Selections From the Backlog

Having not posted in over a month, I've accumulated quite a few still frames in my backlog that I wanted to share. I've also got a few incomplete blog posts waiting on me to process and scan a batch of B&W film when I get the time.

I spent an evening a few weeks back testing out some in-car camera mounting techniques, giving me a chance to pay homage to one of my favorite scenes in Koyaanisqatsi. I was pretty happy with the results, and I was glad I could figure out such a solid mounting solution. Previous attempts nearly a year ago had been plagued by camera vibration.

Last week I stopped off at Zilker Park after a day of shooting hyperlapse footage. The view from the Great Lawn is always nice, especially after sunset. I highly recommend checking it out on a warm night if you feel like just sitting around with some friends in the dark and having a few drinks. The view of the skyline is excellent, and there's a quiet contemplative feeling to the whole place.

The hours and minutes before and after a big storm can yield some spectacular and dramatic views, creating a powerful backdrop for the skyline of any city. This first shot was taken from Castle Hill right after a huge rain/hailstorm rolled through town at the end of March.

Getting out there in the right place before (as opposed to after) a storm is the tough part. Enabling the desired image composition for an incoming storm largely comes down to luck because the weather forecast is typically useless when it comes to small scale local phenomena.

Today I had a bit of a lucky break. I saw what looked like the beginnings of some awesome undulatus (wavy base) clouds forming overhead as I was on my way home (iPhone shot at right) and decided to immediately head out to the side of the freeway to try to shoot some footage of the clouds with a wide, unobstructed view. By the time I got there, all the undulatus-like formations had dissipated or moved on; instead, I was treated to quite a show from the backlit cumulonimbus clouds of an approaching thunderstorm. This storm was particularly intense, with hail, extremely heavy rain, and high winds.

Finally, I'll leave you with the fruits of an attempt to take some cliche bluebonnet photos of my dog friend. As she was being completely uncooperative and constantly looking at traffic, I settled for taking a portrait of the Metrorail instead.