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Saturday, December 29, 2012

Full Scale 1:1 Airfix Model Spitfire

A popular English TV show James May Toy Stories highlights
a group of kids and their creation of a full size (1:1 scale) model Spitfire.


Part #1




Part #2




Part #3




Part #4




Part #5




Part #6







Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Alfred Stieglitz: A New Way of Seeing, American Masters by PBS




WiKi: Alfred Stieglitz (January 1, 1864 – July 13, 1946) was an American photographer and modern art promoter who was instrumental over his fifty-year career in making photography an accepted art form. In addition to his photography, Stieglitz is known for the New York art galleries that he ran in the early part of the 20th century, where he introduced many avant-garde European artists to the U.S.  ... continued







Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Transcends New Wi-Fi SD Card

We recently looked at the new Eye-Fi's Pro X2. A Wi-Fi enabled 16GB Class 10 SD card which is an upgrade from their 8GB Class 6 Wi-Fi enabled card. At the time we were sure X2 would be a winner. But NOW we have a new player in Wi-Fi scene with Transcend's new Wi-Fi enabled SD card, a Class 10, 16GB and 32GB. According to Transcend this Wi-Fi SD card instantly adds wireless capability to your digital camera, letting you stream photos and videos to portable devices without the hassle of using cables, card readers or a computer.








Monday, November 12, 2012

Triggertrap Mobile App Adds Wi-Fi Control











Triggertrap Mobile, the app-based camera trigger can now be used remotely if the user has two smart devices. The latest version of the app, that allows a wide range of cameras to be triggered in response to a range of events or with sophisticated time-lapse functions, features a Wi-Fi mode. In Wi-Fi mode, a 'master' iOS device can be used to remotely configure and trigger a camera that is connected to a Triggertrap mobile dongle and a second smart device (either an iOS or Android phone or tablet). The master device can be used to trigger multiple cameras, if each is connected to a Triggertrap dongle and smart device. The app itself costs $4.99 and the dongle costs $24.99 and is available with a variety of connection cables allowing compatibility with over 280 camera models
  • Available for both Android and iOS, all 14 modes (ten on Android)
  • Read More at dpreview.com, NEWS
  • What it is Video
  • Trigger Trap Mobile manufactures Product Page
  • About Triggertrap, Arduino-based products

Update: Triggertrap Mobile is FREE up to the end of this year

"As of right now, until the end of the year, both the Android and iOS apps are completely free. This is not a free trial, a free demo, or free limited version. This is the real deal: all 14 modes (ten on Android), are available for the grand old sum of zero cents, zero pence, or zero yen." [...]

      Read More

Note: This offering of Triggertrap Mobile is the complete (all 14 modes and ten on Android) application minus the hardware, the Triggertrap Dongle, a camera connection cable with the support for over 280 cameras. The mobile devices on board camera is supported but in order to use a DSLR for example or to get everything the application has to offer we would still need to buy the Dongle.



Monday, November 05, 2012

Panorama Stitching

Do you need, or want to create a panorama? 

Maybe you need to create a personalized flying area for your Rc Flight Simulator such as you can create for Phoenix Flight Simulator, Creating a Custom Flying Sites (pdf). Maybe you want an Aerial Panorama well for whatever your reasons have I found an application that might be right up your alley and right for you which is also totally FREE.

Photosynth (home)
by Microsoft.

I know there are many and probably far too many Panorama Stitching Applications which can be found around the NET but this one in my opinion is by far the easiest to use thus painless programs for creating such panoramas I've ever used. Might even say it was FUN but certainly FUN when viewed in 3D Mode. After trying the software yourself maybe you would agree, might even challenge one to disagree ...

Although a Microsoft creation and "Microsoft" creating software for an Apple machine did strike me as sublimely funny the version I tried was indeed for iOS6, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. 

Yes they do offer a desktop version and I will update this post when I have tried and have something to say about it. Until then I will be looking at Photosynth on my iPod Touch.


