Scuba Checkout - Landlocked in Virginia

My daughter Christine is getting her dive certification. This weekend was her checkout dive, at an inland quarry in Northern Virginia.

 

We were lucky to find an incredibly nice dive shop here, Coral Edge Adventures. Not only do they have an amazing selection of gear and lots of good trips planned to other places, the instructors and staff are all real nice people.

 

(Click Here) to check out Coral Edge Adventures.

 

I decided to dive with the group today, and carried along my Lumix DMC-TS3 waterproof camera.

Gearing Up

 

The Descent

 

The quarry was used to mine stone for the nearby highways. It's nearly 100 feet deep in places. It also has several submerged attractions, including an airplane, bus, and underwater platforms.

 

Cold Water Entry

 

Who You Lookin' At?

 

 

This dive represented a lot of firsts and mosts for me - first freshwater dive, cloudiest water, coldest water, first dive using a wetsuit. I'm what you call a fair weather diver - going every year or two in an easy, warm, clear water location with a guided boat tour. Today was a little different.

 

Here's how it looked underwater.

 

Clearest Water I Saw

 

My Dive Buddy, Less Than Eight Feet Away

 

Resurfacing

 

A Little Splash Fight

 

Leaving The Water

 

I like this last shot. The water running down the lens makes a cool effect.

 

So, this wasn't the best dive conditions I've ever experienced, but it was good training. I actually did lose my dive buddy at one point. I'm also really excited about having Christine complete her certification. This is something she'll be able to enjoy for many, many years.

 

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Panasonic Wins TIP Awards for DMC-GH3 and DMC-TS5 - Can't Wait to Test the TS5!

Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) Awards

Image Source: http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/pressrelease/tipa_2013/

Panasonic has won the TIPA awards 2013 in two classes. The GH3 has won best Compact System Camera (CSC) award. This is an accomplishment, especially given the strong competition that Olympus has provided in this category.

Panasonic's DMC-TS5 has also won the award, in the Rugged Camera category. As I've written, I was chosen to test the new TS5, and am watching the mailbox every day until it arrives. I've already downloaded the app to connect to the TS5 with my iPhone. I'm ready to go out and get that camera wet and dirty - which won't hurt it a bit!

In the meantime, I have been covering the wet stuff with my DMC-TS3, the younger older cousin of the TS5.

Fossil Hunting, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Buy your own TS5 here, and help to support this blog!

Spring is Really Here! Time To Get Back Out in the Field!

 

Fossil Hunting Crew, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 14-140mm f4-5.6 OIS Lens at 25mm

iso 160, f11, 1/160 sec., fill flash on

 

Cabin fever has finally reached its end. Today (Saturday, April 27, 2013), I had the pleasure of taking my daughter and two of her friends out fossil hunting with PaleoQuest founders Jason Osborne and Aaron Alford, and Science writer Kerry Klein. It was a perfect day to be out at Calvert Cliffs, on the Chesapeake Bay.

 

PaleoQuest is a non-profit organization, focused on bringing science, particularly Paleontology, into the hands of students.

 

(Click Here) to check out PaleoQuest's very active approach to improving science education.

 

I shot this fun little video (click on it) of the kids showing what it's like to find a fossil shark tooth. Really, it just gave them a chance to goof off:

Video by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

 

Here's an example of one of the fossil shark teeth found on this beach, from the largest shark that ever lived, Carcharocles megalodon:

 

Megalodon Tooth, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

iso 400, f10, 1/800 sec

 

These are the cliffs, the source of all of the fossil material that ends up in the Bay and on the beach. This is a beautiful place, and I always enjoy being there.

The Cliffs, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 14-140mm f4-5.6 OIS Lens at 19mm

iso 400, f8, 1/160 sec.

 

 

Kerry recorded audio and took some photographs of the outing. Hopefully, we'll see and hear more of the trip in one of her upcoming podcasts.

Kerry Recording Audio, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 14-140mm f4-5.6 OIS Lens at 17mm

iso 160, f5.6, 1/1250 sec.

 

This was a great day. I find it increasingly difficult to find an activity that pleases three twelve year olds; this one did the trick. It was a blast to get out and combine family, friends, science, and photography into a single day!

 

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I'm A Panasonic Early Adopter! This Means I Get My Hands On A DMC-TS5 Soon!

I recently applied for the Panasonic Early Adopter program through their Facebook page, and was selected! I get to test the new waterproof, shockproof, GPS and wifi-enabled DMC-TS5! I will write up a report for Panasonic and give feedback on the product - right up my alley!

 

Panasonic DMC-TS5

Image Source: www.amazon.com

 

I have an earlier version of this camera, the DMC-TS3, which I bought about a year ago. I've taken care of the camera, but never worried about getting it wet, even taking it underwater, out in the sand, etc. I've always been pleased with the images it produces.

