133/365

Picture info: ISO 400, 1/40, f/2.80, 50mm, Av

In keeping with yesterday's car mention, today I took my car to the dealer for 2 recall issues. One was to fix some ignition coils and the other was to fix a leaky sunroof.

That second part was cool because I usually like to leave the sunroof cracked. It became an issue when it rained because somehow the rain would pool somewhere and then, as I drove, leak all over the passenger side from the visor.

It was quite strange.

I'm guessing the recall took care of that.

Anyway, this picture is of my engine and the current issue (not covered by recall, but apparently a common issue) is that cracked hose. You see the "X" crack in the elbow, and on the back side is another crack.

The hose is almost completely broken. Aside from messing up my mileage, it also makes my car sound like a speeder bike when I take my foot off the gas. It is kind of cool, but I'd rather have the miles.

The dealer wanted $81 for the part and $50 to install it. I said no thanks and hit up my car parts store.

The guy behind the counter smirked when I told him what the dealer wanted me to do. In a very interestingly froggy-type voice, the car parts guy told me to tape the hose. Trouble was, at the time, we couldn't see it as it usually resides under a plastic engine cover.

Anyway, when I got home, I found the hose under said cover. I borrowed some duct tape from a neighbor and sealed that sucker up.

I still get the helicopter sound, but I'm going to get more satisfaction in buying the same part for $40 and installing it myself.

Go me!

113/365

Picture info: ISO 400, 1/60, f/4.00, 50mm, flash, Av

I am trying to create a camera bag out of a messenger bag I got for my birthday last year. The bag itself is pretty small and completely flimsy, so I've been using cardboard templates to see about making something a little more robust.

You see my start so far. I was prompted to do this because I picked up a Crumpler bag from REI the other day. A 3 Million Dollar Home, to be exact. The bag is constructed like a tank, but you'd only be able to carry a DSLR and lens (and a smaller one at that).

My point for getting it was to have a bag that could carry my camera, with lens attached, and maybe one other lens. I do have a backpack, but I don't like to carry everything around at all times.

Anyway, this bag is perfect size, but it is so flimsy that a mere bump could cause damage to the gear.

It's not an exciting picture, but I'm excited to be doing another DIY project on the cheap.

78/365

Picture info: ISO 100, 1/200, f/7.10, 90mm, Av, flash

A few months ago, I built a lightbox from an old cardboard box, some white posterboard and tissue paper. The idea behind it was to shoot lights into it and take photographs of objects, etc, and have a seamless background. I think I've accomplished that with this elephant. The trouble is, the paper I have for the background isn't completely white to my eyes. I attempted custom white balancing that sucker, but it still came out off. Part of the problem is I have 2 different lights on either side of the box, as well as a Speedlight bouncing off a light blue ceiling.

I'm going to post this at Photography-on-the.net to see what they say, but even I can see that my WB is way off here. I tried cloning the background in PSE, but that just made dark circles in the corners (look lower left). I guess I could use the lasso to extract the elephant, import in a bright white background, then combine the two layers, but that'd be cheating!

In the meantime, I have a larger box sitting here holding a bunch of crap. I'm going to empty it out and try to make a better lightbox sometime soon.