OTT used a few of my photos of Haga’s crash at Tooele Corner when Ben Spies talks about Haga’s crash at Miller.
Haga Crash Photos included in OTT video
July 2nd, 2009Riders for Health
June 30th, 2009I’ve been speaking to some of you lately about my recent involvement with an organization called Riders for Health, and if I’ve not shared this link with you already, I invite you to check out this short video which explains better than I what Riders does that is so important.
Though I had heard about Riders before last summer, it wasn’t until I attended the 2008 Day of Champions event at Donington Park that I really started paying attention. My good friend Mark and I attended that Thursday before the British GP and got to wander around the paddock a bit before James Toseland’s band, Crash, played to the crowd assembled to support Riders For Health.
Toseland is one of many in the Grand Prix paddock who support Riders for Health, which has become the official charity of the FIM, the organization which oversees international motorcycle racing. The main event at the Day of Champions is the charity auction to raise money to support Riders. Here you can bid on one of a kind items such as a helmet or gloves worn and then signed by Valentino Rossi or Casey Stoner. The Grand Prix riders and teams offer a fantastic level of support for this organization.
But perhaps no motorcycle racer has had a greater influence on Riders For Health than Randy Mamola, who co-founded the organization with Andrea and Barry Coleman. You can read the story here. Randy continues to support Riders in ways that only he can, which to a large extent means leveraging his insider access to the MotoGP paddock and its personnel. It’s a bit hard to imagine just what Riders would be without Randy’s support and continued participation.
Some months ago, Bill Collins contacted me about donating a photograph he’d purchased from me to the Day of Stars, Laguna Seca’s version of Donington’s Day of Champions. I thanked Bill for the gesture, and asked him to keep his photograph and allow me to donate one in its place. In the mean time, I was speaking to another client about Riders as I helped her prepare for her Turn 5 hospitality chalet. She generously agreed to donate two tickets to her event (which will be auctioned at the upcoming Day of Stars).
When I was in Qatar, I saw Randy in the paddock and approached to ask how best to proceed concerning the items we had to contribute. I was pretty sure Riders would want to offer the PSD tickets, but I had no idea if they would want a photograph from me. Randy put me in touch with Andrea Coleman, and eventually I was pleased to meet in person with Adam Silver, who heads up the local Riders chapter. Adam works in San Francisco for a hi-tech company and is also an avid motorcyclist. He brings a fantastic generosity and enthusiasm to the unique position he’s in to help Riders For Health.
It was through Adam that I got the opportunity to participate in my own small way with the most recent Riders benefit event, which took place in Redwood City at the MDK Motorsports store.
MDK has a large showroom with loads of bikes of all kinds and tons of clothing and accessories, and generously devoted several sections of their facility to the event.
In addition to a raffle with two huge collections of bike gear, one for off-roading and the other for street riding, there was a silent auction of apparel, gear, and books, with some of the items signed by notables like Nicky Hayden.
As the live auction started, Randy took the mic to introduce himself and talk for a few minutes about why we were all there. As he spoke about Riders, its work and how he’d gotten involved, his commitment to this cause and how deeply he cares about Riders for Health were obvious. He’s a great spokesman, in addition to being someone who provides unique and remarkable items for fundraising efforts.
Many of the items up for auction were brought to the event from the recent Assen round, and Randy usually had an amusing story to go along with whatever was being offered to the crowd.
Other items had more humble origins. Here is my photo of Nicky Hayden at Losail on the block. Thanks to everyone who bid on it!
Here Adam shows a Flip Video Mino HD that had been imprinted with a photo of and signed by Randy. That was a one of a kind item!
Volunteer auctioneer Joaquin Aranda of Tucker Rocky present a drawing by Alex Wakefield of Randy’s famous Le Mans victory and his salute to the crowd.
Sixteen-year-old racer Elena Myers looks on as the auction progresses. She is so fast on her 125cc machine that there’s no telling what the future holds for her.
Randy’s son Dakota had just gotten off the plane from Europe to attend the event and sign some autographs and prizes. Congratulations to Dakota on his recent first podium in the Spanish 125cc series!
One of the last items of the auction was a genuine Fiat Yamaha team shirt, signed by Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi. Ooo, would a certain photographer liked to have won that–especially after Randy’s story of what he’d gone through to make this item happen, which included waiting for over an hour for Vale with finish his foosball game and hoping the Doctor would win and be in a mood to sign a shirt!
In the end, Randy’s sister Sharon posted on her Facebook page that while she was disappointed by the turnout, the event still managed to raise over $5,000, for which she was VERY grateful to everyone who came. All of the proceeds go directly to Riders for Health. That’s a lot of spark plugs!
