You can still, "Shake it like a polaroid picture"!

An interesting bit of news I came across today. The polaroid, yesteryear's instant gratification.

Here it is:

LAS VEGAS - A strange little ritual used to go along with Polaroid cameras. The shooter would grab the print as it came out of the camera and wave it in the air, as if that would stimulate the chemicals and make the picture appear faster. It didn't. Yet it felt dumb to just stand there, waiting for the picture to develop.

Polaroid stopped making film packs last year, so this little piece of tech culture will soon be just a memory. But just as the film-based Polaroid camera is fading away, along comes its digital replacement.

That's right: Polaroid was set to announce Thursday at the International Consumer Electronics Show that it is introducing a digital camera that produces prints right on the spot. You can even call them "instant" prints, but they take nearly a minute to appear, so they're only as "instant" as the old film prints.

Essentially, the $200 PoGo is a camera that contains a built-in color printer. It produces 2-by-3 inch photos by selectively heating spots on specially treated paper. It has nothing to do with the old chemical Polaroid process, but the prints convey some of the same Pop Art charm: They're grainy and the colors are slightly off, with faces tending toward a deathly blue-green.

The camera is a successor to a standalone printer Polaroid put out last summer, designed to connect to camera phones and digital cameras. When I reviewed it, I noted that if Polaroid combined the printer with an image sensor and an LCD screen, it would be a resurrection of the instant camera. It turns out that's exactly what Polaroid was working on.

Unfortunately, you'll have to wait to get your hands on the camera: Polaroid says it will go on sale in late March or early April.

The camera is a fun product, and people who have been lamenting the death of the Polaroid will find solace in it. Its prints can be peeled apart to reveal a sticky back, which makes them easy to paste on fridges, doors, books, computers, cell phones and other surfaces you want to personalize. For a colleague's going-away party, I took a photo of him, printed out a couple of copies and pasted them on soda cans for an instant "commemorative edition."

The PoGo also has crucial advantages over the old film cameras. You can look at what you shot on the LCD screen, then choose whether you want to print it. You can produce multiple prints of an image, or print something you shot some time ago.

The standalone printer and the new camera use the same paper, which costs $5 for a 10-pack, or $13 for a 30-pack. It's expensive compared to inkjet paper, but about a third of the price of Polaroid film (there are still stocks in stores). No ink or toner is needed.

Despite its high points, The PoGo has the feel of a first-generation product, with noteworthy shortcomings.

As a camera, it's primitive. It doesn't have auto-focus, just a switch for infinity or close-up shots. The resolution is five megapixels, far below that of cheaper compact cameras. Neither of these things matter much for the quality of the prints, which are small and of low resolution anyway, but they do matter if you want to use the digital captures for other purposes.

Like some other cheap digital cameras, there's a substantial lag from the time you press the shutter to when the picture actually is taken, making it nearly impossible to capture action or fleeting expressions.

The prints are narrower than the image captured by the sensor, so you can't print the exact image you see on the screen. Substantial slices are trimmed from the top and bottom of the image to produce the print. In the default shooting mode, the camera doesn't warn you about this effect. You can crop images you've shot, zooming in on parts of them, but there is no way to reduce the size of the image to fit it all on the print.

The life of the rechargeable battery is limited, because of the energy needed to heat up the prints. You can get a bit more than 20 prints on one charge if you do them in one sitting. If you make a print only now and then, you'll get fewer on a charge, because the camera will need to heat up the print head every time. (The old Polaroid cameras didn't have battery problems, because most of them had batteries built into the film packs — a brilliant design. But enough nostalgia.)

None of these flaws are fatal. If you don't like the way the PoGo works as a camera, you can shoot pictures with another camera that uses an SD memory card, then move the card over to the PoGo and print the pictures. But if that's what you plan to use the camera for, you might as well buy the $100 PoGo Instant Mobile Printer, which is slightly smaller. It doesn't take memory cards, but will connect to other cameras with a USB cable.

