topic Re: What are you doing during the home isolation? in General Discussion

What are you doing during the home isolation?

Waddizzle — Sat, 02 May 2020 17:37:08 GMT

Being cooped in the house has made me creative when it comes to taking photos. What are you doing?

There are some bushes and small trees just outside the window to my home office. I have turned the window into a bird blind. One problem is my 2FL window is a little hazy, which is not really much of an issue. The bigger issue are the curtains reflecting off of the inside of the window, which creates a hazy type of look. The LR Dehaze Tool cleans it up, but also reduces the sharpness.

That was shot on the first day, which was heavily overcast, and rainy. It has been that way for weeks now. I think I shot this one with the 1D Mark IV and the Sigma 150-600mm "C". This is not a crop! They are about 12-20 feet away.

Re: What are you doing during the home isolation?

Tronhard — Sun, 03 May 2020 05:11:07 GMT

Hi Bill!

In NZ we had 4 weeks of full-on isolation, with only essential business or service activies allowed. We dropped down a level about 5 days ago to allow for commercial activity that can guarantee social distancing, with commerce running on click and collect or delivery but still no social activity ourside our "bubble" - a domestic group with whom we live. It seems to be working so far. We have had less than 1500 cases, of which 87% have recovered with 20 deaths - all, I believe, older people with underlying conditions.

This is how our lockdown has worked so far:

Our family is being super conservative because of my partner's cancer (she has no immune system), so our only trips from home have been for me to go shopping for food and essentials, and to take my other half to medical appointments. So, by and large, I have been limited to our home for photography.

I have been reading a lot of my collection of books on the history of photography. I have also been watching quite a few videos on various aspects of photography. When not otherwise engaged I have managed a few odd jobs around the place, but essentially am keeping things pretty simple.

I engage with a meetup.com group I belong to, for us to take at least one photo each day and we are still going strong! Here are a few shots from my efforts.

Study of refraction through a plastic glass

Study of stacked garden chairs

Leaves of a Yukka in our garden.

Stay safe and well!

Re: What are you doing during the home isolation?

Waddizzle — Sun, 03 May 2020 12:20:23 GMT

Thanks, Trevor. Be safe and stay healthy to you and yours, too.

The improvised bird blind has gone through an evolution process, with images improving with each iteration. Basically, the improvments have come in the form of doing a better job with hiding myself and the camera. LOL, they still it though.. But, since it is there 24/7, they do not seem as bothered by it.

That is the view from 140mm...6D2 with EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM + 1.4x III.

Here is a shot from the same session. It seems like focus adjustment could be needed, but I'm not going to bother with it..

Re: What are you doing during the home isolation?

cicopo — Mon, 04 May 2020 01:52:22 GMT

Well this whole thing came to light here in Canada not long after my annual trip to Cozumel Mexico so we sort of gave the self isolation thing some consideration before the end of Feb & started avoiding any un necessary outings. Once the different levels of government shut down most forms of businesses we got serious about self isolation. My wife hasn't been shopping since the State of Emergency was declared & I've only shopped for food (large carts full) for at least 2 weeks worth at a time but because most shelves were bare the first time I only lasted 1 week in the beginning before returning. Precriptions are the other necessity as they run out. I'll need to make another grocery run later this week but mainly for bread & milk & what ever my 92 year old mother in law needs. Other than a few other items I've bought enough already or had it in the freezer already to make it to June.

As for photography not doing much. A few photos here & there around the house to show the first flower of spring, & a few of things I'm working on in the garage. My time is spent learning how to re assemble a VW convertible I didn't take apart. It's a full restoration a friend started under my supervision. He was a very good student & thought if you bought everything available there wouldn't be much else to it but to install the new parts. WRONG. So many current parts fit cars built in other countries where VW's were built but not built exactly as VW Germany built theirs. He was killed snowmobiling so I bought the project from his estate knowing what he'd spent & I paid a fair price. Knowing what I've spent since on missing or damaged parts I over paid. So far lots more to do & no time to be bored what so ever. Thank goodness YouTube has lots of videos to help me. (And for those who don't know I'm a licensed mechanic who worked at home since 1986 as a full time auto restorer specalizing in GM Muscle Cars & Corvettes & have a background in DC electrical circuits before becoming a mechanis.)

