A Great Blog

Aperture 3.3 and the power of Smart Albums

2012-02-25T02:03:00.001-08:00

First off, I am a fan of Apple's Aperture program, have been using it since V1,0 (had lots of opportunities for improvement then ). Currently it's at V3.3 and it's developed into a mature, feature packed, stable program. I currently have about 110,000 images and videos in multiple referenced libraries, living on DROBO raids, Aperture has no problem tracking, managing, and modifying the images as I see fit.

Recently I received two requests for images, One was a request for a specific rider, in a specific motorcycle race, The 2011' Barbara Fritchie Classic . Easy enough as I only shot around 1200 images at the even. The next request involved one rider, and a whole series of races held by the Baltimore County Trail Riders Association in 2011. A bit tougher as I shot almost 9000 images at the race venues in last year.

Here's how Aperture and more specifically the Smart Albums made the task easy. First pass I looked at the images from the event date in "thumbnail view" which allows very fast scanning of galleries. I then used keyboard command to assign a color tag to all images that met the search requirement. Then I create a smart album based on that color. Paste in the riders name and # in the keyword metadata. Delete the color tags, and redefine the Smart Album criteria to reflect the riders name and number. I then use the Zenfolio export tools to move the requested products to a specific gallery. The Flickr export plugin to post to Flickr so I can post a link to Facebook. I was really surprised how quickly these tasks were accomplished.. Shout out to Apple, keep up the good work, allowing me "to get things done".

PressPausePlay by House of Radon

2012-01-21T11:13:00.001-08:00

http://vimeo.com/34608191

PressPausePlay

An extremely well done media project on the current state of electronic media from the inside.

Society has been given a gift. This wonderful film has captured the interior segments, discussed and speculated on it's ramifications. As is the case of so many of the best gifts, it was dreamed of, but not asked for. Many who profit will find this gift unwelcome and try to control, or even stifle it in the name of .........…whatever.

The "Old" look on this gift with speculation, the norm is changing. The old don't like change. It means learning new rules and at best once learnt, becoming a second rate player. Hence the attempts to control change. In the name of………..whatever.

The "Young" don' t look at this gift as a give at all, It's just there. Part of their world. Just there.

In the new paradigm all can play, be a part and produce. But the hard realty is the collective hive mind of the mass will dictate what will stay today, and what is relegated . That's the scary part, as this is the same mechanism that gave us chain restaurants, kept American Idol on TV, and of course made "The Twilight Saga" hit media.

A New Dawn, A New Day. Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T09:58:00.001-08:00

"Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Tis the season to be jolly, Don we now our gay apparel,Troll the ancient Yule tide carol, See the blazing Yule before us, Strike the harp and join the chorus. Follow me in merry measure, While I tell of Yule tide treasure, Fast away the old year passes, Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Sing we joyous, all together, Heedless of the wind and weather" (Yes, the La La Las have been removed as a public service. )

As expected a new dawn has brought a new day. The slate is clean, waiting for the story of 2012 to be drafted.. You have the pen, you tell the story.

Happy New Year from Me to You.. Buckle in, Hold on, & Enjoy the ride.

On two Winter weekends, not so long ago.

2011-12-24T03:07:00.001-08:00

Christmas Eve 2011

Seems the Holidays are not only fast approaching, but there here! And while I will, like so many, will extend Holiday greetings and wishes for a Happy New Year. I'd like to slip in a non-holiday thanks you.

First thanks to the Baltimore County Trail Riders Association for all the unsung efforts in making these events happen for 30 some years, and allowing me to capture the digital record of the events.. Thanks to the riders, sponsors, crews, family for their skills and sacrifices to provide us with the finest of 2 wheeled competition. And thanks to all the fans who brave the cooler temperatures in order to support this effort.

Should one care to visit the 4000 images from these two indoor events, enjoy.

BCTRA "Second Time Around" 12/17/11

BCTRA "Gone in 1 minute, 42 Seconds" 12/10/11

Gone in 1 Minute 42 Seconds.... BCTRA Indoor Flat Track Racing 121011 on Vimeo

2011-12-14T04:53:00.001-08:00

How bout some back story on this Video? When I shoot motion related events I like to shoot a lot of images, lots a lots of images. Why motion is hard to catch, it's easer out side with lots of light, but that makes indoors is even more of a challenge due to the lower light levels. And it is most important to have the camera pointed in the right direction, and focused on the subject(s). To me more shots = a greater chance of catching that "Once in a lifetime" special moment.