 

(Click Here) to see a post of images from the TS3. If you search my blog for "DMC-TS3," you'll see more.

 

I have stated in the past that I'm not affiliated with or compensated by any camera company. While I'm really pleased to get my hands on the DMC-TS5, I'll refer directly to an excerpt from Panasonic's Terms and Conditions regarding my affiliation (or lack thereof) with the company:

 

"Panelists acknowledge that they will not be compensated or otherwise personally enriched, directly or indirectly, for submitting Content."

 

So, I promise that I'll remain objective about my comments on any product, Panasonic or otherwise.

 

I can't wait to try out some of the new features of the TS5, including an app to use my iPhone to remotely trigger the camera. Cool!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Lumix DMC-TS3 and I Go Fossil Hunting Again - Lots of TS3 Images

One of my favorite local activities here in Northern Virginia is fossil hunting. I'm very fortunate to have close friends who really know their Paleontology - both academic and in the field. For more on that -

 

(Click Here) to go to paleoquest.org, my friends' non-profit organization, targeting education in prehistoric science.

 

So, Jason Osborne and I headed out on President's Day for a day of fossil hunting near Liverpool Point in Maryland. I carried my Lumix DMC-G3 and 100-300 zoom in a backpack all day, never taking it out. I did, however, shoot little vignettes of the day, all day long, with my waterproof Lumix DMC-TS3. Here they are (pretty much straight from the camera):

 

 

Bird Tracks, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

iso 100, f10, 1/250 and 1/20 sec, respectively

 

Icicles, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

iso 100, 3.3, 1/1000

 

Yes, it was cold in the morning. However, there was essentially no wind, no cloud cover, and it got up into the 40s later in the day. All in all, the nicest day we've seen in a while.

 

Duck Blind, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

iso 160, f3.3, 1/1000

 

 

For some reason, I really like this shot. I knew I liked it when I shot it. Yes, the subject is centered, a compositional no-no. I like the "T" shape made by the combination of the dock and the horizon. I also like the bush sticking out of the roof.

These next two shots seem to me like they could have come from the desert southwest. I'm told this is likely holocene (recent) river bed.

 

 

Sedimentary Layers, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

iso 160, f10, 1/100 (both shots)

 

I thoroughly enjoy shooting with the TS3. I used iAuto pretty much all day, which means that I didn't make any decisions other than composition. The small sensor provides lots of depth of field regardless of settings (except in extreme closeups), so I can trust the camera to take care of exposure for me, and not worry about it. On these fossil trips, I'm usually carrying other stuff, and in this case had multiple layers of clothing to contend with as well. Having the little TS3 in my hand was so simple.

Speaking of closeups, again the small sensor and wide focal length lens allow you to get very close. Here are a few examples.

 

Barnacles (Modern), by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

iso 100, f10, 1/160

Turritella Fossil, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

iso 100, f3.3, 1/250

Tracks, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

iso 100, f10, 1/320

 

Oyster, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

iso 100, f10, 1/320

 

And here's the real goal - a shark tooth. This one was sticking right out of the cliff side. It's nice to find them this way, as the real Paleontologists can see which layer they're in. And, they're not worn down by wave and sand. Beautiful.

 

Tooth in the Matrix, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

iso 100, f10, 1/160

 

Unlike most days out in the field with Jason, we didn't find anything spectacular on this trip. But, we sure had a good time walking the shore, enjoying some sunshine, and having a laugh or two.

 

The TS3 was a useful tool for grabbing some images along the way. I hope you enjoy them.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

There's a newer version of the DMC-TS3, the TS4. I would recommend this camera for a nice balance of image quality and toughness (including shock resistance and waterproof operation).

 

White Christmas in Virginia

 

White Christmas in Virginia, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

iso 100, f5.9, 1/8 sec

 
It's Christmas Eve, and we are getting a nice dusting of snow here in Virginia. So, I grabbed the weather-proof Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 and a tripod, and ran out for a few photographs. I think this one shares the feeling nicely.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 
 

Shooting in Bad Weather

It's that time of year, at least here in the Northern Hemisphere - yes, here in Northern Virginia, along with the welcome cooler temperatures, gorgeous changing leaves, and approach of winter, we get a fair amount of rain. I try my best not to let it keep me indoors, or away from shooting.
 
I recently read an article on shooting in inclement weather on the Photo Blog ePHOTOzine.
 
(Click Here) to read the full article.
 