Project photos are here. I'll need to add some once I get a bit more done. https://flic.kr/s/aHsmzABV1f

Re: What are you doing during the home isolation?

Waddizzle — Mon, 04 May 2020 03:02:28 GMT

Hmm. I think I might want to take this improvised bird blind to the next level, and make it semi-permanent. I am looking for opinions on a gear purchase in this post.

----------------------------------------------------------

I get pretty good captures with any of my camera bodies. I really like the captures with the 1D Mark IV, though. Seeing how I do not carry it in my bag as much since I included the 7D Mark II in my camera kit, I've decided to make the 1D Mark IV the quasi=permanent camera body for this setup. Having extra bodies and tripods has become a GOOD thing.

I have always wished I had an AC adapter, an extra battery, and a spare charger for the 1D Mark IV. My original intent for buying it was to be either the go to sports body, or the goto portrait body. I have used it for both, and I love the colors.

I have been turning the "Dr Frankenstein Electronic Lab" in the basement into a photo studio, and the 1D4 will figure to have a prominent role in carrying this out. The one hitch, though, was that I wanted a spare battery, charger, and AC adapter. This brings us to the gear purchase that I alluded to earlier at the top.

The original battery and charger for the 1D Mark IV are no longer available, but the replacements for the 1Dx series are fully compatible. This is where I made the critical decision to go with a used 1Ds Mark III, instead of buying new accessories. It is supposedly in good to excellent condition, which included a battery, charger, and AC adapter for about $1000 USD.

Seeing how buying the 1Dx Series accessories would easily cost more than half the cost of the used camera, I decided to go for the used camera package. In addition to the accessories, there is an excellent condition 1Ds Mark III in the package. I think I made a shrewd purchase. I will let you guys know how well it turns out in a couple of weeks, after I have had a chance to use it, and abuse it.

Re: What are you doing during the home isolation?

Tronhard — Mon, 04 May 2020 03:15:15 GMT

It seems like you have quite a lot to keep you busy. I would be interested to see images of your final studio setup at some stage!

Re: What are you doing during the home isolation?

Waddizzle — Mon, 04 May 2020 12:49:02 GMT

@Tronhard wrote:
It seems like you have quite a lot to keep you busy. I would be interested to see images of your final studio setup at some stage!

Me, too. LOL. I keep giving away gear to relatives.

Re: What are you doing during the home isolation?

Tronhard — Thu, 07 May 2020 04:34:08 GMT

This week I am spending a lot of time at the hospital car park while my other half is inside getting radiation treatment. So, with limited photographic options, and inspired by the work of Lee Miller, I decided to work on still life / architectural subjects with an emphasis on line, form, tone and texture.

Canon EOS 60D, EF-S 18-135 IS STM@135mm, f/10, 1/1000sec, ISO-200

Canon EOS 60D, EF-S 18-135 IS STM@20mm, f/8, 1/1000sec, ISO-200

Canon EOS 60D, EF-S 55-250 IS STM@89mm, f/8, 1/1600sec, ISO-200

Re: What are you doing during the home isolation?

John_SD — Thu, 07 May 2020 17:19:50 GMT

Excellent photos,Waddizzle! As for what I've been doing that's photography related, I've been mostly trying to improve my LR skills. That has been keeping me busy.

Even here in SoCal, many of the trails and trailheads are basically closed except for walk-ins, so active outdoor photography is somewhat limited right now. I do go to a local park that I can walk to, but that's mostly for exercise. Even the desert parks and National Forests are basically closed in the region. Not complaining, just stating facts.

Re: What are you doing during the home isolation?

RobertTheFat — Thu, 07 May 2020 21:52:19 GMT

@John_SD wrote:
Excellent photos,Waddizzle! As for what I've been doing that's photography related, I've been mostly trying to improve my LR skills. That has been keeping me busy.

Even here in SoCal, many of the trails and trailheads are basically closed except for walk-ins, so active outdoor photography is somewhat limited right now. I do go to a local park that I can walk to, but that's mostly for exercise. Even the desert parks and National Forests are basically closed in the region. Not complaining, just stating facts.

I feel your pain. I'd be inclined to go down to Center City and prowl around some of the historical sites (Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, etc.) while there are few tourists around. But of course they've made those places hard to get to by shutting down the commuter train line that goes through our neighborhood.

Re: What are you doing during the home isolation?

