Dumb Deer

While driving home late Saturday night from The Villages (after visiting Bonnie's parents), we had a close encounter with a deer.    Just before picking up I4, we both saw 2 deer streak across from the shoulder.   I hit the brakes hard, very hard.   It was quite a test of my 325's stopping power - and it passed.  

Anyway, I was telling my friends at work about the encounter.   Somehow we got to talking about hunting.   I mentioned that hunting just doesn't seem fair - the deer should at least get to fight back.   Apparently, if you're dumb enough to try to shoot one at point blank range - they do fight back.

Caught a 48 Hour Bug

Yep.   I woke up Friday with a scratch in my throat.   By Friday afternoon, I knew I was in trouble. Saturday, I slept the day away.   This morning we watched a few episodes of The Wire and then Bonnie was off to work.  Finally, the symptoms are starting to subside.  

Hopefully next weekend will be more enjoyable. 

Histograms

If you use a digital camera or even a basic photo editing program, you've probably stumbled on an image histogram.    Here's a great video to explain what it all means.

What to Charge

Having photographed 2 weddings in the past few months, I've realized that I need really think hard about my business model.   Specifically, I need to determine or prepare the following:

1. My going rate per hour
2. Print price list with maybe some print packages
3. Should I offer the original images for sale (or even low resolution versions), and what price
4. A standard service agreement/contract
5. A standard model release (in progress)

The most recent wedding I shot was very spur of the moment.  The bride, a coworker of mine, didn't have much time left, so we agreed on a basic price and I prepared an invoice for a few hours of service with some 4x6 prints.   She assumed this to mean the original images would be included in this sale price. And I assumed she knew everything else was extra - as noted at the bottom of the invoice.  Realizing our communication failure we discussed some options.   I'm amazed that so many people think they're entitled to anything the photographer shoots.   Getting the message out on copyright law is another issue.

Lots of work to do...

Number Three

To my surprise, I got my 3rd stripe on Monday.    It'll be a while though before the next one.  Only one more stripe and then a belt test...

Belt Testing

Yesterday I participated in a Jiu Jitsu belt testing session.  While I'm not ready for a new belt, just possibly an additional stripe (incremental progress).    I figured I'd give it a shot.    The session lasted a grueling  2 hours.    And I can't remember the last time I was this sore.   

First, we were tested on specific maneuvers.   That wasn't too bad although I did draw a blank on one question.    Then we moved to more drill based testing followed by full speed sparring sessions.    Surviving a long sessions depends on solid technique as good technical Jiu Jitsu shouldn't be very demanding in terms of strength (otherwise it's wrestling).    My conditioning was probably middle of the road, and being at a distinct size disadvantage against most of the students didn't help.    Towards the end, my heavier partners were just as fatigued as I was, but I had to deal with them rolling around on my chest.   

We get the results tomorrow.   I don't know if I'll have passed.   Having gone through it, I don't think I was ready.   But our Professor didn't stop me from testing.     And he was disappointed with much of the session.   I figure I'm only learning by the example of senior students...

MacBook Air & TSA

Apparently, the MacBook Air design is so good that some TSA employees didn't even believe it was a real computer.   

It sounds like they've got it figured out now.   I can only imagine how frustrating this would've been.

I had heard about the blog a few weeks ago.  A quick glance suggests it might actually be worth reading.