When I die...

I hope to bequeath my search engine authority to my eldest son.

New ending to "Saving Private Ryan"

I like that it has been updated but is still reverent.

Norman Children's Chorus at the Holy Family Cathedral

My wife, Beth Grimmett-Tankersley, is an accomplished pianist. One of her long-term positions has been as the accompanist for Norman Children's Chorus. The choir, under the direction of Sandy Knudson, has received much acclaim and has performed all over Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri as well as other places I don't know about because to be honest I don't 100% pay attention all the time.

Last week the group performed at Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa. I caught a couple of solid excerpts from the performance. Please forgive some of the stupid camera-work. I had to make a last minute adjustment that left me all bug-a-boo. I have a much firmer appreciation for photographers and videographers who cover live events.



Love Lies Under the Old Oak Tree from Nicholas Tankersley on Vimeo.
Norman Children's Chorus performs "Love Lies Under the Old Oak Tree" at the Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa, Oklahoma. January 19, 2012.

Artistic Director - Sandy Knudson
Accompanist - Beth Grimmett-Tankersley

Ani Ma'amin from Nicholas Tankersley on Vimeo.

Norman Children's Chorus performing "Ani Ma'amin" at the Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa, Oklahoma January 19, 2012.


Aristic Director - Sandy Knudson
Accompanist - Beth Grimmett-Tankersley

Sony Nex 5n low light test

I'm not going to put the OR part of the title any more, it's a pretty stupid gimmick.

On to the show:



Footage info -
ISO: 3200
F-Stop: 4.0
Shutter: 1/8
Shot at 1920x1080 24p x 24mbs

Making a Rainbow Cake OR Getting Drunk and Playing with the Retro Effects on the New Camera While my Wife Bakes a Rainbow Cake

I know it's really long, but the second option for the title has a ring to it.

This photo series was shot the last couple of days when Beth got a wild hair up her ass to make a rainbow cake she saw on Pinterest. I would link to it here but then we'd have to go through that whole process and I've already taken all this time explaining why I don't want to do that.

I figured it was my job to drink beer, keep the dishes clean and take photos while the process unfolded. Here, for your viewing pleasure, is the Rainbow Cake Experience:

Here's a video!

Sony Nex-5n panorama mode OR My digital love affair

It's been a long time since I've owned a camera able to shoot decent video. In fact, unless you count that camera I went splits on in college with a roommate and never actually used, I've never even owned a video camera. That is until today! I recently hunted down a Sony Nex-5n (very back-ordered at this point) and have been playing with it since it came in the mail yesterday. I haven't had time to formally run it through its paces but there is a really nice panorama shooting mode that is fun to play with right out of the box.

A Panorama swoop of The Oklahoman/NewsOK newsroom via the Sony Nex-5n

King GuitArthur and The Druggs

Matthew Alvin Brown, creator of the magnificent "Rainbow Around the Sun," and myself have been working on a post-apocalyptic glam-rock opera for the last year. We may (or may not) have some very good news about this project in the coming weeks. For now, here are a few visual tidbits I worked up for the project

 

Batman, You're the Best

Here are a couple of photos my wife dug up online that are full of such wonderful, nerdy subtext that I get all a titter just thinking about them

The $58 400watt 5000k CFL video light

I've been working on creating a cheap yet still professional-grade lighting kit for personal use. The first light I've built is a 400watt CFL. Here's the breakdown for how it all went together:

Promaster Light Stand - $30.00 (local photo store which will never see my business again)
CowboyStudio AC Socket - $8.00 (amazon)
Photo Basics 4 plug Adapter - $8.00 (amazon)
27watt 5009k CFL Bulb x 4 - $12.00 (Lowes)*

_______________________________
Total - $58.00

NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL - Cowboy Studio Soft Box

The light, as it is arranged now produces the equivalent of  400watts of incandescent light which, if I am not mistaken, is about 6,400 lumens of brightness. However, the total wattage is only 108watts. The Basic Socket adapter handles 110watts and each socket in the 4 Plug Adapter handles 30watts. There is also a 250watt Socket which I will be using to build a more substantial light. I think I can boost it up to 1000watts, or 16,000 lumens of brightness for around $90.00. I'll post more when that is complete.

I have tested this light with a still camera and am still waiting for delivery of my new Sony Nex 5n so I can do proper video tests. Spec-wise, though, it should all work out. I will post more once I've had the chance to build a proper 3-point lighting kit.  For now, here's the little bastard I built:

400watt 6400 lumen CFL video light with Soft Box

NOTES:
* Here is a link to a five pack of 30watt 5500k bulbs on amazon, this is actually the better bulb to use than the 5000k bulbs from lowes (LINK HERE)