Inessential Stuff

I received news this week that I’m really excited about. I was accepted into the Wedding Photojournalist Association! It’s a discriminating organization that only accepts photographers using a true photojournalistic approach and whose images “reflect exceptional skill, originality and creativity”. I am the first (and so far only) photographer in Spokane to be accepted (pats self on back).

Sorry I haven’t posted here in a while. I was finally persuaded to set up an account at deviantArt, which is not at all deviant. It’s a great place for photographers, painters, collagers, digital manipulators, artists of any time to showcase their work.

And it’s addictive fun. My account there is inessentialStuff . Drop by and see what I’ve been doing there, or, better yet, join the community and show off your own stuff.

Anyway, I’ll be posting some galleries here later this week, so stay tuned.

I know, I know. And I’m not even into cars. I have enjoyed, however, getting Hot Wheels cars for Marcus. It started when we bought little cars to keep him entertained on trips in the car. And slowly his collection has grown. I suspect I might even be enjoying our growing collection more than he.

Anyway, this past summer, when he was in Spain with Bonnie, I was able to set up an elaborate race track to test which of the Hot Wheels and Matchboxes were fastest. I tested all 93 cars (Marcus only knows of about 40 or so . . . the rest are ones I’ve bought and hidden away, you know, for future car trips). Of the 93 cars, 70 qualified (some couldn’t make it down the course). Those 70 then raced in a rigorous competition that was as elaborate as the track, and took almost a week to finish. It wasn’t single elimination; or double elimination. It was more like 69th elimination, because I had to determine the exact order of all the cars, from fastest to slowest.

And because I’m sure you are all very excited to know this, here are your winners in the various car-classes (the orange track is visible in the background).

First is the Bassline (Blue), the overall winner and winner of the Track Star Vehicles (which are cars with metal bases and plastic bodies). Next is the Ford GTX-1 (Yellow), Winner of the Mainstream Vehicles (7th Overall) (”Mainstream” cars have plastic bases and metal bodies). And finally, there is the 2006 Dodge Viper (Red), Winner of the Heavyweight Vehicles (13th Overall)(”Heavyweights” have metal bases and metal bodies).

I know. Faaaaaaaascinating.

Okay, it’s not seamless. But I did put together a 360 degree panorama of Seattle, taken from the top of the Space Needle on a sunny, though hazy day.

I replaced my old camera bag (see post below), and I have to say, the new bag’s a beaut: smaller than my last, more padded, more versatile.

When I sling it over my shoulder, I feel as cool as James Dean (not sure why). And when I use it’s nifty belt feature, I feel … well, … then I feel kinda dorky, but it’s very practical.

Thumbs up for the Think Tank Photo Speed Demon.

(Photographs by Bonnie Brunt, Copyright 2007, All Rights Reserved)

After nearly 20 years of heroic service, after traversing the country, and indeed, several continents, my camera bag has died. Ripped, torn, battered and bruised beyond repair.

Here is a picture of the bag, in action, during what would be its last wedding (click picture for a closer view). RIP.