The Need For Speed

I haven't blogged much lately, nor have I picked up my camera since the Daytona 500.  Since returning from a three week business trip in Florida I have successfully completed the Motorcycle Safety Course and received my M1 license.  I have waited nearly 20 years to do this, but boy am I glad I did!

Soon after receiving my M1 I bought a 2009 Yamaha FZ6R (above).  It's a decent bike for a beginner and gives me a little room to grow before upgrading.   I'm really looking forward to riding to the West Coast Moto Jam at Infineon Raceway.

I know this is not a photography related post, but I just had to blog about this momentous occasion!  Although, I did use the "best camera" to grab this shot; the one that's available.  The image was taken with my cell phone - a Samsung Admire and is about 3MP.   

The 54th Daytona 500

It's been nearly two weeks since the Daytona 500 and I'm still thrilled to have been there!  If you read my blog or know me personally, then you already know that I'm a huge motor sports fan.  In particular, I like Formula 1 and MotoGP, but I'm not too fond of NASCAR.  Yet, after seeing the spectacle that is the Daytona 500, I'm not so quick to diss the Sprint Cup Series.

Television just doesn't do the series justice.  You simply have to be there to fully appreciate the speed at which these guys/gal travel around the 2.5 mile circuit.  My number one thought while watching the cars hit the high banking of Turn 1 was; "I wanna drive one of those damn things!"

Before I ever got to witness the 30+ speed demons, the race Rain caused the 54th Daytona 500 to be postponed for the first time.was postponed for the first time in the 54 year history of the race.  On Sunday, February 26th, the rain started pouring right about race time (1pm EST).   It stopped raining soon after, but it takes about 2.5 hours to dry the track with jet dryers.  As the track began to dry another storm system came through.  I was in the car at that point listening to Motor Racing Network (MRN) on the radio when they announced the cancellation.  I was pissed to say the least!

Daytona Int'l Speedway at night

The problem was that I was on business travel, and that Sunday was my only day off.  They postponed the race until 12pm on Monday, but I would be at work at that time.  My only hope was for another rain delay.  That would give me time to get to the track.  Well, they moved the start time up to 7pm, and that's when I knew that I would be there.  I can hardly believe it - first night race in 54 years and I was there!

A jet dryer explodes after colliding with Juan Montoy

Another highlight of the race was when Juan Montoya struck a jet dryer and it exploded.  I could only see the bright flame from my seat, so I watched it on the big screen.  The race was red flagged and didn't resume until 12am - after a two hour delay.  I was gambling on whether or not they would restart the race.  If I was lucky it would take about two hours minimum to get back to the hotel.  That would leave me with maybe 3 or 4 hours of sleep at best.  So, I "won" by staying since they kept racing.  Although, I ended up getting only 2.5 hours of sleep.  Considering the circumstances, it was worth being sleepy the next day at work.  History was made, and I was there to see it!

Now, I had to get some video of this event.  I don't like the video on my D300s because it's not image stabilized, and doesn't autofocus.  So, I bought a Kodak PlaySport ZX5 from Amazon and had it delivered to the hotel.  For a while now, I have been looking at small video cameras for use on my model shoots.  I want to film the shoots and MAYBE do some instructional videos.  I didn't want to spend too much, and I wanted something small that would fit in my camera bag.  The PlaySport fit the bill perfectly (for me anyway).  After editing the stills, I simply added video clips and music in Windows Movie Maker.

Overall, the Daytona 500 was one helluva spectacle!  I was truly blessed to be a part of that historic event.  Matt Kenseth went on to win the race, and I was right there at the finish line to get the shot.  Shouts out the "my potna" at the race for the VIP hookup!  I was able to roam the pits and garage area before the race.  That's where I got some cool Matt Kenseth wins the 54th Daytona 500!shots of the cars close up.  From my seat, the view kinda sucked (for taking pictures) because the fence was in the way.  That's a small price to pay for being at the greatest race in America!