Getting Started?


Disclaimer: Although the iOS6 version of Photosynth does NOT require we have an account but note as I've not tried all the applications at the time of this writing it's a best guess as to the reason we need an account? Might want to check into that least we find signing up was simply a marketing trick to get thus spam our email, Caveat Emptor ... See 'Update' further down ...

Quote: From their What is Photosynth page:
First create a Photosynth account. Then download the tool or tools you need: 
















Following panorama was taken with my iPad Touch and Photosynth. However this shoot shouldn't be taken as a refection of Photosynth's abilities as my iPod is NOT the BEST and do note the Hint of Sarcasm! I have fixed the image in my photo editor but either I need more skill or we just have to accept this camera's crappy image ... 

Anyway, for better or worse, my Workbench ...




















For added-value while here I may as well show everyone the last Panorama Stitching application I was using which also comes highly recommended by those in photo community. 

The program 


Update I have downloaded and tried the 'desktop' version of Photosynth and 'they' do require you SIGN-Up for an account. They claim teh Sign-up is needed so we can participate in the on-line community and upload our media to their servers amongst a few other on-line services. However this is disappointing and unacceptable as it is a FORCED Sign-In even if we have NO intention of using any of their on-line services!

LAST Word: In my opinion the 'desktop' version is still very easy to use however it's not as much FUN nor as intuitive in use has the iOS6 version. Nevertheless for creating our source images the fact we have a choice of using a better camera I think makes up for any minor differences or perceived shortcoming. Sure I still like 'Photosynth' and will keep it ready to go although I certainly don't like being 'forced' to sign up for an account.


What do you think?




Sony NEX-5R Mirrorless Camera

Posted are some reviews for you all to mull over. Those being the newest offering from Sony who are for the most part offering a new camera for those looking for a wee bit more than a simple Point'n Shoot in their camera. Also added are two related reviews for this camera's 'Electronic Viewfinder' and an optional 'KIT Lens'

Sony NEX-5R Body












  • 16.1 MP APS-C size HD image sensor
  • Full HD Movies
  • Wi-Fi Sharing
  • 180-degree tilt-able 3.0” Touch LCD
  • Accepts Sony E-mount lenses
  • 'Sweep Panorama' Technology
  • Clear Image Zoom
  • Six Creative Style settings 
  • Sony's product page
  • Review by KenRockwell.com  
  • Preview by  dpreview.com


Sony FDA-EV1S Electronic Viewfinder












  • XGA OLED Viewfinder
  • High Resolution (2359K dots)
  • High Contrast Ratio (3,500:1) to your NEX-5N
  • 'Tiltable' for more viewing angles
  • Sony's product page 
  • Review by KenRockwell.com


Sony 18-55mm Zoom LENS











 




Tuesday, October 23, 2012

ProShow WEB

First off I must say I am no 'Spielberg' when it comes to making videos but I've found an application I think worth looking at. Some might like as a number of professionals and amateur photographers are recommending. They seem to like the desktop version but are peeved (being MAC only people) the desktop version is only available for those of us with MS Window Operating Systems, that is until the WEB version came along.

Enter Photodex's ProShow WEB, a slick, polished FREE online slideshow application for creating videos of our still photographs and home spun videos. Although as always with these "types (note the hint of sarcasm)" offer a number of PAID services that would try to suck ya dry by offering a number of additional benefits.

As I said video is not my forte thus I wouldn't pretend to be an expert and I would rely most on those with more experience to judge this offering. My disclaimer aside if you try this application
after reading here then please let us know how you liked it?


Upon reading their 'blurbage' they are making their software look as if they are offering us allot to make our media look good if not great and I'm as sure as that as they wouldn't lie to me, yes?

