Prints on Metal

I decided to do a few prints specifically for hanging in the garage. In keeping with the theme of the garage (lots of metal signs above the new workbenches), I elected for prints on sheet metal. I purchased two pieces of pre-cut 28 gauge steel at Home Depot (about $12 bucks or so) and had the photos printed at Staples for another $3. They needed to be on a color laser, as do all photos for transfer by this method, but on standard paper. That downsized my ideal from an 18x12 to a 17x11 with a border, but I made due. Using acrylic gel medium from my local Utrecht, I took the color reverse-printed photos, laid them on the metal with a layer of medium between, and pushed it out smooth with a plastic card. A day later, I started breaking off the paper using a damp cloth and my fingers, and then when it was done, I decided to coat with Rustoleum Clear Coat High-Gloss, instead of sealing with wax. It seemed more... industrial. 

17x11 of the Oberto boat rounding the Roostertail Turn at the APBA Gold Cup Race

12x8 of a train bridge in Royal Oak. It's faint, but the old carving of the words "Grand Trunk" are still visible when you see this one in person.

And a 7.5x6 of the truck, without which there would be no garage re-do.

I still have to hammer down the edges to get them smooth, because hand cutting these pieces to size with my old tin snips was not the easiest. Once I do, they'll go up in the garage. Oh, and for those wondering -- cost of project ~$20; time of completion 3 hours over 2 days.

Marc Winter - solo/acoustic show at My Dad's Place Bar (and Grill)

My friend Marc has been featured on the blog before, along with his band Landstalker. Last week I went to another show of his, but this time it was just him, acoustic. I didn't know exactly what to expect, since I only knew him as a bass player -- and it turns out that's what he did. I've never seen an acoustic bass as the only instrument in a show, but along with his pedal and a jerry-rigged mic, he rocked the bar for 45 minutes. Here are some of the shots:

On the second to last song, he broke a string, so the set had to be completed with a borrowed bass from one of the touring bands. I laughed because that is basically the bass he used in high school when we first met. 

Anyway, I did this without a speedlite, which was a terrible idea. I don't like to use a flash at all, but I need to learn that it is the best thing sometimes, since I need to capture movement. I'll work on that. Comments are always appreciated.

APBA Post Two -- Non-Unlimited Boats

Contrary to yesterday's work, these photos are all taken before the final race that was featured. With categories like "vintage," "light," and other words I can't remember, these photos feature the smaller boats, as well as one of a turbine since I did have a cold-pit pass.

This guy welcomed me right off the bat. 

This is what powers the unlimited powerboats.

They sure are!

Got a guy in a helicopter taking a picture of me. Or, more likely, the boat I was next to.

That concludes my adventure to the APBA Gold Cup Race. It was a great time, but it was also swelteringly hot, so maybe no more grandstands during a heat wave for a while.

APBA Gold Cup - Detroit

When I was growing up, we called it Thunderfest. Apparently in the twenty years or so since I last attended, the turbines got quiet and the race took on a more appropriate name. None the less, the weekend before last was an amazing display of powerboating along the Detroit River. The pictures are divided into two categories and posts -- this one features the "unlimited" powerboats, powered by turbines and racing for the cup. A second post coming tomorrow will have the smaller "vintage" style of boats, which also made for some great photos. Anyway, here we go:

I had a great view of this tight second turn, known as "the Roostertail" since it is right in front of the restaurant. My father watched from there with his wife, while I was in the grandstands with my father-in-law.

Behind these two is the Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle. They are a huge sponsor of the race, and you can see their logo on every racer.

Here you can see the damage that the Graham boat took early on.

Oh Boy Oberto was predicted to win, but a lane violation gave a one lap penalty, and since it is only a five lap race, making that up is nearly impossible.

Landstalker

On Monday the 20th, I had an opportunity to head to a little bar next to the remains of Old Tiger Stadium called The Corktown Tavern. A friend of mine from high school, Marc, told me it would be more than acceptable if I brought my camera. So, in the unbearable heat of the second floor, I captured some pictures. Here's some shots of his band, Landstalker.

Drummers are a difficult capture when the stage is this small.

I had a great time! If you want more info on the band, please check them out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LandstalkerMusic. I am always making an effort to get out to more shows, but this is the first one I was able to bring my camera to since Dragon Wagon. I'll keep using the tag and bring along more soon.

-Frank

Las Vegas!

On a recent weekend, my wife and I headed to Las Vegas with a few other couples. Everyone on the trip had been before, aside from myself, and I was astounded at the sheer volume of invented places -- made to be pleasing to the eye and inspire the further spending of money. I'd never experienced such luxury, and it took me a little time to stop asking why such things existed and just accept that they did. So, I took some pictures.

Waterfalls! They're everywhere! It gave me a lot of chances to practice blurring/sharpening the flow based on timing, but I'll just leave this here so that we don't have a post full of waterfalls.

One more won't hurt.

The Mirage! This is where we stayed. I had a beautiful view of the back of that weird dome.

The strip at night, taken from the dinner table.

First experience with Fried Chicken and Waffles at Hash House A Go-Go. Not the last.

Gondolas! Right in the middle of the mall shops within the Venetian! That's where I'll stay next time.

Anyway, we had a great time, and despite being a short weekend I was thoroughly introduced to the many things Vegas has to offer -- like not sleeping, and cover bands that are way too friendly. Fun!

-Frank

Embrace your generation, I guess.

No photos of my own in this post -- just a capture from Google Maps.

So, I was reading the most recent issue of Time, and the cover story is all about The Me Generation; those terrible Millennials and their narcissism. I realize that I was born in 85, but I just seethe with anger at the younger end of my generation -- so far from Gen X and so unaware of a world without advanced internet. Students posting selfies all day ruin my mood. Why? If it happened during your class, you'd be upset too. But, anyway, to my point -- I was reading about the attitude of the generation, and I noticed something interesting: they have the technology, but they don't use it to broaden their horizions. I definitely do... don't I?

Oh goodness, I've only ever looked at my own houses on Google Maps, or the layout of a mini-mall to figure out which one was the chinese place I was heading. Satellites all over the place, and I can't take the time to explore? To figure out which country is where? I mean, I know a lot, but there are just things that I don't know and have to search more to find out. I'm a lifelong learner, so naturally I finally went and searched the globe for something I'd never seen before. This is what I found.

(image courtesy of Google Maps)

Kotelny Island, part of New Siberia. This island is on the northern coast of Russia! It has everything on it! Go find something cool, guys.

I'll post some photos soon. We went somewhere and I'll tell you all about it.