Windows Live Writer

 

Here’s my first attempt at using Windows Live Writer instead of the Blogger Editor.  So far, so good.  Installation of Live Writer was simple and setup was almost completely automatic.  In fact, the process so far has been so easy that I’ll be surprised if Live Writer actually works!

Although when using a new camera I’m inclined to read the manual, I don’t go to that extreme when using new software.  Plus, the Live Writer menus and options appear to be relatively familiar and simple.  It is easy to forget – and forgivable to have never known – that, not too long ago, user interfaces for nearly all computer programs were different.  Instruction manuals were absolutely an essential read and study.  Windows and the mouse (thanks be to  Apple <-- Xerox) changed all that to the point that software instruction manuals are often available only on disk and now rarely read except in case of emergency/frustration. 

In contrast to software and software manuals, consider cameras.   Not that long ago (but before computers), there were only three adjustments to be made to the camera:  aperture, shutter speed and focus (and my first camera, a Kodak Brownie Holiday Flash, had no adjustments).  Although the adjustment devices might have different locations or movements, the actual adjustment was largely intuitive between cameras (after the initiation to the fact that there even were adjustments!).  Even as cameras became somewhat automated and the ASA film speed (now the ISO sensitivity) was incorporated into the system, the actual setting of the camera controls remained relatively simple.  The instruction manual for my 1972 Konica T2 was 71 pages – which included the English, French, Spanish and German versions! 

In contrast to my classic Konica T2, the manual for my Canon G12 is 213 pages in length – available only as a pdf file -- and that is only the English version!  Of course, the T2 didn’t even have a clock much less auto focus, video, playback or a real time display; however, I have to think that the lack of a common camera user interface (dare I say CCUI – no, I dislike acronyms) is the major reason for the substantial operating manuals that are required for modern cameras.  Someday there will be a common user interface and camera operation will again become almost intuitive.

(Wow, I began this post as a test case of Live Writer but it developed into a thoughtful – for me – essay.  Now to save this text just in case Live Writer does not work and then hit the publish button.)

A New Look for Light Description

I've been wanting to try a new look for Light Description for some time now and finally took a deep breath and made the plunge.  Of course, as you can see, I did not wander too far from the old layout! 

As it turns out, the template that I originally selected must have been outdated long ago and therefore some of the newer features do not apply to it.  My main complaint has become a difficulty in uploading pictures.  I hope this new format will resolve that problem.  I also wanted to increase the screen width of the blog page and that could not be easily done with the old template.

Bummer.  Just tried to upload an image and the Blogger Editor balked just as it did with the old template.

I will probably try a new editor, Windows Live Writer, instead of the Blogger Editor -- hope I don't mess up the old posts!

PAW 4

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A four year old with an iPhone!  OK, so the phone is her mother's, my granddaughter loves it:  talking, games, camera and learning to send text messages.  To get this shot, I set the G12 in the low light mode and shot without flash.  The low light mode uses "pixel binning" to combine pixels and increase light sensitivity.   In pixel binning, image size is reduced from the normal 10MP to 2.5MP. This shot was taken at ISO 6400, 1/15 second and f4.5 with tungsten white balance.  I used Noiseware to reduce the still visible high ISO noise and then made slight level adjustments in Photoshop before downrezing for PAW 4.
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PAW 3

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In only the third week of PAW, I've managed to break one of my "rules":  The photo should be complete and tell a story.  The photo above is a set of shadows that I found interesting.  The shadows are from the old St. Gabriel Church shown below.

The picture of the church is better taken on a spring day -- perhaps I'll remember to do that.  The history is interesting, see the plaque below.

All pictures taken with the G12 in RAW mode and processed very simply and quickly in Adobe Camera Raw..

G12 Review

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The good folks at DPreview have published their long awaited review of the G12.  Although titled a "Quick Review" because of similarities between the G12 and G11, this is still quite a comprehensive review.  Even so, DPreview recommends reading the G11 tests and review as well. 

I was very surprised to read that the sensor is the same as the sensor in the G11; in fact, I doubt this is the case because the (Sony supplied) G11 sensor was widely reported to be incapable of supplying data at the rate necessary for HD video.  Perhaps the G12 sensor is a slight variation of the G11 sensor.  Also noted is that Nikon's P7000 uses the same sensor.

Well worth reading.
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PAW 2

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I've been meaning to take this picture for some time.  The early morning sun sometimes produces quite nice lighting on my patio.  True, it's winter now and there is little color (but no snow in south Louisiana!).  To get this shot, I held the G12 high above my head (the articulated screen was very useful) and bumped up the exposure by 1/3 stop from the Av selection.  The RAW image file was processed in ACR with emphasis on strong contrast. 
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G12: Thumb Rest

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OK, so it's not exactly a Franiec design but it works.  Tired of inadvertently pressing other buttons with my thumb, I cut out a thumb rest from a 3/16 inch thick self adhesive felt pad (intended to be used on furniture).  The pad is thick enough to separate my thumb from the body of the G12.  I actually contacted Richard Franiec and asked if he were making a G12 thumb rest but, at this point, he is not.

 

Although I had good intentions of shaping the pad to match the existing "support", the pad is not easily cut to curves.  I cleaned the surface of the support with alcohol before applying the pad and it seems to be sticking very well.

 

So far, my thumb rest is working and seems to be an improvement.  (Wonder if I can get it in black?)

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