By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
Google Pixel 6 Pro 7mm f1.9 1/320s ISO44
A Red Swamp Crayfish at Stow Lake in San Francisco. It is confronting an 85lb lab and is not interested in backing down despite being only six inches long.
The photograph captures the vivid presence of a Red Swamp Crayfish amid a spectrum of earth and green tones. The crayfish stands assertively, its pincers raised as if poised for a curious dance. Its brilliantly red body, with intricate patterns of darker shades, contrasts sharply against the earth-toned mud and the lush, vibrant grass. This juxtaposition enhances its formidable character, making it the undeniable focal point of the image. The background, a blend of natural hues, offers a subtle yet dynamic setting that alludes to the crayfish's natural habitat.
The composition of this photograph is strikingly effective, utilizing a central focus that draws the viewer directly into the crayfish’s world. The bright color of the subject against the muted background serves as an example of the rule of thirds, subtly steering the attention while maintaining balance within the frame. The depth of field is well-managed, ensuring the crayfish remains in sharp focus while allowing the background to softly blur, emphasizing the importance of the subject without distraction. However, the lighting feels somewhat flat, missing an opportunity to add depth through shadows and highlights. Despite this, the natural and bold portrayal of the crayfish makes for an engaging and memorable image.
ITHCWY is venturing into the Fediverse. This is the second attempt, I had a brief-lived API implementation to a bot account that didn't go so well. This time I've hooked up Bridgy Fed, which is free and easy and so far seems to work pretty well. I added webmention support last year which helped with the process. You can add me as @[email protected] or use the form on this page. If you reply to a post in the Fediverse it will end up as a comment on this blog (and vice versa).
By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
SONY DSC-RX10M4 220mm f5.6 1/250s ISO320
A frog next to Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park.
The photograph titled "Frog" captures a moment of serene patience found in nature. At the heart of the image, a vibrant green frog rests lightly on a rich, muddy surface. Its textured skin echoes the uneven terrain beneath it, blending subtly into the wet earth. The frog's limbs, delicately sprawled, and its golden-brown eyes glisten, hinting at both its alertness and its harmony with the immediate environment. Sprinklings of thin, scattered twigs punctuate the mud, adding an organic detail that enhances the natural context of the scene. The overall setting speaks of a quiet, unassuming corner of a marsh or pond edge, where life exists in a symphony of earth tones.
The composition of this photograph adheres to a close-up framing that immerses the viewer directly into the frog's immediate world. The choice of a bird’s-eye view effectively captures the textured earth around it, adding depth and context to the subject. This angle, combined with the natural lighting which highlights the frog's vibrant coloring against the dull brown, creates a striking contrast. However, while the central placement of the frog draws immediate focus, it might feel a bit static, leaving little room for exploring a dynamic interaction between foreground and background. A potential improvement could be the introduction of a diagonal line to guide the viewer’s eye across the frame, enhancing movement. Nonetheless, the photograph succeeds in celebrating the frog's camouflage artistry, evoking an appreciation for nature’s subtle intricacies.
(Published to the Fediverse as:
Shenandoah Valley #timelapse#video#stars#4k 4K time lapse of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia featuring two sunsets, fireflies and the milky way.)
The photograph titled "JFK SFO" captures a bustling scene at an airport gate where an airplane is being prepared for its flight. The central focus is a large commercial aircraft parked at the gate, its nose facing the viewer. The airplane appears to be linked to the terminal via a jet bridge, and additional vehicles surround it, engaged in their various duties. To the left, a catering truck from "LSG Sky Chefs" is docked, with personnel actively involved in loading supplies. The tarmac stretches out towards the background, where other aircraft can be seen either taxiing or stationary. A sense of organized chaos is conveyed, with the movement of ground crew and vehicles against the backdrop of a cloudy sky, adding a dynamic aspect to the stillness of the parked plane.
The photograph uses a straightforward documentary style, focusing on the everyday operations of an airport. The composition places the airplane at the center, creating a sense of symmetry and balance in the image. This choice highlights the importance of the aircraft and the hive of activity surrounding it. The horizon line and tarmac lead the viewer's eye toward the distant planes and buildings, adding depth. The lighting is natural, casting soft shadows and lending a true-to-life atmosphere. One aspect that might fall short is the lack of dynamic angles or movement within the frame, which could enhance interest and add storytelling elements. Nevertheless, the image excels in giving a clear and accurate depiction of airport procedures, providing a glimpse into the intricate ballet of air travel logistics.
Losely a sequel to Zeroes (same universe, different lead character), Invasive is a thriller about saving the world from genetically modified killer ants. It's a very competent beach read kind of book, keeps the pace moving along briskly and gets the job done. His Miriam Black series is much better (and darker) and I am on the cusp of dipping into Wayward, the sequel to the rather good Wanderers.
Killing Moon
I thought I was done with Harry Hole at the end of Book 12, but he's surprisingly back and with an ending that strongly hints at more. This time Harry is forced to solve a crime outside the Norwegian police by some hand waving circumstances in Los Angeles. The main plot is another very nasty killer with many red herrings along the way. This series is my favorite Scandinavian Noir and it's a very solid installment but start at the beginning if you're new to it. There is a lot of history with many of these characters.
