Friday March 1, 2013

Friday March 1/13  update #379

My gosh, after a fitful night of coughing and hopefully expelling the remnants of my cold I was up at 7:30 and did my usual computer chores, and uploaded more photos for sale.   I can tell I am feeling over the hump but totally exhausted so I crashed again at 11 and never saw the clock again until 2pm.  Now I feel better!

This morning was foggy, blustery and rainy so I thought I would try a few shots from the window of raindrops on the wires, and then some falling from the roof.   After my enforced nap I again tried my hand at processing from RAW and learned a few more techniques along the way.   I know that will be a never-ending process of learning.

I don’t believe I mentioned before that I have ordered an EF75-300 USM zoom with filters off of eBay so I am really looking forward to seeing this new lens when I get back to Canada in 2 months.  Along with the new remote control I should then be in league with the big boys and ready to rock and roll photography-wise.   I am so looking forward to getting this new equipment.

Bella slipped out to play bridge today and I hope that makes her a happy camper as well.   I believe the drugs were working well fer her as well since I have heard no coughing from her quarters for some time.

I think a good movie, or two, is in order for tonight.

That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.    Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Thursday February 28, 2013

Thursday February 28/13  update #378

Goodbye February!

I took my drugs and hit the sack early and actually got some sleep as I could feel their effect working.  I was skeptical at getting 6 pills and 6 packets of powder to be mixed with water and drank individually with each pills every 2 hours.  We are enjoying the knowledge and latitude that the local Pharmacists have here in dispensing drugs that actually work.

Bella is even worse than me today so she went off to the Pharmacist to duplicate my drugs too.

I had asked Jay to come over because his hobby is making collages so I figured we could collaborate on a donation to the Hearts Of Gold Silent Auction coming up April 13.  I dug up several Galapapgos photos and we went through them and culled them to 16 photos that he felt he could work with.

Then the two of us caught the bus to the Fuji store where I showed Jay the suggested frame and he agreed, so we got the photos printed for him to work with.  He was really impressed with the helpfulness of the Fuji staff.  Then we slipped down to Papeleria Monsalves so he could get a few supplies to do his hobby work.

Then I was late to get to Jon & Barbie’s new place behind Joe’s Secret Garden.  They have this gorgeous house, with additional quarters in the front, so they are going to start a B+B in the main home.  This is truly a beautiful home and I know they will do a good job of it as they are a really great couple.   I was asked to take some photos for them to post on a worldwide B+B site.  Hopefully I’ll get the link later.

If you are interested in checking out their B+B, see the photos on the Souvenir blog, or call their cell at 099-985-5562.

That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.    Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Wednesday February 27, 2013

Wednesday February 27/13  update #377

After many months of experimentation, Bella may have finally perfected the art of bread-making at this altitude!  In spite of running out of gas mid-way in the baking process, the resulting loaves were perfect.

I woke very early and was able to catch the gas man on his first pass-by this morning.   Usually you can set your clock at 6:30am for his honking but naturally he was late this morning, just because I was waiting for him.

I finally got back to uploading some more photos for sale.   I have such a backlog, at least 500 works, and that is not counting really anything meaningful since Xmas Eve.  Between the Pase Del Nino and the Galapagos I could easily have another 500 ready to go.   I don’t know how to solve this dilemma.  I need to partner with a marketing genius I think.

I am still fighting this sinus cold but I feel 10 times better physically today.   I actually feel that I am winning the struggle to get my weight and physical condition back on track.  I also soaked up some natural Vitamin C on the terrace to help combat this stubborn cold.   Then I broke down and went to the Pharmacy.

We had another meeting at the Hearts Of Gold to come up with a Mission Statement today and it was very productive.  We need a Statement to be included in a brochure for volunteers to canvass for our upcoming Silent Auction.

I was also asked to take photos of all the volunteers so they can make name tags, etc, so we will all look official.  We got them all except for one, who I will get later.

I got home to find Bella in a foul mood after finding out she has now lost her Ecuadorian bridge partner.   The poor girl has given so much to improve the game here that she is feeling totally unappreciated, and unable to play competitively as often as she would like.  It seems that she is going to resort to online bridge games against players worldwide to get her competitive juices flowing.   I really hope that works for her.

That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.    Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Tuesday February 26, 2013

Tuesday February 26/13  update #376

Bella was cooking up a storm today, so much so that she emptied another of the propane tanks so she had to switch tanks with the hot water.

I started researching for a zoom lens to complement the lens I have which is woefully inadequate in the field.  I can find a decent lens for about $200, but now need to find a way to raise the $200.

I slipped downtown to see if the Canon dealer here had any lenses, and he does have a few, but they are pricey compared to online.

I then stopped at the Fuji store to check out their prices for photo prints and they are quite reasonable.  I have a few things in mind that will require some printing.

