Calzone
Gear Whore #1
John,
Thanks for the like. You have to know that it means a lot to me.
Cal
Thanks for the like. You have to know that it means a lot to me.
Cal
JohnGellings
Well-known
It is good to be re-invigorated. Sometimes you need time away from your work to understand it and remix it.John,
Thanks for the like. You have to know that it means a lot to me.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
John,
You got that right.
Remember how I use to say, “Time is the best editor?”
I was wearing one of those red Lifeguard muscle shirts today, and I had some girl ask me if in fact if I am actually a life guard. Kinda funny because I’m a skinny bitch and perhaps not big enough to be one. Anyways pretty flattering.
The “Chronogram” is a free magizine that promotes the Hudson Valley. Kind of a version of New York Timeout listing destinations, things to do, and all the events.
“Maggie’s” book was on the top of page 61 with a bit of introduction and blurb. Pretty cool.
Also I have to really read the book because pretty much some of the writing is about me.
I have a chapter in my memior that begins: “I wandered like some lost Salmon following my father’s footsteps and discovered I live a few blocks away from where my father once lived.”
Pretty much I described the loft on South 3rd Street near the Williamsburg bridge where I lived. Where my father lived was near a subway stop on Broadway. This remained a poor section that was Latino.
This passage speaks of my father’s journey as an illegal alien who jumped ship in New York Harbor in the late 1920’s or early 1930’s during what my father spoke of as the “hard-time.”
He actually lived in a run down building I photographed on Harrison Avenue, that is close to the Jewish section of Williamsburg. I reveal lots of history of my father and New York’s history and draw scenes from the Marlyn Brando film “Along The Waterfront” to explain the backdrop, and although not depicted in the film I knew my father was present in that time and era.
Also much of the filming was in Greenpoint near where I once lived. Did you know that Brooklyn has 41 miles of coastline?
This is a really great setup, because my father is dead, and I speak of the remorse of how I was an evil kid. In my MFA, one reader in one of my workshops made a strong comment that my story made them feel really bad about my father, his struggles, his humble beginnings, his poverty, and especially having an angry son like me who was mucho evil.
Pretty much I blamed him for all my problems, and pretty much was sorry in a too late a manner, and in a way apologizing and recognizing his sacrifices, even though when a kid I was horrible.
My style of shooting also are short bursts as you know with me generally moving in closer and changing POV. I can see exploiting my style.
As you know our wanderings, sometimes called death marches, covered a lot of ground, and involved a sort of searching and a sense of urban grit.
Perhaps subtitles adding information like the name of the subject, the circumstances, and the things beyond the visuals. A good example is when we were in Harlem and we were confronted by Orlando the day of the Trevor Martin verdict.
Remember my wide angle shot with your right hand fingers pointing at Orlando from the bottom corner of the shot, with Orlando’s hand also pointed like a gun pursed against his lips as if indicating “shut up” and lastly with the T-shirt that had an image of a phaser from Star Trek with the caption “Don’t Phase Me Bro.”
Pretty much a multimedia experience with text and voice over. The text could be helpful to control pacing and add depth.
Not sure if I have the freedom to use these shots. By law I am entitled to take shots of people in public spaces on the street, I own the copyrights also, but are they free for me to use for my own expression as street photography? My guess is they are my images, but how much liberty do I have or can enjoy?
Pretty much do I need releases and permissions?
Hmmm…
Cal
You got that right.
Remember how I use to say, “Time is the best editor?”
I was wearing one of those red Lifeguard muscle shirts today, and I had some girl ask me if in fact if I am actually a life guard. Kinda funny because I’m a skinny bitch and perhaps not big enough to be one. Anyways pretty flattering.
The “Chronogram” is a free magizine that promotes the Hudson Valley. Kind of a version of New York Timeout listing destinations, things to do, and all the events.
“Maggie’s” book was on the top of page 61 with a bit of introduction and blurb. Pretty cool.
Also I have to really read the book because pretty much some of the writing is about me.
I have a chapter in my memior that begins: “I wandered like some lost Salmon following my father’s footsteps and discovered I live a few blocks away from where my father once lived.”
Pretty much I described the loft on South 3rd Street near the Williamsburg bridge where I lived. Where my father lived was near a subway stop on Broadway. This remained a poor section that was Latino.
This passage speaks of my father’s journey as an illegal alien who jumped ship in New York Harbor in the late 1920’s or early 1930’s during what my father spoke of as the “hard-time.”
He actually lived in a run down building I photographed on Harrison Avenue, that is close to the Jewish section of Williamsburg. I reveal lots of history of my father and New York’s history and draw scenes from the Marlyn Brando film “Along The Waterfront” to explain the backdrop, and although not depicted in the film I knew my father was present in that time and era.
Also much of the filming was in Greenpoint near where I once lived. Did you know that Brooklyn has 41 miles of coastline?
This is a really great setup, because my father is dead, and I speak of the remorse of how I was an evil kid. In my MFA, one reader in one of my workshops made a strong comment that my story made them feel really bad about my father, his struggles, his humble beginnings, his poverty, and especially having an angry son like me who was mucho evil.
Pretty much I blamed him for all my problems, and pretty much was sorry in a too late a manner, and in a way apologizing and recognizing his sacrifices, even though when a kid I was horrible.
My style of shooting also are short bursts as you know with me generally moving in closer and changing POV. I can see exploiting my style.
As you know our wanderings, sometimes called death marches, covered a lot of ground, and involved a sort of searching and a sense of urban grit.
