A Photographer's Blog

After World War One Attack On The U.S., Statue Of Liberty Torch Remains Closed.

samdamico — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:58:38 +0000

: The arm hand and torch of the Statue Of Liberty as viewed from the underside. File Photo.

Close up of the arm, hand and torch of the Statue Of Liberty as viewed from the underside. File Photo.

Click on the photograph of the underside detail of the arm, hand and torch of the Statue Of Liberty to see more information and a larger version.

Earlier this month, the crown of The Statue Of Liberty was re-opened to visitors after being closed since the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center [1] but the torch, which has been closed since an attack on the US during World War One will remain closed.

The event that closed public access to the right arm and torch of the Statue of Liberty is mostly overlooked in history classes and at the monument also. [2]

On July 30, 1916, an attack by German saboteurs blew up Europe-bound munitions at a Jersey City, N.J., dock. The explosions were so strong that they popped rivets in the raised arm of the monument across the New York Harbor. [2]

According to the librarian of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, Barry Moreno, “The Army immediately closed the torch down. With the war on in Europe and the sabotage of the Lehigh Valley Railroad munitions dock, the war seemed to be getting closer and closer. The Army was more interested in security.” [2]

Story Related Links:

[1] http://aphotographersblog.net/2009/07/02/statue-of-liberty-crown-to-reopen-to-visitors-on-july-4-2009/

[2] http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-5liberty.6939715jul04,0,1112955.story

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Mannie Garcia’s Two Cents

samdamico — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:45:40 +0000

“Manuel Garcia — has now moved to intervene in the action, claiming that he — and not the Associated Press — is the owner of the copyright in the photograph.”

Mannie Garcia has finally intervened in the lawsuits surrounding the famous Barack Obama Campaign Posters [1]

According to A Photo Editor “Manuel Garcia — has now moved to intervene in the action, claiming that he — and not the Associated Press — is the owner of the copyright in the photograph.” [2]

[1] http://aphotographersblog.net/2009/02/10/progress-hope-and-copyright/

[2]http://www.aphotoeditor.com/2009/07/13/mannie-garcia-seeks-intervention-in-ap-v-shepard-fairey/

Backyard Fireworks, Sewell NJ, July 2007.

samdamico — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:05:43 +0000

A display of fireworks in daylight makes a vertical ascent outdoors in a backyard located in the suburb of Sewell, NJ.

Click on the photograph of Backyard Fireworks, Sewell NJ, July 2007.
to see more information and a larger version.

Background Information:

While attending a party in the NJ suburb of Sewell, NJ fireworks were bring ignited in the backyard at around 5:00pm. The view of the fireworks during daytime, in an empty suburban backyard, struck me as surreal. Although I did not think of this at the time I created the picture, as I look at the photograph now It reminds me of the burning bush from the Biblical narrative.

Compositional Information:

I framed horizontally to include as much as the backyard as possible. I placed the fireworks in the center, insuring their prominence , and set the shutter speed at 1/30th second, the slowest shutter speed I could get away with while hand holding the camera. I chose the slowest shutter speed that I could because I wanted the backyard to be sharp and defined, but I wanted light trails that would be created by any fast moving sparks.

I spot metered off of the edges of the fireworks to include some of the backyard area and the AV priority mode of the camera went to f-8. Considering that the scene was high contrast, metering off of the edges resulted in a compromise between the areas where I wanted to hold detail.

Technical Information:

Subfile Type:Full-resolution Image

Image Width:3072

Image Height:2304

Bits Per Sample:8 8 8

Compression:Uncompressed

Photometric Interpretation:RGB

Image Description:7/22/2007-A display of fireworks makes a vertical ascent in a backyard located in the suburb of Sewell, NJ.

