Sightlines

Forest Fire

Thursday, August 7, 2008. In light of the helicopter crash that killed nine firefighters in Northern California yesterday, I wanted to do a post about a fire I witnessed in Montana. 

As many readers know, I make an annual pilgrimage to "Camp Lindbergh" each summer to renew the already close ties with Peggy and Ed (from Missoula), and Bill, from Colrain, MA. We rendezvous at Peggy/Ed's cabin on Lindbergh Lake (about 75 miles NE of Missoula, nestled between the Swan Range and the Mission Mountains. 

We were chilling on the dock--following our motto: start slow and taper off--when we started hearing helicopters. Then one flew by with a bucket swaying below. Yep, en route to a fire. Fast forward a couple of hours to early evening when Peggy and I tried to start the motorboat. No luck. Bill and Ed were off fishing, so our only option was to take the rowing shell. 

Peggy rows, and it's a spacious shell, but let me tell you, shells aren't built for passengers. but I wedged into the bow, facing Peggy, and cradled my camera gear in my lap. The water came within two inches of the gunnels. 

An hour later we were down-lake, across from the fire which had burned up a hillside and across the crest. A small plane circled--presumably a spotter. A larger plane dumped pink retardant and took off to re-load. A helicopter came straight for us, really, then hovered a 100 yds away, dropped it's bucket, dragged a few yards, then lifted and scudded across the lake to drop it. Back it came, making loop after loop, each dumping/re-loading cycle taking about 4 minutes. 

We pulled ashore, sat against a log, had a beer, a sandwich and a Snickers, and watched the show. Thank God I had my long lens (100-400mm), but I forgot the video camera. Dang. 

Fire fighters arrived by speed boat and we learned later from Ed (who is a battalion chief in Missoula FD) that the guys would work through the night. 

Between the fire fighters and rain storms the next day, the fire was put out in a few days. Apparently it consumed about 100 acres

I'd never seen a forest fire close up, and it was amazing to see trees explode into flame. I've posted a bunch of photos on my Flickr page. Cheers. 

Burning uphill

Sunday, August 3, 2008. It was an animal's race. There was Dan, Animal #1, with two other animals (my bro, Dave, and Tom) in hot pursuit. The event: a 16.5 mile time trial up Larch Mountain. For about an hour and 15 minutes they kept their heart rates in the 85-90% range as they churned and burned up 3,000 ft through old growth forest. Dan edged Dave by a couple of minutes, with Tom not far behind. Truth be told, Dave would sell his first-born to beat Dan. In a nice bit of timing, bro has an article in today's "Oregonian" about Dan, and it's also on the web

My role: press corp. I got video footage of Dave at the start (photo on left) and at the end; ditto for still pictures. I wanted video footage "in the can" in case I want to use it in my final project (tentatively called "The Intrepid Commuter") in my video class at the NW Film Center.

It was cloudy and cool, almost cold at the start. Fleece weather. Part way up--through the old growth forest--it was all mist and fog. Then the sun started to burn through and there were fab photo opps of fog in the trees. 

It was interesting--and gratifying actually, to be in a support role. I drove the coach's car up the course to the parking lot at the finish, and managed to get photos of the other animals. The support role is not one I usually assume--usually I'm the animal out there in the hunt. But this time was I pleased and quite content just to have the job of driving and taking pictures. 

But don't get the idea that sibling rivalry has melted away. Two days ago I bought a bike. No, not in the Lance Armstrong league of bro's but certainly no clunker with a coaster brake. Bro said I should do this race next year. Yeah? Stay tuned... Cheers. 

Science Pub

Tuesday, July 29, 2008. OK, so "Science" and "Pub" don't go together quite as naturally as say, "Brew Pub." But they did last night at the Mission Theatre and Pub. On the last Monday of each month, OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) sponsors The Science Pub. 

The theatre/pub is part of the McMenamin's chain of pubs and it doubles as a theatre. Instead of rows of seats, tables and chairs are scattered across the main floor. There's also a balcony, which looks like the prime viewing zone. 

Last night's forum was on the Port of Portland. As a newcomer to the city, I thought, Why not learn some stuff about the Port? And sure enough, I was treated to an informative slide show by the Port's Director. And I had a couple of beers along the way. 