Perhaps subtitles adding information like the name of the subject, the circumstances, and the things beyond the visuals. A good example is when we were in Harlem and we were confronted by Orlando the day of the Trevor Martin verdict.
Remember my wide angle shot with your right hand fingers pointing at Orlando from the bottom corner of the shot, with Orlando’s hand also pointed like a gun pursed against his lips as if indicating “shut up” and lastly with the T-shirt that had an image of a phaser from Star Trek with the caption “Don’t Phase Me Bro.”
Pretty much a multimedia experience with text and voice over. The text could be helpful to control pacing and add depth.
Not sure if I have the freedom to use these shots. By law I am entitled to take shots of people in public spaces on the street, I own the copyrights also, but are they free for me to use for my own expression as street photography? My guess is they are my images, but how much liberty do I have or can enjoy?
Pretty much do I need releases and permissions?
Hmmm…
Cal
Last edited:
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
On the first Tuesday of every month is a local Meet-Up of artists called First Tuesday Salon. It has met up for 25 years at the Beanrunner Cafe which back in the day was a blacksmith’s shop. This event is June 4th which is tomorrow.
This month’s salon it is suggested that artists bring something you made, wrote or can perform. Hmmm…
I might read something and of course my writing has a spoken word element, and I am a performer of course. Don’t forget I’m a drama queen.
I might also bring out my deck of cards that are actually 2x3 inch business cards that are actually small prints that I used a hand stamp I made from a kit I bought at staples. Pretty much it is a micro portfolio.
I figure that I was a painter for a decade, a performance artist and creature of the theater for a decade, a writer for about a decade, and then a photographer for about a decade. No wonder I am so confused, but somehow it kinda makes sense that really I’m some kinda multi-media artist who often just follows impulse.
Tomorrow will be a bit of a reveal I guess.
Cal
This month’s salon it is suggested that artists bring something you made, wrote or can perform. Hmmm…
I might read something and of course my writing has a spoken word element, and I am a performer of course. Don’t forget I’m a drama queen.
I might also bring out my deck of cards that are actually 2x3 inch business cards that are actually small prints that I used a hand stamp I made from a kit I bought at staples. Pretty much it is a micro portfolio.
I figure that I was a painter for a decade, a performance artist and creature of the theater for a decade, a writer for about a decade, and then a photographer for about a decade. No wonder I am so confused, but somehow it kinda makes sense that really I’m some kinda multi-media artist who often just follows impulse.
Tomorrow will be a bit of a reveal I guess.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Read an article of increased risk of stagflation because of the extraordinary spending that has happened over the past 5 years.
This may or may not happen, but the conditions of high inflation combined with high unemployment is really brutal.
Meanwhile China is still trying to export its way out of economic trouble and wasting its ammo trying to do this rather than develop and promote domestic demand. Pretty my China is being accused of “dumping” goods. Another failed policy that will end badly.
BTW I do believe that China’s contribution to the world economy will be felt world wide as far as its fall and collapse. The disinflation, a Greenspan term where cheap goods from overseas moderated inflation for over two decades while wages here in the U.S. stagnated, will no longer contain inflation.
China’s model of being an export economy of cheap goods pretty much does not work anymore.
Of course onshoring requires capitol and has a cost that adds to inflation. Expect higher prices in the future.
Cal
This may or may not happen, but the conditions of high inflation combined with high unemployment is really brutal.
Meanwhile China is still trying to export its way out of economic trouble and wasting its ammo trying to do this rather than develop and promote domestic demand. Pretty my China is being accused of “dumping” goods. Another failed policy that will end badly.
BTW I do believe that China’s contribution to the world economy will be felt world wide as far as its fall and collapse. The disinflation, a Greenspan term where cheap goods from overseas moderated inflation for over two decades while wages here in the U.S. stagnated, will no longer contain inflation.
China’s model of being an export economy of cheap goods pretty much does not work anymore.
Of course onshoring requires capitol and has a cost that adds to inflation. Expect higher prices in the future.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I have three good batteries for my Monochrom. I just checked if they hold a charge or self discharge over time.
Thanks to Jean-Marc I have a third battery that he gifted me.
Many-many thanks.
I found a tiny belt pouch that can house two batteries and some alcohol preps. Pretty much I can attach it to my keys that I in turn attach to a belt loop to basically not need a camera bag. Pretty much I’m rigging up for an every day carry.
I also got from AJ this small padded handlebar bag that also can convert into a fanny pack. If I fit a manual focus lens onto my SL2 it fits.
I have my rigs kitted out.
Cal
Thanks to Jean-Marc I have a third battery that he gifted me.
Many-many thanks.
I found a tiny belt pouch that can house two batteries and some alcohol preps. Pretty much I can attach it to my keys that I in turn attach to a belt loop to basically not need a camera bag. Pretty much I’m rigging up for an every day carry.
I also got from AJ this small padded handlebar bag that also can convert into a fanny pack. If I fit a manual focus lens onto my SL2 it fits.
I have my rigs kitted out.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I will do my assignment today for the Peekskill Herald and shoot our City Clerk for the “Ten-Questions” feature.
I remember back in my first Master’s Program the conveyor of the Communication Arts Program who was my screenwriting professor told me that I have a “director’s bent,” meaning that I had the personality to lead a crew and do a major task of making and completing a monumental task.
A pretty flattering remark. I guess not many people have what it takes.
Presently a lot of growth is happening as it seems like an awakening is underway. All those decades of struggle are now merging into one.
It is also a really nice day to do a long run with heavy hands or a nice bike ride.
