Earthdance: Did It Have Enough Photo Coverage?

I would say so.

Earthdance: Flame On!

Must Be A Backfiring Problem

Something To Hide?

Plattsburgh provincialism.

Decades ago the city decided to install a few benches along sidewalks in residential areas. This would help older and disabled pedestrians to sit and rest a bit. The benches faced the street.

And how did some Plattsburghers react?

This comment appeared in the newspaper:

“I don’t want strangers sitting in front of MY home.”

Such provincialism is still alive and well in the Burgh.

Today I was walking by MLD building on Miller Street. Across the roofline of the building’s overhang are large free-standing letters spelling out MUNICIPAL LIGHTING DEPARTMENT. The sign has been there for ages; I find it can be photographically interesting depending upon the lighting that nature provides. I noticed two parked vehicles reflecting the silvery lettering with the sky in the background.



Camera in hand, I zoomed in on the first vehicle’s windows, a car, capturing the image. As I walked to the second vehicle, a van, the car owner who was returning to his vehicle asked me what I was doing, expressing concern. I pointed at the MLD sign, saying I was photographing the reflection in his car window. He didn’t understand so I politely repeated my statement, pointing at the reflection in his car’s windows.

“Is it OK for me to park there?” he asked me.

I told him I wasn’t a police officer, I was just a photographer, photography was a hobby. (I could’ve said I was a writographer but he was already a bit paranoid.)

Then I lined up the reflection in the second vehicle, the van, when its owner appeared. She asked me not to take photographs of her van.

Again, a bit paranoid.



Many people – or I should say many Plattsburghers – don’t understand the law when it comes to photography. For the most part, if it’s in public view, I can shoot it.

If someone is worried about someone taking a photo, then just ask if he’s a student or pro photog. Acting paranoid makes one look suspicious. If I was a cop dressed mufti, I would wonder what the person was trying to hide.

Maybe I look suspicious taking photographs of reflections. But I’m open about what I’m doing. Nothing to hide. (I’ve got the images to prove it.) Now if a photographer is sneaking around, hiding behind some shrubbery, furtively shooting, then I would wonder what he was doing. But standing in the middle of a sidewalk in plain view – sorry, I don’t get it.

I can understand issues of privacy. But photographing the exterior of a vehicle parked in a public area shouldn’t fall under that category. Also, why worry about me with all of the omnipresent security cameras from the street to the bank to the supermarket? You’re being surveilled, like it or not.

This isn’t the first time I’ve been challenged about my photography.

One time I noticed the way the sunlight was side-lighting a gnarled tree across the street so I snapped a few and walked away. Later a pickup truck parked near me and its driver asked me why I was photographing his house. Using my camera’s LCD screen I showed him I was only taking images of the tree near his house, not his home.

Here is a shot of that person’s home (the yellow house):



No, I didn’t take this shot. It’s courtesy of Google Street View. I wonder if the home owner will go after Google for passing by in a van and photographing his house, complete with its address, for all the world to see on its website.

So far images of MLD and other Miller Street buildings aren’t available through Google Street View, just a satellite shot. But give it time.

If you’re worried about privacy, live deep underground in the middle of nowhere. And drive an invisible car.

News Item Or Sci Fi Story?

Was teleportation involved?

* * *

CONDITION UPDATE

CUMBERLAND HEAD -- One man is in stable condition... after a one-car accident Saturday evening...

Shawn J. Burnell, 21, of Plattsburgh was emitted to CVPH Medical Center, where officials said he was in stable condition...

--Press-Republican, POLICE LOG, page A9, Monday, Sept. 13, 2010.

* * *

NOTE: Years ago the PR canned its proofreader. Since then the quality of its product has improved.

Thanks, Domke

Qwwikkk!

I paused at the state fair, people flowing around me, as I adjusted the strap on my Domke camera bag. I assumed the strap was sticking with my shirt due to the profuse sweat being produced by the blazing sun and high humidity.

Later someone would notice the black marks running diagonally on the back of my shirt like tire tracks from a toy car.

Two ways to carry a camera bag: hanging from your shoulder or over-your-head -across-your-chest bandolier style. For safety reasons I prefer the bandolier carry; it's hard for the bag to fall and also for someone to grab it and run off with my equipment.

Domke designed its strap for those who like to let their bag hang off their shoulder, inserting two parallel strips of rubber along its length. Good design until years pass and the rubber breaks down, especially in hot weather.




Checking the strap, I noticed pieces of the strips falling off. I ended up spending some time removing the remaining rubber -- it just rubbed off -- and then gluing a fabric strip over what remained to prevent another shirt from being ruined.



Unlike the bag, the shirt was beyond fixing, despite soaking it with laundry detergent. It was one of my favorites, a button-down summer short sleeve, cool and comfortable, that will be buried in the landfill.

No more rubber strips with my camera straps. I don't need the extra grip -- or the toy car tire marks.

BOP Bed Race 2010

For the first time a bed race was held as part of the Battle of Plattsburgh events. City Hall Place had already been blocked off from traffic, making it easier to set up the contest on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 11th.

Among the entrants was a Flintstones-themed race bed, including Dino the pet dinosaur. The cavemen competitors called themselves the Rock Eaters, a reference to a Saturday Night Live skit that mocked Plattsburghers by calling them by that name.

BOP Fireworks 2010

Spectators were scarce this evening for the Battle of Plattsburgh fireworks. There was a crowd downtown near City Hall, enjoying the the bands. But along Bridge Street and in the No-Hotel parking lot I saw just a few scattered souls.

Maybe everyone thought the fireworks would be tomorrow, Saturday evening. Or maybe there just wasn't enough promo by the city to make the public aware of the pyrotechnics. Also, it was somewhat cool tonight, especially by the lake.

The previous fireworks displays this year -- July 4th and Mayor's Cup -- had sitting people and parked cars lined up all over. There is a "secret" spot way off Bridge Street that gives me a great view over the water so that I can catch the bursts reflecting off the water. Last time I carefully worked my way to that spot only to find others already there, relaxing in fold-up lawn chairs.

Tonight no one was around. Plenty of room to set up my tripod. And when the show was over, no throngs of people on the sidewalk or cars backed up on the streets. I could amble along with my equipment, not worrying about bumping into someone or trying to make my way across a crosswalk.

But, of course, this is Plattsburgh. There has to be at least one annoyance. As I was walking home some jerk in a car had to yell at me, spotting me lugging my camera and tripod bags.

"Hey, you with the bag. Get a life!"

It's far from the first time that some asshole had to yell a moronic comment my way while I was minding my own business.

It's amazing that I visited the state fair in Syracuse, mobs of people, thousands milling around, and not once did I have a problem. I really enjoy coming back to experience typical Dogtown rudeness and dumbness. Small town, small minds.

State Fair: Special Escorts

"We hope that you have enjoyed your visit
to the 2010 New York State Fair."

NY State Fair: The Raptor Project

It's one of my favorite spots to visit at the NY State Fair. The Raptor Project features birds of prey -- hawks, owls, falcons, eagles -- on display inside a large tent. The light tan color of the tent helps to filter the bright sunlight, making it easier to take photos, no bright spots or deep shadows.

The birds have been rehabilitated after suffering serious injuries like a broken wing. They are handicapped, unable to return to the wild, trained to be comfortable around the public. For more info, here's a link to a video and The Raptor Project's website.