Bob Crum

Without assignments on the calendar, and the weather lately quite hot, why not go standup paddle-boarding with the mermaids? Great idea until my frontal lobe considered it too dangerous given my propensity to collide with sea buoys, sail boats and whales migrating south. The parietal of my brain said HA, you know how sensational paddle-boarding is with the mermaids... GO! Not so fast, said the occipital part of my brain... visually processing my falling off the paddle-board. The basal ganglia assured me all would be OK if I went. Besides, with mermaids to help me back on the board... falling off frequently would be fun. It was. The plan was flawless.
Sorry, no photos. My Canon camera is not waterproof. Did I hear a boo??? Speaking of cameras, so many questions. Why do I need a digital camera when my smartphone camera does the job? Egad! Smartphone cameras are indeed improving at the speed of an asteroid. And they fit in your pocket or purse. All is well and good... for snapshots! SNAPSHOTS!

As most of you know by now, I often exhibit tendentiousness. Bias! By now, y'all should know that phonetography is NOT photography! Let me explain why... again.

Seriously, photography is so much more than the equipment. It's a creative endeavor... a process so engaging that all who partake experience time standing still. It's an indescribable feeling: The photographer... camera... subject... oneness in a creative realm. Quite mesmerizing! It's not unlike the high a runner gets. Or the feeling a plein-air painter on scene experiences.

For this delightful, surreal experience, one needs a CAMERA! Herewith I'll present (at no extra charge) a few important things your not-so-smart smartphone camera might not be able to do that a digital camera can.

Zooming. Look. Way off to the right, there on the breakwater, you see a vivacious mermaid. You zoom the smartphone but it looks grainy. Most smartphones can't actually zoom. Instead they re-frame and crop the image to create the illusion of closeness. Real digital cameras with an optical zoom lens can zoom into the mermaid and capture a crisp in-focus image.

Self-expression. An important component of creativity. Smartphones are fine for utilitarian tasks but offer limited visual options included in digital cameras. Without using an app, your smartphone's camera probably can't change your aperture for genuine depth-of-field effects or use long exposure to capture the motion trails of taillights in the city.

Nighttime phonetography = frustration. Most smartphones lack light sensitivity, fast image processors and long exposure times of digital cameras. Long story short, digital cameras have a much larger dynamic range for a much larger range of conditions.

The ability to shoot longer with a digital camera is a big benefit. Battery fully charged, I'm lucky to get through the day with my LG-G3 smartphone. Digital cameras employ battery packs good for 300-600 photos depending on the camera & how much you chimp. Remember, photo ops wait for no one. Takes less than 15 seconds to swap camera batteries or memory cards. Can you do that with your smartphone?

Resolution. Megapixels don't just sound cool on paper - they're crucial in determining the clarity of your pictures. Most smartphone resolution ranges between 8 – 12MP. Most digital cameras sport 20 or more megapixels. For social media on the Net, smartphone resolution is OK. For anything more than that, not so good.

Good news. A few present-day cameras now feature Wi-Fi. Aha! Now you get great quality photos and can send out them out instantly to your FB page via your smartphone. Best of both worlds and you are now out of excuses for not photoing with a 'real' camera.

This week’s photos are a select few left-overs from the Fair. So many photo ops. I hope you enjoy.

Happy photoing (with your camera!).

Send your questions, comments, suggestions to bob@fillmoregazette.com

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced today three confirmed deaths in California due to West Nile virus (WNV). The deceased persons were residents of Kern, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. CDPH is unable to provide additional patient details including demographic information and name of hospital providing care to protect confidentiality.

“West Nile virus can cause a deadly infection in humans, and the elderly are particularly susceptible,” said CDPH Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “August and September are peak periods of West Nile virus transmission in the state so we urge everyone to take every possible precaution to protect themselves against mosquito bites.”

As of September 1, CDPH has reported 87 human cases of WNV from 13 California counties this year. Additionally, 239 dead birds from 30 counties have tested positive for WNV in 2017, and 2,284 mosquito samples from 24 counties have also tested positive for WNV this year.

