Howdy all
Originally posted by panoguy Oh wow, what a great bunch of shots. The last one, through the glass, is probably the best of the bunch... if not the best you've posted. Maybe it's just me, but that shot in the context of where you are and what you're doing is "it" for me... hard to explain or describe.
Enjoy the K-5IIs (and if you can't see moiré, no one else will either)! Here's hoping there's a "serviceman's discount" at CRIS for your lens, and don't go knocking over the Polish guys!
Pano, thanks for your kind words, as always. You know I have another person say the same exact thing. I didn't initially feel as strongly as you do about it, but I am definitely warming up to it, especially after considering what you said about the "context of where you are." I stared at it for a whle today and thought about it - a beautiful sunrise and reeds waking up to that sun's warmth, however the element of war that has forsaken this area for so long... Is that what in the ballpark of where you are going with it? And I contact CRIS about a military discount, but they haven't responded back to me yet.
Originally posted by JinDesu I hope you get your replacement camera soon - I remember your fantastic offer to lend me the k-7 and I'm glad I didn't need it since you are out of a camera right now. I wouldn't hose the k-5, you would want to use distilled water to dissolve the salt until it's completely gone, and then use something like ethanol to displace remaining water and evaporate.
Hey Jin, always a pleasure to see you stop by
I'm just glad you were able to resurrect it - I still have the K-30, after all! But don't worry, I have a plan for the K-7 come January-ish
And regarding the "hosing it down," I guess I was a bit aggressive in my word choice, but I didn't mean literally use a hose
And I totally forgot about using distilled water - I've been out of chemistry class for a while, so thanks! And regarding the evaporation, I will probably put it near a heater to slowly evaporate without any residue the alcohol might leave behind. Thanks!
Originally posted by paulh Wow - once again, great story & photos. Congrats on the K5IIs - I'm sure you'll put it thru its paces! Happy Thanksgiving, and thanks again for your service!
Paul, thank you very much for the kind words. I still plan on doing the Winter Part 2 to the weather sealing test (c'mon Afghanistan...snow already!), and I guess the K-5IIs will have to fill in for the K-5. Wish it luck!
Originally posted by jva59 Thanks for the update. Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you very much, and a Happy Turkey Day to you as well
Originally posted by PJ1 Great stuff, again! I like the story line of IED series. How many of those people might have been victims? Enjoy Thanksgiving and stay safe!
PJ, thanks! I really enjoyed putting this update together because of the vivacity and explosiveness (hehe pun!) of its content. Exactly - it was on a main road, which frustrates all of us - "C'mon, you telling me that NO ONE was aware of it being there?!" My personal frustration is the subpar self-policing by Afghans. It happens, but not as much as it should, or at least as much I think it should. I understand many are afraid to report anything because of the fear of reprisal, but still. In their shoes I would go out of my way to try to report whatever I knew, completely aware of the risks (which are deadly). It is very frustrating...
Originally posted by Doanh Awesome pictures! Be safe and keep up the good work.
Doanh, thank you! I appreciate your compliments
Originally posted by usn ret Alex, glad you had a great time in NZ, and yes a very long series of flights back to Afghanistan. Another great series for the book you will assemble when the dust settles and you clear the combat zone. Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for your service. Keep your head down and be safe. Looking forward to the NZ pics....Cliff
Cliff, as always, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. NZ was AWESOME! It will be a while because I can post the images though - I have too much on my plate right now. And I really want to do it, I just don't know how. I really am at a loss for how to go about organizing such a compilation since photography is such integral to it. And the head is always down. It's just those ears...
Originally posted by Ex Finn. Cool shots. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Finn!
Originally posted by Leopardwizard Fantastic work as always. I can't help but notice that, as good as you were when you started, you are still always improving even beyond that. You should consider assembling these into a well-printed book, when you finally return for good!
Thank you for your service. Be safe and be well.
Leopard, thank you for the warm regards. I am humbled by your assessment that I have improved dramatically. I feel like I have, but to have others confirm that notion is very gratifying, and I thank you for that. Like I said to Cliff, I would really like to - I'm just stumped as to how lol.