The Starless Crown
I really struggled to finish this book, to the point it backed up my reading and had me turning to Netflix for several months. It's a pity because the concept is great, a fantasy quest in a distinctly Sci Fi milieu, and many of the scenes are phenomenal. Maybe it will make a great movie or TV series one day. But the actual mechanics of the prose are leaden and tropey. Not a series that I'm planning to continue.
Movies
Blackberry
I watched Blackberry expecting to find out something interesting about the history of the famous business accessory, or maybe the phone version of the outstanding Halt and Catch Fire. Nope. Apparently they built it with swearing and then once people fell in love with the iPhone the company died. Nothing to add here.
Discontinued
Funny movie about our particular version of reality getting shut down. I like that the reason for the simulation is inconsequential, see this.
Fast X
This is one of those irritating moves that doesn't really end and just sets up the next chapter. It's also an exercise in too much CGI, some of it unforgivably bad. Beyond that I don't remember much, and I don't know much about cars so the fact he's in a Spaghetti Chiron Ghia means nothing to me. Some of the earlier installments were OK. I've watched between 3 and 12 of them.
To Catch a Killer
To Catch a Killer is a competent, adult police thriller set in Baltimore. It doesn't have any particular angle or seeming reason to exist in today's cinematic landscape. It's just a well made gift that arrived for no reason. Lucky rent.
Music
Don't Delete the Kisses
Low key but can't stop going back to this by Wolf Alice.
TV
The Days
The Days tells the story of the immediate aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi disaster. A nuclear catastrophe is always pretty gripping and I was pretty gripped. They clearly didn't have the budget to compete with HBO's Chernobyl though, and seem to have gone for a daytime Emmy instead. The special effects were not that great, and some of the acting was more horrific than the meltdown. There is one nuclear advisor who emotes surprise like a Tasered fish and you wonder if AI actors might be a blessing in some cases.
(All images included with ITHCWY reviews are the property of their respective owners and are used to illustrate reviews only.)
By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
Google Pixel 6 Pro 19mm f3.5 1/235s ISO36
A black crested night heron with a couple of turtles at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park.
The photograph captures a serene scene where a Black Crested Night Heron finds balance atop a submerged log in a rippling green expanse of water. Sharing its perch, a pair of turtles rests leisurely, seemingly sunbathing, their textured shells casting gentle shadows on the driftwood. The water dances around the log, creating a mesmerizing pattern of light and shadow, while the heron's poised, elegant form suggests a moment of stillness amidst the gentle chaos. Interspersed throughout are delicate branches and red-tipped buds, which add a touch of natural framing and color to this tranquil waterscape.
The composition utilizes a diagonal line created by the log, effectively leading the viewer's eye across the frame. This dynamic arrangement enhances the photograph’s sense of balance and guides attention to the heron and turtles. The color palette, dominated by greens and earth tones, lends a cooling, harmonious feel to the scene. However, the foreground branches and flowers, while providing context and depth, can be somewhat distracting as they slightly obscure the central subjects. This natural framing could have been more effective if positioned to avoid interference with the primary focal points. Overall, the photograph beautifully captures the coexistence of different forms of life in a calm, candid manner, though slightly adjusting the foreground elements could enhance its clarity and focus.
(Published to the Fediverse as:
Black Crested Night Heron #photo#heron#ggp#sanfrancisco#stowlake Photo of a black crested night heron and two turtles at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.)
The photograph titled "SFO JFK" captures a moment of anticipation and readiness at the airport. Dominating the scene is a sleek airplane, perfectly centered and poised at the gate. It stands like a mechanical titan, its nose pointed directly at the viewer with a firm sense of purpose. Around it, the tarmac stretches out in neatly marked lines, guiding the viewer's eye to the vast runway that rolls into the distant horizon. A soft blue sky provides a backdrop of calm, contrasting with the subtle bustle below, where airport staff clad in reflective vests move efficiently. To the right, the gate marked D6 frames the scene, adding a sense of direction and dynamic purpose, as if narrating a story of journeys beginning from this precise spot.
The composition of this photograph draws heavily on symmetry and perspective to create an engaging visual narrative. The airplane, centered flawlessly, establishes balance and attracts immediate attention, serving as the focal point. The perspective lines, formed by the tarmac's markings and the shadow cast by the airplane, guide the eye inward, enhancing the depth and inviting the viewer to explore the image more intimately. The subdued color palette, dominated by the grays of the concrete and the soft blue of the sky, lends a sense of professionalism and tranquility, aptly reflecting the controlled chaos typically felt at such travel hubs. One aspect that could be improved is the slight distraction caused by the grid-like pattern in the sky, which might be a reflection or glare from the terminal window. This intrusion breaks the otherwise seamless expanse of the image's upper half. Overall, the photograph succeeds in capturing the essence of travel and transit, evoking a feeling of anticipation and adventure.
Philosopher's Way is a 2.7 mile loop around McLaren Park in San Francisco. The trail was designed by Peter Richards and Susan Schwatzenberg and opened in 2013. The stone markers are fun to look for and there are various interesting plaques on the route as well. McLaren is the second largest city park in San Francisco. John McLaren is more famous for developing and then becoming the superintendent of Golden Gate Park. He is responsible for the windmills - to pump water to irrigate the park and apparently insisted that there could be no 'Keep off the Grass' signs.
(Published to the Fediverse as:
Philosopher's Way in McLaren Park #hike#video#sanfrancisco#sfdogwalk#map 2.7 mile loop walk around Philosopher's Way in McLaren Park, San Francisco, California.)