Cal
I remember back in my first Master’s Program the conveyor of the Communication Arts Program who was my screenwriting professor told me that I have a “director’s bent,” meaning that I had the personality to lead a crew and do a major task of making and completing a monumental task.
A pretty flattering remark. I guess not many people have what it takes.
Presently a lot of growth is happening as it seems like an awakening is underway. All those decades of struggle are now merging into one.
It is also a really nice day to do a long run with heavy hands or a nice bike ride.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Heading up to Boston later this week. “Maggie” has a gig.
I walked to City Hall and got some sun to photograph the City Clerk. Already I have a beach tan and soon will be the Jersey Shore. Sunday looks like rain is possible. Oh-well.
In the market news seems like the economy might be slowing down, and also construction also seems to be slowing down.
Did you see the article on Zombie mortgages? Pretty much these 80/20 dual mortgages have been purchased and the forgiven part actually gets reactivated into an unpaid debt. People are loosing their homes due to foreclosure.
Ouch…
In day two of thought, it seems like merging my writing and photography has some limits. Not so canned as I thought, but I think still an interesting way to show my photography.
The writing about my father is poetic writing by itself. I could use shots of Brooklyn that mostly concentrate on Williamsburg and Greenpoint, but at best this would only be a short.
Still it would be a bit disjointed and too random to make sense.
I think the bigger story here is my search for a sense of home, and in my case having something permanent, that being having photography to take with me as I had the premonition that one day I would be forced to leave.
My narrative is that the experience of long term Foster Care (defined as more than 7 years, and I was in Foster Care for over a decade) has 5 highly probable outcomes: mental illness; homelessness; addictions to drugs or alcohol; criminality; and lastly suicide. Pretty much I have been told I am the exception.
Getting moved like an object as a child and all the disruptions is a different kind of homelessness. Then being a gentrifier and getting displaced again and again with a lack of permanence pretty much for me was somewhat reliving my childhood.
So I kinda see my father’s story as a kind of subtle way to lead from my father’s history to my own personal history. Not an easy story to convey or tell, but my street shooting and how I liked to capture the destitute and run down sections of the city that were gritty was a reflection of where I came from and escaped.
Not sure if I need to include the part that includes the Accidental Icon, the travel, the luxury, posing and that rabbit hole. I think I need to keep it pure, where I just needed a sense of permanence to finally have a sense of home. Pretty much I think this is the story I want to tell.
Think about the concept of home. A safe place, a place where you are welcomed, a place where you have roots and ties, a place where you belong. It takes about 18 years for a baby to become an adult, a long period of maturation, but disrupt that, and remove all the things I just mentioned above and pretty much life is all about impermanence.
For much of my life I never really thought I had a future. Growing up there was all this confusion, my past blurred by trauma, and pretty much I was an animal living only in the moment on impulse. I lived with an intensity that scared people, but this level of edgy anxiety was not sustainable and at one point in my life I was diagnosed as a manic depressive.
I was 32, and basically I had to learn how to relax, something I never learned to do. When I credit my friend Iron Mike for saving my life through biking, I’m not exaggerating.
There is a character arc: I used visual arts to process my jumbled thinking into multi-layered images that interacted with each other in a sculptural manner; I got my first Masters in TV Journalism to be able to tell a story with a beginning, middle, and an end in 6-7 sentences, and was able to write an autobiographical screenplay about the loss of my mother, but only in the third person voice.
It was after September 11th that I got my MFA in Creative Writting and was able to write in the first person.
Some of my friends pointed out that there was a time when I spoke of myself as a third person all the time. I was so damaged that this was a defense mechanism to blunt all the pain inside me. My friends thought I was being playful and funny, and I had not realized that I had this behavior.
On a side note, the homelessness and mental illness on the streets of NYC today is a bit too much for me to bare at this point in my life. It disturbs me because that could be me. I have now a home, a sense of community, and a safe place. Today NYC disturbs me. The chaos, the anxiety, the stress of the city is not good for me.
I’m almost done with our friend’s Sari Botton’s anthology “Say Goodbye To All That.” This book is a collection of essays about falling in love with NYC and falling out of love with NYC. Somehow this collection is aligned with the moment I’m in now along with all the other things that are converging that I claim is divine intervention.
Maggie and I call ourselves “Refugees from Madhattan.” Actually I coined the term. You could add the word “Covid” as an adjective to define a timeline.
I can see using street photography and my urban landscape shots as a visual journey that coincides and gets to explain how my past meets and merges into my present. Two journeys that basically are one. Perhaps a title could be “A Sense Of Home.”
Anyways here is some of my sketch padding. Clever thing is that I’m using my archive of photographs, my writing, and living history to frame the story. I know in advance a lot has to be edited out.
Cal
I walked to City Hall and got some sun to photograph the City Clerk. Already I have a beach tan and soon will be the Jersey Shore. Sunday looks like rain is possible. Oh-well.
In the market news seems like the economy might be slowing down, and also construction also seems to be slowing down.
Did you see the article on Zombie mortgages? Pretty much these 80/20 dual mortgages have been purchased and the forgiven part actually gets reactivated into an unpaid debt. People are loosing their homes due to foreclosure.
Ouch…
In day two of thought, it seems like merging my writing and photography has some limits. Not so canned as I thought, but I think still an interesting way to show my photography.
The writing about my father is poetic writing by itself. I could use shots of Brooklyn that mostly concentrate on Williamsburg and Greenpoint, but at best this would only be a short.
Still it would be a bit disjointed and too random to make sense.