Of course I had the camera, but it was quite dark. Cranked up the "film speed" to 1600, which is why you see "noise" (formerly known as grain) in the photos. Yes, I should get Noise Ninja as a noise removal tool. 

Anyway, here are some factoids that I noted:

- Waste paper is the largest export from the US

- The average distance that your evening dinner travels to get to you: 1,500 miles

- Fred Meyer / Kroger is the largest importer in Portland

- Those big cranes that load and unload containers cost about $11m each.

- About 40% of all truck and train traffic goes through Chicago.

The picture below give additional stats.  It was an appreciative and well-informed audience. In sum, a good time was had by all. Cheers, 

Great Photography in Portland

Sunday, July 27, 2008. Photolucida is a big deal in Portland--and for photographers from around the country. At least that's what I gathered at the "Portfolio Walk" last evening. Actually, I first learned about Photolucida from Seattle photographer, Doug Plummer. The event brings photographers together with curators, dealers, publishers and gallery owners. Over the course of four or five days, the photographers sign up for portfolio reviews, each 20 minutes long. 

The Portfolio Walk is free and open the public. What a great way to see a lot of work and to talk with photographers. I learned that this year was a scaled-down event; ordinarily the event is every other year. Although it's very popular with photographers, there's a rather steep admission price: $725 for next year. The photographers I talked with said the reviews had been helpful, but the reviewer's opinions varied widely. One guy said, "I just watches their eyes; if they light up, I know I hit the mark." 

Such variety of work: one guy had nondescript landscapes which turned out to be a series of location shots where serial killers had murdered their victims. There were lots of gorgeous landscapes--in color and in black and white. One photog made tintypes, another made her own cameras. Here are postcards of three photographers--one of whom, Erik Boker, takes pictures of dissected toothpaste tubes. Really. Ah, the variety of art... Cheers.

 

Tour de Brews

Saturday, July 12, 2008. My latest project--I've always liked having "projects"--is to take pictures of all the brew pubs in Portland. And of course I need a guide, and so who better than Will, my 23 year old son and beer connoisseur. 

The only criterion: the pub must brew its own beer. 

In the heat of a late afternoon last week we hoofed it down to our first spot--The Bridgeport Brewery where we repaired to the shaded and breezy deck. Will took the measure of a Bridgeport IPA and I sipped on a refreshing Haymaker. The verdict: two thumbs up. The pub is in the Pearl District, an industrial area turned art gallery / high-end condo and retail zone. Construction all around. 

One beer was plenty, so we turned our attention to the interior. Couldn't take a tour (Saturdays only), but I took some pictures of paraphernalia and beer handles. 

Last Friday it was brewery #2--the Lucky Labrador Brewery.  It immediately struck me as the quintessential Portland Brewery: bikes outside--and inside; picnic tables outside, beer kegs converted to flower containers, tattooed waitresses. And a bartender graciously agreed to show us the brewing tanks. A bonus, and Lucky Lab scores points! We sat outside and took in the scene. An after-work group, guys from construction jobs, a few couples with their dogs. A retriever nuzzled up to Will. An altogether entertaining scene. And the beer--a Super Dog IPA for Will and a Long Day Lager for me--was excellent. 

Will's the tour guide, so in this beer and bike town, we have lots more exploration ahead. Cheers.

Photoshop, You Make My Heart Sing

Thursday, July 3, 2008. Dear Photoshop, you make my heart sing (remember that  line from "Wild Thing" by the Troggs?) You finally arrived, and you're the right version for the Mac. First, you went to Seattle, because your parents at Adobe didn't know I was in Portland. But the new owners of our house kindly sent you here. Meanwhile, I called your parents and they sent another copy of you.

So yesterday, in an embarrassment of riches, both of you arrived. I loaded one of you into the Mac and now we're up and running. Your sister application, Bridge, is up too, and I downloaded close to 500 pictures that had been sitting on my 4 gig flash card. 

Without new photos I had to resort to sending old images on my Daily Sightings. No one complained, but I was so ready to process new work. 

Just one glitch that puzzles me: many of your keyboard commands that involve the function keys don't work--at least not yet. It looks like the Apple functions trump you. But no doubt your mysteries will reveal themselves soon. 

We won't get technical here. I just wanted you to know that I'm glad you're back in my life. By the way, you helped me make this picture which I took the other night, looking out over Portland. Cheers. 

Oh, what fab cinematography!