This image i shot at a NASCAR race at Dover Dl. Was totally a fluke. The wreck was already in progress and for once I had the camera to my eye, focused on the action, and a clear view, I actually squeezed off 5 shots before before everyone stood up.

But I ramble .. When one is looking at 1800 images, one better have a great workflow tool, and I use the best. Apple Aperture 3. It only took about 1 hour to do a 3 pass selection to get the real keepers and start post production. And what can I do with 1500 some images that are left? Make a movie out of them.. Of which you seen the first quick version I more or less threw together with Apple Final Cut Pro X NLE (Non Linear Video Editing) software and some event sound I recorded on a Zoom H4n. As long as it stays fun, it's all good right?

How fast is too fast, how close is too close?

2011-12-11T08:26:00.001-08:00

Shot the first of two BCTRA indoor events last night. Had at fantastic time and have 1798 images to proved it. Of course now I last nights images to deal with but also a backlog of images from Tuesdays Chapelgate There tics, production of "It's a Wonderful Life". And the Christmas light that don't work… Busy Busy Busy. More on both projects when I'm dug out a little. The link to images from last night will be posted on the website shortly.

It's a wonderful life"

Some teasers from last night to include Megan Bell being awarded for her scholastic achivement .

And what racing posting would be complete with out a crash?

How bout some racing action?

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas. www.wackytackychristmas.com

2011-11-29T03:49:00.001-08:00

Firstly I love Christmas, the memories, the songs, the warm feeling of goodwill, but not what it has become.. Think about it 100 years ago Christmas was basically a secular holiday, family gathering, and light gift giving. Largely seeped in Germanic traditions. Today it's non-stop exposure to print, broadcast media, even the internet, that invites up to Buy Buy Buy. Santa ditched his traditional sleigh for a new red Mercedes $250,000 SL300. The media would have us believe that many give new cars to spouse, siblings, wrapped in giant red bows. Giant RedBows where do you get them anyway? They're not sold in Kmart. What kind of message does this send out to the masses, well at least to the 99%.. Try harder, work harder and someday this could be you. Or sorry looser, maybe you can dream about buying a winning lottery ticket. The music. Each year I love to hear all the traditional Christmas songs. Once, not over and over and over, no matter where your go. Food shopping, why do I need to listen to "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" while buying a can of sauerkraut, some milk. Or while eating lunch in my favorite store front pizza joint? If a little medicine is good for you then lets take more cus it must be better. Well at least until the Alzheimer's, or death takes them away I still have those special memories of Christmas as only a 5 year old can have. All was good, all was bright and Santa and his Sleigh were coming tonight..

But how about WackyTackyChristmas I did this website about 6 years ago as a lark, just a virtual sandbox to play around with I feel is an overlooked segment of the Holiday, mainly bad Holiday outdoor lighting. Tasteless, excesses, all are fare game.

As Clark Griswold Jr. said to Senior in that venerable holiday classic movie Christmas Vacation "Dad. I owe everything I learned about outdoor lighting to you"

Currently playing in iTunes: Fir Coat by Widowspeak

Technorati Tags: blogging, Projects

Thanksgiving - A Retrospect.

2011-11-26T14:58:00.001-08:00

Well gang, it's time to again turn on Professor Pebody's "Way Back" Machine, and set the dial back to thanksgivings when I was a kid.

For us, or at least me, the Holiday was segmented into two parts.

Part 1… AM on TV, Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, more specifically the toy add, many of which it was the first showing and of course the end when Santa in the Fire Truck arrived at Macy's and climbed up the ladder to take station in Toyland. That was it! The official start to the Christmas count down. Before the event, nothing, like trying to Trick-r-Treat before Halloween, after that moment ,All Christmas all the time. When the New York Macy's Parade was over we sometime would switch over to the Detroit Parade just to kill time.. The Detroit Parade didn't hold the fascination for us as we wen't familiar with the local Detroit media personalties, or the sponsoring local merchants. But I do remember it always seemed to be snowing there, of which we had seen none of since the winter before and they had more toy adds. Usually we would drift back to our rooms to entrain ourselves until the afternoons event.