No doubt the HEAT played a big part in the smaller than expected crowd, and while it seemed at first that we wouldn’t do very well, those who did attend were in the mood to help Riders by going deep into their wallets. For my own small part, I, too, would like to thank everyone who braved the temperature to take part in the raffle, silent auction and live auction. Special thanks to that fellow with the excellent taste who bought my Hayden photo!
One of the moments I found most interesting on Saturday was when Randy spoke about Riders and the role motorcycles play in its success. As a racer and someone who has ridden and enjoyed motorcycles most of his life, as well as having made a successful career from racing them, Randy appreciated how vital they are in areas away from racing, where there is simply no other efficient way to do something as important as distributing healthcare.
It’s my perception that here in the US (and certainly in my household!) there’s a bias against motorcycles in general, when it is really what people do with motorcycles that matters, for good or for bad. You needn’t be a fan of motorcycles, or even to like them in the first place, to see the value of what Riders for Health does with these machines. You just need to like the idea of having more healthy people in the world, the idea of people in danger of catching otherwise obsolete diseases getting the medicine they need. Riders for Health has people doing the hard part, going to Africa and training the locals, bringing supplies, managing the work itself. And every contribution they get means they can do a little bit more.
So if you didn’t come to bid on the Rossi-Lorenzo shirt, please at least watch the video and send the link on to someone else who might be willing to help.
Easy copy and paste version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrhjKTWyIfs&feature=PlayList&p=495ECFB031B90461&index=1
Thanks for reading!
Winter Sunrise
June 29th, 2009
Sunrise this morning was at 6:04 AM, which means that to get the shot above at this time of year, I’d have to be in position and ready to go at 5 AM, and since it takes me a good hour to get from home to this spot, I’d need to get up at 4AM. Just not going to happen, I’m afraid. This image was made in late January, just before 7 AM. I have no idea what the sunrise color is like this time of year–is it worth getting up at 4 AM to find out? Maybe…
Not as easy as it looks…
June 27th, 2009
As early as Qatar, Stoner was trying to get the hang of Rossi’s leg-dangling thing, even putting his own spin on it, but his way didn’t really catch on for some reason.
Josh Hayes tried both legs at Infineon, but that didn’t seem an improvement. It just figures that of all people, Rossi would get it right, doesn’t it?
Sensing New Possibilities
June 26th, 2009
Some time ago I posited the notion that as technology continues to cram more and more pixels onto DSLR sensors, that growing capacity could be used not merely to make higher resolution images, but alternatively to gather more dynamic range with each exposure. Instead of bracketing a given shot twice, a 24 mega-pixel sensor could do a virtual and simultaneous over-under bracket to render an 8 mega-pixel image with that added dynamic range delivered with a single click. I lack the technical know-how to say for sure if this is possible, but to me it’s an intriguing idea.
Looking at graduated ND filters this morning, I was then wondering if something might be done to simulate this as sensor/CPU technology continues to grow more sophisticated. As you may know, a graduated neutral density filter allows more light to pass through one side of the filter than the other, and is commonly used on landscapes that contain a sky which is much brighter (or darker) than the foreground. With the darker portion of the ND filter rotated to the top of the image, less light from the sky passes through that area of the filter, allowing the lower portion to be properly exposed and avoiding the sky being blown out or the foreground being too dark. Without such a filter, we sometimes do two or more exposures to get multiple portions of the scene exposed properly, then combine those portions in Photoshop.
But if a camera had a new kind of control over the behavior of its sensor, it might be possible to simulate a graduated ND filter via the LCD screen. One could, I suggest, pick a certain area of the sensor to become less sensitive to light. This might be done via ISO settings, so that if you were in a situation where an ND grad would be handy, you could set the camera to expose the bottom half of the sensor at ISO 800 and the top at ISO 200, then line up your shot with an overlay on the LCD of where that delineation would take place. Bam, digital in camera ND grad filter.
Of course this would require the camera’s CPU to be able to control banks of pixels independent of other banks. And if it could do this with ISO, why not with shutter speed, too? So you might have the ability to expose part of the sensor at 500/sec, and another part and 150/sec, giving further control over the exposure. The shutter would open to accommodate the longer exposure, but the sensor itself would activate for the exposure a given section for its assigned duration.
The Nikon D700 already has something that is at least similar to this concept for focusing; I can set the camera to take the entire image into account during auto focus, a single one of the 51 focus points, or a point surrounded by a given area. So the CPU CAN think of the image area as consisting of adjustable portions to be evaluated with that type of flexibility. For now it just doesn’t have this type of low-level control over the sensor itself.
But the way camera technology is going, it seems only a mater of time before we might have this or some similar capability. Personally, I can’t wait!
