Words to Lyrics Ben Ho's observations from the cloud

6 November 2009

Photo Processes: Camera to Computer

Filed under: Tech — Ben @ 10:05 pm

This is the second post about my photo processes. The first one was about where I put my photos. This post is about the work flow from camera to computer.

There are many different methods of getting photos from the camera to the computer, and then to libraries and backup systems. I’m based on the Mac, so this will be slightly different to that on a Windows based computer.

When I finish a shoot, I import all the photos into Aperture. It provides a lot of powerful tools to organise, tag and edit photos. The editing is quite basic, compared to Photoshop. I don’t own Photoshop yet.

Now, before I continue, I’d like to outline my philosophies for choice of software. If the operating system has a functionality that I need to use, I adapt my work flow to the constraints of that program.

All my photos are sorted (filed to delete, keep, export etc.) in Aperture. If there are any photos I want to export to Flickr, I use a plugin to do so. If the photos are “personal”, then the final collection of photos is moved into iPhoto. If the photos are of a concert, or “non-personal” they are exported as JPEGs onto an external hard drive, and the full Aperture project exported onto a separate external hard drive.

My Aperture library is not backed up by Time Machine, my iPhoto library is backed up.

The memory cards are erased by Disk Utility, and used with the next project.

This work flow will change when I get new hardware, which includes a custom built Linux based file server. Currently it works quite well for me, and I haven’t had too many problems with lost data, because I know where everything is at any time.

4 November 2009

Normal Service

Filed under: Forward Thinking — Ben @ 8:53 pm

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, I have finished my HSC exams. It is a great relief.

As such, normal service will resume as soon as possible. There’s another post about my photo work flow, and plans for next year.

One thing, all posts regarding post-HSC stuff will be embargoed until November 13, in respect to those who sit the last exams (French Extension, Textiles, and IT (VET)).

Thank you for continuing to read my blog.

BH

PS: I promise to be more reliable than CityRail.

10 October 2009

Photo Processes: Flickr vs. Facebook

Filed under: Tech — Ben @ 9:27 pm

I’ve got a few posts lined up explaining my current processes for the post-production and publishing of my photos. This first post is about publishing to web, the next one will be about organization after shooting an event.

I don’t like Facebook’s photo facility. It’s optimised to serve junk. I think that there are so many bad photos there, in terms of quality. Sure, many of them tell stories about people’s musings over the weekends, but thinking about it, it is mainly junk.

Let me give you a quick rundown on how Facebook serves photos. They optimise every photo that comes in for web use, scrubbing out EXIF and other miscellaneous data. Although they claim that “your photos look their best”, for quality freaks like me, it is far from that. The photos are resized and sent out through content delivery networks (CDNs). CDNs have servers all around the world, and requests for files are directed to the servers which is geographically the closest. More info is in this Facebook blog post.

So instead, I upload all my photos to Flickr. Their system is designed for the sharing and presentation of people’s photos (and pro member’s videos). When I upload there, the photos are served their original quality, with all the EXIF and other information. Flickr also allows geotagging, descriptions, tags and the like. In my opinion, it has a far richer experience than that of Facebook.

Now you might say “Hey Ben! Not everyone is on Flickr, but everyone is on Facebook!”. This is true. I completely agree that Facebook is the fastest way to share information with friends. Flickr is great for others to explore your work. I know that when I host photos on Flickr, I don’t get the intimacy of people’s comments/thoughts/feelings of my photos. However, I do get the “rich” experience I want which includes geotags, view statistics, and soon enough, critical appreciation. I am able to link Flickr photos to Facebook, so I can still show my friends.

To me, hosting photos on Flickr makes more sense. Although it seems like I am distancing myself from the social norm (well, at least the status quo), I think this issue will present itself better in the long term.

Any other thoughts?

5 October 2009

Two More Pieces of Advice

Filed under: Forward Thinking,Reflection — Tags: , , — Ben @ 9:23 pm

After writing the last post, I remembered that I had two more things to say.

1. Everyone is saying, “Make sure you thank your teachers for all the hard work they have done for you.” Well, the best way to thank them is to gain the best possible result in the HSC exams. They’ll be happy that their hard work has paid off, and you will be happy that you have a great result.

2. It’s almost a week since that wonderful last day of school. There are probably many thank you messages that you didn’t write on people’s shirts that morning. May I suggest that you hand-write letters to these people. I know I am…

All the best for HSC 2009.

4 October 2009

Crucial Last Weeks

Filed under: Forward Thinking — Tags: , , — Ben @ 9:41 pm

At time of writing, there are 17 days until English Paper 1.

As blunt as it sounds, the celebrations are over. The last game has been played, the last hurrah called. It’s time to hit the books, one last time.