Part 2 PM "the meal

I can remember Hot steamy windows, crowded tables. Turkey, always turkey. Filling/stuffing, Whipped Sweet potatoes with marshmallow topping. Mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and the contents from a can of cranberry sauce , laying on it;s side. Sliced for your convenience. ( I swear I was the only one who ate it). There was always deserts but I can' t remember anything past the pumpkin pie.

Here's a link to my Thanksgiving meal on Flickr/Vimeo .

Bellydancer's Passionate for the Pink V2 (update 11/11/11 -AM )

2011-11-06T11:11:00.001-08:00

Local updates 01/01/12- AM

At least one pic from each act has been posted to the Flckr. Some images may have the wrong performer listed… If so, many apologies. Contact me and I'll correct quickly.

This weekend was the second annual running of "Belly Dancer Passionate for the Pink". To say the large assemblage of amateur Dancers (Middle Eastern, Modern, Ballet ), of all skill levels, coming together to showcase their craft in support of the "Susan G. Komen for the Cure" , was truly awe-inspiring, would be somewhat of an under statement. Captured 60 gig of media (over 1100 images and about 2 1/2 hours of HD video.) and filled my last chip, on the last shot, of the last act. Up side? Venue, performers, their performances, organizers, and of course the audience. Down side? Lugging about 100lbs of kit up three flights of stairs to the balcony, and then back down again to the car. What! Builds character and stamina you say? I'll have to take your word on it. . Hopefully the videos will follow suit. (? They all have some problemst). Enjoy.

NIK Color Effects 4 "The Cats Meow"

2011-10-29T08:39:00.001-07:00

Been a fan of NIK software for some years now with HDR pro and Silver Effect 2 being my go-to Just upgraded to Color Effect 4 and have been trying to get my head around it for about a week now. Are all reworks of old images using the software. The more I play the more impressed I've become .

A Tale of Two Days Rolled Up Into One.

2011-10-04T15:52:00.001-07:00

October 1 2011 Some days are pretty much empty, some are full. Saturday was one of the full ones. Dateline AM. 1115 Scott Kelby 4th Annual World Wide Photo Walk - LochRaven Dam Townson Md. Cool, cloudy, a hint of moisture. Been meaning to visit this place for some time.. And todays PhotoWalk made it happen.. I love dams, flat-out simple. Germany, Pa., of MD.. It doesn't matter, I will go out of my way to visit them. Dateline PM - 1700 Baltimore Trail Riders Association MC Flat Track. Delta Pa. Cooler, a light mist in the air turning to a light drizzle. If one would have offered a wager this event wouldn't run to completion, I would have taken it. And of course lost the wager.. Maybe one of the fasted cards on record, but every one who came got to race. And in the course of shooting I hit on something technique wise that might pay off at the indoors. Test

"X" marks the spot Part 1

2011-09-05T07:08:00.001-07:00

First Happy Labor Day to those in the US.. Relax and enjoy The firestorm around Apples release of their premiere Video editing platform, Final Cut Pro X, continues to burn. At this juncture there seems to be two very distinct factions involved here. New users who find it a easy to use, powerful piece of editing software. And users of the older, now legacy software, Final Cut Pro 7 and older. As a new user of Final Cut Pro x (frankly I could never afford the old full version, only a watered down variant. Final Cut Express.) I have to say, with a little help from Ripple Training ,the venerable Lynda.com and not to forget the virtual online sources like fcp.co and it's window to a growing user base, Final Cut Pro X is getting, familiar and easy to use. And I think this (training) is at the heart of the issue. FCPX is so much different then FCP7 that it seems some users try it, mark it as unusable because it just doesn't fit into their workflow, and join the badmouth team. Of course some of their bitches are legitimate. No support for XML, old plugging architecture, high end tape imports, and a propensity to crash (a lot). I'm sure the program was mature over time just as the orginal Final Cut Pro did over it's twenty year lifespan, which at the time was labeled and buggy, ill thought and hard to work with. (you get the picture) Next time we'll look at some of the features I love, love, love.. And why the program is working for me.

A Perfect Storm of sorts.

