Random Connections – Page 66 – A collection of photography and exploration focusing on Upstate South Carolina and beyond.

Fun with Cinemagraphs – Part 1

March 19, 2015March 26, 2015 Tom No Comments

I just learned about a photographic technique. A cinemagraph is based on the animated GIF format, but is a far cry from the dancing baloney that gave animated GIFs a bad name in the late 1990s. Cinemagraphs are a combination of still imagery with subtle motion, kind of like the photographs in the Harry Potter movies.

This is not a new technique – the first documented example was for a video game in 2008. The term was coined in 2011 by Kevin Burg and Jamie Beck, who used the technique in their fashion photography. Here’s an example from their website, cinemagraphs.com:

Spring Break in Florida – Part Four, Air Boating in Blue Cypress Swamp

March 19, 2015March 26, 2015 Tom No Comments

Photography, Travel

The Blue Cypress Conversation Area is a large lake/swamp area west of Vero Beach near the community of Fellsmere. We’ve visited this spot before, taking a short walk along the banks of the lake. We had made note of the air boats along the banks on that trip, and said we needed to come back and take a tour. Amy decided to take Friday off, so we decided it was the perfect time to take one.

Turns out this is a popular time of year for air boating. We couldn’t get reservations on our first choice, but there was space available with Florida Airboat Excursions. At the appointed time we drove on over.

Spring Break in Florida – Part Three, Indrio School

March 15, 2015March 27, 2015 Tom 1 Comment

Photography, Travel

I’ve been coming down here now for over a quarter of a century. Each time we exit I-95 and take Indrio Road over to Old Dixie Road. The speed limit drops drastically on Indrio Road as it passes through the community surrounding Taylor Dairy. Live oaks drape over the road and while enchanted looking, they cause something of a bottleneck on this major route to the Interstate.

There have been some attempts to widen the road, but it would destroy the beautiful trees. Alas, time and disease may do what thwarted plans were not able to do. The trees are dying, and it may be just a matter of time.

Spring Break in Florida – Part Two, Island Hopping

March 13, 2015March 26, 2015 Tom No Comments

Paddling, Photography, Travel

Of course I brought a boat with me. Amy has a boat ramp in her back yard, so I would be foolish not to take advantage of multiple paddling opportunities. That is, as long as the weather cooperates.

And the weather was being a bit persnickety. Sunday the breezes kept me off the water, but Monday morning I headed out. The water was still choppy. The wind was coming from the south, blowing the same direction as the incoming tide. I headed south, planning to paddle against the current and wind early in the trip, then take advantage of it on the way back.

Spring Break in Florida – Part One, Kissimmee Prairie

March 12, 2015March 26, 2015 Tom No Comments

Family, Paddling, Photography, Travel

This week is Spring Break for Furman. Spring Break doesn’t have much meaning for me since I’m now retired, but Laura has had a busy term now that she’s chair of Furman’s Chemistry Department. She needed the break, and wanted to check in with her mom, so we headed down to her sister’s house in Florida. Of course, this happened with a car loaded down with camera gear, paddling gear, and my favorite kayak strapped to the roof.

The trip down on Saturday was uneventful. There were lots of other spring breakers headed south, including some from Furman. I think one spotted my FU on the side of my kayak (which stands for Furman University, and not any other perceived meaning) and gave me a thumbs up. It was also bike week in Daytona, so we passed LOTS of bikers.

The Bells of Europe

March 5, 2015 Tom 2 Comments

Entertainment, Miscellaneous

Many years ago my brother Houston told me about a radio documentary entitled “The Bells of Europe,” which came out in 1973. Houston liked it so much that he ordered a cassette tape of the show, which I listened to, as well. It was an excellent show that documented the history of the bells of the cathedrals of Europe, from their creation to the destruction of many to build cannons for war.

The drama was the creation of Peter Leonhard Braun, a German radio pioneer. Braun’s intent was take radio outside of the studio. With audio recording equipment improving and becoming more portable, Braun wanted to explore the possibilities of creating audio documentaries on-site, and the Bells of Europe was the first of these documentaries.

GeoPodcasting Revisited

February 28, 2015 Tom 1 Comment

Geocaching and Maps, Internet, Music, Podcast

Back in 2007 I wrote an post entitled “Geopodcasting – Adding Location to Audio.” I had just given a talk at SC EdTech on geotagging, and the post was meant to explore the idea of geotagging audio files.

There have been lots of changes in the seven and a half years since that post came out. I wanted to revisit the subject and see what tools and options are now available for for adding location data to audio.

Back in 2007 photo geotagging was just taking off. It was (and still is, to some extent) a tricky process. Back then smart phones weren’t as prevalent, so not too many people had a hand-held device that could combine GPS, imagery, and audio. Today we have iPhones, Androids, and various tablets that can do all of this. So you would think that the process would be much easier. But is it?

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Farewell Spock

February 28, 2015 Tom No Comments

Entertainment

Yesterday the world learned of the death of Leonard Nimoy, Mr. Spock of Star Trek fame. As you might imagine, there has already been a tremendous amount of eulogizing about a beloved character, actor, and human being. I don’t intend to repeat that, or post yet another image of the funeral scene from Wrath of … Read More “Farewell Spock” »

Sacred Music, A Sacred Space, and a Remembrance

February 22, 2015February 23, 2015 Tom No Comments

Music

Today was our concert with the Greenville Chorale Chamber Ensemble. This is the small, 20-voice ensemble directed by Bing Vick. The concert, entitled Sacred Music for a Sacred Place, was held at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Greenville. For me, it was a bittersweet experience. This morning I learned of the sudden death of … Read More “Sacred Music, A Sacred Space, and a Remembrance” »

Podcast Episode 2 – Feedback Wanted

February 22, 2015 Tom No Comments

History and Genealogy, Podcast

taphophile (plural taphophiles) A person who is interested in cemeteries, funerals and gravestones People often wander through old cemeteries, and they do so for different reasons. Some are interested in genealogy and finding ancestors. Some are interested in the history represented by the lives lived within the cemetery. Some like the artwork of the headstones, … Read More “Podcast Episode 2 – Feedback Wanted” »