Book reviews for November 2016

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Friday, February 24, 2017.
Revenger by Alastair Reynolds

Revenger by Alastair Reynolds

5/5

Far future space pirates. Awesome.

 

Badass: Making Users Awesome by Kathy Sierra

Badass: Making Users Awesome by Kathy Sierra

3/5

The overall message is good - focus on making your users actually awesome rather than you looking awesome with some concrete strategies to find out what that is and how to get there. A central theme is removing barriers to effective usage. The product here is a book. It was hell to read on my phone. Now if the graphics were large and central to the message and couldn't be done other than in some weird non-standard way I might forgive this. But all I needed to on every page was zoom in to get rid of the needless massive borders. That's all it took. Hundreds of times. So I'd recommend this if you still like paper books or are some sort of tablet toting throwback but on phone? No.

 

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El Capitan

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

El Capitan

El Capitan shrouded in winter fog at Yosemite National Park.

The photograph titled "El Capitan" captures the majestic granite monolith of Yosemite National Park as it pierces through the soft embrace of low-hanging clouds. The formidable rock face emerges dramatically from a lush forest of towering pines, their pointed silhouettes accentuating the sheer scale of El Capitan. The sky, a deep and unfettered blue, frames the scene with a vivid backdrop, adding a sense of tranquility to the awe-inspiring scene. Wisps of cloud gently caress the rock's summit, creating a mood of mystery and grandeur, while the bare trees in the foreground hint at a winter's chill with their dusting of snow.

The composition of the photograph is a blend of natural grandeur and artistic framing. The photographer utilizes the rule of thirds, with El Capitan slightly off-center, allowing the viewer’s eye to flow naturally across the image from the foreground trees to the majestic monolith and up to the vast sky. The use of contrasting elements—dark trees against the bright rock face and vivid sky—adds depth and balance to the composition. What stands out particularly is the juxtaposition of the dense foliage with the openness above, creating a dynamic tension. However, the focus seems to be slightly skewed towards the darker areas, potentially losing some detail in the low-light sections. Nonetheless, the photograph beautifully captures the transcendent grandeur of nature, evoking both serenity and awe.

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(Published to the Fediverse as: El Capitan #photo #yosemite Photo of El Capitan shrouded in mysterious winter fog at Yosemite National Park. )

Recount

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Wednesday, February 22, 2017.

Recount

I'm on a donation spree. This time to the Jill Stein recount effort. I believe that this will change the outcome of the election as much as I believe that there are real questions about vaccines and autism. But this is clearly making Trump mad. And the madder he gets the sooner he is likely to get himself impeached. Why not help out?

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(Published to the Fediverse as: Recount #politics #election ##resist Recount the 2016 election - not because it's going to work, just to make Trump mad. )

National Popular Vote

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Wednesday, February 1, 2017.

National Popular Vote

I just donated to the National Popular Vote campaign. The idea is that if enough states pass enabling legislation they will all throw their electoral college votes behind the popular vote winner. Electoral college neatly short-circuited without any constitutional amendment needed. California is already signed up for this. You can check your state here.

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(Published to the Fediverse as: National Popular Vote #politics #election ##resist Support the National Popular Vote campaign and elect the US President based on individual votes and not the Electoral College. )

Banana Slug

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

Banana Slug

Photo of a Banana Slug at Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

In this enchanting photograph titled "Banana Slug," the camera captures a striking tableau of nature, where a vibrant yellow banana slug graces the foreground. The slug, with its glistening, moist texture, slithers along a richly textured surface covered in lush green moss. Its vibrant hue stands out against the earthy tones, drawing immediate attention. The background, softly out of focus, hints at a misty forest setting with various greens and browns, suggestive of towering trees and shadows playing in the dappled sunlight. The setting exudes a sense of serene tranquility, evoking the essence of an untouched ecosystem where the small adventures of a slug unfold quietly.

The photograph employs a shallow depth of field, skillfully drawing the viewer’s focus to the banana slug, making it the unequivocal hero of this composition. The macro perspective allows us to appreciate the slug's intricate details, from its subtle ridges to the dewy sheen on its body. This choice magnifies the beauty of the small and often overlooked. The horizontal composition echoes the slug’s path across the moss, guiding the viewer's eye naturally along its journey. While the image succeeds in illuminating the minutiae of the slug’s world, it could benefit from a slightly wider frame to contextualize its surroundings — including more of the forest would augment the narrative of the slug’s place in its environment. Nonetheless, the image's vivid colors and intimate focus allow for a delightful exploration of nature's microcosms.

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(Published to the Fediverse as: Banana Slug #photo #bananaslug Photo of a Banana Slug at Big Basin Redwoods State Park in California. )

Sunrise

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

Sunrise

Inverted tiny planet rendering of an unusually red sunrise in San Francisco.

Sunrise - Photograph Critique

The photograph titled "Sunrise" presents a mesmerizing swirl of color and form, capturing a sky painted in hues of orange and pink with delicate wisps of cloud. These clouds, seemingly twisting into the center, create a vortex effect that draws the viewer's gaze inward, inviting contemplation. Framed by silhouettes of rooftops and antennas, the scene evokes an urban morning, yet the twisted sky offers a surreal, almost dreamlike atmosphere. The edges of the frame are dark and solid, contrasting sharply with the vibrant, fiery sky, highlighting the intricate dance of light and shadow.