We had another Hearts Of Gold Foundation meeting today at 2:30 and it was very productive.   We had some new volunteers that will contribute greatly to the organization of the next fundraiser.  Sheryle Verkley joined us as one of the founders of HoG and she is great to organize and focus the team.  I volunteered to be the Admin person for the silent auction, which I assume means I am the collator of all the information, etc.   It will be an interesting few weeks.

I am still playing with the new camera and its functions and trying to get a rhythm in the RAW processing.   I have a lot to learn yet.

That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.    Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Monday February 25, 2013

Monday February 25/13  update #375

I had just a horrible night, hardly being able to lie down flat, with a cold setting in to the sinuses.  I somehow managed to get a couple of hours sleep before deciding to just seize the day and get moving.   In all my waking hours I had been fearfully formulating a strategy to take the next step in photography, to graduate to taking RAW photos.  I read the manual a few times and checked it out online and it was clearly a decision I had to make.  All the professionals shoot in RAW format because you have so many more layers of light and clour to play with.  I really had no idea what I was in for.

Monday is a grocery day for Bella so she was off and running.

I called up Paul Wolf, a professional and knowledgeable photographer who has been an immense help to me.  In the back of my mind I was hoping he was free to help me into this foray and surprisingly he was indeed available so we met near the Hospital Del Rio and began to just walk along the Yanuncay as he explained to me the benefits of RAW photography and what it would do for me.  I had my new Canon set to take both RAW and JPEG and we went over the settings I had chosen, which surprisingly, most met with Paul’s approval.

Paul and I do not always pick the best days for photo walks, because usually I ask him before I have even looked out the window.  Today was no exception, exceedingly cloudy, which makes for bad shots involving any sky.  The sun did try to show itself but those were very fleeting attempts that did us no good.

Not that we were trying to take any award-winning shots today, I just wanted to take a few reasonable shots in both formats to see what I would have to work with later.

With Paul’s help we managed to try different manual exposures to get some acceptable shots to play with.  About 1:15 my stomach was growling so we parted and I walked home, managing to get a few more floral shots on the way.  Lunch was a necessity as I competed with bella for kitchen space as she was making huge batches of muffins.

I took a chance on some of the things that Paul had told me and managed to not only download both formats, but I managed to get the RAW images to open in Adobe RAW, then PhotoShop.  After I had worked on only 3 photos I had to call Paul to thank him for all his help in opening up this whole new world for me.  The difference in the available data to work with is astounding, and the results completely amazing.  I just deleted all the JPEG images and concentrated on the RAW images alone.   Once processed, they are converted to JPEG images anyway, and 10 times superior to the JPEG coming from the camera’s processor.

I know the photos today might be laughable to a professional but they are giddily fantastic to me for a very first effort.  I hope you enjoy them.

That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.    Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Sunday February 24, 2013

Sunday February 24/13  update #374

I worked until 5am and then went back to bed until 10am.

The Blog photos for Feb 16 on Santa Cruz have been posted.

Next I set about preserving all my Galapagos photos to a DVD, just in case.  After much trial and error, I now have 3 copies and a DVD jacket made up.  I also printed a few choice shots to go on my Wall Of Fame.

Next on the agenda is to see if I can make a Zip File for emailing as I have never done that before.

Bella is off playing bridge so I am playing with all my photo resources here, now that I have finally almost finished with the Galapagos photos which are whittled down to only 408.  I am proud of myself.

There are so many things to do that I have not uploaded any photos for sale for over 2 weeks.

That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.    Please see these photos PLUS all new photos from last Saturday Feb 16 at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Today’s posted Feb 16 photos from the highlands of Santa Cruz Island in the GALAPAGOS include the giant tortoises in the wild.

A reminder to see the compilation of Galapagos videos at  http://youtu.be/XV94dg2LhHA

Saturday February 23, 2013

Saturday February 23/13  update #373

I worked on the Feb 15 shots from Isla Isabela so I could get that Blog done before I headed to Joe’s.

Bella was off to play bridge this afternoon in the west end.   Her usual partner’s hip replacement operation was a success and she is looking forward to getting back to some real competitive play.

I knew something was wrong when I arrived at Joe’s Secret Garden only to find the place dark and locked up.  After buzzing twice Joe came out to explain that they were both sick and that the dinner was cancelled.  Apparently Joseph sent an email to everyone who had booked for the meal but neglected to remember me.  Oh well.  I called Bella and we met up for supper at a new Chinese Restaurant on Gran Columbia, right next to the Corazon De Jesus church.  Apparently it had been recommended by Joe and Joseph so we gave it a try and were pleasantly surprised with a really nice meal for a very reasonable price.  We’ll go back there for sure, especially for their deep-fried wontons.

I decided to hit the sack at 9:30 only to be up and working on this Blog at 1am.

That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.    Please see these photos PLUS all new photos from last Friday Feb 15 at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Today’s posted Feb 15 photos from the Isla Isabela include shore birds, marine iguanas, frigate birds, pelicans, beaches, and last but not least, the greaceful flamingoes.

Another reminder to see the compilation of Galapagos videos at  http://youtu.be/XV94dg2LhHA