Gettysburg, why the fascination?

Over the years I visited the Gettysburg battlefield maybe over 100 times. And with out fail, on each return, I see it in a slightly different light. Over the last few weeks I've been fascinated with capturing sunrise images, which of course, means.

• Checking the weather forecast.
• Getting up at 0 Dark 30, & making the 45min drive.
• Picking the spot to be when the sun come up and hoping it works.

Sometime it's over here.

Other days it's some where else.

But the end state walking (yes walking is involved) around the park, seeing it in early morning "magic light, always adds to my sense of what went on here so many years ago and the sacrifices men of both sides made for their cause. Which of course adds yet again to my fascination with the place.

Two of the big helps have turned out to be a pfd copy of the Official Park Map, which is stored on an ipod touch, and of course, my AMOS AGL3080 Geotagger, which allows me to pin point exactly where each images is taken, which is referenced to above said map.
.... To be continued

Guns of Glory, Days of death, Sunrises Sunsets

Hints on taking quality images at the historic Gettysburg National Military Park , Gettysburg Pa. Of course home to the famous 3 day, American Civil War battle in the summer of 1863.
1. If at all possible avoid the July 4th holiday weekend, Summer, weekends in general, holidays in general, way to crowded for anything other then snap shots unless you luck out or plan ahead to beat the masses.
2. Try to get there early, real early. As the , or at least, one of the most visited Civil War Battlefields it quickly fills up with visitors. The park opens at 6:00 am, closes at 10:00 pm (summer) 6:00 am - 7:00 pm (winter). By 9:00 am the flood gates are open, roads and key locations are descended on by hordes of "Stop, jump, snap & back onto the next site" visitors. As with so many parks these days most visitors never leave their cars, unless at one of the more noteworthy areas.
3. As the main battle site offers both open farmland, and rocky wooded hilly vistas. Part of the lure is the over 1300 (seems like nobody really sure) monuments ranging in size from the imposing Pennsylvania Memorial, to small almost invisible unit and company markers located off the beaten path, almost everywhere at the site.

There are many opportunities to use both the long and the wide lens.

As a relatively local visitor, I know more or less my favorite shots and focus on trying to get them. Download the Park map, Do some research. My favorite area of the park are in the wooded areas Around the "Wheat field" "Peach Orchard" "Devils Den" "Little Round Top" "Big Round Top" and the "High Watermark" "Copse of Trees" areas, and the Soldiers National Cemetery. Unfortunately all of which are on everyones hit list. Pick one get there early, Sunrise is great, especially in the open areas. High sun as always, is a problem for me.

Western facing sites such at Seminary ridge and Little Round top can be rich with shots close to sunset.

In closing it you can, visit the park and shoot away, but please cameras only, no bullets this time.
To those planing to visit in the future GburgInfo offers a wealth of information.

Toying with the technology.

I've become totally enamored with applications that can share with others.
Example is an image of one of the performers in the recent Bellydancers Passionate for Pink Performance on 101610. Image is hosted on Flickr. Just opens up a whole new realm of possibilities. Maybe not new to all, but new to me.

Bellydancers Passionate for Pink" performance at McDaniel College's "The Theater on the Hill" Westminster MD. *Update*

*Update 102210*
Added as non HD, lower resolution version of the Passionate for Pink video. Less choppy and kinder on lower bandwidth users on the "Middle Eastern Dance" Page.

Attended Bellydancers Passionate for Pink" performance at McDanies College's "The Theater on the Hill". The selfless dedication of organizer Nawal Qalbi, her staff, & all the performers involved in this production must be commended. Their efforts were so very apparent, and so very heartwarming.
Had a Great time, shot some great Images (633 to be exact) & HD Video that I will be assembling into a movie presentation shortl. As I noted the images, considering the venue impacts, came out OK, but choosing the music for the movie is going to be a bit of a challenge. Seeing as I'm officially on vacation both the images and the slideshow locations should be posted within the next few days.
(update- 101810 ) I've posted a link to the images on the "Middle Eastern Dance" Page.
(update- 101910 ) Posted Video on the "Middle Eastern Dance"
(update 102110 )
Just received a list of all the stage performers.

emcee Wendy Holthause!

Act One:

- Amerabic Magic
- Gilda
- Makeda Maysa'
- Sindyanna
- Nomadic Sisterhood
- Nawal Qalbi
- Jahzaal
- Aliya's Kismet Dancers

Act Two:

- Nawal Qalbi
- Shalaya
- Tydirah
- Sindyanna
- Amyfae
- Nomadic Sisterhood
- Nina Amaya
- Eva Nadira
- Amerabic Magic

Will be including this in a V3 release of the video(s)

Balancing the white, at night #fb

Last Saturday Night I traveled up to Delta Pa the catch the last motorcycle night race of the season for the BCATRA. As I was having some problems getting the outputs wanted with the flash so I mounted the 50mm f1.2 and went flashless. The images were closer to what I wanted, but as there were two types of major illumination sources I was having problems getting the white balance set. That is until my friend Craig over at Craig Thoburn Photography gave me a hint on how to solve the issue in Aperture 3. Shot with a 50mm f1.2 no flash @ 1/650sec.

Photo Exhibition Kick Off Party

The CMPG had a kick-off party for it's Photo Exhibition at the Penn Camera's Laurel MD location. A fine time was had by all who came out and as noted by our President." I hope that you all noticed that we had more of our membership at the Penn Camera opening than at any of our meetings.
Maybe we need to have free food at our monthly meetings." Shamelessly displayed is my "CMPG members selection vote winner"

Craigs roof top pano #fb

Over on flickr my friendCraig has just posted the most spectacular rooftop panorama of Vegas shot with....drum roll.... an iPhone4. Amazing shot by an amazing guy.