Originally posted by EarlVonTapia Your photos are amazing! They remind me of the kinds of photos you can see in Boston's Big Picture or The Atlantic In Focus. Please, no matter where you end up next, keep taking photos!
Also, I enjoyed your weatherproof video demonstrations. I'll be sharing those to my buddies.
Earl, thank you! Huge compliment!
And I promise I won't stop taking images - my wallet would be pissed at me if I did consider how much I've invested in this fool's hobby
And glad you enjoyed the video! I have another one planned for winter tests, but I need snow, and Afghanistan is not cooperating with me in that regard (at least where I am) lol
And share away
Originally posted by Tom S. As always, your photos are great and tell many stories. Keep up the good work, and even if you're off patrol, keep you head down.
Tom, thank you very much for your consistent support. Much appreciated.
Originally posted by cocksy_boy Heie,
I had to join the forums just to say what a joy it is to read your posts and look at your fantastic pictures! I have not been to Afghanistan (although a lot of friends and my brother have), but I really think you've managed to capture a side of the country and people that is often missed - I hope your entries to the NG competitions do well.
Stay safe and hope you had as-good-a thanksgiving as possible.
Cocksy, like I commented in your introduction post, I am floored by your being compelled to create an account solely because of my photography. Thank you very, very much for the incredible compliments - much appreciated.
Originally posted by SteveM Terrific photography....really professional. Take care there and keep it coming.
Steve, thank you very much. I take much pride in my work (as I'm sure you guessed), so to have it critiqued as 'professional' is a huge compliment for which I a grateful. Thank you.
Originally posted by ve2vfd Just like the other updates, those are some great photos you posted. I love how your photos humanize a region which only receives negative and gloomy press on this side of the big pond.
Pat
ve2vfd, thank you. That has been my intent since the start, so I thank you for validating that effort.
Originally posted by bigted Incredible shots. The one of the IED explsion is mind numbing in its sheer size and devastation. Stay safe.
Ted, yea it caught me off-guard by its size, hence the being at 60mm and not further away and at 200+mm lol.
Originally posted by Alliecat Interesting as always. What I always enjoy is the theme or style that runs through your updates, where you have both sides of life there, so to speak; cute pix of giving toys to kids, alongside others of soldiers engaged in very serious stuff. Like the IED story this time. You illustrate clearly, without really having to point to it, the contrasts in your surroundings & your work. Glimpses into another world.
And Pentax should hire you as a spokesman... "look what conditions I used their gear in..."
Take care; be safe...
And good luck with the new camera.
Yeah, that's dedication...
Allie, thanks for stopping by - I always enjoy your comments as they usually lead to some sort of mini discussion which is always thought provoking. I really appreciate the depth to which you have analyzed this project, and I agree with you entrely.
And Pentax is starting to take notice. Where do you think I got the K-30 from?
(More details on that in a forthcoming post)
Originally posted by arnold The photos are excellent, but so is your accompanying description, An remarkable documentation.
Arnold, thank you very much. I am glad you have taken so well to this project.
Seriously, thank you everyone for the comments and feedback you have provided - I do this for the PF community and I thank you for continuing to fuel the motivation and passion to do so.
Also, a quick update as to my status - I finally arrived into Afghanistan late last night, and as such, am now back at work. Yay! (
)
New Zealand was
amazing, but I will save details for what I thought of the place for my picture posts (whenever I get around to posting them...don't hold your breath lol). Thanksgiving for me was a solo meal in Kuwait. I hope those of you that did take part in the festivities had a great reunion with family.
Lastly, here is what two weeks in the New Zealand wilderness will do to a man. I give you, Alex Grylls...
Attachment 148838
If he looks a bit mad (as one friend commented on my facebook lol), the reason is clearly because "the man made him shave." And when I saw the following reflection in the mirror, I knew R&R was officially over:
At least he cleans up well, no?
Both were taken with a K-30 / Sigma 30 f/1.4. Also, incase anyone doesn't know - the Sigma 30 f/1.4 is the PERFECT lens (focal length, shallow DOF) for self headshot portraits at arm's length should you be in need of such a lens
Thanks again everyone. Like I said above - your kind regards are very valuable to me and I cherish all of them.
-Heie
Last edited by Heie; 11-25-2012 at 09:16 AM.
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