2011-08-29T18:38:00.001-07:00

Sometimes out of the most spontaneous of events, doors can open, curtains can be pulled back, on new worlds yet unseen by this seasoned traveler. Let me set a stage of sorts. Midweek a very close friend and colleague, MaryStarMagic, discovered Jay Kishor, Sitar and Surbahar maestro, and frequent visitor to her house was placed in a hard spot by some very short deadlines for a cover photos for an upcoming CD. I was asked if interested in helping, and true to form I jumped in to offer full support to the project. About the time we were talking up the shoot, a tropical storm named Irene decided to take aim on the Eastern Seaboard of the US, of which last I looked, was where the Washington DC area was located. Saturday arrived, both the scheduled day of the shoot and projected arrival of the hurricane later that evening. To say there wasn't some frantic emails back in forth would be a lie. But press on we did arriving at the site of the shoot early enough to hopefully avoid the storm.. What unfolded was more then the sum of the parts. Jay turned out to be one of the most warm and open people I've had the opportunity of meeting in many years. As the sky's darkened outside with the hurricanes arrival, inside the shoot progressed with a easy productive tempo. With a subject such as Jay it really didn't take long to get our shots, We were treated to first a wonderful lunch by Jays production manager, Savana and then to a short sampling of music form their upcoming CD.. Does magical seen to strong of a word for the experience.. Actually it's not. As it was. I could have stayed all day, but Hurricane Irene had other plans for us. The rains had started and we high tailed it back up north to home and kin.. Nuff for now.

"Dust-n-Dirt" - A peek into the (my) creative process.

2011-08-21T06:44:00.001-07:00

I will fist preface this posting with a single statement "It has been a struggle with this project to date" This video is dedicated to the memory of Gary Nixon..... Over at www.fdphotovideo.com I've finally posted a link to a shot teaser video, ( well a short teaser of the intro segment) of my current video project currently titled "Dust-n-Dirt" (Always subject to change of course, as is my customs) It will be composed of HD video captured on my 5DMII, stills DV video from tape, captured audio from my Zoom 4HN audio record over the last 4 years at Baltimore County Trail Riders @ AMA motorcycle flat track events. Final Cut Pro X has been both a curse and a blessing. A blessing because I understand it more than any of it predecessors, bar none. It's allowed me to do things I never could with the older versions. And I'm still learning which is part of the curse. As I learn something new I want to go back and change what already is in place. So nothing is really completed, ever. And a curse because FCPX & the New Lion OS can really tax a 5 year old low memory computer. Like bring it to a complete halt, freeze, stop, whatever. Until I can "Push Z Button" reboots are now a way of life.

Dust-n-Dirt - Intro Trailer - (Teaser) from DigitalDoug on Vimeo.

BCTRA After the Gold Rush A retrospect

2011-08-14T06:17:00.001-07:00

A visit to the track the day after the final event.

How long has it been? July 3? I'm falling behind almost too much to catch up on but I'll try.

(Quick note, seem my old favorite blogging software BLOGO doesn't support the new Mac OS 10.7, so I'm giving MarsEdit a try until……. BLOGO comes up with an updated version, I find something cheaper <$39.00-ouch> , the 30 day trial is up and I have to buy.)

But I digress, back to orginal story line.

The 5 race BCTRA Kevin Mcnicholas Memorial Short Track Racing Series has come & gone As schedule would have it, I only had the opportunity to attend the 4 Friday night sessions, but I'll take what I can get. How can you even begin to look back at those 4 night of action? The racing was hot (so was the weather for the first 2 sessions if I recall), attendance light compared to other years. Seeing as the new groundbreaking Mac video software package Final Cut Pro X is in my toolbox, this year I decided to try something completely different. Less captured images, more HD video for a project I decided to undertake, attempting to capture some of the special magic offered up by the BCTRA and the dedicate army of local racers. Unnamed as of yet, it has been quite the learning experience. The video part is easy as long as one keeps it simple, trying fancy Hollywood techniques, like extreme DOF in daylight using neutral density filters, maybe not the best idea. Slide tracks, again a cool effect, but a real PITA to drag around. The interviews presented a "whole-nother" challenge, like sound. Which bit me in the but all 4 nights. I got better at it but their is room for improvement. End state I shot less images, maybe less then 2K for the whole series compared to the 10K I shot at last years events. But captured over 2 hours of interviews, race and "B" roll segments. Enough for now, back to processing media from Friday night. 1385 stills 1 hr of DV video, 38 min of HD video. Lots of material to work with.

