Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 and the Platypod Ultra

For the first time in a long time, yesterday I visited the garage storage unit where I keep my motorcycle to tryout a few GoPro mounts to see how each performs. This is also the first time that I have used the Platypod tripod in three different situations within a week. It performed flawlessly at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, at Elfreth's Alley last Wednesday, and at the garage storage unit yesterday afternoon.

The Platypod Ultra tripod is lightweight, compact and incredibly versatile. It is one of the best accessories additions to my camera gear. The phrase "never leave home without it applies here". It appears that the Telesin Windshield mount is the GoPro mount I am most eager to put to use. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of video footage it produces. 

This long weekend, the first Monday of September, serves as the unofficial end of summer. There are still plenty of riding opportunities near Philadelphia before winter arrives. I am looking forward to it. 

When It Comes To Photography, Nothing Beats Today's Technology

My first real camera was a Yashica FX-3 Super 2000 film camera, purchased as a gift to myself in 1988 after my divorce. The other camera shown on this picture was my first digital Nikon DSLR purchased in 2015.

Earlier this week I declined to participate in a conversation about taking pictures using film, and developing my own images in a darkroom at home or sending the film to a processing lab. Hardcore photography purists can be rough, and for some is hard to compromise. It is their way, or no way.

The last time I used my film Yashica FX-3 camera in 2002, I visited Washington DC and spent a week sightseeing the city. When I returned home, I took a roll of film of 36 exposures to get it developed. It was a huge mistake because the processing lab ruined ALL my vacation pictures.

When it comes to photography, nothing beats today's ( digital camera or smartphone ) technology.

The Best Money I Ever Spent

In 2015, a few weeks after I purchased my first DSLR, a used Nikon camera, I quickly realized that to be able to take better pictures, I needed to take a photography class.

To be honest, the camera had so many menus, knobs, dials and buttons, that I felt kind of overwhelmed and had no idea what I was doing with the digital camera despite having purchased lots of gear. 

A friend suggested to register with an "Introduction to DSLR Photography Class", which I did. The other students and myself, four in total, met with the instructor at the Constitution Center in Philly. In less than two hours I was able to learn to use my camera controls/settings.

I noticed right away how much I improved taking pics by activating the Live View mode. Live View allows me to see what my DSLR camera sees in real time by displaying it on the back of the LCD screen.

When it comes to photography, this was the best $30 dollars I ever spent.

The top picture of our group, was taken using the camera timer and a tripod.

The 2022 Bucket List

In three weeks I am traveling to Paris, France, for the first time. To say I am a little nervous about this trip after several months of planning it's an understatement. I am a little worried that the new COVID variant Omicron could force the French authorities to apply more travel restrictions, and prevent me from visiting the country. 

For years I've been dreaming of riding a motorcycle in Europe. If all goes well and the weather cooperates, I plan to rent a motorcycle for a couple of days during my stay. I already received my International Drivers Permit. I contacted AAA (American Automobile Association) , visited their local office here in Philly and got the International Drivers License the same day. 

In addition of carrying my Nikon DSLR and a couple of lenses, I am planning to bring my GoPro camera with the handheld gimbal stabilizer and use it to vlog about the trip. Ordered extra memory cards, extra batteries for my Nikon and GoPro cameras and also a couple of European travel plug adapters. All the camera gear is ready to go. 

Don't laugh, but it's been so long since I used my GoPro cameras, that while testing recording a video the other day, nothing worked. Nothing was video recorded. For twenty minutes I was freaking out, panicked, trying to figure out why nothing was recording. Until I noticed that the GoPro camera lens cover was on, that's when I realized that I need to use my GoPro more often. 

I am looking forward to this my second trip to Europe. I just hope that this time the weather is nice during my stay, the motorcycle rental is dependent on the weather conditions.