the dorsal turret.  It was tied down securely also.  Sixteen of this aircraft were flown over Japan dropping bombs.  There was no way to recover them so they had to fly on to China to land.  They ran out of fuel because of an early launch forced by being sited by a Japanese fishing boat.  Many, if not all, crashed or crash landed.  Eight airmen were captured.  Three of them were executed.  One died in prison.  The others were released after the war.

B-25B Mitchell with Engine Shrouds and Tie Downs.

My photography was limited to using the light of the museum.  I used my tripod extensively.  The aircraft was too large for effective flash use.  

B-25B Mitchell showing Wing Flaps

This aircraft had many variants.  The iterations include C,D, E, F, G, H and J.  It was modified in the field with many guns added for strafing.  I understand there was even a cannon added to some.  North American would incorporate successful field modifications into their most recent models.  It served in Europe, Africa, and the Pacific.  Great Britain bought about 900 for their use.  

http://www.larrysimages.com/


Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 

Feed 

If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.



 

 

Digital Pinhole Photography

Body Cap with PInhole Mounted

I mounted a pinhole lens in the body cap of my camera.  The shutter still works but you have no aperture as that is mounted in the lens.  You can also change the ISO which, taken together with shutter speed, give a lot of latitude for the correct exposure.

Backyard Photo

This is not very sharp but it definitely is an image.  I used .5 sec at ISO 100.  There are two things which might improve the quality.  You can buy pinholes.  I made mine.  A nice clean hole and a smaller hole perhaps would help.  Jeff suggested that I try a smaller hole.  I also wondered about using extension tubes to move the pinhole further from the sensor.  

http://www.larrysimages.com/


Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 


Feed 


If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.