Deconstruction of Kamikaze Kurt

Intervalometer

2012-02-01T05:42:00.000-08:00

note to self: on the D90 - the DC IN slot is not the GPS slot that the intervalometer uses, which explains why it didn't work... it worked the other times because you plugged it into the right slot. Also if you're going to shoot the stars, make sure it's a clear (preferably moonless) night.

The Satechi intervalometer works just fine... as usual it's user error. ALSO other than just using the BASIC images, choose SMALL - because it is still greater than hi-def.

If I remember these things, I should be able to do some really good, quality stuff while burning through the shutter life of my camera...

One good thing, it looks like my mom is actually starting to appreciate my efforts in photography, even if she doesn't see what I shoot - eh, one of these days when I get some printed out she'll have a look.

In the meantime, I think I'll be sad that 20 percent of my camera's shutter life has vaporized in sub-par work (at least according to my standards).

Paparazzi

2012-01-29T13:47:00.001-08:00

The quote of the night from a drunken girl was "Are you paparazzi?" She said that because I was on the Strip taking pictures of various images that would come to mind or would happen to cross my lens. In some ways you could say that I was playing tourist while also exercising my D90 since lately I've been doing a lot of shooting with the D50. With nearly 10K actuations on the D90, nearly 20 percent is used up so the thought of having another camera within a year or two is not far behind.

I don't know if it's because of the Chinese New Years, but the Chinese tourists seem to be more common. Whether it is catering to the Asian demographics or just part of the New Years celebration, but there are a lot of those Asian, stylized tigers at entrances to a lot of the casinos. Festivities are going to start winding down in the next couple of weeks and then Las Vegas will get back to normal.

Differing photography projects are starting to fall into place, however my area in other arts is just starting to warm back up. On the video/film making side, that one is just starting to come into play - I'm rediscovering that. Last night's video highlights of the Bellagio fountain show was just a taste but now I'm starting to get a better understanding of where and what I want to do. There's also other artistic projects I'm slowly crunching on and making painfully slow progress... you think with unemployment I'd be trudging along quite nicely and doing a lot. In many ways I have been doing a lot, but most of that is in the brain, I need to transition thought into action now.

2012-01-27T16:17:00.001-08:00

You can enjoy my indie playlist... or gag on it.

restless at night

2012-01-27T14:02:00.000-08:00

Insomnia sucks. My lack of sleep pretty much has to do with what I think is restless leg syndrome. Sometimes I want to stretch or get up to runaround and even times when I do so, it doesn't help. This RLS also happens during the day as well sometimes - it does help with the laziness factor I suppose. Perhaps I just need to try and relax more. There could be the subconcious restlessness from the stagnation or maybe just everything that has happened.

Not for me

2012-01-23T20:29:00.000-08:00

After reading reviews and cross checking with where I want to go and what I want to do with my photography, I realized that I don't even want the Nikon J1/V1 camera or even a 4/3rds camera.

I still need to get a back up as my D50 is slowly going down hill and the so called shutter life of the D90 is about 1/5 of the way through. Maybe another D90 is in the works or possibly the D7000, but more than likely I think this year I'll be focusing on another lens or a flash system... and since the FM-10 manual camera is relatively cheap, that will be a purchase for this year. I'll need to start immersing myself into film developing and techniques, refreshing what I already have learned and start applying.

A decent video camera system is also desired as well so I can start shooting and basically previsualizing projects I have in mind. Stanley Kubrick was a photographer before he was a director. Hmmm... I think I see similarities here.

But all this is camera talk and there are other things to do and other artwork that I would like to explore as well. What really happens and what is happening is in real life and not read here or there.

Bar

2012-01-22T10:16:00.000-08:00

I guess one of the few things that seem to be common is going to the bar... whether it's to gamble and spend time hoping for occasional wins while having a few drinks and watching sports or socializing. There's even food that's usually sold for cheap... bar hopping looking for fun at every corner or finding a place that has a friendly atmosphere where you can stay put. After I get a job and eventually a place of my own, what am I going to do to pass the time - especially for someone that doesn't watch television or spend a lot of time on the internet. Maybe I'll be doing some kind of art, photography, different ways of socializing... I'm not too sure yet. Heck, I just might find a Cleopatra Keno game and play.

PressPausePlay Documentary

2012-01-20T16:27:00.000-08:00

PressPausePlay is about creativity in the digitally interconnected world we live in.

Does democratized culture mean better art, film, music and literature or is true talent instead flooded and drowned in the vast digital ocean of mass culture? Is it cultural democracy or mediocrity?

You can watch it on Vimeo here: PressPausePlay

The blog is now open

2012-01-19T00:27:00.000-08:00

Since Wednesday was my day being offline as my protest against SOPA and PIPA I can finally start this blog. One thing that is amazing is how tied to electronics we are and more so, the internet. I'm connected through Blogger, Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, and Viemo/YouTube. It's a choice I make for myself - but one which I can and will walk away from at any time. There is one thing, though - as much of an electronic world we work in, it's still a two dimensional plane of exisistence.

I prefer to live in the analog world, one that I can touch work and feel. Working on sculpture, multimedia, painting, photography, or other forms of art allows me a more hands on experience. Despite not liking the e-world we live in, I'm still connected in some way.

Even though my brain says that I shouldn't let Shannon and her friend Wroderick, even Brandon ruin the Pacific Northwest experience for me, emotionally it's different. If I no longer have a love for the Northwest, then there will be nothing but spite and hate for the rest of my life. Because I look at it as a person attack on who I am... details will be left out for now. Hopefully there will be increasingly positive changes over time and I'm optimistic for it - but for now, it's a completely different beast. Right now, whether I return to the Portland area or not is up in the air - other areas are being taken into consideration: somewhere near the coast, that has an art and music scene with a strong culture. It could be as far as Philadelphia or as close as Los Angeles. We'll see how this evolves.

First thing is first - and that's finding a job. Fortunately my list of things I want has remained at the same level and it's just a matter of controlled spending. The rest is just continuing on in life...

I've been spending my time going out a couple times a week with my mom's car, watching movies, working on art and photography, and helping around the house. Oh and I do get terrorized by the nephews once in a while.

Thus this blog is now open!

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2011-11-28T19:14:00.000-08:00