Hot 97 - Lexington Avenue Line - Waiting for the #6 train which is voted the worst line in the city year after year by straphangers union.
10/15/2005
Hot 97
Hot 97 - Lexington Avenue Line - Waiting for the #6 train which is voted the worst line in the city year after year by straphangers union.
Yom Kippur & Ansel
Once a year I go out to Great Neck and celebrate Yom Kippur at the home of my octogenarian dad and companion. I generally hang out with my niece and newphew who are teenagers - and we're sort of the bad ones in the room - laughing and giggling about something or other.
My niece is always amazed to find out that I'm the oldest of the three kids. "You act like the youngest." And I say to her and my 12 year old nephew: It's true that in actual years I am the eldest. You should respect me for that - even if I am mentally challenged!"
More laughter from them.
Being the elder, I tell stories about how bad I was as a kid - in fact all the awful things I did to other kids. And they are in stitches because they are so used to adults being serious - especially at such somber gatherings.
I tell the story of how my father bought me a chemistry set so that I COULD BE SMART (Jerry Lewis face). How I discovered that if you burnt sulphur you could bottle the vapor - and how I got it into a bottle and wrote "perfume" on it when I was ten years old and went around to everyone asking them to smell it. And as we're laughing about it - several of the senior citizens move closer: "I want to sit here - where you are having so much fun!"
One thing leads to another and eventually everyone - those in their 90's and 80's are telling about the bad things they did a long time ago.
We're seated in a circle. The memories and tears of laughter flow. The kids - teenagers really - are still too inhibited to tell their own stories - after all their parents are around. But hearing how their grandparents and parents acted - is very freeing.
Now this is Yom Kippur - which is a very holy Jewish holiday - and eventually the discussion turns to the meaning of the holiday - and the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur - and how the Jews believe that this is a time for contemplation of your sins and that religious Jews believe it is a time when your name is written or not written in the book of life for the next year. In other words - if God doesn't write your name in the book for next year - you don't have much of a chance.
Onwards into a discussion about the nature of God and man and the trauma in the world; free-will and the mystery of God's intentions and how is it that babies are killed in natural disasters before they've even had a chance to do anything wrong.
We're not all Jewish in my family circle. My extended family: Moslems, Christians, Jews, and I think one Hindu (though I'm not sure about him as he never talks). But onto original sin (which I don't think Jews believe in) but we all talk it to death and then my father says: The main thing is that we all try to do some good in the New Year. He brings up politics. Groups. Working together for good.
Political groups, I say. Do you really think that political groups are helpful? The real problem, I continue (jaws are dropping) is that man is basically a sort of hybrid between animal and something slightly higher - but more dangerous - and that when you stick him in a group his dark nature only gets magnified and intensified. I go on to mention Stalin, Hitler, the Inquisition and some other instances where people submerge their better nature in groupthink.
My sister is very political - a progressive - involved in various left wing movements.
And I say - do you remember, sis - many years ago - when you said that if you ever got into power - you'd have me rehabilitated!
I never said that, she screams.
Yes, you did. We were sitting around in the coffee shop - you remember. I was trying to get a date with that friend of yours - what was here name? and you said that if your group got into power you'd have me rehabilitated. You know what that means: Ye olde Mental Hospital!
Don't listen to him - she screams. Did you know he was a philosophy major in college!!! Yes - he was. He's just trying to 'cause trouble. And you know what, she continues - after hearing how this discussion has gone - I think you are in need of some mental therapy! You need to get your mind right! (Shades of Cool Hand Luke). More laughter.
To which I turn to my nieces and say - (making a funny face) you see - I told you - MENTALLY CHALLENGED AM I.
Someone says that cake and coffee are being served - and I would say that a good time was had by all - and I was glad I went.
Footnote:
I've been reading the history of the Gnostic movement after Christ's death - the origin of the Catholic Church and the feuding between the Jews who were following various sects of Christianity in the first two centuries (several books by Elaine Pagel). Reading about how religions started up - it makes it difficult for me to become a believer in anything except the basic nature of mankind which doesn't seem to change.
Oh - and if you are wondering about the title for this post. Turns out that one of the women from across the hall - her husband was a photographer in the 40's and once gave a lecture on Ansel and has an original signed print of Moonrise which she bought for something like $75 way back when.