Zabriskie Point, Stage Right
June 10th, 2009
This image was made by turning the camera to the left of Zabriskie Point and also backing up 50 feet or so, as I recall. It had rained one of those desert rains not long before we’d arrived in Death Valley, and I think the dark path in the lower third of the image is soil, rocks, etc that had recently washed into the area from higher up. I found that the formations on this side of the small canyon were more interesting and beautiful those those surrounding the Point itself. But the Zabriskie Point area as a whole was remarkable to me because its shapes and colors are so distinct compared to the millions of square feet that surround it. That’s how it seems, anyway. Death Valley is so vast, and so much of it indistinct, at least from a distance, that when we stumbled upon the Point with its sharp colors and shapes, this area really stood out.
Drobo Deal
June 9th, 2009Drobo is offering their base model for $399 through June.
Morning at Zabriskie Point, Death Valley
June 7th, 2009
The weather on our trip to Death Valley was WINDY, blowing sand and dust into the air and largely obscuring the distant mountains to the point that photographing them was often pointless. Mother Nature certainly has to be in the mood to help if you’re going to get a nice landscape. The day before we left, she was. My cousin Russ accompanied me early in the morning to Zabriskie Point, one of the most photographed areas in Death Valley. We were the first in the parking lot, but not long after we arrived, as I was trying to get some night shots of the rising moon, other cars pulled up, casting their headlights into my exposures. I took this as fairly typical of the average tourist who didn’t realize the guy with the tripod in their headlights might have his shot ruined, but considering that almost everyone who was joining us was a photographer of some sort, it later bugged me quite a bit. Oh well.
As the black sky behind us lightened into blue, we walked up a short climb to the observation area. This being our first time to Zabriskie Point, we had little idea where we were going, so the other folks did come in handy there. We followed the first few to a small mesa surrounded by a low rock wall, and something like the scene above emerged gradually as the light grew. The perspective seemed much nicer from below the official area, however, so I climbed over the little wall and took my chances on the ‘trail’ that led down to a second plateau from where I make the above image. Russ followed some distance behind and smiled moments later as he reported the whispers from the others as they watched me: “Can he go down there? Are we supposed to stay up here? Think we’d get in trouble if we followed him?” I wasn’t too worried, as I could see even in the dim light the other trails ahead. Plus, in photography the general rule is that it’s better to ask forgiveness (photo in hand) than permission and be told you can’t take the photograph you want.
As the light continued to grow, I was pleased to see that for once the sky was clear. Some wispy clouds appeared, including a strange one that looks almost like ripples on water. The contrast between the amazing variety of warm browns in the foreground formations and the cool sky was beautiful as the sun gently lit the scene with it first rays to peek over the mountains behind us.
When we returned to our lodgings that morning, I noticed behind the check in counter a large print of Zabriskie Point being photographed by a line of 20 or 30 photographers, all bent over their tripods and standing just where I had ventured. By the time the light was good, I’d been joined by almost as many in the same spot shown in the office photograph. I also learned that Zabriskie Point is a movie by Michelangelo Antonioni, that stars… no one, and seems to be a love it or hate it film.
Looking at this image now, 700 pixels wide, reminds me of how inadequate it is to view images like this at such a small size compared to seeing a proper print of 20×30 inches. It’s kind of like the difference between watching baseball on a 13: TV and being at the ballpark. Actually, I supposed being at Zabriskie Point is more like being at the ballpark, but if you can’t make the drive and hang out until the sky is clear and the weather just right, a large print is a pretty nice compromise.
Gear Review: The ThinkTank Airport International
June 5th, 2009
As much as there is to learn about taking pictures, there is also a lot to learn about simply getting your gear from one spot to another if travel is a part of your photography. Photographers often talk to each other about how many bags and backpacks they have, mainly because it’s impossible to design one that works for all situations. Fortunately, airplane travel is a bit more standardized in terms of what you need from your suitcase.
While a small amount of gear can be carried on a plane in a backpack, a pro kit requires at least one and sometimes multiple cases. Check out Moose Peterson’s travel list! I’m fortunate in that I can fit everything I need into a roller suitcase and a backpack, both of which can usually be carried on with a little bit of persuasion backed by a good attitude and friendly manner.
Before going to Qatar, I did quite a bit of research on which bag to get, and after using the ThinkTank Airport International since April, I have been extremely pleased with it. ThinkTank makes a larger roller and a smaller one, but the International suits me just right, at least for now.
There are many things I like or love about it. First is the overall build quality, which is outstanding. At $329 dollars, you’d hope it would be well made, and it is. (Don’t waste time looking for a cheaper price somewhere—ThinkTank makes sure everyone sells their gear for the same price.) I’ve yet to see an unraveling stitch or bent piece of metal. The extending handle is sturdy while being very light. The back and sides of the case are strong and fairly rigid, while just flexible enough to help close the zippers when there’s a little too much stuff inside. The zippers are strong and smooth, especially the ones closing the main compartment.
