40.841667-96.293621
Silent Sunday #17
Photography
It’s Time for Nebraska Big Red Football
The Phenomenon of Husker Football
It is time for Nebraska Big Red Football and if you live in Nebraska, the Midwest, or are a fan of college football you may of heard how passionate Husker fans are about their football, the players and their coaches. One person in particular strikes a solemn awe in Nebraskans, and that would be Tom Osborne. However, this is NOT your typical football blog post.
I Did NOT Grow up in Nebraska
My husband is just a little bit passionate about “his” team, me I like college football, but I grew up in Connecticut and went to Oklahoma State during the Barry Sanders years. (It was awesome!)
So, I’m not a dyed in the wool Nebraska fan. I do enjoy it though, for many reasons. First off, I like watching my husband enjoy a game. It’s like he’s back in college again.
Nebraskans are passionate about their Huskers, especially the football team. It’s a way of life in the state. When Nebraska alums move out of state they often find sports bars and form their own clubs. They have the most loyal following of any visiting team in the country. The Big Red is highly coveted for Bowl games just because our fans will travel.
100 Things Nebraska Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die (100 Things…Fans Should Know)
What It Means to Be a HuskerThe Nebraska WayHit ’em with Your Handbag: How Four Friends Helped Change Husker Football
&
Memorial Stadium is sold out game after game and still holds the NCAA record for consecutive number of sellouts. However, if you want tickets they can be found. Often just walking up to the stadium just before game time you can buy them at face value. We are lucky (and thankful) that a friend from church offers to sell me their football tickets from time to time. In fact the first time she offered, the conversation went a little bit like this.
“Hi Dawn, I heard you might be interested in our Husker tickets this weekend?”
“Sure Betsy, Randy was going to be up in a tree stand deer hunting..” I look back at Randy in the kitchen, “..but judging on the look on his face I think he’d rather go to the game. It will be an early birthday present.” (I’ve been told I can’t say how old he’s turning, anyone want to guess?
The Loudest College Football Stadium in the Country
We got to the game early, it’s been said that only Nebraska fans show up in the stadium and hour early so they can watch warm ups. Well, we were there at least an hour ahead of time. That’s ok, I had my camera to play with and there was plenty of photo ops. The atmosphere in Lincoln Nebraska is like no other experience. Fans start tailgating at 9 am for a 2 pm game. Nebraska fans are also know for their hospitality towards visiting teams.
Nebraska Tailgating At It’s Best
Nebraska doesn’t have a professional football team in the state, but we make up for it with the Huskers. Husker fans take their Nebraska football tailgating seriously. Tents are erected, parking lots for a surrounding mile are rented.
Corporations rent space under the viaduct for catered parties and millions of dollars are spent on customizing trucks, vans, and party buses, all equipped with satellite televisions, grills and smokers.
Nebraska Corn Huskers NCAA Round Table Outdoor Patio TailgatingBest of Times Collegiate Patio Bar and Tailgating CenterNebraska Cornhuskers Party Supplies Pack #3NCAA 2′ x 8′ Tailgate Table NCAA Team: Nebraska
&
Today we played Minnesota (2012), and for one of the few times this season we were pretty much assured a win. By how much would be the question. (Gotta keep reading to see by how much)
Saturdays attendance topped out at 85,330 and the Huskers still lead the NCAA record for number of sell outs for a college football team. An added bonus is getting to watch our local Elmwood-Murdock graduate play for the Huskers. Sam Burtch (below) was a freshman coming out of his red shirt year in 2012 and graduated with my son David. Sam has won Scout team MVP several times and has seen playing time during many games.
The game also represented Tom Osbornes 500th official game and tribute ran from the pregame, to halftime and post game. Many people shed a tear, including my husband. The stadium reverberates with excitement and it’s something only to be experienced. The crowd, the noise, and the excitement of everyone in the stands is palatable, you can feel the vibration from your feet to your ears. It is infectious.
So really, going to a Nebraska football game is more than just the game, it’s an event. The camaraderie of the fans is second to none and even when they are beat by another team they are gracious and courteous to the fans of the opposing team. Husker fans don’t like to lose. Bill Callahan and Bo Pellini were evidence of that, but we don’t take it out on the visitors from out of state.