The camera is much simpler to use than the printer, and it fits the bill for those who want to recapture the simple, spontaneous spirit of Polaroid shooting. Sadly, Polaroid declared bankruptcy in December because of troubles at its parent company. That puts the future supply of PoGo printer paper in question, but Polaroid is still operating, and it appears it will continue for the foreseeable future. In any case, it's likely the portable printing technology will live on, because what it does is unique.

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On the Net:

http://www.thenewinstant.com

More about the PoGo's printing technology: http://www.zink.com

Another photo shoot

A couple Fridays ago, a friend and I did another photo shoot with our favorite photographer. She had not been in her studio for most of the year, and we were itching to get back in front of the camera, so a seven-hour shoot was born! When we decided to do this shoot first we located our hair and make-up "girl" who does a wonderful job making us up and is a great fit with the rest of us - we all cut up, joke, and have the best time.

The second thing we did was search for ideas. I looked on Flickr, Photobucket, individual photography sites, magazines, and everything in between. We then began to gather props. Gathering props mean that you need to locate clothing, shoes, jewlery, hats, along with physical props needed for the ideas you have. One wouldn't think that would be much, but you have to pack up all of the clothing and accessories you are going to wear but also the props for the pictures, truck them into the studio, truck them out of the studio, and then find a place for them when you unpack them at home!

This time I had to bring a bar stool, a sexy Santa outfit and bag, some stuffed animals, etc., etc. The most difficult thing to bring was helium-filled balloons. Normally this isn't much of an issue, butI had a certain color and number I needed. I went to the only place in town that fills latex balloons with helium. It was a day that brought rain, wind, and sun. I went in while it was sunny and FORTY-FIVE minutes later, I had TWELVE (yes, it took them that long) balloons to get in the car. Problem? It was raining and blowing the wind so hard that I was beat to death with the balloons and had to stand in the rain until the wind stopped long enough that I could push the balloons in the back seat and not pop them on the bar stool, rolling suitcase, and other boxes and bags of clothes and props. Long story short, I lost two, which wasn't bad but it was the main color I needed and probably looked like an idiot to the busiest corner of Main Street on a Friday during the lunch traffic because I stood in the rain while the balloons were blowing against me and away from me at the same time. It was all worth it, though, if you look at my profile picture. That is the only picture I have seen of the balloon set so far, and it made it all worth it.

So far I have only seen a sneak peek of the 600+ pictures that were taken that day, but I am in love with most all of them of not only me but also my friend and my husband. Yes, I finally got my husband to a shoot! He took some great shots with his bass, but then he let me take some couple shots with him. Not only were they couple shots, but artsy couple shots! The photograher took some "normal" poses for us in case the artsy ones weren't what we wanted, but they are so plain in comparison to the cool ones.

I guess the reason for this rambling is that these photo shoots could seem self-conceited and pompus, but really it is the entire process that is so enjoyable. It is so much fun to find an idea you like, and then work towards making that idea come out on film with you in it! Like me, I took a lot of ideas from Sarah Jessica Parker. I look NOTHING like SJP but we made it work. That's the incredible, artsy side to this whole process. Take an idea, make it your own, and have a fabulous time in the process. This was just one more fabulous time in the studio!

We are actually in a real studio while taking these pictures. There are the large, square, very hot lights attached to these scissor-lift arms so they can be moved up, down, and every which way. There are rolls of fabric and paper on the ceiling that roll down for different backdrops. There is even a very large drawer full of fabric, accessories, hats, pillows, and more. If you look around there are also the usual props like the lounge, the "smart chair", etc. This time I even used the wind machine (also obvious by the balloon pic).

The studio process is great. We roll in all of our stuff, put on the music, and click away. We really should learn to lock the door because once we get started, the clothes fly everywhere while we ask one another what would go best in this picture, does this look okay with this top, and, well, we do a few pictures with a very little amount of clothes. Apparently me (and my friends) are not afraid to run around half naked. With this set of pictures, we even existed on nothing more than Milano cookies and mimosas! How great is that? :) So when Jeff came to the studio half way though, he rang the bell just in case! I think in a way, he even enjoyed the shoot. Again I think it is the process of having an idea in your head come out in a tangible form. You can look at yourself in a different light. Sometimes, you need to look at yourself in a different light.