2012 Daytona 500 from Henderson Images on Vimeo.

Airport to Spaceport?!

Hell yea! I'm back in Florida and it's on and crackin'!!

I've been here for a little over a week now, and it's been all business.  I had a lot of fun the last time I was here, so this time, I'm taking it easy.  The biggest plan that I have is going to the Daytona 500 this Sunday.  I'm super juiced about that! 

Last year, I bought a one-year pass to the Kennedy Space Center, but I only visited for two hours.  I planned to go back on a return trip, but I never actually returned...until now.  So, next week I'll to making the pilgrimage to KSC.

My camera is feeling pretty lonely these days.  I did a short time lapse, which I have yet to convert to a movie, but that's about it.  On the way here, I actually used my cell phone camera at the airport.  I hardly ever use the damn thing, but while on a smoke break at the Salt Lake City Airport, I was able to grab one "street" shot that I like (right).

This first week in Florida has been all about getting my rest (very little I might add), but for the next two weeks, I plan to "get my eat on" and try to have as much fun as possible after work.  Stay tuned for pics from the Daytona 500!

Gear Lust List - 2012

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After doing a post called Photographic Goals For 2012, I've decided to piggyback off that premise. For the first time,  I compiled a list of gear that I want to attain this year.  The gear will not, by any means, improve my photography.  The list is composed of miscellaneous gear needed to produce the desired results.

1.   Strobes: Alien Bees or Einstein

I want to get more familiar with studio strobes.  The Vivitar 285HV's that I currently use are cool, but I want more power.  I'm considering an B800 or an Einstein with the 86" PLM Umbrella.

   

2.   Lens: Nikon 24mm f/2.8D

I really like prime lenses since getting a 35/1.8.  I want something wide and fast for doing street photography and full body portraits.

   

3.   Lens:  Nikon 85mm f/1.8G AF-S

This will be my portrait lens which can also be used on my D40.  I still plan on using that "old" camera because I like the electronic shutter which gives a sync speed of 1/500 sec. and higher.

4. Tripod:  Manfrotto 055XPROB

I really need a new tripod!  I like to use a tripod during my portrait sessions, or when doing long exposure photography.  I'm considering the Manfrotto 055XPROB and Manfrotto 498RC2 Ball Head.

I bought an "el cheapo" tripod a few years back.  I never use the damn thing because it sucks.  Oh well, you get what you pay for, right?!

5. Camera:  Fujifilm X-Pro1

My camera bag is pretty full, but I'm sure I could make room for one more    camera - the Fujifilm X-Pro1.  I first fell in love with the X100 but it was back ordered by the time I was ready to buy one. 

Recently Fujifilm released the X-Pro1, which unlike the X100, features interchangable lenses.  I would use the X-Pro1 as a portable camera.  Primarily, the X-Pro1 would be used for street photography, but also for general snapshots of my family and friends.

In summary, I'm looking forward to getting some new kit this year.  I'm not implying that a new camera or lens can improve your photography.  Although, getting new gear can sometimes spark the imagination.  Hopefully, that will be the case for me!

First Attempt At Time Lapse Video

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I attempted my first time lapse video on Christmas day.  My D300s was attached to a tabletop tripod and placed on top of the fridge.  About thirty minutes after the camera stopped taking pictures, the door was opened on the refrigerator and the camera fell to the floor.  Luckily, my Cybersync trigger was in the hot shoe and it took the majority of the force.  The CST spit in half, and the "feet" were sheared off.  I snapped it back together and it still worked.  Unfortunately, the CST won't work when in the hot shoe.  Bummer...

A Christmas Timelapse 2011 from Henderson Images

The video is composed of 360 shots made 5 seconds apart for 30 minutes. The exposure was 1/15th sec. @ f3.5, ISO 1600. The pictures were then imported into Lightroom where I corrected the white balance. The images were resized to 1200 pixels across. Next, I used JPGVideo to convert the stills to video (24 FPS). Finally, I used Windows Movie Maker to add text and audio.