My niece is always amazed to find out that I'm the oldest of the three kids. "You act like the youngest." And I say to her and my 12 year old nephew: It's true that in actual years I am the eldest. You should respect me for that - even if I am mentally challenged!"
More laughter from them.
Being the elder, I tell stories about how bad I was as a kid - in fact all the awful things I did to other kids. And they are in stitches because they are so used to adults being serious - especially at such somber gatherings.
I tell the story of how my father bought me a chemistry set so that I COULD BE SMART (Jerry Lewis face). How I discovered that if you burnt sulphur you could bottle the vapor - and how I got it into a bottle and wrote "perfume" on it when I was ten years old and went around to everyone asking them to smell it. And as we're laughing about it - several of the senior citizens move closer: "I want to sit here - where you are having so much fun!"
One thing leads to another and eventually everyone - those in their 90's and 80's are telling about the bad things they did a long time ago.
We're seated in a circle. The memories and tears of laughter flow. The kids - teenagers really - are still too inhibited to tell their own stories - after all their parents are around. But hearing how their grandparents and parents acted - is very freeing.
Now this is Yom Kippur - which is a very holy Jewish holiday - and eventually the discussion turns to the meaning of the holiday - and the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur - and how the Jews believe that this is a time for contemplation of your sins and that religious Jews believe it is a time when your name is written or not written in the book of life for the next year. In other words - if God doesn't write your name in the book for next year - you don't have much of a chance.
Onwards into a discussion about the nature of God and man and the trauma in the world; free-will and the mystery of God's intentions and how is it that babies are killed in natural disasters before they've even had a chance to do anything wrong.
We're not all Jewish in my family circle. My extended family: Moslems, Christians, Jews, and I think one Hindu (though I'm not sure about him as he never talks). But onto original sin (which I don't think Jews believe in) but we all talk it to death and then my father says: The main thing is that we all try to do some good in the New Year. He brings up politics. Groups. Working together for good.
Political groups, I say. Do you really think that political groups are helpful? The real problem, I continue (jaws are dropping) is that man is basically a sort of hybrid between animal and something slightly higher - but more dangerous - and that when you stick him in a group his dark nature only gets magnified and intensified. I go on to mention Stalin, Hitler, the Inquisition and some other instances where people submerge their better nature in groupthink.
My sister is very political - a progressive - involved in various left wing movements.
And I say - do you remember, sis - many years ago - when you said that if you ever got into power - you'd have me rehabilitated!
I never said that, she screams.
Yes, you did. We were sitting around in the coffee shop - you remember. I was trying to get a date with that friend of yours - what was here name? and you said that if your group got into power you'd have me rehabilitated. You know what that means: Ye olde Mental Hospital!
Don't listen to him - she screams. Did you know he was a philosophy major in college!!! Yes - he was. He's just trying to 'cause trouble. And you know what, she continues - after hearing how this discussion has gone - I think you are in need of some mental therapy! You need to get your mind right! (Shades of Cool Hand Luke). More laughter.
To which I turn to my nieces and say - (making a funny face) you see - I told you - MENTALLY CHALLENGED AM I.
Someone says that cake and coffee are being served - and I would say that a good time was had by all - and I was glad I went.
Footnote:
I've been reading the history of the Gnostic movement after Christ's death - the origin of the Catholic Church and the feuding between the Jews who were following various sects of Christianity in the first two centuries (several books by Elaine Pagel). Reading about how religions started up - it makes it difficult for me to become a believer in anything except the basic nature of mankind which doesn't seem to change.
Oh - and if you are wondering about the title for this post. Turns out that one of the women from across the hall - her husband was a photographer in the 40's and once gave a lecture on Ansel and has an original signed print of Moonrise which she bought for something like $75 way back when.
10/14/2005
5 X 7 Prints Added
I added the 5 x 7 prints; still need to put it into some of the dropdown menus. If someone goes crazy and orders a lot of these at first it will be a fair amount of work since I don't have them in this size. On the other hand - what's nice about the SharpKit is that at least those files where I used it can be resized without a problem since SharpKit is mask based and non-destructive. I sent e-mails to a bunch of folks who had been asking for smaller prints.
Also - a couple of large orders came through today - all practically at the same time. There is just no figuring the web but I'm not complaining.