For your convenience ... 
  • PRO Show WEB Home
  • Samples
  • A subscription based service
    • Free: 15-photo shows that can be shared online
    • Plus: $30/year – Unlimited, full-length videos, share online and free DVD downloads
    • Premium: $150/year – Unlimited, full-length videos, licensed for commercial use, free 1080p HD downloads, watermarking and more
  • Sign-IN / Create a Show
  • A Pro-review - by By Betsy Finn at Professional Photographer, haha much better than my review

I've created a 'demo' of ProShow WEB (free) and I've found the application a pleasure as it was a genuine pleasure to work with, easy. Unfortunately I found this version in it's current state, too short and too limiting to be of any real use. I would suggest they limit the 'options' and choice of 'styles' but gave an unlimited number of pictures which could be displayed then I would think the software would be more useful? It's unfortunate even though the basic paid package has removed any limitations I found in their free service but the paid services are just too darn expensive for my tastes. 

In short it's a good well polished application but they are not offering enough to make me buy the product 

However as my humility shows, I might be too opinionated, too inexperience or just too darn cheap? Thus as opinions are bound to be different I'll leave by leaving you all my 'demo' ...

... I'll just "Put up or shut-up" as they say!








DSLR Craziness ...








Source: Why Pros Shoot the Nikon D3 by Chris Bilodeau Photographer

Quote: "Ask any pro why they choose the body they use and one of the first things you will hear is durability. Before I ever shot my first paid gig, I treated my gear like it was fine China. Well, after awhile you realize that the difference between getting a shot and letting one slip away is just “being there.” That means sometimes your gear gets banged up. However, I never expected my Nikon D3 to survive getting driven over by a car! … I cannot say the same for the lens"

 ... continued

More Craziness: Pentax Dust and Weather Sealing in Afghanistan
  





Thursday, October 11, 2012

NEW Eye-Fi Pro X2 SD Card

Specifications of the NEW Eye-Fi Pro X2 SD Card
    
16GB - Class 10 +Wi-Fi 
Security: WPA2-PSK, WEP 64/128 and WPA-PSK 
Wireless Upload: JPG, RAW and Video
WiFi Based Geotagging: 
Endless Memory:
Cloud Backup:
Android and iOS Support:
1 Year Hotspot subscription:
Social Networking: Share on Facebook, Twitter, Picasa, YouTube and more 
Card Reader: Included
Eye-Fi Products  
    

  
I have posted a pretty good third-party review of 'Eye-Fi vs. Transcend' cards,
... see update within ...

Update: NEW ~ Eye-Fi launches 32GB Mobi wireless memory card




Saturday, September 29, 2012

OSRC - Open Source Remote Control

Source: http://www.os-rc.com/





























The OSRC project needs your help to survive and make it to production. Spread the news and help the project reach distributors around the world before the deadline expires and there is no other choice left but to close shop and let the system fade away

See the Campaign Website for what is offered for your investment


OSRC Promotional Video

        


 Flite Test: The OSRC Project

        




Sunday, September 23, 2012

Apple iO6 Users are Unhappy!

An new iO6 Maps user being "unhappy" is rather an understatement and none 'users' are more than likely to laughing their collective asses off

The one feature Apple was so proud to offer was the one feature that was to say the least a unbelievable collection errors. Yet again the 'software industry' policies of releasing a product before it's really ready is NO less an issue after all these years. 

What I find amusingly FUNNY is Apple's marketing for the last 20 years (as near as I remember) which was far less than kind against any of Microsoft's Operating systems. Their mapping solution puts Apple marking polices of the years past into proper light, yes

Yes, the problems are with Apples NEW mapping software which was to replace Google Maps was for many a major let down. Owning an iPod myself I am a fan of the Apple OS in general and looking forward to owning the Apple iPad someday but I do find this all too funny.