I hope everyone isn’t finding it difficult to study. These are the last set of examinations, the most crucial ones. As has been said many times, “Your performance has an effect on other peoples’ performance.” I don’t want to explain how the system works, I think that overused statement is enough.

There are so many great things that will happen after this last set of exams. 4 weeks in retrospect isn’t much effort to ask for.

On the other hand, this is a great opportunity to get back into a normal routine. Simple things life having enough sleep and three meals a day, will make you feel better over the next few weeks. There is no reason to pull an all-nighter to cram; all that’s needed is to re-organise the schedule.

All the best for HSC 2009.

2 October 2009

Last Day in Retrospect

Filed under: Reflection — Tags: , — Ben @ 1:39 pm

This thought has been niggling me for the past day, and I wanted to get this off my chest.

So yesterday was the last day of school. The day began with a meet at Wahroonga Park, then a train ride to Waitara and finally a scooter ride from the station to school.

First off, I’d like to say that it was fantastic photographing you all. There are some great pictures of the most important day this year. It felt great documenting this wonderful day.

Second, I’m rather happy that this year’s celebrations didn’t produce any police cases, lawsuits and major injuries. Thinking about it, it was probably the best type of Year 12 celebration. At least we didn’t vandalise or damage school property or steal a car or something like that.  All we did was disrupt traffic for a very short time, and that’s the best possible outcome.

It’s not often that we get an opportunity to do something like this. So as every old saying goes, “Make the most of it.”

And we did.

30 September 2009

Last Day

Filed under: Forward Thinking,Reflection — Tags: , , — Ben @ 9:29 pm

Tomorrow is my last day of high school.

Being at Barker for 10 years (since the beginning) is no mean feat. There have been so many fantastic experiences over the years. There have been so many friendships made, changed, and broken. There were the good times, and the bad times. And we’ve all been through it all. Together as one. As the Class of 2009.

Many of us have planned to do so much in these last few weeks. However in reality, only a fraction of these things have been done. For me, it is physically and mentally impossible to do what I had planned in the space of a week. There are so many people to thank, so many people to recognise and yes, so many people to hug.

Tomorrow will be filled with many emotions. I know that some of us, myself included, will get a bit teary. I think it’s normal though. School has made up a majority of our lives, in the grand scheme of things. It has dictated and directed many minutes of the days. It will be interesting to see how life progresses without this.

I still have so much more to say, but now I must rest.

27 September 2009

Last Week

Filed under: Forward Thinking — Tags: , , — Ben @ 10:16 pm

Tomorrow is the beginning of one of the most anticipated weeks in the year, the last week of school. Many months of hard work has gone into planning and expecting this. I think many of us are still trying to see how we will be after this week is over.

For all of us, 13 years of our short lives have been in school, a regulated sanctuary, and now it is time to go.

For me, I still don’t know what to think. I say, let’s enjoy it for now.

Luckily a week of events has been planned, and yes, there will be some coverage on my Flickr. Stay tuned.

21 September 2009

Recognition Week!

Filed under: Forward Thinking — Tags: , — Ben @ 10:56 pm

This week is Recognition Week! I’m so excited!

This is the week where I am hoping to recognize everyone for what they have contributed to Year 12. The other main thing happening this week is the free hugs. So for those of you who don’t know, this is my initiative and and everything is done out of my goodwill.

This week also leads up to the Leaving Week, which is the week long celebration of the end of high school. Yay.

So for me, it’s time to recognise. Here I go!

PS: Sorry for the lack of posts recently. There is this thing called the HSC that I wand everyone else still has to do.

28 August 2009

28 August…

Filed under: Reflection — Ben @ 9:22 pm

For those who don’t know: Last Thursday 27 August, a girl in Year 11 died whilst skiing at Perisher Valley yesterday. Please read this SMH article to understand what is written below. Tomorrow, I’ll write an analysis of today’s media coverage.

Today, we witnessed a tragedy, spirit and camaraderie. The events of today were attended by all, many with tears in their faces. Many of us didn’t know her personally, but we all shared the grief of today.

It is hard to comprehend something that is usually not associated with youth. Especially when it is so close to home.

This morning began with a memorial service, attended by Year 11 in the Chapel. Many who were there knew Amelia well. Many in Year 12 also knew her and remembered her elsewhere. Television and radio news media were outside the Chapel covering the service.

The first half of today was a time of remembrance; coming to terms with what had happened. Flowers lined the steps of the Chapel following the service. Flags flew at half mast, almost a grave symbol in itself. Many took the option of not taking class for part of the day.

By the afternoon the mood had lightened, but was still solemn, a party mix of lollies assisting. Most Year 11 and 12 students had gone home.

It is now evening, and Facebook statuses continue to pay tribute to what was a full, active life tragically cut short. Messages of support have also been passed on to friends and families down at Perisher Valley.

Rest in Peace, Amelia.

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