I think the bigger story here is my search for a sense of home, and in my case having something permanent, that being having photography to take with me as I had the premonition that one day I would be forced to leave.
My narrative is that the experience of long term Foster Care (defined as more than 7 years, and I was in Foster Care for over a decade) has 5 highly probable outcomes: mental illness; homelessness; addictions to drugs or alcohol; criminality; and lastly suicide. Pretty much I have been told I am the exception.
Getting moved like an object as a child and all the disruptions is a different kind of homelessness. Then being a gentrifier and getting displaced again and again with a lack of permanence pretty much for me was somewhat reliving my childhood.
So I kinda see my father’s story as a kind of subtle way to lead from my father’s history to my own personal history. Not an easy story to convey or tell, but my street shooting and how I liked to capture the destitute and run down sections of the city that were gritty was a reflection of where I came from and escaped.
Not sure if I need to include the part that includes the Accidental Icon, the travel, the luxury, posing and that rabbit hole. I think I need to keep it pure, where I just needed a sense of permanence to finally have a sense of home. Pretty much I think this is the story I want to tell.
Think about the concept of home. A safe place, a place where you are welcomed, a place where you have roots and ties, a place where you belong. It takes about 18 years for a baby to become an adult, a long period of maturation, but disrupt that, and remove all the things I just mentioned above and pretty much life is all about impermanence.
For much of my life I never really thought I had a future. Growing up there was all this confusion, my past blurred by trauma, and pretty much I was an animal living only in the moment on impulse. I lived with an intensity that scared people, but this level of edgy anxiety was not sustainable and at one point in my life I was diagnosed as a manic depressive.
I was 32, and basically I had to learn how to relax, something I never learned to do. When I credit my friend Iron Mike for saving my life through biking, I’m not exaggerating.
There is a character arc: I used visual arts to process my jumbled thinking into multi-layered images that interacted with each other in a sculptural manner; I got my first Masters in TV Journalism to be able to tell a story with a beginning, middle, and an end in 6-7 sentences, and was able to write an autobiographical screenplay about the loss of my mother, but only in the third person voice.
It was after September 11th that I got my MFA in Creative Writting and was able to write in the first person.
Some of my friends pointed out that there was a time when I spoke of myself as a third person all the time. I was so damaged that this was a defense mechanism to blunt all the pain inside me. My friends thought I was being playful and funny, and I had not realized that I had this behavior.
On a side note, the homelessness and mental illness on the streets of NYC today is a bit too much for me to bare at this point in my life. It disturbs me because that could be me. I have now a home, a sense of community, and a safe place. Today NYC disturbs me. The chaos, the anxiety, the stress of the city is not good for me.
I’m almost done with our friend’s Sari Botton’s anthology “Say Goodbye To All That.” This book is a collection of essays about falling in love with NYC and falling out of love with NYC. Somehow this collection is aligned with the moment I’m in now along with all the other things that are converging that I claim is divine intervention.
Maggie and I call ourselves “Refugees from Madhattan.” Actually I coined the term. You could add the word “Covid” as an adjective to define a timeline.
I can see using street photography and my urban landscape shots as a visual journey that coincides and gets to explain how my past meets and merges into my present. Two journeys that basically are one. Perhaps a title could be “A Sense Of Home.”
Anyways here is some of my sketch padding. Clever thing is that I’m using my archive of photographs, my writing, and living history to frame the story. I know in advance a lot has to be edited out.
Cal
Last edited:
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
My Daiwa BG-MQ 4000 spinning reel is out for delivery today.
I went for a slow run with three pound heavy hands.
I’m conditioning my new SL3 batteries. These new batteries have a bigger capacity, so it is an upgrade. The first few cycles are kinda important.
After I drop off “Maggie” downtown and have some lunch, I think I’ll go for a leisurely ride. I’m already a skanky mess, so what the hey.
The idea today is pump some blood an burn some calories. It’s a nice day.
Cal
I went for a slow run with three pound heavy hands.
I’m conditioning my new SL3 batteries. These new batteries have a bigger capacity, so it is an upgrade. The first few cycles are kinda important.
After I drop off “Maggie” downtown and have some lunch, I think I’ll go for a leisurely ride. I’m already a skanky mess, so what the hey.
The idea today is pump some blood an burn some calories. It’s a nice day.
Cal
JohnGellings
Well-known
Yes, I remember. It really is and I use that philosophy on anything I can. I am purposely ignoring all of my projects that I´ve finished on purpose. Since I moved, I have started 3 new ones.John,
You got that right.
Remember how I use to say, “Time is the best editor?”
Of course... you might not get away with using them for an advertisement, but as art of course you can use them and even gain from them.Not sure if I have the freedom to use these shots. By law I am entitled to take shots of people in public spaces on the street, I own the copyrights also, but are they free for me to use for my own expression as street photography?
In an art context, as much as you can.My guess is they are my images, but how much liberty do I have or can enjoy?
Nope.Pretty much do I need releases and permissions?
Hmmm…
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
John,
Thanks for being a great friend. Your information added lots of clarity.
Not sure how good or bad this project will be. This project will be kinda computer driven, so I don’t need studio space like when I was printing.
What an editing nightmare. LOL. Pretty insane merging writing and photography. Pretty much I expect to do lots of rewriting to fit the form.
The basic idea though is a film about street photography from a very individual perspective. Likely not for everyone, but hopefully a cult following, and that would please me and make me happy. My premis is to just express some thinking and an idea.
Cal
Thanks for being a great friend. Your information added lots of clarity.