Taylor Martinez completed 21-of-29 passes for 308 yards on the day, his third 300-yard passing day on the season and the fourth of his career. His favorite target was Bell, as the sophomore wide receiver hauled in a career-high nine catches for a career-high 137 yards with two touchdowns.
By the way Nebraska won 38-14, in case you were wondering.
Nebraska notched its fifth consecutive victory to improve to 9-2 overall and 6-1 in the Big Ten. The Huskers registered their fifth straight nine-win season under Head Coach Bo Pelini and moved a win away from clinching the Big Ten Legends Division title. NU closes its regular season at Iowa in the Heroes Game on Friday, Nov. 23 at 11 a.m. That game will be televised nationally by ABC.
If you didn’t think Husker fans were fanatical check out all the official licensed products and gifts. you can get everything from Husker t-shirts to a Husker toilet seat cover, honestly search for it below.
More on Big Red Football
Nebraska Big Red Football 2011: Bo’s Foundation Is Taking …
Hello Husker nation and sports fans around the world. Less then a week till kickoff and other then injuries up front for the offense, it sounds like the.
Well-Known Coaches Commit to Tom Tribute – Huskers.com …
… host Chris Fowler and ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe will be catalysts for interactive dialogues and salutes that will honor Osborne’s contributions to the state of Nebraska, Big Red football and service to our country.
Recruits ready to show off skills : Sports – Lincoln Journal Star
“I mean, top in the nation, offensive line commits — whoo!” Okafor said. “You can never be unhappy with that.” The first session of Nebraska’s Big Red Football School certainly would elicit smiles from Husker recruiting junkies.
11 Gift Ideas for Photographers
Looking for some awesome gift ideas for that serious photographer in your family. Here are my top ten, okay eleven gifts for the serious photographer, and a few fun ideas thrown in for good measure.
1.Lens Strap Holder
This is a must have for me. I’m always misplacing, losing and forgetting where I put my lens caps. Often I find on in a coat pocket, in the glove box of my car, or even under the seat. So I buy lens caps by the dozen, ok, maybe not that many, but I find them in coat pockets, under the seat of the car and in the couch cushion. I’ve tried lens cap keepers, you know the elastic with the string that dangles and those are an economical solution, but the lens clip holders that slide on the camera strap are really nice.
Now, repeat after me, I will not lose my lens cap, I will not lose my lens cap.
Universal Lens Cap Anti-losing Holder Clip Buckle for
MegaGear Camera Buckle Lens Cap Holder for 67,5 Pieces Lens Cap Keeper Holder + Microfiber
2. Macro Extension Tube Adapters and Tools
I did get a set of extension tubes for Christmas since I wrote this, and they are wonderful, But, you do need additional tools to accomplish really good macro photography. I wish I had a real Macro lens, but they are out of my budget. I love taking flower porn shots in the spring and summer (just check it out) before you judge.
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Fotodiox Canon EOS Macro Extension Tube Set for Extreme Close-UpsBiG DIGITAL Macro Ring Light Kit + Macro Extension tube set forCowboystudio Macro Focusing Rail Set with 4 Way, Fine Control and CameraFotodiox M-Reverse-77-Nikon-Kit RB2A 77MM Macro Reverse Ring Kit with G and DX
3.Fun Camera lenses
This isn’t a need, fun camera lenses such as fish eyes, tilt lenses and spy lenses that will shoot around the corner are just that, FUN. An escape and reason to be creative with your photography when life gets boring.
Opteka Voyeur Right Angle Spy Lens for Canon EOS Digital SLR CamerasBower SLY358C Ultra Wide-Angle 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye Lens for CanonLensbaby Spark for Canon
4. White Balance Cap
Oh this sounds so dreamy. Ever been in a setting where the color just doesn’t turn out right. Yellow cast in a room, gymnasiums with that awful yellow wooden floor, or the grey days that make skin tones blue. Just shoot a photo with this cap and automatically set your cameras white balance. Perfect tones.