The numbers of WNV positive dead birds and mosquito samples are below those at this same time last year, but the number of positive mosquito samples exceeds the state’s most recent five year average.

West Nile virus is influenced by many factors, including climate, the number and types of birds and mosquitoes in an area, and the level of WNV immunity in birds. West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. The risk of serious illness to most people is low. However, some individuals – less than one percent – can develop serious neurologic illnesses such as encephalitis or meningitis.

People 50 years of age and older and individuals with diabetes or hypertension have a higher chance of getting sick, and are more likely to develop complications.

CDPH recommends that individuals protect against mosquito bites and WNV by practicing the “Three Ds”:
1. DEET – Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 according to label instructions. Repellents keep the mosquitoes from biting you. Insect repellents should not be used on children under two months of age.

2. DAWN AND DUSK – Mosquitoes that transmit West Nile Virus usually bite in the early morning and evening so it is important to wear proper clothing and repellent if outside during these times. Make sure your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.

3. DRAIN – Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property by emptying flower pots, old car tires, buckets, and other containers. If you know of a swimming pool that is not being properly maintained, please contact your local mosquito and vector control agency.

California’s West Nile virus website includes the latest information on WNV activity in the state. Californians are encouraged to report dead birds on the website or by calling toll-free 1-877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473).

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By Charles S. Morris

In Fillmore, the eclipse on August 21st was an interesting event. For those in the thin band of totality, it was spectacular.

As totality approaches, you notice that the sky is gotten quite a bit darker and the temperature has dropped. The sky takes on a very eerie look. The planet Venus can now easily be seen. With only seconds to go, looking to the West, the sky darkens in that direction, as the moon's shadow approaches. Looking through a filter, one can see just a thin arc of light where the sun used to be. And then it's gone. There are yells of excitement and "filters off" and then it becomes quiet.

Looking up where the sun is supposed to be, without any filters because none are needed, there is a black hole in the sky. This is literally the dark side of the moon on full display. It is not totally round because the moon has valleys and mountains that are projected along the limb. In certain places you see small bits of pink or red gas that hangs above the sun's surface. These are called prominences. We can use special telescopes to see prominences without an eclipse, but they are even more impressive when projected onto the white solar corona, the outer atmosphere of the sun. Visually, the solar corona extends one or two solar diameters away from the sun. Being at solar minimum, very few sunspots on the sun, the solar corona is distinctly extended. It is the solar corona we can't see from Earth, except during an eclipse And the human eye sees all this at once.

Extending over you is literally a dome of darkness during totality, not totally dark, but perhaps like twilight an hour after sunset. Brighter stars and planets can be seen. For this eclipse, Venus was obvious and Regulus, the brightest star in Leo the lion, was visible near the sun. Other stars and planets were no doubt visible, if one looked for them. Along the horizon in all directions the sky is brighter. It is like a cone of darkness has descended on you, which is exactly what has happened. You are completely under the moon's shadow.

I was in Gendo, Wyoming for the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse. Gelndo was on what is called the centerline of the eclipse and provided viewers with 2 minutes and 25 seconds of totality. This was the first total solar eclipse in the continental United States since 1979 and was expected to be seen by millions of people. Personally, I have been fortunate to have been to six total solar eclipses.

Why do people go all over the world to see these rare events? Because eclipses are one of the most awe-inspiring sights that nature produces. No photograph or video can do justice to what the eye sees, although pictures and video can give a hint of the excitement.

For camera buffs, the pictures included in this article were taken with a handheld Canon 6D camera with a 200 mm lens, which is an unorthodox method for photographing eclipses, but allowed for taking minimum equipment. The exposure was fixed at 1/500 sec, f/8 and the ISO was varied between 200 and 4000 during the eclipse, which effectively increased the exposure. This method also provided more time for just looking at the eclipse.

The next total solar eclipse in the United States will be in April 8, 2024. However, every year or so there is a total solar eclipse someplace in the world. More and more people are traveling to see these rare gems of nature. The first thing that is often asked after a total solar eclipse is "When is the next one?" Chasing solar eclipses is addictive.

