jeremy_center

I read the same article and the subject was Urban <i>Exploration</i>. It piqued my interest too. A google search turned up plenty of info. You can also search Flickr tags for the same subject to see what others have shot.

I live in Seattle and apparently there ain't much except for the old Flour Mill on Harbor Island.

JC

My top 3 are here, fredmiranda.com and craiglist.

JC

This route might be a little pricey, but it works for me. I got one of the the Crumpler buckets and put it in my Timbuk2 messenger bag. There are various sizes of both so you can get the one right for you. I have the large Timbuk2 and the Bucket for the Complete Seed. They go rather well together.

JC

I'll be heading to Vegas for St. Patty's day this March. I've always wanted

to drive part of the historic Rt. 66 mainly to see some of the decaying

structures and signs, etc.

Is there anything worth seeing along this vein close to Vegas? By close I

mean I will have a couple days to myself so the sights should be within one

day's drive (for an out-and-back) or a two day loop from Vegas.

Thanks

Jeremy

Wow! Thanks so much for the quick responses. I think those are in line with what I was thinking I wanted to find. I was/am beginning to realize that I probably also need to look into elements of design.

In a sense I'm looking to relinquish the prescriptive, logical, deductive nature of my engineering perspective and embrace the fuzzy. The idea of form and intent vs. technique and implementation.

Thanks again. You've all been a big help!

Jeremy

First, a little about me: I'm an electrical engineer with no formal or

associated training in the arts. All of my academic and professional

experiences relate specifically to the sciences. However, I've had a paw in

the artistic fishbowl since as far back as I can remember, but I hesitate to

consider myself an artist because of what I feel that title implies. I would,

however, label myself as a creative type who is very visually oriented.

What I am looking for are academic/philosophical texts/sources which delve

more into the formal theory of photography. Not having the actual experience

of a fine arts education, what I'm looking for I am surmising would be found

in the arts curriculum.

Although there seems to be an abundancy of "introductory" type books that

explain the mechanics of how to use the camera, I can't seem to find what I

want where I'm looking. Which is to say at mainstream bookstores. I would

like to look at university bookstores or academic bookstores, but I'm not

quite sure where to start.

So... any advice or books or texts/sources which would satisfy a more academic

thirst?

Jeremy

Why not take it back to the place you bought it? Unless online, of course. But 30 days out might be covered by the retailer.

JC

I guess reselling might be an acceptable follow-up.

My current method is to download from CF directly to my computer. I'm not a professional, and I don't shoot family moments or the like. So most of my stuff is disposable. Computer dies... there go the photos.

JC

I'll be in Paris for one week over the Christmas holidays. I am currently

contemplating some kind of storage mechanism. I currently have 6GB of flash

cards (2GB each) and my preference is shooting RAW (Canon 20D).

Right now the first two contenders are a) more CF cards or b) Hyperdrive

SPACE. I have a 100GB hard drive lying around that I could put into the

Hyperdrive so I would just order the bare case.

My concern is that I currently have no need for a Hyperdrive-like device and

wouldn't have need for one after the trip. However, I am fairly confident

that 6 GB is not enough storage.

I would like to solicit your suggestions/input for either a)alternative or b)

confirmation that I should just by the Hyperdrive since it's about the cost of

4GB of CF cards.

Thanks

Jeremy

That's right. I want to find the cheapest, crappiest lens available (or a

close second). I'm looking for something in the 24mm-35mm range for a fixed

or maybe even a zoom.

Here's why: I've been looking at toy camera photos lately and I like the soft

focus, diffuse, dreamy results. Although I'm sure there's a way to simulate

the effect in photoshop, I want to experiment and see if I can start with a

bad lens and scuff it up in a way get similar results to a Diana, Holga, etc...

Any thoughts?

JC

Thanks for all the tips. It's my first trip to Paris. I'll be there from Christmas through New Year's Eve. I had read something about the law regarding taking people's photos without their permission, and wanted more information. I primarily shoot street here in Seattle, where I am currently living, so I'm no stranger to the genre. I carry my gear in a Timbuk2 bag so as to not be so noticeable. I plan to do something similar while in Paris.

Thanks again,

Jeremy

Anyone know the rules for shooting people in Paris? Any insight into the

cultural customs/expectations from the shooter(me) would be very helpful.