Here are some points that author John Gravett makes about shooting in the rain:
 

1. Wear protective gear for yourself - a good rain jacket, waterproof pants, maybe gloves. John doesn't wear gloves, but suggests neoprene fishmerman's gloves, if you need them.
2. Carry a waterproof camera bag. Many of the LowePro bags come with a handy integrated rain cover, for example. You can also always use a plastic bag, but it doesn't look as cool.
3. Protect your camera when it's out of the bag. John makes the point that some gear (he mentions Nikon) is very water resistant. I use the Shutter Hat (below) for my Nikon or Micro 4/3 kits when it's really raining. I use a hotel room hair cover (the ones that you get free in the hotel room bathroom) for smaller cameras. I also use a DiCaPac cover for my Lumix DMC-LX5, which makes it completely waterproof.

Shutter Hat Camera Protector

Image Source: www.amazon.com

 
In terms of the photography itself, John likes to work with telephoto lenses to compress the perspective, and often uses water to provide a flow to the composition.

Rain on Branches, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1, Lumix 45-200mm Zoom Lens

iso 800, f5.6, 1/125 sec

 
John also suggests trying black and white in the rain.I find that black and white, with a yellow or red filter to make the sky contrast more dramatic, can really work well.
 
Here's a shot I took in the pouring rain, using my DMC-LX5 in the DiCaPac cover.
 

Chesapeake On A Rainy Day, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

iso 80, f2.8, 1/320 sec

 
If I were to try that again today, I would certainly do it with my waterproof Lumix DMC-TS3. It's so much easier to use than operating camera controls through a waterproof cover. And there was enough light on this day that the TS3 would have done fine. The TS3 doesn't shoot raw, and doesn't have near the low light and lower noise capability of the LX5. But, in this case, convenience would have been very nice.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

Fossil Hunting in Maryland with the Lumix DMC-TS3

Erosion Forces, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

 
Last Sunday morning, I got up early and headed to a place on the Potomac River known as Liverpool Point, to do some fossil hunting. The video above shows the important parts of the scene - cliffs to the right, literally full of fossil material, the waves coming in from the left, day by day eroding into them. In the middle, beach, and awesome opportunities to find fossils that have washed out of the cliffs.
 
I packed up a Lumix DMC-G3, 14-140mm and 100-300mm zooms, and carried them in a waterproof bag on my back. I never took them out. The TS3 covered everything I needed to shoot. In fact, the TS3 did far better in closeups than I could have done with the G3 and the zooms I had. Of course, if I'd brought along the Macro-Elmarit 45mm f2.8, that would have been a different story. As it was, I just used the TS3, and never worried about getting it wet, etc.
 
Here's a cross-section of the cliff, showing just how dense the fossils are in places.
 

Cliff Cross-Section, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

 
This area is known for fossilized sand tiger shark teeth. Here's one sticking out of the cliff matrix.
 
 

Sand Tiger Shark Tooth, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

 
I also found a fossilized crocodile tooth - much less common. It's amazing to think that enormous crocodiles and sand tiger sharks once prowled the waters that are now the Potomac River. These ones were from the late Paleocene, approximately 55 million years ago.
 

Liverpool Point, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

 
It is great to be able to get out and hike the shore at sunrise, collect fossils from animals that lived there 55 million years ago, and be home in time for lunch (or nearly so).
 
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BUY YOUR TS3 HERE! CLICK THROUGH THE LINK BELOW.
 
 
 

Lumix DMC-TS3 Makes A Great Vacation Camera

 

 

Waterslide Series, by Reed A. George
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3, iAuto, Burst Mode
 
I took the little waterproof DMC-TS3 into the pool with me. I turned burst mode on and captured the series above, first try. Sometimes automation is a good thing.
 
In good light, this is one heck of a nice little camera.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 
 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 Goes Fossil Hunting

Fossil Skull? by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

iso100, f3.3, 1/640 sec

 
I took my little DMC-TS3 to the beach yesterday, where it belongs. The waterproof feature makes it perfect for trips like this. We went looking for fossils, and found a lot. The one above is by far the most intriguing. I'm still conferring with the experts (not me) to decide what it might be, but I'm pretty convinced it's a skull of some type.
 
These deposits are from the Pliocene, about 2-5 million years old.
 
In addition to the big find, there were lots of great shell fossils to peruse.

 
 

Shell Fossils, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

iso100, f3.3, 1/640 sec

 
 

More Shell Fossils, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

iso100, f3.3, 1/400 sec

 
 
I loved how this eucalyptus tree grew on the edge of the cliff.
 

Eucalyptus on the Edge, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

iso100, f3.3, 1/400 sec

 
I am very pleased with the Lumix DMC-TS3. For all of these shots, I used the Intelligent Auto (iAuto) setting. They are all directly out of the camera, with no editing whatsoever. It couldn't be easier to get decent shots in good light. And, the GPS is also very useful.
 
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Underwater Reflection

 

Underwater Reflection, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3, iso 200, f3.3, 1/125 sec

 
We're all used to seeing reflections on the surface of water - the top surface, that is. This picture shows the reflection of a leaf on the bottom of the water-to-air surface. Cool huh?
 