Gary Nixon RIP You will be missed by me and the local racing community.

(Note: Links to all my racing images can always be found at my FDPhotovideo Website)

A Cut in Time -- Final Cut Pro X -

2011-07-03T08:20:00.001-07:00

Final Cut Pro X - A non professional look.

Ok I pushed the button (by mistake), I have the software, On initial look iMovie it's not. A Pro Video editor I'm not, but iMovie doesn't cut it. Final Cut Pro 7 costs to much and Final Cut Express is getting a bit dated. Time to dig in and learn the in's and out's of the new kid on the block. I've taken on a request from a friend to make a digital collection of highlights from trips to Ireland from several VCR tapes. HD it will be not but it will give me a hands on dealing with the powerful cataloging functions of FCPX.. Updates as they happen

Pair-O-Videos

2011-06-18T15:39:00.001-07:00

This was a very unusual week for me. I actually finished up one long open video project, and completed another video project that for various reasons had fallen off the production schedule.

The long open project was a video compilation of images I shot while supporting the "Rebuilding Together, Howard County Project in in April. I made the video right after the project and it sat, I never finished it. It took a request for more images from the project manager to remember this video was sitting around waiting for a home..

The second video project was driven by a capture made in Lancaster Pa. during a photowalk, of a lovely young street performer (Brittany Clawson), entertaining passerby's outside the Central Market with her violin. If memory serves I shot a series of still images of her playing, and walked away. When the softly receding strains of Ashokan Farewell (made famous by Ken Burns classic, "The Civil War") reached me, I stopped in my tracks and quickly returned to request a repeat for the camera. I married up that video with some clips shot last fall in Gettysburg to showcase her talent.

Linthicum 4H Hi Riders 662011

2011-06-11T17:50:00.001-07:00

The day started out threatening rain. but then the sun came out and became HOT and dusty. With 56 posted equestrian events, it promised to be a long day.

But seeing how the riders faced the same conditions, I toughed it out. The faces of the competitors after the events made it all worth while. I had a great time and look forward to the next event.

Link to event Galleries

On Public Service

2011-06-11T07:17:00.001-07:00

Just finished a string of two public service endeavors on behest of the CMPG

Rebuilding Together Howard County

"Smoky Joe's Cafe' " a musical presentation by Chapelgate Theatrics CPC

Being involved can be a good thing for the psyche, at least for me it is.
Note these events were in April... Maybe some procrastinating going on here.

And the Winner is?...........

2011-04-29T13:56:00.001-07:00

Craig Thoburn - Westcott Warrior

Congratulations to my friend Craig Thoburn for his "Westcott Warrior" image being selected as the top prize winner in Westcott's recent "Photo Shop World" photo contest on Flickr. I always felt his skill with a camera and Photo Shop is nothing short of amazing, guess the judges felt the same . Again my heart felt congratulations to Craig on this honor.

About the iPad, Netfix and crackers.

2011-04-10T12:33:00.001-07:00

iPad's, Netflix and Crackers. What does that have to do with anything?
Last Thursday Craig, a good friend and incredibly talented photographer lent me his older iPad (V1) for a few days. Of course the official task was to check out, and troubleshoot iPad specific WordPress plugin i've installed over at the Central Maryland Photographers' Guild website. Which was done but sadly most of it's use can be categorized as:

Laying in bed, watching documentaries on Netflix, while my hands are exploring the inside of a not doctor approved, box of crackers .

Of course not all the time was spent on Netflix, I played around with apps mirrored over from my iPhone. (Did I mention I love apps?) Time was spent viewing some training vids on Lynda,com, and maybe even a little "Angry Birds" time was logged.

