Blog

  • TripodClamps for iTouch – Review

    TripodClamps.com RAP-B-121-UN7U Cell Phone Clamp

    Abandoned Paper Mill Reflections hdr 09
    Abandoned Paper Mill Reflections hdr 09

    When I originally wrote my research review, and posted it on Google+, one of the companies that I heard from was TripodClamps.com, and they suggested that I take a look at their Model RAP-B-121-UN7U Cell Phone Clamp on their website.

    After reviewing the information, we exchanged a few more comments on Google+, about my concern for the iPod slipping from the four fingers of the clamp, and I was reassured that the rubber and the tension from the string grips would be sufficient.

    So I ordered a unit, and several days later, my box arrived, and I quickly put the unit together and on my tripod for testing in my office.

    Interestingly enough, I did allow my kids (8g & 6b) to play with the clamp and my iTouch, while connected to my camera, and I did not see any real reason to worry if the iTouch was slipping, even as my kids removed and replaced the iTouch, several times. I did this to try to judge the grip strength.

    They could do it, but not easily.

    Testing on Land – Completed and qualified

    My next test was going to be over some water, on a little damn spillway near me.

    This was my first time carrying my tripod while the clamp was attached, and it became quickly apparent, that it was there.

    At first, there was now only one way I could carry the tripod on my shoulder, without the unit poking me in the head or shoulder, and while climbing through the brush, it was another item that did get caught in the branches as I walked around.

    Another thing that I wanted to check, while over water, was how easy it was to trigger the camera from the iDevice, and not cause any additional movement further up the tripod.

    Yes, I tried this on land, but there is something about being over water, and about to trigger a 15+ minute series of exposures.

    One already has to worry about the water rushing around the tripod legs causing vibrations.

    I was happy to find, that the clamp did not seem to transmit any additional moment, and the iDevice seems to be more sensitive than I had realized!

    120912 Marsh Creek Spillway bw 07 - (3) Stops [32-259 seconds] f22 ISO 100
    120912 Marsh Creek Spillway bw 07 – (3) Stops [32-259 seconds] f22 ISO 100
    Testing over Water – Completed and qualified

    Conclusion

    If you are interested in a way to attach your iTouch to a Tripod, I would definitely invite you to take a look at this TripodClamps.com offering.

    I am also still looking for a water-proof case for my iTouch, and the Clamp seems to have enough extra ‘reach’ that I will not have to by another mount.

    Even though I did run into some issues while first working with this Clamp, that seemed more about me, learning how to best work with new equipment, then the function of the clamp, and I offer the following “Notes to Self”…

    Notes to self

    • Carry clamp in a vest pocket while walking/exploring
    • Attach clamp prior to going over water
    • Keep iDevice in a pocket till needed

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  • Converted 1994 Asia Travel Journal – DONE!

    I have FINALLY converted an ancient Dreamweaver coded Travel Journal to WordPress!

    Travel Journal to Asia in 1994

    It was good to clean up some of the code, and get “it” back to a base standard in html!

    Part of the joys over jumping various web platforms over the years…

    In re-linking the various jpeg image files, I realize that I do need to go back and re-scan some of the old slides!

    So if you are interested, please take a look and let me know what you think!

    – Andrew
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  • 2012 Chester County Restaurant Festival

    A small collection of images taken at the 33rd Annual Chester County Restaurant Festival held in West Chester, Pennsylvania (PA).

    2012 Chester County Restaurant Festival - Crowd
    2012 Chester County Restaurant Festival – Crowd

    This is a family event, and both Madison and Logan joined me, and as soon as they saw the sign for Funnel Cake, we had to get some!

    Funnel cake about to be served
    Funnel cake about to be served

    Then they saw the Popcorn…

    Cooking and Serving Kettle Popcorn
    Cooking and Serving Kettle Popcorn

    My eye was more on the meats being offered…

    Various meats on a large grill - Closeup
    Various meats on a large grill – Closeup

    We also spent some time watching an Artist using spray cans to create various scenes, while bopping to the music.

    Spray Paint Artist - Closeup
    Spray Paint Artist – Closeup

    There where also several bands playing…

    Chester County Restaurant Festival - Music
    Chester County Restaurant Festival – Music

    I love oysters, but it was hard to get the kids to stop and let me get some…

    Shocking Oysters - Closeup
    Shocking Oysters – Closeup

    I also had to take a look at some crab cakes… What a wonderful smell!

    Grill filled with Crabcakes
    Grill filled with Crabcakes

    We can’t wait for next year!

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  • Abandoned Paper Mill

    I finally got a chance to investigate this abandoned paper mill, which I have been eyeing for some time.

    Also, kinda of got pushed into it, but that is another story…

    This is also my first exploration into Urban Exploration (Urbex) photography.

    If you know of more places, please let me know!

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  • Marsh Creek Spillway – Long Exposure

    A series of Long Exposures taken of the Marsh Creek Spillway in Chester County, PA.

    My first series of images using my new Triggertrap Mobile – Exposures ranging from 0.4-500 seconds, for HDR post capture processing using Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop and Nik Software – HDR Efex Pro 2.

    Update

    13-Jan-07 – Image “120912 Marsh Creek Spillway bw 01” – Awarded “Best of Super Long Exposure” for 2012 by Triggertrap

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