Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Flickr Interestingness slideshow

I uploaded my first photos to Flickr in January of 2008 and its been a over a year now that I've enjoyed the benefits of having a Pro account. I have to say that more than any other internet "fad" (for lack of a better word) I truly enjoy this service and can see myself using it "forever". I could not say that for AOL in 1994, Friendster in 2001, MySpace in 2006, and even Facebook in 2008. Of course these are all "social networking" sites. Yup, even AOL (especially at the time) is / was a social networking site.

Anyway, Flickr is (to me at least) not a social networking site. Sure, it has social networking features (contacts, comments, favs, profile, groups, etc.) and people use it as such. Hey its even got porn. But to me it is purely a venue to explore (pun intended), enjoy, and further my photography and I am sure that it has essentially done that in the past year. In addition to that it has allowed my wife and I to extensively share our experience of having our first child, Clive with our family and friends. That is a considerable mark towards Flickr's social networking statue. Touche!

Flickr has a section called "Explore" where a select group of people choose images that they feel are unique and feature them on this page. People like to talk about this on Flickr extensively; citing that this and that were "Explored". Usually the indication of whether your photo has been "Explored" is if your stats blow up during the course of between 1 and 7 days (the length of time it remains featured through the link on the Explore page "Interesting Bits from the last 7 days"). But there are a couple of web site that will search the database for your username. See, that's just it... these words... Explore, Interesting Bits... What is it? Well, apparently that magical "group of people" came up with something called "Interestingness". Its an algorithm somehow balancing the number of views, comments, external link, and favs a photo gets and the more of each together scores you a higher interestingness.

Wow! Why am I boring you with all of this? I actually don't know. I mean only like 2 people read this and I'm basically talking to myself. Maybe its some sort of training for a future in broadcasting?! And now, to complete my point, which was really just to show you my set of photos from the last year and a half or so that Flickr considers to have "Interestingness", well at least these photos show up on the first couple pages of my "most popular bits". Enjoy!

ACEs

Aces high! I took this photo a few years back at High Speed Productions, right outside the front door. Its yet another reminder that Thrasher and Indy are the "original Aces".
07-11-07 006
Accept No Substitutes!

Monday, March 23, 2009

My first full video edit!

I've been brushing up on my Final Cut Pro skills a lot more recently. I edited this Independent Trucks Euro 30th Anniversary tour which is currently running on StrangeNotes.com and on the Independent YouTube Channel. This is Part 1 of 9.

Filming by David Hupp.

There will also be 2 different edits in the upcoming Strange Notes DVD "Dude, Bro. Bro, Dude." coming in April.

Friday, March 20, 2009

My Dad will love this.


Clive
Originally uploaded by Keith A Wilson
My dad will love this photo. Its just "his kind" of shot. He'll sit in one spot at a party or at a family get together and shoot photo after photo just to get 1 just like this. He used to tell me when I starting shooting photos that if you get 1-2 really good shots on a roll you've done a great job. I always thought that was so encouraging of him. Thanks Dad.

The only thing I think he would do a little differently is zoom in or get a little closer. I think he'll enjoy the entire set.

I shot these with my Canon A-1 using some expired Kodak Elite Chrome 200 film. I found quite a few unexposed rolls in the bottom of a box about a month ago. The camera is just what I wanted. A 70s masterpiece of adjust ability and automatic settings and incredible lenses.


Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Random Doodles and Scratchings by Mark Widmann

Had a great time a couple Fridays back at Mark Widmann's art show at our friend Owen's gallery. Enjoy some images:

"Not the Denver Broncos!?" -Homer Simpson

My beloved Denver Broncos were on a great run recently. No, not wins or division titles but a great off-season run. One that has continually shocked but nonetheless pleased most fans.

However, in the course of that off-season activity, they've brought on a young, first time head coach in Josh McDaniels. Generally speaking; I'm all for this decision. Shanahan did a great job and is probably one of the best coaches ever, but it was time to move on. The Broncos needed a fresh start.

Apparently we're getting a big one now. The team's star quarterback, 3rd year player Jay Cutler, probably the best draft pick since I can remember, is now distraught through an apparent attempt to trade him and get Matt Cassell from the Patriots, McDaniels' old team. Even though it didn't happen, Cutler is pissed and has asked to be traded.



Regardless of the situation, the powers that be (in this case Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen and staff) need to do something about this. What happened to the days when a coach or owner would be willing to show up at a players doorstep to "make something happen"?

And there's one thing I must say, Jay Cutler needs to stop being such an immature baby. He didn't already figure out that every player is expendable until there are rings on fingers in the NFL? You've got your contract buddy, now get to work. You're getting paid millions of dollars to play pro football for the Denver Broncos who are #3 on the list of most Super Bowl appearances at 6. This isn't a post college job that you leave for another firm because you don't like your boss.

Monday, March 16, 2009

My new Canon A-1

So psyched. Need a couple lenses to replace the ones I'm borrowing from Jordan. I can't wait to shoot some skateboarding with this thing.
Canon A-1

FilmPorVia photo exchange

Got another photo from Jai in the mail. Love this one! I think he was feeding off of the one I sent him?
FilmPorVida Photo Exchange 2009
Sorry about the shitty scan... photo looks good, but there's like a cat hair and the image is sticking to the damn scanner. Hahah..

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Having a kid is rad!

In a little bit this is what I get to go home to.
5165_001_
Tonight Jen is off at her Reading Recovery meeting and I get to feed him and put him down in bed. Tomorrow we get the whole day together... ruling.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Monday, March 2, 2009

FilmPorVia photo exchange

A while back Jai Tanju hit me up about his Photo Exchange Program. I received a few photo postcards in the mail and finally got around to sending one to him.

Here's the image on my Flickr:
Tampa Am 2008.5

Now I'm getting photo postcards from other people too! Oh isn't the US Mail a wonderful thing!? I'll post those soon.

Random Doodles and Scratchings by Mark Widmann

Hey all you art fans out there in the Northern California area!

Malintzi Gallery in Santa Cruz is proud to present a solo show featuring the artwork of long time Independent Truck Co. Art Director Mark Widmann entitled Random Doodles and Scratchings. The show features a range of mediums including a series of sculptures made from blue painters tape and a variety of paintings that delve into Mark’s unique vision as an artist.

Come join us opening night this Friday with music from DJ RS2!

Friday, March 6, 2009 – 6-9 pm
Malintzi Gallery
Santa Cruz Art Center
1001 Center Street #15
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 427-1306
info@malintzi.com