While all but one of the iPod touch/iPhone apps worked on the iPad, some were standouts
The Audubon app was much better on a bigger screen, MovieSlate likewise. The image slideshows of myHDR's from the Air and Space Museumwere breathtaking, as good or better as portrayed. The Flickr experience was much better than on the smaller devices, much....much better.
As I user the iPod Touch/IPhone apps a lot and is painfully aware of the small screen limitations, I'm not surprised how much I enjoyed the iPad experience overall.
But as in many fairy tails.. this one had to end on a sad note....... Mainly I have to package it up so as to give back tomorrow, and the finances just wouldn't support a iPod purchase in the near term. Guess I'm just left with the Crackers box and the need for a winning lottery ticket for the time being.

Smithsonian Air & Space in HDR - Update

2011-02-27T15:38:00.001-08:00

Earlier this week while in Northern Virginia for some Lean Six Sigma Project Management training, I had an opportunity for a short, no cost, visit to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center located off Dulles Air Port in Chantilly.

Let me preface, The Short because we finished class at 4 and while the Center is only about 3/4 of mile away, it closes at 5:30. Free, because the normal $15.00 parking fee is waved after 4 PM. As my cameras and gear ( sorry monopods only) were already packed in the car, I made a mad dash over to the UHC. On the way over I decided tho shoot the entire visit with bracketed exposure so I could make HDR images if warranted. And as it turned out, in the hour or so I was in the Museum there was time for about 100 bracketed shots, of which many were turned into HDR images with NIK Software HDR EFEX Pro , my new HRD favorite, which allows a almost unlimited range of styles and adjustments pre image set.

Not to be forgotten was an attempt at a B&W HDR image

The wealth of subject, just sitting or hanging around.............. make this place a must visit for all in the area... 15 buck a car parking on not.

4/6/2011 More images from another quick visit last week....

View the Flickr Set with images from both Visits

DSLR Video, the shape of things to come..

2011-02-13T19:23:00.001-08:00

One item to address before tonight entry.
1. Same great taste but less filling
I've decided to combine the fdphotovideo &dougmillerphotos blogs to reduce my burden. Hopefully this will result in a more consistence posting pattern. As I'd like to start posting several times a week it sounds good right now but only time will tell for sure.

2. DSLR Video the voice that changed the media.
Attended a Penn Camera HD-DSLR Filmmaking training session this weekend led by Tom Sullivan from Gravity Media. Tom's been professional photographer and videographer for over 20 years with a very impressive body of work, and speaks from a wealth of real world, eyes on, knowledge. His message is relativity simple. DLSR HD video is sweeping the industry. Many TV show, parts of some movies and 60% of all commercials are now being shot with Canon 5DMII's. Up from 0% a few years ago. And it's really all about costs, in the industry a $2500 camera, $2000 lens, and a #2500 rig are still almost throwaway items, considering the super high production costs only a very few years ago. Lower equipment costs are also allowing more small production companies to output quality work so they can throw their collective hats into the ring. With the erosion of the mid to low cost, Wedding Photography Business, one of the bright points is the growing demand for quality videos telling the Bride & Groom's story. Which are more and more likely to be shot on DSLRs, by artists who know how to get that film like results, that brides love. The prize will go to those who are quickest to embrace these new technologies and techniques.

Polar Bear Plunge 2011

2011-01-30T19:21:00.001-08:00

On Saturday Jan 29th I was part of the media shooting at The Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge @ Sandy Point State Park benefiting the Maryland Special Olympics. An amazing, incredible, almost indescribable, social event as some 12 thousand people plunged into the Chesapeake Bay to benefit the Special Olympics of Maryland
Local Radio Morning Hosts Amelia & Josh Spiegil , take an early morning plunge in the chilly 33d water of Sandy Point State Park in support of the "Super Plungers" and MD Special Olympics

Seconds before the official start of 1 PM plunge, when anticipation is transformed into action.

action

Plunge On!

Don't be a Chicken Jump in.

Yes it was cold but the unbridled dedication of the plungers kept us all warm.
Thanks to all who came and supported this fine event.

Cold as Ice.. and not outdoors.

2011-01-08T06:42:00.001-08:00

While working to complete a project due this week it has become evident the aperture library contain all the 2000-2008 projects, versions, keywords, locations. are located on the failed Drobo. Sure I have all the images stored on other drives, but realizing not having that Aperture library, and from web searches, not really not expecting Drobo to proved any real support that will restore the data contained, sends a cold chill down my spine.. My mood is now as fowl as the weather outside. Gone Gone Gone,