The Red Line is shut down between the Fort Totten and NoMa-Gallaudet stations after a Metro train that wasn't carrying passengers derailed around midnight between the Rhode Island Avenue and Brookland stations.Link - DCist
Red Line Derailment
Perfect way to start the Labor Day holiday weekend.
Film SLR
Earlier this week, I purchased a film SLR camera just because I thought that'd be cool. I settled on a used Nikon F100, which is perfectly compatible with all of my existing Nikkor D and G lenses. I ordered mine from B&H via eBay.
Unfortunately, I didn't time my research and purchase of any actual film, so my new old camera will be sitting around for some time until then.
I doubt I'll put good use into the F100 but I think it's cool just to play around with from time to time.
Interactive Map of DC In A Nuke Blast
Not sure how accurate these maps are, but they're incredibly entertaining... and scary.
Anyway, the Google Earth tool is completely interactive in the sense that you can set the destination point, the angle of viewing and the size of the bomb. If you really want to get into it the tool will also let you pick wind speed and direction and spit out more accurate maps showing the effects of thermal radiation, fireballs and air blasts.Link - InTheCapital
XXXII 2020 Summer Olympic Games
I'd like to see Tokyo 2020 happen.
The International Olympic Committee will elect the host city on 7 September 2013. Here is a look at the logos of each of the hopefuls (and not so hopefuls).
Switch to Lightroom?
In the process of doing a thorough audit of my photography gear and workflow, I'm starting to seriously reconsidering my photo managing and editing program. For about six years, I've been invested in the Aperture environment, and I've been running the latest Aperture 3 since it was introduced in 2010 (so long ago!).
I increasingly believe that post-processing is perhaps the biggest feature of digital photography. Don't get me wrong. It is highly respectable for photographers to try to get everything as perfect as possible in camera, and it is definitely something every photographer should strive to do. But there is so much more to digital photography than just traditional photography. I feel that not taking advantage of what could be done on the computer during post-processing is a shame. When I said this, I don't mean to take a reckless approach to Photoshop and image manipulation. Rather, tastefully use the computer to correct or enhance color, tones, distortion, etc.
In this regard, I'm taking a serious look at switching from Aperture to Lightroom. While I personally agree with Aperture's style of photo management and editing more than Lightroom's, as an outsider, Lightroom 5 looks incredible. So incredible, in fact, that it's worth disrupting my current system and workflow.
A potential switch to Lightroom isn't necessarily going to make my photos look better, but at the very least, it will allow some new potential and provide lot more flexibility, I think. I've been trying to hold out for Aperture 4 to see what new features will come of it, but it's getting harder and harder to wait on the sidelines. Lightroom appears so much more integrated and rich in new features; Aperture looks stagnant and a bit ordinary. Must investigate further.
I increasingly believe that post-processing is perhaps the biggest feature of digital photography. Don't get me wrong. It is highly respectable for photographers to try to get everything as perfect as possible in camera, and it is definitely something every photographer should strive to do. But there is so much more to digital photography than just traditional photography. I feel that not taking advantage of what could be done on the computer during post-processing is a shame. When I said this, I don't mean to take a reckless approach to Photoshop and image manipulation. Rather, tastefully use the computer to correct or enhance color, tones, distortion, etc.
In this regard, I'm taking a serious look at switching from Aperture to Lightroom. While I personally agree with Aperture's style of photo management and editing more than Lightroom's, as an outsider, Lightroom 5 looks incredible. So incredible, in fact, that it's worth disrupting my current system and workflow.
A potential switch to Lightroom isn't necessarily going to make my photos look better, but at the very least, it will allow some new potential and provide lot more flexibility, I think. I've been trying to hold out for Aperture 4 to see what new features will come of it, but it's getting harder and harder to wait on the sidelines. Lightroom appears so much more integrated and rich in new features; Aperture looks stagnant and a bit ordinary. Must investigate further.