One of the main zippers’ best features is the 3-position combination lock. Setting my own combination was easy, as are locking and unlocking the closure, which is TSA approved. This is one of three locking devices on the bag. The second is a cable that tucks into the back of the case, for tying it to a table leg or other docking opportunity. The third is a small lock and cable inside one of the utility pockets, useful for securing an external item like a laptop. As a group they provide a lot of convenient security. Most media centers I’ve been in have seemed fairly safe in terms of leaving gear unattended for short periods of time. Most everyone knows each other, and most everyone leaves their gear out on the tables next to their laptops even when they step away. But the fact is that there are always some local individuals who are not known to the group, and while everyone who gets into the MC is supposed to have gone through the credential process, that isn’t always rigorous enough to ensure that everyone present is entirely trustworthy. Considering that there might easily be $300,000 worth of camera gear and computers in a MotoGP media center, things do occasionally wander off. It’s VERY nice to be able to lock my gear inside my roller, then lock it to the table, if I feel I want to do so. The locks and cables aren’t going to stop someone with the right tools, of course, but they do make it impossible to just grab something while walking casually by. I’ve also used the locks and cable to secure the case in car trunks if I need to hit a restaurant or something. It’s nice know that if someone does break into the car, he can’t just grab the case and take off.
^^Lousy iPhone photo of the bag packed for Qatar.
The interior of the case holds a lot of gear, thanks to a variety or adjustable dividers; I’m only using a few of those that came with the case, and have a big pile f dividers in my closet. I bring two bodies with battery grips, 14-24, 24-70, 70-200, various odds and ends, plus one large lens up to Nikon’s 400mm f/2.8. Ok, I admit I had to remove the tripod mounting arm for that one, as the case wouldn’t close without doing so. But my favorite big lens, the 200-400mm zoom, fits in the case with no problem and no reassembly required. By the way, that 400mm f/2.8 just fits; the 500 would be too big for the Airport International. I also have room for quite a few odds and ends, though not ALL of them. I still bring a backpack for battery chargers, cables, etc etc. And I reply on my checked bag for other essentials like my monopod and/or tripod, and my belt/suspender/bags rig. More on those at a later date.
The case has one element I’m not crazy about; the front of the bag has a kind of stretchy fabric slip-in space that would be good for a laptop IF it were a bit sturdier and had a closure. As it is, the space is only good for a magazine or jacket or something else you don’t mind falling out onto the floor. If this space were the same ballistic nylon of the rest of the bag AND had a zipper, it would be fantastic. ThinkTank wants you to buy a separate laptop holder and low profile dividers. And they would probably say that a laptop would be much safer inside the main compartment than in an exterior one. True enough, but I have yet to check this bag, and being able to slip my laptop into that exterior space without having it fall out if the bag tips (learned that one the hard way) would be very handy. The laptop would be safe enough when the bag is carried on. As a roller the AI is great, and the wheels can be replaced if they ever get damaged. There’s also a handle on the bottom which is good for putting the bag in the overhead bin. Two hands are required when the bag is loaded up to 40-50 lbs.
The feature I appreciated MOST on my adventure to Qatar was the size, though. Fate put me on Lufthansa via Frankfurt, and was I ever glad I’d gone with the Airport International. When going through security in Freankfurt, I had to place the AI in a carry-on test space, and it just barely fit, and I mean just barely. I imaged that tester thing had been manufactured with typical German precision, and machined down to the millimeter. The stuffy security guard allowed a hint of a smile at my pending doom when he demanded that I put the AI in that space. When it fit perfectly, the guard’s disappointment was clear. It had passed and I could take it through. I was extremely relieved. The last thing I wanted at that point was to get into a discussion with him about why I needed to have that case with me and not check it. I also never had trouble fitting it into the overhead bins on that or any other trip. On one those Lufthansa planes it was a tight fit, too. But the AI made it. I’ve heard talk of charter flights to Africa and tiny overhead buns, and I suspect that’s why ThinkTank makes a smaller bag than the AI. But I expect that on most decent sized planes, the AI is small enough to serve.
I like the AI so much in fact, that I use it all the time now. I bring it to the track when I’m driving, and just wheel my stuff into the media center rather than load up my bags at home and bring everything that way. I like that I’ve sorted out where everything goes, and can tell at a glance if anything major is missing. And I always appreciate being able to lock my stuff down if needed. I even bring it in the car for landscape day trips if I think I may need to leave gear in the car. While designed for international travel, the AI is great for daily use, too, if you have enough gear to need the space.
Over all the Airport International is nearly perfect. Given the cleverness and thought that went into its design, I’m not even sure there isn’t a compelling reason for the fabric pouch on the front that perhaps I just haven’t figured out for myself. So if you need a compact but useful roller, I doubt you could do much better than the Airport International.