Following is a BLOG that's collected for our enjoyment allot of screen shots of the most obvious mistakes and errors found by it's users

Update: Apparently Google MAPS is back, nixed, Apple iOS6 Maps




Saturday, September 15, 2012

Full-frame Nikon D600

Nikon officially announces D600 a full-frame (FX format) DSLR aimed at enthusiasts, price, $2099. Finally an affordable full-frame DSLR an enthusiast such as myself can afford.

















 
  

Update: Oct 14, 2013
Update: April 1, 2014  

This could be the LAST update as it seems to be an end to a long enduring saga. I'm sure this is very good news for all the D600 owners who have suffered through their camera's dust problems. In short, users can get their D600 model replaced with the D610 however they will need to qualify. Regardless best read the announcement for the specifics of the replacement and for what's needed to qualify.

Update: June 1, 2014


Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1


September 2012: Sony has officially announced the Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 which is a Mirrorless FULL-Frame Compact Camera with a fixed 35mm F2 lens, $2,800usd 

Thursday, September 06, 2012

The Solar System

Source: The Atlantic - A Trip Across the Solar System - 34 Photo's



An animated image of the Sun, showing a large solar flare erupting on March 5, 2012,
launching a coronal mass ejection into space. (NASA/ESA)

   

Tuesday, September 04, 2012

Eric Fossum Inventor of the CMOS Sensor at Yale

Photons to Bits and Beyond:
The Science and Technology of Digital

 
The Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science presents the 2011 Victor M. Tyler Distinguished Lectureship in Engineering with Eric Fossum, Professor of Engineering in Dartmouth's Thayer School and a consultant to Samsung Electronics' Semiconductor R&D Center. Dr. Fossum, who earned a PhD in electrical engineering from Yale in 1984, is one of the world's leading solid-state image sensor device physicists, best known for inventing the CMOS image sensor.  His "camera-on-a-chip" technology is used in nearly all camera phones and webcams, digital-still cameras, high-speed motion capture cameras, automotive cameras, dental x-ray cameras, and swallowable pill cameras. 

An entrepreneur as well as inventor, Fossum's transfer of his own IP portfolio to industry has yielded one of Caltech's greatest licensing revenue streams, and he has served as CEO of two successful high-tech companies. His work was included on Reuters' list of "Baby Boomer Inventions that Changed the World," and Forbes calls him an inventor who has "changed your life." 


Uploaded by on Oct 25, 2011 - 1 Hour 7 Minutes



Friday, August 31, 2012

The Fastest Small V12 Engine


Translated from Russian: Spanish engineer on behalf of Патело collected 12-cylinder V-engine, which, as he believes, is the most in such a small engine in the world. The engine consists of a 261 element, made from aluminum, bronze and stainless steel.



Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Military Aircraft Pictures


Military-Aircraft-org.uk
Reference 100's of Military Aircraft Pictures and Military Aircraft Photographs. With images that are FREE to use on an uncluttered site that is easy to navigate. History and specifications listed for each aircraft displayed




Sunday, August 26, 2012

NASA, Another Mission to Mars

InSight mission to Mars is set for March 8–March 27, 2016

Source: Jet Propulsion Laboratory - Mission Overview - InSight (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) is a proposed NASA Discovery Program mission that will place a single geophysical lander on Mars to study its deep interior. But InSight is more than a Mars mission - it is a terrestrial planet explorer that will address one of the most fundamental issues of planetary and solar system science - understanding the processes that shaped the rocky planets of the inner solar system (including Earth) more than four billion years ago.

By using sophisticated geophysical instruments, InSight will delve deep beneath the surface of Mars, detecting the fingerprints of the processes of terrestrial planet formation, as well as measuring the planet's "vital signs": Its "pulse" (seismology), "temperature" (heat flow probe), and "reflexes" (precision tracking)


Video: Mission team members for InSight, the new Mars lander mission selected by NASA to launch in 2016, explain how the spacecraft will advance our knowledge of Mars' history and rocky planet evolution.

