Month: December 2012

Auld Lang Syne

It's the end of 2012 and the end of my photography Project 52. It seems like it's been a long time but in reality, 52 weeks is short. There were some weeks when I struggled to find something interesting -- from my perspective -- to photograph but I always found something. Fortunately, I knew other photographers doing their own Project 52 who helped provide motivation to get out and shoot. A 52-week photography project is much easier to complete than a 365-day photography project. I've tried those in the past but given my personal and professional schedule -- and my dislike of winter -- there were many days when I couldn't be bothered to pick up the camera. Having a whole week to find a subject that was interesting took the pressure off.

I learned a lot in 2012. The project has helped me practice my technique and compositional skills. I learned more about my Nikon D40 camera -- which I've had six years now -- and it's limitations. For HDR photograph having a camera capable of auto-bracketing is essential and a higher resolution and high ISO sensor helps maintain quality when cropping. I tried overcoming the limitations of my camera via my Raspberry Pi but I would love the convenience of a built-in feature. Finances permitting I would like a new camera body in 2013.

I also learned a lot about lighting. I've taken a few courses and workshops in the past but having my studio strobes has allowed me to experiment. I learn more from doing. My intention for 2013 is use those lights to start and grow my photography business. I prefer landscape and nature photography but it seems more customers are willing to pay for portraits.

So that's it for 2012. I'm looking forward to 2013 and whatever new adventures await. So as the song "Auld Lang Syne" suggest, the time has gone by. May the new times ahead bring incredible new adventures for you.

Old things have significance

I updated my Facebook profile photo this week. Inspired, I took a self-portrait with Dad's old camera, an Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II with attached Asahi SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4 lens, as a prop. The camera-generated a few questions on Facebook, so I'm following up with a post about the camera.

A man's dreams are an index to his greatness. Zadok Rabinowitz

When I was a boy, Dad bought the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic II. I don't remember too much about the camera, but I do know that this camera or a Polaroid camera was the family camera. Dad took many photos on family vacations, or when he would drive us on an adventure around the island, in whichever one we were living. We moved around the British West Indies quite a bit.

I'm not sure how I obtained the camera -- perhaps my mom sent it to me, or maybe it was my dad -- but I do know why I keep it; nostalgia.

I know what it's like being a new parent and wanting to capture every moment of your child's early life. I know I did. I imagine Dad running around behind myself or my younger brothers (or maybe Mom) taking photos of us playing on the beach in Bequia or riding our bikes for the first time. I'm sure my mom has those photos hidden away somewhere.

Dad's Asahi Pentax Spotmatic II with Asahi Pentax SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4 lens. —

Nikon D40 + 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ (24 mm, f/5.6, ISO200), © Khürt L. Williams

I think it's interesting that Dad's used a Pentax. I took a film photography course in college circa 1988, and I bought my first film camera; a Pentax P3. I remember being in love with black and white photography1 and the process of developing the film. I spent hours in the darkroom inhaling smelly chemicals. I think Bhavna has some negatives from those days stored in the basement. Time to do some spelunking.

  1. Was it Kodak Tri-X? ↩

Rum Balls

A few weeks ago, my friend Dave shared with me some homemade Mexican spiced cake and brandy with brandy. They were so delicious that I ate three of them and ended up taking a large dose of Novolog to compensate at lunchtime. The memory of the delicious desert lingered and I decided I had to attempt to make my own.

Dave's wife, Elizabeth, mentioned that I could use brownies to start my batch so that's what I tried to do. I found and modified a Martha Stewart recipe on the web that used brownies and rum. Martha's recipe uses brownies made from scratch. I don't have Martha's skill or time so I improvised with a packaged brownie mix.

This was my first time using an electric mixer. The mixer belongs to my sister-in-law. The machine is heavy but easy to use.

I ran into one issue while making these. The mixture was as first quite sticky. I added the corn starch to thicken the mixture so that I could make balls. Had I done a little more research I would have found out that putting the mixture into the fridge for 15 minutes would have helped. I would not have needed the corn starch.

I was hoping these would be a hit at the party at my sister-in-law's house. Guests seemed to like it but perhaps they were just being polite.

Ingredients

  • 1 package brownie mix
  • ¾ cup corn starch
  • ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons dark rum
  • cocoa powder, for rolling

Directions

  • Make the brownies and let cool.

  • Break brownies into small pieces; transfer to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the corn starch. With the machine on low speed, pour in rum, and mix until crumbs start to come together.

  • Shape into 1-inch balls, and roll in cocoa powder to coat. Transfer to a baking sheet; refrigerate, uncovered, until cold, about 2 hours. Serve chilled or at room temperature.