The photographer employs a fisheye or spiral distortion effect, enhancing the sky's dramatic spiral and giving it an infinite depth. This creative manipulation breaks traditional composition rules, creating an intriguing and otherworldly aesthetic. The juxtaposition of the solid, static rooftops with the dynamic, swirling sky can be seen as both a strength and a limitation; while it adds contrast and interest, it may also distract from the serene beauty of a natural sunrise. The technique adds a unique perspective but might not resonate with purists who seek a more conventional representation of a sunrise. Overall, the photograph stands out for its bold interpretation and captivating use of distortion, inviting viewers to see the familiar with new eyes.

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(Published to the Fediverse as: Sunrise #photo #sunrise #tinyplanet Sunrise in San Francisco, California, rendered as an inverted tiny planet. )

Trees at Lands End

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

Trees at Lands End

Rain falling through trees at Lands End, San Francisco (Golden Gate National Recreation Area).

Trees at Lands End

The photograph titled "Trees at Lands End" captures a serene woodland scene where towering trees stretch upwards, their branches weaving an intricate tapestry against the sunlight filtering softly through the canopy. The ground is uneven and slightly sunlit, indicating the undulating terrain typical of untamed nature. The trees, with their textured bark and twisted limbs, evoke a sense of age and resilience. Light spills through the branches, highlighting patches of greenery and casting gentle shadows, creating a sense of depth and tranquility. The overall ambiance is one of quiet mystery, as if inviting the viewer to step into this peaceful forest and explore its ancient secrets.

This photograph employs a naturalistic style that emphasizes the beauty and complexity of the forest environment. The composition is thoughtfully balanced, with the trees providing a strong vertical element that guides the viewer's gaze upward. The use of natural lighting is particularly effective, with the sunlight creating dappled patterns on the forest floor and enhancing the texture of the tree bark. I appreciate the play of light and shadow, which adds depth and dynamism to the composition. One critique, however, is that the image might benefit from a slight increase in contrast to intensify the interplay between light and dark, potentially enhancing the visual drama of the scene. Overall, the photo succeeds in capturing the timeless allure of the forest at Lands End.

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(Published to the Fediverse as: Trees at Lands End #photo #sanfrancisco #landsend #trees Photo of rain falling through trees at Lands End, San Francisco, California (Golden Gate National Recreation Area). )

Multi-plane Camera

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

Multi-plane Camera at the Walt Disney Family Museum

Photo of a multi-plane camera at the Walt Disney Family Museum.

The photograph titled "Multi-plane Camera" captures an intricate and historically significant piece of photographic technology from a top-down perspective. The black-and-white composition emphasizes the mechanical complexity and elegance of the multi-plane camera, a device once used in animation to create a three-dimensional effect by having multiple layers of images at varying distances. The photo presents a latticework of metal, glass, and machinery, with identifiable components such as large lamps and complex gears. The wooden flooring below adds warmth and contrast to the cold, industrial feel of the camera, juxtaposing natural texture with human-made precision. The interplay of shadows and highlights lends the image a cinematic quality, invoking a sense of nostalgia and innovation.

The photographic style leans towards a documentary-like approach, meticulously capturing the details and structure of the multi-plane camera. The composition uses a strong, central perspective that focuses on the heart of the device, drawing the viewer’s eye inward, allowing them to explore the layered intricacies and craftsmanship. The use of black and white augments the sense of timelessness, stripping away distractions and letting form and function speak for themselves. However, this same monochromatic palette could be critiqued for potentially losing some visual interest that color might bring to revealing more textural diversity. What truly stands out is the photographer's ability to evoke history and admiration for the mechanical creativity embodied in this relic, effectively bridging the gap between technology and art.

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(Published to the Fediverse as: Multi-plane Camera #photo #presidio Photo of a multi-plane camera taken at the Walt Disney Family Museum. )

News: We Need to Raise Taxes for Shareholders and Cut Them for Companies

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Sunday, November 6, 2022.

West Portal Halloween

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

Wawona street trick or treat long exposure

Long exposure of trick or treating on Wawona street in West Portal, San Francisco.

The photograph titled "West Portal Halloween" captures a whimsical and slightly eerie nighttime scene in a suburban neighborhood. Under a golden-hued sky, the street is lined with houses casting a warm glow from their windows. One particular house catches the eye with its vivid blue-lit windows, creating a sense of mystery. The streetlights add a golden luminescence to the scene, casting their light onto a wet pavement reflecting a spectrum of colors. Tall trees frame the right side of the image, emphasizing the night's dynamic atmosphere. The scene is animated with streaks of light, likely from passing cars or wandering trick-or-treaters, which create an impression of energy and movement.

The photograph employs a bold, experimental style, utilizing long exposure to create the intriguing light trails that lead the viewer's eye across the image. The composition is slightly tilted, lending a sense of disorientation that fits well with the Halloween theme. The warm color palette contrasts with the cooler blue tones from the windows, adding depth and interest to the composition. I appreciate the dynamic nature of the image, capturing both the tranquility and mystery of a Halloween night. However, the image might benefit from a slightly sharper focus in key areas to balance the abstract elements with clearer structural elements, providing a more grounded focal point. Overall, the image succeeds in creating a vivid, atmospheric narrative.

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(Published to the Fediverse as: West Portal Halloween #photo #westportal #halloween Photo of West Portal Halloween on Wawona Street (long exposure), San Francisco, California. )