BRNO baLens BAL58 58mm White Balance Snap-on Lens Cap with Neutral and Warm DomesPromaster SystemPRO White Balance Lens Cap – 52MM
5. Sturdy and Lightweight Tripod
Taking really sharp photos requires a steady hand, but more times than not it requires a tripod. One that won’t shake in the wind and one that will handle a 300-400mm lens without falling over. I borrowed my son’s professional tripod while he was in the Marines, but once he left for film school I had to give it back. Didn’t know it was a loan at the time.
Ravelli APGL4 New Professional 70
XCSOURCE Professional Portable Magnesium Aluminium Alloy Tripod MonopodFlexpod Flexible Tripod
6. Fun Photography Gifts
Not everything needs to be a lens, or a tool to improve your photography. Serious amateurs and photographers like to have a little fun, show of their hobby, or profession with novelty camera gifts. My favorite photo related gift I received was my Canon lens cup, I use it every day at work and it has fooled several people.
Fotodiox Camera Lens Shaped Self-Stirring Stainless Steel Interior24-105mm Camera Lens Cup Travel Coffee Mug /The Shot Glass Lens Set – Looks LikeHigh Quality 16 GB Camera shape USB FlashVintage Camera Lens Necklace, Camera Pendant, 24Vintage Camera Photo AlbumLina & Lily Vintage Camera Print Loop Infinity
7. Fashionable Camera Bag
I’m sorry, but the the standard black Canon camera bag is boring, ugly, and unyielding. Don’t get me a wrong, it’s a standard in the industry, keeps your camera and lenses protected. But, I’m a woman, I want a little variety and when I don’t need to carry ALL my lenses I just need a combination purse-camera bag combination.
The camera bag insert looks amazing. With as many times as I change purses why wouldn’t I want to change camera bags. This insert will fit into any large size pouch purse or fun shopping bag, all while keeping your camera and gear protected. Makes sense to me!
JAVOedge Medium Synthetic Leather Camera Messenger Style Bag for Nikon/Canon/Sony/Pentax/Panasonic DSLR (Light Brown)Koolertron Vintage fashionable Canvas DSLR Camera Bag Shoulder Messenger Bag Fit DSLR with 3 lenses For Canon Sony Nikon Canon Olympus And So On Features: (Green)Evecase Large Canvas Outdoor Travel Camera Case/Bag w/Laptop Compartment & Rain Cover for Nikon D810, D800/D800E, D750, D700, D610, D600, D90, D80, D60, D4S, D4, D7100, D7000, D5300, D5200, D3300 (Olive)Kelly Moore B Hobo Bag – WalnutClik Elite Klettern Backpack for Photographers CE735GRBBP DSLR Camera Insert, Make Your Own Camera Bag – Orange
8.Photography Books
Yes, I know you can learn everything about photography from the internet and YouTube, so why would you want a photography book? It’s the same difference between looking at your photos on a computer or actually holding a photograph in your hand. With a how to Photoshop book you can write in the margins, bookmark, make notes and admire the amazing photographs anywhere, any place while being unplugged.
Adobe Photoshop CC Classroom in a BookAdobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 Book: The Complete GuideImprove Your Wildlife Photography (Improve Your Photography BookPet Photography: From Snapshots to Great ShotsNewborn Photography Made EasyInsights From Beyond the Lens: Inside the ArtMastering Macro Photography – Ideas, Tips, Tutorials &
9.Wancom Tablet
I love photo editing and graphic design and use Photoshop all the time. I would like to learn how to take my photographs and art to the next level and a Wancom tablet seems to be the next step. Many newborn photographers rely on their Wancom to smooth blotchy baby skin tones, and senior photographers use it to erase acne from teenagers. Then there are the digital artists that can take
Wacom banboo one Pen Tablet CTL471 for PC
How to Draw Digital Art in PhotoshopDigital Paintings 2001-2015: 14 years with a Wacom®
10.Moniter Calibration System:
Ever wonder why the prints you get back are not the same color as what you saw on your screen, or what you saw on your friends screen? It’s because monitors go out of calibration and mess with our heads. Extremely important if you’re adjusting skin tones and really need the magenta to be accurate. Lately I designed something that contained burgundy. But when it was printed the color was brown. I liked it still the same, but not what I expected. Hint, hint to any of my family who is thinking of something for Christmas.
