Halloween Equipment, originally uploaded by daveronku.

Jul and I took advantage of the beautiful Halloween weather tonight!

backyard foliage, originally uploaded by daveronku.

The leaves this year have been gorgeous. We have only to look out our back windows at the woods to enjoy the colors and the beautiful weather we’ve been having.

Missouri School of Journalism Laptops, originally uploaded by Joe Maller.

I guess I never thought about what college lecture halls would like look in these days of ubiquitous laptops. What’s really gratifying is to see the number of glowing Apple logos in this room. (click the photo to see the original on Flickr, then click “All Sizes” above the photo to see a bigger one.)

Jackie just got a new toy and she asked for a little information to get her started. I’ll edit this post as I get the time so I’ll start with your new polarizing filter. I’ll give you my minute amount of knowledge but you can easily do a web search and find sites like this.

One of the most important things is to ensure you have a circular polarizer or it simply will not work. If it’s linear you need to go and exchange it. Linear filters will not work with TTL (through the lens) metering systems (which you have).

As for the use, here’s an example from one of my shots of the effect. Note the rich blue of the sky and the contrast with the clouds. The color saturation in the photo is due mostly to the polarizing filter too, not, as you may have suspected, post processed in Photoshop. That specific photo I posted just to show how a shot can turn out with minimal post processing.

Once you’ve attached the filter, point the camera at the sky and look through the eyepiece. Slowly rotate the filter with your fingers and watch how the polarization changes. This is necessary when you’re shooting with the filter attached or you will not get the right angle of polarization. You can see how the sky darkens as you rotate. Note that you may notice vignetteing in the corners of your photos at certain focal lengths (I think that’s the cause anyway). Try the same thing with reflections. Point the camera at a shop window and rotate the filter to see how it cuts down or cuts out the reflections. You may have to change your physical position too.

That’s about the extent of my knowledge on polarizing filters. Trial and error is where it’s at. Have fun!

On saturday I received a call from a Toronto area code. I didn’t recognize the number but we do have a number of lenders based out of Toronto (I’m a mortgage broker) and although a Saturday call would have been unusual, it would not have been impossible. My luck, it was a telemarketer from Rogers calling about my new cell phone package. Yay!

Caller: Hello, it’s [so-and-so] from Rogers Wireless. I want to review your service package but before I do, I need to verify your personal details.

Me: [pause] You called me.

Caller: Excuse me?

Me: You called me. Why do I need to verify my personal details?

Caller: Oh. It’s for security reasons. I need to verify I’m speaking to the account holder.

Me: What number did you call?

Caller: [gives my cell number]

Me: Yup, that’s me. Go ahead.

Caller: Sir, I need to verify your identy first. What is your name and address?

Me: If you called me and you’re from Rogers then you already know all that.

Caller: Yes I know but I need to verify I’m speaking to the right person. We don’t want to reveal account details to the wrong person. It’s for security.

Me: I get that but since you called me and I already know my account details, you don’t need to reveal anything. Why exactly are you calling?

Caller: To make sure you’re satisfied with your current services and review your options.

Me: That’s what I thought. So go ahead.

Caller: Sir, I can’t proceed before I verify I’m speaking to the account holder.

Me: What are the odds you’re not? You called my cell phone. Is it more likely some stranger picked up the phone or that you’re phishing for personal information related to this cell number?

Caller: I understand your concern sir but It’s our policy to verify.

Me: Well my policy is not to reveal my personal information to un-identified incoming callers. What’s your name and address?

Caller: My name is [so-and-so] and I’m calling from Rogers Wireless.

Me: Says you.

Caller: Sir, do you want me to review your account with you or not?

Me: Not really.

Caller: Are you satisfied with your service?

Me: A little more so now.

Caller: Good bye then sir.

Strangely enough I got another call from a second Rogers Wireless telemarketer not fifteen minutes later. Guess what. We went through nearly the same exchange. They haven’t called back.