http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:numapompilius&section=today deviantART RSS for by:numapompilius en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:20:45 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/27404903/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/27404903/ Fri, 25 Sep 2009 06:46:38 PDT
I also purchased DA* 50-135mm. I will say I am very happy with the lens, though it is much bigger than I expected. Still this is currently my only weather sealed lens.

On the personal side of things, the wife and I continue our plan to move to Cameroon. We don't yet have a firm date, but are looking at the week of Nov 29.

<sup>My gallery!
My website!

Put your content inside the SUP tags.</sup>

stock images used

]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/25387997/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/25387997/ Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:29:17 PDT

<sup>My gallery!
My website!

Put your content inside the SUP tags.</sup>

stock images used

]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/24325280/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/24325280/ Sun, 19 Apr 2009 12:20:42 PDT
Today we went to Limbe,on the coast: botanical gardens, black sand beaches, etc. We'll be in Buea a few more days before heading further south.

Look for images first week of May.

]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/23736310/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/23736310/ Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:23:12 PDT
This week marks the 1 year birthday of my Pentax. I'll have to get birthday shot!

Best to all

]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/22673315/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/22673315/ Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:38:44 PST
We survived our -19 degree (F) day, Jordan didn't much like that as she is good to zero degrees. But we have a good foot or more of snow and she's been having fun playing now that we've warmed up.

I have a few shots waiting to upload. They will have to wait until my next paper is written.

Cheers!!

Bill

]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/22167002/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/22167002/ Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:10:48 PST
Please encourage me as I encourage you: be the positive change you want to see in the world.

Here is our Season's greeting collage...



]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/21579130/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/21579130/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:51:47 PST
On the bright side, American Thanksgiving is nearly here and the wife and I are taking a road trip to Boston and DC. So I hope/plan to capture some beautiful moments.

Whether you are American or not, may the spirit of thanksgiving fill your heart to overflowing.

]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/20569152/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/20569152/ Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:54:30 PDT
It snowed here last week and it was quite cold. So I packed the 4-season tent, the -20 degree F sleeping bag, extra layers of warm clothes, the heavier duty backpack, AND the Pentax K20D for a whopping total of about 38 lbs of gear (up from about 28 lbs normally for a hike like this).

Look for the images Monday to Tuesday...

]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/19749717/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/19749717/ Sun, 03 Aug 2008 09:46:25 PDT
I'm having trouble with my aging iMac. I don't want to have to replace it until winter/spring, think positive for me (and pray if you are one who prays).

Some more images to come. Hope this finds you happy.

Bill

]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/18621393/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/18621393/ Mon, 02 Jun 2008 05:02:56 PDT
As I sat in the Blantyre Airport waiting to come home, I wondered what I would miss. The answer hasn't been fully clear, but it felt like "People" and "Place". At Malamulo, the only "ugly Americans" are my friends and me. Perhaps some of what I wonder is if I will return. My wife and I very much enjoyed being there. We see opportunities: she in serving through the medical arts and me - well - I guess through the teaching and learning arts. We both see opportunities for our personal growth and development.

Joy and sadness are everywhere. People have hopes and dreams everywhere. There are trials and tribulations everywhere. The details are often different, but these are shared human experiences none-the-less. Many of the people we met have family members in South Africa. While there violence against non-South African Africans broke out in Jo'burg and spread around the country. Another shared human trait is frustration.

Nature, while victim of human abuse, will get the final word. What we do to nature we do to ourselves. Yet nature gives us beauty in the delicate flower, expansive vistas, animals doing their thing, and in the storms.

Anyhow, for the record, two hot showers were had: our overnight in Jo'burg and a week later in Liwonde. Otherwise, we used a pitcher of cold to lukewarm water for bathing; we slept on twin beds with mosquito netting; I only had four meals with cheese (three of which were pizza). Local internet was a slow dial up speed, "broadband" in Blantyre was still pretty slow. Still I was able to check email a few times a week; post a few pics here (but not view yours) and check facebook and linkedin several times.

We left South Bend as it thawed and had a few spring flowers. We returned to a fully engulfed essence of "green". Jordan came to the airport and locked onto my wife first and then looked around and saw me. Let me just say there is great joy in her reaction. . And I'm back to having cheese with nearly every meal.

Still for all that, we look forward to returning to Malawi for an extended period.

]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/18283100/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/18283100/ Mon, 12 May 2008 02:32:40 PDT
Malawi is a beautiful country, it is said to be "the warm heart of Africa".

The only downside I have so far is MSG. I am allergic and just about everybody cooks with it.

Till next time.

Bill

]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/18125552/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/18125552/ Thu, 01 May 2008 22:30:51 PDT
In the meantime, be safe and be happy.