X-Rite CMUNPH ColorMunki PhotoColorVision Spyder2PRO Win/Mac
11. Black Rapid Camera Strap
Nope, couldn’t hold myself to 10, I have a love/hate relationship with my camera strap. It’s a pain to wear around your neck, but it’s a pain to carry the camera separately. The Black Rapid or Luma strap is ergonomically friendly and I think I would like it better than what I have now. The solution to not wearing my camera around my neck is the hand grip strap, then I wouldn’t have to worry about the strap getting in the way at all.
OP/TECH USA 3510242 Utility Strap-Sling Connector for FastBlack Rapid RS-Sport Strap – Slimmer Version witheForCity Leather Hand Grip Strap Compatible with Nikon
Now that I’ve gone over my limit, and can see what I consider essential camera gifts for the photographer, what else would you add? I, on purpose, did not add any iPhone accessories, since I don’t own an iPhone, but there are tons of very cool gadgets for iPhones for the casual and serious iPhonetographer. (is that a word?)
I have a 3 Quarter Camera Store on Amazon with all the cool stuff that you may not be able to find in your local “big box store”
More Photography Equipment and Tools
Online Camera and Camcorder Sales in the US Industry Market Research …
Demand for photography services, such as those used for weddings, school pictures and family portraits, also rose, therefore, increasing demand for photography supplies. As a result of these positive trends, overall revenue for the Online Camera and …
Plus, this study only looked at just a single day of Amazon pricing, and since the retailer frequently changes its pricing, it may be worth it for consumers to check prices even on expensive things like electronics and photography supplies there.
Denny Manufacturing Releases 2015 Catalog Early
We are honored that photographers continue to choose us as their source for photography supplies. Readers will also see great prices on vinyl banners and expansion of products offered in the photo gifts division, http://www.photonovelty.com. You can …
Best Photography Apps for Smartphones
We live in a wonderful digital age where the ability to capture life’s memories are at our fingertips. Smartphones have made making memories and even having some fun with them as easy as the touch of a button. With that in mind, here are 10 great apps …
A Business Card Makes if Official
So if a business card makes your business official, then I guess I’ve taken the leap. I’m not changing jobs, I love working at Hamilton Color Lab, but I am filling in some of the gaps in the cash flow side while supporting and partnering with my place of employment.
Our primary business at Hamilton is professional printing for photographers and commercial graphics for trade shows and displays. When we have time we will edit images and do graphic design, but it’s not our core business. That’s where I can help in the “off hours”.
The same is true of scanning and restoration. Hamilton Color Lab specializes in museum quality scanning and large format reproductions. Often customers call and have many photos they want scanned and digitized, upwards in the hundreds. While the Eversmart scanner at work is amazing in it’s clarity and density reading it’s overkill, and expensive, for someone who just wants digital images to share or wants to print a 4×6.
I love the post production side, as anyone reading this blog can tell. So this Saturday, November 24th, I’m setting up a table at the Holiday Extravaganza Craft show in Elmwood Nebraska.
I will be offering the following services and products:
- Photo Cards (area photographs, including “The Barn”)
- Senior Photo printing (die-cut rounded corner wallets)
- Photo Restoration
- Shoebox Scanning
- Professional Printing (through Hamilton Color, bring your USB, CD etc)
- Collage Wall Designs
- Galery Wrapped Photo Canvas
- Decorative Wall Groupings
- Christmas card designs
- Graduation announcement
- Senior Collages
- How to turn your photos into art
If the initial response has been any indication of success this might just work. I have had two jobs and two people set up a meeting with me next week for a canvas layout, just by announcing this on my personal Facebook page.
Have a project in mind? Send me a message, or drop me an email.
5 Reasons I Shoot my Photos in the RAW
RAW doesn’t mean I don’t wear clothes, RAW is a type of image format a digital camera uses to capture and store photographs. Every camera “takes” a RAW image, but most point and shoot cameras then process that image into the popular JPG format. So what is all the hoopla on RAW vs JPG and why does it matter?