JC

For Customs purposes is it necessary to provide proof that any equipment taken

abroad was purchased in the States and not in the destination location?

If so, what has worked for you in the past?

JC

Wow... thanks for the insight. Here's what I have going for me:

1. I joined a gym a month or so ago, now quite a seredipitous decision as I just got the idea to go last week.

2. I know a small bit of french, but I intend to get some language CDs and put them on my ipod so i can practice before i leave.

3. I bought the Rick Steves guide so I think I'm pretty well hooked up.

Any thoughts on the following:

1. Storage for photos -- I have 3 2 GB CF cards, but I shoot RAW normally and that goes quick. I was thinking of buying a few more or some kind of hard-drive storage.

2. A walkaround bag -- I would like something that doesn't scream "there's a camera in this bag". I carry a discreet bag here so i should get something for there. The one I have is too big to carry around.

JC

This morning I bought a ticket to Paris. Thanks everyone for the input and

suggestions. Once I get my feet wet with this trip, I'll have plenty of

options for the next trip.

So... I will be there 12/25-1/1. Now the effort is to figure out what gear to

take. I shoot with a Canon 20D and I know I'll take the body (maybe the grip

for the extra battery) and definitely the 24-105L. I want to go light, and as

such, I'm considering whether to take the 10-22.

The question I'll have to answer is how to carry it with me. I want to travel

with a backpack only (and maybe a small bag for the gear). My current gear

(all the above plus 580EX and 70-300IS) I now carry in my Timbuk2 with a

Crumpler insert. It's a bit bulky and I'm not too fond of the idea of a

backpack and fully loaded TImbuk2.

Well... thanks again, everyone. Now it's on to the historical posts for

insight.

JC

Anyone have this problem lately?

I have photo.net up (IE 6.0.xx) and sometimes after a few minutes my HD starts

spinning like crazy and then all the instances of IE slow WAAAAYYYY down.

Then nada. I end the photo.net task and it still takes forever to get running

again. THis happens both on my personal computer and the one at work (shhhh...

don't tell the boss).

Just curious since this is getting very annoying. If this keeps up, I may

have to figure out what a Flikr is:).

Serious though, it's a pain and I hope it's just not me.

JC

Would Paris be out of the question? I checked the weather and it seems comparable to Seattle.

As far as exploring Seattle is concerned... it's pretty much what I do already (see the portolio :).

jc

i have a passport, a backpack, a camera, and a week off between christmas and

new year's. i live in seattle, haven't travelled beyond north america as an

adult. i prefer authenticity as opposed to packaged and processed. not

necessrily looking for warmer climate, just a good rich experience.

so... where should i go?

jc

I'd love to shoot some concerts. However, every time I called the venue in advance to ask, the response was "no photography is permitted". I live in Seattle which is rich in music offerings.

So if any of you have experience with bending the rules a bit to get into clubs and shoot, or more legitimate methods I'd love to hear what you have to say!

JC

I was wondering how close you folks get to your street subjects. I think that

maybe proximity is proportional to photographer confidence (or bravery?) being

that the closer one gets means perpaps the greater confidence.

The impetus for me asking this question is thus: I usually have a 24-105 on

my 20D as my walk around setup. Every once and awhile I'll slap on the 10-

22. However, I'm becoming enamoured with primes and would like to use some

widish angle models. I currently have a 50/1.8 and am probably going to get

the 28/1.8. The 28 would require me to get fairly close to people and the

though of which is challenging my comfort zone.

Also the idea of getting close brings up a couple of ideas related to

proximity: do you engage your subject, talk to them before or after taking the

shot, do you carry cards and offer to email a photo, etc...

Just curious what your thoughts are.

Jeremy

For a general walking around lens, the 17-85 is a very good choice. The IS is useful in low light situations as well as at the telephoto end. I had it for awhile and sold it. I replaced it with the 24-105 F/4L. This is what I primarily use now.

In considering the 17-40 f/4L or the 17-85, I think the IS will probably make up the one stop difference and give you a longer reach. Build quality is less and optics probably not quite as sharp. But still, a very good option. Many non-L lenses last quite a long time and take a decent amount of abuse.

IF you have the money, the 17-55 IS is probably the compromise.