05/21/2010 – 1 – G1 Extended Battery
My HTC Dream (G1) with an extended battery compared to an iPod Touch
1 – 05/21/2010
I bought an extended battery for my G1 (HTC Dream.) It should greatly improve my phone’s battery life, but it makes my phone seem as thick as a brick due to the larger physical size of the battery. It’s pictured next to my iPod Touch to demonstrate. At least now I can use the GPS, wifi, and other Android 2.1 fun stuff to my heart’s content without worrying about my phone dying in the middle of the day.
This is the first post of my new “Picture a Day” project (365)
Get the Facts: Student Government Association Elections | Grand Central Magazine
This last week I took pictures of CMU’s Student Government Association’s Presidential Debate. Check them out at Grand Central Magazine.
Get the Facts: Student Government Association Elections | Grand Central Magazine.
California II, Slide Film, Medium Format Film
Red Flower, originally uploaded by Ryan Karolak.
I finally got my positives back from the film labs. The pictures I took with my Minolta X-700 and the Fuji slide film (135) turned out great. It’s a shame it takes so long to send out and be processed. It’s one of the times convenience of digital is certainly appreciated.
Something I was asked by a friend was how come I haven’t bought a Medium-format camera if I like to use film. If you’re not familiar with Medium format, it’s a larger size of film then 35mm. In turn, you get better quality, especially when it comes to resolution. Medium format is the format of choice when it comes to weddings and portraits. 35mm is used by journalists and consumers. Landscape photographers use Large Format cameras. In fact, even to this day Large Format is often preferred for landscape photography due to its amazing resolution. Medium format can even be said to be better than most digital cameras but a skilled digital photographer, especially one with a higher-end DSLR, can make up for this.
I don’t use medium format for a few reasons. One, I don’t feel like spending the money on a decent medium format camera. They are expensive. I’d rather get a Nikon F6, personally. Also, if I am going to get that serious into photography where I will be in a situation that would call for a really nice film system, I’d rather spend it on a DSLR. A Nikon D300S or D700 would be much more useful for me, and would probably save me money in the long run. Also, it requires a lot of time and money to send film out to remote labs. There are no professional labs in the area.
My Minolta X-700 and the rest of my 35mm do a fine job for the moment. I have a good set of lens for my Minolta (six total) and have been happy with the results. Of course, my D40 makes up the slack with fancy things such as Auto-focus and convenience. When I have the money, perhaps by doing photography, I will upgrade to a better DSLR, THEN a better film system… either a F4 or Medium Format.
View all of my pictures I took in California with my Minolta here: [link]
Men’s Retreat, Capital MX-II
Connor, originally uploaded by Ryan Karolak.
This last weekend I went on a Men’s retreat with a few guys from an organization that I belong to (Open Grove.) It was a good time.
While out connecting with some of my fellow “manly” friends I took some pictures with a cheap toy camera that I bought at Goodwill for $3. I loaded some Kodak bw400cn as well as an old flash unit I found the same day at The Salvation Army for $2. Some of the best finds in a long time.
The camera is a Capital MX-II. Very cheaply made. Not a great camera by any means, although it did have a hotshoe for flash and four aperture settings. I wasn’t sure what to expect.
When I got the pictures developed that night I was pleasantly surprised. They weren’t that great of quality, of course, and they lacked the Holganess of Vignetting, but they certainly had an “old film” feel to them.
Now I have some Walgreens Studio 35 ISO 400 film in it (probably just rebranded Fujifilm) and see how that goes. I’m hoping for a similar faded-yet-nostalgic feel to those pictures as well.
Check out my first roll of film with this camera here: [link]
Here is a picture of the camera. It doesn’t have the flash I mentioned, but instead a much larger Vivitar 283. 
[link]
On another note, I’ve changed the theme of my website again. I also got a few other nice features working, including link sharing and Twitter services.
California
Christine One, originally uploaded by Ryan Karolak. I like how this turned out, although I might edit it and remove the stray hair.
Pictured: My wonderful sister, Christine.
I had a good spring break. My family traveled out to California where we visited family. It was nice to catch up with family that I don’t get to see too often.
The weather was fairly cool for most of the vacation. It was usually in the 50’s and 60’s, with the exception of the last day we where there, where it was in the 70’s. Regardless, it was relaxing and I got a few opportunities for some good photography. I took my Nikon D40 and Minolta X-700. With the Nikon I just used my 35mm f/1.8 lens and I brought my 50mm f/1.8 and 70-200mm lenses for my Minolta. I also used Fujifilm slide film with the Minolta.
The pictures that I took with my Nikon are up on the net and can be found here: [link]
My other pictures that I took with my Minolta will be up once I get them back developed and scanned. Hopefully that will be next week sometime.
Big Sean
Welcome Big Sean, originally uploaded by Ryan Karolak.
A while back I was asked to photograph Big Sean and Mike Posner for GCM. Both artists are Michigan natives. I’m not particularly into Rap or Hip-Hop, but it was an enjoyable concert to photograph and attend, despite it getting off to a late start.
Full set on Flickr: [link]
Article at GCM: [link]
Upcoming Posts; Website Progress
I have been busy with photography lately. I still need to upload my latest shoots to Flickr however. Once that’s done I’ll made a few blog posts on them. Until then, you can see some of my work on Grand Central Magazine. Links can be found bellow.
[J-Woww and Rodney P. visit the Wayside]
[Big Sean and Mike Posner rock a sold out Plachta Auditorium]
I realize my blog is fairly empty in its updates, but being more regular in posts, not only from my photographic adventures, but my personal updates and technical guides as well.
Thanks for reading!
Shawn Wilson
Shawn Wilson, originally uploaded by Ryan Karolak.
Student Retentions Director Shawn Wilson discusses retention impprovement ideas with CMU staff members Riike Rohn and Shan Novak. Shawn Wilson hosted the workshop along with Amy McGinnis.
Taken with a Nikon D40. Edited with Lightroom and Photoshop.
Pictures published in Grand Central Magazine: [link]
The Underground
V, originally uploaded by Ryan Karolak.
Keith Edward Dast and Andrew Kauervane perform as the band V perform live at The Underground. The Underground, found in the basement of the Riverwood Clubhouse, hosts live music every Friday night.
Taken with a MInolta X-370 and a 50mm f/1.7 lens. Kodak ISO 800 print film was used.
Pictures published in Grand Central Magazine: [link]
Underground at Riverwood
Check out one of my most recent photoshoots for Grand Central Magazine on Riverwood Resort’s Friday-night club: The Underground.
