Photo of the week - August 13, 2013

The view from the beach at Seal Rock, Oregon. Fuji X-Pro1 with 14mm lens @ f/22 and 30 seconds, processed with Snapseed and Silver Efex for Aperture on a Mac.

Photo of the week - August 6, 2013

Nye Beach in Newport, Oregon. Fuji X-Pro1 with 55-200mm lens @ 55mm, f/6.4, and 1/450 seconds, processed with Snapseed on an iPad. Click on the image above to see it fullsize.

Portland Blues Festival, 2013

Photo of the week - July 30, 2013

At Silver Falls State Park, Oregon. Fuji X-Pro1 with 14mm lens @ f/8 and 1/56 seconds, processed with Snapseed on a Mac. See more from this album here.

Photo of the week - July 23, 2013

The view of the Willamette River from Tom McCall Waterfront Park during the Blues Festival, Portland, Oregon. Fuji X-Pro1 with 14mm lens @ f/11 and 1/420 seconds, using the sweep panorama feature, processed with Snapseed on a Mac. Click on the image above to see it fullsize.

Photo of the week - July 16, 2013

The beach at Seal Rock, Oregon. Fuji X-Pro1 with 14mm lens @ f/11 and 1/320 seconds, using the sweep panorama feature, processed with Snapseed on a Mac. Click on the image above to see it fullsize.

Photo of the week - July 2, 2013

Yaquina Bay Bridge, Newport, Oregon. Fuji X-Pro1 with a 14mm lens @ f/22, 13 seconds, processed with Silver Efex on a Mac.

Summer plans, revised

I've been gearing up to write about my planned trip to Beijing for six weeks this summer, where I was scheduled to teach two sections of introductory psychology. I was going to muse on a variety of (the usual) topics, including thoughts about teaching psychology to Chinese students, how I anticipated surviving there when I don't particularly like Chinese food, some ideas for travel and what sorts of touristy things I was planning on doing, and, of course, thoughts about the photography opportunities.

But...I just found out that the program I was supposed to be participating in had to cancel its Beijing program due to some new policies that have put a damper on enrollments. So I'm bummed and now have to think about other plans for the summer (and other things to write about here). 

It's my parents 40th anniversary this summer, and I've be planning on that for a while; in fact I had them move their party so that I could leave for China right afterwards. So now I'm still planning on going to their celebration, but can take more time on (and getting to) the west coast. Some ideas: 

• A drive out there, including seeing friends in the Twin Cities (although I haven't asked them yet...yes Abs, I know you might be reading this) and Denver on the way.
• Hitting some of the parks out that way (Rocky Mountain, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Glancier, Waterton, etc); we visited some of those in 2007, but it would be nice to go again.
• Doing a jaunt through the Olympic Penninsula and up to Victoria Island and Vancouver. And just because my favorite psychology study was run there, the Capilano suspension bridge.
• Exploring eastern Oregon...I've never really been more than a few miles east of I-5.
• Spending more time in Portland, including seeing my brother, nephew, and niece.

 More to come as our plans develop!

Photo of the week - January 10, 2012

Newport Bridge, Newport, Oregon. Fuji X100 @ f/8. Converted with Nik Silver Efex Pro.

Photo of the week - January 3, 2012

Newport Bridge, Newport, Oregon. Fuji X100 @ f/8, 1/160. Converted with Nik Silver Efex Pro.

My new favorite guitar store

Most of you know that I like hanging out in guitar stores, but ever since Acoustic Roots in Bryn Mawr closed three (?) years ago, I haven't found a local shop that I love. It's not particularly local to me (since it's 2,800+ miles door to door), but my new favorite guitar shop is McKenzie River Music in Eugene, Oregon. They have a fantastic selection of vintage guitars, and the folks there (Bob, Ted, Susan, and the rest of the gang) are about the friendliest people you'll find anywhere.

I look forward to stopping in whenever I'm visiting my family in Oregon. Thanks, MRM!

A shout-out to an awesome radio station

In my two drives from Corvallis to Eugene this week (see here), and also around town in Corvallis, I've been listening to KRVM, 91.9 FM out of Eugene. It's a great mix of blues, folk, rock, country, etc...I've heard everything from Stevie Ray Vaughan to Lyle Lovett to traditional Native American music. I'm excited to find that I'll be able to stream it on my computer. Along with KPIG, my other west coast favorite, I should have plenty to listen to.