New year, new blog

Well, two out of the three-ish people that I know who read my blog have told me to blog on, so here I am.

Today was the removing of Christmas decorations. I have what I call my "blue stuff" that needs to be put out, but that will get done another day. My blue stuff is snowmen, icicles, snowflakes, and the like. It helps to make the transition from Christmas when everything is decorated back to the normal house decor. Actually I think it helps me mentally because this time of year it is so stark, brown (if there is no snow) and cold. Having some nifty decorations around makes the place a little cozier.

Speaking of cozy, I think Jeff and I have that down pat in the evenings. :) I have candles scattered about the living room that I like to light just about every evening, our lamps in the living room are lower light, the furnace is on, and we have soft, fleece blankets to keep us warm. I think this feeling of enveloping warmth is important to both of us. We have a full work day packed with bright lights, loud voices, many people, and such that when we come home and can finally stop long enough to sit, however brief, before bed, it's, for a lack of better word, nice.

So, that's what I'm doing right now. A Sex and the City DVD is spinning in the player, I am relaxing in the recliner, playing around on the internet and looking through scrapbooking magazines and looking up other ideas for scrapbooking on the net (I need to get some stuff started again and want fresh ideas).

If the first day of the year is what you will do the rest of the year, then Jeff and I have cleaned and straightened up, made dinner together, he has played his bass, I have done my 'thing', and later maybe we'll be involved in an even more pleasurable activity. ;) If this is the rest of my year, bring it on!

Months

I can't believe it has been months since I have blogged. Busy times. Just wanted to check in on the blogging world to let the two or three people who read this know I'm still around! I finally changed my pic too. I just did another photo shoot, and the balloon picture is a sneak peek.

Passing time and tattoos placement.

Okay, not that I really have any special info or any insights to posting this blog, but I just looked at my blog page and realized that the last blog I posted was in early AUGUST! Geez. I guess that does prove that I am just slowing down in the busiest season of being a CVB director.

Anyway, for the very few of you who do look at this...I am contemplating a four-leaf clover tattoo....I want it to be about the size of a real one, but I am perplexed as to where it should be. I do not want it easily seen as in ankle, neck, or arm placement. Keep in mind, this is a small tattoo....any thoughts?

I've been a little busy...

...with yard sales if you can believe it. Finally, West Virginia's Largest Yard Sale is over for 2008. I still have to have a debrief meeting, but then I can put it away for a little while. Not a long while, but maybe past Christmas.

Anyway, it was a success. I actually met a family from California that came here for the event. I have met people who have made over $1000 in three days selling nothing but little junk things (not like furniture or antiques). We even had a 12th century suit of armour brought to our Appraisal Fair. The appraisers could not put a price on it. They told the man to take it to the Smithsonian! If you think about it, it is unbelievable how much junk people can accumulate and what kind of traffic jams people create trying to get to it. It's a touch of insanity if you think about it, but it is a great event for our area.

One thing I am beginning to learn with my job is that I have to jump in front of a TV camera every now and then regardless of what I look like. In the past few months I have forgone make-up just for the simple fact of laziness. I still have to put Cordran tape on my scar which takes up a good bit of time in the mornings, and I have just replaced my "face" time because I want to lay in bed those few extra minutes. Well, that means that if a reporter wants me, I have to go on the way I look.

For the yard sale I met a reporter at Hallmark because she was trying to track me down. First of all you have to understand that Mom and I go to Hallmark the first day it opens for the yard sale to get to their 75% off sale first. So I met the reporter there and literally had some stuff I had picked up laying near my feet while I was interviewing. The reporter actually had to tell a lady that stuff laying there was mine at one point...not to mention I stopped talking several times and started over so I could be heard over the jake breaks and Healthnet. I guess I have learned through my education classes and some of my jobs that I have to get up and speak in front of people. The thought of it doesn't scare me but I still get nervous from time to time. This time I wasn't nervous; I just wanted to get back to the sale. Now what else didn't you see in the interview? My mother fluffing my hair, making sure my shirt sleeve wasn't rolled up wrong, her walking from side to side behind the reporter, etc...lol. She was nervous and wasn't on camera. I'm glad she was there to make sure there wasn't anything in my teeth and stuff though!

