Smugmug

For the past little bit, I've known about a photo hosting site called Smugmug.  Today I finally pulled the trigger on creating an account, and uploading some pictures for all to see.  The cool thing about it, is they offer a two week trial with no obligation.  Most sites that do that make you put in a credit card number so when you forget to cancel the "trial" they got you anyway.  You can upload photos to smugmug and still maintain the rights to you photo also.  Heck they will even let you sell photos from their site.  I haven't looked into that aspect yet, but as soon as I do, I'll let you all know.  I'm going to conduct a little experiment too. I'm gonna see how it will look if I can create a new blogger button and link it directly to my smugmug page.  Stay tuned....

Photo Phun....?

My wife happens to be Mindie Hilton of BaconTime with the Hungry Hungry Hypo.  Perhaps you've heard of her?  If not, you should probably look her up because she only has the most spectacular blog in the world.  I tried to pay homage to her on July 4th by writing her name in sparklers.  Making pretty designs with sparklers is always a hoot.  But, did you know that there is a way to photograph your designs?  I know right?  It is actually very simple.  So let's get started.....

What you will need:

• A camera.  Either a DSLR or one that you can manipulate the shutter speed, ISO, and aperture.
• Sparklers or a flashlight.  Streamlight makes a cool series of lights called "Stylus".  You can get them in a set of four different colors.  We'll cover the different colors later.
• Tri-pod
• Remote shutter release (Not entirely necessary, but will help big time.)
• The biggest thing you are going to need is.....it has to be DARK!

All right, we should probably start this little lesson with some education.  What people fail to realize is cameras don't "take a picture" per say.  The sensor on the inside of the camera captures light that passes through the shutter and aperture.  Being able to control the shutter and aperture allows you to be able to control how much light reaches the sensor.  The easiest way to describe it is like this.  Imagine yourself standing in front of a window.  Now if your looking outside on a sunny day through a big window, you might have to squint a little to see better right?  Well the window your looking out of is what the aperture is on a camera.  Basically the window that you're looking out of.  Now for the shutter and it's speed.  The shutter is like the blinds that are on the window you're standing in front of (go with me).  If you were able to raise and lower the blinds very fast, on that window, on that very sunny day.....you would probably get a pretty good picture of what's out side.  If you were to open and close the blinds half as fast as you did the first time, you would probably let in to much light and have to squint again.  I hope this is starting to make a little sense.  You can manipulate the shutter speed (blinds) and aperture (window) to different speeds and sizes to make the picture as clear and easy on the eyes as possible.  The right speed coupled with the perfect size window can lead to some beautiful images "captured" on your sensor (your brain).

Alright enough of the boring stuff.  If you are interested though in more of the science behind taking awesome pictures, visit http://photographycourse.net/exposure-control.  I'm always going back for some continuing education.  On to the cool stuff!

I used a Canon Rebel T2i with an 18-55mm lens to capture all of these "Light Drawing" images.  The hardest part about taking these pictures was waiting for it to get dark.  In order for these pictures to come out, you need to all but lock the shutter open until you want it to close.  Remember what we talked about earlier, if the shutter stays open to long with too much light coming in, you photo will be overexposed.  Think of it as burning the light onto the sensor.  You don't want any other light getting in your way.  At lease for this project.

O.K., so now it's dark and we can have some fun.  Find a place where you wan to shoot your photos and have plenty of room.  Second, set up your tripod (A super steady platform is an absolute must!).  Now is where your adjustable camera comes into play.  If it has a manual mode, I would use that.  Manual mode gives you complete control over everything on your camera.  Switch your camera to the longest shutter possible.  On DSLR cameras, a "bulb" setting is often available.  When you are in "bulb" you can release the shutter and it will stay open until you hit the button again to close it.  If you don't have "bulb" setting, your camera will tell you how long the shutter will stay open.  All cameras vary.  You just have to make sure to complete your drawing by the time the shutter closes.   With your porch light on, move to where you would like to make your art.  Have someone focus the camera on you (if you have autofocus, turn it off).  Once the camera is focused on you, you can turn off your porch light.  Now is the time to plant out the design for your picture.  You might want to practice the motions a couple of times.  Keep in mind if you are going to write something, it is going to be reversed and backwards.  You have to write it that way because you don't want to stand between your art and the sensor.  A lot of times, only a ghostly image of yourself can be seen in addition to your art.  Anyway, after practicing your drawing, it's go time.  If you don't have a remote shutter switch, I would set the timer on your camera for about ten seconds before it starts the exposure.  This will give you time get in position.  On "bulb" setting you can start the exposure and actually walk through it with out being picked up.  Light your sparkler or turn on your flashlight and make your magic!  Once you're done hit your remote shutter button and close the shutter.  It might take a minute for your camera to process the info and show you a photo, but once it does....you'll be amazed.