Bill

]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/17912837/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/17912837/ Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:09:16 PDT
I'm up over 600 images taken on my new toy - er - tool, the Pentax K20D. I have taken a few bracketed shots which I will attempt some High Dynamic Range (HDR) composites. I am shooting 100% RAW, but am not really taking advantage yet. I need to find time to figure out the settings and "workflow" so I get the JPEGs I want to upload here and elsewhere. NOTE: I have also added some images to scraps that you may (or may not) find interesting.

It is now less than two weeks until we leave for Malawi... I am just now starting to feel it and realize just how much I have to do before we go.

Blessings to you and yours for a peace filled and restorative weekend.

Bill

]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/17699811/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/17699811/ Sat, 05 Apr 2008 13:33:43 PDT

The wife and I have been walking down by the river with Jordan. It was a slow stroll as I paused to take pics, another 192 to be precise. Don't worry, I'll be picky. While the breeze is still a bit cool, the sun felt real good. I have one shot I like of a squirrel treed by Jordan. I've never been scolded as much as this one did. Goodness, sounded like my 8th grade teacher - just squeakier. One Goose successfully defended his/her mate and nest from us. Jordan also pointed out a woodchuck/marmot looking creature.

The tiniest of flowers are popping up. The bulb ones are poking up their shoots, hopefully the flowers will follow soon. The grass is greener next door (really it is. Our front lawn will be an pretty tan color long after everyone else's has turned green).

Oh, yes and I enjoyed sitting out on our porch for the first time since October. Spring is springing, indeed.

]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/17603520/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/17603520/ Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:05:00 PDT
Went to Chicago yesterday and will select a few to upload later today.

]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/17471332/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/17471332/ Sun, 23 Mar 2008 08:59:03 PDT

BACKSTORY: My Canon A1 35mm was stolen in 1997. Given the amount of backpacking I was doing I opted for a point and shoot (MUCH lighter). I decided to go with a Nikon APS which had great pics for 4x6 prints and okay prints at 8x10. It died (was dropped, repaired and then just quit). I shot disposable for a couple of years as I saw digital coming along. When the price was right (4 megapixels for under $400). I purchased it, in part by - ahem - encouraging my folks that it'd make a GREAT engagement gift ("Get engaged" said they). [ed. The things we do to get our toys] JUST KIDDING! (Honest. We were getting engaged already). This was 2002.

We picked up the Nikon 4300 as the first one to reach this milestone. It has its strengths and weaknesses. The Nikon has been all over the world, thrown in to suitcases, backpacks, and dropped (just missing some very hungry rocks). It shoots wide angle and macro like a champ. Yet, I have watched the improvements, year by year. I watched the development of the "all in one" prosumer line. I watched it disappear with the introduction of the sub $1000 dSLR.

At that time said I, "When I can buy a dSLR with 12 megapixels for less than a grand, I'll buy one." But I've said that before here.

Technology is GREAT. However, I am NOT an early adopter. I get excited by the new stuff and the potential "disruptiveness" these changes bring to our lives. The iPhone was introduced and I thought "Wow, VERY cool." People thought I would rush out to purchase one. Nope. (Mainly I don't WANT a cell phone - give me the iPod Touch - yes!)

I got into the internet before the web (terminal windows - remember those). I got into email in the early 90s. Thank you CompuServe.

So, back to photography...

There has never been a "bad" time in the evolution of technology. Just less than ideal purchase timing. But then, THAT is never great in technology. Jump in when you are ready and get the best you can afford - since it will be out-dated by the time it arrives at your door. Choose to enjoy it regardless of whatever else comes along.

Truth is, I have never fully exploited the Nikon 4300. With it, we printed a 20x30 inch image from a backpack trip to the Trinity Alps. So, while the Pentax (with the 18-250mm lens) weighs in at about 3.5 lbs, the years since my Canon was stolen, I have learned to backpack with 33 lbs for a week instead of 55. Still I must knock off 3 lbs to take the Pentax...

With the 4300 we even won the "Chancellor's Award" at an art exhibit. So I must admit that I am by far the limiting factor with the Pentax K20D. I know, beyond the shadow of doubt, that great stuff is still coming our way. The 4300 is 5 1/2 years old. I plan on keeping my new Pentax at least that long. (By the way, we are keeping the 4300 too).

Well, it MUST be time for me to wrap up. Jordan is telling me it is time to walk her.

]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/17431145/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/17431145/ Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:11:20 PDT
24 years later I finally decide to come back to an SLR. Just as I did with my first car, so I did with my new SLR. When I get serious about something, I read all I can, research, ask questions, reflection and so on. At the end of it all I chose the Pentax K20D. Through it all my wife did her best to look and sound interested.

I awoke this morning and checked the shipping details. To my amazement/surprise and great delight, it was in transit and scheduled to be delivered today (one day turnaround when I asked for two - bless you Amazon). Anticipation. UPS man delivers late in the afternoon. Fine I can wait. He comes. Everything is here. Sweet!