Make:SONY

Camera Model Name:DSC-V3

Strip Offsets:33958

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Planar Configuration:Chunky

Resolution Unit:inches

Software:Adobe Photoshop CS2 Macintosh

Modify Date:2009-06-25 17:15:34 GMT

Artist:Sam D’Amico

Exposure Time:30

F Number:8.0

Exposure Program:Shutter speed priority AE

ISO:100

Exif Version:0221

Date/Time Original:2007-07-22 20:50:23 GMT

Create Date:2007-07-22 20:50:23 GMT

Shutter Speed Value:30

Aperture Value: 8.0

Max Aperture Value:2.8

Metering Mode:Spot

Light Source:Daylight

Flash:Off

Focal Length:7.0mm

File Source:Digital Camera

Scene Type:Directly photographed

Custom Rendered:Normal

Exposure Mode:Auto

White Balance:Manual

Scene Capture Type:Standard

Links:

None

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Statue Of Liberty Crown To Reopen To Visitors On July 4, 2009.

samdamico — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:42:14 +0000

Close up of the Staue of Liberty photographed from the side showing the book, crown and torch.

Click on the photograph of the Statue-Of-Liberty-Close-Up-Side-View to see more information and a larger version.

I know I’m a bit late on this story, but at least I made it before the actual opening. Better late than never.

From a press release issued by the National Park Service on May 8, 2009 and a pdf document on how to get tickets :

“The American public will once again be able to visit the crown of the Statue of Liberty, which was closed after the 9/11 attacks for safety and security reasons. ” [1]

“On July 4th, we are giving America a special gift,” Salazar said. “We are once again inviting the public to celebrate our great nation and the hope and opportunity it symbolizes by climbing to Lady Liberty’s crown for a unique view of New York Harbor, where the forbearers of millions of American families first saw the new world.” [1]

“crown reservations may be made through the Statue Cruises Web site at www.statuecruises.com or by phone at 877- LADY-TIX (877-523-9849). Crown tickets may be reserved up to 1 year in advance.” [2]

Story Related Links:

[1] http://home.nps.gov/news/release.htm?id=865

[2] http://www.nps.gov/stli/upload/STLI-FAQs_Crown%20Tickets_Final.pdf

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Australian Freshwater Crocodile Reflected In Water. Crocodylus johnstoni.

samdamico — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:37:30 +0000

May 9, 2008. The National Aquarium. Inner Harbor area of Baltimore, Maryland. Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes! exhibit.

Click on the photograph of the Australian Freshwater Crocodile
to see more information and a larger version.

Background Information:

What If I told you that I photographed this Australian Freshwater Crocodile while I was in the Outback of Australia.

If I told you that I was in the Outback of Australia, I’d be lying; I was at the National Aquarium located in the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore, Maryland.

Fortunately for me, since I’m as much a wildlife photographer as I am a neurosurgeon, we can get some interesting wildlife photographs at some not so wild places.

This Australian Freshwater Crocodile was on display during the Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes! exhibit.

While researching this reptile I learned that it is also called Johnston’s crocodile, Australian freshwater crocodile, “Freshie”, Fish crocodile, Johnston’s river crocodile and Crocodylus johnstoni. [1]

“The Australian freshwater crocodile is a relatively small crocodilian which rarely exceeds 2.5 to 3 m in the wild and takes many years (at least 30) to reach this size. Females general reach a maximum size of 2.0 to 2.1 metres. The shape of the snout is unusually narrow and tapering, lined with numerous sharp teeth (unlike the blunter teeth found in larger C. porosus). The body colour is light brown with darker bands on the body and tail – these tend to be broken up near the neck. Some individuals possess distinct bands or speckling on the snout. Body scales are relatively large, with wide, closely-knit armoured plates on the back. Rounded, pebbly scales cover the flanks and outsides of the legs.” [1]

Compositional Information:

The reflections of the reeds and crocodile were almost mirror like in the still water of the display.

Shooting in manual mode I spot metered off of a brighter area of the crocodile and overexposed by approximately two stops.

Composing horizontally I wanted to split the frame (horizontally) down the middle with the reflecting line of the crocodile and reeds. I think I succeeded with the reeds, not so much with the crocodile.

My exposure was f-4 at 1/30. I pressed the lens against the glass of the display to steady the camera and remove any possible reflections from the glass itself.

I assumed that the light in the display was approximately 5200 K to simulate sunlight so I set my white balance to cloudy to warm the photograph.