Not sure how good or bad this project will be. This project will be kinda computer driven, so I don’t need studio space like when I was printing.
What an editing nightmare. LOL. Pretty insane merging writing and photography. Pretty much I expect to do lots of rewriting to fit the form.
The basic idea though is a film about street photography from a very individual perspective. Likely not for everyone, but hopefully a cult following, and that would please me and make me happy. My premis is to just express some thinking and an idea.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
The new Daiwa spinning reel was delivered. The thing is tiny, like smaller than small, and about the size of a fresh water spinning reel.
Back in the day I used a Daiwa BG-60 that was oversized and had a large diameter spool for less friction for distance casting in the surf. So pretty much I leaped decades forward with 15 pound braid and this tiny reel.
This reel cost $209.00, but I could of spent $1K going crazy for one of these totally sealed reels for wading into the surf. I’m not so hard core…
Anyways the technology is kinda crazy. Built like a formula race car the weight has been shaved to the minimum, yet the engineering for strength and long term durability is here. 7 sealed bearings and rubber gaskets and o-ring seals. Kinda built like a cyclotron.
With less weight, less fatigue, more fun. I’m glad I did not go 20 pound test, that would be a bit of meat-stick fishing. I have a tradition of using light tackle. Also I can see using this reel on a Hobie peddle kayak on a shorter rod, or again on a shorter rod for boat fishing.
The two-piece surf rod I bought brand new at the Stormville airport flea market. $30.00. Pretty much the booth was a close out from a tackle store that went out of business, rated for 12-17 pound test, and lures 1/2- 2 ounces. It is definitely not a meat-stick and is not intended or meant for bait dunking. Cast and retrieve all day while walking a beach with light lures.
The thing with braid though is that it is so thin it can slice into your finger. One workaround and likely a good idea is to use a length of mono as a shock leader to prevent knifing the tip of your finger. 15 pound braid has the thickness of sewing thread. How crazy is that.
Of course the thin line weighs almost nothing and has a low wind resistance to aid in casting. Using 1-2 ounce lures the casts will be mighty long. This type of fishing is mighty relaxing, and eating fresh fish that you caught yourself is really cool.
I figure a 5-7 pound Bluefish in the surf using 15 pound test line is a challenge.
I have a spool of 15 pound mono for shock leaders.
Cal
Back in the day I used a Daiwa BG-60 that was oversized and had a large diameter spool for less friction for distance casting in the surf. So pretty much I leaped decades forward with 15 pound braid and this tiny reel.
This reel cost $209.00, but I could of spent $1K going crazy for one of these totally sealed reels for wading into the surf. I’m not so hard core…
Anyways the technology is kinda crazy. Built like a formula race car the weight has been shaved to the minimum, yet the engineering for strength and long term durability is here. 7 sealed bearings and rubber gaskets and o-ring seals. Kinda built like a cyclotron.
With less weight, less fatigue, more fun. I’m glad I did not go 20 pound test, that would be a bit of meat-stick fishing. I have a tradition of using light tackle. Also I can see using this reel on a Hobie peddle kayak on a shorter rod, or again on a shorter rod for boat fishing.
The two-piece surf rod I bought brand new at the Stormville airport flea market. $30.00. Pretty much the booth was a close out from a tackle store that went out of business, rated for 12-17 pound test, and lures 1/2- 2 ounces. It is definitely not a meat-stick and is not intended or meant for bait dunking. Cast and retrieve all day while walking a beach with light lures.
The thing with braid though is that it is so thin it can slice into your finger. One workaround and likely a good idea is to use a length of mono as a shock leader to prevent knifing the tip of your finger. 15 pound braid has the thickness of sewing thread. How crazy is that.
Of course the thin line weighs almost nothing and has a low wind resistance to aid in casting. Using 1-2 ounce lures the casts will be mighty long. This type of fishing is mighty relaxing, and eating fresh fish that you caught yourself is really cool.
I figure a 5-7 pound Bluefish in the surf using 15 pound test line is a challenge.
I have a spool of 15 pound mono for shock leaders.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I loaded the second new SL-3 battery into my SL-2 for some conditioning.
One thing I noticed already is that charging the battery takes longer than I remember. Don’t know if this is because these batteries have only had their first initial charge, or if the storing of power is so much bigger than my SL-2 batteries.
My old SL-2 batteries lasted a long time and rarely would I need the second battery. Wow now I have even more capacity.
One thing about the Leica L-glass, pretty much it promotes shooting wide open. Sharp across the frame, even in the corners, and there is a beautiful smoothness from sharp to OOF that is magical and addicting. Pretty and pretty, but the glass is big and mucho heavy.
Cal
One thing I noticed already is that charging the battery takes longer than I remember. Don’t know if this is because these batteries have only had their first initial charge, or if the storing of power is so much bigger than my SL-2 batteries.
My old SL-2 batteries lasted a long time and rarely would I need the second battery. Wow now I have even more capacity.
One thing about the Leica L-glass, pretty much it promotes shooting wide open. Sharp across the frame, even in the corners, and there is a beautiful smoothness from sharp to OOF that is magical and addicting. Pretty and pretty, but the glass is big and mucho heavy.
Cal
Nokton48
Veteran
Morning Devil Cal,
1000mm F16 Apo Ronar Wolfe Configuration Close Up Looks Good by Nokton48, on Flickr
This is very close to what Mr. Wolf was using out in the field. A standard sized 8x10 Norma Bellows, three Norma Auxiliary Standards (I have another one coming). Three Norma 4x5 standards. The Compendium Hood is a Norma Tapered 4x5 Bellows. Viewing through the lens image looks really good and sharp. The two C40's provide ROCK SOLID support even in strong wind. Tripods may be weighted down in the field. Measured bellows draw is Fifty-three Inches, so calculated Bellows draw factor is TWO STOPS for this close-up.