Saturday, June 21, 2008. When I was in college I wanted to be Sven Nyquist, Igmar Bergman's cinematographer. I was in awe of his skill at bringing to the screen all that stark existential angst, all those deep theological questions, all that longing and despair...

I just watched "The Diving Bell and The Butterfly," and now I want to be Jsnusz Kaminski, the cinematographer. 

I didn't recognize his name, but Wikipedia clued me in to the fact that he won two academy awards in the 90's--one for "Schindler's List" the other for "Saving Private Ryan." 

Not only is the cinematography fabulous, the story is absolutely riveting. The fact that it's true makes it all the more compelling. If you haven't already seen it, I hope you catch it soon. Cheers. 

Multiple Learning Curves

Hello. Ranked by degree of steepness, finding my way around Portland is the least steep. The next curve ramps up a bit: finding my way around on my new Mac Pro. And what will no doubt be the sharpest angle skyward will be Final Cut Pro--the video editing software from Apple. 

It took close to eight hours to install Final Cut--all eight disks of it. Next Wednesday evening I start a multi-week class on "Digital Editing" at the NW Film Center. I sure hope they don't expect us to be fluent with FCP...

With the Mac Pro, the learning has been accelerated with the help of Apple's OneToOne program. For $99 one gets a weekly 50-minute, 1:1 tutorial with an Apple trainer ( I think they are officially called "Creatives.").  The weekly sessions go a year. Is that great or what?! 

I've had two sessions thus far, and, among other things,  have figured out the set up for Apple mail, and--this is really cool--how to drag a photo from iPhoto into an email. 

Getting around Portland: Love the Max, hate the one-way streets. No doubt I'll get used to them, but the other day I got caught in a Bermuda Triangle of one-ways as I tried to bee-line it from the AAA office to Burnside St. 

Running is a both a challenge and a delight. On the plus side: lots to see, and nearby is the Lincoln High School track. Running's a great way to explore.  Plus, I can run to 24 Fitness, the club/gym I joined (reasonable price, easy access) in about 10 minutes.

On the downside, it's dang hilly! Especially up near Washington Park. With the running, and walking much more than I did in Seattle, seems like my legs are always tired. But hey, I'm not complaining. Cheers.

A Walker in the City

Thursday, June 12, 2008. I only remember the title: "A Walker in the City," by Alfred Kazin; nothing about its contents. I bought it in 1970, just for the title, when I was briefly living in Toronto. Don't even remember whether I finished it. Lately, I've been a walker--and a runner--in this city. Each walk or run takes me to a new place.

Monday, it was downtown to the library to get a card--my first official piece of my new identity. It's a lovely old building, and such a contrast to Rem Koolhaas's Seattle library. Both are great. I confess I didn't explore all of the library here, but did find a room that's sort of a mini-version of the great reading room at the New York Public Library. Libraries are such inviting, comfortable places.

In the next block was the "Urban Meadow." Hundreds of pots of flowers and grasses filled Pioneer Square. And in the background, a Nordstrom and a Starbucks. A nice contrast.

That evening, the magnetism of Papa Haydn's, (Dessert Destination of the Western World!), pulled us out of the apartment and down 23rd. Judging by the waiting line, the force field is pretty darn strong. Papa's is just eight blocks away, so it will take many walks/runs to counter the effects of brownies the size of  Kansas. Cheers. 

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Monday, June 9, 2008. Yes indeed, yesterday was a beautiful day in the neighborhood. I was reminded again of my favorite quote--the one listed on this blog: "There was so much to see in the world that I felt one couldn't afford to be slack about it."

So I followed Paul Scott's advice and walked up the steep slope to Washington Park and on the Rose Garden. Not surprisingly, I had lots of company. Of course I had my camera--as did just about everyone else.

Then I found a path up the Japanese Garden. Lizzie and I wound our way up to main entrance and discovered they don't allow dogs into the Garden itself. Not surprised. Nonetheless, it's a lovely path through woods up to the entrance.

On the way back it occurred to me that I have not seen many Asians in Portland, compared to Seattle. There were some East Indians at the Rose Garden, but as I get around town, I'm struck by how "white" it is. And young. Seems like 20 and 30-year olds are the predominant age group.

Anyway, it was a lovely day, and I'll send some of the flower pictures on Daily Sightings soon. Cheers.