In Lightroom, since I capture using Raw files, I reset whit balance to cloudy and saved as a tif file in Photoshop.

Technical Information:

Subfile Type: Full-resolution Image

Image Width: 3072

Image Height: 2304

Bits Per Sample: 8 8 8

Compression: Uncompressed

Photometric Interpretation: RGB

Image Description: May 9, 2008. The National Aquarium. Inner Harbor area of Baltimore, Maryland. Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes! exhibit

Make: SONY

Camera Model Name: DSC-V3

Strip Offsets: 25884

Samples Per Pixel: 3

Rows Per Strip: 2304

Strip Byte Counts: 21233664

X Resolution: 300

Y Resolution: 300

Planar Configuration: Chunky

Resolution Unit: inches

Modify Date: 2009-06-07 19:54:36 GMT

Artist: Sam D’Amico

Exposure Time: 1/30

F Number: 4.0

Exposure Program: Manual

ISO: 400

Exif Version: 0221

Date/Time Original: 2008-05-09 13:52:28 GMT

Create Date: 2008-05-09 13:52:28 GMT

Shutter Speed Value: 1/30

Aperture Value: 4.0

Max Aperture Value: 2.8

Metering Mode: Spot

Light Source: Cloudy

Flash: Off

Focal Length: 28.0mm

File Source: Digital Camera

Scene Type: Directly photographed

Custom Rendered: Normal

Exposure Mode: Manual

White Balance: Manual

Scene Capture Type: Standard

Links:

[1] http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/cnhc/csp_cjoh.htm

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New York Times Writer Decorates Her Apartment With Pictures From Flickr. Thinks “I’m in the clear”.

samdamico — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:53:50 +0000

If I pass a store and it has an outdoor display on the sidewalk, I could take whatever is out there, right? After all, the display is on a public sidewalk, so whatever is in public and easy to take, is anyone’s property, yes ?

Of course not. Just because something is in public and easy to take does not mean we could take it. It’s someones property and if you take it, you’re stealing.

Sometimes I find the ignorance of people astounding ! Especially when people who should know better are engaging in such behavior and THEN, using their public platform, encouraging the masses to join them in their kleptomaniac ways.

A writer from the NY Times, Sonia Zjawinski, advocates taking pictures from Flikr to decorate her home.

A post on the blog A Photo Editor titled “NYTimes Advocates Stealing Photos From Flickr To Decorate” [1] has confirmed that the ignorance of some people is unfathomable.

Here’s a quote:

“And if you’re wondering about copyright issues (after all, these aren’t my photos), the photos are being used by me for my own, private, noncommercial use. I’m not selling these things and not charging admission to my apartment, so I think I’m in the clear.”

SHE THINKS WRONG !!! Unless she has been granted permission from the copyright owner of the photograph(s), she is stealing (committing copyright infringement) and denying the photographer who may derive an income from selling prints any money that they would have made by selling that print.

This writer should be ashamed of herself and charged with copyright infringement by every photographer who has not granted her permission to take their work.

I’m getting too worked up about this. Before I start using words that really express my feeling about this writer I encourage you to link to the post [1]. You’ve got to read this stuff to believe it !!!

Links:

[1] http://www.aphotoeditor.com/2009/06/25/nytimes-advocates-stealing-photos-from-flickr-to-decorate/

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The Worth of Your Work, aka “Content”, In The Digital Age.

samdamico — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:38:45 +0000

Video from the writers strike in 2007. Replace the word writer with photographer.

As someone states in the Voices of Uncertainty video “content is going to be more and more and more important”.

We (photographers, writers and other artists ) are the content providers. The media corporations/publishers are making money hand over fist with digital content, CONTENT THAT WE CREATE, yet they don’t want to pay us for the use of our work. Use their product without paying them and you’ll find yourself slapped with a copyright infringement suit. The hypocrisy and greed of these corporations is astounding.

YouTube – Not The Daily Show, With Some Writer.

YouTube – Voices of Uncertainty.