Also - a couple of large orders came through today - all practically at the same time. There is just no figuring the web but I'm not complaining.
10/13/2005
5 x 7 Prints
I used to sell notecards, and they were often matted by people and framed. The problem for me was that they weren't worth the effort or the time. Now I'm getting requests for small prints that can be matted and framed. So here's what I'm thinking - a line of 5 x 7 prints that are matted on 8 x 10. I could print two on a letter-size sheet and cut it in half and mat them on pre-cut mats.
I have a lot of these mats leftover from days of selling in front of the Met. Something like $20 a print (which is really where the market on the web is at). Same paper, same profiles etc. that I use for the larger prints.
It might be worth trying - because frankly I'm still barely scraping by here and I'm seriously contemplating a part-time job of some kind next year unless there is a dramatic improvement in that thing they call cashflow, i.e. money.
Since matting is still the time consuming aspect of this - though for small prints it isn't that bad - I wonder whether they should be matted or not. I wonder. I could put up a large selection of smaller prints in a day or two so it's in time for the holidays for sure. Hmmm... What do you think?
* * *
On a tech. note, I'm going to need some sort of cheap RIP just to layout two prints on a page since the 4800 won't print on anything smaller than letter size paper.
I have a lot of these mats leftover from days of selling in front of the Met. Something like $20 a print (which is really where the market on the web is at). Same paper, same profiles etc. that I use for the larger prints.
It might be worth trying - because frankly I'm still barely scraping by here and I'm seriously contemplating a part-time job of some kind next year unless there is a dramatic improvement in that thing they call cashflow, i.e. money.
Since matting is still the time consuming aspect of this - though for small prints it isn't that bad - I wonder whether they should be matted or not. I wonder. I could put up a large selection of smaller prints in a day or two so it's in time for the holidays for sure. Hmmm... What do you think?
* * *
On a tech. note, I'm going to need some sort of cheap RIP just to layout two prints on a page since the 4800 won't print on anything smaller than letter size paper.
10/12/2005
10/11/2005
Sedona Revisited
"I close my eyes and wonder
If everything is as hollow as it seems"
"I been been walkin' through the middle of nowhere
Tryin' to get to heaven before they close the door."
When you think that you've lost everything
You find out you can always lose a little more
I been walkin' through the middle of nowhere
Tryin' to get to heaven before they close the door - Dylan, Tryin' to Get To Heaven
If everything is as hollow as it seems"
"I been been walkin' through the middle of nowhere
Tryin' to get to heaven before they close the door."
When you think that you've lost everything
You find out you can always lose a little more
I been walkin' through the middle of nowhere
Tryin' to get to heaven before they close the door - Dylan, Tryin' to Get To Heaven
Umbrella Tests
"You Verizon guys are geniuses. Yes! I'm using the umbrella as an antenna. You were right! It works! "
10/09/2005
Central Park in Rain
Woman through Railing
Jogger, Bridle Path - Central Park
As soon as I get some other prints done for orders, I can't wait to take a crack at printing these two - large. I want to try the jogger shot at 16 x 20. The detail from the lens is wonderful. You can easily read the tee-shirt: St. Bonaventure and see that his mouth is open for air.
I just did Birch Trees for an order redoing it with the SharpKit tool. There's stuff in there that I never saw before. Almost every tree has carvings on it.
Cobblestones in Park
RSS Feed & Podcast
I changed the link for my RSS/Atom feed to Feedburner. I've been thinking of doing a PodCast and they make it pretty easy (I think) to create the RSS for the PodCast. (The old Atom link works as well though).
What is my PodCast going to be about?
Hello and welcome to Beckerman's Shoot Like the Pros PodCast. In order to shoot like the Pros - the first thing you need is a truly professional camera. Features are important. The more you have - the more professional you will be. This PodCast is sponsored by Canon and Nikon - and I would suggest that either of these superb manufacturers makes a camera that will fit your needs.
(Sound of rapid gunfire).
Remember - the more frames your camera can fire per second - the better chance you have to capture that once in a lifetime moment.
Canon and Nikon jingles are then played back to back - or maybe on top of each other.
By listening to this PodCast you will learn the secret tricks of the professionals. Click your iPod to listen to the next chapter.
What is my PodCast going to be about?