Waddizzle — Thu, 07 May 2020 22:44:01 GMT

B&H had the 35mm Art as the daily special for under $600. It is still on sale, but not for the one day sale price. The addition of the Sigma 35mm changes things a little bit. Or, maybe it makes sorting things out a little easier.

Last week, I had bought a used 1Ds Mark III in mint condition because I wanted a spare battery, spare charger, and an AC adapter. Plus, my intent was to use it continue archiving old photos, instead of using the 1D Mark IV. I am very high risk, so I have not been outdoors to shoot with the 1Ds Mark III, but some photos I have taken on my daily walks, when it is not raining, look pretty good.

This frees up the 1D Mark IV for sports and wildlife photography again. I am still torn between it and the 7D Mark II as a second body for sports and wildlife. For now, resolving that issue is pretty moot in the NYC tri-state area.

However, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art just might settle the issue. It is going to live on one of those two bodies for now, most likely the 1D Mark IV. The 7D Mark II has the much quieter shutter, which I like for wildlife.

For reasons that cannot explain, I seem to have developed a knack for finding and photographing the little critters and smaller birds. I'm blaming the fact that I like to fish, but now I find photography to be much cleaner.. I think the Sigma 35mm will find a good home with the 1D Mark IV, and a couple other fast primes, 50mm and 85mm, and I want to add the EF 135mm f/2L.

-------------------------------------

I am still evaluating the 1Ds Mark III for quirks and flaws. So far, so good. The camera works as it should, it is mint condition clean. All of the camera accessories are still in the original wrappings. It seems someone only used the camera with another 1D body. The battery was inside of the camera, but everything was in what looked like original factory plastic bags.

The USB port works, card slots work, and the flash shoe works as it should. The only quirk that I found so far is that the focusing screen is not the default CIV screen. It is the D screen, instead, which I do not mind. Seeing how I planned to use it to mainly sample photos, that screen will be more useful because of its' gridlines.

The 1Ds Mark III is not quite a work-alike clone of the 1D Mark IV that I had expected, so I am still getting used to that. Otherwise, the colors and images are just as good as the 1D Mark IV, and probably a bit better when it comes to casual stills.

Re: What are you doing during the home isolation?

wq9nsc — Fri, 08 May 2020 00:16:18 GMT

Home isolation has caused me to do less photography and a lot more home work. This afternoon I spent three hours with my Deere utility tractor's mid mount mower deck changing the belt and doing other basic maintenance (cleaned and replaced a zerk fitting on the deck PTO shaft and changed the deck gear box oil). I definitely prefer carrying heavy primes during a soccer gang to fighting with a very strong belt tension spring!

Photography wise neither pets nor my daughter are safe from being subjects while sports are on hold 🙂

Rodger

Re: What are you doing during the home isolation?

Tronhard — Sat, 09 May 2020 02:40:09 GMT

Great moggie shots!

Re: What are you doing during the home isolation?

Tronhard — Sat, 30 May 2020 19:37:52 GMT

Down under in NZ we are celebrating being possibly the most successful in the world in fighting COVID (we are competing with Iceland right now, but we are just ahead at the moment). Here is an official release from the NZ Govt. We have had no cases for 8 consecutive days now.

Radio NZ Website Article Stuff Media story on easing of restrictions and our relative performance

The "go hard, go early" philosophy seems to have worked well for us and we are now arguably the most open country (as a whole) with gathering allowed up to 100; stores open, along with pubs and bars, and our tourist industry is coming to life again, powered by internal tourists - although we still hosting 50,000 foreign tourists throughout the lockdown.

The film industry is coming to life again, with the next two installments of AVATAR resuming filming, along with a bunch of other film and TV productions. Microsoft has announced they will have NZ host one of their data centres, based on our stable govt, economy, and health situation.

We now have to fully energize the economy and without doubt, like most other countries, there will be major economic and social impacts. International tourism (one of our big earners) is going to take a big hit for a long time, as we are still excluding all but essential foreign entries to NZ - although Australia, and Israel are keen to join our 'bubble', and they are not far off our own situation.

Our government still seems to have massive support - 88% approval for how the pandemic has been handled here, so there is not much dissent in the ranks. We have an election in 13 weeks, with the opposition polling at under 30%, it's the current party's election to lose I think.