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A Case Study About The Business Of Art From The Harvard Business School

samdamico — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:42:20 +0000

Why would someone pay $500.00 for a trash-bin or $200.00 for a toilet brush? [1] Believe it or not, for those of us in the creative industries, there’s a lesson in the answer.

In the article titled “It Is Okay for Artists to Make Money…No, Really, It’s Okay” [1] associate professor Robert D. Austin examines the apparent conflict between artistic and commercial objectives within creative companies.

The PDF link [1] is the entire thirty-one page paper.

The html link [2] contains the Executive Summary and Abstract.

Some quotes to pique your interest:

“The Vipp example attracted us, as researchers, because the company sells products in categories that consumers have traditionally valued functionally, not aesthetically. Most people mostly care about how well a trashcan or toilet brush does its job. That has determined how much people will pay for one: how well it works. But not these trashcans and toilet brushes. There’s no way functionality alone can justify their prices. People must be buying something else—something worth a lot.” [1]

“There are three fallacies, often implicit, about relationships between art and commerce: (1) art is a luxury and an indulgence, (2) art is clearly distinguishable from “non-art,” and (3) commerce dominates and corrupts art, and subverts its purpose.”[2]

“…the interests of art, artists, and business can be best served if more commerce enters into the world of art, not less.”[2]

Links:

(1) http://www.hbs.edu/research/pdf/09-128.pdf

(2) http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/6193.html

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A Rainy Day In the Columbia Heights Section of Washington DC.

samdamico — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:38:12 +0000

December 19, 2008. 1400 block of Girard Street NW. An apartment building in the Columbia Heights section of Washington DC viewed through a rain covered window.

Click on the photograph for more image information.

My decision to post the above photograph was prompted by the weather this morning.

While working one day I looked out the window and decided to photograph what I saw as a gloomy day.

Using my perception of “gloomy” to drive my composition, I chose a white balance of fluorescent to give the image a feeling of “the blues”. Since I wanted to communicate a mood instead of the details of the scene, I threw the image out of focus to militate any details that a viewer may get caught up in.

During processing in Lightroom, sine I capture in RAW, I had to to reapply the fluorescent white balance setting. I then applied noise reduction and used lens vignetting to darken the corners.

EXIF Data

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Image Width: 3072

Image Height: 2304

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Compression: Uncompressed

Photometric Interpretation: RGB

Image Description: December 19, 2008. 1400 block of Girard Street MW. An apartment building in the Columbia Heights section of Washington DC viewed through a rain covered window.

Make: SONY

Camera Model Name: DSC-V3

Strip Offsets: 29088

Samples Per Pixel: 3

Rows Per Strip: 2304

Strip Byte Counts: 21233664

X Resolution: 300

Y Resolution: 300

Planar Configuration: Chunky

Resolution Unit: inches

Modify Date: 2009-06-18 10:26:23 GMT

Artist: Sam D’Amico

Exposure Time: 1/125

F Number: 4.0

Exposure Program: Manual

ISO: 200

Exif Version: 0221

Date/Time Original: 2008-12-19 13:26:19 GMT

Create Date: 2008-12-19 13:26:19 GMT

Shutter Speed Value: 1/125

Aperture Value: 4.0

Max Aperture Value: 2.8

Metering Mode: Spot

Light Source: Fluorescent

Flash: Off

Focal Length: 13.9mm

File Source: Digital Camera

Scene Type: Directly photographed

Custom Rendered: Normal

Exposure Mode: Manual

White Balance: Manual

Scene Capture Type: Standard

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Kutztown Folk Festival Celebrates 60th. Year.

samdamico — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:47:15 +0000

Kutztown Folk Festival. Hex Sign And Pedestrian At The Midway. (Click on the photograph to see more images from the Kutztown Folk Festival)

WILKUM !

The 2009 Kutztown Folk Festival (1) marks the event’s 60th year anniversary (2).

The primarily agricultural festival celebrates Pennsylvania Dutch Culture and runs this year from June 27 – July 5, 9am – 6pm.

If you would like to, learn more about this festival and see more pictures, please click on the photograph above.

(2) http://www.kutztownfestival.com/blogfest/?p=10

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