View through 8x10 Tele Sinar Norma 1000mm F16 Apo Ronar by Nokton48, on Flickr
1000mm Rodenstock Apo Ronar ready to go! 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

This is very close to what Mr. Wolf was using out in the field. A standard sized 8x10 Norma Bellows, three Norma Auxiliary Standards (I have another one coming). Three Norma 4x5 standards. The Compendium Hood is a Norma Tapered 4x5 Bellows. Viewing through the lens image looks really good and sharp. The two C40's provide ROCK SOLID support even in strong wind. Tripods may be weighted down in the field. Measured bellows draw is Fifty-three Inches, so calculated Bellows draw factor is TWO STOPS for this close-up.


Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Devil Dan,
Surely you are insane. LOL.
How much crazier can you get?
Cal
Surely you are insane. LOL.
How much crazier can you get?
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Just got back from Boston. “Maggie” had a gig there on WBUR, Boston University Radio’s studio.
Last time we were in Boston was about 2 decades ago. Newberry Street seemed to be commodified with the same luxury high end shops that are in NYC. No real artsy of boutique shops anymore. Pretty much to the extent of why ever go to Boston when NYC is closer. Had a vibe of a Starbucks on every corner if you know what I mean.
Trident books though is a mighty cool bookstore though. I bought a book I wanted to read called “Completely Mad” about two men who in 1969 right around the moon landing, separately rowed across the Atlantic Ocean solo.
Pretty much two separate journeys and two different stories. I kinda identify with both in different ways. Tom was an orphan and when he aged out joined the military. John though was a kinda guy with a death wish and was a big egomaniac who had bad boundaries.
On one hand one guy was just a loner, and the other a thrill seeker and deviant. On the train ride home I got through about one third of the book. I kinda see myself in these two real life characters. I’m hoping to learn something about myself.
I had my Monochrom with me in Boston and my love for this camera never ends. MM with 28 Cron is a great EDC (every-day-carry).
Spent a lot of time thinking about my Sense-Of-Home project, and now I think about a new title called “Forensics.” The film is really about street photography and urban landscape to provide a sense of home, but the deeper reasoning and motivation is the forensics where I dig in deeper and connect the dots.
Anyways the film is really about the “motive” and “motivation” that remained a bit of a mystery. I’m thinking of the arc of the film and the reasoning and logic that is the understanding and outcome. Pretty much a unique story from a very different POV.
An important thing for a film maker is to have a one sentence description that answers the question, “What’s it about?” Followed by a second sentence that sets a hook. This is still a work in progress…
I am taking notes and writing down ideas. I guess in this long thread might be some useful material. In a way this is a journal of sorts where I share reflection. I expect the writing to be somewhat conversational like the writing displayed here.
I have a few sequences, a series of shots that are a great way to express tone and establish mood. Pretty much interesting visuals that are like beauty shots for a form of visual engagement.
My father’s history (2005) leads to the housing crisis (2007-2008) where I start shooting film. Around 2012 I buy my Leica Monochrom and then around 2014 or so “Maggie” starts her blog. 2020 is Pandemic. 2021 we buy the Baby-Victorian.
Anyways I’m sorting out a timeline, and I don’t know what is needed for my narrative. The work with Accidental Icon might end up on the editing floor. In a way it breaks continuity. If in the film it would be minimized.
We have a massive strawberry harvest. Likely already have about a gallon of ripe strawberries. They are not supersized like from a grocery, but they are tangy and mucho sweet. I will have for breakfast tomorrow a gigantic bowl of strawberries and yogurt sprinkled with perhaps a touch of granola.
Now I’m thinking of a hybrid between a screenplay that is a kind of a goodbye to NYC, a kinda self interview that is spoken word combined with a visual poem of sorts, and somewhat a homage to a NYC that is no longer. My idea here is a layered approach. A bit of a woven/braided story…
Been looking into the video capabilities of my SL2. The SL2S has less problems with more-ray and of course with a bigger pixel does better in low light. I have that wonderful Leica L-glass also. Hmmm.
So pretty much a lot of thinking and sketching. At this point a lot to consider, but I’m moving forward.
Cal
Last time we were in Boston was about 2 decades ago. Newberry Street seemed to be commodified with the same luxury high end shops that are in NYC. No real artsy of boutique shops anymore. Pretty much to the extent of why ever go to Boston when NYC is closer. Had a vibe of a Starbucks on every corner if you know what I mean.
Trident books though is a mighty cool bookstore though. I bought a book I wanted to read called “Completely Mad” about two men who in 1969 right around the moon landing, separately rowed across the Atlantic Ocean solo.
Pretty much two separate journeys and two different stories. I kinda identify with both in different ways. Tom was an orphan and when he aged out joined the military. John though was a kinda guy with a death wish and was a big egomaniac who had bad boundaries.
On one hand one guy was just a loner, and the other a thrill seeker and deviant. On the train ride home I got through about one third of the book. I kinda see myself in these two real life characters. I’m hoping to learn something about myself.
I had my Monochrom with me in Boston and my love for this camera never ends. MM with 28 Cron is a great EDC (every-day-carry).