Having a camera that I can easily stick under the water allowed me to discover this. The DMC-TS3 is a lot of fun.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 
 

Can You Guess Where Lake Texoma Is?

Every year in the month of May, my Dad and a couple of friends and I converge on Kingston, Oklahoma to fish for striped bass in Lake Texoma. As the name implies, Texoma is on the border of Texas and Oklahoma. As you can see below, it's striper paradise...

Striper Paradise, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3, iso 100, f3.3, 1/250 sec

 
My new Lumix TS3 waterproof camera worked well for me on this trip. It is nice to have a decent, unobtrusive, waterproof camera to take out on the boat, without having to worry about a waterproof case.
 
We have been fishing Texoma together for about eight years now. Since then, my Dad has upgraded boats to a wonderful 17' Boston Whaler Montauk, we've changed accommodations, and the lake has seen several ups and downs. In fact, last year, the previous winter's freeze decimated both the shad (main food source for the stripers) and the striper populations. We fished in 40 degree temperatures with 40 mile per hour winds, and our catch was meager compared to previous years. At this point, the lake has recovered fully, the shad are thick, and the big stripers are back.
 
One thing we never change about the trip is that we spend our mornings with Terry Scarberry, the best darned fishing guide on the lake. You'll see why in a minute. And yes, I'll share his contact information at the end of this post.
 
Fishing with Terry means getting up early. We try to be at the dock by no later than 5:30 AM. Of course, at that point, he's already been out catching live shad for our bait, and is ready to go.
 

Daylight Run, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3, iso 400, f3.3, 1/25 sec

This year, one of our regular fishing group, Kevin Reinhart, couldn't make the trip. Something about the horrors of having to go to Fiji for "work." Yeah, whatever.

The "other Kevin," Kevin Potts, another regular, did make it. Here's Potts on our first morning, ready to catch the first striper of the trip.

Potts, Ready to Go At Sunrise, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3, iso 160, f4.2, 1/60 sec

 
Once Terry got us situated, lines baited and in the water, he showed me what the depth finder indicated. For the uninitiated, the right panel shows a depth for 78.7 feet. More importantly, the red cloud in the middle of the screen indicates a school of fish. They came in so densely packed that it occasionally caused the finder to think the water was only 20 feet deep!
 
 

Hang On, Boys, Here They Come! by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3, iso 125, f3.3, 1/60 sec

And come they did. Our boat and the boat next to us were so busy catching fish, there literally was no time for photography. Now, I'm sure you recognize what a conflict that represents for me - fishing, photography, fishing, photography, what to do? Listen to the guide and fish!

 
 

The Beginning of the Run, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3, iso 100, f3.3, 1/320 sec

Texoma's striped bass are actually the same species found in saltwater (also known as rockfish on the East Coast). They were introduced into Texoma, and it's one of the few places where they spawn naturally in fresh water. In fact, they were on their way back from the trip upstream into the Washita River for the annual spawn. They don't reach the same size as in the ocean, but fish in the twenty to thirty pound range do show up from time to time.

Below is an example of these beautiful, healthy fish, and what they do to the live shad we use to catch them.

Caught, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3, iso 100, f3.3, 1/125 sec

 
This year, Dad caught the biggest striper we've ever gotten on one of these trips. Fifteen pounds.
 

Dad Brings In The Big One, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3, iso 100, f3.3, 1/250 sec

Here's what Dad's fish looked like at the dock. The length scale on the cooler goes up to 28 inches.

Longer Than The Cooler, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3, iso 125, f3.3, 1/125 sec

 
Our morning was over quite early, as we caught our limit within a couple of hours. Here's our first day's catch.
 
 

First Day's Catch, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3, iso 100, f3.3, 1/100 sec

 
We spend our afternoons at the lake fishing from Dad's boat (the catch rate is significantly lower than when we're with Terry), eating fresh fried fish and breaded okra, and sharing a beer and an old story or two. In fact, this is the only time I drink beer, and I usually limit it to one. I don't limit the stories.
 
Potts and I have been friends since the 1970s (or "the nineteen somethings" as my 11 year old daughter likes to say). My Dad has memories of bailing us out of our teenage craziness. It's always a blast to get together.
 
 

Afternoon Sunshine, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3, iso 100, f16, 1/200 sec

Cruising around the lake in the evenings is both relaxing and beautiful. The weather this year was perfect, as you can see in the sunset picture below.

Texoma Sunset, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3, iso 160, f3.3, 1/250 sec

We always have such a relaxing time. We missed having Kevin "Rhino" Reinhart with us this year, and expect him back next year. We are all looking forward to it already.

(Click Here) for the contact information for Terry Scarberry's guide service. If you get a chance to go out with him, you won't be disappointed.

 
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