* TEMPERATURES...High temperatures will range from 98 to 112 degrees through Friday. Low temperatures will be in the 70s to lower 80s...highest across the elevated and foothill locations.

* IMPACTS...The very high temperatures create a dangerous situation in which heat related illnesses are possible. Temperatures inside vehicles, even if the windows are partially open, can quickly rise to life-threatening levels. To reduce risk during outdoor work the occupational safety and health administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments.

Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency - call 911.

(l-r) Martha Navarette was presented a Mug from Rotary member Ari Larson, for speaking to the group about all Santa Clara Valley Hospice has to offer. Photo Courtesy Martha Richardson.
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Martha Navarette, Director of the Santa Clara Valley Hospice spoke to the Fillmore Rotary Club about how local Hospice started as home support group, but are now more than that. They lend medical equipment, transport patients to and from doctor appointments, have case workers and give referrals. They also give physical and spiritual support as well. All of the services are free. They are located at 217 N. 10th St. in Santa Paula. They are having a Grand Reopening on September, 15th at 5:00 pm. 805-525-1333

Bob Crum

After four consecutive weeks of run and gun photoing, I'm sill in recovery mode as I write this. The past weekend was without an assignment but it's never like I have nothing to do. I still have rodeo photos I shot at the fair to post process. A photojournalist's fun is never done.

Rodeos are a challenge to shoot. Bucking broncs and bulls are difficult to predict. I try to anticipate the animal's direction and start pointing the camera in that direction expecting to get the money shot. I guess wrong a lot, thinking the animal will go this way but it goes that way. Grumble... grumble.

Another thing I try to accomplish is getting the bronc or bull rider in focus while getting the animal a tad blurry to illustrate it's action. Of course that requires getting the shutter speed dead on, Ha! Again I frequently guess wrong, but when I'm right... the image is spectacular. I get paid a lot for spectacular photos. You'll see the effect in a couple of the rodeo photos if you're observant... hint-hint.

Of course, timing is crucial as well as composition. It's important to keep the shutter button poised and ready. I get so upset when I'm a millisecond late. Must be that as I gracefully mature (ahem... age) my reflexes are getting a tad slower. My legitimate excuse for miscues!

As you know, pressing the shutter release button halfway activates the autofocus presuming that you're gear supports autofocus. But from my experience, the process is somewhat problematic.

Too many times, depressing the shutter button half way to activate focus results in two problems: 1) the shutter button is often too touchy... push it a tad too much and get a premature photo missing the money shot; 2) in the heat of exciting action, the shutter button often gets pressed in one swift push preventing time for the lens to focus. Hence, too many out-of-focus shots. Not good. Remember, an out-of-focus photo cannot be fixed!!! So, I gave up on that method years ago. Even for mermaid boudoir photography.

On my Canon 7D Mark II, I have the option of assigning an external button to activate autofocus. It's commonly called 'back button focus'. I designated the “*” button as my autofocus activator. I use the shutter button ONLY when I'm taking the photo. Before I actually take the photo, I'm pressing the “*” button on back of the camera to 'pre' focus so that when I mash the shutter button, focus is done and locked. Bingo: Money shot!

Even by the back-button focus method is not totally fool proof... especially when I forget to push it! But it's much better than using the shutter button to focus before taking the photo. If you have a camera that allows you to assign another button to activate focus, I encourage you to do so. It will improve your in-focus to out-of-focus ratio significantly. For those you who try it, let me know about your experience. BTW, it will take practice so that it becomes second nature. Just sayin'.

Panning... following a fast moving a subject in focus with the background blurred... is an interesting and creative technique. Set the appropriate shutter speed, aperture, and follow the moving subject. Rodeos provide such opportunities. Online, fillmoregazette.com, find and identify the rodeos photo where I panned the subject and the first person who emails me the correctly identifies the photo (it's also marked) wins one free Baskin Robbins scoop of ice cream. Offer ends at noon on Wednesday, 9/6/2017.

I selected the 'leaping bull' as the “Photo of the Week” because I was amazed that an animal that large could jump that high.

Happy photoing!

Send your comments, suggestions or questions to bob@fillmoregazette.com