Spent a lot of time thinking about my Sense-Of-Home project, and now I think about a new title called “Forensics.” The film is really about street photography and urban landscape to provide a sense of home, but the deeper reasoning and motivation is the forensics where I dig in deeper and connect the dots.
Anyways the film is really about the “motive” and “motivation” that remained a bit of a mystery. I’m thinking of the arc of the film and the reasoning and logic that is the understanding and outcome. Pretty much a unique story from a very different POV.
An important thing for a film maker is to have a one sentence description that answers the question, “What’s it about?” Followed by a second sentence that sets a hook. This is still a work in progress…
I am taking notes and writing down ideas. I guess in this long thread might be some useful material. In a way this is a journal of sorts where I share reflection. I expect the writing to be somewhat conversational like the writing displayed here.
I have a few sequences, a series of shots that are a great way to express tone and establish mood. Pretty much interesting visuals that are like beauty shots for a form of visual engagement.
My father’s history (2005) leads to the housing crisis (2007-2008) where I start shooting film. Around 2012 I buy my Leica Monochrom and then around 2014 or so “Maggie” starts her blog. 2020 is Pandemic. 2021 we buy the Baby-Victorian.
Anyways I’m sorting out a timeline, and I don’t know what is needed for my narrative. The work with Accidental Icon might end up on the editing floor. In a way it breaks continuity. If in the film it would be minimized.
We have a massive strawberry harvest. Likely already have about a gallon of ripe strawberries. They are not supersized like from a grocery, but they are tangy and mucho sweet. I will have for breakfast tomorrow a gigantic bowl of strawberries and yogurt sprinkled with perhaps a touch of granola.
Now I’m thinking of a hybrid between a screenplay that is a kind of a goodbye to NYC, a kinda self interview that is spoken word combined with a visual poem of sorts, and somewhat a homage to a NYC that is no longer. My idea here is a layered approach. A bit of a woven/braided story…
Been looking into the video capabilities of my SL2. The SL2S has less problems with more-ray and of course with a bigger pixel does better in low light. I have that wonderful Leica L-glass also. Hmmm.
So pretty much a lot of thinking and sketching. At this point a lot to consider, but I’m moving forward.
Cal
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
My fresh strawberries with yogurt and a tad of granola was mucho good.
I have such a bumper crop that some will just rot on the vine. I’m sure our animals will also be fed. Plenty for all.
I’m slowly shedding the few pounds of weight gain that happened over the winter. Diet and exercise, nothing crazy. My legs are tight though from my run with heavy hands (3 pounds) and from walking around Boston. Mass transit is fatiguing, and pretty much we are less interested of find less and less interesting big cities.
AJ has a Ti Litespeed frame like my Newsboy. I know he would like to sell it, and pretty much it would be mighty cool as a rigid single speed with a 63 inch gear. I had a machinist friend make 1 inch aluminum collars to convert the head tube from 1 1/8 to 1 inch because of the confusing transition that was underway at the time. This frame was designed as a rigid.
Anyways a possible future bike… Hmmm.
Cal
I have such a bumper crop that some will just rot on the vine. I’m sure our animals will also be fed. Plenty for all.
I’m slowly shedding the few pounds of weight gain that happened over the winter. Diet and exercise, nothing crazy. My legs are tight though from my run with heavy hands (3 pounds) and from walking around Boston. Mass transit is fatiguing, and pretty much we are less interested of find less and less interesting big cities.
AJ has a Ti Litespeed frame like my Newsboy. I know he would like to sell it, and pretty much it would be mighty cool as a rigid single speed with a 63 inch gear. I had a machinist friend make 1 inch aluminum collars to convert the head tube from 1 1/8 to 1 inch because of the confusing transition that was underway at the time. This frame was designed as a rigid.
Anyways a possible future bike… Hmmm.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Just got back from the Jersey shore. No luck with fishing, but the rod and reel combo feels fine and is well balanced. I used a shock leader to spare my index finger from damage from the thin braid since I’m a guitarist. Lost a jig and teaser due to a knot failure.
I also have to remove a little bit of line. I’m a bit overspooled.
Truth be told this family gathering is not so much fun because being around heavy drinkers if you don’t drink is kinda weird. Yesterday I went for a 40 minute run with 3 pound heavy hands, then I continued to walk with the heavy hands into Seaside Heights. I likely did about 12-13 miles in total.
Today my legs are not stiff or sore, so even though I kinda pushed things far yesterday, I really did not overdo anything.
Seaside Heights is a poor area and it got a bit ghetto. When I told “Maggie” about it she did a search and found out it is a high crime area as well as a poor community. Reminded me of Coney Island, but was in striking contrast to the community where our beach house was. It was like, “What happened?”
Anyways this year the good, the bad, and the ugly came out about the southern end of North Carolina. Complaints was the continued housing boom there, the gentrification, and the rising costs. Crime also is increasing, mostly property crimes.
BTW lots of family dysfunction and some alcoholism present. Again not fun for me. Had a really wonderful surf and turf meal, and I read my book “Completely Mad.” I kinda identified with the one rower Tom who grew up in a orphanage and was in the elite SAS. The other rower was a self serving egomaniac that had assistance and support along his journey.
My hero Tom truely did his crossing alone without any assistance. When he came upon a vessel he only asked for his position, no assistance, and no gifts of food or supplies. Interesting how for Tom is that for him it was “a search for home.” Like Foster Care he lacked family and endure a different kind of homelessness.
Pretty much this book was about maintaining a positive mental attitude, having physical endurance, a lot of life threatening difficulties, and a certain amount of mental fortitude and confidence.