Starting in 2012 I began to shoot RAW, I have my canon rebel set to RAW +jpg. I love getting a shot perfect SOOC, (straight out of camera) it saves time on the post processing side. But even in the film era professional photographers spent hours in the darkroom burning and dodging negatives to get the print quality they desired. Ansel Adams and other photography masters spent a lot of time retouching negatives to get the amazing images that have become iconic.
Even the best photo with the perfect exposure can benefit from a clean “pop” of contrast and sharpening.
Today the RAW image format gives professional and serious amateurs the same options in a virtual “digital darkroom”
1. Photographers excitement: Sometimes the excitement of an event will cause the photographer in you to forget all about settings and metering. I can easily over or underexpose a shot. This happens to me more often than not. THANK goodness for RAW!
2. Wider option of enlarging an image: I take a lot of scenery photos and my camera is only a 10 megapixel, so I need every pixel. The JPEG compression algorithm is lossy . That is, when an image is JPEG-compressed, data is discarded, and the image is permanently degraded. Apply enough JPEG compression and the degradation will become visible. If you want to enlarge your image a lot, JPEG artifacts could be a problem. Because raw files are not compressed, you never have to worry about this.
3. Control my white balance: Ever get that yellowish hue when you take photos inside at night? When shooting in RAW that yellow hue can be removed without the noisy pixelation. The same with the blueish cast that sometime tints the skin on cloudy days.
4. Non destructive editing: Did you know that every time you open a JPG tiny parts of information are lost. When editing RAW files the program only records the edits and creates a new file. Your original is not lost.
5. Higher level of photo quality: In the JPG compression artifacts occur which can throw tiny dots of obtrusive color into unwanted areas. (more on this later) Your camera probably captures 12 to 14 bits of data per pixel, but a JPEG file can only hold eight bits of data per pixel. This means that, when you shoot in JPEG mode, one of the first things your camera does is throw out a bunch of data that it captured. This can also lead to “banding” as evidenced in my previous example.
The digital photography school gives the best definition and explanation of RAW files
A Raw file is…
• not an image file per se (it will require special software to view, though this software is easy to get).
• typically a proprietary format (with the exception of Adobe’s DNG format that isn’t widely used yet).
• at least 8 bits per color – red, green, and blue (12-bits per X,Y location), though most DSLRs record 12-bit color (36-bits per location).
• uncompressed (an 8 megapixel camera will produce a 8 MB Raw file).
• the complete (lossless) data from the camera’s sensor.
• higher in dynamic range (ability to display highlights and shadows).
• lower in contrast (flatter, washed out looking).
• not as sharp.
• not suitable for printing directly from the camera or without post processing.
• read only (all changes are saved in an XMP “sidecar” file or to a JPEG or other image format).
• sometimes admissible in a court as evidence (as opposed to a changeable image format).
• waiting to be processed by your computer.
Read more: http://digital-photography-school.com/raw-vs-jpeg#ixzz2AYsqePeU
How to Print RAW Files
Think of RAW camera files kinda like film. It needs to be processed and exposed to be printed in a common format like JPG or TIFF. If you are going to step into the RAW photography world then you will need to use post production software, such as Lightroom or Photoshop. Don’t think negatively of photo editing programs, in the right hands they serve as a tool to get your photo to look as it did when you saw the scene with your eyes.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6
Adobe Lightroom 6 / CC Video Book: Training for Photographers
My favorite program is Lightroom, for reasons for many reasons. I can batch edit groups of photos with the same settings in just minutes instead of hours. I can also metatag, keyword and organize my files and folders for easy searching later. I use Photoshop for those designs which require text, layers and cloning. Individual photo work. For most people Photoshop Elements will be more than you will need and the full Photoshop is overkill.
If you don’t want to commit to buying the stand alone programs you can subscribe to Adobes Creative Cloud program for $10 per month and get both the full version of Photoshop and Lightroom to use as much as you want. The choice is really yours.
There are a myriad of Photoshop tutorial videos on YouTube, but some people really like a hard copy book to hold and make notes in the border.
Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan (Photoshop CC + Lightroom) [Digital Membership]Adobe Photoshop CS6 – Windows ; no monthly chargeAdobe Photoshop Elements 13The Photoshop Workbook: Professional Retouching and Compositing Tips, Tricks, and Techniques