Hello and welcome to Beckerman's Shoot Like the Pros PodCast. In order to shoot like the Pros - the first thing you need is a truly professional camera. Features are important. The more you have - the more professional you will be. This PodCast is sponsored by Canon and Nikon - and I would suggest that either of these superb manufacturers makes a camera that will fit your needs.
(Sound of rapid gunfire).
Remember - the more frames your camera can fire per second - the better chance you have to capture that once in a lifetime moment.
Canon and Nikon jingles are then played back to back - or maybe on top of each other.
By listening to this PodCast you will learn the secret tricks of the professionals. Click your iPod to listen to the next chapter.
Joe's Sermon
"Yeah, yeah. Sure the artist is tortured. They should be tortured and you wanna know why? You do? Okay, I'll tell you: because they're spoiled. The world owes 'em a living? The world don't owe anyone a living. Take me for example.
"How many years did I go to school for this job? You got twelve years just to get through high school. Twelve stinkin' years. Then another four in college which is just about required for any kindof job. So there you go. 16 years and that's just to get a foot in the door of some stinkin' company.
"We're the ones who are tortured - not them. We're the ones that gotta get up every morning and put on chains and blinders and one day wake up middle-aged and wonder where our life went. Not them.
"Tortured artist. Give me a break. Okay. I'll admit. A lot of 'em don't make much money. But that was their own decision. I had a lot of talent with the french horn. Ask my music teacher Mr. M. But how'm I gonna take care of my family playin' the french horn? Tell me that? Okay - so I wind up as an office manager for the Cosmo Ladder Corp. It's not that bad. But can you tell me why I needed 16 years of school to get this?
"And don't tell me they're all poor. Poor? They don't know the meaning of the word until they're sendin' a couple of kids through college so those kids can get out and find some job which hopefully will be better than mine - though I doubt it. And anyway - some of them get rich - those actors I mean. Yeah. Especially those actors.
"Look at those movie stars driving around in their big fancy cars getting into accidents every day like they ran the world. I'll be honest with you. I love to sit back on the couch and watch them being carted off to jail for drugs or shoplifting. I mean - I'll see them in the movies but they ain't gods. You watch that idol show on t.v. You wait and see what happens to them when they get crowned.
"Don't get me wrong - I like what some of the artists do - though most of it is crap. But the world don't owe them a damned thing. In fact - I'd trade places with them in a minute if I could. The rich ones I mean.
"No. I say they should be glad for what they've got. Even the poor ones. 'Cause no one told them to do what they do - and if they have to suffer a little for that sort of freedom - then let them suffer. Anyway, that's just my two-cents on it since you asked.
"How many years did I go to school for this job? You got twelve years just to get through high school. Twelve stinkin' years. Then another four in college which is just about required for any kindof job. So there you go. 16 years and that's just to get a foot in the door of some stinkin' company.
"We're the ones who are tortured - not them. We're the ones that gotta get up every morning and put on chains and blinders and one day wake up middle-aged and wonder where our life went. Not them.
"Tortured artist. Give me a break. Okay. I'll admit. A lot of 'em don't make much money. But that was their own decision. I had a lot of talent with the french horn. Ask my music teacher Mr. M. But how'm I gonna take care of my family playin' the french horn? Tell me that? Okay - so I wind up as an office manager for the Cosmo Ladder Corp. It's not that bad. But can you tell me why I needed 16 years of school to get this?
"And don't tell me they're all poor. Poor? They don't know the meaning of the word until they're sendin' a couple of kids through college so those kids can get out and find some job which hopefully will be better than mine - though I doubt it. And anyway - some of them get rich - those actors I mean. Yeah. Especially those actors.
"Look at those movie stars driving around in their big fancy cars getting into accidents every day like they ran the world. I'll be honest with you. I love to sit back on the couch and watch them being carted off to jail for drugs or shoplifting. I mean - I'll see them in the movies but they ain't gods. You watch that idol show on t.v. You wait and see what happens to them when they get crowned.
"Don't get me wrong - I like what some of the artists do - though most of it is crap. But the world don't owe them a damned thing. In fact - I'd trade places with them in a minute if I could. The rich ones I mean.
"No. I say they should be glad for what they've got. Even the poor ones. 'Cause no one told them to do what they do - and if they have to suffer a little for that sort of freedom - then let them suffer. Anyway, that's just my two-cents on it since you asked.
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