Download the InSight Fact Sheet (PDF)
  • Launch — March 8–March 27, 2016
  • Landing — September 20, 2016
  • Surface operations — 720 days / 700 sols
  • First science return — October 2016
  • Instrument deployment — 60 sols (including 20 sols margin)
  • Data volume over 1 Martian year — More than 29 Gb (processed seismic data posted to the Web in 2 weeks; remaining science data less than 3 months, no proprietary period)
  • End of Mission — September 10, 2018




Beautiful Landscape.com, Wallpaper Download

Copyright © Alain Briot 2011

Fine Art Photography Top 16 Wallpaper

Alain Briot - Writings and Tutorials

The Fine Art Photography Top 16 monitor wallpaper comes in 7 different monitor resolutions (from 30" to 12"), plus iPad resolution (1024x768)


 
Top 16 most important aspects of Fine Art Photography?

  1. Become an expert in light
  2. Compose your images carefully
  3. Study colors and contrast
  4. Create images that represent what you felt, not just what you saw
  5. Focus on quality not quantity
  6. Master both art and technique
  7. Master all the aspects of Fine Art Photography
  8. Optimize your photographs using layers in Photoshop
  9. Make the final print your goal
  10. Mat and present your work in a professional manner
  11. Focus your work and efforts on projects
  12. Share your work with others and build an audience
  13. Do not try to recreate the wheel
  14. Create a Personal Style
  15. Do not expect success overnight
  16. Do not overestimate talent
     
    Wallpaper Download Page

 

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Astronaut Neil Armstrong dies at 82

FOX News "Armstrong died Saturday following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures, a statement from his family said. It didn't say where he died. Armstrong commanded the Apollo 11 spacecraft that landed on the moon July 20, 1969, capping the most daring of the 20th century's scientific expeditions. His first words after setting foot on the surface are etched in history books and in the memories of those who heard them in a live broadcast.
  
"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind"
 
Neil Armstrong Dies: Google NEWS

Kodak to END it's role in consumer photography

Eastman Kodak Company announced they will be selling their Personalized Imaging and Document Imaging businesses ending their role as a consumer photographic company. Kodak says it will continue to make film for the movie industry and will continue with it's 'Specialist Film' division who make large-format films for aerial and industrial photography. They also intend to keep it's Consumer Inkjet division making it one of the last public facing businesses.  Learn more about Kodak's reorganization

The Wall Street Journal reported  that many of the world's biggest technology companies, including Samsung, Apple and Google, have formed a consortium to bid for Kodak's digital imaging patents. Kodak is hoping the sale of it's patents will raise $2.2bn which would help the remains of the company get from under the Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Kodak take next steps toward successful emergence (Press Release)
  
Update: Sept 5, 2013
Quote: "Kodak Officially Emerges from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy over a year and a half after declaring"
  


Friday, August 24, 2012

Two Giant Rotors, Powered by a Turbine

Flettner Flight in Orleans 14/07/12. CGY750
Integration with Multirotor airframe, Turbine 'Jakadofsky'

Build Photo's ---> HERE <----





Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Digispark, Arduino's unofficial kid brother


Digispark
is a
micro-sized, Arduino enabled, usb development board - cheap enough to leave in any project.
The tiny 'Arduino' by Erik Kettenburg
 
Source: Kickstarter Project Page






Specifications:
  • Support for the Arduino IDE 1.0+ (OSX/Win/Linux)
  • Power via USB or External Source - 5v or 7-35v (automatic selection)
  • On-board 500ma 5V Regulator
  • Built-in USB (and serial debugging)
  • 6 I/O Pins (2 are used for USB only if your program actively communicates over USB, otherwise you can use all 6 even if you are programming via USB)
  • 8k Flash Memory (about 6k after bootloader)
  • I2C and SPI (vis USI)
  • PWM on 3 pins (more possible with Software PWM)
  • ADC on 4 pins
  • Power LED and Test/Status LED (on Pin0)