[ random/sporatic blog posts from: stephen b. ruppe - interesting website reviews, photoblogging, music blogging, movie blogging, etc. ... ]

, originally uploaded by LJ..

“LJ’s” photographs are without a doubt some of the best captures of people living on the streets. He captures the moment perfectly everytime. Any processing that may, or may not, have taken place afterwards simply adds to the photograph.

There are plenty of testimonials that have been written about him by other flikr.com memembers that testify to his talent.  If you find the time, you really should check out his flikr page…

Flikr.com is a wonderful place to upload and share your photos with the world.  If you are someone that is trying to take your photography to that ‘next level,’ then Flikr.com is a great place to get feedback on some of your photos.  The trick is you have to be an active participant of Flikr.  What I mean, is that the more time you spend viewing and commenting on other people’s photos, the more likely you will receive the same favors back.  Please be genuine with your comments.  You can also, simply add other people’s photos to your ‘favorites’ collection with just a click of your mouse.  When a person’s photo is favorited by another, that person gets notified on his/her ‘home page.’  It feels good when someone ‘favorites’ your photo.  Here’s ten of my photos that have been favorited recently: (granted, I’m no pro, and these have only been ‘favorited,’ not too many comments on them.  Lower right hand corner on the Flikr page will show you who ‘favorited’ each photo…)

Another good way to get more involved on Flikr is to participate in groups.  Just find a group that pertains to the subject of your photo(s) and submit them.  Take some time to view some of the other people’s photos, comment on them, etc. …

Don’t be afraid to add someone as a contact either.  The other person gets notified, and who knows, maybe they’ll return the favor.  If you really like someone’s work, adding that person as a contact is a good way to keep up with their most recent work.  …

Bottom line on getting more views/comments for your photos is that you have to be as active as possible… I’m not as active as I’d like to be on Flikr, but I’ve made some good contacts and have seen many wonderful photos…

Angel Oak Tree -14, originally uploaded by Stephen B. Ruppe.

The Angel Oak Tree, located in/on John’s Island in South Carolina, is estimated at being 1500+ years old.   According to it’s website, AngelOakTree.org, it is the oldest living thing east of the Mississippi.  It is perhaps, the oldest living oak tree in the world, according to some … Man, oh man, if this tree could talk…

It looks like something out of a movie…

I had first heard about this tree from my grandparents.  My Grandfather on my Father’s side had mentioned it in conversation when I mentioned that my brother and I were headed to Folley Beach, SC to bring in the New Year 2010.   My grandmother on my Mother’s side was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina and had some relatives that lived on the neighboring John’s Island.  I asked her about the tree and she went on about how it’s limbs look like they want to grab you and swallow you up; about how old it is, etc. …

Surprisingly, this old tree is not very tall, only about 65 feet actually; however, it’s wide spread canopy is quite a sight.  Some of it’s limbs grow up, then back down into the earth, and back out again.  The first thing that pops into your mind when you see this tree is an image from the James Cameron film, AVATAR, or perhaps, a scene from that Harry Potter movie where that tree is trying to eat the flying car.  It’s amazing and FREAKY all at the same time…

No Carving or Climbing Please…

It’s free to come see the tree.  All they ask is that you refrain from carving your initials into the tree and that you please try to resist the temptation to pretend that you are ‘Jake Sully’ and swing from it’s limbs.  There were roughly about 20 people there when my brother and I went to see the tree.  People of all ages were present.  Of course, all equipped with cameras. 

At the gift shop, you can purchase framed pictures of the tree and / or leave a donation to help with the maintenance of the tree (I left a small donation myself).  It’s a small place to visit.  I mean it’s just the tree and the gift shop, that’s it.  It’s a little bit difficult to find.  When you first pull off the main road onto ‘Angel Oak Road,’ you are greeted by a closed gate with a sign that says, “Private,” on it.  So, your first impression is that the place is closed.  But there’s a smaller dirt road off to the left that takes you about 1/2 a mile further to the tree site.  It’s a very bumpy, unkept road so be careful if you plan to visit the site…

You can check out more of my Angel Oak Tree photos @ my Flikr Site …

Visit The Set @ Flikr.com …

• Grandfather’s  Backyard @ Flikr.com

For more information about the Nikon D300 & Nikon 50mm Lense, you can check out the following links:

• Nikon D300s 12MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera
• Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