So, this really isn't a blog about anything important. It is just for me to be able to say the yard sale is over. The madness is subsiding, but...now I am on to another event, and another, and another. My job is really teaching me how to make something out of nothing and be able to plan for something more than a year in advance. Those are actually two skills that aren't bad to have I guess.

How do babies breathe under water?

Jeff and I decided to try a new restaurant in Clarksburg this evening. While the food was good (not great but not much special), the conversation at the next table drove us out of the restaurant as soon as we paid the check.

At the next table, with a quick observation, you can tell it is two couples - one most likely in their late forties and one in their late fifties. These four people were discussing lots of stuff, including politics, which is a totally different blog, but just about everything they discussed made me think, how in the world can these people be as rich as they appear given the fact that they seem like idiots???

I caught the tail end of one topic of conversation, of which I can safely say I was not eavesdropping. It took concentration to not listen to these loud mouths. Anyway, the group was discussing a water birth. For those of you who are a little confused, there are women who choose to give birth in a pool of water as opposed to the mainstream ways. I have to say, I have given that thought in the past. It might be something to look into should I become pregnant, but I would say that for me, it will not be a choice. To have a child, Jeff and I are going to have to have a retina specialist, a plastic surgeon, a psychiatrist, and, oh yeah, and OBGYN...

Anyway, back to my rant. The older man of the couple asks, "How can you give birth in water? How does the baby breathe? I mean when it comes out and takes that first *insert heavy wooshing breathing noise* in, won't it get a mouth full of water? Don't babies breathe while they are in the womb?"

OKAY - just how STUPID does this guy seem? Babies breathing in the womb. In F-L-U-I-D!? Anyway, needless to say I started laughing and laughing just a little too loud. I immediately got myself in check to make sure they didn't know I was laughing at them. At the rate of "stupid" at that table, though, I sincerely doubt that they would have known that I wasn't just laughing at a joke that Jeff just told...

So, here are a couple things I looked up to back up the fact that babies DO NOT breathe in the womb and when they are birthed into water, they still do not breathe in!

Factoid 1:

Babies cannot drown because they are supplied with oxygen via their umbilical cord, which plugs into the placenta and collects oxygen from the mother's bloodstream.

Babies do, however, make small breathing movements, although their lungs are not expanded. The birth process helps to ensure that any fluid that has been inhaled in utero is expelled by squeezing the baby hard on its way out!

Factoid 2:

The amniotic fluid is the clear, slightly yellowish fluid within the amniotic sac that surrounds the baby in the uterus. The baby grows in this amniotic sac, surrounded by the amniotic fluid, as he learns to move his limbs, open his eyes and breathe. Amniotic fluid levels generally sit at approximately 800ml through most of the pregnancy, dropping slightly in most cases to about 600ml by the time a woman reaches the 40 week mark.
Amniotic fluid also helps your baby develop his lungs. While in the womb your baby practices breathing by breathing in and out the water in the amniotic sac. The baby swallows and inhales the amniotic fluid and replaces the volume in the amniotic sac by urinating and exhaling the liquid.
http://www.babiesonline.com/articles/pre...


Factoid 3:

A baby is born under water the baby water will experience a gentle introduction to the world, with the softness and warmth of the water on its skin, and with muffled sounds and lights - quite similar to being in the womb.

At delivery, the baby must accustom itself to several huge changes - the experience of being born, the sensation of gravity and feeling its own body weight, new sense impressions, and breathing in the air. With an underwater birth, these experiences are introduced more gradually. Buoyancy counteracts the force of gravity, senses are muffled and the baby doesn't take a breath straight away - breathing does not commence until the baby's face meets the cool air.