I think it’s about time that I added an actual photo to my blog. My blog has been anything but photography related lately, and I need to learn to balance my content more.
This was taken at the Sparta Farmers market a few weekends ago. They tasted as good as they look.
Blue
This weekend, Heidi was attending a conference just outside of Princeton, NJ and I came along to keep her company. The hotel had a really great gaming area. And when you take 2 supposed adults, add some beer, chips, shuffleboard, pool, ping-pong, and foosball tables, you have a recipe for a really fun time. We must have spent 2 hours straight trying out all of the games, making complete fools of ourselves while laughing hysterically and having the time of our lives. The thought of bringing the camera with me didn’t even cross my mind until I saw Heidi’s blue nail polish next to the red felt of the pool table, at which point I ran up to the room to get it. I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.
The inspiration for the photo shoot
As a photographer, I am always on the lookout for the next great photo opportunity, but I don’t always have my gear with me. Having an SLR with multiple lenses is the best choice for quality and flexibility, but not when it comes to convenience. I have considered purchasing a small point-and-shoot camera that I could always carry with me, but never got around to it. The 3 megapixel camera on the iPhone 3GS just didn’t cut it, but the iPhone 4 steps up it’s game with 5 megapixels, a built-in LED flash, and even an HDR (high dynamic range) mode. Suddenly, the point an shoot camera that I have always wanted is in my pocket, ready to shoot at all times.
We know the hardware is up to par, but as usual, Apple put only the most basic features into it’s native camera app. Luckily, there are some pretty nice camera apps available in the app store, and one that was recently pulled from the store due to a violation of Apple’s crazy requirements, which I will explain later.
First, lets talk about the built in camera app. Just the basics here. Buttons across the top allow you to turn the flash on or off, enable HDR, and flip to the forward facing camera. Tap anywhere else on the screen to focus and set metering. Once focus is achieved, a zoom slider will appear at the bottom of the screen. And below that is access to your camera roll, the shutter button, and the video switch.
Standard Camera App
Sometimes the coolest places are right under our noses. My girlfriend Heidi and I are always on the lookout for the next great place to eat (and drink). When we are at my place, this calling leads us into NYC more often than not. After making her way the almost 2 hours from PA last Friday night, the last thing Heidi wanted to do was get back in the car and head into the city, so I sought out a place that was close to home. From the moment I read about the Popcorn cooked in bacon fat served at the bar, I knew The Tap House, in Tuckahoe was the answer to our problems. Less than 2 miles from my house, I have probably passed this place a few hundred times on my way to and from the gym over the last few years, but have never set foot inside.
After a short wait, 2 seats opened up at the bar and we sat right in front of a beautiful, shiny, chrome bar tap that I knew would make for some great photos. Whether for a self portrait…
Smile for the camera