I Don’t Usually Do This…

I’m home visiting family for the holidays and realized that no one has seen the new amazing 3D movie, Avatar.  Well, I was certainly impressed by James Cameron’s latest master piece, despite some of it’s predictability which I’ll mention later…so…I insured that we set some time aside to go see this feature film, because there’s just no point in waiting until it’s out on DVD – I’m sure those that have seen it can agree with me…  I don’t usually go to a movie twice while it’s still out at the theatres, but not an issue here – it was still quite good…

How It’s Done…

For starters, this is only the second 3D motion picture that I’ve ever seen, A Christmas Carol (Jim Carey) being the first.  After A Christmas Carol, I knew I would be going to as many 3D films as I could.  It’s just simply amazing how those movie mechanics can do what they do.  Watching Avatar, I discovered I had a new found fear of heights, was swatting at insects that weren’t actually there, brushing vegetation out of my way, you name it.  3D films are created by using two different specially equipped cameras that shoot each scene of the movie from a different perspective, requiring you to wear those highly fashionable wayfarers…  For some more research intohow 3D motion pictures are made, check out the following links:

• Wikipedia 3D Info
• Obsessable – How are 3D Movies Made?
• Mind Spring – 3D Movies

Predictable Yes, But Still worth the $11.00…

OK, so the story line has a few very predictable parts; however, these parts didn’t ruin the movie at all for me.  For example, it was pretty obvious that when Neytiri mentioned to ‘Jake” that only five riders have been chosen to ride that giant red and orange bird, that he would soon be swooping down to greet them.  Also, when Sigourney Weaver was given the chance to cross over through the eye of Eywa, that Jake would be doing the same; however, the film was still incredibly done. …

Hidden Agendas, Racial Connotations, American History…

It’s also pretty obvious that the story line follows a very similar time in American History.  A time when White America wished for, and took by force, the land of the Native Americans.  Hopefully, no one today is proud of that particular moment in our (Americans’) past.  It was definately a terrible time.  Also, one can argue that America still engages in such activity today: Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. … It’s up to everyone to make up their own minds on such matters.  Just realize that if you have a complaint, in most cases it is received much better if it is followed by a solution.  I would have to say that for myself,  I can agree with good and the bad thoughts/feelings on American greed/agression and still and simply try to do what I know is right individually and hope that others will follow.

Here are a couple of links talking about Avatar:

• NPR: Avatar, Cameron’s Dizzying, Immersive, Parable
• io9.com: When Will White People Stop Making Movies Like Avatar

Back to the movie itself… It is after all a MOVIE ment to entertain and provide an escape from the day-to-day grind.  For me it provided a Great Escape!…  Awesome Indeed! Follow the links below for some further Avatar reading, Avatar the movie & Avatar in general:

• Cast of Avatar
• Avatar Movie
• Wikipedia – Avatar Computing

GRAVATAR…

Also don’t forget to get your own “gravatar” for when you are commenting on blogs.  You can upload a picture of yourself that will follow your email address around from blog to blog as you leave comments…

• gravatar.com

(My photo first – Scroll down below for the actual links)

Here’s a random list (no particular order really) of 10 interesting black & white photography websites.  Or, at least, each site has a section dedicated to black & white…

1. Smashing Magazine & Smashing Magazine 2 - Smashing Magazine was founded in 2006 and is primarily dedicated to helping out designers and developers by providing them the latest trend information in web development/design.
2. Paul Politis – Paul Politis is a photographer born in Montreal, Canada now based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.  His photographic subjects include: Architecture, objects, people, urban, nights, nude, Cuba, New York City, abandoned places, Graffiti, Colour.
3. Dave Beckerman – Dave Beckerman has dealt specifically with black and white photography throughout the years.  He was born and raised in the Bronx.  The link provided has primarily B&W photos of New York City.
4. Philip Pankov – Philip Pankov was born in the Soviet Union and, like most professional photographers, learned his craft starting at a very young age.  He has since moved to Dublin, Ireland; now living on the west coast of the United States. 
5. Lynn Radeka – Lynn Radeka, an American photographer, has photographed the American Landscape extinsively, since the 1960’s.  He has focused primarily on the west and south west.
6. MAANDREW Photography – M. A. Andrew is from Oldham, England and studied at Manchester University.  You will find images from Hong Kong, Paris, Venice, Istanbul, Madrid, London, Singapore and more…
7. Hongkiat – Hongkiat.com comes out of Malaysia.  Primarily a designer/pro-blogger.  This particular link provides some outstanding B&W potrait shots.
8. Roy V. Harrington – Roy Harrington is a photographer from the western United States, which is what most of his B&W photography subjects consist of.  He primarily shoots with a 4 x 5 view camera for his B&W shots.
9. Clyde Butcher – Clyde Butcher deals primarily with nature photography and has been appreciated by many for providing others with a greater understanding of the importance of the environment.
10. Dapixara – Dapixara contributes to some well known organizations, such as: CNN, National Geographic, and The Travel Channel…