Charge the battery. YIKES, I forgot the memory card. Sigh. Run out and get one. Snap. there's the first picture - over and done with. Whew.

The camera feels really very nice in my hands. Ergonomically there is one adjustment I would make but that is all.

The memories of my SLR days are beginning to come back to me. Woo-hoo!! (I can't believe the manual is 284 pages).

Well, I'll be looking to walk around with it this weekend and snap some more and play with the settings. I should probably get scientific... nah...

]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/17358087/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/17358087/ Sun, 16 Mar 2008 06:13:07 PDT
Of course it came with its owner in tow. The owner was the College yearbook editor and I one of her photographers. This was "back in the day". Today, we are colleagues and both studying "Leadership".

What we studied in college; what we thought about the world and where are lives would go is clearly different from today's reality. While I am not the world famous film director I idealistically dreamed I would be, I have chosen to be where I am.

Events happen in life. I have immediate reactions, but can choose reflective action and response. I contribute, either to the dysfunction or to the repair of relationships. I cannot make anyone do anything from their own free will. But I can influence. Likewise, no one can make me do anything against my will. I can choose to walk my path, "the road less traveled"; "march to the beat of a different drummer".

I can choose to find people and organizations that allow me to contribute from my strengths. I can choose to live within/below my means and debt free to allow me maximum flexibility and freedom.

I read somewhere, some time ago, that companies worry that employees who don't carry debt (own a home etc) are too free and are not "indebted" to the organization. The bottom line was that companies fear employee flexibility.

Are they worried that an abused employee can leave? What is better? To have people choose to work at a place, come hell or high water, because they are able to contribute their best, or to have employees who are fearful: afraid of loosing their jobs because they will lose their homes and go bankrupt?

Anyhow, all these thoughts because a D70 came to visit. We choose to be part of the dA community. While there are organizational rules, we can freely choose to be here or not. While we choose to be here, do we offer our best regardless of what others think about our work or efforts.

In dA we offer a bit of our self to the community. May what is offered be our chosen best. May the relationships we forge better humanity. May we rejoice in the diversity of who we are and the art we produce.

The world would be boring indeed, if we were all the same.

My friend just created a dA profile here is her [link] ]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/17226052/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/17226052/ Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:39:59 PST
So, the question goes, will this benefit me? I don't know. But one of those watching me has suggested I might want to conduct a poll or two in the coming months. The other thing to consider is the removal of ads. Nice to be sure. More options even beyond polling. I'll have to explore those.

But I think paid membership provides one with a deeper commitment to community function. When I invest time, as free members do, I am investing in the community. This time is spent posting personal artwork and organizing it. Time is also invested in commenting on other work, collecting and marking favorites. This too builds community.

For me then, the paid subscription is authenticating the experience I have had (though absent for a bit over a year). Perhaps, the paid subscription will be some incentive to keep me active (though not as likely as the paid subscription doesn't hurt the piggy bank too much).

Probably one of the biggest pluses is the play with more of the technology. While some would consider me a techno geek, it is not my humble opinion of myself. I have built-in curiosity about stuff and I like to explore and understand things. So, I think that is probably the most compelling reason to go "paid".

Cheers to you and may a restful weekend be yours.

Bill

]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/17144633/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/17144633/ Sun, 02 Mar 2008 07:34:28 PST
Today, I am avoiding the writing I am needing to do for my PhD. I'll start when I finish here (really).

The week before had a great vacation to Salt Lake City and Denver. We flew out to SLC and took the train back home, stopping in Denver. The train ride through the Rocky Mountains was great and I highly recommend it for shutterbugs. But bring a good zoom or telephoto lens for the wildlife.

]]> *numapompilius http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/16786572/ http://numapompilius.deviantart.com/journal/16786572/ Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:51:45 PST
Honestly I don't know what I have been doing with my time. I started a PhD program in July, that is consuming to be sure. Work, but I do try to balance that with wife and life. So I am without excuse. New Years resolution: upload at least monthly.

Ha, well, I've purchased a Nikon negative/slide scanner and am archiving my 35mm stuff that goes back to 1979/80. Most of it taken with the Canon A1 I purchased as an 11th grader.

Other news? I'm searching actively for a DSLR. I promised myself when they got to 12 megapixels for $1000 I'd purchase. Of course I was hoping for a full size sensor, but - whatever. My top considerations at the moment:
Pentax K20
Nikon D80
Canon Rebel XSi
Pentax K200
Nikon D60
Canon Rebel XTi

Since some of these have just been announced I must wait for a bit longer... Maybe the D80 will be updated in the next couple of months...

Til next time...

]]> *numapompilius