On a more local scale, in Auckland (NZ's biggest city of 1.5 million), as we enter our winter season, we have been in drought for over 5 months now and are facing water restrictions as Auckland's reservoirs drop towards 40% - they are usually in the mid-70% range at this time.

This is our first long weekend since Easter and the last for the next 5 months. It is also the first holiday weekend since our lockdown restrictions were relaxed, so of course everyone wanted to get out of the city. However, in traditional fashion it is raining all weekend - not enough to ease our water problems (that will take weeks of solid rain) but it all helps. So we stayed home and have kept warm, dry and unstressed by traffic jams from holidaymakers.

I continue to look after my partner who is slowly losing her battle with her cancer, and she is less functional and sleeps a lot right now. As the drugs get more powerful so do the side effects, and that means more drugs to counteract those - it gets more and more complicated... It was her birthday on Thursday, with lots of love expressed by those who know her, I hope we get to celebrate at least one more.

Stay safe and well everyone...

Re: What are you doing during the home isolation?

Waddizzle — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 11:45:55 GMT

Well, I've been out walking in the golden hour of dawn.

Not much activity these days in the parks.

It is like people are playing hide and go seek.

EOS 6D and EF 35mm f/2 IS USM - I/1250, f/4, ISO 250 and lots of LR.

These are replicas of the Nina and the Pinta used by Christopher Columbus from two years ago.

The hulls of the ships were heavily oiled, and had a deep black color,.

Hard to believe that ships like these crossed the Atlantic, no wonder they had three of them.

Sadly, both of these ships were destroyed a couple of months later in a dock fire.

Re: What are you doing during the home isolation?

Tronhard — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 18:08:59 GMT

Such a pity. They look like well-constructed replicas. I guess being heavily oiled they would have gone up like torches. Sad though that is, they would have made amazing photos in their last moments.

Re: What are you doing during the home isolation?

Waddizzle — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 02:20:56 GMT

I've been busy with the improvised bird blind. Small birds are jittery critters and easily spooked, but they are not very smart. I set up a scarecrow on my 2FL deck, not to scare the birds away. I wanted them to get used to seeing a human.

I can sit on the deck and practically take all the photos I want of birds 20-50 feet away. This is great range for the 7D2 and the Sigma 150-600mm "C".

My FB friends tell me this one is called a Northern Flicker. Basically, it's a woodpecker that digs into dirt to eat worms.

These are juveniles being fed by adults. They're only about 25 feet away, if that far.

Re: What are you doing during the home isolation?

RobertTheFat — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 03:51:08 GMT

Well, I'm definitely not a bird photographer, but I had occasion yesterday afternoon to wish I were. A hawk I hadn't seen before came by and flew around over our house, apparently interested in a nearby colony of crows. Two or three crows came out to intercept and harass him, and the skirmish went on for several minutes before the hawk gave up and moved on. They weren't very high above the house, so you guys with the 150-600's would probably have had a pretty successful shoot.

Re: What are you doing during the home isolation?

Waddizzle — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 10:46:08 GMT

Bob,

I am not a bird photographer, either. If I were, I would rather be photographing hawks, eagles, and egrets. But, I have trouble finding them. And, the hikes to many of the larger predatory birds are commonly found are just too much for me now. So, I go with what presents itself.

I bought the 150-600 because I am near lots of water bodies, both big and small. Photographing wildlife reminds me a WHOLE LOT of fishing. I have always loved fishing, but photography is much cleaner. Much more expensive, so much more cleaner and neater.

My three easy access locations to photograph egrets have either been closed. One was pond that it undergoing a year long dredging operation. The others were in parks that have closed to the public for past 3-4 months. No further comment needed about that.

These shots are backyard type of stuff. I really liked the one of the juveniles being fed by the adult on the right. I have been learning their habits. They do not seem to mind a human sitting 20-50 feet away from them, anymore. All I need to really do is keep my face hidden, and keep eye contact to a minimum.

Re: What are you doing during the home isolation?

FloridaDrafter — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 03:23:03 GMT

I've been shooting just about everything that's in my yard, both flora and fauna With the exception of the tiny 1/8" purple flower, Baldwins Eryngo (purple form), which was taken using the 5D4 and 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro (hand held), they were taken with a 5D mark IV and EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM II. Hopefully, the EXIF info remains intact for those interested. I have a weird style All of the imgaes have been cropped and reduced to save space.

Enjoy,

-FD