Le Marqui’s Lounge – A Ghost Town(1 & 3), originally uploaded by Stephen B. Ruppe.

Happy Viewing!

Want to learn more? You can try:

[Black & White Film Photography - 3 Digitally Remastered Fred Picker Videos on 1 DVD - offer from amazon.com]

 Lazy Recording Attempts Should NOT Be Uploaded…

     I was cruising the internet the other day and found some old (really old)  reviews of a song that I had uploaded to garageband.com several years ago.  I had forgotten all about this song.  …

The song:  All In Due Time

     It was an attempt at a professional recording; however, I knew, even at that time, that it was nowhere close to sounding pro.  I never really take the time to perfect any of my recordings.  I always think that I’ll go back and fix them later, but never do.  It was fun to make though.  Also, and more importantly, this was a song that I had written so many years back that it wasn’t the greatest example of my song writing / singing capabilities.  But, I was lazy and just wanted to hurry up and get a song uploaded.  I was in the process of re-recording all of my old tunes, in-order-to get the hang of my new recording equipment (an ADAT machine at the time). …

     So, I uploaded the song and listened to some other songs by other artist.  Wrote some reviews on their songs; and finally started getting some reviews on my song.  Before I stopped keeping track of my song on garageband.com, I had only received about 2 or 3 reviews.  I think the garageband.com website went down for quite some time, if I remember correctly.  Now, several years later, I see that my song is still there and several more reviews have been added (last one being in 2004 – song was uploaded in 2001).  Some were good, some OK, some needs work, and some down right terrrible…

You’ve Got To Have Thick Skin / If The Shoe Fits, Well, Just Put It On And Walk Away…

     I know I have fairly decent ideas/concepts when it comes to writing and recording music; however, reading some of the negative reviews on this particular song, I must say that I agree with most of them.  Yes, there are some good reviews, but nowadays, I can agree more with the bad ones.  It’s just not that great a tune.  There are some good ideas thoughout, but not the greatest of songs as a whole.  The singing on most of my stuff will always get a bad rating due-to-the-fact that I never really “sing.”  I’m either in my bedroom, in a bathroom, or something holding back my full voice.  Also, earlier in my years, I never really understood the importance of a good vocal track.  My head was still in the early R.E.M. way of doing things, where lyrics are just kind of muttered, and sometimes, monotone.  I was simply more into the guitar sound than anything else…

I Did Fool A Few However…

     There are a couple of reviews in there that state some good drum playing.  Well, I had to laugh, because there is no drum playing on this version of the song.  Instead, I used a Roland DR-5 drum machine.  I have been told by many that my drum programming (sound type and pattern layouts) do sound like there’s a drummer playing…  So, I guess I kinda thought those particular reviews mentioning the drum playing were interesting and funny at the same time…

Maybe One Day I’ll Start Writing Again…

     I didn’t know if I should post my findings since some of the reviews are so bad, but I guess found them kind of fun to read overall.  Besides, my understanding and feel for music has greatly evolved over the years.  I just hope that sooner or later I can prove it my settling down and writing some more material…

I like this shot taken with a 60mm macro lens. This is simply the top of my Line6 guitar amplifier (not my favorite amp, but still a good one – and it was available right next to me)…

Hopefully one day soon I’ll get my old Music Man amplifier back out and try some interesting pictures with that, much more classic, amplifier…

I did have one person call this a ‘favorite’ on flikr…

• Link to: Line6

chinese knife tip, originally uploaded by S. B. Ruppe.

The tip of a chinese knife (actually more like a letter opener) that my mother brought back from here trip to China… I should have had the dragon head a bit more in focus…

bronse crab (candle holder – mouth flips open), originally uploaded by S. B. Ruppe.

Watch your fingers!… I Bite! …