This one is for Mindie, my bride.  Thank you for encouraging me to do this post, and for being the most awesome mommy in the world for our boys!

Here is a site by photographer Troy Paiva http://www.lostamerica.com/.  All of his photos are taken in the dead of night with just a couple of flashlights.  Notice the tracks of the stars.  You can check out his how it's done page for this whole process probably better explained!

Thanks for stopping by!

Dinner Time

Well, the plants were in for about a week before I fed them for the first time.  I used Miracle Grow tomato and vegetable food.  I mixed it according to the package instructions into my watering can.  I watered each plant individually until it was thoroughly saturated.  I did that to make sure the water and food made it far enough into the ground to promote good root expansion and growth.  I feed them about once every week and a half to two weeks.  Stay tuned for the lush green carpet I call my front lawn.

Vege Garden

Well, today I was able to get outside in some decent weather to finish the garden bed I'd started about a month and a half ago.  I think I had visions of grandure with other bed.  It started out being about 16'x16'.  I just slapped it together and didn't really envision the finished product.  I stepped back a bit and took a look from the outside in, and decided to go about it a different way.  I started with framing a 4'x8' raised bed and set it in place to see how much I would have to level out.  I tilled the area slightly bigger than I needed before I got started.

  After manufacturing my planter bed, I laid it out and used a level to see how far off I was.  I knew it was going to be bad because there is about a 3 foot slope from the back fence to the house.  I used a pick-axe to dig out where the bed would lay lower closest to the fence.  Once the bed was laid down and level, I added my potting soil and turned it in to the dirt with the tiller.  I used Bumper Crop brand soil that I purchased from my local nursury.

After the bed was complete, leveled, tilled and smoothed out....it was time to plant.  I had four tomato plants I had purchased and needed to get in the ground TODAY.  They had been in my garage for a week.  The weather in Susanville had been so bad I didn't want to risk planting them.  I also had beans I had started from seed that were running out of room in the container they were growing in.  I planted the tomatos and installed their cages.  After those I transplanted the beans in the front part of the bed.  For good measure, I planted a couple of pepper plants between the tomatos.  I really had no where else to put them, so I just stuck them where I had room.

I hope this helps.  Just remember to till in some type of starter "soil" into your bed.  Also, remember to dig and till down deep enough for good root penetration.  I'll keep you posted on how things turn out!  Stay tuned for the first time with feed our vegetables.  I'm partial to the MiracleGrow tomato food, so we'll see how it works out!

Memorial Day

Memorial Weekend has come and gone again.  Every year that passes gets me thinking more about what every holiday actually means.  I have always been thankful for sacrifices made by others.  Not just military folks, but my parents, police officer, fire fighters, teachers and so on. I did thank my best friend Dave Barker earlier today for serving our country.  He was grateful and told me I didn't have to thank him.  I said I did have to thank him, because I wasn't the one putting my life on the line for our countries freedom.

I hope you made this memorial day special for at least one military person.  With out them willing to do what I was to scared to do.....well....I think you get my drift.

To all of you that fought to keep our country free....God Bless You and Thank You!!

WELCOME!!!

Welcome to YouDo ReDo.  I want to personally thank you for stopping by to check things out!  I thought that I needed a way to chronicle the goings on around the house for anybody that might be interested, including myself.  I will be the first to tell you, I'm not the best at keeping up on things like this.  I have another blog that hasn't seen any love in awhile.  My plan is to cover (besides the house) some of my hobbies.  Photography, BBQ, Home Improvement, Sports.....pretty much everything.