BTW one character was very likable, and the other I would call a selfish entitled jerk. Tom came from the lower SES, and John the jerk was privileged.
We enjoyed pleasant weather, and now I have a good life guard tan.
Off to mow the lawn. I love my Baby-Victorian.
Cal
I also have to remove a little bit of line. I’m a bit overspooled.
Truth be told this family gathering is not so much fun because being around heavy drinkers if you don’t drink is kinda weird. Yesterday I went for a 40 minute run with 3 pound heavy hands, then I continued to walk with the heavy hands into Seaside Heights. I likely did about 12-13 miles in total.
Today my legs are not stiff or sore, so even though I kinda pushed things far yesterday, I really did not overdo anything.
Seaside Heights is a poor area and it got a bit ghetto. When I told “Maggie” about it she did a search and found out it is a high crime area as well as a poor community. Reminded me of Coney Island, but was in striking contrast to the community where our beach house was. It was like, “What happened?”
Anyways this year the good, the bad, and the ugly came out about the southern end of North Carolina. Complaints was the continued housing boom there, the gentrification, and the rising costs. Crime also is increasing, mostly property crimes.
BTW lots of family dysfunction and some alcoholism present. Again not fun for me. Had a really wonderful surf and turf meal, and I read my book “Completely Mad.” I kinda identified with the one rower Tom who grew up in a orphanage and was in the elite SAS. The other rower was a self serving egomaniac that had assistance and support along his journey.
My hero Tom truely did his crossing alone without any assistance. When he came upon a vessel he only asked for his position, no assistance, and no gifts of food or supplies. Interesting how for Tom is that for him it was “a search for home.” Like Foster Care he lacked family and endure a different kind of homelessness.
Pretty much this book was about maintaining a positive mental attitude, having physical endurance, a lot of life threatening difficulties, and a certain amount of mental fortitude and confidence.
BTW one character was very likable, and the other I would call a selfish entitled jerk. Tom came from the lower SES, and John the jerk was privileged.
We enjoyed pleasant weather, and now I have a good life guard tan.
Off to mow the lawn. I love my Baby-Victorian.
Cal
Austintatious
Well-known
That area is now the "IT" place to move to. Now beats out Florida for number one.Anyways this year the good, the bad, and the ugly came out about the southern end of North Carolina. Complaints was the continued housing boom there, the gentrification, and the rising costs. Crime also is increasing, mostly property crimes.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Austin,
Austin Texas was hot for a while as it became a tech center, but traffic and congestion kinda made it unlivable. I remember you left for a better place… Austin now is a place where people are leaving because of costs and congestion.
One day its hot and then it is not.
Lots of clear cutting in the low lands which is basically swampy. There was a reason why development was limited, but all this clear cutting will have negative outcomes for hydrodynamics. This already is a flood prone area…
All this building are in communities with HOA’s.
What about global warming? I also used SmartAsset.com’s tax calculator to see the consequences. Pretty much no real advantage of lower taxes for me. They have a flat tax which amounts to be about the same tax rate in New York in my case.
Right now here in the lower Hudson Valley lows in the 50’s and a high of 75 degrees with low humidity. Tomorrow more of the same, with a climb into the 80’s on Wednesday.
Weather in December and January is pleasant for snow-birding in the Carolina’s… I can see me getting a jump start in fitness instead of gaining winter weight.
I guess it is all about affordability, and pretty much we bought a cheap house that no one wanted that went unloved because it needed and required a major updating. We did well and were mighty clever having the vision to see all the potential. While our yard is not big it is beautiful, scenic, and private in a secluded kinda way. Even our garden faces south in a perfect manner.
I kinda love how where I live can’t really be developed further. Pretty much not enough land at only 4 square miles. I also like that we are on the other side of the city opposite the downtown to have no crowds, noise or congestion. WE have a country like vibe, yet an urban downtown is a 2 mile walk away.
Don’t forget that I live in a watershed for NYC where the country life will have to endure and will be preserved.
Cal
Austin Texas was hot for a while as it became a tech center, but traffic and congestion kinda made it unlivable. I remember you left for a better place… Austin now is a place where people are leaving because of costs and congestion.
One day its hot and then it is not.
Lots of clear cutting in the low lands which is basically swampy. There was a reason why development was limited, but all this clear cutting will have negative outcomes for hydrodynamics. This already is a flood prone area…
All this building are in communities with HOA’s.
What about global warming? I also used SmartAsset.com’s tax calculator to see the consequences. Pretty much no real advantage of lower taxes for me. They have a flat tax which amounts to be about the same tax rate in New York in my case.
Right now here in the lower Hudson Valley lows in the 50’s and a high of 75 degrees with low humidity. Tomorrow more of the same, with a climb into the 80’s on Wednesday.
Weather in December and January is pleasant for snow-birding in the Carolina’s… I can see me getting a jump start in fitness instead of gaining winter weight.
I guess it is all about affordability, and pretty much we bought a cheap house that no one wanted that went unloved because it needed and required a major updating. We did well and were mighty clever having the vision to see all the potential. While our yard is not big it is beautiful, scenic, and private in a secluded kinda way. Even our garden faces south in a perfect manner.
I kinda love how where I live can’t really be developed further. Pretty much not enough land at only 4 square miles. I also like that we are on the other side of the city opposite the downtown to have no crowds, noise or congestion. WE have a country like vibe, yet an urban downtown is a 2 mile walk away.
Don’t forget that I live in a watershed for NYC where the country life will have to endure and will be preserved.
Cal
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